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Wedding plans were announced in 2014 for a 26 year-old Illinois woman and which 80 year-old incarcerated mass murderer?
Round 3 Jeopardy Template What is the Ford Mustang? This still-popular muscle car was launched late in 1964, what is it? 100 What is the Syndy Opera House? In 1973, which famous building with a roof resembling sails opened after 16 years of construction? 100 What are young urban professionals? The word “yuppie” was popularized in the 80s; what does it represent? 100 Which figure skater was accused of breaking a competitor’s kneecaps before the 1994 Olympics? 100 What is Denver, Co? What city did Barack Obama formally accept the Democratic nomination for the US presidential election in 2008? 200 What is Mister Ed? Picked up by CBS in 1961, what famous TV show had a vocal equine as its star? 200 Who was Jimi Hendrix? What American singer-songwriter, who is considered by many to be the greatest electric guitarist in music history, died in 1970? 200 What Soviet leader replaced Chernenko in 1985? 200 What food chain uses this slogan: “Think outside the bun”? 200 What is Katrina? In 2005, what hurricane devastated the Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama coastal regions, and flooded approximately 80% of the city of New Orleans? 300 Name the Organization created to fight for important women’s issues? 300 What was the name of NASA's first space shuttle that was unveiled in 1976? 300 Who is Sally Ride? The Space Shuttle Challenger took the first woman into space in 1983, what was her name? 300 What is the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame? What famous museum opened in 1995 in Cleveland, Ohio? 300 Who is Charles Manson? Wedding plans were announced in 2014 for a 26 year-old Illinois woman and which 80 year-old incarcerated mass murderer? 400 What famous property, purchased in 1965, was once a swamp land in Osceola County, California? 400 What is Three Mile Island? In 1979, a nuclear accident happened at what Pennsylvania power plant? 400 In 1984, which restaurant chain featured this line in their commercial, “Where’s the beef?” 400 Who was the youngest singer to win a Grammy in 1997? 400 What is ALS (Lou Gerhig's Disease)? In 2014, the Ice Water Bucket challenge was established for what charity? 500 Who is Sirhan Sirhan? The 1960s were a decade of high-profile assassinations (President John F. Kennedy, Malcolm X, Robert F. Kennedy and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.) Name the assassin who is still alive. 500 What is In Vitro Fertilization? In 1978, the first test tube baby was born following what procedure? 500 Who was Jim Thorpe? Which Olympic athlete had his gold medals reinstated in the decathlon and the pentathlon, 30 years after his death? 500 What is Yellow Pages? In the 90s, which company used this phrase for their slogan "Let your fingers do the walking"? 500 Who is Psy?
Charles Manson
Which famous Portuguese single-named footballer and top scorer of the 1966 World Cup died in 2014?
NDN-11-18-2014 by Shaw Media - issuu Facebook.com/newtondailynews @newtondnews Lifetime passes praised Allows senior citizens to see Newton schools events for free By Jason W. Brooks Newton Daily News Jamee A. Pierson/Daily News Council approved no parking along North 33rd Avenue East between East 19th Street North and East 28th Street North at the request of TPI for employee safety and easier travel for the high volume of semi-traffic the road has. Council OKs parking ban near TPI Electric, gas franchise fees fail to move forward By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News After several month of preparation and discussion, the electric and natural gas franchise fees failed to garner any additional interest on its third reading at the city council meeting Monday. The fees would have been a surcharge on all electric and natural gas customers bills in Newton and would help fund road repairs and other infrastructure needs. “It kind of came down to three reasons why I didn’t do anything tonight. One was the county and school effect that this franchise fee would have and how that could create more problems. Number two was the business burden. We have seen cities that were able to tailor made it to make it a little more reasonable so that way the busi- ness wouldn’t take on the majority of the burden of this franchise fee,” Jeff Price, council member said. “Also, the retail or the economic development portion of that, too. Right now, I think we are in the point where we need all of the ammo that we can have, and I do think that this may have hindered that a little bit.” The funds raised by the franchise fee were pitched as a funding source for various infrastructure needs in the city. Mayor Mike Hansen agreed with Price that it is not the right time for Newton to move forward with a franchise fee, but that it was good to be able to talk with citizens as well as with the business community to see what was going on in the community. He said the infrastructure improvements were recognized by TCI community In other business, the coun- cil adopted an ordinance for no parking along North 33rd Avenue East between East 19th Street North and East 28th Street North. TPI asked the city and county to get rid of the parking on the shoulders because of the high semi-truck traffic along the road that jeopardized safety for employees. Property tax rebates for the Iowa Speedway were also adopted in the amount of $454,332.11 and paid from the Speedway-Prairie Fire TIF District fund. The city agreed to rebate all property taxes above $990,000 to the Speedway. A change in the Newton Housing Initiative Incentive Program for 2015 hopes to build interest to bring a home builder to the Newton area. Previously, the builder would receive reimbursement on the second year COUNCIL | 3A A red card is something most soccer coaches and players want to avoid. However, a red card is also what might help Jasper County senior citizens get to see their grandchildren participate in extra curricular activities for free. Newton Community Schools issues a Lifetime Senior Citizens Activity Pass for all Newton or Kellogg residents age 62 or older. While the red cards have been around for several years, longtime Newton supporter John McNeer said there are still seniors who might not be aware they can get into the school d i s t r i c t ’s a t h letic competitions a n d music activities for free. McNeer said he encourages all senior citizens in the Newton area to take advantage of the pass, as showing up for these events serves several purposes. “It allows the schools to show a little payback to those who have reached retirement age,” McNeer said. “They’ve put a lot of time and energy into the community over the years. It also allows young people to see there are folks in town that support what they do.” Newton High School Activities Director Scott Garvis said the card has been around longer than the three years he’s been there. “Many of our young people do community service, so it’s nice to have people show up for their events,” Garvis said. “It’s nice for them to know the community cares about what they’re doing.” McNeer said he isn’t sure who came up with the idea, but he thinks it was a good one. “It doesn’t cost the schools anything extra to do it,” McNeer said. “And everyone who shows up tends to buy drinks and popcorn once they get there.” McNeer, who will turn 81 in January, said he’s been retired for about 22 years. He said he didn’t have the chance to do many a c tivities during his high school years. “My football career lasted exactly one day,” McNeer said. “When I got home, my father asked where I’d been, and when I told him, he said ‘Who told you that you could go out for football?’ So that was the end of that.” Garvis said he knows some senior citizens have rarely missed a PASS | 3A Sample a bite at Taste of Monroe By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News Bring your appetite to the Taste of Monroe event starting at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Monroe Public Library, 416 Buchanan St. The event, which features samples from community members and is put on by Friends of Monroe Public Library, also has a basket raffle to help raise funds for the library. “A lot of people from the community will bring treats or a recipe, like soup, for everyone to taste,” said Brenda Lanser, library director. The event is in its fifth year and has various themes to help raise money. Past items in- cluded decorated trees that were auctioned off, Christmas wreaths for purchase and last year featured a decoration garage sale. There have also been vendors present with items for sale. This year, 20 baskets have been donated for auction with funds going to the library. Several organizations such as the Key Club, 4-H group the Lucky L’s, the Monroe Cooking Club and the Quality Chicks created unique baskets filled with items ranging from a “Save the Monarch” theme from Quality Chicks to a movie night in from the Lucky L’s. Private individuals in the community also donated baskets with wine themes and children’s baskets. The raffle tickets can be purchased for $1 each or six for $5 at the library. Each ticket can be placed in a bucket coordinating with the basket and they plan to draw the winners at the end of the event, sometime in the early afternoon. “The Friends of the Monroe Public Library will give money towards programming for the library. It is definitely a need because we have lots of after school kids and it also helps pay for the summer reading program,” Lanser said. Most of the money has gone toward various programs that the library provides for the community. In addition, Jamee A. Pierson/Daily News In its fifth year, Taste of Monroe, hosted by the Friends of the Monroe Public Library, will auction off donated baskets to help raise funds for the library. last year the library created a reading lounge in the back of the building as well as a teen lounge in the front. Lanser said it really helps fulfill needs that the are not a 75 CENTS 98213 00008 4 library, with the November event being the largest. Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or [email protected]. FEATURE WHERE IT’S AT Astrograph......................5B Calendar..........................5A Classifieds......................4B part of the library budget. The Friends of the Monroe Public Library offers several fundraising events throughout the year to assist the Comics & Puzzles...........6A Dear Abby........................6A Local News......................2A Obituaries.......................5A Opinion............................4A State News......................7A Practical Farmers of Iowa host “To Bee- or Not to Bee-Keep” in December. / 2A Volume No. 113 No. 129 2 sections 14 pages Thank you Shelly Warrick of Prairie City for subscribing to the Newton Daily News. To subscribe, call 641-792-5320 or visit newtondailynews.com 2A | Agriculture www.newtondailynews.com | Tuesday | Nov. 18, 2014 Practical Farmers of Iowa hosts beehive farminar in Lynnville Newton Daily News Practical Farmers of Iowa will host a farminar “To Beeor Not to Bee-Keep: What are Your Options?” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 9 in Lynnville open to everyone interested. Participants will be asking questions of presenters in real-time. Any computer with an Internet connection may be used to participate. This farming will be presented by Adam Ebert, Susan Yario and Cheryl Daman. This event is for farmers who like the idea of having beehives on their property, but aren’t sure if they are ready or willing to manage their own hives. Adam Ebert of Ebert Honey Company in Lynnville will talk about what it takes to keep your own bees, then discuss with Susan Yario and Cheryl Daman of Heartfelt Heirloom Farm in Springville their beehive-hosting arrangement. Ebert will also discuss farmer questions and concerns, how to find a beekeeper in your area, and what to expect from and ask of your tenant beekeeper. Bert, Yario and Daman are enrolled in Practical Farmers’ Savings Incentive Program. Farminars are led by farmers, and many are presented in a “fish-bowl” format where attendees listen as a farmer or business expert answers a beginning farmer’s questions. File Photo Andy Ebert and Ebert Honey Company of Lynnville will host an online seminar by Practical Farmers of Iowa about how to manage a bee farm. To participate, visit www. practicalfarmers.org/farminar, click the link to connect and sign in as “Guest.” Pre-registration is not required, but those who register will receive reminder emails one week and one day in advance. All upcoming farminars, as well as free podcasts of past farminars, are also available at this link. In Brief Cold a challenge for remaining harvest DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey commented Monday on the weekly Iowa crop progress and condition report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service. “Harvest is nearing completion with 92 percent of corn and 98 percent of soybeans harvested. Unfortunately, the snow and bitter cold weather creates challenges for farmers that still have crop in the field,” Northey said.   “Phenomenal harvest progress has been made the past two weeks and farmers are now nearly on pace with the five-year average, with 82 percent of the corn and 96 percent of soybeans out of the field,” Northey said. “Southwest and south-central Iowa continue to be most affected by weather delays and farmers in those regions have only been able to harvest 69 and 67 percent of corn as a result of the weather challenges.” Cold temperatures and snow halted most other activities during the week, but some corn stalks were baled, and manure hauled.  Topsoil moisture levels rated 0 percent very short, 6 percent short, 88 percent adequate, and 6 percent surplus. Ninety-two percent of Iowa’s corn acreage was harvested. This was the first time this season that corn harvest was ahead of the normal pace. Corn harvest in south central Iowa continued to trail behind the rest of the state with only 79 percent complete. Grain movement from farm to elevator was rated 48 percent moderate to heavy, dropping 12 percentage points from the previous week. Off-farm grain storage availability was rated at 84 percent adequate to surplus. On-farm grain storage availability was 79 percent adequate to surplus.  Hay and roughage supplies were estimated at 97 percent adequate to surplus. Cold and snowy conditions tested livestock, and some farmers have started to feed hay. Microloan cap grows to $50,000 through Dec. 8 DES MOINES— Iowa Farm Service Agency State Executive Director John R. Whitaker reminds farmers that the FSA borrowing limit for microloans increased today from $35,000 to $50,000. Microloans offer borrowers simplified lending with less paperwork. Whitaker said it makes borrowing from FSA a “first opportunity” to farm or quickly expand existing operations. “This will help more people because of new flexibilities created by the 2014 Farm Bill,” Whitaker said. “We’re especially excited in Iowa, because we want to encourage more beginners and young people, especially those from historically underserved communities, to consider farming as a way to become independent businessmen and women. It’s a rewarding way to build or expand a family operation.” The microloan change allows beginning, small and mid-sized farmers to access an additional $15,000 in loans using a simplified application pro- cess with up to seven years to repay. Microloans are part of USDA’s continued commitment to small and midsized farming operations.  To complement the microloan program additional changes to FSA eligibility requirements will enhance beginning farmers access to land, a key barrier to entry level producers. FSA policies related to farm experience have changed so that other types of skills may be considered to meet the direct farming experience required for farm ownership loan eligibility. Operation or management of non-farm businesses, leadership positions while serving in the military or advanced education in an agricultural field will now count towards the experience applicants need to show when applying for farm ownership loans. “If you want to comment on our changes to the microloan and loan eligibility, you have an opportunity to share suggestions,” Whitaker said. The comment period runs through Dec. 8. Farmers more than match state’s $9.5 million conservation DES MOINES – by the Iowa Department state investment to install bilization structures, 9 Iowa Secretary of Ag- of Agriculture and Land conservation practices,” percent for grassed wariculture Bill Northey Stewardship. Northey said. “Thanks terways, 7 percent for wahighlighted the 2,382 A copy of the soil con- to investments by farmers ter and sediment control Iowa farmers that used servation cost share an- and the state funds, more basins and 2 percent for state cost share funds to nual report can be found than $22 million was other practices. In adinstall conservation prac- at www.IowaAgriculture. used to build conserva- dition, 13 percent of the tices during the state’s gov under the “Hot Top- tion structures and adopt funds supported manage2014 fiscal year, which ics” section. conservation practices ment practices such as ran from July 1, 2013 to “The state cost share that prevent erosion and cover crops, no-till and June 30, 2014. T h e s e program has been around improve water quality.” strip-till that reduces erofarmers contributed $13 for more than 40 years The report shows 58 sion. million while the state and we continue to see percent of funds used The report also details CI2-IA-66110-NEWT0-MARS0-NONE-NONE.pdf, CI2, Our only sell..., IA, 6.6110 x4.5,can PDF,work contributed $9.5 million very strong demand from for specialists cost share supported how farmers inGZBBCJIQNU, cost share andE admin- farmers and landowners construction of terraces, with their local Soil and istrative support provided who more than match the 11 percent for grade sta- Water Conservation Discropinsurancespecialists.com trict offices to apply for cost share assistance. Iowa has 100 SWCD offices across the state, one in each county and two in Pottawattamie, that set priorities and use the funds to work with farmers that are doing conservation on their land. The Department has more than $6.75 million this fiscal year to help farmers and landowners install conservation practices through the state cost share program. Conservation practices eligible for assistance through this program include terraces, waterways, ponds, buffers, cover crops, and several other conservation practices. Field office staff with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship partners with the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service to assure the technical quality of the practices that are built and help farmers develop conservation plans for their farms. OUR SPECIALISTS ONLY SELL CROP INSURANCE. THERE’S A REASON FOR THAT. We understand what crop insurance means for your family and the importance of getting it right. That’s why we employ full-time specialists – spending 100% of their time working with crop insurance. Learning, understanding and making plans. It’s just too complex and too important for anything less. Discover the difference with a no-cost, no-obligation crop insurance plan review. NEWTON OFFICE: 641-792-9403 MARSHALLTOWN OFFICE: 641-753-3393 Agricultural Tax Planning Full service public accounting firm providing excellent service! 404 S. Commerce Dr. Suite 1 Prairie City, IA 50228 515-994-2822 www.konekpc.com Local & State News Council Continued from Page 1A receive reimbursement on the second year on its construction interest and utilities if the house had not sold. Now, the construction reimbursement will begin from the time a building permit is issued. As before, the builder would be reimbursed up to $10,000. In other business: • The council approved the purchase of 1608 First Ave. W. for the D&D Program at the price of $20,000. • Professional services from Shive-Hattery of West Des Moines were approved for the demolition of the former WaterWorks garage at 216 N. Third Ave. W. and the Newton Seed Store building at 224 N. Third Ave. W. for $19,150. Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or [email protected]. Pass www.newtondailynews.com | Tuesday | Nov. 18, 2014 | 3A Daily News welcomes new staff reporter Newton Daily News The Newton Daily News welcomes the newest member of its team as Jason W. Brooks joins the paper this week as a staff reporter. A native of the Washington, D.C., area, Brooks’ beginning in newspapers started in middle school. He lived and worked in southern California for many years before relocating to New Mexico in 2001. There, he com- pleted his journalism degree at the University of New Mexico, working for the Albuquerque Journal and other New Mexico papers before deciding to relocate Brooks to Nebraska in 2013. Brooks’ most recent position was as sports editor of the Wash- ington County Enterprise and Pilot-Tribune, covering three Nebraska high schools near Omaha. Most of Brooks’ experience has been with high school and youth sports, but he has reported on many K-12 education issues, which will make for an easy transition to the education beat at the Daily News. Brooks has won National Newspaper Association awards for both photography and writing. NHS chemistry classes tour local business Continued from Page 1A home football or basketball game in 30 or more years of attending Newton schools events. He said community support from the oldest local residents isn’t limited to athletics. “I’ve been in schools that had as many as 3,000 kids or as few as 400, and Newton is among the best at supporting Fine Arts,” Garvis said. “Newton (High School) is a little over 800 in enrollment, and the amount of people who come out for the Fine Arts events is tremendous.” Garvis said all a senior citizen needs to do is come to the front desk at Newton High School and ask for lifetime pass. He said the staff there will most likely take their word that they’re 62 or older and a resident of Newton or Kellogg, but bringing a photo ID certainly wouldn’t hurt. McNeer said he really isn’t sure how many other school districts let all senior citizens into events for free. Many districts do offer discounts. “It’s one of the best-kept secrets in this community,” McNeer said. “And I think it’s a delightful thing.” Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6530 or [email protected] Submitted Photo Five Newton High School chemistry classes, taught by Sarah Curry and Chris Forsyth, toured Thombert on Nov. 11. The students learned about polyurethane chemistry and how Thombert uses chemistry to produce their products. Thombert, Inc. is the leading North American manufacturer of polyurethane wheels and tires for electric forklift trucks and other materials handling equipment. The company was founded in Newton in 1946. FNNB collects food items for Salvation Army Submitted Photo The First Newton National Bank recently collected items to donate to the Salvation Army Food Pantry during the bank’s annual food drive. The bank collected more than 200 food items for the Salvation Army this year. Pictured accepting the donations are Captain Mikey Carter from the Salvation Army, Rob Kahn, executive vice-president of First Newton National Bank and staff members from the bank. Skiff Hospice annual concert 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 18 First United Methodist Church on Open to the public Freewill donations accepted 6 Orders Remaining Smoked Turkey from Moo’s on Thanksgiving! 10-12 lb Turkey Manicure less “God B ” the USA “ Sponsored by Newton Health Care Center Call 641-792-8372 to order. A Tour of Tennessee’s Musical Landmarks” May 16 - 22, 2015 Enjoy music and history? Highlights include: Gibson Guitar factory tour, Graceland, Fort Campbell Military Base, Backbeat Guided tour in Memphis, Lee Greenwood, Loretta Lynn Museum, Collinsville and much more! Newton Community Center 2407 1st Avenue East, Newton, IA 50208 For more information/questions call 641-792-7440 Hope to see you there! With one pan of sides (serves 10-15) ..........$6500 With no sides ...........................................$5000 Larger turkeys available upon request Quantities limited • Please order by Nov. 21st Deadline: April 1, 2015 100 N. 2nd Ave. W., Newton (641)792-1980 www.jhtraveltours.com Holiday Craft & Vendor Fair November 22nd 9:00 am - 3:00 pm at the Newton High School Admission: $100 and a non perishable food item for Salvation Army Vendors Include: FREE Thanksgiving Dinner at Culver’s Thursday, November 27th 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm Meal will include turkey, mashed potatoes & gravy, dinner rolls, pumpkin pie custard and other desserts. Newton Wal-Mart has donated the turkeys. The Salvation Army will be preparing the turkeys. If you’re interested in volunteering please call Curt at 641-787-9900 Thirty - One Pink Zebra Scentsy Premier Jewelry Jamberry Nails Homemade Candies RADA Cultery Vintage Lore Mary Kay Pampered Chef Tastefully Simple it Works Solar Lights Crafts Put on by the NHS Cheerleaders Email birth announcements to [email protected] 1650 W. 19th St. S., Newton 641-787-9900 Official Newspaper of the Periodicals postage paid at Newton, Iowa City of Newton and Jasper County Postmaster: Please send change of address © 2014 News Printing Company form 3579 to Newton Daily News All Rights Reserved Established 1902 (USPS 390-120) P.O. Box 967, Newton, Iowa 50208 ISSN 1040-1539 Printed Daily Monday - Friday Excluding Saturday & Sunday, New Years, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving & Christmas NEWS PRINTING COMPANY 200 1st Avenue East, Newton, Iowa 50208 Phone 641-792-3121 www.newtondailynews.com Email: [email protected] or [email protected] Corrections: The Newton Daily News strives for fairness and accuracy. Errors in our news articles will be corrected on this page. Readers who believe the newspaper has erred may request a correction by contacting Editor Abigail Pelzer at 641-792-3121, Ext. 6530, or by email at [email protected]. SUBSCRIPTION RATES By carrier 13 weeks .............................$33.75 26 weeks .............................$66.90 52 weeks ...........................$127.80 By motor route 13 weeks .............................$39.90 26 weeks .............................$79.50 52 weeks ...........................$154.20 By mail in Jasper, adjoining counties where carrier service not provided (one year) .............................. $171.00 By mail outside Jasper and adjoining counties (one year) .................$192.00 Opinion Keeping Me on My Toes Thinking positive By Jamee A. Pierson Staff Writer www.newtondailynews.com | Tuesday | Nov. 18, 2014 With snow on the ground and temperatures in single digits, winter seems to be officially here, even if not on the calendar for another month. I am not a hater of winter or the chilly temps. I love having four seasons even if my two favorites always seem to be the shortest. Snow isn’t even so bad, in moderation. What I could do without is the sub-zero temperatures with icy gusts of wind to go along with it. There is no fun to be had when the wind is swirling and you can’t see past the front door. Also, bundling up the girls to go outside is toward the bottom of my favor- ites list. Coats, hats, scarves and gloves — the kind where you have to work diligently to get each little finger in its correct slot — along with boots and sometimes snow pants are a daily routine I won’t be sorry to give up come spring. Winter does have some fun parts, especially when kids are involved. Watching both my girls experience snow for the first time is an entertaining memory. Their first steps on top of inches of snow before their foot sinks down to the ground and the look on their face that the ground is not as sturdy as it used to be was priceless. Face fulls of snow, snowmen and snow angels are all fun when the sun is shining. I thoroughly enjoyed the proud look on my oldest’s face when she built her first snow man and her constant concern as it slowly melted to a puddle. The cold weather also brings the holidays, which as stressful as they can be, are a great time with friends and family. Crazy travel schedules and cranky kids aside, seeing extended family and partaking in amazing food make it all worth it.  It is also a great excuse to do a little extra shopping for cute holiday outfits for the girls to wear to each event. I have to admit my oldest already has her Christmas dress in the closet and I have been keeping my eye out for a coordinating piece for my youngest.  With winter only in its infancy for the year, I’m sure my rosy outlook will darken as the snow piles up and the mercury falls. Talk to me after the holidays and I may be ready for a vacation to somewhere sunny and warm or at least without snow. Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or [email protected] Living and Dion What was America doing? Letter to the Editor Grateful for swift help at Skiff Judy Wittenberg Newton I want to thank all those kind people who helped me Thurs- day when I fell over backwards in front of Skiff Medical Center and was unable to get up. Thank you to the kind gentleman who happened to be walking my direction, to the people in cars who stopped to help me and the two nurses from the ER who got me back on my feet. We have a wonderful community and hospital! If I had to fall, I certainly was in a good place. I’m fine and no worse for the fall. Thank you all. Another View Maytag heritage should be celebrated Kathy Richardson Newton On Sept. 26, Kate Malott had an excellent article in the Newton Daily News titled “Finding Out about Fred. It was a well-written short biography on Fred Maytag, basically about his family lineage and the effects of this family on the city of Newton. A few weeks after that was an article by Linda Bacon of the Newton Convention and Visitors Bureau about Maytag Dairy Farms. Oct. 7 gave us an article that downtown Newton lands historic designation. A quote from that article, “The committee’s research showed the best way to move forward was to pitch downtown’s mid-century architectural aesthetic, which was influenced by the success of the Maytag Company and the city’s preparation for it’s centennial in 1957.” “(McDowell) was able to put together a good case to show that the washing machine industry influenced a lot of who we are,” the letter also stated. There’s even a Facebook page “You Know You’re From Newton” that has many posts and pictures of the history of Maytag. My question, and concern is simple. Why isn’t the heritage of Maytag celebrated and capitalized on by the city every year? It’s no se- cret that we are no longer a booming town, with great financial loss when Maytag left, but regardless, Maytag is a staple to our community and our history everywhere we turn. Why not structure an event every year called “Maytag Days?” There could be tours of everything Maytag touched, as far as structures, developments, donations and homes the Maytag family built. There could be so many activities downtown and at Maytag Park. It would definitely be a family affair, restaurants and businesses open for financial gain; booths could be set up for sharing or selling of Maytag memorabilia like old pictures, clothing, model cars and trucks; and there could be activities galore for children and people wanting to reconnect. Books about the history of the business, family and their influence could be made and sold. The books could be sold year round at hotels, convenience stores and anywhere else that tourists visiting the state of Iowa could purchase them. I’ve been learning many interesting facts about the Maytag family. Just recently, I learned that because of the Maytag family, built a zoo, one that is still operating, in Phoenix, Az. The zoo opened in 1962 and is the largest privately owned, non-profit in the United States. The zoo was founded by Robert Maytag of the “Maytag family” and operates on 125 acres of land in the Papago Park area of Phoenix. Maytag also founded the Arizona Zoological Society. Mr. Maytag died several months before the zoo opened in November 1962 and the name of the zoo was changed to The Phoenix Zoo. The Maytags were influential in the development of the YMCA, the creation of Maytag Park, and the local gun club, which is still in operation today. They were also very involved in the development of Rock Creek Lake and State Park. Maytag was a state senator. People love to reconnect. Why not have a weekend where everyone is invited, to participate and have fun? History is being lost, and we need to bring this back into the spotlight of Newton so that our children, grandchildren and everyone who visits Newton will have these memories. It seems that hardly a day goes by that someone, somewhere isn’t speaking of Maytag or coming up with a memory. Please, would someone from the city, or Convention and Visitors Bureau take the lead and make this an annual event? I would truly appreciate a reply from someone of the afore mentioned, and a discussion of how this can move forward and make this happen. It’s our history, don’t let it die. And the city could once again profit from the Maytag family. A European spacecraft landed on a comet Wednesday. At 57, I guess I’m too old to matter, but I rememb e r when it seemed t h a t o n l y Americ a n s By Marc Dion did that kind of thing. And, because I live in America, I kinda wonder what we were doing when the Europeans were figuring out how to land a spaceship on a comet hundreds of millions of miles away. Maybe we were arguing about whether it’s the “Democrat Party” or the “Democratic Party.” Or we could have been deciding if it’s “suicide bomber” or “homicide bomber.” Maybe we were writing a new “non-gender specific” version of the “Hail Mary.” Or perhaps we were passing legislation aimed at forestalling the spread of Sharia Law in Alabama. Ya never know. When those pointyheaded can-do European engineers were figuring out how to land a spaceship on a comet, maybe we were fighting the battle for “Merry Christmas” and against “Happy Holidays.” Maybe we were suppressing imaginary voter fraud or arguing about the relative happiness of slaves in the Old South. They loved it or they didn’t. Pick a side. It’s important. We might have been scrapping about unisex bathrooms or gay marriage or breastfeeding in public. Then again, we might have been busied by another round of the “why young people shouldn’t wear baggy jeans” discussion. We coulda been arguing about whether the world was created hundreds of millions of years ago or whether God whipped it up in exactly seven 24-hour days sometime before the American Revolution. Of course, maybe it wasn’t something that trivial. Maybe we were trying to decide where the president was really born, in America, in Kenya or in the heart of Hell. Yeah. Used to be America was a scientist with a high brow and a crisp white lab coat, or maybe a guy in work clothes with a lunch bucket. Now, America is a person on the couch with talk radio on speed dial or some latheredup boondock politician screaming dire warnings about the Federal Reserve Bank, Mexicans and (yes, still) fluoride in your water. America used to do it first and best and biggest. Now, we argue about it longer and harder and dumber. Our supposed primacy in the world exists only in that we will still send our young people to die in purposeless, endless wars started by people who have spent their political careers arguing about whether you should be allowed to pray before high school football games. You wanna build a new kind of spaceship in America, first you gotta decide if it’s a Republican or Democrat spaceship. Then, you gotta decide if it’s a liberal or conservative spaceship. Then, you gotta decide if it’s a Christian spaceship with tradition values. Then, when the argument finishes, you can start the work. Trouble is, in America, the argument never finishes. Marc Munroe Dion is a nationally syndicated columnists. His book of Pulitzer Prize-nominated columns, “Between Wealth and Welfare: A Liberal Curmudgeon in America,” is available on Nook and Kindle. The First Amendment Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Newton Daily News • Established in 1902 To reach us call 641-792-3121 Publisher Dan Goetz ext. 6510 Editor Abigail Pelzer ext. 6530 Circulation Director Kelly Vest ext. 6550 [email protected] Advertising Director Jeff Holschuh ext. 6540 Sports Editor Jocelyn Sheets ext. 6535 Business Manager Brenda Lamb ext. 6520 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Submit Your Views Letters to the Newton Daily News will be edited for libel, grammar and length and should not exceed 400 words. We reserve the right to shorten letters and reject those deemed libelous, in poor taste or of a personal nature. Include your full name, address and a daytime phone number for verification. Unsigned editorials are the opinion of the Newton Daily News as an institution. Signed columns as well as letters to the editor and editorial cartoons represent the personal opinion of the writer or artist. Records www.newtondailynews.com | Tuesday | Nov. 18, 2014 | 5A Events Obituaries Emily Latch Nov. 15, 2014 Emily Lee Latch, 80, of State Center, passed away with family by her side on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames. E m ily was born in Baxter Dec. 29, 1933, to Minnie and Andy Miller. She attended school in Baxter. On Oct. 16, 1965, she was united in marriage to Howard C. Latch. She was a long time member of the Presbyterian Church, a current member of the New Hope Christian Church in Marshalltown, a member of Rebekah Lodge, and a member of the Order of Eastern Star. Emily was employed at JCPenneys, Caseys and Cissy’s II. She enjoyed traveling, gardening, baking, shopping, celebrating the holidays, and above all, spending time with her family. She will be remembered for her strong faith and her giving heart. Left to cherish Emily’s memory is her daughter Judy (Doug) Kline of State Center; her grandchildren Andrea (Marc) Halbloom of State Center, Rachelle (Steve) Johnson of Rae Jean Allspach Nov. 14, 2014 Rae Jean Allspach, 59, of Kellogg, died Friday, Nov. 14, 2014, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. A celebration of Rae’s life will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22 at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Memorials in Rae’s name may be left at the funeral home. Those left to honor Rae’s memory are her daughter, Jody New Providence, Todd (Sharon) Kline of State Center, and Jason (Samantha) Kline of State Center; her greatgrandchildren Kelsiann and Alexander Halbloom; Jessica and Jared Johnson; Lane, Cael, Cody and Cole Kline; and Cailynn Kline; her sisters Phyllis Mouchka of Newton, Sandy (Doe) Bucklin of Ira, and Linda (Charlie) Vancise of Baxter; her brothers Marty (Lisa) Connelly of Prole, Bruce (Canice) Connelly of Rhodes, and Victor ( Joyce) Connelly of Colfax; her sister-in-law Carmella Miller-Moore of Massachusetts; her brotherin-law Dennis Bucklin of Ira; and many nieces Hansen of Newton and her four boys, Caleb and Kylar Schwabe and Kody and Kolton Hansen; her daughter, Karen (Travis) Rew of Hampton and their children, Triston, McKenna, and Jaxson; and her son, Bret (Kristie) Durr and their children, Harlie, Layne, and Peyton. She is also survived by siblings, Donna (Ron) Rogers of Macon, Mo., Bev (Kent) Pothoven of Sully, and Sandy (Bill) Herzog of Baxter; many nieces and nephews; and her best friend and companion, her dog, Doti. She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Frances (Holmes) Allspach; and a grandson, Dawson Rew. and nephews. In death Emily rejoins her parents; her husband; her sisters, Sharon Garr and Berna Bucklin; and her brothers, Jerry Miller and Duwane Miller. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown, followed by a funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19. Memorials may be directed to the family to be designated at a later date. For condolences please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Private burial will follow services. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Emily and her family. Birth Addison Kathryn March Oct. 2, 2014 David March and Elizabeth Lee, of Loveland, Colo., are pleased to announce the birth of their daughter, Addison Kathryn, born Oct. 2, 2014, at the Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, Colo. Grandparents are Doug and Jane March, of Newton, Craig Lee of Exeter, Pa., and Lisa Lee, of West Des Moines. Great-grandparents are Beverly Taylor, of Newton, and Frances Messina, of Blandon, Pa. Newton Main Street announces ‘Shop Small’ holiday retail promotion Newton Main Street has partnered with Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce members and the Centre for the Arts and Artists to organize a “Shop Small” holiday retail promotion. “Shop Small” features cash coupons from participating downtown retailers and a pop-up art show and sale hosted by the Centre for the Arts and Artists. The promotion celebrates Small Business Saturday, which encourages people to support small businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Customers will receive cash coupons from retailers for purchases made between Nov. 27 and Dec. 7, and can redeem the coupons at the same store between Dec. 8 and Dec. 24. The art show will be a one-day event, from noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 29 at the former Pappy’s Antique Mall, 103 First Ave. W. “Our goal is to get people downtown and showcase the unique gift options offered by downtown retailers and area artists,” said Andrew Bassman, executive director of the Newton Main Street Partnership. Participating retailers have two options for coupons: for every $25 spent, a customer receives a $5 cash coupon, or for every $10 spent, a customer receives a $1 cash coupon. Retailers can put additional restric- tions on use of the coupons. At the art show, more than 20 artists will display their work and have items for sale. The art show will also have a children’s activity, making holiday ornaments, as a fundraiser for the Centre for the Arts and Artists, and bakery sweets for sale. “We are very excited to have the Centre for the Arts and Artists, Chamber of Commerce members and downtown business owners partnering with Main Street to make this event happen,” Bassman said. “The combination presents a distinct holiday shopping experience unlike what is available anyplace else.” Submit events and view more events online at www.newtondailynews.com • Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at noon Wednesday at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 223 E. Fourth St. N. in Newton.  • The Newton Noon Kiwanis will meet at noon Wednesday at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 223 E. Fourth St. N. in Newton for lunch and a program titled “Hydro Electric Plant located by Pella” by Bill Radio. Anyone interested in the program or in learning more about Kiwanis is welcome to be a guest for lunch. For information or to make a reservation for lunch, call Margie Criswell at 641-521-9482. Visit www. newtonkiwanis.org to learn more about the service club. • Battlefield of the Mind women’s study will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Hephzibah House, 721 E. Fourth St. N. in Newton. • Alcoholics Anonymous Beginners support group will meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Newton. • Principles for Life single moms’ group will meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Community Heights Alliance Church in Newton. A children’s program will be available. • Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Prairie City Masonic Lodge. • Jasper County Community Watch will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the YMCA in Newton. • Narcotics Anonymous will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Newton. • Newton Community Blood Drive will begin at 1 p.m. Thursday at the DMACC Newton Conference Center, 600 N. Second Ave. W.  • TOPS Iowa 254 will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday at St. Luke United Methodist Church in Newton.  • Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Newton.  • Piecemakers Quilt Guild will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at St. Luke United Methodist Church in Newton. Members should bring their homework assignment for September and any completed baby quilts. The homework assignment was a 4-inch block made from 1.5 inch squares and the disappearing 4-patch block. Dara Carlock will be presenting a program on the construction of Crumb Quilts. Julie Fisher and Becky Jones will furnish treats and drink. Contact Margaret A. Jensen at 641-792-7720 with questions. • Jasper County League of Women Voters will meet at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Wesley Park Centre Garden Room in Newton. The program will be presented by Captain Mikey Carter of the Salvation Army, discussing current issues facing those living in poverty in Jasper County such as homelessness, hunger, access to medical and dental care, and help us understand what resources are available in our county and what is needed to better address this important issue. The public is invited to attend. Lottery Monday Midday Pick 3: 6 9 7 Pick 4: 3 7 4 2 All or Nothing Game: 4 5 9 10 11 13 14 15 19 20 21 23 Monday Evening Pick 3: 4 4 0 Pick 4: 6 5 1 0 All or Nothing Game: 2 4 5 7 10 13 15 16 17 19 20 24 Police Blotter Newton Police Department • Candice M. Myers, 44, of Cedar Rapids, is charged with driving while license suspended and operating without registration after she was pulled over at mile marker 168 on I-80 at 5:35 p.m. Nov. 12. Officers received a report of reckless driving. She was taken to the Jasper County Jail. • Alexis M. Nell, 23, of Newton, was arrested on a Dallas County warrant for failure to appear after authorities did a warrant check at 308 E. Eighth St. N. at 6 p.m. Nov. 10. Officers located her in the 500 block of South 13th Avenue East. She was taken to the Jasper County Jail. • Aarron M. Jones, 24, of Newton, was arrested on a Jasper County warrant for probation violation after authorities lo212 First St. N., Newton 641-792-3111 Hours: M-F 8:30 am - 6 pm; Sat. 9 am - 2 pm Locally owned & operated by Larry & Dianna Ambroson, RPh Come check out our Thanksgiving Decor and gift ideas cated at Hy-Vee at 12:06 a.m. Nov. 12. Officers received a report of a male walking around Charlie’s Barber Shop and found the vehicle at Hy-Vee. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail. • Steven M. Parsons, 52, of Newton, is charged with operating while under the influence after authorities were called to the 1100 block of South Fifth Avenue East at 6:48 p.m. Nov. 9. Officers were called on a motorcyclist who was possible intoxicated that had wrecked and started driving again. Officers located Parsons and found him to have slurred speech, bloodshot, watery eyes and smelling of alcohol. He admitted to drinking two beers and a receipt was found from the Scoreboard Bar. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail. Congregate Meals Wednesday Roast turkey w/dressing, candied sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, broccoli, Mandarin oranges, pumpkin bar and skim milk Thursday Oven fried chicken, mashed potatoes/gravy, mixed vegetables, fresh apple, chocolate pudding and skim milk For reservations or information about congregate and home-delivered meals, call 641-792-7102 or 1-866942-7102 toll-free. the Bridal Sweet Invites you to an Open House Saturday, November 22nd from 3-6pm 117 1st Ave West, Newton, Iowa Exclusive Fashion Show! Order a brand new Casablanca dress and receive 20% off! Register for door prizes! You could win 50% off your wedding dress! Every Bride Receives a Free Gift! 6A | www.newtondailynews.com | Tuesday | Nov. 18, 2014 Widow with younger lover is uneasy about their future DEAR ABBY: I am a widow who has fallen in love with a wonderful man who is almost 30 years my junior. He proclaims his love for me every day, and I know it’s real. I have been warned by others to be aware of “devious males on the make for comfortably situated widows.” After discussing it with the man, I have determined this is not his motive. Right now, we’re good friends who love each other’s company. If marriage is in the future for us, I’m afraid of the age factor. He is not. Could you comment and give me some guidance? — CAUTIOUS IN KANSAS DEAR CAUTIOUS: Everyone knows there are devious males — and females — out there, but not all men are predators. If your friend is financially independent, then it’s unlikely he’s looking for a sugar mama. While it is unusual, I know several couples in which the wife is considerably older than the husband, and they seem very happy together. If and when you plan to marry, it makes sense to discuss this with your attorney and have a prenuptial agreement created. If your friend has no ulterior motives, he will understand it’s for the protection of both of you and sign it. You have only one life to live — so live it without worrying about what others may think. DEAR ABBY: I just opened my social media account and saw a friend had posted her daughter’s report card — all A’s. She then went on to say how proud she was of her because she is also co-captain of her school’s volleyball team, and mentoring other students, etc. You get the picture. My son is suffering from depression and social anxiety, and we are fighting to keep him from failing all his classes. He’s going to therapy and is on medication. Abby, isn’t it in poor taste to publicly show your child’s report card? My son used to get straight A’s before his depression, and I would have never posted his grades. Now I am becoming resentful of friends whose kids are doing well. What advice can you give me besides not opening up my social media account again? — BAD FEELINGS DEAR BAD FEELINGS: I hope you realize that what this friend is doing is the same as parents who plaster bumper stickers on their vehicles that read “MY CHILD IS AN HONOR STUDENT.” If this woman’s posts upset you because of the challenges your son is dealing with, customize your social media feed to omit posts from her. That way you won’t have to cut yourself off from social media entirely. DEAR ABBY: Have you ever — out of the blue — thought of someone you hadn’t seen, heard from or thought of in a long time, and later discovered they died around that time? This has happened to me more times than I can count. No one I have spoken with — friends or family — has experienced this. Have you ever heard of this phenomenon, and is there a name for it? — MISS J. IN OKLAHOMA DEAR MISS J.: I have never had that experience, but I have heard of the phenomenon. It’s called either ESP or coincidence, depending upon which psychic plane you dwell. However, I HAVE had friends “pop into my head” and thought I should give them a call, only to hear from them a few days later. GARFIELD Maquoketa police want to use rifles on duty 4 2 MAQUOKETA — The city manager and police chief in Maquoketa are working on a new policy that would let officers use their own semi-automatic rifles while on duty. The city would also set up a loan program to let officers buy rifles. Police Chief Brad Koranda brought the idea before the City Council in September. He says the department’s current rifles are old and that allowing officers to use more modern rifles give them a better peace of mind while on patrol. 2 www.newtondailynews.com | Tuesday | Nov. 18, 2014 | 7A 3 ATLANTIC — A 30-year-old western Iowa mother has pleaded guilty to allegations that she devised an elaborate hoax about a diagnosis of cancer for her 5-year-old daughter. On Monday Leatha Slauson pleaded guilty in Cass County District Court in Atlantic to two counts of child endangerment, one of administering harmful substances, one of theft and one of unlawful possession of a prescription drug. Prosecutors dropped other charges in exchange for her pleas. Her sentencing is set for Dec. 22. 1 Iowa man shoots himself in hunting accident 3 Fire destroys motorcycles at Iowa dealership 5 Activists to unveil Iowa City labor complaint LITTLEPORT — Iowa authorities say a man has been hospitalized after accidentally shooting himself while hunting raccoons. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says 20-year-old Kyle Fry of Edgewood is recovering from a non-lifethreatening wound in a Dubuque hospital. Officials say he accidentally shot himself in the leg with a .22 caliber rifle over the weekend near Littleport in Clayton County. MASON CITY — More than a dozen motorcycles have been destroyed in a fire at a Harley-Davidson dealership in Mason City. Business owner Steve Minert says the Monday morning fire damaged a service support building and up to 20 motorcycles. It did not affect the business’ two main showrooms. No one was in the service support building at the time of the fire. Mom pleads guilty to cancer hoax IOWA CITY — Activists say they plan to file a complaint on behalf of workers at an Iowa City factory who are owed wages from their employer. The Center for Worker Justice and Democratic lawmakers say they’ll release details at a Tuesday afternoon news conference. Executive Director Misty Rebik says the name of the accused company will be unveiled then, but she describes it as a large employer. —The Associated Press Police: Iowa man charged in random shootings The Associated Press PLEASANT HILL — A man with a handgun randomly targeted people while driving through a Des Moines suburb early Monday, shooting and injuring two men at separate locations and prompting several schools to tell students to stay home, authorities said. Pete Jason Polson, 32, was taken into custody shortly after three shootings within 12 minutes were reported just after 6:30 a.m., Pleasant Hill police spokesman Adam Choat said. Online records show Polson faces two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault-willful injury, one count of intimidation with a dangerous weapon and one count of possession of a weapon as a felon. Polson is being held at the Polk County jail on $85,000 cash or surety bond. Court records do not list an attorney for him. “He’s uncooperative with us,” Sgt. Paul Brown said of Polson following his arrest. “He won’t talk to us.” Two men were hospitalized in the shootings — one was shot near a home, the other near his vehicle. A third man was shot at but not injured. “At this time it seems random,” Choat said during a news conference. “The third location, he just pulled up and started firing on someone who was delivering a school book bag to his kid. ... Nobody was hit and he took off.” The victims’ conditions Iowa pastor back in the pulpit after quarantine MUSCATINE (AP) — A Muscatine pastor is back preaching at his church after spending three months in Liberia, where he worked in villages to teach people how to avoid spreading the disease. The Rev. Saye Beipa of the Calvary Church was placed under a 21-day quarantine by the Muscatine County Health Department after returning to the U.S. last month. A nurse asked him if he had recently traveled to West Africa after he went to a local hospital for high blood pressure. Sunday marked the first time Beipa was back in the pulpit since his visit to his native country of Liberia. He spoke of his time there, where he traveled to about 100 villages to help spread awareness of Ebola. The Follow on YOU NEED US TO KNEAD YOU! virus has killed more than 5,000 people in West Africa, mostly in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. “The day you act careless, that’s the day you get it,” Beipa said, recalling memories of bodies taken out of buildings in plastic bags. He said people feared Ebola wherever he traveled. “The people were afraid,” he said. “They want their lives back.” As far as he knows, Beipa said none of his family has contracted the virus. He said he routinely washed his hands and told others to do the same. Speaking to them in their local language, Beipa advised villagers to not shake hands or hug. “It was important because when he got there, the whole country shut down, and he “The people were afraid. They want their lives back.” — The Rev. Saye Beipa didn’t want people to get contaminated with this Ebola thing,” said founder Tony Kona Fele of Saclepea Mah Development Association, a North Carolina-based nonprofit that funded Beipa’s travels. He called Beipa a “wonderful guy who really believes in what he’s doing.” Beipa said he wants to return to Liberia soon. With many dead from the virus, his people face a new crisis, he said. WANTED HOMES THAT NEED ROOFING TM A select number of homeowners in Newton and the surrounding areas will be given the opportunity to have a lifetime Erie Metal Roofing System installed on their home at a reasonable cost. Call today to see if you qualify. Not only will you receive the best price possible, but we will give you access to no money down bank financing with very attractive rates and terms. Ask how an Erie Metal Roof will keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. massage therapy 521 1st Ave. E. Newton 641-792-8528 By appointment only: MON.-SAT., DAY & EVENING Questions call: 641-417-8410 An Erie Metal Roofing System will provide your home with unsurpassed “Beauty and Lasting Protection”! DON’T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE. Call Now! 1-877-460-4050 www.ErieMetalRoofs.com haven’t been released. Police would only say both men are in stable condition. The suspect was driving a green SUV that has been linked to all the shootings, authorities said. He was taken into custody without incident, and Choat said a motive remains under investigation. The shootings led the Southeast Polk Community School District to cancel classes Monday. Choat said there appears to be no link between the shootings and earlier threats made on social media against a local high school. Superintendent Craig Menozzi said classes likely will resume Tuesday with more security, and that all school district buildings will be searched by law enforcement as a precaution. “We’re going to make sure as we reopen our schools that we’ll have a law enforcement presence,” Menozzi said. Syngenta faces dozens of lawsuits over GMO seed The Associated Press DES MOINES — Agrochemicals giant Syngenta is facing a growing number of lawsuits challenging its release of a genetically modified corn seed that China had not approved for import, with losses to farmers estimated to be at least $1 billion. More than 50 lawsuits have been filed in 11 major corn-growing states, including Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska with hundreds more being prepared. Some suits are from farmers represented by individual attorneys, others are class-action lawsuits representing hundreds more. A federal court panel that manages complex lawsuits involving large numbers of plaintiffs has scheduled a Dec. 4 hearing in Charleston, South Carolina, to decide where to consolidate the cases. It’s likely to be in Iowa or Illinois, according to Rick Paul, an attorney representing 13 farmers who filed suit in federal court in Iowa. The legal dispute centers around Syngenta’s sale of a hybrid corn seed called Agrisure Viptera, which was genetically altered to contain a protein that kills corn-eating bugs such as earworms and cutworms. The U.S. Department of Agricul- Visit Hammer for your Mastectomy Products. Jessica Thornburg Assistant Manager Diabetic Shoe & Mastectomy Prosthesis Fitter Visit Hammer for your diabetic shoes. ture approved it in 2010, and Syngenta first sold it to farmers in 2011. It has been industry practice for biotech seed developers to wait until major trade partners have approved new products before selling it widely, Paul said. But China, a growing importer of U.S. corn that refuses to buy genetically modified crops it hasn’t tested, had not approved Viptera. China discovered the Viptera corn trait in several U.S. shipments in November 2013 and in February began rejecting the nation’s corn. It has rejected more than 130 million bushels as of late October, the lawsuits said. You have a choice. Choose Hammer. 1719 1st Ave E., Newton 641-792-9339 or 800-365-5537 DMACC Nursing Information Session DMACC Nursing Information Sessions offer those interested in the nursing program a chance to learn what they need to do to get into the program. This includes requirements for entry, who to contact for various questions about entry requirements, where to go for assessment and for help in meeting the entry requirements, how to get on the waiting list and what courses to take while waiting. Attendance at an Information Session is one of the entry requirements for the Nursing program. A session will be held at the Newton DMACC Campus on Friday, November 21st from 1-3 p.m. Room 236 Space is limited to 50. Please call 641-791-3622 to make your reservation to attend this session. 8A | www.newtondailynews.com | Tuesday | Nov. 18, 2014 Obama stakes final 2 years on climate change The Associated Press WASHINGTON — With limited time still in power, President Barack Obama is staking his final two years on climate change, pushing the issue to the front of his agenda as he seeks to leave an imprint on the world that will endure after he’s gone. It’s a strategy rooted not only in Obama’s long-stated concern about global warming, but also in political reality. Two weeks ago, Obama watched his prospects for realizing his goals on education, wages and immigration all but evaporate as voters handed his party a stinging rebuke in the midterms, putting Republicans in full control of Congress for the remainder of his presidency. But on a trip last week to Asia and Australia, Obama sought — and found — fruitful opportunities to make a lasting difference on global warming. In China, traditionally a Supporters of oil pipeline scramble for last vote The Associated Press WASHINGTON — With the clock ticking, supporters of a Senate bill to approve the Keystone XL pipeline are still scrambling to find the last vote. With 59 Senators publicly voicing support, the hunt was on for the 60th vote before a critical vote Tuesday to advance the measure. Maine independent Sen. Angus King left the possibility open, telling reporters he was a “probable no.” All 45 Republicans support it, and 11 Democrats have signed onto the bill, along with three others who have publicly said they will vote “yes.” That leaves just one. The issue has taken center stage in the waning days of this Congress in the hopes it will boost the prospects of Louisiana’s Senate candidates. U.S. adversary on environmental issues, Obama set an ambitious new target for cutting future U.S. emissions as part of a landmark deal in which China will also rein in pollution. In Australia, he pledged $3 billion to help poorer nations address changing temperatures while prodding Australia’s prime minister to stop questioning the science of climate change. “We’re showing there’s no excuse for other nations not to come together,” Obama said in Brisbane, where he also pressed the issue with leaders of the world’s 20 largest economies. The emphasis on climate isn’t all by choice. Although Obama has long sought to rally action against climate change, White House aides say the issue has become even more attractive after the election because it’s one where Obama has considerable leverage to act without Congress. Foreign policy is largely the domain of presidents, and at home, Obama has aggressively used his regulatory power to curb greenhouse gas emissions over fierce objections from Republicans and the energy industry. “President Obama has made no secret that his climate crusade will proceed irrespective of what the American people want or what other global leaders caution,” said Laura Sheehan of the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, which represents the coal industry. Charles Manson plans prison wedding The Associated Press CORCORAN, Calif. — Mass murderer Charles Manson plans to marry a 26-year-old woman who left her Midwestern home and spent the past nine years trying to help exonerate him. Afton Elaine Burton, the raven-haired brideto-be, said she loves the man convicted in the notorious murders of seven people, including pregnant actress Sharon Tate. No date has been set, but a wedding coordinator has been assigned by the prison to handle the nuptials, and the couple has until early February to get married before they would have to reapply. The Kings County marriage license, viewed Monday by The Associated Press, was issued Nov. 7 for the 80-year- 2 old Manson and Burton, who lives in Corcoran — the site of the prison — and maintains several websites advocating his innocence. Burton, who goes by the name “Star,” told the AP that she and Manson will be married next month. “Y’all can know that it’s true,” she said. “It’s going to happen.” “I love him,” she added. “I’m with him. There’s all kinds of things.” However, as a life prisoner with no parole date, Manson is not entitled to family visits, a euphemism for conjugal visits. So why would Burton marry him under those conditions? She said she is interested in working on his case, and marrying him would allow her to get information not available to nonrelatives. Monday - Friday $4.99 BaskeT specials Monday: Three cheese burger basket Tuesday: BBQ pork sandwich basket Wednesday: Chicken salad sandwich basket Thursday: BBQ pork sandwich basket Friday: Tuna salad sandwich basket saTurday: 2 pc. chicken basket $6.29 Full Meals 2.00 pint of pre-packed custard sunday: Chopped steak dinner $6.79 $ A Big Deal at Big Steak Country! This great offer includes a choice of five tasty appetizers and two delicious entrees (choose from 12) Each basket comes w/ a side & med. drink. 1650 W. 19th Street S. 641-787-9900 1400 W. 18th St. S • Newton Phone:# 792-4582 SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS FOR FREE! For your convenience, your events can now be promoted on newtondailynews.com for free! NOV 21 NOV 21 3 Easy Steps 1. Go to NewtonDailyNews.com 2. Click the Events button at the top of the page 3. Follow the instructions and click submit SPORTS Newton Daily News Facebook.com/newtondailynews Kalkhoff to throw for Minnesota State By Jocelyn Sheets Newton Daily News Monday was a big day for Newton High senior Sarah Kalkhoff. In front of her parents, her high school head track coach and a few others, Kalkhoff signed a national letter of intent to compete in track and field at Minnesota State University, Mankato, Minn. “I liked the coaching staff and the school. For track and field, it presents a great opportunity for me to go places and have a good throwing career,” Kalkhoff said of her decision to compete for the NCAA Division II Minnesota State. Kalkhoff is Iowa’s Class 4A discus champion and Newton girls’ record holder in the event. She set that mark winning the 4A state championship in May. Kalkhoff won the event with a throw of 140 feet, 11 inches. As a sophomore, Kalkhoff finished second in the event at state. Kalkhoff earned the Iowa Association of Track Coaches All-Elite honors and firstteam Class 4A state honors. Making the decision now, clears the deck for Kalkhoff to concentrate on extending her Cardinal girls’ record in the discus and defending her state championship in the spring. She signed the letter in front of her parents, Dave and Lorraine Kalkhoff, and NHS girls’ head track coach Rachel Tomas. Also on hand were NHS Jocelyn Sheets/Daily News Newton High senior Sarah Kalkhoff signs a national letter of intent to compete in track and field for Minnesota State University at Mankota, Minn., next year. On hand for the signing Monday afternoon at NHS were her parents Lorraine and Dave Kalkhoff and NHS girls’ head track coach Rachel Tomas (right). Activities Director Scott Garvis, NHS Principal Bill Peters and Michele Heisdorffer, activities administrative assistant. “Minnesota State has a good chemistry department,” Kalkhoff said. “I want to study biochemistry, so it has what I need acedemically.” Over the summer, Kalkhoff spent time at an elite youth junior camp at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. She was among 20 up-and-com- ing athletes working with OTC resident team coach Zygmunt Smalcerz in the weeklong camp. Kalkhoff pointed to her work in the weight room and competition in weightlifting as major factors in her reaching her goal of a state championship in the discus in May. She said she plans to focus on weightlifting and throwing during her senior year at Newton. “Minnesota State has a couple of really, really good throwing coaches and a strong strength and condi- tioning program,” Kalkhoff said. “I met a couple of the throwers and they were very nice. I’m really happy with this decision.” Under head coach Jen Blue, the MSU Maverick women qualified two individuals for the 2014 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships. One was a thrower. The throwing coaches are Kevin Sanger and Todd Dejong. Contact Jocelyn Sheets at 641-792-3121 ext. 6535 or [email protected] Des Moines to host 2016 NCAA men’s tournament games DES MOINES (AP) — Des Moines will host first and second-round games of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament in 2016. The NCAA announced Monday that Iowa’s capital city will be among eight sites to host earlyround games next season. Landing such a prestigious event is a major coup for Des Moines, which has hoped to host the NCAA tournament ever since Wells Fargo Arena opened in 2005. The arena hosted the NCAA women’s basketball tournament — which included legendar y Tennessee coach Pat Summitt ’s last game — and the NCAA wrestling championships in 2013. Iowa State will ser ve as the tournament host, so the Cyclones can’t play in Des Moines in 2016. @newtondnews This & That Round ball now has my full attention Usually, it mid-November, I am entrenched in the football season and would be considered a casual basketball fan. I don’t usually crank up the basketball fever until after Thanksgiving, but this season is already different. For some reason, I can’t get enough basketball right now. Maybe it’s because Iowa State By Troy Hyde football is 2-7. Newton Daily Or because the News Hawkeye gridders Sports Writer have sort of underachieved this season. I will still be fully aware of what’s happening on the football field, but I am more tuned into basketball season early this year. The cold weather is certainly helping. The exterior temperature monitor in my SUV read 14 degrees on the way to my first high school basketball games of the season Monday. That’s basketball weather. The only thing missing was a few more inches of snow. And that’s a good thing. Both Iowa and Iowa State are off to 2-0 starts after each picked up easy wins Monday. Pounding Georgia State and North Dakota State won’t draw many national headlines, but those two teams have RPIs at 81 and 78, respectively. So those will be considered decent wins on NCAA Tournament resumes come March. Winning by 23 (Iowa State over Georgia State) and 31 (Iowa over NDSU) will only help. Things will get tougher for both squads. Iowa’s next opponent is Texas, which has an RPI of 37 and the Longhorns are ranked 10th by the Associated Press. That will be the first true national test for the Hawkeyes as they will play the game at Madison Square Garden. HOOPS | 2B CMB’s Kemp headlines Class 2A District 7 squad Raiders land six on all-district first team, PCM has five on first team By Troy Hyde Newton Daily News Collins-Maxwell/ Baxter’s Bryce Kemp caught eight touchdowns, rushed for three scores and even threw for one. Defensively, he picked off three passes and returned two for touchdowns and also took a kickoff return to paydirt. There wasn’t much the Raider senior and Eastern Michigan recruit didn’t do on the field during CMB’s record-setting season. For that, Kemp was named a unanimous first-team selection and was voted as the Class 2A District 7 Offensive Player of the Year. CMB went 9-0 during the regular season for the first time in program history and finished the season 10-1. That allowed 13 Raiders to be honored in some way when the all-district teams were released Saturday. CMB’s Rob Luther was voted district Coach of the Year and Joey Nissen was named Kicker of the Year. Kemp Stover PCM also made the playoffs out of District 7 and landed nine alldistrict selections for its efforts. The most notable selections for the Mustangs included quarterback Logan Gilman, tailback Ronnie Marshall and defensive back Luke Pendroy. Kemp and Brady Stover were both selected as first-team wide receivers for the Raiders. Kemp hauled in 46 passes for 950 yards and eight scores but also rushed for 222 yards and three touchdowns, completed his only pass of the season for a 10-yard touchdown and also led the Raiders in tackles and scored twice off interceptions. The Raider senior had 69 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and four Weltha Girard Marshall sacks on defense and also averaged more than 21 yards per kickoff return while also scoring a touchdown. Stover was just as effective as a wideout. He snatched a teambest 63 catches for 902 yards and eight scores. He completed three passes for 40 yards and a touchdown as a thrower and also had 32 tackles and 10 interceptions as a defensive back. The rest of the Raider Robertson Appelgate Warrick first-teamers included offensive linemen Clayton Weltha and Patrick Girard, linebacker Charles Robertson and defensive back Nick Littell. Weltha and Girard were the keys up front in leading CMB to a big offensive season. Weltha also was sixth in the district with 68 tackles and two sacks on defense. Littel had 56 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and two sacks from his defensive back position, while Robertson also had 50.5 tackles, seven tackles for loss and two sacks. Nissen hit 11 field goals and recorded 20 touchbacks as a kicker this season. He also was 41-of-44 in extra points and his longest field goal covered 42 yards. Five other Raiders landed on the second team. That group included sophomore quarterback Hunter Mc- Whirter, junior tailback Blake Coughenour, offensive lineman Andrew Lindamoen, defensive lineman John Engle and defensive back Jake Hennick. McWhirter was third in the league with 1,716 passing yards and he also had 12 touchdown passes, while rushing for 372 yards and six more scores. Coughenour gained 847 yards and scored 11 touchdowns on the ground, while also collecting 280 receiving yards and a touchdown in the passing game. Hennick had 35.5 tackles on defense, while Engle added 28.5 tackles, three sacks and two fumble recoveries. PCM finished 4-6 on the season but advanced to the playoffs as the district’s fourth seed. The Mustangs’ high octane passing offense was led by Gilman, who led the league with 2,518 passing yards and a district-best 21 touchdown passes. The offense didn’t end with GIlman though. HONORS | 2B Sports 2B | www.newtondailynews.com | Tuesday | Nov. 18, 2014 Steelers rally from 11 down, defeat division rival Titans NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — This time, the Pittsburgh Steelers beat their struggling opponent. Ben Roethlisberger threw a 12yard touchdown pass to Antonio Brown with 9:01 left, and the Steelers edged the Tennessee Titans 2724 on Monday night. The Steelers (7-4) staged an impressive rally in the second half to take sole possession of second in Roethlisberger the successful AFC North heading into their bye. Le’Veon Bell ran for 204 yards and a TD, and William Gay returned an interception 28 yards for a score. Shaun Suisham kicked two field goals. “I think we’re only going to get stronger,” Bell said. “We’ve obviously still got to get better, work as a team. But we’re going to enjoy the week off. It’s well deserved, well needed. We’re going to enjoy it and get back to work when we need to.” Roethlisberger had never beaten the Titans at LP Field, missing the Steelers’ win here in 2010. With Bell running through and over the Titans, the Steelers took the pressure off Big Ben by holding the ball for 39 minutes, 49 seconds with a 386-312 edge in total offense. “He got rolling, and we couldn’t make a play and that’s disappoint- Honors Continued from Page 1B Marshall, the Mustangs’ tailback, also had a big year, gaining 1,092 yards and scoring 16 touchdowns on the ground, while also collecting 285 passing yards and two scores. Marshall’s rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and 108 points were all second to Albia’s Carter Isley. Pendroy led the Mustangs and was third in the district with 75 tackles and he also had a pick and two fumble recoveries. Hayes Appelgate Hoops Continued from Page 1B Iowa appears to be better than last year even without Roy Devyn Marble. Aaron White looks to be poised to take that next step and you can already see the improvements that Anthony Clemmons and Jarrod Uthoff made in the offseason. This might be Fran’s best team yet when you throw in returners Mike Gesell, Adam Woodbury, Gabe Olaseni, Josh Oglesby and Peter Jok and newbies Trey Dickerson and Dom Uhl. It will need to be as the preseason schedule is tougher, too. Iowa State is not yet at full strength. Matt Thomas and Adbel Nader have yet to play a game this season and Jameel McKay won’t be available until December due to NCAA transfer rules. Georges Niang is the best player in the state of Iowa at this present time. It’s hard to not like his game. He lost a ton of weight this offseason, too. I thought he used his “weight” to his advantage during his first two seasons at ISU so I am not sure if losing weight is a good thing ing,” Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt said. “That’s the way it went. We tried a lot of different things to try to stop their run game.” The Titans (2-8) blew a 24-13 lead in their fourth consecutive loss. They sacked Roethlisberger five times and intercepted a pass in the end zone. Zach Mettenberger threw for 263 yards and two touchdown passes, and fellow rookie Bishop Sankey ran for another score. But Tennessee’s offense fizzled in the fourth quarter. When Pittsburgh got the ball back with 6:58 left, the Steelers didn’t give it back and knelt out for the win. “We feel very close,” Mettenberger said. “We’re not doing enough to win football games. But rookie running back, rookie left tackle, rookie quarterback, rookie middle linebacker. We’re doing a lot of good things.” Mettenberger and the Titans got off to an awful start, and then erased a 10-0 deficit with an impressive flurry. Suisham also had a 49-yarder for the first score of the game, and Gay picked off Mettenberger on the Titans’ first offensive play and returned it for the TD. Roethlisberger had been intercepted only five times this season. But the Titans sacked him three times in the second quarter, and Jason McCourty picked off a pass intended for Brown in the end zone with 44 seconds left in the first half. also made the first team as a defensive lineman after collecting 29 tackles, intercepting two passes and scoring one defensive touchdown. The final first-team selection for the Mustangs was offensive lineman Conner Warrick. The four secondteam selections for PCM included wideout Luke Greiner, offensive lineman Ethan Thomas, linebacker Davis Herndon and defensive back Skylar Koder. Greiner was second on the team and fifth in the league in both catches (45) and receiving yards (671) while also scoring six touchdowns. Herndon and Koder had 50.5 and 31 tackles, respectively, for the Mustang defense. Albia’s Ryan Sarver was voted as the district’s Defensive MVP. Sarver led the league with 99.5 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and eight sacks. Jacob Jones of Davis County was the punter of the year. Jones averaged 37.5 yards per punt over his 44 attempts and had a long of 56. or a bad thing yet. Time will tell. Either way, Iowa State’s No. 14 ranking is legitimate as the Cyclones and the fans will expect another deep run in the tournament. With expectations high in both Iowa City and Ames and Northern Iowa having its best team in about five years, college hoop fans in Iowa will have something to cheer for this winter. And they’ll really have something to look forward to in 2016 after the NCAA awarded Des Moines with the first and second rounds of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. Landing this kind of event is a breakthrough for the city and state. Wells Fargo Arena opened in downtown Des Moines in 2005 and representatives there had a long-term plan of one day hosting a men’s national tourney and it came to fruition Monday. Des Moines will be one of eight sites in the nation to host first- and second-round games. The city supported the women’s hoops tourney, the NCAA wrestling championships and other big events very well. There is no doubt it will support this one even more. I had a chance to check a few local girls basketball teams Monday at a jamboree held at Lynnville-Sully. Prairie City-Monroe took on Montezuma and dominated from the opening tip. The Mustangs have high expectations this year and they showed why as they jumped out to a quick start and never let off the gas during a 43-8 win. Colfax-Mingo also took on LynnvilleSully in the night’s final contest. The Hawks are coming off a state tournament appearance and the Tigherhawks are young and inexperienced. The game went as expected with L-S winning 356. Lynnville-Sully could be better than last year as it welcomes back senior Shelby Davis, who missed all of last season with a knee injury. The Hawks scored 35 points in a half and did not have the services of potential starter Madison Rasmussen, who was out with an injury. Football is not over yet. And I don’t want it to be. But basketball is here and I have never been more ready. Contact Troy Hyde at 641-792-3121 ext. 6536 or [email protected] Contact Troy Hyde at 641-792-3121 ext. 6536 or [email protected] Iowa’s height too much for smaller North Dakota State IOWA CITY (AP) — Iowa’s centers controlled the smaller North Dakota State one half at a time. Gabe Olaseni had 14 points and 11 rebounds a n d A d a m Uthoff Wo o d bury added 10 points and 11 rebounds as Iowa rolled to an 87-56 win over North Dakota State on Monday night. All of Woodbury’s scoring game in the first half. All of Olaseni’s points came in the second. “We had a size advantage and we wanted to get the ball inside,” Iowa coach Fran McCaffery said. “Moving forward, I think it’s good. We have to establish that we can run our offense through the post.” Jarrod Uthoff scored 12 points and Aaron White added 10 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the Hawkeyes (2-0). Lawrence Alexander scored 21 points on 6-of-10 3-point shooting to lead the Bison (0-2). The Hawkeyes used a 27-2 run in the middle of the game to pull away from North Dakota State. The Bison shot only 26.9 percent from the floor, including a sixminute scoreless stretch to open the second half. Woodbury and Olaseni give McCaffery two options at center. McCaffery even played the duo together for a short stretch on Monday. Olaseni came off the bench to record his fifth career double-double. He shot 4-of-6 from the field, 6-of-8 from the foul line and blocked two shots. All of his 14 points came in the second half. Woodbury’s 11 re- bounds tied a career high. “I didn’t know I had it until coach told me,” Woodbury said of his first double-double. “A double-double is always good, but I like to think I bring more to the court than stats. I try to impact the game wherever I can.” Anthony Clemmons had 11 points and scored in double figures for the second straight game after reaching it only once last season. Clemmons hit a career-best three 3-pointers against North Dakota State. The junior is 5-of-6 from 3 in two games this year — one shy from his total all of last season. The Hawkeyes committed 18 turnovers, but shot 53.6 percent from the field and made 18of-20 free throws. North Dakota starters Carlin Dupree, Kory Brown and A.J. Jackson combined to make 4 of 29 field goals. Morris’ big night, Cyclones’ big finish keeps rated ISU unbeaten AMES (AP) — Iowa State is hoping sophomore point guard Monte Morris can blossom into one of the Big 12’s best players this season. Morris sure looked like a star on Hoiberg Monday. Morris scored a career-high 19 points with nine assists and no turnovers and 14th-ranked Iowa State rolled past Georgia State 81-58 on Monday night. “He was awesome,” Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg said. “He makes us go.” Naz Long added 17 for the Cyclones (2-0), who outscored the Panthers by 17 points in the second half. Iowa State led by just two before going on a 31-13 run that put the game out of reach. Long keyed the stretch with a pair of 3s as the Cyclones pushed their lead to as much as 73-49. R.J. Hunter had 21 for Georgia State (11). The Panthers were a unanimous pick to win the Sun Belt for the second year in a row. From the moment Iowa State’s schedule came out, its matchup with Georgia State seemed to be by far the toughest against a nonPower 5 school. The Panthers went 25-9 last season and their backcourt; Ryan Harrow, R.J. Hunter and Kevin Ware, can match up with nearly anyone in the country. Georgia State showed why it’s expected to cruise through its own league — at least for about a half. The Cyclones missed 11 of their first 15 3s and led by just two late in the first half. But Iowa State’s depth and frenetic pace eventually wore down the Panthers. “That was the key at halftime. We wanted to come out with better pace and we did in the second half. Got good shots. Got the ball moving,” Morris said. Long buried his fourth 3 of the game and Bryce Dejean-Jones hit a transition layup to put the Cyclones up 42-29 early in the second half. Dejean-Jones followed with another transition layup, and Iowa State’s lead was 56-40 with 13:25 left. Dejean-Jones and Dustin Hogue each had 15 points for the Cyclones. “The biggest thing was that we had a nice stretch where we got stops and we could get out and run,” Hoiberg said. No. 6 Stanford stuns No. 1 UConn STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — Days before this game, Geno Auriemma credited Stanford and Hall of Fame coach Tara VanDerveer for continuing to play Connecticut when many teams no longer see the point in being beat up by the best program in women’s basketball. Auriemma understands the importance of such games for both sides, and even a little bit more so after the Cardinal’s latest preseason stunner. “What games like today illustrate is how damn hard it is to go undefeated,” Auriemma said. “We didn’t just lose to a team that doesn’t have any good players. Sometimes, because of who we are, the biggest story is that we lost not that Stanford played great and won, and that would be unfortunate. That would be a disservice to Stanford, but that’s the reality, that’s the world that we’re in.” Amber Orrange made a go-ahead jumper with 1:38 left in overtime and the tying 3-pointer with 1.4 seconds remaining in regulation to send No. 6 Stanford to the 88-86 upset of No. 1 UConn on Monday night and end the Huskies 47-game winning streak. “I think people got their money’s worth in that game,” VanDerveer said. Lili Thompson scored 24 points and Orrange 17 for Stanford (20), which has watched both Chiney and Nneka Ogwumike depart to the WNBA as top picks over the last few seasons. Breanna Stewart scored 23 points and Saniya Chong had 20 for the Huskies (1-1), who lost for the first time in November since falling to North Carolina on Nov. 21, 2004. NFL suspends Peterson for at least rest of season MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The NFL has suspended Adrian Peterson without pay for at least the rest of the season. The league said Tuesday it informed the Minnesota Vikings running back he will not be considered for reinstatement before April 15 for violating the NFL personal conduct policy. The NFL Players Association quickly announced its plan to appeal the punishment. Peterson pleaded no contest Nov. 4 to misdemeanor reckless assault in Texas for injuries to his 4-year-old son he was disciplining. He had been on paid leave from the team since Sept. 17. Commissioner Roger Goodell announced Aug. 28 an enhanced crackdown on players involved with domestic violence. www.newtondailynews.com | Tuesday | Nov. 18, 2014 | 3B Newton Daily News Jasper County Advertiser newtondailynews.com Classifieds In Print and Online Everyday | 641-792-3121 PERSONAL JEWELRY HORNING'S PAINTING: Interior & exterior painting Drywall Repair & Texturing Free Estimates 641-791-9662 NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS Meets Sunday, Wednesday and Friday 7:00 PM in Basement of St. Stephan's Episcopal Church BICYCLE SATELLITE SELL YOUR SERVICES with the Is your job more work than its worth? Service Directory!! One Low Monthly Rate Advertised for a month in the Newton Daily News, Jasper County Advertiser and online! $60 for a 1” space, each additional 1/2” is $5 more! Reach thousands of customers weekly! For More Information, call (641)792-3121 x 6542. SERVICES SELL FAST with the Service Directory!!! 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Reasonable rates. 641-831-4426 FALL LEAF CLEANUP Featuring Curbside Vacuum Pickup (please call 24 hrs in advance) HOME IMPROVEMENTS JaFar Lawn Service Jim Farland (641) 521-2765 MEDICAL LEAKY ROOF, Missing Shingles??? Flat roof repair & coating. Chimney repair & removal. Soffit & fascia repair & cover. General Repairs INSULATION Attic & side walls. Attic fans & ventilation Leaf Proof Gutter Covers, Gutter cleaning. Call 641-792-6375 AN ADULT family would like to borrow “ Pictionary” game, for one day around Christmas time. 641-7927969. DMACC INTERNATIONAL student, needs to rent a room near the Newton Campus. Please call Shey @ 641-257-1397 if you can help. Call Dr. Becky DeHart as reference. 641275-2471. NEED SOMEONE to help clean out basement. Some furniture to be removed. Here in Newton. 641-5217247. OLD FARM Toy Tractors, trucks, implements, and Advertising items. Also Lego Sets, pieces. 641526-3050 or 641-5211448. WANT TO Buy farm toys, pedal tractors and old toy trucks. 521-4715. 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Now Accepting Applications As we are expanding with new residents… we are currently hiring RN/LPN, CNA, full-time for the Care Center. Consider joining a great team of caregivers as we continue our mission of commitment to compassion, excellence and innovation! Please apply online, send a resume or stop in for an application. www.elimcare.org email: [email protected] FREE CUDDLY COUNTRY Kittens, free to good home. 515-661-3774. 110 N 5th Ave W, Newton Get Some CASH in a ROUTES AVAILABLE delivering for the Jasper County Advertiser Route 763 Approx $1560/mo W. 12th St S. S. 16th Ave W. S. 15th Ave W. S. 14th Ave W. W. 13th St S. Route 764 Approx $25/mo W. 9th St S. W. 8th ST S. S. 17th Ave W. S. 15th Ave W. Route 717 Approx $2180/mo N. 4th Ave W. N. 5th Ave W. N. 7th Ave W. W. 8th St N. Hartwig Way W. 9th St N. W. 10th St N. Route 721 Approx $1640/mo E. 8th ST S. S. Hampton Ct. Route 737 Approx $2120/mo N. 3rd Ave E. N. 4th Ave E. Route 750 Approx $27/mo W. 18th St S. W. 16th St S. W. 17th St S. W. 15th St S. S. 10th Ave W. S. 12th Ave W. Cherry Hills Dr. A dvertiser Jasper County Call 641-792-5320 today! Bookstore Assistant (Full-time, 12-months) Grinnell College is currently seeking an energetic, motivated, well-organized and creative individual to be part of our bookstore operation. Responsibilities: The Bookstore Assistant takes care of the daily operations at the Grinnell College Bookstore, on campus. This includes customer service, inventory management and the training and supervision of the student staff. ROUTES AVAILABLE delivering for the Jasper County Advertiser Route 754 Approx. $2100/mo Approx. $3440/mo N. 5th Ave W. N. 4th Ave E. N. 3rd Ave E. N. 2nd Ave E. E. 20th St N. E. 21st St N. E. 23rd St N. E. 24th St N. E. 25th St N. N. 2nd Ave E. N. 4th Ave E. N. 5th Ave E. N. 6th Ave E. N. 7th Ave E. N. 7th Ave PL E. Call for details. Call 641-792-5320 today! 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It is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in matters of admission, employment, and housing, and in access to and participation in its education programs, services, and activities. The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, veteran status, religion, disability, creed, or any other protected class. 4B | www.newtondailynews.com | Tuesday | Nov. 18, 2014 Newton Daily News Jasper County Advertiser newtondailynews.com Classifieds In Print and Online Everyday | 641-792-3121 FREE FOR SALE FOR SALE FREE KITTENS, 8 weeks old, litter trained, gray tabby female, gray tabby male and long haired white & black female. 792-3622. TORSO EXERCISE machine, burgundy carpet 13'x13.5', real good condition. 641-792-7940. 2 BEDROOM downstairs apartment. Off-street parking. No pets. Water paid. $500/month Garage included. Plus deposit/references. Available immediately. 641-275-0096 CLEAN 1 bedroom apartment with appliances, heat & water furnished, walking distance to square, laundry facilities, newly remodeled. Cats with approval and pet deposit. Very quiet building, ready to move into. (641) 792-8182 FOR RENT 2 bedroom home, no pets, $450/mo plus deposit. 641-792-0815 or 641-521-7312 ARIENDS 2 stage snow blower, 24” $200. or OBO. Bosch front load washer & electric dryer $175. for both. 641-295-5121. DOG SWEATERS $3. each, small, they fit dogs that are 12” - 13”, like Dachshund, terrier, poodle. 792-7186. GOGO BRAND, three (3) wheeled electric scooter for the physically impaired $975. excellent condition. CAREX brand four (4) wheeled walker, with hand brakes, seat and storage area $50. excellent condition. 641-236-3243. PETS 3 CATS, has shots and front claws removed. Inside cats. 641-840-1944. PEKE-A-TZU PUPPIES for sale, born November 8, very pretty, have partly colored ones & other colors. $200. 641-521-0275. RENTALS Fall Special 1st Month FREE Restrictions Apply Clean, Modern, Quiet 1 Bedroom Apartment • Free Heat & Laundry 24 Hours • Access Free Wi Fi & Exercise Equipment in Community Room • Limited Access Entry • Off Street Parking Flexible Short Term Lease Available Bristol Square Apartments Peck Properties, LLC 315 1st St. S., Newton 792-0910 2 BR with New Carpet $500-$510/mo. Sign a 13 month lease and get ½ MONTH FREE (on selected units) WALNUT CREEK APARTMENTS 510 E. 17th St S. Newton, IA Next to Hy-Vee Call Now for Details 515-291-2846 or Call Will 641-990-7938 1 & 2 & 3 BDRM apartments: heat, water, stove, refrigerator, drapes all included. Off-street parking. 641-792-4000. 1 BEDROOM, ground floor apartment. Stove, refrigerator. Easy access with garage option. $350/month. References. 792-4388 3 BEDROOM Townhome For Rent $710.00 per month 833 S. 17th Ave W. Newton 515-291-1162 APARTMENTS AVAILABLE 1 & 2 bdrm units in Newton & Monroe! Priced $450-$600 $200 Security Deposits Pet Friendly (some restrictions) W/D Hookups Central Air Dishwasher Private covered Patio or Balcony with storage Laundry Facility onsite (641)792-6939 EHO [email protected] BROOKFIELD APARTMENTS 1610 W. 7 St. S. • Large, 2 BR, 1 BA or 2 BR, 2 BA • Stove, Refrigerator, Dishwasher & Microwave • Heat Paid • Laundry Each Floor • Limit Access Building • Garage Available • Private Patio/Deck Call 641-787-9100 th FOR RENT: 2 Bedroom home, full basement, lots of closets, References and deposit required. $650.00/ month. Please call 641521-8002 OR 641-5219202 FOR RENT: Two bedroom, upstairs apt., very nice, washer & dryer hook-ups, includes appliances. 203 1st Ave W. $495 + deposit. No pets. Call: 641-521-4460 or 521-0957 HOUSE FOR Rent 3 bedrooms, 2 full bath, 4 car garage in Newton. 855 S. 17th Ave W. $1095.00 per month 641-781-9566 FOR SALE BUTCHER RABBITS, ready now. 641-521-9126. COUCH IN very nice shape, 3 cushions & small pillows to match. $100. Double bed, walnut head & foot board, mattress & box springs included. $100. 641-831-4668. CROSS COUNTRY Ski's, poles, boots, women size 8 $75., manual meat slicer $35., humidifier used 1 year $15., steam vaporizer, used 1 year $25., dehydrator $25. 792-8711. FARM FRESH Eggs $2. doz.,Brown & white duck eggs $2. for 6. Great for Baking. Saturday delivery in Newton. 515-661-3774. FOR SALE: 2 tickets for Iowa/WI Hawkeye football game next Saturday. Includes reserved parking next to stadium and seat backs. Seats on pressbox side. $75.00 each. 641831-4668 GAS STOVE, LP or natural gas $100. Gas dryer $100. Apt. size electric stove $100. Awning $200. 641521-5121. GOOD YEAR Tires, 19560R15, real good tread, make an offer. 641-8311106. JOHN DEERE Snow blower, model 826, self propelled, electric start, not many hrs., tuned up 8-814, excellent condition. $500. 641-792-6377. Leave message. MAYTAG BUILT in dishwasher, works great! $80. 641-787-9304 or 641-2751343. Need a warm and fuzzy? Find your new pet in the classifieds. 2 GARAGE Doors, 9' x 9' white, cathedral windows, excellent condition. 641831-9273. 4 MAN Portable Ice Shack, with skies & bucket holder, new canvas cover with windows, 6” Auger $350. Ask for Doug 641-7920787. 4' X 8' Pool Table with balls, racks, cues & cue racks. Also, has ping pong table, tennis top with net & paddles. 641-521-4505. 5 HP Briggs- Stratton snow blower engine, restored like new, 3/4” keyed side shaft $100. Also red jacket antique well pump restored, painted original red $50. 641-792-3097. 5' X 8' Trailer with drive on tail-gate, 3500 # axle 14” wheels & spare tire, sides 1 foot high with 1 1/2” angle iron $600. 792-7058. Nelson Manor has an opening for an RN or LPN part-time evening shift. We offer: • Competitive wages • Reasonable work load • Friendly work environment Apply in person at 1500 1st Ave E. or send resume to Deidra or Amber at: [email protected] NEWTON HEALTH CARE CENTER Is looking for caring, energetic, and compassionate individuals to become a member of our team. C N A, LPN, & RN Full-time/Part-time New Increased Wage Scale Hanson Directory Service is based out of Newton, IA and has been publishing yellow page directories for over 41 years. We publish 114 directories in 28 states primarily as the sales agent and publishing partner for locally owned small town telephone companies. We are presently hiring for the following positions: TELEPHONE (INSIDE) SALES: Multi Media Account Consultant Inside sales reps earn a base hourly rate plus commission. Reps will be responsible for calling on existing accounts and new business. Full-time with flex hours in a fun work environment. Travel is not required for this position. Experience is helpful, but will train the right candidate. PREMISE (OUTSIDE) SALES: Multi Media Account Consultant The premise representative will call on new business and new leads in each assigned area establishing advertising campaigns in the yellow pages, online and mobile applications. This position involves extensive travel, requires a credit card and valid driver’s license. We are committed to provide quality care to all Residents. We work together as Team Members. We show compassion to all our Residents. GET LUCKY In The CLASSIFIEDS! Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, the Classifieds is always your best bet. Please apply in person or online. Newton Health Care Center 200 S 8th Ave E, Newton, Iowa 50208 Imgcares.com E.O.E. Get Some CASH in a ROUTES AVAILABLE Check our listings daily, or call to place your own ad delivering for the Jasper County Advertiser 792-3121 Newton Daily News Jasper County Advertiser Approx. $2600/mo S. 12th Ave W. S. 13th Ave W. S. 14th Ave W. W. 6th St S. W. 9th St S. ASSISTANT TELEPHONE SALES MANAGER This position provides leadership, training, and team building in the Telephone Sales Department. Must be a self-starter with intermediate computer skills and great communication skills. • Acts as a liaison between telephone companies and sales reps • Runs and monitors reports • Runs the department in the absence of the Telephone Sales Manager • Insures deadlines are being met by the sales team • Assists sales reps in servicing accounts and closes telephone company accounts. Sales & Management experience preferred. For These Positions We Offer: Paid Vacation and Holidays, 401-K Plan w/ Company Match, Medical, Dental/Vision, Life Insurance Email resume to: [email protected] Please indicate which position(s) you are applying for. Hanson Directory Service, Inc. 200 1st. Ave. E. Newton [email protected] www.newtondailynews.com We also offer full health benefits, life insurance, paid vacation and short /long term disability. Grow your income as you grow your customer base. You will be assigned an existing customer base yearly to renew their advertising campaigns as well as call on new business. Generous and competitive commission structure. 1501 N. 15th Ave. E. • Newton, IA 50208 For more information about our company, please visit our website: Call for details. Call 641-792-5320 today! www.newtondailynews.com | Tuesday | Nov. 18, 2014 | 5B Newton Daily News Jasper County Advertiser newtondailynews.com Classifieds In Print and Online Everyday | 641-792-3121 FOR SALE FOR SALE AUTOMOTIVE HEAD BRAND downhill skis with tyrolia bindings, Blizzard brand downhill skis with tyrolia bindings, all made in Austria, only used 3 times. 1 pair men's Salomon ski boots, size 9, 1 pair women's Salomon ski boots, size 7, only used 3 times, 1 Barrecrafters SR-55 luggage rack mounted, locking ski rack. Entire package $575. 641787-0004. QUEEN COMFORTER set, 2 shams, bed skirt, reversible, floral & stripes cream, sage & dusty rose roses, newer, excellent condition. Full comforter set, comforter & shams, navy, hunter green, burgundy & taupe, paisley design, excellent condition. Firestone tire FR710 215/65R16-98T, good tread. Men's Khaki trench coat, size 40 reg. 641-5213699. 1950 FERGUSON Tractor with back blade, chain & PTO, 12 volt system, good condition. $2000. or OBO. 641-792-8668. 1994 K1500 CHEVY 4X4 Newer tires, less than 2,000 miles on them, new hubs, ball joints, A/C compressor battery, distributor intake, coil. 119,000 miles. Purple w/waldoc stripe kit. 350 Engine Automatic. $4580.00 OBO 641-242-0361 1997 FORD Conversion Van. Heavy ½ ton, great for towing. New front end and front tires. Runs great. $2400. 515-778-2792 LADDERS: 1- 6 foot wood step ladder $15., 1- 12 foot strait $15. 2 steel ladder jacks $5., garbage can 30 gal. $5., leaf bag holder $5., train table $5., was used for garage sales, treadmill $100. 641-7927767. LARGE LIFT Chair, bought from Newton Furniture on May 2013, for $1300. Excellent condition, selling for $500. Firm. Lazy suzzane puzzle board, for up to 1,000 piece puzzle, make great Christmas gift. $50. Firm. 641-840-0719. LAZY BOY Sofa, sleeper, queen size $400., drop leaf table & 2 chairs new from Homemakers $200., 2 twin bookcase headboards $25. each, new small metal dog cage $40. Text or call 641521-1239. MASTER STEP Stepper, exercise machine, never used, owners manual included, digital counter and adjustable tension. $60. 641-787-0004. 1999 ARCTIC Cat 4wheeler ATV, like new, runs great! $1950. 641831-3821. No calls after 8 pm. SNOW WAY V Plow- one ton truck mounting, new cutting blade. $3,000. 641792-4332 TWO FUZION Touring tires, p205/65R15, new tires, good condition. $100. both. 641-417-8761. WEDDING DRESS $1,000. Formal Dress (Purple) $50. 641-521-7860. WESLO PURSUIT G-28 stationary bike, like new $75. or OBO. 26” Vigo TV, 2 year old with remote. Dorm refrigerator, 4 cu., brown, works good. $75 or OBO. 792-7058. WOOD FOR Sale- firewood split oak, hickory and other hard woods, ready for your fire. $75. delivered pick-up load, in Jasper Co. 641-417-0195. 2002 GRAY, extended cab Chevy Silverado. Fully loaded with towing package, leather, heated seats, automatic seats, mirrors, etc. 207k miles and some very minor dents/scratches. Engine runs perfect. Recently fully detailed and new battery. $7,000 OBO. Contact Cody if interested at 515-681-1373 REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE QUALITY SOFA, flex steal, gold color fabric, like new, rarely used $250. Blue settee $25. Blue wing back chair $25. Burgundy swivel chair $25. No pets/ no smoke. 641-792-7940. ROUND WOOD table with two leaves $50. 641-7925567. SET OF Vogue magazines from 2000-2013, please call for details. 208-2703987. 2012 HARLEY Davidson Switchback for sale. Detachable windshield and saddle bags make this motorcycle two bikes in one, a street cruiser and a touring bike. Very low miles, lots of chrome, and extras make the price $16,500, a great buy. 641-521-7627 BOAT 14' Alumacraft (5 capacity) with duck blind, locater, trolling motor, 8 hp GoDevil longtail motor with stand, 9.9 hp Mercury Outboard motor and fuel tank, all on a Shorelander trailer. $4000. or OBO. CLASSIC CAR 1977 Chrysler New Yorker, white with light brown interior. Make an offer. 7922017. PUZZLES .50¢ each. DVD movies $1. each. 7926359. QPV SHOP Vac., wet/dry with built in pump, 18 gal. & 6.0 hp, new $169, never used $125. 641-792-1523 or 641-521-1003. AUTOMOTIVE Attention CNAs! Do you want a career in a warm & friendly setting? Check out Mitchell Village Care Center All 3 shifts available. 114 Carter Street SW Michellville, IA 50169 515-967-3726 * Telephone Customer Service * Material Handlers • On the Job Training • Temp-to-hire opportunities Interview with us to find out more! Stop by to learn about immediate openings. Apply online to 1stClassStaffing.com or call 641-236-6808 or 515-528-7544 EOE 929 Broad Street, Grinnell, Iowa Lynnville-Sully Community School District Job Opening Assistant High School Speech Coach 2 BEDROOM, full base- ment, upstairs storage room, nice yard, new furnace. 309 W. 12th St. S. $495.00 plus $495.00 deposit. 641-831-3701 after 10:00am. No pets. AUTOMOTIVE 07 BUICK LeSabre custom, new battery, tires, 107 thousand miles, no rust $5650 Firm. 641-275-1148. Due to a large number of speech participants, the Lynnville-Sully Community School District seeks an assistant hight school speech coach. The coach will assistant during the large group and individual speech season. The position begins December 10, 2014 and ends March 30, 2015. Coaching stipend: $631. Application deadline: December 2, 2014. Send a letter of interest, resume and completed application to Shane Ehresman, Superintendent, Lynnville-Sully Community School District, PO Box 210, Sully, Iowa 50251. Application may be found on the school district web site: www.lshawks.com Electronic materials may be directed to: [email protected] AUTOMOTIVE BLACK 1982 Ford F150 Pickup, 67,000 miles on the motor, newer transmission, newer paint job, looks and runs great. Standard cab with a full size bed. If you are looking for a great old truck, this is it; first $2,000 will drive it home. Phone 641-792-3612. Please leave a message. DAEWOO-DD802L DOZER $20,000. 641-792-4332 Astrograph Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014 www.newtondailynews.com Learn More Everyday Subscribe Today! Call the circulation dept. at 792-5320 Sell through the Classifieds in the NEWTON DAILY NEWS or JASPER COUNTY ADVERTISER Call 641-792-3121 EXT. 6542 to place your ad today! The annual conjunction of the sun and Saturn is like a physician’s checkup of the mind, body and spirit. The good doctor asks: You can usually walk away from external conflict, but what do you do when the conflict is inside you? Learning how to mentally and spiritually “walk away” is a valuable skill to pick up in the weeks to come. TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Nov. 18). It’s a lucrative year, but money is not what matters to you most. Success means freedom from pressure. In January, you can have what you want in a relationship; you just have to ask directly. Buy property in February or June. April combines travel and love for exciting memories. Singles get worthy offers in August. Capricorn and Pisces people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 3, 17, 39, 4 and 35. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You’re comfortable functioning in situations where you don’t (and quite possibly no one does) have the answers. Accepting the unknown (without freaking out) is a life skill that will take you far. joy and seek out to add to their team. This explains your recent popularity. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). As soon as ennui sets in, go out and master something new. Otherwise, you’ll succumb to temptation and distraction instead of using your restless energy constructively. ARIES (March 21-April 19). Don’t let tranquility lull you into dropping your guard. By the same token, when things get heated, don’t succumb to the agitation around you. Stay calm so you can recognize the opportunities that disruption always creates. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). The current Saturn configuration gives you pause. The reflective mood will produce a valuable insight, provide profound meaning or renew your sense of purpose. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 18). One reason it’s important to prepare for a variety of outcomes is that it teaches you not to hang on too tightly to any one of them. Since most of your preparations won’t directly apply, you can maintain a flexible attitude. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). When intelligence is teamed with an easy-going attitude, the result is a personality that many en- TAURUS (April 20May 20). The facts and circumstances you’re dealing with today are not inherently true or false — it’s your thinking that makes them true or false. Spin your mind in an empowering direction. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). A temporary loss of motivation will cause soul searching. Once you set clear objectives, a new sense of purpose will whoosh into your being, and the old passion and drive will ignite anew. CANCER (June 22-July 22). People may not respond to your offerings in polite, appropriate or expected ways. If you can live without immediate feedback, you’ll be better off. This takes a deep sense of inner security and self-trust. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). If you always listen to feedback, you’ll fail. If you never listen to feedback, you’ll fail. The key is to see the long view, trust yourself and heed your intuitive leanings to incorporate or ignore the feedback. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your powers of imagination are strong, and when you escape, you go to a happy, exciting place in your mind. This is the secret to your upbeat mood and unstoppable vitality. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Winners are risk takers. Sometimes it takes going too far to know how far you can go. So if you cross boundaries and the result is less than optimal, chalk it up to experience. COPYRIGHT 2014 CREATORS.COM 6B | www.newtondailynews.com | Tuesday | Nov. 18, 2014 BUSINESS CARD DIRECTORY When I say “good,” you say “neighbor.” Brock Walaska, Agent Now that's teamwork. 710 1st Ave E CALL FOR A QUOTE 24/7 Newton, IA 50208 Bus: 641-792-2160 www.brockwalaska.com P097314.1 WANTED SCRAP METAL • APPLIAN CES • BATTERIES • JUNK CARS AND TRUC KS TOP $$ PAID • CALL FO R PRICING ROLL OFF BOX SERVICE AVAILABLE • CNC Plasma Cutting • Mobile Welding • Metal Fabrication • Welding Supplies & Gases • Steel in Stock For Your Projects Just South of I-80 on HW Y 14 • Newton, IA 50208 (641) 792-8854 or 1-8 00-252-2886 www.carcountryiowa.c om State Farm Home Office, Bloom ington, IL 2 Levels of Quality Antiques, Collectables, & Furniture Located on West Side of the Square 115 W. 2nd St. N., Newton • 641-787-0353 Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm Sat. 9am-5pm Closed Sunday DRIVERS LICENSE STATION IN NEWTON Mon.-Fri 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for renewals & tests. Driving Tests By Appo intment Treasurer’s Office, so uth door Room 101, Courthouse 641-792-3815 ING COMPANY One Mans Junk • Harley Davidson • Antiques • Collectibles • New & Used Items • Junk • Maytag Items Hours: Mon 10-4, Wed 10-4, Fri 10-4, Sat 10-12pm Closed Tues, Thurs & Sun 118 1st Ave E., Newton • 641-521-7417 Independently owned & operated GRALNEK-DUNITZ Steel-Welding-Trash-Propane-Scrap WHY GIVE YOUR SCRAP STEEL AWAY FOR FREE? We buy scrap steel at competitive prices! *We fill propane cylinders *Cut to order new & used steel *Roll off containers for commercial job sites & trash removal *Distributor of Linweld welding gas & equipment Call (641)792-1484 1428 N. 19th Ave. E. * Newton, IA 50208 Troy Coy, Location Manager 641-842-4444 1501 S. Lincoln St., Knoxville,IA Obedience - Dog walking - Pet sit tin g Insured & Bonded • Pet CPR and pet first aid certifie d
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Which regional territory experienced the Umbrella Revolution in autumn 2014, being a protracted protest against electoral constraints?
Catalan international view 18 by Catalan International View - issuu issuu Issue 18 • Autumn 2014 • € 5 A European Review of the World Credit, bubbles and economic models by Jaume Ventura The EU: better reformed than sorry by Laura Pous Is it a bird, is it a plane? No, it’s Putin by Nico Valle US Foreign policy towards Africa: time for change? by Laia Tarragona Catalonia, Southern Europe’s economic engine by Felip Puig Desmond Tutu by Francesc de Dalmases Cover Artist: Agustí Puig Interview: sections: Europe · Business, Law & Economics · Africa · Asia · Opinion A Short Story from History · Barcelona Echoes · The Artist · Universal Catalans · A Poem Editor [email protected] Director Francesc de Dalmases [email protected] Art Director [email protected] Editorial Board Martí Anglada Enric Canela Salvador Cardús August Gil-Matamala Montserrat Guibernau Guillem López-Casasnovas Manuel Manonelles Fèlix Martí Eva Piquer Ricard Planas Clara Ponsatí Arnau Queralt Vicent Sanchis Mònica Terribas Montserrat Vendrell Carles Vilarrubí Vicenç Villatoro Chief Editor Judit Aixalà Jordi Fexas Nigel Balfour Júlia López Coordinator Ariadna Canela [email protected] Webmaster Gemma Lapedriza Cover Art Agustí Puig The reproduction of the artwork on the front cover is thanks to an agreement between the Artist and Fundació CATmón Executive Production Positive & Negative 4......... Hong Kong, the Umbrella Revolution ...........Sarajevo in Kurdistan To Our Readers 5......... Scotland: a victory for the democratic option by Víctor Terradellas 8......... Merkel is not the problem! by Adam Casals 12........ The EU: better reformed than sorry .............. by Laura Pous Business, Law & Economics 18........ Credit, bubbles and economic models .............. by Jaume Ventura The Americas - Africa 24........ US foreign policy towards Africa: time for change? .............. by Laia Tarragona A Snapshot 30........ A ‘V’ in Barcelona: 2.2 million people claiming for democracy Interview 32........ Desmond Tutu .............. by Francesc de Dalmases Opinion 36........ Catalonia, Southern Europe’s economic engine .............. by Felip Puig 40........ Is it a bird, is it a plane? No, it’s Putin .............. by Nico Valle Headquarters, Administration and Subscriptions Fonollar, 14 08003 Barcelona Catalonia (Europe) Tel.: + 34 93 533 42 38 Fax: + 34 93 319 22 24 www. international-view.cat Legal deposit B-26639-2008 ISSN 2013-0716 © Edicions de la Fundació CATmón. All rights reserved. Neither this publication nor any part of it may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, protocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of Edicions de la Fundació CATmón. 48........ Where is the Kantian peace? .............. by Helena Vicente 52........ International strategic action from the local world .............. by Joan Carles Garcia Barcelona Echoes 56........ Barcelona by sea and air .............. by Elisabeth McWilliams 60....... Universal Catalans .............Pau Casals A Poem 67........ Unity Printed in Catalonia by Cevagraf s.c.c.l. A Short Story from History With the support of 68..........The Dalmases Embassy and the Case of the Catalans (IV) 70........ Agustí Puig Positive & Negative by Francesc de Dalmases Hong Kong, the Umbrella Revolution Throughout September and October Hong Kong witnessed a series of mass demonstrations in what grew into the largest prodemocracy movement in China since the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. It therefore appears as if the political situation will shift slightly toward the possibility of a democratic future for this country of some 7.2 million inhabitants. Before the demonstrations became front-page news around the world, there was no hope of meaningful negotiations between the defenders of democracy and a government that has stubbornly clung to Beijing’s policies. The demonstrations have allowed preliminary agreements to be established, and the student-led movement has joined forces with Hong Kong’s democratic deputies. ‘At least we have been able to put enough pressure on the government to force them to start a dialogue. They know that political reform is on the table. Until now no one saw it as an option’, observes Albert Ho, former leader of the Democratic Party and candidate in the 2012 Chief Executive election. Sarajevo in Kurdistan Also in recent months we have heard of the siege of the Kurdish city of Kobane and the subsequent fight against the forces of the Islamic State. It is happening at a time when Washington is carrying out air strikes against the Islamic State’s key strategic positions and when Germany has revealed that it is providing weapons and training to Kurds in order to fight on Syrian and Iraqi soil. Nonetheless, inexplicably, this entire war machine seems unable to save the Kurdish city. In Europe the siege of Kobane has been a bitter pill to swallow. It appears as if everything we saw and heard in Kobane was a repeat of what we saw and heard in Bosnia during the siege of Sarajevo. Nevertheless, the outcome was equally as bloody. Once more Europe appears to be lacking a genuine, proactive, common foreign policy which would enable it to anticipate, negotiate and mediate in regional conflicts of a global nature. 4 Catalan International View To Our Readers Scotland: a victory for the democratic option by VĂ­ctor Terradellas On 10th January 2012, the First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond announced that a referendum on Scottish independence was to be held on September 18th 2014. In keeping with the January 2012 agreement made by the British government, headed by Prime Minister James Cameron, the referendum received the backing and the support of the UK government and Westminster as a whole. It took place thanks to an agreement which temporarily granted Scotland the power to hold it. The democratic path which culminated in the referendum began in 2009 with the creation of accords between various civic and social organizations, together with the Scottish National Party (SNP), ensuring a solid social and political foundation in support of the referendum. These agreements ensured that the SNP secured an absolute majority in the 2011 Scottish Parliamentary elections, thus validating their democratic proposal. This in turn led to the launch of the Yes Scotland campaign, on 25th May 2012, led by the SNP, together with the Scottish Green Party and the Scottish Socialist Party. A month later, on 25th June 2012, the ‘No’ campaign was launched with the slogan Better Together. It received significant support from London, in the form of the Labour Party, the Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats. Catalan International View 5 To Our Readers On 18th September 2014, Scottish society, thanks to legal and democratic guarantees, responded to the question ‘Should Scotland be an independent country?’. The sequence of political agreements and the democratic spirit with which they were carried out, allow one to claim that Scotland came out the clear winner in this process. The men and women of Scotland decided their future in agreement with the state of which they are currently a part, with the respect and recognition of their neighbours and the international community at large. Ultimately, it is clear that Scottish society tended mostly towards the ‘no’ in answer to the question ‘Should Scotland be an independent country?’. Nevertheless, the effective exercise of democracy represented by the process which preceded it, the campaign leading up to it, the day of the referendum itself and the way in which the result has been accepted by both sides means it has exceeded all of its expectations. For four years we have witnessed the unfolding of this resounding victory for democracy which has had the Scottish Parliament at its epicentre, which has affected the entirety of Scottish society and which also received the backing and the support of the UK government and Westminster as a whole. I would like to publicly congratulate the Scottish Nationalist Party and its leader Alex Salmond in particular, for their splendid work and for having shown that democracy is not a hostage to the law, but rather that the law ought to guarantee and protect democracy and every society’s right to decide. 6 Likewise, I greatly respect the rest of the UK’s reaction to the referendum, as expressed by their Prime Minister David Cameron with his commitment to a new era in relations between London and Edinburgh. This in turn ought to bring about a new form of Devolution and ensure new levels of self-rule for both the government and the Scottish parliament. Cameron gave his word before the referendum and now is the time for him to show he will keep his promise. Finally, and in spite of the conviction that the Scottish and Catalan processes are not comparable, one cannot help but remark on the profound differences between the British and Spanish governments. These are especially visible when one compares the scrupulous democratic behaviour of the government in London, with the obstinate negative issued by the Madrid government when it comes to facilitating Catalan society’s free democratic expression. Madrid’s handling of the situation is in stark contrast to the democratic determination of the Catalan government, led by president Mas, the Parliament of Catalonia (who worked together to reach an agreement on the date and question to be used in the referendum) and the majority of Catalan society which has been able to publicly express their democratic will through, civil, peaceful, good-natured, mass demonstrations. These have been particularly wellattended during the last three National Days of Catalonia (celebrated on the 11th of September). This year saw nearly two million people take to the streets of Barcelona calling for democracy and the right to vote as the only valid means by which to resolve political conflicts. Catalan International View Tel. +34 977 757 473 · +34 977 756 265 • Fax +34 977 771 129 Camí Pedra Estela, 34 • 43205 Reus (Baix Camp) www.demuller.es Europe Merkel is not the problem! by Adam Casals* The newfound awareness of the desire of Catalonia’s people, government and civil society to organize an independence referendum lies behind Germany’s growing interest in this issue. When Chancellor Merkel speaks out against the Catalans’ aspirations, she is acknowledging that she takes them seriously. At the time of Yugoslavia’s disintegration, Jacques Delors also claimed that Slovenia would never be allowed into the EEC. Nevertheless, Germany’s brisk reunification and East Germany’s entry into the European Union would not have been possible if the principle of territorial integrity had been adhered to. Germany won the World Cup this summer and would like to be in the driver’s seat. Only 800km away from the Ukraine, the difficult geostrategic situation with regards to Russia is setting the agenda, marked by threats to the energy supply and the development 8 Catalan International View of the logistics infrastructure between Europe and Asia. In light of America’s ongoing loss of interest in the region, new energy, security and defence policies for Eastern Europe urgently need to be designed. Following a meeting at the CIDOB (Barcelona Centre for International Affairs), the veteran Israeli diplomat Shlomo Ben Ami revealed a willingness to accept a greater role for Germany in defence policies in Europe and the Middle East. In Spain, the Central Government’s new budget signals a will to maintain an unbalanced situation rather than fixing the still-ailing economy and the incredibly high unemployment rate. Once again Catalonia, its citizens and businesses were penalised. With some 16% Europe of the population and a GDP of almost 20%, Spain’s overall investment is to be a paltry 9.5%. This is unprecedented among OECD countries, given the fact that 50% of newly-created jobs in Spain in the last year originated in Catalonia, one of the main economic engines driving the recovery in the area. Meanwhile, massive investments in Pharaonic-like projects such as the new AVE high-speed train routes are symptomatic of the Rajoy government’s inability to put an end to the growing deficit, which could worsen if interest rates rise in the medium term. There is concern regarding the consequences for the Eurozone and Germany clearly does not want more problems in the West. The Handelsblatt acknowledged the existence of German economic risk assessments in the situation in Catalonia, though this should not be perceived as a factor of instability. Germany’s brisk reunification and East Germany’s entry into the European Union would not have been possible if the principle of territorial integrity had been adhered to A senior German official recalled the awkward consequences of Croatia receiving diplomatic recognition as a new state. Back then, Hans-Dietrich Genscher resorted to historical arguCatalan International View 9 Europe ments in order to convince Helmut Kohl. However, in the Catalan case the reasons would be more powerful due to Germany’s important commercial, industrial and financial interests in the country. Since all attempts to reform Spain have so far failed, the best solution to extracting southern Europe from the depths of an endemic and systemic crisis ought to come from Catalonia The senior analyst Kai-Olaf Lang skilfully argues that on rare occasions, maintaining the status quo can mean making big changes. In this case, Germany and Europe should take sides and 10 Catalan International View do so from a pragmatic point-of-view. The arrival of the new German consul in Barcelona, Rainer Eberle, is also relevant. An ambassador and acknowledged expert in conflict resolution, Eberle is open to dialogue without prejudice. Catalonia ought to see Germany as a key player that will be able to have significant influence regarding the feasibility of eventual independence. A recent article by Francesc Granell stressed the importance of sending the right messages, and in turn the ability to convince the major European political parties. Arguments supporting the Catalan cause should be rewritten from the viewpoint of German interests. The results are compelling: Catalonia shares its history and values with Carolingian Central Europe. Since all at- Europe tempts to reform Spain have so far failed, the best solution to extracting southern Europe from the depths of an endemic and systemic crisis ought to come from Catalonia, a cutting-edge country with a surplus of creative talent. The new country should be based on the criteria of excellence that fosters wealth creation and welfare, thus making it more attractive. Catalonia will pay its corresponding share of the Spanish state’s debt, contributing to stability, as well as becoming the catalyst for a new economic and social development of Spain, whose future viability will allay any fears the Eurozone might have. The country should also be involved in the viability of Europe as a laboratory of ideas for the governance and management of new models of society; at a time of multiple challenges and changes at all levels and on a global scale. Upon arrival in Germany, it will be necessary to access, discuss, argue and generate sympathies among the representatives of the political system and civil society, as well as industrial, economic and financial circles with decision-making capabilities and the ability to exercise influence. This should be done actively, with the utmost discretion, in fluent German, in the pursuit of synergies. The arguments motivating the people of Catalonia must be explained, as to why they are willing to decide, by peaceful and democratic means as to their own future as an independent state, considering the consequences, risks, and actual contingency plans provided in each case. Catalans may win this if they really want to and are diligent enough to see it through until the end, proving that Chancellor Merkel and Germany won’t prove to be a problem, but rather a means to find the right solution. *Adam Casals Senior strategic consultant & International Relations expert, focused on Central European and German speaking countries. Building communication bridges beyond cultural and linguistic barriers, he helps fostering growth and achieving goals in companies, institutions and organizations. His newest projects are related to the engineering, research, energy and creative industries. He is involved in consulting and procurement projects related to European and multilateral institutions. He also writes opinion pieces for the Ara newspaper. Catalan International View Europe The EU: better reformed than sorry by Laura Pous* ‘I’m just back from Europe’. It’s not unusual to hear such a comment from a British person when he or she arrives back in the United Kingdom following a visit to France, Belgium or any other continental European country. It appears to be a symptom of an ‘island mentality’ and as such is not so surprising, all things considered. Nevertheless, on such occasions I like to remind them that London is in Europe too. Or at least for the time being, because if UKIP gets its way and Cameron fails to secure a new deal for the United Kingdom within the European Union in the next few years, they might well leave by the back door. And it’s a door to a place they would no longer recognize. UKIP, an openly anti-EU party that advocates Britain’s departure from the European Union, won the European elections in Britain in May. They secured 24 seats in Strasbourg, with some 4.3 million votes. The victory came as no great surprise. People in Britain already expected them to do very well. This was not only because they feel, sometimes rightly, that Europe is ‘too big, too bossy, and too interfering’, as Cameron said, but also since concerns over immigration (and increasingly European immigration) are not addressed by the traditional political class and people tend to make up their minds based on stereotypes and exaggerated facts reported in the tabloid press. As a result, they end up seeing Europe as nothing more than a huge institution that specialises in red-tape designed to hinder businesses and pro12 Catalan International View mote the abuse of the benefit systems in richer countries. Eastern or Southern Europeans from poorer countries are taking British jobs, they warn. And the easy solution to all these problems, they seem to think, is to leave the EU. The solution is UKIP. Undoubtedly this is neither the easiest solution nor the most appropriate. Neither is it possible to deny that Britain has a problem with the EU and its handling of immigration. The European election results were a humiliation for the traditional political parties in Westminster. For the first time, an outsider won a national election by relegating the main opposition party, Labour, and the prime minister’s party, the Conservatives, to second and third place. Not to mention the most pro-European group in the Commons, the Liberal Democrats, who ended up Europe losing all but one of their seats, falling behind the Greens and the Scottish National Party. Why UKIP? While there are many reasons why people tend to vote UKIP, political commentators have usually identified two major groups of voters: rich, white, former-conservative voters who blame the EU for all Britain’s ills, and bluecollar workers who feel marginalised in the 21st century economy and unrepresented by the Westminster elite, not to mention the Labour elite, who they see as out of touch with day-to-day working class problems. How such diverse groups of people end up voting for the same populist party says lots about the failure of the large traditional parties to grasp what’s going on in Britain. How working class people feel attracted by the words of a populist, anti-immigration leader such as Nigel Farage, whose views on the economy have more in common with the Conservatives than any other party, is also cause for concern. Robert Ford and Matthew Goodwin carried out a first-rate analysis as to why this is the case in their book Revolt on the Right. UKIP is a sign of the British elite’s problems with the public. A sign of the disengagement between the citizens and a political class that inhabits the Westminster bubble. Regardless of the reasons for its victory, the fact is that UKIP did succeed, and this creates a new set of circumstances both in Britain and the EU. Catalan International View 13 Europe The UKIP leader Nigel Farage stated during the election campaign that if he won, he would cause ‘such a shock in the British political system’ that it would be ‘nothing short of an earthquake’. The implications of his expected victory, as predicted, go well beyond the European election and the Westminster political bubble. In fact, they were already visible in the EU shortly after, when Prime Minister David Cameron embarked on a mission to veto Christian Democrat Jean-Claude Juncker’s candidacy for the post of President of the European Commission. He declared, not without some justification, that Juncker was a ‘man from the past’. The long, bureaucratic and overly-technical discussions in Brussels are in sharp contrast with the British way of doing politics (and business) Cameron’s futile strategy ‘Jean-Claude Juncker has been at the heart of the project to increase the power of Brussels and reduce the power of nation-states for his entire working life. He is not the right person to take this organisation forward’. These were Cameron’s words before the European Summit that voted in favour of Juncker. Cameron failed in his bid to block him, ending up isolated with the sole, rather uncomfortable backing of Hungary. Britain was pushed one step closer to leaving the EU. In a sense, Farage won not once, but twice. ‘UKIP winning the European elections is putting huge pressure on Mr Cameron’s position’, admitted the Eurosceptic leader. ‘In terms of the United Kingdom being able to potentially renegotiate anything of significance, the appointment of Juncker makes that look far less likely’, Farage added. He had a point. Cameron has promised to 14 Catalan International View repatriate certain powers from Brussels and hold a referendum on UK membership of the EU in 2017. Nevertheless, his critics doubt he would be able to deliver a comprehensive reform if he was not even able to block Juncker’s bid for the top job, perhaps for this very reason. An uncomfortable relationship Cameron said he was happy to lose a battle in order to win a war, admitting, nonetheless, that his aim is now more difficult with Juncker as head of the European Commission. Their first meeting following the nomination was decidedly awkward. Pictures of their ‘high-five’ and of an obviously distracted Juncker who did not even look at the camera were a hilarious metaphor for a strange relationship. As strange as the relationship between Juncker and Farage may well become, since they are obviously at odds with each other, they are expected to ‘enjoy the battle’ over the course of the next few years. ‘On the plus side, Mr Juncker, you are a sociable cove with a much better sense of humour than most people I’ve met in Brussels’, announced Farage during the plenary session in Strasbourg that saw Juncker winning the nomination of the European Parliament. UKIP heckled Juncker during his speech, with calls of ‘rubbish’, when he claimed that the single currency ‘protects Europe’. Their style may not have been very continental but it was actually quite British. MPs in Westminster shout all the time. The Commons is like an organized playground. And I suspect it is also one of the best political schools in Europe. Politicians heckle each other from benches on both sides of the House, and the debate is often rather invigorating. UKIP MEPs have yet to enter Westminster (and it remains to be seen if they’ll get into the Commons in May Europe 2015) but nonetheless they too have adopted this irreverent way of doing politics: of being something in between a rude schoolboy and a sarcastic chum that seems to confound some of their European counterparts. I listened to the leader of the European Conservatives and Reformist Group, Syed Kamall, much more elegantly urging Juncker to change things in the EU to avoid even more British disaffection. ‘Do you want Catalan International View 15 your Commission to be the last of an old era, or the first of a new era?’, he asked. Labour MEPs didn’t vote for Juncker either. Nor did the only Liberal Democrat MEP in Strasbourg, Catherine Bearder, who said she wanted someone ‘with a clearer and more ambitious vision of how to reform the EU’. So basically no British support at all for Juncker, not even from the most pro-European party in Westminster. Britain’s isolation Britain is out of touch with the European Union. It always has been to some extent, but now the disenchantment is being reciprocated. In the old good days, when Margaret Thatcher or Tony Blair went to Brussels and threatened them with a veto, the other member states tried to accommodate their demands. Cameron has outright failed in trying to apply the same old logic to a new EU structure. And it seems 16 Catalan International View as if Berlin and Paris no longer care if London ends up alone. There would be ‘no drama’ if Juncker was chosen with a majority and no support from Cameron, admitted Chancellor Angela Merkel. Maybe it was not dramatic for Berlin, but it was for London. Cameron has since reshuffled his cabinet, with the big appointments announced the same day as Juncker was being confirmed for the top job in the European Commission. Of particular note was the departure of Ken Clarke, Minister without Portfolio, former Conservative chancellor and probably one of the few pro-Europeans to speak out in favour of Juncker, saying that ‘the idea he is an arch-federalist, a sort of public enemy number one, is slightly exaggerated’. Equally noteworthy was the appointment, as Foreign Secretary, of the Eurosceptic Philip Hammond, who once declared to the BBC that he would vote to leave the EU unless Britain can repatriate substantial powers. Europe These changes might suggest a shift in European policy in the wake of the 2015 general election. Cameron might want to reconnect with those voters that think he is not harsh enough with Brussels and who are considering voting UKIP next May. A domestic move, but one with European consequences. UKIP is a sign of the British elite’s problems with the public. A sign of the disengagement between the citizens and a political class that inhabits the Westminster bubble, from where it is difficult to properly address the legitimate demands and doubts of the people with regard to the economy, the EU and immigration. And from where it is difficult to challenge the parties’ stereotypes and populist discourse. British politicians, including the Prime Minister and his Secretaries of State, had better start talking to people, not just addressing them from a podium, if they don’t want to lose them for good. UKIP is also a sign of the European elite’s problems with its people and with Britain. The EU-bubble is making the British feel more and more alienated from a European Union that they feel no longer represents them and which no longer wishes to listen to their demands. The long, bureaucratic and overly-technical discussions in Brussels are in sharp contrast with the British way of doing politics (and business). And unless London and Brussels show a willingness to embark on a real reform agenda, the English Channel will widen by the day. And I will no longer have the chance to say to my friends that ‘no, they are not coming from Europe: they are Europe too’. *Laura Pous is a journalist. She is the London correspondent for the ACN (the Catalan news agency) and RAC1 radio station. She also presents the weekly magazine ‘Europa Semanal’ broadcast by Deutsche Welle. Pou holds a Masters in Political Communication from the University of Glasgow. 1 Year (4 issues) just 40 euros Name (please print) Address payment enclosed Fonollar 14 · 08003 BARCELONA · CATALONIA · Europe · www.international-view.cat Catalan International View Business, Law & Economics Credit, bubbles and economic models by Jaume Ventura* Banks and other financial intermediaries play an increasingly important role in modern capitalist economies. In industrial countries, for instance, credit has risen from 100% of GDP in 1970 to approximately 160% of GDP today. This growth would undoubtedly have been much higher without the financial crisis of 2007-08. Nevertheless, this significant average growth masks substantial variations in the experiences of individual countries. In the United States credit grew by approximately 40% of GDP between 1990 and 2010, only to contract sharply afterwards. In Greece, Ireland, Spain and Portugal, the dynamics of credit show a similar profile over recent decades: stagnant or declining credit between the mid-1980s and the mid-1990s, a spectacular surge in credit between the mid-1990s and 2010, and stagnation or a sharp decline ever since. Looking to the future, these drops in credit are not necessarily short-lived, as shown by the Japanese and Swedish experience. In Japan, for instance, credit grew rapidly in the late 1990s and has fallen stead18 Catalan International View ily since its 1999 peak. In Sweden, credit collapsed during the financial crisis of the early 1990s and took over a decade to return to its earlier peak. There is one outstanding feature, however, which is common to the diverse experiences of different countries: credit has often alternated between periods of rapid growth (booms) and periods of stagnation or significant decline (busts). The credit booms and busts tend to be accompanied by changes in key economic variables. It has been well documented that credit booms are associated with high asset prices and high growth rates of real GDP, consumption and investment. According to some estimates investment growth doubles during booms. Nonetheless, credit Business, Law & Economics booms eventually end, and their aftereffects are often characterized by financial crises and low economic growth. This has prompted calls for policies that restrain credit during booms, in the hope that smaller booms will lead to smaller crises. Nonetheless, is such a view justified? To evaluate the merits of these calls for policy changes, one must have a perspective as to the forces driving these credit cycles. Not surprisingly, a great deal of macroeconomic research has been devoted to this matter in recent years. Obviously, credit may fluctuate for a variety of reasons, and different types of fluctuations may call for different policy responses. At a very general level, fluctuations in credit may reflect changes in the supply or the demand for funds. The supply of funds typically grows when income grows due to favourable changes in the terms of trade, increases in production and successful policy reforms. The supply of funds may also grow for reasons that are less positive, such as an increase in uncertainty that raises precautionary savings, or widespread doubts as to the future of the public pension system. The same is true when it comes to the demand for funds. It might grow for positive reasons, such an increase in business prospects, or for negative reasons, such an increase in government debt. Traditional models of credit incorporate some or all of these factors and try to study how they affect credit. Catalan International View 19 Business, Law & Economics Recently, though, macroeconomists have focused on models of credit fluctuations that are driven by fluctuations in available collateral. Indeed, the concept of collateral has now become a central element of modern macroeconomics. The intuition behind this concept is simple: the role of ďŹ nancial markets is to intermediate funds between those that have them (that is, the savers or creditors) and those who know what to do with them (that is, the entrepreneurs or borrowers). This intermediation is useful because it makes the economy more efficient. In order for this intermediation to be feasible, however, savers need guarantees from entrepreneurs that the funds they lend them (together with a sufficiently attractive return!) will be repaid once the investments pay off. The collateral of entrepreneurs, that is the amount of future funds that they can pledge today to creditors, is akin to those guarantees. When collateral is low, entrepreneurs cannot borrow enough and the economy operates efficiently. When collateral is high, entrepreneurs can borrow enough and the economy operates inefficiently. In a world with an ample supply of funds, the level of credit is determined by the amount of collateral. In such a situation, understanding credit booms and busts requires a theory of collateral fluctuations. This simple idea is at the heart of the new generation of models that academics developed following the start of the crisis. These models are nowadays used by central banks, government agencies and international organizations around the world. The underlying view is that the supply of funds is abundant due to globalization and other factors that have raised the world supply of funds. In such an environment, credit is deter20 Catalan International View mined by the ability of entrepreneurs to absorb these funds. That is, credit is determined by available collateral. The view that we live in a new world with an abundant supply of funds is consistent with the observation that interest rates are now lower than ever before. The first generation of post-crisis models, with their emphasis on the role of collateral, constitute a substantial improvement over the traditional models that were used before the crisis. Nevertheless, they still face an important challenge when they attempt to confront the evidence. To see this, we ought to state that these models have two underlying assumptions. The first is that fluctuations in collateral are driven by movements in asset prices. Business, Law & Economics That is, they postulate that the collateral of firms is proportional to their value, and the collateral of households is proportional to their wealth. This, I think, the models get largely right. A second assumption of these firstgeneration models is that movements in asset prices are driven by changes in their ‘fundamental’ values. That is, these models are based on the old view that firm and real estate prices equal the net present value of the profits or rents that they generate, which is what is meant by their ‘fundamental’ value. This assumption is not surprising since there is a longstanding tradition in economic departments and business schools of teaching students that, sooner or later, market forces ensure that asset prices eventually converge to their fundamental value. However, such an assumption is a shaky foundation on which to build models for policy analysis. Nobody denies that changes in fundamental values affect asset prices. But both theoretical work and empirical evidence show that modern capitalist economies also experience large and persistent movements in asset prices that are not driven by fundamental values. For this reason some academics are currently developing a second-generation of post-crisis models that show how movements in asset prices are driven by both fundamental and bubble components. Unlike the fundamental component, which reflects the value of the pay- offs that an asset is expected to generate, the bubble component reflects what the market believes that the market will pay for the asset tomorrow and it is mainly driven by self-fulfilling expectations. This new class of models shows that part of the price of any asset is merely a pyramid scheme. One may recall that, in such a scheme, participants make voluntary contributions in the expectation of obtaining future voluntary contributions by other participants. Some academics are currently developing a second-generation of post-crisis models that show how movements in asset prices are driven by both fundamental and bubble components At first sight, the notion that asset prices are driven by bubbles or pyramid schemes might seem rather abstract or exotic. Nevertheless, it is easy to find real-world situations that correspond fairly well to this concept. Consider, for instance, the stock of a firm that is traded at a price that exceeds its fundamental, i.e. the net present value of the dividends that the stock will generate. This ‘overvalued’ price might be paid by investors that rationally expect to sell these stocks in the future at a price that also exceeds the fundamental. Consider, alternatively, credit given to a firm Catalan International View 21 Business, Law & Economics in excess of the net present value of the cash flows that this firm will generate. This ‘excessive’ credit might be given by banks that rationally expect that the firm will be able to raise enough credit in the future to repay them. A lot of work still needs to be done to determine how these policies transition from theoretical models to real world policymaking Overvalued stock prices and excessive credit can therefore be interpreted as bubbles or pyramid schemes, that is, as voluntary contributions to the firm’s financing that give the right to the next voluntary contribution. Once we think in these terms, the concept of a bubble ceases to be abstract or exotic and it becomes quite mundane. Indeed, it seems to capture the type of real-world behaviour that we see every day. Aside from being consistent with the observation of non-fundamental movements in asset prices, these second-generation models have already generated a number of interesting results. The first is that there is an optimal bubble size that provides the right amount of collateral needed by the credit market in order to channel funds from savers to entrepreneurs. If the bubble is too small, as currently appears to be the case, this intermediation process is impaired and funds do not reach their target. If the bubble is too large, as might have been the case in the not so distant past, the intermediation process is overheated and interest rates are too high. The optimal bubble trades off these two effects. A second result is that markets are typically unable to generate the optimal bubble. The reason is that marketgenerated bubbles depend on investor sentiment. That is, on the expectations of many decentralized market participants. It is highly unlikely that these market participants will coordinate their expectations in such a way that the optimal bubble arises. This coordination failure provides a new challenge to policymakers. The third result is the existence of ‘smart’ policies that can help insulate the economy from the whims of investor sentiment. These policies work in the models, but as yet they have not been tested in the real world. A lot of work still needs to be done to determine how these policies transition from theoretical models to real world policymaking. This will undoubtedly be a complex task. But this is precisely why it is so exciting to be doing macroeconomic research at this time. Jaume Ventura gained his PhD in Economics at Harvard University in 1995. Currently he is a Senior Researcher at the Center for Research in International Economics (CREI), a Research Professor at the Barcelona Graduate School of Economics and a Professor at Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF). Previously, he has held academic positions at MIT and the University of Chicago. He has served as a co-director of the International Macroeconomics Programme of the CEPR and also as an editor of the Economic Journal. He is a Research Fellow of the CEPR, a Research Associate of the NBER, and a Fellow of the European Economic Association. He has served as a consultant to the IMF, the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank. His research interests include international economics and macroeconomics. Recently, he has also written and commented on Catalan economic issues as member of the Col·lectiu Wilson. 22 The Americas - Africa US foreign policy towards Africa: time for change? by Laia Tarragona* At the end of June 2013, US President Barack Obama visited Africa on a 6-day tour for the first time since he took office in 2008. Expectations were high when he was elected president due to his being the first AfroAmerican president to occupy the post and for his Kenyan roots. Nevertheless, Obama kept Africa waiting for over four years before paying it a serious visit. Obama’s first mandate was characterised by his lack of interest in the African continent. However, in a context of an ‘emerging Africa’ and China’s increasing presence on the continent, his visit to the region may have signalled a shift in America’s approach to its foreign policy. From once being seen as the world’s poorest and all too often most violent continent, it is now seen as an emerging continent. Despite being home to some of the poorest countries in the world and the victim of deepseated conflicts, Africa also has six of the ten fastest growing economies in the world, and a rapidly expanding consumer class. 24 Catalan International View A historical overview America’s engagement with Africa is fairly recent. Although the Bureau of African Affairs was created in 1958 under President Eisenhower, US foreign policy towards Africa was dictated by Cold War politics until the time of the Clinton administration in the nineties. Africa was one of the many theatres in which the US and the Soviet Union acted out the Cold War. Other than that, the US followed the unfolding events in South Africa with great interest, at the time under the apartheid regime. Worth mentioning are Senator Robert Kennedy’s 1966 visit at the invitation by the anti-apartheid National The Americas - Africa Union of South African Students and the enactment of the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act in 1986. The first official visit by a US president to Sub-Saharan Africa was that of Jimmy Carter in 1978. It was not until twenty years later, in 1998, that US president Bill Clinton made the continent’s second presidential visit. For the first time, the US administration regarded Africa as Africa itself rather than as a theatre for its proxy wars. Clinton’s most important legacy was the enactment of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in the year 2000. This act, signed into law at the initiative of president George W. Bush in 2004, is still in force today and is set to expire in 2015, when it is expected that Congress will renew it once more (if not before). AGOA is one of the pillars of trade between Africa and the US. It provides incentives (through duty-free access to the US market) for certain African countries to export to the US. Countries eligible to benefit from it are those that comply with a set of conditions related to the rule of law, human rights and labour standards. Approximately 40 Sub-Saharan African countries currently benefit from it. However, Africa finally appeared on the radar screen of US foreign policy during George W. Bush’s time in ofCatalan International View 25 The Americas - Africa fice. During the Bush years, US interest in Africa increased, and Africa achieved strategic importance for the US mostly in terms of security, energy dependence and competition with China, which was beginning to invest in the continent. Bush left a lasting legacy in Africa on three main fronts: security, with the establishment of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM); aid and assistance, through the implementation of important health programs such as the unprecedented President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR, a $15 billion initiative) and the President’s Malaria Initiative, as well as the establishment of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, a US government aid agency; and diplomacy, with the push for a peace settlement to end the civil war in Sudan. Competition with China is one of the elements that drives this alleged change or increase of interest Is Obama interested in Africa? Obama’s first term certainly failed to live up to the expectations his election created in Africa. It cannot be said that he totally forgot about the continent. Obama visited Kenya, Djibouti, Chad and South Africa back in 2006 when he was a senator, and made a one-day stopover in Ghana in 2009 right after winning the elections, where he delivered a speech laden with symbolism. Hillary Clinton, as secretary of state, did make Africa a priority as her 23 visits to the continent show. The Feed the Future initiative was also launched by the Obama administration. Furthermore, he has maintained and continued the initiatives and programs begun by his predecessors, at a time of economic meltdown and budgetary constraints. Also, there have been important dip26 Catalan International View lomatic successes in Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea and the referendum in Sudan, although the US cannot take sole credit for these as they were achieved in collaboration with regional organizations and African governments. In spite of such gains, Obama has so far failed to deliver any innovative ideas or ones that imply a serious commitment of economic resources. He has failed to launch any initiatives that demonstrate a genuine interest in the continent as his predecessors did. There were protracted delays in appointing key posts responsible for Africa within his administration. Moreover, the administration only released the ‘US Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa’ in June 2012, presenting it as a new strategy for the continent. However, the document failed to contain any relevant changes nor did it include a new approach. The US certainly has increasing, strategic interests in the continent. In addition to the traditional fields of aid and development, competition with China together with security matters and economic interests are currently playing an important role. Competition with China is one of the elements that drives this alleged change or increase of interest. In January 2013, Secretary of State John Kerry stated at his confirmation hearing: ‘China is all over Africa. (…) And there’re some places where we’re not in the game’. In a similar vein, Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Advisor stated, when referring to Africa, that ‘we are going to fall behind in a very important region in the world’. In 2009, China overtook the US and became Africa’s largest trading partner, and in 2011 China more than doubled US trade with the region: it reached $200 billion while America’s amounted to just $95 billion. China’s interests in the continent are mostly in the extractive industries. Thus far, so too are American interests. The Americas - Africa Security is an area in which the US has shown continued interest. AFRICOM, established in 2007, shows that the US is willing to play a role in the continent as far as security matters are concerned. In the Sahel, security threats posed by extremist groups have increased of late, while drugs and arms trafficking routes across the region are also a cause for concern. Moreover, conflicts within some states pose additional security challenges. In terms of trade and economic interests, US companies in Africa are currently mostly limited to extractive energy industries. However, with Africa becoming a potential market for consumers, the need for a re-engage- ment with the continent has become more apparent than ever. First and foremost it represents a commercial opportunity that would benefit US companies. Obama’s visit hopefully signalled a change in US foreign policy towards the continent. First of all, it showed that Africa matters to the US. It is no small thing for a US president to visit a region for 6 days. His main announcements made during the visit were related to trade, youth and leadership. The fact that around 500 businessmen joined Obama on his trip showed that the administration wants to focus on trade as part of its strategy towards the continent. In this area, the main initiative announced Catalan International View 27 The Americas - Africa by the US President is Power Africa, a program for power generation and distribution to overcome one of the main obstacles for investment and trade in Africa: the lack of access to electrical power. The administration, together with US power companies, will invest in the initiative. The announcement was not immune from criticism: ultimately, most of the investment will go to assisting American companies and help them 28 Catalan International View be more competitive. Regarding Africa’s youth, Obama announced the expansion of the Young African Leaders Initiative, an on-going program begun in 2010, which will provide opportunities for 500 young people from Africa to receive leadership training in the US. Finally, he announced a US – Africa Summit of Leaders to be held in August 2014 in Washington DC. Such a meeting would show that America’s commitment to The Americas - Africa Africa is serious and that dialogue is an important aspect of the relationship. Although these three initiatives are not as important as the Obama administration has tried to portray them, their relevance is not trivial. It is undoubtedly a beginning and symbolically sends a message to Africa. Overall, it sets the stage, making a change of policy direction possible. Time for change America’s foreign policy with respect to Africa has never been comprehensive and varies highly from region to region and even from country to country. Its foreign policy regarding North Africa follows its own logic. In particular, Egypt, a country that can be seen as the only place where the US has a consistent and fully strategic policy and also the country that has received the lion’s share of US aid. On the other hand, security interests are the top priority in the Sahel. Competition with China together with energy and resource extraction interests are also at the core of America’s policy in Sub-Saharan Africa. Finally, South Africa is regarded as an ally (although there has been some friction) and a stabilising power. It is difficult to have a consistent policy in a continent where there is so much variety at all levels. The 54 African countries range from democracies to dictatorial regimes, from growing countries to the poorest in the world, from peaceful countries to those ravaged by conflict, from countries with improving governance to others with a total lack of it. To date, Africa has failed to be a priority for the US and neither can it be described as strategic. On the contrary, it has been based on humanitarian aid and assistance, a donor-recipient relationship. Despite Obama’s lack of interest during his first term, this could hopefully begin to change. If he holds true to the commitments announced during his trip (i.e. Power Africa, developing leadership and the US – Africa summit of leaders in 2014) his administration will be building on an important legacy with regards to Africa. During his visit, the US President emphasised the role of the private sector. Economically, Africa is becoming a potential market. The fact that China is now an important player in the region and the presence of other countries like Turkey and Brazil makes this all the more evident. Maybe in the years to come, with more investment coming from the private sector, the US will take a more positive approach, in the sense that it will come to realise that engaging with Africa will not only benefit the latter but also the former. Africa needs to be seen as an opportunity rather than a burden. On top of that, security is and will remain high on America’s agenda, and China’s growing presence in the continent (not only economically but also in terms of political alliances) should also contribute to making the US aware of the importance of re-engaging with Africa. The US administration needs to realise that the country has crucial interests in the region and that these will potentially increase in the future. It is time for the US foreign policy to reflect such interests and become more strategic. It is time for change. REFERENCES Banks, J.P. et al “Top Five Reasons Why Africa Should Be a Priority for the United States”. Africa Growth Initiative, Brookings.March 2013. Campbell, J. “Obama’s Overdue Trip to Africa”. Centre for Foreign Relations. June 2013. Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) “Press Briefing: President’s Obama Upcoming Trip to Africa”. June 2013. Cooke, J. and Downie, R. “African Conflicts and US Diplomacy”. CSIS and The American Academy of Diplomacy. January 2010. Frazer, J. “Reflections of US Policy in Africa, 20012009”, The Fletcher Forum of World Affairs, Vol 34:I, Winter 2010. Kimenyi, M.S. “Obama’s Africa Trip: Symbolism and Substance”, Opinion, Brookings. July 2013. Kimenyi, M.S. “Favorite or Prodigal Son? US – Africa Policy under Obama”. Brookings. July 2011. Ploch, L. “Africa Command: US Strategic Interests and the Role of the US Military in Africa”, Congressional Research Service. July 2011. Vines, A. “Obama’s Africa Trip: Forging Better Partnerships”. Chatham House. June 2013. *Laia Tarragona holds a degree in Law from the Universitat Pompeu Fabra, a Masters in International Business Law from the London Metropolitan University and a Masters in International Relations from the Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals (IBEI). As a lawyer, she practiced with international law firms in both London and Barcelona. She currently works as a project manager and researcher at the Barcelona Centre for International Affairs (CIDOB). Her interests include US foreign policy and the transatlantic relationship between the United States and Europe. Catalan International View 29 A Snapshot On Septem​ber​ 11th​2014 ​hundreds of thousands of Catalans t​ ook to the streets of Barcelona​ , dressed​in red and yellow shirts​. They form​ ed a giant ​‘​V​‘​to ​call for a vote on independence. ​ Arranged in lines of red and yellow​,​​​form​ing the​ stripes ​of the Catalan fl ​ ag, ​the multitude of flagwaving demonstrators of all ages ​gathered in the sunshine to mark Catalonia’s ​National ​Day, the Diada. The commemoration, which marks the Spanish conquest of Catalonia in 1714, was ​ particuarly sensitive this year, coming ​as it did ​ amid calls for a November 9​th​vote on Catalan independence. An official from Barcelona’s city hall told reporters ​the estimated turnout for the demonstration​stood​at 2.2 million. 30 A ‘V’ in Barcelona: 2.2 million people claiming for democracy Catalan International View 31 Interview Desmond Tutu ‘Catalonia has the right to hold a referendum to decide on its future’ Interviewed by Francesc de Dalmases Photos by Quim Milla South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu visited Barcelona to receive the 2014 Catalonia International Prize. In spite of the fatigue caused by a morning full of meetings with the press we found him cheerful, happy, full of energy, passionate and patient. He showed himself to be truly honoured to receive an award that last year was won by the Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai and, in previous years, has gone to the Japanese writer Haruki Murakami and former US president Jimmy Carter. Tutu is an expert in emotional intelligence who understands the perfect combination of friendliness, kindness and determination. When speaking to him one understands why Nelson Mandela sought his company during his first night of freedom following 27 years in prison. Do you realise that your support for the self-determination process that is taking place in Catalonia has been a surprise? Internationally we have observed support in private but typically people have been cautious to express this in public. For some time now I’ve stopped distinguishing between what I think, what I say in private and what I express in public. In the case of Catalonia it seems clear to me that if people are forced to accept the current political situation it could lead to an unstable and volatile situation. I defend the right to self-determination as it appears to be just. I hope that Spain and Catalonia are sufficiently mature and adult to sit down and talk about it. I find it illogical and I am against being obliged to forming part of a state by force. If one ignores people’s strong feelings about their language and culture you are contributing to instability. And the opposite of ignoring a situation is dialogue. Dialogue is reason against force. A force which ought not to be used by either side. Force will never keep a people in an unwanted relationship in the modern world. As it says in the Bible, God is always on the side of the oppressed, the weak, and the despised. I have always encouraged those who are in a situation of oppression to peacefully continue struggling for their rights. Catalan International View 33 Interview It seems as if there’s nothing more peaceful than democracy to defend the rights of a people. I think that a reasonable process would promote dialogue between the Catalan and Spanish governments regarding a process that would result in a referendum. Reasonable individuals would discuss the level of support for independence. Genuine dialogue should be between adults and not between badly-behaved adolescents. They could do the same as in Scotland. Dialogue is reason against force. Force will never keep a people in an unwanted relationship in the modern world. Those who oppose the process say that the referendum is impossible because it is illegal. Catalonia has the right to hold a referendum to decide on its future. Spain’s refusal could cause the situ34 ation to worsen. Denying these feelings won’t make them disappear, but rather it will strengthen them, since this is not a temporary feeling, due to the economic crisis, but goes back centuries. It’s not new. Surely it makes more sense to outline the future together than allow relations to deteriorate and run the risk that Catalonia declares independence unilaterally. If we examine your career, it is clear that you have always called for dialogue and understanding to overcome inequalities and misunderstandings. We need to be aware of the high cost of poverty and inequality, which are the reason why we suffer from so much violence. Poverty is very expensive. In my country, South Africa, we have a long way to go but we have left oppression and injustice behind and are walking towards democracy and freedom. Nevertheless, there are still many economic differences and, therefore, there is still a separation between the rich and the poor, which all too often overlaps with blacks and whites. Catalan International View Interview Since you mention South Africa, the nation you dubbed the ‘rainbow nation’... It’s what we are! Is it still the case? Are you still sure that you are walking with confidence and assurance towards the peace and freedom which you mentioned a moment ago? South Africa is and should remain a ‘rainbow nation’ in the broadest, most positive sense of the term. Diversity is one of the greatest riches of a country and that is why South Africa must continue to work to show the world that it is possible that very different people can know and understand each other in spite of their differences. Many of the things which have happened should never be repeated. Until quite recently there was a law that prohibited sexual relations between a white person and someone of another colour. This stupid law meant that the police spent a lot of time, money and effort enforcing it... unsuccessfully, of course! Fortunately there are more and more people who are committed to living together in harmony. South Africa is an example of what Nelson Mandela once said: enemies can become friends. When speaking in public you have never stopped talking of love and determination as driving forces for human progress. What I say, in fact, is obvious: it is better to work ‘with’ someone than ‘against’ someone. It’s smarter to work in a coalition than its alternative. If we did so we would save so much... including money! Consider for a moment the vast amount of money we spend on defence when everyone knows that with just a small fraction of the cost, anyone in the world would have access to the food needed to live, to clean water to drink, a good education... Instead, it promotes inequality rather than helping others. Nothing can go well while these inequalities exist. The so-called ‘super-powers’ should know by now that it’s much better to have friends than enemies. I can’t understand that it’s so difficult for so many politicians to realise this. You are an undisputed symbol of peace. You have always been against violence. Nevertheless, you have also been very important in the practice of civil disobedience... Yes, there are struggles in which civil disobedience is essential. But often this kind of civil disobedience is considered evil by those in power because it breaks the imposition of laws which are unjust. Of course, but when there is a problem and you turn your back you are making it worse. In your case, the Catalans have for some time been asking for recognition and respect for their own identity. When a people realises it is different it wishes to live in normality with its difference. And if a people sees this fundamental right is being denied to them at the same time as they are being told who they are or what they should be... it’s only natural that there’s a reaction! What is not a smart strategy is to ignore the will of the people and put it to one side. When the majority feel they are being ignored they come out and make demands. Identity is always the result of a collective history, it’s not a whim. The Catalans are not against anyone, they’re simply asking for their own space. I’d like to finish by talking about the sense of transcendence. Postmodern thinking, as well as modern thinking, is uncomfortable with the idea of the divine, of religions and their institutionalization. But the essential human values inherent in these feelings have also been diluted. I find it interesting how you’ve managed to retain this mystical, religious dimension, with a constant, tangible and committed struggle throughout your life. I speak for myself when I say that I could not have survived without believing in God. In a God who inspires, a God who is on the side of the weak... I would never have survived the many pressures that myself and many others were under. When you receive death-threats, when they arrest your child then let them go, handcuff your wife for going down the street... I’m not saying that it’s the same as 27 years in prison... but what I mean is that all of us have suffered and fought for what we believe. I have always believed in the power of the people because, after all, there is nothing that can stop an entire nation. When a nation is determined to achieve something nothing can be done. Maybe it can be postponed, but it will only grow stronger. It will end up obtaining what it wanted. So it’s better to admit it than to waste a lot of time and resources trying to stop the inevitable. Thank you very much. God bless you. Catalan International View Opinion Catalonia, Southern Europe’s economic engine by Felip Puig* Overcoming the current economic crisis called for changes in the model of economic growth that was characteristic of the preceding stage. We were faced with a double challenge: the global economic crisis and its consequences on the one hand and changes in the model of production on the other. It appears that to some extent we are succeeding. In spite of budgetary constraints we have been able to maintain the basic elements of the welfare state. Catalonia has a decent healthcare system, we are improving education outcomes and we have the capacity to support the most vulnerable members of society who have been most affected by the economic crisis. The recovery which industry is experiencing and the excellent condition of the Catalan tourism sector are two of the driving forces behind economic growth in Catalonia. Together with activity in the logistics sector, they combine to make Catalonia a leader and economic engine of Southern Europe. Industry has dominated Catalan economic and social life since the Industrial Revolution. The culture of hard work, entrepreneurship, social responsibility and the creation of a welfare state are all founded on industrial activity. A recovery in industry means a recovery of the country’s best values. In the context of a globalized economy, a commitment to industry is 36 Catalan International View necessary in order that it is innovative. Industrial competitiveness ought to be founded on such an ability. Catalonia has been laying the foundations of a good system of research and development since the beginning of the twenty-first century. We have been able to attract talent, retain it and create more: ICREA, the research centres linked to biotechnology, the Barcelona supercomputer and the Alba Synchrotron are all examples of this. The challenge we face is to transform this knowledge into innovation. We are working to encourage advanced technology centres to join together, as part of the TECNIO network, with the aim of achieving larger centres that allow us to compete at the international level and to be able to work with other firstclass international centres. Meanwhile we would like our technology centres to serve as the innovation departments for our businesses, particularly the SMEs, which need to actively participate in the process of innovation. Opinion Catalonia has a great variety of industrial leaders in many sectors. This diversity is one of the strengths of our economy. In Catalonia, industry accounts for slightly more than 20% of GDP, the figure recommended by the EU as of 2020, with no industry contributing more than 15% of the total for the sector. Our new industrial strategy identifies seven strategic areas in which our companies have the chance to be world leaders. These seven areas cover the country’s major industrial sectors; the food industry; chemical industry; energy and resources; industrial systems; industrial design; the sustainable mobility industry; the health and life sciences industry; and cultural industries. These seven strategic areas and their respective priorities are the result of hard work by the administration, representatives of the companies themselves and their related institutions. It is a process that will allow us to conceptualize a new way of understanding industrial policy which is characterized by public support and private leadership. The new industrial policy prioritises sectoral policies which have been identified in each strategic area, subordinating their objectives to the classical instrumental policies of internationalization, innovation and cluster policy, industrial reactivation, business growth and the generation of entrepreneurship. Together with industry and its future role, tourism has grown in terms of its strategic importance. The tourism sector represents almost 12% of GDP and accounts for 13% of employment in Catalonia, a sector that has made inter- nationalization one of its main competitive factors. Of the more than 20 million visitors to Catalonia each year, 15.5 million come from outside of Spain. Catalonia has become a leading tourist destination in Southern Europe, the result of a dynamic business sector with an international outlook which is able to highlight our country’s assets in terms of tourism. Catalonia is a geographically diverse country. To the charm of our coastline, should be added the diversity and quality of our countryside, Barcelona’s position as one of the world’s leading capitals of tourism and the importance of Catalonia’s historical, cultural and gastronomical heritage. Together these assets mean that ever-increasing numbers of tourists have unique experiences during their stay, not forgetting the fact that we are a welcoming and hospitable nation in which foreigners can feel at home. This has helped to build a cosmopolitan, open and inclusive society, which is able to attract talent and promote creativity. Catalan International View 37 Opinion In the future, the tourism industry needs to increase the creation of addedvalue; its commitment should be to greater quality with less seasonality. These goals are shared by both the government and the tourism companies themselves. The transformation we are carrying out functions in conjunction with work aimed at improving touristic provision (The Tourism Plan) and communication and promotion (The Tourism Marketing Plan). Both instruments will allow us to ensure that tourism plays a strategic role in the future and that the value generated by the sector increases, thereby preserving and improving our tourism assets. An innovative, competitive and diversified industrial base together with a dynamic, internationalized tourism sector are two key drivers for future growth An innovative, competitive and diversified industrial base together with a dynamic, internationalized tourism sector are two key drivers for future growth to which must be added a third, logistics, in order to ensure a sustainable growth model, which is increasingly a factor in the relative competitiveness of economies. Catalonia’s geographical location in the Mediterranean, the existence of a healthy logistics infrastructure thanks to our ports, airports, and road and rail networks, all mean that Catalonia is currently an extraordinary platform for logistical activities. We are an excellent gateway for goods travelling to the very heart of Europe and from Europe to the major parts of the world especially Asia, North Africa and Latin America. The planned construction of the Mediterranean railway link, declared a priority project by the EU, will strengthen Catalonia’s role as a major logistics platform and will enable us to compete with the major ports of Central and Northern Europe and their areas of economic influence. Logistical activity is part of the production value chain. Possessing a healthy logistics industry in the future will provide us with a competitive edge that in turn will allow us to strengthen our economic fabric and attract new investment to Catalonia. The positive growth of foreign investment in Catalonia, especially in the industrial sector, is a good example of how those outside of Catalonia value our assets with which we will meet the challenges of globalization. Catalonia currently has a diversified economy, with a solid industrial base, a healthy research system and a skilled workforce, together with an exceptional geographic location. We can look to the future with optimism and a belief that this way of transforming our growth model and overcoming the current difficulties will ultimately meet with success. The path is not an easy one. It requires effort and sacrifice as Catalan society has already shown. Nevertheless, I am convinced that in the end the outcome in terms of social equity and opportunities for improvement will be positive for the entire country and for its people. *Felip Puig (Barcelona, 1958) is Minister for Enterprise and Employment for the Generalitat of Catalonia. A civil engineer by profession, he holds a degree in Business Administration. He has been a member of Convergència Democràtica de Catalunya since 1976 and began his political career as head of the Parets del Vallès council and a councillor for Vallès Oriental District Council. He has held various ministerial portfolios in the Catalan government: Minister for Environment (1999 to 2001), Minister for Planning and Public Works (2001 to 2003) and Minister of Interior (2010 to 2013). He has been responsible for the Generalitat’s policies on employment and economic productivity since December 2013. 38 Catalan International View Opinion Is it a bird, is it a plane? No, it’s Putin The West asks how far the Russian president will go. The answer is: as far as possible. Is it a tortoise, is it an ostrich? No, it’s Washington and NATO by Nico Valle* The war in Ukraine has shown that Russia still has the ability to cripple the West’s backbone. One may laugh at the absurd images of Russian propaganda, bent on presenting Putin as Superman, as a taekwondo champion, a buffalo hunter, a selfless servant of the Fatherland, in which he strides across the screen like a sheriff in a cowboy movie (see for yourself ). Putin’s image may well be akin to a pantomime, but in recent months he has shown more than bluster; he has shown courage, determination and originality together with cynicism and arrogance. Nonetheless, it is easy to carry on in this way when your opponent is scared. And the West is afraid, afraid of an ongoing conflict, afraid of another recession, afraid to show its weaknesses. As a result, Washington and Brussels fall over themselves in trying to avoid talk of ‘war’ or ‘invasion’, as it would force them to act. The truth is, and it is worth pointing it out, that a war has been raging in Europe for several months. That’s right, 40 Catalan International View just like the Middle East or Central Africa, we have a war on our soil, we have besieged cities, without water or electricity, we have aerial bombardments, burning tanks in ditches, the deaths of innocent men and women (more than 2,000), to which must be added the passengers and crew of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17, victims of an airspace that remained open precisely because of this refusal to acknowledge what is ocurring. Opinion The truth is, and it needs repeating, that Russia has invaded Ukraine. It did so first in Crimea with those mysterious soldiers who weren’t wearing any insignia or carrying any flags... And it did so once again in the regions of Donetsk, Lugansk and Mariupol. There are Russian soldiers and weapons on the ground. It is not a mere hypothesis and neither is it breaking news. Everyone knows. NATO has presented its evidence, and it is backed up by the accounts of the fami- lies of Russian soldiers who have died in combat. Nevertheless, European governments prefer to pretend they know nothing, or that the situation is not so serious. They speak of more sanctions, they click on the #SupportToUkraine hashtag and that’s the end of the matter. The Kremlin is so acutely aware of European and American paralysis that Putin can afford to add touches of irony and cynicism to his speeches in reference to Ukraine. A few examples: Catalan International View 41 Opinion Putin, when referring to the Russian troops occupying and annexing the peninsula, ‘The quality of the weapons and the training of the Crimean selfdefence militias is amazing.’ The Chief of the Russian General Staff when referring to ten paratroopers captured by the Ukrainian army, ‘It’s not an invasion, our soldiers crossed the border by mistake.’ The separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko, ‘Of course there are Russian soldiers fighting on our side. But they’re here on vacation, some go to the beach and others prefer to come here to fight.’ Putin has made it clear that for the present he prefers losing money to losing any geostrategic advantage. Europe and the United States are faced with the same dilemma, but instead they prefer to lose their geostrategic advantage than to lose money Moscow could just as well claim that the soldiers who are occupying the Crimea and eastern Ukraine are Jedi warriors from Alpha Centauri... and still nothing would happen. Putin seems to be genuinely enjoying the situation. He is openly interfering in the affairs of another country, but he knows he can’t be accused of violating its sovereignty or breaking international laws. Europe and the United States have imposed sanctions of course. There is no denying the negative impact they are having on the Russian economy, currently immersed in a recession which has not been officially recognized. Nonetheless, Putin has made it clear that for the present he prefers losing money to losing any geostrategic advantage. Europe and the United States are faced with the same dilemma, but 42 Catalan International View instead they prefer to lose their geostrategic advantage than to lose money. This is why we have reached this stalemate. There is no plan B. The EU and the US decided to behave like ostriches by burying their heads in the sand in the hope that the problem will resolve itself. Europe and the United States can no longer go back in time and correct their mistakes. They went too far during last winter’s protests in central Kiev, by asking the government and its people to make an unfair choice: the European Union or nothing. It was a mistake. Like it or not, Ukraine is a country with two souls, one which is more Central European and another which is more Eastern. Alarm bells should have sounded when the youthful protests degenerated into the overthrow of Viktor Yanukovych, a democratically elected president, when the peaceful uprising was hijacked by the paramilitary far-right in a display of almost obscene violence. It is natural that the Russian-speaking minority joined forces against the new authorities in Kiev. Now, however, pretending as if nothing has happened is a difficult pill to swallow. Sanctions need expanding. Washington can afford it, but not recession-riddled France or a stagnant Germany that is already seeing the effect of the blockade on its economy (we’re even feeling it in Catalonia). Naturally enough, Moscow will use gas prices as a form of retaliation this winter. The most radical option is to support military conflict in Ukraine and participate in a proxy war. Once again, Washington can afford it, especially its arms manufacturers, but Europe is caught in a vicious cycle of austerity and a desperate need of growth. A proxy war in Ukraine could deal a final blow to the poor, beleaguered Old Continent. The most attractive option is for Moscow and Brussels to acknowl- Opinion edge their mutual interests in Ukraine, creating a federal state that respects the linguistic rights of its minorities. Obviously, entry into NATO and the European Union would be out of the question. In reality it would not be so difficult. The Kremlin needs Ukraine for a variety of reasons. Its mines and steel production are key to Russian heavy industry. It also has a key geopolitical value: Ukrainian soil is a spearhead pointing to the West and the inviting waters of the Mediterranean. Ukraine is an expression of the Kremlin’s obsession, bordering on paranoia, that Washington and Brussels are a threat to the Russian nation. Not everything is measurable in terms of external security, however. Moscow cannot afford a genuine democracy on its doorstep. The authoritarian regime in Belarus Catalan International View 43 Opinion suits Russia, as it has suited the corrupt political regimes that have taken turns in holding power in Kiev since the fall of the Soviet Union. A democratic Ukraine would set a ‘bad example’ for the activists who wish to impose a democratic renewal on the Federation’s structures. What remains unclear is whether Putin’s strategy will be successful in the long-term. Superman may well be powerful but he’s not invincible. Reshaping the role of a country like Russia is not a one-man job, it is the work of generations. He strives to man the controls single-handedly, but Ukraine may well prove to be a sticky situation. Putin has fuelled anti-Western rhetoric and stirred up ultra-nationalist sentiments (combining a mixture of nostalgia for the tsarist empire with fond memories of the Soviet Union). The Kremlin is headed in one direction: regaining a heroic role for Russia, even if it is at the expense of international law. According to Angela Merkel, Putin has lost touch with reality. He no longer listens to the oligarch caste who backed him and who now fear their excellent relations with the West will be spoiled. For now, those close to Putin remain silent. He is a man obsessed with internal and external security. His mistrust has caused him to enter into a maelstrom of pre-emptive strikes; any event on the international stage is a potential threat to the Russian state, from the Syrian uprising to the Iranian nuclear program, from gay rights to freedom of the press. Putin’s problem is that he lacks an ideology of his own. There are still some naïve individuals (in Catalonia and Europe) who see the Ukrainian war as a kind of romantic struggle against Fascism (in the form of the government in Kiev), but the fact is that the ranks of the pro-Russian separatist militants are bolstered by far-right activists from all four corners of the Federation. In the rebel bases I did not see a single red flag or a hammer and sickle. Instead, I saw numerous Tsarist flags and religious icons. Putin has initiated a major ultranationalist shift, with extreme conservatism (felt by much of Russian society) being the dominant factor. Russia clearly lacks an ideology which is competitive at a global level, and its reactionary backlash remains an unattractive project, in sharp contrast to Marxism-Leninism. All this fighting against the ghosts that threaten Russia, all this patriotic rhetoric, all the obsessions that reside in the president’s psyche are reviving the worst tendencies of Russian history: expansionism and isolationism (which are not mutually exclusive). Putin dreams of an empire as a kind of personal goal, but it could turn out once more that the empire is ruling a primitive, isolated society. The West asks how far Moscow will go. The answer is: as far as possible. The proof? During all-out war in Donetsk, Putin let slip the following: ‘Kazakhstan was never an independent country before the fall of the Soviet Union.’ Attention all shipping. *Nico Valle (Acehúche, 1964). Journalist for the international news section of TV3 (Catalonia television). He is the author of Ubuntu. Estimada Terra Africana (Ubuntu. Beloved African Land. Published by Proa, 2008). He carries out a range of academic functions at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and the Universitat Pompeu Fabra. Previously he worked for the international section of the Avui newspaper. Recently he has specialised in current events in Africa, a continent in which he has travelled extensively. 44 Opinion Where is the Kantian peace? by Helena Vicente* Kantian moral philosophy has exerted a major influence on the political configuration of many societies. Kant outlined a scenario whereby individual freedom and the freedom of each state can coexist alongside the freedom of other people and other states. His achievements include his contribution to the peaceful coexistence between both individuals and nations. Nevertheless, when it comes to international relations and politics, economic and market relations also play a part. While national interests and the policies adopted by each country have a decisive role on the international stage, the market and capital also play an important part when it comes to following, understanding and predicting fluctuations in international politics. An overview When trying to understand the international political scene, whether looking forward or looking to the past, we can see that history has a cyclical tendency whereby one stage precedes another. Nonetheless, the final stage or model that ought to inspire international politics is the peace proposed by Kant, since it is assumed that it forms the basis of the modern world, thanks to the creation of the United Nations in 1945 following a long and devastating period of war. Although the United Nations was designed by the states themselves and has at its disposal much less power than its charter implies, it can still be considered as a place where important political hegemony is practiced and exercised beyond the influence of the Security Council. It is, therefore, an ideal window through which to observe the evolution of hegemony over the past sixty-eight years which has evolved from bipolarity to unipolarity, to the growing multipolarity of the early years of the twenty-first century. 46 Catalan International View The 2003 Iraq War saw the beginning of the end of the unipolar system dominated by the US. In his book Liberal Leviathan (2011), the American professor of Politics and International Affairs John Ikenberry, outlined the arguments and foundations on which George Bush based his defence policy and the unsustainability of an imperialist system which acts solely based on self-interest and profit, while simultaneously proclaiming itself the guarantor and defender of worldwide peace and democracy. In short, according to Ikenberry, one could say that the failure of the ‘Global public good’, of the form of Kantian peace as defined by Bush’s government is due to problems of ‘consistency, capacity and legitimacy’, of policies which are not only too costly (both at the economic level and for the American population itself ), but also show contempt towards other world powers. The undervaluation of multilateral organizations and what is known as the ‘common good’, exactly what US policies were supposed to promote and defend in the first place. Opinion Thus, in the first decade of the century, we realised that not only did the world cease to be unipolar, it appeared as if such a state of affairs was unlikely to repeat itself. This was thanks to the fact that US policies during this period alerted the international community, from the UN to the governments of numerous world powers, to the risks associated with delegating global hegemony to a single power. This period also encouraged the forging of new alliances between the various global players and the extent to which new emerging participants such as movements from civil society were able to influence proceedings. Suffice it to say that while global hegemony does not appear able to reside within organized civil society, its modest yet ever-increasing influence, especially in Western politics, is a factor which should also be taken into consideration when it comes to understanding and predicting trends in international politics. For its part, at the beginning of the twenty-first century the EU was a ma- jor US ally in its manoeuvres in international politics. However, changes in the implementation of US polices led to growing criticism from European civil society and a part of political society. Coinciding with the height of the housing bubble, among other issues, the EU ceased to blindly follow Bush’s policies. Nevertheless, Europe is well aware that part of its well-being is due to the fact that the defence of its interests has been shared with the US and it also realises that it has too many shared interests for it not to become a silent accomplice. The United Nations can be considered as an important place where political hegemony is practiced and exercised beyond the influence of the Security Council All in all, one could consider the US and EU behave like a homogeneous unit when we look at the international stage. Together they form a bloc which is unCatalan International View 47 Opinion likely to dissolve, in spite of experiencing certain misgivings almost until the very end of the twentieth century. The modest but increasing role of organized civil society is something that should be taken into consideration when it comes to understanding and predicting trends in international politics The end of bipolarism An important factor to take into consideration before deciding whether the liberal world hegemony led by the US and the EU has had its day is the existence of other world powers with grave economic emergencies and the power of veto on the United Nations Security Council (at least for some of them). This leads us to an international system based on a balance of power between several great powers. China has surpassed Japan as the second global superpower. Though China has high levels of poverty and inequality, these have begun to decline. It is also the largest holder of US public debt, a fact that is highly significant. India is another economic motor worth highlighting, alongside Brazil (together with Mexico), which has become South America’s economic powerhouse, though it has yet to truly demonstrate its economic strength in the short and long term. Meanwhile, Russia is also a major world power and a key geostrategic player which is indispensable when it comes to the European supply of fossil fuels, with all that it entails. While these countries are often taken to be a homogeneous bloc, they all display significant differences between one another, particularly with regard to their international relations, which in turn are highly dependent on their trade relations and also their 48 Catalan International View history and geography. Such factors ultimately affect the strength and collective actions of these countries in the international political and economic arena. Though they have all experienced rapid economic growth taking an increasingly active role in the global economy, they are all facing significant internal challenges. When we speak of global hegemony one cannot attribute the same role to them all, the same level of influence, particularly on the international stage. The Chinese question There are those that warn of the socalled Chinese threat and those that predict the coming of Chinese global hegemony. Nevertheless, nowadays in order to play an active role in international relations a country must have a strong economy and a relatively open market. Both the strength of an economy and its degree of openness require an internal system of development that is not only based on its domestic market, but also on national social structures. Although China has begun to lower poverty rates and internal inequalities, it still faces many challenges in this area as well as in terms of democracy, human rights and other elements which are key to the political feasibility and standardization of a state project, such as the protection of the environment. Nevertheless, internal growth may lead to greater democracy and higher rates of social unrest, accompanied by a greater critical capacity and ability to organize. China may end up with a rapidly ageing population in spite of its strict demographic policy. Although China is and will be a major global economic power, it is highly likely that its internal and external policies will be affected by its inner reality, which sooner or later will have to meet the challenges posed not only by becoming an economic and trade power on the global chessboard but also a place which is conducive to social development. Opinion Thus, against the current backdrop, with hegemony being shared among several great powers, it is likely that China and the US will establish a balance based on their political and economic interests (in addition to their mutual weaknesses) with occasional alliances with other powers. These, aside from serving as an occasional counterpoint to establishing temporary or stable partnerships, will also be the guardians or guarantors of international relations and the path of the economy and foreign policy. It appears that neither China nor Russia, much less Brazil and India, have the intention or ability to eliminate the US, economically speaking. Meanwhile, a US as part of a permanent alliance with the EU cannot allow China to lose its economic power. At this point, we must not forget the already well-established economic relations between China and the United States. These relations show that while they are radically different countries in cultural, social and economic matters and in spite of the lack of understanding in different aspects of international politics (which have been highlighted by the various reactions among the international community in relation to the Syrian conflict), they are an element to be taken into account when predicting trends in world hegemony in the coming decades. As mentioned earlier, the economic and trade relations undertaken by markets, and supposedly regulated and guaranteed by states, are primarily intended to profit the state itself. In order to establish successful business relationships, trust between the states concerned is a key factor. A good example is how a close alliance between the United States and Europe was forged after World War Two. Apart from being an ally during the conflict, which obviously laid the foundation for trust, the US became the engine for economic recovery via its trade relations with its European partners. Thus, business relations were based on trust and mutual benefit, while maintaining America’s economic supremacy. Meanwhile, current economic relations between China and the US are based on mutual benefit, competition and a lack of political trust. Nevertheless, in spite of political mistrust and competition, the need for economic understanding is essential for the development of both parties. This leads us to conclude that in the coming decades there will be an economic balance maintained between the interests, opportunities, needs and weaknesses of the parties involved. While we may consider that economic equilibrium and the interests of the parties involved may lead to a certain international political fragility and the abandonment of common interests (such as the rise of democracy and peace, a reduction in hunger and poverty or the preservation Catalan International View 49 Opinion of the environment), the role played by those nations which are already world powers and emerging global players, such as certain Arab and African nations, may prove key to maintaining this unequal balance which alternates between different world powers. It also appears as if organized civil society and above all the various UN bodies will play a more important role in the coming decades. As I mentioned earlier, it is unlikely that any of the world powers will emerge as the world’s sole hegemonic power. This is due to the apparent and diverse frailties of the great powers of today. It is also unlikely that a new large-scale conflict will be repeated. According to some commentators, economic growth will lead to equal wealth among various countries and it could therefore be expected that this economic balance will produce a greater opening of markets and greater economic stability. This, accompanied by the necessary social policies and a general increase in democracy, they argue, would allow for greater global growth and its subsequent effects as to improving the living conditions of the global population. One could say, therefore (as some economists believe) that globalization, with the opening up of markets and the free flow of capital, could generate stable global growth and well-being for all, a kind of Kantian peace based on economic growth, where hegemony would reside in the sovereignty of each state. A global challenge Such a reading of events should be critically examined when one observes the different effects and consequences of globalization. While globalization can lead different countries to adopt the same policies, they do not necessarily generate the same outcomes. In addition, we are currently experiencing the negative consequences of globalization, consequences that lead to widespread poverty and democratic and social instability. This highlights the importance of internal and international policies that cannot solely be guided by economic interests and market forces. They also represent a challenge to the political class on a global level and the various UN organizations to tailor their policies towards fostering the growth of democracy, peace and stability. The global challenge facing the international community is, I would argue, not only to participate in and form a part of the frontrunners in the race for economic and business leadership, but to understand, recognize and promote basic democratic elements that complement and regulate economic growth in order to make it into an inclusive, modernizing and peaceful process. It is a challenge that will need to be adopted and introduced in a real and effective way. It should not only be apparent in the words of the ruling political class but also in their deeds. It is a challenge that will play an increasing role in current and future multilateralism. * Helena Vicente is a sociologist. She holds a Masters in International Relations and Development Cooperation from the Institut Hegoa and the CIDOB Foundation and a PhD in Corporate Social Responsibility from ESADE. She has been head of Development Education for the Agència Catalana de Cooperació al Desenvolupament (Catalan Agency for Development Cooperation), and has been head of their Mediterranean, Asia and Eastern Europe regions since 2011. She holds an Executive Master in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy by Diplocat (the Public Diplomacy Council of Catalonia). 50 Opinion International strategic action from the local world by Joan Carles Garcia* In recent years the international outlook of the towns and cities in the province of Barcelona has grown considerably. The economic impetus originating from the need to attract European funds, which for many municipalities served as an introduction to working at the international level, is still important. Nevertheless, there is also a growing incentive for cities to project themselves to the outside world, to position themselves and participate in international spaces in order to publicize their territory’s assets, to exchange know-how, to defend shared interests alongside other local governments and to identify and attract opportunities. International cooperation and solidarity have also both played an important role in our territory in encouraging municipalities to look to the outside world. It is precisely at a time like the present, in which the local world is directly experiencing the impact of the economic crisis, when municipalities ought to maintain and strengthen this orientation towards the outside world, while creating strategic alliances and collaborations with a variety of partners from other countries and regions. In so doing they will promote the sustainable development of the territory in the future. In an atmosphere of high interdependence, international action is no longer the preserve of big cities. Instead, medium-sized cities are starting to claim their place in the world. Small 52 Catalan International View and medium-sized cities such as those found in the Barcelona region, play a key role in regional development and have a great potential for internationalization. Nevertheless, in order that internationalization makes sense, for it to have a real and sustained impact on the territory and the people who live and work there, it is essential that cities possess an international strategy and that they have the appropriate tools to implement it. To this end, the Barcelona Provincial Council, convinced of the added value of international relations for the improvement of public policy and development planning, created a special- Opinion ized unit dedicated to supporting local organizations under its jurisdiction as long ago as 1994. Barcelona Provincial Council’s Department of International Relations currently provides services aimed at strengthening the international activities of Barcelona’s local organizations, primarily in terms of European aid, international aid and international development. With the department’s support, the municipalities in our area are participating in and leading transnational networks of cities, managing European projects, obtaining international financing, engaging in advocacy efforts to defend local interests, stimulating civil society’s commitment to international solidarity and creating alliances with local agents at home in order that they can act in the international sphere. Barcelona Provincial Council, through its international program, has contributed to establishing itself, the municipalities of Barcelona and the surrounding region as a shining example for many subnational governments worldwide. It has made them valued partners in numerous EU programs, together with UN institutions and agencies. The participation in international spaces promoted by the Barcelona Provincial Council is built on complementarities between BarceCatalan International View 53 Opinion lona’s established international position and the vigorous elements of projection present in the various municipalities in the province. These include the International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia, the Barcelona-Catalonia Circuit (race track), Montserrat Abbey, the leading centres of academic excellence in the Spanish state, the Alba Synchrotron and the wide range of touristic and cultural attractions Catalonia has to offer. The development of outreach plans allow international action to operate as a genuine element of local public policy and functions as a key element in a city’s strategic planning In this context, the Directorate of International Relations has recently undertaken a new round of research aimed at developing the international activities of the municipalities in the province from a strategic, integrated perspective, placing actions of an international nature within a framework of strategic planning for the medium and long term, with a clear public policy commitment. This perspective represents a step forward in the way local governments operate internationally, in an attempt to move beyond one-off, fragmented or reactive projects which are typically the case. In recent years seven municipalities have opted to initiate a strategic, concerted planning process governing their exterior activities with the assistance of the Barcelona Provincial Council. Vilafranca del Penedès, Castelldefels and Igualada municipalities have already entered the implementation phase of their international projection plans. By early 2015 Manresa, 54 Catalan International View Granollers, Mataró and Calella municipalities are scheduled to join them, being currently in the development phase of their respective plans. The pioneering nature of these plans and the novelty of their approach to international action, places these municipalities among the leaders in this field in Catalonia. The preparation of such plans governing international action is noteworthy for the political commitment of government teams from the various towns involved to beginning a new era of international relations in their territory, in a wider geographical and institutional framework. There is also a desire to undertake activities which involve the city as a whole and not solely its local government. Indeed, the development of outreach plans allow international action to operate as a genuine element of local public policy and functions as a key element in a city’s strategic planning. It is a process that allows the consolidation of a vision we wish to project of the city as a collective, involving the concerted efforts of various municipal services. It mobilizes and includes representatives of territorial participants (from the private sector, civil society organizations, members of the public, academia and so on), while also attempting to bring onboard opposition groups in the council, to ensure that the plan is passed with the greatest possible consensus, distancing it from electoral issues. These plans for international activities are proving to be a valuable means by which international action by local agents can improve their efficiency and continuity and cease to be perceived as isolated or disconnected from local agents and the public at large. At the same time, it demonstrates the importance of territories and their participants who are involved in defining and identifying their priorities and needs. Opinion In what is still an incipient stage in the development of strategic plans regarding international relations, we at the Department of International Relations pay special attention to three issues which are key to the success of the implementation of such plans and their eventual impact: strengthening the institutional capacity of local governments to establish a professional public policy concerning international relations; the consolidation of coordination mechanisms for the numerous participants involved in internationalization; and the use of plans as a flexible tool in the medium and long term, that will allow for adjustments according to the needs identified during their implementation, while doing so with sufficient consensus in order that they outlive particular administrations. The international outreach plans that have been put into effect in the province of Barcelona have been developed by municipalities with distinct characteristics, with populations of between approximately 18,000 and 120,000 people. Taking into account this diversity, it is apparent that all municipalities, regardless of their size and capabilities, can aspire to an international strategy of some kind. Such an undertaking is essential if they wish to properly manage a local reality which is largely influenced by the globalization process. It is clear that the participation of local bodies in this globalized world means we must be prepared to face the challenges brought on by this situation. Meanwhile, it also represents an incentive to innovate and become part of the solution, while representing an opportunity to strengthen local identity and a sense of belonging. Local governments, representing as they do the level of government closest to a country’s citizens, can contribute to Catalonia’s international policy from a local perspective. In this regard, we need to further strengthen cooperation and interinstitutional coordination on international matters, in order to provide our country with greater influence and move towards a public policy of consolidated international relations in the Catalan ambit. *Joan Carles Garcia holds a BSc in Industrial Design. He has been the Mayor of Tordera since 1995. He has also held a series of posts including: National Councillor of the Municipal Committee of the Catalan Association of Municipalities (2003-2011) and Provincial Member and Chairman of CiU’s Group at the Barcelona Provincial Council. He is currently the Provincial Member to the Presidency, Spokesman and President of CiU’s group at the Barcelona Provincial Council. Catalan International View Barcelona Echoes Barcelona by sea and air by Elisabeth McWilliams* Barcelona is the number one logistics centre in Southern Europe thanks to its privileged geostrategic position, less than two hours from Europe’s major capital cities. The Barcelona area has a population of 5 million and is a key element in the Mediterranean corridor. It is an important hub connecting the consumer markets in Asia and North Africa as well as Latin American markets (home to some 550 million consumers), together with the Euro-Mediterranean region (300 million consumers). Barcelona’s port and airport clearly have a prominent role to play in this global interchange. Barcelona and Catalonia possess a comprehensive network of logistics platforms connected directly to the country’s major infrastructures, constituting one of the most competitive intermodal logistics systems in Europe. Barcelona’s position as a gateway to Europe and the Mediterranean is consolidated thanks to the fast and efficient interconnections in its transport network and the existence of powerful industrial and commercial sectors. They are essential for economic growth and for improving the competitiveness of businesses. Many of the major infrastructure components, such as Barcelona’s port and airport, the high-speed rail network and major road and rail connec56 Catalan International View tions, serve the region and businesses internally and externally through a comprehensive logistics network. Barcelona’s port and airport The port of Barcelona is Catalonia’s major transport and services infrastructure, it is home to more than 80 regular shipping lines operated by 65 companies that connect the Catalan capital with 300 ports on five continents. It is the European leader as a cruise ship arrival point (and fourth in the world). Meanwhile, Barcelona Airport, which in 2013 inaugurated 67 new routes, now has a total of 311 regular routes connected to over 130 international destinations. It is also the fastest-growing airport in Europe, used Barcelona Echoes by more than 35 million passengers each year. Industries related to the logistics sector in Barcelona and Catalonia have a productive network that generates significant employment opportunities (more than 46,000 jobs in Barcelona and 144,000 in Catalonia). In terms of businesses, in Catalonia there are around 33,000 companies specializing in logistics operations and the transport of goods, with an annual turnover in excess of 15,000 million euros. A leading port Once again the Port of Barcelona has been awarded a prize by the prestigious publication Cruise Insight (The Global Cruise Market Magazine), as part of the Cruise Shipping Miami 2014 tradeshow, held from 10th to 13th March. This year, Catalan infrastructure has been recognized in the category of ‘Best Cruise Destination Home’ and that of ‘Most Efficient Terminal Operations’. At the national level, the Port of Barcelona provides added-value with respect to goods, being the leader in terms of turnover and import and export of cargo. 27% of Spain’s and 77% of Catalonia’s foreign trade pass through these facilities. The port is the leader in the Mediterranean region in the transport of vehicles, and also the number one in the Mediterranean and the whole of Europe as the home port for cruise ships. Catalan International View 57 Barcelona Echoes It handles 2.6 million passengers, making it fourth in the world, behind the ports of Florida. Barcelona’s leading position has been strengthened by the commitment of the Chinese operator Hutchison to the Port of Barcelona’s efficiency. The company has undertaken a new investment of 150 million euros that will expand the terminal’s handling capacity to 2.65 million containers a year. Barcelona’s leading position has been strengthened by the commitment of the Chinese operator Hutchison to the Port of Barcelona’s efficiency The optimal performance of the Barcelona Europe South Terminal (BEST) container terminal, which opened in 2012, has driven the world’s leading port operator, Hutchison Port Holdings, to initiate a new investment that will be added to the 1.8 million euro contribution by the Port of Barcelona. 58 Catalan International View Once the expansion works have been completed, scheduled for the first quarter of 2015, the terminal will have a handling capacity of 2.65 million containers per year, which will provide the port with a capacity of approximately 5.5 million containers. The new facility will have a total of 27 automated blocks for container storage and a 1,500 metre pier in a single alignment (replacing the current 1,000m pier) with a depth of 16.5 meters which is able to handle up to five container-ships simultaneously. The equipment will also be increased, with a total of 54 automated cranes and 11 gantry cranes capable of working with larger ships. With these improvements, the BEST terminal will become the only one of its kind in the area and will continue to strengthen Barcelona’s position as a logistics platform and the leading gateway for freight in Southern Europe. ‘This investment will consolidate Barcelona as the economic capital of Southern Europe and the Mediterranean’, declared the Mayor of Barcelona, Xavier Barcelona Echoes Trias, during the opening ceremony at the start of construction of the terminal extension, on 6th June. The ceremony was presided over by the President of the Generalitat, Artur Mas, and was attended by various officials of the Chinese company, the port authority and the Catalan administration. The best airport in Southern Europe In March of this year, Barcelona-El Prat Airport received the Best Airport in Southern Europe prize awarded by Skytrax as part of its World Airport Awards 2014. The Skytrax awards are based on worldwide passenger surveys. The award ceremony took place during a reception as part of the Passenger Terminal Expo which was held in Barcelona last March. The Expo was attended by some 3,500 representatives from the airport and airline industry, from 85 countries. It is the third time that Barcelona Airport has won the award (having previously won in 2011 and 2012) based on questionnaires of close to 13 million passengers from 110 countries, regarding more than 400 airports worldwide. The questionnaires evaluate the user’s experience with regard to 39 products and services once the passenger’s journey has been completed, covering aspects such as access, public transport, comfort, cleanliness, billing, traffic, safety and arrivals services. Barcelona-El Prat Airport continues to show growth with respect to 2013. This March it handled 2,700,188 passengers, representing an increase of 6.2%. Thus, in the first quarter, nearly seven million passengers (6,941,477) used the airport’s facilities, representing a 6% increase over the same period last year. Passengers on international flights originating outside of the European Union were the fastest growing sector in the month of March with 8.9% of the total, underlining a 13.5% increase in intercontinental passengers. Meanwhile, EU passenger numbers remained stable with 6.3% of the total for March. It is worth noting that March also saw an increase in domestic passengers (4.7%) for the first time since January 2012. A breakdown of passengers according to markets reveals a 26.5% growth from the African continent, thanks to routes to Gambia and Morocco as well as the new connection with Dakar. North America also grew by 21.2% mainly thanks to the Philadelphia route continuing during the winter season. On the operational side, Barcelona airport has continued to grow, finishing March with an increase of 1.5%, from a total of 20,962 takeoffs and landings. For the year as a whole, the airport has seen an increase of 1.3% with 56,932 movements so far. Finally, Barcelona airport has handled 9,107,846kg of cargo representing an increase of 6.1% over 2013. There has been a significant 9.3% increase in flights to the EU. The airport transported 24,691,012kg of cargo in the first quarter of 2014, representing a 3.8% increase. These figures and these prospects for the future ensure that Barcelona is recognized as the main logistics centre in Southern Europe besides being the preferred destination of tourists from all five continents, whether they arrive by land, sea or air. *Elisabeth McWilliams Journalist. Universal Catalans Pau Casals, a life of music and peace Pau Casals was one of the greatest cellists of the twentieth century and is internationally recognized as one of the best performers and conductors of his time. Born in El Vendrell on December 29th, 1876, Casals displayed a special aptitude for music during his early childhood. His father, also a musician, passed on his knowledge, which Casals subsequently built upon while studying in Barcelona and Madrid. Casals began his professional career as a performer at just twenty-three years of age and went on to appear in the greatest concert halls in the world. As a performer, Casals brought innovative developments to the playing of the cello, and introduced new technical and expressive possibilities. As a director, he also sought expressive depth, the same musical essence he attained with the cello. Casals also worked as a teacher and composer, with works such as El Pessebre (The Nativity) oratorio, which became a veritable hymn to peace. On 15th April 1931, Casals held a concert on Barcelona’s Montjuic hill in honour of the declaration of the Second Spanish Republic. In 1933, he turned down an invitation to play with the Berlin Philharmonic due to Adolf Hitler’s rise to power and the Nazi persecutions. On 18th July 1936, whilst in the middle of rehearsals, Casals received news of Francisco Franco’s military uprising. When Franco’s troops occupied Barcelona he fled into exile in Paris. In 1940 he was forced to flee once more when the city fell to German troops. This time he went to the United States. According to Casal’s memoirs, and comments made by Albert E. Kahn in 1970, Casals suffered severe hard- ship during his years of exile in France. This was partly due to his desire not to abandon his fellow exiles interned in concentration camps in the southwest of France during World War Two, under Nazi occupation. He tried to support them by holding benefit concerts, both during and after the war. Casals also provided significant financial support to exiled Catalans between 1938 and 1940. In addition, he wrote hundreds of letters to individuals and international organizations to ask for donations of food, clothing and medicines. Many of these donations were managed in conjunction with two organizations: Chaînes du Bonheur International and the New York-based Spanish Refugee Aid. Catalan International View 61 Universal Catalans Meanwhile, the time Casals spent in France was musically highly productive. Of particular note is his most famous work, his oratorio El Pessebre, based on a poem by Joan Alavedra to which Pau Casals began to put to music in 1943. A few years later, with the help of his brother Enric, Pau Casals orchestrated the piece, performing the finished piece in Acapulco, on December 17th 1960. Over the next ten years, Pau Casals conducted El Pessebre in the United States, Mexico, England, France, Hungary, Argentina, Greece, Israel, Switzerland, Italy, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and El Salvador, among other countries, with it becoming his most important musical activity in his later years. In addition to his exceptional career as a musician, Pau Casals always maintained a tireless dedication to the defence of peace and freedom At the close of World War II, in June 1945, Casals was invited to England, where he had not played in the previous six years. Following a concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London, he conveyed a message of hope to fellow Catalans from the BBC radio studios, at the end of which he played El cant dels ocells (The Song of The Birds). Nonetheless, events did not unfold as Pau Casals had imagined, and at the end of the summer of 1946, due to the Allies’ failure to act against the Franco regime, he decided to stop playing publicly as a form of protest. They were to be years of sorrow and sadness for Casals. A time in which he lived as a bitter recluse in his small refuge in Prada in a part of Catalonia under French sovereignty, during which he dedicated himself to music and teaching. 62 Catalan International View 63 Universal Catalans It was not until 1950, with the inauguration of the first Bach Festival of Prada, that Pau Casals once more appeared on stage on the occasion of the commemoration of the bicentenary of the composer’s death. The first Bach Festival concert took place on June 2nd, five years after Casals had last played in public and he did so with a rendition of Bach’s first suite. The festival was an unprecedented musical event. For many young musicians it was the first time they had the opportunity to work with Casals and received a series of unforgettable master classes from the greatest performer of Bach. The festival has been held in Prada every summer since then, transforming the town into a meeting point of the best musicians in the world for a few months at a time. Pau Casals was to attend almost all of the festivals that were held. 1950 also saw Casals presiding over the Jocs Florals de la Llengua Catalana (The Floral Games of the Catalan Language) in Perpignan. In December 1955 Pau Casals made his first trip to Puerto Rico, the birthplace of his mother, and in 1956 he settled in the town of San Juan. On August 3rd 1957 Casals married Marta Montáñez and for some years his musical activity was closely linked to the Casals Festival in Puerto Rico, which was organized with the help of several private sponsors. In spite of the change of residence, Casals continued to travel to Europe until 1966, to participate in the annual Prada Festival and the Zer64 Catalan International View matt Summer Academy, where he had taught master classes since 1952. In addition to his exceptional career as a musician, Pau Casals always maintained a tireless dedication to the defence of peace and freedom. Numerous benefit concerts and his involvement in the United Nations’ humanitarian activities characterised him as a man of peace. Casals passed away in 1973 at the age of ninety-six, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. His remains rest in the cemetery of his hometown, El Vendrell, Catalonia. Casals’ personal collection is housed in the National Archive of Catalonia. The collection contains one of his most symbolic appearances, his speech to the General Assembly of the United Nations, on October 24th 1971, on the oc- Universal Catalans casion of being awarded the Medal of Peace. Casals played the El cant dels ocells and spoke to the world of his country: by ‘This is the greatest honour of my life. Peace has always been my greatest concern. I learnt to love it when I was but a child. When I was a boy, my mother (an exceptional, marvellous woman) would talk to me about peace, because at that time there were also many wars. What is more, I am Catalan. Today a province of Spain. But what has been Catalonia? Catalonia has been the greatest nation in the world. I will tell you why. Catalonia had the first parliament, much before England. Catalonia had the beginning of the United Nations. All the authorities of Catalonia in the Eleventh Century met in a city of France, at that time Catalonia, to speak about peace, at the Eleventh Century. Peace in the world and against, against, against wars, the inhumanity of wars. So I am so happy, so happy, to be with you today. That is why the United Nations, which works solely towards the peace ideal, is in my heart, because anything to do with peace goes straight to my heart. I have not played the cello in public for many years, but I feel that the time has come to play again. I am going to play a melody from Catalan folklore: El cant dels ocells. Birds sing when they are in the sky, they sing: “Peace, Peace, Peace”, and it is a melody that Bach, Beethoven and all the greats would have admired and loved. What is more, it is born in the soul of my people, Catalonia’. Catalan International View 65 Because there is another way of designing, editing, communicating, reaching people, reaching groups We do what no other advertising agency, no other copywriter can do www.estudilogo.cat 路 [email protected] A Poem Curated by Enric Bou Professor in Hispanic Studies, Università Ca’ Foscari di Venezia Unity For Maria José and Octavio Paz A Maria José i Octavio Paz Dictated by evening, Dictated by dark air, the circle opens And we dwell within: transitions, intervening Space. Not the place Of reunion. The blade That cleaves the light. From the eye to the gaze, The permanent brightness, the ambit of sounds, The bell that brings the terrestrial vision to a close Like the inexorable eye of floral shape Steadies the fire of a carbuncle. This eye, Does it see my eye? It is a mirror of flames, The eye that now sees me. The cry of pulleys, The sound of night axles. Dismasted, Darkness collapses and, feeling its way, The sun meets the night. Dictat pel capvespre, dictat per l’aire fosc, el cercle s’obre i hi habitem: transicions, espai intermedi. No el lloc de la revelació, sinó el lloc del retrobament. El glavi que divideix la llum. De l’ull a la mirada, la claror permanent, l’àmbit del sons, la campana que clou la visió terrestre com l’ull inexorable de la forma floral fixa el foc d’un carbuncle. Aquest ull ¿veu al meu ull? És un mirall de flames l’ull que ara em veu. Amb so de corrioles, els eixos de la nit. Desarborada, s’esfondra la foscor i, a les palpentes, el sol coneix la nit. (Translated by D. Sam Abrams) Pere Gimferrer (Barcelona, 1945) writes mostly poetry, prose, literary and art criticism, both in Spanish and Catalan. In 1966 he published in Spanish a path-breaking book Arde el Mar, which revitalized Spanish poetry. In 1970 he started writing poetry in Catalan: Els miralls, Hora foscant, L’espai desert. His latest book is El castell de la puresa (2014). His poetry is discursive and metaliterary, linking with special moments of the literary tradition, the Baroque, the avant-garde. Gimferrer explores the tenuous boundaries between artistic reality and reality from a poetic perspective. He is also the author of inspired poetical prose dealing with esthetic issues, Dietari (1979-1980), Segon dietari (1980-1982), and others with a more autobiographical approach such as L’agent provocador (1998). Since 1985 he has been a member of the Real Academia Española and in 1988 he was awarded the Creu de Sant Jordi. Catalan International View A Short Story from History Curated by Manuel Manonelles The Dalmases Embassy and The Case of the Catalans (IV) On March 1713, Pau Ignasi de Dalmases i Ros left Barcelona for London. He did so in his capacity as ambassador of the Catalan authorities to the Court of Saint James. His mission was to call for the honouring of the agreements signed between the representatives of Catalonia and those of Queen Anne of England in 1705 in the city of Genoa. According to these agreements, Catalonia entered into the War of the Spanish Succession on the side of the Habsburg candidate under the warranty of the Crown of England that, regardless of the outcome of the war, Catalonia would retain its traditional Constitutional and Parliamentary system and their associated liberties. We are currently celebrating the tercentennial of these events, and this temporary section is not only aimed at following the tortuous journey of the Catalan ambassador, but also to know more about what in the different chancelleries of Europe, as well as in the published opinion of that time, came to be known as ‘The Case of the Catalans’. In this fourth and final instalment, the focus is on the last months of the development of the war, the intransigence of the Bourbon kings, Philip V of Spain and Louis XIV of France, towards the Catalan liberties and freedoms; and the change in the political context resulting from the death of Queen Anne of Britain and the arrival of King George, the first from the House of Hannover. Particular attention is given to the efforts of the Catalan diplomats in London, The Hague and Vienna. These included discussions on the eventual creation of a Catalan independent Republic under the protection of Britain and the Empire, a project which vanished with the fall of Barcelona the 11th September 1714, following the heroic resistance of thirteen months of harsh siege –which prompted the admiration of the whole of Europe. Following the occupation of the city and of the fortress of Cardona (the last to surrender on 18th September 1714) the new authorities would dissolve, manu militari, the secular Catalan parliamentary and constitutional system, one of the most sophisticated of the time; while starting a century-long policy of repression against the Catalan language and culture. The journey part IV & final (from May 1714 to October 1714): 16 May 1714 12 June 1714 22 June 1714 6 July 1714 15 July 1714 20 July 1714 68 Pau-Ignasi de Dalmases disembarks once again in England, returning from the German and Dutch states where he had been promoting the Catalan cause. The bad health of Queen Anne, and the consequent turmoil in the kingdom, blocks any new attempts of negotiations by the Catalan ambassador in London. Special prayers are held at London’s Presbyterian churches in support of the Catalans. The Duke of Berwick arrives to the camp of Barcelona with an army of 20,000 French troops. This doubles the number of soldiers maintaining the siege of Barcelona to 40,000 men, against the 6,000 defending the city. To this we have to add several tens of thousands of Bourbon troops occupying the whole country, keeping another siege at the fortress of Cardona, as well as repressing local uprisings or attempts to succour the capital city of the Principality. The British press follows with admiration the resistance of the Catalans and its struggle defending its freedom: ‘...The Name of Barcelona will be dear for the future to all Lovers of Liberty and the Courage of its Inhabitants remembered with a peculiar Veneration...’ (The Present State of Europe, July 1713) Tension growths in Great Britain amidst rumours of preparations in France of an army commanded by James III, the Jacobite Pretender, to invade the island. Catalan International View 12 August 1714 13 August 1714 28 August 1714 4 September 1714 6 September 1714 8 September 1714 Queen Anne of Great Britain, the last of the Stuarts, dies at Kensington Palace. King George, the first of the House of Hannover and still residing in his German states, is proclaimed new sovereign in Saint James Palace. The Regency is established. The Catalan ambassador, Pau Ignasi de Dalmases, reactivates his intense diplomatic contacts in London due to the new political context that favours the Whigs vs. the Tory government and, therefore, opening a window of opportunity to the Catalan cause. He meets lords Argyle, Halifax and Portmore, as well as with general Peterborough. In the small town of Talamanca (Bages) a fierce combat ensued between the Catalan and the Franco-Spanish army, which is defeated. However the attempt at breaking the siege of Barcelona and introducing fresh troops remains unaccomplished. Ambassador Dalmases suggests to the Regency the intervention of the Royal Navy to defend Barcelona from the Franco-Spanish attacks. In parallel fierce combats continue in Catalonia, particularly in the surroundings of Barcelona. Barcelona rejects the proposal of capitulation and decides, besides the 13 months long siege and the constant bombings, to continue its resistance. The Lords of the Regency inform the Catalan ambassador in London that orders have been sent to the units of the Royal Navy scattered around the Mediterranean to gather in Mahon (Minorca) for an eventual rescue mission to Barcelona. A Catalan diplomat on a visit to Utrecht is informed by the Russian ambassador, Count Sakulnik, as to the latter’s recent audience with the new King George I (travelling from Hannover to London); and of the king’s pro-Catalan sentiments and public statements. 11 September 1714 At 4:30 a.m. in the morning a massive Franco-Spanish assault begins against Barcelona’s largely destroyed ramparts. Fierce fighting lasts for hours, first on the walls and then in the streets of the city, with the attacking army losing about ¼ of its troops in a single day (c. 10,000 men). However at 3 p.m., after a huge slaughter, the exhausted defenders (after more than 400 days of siege and the immediate danger of having the city sacked and burnt to the ground) agree to open negotiations regarding capitulation. 13 September 1714 The Duke of Berwick enters and occupies Barcelona with his army. 14-16 September 1714 The Catalan flags, symbols and Constitutions are burned in the public square. The secular Catalan institutions (including Barcelona’s Council of the Hundred), as well as its Constitutional and Parliamentary system, are abolished. These are replaced by a new repressive administrative system under military command, which will last for more than two centuries. 17 September 1714 The Catalan Universities are abolished by military decree. 18 September 1714 The Catalan ambassador in The Hague (still unaware of the situation in Barcelona) has an audience with King George I, on his way from Hannover to London. The new British king reasserts his support for the Catalan cause. The same day, the fortress of Cardona, the last bastion of Catalan liberties, capitulates with military honours. However, once the fortress is in the hands of the occupying army, this fails to respect the conditions of capitulation. 22 September 1714 In clear violation of Barcelona’s capitulation agreements, the commanders of the surrendered Catalan troops are taken into custody. Some are subsequently executed, others sent to jail. Fall 1714 April-August 1715 A pamphlet entitled The Deplorable History of the Catalans by Defoe is published by J. Baker in London, criticizing the abandonment by the British government. A Committee of Secrecy is appointed in the House of Commons, chaired by Robert Walpole, to investigate the alleged miscarriages of the previous British government (headed by Lord Oxford and Lord Bolingbroke) including their behaviour in relation to Catalonia. This will result in the impeachment of both lords for “High Treason other High Crimes and Misdemeanours” for, among others, their ‘treacherous treatment’ of the Case of the Catalans (Art. VI of Impeachment). “The Catalans, thus abandoned and given up to their enemies, contrary to faith and honour, were not however, wanting to their own defence; but appealing to Heaven, and hanging up at the High Altar the Queen’s solemn declaration to protect them, underwent the utmost miseries of a siege; during which multitudes perished by famine and the sword, many were afterwards executed, and many persons of figure were dispersed about the Spanish Dominions and dungeons.” Tindal, History of England, 1745 Catalan International View The Artist The Piano by Enrique Juncosa (Translated by Jonathan Brennan) Catherine rang at a quarter to seven in the morning. It was the first time he had spoken to her since she had left. In his mind, Timothy had prepared a list of things to say to her on this occasion, but now he found himself incapable of organising his thoughts. Nothing made sense. Undoubtedly, she had called very early in order to wake him and catch him at a bad moment, knowing full well that he always practised late into the night. Without asking him how things were going, or indeed allowing him to say anything (she said she only had a couple of minutes to speak), Catherine informed him that they were going to have a meeting with her father, who was also her lawyer, in a week’s time, at 8 a.m. sharp on the day after the concert because that same evening she would be going to Ibiza with the girls. Timothy felt uncomfortable with the speed of these proceedings, which to him hardly seemed urgent, especially when he needed calm now more than ever. He responded, still groggy, that he could not understand how all she could be thinking of was going on holiday. His wife replied that unless he felt like torturing them further by putting obstacles in their way he could not stop them. To save him any trouble (which was proof of her generosity and patience – after all, the children belonged to both of them) she had already spoken to the school to arrange the time off. Some days in the fresh air would be good for all of them, unable to stand any more the confinement they had to suffer every time that he had an “important” (for him) concert – like now – when he would practise as if nothing else in the world existed beyond his piano. However, the truth was that she did not want to linger on this topic – having already ready left him meant it no longer posed a problem for her. She reminded him, in case he hadn’t noticed, which was probably the case, that there had been torrential rain for days now and they had had enough. She and the girls were migrating south to recover in the sun. In any case, they would only be gone for a little over two weeks. Just then, Timothy remembered that before everything 70 had taken place, his wife, who still had a perfect figure, had bought some skimpy, multi-coloured print bikinis. At the time, he had thought it somewhat extravagant – he could not imagine when and where she would have the chance to show them off. Now the mystery was solved. His wife had been preparing for this for some time, but had kept up the pretence all along. She had no shame. Even thinking about it left him floored. Catherine was more terrible than the wild carnivores of the jungle. It was now two weeks since she had left, not long after they had reached nine years of married life. They had met in the music conservatory and married a few months later. They were in love and the envy of everyone. Not just young and attractive, but also talented. They were going to take over the world. Almost immediately, the girls arrived. Both were beautiful. Catherine dedicated herself to looking after them while her husband pursued his career. All of this, it now turned out, had been a cause for resentment. His wife’s father, a consummate snob with whom he had never got on well, called him just a few hours after his wife had left in order to give him a series of practical instructions. More than half of his earnings would be hers and they would have to sell the house and divide equally whatever they could get for it. From that moment on, Timothy felt like a criminal. Or an undocumented immigrant in an EU state. The breakup scene had been awful. Andrew, yes, the Andrew that had, up until then, seemed like an insignificant figure, had come to collect them one Saturday morning. Timothy was just arriving home in time to have lunch with his family after a concert in Birmingham, where he had played Bartók, when he found suitcases in the doorway of the house. On entering the kitchen to set down on the table some presents he had brought (yellow roses for his wife and some chocolate biscuits for the girls) he found him calmly reading The Guardian. It had to be his copy, because he had a daily Catalan International View The Artist subscription. There were few things that annoyed him more than having his paper messed up before getting the chance to read it. Some people were even capable of mixing up the pages, especially the Saturday supplements. Catherine, for example, was one of these types. Without even getting up out of his seat, Andrew greeted him with the barest movement of his eyebrows and a throaty sound like the clicking of those strange consonants in the Zulu language. He was wearing a pair of round, red glasses and a ridiculous tie with a pattern of purple rabbits and yellow geese. They stared at each other, without knowing what to do, until Catherine, who had heard the door from above, shouted to him from the top of the stairs that she was finishing the packing and requested that he not make a scene – they had not expected him back quite so early. Andrew’s gaze remained fixed on him while he listened to his wife’s disconcerting shrieks. Timothy shouted that he did not understand what she was talking about, while feeling irritated with the intrusion of this bystander. Catherine responded, screeching again, that she did not think it was so very difficult to understand. Timothy was gobsmacked. He ran out of the kitchen and up the stairs to the first floor where the bedrooms and his daughters’ playroom were. As he bounded up the stairs two at a time, various chaotic thoughts began to press down on him. It was true that for several weeks now he had felt distanced from his wife, to whom he barely spoke, but he had convinced himself that this was something normal in all marriages. He only had to think of his parents, or of Peter and Deborah, some mutual friends who seemed to get on well despite having continuous love affairs. His heart pounded, but he was not going to lose it in front of Andrew, a third-rate violinist who played in his wife’s mediocre quartet and whom he barely knew. Besides, he was not yet certain, although by now had a strong suspicion, that this extremely thin, pale as glass man, with his thick, colourful, bottle bottom glasses and posh accent could be the one responsible for this unforeseen crisis. When he reached the bedroom where Catherine was hastily folding the blue jumper that he had given her for her last birthday, she said, without even turning to face him: Catalan International View 71 The Artist “Be a pet, would you, and try not to make things more difficult?” There was something in the tone and body language of this woman, now a total stranger, that prevented him from approaching her. He spun around and went, almost ran, to the girls’ room. Karen, who was six years old, was crying hysterically, while Samantha, two years older than her sister, took no notice of her and drew pictures of brightly coloured animals on sheets of paper that she scattered across the bedroom floor. Both were aware that something earth-shattering was taking place, and this affected each one in different ways according to their personalities. Samantha was cold and reserved like her mother, although now she was drawing with a force that threatened to ruin her markers. Timothy took Karen in his arms and tried to soothe her. He stood with her at the window, his gaze lost in the street below, and whispered tender words to her. Samantha kept drawing, and remained silent. Her father had always found it difficult to have an easy relationship with her. Catherine entered the room after him. “Girls, be good and say goodbye to your father. I told you already that today we are going to sleep in a new house, nicer than this one, with a beautiful garden. It’s full of squirrels and blackbirds… And at last you will have a cat… called Arthur. He’s big, fluffy and black and white… And very soon, we’ll go to the beach for a few days. You can swim morning, noon and night. We’ll live outside in the fresh air and I’ll let you drink Coke with ice cubes. And after we’ll come back to collect all your toys.” It was then that Timothy realised that she had bought those expensive, and scandalous, bikinis for Andrew. Lately, his wife had been saying again that Hackney, the area in which they lived, was not the most appropriate place for the girls. He seemed to remember that this vile creature, who was currently creasing his newspaper in the kitchen, lived in an enormous house in Notting Hill, probably the most expensive neighbourhood in the city. Apparently he also owned a holiday home in Spain. Timothy’s head was like a pressure cooker building up steam. A machine hissing with burning, deafening bursts. The beating of his heart thundered like powerful sledgehammer blows. The footsteps of some bloodcurdling ogre leaving chaos and devastation in its wake. Meanwhile, Catherine acted as if nothing out of the ordinary were taking place. Her cruelty pained and perplexed him. They had made love only three nights previously, after dining out with Peter and Deborah and having had one too many. It was true that it had been months since they 72 had been able to talk to one another. Any conversation, even on the most insignificant topic, led to a furious argument. Nothing, however, had warned to him that this catastrophe was about to explode. His wife had not even given him the chance to speak and defend himself. Unable to react or move, Timothy squeezed Karen tightly as she continued crying. He pressed his cheek against his daughter’s fine silky hair. He could already feel the scale of what he was about to lose. “It’s your fault she’s crying like that. You could try to calm her down instead of strangling her as if you were never going to see her again. My father told me, I can tell you now, that it will be your turn one weekend every month…. See? You’ll be able to play the piano without anyone disturbing you. If you weren’t so selfish, you’d thank me.” He was lost. All he was conscious of was the power and gravity of what was taking place. He had trouble standing up. His wife’s voice was a highly efficient torture instrument, and meanwhile he had lost the power of speech. Even thinking was as difficult as performing a complex feat of circus acrobatics. Catherine grabbed Karen and dragged Samantha downstairs by the hand. Before Timothy could even react, girls and bags had been stowed inside an enormous Jaguar. It was black, like a starless night. Catherine now hid behind some mirrored sunglasses which he had never seen before. He could not see her eyes. She tried to act as if the situation did not affect her in any way, but at the last moment her chin started to quiver. Later, just before getting into the car, she slipped. She would have fallen flat on her face if Andrew, who had opened the car door for her, had not been at her side. Taking her by the waist, he had said something to her in a low voice that Timothy heard very clearly and had been obsessing over ever since. “Everything is going to be fine my little angel. Let’s go to our house” Catalan International View The Artist As soon as Timothy was alone, he collapsed on the sofa. He wept for hours, going over the scene in his head again and again, always with the same feeling of total impotence. His wife had come to this decision without deeming it necessary to first discuss it with him. It was a way of transmitting her visceral loathing and inflicting as much damage as possible. Apparently he was solely responsible for the tedium they had lived through together lately. Later, unaware even of the time, he sat down at the piano. He went directly to the third movement of the “Hammerkavier” sonata: Adagio sostenuto, appassionato e con molto sentimento. Then something totally unexpected happened. For the first time ever, he felt incapable of playing that work which he previously believed no longer held any secrets from him. Without wishing to, it took on a wholly unnecessary, majestic and accelerated mood. On top of that, he made mistakes. The music made no sense to him. He started over again and again, becoming increasingly nervous. He spent hours repeating the movement without any improvement. He made the kinds of mistakes a beginner would make. When he stopped, it was ten o’clock at night and he was exhausted. He had not eaten anything all day yet had no appetite. He made a Japanese green tea. He was so distracted that when he went to drink it, it was cold. His fingers and his back ached. He did some stretching exercises. Drained, but not knowing what else to do, he sat down at the piano again. The same thing happened which had been occurring all evening. Some time later, he rose like a sleepwalker, full of despair. He paced from one end of the room to the other, unconscious of what he was doing. Finally he found himself standing at the bookcase, just in front of the photo of Catherine and the girls on holiday in Corfu. All three were smiling and looking beautiful. Then he took a shower. For a long time, he allowed the water to rain down on him as if to rehydrate himself. He went to bed not knowing how he was ever going to be able to drift off. A period of long sleepless nights began. From what he could make out, Catherine and Andrew had been lovers for a little over a year. Timothy had seen them play together on a few occasions, but did not remember having exchanged anything more than a few pleasantries with him before and after the quartet concerts he had attended. Catherine had never wanted them to be seen outside professional situations. This minimal contact meant that Timothy saw Andrew as someone insipid and of few words, whose only eccentricity consisted in a collection of pairs of glasses of different colours and designs. His violin playing was passable, however, when he played he made the most unpleasant and grotesque grimaces. One was much better off listening to him with eyes closed. Timothy had not suspected a thing, although his sister Ann had been saying for some time that there was something about Catherine that suggested that things were not as they had been in the beginning. Indeed, on several occasions, her behaviour had bordered on unpleasant. Her reactions were vindictive, exaggeratedly so, and to her they seemed unfair. That all this should take place just when he had received confirmation of his concert at the Royal Albert Hall – probably the most important of his career to date – was no coincidence, according to his sister. Catherine, Ann said, was twisted, jealous and competitive and her career had stalled for some time now. Her quartet had not managed to break out of a circuit of second-rate, amateur concert halls. Andrew must not have minded because he came from a rich family and played as a hobby, but it must have bothered her because she had always been ambitious. She was not about to grant Timothy this important milestone. She knew well that his agent was already finalising other contracts. The following concert, after the one in London, would be in Carnegie Hall and after that he was lined up to play in a series of mythical venues in Chicago, Munich, Paris, Madrid, Vienna… In Ann’s view, Catherine had to be consumed with envy instead of feeling proud of her husband’s achievements. Timothy had acquired some notoriety for the seductive ease with which he played the Beethoven sonatas. He liked the late sonatas most of all and was now Catalan International View 73 The Artist going to play the “Hammerklavier” Sonata, Op. 106 and the Sonata in C Minor, Op. 111, the composer’s final one, in the same programme. At the moment, those two sonatas were his favourites. Nevertheless, recent events had made him lose his concentration. He thought about his daughters, who had disappeared from his life in floods of tears. He had not been permitted to say goodbye in a form that could be described as human. Ann, an eminently practical woman, had offered to move in and help him out until the day of the concert. She herself had recently separated from her partner, a Brazilian architect who had decided in the end to return home. Timothy knew straight away that this was not a good idea and declined, but Ann rang every day at lunchtime to enquire after him and ask if there was anything he needed. Deborah, who Timothy had always believed thought more highly of his wife, was also acting very sympathetically. She did not live far from the house and some nights brought over trays of food that she had prepared herself. She was angry at the way Catherine had disappeared. It did not help matters that she had concealed her plans from her too. His agent also rang every day, offering to visit at any time, but Timothy preferred to be alone and concentrate on his work. He had not told even his sister that he was having problems with the sonatas. He imagined that airing this second topic would double the amount of calls and visits from those who were worried about him. Besides, Deborah, who was also in contact with his wife, might pass on this information, and he was not going to allow her the satisfaction. He spent hours sitting at the piano. He had an 1880 Bechstein which had belonged to Franz Liszt. He had purchased it a very good price from an old aristocrat, an admirer of his. The sound of the Bechstein was extraordinary and it was in an impeccable state of conservation. The problems Timothy was experiencing must have been to do with some unknown insecurity. To him it seemed, and this was a new sensation of which he was not entirely convinced, that everything sounded better if he used the pedal more frequently, rather than only on a few occasions, to highlight the contrast of sonorities in a music already so dense and profound. There were other problems. For example, when he played the fugue from the “Hammerklavier”, he closed the series of octaves that develop the main theme with the tonic B flat which seems clearly demanded in bars 114 and 115. He was unable to retain control and not playing that note, even knowing that the real climax 74 of the movement was in bar 116, when one reached a low C that continued for another ten bars. The dominant harmony in these later moments lent the music an extraordinary supernatural beauty. In the Sonata in C minor, Op. 111, with which he planned to conclude the concert, the problems started invariably in bar 48, with the jumps from treble to bass and bass to treble with a diminished seventh chord, introducing a new, very expressive theme with an emphatically resounding rhythm. Everything repeats and is ornamented with elaborate arabesques of 12, 15 and 16 notes, slowing the tempo continuously until it reaches a short adagio of unusual brevity. Then a descending cascade of chords in thirds, as if broken, concludes in bar 58 with a theme resembling a military march, returning, finally, to a monophonic texture, brutally punctuated by a sforzando in every bar. Everything here he found difficult, although after this he continued without issue until bars 100 to 120. Now the bass changed in practically every bar, producing a hugely exhilarating effect, and where one had to demonstrate one’s virtuosity if one wanted to stress the tension demanded by the score. He began well, but gradually let himself become possessed by a mechanical and diabolical velocity which did not leave space to comprehend or admire the intricacies of this music which was so special and which had to be, undoubtedly, one of the finest offerings of European culture. After rehearsing, Timothy felt drained. He had to resolve the problem of how to make the music his own again. It was as if his entrance into paradise had been vetoed ever since Catherine had taken off with the girls. If one day he seemed to overcome the difficult passages it was only to continue making mistakes in other places. All of these insecurities pointed towards a terrible night when he would have to face the public. He slept little, alternating between his daughters’ beds. Catalan International View The Artist He was nervous and irritable. He was possessed by an aggression that was alien to him and frightened him. It was as if he were the protagonist of a thriller about to commit a serious criminal blunder. He arranged some of his children’s cuddly toys on the piano, but this only made him feel ridiculous. He asked Catherine to buy them mobile phones so he could call them whenever he wanted, but she had refused, saying that they were still young to have such responsibility. Besides, she did not think it was a good idea that he could “bother themâ€? at any time he liked. He did not think that phoning his daughters could ever count as bothering them, but his father-in-law also had very clear ideas on this subject and had threatened to make things more difficult for him. Days passed without his noticing. He was locked up with the piano, making mistakes over and over. He hardly left the house. He also thought about his family, but he could not see any way of improving their conjugal situation. To go chasing after his wife would have been deeply humiliating. Catherine was stubbornness personified. Tickets had sold out within hours of going on sale. Timothy could not believe that the day of the concert had already arrived. He had hardly thought of anything else. The girls were not going to attend because, as expected, their mother did not think it a good idea. The night before the concert, Timothy had a strange nightmare. He and his wife were on a dimly lit stage in an auditorium full of people. She wore a tiny bikini and began to screech when he played the piano. In the end, losing his patience, he stood up and picked up a clarinet that he found next to his piano stool. He marched over to his wife and had smacked her over the head with the instrument, splitting it in two like a walnut. She hit the ground as if struck by lightning, and lay very still, face down. Blood started to trickle from her mouth. The blood gleamed red under the spotlights. Suddenly an enormous, furry, black and white cat appeared out of nowhere and began licking up the blood. While it did this it purred with enormous pleasure. The audience applauded wildly. Just then he noticed Beethoven seated in one of the first rows wearing a red dress coat and white wig. He was not clapping and gazed at him with a look of total sadness and clear disapproval. At last, it was the final hour before going on stage. The concert hall was full and there was an air of excitement. Some of the newspapers had referred to him as the greatest pianist of his generation, if not the most outstanding from his country currently performing. It happened as soon as he walked out on stage. An infinite sadness descended on him when he saw the three empty seats that he had reserved for his wife and daughters in the middle of row fifteen, where he had seen Beethoven in his homicidal dream. Now, however, there was no way back. For all that, his playing was vigorous yet restrained. He became, in a way, the monumental music he played. He felt light and in total possession of all his abilities. All the practice had not been for nothing. He had no problems with the Allegro, nor the brief scherzo, assai vivace. Then the third movement came off like never before, truly passionate and with much feeling. He played and played, noticing aspects of the music that until now had evaded him. As he played the final Largo, allegro risoluto, it seemed to him that the music was transparent and crystalline. Perhaps the saddest in the world. As he played he felt love for everyone around him. Perhaps one needed the presence of an audience to experience this sensation. When he finished the first sonata, the applause was astonishing. Later, he was unable to recall exactly what he felt during those moments. He was empty and the music continued to sound inside his head. His body was possessed by an unusual energy. The last sonata was even better. He was able to harness all of the pain he felt and put it into the first movement, the Maestoso yet allegro con brio e appassionato. He thought of the love he had felt when he was young, and the love that he now had for his daughters. Finally, he faced the Arietta: un adagio molto semplice e cantabile. He felt weightless. He was still himself, yet transfigured into a strange form of absolute pleasure. All was beautiful and all had feeling. And the end imparted to him, in some inexpressible way, the very consciousness of death. The audience were on their feet applauding and shouting like a single rabid animal. Their enthusiasm was truly phenomenal. Timothy leaned with one hand on the piano and waved emotionally, unable to hold back the tears. He was afraid he would collapse. He wanted to be the clouds and he wanted to be the wind. Transported to the highest heights, he also wanted his body to disintegrate into heavy raindrops over the vast ocean. He felt an endless vertigo, as if he were falling in love. His body dissolved in a spiral of spinning colours and sweetly sonorous harmonies yet untold... Catalan International View 75 Editorial Board Martí Anglada Former foreign news editor at TV3 (Catalonia Television). He has been foreign correspondent in the Middle East, Italy and Great Britain (1977-1984) for the Barcelona newspaper La Vanguardia and TV3’s foreign correspondent in the United States (1987-1990), Brussels and Berlin (2009-2011). He has also been an international political commentator. His books include Afers no tan estrangers [Not So Foreign Affairs] (Editorial Mina, 2008), Quatre vies per a la independència: Estònia, Letònia, Eslovàquia, Eslovènia [Four Ways To Independence: Estonia, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia] (Editorial Pòrtic, 2013) and La via alemanya [The German Way] (Brau Edicions, 2014). Enric Canela (Barcelona, 1949). Holds a degree in Chemistry from the Universitat de Barcelona (UB) and a PhD in Chemistry, specialising in Biochemistry. He has taught at the UB since 1974, where he is currently Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and collaborates on research into intracellular communication. He also conducts research on theoretical Biochemistry and regularly publishes in scientific journals of international repute. He is a member of numerous scientific societies. Between 1991 and 1995 he was vice-president of the Catalan Society of Biology. Between 2007 and 2009 he was president of the Circle for Knowledge. Between 2007 and 2011 he was a patron of the National Agency for Evaluation, Certification and Accreditation (ANECA) in Spain. He is currently vice-rector of Science Policy at the UB. Salvador Cardús (Terrassa, 1954). PhD in Economics at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). Visiting researcher at the University of Cambridge, Cornell University (USA) and Queen Mary College of the University of London. Currently he is professor of Sociology at the UAB and the former Dean of the Faculty of Political Sciences and Sociology. He has conducted research into the sociology of religion and culture, media, nationalism and identity. His published works include, Plegar de viure [Giving Up on Life] with Joan Estruch, Saber el temps [Understanding Time], El desconcert de l’educació [The Education Puzzle], Ben educats [Well Educated] and El camí de la independència [The Road To Independence]. In the field of journalism he was the editor of the Crònica d’Ensenyament magazine (1987-1988) and was deputy editor of the Avui newspaper (1989-1991). He contributes to ARA, La Vanguardia, Diari de Terrassa and Deia newspapers. He is a member of the Institut d’Estudis Catalans. August Gil-Matamala Has been a practising lawyer since 1960, specialising in the fields of criminal and labour law. He has taken part in numerous cases in defence of those on trial for their demands in favour of people’s rights, as well as hearings before the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. Gil-Matamala fought the first successful case against the Spanish state for the violation of basic rights. He is a founder member of the Commission for the Defence of Individual Rights of the Col·legi d’Advocats de Barcelona (the Barcelona Bar Association) and the Catalan Association for the Defence of Human Rights, which he presided over from its foundation in 1985 to 2001. Gil-Matamala has also been president of both the Fundació Catalunya and the European Democratic Lawyers organization. In 2007, coinciding with his retirement, he received the Creu de Sant Jordi (St. George’s Cross, the highest honour awarded by the Catalan government). Montserrat Guibernau Professor of Politics at Queen Mary College, University of London. Holds a PhD and an MA in Social and Political Theory from the University of Cambridge and a degree in Philosophy from the Universitat de Barcelona. She has taught at the universities of Warwick, Cambridge, Barcelona, the London School of Economics and the Open University. Guibernau has held visiting professorships at the universities of Edinburgh, Tampere, Pompeu Fabra, the UQAM (Quebec) and the Austrian Academy of Sciences. Currently she holds a visiting fellowship at the Centre for the Study of Global Governance, London School of Economics. Montserrat Guibernau is the author of numerous books and articles on nationalism, the nation-state, national identity, and national and ethnic minorities in the West from the perspective of global governance. Guillem López-Casasnovas (Minorca, 1955). Holds a degree in Economics (distinction, 1978) and Law (1979) from the Universitat de Barcelona (UB) and a PhD in Public Economics from the University of York (1984). He has been a lecturer at the UB, visiting scholar at the Institute of Social and Economic Research, University of Sussex and at the Graduate School of Business at the University of Stanford. Since 1992 he is full professor of economics at Barcelona’s Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), where he has been vice-rector of Economics and International Relations and dean of the School of Economics and Business Science. In 1998 he created the Economics and Health Research Centre (CRES-UPF), which he directed until 2005. In 2000 he received the Catalan Economics Society Award, in 2001 the Joan Sardà Dexeus Award and in 2008 the Ramon Llull Distinction from the Balearic government. He is a member of the Catalan Royal Academy of Medicine and distinguished member of the Economists’ Society of Catalonia. Former President of the International Health Economics Association and since 2005 a member of the Governing Board of the Spanish Central Bank. He serves on the advisory councils for Health, Economic Recovery and Catalan Research of the Government of Catalonia. 76 Catalan International View Manuel Manonelles A political scientist specialised in international relations and human rights, he is Director General for Multilateral and European Affairs of the Catalan Government since June 2014; a position he combines with that of Associated Prof. of International Relations at the University Ramon Llull (Barcelona). Member of the Steering Committee of the Jean Monnet Centre of European Excellence on ‘Intercultural Dialogue, Human Rights and Multi-level Governance’ located at the University of Padua (Italy), he has participated in the work of the Leading Group on Innovative Financing for Development (2009-13) under the coordination of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and in support of the International Commission Against the Death Penalty (2011-2). He has been special advisor to the Co-chair of the UN High Level Group for the Alliance of Civilizations, as well as director of the Foundation Culture of Peace and the World Forum of Civil Society Networks (known as the Ubuntu Forum). He has been an international electoral observer and supervisor for the OSCE and the EU on many occasions, and has participated in several international intergovernmental and non-governmental processes. Fèlix Martí Former president of the International Catholic Movement for Intellectual and Cultural Affairs (Pax Romana), from 1975 to 1984; director of the Catalonia magazine (1987-2002), aimed at disseminating the Catalan culture around the world; director of the UNESCO centre of Catalonia (1984 to 2002) and subsequently its honorary president. From 1994 to 2002 he was editor of the Catalan editions of the yearly reports of the Washington-based Worldwatch Institute, L’Estat del món [The State of the World] and Signes vitals [Vital Signs]. He promoted the Declaration on Contributions by Religions to a Culture of Peace, signed by leaders of the great religious traditions in 1994. President of the Linguapax International Institute from 2001 to 2004 and its honorary president thereafter. He published his memoirs Diplomàtic sense estat [Diplomat Without a State], in 2006. His latest book is Déus desconeguts. Viatge iniciàtic a les religions de l’Orient [Unknown Gods. Journey of Initiation Through the Religions of the East], published in 2013. He was awarded the UNESCO Human Rights Medal in 1995 and the Generalitat de Catalunya’s Creu de Sant Jordi in 2002. Eva Piquer (Barcelona, 1969).Writer and cultural journalist. Works for several newspapers and magazines. Has been a lecturer at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and a New York news correspondent. Won the 2002 Josep Pla prize for her novel Una victòria diferent (A Different Victory). Also author of several books, including La noia del temps (The Weather Girl), Alícia al país de la televisió (Alice in Television Land) and No sóc obsessiva, no sóc obsessiva, no sóc obsessiva (I’m Not Obsessive, I’m Not Obsessive, I’m Not Obsessive). Her latest book is called La feina o la vida (Life or work). Ricard Planas (Girona, 1976). Journalist, art critic and cultural promoter. Studied Philology and the History of Art at the Universitat de Girona. In 1999 he founded the magazine Bonart, dedicated to the contemporary art scene in the Catalan Countries. More recently he created and directed the Catalan art fair INART in 2005 and 2006. Has worked as the curator for exhibitions by important artists such as Arranz-Bravo, Lamazares, Formiguera, Cuixart, Ansesa and Grau-Garriga. Ricard has collaborated with Ona Catalana, Catalunya Ràdio, iCatfm and Onda Rambla radio stations. Has also worked for the Diari de Girona, El Punt and El Mundo newspapers, among others. Clara Ponsatí Holds a degree in Economics from the Universitat de Barcelona, a Masters in Economics from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) and a PhD from the University of Minnesota. She is a research professor and director at Institut d’Anàlisi EconòmicaC.S.I.C., affiliated faculty and research fellow at the Barcelona Graduate School of Economics. She has been senior researcher at C.S.I.C., associate professor and assistant professor at UAB and Postdoctoral research associate at Bell Communications Research, Morristown, NJ. She is a member of the editorial boards of The International Journal of Game Theory and The Review of Economic Design. Arnau Queralt Holds a degree in Environmental Sciences from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) and a Masters in Public Management from ESADE, the UAB and the Universitat Pompeu Fabra. Since October 2011, he has been the director of the Advisory Council for the Sustainable Development of Catalonia (CADS), an advisory body of the Government of Catalonia attached to its Presidential Department. Since October 2012, he has been a member of the Steering Committee of the European Environment and Sustainable Development Advisory Councils (EEAC). From May 2010 to October 2011 he was secretary general of the Cercle Tecnològic de Catalunya Foundation. He has been on the board of the Catalan Association of Environmental Professionals since 2004 and was its president from 2010 to 2012. Catalan International View 77 Vicent Sanchis (Valencia, 1961). Holds a degree in Information Sciences from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. In his career as a journalist it is worth highlighting that he has worked and collaborated on many publications and with numerous publishers; he has been editor and director of El Temps magazine, director of Setze magazine, the Catalan supplement of Cambio 16, and director of the newspapers El Observador and Avui. He has also excelled as a scriptwriter and director on different TV programmes. At present he is president of the editorial board of Avui, and vice-president of Òmnium Cultural. Vicent is also a lecturer in the Faculty of Communication Sciences at Universitat Ramon Llull in Barcelona. Mònica Terribas (Barcelona, 1968). Holds a BA in Journalism from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Stirling (Scotland). She is a lecturer at Universitat Pompeu Fabra. From 2002 to 2008 she presented and subsequently directed the current affairs programme La nit al dia for TV3 (the Catalan public television). From 2008 to 2012 she was Director of TV3 and the following year, the CEO and editor of the newspaper Ara. Since September 2013 she has presented El matí de Catalunya Ràdio, Catalonia’s public service broadcasting flagship current affairs programme. Montserrat Vendrell (Barcelona, 1964). Has been BIOCAT’s CEO since April 2007. As a cluster organization, BIOCAT’s goals include promoting the development of biotechnology companies and research institutions. Vendrell has been the Chairwoman of CEBR (the Council of European Bioregions) since 2012. She holds a PhD in Biology (Universitat de Barcelona), a Masters in Science Communication (UPF, 1997) and a degree in Business Administration (IESE, PDG-2007). Before BIOCAT she was linked to the Barcelona Science Park, where she held several posts such as Scientific Director (1997-2005) and Deputy Director General (2005-2007). Among other tasks, Dr. Vendrell led the design and implementation of the Park’s Strategic Plan, as well as the organization and management of scientific activities and technological platforms. She was a member of the Steering Committee of the Park’s Biotech Incubator, and in charge of international relations. Carles Vilarrubí (Barcelona, 1954). Businessman. He is currently Executive Vice-President of Rothschild Spain Investment Bank, specialising in key mergers and takeovers in the financial sector on an international scale. President of CVC Grupo Consejero, an equity and investment advisory firm, with a portfolio of shares in consulting and service companies from the world of communications, the media, marketing, technology and telecommunications. President of Doxa Consulting Group, independent consultants on technology, media and telecommunications, leaders in the sector and with a presence in Spain and Portugal. He is a member of the advisory board of the Catalan confederation Foment del Treball Nacional [National Employment Promotion] and patron of the Fundació Orfeó Català - Palau de la Música. He has also been a member of the governing council of ADENA WWF (World Wild Fund for Nature), and sat on the boards of the Fundación Arte y Tecnología, Fundesco and Fundación Entorno. He is vice-president of F.C Barcelona. Vicenç Villatoro (Terrassa, 1957). Writer and journalist. Holds a degree in Information Sciences. Former president of the Ramon Trias Fargas Foundation. As a journalist he has worked for numerous organizations. He was the editor of the Avui newspaper from 1993 to 1996 and head of the culture section of TV3. Between 2002 and 2004 was director general of the Catalan Radio and Television Corporation. He has contributed to a range of media companies, such as Avui, El Periódico, El País, El Temps, Catalunya Ràdio and COM ràdio. As a writer he has written a dozen novels. He is the former director of the Institut Ramon Llull. Francesc de Dalmases (Director) (Barcelona, 1970). Journalist and consultant in humanitarian aid and cooperation and development. Has been president (1999-2006) of the Association of Periodicals in Catalan (APPEC); coordinator for the delegation to the Spanish state of European Bureau for Lesser-Used Languages (1995-1999); coordinator for the third conference of the CONSEU (Conference of European Stateless Nations) (1999); and coordinator for the publication Europa de les Nacions (1993-1999). Has acted as a foreign expert in aid projects in such diverse locations as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Mongolia, Kosovo, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mexico, Guatemala and Morocco. He is a member of the Cooperation Council of the Catalan government. He recently (2011) joined Barcelona’s Council’s Aid Commitee and is a board member of the Federation of Internationally Recognized Catalan Organizations. Víctor Terradellas (Editor) (Reus, 1962). Entrepreneur and political and cultural activist. President and founder of Fundació CATmón. Editor of Catalan International View and ONGC, a magazine dedicated to political thought, solidarity, aid and international relations. Víctor has always been involved in political and social activism, both nationally and internationally. The driving force behind the Plataforma per la Sobirania (The Platform for Self-Determination) as well as being responsible for significant Catalan aid operations and international relations in such diverse locations as Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Albania, Afghanistan, Mongolia, Pakistan and Kurdistan. Currently he is General Secretary of International Relations for the Convergència Democràtica de Catalunya party. 78
Hong Kong
Which male artist won most awards at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards?
Russia-US Rapproachment- A Strategic Imperative: http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/node/2035 <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><div> <strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Paper No. 6155                               Dated 01-Aug-2016</span></strong></div> <div>  </div> <div> By Dr Subhash Kapila</div> <div>  </div> <div> Russia and United States estranged relationship impinges on global security and stability with China as a ‘revisionist power’ being the major beneficiary of this estrangement and with vested interests in sustaining this trust-deficit.</div> <div>  </div> <div> Strategic rapprochement between Russia and the United States can fully materialise only when both these global bipolar powers shun playing the ‘China Card’ against each other. Russia and the United States must recognise that any Chinese diplomacy or policy initiatives aimed at currying favours from either Russia or the United States are only ‘temporising moves’ awaiting the full materialisation of its military power by 2020 at the earliest. That could be the earliest that China can throw a military gauntlet against the United States.</div> <div>  </div> <div> Russia needs to recognise the strategic reality that the Russia-China relationship is not a cemented relationship based on enduring strategic convergences. United States too needs to recognise that China as a revisionist power chiefly aims to engineer initially the United States exit from the Western Pacific which is already in evidence. China’s end-game is to prompt the United States abandonment of the Asia Pacific so that Asia is left at the mercy of Chinese dictates. In sum, by such strategies China aims to create a new bi-polar global power structure and thereby emerge as United States ‘strategic equal.’</div> <div>  </div> <div> Russia needs to recognise the above reality more forcefully as implicit in the above Chinese strategies is displacing Russia’s existing strategic equivalence with the United States and a return to the US-Russia bipolar global management of security and stability that held the peace during half a century of the Cold War, even though that peace may have been imperfect. China since 2008 or so, and more particularly since 2012, has only indulged in disruptive aggressive military brinkmanship.</div> <div>  </div> <div> The onus of strategic rapprochement against the gathering storm unleashed by China’s not so benign military rise lies squarely on the shoulders of the United States. It was the United States policy and political establishment weighted by Cold War mind-sets that pushed Russia into a corner and further refusing to recognise during the whole of the last decade that Russia was on a resurgent trajectory under the leadership of President Putin. </div> <div>  </div> <div> Rather strange, but true, is the reality that the United States was ever-ready to respect China’s strategic sensitivities but the United States was not ready to concede the same respect to Russia, even though Russia was still a reckonable global power.</div> <div>  </div> <div> United States needlessly pushed Russia into China’s strategic embrace which after the two Gulf Wars of US humanitarian military interventions had made China extremely nervous and was looking for strategic partners to counter-balance United States emergence as the Unipolar Power.</div> <div>  </div> <div> United States unwarranted strategic permissiveness and molly-coddling of China for nearly two decades just to strategically discomfit Russia has resulted in creating the Chinese Dragon spitting fire in the South China Sea towards achieving the ‘Chinese Dream’ of evicting the United States from its Forward Military Presence in Asia Pacific and rendering redundant the US security architecture existing in the region for six decades or so.</div> <div>  </div> <div> In mid-2016, the overall strategic picture obtaining in Asia Pacific is that no strategic gains have accrued to either Russia or the United States with their strategic dalliance with China. The foregoing discussion would indicate that China has no intentions to play second fiddle to either Russia or the United States. The ‘China Card’ is therefore rendered redundant for both Russia and the United States.</div> <div>  </div> <div> In fact, China has displayed  all signs that in the pursuit of the ‘Chinese Dream’ enunciated by President Xi Jinping China’s Maritime Strategy 2015 and the Chinese  President’s directives to all branches of the PLA Armed Forces to be prepared to fight modern wars under informationalised warfare, China has no peaceful designs to be absorbed in the global community as a responsible and benign stakeholder, in keeping with the strategic halo bestowed on it by United States and Russia for their vested interests.</div> <div>  </div> <div> China’s new  strategy of One Belt One Road in addition to the strategies enumerated above is nothing more than a subtle rope-in of all and sundry small nations with economic inducements to further her strategic designs to girdle Eurasia and the maritime expanses of the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean by client states. It would be notable to point out that none of the major nations have opted for this Chinese design.</div> <div>  </div> <div> More significantly, China virtually stands isolated in East Asia by her disruptive aggressive brinkmanship in the South China Sea and in the East China Sea. China is at odds with the other two major nations of Asia, namely, India and Japan, with which it has disputed border problems foisted by China.</div> <div>  </div> <div> If that be the case, can Russia and the United States strategically be perceived in proximate relations with China or being overly sensitive to China’s strategic pretensions? No strategic logic justifies such Russian or American policy attitudes.</div> <div>  </div> <div> Concluding, it needs to be stressed that global security and stability imperatives ordain that Russia and the United States make concerted moves for a strategic rapprochement. The alternative would be a disruptive militarily rising China playing Russia and the United States against each other and exploiting their bridgeable strategic deficit to disrupt global stability.</div> <div>  </div> <div>  </div> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/275" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Russia</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/104" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">US</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/6" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">china</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1496" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Strategic Imperatives for Global stability</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/papers" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Papers</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-countries field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Countries:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/east-asia" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">East Asia</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/united-states" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">United States</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/russia" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Russia</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/china" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">China</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Topics:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/strategic-affairs-and-security" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Strategic Affairs &amp; Security</a></div></div></div> Mon, 01 Aug 2016 15:02:33 +0000 asiaadmin2 India's Salience in the Global Strategic Calculus -2016 http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/node/2009 <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><strong>Paper No. 6131                                 Dated 22-June-2016</strong></p> <p>By Dr Subhash Kapila</p> <p>Geopolitical constellations in mid-2016 have positioned India in an unmistakeable salience in the global strategic calculus which revolves around the power-play of the United States, Russia and China’s Superpower pretensions.</p> <p>There is currently a predictable ‘status quo’ in the United States-Russia-China Triangle in that the United States continues to maintain its predominance as the established Superpower of the last seven decades; Russia as the erstwhile Bipolar Superpower now much diminished in power equations in relation to the United States; and lastly China tempted to gamble for Superpower status emboldened by its economic and military rise.</p> <p>China has laid claim to be the main challenger of United States with a diminished Russia in tow in a strategic duality as a China-Russia Strategic Nexus. Perceptionaly, it would appear that China-Russia Nexus would have a heavier strategic weight in confronting the United States longstanding predominance. But this is more illusionary rather than a strategic reality as Russia still retains considerable strategic might virtually dominating the Eurasian Heartland. Russia and China are no longer ideological allies and the only glue that holds them together is their common perceptions that the United States poses a considerable military threat to their national security and their global aspirations.</p> <p>With the centre of global strategic and economic gravity having shifted to Indo Pacific Asia, India as an Emerged Power and the full capitalisation of its power-potential strengths still to be added, acquires a significant salience in the existing power-play between United States, Russia and China.</p> <p>In terms of brief exposition of India’s strategic preferences the record in mid-2016 is that after nearly five decades of strategic estrangement with the United States, India and the United States in the last two years have added noticeable robustness to the value of the US-India Strategic Partnership. Russia having moved closer to China in the post-Cold War era diluted India’s much valued Strategic Partnership with Russia. China was and continues in mid-2016 to be India’s main military threat perception, and a strongly potent one, with the baggage of the 1962 China’s military invasion of India over boundary disputes which erupted with China’s military occupation of Tibet in 1950.</p> <p>Additionally, China to checkmate India’s emergence as a powerful global and Asian power has resorted to the military strengthening of the China-Pakistan Axis, using the Pakistan Army Generals as proxy forces to keep India tied down to the Indian Subcontinent and not venturing further afield. Russia today also has recently moved closer to Pakistan in tow with China, seemingly more out of compulsions than strategic preference.</p> <p>Strictly in terms of Asian strategic and military dynamics, India in mid-2016 emerges as the main challenger to China’s ambition to emerge as Asia’s undisputed powerful nation, with some alluding China’s ambition to establish an Asian hegemony. This arises from India’s subcontinental geographical spread, a population base comparable to China, its military power second only to China and a resurgent economy which is globally predicted to outstrip China’s in coming decades</p> <p>The global strategic calculus in mid-2016 is playing itself out with Russia, China and Pakistan as autocratic militarised nations confronting the United States, Japan and Australia and other US Allies in the Asia Pacific. It is here therein where India’s salience in the global strategic calculus stands out in striking contours.</p> <p>India’s salience today in the global strategic calculus is a nett product of its geostrategic significance as a Subcontinental Power in the Indian Ocean with a powerful Navy plus the contemporary geopolitical dynamics operating in Indo Pacific Asia which leave no other choices for the United States but to recognise India’s strategic salience and co-opt India as United States much preferred strategic partner, not an ally.</p> <p>India today is in the unique position of surfacing as a swing State and with the recent Modi Doctrine of making its strategic preferences in favour of the United States unambiguously in mid-2016 has enabled India to undoubtedly emerge as the game-changer in the global strategic calculus.</p> <p>The global balance of power changes wherein the United States today has the strategic support of Asia’s leading two contending powers of India and Japan as it readies to meet the China-challenge to American supremacy. Notably, both India and Japan have a historical record of conflict with China and both these nations enjoy a bilateral Special Strategic Partnership which amounts to the robustness of their respective and overall strategic partnership with the United States.</p> <p>In terms of perspectives for the remainder of the 21<sup>st</sup> Century what is likely to unfold is a greater strengthening and robustness in the strategic linkages of India with the United States and Japan.</p> <p>China is unlikely to deviate from the strategic path that it has set for itself in terms of adversarial relationships with the United States, India and Japan. Russia could be weaned away from China by resetting its present policy towards Russia dominated by Cold War fixations.</p> <p>Concluding, it needs to be highlighted that irrespective of any changes in the existing geopolitical dynamics, India can be predicted to retain its salience in the global strategic calculus, initially as a powerful ‘Swing State’ with strategic preferences for the United States and in the decades to come as fully emerged independent Global Power in its own right. In the latter case too, if the United States plays its cards right and not relapse into China Hedging strategies and tilt towards Pakistan in politically expedient compulsions, the United States would find that India would be more comfortable to coordinate and synchronise its strategic policies with America, simply, because the strategic convergences between United States and India would outweigh any inducements that China and Russia could offer to ‘swing’ India to their side. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1173" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">China-Pak nexus</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1468" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">US as Super Power</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/papers" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Papers</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-countries field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Countries:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/east-asia" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">East Asia</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/united-states" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">United States</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/india" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">India</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Topics:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/strategic-affairs-and-security" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Strategic Affairs &amp; Security</a></div></div></div> Wed, 22 Jun 2016 06:12:32 +0000 asiaadmin2 Letter from Hong Kong-Youthful naiveté versus a sclerotic state http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/node/1633 <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Paper No. 5802                                        Dated 13-Oct-2014</span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12px;">Guest Column by Dr Kumar David</span></p> <p>Bright young faces, technically savvy, nimble of mind, polite and controlled in protest; 30 years of intimacy with Hong Kong, nearly 25 in universities in HK and China had not prepared me for this fortnight. I have not before seen the youthful flower of Hong Kong’s future bloom so bright; but not without its share of blunders costing it the public support it had initially garnered.</p> <p>Thankfully, the control freaks in Beijing kept their tanks garaged and HK’s adults were shown-up as deficient of pluck and dim of wit; but the city will not be the same again. First in little ripples and then in waves, the debate about democracy will infiltrate the Mainland and the emerging economic superpower will change at its fabled glacial pace. “Full many a flower is born to blush unseen and waste its sweetness on the desert air”. Unseen until this autumn blooming, naïve in strategy, and green in cunning, first flowers are always blown away. But they waste not their sweetness in Hong Kong’s ‘pragmatic’ air nor wither in Beijing’s Stalinist wilderness; in a globalised age, blossoming is quickened.</p> <p>Strolling through Mong Kong and Admiralty, late on the evening of the sixth day (Saturday 4) of the Occupy Central protest, I estimated twenty thousand young idealists still there, much thinner than the 120,000 at the peak. The majority were students, but a companion of my stroll pointed out, a large number were not, they were just young people; the new working class ignorant sociologists still call middle-class. Occupying the main boulevards, pavements, and shopping arcades; sitting on the ground, happy in groups; speakers offering their encouragement here and there; it was three-quarters serious politics, one-quarter a carnival of youthful exuberance. Later in the night the crowd swelled, TV stations estimate to 100,000. Throughout five days they drifted in and out, went to university for a lecture and returned, dropped in at home for well earned sleep and popped back; some joined in the evening, after work. The cumulative number involved at some point in what is called the Umbrella Revolution was very much in excess of 200,000.</p> <p>The reason for youth activism on this scale is not only romantic attachment to democracy; there are practical reasons as well. As HK’s filthy rich amass ever greater wealth, the income gap is widening and anger rising. Mainland graduates, some extraordinarily bright, are moving into HK middle level jobs and university postings in larger numbers, putting pressure on locals. Corruption in the Mainland is grotesque and palpable thanks to easy cross-border travel. Totalitarianism in China has cooled HK’s love affair with the motherland. But a green youth movement is fickle as fluctuations in participation, and naive as interpolation of trivial demands (Chief Executive resign! Occupy government offices!) with crucial ones about universal suffrage, show.  The refusal to suspend sit-ins when the peak was past (tens of thousands dwindled to a few hundreds) and after public annoyance at protracted blocking of major roads came to a boil, is a consequence of stubborn student elements hijacking the action in the final stages. Now not the authorities, but the public is being punished.</p> <p>Beijing and its satraps in HK have conceded nothing; no concessions from the control freaks crouching in terror that democracy in Hong Kong will spark counter-revolution in all China. We in South Asia remember the Salt March when Gandhiji broke unjust laws in 1930 and sparked mass civil disobedience against the Raj changing world attitudes to Indian independence - the Swaraj struggle drew millions. Batons on the heads of non-violent protesters was global news and demonstrated the effective use of satyagraha against injustice. Indian democracy is exasperating and it is gauche in economic management and decision making but it survives by muddling through. In the long run it is more stable than brittle Stalinism and would have absorbed an Indian version of Tiananmen 1989 or Hong Kong 2014 without a possible defeat of the authorities endangering the existence of the state.</p> <p><strong>Hong Kong’s ‘pragmatists’</strong></p> <p>HK’s silent majority describes itself as ‘pragmatic’ and there are grounds for its complacency. The resounding economic success of China and HK’s position as a financial metropolis prove an old and banal materialist adage about human motivation. Economic conditions to lubricate demands for change in political status quo are missing in HK; who wants democracy if your wallet is well-lined! Of course mega-rich tycoons, a few dozen, are the great beneficiaries, but for reasons reaching back to the turmoil in China in the 1930s and 1940s and consequent large migrations into HK, a society facilitating rapid social mobility has emerged. Hundreds of thousands have moved up to a comfortable middle class. A property owning, stock-market invested, well-heeled upper middle-class tops it. Sheer effort, aided by thriving capitalism, helped these classes prosper in the last fifty years.</p> <p>One significant side that I cannot explore here is that people under 30 grew up and schooled in post-British HK. The older generation cherishes memories of liberalism, fair play and lawfulness. HK’s ICAC is an exemplary bastion against corruption; the police force is appreciated, balanced in action and not corrupted by political misuse. Chris Patton the last Governor was much loved by HK Chinese, but it is not possible to say that the three post-1997 Chief Executives are well respected. The past has fed complacency in the adult generation, but HK’s young see a different home town and have grown up beside a strange giant. This generation is not in awe of sclerotic state and status quo.</p> <p>Adults don’t want the apple cart to tumble. The working class below them is reasonably paid and housed, children schooled and social mobility in the last three decades has been astonishing – more brisk than in the US. Many, maybe most of my colleagues on the university staff are from working class backgrounds. However, continuity has snapped and the next generation, the 15 to 30 year olds, have turned away. I am bewildered by the sharpness of the generation gap; 80% of protesters are young people; maybe 80% of the older generation are ‘pragmatists’.</p> <p>The ‘pragmatists’ say, sincerely, that the Communist Party’s control of China (not their Hong Kong) ensures stability, and fear that if it loses its grip the country will slide into chaos and anarchy. The mega-rich on the other hand are cynical tycoons; their bond with Beijing a passport to amass wealth. They are not a vibrant class of creative capitalists, not entrepreneurs, original innovators and inspired captains of finance; this is a class of leeches grabbing state lands at auctions, putting up conurbations of flats and malls and making billions in sales. This is not progressive capitalism; Hong Kong’s tycoons are a class of parasitic property retainers. The Hong Kong miracle is a unique mix of circumstances; a motivated and educated middle class, an industrious working class, the rule of law bequeathed by the British Raj, and a fortuitous location snuggled beside Napoleon’s waking giant.</p> <p>I am persuaded that over the coming years the achievement of the Occupy movement will not be any concessions it wins from Beijing (it will win nothing, nor did the Salt March from the British), but the debate it will spark off about HK’s constitutional future. The ‘pragmatist’ majority says: “The powers in Beijing have made a decision; they will not budge or bend, they will rather send in tanks and shoot the city’s youth”. Dictators do not relinquish power; they pull the trigger on unarmed protesters; they showed their hand in Tiananmen Square on June 4 1989.  Still not one person have I met, heard on TV, or read in the media, defends the National People’s Convention’s “universal suffrage” scam for electing the Chief Executive in 2017. ‘Pragmatists’ agree that the youth-student movement is morally right, but criticise its ‘suicidal idealism, hitting its head on a stone wall’. I have heard distraught mothers moan to protestor offspring; “what’s the point of being morally right and then mowed down by grapeshot”.</p> <p><strong>The crux of the constitutional issue</strong></p> <p>Why do I call Beijing’s plan a deception? China repeatedly, verbally and in treaties promised the people of Hong Kong wide autonomy, a one-country two-system formula, progress to democracy and universal suffrage. This was said in Sino-British negotiations and in the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law (Hong Kong’s mini constitution), Article 45 of which reads as follows.</p> <p>“The method for selecting the Chief Executive shall be specified in the light of the actual situation in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and in accordance with the principle of gradual and orderly progress. The ultimate aim is the selection of the Chief Executive by universal suffrage upon nomination by a broadly representative nominating committee in accordance with democratic procedures”.</p> <p>The CCP’s version of universal suffrage is this: We will nominate (through a handpicked electoral college) two persons for Chief Executive and HK compatriots can, by “universal suffrage”, elect one of them. Eureka! China has by and large kept promises (it is punctilious about international treaties) but is now rolling back its pledges to Hong Kong. Surely wide autonomy means that except for defence and foreign affairs HK will make its decisions and run its own affairs. According to Chris Patton there was no thought of Beijing, instead of the local Government and Legislative Council, designing the electoral system within, of course, the provisions of the Basic Law. Beijing has short changed the territory and many are justifiably outraged, even ‘pragmatists’ are disappointed.</p> <p>The Occupy Central movement and the student groups have forced Hong Kong society to face reality. Now on will be a hard grind; the first task is to win over a majority in HK itself; till then Beijing will concede nothing. The movement now needs unity, a federated structure, a leadership that has vision and is respected and accepted by all; it must push thick-skulled student extremists out of decision making; above all it needs a strategy and realistic medium term goals.</p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/857" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">HK</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/858" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Democracy Protests in HK</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/papers" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Papers</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-countries field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Countries:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/east-asia" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">East Asia</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/china" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">China</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Topics:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/human-rights" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Human Rights</a></div></div></div> Mon, 13 Oct 2014 09:28:35 +0000 asiaadmin2 India-Japan Vietnam Strategic Trilateral- An Asian Security Imperative http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/node/1488 <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><strong><span style="font-size: 14px;">Paper No. 5674                                Dated 28-Mar-2014</span></strong></p> <p>By Dr Subhash Kapila</p> <p>India-Japan-Vietnam strategic trilateral emerges in 2014 as an indigenous Asian security imperative against the contextual background of United States and Russia despite their Strategic Pivots to Asia getting distracted by global and regional events.</p> <p>United States sustained focus on its Strategic Pivot to Asia Pacific is seemingly becoming diluted by domestic political constraints and revised foreign policy outlooks. US Congressional imposition of budgetary cuts is ending in reduced force deployments on the ground. With change of US Secretary of State American focus is shifting to the Middle East. US hedging strategies and risk aversion in its China policies are confusing Asian powers perspectives on US real intentions.</p> <p>Russia is being distracted from its declared Strategic Pivot to Asia Pacific by the United States embarking to destabilise Russia’s Western peripheries as it recently got manifested in an American inspired regime change in Ukraine through a civilian coup. The aim of the United States is to keep Russia’s strategic focus away from the Asia Pacific.</p> <p>In such a contextual strategic backdrop Asian security focus has to perforce look inwards to develop an indigenous Asian security trilateral to cater for Asian security and stability and the management of Asian conflicts flash-points.</p> <p>Ideally Asian security demands an Asian Strategic Quadrilateral comprising India, Japan, Vietnam and China. But then the problem is that China in terms of Asian security and stability is a major part of the problem rather than being a part of the solution. Asian security and stability today stands endangered by China-initiated conflictual flash-points.</p> <p>The imperative that therefore emerges is an Asian Strategic Trilateral comprising India, Japan and Vietnam. Common strategic concerns and strategic convergences amongst India, Japan and Vietnam have resulted in the forging of bilateral Strategic Partnerships amongst these three nations. China is the only Asian power to view the emergence of such a Strategic Triangle with misgivings and read it as a China-centric hostile move.</p> <p>Notably, neither United States nor Russia as global powers are likely to view such a strategic development with any degree of concern. India, Japan and Vietnam have a record of being stable and benign powers with no record of instigating conflicts against their neighbours.</p> <p>India, Japan and Vietnam are strategically pivotal nations and powerful ones at that, relatively. What requires to be done in this direction by these three nations is to synergise their respective bilateral Strategic Partnerships into a Strategic Trilateral.</p> <p>As stressed by me in an earlier Paper, the aim of such a Strategic Trilateral is not to form a China-containment military bloc. The common effort required from all these three nations is to create formal mechanisms to coordinate their diplomatic efforts and initiatives to ensure a unified approach to meet any challenges to Asia Pacific security from any quarter. It would also entail intelligence sharing and assisting each other in capacity building of their respective maritime security postures. They should also work together to sensitise the global community for all countries to respect and honour international conventions especially in the maritime domains.</p> <p>Such a Strategic Trilateral would not be directed against undermining of the centrality of ASEAN but complimenting it and therefore should not create any alarms in ASEAN as a regional grouping.</p> <p>It does need to be pointed out that ASEAN unity in recently years is being divided by China for its narrow strategic ends and the vulnerability of smaller ASEAN country reduces the efficacy of ASEAN to deal with conflicts such as South China Sea conflict escalation by China against its ASEAN neighbours.</p> <p>In terms of political acceptability of the concept of an India-Japan-Vietnam Strategic Triangle one can assess that Japan and Vietnam would be inclined to work towards implementation of such a concept.</p> <p>India if reluctant has to convince itself that if it has worked towards forging substantive Strategic Partnerships with both Vietnam and Japan and there should not be any misgivings in forging a Strategic Trilateral India has already set a precedent in participating in the US-Japan-India Trilateral and further in a US-Japan-Australia-India Quadrilateral.</p> <p>Finally, the time has come and the moment has arrived when the idea of such a Strategic Trilateral of India-Japan-Vietnam is vigorously explored and forged in the interests of Asian security and stability.</p> <p> </p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/9" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">india</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/11" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">japan</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/410" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Vietnam</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/663" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">strategic trilateral</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/papers" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Papers</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-countries field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Countries:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/east-asia" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">East Asia</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/se-asia" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">SEAsia</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/india" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">India</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Topics:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/strategic-affairs-and-security" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Strategic Affairs &amp; Security</a></div></div></div> Fri, 28 Mar 2014 06:12:19 +0000 asiaadmin2 Vietnam-Japan Strategic Partnership Adding Substantial Contours http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/node/1479 <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Paper No. 5666                                      Dated 18-Mar-2014</span></strong></p> <p>By Dr Subhash Kapila</p> <p>Vietnam’s President Truong Tan Sang is currently on a State-visit to Japan in what can be read as a calibrated attempt by both Vietnam and Japan to adding substantial contours to their existing Strategic Partnership to meet the security challenges confronting them.</p> <p>The Vietnamese President in his ongoing visit is being accorded significant honours of a State Banquet by His Imperial Highness, The Emperor of Japan and also an Address to the Japanese Parliament. This should be indicative of the significance that Japan attaches to its strategic relationship with Vietnam.</p> <p>The stark strategic reality that has emerged in recent years, more forcefully, is that China has emerged as a major security concern and military threat in the Asia Pacific and seems set to challenge the established security template in the Western Pacific to begin with. Japan and Vietnam located in the North and South of the Western Pacific and as major military powers and having issues of territorial sovereignty with China are prime focus of China’s strategic ire.</p> <p>Japan recognising the strategically pivotal location and role of Vietnam in South East Asia has constantly invested strategically, politically and economically in Vietnam over decades. Urgency to add more substantial contours to the Strategic Partnership arises seemingly from the aggressive military brinkmanship imposed by China in recent years on Vietnam in the South China Sea followed by East China Sea against Japan.</p> <p>The urgency of reinforcing the Vietnam-Japan Strategic Partnership is visible from the frequency of high-level exchange of visits and strategic dialogues in 2013 and 2014. Japanese PM Abe visited Vietnam in January 2013 followed by visit of Vietnamese PM to Japan in December 2013 and now the State-visit of Vietnamese President from March 16-19 2014. Interspersed were official level dialogues between the two countries.</p> <p>The emphasis going by the statements on all three occasions was on bolstering of the Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Japan. Preceding the presidential visit to Japan, the Vietnamese President in an interaction with the Japanese media in Hanoi besides touching on the political, economic, and scientific cooperation between the two nations stressed that during his visit to Japan he would seek greater security and defence cooperation from Japan.</p> <p>Emphasis in this direction was further added by officials in Hanoi quoted in The Gulf News to the following effect:</p> <ul><li> “The relationship between Hanoi and Tokyo has entered a new phase and is a strategic partnership with deeper trust contributing to peace and stability in the region and all over the world,”</li> <li> “Vietnam with a history of defeating many empires in the world is now together with Japan striving for a strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in the Asia Pacific region.”</li> </ul><p>Noticeably, Japan and Vietnam seem to have entered a new phase of their existing Strategic Partnership where Japan and Vietnam are likely to seek greater strategic convergences in how to best craft initiatives which could ensure maritime security in the maritime stretch of the Western Pacific.</p> <p>Vietnamese President during this interaction with the Japanese media quoted above made the following points:</p> <ul><li>  Vietnam and Japan would discuss raising Strategic Partnership to a higher level</li> <li> Japan’s support will be sought for Vietnamese maritime security in terms of observance of maritime safety and security conventions and adherence to UNCLOS.</li> <li> Deal for supply of naval patrol vessels by Japan to Vietnam will be discussed.</li> <li> Japanese assistance will be sought to enhance Vietnam’s maritime capabilities.</li> </ul><p>Besides the security and defence spheres what needs to be highlighted is that Japan is deeply involved in the economic fields with Vietnam as being Vietnam’s biggest donor and foreign investor. Bilateral trade between Japan and Vietnam stood at $ 25.6 billion in 2013 and FDI in 2013 as $ 5.7 billion accounting for26.6 % of FDI in Vietnam.</p> <p>Japan is also investing heavily in terms of aid in infrastructure developments in Vietnam extending from airports, hydro-electric power stations and highways etc. Vietnam is also seeking Japanese assistance for a civilian nuclear power plant.</p> <p>So what one is witnessing is the unfolding of a Vietnam-Japan Strategic Partnership in the sense of “comprehensive national security” with Japan willing to underwrite the same. A strong Vietnam with its pivotal location could add substantially to Japan’s own national security needs.</p> <p>Vietnam-Japan Strategic Partnership should be a matter of special concern for China with the contextual background of China having adopted adversarial and militarily coercive measures against Vietnam and Japan in the South China Sea and the East China Sea. No public reactions have been aired by China other than a terse announcement of the Vietnamese President’s visit to Japan and some economic data.</p> <p>Noticeably, elsewhere in the region and globally too there has been wide coverage and comments on the strategic aspects of the growing security cooperation between Vietnam and Japan.</p> <p>Analytically, Vietnam’s strategic vision needs to be complimented in that Vietnam today has substantive “strategic partnerships” with Japan and India, Asia’s two other emerging powers and in contention with China for Asian strategic space and Asian security and stability.</p> <p>Vietnam’s strategic partnerships with Japan and India need not be viewed as the beginning of some new security alliance in Asia Pacific. It needs to be viewed as the formation of two interlinking strategic arrangements where all three countries share common strategic concerns and have a marked degree of strategic convergences in dealing with the security challenges in the Asia Pacific.</p> <p>One last point that needs to be emphasised is that the Vietnam-Japan Strategic Partnership and the Vietnam-India Strategic Partnership are independent of Japan and India’s relations with the United States and further that these Strategic Partnerships are between Asian powers only.</p> <p>Concluding, arising from the above one should logically expect that both Vietnam and Japan will strive to add substantive contours to the Vietnam-Japan Strategic Partnership in the coming years, with special reference to maritime security and aviation security in the Western Pacific so that freedom of navigation and movement is ensured in the “global commons” both maritime and aviation as per international norms. The visit of the Vietnamese President from March 16-19 2014 needs to be viewed as a defining moment in the evolution of a substantive Vietnam-Japan Strategic Partnership.</p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/650" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Japan-Vietnam Strategic Partnership</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/papers" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Papers</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-countries field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Countries:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/east-asia" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">East Asia</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/se-asia" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">SEAsia</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/japan" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Japan</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Topics:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/strategic-affairs-and-security" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Strategic Affairs &amp; Security</a></div></div></div> Tue, 18 Mar 2014 05:09:40 +0000 asiaadmin2 Vietnam’s Epochal Saga of Beating Back Massive Chinese Invasion 1979 http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/node/1463 <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong style="font-size: 12px;">Paper No. 5653                                        Dated 25-Feb-2014</strong></span></p> <p>By Dr. Subhash Kapila</p> <p>China’s impulsiveness to launch a militarily flawed massive invasion of Vietnam in1979 was impelled by a greater Chinese geopolitical blueprint of checkmating the perceived former Soviet Union’s strategic intrusiveness in South East Asia courtesy Vietnam, and also thereby ingratiating itself geopolitically with the United States that China was available to play the role of a quasi-strategic ally of the United States in the region to counterbalance the former Soviet Union.</p> <p>The latter stands substantiated by the fact that Deng Xiao Peng who headed China then visited Washington in January 1979 and briefed US President Carter about China’s plans to nip in the bud the emergence of a “Cuba of the East”. Reportedly, the United States did not raise any objections to the Chinese plan of a massive invasion of Vietnam, logically too, when placed in the context of the United States being forced into an inglorious military exit from Vietnam in 1974 after its prolonged military intervention and occupation.</p> <p> Two major developments concerning Vietnam occurred in 1978 which irked China considerably and China perceived them as Vietnamese strategic provocations aimed at China. The first was the signing of a Mutual Treaty of Friendship between the Former Soviet Union and Vietnam and the second was Vietnam’s military intervention in Cambodia to contain the genocide underway there by the Chinese-backed regime.</p> <p>The major Chinese military aim in launching the massive military invasion in 1979 was to force Vietnam to withdraw Vietnamese military formations from Cambodia to stem the Chinese invasion of Vietnam. Nothing of that sort happened as Vietnam employed its battle-hardened Border Guards and Local Militias only to combat the Chinese invasion and did not divert any of the Vietnam Army Regular Divisions from Cambodia. In fact despite the Chinese invasion, Vietnam continued to maintain its regular army forces in Cambodia for another ten years. Vietnam thereby negated China’s larger strategic aims.</p> <p>Consequently, in 1979, China embarked on a massive invasion of Vietnam by Chinese Army formations numbering over 200,000 supported by 200 tanks and with savage artillery bombardments which lasted for 29 days from February 17 to March 16 1979.  Notably China stood checkmated by Vietnam and repulsed by use of only Vietnamese Border Troops and Local Militias. That Chinese Divisions were soon forced into retreat from Vietnamese territory and thereby stood exposed at that time the serious limitations in China’s military to strategize and execute large scale military operations.</p> <p>China’s invasion of Vietnam involved massive major ‘human wave’ attacks at 26 points besides smaller actions across a front of 900 kilometres and in the first phase from February 17-25 1979 managed to intrude 20 kilometres deep into Vietnamese territory capturing some small border towns. This was made possible by the element of major surprise as Vietnam never expected that China as a fraternal Communist country would attack a smaller Communist country.</p> <p>Such was the fierce response of Vietnam to the Chinese invasion that Chinese Army suffered very heavy casualties involving over 20,000dead and an equal number wounded in a war that lasted barely four weeks. The 1979 Chinese invasion of Vietnam involved some of the bloodiest fighting suffered by China after the Korean War.</p> <p>Vietnamese forces of Border Guards and Local Militias fought with Vietnamese historical and traditional tenacity to defend the sovereignty and integrity of Vietnam and they too suffered nearly 20,000 dead and over 100,000 civilian casualties. But what mattered was that Vietnam in its valorous military traditions which had earlier forced the French retreat from Vietnam and later the inglorious United States military exit from Vietnam had in 1979 imposed a similar retreat of the Chinese invasion of Vietnam with superior manpower and overwhelming firepower.</p> <p> Coverage of this Chinese invasion of Vietnam received widespread international media attention and the international community was shocked by China’s propensity to resort to war and invasion without provocation merely to achieve its geopolitical ends unmindful of the human costs of war. China’s propensity to indulge in armed conflict to impose its will on its adversaries continues to be manifested even more than three decades thereafter as visible in China’s current escalation of conflict in the South China Sea against Vietnam and the Philippines and against Japan in the East China Sea.</p> <p>But the wider international media coverage focussed on how Vietnam hardly recovered from the ravages of the decade-long United States military campaigns in Vietnam could manage to checkmate the Chinese massive invasion of Vietnam with limited military resources and within three weeks forced the Chinese Army to withdraw from Vietnam. Noted by military strategists internationally was the fact that all this was achieved by Vietnam by employment of Border Guards and Local Militias and without committing Regular Army Divisions.</p> <p>Such was the impact that India sent an Indian Army Study Team to Vietnam in 1979 to gain first-hand experience of the military operational techniques and tactics used by Vietnam to repel the Chinese invasion.</p> <p>China shirked to publicly examine the military lessons that emerged from this ill-fated Chinese invasion and has done so till date. I could find only one instance lately where a Chinese commentator has come out with an unofficial analysis on this Chinese invasion.</p> <p>In the present geopolitical context in the Asia Pacific some lessons/ observations that need to be made are as follows:</p> <ul><li> China’s propensity to resort to armed conflict/invasion to impose its will or solutions has not waned even after over three decades since 1979. It stands currently manifested in Chinese escalation of the South China Sea and East China Sea conflicts and resort to dangerous military brinkmanship.</li> <li> With China in an ascendant trajectory of military expansion and modernisation, China’s propensity for strategic irresponsible actions in the Asia Pacific is likely to be enhanced and thereby endangering Asian security and world peace, that much more.</li> <li> United States like in 1974 can be expected now also to exhibit its propensity to be permissive of China’s destabilising actions in the Asia Pacific as long as China is expedient to serve America’s larger geopolitical games.</li> <li> Vietnam therefore would be well advised to buttress its defence postures and its war preparedness to meet any emerging threats from China as in the South China Sea.</li> </ul><p>Signing off, finally, it needs to be stated that strategists from any part of the world would concede that Vietnam’s repelling the massive Chinese invasion in early 1979 and inflicting 20,000 dead on the invading Chinese Army in furious battles within a month with limited military means, surely needs to be counted as an epochal military saga.</p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/410" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Vietnam</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/6" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">china</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/627" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">1970 Invasion</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/papers" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Papers</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-countries field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Countries:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/east-asia" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">East Asia</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/se-asia" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">SEAsia</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/china" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">China</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Topics:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/strategic-affairs-and-security" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Strategic Affairs &amp; Security</a></div></div></div> Tue, 25 Feb 2014 06:12:06 +0000 asiaadmin2 North East Asia Strategically Notices India http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/node/1443 <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong style="font-size: 12px;">Paper 5635                                              Dated 16-Jan-2014</strong></span></p> <p>By Dr Subhash Kapila</p> <p>North East Asia is a strategically significant region which earlier experienced intense Cold War confrontations and is now witnessing the unfolding of possibly a new more intense Cold War, this time between China and the United States and in both cases Japan and South Korea are significant regional players on this chessboard.</p> <p>With China looming large as a threat perception in varying shades in North East Asia and in Asia as a whole, India stands strategically noticed by the two prominent regional actors, namely Japan and South Korea, possibly because India’s power differentials with China are not too wide and Japan- India and South Korea-India have enough strategic convergences.</p> <p>Strategically, it is naïve as some believe in India that there is some concept as ‘strategic non-alignment’ and that it can be pursued as India’s overall strategy in global power-politics. India has to realise that even without entering into military alliances strategic space exists to practise ‘balance of power’ politics. Asian security demands that with the United States obsessed with ‘China Hedging Strategy’, it is the Asian powers themselves which have to formulate ‘balance of power’ strategies as deterrence against any threats to Asian security and stability.</p> <p>Japan and South Korea in recent times have forged ‘Strategic Partnerships’ with India whose significance and import has not been lost on China This stands evident from two recent newspaper articles by the Chinese Ambassador which indirectly reflect concerns at Japan and South Korea reinforcing strategic partnerships with India and highlighting that India conversely has more to gain strategically from China.</p> <p>Significantly, the onset of 2014 witnesses India hosting visits of its North East Asia ‘Strategic Partners’ to New Delhi for apex level political discussions and meetings. The South Korean President Park Geun-hye is currently on a state visit to India heading a large delegation for substantive discussions on reinforcing further strategic and defence ties besides economic relations. South Korea is expected to make a bid for construction of nuclear reactors in India in which field it has good experience. South Korea also has figured as an economic power-house and has a thriving defence industry.</p> <p>Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is headed for India a few days later to be the Chief Guest at India’s Republic Day Celebrations on January 26, 2014. That the Japanese Prime Minister’s visit follows in quick succession of the royal visits of The Imperial Majesties of the Emperor and Empress of Japan is rich both in symbolism and strategic significance.</p> <p>Japan and India both figure as the leading powers of Asia along with China but China refuses to acknowledge this and has recently adopted even more military confrontation postures against both Japan and India in its territorial disputes with them.</p> <p>Japan despite some economic slowdown still figure as one of the leading global economic powers and has an advanced high technology defence production industry.</p> <p>In terms of military power both Japan and South Korea have for long had sizeable military capabilities to which I have been a personal witness as a military diplomat in both countries in the early 1980’s. Earlier this was geared to their Cold War alliance commitments and presently both nations are geared towards military self-reliance as a safe-bet strategy against the uncertainties of United States security alliance commitments with United States deferring to Chinese sensitivities oblivious to Japanese and South Korean sensitivities.</p> <p>The stark strategic reality is that Japan, South Korea and India have been impelled to move strategically closer and forge strategic partnerships, is born out of strategic convergences in the not too peaceful military rise of China. It is a different matter that all these three powerful countries may be muted in acknowledging this strategic reality openly.</p> <p>What cannot be ignored is that stretching from South Asia to South East Asia and continuing to East Asia and North East Asia the security environment stands viciously stirred by China. China is at adversarial odds with a number of countries in each of the said regions.</p> <p>India offers a lucrative economics and trade investment market to both Japan and South Korea and both countries today are entrenched in the automobiles and electronic appliances and electronics industry in India.</p> <p>In terms of economic interdependence, Japan and South Korea are attracted by India’s burgeoning consumer market whereas India needs Japan and South Korea as reliable sources of foreign direct investment in India’s infrastructure projects. Both Japan and South Korea are also attractive sources for India in relation to science, high technology and defence production.</p> <p> However, it is the contextual strategic and security environment in Asia as a whole which determines Japan and South Korea strategically noticing India even though India itself shies away and is reluctant to adopt more assertive military postures in relation to China-generated military turbulence and brinkmanship endangering Asian security and stability.</p> <p>Presumably, even if India, at  present, is strategically timid in relation to China, it is perceived by Japan and South Korea that India’s military profile and expanding Indian Navy signature in the Indo-Pacific region provides existential security and stability especially in relation to the security of sea-lanes which are the lifelines of Japan and South Korea for their energy security, trade and commerce.</p> <p>India needs to justify the strategic trust that Japan and South Korea have reposed in India as a source and asset for Asian security and stability. Further, India has to demonstrate that India too values the potential contributions that Japan and South Korea can make in relation to India’s comprehensive national security.</p> <p>India has established a number of forums and dialogue mechanisms for strategic dialogues and military cooperation with Japan and South Korea. High level defence visits also stand exchanged with India. The Japanese Defence Minister was recently in New Delhi to further reinforce the Japan-India Strategic Partnership.</p> <p>Any assertive steps that India undertakes in relation to furtherance of Asian security and stability and security of sea-lanes in strategic cooperation with Japan and South Korea bilaterally with them or ideally trilaterally, would most likely will not be opposed either by the United States or Russia as the major powers with crucial stakes in Asia Pacific.</p> <p>Japan and South Korea have made their strategic moves and it is now for India to reciprocate these moves effectively and substantially reinforce the strategic partnership with both nations.</p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/595" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">India-Japan</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/596" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">India-South Korea</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/597" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">China-North East Asia</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/papers" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Papers</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-countries field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Countries:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/east-asia" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">East Asia</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Topics:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/strategic-affairs-and-security" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Strategic Affairs &amp; Security</a></div></div></div> Thu, 16 Jan 2014 09:30:06 +0000 asiaadmin2 North Korea’s Publicized But Opaque Execution http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/node/1442 <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Paper No. 5634                                    Dated 15-Jan-2014</span></strong></p> <p>By Bhaskar Roy</p> <p>Execution of middle to senior officials in North Korea are common and normally do not send disturbing signals beyond the country’s borders. The execution of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s uncle last month, however, was  no normal execution. It shocked the world.</p> <p>The uncle, Jang Song-Thaek, was married to Kim Jong-un’s aunt and Kim Jong Il’s  sister, Kim Kyong-Hui. He was, therefore, a part of the Kim family and should have been in the inner circle. In the last one year, however, he seems to have gradually fallen out.</p> <p>Yet, when Kim Jong-Il died in November, 2011 and was succeeded by his son, 28 year old Kim Jong-un, Jang Song-Thaek appeared on the scene, acting as regent to the young Kim Jong-un. Jang was quickly seen as the No.2 in the leadership. This was somewhat of an aberration for the Kim dynasty, as there has never been a second in command. A No.2 is usually a designated successor to the top leader, and the Kim dynasty simply cannot take such a risk. That does not mean that Jang was eliminated for this reason only. There may be several reasons. Jang Song-Thaek’s crimes listed by the state media were mainly economic, one of which was selling coal at a cheap price, since Jang had became an economic czar. He controlled North Korea’s foreign business or, rather, foreign earnings by various means.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 12px;">Although no country was named as the recipient of Pyongyang’s coal export, most of it went to China. There were several other charges of economic malpractice including one that related to the Rason Special Economic Zone involving China.</span></p> <p>The unprecedented publicity given to Jang Song-Thaek’s execution (by firing) along with that of his close associates was a message to China. The North Korean Military strongly disapproved Jang trying to implement Chinese type of economic reforms at Beijing’s persuasion. If Pyongyang lost in these deals, it meant China gained by manipulation and Jang was a willing collaborator of Beijing in exploiting North Korea.</p> <p>North Korea was in the path of a controlled economic reform initiated by Kim Jong-Il during his last years. Jong –Il quietly visited China several times and was also taken to China’s Special Economic Zone in Shenzhen. It would be interesting to recall that during his return form China by train on such a visit in 2004, there was a major electrical explosion in a North Korean railway station. But the explosion occurred just after Jong-Il’s train had passed through. The incident was hushed up lest foreign intelligence agencies monitoring North Korea suspected it was an attempt on Kim’s life by North Korean hardliners in the army. The hardliners were against the kind of economic reforms that China had undertaken as this policy would weaken their power.</p> <p>In the last three to four years China-North Korea relations have shown increasing strains. Especially after a North Korean torpedo sank a South Korean frigate killing 45 sailors, and artillery bombing of a small South Korean Island, Chinese strategic and policy experts openly called for downgrading relations with Pyongyang. In their analysis China was losing more than gaining in this relationship.  </p> <p>But the Chinese leadership and the communist Party, while constrained, continued to keep the Pyongyang regime afloat. The Chinese sent messages of disapproval by periodically reducing oil supply. North Korea depends on China for 90 per cent of its energy needs and 50 per cent of food. But they are also aware that in pursing an earlier strategy of using North Korea as an instrument of strategic threat to the US and Japan, Beijing had dug itself into a hole.</p> <p>A recent article by retired Chinese General, Wang Hongguang which appeared in the <em>Huanqiu Shibao </em>briefly, described the dangers of radioactive fallout on China from North Korea’s nuclear and missile programme. The Korean denuclearization talks appear to have receded further. The stability of North Korea is in Beijing’s interest for more than one reason including ideology.</p> <p>Beijing continues to send messages of disapproval to Pyongyang’s dangerous policies. No Chinese leader attended the commemoration of the second anniversary of Kim Jong-Il’s death. The Chinese ambassador was the only one to attend. This is a very big comedown in the relationship.</p> <p>The worst possible message China sent to Pyongyang following the Jang Song-Thaek incident was a small report in the Hong Kong daily <em>Wen Wei Po</em>. <strong>The report said </strong>that <strong>Jang and his partners were not executed by firing, but they were stripped naked and fed to 120 hound dogs kept hungry for three days.</strong></p> <p>This report has generally been dismissed and not picked up by the mainland media either. This is not surprising. <em>Wen Wei Po</em> is not “just” a Hong Kong tabloid. It is China owned and is very much used by Beijing in media warfare and sending messages. Jang and his partners may very well have been executed by a firing squad. What <em>Wen Wei Po </em>said was what Beijing thought of the North Korean regime. That these people were still in the medieval age and deserve no empathy.</p> <p>But the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson describing the executions briefly as an internal affair of North Korea and hoping for stability says China cannot do anything more at the moment.</p> <p>“Dear leader” Kim Jong-Il was interested in opening up North Korea. Except for energy, North Korea is sitting on billions of dollars of raw materials. He died and could not take his dreams forward.</p> <p>Kim Jong-un is only thirty and celebrated his birthday this month with a visit by an American basketball team, playing exhibition games. This is the second visit of this team led by a former NBA star Denis Rodman.</p> <p>Are these toys given to the thirty year old leader to play with, while the army keeps its tight control?  Was Jang Song-Thaek eliminated, not for corruption but for trying to open up North Korea’s economy and introducing economic reforms? Time will tell, as they say.</p> <p><em>(The writer is a New Delhi based strategic analyst.  He can be reached at e-mail <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>)     </em></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/228" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Kim Jong-un</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/593" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Jang Song-Thaek</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/594" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">China North Korea Relations</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/papers" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Papers</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-countries field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Countries:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/east-asia" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">East Asia</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/china" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">China</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Topics:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/political" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Political</a></div></div></div> Wed, 15 Jan 2014 05:31:41 +0000 asiaadmin2 China-Japan Friction: How Can India Respond? http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/node/1441 <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Paper No. 5633                                     Dated 14-Jan-2014</span></strong></p> <p>By D.S. Rajan</p> <p>Current trends make clear that tensions between China and Japan on political and strategic issues are increasing day by day.</p> <p>It is natural that Asia-Pacific nations, which have a big stake in guaranteeing regional stability and prosperity, are coming under compulsions to shape their responses to the developing situation. For that purpose, they are keeping a close watch on indicators of the future course of bilateral ties between the two Asian economic giants.</p> <p>It goes without saying that China-Japan political relations remain frosty mainly due to the ownership dispute over islands, called Diaoyu by Beijing and Senkaku by Tokyo. It would be important not to ignore veteran leader Deng Xiaoping’s position that the territorial problem could be left to the future generations in the two countries for resolution. However, the issue came into the limelight in China in mid-2009, a period that saw China enforcing a foreign policy course with a revised strategic focus, giving priority to protecting what it calls its ‘core interests’ – Tibet, Xinjiang, Taiwan, strategic resources and trade routes. The result has been a new assertiveness based on the ‘sovereignty’ factor in China’s external behavior. With respect to the disputed islands, Beijing, from this period, began emphasising that China was not a party to the treaty on the island group, approved by the post-World War II allied powers.</p> <p>Two factors can be credited for the post-2009 accentuation in China’s stand on the disputed islands. The first concerns the resource factor – on the basis of increasingly available estimates, Beijing started to realise that the islands have high potential for energy deposits and that sovereignty over them would enable it to gain base lines for China’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), legitimising its exploitation of resources. The second factor is strategic, which forces China to become aggressive on the islands issue – the US position that the disputed islands are being governed by the 1960 US-Japan Security Treaty which allows Washington to intervene in the event of any external threat to the islands.</p> <p>Three steps taken of late by China in the East China Sea theatre need to be understood in a strategic context:</p> <p>• Beijing’s declaration of an Air Defence Identification Zone over the East China Sea<br /> • Recurring entry by Chinese ships into territorial waters in East China Sea claimed by Japan<br /> • China’s announcement of new fishing restrictions in the South China Sea.</p> <p>Japan also has made moves that have invited Chinese wrath. They include:</p> <p>• Tokyo’s ‘nationalisation’ of three of the disputed islands through purchase from their private owner<br /> • Japan’s adoption of a new 10-year Defense Strategy based on ‘pro-active pacifism’ aimed at strengthening the country’s defense capabilities, particularly in the maritime sector<br /> • Prime Minister Abe’s visit ( first such one to be made by a Japanese Prime Minister since 2006) to Yasukuni shrine that includes the remains of  'World War II criminals"<br /> • Holding of a drill close to the disputed islands by Japanese paratroopers in the presence of Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera, with defending and retaking of remote islands as designed goals<br /> • Proposed introduction of draft laws by the Japanese government in late January 2014 to a national referendum on constitutional revision seeking to gradually lift the existing restrictions on the country’s military build-up.</p> <p>Symbolic of the current political stand-off between Beijing and Tokyo is China’s official rejection of the Japanese Prime Minister Abe’s call to hold an official summit meeting with Chinese (and South Korean) leaders , for ‘explaining directly to them’ his visit to the Yasukuni shrine. The undiminished Chinese strategic mistrust of Japan as well as the US is well reflected in the following words of a China expert: “Tokyo’s changing security and foreign policies will bring more complexities and uncertainties to the relationships between China, Japan and the United States”- Sun Cheng, Professor of Japanese Studies, China University of Political Science and Law).</p> <p>The Japanese emperor recently visited India; Prime Minister Abe will be the special guest at the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on 26 January 2014. India-Japan relations in various spheres including security are bound to progress further. But Chinese suspicions of this bilateral relationship are getting demonstrated in warnings in the Chinese media that India’s strategic cooperation with Japan “…can only bring trouble to India. There may be some tacit understanding in the strategic cooperation between India and Japan, given the long-lasting Diaoyu island dispute and China-India border confrontation. Overheated strategic cooperation with the Abe administration can only bring trouble to India and threaten its relationships with the relevant East Asian countries.” (Global Times, 30 May 2013). This being so, at a time when Beijing-Tokyo relations have soured with no immediate chances of recovery, it will be in India’s interests to not appear as ganging up with China against Japan or with Japan against China. New Delhi’s policy towards Beijing and Tokyo needs to be well-calibrated and balanced. India seems to be aware of the need. The fact that India has not taken sides on the Senkaku issue so far is evidence of this.</p> <p><span style="font-size:10px;">(<em>The writer, D.S.Rajan, is Director, Chennai Centre for China Studies. The article originally appeared in the Institute of Policy and Conflict Studies website on 13.1.2014 , accessible at <a href="http://www.ipcs.org/article/india/middle-kingdom-china-japan-friction-how-can-india-respond-4257.html">http://www.ipcs.org/article/india/middle-kingdom-china-japan-friction-ho...</a>. Email:<a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>) </em></span></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/6" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">china</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/11" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">japan</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/591" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Senkaku</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/592" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Diayou</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/9" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">india</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/papers" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Papers</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-countries field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Countries:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/east-asia" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">East Asia</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/china" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">China</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/india" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">India</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/japan" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Japan</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Topics:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/strategic-affairs-and-security" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Strategic Affairs &amp; Security</a></div></div></div> Tue, 14 Jan 2014 12:38:59 +0000 asiaadmin2 Tony Abbott’s Tryst with Destiny http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/node/1403 <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong style="font-size: 12px;">Paper No. 5602                                          Dated 13-Nov-2013</strong></span></p> <p>Guest Column by Dr. Sudhanshu Tripathi</p> <p>Australia’s conservative leader Tony Abbott swept into office in national elections recently as voters punished the outgoing Labour government for six years of turbulent rule and for failing to maximize the benefits of a now fading mining boom.</p> <p>Abbott, a former boxer, Rhodes scholar and trainee priest, promised to restore political stability, cut taxes and crack down on asylum seekers arriving by boat. Immediately after election Abbot said that “From today I declare that Australia is under new management and Australia is once more open for business”. He promised to form a government which is competent, trustworthy and would deliver its best.</p> <p>But the past more than fifty days are the emerging trends of a fascist style authoritarian government led by Abbot, contrary to their expectations. Unfortunately the previous labour government had already perturbed the Australians very much by continued infightings and dissensions which witnessed the unceremonious exit of the Prime Minister Julia Gillard. In fact, the government as a whole, and Mr Abbott in particular, are deeply indebted to two powerful individuals, Mr Rupert Murdoch, and Mrs Gina Rinehart. The debt owed by the new Federal government and prime minister to Mr Murdoch in particular is extraordinary, and is most likely to be paid through the sale hand-over of the NBN and, possibly, the privatisation or abolition of the ABC. Mrs Rinehart’s rewards are the repeal of the MRRT, the “liberalisation” of 457 visas to enable the employment of ever-cheaper labour in her mines, and an open-slather approach to exploration and mining, maybe even in national parks, and to coal seam gas fracking. (<a href="http://www.ozpolitic.com">www.ozpolitic.com</a>, “Fifty Two days Ago”, Nov. 09, 2013)</p> <p>Since its inception the new government has taken several harsh and unpopular steps which cast a sad story on the fate of democracy and consensus politics by taking the opposition into confidence in Australia:</p> <ul><li> Has abolished the Climate Commission and sacked three departmental heads which would put an adverse impact upon climate protection programme.</li> <li> Has sacked the NBN Board to reward to Mr. Murdoch for his extensive help during elections.</li> <li> Has announced the privatisation of Medibank Private.</li> <li> Has appointed the head of a major business union to chair the Commission of Audit which also includes Ms Amanda Vanstone. Mr Tony Shepherd also chairs a company that has substantial contracts with the Commonwealth.</li> <li> Has announced a witch-hunt judicial enquiry into the Rudd Government’s home insulation scheme in a bid to trap him in any way.</li> <li> Has cut disaster relief payments in the middle of major bushfires in New South Wales which is something very insensitive on the part of the government.</li> <li> Has denied any possible connection between bushfires and climate change.</li> <li> Has released draft legislation to repeal the MRRT, which also (among other things) repeals the school kids’ bonus- the low-income tax superannuation contribution-geothermal exploration provisions. These are   going to be very worrying in nature and are most likely as under:</li> </ul><p>1. The increased demonization of asylum seekers arriving by boat by requiring the Immigration Department and detention centre staff to call them “illegal arrivals” and “detainees”, just to wash off its hands from the impending humanitarian and social liability.</p> <p>2. The militarisation of border protection, which is mostly an excuse for curbing free flow of information from all sources in the world.</p> <p>3. Attempts to restrict information about the arrival of asylum seekers, and their movement to and from various places of detention.</p> <p>By and large what is being seen is an attempt to curb the freedom of expression, “by shutting down sources of information; whether they are bodies like the Climate Commission, or reports in real time of boat arrivals” to keep Australians ignorant of the real state of affairs, and ultimately and as soon as possible to silence dissent. How long will it be before there is Federal legislation of the type Queensland Attorney-General, Mr Bleijie, released two weeks ago – legislation that has the potential to control what people wear, what music they listen to, maybe even what books they read and films they see? How long will it be before all Australian courts are effectively instructed to do as they are told by the government - something very serious on the part of government to attack the independence of judiciary?</p> <p>Prime Minister Abbott has made it clear time and time again that he will not brook questions, he will not brook debate, will not brook even dissent. He is, as Jeff Sparrow points out, a cultural warrior par excellence who wishes to establish cultural regimentation in Australia - something which has, perhaps, never happened there. He has no compunction about establishing the slush fund, “Australians for Honest Politics” that resulted in the jailing of Pauline Hanson. Is it beyond the bounds of possibility that he might act in a similar way to anyone who dissents, disagrees, or differs? It may seem ridiculous in 21st century Australia even to ask such a question.</p> <p>Under this scenario, despite Abbot’s convincing victory, much of the interest now remains on the Senate where the Greens, the independents and fringe parties might still hold the balance of power and frustrate Abbot’s harsh and unpopular legislative agenda which is most likely going to be a fascist programme, once imposed by Mussolini in Italy after the first world war, has certainly cast a pall of gloom for the native Australians of their bleak future. But they should unite to raise their collective voice in favour of larger freedom and democracy and also for a responsible and responsive government.</p> <p><em><span style="font-size:10px;">(Dr. Sudhanshu Tripathi, Associate Professor, Political Science, M. D. P. G. College, Pratapgarh (UP).  The views expressed are his own)</span></em></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/539" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Australia</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/540" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Tony Abbott</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/taxonomy/term/541" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Julia Gillard</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/papers" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Papers</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-countries field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Countries:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/east-asia" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">East Asia</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Topics:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/political" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel">Political</a></div></div></div> Wed, 13 Nov 2013 07:11:58 +0000 asiaadmin2
i don't know
In May 2014 the World Health Organization declared an international emergency due to major outbreaks of what nearly-eradicated disease?
WHO | Making history: from a public health emergency to a polio-free world Making history: from a public health emergency to a polio-free world R Bruce Aylward a a. Polio Eradication Initiative, World Health Organization, avenue Appia 20, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland. Correspondence to R Bruce Aylward (email: [email protected] ). Bulletin of the World Health Organization 2014;92:466. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.2471/BLT.14.142273 On 5 May 2014, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the second-ever public health emergency of international concern. Polio is the emergency – a disease again posing a public health risk to countries around the world and requiring a coordinated international response. 1 For some, this declaration seemed a paradox. Polio is nearly eradicated. The virus that once paralysed over 1000 children a day in more than 125 countries paralysed just over one child a day in eight countries in 2013. Two of the three countries that have never stopped polio – Afghanistan and Nigeria – overcame tremendous difficulties to achieve a greater than 50% reduction in cases in 2013 and have kept their case counts in the single digits so far in 2014. 2 On 27 March 2014, India and the entire WHO South East Asia Region were certified polio-free , bringing to 80% the proportion of the world’s population that now lives in regions entirely free of indigenous wild polioviruses. It is also increasingly likely that two of the three strains of wild poliovirus have been wiped out. Type 2 virus was last detected in India in 1999 and the type 3 virus has not been detected anywhere in the world since a child in Nigeria was paralysed by the virus in November 2012. Overall, the world remains largely on track to achieve all four of the ambitious objectives set out in the Polio eradication and endgame strategic plan 3 – the Global Polio Eradication Initiative’s strategy to end all polio, everywhere, by 2018. However, this progress could still be undone. Although closer than ever to eradication in 2012, polio made a disturbing comeback in 2013. Both the number of children paralysed by the virus and the number of polio-infected countries nearly doubled. 2 Much of the increase in cases was the result of the international spread of the virus into areas that had long been polio-free. In the first four months of 2014, during what is traditionally the low season for polio transmission, wild poliovirus had already spread internationally in three major epidemiologic zones, thousands of kilometres apart. In Central Asia, the virus spread from Pakistan to Afghanistan; in the Middle East, from the Syrian Arab Republic to Iraq; 5 and in Central Africa, from Cameroon to Equatorial Guinea. The Emergency Committee convened by WHO under the International Health Regulations concluded that, if left unchecked, this situation could result “in failure to eradicate globally one of the world’s most serious vaccine preventable diseases”. 1 Further international spread with the onset of the high transmission season in June could potentially be disastrous, as the countries that had been exporting poliovirus have strong economic, political, geographic and/or cultural ties to a high number of fragile states and conflict-torn countries. Not only were such areas at highest risk of new importations, but their low routine immunization rates increased the likelihood of explosive polio outbreaks and even the re-establishment of transmission. This situation is compounded by the inability of some of these countries to mount an effective response against disease outbreaks. Decisive and immediate action was needed to ensure that the global movement working to end polio once and for all did not suffer a setback from which it could be difficult, if not impossible, to recover. Failure would mean reverting to a strategy of only polio “control”, under which the world would soon have to accept more than 200 000 children again being paralysed every year. 4 Ensuring that all residents and long-term visitors travelling from polio-infected countries (and especially from those countries that are actively exporting the virus) are vaccinated sufficiently in advance of departure boosts their own protection and helps protect children in other countries. The Temporary Recommendations on the vaccination of such travellers are designed to curb the spread of poliovirus from one country to another while intensified eradication activities continue globally. At the 67th World Health Assembly in May 2014, delegates spoke of the need to ensure that the global community should do whatever is needed to deliver on the commitment made at the World Health Assembly 26 years ago to put a stop to polio forever. Today, as the world inches ever closer to a polio-free future, we are also learning the true costs and challenges of reaching all children with the most basic of health interventions. Overcoming those challenges, and addressing those costs, requires that we all step up our game. The global community is now using everything at its disposal in the fight to end polio. Full implementation of these new Temporary Recommendations can put a halt to the international spread of polio and, for only the second time in history, ensure that a devastating disease is eradicated. References
Poliomyelitis
Which name is shared by the two popes made saints by the Vatican in April 2014?
WHO | Making history: from a public health emergency to a polio-free world Making history: from a public health emergency to a polio-free world R Bruce Aylward a a. Polio Eradication Initiative, World Health Organization, avenue Appia 20, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland. Correspondence to R Bruce Aylward (email: [email protected] ). Bulletin of the World Health Organization 2014;92:466. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.2471/BLT.14.142273 On 5 May 2014, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the second-ever public health emergency of international concern. Polio is the emergency – a disease again posing a public health risk to countries around the world and requiring a coordinated international response. 1 For some, this declaration seemed a paradox. Polio is nearly eradicated. The virus that once paralysed over 1000 children a day in more than 125 countries paralysed just over one child a day in eight countries in 2013. Two of the three countries that have never stopped polio – Afghanistan and Nigeria – overcame tremendous difficulties to achieve a greater than 50% reduction in cases in 2013 and have kept their case counts in the single digits so far in 2014. 2 On 27 March 2014, India and the entire WHO South East Asia Region were certified polio-free , bringing to 80% the proportion of the world’s population that now lives in regions entirely free of indigenous wild polioviruses. It is also increasingly likely that two of the three strains of wild poliovirus have been wiped out. Type 2 virus was last detected in India in 1999 and the type 3 virus has not been detected anywhere in the world since a child in Nigeria was paralysed by the virus in November 2012. Overall, the world remains largely on track to achieve all four of the ambitious objectives set out in the Polio eradication and endgame strategic plan 3 – the Global Polio Eradication Initiative’s strategy to end all polio, everywhere, by 2018. However, this progress could still be undone. Although closer than ever to eradication in 2012, polio made a disturbing comeback in 2013. Both the number of children paralysed by the virus and the number of polio-infected countries nearly doubled. 2 Much of the increase in cases was the result of the international spread of the virus into areas that had long been polio-free. In the first four months of 2014, during what is traditionally the low season for polio transmission, wild poliovirus had already spread internationally in three major epidemiologic zones, thousands of kilometres apart. In Central Asia, the virus spread from Pakistan to Afghanistan; in the Middle East, from the Syrian Arab Republic to Iraq; 5 and in Central Africa, from Cameroon to Equatorial Guinea. The Emergency Committee convened by WHO under the International Health Regulations concluded that, if left unchecked, this situation could result “in failure to eradicate globally one of the world’s most serious vaccine preventable diseases”. 1 Further international spread with the onset of the high transmission season in June could potentially be disastrous, as the countries that had been exporting poliovirus have strong economic, political, geographic and/or cultural ties to a high number of fragile states and conflict-torn countries. Not only were such areas at highest risk of new importations, but their low routine immunization rates increased the likelihood of explosive polio outbreaks and even the re-establishment of transmission. This situation is compounded by the inability of some of these countries to mount an effective response against disease outbreaks. Decisive and immediate action was needed to ensure that the global movement working to end polio once and for all did not suffer a setback from which it could be difficult, if not impossible, to recover. Failure would mean reverting to a strategy of only polio “control”, under which the world would soon have to accept more than 200 000 children again being paralysed every year. 4 Ensuring that all residents and long-term visitors travelling from polio-infected countries (and especially from those countries that are actively exporting the virus) are vaccinated sufficiently in advance of departure boosts their own protection and helps protect children in other countries. The Temporary Recommendations on the vaccination of such travellers are designed to curb the spread of poliovirus from one country to another while intensified eradication activities continue globally. At the 67th World Health Assembly in May 2014, delegates spoke of the need to ensure that the global community should do whatever is needed to deliver on the commitment made at the World Health Assembly 26 years ago to put a stop to polio forever. Today, as the world inches ever closer to a polio-free future, we are also learning the true costs and challenges of reaching all children with the most basic of health interventions. Overcoming those challenges, and addressing those costs, requires that we all step up our game. The global community is now using everything at its disposal in the fight to end polio. Full implementation of these new Temporary Recommendations can put a halt to the international spread of polio and, for only the second time in history, ensure that a devastating disease is eradicated. References
i don't know
Which city, previously made famous in 2014, hosted the first Russian F1 Grand Prix for over 100 years?
Brake and Course information 2014 | Motorsports Challenge | Akebono Brake Industry Co., Ltd. Australian Grand Prix 2014 Melbourn The Albert Park Circuit, which hosts the season-opening race each year, is located in a beautiful park surrounding a man-made lake just south of Melbourne. With a layout that uses public road, the circuit features well positioned high-speed, medium-speed, and low-speed corners intertwined with chicanes, overtaking areas that follow braking zones, and other track sections. However, because the circuit is not a permanent course and can only be used once a year, Friday, the qualifying day is a particularly difficult part of the race. The tires are easily damaged by the low road surface grip, so teams must tailor their cars specifically to the final part of the race while anticipating the amount of rubber remaining on the tires as sessions are accumulated. In addition, the escape zones are narrow, and the probability that a safety car will be sent out when a crash occurs is high, which has had a significant impact on race expansion. A typical stop-and-go circuit, the Albert Park Circuit forces drivers to endure a repetition of strong braking followed by acceleration from low speeds, so brakes are subjected to hard use, and the cooling intervals between braking are short. Moreover, at the start of a race, the cars carry a lot of fuel, and the ability to control brake cooling and friction is a very important element that directly influences the race results. Akebono’s brake system, which boasts of an advanced level of cooling performance, exhibits superior performance on this Melbourne circuit as well and gives the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes racing team a competitive edge. Malaysia Grand Prix 2014 Sepang International Circuit The Sepang International Circuit is located near the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, approximately 60km south of Malaysia's capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The region features a tropical rainforest climate with an annual average temperature of 26°C, and the high temperatures and humidity during races are not only hard on the engines and brakes, but also deplete the physical strength of the drivers and pit crews. The course, which features a well-balanced layout of low-speed, medium-speed, and high-speed corners, is designed to test the comprehensive strengths of the vehicle bodies and to question the capabilities of each team and their strategies to fine tune the chassis with priority on a certain speed range. The results of this race, which is typically held at the beginning of the season each year, attract particular attention because they are a good indicator of the capabilities of each team for the given year. The two long straights end in major braking points, and if a car is unable to exhibit proper braking performance at these points, they can be overtaken by other cars. In addition, the high temperatures also demand superior brake cooling performance. Akebono's brake system, which provides a superior balance between control and cooling performance while also providing reliability to withstand the high load that is placed on the brakes, exhibit an advanced competitive edge even on the Sepang circuit and support the high speeds of the McLaren Mercedes team. Bahrain Grand Prix 2014 Bahrain International Circuit The Bahrain International Circuit was constructed in the desert roughly 30km south of the Bahrain capital city of Manama. The course layout features opening and closing sections that are a combination of long straights and low-speed corners and ties those sections together with a section containing numerous high-speed corners. This unique course layout demands a race car body setup that provides both stability when braking from high speeds and precise turning performance along a section that features numerous corners. In addition, the fine sand on the track surface is swept away as the cars race around the track, resulting in improved grip levels as the race progresses. This adds a certain aspect of difficulty to this circuit that requires teams to respond with anticipation of the grip level in the final stage of the race. The Bahrain International Circuit is one of the toughest circuits for braking, rivaling circuits in Canada and Singapore, and the approach of the first corner is particularly challenging, requiring rapid deceleration from 310km/h to 65km/h. The middle section contains numerous corners with no opportunities to rest the brakes, and thus the course demands balance on an even higher dimension of every aspect of the brakes including powerful braking force, superior cooling performance, wear resistance, and advanced reliability. Akebono’s brake system responds to these types of rigorous demands with superior performance and supports the performance of the McLaren racing team. Chinese Grand Prix 2014 Shanghai International Circuit The Shanghai International Circuit, the venue for the China Grand Prix, is a relatively new circuit, completed in June 2004. It hosted its first F1 Grand Prix in September that year. The course layout, based on one of the Chinese characters in the name Shanghai, has two straight stretches, the longest being 1.2 km. It also includes low-speed corners and mid- to high-speed corners, testing the all-round performance of the cars. This course calls for team strategy, as it demands a balance between top speed on the straights and cornering speed, and makes setting downforce level difficult. Regarding brakes, while there’s little concern about temperature because the long straights allow brakes to cool, there are three major braking points after the straights, where drivers who display strong, stable control have a chance to overtake rivals. Akebono’s brake system combines reliability with high performance under tough conditions of sharp braking from high speed. In Shanghai, too, this system helps McLaren to be competitive. Spanish Grand Prix 2014 Catalunya Circuit The Catalunya Circuit (Circuit de Catalunya), the venue for the 2014 Spanish Grand Prix will, is located to the north of Barcelona and is one of a few circuits where every team comes together to conduct tests before the season begins. The course, which is well known by drivers and teams, features numerous medium-speed and high-speed corners, which means that the aerodynamic performance of each race car body significantly influences the race results. The Spanish Grand Prix is held in early May each year, making it the first race to be held in the European round, and many teams come to the race bringing cars that feature significant body updates. The resulting competitiveness that is exhibited at the Catalunya Circuit attracts a great deal of attention as a good indicator for predicting the quality of each team in the first half of the season. The beginning to middle stages of this course feature its medium-speed and high-speed corners, while the end of the course is configured with low-speed corners. Because of this course design, cars must exhibit both aerodynamic performance with excellent down force and chassis performance with excellent mechanical grip. While the brake load required on this course is average, the course is designed in such a way that passing is difficult. Therefore, on this course, excellent braking performance when entering a corner increases a driver’s chance to overtake other drivers. The Catalunya Circuit demands superiority in both powerful braking force and delicate control performance, and Akebono’s brake system answers that demand with unparalleled performance. Monaco Grand Prix 2014 Circuit of Monaco The Monaco Grand Prix is considered to be one of the three most prestigious races in the world alongside the Indianapolis 500 and the Le Mans 24 Hours-endurance race while it is known as the most famous F1 race. However, in contrast to the glamour of this race, the course is an extremely difficult and challenging course that is filled with twists and turns with no escape zone, and mistakes by drivers often lead to immediate retirement from the race. The rigorous conditions of this course demand bold, precision driving as well as race car bodies that are tuned with superior characteristics for low speed cornering with top priority on downward forces. Because the course is filled with tight turns, the average speed of the Monaco GP is approximately 160km/h, which is the lowest average speed in the F1 calendar. During the race, drivers must brake over 1,300 times, and this endless braking and lack of a breeze to cool the brakes make it difficult to manage the brake temperature. Nonetheless, the Akebono brake system that boasts of advanced cooling performance exhibits superior performance even under this type of harsh usage environment, and supports the competitive superiority of the McLaren team. Canada Grand Prix 2014 Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve The Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, the venue for the Canada Grand Prix, was built on a man-made island in the St. Lawrence River that is part of the city of Montreal. The stop-and-go type course layout, which features a combination of long straights and low-speed corners, requires an ongoing repetition of deceleration and acceleration, and therefore demands that race car bodies be set up with minimal down forces in order to achieve the highest possible speeds. As a result, the stability of the race cars while in motion is low, so drivers must pay meticulous attention to braking as well. The course also features four hard braking points, and during the race year, it is one of the toughest circuits on the brakes. The difficulty in controlling brake temperature and wear makes this course a cause of concern for each team. However, Akebono’s superior brake system demonstrates high cooling performance and performance stability even under this type of harsh braking environment, and gives the McLaren team a clear performance advantage. Austrian Grand Prix 2014 Red Bull Ring The Austrian Grand Prix, which will be held for the first time in 11 years, will take place at the Red Bull Ring circuit, the new name of the A1 Ring where previous F1 Austrian Grand Prix races were held. Overall, Red Bull Ring is a very fast circuit, with 70% of the course raced at full throttle. The circuit features a long straight away in the first half, as well as a technical section in the second half that is a combination of high speed corners. The course requires careful setup tailored to the latest race car bodies, and tests the various strategies of each team. At the end of the long straight, drivers face a major braking point, where appropriate braking performance is necessary to avoid being overtaken by other drivers. The technical section of the course tests control. Brake systems developed by Akebono provide the McLaren team with flexibility and reliability to meet these challenging braking conditions. British Grand Prix 2014 Silverstone Circuit Known for hosting the first Grand Prix event in 1950, the Silverstone Circuit is rich in history, and like many other courses that have existed from long ago in England, the birthplace of motor sports racing, was constructed on an airfield originally used in World War II. It has a flat road surface and a course layout with a large number of medium to high-speed turns that is uncommon in racing circuits of recent years. Silverstone Circuit requires racers to skillfully balance the opposing qualities of high downforce and low drag, and it is not possible to win without a racecar possessing superior aerodynamic performance. Meanwhile, the braking energy generated on this course is the lowest of the racing circuits on the F1 calendar, which means that great attention to detail is needed on the brake cooling setup to maintain the proper temperature so that brake friction material does not become too cold. The successive high-speed corners of Maggots, Becketts, and Chapel, one of the main attractions for racing spectators, are hard on brakes and require calipers that do not suffer from “knockback” (phenomenon in which the caliper piston is pushed back into the caliper), which is prone to occur during high G turns without braking. Akebono’s brake system delivers well-balanced performance to meet these various demands and contributes to the competitiveness of the McLaren team. German Grand Prix 2014 ? Hockenheimring The German Formula 1 Grand Prix is held alternately at the Nurburgring and Hockenheimring circuits, and this year’s contest took place at the Hockenheimring. The Hockenheimring circuit was redesigned after the 2002 Grand Prix and the course was substantially shortened, from 6.823km to 4.574km. Alongside the Monaco and Brazilian circuits, it is one of the shortest F1 circuits in use today, with a lap taking just under 80 seconds. On the occasion of past German Grand Prix, race week has often been rainy, and teams must be prepared for any eventuality. On the back straight, which resembles a long arc, the course is wide, allowing high-speed passing. Here, brakes must be stable under very heavy loads. The second half of the course is made up of a series of corners, and requires precise braking control through this part of the track. Akebono draws on its extensive expertise to select and supply the optimum braking systems, enhancing the McLaren team’s competitive edge. Hungarian Grand Prix 2014 Hungaroring Hungaroring is a race course built in the valley of a mountainous region located approximately 20 km northeast of the Hungarian capital of Budapest. With a course layout combining low to medium-speed corners and long straight lines, Hungaroring is distinguished as having the lowest average speed of all permanent circuits used in F1 racing. The Hungarian Grand Prix is held every summer under conditions when the ambient temperature as well as road surface temperature are both hot. Not only is vehicle downforce performance needed for the numerous medium-speed corners, grip performance of the chassis itself is needed in the low-speed corners. The amount of energy absorbed during braking in a single lap is also on par with the Canadian Grand Prix that is known for its heavy demands on braking. Due to Hungaroring’s successive corners, the brakes do not have time to cool down, resulting in harsh usage conditions. Thus brake performance stability and wear resistance are key factors that will influence the outcome of a race. Akebono brake systems always deliver superior performance and reliability even under these severe conditions, helping to provide the McLaren team with an edge. Belgian Grand Prix 2014 Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps The first Belgian Grand Prix Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps was held in 1924, making this one of the oldest races on the Formula One calendar. The 7 km classic course is a natural layout set in the middle of a forest, featuring plenty of hills and valleys. From its long straightaway where speeds can surpass 300 km/h, to its hairpin curves where drivers must slow down below 100 km/h, and all its mid-speed and high-speed turns along the way, it is a true test of the capabilities of the cars and drivers who race on it. To deal with the long straightaway, the cars are set up for low downforce. And because of the notorious unpredictability of the weather, the ability to grip tight in the corners is taken seriously. The course is long, so the number of laps is low. Since the pace of track improvements as sessions progress, an important element of strategy is anticipating how the grip of the track may change over the course of preliminaries and the race itself. There are three major braking points, but the total braking load is low, so great care must be taken in the set-up so that the brakes maintain the right temperature throughout the race. Because the road surface grip changes every step of the way, very delicate control of the brakes is required of the driver. Akebono’s brake systems are perfect for these difficult conditions, as they can cope with all of these changes. Akebono is proud to be a long-time supplier of highly competitive, high-performance brake systems to MacLaren. Italian Grand Prix 2014 Monza Circuit The historical Monza Circuit, which was constructed in the outskirts of Milan in 1922, is known for its ultrahigh speed layout with an average speed in excess of 250km/h, the fastest on the F1 calendar. For this course, race cars are basically set up with minimal wing angles to reduce air resistance and achieve top speeds, and the use of special wings designed exclusively for the Monza Circuit is not uncommon. However, because this results in a reduced downforce, the trade-off is unstable vehicle behavior during low-speed corners and braking. Thus, this course challenges the technical skills and experience of each team including their abilities to somehow set up the chassis to compensate for the reduced grip, and it demands unique handling skills of drivers. If a team is lacking superior collective capabilities in these areas, it cannot win this race. The Monza Circuit presents relatively few temperature related problems because the amount of time that brakes have to cool through high speed driving is long. However, the brake load is high because of the frequent braking that is required from ultrahigh speeds, and brake energy that is equivalent to that of the Monaco Grand Prix, which is known for requiring a lot of braking, is generated. Braking on the first corner in particular requires that a high braking pressure be applied while also enabling control of the unstable vehicle body at high speeds, and thus this course demands brakes that can provide delicate control performance together with impeccable reliability. Akebono’s brake system meets these types of rigorous demands and constantly provides the McLaren team with competitive performance. Singapore Grand Prix 2014 Marina Bay Street Circuit The Singapore Grand Prix was the first nighttime race in the history of F1 racing, and its stage is a beautiful nightscape created by a non-permanent course that uses city streets in the harbor district of Singapore. While the Singapore Grand Prix has remained hugely popular since the first race in 2008, the course has no escape zone and features various harsh elements including a road surface that is excessively bumpy, and highly humid air even when nighttime temperatures are low. In addition, the low average speeds make the final race seem like a marathon, and the course requires a team staff that is willing to work in shifts. Coupled with the impact that this race has on the final races of the season, the Singapore Grand Prix also forces teams to engage in an extremely fierce battle. The brake load required during this harsh race is the largest in the F1 calendar. At the start of the race, the cars are weighed down by fuel, and because of the heavy vehicle bodies and a course layout that requires continuous braking with almost no time to cool the brakes, a setup that allows the efficient cooling of brakes is required for the brake performance and wear life. Akebono worked closely with the McLaren team to develop a brake system specifically for this type of harsh racing environment and is supporting the team with highly competitive products that provide excellent adaptability. Japanese Grand Prix 2014 Suzuka Circuit Regarded highly as a challenging race course, Suzuka Circuit has a large figure 8 configuration with an overhead crossing that is unusual even worldwide. It is also notable for its layout with an almost equal number of left and right corners. Particularly important is the S curve, which requires a setting that enables the car to drive through this point in good rhythm in order to achieve a good time. Suzuka Circuit is noted for being light on brakes, second only to England's Silverstone in the F1 calendar, but there is still a need to give special consideration in regard to material selection and the cooling setup in order to achieve a stable performance by maintaining the proper operating temperature of brakes that do not warm easily. While the load on brakes may be light at Suzuka Circuit overall, as race cars hurtle into the final chicane, extremely high rates of deceleration are generated exceeding a maximum of 5G, thus the brakes need to feel stable from low to high loads. Akebono's brake system supports McLaren's racing performance by exhibiting superior performance even under these types of conditions. Russian Grand Prix 2014 - Sochi Olympic Park Circuit The Sochi Olympic Park Circuit was the venue for this year’s inaugural Russian Grand Prix. The course, which overlooks the Black Sea, runs through Olympic Park, which was the main venue of the 2014 Winter Olympics, and also includes 1.7km of public roads. It has 18 corners and 10 braking points. At 5.9km, Sochi is the third longest F1 circuit after Spa-Francorchamps and Silverstone. It is made up of long straights and tight corners, and the cars must be stable under rapid acceleration from low speeds, and have high downforce. As the race started at 3 pm local time, teams must also take account of dropping air and track surface temperatures as the race enters its final stages. The course demands a high load on brakes, and includes many right-angle turns, which call for stable and reliable braking performance immediately before corners. To meet these exacting demands, Akebono works closely with McLaren on the development of its braking systems, and its highly competitive and adaptable products enhancing the McLaren team’s competitive edge. United States Grand Prix 2014 Circuit of The Americas Completed at the end of September 2012, the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) has a layout with 11 left corners and 9 right corners with a large difference in elevation throughout the circuit. The incline from the straight line to the tight angled first corner, where the road ahead is not visible from the drivers, results in a climb of 41 meters. Each subsequent corner is modeled after famous corners of other F1 circuits and is designed to be both challenging to drivers and also enjoyable for spectators. Brazilian Grand Prix 2014 Interlagos Circuit The Interlagos Circuit, one of the few counter-clockwise courses on the F1 calendar, is comprised of various large and small corners, and because of its location at an elevation of 800 meters, engine power is supposedly reduced by 7%. The bumpy road surface with large ups and downs and the long gentle left curve from the final corner to the first corner where race cars go full throttle, creating continuous high lateral g-force for 15 seconds, sap the endurance of drivers. Sudden climate changes are also not uncommon, leading to various dramatic outcomes. Although this course demands the fourth lowest amount of braking energy of all circuits on the F1 calendar, the bumpy road surface is difficult for the drivers to maneuver and requires very fine brake control. Akebono's braking system, system, with its high reliability and excellent driver feedback, has demonstrated its superiority even at Interlagos, winning the trust of the McLaren Mercedes Team. Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2014 Yas Marina Circuit The Yas Marina Circuit is the venue for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which has been a part of the F1 calendar since 2009. The circuit consists of three sections with uniquely distinct characteristics beginning with a high speed turn section that features a series of medium to high speed corners, followed by a middle section of two long straights that are connected via a chicane, then the last low speed section that consists of numerous tight, right angle corners, all designed to test the true capabilities of each team making it challenging to properly balance the settings for the vehicle. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is a twilight race that starts in the evening and ends at night during which the track surface temperature drops significantly during the race, resulting in changes to the grip of the tires. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is known to be the 7th most strenuous racetrack on the F1 calendar and therefore, participation in this event requires the use of brakes that maintain stable performance and provide advanced control so that drivers can respond to changes in the tire grip. Notwithstanding, brake systems from Akebono accurately respond to these rigorous demands and have earned the trust of the McLaren Mercedes team.
Sochi
Buddhist politician and businessman Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan briefly, until a military coup in 2014, acted as prime minister of which nation, once known as Siam?
Brake and Course information 2014 | Motorsports Challenge | Akebono Brake Industry Co., Ltd. Australian Grand Prix 2014 Melbourn The Albert Park Circuit, which hosts the season-opening race each year, is located in a beautiful park surrounding a man-made lake just south of Melbourne. With a layout that uses public road, the circuit features well positioned high-speed, medium-speed, and low-speed corners intertwined with chicanes, overtaking areas that follow braking zones, and other track sections. However, because the circuit is not a permanent course and can only be used once a year, Friday, the qualifying day is a particularly difficult part of the race. The tires are easily damaged by the low road surface grip, so teams must tailor their cars specifically to the final part of the race while anticipating the amount of rubber remaining on the tires as sessions are accumulated. In addition, the escape zones are narrow, and the probability that a safety car will be sent out when a crash occurs is high, which has had a significant impact on race expansion. A typical stop-and-go circuit, the Albert Park Circuit forces drivers to endure a repetition of strong braking followed by acceleration from low speeds, so brakes are subjected to hard use, and the cooling intervals between braking are short. Moreover, at the start of a race, the cars carry a lot of fuel, and the ability to control brake cooling and friction is a very important element that directly influences the race results. Akebono’s brake system, which boasts of an advanced level of cooling performance, exhibits superior performance on this Melbourne circuit as well and gives the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes racing team a competitive edge. Malaysia Grand Prix 2014 Sepang International Circuit The Sepang International Circuit is located near the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, approximately 60km south of Malaysia's capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The region features a tropical rainforest climate with an annual average temperature of 26°C, and the high temperatures and humidity during races are not only hard on the engines and brakes, but also deplete the physical strength of the drivers and pit crews. The course, which features a well-balanced layout of low-speed, medium-speed, and high-speed corners, is designed to test the comprehensive strengths of the vehicle bodies and to question the capabilities of each team and their strategies to fine tune the chassis with priority on a certain speed range. The results of this race, which is typically held at the beginning of the season each year, attract particular attention because they are a good indicator of the capabilities of each team for the given year. The two long straights end in major braking points, and if a car is unable to exhibit proper braking performance at these points, they can be overtaken by other cars. In addition, the high temperatures also demand superior brake cooling performance. Akebono's brake system, which provides a superior balance between control and cooling performance while also providing reliability to withstand the high load that is placed on the brakes, exhibit an advanced competitive edge even on the Sepang circuit and support the high speeds of the McLaren Mercedes team. Bahrain Grand Prix 2014 Bahrain International Circuit The Bahrain International Circuit was constructed in the desert roughly 30km south of the Bahrain capital city of Manama. The course layout features opening and closing sections that are a combination of long straights and low-speed corners and ties those sections together with a section containing numerous high-speed corners. This unique course layout demands a race car body setup that provides both stability when braking from high speeds and precise turning performance along a section that features numerous corners. In addition, the fine sand on the track surface is swept away as the cars race around the track, resulting in improved grip levels as the race progresses. This adds a certain aspect of difficulty to this circuit that requires teams to respond with anticipation of the grip level in the final stage of the race. The Bahrain International Circuit is one of the toughest circuits for braking, rivaling circuits in Canada and Singapore, and the approach of the first corner is particularly challenging, requiring rapid deceleration from 310km/h to 65km/h. The middle section contains numerous corners with no opportunities to rest the brakes, and thus the course demands balance on an even higher dimension of every aspect of the brakes including powerful braking force, superior cooling performance, wear resistance, and advanced reliability. Akebono’s brake system responds to these types of rigorous demands with superior performance and supports the performance of the McLaren racing team. Chinese Grand Prix 2014 Shanghai International Circuit The Shanghai International Circuit, the venue for the China Grand Prix, is a relatively new circuit, completed in June 2004. It hosted its first F1 Grand Prix in September that year. The course layout, based on one of the Chinese characters in the name Shanghai, has two straight stretches, the longest being 1.2 km. It also includes low-speed corners and mid- to high-speed corners, testing the all-round performance of the cars. This course calls for team strategy, as it demands a balance between top speed on the straights and cornering speed, and makes setting downforce level difficult. Regarding brakes, while there’s little concern about temperature because the long straights allow brakes to cool, there are three major braking points after the straights, where drivers who display strong, stable control have a chance to overtake rivals. Akebono’s brake system combines reliability with high performance under tough conditions of sharp braking from high speed. In Shanghai, too, this system helps McLaren to be competitive. Spanish Grand Prix 2014 Catalunya Circuit The Catalunya Circuit (Circuit de Catalunya), the venue for the 2014 Spanish Grand Prix will, is located to the north of Barcelona and is one of a few circuits where every team comes together to conduct tests before the season begins. The course, which is well known by drivers and teams, features numerous medium-speed and high-speed corners, which means that the aerodynamic performance of each race car body significantly influences the race results. The Spanish Grand Prix is held in early May each year, making it the first race to be held in the European round, and many teams come to the race bringing cars that feature significant body updates. The resulting competitiveness that is exhibited at the Catalunya Circuit attracts a great deal of attention as a good indicator for predicting the quality of each team in the first half of the season. The beginning to middle stages of this course feature its medium-speed and high-speed corners, while the end of the course is configured with low-speed corners. Because of this course design, cars must exhibit both aerodynamic performance with excellent down force and chassis performance with excellent mechanical grip. While the brake load required on this course is average, the course is designed in such a way that passing is difficult. Therefore, on this course, excellent braking performance when entering a corner increases a driver’s chance to overtake other drivers. The Catalunya Circuit demands superiority in both powerful braking force and delicate control performance, and Akebono’s brake system answers that demand with unparalleled performance. Monaco Grand Prix 2014 Circuit of Monaco The Monaco Grand Prix is considered to be one of the three most prestigious races in the world alongside the Indianapolis 500 and the Le Mans 24 Hours-endurance race while it is known as the most famous F1 race. However, in contrast to the glamour of this race, the course is an extremely difficult and challenging course that is filled with twists and turns with no escape zone, and mistakes by drivers often lead to immediate retirement from the race. The rigorous conditions of this course demand bold, precision driving as well as race car bodies that are tuned with superior characteristics for low speed cornering with top priority on downward forces. Because the course is filled with tight turns, the average speed of the Monaco GP is approximately 160km/h, which is the lowest average speed in the F1 calendar. During the race, drivers must brake over 1,300 times, and this endless braking and lack of a breeze to cool the brakes make it difficult to manage the brake temperature. Nonetheless, the Akebono brake system that boasts of advanced cooling performance exhibits superior performance even under this type of harsh usage environment, and supports the competitive superiority of the McLaren team. Canada Grand Prix 2014 Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve The Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, the venue for the Canada Grand Prix, was built on a man-made island in the St. Lawrence River that is part of the city of Montreal. The stop-and-go type course layout, which features a combination of long straights and low-speed corners, requires an ongoing repetition of deceleration and acceleration, and therefore demands that race car bodies be set up with minimal down forces in order to achieve the highest possible speeds. As a result, the stability of the race cars while in motion is low, so drivers must pay meticulous attention to braking as well. The course also features four hard braking points, and during the race year, it is one of the toughest circuits on the brakes. The difficulty in controlling brake temperature and wear makes this course a cause of concern for each team. However, Akebono’s superior brake system demonstrates high cooling performance and performance stability even under this type of harsh braking environment, and gives the McLaren team a clear performance advantage. Austrian Grand Prix 2014 Red Bull Ring The Austrian Grand Prix, which will be held for the first time in 11 years, will take place at the Red Bull Ring circuit, the new name of the A1 Ring where previous F1 Austrian Grand Prix races were held. Overall, Red Bull Ring is a very fast circuit, with 70% of the course raced at full throttle. The circuit features a long straight away in the first half, as well as a technical section in the second half that is a combination of high speed corners. The course requires careful setup tailored to the latest race car bodies, and tests the various strategies of each team. At the end of the long straight, drivers face a major braking point, where appropriate braking performance is necessary to avoid being overtaken by other drivers. The technical section of the course tests control. Brake systems developed by Akebono provide the McLaren team with flexibility and reliability to meet these challenging braking conditions. British Grand Prix 2014 Silverstone Circuit Known for hosting the first Grand Prix event in 1950, the Silverstone Circuit is rich in history, and like many other courses that have existed from long ago in England, the birthplace of motor sports racing, was constructed on an airfield originally used in World War II. It has a flat road surface and a course layout with a large number of medium to high-speed turns that is uncommon in racing circuits of recent years. Silverstone Circuit requires racers to skillfully balance the opposing qualities of high downforce and low drag, and it is not possible to win without a racecar possessing superior aerodynamic performance. Meanwhile, the braking energy generated on this course is the lowest of the racing circuits on the F1 calendar, which means that great attention to detail is needed on the brake cooling setup to maintain the proper temperature so that brake friction material does not become too cold. The successive high-speed corners of Maggots, Becketts, and Chapel, one of the main attractions for racing spectators, are hard on brakes and require calipers that do not suffer from “knockback” (phenomenon in which the caliper piston is pushed back into the caliper), which is prone to occur during high G turns without braking. Akebono’s brake system delivers well-balanced performance to meet these various demands and contributes to the competitiveness of the McLaren team. German Grand Prix 2014 ? Hockenheimring The German Formula 1 Grand Prix is held alternately at the Nurburgring and Hockenheimring circuits, and this year’s contest took place at the Hockenheimring. The Hockenheimring circuit was redesigned after the 2002 Grand Prix and the course was substantially shortened, from 6.823km to 4.574km. Alongside the Monaco and Brazilian circuits, it is one of the shortest F1 circuits in use today, with a lap taking just under 80 seconds. On the occasion of past German Grand Prix, race week has often been rainy, and teams must be prepared for any eventuality. On the back straight, which resembles a long arc, the course is wide, allowing high-speed passing. Here, brakes must be stable under very heavy loads. The second half of the course is made up of a series of corners, and requires precise braking control through this part of the track. Akebono draws on its extensive expertise to select and supply the optimum braking systems, enhancing the McLaren team’s competitive edge. Hungarian Grand Prix 2014 Hungaroring Hungaroring is a race course built in the valley of a mountainous region located approximately 20 km northeast of the Hungarian capital of Budapest. With a course layout combining low to medium-speed corners and long straight lines, Hungaroring is distinguished as having the lowest average speed of all permanent circuits used in F1 racing. The Hungarian Grand Prix is held every summer under conditions when the ambient temperature as well as road surface temperature are both hot. Not only is vehicle downforce performance needed for the numerous medium-speed corners, grip performance of the chassis itself is needed in the low-speed corners. The amount of energy absorbed during braking in a single lap is also on par with the Canadian Grand Prix that is known for its heavy demands on braking. Due to Hungaroring’s successive corners, the brakes do not have time to cool down, resulting in harsh usage conditions. Thus brake performance stability and wear resistance are key factors that will influence the outcome of a race. Akebono brake systems always deliver superior performance and reliability even under these severe conditions, helping to provide the McLaren team with an edge. Belgian Grand Prix 2014 Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps The first Belgian Grand Prix Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps was held in 1924, making this one of the oldest races on the Formula One calendar. The 7 km classic course is a natural layout set in the middle of a forest, featuring plenty of hills and valleys. From its long straightaway where speeds can surpass 300 km/h, to its hairpin curves where drivers must slow down below 100 km/h, and all its mid-speed and high-speed turns along the way, it is a true test of the capabilities of the cars and drivers who race on it. To deal with the long straightaway, the cars are set up for low downforce. And because of the notorious unpredictability of the weather, the ability to grip tight in the corners is taken seriously. The course is long, so the number of laps is low. Since the pace of track improvements as sessions progress, an important element of strategy is anticipating how the grip of the track may change over the course of preliminaries and the race itself. There are three major braking points, but the total braking load is low, so great care must be taken in the set-up so that the brakes maintain the right temperature throughout the race. Because the road surface grip changes every step of the way, very delicate control of the brakes is required of the driver. Akebono’s brake systems are perfect for these difficult conditions, as they can cope with all of these changes. Akebono is proud to be a long-time supplier of highly competitive, high-performance brake systems to MacLaren. Italian Grand Prix 2014 Monza Circuit The historical Monza Circuit, which was constructed in the outskirts of Milan in 1922, is known for its ultrahigh speed layout with an average speed in excess of 250km/h, the fastest on the F1 calendar. For this course, race cars are basically set up with minimal wing angles to reduce air resistance and achieve top speeds, and the use of special wings designed exclusively for the Monza Circuit is not uncommon. However, because this results in a reduced downforce, the trade-off is unstable vehicle behavior during low-speed corners and braking. Thus, this course challenges the technical skills and experience of each team including their abilities to somehow set up the chassis to compensate for the reduced grip, and it demands unique handling skills of drivers. If a team is lacking superior collective capabilities in these areas, it cannot win this race. The Monza Circuit presents relatively few temperature related problems because the amount of time that brakes have to cool through high speed driving is long. However, the brake load is high because of the frequent braking that is required from ultrahigh speeds, and brake energy that is equivalent to that of the Monaco Grand Prix, which is known for requiring a lot of braking, is generated. Braking on the first corner in particular requires that a high braking pressure be applied while also enabling control of the unstable vehicle body at high speeds, and thus this course demands brakes that can provide delicate control performance together with impeccable reliability. Akebono’s brake system meets these types of rigorous demands and constantly provides the McLaren team with competitive performance. Singapore Grand Prix 2014 Marina Bay Street Circuit The Singapore Grand Prix was the first nighttime race in the history of F1 racing, and its stage is a beautiful nightscape created by a non-permanent course that uses city streets in the harbor district of Singapore. While the Singapore Grand Prix has remained hugely popular since the first race in 2008, the course has no escape zone and features various harsh elements including a road surface that is excessively bumpy, and highly humid air even when nighttime temperatures are low. In addition, the low average speeds make the final race seem like a marathon, and the course requires a team staff that is willing to work in shifts. Coupled with the impact that this race has on the final races of the season, the Singapore Grand Prix also forces teams to engage in an extremely fierce battle. The brake load required during this harsh race is the largest in the F1 calendar. At the start of the race, the cars are weighed down by fuel, and because of the heavy vehicle bodies and a course layout that requires continuous braking with almost no time to cool the brakes, a setup that allows the efficient cooling of brakes is required for the brake performance and wear life. Akebono worked closely with the McLaren team to develop a brake system specifically for this type of harsh racing environment and is supporting the team with highly competitive products that provide excellent adaptability. Japanese Grand Prix 2014 Suzuka Circuit Regarded highly as a challenging race course, Suzuka Circuit has a large figure 8 configuration with an overhead crossing that is unusual even worldwide. It is also notable for its layout with an almost equal number of left and right corners. Particularly important is the S curve, which requires a setting that enables the car to drive through this point in good rhythm in order to achieve a good time. Suzuka Circuit is noted for being light on brakes, second only to England's Silverstone in the F1 calendar, but there is still a need to give special consideration in regard to material selection and the cooling setup in order to achieve a stable performance by maintaining the proper operating temperature of brakes that do not warm easily. While the load on brakes may be light at Suzuka Circuit overall, as race cars hurtle into the final chicane, extremely high rates of deceleration are generated exceeding a maximum of 5G, thus the brakes need to feel stable from low to high loads. Akebono's brake system supports McLaren's racing performance by exhibiting superior performance even under these types of conditions. Russian Grand Prix 2014 - Sochi Olympic Park Circuit The Sochi Olympic Park Circuit was the venue for this year’s inaugural Russian Grand Prix. The course, which overlooks the Black Sea, runs through Olympic Park, which was the main venue of the 2014 Winter Olympics, and also includes 1.7km of public roads. It has 18 corners and 10 braking points. At 5.9km, Sochi is the third longest F1 circuit after Spa-Francorchamps and Silverstone. It is made up of long straights and tight corners, and the cars must be stable under rapid acceleration from low speeds, and have high downforce. As the race started at 3 pm local time, teams must also take account of dropping air and track surface temperatures as the race enters its final stages. The course demands a high load on brakes, and includes many right-angle turns, which call for stable and reliable braking performance immediately before corners. To meet these exacting demands, Akebono works closely with McLaren on the development of its braking systems, and its highly competitive and adaptable products enhancing the McLaren team’s competitive edge. United States Grand Prix 2014 Circuit of The Americas Completed at the end of September 2012, the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) has a layout with 11 left corners and 9 right corners with a large difference in elevation throughout the circuit. The incline from the straight line to the tight angled first corner, where the road ahead is not visible from the drivers, results in a climb of 41 meters. Each subsequent corner is modeled after famous corners of other F1 circuits and is designed to be both challenging to drivers and also enjoyable for spectators. Brazilian Grand Prix 2014 Interlagos Circuit The Interlagos Circuit, one of the few counter-clockwise courses on the F1 calendar, is comprised of various large and small corners, and because of its location at an elevation of 800 meters, engine power is supposedly reduced by 7%. The bumpy road surface with large ups and downs and the long gentle left curve from the final corner to the first corner where race cars go full throttle, creating continuous high lateral g-force for 15 seconds, sap the endurance of drivers. Sudden climate changes are also not uncommon, leading to various dramatic outcomes. Although this course demands the fourth lowest amount of braking energy of all circuits on the F1 calendar, the bumpy road surface is difficult for the drivers to maneuver and requires very fine brake control. Akebono's braking system, system, with its high reliability and excellent driver feedback, has demonstrated its superiority even at Interlagos, winning the trust of the McLaren Mercedes Team. Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2014 Yas Marina Circuit The Yas Marina Circuit is the venue for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which has been a part of the F1 calendar since 2009. The circuit consists of three sections with uniquely distinct characteristics beginning with a high speed turn section that features a series of medium to high speed corners, followed by a middle section of two long straights that are connected via a chicane, then the last low speed section that consists of numerous tight, right angle corners, all designed to test the true capabilities of each team making it challenging to properly balance the settings for the vehicle. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is a twilight race that starts in the evening and ends at night during which the track surface temperature drops significantly during the race, resulting in changes to the grip of the tires. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is known to be the 7th most strenuous racetrack on the F1 calendar and therefore, participation in this event requires the use of brakes that maintain stable performance and provide advanced control so that drivers can respond to changes in the tire grip. Notwithstanding, brake systems from Akebono accurately respond to these rigorous demands and have earned the trust of the McLaren Mercedes team.
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A 2014 cardiology study (Taborsky/ESC) found that wine reduces cardiovascular disease only in people who?
Wine only protects against CVD in people who exercise | EurekAlert! Science News Wine only protects against CVD in people who exercise European Society of Cardiology IMAGE: This is the ESC Congress 2014 poster. view more Credit: ESC Barcelona, Spain - Sunday 31 August 2014: Wine only protects against cardiovascular disease (CVD) in people who exercise, according to results from the In Vino Veritas (IVV) study presented at ESC Congress today by Professor Milos Taborsky from the Czech Republic. Professor Taborsky said: "This is the first randomised trial comparing the effects of red and white wine on markers of atherosclerosis (1) in people at mild to moderate risk of CVD. We found that moderate wine drinking was only protective in people who exercised. Red and white wine produced the same results." Evidence suggesting that mild to moderate consumption of wine protects against cardiovascular disease has been accumulating since the early 1990s. In particular, retrospective studies have found that wine increases levels of HDL, the "good" cholesterol. But until now there has been no long-term, prospective, randomised study comparing the effects of red and white wine on HDL cholesterol and other markers of atherosclerosis. The IVV study (2) is the first long-term, prospective randomised trial comparing the effect of red and white wine on markers of atherosclerosis. The study included 146 people with mild to moderate risk of cardiovascular disease according to the HeartScore (3). Participants were randomised to one year of moderate consumption of red wine (Pinot Noir) or white wine (Chardonnay-Pinot) from the same year and wine region of the Czech Republic. Moderate consumption was the World Health Organization definition of 0.2 L for women and 0.3 L for men, a maximum of five times a week. The primary endpoint was the level of HDL cholesterol at one year. Secondary endpoints were levels of other markers of atherosclerosis including LDL cholesterol. Participants consumed their usual diet. Participants kept a logbook on their consumption of wine and other alcoholic beverages, medication use, and amount and type of exercise. They were required to return the corks from the wine bottles to confirm that they had drank the wine rather than sold it. The researchers found that there was no difference between HDL cholesterol levels at the beginning of the study compared to one year in either the red or white wine groups. LDL cholesterol was lower in both groups at one year while total cholesterol was lower only in the red wine group. Professor Taborsky said: "A rise in HDL cholesterol is the main indication of a protective effect against CVD, therefore we can conclude that neither red or white wine had any impact on study participants as a whole." He added: "The only positive and continuous result was in the subgroup of patients who took more exercise, which means regular exercise at least twice a week, plus the wine consumption. In this group HDL cholesterol increased and LDL and total cholesterol decreased in the red and white wine groups. There may be some synergy between the low dose of ethyl alcohol in wine and exercise which is protective against CVD." He continued: "In a future study we will compare the effects of red and white wine on markers of atherosclerosis in patients at high risk for CVD who take statins and do regular exercise. We hope to find that moderate wine consumption is safe in these patients." Professor Taborsky concluded: "Our current study shows that the combination of moderate wine drinking plus regular exercise improves markers of atherosclerosis, suggesting that this combination is protective against cardiovascular disease." ### References (1) Atherosclerosis is a condition in which the arteries become clogged with fatty substances including cholesterol. Atherosclerosis is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. (2) Taborsky M, Ostadal P, Petrek M. A pilot randomized trial comparing long-term effects of red and white wines on biomarkers of atherosclerosis (in vino veritas: IVV trial). Bratisl Lek Listy. 2012;113(3):156-158. (full paper available in the press kit) (3) HeartScore is an interactive tool for predicting and managing the risk of heart attack and stroke. See http://www.
Physical exercise
The heavily hyped end-November shopping day of mass brawling for bargains in UK stores in 2014 is called?
A cup of tea and a fruit salad, followed by a brisk jog to the wine bar A cup of tea and a fruit salad, followed by a brisk jog to the wine bar By FoodProcessing Staff Wednesday, 03 September, 2014 Research presented at the European Society of Cardiology 2014 ESC Congress has revealed that daily fruit consumption cuts the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) by up to 40%, while drinking tea reduces non-cardiovascular mortality by 24%. However, those who have been encouraged by recent evidence of the health benefits of wine consumption may have their mood slightly dampened by the news that wine only protects against CVD in people who exercise. When it comes to fruit, the more the better The findings from a seven-year follow-up study of nearly half a million people with no prior history of CVD found that the more fruit people ate, the more their risk of CVD declined. The researchers found that compared to people who never ate fruit, those who ate fruit daily cut their CVD risks by 25-40%. The researchers also found that people who consumed fruit more often had significantly lower blood pressure (BP). In a separate analysis, the researchers examined the association of fruit consumption with total mortality and CV mortality in more than 61,000 patients who had CVD or hypertension at baseline. They found that compared to those who never ate fruit, daily consumers of fruit cut their overall risk of death by 32%. They also reduced their risks of dying from ischaemic heart disease (IHD) by 27% and from stroke by around 40%. The researchers concluded: “Our results show the benefit of eating fruit in the healthy general population and in patients with CVD and hypertension. Fruit consumption is an effective way to cut CVD risk and should not only be regarded as ‘might be useful’. Policies are needed to promote the availability, affordability and acceptability of fresh fruit through educational and regulatory measures.” Tea-drinkers healthier than coffee-drinkers Meanwhile, French researchers presented the results from their study on the effect of coffee and tea consumption on CV mortality and non-CV mortality. The study of over 130,000 people found that coffee-drinkers had a higher CV risk profile than non-drinkers, and that non-coffee-drinkers were more physically active. Tea-drinkers had the reverse profile of coffee-drinkers, with consumers having a better CV risk profile than non-consumers. Physical activity also increased with the number of cups of tea per day, from 43% in moderate tea-drinkers to 46% in heavy drinkers. Coffee showed a trend for increasing CV mortality in the heavy- compared to non-drinkers but the effect was not significant. Coffee significantly increased non-CV mortality but the increased risk disappeared when the effect was adjusted for smoking. There was a trend for tea-drinking to decrease CV mortality but the effect was not quite significant after adjusting for age, gender and smoking. But tea significantly lowered the risk of non-CV death, with tea-drinking lowering the risk of non-CV death by 24%. Researcher Professor Nicolas Danchin concluded, “I think that you could fairly honestly recommend tea-drinking rather than coffee- drinking and even rather than not drinking anything at all.” Wine is fine, but only if you exercise In news that might inspire wine-drinkers to walk more briskly to the bottle shop, results from the In Vino Veritas (IVV) study, presented by Professor Milos Taborsky from the Czech Republic, found that wine only protects against CVD in people who exercise. The IVV study is the first long-term, prospective randomised trial comparing the effect of red and white wine on markers of atherosclerosis. The 146 participants were randomised to one year of moderate consumption of red wine (Pinot Noir) or white wine (Chardonnay-Pinot) from the same year and wine region of the Czech Republic. Participants kept a logbook on their consumption of wine and other alcoholic beverages, medication use, and amount and type of exercise. They were also required to return the corks from the wine bottles to confirm that they had consumed the wine rather than sold it. The researchers found that there was no difference between HDL (‘good’) cholesterol levels at the beginning of the study compared to one year in either the red or white wine groups. LDL cholesterol was lower in both groups at one year while total cholesterol was lower only in the red wine group. Professor Taborsky said: “A rise in HDL cholesterol is the main indication of a protective effect against CVD; therefore, we can conclude that neither red or white wine had any impact on study participants as a whole.” He added: “The only positive and continuous result was in the subgroup of patients who took more exercise, which means regular exercise at least twice a week, plus the wine consumption. In this group, HDL cholesterol increased and LDL and total cholesterol decreased in the red and white wine groups. There may be some synergy between the low dose of ethyl alcohol in wine and exercise which is protective against CVD.” Related Articles
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Which country replaced President Viktor Yanukovych with Oleksandr Turchynov in Feb 2014 after lethal riots in Kiev?
Oleksandr Turchynov & Viktor Yanukovych - First thoughts about Oleksandr Turchynov & Viktor Yanukovych Oleksandr Valentynovych Turchynov (born 31 March 1964) is a Ukrainian politician, screenwriter, and economist. Viktor Fedorovych Yanukovych (Ukrainian: ; born 9 July 1950) is a Ukrainian statesman and politician who has been the President of Ukraine since February 2010. 4.0/5 Oleksandr Turchynov Viktor Yanukovych Northern Trust Open Connaught Place Badminton World Federation Wharton India Economic Forum Union Cabinet Riviera Country Club Barack Obama Vitali Klitschko Democratic Alliance Arseniy Yatsenyuk Yulia Tymoshenko Interim President 14 Jun 2014     10:32 GA Questions : [1] Who was named as the Interim President of Ukraine after Viktor Yanukovych was impeached as the President by the Parliament? Ans - Oleksandr Turchynov [2] Who was ranked ninth in the Badminton World Federation women’s singles ranking? Ans – P V Sindhu [3] What is the projection of IMF for the economic growth of India for 2014-15? Ans – 5.4% [4] Union Cabinet gave its nod for classifying which language as a classical language to give impetus to scholarships in the language? Ans – Odia [5] Where was the 18th Wharton India Economic Forum (WIEF) held? Ans - Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, USA [6] Who released the report titled From Poverty to Empowerment: India's imperativefor jobs, growth and effective basic services? Ans - McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) [7] Which is the world’s eighth most expensive office location? Ans - Connaught Place in Delhi [8] Which state won the National Tourism Award2012-13? Ans – Sikkim [9] Who won the Northern Trust Open in at Riviera Country Club ? An ... 22 May 2014     19:00 leaves at least 11 believed to be on checkpoint in amid Share 8 Email Shaun Walker in Volnovakha The Guardian, Thursday 22 May 2014 19.28 BST Bodies covered with blankets lie in a field near the village of Blahodatne, eastern Ukraine Bodies lie in a field, with a Ukrainian military vehicle in the background, after pro-Russia rebels attacked a military checkpoint. Photograph: Ivan Sekretarev/AP The conflict between pro-Ukraine and separatist forces in the east of Ukraine led to one of its bloodiest days yet on Thursday, days before presidential elections due to take place on Sunday. At least 11 pro-Ukraine forces were killed in a surprise dawn attack on a Ukrainian army checkpoint, apparently by a group of armed separatists. Ukraine's Interim President Oleksandr Turchynov put the death toll at 13, while a military source said two of the seriously wounded had also died. Journalists on the scene confirmed they had seen 11 bodies. About 30 soldiers were injured, including four who remained in critical conditi ... 30 Apr 2014     16:57 2013: A quarter of all Russian men die before they are 55, mainly because of alcohol 2013: Oil and gas account for 75% of all Russian exports and 45% of what Russians buy is imported Jan 2014: Latvia joins the eurozone Feb 2014: Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych and opposition leaders Vitali Klitschko (UDAR/ Democratic Alliance for Reform), Arseniy Yatsenyuk (Batkivshchyna/ Fatherland Party) and Oleh Tyahnibok (Svoboda/Freedom Party) agree to hold early presidential elections after 88 protesters are killed and soon afterwards Yulia Tymoshenko is freed from jail and parliament votes to remove Yanukovych from power and replace him with Oleksandr Turchynov, a close Tymoshenko ally Feb 2014: Russia's defense minister Sergei Shoigu announces that Russia plans to increase its military presence abroad, including in Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua Mar 2014: Russia annexes Ukraine's Crimea 30 Apr 2014     11:21 Here we go(y). 1)Who was recently named as the Interim President of Ukraine? (A) Oleksandr Turchynov (B) Viktor Yanukovych (C) Petro Symonenko (D) Nataliya Vitrenko 07 Mar 2014     16:39 Ukraine crisis could ignite Russia-NATO clash: Steinberg Fri Mar 7, 2014 - The ongoing dispute between the West and Russia over the crisis in Ukraine is likely to result in a military confrontation between the NATO and Moscow, a political analyst tells Press TV. “Unless there is a willingness to step back and look at the whole picture, I see this going in a very dangerous direction, possibly even leading to a war confrontation between NATO and Russia, which would be horrific,” Jeff Steinberg told Press TV in an interview on Friday. The analyst warned that such a confrontation will lead to a “strategic crisis” that will not serve the interests of any of the parties involved in the issue of Ukraine. On February 23, the Ukrainian parliament ousted the country’s president, Viktor Yanukovych, and named Oleksandr Turchynov, the legislature’s newly-elected speaker, as Interim President . The ouster followed weeks of unrest that was triggered after Yanukovych refrained from signing the Association Agre ...
Ukraine
Sony and Emirates Airlines withdrew their sponsorship in 2014 from which global organization after ongoing corruption scandals?
White House no longer recognizes Yanukovych as Ukrainian president; parliament is in charge - UPI.com Home / Top News / World News White House: Yanukovych no longer president of Ukraine; parliament is in charge White House Press Secretary Jay Carney reported Monday that the administration no longer considers Viktor Yanukovych president of Ukraine given his de-ligitimizing actions and departure from Ukraine. The administration, Carney said, recognizes the lawful election of the parliamentary speaker as the country establishes a new government while maintaining law and order.
i don't know
What was the first day of the week in 2014?
Sunday or Monday? Which is the First Day of the Week: Sunday or Monday? Sunday was traditionally regarded as the first day of the week by both Christians and Jews. Following Jewish tradition, the Bible is quite explicit that God rested on the seventh day of Creation, which formed the basis for the Sabbath, the day of rest. Even when Constantine made Sunday the Christian day of rest, thus giving it the traditional functions of the Jewish Sabbath, there was no question that Sunday remained the first day of the week. The week introduced by Constantine treated Sunday as Kyriaki 'of the Lord', followed by numbered days from Monday to Thursday ('second' to 'fifth') and specific names for Friday and Saturday. Saturday was Savvato, the Sabbath. (As to whether Constantine was swayed by his previous worship of the Sun God, or whether he simply ratified a practice that already existed among practising Christians is a point of heated debate among certain modern Christians. It does seem true, however, that Constantine was motivated by a spirit of compromise rather than doctrinal purity. A lot of information about this can be found on the Web). Notwithstanding Constantine, the custom of treating Monday as the first day of the week appeared quite early. This is explained by Michael Falk as follows: We may note that in early Christian coinages Saturday is denoted as day seven, following the Bible. In later coinages, however, it is denoted as day six. This change appears to have been brought about by a natural tendency to consider the celebrated special day of the weekly cycle as ending the cycle rather than beginning it. So, after about the tenth century for most Christians Sunday replaced Saturday as day seven. An analogous change occurred in the Islamic world where Friday began as day six but later became counted as day seven. Thus, when saints Cyril and Methodius brought Christianity to the Slavs, they took with them the Greek tradition of numbering the days but numbered them from Monday instead of Sunday. As a result, Slavic languages now treat Monday as the first day, Tuesday as the second, etc. Saturday and Sunday are the only days that are named rather than numbered. Saturday is the Sabbath and Sunday in Russian is the word for "Resurrection". (The foregoing information on Greek and Slavic naming due to John Wilson, personal communication). In Hungarian, which is a non-Slavic language in a Roman Catholic country, Tuesday appears to come from the word for 'two' ( but see note below ). Lithuanian and Latvian, neither of which is Slavic, also name the days with numerals, with Monday coming first. In more modern times, industrial society has done much to destroy the traditional concept of Sunday as the first day. According to Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary (1983), the term 'weekend', first recorded in 1878, refers to 'the period between the close of one working or business or school week and the beginning of the next'. This concept firmly places Sunday at the end of the week. Possibly because of this, the International Standards Organisation has decided that Monday should be regarded as the first day of the week. Calendars in many European countries, in particular, now follow the ISO decision by starting the week on Monday. Airline timetables also number the days from Monday as 1, Tuesday as 2, Wednesday as 3, etc. Information on the web is rather fragmentary, but references can be found at On the Name of the Weekly Day of Rest by Michael Falk, Is Sunday or Monday the first day of the week? , the Catholic Encyclopedia ( Sunday , the Sabbath , and Liturgical Week ), the Days of the Week page, Larry Freeman's Calendar Origin Page , Claus Tøndering's Calendar FAQ , International Units: The Week , and Wikipedia . Re Hungarian: The following note was received from Gyorgy Kereszti: In the Hungarian language, the name of Tuesday does not really come from the number two.  Tuesday = kedd and two is either két or kettö.  The name of Tuesday starts with “k”, but there is no definite relation between the name and the number two.  However, Monday literally means "the head (or start) of the week".  Monday = hétfö, where hét = week and fö = head (or beginning of something).  Therefore, Monday in Hungarian is the first day of the week. Sunday, in Hungarian, means the market-day: Sunday = vasárnap, where vásár = market and nap = day (the first vowel is modified). Market-day is generally considered to be the last day of the week. All other days have widely different names (as opposed to languages with a prefix followed by “day”, like Monday or Montag (German)) and none includes any resemblance to numbers or sequencing. Thanks Gyorgy!
Wednesday
Which Baltic state replaced its Lats currency with Euros on 1st Jan 2014?
Ash Wednesday 2014: History, Dates, Traditions Of Lent's First Day Of Fasting | The Huffington Post Ash Wednesday 2014: History, Dates, Traditions Of Lent's First Day Of Fasting 03/04/2014 04:27 pm ET | Updated Mar 06, 2014 1.7k Ash Wednesday is observed on March 5, in 2014. The Christian holy day marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day season of fasting that is considered preparation for Holy Week and the celebration of Easter. Although there is no Biblical reference to Ash Wednesday or Lent, scholars of Christianity date the tradition of a 40-day fasting period back to 325 A.D . Lent mirrors Jesus’ own 40-day period of fasting, described in the book of Matthew . Observers have ash placed on their foreheads in the shape of the cross as the words from Genesis 3:19 are spoken: “You are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Fasting requirements for Catholics are outlined by the Code of Canon Law, and include eating no meat on the Fridays during Lent, as well as fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. (Fasting in this case refers to eating just one full meal a day .) Many Christians will make personal vows of abstinence during Lent, which could include anything from refraining from eating candy, meat, vowing not to gossip, or being less selfish. Others will make a vow to do more for others including volunteering and working for social justice. All are expected to spend more time in prayer and reflection as Lent is considered by many to be an opportunity for spiritual transformation. The Catholic nun Sister Joan Chittister writes: Lent is the opportunity to change what we ought to change but have not...Lent is about becoming, doing and changing whatever it is that is blocking the fullness of life in us right now... Lent is a summons to live anew...Lent is the time to let life in again, to rebuild the worlds we've allowed to go sterile, to "fast and weep and mourn" for the goods we've foregone. If our own lives are not to die from lack of nourishment, we must sacrifice the pride or the sloth or the listlessness that blocks us from beginning again. Then, as Joel (2:12-18) promises, God will have pity on us and pour into our hearts the life we know down deep that we are lacking. Lent Meditation Slideshow
i don't know
Lord Richard Attenborough, who died in 2014, played which serial killer in his early acting career, in 10 Rillington Place?
Richard Attenborough obituary | Film | The Guardian Richard Attenborough obituary Outstanding figure in British cultural life, he was an actor, director and ebullient patron of several charities Richard Attenborough as Pinkie Brown in Brighton Rock, 1947. Photograph: ABPC/Sportsphoto/Allstar Richard Attenborough obituary Outstanding figure in British cultural life, he was an actor, director and ebullient patron of several charities Sunday 24 August 2014 19.26 EDT First published on Sunday 24 August 2014 19.26 EDT Share on Messenger Close Richard Attenborough , who has died aged 90, had three distinct personas for those who followed his career in the entertainment world: the baby-faced, pint-sized actor, at turns, cocky and cowardly, later rotund in mostly creepy character roles; the film director of epics such as Gandhi, and Chaplin; and Lord "Dickie", ubiquitous, ebullient and lachrymose, presiding over a host of charitable organisations. However, each image merges into one complete picture of a cheerful humanitarian and imperishable idealist who, for over half a century, played an integral part in British cultural life. In the history of cinema, the image of the actor will probably be the most enduring, though physically Attenborough lacked the requirements of a romantic leading man (ironically, his younger brother, David, the wildlife expert, had the film-star looks). In fact, Attenborough was in front of the camera for over a quarter of a century before his directorial debut, at the age of 46, with Oh! What a Lovely War in 1969. His first screen role was as a callow stoker who deserts his post in Noël Coward's In Which We Serve (1942), told in flashback by survivors while they cling to a life raft after their ship has been sunk off Crete in May 1941. Small as the part was, the 19-year-old Attenborough made an impression as a cockney coward for Coward. A cockney he wasn't, though he played mainly working-class characters throughout his career. Attenborough's father, Frederick, was a Cambridge don, who later became principal of University College Leicester. Richard, born in Cambridge, was exposed to culture early. His parents and grandparents were all musical, and one of his first memories was hearing The Messiah conducted by Malcolm Sargent in the De Montfort Hall in Leicester. Above all, Richard and his two younger brothers, David and John, were brought up with a sense of social responsibility. Their mother, Mary, was chair of a committee to care for evacuee Basque children during the Spanish civil war, and she marched in protest against the bombing of Guernica. On the outbreak of the second world war, the Attenboroughs took two Jewish girls into their home, where they stayed for eight years. "That particular decision, not merely paying lip service but taking positive, responsible action to help other human beings, made a profound impression on me. It has, I suppose, affected my life and my attitudes ever since," Attenborough wrote. This is clear from most of his choices of subjects as a producer and director. He inherited his energy and non-stop activity from his mother, who died in a car accident, apparently suffering a heart attack as she was returning alone from a committee meeting. Attenborough was educated in Leicester, at Wyggeston grammar school, and showed his acting skills early on, gaining a scholarship to Rada in 1940. His first part in the West End was Ralph Berger, the younger son of a Bronx Jewish family in Clifford Odets's Awake and Sing. The Times said he played it "with sound understanding", while the Daily Sketch thought he "showed an intensity of feeling and restraint for a youngster who has a big future". A few months before joining the RAF in June 1943, Attenborough achieved his greatest stage success in Brighton Rock, adapted from the Graham Greene novel by Frank Harvey. Attenborough as Pinkie Brown, the vicious young Catholic gangster, according to the New Statesman, "deserves to have won fame in a single night, for his study in abnormal psychology is thoughtful, delicate and powerful." This forceful performance was recreated in the 1947 Boulting Brothers film version, and remains one of Attenborough's most memorable creations. In 1945, while in the RAF Film Unit, he married Sheila Sim, whom he had met at Rada. The year before, they had both been cast (though her role was cut out in the editing) in the wartime propaganda film Journey Together, directed by John Boulting, which was meant to demonstrate the special relationship between America and Britain. The US was represented by Edward G Robinson, who waived his fee for playing a flying instructor, while Attenborough was a would-be pilot who has to be content with being a navigator, reflecting his own frustration at never having become a pilot during the war. After demob, Attenborough continued in uniform on screen in Powell and Pressburger's A Matter of Life and Death (in one shot as an airman) and Peter Ustinov's School for Secrets (both 1946). He was to play several soldiers and sailors into the 1970s. In The Man Within (1947), based on Greene's first novel, one of Attenborough's rare costume dramas, he was an adolescent member of a gang of smugglers, who betrays his leader (Michael Redgrave). He would continue to play teenagers into his late 20s. Although he had not changed much physically since Pinkie on stage in Brighton Rock four years previously, he brought more maturity to his film performance. However, it was pushing it a bit to accept the 25-year-old Attenborough in the title role of The Guinea Pig (1948), a 15-year-old working-class scholarship boy at a posh public school, particularly as his wife Sheila played the house mistress. This was followed by another well-meaning social reform melodrama, Boys in Brown (1949), in which "bad 'uns" Attenborough and Dirk Bogarde were Borstal boys. In the same year, Attenborough took another neurotic role on stage, a mentally disturbed Jewish GI in Arthur Laurents's Home of the Brave. Then, eight months after the birth of Michael, their first child, Richard and Sheila appeared together in Roger MacDougall's farce To Dorothy a Son, which ran in the West End for over a year from November 1950. Meanwhile, Attenborough reprised his cowardly sailor role of In Which We Serve in the submarine drama, Morning Departure (1950) as Stoker Snipe, who cracks under pressure. If John Mills represented the stiff-upper lip school, then Attenborough often had a quivering lower lip. "Pull yourself together, Stokes," says Commander Mills, slapping the hysterical Snipe. "Thank you, sir. I needed that." It worked, because Attenborough seldom let the side down again when below decks in Gift Horse (1952) and The Ship That Died of Shame (1955). In 1952, Sheila and Richard (as Detective Sergeant Trotter) led the first cast of a play which was to became a theatrical phenomenon. They stayed two years at the Ambassadors with The Mousetrap, of which its author Agatha Christie prophesied that "we should get a nice little run out of it". The Attenboroughs were still around to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the whodunnit's run. In the mid-1950s, Attenborough reunited with the Boulting brothers in a series of satirical comedies attacking some of Britain's institutions. Attenborough, now having put on more weight, was a louche figure in all of them. In Private's Progress (1956), on the army, he was a scrounger; in Brothers in Law (1957), on the legal profession, a smarmy barrister; and in I'm All Right Jack (1959), on management and unions, he was Sydney de Vere Cox, a shady munitions manufacturer. In 1960, Attenborough formed Beaver Films with the actor and director Bryan Forbes, and an independent distribution company, Allied Film Makers, with Forbes, Guy Green, Michael Relph, Basil Dearden and Jack Hawkins. His first film as producer was The Angry Silence, an anti-trades union tract, in which Attenborough was a blackleg and yet a hero. Better was the delightfully piquant heist comedy The League of Gentlemen (1960) with a gallery of British ex-army types, including Attenborough in his spiv persona. Also for his own production company was Forbes's Seance On a Wet Afternoon (1964), in which Attenborough was medium Kim Stanley's weak husband. The 1960s saw him break into Hollywood, with The Great Escape (1963), third-billed, after Steve McQueen and James Garner, as Squadron Leader "Big X" Bartlett, the master escape planner who is later executed. Further US movies were The Flight of the Phoenix (1965) in which he was an inept navigator whose alcoholism has led to a plane, piloted by James Stewart, to crash in the Sahara desert; in The Sand Pebbles (1966), supporting McQueen again, Attenborough was encouraged to go over the top as a crewman hopelessly in love with a Chinese girl bound for prostitution, and as circus man Albert Blossom in Dr Dolittle (1967). These roles were taken on to help finance his long-cherished project, a film on the life of Gandhi. It was the only film he thought he would direct, but when offered Oh! What a Lovely War, he accepted the challenge gladly. Although the film, with a dazzling all-star cast of British actors, rather softened Joan Littlewood's scabrous stage satire on the first world war, its stylisation and clever seaside-postcard use of the Brighton pavilion and old pier made it Attenborough's most audacious and artistically successful project. The closing scene, a helicopter shot of thousands of white crosses in a military cemetery, as a chorus sings They'll Never Believe Me, is genuinely moving. Attenborough appeared in four features in 1970, mostly antipathetic roles, notably as the serial killer John Christie in 10 Rillington Place. The sight of a chubby, bald Attenborough wearing thick glasses rubbing a corpse and moaning with orgasmic delight is particularly disturbing. Sir Richard – he was knighted in 1976 – with a broad Scots accent, played a British general sent to take over a small kingdom in Satyajit Ray's The Chess Players (1977). He had met the great Bengali film director in India during his long quest to set up Gandhi. "I count working for Ray as one of the milestones of my career." At the same time, Attenborough followed his directorial debut with two technically competent but illustrated schoolbook epics, Young Winston (1972) and A Bridge Too Far (1977), the latter about the allied defeat at Arnhem. Finally, in a similar mode, after 20 years, with Goldcrest having put up two-thirds of the £20m budget, Attenborough was able to make Gandhi (1982), which had a fine performance by Ben Kingsley in the title role. The film is dedicated to Lord Mountbatten, Pandit Nehru and an unknown Indian called Motilal Kothari, who suggested the subject to Attenborough in the first place in 1962. Nehru's advice to Attenborough was that it would be wrong to deify Gandhi: "He was too great a man for that." The film won eight Oscars – best picture, best actor, best director, best original screenplay, best cinematography, best art direction, best editing, best costume design – the biggest haul ever for a British movie. In his acceptance speech, Attenborough said: "Gandhi believed if we could but agree, simplistic though it be, that if we do not resort to violence then the route to solving problems would be much different than the one we take." In the 1980s, he was an active and inspirational chairman of Channel 4 and the British Film Institute, as well as taking on a multitude of other duties with professional bodies and charities for film, theatre, drama and education. With A Chorus Line (1985), Attenborough once again took on material that seemed intractably theatrical. But, as much as he tried to make the Broadway musical "cinematic", such as using flashbacks, it defeated him, replacing cynicism with mawkishness. He was more at home with another portentous biopic, Cry Freedom (1987), through which he was able to express his anger with apartheid in South Africa. The first half, dealing with the friendship between liberal white journalist Donald Woods (Kevin Kline) and anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko (Denzel Washington), up to the murder of Biko while in police custody, is impressive, but the second half, following Woods's escape from South Africa, descends into conventional thriller territory. When Attenborough's protracted attempts to make a film about Thomas Paine, the 18th century humanitarian and republican, fell through, he turned to another of his idols in Chaplin (1992), a sprawling, vacuous homage to the great comic. He continued on the biographical path, covering CS Lewis in Shadowlands (1993), the young Ernest Hemingway in In Love and War (1996) and the North American conservationist Archie Belaney in Grey Owl (1999), demonstrating that Attenborough's heart was definitely in the right place as was his camera, most of the time. He once told the film critic David Robinson that he derived the most pride from a back-handed compliment paid by an American critic. As Attenborough explained: "He said something like, 'the problem with Attenborough's work is that he is more interested in the content than the execution.' Almost without exception that is true. I am glad to say I am sorry if I'm not more adventurous cinematically. But my concern is always, did the film say what I wanted to express or advocate?" After a gap of 13 years, he returned to the screen as an actor in Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park (1993), as the mad genius who runs the theme park featuring genetically recreated dinosaurs, a role which he was to repeat in the sequel The Lost World (1997). This introduced him to a new generation of filmgoers, as did his twinkly-eyed Kris Kringle in Miracle on 34th Street (1994), a pointless remake of the 1947 movie. In fact, it was not difficult to see something of Santa Claus in Attenborough, who disarmingly admits that the character is "not far from my own in terms of bonhomie". In his mid-80s, Attenborough was still active in film production. The last one he directed was Closing the Ring, released in December 2007. It is a love story, set in South Carolina and northern Ireland. A dying gunner, who was in a crash involving a US B-17 plane in 1943, gives a ring to a local to return to his American girlfriend. Fifty years on, a man finds the ring and tracks down the girlfriend and the history of this ring. Attenborough was devastated by a triple tragedy that occurred on 26 December 2004 when his eldest daughter Jane, her daughter Lucy, and Jane's mother-in-law, Jane Holland, all perished in the Asian tsunami disaster. In 2008 he suffered a fall at his home in Richmond, south-west London and was rushed to hospital where he went into a coma, but recovered within a few days. Three years later, David said that his brother was confined to a wheelchair, and that it was unlikely he would be making any more films. In early 2012, he joined Sheila in a home for the care of elderly actors in London that they had both supported for many years. Attenborough was awarded a life peerage in 1993. He is survived by Sheila, his son Michael and daughter Charlotte. • Richard Samuel Attenborough, Lord Attenborough, actor, producer, director, philanthropist, born 29 August 1923; died 24 August 2014 Shirley MacLaine, Christopher Plummer, Ben Kingsley, Michael York and Saeed Jaffrey have offered their tributes to the late actor and director, who died earlier this week Published: 26 Aug 2014
John Christie
Who triumphed playing 2014 Glastonbury Festival's 'legends' Sunday teatime slot?
Richard Attenborough: One of the leading figures of British cinema | The Independent Obituaries Richard Attenborough: One of the leading figures of British cinema The acclaimed actor and director was a tireless champion of the British film industry and liberal causes in the last half of the 20th century Monday 25 August 2014 13:03 BST Click to follow The Independent Online Richard Attenborough shooting his film 'Magic' in 1979 GettyImages Lord Richard Attenborough was not only one of the prime figures in British cinema in the last half of the 20th century, acclaimed as both an actor and director, but he was also a tireless champion of the British film industry and liberal causes. It could be said that as an actor he was underrated, partly due to his typecasting as callow or cowardly ratings in his early films, and as a director may be overrated, though he often chose brave projects that required yeoman logistic capabilities. For the celebrated film Gandhi, for which he won two Oscars, as producer and director, he marshalled over 200,000 extras for the funeral scene, reputed to be the largest number of players ever on screen at the same time. His deep concern for freedom of speech and liberal values were evident in his most personal films, which depict the life of Mahatma Gandhi and Steve Biko, but some assignments saw him over-stretched, such as A Bridge Too Far, which in depicting the chaos of the Arnhem landings proved a chaotic movie, and his misbegotten transcription of the Broadway musical, A Chorus Line. As an actor, his range was awesome – the irredeemably wicked young gangster of Brighton Rock, the cocky schoolboy of The Guinea Pig, the taxi driver determined to clear his name in Dancing With Crime, the wily soldier of Private’s Progress, the stoic worker defying his mates in The Angry Silence, the chief organiser of The Great Escape, the fraught father in Séance on a Wet Afternoon, the tough sergeant of Guns at Batasi, the hilariously camp antiquarian in The Third Secret, the heart-breaking, tragically lovesick stoker of The Sand Pebbles, the singing and dancing circus master of Dr Dolittle, the sinister killer of 10 Rillington Place and the avuncular Kris Kringle of Miracle on 34th Street are just a handful of 70 film performances. In Pictures: Richard Attenborough 1923 - 2014 In Pictures: Richard Attenborough 1923 - 2014 1/24 Capital Radio Music Awards Sir Richard Attenborough speaking at the Capital Radio Music Awards at Grosvenor House in 1977 Getty 2/24 Lord Richard and Sir David Attenborough Lord Richard Attenborough, left, and his brother Sir David Attenborough pose outside the 'Richard Attenbororugh' Building at the University of Leicester. They were awarded the title of Distinguished Honorary Fellowships from the University of Leicester Getty 3/24 Richard Attenborough plays marbles Richard Attenborough plays marbles with some of the cast during a break from filming The Guinea Pig at Elstree Studios, April 1948 Getty Images 4/24 The Last Grenade Richard Attenborough on the set of 'The Last Grenade' at Shepperton Studios, Surrey, in 1969. In the back ground, left, are actors Stanley Baker and Honor Blackman Getty 5/24 Lord Attenborough Lord Attenborough looks on during a statue unveiling ceremony in Nelson Mandela's honour at Parliament Square in 2007 Getty 6/24 Richard Attenborough and Sheila Sim English actors and husband and wife, Richard Attenborough and Sheila Sim Getty Richard Attenborough at his home in Chelsea, London, 1948 Getty 8/24 Richard Attenborough Sir Richard Attenborough and his wife, actress Sheila Sim, arrive at the Odeon Leicester Square for the premiere of Anne of the Thousand Days, 23rd February 1970 Getty Images Richard Attenborough shooting his film 'Magic' in 1979 GettyImages 10/24 Richard Attenborough Richard Attenborough directs US actress and journalist Candice Bergen during the making of Gandhi in 1985 Getty Images 11/24 Richard Attenborough Sir Richard Attenborough at the 2006 South Bank Show Awards which were held at the Savoy in London. He was presented the award for the Outstanding category by Sir Ian McKellen Getty Lord Richard Attenborough during Unicorn Theatre Re-launch at Unicorn Theatre Getty Lord Richard Attenborough during Unicorn Theatre Re-launch at Unicorn Theatre Getty Getty   His marriage in 1945 to Sheila Sim endured until his death, and he was confronted by appalling tragedy when one of his daughters, a grand-daughter and his daughter’s mother-in-law were killed in the Tsunami caused by the Indian Ocean earthquake on Boxing Day 2004. His diverse corporate appointments included Governor of the National Film School, Trustee of the Tate Gallery and Chairman of Chelsea Football Club. In memory of his daughter he founded the Jane Holland Creative Centre for Learning at Waterford Kamhlaba in Swaziland, which promoted his passionate belief in non-racial education. Awarded the CBE in 1967, he was knighted in 1976, and in 1993 he was made a life peer, sitting in the Lords as Baron Attenborough of Richmond upon Thames. Though he was a fervent Labour supporter, his friends included Prince Charles and other establishment figures. Attenborough was close to Princess Diana and taught her (at her husband’s request) how to make speeches and to feel comfortable dealing with large crowds. He and his wife often had the Princess to lunch, and became confidantes whose discretion she trusted. The son of a college administrator who became principal of University College Leicester and who wrote a standard text on Anglo-Saxon law, he was born Richard Samuel Attenborough in 1923, the oldest of three brothers – the youngest, David Attenborough, is the naturalist and television presenter. Their mother was president of Leicester Little Theatre, and Richard became interested in acting while in his teens. At the age of 17 he won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, and while studying there in 1941 he made his stage debut at the Intimate Theatre, Palmers Green, playing the lovesick teenager Richard in Eugene O’ Neill’s Ah, Wilderness. In 1942 he was given his first screen role, as a submarine stoker, who deserts his post in Noël Coward’s stirring tribute to the Navy, In Which We Serve (1942). “If you blinked, you missed me,” he later said, “but getting to know Noël was the great thing. He was the most influential and supporting figure of my early life.” Attenborough then gave a chilling depiction on stage of the venal Leo Hubbard in Lillian Helman’s The Little Foxes (1942), which opened during a thick London fog and lasted for only three weeks. The following year he was given the lead in a stage version of Graham Greene’s novel Brighton Rock, in which he played the vicious psychopath, Pinkie Brown. Both he and another newcomer, Dulcie Gray, won praise for their contrasting portrayals of evil and good. “Dickie asked me to take my shoes off during auditions because he was very short,” recalled Gray, “but he was very attractive in those days with his large eyes, snub nose and sensual mouth.” Attenborough served in the RAF for the rest of the war, then on demobilisation he married a fellow student he had met at Rada, Sheila Sim. Journey Together (1945), a propaganda piece made to promote Anglo-American relations, teamed Attenborough with Hollywood veteran Edward G Robinson, and though it fulfilled its purpose entertainingly it helped establish the association of Attenborough’s image with that of nervousness and inexperience. The film version of Brighton Rock (1947) helped break the mould, thought there were elements of the stereotype in his brash and boastful youth who becomes a frightened killer in London Belongs to Me (1948). His baby-face looks helped make him a convincing schoolboy in the Boulting Brothers film The Guinea Pig (1948), a tale inspired by the recently passed law that allowed working class boys to attend public schools. He was a scared rating again, this time on a submarine, in the gripping Morning Departure (1950). The same year he starred with his wife and Yolande Donlan in a hit stage comedy, To Dorothy a Son, as a harassed father-to-be, and he played a similar role on screen in Father’s Doing Fine (1952), the first film for which he received star billing. In late 1952 he and Sim had no idea that they were becoming part of theatre history when they opened at the Ambassador’s Theatre in a cosy Agatha Christie thriller that was expected to run for a year or two. It was The Mousetrap, which celebrated its 61st birthday last November. Attenborough played Sergeant Trotter for two years, after which he returned to the screen in three hit comedies for the Boulting Brothers, Private’s Progress (1956), Brothers-in-Law (1957) and I’m Alright Jack (1959), which satirised the military, the law and trade unions respectively. His prolific film roles included The Ship That Died of Shame (1955), Dunkirk (1958), The Man Upstairs (1958), Danger Within (1959, and the extremely popular caper movie The League of Gentlemen (1959), which was written by his friend Bryan Forbes. In 1960 he and Forbes formed a production company, Beaver Films, and for their first film they bravely tackled the subject of strikes, which Attenborough (after Kenneth More turned down the role) playing a worker who refuses to join an unofficial strike and is sent to Coventry by his colleagues. Beaver had its greatest success with Whistle Down the Wind (1961), though Attenborough did not appear in it, nor another Beaver production, The L-Shaped Room (1962). The first major American production in which Attenborough appeared, and one of the biggest hits of his career, was The Great Escape (1963), in which he played the officer who masterminds the meticulously detailed plan for a massive prisoner-of-war break-out. He was one of the few actors to establish a relationship with the moody Steve McQueen. He then starred in the final Beaver production, Séance on a Wet Afternoon (1964). His uncompromising performance as the fraught husband of a crazed medium (Kim Stanley) was a role he used to cite as his favourite. Though a failure in its day, the film now has a cult reputation. Arguably at his peak as an actor, Attenborough was superb as a sadistic sergeant in Guns at Batasi (1964), and as the navigator of an aeroplane that crashes in the Sahara Desert in Flight of the Navigator (1965). McQueen then suggested that Attenborough appear with him in the epic movie The Sand Pebbles (1966) as the stoker on a gunship patrolling the Yangtse River in 1926 who has a doomed love for a Chinese girl who has been sold into prostitution. His immensely moving portrayal won him a Golden Globe Award as best supporting actor. Surprisingly, although he won many awards, including several Baftas, he was never nominated for an acting Oscar. He then surprised audiences with a roistering song-and-dance turn in Dr. Dolittle (1967), his ebullient, music-hall delivery of the song “I’ve Never Seen Anything Like It” providing a rare lively moment in an elephantine movie. In 1969, already nursing an ambition to make a film on the life of Mahatma Gandhi, he accepted an assignment to direct a film version of Joan Littlewood’s revue-style stage success based around the songs of the First World War, Oh What a Lovely War! The show traced a delicate line between sparkling song-and-dance entertainment and the harsh realities of trench warfare, and was not an easy project to transfer to the screen. Attenborough set most of the show on Brighton Pier, and achieved at least one superb directorial touch – a young man is seduced into fervently enlisting the vision of a glamorous showgirl (Maggie Smith) singing “I’ll Make a Man of You”, then as he mounts the music-hall stage he has a rude awakening as he comes face to face with the coarse, heavily made-up performer. The film’s final shot – an aerial view of masses of graves of those fallen in the war while on the soundtrack a soldier’s chorus sing ironic lyrics to the melody of Jerome Kern’s “They’ll Never Believe Me” – was devastating. Having almost imperceptively made the transition from leading man to character actor during the 1960s, Attenborough returned to the screen as a quirk detective inspector in a film version of Joe Orton’s play, Loot (1970), and played a psychologist having an affair with his half-sister in A Severed Head (1970). A fierce opponent of capital punishment, he readily accepted the role of serial killer John Christie in 10 Rillington Place (1971), in which he gave a chilling performance equalled by that of John Hurt as the wrongly executed Timothy Evans. Attenborough’s second film as a director was Young Winston (1972), based on Winston Churchill’s book My Early Life. Starring Simon Ward, the film efficiently depicted a young man’s progress through his schooling, his experiences as a journalist in Africa (with a rousing recreation of the Battle of Omdurman in 1898) and his induction into Parliament, but it was given a complex flashback and narration structure, the sort of elaboration that was to mar Attenborough’s later biography of Charlie Chaplin. He next directed A Bridge Too Far (1977), an account of the Battle of Arnhem in the Second World War, written by Cornelius Ryan, who wrote the D-Day film The Longest Day, which had already been filmed with great success. Attenborough’s film had a similar all-star cast – when Steve McQueen turned down the leading role, Attenborough successfully pursued Robert Redford – and though the pace is slow and the narrative confusing, the film’s battle scenes are awesome and the film did well at the box office. The following year he directed his first Hollywood film, Magic, a thriller in which a ventriloquist is possessed by his dummy – most critics agree that the earlier film, Dead of Night, handled the subject more effectively. Then in 1982 he achieved his long-standing dream of bringing the life story of Gandhi to the screen. His painstaking account of the life of the Indian promoter of protest through non-violence was his greatest directorial triumph, gaining 11 Oscar nominations and winning eight, including those for Ben Kingsley as Best Actor and Attenborough as Best Producer and Best Director. Another project close to his heart was Cry Freedom, which starred Denzel Washington as the anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko. Reaction to his treatment of the tale was mixed, since in order to make the downbeat story palatable (Biko died in police custody) , he devoted the film’s second half to the journalist Donald Woods, whose fearless revelations about Biko’s treatment put his own life in danger. Woods’ flight from South Africa with his family reminded some critics of The Sound of Music and was thought to diminish the impact of the Biko section. Chaplin (1992) was the biography of another of Attenborough’s heroes, Charlie Chaplin, and he was particularly lauded for the fine performance he elicited from Robert Downey Jr. Shadowlands (1993), based on the romance between the academic and author CS Lewis and the poet Joy Gresham, was another example of his skill with performers. Attenborough had difficulty finding backing for later projects, selling part of his valuable art collection to raise funds, and the Irish love story, Chasing the Ring, was little seen. He acted in few films later in his career, but had notable success as an eccentric developer in Spielberg’s Jurassic Park (1993) and its sequel, and as a twinkly Kris Kringle in The Miracle of 34th Street. After a stroke and a fall, Attenborough sold his Richmond home and in 2012 moved with his ailing wife into a rest home. Richard Samuel Attenborough, actor, producer and director: born Cambridge 29h August, 1923; CBE 1967, Kt 1976, cr. 1993 life peer; married 1945 Sheila Sim (one son, one daughter, and one daughter deceased); died London 24 August 2014.
i don't know
According to 2014 Twitter statistics, how many million tweets are sent every day?
Total number of registered Twitter users 695,750,000 Total number of active Twitter users 342,000,000 Number of new Twitter users signing up everyday 135,000 Number of unique Twitter site visitors every month 195 million Average number of tweets per day 58 million Number of Twitter search engine queries every day 2.1 billion Percent of Twitter users who use their phone to tweet 43 % Percent of tweets that come from third party applicants 60% Number of people that are employed by Twitter 2,500 Number of active Twitter users every month 115 million Percent of Twitters who don’t tweet but watch other people tweet 40% Number of days it takes for 1 billion tweets 5 days Number of tweets that happen every second 9,100
500
Geographically, Guantanamo Bay is located in?
The Data Explosion in 2014 Minute by Minute – Infographic | ACI The Data Explosion in 2014 Minute by Minute – Infographic by Susan Gunelius | Jul 12, 2014 | Blog Post , Featured Post , Research & Statistics | 4 comments In 2012, Google received over 2 million search queries per minute. Fast forward to 2014 and that number has more than doubled. Today, Google receives over 4 million search queries per minute from the 2.4 billion strong global internet population. That’s just one statistic that tells the story of the data explosion that we’re living through. In 2012, DOMO created an infographic that showed how much data is generated every minute , and in 2014, the Data Never Sleeps 2.0 infographic was published with all of the latest stats. You can see the 2014 infographic at the end of this article. Below are some key pieces of data that might surprise you. Every minute: Facebook users share nearly 2.5 million pieces of content. Twitter users tweet nearly 300,000 times. Instagram users post nearly 220,000 new photos. YouTube users upload 72 hours of new video content. Apple users download nearly 50,000 apps. Email users send over 200 million messages. Amazon generates over $80,000 in online sales. The Cost of Content Clutter Last year, Newstex published the Cost of Content Clutter infographic , which puts a dollar value to the data explosion for content publishers. Think of it this way—five exabytes of content were created between the birth of the world and 2003. In 2013, 5 exabytes of content were created each day. All of that data comes with a cost. In 2013, content searches cost companies over $14,000 per worker and nearly 500 hours per worker. The Google Factor Google plays a big role in helping people find online content and data, and it’s growth was visualized in the Amazing Facts Google infographic from Promodo last year. For example, did you know that Google processes 20 petabytes of information per day. Using the same comparison from the Cost of Content Clutter infographic, think of it this way—all of the written works of mankind created since the beginning of recorded history in all languages equals 50 petabytes of information. The Growth of WordPress When it comes to user-generated content outside of social media sites, WordPress plays a big role in the world of blogging and content management. The WordPress a Global Phenomenon inforgraphic from Yoast reported that over 72 million websites were built with WordPress in 2012. By January 2014, that number climbed to over 86 million. The History of the Internet The internet debuted in 1984 when it linked 1,000 hosts at university and corporate labs. According to The Incredible Growth of Web Usage infographic from WhoIsHostingThis.com, it took 15 years for the internet to grow to 50 million users in 1998. Eleven years later, in 2009, there were 1 billion internet users around the world. Three years later, it doubled to over 2.1 billion users, and by 2013, 39% of the world’s population was using the internet (2.7 billion people). The Internet Then and Now infographic from WhoIsHostingThis.com provides some more information about the data explosion. In 2013, nearly 4 billion hours of online video were watched each month. Even more interesting, people watched over 500 years of YouTube videos on Facebook every day and 1 billion YouTube videos on mobile devices every day. You can follow the links above to view each of the infographics and get all of the statistics related to the data explosion. Also, check out the 2014 infographic from DOMO below to see how much data is currently generated every minute.
i don't know
Which sugar confectionery adopted the slogan 'Taste the Rainbow' in 1994?
Popular Candy from the 1980's - Candycrate.com - Skittles Home | Candy by Occasion | New Years Eve Candy | Candy by Decade | Popular 1980's Candy | Skittles Skittles Skittles are brightly colored crunchy candy shells over chewy fruity centers. Skittles were first introduced in the United States as an imported item in 1979, it wasn't until 1982 that domestic production began. Surprisingly, the classic slogan 'taste the rainbow,' didn't come into play until 1994. There are various assortments and varieties of colors, flavors, and themes. Currently, Candy Crate offers the Sour Skittles and Original Skittles, but may expand in the future.
Skittles
The Golden Spurtle is an annual world championship, held at Scotland's Cairngorms National Park, for?
Skittles Media Plan - Marketing Marketing Share Skittles Media Plan Embed <iframe src="http://documents.mx/embed/skittles-media-plan.html" width="750" height="600" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" style="border:1px solid #CCC; border-width:1px; margin-bottom:5px; max-width: 100%;" allowfullscreen> </iframe> <div style="margin-bottom:5px"> <strong> <a href="http://documents.mx/marketing/skittles-media-plan.html" title="Skittles Media Plan" target="_blank">Skittles Media Plan</a></div> size(px) Text 1. Skittles Media PlanADV 6305Dr. Lu ZhengKristina Netzler, Katie Shupe, Yichen Wu, Chao Zhao 2.   2  Table of ContentsExecutive Summary 3Situation Analysis 4Company Background 4Corporate Responsibility 5Advertising History 6Marketing Mix 7SWOT Analysis 8Uncontrollable Constraints 10Brand Positioning 11Competitive Information 11Market Share 11Advertising Share 14Media Mix 16Share of Voice Analysis 18Marketing Objectives 19Target Audience 20Advertising Objectives 21Media Objectives 22Media Quintile Analysis 24Proposed Media 28Pros and Cons of each advertising medium to be included in the media mix 29Advertising Details 32Cost Summary and Budget Recap 35Flow Chart 36Monthly Detail 37Bibliography 38Appendix – Table 1 42 3.   3  EXECUTIVE SUMMARYSkittles are a variety of bite-sized, fruit flavored, chewy candies with a colorful shell inthe non-chocolate confectionaries product category. Owned by the Wrigley Company, asubsidiary of Mars, Inc. is a recognized leader in the confections industry. Skittles were firstintroduced in the United States in 1979 in the Original flavor that included a combination ofOrange, Lemon, Lime, Grape, and Strawberry candy pieces. Today Skittles candies havediversified to include seven different flavor products; Original, Sour, Wild Berry, Riddles,Tropical, Darkside, and Blenders. According to the official company website (Wrigley, 2013).The tag line “Taste the Rainbow” has been used since Skittles were first introduced. TheWrigley Company has used Cable TV, Network TV, Spot TV, Syndication, Network radio,Internet Display, and Magazine advertising to promote the Skittles brand. Recently, Skittles hasalso amplified their website (Skittles.com) and social media presence in an effort to build astrong relationship with their customers. Skittles now has over 25 million likes on Facebook andover 65,000 Twitter followers, making social media a large part of its strategy.According to Mintel (2012), Mars, Inc. dominates the chewy candy segment, with a27.1% market share. Specifically, Skittles is Mars, Inc. leading brand occupying 82% of themarket. Starburst and Life Savers Gummies hold 7% and 3.2% market shares respectively andare another two popular brands under Mars’s Wrigley unit. Other competitors in this segmentinclude Sour Patch Kids and Swedish Fish brands with a market share of 4.2% and 3.4%respectively.Skittles are primarily targeted to consumers aged 18-44 who look to satisfy a sweetcraving, value products made of real fruit, and most purchase them at supermarkets and massmerchandisers (Mintel, 2012). These consumers are predominately white, Black/AfricanAmerican, and Asian with more female users (46.9%) compared to male users (36.1%) (MRI,2011). Also, MRI data shows Skittle users live primarily in the South (41.1%) and Midwest(23.3%) and these two segments of people are 11% (South) and 7% (Midwest) more likely thanthe national average to consume Skittles. We also conclude the secondary target market arechildren and teens aged 6-17. While no MRI data is available for this age group, we believe thecreative direction of advertisements and MRI data on vehicles used suggests Skittles targets bothchildren and the mom’s purchasing the product for them.Media consumption is highest amongst the primary target audience through magazine,newspaper, Internet and TV media. This media plan will focus on five different media throughwhich Skittles will continue to advertise through magazines, Internet, Network Radio, TV andwith the implementation of outdoor advertising.Since Skittles are purchased year-round, our media plan utilizes the pulsing method withcontinuous advertising throughout the year and heavier periods of advertising during certainmonths to capitalize on important holidays, Easter and Halloween.Overall, our budget for the campaign is 7,500,000, but accounting for 7% contingencythe budget is $ 6,975,000. The contingency allows for additional units to be purchased ifnecessary. Our campaign will run from January through December 2014. Since Skittles are in themature phase within a saturated market, our campaign and budget are designed to remindconsumers about the product and increase interaction between the brand and its consumers. Theactual amount spent was $2,756,778, which is less than our project budget, but will allow foradditional units of media to be purchased if necessary. 4.   4  SITUATION ANALYSISCompany BackgroundThe Wrigley Company, a subsidiary of Mars, Inc. is a recognized leader in confectionswith a wide range of product offerings including gum, mints, lollipops, and hard and chewycandies including Skittles (Wrigley, 2013). Some of the Wrigley’s other world-famous brandsinclude Starburst, Altoids, Life Savers, and several popular gums such as Take 5, Big Red, Extra,Orbit, and Doublemint. The company is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois and has operations inmore than 40 countries and distribution in more than 180 countries (Wrigley, 2013).Skittles candies were first introduced in the United States in 1979 (Wrigley, 2013). TheOriginal flavor included a combination of Orange, Lemon, Lime, Grape and Strawberry chewycandy pieces. Today Skittles candies have diversified to include seven different flavor products;Original, Sour, Wild Berry, Riddles, Tropical, Darkside, and Blenders. According to the officialcompany website (Wrigley, 2013), “Skittles are a variety of bite-sized chewy candies with acolorful candy shell, Skittles® candies have been allowing fans to enjoy Skittles® for decades.”Skittles candies are part of the non-chocolate confectionaries sector with competitorssuch as our Sour Patch Kids, Life Savers Gummies, and Starburst, which is also owned by theWrigley Company. The competitive set for the non-chocolate confectionaries sector includesfruit-flavored confectionaries, primarily non-chocolate candy and gum. According to BusinessWire (2012), the 2011 industrys revenue was reported at $6.4 billion USD, with an estimatedgross profit of 39.18%. This finding suggests that despite a lagging economy, the snackingindustry remains strong and presents opportunities for growth. 5.   5  Corporate ResponsibilityThe Wrigley Company is dedicated to “Putting Our Principles into Action” and bringinga bright world to life (Wrigley Principles, 2013). Focusing on three P’s; the Planet, People, andPerformance, Wrigley believes in their role of responsibility and strong citizenship to the widerworld. The company provides the below statements about the three P’s (Wrigley Principles,2013):1) Planet“From the way we source our ingredients, to how we fuel our factories and package ourproducts, we are mindful of our impact on the world around us. We’re at our best whensound environmental, social and economic practices are part of everything we do. Wetake great care to plan for the future and minimize waste at every turn.”2) People“We aim to make a difference by respecting diversity and encouraging inclusion,consistently improving our health and safety practices, providing volunteer opportunitiesfor our associates and through philanthropy with real impact.”3) Performance“Increasing the simplicity and efficiency of our operations keeps lifting our business tonew heights. And remaining financially sound affords us the freedom to forge ahead withan uplifting vision of the future.”With 41 brands worldwide, and 17,000 associates in more than 40 countries thesededications for corporate responsibility are imperative to The Wrigley Company’s success(Wrigley Principles, 2013). 6.   6  Health and safety for the environment, employees, and consumers continue to be at the forefrontthe company’s value chain. In 1987, the Wrigley Company Foundation was created and hasdonated more than 50 million USD to charitable organizations with the mission to improve thehealth of people and the planet (Wrigley Principles, 2013).Advertising HistorySkittles was launched in 1979, but its memorable advertising began when “Taste theRainbow” was introduced in 1994 (Ives, 2004). “Taste the Rainbow” has been one of the longestrunning campaigns in the advertising history (Janssen, n.d.), and Skittles has not stopped using it.The slogan was introduced by the agency DArcy Masius Benton & Bowles in New York andwas originally accompanied by fanciful images such as dancing wizards (Ives, 2004).In 2004 TBWA/Chiat/Day took over the account and started adding variations to thefanciful images and “Taste the Rainbow” theme (Ives, 2004). Where the original ads were lightand fanciful in a fairytale sense, the new agency made ads that were fanciful in a zany way. Thenew ads included images such as people being fed Skittles by birds and teenagers sitting on arainbow in the sky (Ives, 2004). New tag lines were also introduced that played off of theoriginal slogan such as “taste the rainbow, believe the rainbow.” After this, Skittles hascontinued this trend of zany ads that do not directly relate to the product except to express anelement of fun and surprise. They have also continued to keep “taste the rainbow” while addingother twists. When Sour Skittles were introduced in 2000, they were advertised with the slogan“Feel the charge. Taste the Rainbow.” This campaign has remained consistent to zany themesand “Taste the Rainbow” even through many years and product variations. 7.   7  More recently, Skittles has embraced social media and used it to further their zany imageby posting and tweeting random and zany comments on their pages. In 2009, Skittles decided tofully embrace social media to make it a part of their advertising identity.They linked their website to their Twitter account, allowing tweets to be a large part of theirwebsite which was so popular when it was first launched that in caused Twitter to crash in theafter two days (Capell, 2009). They have since started to regulate what appears on their site andtheir Twitter to a larger degree, but skittles.com still features their social media as much if notmore than the actual product (Skittles.com). Skittles now has over 25 million likes on Facebookand over 65,000 Twitter followers, making social media a large part of its strategy.Marketing MixProductSkittles are small colourful candies with as fruit-inspired sweet and tangy taste. Theyconsistently come in Original, Wild Berry, Tropical, and Sour flavor varieties, and a variety ofother flavors are constantly being introduced for limited time periods. They come in packagesranging in from a standard 4 ounce package to 1 pound packages, or in packages of “fun size”packets, sometimes with only Skittles and often as part of a candy assortment.PlaceSkittles are currently sold across the US and the UK anywhere that candy is sold, includingconvenience stores, grocery stores, vending machines, movie theaters etc.PriceThe standard size usually sells for under $1 while larger packages that contain fun size packscan be sold for up to $10. 8.   8  PromotionSkittles advertises on television, national radio, and they have advertised in magazines in thepast, though not in 2012 (Ad$pender).They also advertise on the internet and put a large focus on their social media campaign. Theirads in all media are zany to the point of being outrageous, and the slogan “Taste the Rainbow” orsome variation of this slogan has been central to the ad campaign since 1994.SWOTSStrengths• Skittles has high brand awareness.• The candy has a great taste.• It appeals to many different demographic groups.• Skittles currently has a large distribution.• Diverse distribution channels exist such as checkout counters and vending machines.• Can be changed slightly with new flavors.• They contain real sugar, not high fructose corn syrup.• The small candies are easy to share with a group.• They are gluten free.• Many varieties contain vitamin C. 9.   9  Weaknesses• Skittles are high in sugar with 42 grams per serving.• Not everyone likes the super sweet taste.• They can be a choking hazard for young children.• They can be very messy if children play with them.Opportunities• Can be expanded to a more international market.• People have started using them as mixers in “Skittle Vodka.”• Branded products such as Skittles lip gloss and Skittles backpacks can be created.• Candy focused holidays such as Halloween and Easter provide seasonal salesopportunities.• New flavors can be created to suit the tastes of a new market or target group.Threats• People are becoming increasingly health conscious.• The government is trying to limit high-calorie products in schools, including in schoolvending machines.• There is a great deal of competition for non-chocolate candy, and new competitorssurface regularly.• Association with the Trayvon Martin incident may have added a negative stigma to theproduct. (Severson, 2012) 10.   10  Uncontrollable RestraintsSkittles are a fun, fruit-flavored, chewy, bite-sized candy with limited restraints.However, the Great Recession has impacted both unemployment rates and consumer spendinghabits. With limited finances, consumers have to watch every dollar they spend and focuspurchases on the necessities of life.Although employers have been adding jobs for three consecutive years the growth ingradual.Overall, the US economy has only regained about two thirds of the labor market from where itwas at the beginning of the Great Recession. According to Kurtz (2013), the United Statedunemployment rate fell to the lowest level since 2008 at 7.7% with 236,000 jobs added inFebruary 2013. While this is promising, only 119,000 were added in January, and the countryoverall still is feeling financial pains of the recession with 12 million workers still unemployed(Kurtz, 2013).In relation to unemployment rates, consumer spending rates have also impacted theUnited States economy. In concurrence with the boost of jobs, purchases also rose 0.6% inFebruary 2013 and 0.2% in January 2013 (Chandra, 2013). While this is also encouraging, it isimportant to note the majority of this spending went towards household goods, which accountsfor about 70% of the economy, not discretionary spending on confection candies (Jamrisko,2013). With the recession effecting both employment and consumer spending, this will likelyreduce the number of purchases spent on confection candies. 11.   11  Brand PositioningSkittles positions itself as a variety of bite-size chewy candies with a colorful candy shellthat has been allowing fans to “Taste the Rainbow” for decades (Wrigley, 2013). It is the onlycandy that is the color of the rainbow and encourages consumers to live in color by being unique,out-of-the-box, and fun. The Skittles brand is not solely the taste of the confection candy, butinstead, the experience of eating Skittles is just as or more important than the candy itself.Recently, in an effort to build a stronger relationship with its customers, Skittlesrevamped its website (www.skittles.com) to encourage visitors to “Experience The Rainbow.”Filled with social media hooks, the website uses a myriad of touch points to convey the positionof the brand. Carole Walker, VP of Integrate Marketing Communications stated the effortreinforces the brand position that, “Skittles lives in a world that is unexpected” (Wasserman,2009). It is the first brand who has trusted the position of Skittles to be influenced by consumerswho have significant control over the website.Market ShareAccording to Mintel (2012), in the 52 weeks ending Sept. 9, 2012, Mars, Inc. continuedto dominate the chewy candy segment, holding 27.1% market share. Skittles, as Mars’ leadingbrand, occupies 8.2% of the market. Starburst and Life Savers Gummies hold 7% and 3.2%market shares respectively and are another two popular brands under Mars’s Wrigley unit.After Mars, the next three leading companies are Kraft Foods Inc. (now MondelezInternational), the Hershey Company, and Farley’s & Sathers Candy. Kraft holds 10.7% marketshare thanks to a strong performance from its Sour Patch Kids and Swedish Fish brands with amarket share of 4.2% and 3.4% respectively. 12.   12  The Hershey Company holds 7.7% market share with a leading brand of Reeses Pieces (4.0%)and Jolly Rancher (2.7%). Farley’s & Sathers has a number of brands in the chewy category thatrepresent small slices of its overall market share of 6.6% (Mintel, 2012).Apart from big brands, private label maintained a strong presence with 11.4% marketshare, surpassing the second leading national brand, Kraft. This could be explained by theeconomic depression when many consumers shift their dollars to less expensive private labels.However, the sales dip (Table 1) of private label from 2011 to 2012 may predict its decrease ofmarket share due to slow economy recovery possibly because low prices may not be enough toattract consumers (Mintel, 2012).Both of the pie charts show that the chewy candy segment is a pretty fragmented marketwith thousands of competitors (36% of other companies and 67% of other brands) holding a tinymarket share each. However, it is undoubted that Skittles has been leading the chewy candyindustry. Moreover, a sales increase of 10.5% of Skittles has been seen from 2011 to 2012(Mintel, 2012). We have reasons to believe that Skittles has the ability to expand its market sharein the near future, especially by taking the market share from private labels as the economyrecovers. 13.   13  Figure-1Figure-2  27%  11%  8%  7%    36%  11%  2012  Chewy  Candy  Market  Share  (Companies)  Mars  Inc.  Kraft  Foods  Inc.  The  Hershey  Company    Farleys  &  Sathers  Candy      Other  leading  brands  Private  Label    8%  7%   4%  3%  4%  4%  3%  67%  2012  Chewy  Candy  Market  Share  (Brands)  Skittles  Starburst  Sour  Patch  Kids  Life  Savers  Gummies  Swedish  Fish  Reeses  Pieces  Jolly  Rancher  Others   14.   14  Advertising ShareFigure-3Figure-42010 Advertising ShareSkittles Starburst Sour Patch Kids Life Saver Gummies2011 Advertising ShareSkittles Starburst Sour Patch Kids Life Saver GummiesSkittles 34%Life Saver Gummies 4%Starburst 46%Sour PatchKids 16%Skittles 32%Sour PatchKids 19%Starburst 38%Life Saver Gummies 11% 15.   15  Figure-5All three pie charts (figure 3-5) show the advertising share of Skittles and its three maincompetitors: Starburst, Sour Patch Kids and Life Saver Gummies during 2010-2012. It’sobviously that the advertising share of Skittles basically remains the same among three yearswith the percentage around 33%. For Starburst, advertising share of 2010 and 2012 is botharound 45%, while the percentage goes down a little bit as 38% in 2011. For Sour Patch Kids,there is a clear increase on advertising expenditure from 16% in 2010, 19% in 2011 to 21% in2012. Regarding Life Savor Gummies, the situation is a little dramatic. From 4% of advertisingshare in 2010 to 11% in 2011, Life Savor Gummies has increased its advertising share 2 timesmore than previous year. However, in 2012, due to the sharp cut on its advertising expenditure,the advertising share also falls to less than 1% accordingly.In summary, Starburst has been the champion in advertising expenditure among these 4brands, followed by Skittles, Sour Patch Kids and Life Savor Gummies. Only Sour Patch Kidsshows clear tendency of a continuous increase in advertising share.2012 Advertising ShareSkittles Starburst Sour Patch Kids Life Saver GummiesSkittles 33%Starburst 45%Sour PatchKids 21%Life Saver Gummies 1% 16.   16  In 2012 Starburst spent $9,792,900 in advertising while Skittles spending $7,341,600 followedby Sour Patch Kids with $4,710,500 and Life Savor Gummies with the least of $71,300(Ad$pender, 2013).Media MixMedia change tendency chartBrandsMedia used in allthree years2010Unique media2011Unique media2012Unique mediaSkittlesNetwork TVCable TVSyndicationSpot TVUS int-display/MagazinesNetwork radioNetwork radioStarburstNetwork TVCable TVSyndicationSpot TVNetwork radioUS int-display/ Magazines /SPK Cable TVSpot TVUS int-displayUS int-display /LSG US int-display / Magazines /Chart-1Chart-1 reflects an interesting finding in comparing data from all three years’ mediausage for all four brands. In 2011, three out of four brands spent money on magazinesadvertising. However, advertising expenditure on magazines all disappeared in 2012. ForSkittles, data shows the possible trend that network radio may be included into its routine mediafor advertising. 17.   17  For Sour Patch Kids (SPK) and Life Saver Gummies (LSG), whose advertising expenditure ismuch smaller than the other two brands, the trend shows that they would like to put all themoney focus on only one kind of media.Figure-6Figure-72012 Skittles Media MixNetwork TV Cable TV Syndication Spot TV Network radio US internet-display2012 Starburst Media MixNetwork TV Cable TV Syndication Spot TV Network radio US internet-displayCable TV 58%Syndication8%Network radio4%Network TV26%US int-display4%Spot TV less than1%Cable TV54%Network TV30%US int-display11%Network radio3%Syndication2%Spot TV1% 18.   18  Taking the media mix data of 2012 as example for analysis, the two pie charts above(figure 6 & 7) show the detailed media mix information for Skittles and Starburst. Since SourPatch Kids (SPK) and Life Saver Gummies (LSG) all used only one kind of media, chart forthese two brands will be omitted here. SPK spent $4,710,500 on cable TV while LSG spent$71,300 on US internet-display. For Skittles and Starburst, their advertising expenditure in 2012was relatively $7,341,600 (Skittles) and $9,792,900 (Starburst). These two brands both spentover half of advertising expenditure on cable TV and more than 25% of the money on networkTV. Reflected on actual dollars, for cable TV, Skittles spent $4,242,000 while Starburst spent$5,270,100. For network TV, Skittles spent $1,915,900 comparing to $2,897,400 from Starburst.However, 11% of Starburst’s budget ($1,062,000) goes to US internet-display while this numberfor Skittles is only 4% ($296,300). The lease amount of advertising expenditure is Spot TV withSkittles at less than 1% and Starburst at 1% (Ad$pender, 2013).Share of Voice AnalysisBrandNetworkTVCable TV Syndication Spot TVNetworkRadioUS int-displaySkittles 39.80% 29.83% 73.27% 2.15% 53.62% 20.72%Starburst 60.20% 37.05% 26.73% 97.85% 46.38% 74.29%SPK 0.00% 33.12% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%LSG 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 4.99%Total 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%Chart-2Chart-2 above shows the share of voice for Skittles and its three main competitors in theindustry. Skittles only takes domination in syndication and network radio. 19.   19  It’s important to mention that in the column of cable TV both Starburst and Sour Patch Kids hadhigher share of voice than Skittles. In the media categories of network TV, spot TV and USinternet-display, Starburst all takes the 1stplace in share of voice.However, MRI data shows a different way on how to spend money on various mediacategories to make effective advertisements. According to MRI data from 2009 to 2011, heavymagazine users and medium to heavy Internet users are more likely to buy Skittles. Hence,Skittles should include magazines into one of its routine media for advertising while keep raisingits share of voice for US internet-display with utilizing all of its current social platforms likeFacebook, Twitter, Google plus, YouTube page and its official website. If Skittles spends moneyon magazines in the future while all main competitors don’t, Skittles will definitely become onestep ahead in this fierce competition. Regarding the internet-display part, digital advertising likebanner ads and mobile apps should also be taken into consideration. Moreover, since femaleshows more preference towards Skittles according to MRI data, several popular social apps withmajority of female users like Instagram and Pinterest can be powerful platforms as well.Marketing ObjectivesThe marketing objective for the Skittles media plan is to increase its market share by 2percent from current 8.2% to reach 10% from Jan 1, 2014 to Dec 31, 2014 to keep its 1stplace.2% seems a little bit lower as the target for a year-round plan, but it’s based on severalconsiderations about the outside environment and product per se as below: 1. currently the USmarket is still under an economic recession; 2.Skittles is not the necessity product for daily life; 3. the candy market has been quite saturated.Hence, we set a relatively moderate target to make this more practical and easier to reach. 20.   20  Based on the data from Mintel and MRI, it is shown that white female aged 18-44 are themain target audience. However, according to conclusion from other research, it is mentioned thatkids and teens are the actual consumers who eat Skittles, although their parents are the onespaying money for the candies (Kee, 2010). Bearing all these in mind, we are going to target kidsand teens aged 6-17 together with targeting white female aged 18-44 because children are themost important motivations to attract actual buyers for Skittles. By increasing the sales of theproduct, it will be important for Skittles to grab a larger market share while strengthening itsbrand image.Target AudienceThe target market of non-chocolate confectionery, according to Mintel (2012), isconsumers aged 18-44 who look to satisfy a sweet craving, value products made of real fruit, andmostly purchase them at supermarkets and mass merchandisers. Mintel also showed that Asianand black respondents are more likely than average to consume the products.Similar conclusions can be drawn by analyzing the MRI Mediamark data.The primary target audience for Skittles during 2014-2015 campaign year is people aged 18-44(MRI, 2011). This segment of people occupies more than 70% of Skittles users and issignificantly more likely than the national average to make a purchase. Also, MRI data show thatin 2011 there are more female Skittles users (46.9%) than their male counterparts (36.1%) in theage group of 18-49, and women (Index 161) are more likely than men (Index 124) to buySkittles.Moreover, white people make up more than 70% of Skittles users followed by Black/AfricanAmerican people (18.5%) with a significantly high Index number (159) meaning they are 59%more likely than the national average to use Skittles (MRI, 2011). 21.   21  Therefore, we are wise to target the white audience primarily and regard Black/African people asthe secondary target audience. However, note that sometimes the target market includes, but notlimited to, the target audience. According to Kee (2010), the target market of Skittles is tweens,teens and colorful candy-lovers. We can also see from the MRI data (2011) that children aged 6-17 account for more than a half of total Skittles users in 2011 and are far more likely than thenational average to use Skittles due to high index numbers (134 for children aged 6-11; 130 forchildren aged 12-17), though they don’t necessarily buy Skittles themselves. Therefore, ouradvertising messages are also wise to be relevant to children to some extent.In addition, the MRI data (2009, 2010, 2011) reveal that heavy magazine users, mediumto heavy Internet users, light to medium newspaper users, and light TV users tend to buy Skittles.In 2011, heavy magazine users account for more than a quarter (27.9%) of Skittles users whilemedium to heavy Internet users occupy nearly 70% of those consumers. Accordingly, bothmagazine and Internet are important to reach the target audience of Skittles.However, although light TV users are more likely to use Skittles, the Skittles users who are light,medium, and heavy TV users are pretty evenly distributed (MRI, 2011). Therefore, it is arbitraryto exclude TV as an option to reach the target audience.Skittles users live primarily in the South (41.1%) and Midwest (23.3%) and these twosegments of people are 11% (South) and 7% (Midwest) more likely than the national average toconsume Skittles (MRI, 2011). As a result, it will be imperative to advertise more in thoseregions.Advertising ObjectivesThe advertising objective for Skittles with this media plan is to increase the interactionbetween the brand and its consumers. 22.   22  Time period for this plan is the whole year of 2014. Well utilizing media of TV, magazines andinternet will help Skittles to accomplish this goal. Advertising content will focus on the fun andemotional experience Skittles bring to its customers to continuously improving its brand imageand personality of “taste the rainbow”. Advertisement will also focus on product attributes.Media ObjectivesLevel Reach FrequencyRange Average Range AverageHigh 76-99% 80% 9 – 12 10Medium 61-75% 68% 6 – 8 7Low 50-60% 55% 2 – 5 3Reach and Frequency GoalsPeriod 1: April 2014 (Reach 58.8, Frequency 1.8; Spot: Reach 63.8, Frequency 1.9)Period 2: October 2014 (Reach 58.8, Frequency 1.8; Spot: Reach 63.8, Frequency 1.9)The reach and frequency goals are divided into six categories for the 2014 campaignyear, and further broken down into two categories to specifically target white, moms, and aged18-44. The campaign schedule utilizes the pulsing method with continuous advertisingthroughout the year and heavier periods of advertising during certain months to capitalize onimportant holidays, Easter and Halloween.During the campaign we will target children aged 6-17 consistently throughout the yearto remind them to “Taste the Rainbow” and experience life in color with Skittles. 23.   23  In addition, during the higher pulsed periods we will target specific geographical areas andwhite, moms, aged 18-44 with strategy that they will be the purchasers of candy during theseholiday seasons. Due to the limitations of the Media Flight Plan software, we are only able tocalculate our campaign for the adult target audience.The first and second campaign periods during the seasonal months of April and Octoberhave low/medium reach and frequency goals because of Skittle’s limited budget. The firstseasonal promotion will occur in the first period during April, with Easter falling on April 20th,2014. During this time the reach and frequency goals specifically target mothers, and thesouthern and midwestern geographical areas of the United States. The next promotion occurs inOctober during the Halloween season and we have kept the reach and frequency goals consistentto period one.Similar to period one, period two has low/medium reach and frequency goals to capitalize onmoms shopping for seasonal candy and geographical areas already more likely to purchaseSkittles than the national average. Finally, we will also include outdoor advertising thatconsiderably increases our reach and frequency goals. Unfortunately the Media Flight Plansoftware does not allow us to specifically manipulate outdoor data. Our strategy will be to placeoutdoor advertisements on freeways near exits with gas stations and rest stops in the southernand midwestern geographical areas. 24.   24  Media Quintile Analysis27.9  20.2  23.3  23.4  21.8  20.1   20.2  21.7  16.6  19.3  14.7  19.8  %  of  Skittles  Users  in  the  Heaviest  (I)  and  Heavy  (II)  Quintiles  140  101  117  117  109  101   101  108  83  96  74  99  Index  of  Heaviest  (I)  and  Heavy  (II)  Users   25.   25  According to the 2011 MRI data for people who purchased Skittles candy in the last 6months, magazines and internet are the best ways to reach Skittles users and while outdoor andradio are also both good options. Television and newspaper are not as popular media for theseusers. (All data in this section taken from MRI data for Fall 2011 Product: Skittles- Bought Last6 Months)The first thing that can be observed from the MRI data is that Skittles purchasers areheavy magazine readers. They are 40% more likely than average to be in the heaviest quintile ofmagazine readers. Also, 48.1% of Skittles purchasers fall into the top two magazine quartiles,meaning just under half of our target are heavy or heaviest magazine users.Internet is the next medium that Skittle purchasers seem to favor. There are about anequal number of heavy and heaviest Internet users who purchase Skittles, and both are 17% morelikely than average to be in one of these top two quintiles. Furthermore, 46.7% of Skittlespurchasers fall into the top two quintiles meaning, as with magazines, that just under half of theSkittles audience are heavy or heaviest users.For outdoor, Skittles purchasers are 9% more likely than average to be heaviest outdoorusers and just 1% more likely than average to be heavy outdoor users. 62.9% of Skittles usersfall into the top three quintiles, making outdoor still a reasonable choice for Skittles marketing.Radio comes in just under outdoor in popularity with Skittles users. They are slightlymore likely than average to be heaviest or heavy radio users, and 64.5% of Skittle users fall intothe top three quintiles. However, they fall most strongly into the third quintile, which is whyoutdoor appears to be the slightly better option.For television, Skittles purchasers are 17% less likely than average to be heaviest usersand 4% less likely than average to be heavy users. 26.   26  55.8% fall into the top three quintiles of television watchers. Television may not be a bad choiceconsidering its ability to target children and its visual elements, but MRI suggests that it is notthe strongest choice.Finally, newspaper seems to be a very poor choice for Skittles advertising. Skittlespurchasers are 26% less likely than average to be the heaviest newspaper consumers and 1% lesslikely than average to be heavy newspaper readers. They are significantly more likely to be in thelower three quintiles of magazine readers.For comparison, the following charts show the MRI media usage data for our primarytarget market, women ages 18-34 and then 35-49 who are classified as homemakers/primaryshoppers.Women in this age group appear to favor Internet more heavily that Skittle purchasers, butbesides this, the media trends are quite similar to Skittles purchasers.117  103  132  123  105  106   102  109  57  86  46  88  Females  age  18-­‐34  Index  of  Heaviest  (I)  and  Heavy  (II)  Users   27.   27  116  104  118  119   120  99  106  113  75  86  75  97  Females  age  35-­‐49  Index  of  Heaviest  (I)  and  Heavy  (II)  Users  23.4  20.6  26.3  24.6  21  21.2   20.5  21.7  11.4  17.1  9.2  17.6  %  of  Females  age  18-­‐34  that  are  Heaviest  (I)  and  Heavy  (II)  Users   28.   28  Proposed MediaBased on the media quintile analysis, media mix and share of voice analysis of Skittles,we have picked several media as below to reach all the target audience and make the advertisingmore effective during the campaign year of 2014. These media includes magazines, Internet,network radio, TV and outdoor.First, we strongly recommend including magazines as the routine advertising media forSkittles. According to MRI data, nearly half of Skittles purchasers belong to the heaviest andheavy magazine users. Hence, magazines will be a wise way to reach potential buyers.Moreover, these group of people also have fairly high index number of 140 and 101. Analyzingfrom Ad$pender, using magazines will also help Skittles to lead a step ahead of its competitors.Because after 2011, Starburst and Life Saver Gummies all cancelled their advertisingexpenditure on magazines. (Chart-1)23.1  20.7  23.7  23.7   24.1  19.9  21.3  22.5  15.1  17.3  15  19.4  %  of  Females  age  35-­‐49  that  are  Heaviest  (I)  and  Heavy  (II)  Users   29.   29  Following magazines, increasing expenditure on internet advertising will definitely workfor Skittles. In 2012, Skittles only spent 4% of its budget on internet advertising while Starburstspent 11% of its money on this (Figure 6 & 7). The share of voice analysis also shows thatSkittles only have 21% share in internet-display category comparing to Starburst’s 74% (Chart2). From the information we got from MRI, similar to magazines, nearly half of Skittlespurchasers fall into the heaviest and heavy internet users. And these people also show tendencyof being more likely to buy the product than national average. Another strong point to supportthis decision is our target audience of kids and teens aged 6-17. Internet is the best choice toreach younger generation. We also think remaining network radio as one of the routine media forSkittles advertising will be wise. Upon MRI data, over 60% of Skittles users belong to the topthree quintiles.For TV, both Skittles and Starburst all spent over half of the budget on cable TV and over25% of the budget on network TV. Sour Patch Kids spent all its money on cable TV as well.Hence, although TV seems not a recommended media from MRI data, it’s still a powerful mediain reaching mass target audience.Finally, another important media neglected by all four brands is outdoor media. Datashows that over 40% of Skittles purchasers fall in heaviest and heavy outdoor media quintile,which makes outdoor becomes an effective channel in delivering messages to potential Skittlesbuyers.Pros and cons of each advertising medium to be included in the media mixMagazinesMagazine is a very suitable media for Skittles because of the following reasons. 30.   30  First, it’s easy to create high quality print ad with strong visual effect on magazines, which isperfectly fitting the “rainbow” concept of Skittles. Second, the extensive pass-along readershipof magazines makes every single edition can be read by large group of people. Third, magazinesenjoy long shelf life comparing to other kinds of media. Finally, since magazines are divided intoniche categories based on the content and target audience, it will be easy to reach several nichetarget audience group via this media. However, the main disadvantage of magazines is that thecost is very high. And the lack of immediacy and easy to be buried among bunch ofadvertisements will be problems as well.InternetFor a creative brand like Skittles, Internet will be the best place to express the creativity.With well utilizing all the flexible types of internet-display, various online channels Skittlescurrently have can be integrated into one unified platform to strengthen the brand imagecommunication and customer relationship building. As mentioned in the previous part, internet isalso the 1stchoice to reach the younger generation, thanks to all the technology developmenttoday. Furthermore, the cost of Internet advertisement is quite affordable comparing to manytraditional media. Regarding the main cons, Internet advertising is easy to be ignored byaudience. And it’s hard to trace and measure whether certain advertisements have reached thetarget audience.Network RadioThe main benefit of using network radio lies in its cost and ability to reach the massgroup of people. However, for the Skittles case, the disadvantage is also obvious. Radioadvertising can only express the message through sound and music, but not image, which will bea big con for Skittles. 31.   31  TelevisionTelevision is a powerful media in this case. With network TV, cable TV and spot TV,this media can both target national and regional target audience. Furthermore, it’s also easy toreach niche market like children via certain channels like Disney Channel. However, the cost toadvertise on television is basically the highest among all media. Furthermore, the perception ofthinking commercials as intrusive and the characteristic of fleeting are other negative aspects oftelevision advertising.OutdoorUtilizing outdoor in advertising for Skittles will be very helpful. Because outdooradvertising is affordable and it’s the best one to present visual effect, which perfectly fits theattribute of our product per se. Another advantage of outdoor print is that it can be shown invarious places to target different group of people. The only limitation is that copy may not workwell in outdoor advertising. 32.   32  Advertising DetailsFigure-8The total budget for the 2014-2015 Skittles campaign year was set to be $7,500,000($525,000 with contingency, $6,975,000 actual), a little higher than the annual budget($7,341,600) of 2012 with the consideration of the recovering economy.Specifically, the budget was split into the following 6 different media categories with the allottedpercentage of budget respectively: Internet (13%), magazine (11%), cable TV (50%), networkTV (18%), network radio (4%), and outdoor (4%).As was mentioned before, Internet tends to be the best choice to reach the target audienceand express the brand’s creativity with a reasonable cost. Although Skittles has been active onsocial media (Mintel, 2012), previous analysis of Skittles’ 2012 advertising share reveals thatSkittles spent only 4% of its annual budget on US internet-display, which was far less than thecounterpart of its primary competitor, Starburst (11%). Also, Skittles (20.72%) was beaten byStarburst (74.29%) in terms of Internet share of voice.13%  11%  50%  18%  4%  4%  2014-­‐2015  Media  Mix  Internet  Magazine  Cable  TV  Network  TV  Network  Radio  Outdoor   33.   33  We will increase Skittles’ Internet advertising share to 13% in the 2014 campaign year tomake it comparable with competitors. Based on the MRI data (2011), we will choose Internetvehicles like Gmail.com (which attracts 24.9% of Skittles users), Yahoo! Mail (with 37.8% ofSkittles users), Weather.com (with 29.8% of users) to advertise Skittles. These people are also17% to 29% more likely than the national average to use Skittles. Such vehicles will help expandSkittles’ online presence.The analysis above shows that magazine is a quite suitable media for Skittles. However,considering this will be the first time for Skittles to advertise on magazines since 2010, we willallocate 11% of the annual budget to magazines a little bit conservatively. According to MRIdata (2011), the target audience of Skittles mostly reads magazines such as Women (47.7% ofSkittles users), News and Entertainment Weeklies (44.7% of Skittles users), and GeneralEditorial (42.3% of Skittles users). Moreover, these readers are 19% to 25% more likely than thenational average to purchase Skittles. Magazines like Parenthood (18.4%) and Parents (11.4%)also have fair readerships, and the readers respectively are 61% and 77% more likely than thenational average to make a purchase. Therefore, these magazines will be used to advertise on.In order to reach the target market of children and teens, we will target kids by advertising inmagazines such as Disney Magazine and Sports Illustrated Kids. For teens, Skittles shouldadvertise in young teen magazines J-14 and Twist. These magazines are geared toward thoseunder 18. Although no MRI data is available right now, the magazines are targeted to the rightage group and thus are worth attempting.Cable Television received a half of the budget even though most Skittles users are lightTV users (44.2% are in quintile IV and V) because it is still possible to reach a large portion ofthese consumers through television. 34.   34  ABC Family Channel attracts 30% of the Skittles users; MTV attracts 27.9% of the Skittlesusers; The Disney Channel attracts 24.5% of the Skittles users; Cartoon Network attracts 20.7%of the Skittles users. The audience of these programs is also 42% to 70% more likely than thenational average to buy Skittles. Hence, these vehicles will be used in the 2014 campaign.Network radio remained to receive 4% share of the annual advertising budget with theconsideration that Skittles consumers are only slightly more likely than average to be heavy andheaviest radio users. Radio thus will be considered as a supportive media and related ads willmostly be aired on the time periods of 6:00 am-10:00 am and 3:00 pm-7:00 pm on Weekdaysand from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm on Weekends.Finally, outdoor media also received 4% of the advertising budget for the 2014-2015campaign. Prior media quintile analysis reveals that heavy outdoor users are 9% more likely thanthe national average to use Skittles. Accordingly, outdoor media will be used as supportivemedia to advertise on for our campaign. Also, the campaign will concentrate on the southern andmid-western geographical regions of the United States where Skittles largest loyal customer baseresides (MRI, 2011).In the following planning process with Media Plight Plan, we will basically focus on thetarget segment of 18-44 year-old mothers due to the limited availability of “target demographic”(age groups). In other worlds, the age groups only range from 18 to 65 so we cannot reach thechildren and teenagers who are also chosen to be our target audience. Therefore, we will ONLYfocus on the mother category of the target audience in the planning process. 35.   35  Based on our pulsing advertising method stated above with continuous advertisingthrough the year to reach children and teens and heavier periods of advertising during importantholidays to reach mothers, we will allocate 60% of the total budget to support the advertising allover the year, and 40% of the money to higher pulsed 2 periods. In other words, our followingplanning featuring on the mothers will be based on the months of April and October with the40% of the actual budget ($6,975,000*40%=$2,790,000).With these amounts of money available, we will basically use Internet, magazines, cabletelevision, network radio, and outdoor media to reach our target audience, 18-44 years old whitemothers. Nearly half (46.2%) of the allocated Internet budget (that is 6% out of the total budget),72.7% of the magazine budget (that is 8% of the total budget), 36% of the cable TV budget (thatis 18% of the total budget), and all the network radio and outdoor budget will be used to reachthe mothers (Chart-3).Allocated Budget Used to Reach White Mothers Aged 18-44 (Media Flight Plan)Media Amount of moneyPercentage of the specificmedia (e.g. Internet) budgetPercentage of the totalannual budgetInternet $418,500 46.2% 6%Magazine $ 558,000 72.7% 8%Radio$ 279,000100% 4%Outdoor $ 279,000 100% 4%Cable TV $ 1,255,500 36% 18%Total $2,790,000 - 40% 36.   36  Chart-3 37.   37   38.   38  BibliographyAd$pender (2013). Life Saver Gummies 2010. Data file. 25 Mar. 2013Ad$pender (2013). Life Saver Gummies 2011. Data file. 25 Mar. 2013Ad$pender (2013). Life Saver Gummies 2012. Data file. 25 Mar. 2013Ad$pender (2013). Skittles 2010. Data file. 25 Mar. 2013Ad$pender (2013). Skittles 2011. Data file. 25 Mar. 2013Ad$pender (2013). Skittles 2012. Data file. 25 Mar. 2013Ad$pender (2013). Starburst 2010. Data file. 25 Mar. 2013Ad$pender (2013). Starburst 2011. Data file. 25 Mar. 2013Ad$pender (2013). Starburst 2012. Data file. 25 Mar. 2013Ad$pender (2013). Sour Patch Kids 2010. Data file. 25 Mar. 2013Ad$pender (2013). Sour Patch Kids 2011. Data file. 25 Mar. 2013Ad$pender (2013). Sour Patch Kids 2012. Data file. 25 Mar. 2013Business Wire. (April, 2012). Research and Markets: Updated Reports on the $6.4 USNonchocolate Confectionery Manufacturing Industry and its International Trade.Retrieved from http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120426005068/en/Research-Markets-Updated-Report-6.4-billion-NonchocolateCapell, K. (2009, March 8). When Skittles met Twitter. Bloomburg Business Week. Retrievedfrom http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2009-03-08/when-skittles-met-twitterbusinessweek-business-news-stock-market-and-financial-advice 39.   39  Chandra, S. (March, 2013). U.S. Consumer Spending Probably Rose Most in FiveMonths. Retrieved from http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-24/u-s-consumer-spending-probably-rose-most-in-five-months.htmlGfK Mediamark Research & Intelligence. (2011, Fall Product Report). Candy (regular or kingsize) bought/last 6 months Skittles. Base: Adults. Retrieved from MRI Mediamark Reportdatabase.GfK Mediamark Research & Intelligence. (2010, Fall Product Report). Candy (regular or kingsize) bought/last 6 months Skittles. Base: Adults. Retrieved from MRI Mediamark Reportdatabase.GfK Mediamark Research & Intelligence. (2009, Fall Product Report). Candy (regular or kingsize) bought/last 6 months Skittles. Base: Adults. Retrieved from MRI Mediamark Reportdatabase.Ives, N. (2004, July 09). The media business: advertising; Skittles overhauls a familiar theme toencourage experiencing the candy, not just tasting it. The New York Times. Retrievedfrom http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/09/business/media-business-advertising-skittles-overhauls-familiar-theme-encourage.html?pagewanted=allJamrisko, M. (March, 2013). Consumer Spending in U.S. Climbs Even as Taxes HurtIncomes. Retrieved from http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-01/consumer-spending-in-u-s-climbs-even-as-taxes-hurt-incomes.html 40.   40  Janssen, S. (n.d.). Creative Criminals. Skittles: Taste the Rainbow Campaign. Retrieved April 2,2013, from http://creativecriminals.com/compilations/skittles-taste-the-rainbow-campaign/Kee, T. (2010). Skittles shows brands how not to get a social media campaign to spread.Retrieved from http://econsultancy.com/us/blog/6794-skittles-shows-brands-how-not-to-get-a-social-media-campaign-to-spreadKurtz, A. (March, 2013). Unemployment rates fall to lowest level since 2008.Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2013/03/08/news/economy/february-jobs-report/index.htmlMintel. (2012). Non-chocolate confectionery--U.S.--December 2012: Brand share-chewy candy.Retrieved March 31, 2013 from Mintel Reports database.Mintel. (2012). Non-chocolate confectionery--Executive summary--U.S.--December 2012.Retrieved March 31, 2013 from Mintel Reports database.Severson, K. (2012, March 29). For Skittles, death brings both profit and risk. The New YorkTimes. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/29/us/skittles-sales-up-after-trayvon-martin-shooting.html?_r=0 41.   41  Wasserman, T. (February, 2009). Skittles Wikis Its Home Page. Retrieved fromhttp://www.adweek.com/news/technology/skittles-wikis-its-home-page-98536Wrigley. (2013). Putting our principles into action. Retrieved fromhttp://www.wrigley.com/global/principles-in-action.aspxWrigley (2013). Skittles Facts and History. Retrieved fromhttp://www.wrigley.com/global/brands/skittles.aspx#panel-1 42.   42  Table 1Sales of leading chewy candy brandsMULO sales of chewy candy by leading companies, rolling 52 weeks 2011 and 2012CompanyBrand 52 weeksendingSeptember 9 2011Marketshare52 weeksendingSeptember 9 2012MarketshareSaleschange2011-12Sharechange$million % $million % % PercentagepointMarsInc.Total 446.2 28.0 461.6 27.1 3.4 -0.8Skittles 126.2 7.9 139.4 8.2 10.5 0.3Starburst 122.7 7.7 119.6 7.0 -2.5 -0.7Life SaversGummies64.9 4.1 54.0 3.2 -16.7 -0.9Starburst FlavorMorph0.3 - 15.1 0.9 5,361.7 0.9Skittles Riddles - - 12.9 0.8 - 0.8Starburst FaveReds14.9 0.9 12.4 0.7 -16.9 -0.2Other 117.2 7.3 108.1 6.4 -7.8 -1.0KraftFoodsInc.Total 160.1 10.0 182.1 10.7 13.7 0.7Sour Patch Kids 58.3 3.7 71.1 4.2 21.9 0.5Swedish Fish 53.2 3.3 57.9 3.4 8.7 0.1Other 48.6 3.0 53.1 3.1 9.3 0.1TheHersheyCompanyTotal 117.8 7.4 131.5 7.7 11.6 0.3Reeses Pieces 67.4 4.2 68.1 4.0 1.1 -0.2Jolly Rancher 30.5 1.9 45.2 2.7 48.2 0.7Zero 10.3 0.6 8.6 0.5 -16.6 -0.1Other 9.7 0.6 9.7 0.6 -0.5 -Farleys&SathersCandyTotal 98.3 6.2 112.6 6.6 14.5 0.5Brachs 16.2 1.0 24.7 1.5 52.2 0.4Trolli BriteCrawlers9.7 0.6 17.0 1.0 74.9 0.4 43.   43  Trolli Sour BriteCrawlers9.8 0.6 9.8 0.6 -0.4 0.0Heide Jujyfruits 8.7 0.5 7.9 0.5 -9.3 -0.1Now & Later 7.8 0.5 7.4 0.4 -4.7 -0.1Brachs Wild NFruity4.6 0.3 7.2 0.4 56.1 0.1Other 41.5 2.6 38.7 2.3 -6.9 -0.3JustBornInc.Total 78.4 4.9 84.0 4.9 7.1 -Mike And Ike 36.7 2.3 42.2 2.5 14.9 0.2Hot Tamales 26.7 1.7 24.1 1.4 -9.6 -0.3Other 15.0 0.9 17.6 1.0 17.6 0.1TootsieRollIndustries Inc.Total 81.1 5.1 81.9 4.8 0.9 -0.3Tootsie Roll 51.5 3.2 48.8 2.9 -5.2 -0.4Tootsie Dots 16.1 1.0 15.7 0.9 -2.2 -0.1Sugar Babies 5.7 0.4 6.7 0.4 17.1 -Other 7.7 0.5 10.6 0.6 36.8 0.1PerfettiVanMelleTotal 66.7 4.2 71.8 4.2 7.6 -Air Heads 18.7 1.2 23.4 1.4 25.3 0.2Air HeadsXtremes20.7 1.3 22.1 1.3 6.8 -Air Heads OutOf Control14.2 0.9 13.5 0.8 -4.9 -0.1Air Heads KungFu Panda 213.2 0.8 12.8 0.8 -2.8 -0.1HariboOfAmerica Inc.Total 46.9 2.9 54.2 3.2 15.6 0.2Haribo GoldBears37.0 2.3 42.2 2.5 14.2 0.2Haribo 5.5 0.3 7.2 0.4 30.7 0.1Haribo HappyCola4.3 0.3 4.7 0.3 8.8 -Other 0.1 - 0.1 - 7.0 -Other 304.8 19.1 327.5 19.2 7.4 0.1PrivateLabel195.1 12.2 194.7 11.4 -0.2 -0.8Total 1,595.5 100.0 1,701.7 100.0 6.7 - 44.   44  Note: Data may not equal totals due to roundingSource: Mintel/SymphonyIRI Group InfoScan® Reviews
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What commodity value is benchmarked in the USA and elsewhere according to (among more technical terms) 'Texas Light Sweet'?
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None   Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act Yes ý No ¨   Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No ý   Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.Yes ý No ¨   Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ý No ¨   Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨   Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a small reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller Reporting Company ¨ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No ý   The aggregate market value of the registrant’s voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant on the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter (based on the closing sale price as reported by the NYSE MKT) was approximately $802.2 million.   Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.   As of February 21, 2014, the registrant had 61,852,670 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.   DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE   Portions of the proxy statement related to the registrant’s 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this annual report.   CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS   We are including the following discussion to inform our existing and potential security holders generally of some of the risks and uncertainties that can affect our company and to take advantage of the “safe harbor” protection for forward-looking statements that applicable federal securities law affords.   From time to time, our management or persons acting on our behalf may make forward-looking statements to inform existing and potential security holders about our company.  All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this report regarding our financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations, industry conditions, and indebtedness covenant compliance are forward-looking statements.  When used in this report, forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by terms or phrases such as “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “plan,” “intend,” “seek,” “goal,” “will,” “should,” “may” or other words and similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes.  Items contemplating or making assumptions about, actual or potential future sales, market size, collaborations, and trends or operating results also constitute such forward-looking statements.   Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and important factors (many of which are beyond our company’s control) that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements, including the following:  crude oil and natural gas prices, our ability to raise or access capital, general economic or industry conditions, nationally and/or in the communities in which our company conducts business, changes in the interest rate environment, legislation or regulatory requirements, conditions of the securities markets, changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines, financial or political instability, acts of war or terrorism, other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and technical factors affecting our company’s operations, products and prices.   We have based any forward-looking statements on our current expectations and assumptions about future events.  While our management considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control.  Accordingly, results actually achieved may differ materially from expected results in these statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made.  You should consider carefully the statements in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and other sections of this report, which describe factors that could cause our actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.  Our company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of such statements.   Readers are urged not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report.  We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance that may arise after the date of this report, other than as may be required by applicable law or regulation.  Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us in our reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) which attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, financial condition, results of operation and cash flows. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those expected or projected.     GLOSSARY OF TERMS Unless otherwise indicated in this report, natural gas volumes are stated at the legal pressure base of the state or geographic area in which the reserves are located at 60 degrees Fahrenheit.  Crude oil and natural gas equivalents are determined using the ratio of six Mcf of natural gas to one barrel of crude oil, condensate or natural gas liquids. The following definitions shall apply to the technical terms used in this report. Terms used to describe quantities of crude oil and natural gas: “Bbl.”  One stock tank barrel of 42 U.S. gallons liquid volume used herein in reference to crude oil, condensate or NGLs. “Boe.”  A barrel of oil equivalent and is a standard convention used to express oil, NGL and natural gas volumes on a comparable oil equivalent basis. Gas equivalents are determined under the relative energy content method by using the ratio of 6.0 Mcf of gas to 1.0 Bbl of oil or NGL. “Boepd.” Boe per day. “Btu or British Thermal Unit.”  The quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. “MBbl.”  One thousand barrels of crude oil, condensate or NGLs. “MBoe.”  One thousand Boes. “Mcf.”  One thousand cubic feet of natural gas. “MMBbl.”  One million barrels of crude oil, condensate or NGLs. “MMBoe.”  One million Boes. “MMBtu.”  One million British Thermal Units. “MMcf.”  One million cubic feet of natural gas. “NGLs.”  Natural gas liquids.  Hydrocarbons found in natural gas that may be extracted as liquefied petroleum gas and natural gasoline. Terms used to describe our interests in wells and acreage: “Basin.”  A large natural depression on the earth’s surface in which sediments generally brought by water accumulate. “Completion.”  The process of treating a drilled well followed by the installation of permanent equipment for the production of crude oil, NGLs, and/or natural gas. “Conventional play.”  An area that is believed to be capable of producing crude oil, NGLs, and natural gas occurring in discrete accumulations in structural and stratigraphic traps. “Developed acreage.”  Acreage consisting of leased acres spaced or assignable to productive wells.  Acreage included in spacing units of infill wells is classified as developed acreage at the time production commences from the initial well in the spacing unit.  As such, the addition of an infill well does not have any impact on a company’s amount of developed acreage.       “Development well.”  A well drilled within the proved area of a crude oil, NGL, or natural gas reservoir to the depth of stratigraphic horizon (rock layer or formation) noted to be productive for the purpose of extracting proved crude oil, NGL, or natural gas reserves. “Dry hole.”  A well found to be incapable of producing hydrocarbons in sufficient quantities such that proceeds from the sale of such production exceed production expenses and taxes. “Exploratory well”  A well drilled to find and produce crude oil, NGLs, or natural gas in an unproved area, to find a new reservoir in a field previously found to be producing crude oil, NGLs, or natural gas in another reservoir, or to extend a known reservoir. “Field.”  An area consisting of a single reservoir or multiple reservoirs all grouped on, or related to, the same individual geological structural feature or stratigraphic condition. The field name refers to the surface area, although it may refer to both the surface and the underground productive formations. “Formation.”  A layer of rock which has distinct characteristics that differs from nearby rock. “Gross acres or Gross wells.”  The total acres or wells, as the case may be, in which a working interest is owned. “Held by operations.”  A provision in an oil and gas lease that extends the stated term of the lease as long as drilling operations are ongoing on the property. “Held by production.”  A provision in an oil and gas lease that extends the stated term of the lease as long as the property produces a minimum quantity of crude oil, NGLs, and natural gas. “Hydraulic fracturing.”  The technique of improving a well’s production or injection rates by pumping a mixture of fluids into the formation and rupturing the rock, creating an artificial channel. As part of this technique, sand or other material may also be injected into the formation to keep the channel open, so that fluids or natural gases may more easily flow through the formation. “Infill well.”  A subsequent well drilled in an established spacing unit to the addition of an already established productive well in the spacing unit.  Acreage on which infill wells are drilled is considered developed commencing with the initial productive well established in the spacing unit.  As such, the addition of an infill well does not have any impact on a company’s amount of developed acreage. “Net acres.”  The percentage ownership of gross acres.  Net acres are deemed to exist when the sum of fractional ownership working interests in gross acres equals one (e.g., a 10% working interest in a lease covering 640 gross acres is equivalent to 64 net acres). “Net well.”  A well that is deemed to exist when the sum of fractional ownership working interests in gross wells equals one. “NYMEX.”  The New York Mercantile Exchange. “OPEC.”  The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. “Productive well.”  A well that is found to be capable of producing hydrocarbons in sufficient quantities such that proceeds from the sale of the production exceed production expenses and taxes. “Recompletion.”  The process of treating a drilled well followed by the installation of permanent equipment for the production of crude oil, NGLs or natural gas or, in the case of a dry hole, the reporting of abandonment to the appropriate agency.       “Reservoir.”  A porous and permeable underground formation containing a natural accumulation of producible crude oil, NGLs and/or natural gas that is confined by impermeable rock or water barriers and is separate from other reservoirs. “Spacing.”  The distance between wells producing from the same reservoir. Spacing is often expressed in terms of acres, e.g., 40-acre spacing, and is often established by regulatory agencies. “Unconventional play.”  An area believed to be capable of producing crude oil, NGLs, and/or natural gas occurring in cumulations that are regionally extensive but require recently developed technologies to achieve profitability.  These areas tend to have low permeability and may be closely associated with source rock as this is the case with crude oil and natural gas shale, tight crude oil and natural gas sands and coal bed methane. “Undeveloped acreage.”  Leased acreage on which wells have not been drilled or completed to a point that would permit the production of economic quantities of crude oil, NGLs, and natural gas, regardless of whether such acreage contains proved reserves.  Undeveloped acreage includes net acres held by operations until a productive well is established in the spacing unit. “Unit.”  The joining of all or substantially all interests in a reservoir or field, rather than a single tract, to provide for development and operation without regard to separate property interests.  Also, the area covered by a unitization agreement. “Wellbore.”  The hole drilled by the bit that is equipped for natural gas production on a completed well.  Also called well or borehole. “West Texas Intermediate or WTI.”  A light, sweet blend of oil produced from the fields in West Texas. “Working interest.”  The right granted to the lessee of a property to explore for and to produce and own crude oil, NGLs, natural gas or other minerals. The working interest owners bear the exploration, development, and operating costs on either a cash, penalty, or carried basis. Terms used to assign a present value to or to classify our reserves: “Possible reserves.”  The additional reserves which analysis of geoscience and engineering data suggest are less likely to be recoverable than probable reserves. “Pre-tax PV-10% or PV-10.”  The estimated future net revenue, discounted at a rate of 10% per annum, before income taxes and with no price or cost escalation or de-escalation in accordance with guidelines promulgated by the SEC. “Probable reserves.”  The additional reserves which analysis of geoscience and engineering data indicate are less likely to be recovered than proved reserves but which together with proved reserves, are as likely as not to be recovered. “Proved developed producing reserves (PDP’s).”  Reserves that can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods.  Additional crude oil, NGLs, and natural gas expected to be obtained through the application of fluid injection or other improved recovery techniques for supplementing the natural forces and mechanisms of primary recovery are included in “proved developed reserves” only after testing by a pilot project or after the operation of an installed program has confirmed through production response that increased recovery will be achieved. “Proved developed non-producing reserves (PDNP’s).” Proved crude oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves that are developed behind pipe, shut-in or that can be recovered through improved recovery only after the necessary equipment has been installed, or when the costs to do so are relatively minor.  Shut-in reserves are expected to be recovered from (1) completion intervals which are open at the time of the estimate but which have not started producing, (2) wells that were shut-in for market conditions or pipeline connections, or (3) wells not capable of production for mechanical reasons. Behind-pipe reserves are expected to be recovered from zones in existing wells that will require additional completion work or future recompletion prior to the start of production.       “Proved reserves.”  The quantities of crude oil, NGLs and natural gas, which, by analysis of geosciences and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible, from a given date forward, from known reservoirs, and under existing economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulations, prior to the time at which contracts providing the right to operate expire, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain, regardless of whether deterministic or probabilistic methods are used for the estimation.  The project to extract the hydrocarbons must have commenced or the operator must be reasonably certain that it will commence the project within a reasonable time. “Proved undeveloped drilling location.”  A site on which a development well can be drilled consistent with spacing rules for purposes of recovering proved undeveloped reserves. “Proved undeveloped reserves” or “PUDs.”  Reserves that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for development. Reserves on undrilled acreage are limited to those drilling units offsetting productive units that are reasonably certain of production when drilled. Proved reserves for other undrilled units are claimed only where it can be demonstrated with certainty that there is continuity of production from the existing productive formation. Estimates for proved undeveloped reserves will not be attributable to any acreage for which an application of fluid injection or other improved recovery technique is contemplated, unless such techniques have been proved effective by actual tests in the area and in the same reservoir. (i)           The area of the reservoir considered as proved includes: (A) the area identified by drilling and limited by fluid contacts, if any, and (B) adjacent undrilled portions of the reservoir that can, with reasonable certainty, be judged to be continuous with it and to contain economically producible crude oil, NGLs or natural gas on the basis of available geoscience and engineering data. (ii)           In the absence of data on fluid contacts, proved quantities in a reservoir are limited by the lowest known hydrocarbons (“LKH”) as seen in a well penetration unless geoscience, engineering, or performance data and reliable technology establishes a lower contact with reasonable certainty. (iii)           Where direct observation from well penetrations has defined a highest known oil (“HKO”) elevation and the potential exists for an associated gas cap, proved oil reserves may be assigned in the structurally higher portions of the reservoir only if geoscience, engineering or performance data and reliable technology establish the higher contact with reasonable certainty. (iv)           Reserves which can be produced economically through application of improved recovery techniques (including, but not limited to, fluid injection) are included in the proved classification when: (A) successful testing by a pilot project in an area of the reservoir with properties no more favorable than in the reservoir as a whole, the operation of an installed program in the reservoir or an analogous reservoir, or other evidence using reliable technology establishes the reasonable certainty of the engineering analysis on which the project or program was based; and (B) the project has been approved for development by all necessary parties and entities, including governmental entities. (v)           Existing economic conditions include prices and costs at which economic producibility from a reservoir is to be determined. The price shall be the average during the 12-month period prior to the ending date of the period covered by the report, determined as an unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month within such period, unless prices are defined by contractual arrangements, excluding escalations based on future conditions. “Standardized measure.”  The estimated future net revenue, discounted at a rate of 10% per annum, after income taxes and with no price or cost escalation, calculated in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 932, formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 69 “Disclosures About Oil and Gas Producing Activities.”   Item 1. Business Overview We are an independent energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of oil and natural gas properties, primarily in the Bakken and Three Forks formations within the Williston Basin in North Dakota and Montana.  We believe the location, size and concentration of our acreage position in one of North America’s leading unconventional oil-resource plays will provide drilling and development opportunities that result in significant long-term value.  Our primary focus is oil exploration and production through non-operated working interests in wells drilled and completed in spacing units that include our acreage.  As a non-operator, we are able to diversify our investment exposure by participating in a large number of gross wells, as well as entering into more project areas by partnering with numerous experienced operating partners.  In addition, because we can elect to participate on a well-by-well basis, we believe we have increased flexibility in the timing and amount of our capital expenditures because we are not burdened with various contractual development agreements or a large operating support staff.  Further, we are able to avoid exploratory costs incurred by many oil and gas producers. During 2013, we participated in the drilling and completion of 531 gross (40.0 net) wells in the Williston Basin.  At December 31, 2013, we owned working interests in 1,758 gross (146.2 net) producing wells, consisting of 1,754 wells targeting the Bakken and Three Forks formations and four exploratory wells targeting other formations.  As of December 31, 2013, we leased approximately 187,044 net acres, all located in the Williston Basin, of which approximately 107,999 net acres were developed. As of December 31, 2013, our proved reserves were 84.2 MMBoe (all of which were in the Williston Basin) as estimated by our third-party independent reservoir engineering firm, Ryder Scott Company, LP, which represents 25% growth in our proved reserves compared to year end 2012.  As of December 31, 2013, 42% of our reserves were classified as proved developed and 90% of our reserves were oil.  The following table provides a summary of certain information regarding our assets:   Represents the average daily production over the three months ended December 31, 2013.   (2)   PV-10 is a non-GAAP financial measure.  For further information and reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, see “Item 2. Properties–Proved Reserves.”  The prices used to calculate this measure were $96.78 per barrel of oil (WTI price) and $3.67 per MMBtu of natural gas (Henry Hub price), which prices were then further adjusted for transportation, quality and basis differentials.  The average resulting price used as of December 31, 2013 was $88.00 per barrel of oil and $5.23 per Mcf of natural gas.   2   Historically, we have acquired properties by purchasing individual or small groups of leases directly from mineral owners or from landmen or lease brokers, as well as by purchasing lease packages in identified project areas controlled by specific operators. We have increasingly focused our efforts on acquiring properties subject to specific drilling projects or included in permitted or drilling spacing units.  We believe that our history of acquiring oil and gas interests in the Williston Basin, our early participation in the unconventional development of the Bakken and Three Forks formations and the relationships we have established with the various operators within the basin, provide us a competitive advantage in our efforts to secure additional oil and gas properties within the Williston Basin.   We seek to create value through strategic acreage acquisitions and partnering with operators who have experience in developing and producing oil in our core areas.  We have targeted specific prospects and have consistently participated in drilling programs in the Williston Basin.  We have more than 25 experienced operating partners that provide both technical capabilities and additional sources for acreage acquisitions.  Additionally, through our participation in 1,758 gross (146.2 net) producing wells, we have assembled an extensive database of information related to well performance for different areas of the Williston Basin, which helps us evaluate acquisition opportunities and the drilling programs of our operating partners. Business Strategy Our business strategy is to create value for our shareholders by growing reserves, production and cash flow on a cost-efficient basis.  Key elements of our business strategies include: ·   Continue Participation in the Development of Our Existing Properties in the Williston Basin as a Non-Operator.  Development of our existing position in the Williston Basin resource play is our primary objective.  We plan to continue to concentrate our capital expenditures in the Williston Basin, where we believe our current acreage position provides an attractive return on the capital employed on our multi-year drilling inventory of oil-focused properties. ·   Diversify Our Risk Through Non-Operated Participation in a Larger Number of Bakken and Three Forks Wells.  As a non-operator, we seek to diversify our investment and operational risk through participation in a large number of oil wells and with multiple operators.  As of December 31, 2013, we have participated in 1,758 gross (146.2 net) producing wells in the Williston Basin with an average working interest of 8.3% in each gross well, with more than 25 experienced operating partners.  We expect to continue partnering with numerous experienced operators across our leasehold positions. ·   Make Strategic Acquisitions in the Williston Basin at Attractive Prices.  We generally seek to acquire small lease positions at a significant discount to the contiguous acreage positions typically sought by larger producers.  As part of this strategy, we consider areas that are actively being drilled and permitted and where we have an understanding of the operators and their drilling plans, capital requirements and well economics.  Historically, we have acquired properties by purchasing individual or small groups of leases directly from mineral owners or from landmen or lease brokers, as well as purchasing lease packages in identified project areas controlled by specific operators.  We believe this acquisition strategy will allow us to expand our operations at attractive prices.  During 2013, we acquired 20,900 net acres at an average cost of $1,279 per acre.  In addition, during 2013 we separately acquired working interests in 70 gross (7.0 net) wells in undrilled locations in which we do not hold the underlying leasehold interests, for a total cost of approximately $9.0 million.  During 2012, we acquired approximately 17,590 net acres at an average cost of $1,788 per acre, and earned an additional 6,450 net acres through farm-in arrangements. ·   Maintain a Strong Balance Sheet and Actively Manage Commodity Price Risk.  Our goal is to remain financially strong, yet flexible, through the prudent management of our balance sheet and active management of commodity price volatility.  We employ an active commodity price risk management program to better enable us to execute our business plan over the entire commodity price cycle.  Our current program includes a combination of swaps and costless collars on a significant percentage of our expected production over a rolling 24 to 36-month horizon.  The following table summarizes the oil derivative contracts that we have entered into for each year as of December 31, 2013:     Industry Operating Environment The oil and natural gas industry is affected by many factors that we generally cannot control. Government regulations, particularly in the areas of taxation, energy, climate change and the environment, can have a significant impact on operations and profitability.  Significant factors that will impact oil prices in the current fiscal year and future periods include: political and social developments in the Middle East, demand in Asian and European markets, and the extent to which members of OPEC and other oil exporting nations manage oil supply through export quotas.  Daily WTI oil prices averaged $98.05 per barrel in 2013 with a high of $110.53 per barrel in September and a low of $86.68 per barrel in April.  Additionally, natural gas prices continue to be under pressure due to concerns over excess supply of natural gas due to the high productivity of emerging shale plays in the United States and continued lower product demand caused by a weakened economy.  Natural gas prices are generally determined by North American supply and demand and are also affected by imports of liquefied natural gas.  Weather also has a significant impact on demand for natural gas since it is a primary heating source. Development We primarily engage in oil and natural gas exploration and production by participating on a proportionate basis alongside third-party interests in wells drilled and completed in spacing units that include our acreage.  In addition, from time-to-time, we acquire working interests in wells in which we do not hold the underlying leasehold interests from third parties unable or unwilling to participate in particular well proposals.  We typically depend on drilling partners to propose, permit and initiate the drilling of wells.  Prior to commencing drilling, our partners are required to provide all owners of oil, natural gas and mineral interests within the designated spacing unit the opportunity to participate in the drilling costs and revenues of the well to the extent of their pro-rata share of such interest within the spacing unit.  We assess each drilling opportunity on a case-by-case basis and participate in wells that we expect to meet our return thresholds based upon our estimates of ultimate recoverable oil and natural gas, expertise of the operator and completed well cost from each project, as well as other factors.  At the present time we expect to participate pursuant to our working interest in a majority of the wells proposed to us. We do not manage our commodities marketing activities internally, but our operating partners generally market and sell oil and natural gas produced from wells in which we have an interest.  Our operating partners coordinate the transportation of our oil production from our wells to appropriate pipelines or rail transport facilities pursuant to arrangements that such partners negotiate and maintain with various parties purchasing the production.  We understand that our partners generally sell our production to a variety of purchasers at prevailing market prices under separately negotiated short-term contracts.  The price at which production is sold generally is tied to the spot market for oil.  Williston Basin Light Sweet Crude from the Bakken source rock is generally 41-42 API crude oil and is readily accepted into the pipeline infrastructure.  The weighted average differential reported to us by our producers during 2013 was $8.68 per barrel below NYMEX pricing.  Our weighted average differential was approximately $14.98 per barrel below NYMEX pricing during the fourth quarter of 2013.  This differential represents the imbedded transportation costs in moving the oil from wellhead to refinery and will fluctuate based on availability of pipeline, rail and other transportation methods. Competition The oil and natural gas industry is intensely competitive, and we compete with numerous other oil and natural gas exploration and production companies.  Some of these companies have substantially greater resources than we have.  Not only do they explore for and produce oil and natural gas, but also many carry on midstream and refining operations and market petroleum and other products on a regional, national or worldwide basis.  The operations of other companies may be able to pay more for exploratory prospects and productive oil and natural gas properties.  They may also have more resources to define, evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number of properties and prospects than our financial or human resources permit.       Our larger or integrated competitors may be better able to absorb the burden of existing, and any changes to federal, state, and local laws and regulations than we can, which would adversely affect our competitive position.  Our ability to discover reserves and acquire additional properties in the future will be dependent upon our ability and resources to evaluate and select suitable properties and to consummate transactions in this highly competitive environment.  In addition, we may be at a disadvantage in producing oil and natural gas properties and bidding for exploratory prospects, because we have fewer financial and human resources than other companies in our industry.  Should a larger and better financed company decide to directly compete with us, and be successful in its efforts, our business could be adversely affected. Marketing and Customers The market for oil and natural gas that will be produced from our properties depends on factors beyond our control, including the extent of domestic production and imports of oil and natural gas, the proximity and capacity of natural gas pipelines and other transportation facilities, demand for oil and natural gas, the marketing of competitive fuels and the effects of state and federal regulation. The oil and natural gas industry also competes with other industries in supplying the energy and fuel requirements of industrial, commercial and individual consumers. Our oil production is expected to be sold at prices tied to the spot oil markets.  Our natural gas production is expected to be sold under short-term contracts and priced based on first of the month index prices or on daily spot market prices.  We rely on our operating partners to market and sell our production.  Our operating partners include a variety of exploration and production companies, from large publicly-traded companies to small, privately-owned companies. We do not believe the loss of any single operator would have a material adverse effect on our company as a whole. Title to Properties Our properties are subject to customary royalty interests, liens under indebtedness, liens incident to operating agreements, liens for current taxes and other burdens, including other mineral encumbrances and restrictions.  Our credit agreement is also secured by a first lien on substantially all of our assets.  We do not believe that any of these burdens materially interfere with the use of our properties or the operation of our business.   We believe that we have satisfactory title to or rights in all of our producing properties.  As is customary in the oil and gas industry, minimal investigation of title is made at the time of acquisition of undeveloped properties.  In most cases, we investigate title only when we acquire producing properties or before commencement of drilling operations. Principal Agreements Affecting Our Ordinary Business We do not own any physical real estate, but, instead, our acreage is comprised of leasehold interests subject to the terms and provisions of lease agreements that provide our company the right to drill and maintain wells in specific geographic areas.  All lease arrangements that comprise our acreage positions are established using industry-standard terms that have been established and used in the oil and natural gas industry for many years. Some of our leases may be acquired from other parties that obtained the original leasehold interest prior to our acquisition of the leasehold interest. In general, our lease agreements stipulate three to five year terms.  Bonuses and royalty rates are negotiated on a case-by-case basis consistent with industry standard pricing.  Once a well is drilled and production established, the leased acreage in the applicable spacing unit is considered developed acreage and is held by production.  Other locations within the drilling unit created for a well may also be drilled at any time with no time limit as long as the lease is held by production.  Given the current pace of drilling in the Bakken play at this time, we do not believe lease expiration issues will materially affect our North Dakota position.     Governmental Regulation and Environmental Matters Our operations are subject to various rules, regulations and limitations impacting the oil and natural gas exploration and production industry as whole. Regulation of Oil and Natural Gas Production Our oil and natural gas exploration, production and related operations are subject to extensive rules and regulations promulgated by federal, state, tribal and local authorities and agencies.  For example, North Dakota and Montana require permits for drilling operations, drilling bonds and reports concerning operations and impose other requirements relating to the exploration and production of oil and natural gas. Such states may also have statutes or regulations addressing conservation matters, including provisions for the unitization or pooling of oil and natural gas properties, the establishment of maximum rates of production from wells, and the regulation of spacing, plugging and abandonment of such wells.  Failure to comply with any such rules and regulations can result in substantial penalties.  The regulatory burden on the oil and natural gas industry will most likely increase our cost of doing business and may affect our profitability.  Although we believe we are currently in substantial compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, because such rules and regulations are frequently amended or reinterpreted, we are unable to predict the future cost or impact of complying with such laws.  Significant expenditures may be required to comply with governmental laws and regulations and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Environmental Matters Our operations and properties are subject to extensive and changing federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to environmental protection, including the generation, storage, handling, emission, transportation and discharge of materials into the environment, and relating to safety and health. The recent trend in environmental legislation and regulation generally is toward stricter standards, and this trend will likely continue. These laws and regulations may: ·   require the acquisition of a permit or other authorization before construction or drilling commences and for certain other activities;   ·   limit or prohibit construction, drilling and other activities on certain lands lying within wilderness and other protected areas; and   impose substantial liabilities for pollution resulting from its operations.   The permits required for our operations may be subject to revocation, modification and renewal by issuing authorities.  Governmental authorities have the power to enforce their regulations, and violations are subject to fines or injunctions, or both.  In the opinion of management, we are in substantial compliance with current applicable environmental laws and regulations, and have no material commitments for capital expenditures to comply with existing environmental requirements. Nevertheless, changes in existing environmental laws and regulations or in interpretations thereof could have a significant impact on our company, as well as the oil and natural gas industry in general. The Comprehensive Environmental, Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) and comparable state statutes impose strict, joint and several liability on owners and operators of sites and on persons who disposed of or arranged for the disposal of “hazardous substances” found at such sites. It is not uncommon for the neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by the hazardous substances released into the environment.  The Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”) and comparable state statutes govern the disposal of “solid waste” and “hazardous waste” and authorize the imposition of substantial fines and penalties for noncompliance. Although CERCLA currently excludes petroleum from its definition of “hazardous substance,” state laws affecting our operations may impose clean-up liability relating to petroleum and petroleum related products. In addition, although RCRA classifies certain oil field wastes as “non-hazardous,” such exploration and production wastes could be reclassified as hazardous wastes thereby making such wastes subject to more stringent handling and disposal requirements.   6   The Endangered Species Act (“ESA”) seeks to ensure that activities do not jeopardize endangered or threatened animal, fish and plant species, nor destroy or modify the critical habitat of such species.  Under ESA, exploration and production operations, as well as actions by federal agencies, may not significantly impair or jeopardize the species or its habitat.  ESA provides for criminal penalties for willful violations of ESA.  Other statutes that provide protection to animal and plant species and that may apply to our operations include, but are not necessarily limited to, the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, the Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the National Historic Preservation Act.  Although we believe that our operations will be in substantial compliance with such statutes, any change in these statutes or any reclassification of a species as endangered could subject our company (directly or indirectly through our operating partners) to significant expenses to modify our operations or could force discontinuation of certain operations altogether.   On April 17, 2012, the EPA finalized rules proposed on July 28, 2011 that establish new air emission controls for oil and natural gas production and natural gas processing operations.  Specifically, the EPA’s rule package includes New Source Performance Standards to address emissions of sulfur dioxide and volatile organic compounds (“VOCs”) and a separate set of emission standards to address hazardous air pollutants frequently associated with oil and natural gas production and processing activities.  On August 5, 2013, the EPA issued final updates to its 2012 VOC performance standards for storage tanks.  The rules establish specific new requirements regarding emissions from compressors, dehydrators, storage tanks and other production equipment. In addition, the rules revise leak detection requirements for natural gas processing plants.  These rules may require a number of modifications to the operations of our third-party operating partners, including the installation of new equipment to control emissions from compressors.  Although we cannot predict the cost to comply with these new requirements at this point, compliance with these new rules could result in significant costs, including increased capital expenditures and operating costs, and could adversely impact our business.   These new regulations and proposals and any other new regulations requiring the installation of more sophisticated pollution control equipment could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.   The Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, or the Clean Water Act (the “CWA”), imposes restrictions and controls on the discharge of produced waters and other pollutants into navigable waters.  Permits must be obtained to discharge pollutants into state and federal waters and to conduct construction activities in waters and wetlands.  The CWA and certain state regulations prohibit the discharge of produced water, sand, drilling fluids, drill cuttings, sediment and certain other substances related to the oil and gas industry into certain coastal and offshore waters without an individual or general National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System discharge permit. In addition, the Clean Water Act and analogous state laws require individual permits or coverage under general permits for discharges of storm water runoff from certain types of facilities.  Some states also maintain groundwater protection programs that require permits for discharges or operations that may impact groundwater conditions.  Costs may be associated with the treatment of wastewater and/or developing and implementing storm water pollution prevention plans.  The CWA and comparable state statutes provide for civil, criminal and administrative penalties for unauthorized discharges of oil and other pollutants and impose liability on parties responsible for those discharges, for the costs of cleaning up any environmental damage caused by the release and for natural resource damages resulting from the release.   The underground injection of oil and natural gas wastes are regulated by the Underground Injection Control program authorized by the Safe Drinking Water Act.  The primary objective of injection well operating requirements is to ensure the mechanical integrity of the injection apparatus and to prevent migration of fluids from the injection zone into underground sources of drinking water.  Substantially all of the oil and natural gas production in which we have interest is developed from unconventional sources that require hydraulic fracturing as part of the completion process.  Hydraulic fracturing involves the injection of water, sand and chemicals under pressure into the formation to stimulate gas production.  Legislation to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to repeal the exemption for hydraulic fracturing from the definition of “underground injection” and require federal permitting and regulatory control of hydraulic fracturing, as well as legislative proposals to require disclosure of the chemical constituents of the fluids used in the fracturing process, were proposed in recent sessions of Congress.  The U.S. Congress continues to consider legislation to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to subject hydraulic fracturing operations to regulation under the Act’s Underground Injection Control Program to require disclosure of chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing process.       Scrutiny of hydraulic fracturing activities continues in other ways.  The federal government is currently undertaking several studies of hydraulic fracturing’s potential impacts.  Several states, including Montana and North Dakota where our properties are located, have also proposed or adopted legislative or regulatory restrictions on hydraulic fracturing.  We cannot predict whether any other legislation will ever be enacted and if so, what its provisions would be.  If additional levels of regulation and permits were required through the adoption of new laws and regulations at the federal or state level, which could lead to delays, increased operating costs and process prohibitions that would materially adversely affect our revenue and results of operations.        The National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, establishes a national environmental policy and goals for the protection, maintenance and enhancement of the environment and provides a process for implementing these goals within federal agencies.  A major federal agency action having the potential to significantly impact the environment requires review under NEPA.  Many of the activities of our third-party operating partners are covered under categorical exclusions which results in a shorter NEPA review process.  The Council on Environmental Quality has announced an intention to reinvigorate NEPA reviews and on March 12, 2012, issued final guidance that may result in longer review processes that could lead to delays and increased costs that could materially adversely affect our revenues and results of operations. Climate Change Significant studies and research have been devoted to climate change and global warming, and climate change has developed into a major political issue in the United States and globally.  Certain research suggests that greenhouse gas emissions contribute to climate change and pose a threat to the environment.  Recent scientific research and political debate has focused in part on carbon dioxide and methane incidental to oil and natural gas exploration and production. In the United States, legislative and regulatory initiatives are underway to limit greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions. The U.S. Congress has considered legislation that would control GHG emissions through a “cap and trade” program and several states have already implemented programs to reduce GHG emissions.  The U.S. Supreme Court determined that GHG emissions fall within the federal Clean Air Act, or the CAA, definition of an “air pollutant,” and in response the EPA promulgated an endangerment finding paving the way for regulation of GHG emissions under the CAA. In 2010, the EPA issued a final rule, known as the “Tailoring Rule,” that makes certain large stationary sources and modification projects subject to permitting requirements for greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act, although on October 15, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court announced it will review aspects of the rule in 2014. In 2013, one state, Colorado, proposed the imposition of controls on methane emissions from oil and gas facilities and there have been formal requests filed with the federal government that the EPA restrict emissions of methane from oil and gas facilities.  To the extent our third party operating partners are required to further control methane emissions, such controls could impact our business. In addition, in September 2009, the EPA issued a final rule requiring the reporting of GHGs from specified large GHG emission sources in the United States beginning in 2011 for emissions in 2010.  On November 30, 2010, the EPA published a final rule expanding its existing GHG emissions reporting to include onshore and offshore oil and natural gas systems beginning in 2012.  Our third party operating partners are required to report their greenhouse gas emissions under these rules.  Because regulation of GHG emissions is relatively new, further regulatory, legislative and judicial developments are likely to occur.  Such developments may affect how these GHG initiatives will impact us.  Moreover, while the U.S. Supreme Court held in its June 2011 decision American Electric Power Co. v. Connecticut that, with respect to claims concerning GHG emissions, the federal common law of nuisance was displaced by the federal Clean Air Act, the Court left open the question of whether tort claims against sources of GHG emissions alleging property damage may proceed under state common law.  There thus remains some litigation risk for such claims.  Due to the uncertainties surrounding the regulation of and other risks associated with GHG emissions, we cannot predict the financial impact of related developments on us.   Legislation or regulations that may be adopted to address climate change could also affect the markets for our products by making our products more or less desirable than competing sources of energy.  To the extent that our products are competing with higher greenhouse gas emitting energy sources, our products would become more desirable in the market with more stringent limitations on greenhouse gas emissions.  To the extent that our products are competing with lower greenhouse gas emitting energy sources such as solar and wind, our products would become less desirable in the market with more stringent limitations on greenhouse gas emissions.  We cannot predict with any certainty at this time how these possibilities may affect our operations.   8   The majority of scientific studies on climate change suggest that stronger storms may occur in the future in the areas where we operate, although the scientific studies are not unanimous.  Although operators may take steps to mitigate physical risks from storms, no assurance can be given that future storms will not have a material adverse effect on our business. Employees We currently have 20 full time employees.  As drilling production activities continue to increase, we may hire additional technical or administrative personnel as appropriate.  We do not expect a significant change in the number of full time employees over the next 12 months based upon our currently-projected business plan.  We are using and will continue to use the services of independent consultants and contractors to perform various professional services.  We believe that this use of third-party service providers enhances our ability to contain general and administrative expenses. Office Locations Our executive offices are located at 315 Manitoba Avenue, Suite 200, Wayzata, Minnesota 55391. Our office space consists of 4,653 square feet of leased space.  We believe our current office space is sufficient to meet our needs for the foreseeable future. Organizational Background Our company took its present form on March 20, 2007, when Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. (“Northern”), a Nevada corporation engaged in our current business, merged with and into our subsidiary, with Northern remaining as the surviving corporation (the “Merger”). Northern then merged into us, and we were the surviving corporation. We then changed our name to Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.  As a result of the Merger, Northern was deemed to be the acquiring company for financial reporting purposes and the transaction was accounted for as a reverse merger.  Our primary operations are now those formerly operated by Northern as well as other business activities since March 2007. On June 30, 2010, we reincorporated in the State of Minnesota from the State of Nevada pursuant to a plan of merger between Northern Oil and Gas, Inc., a Nevada corporation, and Northern Oil and Gas, Inc., a Minnesota corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Nevada corporation.  Upon the reincorporation, each outstanding certificate representing shares of the Nevada corporation’s common stock was deemed, without any action by the holders thereof, to represent the same number and class of shares of our company’s common stock.  As of June 30, 2010, the rights of our shareholders began to be governed by Minnesota corporation law and our current articles of incorporation and bylaws. Available Information – Reports to Security Holders Our website address is www.northernoil.com.  We make available on this website, free of charge, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file those materials with, or furnish those materials to, the SEC.  These filings are also available to the public at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Room 1580, Washington, DC 20549.  The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.  Electronic filings with the SEC are also available on the SEC internet website at www.sec.gov. We have also posted to our website our Audit Committee Charter, Compensation Committee Charter, Nominating Committee Charter and our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, in addition to all pertinent company contact information.   Item 1A. Risk Factors Risks Related to our Business Oil and natural gas prices are volatile. A protracted period of depressed oil and natural gas prices could adversely affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flow. The oil and natural gas markets are very volatile, and we cannot predict future oil and natural gas prices.  The prices we receive for our oil and natural gas production heavily influences our revenue, profitability, access to capital and future rate of growth.  The prices we receive for our production and the levels of our production depend on numerous factors beyond our control.  These factors include, but are not limited to, the following: ·   changes in global supply and demand for oil and natural gas;   the actions of OPEC and other major oil producing countries;   the price and quantity of imports of foreign oil and natural gas;   political and economic conditions, including embargoes, in oil-producing countries or affecting other oil-producing activity;   the level of global oil and natural gas exploration and production activity;   the level of global oil and natural gas inventories;   technological advances affecting energy consumption;   domestic and foreign governmental regulations;   proximity and capacity of oil and natural gas pipelines and other transportation facilities;   ·   the price and availability of competitors’ supplies of oil and natural gas in captive market areas; and   the price and availability of alternative fuels.   Lower oil and natural gas prices may not only decrease our revenues but also may reduce the amount of oil and natural gas that our operators can produce economically and therefore potentially lower our reserve bookings.  A substantial or extended decline in oil or natural gas prices may result in impairments of our proved oil and natural gas properties and may materially and adversely affect our future business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or ability to finance planned capital expenditures.  To the extent commodity prices received from production are insufficient to fund planned capital expenditures, we may be required to reduce spending or borrow or issue additional equity to cover any such shortfall.  Lower oil and natural gas prices may also reduce the amount of our borrowing base under our revolving credit facility, which is determined at the discretion of the lenders based on the collateral value of our proved reserves that have been mortgaged to the lenders and is subject to redetermination from time to time as provided in our credit agreement.   Our estimated reserves are based on many assumptions that may prove to be inaccurate. Any material inaccuracies in these reserve estimates or underlying assumptions will materially affect the quantities and present value of our reserves.   Determining the amount of oil and natural gas recoverable from various formations involves significant uncertainty.  No one can measure underground accumulations of oil or natural gas in an exact way.  Oil and natural gas reserve engineering requires subjective estimates of underground accumulations of oil and/or natural gas and assumptions concerning future oil and natural gas prices, production levels, and operating and development costs.  Some of our reserve estimates are made without the benefit of a lengthy production history, and are less reliable than estimates based on a lengthy production history.  As a result, estimated quantities of proved reserves and projections of future production rates and the timing of development expenditures may prove to be inaccurate.       We routinely make estimates of oil and natural gas reserves in connection with managing our business and preparing reports to our lenders and investors.  We make these reserve estimates using various assumptions, including assumptions as to oil and natural gas prices, drilling and operating expenses, capital expenditures, taxes and availability of funds.  Some of these assumptions are inherently subjective, and the accuracy of our reserve estimates relies in part on the ability of our management team, reserve engineers and other advisors to make accurate assumptions.  Any significant variance from these assumptions by actual figures could greatly affect our estimates of reserves, the economically recoverable quantities of oil, natural gas and NGLs attributable to any particular group of properties, the classifications of reserves based on risk of recovery, and estimates of the future net cash flows. Numerous changes over time to the assumptions on which our reserve estimates are based, as described above, often result in the actual quantities of oil, natural gas and NGLs we ultimately recover being different from our reserve estimates.   Drilling for and producing oil, natural gas and NGLs are high risk activities with many uncertainties that could adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations.   Our operators’ drilling activities are subject to many risks, including the risk that they will not discover commercially productive reservoirs.  Drilling for oil or natural gas can be uneconomical, not only from dry holes, but also from productive wells that do not produce sufficient revenues to be commercially viable.  In addition, drilling and producing operations on our acreage may be curtailed, delayed or canceled by our operators as a result of other factors, including:   the high cost, shortages or delivery delays of equipment and services;   shortages of or delays in obtaining water for hydraulic fracturing operations;   uncontrollable flows of oil, natural gas or well fluids; and   pipeline capacity curtailments.   Any of these events can cause substantial losses, including personal injury or loss of life, damage to or destruction of property, natural resources and equipment, pollution, environmental contamination, loss of wells and regulatory penalties.   We ordinarily maintain insurance against various losses and liabilities arising from our operations; however, insurance against all operational risks is not available to us.  Additionally, we may elect not to obtain insurance if we believe that the cost of available insurance is excessive relative to the perceived risks presented.  Losses could therefore occur for uninsurable or uninsured risks or in amounts in excess of existing insurance coverage.  The occurrence of an event that is not fully covered by insurance could have a material adverse impact on our business activities, financial condition and results of operations.       If oil or natural gas prices decrease or drilling efforts are unsuccessful, we may be required to record writedowns of our oil and natural gas properties.   We could be required to write down the carrying value of certain of our oil and natural gas properties.  Writedowns may occur when oil and natural gas prices are low, or if we have downward adjustments to our estimated proved reserves, increases in our estimates of operating or development costs, deterioration in drilling results or mechanical problems with wells where the cost to redrill or repair is not supported by the expected economics.   Accounting rules require that the carrying value of oil and natural gas properties be periodically reviewed for possible impairment. Impairment is recognized for the excess of book value over fair value when the book value of a proved property is greater than the expected undiscounted future net cash flows from that property and on acreage when conditions indicate the carrying value is not recoverable. We may be required to write down the carrying value of a property based on oil and natural gas prices at the time of the impairment review, or as a result of continuing evaluation of drilling results, production data, economics, divestiture activity, and other factors. While an impairment charge reflects our long-term ability to recover an investment, reduces our reported earnings and increases our leverage ratios, it does not impact cash or cash flow from operating activities.   Our future success depends on our ability to replace reserves that our operators produce. Because the rate of production from oil and natural gas properties generally declines as reserves are depleted, our future success depends upon our ability to economically find or acquire and produce additional oil and natural gas reserves.  Except to the extent that we acquire additional properties containing proved reserves, conduct successful exploration and development activities or, through engineering studies, identify additional behind-pipe zones or secondary recovery reserves, our proved reserves will decline as our reserves are produced.  Future oil and natural gas production, therefore, is highly dependent upon our level of success in acquiring or finding additional reserves that are economically recoverable.  We cannot assure you that we will be able to find or acquire and develop additional reserves at an acceptable cost.   We may acquire significant amounts of unproved property to further our development efforts.  Development and exploratory drilling and production activities are subject to many risks, including the risk that no commercially productive reservoirs will be discovered.  We acquire both proved and producing properties as well as undeveloped acreage that we believe will enhance growth potential and increase our earnings over time.  However, we cannot assure you that all of these properties will contain economically viable reserves or that we will not abandon our initial investments.  Additionally, we cannot assure you that unproved reserves or undeveloped acreage that we acquire will be profitably developed, that new wells drilled on our properties will be productive or that we will recover all or any portion of our investments in our properties and reserves.   As a non-operator, our development of successful operations relies extensively on third-parties, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operation.   We have only participated in wells operated by third-parties.  Our current ability to develop successful business operations depends on the success of our operators.  If our operators are not successful in the development, exploitation, production and exploration activities relating to our leasehold interests, or are unable or unwilling to perform, our financial condition and results of operation would be materially adversely affected.   Our operators will make decisions in connection with their operations (subject to their contractual and legal obligations to other owners of working interests), which may not be in our best interests.   12   Additionally, we may have virtually no ability to exercise influence over the operational decisions of our operators, including the setting of capital expenditure budgets and drilling locations and schedules. Dependence on our operators could prevent us from realizing our target returns for those locations. The success and timing of development activities by our operators will depend on a number of factors that will largely be outside of our control, including:   the timing and amount of capital expenditures;   their expertise and financial resources;   approval of other participants in drilling wells;   the rate of production of reserves, if any.   We could experience periods of higher costs as activity levels in the Williston Basin fluctuate or if commodity prices rise.  These increases could reduce our profitability, cash flow, and ability to complete development activities as planned.   Recently, major international oil and gas companies have publicly announced significant acquisition and joint venture transactions within the Williston Basin. This has resulted in increased activity and investment in the region. As activity in the Williston Basin increases, competition for equipment, labor and supplies is also expected to increase. Likewise, higher oil, natural gas and NGL prices generally increase the demand for equipment, labor and supplies, and can lead to shortages of, and increasing costs for, drilling equipment, services and personnel.  Shortages of, or increasing costs for, experienced drilling crews and equipment and services could restrict our operating partners’ ability to drill the wells and conduct the operations that we currently expect.   In addition, capital and operating costs in the oil and natural gas industry have generally risen during periods of increasing commodity prices as producers seek to increase production in order to capitalize on higher commodity prices. In situations where cost inflation exceeds commodity price inflation, our profitability and cash flow, and our operators’ ability to complete development activities as scheduled and on budget, may be negatively impacted.  Any delay in the drilling of new wells or significant increase in drilling costs could reduce our revenues and cash available to make payments on our debt obligations.   Our lack of industry and geographical diversification may increase the risk of an investment in our company.   Our business focus is on the oil and natural gas industry in a limited number of properties that are primarily in the areas of the Williston Basin located in Montana and North Dakota.  While other companies may have the ability to manage their risk by diversification, the narrow focus of our business, in terms of both the industry focus and geographic scope of our business, means that we will likely be impacted more acutely by factors affecting our industry or the region in which we operate than we would if our business were more diversified.  As a result of the narrow industry focus of our business, we may be disproportionately exposed to the effects of regional supply and demand factors, delays or interruptions of production from wells in this area caused by governmental regulation, processing or transportation capacity constraints, market limitations, weather events or interruption of the processing or transportation of oil or natural gas.  Additionally, we may be exposed to further risks, such as changes in field-wide rules and regulations that could cause us to permanently or temporarily shut-in all of our wells within the Williston Basin.  We do not currently intend to broaden either the nature or geographic scope of our business.   Locations that the operators of our properties decide to drill may not yield oil or natural gas in commercially viable quantities.   The cost of drilling, completing and operating a well is often uncertain, and cost factors can adversely affect the economics of a well. Our efforts will be uneconomical if the operators of our properties drill dry holes or wells that are productive but do not produce enough to be commercially viable after drilling, operating and other costs. If the operators of our properties drill future wells that are identified as dry holes, the drilling success rate would decline and may adversely affect our results of operations.   Our derivatives activities could result in financial losses or could reduce our cash flow.   We enter into swaps, collars or other derivatives arrangements from time to time to hedge our expected production depending on projected production levels and expected market conditions.  While intended to mitigate the effects of volatile oil and natural gas prices, such transactions may limit our potential gains and increase our potential losses if oil and natural gas prices were to rise substantially over the price established by the hedge.   Our actual future production may be significantly higher or lower than we estimate at the time we enter into derivative contracts for such period. If the actual amount of production is higher than we estimate, we will have greater commodity price exposure than we intended. If the actual amount of production is lower than the notional amount that is subject to our derivative financial instruments, we might be forced to satisfy all or a portion of our derivative transactions without the benefit of the cash flow from our sale of the underlying physical commodity, resulting in a substantial diminution of our liquidity. As a result of these factors, our hedging activities may not be as effective as we intend in reducing the volatility of our cash flows, and in certain circumstances may actually increase the volatility of our cash flows.  In addition, such transactions may expose us to the risk of loss in certain circumstances, including instances in which:   a counterparty to our derivative contracts is unable to satisfy its obligations under the contracts;   our production is less than expected; or   ·   there is a widening of price differentials between delivery points for our production and the delivery point assumed in the derivative arrangement.   The present value of future net cash flows from our proved reserves is not necessarily the same as the current market value of our estimated proved reserves.   We base the estimated discounted future net cash flows from our proved reserves using a 12-month average price and costs in effect on the day of the estimate. However, actual future net cash flows from our oil and natural gas properties will be affected by factors such as:    the volume, pricing and duration of our oil and natural gas hedging contracts;    actual prices we receive for oil, natural gas and NGLs;    our actual operating costs in producing oil, natural gas and NGLs;    the amount and timing of our capital expenditures;    the amount and timing of actual production; and    changes in governmental regulations or taxation.   The timing of both our production and our incurrence of expenses in connection with the development and production of oil and natural gas properties will affect the timing of actual future net cash flows from proved reserves, and thus their actual present value. In addition, the 10% discount factor we use when calculating discounted future net cash flows may not be the most appropriate discount factor based on interest rates in effect from time to time and risks associated with us or the oil and natural gas industry in general. Any material inaccuracies in these reserve estimates or underlying assumptions will materially affect the quantities and present value of our reserves, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.   Our business depends on oil and natural gas transportation and processing facilities and other assets that are owned by third parties.   The marketability of our oil and natural gas depends in part on the availability, proximity and capacity of pipeline systems, processing facilities, oil trucking fleets and rail transportation assets owned by third parties.  The lack of available capacity on these systems and facilities, whether as a result of proration, physical damage, scheduled maintenance or other reasons, could result in the shut-in of producing wells or the delay or discontinuance of development plans for our properties.  The curtailments arising from these and similar circumstances may last from a few days to several months.  In many cases, operators are provided only with limited, if any, notice as to when these circumstances will arise and their duration.  In addition, many of our wells are drilled in locations in the Williston Basin that are serviced only to a limited extent, if at all, by gathering and transportation pipelines, which may or may not have sufficient capacity to transport production from all of the wells in the area.  As a result, we rely on third party oil trucking to transport a significant portion of our production to third party transportation pipelines, rail loading facilities and other market access points.  Any significant curtailment in gathering system or pipeline capacity, or the unavailability of sufficient third party trucking or rail capacity, could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.       Certain of our undeveloped leasehold acreage is subject to leases that will expire over the next several years unless production is established or operations are commenced on units containing the acreage or the leases are extended. A significant portion of our acreage is not currently held by production or held by operations.  Unless production in paying quantities is established or operations are commenced on units containing these leases during their terms, the leases will expire.  If our leases expire and we are unable to renew the leases, we will lose our right to participate in the development of the related properties.  Drilling plans for these areas are generally in the discretion of third party operators and are subject to change based on various factors that are beyond our control, such as: the availability and cost of capital, equipment, services and personnel; seasonal conditions; regulatory and third party approvals; oil, NGL and natural gas prices; results of title work; gathering system and other transportation constraints; drilling costs and results; and production costs.  As of December 31, 2013, we estimate that we had leases that were not developed that represented 24,085 net acres potentially expiring in 2014, 21,998 net acres potentially expiring in 2015, 14,656 net acres potentially expiring in 2016 and 11,678 net acres potentially expiring in 2017 and beyond.   Seasonal weather conditions adversely affect operators’ ability to conduct drilling activities in the areas where our properties are located.   Seasonal weather conditions can limit drilling and producing activities and other operations in our operating areas and as a result, a majority of the drilling on our properties is generally performed during the summer and fall months. These seasonal constraints can pose challenges for meeting well drilling objectives and increase competition for equipment, supplies and personnel during the summer and fall months, which could lead to shortages and increase costs or delay operations. Additionally, many municipalities impose weight restrictions on the paved roads that lead to jobsites due to the muddy conditions caused by spring thaws. This could limit access to jobsites and operators’ ability to service wells in these areas.   Significant capital expenditures are required to develop our properties and replace our reserves.   Our exploration, development and acquisition activities require substantial capital expenditures. Historically, we have funded our capital expenditures through a combination of cash flow from operations, our credit facility, debt issuances, and equity issuances. We have also engaged in asset sales from time to time. If our access to capital were limited due to numerous factors, which could include a decrease in operating cash flow due to lower oil and natural gas prices or decreased production or deterioration of the credit and capital markets, we would have a reduced ability to replace our reserves. We may not be able to incur additional bank debt, issue debt or equity, engage in asset sales or access other methods of financing on acceptable terms to develop our properties and/or meet our reserve replacement requirements.   The amount available for borrowing under our credit facility is subject to a borrowing base which is determined by our lenders, at their discretion, taking into account our estimated proved reserves and is subject to periodic redeterminations based on pricing models determined by the lenders at such time. The decline in oil and natural gas prices in 2008 adversely impacted the value of our estimated proved reserves and, in turn, the market values used by our lenders to determine our borrowing base. If commodity prices (particularly oil prices) decline, it will have similar adverse effects on our reserves and borrowing base and reduce our ability to replace our reserves.   15   We may be unable to obtain additional capital that we will require to implement our business plan, which could restrict our ability to grow. Future acquisitions and future exploration, development, production and marketing activities, will require a substantial amount of capital.  Cash reserves, cash from operations and borrowings under our revolving credit facility may not be sufficient to fund both our continuing operations and our planned growth.  We may require additional capital to continue to grow our business through acquisitions and to further expand our exploration and development programs.  We may be unable to obtain additional capital if and when required.   We may pursue sources of additional capital through various financing transactions or arrangements, including joint venturing of projects, debt financing, equity financing or other means.  We may not be successful in consummating suitable financing transactions in the time period required or at all, and we may not be able to obtain the capital we require by other means.  If the amount of capital we are able to raise from financing activities, together with our cash from operations, is not sufficient to satisfy our capital requirements, we may not be able to implement our business plan and may be required to scale back our operations, sell assets at unattractive prices or obtain financing on unattractive terms, any of which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.   Our acquisition strategy will subject us to certain risks associated with the inherent uncertainty in evaluating properties for which we have limited information.   We have expanded our operations in part through acquisitions.  Our decision to acquire a property will depend in part on the evaluation of data obtained from production reports and engineering studies, geophysical and geological analyses and seismic and other information, the results of which are often inconclusive and subject to various interpretations.  Also, our reviews of acquired properties are inherently incomplete because it generally is not feasible to perform an in-depth review of the individual properties involved in each acquisition.  Even a detailed review of records and properties may not necessarily reveal existing or potential problems, nor will it permit us to become sufficiently familiar with the properties to assess fully their deficiencies and potential. Inspections may not always be performed on every well, and environmental problems, such as ground water contamination, are not necessarily observable even when an inspection is undertaken.   Any acquisition involves other potential risks, including, among other things:   the validity of our assumptions about reserves, future production, revenues and costs;   ·   a decrease in our liquidity by using a significant portion of our cash from operations or borrowing capacity to finance acquisitions;   ·   a significant increase in our interest expense or financial leverage if we incur additional debt to finance acquisitions;   ·   the assumption of unknown liabilities, losses or costs for which we are not indemnified or for which our indemnity is inadequate;   ·   an inability to hire, train or retain qualified personnel to manage and operate our growing business and assets; and   ·   an increase in our costs or a decrease in our revenues associated with any potential royalty owner or landowner claims or disputes.   The loss of any member of our management team, upon whose knowledge, relationships with industry participants, leadership and technical expertise we rely could diminish our ability to conduct our operations, and harm our ability to execute our business plan.   Our success depends heavily upon the continued contributions of those members of our management team whose knowledge, relationships with industry participants, leadership and technical expertise would be difficult to replace.  In particular, our ability to successfully acquire additional properties, to increase our reserves, to participate in drilling opportunities and to identify and enter into commercial arrangements depends on developing and maintaining close working relationships with industry participants.  In addition, our ability to select and evaluate suitable properties and to consummate transactions in a highly competitive environment is dependent on our management team’s knowledge and expertise in the industry.  To continue to develop our business, we rely on our management team’s knowledge and expertise in the industry and will use our management team’s relationships with industry participants, specifically those of Mr. Reger our Chief Executive Officer, to enter into strategic relationships, which may take the form of joint ventures with other private parties and contractual arrangements with other oil and natural gas companies.       Although all of the members of our management team have entered into employment agreements with us, they may terminate their employment with our company at any time.  If we were to lose members of our management team, we may not be able to replace the knowledge that they possess.  In addition, we may not be able to establish or maintain strategic relationships with industry participants.  If we were to lose the services of the members of our management team, our ability to conduct our operations and execute our business plan could be materially harmed.   Deficiencies of title to our leased interests could significantly affect our financial condition.   We typically do not incur the expense of a title examination prior to acquiring oil and natural gas leases or undivided interests in oil and natural gas leases or other developed rights. If an examination of the title history of a property reveals that an oil or natural gas lease or other developed rights have been purchased in error from a person who is not the owner of the mineral interest desired, our interest would substantially decline in value or be eliminated. In such cases, the amount paid for such oil or natural gas lease or leases or other developed rights may be lost. It is generally our practice not to incur the expense of retaining lawyers to examine the title to the mineral interest to be acquired. Rather, we typically rely upon the judgment of oil and natural gas lease brokers or landmen who perform the fieldwork in examining records in the appropriate governmental or county clerk’s office before attempting to acquire a lease or other developed rights in a specific mineral interest.   Prior to drilling an oil or natural gas well, however, it is the normal practice in the oil and natural gas industry for the person or company acting as the operator of the well to obtain a preliminary title review of the spacing unit within which the proposed oil or natural gas well is to be drilled to ensure there are no obvious deficiencies in title to the well. Frequently, as a result of such examinations, certain curative work must be done to correct deficiencies in the marketability of the title, such as obtaining affidavits of heirship or causing an estate to be administered. Such curative work entails expense, and the operator may elect to proceed with a well despite defects to the title identified in the preliminary title opinion. Our failure to obtain perfect title to our leaseholds may adversely affect our current production and reserves and our ability in the future to increase production and reserves.   Competition in obtaining rights to explore and develop oil and natural gas reserves and to market our production may impair our business.   The oil and natural gas industry is highly competitive.  Other oil and natural gas companies may seek to acquire oil and natural gas leases and other properties and services we will need to operate our business in the areas in which we expect to operate.  This competition is increasingly intense as prices of oil and natural gas on the commodities markets have risen in recent years.  Additionally, other companies engaged in our line of business may compete with us from time to time in obtaining capital from investors.  Competitors include larger companies which, in particular, may have access to greater resources, may be more successful in the recruitment and retention of qualified employees and may conduct their own refining and petroleum marketing operations, which may give them a competitive advantage.  In addition, actual or potential competitors may be strengthened through the acquisition of additional assets and interests.  If we are unable to compete effectively or respond adequately to competitive pressures, our results of operation and financial condition may be materially adversely affected.   Our derivative activities expose us to potential regulatory risks.   The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), Federal Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) have statutory authority to monitor certain segments of the physical and futures energy commodities markets.  These agencies have imposed broad regulations prohibiting fraud and manipulation of such markets.  With regard to derivative activities that we undertake with respect to oil, natural gas, NGLs, or other energy commodities, we are required to observe the market-related regulations enforced by these agencies.  Failure to comply with such regulations, as interpreted and enforced, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.       Legislative and regulatory developments could have an adverse effect on our ability to use derivative instruments to reduce the effect of commodity price, interest rate and other risks associated with our business.   In July of 2010, the United States Congress enacted the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank Act”), which contains measures aimed at increasing the transparency and stability of the over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives market and preventing excessive speculation.  In November 2013, the CFTC re-proposed implementing regulations imposing position limits for certain physical commodity contracts in the major energy markets and economically equivalent futures, options and swaps, with exemptions for certain bona fide hedging positions.  The CFTC’s initial position limit rules were vacated by a federal court in 2012.  It is not clear when the newly-proposed rules on position limits would become effective.  CFTC rules under the Dodd-Frank Act also may impose clearing and trade execution requirements in connection with our derivatives activities, although currently those requirements do not extend to derivatives based on physical commodities in the energy markets and some or all of our derivatives activities may be exempt from such requirements based on our non-financial end-user status.  Regulations issued under the Dodd-Frank Act also may require certain counterparties to our derivative instruments to spin off some of their derivatives activities to a separate entity, which may not be as creditworthy as the current counterparty. Such spin-offs may occur at any time until mid-2015 depending on regulators’ decisions to allow a transitional period for a given counterparty.  The legislation and regulations could significantly increase the cost of derivative contracts (including from swap recordkeeping and reporting requirements and through requirements to post collateral which could adversely affect our available liquidity), materially alter the terms of derivative contracts, reduce the availability of derivatives to protect against risks we encounter, reduce our ability to monetize or restructure our existing derivative contracts, and increase our exposure to less creditworthy counterparties. We maintain an active hedging program related to oil price risks.  The Dodd-Frank Act and rules and regulations thereunder could reduce trading positions and the market-making activities of our counterparties.  If we reduce our use of derivatives as a result of legislation and regulations or any resulting changes in the derivatives markets, our results of operations may become more volatile and our cash flows may be less predictable, which could adversely affect our ability to plan for and fund capital expenditures or to make payments on our debt obligations. Finally, the legislation was intended, in part, to reduce the volatility of oil and natural gas prices, which some legislators attributed to speculative trading in derivatives and commodity instruments related to oil and natural gas. Our revenues could therefore be adversely affected if a consequence of the legislation and regulations is to lower commodity prices. Any of these consequences could have a material adverse effect on our business, our financial condition, and our results of operations. Our business is subject to complex federal, state, local and other laws and regulations that could adversely affect the cost, manner or feasibility of doing business. Our operational interests, as operated by our third-party operating partners, are regulated extensively at the federal, state and local levels. Environmental and other governmental laws and regulations have increased the costs to plan, design, drill, install, operate and abandon oil and natural gas wells. Under these laws and regulations, our company (either directly or indirectly through our operating partners) could also be liable for personal injuries, property and natural resource damage and other damages.  Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the suspension or termination of our business and subject us to administrative, civil and criminal penalties. Moreover, public interest in environmental protection has increased in recent years, and environmental organizations have opposed, with some success, certain drilling projects.   Part of the regulatory environment in which we do business includes, in some cases, legal requirements for obtaining environmental assessments, environmental impact studies and/or plans of development before commencing drilling and production activities. In addition, our activities are subject to the regulations regarding conservation practices and protection of correlative rights. These regulations affect our business and limit the quantity of natural gas we may produce and sell. A major risk inherent in the drilling plans in which we participate is the need for our operators to obtain drilling permits from state and local authorities. Delays in obtaining regulatory approvals or drilling permits, the failure to obtain a drilling permit for a well or the receipt of a permit with unreasonable conditions or costs could have a material adverse effect on the development of our properties. Additionally, the oil and natural gas regulatory environment could change in ways that might substantially increase the financial and managerial costs of compliance with these laws and regulations and, consequently, adversely affect our profitability. At this time, we cannot predict the effect of this increase on our results of operations. Furthermore, we may be put at a competitive disadvantage to larger companies in our industry that can spread these additional costs over a greater number of wells and larger operating staff.   Environmental risks may adversely affect our business.   All phases of the oil and natural gas business present environmental risks and hazards and are subject to environmental regulation pursuant to a variety of federal, state and municipal laws and regulations. Environmental legislation provides for, among other things, restrictions and prohibitions on spills, releases or emissions of various substances produced in association with oil and natural gas operations. The legislation also requires that wells and facility sites be operated, maintained, abandoned and reclaimed to the satisfaction of applicable regulatory authorities.  There is risk of incurring significant environmental costs and liabilities as a result of the handling of petroleum hydrocarbons and wastes, air emissions and wastewater discharges related to our business, and historical operations and waste disposal practices.  Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties, loss of our leases, incurrence of investigatory or remedial obligations and the imposition of injunctive relief. Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner we expect may result in stricter standards and enforcement, larger fines and liability and potentially increased capital expenditures and operating costs.  The discharge of oil, natural gas or other pollutants into the air, soil or water may give rise to liabilities to governments and third parties and may require us to incur costs to remedy such discharge, regardless of whether we were responsible for the release or contamination and regardless of whether our operating partners met previous standards in the industry at the time they were conducted.  In addition, claims for damages to persons, property or natural resources may result from environmental and other impacts of operations on our properties.  The application of environmental laws to our business may cause us to curtail production or increase the costs of our production, development or exploration activities. Federal and state legislative and regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing could result in increased costs and additional operating restrictions or delays. Hydraulic fracturing is used extensively by our third-party operating partners.  The hydraulic fracturing process is typically regulated by state oil and natural gas commissions.  Hydraulic fracturing involves the injection of water, sand and chemicals under pressure into formations to fracture the surrounding rock and stimulate production. The Safe Drinking Water Act (the “SDWA”) regulates the underground injection of substances through the Underground Injection Control (“UIC”) program. While hydraulic fracturing generally is exempt from regulation under the UIC program, the EPA has taken the position that hydraulic fracturing with fluids containing diesel fuel is subject to regulation under the UIC program as “Class II” UIC wells.  On October 21, 2011, the EPA announced its intention to propose federal Clean Water Act regulations by 2014 governing wastewater discharges from hydraulic fracturing and certain other natural gas operations.  In addition, the DOI published a revised proposed rule on May 24, 2013 that would update existing regulation of hydraulic fracturing activities on federal lands, including requirements for disclosure, well bore integrity and handling of flowback water.  The revised proposed rule was subject to an extended 90-day public comment period, which ended on August 23, 2013. The EPA has commenced a study of the potential environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing activities, and a committee of the U.S. House of Representatives is also conducting an investigation of hydraulic fracturing practices.  The EPA issued a Progress Report in December 2012 and a final draft is anticipated by 2014 for peer review and public comment.  As part of these studies, both the EPA and the House committee have requested that certain companies provide them with information concerning the chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing process. These studies, depending on their results, could spur initiatives to regulate hydraulic fracturing under the SDWA or otherwise.  Congress has in recent legislative sessions considered legislation to amend the SDWA, including legislation that would repeal the exemption for hydraulic fracturing from the definition of “underground injection” and require federal permitting and regulatory control of hydraulic fracturing, as well as legislative proposals to require disclosure of the chemical constituents of the fluids used in the fracturing process, were proposed in recent sessions of Congress.  The U.S. Congress may consider similar SDWA legislation in the future.   19   On August 16, 2012, the EPA published final regulations under the Clean Air Act (“CAA”) that establish new air emission controls for oil and natural gas production and natural gas processing operations.  Specifically, EPA promulgated New Source Performance Standards establishing emission limits for sulfur dioxide (SO2) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).  The final rule requires a 95% reduction in VOCs emitted by mandating the use of reduced emission completions or “green completions” on all hydraulically-fractured gas wells constructed or refractured after January 1, 2015.  Until this date, emissions from fractured and refractured gas wells must be reduced through reduced emission completions or combustion devices. The rules also establish new requirements regarding emissions from compressors, controllers, dehydrators, storage tanks and other production equipment.  In response to numerous requests for reconsideration of these rules from both industry and the environmental community and court challenges to the final rules, EPA announced its intention to issue revised rules in 2013. The EPA published revised portions of these rules on September 23, 2013 for VOC emissions for production oil and gas storage tanks, in part phasing in emissions controls on storage tanks past October 15, 2013. In addition, several state and local governments are considering or have adopted legislative or regulatory restrictions on hydraulic fracturing through additional permit requirements, operational restrictions, and temporary or permanent bans on hydraulic fracturing in certain environmentally sensitive areas such as watersheds.  For example, Montana and North Dakota have both adopted regulations recently requiring the disclosure of all fluids, additives, and chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing process. A number of lawsuits and enforcement actions have been initiated across the country alleging that hydraulic fracturing practices have adversely impacted drinking water supplies, use of surface water, and the environment generally.  If new laws or regulations that significantly restrict hydraulic fracturing, such as amendments to the SDWA, are adopted, such laws could make it more costly for us and difficult for our third party operating partners to perform fracturing to stimulate production from tight formations as well as make it easier for third parties opposing the hydraulic fracturing process to initiate legal proceedings based on allegations that specific chemicals used in the fracturing process could adversely affect groundwater.  In addition, if hydraulic fracturing is further regulated at the federal or state level, our third-party operating partners fracturing activities could become subject to additional permitting and financial assurance requirements, more stringent construction specifications, increased monitoring, reporting and recordkeeping obligations, plugging and abandonment requirements and also to attendant permitting delays and potential increases in costs. Any such federal or state legislative or regulatory changes with respect to hydraulic fracturing could cause us to incur substantial compliance costs or result in operational delays, and the consequences of any failure to comply by us or our third-party operating partners could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.  Until such pending or threatened legislation or regulations are finalized and implemented, it is not possible to estimate their impact on our business. Any of the above risks could impair our ability to manage our business and have a material adverse effect on our operations, cash flows and financial position. Climate change legislation or regulations restricting emissions of “greenhouse gases” could result in increased operating costs and reduced demand for the oil and natural gas that we produce. In December 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) determined that emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and other “greenhouse gases” (“GHG”) present an endangerment to public health and the environment because emissions of such gases are, according to the EPA, contributing to warming of the earth’s atmosphere and other climatic changes.  Based on its findings, the EPA has begun adopting and implementing regulations to restrict emissions of greenhouse gases under existing provisions of the Clean Air Act (the “CAA”).  On September 22, 2009, the EPA issued a final rule requiring the reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from specified large greenhouse gas emission sources in the U.S. beginning in 2011 for emissions occurring in 2010. On November 30, 2010, the EPA published a final rule expanding its existing greenhouse gas emissions reporting rule to include certain petroleum and natural gas facilities, which rule requires data collection beginning in 2011 and reporting beginning in 2012.  Our operating partners were required to report certain of their greenhouse gas emissions under this rule by September 28, 2012.  On May 12, 2010, the EPA also issued a “tailoring” rule, which makes certain large stationary sources and modification projects subject to permitting requirements for greenhouse gas emissions under the CAA, although on October 15, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court announced it will review aspects of the rule in 2014.  In addition, the EPA has continued to adopt GHG regulations of other industries, such as the September 2013 proposed GHG rule that, if finalized, would set new source performance standards for new coal-fired and natural gas-fired power plants.  As a result of this continued regulatory focus, future GHG regulations of the oil and gas industry remain a possibility.       In addition, the U.S. Congress has from time to time considered adopting legislation to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, though it is yet to do so, and almost one-half of the states have already taken legal measures to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases primarily through the planned development of greenhouse gas emission inventories and/or regional greenhouse gas cap and trade programs.  Most of these cap and trade programs work by requiring major sources of emissions, such as electric power plants or major producers of fuels, such as refineries and gas processing plants, to acquire and surrender emission allowances that correspond to their annual emissions of GHGs.  The number of allowances available for purchase is reduced each year in an effort to achieve the overall GHG reduction goal.  As the number of GHG emission allowances declines each year, the cost or value of such allowances is expected to escalate significantly.  The adoption of legislation or regulatory programs to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases could require our third-party operating partners, and indirectly us, to incur increased operating costs, such as costs to purchase and operate emissions control systems, to acquire emissions allowances or comply with new regulatory or reporting requirements.  Any such legislation or regulatory programs could also increase the cost of consuming, and thereby reduce demand for, the oil and natural gas produced by our operational interests.  Consequently, legislation and regulatory programs to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Regulation of GHG emissions could also result in reduced demand for our production, as oil and natural gas consumers seek to reduce their own GHG emissions. Any regulation of GHG emissions, including through a cap-and-trade system, technology mandate, emissions tax, reporting requirement or other program, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.  In addition, to the extent climate change results in more severe weather and significant physical effects, such as increased frequency and severity of storms, floods, droughts and other climatic effects, our own, our third-party operating partners or our customers' operations may be disrupted, which could result in a decrease in our available products or reduce our customers' demand for our products. Further, there have been various legislative and regulatory proposals at the federal and state levels to provide incentives and subsidies to (i) shift more power generation to renewable energy sources and (ii) support technological advances to drive less energy consumption.  These incentives and subsidies could have a negative impact on oil, natural gas and NGL consumption. Any of the above risks could impair our ability to manage our business and have a material adverse effect on our operations, cash flows and financial position. Decommissioning costs are unknown and may be substantial.  Unplanned costs could divert resources from other projects. We may become responsible for costs associated with plugging, abandoning and reclaiming wells, pipelines and other facilities that we use for production of oil and natural gas reserves.  Abandonment and reclamation of these facilities and the costs associated therewith is often referred to as “decommissioning.”  We accrue a liability for decommissioning costs associated with our wells, but have not established any cash reserve account for these potential costs in respect of any of our properties.  If decommissioning is required before economic depletion of our properties or if our estimates of the costs of decommissioning exceed the value of the reserves remaining at any particular time to cover such decommissioning costs, we may have to draw on funds from other sources to satisfy such costs.  The use of other funds to satisfy such decommissioning costs could impair our ability to focus capital investment in other areas of our business.   21   Our revolving credit agreement contains operating and financial restrictions that may restrict our business and financing activities. Our revolving credit agreement contains, and any future indebtedness we incur may contain, a number of restrictive covenants that will impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us, including restrictions on our ability to, among other things:   ·   declare or pay any dividend or make any other distributions on, purchase or redeem our equity interests or purchase or redeem subordinated debt;   consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of our assets; and   engage in transactions with our affiliates.   As a result of these covenants, we will be limited in the manner in which we conduct our business, and we may be unable to engage in favorable business activities or finance future operations or capital needs.   Our ability to comply with some of the foregoing covenants and restrictions may be affected by events beyond our control.  If market or other economic conditions deteriorate, our ability to comply with these covenants may be impaired.  A failure to comply with the covenants, ratios or tests in our revolving credit agreement or any future indebtedness could result in an event of default under our revolving credit agreement or our future indebtedness, which, if not cured or waived, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.  If an event of default under our revolving credit agreement occurs and remains uncured, the lenders thereunder:   would not be required to lend any additional amounts to us;   ·   could elect to declare all borrowings outstanding, together with accrued and unpaid interest and fees, to be due and payable;   ·   may have the ability to require us to apply all of our available cash to repay these borrowings; and   may prevent us from making debt service payments under our other agreements.   An event of default or an acceleration under our revolving credit agreement could result in an event of default and an acceleration under other future indebtedness.  Conversely, an event of default or an acceleration under any future indebtedness could result in an event of default and an acceleration under our revolving credit agreement.  In addition, our obligations under the revolving credit agreement are collateralized by perfected first priority liens and security interests on substantially all of our assets and if we are unable to repay our indebtedness under the revolving credit agreement, the lenders could seek to foreclose on our assets.   Our leverage and debt service obligations may adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and business prospects.   Our level of indebtedness could affect our operations in several ways, including the following:   ·   require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to service our existing debt, thereby reducing the cash available to finance our operations and other business activities and could limit our flexibility in planning for or reacting to changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;   increase our vulnerability to economic downturns and adverse developments in our business;     ·   limit our ability to access the capital markets to raise capital on favorable terms or to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures or acquisitions or to refinance existing indebtedness;   ·   place restrictions on our ability to obtain additional financing, make investments, lease equipment, sell assets and engage in business combinations;   ·   place us at a competitive disadvantage relative to competitors with lower levels of indebtedness in relation to their overall size or less restrictive terms governing their indebtedness; and   ·   make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations under our debt agreements and increase the risk that we may default on our debt obligations.   Our ability to meet our expenses and debt obligations will depend on our future performance, which will be affected by financial, business, economic, regulatory and other factors.  We will not be able to control many of these factors, such as economic conditions and governmental regulation.  We depend on our revolving credit facility for future capital needs, because we use operating cash flows for investing activities and borrow as needed.  We cannot be certain that our cash flow will be sufficient to allow us to pay the principal and interest on our current and future debt and meet our other obligations.  If we do not have enough money, we may be required to refinance all or part of our debt, sell assets, borrow more money or raise equity.  We may not be able to refinance our debt, sell assets, borrow more money or raise equity on terms acceptable to us, if at all.  Our ability to comply with the financial and other restrictive covenants in our indebtedness will be affected by the levels of cash flow from our operations and future events and circumstances beyond our control.  Failure to comply with these covenants would result in an event of default under our indebtedness, and such an event of default could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.   Availability under our revolving credit facility is determined semi-annually, as well as upon the occurrence of certain events, by the lenders in their sole discretion, based primarily on reserve reports that reflect our banks’ projections of future commodity prices at such time.  Significant declines in natural gas, NGL or oil prices may result in a decrease in our borrowing base.  The lenders can unilaterally adjust the borrowing base and the borrowings permitted to be outstanding under the revolving credit facility.  Any increase in the borrowing base requires the consent of all the lenders.  If as a result of a borrowing base redetermination outstanding borrowings are in excess of the borrowing base, we must repay such excess borrowings immediately or in equal installments over six months, or we must pledge other properties as additional collateral.  We do not currently have any substantial unpledged properties, and we may not have the financial resources in the future to make any mandatory principal prepayments required under the revolving credit facility.   We may not be able to generate enough cash flow to meet our debt obligations.   We expect our earnings and cash flow to vary significantly from year to year due to the cyclical nature of our industry.  As a result, the amount of debt that we can service in some periods may not be appropriate for us in other periods.  Additionally, our future cash flow may be insufficient to meet our debt obligations and commitments. Any insufficiency could negatively impact our business.  A range of economic, competitive, business and industry factors will affect our future financial performance, and, as a result, our ability to generate cash flow from operations and to pay our debt.  Many of these factors, such as oil and natural gas prices, economic and financial conditions in our industry and the global economy or competitive initiatives of our competitors, are beyond our control.   If we do not generate enough cash flow from operations to satisfy our debt obligations, we may have to undertake alternative financing plans, such as:   refinancing or restructuring our debt;   reducing or delaying capital investments; or   seeking to raise additional capital.   23   However, we cannot assure you that undertaking alternative financing plans, if necessary, would allow us to meet our debt obligations.  Our inability to generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy our debt obligations, or to obtain alternative financing, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.   Our variable rate indebtedness subjects us to interest rate risk, which could cause our debt service obligations to increase significantly.   Borrowings under our revolving credit facility bear interest at variable rates and expose us to interest rate risk. If interest rates increase and we are unable to effectively hedge our interest rate risk, our debt service obligations on the variable rate indebtedness would increase even if the amount borrowed remained the same, and our net income and cash available for servicing our indebtedness would decrease.  A 1% increase in interest rates on the debt outstanding under our revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2013 would cost us approximately $750,000 in additional annual interest expense.   Despite our current level of indebtedness, we may still be able to incur substantially more debt. This could further exacerbate the risks associated with our substantial indebtedness.   We may be able to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future, subject to certain limitations, including under our revolving credit facility and under any future debt agreements.  If new debt is added to our current debt levels, the related risks that we now face could increase.  Our level of indebtedness could, for instance, prevent us from engaging in transactions that might otherwise be beneficial to us or from making desirable capital expenditures.  This could put us at a competitive disadvantage relative to other less leveraged competitors that have more cash flow to devote to their operations.  In addition, the incurrence of additional indebtedness could make it more difficult to satisfy our existing financial obligations.   Item 1B. Un resolved Staff Comments None. Item 2. Properties Leasehold Properties As of December 31, 2013, our principal assets included approximately 187,044 net acres located in the northern region of the United States.  Net acreage represents our percentage ownership of gross acreage.  The following table summarizes our estimated gross and net developed and undeveloped acreage by state at December 31, 2013.     Recent Acquisitions In 2013, we acquired leasehold interests covering an aggregate of approximately 20,900 net acres in our key prospect areas, for an average cost of $1,279 per net acre.  In addition, during 2013 we separately acquired working interests in 70 gross (7.0 net) wells in undrilled locations in which we do not hold the underlying leasehold interests, for a total cost of approximately $9.0 million.  During 2012, we acquired approximately 17,590 net acres at an average cost of $1,788 per acre, and earned an additional 6,450 net acres through farm-in arrangements. We generally assess acreage subject to near-term drilling activities on a lease-by-lease basis because we believe each lease’s contribution to a subject spacing unit is best assessed on that basis if development timing is sufficiently clear.  Consistent with that approach, the majority of our acreage acquisitions involve properties that are “hand-picked” by us on a lease-by-lease basis for their contribution to a well expected to be spud in the near future, and the subject leases are then aggregated to complete one single closing with the transferor.  As such, we generally view each acreage assignment from brokers, landmen and other parties as involving several separate acquisitions combined into one closing with the common transferor for convenience.  However, in certain instances an acquisition may involve a larger number of leases presented by the transferors as a single package without negotiation on a lease-by-lease basis.  In those instances, we still review each lease on a lease-by-lease basis to ensure that the package as a whole meets our acquisition criteria and drilling expectations. Acreage Expirations As a non-operator, we are subject to lease expirations if an operator does not commence the development of operations within the agreed terms of our leases.  All of our leases for undeveloped acreage summarized in the table below will expire at the end of their respective primary terms, unless we renew the existing leases, establish commercial production from the acreage or some other “savings clause” is exercised.  In addition, our leases typically provide that the lease does not expire at the end of the primary term if drilling operations have been commenced.  While we generally expect to establish production from most of our acreage prior to expiration of the applicable lease terms, there can be no guarantee we can do so.  The approximate expiration of our gross and net acres which are subject to expire between 2014 and 2018 and thereafter, are set forth below:   72,417   During 2013, we had leases expire in Montana and North Dakota covering approximately 13,129 net acres, all of which was prospective for the Bakken and Three Forks Formations.  The 2013 lease expirations carried a $14.1 million cost that was transferred to the costs subject to depletion.  We believe that the expired acreage was not material to our capital deployed in these prospects. Unproved Properties All properties that are not classified as proved properties are considered unproved properties and, thus, the costs associated with such properties are not subject to depletion.  Once a property is classified as proved, all associated acreage and drilling costs are subject to depletion. We historically have acquired our properties by purchasing individual or small groups of leases directly from mineral owners or from landmen or lease brokers, which leases generally have not been subject to specified drilling projects, and by purchasing lease packages in identified project areas controlled by specific operators.  We generally participate in drilling activities on a proportionate basis by electing whether to participate in each well on a well-by-well basis at the time wells are proposed for drilling.       We believe that the majority of our unproved costs will become subject to depletion within the next five years by proving up reserves relating to its acreage through exploration and development activities, by impairing the acreage that will expire before we can explore or develop it further or by determining that further exploration and development activity will not occur.  The timing by which all other properties will become subject to depletion will be dependent upon the timing of future drilling activities and delineation of our reserves. Production History The following table presents information about our produced oil and natural gas volumes during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.  As of December 31, 2013, we were selling oil and natural gas from a total of 1,758 gross (146.2 net) wells.  As of December 31, 2012, we were selling oil and natural gas from a total of 1,227 gross (106.2 net) wells.  As of December 31, 2011, we were selling oil and natural gas from a total of 664 gross (57.9 net) wells.  All of the foregoing wells were located within the Williston Basin.  All data presented below is derived from accrued revenue and production volumes for the relevant period indicated.   We do not anticipate performing any significant research and development under our plan of operation. Proved Reserves We recently completed our most current reservoir engineering calculation as of December 31, 2013.            Based on the results of our December 31, 2013 reserve analysis, our proved reserves increased approximately 25% during 2013 primarily as a result of drilling activity involving our acreage and our acquisition of acreage subject to specific drilling projects or included in permitted or drilling spacing units.  We incurred approximately $389.5 million of capital expenditures for drilling activities and $29.4 million for acreage and other expenditures during the year ended December 31, 2013, all of which directly contributed to the increase in our proved developed reserves. No other expenditures materially contributed to the development of proved developed reserves in 2013.  Our proved undeveloped reserves increased by approximately 30% during 2013 primarily as a result of drilling activity and our acquisitions of acreage.  We estimate that approximately 14% of our proved undeveloped reserves, as of December 31, 2012, were converted to proved developed reserves during 2013.  Our development drilling program includes the drilling of approximately 144.5 proven undeveloped net wells before the end of 2018 at an estimated cost of $1.2 billion.  Our development plan for drilling proved undeveloped wells calls for the drilling of 30.7 net wells during 2014, 27.4 net wells during 2015, 27.7 net wells during 2016, 28.6 net wells during 2017, and 30.1 net wells during 2018, for a total of 144.5 net wells.  During 2013, our progress toward converting proved undeveloped reserves to proved developed reserves included the drilling and completion of 11.1 net undeveloped wells at a total estimated net capital cost of $116.9 million.  We expect that our proved undeveloped reserves will continue to be converted to proved developed producing reserves as additional wells are drilled including our acreage.  All locations comprising our remaining proved undeveloped reserves are forecast to be drilled within five years from initially being recorded in accordance with our development plan.   27   During 2013, we had a negative revision of 9.8 MMBoe, or 26%, of our December 31, 2012 estimated proved undeveloped reserves balance.  The primary cause for these revisions was negative well performances.  Within portions of our areas of operation, actual well results underperformed relative to the proved undeveloped forecasts in our December 31, 2012 reserve report.  The proved undeveloped forecasts in these areas have been adjusted to reflect these well performances in our December 31, 2013 reserve report.  A reconciliation of the change in proved undeveloped reserves during 2013 is as follows:   48.7   Preparation of our reserve report is outlined in our Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 404 internal control procedures. Our procedures require that our reserve report be prepared by a third-party registered independent engineering firm at the end of every year based on information we provide to such engineer. We utilize historical production and expense data for our wells, calculate historical differentials, validate working interests and net revenue interests, and obtain updated authorizations for expenditure (“AFEs”) from our operations department. This data is forwarded to our third-party engineering firm for review and calculation.  Our Chief Executive Officer provides a final review of our reserve report and the assumptions relied upon in such report. We have utilized Ryder Scott Company, LP (“Ryder Scott”), an independent reservoir engineering firm, as our third-party engineering firm. The selection of Ryder Scott is approved by our Audit Committee.  Ryder Scott is one of the largest reservoir-evaluation consulting firms and evaluates oil and natural gas properties and independently certifies petroleum reserves quantities for various clients throughout the United States and internationally.  Ryder Scott has substantial experience calculating the reserves of various other companies with operations targeting the Bakken and Three Forks formations and, as such, we believe Ryder Scott has sufficient experience to appropriately determine our reserves. Ryder Scott utilizes proprietary technology, systems and data to calculate our reserves commensurate with this experience. We employ two internal reserve engineers who are responsible for overseeing the preparation of our reserves estimates.  One of the internal reserve engineers has a B.S. in chemical and petroleum engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and has twelve years of oil and gas experience on the reservoir side.  The other internal reserve engineer has a B.S. in petroleum engineering from Montana Tech and has eight years of oil and gas experience on the reservoir side.  Our engineers have experience working for large independents and financial firms on projects and acquisitions, both domestic and international.  The proved reserves tables below summarize our estimated proved reserves as of December 31, 2013, based upon reports prepared by Ryder Scott.  The reports of our estimated proved reserves in their entirety are based on the information we provide to them. Ryder Scott is a Texas Registered Engineering Firm (F-1580).  Our primary contact at Ryder Scott is James L. Baird, Managing Senior Vice President. Mr. Baird is a State of Colorado Licensed Professional Engineer (License #41521). In accordance with applicable requirements of the SEC, estimates of our net proved reserves and future net revenues are made using average prices at the beginning of each month in the 12-month period prior to the date of such reserve estimates and are held constant throughout the life of the properties (except to the extent a contract specifically provides for escalation). The reserves set forth in the Ryder Scott report for the properties are estimated by performance methods or analogy.  In general, reserves attributable to producing wells and/or reservoirs are estimated by performance methods such as decline curve analysis which utilizes extrapolations of historical production data.  Reserves attributable to non-producing and undeveloped reserves included in our report are estimated by analogy.  The estimates of the reserves, future production, and income attributable to properties are prepared using the economic software package Aries for Windows, a copyrighted program of Halliburton.   28   To estimate economically recoverable oil and natural gas reserves and related future net cash flows, we consider many factors and assumptions including, but not limited to, the use of reservoir parameters derived from geological, geophysical and engineering data which cannot be measured directly, economic criteria based on current costs and SEC pricing requirements, and forecasts of future of production rates. Under the SEC regulations 210.4-10(a)(22)(v) and (26), proved reserves must be demonstrated to be economically producible based on existing economic conditions including the prices and costs at which economic producibility from a reservoir is to be determined as of the effective date of the report. With respect to the property interests we own, production and well tests from examined wells, normal direct costs of operating the wells or leases, other costs such as transportation and/or processing fees, production taxes, recompletion and development costs and product prices are based on the SEC regulations, geological maps, well logs, core analyses, and pressure measurements. The reserve data set forth in the Ryder Scott report represents only estimates, and should not be construed as being exact quantities. They may or may not be actually recovered, and if recovered, the actual revenues and costs could be more or less than the estimated amounts. Moreover, estimates of reserves may increase or decrease as a result of future operations. Reservoir engineering is a subjective process of estimating underground accumulations of oil and natural gas that cannot be measured in an exact manner. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating oil and natural gas reserves and their estimated values, including many factors beyond our control. The accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of available data and of engineering and geologic interpretation and judgment. As a result, estimates of different engineers, including those used by us, may vary. In addition, estimates of reserves are subject to revision based upon actual production, results of future development and exploration activities, prevailing oil and natural gas prices, operating costs and other factors. The revisions may be material. Accordingly, reserve estimates are often different from the quantities of oil and natural gas that are ultimately recovered and are highly dependent upon the accuracy of the assumptions upon which they are based. Our estimated net proved reserves, included in our SEC filings, have not been filed with or included in reports to any other federal agency. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors – Our estimated reserves are based on many assumptions that may prove to be inaccurate.  Any material inaccuracies in these reserve estimates or underlying assumptions will materially affect the quantities and present value of our reserves.” Ryder Scott prepared our reserve report valuing our proved reserves at December 31, 2013.  The report values only our proved reserves and does not value our probable reserves or our possible reserves.  The following table sets forth our estimated proved reserves based on the SEC rules as defined in Rule 4.10(a) of Regulation S-X and Item 1200 of Regulation S-K (“SEC Pricing Proved Reserves”). SEC Pricing Proved Reserves(1) _____________________ (1) The SEC Pricing Proved Reserves table above values oil and natural gas reserve quantities and related discounted future net cash flows as of December 31, 2013 assuming constant realized prices of $88.00 per barrel of oil and $5.23 per Mcf of natural gas, which includes an uplift factor of 1.4 to reflect liquids and condensates (natural gas liquids are included with natural gas).  Under SEC guidelines, these prices represent the average prices per barrel of oil and per Mcf of natural gas at the beginning of each month in the 12-month period prior to the end of the reporting period, which averages are then adjusted to reflect applicable transportation and quality differentials. (2) Boe are computed based on a conversion ratio of one Boe for each barrel of oil and one Boe for every 6,000 cubic feet (i.e., 6 Mcf) of natural gas. (3) Pre-tax PV10% may be considered a non-GAAP financial measure as defined by the SEC and is derived from the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows, which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure.  Pre-tax PV10% is computed on the same basis as the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows but without deducting future income taxes.  We believe Pre-tax PV10% is a useful measure for investors for evaluating the relative monetary significance of our oil and natural gas properties.  We further believe investors may utilize our Pre-tax PV10% as a basis for comparison of the relative size and value of our reserves to other companies because many factors that are unique to each individual company impact the amount of future income taxes to be paid.  Our management uses this measure when assessing the potential return on investment related to our oil and natural gas properties and acquisitions.  However, Pre-tax PV10% is not a substitute for the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows.  Our Pre-tax PV10% and the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows do not purport to present the fair value of our oil and natural gas reserves.   1,224,367   Uncertainties are inherent in estimating quantities of proved reserves, including many risk factors beyond our control.  Reserve engineering is a subjective process of estimating subsurface accumulations of oil and natural gas that cannot be measured in an exact manner.  As a result, estimates of proved reserves may vary depending upon the engineer valuing the reserves.  Further, our actual realized price for our oil and natural gas is not likely to average the pricing parameters used to calculate our proved reserves. As such, the oil and natural gas quantities and the value of those commodities ultimately recovered from our properties will vary from reserve estimates. Additional discussion of our proved reserves is set forth under the heading “Supplemental Oil and Gas Information” to our financial statements included later in this report. Delivery Commitments We do not currently have any delivery commitments for product obtained from our wells. Item 3. Legal Proceedings Our company is subject from time to time to litigation claims and governmental and regulatory proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures None. Executive Officers of the Registrant Our executive officers, their ages and offices held are as follows: Name 30   Michael L. Reger is a founder of our predecessor, Northern Oil and Gas, Inc., and has served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of our company since March 2007.  Mr. Reger has been involved in the acquisition of oil and gas mineral rights for his entire career. Mr. Reger began working the oil and gas leasing business for his family’s company, Reger Oil, in 1992 and worked as an oil and gas landman for Reger Oil from 1992 until co-founding Northern in 2006.  Mr. Reger holds a B.A. in Finance and an M.B.A. in finance/management from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Reger family has a history of acreage acquisition in the Williston Basin dating to 1952. Thomas W. Stoelk has served as our Chief Financial Officer since December 2011.  Prior to joining our company, Mr. Stoelk served as the Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer at Superior Well Services, Inc. from 2005 to 2011.  Prior to Superior Well Services, Inc., Mr. Stoelk served as the Chief Financial Officer of Great Lakes Energy Partners, LLC from 1999 to 2005 and the Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration for Range Resources Corporation from 1994 to 1999.  Prior to his employment with Range Resources Corporation, Mr. Stoelk was a senior manager at Ernst & Young LLP and worked as a certified public accountant in their auditing practice.  Mr. Stoelk holds a BS in Industrial Administration from Iowa State University. Brandon R. Elliott has served as our Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and Strategy since January 2013.  Prior to joining our company, Mr. Elliott served as Vice President of Investor Relations of CONSOL Energy Inc., a Fortune 500 coal and natural gas company, from 2010 until 2012.  Prior to CONSOL, Mr. Elliott worked from 2000 until 2010 at Friess Associates LLC, managers of The Brandywine Funds, most recently as a portfolio manager.  Mr. Elliott holds a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College, is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and is a member of the National Investor Relations Institute. Erik J. Romslo has served as our General Counsel and Secretary since October 2011 and as an Executive Vice President since January 2013.  Prior to joining our company, Mr. Romslo practiced law in the Minneapolis office of our outside counsel, Faegre Baker Daniels LLP (formerly Faegre & Benson LLP), from 2005 until 2011, where he was a member of the Corporate group.  Prior to joining Faegre, Mr. Romslo practiced law in the New York City office of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP.  Mr. Romslo holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College and a law degree from the New York University School of Law.     PART II Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities Market Information Our common stock trades on the NYSE MKT under the symbol “NOG.”   The high and low sales prices for shares of common stock of our company for each quarter during 2012 and 2013 are set forth below.   13.97   The closing price for our common stock on the NYSE MKT on February 18, 2014 was $15.77 per share. Comparison Chart The following information in this Item 5 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is not deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent we specifically incorporate it by reference into such a filing. The following graph compares the 60-month cumulative total shareholder return on our common stock since December 31, 2008, and the cumulative total returns of Standard & Poor’s Composite 500 Index and the NYSE Arca Oil Index (formerly the AMEX Oil Index) for the same period.  This graph tracks the performance of a $100 investment in our common stock and in each index (with the reinvestment of all dividends) from December 31, 2008 to December 31, 2013.   154.19   The stock price performance included in this graph is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance. Holders As of February 1, 2014, we had 61,852,670 shares of our common stock outstanding, held by approximately 358 shareholders of record.  The number of record holders does not necessarily bear any relationship to the number of beneficial owners of our common stock.     Dividends The payment of dividends is subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend, among other things, upon our earnings, our capital requirements, our financial condition, and other relevant factors. We have not paid or declared any dividends upon our common stock since our inception and do not presently anticipate paying any dividends upon our common stock in the foreseeable future.  Under our revolving credit facility, we are prohibited from paying cash dividends on our common stock. Any cash dividends in the future to common shareholders will be payable when, as and if declared by our Board of Directors based upon the Board’s assessment of:   our financial condition and performance;   Increased total production by 19% compared to 2012;   ·   Increased total estimated proved reserves to 84.2 million Boe as of December 31, 2013, an increase of 25% compared to 2012 year-end;   Participated in the completion of 531 gross (40.0 net) wells;   ·   Continued to high-grade and grow our leasehold position to 187,044 net acres with approximately 63% of our total acreage position either developed, held by production or held by operations as of December 31, 2013; and   ·   Ended the year with $6 million in cash and, including availability under our revolving credit facility, liquidity of approximately $381 million. Operationally, our 2013 performance reflects another year of successfully executing our strategy of developing our acreage position and building a long-life reserve base.  Our success enabled us to increase proved reserves by 16.6 million Boe, which is approximately 3.7 times our 2013 production.  During 2013, production increased 19% to 4.5 million Boe as compared to 2012 production of 3.8 million Boe.  The increase in 2013 production was driven by a 38% increase in producing net wells from 106.2 net wells at December 31, 2012 to 146.2 net wells at December 31, 2013. Total revenues increased 8% or $24.2 million in 2013 compared to 2012.  This increase was due to higher production levels that generated $72.5 million in oil and gas revenue growth, which was partially offset by a $12.2 million loss on settled derivatives and a $21.3 million loss on the mark-to-market of derivative instruments.  Average realized prices on a Boe basis (including all realized derivative settlements) were 1% higher in 2013 compared to 2012.  As discussed elsewhere in this report, significant changes in oil and natural gas prices can have a material impact on our results of operations and our balance sheet, including the fair value of our derivatives. Source of Our Revenues We derive our revenues from the sale of oil, natural gas and NGLs produced from our properties.  Revenues are a function of the volume produced, the prevailing market price at the time of sale, oil quality, Btu content and transportation costs to market.  We use derivative instruments to hedge future sales prices on a substantial, but varying, portion of our oil production.  We expect our derivative activities will help us achieve more predictable cash flows and reduce our exposure to downward price fluctuations.  The use of derivative instruments has in the past, and may in the future, prevent us from realizing the full benefit of upward price movements but also mitigates the effects of declining price movements.  Our average realized price calculations include the effects of the settlement of all derivative contracts regardless of the accounting treatment.   Principal Components of Our Cost Structure ·   Oil price differentials.  The price differential between our Williston Basin well head price and the NYMEX WTI benchmark price is driven by the additional cost to transport oil from the Williston Basin via train, barge, pipeline or truck to refineries. ·   (Loss) gain on the mark-to-market of derivative instruments.  We utilize commodity derivative financial instruments to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in the price of oil.  This account activity represents the recognition of gains and losses associated with our outstanding derivative contracts as commodity prices and commodity derivative contracts change on contracts that have not been designated for hedge accounting. ·   Realized gain (loss) on derivative instruments.  This account activity represents our realized gains and losses on the settlement of commodity derivative instruments. ·   Production expenses.  Production expenses are daily costs incurred to bring oil and natural gas out of the ground and to the market, together with the daily costs incurred to maintain our producing properties. Such costs also include field personnel compensation, salt water disposal, utilities, maintenance, repairs and servicing expenses related to our oil and natural gas properties. ·   Production taxes.  Production taxes are paid on produced oil and natural gas based on a percentage of revenues from products sold at market prices (not hedged prices) or at fixed rates established by federal, state or local taxing authorities.  We seek to take full advantage of all credits and exemptions in our various taxing jurisdictions.  In general, the production taxes we pay correlate to the changes in oil and natural gas revenues. ·   Depreciation, depletion and amortization.  Depreciation, depletion and amortization includes the systematic expensing of the capitalized costs incurred to acquire, explore and develop oil and natural gas properties. As a full cost company, we capitalize all costs associated with our development and acquisition efforts and allocate these costs to each unit of production using the units-of-production method. ·   General and administrative expenses.  General and administrative expenses include overhead, including payroll and benefits for our corporate staff, costs of maintaining our headquarters, costs of managing our acquisition and development operations, franchise taxes, audit and other professional fees and legal compliance. ·   Interest expense.  We finance a portion of our working capital requirements, capital expenditures and acquisitions with borrowings.  As a result, we incur interest expense that is affected by both fluctuations in interest rates and our financing decisions.  We capitalize a portion of the interest paid on applicable borrowings into our full cost pool.  We include interest expense that is not capitalized into the full cost pool, the amortization of deferred financing costs and bond premiums (including origination and amendment fees), commitment fees and annual agency fees as interest expense. ·   Income tax expense.  Our provision for taxes includes both federal and state taxes. We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the book carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences and carryforwards are expected to be recovered or settled.  The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.  A valuation allowance is established to reduce deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that the related tax benefits will not be realized.   our ability to continue to identify and acquire high-quality acreage; and ·   the level of our operating expenses. In addition to the factors that affect companies in our industry generally, the location of our acreage and wells in the Williston Basin subjects our operating results to factors specific to this region.  These factors include the potential adverse impact of weather on drilling, production and transportation activities, particularly during the winter months, and the limitations of the developing infrastructure and transportation capacity in this region. The price of oil in the Williston Basin can vary depending on the market in which it is sold and the means of transportation used to transport the oil to market.  Light sweet crude from the Williston Basin has a higher value at many major refining centers because of its higher quality relative to heavier and sour grades of oil; however, because of North Dakota’s location relative to traditional oil transport centers, this higher value is generally offset to some extent by higher transportation costs.  While rail transportation has historically been more expensive than pipeline transportation, Williston Basin prices have been high enough to justify shipment by rail to markets, such as St. James, Louisiana, which offer prices benchmarked to Brent/LLS.  Although pipeline, truck and rail capacity in the Williston Basin has historically lagged production in growth, we believe that additional planned infrastructure growth will help keep price discounts from significantly eroding wellhead values in the region. Over the past several years, oil production in the Williston Basin has increased dramatically.  For example, North Dakota’s oil production in October 2013 was up approximately 93% as compared to October 2011.  The surging oil production has created a huge need for oil takeaway infrastructure, which has struggled to keep pace with the growth in production.  This caused the price of Bakken crude to lag significantly behind WTI crude at certain times over the last few years.  In response to rapidly rising production, rail capacity out of the area has greatly expanded, which has allowed Bakken crude to reach refining markets on the East Coast, West Coast and Gulf Coast.  As the takeaway solution developed, the Bakken crude differential to WTI in 2013 has lowered, and even traded at points at a premium to WTI.  During the fourth quarter of 2013, our crude differential widened to approximately $14.98 per barrel due to several factors such as takeaway capacity lagging behind production, and seasonal refinery maintenance temporarily depressing crude demand.  As the rail capacity continues to increase and planned pipeline expansions are completed, we believe the oil price differentials will return to historical levels.  Our weighted average oil price differential to the NYMEX WTI benchmark price during 2013 was approximately $8.68 per barrel, as compared to $9.79 per barrel in 2012. Another significant factor affecting our operating results is drilling costs.  The cost of drilling wells has increased significantly over the past few years as rising oil prices have triggered increased drilling activity in the Williston Basin. Although individual components of the cost can vary depending on numerous factors such as the length of the horizontal lateral, the number of fracture stimulation stages, and the choice of proppant (sand or ceramic), the total cost of drilling and completing an oil well has increased.  This increase is largely due to longer horizontal laterals and more fracture stimulation stages, but also higher demand for rigs and completion services throughout the region.  In addition, because of the rapid growth in drilling, the availability of well completion services has at times been constrained, resulting at times in a backlog of wells awaiting completion.     Market Conditions Prices for various quantities of oil, natural gas, and NGLs that we produce significantly impact our revenues and cash flows.  Commodity prices have been volatile in recent years.  The following tables list average NYMEX prices for oil and natural gas for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.     Oil, Natural Gas and NGL Sales Our revenues vary from year to year primarily as a result of changes in realized commodity prices and production volumes.  In 2013, oil, natural gas and NGL sales increased 24% from 2012, driven primarily by a 19% increase in production and partially aided by a 5% increase in our average sales price per Boe in 2013 as compared to 2012.  In 2012, oil, natural gas and NGL sales increased 86% from 2011 due to a 95% increase in production, partially offset by a 4% decrease in our average sales price per Boe in 2012 as compared to 2011. Our production continues to grow through drilling success as we place new wells into production and through additions from acquisitions, partially offset by the natural decline of our production from existing wells.  Our production primarily increased due to the addition of 40.0 and 48.3 net productive wells in 2013 and 2012, respectively.   Our production for each of the last three years is set forth in the following table:   __________________________________ (1)   Natural gas and NGLs are converted to Boe at the rate of one barrel equals six Mcf based upon the approximate relative energy content of oil and natural gas, which is not necessarily indicative of the relationship of oil and natural gas prices. Derivative Instruments We enter into derivative instruments to manage the price risk attributable to future oil production.  For 2013, we incurred a loss on settled derivatives of $12.2 million, compared to losses of $0.4 million in 2012 and $13.4 million in 2011.  Our average realized price (including all derivative settlements) received during 2013 was $79.77 per Boe compared to $78.79 per Boe in 2012 and $75.85 per Boe in 2011. Mark-to-market derivative gains and losses was a loss of $21.3 million in 2013 compared to a $15.1 million gain in 2012 and a $3.1 million loss in 2011.  Our derivatives are not designated for hedge accounting and are accounted for using the mark-to-market accounting method whereby gains and losses from changes in the fair value of derivative instruments are recognized immediately into earnings.  Mark-to-market accounting treatment creates volatility in our revenues as gains and losses from unsettled derivatives are included in total revenues and are not included in accumulated other comprehensive income in the accompanying balance sheets.  As commodity prices increase or decrease, such changes will have an opposite effect on the mark-to-market value of our derivatives.  Any gains on our derivatives will be offset by lower wellhead revenues in the future or any losses will be offset by higher future wellhead revenues based on the value at the settlement date.  At December 31, 2013, all of our derivative contracts are recorded at their fair value, which was a net liability of $17.9 million, a decrease of $21.2 million from the $3.3 million net asset recorded as of December 31, 2012.  Our open oil derivative contracts are summarized in “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk—Commodity Price Risk.”     Non-GAAP Financial Measures We define Adjusted Net Income as net income excluding (i) loss (gain) on the mark-to-market of derivative instruments, net of tax and (ii) severance expenses in connection with the departures of our former president and former chief operating officer, net of tax.  Our Adjusted Net Income for the year ended December 31, 2013, was $66.4 million (representing approximately $1.06 per diluted share), as compared to $66.2 million (representing approximately $1.05 per diluted share) for the year ended December 31, 2012, and $38.8 million (representing approximately $0.62 per diluted share) for the year ended December 31, 2011.  These increases in Adjusted Net Income are primarily due to our continued addition of oil and natural gas production from new wells and higher realized commodity prices in 2013 compared to 2012 and in 2012 compared to 2011. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income before (i) interest expense, (ii) income taxes, (iii) depreciation, depletion, amortization, and accretion, (iv) loss (gain) on the mark-to-market of derivative instruments and (v) non-cash share based compensation expense.  Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $268.0 million, compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $225.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 and $112.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011.  These increases in Adjusted EBITDA are primarily due to our continued addition of oil and natural gas production from new wells and higher realized commodity prices in 2013 compared to 2012 and in 2012 compared to 2011. We believe the use of these non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors to gain an overall understanding of our current financial performance.  Specifically, we believe the non-GAAP financial measures included herein provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding certain expenses and unrealized commodity gains and losses that our management believes are not indicative of our core operating results.  In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures are used by management for budgeting and forecasting as well as subsequently measuring our performance, and we believe that we are providing investors with financial measures that most closely align to our internal measurement processes.  We consider these non-GAAP measures to be useful in evaluating our core operating results as they more closely reflect our essential revenue generating activities and direct operating expenses (resulting in cash expenditures) needed to perform these revenue generating activities.  Our management also believes, based on feedback provided by the investment community, that the non-GAAP financial measures are necessary to allow the investment community to construct its valuation models to better compare our results with our competitors and market sector. These measures should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP.  In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles.  We believe that non-GAAP financial measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all of the amounts associated with our results of operations as determined in accordance with GAAP and that these measures should only be used to evaluate our results of operations in conjunction with the corresponding GAAP financial measures. Adjusted Net income and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures.  A reconciliation of these measures to GAAP is included below:     2014 Operation Plan We expect our total 2014 capital expenditure budget to range between $430 million and $440 million.  Our 2014 budget anticipates we will participate in the drilling and completion of approximately 44 net wells targeting the Bakken and Three Forks formations at an estimated cost of approximately $388 million.  Based on evolving conditions in the field, we expect our spending to range between $30 million and $40 million on acreage and other expenditures during 2014.  In addition, we estimate that we will spend approximately $12 million on other capital expenditure activities, primarily capitalized workover expenses.  We have the ability to adjust capital expenditures by reducing the number of projects we elect to participate in.  We currently expect to fund all 2014 commitments using a combination of cash-on-hand, cash flow generated by operations, bank borrowings and potential debt financings. Liquidity and Capital Resources Overview Historically, our main sources of liquidity and capital resources have been internally generated cash flow from operations, credit facility borrowings and issuances of debt and equity.  We generally maintain low cash and cash equivalent balances because we use cash from operations to fund our development activities or reduce our bank debt.  We continue to take steps to ensure adequate capital resources and liquidity to fund our capital expenditure program.  In February 2012, we amended and restated the credit agreement governing our revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) to increase the maximum facility size to $750 million, subject to a borrowing base that is currently $450 million.  In May 2012, we issued $300 million aggregate principal amount, and in May 2013, we issued an additional $200 million aggregate principal amount of 8.000% senior unsecured notes due June 1, 2020 (collectively the “Notes”). With our Revolving Credit Facility and our anticipated cash reserves and cash from operations, we believe that we will have sufficient cash flow and liquidity to fund our budgeted capital expenditures and operating expenses for at least the next twelve months. Any significant acquisition of additional properties or significant increase in drilling activity may require us to seek additional capital. We may also choose to seek additional financing from the capital markets rather than utilize our Revolving Credit Facility to fund such activities. We cannot assure you, however, that any additional capital will be available to us on favorable terms or at all.   45   At December 31, 2013, our debt to total capitalization ratio was 48%, we had $584.5 million of total debt outstanding, $619.8 million of stockholders’ equity, and $5.7 million of cash on hand.  Additionally, at December 31, 2013, there was $375 million of availability under our Revolving Credit Facility.  At December 31, 2012, we had $424 million of debt outstanding, $586.2 million of stockholders’ equity, and $13.4 million of cash on hand. Cash Flows Cash flows from operations are primarily affected by production volumes and commodity prices, net of the effects of settlements of our derivatives.  Our cash flows from operations also are impacted by changes in working capital.  We generally maintain low cash and cash equivalent balances because we use available funds to fund our development activities or reduce our bank debt.  Short-term liquidity needs are satisfied by borrowings under our revolving credit facility.  We generally use derivatives to economically hedge a significant, but varying portion of our anticipated future oil production for the next 12 to 36 months.  Any payments due to counterparties under our derivative contracts are funded by proceeds received from the sale of our production.  Production receipts, however, lag payments to the counterparties.  Any interim cash needs are funded by cash from operations or borrowings under the revolving credit facility.  As of December 31, 2013, we had entered into derivative agreements covering 4.0 million barrels for 2014 and 2.9 million barrels for 2015, with average floor prices of $90.43 and $89.02, respectively.  For additional information on the impact of changing prices on our financial position, see “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.” Our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 are presented below:     Cash flows provided by operating activities Net cash provided by operating activities was $222.8 million, $198.5 million and $85.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The increase in cash flows provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to 2012 was primarily the result of a 19% increase in oil and natural gas production that drove an oil and gas sales increase of 24%.  Cash flows provided by operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2012 increased compared to 2011 primarily as a result of an increase in oil and natural gas production of 95%. Cash flows used in investing activities   We had cash flows used in investing activities of $358.5 million, $532.2 million and $300.9 million during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, primarily as a result of our capital expenditures for drilling, development and acquisition costs.  Oil and gas expenditure spending decreased from $532.2 million in 2012 to $358.5 million in 2013, a 33% decrease that was driven by a decrease in the number of net producing well additions in 2013 as compared to 2012.  In 2013, our net producing well additions totaled 40.0 as compared to 48.2 in 2012.  Oil and gas expenditure spending increased from $341.4 million in 2011 to $532.0 million in 2012, a 56% increase that was driven by a 50% increase in the number of net producing well additions in 2012 as compared to 2011.  In 2012, our net producing well additions totaled 48.3 as compared to 32.3 in 2011.  The 2012 oil and gas expenditures include approximately $190.4 million for wells spud prior to 2012.  The spending on wells spud prior to 2012 related to wells awaiting completion at December 31, 2011, as well as completion spending for wells placed into production prior to 2012.   46   Development and acquisition activities are highly discretionary.  We monitor our capital expenditures on a regular basis, adjusting the amount up or down, and between projects, depending on projected commodity prices, cash flows and returns.  Our capital expenditures for development and acquisition activities for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 are summarized in the following table:   Cash flows provided by financing activities   Net cash provided by financing activities was $128.1 million, $340.8 million and $69.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  For the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, cash sourced through financing activities was primarily provided from the issuance of senior unsecured notes and advances under our Revolving Credit Facility.  The decrease in cash provided by financing activities for 2013 as compared to 2012 was attributable to a lower level of senior unsecured note issuance in 2013.  Additionally, during 2013 we repurchased 2,036,383 shares of our common stock at a cost of approximately $26.1 million and repaid $49 million of net borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility with proceeds from the issuance of senior unsecured notes.  During 2012, net cash provided by financing activities was primarily attributable to $300 million from the issuance of senior unsecured notes and $54.1 million in net borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility.  We did not repurchase any shares of our common stock during 2012.  Our long term debt at December 31, 2013 was $584.5 million, which was comprised of $509.5 million in senior unsecured notes and $75 million of borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility.  At December 31, 2013 we had $375 million of available borrowing capacity under our Revolving Credit Facility.  For the year ended December 31, 2011, cash increases through financing activities was primarily provided by advances under our revolving credit facility. Revolving Credit Facility In February 2012, we entered into an amended and restated credit agreement providing for a revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), which replaced our previous revolving credit facility with a syndicated facility.  Our bank group is comprised of a group of commercial banks, with no single bank holding more than 12% of the total facility.  The Revolving Credit Facility, which is secured by substantially all of our assets, provides for a commitment equal to the lesser of the facility amount or the borrowing base.  At December 31, 2013, the facility amount was $750 million, the borrowing base was $450 million and there was a $75 million outstanding balance, leaving $375 million of borrowing capacity available under the facility.  Under the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility, we may issue an unlimited amount of permitted additional indebtedness, as defined, provided that the borrowing base will be reduced by 25% of the stated amount of any such permitted additional indebtedness.  The $500 million in Notes described below is “permitted additional indebtedness” as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility. The Revolving Credit Facility matures on September 30, 2018 and provides for a borrowing base subject to redetermination semi-annually each April and October and for event-driven unscheduled redeterminations.  Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility can either be at the Alternate Base Rate (as defined) plus a spread ranging from 0.5% to 1.5% or LIBOR borrowings at the Adjusted LIBOR Rate (as defined) plus a spread ranging from 1.5% to 2.5%.  The applicable spread at any time is dependent upon the amount of borrowings relative to the borrowing base at such time.  We may elect, from time to time, to convert all or any part of our LIBOR loans to base rate loans or to convert all or any of the base rate loans to LIBOR loans.  A commitment fee is paid on the undrawn balance based on an annual rate of either 0.375% or 0.50%.  At December 31, 2013, the commitment fee was 0.375% and the interest rate margin was 1.5% on LIBOR loans and 0.5% on base rate loans.       The Revolving Credit Facility contains negative covenants that limit our ability, among other things, to pay any cash dividends, incur additional indebtedness, sell assets, enter into certain hedging contracts, change the nature of our business or operations, merge, consolidate, or make investments.  In addition, we are required to maintain a current ratio of no less than 1.0 to 1.0.  We were in compliance with our covenants under the Revolving Credit Facility at December 31, 2013. All of our obligations under the Revolving Credit Facility are secured by a first priority security interest in any and all of our assets. 8.000% Senior Notes due 2020 On May 18, 2012, we issued at par value $300 million aggregate principal amount of 8.000% senior unsecured notes due June 1, 2020 (the “Original Notes”).  On May 13, 2013, we issued at a price of 105.25% an additional $200 million aggregate principal amount of 8.000% senior unsecured notes due June 1, 2020 (the “Follow-on Notes” and, together with the Original Notes, the “Notes”).  Interest is payable on the Notes semi-annually in arrears on each June 1 and December 1.  The issuance of the Original Notes resulted in net proceeds to us of approximately $291.2 million and the issuance of the Follow-on Notes resulted in net proceeds to us of approximately $200.1 million, which are in use to fund our exploration, development and acquisition program and for general corporate purposes (including repayment of borrowings that were outstanding under our Revolving Credit Facility at the time the Notes were issued).   At any time prior to June 1, 2015, we may redeem up to 35% of the Notes at a redemption price of 108% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, with the proceeds of certain equity offerings so long as the redemption occurs within 180 days of completing such equity offering and at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes remains outstanding after such redemption.  Prior to June 1, 2016, we may redeem some or all of the Notes for cash at a redemption price equal to 100% of their principal amount plus an applicable make-whole premium and accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.  On and after June 1, 2016, we may redeem some or all of the Notes at redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) equal to 104% for the twelve-month period beginning on June 1, 2016, 102% for the twelve-month period beginning June 1, 2017 and 100% beginning on June1, 2018, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. The Notes are governed by an Indenture (the “Indenture”) dated May 18, 2012, with Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”). The Indenture restricts our ability to: (i) incur additional debt or enter into sale and leaseback transactions; (ii) pay distributions on, redeem or repurchase, equity interests; (iii) make certain investments; (iv) incur liens; (v) enter into transactions with affiliates; (vi) merge or consolidate with another company; and (vii) transfer and sell assets.  These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications.  If at any time when the Notes are rated investment grade by both Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services and no Default (as defined in the Indenture) has occurred and is continuing, many of such covenants will terminate and we and any of our subsidiaries will cease to be subject to such covenants. The Indenture contains customary events of default, including:   default in any payment of interest on any Note when due, continued for 30 days;   ·   default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, on any Note when due;   ·   failure by us to comply with our other obligations under the Indenture, in certain cases subject to notice and grace periods;   ·   payment defaults and accelerations with respect to our other indebtedness and certain of our subsidiaries, if any, in the aggregate principal amount of $25 million or more;   ·   certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of our company or a significant subsidiary or group of restricted subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a significant subsidiary;   ·   failure by us or any significant subsidiary or group of restricted subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a significant subsidiary to pay certain final judgments aggregating in excess of $25 million within 60 days; and   ·   any guarantee of the Notes by a guarantor ceases to be in full force and effect, is declared null and void in a judicial proceeding or is denied or disaffirmed by its maker.     Capital Requirements Our primary needs for cash are for exploration, development and acquisition of oil and natural gas properties and payment of interest on outstanding indebtedness.  During 2013, our acreage and development expenditures included approximately $389.5 million of drilling, completion and capitalized workover costs, $1.8 million related to asset retirement obligations, $3.3 million of capitalized internal costs and $6.0 million of capitalized interest.  Also in 2013, approximately $38.5 million was expended on acreage and other expenditures in the Williston Basin.  Our 2013 capital program was funded by cash on hand, net cash flow from operations and borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility and the Notes.  Our capital expenditure budget for 2014 is discussed above under the heading “2014 Operation Plan.” Development and acreage activities are highly discretionary, and, for the near term, we expect such activities to be maintained at levels we can fund through internal cash flow and borrowing under our Revolving Credit Facility.  To the extent capital requirements exceed internal cash flow and borrowing capacity under our Revolving Credit Facility, debt may be issued to fund these requirements.  We monitor our capital expenditures on a regular basis, adjusting the amount up or down and also between our projects, depending on commodity prices, cash flow and projected returns.  Also, our obligations may change due to acquisitions, divestitures and continued growth.  Our future success in growing proved reserves and production may be dependent on our ability to access outside sources of capital.  If internally generated cash flow and borrowing capacity is not available under our Revolving Credit Facility, we may issue additional shares of stock, subordinated notes or other debt securities to fund capital expenditures, acquisitions, extend maturities or to repay debt. Satisfaction of Our Cash Obligations for the Next 12 Months With our Revolving Credit Facility and our cash flows from operations, we believe we have sufficient capital to meet our drilling commitments and expected general and administrative expenses for the next twelve months.  Nonetheless, any strategic acquisition of assets or increase in drilling activity may require us to seek additional capital.  We may also choose to seek additional capital rather than utilize our credit facility or other debt instruments to fund accelerated or continued drilling at the discretion of management and depending on prevailing market conditions.  We will evaluate any potential opportunities for acquisitions as they arise.  However, there can be no assurance that any additional capital will be available to us on favorable terms or at all. Over the next 24 months it is possible that our existing capital, our Revolving Credit Facility and anticipated funds from operations may not be sufficient to sustain continued acreage acquisitions and drilling activities.  Consequently, we may seek additional capital in the future to fund growth and expansion through additional debt or equity financing or credit facilities.  No assurance can be made that such financing would be available, and if available it may take either the form of debt or equity.  In either case, the financing could have a negative impact on our financial condition and our shareholders. Effects of Inflation and Pricing The oil and natural gas industry is very cyclical and the demand for goods and services of oil field companies, suppliers and others associated with the industry put extreme pressure on the economic stability and pricing structure within the industry.  Typically, as prices for oil and natural gas increase, so do all associated costs.  Conversely, in a period of declining prices, associated cost declines are likely to lag and may not adjust downward in proportion.  Material changes in prices also impact our current revenue stream, estimates of future reserves, borrowing base calculations of bank loans, impairment assessments of oil and natural gas properties, and values of properties in purchase and sale transactions.  Material changes in prices can impact the value of oil and natural gas companies and their ability to raise capital, borrow money and retain personnel.  While we do not currently expect business costs to materially increase, higher prices for oil and natural gas could result in increases in the costs of materials, services and personnel.   Revolving Credit Facility and 8.000% Senior Notes due 2020 (see Note 4 to financial statements) (4)   Cash interest on Revolving Credit Facility and 8.000% Senior Notes due 2020 are estimated assuming no principal repayment until the due date The above contractual obligations schedule does not include future anticipated settlement of derivative contracts or estimated amounts expected to be incurred in the future associated with the abandonment of our oil and gas properties, as we cannot determine with accuracy the amount and/or timing of such payments. Critical Accounting Policies The establishment and consistent application of accounting policies is a vital component of accurately and fairly presenting our financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP), as well as ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations governing financial reporting. While there are rarely alternative methods or rules from which to select in establishing accounting and financial reporting policies, proper application often involves significant judgment regarding a given set of facts and circumstances and a complex series of decisions. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements under GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect our reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Our estimates of our proved oil and natural gas reserves, future development costs, estimates relating to certain oil and natural gas revenues and expenses and fair value of derivative instruments are the most critical to our financial statements. Oil and Natural Gas Reserves The determination of depreciation, depletion and amortization expense as well as impairments that are recognized on our oil and natural gas properties are highly dependent on the estimates of the proved oil and natural gas reserves attributable to our properties.  Our estimate of proved reserves is based on the quantities of oil and natural gas which geological and engineering data demonstrate, with reasonable certainty, to be recoverable in the future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions.  The accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of available data, engineering and geological interpretation, and judgment.  For example, we must estimate the amount and timing of future operating costs, production taxes and development costs, all of which may in fact vary considerably from actual results. In addition, as the prices of oil and natural gas and cost levels change from year to year, the economics of producing our reserves may change and therefore the estimate of proved reserves may also change.  Any significant variance in these assumptions could materially affect the estimated quantity and value of our reserves.       The information regarding present value of the future net cash flows attributable to our proved oil and natural gas reserves are estimates only and should not be construed as the current market value of the estimated oil and natural gas reserves attributable to our properties.  Thus, such information includes revisions of certain reserve estimates attributable to our properties included in the prior year’s estimates.  These revisions reflect additional information from subsequent activities, production history of the properties involved and any adjustments in the projected economic life of such properties resulting from changes in oil and natural gas prices.  Any future downward revisions could adversely affect our financial condition, our borrowing ability, our future prospects and the value of our common stock. The estimates of our proved oil and natural gas reserves used in the preparation of our financial statements were prepared by Ryder Scott Company, our registered independent petroleum consultants, and were prepared in accordance with the rules promulgated by the SEC. Oil and Natural Gas Properties The method of accounting we use to account for our oil and natural gas investments determines what costs are capitalized and how these costs are ultimately matched with revenues and expensed. We utilize the full cost method of accounting to account for our oil and natural gas investments instead of the successful efforts method because we believe it more accurately reflects the underlying economics of our programs to explore and develop oil and natural gas reserves. The full cost method embraces the concept that dry holes and other expenditures that fail to add reserves are intrinsic to the oil and natural gas exploration business. Thus, under the full cost method, all costs incurred in connection with the acquisition, development and exploration of oil and natural gas reserves are capitalized. These capitalized amounts include the costs of unproved properties, internal costs directly related to acquisitions, development and exploration activities, asset retirement costs, geological and geophysical costs that are directly attributable to the properties and capitalized interest. Although some of these costs will ultimately result in no additional reserves, they are part of a program from which we expect the benefits of successful wells to more than offset the costs of any unsuccessful ones. The full cost method differs from the successful efforts method of accounting for oil and natural gas investments. The primary difference between these two methods is the treatment of exploratory dry hole costs. These costs are generally expensed under the successful efforts method when it is determined that measurable reserves do not exist. Geological and geophysical costs are also expensed under the successful efforts method. Under the full cost method, both dry hole costs and geological and geophysical costs are initially capitalized and classified as unproved properties pending determination of proved reserves. If no proved reserves are discovered, these costs are then amortized with all the costs in the full cost pool. Capitalized amounts except unproved costs are depleted using the units of production method.  The depletion expense per unit of production is the ratio of the sum of our unamortized historical costs and estimated future development costs to our proved reserve volumes.  Estimation of hydrocarbon reserves relies on professional judgment and use of factors that cannot be precisely determined.  Subsequent reserve estimates materially different from those reported would change the depletion expense recognized during the future reporting periods.  For the year ended December 31, 2013, our average depletion expense per unit of production was $27.62 per Boe.  A 10% decrease in our estimated net proved reserves at December 31, 2013 would result in a $0.94 per Boe increase in our per unit depletion. To the extent the capitalized costs in our full cost pool (net of depreciation, depletion and amortization and related deferred taxes) exceed the sum of the present value (using a 10% discount rate and based on period-end oil and natural gas prices) of the estimated future net cash flows from our proved oil and natural gas reserves and the capitalized cost associated with our unproved properties, we would have a capitalized ceiling impairment. Such costs would be charged to operations as a reduction of the carrying value of oil and natural gas properties.  The risk that we will be required to write down the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties increases when oil and natural gas prices are depressed, even if the low prices are temporary.  In addition, capitalized ceiling impairment charges may occur if we experience poor drilling results or estimations of our proved reserves are substantially reduced.  A capitalized ceiling impairment is a reduction in earnings that does not impact cash flows, but does impact operating income and shareholders’ equity.  Once recognized, a capitalized ceiling impairment charge to oil and natural gas properties cannot be reversed at a later date.  The risk that we will experience a ceiling test writedown increases when oil and natural gas prices are depressed or if we have substantial downward revisions in our estimated proved reserves.  As of December 31, 2013 we have not incurred a capitalized ceiling impairment charge.  However, no assurance can be given that we will not experience a capitalized ceiling impairment charge in future periods.  In addition, capitalized ceiling impairment charges may occur if estimates of proved hydrocarbon reserves are substantially reduced or estimates of future development costs increase significantly.  See “Item 2. Properties—Proved Reserves,” for a discussion of our reserve estimation assumptions.     Revenue Recognition We derive revenue primarily from the sale of the oil and natural gas from our interests in producing wells, hence our revenue recognition policy for these sales is significant. We recognize revenue from the sale of oil and natural gas when production is delivered to, and title has transferred to, the purchaser and to the extent the selling price is reasonably determinable. We use the sales method of accounting for natural gas balancing of natural gas production and would recognize a liability if the existing proved reserves were not adequate to cover the current imbalance situation.  As of December 31, 2013, our natural gas production was in balance, meaning our cumulative portion of natural gas production taken and sold from wells in which we have an interest equaled our entitled interest in natural gas production from those wells. In general, settlements for hydrocarbon sales occur around two months after the end of the month in which the oil, natural gas or other hydrocarbon products were produced. We estimate and accrue for the value of these sales using information available to us at the time our financial statements are generated. Differences are reflected in the accounting period that payments are received from the operator. Derivative Instrument Activities We use derivative instruments from time to time to manage market risks resulting from fluctuations in the prices of oil and natural gas.  We may periodically enter into derivative contracts, including price swaps, caps and floors, which require payments to (or receipts from) counterparties based on the differential between a fixed price and a variable price for a fixed quantity of oil or natural gas without the exchange of underlying volumes.  The notional amounts of these financial instruments are based on expected production from existing wells.  We have, and may continue to use exchange traded futures contracts and option contracts to hedge the delivery price of oil at a future date.   All derivative positions are carried at their fair value on the balance sheet and are marked-to-market at the end of each period.  Any realized gains and losses are recorded to gain (loss) on settled derivatives and unrealized gains or losses are recorded to (losses) gains on the mark-to-market of derivative instruments on the statements of comprehensive income rather than as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income.  See Note 14 for a description of the derivative contracts which we executed during 2013 and 2012. The resulting cash flows from derivatives are reported as cash flows from operating activities. New Accounting Pronouncements Recently Issued Balance Sheet Offsetting— In December 2011, the FASB issued Balance Sheet (Topic 210) — Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (ASU No. 2011-11), which requires disclosures regarding netting arrangements in agreements underlying derivatives, certain financial instruments and related collateral amounts, and the extent to which an entity’s financial statement presentation policies related to netting arrangements impact amounts recorded to the financial statements.  These disclosure requirements do not affect the presentation of amounts in the balance sheets, and are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual reporting periods.  We implemented the disclosure guidance effective January 1, 2013, and the implementation did not have a material impact on our financial statements.     Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted For a description of the accounting standards that we adopted in 2013, see Notes to Financial Statements—Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies. Various accounting standards and interpretations were issued in 2013 with effective dates subsequent to December 31, 2013.  We have evaluated the recently issued accounting pronouncements that are effective in 2014 and believe that none of them will have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows when adopted. Further, we are monitoring the joint standard-setting efforts of the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the International Accounting Standards Board.  There are a large number of pending accounting standards that are being targeted for completion in 2014 and beyond, including, but not limited to, standards relating to revenue recognition, accounting for leases, fair value measurements, accounting for financial instruments, disclosure of loss contingencies and financial statement presentation. Because these pending standards have not yet been finalized, at this time we are not able to determine the potential future impact that these standards will have, if any, on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements   We currently do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.   Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk Commodity Price Risk The price we receive for our oil and natural gas production heavily influences our revenue, profitability, access to capital and future rate of growth.  Oil and natural gas are commodities and, therefore, their prices are subject to wide fluctuations in response to relatively minor changes in supply and demand and other factors.  Historically, the markets for oil and natural gas have been volatile, and our management believes these markets will likely continue to be volatile in the future.  The prices we receive for our production depend on numerous factors beyond our control.  Our revenue during 2013 generally would have increased or decreased along with any increases or decreases in oil or natural gas prices, but the exact impact on our income is indeterminable given the variety of expenses associated with producing and selling oil that also increase and decrease along with oil prices. We enter into derivative contracts to achieve a more predictable cash flow by reducing our exposure to oil price volatility.  On November 1, 2009, due to the volatility of price differentials in the Williston Basin, we de-designated all derivatives that were previously classified as cash flow hedges and we have elected not to designate any subsequent derivative contracts as accounting hedges.  As such, all derivative positions are carried at their fair value on the balance sheet and are marked-to-market at the end of each period.  Any realized gains and losses are recorded to gain (loss) on settled derivatives and mark-to-market gains or losses are recorded to (losses) gains on the mark-to-market of derivative instruments on the statements of comprehensive income rather than as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) or other income (expense). We generally use derivatives to economically hedge a significant, but varying portion of our anticipated future production over a rolling 36 month horizon.  Any payments due to counterparties under our derivative contracts are funded by proceeds received from the sale of our production.  Production receipts, however, lag payments to the counterparties.  Any interim cash needs are funded by cash from operations or borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility.   53   The following table reflects open commodity swap contracts as of December 31, 2013, the associated volumes and the corresponding fixed price. Settlement Period Interest Rate Risk   Our long-term debt is comprised of borrowings that contain fixed and floating interest rates.  The Notes bear interest at an annual fixed rate of 8% and our Revolving Credit Facility interest rate is a floating rate option that is designated by us within the parameters established by the underlying agreement.  During the year ended December 31, 2013, we had $73.5 million in average outstanding borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility at a weighted average rate of 2.14%.  We have the option to designate the reference rate of interest for each specific borrowing under the Revolving Credit Facility as amounts are advanced.  Borrowings based upon the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) will bear interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus a spread ranging from 1.5% to 2.5% depending on the percentage of borrowing base that is currently advanced.  Any borrowings not designated as being based upon LIBOR will bear interest at a rate equal to the current prime rate published by the Wall Street Journal, plus a spread ranging from 0.5% to 1.5%, depending on the percentage of borrowing base that is currently advanced.  We have the option to designate either pricing mechanism.  Interest payments are due under the Revolving Credit Facility in arrears, in the case of a loan based on LIBOR on the last day of the specified interest period and in the case of all other loans on the last day of each March, June, September and December.  All outstanding principal is due and payable upon termination of the Revolving Credit Facility. Our Revolving Credit Facility allows us to fix the interest rate of borrowings under it for all or a portion of the principal balance for a period up to three months; however our borrowings are generally withdrawn with interest rates fixed for one month.  Thereafter, to the extent we do not repay the principle, our borrowings are rolled over and the interest rate is reset based on the current LIBOR or prime rate as applicable. As a result, changes in interest rates can impact results of operations and cash flows.  A 1% increase in short-term interest rates on our floating-rate debt at December 31, 2013 would cost us approximately $750,000 in additional annual interest expense. Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data The financial statements and supplementary financial information required by this item are included on the pages immediately following the Index to Financial Statements appearing on page F-1. Item 9. Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure None. Item 9A. Controls and Procedures Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures We maintain a system of disclosure controls and procedures that is designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.   55   As of December 31, 2013, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, had evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act.  Based upon and as of the date of the evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that information required to be disclosed is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the specified periods and is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure of material information required to be included in our periodic SEC reports. Based on the foregoing, our management determined that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2013. No change in our company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2013, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting The management of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  The Company’s internal control system is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of our Company’s financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations.  Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.  Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013.  In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (1992). Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework, management concluded that the Company's internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2013. The effectiveness of our Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report.   REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2013, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013 of the Company and our report dated March 3, 2014 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements. /s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP PART III   Certain information required by this Part III is incorporated by reference from our definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in 2014 (the “Proxy Statement”), which we intend to file with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after December 31, 2013.  Except for those portions specifically incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K by reference to the Proxy Statement, no other portions of the Proxy Statement are deemed to be filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance The information included in “Part I – Executive Officers of the Registrant” of this report is incorporated herein by reference. The information appearing under the headings “Proposal 1:  Election of Directors,” “Corporate Governance” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference. We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer and persons performing similar functions.  A copy is available on our website at www.northernoil.com.  We intend to post on our website any amendments to, or waivers from, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics pursuant to the rules of the SEC and NYSE MKT. Item 11. Executive Compensation The information appearing under the headings “Executive Compensation” and “Compensation Committee Report,” and the information regarding compensation committee interlocks and insider participation under the heading “Corporate Governance,” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference. Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans The following table provides information with respect to our common shares issuable under our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2013: Plan Category 2,019,048   The information appearing under the heading “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference. Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence The information appearing under the headings “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and “Corporate Governance” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.     Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services The information appearing under the heading “Proposal 2: Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accountants” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference. PART IV Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules (a)           Documents filed as part of this Report:   POWER OF ATTORNEY   Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints, Michael L. Reger and Thomas W. Stoelk, or either of them, his/her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, acting alone, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him/her and in his/her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Annual Report on Form 10-K and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection wherewith, with the Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, each acting alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he/she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all said attorney-in-fact and agent, acting alone, or his/her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.   Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacity and on the dates indicated:   REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.: We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the related statements of comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.   We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.   In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.   We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 3, 2014 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. /s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP   NOTE 1     ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF BUSINESS Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. (the “Company,” “Northern,” “our” and words of similar import), a Minnesota corporation, is an independent energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, exploitation, development and production of crude oil and natural gas properties.  The Company’s common stock trades on the NYSE MKT market under the symbol “NOG”. Northern’s principal business is crude oil and natural gas exploration, development, and production with operations in North Dakota and Montana that primarily target the Bakken and Three Forks formations in the Williston Basin of the United States.  The Company acquires leasehold interests that comprise of non-operated working interests in wells and in drilling projects within its area of operations.  As of December 31, 2013, approximately 58% of Northern’s 187,044 total net acres were developed.  As of December 31, 2012, approximately 50% of Northern’s 179,131 total net acres were developed.   NOTE 2     SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES   These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).  In connection with preparing the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company has evaluated subsequent events for potential recognition and disclosure through the date of this filing and determined that there were no subsequent events which required recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date of this filing.   Use of Estimates   The preparation of financial statements under GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  The most significant estimates relate to proved crude oil and natural gas reserve volumes, future development costs, estimates relating to certain crude oil and natural gas revenues and expenses, fair value of derivative instruments, and deferred income taxes.  Actual results may differ from those estimates.   Cash and Cash Equivalents   Northern considers highly liquid investments with insignificant interest rate risk and original maturities to the Company of three months or less to be cash equivalents.  Cash equivalents consist primarily of interest-bearing bank accounts and money market funds.  The Company’s cash positions represent assets held in checking and money market accounts.  These assets are generally available on a daily or weekly basis and are highly liquid in nature.  Due to the balances being greater than $250,000, the Company does not have FDIC coverage on the entire amount of bank deposits.  The Company believes this risk is minimal.  In addition, the Company is subject to Security Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”) protection on a vast majority of its financial assets.   Accounts Receivable   Accounts receivable are carried on a gross basis, with no discounting. The Company regularly reviews all aged accounts receivable for collectability and establishes an allowance as necessary for individual customer balances.   At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the allowance for doubtful accounts was $1,050,000 and $0, respectively.  The amount charged to operations for doubtful accounts was $1,050,000, $0, and $0 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.   Advances to Operators   The Company participates in the drilling of crude oil and natural gas wells with other working interest partners.  Due to the capital intensive nature of crude oil and natural gas drilling activities, the working interest partner responsible for conducting the drilling operations may request advance payments from other working interest partners for their share of the costs.  The Company expects such advances to be applied by working interest partners against joint interest billings for its share of drilling operations within 90 days from when the advance is paid.   Other Property and Equipment   Property and equipment that are not crude oil and natural gas properties are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives of three to seven years.  Expenditures for replacements, renewals, and betterments are capitalized.  Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred.  Long-lived assets, other than crude oil and natural gas properties, are evaluated for impairment to determine if current circumstances and market conditions indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable.  The Company has not recognized any impairment losses on non-crude oil and natural gas long-lived assets.  Depreciation expense was $325,859, $409,888, and $298,137 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.   Full Cost Method Northern follows the full cost method of accounting for crude oil and natural gas operations whereby all costs related to the exploration and development of crude oil and natural gas properties are initially capitalized into a single cost center (“full cost pool”).  Such costs include land acquisition costs, geological and geophysical expenses, carrying charges on non-producing properties, costs of drilling directly related to acquisition, and exploration activities.  Internal costs that are capitalized are directly attributable to acquisition, exploration and development activities and do not include costs related to the production, general corporate overhead or similar activities.  Costs associated with production and general corporate activities are expensed in the period incurred. Capitalized costs are summarized as follows for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively:   17,358,979   As of December 31, 2013, the Company held leasehold interests in the Williston Basin on acreage located in North Dakota and Montana targeting the Bakken and Three Forks formations. Proceeds from property sales will generally be credited to the full cost pool, with no gain or loss recognized, unless such a sale would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and the proved reserves attributable to these costs.  A significant alteration would typically involve a sale of 25% or more of the proved reserves related to a single full cost pool.  In the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company sold acreage and interests in producing properties for $0, $908,000, and $5.0 million, respectively.  The proceeds for these sales were applied to reduce the capitalized costs of crude oil and natural gas properties. Capitalized costs associated with impaired properties and capitalized costs related to properties having proved reserves, plus the estimated future development costs and asset retirement costs, are depleted and amortized on the unit-of-production method based on the estimated gross proved reserves as determined by independent petroleum engineers.  The costs of unproved properties are withheld from the depletion base until such time as they are either developed or abandoned.  When proved reserves are assigned or the property is considered to be impaired, the cost of the property or the amount of the impairment is added to costs subject to depletion and full cost ceiling calculations.  For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company transferred into the full cost pool costs related to expired leases of $14.1 million, $7.1 million, and $9.0 million, respectively.       Capitalized costs of crude oil and natural gas properties (net of related deferred income taxes) may not exceed an amount equal to the present value, discounted at 10% per annum, of the estimated future net cash flows from proved crude oil and natural gas reserves plus the cost of unproved properties (adjusted for related income tax effects).  Should capitalized costs exceed this ceiling, impairment is recognized.  The present value of estimated future net cash flows is computed by applying the 12-month average price of crude oil and natural gas to estimated future production of proved crude oil and natural gas reserves as of period-end, less estimated future expenditures to be incurred in developing and producing the proved reserves and assuming continuation of existing economic conditions.  Such present value of proved reserves’ future net cash flows excludes future cash outflows associated with settling asset retirement obligations that have been accrued on the balance sheet.  Should this comparison indicate an excess carrying value, the excess is charged to earnings as an impairment expense.  During the three year period ended December 31, 2013, the Company has not realized any impairment of its properties.   Asset Retirement Obligations Asset retirement obligation is included in other noncurrent liabilities and relates to future costs associated with the plugging and abandonment of crude oil and natural gas wells, removal of equipment and facilities from leased acreage and returning the land to its original condition.  Estimates are based on estimated remaining lives of those wells based on reserve estimates, external estimates to plug and abandon the wells in the future, inflation, credit adjusted discount rates and federal and state regulatory requirements.  The liability is accreted to its present value each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset.   Debt Issuance Costs Deferred financing costs include origination, legal and other fees to issue debt in connection with the Company’s credit facility and senior unsecured notes.  These debt issuance costs are being amortized over the term of the related financing using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method (see Note 4). The amortization of debt issuance costs for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $2,625,240, $1,527,194 and $430,760, respectively.   Bond Premium on Senior Notes At December 31, 2013, the Company had recorded a bond premium of $10.5 million in connection with the “8% Senior Notes Due 2020” (see Note 4).  This bond premium is being amortized over the term of the related financing using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method. The amortization of the bond premium for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $960,177, $0 and $0, respectively. Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes crude oil and natural gas revenues from its interests in producing wells when production is delivered to, and title has transferred to, the purchaser and to the extent the selling price is reasonably determinable.  The Company uses the sales method of accounting for natural gas balancing of natural gas production and would recognize a liability if the existing proven reserves were not adequate to cover the current imbalance situation.  As of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company’s natural gas production was in balance, meaning its cumulative portion of natural gas production taken and sold from wells in which it has an interest equaled its entitled interest in natural gas production from those wells. Concentrations of Market and Credit Risk The future results of the Company’s crude oil and natural gas operations will be affected by the market prices of crude oil and natural gas.  The availability of a ready market for crude oil and natural gas products in the future will depend on numerous factors beyond the control of the Company, including weather, imports, marketing of competitive fuels, proximity and capacity of crude oil and natural gas pipelines and other transportation facilities, any oversupply or undersupply of crude oil, natural gas and liquid products, the regulatory environment, the economic environment, and other regional and political events, none of which can be predicted with certainty. The Company operates in the exploration, development and production sector of the crude oil and natural gas industry.  The Company’s receivables include amounts due from purchasers of its crude oil and natural gas production.  While certain of these customers are affected by periodic downturns in the economy in general or in their specific segment of the crude oil or natural gas industry, the Company believes that its level of credit-related losses due to such economic fluctuations has been and will continue to be immaterial to the Company’s results of operations over the long-term.  Trade receivables are generally not collateralized.       The Company manages and controls market and counterparty credit risk. In the normal course of business, collateral is not required for financial instruments with credit risk. Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to credit risk consist principally of temporary cash balances and derivative financial instruments. The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents in bank deposit accounts which, at times, may exceed the federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any significant losses from such investments. The Company attempts to limit the amount of credit exposure to any one financial institution or company. The Company believes the credit quality of its customers is generally high. In the normal course of business, letters of credit or parent guarantees may be required for counterparties which management perceives to have a higher credit risk. Stock-Based Compensation The Company records expense associated with the fair value of stock-based compensation.  For fully vested stock and restricted stock grants the Company calculates the stock based compensation expense based upon estimated fair value on the date of grant.  For stock options, the Company uses the Black-Scholes option valuation model to calculate stock based compensation at the date of grant.  Option pricing models require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected price volatility.  Changes in these assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate.   Stock Issuance The Company records the stock-based compensation awards issued to non-employees and other external entities for goods and services at either the fair market value of the goods received or services rendered or the instruments issued in exchange for such services, whichever is more readily determinable. Income Taxes   Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.  Accounting standards require the consideration of a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets if it is “more likely than not” that some component or all of the benefits of deferred tax assets will not be realized.  No valuation allowance has been recorded as of December 31, 2013 and 2012. Net Income Per Common Share Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) are computed by dividing net income (the numerator) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period (the denominator).  Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares and potential common shares outstanding (if dilutive) during each period.  Potential common shares include stock options and warrants and restricted stock.  The number of potential common shares outstanding relating to stock options and warrants and restricted stock is computed using the treasury stock method. The reconciliation of the denominators used to calculate basic EPS and diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:       As of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, potentially dilutive shares from stock options were 241,872, 251,963, and 262,463, respectively.  These options are all exercisable at December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, at an exercise price of $5.18. The Company also has potentially dilutive shares from restricted stock grants outstanding of 592,565, 777,437, and 1,216,992, at December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. In January 2011, 300,000 warrants that were issued in conjunction with the February 2009 revolving credit facility were exercised at a price of $5.00 per share. Derivative Instruments and Price Risk Management The Company uses derivative instruments to manage market risks resulting from fluctuations in the prices of crude oil.  The Company enters into derivative contracts, including price swaps, caps and floors, which require payments to (or receipts from) counterparties based on the differential between a fixed price and a variable price for a fixed quantity of crude oil without the exchange of underlying volumes.  The notional amounts of these financial instruments are based on expected production from existing wells.  The Company has, and may continue to use exchange traded futures contracts and option contracts to hedge the delivery price of crude oil at a future date. On November 1, 2009, due to the volatility of price differentials in the Williston Basin, the Company de-designated all derivatives that were previously classified as cash flow hedges and in addition, the Company has elected not to designate any subsequent derivative contracts as accounting hedges.  As such, all derivative positions are carried at their fair value on the balance sheet and are marked-to-market at the end of each period.  Any realized gains and losses are recorded to gain (loss) on settled derivatives and  mark-to-market gains or losses are recorded to (loss) gain on the mark-to-market of derivative instruments on the statements of income and comprehensive income  rather than as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) or other income (expense).  See Note 14 for a description of the derivative contracts which the Company has entered into. Prior to November 1, 2009, the Company, at the inception of a derivative contract, designated the derivative as a cash flow hedge.  For all derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the Company formally documented the relationship between the derivative contract and the hedged items, as well as the risk management objective for entering into the derivative contract.  To be designated as a cash flow hedge transaction, the relationship between the derivative and the hedged items must be highly effective in achieving the offset of changes in cash flows attributable to the risk both at the inception of the derivative and on an ongoing basis.  The Company historically measured hedge effectiveness on a quarterly basis and hedge accounting would be discontinued prospectively if it determined that the derivative was no longer effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the hedged item.  Gains and losses deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to cash flow hedge derivatives that become ineffective remain unchanged until the related production was delivered.  If the Company determined that it was probable that a hedged forecasted transaction would not occur, deferred gains or losses on the derivative were recognized in earnings immediately. Derivatives, historically, were recorded on the balance sheet at fair value and changes in the fair value of derivatives were recorded each period in current earnings or other comprehensive income (loss), depending on whether a derivative was designated as part of a hedge transaction and, if it was, depending on the type of hedge transaction.  The Company’s derivatives historically consisted primarily of cash flow hedge transactions in which the Company was hedging the variability of cash flows related to a forecasted transaction.  Period to period changes in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges were reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified to earnings in the periods in which the hedged item impacts earnings.  The ineffective portion of the cash flow hedges were reflected in current period earnings as gain or loss from derivatives.  Gains and losses on derivative instruments that did not qualify for hedge accounting were included in income or loss from derivatives in the period in which they occur.  The resulting cash flows from derivatives were reported as cash flows from operating activities.   Impairment   Long-lived assets to be held and used are required to be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.  Crude oil and natural gas properties accounted for using the full cost method of accounting (which the Company uses) are excluded from this requirement but continue to be subject to the full cost method’s impairment rules.  There was no impairment recorded at December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011.   New Accounting Pronouncements From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by FASB that are adopted by the Company as of the specified effective date.  If not discussed, management believes that the impact of recently issued standards, which are not yet effective, will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements upon adoption. Recently Adopted Balance Sheet Offsetting — In December 2011, the FASB issued Balance Sheet (Topic 210) — Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (ASU No. 2011-11), which requires disclosures regarding netting arrangements in agreements underlying derivatives, certain financial instruments and related collateral amounts, and the extent to which an entity’s financial statement presentation policies related to netting arrangements impact amounts recorded to the financial statements.  These disclosure requirements do not affect the presentation of amounts in the balance sheets, and are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual reporting periods.  The implementation of this disclosure guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. NOTE 3     CRUDE OIL AND NATURAL GAS PROPERTIES   The value of the Company’s crude oil and natural gas properties consists of all acreage acquisition costs (including cash expenditures and the value of stock consideration), drilling costs and other associated capitalized costs.  Acquisitions are accounted for as purchases and, accordingly, the results of operations are included in the accompanying statements of income and comprehensive income from the closing date of the acquisition.  Purchase prices are allocated to acquired assets based on their estimated fair value at the time of the acquisition.  In the past, acquisitions have been funded with internal cash flow, bank borrowings and the issuance of equity securities.  Purchases of properties and development capital expenditures that were in accounts payable and not yet paid in cash at December 31, 2013 and 2012 were approximately $163 million and $92 million, respectively. 2013 Acquisitions   During 2013, the Company acquired approximately 20,900 net acres, for an average cost of approximately $1,279 per net acre, in its key prospect areas in the form of effective leases.  During the same period, the Company separately acquired working interests in 70 gross (7.0 net) wells in undrilled locations in which it does not hold the underlying leasehold interests, for a total cost of approximately $9.0 million.   2012 Acquisitions   During 2012, the Company acquired approximately 17,590 net acres, for an average cost of approximately $1,788 per net acre, in its key prospect areas in the form of effective leases, and earned an additional 6,450 net acres through farm-in arrangements.   2011 Acquisitions   During 2011, the Company acquired approximately 43,239 net acres, for an average cost of approximately $1,832 per net acre, in its key prospect areas in the form of effective leases.     Divestitures In April 2011, the Company sold its interest in the Anvil project for $5.0 million.  As of the date of sale, the Company’s cost basis in the Anvil project was $1.8 million.  The Company sold its interest in the project along with Slawson Exploration Company, Inc. (“Slawson”), who also desired to sell its entire interest in the project.  Slawson had drilled and completed one well in the project area prior to the divestiture – the Mayhem #1-19H well – and the Company retained its interest in that wellbore in connection with the divestiture. The proceeds from the sale were applied to reduce the capitalized costs of crude oil and natural gas properties.  In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company sold its interest in certain North Dakota and Montana properties covering 835 net acres for $0.9 million in consideration. From time-to-time the Company may also trade leasehold interests with operators to balance working interests in spacing units to facilitate and encourage a more expedited development of the Company’s acreage. Unproved Properties   Unproved properties not being amortized comprise approximately 60,600 net acres and 63,000 net acres of undeveloped leasehold interests at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  The Company believes that the majority of its unproved costs will become subject to depletion within the next five years by proving up reserves relating to the acreage through exploration and development activities, by impairing the acreage that will expire before the Company can explore or develop it further or by determining that further exploration and development activity will not occur.  The timing by which all other properties will become subject to depletion will be dependent upon the timing of future drilling activities and delineation of its reserves.   Excluded costs for unproved properties are accumulated by year.  Costs are reflected in the full cost pool as the drilling costs are incurred or as costs are evaluated and deemed impaired.  The Company anticipates these excluded costs will be included in the depletion computation over the next five years.  The Company is unable to predict the future impact on depletion rates.   The following is a summary of capitalized costs excluded from depletion at December 31, 2013 by year incurred.   30,971,709   All properties that are not classified as proved properties are considered unproved properties and, thus, the costs associated with such properties are not subject to depletion.  Once a property is classified as proved, all associated acreage and drilling costs are subject to depletion.   The Company historically has acquired its properties by purchasing individual or small groups of leases directly from mineral owners or from landmen or lease brokers, which leases historically have not been subject to specified drilling projects, and by purchasing lease packages in identified project areas controlled by specific operators.  The Company generally participates in drilling activities on a heads up basis by electing whether to participate in each well on a well-by-well basis at the time wells are proposed for drilling. NOTE 4     REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY AND LONG TERM DEBT   Revolving Credit Facility In February 2012, the Company entered into an amended and restated credit agreement providing for a revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), which replaced its previous revolving credit facility with a syndicated facility.  The Revolving Credit Facility, which is secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets, provides for a commitment equal to the lesser of the facility amount or the borrowing base.  At December 31, 2013, the facility amount was $750 million, the borrowing base was $450 million and there was a $75 million outstanding balance, leaving $375 million of borrowing capacity available under the facility.  Under the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility, the Company may issue an unlimited amount of permitted additional indebtedness, as defined, provided that the borrowing base will be reduced by 25% of the stated amount of any such permitted additional indebtedness.  The $500 million in Notes described below is “permitted additional indebtedness” as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility.       The Revolving Credit Facility matures on September 30, 2018 and provides for a borrowing base subject to redetermination semi-annually each April and October and for event-driven unscheduled redeterminations.  Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility can either be at the Alternate Base Rate (as defined) plus a spread ranging from 0.5% to 1.5% or LIBOR borrowings at the Adjusted LIBOR Rate (as defined) plus a spread ranging from 1.5% to 2.5%.  The applicable spread at any time is dependent upon the amount of borrowings relative to the borrowing base at such time.  The Company may elect, from time to time, to convert all or any part of its LIBOR loans to base rate loans or to convert all or any of the base rate loans to LIBOR loans.  A commitment fee is paid on the undrawn balance based on an annual rate of either 0.375% or 0.50%.  At December 31, 2013, the commitment fee was 0.375% and the interest rate margin was 1.5% on LIBOR loans and 0.5% on base rate loans.   The Revolving Credit Facility contains negative covenants that limit the Company’s ability, among other things, to pay any cash dividends, incur additional indebtedness, sell assets, enter into certain hedging contracts, change the nature of its business or operations, merge, consolidate, or make investments.  In addition, the Company is required to maintain a current ratio (as defined in the credit agreement) of no less than 1.0 to 1.0. All of the Company’s obligations under the Revolving Credit Facility are secured by a first priority security interest in any and all assets of the Company. 8.000% Senior Notes Due 2020 On May 18, 2012, the Company issued at par value $300 million aggregate principal amount of 8.000% senior unsecured notes due June 1, 2020 (the “Original Notes”).  On May 13, 2013, the Company issued at a price of 105.25% an additional $200 million aggregate principal amount of 8.000% senior unsecured notes due June 1, 2020 (the “Follow-on Notes” and, together with the Original Notes, the “Notes”).  Interest is payable on the Notes semi-annually in arrears on each of June 1 and December 1.  The Company currently does not have any subsidiaries and, as a result, the Notes are not currently guaranteed.  Any subsidiaries the Company forms in the future may be required to unconditionally guarantee, jointly and severally, payment obligation under the Notes on a senior unsecured basis.  The issuance of the Original Notes resulted in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $291.2 million and the issuance of the Follow-on Notes resulted in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $200.1 million, which are in use to fund the Company’s exploration, development and acquisition program and for general corporate purposes (including repayment of borrowings that were outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility at the time the Notes were issued).   At any time prior to June 1, 2015, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the Notes at a redemption price of 108% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, with the proceeds of certain equity offerings, so long as the redemption occurs within 180 days of completing such equity offering and at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes remains outstanding after such redemption.  Prior to June 1, 2016, the Company may redeem some or all of the Notes for cash at a redemption price equal to 100% of their principal amount plus an applicable make-whole premium and accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.  On and after June 1, 2016, the Company may redeem some or all of the Notes at redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) equal to 104% for the twelve-month period beginning on June 1, 2016, 102% for the twelve-month period beginning June 1, 2017 and 100% beginning on June 1, 2018, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. The Notes are governed by an Indenture (the “Indenture”), dated as of May 18, 2012, by and among the Company and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”). The Indenture restricts the Company’s ability to: (i) incur additional debt or enter into sale and leaseback transactions; (ii) pay distributions on, redeem or, repurchase equity interests; (iii) make certain investments; (iv) incur liens; (v) enter into transactions with affiliates; (vi) merge or consolidate with another company; and (vii) transfer and sell assets.  These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications.  If at any time when the Notes are rated investment grade by both Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services and no Default (as defined in the Indenture) has occurred and is continuing, many of such covenants will terminate and the Company and its subsidiaries (if any) will cease to be subject to such covenants. The Indenture contains customary events of default, including:   default in any payment of interest on any Note when due, continued for 30 days;   ·   default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, on any Note when due;     ·   failure by the Company to comply with its other obligations under the Indenture, in certain cases subject to notice and grace periods;   ·   payment defaults and accelerations with respect to other indebtedness of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, if any, in the aggregate principal amount of $25 million or more;   ·   certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company or a significant subsidiary or group of restricted subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a significant subsidiary;   ·   failure by the Company or any significant subsidiary or group of restricted subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a significant subsidiary to pay certain final judgments aggregating in excess of $25 million within 60 days; and   ·   any guarantee of the Notes by a guarantor ceases to be in full force and effect, is declared null and void in a judicial proceeding or is denied or disaffirmed by its maker. NOTE 5     COMMON AND PREFERRED STOCK The Company’s Articles of Incorporation authorize the issuance of up to 100,000,000 shares.  The shares are classified in two classes, consisting of 95,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.001 per share, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.001 per share.  The board of directors is authorized to establish one or more series of preferred stock, setting forth the designation of each such series, and fixing the relative rights and preferences of each such series.  The Company has neither designated nor issued any shares of preferred stock. Common Stock The following is a schedule of changes in the number of shares of common stock since the beginning of 2011:     2013 Activity In 2013, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer received shares of common stock as compensation in lieu of any cash base salary.  In 2013, the Company issued 57,371 shares valued at approximately $825,000 to the Chief Executive Officer as compensation in lieu of any cash base salary. In 2013, 16,585 shares of common stock were surrendered by certain employees of the Company to cover tax obligations in connection with their restricted stock awards.  The total value of these shares was approximately $253,000, which was based on the market price on the date the shares were surrendered. In 2013, 39,049 shares of restricted common stock were surrendered by employees who terminated employment with the Company. In 2013, a director of the Company exercised an aggregate of 10,091 stock options, which were granted in 2007.  Of those stock options, 3,464 shares were surrendered to cover the aggregate exercise price of approximately $52,000, based on the market price on the date the shares were surrendered.     2012 Activity In 2012, a director of the Company exercised an aggregate of 10,500 stock options granted in 2007. In 2012, the Company issued 53,140 shares of common stock in aggregate to executives and employees of the Company as compensation for their services.  The shares were fully vested on the date of the grant.  The fair value of the stock issued was approximately $1.3 million.  The value of the stock was between $19.34 and $24.89 per share, the market value of the shares of common stock on the date the stock was issued.  The Company expensed approximately $0.5 million in share-based compensation related to these fully vested shares in the year ended December 31, 2012.  The remainder of fair value was capitalized into the full cost pool. In 2012, 70,128 shares of common stock were surrendered by certain employees of the Company to cover tax obligations in connection with their restricted stock awards.  The total value of these shares was approximately $1.5 million, which was based on the market price on the date the shares were surrendered.   In 2012, 628,550 shares of common stock were surrendered by certain employees who terminated employment with the Company in connection with their restricted stock awards.   2011 Activity In January 2011, CIT exercised the 300,000 warrants that were issued as part of a prior revolving credit facility.  Total proceeds to the Company from the exercise of these warrants were $1.5 million. In 2011, the Company issued 161,628 shares of common stock in aggregate to executives, employees and directors of the Company as compensation for their services.  The shares were fully vested on the date of the grant.  The fair value of the stock issued was approximately $4.3 million.  The value of the stock was between $17.81 and $27.98 per share, the market value of the shares of common stock on the date the stock was issued.  The Company expensed approximately $1.4 million in share-based compensation related to these fully vested shares in the year ended December 31, 2011.  The remainder of fair value was capitalized into the full cost pool. In October 2011, a director of the Company exercised 3,500 stock options granted to him in 2007. In 2011, 50,394 shares of common stock were surrendered by certain employees of the Company to cover tax obligations in connection with their restricted stock awards.  The total value of these shares was approximately $1.1 million, which was based on the market price on the date the shares were surrendered.   Stock Repurchase Program In May 2011, the Company’s board of directors approved a stock repurchase program to acquire up to $150 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock.  The stock repurchase program allows the Company to repurchase its shares from time to time in the open market, block transactions and in negotiated transactions. During the third quarter of 2013, the Company repurchased 2,036,383 shares of its common stock under the stock repurchase program. These shares are now included in the Company’s pool of authorized but unissued shares.  This stock had a cost of approximately $26.1 million.  The Company’s accounting policy upon the repurchase of shares is to deduct its par value from Common Stock and to reflect any excess of cost over par value as a deduction from Additional Paid-in Capital. NOTE 6     RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS   Carter Stewart, a former director of the Company (until August 2011), owned a 25% interest in Gallatin Resources, LLC (“Gallatin”).  Legal counsel for Gallatin informed the Company that Mr. Stewart did not have the power to control Gallatin because each member of Gallatin has the right to vote on matters in proportion to their respective membership interest in the company and company matters are determined by a vote of the holders of a majority of membership interests.  Further, Mr. Stewart was neither an officer nor a director of Gallatin.  As such, Mr. Stewart did not have the ability to individually control company decisions for Gallatin.  In 2011, the Company paid Gallatin a total of approximately $6,500 related to previously acquired leasehold interests.  In 2012, the Company paid Gallatin a total of approximately $500 related to previously acquired leasehold interests.  There were no such payments for the year ended December 31, 2013.       The Company is a non-operating participant in a number of wells in North Dakota that are operated by Emerald Oil, Inc. (“Emerald”), by virtue of leased acreage held by the Company in drilling units operated by Emerald.  As of December 31, 2013, such wells included 14 gross (3.1 net) producing wells, and an additional 3 gross (0.7 net) wells that were drilling or awaiting completion.  Based on authorizations for expenditure (or AFEs) provided by Emerald with respect to each of the wells, the total drilling and completion costs for these 17 gross wells was estimated at approximately $176 million, approximately $40 million of which is attributable to Northern Oil’s working interest in the wells.  James Russell (J.R.) Reger is a director, executive officer and less than 5% shareholder of Emerald, which is a publicly-traded company.  J.R. Reger is also the brother of Northern Oil’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Michael Reger.  At December 31, 2013, the Company’s accounts receivable and accounts payable balances with Emerald were $4.6 million and $23.2 million, respectively.  There were no outstanding accounts receivable or accounts payable balances with Emerald at December 31, 2012.  The Company recorded total revenues of $7.8 million, $0 million, and $0 million from Emerald for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. All transactions involving related parties were approved or ratified by the Company’s board of directors or Audit Committee. NOTE 7     STOCK OPTIONS/STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION AND WARRANTS   On April 5, 2013, the board of directors approved the Company’s 2013 Incentive Plan (the “2013 Plan”), which was subsequently approved at the 2013 annual meeting of shareholders.  1,500,000 shares were authorized for grant under the 2013 Plan, plus the number of shares remaining available for future grants under the Company’s predecessor 2009 Equity Incentive Plan on the date the shareholders approved the 2013 Plan.  The 2013 Plan is intended to provide a means whereby the Company may be able, by granting equity and other types of awards, to attract, retain and motivate capable and loyal employees, non-employee directors, consultants and advisors of the Company, for the benefit of the Company and its shareholders. Restricted Stock Awards   During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company issued 353,596, 837,239 and 786,263, respectively, restricted shares of common stock as compensation to officers, employees, and directors of the Company.  Unvested restricted shares vest over various terms with all restricted shares vesting no later than February 2017.  As of December 31, 2013, there was approximately $5.4 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock. This compensation expense will be recognized over the remaining vesting period of the grants. The Company has assumed a zero percent forfeiture rate for restricted stock due to the small number of officers, employees and directors that have received restricted stock awards.   The following table reflects the outstanding restricted stock awards and activity related thereto for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:     Stock Option Awards On November 1, 2007, the board of directors granted options to purchase 560,000 shares of the Company’s common stock under the Company’s 2006 Incentive Stock Option Plan.  The Company granted options to purchase 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to members of the board and options to purchase 60,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to one employee pursuant to an employment agreement.  These options were granted at a price of $5.18 per share and the optionees were fully vested on the grant date.  As of December 31, 2013, options to purchase a total of 241,872 shares of the Company’s common stock remain outstanding but unexercised.  The board of directors determined that no future grants will be made pursuant to the 2006 Incentive Stock Option Plan.  All future stock compensation will be issued under the 2013 Plan.   The Company used the Black-Scholes option valuation model to calculate stock-based compensation at the date of grant.  Option pricing models require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected price volatility.  The Company used the simplified method to determine the expected term of the options due to the lack of sufficient historical data.  Changes in these assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate.  The total fair value of the options is recognized as compensation over the vesting period.  There were no stock options granted by the Company in 2013, 2012 and 2011.  All exercises of options during 2013, 2012 and 2011 related to 2007 grants.   Changes in stock options for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 were as follows:   There were no unvested options at December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011. Warrants Granted February 2009 On February 27, 2009, in conjunction with the closing of a prior revolving credit facility, the Company issued warrants to purchase a total of 300,000 shares of common stock exercisable at $5.00 per share.   The total fair value of the warrants was calculated using the Black-Scholes valuation model based on factors present at the time the warrants were issued.  The fair value of the warrants is included in debt issuance costs and is being amortized over the term of the facility.  The warrants were exercised in January 2011. NOTE 8     COMMITMENTS & CONTINGENCIES Litigation The Company is engaged in proceedings incidental to the normal course of business.  Due to their nature, such legal proceedings involve inherent uncertainties, including but not limited to, court rulings, negotiations between affected parties and governmental intervention.  Based upon the information available to the Company and discussions with legal counsel, it is the Company’s opinion that the outcome of the various legal actions and claims that are incidental to its business will not have a material impact on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows.  Such matters, however, are subject to many uncertainties, and the outcome of any matter is not predictable with assurance. The Company is party to a quiet title action in North Dakota that relates to its interest in certain crude oil and natural gas leases.  In the event the action results in a final judgment that is adverse to the Company, the Company would be required to reverse approximately $1.5 million in revenue (net of accrued taxes) that has been accrued since the second quarter of 2008 based on the Company’s purported interest in the crude oil and natural gas leases at issue, $0.3 million, $0.2 million and $0.2 million of which relates to the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The Company fully maintains the validity of its interest in the crude oil and natural gas leases, and is vigorously defending such interest. NOTE 9     ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION The Company has asset retirement obligations (“ARO”) associated with the future plugging and abandonment of proved properties and related facilities.  Initially, the fair value of a liability for an ARO is recorded in the period in which it is incurred and a corresponding increase in the carrying amount of the related long lived asset.  The liability is accreted to its present value each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset.  If the liability is settled for an amount other than the recorded amount, a gain or loss is recognized.  The Company has no assets that are legally restricted for purposes of settling asset retirement obligations.  No settlements of asset retirement obligations have occurred during the periods presented. Inherent in the fair value calculation are numerous assumptions and judgments including the ultimate retirement costs, inflation factors, credit-adjusted discount rates, timing of retirement, and changes in the legal, regulatory, environmental and political environments.  To the extent future revisions to these assumptions impact the present value of the existing ARO, a corresponding adjustment is made to the oil and gas property balance.  For example, as the Company analyzes actual plugging and abandonment information, the Company may revise its estimate of current costs, the assumed annual inflation of the costs and/or the assumed productive lives of its wells.  During 2013, the Company increased its existing ARO by $1.1 million or approximately 71% of the ARO liability at December 31, 2012.  This increase was due to an increase in the estimated costs to plug and abandon the Company’s wells and a decrease in the productive life of certain of its oil and gas properties.   NOTE 10     INCOME TAXES   The Company utilizes the asset and liability approach to measuring deferred tax assets and liabilities based on temporary differences existing at each balance sheet date using currently enacted tax rates. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment. In 2013, the State of North Dakota lowered its corporate income tax rate.  The impact of this rate change was to lower the Company’s deferred state income tax expense by approximately $0.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2013. The income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 consists of the following:       The balances in the components of deferred tax asset (liability) table above were corrected to increase the deferred tax asset for net operating losses and the deferred tax liability for crude oil and natural gas properties and other property by approximately $62 million.  The adjustment had no impact to the total net deferred tax liability.   Tax benefits are recognized only for tax positions that are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities.  The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement.  Unrecognized tax benefits are tax benefits claimed in the Company’s tax returns that do not meet these recognition and measurement standards. The Company has no liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits. The Company’s policy is to recognize potential interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits within income tax expense.  For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011,  the Company did not recognize any interest or penalties in its statements of comprehensive income, nor did it have any interest or penalties accrued in its balance sheet at December 31, 2013 and 2012 relating to unrecognized benefits. The tax years 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010 remain open to examination for federal income tax purposes and by the other major taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject.   NOTE 11     OPERATING LEASES Vehicles The Company leases vehicles under noncancelable operating leases.  Total lease expense under the agreements was approximately $28,000, $48,000 and $63,000 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. Minimum future lease payments under these vehicle leases are approximately $27,000 in 2014. Building Effective November 2011, the Company extended their original operating lease agreement on 3,044 square feet of office space and added an additional 1,609 square feet of office space, for a total of 4,653 square feet.  The two leases require initial gross monthly lease payments of $18,612.  The monthly payments increase by 4% on each anniversary date.  The leases expire in November 2015.  The Company also has annual and month to month lease agreements related to storage and parking spaces.  Total rent expense under the agreements was approximately $249,000, $217,000 and $150,000 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. The Company has prepaid the last three months rent in the amount of $53,553.  Minimum future lease payments under the building leases are as follows: Year Ended December 31, 455,000   The Company received $91,320 of landlord incentives under the original lease agreement and an additional $58,620 under the lease for the additional 1,609 square feet.  The Company has recorded a deferred rent liability for these amounts that are being amortized over the term of the leases. NOTE 12     FAIR VALUE Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.  Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.  The Company uses a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value which are the following:   Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.   Level 2 - Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets of liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.   Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.   The following schedule summarizes the valuation of financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.   -   Level 2 assets and liabilities consist of derivative assets and liabilities (see Note 14), the Revolving Credit Facility (see Note 4) and the Notes (see Note 4).  The fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments is determined based upon future prices, volatility and time to maturity, among other things. Counterparty statements are utilized to determine the value of the commodity derivative instruments and are reviewed and corroborated using various methodologies and significant observable inputs.  The Company’s and the counterparties’ nonperformance risk is evaluated.  The fair value of all derivative contracts is reflected on the balance sheet.  The current derivative asset and liability amounts represent the fair values expected to be settled in the subsequent year.  The book value of the Revolving Credit Facility approximates fair value because of its floating rate structure.  The fair value of our 8% senior notes is based on an end of period market quote. The Company’s long-term debt is not measured at fair value on the balance sheets and the fair value is being provided for disclosure purposes.  At December 31, 2013, the Company had $500 million of senior unsecured notes and $75 million under the Revolving Credit Facility outstanding with a fair value of $527.5 million and $75 million, respectively.  At December 31, 2012, the Company had $300 million of senior unsecured notes and $124 million under the Revolving Credit Facility outstanding with a fair value of $310.5 million and $124.0 million, respectively. The estimated fair value of debt was based upon quoted market prices and, where such prices were not available, other observable inputs regarding interest rates available to the Company at the end of each respective period. Though the Company believes the methods used to estimate fair value are consistent with those used by other market participants, the use of other methods or assumptions could result in a different estimate of fair value. There were no transfers of financial assets or liabilities between Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 inputs for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.     NOTE 13      FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The Company’s non-derivative financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, and credit facility and are not measured at fair value on the balance sheets.  The carrying amount of these non-derivative financial instruments approximate their fair values (See Note 12).   The Company’s accounts receivable relate to crude oil and natural gas sold to various industry companies.  Credit terms, typical of industry standards, are of a short-term nature and the Company does not require collateral.  Management believes the Company’s accounts receivable at December 31, 2013 and 2012 do not represent significant credit risks as they are dispersed across many counterparties.  As of December 31, 2013, outstanding derivative contracts with commercial banks participating in the revolving credit facility represent all of the Company’s crude oil volumes hedged.  These commercial banks have investment-grade ratings from Moody’s and Standard & Poor and are lenders under the Company’s revolving credit facility and management believes this does not represent a significant credit risk. NOTE 14     DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND PRICE RISK MANAGEMENT   The Company utilizes commodity swap contracts and costless collars (purchased put options and written call options) to (i) reduce the effects of volatility in price changes on the crude oil commodities it produces and sells, (ii) reduce commodity price risk and (iii) provide a base level of cash flow in order to assure it can execute at least a portion of its capital spending.   On November 1, 2009, due to the volatility of price differentials in the Williston Basin, the Company de-designated all derivatives that were previously classified as cash flow hedges and, in addition, the Company has elected not to designate any subsequent derivative contracts as cash flow hedges.  Beginning on November 1, 2009, all derivative positions are carried at their fair value on the balance sheet and are marked-to-market at the end of each period. Any realized gains and losses on settled derivatives are recorded to gain or loss on settled derivatives and gains or losses on the mark-to-market of derivative instruments are recorded to (loss) gain on the mark-to-market of derivative instruments on the statement of comprehensive income rather than as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) or other income (expense).   The Company has master netting agreements on individual crude oil contracts with certain counterparties and therefore the current asset and liability are netted on the balance sheet and the non-current asset and liability are netted on the balance sheet for contracts with these counterparties.   Crude Oil Derivative Contracts Cash-flow Hedge Prior to November 1, 2009, all derivative positions that qualified for hedge accounting were designated on the date the Company entered into the contract as a hedge against the variability in cash flows associated with the forecasted sale of future crude oil production. The cash flow hedges were valued at the end of each period and adjustments to the fair value of the contract prior to settlement were recorded on the statement of stockholders’ equity as other comprehensive income. Upon settlement, the gain (loss) on the cash flow hedge was recorded as an increase or decrease in revenue on the statements of comprehensive income.  The Company reports average crude oil and natural gas prices and revenues including the net results of hedging activities.   The net mark-to-market loss on the Company’s remaining swaps that qualified for cash flow hedge accounting at the date the decision was made to discontinue hedge accounting totaled approximately $101,000 as of December 31, 2011.  The Company has recorded that amount as accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity and the entire amount was amortized into revenues as the original forecasted hedged crude oil production occurred in the first quarter of 2012.   Crude Oil Derivative Contracts Cash-flow Not Designated as Hedges   The Company recorded realized losses on settled derivatives of $12.2 million, $0.4 million and $13.4 million as a loss on settled derivatives in the statement of comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The Company recorded (losses) gains of $(21.3) million, $15.1 million and $3.1 million as (losses) gains on the mark-to-market of derivatives in the statement of comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Mark-to-market gains and losses represent changes in fair values of derivatives that have not been settled.   F-25   We determine the estimated fair value of derivative instruments using a market approach based on several factors, including quoted market prices in active markets and quotes from third parties, among other things.  The Company also performs an internal valuation to ensure the reasonableness of third party quotes.  In consideration of counterparty credit risk, the Company assessed the possibility of whether the counterparty to the derivative would default by ailing to make any contractually required payments.  Additionally, the Company considers that it is of substantial credit quality and has the financial resources and willingness to meet its potential repayment obligations associated with the derivative transactions.  For further details regarding our derivative contracts see Note 12, Fair Value in the Notes to the Financial Statements. The following table sets forth the amounts, on a gross basis, and classification of the Company’s outstanding derivative financial instruments at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  Certain amounts may be presented on a net basis on the consolidated financial statements when such amounts are with the same counterparty and subject to a master netting arrangement:     NOTE 16     EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS In 2009, the Company adopted a defined contribution 401(k) plan for substantially all of its employees.  The plan provides for Company matching of employee contributions to the plan.  During 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company provided a match contribution equal to 100% of an eligible employee’s deferral contribution, up to 8% of the employee’s earnings up to the maximum allowable amount.  The Company contributed approximately $240,000, $189,000 and $103,000 to the 401(k) plan for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. NOTE 17   SEVERANCE ARRANGEMENTS The Company’s former president, Ryan Gilbertson, resigned effective October 1, 2012.  In connection with his resignation, the Company and Mr. Gilbertson entered into a separation and release agreement and a consulting agreement (collectively, the “New Agreements”), which terminate and supersede his prior employment agreement with the Company (except for certain surviving provisions).  Pursuant to the New Agreements, Mr. Gilbertson’s outstanding and unvested restricted stock awards will continue to vest on their original vesting schedules, so long as Mr. Gilbertson does not terminate the consulting agreement and the Company does not terminate the consulting agreement for cause (as defined).  In addition, pursuant to the New Agreements the Company (i) provided Mr. Gilbertson with a prorated portion of his 2012 year-end bonus (based on predetermined performance metrics and as determined by the Company’s compensation committee following the end of 2012), (ii) bought out the lease and transferred title to Mr. Gilbertson on his Company-leased vehicle, and (iii) is reimbursing Mr. Gilbertson for continuation coverage pursuant to COBRA on the Company’s health plans for up to 18 months. In connection with the New Agreements, the Company concluded the unvested restricted stock awards were modified in connection with the change in Mr. Gilbertson’s employment status and service requirements.  Because the Company expects Mr. Gilbertson’s awards will vest under the modified conditions but his period of active service in substance has concluded, $4.3 million of share based compensation costs was reflected in general and administrative expense during the third quarter of 2012 related to the modified awards.   Additionally, the cash expenses estimated for Mr. Gilbertson’s prorated 2012 bonus, Company-leased vehicle and continuation coverage pursuant to COBRA was estimated at approximately $0.6 million and was reflected in general and administrative expense during the third quarter of 2012. On October 16, 2012, the Company terminated the employment of its Chief Operating Officer, James R. Sankovitz.  Mr. Sankovitz’s termination was “not for cause” under his existing employment agreement with the Company, and as a result he was entitled to certain severance benefits which included a single lump-sum payment of one times his $325,000 base salary.   In addition, the Company agreed to buy out the lease and transfer title to Mr. Sankovitz on his Company-leased vehicle, and reimburse Mr. Sankovitz for continuation coverage pursuant to COBRA on the Company’s health plans for up to 18 months.   SUPPLEMENTAL OIL AND GAS INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) Oil and Natural Gas Exploration and Production Activities   Oil and gas sales reflect the market prices of net production sold or transferred with appropriate adjustments for royalties, net profits interest, and other contractual provisions.  Production expenses include lifting costs incurred to operate and maintain productive wells and related equipment including such costs as operating labor, repairs and maintenance, materials, supplies and fuel consumed.  Production taxes include production and severance taxes. Depletion of crude oil and natural gas properties relates to capitalized costs incurred in acquisition, exploration, and development activities.  Results of operations do not include interest expense and general corporate amounts.  The results of operations for the company’s crude oil and natural gas production activities are provided in the Company’s related statements of income.   Costs Incurred and Capitalized Costs   The costs incurred in crude oil and natural gas acquisition, exploration and development activities are highlighted in the table below.   Oil and Natural Gas Reserves and Related Financial Data   Information with respect to the Company’s crude oil and natural gas producing activities is presented in the following tables.  Reserve quantities, as well as certain information regarding future production and discounted cash flows, were determined by Ryder Scott Company, independent petroleum consultants based on information provided by the Company.   Oil and Natural Gas Reserve Data   The following tables present the Company’s independent petroleum consultants’ estimates of its proved crude oil and natural gas reserves. The Company emphasizes that reserves are approximations and are expected to change as additional information becomes available. Reservoir engineering is a subjective process of estimating underground accumulations of crude oil and natural gas that cannot be measured in an exact way, and the accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of available data and of engineering and geological interpretation and judgment.   Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Inflows and Changes Therein   The following table presents a standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved crude oil and natural gas reserves and the changes in standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating proved crude oil and natural gas were prepared in accordance with the provisions of ASC 932-235-555. Future cash inflows were computed by applying average prices of crude oil and natural gas for the last 12 months to estimated future production. Future production and development costs were computed by estimating the expenditures to be incurred in developing and producing the proved crude oil and natural gas reserves at the end of the year, based on year end costs and assuming continuation of existing economic conditions.  Future income tax expenses were calculated by applying appropriate year end tax rates to future pretax cash flows relating to proved crude oil and natural gas reserves, less the tax basis of properties involved and tax credits and loss carry forwards relating to crude oil and natural gas producing activities.  Future net cash flows are discounted at the rate of 10% annually to derive the standardized measure of discounted future cash flows. Actual future cash inflows may vary considerably, and the standardized measure does not necessarily represent the fair value of the Company’s crude oil and natural gas reserves.  
Oil
The dinosaur Archaeopteryx or (German) 'Urvogel' is considered a main ancestor of modern?
Stocks plunge amid widespread global jitters - CSMonitor.com Stocks plunge amid widespread global jitters Dow sees biggest drop in seven months and falls below 12,000. European stocks drop to lowest level of the year. March 10, 2011 Trader Jason Weisberg works in his booth on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange March 10, 2011. The Dow plunged 228 points to fall below 12,000. Richard Drew/AP By Abby Schultz and JeeYeon Park, CNBC.com Stocks closed near session lows, and below psychologically important levels, as global worries triggered by European sovereign debt and a slowing in Chinese growth escalated after news of violence against protesters in Saudia Arabia . The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 228.48 points, or 1.87 percent, to close at 11,984.61, falling through the 12,000 benchmark, in the biggest drop for the blue-chip index since Aug. 11, 2010. Intraday, the Dow fell below its 50-day moving average of 11,980.72. The S&P 500 tumbled 24.91 points, or 1.9 percent, to close at 1,295.11, below its 50-day moving average of 1,300.13. It was the biggest drop for the broad market index since Feb. 22. The tech-heavy Nasdaq plunged 50.70 points, or 1.84 percent, to close at 2,701.02. The CBOE Volatility Index , widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, rose more than 8 percent to 21.88. All key S&P 500 sectors fell, led by energy, materials and financials. The fact the VIX didn't spike higher despite the nearly 2 percent downdraft in stocks is surprising, said Ryan Detrick , senior technical analyst at Schaeffer's Investment Research . "It's the options markets way of saying, we’re not really panicking on this," Detrick said. Detrick noted the 200-day moving average for the VIX is 21.92, and that at current levels, the VIX appears to be bumping up against—but not breaking through—that resistance level. "It could usher in a good buying opportunity," he said. The dollar rose against a basket of currencies , which sent oil prices sharply lower earlier in the session. Oil prices, however, bounced off their lows following reports that police in Saudi Arabia's eastern stopped planned protests with non-lethal means. The news comes ahead of a planned "day of rage," in Saudia Arabia that has investors on edge. U.S. light sweet crude traded just below $103 a barrel, while London Brent crude fell below $114. In North Africa , Libya's eastern oil cities were under siege by pro-Gaddafi forces although oil facilities appear not to have been harmed, according to Reuters. Gold prices fell to a 10-day low near $1,405 an ounce as investors sold bullion to cover heavy losses in the equity and other commodity markets. Comex gold for March delivery declined $17.10 per troy ounce, or 1.20% to $1412.20 At the start of the session, investors were shaken by Moody’s downgrade of Spain's rating and from news out of China of a surprise trade deficit of $7.3 billion in February—the largest gap in seven years—and its first since March 2010. The unexpected news of a deficit sparked fear of a global slowdown that affected oil as well as other commodity prices. "It looks like the slowdown scenario is picking up steam based on the Chinese trade numbers," Andrew Brenner at Guggenheim Securities wrote in a note to clients this morning. Concerns over the unexpected Chinese trade deficit—a fact that would allow the Chinese government to keep the value of the yuan in check—are hurting materials and energy stocks, which depend on a growing Chinese economy, said Marc Pado , U.S. market strategist and technical analyst at Cantor Fitzgerald . Base metal prices such as copper, zinc and nickel declined almost 10 percent in the last few trading sessions. Commodity names such as Rio Tinto and Vale have also seen double-digit declines in the past few days. The news comes as technology stocks are already under pressure in the wake of Wells Fargo 's downgrade of the semiconductor sector earlier this week, and Texas Instruments announcement that it's narrowing the range of its earnings guidance, Pado said. On top of that, banks are feeling some pressure from sovereign debt issues in Europe , he said. Overnight, "A combination of factors are individually hitting the top-performing groups," Pado said. "When you get scared like that, where you don't have leadership, you see a flight to safety...that flight to safety move is a negative for the market." A surprising gain in jobless claims and a widening of the U.S. trade deficit, didn't help, he added. "Even a charging bull has to exhale at some point," said Pete McCorry of Keefe Bruyette & Woods . "I don't think that this is the end of it, but certainly this is the latest of the dire headlines in a long list of dire headlines," he said, referring to the spike in the Chinese deficit and the downgrading of Spanish debt. Energy stocks declined across the board. Peabody Energy , Tesoro and Chesapeake Energy led the sector lower. GM shares fell after news Chris Liddell , the automaker's chief financial officer , was leaving after a little more than a year at the company. Liddell was previously CFO at Microsoft . Wells Fargo slipped along with other bank stocks despite news that the bank planned to issue a dividend with a 30 percent dividend payout ratio , and that it would buyback shares. Earlier this week, a dividend announcement by Bank of America had sent the banking sector—and the major stock market indices—higher. Apple shares slipped a day before the tech giant is expected to start selling its new iPad 2 . Despite the day's decline, Apple shares have gained more than 50 percent over the year. Also among tech stocks, Hewlett-Packard slid after rumors, strongly denied by the tech giant, that it was selling its personal computer business. "Irresponsible reporting by Taiwan 's Commercial Times, suggesting that HP might sell its PC business, should be dismissed as market rumor and speculation," the company said in a statement, according to Reuters. Among the Dow gainers, Wal-Mart shares turned positive after CEO Michael Duke said he sees improving trends in the big box retailer's business over the last four weeks. McDonald's remained higher after Deutsche Bank reiterated its “buy” rating on the fast-food chain's stock in a research note. Earlier this week, the Dow component reported that sales at restaurants open at least a year rose more than expected. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters skyrocketed after news Starbucks would sell its single-serve coffee and Tazo tea pods through Green Mountain's Keurig machines. Starbucks also gained. On the IPO front, HCA Holdings rose after it began trading on the New York Stock Exchange. The for-profit hospital chain and its shareholders sold 126.2 million shares in an initial public offering, priced Wednesday evening, that was oversubscribed and fetched $30 a share. The $3.5 billion deal was the largest for a U.S. company taken private by private equity firms. Elsewhere, Human Genome jumped after news the FDA approved a lupus drug, the first new treatment for the disease in more than 50 years. The drug was developed in collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline . Molycorp gained slightly after reporting a narrower loss due to higher sales and higher prices. In M&A, Cumulus Media has agreed to buy bankrupt rival Citadel Broadcasting for about $2.4 billion. Volume on the consolidated tape of the New York Stock Exchange reached 4.7 billion shares, while 1.2 billion changed hands on the NYSE floor. Treasury prices continued to rally after a strong auction of $13 billion in 30-year bonds at a high yield of 4.569 percent and a bid-to-cover of 3.02. The flight to safety comes on the heels of Pimco's Total Return Fund'sdecision to dump its U.S. government holdings. Bill Gross , Pimco's co-chief investment officer, has expressed concern over Treasurys because of government spending and deficits. (Read more: Why Pimco Dumped Treasurys From Biggest Fund). In the day's economic news, jobless claims rose 26,000 to a seasonally adjusted 397,000, according to the Labor Department. Economists surveyed by Reuters had expected claims to rise to 378,000 from a slightly upwardly revised 371,000 the week before. And the trade deficit widened by $6 billion to $46.3 billion, led by imports of oil, capital goods and cars. The gap was far more than the $41.5 billion expected by analysts, according to Reuters. European stocks fell to their lowest level of the year , in part due to sovereign debt worries. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index sank 1.2 percent lower to 1,131.54 points. Next up
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Warren Buffett coined (What?) key investment term to symbolize 'competitive immunity' of a corporation?
The Only Time the Conservative Politicians Ignore Warren Buffett – Whatever August 15, 2011 at 9:11 am Quick notes you should read before commenting: 1. Not every conservative politician/voter is insensible about the idea of raising taxes on the richest Americans, as a glance at that linked poll will show. I concede the point there is some variation in viewpoint even in the most conservative quarters, and indeed would even argue that those conservatives arguing for a sensible rise in revenues may even be more classically conservative than others currently wearing the mantle. 2. Anyone who posts “There’s nothing stopping Warren Buffett [and/or you] from sending in more money to the government” is going to get The Mallet. Because it’s a stupid, thoughtless kneejerk thing to say, is why. It’s not enough that I/Buffett pitch in at our leisure; others in our fortunate position (his rather more fortunate than mine, I will note again) must do so as well. 3. Likewise, if you’re dumb enough to attempt a “taxes are theft” argument here, you’re also dumb enough to get The Mallet. Arguing what level of taxation is appropriate for the well-being of the country is one thing. Arguing that taxation is inherently morally wrong means you’re foolish and tiresome. Learn the difference between the two, please. Learn it before you post; you’ll save wear on my Mallet. Chris Bickford says: August 15, 2011 at 9:20 am As annoying as the current crop of conservatives are, this liberal obsession that if we’d only tax people more somehow we could pay these bills is equally annoying. I remember making an offhand comment that we could totally eliminate Defense spending and we’d still be at higher than Bush levels of debt and wanting to check that because it couldn’t possibly be right. If I read wikipedia right (and they use primary sources, assuming those are more accurate than BLS) it’s a true statement. I thought you were going to post Buffet’s quote that once debt is above 3% GDP all of Congress was permanently unelected. August 15, 2011 at 9:23 am Chris Bickford: “this liberal obsession that if we’d only tax people more somehow we could pay these bills is equally annoying.” I’m not aware of personally making that argument myself. Also, nice work making the very first commenter post an attempt to drag the conversation away from conservatives toward liberals. Whether you’re actively attempting a derail there or not, that was very smartly done. That said, let us stipulate, as noted in the entry, that raising taxes on the very wealthy is only part of the solution, and that part of that solution will be spending cuts, and stay on topic. This should be “fun” watching the comments fly …. John Nelson says: August 15, 2011 at 9:27 am Once again, right on the mark. I see it as greed, pure and simple. We’re not asking people to give back all their money, or even to stop making more, we’re just asking them to participate more in taking care of the problem. But now, “Greed is a good thing.” MaximumBob says: August 15, 2011 at 9:31 am This is going to be a hoot. Advocating taxes AND dissing Ayn Rand! {puts popcorn in the microwave} Totally on board with Warren’s points btw, and I’m in the same boat as Scalzi vis a vis taxes. More stable economy rather than lowering my tax burden please! tonyC says: August 15, 2011 at 9:36 am You said, John, that the majority of people who agree that taxes need to be raised are somewhat squishy on the subject, I would, respectfully, disagree. I think that the majority are in fact strongly in favor of more taxes for the rich, but have been led by the nose for so long, they have no idea how to get that done without the acquiescence and leadership of the rich. In other words – they are waiting for leaders to tell them what to do. If only we had one of those. Jesse says: August 15, 2011 at 9:37 am As annoying as the current crop of conservatives are, this liberal obsession that if we’d only tax people more somehow we could pay these bills is equally annoying. Except for the part where the obsession is, based on actual factual numbers, depending on whether or not you consider letting the 2003 Bush tax cuts expire “taxing people more.” Those tax cuts (which were mostly on the wealthy) have contributed more to the deficit than every other major contributor put together, including both ongoing wars, TARP, and the stimulus (which almost all reputable economists agree actually staved off a deeper dip in the initial recession). And, yes, this is almost entirely an issue with conservatives. That said, let us stipulate, as noted in the entry, that raising taxes on the very wealthy is only part of the solution, and that part of that solution will be spending cuts, and stay on topic. Indeed. IIRC, the US spends more on Defense than all of the so-called Axis of Evil combined, for one. And while I’m loath to cut entitlements (as there’s plenty of evidence we don’t do enough for the forcefully unemployed, disabled, and elderly), I see no problem in trying to streamline Medicare/Medicaid/Social Security. Frank says: August 15, 2011 at 9:41 am Frank: For the purposes of this discussion, I’m comfortable going with Buffett’s definition. I’ll note I personally would support raising taxes on people below that threshold (including myself, who makes enough that I would have a new top marginal rate if the Bush tax cuts had expired), but that’s an aside to Buffett’s point. August 15, 2011 at 9:41 am I support raising taxes on the wealthy in principle. However, I am concerned about the possible unintended consequences of the country’s budget relying more and more heavily on the incomes of the wealthy, because the incomes of the wealthy can be more volatile; when the economy does poorly, the incomes of the rich drop, and while of course this doesn’t result in serious hardship for them, it might mean a much-less-than-expected revenue at exactly the time when hardship means that more spending is appropriate. Volatile taxable income means volatile revenues. Perhaps a broader tax base is a more stable one. tonyC says: August 15, 2011 at 9:42 am Addendum: We need to take back the term rich. Those of us who earn more than $200k per year are rich. We might choose to live above our means (there have always been such, even in the mega-rich). To do so does not mean we are poor! We can choose to modify our lifestyles, and still be rich (live in a regular house rather than a McMansion, for example. Drive a buick, rather than a mercedes). We’d be even richer! [RANT] $200k is NOT MIDDLE CLASS! It is NOT WORKING CLASS! [/RANT] August 15, 2011 at 9:44 am tonyC: I agree, but for this thread I don’t want to get bogged down in a discussion of who is “really” rich and who isn’t. We can use Buffett’s cutoff here for now. bearing: The incomes of the rich can indeed be volatile. This point is an argument for better revenue prediction and also not spending revenues until they are in the treasury. It would not be an argument (and I’m not suggesting this is your argument) to hold off on raising top-end tax rates. Kevin Williams says: August 15, 2011 at 9:45 am bearing: Sounds like you’re trying to be subtle and say “but the poor pay no taxes!”, except they do; they just tend not to pay income taxes. Sales tax, social security, Medicare, gasoline, even property taxes are all paid. tonyC says: August 15, 2011 at 9:46 am bearing@a2 I am concerned about the possible unintended consequences of the country’s budget relying more and more heavily on the incomes of the wealthy, because the incomes of the wealthy can be more volatile I love the smell of straw in the air! You have the equation wrong. The burden on the rich has fallen drastically, in real terms, for more than fifty years. A correction is required. And you missed the other part of the O/P – A STABLE ECONOMY. Perhaps you can explain to me, or direct me to some research, that demonstrate your premise that HAVING THE RICH PAY THEIR WAY IS DAMAGING TO THE STABILITY OF THE ECONOMY! [sorry for shouting] August 15, 2011 at 9:47 am Arguments like Chris makes are the only ones I ever hear when I try to debate this issue. They hold to the premise that more taxes equals less revenue, and that raising taxes on corporations is a tax on the consumer, not the corporation. They also usually believe that because poor people don’t pay much, if anything, in income tax, they don’t pay any taxes. Every debate ends with a claim that wanting to tax the rich more is just vilification of the rich and class warfare. People are rich, who aren’t born that way, because of drive and motivation (with a certain element of luck). Taxing them more is just like cranking up the difficulty level in a video game. It’s clear they’ve mastered making money at the easy level. Now it’s time to take it to Normal Mode. People will still play the game. They are Achievers and this just makes it more of a challenge. Someone who is rich in an environment with no regulation and no taxes doesn’t have much to brag about. But someone who is rich when there is a 90% tax rate and firm stipulations that they pay their workers well, now that is someone to admire. tonyC says: @john: np. Rant done for today. MPAVictoria says: bearing: Interesting point, though the rich appear to be the only ones doing well in the current economy. August 15, 2011 at 9:50 am Thank you, tonyC. I also wish to inform everyone else that tonyC has just used up all the ALL CAPS for this thread (except for the six characters I myself just used). MPAVictoria says: But John how will I convince you that you are wrong if I can’t type in all caps? Kevin Williams says: oh dear, john, do we need to type in lowercase now? Jesse says: August 15, 2011 at 9:54 am However, I am concerned about the possible unintended consequences of the country’s budget relying more and more heavily on the incomes of the wealthy, because the incomes of the wealthy can be more volatile; when the economy does poorly, the incomes of the rich drop, and while of course this doesn’t result in serious hardship for them At least for the top 400 earners, this isn’t really true . Bearpaw says: I think it’s worth noting a couple of perhaps-too-obvious points: — conservative Republican, especially at the national leadership level — while the Republican leadership is obviously the full-throated choir of economic up-is-downism, far too many in the Democratic leadership are far too willing to at least hum along with the tune August 15, 2011 at 9:56 am I am also one of those blessed by both fortune and hard work to make significantly more than most Americans. As owner of an international software business with customers in 40+ countries, I encounter lots of companies and individuals doing well with higher tax rates. In my opinion, we should repeal the Bush tax cuts completely. While I understand that such a move would mean higher taxes for many lower and middle class taxpayers, I think that it primarily a political problem, since most didn’t really gain much with the cuts and wouldn’t lose much with the return to the previous level. I know I am at the “very comfortable” stage rather than the “truly wealthy”, and I still can’t believe my taxes are as low as they are. In Ohio, taxes have been slashed repeatedly, and now we face a fiscal crisis of our own devising, very similar to that of the country as a whole. Certainly, higher taxes are not the only answer, but it seems clear that they are an important, appropriate and reasonable part of the solution. Most of the spending cuts proposed would primarily hit the poorest amongst us, so it hardly seems unreasonable for the richest amongst us to chip in more. JimF says: August 15, 2011 at 9:57 am One thing to remember is that yes, even excluding military spending, the government is spending more. The reason for that is simple, there are more people in the USA then there were10 years ago. The 2000 census was 281,421,906; the 2010 is 307,745,538. Frank says: Scalzi For the purposes of this discussion, I’m comfortable going with Buffett’s definition. Which is fine. But to be clear this has not been the number tossed about in the political discussion. And the reason why that’s important is because of the sticking point regarding how the lower number sweeps up a number of small businesses. So this is a different discussion, I think. JJE says: August 15, 2011 at 10:02 am I would fall under the rubric of “Rich”. The irony is that many of us are quite liberal and happy to contribute more to tax revenues as Buffet alluded to. And at this point many of us realize solving the debt issue will require it. There are two problems I see. The first is that Obama has not couched the discussion of taxation under a “shared pain” envelope. That is, poor people are going to get less services and rich people are going to pay more taxes and together we will as a nation solve this threat to our country. We rally the populace around fighting wars but not fighting things like this debt. I don’t understand why that key piece of marketing is not being employed by the administration. The second problem is that rich people don’t see themselves as rich because there are always richer people. For example middle class US citizens don’t see themselves as rich but they are compared to the vast majority of people on this planet. Rich people compared to middle class citizens think of themselves in a similar light. I’m sure the middle class could afford to be taxed $300 more a year (cut back on Starbucks?) but they would revolt against that. This is how rich people think as well. And what’s worse is that people who are going to be taxed more think two things: 1) no one ever says thank you and 2) the government is just going to waste this additional money rather than reduce our debt so I don’t want to pay more taxes. Again the administration needs to address this. Make people who are going to be taxed more, feel good about their contribution. Thank them. And also assure them that costs are being reduced so the extra money is going to debt reduction rather than funding some boondoggle. Frankly says: August 15, 2011 at 10:04 am When Arne was running for Gov of California he brought together a team to advise his campaign on economic issues. Mr. Buffet was part of that team until the press asked him for his ideas. He pointed out, because of the insane Prop 13 amendment to the State Constitution, he paid more in real estate tax on his modest home in Omaha that his mansion in CA. He was gone in a flash. The fact is we pay less in taxes now than at any time since 1950 and that the rich are paying far far less. We were told these tax cuts would pay for themselves and that they would create jobs but they have done neither. Just going back to the rates before the disastrous cuts of 2000 would wipe out the largest part of our current deficit. Bearpaw says: August 15, 2011 at 10:07 am Jesse @ 8: The US spends roughly as much on “defense” as the rest of the *world* combined. Much of that goes to protecting “our” national interests around the globe … which is to say the interests of huge corporations and the super-rich. Much of the rest of it is the hog-wallow of the military-industrial complex that Eisenhower warned us about. August 15, 2011 at 10:11 am Frank: I don’t imagine that the “who will think about small business” hue and cry would be any less at Buffett’s $1 million personal income level than it would be at $250k, actually. This is because the current tax discussion isn’t grounded in at what level additional taxation is reasonable, it’s grounded in the belief that any new level of taxation should be off the table. No matter what level one instituted the next level of marginal rates, it’s still ideological heresy. So, no, it’s not really a different conversation at all. Hillsy says: August 15, 2011 at 10:13 am As an aside at the mention of Randism – There’s an interesting look into Rand’s theoryies or selfishness, freedom and self determinism i the first episode of “All Watched Over by Machines of Ever loving Grace”, a documentary series by Adam Curtis. While I’m not sure how totally accurate it is, the theories into Randism and the development of free-market theory and market systems and what grows out of that is utterly fascinating. Also I’m English and liberal, so I’m going to leave my politics at the door I reckon Paul says: August 15, 2011 at 10:13 am dam how irritating – being solvent is a commendable goal. speaking for myself; i am not against having the rich as buffet describes them paying more in taxes, but i worry about the ends we hope to achieve by spending it, because creating dependency through redistribution is the beginning of the end of a productive and free society. you cannot be free or you will not be free long if you are dependent upon the good will or lack there of, of another for your shelter, food, and education. i do not want to create a great european society out of america, i want an america that is competitive and flexible, because the economic landscape is rapidly changing, and globalization can and will if we let it make us irrelevant. Jesse says: Which is fine. But to be clear this has not been the number tossed about in the political discussion. Wrong . The $1,000,000 cutoff has been the administration’s position for a while. And the reason why that’s important is because of the sticking point regarding how the lower number sweeps up a number of small businesses. And there has been plenty of meat thrown to the conservatives (payroll tax holidays, for instance) to alleviate this point, but they still refuse to budge. And FWIW, the problems with the “it’ll hurt small businesses” argument seems to be that (a) the small businesses covered by the tax cuts didn’t seem to use them to build up employment, and (b) there are a lot of people/households that make $700k, $500k, or even $250k that aren’t working for small businesses. So this is a different discussion, I think. Nope. August 15, 2011 at 10:17 am John – And that is the fundamental problem. When a significant part of the budget process (adjusting revenues to meet expenses) becomes ideological heresy, it becomes very difficult to craft a reasonable response to changing conditions such as an aging population or changing economic relationship with the world. David says: August 15, 2011 at 10:18 am I remember making an offhand comment that we could totally eliminate Defense spending and we’d still be at higher than Bush levels of debt and wanting to check that because it couldn’t possibly be right. If I read wikipedia right (and they use primary sources, assuming those are more accurate than BLS) it’s a true statement. Depends on how you define defense spending. If you simply go with the Pentagon spending, the point would be correct (barely); if you go with all spending related to defense (nuclear weapons program at the DoE, VA budget, pensions for retired veterans from Treasury, and so on), you get about $1 trillion to $1.4 trillion in defense-related spending, which would mostly close the deficit if it was entirely cut. August 15, 2011 at 10:20 am The average wealthy nation has a tax rate of 36.2% (counting all levels of government, federal and local). If we raised taxes to that level, it would just about wipe out the deficit. That doesn’t mean that we, as a country, can’t choose to cut government instead of raising taxes; we can and probably will. But it’s a preference, not a necessity. Personally, I think of taxes in much the same way I think of condo fees. I live in a nice building, and the reason it’s nice is because it’s well-managed and has sufficient fees to pay for nice stuff. I don’t resent paying fees, and if the building ever had a deficit—or even if they didn’t have enough money to fund the capital reserves (for expected future maintenance) properly—I’d advocate for raising fees before cutting services, even though the building spends a lot of money on stuff I don’t personally benefit from. Oh, and I strongly support a carbon tax and a financial transactions tax, which have environmental and economic benefits that are as important as the revenue they generate. There’s no reason to look only at income taxes for revenue. August 15, 2011 at 10:21 am #34 – As an owner of a small business, I resent when people speak for me. I care far less about whether my taxes are increased somewhat than whether the economy is robust enough to support my business. I am fortunate that 2/3 of my business is from other countries, as that alleviates the pain somewhat, but most small businesses don’t have that luxury. We need a vibrant economy, available credit (I don’t use it, but my customers often do) and people working. The small business owners I have spoken with are mostly in agreement that taxes are not close to their biggest issue. MPAVictoria says: August 15, 2011 at 10:37 am Paul Yes God save us from ending up like those hell holes Sweden and Canada. Fate worse than death that. August 15, 2011 at 10:40 am Whatever cutoff point is used, $250k to 1 million, it seems to me that part of the “messaging” problem that encourages the “what about the small businesses” counter is sloppy terminology. Income of $250k is different that taxable income of $250k. I may be off-base, but aren’t there tax strategies that are available to businesses that are not available to individuals, so that a business income of $250k might be offset by certain abatements and deductions to arrive at a taxable income well below that $250k benchmark. In addition, a business is often judged or referenced in terms of annual sales, which is does not necessarily equal income and is certainly different from profit or taxable income. Chris Bickford says: Thanks for that tolerant response, you managed to hit my buttons and I responded in the way you asked us not to. Anyway… Those tax cuts (which were mostly on the wealthy) have contributed more to the deficit than every other major contributor put together, Assuming that people’s behavior doesn’t change when taxes change, which is a false assumption. If it weren’t the case, sin taxes would make a somewhat less sense. Second, I’d prefer jail sentences in some of the less pleasant jails for fraud. I’ve always thought of the rich as people like Bill Gates, who created a lot of wealth for other people, so I’ve never understood the anger at them. Hearing about the captured reglators and various fraud leading to the collapse I am starting to understand the anger, but I think it should be directed at the criminal conduct in Wall St/Washington and not at the rich in general. rickg says: August 15, 2011 at 10:41 am Well, people need to stop voting in politicians, predominantly Republican, that take uncompromising ideological stands then. It might be true that in an opinion poll people support taxing the rich, but they don’t vote that way. Until we stop acting like children who want our candy but want someone else to pay for it we’re not solving this. We need to grow up, realize that we have to pay for what we want and vote reasonable people in who can discuss what we DO want and how we should pay for that. Throwing the electoral equivalent of a temper tantrum and voting for people who want to strangle government doesn’t move this forward. Personally, I think we should repeal the Bush tax cuts for people over $1m, then $250k, then $125k, then $75k in a staggered fashion so people can anticipate and adjust. As Buffet notes, between 1980 and 2000 we created a net 40m jobs. Since the tax cuts… well… not so much. @JJE: The phrase that Obama has been using is “shared sacrifice”; see here , for example. Jesse says: As an owner of a small business, I resent when people speak for me. That wasn’t my intent, so I apologize for the generalization. I care far less about whether my taxes are increased somewhat than whether the economy is robust enough to support my business. I am fortunate that 2/3 of my business is from other countries, as that alleviates the pain somewhat, but most small businesses don’t have that luxury. We need a vibrant economy, available credit (I don’t use it, but my customers often do) and people working. The small business owners I have spoken with are mostly in agreement that taxes are not close to their biggest issue. Indeed. But the spending argument has been so tied to the economy by conservatives and libertarians that this point seems almost impossible to make. There’s been little to no actual action from them on providing action on the economy. No serious jobs bills, pushback on any sort of stimulus (again, proven to work), opposition to regulation of the financial industry, to say nothing of outright admissions by conservative lawmakers of economic and political sabotage against the President and his party’s leaders. So how do we get past that when the overwhelming majority of conservative lawmakers won’t even think of anything else. Here’s a challenge for Frank et al: Provide post-WW2 examples of the US where at least the following is true: 1) The tax burden was smaller than it is now and the economy is doing significantly better 2) Major tax-cut-only policies led to a long-term economic boom 3) Deregulation of financial institutions allowed them to grow without contraction in the rest of the economy 4) Top earners had equal or larger profits without wage declines Bearpaw says: August 15, 2011 at 10:43 am Frank at 27: The million dollar cutoff is a common one in discussions, as is the $250,000 cutoff. In general, I’ve noticed it depends on (1) who’s talking, (2) who they’re talking to, and/or (3) whether they’re trying to hide the Fortune 500 behind the skirts of small businesses. Changing a somewhat arbitrary cutoff doesn’t make it a different discussion. tolladay says: August 15, 2011 at 10:48 am I honestly don’t think we have an issue with taxes. What we have is an issue in how we view our government. When a large enough percentage of our country view our government as “the beast”, then anything that adds taxes is to these people, “feeding the beast.” Never mind that the thing they call the beast may also feed them as well. Once someone has reached this position, I don’t think one can have a reasonable discussion with them about taxes. It doesn’t matter to them if you point out there are reasonable reasons why taxes go up in a down economy (largely because the demand for government services increases), or that there is plenty of historical evidence to suggest an increase in taxes will not cripple the economy. To them it is just a question of “more beast” or “less beast”. I used to think that one could simply try to educate someone who thinks this way and the problem would be solved. I’m far less inclined to think that now. What we’re dealing with is not a construct of logic or reason, but a believe. In short; a faith, or (hopefully without offending those with strong religious views) a religion. If there weren’t so many of them in our congress I would simply suggest we ignore their whining, and act like adults here, doing what needs to be done. Alas that option may not be viable any more. Bearpaw @ 30: I am not a Conservative, nor do I support our massive military spending, but I would like to point out that a healthy percentage of the “hog-wallow of the military industrial complex” goes to homes, families, schools, etc. In short, it is simply more government spending propping up the economy, albeit wrapped in a red, white, and blue bow. From my experience, the term “military industrial complex” is liberal speak similar to the conservative term “welfare state”, and I believe neither is particularly constructive to an argument. Of course, ymmv. Jesse says: August 15, 2011 at 10:49 am Assuming that people’s behavior doesn’t change when taxes change, which is a false assumption. If it weren’t the case, sin taxes would make a somewhat less sense. I’m not sure what this has to do with the argument that the 2003 Bush tax cuts are responsible for a large part of the deficit, nor the non sequiter about “sin taxes.” Second, I’d prefer jail sentences in some of the less pleasant jails for fraud. The problem is that we don’t have a good and just judicial system where this happens on a regular basis. Sure, every once in a while we get a Bernie Madoff, but he’s just one guy. Chances are that if you’re a criminal and you’ve got his kind of money, but aren’t stupid or egregiously flaunting your misdeeds, you can either evade charges altogether or hire a legal team that gets you off with a slap of the wrist. Fletcher says: August 15, 2011 at 10:50 am I think the more realistic phrasing of the “going Galt” argument is “If we don’t lick the feet of the megacorporations, they’ll go offshore to somewhere with a government willing to make more concessions to them”. Personally I think that this is a) possibly true but b) we don’t need to slobber on their feet quite so much as we do now and c) I regard the super-rich as intrinsically untrustworthy and unscrupulous. I think a large part of the problem is that, having adopted the taxation-is-theft mantra, the Republicans cannot now back down from it; partly because they’ll lose votes, and partly because they’ll lose the campaign donations and other bribes that the corporations give them. I’d like to see a drastic limitation on the amount of time election campaigning was allowed to go on for – by restricting it to, say, two months immediately preceding the election you’d cut back the amount of money needed to run a campaign, which would both a) open up the races to people who aren’t super-rich, or at least aren’t *as* super-rich, and b) reduce the amount of money politicians need to borrow, thus reducing the grasp the corporations have upon them, thus enabling them to potentially make decisions more in line with the well-being of the nation than of their corporate sponsors. In short, nobody is seriously making the argument that taxes need to be raised on the rich because they’re already in the pockets of the rich. Kevin Williams says: August 15, 2011 at 10:51 am Jesse: Well obviously if those rich job-creators get their taxes cut, then the Invisible Hand of the Market (pbuh) will take over and the pols don’t have to do anything. Joe says: August 15, 2011 at 10:54 am JimF at 26: Yes, that’s one of the things that drives me insane: When conservatives point out that in 2000 (or 1990 or 1980) we were spending $x or receiving $x in tax revenue and today we’re spending $(x+y) or receiving $(x+y) without taking into account factors like inflation or population growth. Greg says: August 15, 2011 at 10:54 am Ben, people will speak for you the same way they speak for Buffet. What you and buffet are saying doesnt jive with their worldview so they ignore it or day you are an exception to the rule. Buffet says raise taxes and *immediately* the first comment on the thread is ‘thats not enough to fix the deficit’. notice that? it is not *enough* so lets not do it *at all*. Obama proposed a budget that payed for 25% of the problem with tax increases the rest was spending cuts. Repuvlicans countered with 15% tax increases and the rest in cuts. What did we get? zero tax increases and everything handled via spending cuts. tax increases are not enough, so lets not do it at all. first argument on this thread. And a major Fox News talking point. the next argument? lets redefine rich to mean more than a million dollars a year. because at any point where one doesnt lime a concept or idea, focusing the discussion on where to draw the boundary around that idea is a great way to distract from the idea itself. The next argument? that relying on volatile taxable income means volatile revenu for the government. Really? as the economy goes up and down and everyone’s income goes up and down with it, that will affect how much money the government will get through taxes? Well I reckon we might as well not tax anyone based on income then. only way to avoid that crazy rollercoaster of uncertainty. the next argument? as Paul says, the big fear is that we will develop *dependency through redistribution*. Taxes are redistribution of wealth, you see, and thats no different than communism. And we dont want to be communists, do we? Or socialists. Or fascists. And using money acquired through taxation could make the government *dependent* on taxes, exactly like a drug addict is dependent on his drug of choice. and we dont want to act like drug addicts, do we??? every argument thus far has been nothing based on fact and everything based on metaphor. so when Buffet or anyone else for that matter argues to raise taxes based on the facts, that is unable to penatrate the metaphors that insulate the right wingers and tea partiers and libertarians from reality. Bearpaw says: August 15, 2011 at 10:54 am Chris at 42: “Hearing about the captured reglators and various fraud leading to the collapse I am starting to understand the anger, but I think it should be directed at the criminal conduct in Wall St/Washington and not at the rich in general.” Well, I imagine if anybody in Wall St/Washington was actually held responsible for their crimes, the anger might be directed a little more specifically. Failing that, one wonders how many of the rich — especially Warren’s “super-rich” — are at least guilty of averting their eyes. C W Rose says: August 15, 2011 at 10:56 am In the 1920s there were great arguments over disarmament, since there was a widely-held wish to avoid a re-run of WW1, (the War to End Wars). The arguments were over eg: ratios of capital ships, and people were talking about ratios of 5:2, 5:3 and so on among the “Great Powers”. America’s military budget is now roughly equal (2010 numbers) to the sum of the next seventeen countries combined – and a lot of those are in fact American allies. That seems to be over-egging the pudding a little. The other major overspend is in health care – America spends about 14% of GDP covering 70% of the population, and the UK about 8% covering 100%. The results are roughly a wash – the UK has lower infant mortality, for instance, and the US better cancer survival rates (probably due to extensive advertising producing earlier detection – the treatment regimes are similar). But no-one lets go of 6% of US GDP with a light laugh and a sweet smile, and I can’t see any way the HMOs/pharmaceutical companies/medics would accept any change to the status quo. Add the current political incompetence, and things look to become pretty rough. (And if you really want nightmares, check with the actuarial forecasts of population aging – I can’t recall the exact numbers, but 100-year olds are going to be a significant proportion of the population in forty or fifty years, and while they are of course lovely people, they aren’t half expensive to look after.) Will August 15, 2011 at 10:56 am as if the investment bankers profiting by passing off crappy mortgages as AAA investments ever created a job But they did create jobs — millions of them. Reasonably good jobs, even — construction and all of the industries supplying it and designing houses, etc. Not to mention finance. The problem with economic bubbles is not that they don’t create jobs. They do. It is that bubbles pop — the jobs they create are not sustainable. Nobody complains about booms, even though they cause the following bust. During a bubble, it is not clear that it is a bubble. This is how it keeps bubbling. (When even the dumb money sees a bubble as such, it pops.) I do not see any way that USG will encode the concept of “creating unsustainable jobs” in the tax code. tolladay says: August 15, 2011 at 11:01 am tolladay @ 47… From my experience, the term “military industrial complex” is liberal speak similar to the conservative term “welfare state”.. Actually, no. That’s historically inaccurate. The term was coined by Eisenhower and I don’t think one can peg him as a liberal. There relevant quote from that linked speech: This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence — economic, political, even spiritual — is felt in every city, every State house, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society. In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the militaryindustrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together. August 15, 2011 at 11:07 am I’m sorry but I haven’t read the responses about, so I am almost certainly duplicating effort here. First off, I definitely approve of Buffet’s position. I’ve heard about this before and I salute him for it. I believe he has a good heart and really has a concern for the middle and lower classes, to the extent that any multi-multi-millionaire is likely to. (Unless multi-millionaires spend a year experiencing what it’s like to have an income of $10,000 to $15,000, they aren’t totally going to “get it”.) Maybe if Buffet had trillions of dollars rather than “just” billions, he might even try single-handedly to alleviate our debt situation. But he doesn’t have that much and he knows better. Anything that’s within his power to do would be just a drop in the ocean. That’s why instead he’s trying to convince both wealthy and middle class that raising taxes is not going to kill the national economy, but hey, may actually help. But let’s look at who he’s trying to convince. Unfortunately, the Murdoch’s and Koch’s and so aren’t going to go along with him and say they wouldn’t mind being taxed a bit more. They’re busily insinuating just the opposite via the airwaves, in order to convince John and Jane Q. Citizen that raising taxes would be a disaster, a job killer. Right now, I believe it would take a massive media push in the opposite direction from Fox etc to convince many non-millionaire ultra-conservatives that, really and truly, the multimillionaires won’t all decamp to the Caiman (sp?) Islands if they have to pay more taxes. Or that all the jobs will go away if taxes are increased on the richest citizens. The jobs have already gone away. A lot of middle class and even lower middle class are voting against their own interests when they vote for those who have taken the Norquist pledge. They don’t know any better because they believe everything that they hear from conservative media. As for those who have taken the Norquist pledge, are they likely to renege on it just in time for re-election campaigns to gear up? I’m not a conservative politician. I can only guess what each one of them is thinking. But look at the Iowa debate. Every last person on that stage said they would not approve of a 10 to 1 cut in budget to tax increase. They publicly made the promise. The few who may be having second thoughts, if any, are probably afraid to change positions. The Norquist pledge and the less-informed conservatives will force them to keep on keeping on with what they are doing now. The way I see it, Buffet is alone. No other millionaires are going to state–publicly and forcefully–what he said. Even if they did, they would have to blanket the airwaves with their position, and it would be an uphill battle trying to counter everything that’s been in the news for a year now. Politicians who took the oath are afraid to switch now. Many middle class and lower class conservative voters are now convinced that increasing taxes would spell the doom of the U.S. economy. Who is going to turn around the ship of state? Many Democrats and some independents and a smattering of moderate Republicans will try their best, no doubt. But their numbers and their ability to get their message out are no match to the forcefulness of the idealogues and the greedy on the other side of the debate. We’re doomed. August 15, 2011 at 11:08 am Tolladay at 47: The percentage of that hog wallow that trickles down to homes, families, schools, etc, is *not* actually healthy, especially considering the decidedly unhealthy costs borne at that level. And I’m guessing that Eisenhower would have been non-plussed to have been accused of “liberal speak”, though I’m sure he was familiar with similar ways of dodging the actual issue at hand. tolladay says: August 15, 2011 at 11:09 am rickg @ 57: That you for your help. I suspect I might have misspoke. I was not referring to the political affiliation of Eisenhower, but to the modern usage of the term. Perhaps we should leave it at that as I do not wish to drag us off topic any further. Dan Geiser says: August 15, 2011 at 11:12 am We are asking the people who can spare the money to help the US get back on it’s feet. If you can have tax cuts for the rich with an expiration date (that don’t expire) then you can have tax increases with an expiration date that actually do expire. August 15, 2011 at 11:12 am Caveat: I have not read every comment here, so I apologize if I’m repeating something. I’m generally a fiscal conservative guy and don’t really like the prospect of raising taxes. That being said, I’m on board with Buffett’s plan. My problem, though, is that Buffett is not in charge of the national budget. John places a negative connotation on the conservative opposition to raising taxes by talking about how conservatives worry about the “tender sensibilities of the rich” and use rhetorical feints, etc… But from this conservative’s perspective, the reason I oppose raising taxes is that historically, for every additional tax dollar raised, we spend somewhere on the order of $1.18. In short, I don’t trust Congress to implement Buffett’s plan, which calls for a tax increase and spending decrease. If, historically, tax increases ALWAYS result in higher spending/debt, why should we pursue that course now? Now that we kinda/sorta have a spending decrease thingy on the way, I wouldn’t be entirely opposed to raising taxes on the rich as an independent matter. I’m still a little concerned that this would work though. I’m a pragmatic guy. I don’t mind making compromises here. But I’m having trouble trusting the politicians to handle this right. Buffett knows what he’s doing, but Congress would no doubt distort his plan. If Congress decides to increase taxes while ensuring that the increased funds would ONLY be used to decrease the national debt, I’m on board. If they’re going to use it for some sort of strange “stimulus” package that spends more than we take in, I’m not. Phil Royce says: August 15, 2011 at 11:15 am Cyranetta sort of said what I was going to about Frank’s small business comment. I hear that same thing parroted all the time – that increasing taxes on those with incomes over $250,000 will hurt small business. But I don’t think that is true. We are talking about income taxes here. So the $250,000 threshold would apply to those small businessmen who have net profit of $250,000 or more, not businesses that have revenue of $250,000. Any business that has net profit of $250,000 or more is not all that small, as a 10% profit (pretty nice if you can do it) would mean revenue of $2.5 milliion. A more likely revenue target for $250,000 of net profit is $5 to $7 million. So we aren’t talking mom and pop shops here. As some others said, I think letting the Bush tax cuts expire is a good first step, but I would also raise the marginal tax rates on all those with incomes of more than $1 million. Some spending cuts are a good idea, but remember that cutting spending cuts jobs and reduces the income tax revenue from those jobs, not to mention the expense of umemployment benefits. So there is not a dollar for dollar decrease in the deficit from cutting spending, as there is in raising taxes. August 15, 2011 at 11:19 am If I had to choose between Ayn Rand and Warren Buffett to run USG as God-queen or king, I am not sure how I would go. Probably Rand, although there are short-term problems with that. Ideally we could get Queen Rand to dragoon Buffett as her Hand to help manage the transition from red-giant government down to white-dwarf. But in any case, neither option is available. No God-king is: we have mass democracy. And this is where I think you underestimate the conservatives. (I am conservative on matters of taxation.) See, we conservatives see two features of democracy that you apparently don’t. First, outside of military spending, spending is nearly impossible to stop. The only thing that appears to be able to actually lower spending in a democracy is bankruptcy, or the very-near term threat of it. (I am not talking about Washington-style “cuts” here, which mean: raising spending but less than inflation. I am talking about actual cuts. 50% reduction in spending. Whole Federal departments abolished. That sort of thing.) Second, raising taxes is easy, at least by comparison to lowering spending. Even when a man runs on a platform of “read my lips: no new taxes” — he still raises taxes to get a deal. So, how can one expect to hold the line on spending in an environment as per the above? You attempt to form a party around the single idea of “no new taxes”. That is, create that political and philosophical orthodoxy that you decry. Part of any kind of party-building is solidarity at the margins. You must not let the other side nickle/dime you. Even then, politicians will still make deals. Again: this is democracy. But by setting up an extremely anti-tax environment at the grass roots, you attempt to hold down the deal-making to a minimum and actually get the fiscal rectitude desired. I am sure Democrats do understand this; look at how they act around the issues they care about. I.e.: abortion. Is it really so bad to, say, ban “partial birth” abortions? Maybe so, maybe not, but that’s not really the political question. The political question is, if we let Republicans ban that, if we hand them a political victory, then what do they do next? MPAVictoria says: August 15, 2011 at 11:23 am “I’m a pragmatic guy. I don’t mind making compromises here.” Mark I believe you. I bet that if it was just you and me in a room working out a compromise we could get to some sort of mutually agreeable deal. The problem is that the current crop of Republican Politicians are not pragmatic and they have no interest in making compromises. Did you see the question in the last Republican debate where the candidates were all asked if they would refuse to accept a deal that was 10 dollars in spending cuts for every dollar of revenue increases? Everyone of them said they would turn that deal down. How can there be a compromise when one side refuses to deal? rickg says: August 15, 2011 at 11:25 am Mark @62 – well *we* vote for politicians, so that’s on us isn’t it? People have an annoing tendency to complain about politicians and how we can’t trust them, but when asked why they return incumbents overwhelmingly reply with something to the effect of “Oh, MY congressman/senator is fine it’s the others…” our argument also completely ignores the fact that we have historically had higher taxes and the economy was better off in general. At the end of the Clinton years we were running a small annual surplus. So it’s hard for me to credit ideologically biases that simply aren’t borne out by those pesky things called facts. If you want politicians to only spend for programs that *you* approve of well… that’s not happening. We live in a society where people differ on what government should do so even if we have reasonable and responsible politicians who reflect the values of their constituents in an intelligent manner we’ll still have spending that you’d rather not see and spending that I’d rather not see. This is called compromise. It’s also called reality. I wish more of us, citizens and politicians alike, would visit it more often. Nick from the O.C. says: August 15, 2011 at 11:28 am As the owner of a small business that just found work for two new people, Ben @ 38 speaks for me. As a member of the class that would see higher tax rates if the Bush tax cuts expired, Scalzi speaks for me. Any person who asserts that the US economy can be righted solely by spending cuts alone, does not speak for me. Indeed, I have a hard time mustering the respect for such people to engage in a debate on the topic. Chris Bickford says: August 15, 2011 at 11:34 am I’m not sure what this has to do with the argument that the 2003 Bush tax cuts are responsible for a large part of the deficit, nor the non sequiter about “sin taxes.” Let’s assume I make a million dollars. And let’s assume that my tax rate would go up 10% if the Bush tax cuts expire. As far as I can tell, the assumption is that the Bush tax cuts for me cost the country 8 years times $100,000 per year. And I haven’t tried to tell very far since I can’t think of any other way to guiess how much the tax cuts cost, if there is some other methodology I’d love to hear it. This assumes that I won’t put my money in tax free munis, or any of the other exemptions I can get from taxes in order to not pay as much taxes. The sin tax tie is in the assumption that people won’t change their behavior when taxes change. Sin taxes are designed to discourage behavior by taxing it. So on the one hand you have people discouraging behavior by taxing it and on the other hand you have people waving around large numbers because they assume changing tax rates won’t effect behavior. Failing that, one wonders how many of the rich — especially Warren’s “super-rich” — are at least guilty of averting their eyes. Probably most of them. They benefit from the system with no real downside, so why complain? Jesse says: But from this conservative’s perspective, the reason I oppose raising taxes is that historically, for every additional tax dollar raised, we spend somewhere on the order of $1.18. Source? In short, I don’t trust Congress to implement Buffett’s plan, which calls for a tax increase and spending decrease. If, historically, tax increases ALWAYS result in higher spending/debt, why should we pursue that course now? First, separate spending from debt, because otherwise we reach Rand-ian levels of anti-government sentiment. After all, we can have significant government expenditures without debt, or even with surpluses (see also: 1995-2005). And a good deal of government spending is useful. A lot of conservatives like to talk about the welfare state, but welfare as it stands today is largely tied to recipients’ efforts in re-entering the workforce. Just look at TANF, which was a conservative-style program that they now hate because…well they can’t say, actually, although if Mitch McConnell is to be believed, creating jobs means that Obama looks good, which is bad. Yes, he really said that. Second, your distrust of Congress’ ability to implement the plan (specifically the spending cuts) isn’t entirely misplaced, but why aren’t you expressing frustration with what’s been put out there? Every actual budget plan we’ve seen from the conservatives has been brutal towards the middle and lower classes, as well as the elderly and disabled, and has shifted more burdens onto the state and municipal governments that are for the most part in worse financial straits than the federal government. You can’t just blame some nebulous definition of Congress in a false equivalency, when one side’s plans are so bad that doing nothing is actually better, often significantly so, than what they offer. If they’re going to use it for some sort of strange “stimulus” package that spends more than we take in, I’m not. But why is the stimulus program “strange” and bad? Again, economists generally seem to believe that if the stimulus had actually been bigger, then the economy wouldn’t have been so bad. But conservatives watered the amounts and the appropriations down, and as a result, only a fraction of the jobs in much-needed sectors like infrastructure were created. And for the most part, these same conservatives only seemed opposed to the stimulus on TV and radio, but then turned around and grabbed as much money from it as they could for their districts or states. Some even had the gall to complain that they didn’t get enough support, or that Obama’s bad because he didn’t do enough to help their hometowns. Greg says: August 15, 2011 at 11:39 am Mark, for every dollar raised we spend 1.18??? Think about that for even a fraction of a second. Dont just repeat it because thats what Fox or someone else told you. But actually *think* about the math for even a second. If that were true in any sense of the word ‘true’ then a when George Washington started collecting taxes, the US would immediately spend even more than it collected. And that behavior would repeat for every president since. And we would have defaulted by the time Lincoln was elected. The only way there can be any ‘truth’ in that statement is if you throw on top of it so many exceptions and qualifications that you are no longer making a generalized observation of reality, but rather are attempting to find a way to justify inserting a talking pojnt into the conversation. August 15, 2011 at 11:44 am Chris @ #2 – As annoying as the current crop of conservatives are, this liberal obsession that if we’d only tax people more somehow we could pay these bills is equally annoying. Did you miss the part where liberals already agreed to cut spending? The idea that if we’d only (and I mean only in the sense that that’s all we’d do) tax the rich, we could pay these bills is not one you’ll see from liberals in Congress – Senate or House. Or even from conservative Democrats. Scalzi is right to correct you about how his perspective is that tax hikes on the rich are necessary, but he’s also missing out on correcting a mendacious bit of lying propaganda that the Republican party keeps putting out – that they’re somehow willing to compromise at all. They’re not. Obama floated some tax increases that would literally only affect things like tax breaks for corporate jets. Republicans lockstep refused to pass those hikes because of the Norquist pledge (AKA The Americans For Tax Reform Pledge. Google it if you like) – never ever raise taxes, no mater what the cost, no matter what the issue. They don’t even have a clause about paying for wars. Norquist, BTW would be malleted here, because every conversation he has about taxes, he compares them to theft. Mark @ 62 might have a better point, but in this case, he’s wrong – tax increases, and a willingness to bargain would have resulted in more flexibility in the spending cuts we’re currently making. Republicans were asked repeatedly for any concessions whatsoever, and refusing to make it resulted in a downgrade in the US credit score, and might well again, because they *could* have passed a clean debt ceiling increase. Instead, they decided to hold the process hostage to get what they wanted. And, predictably, they did, and now they get to oversee it. And if they can’t make concessions this time, the triggers set into the inability for the super committee to reach consensus, things will get truly awful. And I have no faith whatsoever in their ability to agree with a Democrat that water is wet, fire is hot, or that the moon is not made of green cheese. And finally, I too am amused by the “This Will Hurt Small Business” cry. Look,if your “small business” is personally paying you $250,000 a year in salary you’re either doing amazingly well, and I don’t care about you anymore, or you’re such a total buckethead that you’re paying your employees out of your gosh darned salary. Stop doing that!. You generate payroll out of pre-tax profits, not post tax income. My CEO earns literally no salary right now because he’s everything into his new business venture. This might change after our second round of funding, but he can live on his savings for now. He lives pretty well too, but he’s certainly creating jobs, and a tax hike won’t affect him at all. Like most real entrepreneurs, he knows that loosing money for a few years is natural for a business, and he can afford to do that. A millionaire tax has no effect on him. He’s remarkably similar to most small business owners. The owners of Borderlands Books (Which Scalzi mentions sometimes) gave me similar advice when I expressed my dream of owning a bookstore like theirs – Have enough money to live on for 2-3 years, because you shouldn’t take even a small salary from the bookstore. Plow what you would pay yourself back in and keep going until you don’t have to anymore. These people – Borderlands, my company, and other exactly like it, won’t be affected at all by an increase in taxes on millionaires. Millionaires who start small businesses wont be all that affected either. They can pay themselves zero salary just like a real entrepreneur and live off savings for a few years, and nothing changes For the rest of us, let’s all stop buying the lie that taxes on millionaires and billionaires has any effect on small businesses. Don says: Whenever I hear talk that raising the top rates will cause these titans of industry to scale back and not do some things lest they have to pay more tax I think just one thing: Okay. I mean, when did we lose faith in the ability of the average American to innovate? If the top ranks are going to decide to withhold their efforts and concepts because they feel like paying an extra couple % out of that 9th million is just too much then FINE. STAY HOME RICHIE RICH. There’s plenty of new people out there who want to work hard for a buck and don’t mind sharing an extra dime out of that millionth dollar in profit. There’s plenty of smart and hungry folks out there to take the place of folks who Go Galt. The only thing we protect when we allow the top earners to keep more of their bucks is a monopolostic stranglehold on the economy. I’d love nothing more than to see some of these folks decide they’re big and rich enough and let more folks enter the market and compete. Instead we help the field shrink to fewer selections because there’s no downside to growing huge and fat. Lower taxes for the tiny top percentage is anti-competitive. Jesse says: August 15, 2011 at 11:53 am If I had to choose between Ayn Rand and Warren Buffett to run USG as God-queen or king, I am not sure how I would go. Probably Rand, although there are short-term problems with that. And mid-term problems. And long-term problems. In fact, what evidence is there of less problems as time goes on? See, we conservatives see two features of democracy that you apparently don’t. First, outside of military spending, spending is nearly impossible to stop. And, what, military spending is easier? What reality do you live in? The only thing that appears to be able to actually lower spending in a democracy is bankruptcy, or the very-near term threat of it. (I am not talking about Washington-style “cuts” here, which mean: raising spending but less than inflation. I am talking about actual cuts. 50% reduction in spending. Whole Federal departments abolished. That sort of thing.) That’s because those ideas are fairly crazy, and like most Rand “policies,” there’s no specifics. I mean, what Departments would you cut? Where would you cut spending from? After all, the impacts on those who aren’t able-bodied people with zero societal or economic onus on them due to ethnicity or geography are totally the same as those who are, right? Second, raising taxes is easy, at least by comparison to lowering spending. Even when a man runs on a platform of “read my lips: no new taxes” — he still raises taxes to get a deal. Because that had nothing to do with the massive dergulation and cuts to services (hey, there’s Rand again!) from his predecessor that created large-scale economics problems, I assume. Yep, happened in a total vacuum. So, how can one expect to hold the line on spending in an environment as per the above? You attempt to form a party around the single idea of “no new taxes”. That is, create that political and philosophical orthodoxy that you decry. Part of any kind of party-building is solidarity at the margins. You must not let the other side nickle/dime you. Even then, politicians will still make deals. Again: this is democracy. But by setting up an extremely anti-tax environment at the grass roots, you attempt to hold down the deal-making to a minimum and actually get the fiscal rectitude desired. It’s almost as if not allowing for the concepts of representative democracy, economic appropriation, or the morality and ethics surrounding moderation and compromise is a good thing. Greg says: What we need is Joe the Plumber come out and explain why Buffet is wrong. That will clear things up. At least as far as the Right is concerned anyways. jasonmitchell says: August 15, 2011 at 11:53 am we have a fundamental accounting/policy problem in this country – although debt is able to be carried form year to year (and when the economy is not robustly growing- the debt almost always will) surplusses are not. When the economy is weak and unemployment is high “stimulus” programs = government spending. Combine spending cuts, government layoffs with increased use of “the safety net” and “military interventions” and you have a feedback loop that ensures spiraling debt, unenployment, and weaker and weaker economy. The only way OUT is to break the cycle – INCREASE government spending in stimulus programs that create jobs – DARPA, NASA, NSF, DOE, DOT all have programs that directly and indirectly lead to jobs and development of industry – throw MORE money at them. R&D= jobs. Tie that in with more short term stimulus (cash for clunkers round II anyone?, more energy efficiency tax breaks for home improvemnet etc.) and revision of tax code and accounting practices so that as the economy recovers tax revenues increase and surplusses are set aside for long term debt reduction. I realize that this will lead to inflation/ some devaluation of the dollar – but what is the alternative? Daveon says: August 15, 2011 at 12:00 pm As a business owner myself, I would like to meet these small business owners who are concerned higher personal taxes will prevent them from hiring and give them a book on basic business accounting and operations. I’m quite interested in understanding these business operations, in the real world, that involve paying people out of your taxable personal income, and not out of the operating income of your business… Of course, if you’re a hedge fund manager then it seems that you’re better off paying people out of your personal income on account of your profits are taxed at a lower level than personal income tax anyway. But I’m not counting hedge fund managers as “small businesses”… Daveon says: August 15, 2011 at 12:03 pm Oh and I did forget, sorry John: In the current economic mess with companies sitting on piles of cash, and households having to pay down debt – I’m still wondering where the demand for things is going to come from if the government continues to slash spending (and as I read it, Obama actually has, as Net new spending under him is much lower than the last guy). Demand comes from people buying things. There is not a demand fairy who turns up when you’ve clapped your hands enough. CrypticMirror says: August 15, 2011 at 12:05 pm there is also the symbolic value of raising taxes on the wealthier to be considered too, it isn’t just a bean-counting fiscal thing. there is a large section of poor, disenfranchised, people (particularly in inner-cities) that have no emotional stake in society at all because they see “one law for them, another for the rich” every day. they see precious few cents to spend themselves, and then they see people with million dollar cars and multi-million dollar houses bitching about being taxed to penury and they opt out of general society and often into a life of crime that encourages a distrust of everything except their own families. taxing the rich appropriately and shutting up the rich moaners is a massive symbolic step towards healing the divisions in the country. Josh says: August 15, 2011 at 12:16 pm @Leonard (#64): Sure, spending is a lot harder to rein in than taxes, because, more than they even hate taxes, Americans (including those who vote Republican) really like their government services. But it seems to me if you can build solidarity around so extreme a position as “Absolutely no increase in taxes, even when the country is in economic crisis and taxes on the wealthy are at their lowest in decades,” then it wouldn’t be impossible, or even nearly impossible, to concentrate on one area of spending and gradually reduce it by holding the party line. It would take some brains, and a willingness both to engage honestly with the public and to make tough decisions that could lose you your office. But I am, uh, skeptical that the only way to keep the government from spending money is to draw the line in the sand at taking in any more tax revenue full stop. Especially when that position so neatly and conveniently just happens to align with the desires of the people funding the extreme right wing in America today. Theophylact says: August 15, 2011 at 12:17 pm I’m an upper-mid-level Federal bureaucrat. As a GS-14/10*, I make quite a decent salary compared with the US average; but I have over 40 years of experience past the doctoral degree in chemistry, and probably make less than someone with a comparable résumé would in industry or academe. Nevertheless, i’m very comfortable by any of the criteria I care about and would certainly continue to be if I paid taxes at the same rate as I did in the Clinton era. Let the damn tax cuts — all of them — expire and revert to pre-Bush levels. That would wipe out effectively all of the deficit that wasn’t strictly short-term stuff to cure the recession. Longer term, go Medicare-for-all and fix the health-care cost problem; that takes care of all the rest of the problem (Social Security is not an issue; it has no problems that can’t be handled by either a small increase in withholding, uncapping the taxable amount, or both). Cut the military budget until we’re spending only two-thirds as much as the rest of the world combined, and we’ll be in surplus forever. August 15, 2011 at 12:47 pm “As James Buchanan put it, the blessings and burden of government should fall upon all without favor.” By this logic we should tax the poor very little and the rich a great deal as the burden would be about ths same. Works for me. Walt Guyll says: By your logic the strong should wear fetters and the fair masks. Jesse says: August 15, 2011 at 12:51 pm #82: I love how the conservative bloggers are complaining about how Buffet games the system through loopholes, but I can 100% guarantee you that if you told them that Congress should propose a bill to close said loopholes, they would say that counts as a tax increase. In fact, I’m pretty sure they already did that several times in 2009 and 2010. Kevin Williams says: @Walt (#84): By your logic, pretty quotes from a man often considered one of the country’s worst presidents should hold more weight in determining public policy than the actual realities we have to deal with every day. gerrymander says: August 15, 2011 at 12:56 pm The sort of person who is very rich becomes so by understanding the rules of the game and leveraging them to their maximum benefit. Let me ask you, John: do you think it’s inherently unfair that so many writers are unable to get publishing contracts because a select handful of authors — including yourself — understand the rules of good writing and successful self-promotion, and use them to their benefit? Would you be willing to support laws that mandate you personally write less (and take the personal loss to net income and notoriety) in order to give other, possibly worse, authors a paycheck and some fan whuffie? Because that’s basically what your complaint and remedy amounts to, translated to a different industry. I need to ask, because not only have I got some seriously kick-ass Mary Sue fanfic left unpublished, but I also could use a bit of Felicia Day attention. And from where I stand? It looks like you’ve got waaay more than you need. Jesse says: August 15, 2011 at 12:57 pm #84: Wait, what? I fail to see how a highly progressive tax system–which actually solves a lot of economic issues in the real world, and has done so in the past–is somehow equivalent to punishing people for personal aspects. It’s certainly a million times more realistic than the “equal before the law” judicial and economic utopia. Steve says: MPAVictoria@65, “How can there be a compromise when one side refuses to deal?” It could be as easy as replacing the side that refuses to deal with one that will. Duffy says: August 15, 2011 at 12:59 pm It seems as if there’s strong support here for a fundamental re-do of the tax code from both liberals and conservatives. If so, what form should it take? I would argue for something flatter and with far fewer deductions. We have something like 1,500 people who earned more than a million in 2009 and paid zero income tax. They have the ability to hire tax people to get them out of paying. While I understand (and partially agree with) the idea of raising taxes on people making >1,000,000 my fear is capital flight. I’m not sure how real the effect is. I’ve read arguments both ways. Maryland tried a millionaire tax and suddenly found they had many fewer millionaires the following year. IIRC New York was the other one but didn’t see much of a drop. This may have more to do with New York and MD than the tax itself. I am not concerned with the size of government as much as scope. Government gets larger with population. Makes sense. You need more police when you have more people. etc. I’m tired of the intrusiveness of government. In my state a Code Enforcement officer came to my house and told me I had to have a permit for a kiddie pool. That, to me, is beyond the pale. My fault. I should have specified James M. Buchanan, the economist. Josh says: August 15, 2011 at 1:13 pm @gerrymander (#88): Far be it from me to speak for John Scalzi, but: (1) It is unfair. Life is unfair. Some people are better at things (getting rich, having writing careers) than others. (2) The line you quote from the post is from his argument that the rich aren’t going to take their ball and go home. I would imagine that if the financial realities of the publishing industry changed for whatever reason (as indeed they are), based on his philosophy as outlined in the writings that appear on this blog and elsewhere, John Scalzi would probably do his best to fiddle, not flounce. (3) Your analogy isn’t really very sound, because while no one must participate in the publishing industry, Americans don’t have much choice about living in a governed society, whose operating costs are covered by tax revenues. And we do get some say about how much of that revenue we pay. (The very rich, in fact, get quite a bit of say.) Walt Guyll says: ” “equal before the law” judicial and economic utopia.” The abandoning of the principle “equal before the law” should at least be noted. August 15, 2011 at 1:16 pm Just to clarify a few things: 1. Republicans are just as guilty as Democrats for increasing spending and I agree that they’re being unreasonable right now. That doesn’t make the historical patterns irrelevant though, and politics always distorts things. As one commenter mentioned, if a couple of us sat down in a room, I’m sure we could work out a deal. But we’re not the ones who can fix it. And yes, us voters have responsibility to vote for people who will represent us. 2. The source for the $1.18 figure is the WSJ, and I neglected to mention that it was in the Post WWII period (also, it’s apparently $1.17). Sorry about that. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704648604575620502560925156.html?mod=djemEditorialPage_h Key paragraphs: “We’ve updated the research. Using standard statistical analyses that introduce variables to control for business-cycle fluctuations, wars and inflation, we found that over the entire post World War II era through 2009 each dollar of new tax revenue was associated with $1.17 of new spending. Politicians spend the money as fast as it comes in—and a little bit more. “We also looked at different time periods (e.g., 1947-2009 vs. 1959-2009), different financial data (fiscal year federal budget data, as well as calendar year National Income and Product Account data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis), different lag structures (e.g., relating taxes one year to spending change the following year to allow for the time it takes bureaucracies to spend money), different control variables, etc. The alternative models produce different estimates of the tax-spend relationship—between $1.05 and $1.81. But no matter how we configured the data and no matter what variables we examined, higher tax collections never resulted in less spending.” Han's Solo says: August 15, 2011 at 1:17 pm Leave aside the marginal rates for a moment and look at the true injustice that Buffett hints at: the tax rates on “unearned” income are a joke. I’m a CPA that works exclusively for high wealth individuals and very few of them pay a cent in social security or medicare. Generally speaking, if they take wages at all, it is a very small percent of their income. Almost all their income is capital gains and dividends. If I work for myself and I sit at my desk and do tax analysis’ all day my work is subject to self employment tax and is then taxed as ordinary income. Self employment taxes is around 15.3% (13.3% during 2011 due to the 2010 Tax Relief Act.) To those that don’t know, Self Employment Tax is Social Security (10.4% in 2011) and Medicare (2.9% in 2011). Self employment tax takes the place of the withholding you see on your paycheck. Once you’ve netted your income with your self employment tax the rest you pay taxes on as ordinary income. But instead, if I work for myself and I sit at my desk and buy and sell investment vehicles for a living I pay nothing in self employment tax and my income is taxed (mostly) at a rate of 15%. Why? Because of the Golden Rule: He who has the Gold makes the rules. Now this would make sense if there was something so wonderful about investing that we wanted to encourage it over all other activities. But do we? I read the other day that America’s best and brightest over the last few decades have been choosing careers as “financial engineers.” The opportunity cost is that many of these people would be well suited towards careers in fields that actually added something to the American economy but chose instead to work on Wall Street. I guess what I am trying (poorly) to say is that our tax code incentivizes the wrong things. We could encourage people to choose degrees in mechanical engineering, architecture, or any of a hundred other fields. We don’t. All of the incentives today lead to Wall Street. In my opinion, that isn’t healthy. Here’s my back-of-the-napkin fix: If you have AGI (adjusted gross income) above a certain threshold, and over a certain percent of your income comes from unearned income (not including retirement accounts of course) then the IRS should rule that your profession is that of an investor and force you to pay tax like anyone else who works for themselves. Greg says: blessings and burden should fall upon all without favor plus an aversion to complex mathematics to describe complex realities produces people advocating a flat tax system. you know what? flat tax doesnt go far enough. heck, even if everyone pays a flat ten percent, that *still* means that people who make more money hablve to pay more money, and that just isnt fair. what we need to do is take the total deficit and divide by the total number of Americans and have everyone send in a check for that amount. no exclusions for children either. why should they get a free ride? blessings and burdens should fall on *all* equally without favor. that works out to be 46,000 per american citizen. Walt, please send your check to the IRS as a symbol of your support for a completely flat tax system. if you want toexclude children and retirees, it works out to about 130,000 per tax payer. funny how right wingers will suggest that if Buffet wants to raise taxes then Buffet ought to send in a check, but flat taxer folks propose flat taxes only up to the point that it allows them to argue against raising the current progressive tax rates. if you really want a flat tax then it shouldnt even be a percentage of income, it shoukd simply divide the debt equally between taxpayers. Keep those great suggestions coming Walt. Bearpaw says: August 15, 2011 at 1:20 pm tolladay @ 60: The way Eisenhower used the term “military-industrial complex” is the way I use the term and the way I’ve always seen it used. What’s changed is that someone like Eisenhower would have trouble even getting nominated for a local office in the modern Republican Party. Heck, I’m not sure the modern Dem leadership would want him around either, at the national level. “Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. ” He would get along fine with Bernie Sanders. Gerrymander: “Because that’s basically what your complaint and remedy amounts to, translated to a different industry.” Yeah, actually, not at all, for all sorts of reasons, starting with “taxation” not being an industry. But, as it happens, I am president of an organization that strongly believes every writer should be compensated fairly for his or her work, and have established guidelines representing what we believe to be a minimum level of reasonable compensation. Duffy: “It seems as if there’s strong support here for a fundamental re-do of the tax code from both liberals and conservatives.” Oh, let’s not get into a discussion of our favorite ways to fundamentally re-do the tax code, shall we. It’s one of the patented ways of dragging the discussion away from real world and into the pointless fairyland of Not Actually Relevant to the Discussion. Instead, let’s stay on point. That goes for Walt, Greg and everyone else starting to wander off into the fields of the Flat Tax, my favorite ridiculous time-waster. Stay in the here and now, people. mythago says: @Walt (#81) As James Buchanan put it, the blessings and burden of government should fall upon all without favor. Exactly. Which is why taxation levels should be based upon disposable income and not gross income, and why flat tax rates should never be considered. Say you have a guy earning just under the national average income, about $30 000 a year. Tax him at 20%… that leaves him $24 000 a year to spend on food, rent/mortgage, clothes, gas, insurance, the kids, etc… if those expenses go even one dollar over $2000 a month, he’s sunk. It’s hard to stay under that; budgeting to that can be gruelling even for a single person, and it leaves almost no room for savings or education. Take another guy earning $300 000 a year. Tax him at 20%… that leaves him $240 000 a year to spend on food, rent/mortgage, clothes, gas, insurance, the kids, etc… which leaves him able to spend up to $20 000 a month before he gets into trouble. That’s vastly easier to budget within, and leaves much more room for self-improvement. Graduated tax rates take that into account, meaning that the guy making $30k can have more margin to spend on improving the opportunities for him and his family to get out of the low-income trap (And that’s even without resorting to arguing about how much more high-income earners benefit from government services; there aren’t too many $30k-ers with multiple properties requiring police protection, taking multiple plane trips that require air traffic control, driving multiple cars that require well-maintained roads, etc…) — Steve. August 15, 2011 at 1:35 pm Duffy @ 91: “Maryland tried a millionaire tax and suddenly found they had many fewer millionaires the following year.” Could be I’m just a cynical bastard, but I’m taking a wild-assed guess that very little of that was millionaires leaving the state, as opposed to some millionaires managing to eke themselves below the cutoff, one way or another. Or changing their official address with nary a moving box in sight. David says: Since the feds are currently spending dollars that don’t exist As opposed to dollars that do exist? You’re aware that “money” is simply an agreed-upon concept? Jesse says: August 15, 2011 at 1:45 pm #96: That “study” you linked to is actually an editorial from the extremely conservative Wall Street Journal, written in part by a leading member of the anti-government Cato Institute and the anti-tax Club For Growth who in the past has claimed that, among other things, Obama is banning incandescent light bulbs and that the deficits under Reagan were not a problem. So I give it just about zero credence, especially since they don’t actually provide any evidence, they just state the numbers and expect us to believe it. Nor does it address the issue of why, if we’ve been running anywhere between 5% to 80% over-budget since at least 1945, we’ve had budget surpluses multiple times. Bearpaw says: August 15, 2011 at 1:47 pm Walt @ 95: “The abandoning of the principle “equal before the law” should at least be noted.” Yes, indeedy. I’m not sure the principle has ever been faithfully adhered to, even in the US. But it seems like we’ve slid into a relatively more blatant era of legal immunity for those who are deemed too big to jail. August 15, 2011 at 1:53 pm Josh (#79), if you can build solidarity around so extreme a position as “Absolutely no increase in taxes, even when the country is in economic crisis and taxes on the wealthy are at their lowest in decades,” then it wouldn’t be impossible, or even nearly impossible, to concentrate on one area of spending and gradually reduce it by holding the party line. First off, as a means to cut down on spending, forming a party around any single spending cut — for example, axing the entire Department of Education — would not do. Yes, arguably you might possibly ax the ED — but then while you were doing that, taxes would be raised and there would be more spending on everything else. Second, although I suppose you are correct in that it is not impossible to form a party around “axe the ED”, I think that is much harder than “no new taxes”. For on thing, taxation is of the broadest popular interest. Everyone pays taxes, or at least, practically all Republican voters do. Everyone has self-interest in holding the line on taxation. By contrast, spending is inherently uneven. If you have school-aged kids, axing ED might seem radical, whereas if you don’t, it won’t affect you directly. So while there can be (and is) ideological agreement one “we spend too much”, agreement on where, exactly, we are spending too much is much harder. For another thing, as an ideological matter there is always an attraction to bright lines. There is a serious (if utterly impractical) libertarian argument that “taxation is theft”. You can use that to support the ideology that rigidly holding the line on taxation is good and virtuous. Or you can be more soft-core as in #81, arguing that the rich already pay more than their “fair” share. Either way, you have an argument (if shoddy), for “no new taxes”. By contrast, amongst the masses there is no popular objection to what ED does. At worst people just think that ED is wasteful. Walt Guyll says: August 15, 2011 at 1:55 pm @Anton P. Nym#103 The economy loves the wealthy. The money they spend is not wasted. It is commonplace that many of today’s necessities used to be a rich man’s toy. On the other hand, tax money is not inevitably spent wisely. August 15, 2011 at 1:56 pm David, yes, and when the feds spend enough of that agreed-upon concept (that does not exist) then the same agreed-upon concept that lives in the wallets of the Little People ceases to have value. Which is what a good many US citizens are rightfully concerned about right now: a federal system that seems to be freight-training us all to insolvency. Asking the high-income, high-asset class to pay extra only makes sense as long as we demand that the feds spend less. Kevin Williams says: August 15, 2011 at 1:59 pm Brad @ 110: Did you miss where spending cuts have been made and were on the table, while tax raises inexplicably were not? You’re making an empty rhetorical point here. Brooks says: August 15, 2011 at 2:02 pm Here’s an interesting essay that puts forth the idea that Buffet’s call for an increased income tax is a smokescreen to distract people from calling for a European-style tax on net worth (something that would [according to the essay] raise nearly ten times what would be raised by a 20% higher income tax). August 15, 2011 at 2:05 pm Which is what a good many US citizens are rightfully concerned about right now: a federal system that seems to be freight-training us all to insolvency. Asking the high-income, high-asset class to pay extra only makes sense as long as we demand that the feds spend less. Then they’re not concerned about the right thing. Either we continue spending more but offset that with income from said high-asset class, or we start determining where to make major cuts. The former has been done before and worked out (more or less) for all involved both in the US and abroad. The latter has been done before, and has almost always been responsible for enriching the privileged at the expense of the lower and middle classes, the elderly, and the disabled. And the current pie-in-the-sky proposals that follow that train of thought are even worse than those already put into practice. David says: August 15, 2011 at 2:08 pm the feds spend enough of that agreed-upon concept (that does not exist) then the same agreed-upon concept that lives in the wallets of the Little People ceases to have value. Wait, if we spend some (imagined) level of this (imaginary) stuff, other of this (imaginary) stuff will lose its (imagined) value? Here’s an interesting essay that puts forth the idea that Buffet’s call for an increased income tax is a smokescreen to distract people from calling for a European-style tax on net worth (something that would [according to the essay] raise nearly ten times what would be raised by a 20% higher income tax). Buffet’s trying to avoid something that will never ever ever ever never ever no way no how happen in the United States? Phil Royce says: Small business definition depends on the business, it is not just a flat 500 employees: What is SBA’s definition of a small business concern? SBA defines a small business concern as one that is independently owned and operated, is organized for profit, and is not dominant in its field. Depending on the industry, size standard eligibility is based on the average number of employees for the preceding twelve months or on sales volume averaged over a three-year period. Examples of SBA general size standards include the following: • Manufacturing: Maximum number of employees may range from 500 to 1500, depending on the type of product manufactured; • Wholesaling: Maximum number of employees may range from 100 to 500 depending on the particular product being provided; • Services: Annual receipts may not exceed $2.5 to $21.5 million, depending on the particular service being provided; • Retailing: Annual receipts may not exceed $5.0 to $21.0 million, depending on the particular product being provided; • General and Heavy Construction: General construction annual receipts may not exceed $13.5 to $17 million, depending on the type of construction; • Special Trade Construction: Annual receipts may not exceed $7 million; and • Agriculture: Annual receipts may not exceed $0.5 to $9.0 million, depending on the agricultural product. Duffy says: August 15, 2011 at 2:15 pm @Bearpaw #94: Cynical or not I think you’re probably at least partly correct. That was something I was alluding to with the thing about rich people have tax professionals to defer income or otherwise not fall under the rules. (@97 Han Solo illustrates this point far better than I did) @Scalzi viz. tax code changes: I wasn’t attempting to veer off course. From where I sit it appears that the right wants absolutely no reduction in military spending and wants to cut virtually everything else. Whereas the seems to want the exact opposite. I rarely hear either party talking about waste, fraud or abuse in their own favored government programs. Jesse says: August 15, 2011 at 2:16 pm I should note that the reason don’t have a situation where there’s spending less while raising more, is that reality makes that essentially impossible, both statistically and politically. Barring major famine or war, we’ll only be adding people that require government services large (SS & Medicare) and small (driver’s licenses), almost all of which is necessary. In fact, by standards of other countries and a lot of metrics like infant mortality, life expectancy, worker health, we’re not doing enough. The only way to get to spending less is to remove large parts of the defense budget. Anything else requires the government deny services to those that need it. Charles says: August 15, 2011 at 2:18 pm I was surprised reading these comments not to hear people indicating what their percentage worked out to be. Using Buffet’s formula (federal income taxes plus payroll taxes paid by him and “on his behalf”), I came up with my tax rate last year as 23.6%. This was in a year where we took the maximum energy tax credit and college credit. Without those, it would have been much higher. Now, I would call myself upper middle class, so it’s sad to see that Warren Buffet pays a lot smaller percentage in taxes that I do? How, exactly, is this his “fair share”? Of course, this discussion is completely missing the point of the comparison in many ways. If Buffet were just taxed at the highest marginal rate we currently have (or even at the marginal rate I pay, which is on down the list), it would be a lot more fair and would make a less compelling argument. There are plenty of arguments for increasing that top tax rate, but it seems to me there are far more arguments for getting rid of the loopholes that made this ridiculous tax rate possible for Buffet in the first place. Bearpaw says: August 15, 2011 at 2:20 pm Walt at 109: “The economy loves the wealthy. The money they spend is not wasted.” Whereas the poor simply throw all their money away on food, clothing, shelter, and the occasional used car and cheap-end TV. Those ungrateful gits. “… tax money is not inevitably spent wisely.” You could leave the word “tax” out of that statement and it would still be true. Which makes it irrelevant to the discussion. DGL says: August 15, 2011 at 2:21 pm Quoth Walt @#81, “As James Buchanan put it, the blessings and burden of government should fall upon all without favor.” Or, to quote Anatole France, “The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread.” Jesse says: August 15, 2011 at 2:23 pm I rarely hear either party talking about waste, fraud or abuse in their own favored government programs. There’s a lot of evidence for waste, fraud, and abuse in the defense industry. I can’t speak to “everything else” because it’s way too broad, but assuming you’re talking about SS, Medicare, and Medicaid, then I’ve yet to see convincing evidence that it’s as widespread, or that it’s being perpetrated mostly by consumers. Not that there isn’t a lot of streamlining that needs to be done (because there is), but the argument for one is a lot stronger than the other. It’s also worth mentioning that the we get waaaay more juice for the squeeze from social programs than we do from defense. “JS, perhaps I missed past cat fights about a flat tax,” Perhaps you did! The reason endless blatheration about “flat tax” counts as a derail is a) it will never ever happen, and b) people introducing the “flat tax” (or any other tax scheme not currently in existence) sometimes do so as a way to lead the conversation away from real-world concerns into their own tax fantasy land. Arguing about the “flat tax” is like arguing about whether unicorns have beards, except 100 times more boring and useless. Because of that, c) if you talk about flat tax in a discussion of real world tax issues, you signal you’re not actually being serious and you might even be somewhat malicious. In which case, d) piss off, we’re talking about the real world here. Brea Plum says: August 15, 2011 at 2:27 pm Actually, raising is taxes is not the only time they don’t listen to Buffet. They also don’t listen when he reminds them that he and Bill Gates have proven that you can throw a few billion the charity game and hey, guess what? You’re standard of living won’t change one damn bit! Erick says: August 15, 2011 at 2:28 pm My problem with the syntax of this discussion is that it begins from a perspective of “the rich” being one homogenous group. While, they all have one thing in common – stinkin’ loads of filthy cash – that’s where the similarities end. For someone like Buffet, money isn’t something tangible. It’s invested and it comes and goes. He can always cash out and use it to buy something, but otherwise, it’s just a number on a page. Compare that to a small business owner, for example someone who manufactures widgets out of iron. If that business owner is paying himself a huge salary, then absolutely it should be taxed as income. However, if that owner is putting the money back into the business (and using it to add employees, etc) it should be protected. Of course, even if we could agree to a reasonable, logical way to do that that wouldn’t actually result in Maryland-like decreased revenues, it’s only a small part of the problem. Not only do we spend 60% more than we bring in every year (referenced by Buffet) we also plan for future budgets anticipating huge increases in revenue every year. That’s not going to happen. There is one plan in Washington that seemed reasonable, and with an increase in selected taxes may even be more doable, if combined. The plan is this, freeze spending for six years at today’s current budget. Cut one percent every year. That would result in a balanced budget with little pain, except for those who have already spent the money we don’t have six years into the future. August 15, 2011 at 2:28 pm I like the way Buffett thinks, and I agree that increasing taxes on the very rich is necessary. It’s probably easier to sell. But the fact is we need increased taxes on just about everyone, particularly if we wish to get back towards the 20-21% of GDP that we collected back in the Clinton era. I’m not talking onerous tax increases. But something, and we need a rationalization of the tax code as well. Demographically, the US is headed for an expensive time as the Boomers go into the most medically expensive time of the their lives. Budgeting for that will be complex and painful. August 15, 2011 at 2:30 pm Brooks @ #112, All you need to know about the credibility of that essayist is displayed in this sentence from the midpoint of the essay: “The problem is not more revenue, the problem is a lot more revenue very quickly.” No. The debt is a long-term problem. The deficit is short-term and can be set aside until employment and the economy improve. In fact, if the economy and employment both improve, the deficit begins to fall by virtue of the higher tax receipts the government begins to take in as a result of all that increased activity. Crucially, it’s not just the Fed gov’t whose fortunes would increase, but state governments’ as well, and that’s the area where most people actually see the result of falling tax revenues. mythago says: Phil @115: hence ‘for most purposes’. But again, when moat people think of “small business” they think of Joe’s Garage or Maria’s Empanadas. Not a local chain of hardware stores that employs a couple of hundred people, say. Jesse says: August 15, 2011 at 2:36 pm There is one plan in Washington that seemed reasonable, and with an increase in selected taxes may even be more doable, if combined. The plan is this, freeze spending for six years at today’s current budget. Cut one percent every year. That would result in a balanced budget with little pain, except for those who have already spent the money we don’t have six years into the future. Because, as we all know, the next several years will involve zero (or negative) population growth, lowering of top-end wages and/or a concurrent increase in lower-end wages, major restructuring of income from the financial sector to the industrial and professional sectors, and a rationing (voluntary or otherwise) of goods. Because that’s the only way your plan works, unless you have a way to transport us all back to 1939. August 15, 2011 at 2:37 pm If the federal system had a reputation for excellent service, frugal and efficient use of resources, the expansion of choices, low wait times, low graft, low corruption, I think a lot of people who are critical of federal programs might be in favor of them. But because the federal system is, in fact, notorious for rampant waste, poor service, the elimination of choices, the extension of wait times — doesn’t matter what you want from the feds, they will almost always take far longer to get it to you than if you were to try to obtain the thing or service privately — a lot of Americans aren’t thrilled with the idea of spending more to get more of the same (shitty) performance. Let the feds prove they deserve the money — clean up their collective act — then we can talk additional spending. Especially since the feds keep finding ways to prop up super-corporate interests that have remarkably devolved into being just as wasteful and useless as the feds who succor them. August 15, 2011 at 2:40 pm Erick: “If that business owner is paying himself a huge salary, then absolutely it should be taxed as income.” And oddly enough, that’s what Buffett is suggesting, along with additional taxes on capital gains. Otherwise, you’re on a soapbox. Let’s all try to pay attention to what’s actually being discussed rather than stepping on to soapboxes first and paying attention to the relevant issues second, please. Brad Torgersen: “Let the feds prove they deserve the money — clean up their collective act — then we can talk additional spending.” Nice try, but no. First, the discussion here isn’t about “additional spending,” it’s about raising revenue. These are separate discussions, and conflating them suggests you’re not paying attention or don’t see the very real distinction. Second, many of those who want to wait for government to “clean up their collective act” before talking more taxes are a) people who will never be happy regardless of what amount of money is spent, b) are happy to move the goalposts whenever the government reaches their previous arbitrary goalpost for “cleaning up,” c) haven’t proven to anyone’s satisfaction beyond their own that they are competent to assess the effectiveness of a government program, particularly those encompassing a social goal of which they do not personally approve. It’s entirely possible to raise revenues and decrease spending, which is in fact the discussion people in Washington and elsewhere ought to be having, and, to the point of this thread, the discussion Mr. Buffett suggests we work on. Josh says: August 15, 2011 at 2:41 pm @Leonard (#108): Oh, I agree that it would be much, much, much harder. But I would rather advocate for a hard solution that I think makes sense than an easy one that doesn’t. Now, both may be ultimately untenable — it may just turn out there is no good way to govern a country of ~500 million people in the technological environment we’re in. We don’t know; the experiment is presently ongoing! But since that would suck, then unless there’s anything better I can do about it, I will argue that we should do something that makes sense and might be feasible (raising taxes a bit while making judicious spending cuts), rather than something that doesn’t make sense and isn’t feasible (not raising taxes at all). (I mean, admittedly, talking about politicians sitting down and making judicious alterations to the way, say, the Department of Education or any other government institution works, and then being able to sell those changes to a majority of legislators willing to hold fast, and then to the public, among countless other obstacles — this all sounds so very pie-in-the-sky. But there are Americans willing to accept that they can’t get everything they want, willing to examine empirical evidence to see what works, and willing to consider creative solutions. I would like to believe that, since these people also tend to be pretty smart and interested in the preservation of themselves and whatever legacy they leave behind, they could be somehow pivotal in effecting change. I need to believe that. Or otherwise, I need more beer.) Bill says: August 15, 2011 at 2:41 pm Some points: 1) An increase in income tax rates would not fix the “problem” Buffett is talking about – which is that capital gains tax is capped at 15%, as opposed to regular income. 2) Short term capital gains is supposed to be taxed as the regular income tax rate, if they just hold it for “60 seconds”. Either he doesn’t know about this change, or there’s a loophole that ought to be closed. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_gains_tax_in_the_United_States ) 3) It’s debatable if indeed capital gains should be given a discount in order to facilitate investment and to make up for the additional risk in capital investment. I can see both ways on it. 4) Raising income tax a few points on the rich won’t solve our budget crisis. It’s deceptive to pretend that it will. 5) The highest income tax bracket of 92% ignores the many tax loopholes available at the time. NOBODY ever paid 92% of their income in tax. 6) In fact, the percentage of taxes paid as a percentage of GDP has been very constant, which sort of explodes the liberal myth that taxes are lower now than ever before – in real terms. http://www.deptofnumbers.com/blog/2010/08/tax-revenue-as-a-fraction-of-gdp/ 7) The poor and middle class do NOT disproportionately bear the income tax burden. Most numbers claiming as such include SSN and Medicare, which are more akin to a forced retirement program than a tax. A tax is gone – you’re supposed to (in theory) see that money from SSN and Medicare again someday. The top 20% of income earners and corporations pay 75% of all income tax in America. The middle 60% pay the remaining 25%. The bottom 20% get subsidized to an amount of about -10% of the total amount collected in taxes. Simon says: August 15, 2011 at 2:42 pm Couple of things: 1. I wonder who votes in the politicians that make these taxation rules? It’s not the mega rich as there are not enough of them. The general voters have been persuaded to do this. And this reminds me of Stephen Frears, “Freakonomics” where he postulates that gang members work for less than minimum wage distributing drugs because of the dream of being a gang boss and becoming a mega rich. Clearly the general voters have to be persuaded of the idiocy of taxing themselves more than the mega rich. Perhaps this forum is part of that movement… 2. I saw an analysis a couple of months ago that correlated financial scandals (Madoff, Wall st, et al) with maximum marginal tax rates. This demonstrated that the higher the top tax rates the less finaical fraud and fewer arcane schemes got hatched. It appears that raising the top tax rates discourages people from creating wild schemes simply be reducing the potential returns. If I can find the reference, I’ll post it a bit later. These together seem to indicate that more transparency and logic in our voting (fat chance) and higher top taxes might be good for our ethics as well! Jesse says: #129: Examples? Almost all of your issues that the Federal government is apparently “notorious” for seem to come from local and state governments and Defense. Greg says: August 15, 2011 at 2:46 pm Brad, asking high income people to pay more only makes sense if we demand the feds spend less? what is the biggest single, specific cut you would make? which program, how much, and how would you change the program to make up these cuts? because when most right wingers talk about cutting government spending, they imply in their statements that most government spending is of the category of ‘waete’, and if we just cut ‘waste’ then it will all magically get better. so, if you provide details of the biggest cut you would make, that would sort out whether you subscribe to the right wing fairy tale or not. August 15, 2011 at 2:47 pm JS @ 122: Okay, I think that’s short-sighted — to just deny that it’s even possible — but your house, your rules. I would go then to the argument that I made in #129, with a touch of what I said in #110. If your income and/or assets mean you pay more and more taxes the higher up the curve you go, it’s only equitable if we necessarily restrain spending and/or effect systemic change to carve down the waste and corruption. Otherwise we’re saying to the wealthiest Americans, “Pay up you fat-cats, you owe more than anybody!” while at the same time saying to the feds, “You fellas just keep right on spending like it’s no tomorrow, and if you run out of money, heck, we’ll just print more! OK?” Bearpaw says: August 15, 2011 at 2:49 pm Erick at 124: “There is one plan in Washington that seemed reasonable, and with an increase in selected taxes may even be more doable, if combined. The plan is this, freeze spending for six years at today’s current budget. Cut one percent every year.” So … a slow blood-letting instead of a quick one. I’m sure that’ll help the patient. Just ignore those wacky economists, er, doctors suggesting that a blood *transfusion* is the way to go. I’m sure the successes from that high-falutin’ newfangled approach are coincidences. August 15, 2011 at 2:51 pm If the federal system had a reputation for excellent service, frugal and efficient use of resources, the expansion of choices, low wait times, low graft, low corruption, I think a lot of people who are critical of federal programs might be in favor of them. That argument can fit equally well if you search-and-replace “federal” with “financial.” — Steve August 15, 2011 at 2:52 pm Brad Torgersen: “I would go then to the argument that I made in #129, with a touch of what I said in #110.” Your argument in #129 is not particularly good, and I responded to it upstream. August 15, 2011 at 2:52 pm Wow. I’ll just say that as a libertarian, I am completely embarrassed by the notion conservatives have, that taxes are one of the two sacred cows that cannot be touched EVER. Honestly, if I could trade somewhat higher taxes for a MUCH greater respect for civil liberties at all levels of government, and for less of the kind of regulation that only helps the large already-wealthy mega corps who can afford to abide them, I would do it in a heartbeat. (The other sacred cow is, of course, the defense budget). Craig Ranapia says: August 15, 2011 at 2:53 pm Gerrymander @ #88: Would you be willing to support laws that mandate you personally write less (and take the personal loss to net income and notoriety) in order to give other, possibly worse, authors a paycheck and some fan whuffie? That’s not only false equation bullshit bingo, but shows a delightful (and perhaps wilfully disingenuous) naivete about how publishing works. I suspect Ms. Joanne Rowling will be able to “leverage” her way into banking a small pile of very generous advance cheques for her next book entirely based on her track record. She also doesn’t regard tax avoidance as her inalienable human right. Square that circle, if you please. Jesse says: August 15, 2011 at 2:53 pm it’s only equitable if we necessarily restrain spending and/or effect systemic change to carve down the waste and corruption Again, doing the latter, while necessary, is not going to reduce the deficit nearly as much as you claim. And doing the former without major tax revenue increases and leaving defense spending untouched (the status quo and reality for the foreseeable future) means the people with the least to give will have to suffer the most. David says: August 15, 2011 at 2:53 pm If the federal system had a reputation for excellent service, frugal and efficient use of resources, the expansion of choices, low wait times, low graft, low corruption, I think a lot of people who are critical of federal programs might be in favor of them. But because the federal system is, in fact, notorious for rampant waste, poor service, the elimination of choices, the extension of wait times The federal government is, in fact, more efficient than the private sector in a substantial number of places. Medicare spends less in administrative overhead on average than does the private medical insurance industry. Ditto for the VA. The military is insanely cheaper than if we tried to do it with private firms (compare what an E-1 in the military makes (just over 17K/year) with what a Blackwater (sorry, Xe) operative does. Kevin Williams says: August 15, 2011 at 2:54 pm TomG: To wander off-topic a moment, good fucking luck getting any “taxes for liberties” deal going, or indeed rolling back the civil liberties incursions of the past decade. The ruling elites find them too useful, and many voters would rather be safe than free. Jesse says: August 15, 2011 at 2:56 pm Honestly, if I could trade somewhat higher taxes for a MUCH greater respect for civil liberties at all levels of government, and for less of the kind of regulation that only helps the large already-wealthy mega corps who can afford to abide them, I would do it in a heartbeat. Then you’re not a libertarian, at least not by the modern, accepted definition. That sounds more like social democracy to me. petec says: I am confused by this “tax cuts let the rich use that money to create more jobs!” arguement. If that were true, shouldnt we have seen more job growth during the bush 8 years? Why is a balanced budget ONLY an issue for the GOP while there is a DEM in the white house? I do not remember this being an issue during reagan/bush nor during bush 2.0, only during clinton and obama. should we have a smaller deficit? yes. can we do that by cutting small programs? no. can we do that by cutting large programs (wars, socsec,med)? yes. can we do that by increasing taxes (esp back to what they ised to be, say during the roaring 90s)? yes. why do we continue to even debate the GOP lie of cutting taxes=more jobs? there is zero evidentce of that. why do we continue to debate the cut taxes and starve the beast arguement? it didnt happen. one trivial solution IS (oops caps) to require congress to balance their budget. period. if you have deficit, taxes are automatically increased on income over 1 million. I have noticed that neither party has cut spending in their districts. why not? they want to reduce spending and big gov, right? /I particularly liked how bush 2.0 kept the wars off book to make the numbers look better. sigh “Stephen Frears” is a film director . I believe you are thinking of Steven Levitt. Craig Ranapia says: August 15, 2011 at 3:06 pm Brad R. Torgersen @ #129 : If the federal system had a reputation for excellent service, frugal and efficient use of resources, the expansion of choices, low wait times, low graft, low corruption, I think a lot of people who are critical of federal programs might be in favor of them. Yes, Brad, and I’m sure we’ll both on the streets to welcome our dispassionate, omni-competent Cylon overlords who’ll make the trains run on time and shorten the lines at the DMV. I just find it rather amusing how certain sections of the right (and, no, I don’t call radical ideologues “conservatives”) will slaughter the fatted calf and embrace the prodigal CEO. But woe and damnation to the eeeevil federal government! Bearpaw says: Bill at 132: Re #4 … So isn’t it great that nobody here has pretended that? Re #6 … That’s *not* an actual liberal point, though I understand it’s often easier to respond to something that someone didn’t say. An *actual* point that I’ve seen made — and ignored — is that the taxes paid *by* *the* *wealthy* as a percentage of GDP is at the lowest level since (IIRC) the 1920’s, and there are other indications of wealth disparity that are comparable to that time and the early 1890’s. If you remember history, those are rather significant periods economically, particularly in how they ended. Jesse says: August 15, 2011 at 3:11 pm Where to cut? Well, the question almost becomes, where NOT to cut? It’s true that many conservatives consider defense sacrosanct. I’m not one of them, and I’m *in* defense part-time, but that’s where I see most of the money being poured away for no real benefit. So we’d have to look at a comprehensive global policy shift combined with a comprehensive defense reduction. Fewer high-priced defense toys, an eye towards stabilized bullets-and-beans practical spending, and no more (or greatly reduced) federal outlay for ‘buying friends abroad.’ It would be the biggest shift in national defense policy since the Cold War, and would end or reduce much of our overseas presence. Ergo, no more world police. Meanwhile, we’d need to make it possible to fire DoD civilians and uniformed officers (commissioned or otherwise) for incompetence. Not re-shuffle them into the deck, as is the case 95% of the time. Not pat them on the butt and send them off with a pension. Fire them for being worthless. Because from where I sit, there are far too many people ‘shamming it’ on the DoD ticket. Of course, defense is not even the largest piece of the pie is it? The social and infrastructure umbrellas encompass more even than the DoD, and from my limited exposure to such programs, I am not greatly assured that they’re not ‘shamming it’ along with the DoD. Ergo, little or no emphasis on performance, great emphasis on protecting employees — versus pursuing taxpayer satisfaction. Et cetera. Again, the feds don’t have a crappy rep for nothing. And if we want to roll state into it too, fine, since, the states have mostly sold themselves into indentured status due to reliance on federal outlay. It’s a gargantuan, wicked problem. But merely saying, “tax the rich dude,” doesn’t begin to solve it. August 15, 2011 at 3:12 pm Jesse (#145) – I’m actually also sympathetic to anarchists and left-libertarians, but also recognize that reducing government to a minimum and getting people to offer alternatives to government services is just not gonna happen in my lifetime. The biggest problem with trying to actually implement any kind of libertarian semi-paradise is that everyone in it needs to adjust their thinking to a new “paradigm” of voluntaryist thinking…. again, NEVER GONNA HAPPEN. (Kinda like the chances that Gary Johnson will get the GOP nomination) WizarDru says: August 15, 2011 at 3:19 pm Duffy @91: “While I understand (and partially agree with) the idea of raising taxes on people making >1,000,000 my fear is capital flight. I’m not sure how real the effect is. I’ve read arguments both ways. Maryland tried a millionaire tax and suddenly found they had many fewer millionaires the following year. IIRC New York was the other one but didn’t see much of a drop. This may have more to do with New York and MD than the tax itself.” Maryland did see a drop of Millionaires the next year, which the WSJ crowed about how THIS was why you couldn’t tax the rich and expect it to help balance the budget. But that was in 2009. They somehow all mysteriously reappeared in 2010, where Maryland ranked as #2 on the list of states with the most millionaires per capita, with 6.79% of all households; Hawaii has the highest percentage at 6.93%. Of course, in terms of actual households, the rankings fall differently: Hawaii only has 31,000 millionaires, versus #3 Virginia’s 183,000. Even though the ‘millionaire tax’ remained in effect for 2010, Maryland’s number of millionaires ROSE. I’d hazard that all that happened was a bunch of people near the threshold worked at donations and other ways to lower their income until the temporary tax expired. It’s worth noting that the tax for people over $500,000 didn’t expire, and yet there was no widespread tales of ‘half-millionaire flight’. Jesse says: August 15, 2011 at 3:23 pm The social and infrastructure umbrellas encompass more even than the DoD, and from my limited exposure to such programs, I am not greatly assured that they’re not ‘shamming it’ along with the DoD. Again, anecdata isn’t particularly useful here, nor is the stereotype of government employees (civilian or otherwise) “shamming it,” which leads to… Ergo, little or no emphasis on performance, great emphasis on protecting employees — versus pursuing taxpayer satisfaction. Et cetera. Again, the feds don’t have a crappy rep for nothing. And if we want to roll state into it too, fine, since, the states have mostly sold themselves into indentured status due to reliance on federal outlay. First of all, social and infrastructure program costs come from payouts to citizens, not employees. As pointed out above, programs like Medicare and the VA do a far more efficient job than equivalent private entities. Second, “Feds” (and other government employees) have a crappy reputation because of the attacks from the Republicans, not vice versa. And, finally, the states who relied the most on Federal outlay are the ones who tend to elect representatives to state and national office who make the most noise about how bad it is for the Federal government to spend money. This is not coincidence, by the way. Bill says: August 15, 2011 at 3:29 pm @Bearpaw #149:Nobody has suggested that raising taxes “a little bit” on the rich would wipe out the deficit? Look at the posts on here (#37), or Obama vs. Joe the Plumber back in the 2008 campaign. Also, the notion that taxes are lower now than ever before was absolutely a liberal talking point during the tax break extension cuts. Go back to last December to read about them – of course, the people making those points are ignoring the fact that corporations don’t pay taxes when they lose money. But all the outrage against Bank of America *feels* real nice, doesn’t it? (With a Redneck accent) They destroyed our ecconemy! August 15, 2011 at 3:30 pm JS @ 130: moving goalposts is exactly what’s happening right now. We need to tax more to spend more, but wait, that’s “extra” revenue, so we can spend even MORE more, oh wait, we have to raise taxes again, oh wait, look, that’s ‘extra’ money, we can spend it!…. I suppose it comes down to which set of goalpost-movers each of us tends to trust. If you (collective ‘you’ here) think that higher tax creep and higher government spending creep always favors the citizenry, then by all means, let’s drive up revenue with taxes and assume it’s going to come out clean in the wash. If you happen to think that lower tax creep and reduced government spending creep always favors the citizenry… well, you get the idea. I used to be an idealist about government spending and taxes in the 90s. Then 9/11 happened, and I wound up working part-time for the military, and watched Republicans and Democrats both go to town on the federal credit card — which happens to have all our names chained to it as signatory parties — and I looked around at the colossal waste and sloth that seems to be ever-present in the DoD, and I slowly had to admit that taxing more to pay more money into what seems to be a dreadfully incompetent and wasteful system, just doesn’t make any sense. And I don’t see any concrete evidence that the civilian side is run any more cleanly or efficiently than the DoD side. In fact, it’s the DoD civilians who tend to be the worst examples, when it comes to ‘dead weight’ sitting around collecting checks for nothing. So OK, no flat tax. Pie-in-the-sky, we throw it out. I still say curved taxation (so-called ‘progressive’ taxation) is only fair if we match it with some kind of concerted reform that targets useless spending at both the state and the federal level. Because there is an obscene amount of useless spending that gets rubber-stamped as a matter of course, simply because nobody thinks to question it. (see: our current defense model.) http://www.house.gov/jec/fiscal/tx-grwth/159/159.htm Of course it was prepared for Republican Congressmen, so your claim of bias is probably still worth considering, but this isn’t an oped either. It’s also from 1991, which thus omits the interesting Clinton/Republican Congress years where the most recent surplus happened. I presume this is why the authors of the WSJ oped said they “updated” the study. Interestingly, the $1.17 I cited is significantly smaller than the 1991 study estimated, which was $1.59. Again, you are perhaps right to point out that maybe there is bias here, but on the other hand, are you really surprised that increased tax revenues lead to additional spending? Yes, there have been some surpluses… but as far as I can see, they are not caused by new taxation. They’re caused by a booming economy that resulted in additional tax revenue. I can’t speak for all surpluses, but for the most recent one? It was all spent (or returned to the taxpayers, or however you want to rhetorically position what happened), and not on decreasing the deficit. At the end of the day, the government spends more than it takes in, it’s been doing so for a long time, and surpluses are rare and temporary (and the last one was not used to pay down the debt). What are we up to now? $13 trillion and counting? Maybe a tax increase is needed, but we need to figure out a way to ensure it doesn’t result in additional spending. Historically, that doesn’t seem to be the case. Jesse says: #155: Also, the notion that taxes are lower now than ever before was absolutely a liberal talking point during the tax break extension cuts. Go back to last December to read about them. You’re making the claim, why do we have to support it for you? Phil Royce says: August 15, 2011 at 3:48 pm mythago, I don’t know what most people think of when they think small business, but I suspect you are correct that many do not think small business includes companies that could conceivably employ up to 1500 and/or have revenues of up to $21.5 million.Those who use the “small business” reason to oppose an income tax increase commonly refer to “mom and pop” shops in their rhetoric. It’s just one of those republican talking points they spew as if they are facts. However, the point remains the same. An increase in the marginal income tax rate has almost no effect on small business, as the business writes off everything it can and the additional tax would only apply to salary, or net profit if self-employed. In addition, I think that many in Congress don’t know the true definition and scope of the term “small business”, and when they say an income tax increase will hurt small business they often say it will keep the businesses from creating jobs, which makes no sense. Let’s say I pay myself a salary of $300,00 from my small business. A 3% increase in my marginal tax rate would cost me around what? I guess that depends on my tax-filing status and other deductions, but how about an actual increase of about $4,500? There is no way I was going to take that $4,500 and hire a full time employee with it. On the other hand, “spending cuts” actually cut jobs, so when contemplating and discussing spending cuts I think folks should be aware that these are actual jobs going away – not just government jobs either, but contractor jobs, and all the jobs that those folks keep going by spending their income in the markeplace. I have yet to hear a republican talk about the job loss side of spending cuts. I am not saying we shouldn’t cut spending, but we should be aware that the cuts won’t have as big an effect as many are saying, as there are revenue losses incidental to the spending cuts. I think I already said this, so I’ll stop for now. August 15, 2011 at 3:48 pm Jesse @ 154: First of all, social and infrastructure program costs come from payouts to citizens, not employees. This is 100% dead wrong. The system freely acknowledges that it is our nation’s largest employer. To the tune of 2 million jobs. Make it Almost 3 million if we lob in the post office. Lump on single-bid contracting — which is a fancy way of saying government-subsidy to the private sector — and we might go as high as 5 to 6 million people. Lump on the university system that also depends on government subsidy… and you get the idea. The snowball of government dependence accretes, layer by layer. Now, some people might be perfectly fine with a “closed loop” economy wherein the government ultimately feeds and syphons the greatest amounts, but such a system seems destined to stagnate, if not outright collapse, over time. Where is the growth in that scenario? Moreover, what incentive will there be for people to keep working hard? From what I’ve seen having a government job, full-time as a civilian, means it’s 95% likely you will never be fired — even if you’re grossly incompetent at what you do. Sounds pretty awesome. If you’re the employee. If you’re a taxpayer dependent on said employee to accomplish a service or deliver a good… well, better suck it up and take what’s coming to you. Phil Royce says: That salary should be $300,000. Sorry, and I even read it through twice. WizarDru says: August 15, 2011 at 3:50 pm “ – of course, the people making those points are ignoring the fact that corporations don’t pay taxes when they lose money. ” People may not be ignoring that fact because so many of the ‘endangered’ corporations managed to make obscene profits after being too big to fail. You remember how, after disastrously wrecking the economy, JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs and others all went on to suffer record losses? Of course you don’t….because that DIDN’T HAPPEN. They instead all reported record profits in 2010. Exxon Mobil? Double their profit margins in 2010. Remember how BP went bankrupt after the oil spill? No? Oh, that’s right, they doubled their margins, too. Ford and GM? In the top 10 on the Fortune 500. Sure, plenty of companies are having a rougher time of it….but the most of the architects of the current economic problems are profiting handsomely from them. And there are plenty of companies that have had excellent profits in the past three years, in many case record highs. A few years ago, I wrote a structured argument for the progressive taxation system. The long version is at http://litcritter.blogspot.com/2003/06/this-is-what-happens-when-you-spend.htm but it basically boils down to: Major Premise One: Taxation is necessary. Major Premise Two: The best form of taxation is the one that best minimizes the amount of harm inflicted, which is defined as interference with the ability to survive. Major Premise Three: To take a given percentage of X’s income does less to interfere with X’s survivability than to take that same percentage from Y’s income interfere’s with Y’s income by a ratio that is directly related to the ratio of their incomes. Conclusion: A progressive tax system, which derives a greater percentage of its income from individuals with higher incomes, minimizes the harm inflicted on the populace by taxation, and is therefore the optimal taxation system. I’d have no problem with the tax rate for my income level going up, but I would really like preschool tuition to be tax deductible. I’d even be okay if there were hard rules about which preschools would qualify. Two kids under the age of 5 eat up a lot of disposable income. mythago says: Mark @157: Your arguments would be more credible if you did not pretend that there is no meaningful difference between an op-ed piece, a study, a position paper and research. Charles says: August 15, 2011 at 3:52 pm @Bill #132: “In fact, the percentage of taxes paid as a percentage of GDP has been very constant, which sort of explodes the liberal myth that taxes are lower now than ever before – in real terms. http://www.deptofnumbers.com/blog/2010/08/tax-revenue-as-a-fraction-of-gdp/ ” Did you look at that graph? A variation from 15% to 20% is not “constant”. Tax receipts as a percentage of GDP ARE at the lowest level since the 1950’s. If we just had the 20% level we had in 2000 (33% more than we have now!), the deficit would be half of what it is now. It’s routine for conservatives to state talking point #13: “we don’t have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem”. In reality, we have both. If you look at both on a graph, they diverge drastically starting in 2008. That’s the recession talking. The best thing we can do for the deficit in the short term is fix the economy, a topic that has been pretty much ignored or diverted into being blamed on a long term debt problem. Bearpaw says: Bill at 155: If I could “reinvest” my profits overseas, I could avoid paying taxes by “losing money”, too. And if I could get a $45 billion bailout from the gov’t if I helped fuck up the economy, hey, that’d be frosting on the cake! ben says: LTTP here, but I agree with everything that has been said so far. Everything… Brad at 155: “It’s a gargantuan, wicked problem. But merely saying, “tax the rich dude,” doesn’t begin to solve it.” True, merely *saying* it wouldn’t begin to solve it. *Doing* it would begin to solve it. Greg says: August 15, 2011 at 4:01 pm Brad, merely saying ‘tax the rich, dude’ doesnt begin to solve [the problem… Dude, wanna know whats so gob smackingly hilarious? You start out saying ‘cut spending’ and when I ask you what you would specifically cut, you came up with nothing. so, right back at you, dude. saying ‘cut spending’ and tben handwave it all away with vague references to ‘there must be some waste in there *somewhere*’, doesnt even *begin* to solve the problem. There are republicans who lull themselves to sleep at night telling themselves stories of government waste and corruption, but its all fairy tales to them and they have absolutely no specifics when asked. I asked. You avoided all specifics. The thing is, I am sure you are quite familiar with the fairy tale of the evil welfare queen and could tell that tale with vigor. but basing fiscal policy off of fairy tales doesnt even begin to solve the problem. oh and John said flat tax is like unicorns. I say flat tax is like people derailing gay marriage debates with ‘the government should get out of the business of issuing marriage certificates’. it aint gonna happen and if it did it would make the world a far worse off place. Craig Ranapia says: August 15, 2011 at 4:04 pm Jesse @ #150: I will deploy sarcasm tags in future, and I guess I need to update my league table of evil government. {sarcasm} Municipal government < state government < federal government < Canadians with their Marxist health care < Fascist Euro-fag Surrender Monkeys < The UN, right? {/sarcasm} But here's my point, again: Isn't it funny how some sections of the right expect utter perfection from Gummint that they never ever demand from the corporate/banking sector? It seems there any incompetence, or outright corruption, is easily forgiven, forgotten and loving ministered to with corporate welfare. No Greg, I gave you a very detailed look at how to cut defense. Everything else @ 169 is you putting words in my mouth. =^P Charles says: August 15, 2011 at 4:05 pm @Phil Royce #159: “Let’s say I pay myself a salary of $300,000 from my small business. A 3% increase in my marginal tax rate would cost me around what? I guess that depends on my tax-filing status and other deductions, but how about an actual increase of about $4,500?” Assuming the increase was for a marginal rate starting at $250,000, pretty much the only increase anyone is talking seriously about, and assuming you have no (zip, nada) deductions because your parents still claim you on their income tax and you forgot to take the standard deduction, you would pay that extra 3% on $50,000. That’s $1,500, not $4,500. This is a problem with much of the conservative tax rhetoric: few understand how the tax system works and they think a 3% increase will be much larger than it actually is. Heck, if you are making that magical $250,000 a year, your tax increase would be zero. I just wish Obama and others would try to get this simple idea across. Imagine if Obama had just taken a moment to discuss Joe the Plumber’s real situation with him, assuming if he could afford to buy that hypothetical business and shown that his tax would not have gone up, but, rather, been decreased by the Make Work Pay credit instead of stating that dumb “spread the wealth” comment. August 15, 2011 at 4:12 pm Charles @ #172, the concept of marginal tax rates is one I think most people don’t understand without concrete examples. You provided one. If more columnists/pundits/reporters did so every time they wrote a piece it would be helpful, but it would get tiresome. I think there ought to be a boilerplate sidebar required for every article about tax rates. August 15, 2011 at 4:17 pm It’s true that the vast majority of Americans don’t appear to understand the concept of marginal rates, nor is it in the interest of those who want to keep people in a state of tax panic (most of whom understand the concept perfectly well) to explain it to them. August 15, 2011 at 4:19 pm #164 mythago – Ok, so I’ve cited an op-ed piece based on a Joint Economic Committee Study. I have not done a detailed analysis of the study, but it appears to reference multiple public data sources as well as peer-reviewed scientific journals. That being said, I’ve acknowledged that there is some bias there. Look, I’m not trying to clobber your brains out here, I’m just trying to say that increasing taxes isn’t an automatic win and that combining increased taxes with spending cuts and debt reduction might not be as easy as it sounds (and as far as I can see, there’s no historical precedent for this sort of thing – doesn’t mean it can’t be done). I’m not an expert and would welcome any additional datapoints you want to add to the discussion. Phil Royce says: Thank you Charles. I thought $4,500 seemed high, but I am trying to follow this thread at work, and you know how work sometimes gets in the way of doing stuff. Greg says: August 15, 2011 at 4:23 pm no Brad, you didnt. You made general mention to cut defense spending but you didnt say how much, and you made a second reference to something along the lines of fire them for incompetence but you didnt say how much youthink that would save. all you did was tell the right wing fairy tale that starts out: once upon a time there was a wasteful government… Welfare queens and lazy government employees are both henchmen in this fairy tale. cutting ‘waste’ doesnt mean anything other than that it means you’re talking in fairy tales. *how*much*is*your*biggest*cut*? in approximate dollars. Greg at 169: That. Some years ago, a certain Carla Howell ran for governor of Massachusetts as a Libertarian. Her biggest talking point was that she would and could cut the budget by some huge number (30-mumble percent? I forget), and she could do that by *only* cutting the waste. How did she know there was that much waste? Her people ran a poll that asked, “How much waste is there in the state budget?” And the average (or median, not that it matters) response was that 30-mumble percent of the state budget was waste. *That* was where she got that number. I don’t know whether she was dumb enough to think the number meant something or dishonest enough to not care that it didn’t. Either way, I sure as hell wasn’t going to vote for her. Even aside from that stupidity, let’s take that “trimming fat, blah, blah, blah” mantra. It’s asinine to think that simply cutting an organization’s budget automagically means that the ratio of muscle-to-fat improves. It’s not that simple in a biological organism and it’s certainly not that simple in an organization. August 15, 2011 at 4:35 pm @Charles, Linkmeister, John That sums up the problem with most political debates. Most things are more complicated than can be summed up in a 30sec sound bite. But because of the way politics work, things have to summed up very simply. The more you can distort the issue, the more time your opponent has to spend trying to explain why you are wrong. And people don’t pay attention long enough to understand. That, combined with the basic Human behavior of using any information, especially contradictory information, to reinforce your own worldview, makes persuading anyone of anything almost impossible. David says: Moreover, what incentive will there be for people to keep working hard? He seems to have worked hard as a government employee. And now we shall have an exercise in handwaving dissection. Jesse said the following: Jesse @ 154: First of all, social and infrastructure program costs come from payouts to citizens, not employees. Brad responded with this: This is 100% dead wrong. The system freely acknowledges that it is our nation’s largest employer. To the tune of 2 million jobs. Make it Almost 3 million if we lob in the post office. Lump on single-bid contracting — which is a fancy way of saying government-subsidy to the private sector — and we might go as high as 5 to 6 million people Note the critical missing bits that Brad is trying not to acknowledge. There’s no mention of how much of the budget that those employees cost. Brad is trying to throw big numbers (“5 to 6 million”!) to obscure that number. So let’s explore it. A random google-source estimates that the civilian payroll (not including postal workers) cost the government $259 billion in 2010. That’s out of a total budget of $3.5 trillion. That works out to about 7% of the budget goes to payroll. 7%. So, Jesse is, in fact, 7% wrong. Brad, on the other hand, is 93% wrong. Heather says: August 15, 2011 at 4:45 pm Philosophies regarding deficit reduction inevitably remind me of philosophies regarding weight-loss. Especially when we start talking taxes vs. spending. (This may be because I’m a public health major, and a bit of a one-trick-pony) The following seems like an apt analogy to me, I do hope it’s not taken as too great a departure from the topic at hand. Most of the experts agree that a combination of a reduced-calorie-diet and increased exercise leads to the most success. Sure, you’ve got your reduced fat diet people, and the recent outcropping of avid anti-carb people, and don’t even get me started on the detox cleanse people, but for the most part, the industry standard is diet and exercise, in a combination that works for the person attempting weight-loss. In any otherwise rational discussion on weight-loss, there are always a few, rather vocal, people who are utterly convinced that exercise is pointless. Their argument generally boils down to the fact that you can eat 500 calories in less time than it takes you to burn 500 calories. This is absolutely true, but it doesn’t make burning 500 calories any less important. In order to lose a pound per week, you need to create a deficit of about 500 calories per day. At a maintenance level, most adults need about or under 2000 calories per day, so cutting 500 calories could mean as much or more than 1/4 of their daily food intake. You can absolutely do this a by making a lot of cuts in what you eat without increasing your activity level at all. (Warning: You will be very hungry, all the time) You can also do this by increasing your activity level substantially, and not reducing your calorie intake at all. (Warning: You will be at the gym, all the time) But the most successful people go at it from both directions, increasing activity and reducing intake. The analogy falls apart a little where groups are concerned. If I take, oh, say, 307,006,550 people as my sample size, I suspect I’d be unable to come up with a diet and exercise plan that would make all of them happy, but I still think that a combination of increases and reductions would be the most helpful for the group as a whole. Jesse says: August 15, 2011 at 4:50 pm This is 100% dead wrong. The system freely acknowledges that it is our nation’s largest employer. To the tune of 2 million jobs. Make it Almost 3 million if we lob in the post office. Which, of course has nothing to do with entitlements, which is what we’re all talking about here, and what constitutes almost all of the spending on the “social and infrastructure” programs you mentioned. Lump on single-bid contracting — which is a fancy way of saying government-subsidy to the private sector and [tirade with unsupported numbers and unsubstantiated rumors and assumptions of government employment] We’re still waiting on the slightest shred of evidence you have that supports your conclusion that government is the problem. Now, some people might be perfectly fine with a “closed loop” economy wherein the government ultimately feeds and syphons the greatest amounts, but such a system seems destined to stagnate, if not outright collapse, over time. This is the political variant of “given enough time, our mortality rate is 100%.” Where is the growth in that scenario? In what scenario? Because contra to what John has mentioned, you’re going back to pie-in-the-sky assumptions. Moreover, what incentive will there be for people to keep working hard? From what I’ve seen having a government job, full-time as a civilian, means it’s 95% likely you will never be fired — even if you’re grossly incompetent at what you do. Sounds pretty awesome. If you’re the employee. If you’re a taxpayer dependent on said employee to accomplish a service or deliver a good… well, better suck it up and take what’s coming to you. How many times do you have to be told to stop using your limited viewpoint and actually back up your claims vis-a-vis waste, fraud, abuse, or incompetence? I think we’re up to a good half-dozen or so by now. And despite your claims to the contrary, Your “detailed look at how to cut defense” was made up of three broad strokes and an extremely simplified plan of workforce reduction based on yet more unsourced claims of waste, with nary a dollar sign to be seen. And while it was at least a half-hearted attempt, your plan is still Norquists’ idea on making government small enough to be killed off, and don’t allow new taxes until spending can be “contained” by methods that would essentially get rid of government assistance. Wait, wait, let me ask a counter-question of Greg, David, Bearpaw, et al: Should the size or scope of government ever be cut, for any reason? If your answer is ‘no’ then I won’t waste any more of your time, or mine. Daveon says: August 15, 2011 at 5:10 pm Brad – sure scope and size of government could and should be cut. BUT – not in the middle of the worst recession in nearly a century, when households that have work are sitting on piles of debt and the USA is sitting on the worst infrastructure mess in the western world. What the US *should* have done was keep tax rates at their 1999 levels and pay down the debt and leave those tax rates in place while the last administration went off on a couple of wars, a bunch of un-necessary government healthcare spending that didn’t address the core problems and a few others things. Then, at least, the deficit would be $5TR ish smaller than it is. The only way out of this is economic growth and that’s going to need government spending, both on government programs and cash injections into the economy. Austerity in a recession is lunacy. Greg says: thats a rather round about way of saying ‘I cant answer your question, so let me pretend that you must answer my question first before I can morally continue’ Bearpaw says: August 15, 2011 at 5:17 pm Heather at 181: Interesting analogy. To play with it a bit: “Very hungry, all the time” is, as you imply, not a good idea. That way lies muscle loss, organ damage, and a weakened immune system. Analogizing to the current situation, we see infrastructure degradation, a tattered and torn economy, and severely weakened regulatory systems. But the best weight-loss and health-gain success I’ve had was to increase activity and not so much eat *less* but eat *differently*. The times the US has been most successful for the most people have also been times when the tax burden on the wealthy has been significantly higher than it is now. We “ate” differently then. Correlation isn’t causation, but it can still be a very useful thing to look for. August 15, 2011 at 5:21 pm Should the size or scope of government ever be cut, for any reason? Yes, of course; the idea that people to the left of Atilla always want government expanded is a libertarian canard. If you have government employees left idled or shuffled into make-work because of overstaffing, then of course you need to lay off or even dismiss. I’d say that the US Dept. of Homeland Security could do with a trim and saner security policies, off the top of my head. However in the main that is not the case in the United States. Indeed you have government departments desperately underfunded; NIH, SEC, and FDA are at the top of the list I’d jump funding to because there is a plain need for additional services that the private market is plainly not addressing. FDIC may also want to beef up, given how the banks are behaving again. I’d also point out that arguments for tax cuts ignore the indisputable fact that the United States has the third-lowest tax rates (as %GDP) of the OECD nations. (Beat out only by Chile and Mexico, if I recall correctly.) Every other country on the planet looks at American complaints of overtaxation with varying degrees of disbelief and disdain… ’cause you ain’t seen nothin’ (particularly on your fuel prices) and because nations with much higher rates of taxation are faring no worse than the US these days. — Steve one of the things which is missing in the cut government debate is what actually happens. so lets play a game (all numbers are from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_United_States_federal_budget ) let’s cut 100% of non-defense, discretionary spending. we save ~700billion in one year. helps are deficit by a LARGE AMOUNT. let’s ignore what it means to no longer haev a state department or VA. do you have any idea what that would do to the unemployment rate? figure about a million more unemployed. do you have any idea what that would do to the economy when that many people are nolonger spending money? that many new unemployed would have to lead to immediate wage deflation. that is only direct employees. what about all the lost jobs in any support roles? what about all the office space which would get dumped on the market? should we cut spending? sure, but do you really expect it to happen over night? should we cut defense spending? hell yes. but we cant not cut spending by removing waste. LOL. we would actually have to stop fighting ALL (oops caps) of wars. you really want to cut waste in the government? stop outsourcing the wars. draft soldiers now. cut 100% of contract labor for the wars. tada. saving. /explain why we use private security in the war zones? dont already have soldiers??? LOL August 15, 2011 at 5:24 pm petec and others: Capitalization isn’t just a fad, you know. It makes what you write more readable. I suspect you may be typing on a phone and don’t want to bother with caps, but let me assure you, the rest of us surely would appreciate the effort. Especially when you use ALL CAPS from time to time. Tim M. says: August 15, 2011 at 5:31 pm Charles @ 172 – Sadly far too many people are innumerate. This makes it much easier to spin points in directions that facts and computations don’t support. The older I get, the more I believe that a Economics should be required subject in high school. I know I wish it had been for me. It would have saved me a great deal of the pain of learning from hard won economic experience. Nick from the O.C. says: August 15, 2011 at 5:33 pm Apprpos of not much, anybody who says that “single-bid contracting … is a fancy way of saying government-subsidy to the private sector” has proven their cluelessness about the subject matter. See 48 C.F.R. Part 6.3, as well as 41 U.S.C 253(c) and 10 U.S.C. 2304(c) for an education. Credibility = zero. August 15, 2011 at 5:41 pm Daveon @ 184: I suppose that’s where the dividing hair is: which way is better, to spur growth — allow the consumer and the business to keep (and thus spend) more of what they already have, or collect more via government and disburse via government channels, thus ‘paying’ back into the economy? As a conservative, my instinct is to let the consumer keep as much as is reasonable, but because of croney capitalism the “let the businesses keep it” aspect is somewhat lukewarm for me, because businesses that are too big seem to be able to have their cake and eat it too, over and over. (see my comment about bailouts below…) Greg @ 185: your snotty attitude is tiresome, at best. I think I’ll ignore you for the rest of the thread. Steve @ 187: perhaps then it becomes not so much a question of cuts, but a question of re-appropriation. If we left spending as-is and raised taxes, I think a lot of people who are hopping mad at the idea would be more amenable if they could see the money flowing to areas that seem more important or more fundamentally valuable? You named DHS, which is interesting, because I think it’s one government program that both everyday conservatives and liberals would equally like to see cut, if not abolished altogether. Take the DHS money and put it into different channels that more people can agree are worthwhile? I personally wouldn’t be opposed — Lord knows poor little NASA hasn’t had a lucky break since the cut the Apollo program. And also, Lord, please, no more corporate welfare. No. More. No more mega-bailouts for the money-changers like Goldman Sachs. David says: Should the size or scope of government ever be cut, for any reason? Of course it should. This is handwaving again; you’re imputing an extremist position to your opponents to elide the fact that you’ve been shown to be wrong in a series of assertions. You’re trying for a debating hall dodge to distract from that. Bearpaw says: Brad at 183: Greg at 185 is right, but let me say this … The way you phrased it makes it a overly simplistic question. The size and scope of government *as such* are far less important than its effectiveness and its invasiveness. It’s like asking, “Is that vehicle too big?”. Well, is it too big for what? In some contexts, a SmartCar is too big. In other contexts, maybe only the Hua San will do. (Just don’t park the latter on a beach.) I think the size and scope of some parts of the US government should be smaller, other parts should be bigger … and all parts should be as responsive to as many people as possible. August 15, 2011 at 5:57 pm No, David @ 193, I am just trying to decide if I am dealing with True Believers or not. I have learned over the years that debating taxes or government cuts with people convinced that cutting taxes or government is evil tends to be a no-win proposition. A waste of my time, and theirs. And no, I don’t think I’ve been ‘shown’ to be wrong. There have been counter-opinions placed, and a few lying-statistics arguments put forth, but then this is the rub with economics as a ‘science.’ It isn’t. Thomas says: August 15, 2011 at 6:03 pm I don’t know if this is relevant to the conversation but I have noticed over the past few years that there is a disconnect between those educated in economics and those obtaining an MBA as to the question of taxes. While any economist not on the payroll of a political party or huge corporation will agree that raising revenue can help to reduce public debt and increase the value of services offered (which in turn means that value is added to society as a whole), nearly every MBA I’ve worked with thinks that the way to turn the economy around is to cut taxes for the rich. It also seems as though there is very little overlap in the educational regimes of these two professions. Economists tend to study how the flow of money has an effect on society and how those effects can be increased for the benefit of all. MBA’s, on the other hand, seem to study management and how to amass money. I find that at the university I work for we get very few MBA students coming over to the econ department to learn how to apply theory, and those that do follow a multidisciplinary path tend to be traders who want to break into a derivative-style market (the market that helped crash the banks a few years back). Now to the point. One of the trends I’ve been noticing for the last couple years in the Pol-Sci department (where students come in with set political opinions) is that those people who intend to go to work for one particular party seem to have done work along the lines of MBA’s in the past, and those that have a background in the social sciences (like economics) go for the other party. These people aren’t necessarily going to be politicians themselves. But they are trying to be political aides, staffers and advisers who have a large part in shaping the opinions of the politicians they work for. Just my two cents…I could be mistaken about what I’m seeing. Bearpaw says: August 15, 2011 at 6:04 pm petec at 188: “/explain why we use private security in the war zones? dont already have soldiers??? LOL” Oh, there are lots of reasons. For one thing, our military is very overextended. For another thing, it’s much harder to prosecute mercs for war crimes. Thirdly, a merc in a body bag gets even less public attention than a soldier in one. Fourthly, mercs involve private companies, which mean more opportunities for war profiteering and kickbacks (and more opportunities to play budget games to hide war costs). I’m sure there are more reasons, but you get the idea. August 15, 2011 at 6:08 pm Bearpaw @ 194: non-snark greatly appreciated, and on this, “and all parts should be as responsive to as many people as possible,” you have my hearty agreement. It’s the responsiveness question — is the government, ‘of the people, for the people,’ really of the people, for the people? — that has me most concerned. I think I said it somewhere up-thread that most people crying about taxes and Big Guv (coming this fall to HBO!) would probably not be so upset if they believed that they were getting much better value for their tax dollars. I think right now especially there is a huge feeling (nationally) that the government is more expensive than ever, more meddlesome and bothersome than ever, and less able to provide the kind of service it’s supposed to be able to provide. Speaking from anecdote most of my friends and family rate the government programs they deal with — the VA, Medicare, the IRS, the DA and DoD, etc. — quite poorly. Because the perception is that a) the people who work for these agencies don’t have to give a damn about service or recovery of same, and b) we as taxpayers are lawfully bound to keep paying for these agencies, whether the service sucks or not. At some point, accountability has to be a factor. At least if you want voters to keep buying into the model. Nonentity says: August 15, 2011 at 6:08 pm Brad, So, now that your counter-question’s been answered by several people, are you going to answer the question you sidetracked from? Or just continue deflecting everyone with generalities? David says: August 15, 2011 at 6:19 pm And no, I don’t think I’ve been ‘shown’ to be wrong. There have been counter-opinions placed, and a few lying-statistics arguments put forth Sure you have. You’ve made an assertion (like asserting that civilian payroll is a substantial part of the budget), been shown to be wrong with actual evidence (ie my post at 180) and have simply ignored the evidence to make more general assertions (the opposing side could be “True Believers” who are immune to argumentation). I do love the aristocratically wearied handwave of “lying-statistics arguments” for people with actual evidence. How convenient a label; how easy a response; how hollow an argument. Which question was that, nonentity? The one Greg tried to ask, but it got lost in the giant ball of snot he horked in my direction? Tim M. says: August 15, 2011 at 6:24 pm Brad @ 192 – I guess the point you may be missing is that in a recession, low marginal tax rates on the wealthy do not spur growth. The proof for this is easily seen time and time again over the past 30 years. Please note that this goes hand-in-hand with Warren Buffett’s op-ed that the rich need to be paying more. Of course most non-conservatives (centrists & most Democrats) don’t want to raise taxes on the middle and lower class during a recession. Of course the unfortunate side effect of this is that you run up deficits. Since we entered this recession with already high deficits and a high national debt, this has forced a situation where there is a real need to both stimulate the economy and reduce long term debt at the same time In order to do both these things together we need to do three things. One, increase economic activity by lowering unemployment. The only reliable way to do this is by prompting somebody to spend. We can’t force the rich or businesses to spend, so that leaves government. Now a Keynesian prescription wouldwould be to create jobs for the wage-earning classes by increasing government spending, by priming the pump so to speak. This results in direct economic stimulus. The multiplier effects can be quite large. One of the problems with our last stimulus is that it was composed of too little spending and too many tax cuts (they have a lower stimulus multiplier). Even with that said, all indications are that the 2009 stimulus will pay for itself within just a few years. If you are willing to count that we stopped our economic avalanche and prevented a full-on depression, then it has already paid for itself. Two, we need to make structural changes to our long term (not short term) spending. Obviously how we do this is a point of argument and best left for a separate discussion. I will note that given the structure of our future entitlement commitments and the aging of the Boomers, this means bending the cost curve on health care and slowing spending growth on Medicare, Medicate, etc. Spinning down our wars of choice and restructuring our approach to national defense would help too. Three we need to increase revenues above and beyond spurring the economy. Given that the majority of our current national debt came from the 2001 & 2003 tax cuts, Much of those cuts were focused on people in upper tax brackets. As a result of those cuts our deficit and debt bloomed and income disparity increased dramatically. This however did not spur economic growth. If it had, then the deficit would be lower because of increase revenue from increased economic activity. So to help close the long-term gap, we need to get rid of some or all of those tax cuts. How we do it is also up for much debate. Warren Buffet has proposed that the rich can afford to help bridge this gap in the name of both fairness and a more stable economy via lower long term deficits. I agree with him. Simon S. says: August 15, 2011 at 6:34 pm Brad @195: I doubt very much that you have ever met anyone who believes that the size and scope of government should never be cut. For one thing, the same Big Government Liberals who believe in welfare and schools and health care and mass transit and such are among the most eager to trim Big Government programs like the TSA and the War in Afghanistan. But even aside from that, get them into a quiet conversation and they’ll say of course, there are efficiencies that can be found and obsolete programs and regulations that can be cut. (The Clinton administration was, quietly, very good at doing these, and in the process actually brought the annual deficit down to zero.) The problem is that this conversation can’t be had when the proposals on the table are all to cut lifelines far beyond what any liberal, moderate, or even Reaganite conservative thinks is at all reasonable, when the people on the other side are literally saying things like “cut government until it’s small enough to drown in the bathtub” and literally refuse to raise any taxes, or even sunset temporary tax cuts, for anybody ever for any reason. That’s the true believer extremism which really exists and which we have to deal with now. In wintertime, it’s rather futile to discuss whether the heater can be brought down to 68 or even 65 from 70 when there are people who insist on turning it off altogether and throwing the doors open to bask in the -10 of outside, and then have the imperceptivity to claim that people who still want it over 60 believe that the heat should never be reduced at all. Bearpaw says: August 15, 2011 at 6:40 pm Brad at 198: You know the best way to get better responsiveness and better service in many parts of the government? Higher staffing levels. I know people who work for the state government here, and they’ve been dealing with cut after cut after cut for *years*, which means that many of those who remain are desperately trying to just keep up with the fire-level issues that got dumped on their desks when their fellow employees got sliced. Which means that they can’t do their basic jobs well, which means the public gets ever more dissatisfied, which gives the usual blowhards more ammo for their “gov’t is the problem let’s cut the dead weight” rants. And when all the political/punditry class has the attention and brain cells for is mindless bloody cutting, the dead weight that *is* there — just as in *any* organization — is often the last thing left. It’s basically the same thing that’s happening with too much of corporate America — piling more work onto fewer workers and expecting it all to get done anyway and blaming the lazy peasants when it doesn’t. Except public service employees have the additional dubious pleasure of being lied about in political campaigns. Nonentity says: August 15, 2011 at 6:46 pm Brad, that would probably be the question you presented your counter-question to. Typically that implies an original question. Unless you were just stating it that way as a distraction and didn’t actually intend to reciprocate. Since other people (including our host) had already answered your question before you asked it, I have to admit that the latter is a possibility. Perhaps I’m wrong, but you still seem to be presenting only the general idea that things should be cut because your anecdotal data shows that things aren’t meeting your unspecified idea of proper service for the amount that is paid. And presenting things like completely cutting the DHS (which would likely be an impossibility in our continuing state of fear-driven politics), or cutting vague portions of Defense, doesn’t really help much. August 15, 2011 at 6:55 pm Buffet is being a bit deceptive when he complains how low his taxes are. His actual salary is in the $100,000 range and his total compensation, including things like security and other CEO perks, is around half a million a year. That’s peanuts of course compared to other CEO types, who pull in millions a year, but it represents the amount of money that Buffett is actually taxed at normal income tax rates. Buffett’s actual billions are tied up in stock in Berkshire Hathaway, which is taxed 15% when he actually sells the stock. So Buffett can beg for his taxes to be raised all day long, but even if he got his wish, say people earning over $100,000 a year were taxed at 100% of their taxable earnings, it would not affect the amount he pays in taxes very much at all. His earned income is a drop in the bucket compared to his Capital Gains. We probably wouldn’t even be having this discussion if Obama hadn’t renewed the Bush tax cuts this year. That might have added pennies to the amount of taxes that Buffett pays. Bill says: August 15, 2011 at 6:56 pm @Jesse #158 I posted the reference in my previous post. @Charles #165: Absolutely, the recession is a huge part of the deficit. I was looking at the breakdown of the deficit yesterday, and it’s a pretty big chunk of change. When businesses don’t make money, they don’t pay taxes. However, having taxes stay between 15-20% of GDP across a very long time scale *is* pretty amazing. It’s also important to point out to those like Scalzi that the 92% marginal tax rate back in the 1950s ( http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/taxfacts/displayafact.cfm?Docid=213 ) ALSO had the lowest tax revenue per GDP in modern history. So while the rich might not have fled, it also wasn’t the Golden Age of Taxation that Democrats love to reminisce about. =) Honestly, you people want to know what the simplest solution is? Have our federal budget be based on PERCENTAGES as opposed to absolute numbers. Our budget would say to pay 20% to SSN, 20% to Medicare, 20% to Defense, 20% to debt service, 10% to Medicaid, 2% to Education (sad but true), and so forth, and then based on what taxes we pull in, that’s how much goes out. You could set budgets based on last year’s tax revenue, and use borrowing or extra debt payments on the difference. August 15, 2011 at 7:02 pm David @ 200: let me illustrate the ‘lying statistics’ using your own numbers. You say that the payroll is insignificant because it’s ‘only’ 7% of the total. I would pose to you — and anyone else — that $259 billion dollars US is never insignificant. Never. It’s quite obvious that too many politicians in Washington think $259B is a play-figure, with no real consequence. Why, it’s ‘just’ 7% of the total! That’s like pocket change, right? Well, no. Not when the $259B comes out of middle-class paychecks. And especially not when middle-class retirees are having to go to a social service like Medicare or Medicaid, and spend weeks or months dicking around with inane bureaucratic problems, just to get prescriptions covered. Hmmm, sounds suspiciously like the VA, where some of my friends have to spend months or years dicking around with inane bureaucracy just to get help for their real medical needs — help that is owed them because of wartime service, but as most Army personnel can tell you, the VA is a nightmare. Please, tell them how $259B is a drop in the bucket. They paid for it. Who cares if it sucks? But wait, since statistics are apparently so important and ineffable… $259B is the equivalent of 5,755,556 middle-income households’ annual income. $259B buys 74,000,000,000 tanks of gas for middle-income drivers. $259B buys 86,333,333,333 gallons of milk for middle income moms. $259B is 129,500,000 months worth of retirement savings, at $2K a month. $259B could buy 459 NBA teams equivalent to the L.A. Lakers. $259B could by 19 brand-new nuclear super aircraft carriers. Call it 7% and hide the value, sure. For political dodgery. If that much money is NOT buying good service for the taxpayers who fund it — we’re talking payroll now, so ‘service’ is about the only quantifiable measure that matters in an HR sense — then how can anyone say with a straight face that it’s just 7% like that’s no big deal? August 15, 2011 at 7:03 pm There are a couple of things that you need to consider with the “government gives poor service, therefore it is too large” idea. One – Whether people would ever, EVER be happy with the service. Expecting people to be happy with IRS or the TSA or even the police? Unlikely. Two – Whether or not the problem is too many people. Because, shockingly, too little staff and too little money will tend to make people perform poorly. Three – All large organizations are unwieldy and unpleasant to deal with. Seriously, have you tried to deal with an insurance company? Or even get ahold of somebody at a bank? Try solving an invoice problem. Bearpaw says: Brad at 201: Here’s a tissue. The fainting couch is right behind you. what is the biggest single, specific cut you would make? which program, how much, and how would you change the program to make up these cuts? Nonentity says: August 15, 2011 at 7:07 pm Bill @207: “Have our federal budget be based on PERCENTAGES as opposed to absolute numbers.” But this would create the effect of a bad year causing *all* government spending to drop. Perhaps if it were padded by much more than a year it would be workable, but as others have noted it’s usually not a good idea to cut a lot of government spending when things get bad. Sure, you could include provisions for increasing spending in an emergency, but then it either gets really complex or it becomes not much different from what is already there. Greg says: August 15, 2011 at 7:08 pm Brad@192: ” your snotty attitude is tiresome, at best. I think I’ll ignore you for the rest of the thread.” the snotty attitude where I pointed out your non answer was in fact a non answer? Yeah. ok. Brad@195: “I am just trying to decide if I am dealing with True Believers or not.” Shorter Brad: I really dont have any hard numbers with which to point to any actual specific cuts. Rather than acknowledge that I am a *true believer* in ‘government waste’ I shall attempt to distract people by calling someone else a true believer in something something…… nonentity@199: “now that your counter-question’s been answered by several people, are you going to answer the question you sidetracked from?” yeah, uhm, about that…. Brad@201: “Which question was that, nonentity? The one Greg tried to ask, but it got lost in the giant ball of snot he horked in my direction?” right because being asked a direct question asking for what specifically would be your biggest spending cut to what program and how much is ‘horking’. Or maybe its horking because the only alternative would be to admit you dont know what you would cut even though you insisted that the big problem is government spending. so, admit you’re repeating talking points *or* call the person who asked.you the question ‘snotty’, wonder aloud if he is a True Believer, and equate someone’s failure to be distracted by your distraction techniques with ‘horking’. Two options, and guess which one you chose… Amitava D. says: August 15, 2011 at 7:09 pm Nonentity, Greg, et al, as to *what* should be cut: I’ll add 2 cents of worth of examples (could I have made that a pun?), if it makes you feel better. HUD, Health and Human Services, toss ’em out the window. Depts of Education, Transportation, Agriculture, could be pared down considerably (the latter especially). That would be roughly something over a quarter trillion dollars right there, and that’s not even touching DoD or any independent agencies like the NEA (which seems to be the sine qua non when it comes to cutting waste amongst us crazy libertarians), or simplifying the tax code a la Bowles-Simpson (or something at least in that general direction). WildandCrazyGuy says: Hmm, I just felt ground shifting. Oh wait, it was someone changing their argument @ 208. Carry on. Jesse says: August 15, 2011 at 7:14 pm #208: At this point, you’ve pooh-poohed the idea of relative costs, hard numbers, and efficacy of better-funded institutions completely. You’ve come up with a non-existent strawman argument about people who claim cutting government is never good, and you’ve pulled numbers regarding government employment and contracts from nowhere. You seem to have no idea of the costs to run either government or businesses, large or small. You have taken a fairly fossilized viewpoint that already adheres to your own bias and applied it to the population at large. You repeatedly spout manufactured figures with no evidence or basis in fact, and when questioned on any of them, refuse to provide specifics and then have the audacity to claim others are changing the argument. This is just ridiculous. Nonentity says: August 15, 2011 at 7:18 pm Brad @208: “let me illustrate the ‘lying statistics’ using your own numbers” Did you really just take someone’s factual evidence that you were wrong about the relative size of something, and call them a liar (statistically) because the smaller thing is still larger than something completely different? Bearpaw says: August 15, 2011 at 7:20 pm Brad at 208: Funny you should mention the VA. Did you know it ranks a higher customer satisfaction rating than private hospitals? Did you know that a 2004 RAND Corporation study showed that the VA outperformed all other sectors of American health care in 294 measures of quality? (Overall quality, chronic disease care, preventative care … everything except acute care.) August 15, 2011 at 7:20 pm Bearpaw @ 204: in my little corner of the federal system it’s quite routine to hire 5 DA civilians to do the job of 1, and then, 3 of the 5 will do their jobs poorly, 1 of them will be so-so, and 1 of them will be so thoroughly overwhelmed trying to pick up the slack from the first three that he or she tends to quit and/or move on eventually, because of the stress load. I have spent years trying to figure out how to apply red iron to the overstuffed backsides of these slacker DA civilians who show up at 9:30 AM and go home at 2 PM and make more money than I do working 55 hours a week in civilian life. And I have been told they are untouchable. Even their hiring process is a sham. It’s a buddy system. No real requirements. As long as they’re a retired-whatever from (insert service here) it’s all good. They are home free. You’d think prior service personnel would give more of a damn. But then I’ve learned — reluctantly — that a lot of prior service people go to work for the DA or DoD because they can’t cut it in the civilian sector. So the cushy, home-free life on the public payroll is the best of all possible worlds. Healthcare! Retirement points to pad that military career! No expectations! Slack off as much as you want! So I’ll tell you what. If we the voters can figure out a way to carve into the dead weight on my end of the government employee spectrum, you’re more than welcome to soak off all the ‘extra’ FTE that can then be brought over to your — it would seem, badly neglected — side of the spectrum. Fair enough? Bill says: August 15, 2011 at 7:22 pm @Brad #208: “Not when the $259B comes out of middle-class paychecks.” The middle 60% of Americans pay only 25% of all income tax. The upper 20% and corporations pay 75%. Kevin Williams says: August 15, 2011 at 7:22 pm lilmike @ 206: It’s a cheap shot, needlessly partisan, and factually incorrect to blame Obama for the Bush tax cuts being extended last year. Jesse says: August 15, 2011 at 7:25 pm #213: HUD, Health and Human Services, toss ‘em out the window. So, no money for providing livable spaces or ensuring slumlords don’t force people to live in dangerous housing. No restrictions on hazardous construction materials or practices. No research into preventing or curing diseases, no assistance to those with mental health or drug problems. No help for the elderly or those with debilitating illnesses. No restrictions on what crazy shit can be put into the food, the water, or household items. No financial aid for orphans, refugees, or mothers who don’t make enough to feed themselves and their children. No enforcement of child support for deadbeat parents. Nothing to help those who with families that are looking for good-paying jobs but have minimal skills. What. August 15, 2011 at 7:29 pm @Nonentity #211: “But this would create the effect of a bad year causing *all* government spending to drop. Perhaps if it were padded by much more than a year it would be workable, but as others have noted it’s usually not a good idea to cut a lot of government spending when things get bad. Sure, you could include provisions for increasing spending in an emergency, but then it either gets really complex or it becomes not much different from what is already there.” One million Keynesians can’t be wrong, eh? Well, we’ll see what sort of effect austerity measure have on Greece and Italy. Belgium enacted tough austerity measures back in the mid-90s, and it certainly improved their economy. Pam Adams says: Anton@103: is dumb and here’s why. Brad@129: feds are graft and corruption David@143: except where they are shown to be better performing than private industries such as these. Brad@160: 3 *million* government jobs!!!! David@180: payroll is only 7% of the budget Jesse@182: and completely misses the point Brad@183: so as to delay answering Greg’s question, let me first ask my own question of everyone else Daveon@184: I can answer that Anton@187: and I David@193: me too. oh and now that we’ve allanswered your question, how about you answer the question asked of you? Brad@195: I am avoiding it like the plague. Nonentity@199: you answer that question yet? Brad@201: which question was that? Brad@207: really, how can someone say it’s *only* 7%? Bearpaw@217: oh, regarding your complaint about the VAa. they actually scored better customer satusfaction than private hospitals did. Brad@218: but my anecdotal evidence trumps your nationwide studies. Really Brad, I am *impressed*. Amitava D. says: August 15, 2011 at 7:59 pm Jesse @ 221: I do declare, I’ve touched a nerve haven’t I? We do have quite different perspectives on this evidently :), eg whereas you see a noble agency cracking down on errant slumlords I see things like investing in blighted neighborhoods until the “market comes back” (leaving aside the extent to which the dept. only further entangles the federal govt. in the mortgage industry). Incidentally, when you say “refugees” I take it you mean domestic refugees of some sort? Like battered wives on the lam or something? ‘Cuz I’d thought it woulda been implicit in my statement that foreign aid is something else that would go down the crapper, be it for Israel or Egypt. Greg says: Brad@218, *dude*, did you just suggest that most people with military experience work for the DA or DOD because as slackers “they can’t cut it” in the civilian world??? classy. August 15, 2011 at 8:11 pm #225: If by “touched a nerve” you mean “displayed a complete ignorance of what the various Departments and their agencies actually do,” with a large dollop of “lack of sympathy for those less fortunate than I,” then yes. I don’t see anything noble about what they do. It’s essential, full stop. The problems with the blighted neighborhoods and the housing market have almost zero to do with HUD and almost 100% to do with the financial and housing industries. And no, I mean refugees from other countries who have been forced from their homes and chose the US. And the fact that you use “battered wives on the lam” as if they were criminals on the run from the ones they done wrong is so flip that I’m forced to believe that you either underestimate what battered wives/husbands/partners/whatever and children actually go through to a terrifying degree, or that you for whatever reason have little to no sympathy for anyone in a situation out of their control. And not to feed the troll, but what specifically (i.e., “private firms” is not an actual answer) would replace these services, and what evidence do you have of the efficacy of these replacements? August 15, 2011 at 8:12 pm Bearpaw @ 217: I’m going to suspect you had that one in your handy rolodex of “scare facts” and that you didn’t even have to Google it. You’ve had it prepared for previous arguments with other people before. I’ve seen that whipped out previously too, always by people who have never actually used the VA. Let me put it to you this way. I know many dozens of servicemembers across several branches, and even the liberal ones think the VA is something of a joke. And quoting a statistic like, “VA scores best on report card of healthcare” is like saying the average kid is a wiz in a classroom of slowpokes. As an aggregate, healthcare nationwide isn’t that well thought of, otherwise there wouldn’t be such a big push to reform it. I stand by my experience. Most servicemembers I know who use the VA, use it because it’s a) where they’ve been told to go or because b) they can’t go anywhere else. Those who can get alternative care — of any sort — get private care. Because dealing with the VA is a hairball. Jesse says: August 15, 2011 at 8:19 pm Really? The “some of my best friends are x so your actual facts mean nothing” argument? That’s essentially admitting that you have so little supporting your argument as to be stating it to false outright. August 15, 2011 at 8:21 pm (sigh) I should know better than to get wrapped up in these extended thread arguments. It’s tough enough keeping points clear with one opponent, much less 4 or 6 opponents. Some of you have been civil, others, not so much. For those who have been civil, your effort is acknowledged and I appreciate your having resisted the urge to get rude. Even if you thought I was full of shit. We could use more of that in this country. For those who leapt straight to smugness and snark… well, I guess you don’t get out much. If that’s all you’ve got — from behind the safety of a keyboard — then that’s all you’ve got. I will say this. I am reminded that one of the reasons this kind of conversation in particular doesn’t seem to go well — right vs. left — is the fundamental disagreement on what government is for. Both sides are forever in a battle to impose their “version” of the government on the populace as a whole, and we wind up on these weird see-saw cycles with occasional pushes for ‘small’ government, often overtaken by even bigger swells for ‘big’ government, such that the federal system keeps getting larger, more complex, and more costly as time goes by. I was a Perot voter in 1992, voted Clinton through the 90s, Gore in 2000, Bush in 2004, and filed a write-in protest for 2008 because I’d come back around to my 1992 state of mind: thoroughly unimpressed with both big parties and convinced that neither of them has the best interests of the nation at heart. Good night. Shorter Brad: I have no evidence of my own, I don’t like being presented with evidence that doesn’t confirm my worldview, and I don’t like people being annoyed when I make things up or handwave things away. petec says: @lil mike 206 Dont think that buffet was talking about raising the capital gains tax? I thought that that was his whole point. I dont remember buffet saying that his federal income tax rate should be increased, but that he should be taxed more. End the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts for the rich. Return the upper capital gains tax to 50%. tada We fixed the tax problem, now we can talk about spending cuts. Because we actually need to run a surplus to pay for all the money we borrowed from our children. We are planning on paying that money back, right? August 15, 2011 at 8:38 pm David @ 231: Oh I have evidence, but am being ‘overruled’ by the group effort (ad populum) which appears to discount any and all personal evidence or anecdote which does not conform to its worldview. No worries, if I come back to the thread tomorrow — iffy, that — I’ll be ignoring you from now on too. petec says: http://www.davemanuel.com/2010/08/03/us-gdp-growth-by-president-1948-2009/ Certainly the Bush tax gave us anemic GDP growth. And yes, I know that each term was different, with different challenges, but maybe that means our current challenge is to raise revenue with a tried and true method and pay off some of our debt? Or is there still a debate on whether tax-cuts increase revenue? I havent seen any economic papers on this. Amitava D. says: August 15, 2011 at 8:44 pm Jesse @ 227: #225: Touched a nerve indeed! Ah but if I can’t recognize an angry liberal when I see one. I never compared battered wives to criminals; I said ‘on the lam’ to imply that they’re often fugitives (from their abusive partners, I had thought, would be obvious). I’m sure you do see these programs as essential (sorry, the “noble” was just me being ornery). I obviously don’t. The crux of your (and others’) challenge, however, was what one would cut from the federal government, and how much those cuts might save. I endeavored to answer that question. To address your new question would very quickly devolve into a broader debate on more philosophical issues like social contracts and positive vs negative rights, which I think (as would I suspect our gracious host) might be a bit of a derailing. To immediately write off one of the few answers does seem to, eh, game the question though, doncha think? David says: August 15, 2011 at 8:44 pm Brad@233: Heh, heh, heheheheheh. Really? Your addition to the thread is “I have sekrit evidence but everyone is being mean to me so I’m going home. I might come back but I might not! Nyah!” You’re sure you’re a published author? Greg says: August 15, 2011 at 8:46 pm Brad@218: “healthcare nationwide isnt that well thought of” but your original point was how terrible the VA is. Now you’re saying the VA may actually be better than private hospitals, but it doesnt matter because in the end, its your anecdotal evidence, and the conclusions you drew from that, which really matters??? Brad@230: “goodnight” Time to claim victory as the most polite on the thread and leave a winner of *something* (even if it was my own invented category and I was the sole judge in the show) then to have to come up with more reasons and distractions to avoiding listing what specific thing would be my largest cut to government spending. I have talking points to spread and cant let specific details and facts get in my way. AlanM says: August 15, 2011 at 8:55 pm @206 Buffet is being a bit deceptive when he complains how low his taxes are. His actual salary is in the $100,000 range and his total compensation, including things like security and other CEO perks, is around half a million a year. That’s peanuts of course compared to other CEO types, who pull in millions a year, but it represents the amount of money that Buffett is actually taxed at normal income tax rates. No, he isn’t being deceptive. He’s talking about all his income – both salary and capital gains. It’s in the article. The whole reason his taxes are “low” is that most of his income is taxed at a lower rate than most of the rest of us pay. Which brings up one more thing: @132: Short term capital gains is supposed to be taxed as the regular income tax rate, if they just hold it for “60 seconds”. Either he doesn’t know about this change, or there’s a loophole that ought to be closed. He knows, but I didn’t (so I looked it up). Future trades can be either of securities or commodities. Commodities futures have a special system: they are taxed at 60% long term, 40% short term, regardless of how long you hold them. That’s so awesomely crooked you have to admire it. Kevin Williams says: Ah but if I can’t recognize an angry liberal when I see one. You say that like I feel like I should be ashamed of it. Thankfully, I’m not. I never compared battered wives to criminals; I said ‘on the lam’ to imply that they’re often fugitives (from their abusive partners, I had thought, would be obvious). Not obvious, especially given the overall tone of your post. I’m sure you do see these programs as essential (sorry, the “noble” was just me being ornery). I obviously don’t. The crux of your (and others’) challenge, however, was what one would cut from the federal government, and how much those cuts might save. I endeavored to answer that question. Yeah, but you didn’t answer the question, really. You just seagulled into the conversation. To address your new question would very quickly devolve into a broader debate on more philosophical issues like social contracts and positive vs negative rights, which I think (as would I suspect our gracious host) might be a bit of a derailing. To immediately write off one of the few answers does seem to, eh, game the question though, doncha think? I didn’t mean that “private firms” wasn’t a possible answer, just that it would need further explanation. That’s why I asked for specifics and evidence of efficiency and effectiveness. And addressing the question doesn’t really require any significant philosophical justification, since it’s quite obvious what your philosophy is. You’re welcome to believe whatever you want without actually knowing anything about it, which is what I take from someone who won’t offer a single shred of evidence to back up their argument, philosophical or otherwise. I’d give at least some thought to your argument if you could say that x, y, and/or z would work in place of government services and a short explanation why. But refusing to offer even that tiny morsel is a transparent dodge. Greg says: August 15, 2011 at 8:58 pm Brad@233: ad populum????? dude, the ‘ad populum’ logical fallacy requires someone to argue ‘everyone here says it is true, so it must be true’. The only problem is that *no*one* here ever made any sort of argument remotely resembling that. ‘anecdotal evidence’ is a logical fallacy. You keep doing it. You should stop. logical fallacies, you should really learn them before you try to accuse people of committing them. tonyC says: August 15, 2011 at 9:00 pm Brad: personal evidence is not evidence. Anecdote is not evidence. As I read this thread all I’ve seen from you is bluster. Where you have attempted facts, they have been show to be false, wrong, and not even wrong. An adult would admit that he has no evidence, and formulate a response based on the actual evidence. After all, isn’t that why we are lambasting the recent tea party Debt Crisis Showdown? You speak only with ideology and bluster. I’m surprised you lasted this long (I mean, in real life not on this particular thread). August 15, 2011 at 9:01 pm Brad Torgersen: “Oh I have evidence, but am being ‘overruled’ by the group effort (ad populum) which appears to discount any and all personal evidence or anecdote which does not conform to its worldview.” The singular of “data” is not “anecdote.” This is true independent of political worldview. If you’re trying to argue by anecdote and wish to imply that such an argument is as rigorous as one with data, you may be confronted with those who are unconvinced. Again, independent of political worldview. Also, folks: We’re begun the slide into personal rudeness. Tighten it up, please. nonentity says: August 15, 2011 at 9:04 pm Brad @230: “And quoting a statistic like, “VA scores best on report card of healthcare” is like saying the average kid is a wiz in a classroom of slowpokes. As an aggregate, healthcare nationwide isn’t that well thought of” I realize you’ve already flounced, but… really? The government service should have their funding cut and people fired because they’re giving such horrible service (according to your anecdotes), but it’s no big deal that large numbers of people other than you think it provides better service than the rest of the industry? Have you heard of the phrase, “the plural of anecdote is not data”? Because this is *precisely* what it means, and is precisely why people have been demanding that you back up your vague statements. DG Lewis says: August 15, 2011 at 9:25 pm Saith Amitava D. #@39: “To address your new question would very quickly devolve into a broader debate on more philosophical issues like social contracts and positive vs negative rights, which I think (as would I suspect our gracious host) might be a bit of a derailing.” Just like digressing into a discussion of a flat tax would be a bit of a derailing. And as much of a canard; if you think that you are engaging in a constructive, rational discussion of how to cut government spending by saying that we should eliminate the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – oh, and eliminate Medicare and Medicaid as well, since HHS is responsible for the administration of those programs – your view of what constitutes a constructive, engaging discussion is likely not the same as that held by most. August 15, 2011 at 9:27 pm Phil @ 159 – Let’s say I pay myself a salary of $300,00 from my small business. A 3% increase in my marginal tax rate would cost me around what? I guess that depends on my tax-filing status and other deductions, but how about an actual increase of about $4,500? There is no way I was going to take that $4,500 and hire a full time employee with it. Literally no way, because you do not pay your small business employees out of your salary. period. It it not done, if only because NOT paying them out of pre-tax profit is inexcusable stupid. You might pay your housekeeper out of that extra, but not an employee for your small business. I know you’re on the same side, but I’m damn tired of people who’re on the other side saying “A tax increase on the income of the wealthy will kill jobs.” It won’t. Because jobs are not created out of that income. They’re created out of corporate profits. Corporations get enough tax breaks to create jobs, but even so, Obama is still trying to cut taxes to get them to hire. Won’t work, though. Corporations hire when they (a) expand and (b) have a stable marketplace. B being dependent on A. And guess which party has been hyping debt default as an awesome idea, and threatening to take the economy at every turn if they don’t get what they want? Regardless of what lies are told by the GOP, small businesses need stability, not tax cuts. Tax hikes on income are not going to affect hiring all that much because people don’t run payroll out of their salaries. Why is it that no one seems to get this? When you create a small business, and for a few years after starting it, you don’t even want a salary above $250K. You funnel that money back into the business or your doing it wrong. For the “party of capitalism” the GOP has some really stupid ideas about how businesses work. Amitava D. says: August 15, 2011 at 9:31 pm Jesse @ 240: “You say that like I feel like I should be ashamed of it.” I do? Then my dear fellow you fundamentally misapprehend me. Disagree with you as I might, if speak ornerily(sp?) I do so with a twinkle in mine eye, not out of any malice. “Yeah, but you didn’t answer the question, really.” Sure I did. The question (which though admittedly was not originally directed at me, I had taken to be general) was, to my recollection, what programs might I be willing to cut and how much might doing so save. “And addressing the question doesn’t really require any significant philosophical justification,” I wasn’t referring to a philosophical justification, but the discussion becoming a tangential philosophical one. That is, if I really wanted to stir the pot, when you ask ‘how would I have these services provided?’ I’d answer something like ‘I wouldn’t. Better that a thousand people suffer before a single person is forced to help them’. But, (although I really *really* don’t want to get into this right now), I’ll just say that were the federal govt. to be removed from the equation and an alternate agency (church, charity, even microfinance, whatever) were to step in and pick up the slack, there’s a lot in this country that would be made possible if people were willing to tolerate a more basic level of subsistence. You’d be amazed how easily a person can be adequately fed on less than $400 a year. Kevin Williams says: August 15, 2011 at 9:32 pm For the “party of capitalism” the GOP has some really stupid ideas about how businesses work. What makes you believe they’re trying to be truthful there? Most of their schtick is based on getting not-rich people to vote against their economic interests. August 15, 2011 at 9:37 pm Regarding the health-care issue, recent studies have shown that the US system of private health insurance, whatever its benefits, increases the man-hours required to administer it by a factor of four over that required to administer the single-payer system in Ontario. (I titled my own response, “Sleek, efficient government outcompetes bloated, bureaucratic private enterprise?”) It’s not the whole reason that US medical costs are so much higher than other nations’, but it’s one part. In regard to the larger debate on the role of government and taxation, I’ve always felt that the American debate is unhealthily focused on cost instead of return on investment. I hope there’s a way to redirect it to more profitable avenues. — Steve Sure I did. The question (which though admittedly was not originally directed at me, I had taken to be general) was, to my recollection, what programs might I be willing to cut and how much might doing so save. You addressed the former and not the latter. That is, if I really wanted to stir the pot, when you ask ‘how would I have these services provided?’ I’d answer something like ‘I wouldn’t. Better that a thousand people suffer before a single person is forced to help them’. Aaaaaand that’s all I needed to read. Jesus… August 15, 2011 at 9:41 pm Now, be fair, all. Having initially made the error of jumping right back in to snipe after saying ‘good night’, Brad is at least clever enough to leave himself the in of saying he might be back – which puts him head and shoulders above the usual Internet flounce where the person shortly reappears to ‘correct one thing’ or ‘add something I forgot’ or ‘I’m really done, but I can’t let so-and-so’s last misrepresentation of my views go unanswered’. And if he really has flounced then he certainly won’t mind us continuing the conversation without him, no? re @233, Brad does not appear to understand what ad populam means, as he appears to be using it to say “because a large number of people vocally disagree with me, they are wrong and I am being silenced, and since I described this with a Latin phrase you know it’s true.” Ad populam actually refers to the logical fallacy that because a lot of people believe that X is true, or that X is a reasonable basis for believing something, X is true and/or reasonable. If, for example, I had said “Brad, if you were right, don’t you think even one person here would agree with you?” that would be an argument ad populam – suggesting that he is wrong based on a head count. Regarding anecdata, I think it’s a bit of a mistake to counter Brad’s anecdata with facts; since Brad has made it clear that anecdata and personal experience are the standard he uses, then it’s trivial to present counter-anecdata. Lots of people say the VA is awful? I’ll see you with people I know who think their VA doctor is the bee’s knees, and I’ll raise with a metric ton of horror stories about private insurers or for-profit hospitals. Dead weight at your job can’t and won’t be gotten rid of? Try a private company where the deadweight is not protected by a union contract, but by sleeping with the boss, or being related to a company executive, or by being enough of a rainmaker that management wouldn’t fire him if he spent every lunch hour sodomizing cats. And as an aside, I am always baffled by people who claim to believe in the Free Market, yet think that government will attract diligent, competent employees by making sure their jobs are in all ways (pay, benefits, working conditions, job security) inferior to the private sector. “It should be easier to fire them!” Well, if job security is one of the trade-offs for working for the government, what are you going to give in return for taking that away? The warm, fuzzy glow of knowing that you’re working for your country? Daveon says: August 15, 2011 at 9:45 pm “I suppose that’s where the dividing hair is: which way is better, to spur growth — allow the consumer and the business to keep (and thus spend) more of what they already have, or collect more via government and disburse via government channels, thus ‘paying’ back into the economy?” Well, crony capitalism aside, the core problem comes down to how much can people spend and on what? The historic trickle down argument is that Bill G or Warren B’s billions in the bank get “invested” in things that spur the economy and develop the economy as a whole. The problem with this, is, firstly, I don’t think there’s any real evidence that it actually worked – the legacy of Regan in the US and Thatcher in the UK is a period of massive non-investment in core infrastructure, that, at least in the case of the UK got reversed a bit in the last 15 years. The more serious problem is that the banks have found that lending money to people is quite boring compared to hedge fund and other bond trading stuff that makes LOTS more money. Basically, is it better for your economy as a whole to have 100,000 people $10,000 richer a year, or 100 people $10,000,000 richer? From a boring macro-economic perspective more economic “stuff” is going to be done by 100,000 people spending $10,000 in local shops, businesses and buying stuff than will be done by a 100 people buying another Porsche, Ferrari or what not. Finally, back to my point about debt. Demand comes from people having money to buy things. When people have huge amounts of debt, they will pay that off before doing anything else. No demand will be created, therefore the tax cut does nothing except put more money in the banks to play roulette with. Core to my point is that what sounds good and common sensical, i.e. living within your means, actually means death to an economy and, for that matter, to a business that wants to grow. David says: You’d be amazed how easily a person can be adequately fed on less than $400 a year. I’m sure you’ll be the first volunteer. Amitava D. says: August 15, 2011 at 9:47 pm DG Lewis @ 245: Well, they don’t call us radicals for nothing, eh? But in my own defense, I was providing an answer that so many seemed to be clamoring for (albeit from a different party). Let me say one more thing, though. Although I suppose I’m committing heresy amongst my ideological brethren, I do in fact believe there’s a great deal that the govt. does well. When we confront certain things like externalities there are things the govt. (dare I say it?) *needs* to do. And, truth put to it, the social contract that the United States government provides me as a citizen is to my mind a pretty square deal, and is certainly one I’d encourage anyone else to abide by (so long as it’s managed, er, responsibly). It’s the involuntary nature of the association that tends to rankle my libertarian principles (and would ya believe I’ve never done a drug, fired a gun, or visited a sex shop). Jesse @ 251: And yet methinks I stirred the pot nonetheless…whoops! ;) And now I’m calling it quits for today. Why is it I find Mr. Scalzi’s political blogs and comments so enthralling? Goodnight, my hipster pinko correspondents! Greg says: August 15, 2011 at 9:48 pm Amitava@247: “I’d answer something like ‘I wouldn’t. Better that a thousand people suffer before a single person is forced to help them’. ” Reminds me of a definition of a libertarian I read somewhere. Libertarians take statements of accepted normal behavior and sprinkle exclamations throughout. normal person: government collects taxes and uses the money to provide services to the people. Libertarian: government collects taxes!!! And uses that money!!! To provide services to the people!!!!!!! Amitava D. says: August 15, 2011 at 9:56 pm David @ 254: Dammit, this always happens when I post! Think of me as crazy if you’d like, but I’d rather you not think me a hypocrite. You really ought to try this, a pound of legumes (Ientils, beans/peas), a pound of rice, and cabbage/greens boiled together will last you about 10-14 worth of days’ second meals (ie lunch/supper). And if that’s not a derailment of the discussion, I don’t know what is. Goodnight for real! but I’d rather you not think me a hypocrite. You really ought to try this, Don’t avoid the question: would you volunteer to do this? Amitava D. says: Okay, third times the charm here. I *do* live off that food budget. Satisfied? And to all a good night. August 15, 2011 at 10:07 pm Before I retire, one last link: Pres. Obama agrees with Buffett . Which I find moderately pleasing… and would be more pleased if I thought the current administration could do more about it than just talk big in town halls. I’d also like to say that I find Romney’s rebuttal to be weak, given that even with low taxes corporations are sitting on huge and unproductive cash reserves rather than investing them in growth (and hence jobs). And anyone citing the Laughable Laffner Curve in this context needs to explain why the US is past that tipping point but Denmark (with twice the tax rate in %GDP) isn’t. (By the by, this isn’t the only time that conservatives ignore Buffett. Not only has he raised the issue of paying a lower tax rate than his secretary before, but he also famously advised people not to invest in CDOs/CDSes, or any financial instrument which you couldn’t understand where the return comes from. I kinda admire the guy.) David says: I *do* live off that food budget Hallelujah. A conservative finally answered a question. August 15, 2011 at 10:10 pm Amitava @259: “No, I’m really leaving this time!” is adorable when a five-year-old does it. When an adult does it, the effect is rather less charming. Of course I’m very interested in the $400-a-year Food Budget Plan, as I, for one, could use the money I’m otherwise spending on grocery bills (having three teenagers in the house has a similar effect on the food storage as having a termite infestation has on the floorboards, so I’m always keen to save money). It is to be hoped that this budget is based on actually buying food in the US or some nation with similar prices, rather than a country where the buying power of $400 US is significantly greater than it is in America. Greg says: August 15, 2011 at 10:28 pm Daveon@253: I think you miss a fundamental problem about a crash. Businesses that survive the initial crash have money but generally tend to go into survival mode until the economy recoveers. They cut down to bare bones to keep the company afloat with the hope that they can last long enough to see market recovery before they are forced into bankruptcy. they dont have money lying around to spend on stimulating the economy. and if they did it would be against their fuduciary responsibility to spend it on hiring people just to try and get the market goingagain. they would likely stash that money and use it to pay salaries for the skeleton crews and the board members hoping to weather out the storm. the problem is that when corporations go into survival mode, layoffss make the population jittery and then consumers go into survival mode, buying the bare neccesities and saving everything they can to try and weather the storm. which means consumers spending plummets. which means companies dont sell anything. which means they have layoffs. which means consumers go into panic mode and spend even less. which reinforces corporate layoffs. Its not a matter of what corporations have for money to spend on hiring or how much money those employees make to spend on … stuff. its that the problem is fundamentally a feedback loop of pessimism about the market that only reinforces itself as a self fulfilling prophecy. And it is such a goddamn big problem that no single civilian and no single corporation can alter that dynamic. it requires something operating outside the loop to avoid the feedback. It requires something big enough that it can apply leverage to themarket. and it needs something that isnt driven by individual self interest. individual self interest is what creates the spiraling feedback loop of pessimism that reinforces a depressed market and makes it more depressed. it requires something that is motivatednot by John Smith’s employment or ABC Corps profit, but by the health of the system as a whole. and ithas to be something big enough that itcan alter the entire system. the only way to change the outcome of a game like the prisoners dillemma or the tragedy of the commons is create a stragegic move that alters the rules of the game. selfi i.terest in the prisoners dillemma always leads to the worst outcome. Change the rules of the game though, and its no longer a prisoners dillemma, but hopefully some system where selfish i.terest *does* yield optimal results. So far, government is the only entity that is big enough to make a sufficiently large change but more importantly operates outside the i.dividual selfish interest that rei.forces the crash. the point isnt to socialize every capitalist tendancy but to remove the game theory situations where selfish interests reach bad outcomes. like the prisoners dillema. the point of stimulus isnt to turn thecou.try into socialism or communism, but to get people employed enough that they start spending money again so companies start hiring again so consumers spend again so companies hire even more. and the government stimulus has done its job amd the selfish interest of capitalism can take over again. the problem is that this notion is fundamentally at odds with the right wing world view that insists capitalism has no scenario with which selfish i.tersts alone cannot get itself out of. invisible hand always guides it to the optimal solution. or so the religion of free market capitalism goes. rickg says: August 15, 2011 at 10:50 pm @259… You live off $400/YEAR? For food? in the US? Sorry, but I’d like some details on that. I can see it if you grow/hunt your own food, but that’s not something that works for most people. If you don’t do that… I’m sorry, but I don’t believe you buy your own food and spend a bit over $1/day for it. Daveon says: Available online 24 February 2003. Abstract This study presents two different 1976 diets for a moderately active male, age 23–50, buying foods at retail. The first of these is a “subsistence” diet just adequate for nutrition at minimum cost, with standard serving sizes for all foods, and an upper limit of 90 servings per month. There are upper and lower limits for each of 11 nutrients such as calories, calcium, phosphorus, etc. The solution was obtained by Mixed-Integer Programming (MIP) from a candidate list of 392 foods available in Stillwater, Oklahoma supermarkets in January, 1976. The diet costs $15.55 per month or 51.8¢ a day and includes 20 different foods. The second diet “nutrition plus palatability” has a wider variety of foods obtained by incorporating into the MIP model additional constraints reflecting tastes. This diet costs $34.51 a month or $1.15 a day and includes 68 different foods. The difference between these two costs $1.15–$0.52 = $0.63 is an estimate of the 1976 “Stinger gap,” the cost of palatability in an optimum diet. Given that this article was written in 1979, I’d say that living on $400/year in available food, from low cost areas, is unlikely, given inflation. Of course, there’s cost of food, and cost of time spent preparing said food. It’s possible for an adult to live on staples, day in day out, but you still need to prepare and store that food, which costs time, and money. Just owning and running a kitchen and a refrigerator have associated costs. Once you move into an urban area (which tend to have high concentrations of poverty) that cost goes up, as do food prices. August 15, 2011 at 11:41 pm You certainly could live on four hundred dollars a year by growing your own food and hunting, although you’d probably need to hunt more than is strictly legal. It might, might be possible to raise some kind of livestock for that, assuming you have a large enough space that you don’t need to feed them. Chickens, maybe. I’ve never known anyone to raise a siginficant number without buying feed for them, which would certainly put you above 400 a year. So yeah, I’m curious. Amitava@247: “I’d answer something like ‘I wouldn’t. Better that a thousand people suffer before a single person is forced to help them’. ” You know, I am libertarian friendly, but this argument is gibberish. If you do not like the way the government runs, you are absolutely free to renounce your citizenship and leave. Seriously, it’s not hard. You are not, in fact, forced to pay atxes. Brett says: August 15, 2011 at 11:56 pm Can I just say that I love the blog author intervention with a mallet – it is sooooo entertaining and appropriate. Because it is one of the few times in the real world that people get what they deserve when they say and do stupid things. Keep it up JS. Also, your grasp of financial issues is very good and you write about economic topics better than most economics bloggers. cdavis says: August 16, 2011 at 12:44 am An observation and a couple of questions from the original post about how to realistically implement this: “that if the state moves to raise taxes on the wealthy, the lot of them will flounce in a huff, taking their money with them and retiring to a crevasse where they will await the end of the world. … as if the investment bankers profiting by passing off crappy mortgages as AAA investments ever created a job, or the folks who increase shareholder value by laying off ten of thousands of workers are job creators.” From working for some very successful entrepreneurs early in my career, their reaction to an increase in taxes is not to “flounce off in a huff”, but to simply call their accountants and tax attorneys and invest in these professional’s expertise to restructure the business \ portfolio to reduce taxes. 1) How would an increase in tax rates address this issue? 2) How (or should) an increase in tax rates differentiate between the effect on “true” job creators -vs- the parasites such as investment bankers or execs ordering layoffs? Greg says: August 16, 2011 at 2:00 am Daveon, the wife keeps telling me I need glasses. but I also took the emphasis to be this: “is it better for your economy as a whole to have 100,000 people $10,000 richer a year, or 100 people $10,000,000 richer?” I think thats orthoganal to recovering from a crash. and depending on how one reads it, it might come across as pure wealth redistribution motive. I think one can have a recession even if people are making the same amount of money they were making before the crash. the issue isnt somuch about how muchdoI have now, but how much can Imake over thelong haul in the future. Friend of mine was planning on building an addition to his house. now word at his company is there will be some sort of layoff in a couple months. he is making exactly the same amount of money as he was a month ago, but his spending tightened up dramatically. giving him 10k more wont change his spending habits significantly because it will only pay bills for a short while. I was laid off a while back. couldnt fi.d work for 9 months. did some short term/temp jobs, and just recently got a fulll time job. but my spending habits are a bit different than they were pre layoff. I August 16, 2011 at 2:07 am Amitava: , “there’s a lot in this country that would be made possible if people were willing to tolerate a more basic level of subsistence.” OK, I am curious. what would be the biggest thing available in this country if everyone ate 300 calories of beans, rice, and cabbage for supper??? malnutrition? scurvy? rickets? 72 virgins? because you sound lke you’re thinking aling the lines.of 72 virgins but all I can really see is scurvy… August 16, 2011 at 3:57 am I think the discussion of whether it’s possible to live on $400 of food a year is leading us away from the issue at hand, and beyond that you’re getting wrapped up in the alleged personal lifestyle of a single person who is by any realistic measure an outlier in a number of ways (or who is trolling the lot of you). So let’s wrap that up at particular line of discussion, please. Greg, the “72 virgins” bit not only doesn’t make sense but comes across as a pointless jab at Muslims. I’m very sure that’s not what you intended, since I know you know that’s just the sort of thing I live to Mallet. Allow me to suggest in the future that you engage in more disciplined forms of snark, if you must engage in snark at all. Bill says: August 16, 2011 at 4:26 am @AlanM #239: “He knows, but I didn’t (so I looked it up). Future trades can be either of securities or commodities. Commodities futures have a special system: they are taxed at 60% long term, 40% short term, regardless of how long you hold them. That’s so awesomely crooked you have to admire it.” I’m fairly conservative, but I think the Tea Party pledge – which extends to closing loopholes as well as not raising taxes – is pretty stupid. I *do* think we actually pay enough in taxes as it is, but closing loopholes is just common sense. I see no valid reason why short term trades should get long term tax benefits intended to spur investment in capital. I think setting all taxes at 15%, and rebating every working man $5,000 would be a pretty good system. As I said before, setting government spending to be percentage based, as opposed to flat-amount based, would solve these perpetual budget messes. August 16, 2011 at 8:23 am I saw an interview this morning on CNN with some Tea Party type who was claiming that Buffett was just talking about capital gains tax and essentially implying that Buffett didn’t really know what he was talking about. Funny, but sad when one realizes that it’s the politicians who make decisions about this. If one is in business, as opposed to politics, one realizes that one will make more profit in a healthy economy where consumers can buy things and employees are motivated and available to do work. August 16, 2011 at 8:35 am I think setting all taxes at 15%, and rebating every working man $5,000 would be a pretty good system. The OECD average is about 31% of GDP going to taxes. This suggests that your 15% income tax (which is lower than the US’s current rate) is a gross understatement of needs and will exacerbate the current rot of US infrastructure and essential services. (Or lead to more spiraling debt to cover the shortfall.) Unless you’re suggesting a 15% income tax plus a 15% sales tax, with a larger rebate to lower-income households… For comparison’s sakes, I earn roughly the average wage in Canada (~$30k) and pay roughly 20% in income taxes* plus a 13% sales tax** on most purchases. I don’t feel particularly overly taxed, given the level of services I receive. (Which includes the vast majority of my medical insurance; my private supplementary insurance plan costs me less than $30/month.) As I said before, setting government spending to be percentage based, as opposed to flat-amount based, would solve these perpetual budget messes That’s one of those ideas that sounds better than it is; look at how Colorodo is reduced to abandoning road maintainance (and is it Boulder that’s shutting off street lighting?) thanks to mandatory balanced-budget legislation and severe undertaxation. — Steve * my top marginal rate is higher, but graduated tax brackets bring down my overall rate. I could probably pare another percentage-point or two off if I got really industrious when filing my returns, but frankly it’s too much work and I’d rather just pay what I owe than fuss so much over so little. ** down from a 15% combined total of provincial and federal sales tax… our Conservative government lopped two points off the rate to show they’re tough or something, drastically cutting revenues while increasing retail sales not one whit because the change is basically invisible to consumers at the point-of-sale. If they’d actually wanted to increase consumption they’d have been better off keeping the tax at 15% and raising the minimum tax bracket (below which you pay no income tax, because you’re considered to be living below the poverty line) by a couple of grand Amitava D. says: Sorry to have caused such a contretemps! For anyone who really needs to know, give me your email and I’ll detail to you the particulars of my diet and its budget. wolfwalker says: August 16, 2011 at 9:02 am In your original post, Mr Scalzi, you wrote: “It’s not a particular surprise that recent polls say the majority of Americans would like to see the wealthiest Americans taxed more (pdf link),” No, it’s not, when most people don’t know what “the wealthiest Americans” actually pay in taxes. All they know is what they’re told, and what they’re told is usually “it’s not enough.” Personally, I see little reason to listen to anything Warren Buffett says. I have little more respect for him than I have for any other Wall Street stock manipulator. He makes money by gaming the system, not by actually producing anything, which makes him a parasite. A parasite in a five thousand dollar suit, maybe, but still a parasite. He has no idea how a real, regular, sixty-hour-a-week small businessman running a hardware store or a dry cleaner makes money, or how much such a man would lose to higher taxes. “… because most Americans seem to realize that bringing in more revenue is an essential part of dealing with debt.” True, it is. But you won’t find me advocating tax increases, not today nor any day to come. Because of two facts: 1) I no longer believe it’s possible to solve the US’s fiscal problems. We passed the point of no return at least five years ago. 2) giving more tax revenue to this government is like giving a truckload of whiskey to a drunk. It doesn’t matter if it’s Jack Daniels or Chivas Regal, it’s going to wind up the same way: pissed away into the gutter. I don’t believe government can do anything efficiently. I don’t believe government is better at anything than the private sector. I don’t believe higher taxes will help. I don’t believe any of the statistics that either side quotes at me. I know how easy it is to manipulate statistics. No, quoting sob stories at me is not going to change my mind. Nor will attempted guilt trips, or personal abuse, or indeed any form of argument at all. The only way I’ll change my position is if the federal government changes first: quit drinking and clean up its act. I suspect there are more than a few people who share my position, which is why support for tax increases in the current environment is so soft. Most non-liberals understand that giving more money to this government is giving whiskey to a drunk, and they understand that’s wrong. Phil Royce says: August 16, 2011 at 9:16 am Josh at 247 – We are in complete agreement. Charles at 172 – Thanks again for showing how a marginal tax works. I already knew that, I just didn’t express my example clearly. The disconnect I had yesterday (my fault entirely) was not to say in my post at 159 that I was trying off the top of my head to estimate the additional federal income tax on an individual with a $300,000 salary if the Bush tax cuts were to expire. I was under the impression that incomes that high had a tax reduction of about 3% under the Bush cuts. I don’t know if that impression is correct, and unfortunately don’t have the time to research it right now. That is different from a proposal to just add a 3% marginal income tax on all incomes over $250,000. Either way, I don’t see how it hurts job creation, as Josh explained in his post at 247. Amitava? Getting rid of Public Health is madness of the nth degree and certainly does not “promote the general Welfare” (from the preamble to the U.S. Constitution in case you didn’t know that). The VA? Here is some anecdotal stuff – The care and attention I have received from the VA has been nothing less than excellent. Same is true for the fellow veterans I talk with. I believe the VA has experienced some funding and staffing problems in dealing with soldiers returning from our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan – problems due to having an unfunded mandate. The Bush Administration and the republican Congress should have seen this coming from years away (all my buddies from Nam did) and funded and staffed the VA properly in time to deal with the returning vets. tonyC says: August 16, 2011 at 10:13 am Wolfwalker@277 Thanks for dropping by to tell us that you are a hard-liner and want to eviscerate government. Thanks, truly! You make a couple of statements, however, that have already been refuted by actual documentary evidence upthread I don’t believe government can do anything efficiently. Administrative costs in Medicare versus private healthcare ? Overall costs of medical care in a private (US) system versus the same (or better) outcomes in a socialised one (such as the UK)? I don’t believe government is better at anything than the private sector. Have you actually tried these things we have called Roads? How about food? I’m sure you eat that/. There is a little matter of food safety that is entirely the result of government – and absent government you would not have food safety (for an example in the realm of corporate cost/benefit analysis google Pinto and rubber tank liners), I don’t believe higher taxes will help. then you haven’t been listening, have you? I don’t believe any of the statistics that either side quotes at me. I know how easy it is to manipulate statistics. so “some people tell lies” so I won’t believe anyone? It must be great to be such a polymath, that you can single-handedly navigate modern life solely by the sweat of your own brow, reliant on only yourself. Shorter: You don’t believe. You don’t think. You merely complain. tonyC says: August 16, 2011 at 10:18 am Phil Royce@278 The Bush Administration and the republican Congress should have seen this coming from years away (all my buddies from Nam did) and funded and staffed the VA properly in time to deal with the returning vets. But that would have meant recognizing reality. The war was going to be over in a couple of weeks, so there was no need to add funds to the VA. The fact that the war was NOT over in a couple of weeks was merely a blip – it didn’t change the overall strategy or policy. So, of course, no other actions needed to be taken. It’s so simple and straightforward when you think of it like a shrub. JediBear says: Buffet makes some excellent points. Of course, there’s a bigger point he’s missing — this is the wrong time to balance the budget. Budget deficits are a long-run problem. The problem right now is jobs. And we know how to make jobs — at least those of us with any grasp of macroeconomics do. We have crumbling infrastructure, an idle workforce, and capitalists lining up to lend us money. Do. The. Math. August 16, 2011 at 10:22 am @Greg – I was using the point with the comparison to more show that the idea that individuals know how to spend their money better than the government is somewhat simplistic and, well, downright wrong. A non-trivial part of the problem is people, ordinary people, have adjusted spending significantly, however, for a lot of households $10,000 means food, clothes and other essentials, which still has an economic multiplier effect compared to a straight tax cut which puts more cash into higher earners pockets. Beyond that, you make a good point about the nature of spending habits. People are concerned about job security which is why the ONLY way out of this mess is government paid for stimulus. And when I say stimulus, I mean rebuilding stuff that’s falling down in the US, and not more bleedin’ tax cuts! Daveon says: @ JediBear: “We have crumbling infrastructure, an idle workforce, and capitalists lining up to lend us money.” Yes! This. August 16, 2011 at 10:26 am So, I think JS shoots down his own argument here. If the fabulously wealthy get that way by exploiting the system to their benefit, and Warren Buffet, a fabulously wealthy person in the mold of JD Rockefeller himself, is making arguments about how the system should function… … wouldn’t it stand to reason that he’s doing so because what he’s proposing is to his maximum benefit? As it turns out, that’s exactly what he’s doing. Phil Royce says: Ah wolfwalker is doing the faith-based thing – stuff he believes, rather than the reality thing, and calling it facts. There are many things government can, and does, do efficiently There are many things government can do better than the private sector Higher taxes will indeed help, although they are not the complete solution (increased revenue by definition reduces debt) Statistics can be manipulated or used in a misleading fashion, that’s for sure. Greg says: August 16, 2011 at 10:39 am John@272: I’m not sure how to parse my comment as a jab against muslims. I started out referencing one of my own beliefs by saying ‘satori’ but after dealing with the ineffability of Brad, I wanted something specific, measurabl, and landed on ’72’. Amitava seems to suggest that *something* amazing would be possible if everyone restricted their diet. I was looking for specifics. It was no more a dig against muslims than if I had instead said ’40 acres and a mule’ would not have been a dig against reconstruction. I just wanted Amitava to be specific about what advantage woukd be available on his restricted diet. My apologies to any Muslim reading my comment who was offended. I can only say it was definitely not a dig against your religion. Wolfwalker, I am a little confused. what is it that makes government like a drunk? Taxes are some of the lowest they’ve been in the last hundred years. TonyC, please focus your arguments on what people are saying, not on the people themselves. Thanks. Bearpaw says: August 16, 2011 at 10:51 am JediBear at 281: “We have crumbling infrastructure, an idle workforce, and capitalists lining up to lend us money.” Ye gods, yes. It’s *crazy* that we as a nation aren’t jumping on this opportunity. Jumpstart the economy, give people productive things to do, prepare for (and help instigate) the next expansion by fixing and upgrading the infrastructure, and finance it all at fire-sale rates. Greg says: chart of taxes over the last hundred years, highest and lowest incomes: Chart of tax revenue and federal expenses as a percent of GDP: I’m looking for the part that clearly says “this curve here is where the federal government acts like a drunk”. Kevin Williams says: August 16, 2011 at 11:34 am Yes, it’s insane that we’re not resurrecting CCC/WPA and putting the unemployed to work while beefing up infrastructure. I suppose we can’t have that, though, because it’d make Obama look good and then he might not be a one-term president. Brett says: August 16, 2011 at 11:42 am My mother used to say you should never discuss religion, politics or sex in polite company. So far the religion and politics topics have generated the most voluminous, entertaining and malleted conversation strings. I am assuming that some sex related topic must be up next… My only point for the conversation is that Government spending has historically averaged about 18% of GDP and the amount of tax revenue we are getting from the current tax scheme is only about 14% – which is about the lowest level of taxes to GDP in several decades. The simplest fix is to let the Bush tax cuts expire and bring the tax revenue back up to about 18%. The only reason this solution is controversial is that some people simply want to shrink the government. So the tax structure discussion gets tied up with the shrink the government discussion. August 16, 2011 at 11:47 am True, it is. But you won’t find me advocating tax increases, not today nor any day to come. Because of two facts: 1) I no longer believe it’s possible to solve the US’s fiscal problems. We passed the point of no return at least five years ago. 2) giving more tax revenue to this government is like giving a truckload of whiskey to a drunk. It doesn’t matter if it’s Jack Daniels or Chivas Regal, it’s going to wind up the same way: pissed away into the gutter. Point of order: those aren’t facts, those are opinions, which may or may not be informed (I suspect they’re not, given that it’s largely the Tea Party line regurgitated undigested) and certainly have not been supported by actual facts (or figures) presented in an argument. I don’t believe any of the statistics that either side quotes at me. I know how easy it is to manipulate statistics. Indeed, why clutter up a good argument with a bunch of annoying facts? Perhaps we should discuss the habits of my maternal bloodline next?… — Steve August 16, 2011 at 12:29 pm I see little reason to listen to anything Warren Buffett says. I have little more respect for him than I have for any other Wall Street stock manipulator. He makes money by gaming the system, not by actually producing anything, which makes him a parasite. A parasite in a five thousand dollar suit, maybe, but still a parasite. Except for the fact that, like Bill Gates, he gives an absolutely enormous amount of money to charitable organizations, non-profits, and the like. He and Gates have done more for finding the cures to AIDS, cancer, ALS, and many other diseases than most people could dream of. But, of course, because he has a non-menial job, he must be a parasite. He has no idea how a real, regular, sixty-hour-a-week small businessman running a hardware store or a dry cleaner makes money, or how much such a man would lose to higher taxes. From Wikipedia (emphasis mine): “Even as a child, Buffett displayed an interest in making and saving money. He went door to door selling chewing gum, Coca-Cola, or weekly magazines. For a while, he worked in his grandfather’s grocery store. While still in high school he was successful in making money by delivering newspapers, selling golfballs and stamps, and detailing cars, among other means. Filing his first income tax return in 1944, Buffett took a $35 deduction for the use of his bicycle and watch on his paper route.[16] In 1945, in his sophomore year of high school, Buffett and a friend spent $25 to purchase a used pinball machine, which they placed in the local barber shop. Within months, they owned several machines in different barber shops. So not only was he brought up in an environment and family made up of small businessmen, he learned how to value his money precisely because of those experiences. But somehow, because he was good at math, he found a profession and stuck with it, he’s clueless? Steve’s right: why clutter up a good argument with a bunch of annoying facts? Apparently, in some places a need to be right trumps what happened and is happening in the real world. Daveon says: August 16, 2011 at 12:34 pm To follow on from Jesse’s point. If you read Buffet’s letters to his share holders, he’s actually anything but a stock manipulator. His actual investment process is to invest a lot of cash in businesses he feels have scope and room to grow and then let the management team get on with it. He’s actually made very few short term investments, most of his money has been made by buying into undervalued companies and sticking with them for the long haul. He’s the opposite of a parasite. Also, based on when I’ve seen him. I don’t think he owns a $5000 suit. Oh and, while we’re laying on the facts, I’m pretty sure Omaha is a LONG way from Wall Street. huh says: Yes, what a wonderfully idea, lets not control spending or worry at all about that, lets just get more money from the rich. How foolish. huh says: Another difference is that Buffett is talking about raising it for the mega rich, >$1 million, etc. Not families making 250,000 + like the fool on the hill was saying. David says: @huh Didn’t bother to read the rest of the comments, did you? Kevin Williams says: August 16, 2011 at 2:14 pm Having re-scanned the thread since last night… I admit to being mystified by attacks on Buffet as a person. He appears to be following in the Rockefeller/Carnegie tradition that might be best summed up as, “With great wealth comes great obligation.” Both Carnegie and Rockefeller set the standard by which all other super-rich after them are measured: having accumulated fantastic wealth, what good will you do with it? I’ve often thought that if I were to be in a similar financial position, I’d probably do the same as they. What better way to leave a positive legacy than to use the money to invest in schools, libraries, scholarship, medicine, science, et cetera. Things that will multiply and pay societal dividends across generations. So I think calling Buffett a “parasite” is probably unfair, because he doesn’t seem to be a typical “I’m out to get mine and screw everyone else!” Wall Street pike. (Ergo, he’s not Bernie Madoff.) This thread also reminds me of the George Carlin quip, “The rich have all the money, pay none of the taxes; the middle class pay all of the taxes, do all of the work; the poor are there just to scare the shit out of the middle class and keep them showing up at their jobs!” Now, crude or possibly inaccurate as it is, I think Carlin’s quip is rather apt, because it does often seem to be this way. I think I said somewhere up top that I’m not opposed to taxes, even progressive taxation, so long as there are mechanisms in place that can combat or reduce corruption, graft, sloth, and waste in the system. As a science fiction writer I am inclined to link to Pournelle’s Iron Law of Bureaucracy , because it explains succinctly why I am skeptical of government’s ability to deliver what it says it can deliver to the taxpayer, if only the taxpayer will cough up more taxes. Because there’s a heap load of people in the system who don’t give a fig about the nobler goals or purpose of government as much as they’re concerned with perpetuating or expanding their particular corner of it, at the expense of service and efficiency. Democrat or Republican doesn’t matter — such people come in either flavor. They will eagerly hide behind the apologia of those who have an overweening faith in the government as a whole. NOTE: this is also often true of large private companies and non-profits too, and I’ve never tried to claim that private companies are somehow immune from the similar downward-drag of people who abuse the system for their own benefit. The key difference being that if I see a private company that delivers poor service or poor product, I can always take my business to the competitor. If the state and federal systems deliver poor service and poor product, I’m still obligated by law to pay for that poor service and that poor product. Whether I like it or not. A great many responders in this thread seem to take it as a matter of course that anyone skeptical of increased taxes or progressive taxation is either stupid, or malicious. That if only people have enough statistics hurled at them, they’d ignore their own instincts and ‘see the light’ and embrace the wonderfulness of their state and federal programs. I’d propose — again — that too many voters have had too many poor experiences (at various levels) and that you can quote statistics and hurl charts and graphs and numbers at them all day long, it’s not going to improve their opinion of a state and federal system that appears to exist as much for its own sake, or even moreso, than it does for the average citizen. (e.g: the Iron Law .) If the response of the pro-taxation, pro-government body is to sneer at doubters and call us names — as seems to be the case with a few people on this thread — nothing will alienate doubters further. Good luck winning hearts and minds with that kind of attitude. Good luck winning elections too. Finally, for whoever it was who made the published author quip, yes, I know it’s shocking to discover that in science fiction in 2011 they still let you get published even if you’re not hip to the politically-progressive zeitgeist. Sometimes they even let us have peer or readers’ choice awards, too! Madness. I’m sure the error will be corrected soon, once the genre’s powers-that-be find out what’s going on and put a stop to it. David says: August 16, 2011 at 2:41 pm That if only people have enough statistics hurled at them, they’d ignore their own instincts and ‘see the light’ and embrace the wonderfulness of their state and federal programs Ah, the wonders of magical thinking. “I know what I know, and all the evidence you present on the other side will not convince me otherwise.” Reality-based thinking is so much less fun than just making random general assertions as if they were iron law. Finally, for whoever it was who made the published author quip, yes, I know it’s shocking to discover that in science fiction in 2011 they still let you get published even if you’re not hip to the politically-progressive zeitgeist. I could hardly have meant that, given the prominence of Pournelle, John Ringo, and other conservative SFF writers. They, however, are able to handle evidence and logic. I guess the lesson is that you can be published (and win peer awards!) without being able to handle either. Tony Dye says: August 16, 2011 at 2:42 pm “A great many responders in this thread seem to take it as a matter of course that anyone skeptical of increased taxes or progressive taxation is either stupid, or malicious.” @Brad: It’s a typical standard progressive construction in arguments like this: Conservatives only come in two flavors, Stupid and Evil. Far too many people descend into that mode, and some never rise above it. —- For the pro-increase folks, I have a question: Where should the threshold be? What is, in your opinion, the maximum amount of taxation “the rich” should bear? Tony Dye says: David’s comment is a perfect example. “Magical thinking”, snarky condescending dismissal… how, David, could you possibly expect anyone to listen to what you’re saying when you say it like that? Bearpaw says: August 16, 2011 at 2:59 pm Tony Dye at 301: As a mental exercise, try asking yourself the opposite question: “What is, in your opinion, the minimum amount of taxation “the rich” should bear?” Note that I’m *not* asking you to actually *answer* it. I’m hoping that turning it around will help you see why it’s not a useful or meaningful question. David says: David’s comment is a perfect example. “Magical thinking”, snarky condescending dismissal… how, David, could you possibly expect anyone to listen to what you’re saying when you say it like that? You are mistaken in thinking that Brad was listening to anyone, reasoned or snarky. August 16, 2011 at 3:15 pm David, Brad, the problem with your arguments is that they make absolutely no reference to the outside world. It’s all navel-gazing to mantras from the American punditry, scarcely mentioning anything resembling concrete numbers. Try taking a look at the rest of the world for a change. You might be surprised at what you see. — Steve PS: You do realise that Americans pay some of the lowest tax rates in the world, right? David says: PS: You do realise that Americans pay some of the lowest tax rates in the world, right? Uh, yes, which is why I was arguing in favor of Buffet’s proposal. Bill says: August 16, 2011 at 3:24 pm @Tony #301: “Conservatives only come in two flavors, Stupid and Evil.” Stereotyping, but all too banal and common. Quite destructive, too, and contributing to the ongoing polarization of our society. There’s a real difference between “living within our means” and “wanting to kill old/poor people”. Walk up to a Tea Partier and ask them (I have) if they think we should cut off all health care to Medicaid. I’ve never found one person who said that we should, and I hang out with a lot of them. Saying that we should find ways to stop wasting money (there is *tremendous* waste in health care right now) is not the same thing as wanting to kill grandma. As far as stupidity goes, stupidity is always an easy bet for humanity. There’s just as many dumb idiots on both sides, who just mindlessly repeat talking points without actually looking at the numbers themselves. Think about how many people that have said “We should tax the rich – the poor should not have to bear all the taxes on their backs” (I’ll wait while you Google it.) You’d think that poor people actually pay income tax, instead of receiving an EITC for working. When I was a grad student making peanuts every year, it sucked. Not having money sucks. But I didn’t pay any income tax, and I’d *never* consider complaining about how the poor are paying the majority of income taxes, and how I needed even more subsidies. Yet this is a liberal drumbeat anyway. Stupidity, and a bit evil. The only solution is to look at primary sources, numbers, and analyses yourself, and for everyone to stop using MSNBC/Fox News/HuffPo as their only source of news, since (gasp!) they’re all biased shills for one party or another. Kevin Williams says: August 16, 2011 at 3:40 pm Bill: who’s complaining about the poor paying the majority of income taxes? Citation needed. I even tried a Google search for that quote about the poor bearing all the taxes but it came up empty. Ignoring the income tax, did you pay attention to how much tax you paid for other things? Sales tax, gasoline tax, Medicare, Social Security, and so forth. I’m thinking you’re being less than honest here. gwangung says: August 16, 2011 at 3:44 pm There’s a real difference between “living within our means” and “wanting to kill old/poor people”. Walk up to a Tea Partier and ask them (I have) if they think we should cut off all health care to Medicaid. I’ve never found one person who said that we should, and I hang out with a lot of them. Saying that we should find ways to stop wasting money (there is *tremendous* waste in health care right now) is not the same thing as wanting to kill grandma. I’m not convinced that those on the right are applying their focus on the right areas. Yes, there is tremendous waste in health care, but it’s not necessarily in government on the payment side–there is tremendous waste in multiple records format and other areas on the supply side. Yet that’s not where the focus is on the right. August 16, 2011 at 3:56 pm There’s a difference between active attempts to reform government agencies and budget-slashing. In fact, as implied by Pournelle’s law (if the less-effective are in charge, who do you think gets laid off?), simply saying “do just as much with less money” just reduces the number of effective people, making life harder for those remaining. Actual reform requires hiring people who are serious about doing the work. Jesse says: August 16, 2011 at 3:56 pm For the pro-increase folks, I have a question: Where should the threshold be? What is, in your opinion, the maximum amount of taxation “the rich” should bear? Funny you should mention that, because Peter Diamond and Emannuel Saez just released a paper entitled “The Case for a Progressive Tax: From Basic Research to Policy Recommendations” (h/t: Matthew Yglesias ) that at least attempts to answer that question using actual math(!) as well as significant policy changes. Namely, they advocate not only a rewriting of the tax code, especially as it pertains to both loopholes and capital gains and related taxes, but also a recalculation of the top marginal tax rates. If I’m reading this correctly, before deductions, their top federal tax rates would be 48% using the current tax code, and 76% if we effectively zero out the capital taxes and eliminate egregious tax loopholes. So those would be your numbers, I guess. Now, of course, keep in mind that tax rates are based on each level of income, so you pay the same tax rate as everyone else on every tax bracket you qualify for. In other words, when people say the tax rates for those making more than, say, $250,000, what they actually mean is the tax rates on every dollar above $250,000 that they make. Ed Hahn says: August 16, 2011 at 4:07 pm A couple of people here have mentioned Pournelle’s Iron Law. Pournelle himself has a blog, decades old, and discusses Buffett and a lot of the other current issues here: August 16, 2011 at 4:20 pm Pournelle’s Iron Law is a cute example of rhetoric. It falls down when it says “every”. Certainty when dealing with human institutions is the realm of faith. Greg says: August 16, 2011 at 4:27 pm Brad@299: I think I said somewhere up top that I’m not opposed to taxes, even progressive taxation, so long as there are mechanisms in place that can combat or reduce corruption, graft, sloth, and waste in the system. Implicit in this argument is that there already IS corruption, graft, and sloth far greater than the already existing correction mechanisms can handle, *and*, said corruption, graft, and sloth is sufficiently large that it is actually a significant part of federal spending. You have proven neither. Your attempts to prove either one have relied on anecdotal evidence. When people point out your anecdotal evidence is a logical fallacy and point you to actual statistical information that actually shows your assertions are wrong (such as the quality of service from the VA), you dismiss the facts and cling to your anecdotes and beliefs. Speaking of which: A great many responders in this thread seem to take it as a matter of course that anyone skeptical of increased taxes or progressive taxation is either stupid, or malicious. That if only people have enough statistics hurled at them, they’d ignore their own instincts and ‘see the light’ and embrace the wonderfulness of their state and federal programs. I’d propose — again — that too many voters have had too many poor experiences (at various levels) and that you can quote statistics and hurl charts and graphs and numbers at them all day long, it’s not going to improve their opinion of a state and federal system No. It’s not that people are saying anyone who opposes raising taxes under any circumstance is evil. no one has said that here that I have seen. What people are saying is that certain people *have an opinion about taxes* and certain people *have an opinion about the government* and that *these*people*are*immune* to facts. This is demonstrated rather clearly by your insistance of clinging to your anecdotes and beliefs when presented with facts to the contrary, such as the VA. You have *even*now* failed to produce any evidence that there is this fabled “waste” of such a magnitude that removing waste would actually solve any problem we are seeing right now with the deficit. You have *even*now* steadfastly refused to provide any evidence that this mythicsl waste you always want to talk about actually exists. You have *even*now* steadfastly avoided answering the specific question I and several others have posed to you asking you to list what would be your biggest cut in spending to what program by how much and how you would alter that program to make that cut. You are talking about mythical “government waste” monsters that are as mythical as “welfare queens”, you refuse to provide any proof they exists, you ignore any proof that contradicts your myths. You are exactly one of the people you’re talking about here: you can quote statistics and hurl charts and graphs and numbers at them all day long, it’s not going to improve their opinion of a state and federal system The thing is thta *you* have your own personal opinion of the federal govenrment and that is immune to statistics, charts, graphs, numbers, and facts. The thing is, you act as if you and people like you who ignore facts and proof and instead cling to their beliefs and opinions, you seem to want to say that that is *our* problem, that it is somehow a problem of the fact-based left, and somehow not the problem of the people who refuse to acknowledge the facts in the first place, that it is somehow not the problem of the people who cling to their opinions even after the facts show them their opinions are wrong. Case in point, the VA scored better in quality service than private hospitals. Do you accept that as true? Do you have some other statistical based evidence that contradicts it? Or do you hold to your anecdotes and personal opininion that the VA sucks? You tell me what you think of the VA right now. And then you tell me if its my fault for not explaining it to you “the right way” or if its your responsibility for ignoring facts and holding to beliefs. What you will generally find on this blog is that most folks hold other folks responsible for their assertsions. If *you* say the VA sucks, then it is up to *you* to prove it. If someone else provides evidence that the VA is better than private hospitals, that trumps your beliefs and folks here will generally expect you to provide… oh, I don’t know… *evidence* to counter the other evidence and back up your claim. What you are arguing up there is that people have some personal experience, they form an opinion about the system as a whole, and if someone else has evidence that disproves that belief, it is the responsibility of the person with the evidence to figure out how to get some True Believer to stop believing their personal opinion and look at the evidence. At some point above, you were wondering aloud whether you had wandered into a thread of True Believers. And then right now, you’re defending True Believers. If the response of the pro-taxation, pro-government body is to sneer at doubters and call us names — as seems to be the case with a few people on this thread Oh lord. pointing out that you hold anecdote over statistical evidence, that you commit logical fallacy after logical fallacy, that you shift the blame for someone being a True Believer to the fault of the person trying to show them facts, is *not* calling you names. And trying to cast this conversation as that is a strawman, appealing to pity, and emotional pleading, more logical fallacies that you are committing and you should really read up on. Saying “you are wrong and here is why”, is not calling you names. Askingn you to provide evidence of your assertiosn is not calling you names. Asking you to provide the specifics of the biggest cut you would make ot spending, how much, and what program, is not calling you names. They are all valid points in showing that you have failed to provide a complete logical argument to your assertions, that you have committed logical fallacies to your assertions, and that some of your assertsions are proven wrong by statistical evidence. DGL says: August 16, 2011 at 4:34 pm JS @#305: Declaring snark bankruptcy could result in a total collapse of the worldwide snark system. And I, for one, am not willing to see that dark day come to pass. Some of our most prolific practitioners of snark are simply “too snarky to fail.” Jesse says: August 16, 2011 at 4:34 pm Pournelle’s Iron Law isn’t just rhetoric, it’s idiocy. For instance, by his measure union membership and control should have exploded, because they would have taken over and indoctrinated or replaced non-union workers. By that same measure, one would expect wage inequality to drop were those oh-so-virtuous people who “sacrifice to work” to take over the work force, because they would somehow be leveling the playing field. Yet here in the real world, union membership has declined to 7%, down from ~35% in the 1970s, and wage inequality has gone up by 40%-50%. Kevin Williams says: August 16, 2011 at 4:39 pm Brad @ various comments I have read every single comment on this thread so far. I haven’t made up my mind on what should be done regarding taxation and spending cuts, but I can say this – Your arguments have been poorly constructed, it doesn’t seem to matter to you what real world data shows, and therefore, none of your arguments have a chance of winning me over. The opposing viewpoint at least has data I can look at. And for me, anecdotes can be interesting, but I don’t consider it serious data. The snark has been billowing from many here. Sometimes I think the best thing would be for everyone to disavow political parties completely. August 16, 2011 at 4:58 pm @311: Sorry, David, wrong name in my comment. I had intended to address Tony C Dye in there instead of you and must’ve slipped a line when looking at attributions or something. Oh, gawd, I need a vacation. Or a lot of alcohol, so that I can at least blame that for my attribution-phails of late, though I doubt the boss would approve that here in the office. — Steve August 16, 2011 at 5:05 pm Tony @ 301: yes, apparently so. And to be fair, lots of conservatives also play the black-white game, where everyone left of Ayn Rand is a commie pinko marxist. I think what’s always bugged me, ever since I lived and worked in Seattle, is that too many out-and-out liberals — the self-proclaimed “open minded” set — too often prove to be anything but. Conservatives? Conservatives aren’t hanging their hats on being ‘tolerant,’ but many progressives do; and yet behave precisely the opposite. Steve @ 306: If I may quote Larry Niven, “There are minds that think as well as yours, just differently.” Americans as a rule tend not to care if, “we’re doing it like everyone else.” (Well, OK, progressive Americans seem to fixate on this to a painful degree, because 9 times out of 10 progressive Americans think the US is doing it “wrong,” but I digress…) The United States is not Scandinavia, with the whole hygge concept. You won’t find many Americans willing to put up with a 50% tax rate. Even if you promise them fantastic social services, infrastructure, etc. Todd @ #320: as you’ve clearly noticed, I am not much of a link-slinger — someone who indulges in clobbering an opponent with piles of data points. Mainly because anyone who is even half interested in investigating waste in government can dig up link after link after link. ( here is just one example. ) I’ve been around long enough to know that ‘my links can beat up your links’ is both tiresome and counterproductive. I can say from experience that waste in government is a serious tip-of-the-iceberg problem — not a trifling distraction, as seems to be the position of some people. And until such waste is sufficiently addressed I am not eager to ‘feed the beast’ as Pournelle adroitly puts it. Though obviously there are some Americans who seem to think we can’t give the state and federal system enough of our money. I can only conclude that fans of taxation and government increase — who simultaneously bridle at the suggestion that waste is a problem — are culpable in that waste. Greg says: Brad: I can say from experience This shall be heretofore referred to as “Brad’s Law”. David says: You managed all the cliched Internet debate strategies. The “my opponents are hypocrites”: is that too many out-and-out liberals — the self-proclaimed “open minded” set — too often prove to be anything but. Conservatives? Conservatives aren’t hanging their hats on being ‘tolerant,’ but many progressives do; and yet behave precisely the opposite The made-up statistics: ” (Well, OK, progressive Americans seem to fixate on this to a painful degree, because 9 times out of 10 progressive Americans think the US is doing it “wrong,” but I digress…) The “evidence? I don’t need no stinking evidence! I just KNOW” approach: I’ve been around long enough to know that ‘my links can beat up your links’ is both tiresome and counterproductive. I can say from experience that waste in government is a serious tip-of-the-iceberg problem — not a trifling distraction, as seems to be the position of some people. The strawman extremist argument: Though obviously there are some Americans who seem to think we can’t give the state and federal system enough of our money. And in only 354 words. Jesse says: August 16, 2011 at 5:46 pm You won’t find many Americans willing to put up with a 50% tax rate. Even if you promise them fantastic social services, infrastructure, etc. That’s actually the maximum tax rate and applies only to money made in the highest tax bracket and–wait, you know what? If you can’t even understand how taxes work, why argue over taxes? August 16, 2011 at 5:56 pm Americans as a rule tend not to care if, “we’re doing it like everyone else.” (Well, OK, progressive Americans seem to fixate on this to a painful degree, because 9 times out of 10 progressive Americans think the US is doing it “wrong,” but I digress…) Your country can’t pay its debts. That implies that the US is doing it wrong, does it not? I also point out that the kid eating paste in the back of the classroom is also unconcerned about doing things like everyone else… “unique” doesn’t always mean “superior”. I would be more impressed with your grasp of politics and economics if you would cite experts in those fields, political scientists or economists, rather than SF authours. (I like Niven too, but he’s no more authoritative as a source on fiscal policy than I am.) Even citing Randroid-in-Chief Alan Greenspan would be better, because at least he’s had his hands on the levers. Some quantitative commentary, as opposed to purely qualitative and unweighted opinions, would also help your points. — Steve August 16, 2011 at 5:56 pm #324: Don’t forget “my opponents must support and implicitly engage in criminal activity because they disagree with me”: I can only conclude that fans of taxation and government increase — who simultaneously bridle at the suggestion that waste is a problem — are culpable in that waste. wolfwalker says: August 16, 2011 at 6:06 pm To those who responded to my comment above: a wonderful job ladies and gents … of demonstrating why I no longer believe anyone on either side of the taxes/budget/economics controversy. Actually, I suppose I should say “anyone on any side,” since there are definitely more than two. Everyone quotes statistics that seem to support their own point of view and/or demolish the other position(s) in the debate. All of those statistics look correct. If I take all of them at face value, then all the positions get refuted, and none remain valid. So tell me: why should I accept your statistics and not the other guy’s? Because you’re right and they’re wrong? I don’t know that. Because your statistics are from Da Guvmint and therefore must be reliable? Don’t make me laugh. Because history is on your side? “History” as quoted by political activists is typically a stack of half-truths selected to defend a certain point of view, not tell the whole truth about what actually happened. I follow Rule 3: never believe what you’re told; always double-check. Unfortunately, there isn’t any way to double-check economic statistics, because there isn’t anybody who doesn’t have a vested interest in lying about it. Yeah, I’m a cynical, bitter curmudgeon about this subject. Comes of forty years of watching those in power consistently lie to me — and even worse, it’s the same lie over and over again. Raise taxes and things will get better! Lower taxes and things will get better! Raise spending, we’ll spend the money wisely! Cut spending, we can do just as much with less money! The departments THEY support all waste money, but the departments WE support all spend money well! THEY want to take your rights away, but WE want to protect your rights! THEY waste your money on pork programs that don’t do any good, but WE fund programs that all work wondrously well! Lies. All lies. Well, lie to me often enough, and I stop believing you forever. In fact, I already did. Not a word, not a syllable of any politician, bureaucrat, or activist’s claims will I believe until their words jibe with the evidence of my own experience — which is that the federal government cannot do anything effectively or efficiently, and the more of my money I give it, the more of my money it wastes. Jesse says: August 16, 2011 at 6:13 pm #328: Considering that your original argument was also “I won’t believe a single word or number that didn’t actually come from my brain,” I’m not sure what your second tirade accomplishes, vis-a-vis the government, taxes, or Warren Buffet for that matter. Nonentity says: August 16, 2011 at 6:27 pm Brad @322: You seem to be incredibly eager to cast everyone who disagrees with you as someone who wants to both increase taxation and government spending. I’m pretty sure that it’s been explained to you that this is incorrect by pretty much *every* person in this thread who has disagreed with you. You’re not helping your case with anyone who has read the opening post, let alone anyone who has read any of the other responses. wolfwalker @328: Your response to being told different things by different people is to ignore everything except your own experience? That’s an odd way to form opinions about issues on a national level, since there is absolutely no way that your personal experience can cover even the smallest percentage of those issues. You likely don’t even experience enough of *state* issues to form a comprehensive opinion based solely on personal experience, except possibly on extremely niche issues. If you won’t even *try* to determine the reason why the statistics you’ve been given differ, then you’re hobbling your understanding right off the bat. We happen to be rather good in this country at calling out statistics that are outright based on falsehood, so any “lies” in statistics are almost exclusively based on either methodology or interpretation. For your own sake, at least try to gain some understanding of these kinds of differences! August 16, 2011 at 6:27 pm Wolfwalker @ 328: I am afraid your personal experience doesn’t count because it’s not rigorously footnoted. For your words to have any merit in this discussion you will have to type them up report-style and provide a detailed bibliography. Otherwise, everything you say is a fabrication — your whole life — because you can’t cite a statistic ‘proving’ that your view is valid. Yup. Believe it. ;^) Greg says: August 16, 2011 at 6:34 pm wolf: “until their words jibe with the evidence of my experience” nice. in one rant you dismiss the validity of fact and statistics, inject a completely unproven lie of you own, and then turn logic on its head by saying your statement is true until they prove it false… *to your satisfaction*…. all swadled in a sense of righteous indignation which makes it clear that nothing and no one will ever do anything to your full satisfaction… This is the indignant flat earth society school of argument. August 16, 2011 at 6:38 pm Nonentity @ 330: I realized I was wading upstream when I came in here — it’s Scalzi’s blog, swing a cat and hit 100 liberals — but what can I say about the overreaction to the suggestion that government waste is a) real and b) should be necessarily considered before asking the taxpayers (at all levels) to up the amount of cash they give to the state? Is giving more money to people who waste billions as if it’s trivial really a great idea? Does a responsible parent give a spendthrift child more money from the family budget? No. And yet this seems to be precisely what’s suggested when it comes to the most ‘spoiled’ brat of them all: our engorged state and federal apparatus. cdavis says: I came to this blog from John’s books. Had one recommended by a book lover who worked at the store, found it compelling; bought the rest including “your hate mail will be graded” Started reading the blog and was impressed with John’s cutting-to-the-chase on multiple issues. Read the 250+ comments before posting and was discouraged to once again find the basic blog practice of “expelling the outsider”. To be clear, this practice seems to exist across the political spectrum; I have seen it practiced in conservative blogs as much as liberal blogs. The majority agrees that whatever John said. Anyone so clueless ( or presumptuous) to disagree must get the majority of their daily moisture from sucking simian scrotums. Made a minor post asking what I thought might be relevant questions. Lost in the stampede to invalidate and denigrate the known and/or apparent non-believers. The loss opportunity that I see is that, to the extent that John would like this space to a place for thoughtful conversation, the screamers overwhelm it. To be fair, that may be his agenda and he may be very satisfied with the tone of the comments. It is his blog and that is all that matters here. As someone who continues to look for a place to have a thoughtful discussion on some of the key issues of our time, … “still haven’t found what I am looking for” (U2) Greg says: August 16, 2011 at 6:57 pm Brad@331: and submitted in triplicte. I mean, come on man, if you’re going to strawman fact based reasoning into nonsensical bureacracy, then you gotta tell everyone we need it in triplicate. And dont forget it has to come with a 437-stroke-R2 form, or its not even good for an incubator. Nick from the O.C. says: Brad @ 333 — Ah, yes, GAO-11-318SP. Let me quote from the report. In other cases, precise estimates of the extent of unnecessary duplication among certain programs, and the cost savings that can be achieved by eliminating any such duplication, are difficult to specify in advance of congressional and executive branch decision making. In some instances, needed information on program performance is not readily available; the level of funding in agency budgets devoted to overlapping or fragmented programs is not clear; and the implementation costs that might be associated with program consolidations or terminations, among other variables, are difficult to predict. For example, we identified 44 federal employment and training programs that overlap with at least one other program in that they provide at least one similar service to a similar population. However, our review of three of the largest programs showed that the extent to which individuals receive the same services from these programs is unknown due to program data limitations. … Additionally, in January 2011, the President signed the GPRA Modernization Act of 2010,4 updating the almost two-decades-old Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA). Implementing provisions of the new act—such as its emphasis on establishing outcome-oriented goals covering a limited number of crosscutting policy areas—could play an important role in clarifying desired outcomes, addressing program performance spanning multiple organizations, and facilitating future actions to reduce unnecessary duplication, overlap, and fragmentation. (Internal footnotes omitted.) So what I’m saying is … the report you rely on, isn’t all that conclusive. Greg says: August 16, 2011 at 7:11 pm cdavis (1) call their accountants and tax attorneys and invest in these professional’s expertise to restructure the business \ portfolio to reduce taxes. … How would an increase in tax rates address this issue? Are you saying that raising tax rates won’t increase tax revenue because of accounting tricks? Well if that’s the case, then I don’t know why folks are so adamant against raising taxes, since no one would actually pay any more. 2) How (or should) an increase in tax rates differentiate between the effect on “true” job creators -vs- the parasites such as investment bankers or execs ordering layoffs? We could always raise the capital gains tax. That’s at 15% right now, iirc. That’d be a start. David says: August 16, 2011 at 7:12 pm @327 Good addition. Pointing out that Brad is strawmanning other people’s arguments again (latest examples: 331, 333) is getting old. So I thought I’d lay out my position: 1. Government spending should *not* be cut right now to keep its stimulative effect on the economy so as to avoid a double-dip recession from a demand freeze. 2. When the economy is growing quickly again, the budget should be dealt with by a combination of cuts and tax increases. The cuts should come in defense (go from 11 carriers to 9, cut the USAF’s future manned bomber, reduce the size of the Army and the Marines), and Medicare (reduce the 2003 giveaway substantially) primarily. The tax increases should be to let the Bush tax cuts expire, raise taxes on the plus-$1 million earners even higher, and raise corporate taxes. (Oo, crazy liberal positions, aren’t they?) August 16, 2011 at 7:12 pm cdavis @ 334: perhaps the best post of the whole thread? Hat is off. @ 336 (leans over to wolf) …and even when you do cite a source — its veracity is impugned or ignored. David says: and even when you do cite a source — its veracity is impugned or ignored Wow, you mean we want your evidence to actually be evidence? The horror! Greg says: Oh, and this: cdavis: was discouraged to once again find the basic blog practice of “expelling the outsider”. Not sure who the “outsider” is. If you mean Brad, he’s not being expelled, he’s being called on his rampant talking-point-ism shpeels. If Brad wants to make arguments based on reason, evidence, facts, statistics, and as long as he submits them in triplicate along with the proper forms, then he can be as adamantly anti-tax and anti government as he wants. But he keeps coming in, making completely non-fact-based arguments and people continue to call him on it. Telling someone “Data is not the plural of anecdote” is not expelling anyone. It’s telling them they’re making shoddy arguments and no one is buying it. Jesse says: August 16, 2011 at 7:22 pm #339: I’m pretty sure there’s only been one or two sources impugned here, and those because they were editorial pieces instead of, say, academic research with evidence. But I think it’s clear which constitutes a source and which constitutes liberal craziness in a worldview where it’s hinted that welfare queens are more numerous than those with serious mental or physical issues, and power-mad union members are the overwhelming majority of government and non-professional employees. Jesse says: August 16, 2011 at 7:29 pm Oh, and cdavis, no one’s “expelling” you or Brad or anyone else. If you can’t deal with being asked to provide support for your arguments, then the stomping of the feet and the yelling and the running out of the room is all being done by you. And, really, who’s being thin-skinned here? It’s certainly not the people being called criminals (or in cahoots with them) for (a) making an argument that none of them actually did, and (b) daring to ask for non-personal experience as a data point. August 16, 2011 at 7:32 pm Here in the lower depths of this thread, the subject appears to be transmuting away from a discussion of Mr. Buffett’s thoughts on taxation, and toward a general symposium of what is the correct way to argue. I suspect this will become increasingly fruitless as a subject of discussion. Nevertheless, as there appears to be confusion on this score, let me make things simple for people. 1. One is entitled to one’s own opinions, but not one’s own facts. Commensurately, anecdote may be fact (it happened to you), but anecdote is generally a poor platform for general assertions, since one’s own experience is often not a general experience. 2. If you make an assertion that implies a factual basis, it is entirely proper that others may ask you to back up these assertions with facts, or at least data, beyond the anecdotal. 3. If you cannot bolster said assertion with facts, or at least data, beyond the anecdotal, you have to accept that others may not find your general argument persuasive. 4. This dynamic of people asking for facts, or at least data, beyond the anecdotal, is in itself non-partisan; implications otherwise are a form of ad hominem argument which is generally not relevant to the discussion at hand. 5. If you offer evidence and assert it as fact, you may reasonably expect others to examine such information and to rebut you if they find it wanting and/or find your interpretation incorrect in some manner. All of which is to say that asserting from anecdote without being able to bolster said assertion with actual facts is likely to get your assertion discounted; if you present facts without rigor, you’re likely to see those discounted as well. Again, this is neither here nor there as regards one’s personal politics; this is simply about making a robust argument. Brad, you’re getting dismantled not because you’re Daniel the Conservative in a Lions’ Den of liberals, you’re getting dismantled because you’re arguing without rigor; your own personal experience is not sufficient to make a broader point. You apparently want to mock people for discounting your personal experience, but from the point of making a robust larger argument, they’re entirely correct to point out this isn’t the way to do that. If you are speaking primarily from personal experience, then all you can do is assert what you know; drawing further conclusions from your own experience is fraught with rhetorical peril. People here have a low tolerance for general assertion from personal anecdote because rhetorically speaking I have a low tolerance for general assertion from personal anecdote, and over time that rubs off on others who comment here regularly. To Mr. Davis’ point, that low tolerance is in fact non-partisan on my part, as I have called out liberals for bad argument when they have offered one, and I have called out people in non-political threads for the same thing (when one’s politics are not in evidence). There are indeed a lot of liberals here; there are also quite a few conservatives as well. Everyone gets dinged when they argue poorly. In a general sense, if one wants to have one’s arguments and assertions taken seriously here, they need to be serious arguments and assertions. There’s nothing wrong with making an observation from personal experience; I do it all the time. But I also note the anecdotal nature of the observation; and when I don’t, guess what? People here call me on it. This is all to be noted for future reference. For the current time, let’s try once more to keep the focus on what’s in the entry, rather than wandering off into discussions of rhetorical styles. Nonentity says: August 16, 2011 at 7:38 pm Brad @339: You cited a source without going to the primary source to see what it *actually* said, and you’re claiming victory because you were called on it? What an odd world you live in. cdavis @334: I can verify from personal experience that, if this discussion were to stray into realms of “expelling the outsider”, our host would have no compunctions with intervening quickly and decisively. As someone who usually doesn’t participate around here but who lurks almost entirely for the thoughtful discussion, I would respectfully suggest that you’re reading more emotion into the discussion than actually exists (unless you count exasperation when a participant degrades into repeating strawmen ad nauseam). However, discussion around here does rather depend on one’s willingness to engage with facts and to argue consistently and in good faith. August 16, 2011 at 7:43 pm I’ve got WorldCon preparations to make, so I’ll soon be off the grid for too long to keep up with this thread. Which is probably a good thing for all involved, since I seem to be a pro at dragging otherwise productive(?) pro-government liberals back to their keyboards for one more vein-popping go-round of telling me adamantly, “You are wrong-wrong-wrong-wrong-wrong-wrong! And here’s a laundry list of why-why-why-why-why!” But yes, cdavis @ 334 nailed it exactly. Exactly. Best post. In the thread. Reno beckons. Good evening. Shoot, I should have numbered the rhetorical debating tricks I outlined in #324. #346 is definitely a #4 (strawman extremist position attributed to one’s opponents). Greg says: August 16, 2011 at 7:50 pm Quoting Buffett: In 1992, the top 400 had aggregate taxable income of $16.9 billion and paid federal taxes of 29.2 percent on that sum. In 2008, the aggregate income of the highest 400 had soared to $90.9 billion … but the rate paid had fallen to 21.5 percent. I have a simple question for everyone (Except you, Brad, cause I won’t bother you with direct questions) Can anyone explain why we can’t raise taxes so the top 400 or so would be back to paying 29%? I am not asking whether you feel the need to demand the government “clean up its act” before you will allow it to raise taxes to 29%. I am not asking whether you feel the need to insist that before we have tax increases, govenrment cuts must first be made. I’m not looking for your negotiation methods for HOW you resist tax increases. And I’m not looking for your various strategies with which to “starve the beast” as you call it. If you hate govenrment and all it stands for, move to Afghanistan or Somolia for a government-free experience, then come back and give a full report of what its like to live without welfare queens dragging everyone down. Paradise, I’m sure. What I’m looking for is a direct and valid reason as to WHY we can’t raise taxes so that next year the top 400 Americans pay around 29%. Why can’t we raise taxes so the top 400 are paying around 29% again? Like they were in 1992. Was 1992’s economy that bad? What happened then that we don’t want to repeat? If we raise taxes on these people to 29% what will that cause that would be something to avoid? Nonentity says: August 16, 2011 at 7:53 pm @344: *cough* And considering that’s the second time that our host has phrased things far more elegantly and quickly than I could hope to, I’ll take that as my cue to exit. That’ll teach me for not refreshing before hitting the button. I apologize for the repetition. Kevin Williams says: I’m also seeing the usual suspects (and now Bachmann) derp in response to Buffett by suggesting that he should shut up and write a check, as if that is at all meaningful. Given Bachmann’s target demo and her previous nuttiness, this isn’t really surprising. Greg says: [Deleted because grown-ups don’t Rick Roll. Also, Greg: Don’t do that again, ever — JS] Yepper says: August 16, 2011 at 8:02 pm Greg: “If you hate govenrment and all it stands for, move to Afghanistan or Somolia for a government-free experience,” As a general note, as time goes on I find this particular statement more and more of a placeholder for an actual argument – or more to the point it’s now used often enough that I find its rhetorical effectiveness just about fully wrung out. Todd Stull says: August 16, 2011 at 8:04 pm cdavis @ 334 Who is screaming? What I respect about this blog is that if you make an argument here, you better damn well make sure it is well thought out and supported by evidence outside of your own subjective experience. I want people to pick apart my ideas; otherwise, how do we reach a solution that works? Bill says: August 16, 2011 at 8:08 pm @Kevin Williams #309: “Bill: who’s complaining about the poor paying the majority of income taxes? Citation needed. I even tried a Google search for that quote about the poor bearing all the taxes but it came up empty.” You didn’t try searching “on the backs of the poor”? Because it digs up a bajillion liberal bloggers when I do it. “Ignoring the income tax, did you pay attention to how much tax you paid for other things? Sales tax, gasoline tax, Medicare, Social Security, and so forth. I’m thinking you’re being less than honest here.” Not at all. I talked about this in an earlier post. Medicare and SSN are not actual taxes, more like forced retirement plans, as you’re in theory going to see all that money again. In practice, you actually get back quite a lot more money than you put in, which is one of the reasons the systems aren’t especially solvent. They’re called “Payroll Taxes” since they get deducted from your W-2, but the term is a bit misleading. They’re only taxes if you don’t expect to ever see that money again (which is a fair complaint). The poor pay the same rates for sales tax and gasoline tax as everyone else, but since these things make up a larger percentage of their budgets, the tax burden deceptively appears high for them. This ignores, of course, the fact that we don’t tax groceries with a sales tax for exactly that reason, and likewise a lot of car taxes here get subsidized for the poor. If you fail your smog check, for example, you can get it repaired for free if you’re poor. It’s hardly regressive. If you look at the effective tax rate for the poor, the rates have been falling steadily over the past 25 years. ( http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/briefing-book/key-elements/poor/households.cfm ) People who claim the poor are being taxed now more than ever are quite simply lying. And again, you’re getting away from the point that Buffett is making, which is exclusively about income tax. The poor don’t pay any income tax. In fact, they get subsidized by the EITC and similar programs to work. Not a bad thing, but absolutely not in accord with the liberal talking points. Another popular talking point is that the rich aren’t paying their fair share. You can see that our tax rates are actually very progressive (again, click on that link above) in terms of effective tax rates. David says: You didn’t try searching “on the backs of the poor”? Because it digs up a bajillion liberal bloggers when I do it. Then provide the links. You made the assertion, you provide the evidence. you actually get back quite a lot more money than you put in, which is one of the reasons the systems aren’t especially solvent. Social Security is quite solvent, thanks. ( http://www.ssa.gov/oact/solvency/index.html warns that solvency may be a problem in 2036. We should all be so lucky). The poor don’t pay any income tax. In fact, they get subsidized by the EITC and similar programs to work. Not a bad thing, but absolutely not in accord with the liberal talking points. Which liberal talking points? Care to come up with a link? Todd Stull says: August 16, 2011 at 8:27 pm Bill @ 355 I take issue with the statement that “they’re only taxes if you don’t expect to ever see that money again”. No, they are taxes because government statute requires you pay a share for services that will be provided to you, either now, or in the future. Moreover, at some points you will be paying more than you use, and at other times, you will receive more than you pay. It’s kind of like how insurance can pay out claims by spreading risk among a large group of people. Social Security may have a fairly regular rate of return for every dollar in tax you pay before drawing benefits. Medicare, however, does not, because your health care costs depend in large part upon what illnesses you need treatment for. It may help your argument to use a peculiar definition of tax, but I don’t find it convincing. More to the point, I wish people who want to cut programs without a tax increase would acknowledge all of the benefits that they are currently receiving. Todd Stull says: August 16, 2011 at 8:33 pm Bill, the one link that you provided is dishonest; perhaps you didn’t look too closely at the charts. I’ll look at the one showing tax rates for couples at the poverty line (a suspiciously focused statistic in itself): you might notice that at the left it starts at 1970, then to 1980, then for some reason (no doubt to make a political point) the x-axis goes nonlinear and in the same distance between 1970 and ’80, it becomes 5 years’ difference, then starting in 2000 it goes in 1-year increments, again without changing the spacing (and don’t say “logarithmic scale!”, it isn’t). That makes it quite a bit more difficult to see what the trends truly are; doubtless this is not an accident, as your source is partisan. If you drill down and go to the page the chart mentions, you’ll see that they’re making a bunch of assumptions, and that the data are from their own model, i.e. it’s not unbiased either. Jesse says: August 16, 2011 at 8:46 pm You didn’t try searching “on the backs of the poor”? Because it digs up a bajillion liberal bloggers when I do it. So, I tried your way, and guess what? The first couple of pages are made up almost entirely of reposts of the same exact article, which says that the poor are bearing the burden of rescue from the recession/debt. Which, in the context of the actual conservative position in the debt fight, which was zero taxes on anyone and cuts almost entirely to programs for the unemployed, low-income, and out-of-workforce, has the virtue of…being true (unless one wants to argue the middle-class and rich are the primary beneficiaries of Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, and block-grant programs). Medicare and SSN are not actual taxes, more like forced retirement plans, as you’re in theory going to see all that money again. In practice, you actually get back quite a lot more money than you put in, which is one of the reasons the systems aren’t especially solvent. I could be wrong on this (and willing to admit it), but isn’t this only true if there’s no adjustment for inflation and if you were a low-income worker? The poor pay the same rates for sales tax and gasoline tax as everyone else, but since these things make up a larger percentage of their budgets, the tax burden deceptively appears high for them. How that deceptively high? This ignores, of course, the fact that we don’t tax groceries with a sales tax for exactly that reason, and likewise a lot of car taxes here get subsidized for the poor. Neither of these is a universal for the US. If you look at the effective tax rate for the poor, the rates have been falling steadily over the past 25 years. People who claim the poor are being taxed now more than ever are quite simply lying. Stop trying to change the subject. No one here’s making either of those arguments, so I don’t know who you’re railing against. The argument is that the rich are being taxed less now than ever, and that is undeniably true. And again, you’re getting away from the point that Buffett is making, which is exclusively about income tax. No, it’s not. He touches on pretty much all taxation. The poor don’t pay any income tax. In fact, they get subsidized by the EITC and similar programs to work. Not a bad thing, but absolutely not in accord with the liberal talking points. Only if you’re talking about Federal income tax, which a lot of conservatives conveniently forget to mention. And many, many liberals have made that point, which is again conveniently forgotten. Another popular talking point is that the rich aren’t paying their fair share. You can see that our tax rates are actually very progressive (again, click on that link above) in terms of effective tax rates. Those are not particularly progressive tax rates, considering the enormous disparities in income. The paper I linked to above postulates an actual, feasible (economically speaking) progressive tax rate on the top end to be twice what your link claims. A lot of other economies, particularly in Europe have tax rates that follow that. Kevin B says: I’m late to this thread, and most of the things I would say have already been covered by other people. It took quite a while to skim through all the comments. In fact, most of the things I would say were said my Mr. Buffett himself. A few people commenting here don’t seem to have read Mr. Buffett’s editorial. I recommend it. This isn’t the first time he has suggested that the rich could afford to pay more in taxes (and that they would remain rich if they did!). He wasn’t specific enough, and so he left an opening for people to claim he was being disingenuous. If they raised the marginal rate for ordinary income, it wouldn’t really affect him much, since his income is mostly capital gains and dividends, which are taxed at a lower rate. In his New York Times editorial on Monday, he addresses those concerns. He is not being disingenuous. He really is suggesting that the taxes he pays go up, including the capital gains tax. He wants to keep taxes low for the working poor and middle class, but raise them on the wealthy. Todd Stull says: No John, I seriously don’t know what it is. I guess I’ll just google it. Greg says: August 16, 2011 at 9:43 pm aw, man, Rick was the perfect combination of “wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong” and awesome. I think retro rick rolling ought to raise the minimum age too cause who likes retro 80’s music except for the old codgers who grew up on ot. bummer. August 16, 2011 at 10:39 pm #348 Because those 400 rich people would move the capital overseas, to somewhere the US government cannot tax it Jesse says: August 16, 2011 at 10:51 pm #365: And you know that…how? Because there’s plenty of historical data showing that top marginal tax rates as from 40% to as high as 90% had not just higher levels of relative GDP, but higher levels of growth in GDP then the current sub-40% rates. unholyguy says: @366 You are linking to income tax rates not capital gains tax. Income tax is irrelevant to the top 400 This is capital gains tax Regardless of whether it is good, bad, or indifferent for the US economy, why would they not move their capital if there is somewhere to put it where it gets taxed less? unholyguy says: Personally I say tax them anyway, but Greg asked a question… Jesse says: August 16, 2011 at 11:02 pm And, no, most of the other 400 richest people can’t just “move capital overseas.” We’re not talking about a couple $100 cashier’s checks from Western frickin’ Union here. For folks like Warren Buffet and most of the other top earners, many of whom are people in financial industry positions, that would mean they all of they sudden decided that capitalism was a bad idea after all, since taking large chunks of money from the American economy would essentially ruin every bank in the world. And for folks like Bill Gates, who have enormous amounts of capital (to say nothing of intellect, labor, and other forms of production) tied up in a wide range of business ventures in the US, removing everything would have roughly the same effect as above, except that it would take even longer to happen. There really needs to be a one-flounce-per-thread rule for the Internets. unholyguy says: August 16, 2011 at 11:18 pm Yes they can move capital overseas and it is in fact one of the things that is causing places like China to boom. The story of the 21st century is already a story of a massive migration of capital and wealth from the west to asia Buffet and company already have a large percentage of their portfolio’s internationally Capital typically will find it’s way to wherever it gets the highest rate of return If you tax it at a higher rate in the US you make foreign markets looks more attractive for investment unless they follow suit That’s how markets work. Will they move all their assets? Probably not. But they don’t have to. If they move enough, you end up with less tax income even at a higher tax Yepper says: August 17, 2011 at 12:06 am @334 you are correct. Lots of articles are fun to read. Political and those about religion are always one sided an I suspect thrown out there from time to time to keep traffic up. But I am sure this thread will be deleted Greg says: unholyguy, So, why would they go galt now, but they didn’t in 1992? Why now, but they didn’t all the decades that it was higher than 29%? Bill says: August 17, 2011 at 3:25 am #360 Kevin: “Bill, the one link that you provided is dishonest; perhaps you didn’t look too closely at the charts.” Dishonest implies it’s not saying what it says it does. Not having a linear x-axis is a good find, but I don’t see how that changes the fact that the poor are paying less in taxes now than ever before (at least in the last 30-40 years), contrary to liberal talking points which state that they bear a disproportionately large share. @Todd “It may help your argument to use a peculiar definition of tax, but I don’t find it convincing.” Do you consider your automatic retirement deductions from your paycheck a “tax” as well? Because it is identical to how SSN operates – automatic deductions from your paychecks, with the expectations of getting the money back after you retire. The details are a bit different, but, hell, it was originally just a retirement plan (only for working individuals) before it was expanded by various acts of Congress. As for the solvency of the system, read more about the problem with paying out more than you take in here: @Jesse #361: “I could be wrong on this (and willing to admit it), but isn’t this only true if there’s no adjustment for inflation and if you were a low-income worker?” Also see the above link on wikipedia. “Neither of these is a universal for the US.” True, I only know the intricacies of California, where your car repairs get subsidized, and you don’t pay sales tax on groceries so that the poor can get food cheaply. But at the federal level, there’s all sorts of tax break available only to people below certain income thresholds. Off the top of my head, you can get money from the feds for having: Student loan debt Subsidized student loans / scholarships in general Paying for child care Free health care (Medicaid) …again, only if you are below various income thresholds. I’m sure I’m leaving out plenty of examples, too. As much as we like to pretend that our system screws the poor, there’s a LOT of programs out there to channel money back to them. I’ve been poor. And it sucks. A lot. When you can’t afford a bit of preventive maintenance on your car, and so both your engine and transmission go out at once, as it did in one horrible month for me in 2002, it really does feel like you’re being punished for being poor. But I never blamed the federal government for my misery, or thought I was being taxed too heavily, or expected it to do anything for me other than providing a safety net in case I fell deathly ill. Drachefly says: mythago @ 370: “There really needs to be a one-flounce-per-thread rule for the Internets.” One or zero, hopefully! August 17, 2011 at 6:36 am Context note: Australian, left-leaning (even for Australia), and fond of Keynesian “bottom up” economic solutions. I’d point out that for a lot of people in the US, what they need isn’t a tax cut, but rather an income boost – like the one they’d get from a job. At present, people (at all levels of the economy) aren’t spending money, so firms aren’t hiring, so banks aren’t paying out credit, so people (at all levels of the economy) aren’t spending money so… around and around it goes, in ever-decreasing spirals. So, like the good little Marxist/Keynesian I am, I’m going to suggest that what’s needed isn’t a concentration on tax gathering (although tax gathering will be a good start). What’s needed is a focus on job creation. Get people employed, get them earning their wages, get them putting money back into the economic cycle from the bottom. Go against about thirty years of economic “orthodoxy” and admit that trickle-down economics doesn’t work, isn’t working, and at this point is only making things worse. So, create bottom level jobs. Jobs doing things like building roads, building bridges, feeding cable down pipes to upgrade data infrastructures, doing maintenance on railway lines and rail-cars, removing graffiti from various structures, planting trees along roadsides, picking vegetables in Georgia, whatever. Pay a base level living wage for these jobs (this may require government subsidies to start with, just to prime the pump) – enough for a family with two people employed in such positions to be able to afford an average-level rent, health insurance fees, petrol for a car, food, school fees, child care, and a few small luxuries (like say beer and cigarettes) each week, with maybe a bit left over for savings (or paying off credit cards or whatever else). Let these jobs carry on for a couple of years, and see whether there’s a net improvement in the economy. Note that the really important bit there is the base level living wage – because the more people you have at the lowest level of society who are earning enough to live on, rather than just scrape by on, the more people you have putting the majority of their incomes back into the economic cycle. They pay for groceries, which helps pay someone else’s wage at the grocery store – and the grocery store person is able to pay their rent, medical insurance, child care, petrol, food etc etc… and the money goes around and around. Contrary to the screams of the US establishment, a living wage does not mean that the Warren Buffets of the world are going to be reduced to penury. What it means is there’s more money circulating at the lower end of the economy, where people spend the majority of their weekly incomes (on things which are relatively inelastic – like food, rent, health insurance, school fees, loan repayments, etc). Strangely enough, the wealth trickles up, because the demand from below drives the whole economy. Or at least, it does in the rest of the known world. I’d be interested in seeing whether this would actually happen in the USA – if only to find out whether US Exceptionalism is all it’s cracked up to be. If things really don’t work there the same way that they do even a few miles over the borders to the north and the south (in Canada and Mexico) then maybe the US is justified in ignoring solutions which appear to be working just about everywhere else. August 17, 2011 at 6:53 am Megpie71: The inelasticness of expenses like rent and food are what makes your argument one I really support. In the debate of trickle-down vs bottom up, the fact that the wealthier members of society have the option of socking away extra income, while the poorer have to immediately recycle most of it back into the economy makes me wonder why this is even still an argument. David says: August 17, 2011 at 8:03 am Dishonest implies it’s not saying what it says it does. Not having a linear x-axis is a good find, but I don’t see how that changes the fact that the poor are paying less in taxes now than ever before (at least in the last 30-40 years), contrary to liberal talking points which state that they bear a disproportionately large share. You should recognize that the two points above are not contradictory. The poor may well still be paying less than they have previously and still be bearing a disproportionately large share. Do you consider your automatic retirement deductions from your paycheck a “tax” as well? Because it is identical to how SSN operates – automatic deductions from your paychecks, with the expectations of getting the money back after you retire. The details are a bit different That last sentence is really the understatement of the thread. Yes, the details are different. One is a voluntary deduction, the other is not. That difference is the what makes the Social Security deduction a tax. Jesse says: August 17, 2011 at 8:11 am #374: But as I pointed out to you several times, the point of Buffet’s article and this thread is that the rich are being taxed too little, not that the poor are being taxed too much. You’ve either avoided this point or dismissed it in one sentence without any proof. August 17, 2011 at 10:20 am Drachefly @375: Well, the hope is that somebody who flounces off will stay flounced, leaving the overall quality of discussion slightly improved by their absence. So one flounce, I think, is not only acceptable but to be positively encouraged. The problem is when the flounce is not really an exit (as it virtually always seems to be) and is simply a rhetorical tantrum designed to get others to drop a particularly troublesome line of discussion, so that the flouncer can come back shortly thereafter and pick up somewhere less strenuous. I’m not sure why they think this will work, since it makes them look like a liar (“What happened to having to quit this nonsense because you were off to bed?”) and/or so immature that they cannot actually exercise the self-control to disengage from a conversation they profess to have abandoned. So, one flounce per thread; it benefits us all, and perhaps would-be flouncers may be moved to use their opportunity wisely. unholyguy says: August 17, 2011 at 10:33 am @373 Because prior to the 21st century the US was somewhat the only game in town when it came to investment, or at least the best game in town with regards to returns even with higher capital games There was some attempts, Four Asian Tigers but there was really not anything to such up large amounts of capital Remember capital does not want to just sit there it wants to make a return I do think we should raise capital gains but I think we should do some in conjunction with whatever legislation we can come up with to limit the risk of capital flight. And even then, it may not increase tax revenue much, however we need to get into the habit of callings the bluffs the ultra rich keep holding over us. David says: Because prior to the 21st century the US was somewhat the only game in town when it came to investment, or at least the best game in town with regards to returns even with higher capital games Evidence? I don’t have a dog in the GDP fight, but I am kind of a fogey about sourcing Wikipedia rather than, say, the actually source referred to by Wikipedia. David says: August 17, 2011 at 11:35 am “US share of world GDP (nominal) peaked in 1985 with 32.74% of global GDP (nominal).” One third of global GDP (even allowing for the Warsaw Pact being off limits) is not the same thing as “somewhat the only game in town” unholyguy says: Wikipedia stands unless you offer evidence to the contrary. I’d rather have something peer reviewed then the agenda laden drivel people normally site. Do you have any counter evidence to anything I am saying? What exactly is the counterclaim here? This is all econ 101 stuff, none of it is seriously challenged. Say for the sake of arguement that the US was around half the capitilist GDP It’s also a matter of alternatives and return on investment. The lions share of the rest of the 1st world economies was Europe. The US economy was growing at between 3-4% as opposed to European economies that were growing much slower (Great Britain as an example was averaging around 2%). Also the US was considered less low risk due to both parties being basically bought and paid for by big business. http://www.tradingeconomics.com/united-kingdom/gdp-growth Sure there were overseas investment opportunities. Japan, south east asia, but they all carried risks none of them had the depth to soak up even a fraction of the capital tied up in the US. This is no longer true, you can hardly open a newspaper without reading about the rise of the BRIC Greg says: unholyguy, er, wait, so you are arguing that there is a causual link between the tax rates of 1992 andthe US investments in the rest of the world peaking in 1982? the tax rate in 1992 caused the peak in 1985? doesnt that require a time machine? I mean shouldnt the cause come before the event it causes? mayhaps the peak of 1985 had some other cause? maybe? perhaps? unholyguy says: August 17, 2011 at 12:01 pm No, I am not arguing anything like that I think prior to the rise of the brics we could have taxed those little shits whatever we felt like and they would have had no real choice but to stfu and pay it unholyguy says: The problem with relying overly much on the projection of historical trends is the entire economic world has changed twice in our lifetimes. Once when communism fell, again in 2007-2008 You cannot project numbers from prior to those periods with any degree of accuracy. Greg says: August 17, 2011 at 12:09 pm unholyguy, please click on the link I posted in 373. it shows marginal tax rates for the last hundred years. if high taxes is what cauzed companies to go overseas, then how does that fit that graph that tax rates pretty much peaked in 1945 and have been going down ever since? 1985 is smack in the middle of a black diamond ski slope of plummetting tax rates. if high tax rates cause folks to go galt overseas, they would have bailed right after WW2 and slowly come back over the.next 40 years, not hung around during the war, and the decades.of plummeting tax rates that follow, *and then* decide that 4 decades of falling tax rates was just not enough. are you seeing the issue I am having with your assertion? Its almost as if it wasnt even based off any empirical or objective evidence at all. Greg says: unholyguy@389, I am not sure, but did you just argue that because the world has ‘moved on’ as it were, that we cant look at historical numbers? Just want to confirm. UnholyGuy says: @390 – This is income tax. Income tax is nothing to the hyper wealthy @391 – Yes and no. The fundamental rules of capitalism have not changed, but the underlying assumptions of most macroeconomic models have become outdated. One of the reasons why it was so hard to get a home loan in 2008 was that none of the statistical models were really working anymore and no one knew what your chance of default was. Looking at data from 1960 is about the same as looking at data from 1760 at this point. There is information in there, but you cannot blithely apply trendlines I do not have direct evidence to support this statement however, it is an opinion. There is significant indirect evidence though, recommend Black Swan or Fooled by Randomness by Taleb if you are interested. David says: August 17, 2011 at 12:49 pm Say for the sake of arguement that the US was around half the capitilist GDP Sure; that’s not the same thing as being the “only game in town,” which is what you said. If you want to back off that assertion and say that the US was the most important game in town, I wouldn’t argue. The lions share of the rest of the 1st world economies was Europe. The US economy was growing at between 3-4% as opposed to European economies that were growing much slower (Great Britain as an example was averaging around 2%). German growth rates seem to have been pretty comparable to the US: #392: Pursuant to your last sentence, perhaps you should read either post #344 or the Whatever front page… Greg Smith says: August 17, 2011 at 1:10 pm Warren Buffet is the boss so he could (but doesn’t) structure his compensation the same as his employees. Maybe if he only took salary instead of capital gains he could (but doesn’t) pay more taxes. He could also tell his accountants to only take the standard deduction. I would pay more attention to his arguments if he made it clear that he did not personally take advantage of all of the “targeted tax cuts” (i.e. tax loopholes) available to the rich. Greg says: unholyguy, my question at 348 asked why we couldnt raise income tax. Erik says: August 17, 2011 at 1:19 pm @395 Warren Buffet isn’t saying he won’t pay the least amount allowable under the law. He’s saying that we should change the law to make the least amount allowable higher, particularly for him and other high-net-worth individuals. Your argument is very similar to the “If he wants to pay more taxes he should send in a check to the IRS” argument that has been soundly rejected here and elsewhere. Greg says: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/15/top-marginal-tax-rates-chart_n_849596.html oddly enough it also shows corporate rates dropping since ww2. I realize you have asserted that we cant look at historical info prior to 2008, but I will assert that history does in fact inform us of the future. And looming at this graph of corporate tax, I see nothing that would suggest any connection between corporate tax rates since ww2 somehow lead to the peak ‘Galt’ event you say happened in 1985. in fact if you say IS a connection between corporate tax rate and Galting, it would appear to be an inverse relation. The lower the taxes, the more Galting that happens. UnholyGuy says: August 17, 2011 at 1:42 pm @393 Yup but what were the tax rates in Germany and France during that time frame? Better or worse then the US? What were the governments attitude toward American business? What was the political stability? If it is the phrase “only game in town” that is bothering you I will happily strike it and replace it with “far and away best investment climate” @392. Please refer to post #344, first point. I am entitled to my own opinion with the regards to applying historical data projections on the current socio economics. It is an informed opinion but I am not passing it off as fact. However the change in roles between the US and the rest of the world with regards to capital, return on investment, globalization etc is not an opinion it is a fact which I am happy to continue to back up with references. Again, what exactly are you two counter claiming David and Jesse? David says: Yup but what were the tax rates in Germany and France during that time frame? Better or worse then the US? What were the governments attitude toward American business? What was the political stability? Sure, but that’s not the argument you were making and to which I was responding. (Note also that you are asserting something–that rich people could not flee the US because it was the only game in town–and that you must provide the evidence for it. The GDP evidence you pointed to does not back up your claim. If you’d like to provide evidence that relates to the questions above, you should do so. Your argument, your evidence.) Again, what exactly are you two counter claiming David and Jesse? I’m not counter-claiming anything. I’m asking you to provide evidence for your claim. UnholyGuy says: August 17, 2011 at 2:26 pm Consider the phrase “Only Game in Town” well and truly struck from the book of life. I never said rich people would flee the US, I said the capital would. The rich people will stay, there is no need for them to go anywhere The only argument I am making is that it is a lot easier to imagine this actually happening now, given that the hottest place for investing large amounts of capital is no longer the US, as opposed to twenty years ago when it was much less of a credible threat Greg says: August 17, 2011 at 3:40 pm unholyguy, just to review, you said the reason we cant raise taxesto 1992 levels is because corps will go galt. your only proof thus far is showing peak galtness in 1985. you have yet to show an actual link between the two. I provided a graph of various tax rates over the years which would show a negative correlation between taxes and galtness. you response was again to ignore the data and aggain to hand out another unproven assertion that its the difference in tax rates between countries that causes galtness. if you would like to provide some sort of historical graph that shows that other countries in which peak galtness was occurring did in fact have lower tax rates than the US for any given year, then you would hav some evidence to suggest a causual link. I provided a link for your first assertion. but given the ease in which you ignored it and instead made another evidenceless claim, I dont feel like playing assertion-whack-a-mole with you. It could be that rather than tax rates being the driving force of galtness, that it was the sudden availability of cheap labor in other countries that was the incentive. or a myriad of other causes. If you want to asssert that it was specifically driven by taxes, I will let you the evidence.for that this time. UnholyGuy says: August 17, 2011 at 4:11 pm @402 no this is not an accurate sumamry of what I said. I suspect you are hearing what you expect to hear as you are used to dealing with talking points rather then reasoning. Also, i don’t know what “go galt” means, please clarify your terminology, especially when you make up new phrases Here are the points of my argument, please tell me which you disagree with 1: I was not talking about corporations for one, I was talking about very rich people. I never used the word “corporation” in any of my posts. Corporations are an entirely differnt problem 2: We were not talking about income tax but capital gains tax as income is irrelevant to non existent for very rich people. 3: There has actually not been a huge amount of variation in capital gains tax over the last 30 years, nothing like the variation in income tax. It is time for that to change. 4: Capital transfer to the developing world is already happening irrespective of capital gains tax rates, to the detriment of the US economy 5: It is reasonable to assume that raising capital gains tax will exacerbate rather then alleviate that trend (though this is not proven) 6: Therefore any raising of capital gains tax should be accompanied by legislation that attempts to retain capital in the US (as opposed to current legislation which actual encouraged capital movement out of the US). The obsession with income tax is very strange to me. Do you actually understand what “income” is and where rich people actually get their money from? Now, tell me which of these points do you disagree with and I will be happy to further support it Greg says: August 17, 2011 at 5:27 pm unholyguy: I suspect you are hearing what you expect to hear as you are used to dealing with talking points rather then reasoning. I generally assume that when someone keeps making assertions without evidence and ignores evidence to the contrary that talking points is more likely than reason. i don’t know what “go galt” means, please clarify your terminology, especially when you make up new phrases I didn’t make up “go Galt”. If you google “go galt” (which you obviously did not do), I get 10 million hits. Its actually a fairly common phrase, especially when talking about taxes. We were not talking about income tax but capital gains tax I was talking about both. My question at 348 asked why we can’t raise taxes on the top 400 so they’re paying 29% like they were in 1992. You can collect some of that through an increase in income tax for people earning over 250,000. It’s not that difficult. There has actually not been a huge amount of variation in capital gains tax over the last 30 years, nothing like the variation in income tax Good grief. The link I posted @398 shows that capital gains tax was flat from 1940 to 1970, and then in the last 30 years bounced up and down quite a bit. Almost exactly opposite of what you’re saying. It is reasonable to assume that raising capital gains tax will exacerbate rather then alleviate that trend And then you say: (though this is not proven) Which was my entire point. You made the assertion. And you have yet to provide even a shred of any evidence that would support it. I asked a question as to WHY we can’t raise taxes. You answered because the rich will leave the country or invest overseas or as others might say, go Galt. I asked you for evidence that this would happen and countered with my own evidence that would suggest that higher taxes does not correlate to going galt. If we had high taxes and people weren’t going galt in the past, you need to then prove why they would do it now. Saying we can’t raise taxes on the rich because they will go galt with no evidence to support it is asserting a talking point, not reasoning. Reasoning would provide evidence and from the evidence one could conclude some form of cause and effect. Why would I conclude that people will go Galt if there is no evidence to support that notion? Unless I wanted to conclude thta in the first place…. UnholyGuy says: I never said we could not raise taxes I never said the rich would leave the country Can you read? Or do you just hear voices in your head and then respond to them? UnholyGuy says: What does “Go Galt” mean to you? If it means the rich will leave the country then of course that is stupid If it means the rich will invest overseas then of course that is happening what does it mean? This is the definition i have found “Expression for undergoing a voluntary financial strike or decrease in income.” is this the definition that you are intending? Greg says: August 17, 2011 at 6:41 pm Have you heard of Ayn Rand or her book “Atlas Shrugged”? It’s a libertarian polemic which contains a character named “John Galt”. Galt is little more than a mouthpiece through which Rand gives her speech about how life should be and an actor playing in an imaginary world created.by Rand to ‘demonstrate’ how life works in her rather warped mind. When I say ‘going Galt’, I am refering to the warped libertarian notion of ‘justice’ that Ayn Rand wraps up in her character John Galt. Now, the problem I am facing at the moment is that I am dealing with someone who doesnt know what ‘go Galt’ means, even though that very phrase is in the *original post* of this thread, along with a mention that it came from Ayn Rand, with a link to another thread about the book ‘Atlas Shrugged’. And this person has already made several points toquestion *my* reading comprehension. UnholyGuy says: August 17, 2011 at 7:00 pm Yeah I know who John Galt is and have read part of that piece of trash until I got sick of it, and am familiar with the crap excuse for a philosophy that hack Ayn Rand exposes. If by “going Galt” you mean “act like John Galt does in Atlas Shrugged then i think you don’t know what it means, as you are using it in a way that has nothing to do with that book or John Galt’s behavior To clarify, no one is exposing that rich people are going to stop working and go on strike or wage any kind of disruptive campaign. They are simply going to keep doing what they always do which is put their capital where they think it will net the greatest yield Greg says: August 17, 2011 at 7:14 pm unholyguy, what do you think Scalzi meant when he used the phrase in the original post? Do you think he is suggesting behavior that follows step for step, act for act, and word for word, the character John Galt did in the boo You act as if this is a mystery that has you stopped cold and must be directly answered in painstaking detail before the discussion can proceed. Which I suppose is one way to move the discussion away from the multitude of your unsupported assertions about why we cant raise taxes because it would cause the rich to Go Galt. UnholyGuy says: August 17, 2011 at 7:30 pm I am assuming he meant “rich will people will get pissed and change their behavior in some kind of way that hurts the rest of us” Let’s put the phrase aside since it’s a stumbling block and you don’t know what it means anyway Look. If i have to tell you this one more time I am going to reach through this computer screen and slap you I never said we cannot raise taxes. I am all for raising taxes Along with raising taxes we need to build in some nasty little counter incentives to give pause to any hyper rich person who starts thinking the grass might be greener in china Should have done that years ago, even more reason to do it now Busy comments! @Petec 233 It seems to need constant reminding, but the 2001 – 2003 tax cuts expired in 2010. We now have the Obama tax cuts. Those are the ones you need to repeal, or just wait for them to expire, whatever. Why do we even have them in the first place? Greg says: August 17, 2011 at 7:48 pm Greg@348: Can anyone explain why we can’t raise taxes so the top 400 or so would be back to paying 29%? unholyguy@365: Because those 400 rich people would move the capital overseas, to somewhere the US government cannot tax it me: why can’t we raise taxes? you: because blah blah blah unholyguy: I never said we cannot raise taxes. Just stop. August 17, 2011 at 7:59 pm @412 It seems to need constant reminding, but the 2001 – 2003 tax cuts expired in 2010. We now have the Obama tax cuts No, and no. The 2001-2003 were SUPPOSED to expire in 2010, but the Republicans stamped their feet and shrieked and demanded that they be extended. As a result, they did not expire. Obama certainly deserves part of the blame for not opposing that extension in any but the most tepid imaginable way, but these are still the same Bush tax cuts that were supposed to automagically create tons of jobs… and didn’t. It is a lie to claim otherwise. David says: August 17, 2011 at 8:03 pm It seems to need constant reminding, but the 2001 – 2003 tax cuts expired in 2010. We now have the Obama tax cuts. Wow, the right wing is so embarrassed by the Bush tax cuts that the latest meme is to lay them off on Obama? UnholyGuy says: Greg show me a place where i said we can’t raise taxes I’m coming to the conclusion that you are not reading posts before replying to them We certainly can and should raise capitla gains and income tax, I’ve said that at least five times now Are you hearing me? Is this getting through? Raise taxes good. We should raise taxes. I am for raising taxes. Lets raise taxes. Taxes raise now. Me Tarzan, this tax raises. There are just some other things we need to do along with it to keep the rich from dodging is that so hard to understand? tv68 says: August 17, 2011 at 8:51 pm “The sort of person who is very rich becomes so by understanding the rules of the game and leveraging them to their maximum benefit.” So well said and so true. It’s interesting how well Buffet’s position leverages him with the current administration. Greg says: dude. every time you ask “where did I say we cant raise taxes?”, several bothans die. Their blood is on your hands. Drachefly says: At this rate, we’ll have the planted intelligence on the Emperor’s secret weapon in no time! unholyguy says: well as long as the bothans are taxed to death by raising capital gains i guess I’m ok with that Greg says: General Akbar: IT’S A TRAP!!!! tv68 says: August 17, 2011 at 11:15 pm So blah, blah blah…and blah. How much should we tax the rich bastards..by the way, who are the rich bastards? Let’s pick a number shall we? I actually think many of you would rather just have a Monarchy..or a maybe a mob decide who the bastards are and just take all their money. And give it to whom? Who will decide that by the way. Our government programs are not working if you haven’t noticed. Obamacare just cut $500 Billion out of Medicare, soooo apparently “someone” has decided old people are the bastards.The list of failed and corrupt redistribution plans goes on and on…but maybe if we give them more money… it will all be better. We have plenty of tax money to run this government. We don’t have enough money to support everyone who does not want to work as well as everyone who is old, and everyone who needs healthcare, and every public workers lifetime pension, and everyone’s education, and everyone’s birth control and abortion, and everyone’s rehab, and everyones…well, everything. It’s not that I don’t think some of these folks need help from someone, I just don’t think it should be from federal tax money. That is the problem with economic planning ( which many of you seem to specialize in) it’s that you give up political freedom( freedom from coercion/arbitrary power of other men/release from the ties which leave an individual no choice but obedience to the orders of a superior to whom he’s attached) , in return for economic freedom(supposed freedom from the “despotism of physical want ie: power and wealth, in other words, wealth redistribution. Unfortunately, history has shown, repeatedly, these two freedoms cannot be combined. The “belief” many of you share, that somehow if we take more money from those who have an abundance, it will bring unfortunate Americans the freedom of abundance, seems genuine and sincere, but when implemented fully, is always..always tragic for ALL. We don’t even need to look at history to see the evidence of this. Europe is crumbling under the weight of redistribution at this very moment. It is noteworthy that the intelligentsia embraced this system and now have no idea how to stop the carnage that it has wrought. Class warfare is a false prophecy in a truly free society. I think most liberals swallow this because they are caring and idealistic. There is nothing wrong with wanting things to be fair, wanting a utopia, if you will. It’s just that reality always wins out. It is the classic” be careful what you wish for ” example. The pure irony of it is inescapable: while striving for fairness you must be unfair. The even bigger irony though, is how many of you are willing to be fooled into blaming your fellow Americans, the tea party, the rich, the corporations, the blacks, the whites, the unions, the banks, the lobbyists, on and on and on…. The truth is none of these people, these citizens are to blame for the hole we are in. This is all a lie designed to control your VOTE. That is your ONLY power to protect your freedom, your religion, your rights to the pursuit of happiness in the way you see fit. If you think you can’t lose that in small measures you are wrong. I am against any tax increase too, but I am for tax reform. Many conservatives are for tax reform. I am conservative. This does not mean I don’t want to pay taxes, it doesn’t mean I’m uncharitable, it doesn’t mean I’m greedy, it certainly doesn’t mean I’m toting a gun (although I think think I should be able to If I want), it doesn’t mean I’m a bible-thumper,(although I believe in the sanctity of life), I say GO to the tea party( I think they are doing a great job of bringing some accountability to this government). I want to work hard, keep the money I earn and distribute it as I see fit ( I think I am a better judge of that than the government, or you for that matter).I think this makes me a practical person, not a radical. What I’m getting at here is.. there are a lot of blanket statements here regarding conservatism. I just want to point out, my views are probably not THAT different from an average liberal. The only fundamental difference is HOW to go about fixing stuff in society. I believe my conservatism is based in reality. Like.. hope for the best and prepare for the worst kind of thing. Just stop the accusations for a minute and do some reading..make sure you read “Road to serfdom” by FA Hayek. I learned a lot from reading some things about real governments, real successful economies, real horrendous ones and how they got there. You know, technology and societies change, but people’s natures really don’t change much. Their motivations have pretty much been the same for thousands of years. Facing the reality of how that affected societies in the past is a pretty good way to understand where we wan to go, and where we don’t want to go. gwangung says: tv68….did you read the part about facts and figures? Greg says: August 18, 2011 at 12:38 am man, that… that… was fricken impressive… I mean… damn… even managed to give a shout out against paying for someone else’s abortion… I feel like I just got caught up in a Fox News blipvert and managed to not spontaneously explode. I feel slightly dirty too. Like someone just used me for a talking point receptacle. a one night stand. use me and then sneak off in the middle of the night. I feel like I need to take a shower. “there are a lot of blanket statements here regarding conservativism” Oh, man, you have no idea just how true that is. conservative blanket statements. whew, yes. absolutely we get a lot of those. I dont even know where to begin… a ten page pdf interview with the guy who invented card counting for blackjack? too long, off topic, didnt read. (ok, I read the first page and it was sufficiently off topic that I wasnt going to read another 9 pages to find out if it ever got on topic.) UnholyGuy says: Ahh Greg your ignorance is only exceeded by your ignorance of your ignorance Greg says: Your name calling and ad hominems are very powerfu, unholyguy. You called me ‘ignorant’ and I lost two IQ points. Use your powers wisely. UnholyGuy says: August 18, 2011 at 4:57 pm You cannot lose that which you do not have (-: Seriously though, if you are legitimately interested in how all this stuff plays out you got to dig pretty deep into the world of high finance, which is a quite icky, complicated place. gwangung says: August 18, 2011 at 5:37 pm re 431: Do YOU understand them well enough to explain them to others not so grounded in “high finance”? There’s a lot of model building in high finance (applied math folks can make a good living there), but they are just as subject as GIGO as anyone else. UnholyGuy says: I understand them as well as anyone does who isn’t actively part of building the models, I was working in that industry up until about a year ago, part of my job was to support people like Thorpe One of my primary roles was to make sure it was not garbage that went in… No one understands it all though August 18, 2011 at 7:38 pm Eric & David, I realize December 2010 was like, what hundreds of years ago? But even from that far distant past you should remember that in those ancient times we had a Democratic House, Senate, and President. Or at least that’s what archeology tells us. According to most historical accounts these “Republicans” were an early version of what we now call the “Republicans” although history records that they were much weaker in numbers than our current modern age. Why that is somewhat a mystery beyond most available documentation of the era although various oral histories mention a boiled leaf that lead to the increase of Republican fortunes. But then, they didn’t have the power to bring the President, or as legend says was then known as “The One, ” “The healthbringer,” or as some called him, “Muad’Dib;” to bring him to his knees with the rituals of stomping and shrieking that you’ve described. The “first draft of history” notes that Maud’Dib gazed over his domain, and decided he wanted four more years, and with the urgings of his dark wizard Bernake, decreed that the tax cuts shall be so. The Linear B tablets record he spake thus: “…a substantial victory for middle-class families across the country.” “a package of tax relief that will protect the middle class, that will grow our economy and will create jobs for the American people.” Other scholars dispute this, noting that the connection of tax cuts to growing an economy and creating jobs violate the core tenets of “The One.” In any case, we can argue over the details of history from this ancient time. I mean after all, were any of us alive back then? But our best sources say that the government was controlled by Democrats, and they didn’t want to be responsible for letting what would be a de facto tax increase take effect. Sounds like people are coming close to not playing nice. Greg says: Greg: I lost two IQ points unholyguy: You cannot lose that which you do not have (bats eyelashes) You smooth talker you. Greg Smith says: August 19, 2011 at 1:58 pm @397 You are right Erik. Nobody has an obligation to pay more in taxes than the legal minimum. But that was not the point that I was trying to make. So let me try again. In my opinion, the tax code is a great big game of Zork, The Great Underground Empire. The uber rich get to play on an entirely different level than the rest of us. So now let me posit the following hypothetical: Warren Buffet is the boss so he could (but doesn’t) structure compensation of his office staff the same as his. He could pay his employees a token salary (say one dollar a year) and give the rest as equity (say a one dollar a share option on 1000 shares of BRK-B). An Instant tax cut to 22% from the 33% to 46% witholding rates that Warren cites in his op-ed. With a sharp tax attorney, Buffet’s secretary could also enjoy that 17 percent tax rate. But I doubt that the average employee could afford to take that type of compensation package. I had a chance to see how that works up close before I became a public employee union thug slug. In one case, I contracted at a company that took the regular employees on roller coaster ride after going public. Many of them took a loss on their stock when the company was bought out. In addition, about half of the staff was let go. My personal go around did not get me anything from the equity portion of my compensation from a previous job. It took me only three years to decide that hanging around another two years to vest was not worth sacrificing my health. That is why I quit to become a public employee union thug slug. And while freelancing I saw another variation on the equity compensation game. In March, the CFO flew in from London to pass out the latest ESOP allocations for the engineers and managers. In September, the CEO shows up to close the Albuquerque office and to lay off most of the engineers in our office. Two days after I was out the door I get a phone call from the engineer who was managing my project: “I have a DOE contract and no engineers left to work on it. Can we subcontract the work through the university?” So I kept getting an extra paycheck for the duration of the contract. Much better than equity that the regular employees never got. In my opinion, throwing around percentages like in the Buffet editorial borders on baffelgab. The Political Class (in both parties) and their crony capitalists just get to play a more obscure game of Zork. Two years ago the Stimulus Bill boasted a “targeted tax cut for general aviation” by changing from MACRS 7 to MACRS 5. By increasing the corporate tax rate, the tax code makes this kind of change more valuable for a corporation. And the political class gets to have it both ways. The “targeted tax cut” from two years ago is now an unfair “tax break for corporate jet owners.” ” tv68….did you read the part about facts and figures?” Where would you like to begin? @424 by Greg “Oh, man, you have no idea just how true that is. conservative blanket statements. whew, yes. absolutely we get a lot of those. I dont even know where to begin…” It doesn’t seem you get many at all around here to me. I thought it might liven up the argument for you if you actually had to debate these issues with a real live conservative. I think I could actually translate my conservative views into Dune language if it would make some of you more comfortable.. although I think maybe that ought to be it’s own thread..lol. David says: If you find one, let us know. tv68 says: August 19, 2011 at 8:40 pm Politics is like the Bible..people interpret the ” facts and figures” in a way that backs up what they want to believe. I admit, I probably do it too, but I try reeeally hard not to. One of the ways I do that is to read material from both sides (real material from respected sources) Contrary to Greg’s opinion, I am not watching Fox News constantly, although when I do, I do not feel that I need a shower, However, I do when I hear President Obama speak (sorry..it’s a cheap shot, but I mean it..I always feel like I’m being lied to or patronized). I get the feeling he’s a ” useful idiots ” kind of guy, not the mass murdering kind, the kind that thinks I’m so stupid that I won’t know he’s lying to me kind. Or the Jack Nicholson ” you can’t handle the truth” kind of arrogant guy. But again, that’s a “belief”. it is my interpretation of what he is saying and how he is saying it. The truth is, we all have to form a belief based on the information we analyze. What you believe is like being skinny or fat..you are what you eat. Try some other food sometimes.. you might find something is more palatable than what you thought. I think everyone should do this before they actually vote…don’t you? Consider this article by the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, which discusses how the Reagan tax cuts affected the unemployment rate. Excerpt: In 1980, President Carter and his supporters in the Congress and news media asked, “how can we afford” presidential candidate Ronald Reagan’s proposed tax cuts? Mr. Reagan’s critics claimed the tax cuts would lead to more inflation and higher interest rates, while Mr. Reagan said tax cuts would lead to more economic growth and higher living standards. What happened? Inflation fell from 12.5 percent in 1980 to 3.9 percent in 1984, interest rates fell, and economic growth went from minus 0.2 percent in 1980 to plus 7.3 percent in 1984, and Mr. Reagan was re-elected in a landslide. […]Despite the fact that federal revenues have varied little (as a percentage of GDP) over the last 40 years, there has been an enormous variation in top tax rates. When Ronald Reagan took office, the top individual tax rate was 70 percent and by 1986 it was down to only 28 percent. All Americans received at least a 30 percent tax rate cut; yet federal tax revenues as a percent of GDP were almost unchanged during the Reagan presidency (from 18.9 percent in 1980 to 18.1 percent in 1988). What did change, however, was the rate of economic growth, which was more than 50 percent higher for the seven years after the Reagan tax cuts compared with the previous seven years. This increase in economic growth, plus some reductions in tax credits and deductions, almost entirely offset the effect of the rate reductions. Rapid economic growth, unlike government spending programs, proved to be the most effective way to reduce unemployment and poverty, and create opportunity for the disadvantaged. The conservative Heritage Foundation describes the effects of the Bush tax cuts. (H/T The Lonely Conservative) Excerpt: President Bush signed the first wave of tax cuts in 2001, cutting rates and providing tax relief for families by, for example, doubling of the child tax credit to $1,000. At Congress’ insistence, the tax relief was initially phased in over many years, so the economy continued to lose jobs. In 2003, realizing its error, Congress made the earlier tax relief effective immediately. Congress also lowered tax rates on capital gains and dividends to encourage business investment, which had been lagging. It was the then that the economy turned around. Within months of enactment, job growth shot up, eventually creating 8.1 million jobs through 2007. Tax revenues also increased after the Bush tax cuts, due to economic growth. In 2003, capital gains tax rates were reduced. Rather than expand by 36% as the Congressional Budget Office projected before the tax cut, capital gains revenues more than doubled to $103 billion. The CBO incorrectly calculated that the post-March 2003 tax cuts would lower 2006 revenues by $75 billion. Revenues for 2006 came in $47 billion above the pre-tax cut baseline. Here’s what else happened after the 2003 tax cuts lowered the rates on income, capital gains and dividend taxes: GDP grew at an annual rate of just 1.7% in the six quarters before the 2003 tax cuts. In the six quarters following the tax cuts, the growth rate was 4.1%. The S&P 500 dropped 18% in the six quarters before the 2003 tax cuts but increased by 32% over the next six quarters. The economy lost 267,000 jobs in the six quarters before the 2003 tax cuts. In the next six quarters, it added 307,000 jobs, followed by 5 million jobs in the next seven quarters. The timing of the lower tax rates coincides almost exactly with the stark acceleration in the economy. Nor was this experience unique. The famous Clinton economic boom began when Congress passed legislation cutting spending and cutting the capital gains tax rate. Those are the facts. That’s not what you hear in the media, but they are the facts. Greg says: August 19, 2011 at 11:32 pm smith, I think if Buffett strategized the compensation to his ’employees’ the way you suggest, then they would no longer be employees. and as far as capital gains tax goes, I thi.k its only that if you have capital that gained. and the IRS and/or SEC has recently tightened how companies hand out stock to employees. itmight be that Buffett cant do wht you suggested. unholyguy says: Smith is right about the uber rich getting a different set of rules However he’s wrong about some of the details What he is talking about in his hypothetical is a restricted stock grant and they are quite common for executives. It’s taxed them same as income, at time of grant or at time of vesting if it’s not immediately vested. No different form getting paid money. The place where the rules are different is tax on capital growing versus salary. unholyguy says: August 19, 2011 at 11:59 pm @442 I think you are confusing the terms. When people ahve been talking about “Bush Tax Cuts” they’ve been referring to tax cuts on the upper echelon of wage earners. I don’t think anyone is saying that any tax relief to anyone is a bad thing. It’s also interesting to note that you are cherry picking your tax rate case studies For instance capital gains tax was dropped from 39% to 28% in 1979 without much positive impact, you ignore this and then focus in on the 2003 drop from 21% to 16% (far smaller) I personally do believe that a high tax rate has a negative impact on the economy and overall would prefer government spending be kpt under control, The thing that steams me is the inequality, why should hyper wealthy people pay almost nothing? They should pay their share, and they are not. Greg Smith says: Actually, the “Bush Tax Cuts” were for everyone. The 1999 tax brackets for singles after the standard deduction on other income adjustments were: 15% of the amount from 0 to 27,000 28% of the amount from 25,750 to 62,450 (plus 3,862.50 ) 31% of the amount from 62,450 to 130,250 (plus 14,138.50) 36% of the amount from 130,250 to 283,150 (plus 35,156.50) 39.6% of the amount over 283,150 (plus 90,200.50) Extending the “Bush Tax Cuts” (for evveryone) gives the following brackets for 2011: 10% of the amount from $0 – $8,500 15% of the amount from $8,500 – $34,500 (plus $850) 25% of the amount from $34,500 – $83,600 (plus $4,750) 28% of the amount from $83,600 – $174,400 (plus $17,025) 33% of the amount from $174,400 – $379,150 (plus $42,449) 35% of the amount over $379,150 (plus $110,016.50) The strum und drang during the December lame duck session was all about the last bracket going from 35% to either 37% or 39.6%. If the “Bush Tax Cuts” (for everyone) had expired then: The poorest of the poor would have their taxes increased from 10% to 15%. The next bracket up would also pay more (even though their rate at that bracket remained at 15%.) The next bracket up would go from 25% to 28% The next bracket would go from 28 to 31 The next bracket would go from 33 to 36 And the highest bracket would go from 35% to 39.6% Also, note how much the brackets have gone up because of inflation. Also, the table with the current rates calls into question the rates that Buffet cites in his article for his employees. If his employees are paying from 33% to 46%, then his secretary is making around 83,600 a year. That is great pay in Omaha. (I assume Buffett includes FICA in the percentages for his employees.) Greg Smith says: It’s also important to note that to some extent those income brackets are fiction for the upper middle class as AMT kicks in tv68 says: August 20, 2011 at 6:30 pm @445 The argument that the rich do not pay their fair share is an old one. Their fair share of what? To pay for what? It depends on what you think the Federal government should be providing and what they shouldn’t. As I stated before, I don’t believe economic planning is an effective means of governing. The result is obvious in history and in the present. Bankrupt countries at the very least and Dictatorships at the very worst. Therefore my view is we need to cut spending on too many entitlement programs that are ineffective and do not encourage personal responsibility. From that point of view, there is plenty of money to pay for our security and infrastructure without new taxes. A reform of tax is the real answer, to take the power of politicians to bribe their constituents with tax money away. Personally, I think the Fair Tax is a worthy idea. The only folks hurt by this bill are career politicians. Read the Fair tax Book if your interested. (please don’t try to debate it if you haven’t read it) I thought this was an interesting analysis of Buffet’s statements ” When Buffett receives dividends and capital gains, it is true that he pays “only” 15 percent of that money on his tax return. But dividends and capital gains are both forms of double taxation. So if he wants honest effective tax rate numbers, he needs to show the 35 percent corporate tax rate. Moreover, Buffett completely ignores the impact of the death tax, which will result in the federal government seizing 45 percent of his assets. To be sure, Buffett may be engaging in clever tax planning, so it is hard to know the impact on his effective tax rate, but it will be significant. Mitchell also points out that Buffett “completely ignores the impact of the death tax, which results in the federal government seizing 45 percent of his assets,” and “mischaracterizes the impact of the Social Security payroll tax, which is dedicated for a specific purpose.” But apart from misstating his tax burden, Buffett fails to call for significant reforms in Social Security and Medicare that could reduce federal spending, and he downplays the role that taxation plays in investment decisions. Buffett bizarrely downplays the role of taxation plays in investment decisions, arguing taxes have no impact on investing. We’ll take Buffett at his word that he doesn’t consider the tax implications for his investments (even though it is well documented in several books that he does consider them – one of the major tenets of the value investing practice Buffett follows is to hold equities as long as possible to minimize the impact of taxes and therefore maximize internal returns), but the rest of the investing world is solely concerned with after-tax returns to their investments. Tax rates including the capital gains rate, dividends rate, corporate income tax rate, and individual tax rate are major determinants of after-tax returns. Then there’s the fact that a shortage of tax revenue isn’t even the root of Washington’s problem–too much spending is. While revenue will surpass its historical average of 18.0 percent of GDP once economic growth returns, spending is already 25 percent above its historical average and will remain there permanently if President Obama and his big government allies have their way. A billionaire calling for more taxes might make great political theater, but there’s more to the story than Buffett—and Obama—would have you believe.” Greg Smith says: August 20, 2011 at 9:43 pm @448 I think that is what I said in #446: “The strum und drang during the December lame duck session was all about the last bracket going from 35% to either 37% or 39.6%.” Don’t worry, the “Obama Tax Cuts” will expire in two years. Then we can get back to what is a fair share for all: The poorest of the poor would have their taxes increased from 10% to 15%. The next bracket up would also pay more (even though their rate at that bracket will remain at 15%.) The next bracket up would go from 25% to 28% The next bracket would go from 28 to 31 The next bracket would go from 33 to 36 And the highest bracket would go from 35% to 39.6% Greg says: tv68: their fair share of what? uhm, taxes. or more specifically, the deficit. they’re not paying their fair share to pay down the deficit. everything you posted after that question could have been shortened to ‘I say we starve the beast’ and saved everyone a lot of trouble. Gary Willis says: August 21, 2011 at 2:15 pm Why are so many down on entitlement spending? The only entitlements I am looking forward to in six years are social security and medicare. Last I checked, my paystubs show me paying into both. Sure I am entitled to those future checks. And had the social security fund invested their surpluses the last generation, then we’d not be worried abnout the system. But no, they handed the surplus over to the Feds for IOUs and the Fed spent the surplus. unholyguy says: August 21, 2011 at 3:25 pm @452 Conservative types like to delude themselves that lazy, poor people are the root of all our economic woes. They do this despite copious evidence to the contrary because it is a simple answer with no personal accountability Paul says: August 30, 2011 at 11:10 am Adds some nice perspective into the actions of Warren Buffet. There was also I believe another piece on said site that talks about Buffet’s tax proposal that I found interesting, anyways thanks again John for introducing me to Stephen’s site. The comment is conspiratorial at best, ridiculous at worst. Bainbridge is really arguing that Buffet wants taxes raised so that the government will have plenty of money to bail out banks which he has a stake in? Because the government hasn’t bailed out big banks, irrespective of the tax rates? Because Buffet really thinks that a op-ed is going to work magic in this regard? That’s thin.
Moat
If five baskets contain respectively 7, 6, 5, 4 and 3 apples, what is the average number of apples in two baskets?
CityPagesKuwait February 2015 by CityPages Kuwait - issuu issuu 62 FEBRUARY 2015 issuu.com/citypageskuwait Scan this QR code with your smart phone /tablet and enjoy reading CityPages. To read it on your computer, simply visit the web link above. SHEIKH MOHAMMAD ABDULLAH AL-MUBARAK AL-SABAH Accepting challenges with a smile pinterest.com/citypagesmag Scan this QR code with your smart phone /tablet and enjoy reading and sharing slective pages from this issue of CityPages. To read it on your computer, simply visit the web link above. LIFESTYLE / PEOPLE / EVENTS / FASHION ‫ﻟﻴﺰﺭ ﻟﺘﺤﺪﻳﺪ ﺍﻟﻠﺤﻴﺔ‬ ‫ﻓﻘﻂ ﺑـــ‬ ‫‪10‬‬ ‫ﺩ‪.‬ﻙ‬ ‫‪VelaShape III‬‬ ‫‪Stretch Marks‬‬ 100% SPANISH FASHION BRAND The Avenues mall The Mall - Mezanine Nº 140A. Fifth Ring Rd. High Street KUWAIT Phone: 22200650 The Avenues Mall. @TRUCCOKW ‫مجمع االفنيوز‬ ‫ ميزانني‬- ‫ذا مول‬ ‫هاي سرتيت‬ 22200650 :‫هاتف‬ 25 contents ISSUE 62, VOLUME 5, FEBRUARY 2015 34 96. Peeling Away Inperfections 98. 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Horoscopes MAGAZINE From the Editor Dear Readers… Dhari Al-Muhareb Editor-in-Chief Creative Director Graphic Designers Mohammed Syed Khaled Al-Enezi At the start of my letter I would like to wish the government and people of Kuwait a very happy ‘Independence and Liberation Day’ with lots of prosperity and success. On this special occasion CityPages has brought you a very special issue packed with so many features and the personalities who made it special for us. This issue is very special to me as many of my favourite people are featured in this issue. I had a very long desire to interview His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. He is such a nice and humble man that you don’t feel yourself stranger while sitting with him. He is very friendly and humble man and possesses all the qualities which a person on his level should. 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Opinions wanted on fashion, lifestyle, business, news, home, music, gadgets, sports, and culture. Something annoyed you and you want to tell? We're here for you. If you'd like to see your name in... er... print, get in touch. We understand that the medium is the message. The quality of a magazine reflects on the businesses that advertise within it. CityPages is Kuwait's highest quality magazine and premium print media option for stylish and progressive brands. If you have a business or strategy to promote to Kuwait's forward thinking consumer, get in touch. Call us on 66973003 or drop us an email... [email protected] CityPages 75371D01 Citypageskuwait @citypageskuwait citypageskuwait citypageskuwait ARE YOU IN? [email protected] [email protected] WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO WHEN YOU’RE BORED? RESULT OF SURVEY What do you like to do when you're bored? 5% Play board games with your family 8% Gather with your friends at a restaurant 3% Watch a movie at the cinema 16% Cook something delicious and fancy 54% Watch TV shows at home 14% Sleep The question above was the subject of a UK nationwide survey that I viewed recently, and I must admit that I was surprised both by the question and by the responses. Let’s first share the survey results with you... Paul Turnbridge I confess I wasn’t surprised that the most popular response was to switch on the television and assume the couch-potato position, but wonder if that is not a conscious choice rather than a remedy for boredom. In fact, when I thought about it, each of the responses require a degree of conscious thought which suggests to me that they are not necessarily remedies for boredom, but rather they are things people do to prevent being bored in the first place! Apart from sleep, which is a remedy for tiredness rather than boredom. But what did surprise me were all the other possible activities that were absent from the list – what about reading a magazine, citypageskuwait.com newspaper, or (dare I suggest) a book? Or what about participating in a sport or other outdoor games? If it’s too hot to venture out, then there are table games for indoors, or even video games (and I’m surprised that playstations didn’t feature in the survey responses). Then there are hobbies, both indoors and out, that can be great for engagement and education. Why not get creative? Drawing or painting; photography; model-making; dress-making; knitting; cross-stitch; woodwork; ............ the list is endless. Is there a craft or hobby that perhaps you’ve always wanted to try but “never had the time”? And of course there’s writing – poetry or prose; fiction in any of its genres; letters to family or friends; an article for CityPages, perhaps? Or open your laptop and contact your friends on social media? If you like to travel, why not think about learning a new language? If you enjoy listening to music, why not learn to make it too, and learn how to play a musical instrument? Now, if I asked each of you the same question What Do You Like To Do When You’re Bored? – I wonder what would be your response? With so many options, and so much to keep us occupied, I do also wonder how anyone has the time to be bored. Oh....and my final suggestion....if you really cannot think of anything else to do with your spare time, why not hunt down some internet surveys in which you can participate? February, 2015 360 Mall Level 1, Al Zahra - Kuwait | TEL: 25309676 A Very Modern Public INN-CONVENIENCE Paul Turnbridge A trip to the toilet is usually not associated with sandwiches, wine, or dates, but that’s changing in London. With real estate at a premium and the repurposing of old spaces in full effect, a trend has emerged: former public restrooms are reopening as cafés, bars, restaurants, and boutiques. I remember seeing the old underground public toilets when, as a young boy, I was treated to regular sightseeing trips to England’s capital city. The toilets were often sited in the rest spaces at road junctions, nearly always with stairs going downwards from the road enclosed by black victorian railings and a large sign above highlighting the “Public citypageskuwait.com Convenience” or more simply “Gents” and “Ladies”. Even at that time, many had already been closed and those that remained open had a distinctly unsavoury odour in spite of the attendant cleaners’ best efforts to keep them clean. Nowadays, the demand for public toilets is met in many different and modern ways (though not always pleasant either to use or to look at) and the old underground facilities have largely disappeared. Many Victorian urinals had remained abandoned for decades after World War II but recently, encouraged by local officials keen for fresh sources of income, the conversion wave has been gathering momentum. Many of the sites embrace their lavatorial heritage, such as The Convenience, a coffee shop that opened in the trendy district of Hackney in 2013; WC, a wine bar in Clapham in South London; and ArtsLav, a performing arts space in Kennington. Others have chosen less literal names like The Attendant and the Cellar Door cabaret, both in the city centre. London has all kinds of history, and that clearly extends to its toilets. Take, for instance, WC – that’s the actual name of the former Victorian-era underground-station toilet in South London that opened in 2014. WC no longer refers to the “water closets” that would once have been found there, but now stands for wine and charcuterie. Much of the old décor remains, with the original floor mosaics and wall tiles, and even some of the old toilets in the restrooms (those are for display only). As Time Out London commented in its review, “Down the wide stairs it still looks and feels like a Victorian convenience, albeit a sanitised one.” For those that want an even bolder toilet theme, a trip to The Attendant in central London will allow you to sit on a stool and have a salt-beef bagel while actually facing an original 1890s urinal. The toilet cisterns have been turned into flower pots. Having been abandoned for over 50 years, the place has an ornate wrought-iron exterior, but it doesn’t take much imagination to know what you’re walking into. But there’s no need to worry about sanitation at The Attendant, because there’s no longer a working restroom in this tiny space. Yet more cheeky British humor is evident if you head across to trendy Hackney in East London, where you can have a cup of coffee at The Convenience, which preserves its 1940s architecture inside a former public restroom. Katie Harris, owner of the space, says that she didn’t want to “deny it was a toilet” while not making the café “too toilety.” So she took out any yellowed urinals from the old days, and the ones that remain are a gleaming white. “It is important to preserve these places, to make them places for the community,” she said. Another of the more recent renovations has seen the opening of a lovely cocktail bar (with good retro music) that is housed in a former underground toilet in the Kentish Town area of London. “Ladies & Gentlemen” makes the most of its unusual space: two moodily underlit rooms (one seriously tiny), with a small bar. There are a few seats at the bar, but mostly it’s table service, and drinks are delivered with a smile and loads of enthusiasm. The soundtrack is Manhattan cocktail-lounge material, mostly mainstream jazz vocalists such as Ella Fitzgerald. And, in a common theme with other similar establishments, the owner has been keen to retain some of the original features – council-brickwalls; utilitarian white tiling; and even an old wall cistern used as a feature on the wall – just so that everyone remembers exactly where it is that they are now sipping their expensive drinks! As I write this, I’m wondering if there’s a sublime message in all this. I shall leave it to you to decide... February, 2015 ‫ابحث عن الـ ‪٪٢٠‬‬ ‫هناك مبدأ أو قاعدة في االقتصاد هي ‪ ،٨٠-٢٠‬وتسمى بقاعدة ( باريتو) نسبة لعالم االقتصاد االيطالي ( فيلفريدو‬ ‫باريتو)‪ .‬فبعد أن الحظ ( باريتو) أن ‪ ٪٨٠‬من الثروة في ايطاليا يملكها فقط ‪ ٪٢٠‬من سكانها أحدث هذه القاعدة العامة‬ ‫التي يمكننا تطبيقها على أمور كثيرة في حياتنا‪.‬‬ ‫فهذه النظرية تعتمد على الكيف وليس الكم‪ ،‬بمعنى أنك تقوم بالبحث والجهد بنسبة ‪ ٪٢٠‬لتحقق نتائج ‪٪٨٠‬‬ ‫ويكمن ذلك في العادات والسلوكيات واألفكار بمختلف جوانب الحياة من صحة وعمل وعالقات اجتماعية‪.‬‬ ‫فلو اخذنا مجال الصحة كمثال فاننا نبحث عن سلوكيات وعادات ايجابية جديدة ندخلها في حياتنا اليومية مثل‬ ‫التأمل واالسترخاء واستخدام الكلمات االيجابية وهي عبارة عن ‪ ٪٢٠‬من العمل ‪ ،‬أما النتيجة التي ستحصل عليها‬ ‫جراء هذا العمل هو ‪ ٪٨٠‬من الراحة الجسدية والنفسية‪ ،‬فتحقق الرضا والسعادة في أحد جوانب حياتك وهو الصحة‪.‬‬ ‫ويمكن تطبيق القاعدة على كل جوانب حياتك ‪ ،‬واالهتمام بالكيفية وليس بالكم والعدد‪ .‬حاول أن تطبق هذا‬ ‫القانون لكل جوانب حياتك والحظ االنجاز االكثر بجهد اقل‪.‬‬ ‫‪Nour AlZaabi‬‬ ‫‪Nour holds a Master in Business Administration‬‬ ‫‪and a Bachelor in Marketing and is a Member at‬‬ ‫‪The Kuwait Economic Society and British Council‬‬ ‫‪Entrepreneur Network in Kuwait. Stay tuned for‬‬ ‫‪her articles and features in the CityPages magazine.‬‬ ‫‪citypageskuwait.com‬‬ Peregrine Spode Dentally challenged. Still single. Longer ago than I care to remember, I lived in a place called England. One or two of you might have heard of it. It’s overcrowded there and it pours with rain. Rather a lot, as it happens. With the exception of rural Surrey, but only rich people live there, so that doesn’t count. With a name like Peregrine, of course, this should come as no surprise – not the rain, but my birthplace. My dear old mother, not, I have to admit, the sharpest chisel in the toolbox, adhered to the delusional belief that if she gave me what she perceived to be a name redolent of wealth and privilege, I might somehow in my maturer years actually get to move in such exalted circles myself. The result was, people used to make faces at citypageskuwait.com me at school and call me ‘pelican’ and I still catch the bus home at night. The neighbours often remarked, in the words of Mae West, that “she should have thrown me away and kept the stork.” But, back to England and my mother, unfortunately. She had a phrase – used tiresomely often – from which the title of this little offering is taken. She used to say… “Funny! Ha, ha!”. This was as close as she ever got to a breath of sarcasm, to which my father, a self-made man who worshipped his creator and well-trained Pavlovian that he was, would rumble “No. Funny peculiar” from behind his newspaper, to gales of merriment underlain by the grinding of my pre-adolescent teeth. Which probably accounts for the horrendously awkward overbite which I now have the misfortune to suffer from. Never let it be whispered that old Perry has a political bone in his body. I haven’t, and the thought of tramping about waving some species of placard bearing some outrageously simplistic meme does turn the old stomach a bit. Especially when accompanied by large women wearing glasses with a revolutionary gleam in their eyes and a hedonistic desire to be hauled off to the calaboose by the local constabulary and get their name in the papers. Nevertheless, in common with what appeared to be half the population of the republican Shangri-La where I now make my home, in response to the well-documented incidents in Paris, where people were actually killed because of a cartoon, I turned up the other week, and milled about anonymously for a bit, Before the English language got boiled down to four-letter words and textspeak and emoticons were a figment of depixellated imagination, you duelled verbally with the satirist at your peril. Imagine this, in the British House of Commons. A Member of Parliament once said to Benjamin Disraeli: "Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease." Not a bad opening gambit, but what about this for a response: "That depends, Sir," said Disraeli, "whether I embrace your policies or your mistress." Disraeli clearly had what Walter Kerr once described as “delusions of adequacy." Winston Churchill was a master at the putdown. The playwright George Bernard Shaw was no admirer of the Great Man but it was politically expedient to include him. "I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend, if you have one." Bernard Shaw wrote. Churchill’s response was masterly: "Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second, if there is one." After the performance, he might have quoted Groucho Marx: “I’ve had a wonderful evening. But, this wasn’t it.” "He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire" Churchill once remarked in reference to Sir Stafford Cripps, whose Marxist sympathies brought WSC out in a rash. He might have come up with this on the same subject, but it has been attributed to the American lawyer and wit Clarence Darrow: "I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure." more out of idle curiosity than anything else to see what all the fuss was about. using wit as a weapon and as a tool to draw attention to wider issues in society. Now, I want you to hear me clearly. In the soul of every Frenchman is the instinct to do two things. First, to pee wherever he pleases, whether in a public place or not and second, to think, say and even draw whatever he likes. It’s generally believed that this is called Free Speech. You may not agree that this image of the grossly overweight French actor Gérard Dépardieu with the caption “can Belgium welcome all the cholesterol in the world?” – he left France to live in Belgium in order to reduce his tax bill – is remotely amusing, but some people think that the right to say it is the important thing. As, no doubt, did Mr Dépardieu when he elected to relieve himself in the corridor of a crowded aircraft. In midair. The cartoon pokes fun at Mr Dépardieu’s excess poundage and it ridicules his decision to leave for a cozier fiscal climate. The joke is supposedly satirical. The Purists among us refer –rather grandly - to Satire as a ‘genre’ of literature or art, in which all manner of vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, corporations, government or society itself, into improvement. Although satire is usually meant to be funny, its greater purpose is often constructive social criticism On the other hand, so my mother told me, satire is when people poke fun at their elders and betters to make a point and is a nasty, low form of gutter entertainment much like watching people being torn limb from limb in the Roman amphitheatres. She once referred me to a picture of the Capitol building in Washington with the caption “…never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups”, without a flicker of expression. We do live in an age of the quick-fire riposte, the headline tweet, and the unforgettable meme. It’s never been easier to show off our satirical skills on social media and magazines. No, I’m not going to draw a cartoon, although we might notice that just about every newspaper known to mankind has a resident cartoonist. Perhaps a statistician might disagree, to which my response would be in the words of the anthropologist and literary critic Andrew Lang: "He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts - for support rather than illumination." For myself, I’ve always rather admired those who use the written word, irony and sarcasm with the skill of a master fencer but whatever happened to the art of the glorious, perfectly timed, offthe-cuff insult? Writers are often the most scaldingly abusive about fellow-members of their profession – after all it is their job to use words in ways others might shrink from. William Faulkner was quite scathing about Ernest Hemingway, being quoted as remarking: "He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary." Hemingway, not slow to respond, replied: “Poor Faulkner. Does he think big emotions come from big words?” Hemingway might easily have been the butt of Oscar Wilde’s famous funereal quip: “he had no enemies, but was intensely disliked by his friends.” One of these days, I might get around to writing a book, as long as I can find a way to get over the suicidal disappointment of rejection from any and all publishers who might receive an unsolicited copy. Imagine how one might feel if Moses Hadas, the American teacher and classical scholar upon receiving one’s manuscript had replied: "Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I'll waste no time reading it." Returning momentarily to Oscar Wilde: "Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go." So, this might be a good time for me to go, too. If I have upset anybody, by word or implication, I am sorry, perhaps I have Van Gogh’s ear for music. If I have, in the words of Mark Twain, “why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it?” Say something! February, 2015 THE ARROGANCE ALERT Even though nobody is perfect, there remain some certain characteristics that you really wouldn’t want to have in the person who will share your life with. Whether you are a man or a woman, you wouldn’t want to marry a cheater, a liar, or a manipulative partner. However, why do some marry those very persons? Two reasons: 1-They might be the kind that deserve it. 2-They can’t really detect those features till after a long time of a sad marriage. Let me tell you about one of the characters you want to stay away from: The Arrogant One. Why the arrogant(s) in specific? Because arrogance is nothing but an umbrella to many other characters you don’t want to be involved with. For this reason, I am offering you a guide and I call it “The Arrogance Alert” because it will help you identify them and, hopefully, run for your life and never look back. Self-revolved Arrogant people are ones with very limited experience in life. Do they want this to be exposed to others? No. Do they tend to overcome this deficiency and go out, learn more, know more, be more? On the contrary. What they do is try to trick everyone into thinking they are the “wise” ones; those who know it all. Arrogant people tend to generalize their very limited life experiences and try to impose it on the weak others. Jealous No! Not this kind of Jealousy. Do you know this “Mmm” you get when going on and on about an achievement of yours and Sherihan A. Hassabo Sherihan A. Hassabo is a passionate writer who started expressing her opinion about controversial subjects when she was 14. When she is not directing events, she likes to investigate the interesting relationships' controversy in our Eastern society. Every month, and from real life experience; Sherihan will share a story, an idea, opinion, or a simple advice for men and women to live happily ever after. citypageskuwait.com the person listening makes it seem so trivial with a nod and an “Mm”? Well, this person is one of “them”. Jealousy of your achievements, of your looks, of your lifestyle, is a feature for no other than arrogant people. Try it. Say something good about yourself, be proud when you say it, listen carefully to the reply. Is it an “Mm” followed by an “I”? Because in such situations, an arrogant person pretends to be the least interested, give you that look to make you feel vain, and then open their mouth to say something about “themselves” instead of even commenting on what you were just saying. Control Freaks A steering wheel is how they would like to - or rather think that they actually – control their lives, and that of others. They can’t let anyone else take charge, not out of leadership senses, but pure arrogance! The simple kind of “Why You and Not Me?” It’s like they are cursed, and the witch literally said: “I curse you to eternal damnation if you don’t always have the last word” So if you say almost anything in almost any situation, you will find that the arrogant one can’t help give you this sweet opportunity; they always have the last word. You: Let’s go out. The arrogant one: I agree You: let’s have dinner at that new restraint at 8. The arrogant one: no, let’s have lunch at that old restaurant at 4. If it happens ones or twice, then it is a healthy “we don’t always agree on everything” kind of relation. But if it happens every single time, you know what to do! Unreasonably Critical Every single person is not good. They hate almost everybody. And it’s always a deficiency in that other person’s personality. But if you listen carefully, and look closely, you will see that your arrogant one is the one who is deficient. The harsh criticism bestowed upon all live creatures other than themselves is the arrogant(s’) way of demeaning everyone else in order to “seem” higher in level. You will always catch them talking poorly about anyone and everyone, relatives, coworkers, neighbors, someone they just met or even their siblings; all is part of the master plan to look better and shine. Friendless The Arrogant(s) have Zero friends. None! Since real friendship is based on elements of honesty, trust, and mutual support; an arrogant person can’t seem to have one real friend. They have this urge to be the best, look the best, and feel the best. And thus, find difficulty helping a friend out in fear of making them be better, or even look better. They might surround themselves with lots of acquaintance, but they are definitely not friendship material. Hypocrite They are the people who would treat others according to a list of aspects. In their manual of how to deal with others; they have a checklist of different backgrounds, beliefs, perspectives, and many others that determine the way they deal. Kind of like this: I can’t shout at old people. I can shout at old people who are on a lower social level than me. All in All, although arrogant people hide a huge deal of vulnerability behind all the above acts, but everyone else need to know the one weapon sharp enough to fight them with: neglecting and ignoring them! Everything they do is to feed their ego, once you don’t acknowledge them, they are done… emotionally devastated! They will then leave you alone in search for another prey to feed on. Salhiya Complex, Mezzanine 1, Gate 3, Shop 36, Tel: 22 99 64 35 [email protected] Instagram: @mosaickuwait www.shopmosaickuwait.com February, 2015 REALLY ELEMENTARY John McArthur citypageskuwait.com The British are quite a selfeffacing people. Which means that they tend to apologise when there’s no need and generally take the blame in awkward social situations just in case anybody might for a moment point the finger at them. Most well brought up types do it. They have the gene. They’d apologise to the mugger in the street who has just stolen their wallet at knifepoint for not having enough money in it. This desire not to offend, however, has metamorphosed into the rather more hard-boiled notion of ‘political correctness’. Political correctness, the attitude of being careful not to offend or upset any group of people in society who are believed to be in some way different or indeed disadvantaged is so quintessentially hard-wired into the British psyche that it’s almost painful. Ironically, it was the Communists who first popularised the term, and those who toed the Party line during political debates were derisively referred to as being ‘politically correct’. Communist loyalty overrode compassion and the Socialists who believed so passionately in egalitarian moral ideas could be separated from the Communists who, like Boxer, the carthorse in “Animal Farm”, stubbornly proclaimed that “Napoleon is always right” without really being able to give the matter much critical thought. I sometimes wonder whether we have all apologised ourselves into a corner. Is our desire not to offend or to challenge an opinion with which we disagree in fact contributing to a mainstream culture which has become cautious and sanitised, almost afraid of its own shadow because of "the watchful eye of the PC police", those shadowy arbiters of public consciousness and good taste? The more PC the reader might be, the more he might now be wondering if I am going to offend anybody by saying something outrageous and hurriedly thinking about turning the page. Certainly, it would be possible, but perhaps not expedient. Some cultures are much less happy than others about people who poke their sacred cows with a pointed stick and the thought of – by way of a completely hypothetical example – drawing offensive cartoons could never be contemplated. However, if we must find a scapegoat, a softer target might be, let’s say, global warming. There is a body of thought – perhaps even evidence -, which is unafraid to use heavyweight language in this context. The “propaganda which masquerades as science” – the public pronouncements of scientists who state without real certainty that global warming is a crisis simply peddles fear in fossil fuel hungry countries like the USA. Stanford climatologist Stephen Schneider had this to say: 'We have to offer up scary scenarios, make simplified, dramatic statements, and make little mention of any doubts we might have.' Doubts there are, and in abundance. As an example, Hans von Storch a professor of climatology in Germany wrote that “scientific research faces a crisis because its public figures are overselling the issues to gain attention in a hotly contested market for newsworthy information." "The alarmists think that climate change is something extremely dangerous, extremely bad and that overselling a little bit, if it serves a good purpose, is not that bad." What this really means is that here’s one scientist who knows that rather a lot of the 'science' is nothing more than propagandistic conjecture and hype. He goes on to remark “climatologists tend to 'make only comments that are politically correct' and that their wobbly research is at the service of fear.” “The pattern is always the same: the significance of individual events is processed to suit the media and cleverly dramatised; when prognoses for the future are cited, among all the possible scenarios it is regularly the one with the highest rates of increase in greenhouse gas emissions — and thus with the most drastic climatic consequences — that is chosen. Equally plausible variations with significantly lower emission increases go unmentioned.” Whom does this serve? It is assumed that fear can motivate listeners, but we tend to forget that it mobilises them only in the short term. Each successive claim about the future of the climate and hence the fate of the planet must be ever more dramatic and awe-inspiring than the previous one. Once apocalyptic heat waves have been predicted, the climate-based extinction of animal species no longer attracts as much attention and images of solitary polar bears on ever-shrinking ice floes fails to garner the emotional momentum that it once did. Thus we all get locked in to a spiral of hyperbole. We, as a species, crave a degree of certainty about our future which scientific relativism, much as we might wish it to be otherwise, can frequently fail to adequately provide. The scary, exponentially shaped curves showing runaway global warming in our own lifetime do little to reassure us. If we overnight abandoned fossil fuels, methane generation and all the other chemical mechanisms by which the Sun’s ultraviolet rays were caused to re-radiate back to the surface of the Earth and heat it up, would this of itself make very much difference, either to ourselves or our children? Because of the vast complexity of the problem, plus the multitude of unpredictable and often competing factors like solar activity hence outside of our control, the answer is most likely to be “We don’t really know”. All we can therefore manage is best fit ‘scientific relativism’. Ah. There’s that new phrase again. Just like PC, the notion of “relativism” has pervaded our thinking. It is used to justify so much in the way we interact with the world and with each other. Philosophers would explain it as the theory that value judgments, as of truth, beauty, or morality, have no universal validity but are valid only for the persons or groups holding them, hence may be culturally or geographically variable. Some go further after all, the notion of, for example, beauty, is entirely subjective - and a consensus hard to find at, let’s say a party, as to who might be the most beautiful woman in the room. Moral philosophers handle the tougher problems and argue about questions like “is any belief is equally as valid as any other?” And it is clear therefore that they have to define exactly what they mean by ‘valid’, also whether consensus is an appropriate yardstick for its measurement. One can’t help but point out that Western democracies have been to some extent overtaken by moral relativism. Roman Catholic and some secular intellectuals attribute the perceived decadence of Europe after the Second World War to the displacement of absolute values. The perception that each follows his or her own version of the truth, selecting from a smorgasbord of morally justifiable offerings on the table, is the norm rather than the exception. Popes have consistently bemoaned the fact that that Europeans have massively abandoned many traditional norms rooted in historical Christianity and replaced them with continuously evolving relative moral rules. The family has been legally redefined by same-sex marriage and some have argued that depopulation in Europe can be ascribed to the decline in what used to be called ‘family values’. Islamic doctrine is by contrast perhaps rather more clear-cut in that it attempts to recapture the absolute, which stand at odds with moral relativism. Just as there are degrees of criminal behavior, there are degrees of punishment, but even this relies on our perception of right and wrong. We no longer hang people for stealing a loaf of bread, but some argue that the slide away from the comforting black and white of our forefathers into a bewildering number of relativistic shades of grey has only one inevitable consequence. Whether we like it or not, we have to define in our own minds whether the grey which we perceive falls closer to white or black, right or wrong. Just as a computer processes millions of whites or blacks, ones and zeroes every second, we to have to ultimately decide. Whether or not we believe that a clerical opinion carries any weight, the following two observations from two different theological traditions make the point well. From one: ‘we have a responsibility to ourselves to challenge the relativism that tells us there is no right or wrong, when every instinct of our mind knows it is not so, and is a mere excuse to allow us to indulge in what we believe we can get away with. A world without values quickly becomes a world without value.’ And, from the other: ‘The relativism which is not willing to speak about truth but only about ‘what is true for me’ is an evasion of the serious business of living. It is the mark of a tragic loss of nerve in our contemporary culture. It is a preliminary symptom of death.” Have we really lost our nerve? Can we still be courageous in the face of obvious injustice and wrong, when everyone around us is telling a different story? I think not. The human condition is to crave the comfort of certainty above almost all else and one day, when the mist has rolled away, we will learn to see things as they are meant to be seen, in black and white. February, 2015 HOW TO ACHIEVE MORE AND SET YOUR SELF UP TO SUCCESS! So many of my clients complain about a lack of time or wishing that there were more than 24 hours in a day. Unfortunately, I can’t add more hours to my clients days. I can however, teach my clients how to be more focused which in turn helps them be more productive with the time they already have! This month, I would like to share some of these tips with you. Time management can be – and is – a great dilemma to many people. Some find it daunting, others do not realize the importance of time management skills. When talking to a client about their time management skills or habits I usually find out that many find it intimidating at first to figure out what they need to do to get a task done. This usually means that a person ends up going around in circles, thus wasting both time and energy. Needless to say a person doing that will loose steam quite fast and get frustrated as nothing ever feels like its getting done. The solution? In order to avoid burnout, you need to stop trying to go faster and instead maximize the time you have so you are more productive. And yes, it is possible, and the benefit of this is that as you gain productivity; you actually work less. Now, if you are ready to trade your current frantic pace of work for one that is more Zahra Taqi Zahra is a Certified Professional Coach and the President of Milestones Coaching. She would love to hear back from you. So please feel free to drop her a line on her email: [email protected] or find her on FB: http://www.facebook. com/MilestonesCoaching or twitter: @ MilestonesCoach citypageskuwait.com relaxed yet efficient, the following strategies will help you achieve more in less time. Tips on working less, achieving more and setting your self up to success: 1.Plan your weekly and daily tasks. Do this EVERY day. Not sometimes, not every other day and not once a week. This is detrimental in understanding your responsibilities for the coming week and what needs to get done in order to move you closer to your goals. Trust me that if you dedicate 30 minutes to plan your week and 5-10 minutes a day to focus on your tasks for the day AND stick to your plan- you will have clarity over your tasks and what needs to be done thus ensuring that you move forward more efficiently and successfully. 2.Get stuff done! That sounds like a no brainer but is actually a tough one to achieve. We all have tasks throughout the day that if done efficiently, should not take more than 30 minutes to get done. The problem is that we spend more time procrastinating or beating round the bush than actually getting down to business and getting these tasks done. Identify these “filler” tasks, these are the ones that only need 20-30 minutes to get done and you can cross them off your list as soon as you are finished with them. This gives you both a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment, which in turn helps you be more focused and efficient on your other tasks. 3.Prioritize! Identify your most important jobs and get them done first. On any given day we are bombarded by many jobs and responsibilities that need to get done. Sometimes it feels like everyone – or everything – is asking for our immediate attention. When you break down your tasks in order of importance, it then becomes easier to focus on what needs to get done first and what can wait until later in the day or even week. Failing to prioritize means that you end up filling your day with tasks that will not get you anywhere, putting more pressure on you and making it seem like you do not have enough hours in the day. 4.Multitasking is your ultimate demise. I see people (sometimes me too!) doing this all the time, thinking that multitasking will help them become more efficient and allows them to get more done throughout the day. This couldn't be further away from the truth. Despite what many people think, we humans are terrible at multitasking. To be efficient we need to be focused which is the exact opposite of multitasking. Break your time up into chunks and focus at one thing at a given chunk of time. 5.Cut yourself some slack! Be reasonable with yourself, your time, and understand that somethings will not get accomplished in a day. Setting unreasonable time rules ends up in you being stressed which leads to you being inefficient. Understand your commitments, know what needs to be done in any given time and be gentler on yourself when it comes to allocating your time. Do not crowd your day and set yourself up to failure. Instead understand your day, your commitments and your limitations. Work within your means and set yourself up to success. February, 2015 Education in Switzerland of choices. Decided to study in a hotel school but not sure which one to choose? There is wide spectre of the hospitality schools around the globe but it is hard to choose a right especially if there are a lot Education is a valuable investment to your future and it’s important to determine if the university has accreditation and high educational standards that will guarantee you receive a high quality education and recognition after completion for your future. There are few hospitality schools in Switzerland. Before choosing them I made a research on each of them and even went to see and meet them personally. Aigerim Rahmet Born in Kazakhstan, lived in Prague, Czech Republic for more than 10 years, graduated with a HND in Business and BA(hons) in International Management from Teesside University, Aigerim Rahmet is an Assistant Spa Manager at Six Senses Spa. She earned an MBA in Hospitality Management from one of the top hospitality schools-Les Roches International school of Hotel Management and an MAS degree from Les Roches Gruyère University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland. Follow Aigerim on Instagram at: @a_rahmet & @divineq8 citypageskuwait.com I have visited Cesar Ritz, Glion and Les Roches. I was considering Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne but couldn’t apply as they have some age restrictions for MBA programs such as you should be above 26 years old in order to apply for MBA. My choice fall on Les Roches that is located on the top of the mountain at the Crans Montana resort in a small village called Bluche. Les Roches International School of Hotel Management has numerous accreditations and professional memberships in various organizations worldwide, signifying its determination to maintain the highest possible educational standards as well recognition for Excellence in Hospitality Management Education. Les Roches was ranked among the top hospitality management schools worldwide and considered to be a 3 hospitality management schools in the world for an international career. Moreover, Les Roches has expanded in different countries and offer course transfer and rotation possibilities through branch campuses and partner institutions in China, Spain and Jordan. Les Roches Switzerland is offering a wide range of hospitality management degrees with a focus on international business and global service industry applications. School provide different degrees with the big variety of specialization such as Event Management, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Finance, Innovation and Sustainability, Culinary Business Management or Spa and Health Management with the Undergraduate degrees, Postgraduate degrees in Hospitality with different specializations and a Master’s degree. Education is divided into theoretical part with the hands on hospitality courses and in practical where students practice their skills in operational levels such as internships in famous luxury hotels. If you want to know more about the school, you can visit their website or you are welcome to ask me and I’m happy to share with you. February, 2015 citypageskuwait.com Photohraph by: Abdulaziz AlSorayia @alsry3 and Abdulrazaq AlSorayia @rzag_alsry3 SHEIKH MOHAMMAD ABDULLAH AL-MUBARAK AL-SABAH Accepting challenges with a smile There are some men who just exude power. The minute they walk into a room their presence is felt. Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah AlSabah is one such man…sporting a broad smile and a firm handshake, he simply looks like a powerful man. Yet his contagious smile and affable persona let you know immediately that his strength lies in his power to persuade. A self-taught photographer and an avid learner, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs - Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Sabah supports all things creative. He is also a big supporter of Kuwait Grand Photography Contest. In an exclusive candid chat, he spoke about his love for the politics, photography and his beloved country Kuwait. Following is an excerpt of the interactive session with Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah AlSabah. February, 2015 Hi and welcome to CityPages! Let's start with a brief introduction about you and a little background info for our readers: I was born in Egypt and spent two years there. Then I went to the UK where I was enrolled in the kindergarten. After spending 4 years there I came back to Kuwait and continued my education in the New English School. I stayed in Kuwait for about five to six years when I got a chance to go to Geneva for two years and it was there when the best thing in my life ever happened; I got into the Eton College - the oldest educational facility in the world! I got my A-levels from there and that allowed me to get into the prestigious Oxford University, where I studied Politics, and Philosophy in Economics. I studied at Oxford for about a year when the Gulf war happened and at the time when my country needed me the most I couldn’t continue my education and decided to return to Kuwait. Once the war was over I went back to the UK and completed my Bachelor’s degree (Hons) in Political Science from the Nottingham University. Later I got a Masters degree from University of London SOA in International Law and Diplomacy. I then went to apply for my PhD from the London School of Economics (LSE) when one of my great friends, who has now passed away (R.I.P), Professor Said Mohammad advised me “go and get work experience. You have been in school all your life and now you need to get the real work experience” and here I am still getting working experience and waiting to go back and get my PhD. Did you get any opportunity to apply what you learnt in Politics? No, not really. That's a short answer. But I would like to apply it. Try and apply certain principles. Actually, politics is not something that is applicable. It's academic. University education provides you discipline and it provides you with sociological skills in order to interact with your peers. It's a beautiful thing that in the UK they do not say you 'learn', they say you 'read'. You read Politics, or you read Maths or you read Biology. Because it's actually only reading and all you do is read, consume and understand but you do not apply it, with the exception of probably Law or Mechanics, or Architecture. What are your hobbies? I have many hobbies like reading, fishing, and hunting. I am also very big into gadgets and internet and have recently taken up photography too. So, is photography a new hobby? Yes, I have been dabbling over it for a while but have taken it seriously about a year and a half ago. What or who inspired you to take photography as a hobby? The fact that it is challenging. I like to do things that challenge me. It's not easy as it looks so I found it interesting. citypageskuwait.com Are you learning it from someone or somewhere? No, it's self-taught. I also taught myself shooting, post-productions, and Photoshop. I self-teach myself everything. I write short novels and play musical instruments and they are all self learnt. In which language and what types of novels do you write? And who is your favorite author? I write it in English. I love the classics. Honestly, these are not novels that I write. I write to put my thoughts down on paper and they automatically come out as short pieces or stories. I am a great fan of Socrates, politics is my life and I enjoy reading political theories. People like Hobbes, John Stuart Mill, and Joseph Ney are some of my favorites. I take their ideas and reformulate them in a way that becomes more accessible to me. So, they are not exactly novels but are short essays. Would you ever like to publish them or share them with public? No, never. I think my writings are too dry and will be difficult to understand. What I write is extremely academic. And since I always wanted to get a Ph.D. and never had a time for it so maybe what I am writing will help me to make a skeleton of a thesis one day. What type of photography is your main interest? Everything but portraiture photography. It is too challenging for me. I don't understand portrait, I don't understand the lighting setup. That would be my next challenge. I currently do more of nature photography, especially macro photography. What are your favorite tools or gadgets for photography? There is this laser trigger which has a laser beam and whenever something passing the beam, it triggers and photographs it and that's how I got one of my best photographs. Everyone thought it was natural but I was cheating, I was using the laser trigger. Quite a few people in Kuwait use it. It's made by a company called Cognisys. But gadgets are gadgets; I cannot specify a favorite one. What made your support the biggest photography competition in Kuwait? I saw it last year while I was developing my love for photograph. I witnessed some fantastic photographs in the competition and seeing the interest of people looking at the pictures displayed at the mall made me interested. So I approached Jassim and told him to keep me in mind for the next year and that I wanted to support it. I hope this will be bigger than the last year and gets bigger and better every year. That is how things are supposed to be. Which is your favorite place for holiday? And why? Australia. Because it is a heaven on earth. I heard that New Zealand is even nicer but I have never been there. UK is my home and whenever I get a chance I do go there. But my favorite holiday destination would be Australia. It has the best place for fishing in the world. When did you start hunting? At a very young age. It's part of our culture in Kuwait using falcon. I had a falcon at a very young age. I hunt both with falcons and shooting. As it was said by Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) teach your children to swim, to ride, and archery which in a way translates to hunting and shooting and my dad was very persistent in teaching those skills to us. What is that one gadget that you cannot live without? My iPhone. The first thing that you do in the morning? Open my eyes and thank Allah for the blessings of another beautiful day. The last thing that you do at night? Thank Allah for everything and close my eyes. Your message for our readers and people of Kuwait on the occasion of National and Liberation day: Each one of us is so lucky to be living in this beautiful country. I know there is a lot of negativity in society generally but we really need to think very carefully about how lucky we are to be in a country in which we are all one big family. A country where there are no prosecutions, no one lives fearing for his life or fearing for his daily living. Thankfully, we do not have homelessness, sociological issues. The main message that I would like everyone to think about is 'GRATITUDE' let’s be grateful for what we have and let's be more positive to work for a better future. Your message for us at CityPages magazine: It's a brilliant and fantastic publication. I am honored to be interviewed in this edition and I hope that you go from strengthto-strength. Congratulations on your 5th anniversary and maybe I will be with you again on your 10th year anniversary, Insha’Allah. February, 2015 Photohraph by: Abdulaziz AlSorayia @alsry3 and Abdulrazaq AlSorayia @rzag_alsry3 citypageskuwait.com JASSIM JASSIM FOUNDER OF KUWAIT GRAND PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST When Kuwaiti photographers started attending photography contest awards abroad, they use to ask a very sensitive question “Why don’t we have photography contests in Kuwait? And the answer was always; ‘Sorry we don’t have one and I don’t know why’! "I heard the same story from several Kuwaiti photographers and was also in search of the answer which pushed me to take personal initiative regarding this matter." said Mr. Jassim Jassim the founder of Kuwait Grand Photography Contest. He further added "In zest of making this happen in Kuwait I did my homework and financial planning, then I consulted with some the big names of photography in Kuwait who were ready to be a helping hand. I also checked with several companies in the private sector if they think it’s a good idea and their nod converted my dream into reality." Kuwait Grand Photography Contest under the patronage of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and direct support of His Excellency the Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah is ready and has launched its second edition in Kuwait. The second session of the Kuwait grand photography contest organized by Phoenix Company and chaired by the founder of the contest: Mr. Jassim Jassim. The first edition in 2014 was a great success as it was the first event of its kind. It not only encouraged the new talent of Kuwait but it also provided the platform to the professionals to show their skills and satisfy their competitive instinct. It can quite easily be categorized as one of the elite competition of its sort. Mr. Jassim Jassim added, “The success is not measured by the numbers only, but the photography level was amazing, and many of the chosen top 50 photos, had won several reputable international contests after our announcement”. The second term of Kuwait Grand Photography contest is about to close since the launch was early Jan 2015. The contest total prizes are KD 65,000/ which makes it one of the biggest photography contests in the world. Photography in Kuwait never been bigger than where it is today, and the level of Kuwaiti photographers is among the world’s elite. While thanking the contest sponsors Mr. Jassim Jassim paid them the tribute and said ”this contest wouldn’t have seen the light without the is endless”. support and belief of our sponsors, their social responsibilities and giving This year KGPC2015 is not limited to Kuwait only, but all nationals and residents of the GCC countries are entitled to join the contest. Concluding his remarks he elaborated that the participants can contest in the following eight categories this year; 1.The Art of Light 2.Kuwait 3.Landscape 4.Wild Life 5.People 6Islamic 7.Sport 8.General February, 2015 COLOR BLINDNESS? Color vision deficiency, or more commonly known as color blindness, is not a form of blindness at all. Instead, it is a deficiency that affects the way you perceive colors. Contrary to popular belief, it is extremely rare for a “color blind” person to see only in shades of grey. Most color blind people can see colors, but certain colors appear washed out and are easily confused with other colors, depending on the type of deficiency they have. Color vision deficiency occurs when the lightsensitive photoreceptors in our retina, called rods and cones, do not respond properly to the variations in the light wavelengths that enable us to see an array of colors. Although rods are plentiful and more sensitive to light, they are incapable of perceiving colors. Cones Erika Habig Erika Habig is an optometrist and contact lens specialist at International Optique. She studied at the Beuth University of Applied Sciences in Berlin, Germany and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Optometry and Dispensing Optics. For more information contact International Optique. Tel: 25714007 – 97234787, www.intoptic.com – [email protected], Instagram: @intoptique citypageskuwait.com are less abundant; however, they are highly concentrated in the macula and fovea, the area on our retina responsible for the most acute vision and color discrimination. There are three types of cones, each with a different sensitivity to light wavelengths. One type of cone perceives blue light, another perceives green and the third perceives red. All three cones work together allowing you to see the whole spectrum of colors. When light enters the eye, the cones become stimulated, and send signals to the brain which are interpreted into the colors you see. A person with normal color vision has all types of cones working properly. This is called trichromacy. One type of color blindness is known as anomalous trichromacy, when one or more cone types are faulty and light is perceived out of alignment. For example, if the red cone is faulty you won’t be able to see colors containing red clearly. The anomalous conditions protanomaly, which is a reduced sensitivity to red light and deuteranomaly, which is a reduced sensitivity to green light are the most common types of color vision deficiency. Tritanomaly, which is a reduced sensitivity to blue light, is extremely rare. Other common forms of color blindness include dichromacy, in which only two types of cones are functioning properly and there is a total absence of one cone type. Dichromacy is further specified by protanopia, deuteranopia and tritanopia, which is a complete lack of perception of the color red, green and blue, respectively. As with anomalous trichromacy, the more common cases of dichromacy involve the deficiency of the red and green cones. Monochromacy, or achromatopsia, is the rarest form of color blindness in which the patient sees completely without color, only in various shades of grey, ranging from black to white. For most color blind persons, the condition is genetic and it is more common among males than females. In other cases, people acquire the condition as a result of diseases such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis or due to the prolonged intake of certain medications. Color vision tests are performed by eyecare practitioners. Although there is no treatment or cure for color vision deficiency, certain colored lenses and glasses can help improve color discrimination. - - Fahaheel February, 2015 International intoptique Optique WAYS TO PREVENT PSORIASIS FLARE-UPS Skin is the human bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest organ, spanning roughly 3,000 square inches and weighing about 6 pounds on the average human. Flexible and rugged, skin is also susceptible to damage, and conditions that affect the skin can be visible, embarrassing and troublesome. Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition blamed on a improperly functioning immune system. The body may detect a perceived anomaly and attack itself. When a person is suffering from psoriasis, his or her skin cells are produced at an accelerated rate, resulting in red, raised, and scaly patches on the skin known as plaques. Plaques typically appear on the scalp, lower back, face, palms, and soles of feet and are well-defined. About one-third of people with psoriasis have a family member with the disease. Studies show the emotional and social effects of psoriasis Dr. Nazia Nausheen Dr. Nazia Nausheen is a certified medical doctor. She also holds a Masters Degree in Business, Specializing in Sales and Marketing. Readers should look forward to her regular articles on women health and other general health related issues. citypageskuwait.com are more significant for women than men, but both can be affected negatively by symptoms. There is no cure for psoriasis, and some people are affected more severely than others are. In addition, certain factors can aggravate psoriasis and lead to flare-ups. Understanding theses triggers may help those affected by the disease better manage their symptoms. Although some of these triggers are not backed up by firm scientific evidence, many people with psoriasis attest to their accuracy. Overexposure to sunlight: exposure to sunlight and other forms of ultraviolet rays can be beneficial in reducing symptoms of psoriasis, and some dermatologists may even prescribe UV treatments. However, overexposure to the sun can worsen symptoms, particularly if men and women get sunburn. There is a fine line between what is too much sun and enough sun, which is why those with psoriasis should only undergo UV treatment under the care of a dermatologist. Stress: doctors do not know exactly why, but psoriasis and stress seem to be linked. As stress escalates, flare-ups of psoriasis may become more common. In turn, flare-ups can lead to additional stress. Finding ways to reduce stress may result in clearer skin. Deep breathing, yoga, and meditation may help alleviate stress. Hot water: bathing or washing in very hot water can worsen symptoms of psoriasis. Use lukewarm water and a moisturizing soap. Some dermatologists recommend colloidal oatmeal or Epsom salts in a bath to soften skin, relieve itching, and help slough off scaly patches. Additionally, avoid situations that will lead to dry skin, such as exposure to hot or cold weather. Use moisturizer and reapply as needed. Certain foods: some people with psoriasis note that certain food and beverages trigger their flare-ups. Tomato and pepper-based products and acidic beverages may cause flare-ups. Infections: after a bout of strep throat or an ear infection, people with psoriasis may find their condition takes a turn for the worse. Though doctors do not quite understand why, certain infections and medications to treat those conditions can cause psoriasis to act up. Discuss your psoriasis with your doctor before taking any medication. Hormones: women may find that hormonal changes trigger their psoriasis. Research is not clear as the connection between psoriasis and hormones, but doctors do know that pregnancy and menopause can cause psoriasis to worsen or even appear for the first time. Others find that increase or decrease in the estrogen level improves their psoriasis symptoms. But symptoms are unique, and psoriasis outbreaks need to be evaluated on a person-to-person basis. Pain, especially intractable or chronic pain, used to be something many patients simply had to learn to “live” with. In recent years, however, researchers have learned a great deal about pain and its physiological and psychological basis, leading to pain management treatments that can provide complete or partial pain relief. Untreated pain can interfere with the healing process by affecting the immune system and leading to other undesirable results. In cases of back pain, discomfort can impede the rehabilitation process by interfering with exercise and increasing the risk of psychological distress. New Understanding of Chronic Pain Patients who report continuing pain in the absence of a definitive pathology (an identifiable, anatomical cause of the pain) are sometimes dismissed by health professionals. Even in the absence of such an identifiable cause, however, chronic pain can lead to neurological feedback processes that only serve to worsen the pain and make it more difficult to treat. Pain is inherently subjective, and a greater awareness of the need for taking pain seriously is growing among the health community as well as the public at large. This is particularly true for chronic back pain sufferers. While a great majority of back pain cases are self-limiting and resolve on their own, the risk of recurrence and development of chronic disease is significant. Chronic back pain tends to be very difficult to treat, especially in cases involving failed back surgery or neuropathic pain (also called nerve pain). The above considerations have led to a proliferation of services available to patients seeking both medical and alternative treatment for back pain. What is Pain Management? Pain management, also known as pain medicine, draws on many disciplines in science and the healing arts to systematically study pain, its prevention, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment, as well as the rehabilitation of painful disorders. In spine and musculoskeletal cases, pain management serves a variety of purposes. Pain management is usually distinguished from surgical treatment. Pain management and the techniques it uses may be employed as follows: •To help identify the source of a patient's back pain •As an alternative to surgery, as part of an aggressive conservative (nonsurgical) care program •To help determine the areas to be addressed Dr. Mohammad Shamsah Consultant Pain Management MBBS. FRCPC Fellowship in chronic pain Fellowship in Critical Care Medicine Fellowship in Echocardiography Specialized Boushahri Polyclinic Baghdad Street, Building # 38, In front of Suleiman Al-Luhaib Mosque. Tel: 1888877 Ext: 121 citypageskuwait.com surgically •To help rehabilitate the patient after surgery •For patients after surgery to cope with residual or recalcitrant pain Pain can be divided into cancer and non cancer pain. Each type of pain has specific management algorithm. Technology is advancing so rapidly with astonishing results in pain therapy. Pain management uses a wide variety of techniques to address pain and painful disorders. The scientific basis for these approaches ranges from those that are completely without experimental support to those whose effectiveness has been well demonstrated in clinical trials. In view of the diverse uses and methods of pain management and pain medicine, an overview of this fast-developing field is needed. Invasive Pain Management Techniques Invasive techniques in pain management involve injections and/or placement of devices into the body. A multitude of invasive pain management therapies have been used to treat neck and back pain. Some of the most popular interventional pain management techniques include: Injections (also known as blocks) Injections provide direct delivery of steroids or anesthetic into joints, ligaments, muscles, or around nerves. These injections may provide relief of pain (often temporary) and can be used to confirm if the injected structure is the source of the pain, clarifying the diagnosis. Epidural injections can provide temporary relief for upper extremity or lower extremity pain due to a pinched nerve. It delivers a powerful anti-inflammatory medication at the site of injury and pathology. Injections to Diagnose Causes of Back Pain Diagnostically, injections can be used to help determine which structure in the back is generating pain. If lidocaine or similar numbing medication is used, and the patient feels temporary relief after an anatomic region is injected (e.g. facet joint or sacroiliac joint), it can then be inferred that the specific region is the source of the pain. When considered in conjunction with a patient's history, physical exam, and imaging studies, injections used for diagnostic purposes can be very helpful in guiding further treatment for the patient. Most of the pain is due to facet pathology which can be easily treated with blocks followed by either cool or thermal radio-frequency for a more lasting effect. Other techniques include: 1- Ultrasound Guided nerve pulsed radiofrequency 2- Capsular radio-frequency 3- Cool and thermal Rhizotomy 4- DRG pulsed RF 5- Botox for muscular spasm 6- Spinal cord neuromodulatioN 7- intrathecal pump 8- Diabetic foot IV lidocaine therapy 9- Fibromyalgia interventional therapy Baghdad Street â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Building 38 same as Boushahri Seema Pharmacy, Opposite Suleiman Al-Luhaib Mosque - Tel : 1888877 www.boushahricp.com Boushahri_clinic PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING Are you breastfeeding your child and have just found out that you are expecting again? Or maybe you are just starting to think about trying for baby number 2? What should you do? The decision to continue to breastfeed can be a scary one. Especially with people around you telling you that it is dangerous. If you are eager to avoid unnecessary weaning, you have good reason. Breast milk provides important nutritional and immunological boosts for as long as a child nurses. The Holy Quran indicates breastfeeding should continue for 2 years, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a minimum of one year of breastfeeding, and the World Health Organization calls for two years or more. The best thing you can do is educate yourself on current research, look at your personal situation, and decide what you believe will be best for your family. No one can make that decision for you. This article will provide you with information to help you make an informed decision. Conceiving While Breastfeeding Are you worried that you will have to wean your baby before you will be able to conceive your next? While it is true that breastfeeding can delay the return of fertility, most women become fully fertile while still breastfeeding. If you are experiencing regular menstrual cycles, and if you were normally fertile before, chances are you have returned to normal fertility. Irregular cycles can be a sign that you are not yet fertile. However, it is possible to conceive without returning to regular cycles, or having a cycle at all. What about fertility treatments? Although there is no direct research, there is no obvious reason to believe that fertility treatments would harm the breast milk. Clinical observations suggest that Clomid (Clomiphene) is compatible with breastfeeding. Further there is no reason to expect that breastfeeding would affect your fertility treatment because the medication will control your cycles. It is also important to note that past fertility problems Dr. Fatima A. Boujarwah Assistant Professor, Information Science Department - Kuwait University Director, Breastfeeding Support Program, BirthKuwait Breastfeeding Counselor Lactation Educator BirthKuwait is a non-profit organization operating as part of The Voluntary Health Association.For more information, visit their website: www.birthkuwait.com or Instagram: @birthkuwait citypageskuwait.com do not necessary predict future problems. Breastfeeding and Risk Miscarriage and Preterm Labor of Nipple stimulation releases the hormone oxytocin into the bloodstream. Oxytocin is important for breastfeeding because it is responsible for milk ejection (the “let down reflex”). Oxytocin also tells the uterus to contract. All women experience contractions during breastfeeding, although they are usually too mild to be noticed. Is this something to be concerned about if you are pregnant and breastfeeding? The scientific literature indicates the following: 1) During pregnancy less oxytocin is released in response to nipple stimulation than when a woman is not pregnant. 2) The uterus does not respond to oxytocin equally throughout pregnancy because: a) “Oxytocin Receptor Sites,” the uterine cells that detect the presence of oxytocin and cause a contraction, are sparse up until 38 weeks, increasing gradually after that time, and increasing 300-fold after labor has begun. As such, the small amounts of oxytocin produced when breastfeeding will not significantly stimulate the uterus. b) Natural oxytocin-blockers, most notably progesterone (an important pregnancy hormone), prevent oxytocin from reaching its receptor sites throughout pregnancy. As you can see, scientific research shows that breastfeeding during pregnancy is safe, and should not increase the chances of miscarriage or trigger labor before the body has already begun to prepare for it. While miscarriages and preterm labor may still occur in women that breastfeed while pregnant, they are equally likely to happen as in a pregnancy in which the mother is not breastfeeding. It is important to note that if you have a history of miscarriage or preterm labor you may want to wean your baby, however, even in such cases discuss your options with your doctor. Weaning can still be avoided in many cases; no two mothers’ situations are the same. The effects of breastfeeding on the nutrition and development of your nursling and growing fetus. Your Growing Fetus Research indicates that nursing during pregnancy is safe, and will not deprive the fetus of essential nutrients. A well-nourished mother should have no problem providing enough nutrients for her unborn baby, her nursing child, and herself. If you are pregnant and breastfeeding, you should: • Eat healthy, nutritious meals. • Take prenatal vitamins. • Increase your calcium intake by eating more raw vegetables and other calcium rich foods. • Drink 2-3 liters of water per day. • Relax and rest. Your Nursling Throughout pregnancy, though your milk may change, it will continue to provide valuable nutrition for your child. During the second trimester, the milk will begin to change to colostrum. Both the quantity and the taste of the milk change dramatically during this time, and many babies will wean themselves when the milk changes. If you are nursing a baby younger than 6 months when you become pregnant, you will need to carefully monitor his growth and weight gain, and you may need to supplement. Older babies who are eating solids will usually show an increased appetite for other foods as your milk supply decreases. Due to hormonal changes, some women will experience nipple soreness during pregnancy, which can make nursing very uncomfortable. Since the cause of the soreness is hormonal, there is no real treatment other than time. Some mothers find relief by reducing the time the baby spends at the breast, and reminding the child to “open wide” while latching. Through the above discussion it can be seen that in most cases you can safely continue to breastfeed throughout your pregnancy. If you feel breastfeeding while pregnant is too much for you, the best way to wean your nursing toddler, for you and your child, is gradually. First, stop offering the breast. Try offering him some healthy snacks or distract his attention when he asks for milk. If it is impossible - don't refuse the breast. As every child is different, the weaning process may vary. February, 2015 10 THINGS TO GET YOU BACK ON TRACK Finding out you are at risk of or have a serious heart condition can be a shock. Here's what you can do at this point to speed up your recovery and improve your long-term health… 1) FOCUS ON FOLLOW-UP CARE If you've had a heart attack or threatened heart attack (unstable angina), it's essential citypageskuwait.com to attend any follow-up appointments that are arranged for you. Your medical team will want to assess your progress and may need to adjust your treatment prescription depending on your recovery. Take action! Speak to your doctor about when he or she will next need to see you. It can be helpful to make a list of questions to take with you to the appointment to ensure you get all the answers you need. 2)FIND OUT MEDICINE ABOUT YOUR “Suddenly having to take lots of drugs can be confusing but if you’re sure about what each one does, it helps you stay motivated to take them, so you enjoy the benefits,” says Elizabeth Steyn, Coronary Care Unit Manager at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi. Studies show that taking your drugs correctly and making the right lifestyle changes cuts get active as soon as you can," says Elizabeth. Exercise lowers blood pressure, may reduce 'bad' cholesterol, helps you lose weight and even reduces stress. Take action! "It's quite normal to be able to do 10 minutes walking twice a day within two weeks of leaving the hospital, as long as your GP, cardiac nurse or exercise physiologist says it's OK," says Elizabeth. "Even if you're feeling weak, a short walk will actually make you feel better. You can build up to around 20 to 30 minutes of brisk walking (getting slightly out of breath) every day.” 4)BAN SMOKING AT HOME Even though you may have made the decision to quit smoking, it's important to make your home smoke-free to truly get the benefits. Prolonged exposure to passive smoking (or second-hand smoke) increases the risk of coronary heart disease by 25 per cent. Heart disease can be genetic, so your family may be at a higher risk. Encourage them to quit smoking with you- you'll be able to support each other through any cravings and will be drastically lowering your chances of having a future heart attack together. Take action! "Tell anyone who smokes to do it outside," says Elizabeth. 5)TREAT YOURSELF You may well be feeling anxious or low (or both!) right now - this is not uncommon after a heart attack- so be kind to yourself. Take action! "Pleasure is a great antidote to stress or anxiety, so do something enjoyable every day even if it's just taking a relaxing bath or reading a good book," says Dr Dan Robotham, senior researcher at the Mental Health Foundation in the UK. 6)BANISH STRESS AND ANXIETY your risk of developing further problems. Take action! There’s information about the most common drugs prescribed for high cholesterol and high blood pressure on the Ministry of Health website (www.moh.gov. ae). 3)GO FOR A SHORT WALK "Many people are scared to move from the sofa after a heart attack, but it's important to As well as making you feel less anxious, tackling stress can help to keep blood pressure under control- good news for your heart in the long term. Take action! Take time every day to relax property. Try free relaxation podcasts at www. mentalhealth.org.uk or try this exercise (the more times you do this, the more effective it will be): Choose a quiet place and sit comfortably. Take notice of how your body is feeling and concentrate on your breathing. Breathe out slowly and completely and breathe in gently and naturally. As your breathing gets slower, gently tense and relax each area of your body in turn, from your shoulders down to your feet, letting any tension slip away. Do this for around 20 minutes. Then take a deep breath, wriggle your fingers and toes, stretch and open your eyes. 7)EAT HEALTHILY Read up on the best foods for a healthy heart. Don’t feel that you have to do everything at once, but start making simple changes to your diet. Take action! “As a general guide, eat five portions of fruit and veg a day, limit red meat to twice a week, exchange butter for lowfat spread or olive oil, go for low-fat dairy products and eat more fish, especially oily fish like salmon or mackerel,” says Elizabeth. You might find skimmed milk a little watery to begin with, but persevere and you’ll get used to it and your heart will thank you for it. Aim for a fruit-based breakfast and take control of our diet by investing in a cookbook and making as many of your own meals as you can. “Many processed foods are surprisingly high in saturated fat and salt – both bad news for your heart,” says Elizabeth. TOP TIPS: TO HELP YOUR HEART HEALTH •‘You may be worried about further heart problems or feel angry with yourself for having become ill, ‘says Dr Robotham. ‘Talking about these feelings can help, and reduce the likelihood of becoming anxious or depressed.’ •‘If you don’t want to talk to family and friends, speak to your medical team, who may be able to reassure you or refer you for counselling,’ says Dr Robotham. •You can also read stories from other people in the same boat, or contact people who have had similar problems to you by email, by going to www.bhf.org.uk. 8)MAKE A 'FEEL-GOOD' LIST When you're feeling down it's good to remind yourself that it won't always be this way. "Think of the bigger picture and what matters most to you - grandchildren or friends could be good examples," says Dr Robotham. Research from the University of Connecticut found that people who said their heart attacks had made them become more appreciative of life, were less likely to have another. Take action! Make a list of all the good things in your life today. And before you go to sleep every night, make a note of one good thing about your day. 9)KNOW YOUR NUMBERS "Ask your doctor what your blood pressure and cholesterol readings are and what they should be," advises Elizabeth. "Keeping these in line will significantly reduce your risk of having a heart attack in the future and help you feel more in control of your health." Take action! Your doctor can give you advice. And if you have access to a computer, visit the Blood Pressure Association at www.bpassoc. org.uk and HEART UK at www.heartuk.org. uk and read up within the next two weeks. 10)DIARY TIME WITH FRIENDS Research suggests that heart attack survivors who feel they have a good social support network tend to recover better. And people who are satisfied with their support networks tend to have lower blood pressure. Take action! Spend time catching up with friends to take your mind off your recent illness. The saying goes that laughter is the best medicine, so put on a comedy DVD on and sit down with a friend to relax. February, 2015 ABDULLAH ABDUL-MOHSEN AL-SHARHAN Building a culture of leadership, learning, and productivity Mr. Abdullah Abdul-Mohsen Al-Sharhan is the Chairman of Australian College of Kuwait for the last 10 years when it opened its doors in 2004 with a vision to generate human capital with practical skills and knowledge, and to provide its students project based learning aligned with industry and thus enabling them to effectively contribute to the development of the country. Under his leadership and support from his team, ACK has received growing recognition as Kuwaitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier institution. CityPages connected recently with the man behind the outstanding success of ACK. Here, Mr. Abdullah Abdul-Mohsen Al-Sharhan discusses the key challenges ACK has faced over the years, how these challenges will continue to affect the future, and what makes ACK students extra special. The Australian College of Kuwait has established its name in a very short period of time. Please share with us a brief history of ACK and some of the important milestones of the institution. ACK opened its door to students in 2004. Its purpose was to provide the practical education required by Kuwait especially the private sector. ACK began by providing a two-year professional diploma in business and engineering. This allowed the holder to enter the job market if he so wished. In 2006 ACK was granted permission to offer a bachelor of technology for those who wanted to continue their higher education. Keeping in perspective the mushrooming of universities in Kuwait, there is national competition as well as there is competition abroad; Kuwaitis can now choose to study at one of the major universities established in citypageskuwait.com February, 2015 Abu Dhabi, Dubai etc. What makes ACK really competitive and able to attract Kuwaiti nationals? ACK’s management is continuously occupied in evolving its curricula with a view to preparing its students for jobs of the future. ACK sees itself as complementing other colleges and universities in Kuwait and other Gulf countries. In fact, ACK is at the forefront in calling for coordination and cooperation among the private tertiary education institutions to remove obstacles to their progress. In addition, ACK has a niche in that; it was the first private educational institution in Kuwait to adopt the 2+2 system, where a student could acquire a professional diploma in two years allowing him or her to seek fruitful employment at that stage, or to continue his or her tertiary studies. Those who chose to work after receiving a diploma could later return to further their studies if they so wished. To date, there are total of 4,598 graduates in the market; 3,655 with diplomas and 943 with bachelor degree. Education plays a vital role in socio-economic development of a country. As the chairman of ACK, how do you see the Kuwait’s education system in comparison to other countries in the GCC? Since I myself am a product of the Kuwait education system, I will limit my comments to Kuwait. My feeling is that there is much that can be done to improve the system starting at kindergarten and on to high school. My recommendation is that there should be one stream at the high school level, in that all students should have a rudimentary understanding of basic sciences, such as math, physics, chemistry and biology. These are subjects that allow one to better understand aspects of life. In what ways is the tertiary education segment developing in Kuwait to accommodate the needs of the economy? There is a move to provide more hands-on programs in services and manufacturing as well as extracting industries such as oil and gas. There is recognition that Kuwaitis should play a bigger role in the workplace, be it in hands-on tasks, or managerial roles. ACK is at the forefront of this process. Looking more closely at ACK, it is one of the institutions in the GCC offering specialized courses in aviation programs. Please tell us a bit more about this? Through the “offset” program ACK acquired in 2005 from Boeing a “live” 737-200 aircraft which was flown to Kuwait, as well as a maintenance workshop. This gave ACK the capability to train ground maintenance staff. Subsequently ACK’s program became the 74th to be licensed by European Aviation Safety Agency. ACK made an agreement with Kuwait citypageskuwait.com Airways to train its students at KA premises as part of its training, and also reached an agreement with Lufthansa to offer its training program. Please tell us affiliations and collaborations: about ACK’s international ACK’s affiliation with international institutions have evolved over the past ten years moving from an almost 100% dependence on our partners for curricula and staff to one where ACK became a strategic partner. This was the result of rising levels of mutual confidence, and the fact the ACK’s experience began to have practical relevance to its partners. Having said this, ACK still insists on close quality supervision and mentoring with respect to acquiring new programs. In addition, all ACK diplomas and degrees bear the certification of our partners as well as that of ACK itself. What in your opinion makes the ACK student different or special? ACK’s competencies based learning is the key ingredient. From the feedback of employers, ACK graduates top of the list of desirable employees due to their proficiency in English, their hands-on skills and their attitude toward work. Recently an employer described the demeanor of our graduates as “modest” in that they were willing to learn, and were not “full of themselves!” Do they have high success rates of finding a job when they finish at the college? What is the percentage of your graduates who find work within say one month? Our diploma / degree certificates are handed to the graduates three months after the end of the semester. Therefore, most of our graduates are hired within five to six month after graduation. Do you think local companies can work with universities to add course content that fit the current job market? How? ACK has an Industrial / Business Advisory Board that advises on the needs of the market. ACK also has close ties with companies in sectors such as the oil industry that comment on its curriculum. What is your definition of leadership? What have been your leadership priorities as chairman of ACK? Leadership has to have a vision. ACK in choosing the “less travelled road” where it provides its students with knowledge, the skills to apply the knowledge, and the proper attitude towards work – all based on project based learning – reflects that vision. What are the main short term and long term challenges you are facing? The main short-term challenge is expanding capacity while maintaining quality. The long-term challenge is introducing programs that keep up with the rapid development of technology. We would also like to be able to provide other programs for those who wish to continue to a Master or even a Ph.D. It should be noted that all private tertiary college or university programs must receive prior approval of the Ministry of Higher Education as represented by the Private Universities Council. Your message for us at CityPages magazine: My message to CityPages magazine is not to take your eye off education. The importance of education to Kuwait’s future cannot be over-emphasized. By contributing to the understanding of this fact, CityPages should assist in the formulation of policies that support progress. February, 2015 THAT FEELING OF REJECTION, AND HOW TO COLOR IT OUT OF THE WAY. www.thecolorrecipe.com by: Wala'a Al Muhaiteeb for it and for some reason it stuck with me. I felt rejection for my excitement even though what happened was not like that at all, but this incident pushed a button and brought back memories of “Big Mouth” “Loud” “No Filter” Wala’a. We react in these ways when we don’t forgive ourselves or accept who we are or were. even though I wasn’t rejected it felt that way to something inside me that needed reassurance that expressing any feeling is still ok. We happily sat and decided that my excitement is a part of me that is linked to my passion for things and I love that side of me. No matter what I will always love and cherish this part of myself. I’m happy I sat with these feelings and I’m grateful that I manage to comfort myself, this no complaining was not so bad after all. I wanted to share this experience with you, because many of us give in to patterns of negativity we are used to, because it’s easier to run away and do what we thought always worked. Stepping back and looking inward using color is a great way to understand these feelings and this negativity so you can turn it around. The start of this year was extremely challenging for me and the Magenta energy was interestingly strong. It really pushed me to make a shift and send it out as a #StopComplaining Campaign. My StopComplaining day two was the most challenging. I left the office at 6pm filled with negative thoughts. When you are changing your words you tend to start speaking less and listening more, and this is when you hear the patterns that need clearing and changing. I left and I couldn't shake off a small incident that happened at work. It was a small incident but me being extremely self critical and sensitive, I did what I always do; punish myself for it over and over again, by repeating the story in my head. Since I was watching my words all day I was also listening to my thoughts more. It got very noisy in my head. All I wanted to do was just run and hide and not listen anymore. I wasn’t grounded and this bad feeling left me anxious and on edge. I tried to distract myself by calling my friends but the universe decided to teach me a lesson; they were all busy. I was forced to deal with these feelings on my own, no escape this time. As I was driving with this annoying feeling, I decided to stop for a minute and accept that I wasn’t feeling good. I sat with it and let myself feel really down and listened to that hurt voice inside of me. As this feeling of overwhelming negativity took over I asked myself what was the color of this feeling and to my surprise (not really) I heard myself say black and super light baby blue. Black is a color we hide behind, it’s protective and it conceals mistakes and asks fears. The super light baby blue is what gave me the Aha moment, because I was punishing myself for expressing excitement. Not getting the same excitement back is something I always struggled with. From a young age I was expressive and loud, many criticized me The negativity is there to tell us something. What are you hiding behind, You can always join the #stopcomplaining movement, email me on [email protected] Exercise: Sit down in your meditation space or a quiet space where you won't be disturbed. Take three deep breaths in close your eyes. Ground yourself by visualizing a cord coming down from your base chakra (the base of the spine) going down, down to the center of the earth where it wraps itself around a giant beautiful clear quartz crystal. Then visualize the color that came up for you (for me it was light blue) and see where you can feel it in the body, get in touch with it, why does it feel this way? where is the fear coming from after you sit with it it's time to release it. Wrap this color wherever it is in a silver ball and start sending it down and release to the earth using the cord. you send this energy to the earth for healing and releasing. February, 2015 IMAGE OBSESSION Our body is our identity. Whatever we eat, whatever we feel reflects directly on our body. To whom it might concern, if you are obsessed with your body image then let’s see how you can deal with that. Dear lady, dear man: you are not the Kardashian nor are you Federer. Therefore, you shouldn’t seek the look of someone else’s body. In the past decade, we have witnessed increased rates of nutrition related diseases such as anorexia and bulimia nervosa especially among teenage girls. The main reason for the appearance of such disorders is the media that sheds the light on celebrities. Their body shapes and images are perceived as a sign of beauty. In the 1990’s the trend was towards the slim body shape. In the 2000’s, the trend changed to the curvy look. People are becoming more Sara El Bizri Clinical and Community Dietitian aware that fitness is not slimness; however, image obsession is still there whether for the ones who still want the skinny shape or to the ones that seek the curvy look. A healthy diet along with good physical training will aid in getting a close result of what you are looking for. However, you should not make it your quest to look like someone because as mentioned earlier, your body is your identity. You can modify your bad eating habits or change the type of exercise to get a better body shape but you never make it your main concern otherwise, it will become an obsession. Feeling good about yourself boosts your self esteem, your production at work, reflects on your social relationships and of course makes you look good. If you are doing your best to get a healthy body, then you should be satisfied with whatever results you get. If you have a pear shaped body for example, you will always have it but you can work on it to look better, more firm and less obvious. But you cannot get rid of it and should not work on that. If you are a mother and you have “the body image concern”, do not pass your obsession to your teenage girl. At this critical stage of her citypageskuwait.com life along with her body changes, girls might overreact or might be more sensitive about their body. Be careful what message you pass to your child. Consult a dietitian to deal with your body concerns so that you do not affect your child negatively. Dear young men, you will look good with a healthy diet and a good training at the gym. Whether or not you get the 6 packs or you still have this extra skin in your belly after losing weight, you still look good. Carbohydrates are not your enemy; they are the main source of energy for your body. Proteins are the building blocks for your muscles but are not your main nutrient. Consult your dietitian to assess your body requirements according to your nutrition assessment and physical exercise and to correct the misconceptions that you might have and might affect the way you perceive yourself. In short, we should seek the healthy fit body shape rather than a specific weight on the scale or a certain body image. Do not over think and do not stress out. Accept yourself and work on enhancing your lifestyle as a whole. Let your thoughts limits go beyond your shape. HEART HEALTH TIPS FOR THIS VALENTINE’S DAY Even though your loved one may have the key to your heart, good nutrition and regular physical exercise is the key to a healthy heart. This Valentine’s Day whether you are celebrating with someone special or on your own, here are some ideas for the special day and tips that you can incorporate in your life for a healthy heart. 1.Gift sensibly Even though chocolate seem to be the obvious choice of gift for many; sending a fruit basket to your loved one, along with a bar of dark chocolate says you care. Fruits are not only low in calories but also nutrient dense. They are a source of fiber and antioxidants which are linked to reduce risk of heart diseases. Similarly Dark chocolate (75-85%) is rich in fiber and antioxidants and other valuable nutrients that help lower LDL cholesterol ( BAD cholesterol) and increase HDL cholesterol ( GOOD cholesterol) 2.Eat more vegetables A lot of good evidence is gathered in favor of Sanaa Abdul Hamid Sanaa holds Masters of Clinical Dietetics from University of Queensland, Australia and is a Clinical dietitian and a Certified Yoga Teacher. Sanaa is also a blogger and very active on Instagram. Read more from Sanaa at: Blog: www. balancewithsanaa.com , Instagram: Sanaa_dietitian citypageskuwait.com vegetable consumption. This food group is linked to protecting the heart from strokes and risk of heart diseases. It also helps maintaining a normal blood pressure when combined with an overall healthy diet and lifestyle. 3.Choose wholegrain Wholegrain are a great source of fiber and nutrients that are effective in regulating blood pressure and heart health. For example, consuming wholegrain oats which contain soluble fiber, has proven to lower ‘bad’ cholesterol. Food such as prunes, barley, pears, and beans all contain soluble fibers which reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your blood stream. You can also incorporate flaxseed or wheat germ in your diet for a fiber boost. 4.Limit unhealthy cholesterol fats and Saturated fats which are also know as unhealthy fats are found in the skin of poultry, beef, lamb, butter, cream and other full fat dairy products. Limit these by trimming the fat off your meat, removing the skin off your poultry, swapping to low fat dairy products. Also be aware of the type of oil you choose to cook with. While oil made from olive, canola, sesame or peanut help boost ‘good cholesterol’; palm oil, coconut oil and lard are high in saturated fats which increase ‘bad cholesterol’ and should be avoid or used sparingly. 5.Get fishy The American Heart Foundation recommends eating about 75-80 grams of cooked fish (particularly oily) twice a week. Fish are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids which lower cholesterol and protects you from cardiovascular diseases. Fatty fish such as sardines, salmon, tuna, herring contain the most omega-3 fatty acids and should be on your weekly grocery list. 6.Avoid smoking and second hand smoking Smoking is a major cause of heart attack, stroke and blood vessel damage. Consider quitting smoking this month or help a loved one quit. 7.Get active Engaging in regular physical activity is important to prevent heart diseases and stroke. The American heart Association recommends at least 30 minutes of moderateintensity aerobic exercises 5 days per week. Climbing stairs, brisk walking, cycling’s, jogging, swimming are all great exercises to improve heart health. Exercising doesn’t have to be boring, pair up with your partner and go for a bike ride or walk by the beach. The key is to keep things interesting. Lots of love to all my readers ACHIEVE YOUR FITNESS GOALS FASTER WITH THESE SMARTPHONE FITNESS APPS! The definition of a smartphone. Well according to Wiki, a smartphone is ‘a mobile phone with an operating system.’ In my opinion? More like a device which has greatly integrated itself into our lives so much so that we can’t fathom living, functioning or breathing without it. Smart move and well played I would say. As a personal trainer, we tend to see a plethora of applications or apps for these smart phone devices. Whether it is weight you would like to lose, gain or simply improve on your cardiovascular or fitness strength, here’s a list of apps I would recommend that you download and try out. Regardless if you’re an honorary member at your gym as you tend to be there 24/7, an intermediate gym nut who is best buds with your personal trainer or an individual new to fitness, these apps are designed in mind to help you with your fitness goals. An add-on shall we say to your preexisting fitness routine and/or something to fuel your motivation when it comes to working out. Reshmi Revi Business Development Manager Multi Works General Trading & Contracting Co. L.L Hospitality Consultancy & Personal Training Division citypageskuwait.com 1.MyFitnessPal I started using MyFitnessPal (MFP) back in 2013 as a way to track my meals and calorie expenditure when I started my competition prep for bodybuilding. This is a great tool to have when it comes to keeping you in check with your food and activity. Over the last 2 years, the makers of MFP have digitally enhanced this application for the better. Users now can record their water, food and exercise intake and you can even switch on your smartphone’s motion-sensor turning it into a pedometer to track how many steps you’re taking each day. Sync and keep your data in its ‘cloud’ so even if you were to lose your device, you would still have a record of your fit achievements kept safe and sound. What’s more MFP now works with other fit devices such as the FuelBand, FitBit and Jawbone to collect even more intrinsic data about your health, fitness and wellness. 2.StrongLifts 5x5Workout An easy to use app, this application was designed in mind for lifters who would like to get stronger. The aim of this is to challenge yourself to three exercises, three times a week in 45 minutes. Whenever you train, log your weight, sets and reps on this app. This smart app will also prompt you to add or decrease your weight depending on your performance with a timer to clock in your rest time in between your sets. 3.Runtastic If you’re keen to start running outdoors, runtastic is an amazing app to use (why they even have the same program for fitness enthusiasts who bike too!). Runtastic allows you to track 5 essentials when running : distance, duration, speed, elevation changes and calories burned. Designed for all fitness levels, it even features a virtual audio coach to give you feedback and allows you to challenge your time on your previous runs. Once your run is complete, you can post your results on social media outlets such as Facebook to let your comrades know of your timely fitness achievement. 4.Nike+ Training Club For my clients who constantly travel for work and find it challenging to work out on their own while abroad, I would recommend this nifty app for them. The Nike+ Training Club features a myriad of workouts with stunning visuals (who wouldn’t want tennis star Serena Williams on their phone training them?!) and exercise cues to help you push through your workout. You can use this app while at home and even in the gym but my take on this is that it’s the perfect workout buddy for when you’re abroad and not wanting to workout on your own in a mundane setting. The app features over 100 workouts including a 4-week program to get you ripped, fit and ready. STAY FIT WITH Exercise: 3 - Leg Raising Abs Step:1 Exercise: 4 - Plank Hold Step:2 Beauty is a killing machine I have met a lot of people around the year, and when the time comes to know that I am a personal trainer who lift weights and a fitness coach I find shocking faces everywhere all because of the way I look. Being in the field of coaching and weightlifting does not mean that I have to look bulky or as they say in these days looking like a man’s body, instead one can look the way one wants to, beauty from the outside and a monster in the gym. Why I am a Personal Trainer! My name is Layaly AlKanderi and I am a personal trainer and fitness coach. I have a passion for helping people achieving all that they are capable of becoming. I am a firm believer that EVERYONE is capable of doing amazing things if they challenge themselves and put forth effort. It’s my job to assist them and guide them, keeping them motivated along the journey. As a personal trainer I have the unique opportunity to work with many type of people, all with different goals, lifestyles and medical conditions. The one thing they all have in common is that they are all interested in becoming healthier and stronger version of themselves. Why the exercise is important and the benefits of it? Many people hit the gym or pound the pavement to improve cardiovascular health, build muscle, and of course, get a perfect body, but working out has many benefits too. For the past decade or so, scientists have pondered how exercising can boost brain function. Regardless of age or fitness level (yup, this includes everyone from mall-walkers to marathoners), studies show that making time for exercise provides some serious mental benefits. Get inspired to exercise by reading up on these unexpected ways that working out can benefit mental health, relationships, and lead to a healthier and happier life overall. citypageskuwait.com Step:1 Step:1 Exercise increases your energy level. Exercising delivers oxygen and nutrients to your whole body helping it to work more efficiently and boost your endurance. Exercise and other physical activities are often great opportunities to socialize. Going to the playground, joining a sports team, or going to the local recreation center are all great ways to meet new people. Being physically active will keep you healthy. Research says that engaging in 30 minutes of exercise a day is all you need to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Exercise makes you happier! Physical activity releases chemicals in your brain called endorphins that are known to make you feel happier and more relaxed. Regular physical activity has been proven to help prevent a wide variety of health problems. Exercise can be fun! Often times exercise can be a part of some your favorite daily activities, such as walking the dog, going to the playground, or riding your bike. Exercise helps you maintain a healthy weight. Exercise is good for your heart! It helps maintain a healthy blood pressure and improves circulation. Regular physical activity helps you sleep better. When you are active during the day, you typically fall asleep easier and stay asleep longer. Exercise is good for your mind, body, and soul. Now that we have given some reasons why exercise is so important, You need to think about what are you going to do to live a healthier and happier life. Set a goal for yourself and pick one activity you are going to commit to this week. We’d love to hear about what activities you and your family choose. The benefits of Abs exercise: You can't get great abs just by exercising your stomach muscles. There is a lot of misinformation about what you need to do to get that flat stomach that you want. First, you have to know what it takes to get the results you want. You also need to know why you might be more likely to collect those rolls of flab around your belly than your friends are. Once you understand these things, you can choose and use a stomach exercise that will really work for you. There are several benefits associated with stomach exercises beyond getting a flat belly or a six-pack of abs. For example, doing regular stomach exercises helps your body to attain a better posture because your muscles will be stronger. Also, you'll probably notice that your lower back will be more flexible, and your digestion will improve through regular stomach exercise as well. By performing a regular exercise routine, you'll enjoy life more because you'll be more active and able to participate more. Your body will feel better, and your mental abilities will also be stimulated, and your thinking abilities will improve. You need to be dedicated to a regular exercise routine to get these benefits. However, if you're trying to lose weight, for example, you won't see any improvement if you don't take the time to tone up your stomach muscles. It's important to stay motivated. Don't get discouraged. It takes time and patience to firm up a flabby belly. And consider that there might be other factors that impact your efforts. If you're a woman in menopause, your body will collect fat along your waistline due to the lack of estrogen. Even with regular stomach exercise, it will be a struggle to rid yourself of this fat. Your specific genetic makeup also has an influence on your ability to have a flat stomach. If you are under a lot of stress, the hormone cortisol makes your body produce more sugar, and it makes you eat more too. Additionally, diseases such as diabetes can cause weight gain, and doing stomach exercises alone won't get rid of the fat around your mid-section. If you're starting an exercise routine to decrease your excess fat, it's important to focus on the lower abs first because this area is the most difficult to strengthen and tone. The upper abs will tone and tighten naturally as the lower abs become stronger. You should also recognize that your weight didn't increase overnight. You can lose excess weight and fat, but only if you perform stomach exercises as part of a total lifestyle change. Go ahead and take the challenge! Try for the body you've always wanted. You'll feel good about yourself for making the effort. How Often Should You Be Training your Abs? The truth is that your abdominals are just like any other muscle in your body. They need some rest in between exercise bouts as well. Doing some crunches or planks at the end of every workout leaves your midsection in a constantly overworked state preventing any results youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to see. To get results and prevent over training, focus on hitting your core three times a week post-workout. During those workouts, aim to include a variety of core exercises â&#x20AC;&#x201C; not just crunches. Planks, woodchops, and abdominal rollouts are all good variations to include. Also, aim for the bulk of your program to consist of total body exercises that are going to involve your core like front squats, deadlifts, and standing shoulder presses. When choosing sets and reps, also be sure to mimic your current training program. If the rest of your training is geared towards increasing maximal strength and power, then your core moves should focus on that as well (shifting to medicine ball throws versus woodchops for instance). As with other muscle groups, vary the exercises and intensity to constantly see results and avoid overtraining. When focused on definition, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget about nutrition. The majority of changes in body composition are going to come from your diet. In fact, maintaining your normal diet but tossing in some abdominal work will likely have no affect on belly fat according to the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. Hit your abs with a variety of exercises a few times a week and use the rest of the time to improve your nutrition. Finally I will mention abs workout that you can do anywhere: n n n n n n n Crunches Sit-ups V-sit up Leg raises Cycling crunches Hold planks Russian twist Do it 15 to 20 repetitions for 3 to 4 rounds and the planks for 30 sec and more if you can. February, 2015 A HOLISTIC APPROACH The dreaded topic that every woman has to deal with; hormones. The hormones in a women’s body change from day to day, and as the women progress in age, they change even more, and the production of certain hormones decreases dramatically if not completely. Now most women go about their day to day business assuming that they are at their optimal hormonal health until they start nearing the age of 40 and begin to think of menopause. Well that isn’t necessarily the truth when it comes to hormones, because as mentioned previously your hormones change daily and there are several factors that play a role in that. But first let us begin by discussing what the tell tale signs may be that you have a hormone imbalance? Hormone imbalance presents itself in many different ways. The most well known would be the night sweats that all our mothers spoke about while going through menopause, but to be honest that symptom is not only associated with menopause only because a study has shown that young women as young Maha AlRashed Maha AlRashed is a CHEK Certified Exercise Coach and a regular contributor for CityPages magazine. citypageskuwait.com TO HORMONE HEALTH as 18 years old have the hormones of women in their 90s! Back to the signs of a hormonal imbalance; some signs present themselves in cravings, whether it is a sugar craving or a salt craving if it is extreme then you may have a hormonal issue and should get it checked out. Mood swings, meaning sudden changes in mood from complete happiness to extreme depression would also be a sign. Weight gain in itself is a sign, now the assumption here is that you haven’t been having a turkey dinner every night for a full month, moreover you are maintaining your diet and yet you are still gaining weight, especially in the belly area. Sleep pattern is also something to consider, are you having problems getting your 8 hours a night? Do you find yourself tired but completely wired? And finally do you feel like you need to keep drinking coffee to wake up? We’ve all been guilty of saying that we need a cup of coffee to feel like we can actually start our day, but here I mean that if you didn’t have a cup of coffee all day, would you fall asleep? If you have answered yes to any of these questions, then chances are you are suffering from a hormone imbalance. So what can you do to help reverse that? As you’ve probably noticed in all my previous articles I’m a big believer that diet plays a large role in how your body functions; so here are some suggestions on how to improve your hormone levels through diet. First be sure to eat a nutrient rich whole foods diet in which you limit your exposure to processed foods. Understandably, it is difficult to have access to these kinds of foods here, but a small effort goes a long way. Also, increase your intake of iron by having a good quantity of leafy vegetables and some good quality red meat. Get enough fiber in your diet, these help with hormone levels. Make sure that you are having fruits and vegetables daily, that way you kill two birds with one stone as they say, having your veggies, increase your iron and fiber intake all at the same time. Make sure you drink lots of water to stay hydrated, especially during the hot months here in Kuwait, just remember that just because you’re feeling cold and not thirsty all the time doesn’t mean that your body doesn’t need the hydration. Try to maintain a healthy weight, by eating healthier. Control the amount of sugar and salt in your diet. Reduce your exposure to Xenoestrogens; these are environmental estrogens that effect hormones, and can be avoided by eating organic, free-range food, and also by avoiding heating foods in plastic containers. Another way to rebalance your hormones is by doing some energy building exercises like Yoga and Tai Chi, creating an inner balance. Finally and most importantly, READ LABELS! When picking up your food make sure you take a look at the label, if there is a word you can’t read, you probably shouldn’t be putting that in your body. Remember your body is your temple you only get one treat it the best you can! Let’s Get Cosy, With IKEA ® You know that you’ve had a good night’s sleep when you wake up easily in the morning. While sleep requirements vary slightly from person to person, most healthy adults need between seven to nine hours of sleep per night in order to function at their best. A good night’s rest is important to our health, as the quality of our sleep affects the quality of our waking life: mental sharpness, productivity, emotional balance, creativity, physical vitality, and even weight. IKEA can help you make the most of your bedroom, so that you can make the most of you. But, did you know that your bedroom environment affects your sleep? Regardless of how you define your bedroom space, it is undoubtedly your “sleeping quarter.” It is where most days start and old ones end. A place where you recharge and refresh your body and soul. Obtain your ultimate comfort zone by surrounding yourself with soft textiles, piles of pillows, cosy quilts, and a mattress that So put aside your daily routines, and create a cosy corner where you can just be you… A more relaxed, and a more refreshed you! soft and cosy textiles that give you the perfect excuse to snuggle up and start hibernating. Made with 100% cotton, soft bed linen, cosy quilts, duvet covers and pillow cases give you the comfort of a better night’s sleep. Find the Bed that’s Just Right Cosy Up With a Welcoming Pile of Pillows best suits you. A zone that enhances your sleep experience with products that meet your need for warmth, comfort and softness. A bed that’s big enough for you to stretch out, cosy enough for you to snuggle up, and functional enough for you to store all you need close at hand. Adjustable bed sides make room for the perfect mattress of your choice. So plump up a welcoming pile of pillows, snuggle down under a thick quilt, and enjoy a little “me time.” Come On In and Get Comfy Tossing, turning and exhausting mornings -we all know the feeling. But did you know that sleeping on the right mattress can help get rid of these problems? IKEA’s wide range of high quality mattresses, with a 25 year guarantee, suits everyone’s sleeping habits at affordable prices. Depending on your sleeping style and body type, IKEA can help you find a mattress that meets your needs. Whether you prefer foam, latex, or spring mattresses, IKEA will have the perfect solution that’s just right for you. Dive into Softness You don’t need to get up just yet. Snuggle into restful sleep each night by surrounding yourself with soft bed textiles. IKEA offers Back sleepers, side sleepers, or hug-your-pillow sleepers—choose your style and nestle into comfort. IKEA offers you a wide range of pillows filled with down and feathers, memory foam or polyester in a variety of thicknesses to support your sleeping style. With covers made from synthetic materials, you can tell allergies and mites good-bye. Make the most of your comfort zone Complete your comfort zone with IKEA products that satisfy your everyday needs. Treat your feet to some softness with IKEA’s plush or flat-woven rugs, organize your belonging with storage solutions that keep your bedroom clutter free, or simply refresh your bedroom with curtains that come in varying colours and tones. Whatever your needs are, IKEA’s bedroom essentials can help you get that good night’s sleep that you deserve. Visit IKEA store and let our experts help you choose from the wide range of comfort offers that are available. For more ideal bedroom combinations and options, you can also use IKEA Bedroom Vista planning tool in 3D to choose the bedroom that best suits your personality, style, and budget. February, 2015 MEET THE WITH TASS HASSOUN From a young age we are told to dream big and follow and never give up on them of us have, it's those who keep working hard and visualize their success whom achieve their dreams. Meet Maraim Al Hamad and Rawaa Jaafar, two young Kuwaiti girls who worked hard to make their dream a reality and listen to the advice they have for other young people looking to build a business. These two ladies own Koon Kuwait fitness apparels shop, here is what they said about their journey. citypageskuwait.com What’s Koon Kuwait? KOON is more than a fitness apparel store. It is about communication and motivation. It is about all of us, a system. KOON is a system, a push for positive physical and social activity and interaction. It is a completion and continuation to positively active socio-fitness. The idea of KOON started because we wanted to incorporate fitness and fashion, and to get as many people as possible join the fitness community. We wanted to create a socio-fit support system continuum of health and fitness awareness, collaborations and events, for a physically and socially active lifestyle. Where does the name come from? KOON comes from the Arabic word meaning BE (pronounced in a Kuwaiti dialect). We chose the name because it gives out our message of encouraging people to simply BE, the best that they can be. If you didn’t open Koon KWT, where and what would you be doing? Well, Rawa Jafar and I (Maryam AlHamad) are both full-time employees. We had our jobs before opening KOON, and we still do. I’m a clinical dietitian with a BSc from Purdue University and a MSc from University of Leeds. I’m currently working at the Diabetes Unit of AlAmiri Hospital. Rawa Jafar has 6 years of experience working in the Investment field after completing her BA in Communications and Media from the American University of Kuwait. To what do you attribute your success? We try really hard to collaborate with the community. I think the interest in fitness is growing, you can tell with the number of gyms that have been opening in the last two years. Because of this growing interest, there’s been a lot of events happening around. We try to sponsor or collaborate with as many as we can to both mark our presence and encourage people to achieve a more active lifestyle. Our friends and families have also shown a lot of support both before we opened and now. Rawa and I also have our tasks distributed and trust each other with the effort we put and the results we achieve, which I think counts for a lot. We make sure we get things done efficiently that way. What do u tell new entrepreneur about your experience? Before a business is seem like there’s SO enough time to do consuming initially, up and running, it’ll much to do and not it. It was very time especially when it’s all new and there aren’t set guidelines and rules to follow when trying to finish ministry work, finding possible store locations and potential employees. But it’s all doable with good time management. So take it one step at a time. Get things done efficiently, but at your own pace, and enjoy the process. When someone purchases from your store, what would you like them to walk away thinking? That KOON is introducing them to an active, socio-fit community, one where the environment is positive and engaging. We obviously also want them leaving the store excited to wear their newest purchases to either the gym or their next casual hang-out! How is Koon different another “Fitness” clothing lines? We love fitness and fashion. We've both been regular gym-goers for a few years now, and Rawa has also been a long-time footballer. We try to cater to our customers by brining a variety of styles, whether classic blacks and greys, or patterned and multicolored leggings and tops. We notice that the demand for both yoga and crossfit apparel is growing, and so we're trying to meet our customers’ demands with a variety February, 2015 of brands to choose from. We carry multiple brands from England, USA and Australia, catering to different sports and uses. We want people to enjoy being active, and to look good doing it. Where do you see yourself and your business in 5 years? We are hoping to open a larger store, allowing us to bring more brands and a larger variety of styles to our customers. We also want to reach customers around our region, by taking orders and shipping regionally. Our main goal would have to be to get as many people as possible involved in our socio-fit community. Do fitness and a healthy life style play a major role in your life? Yes! Before the idea of KOON even crossed our minds, we were regular gym-goers. I’m more of the one who wants to be a yogi and a runner, whereas Rawa loves competitive sports and in particularly football. Being a dietitian, I also try to balance my exercise with my food. Eating well to stay fit and healthy has always been a part of my adultlife. It’s almost routine now, so whenever I have an off-day, I just get back on track the day after. It’s important to spend time away from your business, ho w do you balance your time? And what do you enjoy doing? Traveling, reading, and spending qualitytime with family and friends. Rawa and I share a lot of friends, so we end up spending a lot of good times together both while working and when hanging out. It was hard to balance our time initially, because we both have our day jobs as well, but now that we’ve established KOON and have everything in control, it’s been a lot easier to manage our time and give each part of our lives enough time and attention. If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting now, what would it be? Might be cliché, but honestly opportunities are endless. So do what you love, and you will do it well. That’s the best way to enjoy the process, success will follow! How you guys as friends and business partners like to spend your spare time? We mostly spend time with friends and family. Whether at the gym, chalet, or at the comfort of our own homes, it’s always a good time. Tell me 3 words that describe you best? Optimistic. Active. Pizza-addict. citypageskuwait.com February, 2015 ZEN I T I C A F O Y DIAR D L R O W E H T OF (DCW) The Bubble This is a challenge to all of you out there is not going as good as they would have is to turn EVERY SI who might think th NGLE BAD THOU GHT INTO A GOOD ONE, and I mean EVERY SINGLE ON E. If you can keep up this for a week you can easily see the transformation of your life in a we ek and you will cont inue to do so even after the week is ov er. This is something I call the Positive Bu bble which is an de of strength and po sitivity from the wo you from all the ne rld that will protect u must keep in mind that it is up to you to let what kind of emotions get into the bubble, so no ma tter what happens on the outside of th at bubble your etern al equilibrium shou ldn't change which then will help make We just need to loo your feelings and th en your life more sta citypageskuwait.com le TODAY ADOPT A STREET PRINCESS @ADOPT_A_STREET_PRINCESS Vision: To provide the street dogs of Kuwait with a better life, and give them the love, respect, and home they deserve. What is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Adopt a street princessâ&#x20AC;?? Adopt a street princess is a campaign dedicated to improving the wellbeing of street dogs in Kuwait, whilst reducing their population and preventing rabies in Kuwait. Since its inception, the programme has been active in many ways, addressing the said critical issues facing society. Adopt a street princess approaches these issues with immense hope, creating a strong impact on the welfare of both animals and peoples of Kuwait. Adopt a street princess rehomes puppies as well as adult dogs. We rely on a wide network of fosters, veterinarians and caring peoples to ensure each dog finds a loving home. Get involved! ADOPT Open your home to a homeless dog and you will be saving a life, while adding love and laughter to your home. FOSTER Mira: a big female, 1 year old Benny: a small male dog Photos by: Witold Wilczynski You can provide a temporary loving home for a dog awaiting adoption. Aron: a small male dog February, 2015 Mario Mozzetti Providing authentic Italian culinary experience Alfredo’s Gallery, a well-renowned authentic Italian diner famous for its Italian cuisine and the scrumptious, finger-licking original Fettuccine Alfredo, was born out of the passion of Alfredo and his ability to prepare simple meals with extraordinary tastes. Alfredo opened its first restaurant in early 1900s in the heart of Rome and began a tradition of culinary excellence that has attracted celebrities from around the world. And now his grandson, Mario Mozzetti is continuing his tradition. Mario is a born entrepreneur. Of those satisfied not just with optimizing the status quo but rather seeking constant development. Under his impetus and with the support of those around him, Alfredo’s Gallery is all set to take the world by storm. In an exclusive interview, Mario Mozzetti shares the long and enriched history of Alfredo’s Gallery and the brand’s expansion plans in Middle East and rest of the world. citypageskuwait.com February, 2015 Alfredo’s Gallery is the result of over 100 years of tradition and experience in the culinary arts. Can you tell us a bit about its history and how it came about? The long and enriched history of Alfredo’s Gallery began in early 1900s when it opened its doors in the heart of Rome in Via Della Scrofa. But the reason that has made it cross boundaries is the very famous Fettuccine Alfredo. It was born out of the passion of Alfredo and his ability to prepare simple meals with extraordinary tastes. In a very short time the original and irresistible Fettuccine Alfredo crossed the borders of Rome to achieve international acclaim and become one of the masterpieces in the world of cuisines. After having enjoyed an enormous success for nearly half a century, Alfredo decided to expand his restaurant to forward the dream of his life in the hands of people that with the same passion and care would have perpetuated the secrets, the tradition and the unique atmosphere of Alfredo alla Scrofa. From that moment on, Alfredo alla Scrofa continued the tradition of offering refined family service and timehonored recipes year by year and generation after generation. This restaurant is the birth place of the original Fettuccine Alfredo. We heard there is a story behind it? You heard it right! There is a very interesting story that has led to the birth of the celebrated Fettuccine Alfredo. It was invented by Alfredo in 1907 as a gesture of love for his wife and his unborn child and to satisfy the craving of his pregnant wife. What are other items on your menu besides the well-known Fettuccine Alfredo? The menu is full of recipes that brings you back to the old flavors, and there are also new recipes all prepared like at home. We offer a choice of soups, salads and pizzas. We also serve a wide variety of pasta and risotto. Meat lovers can choose from delicious variety of chicken, meat, and seafood. And to satisfy your sweet tooth we serve mouth-watering desserts such as Tiramisu Alfredo, Panna Cotta, and Profiterole. Over the years, hundreds of famous people dined here, the walls are lined with photographs of famous celebrities and it is said that if you ever want to see a celebrity in the flesh, Alfredo’s Gallery is the place to go. Can you name a few? Yes it’s true. Numerous celebrities, politicians and presidents have honored us with their visit over the years such as Sophia Loren, Omar Sharif, Tony Curtis, Frank Sinatra, Audrey Hepburn, Dean Martin, Kirk Douglas, Marilyn Monroe, and Jerry Lewis. Could you share the story behind the golden fork and spoon? Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks came citypageskuwait.com to our restaurant on their honeymoon. They fell in love with Fettuccine Alfredo and they decided to give us a golden spoon and fork as a memento with their signatures on the back. Fettuccine Alfredo thus became famous all over the world with this simple story because when Pickford and Fairbanks returned to the States, journalists started writing about their honeymoon and their experiences at Alfredo’s restaurant. Could you outline your restaurants for us please? We have many branches worldwide today such as in Italy, Brazil, Bulgaria, and now here in Kuwait and soon opening in Qatar and in Greece. What is your personal favorite? Of course the original Fettuccine Alfredo but I am learning to appreciate the combined plate with chicken and mushrooms. Are you planning to offer any special items for the Kuwaiti market? I am importing an exclusive balsamic vinegar and pure extra virgin olive oil from my land. According to you how important is the location for your brand? Our location in the Avenues is not really strategic but we believe the atmosphere is unique as staying in a private terrace. Moreover I believe that if a food tastes good people will come for it no matter where it is located and we serve that kind of food! Are there any specific challenges that you face with your business? We are trying to bring the REAL Italian food served in a REAL Italian environment in Kuwait; our staffs including more than 15 servers and others are all Italian. Your message to our readers: Coming to Alfredo’s Gallery is like visiting Italy. Your message for us at CityPages magazine: It is a very professional magazine and wish we can follow each other during this trip. February, 2015 The silhouettes that whisper Avant-garde fashion Defined by clean lines and a stirring simplicity, the easy silhouettes whisper avant-garde fashion and discreet luxury, the kind a cool and classy girl would so appreciate in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world. A mix of comfort, of nonchalance, of modern sophistication, the looks brought to life by thouqi.com and lensed by Claude Stephen donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t thrive on illusions, their palpable ease acting as the one and only incentive. And you can only get inspired by the basic combinations that manage to effortlessly conjure the idea of luxury using merely key pieces such as the oversized coat, black leather pants and clean cut dresses, and they are all made to look incredibly beautiful, tied in a story with flawless make-up and gorgeous hair by Layla Harmony. Model: @yassi95_ Photographer: Claude Stephan @claudestephanphotography Director by: Jameel Arif @jameelarif Clothes & Accessories: THOUQI @thouqi Makeup, Nails, and Hair: LAYLA HARMONY @laylaharmony citypageskuwait.com Coat: Ba&Sh Paris Skirt: Essentiel Bag: Rebecca Minkoff February, 2015 Jacket: Clu Necklace: Essentiel Pants: Tara Jarmon citypageskuwait.com Top: Essentiel Pants: Tara Jarmon Bag: Rebecca Minkoff Ring: Maria Francesca Pepe Shoes: Zara February, 2015 Crop top : Tibi Skirt: Essentiel Bag: Antik Batik Sunglasses: Spektre Ring: Isharya citypageskuwait.com Dress: Darling Ring: Isharya Shoes: By Malene Birger Bag: Rebecca Minkoff February, 2015 Dress: Issa Ring: Isharya Shoes: By Malene Birger Bracelet: Isharya Bag: Essentiel citypageskuwait.com Dress: Dress Gallery Paris Bag: Lulu Guiness Shoes: Zara February, 2015 Khalid Al-Zanki The face behind the LAUNCH ON FIRE Business Podcast citypageskuwait.com Innovation is what makes the world go round, and in Kuwait it has been the driving force behind the changes that are taking place in the small businesses arena. Khalid Al-Zanki is one of those people who is contributing to this culture of newness that the business community is experiencing by way of an exciting new podcast that he launched and which has grown in popularity since he first launched it. February, 2015 Introduce yourself to our readers Khalid. I was born in 1978 in Kuwait, I am the face of ALZANKI ENTERPRISES, the creative force behind its launches, and a formidable team builder. I’m the founder and CEO of the first product launch agency in Middle East, which was launched in 2005, and I’m the host and producer of the first business and entrepreneurship podcasts in Middle East, LAUNCH ON FIRE Business Podcasts. I built my first business at the age of 23, reaped profitable rewards and was labeled “A True Leader and Entrepreneur” & “Most Influential Person Online”. I’ve been positioned as one of Kuwait’s Top Marketing Mavens (trusted expert), because I share real life advice as someone who has been there in his own ventures. An entrepreneur almost since birth, it all started with childhood dreams of becoming a businessman running multiple businesses that would make a difference in the world. Basically, I’m a classic example of turning a personal obsession into a business success in Kuwait. What did you receive your formal education in and where? I’m a computer engineer. I received my formal education from the College of Engineering & Petroleum in Kuwait University. It is one of my secret weapons in business success, which has shaped my important skillsets. Tell us about your career path until you reached the point of establishing LAUNCH ON FIRE. I started my career working at College of Business Administration in Kuwait University’s Information Technology Department for a few years. One day, a friend from one of the departments who moved to private sector invited me for coffee, and he shared that citypageskuwait.com there was an open opportunity in the company he works for. I had three interviews in one week, and then decided to quit my job with the university and accept a new challenge in Salhia Real Estate Company. It sounded great, but guess what, the government seemed to follow me there too! The company hired a director who used to work for one of Kuwait Government Agencies for 15 years prior. I never thought this would happen, but it did. So, while working in the company, I noticed average leadership was demonstrated in both the public and private sectors. Quick research was done to find out more about outstanding leadership and how we can raise the level of leadership and build true leaders in the country. Hence, I launched my first business LEADER ENTERPRSIES, which was the first leadership development company in Kuwait. It was dedicated to delivering outstanding leadership seminars, workshops and programs. My team and I had outstanding performance in such a small and a competitive market. We had great success and we turned sand into gold. In 2008, the financial crisis hit the global economy; so I did my research and asked for advice from the best in the field of business and economy about what to do. The outcome was shutting the business down in mid of 2009, and I took a warriors break. After that I re-launched ALZANKI ENTEPRISES, which is known for positioning people and companies products and services for profit through proven marketing innovative product launch solutions. World-class product launches are responsible for the success of giant businesses today. How did you get into the business of Pod-casting? Part of my investments helped me to be a member in many platinum mastermind groups internationally, back in 2006 podcasting was one of the new media platforms which allow people to produce content online, for audiences to consume that content anytime and anywhere. The community was talking about it, and at the beginning we had failures and successes in utilizing and monetizing the podcasting platform. Today, there are at least 500 millions podcasts listed on Apple iTunes, and some podcasts succeeded and many failed for various reasons. Where did you find your inspiration to start the LAUNCH ON FIRE Business Podcasts? I was inspired by the markets needs and wants, and started LAUNCH ON FIRE business podcasts for three main reasons; the first reason for there is no central location where information about local entrepreneurs is shared. The second reason is that the podcast gives people a chance to get to know the entrepreneurs better. The third reason is because there are common issues, stories, or matters applicable to entrepreneurs in Kuwait that people would love to hear. Also LAUNCH ON FIRE does not highlight the success of entrepreneurs reaching a certain level; in fact it highlights failures and lessons they learned. What steps did you take to ensure that you were conducting the podcast in the most professional way? There are many steps in the process; I’ll highlight the major ones. The number one step is to identify a market need and anticipate a trend ahead of time, and then formulated the idea and designed a blueprint launch plan. The second step was, we did a quick survey to see if our business community and entrepreneurs were whiling to participate and share their stories with the world. Finally, we asked for advice from professional audio production experts, because quality sound really matter in the world of podcasting. Where do you meet all your guests that you've interviewed? I’m part of various business and entrepreneurship communities in Kuwait, and I’ve developed a very solid network of entrepreneurs, professionals and experts over a decade, both locally and internationally. On the other hand, the massive success of LAUNCH ON FIRE first season created a massive interest, and people started calling us for interviews or nominating entrepreneurs and/ or experts for the podcasts. How much time does it take to conduct your interviews? Usually, it takes 30-60 minutes. What kind of technical set-up does one have to have to begin a basic podcast? A very basic one, you can start with a desktop or laptop with USB microphone, along with a website that syndicates episodes/ podcasts with Apple iTunes or any other podcasting networks. Where do you get your energy from, seeing how busy you have become lately? I get my energy from the LAUNCH ON FIRE community and raving fans. It is such an awesome feeling, when one of podcast listeners/ subscribers shares their aha-moments from the interviews that I record, and when an entrepreneur shares the exclusive content with our audience that adds greater value. What does your typical day look like? My typical day usually looks crazy, it starts at 6:00 AM. I spend few hours getting ready for projects and initiatives that we manage. Then, I take a break in afternoon to refresh and energize, then we start recording interviews during the evening time, and sometime I record morning interviews. Finally, I evaluate the day and prepare for brand new day. What do you do for fun or to relax? For fun, I spend quality time with family and best friends. Relaxing is important, I rejuvenate during weekends and I make sure to spend time with myself, yes alone! I enjoy reading books, listening to music and watching business related videos or business shows. Do you have any new projects in mind that you feel will become as popular as LOF? Of course, there are a few projects related to business. I can’t talk about all the projects at the moment, because we’re still connecting things and brainstorming ideas. You’ll be the first to know, when we start launching. By the way, I will be starting a solo-podcast titled “LAUNCH ANSWER MAN”, the main aim of this podcast to help individuals, startups and entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. Have you experienced any setbacks during your employment history? Yes. It is part of the game. If you want to win in life, you will face setbacks and challenges. The road to success is always under construction, you’ve to keep moving forward. Never give up! Now that you've yourself interviewed a diverse group of business owners, what is the one thread in common that you have found that ties them together? That’s a great question; I love it! Since LAUNCH ON FIRE is a story-based podcast, I got the opportunity to learn more about entrepreneurs and their stories. There are many common factors, I will highlight few. (1) They work in and out of their business, (2) They all faced high levels of negative emotions and thoughts throughout their business journey, but they believed in themselves and their ideas, (3) They have the power to improve the business environment in Kuwait, they just need a chance to prove it, (4) They have the willingness to create massive success stories. If our audience listens to at least one podcast a day, then they will findout more inspiring, common factors between every guest we’ve interviewed. How do you plan on further developing LAUNCH ON FIRE? That’s a secret plan Kinda. If your readers follow LAUNCH ON FIRE, they’ll be able to connect the dots. Personally, I’m devoted in developing LAUNCH ON FIRE and taking it to next level, we’ve huge responsibility towards our 20,000+ podcast listeners. Who are your own mentors or influencers? How have they affected your life career wise and personally? I have the best mentors around me. When it comes to being the best, it pays to learn from the best. I look for the best in the field always; I never surround myself with mediocre mentors. If any of your readers interested to get great mentors, just drop me a message; and I will be more than happy to share with them the mentors affected my professional and career. What is your most favorite time of day? Early morning. Do you have a favorite destination? My favorite destination is California, USA – I love it! What is your advice to anyone who needs encouragement in their career path? When you live for other’s opinions, you are dead. I can’t tell you what the worst opinions in my life taught me. And, I don’t live in the past, I always look forward. Surround yourself with an “A+” Team, don’t waste your time with average players or leaders. What is your one message to Kuwaiti youth, who want to make something of themselves? Never wait for permission from others, and follow your heart. Develop your skills, because when opportunity knocks the door and you’re ready you’ll have a much better chance at taking on an opportunity than when you aren’t ready. Listen to LAUNCH ON FIRE log on to www.launchonfire.com Put your comments and thoughts on twitter @KhalidAlzanki February, 2015 Lina Brax Driven by passion, fuelled by dreams Lina Brax is the mastermind designer behind the new, highly sought-after handbag design brand Lina Brax the Brand. She was born in the beautiful city of Beirut-Lebanon, and grew up there till age 21 when she left to Paris to pursue her studies at L’Ecole Supérieure de Commerce. Lina Brax’s creativity is fueled by a lifelong passion for art and design. At a young age, she began exploring the boundaries of art with painting. Love for art and creation continued in to later years of her life leading to the birth of her brand. Designer Lina Brax has created a line of handbags which are designed to be classic yet edgy and offer a lifetime of use. All of her handbags are designed and made using the finest materials without compromising on quality or practicality. Here, she talks about when and how did it all start, her inspirations, and the challenges she has to face. Continue reading… Please introduce yourself to our readers: I am a handbag designer and my brand is named after mine; Lina Brax. Tell us about your education: I have completed my education in France and graduated from one of the top 5 universities in Paris – École Supérieure de Commerce. I have a Bachelor in Economic and Masters in Finance. When did you first get into design? My desire to create and innovate has accompanied me since my early childhood. I remember when I was young, we used to have painting classes at our school and I got the first award for my project but due to lack of orientation at that time in Beirut I couldn’t continue in that field. Later on, after completing my studies I decided to take painting courses in Paris with a Russian teacher, who taught me the basics and how to mix and match colors. I studied there for 4 continuous years and it was during that time when my love for art, creation and fashion was nurtured. I did several exhibitions in some of citypageskuwait.com the Parisian galleries and have a big collection of paintings. How did it all start and what made your interested in handbags? It all started with a desire to carry a python bag… but not just any bag, only the one that I had dreamt of. So, instead of simply shopping for one, I bought the python skin then scouted a factory out to produce my own! Lina Brax the Brand, was thus born in Beirut, just after I decided to return with my family in 2012 and spend the rest of my life creating for myself and other women out there! How would you define Lina Brax the Brand? Lina Brax is a brand for luxury handbags. Lina Brax handbags are basically European style, classical and timeless pieces. I want women who wear Lina Brax handbags feel proud and happy. I would not want them to wonder if they have chosen the right accessory to fit the attire. Feeling natural is a luxury in itself, and my main objective is to ensure that carrying my handbags on daily basis is natural whilst bringing about admiration. What's the your pieces? motivation behind As I work in fashion, I get my inspiration from this world. I am open and aware of my environment. Many times influence from several different sources get me thinking and lead to new ideas or solutions. I can get my inspiration from a baby cushion, and this can lead me to a new design of a handbag like for example, the wood wings was inspired from a photo shoot of Stefano Pilati I saw in VOGUE magazine, having many feathers around him with the YSL bag he designed at that time. These feathers stayed in my mind, and I decided to create a bag around this idea. Feathers are everywhere in the fashion world lately, there is something so frivolously fun about them. You started your first design using python. Why python? What other materials do you use? Material can play a factor in deciding how much the bag will cost eventually, as well as what kind of quality I want to offer. It also defines the personality of my brand. I started February, 2015 with python and leather all the way inside out. I get attracted to the full grain leather, which is the highest quality of leather that shows natural scrapes and marks. but recently I was driven by a fabric from Italy that is 100% washable, I started using it on the jumbo design and the new mini lovely, even though the inside of the bag is made by leather. You will never see Lina Brax - the Brand using synthetic material or false leather. What are the challenges you have faced during your journey as a handbag designer? As I was reading one day in VOGUE : « So often, in fashion, the outside world only sees the glamour and sparking flashbulbs of the runway and forgets that the industry's greatest designers are really business owners who face the same triumphs and challenges of other entrepreneurs ». Starting a business is a big achievement for many entrepreneurs like me but maintaining one is the bigger challenge, that I feel today with my 2 years of existence in the market. The first challenge lies in the market itself. We have to know the market, so the design of the bag fits in its right place. The second is marketing the bag, targeting the key people who can boost the bag to its highest level and impact the sales. And the most important challenge is balancing between citypageskuwait.com quality and growth. The obsession to maintain the right balance between the quality and the cost of this quality is an everyday challenge. What is the price range of your handbags? If you could design a bag for anyone in the world, who would it be? How can people get a hold of Lina Brax bag? Angelina Jolie, she is the kind of a person who doesn’t live in the extravagant fashion obsession. She is beyond fashion, we can call her a timeless piece of humanity. I feel that I can design a bag for her without any difficulties as the values of Lina Brax - the Brand are a perfect fit for her. Through the website www.linabrax.com, it is turning into an e-shop very soon (end of February) and also on www.mooda.com they can also get in contact with me directly through the instagram. People usually like this way because they feel they are very close to their product. Are you planning to venture into anything else other than bags? Where do you see the brand going in the future? Definitely, but not now. It’s the normal growth trend for any brand. If you weren't a designer, what would you be? Another designer (LOL). What has been your greatest achievement in your career to date? I am very happy that my bags started to get recognition pretty quickly by everyone. I have achieved big success in building the image of the brand in just two short years. From 230$ to 630$. My dream is big and hopefully I will realize it one day. What would be your ultimate goal for the brand? Never play with quality. Doing more and more exhibitions. Trying to be everywhere. Your message for us at CityPages magazine: Thank you for finding me and doing this interview. Keep the good job of finding the emerging designers. GETTING PERSONAL Where were you born? Beirut. Where do you live now? Beirut. Profession: How would you describe your personal style? I always had this edgy style. What are your favorite shoes? My YSL boots. What Fashion Tip do you live by? Skinny jeans, my YSL boots and the red lipsticks. Favorite city, and why: Paris, because I am French and I lived there for more than 15 years. Favorite place to shop: I love to walk while I shop at the Le Marais in Paris. Favorite vacation spot: Forte dei Marmi that is located along the northern Tuscany coast, I can rest and relax there with my family and have a lovely time shopping and eating the Italian food. Favorite food: I love barbecues and tomato salad with lots of fries. I am a very picky eater, I prefer organic food. Favorite movie: I am addicted to The Godfather. I love it when Calo says: In Sicily, women are more dangerous than shotguns. If you give it a definition today, it can be: never underestimate the power of a woman. Favorite band: My favorite singer was Amy Winehouse. Favorite book: Le petit prince Favorite designers: Phoebe Philo Style icon: No one can compete with Kate Moss First thing you do in the morning: I drink hot water with a twist of lemon and honey. Last thing you do before bed: I check my phone and pray. What are you obsessed with at the moment? With the designs of my new collection. Personal motto: Work hard and be nice to people. February, 2015 Miami Take a number of diverse cultures, add a strong dose of the arts and a splash of ocean water, and you have Miami. Looking at the fantastic art museums and the blossoming gastronomical scene, you might find it hard to believe that just a century ago, this colorful Floridian city was covered in swampland. Where to Stay Antique Mall Y'All February, 2015 ‫ومـاهـي المـشـاعـــر سوي تصرفات بسيطه تـسعـدنا أو تـتسعـنـا‬ ‫مدي الحياة‬ ‫ولــيــد بعد تلك الليلة ‪ ..‬تحسف علي اللي سواه وحب يلطف الجو وبدل‬ ‫ما يعتذر لها بدأ يسرد أحاديث دينية تحرم فيه األحتفال بهذا اليوم ‪،‬‬ ‫ألغت سارة من بعد هذا اليوم المشاعر الرومانسية من قاموس حياتها‬ ‫الزوجية فأصبحت حياتهم الخاصه مثل الوجبات السريعة اشباع مؤقت‬ ‫ال طعم وال نكهه ‪.‬‬ ‫استفاقت من ذكرياتها الحزينه علي صوت الخدامه تنادي بأن الجميع‬ ‫بأنتظارها والضيوف وصلوا ‪ ،‬فأستعجلت بترتيب حالها وذهبت‬ ‫ألستقبالهم والترحيب بهم‬ ‫أحـمـد األخ األصغر( الجعده) لزوجها تزوج حديثا من لـيلـي بنت حلوه‬ ‫ورقيقه فكانت أول عزيمه للترحيب بهم بعد الزواج في بـيـت ولـيـد‬ ‫رحـلـة الـمـالـديــف‬ ‫حجز لهما في المنتجع الفاخر ‪ NIYAMA Maldives Per AQUUM‬على الجزيرة‬ ‫الخاصة ‪ Olhuveli‬في المالديف‪ ،‬ويضم سبا يعمل على مدار الساعة‪،‬‬ ‫كما يتميز بأول نادي ليلي تحت الماء في العالم‪ .‬وتوفر هذه الجنة‬ ‫االستوائية شاطئ هادئ خاص وخدمات الخادم الشخصي وخدمة الواي‬ ‫فاي المجانية في جميع أنحاء المنتجع‪.‬‬ ‫وسـارة ‪.‬‬ ‫جـميع أفراد أسرة ولــيــد مجتمعين ‪ ..‬واألنظار موجهه للعرسان الجـدد‬ ‫أحـمـد و لـيلـي ومغامراتهم في شهر العسل ‪،‬عندها بدأ الكل بأسترجاع‬ ‫ذكرياته والمقارنه بين الجيل القديم والجيل الحالي‪ ،‬ع��دها أحـمـد بدأ‬ ‫يحكي عن ترتيبات عيد الحب مع أقتراب موعده وأين سيقضيه مع‬ ‫عروسته لـيلـي ؟؟‬ ‫وتـداخلت المشاركات من أخوات ولــيــد وأزواجهم فمنهم من حجز رحلة‬ ‫بحرية واألخر ســفره قـصـيره وغيره ذلك ‪..‬‬ ‫انصدم ولــيــد بمدي االنفتاح علي الموضوع وأهميته لدي الجميع وان‬ ‫الوضع عادي والكل متقبل ان يحتفل بهذا العيد حاول ان يصر علي‬ ‫أفكاره وبدأ بأقناعهم ان هذا اليوم اليجوز األحتفال فيه والشخص اللي‬ ‫يحب اليحتاج يوم معين ليبرهن علي حبه‪ ،‬الجميع اخبره ان مثل هذه‬ ‫المناسبات تنعش الحياه الزوجيه بعيدا عن األطفال والمسؤوليات‬ ‫وروتين الحياه ‪ ،‬بدأت النساء تبتعد عن المجلس وتشكل لها أحاديث‬ ‫جانبيه عن تحضيرات ذلك اليوم ‪.‬‬ ‫في هذا الوقت استرق ولــيــد نظرات تمني أن ال تشعر بها ســارة ‪،‬بحث‬ ‫عن ردت فعل تبرر له صحة معتقداته لكن لالسف رأي فيها انكسار‬ ‫وكأنها أقل منهن شأنا فانشغلت بتقديم الضيافة عن مشاركتها‬ ‫احاديثهن السعيده عن ماذا تتحدث ؟؟‬ ‫عن تصرفه الغبي في تلك الليلة إلعتقاده بأن هذه الرجوله التي يحكي‬ ‫له اصدقائه عنها وان التعبير عن المشاعر يعتبر ضعفا ‪ ،‬فحرم علي‬ ‫نفسه وزوجته التمتع باللحظات الرومانسية ‪ ،‬لكن لماذا كل هذا العناد‬ ‫واالصرار ؟؟ ما الضرر لو أشتري حبها بورده حمراء!! مالضرر لو بادلها‬ ‫مشاعر الحب التي يحملها لها من أول يوم خطبها فيه !!‬ ‫ولــيــد أحب ســارة بكل تفاصيلها ‪ ،،‬بعفويتها و حنان األم اللي‬ ‫عوضته عن فقدان والدته في سن مبكر من حياته ‪ ،‬هل الي هذه‬ ‫الدرجه هو أناني ؟؟‬ ‫لم يستطع ليلتها النوم فالتفكير بحياته ومراجعه معتقداته بعد‬ ‫هذا العشاء‪ ،‬بدأ وليد يستوعب تفاصيل لم ينتبه لها من قبل عن‬ ‫اهتمام ساره به‪ ،‬تحضيرها اليومي الفطاره وحرصها علي تنظيم‬ ‫حياته وتربيه أوالده ‪،‬حتي اجتماعاته بالدوام دائما تتصل لتطمئن عليه‬ ‫وتبث فيه روح التشجيع‪ ،‬كيف لم يقدر كل هذا ؟؟‬ ‫فأجئها بحجز لرحلة المالديف فقط لهما في عيد العشاق تعويضا‬ ‫واكراما لحبه لها ‪.‬‬ ‫عندما يحب الرجل إمراه فأنها يعرف كيف يثبت لها حبـه ‪...‬‬ ‫‪Happy Valentine Day Everyone‬‬ ‫‪citypageskuwait.com‬‬ ‫‪TRAVEL WITH‬‬ ‫‪by: MOUZAH ALSHAREEDAH‬‬ ‫تابعوني باالنستجرام‬ ‫لمزيد من القصص والرحالت‬ ‫‪Travelwithmuzmuz‬‬ ‫كل األعياد تتشابهه إال ذلك الـعـيـد ( عـيـد‬ ‫الـعـشـاق )‬ ‫كم من عاشق سعيد ينتظر بفارغ الصبر لقاء‬ ‫محبوبه ‪،،‬‬ ‫وكم من عاشق تعيس يتمني ان يختفي ذلك‬ ‫اليوم اللعين الذي يذكره بوحدته ‪،،‬‬ ‫وكم من عاشق يحلم بأن يوما ما سيحتفل به‬ ‫مع نصفه االخر‪،،‬‬ ‫عـيـد الـحـب ‪ ،،‬مهما عارضته مهما همشته‬ ‫امام الجميع فبداخل كل شخص فينا رغبة‬ ‫بأن يتشارك تلك اللحظات مع من أختاره القلب‬ ‫والروح ويعلنها ‪ ...‬اني أحبك‬ ‫عـيـد الـحـب ‪ ،،‬ذلك اليوم الذي تترقب فيه كل‬ ‫فتاه رزمة من الورود الحمراء ‪ ،‬تتباهي فيها‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫ملك لحبيب عاشق اليخاف الناس يعترف‬ ‫بأنها‬ ‫بحبه لها دون تردد ‪.‬‬ ‫كم أنت ظالم ايها الـعـيـد‪ ،،‬عند عشاق‬ ‫متحجري المشاعر يرمونك بأقـبـح األعـذار وكأن‬ ‫الـورود التي ترسل بهذا اليوم ستدخلنا‬ ‫جهـنم وكـأن حـبـنا هو خطيـئـتنا التي‬ ‫سنحاسب عليها ‪.‬‬ ‫فلنتاين ‪ ...‬بالكويتي‬ ‫رفـقـ ًا بقلب عاشق أبـسـط حـلمـه ورده حـمـراء‬ ‫مـصحـوبـة بـكـلمة ‪ ،،،‬أحــبــك‬ ‫تنظر في المرآه لتشاهد ذلك اللون األبيض بدأ يغزو مفرق رأسها و تطول بالنظر لتري بقايا إمرأه كيف وصلت الي تلك الحاله؟؟‬ ‫تسائلت ‪ :‬شصار فيني ‪..‬؟؟ شلون وصلت الي هالمرحله من االهمال ؟؟‬ ‫تذكرت ســارة نفسها وهي عروس صغيره ‪ ،‬فرحانه مندفعه بمشاعرها نحو زوج المستقبل‪.‬‬ ‫ربوها أهلها علي أن الحب هو حبك لزوجك وأوالدك فعلت ماطلبوا‪ ،‬واحتفظت بكل كلمة حب لذلك الزوج ‪.‬‬ ‫‪.‬يجمعهم تحت سقف واحد )‪ (Valentine Day‬تذكرت أول عيد حب‬ ‫رسمت بخيالها تلك الفكره الرومانسية عن عشاء يجمعهم بين الورود والشموع بدأت من شهر بالتحضير واإلدخار لتلك اللية‬ ‫كان أجمل مافي التحضيرات أن تقف بالطابور لتشتري الكيكه المخصصه لعيد الحب وكأنها تخبر العالم ‪ ...‬وأخـيرا لـدي حـبـيـب ‪.‬‬ ‫تذكرت لحظة وصول زوجها ولـيـد الي المنزل عندما شاهد الشموع والورود الحمراء المنثوره كمسار طريق الي أجمل طاولة رومانسية‬ ‫مرتدية أجمل فساتينها سعيدة بأستقباله كانت متوقعه أول مايشوفها يطير عليها ويشيلها بحب وحنان ويفاجئها بكلمات حب لم تسمعها‬ ‫من قبل توقعت منه هدية تفرح قلبها وتذكرها بحبه لها علي طول الزمن‪.‬‬ ‫ســارة ‪ :‬كل عام وأنت بخير حبيبي ‪ ،‬اليوم أول عـيـد حـب لنا مع بعض‪.‬‬ ‫ولــيــد ‪ :‬شنو شهالخرابيط شمسويه ‪..‬؟؟ اي حب واي خرابيط فتحي الليتات (االضاءه) وتركي عنج الكالم الفاضي ‪.‬‬ ‫انصدمت لما شافته بدأ يطفي الشموع وحتي ما التفت عليها وبدأ بالسخريه عليها وان هالشموع كان ممكن تحرق البيت وضحك علي لبسها‬ ‫ومكياجها وتنسيقها لطاولة الطعام وبدأ يضحك ويضحك‪.‬‬ ‫بعد هذه الليله إنهارت كل مشاعرها التي احتفظت بها ‪ ،‬ظلت تبكي طوال الليل وانكسر شي بينها وبينه لربما يراه البعض عادي او بسيط‬ ‫‪February, 2015‬‬ PEEL AWAY IMPERFECTIONS Our skin gets it color from a pigment called Melanin and cells called melanocyte are responsible for its production. But if these cells are disturbed and damaged it affects our skin health drastically, causing one to experience low self-esteem and always having the need to overload their skin with every product in the market. Pigmentation or Hyper-Pigmentation occurs when there is an over-production of the melanin. In most cases pigmentation is affected to only certain areas, most common Anisaa New LaFem Salon & Beauty Co. Anisaa is an Aesthetic Consultant and Trainer with New Lafem Salon & Beauty Co. You can follow them on Facebook and Instagram at: @lafemsalonq8 citypageskuwait.com are forehead, hairline and cheeks while some get affected on other parts of their body as well. There are pigmentation which is genetically inherited like the age/ liver spots and freckles, but there are those which are built on during oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lifetime due to various factors. Pregnancy, prescription medication, topical creams with fragrance or chemical ingredients, hormonal changes or imbalance and exposure to sun can cause pigmentation. As some of these factors cannot be controlled, protecting your skin from the sunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s harmful rays is vital. While the melanin is also responsible to protect the skin cells from the UVB radiation, but in the attempt to protect the skin from damage over-exposure to the sun’s UVA rays can stimulate the melanin production causing hyper-pigmentation or increase the risk of cancer. Post chemical or laser treatments one must be extremely careful, since the skin is at a very sensitive vulnerable stage and can get affected very easily. At times if our body is deficient from essential nutrients and most importantly dehydrated our face can show signs of blotchy uneven skin tone which can be easily treated by replenishing our body from within and using rich antioxidant skin care product. Acid-based Magic Potion •Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA’S) based peeling treatments like glycolic and lactic acid are water-soluble and can dissolve glue-like bonds between the cells causing to shed of the buildup of dead surface cells ushering in a fresher new skin layer. As the surface cells starts peeling away, the cells beneath are renewed resulting in an even toned bright complexion. •Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA’S) based peeling treatments like salicylic acid are oilsoluble and can penetrate deeper into greasy pores to control the sebum production and kill the acne-causing bacteria as well. But apart from the acne fighting property BHA’S are combined with AHA treatments to target chronic marks and pigmentation as well. There are many other acid-based peeling treatments (Retinoic acid, Kojic, Azelaic acid, Hyaluronic acid, trichloroacetic acid - TCA peel) which could be prescribed for your skin upon a professional consultation. Then there is the Microdermabrasion, Ultrasonic therapy and Laser treatments that are also prescribed to target pigmentation as it stimulates cells renewal, amps up collagen production and results in an even-toned bright complexion. Many less potent over-the-counter acid based products such as cleansers, scrubs, toners, serum or night creams are usually recommended to give your skin a slight hit of the acid before trying out a stronger formula. These products do help as they are neutralized acids and encourage a slower process of mild micro exfoliation on your skin. On the other hand there are dermatological products which are specially formulated for pigmentation as well. But it is important to always top your skin with a broad spectrum sunscreen since your skin tends to be more sensitive when it is under the influence of any peeling treatment. And then there is the Medically developed – Nature based Herbal Peeling “NEW SKIN IN 5 DAYS” with the GREEN PEEL® Herbal Peeling Treatment holds a worldwide proven track record for more than 50 years and targets all types of skin disorders. The GREEN PEEL® herbs are a mixture of selected herbs containing enzymes, minerals and vitamins, which are massaged into the skin causing the skin to peeling naturally. In case of pigmentation a milder treatment is advised along with recommended home care products especially formulated for uneven skin tone and pigmentation. The key to finding a solution to hyper- pigmentation is finding the right treatment for your skin type and understanding what your skin needs to feed it with the right home care products. Always know more about the treatment you choose to undergo because a wrongly performed face treatment could also lead to various skin conditions. February, 2015 Wearing and storing fragrances How to Store •Behind the ears Special Occasions Wherever possible, bottles should be stored in a cool dark place. The cooler the temperature, the longer the smell will remain true. Keep out of direct sunlight and store in the box if possible. If you have two bottles the same, try to keep one sealed until you have finished the other. What our experts say: “If stored correctly your bottle can last up to two years” Perfume should be sprayed about 20cm from the body. Using two or more products from the same perfume range will increase the length of time that the smell stays true on the skin. What our experts say: “Spraying your perfume into your hair will cause the scent to be released at intervals throughout the day as you brush your hair or move” Follow these rules for maximum staying power perfumes: How to Wear Wearing a perfume on your pulse points or where the body is naturally warmer will increase the reaction time of the perfume and it’s the intensity. •Wrist •Crook of your arm •Behind the knees This allows the perfume to become a mist and absorb into the skin better. Spraying too close to your body may prevent the perfume from drying naturally to release its various different notes. Don’t Rub It! The most common error that people make when they put scent on is to rub their wrists together. Rubbing the perfume causes the different delicate notes to bruise together. Also rubbing removes the top notes causing the perfume to smell different. ASAMA Perfumes The creative method gave ASAMA Perfumes the time and the opportunity to craft fragrances while working with the highest quality ingredients in a bottle and using Arabic and Western scents as a unique concept point for the fragrances. They welcome your comments at [email protected] Follow them on Instagram and Twitter: @ASAMAPerfumes citypageskuwait.com Hair Spray For a lovely overall layer of perfume, spray the bottle up into the air at arms length - then walk into the scented cloud. 1.Start with a body wash or shower gel 2.Then use a body lotion or cream whilst the body is still damp 3.A quick all round use of EDT 4.Then some key applications of perfume on your pulse points. For men – Aftershave or EDT EDT should not be sprayed on the face just on the neck and body. Aftershaves and aftershave balms should be used on the face. MELA WHITE Dermatological care for a Harmonious Even Complexion MELA WHITE products are exclusively targeted towards balancing the existing hyper-pigmentation and preventing formation of new pigment discoloration. MELA WHITE combines its brightening effect with non-aggressive complex ingredients that have regenerating and invigorating effect on the skin. Free of parabens, paraffin oil, coloring agents and PEG derivatives. MELA WHITE DAY CREAM: Moisturizing day cream with effective sun protection filters. MELA WHITE NIGHT CREAM: Hydrating night cream with avocado and macadamia nut oils to reinforce the skin brightening processes. Defensil速 calms and regenerates skin. MELA WHITE ACTIVE C SERUM: Brightening essence with Vitamin C that activates collagen synthesis and has an antioxidant effect. MELA WHITE OVERNIGHT: Gel-stick to target affected areas. A film is formed that enables the effect of vitamin C, mulberry, hibiscus flower, cucumber and olive leaf extract complex to directly develop its best performance. MELA WHITE ILLUMINATOR: Moisturizing lotion spray with concentrated vitamin C fight against skin discolorations. Licorice root and grapevine extracts protect skin from free radicals and hydrate skin. Exclusive Distributor & Trainer - Kuwait & UAE New LAFEM Salon & Beauty Co. Salmiya - Hamad AlMubarak Street, Block 9, Bldg. 33, 1st Floor Tel.: 25722507 / 8 - 66733222 - 66711140 www.lafemkuwait.com [email protected] lafemsalonq8 February, 2015 Miniature Malekpour Miniature Malekpour is a Persian/Australian filmmaker based in Kuwait for the past 9 years and current MFA/PhD candidate at the University of Sydney. She received her B.A in Mass Communication from Gulf University for Science and Technology (Kuwait) and her M.F.D.I. from the University of Sydney in 2011. She has gone on to direct several short films/music videos and work as a post-producer for Cinemagic (Kuwait film production company) and as a freelance writer for Luti Media (music video production company based in London). In 2012, Miniature represented Kuwait at the Birds Eye Film Festival (London) celebrating Arab women filmmakers. In 2014, her short film â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Majnunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and her graphic design series THE XX SERIES was showcased at the LoudArt exhibition's in Khubar/Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Infinity (made in 2013) was also exhibited at the DLux Media Arts Showcase's Is This Art? in Sydney (2014). Her paper TARANTINO: HAPPINESS IN THE DARK was presented at the Happiness, Joy and Pleasure conference held at University of Sydney in 2014. She will be presenting another paper URBAN TERRORISM: RESURRECTION OF HIP HOP IN THE MIDDLE EAST at the 36th Annual Southwest/American Popular Culture Conference which is to be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2015 and at the Far West Popular and American Culture Associations (Las Vegas). CityPages recently had an opportunity to interview Miniature Malekpour, where she discusses some of the interesting elements related to films she is creatively dedicated to. Read on. citypageskuwait.com February, 2015 Please introduce yourself to our readers: My name is Miniature Malekpour but everybody calls me Mina for short. I am a 24-years-old Persian/Australian filmmaker currently based in Kuwait for the past 9 years. When did you first get into filmmaking and what first inspired you to do so? Well, I actually despised anything to do with film and theatre when I was growing up due to my parent’s profession. I grew up in a very artistic home, my father is a film/theatre director and my mother was an actress and is a theatre/film director and writer as well. I used to go with them on set and I enjoyed the actual ART but not the pre-production and stress that came along with it. I would see it at home how stressful my parents would become so I always wanted to end up doing something in music or study Forensic Science/Criminology. You can say that my parents initially inspired me but I actually started making movies in college after I took a video production class. Tell us a bit about your work as a music video director and short filmmaker: Well, music has always been a passion of mine. I started playing the guitar when I was 7 years old and producing music when I was 16 but I never really had the voice to go along with whatever I produced. Don’t get me wrong, I am a pretty decent rapper but when it comes to singing…I’ll leave that to Beyonce. To be honest, music videos are just fun to watch and make. Especially if you are really into music like myself. Even when I was a kid, I always looked at them like they were some sort of musical fantasy that’s on screen. With the short films, it’s just practice leading up to the big game; feature films. I’ve made around 6 - 7 shorts so far and not many people know but they are all actually connected. But I won’t give much away here. Do you have any formal education or training in your sphere or were you self-taught? I have a B.A in Mass Communications with the emphasis being Visual Communication from Gulf University for Science and Technology right here in Kuwait. I then went on to receive my Masters in Film and Digital Image from University of Sydney and I’m currently a PhD candidate in Visual Arts with a Master of Fine Arts on the side from the University of Sydney. I’m also a certified colorist from the International Colorist Academy in New York and I did an internship at Luti Media (Music Video Production House) in London. Oh and I also worked as Post-Producer/Colorist at Cinemagic (Kuwait) for around 18 months. But most of the stuff I come up with is self-taught. These are just practical training for me. The most important tool any person can have is their brain. Your short films are very successful at drawing out a very intimate and personal-seeming narrative. Are any of the stories drawn from individual experience? I think every writer or director draws out their own personal experiences in their work. I mean, most of the stuff I write is dark and disturbing, but it’s all really just metaphoric. I try to bring out the good and bad of humanity with everything I do because in reality there is a good and bad side to every thing we face. I’m just honest about it. From where do you get the inspiration for your filmmaking process? citypageskuwait.com Life. Oh, and also what is beyond it and the unseen. There is so much to what we think we know, so I strive on that. That’s my inspiration. Do you think mentors are important for emerging filmmakers? Who have been your role models and mentors in your development as a filmmaker? Of course! Even if you are a cocky/arrogant person who doesn’t take anyone’s advice, you are still inspired by other people. That’s just the way it works. My mentors have been my parents, no doubt about that. Being surrounded by them has defined a part of who I am as a person now. Whether that is a good or bad thing, it has helped me achieve a lot. I haven’t admitted this to them so maybe when they read this they will be somewhat happy. Quentin Tarantino, Stanley Kubrick, Wes Craven, and William Shakespeare are my role models. Shakespeare is so good with words that when you sit down to read his work you can’t help but visualize. Same goes for Sophocles. Do you think filmmaking is a traditionally male arena? What isn’t? But yes, definitely but I think that’s what makes it fun as a female, to try and take over a male dominated area. What are the challenges you have faced as a filmmaker? Being female is one of them. Lack of support from people is another (especially in the GCC region). And the fact that everything I have worked on has had no budget basically. My most common source of lighting comes from car lights. No one really notices this but honestly, I have limited resources every time I work and it sucks but it makes you grow as a filmmaker. You learn things others don’t. Last year, your short film ‘Majnun’ was shown at the LoudArt exhibition, which took place in Khubar, Saudi Arabia. What do you hope your audiences will take away from your films, especially Arab audiences? This doesn’t just apply to the Arab audience but I just want people to walk away from my work and think about things that they wouldn’t normally think about or are too scared to admit to themselves. I want to expose people’s inner demons because that’s the only way to make peace with oneself. And finally, what’s next for you? Is there any plan for a full-length film? There is. I am actually working on a feature documentary right now, which is quite cool, but next year inshallah, I will dive into my first feature film, which has a pretty awesome script. What advice do you have for filmmakers-to-be? Don’t be afraid to take risks. That’s the only way you will grow. You will fail and fall flat on your face at times, but it will only make you stronger, trust me. Your message for us at CityPages magazine: The world is your oyster. February, 2015 MEN SHOULDN’T BE AFRAID TO TALK ABOUT THEIR PROBLEMS “What’s going on in that head of yours,” said Noah’s mother. He looked at his mother and sat in silence. He had a lot going on his mind and he just didn’t know how to sort it all out. His mother gave him a hug, “you can always talk to me about anything at all,” she said. He gave her a smile and got up to get ready for work. Noah was a 25- year old man, who had wonderful friends, an amazing wife and a supportive family, but he felt unhappy and he was struggling financially. After work, he sat in his car for a whole hour, thinking. His wife Sara knocked on the window and Noah opened the door for her. “What’s up love?” she said in a concerned tone. Noah’s eyes filled up, and he tried so hard to keep the tears back, he didn’t want his wife to Nadia AlHassan Nadia Al-Hassan is a student in Ireland, studying Journalism. She is passionate about writing stories and poetry. Nadia loves helping people with her stories. She believes that words are beautiful and powerful. citypageskuwait.com see him cry. Men don’t cry. “Oh Noah, it’s okay to talk about how you’re feeling. And if you’re feeling down, then talk about it. Men shouldn’t be afraid to talk about feeling down,” she said as she looked at his eyes fill up. “I don’t think I fit in just yet,” Noah replied. “I love Kuwait. But I just feel like I can’t fit in, I’m finding it hard to adjust here.” Noah’s mother is English and his father is Kuwaiti. He lived in England for most of his life and moved to Kuwait a year ago and has found it hard to fit in. “It takes some time sweetheart,” said Sara. “I love Kuwait, I really do. People here are lovely, the lifestyle is laid back. And the work hours are great, but no matter how hard I try, I just can’t seem to get used to the change or the culture. My Arabic is pretty terrible, most of the time I’m having problems understanding what my colleagues are saying and it’s embarrassing. And, we’re struggling with money too Sara and I feel awful, I’m your husband, I want to be able to buy you everything you want,” Noah told her. “And Sara, my heart is torn into two pieces. Half of my heart is back in England and half of it is here. I will forever be missing home,” he whispered. Sara took Noah’s hand, “Well, Noah, I think you’re lucky to be able to have two homes. And, you can always visit England again. You can go back as much as you want. Kuwait and England are a part of who you are. They will forever be home to you. Embrace the good in both cultures, they both have so much to offer. And home is where your loved ones are. If you are surrounded by your loved ones, then you will always be home my dear. And, money isn’t everything in life. As long as we have food on the table, a roof over our heads and each other, then I will always be the happiest woman alive. ” Noah turned to his beautiful wife and smiled, she was right. “And about trying to fit in, Noah, just be you. Don’t ever worry about trying to please other people or trying to act how other people want you to act. Be you and the right people will come into your life. And, just because you’re a man, doesn’t mean men should keep quiet when they feel down, always find a friend or family member to talk to when you are feeling down. It will never make you a less of a man. I will always be here for you to talk to. Thank you for telling me how you feel.” Noah gave her a kiss on the cheek, “thank you for listening, I feel so much better”. DJ Raven TOP MUSIC CHARTS 01. 02. 03. 04. 05. 06. Uptown Funk! Thinking Out Loud Ed Sheeran Take Me To Church Hozier Blank Space Taylor Swift FEBRUARY Movie Releases PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: THE GHOST DIMENSION Director: Gregory Plotkin Starring: Katie Featherston THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL Director: Madden Director: John Guillermo del Toro Starring: Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, Richard Gere, CINDERELLA Synopsis: A fifth installment in the Paranormal Activity franchise. FOCUS Director: Glenn Ficarra , John Requa Starring: Will Smith, Margot Robbie, HOT TUB TIME MACHINE 2 Director: Kenneth Branagh Director:Roberto James Wan Director: Faenza Director: Steve Pink Starring: Tom Kenny, Clancy Brown, Starring: Andrea Osvart, Antonio Cupo, Eline Powell, Robert Sheehan, Nico Mirallegro Starring: Rob Corddry Clark Duke, Craig Robinson, Chevy Chase, Adam Scott, Gillian Jacobs Bill Fagerbakke, Carolyn Lawrence Penelope Wilton, Dev Patel Genres: Suspense, Horror, Thriller, Sequel ANITA B Genres: Adventure, Romance, Fairy Tale Genres: Drama Genres: Comedy, Sequel, Time Travel Synopsis: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Synopsis: Cate Blanchett, Lily James, Synopsis: Immediately after WWII, Anita, Synopsis: When Lou (Rob Corddry) finds THE DUFF THE LAZARUS EFFECT THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 2 is the expansionist dream of Sonny (Dev Patel), and it’s making more claims on his time than he has available, considering his imminent marriage to the love of his life, Sunaina (Tena Desae). Sonny has his eye on a promising property now that his first venture, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for the Elderly and Beautiful, has only a single remaining vacancy – posing a rooming predicament for fresh arrivals Guy (Richard Gere) and Lavinia (Tamsin Greig). Evelyn and Douglas (Judi Dench and Bill Nighy) have now joined the Jaipur workforce, and are wondering where their regular dates for Chilla pancakes will lead, while Norman and Carol (Ronald Pickup and Diana Hardcastle) are negotiating the tricky waters of an exclusive relationship, as Madge (Celia Imrie) juggles two eligible and very wealthy suitors. Richard Madden, Helena, Bonham Carter, Stellan Skarsgard, Sophie McShera Director: Ari Sandel Director: Jaume Collet-Serra Starring: Liam Neeson, Genesis a young survivor of Auschwitz, looks at the world with worried eyes. She quickly finds herself involved in an intense and passionate affair that almost shatters her, but eventually gives her the strength to rebel and start a new life. Anita, a Jewish girl of Hungarian origin, who has emerged alive from Auschwitz, is taken in after the war by her one surviving relative: her aunt, Monika, the thirty year old sister of Anita's father.In the town where her aunt lives, the former inhabitants have been forcibly ejected, their homes taken over by returning prisoners and refugees. There is an air of increasing tension in the place, as the communists prepare to seize power. In the melting pot of languages and nationalities of Central Europe during this time, Anita meets a whole range of unforgettable characters. Director: David Gelb Starring: Mark Duplass, Olivia Wilde, Evan Peters, Sarah Bolger, Donald Glover himself in trouble, Nick (Craig Robinson) and Jacob (Clark Duke) fire up the hot tub time machine in an attempt to get back to the past. But they inadvertently land in the future with Adam Jr. (Adam Scott). Now they have to alter the future in order to save the past... which is really the present, in the sequel from the same team that brought you the original cult hit. Director: Robert Schwentke Starring: Mae Whitman, Skyler Samuels, Bianca A. Santos, Ken Jeong, Bella Thorne Nick Eversman Genres: Comedy, Crime Genres: Horror, Thriller, Suspense Genres: Comedy Synopsis: Will Smith stars as Nicky, a seasoned master of misdirection who becomes romantically involved with novice con artist Jess (Margot Robbie). As he’s teaching her the tricks of the trade, she gets too close for comfort and he abruptly breaks it off. Three years later, the former flame—now an accomplished femme fatale—shows up in Buenos Aires in the middle of the high-stakes racecar circuit. In the midst of Nicky’s latest, very dangerous scheme, she throws his plans for a loop… and the consummate con man off his game. Synopsis: Bianca (Mae Whitman) is a Synopsis: Brooklyn mobster and prolific Synopsis: Follows a group of medical Synopsis: The Divergent Series: Insurgent Rodrigo Santoro, BD Wong, Adrian citypageskuwait.com content high school senior whose world is shattered when she learns the student body knows her as ‘The DUFF’ (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) to her prettier, more popular friends (Skyler Samuels & Bianca Santos). Now, despite the words of caution from her favorite teacher (Ken Jeong), she puts aside the potential distraction of her crush, Toby (Nick Eversman), and enlists Wesley (Robbie Amell), a slick but charming jock, to help reinvent herself. To save her senior year from turning into a total disaster, Bianca must find the confidence to overthrow the school’s ruthless label maker Madison (Bella Thorne) and remind everyone that no matter what people look or act like, we are all someone’s DUFF. Rodriguez, Vincent D'Onofrio, Ed Harris, Boyd Holbrook, Common hit man Jimmy Conlon (Liam Neeson), once known as The Gravedigger, has seen better days. Longtime best friend of mob boss Shawn Maguire (Ed Harris), Jimmy, now 55, is haunted by the sins of his past—as well as a dogged police detective who’s been one step behind Jimmy for 30 years. Lately, it seems Jimmy’s only solace can be found at the bottom of a whiskey glass. But when Jimmy’s estranged son, Mike (Joel Kinnaman), becomes a target, Jimmy must make a choice between the crime family he chose and the real family he abandoned long ago. With Mike on the run, Jimmy’s only penance for his past mistakes may be to keep his son from the same fate Jimmy is certain he’ll face himself…at the wrong end of a gun. Now, with nowhere safe to turn, Jimmy just has one night to figure out exactly where his loyalties lie and to see if he can finally make things right. students who discover a way to bring dead patients back to life Starring: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Jai Courtney, Miles Teller, Kate Winslet, Mekhi Phifer raises the stakes for Tris as she searches for allies and answers in the ruins of a futuristic Chicago. Tris (Woodley) and Four (James) are now fugitives on the run, hunted by Jeanine (Winslet), the leader of the power-hungry Erudite elite. Racing against time, they must find out what Tris’s family sacrificed their lives to protect, and why the Erudite leaders will do anything to stop them. Haunted by her past choices but desperate to protect the ones she loves, Tris, with Four at her side, faces one impossible challenge after another as they unlock the truth about the past and ultimately the future of their world. Travel Made Easy EVERLY Synopsis: Every child comes into the UNFINISHED BUSINESS '71 woman stuck in her apartment, fending off waves of assassins sent by her ex, a dangerous mob boss. Director: Ken Scott Starring: Vince Vaughn, Dave Franco, Sienna Miller, June Diane Raphael, Tom Wilkinson world full of promise, and none more so than Chappie: he is gifted, special, a prodigy. Like any child, Chappie will come under the influence of his surroundings – some good, some bad – and he will rely on his heart and soul to find his way in the world and become his own man. But there's one thing that makes Chappie different from anyone else: he is a robot. The first robot with the ability to think and feel for himself. His life, his story, will change the way the world looks at robots and humans forever. Director: Yann Demange Starring: Jack O'Connell, Sean Harris, Paul Anderson (XVIII), Sam Reid, Charlie Murphy, Sam Hazeldine Genres: Action, Adaptation, Comic Genres: Action, Thriller Synopsis: A hard-working small business owner (Vince Vaughn) and his two associates (Tom Wilkinson, Dave Franco) travel to Europe to close the most important deal of their lives. But what began as a routine business trip goes off the rails in every imaginable -- and unimaginable -- way, including unplanned stops at a massive sex fetish event and a global economic summit. Synopsis: ’71 takes place over a single night in the life of a young British soldier (Jack O’Connell) accidentally abandoned by his unit following a riot on the streets of Belfast in 1971. Unable to tell friend from foe, and increasingly wary of his own comrades, he must survive the night alone and find his way to safety through a disorientating, alien and deadly landscape. facebook.com/pearlassist Whether you are arriving, departing or transiting at Kuwait International Airport, Hala Kuwait is there to make your journey easy. From the moment you get to the airport, our team is there to take care of your every need whether it is using our Fast Track immigration, dedicated check in area, Pearl Lounge, private transportation, or our Meet & Assist Service to guide you every step of the way. @pearlassist Member of the National Aviation Services Group Member of the2015 National February, Aviation Services Group PATRIOTISM On the 25th and 26th of February, Kuwait celebrates its independence and its liberation respectively. In these two days, Kuwaitis express their patriotism in fairs, malls, and even in their cars honking their horns in an infinitely crowded street till god knows when. And as national days are supposed to help people strengthen their patriotism and their love for their country, it seems like, year after year has done its score into eroding the goodness of these two days. Now, they are just habits. Destructive habits, even. The only things observable on these days are the over-crowded places, the sound pollution as well as the environmental, and the overgrowing traditional stupidity of the people, making our celebration the commiseration of any intellectuals therewith. Patriotism is a virtue, and patriots are the most dignified and cherished, because those who sacrifice themselves to their countries will show valour whenever the country needs it. They will stand strong, think carefully, and Adnan Najeeb Al-Abbar Adnan is a student in Kuwait University. His hobbies include playing videogames, reading, and writing. Adnan can be contacted by email: [email protected] citypageskuwait.com help this country through thick and thin, and that’s as graceful as it gets. They will help this country flourish no matter the circumstances, no matter the hardships and adversities. But what can possibly come out of this mindless jest happening nowadays other than a decrepit country, where more fights are occurring and the bodies pile up, more political corruption than ever all concerned with robbing our country of its wealth, and laziness and inertia in the people. Of course! Of course that’s what a country gets for allowing the situation to get worse by the year. And here, this, now, is not criticism of the Kuwait or its people, but a reality check. Let’s look at us now! We, Arabs, were the masters of poetry. We took the sciences from Ancient Greece, and developed them. We have Islamic culture to teach us values and merits. Our peninsula mothered the oldest civilizations in the world, and if we don’t nurse our country today with our selfless labor, our ambitions, and our original, authentic, and honourable contribution to society, it’s preposterous to think this place will become any better. And where else to start other than one’s self? and endanger themselves. It’s never bad to make people confident of themselves and help them realize they can actualize their potentials if they really wanted to. And there’s not anything in this world better than inspiring others. And those were all off the top of my head, so I leave the reader to imagine what else can be done to make this country, or one’s self, better. We need to enrich important values in this country like dignity, honour, integrity, sympathy, respect, and devotion, and I believe this is the most effective way to bring about good change. There are many ways to be patriotic that actually help Kuwait to become a better place. One would be to honour the old poets of Kuwait on this day, and try to learn from their wisdom. Another would be to study hard or encourage our children to do so to contribute to the welfare of Kuwait instead of promising them new cars for them to drift off the roads Kuwait’s potential is infinite, and till we reach the clouds, we have just begun. And here I am, on my desk, imagining one day in the future where I am laid on the grass, watching the azure sky and the amorphous body of clouds above me passing, and wondering where can we start from there. Finally, I want Kuwaitis to imagine how much Kuwait would change if Kuwaitis were productive in the two national holidays (or the week off), and not wasteful and naive. What would happen if Kuwaitis celebrated these two days without harming the place, for an example, like having public speeches about enriching culture, cleaning the streets, having competitions, etc… That would be a much nicer alternative, wouldn’t it? FILM DIRECTOR A Day in the life of a Film Director “What I really want to do is direct.” If this applies to you, read on. Directors turn a script into a movie; they are responsible for the quality of the final product and its success. In most cases, directors work on films far longer than any actor, technician, or editor, from the first day of brainstorming to the final release; it is no wonder that directing is physically,mentally, and emotionally draining. Directors work with actors; makeup artists; cinematographers; writers; and film, sound, and lighting technicians. They determine all the particulars of how scenes are to be shot, from visual requirements to the placement of the actors and the appropriateness of the script. Directors cast actors who can bring their vision to the screen. Sound judgment and an open mind are important during these initial phases. A director guides actors to a greater understanding of their characters’ motivations and encourages them to perform at a high level—sometimes by gently cajoling and sometimes by yelling—anything to get the job done. A director’s unique vision of the final product and ability to communicate that vision effectively and immediately are critical. After the film has been shot, editorial skills are important. Directors must have a good feel for pacing and structure and must know how to integrate and cut scenes so they work effectively. Issues of finance are important in this industry—making films is expensive. First-time directors find it difficult to get work with any large-budget house, so many of them start with small-budget directing, using existing sites and sets creatively, convincing technical assistants to work for little (or more often, convincing friends to work free), and using editing and cutting rooms during off hours to save money. One director surveyed funded his first film entirely on his credit cards. Paying Your Dues Nearly all film directors are film school graduates. Film school students must complete their own short films by graduation; you should be prepared to work under difficult conditions, share space, and convince actors to work for little or no money. Aspiring film directors prove themselves by directing stage productions, doing film lighting design, or establishing a history of assistant or associate directorships. This last route is the most common, as professional experience and networking contacts can be combined in a brief but intense period of time. There is no specific ladder to climb. Many aspiring directors develop clips of their work as a display of their talent when applying for industrial, television, or commercial directing jobs, which pay well and serve as working credentials. Individuals entering this career should be warned that 20hour days are not unusual. Associated Careers For the most part, directors who leave enter another area of the entertainment industry. A number of them use their financing experience to move into the producing end of film development. Others move into script development or teaching. Some directors become critics, reviewers, or reporters for film-related magazines. Still 0thers become movie or television writers. A few become actors. People who go into business enter a wide variety of fields including costume supply, lighting rentals, casting agencies, site location, and acting schools. Abdulaziz AlKhamis Abdulaziz is a Kuwaiti Film Maker, Visual Artist and a Script Writer. He graduated from the UK, with a passion to mix art and visuals. February, 2015 Lessons Learned, or, Failing to Perform in Front of an Audience I perform poetry that I recite from memory in front of a live audience. When I was younger, I learned large sections of the Koran by heart. Because the Koran is a sacred text, I did not utilize any memory aids. I couldn’t highlight sentences, break them down into chunks, or reorganize the first letters of verses into names, expressions, or other word mnemonics. I couldn’t even turn verses into familiar songs. In primary school, my best friend and I memorized some of the material from our school syllabi by chanting the words to The Addams Family theme song. I could not do that to the Koran, so I embodied the holy text. No matter how many verses I had to learn, I strung them one after the other and slotted them into my head. I could only then recite them if I was in the same state of concentration, with the same kind of devotion to the text itself. I used this technique to memorize spoken word poetry when I was introduced to the genre in 2010. This methodology proved to be quite disastrous. I learned the hard way that I needed to adopt new methods in order to improve my memory. Though I am an optimist, I knew I would not learn overnight. I write this article in order to go over the lessons that I have learned from some of my most prominent mistakes. Because I had a recent hiccup while performing in Kuwait’s 7th Poetry Slam, I figured it was time to follow the advice of the old lady in E. M. Forster’s book, Aspects of the Novel. She says, “How can I tell what I think till I see what I say?” In September of 2014, I stood in front of a class of teenagers and spoke to them about failure. It was a light lecture. We gathered in drama class where I urged them to be kinder to one another. We are all flawed, I said, and those of us who point the most, who ridicule the loudest, are the ones most afraid of exposing their own faults. Therefore, they point and shout at others to distract the rest of us from concentrating on their failures. Kuwait is replete with cruelty. Sometimes I wonder if we’ve turned passive-aggressiveness into a pastime and bullying into a hobby. Then Nada Faris Nada Faris is a Kuwaiti who writes poetry, articles, and fiction in English. Her latest book, Before Young Adult Fiction, is a collection of short, award-winning articles, poems, and short stories that shaped her writing voice. Reach her at: www.nadafaris.com or @nadafaris Photo by Greg Bal citypageskuwait.com I remember the friend who saw me in the lobby of a clinic as I waited for my therapist to call my name. I had been going to this clinic to deal with a serious case of depression. After I explained the gravity of my situation and exposed my vulnerability, my friend said that she belonged to a group on WhatsApp that occasionally mocked me and my writing. “Do you mean to say that they critique my work? As in literary criticism?” I asked. “No. Just criticism. They’re highly qualified and everything, graduated from top-notch schools in the West, but they’re Kuwaitis. You know? Fathyeen.” I didn’t know why she was telling me this in the lobby a few seconds before I saw my therapist. I did know, however, that it hurt, whether or not she was conscious of her behavior. We’ve internalized cruelty as a defense mechanism to ward off attention from our own humanity. Nothing less than perfection is acceptable in Kuwait. Elsewhere in the world, one’s humanity is celebrated. In Kuwait, it is scorned, concealed, or combated. Well I am human. And I am flawed. And I have stumbled time and time again. My most recent failure took place during the 7th Slam Poetry Contest. It was held on a Saturday. Usually these events take place on Fridays, which means I do not need to wake up early for work the following morning, as I must on Sundays. Furthermore, although the brochure said that VIP guests (including the poets) had to attend at 7 PM, that the doors opened for the rest at 7:30, and that the event was going to start at 8 PM “sharp,” the event began more than an hour late. I had been up since 4:30 AM. Fortunately, I was able to perform the first two poems well. By the time the judges’ decisions were made—after the first round, the intermission, the second round, and entertainment—I was sleeping in my chair. I knew that upon reciting the first line of the tie-breaker that my mind had shut off for the night. I dropped the mic and exited the stage. That’s it. Lesson learned. Never compete on Saturdays again, or else be prepared to take Sunday off work. Sleep is one of the most important components of memorization. Another is a healthy diet. I was in a restaurant once, competing with a fellow poet for the opening act of a musical event. I had around eight poems prepared in my head, and I was bursting with excitement. He performed one of his. I performed one of mine. We were competing, selecting poetry from our repertoire that corresponded to, or complimented, each other’s recitation. Then we broke off for dinner, and the poetry segment concluded for the night. After the break, we were asked to take the mic for an encore. I stood in front of a large audience. I pressed the mic to my lips. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. If my best friend, who was sitting in front of me, had not whispered the first sentence of my poem, I would not have been able to continue. I learned an important lesson that night—to not perform after eating a heavy meal. Upon my return from the writing residency in the US in November 2013, I learned my body’s limits. I don’t eat on travel days because I suffer from motion sickness. The trip from the US to Kuwait lasted two days. When I landed, I discovered jet lag. Mix a lack of food and sleep together and what do you get? Blanking out in front of an eager crowd with phones held high, their cameras capturing and immortalizing your failure. Add depression into the mixture, a mental disease that wrecks one’s memory, one’s ability to stand in front of people and accept their judgments, and what do you get? Panic attacks, asphyxiation, and hospitalization. I was breathing through an oxygen tank a day before performing in the 6th Poetry Slam in Kuwait. Before my performance, pressing the left side of my chest with my fingers, I told the judges, “If we don’t live and breathe poetry then what’s the point?” For more than a year now, I have been standing in front of people and performing by the skin of my teeth. I never do it for awards or admiration. I never do it for my CV or for my status. My art clearly possesses a social function, but the driving force, the reason I actually did agree when my friend urged me to go to the hospital the night I was suffocating, is because I, with all my flaws and human frailties, see writing and performing as the very composites of my life. And life is imperfect. And life is harrowing at times. But if you live though the painful moments, you’re bound to stumble across the beautiful ones. Winston Churchill uttered a number of wonderful remarks about success. I keep one tucked in the back of my mind: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” February, 2015 FEBRUARY Book Releases The Secrets of Midwives Housewitch: A Novel A novel about three generations of midwives (a woman, her mother, and her grandmother) and the secrets they keep that push them apart and ultimately bind them together THE SECRETS OF MIDWIVES tells the story of three generations of women devoted to delivering new life into the world—and the secrets they keep that threaten to change their own lives forever. Neva Bradley, a third-generation midwife, is determined to keep the details surrounding her own pregnancy—including the identity of the baby’s father— hidden from her family and co-workers for as long as possible. Allison Darling, former foster child, now a stay-at-home mom of three, desperately wants to fit in with the organic latte drinking, hundred-dollaryoga-pants-wearing moms who run Monrovia, her charming seaside village. Constantly feeling like an outsider, Allison dreams of more for her children. When the Glamour Girls, a soap-selling company run by the most charismatic and powerful women in town, recruits Allison, she jumps at the invitation. Sally Hepworth Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money Katie Schickel Claire North Ron Lieber We may not realize it, but children are hyperaware of money. They have scores of questions about its nuances that parents often don't answer, or know how to answer well. But for Ron Lieber, a personal finance columnist and father, good parenting means talking about money with our kids much more often. When parents avoid these conversations, they lose a tremendous opportunity--not just to model important financial behaviors, but also to imprint lessons about what their family cares about most. A Spool of Blue Thread Secrets of a Charmed Life Anne Tyler Susan Meissner From the beloved Pulitzer Prize-winning author--now in the fiftieth year of her remarkable career--a brilliantly observed, joyful and wrenching, funny and true new novel that reveals, as only she can, the very nature of a family's life. "It was a beautiful, breezy, yellow-and-green afternoon." This is the way Abby Whitshank always begins the story of how she fell in love with Red that day in July 1959. She stood at a crossroads, half-aware that her choice would send her down a path from which there could be no turning back. But instead of two choices, she saw only one—because it was all she really wanted to see… Current day, Oxford, England. Young American scholar Kendra Van Zant, eager to pursue her vision of a perfect life, interviews Isabel McFarland just when the elderly woman is ready to give up secrets about the war that she has kept for decades...beginning with who she really is. What Kendra receives from Isabel is both a gift and a burden--one that will test her convictions and her heart. It's What I Do A Photographer's Life of Love and War Lynsey Addario War photographer Lynsey Addario’s memoir It’s What I Do is the story of how the relentless pursuit of truth, in virtually every major theater of war in the twenty-first century, has shaped her life. What she does, with clarity, beauty, and candor, is to document, often in their most extreme moments, the complex lives of others. It’s her work, but it’s much more than that: it’s her singular calling. citypageskuwait.com Kepler had never meant to die this way — viciously beaten to death by a stinking vagrant in a dark back alley. But when reaching out to the murderer for salvation in those last dying moments, a sudden switch takes place. Now Kepler is looking out through the eyes of the killer himself, staring down at a broken and ruined body lying in the dirt of the alley. The Deep End Julie Mulhern Swimming into the lifeless body of her husband’s mistress tends to ruin a woman’s day, but becoming a murder suspect can ruin her whole life. It’s 1974 and Ellison Russell’s life revolves around her daughter and her art. She’s long since stopped caring about her cheating husband, Henry, and the women with whom he entertains himself. That is, until she becomes a suspect in Madeline Harper’s death. The murder forces Ellison to confront her husband’s proclivities and his crimes—kinky sex, petty cruelties and blackmail. BOOK CLUB THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH Epic British writer Ken Follett was writing The Pillars of the Earth (1989) for ten years in the process when almost everyone around him told him its best to play it safe by writing another thriller novel as it is what everyone expects from him since the release of his first best seller thriller novel The Big Needle (1979). However Ken's fascination with churches and their architecture kept him on the right track until he published The Pillars of the Earth in 1989. He had sold more than 130 million of his work. Other best sellers novels for him are Fall of Giants (2010) and lately Edge of Eternity (2014). Ken Follett won a number of prestigious awards; in 2010 Fall of Giants won the Libri Golden Book Award for Best Fiction Nada Soliman [email protected] Meet Nada, our team member is simply a book savvy. Every month Nada picks her favourite book and shares with you its review. Please feel free to contact Nada to discuss your opinion or ask her opinion on your favourite book or author. Title in Hungary that year, in 2003 Jackdaws won the Corine Literature Prize in Bavaria, in 1979 Eye of the Needle won the Edgar Best Novel Award from the Mystery Writers of America and In 1999 Hammer of Eden won the Premio Bancarella Literary Prize in Italy. The novel takes place in the twentieth century England; civil war, religious conflicts and royal battles over power tore families apart, when the church had a significant place in people's lives. This story talks about building a beautiful cathedral. A craftsman, a builder dreaming of one day building a cathedral but weighing the responsibilities that he has to consider in terms of providing for his family immediately. What can he do? follow the work he aspire to achieve that will take years and years or take work that is short term but the wages will sure come in and therefore ensure the income for his family? Follow the dream or follow the road everyone expects him to be on? It's a spellbinding epic tale of ambition, anarchy, and absolute power set against the spreading medieval canvas of twelfth-century England, this is historical masterpiece written by Ken Follett. February, 2015 to add to your wishlist Some things are just ... better. Worx Clamping Sawhorse Integrating two tools, Worx’s new sawhorse has a simple groove that fits two clamps. Hold your projects in place, and fold it all away for storage when you’re finished. Pawscout Pet Finder Pet tags can only help reunite you with your missing pet if someone takes the time to read them. Pawscout Pet Finder tags actively help find wayward pets with an embedded Bluetooth antenna. The tag sends a smartphone alert if Fido wanders too far—and helps home in on his location when he runs away. Quirky Outlink When paired with a Quirky Wink hub, this smart outlet lets users monitor the electricity flowing to devices, turn the outlet on or off, and program schedules. Moleskine Smart Notebook Moleskine and Adobe made a Creative Cloud-connected notebook that syncs digital and hand-drawn art. Scrawl your masterpiece on the page, and capture it with an app that renders it into vectors. citypageskuwait.com Microsoft Band The Man Who Touched His Own Heart In time for Valentine’s Day, Rob Dunn’s book tells true tales of the heart—just not the kind you’d expect. In 325 pages, Dunn details broken hearts, transplanted hearts, and the bar-fight beginnings of heart surgery. Every tech company in Silicon Valley is competing for space on your wrist right now. In order to stand out from the crowd, Microsoft has crammed every sensor under the Sun into its smartwatch. It’ll tell you the UV levels, record your running routes, monitor your heart rate and more. Its real winning feature is that it works with all three main smartphone systems – iOS, Android and Windows. Next Glass Sprout Who needs buttons anyway? The Sprout desktop PC has shunned a mouse and keyboard in favour of something more innovative. A projector beams images down onto a touch-sensitive mat, while a camera tracks your hand movements. This means that as well as using traditional inputs, you can edit photos with your hands, or turn real objects into virtual ones by placing them in the Sprout’s view. Next Glass aims to be Netflix for wine and beer selection. The app learns your preferences— and correlates them to a database of chemical compositions—to make recommendations. Scan a wine label with your smartphone and Next Glass decides whether you’re apt to like it ... or not. Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal TaylorMade R15 Driver The new R15 golf club has two sliding weights that can help straighten your shot, and a center of gravity that sits lower and more forward to help increase distance. Vacuums are convenient. Changing their bags and filters—not so much. To end that aggravation, Dyson modified its bagless vacuum to make it filterless too. Cinetic has tiny flexible cones that vibrate to capture every particle without clogging. February, 2015 HAMID MALIK Instilling innovation and creativity into marketing Hamid Malik is the Chief Marketing Officer for OSN, the ultimate destination for the widest choice of premium entertainment in the Middle East and North Africa. Inspired by the power of purpose, passion and people, Hamid is an exceptional strategist and a gifted communicator who infuses fresh ideas and sound strategy into just about everything. He put these talents to work by helping OSN understand on-the-ground realities, identify market opportunities, and realize them with smart strategy and impactful marketing solutions. In an interview, Hamid Malik explains the changes and strategies he has adopted to steer the company to its remarkable growth and success. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from originally and when did you join OSN? I am Hamid Malik - the Chief Marketing Officer for OSN. I was born and brought up in Dubai. All my working has been primarily in Dubai although I had some regional roles. I joined the company in 2011 that is around three and half years ago. Since you have joined OSN, what are some of the changes and strategies that you have adopted to lead the company to its tremendous growth and subscriber base? From the marketing perspective, our focus is in aligning what we do in marketing to the commercial realities of the organization. So what we want to do is to pursue growth by deploying innovation in marketing as well as in creativity. For us in terms of strategies we have three main buckets. The first bucket is where we wish to increase our subscriber acquisition, the second bucket is to decrease our churn and then the third bucket is to continuously try to enhance our brand equity. So, in terms of brand equity there are quite a few things that we have done. Like, we changed the brand to OSN and we came with the slogan of “Just Imagine” and under that what we have tried to do is marketing that is very imaginative. One of the things that we did last year was our CSR initiative which was the ‘Live More’ campaign. As you may know that this region has a very high rate of diabetes and obesity so we thought it was our social responsibility to use the power of our media or medium to citypageskuwait.com communicate with the masses on the virtues of exercising. On the churn side we launched an initiative called OSN Privileges. It’s a CRM program for our subscribers and through it our focus is to give Money Can’t Buy experiences and reward their loyalty in a way that is very unheard of in this market. One of the examples is that we send some of our subscribers every year to experience Oscars. As we are the home of movies and entertainment, we broadcast Oscars so it is very apt that we send our subscribers to Oscars. As you may know in Oscars no matter how rich you are there are no tickets for sale, you can only go if you are from the Hollywood fraternity or have something to do with entertainment. And on the subscriber acquisition side we have done quite a few things. One of the most important is to understand our subscribers better. We have invested substantial resources in learning and understanding what our customers want and who they are. So, we have focused on these segments and as an organization we feel our ability to win is higher. What are some of your strategies for 2015? The focus remains obviously on the fact that we want to grow and pursue profitable growth. So, it’s very important for us to acquire the right customers and give them the product based on our research and the product that they want. On the content side, there are quite a few initiatives that we have launched. For instance, we are getting all the popular series at the same time as the U.S. which we were previously getting late. For if there is any time difference then people tend to download them. In Saudi Arabia for instance, as you may know we have launched a product called Saudi Home Cinema as there are no cinemas in Saudi Arabia. In this way all the films that are released in the cinema are available within a couple of weeks on OSN. We are therefore pretty much a substitute for cinemas in Saudi Arabia. For Cricket world cup that starts this month, we are the official broadcasters for Middle East and North Africa and we are the ICC broadcast partners. We want to establish ourselves as the home cricket in this region. All kind of cricket whether local or international is currently all on OSN. What we want to do is undertake activities that will make us a platform synonymous with cricket. In Kuwait, since last year we are supporting the official cricket to develop it at the grass-root level. In UAE for instance, the national team is going to participate in the world cup after a long time and OSN is the official sponsor of the team. Recently, to demonstrate our passion for cricket we inaugurated and unveiled the world’s largest cricket bat. We made a bat that is almost 32.1meters long and almost 4 meter high. If you put it vertically, it is comparable to an eight to ten story building. It weighs almost 950kgs. Aqib Javed, who is the coach of UAE national cricket team, was present at the event along with the team’s other officials. We are trying to make an attempt to enter into the Guinness Book of World Records. Whatever we do is to ensure that creativity and innovation comes through in all of our work. Can you explain more on OSN Privileges and OSN Live More? We have designed a campaign where we have used hand-drawn sketches and images to communicate small tips about how to live healthy. One of the examples is that if you just tell someone that exercise is very good for you and you should go to the gym for one hour every day and they will just say that ok, I will do it one day but in reality no one will do anything. But, our focus is to try and tell people to take those small steps that would result in a very positive way. Our first campaign was to tell people that you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to go to the gym everyday but what you need to do is walk for half an hour and if you cannot do that at a stretch then walk three times a day for ten minutes and other small things that not to park the cars very close to the place they have to visit and instead park a little bit away and then walk to the place. We started this campaign both internally and externally. In the office throughout our offices in the regions we closed down all the elevators and everybody had to take the stairs. Simple things like these make a big difference. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all about education and we are using our medium to do that. We have over 150 channels and we are using them to communicate these messages. Every quarter we pick up a campaign. Like we did with keeping yourself hydrated, how to sleep well, what you should eat, and importance of exercising. We do this through the power of our medium and also do several ground activities. For example, one of our initiatives is sports marketing. So initiatives like sponsoring the cricket tournament in Kuwait is one of them. So with the help of these initiatives we have colleagues in the company who have quit smoking and others have lost substantial weight. How important is the Kuwait market for OSN? Kuwait is a very important market for us. We have been operating in this market for a very long time. OSN is synonymous with premier entertainment in this region. We have a very strong foot-hold in this market as we understand what the customer needs in this market and we do our best to provide a product which fits their needs and tastes. In Kuwait, we have done a lot of marketing initiatives to differentiate our brand from others in the last 3 years. Our focus is to position ourselves as a premium brand; a brand which is at the same time affordable. Kuwait is a market which is very responsive to high quality entertainment. We try to blend into the local fabric of the society we operate in rather than be viewed as a foreign brand. What are some of the challenges that you face? Piracy is still a very big challenge. That is where we need support from the local authorities and media such as yours and all the other stake holders. The challenge with piracy is that there are legitimate brands out of the gulf area but they operate in this region without having the proper rights and permissions. As a result companies such as ours who are paying the legitimate fee to get the official rights and invest in proper infrastructure and resources suffer. Piracy basically takes the money away from the industry and limits the ability of brands such as ours to invest back into the society and economy. We need support at this level to educate that Piracy=Theft. If you wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like your children to steal, you should also not encourage pirated cable networks other means. Your message for the people of Kuwait on the occasion of National and Liberation day: We have a very special offer for our Kuwaiti customers on the occasion of the National Day. We do this every year. Kuwait is a very important market for us. From OSN we always wish the government and people of Kuwait a good year ahead, lots of prosperity, stability, and success. We believe that as these countries progress in the right directions we will prosper too. Our fortune is tied with the fortune of the people of the country we are operating in. Your message for us at CityPages magazine: I would like to thank CityPages for all the support. We really appreciate it and consider you as friends of OSN and we hope you continue to highlight some of the issues that companies like ours are facing such as piracy. February, 2015 Top 10 biggest tech fails in 2014 (Unsorted) 1- A hacker got access to celerities iCloud pictures by phishing (hacking method) them and spreads their private photos to the public. Apple beefed up iCloud security after that! 2- Amazon phone have 3D display but it's not great at all. The company launched it in June, but they didn't mention any numbers about sales. Now, Amazon giving them away for FREE! )‫ (غير مرتبة‬2014 ‫ تقنيات فشلت في‬10 ‫أكبر‬ ‫ لبعض المشاهير عبر التصيد‬iCloud ‫ تمكن هاكر من الدخول لحسابات خدمة‬-1 ‫ بعد ذلك قامت أبل بتحسين‬.‫(طريقة للهاكرز) ثم قام بنشر صورهم الخاصة للعامة‬ !‫مستوى الحماية‬ ‫ فمنذ‬،‫ هاتف أمازون الذكي يملك شاشة ثالثية األبعاد ولكن هذا األمر ال يجعله رائعًا‬-2 !‫ واآلن تقدمة أمازون مجانا‬.‫إطالقة في يونيو لم تذكر الشركة أي أرقام حول المبيعات‬ 3- iPhone 6 plus bentgate was trending in the social networks. People went crazy with images of best phones. Apple said it's only 9 phones! ‫بلس كانت أشهر مايتم تداوله عبر شبكات التواصل‬٦‫ مشكلة أنحناء آيفون‬-3 ‫ وأبل‬.‫ درجة التفاعل وصلت للجنون عبر نشرهم لصور هواتفهم المنحنية‬.‫اإلجتماعي‬ !‫ هواتف‬٩ ‫تقول فقط‬ 4- More than 56 million credit card stolen from The Office Depot. The company says it improving payments data encryption! .‫ مليون بطاقة إئتمان تمت سرقتها من متاجر أوفيس ديبو الشهيرة‬٥٦ ‫ أكثر من‬-4 !‫علقت الشركة بعد ذلك بأنها ستحسن من مستوى تشفير وسائل الدف‬ 5- Microsoft and HP layoff 34,000 employees. Their stocks wasn't even bad, but it always reminds us that if you're in tech industry you have to innovate! ‫ حتى أن أسهم‬،‫ ألف عامل‬٣٤ ‫ قامت مايكروسوفت و هيوليت باكرد بتسريح‬-5 ‫لكن هذا األمر يذكرنا بأننا في عصر صناعة التقنية البد‬، ،‫الشركتين لم تكونا سيئة‬ !‫أن نخترع‬ 6- The most dangerous security flaw in history "heartbleed" . More than 80% of web servers was affected. Within 3 weeks, 4.5 million records was stolen from hospital networks! ٪٨٠ ‫ أكثر من‬، -‫نزيف القلب‬- ”‫ أخطر ثغرة أمنية في التاريخ على اإلطالق “هيرتبلييد‬-6 ‫ ماليين ونصف سجل‬٤ ‫ بأقل من ثالث أسابيع سرقت‬.‫من سيرفرات الويب تعرضا للخطر‬ !‫للمرضى من شبكات المستشفيات‬ 7- Smartwatch with UI based on cards is the worst experience ever. Android Wear forcing users to swipe cards to control music player and heart rate monitor. Imagine that if you're jogging! 8- Gamers still prefer playing games rather than talking to consoles. Microsoft pulled Kinect from XboxOne bundle and sold it separately to compete with Playstation4! 9- Don't pay 99$ to buy Playstation TV, It doesn't support 1080P resolution. You can't even watch YouTube! 10- Where is Google Glass? ‫ فنظام‬.‫ أسوأ تجربة على اإلطالق هي استخدام ساعة ذكية مبنية على البطاقات‬-7 ‫أندرويد وير يجبر المستخدمين على تبديل البطاقات للتحكم مثال في مشغل‬ !‫ ولك أن تتخيل بأنك تمارس رياضة الجري‬،‫الموسيقى‬ ‫ هذا ماجعل‬.‫ اليزال محبي األلعاب يفضلون اللعب بدالً من التحدث ألجهزتهم‬-8 ‫ ليباع بشكل منفصل‬XboxOne ‫ من ملحقات‬Kinect ‫مايكروسوفت تسحب ملحق‬ ! PlayStation4 ‫وتنافس‬ .1080P ‫ فهو ال يدعم البث بجودة‬،PlayStationTV ‫ لتشتري جهاز‬$٩٩ ‫ ال تدفع‬-9 !‫بل ال يمكنك حتى مشاهدة يوتيوب‬ ‫ أين نظارات قوقل؟‬-10 Yousif AlSaeed Yousif holds a BSc. in Information Technology & Computing Degree and is a Teacher and Software Developer. He loves sharing the latest technology news and gadgets with people. Yousif believes that behind everything in the tech-world is a great story. He spends most of his time reading technology blogs and self development. Saad Almseikan A burger lover who works as a Computer Technician during the day. Saad has a curious mind that likes to discover everything new that's related to computers, hardware, gadgets and technology. You'll most probably find him holding a burger while playing with a new gadget. He is 27 years old, loves Mixed Martial Arts. Music is what keeps him going especially Rock & Roll. citypageskuwait.com Hackers Who Are Responsible For Xbox And PlayStation Network Shutdown Are Targeting Tor They called them self “Lizard Squad”, and after shutting down PSN and Xbox, they are after Tor network and it`s user anonymity. They are creating over 3000 relays nods so if anyone is using them, their traffic and all what they are doing will be read by the hackers. But they are not a real threat cause they are a new nods with low bandwidth allowance. Even though they are running thousands of relays, they are just 1% of the Tor network. Tor are working in removing these nods so they won’t be a future threat. A Skype Security Flaw Allow Intruders to Listen Through Your Device. If you use Skype on regular bases, its a smart to sign out when you`re not using it. A security flaw make it possible for someone to listen in without you actually accept a call. This happen when you sign-in in to devices with a single account. This happen when you initiate a call to a target from a device and disconnect while its ringing. And the target`s account will ring back to you from the other device and you can pick it up. Skype had this feature to re-initiate a call to avoid dropped calls over lousy connections, but this might fire back on them. Bluetooth 4.2: Internet for everything. Have you ever heard about "Internet of things”? Your tech gadgets (smart lightbulb or sensors) can connect directly to the Internet (via your router or access point). You don’t even need a hub to control many bulbs. Bluetooth 4.2 supports (IPv6/6LoWPAN) protocol to share the internet between smart devices. Moreover, they improve security, power, privacy, speed and capacity. We expected to see it early this year and watching things connect to the internet. Samsung TVs will play PlayStation without PlayStation Sony and Samsung are teaming up to bring your dream in the first half of this year. PS Now offer over 200 PS3 games, You just need a Sony Dualshock controller and start playing immediately. It was exclusively on Sony’s Bravia TVs but now Sony decide to expand it to other electronic brand. On the other side, LG will introduce new Smart TVs power by webOS 2.0 this year. LG says apps will running faster than the previous generation by 60%. February, 2015 THAILAND This month, I want to take you to the streets of Thailand, to the back alleys and local eateries, where food is prepared in an authentic way, with minimal fuss but with fragrant and tantalizing results. Pad thai or phat thai is a stir-fried rice noodle dish commonly served as a street food and at casual local eateries in Thailand. Enjoyâ&#x20AC;Ś. With Love! citypageskuwait.com CHICKEN PAD THAI INGREDIENTS: •1 packet Thai rice noodles •1 to 1 ½ cups chopped chicken breast or thigh – about 4 pieces •Marinade for Chicken: 1 tsp cornstarch dissolved in 3 Tbsp soy sauce 4 cloves garlic, minced optional: 1-2 fresh red chilies, minced •3 cups fresh bean sprouts •3 onions sliced •½ cup fresh coriander •½ cup crushed or roughly chopped peanuts (or other nuts, such as cashews) •¼ cup chicken stock •olive oil for stir-frying, and wedges of lime PAD THAI SAUCE: • ¾ Tbsp tamarind paste dissolved in ¼ cup warm water • 2 Tbsp fish sauce, or more to taste • 1 tbsp chili sauce, or substitute ½ tsp or more dried crushed chili or cayenne, to taste • 3 Tbsp brown sugar • ¼ tsp ground white pepper METHOD: 1.Bring a large pot of water to boil and dunk in rice noodles. Turn down the heat to low and keep an eye on them: you will be frying the noodles later, so you don't want to over-soften them. Noodles are ready to be drained when they are soft enough to be eaten, but still firm and a little "crunchy". Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking. Set aside. 2.Make the sauce by combining sauce ingredients together in a cup. Stir well to dissolve tamarind and brown sugar, and set aside. Note: this may seem like a lot of sugar, but you need it to balance out the sourness of the tamarind - this balance is what makes Pad Thai taste so amazing! 3.Place chicken slices in a small bowl. Stir together the marinade and pour over chicken. Stir well and set aside. 4.Warm up a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add 1-2 Tbsp oil plus garlic and minced chili, if using. Stir-fry until fragrant (30 seconds). Add marinated chicken. When wok/pan becomes dry, add a little chicken stock, 1-2 Tbsp at a time, to keep the chicken frying nicely (5-7 minutes, until cooked). 5.Add the noodles, and pour the Pad Thai sauce over. Using two utensils, use a gentle "lift and turn" method to fry noodles (like tossing a salad). Stir-fry in this way 1-2 minutes. If you find your wok/frying pan too dry, push noodles aside and add a little more oil to the bottom of the pan. 6.Add the bean sprouts and and continue frying 1 more minute, or until noodles are cooked. Noodles are done to perfection when they are no longer "hard" or crunchy, but chewy-sticky wonderful! Tastetest for seasoning, adding more fish sauce until desired flavor is reached. Toss well to incorporate. 7.Lift noodles onto a serving plate. Top with generous amounts of fresh coriander, spring onion, and crushed/chopped nuts. Add fresh lime wedges to squeeze over each portion Most Thai desserts are low calorie and gluten free, and this classic treat is no different. MANGO STICKY RICE PUDDING Galaktoboureko is a traditional Greek dessert made with a custard in a crispy phyllo pastry shell. I love to serve it with Vanilla Ice Cream or just some freshly whipped cream…. Heavenly delicious… and best served with black coffee… YUM!!!! INGREDIENTS: •1 cup Thai Sweet Rice (also called 'sticky rice' ) •1-2 ripe mangos •4-5 Tbsp brown sugar or traditional Asian palm sugar •¼ tsp salt •1 can good-quality coconut milk •water METHOD: 1.Soak the rice in 1 cup of water for 20-30 minutes, OR up to 4 hours. 2.Do not drain the rice. Add ½ cup more water, plus ½ can coconut milk, ¼ tsp salt and 1 tbsp brown sugar. Stir well. 3.Bring to a gentle boil, then partially cover with a lid (leaving some room for steam to escape). Reduce heat to medium-low. 4.Simmer in this way for 20 minutes, or until coconut-water has been absorbed by the rice. Turn off the heat, but leave the pot on the burner with the lid on tight. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes.) 5.To make the sauce, warm (do not boil) the rest of the can of coconut milk over medium-low heat (5 minutes). Add 3 Tbsp sugar, stirring to dissolve. 6.Taste-test sauce for sweetness, adding more sugar if desired. (note that it will taste less sweet when added to the rice). 7.When ready to serve, prepare the mango by slicing it open and using a melon ball scoop to create mango spheres or simply dice or slice up the mango. Pick up the warm rice in your hands and shape into rectangular or triangular shapes. Set one into each serving dish and add the mango balls on top. Drizzle lots of the sweet coconut sauce over. It should look like an English pudding with custard sauce, with the rice swimming in sauce. Garnish with fresh mint and serve. February, 2015 NEW ARRIVALS MASERATI Potenza Auto Black Dial and Leather Strap Gold Tone Men's Watches PHILIPP PLEIN Electric Feel Black Slip on Men's Sneaker PAUL SMITH Graphic Garage Print Business Folio MCM Medium Stark Cognac Backpack THE BRIDGE Pininfarina Legacy Marrone Leather Messenger Bag KARL LAGERFELD Karl 7 36 mm Black/ Gold IP Stainless Steel Unisex Watch VITALIANO PANCALDI Fashion Geometric Flower Print Silk Tie HOGAN REBEL Denim Blue Leather High Top Men's Sneaker PAUL SMITH Men's Leather Fishing Tote citypageskuwait.com CHARLOTTE OLYMPIA Monroe Red Suede Pump MARC BY MARC JACOBS Baker Bracelet 36MM Red Dial Rose Gold Steel Women's Watch ROBERTO CAVALLI Tasmania Leather Evening Clutch w/Studs MCQ ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Mini YT Fire Orange Satchel MCQ ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Fire Red Smooth Nappa Leather Swallow Wrap Bracelet MCQ ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Lilly Ankle Strap Sandal GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI Flame Red Satin Mule w/Crystal VALENTINO Deep Orange Logo Silk Bandeau MOSCHINO Red Love Moschino Quilted Eco Leather Crossbody VERSACE Red Vanitas with Diamonds Women's Watch MICHAEL KORS Lana Leather Medium Tote ROBERTO CAVALLI Renaissance Light Gold Tone Metal and Ruby Clip On Earrings February, 2015 CityPages Fashion Report COLOR FEST S/S 2015 As the warm season is approaching our hemisphere, the world’s top designers have already started showing signs of what we can expect to be, a vibrant and exciting new season, with creations that could interest even the most fashion skeptical gals. As by all means these creations display amusing expressions of art in movement with fabric choices that in many cases resemble magic itself!! Depending on your mood, you may want to choose from a palette of Bright colors and Pastels. The standards have been set for what promises to be a romantic and dreamy season for some and for others an edgy and controversial one with the launch of the upcoming Spring/summer 2015 haute couture and ready to wear collections of the most popular designers and main world brands. What we are certain of is that many of that many of the pieces created by our favorite designers depict an amazingly bright season ahead! In this article we’ll go over the highlights, the innovations and the revamps that the highly anticipated catwalks have left us. Hoping this review may guide and inspire your choices of wardrobe during the first shopping sprees of the season and maybe dare you to try combinations and styles that in the near past may gave appeared to be unthinkable. Fabulous ice cream, and cotton candy rock not only the snack bars but also the catwalks. citypageskuwait.com As in previous seasons pastel colors continued inspiring great creations to get sweet and naïve looks that all ladies adore. The loud shades in color avocado, pumpkin and yellow in for this season take us back to the Brady Bunch era. BOTANICAL DREAM “Nothing says spring as flowers do”. So it appears to have been thought by our main designers… The bigger the print pattern, the better. We love that ‘70s feel! FLARE AFFAIR 70’s flare pants are back making a statement (It’s safe to say that skinny pants are almost on the way out). The cool thing is that this item will make your legs look longer while classy and elegant. Match it with a tacked in light weight blouse and you’ll feel ready to rule the world! February, 2015 BELLE EMBELLISHMENT Less itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not always more when it comes to combining different materials to create classy elegant looks. Having a heavily embellished monotonal or multi-tonal piece in your closet will definitely come in handy this season. PURE WHITE TIME Get a fresh summer look for whichever occasion you have by sticking to a full white combination wardrobe. The catwalks have showed us that this season white is as in as ever, especially while mixing textures. citypageskuwait.com ITâ&#x20AC;?S ALL IN YOUR HEAD Trend alert: An extravagant headpiece is what you need this spring to spice up you outfit of choice. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hesitate risky new trends on your head for a stylish and eye-catching look that will make you stand out from the crowd. Time to get creative! Julieta Altamiranda Julieta Altamiranda is a talented fashion designer on the rise. She was born and raised in Argentina. During her adolescence she started developing her artistic vision while living in The United States and in the capital of fashion (Italy). Eventually her love for sketching and for creative artistic expressions led her to study a career in fashion in one of the main institutions of her home country. From then on, she has been developing her own collections. Once having moved to Kuwait she has collaborated with one of the main Kuwaiti fashion companies designing several collections. Additionally she has participated in designing competitions where she has been awarded with multiple prizes. Her great devotion for the world of fashion keeps her constantly engaged in exciting new projects. February, 2015 dunhill - Spring Summer 2015 Collection citypageskuwait.com CITIZEN introduces unique models with Eco-Drive Technology Citizen introduces unique models with Eco-Drive technology. Unperturbed by passing trends, the fine collection is a modern fashion statement for youthful, authentic-seeking individuals who seek a watch that may transcend their generation. Eco-Drive is a revolutionary technology that powers watches using any natural or artificial light, relieving the necessity of replacing batteries. Although the usage of solar power generation is common among automobile, housing and other industries today, Citizen had the foresight to start development of a light-driven watch more than 40 years ago, and launched the world's first light-powered analogue quartz watch in 1976. Citizen's inquisitive mind and determination toward the success of Eco- Drive technology have brought about numerous breakthroughs. Some outstanding examples include the recent renowned Concept Models and their production versions. Furthermore, cutting-edge discoveries which have been acquired through the development of these models are being adapted to high-end models, and eventually to lowerpriced models targeting a wider audience. It is a principled theme for which Citizen emphasizes new possibilities of Eco-Drive, in order to bring joy and excitement to the world. BLOSSOM COLLECTION TRUMP HOME PARTNERS WITH LIFESTYLE TO LAUNCH AN EXCLUSIVE COLLECTION OF HOME DÉCOR Fleurs de Cerisier L’EAU THE SEASON OF FRIVOLITY The spring light unveils the very first cherry blossoms in the Luberon orchards. Their cozy whiteness diffuses the sweet scent of frivolity. Subtle and crystal-clear, Fleurs de Cerisier L’eau invites you to get whisked away in a whirlwind of fresh and delicate notes. Top notes: lemon sparkles over blackcurrant and watermelon. Heart notes: frivolous cherry blossoms swirl into delicate violet and rose notes. Base notes: The fragrance nestles into a subtle musky wood trail To complement the 50ml fragrance (limited edition), a whole collection will also be launched comprising of: FRAGRANCE TOUCH 14ml Dabbed onto pulse points (neck, wrists), the gel texture melts onto the skin and reveals its springtime notes. A new beauty ritual for perfumed touch-ups at any time of the day. SHOWER MILK 250ml DT Home Marks International LLC and Lifestyle are pleased to announce their new partnership to introduce the Trump Home brand exclusively across stores in Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. The collection was unveiled in Kuwait by the management from Landmark Group in the presence of local media and VIP guests. The collection includes room décor, bath accessories, lighting, decorative mirrors, and jewelry boxes inspired by the luxury and sophistication of the Trump brand. Gently cleansed, the skin snuggles into a luminous fruity and floral scent. MOISTURIZING MILK 250ml “The Trump Home brand offers the consumer beautiful product, focused on attention to detail and added value,” said Donald J. Trump, Chairman and President of The Trump Organization. “We are excited to be expanding the Trump Home global footprint and to be collaborating with Lifestyle.” The amazing texture melts over the body, enveloping it in delicately perfumed hydration. "We chose to collaborate with Trump Home for an exclusive Middle East launch keeping in mind the growing demand of the region's style conscious consumer's need for premium and bespoke brands,” said Sachin Mundhwa, the CEO of Lifestyle. Highlights of the assortment include bath accessories with mother of pearl and chrome detailing, along with luxurious, fashion forward jewelry boxes made of leather. The collection captures the essence and attention to detail that has become synonymous with the Trump brand. The collection is available at Lifestyle at Centrepoint,Fahaheel in Kuwait. Trump Home is a brand inspired by the luxury, sophistication and elegance associated with the Trump lifestyle. Products are inspired by Trump’s awardwinning, five-star luxury properties around the world. For more information, visit www.Trump.com, and www.lifestylegulf.com citypageskuwait.com HAND CREAM 30ml Enriched with shea butter, the formula helps nourish and protect the hands. Light notes and a bouquet of tenderness. Hublot & Behbehani Group unveil their latest activity, the Ferrari F1 Simulator in Kuwait. Pinky By Tissot Valentine’s Day Passionately Red The Pinky by Tissot is both a watch and a piece of jewellery, with the elegant Double Tour version featuring the strap that encircles the wrist two times just like a beautiful bracelet, to add a jewelleryinspired edge to any outfit. This time, has a strap that is deliciously bright red with a patent leather strap, in honour of the day of love, Valentine's Day. It is the moment to let your loved one know just how special she is, and the Pinky by Tissot is the perfect gift for the woman who is both glamorous and feminine and appreciates the beautiful things in life. The Body Shop launches Limited Edition floral body care range & spicy new fragrance range Swiss luxury watchmaker Hublot showcases the different facets of the “Art of Fusion” combined with the Hublot Challenge in Kuwait, at the Grand Avenues in The Avenues Mall, featuring the ultimate F1 racing experience with the Ferrari F1 Simulator. The Kuwait experience is the 4th round of the Hublot Challenge in the GCC. The inauguration took place on January 28th 2015 in the presence of Mr. Marco Tedeschi, Hublot Regional Director, and Behbehani Group management. Hublot luxury timepieces featuring high complications and innovative material are exhibited in Prestige located at the Grand Avenue in The Avenue Mall throughout the duration of the Hublot Challenge. The activity saw an array of luxury timepieces, including the aptly named Big Bang Ferrari Ceramic Carbon with the mythic Ferrari Yellow, alongside the Big Bang Ferrari King Gold, the Big Bang Ferrari Titanium Carbon with its renowned red sapphire glass, and the Big Bang Pop Art. As the Official Timekeeper of Ferrari, Hublot is offering guests and VIPs a fully immersive experience with the Ferrari F1 racing simulator as part of the exhibition. The simulator features the electronic and technical system which is used by professional race drivers. Equipped with HD graphics displayed onto a wrap-around curved screen with accompanying 3D effects, the ride transports drivers onto the track and gives a realistic driving sensation. Guests were able to compare their performances with Ferrari F1 drivers’ scores live on the www.hublotchallenge.com website. Hublot watches are available at Hublot Boutique - The Avenues, Prestige and Behbehani Group showrooms. The Body Shop’s new Limited Edition body care and fragrance range draws inspiration from flowers and hot spices. The New Floral Body Care Collection has a captivating scent, blending spices, florals and heavy woods. The careful balance of ingredients delivers a warm scent to envelop the senses. The range includes an Eau de Toilette and a shower gel containing honey (sourced through the Community Fair Trade from Ethiopia) that leaves the skin soft and supple. The body lotion offers veil-light moisturisation, while the body butter has a rich luxurious texture to lock in moisture, leaving skin moisturised for 24 hours. February, 2015 The Flat White. Sink into something sublime and sophisticated. A smooth coffee lift topped with silky textured milk. citypageskuwait.com At Opening Of The 9Th British Trade Exhibition In Kuwait At The Quarterly Draw Event Of Burgan Bank To Announce Winners Of: "Yawmi" "Thuraya" At The Guinness Record Making Event By GUST For Collecting 56.9 Tons Of Clothes For Charity In 24 Hours February, 2015 citypageskuwait.com At The Opening Of ICONIC, NEW LOOK & FUN CITY At Al Salam Mall Salmiya By The Landmark Group At Horeca Kuwait 2015 Exhibition At The Opening Of Katsuya Restaurant At Arabella February, 2015 At The Opening Of Unique 3 By Baloonyland At A Quintessential Night By The Salhia Medical Pavilion Showcasing Unique Pieces Of Art By Renowned Artist Farid Abdal From the Mental Health Awareness Walkathon #1in5 Organised by Taqabal citypageskuwait.com At The Official Opening Ceremony Of "Bon Appetit" Exhibition At Discovery Palace - The Scientific Center At The Opening Of Q8 Fashion Italy At The Reopening Of The Spanish Brand Pronovias At 360 Mall citypageskuwait.com ‫فيـ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ــو‬ ‫س‬ ‫ل‬ ‫حو ‪ -‬ال‬ ‫بـ‬ ‫ع عة‬ ‫فر جلم‬ ‫ا‬ ‫بت‬ ‫الفروانية ‪ -‬شارع اخملفر‬ ‫فوق بيت التمويل‬ ‫تلفون‪24725558 / 24726164 :‬‬ ‫‪January, 2015‬‬ ‫الفحيحيل ‪ -‬شارع الدبوس‬ ‫البرج األخضر ‪ -‬الدور ‪16‬‬ ‫تلفون‪25456100 / 25456969 :‬‬ ‫‪www.6alabat.com‬‬ ‫الساملية ‪ -‬شارع سالم املبارك‬ ‫فوق ماكس ‪ -‬الدور ‪4‬‬ ‫تلفون‪25721717 / 25721818 :‬‬ ‫كيفان ‪ -‬قطعة ‪ - 2‬مول جمعية حولي ‪ -‬شارع بيروت‬ ‫مقابل البنك التجاري‬ ‫كيفان اجلديد الدور ‪1‬‬ ‫تلفون‪ 24914081 / 24914082 :‬تلفون‪22661604 / 22661603 :‬‬ ‫بدالة مطاعم ‪1808099‬‬ At The Launch Of The New Oral-B Pro-Expert Toothpaste At The Launch Of Toyota Racing Development TRD From The Presentation By American University Of Kuwait On The New Award "Challenge 22 citypageskuwait.com The birthplace of the original fettuccine Alfredo mario alfreDo himself welComes you to enDulge in italian Cusine right from the heart of italy, rome. The FirsT AlFredosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; GAllery in The Middle eAsT. AlFredosGAlleryq8 Website: alfredosgallery.com.kw inquiries & reservations: 90955057 Grand Avenues - soku courtyard 1-17 Alfredoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gallery February, 2015 FROM THE PRESS More than 600 players participate in Kuwait’s premier youth football event ACK’s “SKRAAB TEAM” placed in the Top 3 during the Regional “Young Entrepreneurs” Competition Under the patronage of HH the Amir, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, and in the presence of honorary guest, His Excellency, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, INJAZ Al Arab announced the successful conclusion of the 8th annual Young Entrepreneurs 2014 Regional Competition. The event was concluded with a prestigious awards ceremony held at the Kuwait Regency Hotel, where winning teams were awarded for their outstanding achievements. INJAZ Young Arab Entrepreneurs Competition was launched in 2007 and is attended yearly by national competition winners from countries across the region. This year’s competition was the culmination of 18 teams from 13 different countries; namely Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, UAE and Yemen. Representing Kuwait, ACK students placed in the top 3 for Best Product of the Year and the Best Company of the Year categories. The competition was judged by two prestigious judging panels. Student companies were assessed on their ability to demonstrate sound business insight, financial knowledge, marketing support and feasibility studies. In addition, competing students were required to spend one day showcasing their products, presenting to the public, and holding a private question and answer session with the judging panel in order to present their business in its entirety. Professor Jehad Yasin, Head of School of Business at ACK, commented: “For the second consecutive time our “Skraab” team participated and succeeded by representing Kuwait in this prestigious competition. We are very proud of our students. This demonstrates excellence and dedication, as well as their desire to always aim high. I personally would like to thank Ms. Johanne Flynn, their instructor, for all the efforts and support provided, as well as her leadership and persistence which led to this success and we look forward to participate in next year’s version.” The ACK Family would like to congratulate the “Skraab” team for once again successfully representing Kuwait and the College. citypageskuwait.com adidas Ultra BOOST™ Delivers Your Greatest Run Ever Introducing Ultra BOOST, the ultimate expression of adidas’ revolutionary BOOST™ technology with the industry’s highest Energy Return. Ultra BOOST combines a cohesive system of the most innovative and fully adaptive technologies to deliver your greatest run ever. Through years of research and testing used by the world’s top engineering institutions, adidas has developed a collection of innovations built to harness the awesome power of BOOST to reach new heights of its Energy Return potential. Ultra BOOST answers every runners needs by offering the very best in Energy Return, support, stability, comfort and style. Ultimate Energy Return Ultra BOOST contains 20 percent more BOOST* which performs consistently in any conditions, for countless kilometers; season after season. Using thousands of unique energy capsules, BOOST technology returns energy conventional EVA midsoles lose. BOOST provides support and guidance through a runner’s gait without compromising the energy needed to experience your greatest run ever. The Premier Sport Academy in association with Everton F.C., under the sponsorship of Porsche Centre Kuwait, Behbehani Motors Company, held their 2014 Winter Festival of Football event at Bayan Park under the patronage of H.E. the British Ambassador, Matthew Lodge. In total, more than 600 players ages 3 to 18 participated in the Porsche Centre Kuwait sponsored event, including teams from the P.S.A./ Everton Coaching Courses and Everton Centre of Excellence, as well as numerous private schools and football academies from across Kuwait. A huge turnout of enthusiastic parents and spectators cheered on and encouraged the players, who were superbly organized and guided by their coaches throughout a series of exciting matches. The players demonstrated great skills, sportsmanship and an abundance of effort and commitment. There were also plenty of attractions for everyone to enjoy, including the Porsche Kids Driving School, bouncy castles, the Baroue Kids Magic Show and a craft fair. H.E. Matthew Lodge and several other VIP guests presented medals to all participants, as well as certificates of appreciation to event sponsors and supporters. The event also included a football match between teams representing the British and German Embassies of Kuwait to commemorate the 100th year anniversary of the World War 1 Christmas truce football matches which ended with a thrilling penalty shoot-out. H.E. Lodge expressed his appreciation and recognition for the collective effort behind such an important community event, and congratulated all the players and coaches who took part, in addition to the event organisers and sponsors Porsche Centre Kuwait, Behbehani Motors Company, Sports Direct, H & M, Baroue and Sultan Centre and all the contributors and participants . Eucerin AtopiControl breaks the vicious circle of Atopic Dermatitis – in a gentle way New Nikon D750 is at the Pinnacle of Innovation, Offering Performance and Maneuverability Katsuya by Starck launches its first stand-alone restaurant in the Middle East Kuwait’s second Katsuya by Starck now open at Arabella, offering breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf Labello Lip Care Fruity Shine now available in Watermelon flavor With superior maneuverability and agility in a powerful, compact package, the revolutionary Nikon D750 is packed with features to provide photographers all they need to capture stunning images Have you or your baby ever experienced Atopic Dermatitis symptoms? Eucerin® offers you the solution with the launch of the AtopiControl cleansing, caring and active range of products. The range includes the Eucerin® Acute Care Cream to use during acute phases and the Body Care Lotion, the Bath & Cleansing Oil and the Face Care Cream to use during symptomfree phases, all of which are gentle enough for use on sensitive baby skin. Collectively, these products reflect a unique, holistic approach which effectively alleviates symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis. Up to five percent of the adult population and one in five to ten children around the world are Atopic Dermatitis sufferers where 90 percent of these people first experience this chronic, noninfectious skin disease before they reach the age of five. “The symptoms of scaly, inflamed areas of skin and extreme itching are the visible side of Atopic Dermatitis. What people don’t see, though, is the effect that it has on the psyche. Many people with Atopic Dermatitis feel restricted, unattractive and rejected. Children, in particular, are exposed to peer prejudice and teasing,” explains Dr. Gitta Neufang, Head of Research Eucerin® Actives. Nikon Singapore Pte Ltd is pleased to announce the launch of the new D750, the smallest and lightest Nikon FX-format camera*1 to deliver incredible image quality in an ideal package of enriched features. The D750 enables the freedom of photographic expression with sought-after functionalities of built-in Wi-Fi®*2, tilting monitor, 24.3 megapixels, 91K-pixel RGB sensor, and outstanding high-speed continuous shooting rate of approximately 6.5 frames per second*3 for both FX- and DX-format, all fitted into a slim and durable body. The innovative D750 challenges the common assumption that the higher a DSLR’s specifications, the bulkier it becomes. The D750 includes revolutionary technologies designed to offer a strong, lightweight camera without compromising image quality. Its powerful FX-format CMOS sensor and EXPEED 4 image-processing engine are packed into a monocoque structure framed by carbon fiber composite material (new material*4), carbonfiber reinforced thermoplastics (LFT) and magnesium alloy to provide nimble durability while producing beautiful, balanced shots. Aimed at a discerning audience, the D750 is a superior camera with similar full-scale features and performance as those in the high-end range to offer photographers the room to expand their capabilities and evolve their skills. Katsuya by Starck today opened its first standalone restaurant in the Middle East, and its second Kuwait location, at Arabella. The restaurant is a result of the prodigious pairing of master sushi chef Katsuya Uechi and worldrenowned Creator Philippe Starck. The opening of the restaurant was celebrated at an official launch ceremony hosted by John Kolaski, COO of sbe Restaurant Group, and Jim Dunn, VP of Asian Dining at M.H. Alshaya Co. The launch was attended by prominent dignitaries, VIP guests and local media, who engaged in an interactive sushi-making and a cocktail mixology session on how to make signature Katsuya dishes and drinks. Katsuya by Starck is known for its creative and dynamic decor and menu, which are truly a feast for the senses. With four speciality kitchens, award-winning freshly-squeezed elixirs, and spectacular sushi and sashimi platters, Katsuya skilfully translates Japanese flavours for an international palate. Guests at the Arabella restaurant will love the diverse collection of signature dishes made fresh from the highest quality ingredients. Favourites include Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna, Baked Crab Hand-roll, Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño, and Wagyu Tenderloin Toban-yaki. The new 465 m2 Arabella restaurant seats 204 guests and features three private dining rooms for up to 10 people each. Commenting on the launch of the new restaurant, Mr Kolaski said: “We have had an overwhelmingly positive response to our first restaurant in the region at Grand Avenue, The Avenues, which opened in October, 2013. Since then, we’ve also expanded into the UAE with a similarly successful restaurant at The Dubai Mall. We see great opportunities for further regional openings and expansion.” To give you a great feeling on your lips all year round Labello Lip Care Fruity Shines is now available in exciting new Watermelon flavor – with aromas and fruit extracts. The highlyeffective care formula with Hydra IQ provides the lips with long-lasting moisture. This fashionable lip care stick is the perfect accessory for ensuring a seasonal feel at any time and in any place. Real fruit flavor give you a multi-sensory experience Watermelon is the latest flavor and color to join the Labello Lip Care Fruity Shines range. These aromas and fruit extracts provide an authentic multi-sensory experience, because they don't just smell delightful, they also taste delicious. The new Labello Watermelon doesn’t just pamper your lips with its exciting taste and the light shimmer, the formula with selected fine waxes and rich caring oils also provides intense care. It forms a protective film on the skin of your lips and protects them from drying out. Long-lasting moisture Enriched with Hydra IQ, the Labello Lip Care Fruity Shines Watermelon also has a long-lasting moisturising effect. "Hydra IQ is an innovative and exclusive technology that stimulates the generation of new water channels in the skin for optimum hydration – even in the deepest layers of the skin," says Zeynep Balyali, Senior Brand Manager Labello Lip Care. With its fashionable flavor and highly-effective care formula, this new NIVEA Lip Care Labello Fruity Shines Watermelon really creates that perfect feel all year round. It gives you a trendy, natural look and soft as well as smooth lips that look incredible February, 2015 ‫مدربي وطالب أكادميية‬ ‫الماسيا حلو ضيوفا على‬ ‫سلسلة مطاعم سابيكو‬ Diet Care “Get Healthy” Campaign successfully reaches out to a large segment of society FROM THE PRESS Landmark Group announces winners of “Art Olympiad VIII” Diet Care, Kuwait’s leading provider of health and nutritional programs and services saw a very positive demand for Kuwait’s biggest initiative “Get Healthy” for better nutrition and health. The initiative which started in September engaged more than 800 participants across schools, universities, ministries and leading organizations in Kuwait Diet Care in association with Royal English Laboratory provided free screenings for blood glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure and overall health for all employees and students of the participating organisations and schools. The initiative which aimed at educating individuals of the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle was a huge success and reached out to over 16 entities in Kuwait till date. Participants were alerted about the importance of healthy living and weight management and encouraged to make positive changes in their lifestyle. They were made aware of the ailments by providing them with all the necessary health information related with cholesterol and blood tests as well as weight analysis. Commenting on the success of “Get Healthy” Sarah Dimashkieh, Director of Clinical Operations, Diet Care said: “We are very delighted to have been able to contribute towards making a positive difference in lives of people and thank all the schools, universities and organizations for their participation and cooperation.” Because of their busy schedules, people often times neglect their body’s nutritional needs. Our role through “Get Healthy” is to remind them that healthy living starts with healthy eating and weight management. We do this by providing individuals with free screenings for blood glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure and oneon-one consultations at their own work place or schools. The response by the participants has been great so far because in effect we are shortcutting the process and helping them take easy first steps towards getting healthy.” “Our efforts don’t stop here “Get Healthy” is a yearlong initiative so we encourage many organizations to participate. The more people know about the diseases that affect them and their own risk factors, the better able they will be to take charge of their health and live better lives.” As the leading provider of health and nutritional programs and services, Diet Care has always strived to make efforts to reach out and add more value to the community. Get Healthy Kuwait encourages people to live a healthy life. citypageskuwait.com Landmark Group awarded the artistic talents of eight students at the eighth Art Olympiad held this year. The event saw the participation of 140 students from 14 schools of repute across Kuwait. The atmosphere was abuzz with excitement as the names of winners were announced. The Art Olympiad which recognizes the outstanding creative talents of students got an overwhelming response. The paintings were judged by famous Kuwaiti artist Mr. Asad Bunashi. A total of eight winners were selected at the end of the Olympiad on the basis of creativity, workmanship, overall impression and relevance to the Theme. The paintings of the young talented artists offered the judges to choose the best of the best. Landmark Group organized the event for the eighth consecutive year, as it falls in line with the company’s corporate social responsibility strategy to uplift the capabilities and skills of youth in Kuwait. The event is seen as a grooming platform for these students by helping them improvise their flair and encourage their innovative ability through art. This year’s competition themes which the students could select from were; traditions, celebrations and events; seascape, landscape or cityscape; If you had to design Kuwait’s new currency what would it look like, for the 9-11 years category. For the 12-14 years category it was aviation disasters, world comparison between 1915 and 2015, I want to become …. There were also two special prizes for the most colorful painting and the most creative painting. All themes brought out the unique talents and skills of the participants. ‫تشجيعا ً وحتفيزا ً للرياضة ومنها لعبة كرة القدم‬ ‫وتقديرا ً ألكادميية الماسيا لتعليم كرة القدم‬ ‫والراعي الرسمي لها شركة هيونداي إلكترونيات‬ SABECO ‫استضافت سلسلة مطاعم سابيكو‬ ‫مجموعة مميزة من العبي أكادميية الماسيا كويت‬ ‫الرياضية لتعليم كرة القدم وتنمية مهارات‬ ‫الالعبني من البراعم الذين تتراوح اعمارهم مابني‬ ‫ سنه وكان الضيوف من الطالب الرياضيني‬15 ‫ و‬5 ‫الصغار برفقة كوكبة من مدربي االكادميية الذين‬ ‫لبوا دعوة مجموعة مطاعم سابيكو (مطعم‬ ‫ للمشاوي والشاورما‬Abou Jassem ‫ابو جاسم‬ Sandawicha ‫ ومطعم سندويشة‬،‫وغيرها‬ JJ’s ‫ ومطعم جي جيز‬،‫السندوتشات العاملية‬ MEYWA ‫ ومطعم ميوه‬،‫أشهى البرغر والستيك‬ )‫أشهى العصائر والشيكس واأليس كرمي‬ ‫وقد رحبت إدارة املطاعم بالضيوف الذين جتولوا‬ ‫ واطلعوا على ما تتمتع‬، ‫في أرجاء هذه املطاعم‬ ‫ سواء من‬،‫به من مزايا جذابة لتناول الطعام فيها‬ ‫حيث النظافة وجودة املواد املستخدمة وطريقة‬ ‫اعداد الوجبات بأنواعها بشكل صحي ومناسب‬ ‫ إضافة الى التشكيلة الواسعة من‬،‫خملتلف األذواق‬ ،‫العصائر الطبيعية بنكهاتها املتعددة والرائعة‬ ‫كما استمتع احلضور بأشهى احللويات املعدة في‬ ،‫مطعم ميوه بأسلوب مميز وصحي وبأشكال الفتة‬ ‫كما استمتع الضيوف باألجواء الرائعة وباإلطاللة‬ ‫املميزة للموقع الرائع على شارع البالجات مقابل‬ ‫شوبيز وبالتراس اخلارجي اجلميل في واحد من‬ ‫ مبا يقدمه من أجواء‬،‫أفضل املطاعم في الكويت‬ ‫أسرية ومأكوالت لذيذة معدة على أيدي أمهر‬ ‫ ومبا يلبي رغبات الذواقة من شتى أصناف‬،‫الطهاة‬ .‫املأكوالت والعصائر واحللويات‬ ‫وفي اخلتام توجهت إدارة االكادميية وشركة‬ ‫هيونداي إلكترونيات بالشكر الى ادارة مطاعم‬ ‫سابيكو على مبادرتهم الطيبة وعلى حسن‬ ‫ مشيدين باملستوى الرائع‬،‫الضيافة واالستقبال‬ ‫لهذه السلسلة ومبا تقدمه من أجود أنواع‬ ‫األطعمة املقدمة بطريقة احترافية نالت اعجاب‬ .‫اجلميع‬ KidZania Kuwait welcomes VIP delegation from Nissan Japan KidZania Kuwait, the kid-sized metropolis, recently hosted a VIP delegation from Nissan Motors Japan, including Senior Vice President Mr. Takashi Hata and General Manager Mr. Hiroki Muto. During their one-day visit to Kuwait, the delegation toured the city of KidZania where they were introduced to its famous landmarks, including the Independence Fountain, the RightZkeepers’ statues, and KidZania’s Nissan establishment and driving streets. They also got the chance to enjoy the annual Winter Festival while meeting the stilt walkers and KidZania’s beloved Rightskeepers - Urbano, Vita, Chika, Beebop and Bache. The guests were accompanied by representatives from Nissan Al Babtain, the sole distributor of Nissan automobiles in Kuwait, including Group Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Mohammed Shalaby, and Al-Babtain Board Member, Mr. Abdulmohsen Barrak. The guests were also received by representatives from Nissan Gulf FZE, among which were President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Nasser Watar, and Director of Sales & Marketing, Mr. Cameron Gowing. February, 2015 FROM THE PRESS Toddler gut defenses can be strengthened with the help of Splash in Love with “L-Protectus” Probiotic, Fashion- Volume II proves New Research 5th edition of the Splash Unveiled by Nestlé in Calendar unveiled by Esha Dubai ‫’ويسترن يونيون‘ تختار‬ ً ‫عمرو دياب سفيرا‬ ‫لعالمتها التجارية‬ Gupta TSC Held a Blood Drive for Employees & Customers As part of its leading social responsibility program and its commitment to the Kuwaiti community; The Sultan Center Company (TSC) held a blood drive at The Sultan Center Souq Sharq in conjunction with Kuwait Central Blood Bank on the 25th, 26th and 27th of January 2015, under the slogan “Donate Blood, Save Lives”. Aiming to support Kuwait Central Blood Bank and those in need of blood due to health complications; illness; accidents and surgeries, the blood drive was attended by a large number of volunteers; employees, customers and member of the local media. Lisa Al-Ghareeb-Marketing Manager at TSCsaid: “we embrace our responsibility to host initiatives that improve lives and in this case, can save lives. The Sultan Center has a long standing commitment to supporting blood drives within the communities it operates by and creating awareness of the need to support and save lives through the gift of blood donations”. TSC would like to thank all those who volunteered and gave the gift of life, she added citypageskuwait.com It’s not unknown that individual style is ruled by powerful star signs so this 2015, the Splash Calendar blends the world of the celestial and fashion. Titled ‘In Love with Fashion’ Volume II, the Calendar was unveiled by Mr Micky Jagtiani, Chairman, Landmark Group, Mr Raza Beig, CEO, Splash and ICONIC along with the gorgeous Splash Brand Ambassador and Bollywood actress Esha Gupta at the Viewing Deck, Palace Downtown. Shot creatively through the fashion lens of Tejal Patni the Calendar explores the dominant characteristics associated with each zodiac sign and connects that with the style sensibilities of Furne One @ Amato. As we flip through the 12 pages, the Calendar tastefully blends styles and silhouettes, timeless fabrics and design aesthetics with a fashion editorial eye to visually express the signs. While each month is an individual story brought alive by dramatic sets and lavish props, the Calendar is bound by an invisible thread of the brand’s philosophy of ‘In Love with Fashion’ and each image evokes a broad range of expressions. Bound to delve into the nuances of the most popular trends these vivid images promises to capture your attention the moment you set your eyes on it. The trends have been highlighted and brought in the forefront by marrying two diverse worlds through a story that defines their relationship. A Cancer sign known to be simple, loving and protective is dressed in the Mod trend with scissor hands to signify the dominant characteristics while Leo is motivated, ambitious and majestic and suitably dressed in pure opulence to bring reflect Safari Glam. Virgo is aptly portrayed in the Floral trend as it brings out characteristics like faithful, sensual and loving and the color white symbolises purity and so on and so forth. Each trend lends itself well with the signs and identifies and enhances the traits associated with it. Breakthrough findings from recently-concluded research proving that one of the world’s most researched probiotics known as L-Protectus (L.reuteri) helps strengthen gut defenses of one to three year-old children have been unveiled at a Nestlé roundtable discussion in Dubai, with the participation of leading local and international experts in the fields of clinical nutrition, pediatric medicine and nutrition research. According to a recent study published in the UAE by Dr. Mohamad Miqdady, Division Chief, Pediatric Gastrointestinal Infections, Hepatology and Nutrition Division at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, children between the ages of one and three fall sick due to infectious diseases 10 to 15 times a year, which is why discovering new means to strengthen their immune system is crucial. Almost 100% of children will encounter these gastrointestinal infections, and more than once. Such illness can affect the family in several ways; in addition to the direct and indirect costs, it can also disturb the family’s dynamics and can result in the loss of more than two days of work for the parents. The study also showed that the gut is the most important line of defense in our body since it houses 80% of immunity cells, and maintaining its health and balance with good nutrition is essential to preventing gastrointestinal infections and diarrhea. “Toddlers have a tiny stomach that is the size of their fist,” explained Dr. Wafaa Ayesh Director, Clinical Nutrition Department, Clinical Support Services Sector, Dubai Health Authority. “This is why we must ensure they get several small meals a day containing the right nutritionally dense foods that help them grow healthily. Milk is a very important food at this age, especially specialised growing-up milk containing that is designed to cater to their growing needs.” It is generally recognized that as children turn one, they learn from exploring and touching everything around them. While this is necessary for healthy growth, it exposes them to germs and increases their risk of getting sick. “This randomized placebo-controlled study has been completed by 336 children proving that L. Protectus (L. reuteri) helps to reduce gastrointestinal infections in children when given on a daily basis. Therefore, it is important for parents to know that choosing the right nutrition for their children from a very young age is crucial to avoid them from getting these infections, and subsequently growing up healthy,” concluded the event’s key speaker Dr. Kimmo Makinen, Senior Scientist and a probiotic expert at the Nestlé Research Centre in Lausanne, Switzerland. ‫ الشركة العاملية الرائدة‬،‫أعلنت ويسترن يونيون‬ ‫في خدمات التحويالت املالية والدفع (املدرجة في‬ ‫ اليوم عن توقيع‬،)WU ‫بورصة نيويورك حتت الرمز‬ ‫اتفاقية مع جنم البوب األكثر شعبية في العالم‬ ً ‫ تختاره مبوجبها سفيرا‬، ‫ عمرو دياب‬- ‫العربي‬ ‫ وبوصفه النجم العربي األكثر‬.‫لعالمتها التجارية‬ ‫شهرة وصاحب القاعدة اجلماهيرية الدولية‬ ‫ سيمثل عمرو دياب اآلن ويسترن يونيون‬،‫الكبيرة‬ ‫وخدماتها السريعة واملريحة واملوثوقة لتحويل‬ ‫ بلد وإقليم حول‬200 ‫ والتي تقدمها في‬،‫األموال‬ ‫ وسيكون النجم عمرو دياب هو واجهة‬.‫العالم‬ ‫شركة حتويل األموال الرائدة عامليا ً في حمالتها‬ ‫اإلعالنية املرئية واملطبوعة في جميع أنحاء‬ .2015 ‫املنطقة خالل عام‬ ‫وقد ساهم عمله الشاق وشغفه باملوسيقى‬ ‫ودأبه على تطوير أساليب وأمناط جديدة منها في‬ ‫تعزيز انتشاره وزيادة األعداد الهائلة ملعجبيه من‬ ‫ حتى‬،‫مختلف اجلنسيات في جميع أنحاء العالم‬ ‫أثبت مكانته كأحد أفضل املطربني املؤثرين في‬ ‫الشرق األوسط ملا يتمتع به من موهبة استثنائية‬ ‫وشخصية كارزمية حتظى بالقبول من الكبار‬ ‫ حاز عمرو دياب‬،‫ وخالل مسيرته الفنية‬.‫والصغار‬ ‫ منها‬،‫على سبع من جوائز املوسيقى العاملية‬ ‫جائزة املوسيقى العاملية ألفضل مبيعات أللبومات‬ ‫ وخالل حفل‬.‫األغاني في الشرق األوسط أربع مرات‬ ،2014 ‫توزيع جوائز املوسيقى العاملية في العام‬ ‫ وأفضل فنان عربي‬،‫صنف كأفضل فنان مصري‬ ‫من الرجال وأفضل فنان عربي في العالم من‬ .‫ والتي مت التصويت لها عبر اإلنترنت‬،‫الرجال‬ ‫ رئيس ويسترن يونيون في‬،‫وقال جان كلود فرح‬ ‫الشرق األوسط وأفريقيا واحمليط الهادئ وأوروبا‬ ‫ "نحن في غاية‬:‫الشرقية ورابطة الدول املستقلة‬ ‫السعادة الختيار عمرو دياب سفيرا ً لويسترن‬ ‫ فهو يتمتع بشعبية وجاذبية هائلة‬.‫يونيون‬ ،‫بني اجلماهير العربية في جميع أنحاء العالم‬ ‫وسيسهم في خلق روابط قوية مع عمالئنا‬ ‫مثلما نفعل كعالمة جتارية رائدة من خالل تقدمي‬ ‫خدمات التحويالت املالية لألسر في جميع أنحاء‬ ‫العالم إلى أحبائهم في الوطن ومساعدتهم في‬ ‫الوقت ذاته على االستمتاع بأغانيه وعيش حياة‬ ".‫سعيدة‬ ً ‫ "أنا متحمس جدا‬:‫ قال عمرو دياب‬،‫من جانبه‬ ‫ وبوصفها‬.‫لتمثيل عالمة ويسترن يونيون التجارية‬ ‫ فإن‬،‫شركة عاملية مبدعة حتظى باالحترام الواسع‬ ‫قدرتها الفريدة على ربط الناس في جميع أنحاء‬ ‫العالم بأحبائهم من خالل خدماتها السريعة‬ ‫ كما أعجبني شغف‬.‫واملوثوقة ألمر عظيم‬ ،‫ويسترن يونيون بعمالئها وأعمالها التجارية‬ ‫وانتابني شعور كبير من الراحة للتعاون مع‬ ‫عالمتها التجارية لنشر قيمنا املشتركة من خالل‬ ‫السعي إلى التميز وااللتزام التام بالوصول إلى‬ ."‫طرق مبتكرة للربط بني الناس حول العالم‬ February, 2015 Dalal AlDughaishem Website: www.saycheeez.net Email: [email protected] Twitter & flicker & instagram: @saycheeez_photo phone number (only Whats App): 55062262 Dalal is a professional photographer specializing in Kids and Babies Photography. Contact us if you wish to feature your Kids brand in CityPages magazine. citypageskuwait.com February, 2015 MATHS QUIZ 1. What is 8 multiplied by 5? 2. How many centimeters in 2 meters? FUN FACTS ABOUT KUWAIT 3. What is double 45? 4. Write down an odd number that is greater than 275 and less than 280. 5. Divide 6 by 3 and then add 4. 6. Double 14 and add 2? 7. The chips went in the oven at 5:05pm, and they’ll take half an hour. When will they be ready? 8. What’s the difference between 705 and 602? 9. How many degrees is one full turn plus 10 degrees? 10. What is -12 + 11? 9. 370°, 10. -1 ANSWERS:1. 40, 2. 200cm, 3. 90, 4. 277 or 279, 5. 6, 6. 30, 7. 5:35pm, 8. 103, FUN RIDDLES 1. You are feeling hungry and you open your refrigerator. What you find inside is a dozen of apples and you choose one of them as you have no other choice. When you take a bite from the apple you find a worm inside. Can you think of anything worse than that? 2. I can make the number one disappear by adding something to it. Can you? 3. My car is in a good condition but one of the tires is a flat tire. I still able to reach the destination without replacing the tire. How? 4. Venus Williams was given a cigarette lighter. Why?? 5. Two men enter a café. One man orders H2O and the other man says “I will have H2O, too”. The second man dies. Why? JUMBLED WORDS 1 . E L A B 2 . T C N O E N I V N E 3 . L OA F I F I C 4 . A A B D O R 5 . K A C B 6 . K D R A 7 . YA E R L 8 . Y F R O C A T 9 . E G A M 1 0 . FA L H 1 1 . T I N M A P R T O 1 2 . U N A R YA J = = = = = = = = = = = = lost all the matches, 5. H202 (Hydrogen peroxide) is harmful and can cause death. 7.EARLY, 8.FACTORY, 9.GAME, 10.HALF, 11.IMPORTANT, 12.JANUARY the number ONE and it will be GONE, 3. The flat tire is a stepney tire, 4. Because she ANSWERS: 1. ABLE, 2.CONVENIENT, 3.OFFICIAL, 4.ABOARD, 5.BACK, 6.DARK, ANSWERS: 1. Finding half a worm would have been worse, 2. Just add G before citypageskuwait.com The image of falcon appears on stamps and even on currency of Kuwait. 1.Kuwait is officially known as the ‘State of Kuwait’. 2.Kuwait is one of the smallest countries in the world in terms of land area. 10.The flag of Kuwait was adopted on September 7, 1961, and officially hoisted on November 24, 1961. Before 1961, the flag of Kuwait was red and white with the word "‫ "الكويت‬in the middle. The present flag is in the Pan-Arab colours, but each colour is also significant in its own right. Black represents the defeat of the enemy, while red is the colour of blood on the Kuwaiti swords. White symbolizes purity, and green is for the fertile land. 3.Kuwait means “Fortress built near water” in Arabic. 4.The official language of Kuwait is Arabic, but English is also widely spoken and understood. 5.Majority of the people in Kuwait follow Islam followed by Christianity and Hinduism. 6.The currency of Kuwait is Kuwaiti Dinar. 7.The capital of Kuwait is Kuwait City. 8.Kuwaiti men usually wear the national dress of long white dishdashas and white head-cloths, while women wear yashmaks. 9. Falcon is the national bird of Kuwait. Build-A-Bear Workshop has some exciting products in store exclusively for the month of February as we will bring in the legendary Superheroes!!! Build-A-Bear Workshop® - the world’s only global company that offers an interactive make-your-own stuffed animal retail-entertainment experience. lCaptain America: KWD 9.600 lBatman Bear: KWD 9.600 lSuperman Bear: KWD 9.600 lSpiderman Bear: KWD 9.600 lIron Man: KWD 9.600 lHulk Bear: KWD 9.600 lCamo Bear: KWD 7.600 lPink Camo Bear: KWD 7.600 Build-A-Bear store in Kuwait is located in The Avenues Mall February, 2015 HOMEWORK FOR GROWN UPS EVERYTHING YOU LEARNED AT SCHOOL... BUT CAN YOU REMEMBER? General Knowledge Quiz 1. Geographically, Guantanamo Bay is located in: USA; Cuba; Mexico; or Canada? Test Your Vocabulary profitable means : 2. What kitchen-related term refers to a major music publishing/retailing street, notably Manhattan's West 28th Street and London's Denmark Street? 8. Warren Buffett coined (What?) key investment term to symbolize 'competitive immunity' of a corporation: Moat; Boat; Float; or Stoat? 9. If five baskets contain respectively 7, 6, 5, 4 and 3 apples, what is the average number of apples in two baskets? 10. London's Claridge's hotel restaurant attracted pavement demonstrations in 2014 after objecting to a customer's: Weight; Height; E-cigar; or Breastfeeding a baby? 11. The coffin of which famous assassin, buried in 1963 and exhumed in 1981, was sold at auction for $87,500 in 2010? 12. What is the main currency of Bali, Java, Sulawesi, and several thousand other islands of the same nation? 13. What disease causes the human immune system to attack healthy tissue, named/ believed originally from the bite of a wolf? 14. Which of these is not a usual brass instrument pitch, transposed/equating to middle C: Bb; Eb; F; or D? 15. Whose December 2014 official photographs, wearing a guardsman-design knitted pullover, prompted huge sales interest in the product? LETTERS & WORDS There are three bags.The first bag has two blue rocks. The second bag has two red rocks. The third bag has a blue and a red rock. All bags are labeled but all labels are wrong.You are allowed to open one bag, pick one rock at random, see its color and put it back into the bag, without seeing the color of the other rock. How many such operations are necessary to correctly label the bags ? ANSWERS: Just One! 7. The dinosaur Archaeopteryx or (German) 'Urvogel' is considered a main ancestor of modern: Fish; Birds; Cattle; or Mice? 4. needful If u get Blue rock with label as "blue+red" => this is red as all labels are wrong. 6. Toot, Percy, Charlie, ching and chang all refer informally to what? 2. gainful In this way u can logically solve this puzzle. 5. What commodity value is benchmarked in the USA and elsewhere according to (among more technical terms) 'Texas Light Sweet'? 3. peaceful ANSWER: 2. In this question, profitable is an adjective that means yielding material gain. 4. The Golden Spurtle is an annual world championship, held at Scotland's Cairngorms National Park, for: Rock climbing; Salmon fishing; Monster impressions; or Porridge making? 1. thoughtful Things that are profitable make money or are beneficial in other ways. Businesses hope to be profitable in the financial sense, but a profitable relationship is one that's good for everyone involved. Profitable started out as a word to describe anything useful, but it hooked up with finance in the mid-1700’s. Profits are measured in money earned beyond expenses, so profitable businesses or transactions make money. A busy restaurant, sold-out concert, and bestselling book are all profitable. People also use this word for situations that are good in ways that don’t involve money. If you learned a lot from something, then it was a profitable experience, even if you didn't make any cash. 3. Which sugar confectionery adopted the slogan 'Taste the Rainbow' in 1994? 16. Which UK entertainment franchise claimed its use of car registration H982 FKL in Argentina as a purely coincidental reference to the 1982 Falklands War? 18. The expression 'to shirtfront' someone (confront head-on), adopted by certain politicians in 2014, originated in: Ice-Hockey; Rugby Leage; Australian Rules Football; or Ten-pin bowling? 19. The largest ever white (What?) weighing 4.16lbs was sold at NYC Sotheby's for $61,250 in 2014? 20. Name the controversial 'extreme' global taxi-hailing smartphone app, banned by several territories in 2014? ANSWERS: 1.Cuba, 2. Tin Pan Alley, 3. Skittles, 4. Porridge making (a spurtle is a wooden stirrer/cooking implement), 5. Oil (or Petroleum or Crude Oil), 6. Cocaine, 7. Birds (Archeopteryx derives from Greek, 'ancient feather/wing' - Urgvogel means 'first bird'), 8. Moat (symbolizing the gulf between a corporation and its competitors - the bigger the moat, the more investment potential), 9. Ten (7 + 6 + 5 + 4 + 3 = 25, 25 ÷ 5 = 5, 5 x 2 = 10), 10. Breastfeeding a baby, 11. Lee Harvey Oswald (US president John Kennedy's killer), 12. Rupiah (the Indonesian Rupiah, Rp), 13. Lupus (Systemic lupus erythematosus, and SLE are also technically correct answers), 14. D, 15. Prince George (UK), 16. Top Gear, 17. Beats, 18. Australian Rules Football, 19. Truffle, 20. Uber (Uber means 'excessively' or 'over' in German) citypageskuwait.com JUMBLED WORDS V A R O B S C U M I K E D O W R A T E P U B S C E P H Y ANSWERS: BRAVO, MUSIC, WORKED, UPBEAT, PSYCHE 17. Dr Dre became the highest earning musician in 2014 by selling his headphones company (What?) to Apple for c.$600m? January, 2015 360 Mall Level 1, Al Zahra - Kuwait | TEL: 25309676 FEBRUARY HOROSCOPES The Full Moon in Leo could bring public recognition to some who have worked tirelessly to meet a deadline. Mercury turns direct on February 11. It's possible that you'll realize the rewards on yet another completed project that you thought had been abandoned. With both a New Moon in Aquarius and Venus conjunct Mars within four days of each other, February 18 to February 21, you could receive unexpected financial remuneration. If your work aligns with your beliefs, the cash will flow more readily. With a Quarter Moon in Gemini on February 25, managing responsibilities could be slippery business if you don't read the fine print. ARIES (March 21 - April 19) It's like the holidays never ended when the February 3 Full Moon rises. Be the life of the party and rock any social scene or gathering. Obviously, keep things under control and get home safely. The New Moon on February 18 is more private and intimate, but it's every bit as intense. Everyone will hear what you say and see what you show them. This might involve some closet charity work or a notso-random act of kindness on your part. The weekend of February 20 to February 22 is steaming hot with romance and passion of all kinds. Play nice! You own this February 3 Full Moon. Romance sparkles, and you may inadvertently catch someone's eye and look like the answer to a dream. Flirt with extreme care (especially if you're already attached). The February 18 New Moon will make crystal clear exactly what you need, what you want, and what you need to do to get it. There will be no indecision. Things may not be easy or fun, but they'll be simple. Sometimes it feels good to not hesitate. Wednesday, February 25, the Sun conjoins Neptune. Seeing is not believing today, but a spiritual "ah ha" moment is likely. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20) (August 23 - September 22) Make a major improvement at home during the February 3 Full Moon, but don't curl up and enjoy it right away, as work may be booming with a lucky break of its own. Private home time will be sweet, though. At the New Moon on February 18, you may start playing a bigger role in a social group or association that means a lot to you. It's probably been on your mind for a while. You don't have to do it forever. The work week starting Monday, February 23, has challenges with the Sun/Saturn square, but people want to get along with you. SAGITTARIUS Venus conjoins Neptune in the sign opposite yours on February 1, so any dreams of love will be under heavy scrutiny. You can be very lucky in the most secretive and mysterious of ways under the February 3 Full Moon. If a perfect partner (possibly but not necessarily romantic) doesn't appear, the image of one might come into focus. The February 18 New Moon may start a lunar month of passionate, magical love. If this sounds like too much excitement, you can downplay your reaction, but the passion won't go away. If already in a happy relationship, the happiness could get deeper and stronger. (November 22 - December 21) The February 3 Full Moon might set you up to teach someone a valuable lesson. You may want to wait until asked, but once you decide it's appropriate, don't be shy about sharing what you know or what you've seen. Home is where your heart is for the February 18 New Moon. It could be an emotional time, and family affairs may intrude more than usual, but it's still full of love and tender feelings. Don't get overwhelmed or paralyzed by it all. A Moon/Jupiter sextile on Thursday, February 26, may provide a pleasant cool-down period to end the month. CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 19) February 3 holds a very serious Full Moon for you, but you don't have to overreact. If someone more intense than you tries to push their agenda, be firm and don't get rattled. This, too, shall pass. With the February 18 New Moon, see your immediate neighborhood (and perhaps some friends) in a new light. Is a new restaurant or coffee shop opening? Let a detour or different traffic pattern show you something new and better. Mars trines Saturn on Wednesday, February 25, firing you up to blast through the work week and the rest of the month. GEMINI (September 23 - October 22) (January 20 - February 18) No matter how busy you are, save time for lightweight, frivolous fun with friends around the February 3 Full Moon. It will recharge your emotional batteries, keep you close to home, and even calm you down. Retrograde Mercury turns direct on Wednesday, February 11. Clear thinking gets easier now. The February 18 New Moon will keep you busy at work, possibly doing more for more people. Grow with the extra responsibility, benefit from it, and learn that it isn't that hard to satisfy all those demands and expectations. Don't be surprised if some people think you've pulled off a magic trick. The February 3 Full Moon lets you walk into a new social scene and vibrate with precisely the right frequency. A lot of people may work hard just to see you happy. Be gracious and let them please you. The February 18 New Moon is also about you, but in a different way. Resolve to keep some little maddening detail of daily life under control. Pick just one. Recycle junk mail promptly or clear out some other clutter. You can feel virtuous all month. The weekend of February 24 is custom made for love and making passionate connections. If they don't last, the memories will. The February 3 Full Moon is all about being lucky in love. If you aren't craving the perfect lover, you may be deep into some other personal passion. Make the most of this short but intense lucky streak. Around the February 18 New Moon, something started last month (or last year) might finally begin to pay for itself. It may be tiny, but you'll know there's life in it and it deserves to continue. Don't sacrifice necessities on this, but don't give up just yet. Mercury has been in Aquarius all month. End the month with things making more sense than ever. CANCER (October 23 - November 21) (February 19 - March 20) You may be preoccupied with money until after the February 3 Full Moon. Be organized and don't be afraid to adjust that budget. Someone else may have advice for you, if not a random act of kindness. If you don't take a trip before or during the February 18 New Moon, someone or something special and exotic could come to you. Spend the rest of the month with your perspective changed and your world widened. The February 27 weekend is an emotionally fragile time, so protect your heart. Be tactful and walk away from silly arguments. citypageskuwait.com LEO (July 23 - August 22) Be lucky and brilliant at work around the February 3 Full Moon. Don't stress or overreact, and you'll possibly see a door open wide for you. If looking, a new or better job might just find you. Mercury goes stationary direct on Wednesday, February 11, with a Scorpio Moon. Others may scramble to resume business as usual, but you'll already be there. The February 18 New Moon holds some thrills. You could get swept away by a risky gamble or wacky amusement. Don't spend (or bet) much on it, but sometimes you need a small break from the routine. Use the first week, especially around the February 3 Full Moon, to get organized and disciplined about your daily routine. Be healthy and habitual. There's magic in these tiny rituals that will make this a strong period for you. The February 18 New Moon is powerful. Start something that's truly a once-in-a-lifetime project or effort and watch it take you where you need to be. It's a special time, so spend it with special people. Wednesday, February 25, may be the spaciest day of the year, with the Sun conjunct Neptune in Pisces. You can cope better than anyone. *All the Illustrations on this page are done by: Sandra Bakhamian @SandraBakhamian and are Copyrighted February, 2015
i don't know
London's Claridge's hotel restaurant attracted pavement demonstrations in 2014 after objecting to a customer's?
CityPagesKuwait February 2015 by CityPages Kuwait (page 152) - issuu issuu HOMEWORK FOR GROWN UPS EVERYTHING YOU LEARNED AT SCHOOL... BUT CAN YOU REMEMBER? General Knowledge Quiz 1. Geographically, Guantanamo Bay is located in: USA; Cuba; Mexico; or Canada? Test Your Vocabulary profitable means : 2. What kitchen-related term refers to a major music publishing/retailing street, notably Manhattan's West 28th Street and London's Denmark Street? 8. Warren Buffett coined (What?) key investment term to symbolize 'competitive immunity' of a corporation: Moat; Boat; Float; or Stoat? 9. If five baskets contain respectively 7, 6, 5, 4 and 3 apples, what is the average number of apples in two baskets? 10. London's Claridge's hotel restaurant attracted pavement demonstrations in 2014 after objecting to a customer's: Weight; Height; E-cigar; or Breastfeeding a baby? 11. The coffin of which famous assassin, buried in 1963 and exhumed in 1981, was sold at auction for $87,500 in 2010? 12. What is the main currency of Bali, Java, Sulawesi, and several thousand other islands of the same nation? 13. What disease causes the human immune system to attack healthy tissue, named/ believed originally from the bite of a wolf? 14. Which of these is not a usual brass instrument pitch, transposed/equating to middle C: Bb; Eb; F; or D? 15. Whose December 2014 official photographs, wearing a guardsman-design knitted pullover, prompted huge sales interest in the product? LETTERS & WORDS There are three bags.The first bag has two blue rocks. The second bag has two red rocks. The third bag has a blue and a red rock. All bags are labeled but all labels are wrong.You are allowed to open one bag, pick one rock at random, see its color and put it back into the bag, without seeing the color of the other rock. How many such operations are necessary to correctly label the bags ? ANSWERS: Just One! 7. The dinosaur Archaeopteryx or (German) 'Urvogel' is considered a main ancestor of modern: Fish; Birds; Cattle; or Mice? 4. needful If u get Blue rock with label as "blue+red" => this is red as all labels are wrong. 6. Toot, Percy, Charlie, ching and chang all refer informally to what? 2. gainful In this way u can logically solve this puzzle. 5. What commodity value is benchmarked in the USA and elsewhere according to (among more technical terms) 'Texas Light Sweet'? 3. peaceful ANSWER: 2. In this question, profitable is an adjective that means yielding material gain. 4. The Golden Spurtle is an annual world championship, held at Scotland's Cairngorms National Park, for: Rock climbing; Salmon fishing; Monster impressions; or Porridge making? 1. thoughtful Things that are profitable make money or are beneficial in other ways. Businesses hope to be profitable in the financial sense, but a profitable relationship is one that's good for everyone involved. Profitable started out as a word to describe anything useful, but it hooked up with finance in the mid-1700’s. Profits are measured in money earned beyond expenses, so profitable businesses or transactions make money. A busy restaurant, sold-out concert, and bestselling book are all profitable. People also use this word for situations that are good in ways that don’t involve money. If you learned a lot from something, then it was a profitable experience, even if you didn't make any cash. 3. Which sugar confectionery adopted the slogan 'Taste the Rainbow' in 1994? 16. Which UK entertainment franchise claimed its use of car registration H982 FKL in Argentina as a purely coincidental reference to the 1982 Falklands War? 18. The expression 'to shirtfront' someone (confront head-on), adopted by certain politicians in 2014, originated in: Ice-Hockey; Rugby Leage; Australian Rules Football; or Ten-pin bowling? 19. The largest ever white (What?) weighing 4.16lbs was sold at NYC Sotheby's for $61,250 in 2014? 20. Name the controversial 'extreme' global taxi-hailing smartphone app, banned by several territories in 2014? ANSWERS: 1.Cuba, 2. Tin Pan Alley, 3. Skittles, 4. Porridge making (a spurtle is a wooden stirrer/cooking implement), 5. Oil (or Petroleum or Crude Oil), 6. Cocaine, 7. Birds (Archeopteryx derives from Greek, 'ancient feather/wing' - Urgvogel means 'first bird'), 8. Moat (symbolizing the gulf between a corporation and its competitors - the bigger the moat, the more investment potential), 9. Ten (7 + 6 + 5 + 4 + 3 = 25, 25 ÷ 5 = 5, 5 x 2 = 10), 10. Breastfeeding a baby, 11. Lee Harvey Oswald (US president John Kennedy's killer), 12. Rupiah (the Indonesian Rupiah, Rp), 13. Lupus (Systemic lupus erythematosus, and SLE are also technically correct answers), 14. D, 15. Prince George (UK), 16. Top Gear, 17. Beats, 18. Australian Rules Football, 19. Truffle, 20. Uber (Uber means 'excessively' or 'over' in German) citypageskuwait.com JUMBLED WORDS V A R O B S C U M I K E D O W R A T E P U B S C E P H Y ANSWERS: BRAVO, MUSIC, WORKED, UPBEAT, PSYCHE 17. Dr Dre became the highest earning musician in 2014 by selling his headphones company (What?) to Apple for c.$600m?
breastfeeding baby
The coffin of which famous assassin, buried in 1963 and exhumed in 1981, was sold at auction for $87,500 in 2010?
CityPagesKuwait February 2015 by CityPages Kuwait (page 152) - issuu issuu HOMEWORK FOR GROWN UPS EVERYTHING YOU LEARNED AT SCHOOL... BUT CAN YOU REMEMBER? General Knowledge Quiz 1. Geographically, Guantanamo Bay is located in: USA; Cuba; Mexico; or Canada? Test Your Vocabulary profitable means : 2. What kitchen-related term refers to a major music publishing/retailing street, notably Manhattan's West 28th Street and London's Denmark Street? 8. Warren Buffett coined (What?) key investment term to symbolize 'competitive immunity' of a corporation: Moat; Boat; Float; or Stoat? 9. If five baskets contain respectively 7, 6, 5, 4 and 3 apples, what is the average number of apples in two baskets? 10. London's Claridge's hotel restaurant attracted pavement demonstrations in 2014 after objecting to a customer's: Weight; Height; E-cigar; or Breastfeeding a baby? 11. The coffin of which famous assassin, buried in 1963 and exhumed in 1981, was sold at auction for $87,500 in 2010? 12. What is the main currency of Bali, Java, Sulawesi, and several thousand other islands of the same nation? 13. What disease causes the human immune system to attack healthy tissue, named/ believed originally from the bite of a wolf? 14. Which of these is not a usual brass instrument pitch, transposed/equating to middle C: Bb; Eb; F; or D? 15. Whose December 2014 official photographs, wearing a guardsman-design knitted pullover, prompted huge sales interest in the product? LETTERS & WORDS There are three bags.The first bag has two blue rocks. The second bag has two red rocks. The third bag has a blue and a red rock. All bags are labeled but all labels are wrong.You are allowed to open one bag, pick one rock at random, see its color and put it back into the bag, without seeing the color of the other rock. How many such operations are necessary to correctly label the bags ? ANSWERS: Just One! 7. The dinosaur Archaeopteryx or (German) 'Urvogel' is considered a main ancestor of modern: Fish; Birds; Cattle; or Mice? 4. needful If u get Blue rock with label as "blue+red" => this is red as all labels are wrong. 6. Toot, Percy, Charlie, ching and chang all refer informally to what? 2. gainful In this way u can logically solve this puzzle. 5. What commodity value is benchmarked in the USA and elsewhere according to (among more technical terms) 'Texas Light Sweet'? 3. peaceful ANSWER: 2. In this question, profitable is an adjective that means yielding material gain. 4. The Golden Spurtle is an annual world championship, held at Scotland's Cairngorms National Park, for: Rock climbing; Salmon fishing; Monster impressions; or Porridge making? 1. thoughtful Things that are profitable make money or are beneficial in other ways. Businesses hope to be profitable in the financial sense, but a profitable relationship is one that's good for everyone involved. Profitable started out as a word to describe anything useful, but it hooked up with finance in the mid-1700’s. Profits are measured in money earned beyond expenses, so profitable businesses or transactions make money. A busy restaurant, sold-out concert, and bestselling book are all profitable. People also use this word for situations that are good in ways that don’t involve money. If you learned a lot from something, then it was a profitable experience, even if you didn't make any cash. 3. Which sugar confectionery adopted the slogan 'Taste the Rainbow' in 1994? 16. Which UK entertainment franchise claimed its use of car registration H982 FKL in Argentina as a purely coincidental reference to the 1982 Falklands War? 18. The expression 'to shirtfront' someone (confront head-on), adopted by certain politicians in 2014, originated in: Ice-Hockey; Rugby Leage; Australian Rules Football; or Ten-pin bowling? 19. The largest ever white (What?) weighing 4.16lbs was sold at NYC Sotheby's for $61,250 in 2014? 20. Name the controversial 'extreme' global taxi-hailing smartphone app, banned by several territories in 2014? ANSWERS: 1.Cuba, 2. Tin Pan Alley, 3. Skittles, 4. Porridge making (a spurtle is a wooden stirrer/cooking implement), 5. Oil (or Petroleum or Crude Oil), 6. Cocaine, 7. Birds (Archeopteryx derives from Greek, 'ancient feather/wing' - Urgvogel means 'first bird'), 8. Moat (symbolizing the gulf between a corporation and its competitors - the bigger the moat, the more investment potential), 9. Ten (7 + 6 + 5 + 4 + 3 = 25, 25 ÷ 5 = 5, 5 x 2 = 10), 10. Breastfeeding a baby, 11. Lee Harvey Oswald (US president John Kennedy's killer), 12. Rupiah (the Indonesian Rupiah, Rp), 13. Lupus (Systemic lupus erythematosus, and SLE are also technically correct answers), 14. D, 15. Prince George (UK), 16. Top Gear, 17. Beats, 18. Australian Rules Football, 19. Truffle, 20. Uber (Uber means 'excessively' or 'over' in German) citypageskuwait.com JUMBLED WORDS V A R O B S C U M I K E D O W R A T E P U B S C E P H Y ANSWERS: BRAVO, MUSIC, WORKED, UPBEAT, PSYCHE 17. Dr Dre became the highest earning musician in 2014 by selling his headphones company (What?) to Apple for c.$600m?
i don't know
What disease causes the human immune system to attack healthy tissue, named/believed originally from the bite of a wolf?
Lupus - In-Depth Report - NY Times Health Skin rashes In-Depth From A.D.A.M. Causes Systemic lupus erythematosus is a complex disorder that most likely results from a combination of processes and factors. Environmental factors, such as viruses, exposure to chemicals, or sunlight, trigger inflammatory or immune activity. This immune activation may begin as an appropriate response to an unwanted "invader." But, because of a combination of genetic factors, an individual with lupus develops an ongoing immune response that does not shut itself off appropriately. This leads to waxing and waning flares of inflammation that can involve various organs of the body, depending on specific features of this self-perpetuating immune response in individual patients. The exact combination of genes that predispose individuals to SLE may differ somewhat from patient to patient, but probably share certain common features which tend to impair the ability of the body to get rid of immune-triggering particles and which tend to prolong or increase the degree of immune responsiveness to these triggers. A major characteristic of lupus is that it is an autoimmune response in which immune factors, called autoantibodies, attack the person's own cells. Some autoantibodies are normal in a well-balanced immune system, and serve various roles to help the body dispose of wastes, protect from infectious invaders, and to keep blood vessels clear. In healthy people, autoantibodies tend to be well-regulated and well "masked," or covered up, until needed. Therefore, it is probably the high activity and high detestability of autoantibodies that makes lupus unique, not the fact that they exist. The Inflammatory Process and Autoimmunity The Normal Immune System Response. The inflammatory process is a byproduct of the activity of the body's immune system, which fights infection and heals wounds and injuries: When an injury or an infection occurs, white blood cells are mobilized to rid the body of any foreign proteins, such as a virus. The masses of blood cells that gather at the injured or infected site produce factors to fight any infections. In the process, the surrounding area becomes inflamed and some healthy tissue is injured. The immune system is then called upon to repair wounds by clotting any bleeding blood vessels and initiating fiber-like patches to the tissue. Under normal conditions, the immune system has special factors that control and limit this inflammatory process. The Infection Fighters. B cells and T cells are two important components of the immune system that play a role in the inflammation associated with lupus. Both B cells and T cells belong to a family of immune cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes help fight infection. B cells and T cells are involved in the immune system's response to infection. Antigens are foreign bodies (such as bacteria and viruses) that stimulate the immune system to produce autoantibodies. When a T cell recognizes an antigen it will produce chemicals (cytokines) that cause B cells to multiply and release many immune proteins (antibodies). These antibodies circulate widely in the bloodstream, recognizing the foreign particles and triggering inflammation in order to rid the body of the invasion. An antigen is a substance that can provoke an immune response. Typically antigens are substances not usually found in the body. For reasons that are still not completely understood, both the T cells and B cells become overactive in lupus patients. In lupus, a complex interaction between activated immune cells and an impaired antigen-elimination process leads to a greater than normal range of what the antibodies recognize. Eventually, antibodies are made that recognize more of the body's own tissues in a stronger or more persistent manner than is healthy, and inflammatory responses are mounted in these tissues. Autoantibodies. In the majority of patients with SLE, antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are detectable. Such autoantibodies may be present in individuals up to 7 years prior to their developing symptoms of lupus. Some subtypes of ANA are found in lupus patients and only rarely in people without lupus. These include: Anti-ds DNA. An autoantibody called anti-double stranded DNA (anti-ds DNA) may play an important role in some lupus patients. Anti-Sm antibodies. This antibody is found most often in lupus patients of African descent and is almost never detected in people without lupus. Anti-Ro (SSA) and Anti-La (SSB) Antiphospholipid antibodies Cytokines. Most immune cells secrete or stimulate the production of powerful immune factors called cytokines. In small amounts, cytokines are indispensable for maintaining the balance of the body during immune responses, including: Infections Clearing of debris from inflamed blood vessels Other aspects of healing. If overproduced, however, they can cause serious damage, including dangerous levels of inflammation and cellular injury. Specific cytokines called interferons and interleukins play a critical role in SLE by regulating the secretion of autoantibodies by B cells. Complement. Another immune factor of high interest in SLE is the complement system. This is comprised of more than 30 proteins and is important for defending and regulating the immune response. Inherited deficiencies in certain complement components (C1q, C1r, C1s, C4, and C2) have long been associated with SLE. Genetic Factors SLE is a complex disorder and researchers are still in the early stages of unraveling how genetic factors may alter and affect the immune system. Researchers estimate that 20 - 100 different genetic factors may make a person susceptible to SLE. In-Depth From A.D.A.M. Risk Factors The number of people diagnosed with lupus has more than tripled over the past four decades. This may simply indicate a greater degree of doctor training in recognizing the syndrome. Gender About 90% of lupus patients are women, most diagnosed when they are in their childbearing ages. Hormones may be an explanation. After menopause, women are only 2.5 times as likely as men to contract SLE. Flares also become somewhat less common after menopause in women who have chronic SLE. Ethnicity African-Americans are three to four times more likely to develop the disease than Caucasians and to have severe complications. Hispanics and Asians are also more susceptible to the disease. Family History A family history plays a strong role in SLE. A brother or sister of a patient with the disorder has 20 times the risk as someone without an immediate family member with SLE. Risk Factors in Children The disease is rare in childhood. When it does occur, it is often associated with thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura, a condition resulting from abnormally low levels of blood platelets. SLE in children may also be caused by certain medications, including minocycline and zafirlukast. Presence of Other Autoimmune Disorders Rheumatoid Arthritis. Studies have investigated the relationship among hormones, SLE, and rheumatoid arthritis, another autoimmune disease. Higher levels of estrogen are associated with SLE, while lower levels are associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Some research suggests that some patients, in fact, progress from one disease to the other, and that such transitions occur during major hormonal shifts, such as the onset of menopause or pregnancy. Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disease that initially attacks the lining, or synovium, of the joints. Drug-Induced Lupus Many prescription drugs can cause lupus-like skin symptoms. These include high blood pressure (hypertension) medications, including hydrochlorothiazide, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors, and calcium-channel blockers. About 40 different drugs have been linked to lupus onset. Anyone diagnosed with cutaneous lupus erythematosus should be sure to tell their doctors all the medications (including herbs and supplements) that they are taking. Lifestyle Factors Smoking. Smoking may be a risk factor for triggering SLE and can increase the risk for skin and kidney problems in women who have the disease. Possible SLE Triggers In genetically susceptible people, there are various external factors that can provoke an immune response. Possible SLE triggers include colds, fatigue, stress, chemicals, sunlight, and certain drugs. Viruses. Patients with SLE may be more likely to have been exposed to certain viruses than the general population. These viruses include the Epstein-Barr virus (the cause of mononucleosis), cytomegalovirus, and parvovirus-B1. In particular, some research suggests a strong association between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and increased risk of lupus, particularly for African-Americans. Sunlight. Ultraviolet (UV) rays found in sunlight are important SLE triggers. When they bombard the skin, they can alter the structure of DNA in cells below the surface. The immune system may perceive these altered skin cells as foreign and trigger an autoimmune response against them. UV light is categorized as UVB or UVA depending on the length of the wave. Shorter UVB wavelengths cause the most harm. Chemicals. Clusters of SLE cases have occurred in populations with high exposure to certain chemicals. Chlorinated pesticides and crystalline silica are two suspects. A number of other chemicals are under investigation. However, it is very difficult to determine a causal role for any specific chemicals. (Silicone breast implants have been under intense scrutiny as a possible trigger of autoimmune diseases, including SLE. The weight of evidence to date, however, finds no support for this concern.) Some drugs have been associated with a temporary lupus syndrome (drug-induced lupus), which resolves when these drugs are stopped. Hormones. Cytokines, major immune factors that are active in SLE, are directly affected by sex hormones. In general, estrogen enhances antibody production, and testosterone reduces antibody production, although their exact role in SLE may be more complicated than that since there are various ways in which each hormone might influence various immune cells. Women with SLE may have lower levels of several active male hormones (androgens), and some men who are affected by SLE may also have abnormal androgen levels. Premature menopause, and its accompanying symptoms (such as hot flashes), is common in women with SLE. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which is used to relieve these symptoms, increases the risk for blood clots and heart problems. It is not clear whether HRT triggers SLE flares. Women should discuss with their doctors whether HRT is an appropriate and safe choice. Guidelines recommend that women who take HRT use the lowest possible dose for the shortest possible time. Women with SLE who have active disease, antiphospholipid antibodies, or a history of blood clots or heart disease should not use HRT. Oral Contraceptives. Female patients with lupus used to be cautioned against taking oral contraceptives (OCs) due to the possibility that estrogen could trigger lupus flare-ups. However, recent evidence indicates that OCs are safe, at least for women with inactive or stable lupus. Women who have been newly diagnosed with lupus should avoid OCs. Lupus can cause complications in its early stages. For this reason, women should wait until the disease reaches a stable state before taking OCs. In addition, women who have a history of, or who are at high risk for, blood clots (particularly women with antiphospholipid syndrome) should not use OCs. The estrogen in OCs increases the risk for blood clots. In-Depth From A.D.A.M. Symptoms SLE symptoms may develop slowly over months or years, or they may appear suddenly. Symptoms tend to be worse during winter months, perhaps because prolonged exposure to sunlight in the summer causes a gradual build-up of factors that trigger symptoms months later. Arthritic Pain The most common symptom is joint pain, which occurs in about 90% of patients with SLE. Characteristics of this symptom vary widely: It is often accompanied by swelling and redness. It can last from hours to months. It may be mild or severe. It can occur in one joint, move from one to another, or flare erratically. Pain often occurs in the morning and improves during the day, only to return later when the patient tires. The joints most affected are fingers, wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles. (Joints in the spine and neck are not affected.) Children may experience these symptoms as growing pains, and, in all patients, they may be the only symptoms for many years. Fever Fever occurs in 90% of patients with SLE and is usually caused by the inflammatory process of the disease, not by infection. It is low-grade except during an acute lupus crisis. Skin Rashes Three-quarters of patients with SLE have skin inflammation and skin lesions (ulcers, rashes, or other injured areas). About half of these lesions are photosensitive; that is, they are aggravated by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight, even from light coming through a window. (UV radiation may even trigger systemic flares in patients with SLE.) A number of different skin conditions have been described in patients with SLE. Discoid Lupus Erythematosus. About 20% of patients have discoid lesions. In such cases, the condition is often known as discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). Patients with this condition may have the following skin abnormalities: Discoid means coin-shaped, so these lesions are round and raised. They are also scaly. Untreated, the margins gradually extend outward as the center dries out and shrivels, causing severe scarring. If discoid lesions appear on the scalp, they can plug hair follicles and cause irreversible hair loss. Discoid lesions can also appear on the upper body. Lupus, discoid -- view of lesions on the chest: This close-up picture of the neck clearly shows the typical rounded appearance of discoid lupus. The whitish appearance is caused by scaling. The two dark spots are biopsy sites and are not part of the disease. A butterfly-shaped rash across the face may accompany this condition. This rash causes little scarring, although spidery, branching lines of swollen capillaries (the tiniest blood vessels) may appear. Click the icon to see an image of systemic lupus erythematosus. Most patients with this condition have only a limited skin disorder. In only about 10% of cases does discoid lupus develop into full-blown SLE. Subacute Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus. Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) can cause skin lesions on parts of the body that are exposed to sunlight. These lesions do not cause scarring. Vasculitis. Patients with SLE sometimes develop inflammation in the blood vessels (vasculitis) that may have the following effects on the skin: Red welts may form across large areas of the body. Sometimes deep red bumps may appear, particularly on the leg, where they may ulcerate. In some people, reddish-purple lesions appear on the pads of fingers and toes or near the nails of fingers and toes. Lesions caused by vasculitis may ulcerate or blister if they erupt on mucous membranes in the mouth, nose, or vagina and can be painful if they occur on the throat. Vasulitis can attack blood vessels in almost any other organ, including the brain, the heart, and the gastrointestinal tract. Loss of appetite, nausea, and weight loss Chest pain Sleep disorders, such as restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea Dryness of the eyes and mouth Brittle hair or hair loss Hair loss or breakage may also occur in about half of patients with SLE during severe flares or after pregnancy or severe illness. In such cases, hair grows back. Raynaud's Phenomenon Raynaud's phenomenon is a condition in which cold or stress can cause spasms in impaired blood vessels, resulting in pain in fingers and toes. It occurs as part of the inflammatory response in blood vessels, which can narrow them and reduce circulation. In extreme cases, gangrene can result. A number of conditions overlap with SLE: Scleroderma: Hardening of the skin caused by overproduction of collagen Rheumatoid arthritis: Inflammation of the lining of the joints Sjögren syndrome: Characterized by dry eyes and dry mouth Mixed connective tissue disorder: Similar to SLE, but milder Myositis: Inflammation and degeneration of muscle tissues Rosacea: Flushed face with pus-filled blisters Seborrheic dermatitis: Sores on lips and nose Lichen planus: Swollen rash that itches, typically on scalp, arms, legs, or in the mouth Dermatomyositis: Bluish-red skin eruptions on face and upper body Lyme disease: Bulls-eye rash, joint inflammation, and flu-like symptoms In-Depth From A.D.A.M. Complications Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can cause systemic complications throughout the body. Complications of the Blood Almost 85% of patients with SLE experience problems associated with abnormalities in the blood. Anemia. About half of patients with SLE are anemic. Causes include: Iron deficiencies resulting from excessive menstruation Iron deficiencies from gastro-intestinal bleeding caused by some of the treatments A specific anemia called hemolytic anemia, which destroys red blood cells Anemia of chronic disease Hemolytic anemia can occur with very high levels of the anticardiolipin antibody. It can be chronic or develop suddenly and be severely (acute). Antiphospholipid Syndrome. Between 34 - 42% of patients with SLE have antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). This is a specific set of conditions related to the presence of autoantibodies called lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin. These autoantibodies react against fatty molecules called phospholipids, and so are called antiphospholipids. Their actions have complex effects that include causing narrowing and abnormalities of blood vessels. Patients who have APS have a very incidence of blood clots, which most often occur in the deep veins in the legs. Blood clotting, in turn, puts patients at higher risk for stroke and pulmonary embolism (clots in the lungs). This picture shows a red and swollen thigh and leg caused by a blood clot (thrombus) in the deep veins in the groin (iliofemoral veins). Such a clot prevents normal return of blood from the leg to the heart. The effects on blood vessels have also been associated with confusion, headaches, and seizures. Leg ulcers can also develop. Patients with APS who become pregnant have a high incidence of pregnancy loss, especially in the late term. Not all patients with APS carry both of the autoantibodies, and they can also wax and wane and so have varying effects. APS also occurs without lupus in about half of patients with the syndrome. Thrombocytopenia. In thrombocytopenia, antibodies attack and destroy blood platelets. In such cases, blood clotting is impaired, which causes bruising and bleeding from the skin, nose, gums, or intestines. (This condition can also occur in APS, but it is not considered to be one of the standard features of the syndrome.) Neutropenia. Neutropenia is a drop in the number of white blood cells. Patients with SLE often neutropenia, but the condition is usually harmless unless the reductions are so severe that they leave the patient vulnerable to infections. Acute Lupus Hemophagocyte Syndrome. A rare blood complication of SLE that occurs primarily in Asians is called acute lupus hemophagocytic syndrome. It is generally of short duration and characterized by fever and a sudden drop in blood cells and platelets. Lymphomas. Patients with SLE and other autoimmune disorders have a greater risk for developing lymph system cancers such as Hodgkin’s disease and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). Heart and Circulation Complications Heart disease is a primary cause of death in lupus patients. The immune response in SLE can cause chronic inflammation and other damaging effects that can cause significant injury to the arteries and tissues associated with the circulation and the heart. In addition, SLE treatments (particularly corticosteroids) affect cholesterol, weight, and other factors that can also affect the heart. Patients with SLE, have a higher risk for developing the following conditions, which put them at risk for heart attack or stroke: Atherosclerosis, or plaque buildup in the arteries Increased stiffness in the arteries Unhealthy cholesterol and lipid (fatty molecules) levels High blood pressure, most likely because of kidney injury and corticosteroid treatments Heart failure Abnormalities in the valves of the heart (rare) Blood clots The risk for cardiovascular disease, heart attack, and stroke is much higher than average in younger women with SLE. The risks decline as such women age. Lung Complications SLE affects the lungs in about 60% of patients: Inflammation of the membrane lining the lung (pleurisy) is the most common problem, which can cause shortness of breath and coughing. In some cases, fluid accumulates, a condition called pleural effusion. Inflammation of the lung tissue itself is called lupus pneumonitis. It can be caused by infections or by the SLE inflammatory process. Symptoms are the same in both cases: fever, chest pain, labored breathing, and coughing. Rarely, lupus pneumonitis becomes chronic and causes scarring in the lungs, which reduces their ability to deliver oxygen to the blood. A very serious and rare condition called pulmonary hypertension occurs when high pressure develops as a result of damage to the blood vessels of the lungs. Click the icon to see an image of primary pulmonary hypertension. Kidney Complications (Lupus Nephritis) The kidneys are a crucial battleground in SLE because it is here that the debris left over from the immune attacks is most likely to be deposited. Also, the immune response can also attack different parts of the kidney causing damage. About 50% of patients with SLE exhibit inflammation of the kidneys (called lupus nephritis).This condition occurs in different forms and can vary from mild to severe. Poor kidney function and kidney failure may result from this damage. Serious complications occur eventually in about 30% of patients. If kidney injury develops, it almost always occurs within 10 years of the onset of SLE, rarely after that. Central Nervous System Complications Nearly all patients with SLE report some symptoms relating to problems that occur in the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the spinal cord and the brain. CNS involvement is more likely to occur in the first year, usually during flare-ups in other organs. Symptoms vary widely and overlap with psychiatric or neurologic disorders. They may also be caused by of some medications used for SLE. Central nervous system symptoms are usually mild, but there is little effective treatment available for them. CNS symptoms get worse as the disease progresses. The most serious CNS disorder is inflammation of the blood vessels in the brain (vasculitis), which occurs in 10% of patients with SLE. Fever, seizures, psychosis, and even coma can occur. Other CNS side effects include: Irritability Problems with the reflex systems, sensation, vision, hearing, and motor control Infections Infections are a common complication and a major cause of death in all stages of SLE. The immune system is indeed overactive in SLE, but it is also abnormal and reduces the ability to fight infections. Patients are not only prone to the ordinary streptococcal and staphylococcal infections, but they are also susceptible to fungal and parasitic infections (called opportunistic infections), which are common in people with weakened immune systems. They also face an increased risk for urinary tract, herpes, salmonella, and yeast infections. Corticosteroid and immunosuppressants, treatments used for SLE, also increase the risk for infections, thereby compounding the problem. Gastrointestinal Complications About 45% of patients with SLE suffer gastrointestinal problems, including nausea, weight loss, mild abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Severe inflammation of the intestinal tract occurs in less than 5% of patients and causes acute cramping, vomiting, diarrhea, and, rarely, intestinal perforation, which can be life-threatening. Fluid retention and swelling can cause intestinal obstruction, which is much less serious but causes the same type of severe pain. Inflammation of the pancreas can be caused by the disease and by corticosteroid therapy. Joint, Muscle, and Bone Complications Arthritis caused by SLE almost never leads to destruction or deformity of joints. The inflammatory process can, however, damage muscles and cause weakness. Patients with SLE also commonly experience reductions in bone mass density (osteoporosis) and have a higher risk for fractures, whether or not they are taking corticosteroids (which can increase the risk for osteoporosis). Women who have SLE should have regular bone mineral density scans to monitor bone health. Click the icon to see an image of osteoporosis. Eye Complications Inflamed blood vessels in the eye can reduce blood supply to the retina, resulting in degeneration of nerve cells and a risk of hemorrhage in the retina. The most common symptoms are cotton-wool-like spots on the retina. In about 5% of patients sudden temporary blindness may occur. Socioeconomic Consequences In one study, 40% of patients with SLE quit work within 4 years of diagnosis, and many had to modify their work conditions. Significant factors that predicted job loss included high physical demands from the work itself, a more severe condition at the time of diagnosis, and lower educational levels. People with lower income jobs were at particular risk for leaving them. Pregnancy and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Women with lupus who conceive face high-risk pregnancies that increase the risks for themselves and their babies. It is important for women to understand the potential complications and plan accordingly. The most important advice is to avoid becoming pregnant when lupus is active. Research suggests that the following factors predict a successful pregnancy: Disease state at time of conception. Doctors strongly recommend that women wait to conceive until their disease state has been inactive for at least 6 months. Kidney (renal) function. Women should make sure that their kidney function is evaluated prior to conception. Poor kidney function can worsen high blood pressure and cause excess protein in the urine. These complications increase the risk for preeclampsia and miscarriage. Lupus-related antibodies. Antiphospholipid and anticardiolipin antibodies can increase the risks for preeclampsia, miscarriage, and stillbirths. Anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies can increase the risk for neonatal lupus erythematosus, a condition that can cause skin rash and liver and heart damage to the newborn baby. Levels of these antibodies should be tested at the start of pregnancy. Certain medications (aspirin, heparin) and tests (fetal heart monitoring) may be needed to ensure a safe pregnancy. Medication use during pregnancy. Women with active disease may need to take low-dose corticosteroids, but women with inactive disease should avoid these drugs. Steroids appear to pose a low risk for birth defects, but can increase a pregnant woman’s risks for gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, infection, and osteoporosis. For patients who need immunosuppressive therapy, azathioprine (Imuran) is an option. Methotrexate (Rheumatrex) and cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) should not be taken during pregnancy. Pregnancy Risks Women with lupus are 20 times more likely to die during pregnancy than women without the disease. The risk for maternal death is due to the following serious conditions that can develop during pregnancy: Miscarriages. About 25% of lupus pregnancies result in miscarriage. The risk is highest for patients with antiphospholipid antibodies, active kidney disease, or high blood pressure. Blood clots. Women with lupus have a 6 times greater risk for developing deep vein thrombosis (blood clots) than women without the disease. Clotting complications. Low blood platelet count and anemia are also risks. Women with lupus are 3 times more likely to need a transfusion during pregnancy than women without lupus. Infections. Blood infections (sepsis), pneumonia, and urinary tract infections are more common in pregnant women with lupus. Preeclampsia. Women with lupus are three times more likely than healthy women to develop preeclampsia (pregnancy-related high blood pressure), which can be potentially life threatening. Birth Complications. Women with SLE have an increased risk of having a pre-term birth, stillbirth, or Caesarean section. Despite these obstacles, many women with lupus have healthy pregnancies and deliver healthy babies. To increase the odds of a successful pregnancy, it is important for women to plan carefully before becoming pregnant. Be sure to find knowledgeable doctors with whom you can communicate and trust. Pregnant women with lupus should try to assemble an interdisciplinary health care team that includes a rheumatologist, high-risk obstetrician, and (for patients with kidney disease) a nephrologist. In-Depth From A.D.A.M. Prognosis Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is one of the most serious rheumatic diseases. SLE can affect so many organs that a cause of death in some people with SLE may not be directly attributed to the condition. A primary cause of death among patients with lupus is atherosclerosis, a disease of the coronary blood vessels resulting from accelerated buildup of plaque. SLE is unpredictable and varies greatly form one individual to the next. Mild SLE. About 20 - 30% of cases are mild. The only symptoms may be the skin rashes of discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) or subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) with or without joint aches. The number and intensity of symptoms in mild cases often decrease over time, as does the likelihood of major organ involvement. Patients with mild SLE should still be tested for organ involvement. Widespread SLE. More commonly, SLE is a chronic, life-long disease, alternating between periods of symptom relapse, (called flares), and remission. The disease may begin in any of the various systems of the body and progress unpredictably to others. The following are typical patterns: Symptom relapses, or flares, occur on the average of two or three times a year. Between flares, most patients with SLE function at about 90% of normal capacity. The degree of severity depends on different factors: Severity of the inflammatory response Frequency of episodes The degree of organ or system involvement Vital organs or systems, such as lungs, kidneys, nervous system, joints skin, and others are affected in over a half of patients with SLE. Infections followed by kidney failure are the chief causes of death in patients with SLE. Because of more effective and aggressive treatment, the prognosis for SLE has improved markedly over the past two decades. Treatment early in the course of the illness improves long-term progress. About 85 - 95% of people with lupus survive 10 years, and many people have a normal life span. SLE that develops later in life is generally less serious than SLE that strikes in childhood or young adulthood. In-Depth From A.D.A.M. Diagnosis No single test can confirm or rule out SLE. A number of tests are required before SLE can be diagnosed definitively. The first symptoms of SLE can resemble one of many syndromes or disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, Still's disease, rheumatic fever, Lyme disease, multiple sclerosis, thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura, cryoglobulinemia, Weber-Christian disease, viral infections, vasculitis, psychosis, and other conditions. Other autoimmune disorders, such as Sjögren syndrome or scleroderma, may even be present at the same time as SLE. Criteria for Diagnosing System Lupus Erythematosus 1. Characteristic rash across the cheek 2. Discoid lesion rash Table 1:Criteria for Diagnosing System Lupus Erythematosus Tests for Autoantibodies Methods for measuring the antibodies involved with SLE vary, and the range of results can be bewildering. Repeat tests may be needed. Antinuclear Antibodies (ANAs). A primary test for SLE checks for antinuclear antibodies (ANA), which attack the cell nucleus. High levels of ANA are found in more than 98% of patients with SLE. Other conditions, however, also cause high levels of ANA, so a positive test is not a definite diagnosis for SLE: Antinuclear antibodies may be strongly present in other autoimmune diseases (such as scleroderma, Sjögren syndrome, or rheumatoid arthritis). They also may be weakly present in about 20 - 40% of healthy women. Some drugs can also produce positive antibody tests, including hydralazine, procainamide, isoniazid, and chlorpromazine. A negative ANA test makes a diagnosis of SLE unlikely but not impossible. High or low concentrations of ANA also do not necessarily indicate the severity of the disease, since antibodies tend to come and go in patients with SLE. In general, the ANA test is considered a screening test: If SLE-like symptoms are present and the ANA test is positive, other tests for SLE will be administered. If SLE-like symptoms are not present and the test is positive, the doctor will look for other causes, or the results will be ignored if the patient is feeling healthy. ANA Subtypes. In some cases, doctors may test for specific ANA subtypes. Anti-double stranded DNA (Anti-ds DNA) is more likely to be found only in patients with SLE. It may play an important role in injury to blood vessels found in SLE, and high levels often indicate kidney involvement. Anti-ds DNA levels tend to fluctuate over time and may even disappear. Anti-Sm antibodies are also usually found only with SLE. Levels are more constant and are more likely to be detected in African-American patients. Although many lupus patients may not have this antibody, its presence almost always indicates SLE. When the ANA is negative but the diagnosis is still strongly suspected, a test for anti-Ro (also called anti-SSA) and anti-La (also called anti-SSB) antibodies may identify patients with a rare condition called ANA negative, Ro lupus. These autoantibodies may be involved in the sun-sensitive rashes experienced by patients with SLE and are also found in association with neonatal lupus syndrome, in which a pregnant mother's antibodies cross the placenta and cause inflammation in the developing child's skin or heart. Antibodies to SR Proteins. An advance in diagnosing SLE has been the detection of antibodies to molecules called SR proteins, which are carried by most patients. The test accurately detects lupus in 50 - 70% of patients who test positive for these antibodies. Antiphospholipid Antibodies. In patients with SLE in whom blood abnormalities are suspected, tests may be able to detect the presence of the two major antiphospholipid antibodies: A quarter to a half of patients with SLE may have these antibodies. Antiphospholipid antibodies increase the risks for blood clots and may be responsible for narrowing of (and irregularities in) blood vessels. Antiphospholipid antibodies are linked with miscarriages and other pregnancy complications, strokes, heart attacks and blood clots in almost any part of the body, including kidneys, legs, lungs, and eyes. The test for the lupus anticoagulant antibody measures the time it takes blood to clot. A longer than normal blood clotting time indicates a higher chance for clotting in the body and, therefore, the presence of lupus anticoagulant. An ELISA test (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) is performed to detect the anticardiolipin antibody. As with the ANA, these antibodies also have a tendency to appear and disappear in a single patient. Patients who have these autoantibodies as well as blood clotting problems or frequent miscarriage are diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), which often occurs in SLE but can also develop independently. Miscellaneous Blood Tests Complement. Blood tests of patients with SLE often show low levels of serum complement, a protein in the blood that aids the body's infection fighters. Individual proteins are termed by the letter "C" followed by a number. Common complement tests measure C3, C4, C1q, and CH50. Complement levels are especially low if there is kidney involvement or other disease activity. LE Cell Tests. The first blood test ever used for SLE called LE (lupus erythematosus) cell test is positive in only about half of patients with SLE and is no longer used that often. Blood Count. White and red blood cell and platelet counts are usually lower than normal and, depending on severity, are used to determine complications, such as anemia or infection. Click the icon to see an image of the formed elements of blood. Skin Tests If a skin rash is present, the doctor may take a biopsy (a tissue sample) from the margin of a skin lesion. A test known as a lupus band detects antibodies known as immunoglobulin G (IgG), which are located just below the outer layer of the tissue sample. They are much more likely to be present with active SLE then with inactive disease. The biopsy will not differentiate between systemic and discoid lupus, but it can rule out other diseases. Tests for other antibodies will rule out or confirm discoid lupus and subacute cutaneous lupus. Tests for Serious Complications of SLE Kidney Damage and Lupus Nephritis. Kidney damage in patients already diagnosed with SLE may be detected from the following tests: Blood tests that measure creatinine, a protein metabolized in muscles and excreted in the urine. High levels suggest kidney damage, although kidney problems can also be present with normal creatinine levels. Tests for detecting anti-ds DNA antibodies and complements. A kidney biopsy. This may be performed to determine if lupus nephritis is present when less invasive tests indicate kidney involvement. It is not absolutely accurate but it helps determine treatment. Electron microscopy (very high-powered electronic microscopes) may be especially important in obtaining critical information on the degree of kidney damage. Lung and Heart Involvement. A chest x-ray may be performed to check lung and heart function. An electrocardiogram and an echocardiogram are administered if heart disease is suspected. Click the icon to see an image of an electrocardiogram. Central Nervous System Complications. SLE occurring in the central nervous system (CNS) can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are easily confused with other psychiatric and neurologic conditions. Tests of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for elevated levels of autoantibodies are the most reliable ways to detect CNS complications caused by a faulty immune system. Additional tests, including electroencephalograms (EEGs), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), or x-rays may be useful when blood vessel blockage in the brain is suspected. If the doctor suspects that CNS symptoms are caused by infection, especially for patients who are receiving immunosuppressant therapy, a lumbar puncture should be performed. Osteoporosis. To detect early osteoporosis in patients with SLE whose disease has lasted more than 3.5 years, doctors recommend an imaging test called dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) to measure bone mineral density. In-Depth From A.D.A.M. Treatment No treatment cures systemic lupus erythematosus, but many therapies can suppress symptoms and relieve discomfort. Treatment of SLE varies depending on the extent and severity of the disease. Only three drugs are FDA-approved for the treatment of lupus: Prednisone Aspirin Hydroxychloroquine However, none of these drugs are the current standard of care. In everyday practice, numerous other drugs are commonly used. Researchers are conducting numerous clinical studies and drug investigations. Genetic research in lupus is progressing very rapidly, and hopefully new drugs will be approved in the future. There are also different drugs available to treat some of the conditions associated with lupus. Treating Mild Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Less intensive treatments may be effective for symptoms of mild lupus. They include: Creams and sunblocks for rashes Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for fever, arthritis, and headache Antimalarial drugs for pleurisy, mild kidney involvement, and inflammation of the tissue surrounding the heart Treating Severe Systemic Lupus Erythematosus More aggressive treatment is needed if there is serious disease progression, as evidenced by: Hemolytic anemia Acute inflammation of the small blood vessels in the extremities or gastrointestinal tract Severe central nervous system symptoms The primary approach to treating severe SLE is to suppress the immune factors, most often first with corticosteroids and other immunosuppressant drugs. Investigational drugs and procedures are also showing promise. Treating Specific Complications The major complications of the disease must be treated as separate problems, keeping in mind the specific aspects of SLE. They are discussed elsewhere in this report. In-Depth From A.D.A.M. Treatment for Cutaneous and Mild SLE Creams. Steroid creams are often used for skin lesions. However, many patients with discoid lupus do not respond to steroids, particularly if they have eruptions that are caused by sun sensitivity. A cream derived from vitamin A (Tegison) may help some lesions that do not clear up with steroid creams. Sun Protection. Sun protection is essential. Patients should always use sunblock creams (not just sunscreens) and always wear hats and clothing made of tightly woven fabrics. Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) Common NSAIDs. NSAIDs block prostaglandins, the substances that dilate blood vessels and cause inflammation and pain. There are dozens of NSAIDs. Over-the-counter NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve), ketoprofen (Actron, Orudis KT). Prescription NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Motrin), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox), diclofenac (Voltaren), tolmetin (Tolectin), ketoprofen (Orudis, Oruvail), dexibuprofen (Seractil). For people with lupus, NSAIDs may help relieve: Joint pain and swelling Muscle pain Side Effects. Regular, long-term use of NSAIDs can cause ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding, which can lead to anemia. To avoid these problems, it’s best to take NSAIDs with food or immediately after a meal. Long-term use of NSAIDs (with the exception of aspirin) can also increase the risk for heart attack and stroke. Other NSAID side effects may include: Upset stomach Rash Reduced kidney function Patients who have kidney problems associated with lupus (lupus nephritis) should be especially cautious about using NSAIDs. Patients with lupus who take NSAIDs on a regular basis should have their liver and kidney function tested every 3 - 4 months. An ulcer is a crater-like lesion on the skin or mucous membrane caused by an inflammatory, infectious, or malignant condition. Patients can take certain medicines to suppress the acid in the stomach causing the erosion of the stomach lining. Endoscopic therapy can be used to stop bleeding from the ulcer. Antimalarial Drugs A doctor may prescribe antimalarial drugs for discoid lupus (skin sores) or mild lupus when skin problems and joint pains are the predominant symptoms: Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) is the most common antimalarial drug used for lupus. This drug is effective as maintenance therapy to reduce flares in patients with mild or inactive disease. Hydroxychloroquine may help protect against blood clots in people with antiphospholipid syndrome, high cholesterol levels, and bone loss. Other antimalarial drugs include chloroquine (Aralen) or quinacrine (Atabrine). Treatment may start initially with high doses in order to accumulate high levels of the drug in the bloodstream. It is not known exactly why antimalarials work. Some researchers believe they inhibit the immune response, and others think they interfere specifically with inflammation. Side Effects. Side effects of antimalarials may include: Skin rash Muscle aches Eye damage The most serious is damage to the retina, although this is very uncommon at low doses. Eye damage after taking hydroxychloroquine is reversible when caught in time and treated, but it is not reversible if the damage develops after taking chloroquine. An eye exam is advisable about every 6 months. Antimalarials may also be used in combination with other anti-SLE drugs, including immunosuppressants and corticosteroids. It should be noted that smoking significantly reduces the effectiveness of antimalarial drugs. In-Depth From A.D.A.M. Treatment for Severe SLE Corticosteroids Severe SLE is treated with corticosteroids, also called steroids, which suppress the inflammatory process. Steroids can help relieve many of the complications and symptoms, including anemia and kidney involvement. Oral prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone) is usually prescribed. Other drugs include methylprednisolone (Medrol, Solumedrol), hydrocortisone, and dexamethasone (Decadron). Some people need to take oral prednisone for only a short time; others may require it for a long duration. An intravenous administration of methylprednisolone using "pulse" therapy for 3 days is proving useful for flare-ups in the joints. Combinations with other drugs, particularly immunosuppressants, may be beneficial. Regimens vary widely, depending on the severity and location of the disease. Most patients with SLE can eventually function without prednisone, although some may have to choose between the long-term toxicity of corticosteroids and the complications of active disease. Side Effects of Long-Term Oral Corticosteroids. Unfortunately, serious and even life-threatening complications have been associated with long-term steroid use. The bone-thinning condition osteoporosis is a common and particularly severe long-term side effect of prolonged steroid use. Medications that can prevent osteoporosis include calcium supplements, parathyroid hormone, alendronate risedronate, or hormone replacement therapy in post-menopausal women. Other side effects associated with prolonged use of oral steroids include: Cataracts Insomnia Psychosis Withdrawal from Long-Term Use of Oral Corticosteroids. Long-term use of oral steroid medications suppresses secretion of natural steroid hormones by the adrenal glands. After withdrawal from these drugs, this so-called adrenal suppression persists and it can take the body a while (sometimes up to a year) to regain its ability to produce natural steroids again. A few cases of severe adrenal insufficiency have occurred when patients switched from oral to inhaled steroids, which, in rare cases, has resulted in death. No one should stop taking any steroids without consulting a doctor first, and if steroids are withdrawn, regular follow-up monitoring is necessary. Patients should discuss with their doctors measures for preventing adrenal insufficiency during withdrawal, particularly during stressful times, when the risk increases. Immunosuppressant Drugs Drugs known as immunosuppressants are often used, either alone or with corticosteroids for very active SLE, particularly when kidney or neurologic involvement or acute blood vessel inflammation is present. These drugs suppress the immune system by damaging cells that grow rapidly, including those that produce antibodies. About a third of patients take immunosuppressants at some point in the course of the disease. Specific Immunosuppressants. The most common immunosuppressants are: Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) used to be considered the gold standard of treatment for lupus kidney disease (lupus nephritis). Cyclophosphamide is given intravenously and is sometimes used in combination with corticosteroids or other drugs. It has been used for lupus since the 1970s. Side effects are very severe and include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, infertility, and infections. Mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept, Myfortic) is now becoming the new standard. Many recent studies have shown that this drug works better than cyclophosphamide and causes far fewer severe side effects (diarrhea is the main side effect). Unlike cyclophosphamide, it is taken by mouth. Most doctors now recommend mycophenalate mofetil as a first-line treatment for newly diagnosed patients with mild or moderate lupus kidney disease. It may not be appropriate for patients with kidney failure or rapidly progressing kidney disease. Mycophenolate mofetil should not be used during pregnancy as it can cause miscarriage and birth defects. Azathioprine (Imuran) has the lowest toxicity, but is less effective than other immunosuppressants. Cyclosporine (Sandimmune) has been used for years, mostly for SLE associated with kidney involvement. High blood pressure is common, however, with this drug. The most frequent side effects of immunosuppressants include: Stomach and intestinal problems Liver and bladder toxicity Increased risk of cancer In general, immunosuppressants should not be used alone unless corticosteroids are ineffective or inappropriate. Grapefruit juice has an enzyme that may enhance the effects of some immunosuppressants. Investigational Treatments Monoclonal Antibodies (MAbs). A MAb is a laboratory-made protein that targets specific immune cells, such as B cells. B cell over-activation has been identified as a key component of the lupus disease process. Promising MAbs in development for SLE treatment include epratuzumab and belimumab. Intravenous Immunoglobulins. Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) are sometimes used for patients who have not responded to other SLE treatments. Immunoglobulins are antibodies produced by immune system B-lymphocyte cells. IVIG is a blood product that contains these antibodies. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a natural steroid hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands and converted into estrogen and androgen. The synthetic equivalent of DHEA, prasterone (Prestara), is being investigated as a potential treatment for SLE. Prasterone is still in the drug development stage and it is not clear when, or if, it will be commercially available. Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation. Some patients with severe lupus have achieved at least short-term remission after undergoing autologous transplantation of stem cells and high-dose drug therapy to suppress the damaging immune factors. Stem cells are the early forms for all blood cells in the body. An autologous transplant is one in which marrow or blood cells used are the patient's own. (The advantage to an autologous transplant is that the patient's own cells are not at risk for rejection by the immune system.) Phototherapy. A promising treatment uses ultraviolet A-1 (UVA-1) radiation, long UVA wave lengths that do not promote sunburn and may actually block inflammatory immune factors. Small studies have suggested that UVA-1 phototherapy may have some benefits for lowering disease activity in SLE. Plasmapheresis. Plasmapheresis is a process in which the fluid part of the blood, called plasma, is removed from blood cells. The procedure involves first taking blood from the patient. The plasma, which contains the inflammatory antibodies and other immunologically active substances, is discarded and replaced with other fluids. The blood is then returned. Plasmapheresis is not useful for routine management of patients but may have some benefits for patients who do not respond to standard treatments or in specific cases, such as lupus patients with hemolytic anemia. Treatments for Some Complications of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Infections, Inflammation, or Hypertension in the Lungs Preventive Measures. Immunizations with inactive viruses and preventive antibiotics should be considered for patients with SLE who are at high risk for infection. Treating Infections. Lung infections need to be treated aggressively with antibiotics. However, antibiotic drugs such as penicillin or the sulfa drugs may cause sensitivity rashes that can be confused with SLE rash. Treating Lung Inflammation. While inflammation of the lung (pneumonitis) resembles pneumonia, it is not an infection but is a result of the autoimmune process. This condition needs to be treated with corticosteroids or immunosuppressants, but only if the doctor is sure infection is not present. Treating Pulmonary Hypertension. Pulmonary hypertension is very serious. Drugs known as prostacylins -- which include epoprostenol, iloprost, and treprostinil -- are standard drugs. Bosentan (Tracleer) is the first oral drug approved for pulmonary hypertension. An inhaled iloprost formulation (Ventavis) was approved in 2004. Sildenafil (Viagra, Revatio) may also be used for this condition. Lung transplantation may be required. Bleeding and Clotting Disorders Antiphospholipid Syndrome and Clotting Disorders. Hydroxychloroquine or aspirin may help prevent blood clots in women with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). (Aspirin does not appear to be protective in men who carry the autoantibodies responsible for APS.) In patients who have experienced blood clots, treatment with the anticoagulant warfarin (Coumadin) is advisable. This blood-thinning drug may be needed lifelong. Scientists are investigating other treatment options, including autologous stem cell transplantation. The procedure has shown promise in studies for treating lupus-associated APS, but it is still experimental. Excess Bleeding from Thrombocytopenia (Drop in Blood Platelets). Treatments that may be effective for thrombocytopenia include combinations of a corticosteroid and either danazol (a male hormone) or the antimalarial hydroxychloroquine. Immunosuppressants or intravenous immunoglobulin IgG may be helpful in some patients. Surgical removal of the spleen may be advisable if bleeding disorders are a serious problem, but this option should be considered carefully, because the spleen provides one line of defense against infection. (Abnormal spleen function, in any case, appears to be fairly common in SLE.) Kidney Disease Drugs. Mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept, Myfortic) and intravenous cyclophosphamide, as well as steroids are used to treat lupus kidney disease. Procedures. Kidney transplant or dialysis should be considered for patients with SLE with severe kidney damage. For unknown reasons, SLE does not generally recur in the transplanted kidneys. Studies are conflicting, however, over whether SLE transplant patients have higher organ-rejection rates than other kidney-transplant recipients. Both transplantation and dialysis have potentially serious complications. Plasmapheresis. It is not clear if plasmapheresis is beneficial for SLE kidney disease. Osteoporosis Table 2:Treatments for Some Complications of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus The spleen is an organ that helps produce and maintain red blood cells. It also aids the body's immune system by producing white blood cells that destroy harmful substances in the body. Removal of the spleen makes a person more susceptible to infection. In-Depth From A.D.A.M. Lifestyle Changes Staying Active People with SLE should try to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. Light-to-moderate exercise, interspersed with rest periods, is good for the heart, helps fight depression and fatigue, and can help keep joints flexible. Preventing Infections Patients should be sure they are fully immunized and should minimize their exposure to crowds or people with contagious illnesses. Careful hygiene, including dental hygiene, is also important. Avoiding SLE Triggers It is very important that patients with SLE avoid excessive exposure to sunlight. Simple preventive measures include avoiding overexposure to ultraviolet rays and wearing protective clothing and sunblocks. There is some concern that allergy shots may cause flare ups in certain cases. Patients who may benefit from them should discuss risks and benefits with an SLE specialist. In general, patients with SLE should use only hypoallergenic cosmetics or hair products. Reducing Stress Chronic stress has profound physical effects and influences the progression of SLE. Getting adequate rest of at least 8 hours and possibly napping during the day may be helpful. Maintaining social relationships and healthy activities may also help prevent the depression and anxiety associated with the disease. In-Depth From A.D.A.M. References Bernatsky S, Ramsey-Goldman R, Isenberg D, Rahman A, Dooley MA, Sibley J, et al. Hodgkin's lymphoma in systemic lupus erythematosus. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2007 May;46(5):830-2. Epub 2007 Jan 25. Bertsias G, Ioannidis JP, Boletis J, Bombardieri S, Cervera R, Dostal C, et al. EULAR recommendations for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus. Report of a Task Force of the EULAR Standing Committee for International Clinical Studies Including Therapeutics. Ann Rheum Dis. 2008 Feb;67(2):195-205. Epub 2007 May 15. Crosbie D, Black C, McIntyre L, Royle PL, Thomas S. Dehydroepiandrosterone for systemic lupus erythematosus. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007 Oct 17;(4):CD005114. Crow MK. Collaboration, genetic associations, and lupus erythematosus. N Engl J Med. 2008 Feb 28;358(9):956-61. Epub 2008 Jan 20. D'Cruz DP, Khamashta MA, Hughes GR. Systemic lupus erythematosus. Lancet. 2007 Feb 17;369(9561):587-96. Gompel A, Piette JC. Systemic lupus erythematosus and hormone replacement therapy. Menopause Int. 2007 Jun;13(2):65-70. Harel-Meir M, Sherer Y, Shoenfeld Y. Tobacco smoking and autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Nat Clin Pract Rheumatol. 2007 Dec;3(12):707-15. Khamashta MA. Systemic lupus erythematosus and pregnancy. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2006 Aug;20(4):685-94. Klareskog L, Padyukov L, Alfredsson L. Smoking as a trigger for inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2007 Jan;19(1):49-54. Kocis P. Prasterone. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2006 Nov 15;63(22):2201-10. Lane NE. Therapy Insight: osteoporosis and osteonecrosis in systemic lupus erythematosus. Nat Clin Pract Rheumatol. 2006 Oct;2(10):562-9. Mackillop LH, Germain SJ, Nelson-Piercy C. Systemic lupus erythematosus. BMJ. 2007 Nov 3;335(7626):933-6. Rahman A, Isenberg DA. Systemic lupus erythematosus. N Engl J Med. 2008 Feb 28;358(9):929-39. Sabahi R, Anolik JH. B-cell-targeted therapy for systemic lupus erythematosus. Drugs. 2006;66(15):1933-48. Salmon JE, Roman MJ. Subclinical atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Am J Med. 2008 Oct;121(10 Suppl 1):S3-8. Sánchez-Guerrero J, González-Pérez M, Durand-Carbajal M, Lara-Reyes P, Jiménez-Santana L, Romero-Díaz J, et al. Menopause hormonal therapy in women with systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Rheum. 2007 Sep;56(9):3070-9. Walsh M, James M, Jayne D, Tonelli M, Manns BJ, Hemmelgarn BR. Mycophenolate mofetil for induction therapy of lupus nephritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2007 Sep;2(5):968-75. Epub 2007 Aug 8. A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. 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Systemic lupus erythematosus
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Lupus | House Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia Edit SLE is one of several diseases known as "the great imitators" because it often mimics or is mistaken for other illnesses. SLE is a classical item in differential diagnosis , because SLE symptoms vary widely and come and go unpredictably. Diagnosis can thus be elusive, with some people having unexplained symptoms of untreated SLE for years. Common initial and chronic complaints include fever , malaise , joint pains, muscle pains , and fatigue . Because these symptoms are so often seen in association with other diseases, these signs and symptoms are not part of the diagnostic criteria for SLE. When occurring in conjunction with other signs and symptoms (see below), however, they are considered suggestive. Skin Edit As many as 70% of people with lupus have some dermatological symptoms . The three main categories of lesions are chronic cutaneous (discoid) lupus, subacute cutaneous lupus, and acute cutaneous lupus. People with discoid lupus may exhibit thick, red scaly patches on the skin. Similarly, subacute cutaneous lupus manifests as red, scaly patches of skin but with distinct edges. Acute cutaneous lupus manifests as a rash. Some have the classic malar rash (or butterfly rash) associated with the disease. This rash occurs in 30 to 60% of cases. Hair loss, mouth , nasal , urinary tract , and vaginal ulcers , and lesions on the skin are other possible manifestations. Tiny tears in the delicate tissue around the eyes can occur after even minimal rubbing. Muscles and bones Edit The most common reason lupus patients seek medical attention is for joint pain, with the small joints of the hand and wrist usually affected, although all joints are at risk. The Lupus Foundation of America estimates more than 90 percent of those affected will experience joint and/or muscle pain at some time during the course of their illness. Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, lupus arthritis is less disabling and usually does not cause severe destruction of the joints. Fewer than ten percent of people with lupus arthritis will develop deformities of the hands and feet. People with SLE are at particular risk of developing osteoarticular tuberculosis . A possible association between rheumatoid arthritis and SLE has been suggested, and SLE may be associated with an increased risk of bone fractures in relatively young women. Blood Edit Anemia is common in children with SLE and develops in about 50% of cases. Low platelet and white blood cell counts may be due to the disease or a side effect of pharmacological treatment . People with SLE may have an association with antiphospholipid syndrome (a thrombotic disorder), wherein autoantibodies to phospholipids are present in their serum. Abnormalities associated with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome include a paradoxical prolonged partial thromboplastin time (which usually occurs in hemorrhagic disorders) and a positive test for antiphospholipid antibodies; the combination of such findings have earned the term "lupus anticoagulant-positive". Another autoantibody finding in SLE is the anticardiolipin antibody, which can cause a false positive test for syphilis . Heart Edit A person with SLE may have inflammation of various parts of the heart , such as inflammation of the pericardium , heart muscle , and inner lining of the heart . The endocarditis of SLE is chracteristically noninfective (Libman-Sacks endocarditis), and involves either the mitral valve or the tricuspid valve . Atherosclerosis also tends to occur more often and advances more rapidly than in the general population. Lungs Lung and pleura inflammation can cause pleuritis , pleural effusion , lupus pneumonitis, chronic diffuse interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension , pulmonary emboli , pulmonary hemorrhage, and shrinking lung syndrome. Kidneys Edit Painless passage of blood or protein in the urine may often be the only presenting sign of kidney involvement. Acute or chronic renal impairment may develop with lupus nephritis, leading to acute or end-stage kidney failure. Because of early recognition and management of SLE, end-stage renal failure occurs in less than 5% of cases. A histological hallmark of SLE is membranous glomerulonephritis with "wire loop" abnormalities. This finding is due to immune complex deposition along the glomerular basement membrane, leading to a typical granular appearance in immunofluorescence testing. Neuropsychiatric Edit Neuropsychiatric syndromes can result when SLE affects the central or peripheral nervous systems . The American College of Rheumatology defines 19 neuropsychiatric syndromes in systemic lupus erythematosus. The diagnosis of neuropsychiatric syndromes concurrent with SLE is one of the most difficult challenges in medicine, because it can involve so many different patterns of symptoms, some of which may be mistaken for signs of infectious disease or stroke. The most common neuropsychiatric disorder people with SLE have is headache , although the existence of a specific lupus headache and the optimal approach to headache in SLE cases remains controversial. Other common neuropsychiatric manifestation of SLE include cognitive dysfunction, mood disorder, cerebrovascular disease, seizures , polyneuropathy, anxiety disorder, and psychosis . It can rarely present with intracranial hypertension syndrome , characterized by an elevated intracranial pressure , papilledema , and headache with occasional abducens nerve paresis , absence of a space-occupying lesion or ventricular enlargement, and normal cerebrospinal fluid chemical and hematological constituents. More rare manifestations are delirium , Guillain-Barré syndrome , aseptic meningitis , autonomic neuropathy, demyelinating syndrome , mononeuropathy (which might manifest as mononeuritis multiplex ), movement disorder (more specifically, chorea ), myasthenia gravis , myelopathy, cranial neuropathy and plexopathy. Neurological Edit Neural symptoms contribute to a significant percentage of morbidity and mortality in people with lupus. As a result, the neural side of lupus is being studied in hopes of reducing morbidity and mortality rates. The neural manifestation of lupus is known as neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE). One aspect of this disease is severe damage to the epithelial cells of the blood–brain barrier . Lupus has a wide range of symptoms which span the body. The neurological symptoms include headaches , clinical depression , seizures, cognitive dysfunction, mood disorder, cerebrovascular disease, polyneuropathy, anxiety disorder, psychosis, and in some extreme cases,personality disorders. Reproductive Edit SLE causes an increased rate of fetal death in utero and miscarriage . The overall live-birth rate in people with SLE has been estimated to be 72%. Pregnancy outcome appears to be worse in people with SLE whose disease flares up during pregnancy. Neonatal lupus is the occurrence of SLE symptoms in an infant born from a mother with SLE, most commonly presenting with a rash resembling discoid lupus erythematosus, and sometimes with systemic abnormalities such as heart block or enlargement of the liver and spleen . Neonatal lupus is usually benign and self-limited. Systemic Fatigue in SLE is probably multifactorial and has been related to not only disease activity or complications such as anemia or hypothyroidism , but also to pain , depression , poor sleep quality, poor physical fitness and lack of social support. Causes Edit SLE is presumably caused by an unknown environmental trigger, acting on persons with genetic susceptibility and defects in the immune system. SLE is associated with defects in apoptotic clearance, and the pathogenic effect of apoptotic debris. Early apoptotic cells express “eat-me” signals, of cell-surface proteins such as phosphatidylserine, that prompt immune cells to engulf them. Apoptotic cells also express “find-me” signals, to attract macrophages and dendritic cells. When apoptotic material is not removed correctly by phagocytes, they are captured instead by antigen-presenting cells, which leads to development of antinuclear antibodies . People with SLE have intense polyclonal B-cell activation, with a population shift towards immature B cells. Memory B cells with increased CD27+/ IgD - are less susceptible to immunosuppression. CD27-/IgD- memory B cells are associated with increased disease activity and renal lupus. T cells , which regulate B-cell responses and infiltrate target tissues, have defects in signaling, adhesion, co-stimulation, gene transcription, and alternative splicing. The cytokines B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLys), interleukin 6, interleukin 17. interleukin 18, type I interferons , and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) are involved in the inflammatory process and are potential therapeutic targets. Genetics Edit The first mechanism may arise genetically. Research indicates SLE may have a genetic link. SLE does run in families, but no single causal gene has been identified. Instead, multiple genes appear to influence a person's chance of developing lupus when triggered by environmental factors. HLA class I, class II, and class III genes are associated with SLE, but only classes I and II contribute independently to increased risk of SLE. Other genes which contain risk variants for SLE are IRF5, PTPN22, STAT4, CDKN1A, ITGAM, BLK, TNFSF4 and BANK1. Some of the susceptibility genes may be population specific. Drug reactions Edit Drug-induced lupus erythematosus is a (generally) reversible condition that usually occurs in people being treated for a long-term illness. Drug-induced lupus mimics SLE. However, symptoms of drug-induced lupus generally disappear once the medication that triggered the episode is stopped. More than 38 medications can cause this condition, the most common of which are procainamide , isoniazid , hydralazine , quinidine , and phenytoin . Non-systemic forms of lupus Discoid (cutaneous) lupus is limited to skin symptoms and is diagnosed by biopsy of rash on the face, neck, scalp or arms. Approximately 5% of people with DLE progress to SLE. Pathophysiology Edit One manifestation of SLE is abnormalities in apoptosis , a type of programmed cell death in which aging or damaged cells are neatly disposed of as a part of normal growth or functioning. In SLE, the body's immune system produces antibodies against itself, particularly against proteins in the cell nucleus . SLE is triggered by environmental factors that are unknown. The immune system must balance between being sensitive enough to protect against infection, and becoming sensitized to attack the body's own proteins (autoimmunity). During an immune reaction to a foreign stimulus, such as bacteria, virus, or allergen, immune cells that would normally be deactivated due to their affinity for self tissues can be abnormally activated by signaling sequences of antigen-presenting cells. Thus triggers may include viruses, bacteria, allergens, (IgE and other hypersensitivity), and can be aggravated by environmental stimulants such as ultraviolet light and certain drug reactions. These stimuli begin a reaction that leads to destruction of other cells in the body and exposure of their DNA , histones, and other proteins, particularly parts of the cell nucleus. The body's sensitized B-lymphocyte cells will now produce antibodies against these nuclear-related proteins. These antibodies clump into antibody-protein complexes which stick to surfaces and damage blood vessels in critical areas of the body, such as the glomeruli of the kidney; these antibody attacks are the cause of SLE. Researchers are now identifying the individual genes, the proteins they produce, and their role in the immune system. Each protein is a link on the autoimmune chain, and researchers are trying to find drugs to break each of those links. SLE is a chronic inflammatory disease believed to be a type III hypersensitivity response with potential type II involvement. Reticulate and stellate acral pigmentation should be considered a possible manifestation of SLE and high titers of anti-cardiolipin antibodies, or a consequence of therapy. Abnormalities in cell death signaling Apoptosis is increased in monocytes and keratinocytes Expression of FAS ligand by B cells and T cells is increased There are correlations between the apoptotic rates of lymphocytes and disease activity. Necrosis is increased in T lymphocytes. Tingible body macrophages (TBMs) – large phagocytic cells in the germinal centers of secondary lymph nodes – express CD68 protein. These cells normally engulf B cells that have undergone apoptosis after somatic hypermutation. In some people with SLE, significantly fewer TBMs can be found, and these cells rarely contain material from apoptotic B cells. Also, uningested apoptotic nuclei can be found outside of TBMs. This material may present a threat to the tolerization of B cells and T cells. Dendritic cells in the germinal center may endocytose such antigenic material and present it to T cells, activating them. Also, apoptotic chromatin and nuclei may attach to the surfaces of follicular dendritic cells and make this material available for activating other B cells that may have randomly acquired self-specificity through somatic hypermutation. Necrosis, a pro-inflammatory form of cell death, is increased in T lymphocytes, due to mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and depletion of ATP . Clearance deficiency Edit Impaired clearance of dying cells is a potential pathway for the development of this systemic autoimmune disease. This includes deficient phagocytic activity and scant serum components in addition to increased apoptosis. Monocytes isolated from whole blood of people with SLE show reduced expression of CD44 surface molecules involved in the uptake of apoptotic cells. Most of the monocytes and tingible body macrophages (TBMs), which are found in the germinal centres of lymph nodes, even show a definitely different morphology; they are smaller or scarce and die earlier. Serum components like complement factors, C-reactive protein, and some glycoproteins are, furthermore, decisively important for an efficiently operating phagocytosis. With SLE, these components are often missing, diminished, or inefficient. Recent research has found an association between certain people with lupus (especially those with lupus nephritis) and an impairment in degrading neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). These were due to Deoxyribonuclease I inhibiting factors (DNAse1), or NET protecting factors in people's serum, rather than abnormalities in the DNAse1 itself. DNAse1 mutations in lupus have so far only been found in some Japanese cohorts. The clearance of early apoptotic cells is an important function in multicellular organisms. It leads to a progression of the apoptosis process and finally to secondary necrosis of the cells if this ability is disturbed. Necrotic cells release nuclear fragments as potential autoantigens, as well as internal danger signals, inducing maturation of dendritic cells (DCs), since they have lost their membranes' integrity. Increased appearance of apoptotic cells also simulates inefficient clearance. That leads to maturation of DCs and also to the presentation of intracellular antigens of late apoptotic or secondary necrotic cells, via MHC molecules. Autoimmunity possibly results by the extended exposure to nuclear and intracellular autoantigens derived from late apoptotic and secondary necrotic cells. B cell and T cell tolerance for apoptotic cells is abrogated, and the lymphocytes get activated by these autoantigens; inflammation and the production of autoantibodies by plasma cells is initiated. A clearance deficiency in the skin for apoptotic cells has also been observed in people with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE). Accumulation in germinal centers Edit In healthy conditions, apoptotic lymphocytes are removed in germinal centres (GC) by specialized phagocytes, the tingible body macrophages (TBM), which is why no free apoptotic and potential autoantigenic material can be seen. In some people with SLE, accumulation of apoptotic debris can be observed in GC because of an ineffective clearance of apoptotic cells. In close proximity to TBM, follicular dendritic cells (FDC) are localised in GC, which attach antigen material to their surface and, in contrast to bone marrow -derived DC, neither take it up nor present it via major histocompatibility complex molecules. Autoreactive B cells can accidentally emerge during somatic hypermutation and migrate into the germinal center light zone. Autoreactive B cells, maturated coincidentally, normally do not receive survival signals by antigen planted on follicular dendritic cells, and perish by apoptosis. In the case of clearance deficiency, apoptotic nuclear debris accumulates in the light zone of GC and gets attached to FDC. This serves as a germinal centre survival signal for autoreactive B-cells. After migration into the mantle zone, autoreactive B cells require further survival signals from autoreactive helper T cells, which promote the maturation of autoantibody-producing plasma cells and B memory cells. In the presence of autoreactive T cells, a chronic autoimmune disease may be the consequence. Anti-nRNP autoimmunity Edit Autoantibodies to nRNP A and nRNP C initially targeted restricted, proline-rich sequence motifs. Antibody binding subsequently spread to other epitopes. The similarity and cross-reactivity between the initial targets of nRNP and Sm protein autoantibodies identifies a likely commonality in cause and a focal point for intermolecular epitope spreading. Others Edit Elevated expression of HMGB1 was found in the sera of people and mice with systemic lupus erythematosus, high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a nuclear protein participating in chromatin architecture and transcriptional regulation. Recently, there is increasing evidence HMGB1 contributes to the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases due to its proinflammatory and immunostimulatory properties. Diagnosis Edit Antinuclear antibody (ANA) testing and anti-extractable nuclear antigen (anti-ENA) form the mainstay of serologic testing for SLE. Several techniques are used to detect ANAs. Clinically the most widely used method is indirect immunofluorescence (IF). The pattern of fluorescence suggests the type of antibody present in the people's serum. Direct immunofluorescence can detect deposits of immunoglobulins and complement proteins in the people's skin. When skin not exposed to the sun is tested, a positive direct IF (the so-called lupus band test) is an evidence of systemic lupus erythematosus. ANA screening yields positive results in many connective tissue disorders and other autoimmune diseases, and may occur in normal individuals. Subtypes of antinuclear antibodies include LSm (anti-Smith) and anti-double stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibodies (which are linked to SLE) and anti-histone antibodies (which are linked to drug-induced lupus). Anti-dsDNA antibodies are highly specific for SLE; they are present in 70% of cases,whereas they appear in only 0.5% of people without SLE. The anti-dsDNA antibody titers also tend to reflect disease activity, although not in all cases. Other ANA that may occur in people with SLE are anti-U1 RNP (which also appears in systemic sclerosis and mixed connective tissue disease ), SS-A (or anti-Ro) and SS-B (or anti-La; both of which are more common in Sjögren's syndrome ). SS-A and SS-B confer a specific risk for heart conduction block in neonatal lupus. Other tests routinely performed in suspected SLE are complement system levels (low levels suggest consumption by the immune system), electrolytes and kidney function (disturbed if the kidney is involved), liver enzymes , and complete blood count . The lupus erythematosus (LE) cell test was commonly used for diagnosis, but it is no longer used because the LE cells are only found in 50–75% of SLE cases, and they are also found in some people with rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and drug sensitivities. Because of this, the LE cell test is now performed only rarely and is mostly of historical significance. Diagnostic criteria Edit Some physicians make a diagnosis on the basis of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria. The criteria, however, were established mainly for use in scientific research including use in randomized controlled trials which require higher confidence levels, so many people with SLE may not pass the full criteria. Criteria Edit The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) established eleven criteria in 1982, which were revised in 1997 as a classificatory instrument to operationalise the definition of SLE in clinical trials. They were not intended to be used to diagnose individuals and do not do well in that capacity. For the purpose of identifying people for clinical studies, a person has SLE if any 4 out of 11 symptoms are present simultaneously or serially on two separate occasions. Useful mnemonic for remembering the diagnostic findings or symptoms of SLE is SOAP BRAIN MD (S=serositis, O=oral ulcers, A=arthritis, P=photosensitivity, pulmonary fibrosis, B=blood cells, R=renal, Raynauds , A=ANA, I=immunologic (anti-Sm, anti-dsDNA), N=neuropsych, M=malar rash, D=discoid rash), however, not in order of diagnostic importance. Malar rash (rash on cheeks); sensitivity = 57%; specificity = 96%. Discoid rash (red, scaly patches on skin that cause scarring); sensitivity = 18%; specificity = 99%. Serositis: Pleurisy (inflammation of the membrane around the lungs) or pericarditis (inflammation of the membrane around the heart); sensitivity = 56%; specificity = 86% (pleural is more sensitive; cardiac is more specific). Oral ulcers (includes oral or nasopharyngeal ulcers); sensitivity = 27%; specificity = 96%. Arthritis: nonerosive arthritis of two or more peripheral joints, with tenderness, swelling, or effusion; sensitivity = 86%; specificity = 37%. Photosensitivity (exposure to ultraviolet light causes rash, or other symptoms of SLE flareups); sensitivity = 43%; specificity = 96%. Blood—hematologic disorder— hemolytic anemia (low red blood cell count), leukopenia (white blood cell count<4000/µl) lymphocytopenia (<1500/µl), or low platelet count (<100000/µl) in the absence of offending drug; sensitivity = 59%; specificity = 89%. Hypocomplementemia is also seen, due to either consumption of C3 and C4 by immune complex-induced inflammation or to congenitally complement deficiency, which may predispose to SLE. Renal disorder: More than 0.5 g per day proteinuria or cellular urinary casts seen in urine under a microscope; sensitivity = 51%; specificity = 94%. Antinuclear antibody test positive; sensitivity = 99%; specificity = 49%. Immunologic disorder: Positive anti-Smith, anti-ds DNA, antiphospholipid antibody , and/or false positive serological test for syphilis ; sensitivity = 85%; specificity = 93%. Presence of anti-ss DNA in 70% of cases (though also positive with rheumatic disease and healthy persons). Neurologic disorder: Seizures or psychosis ; sensitivity = 20%; specificity = 98%. Other than the ACR criteria, people with lupus may also have: fever (over 100 °F/ 37.7 °C) fingers turning white and/or blue when cold ( Raynaud's phenomenon ) Criteria for individual diagnosis Some people, especially those with antiphospholipid syndrome , may have SLE without four of the above criteria, and also SLE may present with features other than those listed in the criteria. Recursive partitioning has been used to identify more parsimonious criteria. This analysis presented two diagnostic classification trees: Simplest classification tree: SLE is diagnosed if a person has an immunologic disorder (anti-DNA antibody, anti-Smith antibody, false positive syphilis test, or LE cells) or malar rash. It has sensitivity = 92% and specificity = 92%. Full classification tree: Uses 6 criteria. It has sensitivity = 97% and specificity = 95%. Other alternative criteria have been suggested, e.g. the St. Thomas' Hospital "alternative" criteria in 1998. Treatment Edit The treatment of SLE involves preventing flares and reducing their severity and duration when they occur. Treatment can include corticosteroids and anti-malarial drugs. Certain types of lupus nephritis such as diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis require bouts of cytotoxic drugs. These drugs include cyclophosphamide and mycophenolic acid . Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) was approved by the FDA for lupus in 1955. Some drugs approved for other diseases are used for SLE 'off-label'. In November 2010, an FDA advisory panel recommended approving belimumab (Benlysta) as a treatment for the pain and flare-ups common in lupus. The drug was approved by the FDA in March 2011. Medications Edit Due to the variety of symptoms and organ system involvement with SLE, its severity in an individual must be assessed in order to successfully treat SLE. Mild or remittent disease may, sometimes, be safely left untreated. If required, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antimalarials may be used. Medications such as prednisone , mycophenolic acid and tacrolimus have been used in the past. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs Edit Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are used preventively to reduce the incidence of flares, the process of the disease, and lower the need for steroid use; when flares occur, they are treated with corticosteroids . DMARDs commonly in use are antimalarials such as hydroxychloroquine and immunosuppressants (e.g. methotrexate and azathioprine ). Hydroxychloroquine is an FDA-approved antimalarial used for constitutional, cutaneous, and articular manifestations. Hydroxychloroquine has relatively few side effects, and there is evidence that it improves survival among people who have SLE. Cyclophosphamide is used for severe glomerulonephritis or other organ-damaging complications. Mycophenolic acid is also used for treatment of lupus nephritis, but it is not FDA-approved for this indication, and FDA is investigating reports that it may be associated with birth defects when used by pregnant women. Immunosuppressive drugs Edit In more severe cases, medications that modulate the immune system (primarily corticosteroids and immunosuppressants ) are used to control the disease and prevent recurrence of symptoms (known as flares). Depending on the dosage, people who require steroids may develop Cushing's syndrome , symptoms of which may include obesity , puffy round face, diabetes mellitus , increased appetite, difficulty sleeping and osteoporosis . These may subside if and when the large initial dosage is reduced, but long-term use of even low doses can cause elevated blood pressure and cataracts . Numerous new immunosuppressive drugs are being actively tested for SLE. Rather than suppressing the immune system nonspecifically, as corticosteroids do, they target the responses of individual [types of] immune cells. Some of these drugs are already FDA-approved for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis . Analgesia Edit Since a large percentage of people with SLE have varying amounts of chronic pain, stronger prescription painkillers may be used if over-the-counter drugs (mainly NSAIDs) do not provide effective relief. Potent NSAIDs such as indomethacin and diclofenac are relatively contraindicated for people with SLE because they increase the risk of kidney failure and heart failure. Pain is typically treated with opioids , varying in potency based on the severity of symptoms. When opioids are used for prolonged periods, drug tolerance, chemical dependency, and addiction may occur. Opiate addiction is not typically a concern, since the condition is not likely to ever completely disappear. Thus, lifelong treatment with opioids is fairly common for chronic pain symptoms, accompanied by periodic titration that is typical of any long-term opioid regimen. Intravenous Immunoglobulins (IVIGs) Edit Intravenous immunoglobulins may be used to control SLE with organ involvement, or vasculitis . It is believed that they reduce antibody production or promote the clearance of immune complexes from the body, even though their mechanism of action is not well-understood. Unlike immunosuppressives and corticosteroids , IVIGs do not suppress the immune system, so there is less risk of serious infections with these drugs. Lifestyle changes Edit Avoiding sunlight is the primary change to the lifestyle of people with SLE, as sunlight is known to exacerbate the disease, as is the debilitating effect of intense fatigue. These two problems can lead to people becoming housebound for long periods of time. Drugs unrelated to SLE should be prescribed only when known not to exacerbate the disease. Occupational exposure to silica, pesticides, and mercury can also worsen the disease. Kidney transplantation Kidney transplants are the treatment of choice for end-stage kidney disease, which is one of the complications of lupus nephritis, but the recurrence of the full disease is common in up to 30% of people. Antiphospholipid syndrome Edit Antiphospholipid syndrome is also related to the onset of neural lupus symptoms in the brain. In this form of the disease the cause is very different from lupus: thromboses (blood clots or "sticky blood") form in blood vessels, which prove to be fatal if they move within the blood stream. If the thromboses migrate to the brain , they can potentially cause a stroke by blocking the blood supply to the brain. If this disorder is suspected in people, brain scans are usually required for early detection. These scans can show localized areas of the brain where blood supply has not been adequate. The treatment plan for these people requires anticoagulation. Often, low-dose aspirin is prescribed for this purpose, although for cases involving thrombosis anticoagulants such as warfarin are used. Management of pregnancy Edit While most infants born to mothers who have SLE are healthy, pregnant mothers with SLE should remain under medical care until delivery. Neonatal lupus is rare , but identification of mothers at highest risk for complications allows for prompt treatment before or after birth. In addition, SLE can flare up during pregnancy, and proper treatment can maintain the health of the mother longer. Women pregnant and known to have anti-Ro (SSA) or anti-La antibodies (SSB) often have echocardiograms during the 16th and 30th weeks of pregnancy to monitor the health of the heart and surrounding vasculature. Contraception and other reliable forms of pregnancy prevention is routinely advised for women with SLE, since getting pregnant during active disease was found to be harmful. Lupus nephritis was the most common manifestation. Prognosis Edit No cure is available for SLE but there are many treatments for the disease. In the 1950s, most people diagnosed with SLE lived fewer than five years. Today, over 90% now survive for more than ten years, and many live relatively asymptomatically. 80-90% can expect to live a normal lifespan. Prognosis is typically worse for men and children than for women; however, if symptoms are present after age 60, the disease tends to run a more benign course. Early mortality, within 5 years, is due to organ failure or overwhelming infections, both of which can be altered by early diagnosis and treatment. The mortality risk is fivefold when compared to the normal population in the late stages, which can be attributed to cardiovascular disease from accelerated atherosclerosis, the leading cause of death for people with SLE. To reduce potential for cardiovascular issues, high blood pressure and high cholesterol should be prevented or treated aggressively. Steroids should be used at the lowest dose for the shortest possible period, and other drugs that can reduce symptoms should be used whenever possible. High serum creatinine , hypertension, nephrotic syndrome, anemia and low blood albumin are poor prognostic factors. The ANA is the most sensitive screening test for evaluation, whereas anti-Sm (anti-Smith) is the most specific. The dsDNA (double-stranded DNA ) antibody is also fairly specific and often fluctuates with disease activity; as such, the dsDNA titre is sometimes useful to monitor disease flares or response to treatment. Epidemiology Edit The rate of SLE varies considerably between countries, ethnicity, sex, and changes over time. In the United States, one estimate of the rate of SLE is 53 per 100,000; other estimates range from 322,000 to over 1 million. In Northern Europe the rate is about 40 per 100,000 people. SLE occurs more frequently and with greater severity among those of non-European descent. That rate has been found to be as high as 159 per 100,000 among those of Afro-Caribbean descent. While the onset and persistence of SLE can show disparities between genders, socioeconomic status also plays a major role. Women with SLE and of lower socioeconomic status have been shown to have higher depression scores, higher body mass index , and more restricted access to medical care than women of higher socioeconomic statuses with the illness. People with SLE had more self-reported anxiety and depression scores if they were from a lower socioeconomic status. The global prevalence of SLE is approximately 20-70/100,000 people. The age distribution of SLE ranges from ages 2–80+. In females, rate is highest between 45-64 year of age. The lowest overall rate exist in Iceland and Japan. The highest rates exist in US and France. However, there is no sufficient evidence to conclude that SLE is less common in some countries compared to others, since there is significant environmental variability in these countries. For example, different countries receive different levels of sunlight, and exposure to UV rays affects dermatological symptoms of SLE. Certain studies hypothesize that a genetic connection exists between race and lupus which affects disease prevalence. If this is true, the racial composition of countries affects disease, and will cause the incidence in a country to change as the racial makeup changes. In order to understand if this is true, countries with largely homogenous and racially stable populations should be studied to better understand incidence. Rates of disease are the developing work is unclear. Ethnicity Edit There are assertions that race affects the rate of SLE. However, a 2010 review of studies which correlate race and SLE identified several sources of systematic and methodological error, indicating that the connection between race and SLE may be spurious. For example, studies show that social support is a modulating factor which buffers against SLE-related damage and maintains physiological functionality. Studies have not been conducted to determine whether people of different racial backgrounds receive differing levels of social support. If there is a difference, this could act as a confounding variable in studies correlating race and SLE. Another caveat to note when examining studies about SLE is that symptoms are often self-reported. This process introduces additional sources of methodological error. Studies have shown that self-reported data is affected by more than just the patients experience with the disease- social support, level of helplessness, and abnormal illness-related behaviors also factor into a self-assessment. Additionally, other factors like the degree of social support which a person receives, socioeconomic status, health insurance, and access to care can contribute to an individual’s disease progression. It is important to note that racial differences in lupus progression have not been found in studies that control for the socioeconomic status of participants. Studies that control for the SES of its participants have found that non-white people have more abrupt disease onset compared to white people, and that their disease progresses more quickly. Non-white patients often report more hematological, serosal, neurological, and renal symptoms. However, the severity of symptoms and mortality are both similar in white and non-white patients. Studies that report different rates of disease progression in late stage SLE are most likely reflecting differences in socioeconomic status and the corresponding access to care. The people who receive medical care often have accrued less disease-related damage, and are less likely to be below the poverty line. Sex Edit SLE, like many autoimmune diseases, affects females more frequently than males, at a rate of almost 9 to 1. The X chromosome carries immunological related genes, which can mutate and contribute to the onset of SLE. The Y chromosome has no identified mutations associated with autoimmune disease. Hormonal mechanisms could explain the increased incidence of SLE in females. The onset of SLE could be attributed to the elevated hydroxylation of estrogen and the abnormally decreased levels of androgens in females. In addition, differences in GnRH signalling have also shown to contribute to the onset of SLE. While females are more likely to relapse than males, the intensity of these relapses is the same for both sexes. In addition to hormonal mechanisms, specific genetic influences found on the X chromosome may also contribute to the development of SLE. Studies indicate that the X chromosome can determine the levels of sex hormones. A study has shown an association between Klinefelter syndrome and SLE. XXY males with SLE have an abnormal X-Y translocation resulting the in the partial triplication of the PAR1 gene region. Changing rate of disease The rate of SLE in the United States increased from 1.0 in 1955 to 7.6 in 1974. Whether the increase is due to better diagnosis or to increasing frequency of the disease is unknown. History Edit The history of SLE can be divided into three periods: classical, neoclassical, and modern. In each period, research and documentation advanced the understanding and diagnosis of SLE, leading to its classification as an autoimmune disease in 1851, and to the various diagnostic options and treatments now available to people with SLE. The advances made by medical science in the diagnosis and treatment of SLE has dramatically improved the life expectancy of a person diagnosed with SLE. Etymology Edit There are several explanations ventured for the term lupus erythematosus. Lupus is Latin for "wolf", and "erythro" is derived from "ερυθρός", Greek for "red." All explanations originate with the reddish, butterfly-shaped malar rash that the disease classically exhibit across the nose and cheeks. In various accounts, some doctors thought the rash resembled the pattern of fur on a wolf's face. More likely is that it is derived from the similarity in distribution to lupus vulgaris or chronic facial tuberculosis where the lesions are ragged and punched out and are said to resemble the bite of a wolf Another account claims that the term "lupus" did not come from Latin directly, but from the term for a French style of mask that women reportedly wore to conceal the rash on their faces. The mask is called a "loup," French for "wolf." Classical period Edit The classical period began when the disease was first recognized in the Middle Ages. The term lupus is attributed to 12th-century Italian physician Rogerius , who used it to describe ulcerating sores on the legs of people. No formal treatment for the disease existed and the resources available to physicians to help people was limited. Neoclassical period Edit The neoclassical period began in 1851 when the skin disease now known as discoid lupus erythematosus was documented by French physician, Pierre Cazenave . Cazenave termed the illness lupus and added the word erythematosus to distinguish this disease from other illnesses that affected the skin except they were infectious. Cazenave observed the disease in several people and made very detailed notes to assist others in its diagnosis. He was one of the first to document that lupus affected adults from adolescence into the early thirties and that the facial rash is its most distinguishing feature. Research and documentation of the disease continued in the neoclassical period with the work of Ferdinand von Hebra and his son-in-law, Moritz Kaposi . They documented the physical effects of lupus as well as some insights into the possibility that the disease caused internal trauma. von Hebra observed that lupus symptoms could last many years and that the disease could go "dormant" after years of aggressive activity and then re-appear with symptoms following the same general pattern. These observations led Hebra to term lupus a chronic disease in 1872. Kaposi observed that lupus assumed two forms: the skin lesions (now known as discoid lupus) and a more aggravated form that affected not only the skin but also caused fever, arthritis, and other systemic disorders in people. The latter also presented a rash confined to the face, appearing on the cheeks and across the bridge of the nose; he called this the "butterfly rash". Kaposi also observed those patients who developed the "butterfly rash" (or malar rash) often were afflicted with another disease such as tuberculosis or anemia which often caused death. Kaposi was one of the first persons to recognize what is now termed systemic lupus erythematosus in his documentation of the remitting and relapsing nature of the disease and the relationship of skin and systemic manifestations during disease activity. The 19th century's research into lupus continued with the work of Sir William Osler who, in 1895, published the first of his three papers about the internal complications of erythema exudativum multiforme. Not all the patient cases in his paper had SLE but Osler's work expanded the knowledge of systemic diseases and documented extensive and critical visceral complications for several diseases including lupus. Noting that many people with lupus had a disease that not only affected the skin but many other organs in the body as well, Osler added the word "systemic" to the term lupus erythematosus to distinguish this type of disease from discoid lupus erythematosus. Osler's second paper noted that reoccurrence is a special feature of the disease and that attacks can be sustained for months or even years. Further study of the disease led to a third paper, published in 1903, documenting afflictions such as arthritis, pneumonia , the inability to form coherent ideas, delirium, and central nervous system damage as all affecting patients diagnosed with SLE. Modern period Edit The modern period, beginning in 1920, saw major developments in research into the cause and treatment of discoid and systemic lupus. Research conducted in the 1920s and 1930s led to the first detailed pathologic descriptions of lupus and demonstrated how the disease affected the kidney, heart, and lung tissue. A major breakthrough was made in 1948 with the discovery of the LE cell (the lupus erythematosus cell—a misnomer, as it occurs with other diseases as well). Discovered by a team of researchers at the Mayo Clinic , they discovered that the white blood cells contained the nucleus of another cell that was pushing against the white's cell proper nucleus. Noting that the invading nucleus was coated with anti-body that allowed it to be ingested by a phagocytic or scavenger cell, they named the antibody that causes one cell to ingest another the LE factor and the two-nuclei cell result the LE cell. The LE cell, it was determined, was a part of an anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) reaction; the body produces antibodies against its own tissue. This discovery led to one of the first definitive tests for lupus since LE cells are found in approximately 60% of all people diagnosed with lupus. The LE cell test is rarely performed as a definitive lupus test today as LE cells do not always occur in people with SLE and can occur in individuals with other autoimmune diseases. Their presence can be helpful in establishing a diagnosis but no longer indicates a definitive SLE diagnosis. The discovery of the LE cell led to further research and this resulted in more definitive tests for lupus. Building on the knowledge that those with SLE had auto-antibodies that would attach themselves to the nuclei of normal cells, causing the immune system to send white blood cells to fight off these "invaders", a test was developed to look for the anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) rather than the LE cell specifically. This ANA test was easier to perform and led not only to a definitive diagnosis for lupus but also many other related diseases. This discovery led to the development of what are now known as autoimmune diseases. To ensure that the person has lupus and not another autoimmune disease, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) established a list of clinical and immunologic criteria that, in any combination, point to SLE. The criteria include symptoms that the person can identify (e.g. pain) and things that a physician can detect in a physical examination and through laboratory test results. The list was originally compiled in 1971, initially revised in 1982, and further revised and improved in 2009. Medical historians have theorized that people with porphyria (a disease that shares many symptoms with SLE) generated folklore stories of vampires and werewolves, due to the photosensitivity, scarring, hair growth, and porphyrin brownish-red stained teeth in severe recessive forms of porphyria (or combinations of the disorder, known as dual, homozygous, or compound heterozygous porphyrias). Useful medication for the disease was first found in 1894, when quinine was first reported as an effective therapy. Four years later, the use of salicylates (e.g. aspirin) in conjunction with quinine was noted to be of still greater benefit. This was the best available treatment until the middle of the twentieth century, when Hench discovered the efficacy of corticosteroids in the treatment of SLE. Research Research is geared towards finding a possible cause, a cure, and more effective treatments for people with lupus. A study called BLISS-76 tested the drug, belimumab , a fully human monoclonal anti-BAFF (or anti-BLyS) antibody. Notable cases Charles Kuralt, former anchor of CBS Sunday Morning, died of SLE complications in 1997. Donald Byrne, American chess player who died from SLE complications in 1976. Ferdinand Marcos, former Philippine president, died of SLE complications in 1989. Flannery O'Connor, American fiction writer who died of SLE complications in 1964. Hugh Gaitskell, British politician who died of SLE complications in 1963 aged 56. Inday Ba (also known as N'Deaye Ba), a Swedish-born actress who died from SLE complications at age 32. J Dilla (also known as Jay Dee), a hip-hop producer and beat maker who died of SLE complications in 2006. Lauren Shuler Donner, American movie producer. Lucy Vodden, inspiration for the Beatles song Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds. Meeting Vodden later in life and realizing her illness, Julian Lennon campaigned to raise awareness of lupus and following Vodden's death in 2009 has been an active member of the Lupus Foundation of America. Mercedes Scelba-Shorte, America's Next Top Model Season Two runner-up and model. Michael Jackson had both SLE and vitiligo. Diagnosed in 1986, and confirmed by his dermatologist , Arnold Klein, who presented legal documents during court depositions. Michael Wayne, Hollywood director, and producer, part owner of Batjac Productions, son of legendary actor John Wayne, died of heart failure resulting from SLE complications in 2003. Pumpuang Duangjan, "Queen of Thai Country Music" Ray Walston, character actor who died of SLE complications in 2001 after a six-year battle with the disease. Selena Gomez, American actress and singer. Sophie Howard, British glamour model Teddi King, American singer, died of SLE complications in 1977. Tim Raines, former major league baseball player Toni Braxton was hospitalized in Los Angeles in December 2012 because of "minor health issues" related to Lupus. On the Series Edit Lupus was quickly recognized by fans and critics alike as the most commonly suggested differential diagnosis on the series. By the House, M.D. - Season Two DVD, the series creators decided to embrace this by creating the "It could be Lupus" supercut containing all of the instances where lupus was suggested, as well as being immediately dismissed by House. However, this served a very important rhetorical device on the series, highlighting the relationship between Gregory House and the person who always suggested lupus, Allison Cameron . It constantly showed us how House was trying to teach his fellows while reminding us how much Cameron had to learn. Of course, Cameron always suggested lupus because she was a specialist in immunology . Lupus is a perfect example of a "medical school disease". Although it is fairly rare, medical students are universally familiar with it when they leave medical school because it is commonly misdiagnosed and shows up in many case studies. In immunology, the problem becomes even worse - immunologists routinely are trained to include lupus in a differential as, ironically, if an immunologist has a patient with a mysterious disease, lupus is the most likely candidate. It is more common than most of the other serious autoimmune conditions. House, naturally, is trying to break Cameron from this habit. He reminded his fellows as early as The Socratic Method that in many cases when you choose your specialist, you choose your diagnosis as specialists rarely consider possibilities outside of their specialty. Moreover, although lupus is a zebra, and House often calls other doctors idiots, in fact House believes that in most cases doctors are competent to reach reasonable disgnoses. He finds it hard to believe that a physician would be incompetent enough to miss lupus as a possibility before a case came to his attention. His message to Cameron is also "do you think that all the other doctors who saw this patient first also didn't consider lupus?". Idiocy, in House's eyes, is not stretching ones imagination to consider the rare and unusual. It's finally lupus Edit It was only a matter of time before a case of lupus did come to House's attention, the magician Flynn in You Don't Want to Know . However, it came in through the back door and it was the sports medicine specialist Lawrence Kutner who didn't think of it. Moreover, the presentation was atypical, without the obvious signs such as the malar rash. In addition, they only hit upon the diagnosis through a fluke of treatment. Flynn had suffered a heart attack and bleeding from his mouth while performing a magic trick in a water filled glass booth. However, every test of this heart showed it was normal with no sign of heart disease. In retrospect, Flynn may have been suffering from a flare-up of his condition which affected his heart - a rare presentation of lupus. The blood transfusion was unrelated to Flynn's condition - he suffered internal bleeding from an MRI mishap. However, he had an adverse reaction to the transfusion because it was the wrong type. This clued House into the cause - his blood typing test was wrong because he tested positive for antibodies he shouldn't have. Unfortunately, very little of the medicine in this episode was correct. Medical critic Polite Dissent gave the episode's medicine a D and pointed out that just about everything about, including House's explanation of mistyping and transfusion reactions, was wrong. Elsewhere in the differential Edit Ezra Powell - possible scarring of the lungs and abnormalities in the bone marrow suggested some type of autoimmune condition. House put lupus in the differential at this point and orders IVIG. Jeff Forrester - the patient's fatigue pointed to systemic disease and Chase suggests lupus as one of the possibilities. House agrees and allows an ANA test. Anica Jovanovich - Cameron suggests lupus and a couple of other conditions to explain Anica's bruising. House goes with a test for Cushing's disease instead because lupus wouldn't explain the seizure. Fletcher Stone - Cameron suggests that the patient's fever is caused by an autoimmune condition and mentions lupus. However, House thinks an infection is more likely and orders antibiotics and anti-virals . Maggie Archer - When the patient's eyes start bleeding, Kutner suggests lupus along with two other possibilities. House decides on a bone marrow aspiration to get more information about why her platelets have dropped. Bob Palko - Foreman suggests lupus to explain itching and a rash . However, House also realized heavy metal poisoning explained all the symptoms and turned back to it as a possibility. Keith Foster - Cameron suggested lupus to explain the anemia. House allowed testing, but the ANA, lack of sensitivity to light, lack of a rash and lack of a family history ruled it out. Megan Bradberry - Leon the janitor suggested lupus because his grandmother suffered from it. House actually agreed and ordered an autoimmune panel. Abigail Ralphean - When it became clear the disease was systemic, Cameron suggested an autoimmune condition like lupus and recommended steroids. Cuddy agreed with Wilson that steroids were too risky and allowed an ANA test instead. Lucy - The patient's double vision and heart problems suggested an autoimmune condition and Cameron noted that lupus was one of the most common in six-year-olds. House thought it was a different autoimmune condition and ordered an ANA and steroids. Lupe - A buildup of white blood cells suggested an autoimmune condition given that Lupe had no fever. Foreman noted that no matter what autoimmune condition it was, even lupus, steroids were the appropriate treatment. House agreed. Matty - Cameron suggested the fibrous tissues in his muscles was most likely the result of an autoimmune condition. House ordered tests for lupus. Casey Alfonso - When the patient started running a fever and delerium , Taub noted that the speed of its progression suggested lupus and Amber agreed because all the brain and body symptoms pointed to an autoimmune disease. However, Foreman noted the patient wasn't suffering from kidney failure, which is usually the case when lupus progresses this quickly. He ordered interferon for multiple sclerosis but allowed the applicants to test for lupus. The ANA was a weak positive and the sed rate was also indicative of lupus, but Foreman noted that the test results pointed more conclusively to MS so he didn't allow steroids. Taub and Amber ignored Foreman and gave her steroids anyway. Although Casey's fever dropped, she developed paralysis . Roz - House suggests lupus to explain her heart problems and what he feels is her altered mental state. He orders a stress test , but it rules out the condition. Cate Milton - The patient's inflammation and kidney failure pointed to lupus. The patient refused to use her limited supply of steroids on a guess, and House refused to let her go outside to see if her condition would improve. Unable to perform an ANA, Wilson realizes that all they need to do an LE Prep is to mix her blood with something that will damage the blood cells, like a paper clip. Evan Greer - After the patient suffered multiple organ failures, Taub realized it was an autoimmune condition. House realized lupus was one of the possibilities, but didn't want to waste time on an ANA. However, the patient soon developed a high fever, which seemed to rule out lupus. Jackson Smith - Thirteen thought that the patient's testosterone supplements had set off an autoimmune reaction and suggested lupus as a possibility. House agreed and ordered steroids and progesterone . Jack Randall - Cameron believed the rash on the patient's chest pointed to a combination of lupus and vasculitis . However, House rejected the diagnosis because the patient didn't have a stiff neck and vasculitis could have shown up in a previous biopsy. James Sidas - Taub suggested lupus to explain the patient's paralysis , but the patient's ANA was normal. Carnell Hall - The team ran numerous tests to explain the patient's perception of electric shocks, but the normal ANA ruled out lupus. Adam Kelvey - House believes that Adam could be suffering from chest pain given the fact he was clutching his chest and screaming. He orders an ANA in the event it is lupus. Arlene Cuddy - In the secret differential, Taub suggested that the patient's recurring rashes and fever pointed to lupus. However, her attending, Dr. Kaufman , had already started her on prednisone because he had reached the same conclusion. Alice Tanner - Taub notes that in the patient's manuscript, the patient's literary alter ego is suffering from joint pain, fatigue, photosensitivity and depression. This points to lupus. House doesn't want to diagnose her with it because it's incurable and she will inevitably choose suicide over living with the pain. However, he agrees to an ANA. When he tells the patient about it, she becomes paralyzed, which points to another condition. Stevie Weathers - When the lungs became discolored when they started immunoglobulin, Dr. Simpson suggested lupus, which House immediately dismissed. Nick - House believed Nick's joint pain and slight fever were a sign of lupus. He later found a rash on Nick's thigh and Adams agreed to give him prednisone. However, when Nick broke his arm when he was pushed against a wall, he realized he was wrong. Drew Lemayne - House believes that Drew's mysterious illness might have been lupus and asks Emory if Drew ever had a rash. Emory denies it. Moira Parker - After Chase finds nodules on an artery , House suggests lupus, but the patient's ANA was normal. Will Westwood - Adams suggests lupus to explain the patient's hypercoagulability. However, House realized that Behcet's disease was more likely and they would have missed any visual symptoms because the patient was blind . Emily Lawson - When Emily's hands turn blue (Reynauds phenomena) Taub suggests lupus as the obvious cause. However, her mother Dr. Elizabeth Lawson felt that heavy metal poisoning was more likely even though Chase pointed out lupus fit the symptoms better. Elsewhere in the series
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Dr Dre became the highest earning musician in 2014 by selling his headphones company (What?) to Apple for c.$600m?
Apple's Beats buyout propelled Dr. Dre to the most profitable year of any musician ever Apple's Beats buyout propelled Dr. Dre to the most profitable year of any musician ever By Neil Hughes Friday, December 12, 2014, 12:04 pm PT (03:04 pm ET) Apple employee, rapper and producer Dr. Dre made an estimated $620 million before taxes this year, making him not only the top earning musician of 2014, but also the highest paid musician in a single year in history. The rankings released this week by Forbes show Dr. Dre as far and away the No. 1 earner of 2014, earning more than a half-billion dollars more than the second-place earner, Beyonce. In fact, the top ten earners brought in $1.4 billion in pretax earnings last year, with nearly half of that from Dr. Dre alone. Of course, the bulk of Dr. Dre's earnings didn't come from recording, performing or producing music, but instead from his entrepreneurial side— specifically, the $3 billion sale of the company he co-founded, Beats, to Apple in May . While Forbes didn't break down how much the Beats sale contributed to his 2014 earnings, it did specify that Dr. Dre's particularly lucrative year was "thanks largely to that deal." Apple's buyout of Beats also allowed Dr. Dre to make more in one year than any musician ever has in history. Others on this year's list were legacy acts The Eagles ($100 million), Bon Jovi ($82 million) and Bruce Springsteen ($81 million). The only acts under age 30 to make the top 10 were Justin Bieber ($80 million) and One Direction ($75 million). Before the Beats purchase was officially announced, Dr. Dre and performer Tyrese posted a video of themselves in the studio celebrating Dr. Dre as "the first billionaire in hip-hop." After the deal became official, Dr. Dre made a cameo appearance during Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference Keynote in June , participating in a phone call with software chief Craig Federighi. Some industry watchers believe Dr.Dre and his Beats co-founder Jimmy Iovine were the main targets for Apple in the Beats acquisition. With Iovine's storied background in the music business and Dre's "cool factor," the pair could rejuvenate Apple's iTunes, which is seeing increased pressure from streaming radio services like Pandora and Spotify. Topics:
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The largest ever white (What?) weighing 4.16lbs was sold at NYC Sotheby's for $61,250 in 2014?
The Best Bluetooth On- or Over-Ear Headphones | The Wirecutter The Best Bluetooth On- or Over-Ear Headphones Last updated: January 11, 2017 Lauren Dragan To share this page via email, fill out the fields below: Message Sent! Send If I wanted a pair of Bluetooth on- or over-ear headphones for a comfortable price, I’d get the Jabra Move Wireless . After extensively researching 93 pairs and testing the 55 best reviewed/newest models on the market (30 this round and 25 last round), our panel of experts all agreed that the Move Wireless was the best overall pick for most people. Of the Bluetooth headphones we tested in this price range, this pair ranked among the best-sounding when wireless, beating out headphones that cost almost two times as much. Not only did the Jabra Move Wireless pair sound great for Bluetooth headphones, but they were also comfortable, built to last, and affordable (Internet prices are usually under $100). Last Updated: January 11, 2017 Expand Most Recent Updates November 1, 2016: Our former top pick, and our current pick for bass lovers (or those who need an in-line remote), the Jabra Revo Wireless , has been discontinued. The  Jabra Move , our current top pick, remains fully stocked and available. We’re looking into recently released on- and over-ear Bluetooth headphones now, and we expect to update this review soon with our findings. October 31, 2016: We’ve added Master & Dynamic’s MW50 headphones to the What to look forward to section below. September 7, 2016: Apple announced that the iPhone 7 won’t have a headphone jack . If you have our pick, you’re good to go. If you want to be prepared, any of our Bluetooth headphone options below will help you make a seamless transition. September 2, 2016: Bowers & Wilkins announced the P7 Wireless at the IFA 2016 trade show, and we’ve added that pair to the What to look forward to section below. May 10, 2016: We've added information about the Samsung Level On Wireless Pro headphones to the What to look forward to section. April 14, 2016: After reviewing this guide, we still think the Jabra Move  is a great pair of on-ear Bluetooth headphones, and we’re confident you’ll be happy with it or with any of our alternate picks. But we’ve also revised the list of headphones that  we look forward to testing for the next major update to this guide. Buy from Amazon *At the time of publishing, the price was $70. The Move Wireless came out on top because of three factors. First, it sounds truly great for the price (though if sound quality is your top priority, our luxury pick may be a better choice). Second, it works well: Unlike other BT headphones with confusing buttons, frustrating controls, or headbands that pinch, the Move Wireless has easy-to-use-and-understand controls, and the headphones fit comfortably on your head. They also sound about 75 percent as good as our luxury pick at less than one-fifth the price. Something worth mentioning, however, is that no matter how good Bluetooth headphones sound compared to one another, you’ll still get more for your money sound-wise by buying corded headphones. For example, our $150 over-ear pick  is more even, accurate, and all-around better-sounding than any of the Bluetooth options that are $200 or under, and it generally hovers around $85. So if you don’t need to cut the cord, save your money. That said, if only Bluetooth will do, the Jabra Move Wireless will fit the bill without costing a fortune. Runner-up JBL E40BT A bit more boosted in the treble and bass, our runner-up sounds exciting but can be tighter on your head if you have a larger hat size. If our main pick sells out, the JBL E40BT  is our runner-up pick. With a little more of a treble- and bass-boosted sound than the Move Wireless, the E40BT is really great for pop, rock, and hip-hop. What pushed it out of the top slot? For one thing, while the ear pads are soft and comfortable, the headband is on the tighter side; anyone with a larger head may find it uncomfortable over long listening sessions. Also, the power button doubles as the Bluetooth pairing button, and while that isn’t in itself a bad thing, all of our panelists had a tough time turning the E40BT off; frequently we ended up putting it into pairing mode instead. And lastly, it’s about $20 more than the Move Wireless at the moment. So while the E40BT is pretty great, we just think more people will be happy with the less expensive and more user friendly Jabra Move Wireless. Also great Jabra Revo Wireless Our previous pick, the Revo is still fantastic, with touch controls on the earcup and an in-line remote on the cable. Offering a little more bass than the Move, the Revo also supports EQ adjustments via a free app. You’ll pay more for those features, though. If you’re in need of an in-cable remote or want a little more bass, we recommend our still-great former pick, the Jabra Revo Wireless . We still love these headphones’ warm, app-adjustable sound, easy-to-use touch controls, comfort, and long battery life. One advantage this model has over both the Move Wireless and the E40BT is that the included audio cable has a single-button remote and mic, which the others do not. (They both take calls and control volume and tracks over Bluetooth only.) And compared with the Move, the Revo has a slightly better low frequency range. In the end, however, we all felt that the little extras the Revo provides weren’t worth the extra money that you’d spend over the Move. Upgrade pick Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 Wireless Designed for when sound matters more than money, this was the best-sounding pair of Bluetooth headphones hands down, according to our expert panel. For this, however, you’ll pay a premium. Unless you’re willing to shell out top dollar, stick to our other picks. What do you get if money is no object? We tested nine pairs of headphones over $150—some we liked, some we really didn’t. In every case, we pitted the more-expensive pick against the Jabra Move Wireless and discussed whether we thought the higher-priced option was worth the extra money. In the end, the answer was a resounding “no.” We’ll get into specifics on that later, but the only model that we thought potentially was worth it (if we had the money to spend) was the Sennheiser Momentum Wireless . Why? The Momentum Wireless is an all-in-one headphone set for someone who needs Bluetooth, competitive active noise cancelling, and great sound. The Momentum headphones sound just about as good wireless as they do wired, and that’s saying something. The corded version was in our top four picks for our $400 over-ear headphones piece. So the sound quality on this pair is far and away better than on any other Bluetooth headphones we’ve ever tested, and when corded they give cable-only headphones a run for their money too. The noise cancelling on the Momentum Wireless isn’t quite as good as on our top pick for over-ear noise cancelling headphones , but it’s really close and very effective. But that price tag can really hurt. For most folks, that price isn’t realistic and, unless you need all of those features, you can save a ton of money by getting something else that’s less all-in-one. If that number doesn’t make you put your card away, buy this pair. It’s truly fantastic—the best thing we’ve tested in this category. Budget pick Kinivo BTH240 When you just need sound for the least amount of money possible, this model gets the job done. It doesn’t sound as good as our other picks and probably isn’t as durable. But for the price, it sounds better than others in its range. If you absolutely, positively, want to spend as little money as possible on Bluetooth headphones, you should consider the Kinivo BTH240 . This set isn’t a pick for all-day listening, as on larger heads it can pinch a bit behind the ears after a while. And to be honest, it doesn’t sound nearly as good as the Jabra Move Wireless or any of our other top picks. But hey, it’s $25, and it doesn’t sound terrible, either. In other words, these headphones would make a great secondary pair for someone who already has a favorite corded pair of cans. Keep in mind that the Kinivo doesn’t work corded and has a somewhat breakable feel to its build quality. So unless you really need to save some cash, we highly recommend sticking with our top picks. Table of contents What to look forward to Why should you trust us? Well, not only did I do extensive research and consult with some of the other top professional reviewers (you can read more about that below), but I also hold a bachelor’s in both Music Performance and Audio Production from Ithaca College. I spent several years in terrestrial radio before moving on to become a professional voice actor in Los Angeles, a job I continue to do and love. (In other words, I’ve spent more than a decade in and out of top recording studios). Around the same time, I started reviewing high-end home audio equipment for magazines like Home Theater Magazine, Home Entertainment, and Sound & Vision. Since landing at the Wirecutter, I’ve had the pleasure of listening to and reviewing hundreds (yes, hundreds) of headphones, and my articles have been featured in Forbes, Time, Electronic House, and Fast Company. I’ve got a pretty good handle on what’s out there and what’s worth your time and hard-earned money. And then there’s our panel of experts: Brent Butterworth , a Wirecutter A/V writer with decades of experience in the audio field for publications such as About.com , Sound & Vision , Home Theater, and many others; Phil Metzler, a musician/keyboardist in the band Just off Turner ; John Higgins, a session musician and music director (with a music master’s degree from the University of Southern California) and occasional freelance audio reviewer; and me, Lauren Dragan . In our previous testing, we also included Geoff Morrison, a writer for Forbes and CNET and A/V editor at the Wirecutter. As for outside advice, I consulted a number of experts, including Tyll Hertsens of  InnerFidelity  and Steve Guttenberg of CNET . I read reviews on PCMag, Engadget, Sound + Vision, Forbes, and other professional sites. However, many headphone enthusiasts are loath to use/recommend Bluetooth headphones because of the audio quality and cost. In fact, one well-known reviewer replied to my inquiries with simply, “Sorry, I’m no fan of BT.” That was the entire email. Another reviewer felt they could only recommend one pair of Bluetooth headphones. As a result, identifying a pool of headphones to test was an uphill battle. Who should buy this? The only reason to get Bluetooth headphones is because you are someone who cannot work with a cord on a regular basis, and the devices you plan to use most are Bluetooth enabled. (This includes iPhones, iPads, most smartphones, newer iPods, and most laptops.) The only reason to get Bluetooth headphones is because you are someone who cannot work with a cord on a regular basis, and the devices you plan to use most are Bluetooth enabled. Bluetooth headphones enable the listener to walk a short distance away from the sound source (i.e. your phone), or to keep that device in a pocket or bag without being hampered by a cord. However, this freedom comes at a price many headphone connoisseurs are reluctant to pay: sound quality. The Bluetooth data capability is limited, so some sound quality is lost in transmission from the device to the headphone. To be fair, the Bluetooth technology has come a long way in the last few years, but the sound still isn’t as good as you can get for less with a cord. Overall, what we’re saying is this: if you can live with a cable, save your money and get great sounding headphones for far less. Another factor worth mentioning is that none of the Bluetooth headphones tested for this roundup are sweat resistant, so we would not recommend any of these for working out. Between the internal battery and lack of extra water protection, a shorted-out headphone isn’t unlikely, and you don’t want that. Plus, there are sport headphones that are smaller, Bluetooth, and can take a beating. Check them out in our exercise headphones article. Also, these are not well-suited as wireless home theater headphones that one might use to connect to a TV, or even most stereos or receivers. Yes, some TVs and receivers have Bluetooth capabilities, and yes, you could use these to watch TV in addition to their primary function with your portable device. However, we wouldn’t recommend these headphones for purchase solely to use with your TV for three reasons: You will be paying for headphone features that become useless with a TV (microphone, track changing buttons, etc.). Bluetooth offers lower sound quality than other wireless-headphone technologies. So if you want something only for your home theater, spend money on something that sounds better, rather than on features that you won’t use. We discuss wireless home theater headphones in another article . Depending on the headphone and age of the Bluetooth transmitter, you may get a small delay, which isn’t a big deal when watching on occasion, but day to day can get irksome. Confused? Overwhelmed? Check out our “ Which Headphones Should I Get? ” article to figure out what range (and style) is right for you. Readers Also Like Read More Still here? Okay, here’s what to look for in good Bluetooth headphones: First, fit. Are they comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time, or will you get a headache after 30 minutes? Do the earcups sit well on the ear, and reasonably block out external noise? Second, sound. Is any one part of the frequency spectrum overpowering any other? (in other words, is the high end too loud? Can you hear the bass well?) Music should sound full and rich without any hiss or booming sounds. Voices should be clear and syllables should be crisp without hurting your ears. And, if they sound good while listening in one way (with a cord or Bluetooth), they should sound just as good the other way. Third, build. Are the controls easy to understand? Can you access them easily while wearing the headphones? Do they work with a cord, and if so, does the cord have any controls on it? Do they work while powered down, or do you need the battery charged at all times to use them? How easy is it to pair them to your device? And do they lose signal easily? Does the headband feel as though it will break? Because these are primarily used with your phone, you should try to find a pair that have a mic as well. How did we choose what to test? After doing my research with audio professionals, I looked to the user reviews on Amazon, Best Buy, CNET, Crutchfield, etc. to see what real people had liked and had come out since our last post. Then, I snagged everything that was announced at CES 2015 and is currently available. Panelists made their own music selections with which they were intimately familiar so they would know what each headphone brought to the table. Each spent over three hours pairing, listening, adding the cord, listening again, and then selecting their top three. Each panelist spent hours listening to our 30 new options. Finally, the panelists were asked to give me their top four picks and discuss their findings on each headphone individually. Then we took into account price and features and chose a winner. Our pick Buy from Amazon *At the time of publishing, the price was $70. Great sounding, moderately priced, comfortable, with easy to use controls. That about sums up why we chose the Jabra Move Wireless as our top recommendation. Of the mid-priced Bluetooth headphones we tested, these were among the best sounding when wireless. The high, mid, and low frequencies were all rather balanced, and all genres, from singer/songwriter to hip-hop and jazz, sounded great. The lower end of the Move’s frequencies is both present and defined, so electronic basslines don’t woof or muddy up the sound, and kick drums sound tight and refined. Although the bass is not low in volume compared to the rest of the mix, those accustomed to a highly boosted bassline might be the only ones who would want a little more. The mids are clear and don’t get lost in the overall sound. Rhythm guitar doesn’t compete with lead, but it won’t get lost either. Male voices sound smooth and rich, and the lower piano keys have depth to their sound. There is a touch of boost in the sibilant range, so you do get a slight bit of extra “sss” to your consonants, but when compared to some of the other Bluetooth headphones in this category, it’s relatively minor. Tim Gideon over at PCMag agrees with us, saying, “Bass lovers who want their low frequencies balanced out with crisp highs will be pleased. In this price range, the Move Wireless is an excellent option whether you’re listening wirelessly or through a cable, earning it our Editors’ Choice.” Every one of our panelists found the Move to have a good fit. Soft ear pads, a cloth-coated-and-padded headband, and a slight swivel to the earcups made the Move feel not only light and comfy but sturdy and well made. Brent called the overall fit “fantastic” and John and Phil both used the word “comfy.” The controls are rubberized and easy to find by touch when the Move headphones are on your head. As you’ll see as you read on below, the ability to find the controls while wearing the headphones was a huge problem for many of the designs. The volume up and down buttons double as track forward and back, and a center button between them will play, pause, call up voice commands, and take calls. There’s a built-in microphone as well, which sounds about as good on the other end of the line as any other wireless headphone we’ve tested. Another simple but somehow lacking feature in many other BT headphones was the on/off button. We know this sounds simplistic, but in many cases, it was frustrating to figure out if the power was truly off or not. And when you want to be sure to save your battery life, knowing you’ve powered down is a big deal. The Jabra Move has an easy-to-understand toggle button that slides right to power off, center for on, and left to pair. Boom. Done. Speaking of battery life, Jabra claims that the Move headphones have 8 hours talk/play battery life and 12 days standby. We tried that claim out by playing some music loud enough to drown out an air conditioner and timing how long it took the Move to finally die. During the test, we also took two 30-minute phone calls. Around 11 hours in, a voice informed us that the battery was low (and reminded us every 30 minutes or so), but it wasn’t until 15 hours of use that the battery finally gave out and shut down. We then recharged them fully, which took about 3 hours using a USB port on a MacBook Pro. Left: 8 hours in, the battery life on the Move is still going strong (red arrow). Right: The use time when the Move battery finally died. In addition, the Bluetooth reception range is good enough that it allowed us to wander to rooms three walls away and still not have interference. Your results may vary (based on the thickness of your walls) but based on our tests, the range should be more than enough freedom for most people. Besides functioning really well, the Move pair comes in black, red, and blue, and it’s slim enough in design that it doesn’t look massive or weird when you wear it outside your house. There’s no gaudy logo, either, so those who like a clean, simple design will be really happy with the aesthetics. Overall, when you consider everything above, the Move Wireless are really the best choice available for the money. They do what they promise well without charging you for stuff you don’t need. And when what you need is to cut the cord to your music device, you’ll be happy with what you get. Flaws but not dealbreakers The Jabra Move headphones do work corded; they come with a simple cable for when you run out of battery or are on a plane. However, the cord does not have any in-line mic or remote, so you’d need to power the headphones back on to take a call. If the battery runs out, you’re out of luck. None of the headphones we tested had on-ear controls that work when powered down, but having a remote/mic on the cord solves that problem. Sadly, the Move’s included cable lacks that. (It’s worth mentioning that a couple of pairs had no cord option whatsoever.) As an aside, a cord from the Revo Wireless (which does have a single-button remote) is compatible with the Move and  available separately . It will take calls and play/pause, so if you really need a fix for this issue, there is one. Still, it’s a bummer that it costs extra. Speaking of listening while corded, the Move headphones sound distinctly brighter when heard through the included cable. This means the higher frequencies are a bit higher in volume, and female voices, cymbal hits, and higher notes on piano or guitar seem to be a bit louder than normal. It’s not bad sounding, but it’s just a different enough overall profile that it’s worth mentioning. The runner-up A bit more boosted in the treble and bass, our runner-up sounds exciting but can be tighter on your head if you have a larger hat size. The JBL Synchros E40BT are another solid choice when it comes to Bluetooth headphones. They sound really great and have easy-to-use controls on the left earcup. The earpads are soft and comfortable, and the earcups themselves fold into the headband so the E40BT can be stored laying flat. If you have a medium to smaller hat size, the clamping force on the headband make the E40BT feel secure on your head; larger hat sizes may find the fit a bit too tight for long-term use. In terms of the sound, the E40BT have a slight boost in the treble range that was a bit divisive to our panel. Brent found that the extra intensity in female vocals, cymbal hits, and consonants “added detail without being harsh or overpowering.” Phil and I didn’t love the treble boost, but we didn’t hate it either: we found it helped to define the lower frequencies. John wasn’t as much of a fan, saying that he thought the higher frequencies could get “fatiguing after a while.” The bass on the E40BT is slightly boosted and a small bit blurry or muddy. It’s not terrible by any means, but a kick drum has a booming/echo-ish quality. So already-boosted hip-hop bass lines can sound a tad sloppy, blurring into the lower mids. The addition of the extra treble helps to add some structure to the overall sound, so the impact noise of a drum is heard as well as its resonance. Small sonic tweaks aside, the Synchros E40BT do well with all genres of music from classical to rap, but careful listeners may find that orchestral music lacks a bit of sonic depth of field over Bluetooth. But that’s not what kept the E40BT out of the top slot. What really nudged them below the Move was a combination of the price, a tighter fit that might not work for some people, and the frustrating power/pairing button. Turning the E40BT on is easy. Pairing is easy. It’s turning them off that becomes tricky. Hold the button down, and it goes into pairing mode again. Then you have to tap that button a second time, and they usually turn off. The problem is, if we accidentally held the button too long, the E40BT would forget our device and we’d need to re-pair it the text time we powered them on. It’s small, but when other devices have a simple on/off switch, we can’t help but wonder why this one doesn’t. Another bummer is that like the Move, the E40BT’s included cord has no remote or mic. The cable is also 1/16-to-1/8, so it’s tougher to find replacements if yours gets lost or damaged. Overall, however, the E40BT headphones are a good option if the Move sells out, or if you like a little more warm bass and treble in your sound. More bass and an in-line remote Also great Jabra Revo Wireless Our previous pick, the Revo is still fantastic, with touch controls on the earcup and an in-line remote on the cable. Offering a little more bass than the Move, the Revo also supports EQ adjustments via a free app. You’ll pay more for those features, though. Simply put, the Jabra Revo  sound great as Bluetooth headphones, as well as with a cord. They fit everyone well, are light and comfortable, have intuitive touch-based controls that were actually useful. The main thing that kept them from the top two was the price: Even though they’ve come down in cost since our first posting, they’re still more expensive than both the JBL E40BT and their sister headphones, the Jabra Move. Overall, the sound of the Revos still holds up, though whereas last time the Revos swept the category, this time other headphones have caught up. Phil still put the Revos as his favorite sounding in the mid-price range. John felt they were about tied with the Moves, but said the price difference would be enough for him to recommend buying the Moves. I also still really like the Revos’ sound. It’s a little warmer and more bass-intense than the Moves’, plus, the Revos are compatible with a Jabra app that allows you to use an EQ to tweak the sound to your personal tastes. The Moves are not. That said, I don’t think any headphone should require an app to function, so I really took any app features into account as icing, not the cake; they did not impact the overall value of the headphone. Why else did the Revos end up as a favorite? For one, they are really well built. They are foldable and seem to be able to withstand being thrown in a bag or banged around. The touch controls are not only neat, but easy to use. The sides of the headphones are touch sensitive (rather than using push buttons) and look like little rubber records. To increase/decrease volume, you glide your finger in a circular motion forward or back. To change tracks, you tap the front or back of the circle. The volume control adjusts the volume level within the phone, not just boosting dB in the headphones. This means that you don’t have to dig in your bag to mess with your your device if its volume is set too low. The Revos also come with a cloth-wrapped cord that has a mic and one-button remote, which enables you to answer calls, skip tracks, and get Siri, but not control the volume. We appreciated this because many of the others came with cords that had no mic or controls. That means you can’t make a phone call if you run out of battery or need to use the cord for some other reason. Some other nice things about the Revos include the built-in mic, which works just as well as any headphone mic I’ve used. Also, the controls on the headphone not only handle music—I was able to access Siri, redial the last call I made, and reject/answer incoming calls from a distance away from my iPhone. The Revos can also be used as USB headphones by using the included USB cord (which doubles as a charger). They’re NFC-enabled, so those of you with NFC-compatible devices need only turn them on and tap them to the Revos to establish a connection. Jabra claims the Revos have a playing battery time of 12 hours, which isn’t shabby. Average claims seem to be about 8-24 hours of active time. I wore them comfortably for five hours one day, and another night (after a full charge) I ran them at a volume loud enough to drown out the sound of an air conditioner for 17 hours before they said “battery level low” for about 15 minutes before finally dying. After they completely died, I tested them out with the cable, and as expected, they worked just fine (and although the touch controls didn’t work, the single button remote on the cord did). Overall, the Revos are still really fantastic headphones, especially if you want the little extras that come with the added price tag. Our luxury pick Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 Wireless Designed for when sound matters more than money, this was the best-sounding pair of Bluetooth headphones hands down, according to our expert panel. For this, however, you’ll pay a premium. Unless you’re willing to shell out top dollar, stick to our other picks. Some folks want the very best, no matter the cost. If that’s you (and we totally understand), consider the Sennheiser Momentum Wireless . Of all of the Bluetooth headphones we’ve tested, these were far and away the best sounding. They also have the added benefit of active noise cancelling, which they do very well. Whether corded or over Bluetooth, they live up to the sound profile of their corded-only namesake, the Sennheiser Momentum . The original Momentum held their own with over-ear headphones around $300 and were one of our top picks in that category . The sound of the Momentum Wireless is on the warmer side, with slightly emphasized lows that can ever so slightly overshadow the mids. But this is really only a quibble at this price point. Compared to other headphones in this category, they blow everything else away. The Momentum Wireless never verge into muddy territory, and the highs have just enough high-frequency sparkle and clarity to keep everything in the vocal range sounding clear and crisp. Bass lovers will really like them, but really, only folks who prefer a rolled-off bass could have an issue with the sound. Guitars, piano, and strings sound rich and full-bodied. The active noise-cancelling is not as good as that of the Bose QC25, our current noise-cancelling pick , but it’s really close. The Bose are a bit better at getting the airplane noise removed, but when you compare the Momentum Wireless to other all-in-one headphones, the Sennheisers do a far better job. Though it’s important to note that the Momentum Wireless are $200 more than the Bose; we like the sound of the Momentum Wireless better, and it has Bluetooth capabilities that the QC25s do not. The Momentum Wireless also have a solid and fashionable aviator retro look that is made of metal and leather, rather than all plastic. They feel sturdy in your hands and are made of quality materials. The on/off/pairing switch is supplemented by indicator lights that make sure you know what mode they’re in, and the volume/track change/voice activation button that reacts to toggling or pressing is a really nice touch. Something that may be seen as a downside is the fact that the Momentum Wireless NC cannot be turned off separately from the Bluetooth. In other words, if you are using them in Bluetooth mode, you’re also using them with the noise cancelling activated. That’s not a big deal to some, but if that matters to you (say you want to have a bit more awareness of your surroundings when walking around) you might want to take that into consideration. One other bigger downside is that the cable that is included with the Momentum Wireless has no remote or microphone. So no taking calls or toggling songs if you run out of battery. We thought this was kinda odd, considering the standard Momentum have a really nice cable with a three-button remote and a fancy hinged connector. In fact, it’s so neato that we featured the cable in  our $400 over-ear piece . For the price, we feel as though it wouldn’t be too much to ask to include one with the Wireless too. If you wanted to buy one of those cables for the standard Momentum separately on the Sennheiser site, it’s close to $100. Small issues aside, the Momentum Wireless are really fantastic. They sound better than the Parrot Zik 2.0 (and no dealing with the annoying Zik App), they cancel noise nearly as well as the QC25, and they’re Bluetooth. But considering the cost, we know the Momentum Wireless aren’t going to be for everyone. However, as Ferris Bueller said, they are so choice. If you have the means, we highly recommend picking one up. The budget option Kinivo BTH240 When you just need sound for the least amount of money possible, this model gets the job done. It doesn’t sound as good as our other picks and probably isn’t as durable. But for the price, it sounds better than others in its range. So, you need Bluetooth and you need it cheap. We got you covered. The Kinivo BTH240  is $25. $25! Do these headphones sound as good as the Moves or Revos? No. But they don’t sound terrible, either. The mids and highs are balanced, and the lows, while understated (largely because of the lack of seal by the earcups) are still audible in the upper to mid low-end frequencies. They drop off around 90 Hz, which isn’t terrible at this price range. Basically, you’ll hear a kick drum hit and a bass line, but they won’t be nearly as rich or full as in our other picks. Say you like to listen to podcasts and music while walking the dog for 30 minutes a day and need something cordless just for that daily 30 minutes. Or maybe you want something Bluetooth for occasional use when you’re cleaning the house so you can wander around the room. These would be great for you. They have a behind-the-head headband style, which is relatively comfortable and light. John found that the band tended to bump into his neck when he looked up, but unless you plan to stare at the sky while listening, it’s not a dealbreaker at this price. Larger heads may find they pinch behind the ears, but again, these are half the price of anything else comparable. The BTH240 has volume control (which does not affect your device’s volume, so you’ll need to set that before hitting play) and track forward and reverse (which does control the device, obviously). This model is also able to take calls, interact with voice commands, and redial the last call. The calls sound a little muffled to the person on the other end, but my callers could understand what I was saying. And the headphones fold up like a pretzel, so they’re small enough to pop into a bag with ease. Are they the best thing ever? Hardly, but they do get the job done for the least amount possible. Our panel tested 30 more Bluetooth headphones to sniff out the very best for your bucks. What else did we test? 808 Duo : Let’s be honest: from an aesthetic standpoint, nobody on the panel loved the design. Everyone aside from Brent felt that the headband was too big and had trouble getting a seal from the earcups. Brent, with his larger head size, was able to get a seal, however he just wasn’t into the look or plastic feel of the Duo. As far the sound quality goes, the vocal range of the treble frequencies was rather good-sounding: voices are clear with a bit of added intensity in the consonants. However, the bass frequencies have a significant and wide stretching boost that extends way too far into the low mids with a big Q. (For the technically inclined, you can read about Q here ). Generally, what it means is kick drums and electronic bass end up sounding overbearing and muddy at the same time. The mid-range itself has a dip just above this bass spike, so anything that falls into the range of the top three strings of a bass guitar or lower half of the piano keyboard gets lost. In addition, as a result of the blurry bass and hidden mids, when a bass line kicks in, vocals that sound lovely in acoustic music end up feeling attenuated and a bit sibilant. Higher lead guitar will be audible, but rhythm guitar lacks clarity to strums, and have an almost blobby quality. Overall, even though there are some good points to the sound here and there, nobody on the panel adored the Duo’s entire sonic profile, fit, or design. 808 Performer BT : The Performers have a clever earcup cable-suspension design that enables the angle of the cups to adjust nearly infinitely, so they bend and seal to the side of your face without adding pressure or being too loose on hinges. The metal headband is light but feels very solidly built: these are headphones that feel as though they can take a beating. The controls took me a second to find (pro-tip: they’re in the 808 logo) but once I did, they were easy enough to use. However, the panel’s view on the sound quality was a resounding “eh.” The highs are a tad sizzly, but the bass, while boosted, is clear and defined while avoiding being overpowering. The mids are a bit lackluster, and Phil described the sound as “boxy.” The whole picture means that drum hits kinda sound as though the heads were made of plastic, and the “S” sound on words sounds more like “sh.” Nobody hated them, but nobody on the panel would spend their own money on these either. The Performers are on the right track, but overall need a few tweaks to sound before we’d give them a full endorsement. AKG K845 BT : In previous tests, our panel liked these for Bluetooth sound. When corded, however, everyone found the high-end to be too much. And that’s where the agreement ended. In our last round, Geoff found them to be fairly comfortable, but John said the headband pinched, and that after maybe 30 minutes would give him a headache. I have a pretty small noggin, and I still agree. But I also had the added problem of the earcups being so large that sound leaked out the back under my jaw/occipital ridge. If I pressed the cups against my head to seal them, I got bass; if I let go, the bass seemed to bleed out the gap. And although the controls on the headset were easy to use, the cord has no remote, and they cost more than the Revos, JBL E40BTs, and Moves. AKG Y45 BT : Brent adored these, especially for the form factor. The Y45s are tiny, light on-ears that are compact enough to toss in a bag without taking up too much space. We all agreed that the Y45s deserved an honorable mention in this group for being small, comfy, and having pretty decent sound. What kept the Y45 BT from the top picks? The bass is a bit boosted, and this boost extends into the lower-mids slightly. Listening to rock left me feeling that bass guitars were a little too forward in the mix; however, the low end is not sloppy or muddy, it’s just increased in volume. There is a slight dip in the upper mids that Brent mentioned “makes instruments unnatural-sounding” and Phil described as making live recordings feel “uninspired.” However, when compared to some of the other headphones in this range, the Y45s still managed to have a really nice overall sound: nothing was blaring, piercing, bloated, or smeared-sounding. Also worth mentioning is that the tiny earcups do have a tendency to slide around on your ears if your outer ear sticks out at all. I mention this not because the Y45 are prone to falling off, but because the position on your ears can change the sound of the headphones. So if you happen to be elfin-eared like me and pop on a pair of Y45s, scoot them around a bit to see if you get a better sound quality. Ausdom M04 : Ausdom are one of those headphone companies that we had never heard of and only found through an Amazon top-rated search. But hey, they had a lot of good reviews and a low price, so we brought them in to test. The earcups are comfortable. That’s about the only nice thing anyone had to say about the M04s. The sound was described by the panelists as “dull, boomy, muddy, muffled, and blurry.” Overall, the M04s sound as though someone took the faders on an EQ and turned everything from the middle-up down while leaving one little spike in the 3-5 kHz range. In other words: not good. But hey, they are cheap and comfy, so maybe that’s why so many people like them. We think for $20 more, you can do way, way better with the Moves. Ausdom M05 : Like the M04s, it seems as though a lot of the positive reviews came from Vine reviewers on Amazon, and we wouldn’t have heard of the M05 if it weren’t for a top-rated search. I don’t know if anyone who spent their money on these would be so generous with their stars. The earcups don’t seal well, the build feels plasticky, and the sound is just awful: a boxy, blurry bass with weird dips and peaks that make everything sound as though the music is coming through cupped hands. The Moves sound better, are built better, and are cheaper. Beats Solo 2 Wireless : If you must have Beats, the Solo 2s are our favorite sounding of the Beats line so far. The Wireless version is no exception to this rule. In fact, they sound pretty much exactly like their wired cousin, which is to say: pretty darn good but not good enough to warrant the price tag. The bass is still a bit overdone and lacks the definition we’d like to hear on a kick drum or a thumping bass line that’s so forward in the mix. There’s a slight reverb-like quality when a really low note plays. The high end also is missing a bit of sparkle, which could be helped with a slight boost around 10 kHz or so: just enough to make consonants on vocals a little more crisp, guitar strums more defined, and high hat hits clearer. The fit is very comfortable, but when you compare the build quality of Beats to other headphones in their price range, the Beats start to look kinda plastic and cheaply made. Other cans around $300 will get you metal, leather, wood, and other more durable materials. While we know that the Beats look is now iconic, it’s hard not to notice that the Momentum Wireless, Sennheiser Urbanite XL Wireless, Harman Kardon Soho Wireless, and others around $200 and over look far more luxe. In the end, the Beats Solo 2 Wireless aren’t bad. In fact, they’re pretty good sounding. However, they aren’t good enough to justify the price, unless you really just need that red b on the side of your head. The Coosh CBT00H1 had a lot of good Amazon reviews and a low price, so we had to check them out. Please, save your money. Yes, they are inexpensive, but here are the words used to describe the sound that our panel used: “blurry,” “muffled,” “jagged,” “a mess,” “cardboardy,” “garbage.” The Kinivo sound better for less, and really, these are like throwing away money. The Bose AE2w are a weird offering that we tested last time. The best thing about these are the lightness and how comfy they are to wear. That’s where the compliments end. The sound is overpowering in the high end. John mentioned a sizzling sound, and Geoff flat out said the snare and drumstick sounds made the Bose something he “would not listen to.” I not only disliked the hot highs, but also found the low-end to be lacking in definition. And then there’s the bizarre design. The Bluetooth module hangs off the side of the earcup like an afterthought. In order to listen corded, you have to remove it completely to find an odd shaped opening where you put the (also 16th-to-8th-inch) cable in to connect. So in order to listen to them corded, you need to put the Bluetooth module somewhere, just asking for it to get lost. And for the price, you really don’t want to lose parts. The Bose Soundlink have a lot going for them: they are comfortable and they sound pretty great. In fact, the sound and feel is really close to our favorite on-ear headphones , the Bose SoundTrue. The SoundLink have the signature Bose profile: boosted upper-bass and mids that leads to a somewhat bottom-heavy frequency range. The highs are delicate but have a slightly thin, metallic edge to them, so strings and voices sound a bit hollow. However, the bass has good pitch and isn’t thudding or formless. They’re compact, like the SoundTrue, but slightly thicker and heavier due to the added battery and Bluetooth. In November, CNET called them “the wireless headphones to beat right now.” Here’s the main problem: they’re too expensive. Even if we liked the sound better than the Moves (which are warmer and more spacious sounding) we just can’t justify spending so much, especially for a lateral sound (and functionality) move. In the end, if you’re a Bose junkie, get them; you won’t be disappointed. The SoundLink aren’t bad headphones; in fact they’re pretty great. But there’s no need to spend so much money on them. Creative Aurvana Gold and the Creative Aurvana Platinum sounded so similar to one another that I’m going to lump them both together here. The fit is the same, as well. The main difference between the Golds and Platinums (aside from price) is that the Platinums have three active noise-cancelling settings as opposed to the Golds’ one: airplane (cuts more engine noise frequencies), indoor, and outdoor (allows in some ambient noise so you can navigate). Both headphones are built really solidly, although the earcups are really big. I kinda felt like I was wearing those huge 70s headphones or air-traffic-controller ear protection. Once on, they are comfortable, and the padding is really nice on both the headbands and the earcups. When the Gold and Platinum were first released, the general word was that they sounded pretty good. However, a lot of advancements have occurred since a few years ago, and sadly time has not been kind to the Aurvanas: when compared to more recent headphones, they just don’t seem to hold up. Our panel found that both models sounded better with the NC On as opposed to Off. Off, both Gold and Platinum sound bloated in the bass and muddy in general. Everything lacks definition and clarity. With NC on, conditions improve slightly, but not enough to redeem the headphones fully. Kick drums sound muffled; electronic bass lines sound smeared. In general, neither sound worse than headphones in the $70 range, but even at their greatly reduced current price and really solid build quality, they just aren’t good enough for us to recommend. Hopefully, Creative will follow up soon with a more updated version. The Creative Hitz WP380 : The WP380s look like little versions of the Aurvanas. They are much more portable and wearable, as they aren’t nearly as massive as the Aurvanas. However, the sound quality is really lacking. The bass is mushy sounding and the treble is a crispy, sizzly mess. Everything sounds like it’s muddied up and then there’s this weird layer of overly boosted consonants and hi-hat hits. It’s kinda bizarre and not at all pleasant. Look elsewhere. The Creative WP450 were a less-expensive pair we tested last time around. Nobody liked them. They fit too tightly, and the sound was muffled. Geoff used the description of “listening underwater.” I said it sounded like too much reverb on a mixer. It was blurry and sloppy and not even worth the low price for Bluetooth. Creative’s Soundblaster Jam : For under $50, you could do worse, sound wise. Guitars in the mids sound pretty clear, piano has some depth to the sound, and the bass is nice and full. An added bass boost button adds a little extra oomph if you need it. The highs are a little sibilant, but not terrible. There are a few problems, however: when the bass boost option is on, hip hop electronic basslines can over-modulate the drivers and cause a thrumming sound. And seriously: what’s with the 80s foam earpads? That aside, of the under $50 options, the Soundblaster Jam were our panelists’ favorite sounding. But to put that in perspective, the Kinivos are even cheaper, and the Moves are better built and better sounding for just a little more. So depending on whether sound or budget is the priority, we say you’d be happier with the other recommendations. The Harman Kardon BT were tested previously, and are built sturdily, and have that angular modern steel-and-leather look that a lot of HK headphones feature. Prettiness aside, the sound is, while not directly objectionable, lackluster at best. Geoff said they had a touch too much treble, John described a “lack of depth” and I agreed. There seemed to be a hole in the upper mids somewhere. The best I could say about them is that they were “fine.” The cable does not have a remote, but when on, the headphones themselves have a mic and a few control buttons. These are also another pair of headphones that are rather heavy and clunky if you are planning to listen to them while moving. They really aren’t bad, but for the price, we really expected more. Harman Kardon’s Soho Wireless have a that executive-modern vibe, and like all of HK’s products, they are sleek, minimalist, sturdy, and really lovely to look at. The problem with that design is that three out of four panelists found the headband hard and earpads somewhat uncomfortable, especially if worn longer term. The sound also just wasn’t as good as we were hoping. Possibly because the earpads don’t really seal on your ear, or maybe just because of the way they are voiced, the Soho Wireless have a “lifeless” quality to the sound. The higher high frequencies that usually add sparkle and clarity to music are missing, and the mids lack punch. Rock feels kinda blah, voices sound unnatural. Overall, the Soho Wireless aren’t terrible, but given their price, we’d like a step up in sound as well as design. As it stands, we’d say these are a lateral move at best sound-wise from the AKG Y45BTs, or even the Moves, but these cost quite a bit more. Unless you want the fashion statement, we’d say to pass. The JBL 56BTs  were another disappointing option last round. Everyone mentioned how muffled they sounded. The bass was woofy and the cable was a non-standard 16th to 8th, so don’t lose that cable. Geoff called them “really bad,” and I hate to say it, but we all agreed. It’s really a shame. JBL’s E50 BTs  are the over-ear big brothers to the E40 BT. Sadly, they lack all of the charm of their little sister. Big floppy earcups that don’t seal properly, and a sound that is… well, there’s no way around it: pretty terrible. Here is a direct quote from Brent, “Who voiced these?! The audio engineers at JBL know better. I liken it to a pharmaceutical company hiring the world’s best medical researchers and then deciding to just sell bee pollen. Why did these end up this bad?” In other words, piano sounds like an old, cheap, 80s electronic keyboard; hi-hat hits SNAP! and are generally piercing, and voices sound weirdly peaked and compressed. It’s a shame, and strange, especially since the on-ear version has so many positives. The JBL Syncros S400BTs  feel beautiful and sturdy in your hands, but that’s where the compliments stop. They’re not bad headphones, but annoyingly sensitive touch controls, an obscure USB-to-⅛-inch headphone jack charging cable, and lackluster sound prevent them from being anything special. Brent called the sound “just okay.” The warmth wasn’t there and made songs that should feel rich end up sounding two-dimensional. Ultimately, we were expecting more. The  JLab Omnis  are over-ears that are well padded, relatively light on your head, and very comfortable. They have a dial on the right earcup that serves as volume, track control, and play/pause. It’s a cool idea, but unfortunately, the volume and track are controlled by the same turning movement in different durations. As a result, I kept accidentally changing tracks when I wanted to slightly adjust the volume. This would be a minor concern if the sound were fantastic, but the Omni have a sloppy boosted range that extends from the low bass to the mids, so guitars sound burry and smeared. On hip hop, the bass is overwhelming in a way that muffles everything from the mids down. It’s a shame, as the vocals sound rather nice, and there are some good things happening in the higher frequencies. Violin, and the upper half of the piano, are really lovely: clean and clear sounding… until the upright bass or lower keys of the piano enter the song. Overall, for the price, it’s hard to forgive the Omnis’ shortcomings, especially in a field that has so many other options for the price. Kicker’s Tabors  are made by a company that specializes in car subwoofers, and you can tell. (In a good way.) If we had to select a bass-head option, these would be the obvious choice. The bass is obviously boosted. But it’s not as much as one would expect from a subwoofer company. The mids and highs are really great, and everything that doesn’t fall in that low-boosted range sounds really natural, full, and fantastic. If you pressed us, we’d say that the sound quality is on par with the Beats Solo 2s but with a touch more bass, and it’s available for significantly less money. The form factor is large (okay, huge) but comfy. You’ll look like a DJ walking down the street, but some people don’t mind that. If that sounds like you, go for these. You’ll feel the bass, cut the cords, and save some serious cash. Koss’s BT 540is are fine, and that’s the problem. There’s nothing truly objectionable about them. The lower frequencies are a bit bloated and the highs are a bit harsh, so bass guitar can sound blobby and unrefined while words are sibilant. But it’s not a terrible overall sound. The fit is comfortable enough, but really unremarkable-looking in design. The issue is that for the price, we want remarkable, good, or great, even. Unfortunately, the 540is are none of these things. For our money (and yours) we think “fine” just doesn’t cut it. The  MEElectronics Air-Fi Matrix 2s were fine but don’t surpass the Jabra Moves in sound or price. They have NFC and AptX, as well as a corded option. Brent called them “recommendable” but commented that the bass seemed a little pumped up. John felt the fit was difficult for him, as the oval earcups weren’t quite over- nor on-ears for him. That said, despite the fit concern, he found the sound to be pretty good. He and I both found that the high end around 2k-3k (female voice or hi-hat range) was a little much for our ears. That said, we both are sensitive to sibilance, so if you are someone who likes a little push in the high and low end, you might really like these. What kept them from our top choice? The overall build, the lack of depth to the sonic field, tiny controls, and a non-universally appealing fit. The Matrix 2s are not bad for the price, but all of our panelists agreed that we’d be happier with the less-expensive Jabra Moves or even the slightly more expensive JBL E40BTs. The MEElectronics Air Fi Runaways were another pair that I was rooting for in our previous panel. They’re inexpensive and light, and I was hoping they would be a good budget option since they also work corded. However, we were all disappointed with the sound. Geoff, John, and I all remarked on the nonexistent bass. And if the sound were good, we could forgive the cheap construction, but without a better sonic response, we have to say pass. MEElectronics’s Air Fi Touch have, as the name suggests, touch-controlled earcups that allow you to swipe for track changes and volume adjustment. It takes a second to get the angle of your swipe right, but once you do, the Touch are pretty intuitive. The on-ear design is comfortable, and the sound, while boosted in the highs and lows, is pretty good, especially for the price. In general, vocals on the Touch sound smooth, but the mids on a piano can have a “hard” feeling, like the strings are made of a twangy metal, as opposed to rich, lush, and with spatial placement. Overall, the Touch are pretty good headphones, and if you like the design and swipe features, they’re recommendable. Really, when it came down to choosing winners, the cheaper sound of the Touch compared to the Revos gave the them our vote for a step-up over the Moves. And, unless you need touch controls, we’d say to save the money and snag the Jabra Moves instead. The  MEElectronics Air Fi Rumbles have the same look of the MEElectronics Atlas and are just as comfortable on your head. The issue with the Rumbles actually isn’t the bass, as you might expect. It’s the harsh, sibilant treble. Snare hits are piercing, and every consonant “STandSss ouT” in an unpleasant way. Phil was the only one who gave a generous review saying that “for $60,” the Rumble “weren’t bad.” However, if we had a choice, we’d spring for the Moves for a little extra. The Onkyo ES-BT1s  are available in black with accents of yellow, red, or blue. They’re fun and marketed towards the workout demographic. They have breathable mesh over the ear pads, which is a great idea. After that, however, they fall short. None of our panel felt that the ES-BT1 would stay on the head for a serious workout. The sound was lackluster, muffled, and sloppy. There was no corded option, which you would expect to receive at this price level. Brent really disliked them, John said he couldn’t even get them to fit correctly enough to be able to really judge the sound, and all of us couldn’t help but feel seriously let down. The Outdoor Technology Privates have a retro rugged look and touch controls on the earcups. The problem is that the earcups don’t pivot or swivel at all, so everyone on the panel noticed that the headphones kept sliding off their ears; they just wouldn’t stay put. It’s a big problem that would be so easily solved with a hinge. Even if we liked the fit of the Privates, the bass is a little boomy, and means that everything up to male vocals are a little muddied. Female vocals are nice sounding, however. If the fit were better, these would have earned much better standing in our overall rankings. But unless you have ears that are completely flat to your head, you probably won’t be able to keep these headphones on your noggin for long. Outdoor Technology’s Tuis are comfortable, have intuitive controls, and were completely divisive for our panel. Brent and I really didn’t care for the broad bass boost that ran way up into the mid-frequencies. Brent commented that the sound of kick drums sounded flabby and undefined, like “buh,” and I agreed. The treble had a snapping sharp edge to snare hits, and I found it all really unnatural sounding; Brent agreed. We both liked the fit and comfort of the Tuis. John was in the middle, liking the look and fit, as well as finding the sound to be, “Ooooookay, I suppose, middle of the pack for me.” Phil, on the other hand, liked the sound of the Tuis, saying he felt they had “good separation, with a full, prominent bass and overall warm sound.” But he wasn’t into the looks, saying he’d rather use something that looked “less like a Swiss Army Knife.” So where does that leave us? It means that these headphones aren’t going to be for everyone (and they’re not going to even be for most people), so we had to keep them from our top picks. That said, if you like the style and happen to have heard the Tuis (or own them already) and are happy, great! You aren’t alone. We just don’t feel confident that enough people would love them to recommend them, especially for online purchase, where you can’t try before you buy. The Tuis seem to be an acquired taste. But hey, some people love pickled herring, too. It’s just not for everybody. Panasonic’s BTD-10s are lightweight and sleek looking, with a fun green stripe and inner earcups. But the sound was very peaked: blaring in the mids with recessed lower-highs and lows, a peak around 2-3 kHz, and an overall sound that feels as though an analog radio hasn’t quite dialed into the station. They are consistent, however, as they sound exactly the same both corded and uncorded. We’ve loved a lot of Panasonic offerings in the past, but these really miss the mark. The Parrot Ziks were also a source of some controversy. I want to like them, and the design is undeniably beautiful. They have a bone conductor sensor and five mics to help with calls. And they sound pretty darn good over Bluetooth. But the Parrot Ziks and Zik 2.0s are, in my opinion, a great idea that wasn’t fully tested before release. They are completely dependent on their app. Want to turn the noise canceling on or off? You need to go into the app. Want to use a cord on the originals to listen to music? You need the app. (Yup, you read that right. Without the app, if you just plug the headphones into a source with the cord, the sound has this bizarre reverb thing that renders them unlistenable. It sounds as though you broke them or have a bad cord.)  And I’m not the only one who noticed this. The same problem occurred with the Zik 2.0, only now you need the app and Internet. And on the 2.0, you can’t adjust the EQ, NC, or anything without signing into the app, which requires a data connection. Did you turn your phone off or sign out of the app and forgot to turn the NC on before you got on the plane? Too bad. You can’t sign in again without Wi-Fi. Basically, the Parrot Zik is useless if you try to use it with anything that can’t run the app. Geoff and I have put our full thoughts on the Parrot Zik line of headphones on Forbes and Sound & Vision , respectively. As with all the latest releases from Polk, the Hinge Wireless are beautifully built and designed. The leather-covered headband and earpads combine with metal accents to give the Hinge Wireless a comfortable fit and a luxury feel. Unfortunately, the sound quality isn’t quite up to what we’d want for the $200 price tag. Over Bluetooth and while corded, the Hinge Wireless are very bass-heavy. This is especially noticeable when listening to hip-hop. Well executed, this wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing. However, the Hinge Wireless’s bass frequencies are blurry as well as over-emphasized, which coats the entire midrange and muffles it. Everything in the mids sound darker and slightly unnatural from guitar to piano. The highs also lack a crispness and clarity (perhaps needing a boost in the 10k range) that might have helped to add sparkle to the vocals. In general, vocals end up sounding somewhat dull and lifeless. If the Hinge Wireless cost closer to $120, we’d be able to forgive the less-than-perfect sound, but at around $200, the good looks and solid build quality aren’t enough for us to spend our money. Samson’s RTE2s were disliked by everyone. Brent said, “Horrible. Do not buy.” John stated, “It’s missing bass, and the treble is grating. No.” Phil and I both couldn’t get past the fatiguing treble hiss that made cymbals piercing and guitars sound like they were in a metal box. The formless lackluster bass made kick drums sound as though they were being played through a speaker that had a piece of cloth in front of it, and every impact caused the cloth to pop as the air hit it. Considering their price, we’d say to pass. Sennheiser’s Urbanite XL Wireless are another option (like the Kicker Tabors) for people who want that bass-heavy sound. And like the Kicker, these are not flat in frequency response. The bass in the Kicker is actually a bit more subtle and tighter than the XL, which has a somewhat more intense and rounded feel to the low frequencies than the Kicker. Brent and Phil really liked the XLs, saying that although they knew the sound was purposefully EQed to be bass heavy, they enjoyed the warmth to the overall profile and the intensity of the bass. Brent noted that these weren’t “audiophile headphones,” but none of us think they were meant to be. These are headphones for fans of hip-hop and EDM. That said, John and I weren’t fans of the overt low-end. I found the bass to be a bit too undefined and rounded, and noticed that on anything rock, the bass guitar overpowered the lead. In classical, piano sounded lopsided. Personally, I listen to so many different kinds of music that I don’t care for that. But I will admit, on club music, the XL really shine. The mids and highs are very nice, and the higher frequencies especially have a lovely amount of detail without attacking your ears with a piercing or grating sibilance. The build quality is also stellar, and the XLs, while still large on your head (I mean, they are called XL after all), do have a more “wearable” look than the Kickers. The earpads are soft and sueded, and the touchpad on the right earcup that controls volume, tracks, and play/pause takes a bit of practice to get the feel of but works really well and intuitively once you get the hang of it. The XL also include a remote and mic on the optional cord, so you can control your music and take calls even if the battery dies out. Here’s the deal: The XLs aren’t going to be for musical purists or audiophiles, and, as mentioned before, we’re pretty sure that they weren’t meant to be. But the XLs are in the price range of the Beats, which is pretty high. The build quality of the XLs is far superior than the Beats, and while the XLs have a larger soundstage than the Beats, neither one is without flaws. And the Kickers cost much less than both but don’t feel as substantially constructed as the XLs. In the end, between these three, it’s about what’s more important to you: saving some cash, build quality, or brand. The Stance S1  headphones were an emotional rollercoaster for our panel. First, we were happy with the looks of the design. It has a neat clockwork-inspired volume knob and steampunk vibe. But then we were bummed, because the fit is weird, with a clunky feeling on your head, and uncomfortable because the ear pads are too stiff to get a good seal around your ears. Another downside: the icons to pair with your device, choose a battery source, (there’s a rechargeable internal battery as well as the ability to add AAA batteries), and to switch to use the included optional cord are non-intuitive. However, once we figured out how to get them paired, we were surprised at how good they sounded in Bluetooth mode. Happiness again! An even, flat, signal response with decent, well-established bass. But then we added the cord, and sadness returned. The cord has two options: battery amplified and non-battery amplified. When amplified, they sound as though you suddenly added reverb and boosted the bass. Non-amplified, they sound muffled. It’s the first instance our panel had where listening through the cord sounded worse than the Bluetooth. Even sadder, when in the corded mode, the cool volume knob ceases to function. Overall, if the sound were consistent across all modes of listening, we’d be really thrilled with the S1. But unless you plan to listen only by Bluetooth and are willing to shell out the money, we’d say to wait until there’s an S2. There is an S1+, but you can read about those below. The various switches to control the Stance S1 and S1+. The Stance S1+ by Pendulumic  is more or less the S1 with better earpads (a huge improvement in the earpad department!) and what Pendulumic describes as an “enhanced sound profile” that includes “deeper bass.” And, like its predecessor, the S1+ sounds really good over Bluetooth. There is somewhat of a peak in the vocal range, so voices sound more forward in the mix. Perhaps it’s what Pendulumic describes as the “concert-hall environment” that the S1+ now features, but delicate and precise sounds like acoustic guitar or violin pizzicato can sound a little like there’s added reverb or somehow blurry. The bass is forward and somewhat formless at the same time. Perhaps it’s because Pendulumic added a reverb-like Q (slow decay of sounds) to create the concert-hall sound. This makes the low-end feel a little blobby, but none of these flaws are enough to detract from an overall really nice sound when wireless. However, when we added the cable, we were disappointed again. The same corded issues arose, and the S1+ still sounds muddy and muffled when listened to through a cord. We tried switching from passive mode to using the amplified mode with internal rechargeable battery, and then to using the optional AAA batteries. All suffered the same fatal flaw. Once you add a cord, the S1+ is a complete mess. This Stance pair has a lot of really good ideas happening. The multifunction knob is novel, the steampunk design is cool, and the idea of having both a rechargeable and AAA battery option for Bluetooth/amp power is good. But the switches that enable you to choose which mode of listening and which battery source you’re using aren’t intuitive. The earcups aren’t very noise-isolating, which could be seen as a good or bad thing, depending on your tastes. And ultimately, sounding so terrible when corded is a complete dealbreaker for us at this price range. For the price, we really want headphones that function well beyond just Bluetooth. In the end, Pendulumic are on the right track, but the Stance S1 and S1+ just aren’t complete enough for us to fully endorse them. The SMS Sync by 50 Cent were dead last in our panel’s rankings last time. Geoff disliked them strongly on many levels. The build he found cheap, the sound, sloppy and muffled with jagged frequency response. John said it sounded like there was a tape hiss in them, and I heard it too. It sounded like something was distorted, and with the cord, the bass was out-of-control boomy. Nobody found them comfortable. For the price, you deserve more. Sony MDR-XB950BT : Nobody on the panel liked these. The bass is boomy, messy, and leaves every kind of music sounding, as Brent put it, “as though there is a quilt draped over a speaker.” Even on hip-hop, which headphones marketed as Extra Bass should excel in, everyone agreed that the 950BT were an absolute mess. There are many better options out there, and none of us knows how Sony could have dropped the ball so terribly or why there are so many good Amazon reviews. The only positive comment our panel made was “well, they’re comfy on your head…” The updated Swage 2 by Rokit Boost got us excited when they were released. We were pleasantly surprised by the sound of the original Swages but didn’t love the cheap feeling foam cups, so the prospect of a build upgrade that included leatherette earpads had us optimistic. Unfortunately, that dissipated when we started listening. Brent immediately noticed that the voicing was completely different. He called the sound muffled and “really colored” as though “someone had been messing with the EQ of the song.” John agreed, saying that while he appreciated the new build, he found the bass muffled and and “covered sounding.” I had to agree, sadly. Whether it was a new driver, or the addition of the perforated leatherette that lead to the change in sound, the Swage 2 left us bummed. The  Swage Sport by Rokit Boost don’t seem to be sweat resistant that we could discern, so we put them in this piece as opposed to our exercise headphones article. One of the most important things to us when selecting headphones for working out is durability. If your sweat (which is kinda part of working out) could potentially ruin headphones that you bought just for the purpose of working out, we don’t see the value. Category explanations aside, we don’t recommend the Swage Sport, even for non-sporting activities. While they are very light and kinda comfortable, they just sound tinny, treble-heavy, and not at all pleasing for music. You can safely pass on the Swage Sport. The VFrees by Velodyne were artistically crafted with a fractured teardrop design. The problem is that the buttons aren’t labeled, nor are they intuitive, and you really need to memorize them if you plan to use them while wearing the headphones. The volume control is independent of the device you’re using, so you’d need to turn up the volume on your phone or iPod before putting it in a bag. And none of us were in love with the sound. The bass was muddy when in Bluetooth mode, overwhelming when corded, and I found them lacking articulation in the consonants in the vocals. They started at $300 and are now $40 for a reason. They just fall short in so many areas. VOXOA are a newer company, and their Wireless Stereo Headphones retail for around $50 now. They have a corded capability, as well as NFC and aptX. Unfortunately, like the Swage 2s, they have perforated leatherette earpads that seem to result in a muffled bassy sound. John said the sound was “okay, but definitely had a muddy overall sonic experience.” Brent was less charitable, commenting “they aren’t as horrible as some Bluetooth I’ve heard in this price range, but they still have a muddy bass and vocal range,” describing it as though “the bass was beginning to cross over and play too high of a frequency.” Personally, I found the original Swage by Rokit Boost better sounding for much less money, so while they aren’t the worst, they aren’t the best either. Xqisit’s LZ380s have a design that brings to mind the Velodyne look , but have a easy to use, touch sensitive earcup rather than Velodyne’s random puzzle of unlabeled buttons. The LZ380s have some of the squishiest earpads we’ve felt. Man, they’re comfy, especially for a $70 price tag. Sadly, the sound did not make us nearly as happy as the earpads. The bass boost extends way into the mids, and makes everything sound as though it has reverb on it. The word “muddy” was mentioned by every panelist. The vocal range was okay, but unless you plan to listen to only spoken word, we think you can do better. It’s a shame, though, since those earcups sure are nice. Burned in, fully charged, and ready to test. Tested previously, but since discontinued The Logitech UE 9000s were also very well-liked in our first test panel. But here’s the thing: they’re discontinued and it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to find them for a reasonable price on Amazon . They have some of the best sound of all the Bluetooth headphones we tested, and they include some great extras like a wall charger and a cord with a remote. They also have a mute button that boosts your voice so you aren’t yelling when talking to people. They’re over ears, and are really solidly built. Perhaps too solidly, because they are really heavy and clunky, especially when you’re walking around. Also, Logitech may not accept warranty claims when purchased from unauthorized sellers, and to make a claim you have to call a non-toll-free number.  Nokia Purity Pro by Monster were another pair we liked last time which are now discontinued. Although they say Nokia, they worked just fine with iPhones and Androids in our test. Apparently, there’s an app that works with Nokia Lumia only, but none of our testers had one nor knew anyone with one. That said, as I mentioned before, I don’t think headphones should rely on apps to function, and the Purity Pro don’t. If you find them, they’re good over ears. The sound is nearly as good as the Revos, so they’d be in an honorable mention if you can track them down. The Sony MDR-1RBTs : Lightweight and comfortable, the MDR-1RBTs are from an earlier panel. Geoff deemed them “Neither the worst, nor the best, the MDR-1BT are a good option if you can’t get the others we mentioned above” after a good long listen. And he’s right about the sound: it’s a bit sizzling in the high ends, and the headphones have an overall muffled quality to the mids, although they do have a nice full low end. But there are a few technical hiccups that I found puzzling. First, they have an NFC option that we couldn’t get it to work with Geoff’s HTC One (and there are others on Amazon commenting about similar issues  though with Samsung products). Secondly, the Bluetooth audio connection will not work while they are charging (by contrast, the Jabra Revos will). As such, if you plan on charging from an outlet in one place and listening to a device located in another, you’re out of luck. They will, however, work with the ⅛” cord while charging. Are those dealbreakers? Not necessarily, but they are worth taking into consideration when you look at the price tag, which is currently more than the Revos, JBL E40BTs, and the Moves. The Swage by Rokit Boost are another decent cheap headphone set that are discontinued. They have an astounding 4.5 stars on Amazon. We’re convinced it’s because they are Bluetooth and inexpensive. They look odd, have ‘80s Walkman-style foam earpads, and don’t work with a cord. The sound is mostly mids, but they were not the worst Bluetooth headphones we listened to during our tests. In fact, they sounded better than the Monster iSport and the SMS Sync by 50 Cent, which are considerably more expensive. But they didn’t come close to matching the clarity and balance of the Revos. The fit is tight, but the Swages are comfortable enough for short use. That said, if you need Bluetooth headphones for as little as possible that sound okay, these were our previous budget pick until the Kivivo came along. Don’t confuse these with the Swage 2s, the updated version . We had more on the Swage 2s above. What did we consider? There’s plenty more to choose from when it comes to over-ear Bluetooth headphones. Here are the ones we didn’t test and why. AKG K830 BT: CNET gave them 2.5 stars . Ouch. Beats Wireless: Amazon users give them only 3.5 stars complaining about breakage issues and bad warranty support. Denon AH-NCW500BK: 3.5 stars on Amazon : complaints both on sound and phone use quality. House of Marley Liberate XLBT: While I always root for the House of Marley because of their commitment to using sustainable and recycled materials, they have some design flaws in their headphones that often make them uncomfortable to wear for long. Specifically: the inability for the earcups to swivel at all. We had the same problem with the Outdoor Tech Privates. The earcups don’t adjust the the curve of your face, so they either don’t seal, hurt your ears, or slip around. A reviewer at Technology Tell  found it was an issue for him, too. Interestingly, at CES 2015, I got a chance to talk to Marley’s head designer, and he mentioned that changes to the earcup design was in the works for all of the future headphones at Marley. So I can only hope this issue is short lived. That said, for the price, we want our headphones to sit comfortably. Klipsch Image One: Engadget says the bass muddies up the sound. ME Electronics Venture AF52: These are on the way to being discontinued. Monoprice Premium Bluetooth Hi-Fi Over-the-Ear Headphones : As for the Monoprice, the reviews on the site are less than exciting. Users wrote lots of complaints of the Bluetooth dropping out, the earcups being too hot, and the sound being muddy. The fact that they have to be charged, even to work with the cord, is a dealbreaker. Phiaton Chord BT NC: Numerous Amazon reviews complain of them getting too hot to wear. I brought them in to try myself. They do, in fact, get warm. It’s really strange. On a cool day, it’s cozy. But if you live a little closer to the equator the leather plus actively heating = sweaty ears. It’s a shame, as they sound pretty darn good. The noise cancelling really doesn’t do all that much NC either. All in all, if you can stand the warmth, they are good sounding. Plantronics BackBeat Go 2: CNET only gives them 3 stars . Sennheiser MM 450-X Wireless Bluetooth: Replaced by the 550X. Sennheiser MM 550-X Travel: These headphones have a score of 3/5 on Trusted Reviews  and 3.5 stars on PCMag . Although The Verge likes the 550-X, they have the same internals as the 550-X Travel. The Travel version just has external call controls; the 550-X don’t. Sol Tracks Air: Both Digital Trends and PC Mag were less than impressed, citing overpowering bass, lack of detail and signal noise. SoundBot SB220 Bluetooth Noise-Cancellation Stereo Headphones: I couldn’t track down a company website for these. Proceed with buying caution. What to look forward to Klipsch , Audio Technica , Onkyo , Blue , and House of Marley all showcased new Bluetooth on- and over-ear options at CES 2017. Though some options, like the Klipsch Reference On-Ear and Over-Ear , are available now, others won’t go on sale until the spring. We will look into the models as they become available and update this guide with our thoughts. In November 2016, Master & Dynamic released the MW50, an updated, wireless version of its MH30 headphones . Master & Dynamic reports that the MW50 has a 100-foot Bluetooth signal range and a 16-hour rechargeable battery. The headphones also have memory-foam earcups and tactile volume and play/pause controls. The Master & Dynamic MW50 is available for $450 , and we look forward to testing this pair for ourselves soon. Bowers & Wilkins announced a Bluetooth version of its P7 over-ear headphones, the Bowers & Wilkins P7 Wireless. The new model uses the aptX codec and has the same memory-foam earcups as the wired version. This pair has a reported battery life of 17 hours, but we’ve called it in for testing to see for ourselves. Beats announced the Solo3 Wireless at Apple’s September 7 event. The new model will be available sometime this fall. The Urban Ears Plattan ADV Wireless and Sony MDR-1ABT  have been available since last spring. The Skullcandy Hesh 2 Wireless might appeal to those who love the design aesthetic of Skullcandy, but the verdict seems to be that these headphones are just “okay” sounding. If you really want to rock the skater/surfer cool look, know that you might be sacrificing some sound quality. CNET was relatively blah in regard to the sound, and we haven’t seen many other pro reviews on these. We’ll consider testing these now that the price has dropped a bit. CNET found the Skullcandy Grind to sound much better but was unimpressed with the on-ear headset’s call quality. We’ll be looking at these as well. We’ll also be looking at House of Marley’s newest on-ear Bluetooth headphones, the Rebel BT , which are modeled after the company’s Roar line. Digital Trends compared the JVC Elation XX favorably to our top pick, the Jabra Move , so we’d like to give this pair a listen ourselves. The  ROC Sport Freedom by Monster On-Ear Bluetooth Headphones can work on both the ACC and aptX codec and are available now. We’re also considering the Samsung Level On Wireless , which is the wireless version of our runner-up choice for the best on-ear headphones . In addition, we plan to test the Samsung Level On Wireless Pro  model, which has some extra features for use with Samsung phones. Marshall announced the Major II Bluetooth and the Mid Bluetooth . The Major II, available now , features a collapsible design and a reported 30 hours of playback on a single charge. The Mid has internal hardware similar to that of the Major II but offers an updated design; it’s available to order on Marshall’s website . Satechi’s Aluminum Wireless Headphones are about the same price as our current pick. TNW thought they were comfortable and found their battery life to be impressive but discovered that the sound quality was lacking. RBH has added a set of over-ear Bluetooth headphones, the RBH HP-1B . Since we really liked the sound of the company’s in-ear BT headphones, we want to give these a listen as well. Phiaton just released the BT460 ; if the company has eliminated the heat issue, these headphones could be a serious contender. Puro Sound’s on-ear BT headphones for kids had a grown-up following , so earlier this year Puro released an adult “studio-grade” line . Volume-limiting hearing protection might be a feature worth having if you value your ears like we do. Sony’s MDR-1ABT received some good comments from Trusted Reviews overseas and just became available in the US market this spring, so we’ll give this pair a listen. We’ve dismissed other versions of the MEE audio Air-Fi Matrix2 in the past, but we’ll be testing out the recently revamped version.
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Name the controversial 'extreme' global taxi-hailing smartphone app, banned by several territories in 2014?
Paris travel guide - Wikitravel 52 59 Being located in Western Europe, Paris has a maritime climate with cool winters and warm summers. The moderating effect of the Atlantic Ocean helps to temper temperature extremes in much of western Europe, including France. Even in January, the coldest month, temperatures nearly always exceed the freezing point with an average high of 6°C (43°F). Snow is not common in Paris, although it will fall a few times a year. Most of Paris' precipitation comes in the form of light rain year-round. Summers in Paris are warm and pleasant, with an average high of 25°C (77°F) during the mid-summer months. Spring and fall are normally cool and wet. With the weather being so pleasant in the summer, it's a great time to visit. By plane[ edit ] Paris is served by three international airports - for more information, including arrival/departure times, check the official sites. Charles de Gaulle International Airport (Roissy)[ edit ] IATA : CDG. The major hub airport to the north-east of the city. It's notoriously confusing, so allow plenty of time for transfers. There are three terminals: Terminal 1, Terminal 2 (which is huge and subdivided into 2A through 2G), and Terminal 3 (formerly T9). The newest exception is terminal 2G which is a separate building and is only reachable via navette/bus in 10-15min (bus leaves every 20min) so allow extra time. The free CDGVAL shuttle train connects the terminals together. When you arrive at CDG, you should note what terminal you arrived at (2A, 2D, etc.), because when you come back to the airport to depart at the end of your trip, the RER subway train makes two stops at CDG to cover the three terminals, but there are few indications of which airlines are at which terminals. Have a close look at your air ticket to figure out which terminal you are departing from. Air France and associates leave from Terminal 2. The RER B has the airlines serviced by each terminal on a not so obvious chart posted by the door of the train. Terminal 1[ edit ] Say that again, please? The RER B station named "Aeroport Charles de Gaulle 1" is a misnomer - it actually serves Terminal 3, not Terminal 1. However, the CDGVAL train (free of charge) links Terminals 1, 2, and 3. There are quite a few points with power outlets specifically for charging passengers' laptops/mobiles, both down by the food court and by some of the gates. Terminal 2E[ edit ] VAT Tax refund: First, have your tax refund papers stamped at the tax refund counter in the main terminal area, before you check in with your airline. Although displaying purchase is officially mandatory, it's usually only required for high priced items. To locate the tax refund counter in the terminal, look for the signs or ask any airline employee for directions. Don't be confused by a single queue splitting between currency exchange and tax refund office: choose tax refund if you prefer euros--while currency exchange refunds only in USD or your national currency, both buy at a robbery rate (and with no rollback to the refund window after you realize the rate). The line can take a long time, expect several minutes per customer. At either office, you can also receive refund for your spouse if you have their passport and refund forms. Duty-free shopping: There are no shops before security check zone. When you shop in post-security check zone, it's not genuinely taxfree, as you can receive a tax refund for those purchases as well. Contrary to what one may expect, there is no L'Occitane; cheese is limited to soft sorts (and there are no ripe varieties); wines starts at €11 and some popular sorts like Chinon can't be found; the sausage selection is extremely limited. There are no mid-range clothes or shoes stores, only luxury brands. Airport transfers[ edit ] For getting to or from Paris, the RER commuter train, line B, has stations in T3 (from where you can take the free CDGVAL shuttle train to T1) and T2. Trains to Paris leave every 7-8 minutes and stop at Gare du Nord, Châtelet-Les Halles, Saint-Michel Notre-Dame, Luxembourg, Port-Royal, Denfert-Rochereau and Cité Universitaire. Adult tickets cost €10 (February 2015), and for children between 4-10 the fare is €6.65 each; day tickets are not valid for travel to and from the airport. The train takes around 35 minutes to Gare du Nord and 45min to Denfert-Rochereau, making this the fastest way to get to the city. Tickets can be purchased either through green (sometimes blue) automated ticket vending machines ("Billetterie Ile-de-France") or through the ticket office serviced by transport authority personnel. Engineering works near CDG Terminal-1 and Aulnay-Sois-Bois stations are conducted between 11pm and midnight every day, so you must take a coach (bus) from Terminal 3 to the station where you can take the RER B train to Paris. The fare is included in the train ticket you purchase. Trains for Paris usually leave from platforms 11 and 12. Look for signs saying "RER B" or "All trains go to Paris". When using the ticket from and to the airport (as with tickets for the RER commuter trains in general) you have to use it to enter and to exit the train. Always keep the ticket handy as the SNCF officials sometimes check for tickets, and if you are without one you may be fined €40. This means that after you put the ticket into the entry gate and are cleared to pass, you must retrieve the ticket from the machine and keep it with you until you leave the train system including any connections. Circulate throught Paris and use transports is very hard with luggage, particulary at rush hours. Eelway society is specialized in luggage transfert, from or to Paris and everywhere in the city. Be extra vigilant when using the RER B. Gangs target travelers with pick-pocketing especially as the train gets absolutely packed around the center. They also operate forceful snatch-and-run operations. For comfort and safety, especially with multiple people and/or multiple luggages, consider taking the bus or a car There is also a TGV station in T2 for high-speed connections, mostly towards Lille and Brussels , but there are also some trains that head west to eg. Rennes and Nantes , bypassing Paris. BY ROAD Taxis are regulated by flat flare of 55 EUR into the city. Uber are also common (and active as of Dec 2016), and operate for slightly less. Allow extra time due to distance and congestions are to be expected. Alternatively, the Roissybus service (€11) connects all terminals directly to Opéra Garnier in central Paris, but it's subject to traffic jams and rush hour, so it averages 60-90 minutes even on a good day. 350 and 351 require three t+ tickets per passenger (about €5.10 or €5.70 if tickets are purchased on the bus). The tickets can be purchased at newspaper stands, at ticket machines, or from the driver for a higher price and they need to be validated with a device next to the driver's seat. Night bus services are available on Noctilien lines N140 (1-4am on the hour, 1½ hours) and N143 (midnight-5am on the half-hour, 55 minutes) to/from Gare de l'Est for €8, which can be purchased from the driver. BE CAREFUL when using buses to get to CDG. There are frequent traffic jams on the motorways leading to the airport - the Air France bus normally may need 50 minutes to get to CDG, but it may take 1½ hours as well. Your best bet for arriving on time with the buses is to take them very early in the morning or during other times when there isn't much traffic. Air France buses offer two stops in Paris (Porte Maillot, Montparnasse) from CDG for a 50-minute ride. To reach a specific address into the city, this shared shuttle service costs €19 per person. Non-shared (limo service) transfers are also available and can be booked on-line: T2 Transfer offers CDG airport transfers to Paris city centre for up to 4 people for €60. Top Paris Transfer offers CDG transfers to Paris city centre for up to 4 people for €60. Blacklane offers airport transfers in Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5 Series or similar, for three people to/from CDG or Orly to/from central Paris for around €60 and €70. Cab Service Prestige offers a Mercedes E transfer for up to 4 people for €150 from CDG to the city Easy Private Taxi offers a sedan from CDG to the city up to 2 people for €60, up 4 people for €70 and up to 8 people for €90 LeCab offers a sedan to and from CDG for up to 4 people for €48, and to and from Orly for up to 4 people for €37 Paris airport shuttle offers a cdg to and from CDG for up to 4 people for €48, and to and from Orly for up to 4 people for €37 Private Car Service Paris offers luxury Mercedes Class E and S airport pickups from CDG and Orly to the city or Hotel for €120 and private chauffeur services for €70. TaxiLeader.net offers CDG to and from Paris for €48 1-3 people, Orly to and from Paris €55 1-3 people AbiTransport offers for group and family, CDG to and from Paris from €70 (1-4 people) to 90€ (8 peoples) , DisneyLand paris to and from CDG from €69 (1-4 people) to 93€ (8 peoples) Do not get into a taxi which is not clearly marked "taxi." Taxi services between CDG and Paris should not exceed €150; scammers will try to charge you €225 or more. Contact[ edit ] A post office only exists in B and D terminals. However, you can send postcards buying post stamps in a newspaper stand, and dropping them into a postbox (both exist in every terminal). Orly International Airport [ edit ] IATA : ORY. This airport is southwest of the city, and served by a southern branch of the RER-B line that heads in the direction of Saint-Rémy-les-Chevreuse (not Robinson). This older international airport is used mainly by Air France for domestic departures, and international departures by European carriers. Orly is roughly 30 min from Paris via the OrlyBus, which departs from Métro Denfert-Rochereau (ligne 4, 6); the price is €7.70. There are buses every 10 minutes from the Orly Sud (Platform 4) and it stops at Orly Ouest on its way to the city. Tickets can be bought at a counter near the baggage claim area or directly at the counter in Platform 4. The tickets need to be validated once on the bus. Another option is to take Metro 7 to Villejuif-Louis Aragon then Tram T7 (bound for Athis-Mons, Porte de l'Essonne) to Aéroport d'Orly (not Cœur d'Orly); you need 2 tickets as there is no free transfer between the Metro and the tram, but it is considerably less expensive than the RER B and Orlyval. The tram is slow but nice, opened in 2013. Perhaps the cheapest option from the airport is the 183 bus, which picks up in front of Terminal Sud. It takes 50 minutes, costs two euros, and drops you off at Porte de Choisy station in Zone 1, a decent starting point for a walk through Paris. The Orlyval light rail connects the two terminals to each other and to the RER B line at Antony. It runs every 4-7min and cost €10.75 for transfer to Paris, including connections to central area metro stations. The RER B from Antony runs through Paris to Aéroport Charles de Gaulle. Airline Shuttles[ edit ] In addition to public transport, Air France operates shuttles (Les Cars Air France) between Charles de Gaulle and Paris (€17), Orly and Paris (€12) and between the two airports (€20). Discounts apply for young/group travellers and online booking. Note that if you have connecting Air France flights that land and depart from different airports, you would still generally need to collect your luggage after landing, catch either the Air France shuttle or a taxi (readily available at all airports) to the other airport and check-in again. This altogether could take up to 2 hours particularly if traffic is at its worst. It is also common to lose time during disembarking, as passengers often need to get off at the tarmac and get on buses which will bring them to the terminal building. Be sure to have sufficient time between flights to catch your connection. Note that check-in desks usually close 30min before the flight departs, longer if flights are international carriers. You can buy Les Cars Air France tickets online (note: don't worry about barcodes not showing up on your tickets, although the website mentions them - the driver didn't care - 2014), on the bus, or at the automated machines in their waiting area at CDG. There is a designated, well-labelled stopping spot for each shuttle line, so make sure you're in the right place. Someone will take your luggage, ask you where you're going, and put it in the appropriate compartment. Then, at the destination, a porter will take out all the luggage destined for that stop. If you want to take RER B and catch an early flight, make sure you bring enough change, because you can only buy tickets at the coins-only machines before the counter opens. If you arrive to CDG Airport at night you'll need a Noctilien bus to get to the city centre. The bus stops in all three terminals (in terminal 2F it will be the second level in departure section - it is very difficult to find, but it really exists). The bus leaves every 30min after 12:30 (see timetable ). The buses you'll need are N121 and N120; the price is €7. By train[ edit ] Paris is well connected to the rest of Europe by train. There is no central station serving Paris and the six different stations are not connected to each other. You will probably want to know in advance at which station your train is arriving, so as to better choose a hotel and plan for transport within the city. Gare du Nord, ( 10th ), Métro: Gare du Nord - TGV trains to and from Belgium , the Netherlands , and Cologne , Germany (Thalys), and the United Kingdom (Eurostar) and regular trains from Northern Europe. Passengers coming in by train from Charles de Gaulle Airport can also get off here. Gare d'Austerlitz, ( 13th ), Métro: Gare d'Austerlitz - regular trains to and from the centre and southwest of France ( Orléans , Limoges , Toulouse the long way), Spain and Portugal and arrival of majority of the night trains. Gare de Lyon, ( 12th ), Métro: Gare de Lyon - regular and TGV trains to and from Southern and eastern France: French Alps , Marseille , Lyon , Dijon , Switzerland (by TGV Lyria ): Geneva , Lausanne , Neuchatel - Bern - Interlaken , Basel - Zurich , and Italy . Gare de Bercy, ( 12th ), Métro: Bercy. Overnight trains from and to Italy and regular trains to Auvergne . Gare St Lazare, ( 8th ) Métro: St-Lazare - trains to and from Basse-Normandie , Haute-Normandie . Gare Montparnasse, ( 15th ), Métro: Montparnasse-Bienvenüe - TGV and regular trains to and from the west and south-west of France ( Brest , Rennes , Nantes , Bordeaux , Toulouse the fastest way and Spain ). The SNCF (French national railways) operates practically all trains within France excluding the Eurostar to St Pancras, London and the Thalys to Brussels and onward to the Netherlands and Germany . TGV Lyria is a joint service offered by the French and Swiss railways (SBB-CFF-FFS - Swiss Federal Railways) for TGV Lyria trains running between Paris and Switzerland . There are also a few local lines of high touristic interest which are privately owned. All SNCF, Eurostar and Thalys tickets can be bought in railway stations, city offices and travel agencies (no surcharge). The SNCF website allows to book and buy tickets up to two months in advance. There are significant discounts if you book weeks ahead. Reduced ticket prices are different for each day and each train and can be used only on the train the reservation is for. Surprisingly, round trip tickets (aller-retour) with a stay over Saturday night can be cheaper than a single one-way ticket (aller simple). A very limited selection of last minute trips are published on the SNCF website every Tuesday, with discounts of more than 50%. There are a number of different kinds of high speed and normal trains: TER: The regional trains (Train Express Régionale); cheapest tickets, though prices are variable on the time of day of departure (and the day of departure as well). TER are slower, stopping at almost all stations. Intercités: A bundling of the former Intercités, Téoz, and Lunéa train categories. There are two kinds: the regular trains, which are priced the same as the TER and the trains you'll find yourself on if you have a Eurail or InterRail pass and don't want to pay extra for reservations, and the trains à réservation obligatoire, which require a reservation and are priced differently from the regular Intercités trains. TGV: The world-famous French high-speed trains (Trains à Grande Vitesse) run very frequently to the Southeast Nice (5-6h), Marseille (3h) and Avignon (2.5h), the East ( by TGV Lyria ) to Geneva (3h), Lausanne (3h40), Neuchatel (4h) - Bern (4h30) - Interlaken (5h45), Basel (3h) - Zurich (4h) in Switzerland and Dijon (1h15), the Southwest Bordeaux (3h), the West Rennes (2-2.5h) and the North Lille (less than 1h). Eurostar to London (2h15) and Thalys to Brussels (1h20) use almost identical trains. Reservations are obligatory. Thalys A high-speed train service running daily to/from the Netherlands , Belgium and Germany . It can be a bit expensive compared to normal trains, but cheap enough if you buy in advance. Intercity: Intercity trains leave for all parts of Europe , including overnight trains to San Sebastian in Spain , Porto and Lisbon in Portugal . Eurostar: The Eurostar service connects Paris with London St. Pancras directly and Brussels indirectly, as well many other destinations indirectly through the various west European rail services. Travel time between Paris Gare du Nord and London St Pancras International currently averages at 2h15min, following the opening of a new rail link in late 2007. Eurail and InterRail passes are not valid for this train, though passholders can benefit from a reduced price. You must arrive at the station 30 minutes before the departure of the train to complete security and passport controls. CNL : The overnight services (City Night Line) by the German operator Deutsche Bahn which have sleeping berths in addition to the regular coach cars. These are not particularly speedy. They are designed to leave Paris in the late evening and arrive at their destinations at a reasonable morning hour. While the trains themselves are covered by the rail passes, the sleeping accommodation supplements are not, and need to be booked separately, but what you get is a moving bed which transports you to another city, saving on hotel bills in the process. Paris has 3 departures nightly, all from the Gare de l'Est - to Munich , Berlin and Hamburg . Transfer between train stations[ edit ] From Gare du Nord[ edit ] Gare du Nord - Gare de l'Est (8min): Metro line 4 direction Porte d'Orleans. By foot, it is also about 8 minutes, but you will have to descend a set of stairs. Gare du Nord - Gare de Lyon (20min): RER D direction Melun/Malesherbes; alternatively, if the RER D is not operational, RER B direction Robinson/Saint-Rémy-les-Chevreuse to Châtelet Les Halles and then RER A direction Marne-la-Vallée/Boissy-Saint-Léger to Gare de Lyon (this change only involves getting off the RER B train and getting on the RER A train on the other side of the same platform) Gare du Nord - Gare Montparnasse (30min): Metro line 4 direction Porte d'Orleans Gare du Nord - Gare de Bercy (25min): Follow the directions for Gare de Lyon, then switch to Métro line 14 direction Olympiades to Bercy. From Gare de l'Est[ edit ] Gare de l'Est - Gare du Nord (8min) : Metro line 5 direction Bobigny. By foot, it is also about 8 minutes, but you will have to climb set of stairs. Gare de l'Est - Gare de Lyon (20min) : Metro line 5 direction Place d'Italie, stop at Quai de la Rapee and follow pedestrian signs to Gare de Lyon. Alternatively, Métro line 5 in the same direction to Bastille and then Metro line 1 direction Château de Vincennes to Gare de Lyon. Gare de l'Est - Gare Montparnasse (30min): Metro line 4 direction Porte d'Orleans. Gare de l'Est - Gare de Bercy (25min) : Metro line 5 direction Place d'Italie, stop at Bastille and switch to Metro line 1 direction Château de Vincennes to Gare de Lyon, then switch to Metro line 14 direction Olympiades to Bercy. Alternatively, Metro line 5 to Place d'Italie and then Metro line 6 direction Nation to Bercy. From Gare de Lyon[ edit ] Gare de Lyon - Gare du Nord (20min): RER D direction Orry-la-Ville; if the RER D is not working, take RER A direction Saint-Germain-en-Laye/Cergy Le Haut/Poissy to Châtelet Les Halles and then RER B direction Aéroport Charles de Gaulle/Mitry Claye to Gare du Nord. Gare de Lyon - Gare de I'Est (25min): Metro line 14 to Chatelet, direction St. Lazzare followed by Metro line 4 direction Porte de Clignancourt. Gare de Lyon - Gare Montparnasse (30min): Metro line 14 to Chatelet, direction St. Lazzare followed by Metro line 4 direction Porte d'Orleans. Gare de Lyon - Gare de Bercy (15min): A free shuttle runs between the two every half hour. Alternatively, Metro line 14 direction Olympiades to Bercy. From Gare Montparnasse[ edit ] Gare Montparnasse - Gare du Nord OR Gare de I'Est (30min): Metro line 4 direction Porte de Clignancourt Gare Montparnasse - Gare de Lyon (30min): Metro line 4 to Chatelet, direction Porte de Clignancourt followed by Metro line 14 direction Olympiades From Gare de Bercy[ edit ] For all train stations, either take the free shuttle to Gare de Lyon or Metro line 14 to the same and follow the directions given from Gare de Lyon. By bus[ edit ] Eurolines, [1] . A trans-European bus company that offers trips from across Europe and Morocco to Paris. Generally offers prices significantly cheaper than the train at the cost of much longer journeys. The Parisian office is located at Bagnolet, adjacent to the Gallieni metro station.   edit Megabus, [2] . A British low-cost bus company that offers fares to Paris from London , Amsterdam , and Brussels . Seats start at €1.00, with through fares available from points on the domestic UK network. Free Wi-Fi is available when the bus is travelling through the United Kingdom. The Parisian terminus is at the Porte Maillot Metro station, next to the Palais des Congrès in the 17th .   edit iDBUS, [3] . The luxury bus arm of SNCF, introduced in summer 2012. It offers routes to Paris from various destinations in Belgium , France , Italy , the Netherlands and the United Kingdom . Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the journey. The Parisian terminus is at the Gare de Bercy.   edit FlixBus, [4] . German company, offering routes from Paris since summer 2015 from the station Paris Porte Maillot.   edit Starshipper, [5] . Company offering national routes toward Brest, Nantes, Rennes and Lyon. The station is located at Paris Porte Maillot.   edit By car[ edit ] Several autoroutes (expresswas/motorways) link Paris with the rest of France: A1 and A3 to the north, A5 and A6 to the south, A4 to the east and A13 and A10 to the west. Not surprisingly, traffic jams are significantly worse during French school holidays. The multi-lane highway around Paris, called the Périphérique (BP), is probably preferable to driving through the centre. Another ring road nearing completion; L'A86 (also A186 and A286) loops around Paris about 10km further out from the Périphérique. A third, incomplete ring road is much further out and called La Francilienne (N104). It's advisable not to drive in the Paris Metro Area. It's better to drive to a suburban train station with a parking lot and then use the train to continue your trip throughout Paris. Most of Paris' roads were created long before the invention of cars. Traffic inside the city tends to be heavy, especially at rush hour; driving, however, may be rather easy and efficient in the evening. Parking is also difficult. Furthermore, the medieval nature of parts of the city's street system makes it very confusing, and traffic will almost never allow one to stop or slow down to get one's bearings. If you are unfamiliar with the streets and still insist on driving in the city, make sure you have a navigator in the passenger seat with you. Paris is currently investing in the systemic removal of existing parking spaces to encourage people to use its available and vast public transportation system. Get around[ edit ] The best and cheapest way to get around Paris is on foot, and secondly, using the Métro. On foot[ edit ] Walking in Paris is one of the great pleasures of visiting the City of Light. It is possible to cross the entire city in only a few hours (only if you can somehow keep yourself from stopping at numerous cafés and shops). Paris walking 101 To get a great orientation of the city on foot while seeing many of Paris' major sights, you can do a West to East walk from the Arc de Triomphe to Ile de la Cite (Notre Dame). This walk takes about 1-2 hours without any stops. Start at the top of the Champs Elysees (at the Arc de Triomphe) and begin walking down the Champs Elysees towards Place ('square') de la Concorde. On the way towards the obelisk on the square, you'll see the major stores and restaurants of Paris' most famous avenue. Once you've passed the main shopping area, you'll see the Petit Palais and the Grand Palais to your right. At Place de la Concorde, you'll be able to see many of Paris' major monuments around you. In front of you is the Tuileries, behind you is the Champs-Elysees and Arc de Triomphe, behind you to your right is the Tour Eiffel and Musee d'Orsay, and finally, to your left is the Madeleine. Continue straight ahead and enter the Tuileries Gardens passing by fountains, flowers, and lovers in the park. As you continue straight ahead, and out of the garden, you'll see the pyramid entrance to the Louvre directly in front of you. With the pyramid directly in front of you, and the Tuileries directly behind you, turn to your right and walk towards the Seine. Now you can walk along the Seine (eastwards) until you reach Pont Neuf. Cross Pont Neuf and walk through the Latin Quarter, cross the river again to reach Notre Dame cathedral on Ile de la Cité. The smartest travellers take advantage of the walkability of this city and stay above ground as much as possible. A metro ride of less than 2 stops is best avoided since walking will take about the same amount of time and you'll be able to see more of the city. That said, pay attention to the Métro stations that you may pass by on your journey; the Métro network is very dense within the city and the lines are virtually always located directly underneath major boulevards, so if you become lost it is easy to regain your bearings by walking along a major boulevard until you find a Métro station. Despite fines as high as €180 and extensive street cleaning operations, dog droppings persist across the city, so walk with caution. It's always fun to experience the city by foot, and there are numerous walking tours around Paris, whether self guided (with the help of a guidebook or on-line guide) or with a touring guide (booked through your travel agency or hotel). The city is best explored by foot, and some of the most marvellous memories you will have of Paris is walking through secret found places. By Métro[ edit ] Keep your ticket or pass with you at all times as you may be checked. Strangely, there's no sign, audio or message written on the tickets or stations to inform you that's obligatory keep the ticket until you go out the metro. You will be cited and forced to pay on the spot (between 35-50 euros, depending on the officer will, they accept credit card and usually don't speak a english) if you do not have a ticket. The most likely spots for being checked are just behind the turnstiles at big Métro stations or during Métro line changes (correspondances). RATP agents may be present in the Métro stations even on Sunday nights. Besides that, Paris has an excellent underground train system, known as the Métro (short for Chemin de fer métropolitain, Metropolitan Railway). Although you will probably take the RER train from the airport (CDG) to Paris, don't be confused: RER is a French-language acronym that translates to "Regional Express Network," and is mostly used by commuters. Look for the Métro stations, marked either with a large "M" sign or by one of Hector Guimard's remarkable Art Nouveau station entrances. However, crossing Paris can be much faster by RER than by Métro, and within the city of Paris, there is little functional difference between the RER and Métro (there are numerous transfers between the two networks, and a ticket for the Métro is also valid for the RER within the city limits - see below). There are 16 Métro lines (lignes) (1-14, 3bis, and 7bis) on which trains travel all day at intervals of a few minutes 05:00-00:30 (Saturday night/Sunday morning: 01:30), stopping at all stations on the line. Times for trains can be seen on an electronic scrollboard above the platform. Line 14, which is fully automated, is called the Méteor. Scheduled times for first and last trains are posted in each station on the centre sign. Generally, except for early and late hours, travellers should not worry about specific Metro train times; just get to your station and take the next train. Trains usually come 2-3 minutes apart during rush hour and 5-10 minutes apart during other times, depending on the line. Visitors with heavy luggage or handicap should find out in-advance about the facilities at each station to be used. (Specific on-line information about elevators and escalators is hard to find. You may have ask at ticket counters at major stations, perhaps tourist information kiosks.) Getting to boarding platforms from street level, or going between platforms to change lines can be difficult even at major intersecting stations at most times, and everywhere during rush hours. It usually involves walking up and down multiple flights of busy stairs. Elevators are seldom seen, many aren't working, and in major outlying stations any escalator will likely support only exiting to the street level. If you have any lingering concern about station facilities, check bus routes and timings to find convenient bus service instead; failing that, use a taxi. Many Metro trains do not carry destination binders. All lines on the Paris metro run end-to-end with some trains terminating at certain stations. This practice is common only in peak hours and if you are on a metro train that terminates before the last station, the driver will make an announcement (in French). Listen carefully for signs that the train is terminating before the end of the line. The lines are named according to the names of their terminal stations (the end of the line). If you ask the locals about directions, they will answer something like : take line number n toward "end station 1", change at "station", take the line nn toward "end station 2" etc. The lines are also colour-coded. In addition, there are five commuter train lines: RER A, B, C, D, and E. RER trains run at intervals of about 6-7min, and stop at every RER station within Paris; RER stations are equipped with electronic boards or monitors which display the station stops each train makes outside the city limits. Although a regular subway ticket can be used within Paris (Zone 1), it is necessary to pass the ticket through the turnstile when passing between the subway and the RER lines, as the two systems are separate networks. This ticket is necessary to enter and exit the RER networks, as the RER trains travel on to the Parisian suburbs, outside the zone where a regular subway ticket can be used. Travel outside the city centre without a valid RER ticket will get you fined, and the packs of inspectors who roam the system show no mercy to tourists pleading ignorance. In particular, Charles de Gaulle airport is not within the city; you must purchase an RER ticket to get there (see Get in ). The Métro and RER move staggering numbers of people into, out of, and around Paris (6.75 million people per day on average), and most of the time in reasonable comfort. Certain lines, however, are operating at or near capacity, sometimes being so full that you'll have to let one or two trains pass before being able to board. If you can help it, avoid Métro lines 1, 4, 9, & 13 and RER lines A & B during rush hours as these are the most congested lines in the system. In addition to RER, there are many suburban train lines (Transilien) departing from the main train stations. One line of interest is the one from Gare Montparnasse to Versailles-Chantiers, a quick way to go to Versailles castle (covered by a ticket for at least Zones 1-4). The alternative is to use RER C to Versailles Rive Gauche (this station is the closest to the castle). Do not use RER C8 to Versailles Chantiers; this will do a very long loop in the southern suburbs before reaching Versailles. For travel outside of the Paris zone, the train arrival times are shown on a monitor hanging from the ceiling inside the RER station above the platform. Information about the stops to be made by the next incoming train is presented on a separate board also hanging from the ceiling. It is important to check this board before boarding the train, as not all trains make stops at all stations on a given line. Four letter codes (KRIN, DIPA, TORE, etc.) are used for the RER and Transilien trains. On RER A, B and C the first letter indicates the destination of the train, the second the branch or service type, and the last two are to make the name easier to memorize; on RER D and E, the first letter is destination, the second letter is service type, the third letter is branch, and the fourth letter is direction; on Transilien lines, it's usually one name for every service type. You can look up what these codes mean on information panels in the station, but the easiest and fastest way is often to check the information screens along the platforms. RATP is responsible for public transport including metro, buses, and some of the high speed inter-urban trains (RER). The rest of the RER is operated by SNCF. However, both companies take the same tickets, so the difference is of little interest for most people except in case of strikes (RATP may strike without SNCF doing so or the other way round). Current fares can be found at their website. Basically, as you move farther from Paris (into higher zones), tickets get more expensive. For the subway, a single ticket (ticket t+) costs €1.90, or a "carnet" of ten tickets can be bought for €14.50 at any station. Tickets named tarif réduit may be purchased for children under the age of 10 but only in a carnet of 10 for €7.25. (Prices from 1 August 2016) Both tickets are valid for unlimited metro and RER or bus and tram transfers during two hours for RER and metro, and 1 hour 30 between the first and the last punch for bus and tram. RER + Métro and Bus + Tram are two separate systems, but they use the same tickets. This means you have to use a new ticket if you transfer from bus to metro or from metro to bus. Tickets do not expire. A one-day ticket, a weekly pass, and a monthly pass are also available. The price varies according to the zones for which the ticket can be used. The cheapest 1-day ticket called Mobilis , is valid for zones 1-2, with a price of €6.60. Once bought, it is necessary to write in the spaces provided on the ticket the date the ticket is being used in European notation of day/month/year (valable le), the last name (nom), and the first name (prénom). Unfortunately, this ticket is not valid for use for travel to/from Charles de Gaulle airport. If you make only a few trips in one day, the carnet of ten tickets (for €1.33 per trip) can be more economical than a one-day ticket. Remember to consider the price for all members of your group/family, including children, which days you are travelling on, and in which zones you will be travelling. For travellers under the age of 26, there is a special ticket (Jeunes 26) that you can purchase for use on the weekends or holidays. The price varies depending on the number of zones you wish to cover (Zones 1-3 is €3.85 and Zones 1-5 is €8.35; there are other zone combinations available as well) and the ticket is good for one day of unlimited usage of the metro, RER, bus, and trams. If you are staying a bit longer, the weekly and monthly passes are called Navigo Découverte (1 week pass, €19.15 for zones 1-2) and the monthly Navigo Mensuel (one-month pass, €62.90 for zones 1-2). Note that an Découverte (DAY-koo-VERT) starts on Mondays and a Mensuel on the first of the month. The Navigo pass is non-transferrable and requires the user to provide information on the pass after the sale. The pass is sold for €5. You must write your last name (nom) and your first name (prénom) and stick your photo on the nominative card. After, you have to refill your pass with a recharge hébdomadaire (one-week refill), or a recharge mensuelle (one-month refill). You have to choose at least two of the contiguous "zones": Paris is the first zone, La Défense is in the third zone, and Versailles in the fourth. Everything related to a "Navigo" pass is in purple (like the target for the pass in the turnstiles). Although not as good a deal for adults in most cases as the Mobilis or Navigo, there are also one-to-five-day tourist passes, called Paris Visite , available, which are a bargain for kids of ages 4-11, starting at €6.10 per day for travel within zones 1-3. Métro stations have both ticket windows and automatic vending machines. The majority of machines do not take notes, only coins or European credit cards with a pin-encoded chip on the front. Therefore, to use either euro bills or a non-European credit card with a magnetic stripe, it is necessary to make the purchase from the ticket window. Be advised that some ticket vending machines do not give change, so use exact change or go to the ticket window. If you look at the vending machines closely, you may find one in the group that takes euro bills and will give change; these machines can be found at major or touristy stations such as Tuileries, Gare de Lyon or La Défense-Grande Arche. Some larger stations have secondary entrances, where there is no ticket booth. These are labelled voyageurs avec billets (passengers with tickets). Be aware of ticket touts who used to stay near single vending machines, which have much higher rates for tickets, eg. €7 for a single ride ticket! Avoid suburban charges If you have any tickets or Navigo passes for zone 1-2 (inside the Paris area, the lower rate) and want go to La Défense from Châtelet, you have to take the Métro (Line 1). You can take the RER A (and save a few minutes), but you have to pay an additional fare, because even though you arrive at the same station, the RER exit is supposed to be outside of Paris! On the other hand, Métro fares are the same, even in the suburbs. So be careful as there are usually a lot of ticket examiners present when you get off the RER A. Each station displays a detailed map of the surrounding area with a street list and the location of buildings (monuments, schools, places of worship, etc,) as well as exits for that particular metro. Maps are located on the platform if the station has several exits or near the exit if there is only one exit. Except for trains on lines 1, 2, 4, 5, and 14, the doors will not open automatically. In such a case, there are handles or buttons located both inside and outside the train that you have to push or unlatch in order to open the door. Strikes are a regular occurrence on the Paris public transit system. Generally during a strike, there will be reduced or no service on certain lines but parts of the network will continue to operate; however, in some cases the entire network may shut down completely. Visit the RATP and SNCF websites for information on which routes are affected by a strike. Generally, the automated Métro lines 1 and 14 will be running during a strike because they operate without human drivers - if you are caught by a strike, it is best to use it whenever possible. By bicycle[ edit ] Renting a bike is a very good alternative over driving or using public transport and an excellent way to see the sights. Riding a bike anywhere in the city is far safer for the moderately experienced cyclists than most towns or cities in other countries. The French are very cognisant of cyclists, almost to a point of reverence. A few years ago Paris wasn't the easiest place to get around by bike but that has changed dramatically in recent years. The city government has taken a number of steps in strong support of improving the safety and efficiency of the urban cyclist as well as establishing some separated bike lanes but, even more importantly, instituted a policy of allowing cyclists to share the ample bus lanes on most major boulevards. Paris also has many riversides which are perfect for cycling. The Paris bike network now counts over 150km of either unique or shared lanes for the cyclist. In addition, the narrower, medieval side streets of the central arrondissements make for rather scenic and leisurely cycling, especially during off-peak hours of the day when traffic is lighter. Do remember to bring a good map, since there is no grid plan to speak of and almost all of the smaller streets are one-way. Bike rentals[ edit ] There are a few different bike rental programs in Paris: Vélib ☎ +33 1 30 79 79 30 In July 2007 the municipality of Paris introduced the Vélib program (vélo Liberté or Freedom Bikes) making it possible to rent a bike for a very modest price. Numerous stations are found around the city (at major landmarks and metro stations, basically every 300 m). With a credit card with a "puce" smart-chip, you can subscribe for 1 day (€1.70) or 7 days (€8) with a security deposit of €150 & then get a bike. If your card doesn't work in the machines, you can pay on-line for your 1 or 7 day ticket and will be given an ID number to use at the kiosk. The first 30min are free, the following 30min costs €1, following 30min costs €2, etc. to avoid long rentals... so the game is to get to another station in 25min and get another bicycle. This rental system has been designed to allow you to "pick & drop" a bike, not rent the same one all day long. Try it! If your card works in the machines it's a great way to get around! The bicycles are wonderful cruiser bikes, with a front basket to put a purse or bag. The system is very popular with tourists and Parisians alike; the drivers appear to be very tolerant towards cyclists. If the saddle is turned around, it most probably means the bike is out of order (it's a convention among Velib users, so do the same if you notice your Velib has problems). Also be sure to check your lock before leaving as many of them do not function (and you do not want to get stuck with a bike locked to a fence post that you cannot unlock). Also be sure to budget some time for parking your bike in case you need to get back for a flight. Especially during lunch hour, many of the return stations get full quite readily. US Visa and MasterCards without chips do not work - however, American Express cards should work even though they don't have a chip). A full day rental that you can reserve on-line is definitely your best option in case your credit card does not have a smart chip (eg: it's US). How it works: After registering on-line (or at the terminal) for €1.70, you will get a code that you plug in at any Velib station and is good for 24h. You will also get to choose a PIN as your password. You will enter your code, then your pin, then choose an available bike. The system will prompt you to press the button on the station next to the bike to release the bike - and you're ready to go. You can return the bike at any station any time and get a new bike with this same code. To return the bike, simply slide it into the locking mechanism and wait for the light to turn from orange to green - sometimes the lock is broken, sometimes the station's network connection is down and the lights will be red - you must ensure the light turns green. As of August 2014 you don't need to interact with the terminal when returning the bike, even though the prompts tell you to confirm your return when you take out a bike. In addition to operating a number of bike rental buses, the RATP has some permanent locations, including: Roue Libre, Les Halles, 1 passage Mondétour (facing 120 rue Rambuteau, Métro: Les Halles), ☎ +33 1 04 41 53 49. Bikes can be rented for one weekend (€25), M-F (€20), a working day (€9), or one day on the weekend (€14). Roue Libre also has a location at the Bastille which is open during the summer months   edit Baja Bikes Paris Daily guided bike tours in Paris for only €25. You can find here a map for a 12km route along the Seine using velibs. Cycling and Traffic[ edit ] While the streets of Paris are generally fairly easy on novice cyclists, there are some streets in the city that should be avoided by those who do not have experience cycling in traffic and the proper mentality for dealing with it. In particular, 'Rue de Rivoli,' 'Boulevard de Sébastopol/Strasbourg,' 'Boulevard Saint-Germain,' 'Avenue de Flandre,' and most of the Quais that run along the river are especially bad during rush hours, but are at least somewhat busy at all times. While most of these do have cycle lanes, "sharrows," or other such accommodations, the sheer volume of traffic means that it may be a better idea to take an alternate route through the side streets. Traffic will also be particularly thick on the peripheral 'Boulevards des Maréchaux' (not the Boulevard Périphérique, which lies to the outside; more on this anon), and on main roads that lead to a 'Porte' at the edge of the city (eg: 'Boulevard de la Chapelle' and 'Avenue de la Grande-Armée'). If you find yourself on one of these routes, stick to the bike lanes whenever possible. There is also a great deal of congestion around the main train stations, particularly around Gare du Nord/Gare de l'Est in the 10th, Gare de Lyon in the 12th, and Gare Montparnasse in the 14th. Bus and taxi traffic will be particularly thick in these areas and certain streets may be reserved just for them, so stay alert. There are a few portions of the city that you probably should not cycle unless you are very confident in your abilities to ride in an urban environment. The 'Avenue des Champs-Elysés' and the 'Boulevard Magenta/Boulevard Barbès' axes can be especially hairy, though the latter more because of some inopportunely-placed interruptions in the bike lanes and other non-vehicular obstacles. The area around 'Place de la Bataille de Stalingrad' is well-provisioned with bike lanes, but they are somewhat haphazardly laid out and traffic is very heavy. Also, the city has a number of large roundabouts which, while quite logical once you've got the idea of priorité à droite, are not at all a good idea for the timid or inexperienced. 'Place de l'Etoile' is the most well-known of these, but also be wary around 'Place de la Nation,' 'Place de la Bastille,' and 'Place d'Italie.' If possible, look for an alternate route - in particular, Place de l'Etoile and Place de la Nation have ring roads running around the outside which make for a good bypass route. Finally, there are a few roads in Paris which are entirely forbidden to cyclists, in particular the 'Voie Georges Pompidou' (the high-speed express lanes running along the Seine), the tunnels underneath Les Halles, the Boulevard Périphérique beltway, and certain other ramps, tunnels, and underpasses. These will all be marked with a sign showing a bicycle on a white background, surrounded by a red circle. You can find an excellent map of the bike network called Plan des Itinéraires cyclables at the information centre in the Hôtel de Ville. By bus[ edit ] Since the Métro is primarily structured around a hub-and-spoke model, there are some journeys for which it can be quite inefficient, and in these cases, it is worth seeing if a direct bus route exists, despite the complexity of the bus network. A bus ride is also interesting if you want to see more of the city. The Parisian bus system is quite tourist-friendly. It uses the same single-ride Ticket t+ and Navigo fare system as the Métro, and electronic displays inside each bus tell riders its current position and what stops remain, eliminating a lot of confusion. These same payment devices are also valid in the Noctilien, the night bus. Noctilien route numbers are prefaced with an N on the bus stop signage. Night buses run regularly through the central hub at Chatelet and from the mainline train stations to outlying areas of greater Paris. There is also a circle line connecting the main train stations. It pays to know your Noctilien route ahead of time in case you miss the last Métro home. Women travellers should probably avoid taking the Noctilien on their own to destinations outside Paris. When boarding the bus, you'll have to validate your ticket. If you have a Navigo pass, simply hold it up to one of the purple scanners (usually on a pole near the door) and wait for the tone and the green light. If you're using a single-ride ticket, look for the ticket validating machine, a roughly shoebox-sized device with a few lights on top and a slit for the ticket at the bottom. Insert your ticket in the slot, and wait for it to stamp it and spit it back out. Check for the time stamp, in case the printer is out of ink. As on the Métro, your ticket is proof of payment, so hold on to it until you arrive at your destination lest the transit police fine you for not paying your fare. All-day tickets only need to be validated once. If you don't have any tickets (and there's not a Métro station or Tabac nearby that sells them), you can buy a "ticket de dépannage" directly from the driver; these cost €2 and must be validated immediately. Be aware that you cannot transfer between the Métro and the Bus with a single-ride Ticket t+. However, you can transfer from bus to bus, or between the bus and the tram, within 90 minutes of validating the ticket. The "ticket de dépannage" sold on the bus does not let you make a transfer to another line. Unlike the RER, you do not need special tickets to take the bus outside of the city (for example, line 350 to CDG airport), but you may need to validate several tickets rather than just one (for example, you'll need three t+ tickets to travel between the city and the airport). Another option for travellers who want to see the sights of Paris without a stop on every street corner is the Paris L'Opentour Bus, an open-topped double decker bus that supplies headsets with the most up to date information on the attractions in Paris. Your ticket is good for four routes ranging in time from 1-2h. Get off when you want, stay as long as you need, get back on the bus and head for another site. You can purchase tickets at the bus stop. A one-day pass is €31 for adults and €16 for children. A two-day pass is €36 for adults or €19 for children. With children[ edit ] Metro and bus. The metro and buses are free for children under the age of 4. Older kids (4-9) can buy a carnet (a collection of 10 tickets) at half-price for discounted travel. Other passes, including the Paris-Vistes pass for unlimited travel over 1 to 5 days are also available at half-price for children below 9 years of age. Taxis. Parisian taxis tend to be standard cars (sedans or minivans) so almost all strollers will need to be folded and placed in trunk. Be aware that taxi drivers are proud of their cars and keep them very clean and are not big fans of messy kids. By taxi[ edit ] Taxis are cheaper at night when there are no traffic jams to be expected. There are not as many taxi cabs as one would expect, and sometimes finding a taxi can be challenging. In the daytime, it is not always a good idea to take a taxi, as walking or taking the metro (See: Métro) will be cheaper and, depending on traffic, faster. If you know you will need one to get to the airport, or to a meeting, it is wise to book ahead by phone (see below). Remember if a taxi is near a taxi stand, they're not supposed to pick you up except at the stand where there may be other people in line ahead of you. Taxi stands are usually near train stations, big hotels, hospitals, major intersections, and other points of interest, and are marked with a blue and white "TAXI" sign. To stop a taxi ... watch the sign on the roof: if the white sign is lit, the taxi is on duty and available, if the white sign is off and a coloured light is lit under it (blue, orange), it's on duty and busy, if the white sign is off and no coloured light is on, the taxi is off duty. Same thing with the coloured signs (the two systems exist in Paris, but it tells nothing about the company): if the wide sign is green, the cab is available, if it is red, the taxi is busy, if it is off, the taxi is off There are a number of services by which you can call for taxis or make a reservation in advance. The two largest are Taxis G7 and Taxis Bleus: Transport Parisien (transfert roissy), ☎ +33 6 61 57 43 53, [6] . * Taxis aéroport de Paris (airport transfer), ☎ +33 6 58 79 38 87, [7] .   edit   edit Taxi Paris (taxi roissy), ☎ +33(0)658793887, [8] .   edit Taxis net Paris, ☎ +33 6 24 14 15 69, [9] .   edit Taxis G7, ☎ +33 1 47 39 47 39, [10] .   edit Taxis Bleus, ☎ +33 8 91 70 10 10, [11] .   edit Taxis de France, [12] .   edit Taxi-Paris, ☎ +33 1 41 27 66 99, [13] .   edit Shuttle Taxi (navette roissy), ☎ +33 1 39 94 96 89, [14] .   edit Taxis aéroport Roissy (taxi roissy), ☎ +33 6 61 57 43 53, [15] .   edit As in many other cities a taxi can be difficult to stop; you may have to try several times. When you do get a taxi to stop, the driver will usually roll down his window to ask you where you want to go. If the driver can't (or doesn't want to) go where you want, he might tell you that he's near the end of his work day and can't possibly get you where you want before he has to go off-duty. There is a €6.50 minimum on all taxi journeys mandated by city law, but the meter does not show this amount, which can result in being asked to pay more than the metered amount on short rides. Frequently the taxi driver will not want to drive you all the way to the doorstep, but will prefer to let you out a block or so away if there are one or more one-way streets to contend with. Try to look at this as a cost-savings rather than an inconvenience. You should pay while still seated in the cab as in New York and not through the front window London style. The driver will not let you sit in the front seat (unless there are 3 or 4 of you, which is a rare case usually expedited by more money). Taxi-drivers come in all types, some nice, some rude, some wanting to chat, some not. Smoking in taxis is generally not allowed, however it might be that the taxi driver himself wants a cigarette in which case the rule might become flexible. To avoid bad surprises, make sure you download Taxibeat, a taxi hailing app available for iOS and Android that enables you to choose your taxi driver based on user ratings. Unlike radio taxis, the service comes at no extra cost for passengers - but be aware of the approach fare, and drivers associated with Taxibeat tend to offer better value service. (Most speak fluent English, offer free Wi-Fi on board, etc). Many drivers prefer that you avoid using your mobile phone during the journey; if you do have to, make an apologizing gesture and sound, and do make a short call. A tip is included in the fare price; If you're especially satisfied with the service, you can give something (basically 10%), but you don't have to. There is an extra charge for baggage handling. If for any reason you wish to file a complaint about a Paris taxi, take note of the taxi's number on the sticker on the lefthand back seat window. Also if you take a taxi to the Charles de Gaulle airport be prepared to pay €70 or more because there is often heavy traffic. If there isn't traffic it will be less expensive, but that is rare. The RER B or a bus is cheaper. UBER is very easy to hail in Paris and cheaper than local taxis. Beware of illegal taxis (see the 'Stay Safe' section). Livery or Black Car or Limos- Known as car services or livery cabs, these cars may only be called by phone, are flat rate rather than metered (ask for the fare before getting in), and are not allowed to cruise the street or airports for fares. There are two types of licence: the "Grande Remise" that allows the car & driver to pick-up & drop-off passengers anywhere in France, and the "carte verte" that allows pick-up and drop-off in the department or region where the company is based. The Grande Remise cars have a GR on their front plate. They provide more service than a normal cab. By boat[ edit ] There are several excellent boat services which make use of the Seine. As well as providing easy, cheap transport to much of central Paris, excellent photo opportunities abound. You can buy a day or 3 day ticket and hop on and off the boat as needed. The boats take a circular route from the Eiffel Tower, down past the Louvre, Notre Dame, botanical gardens then back up the other bank past Musee D'orsay. Batobus offers a regular shuttle service between the main touristic sights (closed in January); other companies such as the famous Bateaux Mouches offer sightseeing cruises. By taking one of these popular tours, you can also enjoy a romantic evening dinner on the Seine . It is a unique chance to enjoy the night sightseeing, with the lights of the Eiffel Tower and other monuments of Paris. By car[ edit ] In a word: don't. It's generally a very bad idea to rent a car to visit Paris. Traffic is very dense during the day, and finding street parking is exceedingly difficult in all but the most peripheral neighbourhoods of the city. This is especially true in areas surrounding points of interest for visitors, since many of these are in areas designed long before cars existed. A majority of Parisian households do not own cars, and many people who move to the city find themselves selling their cars within a month or two. That said, driving may be an option for going to some sights in the suburbs such as Vaux-le-Vicomte castle or the town and chateau of Fontainebleau , or for travelling to other places in France. You may prefer to rent from a location not situated in Paris proper. Traffic rules in Paris are basically the same as elsewhere in France, with the exception of having to yield to incoming traffic on roundabouts. However, driving in dense traffic in Paris and suburbs during commute times, can be especially strenuous. Be prepared for traffic jams, cars changing lanes at short notice, and so on. Another issue is pedestrians, who tend to fearlessly jaywalk more in Paris than in other French cities. Be prepared for pedestrians crossing the street on red, and expect similar adventurous behaviour from cyclists. Remember that even if a pedestrian or cyclist crossed on red, if you hit him, you (in fact, your insurance) will have to bear civil responsibility for the damages, and possibly prosecution for failing to control your vehicle. Paris has several ring road systems. There is a series of boulevards named after Napoleonic-era generals (Boulevard Masséna, Boulevard Ney, and so forth), and collectively referred to as boulevard des maréchaux. These are normal wide avenues, with traffic lights. Somewhat outside of this boulevard is the boulevard périphérique, a motorway-style ring road. The périphérique intérieur is the inner lanes (going clockwise), the périphérique extérieur the outer lanes (going counter-clockwise). Note that, despite the looks, the périphérique is not an autoroute: the speed limit is 80km/h and, very unusually, incoming traffic has the right of way, at least theoretically (presumably because, otherwise, nobody would be able to enter during rush hour). Directions If you find yourself lost in the streets, a good idea is to find the nearest Hotel and ask the concierge for directions. Unlike the majority of Parisians, most concierges speak English well. A simple "Bonjour Monsieur, parlez-vous anglais?" should suffice. By scooter or motorbike[ edit ] Paris is an incredibly open city, with its many 'grande boulevards' and monuments with large open spaces around them. This makes for a city perfect to be explored and viewed from on a scooter. A lot of people think it is a dangerous city to ride a scooter or motorbike and, when you're sitting in a corner café watching, it may look that way but, in reality, it is actually quite a safe city because the drivers are very conscious of one another, a trait that drivers certainly do not have in some other countries of the world! There are so many scooters in Paris, for so long, that when people learn to drive here they learn to drive amongst the scooters. The French do drive quite fast, but they respect one another and it is rare that a driver will suddenly changes lanes or swing to the other side of the road without signalling. When you're driving a scooter or motorbike in Paris you can expect to be able to 'lane-split' between the rows of cars waiting in traffic and go straight to the front of the lights. For parking, there are plenty of 'Deux Roues' (two wheel) parking all over the city. Do be careful parking on the footpath though, especially on shopping streets or around smonument. A few well-known Vespa Tour company propose scooter rentals and tours of Paris. It can be a good way to get a vision of the city in a day. Great thing to do if you just stay a few days in Paris: Paris by Scooter, Scooter always delivered to your hotel (Paris), ☎ +33 6 28 35 39 30 ( [email protected] ), [16] . 08:00-21:00. This Vespa Tour Company proposes several Tours of Paris (half day and full day) and also a scooter rental service with GPS an option. French, Parisian and friendly guides. Tours in English. 50cc and 125cc available. From €60.   edit Left Bank Scooters, Scooter always delivered to your hotel (Paris), ☎ +33 6 78 12 04 24, [17] . 08:00-20:00. Scooter rental that is delivered to, and picked up from, your hotel in Paris. All scooter are Vespas, 50cc or 125cc available. Must have a car license to rent the 50cc, and a motorcycle license to rent the 125cc. From €60.   edit Ride'n'Smile, Scooter always delivered to your hotel (Paris), ☎ +33 6 64 30 80 12 ( [email protected] ), [18] . 09:00-21:00. Private & guided tours of Paris (Day & night) by 50cc Vespa scooters. French & english speaking guides. From 39€/Pers.   edit On skates[ edit ] Paris is one of the best cities for skating. This is due to the large, smooth surfaces offered by both the pavements and the roads. Skating on the pavement is legal all around Central Paris (zone 1) and its suburbs (zones 2+). See our Do section below for more information. Talk[ edit ] First and foremost, French (le français) is of course the country's official language. Any native French person will speak French and it helps if you can speak a bit of it. In the parts of the city that tourists frequent the most (Tour Eiffel, Le Louvre, Champs-Elysées), the shopkeepers, information booth attendants, and other workers are likely to answer you in English, even if your French is advanced. These workers tend to deal with thousands of foreign tourists, and responding in English is often faster than repeating themselves in French. This is not the case for the rest of the city. Reading up Before you leave you may want to read a book like French or Foe by Polly Platt or Almost French by Sarah Turnbull — interesting, well written records from English speaking persons who live in France. For most Parisians, English is something they had to study in school, and thus seems a bit of a chore. People helping you out in English are making an extra effort, sometimes a considerable one. Parisians younger than 40 are more likely to be competent in English. Immigrants, often working in service jobs, are less likely (often, still struggling to learn French.) If it's your first time in France you will have some problems understanding what people are saying (even with prior education in French). Unlike most language education tapes, French people often speak fast, use slang and swallow some letters. When attempting to speak French, do not be offended if people ask you to repeat, or seem not to understand you, as they are not acting out of snobbery. Keep your sense of humour, and if necessary, write down phrases or place names. And remember to speak slowly and clearly. Unless you have an advanced level and can at least sort of understand French movies, you should also assume that it will be difficult for people to understand what you are saying (imagine someone speaking English to you in an indiscernible accent, it's all the same). When in need of directions what you should do is this: find a younger person or someone reading a book or magazine in English, who is obviously not in a hurry; say "hello" or "bonjour" (bon-zhor); start by asking if the person speaks English, "Parlez-vous anglais?" (Par-LAY voo on-glay?) even if the person can read something in English, speak slowly and clearly; write down place names if necessary. Smile a lot. Also, carry a map (preferably Paris par Arrondissement); given the complexity of Paris streets it is difficult to explain how to find any particular address in any language, no matter how well you speak it. If anything, the person may have an idea as to the place you are looking for, but may not know exactly where it may be, so the map always helps. On the other hand you will probably get the cold shoulder if you stop someone in the métro (such as a middle-aged hurried person who has a train to catch), fail to greet them and simply say "where is place X or street Y". If you speak French, remember two magic phrases : "Excusez-moi de vous déranger" [ex-kuh-zay mwuh duh voo day-rawn-ZHAY] ("Sorry to bother you") and "Pourriez-vous m'aider?" [por-EE-AY voo may-DAY] ("Could you help me?") especially in shops; politeness will work wonders. The Pont des Arts (bridge of arts) and just behind, the pont Neuf (new bridge) and the île de la Cité. See[ edit ][ add listing ] One of the best value and most convenient ways to see the sights of Paris is with the Paris Museum Pass , a pre-paid entry card that allows entry into over 70 museums and monuments around Paris (and the Palace of Versailles) and comes in 2-day (€48), 4-day (€62) and 6-day (€74) denominations. Note these are 'consecutive' days. The card allows you to jump lengthy queues, a big plus during tourist season when line can be extensive, and is available from participating museums, tourist offices, Fnac branches and all the main Métro and RER train stations. You will still need to pay to enter most special exhibitions. To avoid waiting in the first long queue to purchase the Museum Pass, stop to purchase your pass a day or more in advance after mid-day. The pass does not become active until your first museum or site visit when you write your start date. After that, the days covered are consecutive . Do not write your start date until you are certain you will use the pass that day and be careful to use the usual European date style as indicated on the card: day/month/year. Also consider ParisPass a pre-paid entry card + queue jumping to 60 attractions including The Louvre, The Arc de Triomphe, as well as a river cruise and allowing free metro and public transport travel. "Paris ComboPass®" a cheaper alternative which comes in Lite, Premium and a Suburban version dedicated to visitors residing at Disneyland® Paris. Planning your visits: Several sites have "choke points" that restrict the number of visitors that can flow through. These include: The Eiffel Tower, Sainte-Chapelle,The Catacombs and the steps to climb to the top of the Notre Dame Cathedral. To avoid queues, you should start your day by arriving at one of these sites at least 30 minutes before opening time. Otherwise, expect a wait of at least an hour. Most museums and galleries are closed on either Monday or Tuesday. Examples: The Louvre museum is closed on Tuesdays while the Orsay museum is closed on Mondays. Be sure to check museum closing dates to avoid disappointment. Also, most ticket counters close 30-45min before final closing. All national museums are open free of charge on the first Sunday of the month. However, that this may mean long queues and crowded exhibits. Keep away from Paris during Easter week due to crowding. People have to queue up at the Eiffel Tower for several hours even early in the morning. However, this wait can be greatly reduced, if fit, by walking the first two levels, then buying an elevator ticket to the top. Entry to the permanent exhibitions at city-run museums is free at all times (admission is charged for temporary exhibitions). These listings are just some highlights of things that you really should see if you can during your visit to Paris. The complete listings are found on each individual district page (follow the link in parenthesis). Good listings of current cultural events in Paris can be found in 'Pariscope' or 'Officiel des spectacles', weekly magazines listing all concerts, art exhibitions, films, stage plays and museums. Available from all kiosks. Adria Airways, 94 r Saint Lazare, [33] . M-F 09:00-13:00 & 14:00-17:00, Sa 09:00-12:00.   edit Air France, 30 av Léon Gaumont, [34] .   edit Air India, 49 Avenue des Champs Élysées, ☎ +33 1 44 55 39 90. 09:30-17:30.   edit ´ Air Tahiti Nui, 28 bd St Germain, ☎ 0825 02 42 02.   edit Croatia Airlines, Roissypôle Le Dôme Bât1 r de la Haye Tremblay en France BP 18913 95731 ROISSY CH DE GAULLE CEDEX, ☎ 01 48 16 40 00, [35] .   edit Delta Air Lines, 2 r Robert Esnault Pelterie, ☎ 0892 702 609, [36] .   edit Egypt Air, 49 Rue de Ponthieu, ☎ +33 1 44 94 85 00, [37] .   edit Finnair (Compagnie Aérienne de Finlande), Roissy Terminal 2D, ☎ 0821 025 111, [38] .   edit LOT Polish Airlines, 27 r Quatre Septembre, ☎ 0800 10 12 24. M-Su.   edit Qatar Airways, 7 r Vignon, ☎ +33 1 55 27 80 80.   edit Royal Jordanian airlines, 38 avenue des Champs Elysees, ☎ 01 ( [email protected] , fax: +33 1 42 65 99 02), [39] .   edit Royal Air Maroc, 38 av Opéra, ☎ 0820 821 821.   edit Royal Brunei Airlines, 4 r Fbg Montmartre, ☎ 0826 95 31 21.   edit ´ Saudi Arabian Airlines (Lignes Aériennes de l'Arabie Saoudite), 34 av George V, ☎ 0820 20 05 05.   edit Srilankan Airlines, 113 r Réaumur, ☎ +33 1 42 97 43 44.   edit Syrian Arab Airlines, 1 r Auber, ☎ +33 1 47 42 11 06.   edit TAM Airlines, 50 Ter r Malte, ☎ +33 1 53 75 20 00.   edit TAP Portugal, ☎ 0820 319 320, [40] .   edit Turkish Airlines, 8 Place de l’Opera, ☎ +33 1 56 69 44 90 ( [email protected] , fax: +33 1 45 63 10 80), [41] . 09:30-17:30.   edit ´
Uber
A Weihnachtsbaum or Tannenbaum in Germany is a Christmas?
Gapers Block: Merge - Transportation Transportation As usual, the CTA will be free tonight from 10pm to 4am, courtesy of MillerCoors. December 29, 2015 Uber released a list of the top 10 destinations for Uber rides in Chicago. You could probably easily guess eight or nine of them. December 29, 2015 Holiday Travel Sucks More than 1600 flights were canceled at O'Hare and Midway yesterday, stranding thousands in the terminals. One guy who was allegedly stuck at O'Hare for 50 hours (really? more than two days?) gave up and proposed to his girlfriend by text . December 15, 2015 Loop Link , the CTA's new bus rapid transit (BRT) line, will launch this Sunday , Dec. 20. December 15, 2015 A taxi driver lobby convinced McPier to levy its $4 airport departure tax against rideshares in addition to the already-covered taxis -- but almost nobody knows about it, and it's not clear if the tax is getting paid. December 11, 2015 Airbnb rooms in Chicago will come with the full 16.4% hotel tax beginning Jan. 15. [ via ] December 08, 2015 IDOT wants to hear from you regarding its plan to add toll lanes to the Stevenson (I-55). There's a public meeting Wednesday out in Countryside. December 04, 2015 John Greenfield reports that a Gov. Quinn staffer was behind IDOT's stall on protected bike lanes back in 2013 . Curb-protected lanes on the Clybourn Corridor were just unveiled last month . November 30, 2015 Reminder: Winter parking restrictions go into effect Dec. 1 -- in other words, tonight at 3am. If you suddenly can't find your car tomorrow, check WasMyCarTowed.com . November 25, 2015 How many fares does a CTA bus need to pick up on each run in order to break even? Curious City does the math . November 25, 2015 Nate Silver crunches the numbers on delays at the 30 largest airports in the country, and finds that O'Hare's delay record is probably dragging down its Yelp rating. November 24, 2015 Get a Lyft to the Airport The City has approved Lyft for pickups and drop-offs at Midway and O'Hare -- but not Uber yet. They only submitted their paperwork on Monday. Chicagoist has maps of where they'll pick you up. UPDATE: Whaddya know, Uber's paperwork was processed in record time, so you can use them at the airports tomorrow, too. November 23, 2015 Rough Road The Kennedy between the Circle Interchange and Edens junction was declared the worst traffic bottleneck in the country by the American Highway Users Alliance, with backups often stretching 12 miles. (Not sure about those names? Consult our guide to Chicago traffic .) November 20, 2015 Tomorrow is the first official run of this year's CTA Holiday Train -- which may be the only upside to all the snow we're expecting. November 19, 2015 In further transportation news, the Western and Ashland Express buses will return Dec. 21, the #31 31st Street and #11 Lincoln bus (from Leland to Fullerton) will return in the spring . November 19, 2015 The new Ventra app launches today on Android and iOS, letting you use your account on Metra in addition to CTA and Pace. Can't wait to hear what new insanity awaits. November 18, 2015 If you received one of the 100,000+ traffic tickets that were issued from malfunctioning red-light cameras , you can check this nifty Trib database to see if the camera that captured your plate is known for having issues. November 17, 2015 In the wake of the Paris terror attacks, Metra has beefed up security on trains and platforms. November 12, 2015 Incredibly, 70 percent of Union Station is off limits to visitors. The redevelopment plan announced earlier this year would return to use many of those formerly public spaces -- and Crain's has a look at what would be revealed . November 12, 2015 The Skyway was closed to traffic this morning due to high winds and blowing debris. It may or may not reopen for the evening rush, depending on conditions. November 09, 2015 CPS + Ventra = Winning Combo A man was caught selling stolen Ventra farecards intended for homeless CPS students, the BGA reports. It's part of an overall pattern of lax control of Ventra cards by the school district, whose budget for CTA fares has more than doubled in the past five years. November 09, 2015 Rapid Transit Cycle Shop is closing soon , a victim of the economy and the inability to negotiate a new lease. November 05, 2015 Uber is rolling out UberPool , a fee-based carpooling service, in Chicago in the coming weeks . That'll come in handy once rideshares are allowed at the airports. November 03, 2015 Lincoln Towing Takes Heat After a Lincoln Towing driver taunted and berated a long line of concertgoers whose cars were towed while at a concert at the Aragon -- and then assaulted and tried to run over a cyclist who tried to talk some sense into him -- Ald. Ameya Pawar is threatening to force the long-problematic company out of Uptown . ( Previously .) October 29, 2015 The Yellow Line resumes service tomorrow morning, after closing in May when a rail embankment collapsed due to nearby construction. As a thank-you for your patience, rides are free from the Dempster-Skokie and Oakton-Skokie stations through Nov. 6. October 28, 2015 A Lyft to the Station A guy who tried to get a Lyft near O'Hare ended up getting a ride to the police station instead after the cops impounded the car for picking up near the airport, even though that will likely be legal soon (because the Mayor supports it). October 28, 2015 Illinois is relatively safe on the roads, according to a new study of car-related deaths by state . Maybe we're just better at wearing our seatbelts. October 27, 2015 Uber, Lyft, Sidecar and presumably any future ridesharing services will gain access to O'Hare and Midway in exchange for a 2 cent tax per ride under the latest budget proposal being considered Wednesday by City Council. October 26, 2015 CTA's budget is balanced , meaning no fare increase in 2016 -- but only if deadlocked Springfield approves. October 16, 2015 O'Hare opened the newly finished south runway on Thursday. It'll primarily be an arrival runway -- but it's far enough away from the terminal that taxiing may take 20 minutes or more. October 12, 2015 DNAinfo shows you where Divvy bikes went once they left the station, as well as how many rides each station garnered in the past year. October 08, 2015 Today's cab strike didn't take many taxis off the road , and at least one Uber driver is sympathetic to the cause. But Uber went on the offensive, pointing out that cabbies are less likely to pick up passengers on the West and South sides than Uber drivers are. October 07, 2015 Taxi drivers plan a " Day Without a Cab Driver " 24-hour strike Thursday morning till Friday morning in protest of Mayor Emanuel's proposal to allow rideshare drivers to pick up passengers at the airports and McCormick Place and fare increases. October 06, 2015 Divvy workers unionized last year , and are now petitioning to earn a living wage . Lend your support here . Meanwhile, StreetsBlog looks at how the Divvy for Everyone program, intended to bring bikesharing to underprivileged communities, is going. September 25, 2015 As cabbies shut down taxi travel at the airports Wednesday in protest of Emanuel's budget proposal allowing rideshare services access to the airports, another battle was waged in the courtroom. A federal judge paved the way for an equal-protection lawsuit against the City for treating rideshare services different from taxis. September 23, 2015 The Museum of Science and Industry is unloading part of its historical train collection to make room for other modes of transportation. The trains, including a horse-drawn Chicago streetcar, will be sold at auction on Oct. 5. September 23, 2015 Taxi drivers are blocking cab stands and refusing to pick up passengers today at O'Hare and Midway in protest of a City budget proposal allowing drivers for rideshare companies to access the airports. September 15, 2015 Artist Genea Barnes commemorates fallen cyclists by capturing images of ghost bike memorials put up in their honor. September 15, 2015 O'Hare's persistent presence on lists of the worst airports in the country has more to do with delays than the quality of the facilities, writes Nate Silver. August 26, 2015 The CTA's response to the collapse of an embankment by the Yellow Line near Skokie has been surprisingly lax according to the Sun-Times, considering it could've caused a major accident. August 20, 2015 Construction will shut down lanes on the Eisenhower, Kennedy and Dan Ryan expressways during the next few weekends. August 18, 2015 Megabus drivers are threatening to walk off the job if they don't get a raise. August 18, 2015 Express buses will return to Ashland and Western during rush hour , the City announced, with officials insisting plans for bus rapid transit on Ashland are still in the works. August 07, 2015 Mayor Emanuel announced plans to improve the parking, security, and concessions at Midway Airport. August 04, 2015 The cash-strapped City is collecting on decades-old parking tickets to try and generate new revenue. According to an investigation by CBS Chicago, as people update their address on file with the City, they are receiving a brand-new notice in the mail for old citations. And since there's no statute of limitations, any unpaid tickets are fair game. July 28, 2015 The City hopes to encourage density and use of public transit by removing parking minimums for housing developments near L stations. July 28, 2015 Comcast is planning to add wi-fi hotspots to the Bloomingdale Trail. July 24, 2015 New leadership at Chicago's infrastructure bank will try to get the organization moving on major improvement projects ; the group stalled somewhat after launching to big fanfare three years ago. July 20, 2015 Laura Washington credits Uber with making it easier for African Americans to hail a taxi while also providing job opportunities for people from underserved areas. July 17, 2015 No one knows when it started, but late at night the lowest depths Lower Wacker Drive screech with drifting, speeding cars . July 17, 2015 Consultants involved in lining up contractors to build the Ventra system later reused confidential information on another project, writes Jason Prechtel in his latest work digging into the payment system . July 16, 2015 Just in time for the evening commute: Chicago is rated as one of the country's worst big cities for drivers in a study by a personal finance website. July 15, 2015 While festival organizers encourage people to bike, predicting the number of cyclists and managing a flood of Divvys is still a challenge. July 15, 2015 Commuters looking to spend even more time with their mobile devices are increasingly taking the Metra and public transit , according to a study. July 13, 2015 The Fresh Moves buses are coming out of retirement to bring fresh produce to food deserts across Chicago. July 09, 2015 An engine caught fire as a Southwest airplane took off from Midway Wednesday night; luckily the flight landed safely and no one was injured. July 07, 2015 A woman busted previously for trying to sneak aboard an airplane was arrested while trying to do it again at Midway Airport a day after she was released from jail. July 02, 2015 Drivers no longer need to scramble to stand in long lines to get a city sticker before the deadline after the City switched to year-round sales. July 02, 2015 Misuse of cards issued to low-income seniors and people with disabilities is costing the CTA millions . June 29, 2015 The average trip to work in Chicago takes about 30 minutes . June 25, 2015 Bike safety enforcement events will target cyclists who blow through red lights and motorists who park in bike lanes. June 23, 2015 William Shatner is preparing to road trip from Chicago to L.A. astride a crazy three-wheeled " Landjet ." June 22, 2015 While late-night commuting on The 606 is technically allowed, police have been clearing all traffic from the park after 11pm. June 18, 2015 The number of pedestrians killed is up to 18 so far this year , including a person killed in West Pullman yesterday. June 18, 2015 A map of ghost bikes shows where the memorials commemorate bikers killed across the city. June 16, 2015 Restoring old police cruisers is more than just a hobby for some Chicagoans. June 15, 2015 A fake honorary street sign marking "Dirty's Way" in Logan Square was taken down by the city, but its origins remain a mystery. June 12, 2015 The World Naked Bike Ride returns to Chicago tomorrow . June 11, 2015 Curious City found out what life is like for people who live next to the El . June 11, 2015 Ever wondered what it looks like when a a 730' bulk carrier ship navigates from Lake Michigan to a destination down the Calumet River? Wonder no more . June 04, 2015 Gas detectors mounted on Google Street View cars found hundreds of methane leaks around the city that aren't dangerous but do contribute to global warming. June 04, 2015 Chicago ranked second on U-Haul's list of destination cities for moving truck rentals, with many of them ending up in the Wicker Park/ Bucktown area. June 02, 2015 Commuting by helicopter will be an option for those who can afford to fly into a new heliport on the Near West Side. June 01, 2015 A muslim Northwestern University chaplain says a flight attendant refused to give her an unopened can of soda because it could be used as a weapon . May 27, 2015 Ads shaming commuters for leaving bags on seats , eating on the train, and committing other faux pas are aimed at inspiring better behavior on the CTA. May 26, 2015 Chicago could actually make money from its maligned parking meter deal through realistic changes like introducing new pricing models, writes Whet Moser. May 26, 2015 Iron Heart Chicago will bring live music to El stops around the city in June, highlighting traditional music from Chicago's many cultures. May 22, 2015 Look: over a million people are heading through O'Hare over the next few days, and the roads are going to be packed, so take your time. May 21, 2015 Police hope speed bumps will keep people from racing illegally on Lower Wacker Drive. May 19, 2015 Spending 24 hours in O'Hare sounds like the worst vacation ever, but writer Jeff Ruby dedicated a whole day to documenting life in the world's busiest airport. May 18, 2015 Service on the CTA Yellow Line is suspended after an embankment gave way near the tracks in Skokie. May 15, 2015 Summer means more bike rides -- and more bike thefts. The Chainlink has some tips for keeping your cycle safe . May 13, 2015 The diagonal runways at O'Hare have begun to be dismantled , despite several state bills aimed at saving them and an earlier promise that they wouldn't be touched until next spring. May 12, 2015 Illinois ranked 14th in a League of American Bicyclists list of bike-friendly states . See our report card , and where we can improve. May 06, 2015 See which red light cameras issued the most tickets on a map assembled by DNAinfo. May 06, 2015 Chicago History Today explains why parts of the Brown Line (and some other lines) aren't elevated . [ via ] May 06, 2015 A 63-year-old serial airplane stowaway , was caught loitering at O'Hare without a ticket recently. April 27, 2015 RedEye's transportation columnist Tracy Swartz shares lessons she learned about getting around the city as she departs for the entertainment beat at the Tribune. April 17, 2015 A Loyola campus cop busted out his baton to stop a runaway golf cart from turning endless loops on the Loyola campus. April 15, 2015 Streetsblog suggests some steps to make Chicago's red light cameras more transparent and fairer , including maintaining them properly and removing them from low-crash intersections. April 13, 2015 It's actually illegal to tow a car from a private lot if the owner shows up , reports DNAinfo's Paul Biasco. April 10, 2015 While more oil passes through Chicago than anywhere else in the country, residents are mostly unaware of the risk they would face if there was an accident, reports Midwest Energy News. [ Previously ] April 07, 2015 The man who drove his jeep off of a tow truck says he jumped into his car as it was being taken away because his English bulldog was inside . April 06, 2015 CPD raided a recycling facility which authorities claim bought and resold hundreds of catalytic converters stolen from cars across the city. April 01, 2015 The Illinois Tollway is adding "Safe Phone Zones" with wifi to oases, hoping distracted drivers will get off the road if they need to text or check the Internet. March 31, 2015 debt owed to New York City and Los Angeles combined, reports The Expired Meter. March 31, 2015 Monthly street sweepings resume in April, so watch for signs or sign up for alerts because most cars can't escape the tow truck -- although some can . March 30, 2015 A cyclist on the Lakefront Trail this morning came upon an interesting accident. March 27, 2015 A Wicker Park man bikes 20 miles each way to his job in Glenview through rain, snow, and sleet. What's your excuse? March 26, 2015 Mayor Emanuel floated the idea of renaming either Midway or O'Hare after President Obama , saying that "we have airports named after battleships." (Um, not exactly , Mr. Mayor.) March 25, 2015 A video shared by DNAinfo shows an extreme case of road rage in Rogers Park where one driver kicked and punched the other's car while it repeatedly rammed into his car. March 20, 2015 The CTA warned of service cuts and fare increases should the governor's proposed state budget go through -- it would cut $170 million from Chicago-area transit services. March 20, 2015 Six clever people wrote computer scripts to flood the FAA's Airport Noise Management System complaint form with nearly 25,000 complaints in January -- around two thirds of the total complaints for the month. March 16, 2015 If you're flying out of Midway on Tuesday, watch parties in honor of Southwest Airlines' 30th anniversary at the airport. March 09, 2015 On Friday, mayoral candidate Chuy Garcia announced that if elected he'd shut down all the red light cameras in the city. On Sunday, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced that the City would turn off 50 cameras at 25 intersections. March 06, 2015 A map of the El lines by the You Are Here project charts the incomes of people living near each stop, showing how wealth is distributed in the city. [ via ] March 03, 2015 The International Business Times reports Mayor Emanuel's former top congressional aide became a lobbyist for a firm representing Xerox State and Municipal Solutions days before the company was awarded the contract to build the City's red-light cameras. March 03, 2015 Uber is launching a quarterly print magazine for its driver partners. March 02, 2015 After her fellow commuters seemed to ignore a man confronting Mary Mitchell on the El, she wonders if we're too distracted to watch out for each other . February 26, 2015 The City seems particularly attentive in plowing side streets ahead of April's runoff election. February 25, 2015 Despite costing the City over $400 million and counting, the Block 37 superstation sits unused downtown , a remnant of abandoned plans for an airport express train. February 25, 2015 Fivethirtyeight's Data Lab runs the numbers on Chicago's yellow lights , and finds them coming up a bit short. February 24, 2015 Did you know you can rent your own two-car El train ? Although there's no booze on board, live music and food are allowed, leaving plenty of party possibilities. February 23, 2015 After Gov. Rauner proposed funding cuts to the Regional Transportation Authority in his state budget, the Active Transportation Alliance launched a petition to fight it. February 19, 2015 The City is looking to use self-releasing boots for cars with unpaid parking tickets , although drivers would still have to return them after settling their debt. February 17, 2015 A series by ABC7's Roz Varon takes a look at how Chicago's streets got their names . February 13, 2015 A speed camera in Humboldt Park keeps ticketing one woman's parked car . February 13, 2015 A Logan Square woman found her car "essentially bombed," apparently by someone upset at her for violating dibs. February 12, 2015 Despite the occasional trip down Lake Shore Drive, Divvy riders may actually be safer than other cyclists , reporting only 18 crashes since the program started. February 11, 2015 The City will begin clearing anything left behind to reserve a street parking spot on Friday. February 11, 2015 The CTA is going to test sending the Purple Line on one more run to the Loop and back, leaving Linden at 8pm, for six weeks this summer. February 10, 2015 Watch how snow plows made their way through the blizzard with a heat map animation by the team behind clearstreets.org . February 10, 2015 The new Green Line stop at Cermak/McCormick Place opened Monday , in time to get any kinks out ahead of the Chicago Auto Show this weekend. February 09, 2015 Uber makes a lot of claims about how UberX benefits drivers and passengers alike, so Touchvision checked the facts in a series of short documentaries . February 09, 2015 A Ukrainian Village woman says someone cut her car's brake lines after she parked in a spot marked with chairs. February 05, 2015 Contrary to videos circulating on YouTube, rocking a car back and forth to get it unstuck probably won't cause it to start on fire , reports DNAinfo's Mina Bloom. February 05, 2015 Pedestrians tired of slogging through sidewalk snowdrifts filed hundreds of complaints after Sunday's storm , but the City hasn't issued any citations yet. February 04, 2015 Student reporters with Real Chi Youth followed the epic two-hour commute of a high school valedictorian. February 04, 2015 — Mitch Dudek (@mitchdudek) February 3, 2015 February 02, 2015 Chicagoans started claiming recently-cleared parking spots with folding chairs, sawhorses, and other random items during the Big Snow of 1967, according to DNAinfo's Ted Cox. January 30, 2015 Countdown clocks may be coming to stoplights with red light cameras after Mayor Emanuel endorsed the idea as a way to prevent rear-end collisions. January 30, 2015 A new website by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning gives a birds-eye view of traffic and congestion in the region. January 30, 2015 Union Station is getting a renovation thanks to a $12 million investment from Amtrak . January 29, 2015 Bike messenger Nico Deportago-Cabrera strapped on a video camera and went head-to-head with a cab driver to see who could cross the city faster. [ via ] January 29, 2015 Keep your eye out for ads sharing "the truth" about squirrels the next time you're on the El. They're the result of a CTA art project by comedian Ben Larrison, funded on Kickstarter . January 28, 2015 DNAinfo found out what happens to all those rusted, abandoned bikes fastened to racks and street signs. January 27, 2015 CDOT will repave at least 300 miles worth of city streets, including Lake Shore Drive from Grand to North, King Drive from Cermak to 37th, and Cicero from Division to the Eisenhower. January 23, 2015 Check out the evolution of Chicago's train lines from 1895 to today in five-year increments. The Southwest Side was robbed between the '60s and '80s. [ via ] January 20, 2015 The CTA is retiring the last of its 2400-series train cars, and to commemorate, it's giving them a farewell tour Wednesday . The trains will be dressed up in their original 1976 decals. January 14, 2015 Why is a Cermak Road exit on the Ryan labeled as "22nd Street?" One man is on a quest to get the City to remedy its many signage indiscretions . January 12, 2015 Whet Moser shares how biking through the colder months helps riders resist winter depression . January 12, 2015 Curious City lays out when the worst time is to be on Chicago's highways. January 08, 2015 Streetsblog Chicago , one of the city's best sites for transportation news, is shutting down due to lack of funding -- but there's hope to resurrect it . January 06, 2015 What's the Money Network? Did you receive a small postcard in the mail alerting you to the privacy policy for something called the Money Network ? It's not a scam, it's just the bank that handles the prepaid debit function of your Ventra card . Would have been nice of them to at least mention the connection. January 06, 2015 Wonder where the snow plows are this morning? Check CDOT's Plow Tracker or ClearStreets.org for like updates. January 02, 2015 Uber introduced a "safety checklist" for users to make sure they're getting into the right car with the correct pre-screened driver. December 31, 2014 Remember: the CTA is free tonight, which is helpful because taxis will be impossible to find and Uber rides will be expensive . December 31, 2014 As usual, CTA trains and buses are free New Year's Eve , from 10pm till 4am. Trains will also have extra cars during peak times. December 30, 2014 A Ventra app for Metra riders, bus rapid transit in the Loop, and 4G networks on the Blue and Red lines are among the transit improvements planned for 2015 . December 23, 2014 The City shared videos of car crashes caused by drivers running red lights to encourage safer driving, although they left out clips of accidents caused by red light cameras . December 22, 2014 Chicago's streets would be easier to navigate without all those pesky cars; John Greenfield suggests a few ways to clear the lanes . December 22, 2014 Red light cameras lead to more rear-end accidents at intersections while decreasing the number of T-bone collisions, according to a study. December 22, 2014 The Damen Blue Line stop reopens this morning after two months of renovation. December 18, 2014 Major progress has been made on the 606 (aka Bloomingdale Trail), with most of the road paved and bridges raised along the 2.7-mile route. December 18, 2014 A calendar of scantily-clad (and one full-nude) cabbies is raising money for a federal lawsuit against the City to make it treat cab drivers more like city employees. December 15, 2014 Getting to the Museum Campus using public transportation is pretty tough, but a trolley service, private busway, or light rail system could be used to make the trip easier , according to a mayoral panel. December 10, 2014 Cab drivers will receive as much as an $8,000 increase in annual income -- without a taxi fare increase -- under an ordinance passed by City Council yesterday. December 04, 2014 Santa Claus rides a CTA bus like the rest of us, because reindeer may get great gas mileage but parking a sleigh is impossible. You can join him on the holiday bus. December 03, 2014 "Rahm vs. Nature" tracks how the City is faring in its never-ending war against potholes. December 01, 2014 Over 200 cars were towed when the winter overnight parking ban went into effect Monday morning. December 01, 2014 Wintertime Parking Headaches Begin Today While you were sleeping, the annual Winter Overnight Parking Ban began early this morning and runs through March 31. Parking on designated arterial streets from 3-7am (regardless of snow) will get your wheels towed ($150 and an additional daily storage fee), plus a $60 ticket. Additionally, a second (but not as strongly enforced) ban that tickets (or relocates) cars parked on designated streets when snowfall is over 2 inches goes into effect today. Hope your car is where you left it. The security line at Midway Airport was reportedly 1.2 miles long this morning. November 25, 2014 Chicago's worst Thanksgiving traffic is between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesday, while Saturday is the second worst day to drive, according to the Tribune. November 21, 2014 This year, the CTA isn't just doing a Holiday Train (whose schedule was just announced) -- there's also a Holiday Bus , a reticulated model coated in Christmas decor, running Dec. 2-23 on various routes. November 19, 2014 Lyft and Sidecar both received the first city ridesharing licenses yesterday, certifying that the companies' drivers meet certain training and safety requirements. Uber is still working on their license. November 18, 2014 A small cargo plane that flew into the side of a house near Midway Airport missed the elderly couple inside by a couple of inches . The pilot was killed in the crash. November 18, 2014 Local legislators are collecting noise complaints about O'Hare Airport. Leave yours at oharenoise.org , at State Senator Kotowski's website or by calling 800-435-9569 or 224-585-9153. November 18, 2014 The human on the other end of the CTA's Twitter account ? Tony Cappoletta . November 13, 2014 Batman v. Superman v. Unseasonably Cold Weather It's not exactly the best time for the cast and crew of superhero flick Batman v. Superman to be filming exterior footage, but that's fall in Chicago for you! Several streets in Uptown are already closed , and will be until Friday. Let's hope those super and bat suits are well insulated. November 07, 2014 Graffiti removal requests to 311 are the densest along the Blue, Pink and Orange Lines of the CTA, tracing diagonals through the Northwest and Southwest sides. October 31, 2014 Strong wind gusts knocked over light poles and carried lake waters onto northbound Lake Shore Drive -- so avoid it if you can. October 31, 2014 Artist Jim Bachor's latest artistic approach to potholes ( previously ) is to fill them with flower mosaics . October 30, 2014 Buses bunching up on the streets is inevitable , reports Curious City, as delayed buses give more people time to make it to a stop and leave less passengers for the next bus. October 15, 2014 Metra claims it already meets a state mandate to accept Ventra cards because tickets can be purchased using them as debit cards. October 14, 2014 The Active Transportation Alliance used crash data and community input to identify the 10 most dangerous intersections for pedestrians . October 14, 2014 Officials will take the temperature of passengers arriving at O'Hare from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea starting Thursday. October 13, 2014 The FAA radar center in Aurora that was damaged by fires allegedly set by a worker reopened today. October 10, 2014 Metra officials want to raise fares by more than ten percent on average , the second largest increase in Metra's history, in part to raise funds for new cars and engines. October 09, 2014 The Daily Mail compares snapshots of workers' commutes from around the world , and while commuting via water taxi isn't typical here, the normal traffic definitely beats riding on the outside of a train. October 02, 2014 Remember those weird spikes in red light tickets at certain intersections reported earlier this summer ? The independent reviewer hired by the city upheld 96 percent of the "spike" tickets . October 01, 2014 Renovations of the Wilson Red Line stop , viewed by many as the worst in the entire system, begin this month. October 01, 2014 Mayor Emanuel's new plan for taxis doesn't increase fares, but it does propose a centralized dispatching system to help them compete with ride-sharing companies. September 29, 2014 A top official at Chicago Carriage Cab, the city's largest cab company, was indicted for utilizing fake "clean" titles to use previously wrecked cars as taxis. September 29, 2014 Planned transportation improvements downtown include a bus rapid transit system in the Loop. September 29, 2014 Despite the radar problems, O'Hare just regained its title as the world's busiest airport -- in terms of operations -- for the first time since 2004. September 29, 2014 Traffic at O'Hare and Midway is still messed up following the arson at an Aurora radar facility, and the FAA hopes to get the facility back up to full service by Oct. 13. September 26, 2014 Reacting quickly to this morning's shutdowns, Jeff Lunt created Is Chicago Flying? as a resource for people trying to fly in or out of town today. No doubt it'll come in handy in the future as well. September 26, 2014 The skies above Chicago were eerily quiet this morning after an intentional fire at an Aurora radar facility closed O'Hare and Midway to flights for several hours. Flights have resumed at a " reduced rate ." September 16, 2014 More parking tickets are left on cars with Indiana license plates than any other out-of-state vehicles. September 16, 2014 The first 3D-printed car was built and driven at the International Manufacturing Technology Show at McCormick Place this weekend. September 15, 2014 Folks with Android phones running the 4.4 KitKat version of the OS can use the phone's near field communication capability to get on the CTA . [ via ] September 11, 2014 A video of what appears to be bedbugs crawling on a Red Line train seat is circulating on social media. The CTA says it hasn't received any reports , but would pull train cars for decontamination if notified. [ via ] August 13, 2014 A judge told city officials he has been dismissing 70 percent of red light camera ticket cases, saying cameras or lights are often set up incorrectly , including yellow lights taking less than the three seconds required by law. August 11, 2014 Major renovations of the Damen, California, and Western stations on the Blue Line will force them to close for several weeks starting in September. August 08, 2014 A study found people who talked to strangers on the train were happier , so why not look up from that smartphone and say "hi?" August 05, 2014 Many people in Cook County are spending excessive amounts of time traveling to low-paying jobs , according to a study, with about one in ten lacking fast and frequent access to buses and trains. August 05, 2014 Congress approved a $35 million grant for the CTA to rebuild the Red and Purple lines. August 01, 2014 United Airlines hopes a "humorous" inflight safety video will attract passengers' attention; I still think this guy did it better . July 31, 2014 GB's own Jason Prechtel is suing the CTA for violating FOIA law by not providing documents related to the Ventra contracting process. Read his coverage of Ventra in Mechanics. July 30, 2014 Chicago Magazine takes a look at the many visions of the future of transit in Chicago , including light rail, a bicycle superskyway, and expanded El lines, which Craig Berman once envisioned with a CTA Map for 2055 . July 29, 2014 Aldermen are calling on the city's top watchdog to investigate unexplained spikes in ticketing by red light cameras uncovered by a Chicago Tribune investigation. July 21, 2014 Thieves target cars parked in Lincoln Park and Humboldt Park for more smash-and-grab robberies than other neighborhoods, police statistics show. July 21, 2014 Meter Beaters is an iOS app that shows meter-free parking spaces in the city, primarily North Side and downtown. [ via ] July 18, 2014 While it's illegal for anyone over 12 to bike on the sidewalk, inconsistent laws across the state and the country might explain why some people think it's acceptable behavior. July 18, 2014 A Tribune investigation of 4 million tickets issued by red light cameras found some cameras recorded violations in "wild and inexplicable spikes," and a class action lawsuit is demanding the City pay back tens of millions of dollars . July 17, 2014 Two men boarded the Orange Line in broad daylight and held up commuters at gunpoint , robbing them of their wallets, phones and jewelry. July 16, 2014 After yet more glitches caused delays for people who waited till the last minute to get their city sticker yesterday, those people now have until today to purchase them. July 11, 2014 You can see how Chicagoans make their way to work on a map put together by the Sun-Times. July 11, 2014 A cyclist somehow found their way on to the Kennedy during rush hour Thursday evening, though there are no reports on whether they were riding a Divvy or not. July 09, 2014 When construction on Milwaukee Ave. crept out into the street, drivers, cyclists, the City, and reporters at Streetsblog were forced to sort the whole mess out . July 08, 2014 Curious City looks at Chicago's role as a transportation hub for Amish people living throughout the Midwest. July 07, 2014 Hundreds of people who paid for parking using the ParkChicago app were ticketed despite having time left on their meters. July 03, 2014 The Curbee bicycle footrest was just installed at Milwaukee and Ogden to help cyclists waiting at red lights. July 02, 2014 A cyclist stopped a thief from stealing a bike wheel in Logan Square last night, and shared his photo on TheChainlink -- where the community ID'ed him, found his Facebook page and discovered a pattern of bike theft. July 02, 2014 The police and CDOT began a series of crosswalk stings yesterday, ticketing drivers who cut off pedestrians in marked crosswalks. July 01, 2014 City Sticker Saving Grace If you didn't get your new city sticker in time, you now have a little more time . The city clerk extended the deadline to buy a sticker until July 7, and the grace period for not having a sticker until July 15. June 30, 2014 The CTA's full transition to Ventra starts on Tuesday, when old transit cards will no longer be accepted . June 30, 2014 Heads up: The Division Street bridge will be closed today for demolition ; the new bridge will open in October. June 27, 2014 Find out which mode of transportation is the fastest for getting from where you are to anywhere else in the city on a map by the You Are Here project. [ via ] June 25, 2014 A power outage shut down a Blue Line track between LaSalle and Western , forcing trains in both directions to share a single track and delaying some commuters for two hours . June 20, 2014 Construction on the Ohio Street bridge continues this weekend, but this time northbound lanes on the Kennedy will be closed heading into the Loop, causing trouble for drivers coming from the South Side. June 20, 2014 A Southwest flight attendant delivered a funny, surprisingly memorable speech to kick of a flight from San Francisco to Chicago. June 13, 2014 A section of the Kennedy will be shut down this weekend as crews demolish the Ontario Street Bridge, so it's probably best to avoid it completely . June 11, 2014 Companies across the city will compete to see whose employees are most willing to pedal their way to work between June 13 and 20 as part of the Bike Commuter Challenge . June 09, 2014 Hearings held by the FAA on runway changes at O'Hare weren't actually held in areas that will be impacted by increased airplane noise , a Sun-Times investigation found. June 03, 2014 The CTA and IDOT averted traffic disaster later this month by agreeing not to simultaneously close lanes on the Kennedy and shut down the Blue Line for repairs on the same dates. June 02, 2014 A revamped TSA checkpoint at O'Hare adds couches, wall art, and soothing music to make passing through security more comfortable. May 30, 2014 A public-interest group continues to challenge Chicago's parking meter deal in court , even though the City itself is defending the agreement. May 30, 2014 Divvy riders took 16,259 trips on Sunday, setting a new single-day record . May 23, 2014 This weekend is one of the busiest , both on the streets and in the sky, so be sure to check your train or the roads before heading out. May 23, 2014 Bike the Drive is this weekend, and over 18,000 people have already signed up to pedal their way down Lake Shore Drive. May 21, 2014 Chicago is one of the safest cities in the country for pedestrians , according to a new study. May 19, 2014 Blackline shuttle service promises a faster trip from the North Side to downtown while offering leather seats, A/C, and WiFi to commuters. May 19, 2014 In order to extend the Red Line to 130th, the City may have to seize hundreds of parcels of land to make way. May 15, 2014 A group of Streeterville residents unveiled a plan to bury part of Lake Shore Drive near Oak Street Beach in order to make space for more green areas, beaches, and a man-made island . May 15, 2014 For years, Tom Feddor had to battle Chicago over tickets erroneously issued to his license plate, which is simply 0. Now he's fighting Oak Park . May 14, 2014 TSA agent Eddie Palacios will receive an Award for Valor from the Department of Homeland Security for stopping an El train before it hit a woman who fell on to the tracks at the Chicago Ave. Blue Line. May 14, 2014 Around 1,120 flights were cancelled yesterday when the evacuation of a radar facility halted all flights through Midway and O'Hare. May 13, 2014 All flights in and out of O'Hare and Midway were halted after smoke forced workers to evacuate a radar facility in Elgin. UPDATE: The smoke was caused by a bathroom fan, and flights will slowly resume at both airports. May 08, 2014 The number of people who rode a bike to work in Chicago more than doubled in recent years , according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Still, only 1.3 percent of workers said they rode a bike to work between 2008-2012. May 07, 2014 Ventra is answering your questions via Twitter from 2:30 to 3:30 today. The #AskVentra hashtag is already lighting up with abuse. May 07, 2014 No, Uber X can't pick you up at the airport , the City decided yesterday after the company sent a message to drivers telling them how to accept pickups at O'Hare and Midway. May 06, 2014 While Mayor Emanuel stressed the necessity of speed cameras to keep kids safe, they also caught his own motorcade speeding or running red lights almost two dozen times , according to ABC 7. April 29, 2014 The Reader's Ben Joravsky broke out a stopwatch to fact-check Mayor Emanuel's claims that a $320 million Red-Purple Line bypass would save commuters three to four minutes. April 28, 2014 Amtrak will be testing out allowing small dogs and cats on trains between Chicago and Quincy . April 23, 2014 City Hall is looking to push through new regulations for pedicabs in Chicago, but owners of the pedaled people carriers say new rules and restrictions on where they can go downtown could put them out of business. April 22, 2014 MIT's You Are Here project mapped all the bicycle accidents in 2012 (the most recent data available). [ via ] April 22, 2014 As part of the massive Circle Interchange reconstruction project , IDOT is currently rebuilding the Morgan Street bridge. UIC's Urban Transportation Center has installed a webcam so you can watch it happen. [ via ] April 18, 2014 Better Brown Line at a Cost The CTA announced plans to rehab the Purple and northern Red Line and extend the southern end of the Red Line yesterday, but a proposal to speed traffic at Belmont by creating a Brown Line overpass have Lakeview residents up in arms because it will mean as many as 19 buildings will need to be demolished. April 17, 2014 Bridges are going up again as sailboats head upriver towards Chicago's harbors like (very expensive) birds returning for the summer. April 17, 2014 Part of Lake Shore Drive was shut down yesterday after reports of a "suspicious object," but a police robot found nothing dangerous inside the abandoned duffle bag . April 16, 2014 The CTA announced plans to completely rebuild four Red Line stops and extend the line South from 95th to 130th Street down one of two possible paths . April 15, 2014 A pothole in Logan Square revealing a piece of metal track beneath the street is like a concrete window into the past, when streetcars shuttled people through the area . April 14, 2014 Wider sidewalks and other changes are coming to a stretch of Devon Avenue previously found to be the most dangerous for pedestrians on the North Side. April 14, 2014 Starting this week, anyone parking in the West Loop can use a smartphone to pay the meter as part of a test of the new ParkChicago app . April 11, 2014 Divvy is bringing bikes out of winter storage , starting with 700 cycles for the 300 stations around the city. April 04, 2014 Transit Future , a joint project of the Center for Neighborhood Technology and Active Transportation Alliance , have announced a vision of a massive public transit overhaul and expansion for the Chicagoland region. It has the support of many civic leaders; now to secure funding. April 04, 2014 CTA Trolls Cubs Fans Yesterday the CTA sent out a notice warning that the Addison Red Line stop would be closed northbound for repairs today, just in time for the Cubs' home opener. Fortunately, it was just a "clerical error" -- the station will be open from 10:50am to 2:45pm. April 03, 2014 Over 1,100 claims of vehicle damage caused by potholes were filed at this week's City Council meeting. April 03, 2014 A man jumped in the path of a Blue Line train and got it to stop before it reached a woman who fell on to the tracks at the Chicago Avenue stop. April 01, 2014 Public service reminder: Street sweeping starts April 1, and the City is planning to do an aggressive job to start. Use SweepAround.Us to get reminders of when to move your car. March 25, 2014 While many saw Chicago's red light cameras as an attempt by the City to make money, revenue from them continues to decrease as less and less people are caught by their flashing lights . March 24, 2014 A study observing Chicagoans behind the wheel found one in five of them was using an electronic device , violating the state's ban on talking or texting while driving more frequently than anyplace in Illinois. March 21, 2014 Just a guy out for a casual drive on his Segway, on the street , having a nice chat on his cell phone while heading towards Lake Shore Drive. March 21, 2014 The CTA's overhaul of the Blue Line starts this weekend , interrupting service between the Logan Square and Western Avenue stops from 10pm Friday until 4am Monday. March 20, 2014 Crain's shares some of the lessons learned by jet-setting business types who fly out of O'Hare as they travel around the world. March 19, 2014 Author, artist and former cabbie Dmitry Samarov recently rediscovered his driver code map , from 641 (north of Howard in Rogers Park) to 935 (Hegewisch), that the ride terminals in taxis use. March 19, 2014 Construction of the much-needed Navy Pier Flyover will start next week . While the lakefront trail is supposed to remain open throughout construction, check out the detours and closures page for updates . March 17, 2014 A man who says he was conceived at the Des Plaines Oasis after his parents went to a Phil Collins concert protested the freeway-spanning stop's permanent closure by chaining himself to the door. March 17, 2014 Yesterday's standoff on Lake Shore Drive led to chaos on the streets as motorists found ways to get off the road. A fire at Hollywood and Kenmore this morning closed the Hollywood entrance to the Drive during rush hour. March 14, 2014 Facing pressure from legislators, Uber and Lyft have announced "enhanced" insurance policies for their non-taxi drivers. March 14, 2014 Holdouts be warned, the CTA is finally forcing your hand. Ventra will be the only payment option starting July 1 . March 11, 2014 The City will test paying meters via a smartphone app later this year, Mayor Emanuel announced Monday. It'll be tested in downtown areas first before being rolled out elsewhere. March 10, 2014 Over the weekend, a demolition crew removed the Bloomingdale Trail's Western Avenue bridge so that it can be replaced with the Ashland Avenue bridge in a few weeks. Check out additional photographs on Twitter . March 07, 2014 CDOT is auditing streets recently paved by contractors to see if they've been more prone to potholes this winter. (Don't forget to report potholes to help get'em fixed.) March 05, 2014 Shaun Jacobsen took Divvy's challenge to play with its data and created Divvy Spokes , which shows which neighborhoods people use the service to get to. March 04, 2014 Like Ventra , Vancouver's new Cubic-built Compass Card will cost more than many low-income riders and social service agencies can afford . Unlike Ventra, Vancouver agreed to sell discounted-ride packs to agencies last September . February 27, 2014 New Buses On The Block Three hundred new CTA buses will begin hitting CTA bus stops in May, each fully equipped with 10 surveillance cameras and better safety features. The new buses, priced at about $493,000 each, will feature cleaner diesel fuel, bigger windows and "a sleeker body design." February 26, 2014 Drivers whose cars are damaged after thunking into one of the city's 600,000 potholes can get money back from the City if they're willing to work for it . February 25, 2014 Cyclists are donning cameras on their helmets and handlebars as they travel around the city as insurance against bad drivers. February 24, 2014 The first phase of the CTA's $492 million Blue Line renovation will begin in March with track improvements between the Damen and Logan Square stops. February 24, 2014 With most of the roadside snow melting, garbage collectors and other city workers are going to begin throwing away any dibs items left on the streets . February 24, 2014 A Metra Union Pacific North line train was forced to stop near Rogers Park after passengers noticed someone running around on top of the cars and jumping between the inbound and outbound trains. February 21, 2014 The average weekly commute of African American low-wage workers took 70 minutes longer than their white counterparts in 2011, according to a new study. February 20, 2014 Marketplace takes a look at the tech keeping Metra trains running on time (or at least just running), much of it state of the art- back in 1932. February 19, 2014 "Sneckdowns," the areas where the wintry mix on the streets isn't worn away by traffic, can serve as guides for where bike lanes and sidewalks should go , say some activists. February 18, 2014 CTA to Install 4G Service Underground The CTA is moving forward with a plan to boost phone and data service by installing 4G service in the subway tunnels of the Blue and Red lines later this year. The infrastructure currently in place throughout the 24 miles of tunnel space between the two lines was installed in 2005. February 14, 2014 A top aide to Mayor Rahm Emanuel called for a halt to talk of making North Michigan Avenue a motor vehicle free zone , referencing the failed experiment of closing State Street to traffic in 1979 . February 13, 2014 Uber is facing a bit of a bumpy road as City Council looks to regulate ridesharing and consumers cry foul over high fares resulting from "surge pricing ." February 13, 2014 There's an accident every 36 hours on the Kennedy, not to mention major congestion, so state officials are recommending another lane in each direction between I-190 and Harlem Avenue. February 12, 2014 In December Midway Airport ranked last among U.S. airports for both on-time arrivals and departures, with O'Hare not too far above it in both categories. February 12, 2014 Car Wars Active Transportation Alliance wants to close parts of 20 streets to make them more pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly , with proposals including a protected bike lane on Clark Street downtown, closing Humboldt Drive in the summer, and turning lightly-used streets into dead ends. February 12, 2014 Divvy has released a dataset of the first 750,000 bike rides, and wants you to make something with it . Entries in by March 11. February 11, 2014 Valet operators with counterfeit parking slips are parking cars in paid spots , causing some drivers to get surprise tickets in the mail. February 11, 2014 Uber is offering free UberX rides to the Chicago Auto Show this week. February 07, 2014 A North Center resident got a bit carried away in marking their "dibs" on a parking spot, tacking a sign on to some chairs reading, "I will break your windows if I see your car in this spot." February 07, 2014 CTA is satisfied enough with the performance of Ventra that it is going to stop holding back payments to the vendor behind it all, Cubic Transportation Systems Inc., and start to move towards an all-Ventra system. February 06, 2014 Crossing the Transit Desert A new study found Chicagoland mass transit systems are doing a poor job moving people throughout the region , with commutes often taking over 90 minutes due to a lack of planning and coordination between the RTA, the CTA, Pace, and Metra. February 06, 2014 An NBC5 investigation found at least one block in the city apparently has not been plowed all winter . February 05, 2014 Ald. Ed Burke introduced a proposal to ban horse drawn carriages in Chicago, even while admitting it probably won't go anywhere. February 05, 2014 The City is set to fill its 100,000th pothole , and you can follow their progress online . February 05, 2014 Mayor Emanuel is proposing new regulations for ride-sharing companies like UberX , Lyft and Sidecar , requiring companies to keep closer tabs on drivers, pay a licensing fee, and be more transparent about fares. February 05, 2014 After more than 52 inches of snow -- more than double what we usually see by this time --Chicagoland suburbs are running out of road salt , although CDOT says it's still OK . January 31, 2014 Crime on the Line An NBC5 investigation into which El stations have the most crime found the Red Line stop at 95th and Dan Ryan led in the number of violent crimes, while the Red Line's Jackson and State stop had the most thefts, mostly of smartphones and other gadgets. January 27, 2014 A record 20 million passengers traveled through Midway last year, an increase of 5 percent from 2012. O'Hare's passenger traffic grew only slightly. January 24, 2014 Streetsblog 's Steven Vance created a map of all the parking meter pay boxes in the city. [ via ] January 24, 2014 It's pothole season, so if you see one you can report it to using the City's Pothole Tracker or even turn it into a work of art, like one local artist . [ via ] January 17, 2014 United Airlines is laying off 685 flight attendants as part of a plan to cut $2 billion a year from the airline's budget. January 16, 2014 A new proposal would make it easier for drivers to get any tickets for not having a city sticker dismissed , so long as they can provide a proof of purchase showing they bought the sticker before the ticket was issued. January 16, 2014 An online step-by-step guide shows how to attach your Ventra card to a keychain , so you don't have to fumble with your wallet to get it out. January 15, 2014 The numerous potholes on city streets means great business for repair shops . You can report any really bad potholes to CDOT online . [ via ] January 13, 2014 A Southwest flight that left Midway airport heading for Branson, Missouri landed at the wrong airport . January 09, 2014 Speeding Doesn't Pay ...Yet The speed cameras near schools and parks fell short of revenue estimates in their first year of operation, bringing in just 2 percent of the $15 million predicted. The City says it's because installation was delayed and the cameras issued warnings for longer than originally planned. January 08, 2014 While Divvy has all this downtime , they should develop ways to increase density of the service, says Steve Vance. January 07, 2014 Over 500 people spent the night on Amtrak trains stranded by ice and snow outside of Chicago. January 03, 2014 The CTA says the majority of problems with Ventra cards not being read is due riders not knowing where to tap their cards. So they're adding decals to readers to guide you in. January 02, 2014 Mayor Emanuel appointed CTA planner Rebekah Scheinfeld as Chicago's new transportation commissioner . January 02, 2014 You're out of luck if you wanted to use a Divvy bike today. As of noon, the bike sharing program is closed until further notice . December 31, 2013 CTA train operator Michael Powell, loved by Red Line commuters for his friendly comments , announced his retirement over the train's intercom today . December 30, 2013 CTA officials said Ventra's equipment issues gave free rides to over 930,000 people, costing more than $1.2 million in free fares , and the City is seeking reimbursement from Ventra's parent company. December 27, 2013 Two consecutive Blue Line trains had mechanical problems this morning, leading to huge crowds on platforms during the morning commute. December 17, 2013 Letters About Ventra Last week, the Tribune ran a letter to the editor about Ventra customer service. This week the call center worker who took the call in question wrote a letter , sharing that she'd been fired for giving correct information and garnering the service "bad press." [ via ] December 12, 2013 The blog Nerd Stew talked to local bike store workers for their tips on how to stay safe and warm while biking in the winter . December 12, 2013 Get that public transportation lover practically anything from the CTA in its online auction [click "Chicago Transit Authority"]. The bizarre range of items includes train speedometers, fare counters, clocks, train driveshafts, a bus stop and even whole L cars. December 11, 2013 A small yoga room at O'Hare will give travelers a place to downward dog while they're waiting for a flight. December 10, 2013 Some aldermen and businesses say the deal Mayor Emanuel made to make parking meters free on Sundays is hurting local businesses because people are leaving their cars in one place longer. December 10, 2013 After CTA cuts eliminated morning and afternoon cleaning positions often held by ex-offenders, L train cars will now only be cleaned during the midnight shifts . December 10, 2013 Divvy is taking your suggestions for where to put the next 175 bike stations they're adding in 2014. December 05, 2013 The Blue Line is next in line for a major upgrade. Mayor Emanuel announced a four-year, $492 million renovation project that will cut the time it takes to get to O'Hare and add 4G Internet service along the entire route. December 05, 2013 WTTW's Chicago Tonight is planning a live town hall where commuters can weigh in on their experience with the CTA's new payment system. [ via ] December 04, 2013 The bike lane on Dearborn tops one ranking of the country's Best Protected Bike Lanes of 2013 , while Milwaukee Ave. came in at #7 on the list. [ via ] December 03, 2013 The winter parking ban starts at 3am Sunday, so be careful where you park Saturday night, or you may end up paying ( recently increased ) parking tickets or towing fees. November 27, 2013 The CTA Holiday Train schedule is out -- and the first trips are Friday on the Green and Orange lines. November 25, 2013 As you'd expect, Chicago ranks in the top 10 worst cities for Thanksgiving holiday traffic , though Weather Channel says it'll be only slightly worse than last year. (Thanks, Dee!) November 22, 2013 Ventra is granting a temporary reprieve to CTA riders with negative balances on their cards during the transition, letting them still get access to trains and buses, but will eventually send collection agencies for the outstanding amount. November 21, 2013 The long wait is over: the Wells Street bridge is open again downtown . You may now move on with your lives. November 20, 2013 DNAInfo's Alisa Hauser chronicles yet another dooring incident on Milwaukee Ave. in Wicker Park, a crowded corridor where the dangerous car door vs. cyclist accidents seem to be increasingly common. November 19, 2013 It's now easier to order residential parking permits online from the City Clerk -- just in time to order a stack of day passes for family and friends visiting for the holidays. November 18, 2013 Goddess Rides the Red Line (NSFW) Red Line trains were briefly delayed on Saturday by a nude woman calling herself the "goddess of the train." She verbally and physically attacked riders until police removed her from the train at Granville. As Chicagoist noted , "maybe these incidents are happening because people aren't getting the quality mental health care they need." Artist Justin Younger took the incident as inspiration for a new painting . November 18, 2013 Divvy doesn't provide bike helmets for its riders -- and lawyers have taken note . How long do you think before we can expect helmet vending machines? November 14, 2013 Keep your eye out for Lufthansa flight attendants around town this week. They're giving out free coffee , limo rides and other stuff as part of an " #UpgradeChicago " marketing campaign. November 14, 2013 Ventra Fails Again Ventra stations malfunctioned at 60 train stations during last night's evening commute, apparently due to a "server failure," adding to the pile of problems with the system. In Mechanics, Jason Prechtel gives an overview of the troubles Ventra parent company Cubic has had with systems in other cities. Meanwhile, the Chicago Reporter dug further into Cubic's military and intelligence connections . November 14, 2013 At the end of August, one very unfortunate Divvy bike rider found herself in about the wrongest place possible: the left lane on northbound Lake Shore Drive during the afternoon rush. [ via ] November 12, 2013 CTA has released surveillance footage of a woman who boarded the Blue Line Nov. 1 with a baby alligator who was found later that day hiding under an escalator at O'Hare. At least, I hope it's the same baby alligator. November 11, 2013 Cyclists securing their rides to road signs or "sucker poles" are easy prey for thieves , who pull these anchors out of the ground and ride off on the bike, lock still attached. November 06, 2013 Profiting on Failure When CTA turnstiles accidentally charge your debit card instead of your Ventra card, double-charge you or any number of errors, Metabank earns interest on the collected cash. Just one of several ways the company is making money off the more than fares . November 06, 2013 A federal grant will help the City build 75 more Divvy stations next year, potentially making it the largest bike-sharing program in North America . November 06, 2013 What will be the legacy of outgoing transportation chief Gabe Klein? John Greenfield evaluates . ( Previously .) November 05, 2013 Rumors are swirling that CTA will announce today that riders will not be required to transition to the error-plagued Ventra system, and can continue to use the current Chicago Card Plus/farecard system. November 05, 2013 Aldermen are calling for City Council hearings on CTA's Ventra card rollout problems. November 01, 2013 Chicago Transportation Commissioner Gabe Klein is resigning , effective the end of November. October 30, 2013 At the Beachwood Reporter, Natasha Julius offers some suggestions on how to re-do public transportation in Chicago. Step one, kill Metra . (Craighton Berman's CTA map for 2055 is also worth another look.) October 25, 2013 Divvy bikes will be available throughout the winter , except during severe weather. October 25, 2013 Today at 1pm , the section of Clybourn Avenue near Larrabee will be renamed Bobby Cann Way , in honor of the cyclist who was hit by a drunk driver and killed in May. Tonight is also Critical Mass , and the route will likely swing past to pay respects. October 25, 2013 A new two-mile stretch of South Shore Drive, through the old US Steel South Works site, opens to the public this weekend. If Dave Matthews ever brings his Caravan back to Chicago, it'll now be easier to get to. [ Previously ] October 24, 2013 Deadspin shares a note left by a Chicago driver on the windshield of his neighbor's truck , telling him he's "parking like an a-hole," but in a nice way. October 24, 2013 Aldermen are playing with the idea of making bicyclists buy a $25-a-year license and take a safety course to ride in the city. October 23, 2013 WCIU put together a short documentary about the history of Wacker Drive , from its inception by Daniel Burnham to the movies filmed on the two-tiered road. [ via ] October 23, 2013 Is ridesharing like prostitution? That's the allegory made by a writer in the Chicago Dispatcher, the city's paper for cabbies. October 20, 2013 Truck Ruins Red Line South Debut A truck crashed through the median wall on the Dan Ryan and landed on the Red Line tracks near 68th Street last night, damaging the third rail less than 24 hours after the southern portion of the line reopened after months of construction. Trains are being routed around the accident on the single northbound track. October 17, 2013 Now that the Bloomingdale Trail's construction is well underway , the police warn they will actually arrest people who head up on the tracks . October 17, 2013 The new runway at O'Hare opens today, allowing planes to take off or land as often as every 15 seconds . October 16, 2013 The CTA's Red Line South project is nearly complete, and the line will reopen on Oct. 20 -- on time and on budget. Meanwhile, a construction manager has been chosen for the 95th Street Terminal reconstruction . October 15, 2013 Enthusiasm for trains seems to be high in Chicago, with 3.5 million people taking Amtrak last year , but Steve Rhones says amidst ongoing controversies, Metra should be done away with (the organization, not the trains). October 15, 2013 Starting October 27, you'll be able to travel from Rainbow Beach to 92nd Street on the brand new US-41 extension through the former United States Steel site . The Trib has a great aerial photograph of the road , and an earlier aerial is embedded after the break. October 11, 2013 The nine speed cameras the City has installed so far have already caoght nearly 205,000 speeders since Aug. 27. They're giving out warnings for now, but those busts would have netted $13.9 million in fines. October 10, 2013 A local company is hoping electric unicycles will catch on with commuters looking to shorten that trip from the L to the office. [ via ] October 09, 2013 The CTA announced today that it will continue to allow passengers to add money to the old Chicago Cards and magnetic strip passes while they fix the many, many problems with Ventra . October 09, 2013 With all of the hair-pulling over Ventra transition chaos , keep in mind it could be even stickier. We could have Transit Ham . October 09, 2013 With a revised price tag of $60 million per block, building a park over the Kennedy Expressway on the Near West Side may be a bit too expensive for the City. October 08, 2013 Pullman Rail Journeys , which runs vintage Pullman railcars on Amtrak's City of New Orleans line, will have musicians from the Old Town School of Folk Music performing on some trips . October 07, 2013 Big Day in Ventra Transition Today's a significant milestone in the transfer to Ventra cards: CTA Tattler reports that magnetic stripe cards will no longer be sold at CTA stations, and Chicago Card users will no longer be able to put money on their cards. (Chicago Card Plus users still have some time to auto-load their cards.) October 04, 2013 Officials finalized locations for the first 11 100-feet-tall electronic billboards Mayor Emanuel touted as a new source of revenue for the City. October 03, 2013 There won't be any need to put down that smartphone during your commute -- unless you're driving -- once 4G wireless service comes to underground El lines . October 03, 2013 Lots of people still haven't received their new Ventra card from the CTA (I finally got mine on Tuesday). One guy got more than a hundred . October 02, 2013 The City announced it is pulling 18 red light cameras from intersections around the town, just as the new speed cameras start issuing tickets instead of warnings. October 01, 2013 City officials hope their wavy, modern vision of a CTA stop at Washington-Wabash will encourage more people to take the El downtown. October 01, 2013 State troopers pulled over people texting while driving on the Kennedy during Monday's morning commute. Between 7am and 9:30am they ticketed 135 people. September 30, 2013 An apparently-empty Blue Line train collided head-on with another train stopped at the Harlem stop this morning, sending dozens of people to the hospital . September 26, 2013 A 3-year-old lawsuit challenging the legality of Chicago's red light cameras will be heard by the Illinois Supreme Court . September 26, 2013 While it may be impossible to tell if biking is more dangerous than other ways of getting round the city, it gets less scary with experience and if you stick to bike lanes . September 24, 2013 The fall bridge lift schedule commences Wednesday; be ready for morning delays as sailors bring their boats in for storage. Meanwhile, the Grand Avenue Bridge is closed for the next two weeks for emergency repairs. September 23, 2013 The City estimates riders pedaled over a million miles on Divvy bikes since the program launched a couple months ago- far enough to pedal to the moon and back, twice. September 19, 2013 Illinois State Troopers will soon be carrying video-capturing Tasers when they make traffic stops. September 16, 2013 Uber 's ridesharing service, UberX, is free this coming weekend , if you use the coupon code #CHILOVESuberX. There's also a bunch of other free stuff attached. September 16, 2013 The CTA is reminding commuters to stay off the tracks following an increase in on-track fatalities and reported cases of people jumping down from platforms, often to retrieve their phones or other belongings. September 16, 2013 According to this map from the California Rail Map , travel from Chicago to New York would take about six hours by high speed rail, and about 12 hours to LA. [ via ] September 16, 2013 Ventra Gotchas Yesterday, Kevin O'Neil detailed the steps you need to take to activate your new Ventra card (carefully read the emails that the CTA is sending you!). More concerning is RedEye's report that Ventra readers can also read your ATM card, so don't be keeping your Ventra card in your wallet! September 13, 2013 Ridesharing services like Sidecar and Lyft tout $1 million insurance policies that cover their drivers, but actually seeing a copy of the policy is practically impossible -- and participating in the services could put drivers' own insurance coverage at risk. September 13, 2013 United Launches Accidental Super Sale United Airlines ' online ticketing system was letting customers book free flights yesterday afternoon, due to an error on the part of some employee who is no doubt now fired. United says it hasn't decided yet whether to honor the free flights. September 12, 2013 Buses will now make a special stop at the new super Walmart in Pullman , after Mayor Emanuel and Ald. Beale criticized the CTA for not extending service to the store in time for its grand opening. September 12, 2013 A new ordinance passed by City Council increases fines up to $1,500 for throwing trash from car windows and gives police the ability to impound vehicles of drivers caught littering. September 12, 2013 The Paramount Room at Kinzie and Milwaukee has set up a bike repair station to help passing commuters -- and encourage them to pop inside for a drink or bite. September 11, 2013 See how your Divvy Bikes use compares to other riders with Divvy Brags . September 10, 2013 In an effort to reduce sidewalk collisions, a City Council committee advanced a proposal to raise fines for cyclists caught riding on sidewalks to $200. September 09, 2013 Not spotted on that Transit Readings blog we linked to last week: Fifty Shades of Grey . Looks like he just got to that one part. September 09, 2013 The latest version of the Cobra iRadar iOS app has been updated with the locations of the 50 speed cameras around town. September 06, 2013 "The RULES are to be quiet in the car!" A man claiming to be a member of the Board of Trade recently got into a fight with another passenger in a Metra quiet car after talking on his phone. Not sure how being a trader qualifies someone to "cut you in half." NSFW audio, so put your headphones on. September 06, 2013 The Emanuel administration canceled privatization plans for Midway Airport after one of two bidders dropped out of the running. The Trib provides a history of the city's first major airport . September 03, 2013 A proposal aimed at reforming local public transit amid ongoing scandals would merge the Metra, CTA, and Pace planning departments , potentially saving millions of dollars. September 03, 2013 Wondering why your bus stop started beeping? It's a feature, not a bug . September 03, 2013 In case you missed the news on Friday, Mayor Emanuel announced locations for the next 50 speed cameras to be placed around the city. Here's a map . August 30, 2013 CDOT launched a new portal, Chicago Complete Streets , that hopes to make better sense of all the projects the department is currently working on or planning. August 29, 2013 Pay Those Tolls The Illinois Tollway Authority posted a list of 157 " super scofflaws ," individuals and companies that have racked up the most non-payments on Chicago-area tollways. Eight have more than $100,000 in unpaid tolls and fines. Not surprisingly, the list is generating some complaints from those on it. The Illinois Tollway will begin publicly shaming the "Top 100 Toll Violators" who owe the most in unpaid tolls by listing their names on its website. August 26, 2013 Don't want to pay $5 to take the Blue Line from O'Hare? The Trib's Jon Hilkevich found a way , although it's not exactly quick. August 23, 2013 Move Along People City Hall closed on a $288 million federal loan to begin upgrades on O'Hare Airport's " people mover system ." The $800 million project, slated for completion in 2016, will include a consolidated rental car facility, parking garage, Metra transfer station, automated transit system station, and bus plaza. August 23, 2013 Remember that car with more than $100,000 in tickets ? The City finally settled with the owner for a little under $4,500 . August 22, 2013 Lakeview condo owners have filed a lawsuit against the City after a Divvy bike station was placed in front of their building at Addison and Pine Grove. August 21, 2013 The new 70mph highway speed limit is only in effect in rural areas of Illinois -- or it might be OK in Chicagoland as well, depending on how the law is interpreted. August 20, 2013 SUV on Bike Assault Bike-a-bee 's Jana Kinsman was attacked last night by four men in a purple Chevy Tahoe while she was riding north on Kimball, grabbing her bag and dragging her until she hit a parked car. Kinsman sustained significant injuries to her arm, although no broken bones. She was told by police that they are considering the case a hit and run. If you have any information that would be helpful to the investigation, call 311 or text the tips line at CRIMES (274637) and reference case number HW415248, on Beat 1412. Additional reporting: Chicagoist , DNAinfo . UPDATE: DNAinfo has surveillance video footage of people coming to the aid of Kinsman after she crashed into a parked car. A GiveForward fundraiser has been established to help Kinsman with medical expenses. As of 1pm on Aug. 21, it has collected more than $4,000. Here's a Storify by one of Kinsman's friends, collecting her tweets about the attack. August 13, 2013 The RedEye's annual worst CTA station contest is now open for nominations. August 12, 2013 Speed Cameras Coming, Profitable The planned speed cameras near schools and parks could net the City hundreds of millions a year , based on results of the 30-day test run conducted earlier this year. The first permanent cameras will be rolled out later this month , with 50 planned by the end of the year. August 07, 2013 The last of the Blue Line's accordion-doored 2200-series train cars will be retired tomorrow after two " farewell runs " featuring 1970s-era advertising and exterior decals. August 07, 2013 Becka Joynt's Miss Vantastic is one sweet ride. August 06, 2013 The CTA's Ventra payment system went live yesterday. Tracy Swartz reports on how it went . August 02, 2013 The CTA seems to have learned its lesson after introducing its 5000 series L cars to widespread complaint and is going to make its next order more "customer-friendly." View the diagram comparing the cars for a quick review of the changes. July 29, 2013 RedEye reporter/punster Tracy Swartz writes that chairman Terry Peterson rode the system eight times from the start of this year to the end of June. July 29, 2013 Milwaukee-based Ticket Ninja just launched in Chicago as a way for chronic parking ticket receivers to pay tickets automatically before late fees rack up. July 23, 2013 Got a cargo bike ? There's a meetup for you this Saturday. July 17, 2013 Let alone in the NYTimes: "Today, the Chicago Metered Parking System is considered one of the world's best ." Naturally, folks have jumped on that . July 16, 2013 The Secretary of State has redesigned disability placards in hopes of reducing the number of scofflaws using placards to get out of paying parking meters. July 15, 2013 Today is the last day to buy a city sticker without paying a late fee -- and the last day to get one on your windshield without getting a ticket. July 10, 2013 Parking meters in most of the city are free on Sundays starting today , excluding the central business district within Roosevelt, Halsted, Division and the lake. July 02, 2013 Bunching Buses, by the Numbers Ever wonder why some CTA buses tend to bunch together? So had Transitized, so he took a look at the data . The top three worst bunchers are the 66, 49 and 134. While population density is part of the equation, it's not the only factor. July 02, 2013 Speaking of Divvy, John Greenfield rode to all 68 bike share locations in one day, and somehow lived to tell the tale. July 02, 2013 As of today, the CTA has increased the cost of taking the Blue Line from O'Hare to $5 for everyone except airport employees and some others . June 28, 2013 After much hoopla and delays, Divvy bikeshare launched today, with 700 bikes available for rent. The program has a ways to go before it serves the whole city, though. June 26, 2013 The CTA and Pace's new Ventra payment system will launch in August , with full roll-out by September . June 21, 2013 Speaking of pets, United Airlines is opening a new "first class" version of its PetSafe kennel at O'Hare this weekend. [ via ] June 19, 2013 Thirty-two percent of construction contracts for the Red Line South Reconstruction Project have been awarded to minority and woman-owned firms . June 14, 2013 Free Sunday Parking Starts Early for Some The meter machines in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 11th, 12th, 14th, 15th, 20th, 22nd, 23rd and 25th wards will be switched to the new free Sundays -- and pay till 10pm every other day -- configuration starting this weekend. The rest will switch over on July 1, assuming the change isn't repealed sooner. June 12, 2013 Crain's got a visit to the CTA's Block 37 superstation , construction of which was shut down in 2008. June 11, 2013 Friday's planned launch of the Divvy bikeshare service is being delayed by two weeks for more equipment testing. June 04, 2013 Improving the Lakefront Trail Today the Active Transportation Alliance released its co-authored report [pdf] of user perceptions of the lakefront trail. In a surprise to no one, trail users are most frustrated by the sections between Fullerton and Division and over the river. How's that Navy Pier flyover coming along? May 31, 2013 A diagonal crosswalk opened today at State and Jackson; it's a pilot test to see if allowing pedestrians to cross in any direction every third light cycle will help reduce accidents and congestion. May 29, 2013 Has your bike been stolen? Solomon Lieberman tells you what to do now. May 29, 2013 Allegiant Airlines is moving to O'Hare, which will leave Gary-Chicago International Airport without a commercial airline yet again. Allegiant's last flight out of GYY is Aug. 10. May 29, 2013 Tonight at 5:30pm at the Cultural Center , George and Sarah Aye of Greater Good Studio ( previously ) host a discussion of the future of bus rapid transit. It's free, but space is limited; register here . May 29, 2013 Divvy bike share memberships are now on sale; Streetsblog breaks down the options . May 28, 2013 I-GO CarSharing , the locally grown, nonprofit alternative to Zipcar, has been purchased by Enterprise , and will be incorporated into the rental company's care share program . Zipcar was bought by Avis in January. May 24, 2013 The CTA has waived the $5 initial charg e and a much of other fees from its new Ventra card system and its prepaid debit card . [ via ] May 24, 2013 CDOT laid down stripes for the protected bike lane on Milwaukee Avenue [PDF] this week, a little ahead of schedule. May 23, 2013 Heading to O'Hare tomorrow for a long weekend out of town? Crain's shares some tips from frequent fliers on how to kill time during the inevitable delays. May 22, 2013 This year's city vehicle stickers are now on sale, online or in person . After last year's fiasco with the student design competition , this year's sticker looks like it was designed by a machine. May 17, 2013 Don't forget (and if you're affected, how could you?), the Red Line South Reconstruction Project begins on Sunday. If you haven't figured out an alternative route yet, the CTA's trip planner might help. May 16, 2013 The first female flight attendant flew the friendly skies 83 years ago today on a Chicago-bound flight. May 15, 2013 The Chicago Inspector General's office released an audit of the city's red light cameras and found that CDOT is not evaluating whether the cameras are effective , and can't prove that cameras are being installed based on safety concerns. May 14, 2013 Firefighters will be performing security for commuting schoolchildren along the alternative routes planned for the Red Line South Reconstruction project. May 10, 2013 SF-based Lyft is jumping into the already fairly crowded ride share market here. May 09, 2013 A Red Line train derailed near the Armitage stop, injuring one rider and halting CTA train service in both directions between Grand and Belmont. May 08, 2013 Mayor Emanuel proposes doubling fines for both cyclists who violate traffic laws and motorists who "door" cyclists. The proposal has the support of the Active Transportation Alliance. May 07, 2013 The CTA is hiring customer service workers in-house and ending contracts with most of its private security companies. April 29, 2013 Park Free on Sunday Sundays will be free parking out in the neighborhoods once again thanks to a settlement between the City and Chicago Parking Meters LLC, announced today. On the other hand, metered parking hours will extend to 10pm -- or midnight in some areas -- to offset the move. April 26, 2013 Don't forget, the second half of the Wells Street Bridge reconstruction project begins tonight at 10pm. The bridge and therefore Brown and Purple Line service will be closed until May 6; prepare for extra-crowded Red Line trains next week. April 25, 2013 Bike Share Launches in June The City will launch a bike share system , called Divvy, in June. It'll cost $75 for an annual membership or $7 for a 30-minute ride. It'll start with 75 locations in the Loop and River North; suggest locations for more on the bike share website . April 24, 2013 Congestion on Chicago's roads improved quite a bit last year, according the research company INRIX's annual scorecard . April 22, 2013 Energizing Englewood with Transit The CTA's Red Line South Project , which gets under way May 19, will close three stations in Englewood for several months, but there are other projects that aim to bring more transportation options to the neighborhood and hopefully boost the local economy. April 19, 2013 Peoria Street turns into a pedestrian bridge over I-290; here's a plan to make it pedestrian-friendly for another block , north to Harrison. April 19, 2013 The CTA has chosen Ashland Avenue for its next bus rapid transit experiment . The first phase will run between Cortland Avenue and 31st Street. April 17, 2013 Inspired by the New Yorker's map of median income along subway lines, Moacir P. de Sá Pereira made one for the CTA , and did a little digging into why the Sedgewick stop is so complex when looked at through this lens. [ via ] April 15, 2013 Steve Vance has updated his Chicago Bike Map app into a full Chicago Bike Guide chock full of new features. April 15, 2013 Streetsblog Chicago has created an "Irreverent Guide" to Chicago planning highlights and lowlights to go along with the Complete Streets Chicago plan released last week . April 12, 2013 The city is proceeding [pdf] with the proposed realignment of the Elston, Damon and Fullerton intersection to improve safety and traffic flow. Visit Alderman Waguespack's website for details he posted last year [pdf]. April 10, 2013 City Council approved year-round city vehicle sticker sales, which means you'll be able to get yours anytime you like (starting mid-May) on the City Clerk's website . April 10, 2013 Chicago is one of four cities to receive funds from the Rockefeller Foundation to develop bus rapid transit. April 10, 2013 The second half of the Wells Street Bridge replacement project doesn't start until April 26; which gives you plenty of time to watch this time-lapse video of the bridge leaf being floated down the river. April 09, 2013 The annual Airline Quality Rating from Purdue University and Wichita State University ranked United last in customer satisfaction, although in general air travel in general has been better lately. April 09, 2013 Under a new scheme approved by City Council yesterday, motorists parking in garages could pay as much as $10 in taxes , up from $5 now. April 05, 2013 It's Potholepalooza for CDOT this weekend, and tickets are free! Just call/type in a report on your neighborhood pothole(s) to 311 , SeeClickFix and you're in. (It's worth reading the press release on this, for all the music-related puns.) April 04, 2013 IDOT has plans to reconfigure the Circle Interchange to be more efficient, but neighborhood residents are furious over designs that would bring ramps within feet of their homes. April 03, 2013 This year's Burnham Prize challenges you to develop innovative designs for Bus Rapid Transit stations in Chicago. [ via ] March 27, 2013 IDOT wants to add another lane to either side of the Kennedy out near the River Road toll plaza in hopes of relieving the bottleneck there. March 26, 2013 Ventra Debit Card Now Slightly Less Lame Two of the service fees -- including the $10 one for calling to dispute a charge -- have been dropped from the controversial Ventra debit card the CTA is introducing alongside its new payment system. But they could sneak back in anytime, according to the contract. March 26, 2013 City Council approved the sale of 105 vacant city lots in Englewood to Norfolk Southern so the railway company can move forward on the expansion of its 47th Street Terminal . The expansion will eliminate an existing neighborhood, as documented in The Grid earlier this year. March 25, 2013 SideCar , a new app-based service that helps you find a ride to share , just launched in Chicago. March 22, 2013 One driver wounded another before their vehicles collided in the Jefferson Park neighborhood this morning. Police are blaming it on some early morning road rage. Both drivers are hospitalized with injuries. March 21, 2013 While some are singing the praises of the CTA's new Ventra payment system, it looks like there is a good amount of nickel-and-diming in the fine print on the system's prepaid debit card, not to mention in its Ventra transit card . (Jason Prechtel dug into the costs of the private-public deal in Mechanics back in February.) March 18, 2013 A man was beaten to death on a Green Line station on Saturday, while five gang members assaulted passengers on a Red Line train Friday night. One man was arrested in the latter incident; police are still investigating the former. March 14, 2013 You have questions about the CTA's new Ventra payment system. The RedEye's Tracy Swartz attempts to answer them . March 13, 2013 The Wells Street bridge is half replaced (replacing the other half will disrupt Brown Line service in April), but you may be interested to learn that the old bridge was not the original one . March 11, 2013 Maybe it wouldn't be such an issue if someone's rude with their bike-locking style if we had more bike parking to begin with. March 11, 2013 The CTA tweeted some pretty cool photographs of the track repairs that caused so much trouble . March 11, 2013 There's a right way to secure a bike to a bicycle rack, and there's a wrong way to do it. This is the wrong way to do it. March 08, 2013 If you're not a Bike Winter person and are preparing for spring riding, you may find these three upcoming bicycle events interesting . March 07, 2013 The CTA is going to all manner of lengths to pretend that it's not increasing ride costs with its new Ventra system . How far? Even directly engaging Twitter users complaining about the increase . March 06, 2013 After trouble keeping new protected bike lanes clear of all manner of debris, Mayor Emanuel announced that future plowing duties will be split , with CDOT taking the new responsibility of plowing the lanes. March 05, 2013 If you're curious about the bridge repair that's causing all the trouble, you need look no further than today's Rearview photo . March 05, 2013 If you're willing to give Metra a try for your commute (assuming there's a station near you), you could win a couple of free tickets . [ via ] February 28, 2013 As Ventra , the new "open fare" system for CTA and Pace, rolls out this summer, the cost of a CTA single-ride ticket could rise to $3 if a new plan is approved. February 27, 2013 The CTA plans to add cameras to train cars , increasing its already impressive number of surveillance cameras. But crime has been up on CTA tracks the past two years despite the extra eyes . We've reported before on the questions as to whether the CPD's "blue light" cameras in high crime neighborhoods actually reduce crime (short answer: doesn't look like it), so this news doesn't come as much of a surprise. February 22, 2013 Yet another potential effect of the sequester: more delays at O'Hare and Midway , says outgoing Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. February 18, 2013 If you've ever wanted to know what it takes to put together a major auto show, you can check out Cars.com's time lapse video of the installation . (But turn off your sound; the music is terrible.) February 11, 2013 The CTA will begin repair work on the Wells Street Bridge in March, seriously messing up Brown and Purple Line riders' daily commutes. Disruptions will occur March 1-11, then again April 26-May 6. [ via ] February 11, 2013 The state put a moratorium on buffered bike lanes in Chicago after IDOT voiced concerns about not having enough data about how the configuration affects traffic flow and accident rates. February 11, 2013 The CTA hopes new high-definition cameras on board train cars will curb crime. The announcement comes on the heels of news about armed robberies of passengers waiting for trains and buses. February 07, 2013 WBEZ's Curious City tackles several questions about Chicago's trains, bridges and streets . February 07, 2013 The Chicago Auto Show opens this weekend; if you're willing to pay, you can get a " first look for charity " tomorrow night. February 05, 2013 The Joy of Driving According to a new Urban Mobility Report , Chicago-area drivers should quadruple the amount of time it would take to get somewhere in free-flowing traffic, because "If you plan only for average traffic conditions... you are going to be late at least half the time." February 05, 2013 If you get doored while riding your bike, you could get a ticket depending on whether the police know about an obscure state law that puts responsibility for the accident on the cyclist. February 04, 2013 A record number of passengers flew out of Midway last year. February 01, 2013 Illinois received nearly $29 million in federal funding for bike and walking trails in Chicagoland, including several within the city. January 30, 2013 A Pritzker scion plans to build an ultra-modern parking garage on Sheridan Road in Rogers Park, on land currently occupied by the Shambhala Meditation Center (which is moving to the West Loop). Residents are split in their support . January 29, 2013 Airport Nap O'Hare will offer 29 "Minute Suites," small rooms equipped with a daybed sofa, television and desk, for $30 an hour or $120 a night. The suites have proved popular at the three other locations, and are a fine alternative to sawing through metal armrests to make your own bed. January 28, 2013 Ever want to create your own CTA info display, like you've seen in some businesses around town? Now you can . [ via ] January 25, 2013 The city wants 2,000 more cab drivers, so Olive-Harvey College is hosting a free taxi driver recruitment day Feb. 7. Interview with cab companies and learn what's entailed to get licensed. January 24, 2013 The CTA has put up a page explaining what happens and what to do " when things go wrong " on a train or bus. [ via ] January 22, 2013 Those new parking meter rates that would make Chicago the most expensive US city to park in? They haven't gone into effect yet . January 22, 2013 John Greenfield and Steve Vance, the co-founders of Grid Chicago , are moving over to the new StreetsBlog Chicago starting today. January 22, 2013 Pullman Rail Journeys will launch luxury rail service from Chicago to New Orleans in restored Pullman railcars attached to Amtrak's City of New Orleans beginning March 29. Prices range from $500 to $2,850 per passenger, each way. [ via ] January 16, 2013 Pedal Against the Chill It's not too cold (especially this year) to ride your bike to work. Celebrate that fact this Friday with Winter Bike to Work Day . Get free Eli's cheesecake and Caribou coffee, tea and hot chocolate in Daley Plaza from 6:30 to 9am if you're on your bike. January 14, 2013 So although CTA rates on multi-day passes went up today , there are a number of retailers still selling passes at the old prices to clear out their stock. RedEye is building a list of where to go . January 14, 2013 The service won't be getting any better, but most CTA fees are higher today ; the last price increase was in 2009. January 09, 2013 Undocumented immigrants will soon be able to obtain temporary drivers licenses , once Gov. Quinn signs the bill that passed the House yesterday. The law makes Illinois the third state to provide undocumented immigrants licenses. January 08, 2013 How's Traffic Looking? The new Illinois Virtual Tollway site allows you to sneak a peek at current traffic conditions by viewing live snapshots of the road from 15 cameras. Unfortunately, it's only for toll roads, so 290, the Edens, Ike, Kennedy and Dan Ryan aren't covered. January 03, 2013 The UX Blog maps the percentage of the last ten years of fatal traffic accidents where alcohol was a factor, and Chicago doesn't look so great . December 28, 2012 Forgotten Chicago shares a feature on the remnants of Chicago's cable car system written by Greg Borzo, author of the new book Chicago Cable Cars . December 27, 2012 While a recent study demonstrates that most people in the U.S. don't know much about electric cars, Chicago residents are the second most likely to want one. December 27, 2012 Chicago's downtown parking meter rates will become the highest in the country when rates rise again on Jan. 1. The lowest rate in the city will rise to $2 per hour. December 21, 2012 Mayor Emanuel announced new plans to privatize Midway Airport -- with significant differences from Daley's plan, but still another example of the city selling itself off piece by piece. December 20, 2012 Investors must have a hard time parking in Chicago. They've invested $2 million in ParkWhiz and $2.5 million in SpotHero in the past week. December 19, 2012 Great, now we have to worry about poo-filled socks while riding the train. December 17, 2012 A new set of CTA bus ads by Council on American-Islamic Relations aims to promote a more positive interpretation of "jihad," the Arabic word that means "struggling in the way of God," not just holy war.( Previously .) December 16, 2012 ETA Chicago is a new web app that tells you what the closest CTA options are for your current address (assuming it can be pinpointed) and when the next bus or train on that line will arrive. December 10, 2012 A new study commissioned by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce suggests that unless Chicago's public transit systems invest $2 billion a year for the next decade, things could really start falling apart . December 10, 2012 Massup.us now hosts more than two years worth of Critical Mass GPS ride plots, including an an interactive compilation of the rides . If you want to see routes earlier than that, you can still see route flyers going back to 1998 . December 06, 2012 Fare increases, management reforms and a new union contract mean the CTA's doomsdays are all behind us, says Forrest Claypool . December 05, 2012 The CTA Tattler reports that the Holiday Train is making its only trip on the Pink Line today, starting at 2:45pm. Make your plans quickly, Pink Line passengers! December 04, 2012 Take a public art tour on the Brown Line. December 03, 2012 Daniel X O'Neil has photographed more than 130 different signs warning motorists of a truck's wide right turns. November 30, 2012 Upper and Lower Wacker Drive should completely reopen today in time for the evening rush hour, CDOT says . November 29, 2012 Print magazine collects map art from the CTA (and its predecessors). November 28, 2012 On this day in 1895, Chicago hosted America's first automobile race . The course ran from Hyde Park to Evanston, and the winner -- one of two cars to complete the entire race -- clocked in at seven hours and 53 minutes. November 27, 2012 Sumus shares video of its satellite tracking of transit systems around the world -- including CTA buses . [ via ] Warning: mute your speakers or be subjected to awful midi music. November 27, 2012 With the demolition of Chicago's Lake Street Interlocking Station approaching, railfans are lamenting another area loss. GB flickr pool contributor Duanne Rapp was on hand for the last photograph of the suburban Deval Tower . Its impending demolition was noted back in 2007 . November 26, 2012 Handy for the holiday season: you can now follow (separately) the four tollways on Twitter for real-time information on traffic, incidents, road work and lane closures. Follow @I_90_Tollway , @94_294_Tollway , @I_355_Tollway or @I_88_Tollway . November 26, 2012 The City has announced four locations where the new speed cameras will be tested from Dec. 3 to Jan. 3 before a broader roll-out. Here are the approximate addresses of the cameras: • 2223 W. Pershing Rd., next to McKinley Park • 6541 N. Western Ave., next to Warren Park • 6340 S. King Dr., near Dulles School of Excellence • 1446 W. Division St., next to Near North Montessori School The CTA Tattler crunches the numbers to figure out which options are cheaper under the price increases for passes. November 21, 2012 The Active Transportation Alliance is updating its Chicagoland Bike Map , and needs your help . November 20, 2012 Chicago will be the first city to start using electric garbage trucks -- the city has signed on for 20, to huge future savings in both cost and noise. November 20, 2012 CTA fares will stay the same , but monthly and daily passes will get more expensive in the 2013 budget announced today. Single-ride tickets from O'Hare will also increase to $5, because hey, why not soak the tourists? November 16, 2012 The CTA has released the schedule for this year's Holiday Train. First run is next Friday, Nov. 23, on the Brown Line. November 15, 2012 The parking meter deal can't be nullified because the city is benefiting from it, a judge ruled in a lawsuit. Despite Mayor Emanuel's bluster about the deal, City attorneys sided with Chicago Parking Meters LLC in the case. November 15, 2012 Speaking of good traffic news , the northbound entrance ramp from Michigan Avenue onto Lake Shore Drive will reopen in time for the evening rush tonight. November 15, 2012 Wacker Drive between Jackson and Adams will reopen for traffic today at 2pm, and Jackson will reopen between Franklin and Canal. The whole Revive Wacker Drive project is expected to finish by the end of the month. November 13, 2012 Negotiations between the CTA and two of its unions have stalled, and CTA President Forrest Claypool is threatening layoffs as part of his 2013 budget. November 09, 2012 There's (Finally) a (Web) App For That Need to ride your bike to a L station, then transfer from the CTA to Metra, then grab a Pace bus? The Regional Transit Authority's got a web app a for you . Based on the RTA's website , your route options come complete with weather forecasts, turn-by-turn directions, and attractions near your destination. It'll even calculate your carbon footprint for you. November 05, 2012 The Active Transportation Alliance launched Drive Less, Live More today, a rewards program encouraging Chicagoans to use public transportation, cycling, walking, carpools and other greener methods of travel in order to reduce traffic congestion. November 01, 2012 London-based Hailo today officially joins Uber and other services that help you find a taxi in Chicago. Meanwhile, Uber is fighting legislation that could kill its car service business. October 31, 2012 New Record for Riding the Entire L System in One Day Two co-workers from the ad firm Starcom Worldwide recently broke the record for riding the entire L train system in one day. Grid Chicago has posted a suspenseful play-by-play account of their journey, which took 9 hours, 12 minutes, and 39 seconds. October 31, 2012 Plans continue for a Peotone airport despite Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.'s continued absence. Meanwhile, the City is spending millions on practically empty Gary/Chicago International Airport. [ via ] October 30, 2012 Terry Gaskin is building a model train version of the CTA in his basement. Hear him talk about it on the Model Railway Show podcast. October 29, 2012 Sandy's Effects in Chicago Hurricane Sandy's effects are being felt throughout the Great Lakes as high winds kick up waves as tall as 33 feet. A flood warning has been issued for the lake shore from 1am tonight through 4pm Wednesday. Meanwhile, more than 500 flights have already been canceled at Midway and O'Hare. Whet Moser passes along a couple ways to see Sandy's effects on local weather. October 26, 2012 The Illinois Department of Transportation is trying a new kind of scare tactic: saying that a seat belt protects you from any unexpected scenario - including a zombie attack . October 22, 2012 X-Ray Away The TSA is now denying you the momentary thrill of being seen sort-of naked by a security guard every time you get on a plane at O'Hare. They're being pulled from the nation's busier airports because they take too long -- radiation and blurry nudity notwithstanding. (The scanners will remain at Midway , though.) October 18, 2012 Vehicle stickers may soon be available for purchase year-round from the City Clerk's Office, in a system similar to the state's license plate renewal process. October 17, 2012 The Chicago Tribune reports on a plan to add dedicated express lanes for buses on Ashland and Western Avenue , which may be the closest we're going to get to a "circle line" for a while. October 17, 2012 The City has launched a website to collect suggestions as to where to place bike-sharing stations, and will also hold a series of public meetings to discuss the bike share service. October 17, 2012 O'Hare's international terminal will get a $26-million makeover that includes a major restaurant and amenities upgrade . October 15, 2012 CMAP has introduced a plan for congestion pricing on Chicago area tollways, in which the cost of driving on the tollway would vary based on vehicle type and time of day. October 15, 2012 In the latest chapter of the parking meter drama, Mayor Emanuel has ordered that Chicago Parking Meters LLC be independently audited to make sure it's living up to its side of the bargain. October 11, 2012 Weekend Closure of Noyes Street Station Noyes Street Station, one of the northernmost stops on the CTA Purple Line , will be closed for repairs this weekend. Commuters traveling to or from Evanston will not be able to access the station between 10pm on Friday until 4am on Monday. October 09, 2012 Taxi companies are suing Uber , claiming the private car ordering service violates city regulations about how many cabs are on the road. October 08, 2012 Although its Kickstarter campaign failed, Greater Good Studio is developing its Designing Chicago transit navigation app anyway -- and they're looking for help from you. October 05, 2012 Ticketing for a lack of a current city sticker is up 58 percent this year so far, The Expired Meter reports. October 04, 2012 The CTA enveiled plans for its renovation of the Wilson Red Line station . There's a community meeting scheduled for Oct. 11 for public input. October 02, 2012 In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month , stranded motorists in the Chicago area who utilize AAA will be rescued by pink tow trucks for the remainder of 2012. September 28, 2012 Tonight's Critical Mass isn't just any old traffic-clogging fun ride. It's also the 15th anniversary of the movement in Chicago. September 28, 2012 It's Scary Out There WBEZ producer Robin Amer shares the five scariest things she learned from Chicago's new Pedestrian Plan during today's edition of the Morning Shift. "As a pedestrian...you can be doing everything right and still be hit and killed. Which I find terrifying, frankly," says Amer. September 27, 2012 New Fare Cards Coming Starting next summer, CTA and Pace will begin switching over to Ventra cards , a smart card that can also be used as a prepaid debit card. By 2014, Ventra will have replaced all existing cards, and most trains and buses will be able to handle (microchip-equipped) personal credit/debit cards and cell phones as means of payment. September 26, 2012 As if the north Lake Shore Drive repaving project and Fullerton ramp reconstruction wasn't snarling traffic enough, on Monday CDOT will begin reconstruction of the northbound on-ramp at Oak Street, at the north end of Michigan Avenue. CDOT also began work on the intersection of South Shore and 79th today. ( It's not any better on the trains .) September 26, 2012 CTA Looking for Artists The CTA is looking for artists to create public art work for seven soon to be rehabbed North Side Red Line stations. Proposal submissions are due by 3:30pm Oct. 10. Architecture Chicago Plus has rounded up some examples of current public art on the CTA. September 19, 2012 Getaround is an app that lets you take car sharing to the personal level by putting your car up for rent by the hour. So far, 104 cars are available in Chicagoland, for between $5 and $25 an hour. September 19, 2012 American Pilots to Strike; United Probed for Delays American Airlines canceled an unusually high number of flights Tuesday as pilots mounted a "sick-out" in advance of a strike; 100 pilots are expected to picket at O'Hare on Thursday. Meanwhile, United is being investigated by the US Dept. of Transportation over 14 flights stuck on the ground for longer than the legal limit on July 13, which was due to the big storms that nearly shut down the first day of the Pitchfork Music Festival . September 17, 2012 Public Art The CTA is looking for artists to create work for seven rehabbed north side Red Line stations. Local, national and international artists are encouraged to apply by Oct. 10, though there will be community meetings to discuss the project both tomorrow and Thursday. [ via ] September 12, 2012 Nine companies submitted bids for "Chicago's speed camera automated enforcement program" on Monday. The contract to place 300 cameras around Chicago is a lucrative one, but not without the possibility of technical and legal issues . September 10, 2012 Preliminary redesigns for the CTA's station at Wilson in the Uptown neighborhood contain ideas for utilizing solar energy and radiant heating, among other green initiatives, to help not only the station's energy needs, but those of the neighborhood as well. September 07, 2012 John R. Schmidt shares pictures and details on a 1958 CTA plan to create subways and bus-ways throughout the city. September 07, 2012 Public Portraits photographs riders of Chicago's rails -- including the adorable Kangaroo Mom . September 06, 2012 What the L?! , "Chicago's commuter comic," makes light of your daily ride on the CTA. September 04, 2012 Grinding Down the Outer Drive Two sections of Lake Shore Drive, from Sheridan to Foster and from Belmont to North, will be resurfaced beginning tomorrow , Sept. 5. CDOT promises not to obstruct any southbound lanes during morning rush hour (6-10am) or northbound lanes in the evening (3-7pm), but all bets are off at other times, day or night till they're done with all eight lanes -- which should happen sometime in November. View North Lake Shore Drive Resurfacing in a larger map August 31, 2012 Circle Makeover The mess that is the Circle Interchange might be getting a $375 million fix-up , pending a few design and funding decisions. (un)Fun fact: the Circle Interchange is home to three crashes per day, as well as 25 million hours of delays every year. August 31, 2012 The first commercial flight for Boeing's 787 Dreamliner will be a United flight from Houston to O'Hare on Nov. 4. Meanwhile, Ron Akana, a United flight attendant, retired this week after 63 years in the air . August 29, 2012 Tonight at 6pm at the Universidad Popular at 28th and Hamlin, there's a bilingual discussion of biking issues in the Little Village and the City's new bike plan, as well as the anti-violence marches in the neighborhood this month. August 29, 2012 BP's finally released the full list of gas stations where the " off specification " fuel from the Whiting plant was sold. If you think you have a problem, file a claim here . August 28, 2012 Crain's gives a good overview of the city's handbuilt bike companies . August 28, 2012 Schoolkids Ride Free The CTA will provide free rides to students on the first day of school next week, thanks to a $150,000 donation from the Sun-Times. And 500 students at five high schools will get free CTA fare all year through a $50,000 grant from philanthropist Wendy Abrams. August 27, 2012 The new CTA Station Watch blog shared plans for a major renovation of the Wilson Red Line stop and surrounding area, to begin next year. August 27, 2012 As you may have heard, Lake Shore Drive was shut down between Grand and North avenues for about three hours last night due to flooding during Sunday night's storms. Portions of Western, Roosevelt and Ashland were closed as well. August 24, 2012 WBEZ created a helpful interactive map to illustrate which lines would be affected by the proposed CTA route restructuring . August 24, 2012 Whet Moser puts the current culture clash over bicycles into historical perspective by looking at Chicago in the 1960s. August 23, 2012 Taxing the Bikes? John Kass proposes a toll system for bicyclists in the city, complete with a "Rahm-PASS" electronic toll thingy. Folks at the Chain Link bike forum are suitably bemused and dismissive. (Meanwhile, the Sun-Times' Mark Konkol doesn't hide his feelings about cyclists behind parody.) August 22, 2012 Megan Nolan was forced to pay $810 for allegedly removing a Denver boot from her car -- except it was a car she didn't own. She fought back and managed to win despite harrowing odds. August 21, 2012 CTA crews began construction Monday on the city's first "bus rapid transit" line, which will run for 16 miles along Jeffrey Boulevard . Service is expected to begin this fall. August 20, 2012 Crain's breaks down the $49.7 million dispute between the City and Chicago Parking Meters LLC in a handy infographic . August 15, 2012 Eric Martin, a Columbia College film student and a cab driver, is working on a documentary, Cab Slaves , about the exploitation and corruption he sees in the city's taxi industry. He's raising money on IndieGoGo to help fund it. August 13, 2012 Two Navy vessels will be joined by the Coast Guard and the Royal Canadian Navy docking at Navy Pier as part of Navy Week . They're on the first scheduled Naval cruise of Lake Michigan since 1999. August 10, 2012 Police-Train Crash at Kedzie An unmarked police car went around the gates at the Kedzie Brown Line crossing after a Loop-bound train passed -- and was hit by a northbound train . The car's driver and the conductor were taken to the hospital, and are reported in stable condition. The CTA is running a shuttle to take passengers between the Kimball and Western stations . Photo by redditor Dookster The police have been writing fewer parking tickets this year, but revenue is up... because LAZ parking attendants are picking up the slack. August 10, 2012 Waiting to Bike Share The launch of Chicago's bike share program has been postponed till next year , in part due to software glitches in Alta Bicycle Share's system. The same problems have delayed a similar program in New York. CDOT Commissioner Gabe Klein told WBEZ yesterday that it will be better anyway to wait until next year to launch all 400 planned share stations at once, rather than just 50 this year. August 09, 2012 CTA Speeds Up Slow Zone Work The CTA has decided that, since it's already ripping up most of the stations on the north portion of the Red Line anyway, why not eliminate the slow zones in the area too, while it's at it. That work was originally planned for 2015. August 08, 2012 MillerCoors signed on as sponsor of the CTA's annual "Penny Rides" program on New Year's Eve through 2015. ( Previously .) August 08, 2012 The RedEye's Tracy Swartz wants to know which CTA station is the worst , Division on the Blue or Sheridan on the Red? August 07, 2012 It's been a tough week for MegaBus, first with a tragic accident on I-55 that killed one passenger and injured 38, and now with a bus striking a 76-year-old pedestrian who later died from her injuries. August 07, 2012 Please Keep Your Belongings Off the Seat Next To You A Yale University study showed that commuters will go to great lengths to keep strangers from occupying the neighboring seat -- "pretending to be busy," putting on an iPod, claiming the seat's being saved, even making a "'don't bother me' face." Obviously this study didn't include the CTA . August 03, 2012 Parking.Chicago.com aims to serve all your parking needs. Meanwhile, ChicagoStreetSweeping.com is another site (in addition to SweepAround.Us ) that helps remind you when to move your car for street sweeping. July 30, 2012 A Future Covered in Cameras The map of the city that could potentially be covered by cameras under Emanuel's "Children's Safety Zone" ordinance was obtained by the Sun-Times , and it's as bad as everyone thought it might be. Fortunately, only 50-300 of the possible 1,500 cameras will be installed -- for now -- under the agreement City Council made with the mayor. July 27, 2012 WBEZ reports on the ongoing saga of City Parking Lot #47 at Devon and Rockwell. July 27, 2012 The Chicago Department of Transportation recently contributed an unlikely product to the Lincoln Park Zoo: food, in the form of bamboo from a Chinatown roadside . [Thanks, Chris!] July 20, 2012 Do you peek into apartment windows and backyards as you trundle past on the train? You're not alone . July 18, 2012 Bad Chicago Drivers chronicles both cyclists and motorists whose bad manners endanger those around them. Courtesy of BikeCHI.org . July 17, 2012 The CTA plans to overhaul its maintenance facilities , to the tune of $205 million. July 13, 2012 Ever wonder where they're measuring from when a highway sign says it's X miles to Chicago? Grid Chicago explains . July 11, 2012 The elevated train system is outdated, and Rails to Car Trails has a plan to update the El for the 21st century: replace those rails with asphalt for a road system in the sky! July 10, 2012 The Expired Meter got City Clerk Susana Mendoza to demonstrate how to remove the old city sticker from your windshield. This is your last week to buy a 2012 city sticker . July 10, 2012 Designing a New CTA App Last night Greater Good Studio 's George and Sara Aye launched a Kickstarter to develop a new, innovative CTA app, and they want your help to create it. Read more about the project in our exclusive interview with the Ayes -- and see more interesting Chicago-based projects on our curated Kickstarter page . July 05, 2012 How much would you pay for Illinois license plate 1? Gov. Quinn wants the plate, which has been out of circulation for a decade, up for auction , with the proceeds benefiting programs for veterans. June 29, 2012 Metra finally launched a train tracker . It's only available on Metra's website at the moment (bottom left), but hopefully smart phone apps will soon follow. June 28, 2012 The Lakefront Trail gets pretty squeezed around Navy Pier, where cyclists, joggers, pedestrians and tourists on Segways all come together. But is a $45 million "flyover" the best solution? Steve Vance proposes a cheaper alternative on Grid Chicago. June 27, 2012 Chicago taxi drivers may strike Monday if they don't get a fare increase to help offset the increased cost of doing business due to upcoming new regulations. At least one alderman is backing them . June 27, 2012 CDOT installed mid-street "Stop for Pedestrians" signs on Clark Street in Andersonville, and more are on the way across the city. June 26, 2012 Private car service Uber recently added taxi service, and to mark the occasion it's paying for cab rides booked through the app till the end of Wednesday. June 26, 2012 Are you a Mac user? Do you use Orbitz? If so, the Chicago-based company probably didn't steer you to the best deals . June 25, 2012 That Groupon for CTA passes we told you was coming? It's here . Get yours now. June 24, 2012 CTA thefts are up -- and also down. June 22, 2012 The CTA will be at it again this weekend, shutting down the Purple Line so that bridges over Dempster and Grove streets can be replaced. (Thanks, Dee!) June 22, 2012 Installation of electric vehicle charging stations in Chicago is months behind schedule , and the City is investigating "financial irregularities" with the contractor. June 18, 2012 Today marks the beginning of the fourth and final stage of the Wacker Drive reconstruction project, which brings another handful of closures, detours and bus reroutes . June 18, 2012 Weigh in on Red Line South Project Tonight the CTA is holding the first of what will surely be quite a few public forums discussing the planned Dan Ryan reconstruction project , which will close the Red Line south of Chinatown for five months next year. There's another meeting on Thursday. June 13, 2012 Groupon will be offering a deal on CTA three-day passes sometime this summer. The passes will be $9 instead of the usual $14, and will be limited to four per person. June 12, 2012 The Purple Line was closed last weekend , allowing crews to replace a bridge in a mere two days. How? Well, there's a video! June 08, 2012 The Purple Line is closed starting tonight at 8:30pm so a new bridge can be installed at Greenleaf Street in Evanston. Shuttle bus service will be available at Howard. (Thanks, Dee!) June 08, 2012 Two Sun-Times reporters decided to test the CTA's planned shuttle route for next summer's Red Line South renovation to see how the commute time compared. June 06, 2012 If "Forrest Claypool made me do it" is a defense, that is. The Mayor speaks up at a press conference about the decision to close the southern portion of Red Line for five months in 2013. June 05, 2012 Watching the Red Line Crowd-sourced website CTA Station Watch ramped up recently in order to help document all of the work now underway on the north end of the CTA's Red Line improvement project . Check out photos and posts from various stations slated for work this summer, or contribute tidbits of your own. June 04, 2012 Illustrator Aaron Krause has a friendly PSA for all you bus riders . Hopefully the CTA will be hanging these soon. June 04, 2012 People Get Ready, There's No Train A-Comin' The CTA will be shutting down the Red Line south of Chinatown/Cermak for five months next spring, so as to replace the tracks along the Dan Ryan portion of the line. Shuttle buses will take commuters over to the Green Line during the closure. Full details about the project are on the CTA's website . June 01, 2012 Getting in the Green Lane Remember the Kinzie Street protected bike lane ? Yesterday, it was the site that national nonprofit Bikes Belong Foundation chose to announce their new Green Lane Project : a two-year initiative to create dedicated, inviting bike lanes throughout Chicago and four other cities. May 31, 2012 After considering it in 2005 , 2008 and earlier this year , the CTA is offering the opportunity to buy naming rights for 11 train stations . May 24, 2012 If you buy your vehicle city sticker online this year by July 15, you could win a prize . May 17, 2012 For those interested in braving the downtown area the next few days, the Tribune has a full transit guide featuring motorcade delays, parking restrictions, waterway delays, etc. (RedEye put together a CTA-specific guide a few days ago) May 15, 2012 The RedEye's Tracy Swartz has tips for how to get around the city on public transit while the NATO Summit and protestors are in town. May 14, 2012 DePaul officials are searching dorm rooms for stolen CTA train maps after the DePaulia published an article about the "rite of passage." You can buy the maps for $36 directly from the CTA. [ via ] May 14, 2012 Driving with a dog in your lap seems at least as distracting as being on the phone, but Illinois legislators disagreed, voting down a bill that would have made a ticketable offense. May 11, 2012 We're Screwed Over on Parking Meters By the Expired Meter's back-of-the-envelope calculations, Chicago will pay back all of the $1.16 billion it received in the parking meter privatization deal over the course of the lease. Emanuel's refusal to send a check for the latest bill is only a drop in the bucket. May 10, 2012 National Train Day is this Saturday, May 12, and there are plenty of events planned . May 08, 2012 Are plans to privatize Midway back on? Looks like it might be, despite Emanuel campaigning against it. May 07, 2012 "When it comes to rail traffic, Chicago is America's speed bump." NYTimes reports on Chicago's rail freight problem, and the federal-state program aiming to fix it. May 07, 2012 American Airlines used to sell a ticket for unlimited travel for life. As it got expensive, the company shut it down -- and started investigating some of its most active users . May 07, 2012 Remember that "hometown discount" Allstate was giving to Illinois residents? Yeah, those days are over. The company's increasing insurance rates by 3 to 5 percent later this month. May 04, 2012 Cycle Your Commute The Active Transportation Alliance 's Bike Commuter Challenge is coming up next month, and you can sign up now as a team leader or participant for your office. Over 500 companies throughout Chicagoland took the challenge last year. Even a partial commute counts towards participating, so you can give it a try by riding your bike to the CTA or Metra, too. May 04, 2012 Chicago Parking Meters LLC is asking for yet another $14 million in "lost" compensation, putting the total at $28 million. This time, though, the City is fighting back. May 04, 2012 Of the 20 most dangerous intersections in Chicagoland , only four are within Chicago city limits. But those four... watch out. May 03, 2012 Ride with Lights at Night Steven Vance's Get Lit campaign wants to encourage more cyclists to use lights when riding at night. Vance is running a contest to garner more donations to help fund its June light distribution event -- donate by May 31 and be entered to win a set of Monkeylectric spoke lights. May 02, 2012 A map of Chicago drug possession charges overlaid on the CTA rail system, which manages to be fascinating, terrifying and depressing all at once. April 30, 2012 The Oakton-Skokie stop on the Yellow Line opened for passengers at 4:45am this morning, and a surprising number of people were there to greet it . (Thanks, Kim !) April 27, 2012 Walk Score ranked Chicago's public transit system sixth in the country -- but we're still fourth for overall walkability ( previously ). [ via ] April 27, 2012 Image courtesy of Chicagomag.com. More photos here . April 18, 2012 New City Stickers Out This year's revised city stickers were finally released yesterday , simply featuring the logos for the CPD, CFD and paramedics. ( Previously .) City Clerk Mendoza says she's not decided whether the high school design contest will return next year. You can buy yours online on the City Clerk's website . April 18, 2012 Uber is testing on-demand taxi service in Chicago, moving beyond private cars for the first time. April 18, 2012 After much debate, the City Council passed the Child Safety Zone Ordinance , aka the speed camera ordinance, 33-14. The council also approved an expansion of the bike share program . April 17, 2012 City Council will be considering the speed camera ordinance tomorrow, and CDOT has provided some ward-by-ward accident data for them to review. The Expired Meter got hold of the report and provides some analysis. April 16, 2012 The City is getting sued over not one but two parking privatization deals , the Sun-Times reports. Whet Moser adds some additional perspective . April 16, 2012 The Tribune has a hopeful update on the Congress Parkway construction project/situation/nightmare/disaster (you pick). The trifecta of congestion-causing construction operations should be letting up over the next few months. April 12, 2012 Considering the Speed Cameras A City Council committee met yesterday to consider the proposal to install speed cameras near schools and parks. The Expired Meter reports that many aldermen have gotten calls opposing the plan and Geoff Dougherty shares study data indicating the cameras are a poor means of curbing speeding. Meanwhile, the Active Transportation Alliance has come out in favor of speed cameras . UPDATE: The ordinance passed out of committee and will go before the full Council next week. April 05, 2012 The Tribune Co. and DirecTV hugged it out , so you'll be able to watch the Cubs home opener on WGN today -- but if you are coming in from the suburbs , out of town for the game, the CTA Tattler has some recommendations for your Red Line ride to the stadium. March 30, 2012 Quick-Charge Though electric vehicle owners can charge for free at multiple-hour 'Level 2' stations, 26 quick-charge stations have been installed in the Chicagoland area, asking $21 for three 15 minute sessions . Full list of stations, fast and slow, can be found here . March 30, 2012 Would you drive a pedicab from Wrigley to 11th and Michigan in blazing summer heat? You might if there were $200 in it for you. March 29, 2012 The CTA announced the dates for the next station closures in its ongoing renovation of the Red Line. Granville is first , on May 11. March 27, 2012 Gas prices hit a new record high in Chicago, and is the most expensive in the country. So news that I-GO has added all-electric vehicles to its car sharing service comes at a good time. March 26, 2012 A Muscovite compares the CTA to the trains back home . March 26, 2012 Details for the new Cermak Green Line station were revealed last week. March 23, 2012 When the last trolley bus ran in 1973, it might have seemed like a step forward -- but in 2012, its all-electric system wouldn't be a bad step backward. March 19, 2012 Wilson Upgrade For those who deal with the wreck that is the Wilson red line stop -- good news! Quite a few of the upcoming improvements were discussed at the 46th Ward Town Hall meeting (purple line stop?). The Uptown Update has a summary. March 16, 2012 Name that Train! In an effort to make a few extra bucks, the CTA is seeking formal bids for corporate naming rights to a few major untapped assets including the CTA Bus Tracker, Train Tracker, the Holiday Train, New Year's Eve Penny Rides, and a program offering free rides on the first day of school to CPS students. March 14, 2012 Maybe not , according to analysis of a CDOT safety study by UIC professor Rajiv Shah . March 13, 2012 Details of the speed camera revenue plan are starting to roll out of city hall, including that the cameras would be in operation by the end of the year. March 08, 2012 You might have noticed the disappearance of the new 5000 Series CTA cars -- they were pulled in December after a handful of dangerous defects were discovered on the undersides. March 05, 2012 A bill being considered by the state senate would lengthen yellow lights by one second at intersections with red light cameras, which studies show would reduce the number of red light violations. Interestingly, IDOT is opposing the bill. March 01, 2012 In our monthly classical music column, Pulling Strings , you can check out upcoming affordable concerts from composers around the world, performed around Chicago from grand concert halls to the Adler Planetarium. Read about it all in Transmission . February 27, 2012 The police department is getting some nice looking new cruisers , and they're made in Chicago . February 21, 2012 Chicago's gas prices are among the lowest in the country , as local refineries clear out the winter weight gas inventory. Unfortunately, a price spike could be looming . February 17, 2012 Whet Moser has dug into traffic this week, offering a defense of the City's speed camera plan and examining the correlation between crime and traffic accidents . February 17, 2012 John Greenfield and Dany Resner rode the rails to visit every CTA station in just nine hours, 30 minutes and 59 seconds , beating the previous record, set last year by a visitor from England. February 17, 2012 A new city ordinance promises to hold cab companies liable for repeat-offender drivers. The law will go into effect in the summer and is expected to make current laws surrounding cab drivers, which are typically circumvented, easier to enforce. February 16, 2012 Newcity takes a "subterranean safari" through the city's underground pedway network- an odd, sprawling area littered with shops where the city's own map is out of date. (Our own two-part pedway tour could probably use some updating, too.) February 16, 2012 The Volo Auto Museum is selling one of the four Porsche 928s from the early 1980s film Risky Business . Don't forget your skivvies and sunglasses... February 14, 2012 A CTA survey asks travelers to voice their opinions on over 200 possible — and randomly generated — fare scenarios. February 13, 2012 Amtrak's City of New Orleans train from here to New Orleans is delayed 99 percent of the time thanks to freight traffic. February 11, 2012 So now the runner up in the city sticker design contest doesn't want her design to be used in light of the controversy, so the City Clerk's office will design it in-house instead. February 10, 2012 Controversial City Sticker to be Scrapped The City has decided to pull the winning city sticker design amid concerns that its imagery includes gang symbols. No word yet which of the other designs will be substituted, nor whether the 15-year-old student who designed the winning sticker will be forced to give back the $1000 bond he received. February 08, 2012 Overwhelmed by the 2012 Chicago Auto Show? The Tribune has put together a short list of must-sees for those feeling underprepared. February 08, 2012 WBEZ history blogger John R. Schmidt explains why some Chicago streets are roads , others avenues or boulevards, and where there are some anomalies. February 08, 2012 Are there gang signs hidden in this year's city sticker design? Police blogger Detective Shaved Longcock makes a convincing argument that the sticker features symbols for the Maniac Latin Disciples . A gang member source of the Expired Meter corroborates . February 07, 2012 The RedEye considers a few different red/purple line renovation proposals - much needed, as both lines had 20% of their track under slow zones last month. February 03, 2012 This year's city sticker design has been revealed. February 02, 2012 Grid Chicago's Steven Vance had trouble keeping tabs on developments with the Bike 2015 Plan for Chicago, so he created the Bike 2015 Tracker to give a clear overview of progress being made. January 27, 2012 Taxi Share Chicago is an Android app that helps you find a person to share a cab with you. January 26, 2012 No Love on Twitter for the CTA Researchers at Purdue conducted a "sentiment analysis" of riders on Chicago's "L." They found no one really says anything positive, but negative comments spike during delays. (Tweet to @CTA if you're currently stuck on the "L" or want to say something nice for a change.) January 26, 2012 Chicago "L" Hangman is pretty much what it sounds like. [ via ] January 26, 2012 The intersection of the Edens and the Kennedy will soon be known as the Gerald J. Roper Gateway , after the CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. But everyone will continue call it the Junction or Montrose . January 20, 2012 The City's new Plow Tracker is great, but Derek Eder and Forest Gregg's ClearStreets takes it a step further and shows you where the plows have been, for a better idea of what progress has been made. January 20, 2012 Here's a version with the MTA lines in white for comparison. January 18, 2012 $3.25 per Pull The fuel surcharge on taxi service will be permanent if the City Counsel passes an ordinance that made it out of committee yesterday, but that doesn't mean cab drivers are making any more money. Drivers continue to protest the taxi industry overhaul proposed by Mayor Emanuel. January 18, 2012 Tracy Swartz rode all 139 CTA bus routes over the past two and a half years, and now she's done . January 15, 2012 Transit Twofer If getting rid of your car was your New Year's Resolution, the Center for Neighborhood Technology has an offer to sweeten that deal: if you sign up for a Chicago Card Plus/I-GO card before February 29th, you'll get a discount on the I-GO application fee and a $50 credit towards CTA fare. January 13, 2012 As part of Grid Chicago's "stealth" bike route series , John Greenfield recently rode the North Branch Path , and discovered all sorts of interesting stuff. January 11, 2012 Author and cabbie Dmitry Samarov weighs in on Mayor Emanuel's proposed new taxi ordinance . Chicago Dispatcher has even more dissent . January 10, 2012 $135/Mile is Uber Expensive Uber customers in Chicago and elsewhere got a bit of a shock if they used the private car service on New Year's Eve: " surge pricing " that drove the cost of a ride up as much as 6.25 times the regular price. Not surprisingly, the reaction was uber negative. January 10, 2012 Now until Feb. 29, you can get a year's membership to I-GO car share for just $15 -- and receive a $50 CTA fare credit when you sign up for a Chicago Card Plus I-Go . January 09, 2012 The CTA added SMS service to its Train Tracker -- starting today you can text "ctatrain" and the station code ( here's a list ) to 41411 and it'll text you back an estimate of when the next train will arrive. January 06, 2012 The next phase of the " Revive Wacker Drive " project commences Monday , Jan. 9. Wacker will be closed from Monroe almost all the way to Jackson until sometime this summer, but Madison will reopen. January 03, 2012 Chicago's Department of Transportation filled more than 600,000 potholes in streets, highways and alleys in 2011. That's a new record. January 01, 2012 All CTA train and bus fares become one measly penny from 10pm to 4am tomorrow. Celebrate that! December 30, 2011 Starting Sunday, passengers in the back seats of vehicles will be required to use seat belts , too. Taxis are exempt. December 30, 2011 WBEZ has a downloadable list of Chicago traffic maven Sarah Jindra's favorite tweets from the past year. Ah, the memories . December 27, 2011 A Roadside Memorial for Killed Cattle PETA has requested to erect a monument to 16 cattle who were killed in a gruesome truck accident on I-80 near suburban Hazel Crest. In their efforts, they cite a 2007 law allowing family members to request the installation of memorials for drunk driver victims. IDOT says it's not going to happen. December 26, 2011 Apparently there is a publication that is "The source for convenience store news online," and it recently featured a road trip story surveying convenience stores between Chicago and Phoenix, Arizona . December 21, 2011 Local startup BodyShop Bids put together an infographic about holiday traffic in major cities. December 21, 2011 MetaFilter explores the train The City of New Orleans and the song it inspired. December 15, 2011 I-GO car sharing service is going solar with solar-powered recharging stations for its fleet of electric cars, and just announced that it's adding one at the Kimball stop on the Brown Line. December 14, 2011 Santa in the Subway Never thought about it before: the CTA Holiday Train goes through the subway, not just up on the elevated tracks. CTO John Tolva caught Santa arriving in the Blue Line tunnel this weekend; he'll be jingling down the Red Line tracks today and this weekend. December 14, 2011 The designer of next year's city sticker has a pretty great story of his own . December 13, 2011 LAZ Parking sent the City a $13.5 million bill for lost revenue due to people using disabled parking placards or plates to park for free at meters. December 13, 2011 Don't forget that vehicle peril can come from above, particularly if there are birds around . December 12, 2011 Some intersections around town now have orange flags for pedestrians to wave while crossing the street. It's part of a CDOT campaign for pedestrian safety . December 08, 2011 Santas On Two Wheels When Santa's not in a sleigh, he's totally a bike winter fan. Don your fuzziest of red hats or your elfiest of shoes and head out to the Santa Rampage bike ride on 12/17 starting at the Twisted Spoke downtown. Only fully-dressed Santas, elves, or dreidels are allowed (homemade costumes are completely fine). Details in Slowdown . December 07, 2011 DIY CTA Display The CTA has provided developers, and those with "some computer savvy," the tools to create their own CTA arrival screens . Great for businesses who want to create a waiting area inside their warm establishments, or others who just want to shelter public transit users in a storm. December 07, 2011 Parking tickets are up 30 percent this year compared to last. Booting is down 2 percent, though. December 05, 2011 Congratulations Chicago, you've been paying over three dollars a gallon for gas for a full year now , with the highest area average in May of $4.469, according to AAA . December 05, 2011 Thanks to the power of the Internet, you too can paint your own Boeing Dreamliner for (delayed) delivery. December 02, 2011 Three tow-truck drivers have been arrested and more are being sought by police after an investigation found multiple cases of drivers stealing cars , often selling them for scrap. December 01, 2011 Poster Plus carries a limited number of CTA 'L' Map shower curtains and other gifts for Chicago-centric decorators, and transit travelers, alike. November 30, 2011 I-GO will add 36 electric cars and 18 solar-powered charging stations across the city. The stations will consist of a 4-space canopy with 44 solar panels- the whole project capable of saving 17,000 gallons of gas annually. November 30, 2011 Don't forget, Chicago's winter overnight parking ban starts tonight at midnight. Here's a list of affected streets , and the Expired Meter shares plenty of details and resources . November 28, 2011 A parking enforcement aide was recently charged with taking a $20 bribe to make a ticket "go away" -- in 2009. November 25, 2011 Visitors to Buckingham Fountain will be pleased to know that they can once again walk across Lake Shore Drive without redirecting to the nearest intersection . November 22, 2011 The CTA posted a video highlighting its shiny new "5000-series" railcars. They have hydraulics -- but not the exciting kind. November 21, 2011 O'Hare is first and Midway is seventh on The Daily Beast's list of the worst airports in America November 18, 2011 The CTA unveiled an online gallery of public art in its stations . [ via ] November 16, 2011 Or it will be, along with credit cards, if a proposal for a fare-collection technology upgrade for the CTA wins approval. UPDATE: The proposal passed . November 11, 2011 Trips to and from the suburbs are getting more expensive: Metra approved a roughly 25 percent fare hike today. November 09, 2011 The newest L cars went into service at 2:30 yesterday. You can see video of the cars if you weren't one of the few to ride it. November 08, 2011 The proposed speed camera program could net the City several times more revenue than the red light cameras, according to research obtained by the Expired Meter. November 07, 2011 QuickTrain is another iPhone CTA tracker app, with the distinction of being very good looking. November 03, 2011 The CTA secured a $1 billion in funding to overhaul the Red Line . The tracks between 18th and 95th will relaid and the Wilson and Clark/Division stops will be completely rebuilt under the plan. November 03, 2011 Well, sort of. The City is looking to knock down four buildings surrounding Midway to create "runway protection zones" -- buffers at each end of the runways in case a plane overshoots. November 03, 2011 Grid Chicago has launched a network -- really, more of an informal feed of sites that share a focus on active and sustainable transportation options. November 01, 2011 The CTA's official Twitter account launched today, as part of the agency's renewed social media efforts. There's a Facebook page , too. October 31, 2011 To avoid Snowmageddon -style traffic jams in the future, the City is causing one for a couple weeks: Construction began this morning on emergency turn-arounds on Lake Shore Drive . October 27, 2011 The state senate passed a bill allowing speed cameras to be installed in safety zones across Chicago. If it passes the House, we could see nearly half the city's streets monitored by the cameras. October 26, 2011 Greener Cabs Cost More Green The City is looking at overhauling taxi regulations for the first time in 20 years with an eye toward "greening" the fleet. Coupled with continued high gas prices and a City Council proposal to add a buck to fares , the upshot is taking a cab is getting much more expensive soon. October 20, 2011 Mayor Emanuel wants to add speed cameras to the city streets in addition to the red light cameras. Aldermen are just as upset by the idea as most of you probably are. October 19, 2011 Nearly one in 10 of Chicago area bridges is "structurally deficient" and in need of repair or replacement, according to a study by Transportation for America . October 18, 2011 On Oct. 16, 1943, work on Chicago's subway began . (Of course, even then it wasn't the first underground train line downtown.) October 17, 2011 Remember how the Kinzie cycle track was supposed to be for bicycling? Someone needs to tell drivers looking for a parking place . October 17, 2011 The Bike Path to Inequality The News Cooperative notes that the city's planned bike paths are mostly in affluent neighborhoods , while only one is planned for a lower income area. Christopher Gray touched on this issue in his June Tailgate article about cycling on the South Side . UPDATE: Steve Vance reports at Grid Chicago that community meetings about bike plans are now in the works. October 14, 2011 Grid Chicago's Steve Vance assesses the state of CTA train trackers . October 11, 2011 A recent NY Times article mentions Nickey Chevrolet , a Chicago car dealership that became one of the most important in the muscle car era. Among its products was the famous Purple People Eater Corvette . October 06, 2011 The CPD is trying out a new "quick ticket" device that speeds up the whole traffic ticket process. October 05, 2011 You can't ride a bicycle and text at the same time anymore. October 05, 2011 An Immodest Proposal for the CTA In Mechanics, Ramsin Canon and John Fitzgerald share a proposal for three new CTA lines by 2020. It's so un-crazy, it just might work. Further reading: Craig Berman's 2055 proposal from back in '05, and Chris Gray's more recent report on the impact of the Red Line extension plan. October 04, 2011 City Council will consider an ordinance tomorrow making it illegal to text while on a moving bicycle. September 29, 2011 If you've been paying attention, you've noticed a bunch of contradictory rankings of how bad our traffic is. Whet Moser explains . September 28, 2011 Exactly what it sounds like -- and it only took 2,500 hours. September 27, 2011 Domu takes a crack at explaining Chicago's many traffic landmarks and terminology . You might also like our own guide to Chicago traffic reports, or traffic reporter Sarah Jindra's handy PDF ( previously ). Meanwhile, apparently road congestion is improving a little bit. September 26, 2011 Michigan Avenue from Illinois Avenue to Oak Street will be among Streeterville streets under construction starting Wednesday . The Mag Mile will be torn up through mid-November -- but hopefully done before Thanksgiving and Black Friday. September 26, 2011 Some major renovations are in the works by the CTA , including updating the Red Line's Clark/Lake station, consolidating two stops at a new Washington/Wabash station, and more. September 25, 2011 Not all of this advice is strictly good. September 23, 2011 Your Private Car is Here Uber a private car service you set up via web or phone app, officially launched in Chicago yesterday. Now, for a minimum of $15 , you can press a button and a black car will show up out front to pick you up. September 22, 2011 The Circle Interchange ( the what? ) is the worst trucking bottleneck in the country, according to the American Transportation Research Institute . The 90-94 junction got on the list both northbound (#8) and south (#32). September 22, 2011 The City is requesting bids for a bike sharing program similar to the private Chicago B-cycle , aiming for 3,000 bikes downtown and in the neighborhoods by next summer. September 22, 2011 Hopefully you didn't drive to work like I just did. September 19, 2011 The CTA recently added the spots under the Blue Line tracks in Wicker Park to its list of paid monthly parking locations . Problem is, it barely spread the word before the tow trucks got to work . September 16, 2011 Apparently the Trib thinks we can't cut it in the new job market, so they've selected their favorite bank robbery getaway cars for us . September 15, 2011 Unlike CTA and Metra riders, users of Pace won't see price increases or service cuts for the 2012 year. September 15, 2011 City Council's proposing to extend the cell-phone ban to cyclists , under the logic that the "common-sense ordinance" should apply to drivers of any vehicle. September 08, 2011 We have either the worst traffic congestion in the country or the third worst , but either way, it apparently doesn't bother us much. September 08, 2011 Bike Winter , Chicago's advocate for year-round cycling, is selecting its 2012 sticker. To help choose, take a look at previous stickers and then take the survey . September 05, 2011 Impounded Car Makes a Break for It A South Side man recently got a red light ticket in suburban Willowbrook for a car that was supposedly in an impound lot for months . When he checked at the lot, he was informed that the car had been destroyed, despite the fact that he was paying off fines on a payment plan. September 02, 2011 Gas prices in Chicago are the highest in the country , which may curtail Labor Day weekend travel. September 01, 2011 Ford & Zipcar Go to School -- and a Contest Ford and Zipcar announced a partnership yesterday that brings the hourly car rental service to Chicago colleges. Ford is pitching in a discount on Focus and Escape rentals, and the first 100,000 new Zipcar members will get their annual membership for $20 instead of the usual $30. I was asked to offer some ideas of places to go (click the CHI tab) -- and they've offered up a contest for Gapers Block's readers. Zipcar is offering a free Zipcar membership for one year, and Ford is offering $250 worth of driving time. To enter, send an email to contests-at-gapersblock.com with the subject line "Zip it" by 5pm today -- make sure to include your full name in the body of the email. Good luck! UPDATE: We have a winner! Congrats, Margaret! Disclosure: I was paid for my time on the video. August 30, 2011 SpotHero won the Apps for Metro Chicago last weekend. Second place was another parking-oriented app, FasPark . August 26, 2011 HowIAlmostDiedToday.com is among the projects created for Moving Design's Call to Action 's Our Road , a multidisciplinary gallery exhibition and public engagement campaign on the advancement of bicycle safety showing in the Comfort Station on Logan Square this Sunday. August 26, 2011 In Mechanics, Christopher Gray takes a look at the impact on neighborhoods near the proposed Red Line extension on the South Side. August 26, 2011 Nissan bumped up its timeline for introducing the all-electric Leaf in Chicago by a year. Now the cars will be available as early as October. August 25, 2011 How Would You Like Transit Improved? The Active Transportation Alliance just launched a new advocacy program called Riders for Better Transit as "a voice for riders who want to boost transit funding and encourage transit-related projects that will benefit your community." Fill out a a survey about your transportation desires for a chance to win a $100 gift card and to learn how to get involved. August 25, 2011 Check out the minimalist, typographical transit maps of TRNSPRTNATION . August 23, 2011 Imprint also recently took a look at the Green Hornet and other vintage Electroliner trains in Chicago. (Thanks again, Dee!) August 18, 2011 The Metropolitan Planning Council released a feasibility study on bus rapid transit in Chicago yesterday. The CTA proposed a bus rapid transit line for Jeffrey Boulevard earlier this summer . August 17, 2011 No More Street Sweeping Tickets Sweep Around Us tells you when your street is scheduled for sweeping next, and can send you an email to remind you to move your car. It was created by FoGB Scott Robbin, who also built Was My Car Towed ( previously ). August 16, 2011 Nearly nine months after an investigation showed significant dry rot on recently renovated Brown Line platforms, nothing appears to have been done to address the issue. Residents are rallying the troops on EveryBlock . (Thanks, Shylo!) August 16, 2011 BMW brought its i3 and i8 electric concept cars to Chicago to film a commercial this week. August 15, 2011 The city's crosswalks aren't safe : that's where most pedestrians are when they're hit by vehicles, according to IDOT research. The map tells the tale. August 12, 2011 CDOT is testing four automated "Pothole Killer" machines capable of filling the average pothole in less than 60 seconds. Watch it in action . August 12, 2011 A new commuter bus initiative will allow express buses to utilize the Stevenson's shoulder when traffic is moving slower than 35mph. August 11, 2011 CTA chief Forrest Claypool said there won't be a fare increase this year, but maybe in 2012. Perhaps the 10 new Dunkin' Donuts approved for CTA stations are helping keep fares down. August 10, 2011 Metering Nothing The last 72 electronic parking meters were installed earlier this summer in nearly deserted parts of the near South Side, to the tune of at least $430,000. The Expired Meter spot-checked three of the meters at random and found that literally nobody had used them in five weeks. August 09, 2011 The Chicago Pedestrian Plan picked up its pace this summer with a bunch of meetings , the next of which will be at Truman College . If you can't make it, fill out an online " comment card ." August 05, 2011 According to data compiled by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 32 of the most frequently delayed flights in the past year departed from or arrived at O'Hare. Newark has the most of any airport with 40 flights. August 03, 2011 President Obama will be in town later today for an early birthday party/fundraiser at the Aragon Ballroom. As a result, you won't be able to enter or exit at the Red Line Lawrence stop between 5:30 and 9:45pm. July 29, 2011 The test " ParkMagic " program that let you pay for parking by cellphone has been quietly canceled . You probably forgot it even existed. July 26, 2011 Loyola University unveiled a renovation plan for its namesake Red Line station. Work may start as soon as next month. [ via ] July 26, 2011 Hit & Run Tumbles A cyclist named Carly was involved in a hit-and-run accident with a Nissan 350z this morning at Milwaukee and Ogden, and has set up a site to collect information about the fleeing driver. (Seems like this could be a service, as often as it happens...) July 26, 2011 Chicago's First Protected Bike Lane Chicago officially completed its first protected bicycle lane on Kinzie Street between Milwaukee and Wells on Monday. The lane separates cyclist traffic from vehicle traffic by using flexible posts and painted pavement signals; read about early reactions to the lane in Tailgate. Next continuation plans are expected for Jackson Street between Halsted Street and Damen Avenue. July 25, 2011 Remember Chicago Express Airlines ? Me neither. Its flight attendant uniform and others from American , Midway and United are among more than a thousand in this massive collection . [ via ] July 25, 2011 Park it in Logan Square Parking your car, that is--Logan Square alderman Rey Colon was able to introduce and successfully pass a new ordinance that allows for free parking along Kedzie and Logan Boulevards for up to 16 hours each day that will go into effect in the coming weeks. Residents aren't happy . July 23, 2011 WalkScore.com has ranked the "walkability" of thousands of U.S. cities. Out of the 50 largest cities, Chicago comes in 4th. The most walkable Chicago neighborhood ? Printers Row. July 21, 2011 Postal workers don't care that the Kinzie Street cycle track is off limits to motorized vehicles; they'll park there if they damn well please. July 19, 2011 There's a movement afoot to transform a former CTA station in Washington Park into a public library . July 18, 2011 A new blog, Oh, L No! , is looking for your stories of mishaps and misbehavior on the CTA. July 18, 2011 Today's the last day to get your new city sticker for your vehicle. The Parking Ticket Geek has a guide to avoiding the long lines to get it done today. July 11, 2011 Meet Tom Stuker , an Chicago-based automotive industry consultant who on Saturday became the first passenger to log 10 million miles on United Airlines. July 11, 2011 Thefts of iPhones and other smartphones are skyrocketing on the CTA. July 05, 2011 Mapnificent shows how far you can get in the city on public transportation or foot within a certain amount of time -- such as from Chicago and Michigan in 30 minutes . July 05, 2011 There were once more than 227 miles of elevated train tracks in Chicago. Forgotten Chicago digs up what remains of several train lines demolished by the CTA over the years. June 27, 2011 Everybody Better Click It Starting January 1, 2012, all Illinois car passengers, regardless of age or where they're seated in the car, have to buckle their seat-belts. Not a requirement just for drivers and front seat passengers anymore, you back seat drivers better get used to buckling up (except in buses, cabs, and emergency vehicles). Gov. Quinn signed the legislation into law today . June 27, 2011 William Butler Ogden , Chicago's first mayor, was inducted into the National Railroad Hall of Fame for his work making the city one of the nation's railroad centers. June 24, 2011 A MetaFilter thread about the venerable Chicago-L.org led me to Railfan , a 2006 PS3 game simulating the Brown Line. You can find it used on Amazon and elsewhere, but it's not cheap. June 24, 2011 Grid Chicago is a new blog by frequent GB contributor John Greenfield and transportation planner Steven Vance , covering "sustainable transportation in Chicago and Illinois." They recently answered the question of what happens when a bike lane disappears . June 24, 2011 Now that Boeing is finally almost ready with its 787 , ANA released its special livery and long-haul interior design for the first 787s to enter a carrier's fleet. June 23, 2011 A new bridge is being built from 57th Place to 69th Street, but it's not for pedestrians or cars. It's for trains . June 22, 2011 We (Don't) Luv U A Southwest pilot's rant about having to work with a Chicago-based flight crew composed of "gays, grannies, and grandes" was accidentally transmitted over the air traffic control frequency in March. The pilot was temporarily suspended and required to take a diversity education class, which I hope was led by an overweight, older lesbian. June 22, 2011 Gold Coast drivers, watch for pedestrians tonight; the CPD is planning a sting to enforce crosswalk rules. (It's illegal not to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk, you know.) June 20, 2011 A new specialty license plate reminding drivers to share the road with bicycles has been approved, and will be printed as soon as the state gets 1,500 pre-orders . The Illinois League of Bicyclists currently counts 1,185 reservations. [ via ] June 16, 2011 FoGB Scott Robbin created a great app from City of Chicago open data that I hope I never have to use. Was My Car Towed works online, or from your smartphone browser. June 16, 2011 Got an extra parking space? SpotHero is a new startup that'll help you rent it out -- or help you find one to rent if you need one. June 16, 2011 WBEZ's Kate Dries was surprised when handed a bus delay slip from her bus driver Wednesday morning, so she looked into the practice . June 14, 2011 Honorary Sam Cooke Way will be unveiled in Bronzeville this weekend. Read our feature on Cooke's Chicago legacy . [ via ] June 13, 2011 In Tailgate, John Greenfield reports on cyclists' and neighbors' reactions to the new Kinzie Street cycle track . June 09, 2011 The city's first major separated bike lane, a cycle track , is under construction in the Fulton River District, and the Chicago Journal has images . June 07, 2011 The CTA is the most romantic transit system in the country, according to Craigslist . June 03, 2011 Accident on Metra, Smoke on CTA Two Metra trains collided at Union Station this morning, injuring 12. A passenger on one of the trains shared live updates on Reddit . Meanwhile, a " blue flash and boom " possibly caused by a blown fuse, filled the Red Line tunnel with smoke and sent riders into a panic. June 01, 2011 In other city services news, today is the first day to pick up new city stickers for your car. Buy yours online . May 24, 2011 Beyond lending street cred, this tattoo helps its owner with pesky questions from tourists. (At least it's easier to reference than the last one we linked to.) May 20, 2011 Wicker Park will be the first neighborhood to get dedicated on-street bicycle parking this summer. May 20, 2011 This year's city stickers are on sale now, two weeks earlier than last year. (And presumably stickier, too.) May 18, 2011 Yesterday Illinois was awarded nearly $200 million in federal high-speed railroad construction funds rejected by Florida's Republican governor. The bonus will go to the Chicago to St. Louis high-speed rail initiative. May 03, 2011 Uber , a startup private car service, is on its way to Chicago soon. May 03, 2011 AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report puts average Chicago unleaded gas prices at $4.387 , the highest they've ever been. For comparison, the average price was $3.112 a year ago. April 28, 2011 The City That Worked, At Least Once Our Lady of the Fullerton Underpass may have just granted her first miracle. Damen-Elston-Fullerton, that most frustrating of intersections is finally on it's way to an update, and it's a big one. Expired Meter has the details on a reroute that might actually work and appears to keep the hallowed Elston Ave bike route intact. April 27, 2011 The Center for Neighborhood Technology has created a gas price slider to show how much rising prices affect a household's transportation costs. Short answer: a whole lot . April 26, 2011 Pouring Gas on Sprawl's Wounds The NY Times recently reported on a developer in far north suburban Richmond who's giving away cars with his homes. Grist's Sarah Goodyear couldn't help but note the irony of enticing folks with a car for the 50-mile commute when gas is so expensive . April 26, 2011 I wish that title was sports related. Unfortunately, it's a record I'd gladly give away, we're paying the most for our gas . April 25, 2011 Good news for bikers: The state is going to start keeping track of dooring accidents . So next year Steve Vance's bike crash map ( previously ) will be much more robust. April 19, 2011 On a day when a derailment near Belmont caused all sorts of snafus, Mayor-elect Emanuel named Forrest Claypool to head the CTA . April 14, 2011 ...is apparently lines of people standing on the sidewalk down the block from Union Station, waiting for a cheap ride to Des Moines. April 13, 2011 The Art Institute has installed a throne (sort of) in certain CTA cars to promote its exhibit " Kings, Queens, and Courtiers: Art in Early Renaissance France ." Snap a photo of yourself sitting in one and post it on Facebook to enter the "Royal Treatment" contest. April 13, 2011 If you live in the 1st Ward, you have a weapon against street sweeping tickets: AntiTow . April 12, 2011 The 2-D kind, but nonetheless wonderful and detailed: a series of airplane prints put out by The Post Family 's Rod Hunting. March 31, 2011 The winter parking ban ends today , which means you can park on all those major thoroughfares again. Unless street sweeping signs or up, since that starts tomorrow at 9am. March 28, 2011 The Center for Neighborhood Technology rounds up all the city's transportation options in a post connected to its Abogo transportation cost tool. March 24, 2011 Revising the Red & Purple Lines The Reader's cover story this week takes a look at the CTA's Red and Purple Modernization Plan and how those train lines could be improved today. (You might also be interested in our own CTA Map for 2055 , back in 2005.) March 24, 2011 Tracy Swartz, CTA Centurion The Red Eye's Tracy Swartz has been riding the CTA's many bus lines since 2009, and this Friday will be her 100th run . To commemorate, she's giving away 100 single-use fare cards -- follow her on Twitter for clues where to get them. March 22, 2011 Joseph Askins is riding the Red Line with a video camera, profiling each station for YoChicago. First off is Sox-35th . March 22, 2011 46th Ward aldermanic candidates James Cappleman and Molly Phelan hold a joint forum on pedestrian, biking and transit issues in Uptown tonight at 7pm in Gill Park, 825 W. Sheridan Rd. March 18, 2011 Mayor Daley isn't spending his last months in office just sitting around. He's headed to China to try to draw new business to Chicago, and is still lobbying for his high-speed train to O'Hare . March 17, 2011 We mentioned it last year, but the Atlantic digs deeper into the first car race in America and finds an interesting angle: it was also pitted gas versus electric. The magazine shares a first-hand published account of the race, too. March 16, 2011 BLDGBLOG's recent interview with Greg Lindsay identifies Chicago as an exemplar of a city that reflects its railroad heritage , in contrast to contemporary cities which may soon be direct responses to their airports. March 14, 2011 Ideas for the long-term overhaul of the northern section of Lake Shore Drive range from reworking the S-curve at Oak Street to consolidating as many as three interchanges . March 11, 2011 Today we release the second feature in GB's short film series The Grid . " Congress Conducts El at Cal's " explores the construction congestion at Congress Parkway through the music and activity at Cal's, a nearby hangout and liquor store. March 10, 2011 The 1950s were an important era for transportation in Chicago. A plane crash at Midway, 1955: A Rock Island Line promotional film from 1950: Street scenes in the 1950s: March 09, 2011 The Parking Ticket Geek shares news of a new effort to restrict red light cameras. March 08, 2011 Art on Wheels If you biked through the winter, you deserve to celebrate -- and even if you didn't, the 14th Annual Bike Winter Art Show, opening this Friday, promises a good time. Chicago Freak Bike makers will be on hand to demonstrate some of their delightfully impractical creations, and more than 50 artists' work will be on display. Check out Slowdown for more details . March 08, 2011 How's the Path? The Active Transportation Alliance has started a new Twitter feed just perfect for cyclists who want to know what to expect on the lakefront paths. Follow @activetransLFT for the latest information, or send them your own observations to help out others . March 08, 2011 Peruse UIC's collection of IDOT Chicago Traffic Photographs from the 1930s and you'll find shots of Lake Shore Drive under construction , Sheridan and Irving Park and a very snowy South Shore and 67th . March 08, 2011 Google is taking another stab at offering real-time traffic info on Google Maps, with Chicago as a test. Check it out here March 07, 2011 It's All Up in the Air When it comes to flights landing at O'Hare and Midway, the O'Hare's planes usually get priority. Midway and Southwest Airlines are testing a new navigation system that'll hopefully eliminate some of the delays. Meanwhile, Chicago Rockford International still hopes to take some business away from both Chicago airports. March 04, 2011 What, you don't know where that is? That's because 22nd has been Cermak Road since 1933. Someone should probably tell IDOT . March 03, 2011 The five-minute grace period on parking tickets is set to expire April 1 -- but Ald. Scott Waguespack has introduced an amendment to make the ordinance permanent . March 01, 2011 Carfree Chicago lists the city's least walkable CTA stops ; unsurprisingly, they're all on the South and West sides. [ via ] February 28, 2011 Speaking of bicycles, the newly released Bike 2015 Plan will be used to guide the City's plans to make Chicago more bike-friendly in the next four years. [ via ] February 28, 2011 The Chicago Department of Transportation is testing a new type of bike lane ; you'll be heading down to Stony Island Avenue between 69th and 77th streets to try it out once it debuts... in 2014. February 21, 2011 The CTA Tattler checked into the major mayoral candidates' positions on public transportation , and found Gery Chico strangely silent. February 17, 2011 The Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center is showing a different kind of vehicle at this year's auto show: the Clandestine Extended Range Vehicle . February 16, 2011 Streets & San will start disposing of old chairs, cardboard boxes, plastic penguins and whatever else you leave in your parking space on Friday . February 15, 2011 If you're a lady who likes to bike, and want to meet up with like-minded women, check out Let's Go Ride a Bike . February 11, 2011 The 2011 Chicago Auto Show opens to the public today. We've got a taste of what you'll encounter in Tailgate. February 09, 2011 If United is really hurt for business, they might consider bringing back this men-only "club in the sky" from the 1950s -- though a women-only version would most definitely be in order as well. February 09, 2011 City clerk and mayoral candidate Miguel del Valle believes the parking meter deal violated the city's ethics ordinance , and has asked the attorney general's office to investigate. February 06, 2011 Parking Rules Back in Action The warm and fuzzy feeling of parking wherever you can has ended now that the snow is (somewhat) under control; enforcement begins tomorrow at 9am in the central business district (the area bounded by Roosevelt, Halsted, Oak, and Lake Shore Drive), and everywhere else in the city by 9am on Tuesday. February 05, 2011 GOOD has released this infographic that compares the country's five largest transit systems. Where does the CTA rank? February 04, 2011 Crain's reports that American and United Airlines think plans for an O'Hare expansion amount to a "bridge to nowhere." February 04, 2011 Chair Free Chicago , the anti-dibs campaign, is organizing a parking space shovel-out in Bridgeport this afternoon from 1 to 3pm. February 04, 2011 Parking enforcement has been (unofficially, temporarily) suspended due to the havoc the blizzard wreaked on the city's streets. The City also gave tacit approval of dibs -- for now. February 04, 2011 Dmitry Samarov tells his own blizzard story from behind the wheel of a cab. February 02, 2011 Motorists whose vehicles got stuck on Lake Shore Drive last night won't be charged for towing , the City says. If you were one of them, call 311 to find out where your car is. February 02, 2011 The Tribune gives you a sense of what to expect regarding transportation, utilities and hospitals today. February 01, 2011 You know those signs that say "No Parking When Snow is Over 2 Inches"? Well, don't ignore them today : the City has put that rule into effect in advance of the blizzard. January 31, 2011 The CTA says it has no plans to close stops the Red or Purple lines. January 28, 2011 The maritime prelude to the Chicago Auto Show, Strictly Sail Chicago , is at Navy Pier all weekend. January 26, 2011 The CTA is considering permanently closing the Jarvis Red Line stop -- as well as two Purple Line stops in Evanston. Voice your concerns at a public meetings tonight and tomorrow. January 26, 2011 Starting today, you can order Cubs specialty license plates for your car. You could already get Blackhawks plates ; no word on when Bears, Sox or Fire plates will debut. January 20, 2011 Traffic congestion is now worse here than in Los Angeles. January 20, 2011 Don't forget: today is Winter Bike to Work Day ! January 13, 2011 That guy who got a parking ticket while being filmed paying for parking? His ticket has been dismissed . January 10, 2011 Lawrence Avenue between Ashland and Western will be narrowed to three lanes (one in each direction and a shared left turn lane) in a trial to reduce the size of the city's streets. January 08, 2011 The CTA released their beta test of the Train Tracker , giving train riders the same opportunity to compulsively check their smartphones that bus riders currently enjoy. January 06, 2011 A.V. Club's Marah Eakin explains how not to be a dick to and on the bus. January 06, 2011 The Chicago Rapid Transit Coalition aims to "argue and advocate for the expansion of subways, elevated lines and light rail throughout Chicagoland." They've got a few ideas to propose . (We have one of our own .) January 05, 2011 GB flickr pool contributor cmraseye posted some photographs of the Museum of Science and Industry's 727 en route to the museum in 1992. Here's a news clip from the day for video of the landing and some additional background. January 04, 2011 If you're a little short on details for the new car and pedestrian routes around the latest Wacker Drive construction in the Loop, then this helpful video by WBEZ traffic reporter Sarah Jindra is for you. January 04, 2011 Yet another proposed Chicago-to-Wherever passenger railroad line may not get built. This time, it's the connection to Iowa City . January 03, 2011 As I reported last week , taxis will begin adding a $1 fuel surcharge (up from 50 cents) to fares starting at midnight tonight . December 31, 2010 As Brown Line riders already know, its $530 million renovation has had some significant problems, among them the wooden planks that started deteriorating as early as August 2008 . December 30, 2010 The CTA will finally launch a train tracker site , similar to its popular Bus Tracker , in January. December 30, 2010 Taxi Fuel Surcharge Could Kick in Next Week Get ready to pay extra to cab it in 2011. If the price of gas prices average $3.20 or more for seven consecutive days, Chicago cabs can add a $1 fuel surcharge onto fares . Gas went above $3.20 on Dec. 22 and has stayed above that mark ever since, so that surcharge could kick in on Monday at midnight. Why Monday? Well, the 24th and 31st are considered holidays, so they don't count for the seven business days. Which means that, assuming gas prices don't drop below $3.20 before Monday, the surcharge will trigger at 12:01am Tuesday, Jan. 4. According to the AAA Fuel Gauge Report , which the City uses as the official record for the surcharge, the average as of today is $3.304; ChicagoGasPrices.com puts it at $3.324 and stable. A spokeperson said the City was "98 percent sure" the surcharge would go into effect, and was preparing for it. Cabs are already tacking on a 50-cent surcharge because the price of gas is above $2.70; this lower-tier surcharge has been in effect since Oct. 29, 2009. The new surcharge adds an additional 50 cents, and will remain until gas prices dip under $3.20 again for seven consecutive business days. Dmitry Samarov, an artist and writer who documents his experiences driving a cab, doesn't like the surcharge. "There are several problems here: when drivers add extras to the meter, many riders get suspicious and our tips suffer, [and] the surcharge is unfair to riders going short distances, as they're charged the same as longer fares." He said most drivers would like to see a fare increase enacted, "but the recession gave the city cover to kill that." In November aldermen Ed Burke and Carrie Austin proposed a $1 surcharge to help correct city budget shortfall. But none of that fee would go to taxi drivers, ignoring months of lobbying by drivers for a 22 percent fare increase. December 27, 2010 Parking meter rates are set to increase by a quarter or more on Jan. 1, cementing our position as the most expensive city to park in. December 27, 2010 Holiday travel may have been hell this weekend, but people with disabilities faced extra challenges . December 22, 2010 Remember that misreporting of traffic delays from Canadian National trains ? The federal Surface Transportation Board just levied its first fine ever for the violation: $250,000 . December 22, 2010 A couple alderman are encouraging the CTA to bring a bus line back to Elston Avenue to support the burgeoning commercial district east of Western. December 20, 2010 The Trib takes us behind the scenes at Valley Air Service , 10 to 15 percent of whose executive charter flights are for pets. December 08, 2010 No Stone Left Unturned Thought you'd stick it to the city by taking a cab instead of feeding a meter? Aldermen Burke and Austin are one step ahead of you. The Finance Committee's considering a dollar-per-cab-ride surcharge that "could generate upwards of $70,000,000 in much needed [sic] annual revenue for the city." December 07, 2010 Time to vote on next year's city sticker design . Voting ends Dec. 12. December 06, 2010 With the advent of our first snow, Chair Free Chicago launches. December 01, 2010 The City snagged 215 vehicles in the first night of winter overnight parking restrictions. November 30, 2010 Halsted Bridge Closing Tonight And in other driving-related events happening tonight that you should know about, the Halsted Street bridge at Division is closing tonight at 7pm. The bridge will be replaced with a new structure, but the work means that the bridge will be closed for a year. At the WBEZ blog Justin Kaufmann is soliciting suggestions for alternate driving routes. November 24, 2010 The RTA's "seniors ride free" program is being abused by people using borrowed or resold passes, sometimes originally held by dead people, FOX Chicago and the Better Government Association found. November 23, 2010 Should you need to, you'll be able to mail banned items to yourself from O'Hare, rather than having to throw it out. November 22, 2010 Another cyclist was attacked by a group of thugs in Humboldt Park near the United Center this weekend, but managed not to lose his bike. The MO of the attackers sounds exactly like one from last summer . November 22, 2010 Learn how to fight parking tickets (and avoid them in the first place) at a free seminar next week, presented by The Expired Meter and Ald. Scott Waguespack. November 19, 2010 Five Thirty-Eight's Nate Silver examines the explicit and implicit messages told by the new full-body scanners at airports, and compares them to Chicago's blue light cameras . November 17, 2010 The City has terminated the contract of the company that manufactured the unsticky city stickers . November 15, 2010 American Airlines launched a redesigned website today. Still not as nice as Dustin Curtis ' from last year, but better than what they had. November 12, 2010 The remodeled Grand Red Line stop has a ramp along the steps for bikes , but it might not be ideal. November 10, 2010 Booking domestic holiday air travel? Now, through the end of 2010, if you check in for your United flight on your mobile phone , you'll get 1,000 bonus miles . November 10, 2010 It's been talked about for years , but it's finally happening: The CTA will sell naming rights to its stations and train lines. (Gee, I wonder what the North & Clybourn stop will be .) November 10, 2010 Mapnificent shows you where you can get to in a given amount of time (say, 15 minutes) on public transportation. November 09, 2010 It's never too early to start planning your trip on the CTA Holiday Train ! November 09, 2010 The North Branch Bicycle Trail will be extended another 4.2 miles to the east end of LaBagh Woods [PDF]. November 05, 2010 Fifty Years of Traffic The Kennedy Expressway turns 50 years old today at 11am . Back then it was the Northwest Expressway and was both "the greatest highway in America" and "a scar 400 feet wide and 16 miles long that tore up one home after another." November 04, 2010 Think there are too many permit parking zones? You're not alone, and now you have champions in the City Council . November 02, 2010 Give a Minute is a new site asking, "What would encourage you to walk, bike and take CTA more often?" Answers so far range from filling potholes to cleaning up CTA trains to "a million hairy babies." October 28, 2010 Photographer Ian Merritt has launched Shiny Side , a site devoted to automotive photojournalism. Car porn, basically. October 27, 2010 It seems the CTA is having some trouble scheduling its trains. October 26, 2010 Blackhawks fans can now wear their pride on their license plates . The official BH plates will cost you an extra $40 October 22, 2010 If you've ever thought that Chicago garage parking rates seem high, you're right. A new study shows that Chicago is the second most expensive U.S. city for first-hour parking rates and a top four member for other measures of cost. October 22, 2010 The new Apple Store at North and Clybourn opens tomorrow at 10am , and the first 4,000 people will get a free t-shirt. One of the benefits of the new store? A renovated Red Line station that includes new public space . October 19, 2010 You're less likely to get a ticket this year, but if you have a couple on your record, you're more likely to get the boot. October 15, 2010 Harold Washington's name will appear in one new place just as Mayor Daley's name will begin to slowly fade from signage. October 13, 2010 So far in 2010, 30 percent of flights have left Midway Airport more than 15 minutes late, according to the USDOT. That's more delays than any other airport, even O'Hare. Congratulations? October 12, 2010 One of the passengers on the #6 bus that crashed on Lake Shore over the weekend has posted his account of the accident . [ via ] October 08, 2010 City Council may soon consider the recommendation of the Inspector General to require all Chicago taxis be trackable by an integrated GPS network . October 06, 2010 Which CTA stop are you going to? Just check your wallet . October 05, 2010 How much do you spend on transportation? Abogo from the Center for Neighborhood Technology shows you what the monthly average is for your neighborhood. October 05, 2010 WBEZ's traffic reporter, Sarah Jindra, has put together a very useful guide to figuring out what traffic reporters like her are talking about. Gives me a convenient excuse to link to our own explanation of the traffic report terminology . September 29, 2010 Chicago has the easiest commute in the nation , apparently. September 29, 2010 The CTA issued an RFP for a new payment system , ideally one that will let riders pay fares with RFID enabled credit and debit cards, as well as proprietary transit cards. September 17, 2010 The schedule of fall bridge raisings [PDF] on the Chicago River is out. Your first inconvenience will be this Saturday. September 17, 2010 Two Mercedes gullwings : total car porn beautifully shot by Ian Merritt. (He's got a couple other drool-worthy vintage rides on his blog.) September 14, 2010 The Blackstone Bicycle Works has been a victim of a fire for the second time in 10 years [right side of screen]. This time their building was spared, but they lost 400 bikes. If you'd like to help them rebuild, you can make a donation to the group through their website . September 13, 2010 How many are there now? Anyway, TreKing Chicago is one for Android users, available in free and $3 versions. September 09, 2010 Oak Park is currently considering making some changes to their taxi ordinance, including a ban on drivers wearing " tank tops, swimwear, jogging suits, body shirts and sandals without socks" or "underwear as an outer garment ." September 07, 2010 37signals ' David Heinemeier Hansson commissioned a one-of-a-kind Zonda supercar . It comes with its own luggage set and website . There's no truth, however, to the rumor that DHH bought an Italian villa just so he can drive the Zonda HH in Italy. He will, however, have to travel to Italy to drive it: the car isn't street legal in the US. September 03, 2010 Dmitry Samarov's recent blog post documents what taxi drivers have to go through after getting into a traffic accident. September 02, 2010 Chicago ranks 167th out of 200 on Allstate Insurance's annual Allstate America's Best Drivers Report . August 27, 2010 It's the last Friday of the month, which means Critical Mass hits the streets for tonight's commute. Kirstie Shanley examines the cultural phenomenon in Tailgate. August 26, 2010 If you have some free time today and are itchin' to do some design work, Bike Winter is looking for a new sticker for this season . Check out some previous designs to get you going. August 20, 2010 Greenway Parking Garage , at Clark and Kinzie, is seeking LEED certification . The parking garage features twelve helical wind turbines, but might still have trouble shaking the irony of their slogan "Chicago's first earth friendly parking garage." August 20, 2010 The Center for Neighborhood Technology's transportation cost data has been added to WalkScore.com , making your walkability score in Chicago even more accurate. August 17, 2010 Make sure you pay the meters: the CPD was just told to get cracking on parking tickets . August 16, 2010 @ChicagoCyclists is a Twitter account where cyclists in the city can share tips, alerts and other bike-related info. Just tweet at the account and it automatically retweets to the list. (Thanks, Clint !) August 03, 2010 Ciclo Urbano is a new bike shop serving Humboldt Park and West Town. Much like Working Bikes , Ciclo Urbano offers refurbished rides in addition to parts and service. August 02, 2010 The Sun-Times reports on the parts of the city you're most likely to get ticketed for using a cellphone while driving . August 02, 2010 Putting It All On The (Blue) Line If you missed seeing the new CTA cars zooming on the Red and Green lines, now's your chance. Today the ten prototype 5000-series train cars will be tested on the Blue Line , and they'll be equipped with security cameras, door sensors, and electronic display maps. July 30, 2010 Chicago launched its own bike-sharing program today, called B-Cycle , starting with 100 bikes in six locations all near downtown. ( Previously .) July 29, 2010 If you haven't yet gotten a city sticker for your car, you have until Friday . July 28, 2010 The Active Transportation Alliance has launched a crash support support group and hotline , currently staffed by one person , to help you deal with a bike crash. (After you call 911, obviously.) July 27, 2010 United Airlines gets poor marks in childcare at O'Hare, but is the real story here that 9-year-olds are cool enough to be self-proclaimed vegetarians? July 20, 2010 The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning's draft of Go to 2040 , a plan for the Chicago area's next three decades, is available to read online. You can leave your comments for CMAP on the plan's site through August 6. July 16, 2010 The next time you slip and fall on an icy L platform, remember the CTA has no official obligation to keep it clear . July 15, 2010 Speaking of maps of what to do near a particular train stop, we're reminded that Centerstage did it first . July 06, 2010 Carfree Chicago is developing a crowdsourced map of restaurants, shops and activities near each CTA, Metra and South Shore Line stop in the city. July 05, 2010 A sinkhole opened up across four two southbound lanes of Lake Shore Drive between Roosevelt Road and McCormick Place, closing the road to southbound traffic. Expect major traffic headaches to come. UPDATE: OK, the Sun-Times got a little hyperbolic with its initial report. The road has simply buckled , and crews expect to have it fixed by Tuesday morning. July 04, 2010 If you're thinking about driving to the fireworks this evening, think again . Some North Side parking lots were full by mid-morning , and many more are either occupied by the police or full now. July 02, 2010 There's a Pontiac GTO headed our way this weekend on Route 66 -- which wouldn't be such a big deal if it weren't powered by compressed natural gas . June 30, 2010 City Sticker Deadline Slips Haven't gotten your city sticker yet? For once, you're not too late. Due to an adhesive issue, the City is extending the deadline for getting a 2010 sticker for your vehicle until July 15, and bumping the grace period to July 30. June 30, 2010 The Software Craftsmanship Conference will be in Chicago this October; registration just opened. June 28, 2010 You'll soon see many more odd taxis plying the city's streets now that Ford had discontinued the Crown Victoria . More Chrysler 300 limos, too -- the Lincoln Town Car is also gone. June 24, 2010 Chicago-based artists can submit a design for one of 12 CTA and Metra underpasses needing some beautification in the 49th Ward (Rogers Park). Applications (PDF) are due by July 16th. June 21, 2010 B-Cycle bike sharing service is launching in July with 100 bikes in six locations around the city. Like I-Go or Zipcar, you buy a membership and then get access to a bike when you need one for an hourly fee. June 21, 2010 You've heard about the singing cabbie , but have you ridden in the Party Cab ? June 21, 2010 Parking meter enforcement resumes today . The Parking Ticket Geek did a little math to show how even with just a few ticket-writers on patrol, it adds up to big bucks. June 18, 2010 The CTA train that derailed today was apparently just a simulation (no wonder we didn't hear much about it). It's not the apocalypse; there have just been eight disaster simulations over the last five days. June 14, 2010 The weather may not cooperate, but the Active Transportation Alliance has tips and resources for your two-wheeled trip to and from work . June 11, 2010 The Bike Lane , a new bike shop in Logan Square, offers a handy service : if you get a flat tire between Addison and Chicago, Kedzie and Halsted, call the shop and they'll send someone out to fix it for you. June 10, 2010 In the Reader, Robert Loerzel takes a look at the era when Chicago's public transit services were in private hands . Do you think Chicago should privatize the CTA? Share your thoughts in Fuel. June 08, 2010 Another transit app for your consideration: ChiTransit . ( June 08, 2010 The red light cameras installed around the city might actually be increasing accidents rather than preventing them, one study claims. June 04, 2010 The Active Transportation Alliance has teamed up with the Tawani Foundation and Pritzker Military Library(!?) to produce an updated Chicagoland bike map . As a result, there's now a map of area military sites . June 04, 2010 As mentioned in the recent Fuel thread , Buster is one of the best CTA bus tracker apps out there -- and if you ride Metra, you'll be interested to hear about Metrack , its sister rail schedule app. June 03, 2010 Designers take a crack at re-imagining some ho-hum license plates , including that of Illinois. ( via ) June 03, 2010 How does a car avoid getting tickets despite repeatedly being parked by a yellow curb in Boystown all day? Hillbuzz , Second City Cop and The Expired Meter are on the case. June 02, 2010 The Cook County Board voted to boycott Arizona businesses in response the state's new immigration law -- but not before signing a contract with Scottsdale-based American Traffic Solutions for 20 more red light cameras . May 27, 2010 The Federal Highway Administration deemed three Chicago area junctions to be in the top ten trucking bottlenecks in the country . The FHWA hopes the trucking companies will use the information when planning routes. Here's to fewer trucks! May 24, 2010 Plug & Go at Millennium Park Millennium Garages has new electric charging stations for fancy electric cars like the Tesla roadster and the Chevy Volt . The charging stations will be free until Aug. 1, excluding parking cost. The cost to charge will be $1 to $2 per hour after the initial free period. Not a bad deal -- "filling up the tank" for say, six to 16 bucks. [ via ] May 24, 2010 It's that time of year again: time for vehicle owners to buy their new city stickers. They're on sale online . May 24, 2010 The removal of many of the Eisenhower's traffic travel sensors has caused IDOT to seek a new way of measuring traffic speed: Bluetooth . May 19, 2010 After more than a decade of legal battles, Vulcan Materials Company , the operator of the mine that spectacularly closed Joliet Road , is to pay $40 million to the Illinois Department of Transportation . May 12, 2010 If you've filled up lately, you're not imagining things: Illinois gas prices are the highest in the nation . May 06, 2010 Guess who's got his own Facebook page? That's right, Ike — the Eisenhower Expressway Dog . May 03, 2010 National Train Day is Saturday, May 8, and there's lots of stuff planned for Chicago's celebration at Union Station. April 30, 2010 Crain's and other sources are saying United and Continental will announce plans to merge on Monday. Chicago would likely remain the headquarters. April 29, 2010 Illinois measures up well when it comes to gas consumption per capita . [ via ] April 27, 2010 New service Parkzing will alert you if you get a ticket and remind you to pay it. [ via ] April 23, 2010 A cloudy Chicago serves as an initial port of call for the Seymourpowell Aircruise design concept in this promotional video . April 22, 2010 Waiting for the Train Getting stuck waiting for a freight train to pass sucks. And it sucks a lot in Chicagoland: an independent audit found that Canadian National trains caused more than 1,400 delays of 10 minutes or longer in the last two months of 2009. CN's own audit reported just 14. They've got some explaining to do. April 22, 2010 Check out this United Air Lines ad from the good old male chauvinist pig days. Trapped on a plane with a bunch of drunks, all smoking cigars and pipes and stuffing themselves with steaks? Uh, I'll take the train. April 20, 2010 The first draw bridge day along the Chicago River is tomorrow; expect delays on both the roads and the El lines that cross the river starting around 9:30am. April 19, 2010 StopParkingTickets.com is a new $10/year service that alerts you by text or email the day before street cleaning comes to your block, so you can move your car in time . April 19, 2010 The Red Eye's Tracy Swartz is on a mission to ride every CTA bus line in the city. She just hit 50 . April 06, 2010 In too good to be true automotive news, Hummer supporters will supposedly converge on Da Coach's steakhouse for meat and a press conference in hopes that doing so will save their trucks . April 01, 2010 Bike to Work Week is a great success in Chicago, and so the Active Transportation Alliance is taking it a step further with Walk to Work Day tomorrow, April 2. Good thing the weather is cooperating. March 30, 2010 Major Eisenhower Construction Starts Thursday If your commute involves the Eisenhower Expressway, expect things to get even slower than usual starting April 1, when resurfacing begins on a 27-mile stretch of 290. The construction will cut lane counts from eight to four in some places. The work includes badly needed strengthening and reinforcing of the ultra-busy Congress Bridge. March 29, 2010 Street Sweeping Changes May Make a Mess The new "grid" based street sweeping plan would mean dirtier streets and more difficult parking , Aldermen Joe Moore and Vi Daley say. It also takes the sweepers out of aldermanic control . A special City Council session is scheduled for Wednesday to discuss the plan. March 29, 2010 Eleven red light cameras made the City $2 million or more between 2007 and 2009. Here's a map of their locations . [ via ] March 24, 2010 Chicago police may soon patrol the expressways within the city if 450 state troopers are laid off due to budget cuts. March 19, 2010 Two more parking meter protests are planned for Saturday. And don't forget to read Ramsin's excellent piece at the economics and sustainability of the meter deal. March 19, 2010 Fourth busiest airport in the world , that is. London's Heathrow and Beijing's Capital International. March 18, 2010 For How Long Should a Bus be Cleaned? The CTA and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 241 , the bus worker union, are fighting over the length of time busses should be cleaned during their fortnightly "deep cleaning." The time for 40-foot busses will be halved to two hours, while 60-foot busses will be cut a third to four hours. March 15, 2010 Those of you flying out of O'Hare today may be in the first group of those subjected to full-body scanning . March 10, 2010 The newest feature on Google Maps provides bicycle directions for many US cities, including Chicago . While some features like helping cyclists avoid steep inclines may not be particularly useful here, an instructional video does point out some helpful tidbits. March 03, 2010 Seeing Red Lights The red light cameras were hotly debated in today's City Council meeting. Ald. Ed Burke called the program a "money machine" that does little to improve safety. Meanwhile, there's a proposal to increase red light camera fines to $125 , in part to pay for driving classes for violators. Share your thoughts on the red light cameras in Fuel . February 28, 2010 Activists against red light cameras are headed to Springfield this week in support of a bill that would ban the devices in Illinois. February 26, 2010 The rubber speedbumps the City has installed in some alleys apparently have a tendency to come apart -- in some cases putting metal spikes into tires and the bottoms of cars. February 25, 2010 Paul McAleer finds it frustrating that Metra's train schedules are so hard to get to online, so he created a set of Bitly shortURLs for each one -- for your convenience as well as his. February 18, 2010 Sick of waiting in the cold, only to be overcharged and/or harassed by a sketchy cab driver? Here are some tips to help you get where you're going quickly and safely. February 17, 2010 Picturing Transit, Before and After Recent U of C grads Max Shron and Luke Joyner mapped and analyzed CTA travel times given the existing system and the proposed service cuts. Particularly interesting is that while most neighborhoods see slight reductions in service, some neighborhoods see significant changes, particularly late at night. January 31, 2010 The CTA has approved the Mobile Garden ," a flatbed train car topped with a garden. The project's next step is to get non-profit status and begin fundraising. ( Previously .) January 29, 2010 A former mayor of Indianapolis turned Harvard professor looks at Chicago's parking meter privatization and says it's a good deal no matter what the public thinks . (Further comments here .) January 28, 2010 Illinois has been awarded $1.23 billion to improve train speed. The money is from the $8 billion earmark set aside for high speed in last year's stimulus package. January 28, 2010 Mayor Daley says CTA service cuts are unavoidable. January 28, 2010 The north-south leg of Wacker Drive will get an overhaul over the next three years , after which automotive and pedestrian traffic should move more efficiently. The state estimates 4,000 jobs will be created by the project. January 26, 2010 With the 24 recently installed cameras at Green Line stations, the CTA now 1,657 cameras at 73 stations with more on the way! January 26, 2010 Tesla Motors officially opened the doors on its Chicago dealership over the weekend. January 26, 2010 Chicago is the only major city that wouldn't meet new standards for nitrogen oxide emissions under new anti-smog regulations proposed by the Obama Administration. January 26, 2010 While Illinois unemployment continues to climb , 1,200 jobs will soon be added to Ford's Chicago Assembly plant, where production of Explorers will soon join the Taurus . January 22, 2010 The Sept. 17 death of a disabled man was caught by the on-bus security camera; WBBM-780 has the video , if you're morbidly interested. [ via ] January 22, 2010 Here's some productive tagging for you: CTA Stop ID is crowdsourcing the placement of informational stickers or signs on all the CTA bus stops, to help people take better advantage of the SMS-based Bus Tracker service . January 21, 2010 Always-opinioned local blogger Mike Doyle takes on the CTA union (who are fighting against personnel cuts ) and explains why they deserve no one's sympathy. How strong are his feelings? He posted them in text AND video form. January 19, 2010 Chicago Current confirms what you'd already forgotten about: The CTA superstation underneath Block 37 is still mothballed, and there are no plans to revive it. January 14, 2010 CDOT says they've filled 12,000 fewer potholes so far this winter compared to last year. With the weather warming up, however, that gap seems likely to narrow. January 12, 2010 If you're still in search of a 2010 calendar for your wall, the CTA has a free one for download . It's chock-full of pictures from throughout the CTA's history, plus lots of glorious Helvetica. January 06, 2010 A few months after the collapse of talks to privatize Midway, the city is preparing to restart negotiations with interested groups. January 05, 2010 Ever wonder what it'd be like to travel the entire CTA train system in one day, from terminus to terminus? Wonder no more . December 31, 2009 A man on a bicycle was hit by a southbound Brown Line train tonight near the Francisco stop. He was transported to the hospital in serious to critical condition. There are shuttle buses operating currently . Please be safe out there! December 31, 2009 CTA Tattler notes that this week marks the end of the Brown Line expansion project, finished on time and on budget by the CTA. December 31, 2009 It's New Year's Eve, so it's worth a ride on the CTA from 8pm until 6am. Get the details from the CTA, as well as which routes will be extended. December 30, 2009 AP travel writer Beth Harpaz includes the pair of Blues Brothers statues at the House of Blues store in Midway Airport as the sole notable attraction in Chicago's airports . I would have chosen the Terminal One Tunnel at O'Hare, myself. December 29, 2009 Don't forget, from this Friday onward, you'll get a ticket for texting while driving . (Then again, how many people actually get tickets for using their phone while driving?) December 28, 2009 Those new Pace buses that serve Bolingbrook, Schaumburg and Harvey ( among other stops ) have it all: plush seats, leg room, even bathrooms. Now if they only had riders... December 22, 2009 Curious (or irate) about some of the CTA's winter policies ? [ via ] December 22, 2009 If you're still trying to figure out a gift for that special someone, the Parket Ticket Geek has a rather specialized gift guide for you -- as well as an appreciation of the automated parking meters' better attributes. December 21, 2009 City-Go-Round is a site that collects transportation maps and apps for Chicago and other cities to help you get from here to there. [ via ] December 15, 2009 There are some interesting CTA tech tidbits in this article , including a not-so-satisfying explanation of why we don't have a "train tracker." December 14, 2009 Red Hen Bakery and eight other shops along Milwaukee Avenue are displaying CTA Bus Tracker arrival times for the 56 bus on in-store screens, so you don't have to wait outside in the cold. December 11, 2009 Bike racks don't have to be generic metal brackets simply bolted to the ground, or even now-useless parking meters . The Village of Algonquin is looking for artistic types to design new bike racks for the community. Get the info here. December 10, 2009 The frigid temperatures have revealed the latest insult in the parking meter debacle: They don't like the cold . Reports of frozen, inoperative meters are coming in from all over the city. December 09, 2009 Hop On The Bus Super-cheap travel purveyor Megabus is currently offering free fares for the first 100,000 people to book trips between Jan. 6 and March 10, 2010, using promotional code "GETAWAY." Even with a 50 cent booking fee, you could get across the country for less than a CTA ride. [ via ] December 08, 2009 I'm Dreading a White Commute If you can get your boss to let you off a little early today, you might want to: the snow is already coming down , and with wind gusting up to 35 MPH, it's going to be a fun one on the roads and CTA. December 08, 2009 Drivers, go vote on what kid's art will grace your windshield next year. [ via ] December 02, 2009 The Chicago Department of Transportation has created a bike rack finder , sortable by zip codes. (h/t: Julia Thiel ) December 02, 2009 The winter overnight parking ban has been in effect for just two days, and the City has already towed 398 cars -- 234 the first night and another 164 yesterday . In case you're wondering, here's a list of streets to steer clear of . December 01, 2009 The A.V. Club Chicago's Andrew Reilly creates a very North Side-centric list of El stations the CTA should close . Predictable comment flamewar ensues. November 30, 2009 Don't forget, the city's winter parking regulations go into effect at 3am tonight. November 30, 2009 As we posted in Transmission last week , the Chicago Music Commission is asking for new local music to play at O'Hare and Midway. What's more, you can browse O'Hare's entire track list by terminal, time and date on their website. For example, here's what was playing in Terminal 1 on April 29, 2009 . November 25, 2009 To entice shoppers to Andersonville this holiday season, the Chamber of Commerce is offering reimbursements for parking or CTA rides up to the neighborhood if you spend $20 in a local store. Details online . November 24, 2009 Fox News Chicago discovered that it's easy to get past TSA security at O'Hare and Midway without any form of photo ID . Just need a credit card with the same name as your ticket. [ via ] November 23, 2009 More Thieves Eyeing Phones? When Becca's iPhone was snatched from her hands on the Green Line, she posted about the incident on her blog and quickly realized she wasn't alone. According to a few of the comments and an employee she spoke to at the Oak Park AT&T store, iPhone theft on the Green Line may be a growing trend . As always, stay alert. November 23, 2009 Block 37 may be having problems , but one thing's good: The Blue Line / Red Line transfer at Washington is now open . (Thanks, Clint !) November 23, 2009 Electric cars and plug-in hybrids are beginning to make appearances on city streets, and Carbon Day Automotive launched Chicago's first electric charging station this summer. November 20, 2009 Put a Headlight on That Bike With days getting shorter, the evening commute is getting darker. The Active Transportation Alliance is giving away free bicycle headlights from 5pm to 7pm tonight at the Milwaukee/Damen/North intersection. The catch: You have to be on a bike to get a light. November 20, 2009 Unsurprising news of the day: the city's privatized parking meters have been lucrative . And since rates go up Jan. 1 , they're the gift that keeps on giving. November 19, 2009 The CTA Holiday Train returns this weekend. Full schedule here; check out past Holiday Train photos on Flickr for some idea of what to look for. [ via ] November 16, 2009 The Village of Bensenville has reached a $16 settlement with the City of Chicago , clearing another obstruction to O'Hare's expansion. If you want to hear it from the horse's mouth, here's the village's press release [PDF]. November 13, 2009 We know Route 66 "officially" begins at Buckingham Fountain , but it's recently been decided that it ends at Santa Monica Pier ... which is fudging, actually, though fans of the "Mother Road" aren't complaining. November 11, 2009 The CTA and Pace will freeze rates for two years under a deal brokered by Gov. Quinn -- but service cuts still loom . November 03, 2009 Don't believe the traffic reporters or myriad online maps? Well then see for yourself . TrafficLand has expanded to Chicago . October 26, 2009 Parking tickets are up 26 percent this year thanks to the new meter boxes -- and possibly to someone other than the CPD being in charge of ticket-writing. October 19, 2009 Google is accepting suggestions for off-of-the-street places for its Street View trike to document. Do you have a Chicago location to suggest? Perhaps the Lakefront Path or your favorite park? October 14, 2009 IDOT is recommending that all drivers avoid downtown expressways for at least 24 hours because of a " pavement failure " that's closed all but one northbound lane on the Kennedy. October 12, 2009 Train fare could rise to $3 and bus fare to $2.50 ($3 for express buses) as the CTA once again tries to close its budget gap. October 09, 2009 Art on the Track brings an eight-car art installation to the Loop this Saturday. [ via ] October 08, 2009 The Sun-Times does some digging into contemporary views of future transportation , noting we're less likely to think about floating cars and more likely to think about high speed trains than in days past. September 24, 2009 No Gas Guzzling Here Record-high public transit ridership in 2008 (along with, no doubt, all the bikes I see streaming by on Milwaukee everyday) saved Illinois nearly 260 million gallons of gas . In the new report from advocacy group Environment Illinois , the group says that's equal to the amount of gas from over 450,000 cars. September 22, 2009 Some Help Turning Off the Bus CTA employees who clean busses typically need to turn on bus engines to provide light, temperature controls and other power while they work in them. That will change for 80 busses thanks to a new $1.5 million federal Recovery Act grant. September 21, 2009 Speaking of driving... Even if you can't go car free , maybe try car pooling. Chicago has the lowest rate of car pooling of any major US city , according to IBM's annual "commuter pain" survey. September 21, 2009 A World Without Cars Tomorrow is Chicagoland Car-Free Day, a day when people pledge to ditch their autos and try an alternate form of transportation. It's sponsored by the Active Transportation Alliance, who's partnered with local communities and public transportation systems, and is all part of World Car-Free Day . Take the pledge on their website , and you'll get a $1 coupon off a large drink at Caribou Coffee. September 17, 2009 Public Park(ing) Tomorrow is Park(ing) Day , a multi-city event that turns parking spaces into temporary public parks. This year, Chicago's entry is on Southport near Addison, and is sponsored by architecture firm moss design . Hear architect Matt Nardella explain the event and its new connotations after the parking meter scandal on WBEZ's "Eight Forty-Eight." September 16, 2009 Chicagoland Car-Free Day is a week away! Take the pledge not to drive on Sept. 22, and you can print out a coupon for a dollar off a large drink at area Caribou Coffee locations. September 16, 2009 LAZ's parking meter machines don't always tell the correct time , despite supposedly being updated every night -- meaning your meter receipt might not show the correct time. Clock experts say something doesn't add up in LAZ's explanation of the discrepancy. September 16, 2009 If it's been a while since you've been on a water taxi, here's a reminder about how great they are . September 09, 2009 The CTA is going to install high-definition cameras at all 177 train stations , starting with the Green Line. [ via GBtips ] September 09, 2009 Surfing the ... Rails Behold, the power of the intertubes, Metra riders! Starting today, Metra's 312,000 commuters can use the new website to buy tickets and monthly passes . Not only that, but those riding the rails can plot out their trips and receive e-mail alerts when trains are running late. September 07, 2009 Whether you're heading to Oprah's big Michigan Avenue bash , or trying to avoid it altogether, Chicagosphere and the Parking Ticket Geek have the lowdown on the best way to get around downtown as you head back to work tomorrow. September 04, 2009 IBM released its annual Commuter Pain Index today, and Chicago has moved up a spot to fourth most painful in the country. August 27, 2009 Sex sells, right? That might explain the unexpected image Transmission staffer Liz McLean Knight noticed on an iGo brochure bearing her likeness . August 25, 2009 Today's best headline: " A meter culpa from the mayor " reads the Sun-Times' scoop that Daley will admit the City "totally screwed up" the parking meter privatization deal due to its desperation for money. August 24, 2009 From Detroit to Chicago by rail in four hours? Dare to dream... August 24, 2009 The CPD will be continuing its crosswalk stings in the coming months, with the first happening today in Lakeview . August 18, 2009 I've had photos of this sitting in iPhoto for more than a month, but Chicagoist finally posted photos of an awesome storefront anti-parking meter protest in Lincoln Square. August 13, 2009 Taking the bus to classes in Hyde Park? Maybe not anymore. The CTA has eliminated two bus routes to the U. of Chicago , and cut hours on two more. August 10, 2009 But What of the Busses Always Running in Threes? The CTA Tattler has sliced and diced the stats behind calls to the CTA's customer service line. 2009 is shaping up to have a lower volume of calls thanks to the end of 3-track operations on the northern L lines and the wider implementation of CTA Bus Tracker . August 04, 2009 Apparently the "smart" electronic parking meters used in Chicago and other cities are fairly easy to exploit by hackers . [ via ] July 29, 2009 CitySpokes maps out the city's bike paths, with a convenient trip planner to help you take advantage of them. July 28, 2009 March on City Hall at 11:30am tomorrow if you'd like to see the City Council fix the parking meter privatization deal. UPDATE: Report on the protest . July 28, 2009 The firm that leased seven oases on the Illinois Tollway may be foreclosed upon -- and turns out to have made big campaign contributions to Blago to sweeten the deal. [ via ] July 23, 2009 Local writer and editor Robert Burnham writes Tales from the Commute , slices of life on the Metra rails. July 20, 2009 That's the name of the last private rail car in America , running on Metra's UP-North line. July 20, 2009 Yet another unexpected fall-out of the parking meter privatization: meter receipts are no longer motorcycle- and scooter-friendly after LAZ cut costs by switching away from sticker-backed paper. July 20, 2009 The CTA has been providing "company cars" to 68 employees , including 38 managers, and has decided to cut the program by the end of the year to save money. Sounds like a good idea. July 17, 2009 Speaking of railroad infrastructure , Wisconsin just ordered two high(er)-speed trains that will run on the Hiawatha route between Milwaukee and Chicago . They have a top speed of 110mph, but tracks will need to be modified to reach the capacity . The current limit of the line is 79mph. July 16, 2009 Create Closer to Creation Create has taken one step closer to reducing freight train delays in Chicago. In the end, perhaps items won't be taken off of trains on one side of Chicago and then put trucks to be taken to another train on the other side ... just to save time. July 15, 2009 If so, you may not be alone. Approximately 3,500 Chicago Card Plus members had incorrect expiration dates listed online and need to contact the CTA for a replacement. July 14, 2009 Today's breakthrough study based on research on Chicago commuters, among those in three other cities, is that exercising while commuting is linked with better fitness . July 13, 2009 The Sun-Times reminds us that the deadline for purchasing your city sticker is this Wednesday. After that, you face a $40 late fee and a $120 ticket. For information on where to get your sticker, see the City Clerk's Website. July 10, 2009 Yes, everyone's still pissed about the parking meter deal. And a group called Chicago ANSWER is doing something about it -- circulating a petition this Saturday to have the deal scrapped. [ via ] July 09, 2009 The Parking Ticket Geek suggests some ways you can remove last year's city sticker from your windshield. July 09, 2009 Rural Assistance The NY Times did an analysis of the transportation stimulus money and determined urban centers receive far less than their share of the GDP. As of July 2, Chicago has received 2.57% of the overall funds while contributing 3.68% to the country's GDP. July 07, 2009 While the Chicago 2016 Olympics campaign revs up , a South Side coalition is pushing for a new CTA line for the games and after. The Gold Line would connect the Metra and the CTA, and serve key Olympic venues. July 07, 2009 The U of C's Main Quad will be undergoing a dramatic transformation this summer , including converting its streets into pedestrian thoroughfares. A map is also available through the Facilities Services site . June 23, 2009 At least 17 cars were set on fire in Humboldt Park and Ukrainian Village early this morning. June 22, 2009 FoGB, designer , (and frequent festival photographer ) George Aye snapped a pic of his special Lollapalooza edition CTA transit cards which are showing up in station vending machines now. He snagged his at Logan Square. June 22, 2009 The ongoing battle between (some) taxi drivers and their customers who want to pay their fare with a credit card might be a thing of the past, thank to some new technology. June 18, 2009 The Reader's Ben Joravsky and Mick Dumke continue their outstanding coverage of the parking meter privatization scandal this week with a report on who actually benefits from the deal . Read their previous stories here and here . June 18, 2009 There's a rally against parking meters at Alderman John Pope's office tomorrow morning. Protesters want to make sure some new meters don't go into their neighborhood, in light of the meter deal debacle. June 16, 2009 The most interesting thing about the Tribune's story about best and worst CTA stations is the chart of ridership changes at the end. Roosevelt (Red) up 165 percent, Clinton (Green) up 157 percent, Rosemont (Blue) down 22 percent. June 15, 2009 The CTA Tattler reports that the CTA is hoping to work out some glitches in the screens displaying next train times at six El stations. No word if fares need to be increased to help fund the fix. June 15, 2009 Time Out Chicago's website has links to photos and video clips of the Chicago version of the World Naked Bike Ride held over the weekend. We're guessing it's NSFW. June 12, 2009 Giddy Up! The rodeo's in town this weekend--the Rail Rodeo, that is. As part of the American Public Transportation Association's annual conference , rail operators and maintenance teams will compete to see who's the best in North America. The competition takes place tomorrow morning on the Yellow Line, which, of course, means that the permanent weekend Yellow Line service announced earlier this week won't be happening until Saturday afternoon. [ via ] June 11, 2009 A blue line train headed northbound towards O'hare was struck by a car this morning. Yes. Really. June 10, 2009 The CTA Tattler celebrates five years of reporting on Chicago transit. June 10, 2009 O'Hare isn't just an airport. It's an aerotropolis . [ via ] June 09, 2009 The Active Transportation Alliance serves free coffee to those who ride a bicycle to work (or to Metra) next week. Stop by a Bike Commuter Station -- throughout Chicago and at various Metra stations . June 03, 2009 The CTA is holding public meetings tonight and tomorrow regarding the long-discussed Red Line extension south of 95th . You might want to take a look back at Craig Berman's CTA Map for 2055 here on GB. June 03, 2009 ...and into Ferrari Guy For Hire 's car. [ via ] June 01, 2009 All Aboard The Cheddar Express Business honchos in Green Bay are pushing for an Amtrak rail link between that city and Chicago, with an eye toward getting some of those possible 2016 Olympics bucks. And it will make it easier for Bears and Packers fans to deliver the hate personally. May 31, 2009 The nifty bike valet at Millennium Park is in jeopardy of closing this summer due to chief underwriter Chase Bank's " refocusing on business matters ." May 27, 2009 The official websites for O'Hare and Midway airports so old-looking that someone decided to build new ones . May 21, 2009 Speaking of Gapers Blocks Your downtown commute may get a little more interesting around 6:30 this evening thanks to the throngs of participants and spectators expected for the 28th annual J.P. Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge . Detours are being considered for 19 CTA bus routes that run in the general vicinity of Grant Park. May 21, 2009 Chicago's Circle Interchange makes an appearance in part 2 of The Infrastructurist's collection of freeway interchanges ( part one ). Don't know the Circle? Read about it and other local road jargon here . May 19, 2009 The Chicago Reader's politics blog rounds up recent parking meter news , and provides links to the parking meter contract here and here . May 18, 2009 In the seemingly endless barrage of transportation news is a another change to the way the city handles cars. Among other changes, the main city vehicle sticker will be combined with resident permits and will include a license plate number . May 18, 2009 One of O'Hare's runways was shortened by 4,000 feet in just one 8 hour shift last week, as part of a project to cut down on planes cutting across each other's paths at the airport. May 18, 2009 Chicago Critical Mass aficionados likely already know about the collection of route maps on the CCM site , but Andrew Bedno recently created another directory that includes selected flyers from early as 1998 , set up gallery style. May 15, 2009 We already know the parking meter privatization deal was a bad one -- but three months later we're still finding out just how bad . And in the meantime, Ald. Ed Burke canceled planned hearings on the meter deal . Great. May 15, 2009 The RTA has launched Goroo , a new travel planning site where you can work out how to get from one place to another on Metra, CTA and roads. May 15, 2009 ... the Trib for its coverage of Chrysler closing 789 dealerships, 44 of which are in Illinois: " No-haggle end for hundreds of Chrysler dealers ." May 12, 2009 On May 18th the CTA Bus Tracker project will be complete ! May 05, 2009 Further Parking Meter Ammunition With so many broken parking meters out there, it's important to know that you can't be fined for parking in a spot with a broken meter. Just in case, take an extra step and print out a few of these flyers explaining the law to whoever's handing out tickets these days. May 05, 2009 LAZ Parking officials have come to the oh-so-surprising conclusion that it wasn't ready to acquire the city's 36,000 parking meters in February . April 29, 2009 "I guess it ran out of gas or something" One of the approximately 60 WWII era aircraft remaining in Lake Michigan has been recovered for inclusion in a New Orleans museum. The plane crashed on Nov. 24, 1944 while attempting to land on an aircraft carrier during a training mission. April 24, 2009 You'll never be able to ride again in that scary-yet-exciting accordionish corridor thingy again. UPDATE: Actually, only one type of articulated bus is being decommissioned; the CTA just recently leased new articulated buses from New Flyer . (Thanks, Rob !) April 24, 2009 Crime is on the rise on the CTA: robberies up by 77%, theft up by 6%. April 22, 2009 Times are tough, but not too tough for Pet Airways , a pets only airline that will begin service to our fair city beginning in July . April 17, 2009 Vote for the worst pothole in Chicago Public Radio's Adopt-a-Side-Street project. The winning pothole will be the subject of a news story. April 16, 2009 Eight Midwestern states have united to reinvigorate plans for the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative as a way to increase their odds at getting federal funding . If the plan succeeds, you know who will be in the center. April 13, 2009 The system of signals behind CTA farecards is more complex than you might think . April 10, 2009 The Trib visited RedSpeed Illinois and Redflex Traffic Systems to get the inside scoop on red light cameras and how the companies who operate them interact with the city. April 09, 2009 The Reader's Ben Joravsky and Mick Dumke take a look at how Daley and friends managed to push the parking meter privatization deal through City Council with such ease. April 08, 2009 A car on fire across the street is not the usual way we greet out of town guests. [Thanks, Marc !] April 07, 2009 A protest about road conditions in Englewood was foiled by a Department of Transportation road repair crew who, following months of complaints, showed up by "coincidence" minutes before the demonstration was to begin . Right. April 03, 2009 If so, tell them to get in touch with Amtrak, who wants to speak with and honor them . The NY Times has more background information . April 03, 2009 The RTA is working on improving fare collection on buses and trains, the goal being "to allow customers to travel on different parts of the transit system with a single fare payment." [ via ] April 02, 2009 Paulina Brown Line Stop to Reopen The Paulina Brown Line Stop reopens tomorrow morning (if you're counting, that leaves just the Wellington stop closed and Fullerton and Belmont still under construction). All weekend long, various businesses in the area, including Frasca , Fizz , Finley Dunne's , Dinkel's , Sam & Willy's , and The Shire , will have specials to celebrate. March 31, 2009 Train/Crash Progressive Railroading.com (and it's OK to admit it's your favorite website) reports that Amtrak is reintroducing sleeper cars to the Chicago-to-Boston route. So if you had plans to head to Beantown anytime soon, you can now do it flat on your back. March 30, 2009 WBEZ wants to know -- and wants you to photograph it in all its pockmarked glory for the Adopt a Side Street project . March 30, 2009 There are a lot of bridges over the Chicago River -- but there used to be a few more . March 27, 2009 Since the City is more interested (apparently) in repaving park district roads, maybe we can get KFC to fill some of Chicago's 25,000-plus potholes . March 24, 2009 The Expired Meter uncovers additional parking meter abuse and destruction following the LAZ takeover -- including an effort to overstuff meters with pennies . March 24, 2009 It's not a competition, but if it were, the L would be beating the Metra in which one is the more high tech train service. March 23, 2009 Given recent complaints about parking meters , it should come as no surprise that some people are taking matters into their own hands ... however unsuccessfully. March 20, 2009 Chicago Public Radio's blog wants to help you get your street fixed. Just follow their guidelines to send in a picture of your street's issues. They'll then track how fast it gets fixed (or not). March 20, 2009 Thousands of potholes on our city's streets, and the parks are getting repaved first . Thank the Olympic bid for your smooth ride to see the duckies. March 16, 2009 The CTA might have some new local competition. A Sun-Times story says it's actually cheaper , in some cases, to take Metra to the Loop rather than the L or bus. March 09, 2009 Since December, the city filled more than 200,000 potholes, leaving -- supposedly -- a surplus of 7,000 unfilled potholes . March 04, 2009 Tesla Motors , the company behind the electric Tesla Roadster, is opening its first dealership outside of California here in Chicago. [ via ] March 04, 2009 No Time for Laissez-faire Besides not mentioning the CTA Daley still hasn't revealed much of his wish list from the stimulus package. Not that it mattered since Illinois has yet to submit any project for funding. With all the distractions in Springfield its easy to forget there is work to be done. February 26, 2009 Misery on the Roads Chicago continued to rank third in the US for traffic congestion on INRIX's annual National Traffic Scorecard . Cook County has 26 of the worst 100 bottlenecks in the country . Throw in thousands of potholes, and we've got a whole lot of lousy driving. February 26, 2009 Apparently complaining about red-light cameras actually does something . February 24, 2009 Red light runners aren't the only ones whose tickets come with photographic evidence anymore. February 19, 2009 Developing Story: The CTA has pulled 90 articulated buses from this evening's rush hour commute after a structural crack was discovered. Right now, there's nothing some affected route information posted to the bus status page at the CTA's site. UPDATE: the Trib reports more than 200 buses will be affected immediately. February 19, 2009 Yesterday, 5,000 DePaul students' U-Passes were deactivated by mistake , leaving more than a few students a little less confident about the CTA. February 18, 2009 Winter Parking Ban: Not So Much The lightning-quick towing of Chicago drivers who defy the overnight winter parking ban has been cut in half, thanks to the city's 2009 budget eliminating nearly all of the field vehicle investigators whose job it is to seek out and ticket illegally parked cars. Of course, this also means that the city's losing out on a lot of fast revenue over the winter months. February 17, 2009 Pedestrian deaths rose from 49 in 2007 to 56 in 2008 . Prevention funding is also up, but it doesn't seem to be helping. February 16, 2009 Thanks to the economy, the now-annual CTA doomsday call may be even more dire than usual . February 14, 2009 More bus trackers are on the way, according to CTA Tattler . As things are now, about 75% of all the CTA bus routes will be on the bus tracker system by the end of March. February 13, 2009 You can show just how much you love our home-town president with some temporary Obama license plates (they're only valid for two months) from, of all places, the Illinois Library Association . February 13, 2009 Jon Hilkevitch reports that Chicago's Olympic bid book doesn't include an overhaul of the CTA -- only shuttle service between train stops. You can review the whole bid book by downloading it here . Let us know what you think of the Olympic bid in Fuel. February 12, 2009 It's taken a while, but the new parking rates will start to take effect tomorrow . February 11, 2009 The Polk Street entrance to the Harrison Red Line stop opened this week for the first time in 41 years . February 11, 2009 Ticket Amnesty Ends Saturday The city's ticket amnesty program, which gets you reduced or waived fees on certain outstanding parking and red-light tickets, ends on Saturday. Check the Department of Revenue site for a full list of eligible tickets, as well as an option of paying online. (tip from The Expired Meter ) February 05, 2009 Only Tourists & Wedding Parties from Now On The City has discontinued its free trolley service due to budget cutbacks. Navy Pier will continue to run its own trolleys to and from the Grand Red Line stop, but otherwise the only trolleys you'll be seeing from now on will be full of drunk wedding attendees . February 05, 2009 InterContinental's new O'Hare hotel is part of a wave of high-end design sites replacing no-frills airport hotels . It has amenities like an art gallery with in-house curator in adddition to an overall contemporary design. February 03, 2009 The Expired Meter reports that budget cuts have led to a huge backlog on traffic and parking ticket court hearings. If you're not up for the hassle, you can pay your ticket online . February 02, 2009 Speaking of the CTA, the Damen Brown Line stop recently reopened, featuring some very cool new public sculptures . (That leaves just Paulina and Wellington still closed, incidentally.) February 02, 2009 CTA Pays Well if You're in Charge Top CTA managers did pretty well last year income wise; nonunion executives got 6 percent salary raises before 2009 . Ron Huberman says it was necessary to keep the high caliber of talent. Hmmm, so how much does it cost to get executives that get the trains to come on time? February 01, 2009 The CTA's Red Line disruption of service alert hinted at a particularly unsettling kind of delay . January 29, 2009 If the Gov is indeed ousted today, the Illinois Tollway will almost immediately shroud all those signs proclaiming Rod's awesomeness ( like this one ). Then they'll take them down. January 28, 2009 Dorval Carter will be the acting head of the CTA until a permanent successor to Ron Huberman is found. January 28, 2009 The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning has released incredibly detailed graphs of traffic congestion in Chicagoland. Study up on your route to learn when not to hit particular problem areas. January 26, 2009 Every time a CTA bus driver gets caught running a red light the taxpayers pay for it . January 23, 2009 The City is cracking down on the " dibs " tradition, asking residents to remove junk or have it removed for them. The Expired Meter has a handy note you can print out and give to your neighbors if you'd like. January 21, 2009 Unfortunately, that one thing is cost. It's the most expensive transit system in America , according to a survey by Citizens Taking Action. January 16, 2009 The Parking Ticket Geek reports that although the sale of the city's parking meters was pushed through quickly, the actual lease deal is taking a lot longer. Don't expect the switch-over till around March. January 15, 2009 CTA Ridership Up CTA ridership is breaking records this year. According to a press release: The CTA today announced that 2008 combined bus and rail ridership increased by 26.8 million rides, a gain of 5.4 percent over 2007 ridership, for a total of 526.4 million rides. It is the highest ridership level since 1992 and the highest single year ridership gain in 34 years. January 14, 2009 Southbound Metra riders, be warned, your trip home will be slow. An Amtrak train derailed near Union Station this afternoon , cutting off three Metra lines. January 13, 2009 Var det en 22 eller en 36?* Perhaps it's one of those Jerry-Lewis-is-big-in-France deals, but for some reason the CTA Bus Tracker is popular in Norway , receiving 15,000-plus hit from that country, more than any other country outside of the U.S. *Incidentally, the headline translates to "Was that a 22 or a 36?", a pretty popular phrase among CTA users. January 12, 2009 The Expired Meter finds no evidence of rate increase two weeks into the leasing of the city's parking meters. Meanwhile, the Trib reports that there will be fewer coin meters on the streets in the near future. January 12, 2009 Saturday was Improv Everywhere's No Pants Day on trains around the world. Chicago's entry got some press ; photos from the event are here . January 06, 2009 Blue Line Accident Power to the southbound tracks on the CTA's Blue Line downtown has been shut off after a woman was struck and badly injured by a subway train at 8:15 this morning. Blue Line customers are being advised to use alternate service into the Loop. January 06, 2009 Following a federal appeals court decision, it looks like 330 more red light cameras are on our way. December 30, 2008 'Hole' Lot of Shakin' Our city's freaky up-and-down weather has one bone-jarring side effect: potholes . As of Monday there were more than 1,100 dotting the city landscape and threatening to bust axles. The city says it's on it and you can file a claim for any damages. Incidentially, if you're driving east past the Heart 'O' Chicago motel, don't let that shallow looking puddle on the right side of the road fool you. Trust me. December 29, 2008 Chicago Carless follows up on his story breaking the CTA's homeless ridership crackdown with a late-night ride with the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless . December 23, 2008 Hope you're not headed out of town today -- the weather has snarled pretty much every mode of transportation: planes , trains and automobiles . Even ice skates . December 22, 2008 The CTA returned the Belmont station to four-track service on Saturday, much to the relief of commuters. Meanwhile the tunnels got some glow-in-the-dark paint . December 22, 2008 Unfortunately sometimes public indecency is a fact of life on public transportation. CTA Tattler has a good post exposing one particular lowlife and some suggestions on what to do if you become a victim. December 19, 2008 First they sold off the parking meters , now City Council is weighing a proposal for a "congestion reduction fee" on parking spaces downtown. Proceeds would theoretically go to the CTA for service improvements. December 17, 2008 Double Bike Match launched today: donate to World Bicycle Relief through the site and an angel will match it, so that two bikes can be purchased for needy people. December 16, 2008 The CTA Redesigns (its Website) The CTA debuted a completely redesigned transitchicago.com today (you may need to hard-refresh the page if you've been there lately.) The site is a big step forward in the agency's effort to standardize messaging and streamline information. Service alerts are made clear and are available by RSS . December 11, 2008 The Active Transportation Alliance will be giving out 200 free bike headlights tonight at Chicago and Wells from 5:30-7:30pm. December 09, 2008 Commuting.in prettifies the CTA Bus Tracker for your mobile device, but also allows you to save favorite bus routes and stops. December 07, 2008 Morgan Street to See Green The Chicago Journal reports that in 2009 the CTA will begin construction to add a new stop to the Green Line at Morgan Street. This will help close the massive gap that goes Clinton to Ashland with no stop in between. Construction is expected to be completed in late 2010 or early 2011. December 04, 2008 Feeding the Meter Controversy Just when you thought that parking meter privatization deal couldn't get any worse, someone read the fine print : all parking holidays will be off, and no free parking on Sundays, either. City Council votes today ; call your alderman. UPDATE: The deal passed City Council 40-5 . December 03, 2008 CTA Rolls Out Hybrid Buses The CTA unveiled new hybrid buses today that plug into an electrical outlet at night and run on battery power for most of the day. The move is estimated to save the CTA almost $7 million annually in maintenance, labor and fuel costs by retiring aging buses. December 02, 2008 It will cost you considerably more to park at a meter in the near future. But don't worry: You probably won't be able to move your car from in front of your house anyway. December 02, 2008 The good news: some downtown bus shelters are going to have warm air piped into them over the winter. The bad news: it's not part of a CTA improvement program, it's an ad for stuffing. More details in Drive-Thru. December 01, 2008 No Transfers The CTA appears to be cracking down on homeless ridership -- just in time for winter weather -- by posting signage at train terminals reminding passengers that they must pay for another fare to ride a train board a train going the opposite direction. The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless has begun tracking any ejections of homeless people by CTA employees. December 01, 2008 Tired of dodging the city tow trucks thanks to that fistful of parking tickets you've collected? The Department of Revenue is giving you a break . December 01, 2008 CTA Considers Selling Station Naming Rights The CTA is once again mulling offering naming rights to individual CTA stations . The RedEye's Kyra Kyles has some suggestions ; I always thought Dunkin' Donuts should sponsor Library -- where the Pink, Orange and Brown lines stop. GB readers had some other good ideas in Fuel back in 2005. (By the way, if you're interested in discussing the proposed Red Line extension below 95th, there are a couple meetings this week .) December 01, 2008 Signs of Snow Hopefully you remembered not to park on snow routes tonight, because whether there's snow on the ground or not, Chicago's winter parking regulations go into effect at 3am Dec. 1 -- very late tonight or very early Monday morning, depending on your perspective. Hope you don't wake up to a missing car! November 24, 2008 Fuel For The City Believe it or not, you can get gas in Chicago for less than $2 a gallon . Not in a nearby suburb, not across the Skyway in Indiana, but actually within the city limits, specifically at a BP and Mobil station at 76th Street near the Dan Ryan Expressway. November 21, 2008 Lanes Go HOT and Green Whether they're called HOT (High-Occupancy Toll) or Green Lanes , four (to be determined) Illinois toll roads are going to be changing in 2010. Aimed at reducing congestion , commuters will be rewarded for driving with a buddy (or 2, or 3), or taking the bus, with access to a designated lane for vehicles with more than one passenger. November 20, 2008 Commenters at the CTA Tattler are discussing which CTA bus route would get the "Bunchie" for slowest and least reliable service. November 19, 2008 CTA Gets Smart Looks like the trusty Chicago Card may become obsolete in the near future. The CTA is claiming that a new "smart" version of credit and debit cards will be accepted for payment of bus and train fares in about a year. Seems like a rather bold prediction, but it could mean more money for other improvements if it pans out. November 17, 2008 The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation has become the Active Transportation Alliance , to reflect a broadening of its focus beyond bikes. November 14, 2008 Brother, Can You Spare a Quarter? Because I'm going to need it when the CTA raises fares by 25 cents starting in 2009. An unrelated upside to this news is that the gas surcharge for taxi rides ends today , as oil prices have declined; however, cab drivers are lobbying for a 16% raise in their base fare. November 13, 2008 " Chicago Geek Girls is a network of groups devoted to supporting the work & play of women who identify as geeks." November 12, 2008 The blog Hyde Park Progress explores the transportation options available to the area from a U of C (ex)undergrad perspective. November 10, 2008 If Chicago ever becomes a high-speed rail stop , we've already got the station for it. Or at least the design for the station. November 07, 2008 A pool report of President-elect Obama's ride to his first intelligence briefing highlights what many of us already know about downtown traffic. October 24, 2008 Some Metra riders recently had a surprise guest engineer: a teenager . October 20, 2008 Construction shortcuts on the new brown line stations result in splintering wood in the platforms and rust on canopies and railings . Expect things to look uglier as winter sets in. October 17, 2008 While it's running short on funding, Metra says it won't raise fares in 2009 or (probably) 2010 . That said, if it doesn't get some cash soon, service will be "slower, bumpier and less reliable." October 14, 2008 Starting today, CTA riders can sign up for emails from the agency to alert them to construction, delays and changes in service. OMG. October 14, 2008 Wondering what to make of the CTA's budget proposal? The CTA Tattler breaks down the fare hike as well as the budget over all . October 10, 2008 Transportation Card Sharing iGo car sharing and the CTA have signed a deal where iGo members will be able to use one smart card for both their iGo and CTA rides. Pending board approval, the program should be in place by the end of this year. October 09, 2008 City Council has banned texting while driving . It'll be a $75 fine, rising to as much as $200 if you get into an accident. October 09, 2008 The CTA released its proposed 2009 budget today, and it's full of fare hikes. Apparently " belt tightening " is the new "doomsday." September 30, 2008 In an effort to balance the city budget, Mayor Daley announced today that Midway Airport has been leased for $2.5 billion to an outside group who will operate the airport on a 99-year contract. September 29, 2008 Hey! That's My Stop! Want to show some love to your favorite El stop (and if you have favorite El stop that might be a sign of something altogether different)? The CTA unveils its new online gift shop with items featuring various city stations. And who doesn't need a train system shower curtain ? September 25, 2008 The CTA is All Atwitter If you use Twitter , you can now follow your favorite El line, buses or the CTA as a whole, and send updates to the group thanks to CTA Tweet, created ex-GB staffer Dan O'Neil, who also created the cellular CTA Alert System and works at Everyblock . More details on CTA Tattler . September 24, 2008 Stickers stating "Someone opened a door and killed my friend" have been popping up on parking meters and signposts around town, courtesy of Anti-Dooring.org . September 23, 2008 GB staffer Sandy reports that there's been a street cave-in on Lawrence just east of Western due to a water main break . Buses and traffic are being rerouted. September 18, 2008 Add another voice to the debate over a third airport for the Chicago area: the FAA chief who says another airport is needed in addition to the $15 billion expansion at O'Hare. September 16, 2008 While we spend plenty of time fretting about our public transportation system, the American Public Transportation Association reminds us we're not alone . September 08, 2008 Fortunately, today's CTA cuts hit administrative staff and not service. But that doesn't mean we won't see that later this year or next. September 03, 2008 We've mentioned it previously on GB, and here's another reminder/warning: to help ease overcrowding, seatless train cars will start showing up on rush hour El trains starting in late October or early November. September 02, 2008 There's some disappointment with the Sundays Parkways plan for car-free streets in October. John Greenfield traveled to NY to experience their version of ' ciclovia ' and offers some tips on why New York's worked where Chicago stumbled. August 27, 2008 Chicago: A Labor of Love For the third year in a row, Hotwire.com declares Chicago the top destination for the Labor Day weekend. And if you do choose Chicago as your vacation destination, a New Zealand travel site tells you the best way to spend 48 hours here. August 19, 2008 Speaking of nightmares, four buffalo escaped from an area just outside of Joliet and found their way onto 55, which ended up being a bad move . August 18, 2008 The good news: Lake Shore Drive north of Irving Park is finally being resurfaced, saving countless tires. The bad news: it'll be shut down to one lane in each direction for hours a day for the next few months. August 18, 2008 Does the little smudge in the sky in this photo look like a UFO to you? Read a report by the National Aviation Reporting Center on Anomalous Phenomena on the infamous 2006 sighting here [PDF]. August 12, 2008 The Sun-Times reminds drivers to use their turn signals . Why don't they? Well, 7% said they want to "add excitement" to their trips. Hm. August 08, 2008 The Windy Citizen launched a new blog on Thursday to cover Bensenvile's plight in the O'Hare expansion. Particularly interesting is a google map highlighting the places discussed on the blog . August 07, 2008 Cabbing it Made Easy Want to figure out how much your next cab ride should be (or want to make sure you're not getting ripped off when cabbing it in other large cities)? TaxiWiz estimates fares for a handful of cities, among them Chicago , New York , and Los Angeles . I calculated some standard trips I take, and was very surprised by the resulting accuracy. August 07, 2008 Parkways as Parks The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation is launching a new program called Sunday Parkways , which will give riders and pedestrians in Logan Square, Humboldt Park, Garfield Park, North Lawndale and Little Village the opportunity to bike through their neighborhoods on streets without cars. August 05, 2008 With gas prices still above $4, scooters are booming in popularity . Did you know that Chicago is home to one of the only scooter companies in the US ? August 05, 2008 A new study says that congestion and gridlock in the Chicago area is costing us more than $7 billion in lost time and wasted fuel. August 04, 2008 Blue Line Service Disrupted Just got notice from Drive-Thru Editor Robyn that the Grand Blue Line stop is closed due to a fire in the area as of 4:45pm. Details as we get them. While we're at it, the southbound Blue Line tracks will be shut down between Racine and the Medical Center from 9pm to 4am tonight. Southbound trains will run on the northbound tracks -- won't that be fun. UPDATE: No details ever emerged. I assume it's back to normal. August 04, 2008 Biking In The Big City If you'd like to learn more about what the city is doing to improve bicycling, attend a discussion at the Chicago History Museum this Tuesday. Titled " In the K/Now ," a representative of Chicagoland Bicycle Federation and the Chicago Cycling Club will pass on tips for Big City Biking as well as tell you more about what to expect as more Chicagoans move on two wheels. July 31, 2008 The CTA added its popular Bus Tracker to more routes last week , and a little birdy (FoGB George Aye, now working at the CTA) let us know that they plan to roll it out citywide by the end of the year . July 24, 2008 Prompted by a Red Eye story on the lakefront bike path congestion, architecture critic Blair Kamin resurrects a 1998 column of his which shows that nothing much has changed. On your left... July 23, 2008 Smile, You're On Red Light Camera The city has 104 red light cameras . They plan on installing 25 more. They expect to collect more than $50 million in fines because of them. If gas prices weren't enough to make you ditch the car, this might do it. July 23, 2008 The work on the CTA Blue Line track between Rosemont and O'Hare is finishing four days early. Starting tomorrow, Blue Line riders will get to experience the thrill of Blue Line trains going to O'Hare at 55 mph. Yee haw! July 22, 2008 Introducing Where the El? , twitter-driven live tracking of CTA trains. July 21, 2008 High gas prices has created a rise in the number of gas siphoning incidents here in Chicago, which in turn has resulted in a rise in the sale of locking gas caps. July 20, 2008 The TSA at O'Hare will soon have Superman vision . July 16, 2008 This fall, the CTA's going to start experimenting with seatless L cars . July 15, 2008 We just got notice that the Red Line is currently shut down southbound from Howard to Argyle Addison for "an emergency situation" at the Argyle stop. We'll keep you posted. UPDATE: Here's the current alert from the CTA. UPDATE 2: Service down to Granville has been restored, and shuttle buses are running between there and Addison. UPDATE 3: As of 5:50pm, according to the CTA, Red Line service has resumed. July 14, 2008 Good news for bike riders who use the trains: the CTA is building bicycle parking structures at 4 of its El stops where demand for bike parking has exceeded supply. July 08, 2008 O'Hare Blue Line Shuttle Service Don't forget, today's the day that the CTA is starting shuttle service between the O'Hare and Rosemont Blue Line stops, so that the CTA can work on the track between the two. Train service to O'Hare is expected to resume July 28. July 08, 2008 O'Hare continues its stellar rankings among large airports, this time placing last in on-time departures and third to last in on-time arrivals . As usual, Midway fared better. July 02, 2008 On Monday, an Air Nippon jet dropped about 1,450 gallons of its fuel into Lake Michigan. The Trib asks about the event and what's happening to the fuel . July 01, 2008 I Can See Clearly Now Attention all "playas": You may want to think about removing the tint from the front window of your "hooptie" (do they still call it that?). The city is considering raising the fine for having a tinted front car window from $25 to $250. Now as for that booming bass... June 30, 2008 The Expired Meter is a blog devoted solely to Chicago parking tickets. And yes, there's plenty to say on the topic. June 26, 2008 Beyond calling the taxi company, if you lose something in a cab, you might want to put a listing in the Chicago Dispatcher , the weekly newspaper for the taxi industry. The paper's Lost & Found service covers all your bases. June 24, 2008 GB staffer Jenni reports that there's been some sort of accident at the Wilson Red Line stop . Rumor on the street below is that someone jumped in front of a train. We'll keep you posted as details come out -- this might affect the evening commute. The streetcar in Chicago is long gone, but leave it to a gas crunch to get people talking about bringing back the "Green Hornet." June 19, 2008 The subject of a Sun-Times article in today's paper, who complained about the hardships of not having a car, gets a bit of a dressing down by (naturally) the author of the blog Chicago Carless. June 12, 2008 How much for just one peanut? Today, United Airlines announced it's following the trend set by American Airlines a few weeks ago, and will start to charge you $15 for that first checked bag. Analysts expect other airlines will follow suit with similar fees, as well as some others popping up for luxuries like selecting your seat ($10 for a window, $5 for a middle). June 12, 2008 Red Line Down (and Now Back Up) As of 5:106:44pm today, the Red Line is shut down up and running again between 47th and Grand after a train hit killed someone a robbery suspect (who was fleeing a store he had just tried to rob) on the tracks near the Chinatown stop. June 10, 2008 Sigh ... Another Cyclist Down Clinton Miceli was killed last night when he was doored by an Xterra and thrown into oncoming traffic on North La Salle. This morning, a cyclist was struck by a CTA bus in Lakeview. Please, please, please be careful out there, drivers and cyclists alike. This week is Bike to Work Week, so let's be extra vigilant. June 10, 2008 The Sun-Times profiles Elmhurst resident Maureen Sullivan , who runs her car off of vegetable oil. June 10, 2008 Yesterday, 101 cars were ensnared in a police sting designed to remind drivers they need to stop for pedestrians at all crosswalks. June 09, 2008 Well, it really began on Saturday, but if you're a Monday-Friday commuter, now's your time to shine. Get information about bicycle commuter stations and events at the Chicago Bicycle Federation's website . June 06, 2008 Unlike other cities, Chicago is showing no special preferences to owners of hybrid cars by giving them a break on feeding the meter and providing them with free parking spaces to encourage their use. Should we really be surprised? June 03, 2008 A CTA train derailed for the second time in a week -- this time on the Red Line, near 95th. June 02, 2008 Drivers looking to get the "lowest reported gas station prices" can call the city's new hotline at 312-742-4427 or look online . The website is also where the city asks users to report gas station prices. May 29, 2008 Planning on flying to Buenos Aires or Honolulu before the year is over? Better move that date up. American Airlines announced it's cutting flights from Chicago to those two cities on September 3 and January 5, respectively. May 28, 2008 Who's Bringing the Soy Milk? If you're trying to get to work today via the I-80, you're already well aware that a semi carrying 10 tons of Oreo cookies crashed near Morris, IL early this morning. Although crews had successfully brushed the last of the crumbs to the side of the road by 6 am, the morning commute for those going eastbound is still totally dunked. May 19, 2008 Currently holding the top spot in the country for gas prices: Chicago . Personally, I'd like to know where to find gas at the city's average of $4.07/gallon. May 13, 2008 Sawing Signs To Steal Bikes From the Chicagoland Stolen Bike Registry , a project to help understand patterns in comes this unfortunate report : "I locked my bike up very well to a metal pole/street sign in front of my friend's house... When I came out at midnight, the pole had been sawed through and thrown into the alley and my bike was no longer there." (Note: if you own a Specialized, be careful. They seem to be very "hot" lately with thieves.) May 12, 2008 The Sun-Times takes a look at the best and worst of the CTA trains. May 09, 2008 What The El? The CTA Tattler has a rundown on the CTA train reroutings this weekend. Due to work on the elevated tracks there will be some serious re-routing in the Loop. You might want to check out the details if you're planning to be downtown. May 07, 2008 The publishers of Grand Theft Auto 4 are suing the CTA over those GTA ads that were pulled from buses in April. The ads were originally supposed to stay up for six weeks between April and June. May 05, 2008 Give It Up for the Crossing Guards! This Wednesday is Crossing Guard Appreciation Day! Safe Routes to School and the Chicagoland Bike Federation want your help thanking the crossing guards who keep kids safe as they walk or bike to and from school. So buy the crossing guard in your life something sweet or a new whistle this Tuesday. April 30, 2008 The federal government will likely give Chicago a grant to study innovative traffic reduction techniques in the city . Among the options to be considered are increased parking charges in specific locations and congestion pricing , which notably recently went out in a blaze of glory in New York. April 28, 2008 Beginning today, taxi drivers will be adding a $1.00 surcharge to cab fares to compensate for rising fuel costs. April 25, 2008 Semi Hits Chinatown/Cermak Red Line Station A semi-truck hit the north stairwell of the Chinatown/Cermak Red Line station around 5:20pm today; reportedly two people have been killed and many more injured. If you're heading that way, take an alternate route, as the area is swarmed with emergency response and the trains are delayed. Very sad. April 22, 2008 Chicago Stolen Bike Registry If you haven't been to the Chicago Stolen Bike Registry in a while , it's worth visiting even if you haven't lost a bike. While you're there, check out the stolen bike statistics and theft map to help you know what to look out for and where to be particularly careful. Given 99.34% of the listed thefts were unrecovered, being careful is probably the way to go. April 19, 2008 Carfree Chicago has launched a new line of L Stop buttons for fashionistas who are interested in displaying neighborhood pride, support for public transit, or both. The buttons' bright, bold colors are perfect for springtime. April 18, 2008 Amtrak says a Chicago-to-Iowa City rail line would carry 187,000 round-trip passengers a year , for a $55 million investment. National security and energy efficiency concerns have made rail lines an increasingly attractive alternative to flight for regional travel . April 16, 2008 Bicycle Related Recycling The city has put together a helpful web page about where you can recycle/donate your old unused bike (with some helpful suburban locations too) as well as link to a company who's willing to recycle bicycle tires. Since tires aren't supposed to go to a landfill, this is a huge help! April 15, 2008 CTA Reaches Settlement in Blue Line Derailment Case In July 2006, after the Blue Line derailed and started a small fire near the Clark/Lake stop, 85-year old Elfa Lari suffered major injuries. Today, on the same day that the Blue Line once again had to be evacuated near the Clark/Lake stop, the agency reached an agreement to settle the case for $1.25 million . April 15, 2008 Blue Line Really Down Hope you didn't need it today: there's a train stuck at Clark & Lake , and it's shut down the line. Read a first-person account after the jump. Shylo Bisnett reports: "My morning commute was cut short just outside Clark and Lake. The stuck-train issue was complicated by anxious passengers, some who waited more than 90 minutes or more, who opened the trains doors and took to the tracks. After a lengthy wait, the conductor of my train finally let us out onto the catwalk. We all emerged, dirty from the handrail, via a Fulton & Jefferson emergency exit. Best quote from the conductor: 'This is what happens when you have 40-year-old trains.'" Time Out has yet more firsthand coverage . April 14, 2008 CTA announced that digital screens that announce real-time arrival information for trains will soon be added to more stations ; the signs will also display advertisements, which the CTA expects could earn millions in revenue for their coffers. April 09, 2008 Popular Mechanics listed the Circle Interchange and O'Hare as two of the " 10 pieces of U.S. infrastructure we must fix right now ." Not sure how you'd fix the Circle, but Daley's right on top of it with O'Hare ... right? April 08, 2008 Google has teamed up with the CTA to make planning your trip a whole lot easier. April 07, 2008 Today begins the CTA Bus Tracker program for a handful of routes, with more to be added in May. April 03, 2008 Because you're not flying ATA today . Or ever again. April 01, 2008 The CTA permanently added two cars to all brown line trains yesterday, though no one seems to have noticed yet . Sounds like you might score a seat if you head for the ends of the platform. March 28, 2008 Wondering how much that cab ride is gonna be? Check with Taxi Fare Finder . [ via ] March 24, 2008 But What About The Litterbugs? The CTA has successfully sent a 24-year old to jail for two years for spray painting the outside of an El car back in December. I think vandalism sucks and all, but couldn't time and money have been better spent hiring some cleaning crews for the inside of the cars instead? March 24, 2008 But the Schedule is So Accurate CTA will be soon be unveiling the selected bus routes that will have GPS tracking ability, with riders able to track routes online by April 7. ChicagoBus.org already has a list of the majority of the routes on hand, among them the Western 49/x49 line. March 21, 2008 ...by plane, anyway. A week after they started flying to Gary-Chicago, SkyBus Airlines cut its service to Greensboro, NC (its only service) in half. Not to be outdone, AirTran is stopping flying between Midway and Minneapolis on May 5. March 17, 2008 Wake Great Uncle Billy: Free rides for seniors began today on the CTA . Get the details on the program here . March 13, 2008 Good, I Hated Being Seen on the 54th/Cermak Blue Line Train The CTA will be eliminating the Blue Line service to 54th/Cermak for six months beginning April 27, claiming that Pink Line service to the same terminus has gobbled up the rider share and made the 54th/Cermak Blue Line the least-used in the CTA network. Along with making several experimental bus lines (78, 170-174, 192) permanent additions to their schedule, CTA claims that it will increase operating hours and service on several bus lines, and up the Forest Park and O'Hare Blue Line train service as a result. March 12, 2008 The CTA is recruiting riders for its Mystery Shopper program. Good observational skills are required; trench coats and spy glasses are optional. March 10, 2008 The city is about to install as many as 220 new red light traffic cameras . They've only announced six locations, but two are likely regular intersections for driving GB readers: Belmont and Lake Shore Drive along with Belmont and Halsted. February 26, 2008 French company JCDecaux is offering to renegotiate its bus shelter contract in order to bring low cost bike rentals to the downtown area . February 26, 2008 The CTA is going to expand its GPS bus tracking system this spring, one garage at a time. (Didn't know there was such a thing? Check it out .) February 25, 2008 NPR shares Chicago's scourge with the nation: 250,000 potholes . February 22, 2008 Commuter Feed is a new traffic reporting service built on Twitter . Follow Chicago's traffic patterns here . February 11, 2008 Once again helping provide cheap posts for city-focused blogs all over the country, US News and World Report published a list of America's Most Miserable Airports , with O'Hare coming in at #1 (lots of delays & very full flights). February 08, 2008 Got a complaint about the TSA? Register it on this site , developed by Chicago programmer Matt Dennewitz . (Thanks, Paul!) February 07, 2008 Big Fines for Drivers vs. Bikes Wednesday, Mayor Daley, who has given "salutes...in the Chicago way" to motorists who have perhaps dangerously impeded his progress as a cyclist, proposed raising fines to as much as $500 for turning right in front of a bicyclist, opening a door into the path of a cyclist or passing too closely. February 07, 2008 Write to Bike Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, the League of Illinois Bicyclists, and Trek Bike Corp. are sponsoring a bicycle safety essay contest for Illinois fourth- and fifth-graders. Winners will receive Trek 820 mountain bikes and helmets for submitting the best essay. All entries must be postmarked no later than March 31, and must be 100 words or less. February 06, 2008 Your Auto Show Prep The 100th annual Chicago Auto Show opens Friday, so we here's a couple things to get you ready: Jalopnik's newness cheat sheet , Showlopnik , the derivatively named intern blog, and the 8th annual Auto Show Shutdown . After the jump, links to car blogs' CAS category archives. That beautiful fog that swathed the city in film noir magic last night? It also canceled about about a thousand flights at O'Hare and Midway. January 29, 2008 CTA art isn't usually all that interesting, but this work by Jonathan Gitelson looks amazing, at least online. We'll have to wait for the Armitage stop to reopen to be sure. January 28, 2008 Bicycling Gets a Boost The REI Bicycle Friendly Communities Grant Program has awarded the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation with a $15,000 grant in recognition of its mission to make Chicago a more bike-friendly city. The Federation will use the grant to fund Sunday Parkways , a program that provides traffic-free biking on selected city streets during weekends and holidays. January 24, 2008 Subway Rides to get Faster, Quieter, Safer, Less Smelly CTA announced yesterday the purchase of 400 new rail cars that will roll into service in 2010. The cars feature live video security cameras, flat-screen monitors that display the train's current location, state-of-the-art diagnostic systems, and stain-and-smell resistant seat fabric. The new trains can run up to 70mph, unless you're in a beloved slow zone. Sadly cattle prods to move doorway loungers into the cars during rush hour will not be included. January 23, 2008 Chicago rapper Kid Sister tips her hat to I-Go on the Canadian MuchMusic blog. [ via ] January 14, 2008 If you were hoping transit funding from Springfield would stave off Metra fare hikes, you're going to be disappointed . January 11, 2008 ChicaGO , a new mapping service developed by two Loyola students, tries to give you an idea of how long it'll take to get from one point to another using the CTA. January 10, 2008 An End to "Doomsdays"? The Senate and the House just approved a long-term plan to aid the CTA . Relief is in the air - provided Blago doesn't veto. If you'd like to give the Gov your two cents about transit, call (217) 782-6830 or email , asking that he sign the bill. January 09, 2008 The Chi-Town Daily News looks into the lives of musicians in the CTA subway . January 09, 2008 Folks flying to Columbus will soon have an option other than Southwest at Midway -- Skybus at Gary. (I think I'll stick with Midway, thanks.) January 07, 2008 You may want to check your I-PASS balance . January 04, 2008 How bad is the CTA's budget crisis? Bad enough to catch the attention of The Economist . (Thanks, Jill!) December 31, 2007 Wired reports that all the major airports suck in terms of delays, but Midway is the ninth least sucky of them all . (O'Hare is toward the back of the pack, naturally.) December 31, 2007 CTA Service For New Year's Eve If you're planning to go out tonight for your New Year's Eve celebration, keep in mind that the CTA will be increasing the frequency of some downtown bus lines and all train lines. Full details over at the CTA Website. And if you're saving up your pennies for those famous "1-cent fares," you might want to read this post at the CTA Tattler for the startling truth about penny fares! December 28, 2007 Holy Roller's New Year's Eve A little birdie told me about this shindig, especially if you're into bikes and bike people. Ring in this New Year in high style at Holy Roller's New Year's Eve. This dance party benefits West Town Bikes . The evening's entertainers include Matt Roan + E, DJ Andrew Foster and DJ Coyote DG. Enjoy a midnight dance-a-long with Chicago's own Team Band. There's a secret location that you have to RSVP for, as well as some other fancy spy like stuff. Details in Slowdown . December 21, 2007 Senator Dick Durbin earmarked some cash for a few local projects in the big Federal spending bill this week. Included were millions for CTA Circle Line development, Brown Line reconstruction, Metra expansion and bus and train service statewide. (Thanks, Sarah !) December 21, 2007 The Holiday Train's Leavin' The CTA's Holiday Train will be finishing its 2007 run this weekend, so if you haven't caught the train yet, it's your last chance! The train will be running on the Yellow Line today, and on the Orange Line this Saturday. See the CTA site for a schedule, and check out the Holiday Train photos on Flickr. December 19, 2007 The SRAM grant program has awarded $10,000 in mini-grants to four causes that advance bicycling, including Bike Winter and West Town Bikes . December 17, 2007 Move Over, Virginia - O'Hare is for Lovers, Too A new study sponsored by AXE (a male grooming brand) finds that flight delays can lead to romantic connections . Thanks to its poor on-time percentage, O'Hare places a respectable 13th on the list of major US airports; Midway limps in at number 31. The best matchmaker? Philadelphia International Airport. Start rearranging your connecting airports, people. December 13, 2007 Don't Park There! It's Gonna Snow! As if the city could predict the arrival of the first winter storm of the season , the December to April winter parking bans go into effect tomorrow morning. Check your street (or these maps ) for the snowflake-emblazoned signs , and don't count on any leniency from the tow truck drivers if you're car's in the wrong zone come 3am. November 30, 2007 Where's the Kiss and Fly? Parking rates at O'Hare and Midway airports are moving on up as of tomorrow. You'll feel the biggest hurt parking in the international lot at O'Hare, where the daily rate leaps from $30 to $50 per day. Other increases are more modest , unless you roll big and valet, which will run you $45 (as opposed to $32). All this plus proposed city and county tax hikes? 'Tis the season! November 27, 2007 Considering a New Career Path? A mere 12 days after the latest near-miss of two planes near Chicago, Lewis University announced Tuesday in timely fashion that it will be the first Illinois school to offer an air-traffic controller degree. What a great job: "marked by high stress levels, bad work hours, little glory and the fear never far from a controller's thoughts that one mistake could kill a lot of people." November 23, 2007 Apparently, it's national news when travel goes smoothly at O'Hare , a.k.a. "the hub that has been the scene of so many traveler nightmares." November 21, 2007 We wondered what the mayor's plan was for the CTA. Well know we know . November 19, 2007 Facing a $4 million shortfall, Metra ratified a proposed budget containing a series of 10% fare increases along with a weekend rate jump to $7 a pop. The RTA still has to sign off before the rates are set. November 17, 2007 Illinois drivers' understanding of traffic laws ranks 45th out of the 50 states . November 16, 2007 The Holiday Train's Comin' Well, there's one cut the CTA hasn't made (yet): the Holiday Train . Get your fix of twinkle lights, garlands and Santa all while moving down the tracks on your favorite CTA line. The Red and Purple lines get the train first, starting this weekend. Check the CTA's website for a full schedule of when the train'll be at your station. November 15, 2007 The Beachwood Reporter is asking what the Mayor and the folks in the Hall are doing to prevent a CTA meltdown -- besides, of course, hiring a guy plucky enough to come up with a show-stopping number like rolling "doomsdays." November 14, 2007 Although it's reportedly unlikely, Delta Airlines is thinking about buying United in an effort to deal with rising jet fuel costs. November 14, 2007 ParkingAnyTime.com , is "a free community generated parking guide that connects motorists with on and off-street parking". Somewhat useful, especially in finding garages and getting the actual parking restrictions on a street , but areas covered are severely limited thus far. November 12, 2007 According to New York magazine, the fastest flight from NYC to CHI is on ATA from Laguardia to Midway. The worst? Kennedy to O'Hare on Delta. November 09, 2007 Not that anyone thinks airports are safe, but recent security breeches and bomb threats relating to Chicago operations sure make the TSA look even more incompetent. November 08, 2007 The newest CTA doomsday date: January 20, according to a CTA press release. 81 bus routes eliminated, 2,400 employees laid off, 3 garages closed, and new fare pricing structure. November 02, 2007 Looks like Monday will be a commute just as usual , in more ways than one. CTA and Pace have accepted short-term assistance from the Governor. Again. November 02, 2007 Sadie Hawkins' Day Race & Style Ride The now annual Sadie Hawkins' Day Race & Style Ride is back again, November 10th. What is it? "Sadie Hawkins Day Race/Style Ride is an on-street, in-traffic, point-to-point bike adventure for couples or pairs... There are prizes for the fastest couple, fastest tandem team, fastest out of towners, best dressed, and more." Last year's inaugural event drew people from out of town, generated a ton of missed connections and suffice to say, there were a few couples that are still together to this day. November 01, 2007 In an unlikely application of high technology, 10 Chicago Shell gas stations are getting fingerprint scanning payment systems . Expect a mad rush on Play Doh locally as well. November 01, 2007 A Useful Message from the CTA A pitiful email from CTA President Ron Huberman with the subject line "Please Prepare for Next Week" appeared in my inbox tonight. "I ask that you take the time to prepare for next week's commute," he begged me, asking that I review the service cuts and fare increases expected to begin this Sunday and create a new transit plan, if needed. Given the media blackout on this topic , I'm grateful for the update. Someone get that guy a copy of this book ! October 30, 2007 Not as civil as the Tattler , but a good venue for transportation woes: CTA Sucks . October 18, 2007 USA Today reports that screeners at O'Hare missed about 60% of hidden bomb materials that were packed in everyday carry-ons . LAX did worse -- missed 75% -- while SFO missed only 20%. The head of the TSA says the the high failure rates stem from increasingly harder tests. October 16, 2007 Dmitry Samarov blogs about his experiences as a Chi-town cabbie over at HACK . He even draws his passengers. The Sun-Times recently profiled this Soviet immigrant turned driver, including some fun quotes about getting propositioned. October 08, 2007 Be 1 in 1,000 for Cellphone Parking Payments The City of Chicago just launched a new six-month in-car parking meter program . Drivers pre-pay an initial $15 either at City Hall or online and they get the device for free. The rate will depend on what zone the meter is located, and you have to call which explains all the recent zone stickers . It's a pilot program limited to 1,000 people. October 08, 2007 The City ordered the " Party Cab " to clean out the decorations by Thursday , meaning there's one less interesting ride home. September 28, 2007 The FBI is investigating the removal of a dozen spikes from Metra tracks near 100th Street and the Bishop Ford. September 25, 2007 And Justice for Cyclists... GB alumni and fellow teammate Luke Seemann recounts a hit-and-run during the team's weekly Saturday morning ride up to Highland Park and back on his excellent Chicago Bike Racing . Clearly an attack on the riders who were paying attention to the rules of the road, the culprit turned himself in and is now facing felony charges in court. Luke has further details on Thomas Lynch . September 25, 2007 Maybe the reason the CTA changed its mind on the Chicago Card is because its president, Ron Huberman, rides the rails, too . September 25, 2007 Good news for Chicago Card holders who were going to have to jump through CTA's hoops . The CTA is reversing its decision . September 20, 2007 Still Want To See A Smartcar? If you want to check out the undeniably nifty Smartcar then you've missed your Chicago chance for a test drive -- the Smart Team came through in June. But next week they'll be in Louisville if you fancy a roadtrip, and St. Louis on Oct 3rd. September 19, 2007 When it takes you a half hour to get from the circle interchange to Roosevelt you may not need a national study to tell you Chicago traffic is one of the worst in the nation. Well here it is anyway. September 18, 2007 Is Your Chicago Card Expiring? Since pinching pennies is the rule of the day with the CTA , make sure your pennies stay right where you put them on your Chicago Card. If you ran out and got a card when they were first offered four years ago, your card might be expiring as early as October 17th (note: this doesn't affect Chicago Card Plus users). To check the status of your card, and to replace it, talk to a customer service agent in person, go online or call 888-968-7282. September 16, 2007 Is Chicago Bike-Friendly? The Tribune sent a reporter and photographer along with two Chicagoland Bicycle Federation employees to ask the question in an article with video . Of course, they find out what most of us already know: cars mean trouble. Go ahead and take the poll , if you're so inclined. September 14, 2007 Grave Matter The juggernaut-like O'Hare expansion plan won another victory when the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the notion that relocating 1,600 graves in 158-year-old St. Johannes Cemetery in Bensenville, IL , to make room for more runways violated the Illinois Religious Freedom Restoration Act . "We are very excited about this decision," said our not-at-all-ghoulish mayor. September 05, 2007 No Money For CTA? The plan to increase sales taxes in Cook and neighboring counties to raise funds for Chicago-area mass transit systems failed in the Illinois house. Supporters hope to build more support for the plan in the days to come, but service cuts and fare increases loom on September 16. As GB reported earlier, it's probably a good time to get your Chicago Card. September 04, 2007 $0 Chicago Card Given the pending fare hike, the CTA is waiving the $5 fee for the Chicago Card and Chicago Card Plus until Halloween. The cards will make riding 50¢ to $1 cheaper, depending on the time of day and location, so it's worth the effort to find a sales location [pdf] or use the separate online ordering sites for the Chicago Card or Chicago Card Plus . September 01, 2007 The Block 37 project is millions over budget , to the surprise of nobody. Crain's reports that the city is now in talks with the same firm that leased the Skyway to privatize the CTA station below the block. August 31, 2007 Bike Melee Tonight's Critical Mass bicycle rally ended with police action , including some arrests . Bikers were turned away from the planned route to 12th St. Beach by police, who came by paddywagon, ATV, Segway and even bike to stop the throng. Visit CCM to upload your personal ride report. August 31, 2007 Chicagoist answers a question I've been wondering the last week or two: What's up with the new "Zone #" stickers on all the parking meters? August 30, 2007 On the Fly If you've ever been down Ravenswood near Wilson, you might have seen the rather large stickered and logoed truck with bright red, yellow and black graphics that say, "On the Fly." The Chicago Traveler has the scoop: On the Fly is a mobile bike mechanic shop. Joe Ebervein and Rich Kwaitkowski will go where you are to get you on the road again. August 21, 2007 HACK is a blog by taxi driver and artist Dmitri Samarov , created as a companion to his pretty amazing website. Check out his other " Hack ," a minicomic about his day job. August 20, 2007 Bicycle Breathing Room A new state law signed by Gov. Blagojevich this past weekend gives bicyclists something to be happy about: more room. The law allows bicyclists to move further into the travel lane to avoid getting cut off by right-turning cars. It also requires drivers to give bikers three feet of room when passing. To aid in communication, the new law allows bike riders to signal a right turn with the right arm (effectively letting you point to where you're going). August 01, 2007 Fake Breasts, Wheelchairs and Laptops The Sun-Times' Transportation section features a fun little article about some of the more random stuff found in the CTA's lost and found. So, if you're wondering where your porn, bicycle, or prosthetic breast (all items mentioned in the story, btw) ended up, now you know. July 30, 2007 If recent talk of some riders wanting to disband the Chicago Critical Mass has you riled up, you may want to weigh in on the matter. July 17, 2007 You've Been Warned: CTA Weekend Rail Closures I found out about this transit change the hard way this past weekend: on the weekends of July 14 and 21, as well as August 11 and 25, CTA trains will not run between the O'Hare line's Western/Milwaukee and Clark/Lake stations (on August 11, the Jackson/Dearborn station will also be closed). Instead, a bus shuttle will run between all closed stations to substitute for the faster, more convenient train service. July 14, 2007 Critical Mass Closing Down? The September 28 celebration of the 10th anniversary of Chicago's Critical Mass ride may also be the marking of its end, as reported in the Sun Times. The large draw of participants dedicated to showing the benefits of cycling is apparently causing more problems than displaying productive transit solutions; apparently no one likes a group of loud, drunk folks on bikes (but if you've seen a Critical Mass ride, you know that hardly describes the majority of riders). Before you start crying in despair, note that no formal plans have been made to shut down the ride, which is scheduled for the last Friday of every month at 5:30 p.m. in Daley Plaza. July 10, 2007 Amtrak and GrandLuxe have teamed up to bring high-end GrandLuxe Limited service on regular Amtrak routes that primarily involve Chicago. Of course, a luxury train ride isn't cheap; routes start at $789. June 25, 2007 The CTA: What Might Have Been Lee Bey of The Urban Observer directs our attention to a CTA study I've not heard of before. The Chicago Central Area Transit Plan made a case for tearing down the Loop's elevated lines and replacing them with subways that connected with the existing lines in the rest of the city. Unfortunately the project ended up $500 million short so it died before it ever got off the ground. But I think Lee is correct in asking if the city will ever dream that big again. June 21, 2007 404 HAX0R WTF Hope you didn't try to fly out of O'Hare on United yesterday. Nearly all of the Chicago hometown's computer system crashed, bringing the fleet to a screeching halt. In today's Crain's , UAL COO Pete McDonald blamed it all on one guy. Wonder if his last name is "Bartman." June 21, 2007 Just a Little Greener As of today, Cheikh "Bamba" Dione is the first fleet-based hybrid taxi driver in Chicago. Oh, and if you attend the formal unveiling , you may be lucky enough to watch David Hudson receive CCC's Cab Driver of the Year award and then witness his hand print and signature rendered in wet cement for CCC's "Walk of Fame." June 10, 2007 Happy birthday to The CTA Tattler! The blog celebrates its third anniversary today. June 07, 2007 ChicagoTows.com is a nearly real-time database of Chicago vehicle towing. Keep your eye on those pirates . (Thanks, Pat!) June 06, 2007 The CTA may suck in a lot of ways, but at least there's one employee willing to retrieve the walkman you dropped on the tracks . June 06, 2007 Jake and Elwood Still at Large The Methods Reporter site has pointed out an article by Taryn Luntz that reveals the city paid as much as $7 million last year settling lawsuits for police car accidents . Especially mind-boggling: $6 million of that went toward settling two separate accidents in 2001 and 2003. June 05, 2007 No More Waiting Until 3pm! The Department of Streets and Sanitation has a special treat for Bucktown and Wicker Park residents -- and, no, it's not the usual orange one. The city is testing out a new light program that will signal when it's ok to park on a street after it's been cleaned. May 30, 2007 A Locally Grown Hybrid Car, that is. A couple of weeks ago, IIT's Armour College of Engineering entered a car in the student 2007 Formula Hybrid competition . They finished in 5th out of 6th in overall points, but more than doubled their previous speed record. They have their eyes on first place next year. May 28, 2007 Free Water Taxis in June The Chicago Water Taxi Company is offering two weeks of free service starting June 4th. The service runs from roughly the opera house to just past Columbus Ave on the North side of the river, with stops at LaSalle Ave. and Michigan Ave. too. (Of course it isn't free, but the kayak tour of downtown is pretty amazing too.) May 15, 2007 Despite our huge number of highways and interminable construction, Chicago only ranks seventh in road rage , according to the annual In the Drivers Seat survey . May 11, 2007 Perhaps you've already noticed, but Google Maps has added a "Traffic" view to their maps . Handy if you're lazy like me and can't remember the official traffic maps web page. May 10, 2007 More Bike Lanes! As part of the Bike 2015 plan , the City of Chicago will be adding several green colored bike lanes at several new locations this summer, including at Dearborn and Chicago, Elston and Division, Halsted and Roosevelt, Lincoln and Webster and more. Get more info at Chicago Bikes . May 09, 2007 Scourge of the Suburbs A revolt is underway in the suburbs. The target: new sidwalks . After all, with sidewalks, "who knows what you'd be encouraging to come through?" The Trib's online readers are having none of it, with approximately 90% saying sidewalks in neighborhoods are "a positive addition." May 04, 2007 The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation needs your help in making Chicago biking a little more friendly. On Wednesdays, when you encounter a fellow biker on the road, give a wave. It's that simple! May 02, 2007 Check out this mini-photo essay documenting the Belmont L station house move [window resizes]. April 30, 2007 Coolest. Bike. Ever. Even if riding bikes downtown on a Friday isn't your thing, Chicago's Critical Mass is also a dance party, delightful freakshow , a showcase for taking bikes out of the trash and doing really cool things with them . Like this beauty from one of Chicago's more innovative bike designers. April 29, 2007 The Tribune has an interesting list of Chicago transit facts (with an inexplicably capitalized headline). April 23, 2007 Starting this summer, the CTA has announced that it will expand its GPS-enabled bus tracking system to all North side buses that come into contact with the three-track operations on the Red, Brown and Purple lines. April 19, 2007 Electric Avenue If you've had your eye on a Zap Electric Car , it seems you're among friends. Today, Zap announced a $79 million deal with Northbrook-based Electric Vehicle Company . According to Zap , it's the largest order for a consumer fleet of electric cars in history. (Thanks, Jeff ) April 16, 2007 After years of feet dragging, it looks like the CTA, Metra and Pace will finally create a unified fare card . April 09, 2007 Sunday Parkways Forum Discussion This is a real-life flesh n' blood forum discussion about the proposed Sunday Parkways — a community effort to give communities safe spaces to interact with neighbors. Inspired by Columbia and Mexico, in essence they are traffic-free times on weekends and holidays for pedestrians and cyclists to interact on selected streets. This Wednesday, April 11th from 6:30 to 7:30pm at Richmond Hall in St. Sylvester Church, 2156 N. Richmond St. April 08, 2007 From the establishment of the Hull House Theater to the World's Columbian Exposition, the Sun Times lists their take on " The 50 Greatest Chicago Moments ." April 05, 2007 Public Hearings Next Week On Red Line Extension The CTA will be holding two southside meetings to discuss the possibility of extending the Red Line from its existing south terminal at 95th Street to a new terminal at 130th Street. For more information contact, DCP: 773-928-2500 or LVEJO: 773-762-6991 and here are more details about the April 10 and 11 meetings. April 05, 2007 A WBEZ Four-Way Instead of mindlessly kvetching about the CTA construction on the North Side, four intrepid WBEZ reporters did an experiment as to which mode of transport is the fastest: car, bike, Metra or CTA. Not surprisingly, the car won, but the bike came in second. Read or download the full story . March 28, 2007 MegaBus Expands Cheap Midwest Travel A great reminder of the possibilities of regional travel at an affordable rate, Megabus.com recently announced that starting on April 2 you can go to 5 additional cities in the region. The company known for its sliding scale and often very cheap tickets will now take Chicagoans to and from the cities of Ann Arbor, Mich.; Columbus, Ohio; Kansas City, Mo.; Louisville, Ky. and Pittsburgh. This makes 13 total regional cities accessible via the express bus line, joining the previously serviced cities of Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, St. Louis and Toledo, Ohio. March 26, 2007 Speaking of the NYT, the Grey Lady turned her attention to our glorious transit system this weekend , and noted its "precarious" funding situation and crumbling condition. March 19, 2007 Plane watchers will be pleased to hear the Airbus A380 will definitely visit O'Hare tomorrow. March 16, 2007 Plug It In, Plug It In! IIT is about to boost the Chicago Department of Fleet Management 's Green Fleets Action Agenda [pdf] with a prototype plug-in hybrid electric vehicle . The city will decide whether it wants more of the cars after a four to six month trial. March 15, 2007 The CTA will be installing Flight Departure Info Displays at the Clark & Lake station for flights leaving from both O'Hare and Midway. Precisely what you need to stay calm and relaxed while waiting for the train. March 14, 2007 It seems that the Millenium Park Metra Station (nee Randolph St. Station) is now complete. To celebrate, Metra's giving free coffee to commuters at that station on Friday. March 10, 2007 Work For Bikes Love biking? Want to advance the cause? And get paid or valuable work experience? The Chicagoland Bike Federation wants you to know about a few key opportunities. Apply to be a bike ambassador , design and marketing intern , bikeways planning intern , and more. Put your wheel where your, um, mouth is. March 09, 2007 O'Hare and Midway now offer a service that will email or text you with up-to-date flight information. That'll help, right? March 08, 2007 CTA Brown Line renovation update: the Francisco stop re-opens tomorrow morning one week ahead of schedule, and the Southport station will close on April 2 for up to one year of work. March 02, 2007 Or so recalls Mary Wallace, the CTA's first-ever female bus driver, who has just retired after 33 years of keeping people on the go. Thanks to Wallace's trailblazing, today 24% of the CTA's bus drivers are women. March 01, 2007 Just in time for the second phase of I-90/94 construction , Google Maps has launched real-time traffic information for several US cities , including Chicago . February 28, 2007 The Chicago Police have a new weapon in their arsenel: the automated license plate reader , capable of scanning thousands of plates an hour and checking them against stolen vehicle reports. And, one would imagine, expired plates. February 23, 2007 CTA Bother You? Call Blago. The Tribune's Kyra Kyles recommends that instead of pissing and moaning about CTA problems, you call write and email Governor Blagojevich and tell him to support the RTA's budget requests. Here are his numbers: 217-782-0244 or 312-814-2121. You could take it a step further by looking up your local, state and federal reps at Civic Footprint and bugging all of them. (Thanks, Will!) February 07, 2007 ZAPping the Chicago Auto Show ZAP! , a company that specializes in designing alternative and fuel-efficient automotive systems, will release its electric XEBRA car at the Chicago Auto Show. Priced at $10,000 with an operating cost of one cent per mile, it could certainly be a high-value commuter car. February 05, 2007 Now that Kenosha, Racine and Milwaukee are seriously considering feeding into Metra , a Milwaukee historian has summarized the interesting transportation history we have with our neighbors to the north. February 05, 2007 30th Anniversary of CTA Crash On February 4, 1977 there was a terrible crash between two CTA trains in the Loop. Eleven people were killed and at least 250 passengers were injured when the trains crashed near the train track curve at Wabash and Lake. The CTA Tattler has the roundup on the terrible day in CTA history. January 30, 2007 No Parkin' in Oak Park If you have visited a friend in Oak Park or happen to have a friend who lives in Oak Park, then you probably know that Oak Park has some major rules about parking on the street. The law that prevents people from parking on the street in front of their home was passed in 1929 and some folks are finally considering repealing it, starting with this survey . And since Oak Park is only distributing this survey online (boo! hiss!) go fill it out for yourself, your friend, or mine. Thanks, eep . January 29, 2007 You Will Be Assimilknitted Subway Knitter knits one and purls two in Boston, but one of her projects, the Amazing Charlie Card Mitten might suit frigid users of the CTA's Chicago Card . Keep your hands toasty warm while taking the first steps toward your inevitable Borg conversion. Resistance is futile. January 25, 2007 Check out this recent write-up of Thomas Marlow's Chicago Street Studio Project in the Australian media . January 24, 2007 Texting for Public Transportation Change Thanks to Neighbors Project , you don't have to get off of the train or bus to meaningfully express your frustration with the CTA. Power up your phone and text cta[your zip code]@npjt.org to send the message featured here to Mayor Daley, as well as your alderman, state representative and state senator. Their website also offers the means to spread the word. January 23, 2007 Second City Cop Wonders About Aggressive Towing Second City Cop , a lively anonymous weblog maintained by a Chicago police officer, asks " Are We at War? ...with Streets and Sanitation?". In typical SCC fashion, the copious comments pile on details about the post (unmarked police cars being ticketed and towed)-- naming names, giving locations, mentioning companies-- and also fly off into a bunch of rewarding off-topic directions. It's like being an invisible man in a cop bar. Careful, though-- there's no way to know that the commenters are bona fide People in Blue . SCC also reports that upwards of 40% of their traffic comes from outside the state of Illinois most days and there are "a number of remote computers that seem to monitor the site for inordinately long amounts of time, one of which is based in Springfield and another at Champaign-Urbana". Wonder who that could be... January 21, 2007 Why, lots of things! Crain's offers some explanations in an in-depth feature. . January 19, 2007 Coming Soon: Cheap Nonstop to Hong Kong Tell your friends and family overseas: Oasis Hong Kong , a no-frills, low-cost airline, has applied to make Chicago one of its departure points . Right now Oasis offers a nonstop flight between London and Hong Kong for as little as $150 (plus tax and fees) one way, so it's fair to expect highly affordable tickets. January 18, 2007 Via CTATattler , an invitation for you to let CTA Chair Carole Browne know how you feel about recent service-crippling developments (and maybe refer her to Fuel ). January 16, 2007 Bicycle Film Festival '07: Call for Submissions After last year's small success in Chicago, we've heard word that the Bicycle Film Festival will be back again. Currently, founding director Brendt Barbur and co are looking for new submissions for the 2007 round of film festivals set to take place in up to 15 cities: "We are looking for films with a strong theme or character of bicycles. This includes all mediums and styles such as animation, experimental, narrative, documentary and music videos." The deadline is February the 17th so you have about a month to get going or fine-tune that piece you've been working on. Details at the site or take a look at the flyer here . January 12, 2007 For all the trouble at O'Hare , it looks like Midway isn't safe either . January 11, 2007 CTA Tattler reports that Alderman Joe Moore will call for City Council hearings on the continued devolution of CTA train service. Full text of Moore's resolution here . January 11, 2007 The next time you're flying out of O'Hare, check the sky for UFOs , then check under your seat for scorpions . January 10, 2007 Winter Bike to Work Day Like it's sibling in the summer, the Winter edition of Bike to Work Day coming up features hot beverages and goodies at Daley Plaza this month on the 19th (Friday) from 7 to 9am. The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation hosts activities, a raffle with prizes and the chance to congregate and meet up with your fellow cyclists. January 02, 2007 Fallen Rider Memorial Ride A group of Chicago cyclists (myself being one of them) have organized a ride to raise awareness of the growing number of cyclist fatalities in the Chicagoland area. Named the " Fallen Rider Memorial Ride ", the ride will start at the Thompson Center at 6pm tomorrow, January the 3rd and will ride to Diversey and Pulaski at an easygoing and respectful pace. The goal? To highlight how important driving and cycling are to Chicago and how the two require attention and respect. A PDF flyer can be viewed, downloaded, printed and passed along from here . January 01, 2007 Some United employees saw a UFO at O'Hare on November 7th, but the FAA's having none of it. December 31, 2006 As in past years, you can ride CTA busses and trains for one cent until 6:00 AM New Year's Day. (Also note extended hours on some routes.) Happy New Year! December 20, 2006 Find A Spot ParkWhiz is another site to help you find a parking spot, with a rating system and distance gauge -- find a parking garage within a five-minute walk of your destination, for instance. They're rolling out a new "marketplace" early next year, which will allow drivers to reserve and pay for parking spaces in participating garages online, well before they arrive at the ticket box. December 19, 2006 Another Day, Another CTA Problem Expect trouble tonight if you're heading out on the Orange Line train to Midway, or the Green Line. Around noon today, an Orange Line train derailed on the northbound tracks near the Roosevelt Road station. Around 150 people were safely evacuated via the fire department's "snorkel basket" (who knew?), and no one was seriously hurt, but commuting is not going to be pretty tonight. December 18, 2006 Anybody else spot these anti-war posters mimicking T-Mobile's "Fave 5" campaign on the Red Line this weekend? December 07, 2006 Matt's Law Coalition Following the recent sentencing of an Urbana woman who killed a cyclist while driving and downloading a ringtone to her cellphone, the parents of Matt Wilhelm the deceased, have started a coalition to lobby for a law and education to reduce distracted driving. Looks like that cellphone ban hasn't been working out too well. December 04, 2006 Meeting the Faces Behind Moving Beyond Congestion A reminder of something we've posted before: the CTA, Pace, and Metra have teamed up to request more money from the state for public transit infrastructure at movingbeyondcongestion.com . They've announced the public meetings where citizens can provide feedback on the effort; here's the calendar . (Note to CTA et al: It'd be nice to have at least one "community dialogue" at an evening time too, not just from 1 - 2 pm.) December 01, 2006 Jennifer Stark of Urbana kills a cyclist while downloading a ringtone on her phone while driving . She gets the maximum penalty... for improper lane usage! Six months probation, $1K fine and traffic school. Oh yeah, she has a myspace . A bizarre, tragic and ridiculous event. December 01, 2006 Snow Day While you were asleep, it snowed. Then it snowed again, and it's still snowing. The Illinois Department of Transportation has asked Chicago area residents to not get on the roads if it's not necessary. Many schools are closed and most flights from O'Hare are canceled. Stay home, Chicago, but if you cannot, the CTA and Metra are running mostly on time. November 30, 2006 In December, Winter Parking Rules Don't forget that as of 3am on December 1 (tonight), Chicago's Winter Parking rules go into effect. Some streets sport the complete ban on parking from 3am–7am Dec. 1–April 1, regardless of snowfall. Other streets let you park as long as there's less than 2 inches of snow on the ground, but if it snows enough, you can get in trouble any time of the day. Take care, check the snow-filled weather forecast , and move your sweet ride before the city does it for you. November 28, 2006 Red Line Power Troubles Attention there, Loop commuters. As of 3:51pm this afternoon, the CTA is alerting customers to a rather sticky problem with the northbound Red Line at the Jackson station which is rippling north. Northbound Red Line trains are (as of this posting) being rerouted onto the elevated structure between Roosevelt and Fullerton, with no additional shuttles running. The current Loop stops are as follows: Roosevelt, all stations along Wabash and Lake, Merchandise Mart, then trains will run express to Fullerton to resume regular northbound routing to Howard. Southbound Red Line service is not affected. [UPDATE: As of 5:24pm, Red Line Northbound service is running normally , but still expect some delays.] November 27, 2006 Should the proposed Peotone airport ever get built, Metra is ready to provide service . November 27, 2006 Some shots of this year's CTA Holiday Train, courtesy of the Chicago blog Looper. Keep your eye on the "holidaytrain" tag on Flickr for more shots, and your other eye on the CTA's Holiday Train schedule to see when to catch the train. November 27, 2006 It's No "I'd Rather Be Fishing" But Chicago vehicle stickers are mandatory, so it's nice that you can have some say on what will adorn your windshield. "Green Scene Chicago" is the theme of Chicago's 2007-2008 sticker, and you can vote for your favorite of the student-designed contenders between 9 AM and 5 PM today at the City Clerk's web site. November 15, 2006 Slow CTA trains: get used to it The Sun-times reports that the CTA can't afford to fix the problems that create the slow spots on its train lines. CTA president Frank Kreusi puts the figure at fixing all of the problems at $500 million; as a comparison, the amount of money in next year's CTA budget for fixing some Red and Blue Line slow spots is a mere $35.7 million. So expect delays for several years. November 10, 2006 BO, no A/C Apparently the power to the CTA Red Line was shut off this morning, a move prompted by a defective Red Line train that had damaged about 100 feet of the third rail. The CTA Tattler has an eye-witness account that should give you some idea of what to be prepared for in the event of a shut-down train. November 08, 2006 No More Street Sweeping Tickets An organization called Smarter Government aims to fix the city's ills -- but first they might want to fix their website. Only two pages are available right now, but one is a pretty darn useful to cityfolk with cars: sign up here and get an email alert letting you know when the street sweepers are coming by, so you don't forget to move your car. (Thanks, Atul !) November 08, 2006 But Where Has Dale Rivera Gone? Each month, I look forward to another 30 minutes of CTA propaganda in the form of Connections. I say "propaganda," but that's tongue-in-cheek: the show has actually taught me a lot. It runs nightly on several municipal channels, but if you don't have cable or you want to watch it "on the move," download or stream it from podcastchicago.tv . [ via ] November 03, 2006 Here's a downside to those parking meter kiosks that are popping up around the city: Where do motorcyclists affix their receipt to prove they paid? October 30, 2006 Sadie Hawkins Day Race Sadie Hawkins is a fictional day from a L'il Abner strip. However, it is now also a bike race organized to encourage women of all kinds who ride bikes to come out and race for fun, as well as to benefit the Chicago Women's Health Center . There's a pre-race fashion party on Friday, Nov 10th in the Fulton Markets with the race happening on Nov 11th, followed with a post-party the same day. Want to race? Want to have fun? Check out the myspace . October 30, 2006 The CTA Tattler alerts us to Hollaback Chicago, a new blog devoted to documenting women's stories of being harrassed on the streets (the blog was inspired by a similar site for NYC women ). October 25, 2006 How else would railfan Tony Coppoletta say "Happy Halloween" but an 'L'-o-lantern ? October 19, 2006 O'Hare to Get Jet Blue Yesterday, discount airline Jet Blue announced that they will start flying out of O'Hare no later than January 2007. They've been trying to get into the airport since 2002, and now have FAA approval, but haven't yet announced destinations for their four daily flights. (At that time of year, I'm hoping that all their planes go someplace nice and warm.) October 16, 2006 "For the Not-So-Safe Driver" Looks like the Chicago Bike Federation has a new website for their Drive With Care campaign . At first, I thought it was real, but then I knew that any memorial like "The Brittany" had to be too good to be true. Well done, chaps. October 12, 2006 It's almost time to say "goodbye" to the wooden bridge from the Roosevelt Metra station to Michigan Avenue. So break out your camera and sepia processing and take some old-time photographs this winter. October 11, 2006 Washington Under Wraps Rush hours in the Loop are gonna be a little tougher in a couple of weeks, as the Washington Red Line stop ceases operation in preparation for Block 37 Superstation construction. Starting October 23, there'll be no train access, and the Blue Line tunnel will also be closed (transfers will only be available at Jackson). The CTA says work is "expected" to finish in Fall 2008. For more details, see Tony Coppoletta's run-down on the shut-down . October 10, 2006 Pileup in Grundy County "The Midwest's Greasiest Hot Rod Show," the Hunnert Car Pileup , is this Saturday at the historic Grundy County Speedway and fairgrounds. Fast cars, fast women and fast music -- if you like traditional hot rods this is the show for you. (Thanks, Christian .) October 06, 2006 Fullerton station renovations The renovation of the Fullerton El stop, already pretty conspicuous with all the new construction next to the existing tracks, becomes even more inescapable for commuters this Sunday, as the CTA closes up the Fullerton stationhouse (and opens up a temporary station entrance) on Sunday. Although the station will still operate as usual throughout construction, the main station building will be closed for renovations through December of 2008, so this weekend might be a good time to take some pictures of the structure, just so you can do some before-and-after comparison in a couple of years (or whenever it really does reopen). More construction bulletins are available, as always, at the CTA site. October 05, 2006 Eisenhower a bit slow for you this morning? A car rolled onto the CTA tracks between the Western and Cicero stops , leaving Blue line without power. No word on injuries yet. October 03, 2006 Want another cut on the Chicago Bike map ? Try this google alternative . October 03, 2006 Get in the "I Do" Lane For a happier take on transit, we turn to today's Going Public column. You may have read the story about Joe Benarroch and Jason Fournier's love connection on the 146 on your own commute this morning. A surprised Fournier read it under different circumstances -- aloud over a breakfast with friends and family. The story's end is a sweet one: as the video captures, Bennaroch proposes, Fournier says yes. [Edit: The RedEye informs us Fournier remarks "this isn't a good picture" prior to reading the article; he does not comment on the paper as this item originally read. Apologies for the error.] October 03, 2006 Outbound Express Forget about Denny ; let's talk about Kruesi. The editorial page at Crain's says "off with his head" -- more politely, of course. To wit: "An outsider with proven expertise in repairing broken transit systems must be brought in with authority to overhaul the CTA from top to bottom, both financially and operationally." Too right. [ via ] September 28, 2006 It was a Bad Day Capping off a day of North Side disruptions on the CTA, a woman was struck and killed by a Brown Line train at Wellington. Amid this morning's slow-moving chaos, a bemused customer offered the Trib a joking translation for the transit agency's acronym: "Certainly Takes Awhile." September 28, 2006 Bikes are fun! Find out exactly how fun they can be at tomorrow's Critical Mass Bicycle ride. It's free, and gets underway at 5:30 at Daley Plaza. The theme is likely to be "Oktoberfest", so lederhosen are highly encouraged! September 26, 2006 Moving Beyond Congestion The RTA (CTA, Pace, Metra) have announced a new effort to improve the lot of the region's commuters. Their new site, Moving Beyond Congestion , lays out the case for why additional transit is needed and what their plan is to make that happen. September 25, 2006 On Friday, Thrown for a Loop was hoping for an easy flight home. Because of bad weather at O'Hare, that didn't happen. Alas, nor did the alternatives ... September 22, 2006 If you'd planned your weekend around the CTA 's scheduled closures of Brown Line stops at Kedzie and Rockwell , well, make other (other) plans. Due to forecasted heavy rains, the CTA's betting it won't be able to get its excavation work done at those stops this weekend . The stations will be open, and as a result, the free shuttle that was going to take passengers from Western to Kimball has also been cancelled. September 22, 2006 On a day that saw part of the Red Line shut down by an electical fire in the middle of rush hour, the Beachwood Reporter summarizes the city's general dissatisfaction with the CTA , line by line. September 22, 2006 Walk, Bike, Ride, Go! - It's World Carfree Day Who needs a car when you have public transport, a bike or a fine pair of working legs? Today is World Carfree Day . Folks in more than 600 cities across the globe will participate in getting where they need to be, without getting behind the wheel. Give it a try! September 11, 2006 Seeing Red at 15 MPH The last line of John Hilkevitch's column on the misery that is the Red Line these days is nothing if not an indictment of CTA management: "It was assumed, perhaps incorrectly, that the CTA learned during its clumsily executed overhaul of the Green Line more than a decade ago that poor service begins the death spiral of plummeting ridership." September 08, 2006 The Edens is the new Dan Ryan Starting tonight, Edens Expressway users will now get a taste of what the Dan Ryan commuters have been going through, as work begins this evening on a concrete patching project on the Edens from Lawrence Avenue to Lake-Cook Road. The project, which will cause a series of weekend and overnight closures on the Edens, runs through mid-November, so start getting used to having only one lane open on the Edens on the weekend. (As a reprieve for Northwestern football fans, the closures will not be in effect when NU plays some home games in the next couple of months.) August 31, 2006 Rise of the 100cc Machines Ride a scooter? Or love someone who does? You best be headed to Slaughterhouse this weekend, then. The 12th annual running of the Vespas (and other scooters) is this Saturday , while a pre-party gets the ball rolling tonight at Liar's Club; details in Slowdown . August 29, 2006 A Lincoln Park high school teacher has a lesson for you: Metra's bicycle regulations are more permissive than the South Shore Line's . He has a $150 taxi ride from South Bend to Lincoln Park to prove it. August 27, 2006 It may not be Meigs Field , but Howell-New Lenox Airport is the most recent casualty in the battle between development and area airports. August 26, 2006 See Red on the Red? Say So Sandra Gray is a master's student in urban planning and public administration at UIC. Her thesis project discusses CTA customer service, particularly on the Red Line. If you're a regular rider and have something to say (who doesn't?), she sure could use your help. Take her survey here . August 25, 2006 Volunteer for the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation The CBF is looking for volunteers to help out with the 18th annual Boulevard Lakefront Tour on Sunday, September 10, 2006. You can help guide riders along the route, ride as a safety ambassador or feed hungry riders at our rest stops. Sign up today. August 23, 2006 C. T. Art CitizenShay's 'L' sign artwork -- details available at his website -- seems like it'd make a great gift for a transit enthusiast. Or for someone who just likes this fair city. (If the onscreen images aren't enough, see the work in person at Sacred Art, 2040 W. Roscoe Ave. Or at the Renegade Craft Fair next month. Options. So many options.) August 23, 2006 Game the Travel Market Farecast finally has predictions for ticket prices departing from O'Hare and Midway to major destinations around the country. The beta service predicts whether ticket prices are likely to rise or fall, and makes recommendations on whether to buy now or hold off on that round-trip to San Francisco. August 23, 2006 The El station not on any CTA map Today the Sun-Times checks up on the Chicago History Museum's exhibit of the first Chicago train car built for public transit ( previously mentioned on GB in January, when the museum was moving the car from Skokie to its building). In addition to the car, built in 1892 for the Chicago and South Side Rapid Transit Co., the museum will also have on display a replica of a late 19th century El train platform. The exhibit will be part of the museum's "City on the Make" exhibition, which will be seen by the public when the museum, completing a $27 million renovation, reopens on September 30. August 18, 2006 Get Off at Bemont... The CTA needs to hire a proofreader . When they updated the in-train maps of the system to reflect the Pink Line, lots of mistakes crept in. Such as the wrong phone number for the CTA help line, and typos like Bemont. August 16, 2006 Like any event these days, the reopening of two CTA stations couldn't go unFlickred, and indeed it hasn't: Phineas Jones covers Rockwell , and Tammy Green's got Kedzie . August 16, 2006 ChicagoParkingMap.com maps all the private parking lots and garages downtown (from 1100 North to 2300 South). The Java is a bit clunky, but boy is it comprehensive. August 15, 2006 Ben Husmann saw this "thingy" on the platform of the Oak Park Green Line stop. No telling what it is, but he's right: it sure looks like a Matthew Barney sculpture. August 15, 2006 Now you can check out your vanity license plate ideas through the Secretary of State's Cyberdrive Illinois site. Just head on over to the "Pick A Plate" section , type in a prospective plate, and see if it's taken. August 15, 2006 Who needs an airplane lavatory when there's space between train cars? Today's CTA Tattler recounts a reader's almost-impossible to believe story of sex on the 'L'. August 10, 2006 Running On Time If it's seemed like CTA trains have been slow this summer, the good news is you're not imagining things . The bad news is, not only are you not imagining things, it's actually going to get worse. (If you've got something to say about these recent developments, Carole Brown's blog entry is probably a good place to do it.) August 09, 2006 More Than Your Typical Gapers Two semis apparently collided on the Northwest Tollway this morning, resulting in one overturned truck and a three-mile back-up during rush hour. Jon at the Reverse Commuter snapped some photos of the accident scene from his car in the midst of it all. August 07, 2006 Know where the #20 Madison buses are at all times! The CTA has rolled out a new Website for tracking buses called, not too surprisingly, CTA Bus Tracker. It only tracks the #20 Madison bus right now, but you can watch a street map updated in real time with the locations of various buses along the route. The Sun-Times reports that if this pilot program goes well, all other bus routes will get the same tracking ability in a few years. August 06, 2006 The Journey is the Destination If you're yearning for some travel (video), check out YouTube user Srovetz 's atmospheric videos documenting his train and car travel throughout the country. There are too many Chicago related videos to post here, but some train segments include Kansas City to Chicago , Chicago to New Orleans , and Chicago to New York . August 04, 2006 It's the news you've either been waiting for or dreading: US Cellular customers can now use their phones on CTA trains travelling in subway tunnels. An added bonus for Verizon and Sprint customers: 911 calls for those companies' customers will also work underground. August 01, 2006 Or There's the No. 155 Bus... Ever walk through O'Hare and wonder what it's like to be on one of those planes bound for India instead of Indianapolis? The destination is surely more interesting, but do the ends justify the means? Ben Mutzabaugh of USA Today decided to find out, and he liveblogged the 15+ hours it takes for American Airlines Flight 292 to get from Chicago to Dehli. August 01, 2006 Hop from Point A to Point B This could come in handy, especially when you want to minimize your waiting-in-the-heat time: HopStop helps find the quickest route between one address and another on public transportation. [ via ] (Thanks, Jenni !) [Matt updates to add: Chicagoist isn't impressed , but it mapped my trip from home to work just fine. In other words: it's new; results may vary.] July 31, 2006 R.A.M.B.L.E. Friend of GB, scooterist, designer and vegan guide making extraordinaire, PJ Chmiel hits the open road on his scooter on a tour he calls the 2006 R.A.M.B.L.E . Ambitious in scope, it should be quite a ride. Follow along when he kicks off tomorrow. July 28, 2006 White Van Stealing Bikes In Loop? The Chicago bicycling community is up in arms about a possible white van that is stealing bikes in the Loop. Craigslist's bikes section has a lot of the details. In the meantime, if you ride on two wheels, remember to use two U-Locks, not a cable lock, and if you can, register your bike with the Chicago Police . Mr. Bike also recommends putting your name and address in the seat-post tube since some unsophisticated thieves might not look there. Also, add stickers, duct tape, and other markings to make it distinctive and thus less attractive to thieves. July 24, 2006 You may have used the CTA Google Map developed by Ed Knittel in the past. But, now that you can search by address, it's probably worth another look. July 24, 2006 The Oak Street Curve on the northbound side of Lake Shore Drive is a notorious accident spot, but people keep speeding into the curve and hitting the wall or each other. So the city is planning some new measures to alert drivers to slow down , including some optical illusion paint lines. The Trib has a nice graphic explaining the changes. July 19, 2006 Been to Midway lately? Seem like Southwest has every gate in the airport? Well, they nearly do . July 17, 2006 A Three (and a half) Hour Tour Transit buff extraordinaire Tony Coppoletta is playing skipper to the "Soul of Chicago Express" next month: he, with help from Chicagoist , has chartered a private 'L' train to take passengers on a Sunday afternoon tour of five CTA rail stations. Interested in participating? See the site for details on registration. July 13, 2006 What, Carole Brown asks , can the CTA do better when it comes to communicating with customers? July 13, 2006 I-Go now has some competition in the car-sharing business: Zipcar . [ via ] July 11, 2006 Despite the recent uproar at foreign ownership of domestic ports, non-US firms seem poised to dominate the bidding for Midway. Subject, of course, to aldermanic approval. July 10, 2006 With gas prices so high, Vespas and other scooters have shot up in popularity. There's only one problem: the only Vespa dealership in Chicago has gone bankrupt . (Little tip for the guy in that article who needs a tune-up: Scooterworks .) July 07, 2006 Manuel Tenecota, an Ecuadorian immigrant, was hit and killed by a CTA bus earlier today. He was just two blocks from his home. His death is the second bicycle-motorist fatality in as many weeks. June 28, 2006 City to Stick You for $75 Now or $115 Later Just a reminder to drivers (or, more accurately, parkers): if you haven't purchased your 2007 Chicago vehicle sticker , you've got but three days until the old one's expired and you become an outlaw-although you probably won't get ticketed until after July 15, the end of the official renewal period. June 27, 2006 Cartopia 2006 photos You know those cars with the crazy springs or dolls glued all over them? Well, reader Lotta writes in about her heading out to Cartopia 2006 , held in Berwyn, last week where she took photos of all kinds of cars just like that. June 27, 2006 The CTA Tattler , Chicago's number one source for transit scuttlebut, has redesigned . June 25, 2006 As of Today, Think Pink! Recent changes on the CTA have the chicago_el LiveJournal community hopping with discussion: new announcements (including the initially jarring addition of the cross-street to some stations; no more "This is Grand," for example); new maps (subway lines are no longer indicated; rush period lines are); new phone service (yes, US Cellular now works underground); and, not new, but a useful reminder: no bikes on trains on July 3 (when the system carries its highest daily passenger load of the year). [More: today's "Pop Goes The World" picks five favorite films that feature the 'L'.] June 22, 2006 Stop the Pervy Perp A CTA Tattler reader has called for a sort of neighborhood watch on North Side Red Line runs, describing a public masturbator she and her roommate have encountered repeatedly. "If we all take care of each other," she says, "we can catch this guy and stop him before his exposure fails to excite him anymore and he has to go to further extremes." June 14, 2006 "Quiet cars" on the CTA . And I mean never. June 08, 2006 Dry Runs on the Metra I only recently learned that it's allowed (and depending on your traveling companions, encouraged) to drink alcohol on Metra trains. But it's worth noting, as my conductor did this morning, that Metra restricts carrying alcohol and/or glass bottles at night and on weekends during the big downtown festivals, including this weekend's Blues Fest. Here's the calendar of blackout dates (pun intended). June 07, 2006 Just in time for Bike To Work Week next week, the Millenium Park Bike Station has been renamed the McDonald's Cycle Center . That doesn't mean the facility is any less handy than previously, but seriously, McDonald's? June 06, 2006 Taking the West Side for a Ride CTA Chair Carole Brown talks up soon-to-come enhancements to West Side transit options and shares a photo of the winners of the contest that will, in a matter of weeks, give us the Pink Line. More information, including a Polish language run-down of coming attractions, available at the CTA site . June 05, 2006 A Hard Cell Speaking of airports, designated "cell phone lots" opened at both Midway and O'Hare today . The idea is to ease congestion at the arrival gates by allowing drivers a free place to wait for a call once passengers have retrieved their luggage (whether this will work is anybody's guess). May 30, 2006 Thinking about Riding to Work? On 10 June, the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation kicks off Bike to Work Week , to encourage more Chicagoans to commute on two wheels. If you haven't biked to work before, it's a great time to get started. Next Monday, CBF is offering a class for novices , and during Bike to Work Week CBF is hosting Bicycle Commuter Stations through Thursday morning, the 15th, with free refreshments and bike chain lubes. You can find out more here . May 25, 2006 Department of HVAC Security The CTA has posted a PDF version of a PowerPoint-ish presentation about its forthcoming 5000-series railstock. There are all sorts of details, but one of the more interesting (and possibly reassuring) is that operators will be able to shut down the ventilation system in response to, among other things, a "biological incident." [ via ] May 25, 2006 Simon Garber, president of Chicago Carriage Cab Co., definitely wins this week's Good Boss award: he distributed $50 gift cards to all 637 cab drivers that work for his company. The gift cost Garber nearly $32,000. May 24, 2006 Crosswalk in the Crosshairs After the death of a very young pedestrian at the intersection of Belden Ave and Lincoln Park West this weekend, Eric Zorn features a proposal for improving safety for walkers and drivers. He also points to the website for America Walks, which has a number of affiliated groups if you're interested in (foot) traffic safety activism. May 23, 2006 Bike Tour 2K6! Friends and Chicagoans Andrea and Ira saved money for a year, resigned from their jobs and left for the open road a little over a week ago. On their bikes. They're riding around the country for a year. You can keep up to date and check up on them as they post on the road from the weblog . Earlier posts are informative — lots of information on prepping for such an adventure. I'm jealous too — they look insanely happy. May 17, 2006 Chicagoland Bike News Couple of quick bike-related items I just noticed: forums.bikechicago.info is a new site for Chicagoans to discuss cycling issues and a useful local outlet for discussion if you don't like mailing lists; Aspire To Inspire's Stephen Wagner is about to begin a trek around the world again on a bicycle, perhaps you'd like to make a donation to help him? May 17, 2006 Where To Buy A Bike Reader Marge Simpson (!) wrote to ask where to buy a used bike. As the weather has gotten nicer, it's a prescient question. I have a few recommendations... If you're looking for an affordable bike for getting around, local charity Working Bikes on South Western is the place to go. You can get a decent bike for $50 if you don't mind it being a bit older. And if you want something nicer, I'd recommend Uptown Bikes in Uptown. It's a little more money, but they have new bikes as well and one of the best repair shops I've worked with. If you're looking for something closer to home (whereever that is), there's also a database of bike shops in Chicago at www.chicagobikeshops.info . Chime in with your own recommendations in Fuel . May 15, 2006 Indulge Your Inner Civil Engineer In 2001, the Center for Neighborhood Technology developed Transopoly , a boardgame-like tool for examining transportation and other needs in a community. They've recently created an online version of the game , in which you can allocate a $2 billion budget toward such things as building new train stations and bike paths. May 13, 2006 Cheek By Jowled As those who have ridden the metros in just about any of the world's other major cities know, the front-to-back seating on the 'L' is the exception to the longitudinal rule. But, with its new railstock order the CTA is embracing the industry standard, and, as this CTA Tattler poll and an accompanying post make clear, the change -- not scheduled to roll out for another few years -- has some people riled up. May 09, 2006 Ah, Spring. When the weather warms, the days grow longer, and the daily bus commuters finally snap . May 05, 2006 GB alum Craig Berman , who's given a lot of thought to Chicago's transit system , went to one of the CTA's community meetings about the Circle Line and collected some thoughts regarding the several potential routes currently on the table. May 01, 2006 Rights Of Way With spring on the horizon and in the wake of a pretty unfortunate Critical Mass last Friday (some discussion of that here ), it's as good a time as any to reacquaint yourself with the rights and responsibilities of cyclists in Chicago. If you get arrested on your headlightless, brakeless fixed-gear, don't come crying to me. April 28, 2006 Buying A New Bike The weather is getting nicer and Chicago will be filled with (even more) bicycles soon. If you're looking to purchase an old-school Schwinn or similar affordable ride, you might check out this post on Craigslist . If you can't make it, don't forget the good work that the volunteers of Working Bikes do as well, and they also sell vintage cycles. Don't want a used bike? This site has all of the bikeshops in Chicago , and feedback on what people think of the service. April 28, 2006 Talking in Circles Next week, the CTA is holding a series of public meetings to gather input on the proposed Circle Line. According to the news release , "The meetings are part of the Alternatives Analysis study — the first step in pursuing federal funding for major transit projects. The Alternatives Analysis study is designed to examine all the transit options available and determine a locally preferred alternative." The meetings are 6-8pm on Tuesday , Wednesday and Thursday . April 26, 2006 If you've given up on receiving CTA Wireless Alerts, well, wirelessly, you can stay abreast of developments at your desktop with a Yahoo! widget . [ via ] April 25, 2006 Mayo's Bike Day Fellow cyclist and friend Mayonnaise (a moniker) is having a Bike Day at the loading dock of 800 N. Michigan Ave from 1 to 3:30PM this Friday (4/28). Stop by for a quick in n' out bike tune up. He's doing it out of the goodness of his heart but he'll have a mayo jar for any donations to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. [Apologies for the date mix-up!] April 24, 2006 This Road Brought to You by _________ The city has begun circulating the initial documents bidders must submit as they compete for naming rights to various aspects of the Chicago Skyway, including the road itself, in an auction budgeted to raise $3M. According to an announcement by World Business Chicago , this represents "a unique historical opportunity for a prospective bidder to be the first corporation in the United States to own the naming rights to a major bridge and roadway." Doesn't quite have the same ring as being home to the first skyscraper, does it? April 24, 2006 Tracking Transit Speaking of getting from one place to another, Tony Coppoletta has just launched Chicago Transit Status , a site consolidating information about CTA outages, delays and more. It's just the trains right now, but there are plans to deliver bus information soon. He's looking for volunteers to help update the site; check the contact page to get in touch. April 21, 2006 The Wall Street Journal takes a look at how the "Dan Ryan Dig" is affecting would-be drivers commuting into the city. The attachment some people have to their cars is a little frightening. April 16, 2006 "Free" Bicycle, Anyone? Chicago is one of around a dozen locations selected by Bicycling Magazine for its BikeTown USA promotion, which will give away 50 bicycles in each "BikeTown." Just fill out this form and pay special attention to the box that asks you to explain "how you would use a BikeTown bike to change your life." Of course, there are strings attached: if you win you'll have to sign a rather extensive release (pdf )... April 12, 2006 Faster Flying The planes won't actually go faster, but you may not have to arrive at the airport so darn early. The Transportation Security Administration is looking to add part-time luggage screeners at both Midway and O'Hare. The screeners, who would make for a larger work-force during peak times, could cut wait times substantially . April 11, 2006 Speaking of our roadways, Eric Zorn checked in on Underpass Mary one year after the miraculous mineral stain appeared on Fullerton Avenue, and found she's mostly still intact and still receiving flowers. April 11, 2006 Chester Cheetah Unwelcome on the Orange Line Today, RedEye offers a reminder : a ticket to ride is not a ticket to eat. Rather, for CTA customer Matt Smith, it turned into a ticket for eating. Smith dug into his 65 cent bag of Cheetos after stepping on board a train and got smacked with an unappetizing $110 fine. April 10, 2006 Taking "flight" on the streets of Chicago this summer: the LimoJet . April 08, 2006 Red Line riders: take the bus today! The Trib reports that there was a minor derailment on the Red Line tracks earlier this morning, and the CTA has cut power to the Red Line tracks between the Fullerton and North & Clybourn stops. There's an alert on the CTA Website that says they're rerouting southbound Red Line trains to the elevated tracks (i.e., the Brown/Purple Line route) and stopping at some downtown elevated stations (see the CTA site for a complete list of stops). Shuttle buses are also running between North & Clybourn and State & Lake. As always, expect delays on the trains. Update: trains are running as usual now, but you should still expect delays. April 04, 2006 Apparently, this image of the Damen Blue Line station is not a photograph; rather, it's a "photo-realist painting" that took 2000 hours and 50 Photoshop files. Wow. April 03, 2006 The Pink Line has elicited strong opinions from Chicagoans on LiveJournal , NPR and lots of other forums. Sound off for yourself on today's Fuel . March 31, 2006 Ryan and Cryin' Can't the Dan Ryan Highway Reconstruction Project (which begins tonight) get a little love? Apparently not. "Our long, hot summer starts now," moans the Sun-Times, while the Trib decries cronyism at IDOT, and IDOT itself justs wants you to stay away from 90/94 altogether (especially you, Sox fans ). March 31, 2006 The Never-Ending Promotion In an effort to lure displaced Dan Ryan drivers, the CTA has again extended the period during which Chicago Cards are available at no cost. Considering how often they run this promotion, the CTA ought to do away with the fee altogether and just be happy they're making interest on all the balances they hold in escrow. But, until they make it that easy, May 31st is the new deadline for fee-free switching to "the Go Lane." (In more sensible news, the agency's board approved a pilot program to offer passes to convention-goers, starting with the Gay Games in June.) March 30, 2006 Think Pink (Line) When the CTA asked Chicagoland area schoolchildren to nominate a color for the new West Side elevated train line, they should have known they'd get a pretty kid-friendly color. Pink was the winner, nominated by a K-8 student in an essay contest. The new line will run along the current Cermak branch of the Blue Line east and then connect via a current service track to the Green Line. Pink colored or not, the line change isn't without a little objection from West Side residents who'll lose some direct routes to UIC and to O'Hare. March 27, 2006 CTA For Sale (Old Signs Anyway) The CTA has donated a lot of their outdated signage to the Illinois Railway Museum in Union. They're selling them to help raise money to fund this nifty museum in Union. This from the "Chicago" station seems cool, as do some of the system maps. (via ...pickhits... ) March 24, 2006 Gas Hike-a, No Like-a It's getting warmer, which means you may be traveling more, which means, you can already see an increase in gas prices . Word on the street is that the price of gasoline is already up 13% in Chicagoland, and you can expect it to only go higher as we near the "busy summer travel season". Better tune up the bike and the CTA card now, folks. March 23, 2006 Train Station Announcements Micro Bits , a website dedicated to subway stations around the world, has a great page titled " Voices in the Deep ," which compares station announcements in subways in dozens of international cities. According to the list, "in Kyoto, the subway plays beautiful guzheng (sort of an Asian violin) compositions for its door-closing tones," while Lisbon, Portugal, subway riders hear a "buzzing before the doors close." And in Chicago? "A very friendly, pre-recorded male voice is somewhat verbose and talks almost permanently to the passengers." Some city descriptions even include audio files. Check it out. March 23, 2006 Who needs a Google map when you've got something as nice as this. Not sure where the nearest parking is? The Chicago Parking Network has you covered. March 22, 2006 Megacheap Via an article in the Cincinnati Enquirer, meet Megabus.com , a transit service that gives Greyhound a run for its money by charging a buck a seat from Chicago to several Midwest destinations . The shuttles start running in a few weeks; with prices so low, how long they can keep running is anyone's guess. March 14, 2006 Take Back The Streets If leisurely cycling down Lake Shore Drive (that's the expressway, not the path) is your idea of a good time, registration for the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation's Bike The Drive (May 28) is currently open . (Check out some pictures of past years on Flickr .) March 10, 2006 As the CTA Tattler points out, this week Mother Nature did what aldermen and citizens could not -- temporarily put off Brown Line closings for this weekend only, due to rain in the forecast. The Kimball and Francisco Brown Line stops will stay open this weekend. Enjoy! March 07, 2006 Despite their Jenny Holzer/Barbara Kruger-like quality, those new CTA turnstile wrappers were placed as ads, not art. I'd been curious, so I asked John Blunda of CBS Outdoor -- turns out they're promoting the soon-to-open McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum . March 07, 2006 Transit Union Votes to Strike In a developing story , members of the CTA's union local voted last night in favor of striking by an overwhelming majority: 1,029 to 11. The union's president will meet with the CTA's management on Friday; things are already not looking good as Frank Kruesi disputes the union's right to call for a walk-out. The Tribune notes the CTA hasn't experienced a strike since March 1979 -- whether another will happen in 2006 remains to be seen. March 06, 2006 There's been some activity down in Springfield that points to Midway Airport being privatized by the city , much like the Skyway privatization in 2004. Does Dubai Ports World run airports? March 01, 2006 On the heels of the anagrammed Metra map , one for the CTA . Or should we say the CAT? March 01, 2006 Update: Archana Siriam, stupid Hummers and other oddities We've posted before about Archana Siriam and her unfortunate encounter with a Hummer. I recently discovered that I knew her peripherally and found out that she is recovering well and in good spirits but is unlikely to walk or get on a bike for about three months. Here are photos from one of her friends at the CBF news conference and an uplifting photo at the end of a bruised ndd beat up but smiling Archana. The driver of the Hummer is still unidentified and being sought after . February 27, 2006 "Silver Line" Loses its Luster Remember the Silver Line ? Well, don't get to attached to it -- the name, that is. We mentioned a couple of weeks ago that its color might change, and, sure enough, the CTA has announced a Name the Line contest for local K-8 students. Children are invited to submit a color and an essay explaining their choice; the winner will receive a $1000 savings bond. February 24, 2006 A Story Made for This Blog Using the left-hand entrance ramps on the Kennedy downtown scares the bejeezus out of me. I'm always afraid someone's not going to be paying attention and nail me as I merge into fast lane traffic. It'll be a bit easier in the future, though: roadwork on that stretch of highway begins Monday , and the Monroe ramps — the shortest of the lot — will be closing for good. February 23, 2006 Stop, Look, and Listen Did you know that more than 160 bicyclists and pedestrians are killed in the Chicago metropolitan area every year? To find ways to combat hit-and-runs the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation is teaming up with the Evanston Bicycle Club to have a news conference tomorrow morning at 8:30 am at the intersection of Sherman and Lake Street in Evanston (1450 Sherman Ave). Not only will there be "bigger picture" discussions related to traffic calming and tips on getting info on hit-and-runs to give to authorities, but there will also be requests to help track down a yellow Hummer H2 which seriously injured Archana Sriram at the intersection on February 16th. February 23, 2006 I've ate thine huge Inspired by London , Toronto and Amsterdam mass transit riders who have made up alternate maps of their cities' subway stops, local blogger Pete Anderson made up a map for two Metra lines where the station names are anagrams for the original names. This probably can't be done with the CTA map; what's an anagram for "63rd"? February 22, 2006 Another Reason to Hate Hummers Seen a yellow Hummer with damage to the front corner? If you do, flick them off , then call the cops: on Monday morning, Northwestern student Archana Sriram was hit while riding her bike to school by a yellow H2 that ran the light at Sherman and Lake in Evanston. The driver took off, while Sriram ended up in the hospital with a broken jaw, hip and leg. (Thanks, Mike) February 20, 2006 Handy link for to keep around when the weather gets better: the route map from Chicago to Milwaukee by bicycle . Of course, taking Amtrak isn't bad either, and is even better since they added a stop at the Milwaukee airport. February 17, 2006 How Now Brown Line? Monday marks not only Presidents' Day, but also the start of the Brown Line expansion project . The CTA will be closing various stops for a varying (and sometimes unknown) amount of time over the next year, starting with Kedzie and Rockwell. Riders will have to walk to the closest open stop or make other arrangements . Think riding the Red Line will keep you safe? Because of switching and track upgrades, riders will see an increase in delays at Fullerton and Belmont throughout the year (and probably until the project is completed in 2009). Raise your hand if you're super psyched! February 16, 2006 Ride the Silver Bullet No, not Coor's. The CTA has unveiled plans to turn the Cermak branch of the Blue Line into the Silver Line , though the color may change. The plans call for a new section of line called the Paulina Connector , which will run the new line up to the Green Line tracks. Here's the press release . February 15, 2006 I Go, You Go, We all Go with I Go You brag proudly about how you love not having a car. As your friends complain about scraping their car windows in the morning, you wave your transit card at them. But occasionally you want to go to the burbs or you just want to make a massive run on a grocery store. I-Go has been in Chicago for a while, but now they have a blog called Chicago Car Sharing . It's a great place to keep up on chicago transportation issues while keeping your carless pride. edited 2/16: I-Go doesn't permit pets unless they're in a carrier. Good news for the pet allergic, bad news for those with a Fluffy or Fido. February 14, 2006 Task Unmanaged The Mac nerds are all over this CTA Tattler post with its shots of the new Jackson station signage gone, well, off the rails, really. That Windows XP -- if it knows anything, it knows you need anti-virus software and/or a firewall. One or the other. February 14, 2006 HB4907 AKA The Boub Bill If you're involved with local Chicago cycling happenings, you may well be aware of Boub vs. Wayne and the disincentive that the Chicago Bicycle Federation and other parties have been trying to elminate. The good news is that the bill passed 6-4 in the Local Government committee but is now facing tough opposition from the City of Chicago (which started on the 9th of this month). While it may be a little late, it can't hurt to voice your concerns to the Mayor. See what you can do . February 13, 2006 Crash Monday On a day that has seen more than the usual amount of car crashes , IDOT has released its most recent list of dangerous intersections . Recent data shows the intersection of Higgins and Roselle in Hoffman Estates saw more crashes than anywhere else in the state in 2004. It seems malls and tollways are to blame. February 13, 2006 So Fast, So Furious Lake Shore Drive can be pretty dangerous, especially that cool curvy bit by Oak Street. The Trib's column about it (eerily timed on a morning with a pretty big crash on LSD at Irving Park Road) comes with a cool graphic [PDF] though. (Thanks, Dan!) February 02, 2006 The first Chicago Ghost Bike The Ghost Bike Project started last year as reminders and memorials to cyclists who had lost their lives tragically to drivers. The first Chicago Ghost Bike has been set up in memoriam of Isai Medina . Photos of the bike have appeared on Flickr taken by April Jacobs ( here and here ) and by Payton Chung, here . The driver was charged with vehicular homicide in mid-January. More photos from around the country of ghost bikes can be seen here . February 02, 2006 We tied with Los Angeles in the rankings of most expensive cities , but we've got them beat (narrowly) with only five of the nation's worst traffic bottlenecks (LA had six). Our worst: the Circle Interchange . January 30, 2006 Buy now, ride later There's a Metra fare increase scheduled to take effect next month (i.e., Wednesday). And although Metra officials would really like you not to, you can buy yourself some 10-ride tickets today and tomorrow even if you're not going to use them, because Metra tickets are good for 1 year after the sale date. For the full list of increased Metra fares see the Metra Website. January 30, 2006 Wireless to the Dunes Starting in April, you can be among the elite to test what may become the nation's first commuter rail wireless service on the South Shore line . The service will use the train line's existing fiber optics, and technology created for NASCAR drivers. Still, the zone will be limited to just seven miles of track for now, while the problem of maintaining a wireless connection at 80mph is worked out. January 23, 2006 Yes, the CTA Tattler confirms , train cars with longitudinal seating are still coming. Just not very quickly. January 18, 2006 CTA L #1 The first car ever built for Chicago public transit (for the Chicago and South Side Rapid Transit Co. in 1892) will be moved today from a CTA storage facility in Skokie to the Chicago Historical Society at Clark & North. In a moving project reminiscent of the 2004 move of the MSI's U-505 sub, the car will be slowly moved down Chicago streets, avoiding viaducts and overpasses, in a journey that should take at least 3 hours to complete. Once the car reaches its destination, it will be renovated and be put on display at the museum by late September. January 15, 2006 F*****g Smoking Ban Metra has suspended without pay a conductor on the line to Harvard, who added his own editorial to a warning that smoking would no longer be allowed on train platforms in the city. According to the Trib , "the conductor used a vulgar sexual epithet over the Metra train's public address system to describe the city officials who enacted the ordinance." January 13, 2006 What's with Western? Western Avenue as I've known it, is a pretty fast street — the wannabe hot rodders streak their cars up and down Western and you're left playing chicken even if you've got a walk sign. Isai Medina , a 50 year old cyclist was struck and killed in a seven car accident last week. You might remember Chris Saathof 's tragedy on Western as well. Be careful on Western. There's just something about the avenue that's like some kind of imaginary line drawn in the sand... January 13, 2006 Another sticker loophole closing All you clever people out there who park your cars in garages and think you don't need a city sticker: the free parking's over! On Wednesday the City Council introduced an ordinance to require cars parked in garages to have stickers. However, the city is only allowed to investigate cars in garages that are open to the public, so all you car owners with private garages have been spared. For now, that is. January 10, 2006 The new Metra schedules are up, for those of you who metra. Highlights include some new trains to O'Hare in the morning and service to Elburn , aka The Land Past Geneva Somewhere (Thanks, Steve !). January 09, 2006 CTA Accused of Discrimination On Friday, Tiffany Chancellor was reported to have filed a lawsuit against the CTA because she was paying higher cash fares after unsuccessfully attempting to procure a Chicago Card. (Although recent fare changes were announced months prior to their implementation, presumably giving riders time to avoid the hikes, there's been an apparent rush on the cards; stores all over the city have experienced shortages .) Today, the Chicago Defender reports , the suit will likely be amended to a racial discrimination complaint. January 05, 2006 Pols for Petrol The Citgo/CTA controversy continues, as several local politicians held a press conference yesterday to question the transit agency's decision. For his part, Frank Kruesi has gone on record to explain why the CTA didn't move on the proposal; he says the fuel wouldn't be compatible with some buses and would generate increased emissions in others. January 04, 2006 Chavez, Oil, and our CTA One story we mentioned previously but that continues to make the rounds of many mailing lists is that the Venezuelan government offered cheap gas to the CTA if they gave away many free tickets to low-income riders. The CTA has reportedly turned down the offer. (And as someone has mentioned, it wouldn't matter much anyway - gas costs make up a small percentage of the CTA budget.) January 04, 2006 Metra's Growing The CTA is not the only one raising fares -- Metra's rates are going up in February as well. But Metra is quietly expanding too. In addition to allowing bicycles last summer, Metra is increasing service or adding new stations to three lines. January 03, 2006 Express This If you're one of those Metra to CTA commuters, you found out this morning that your express fare is no more. Instead of the buck you've been paying to go from Ogilvie and Union to the lake, now you're paying regular CTA fares. Thanks for keeping that under wraps in your fare chart , CTA. December 30, 2005 Riding the CTA into 2006 If you're going out tomorrow night, know that the CTA is offering penny rides from 8pm until 6am on New Year's Day and some routes will see extended hours of service. Get it while you can; once 6 strikes, the new fare structure goes into effect (SaveChicagoTransit.com has an extensive rundown about that). December 28, 2005 When it comes to those increased fares , the NewStandard offers one version of how they might have been avoided. (Thanks, Mitchell .) December 28, 2005 Be Smart: Get a Smart Card It's just a few days before the new CTA fare structure kicks in (happy 2006, Chicago!). If you rode it this morning, you probably saw this RedEye story that attempts to explain it all. If not, we can digest it for you in two words: Chicago Card . (Also, as pointed out in the chicago_el LiveJournal community , there seems to be an error in the article: although rail fares will increase a quarter for users of magnetic strip cards, they will still be able to transfer for $.25.) December 22, 2005 Verify Your Flight Plan If you're flying in the next couple days, you might want to check out the Chicago Airport System website. It provides flight information for O'Hare or Midway based on the same info as the arrival/departure screens in the terminals, and current parking conditions for both airports are listed right on the front page . (If you're a regular flyer, you might even want to sign up to receive parking status notifications on your cell .) December 22, 2005 Rudolph the Red Line Operator Today's the last day the CTA's Holiday Train will operate this year. There will be two southbound Red Line runs from Howard, one starting at 2pm and the other at 5:30, and two northbound trips from 95th, the first at 3:40 and the second at 7:05. Exact station-by-station itineraries are at transitchicago.com . December 21, 2005 Enjoy the Silence (Or Not) Much of New York's subway system runs underground, but some routes operate on elevated tracks not unlike Chicago's. As anyone who lives along CTA lines knows, the noise of the trains is a constant, if distracting, companion. Ironically, with the MTA transit strike continuing, some New Yorkers find themselves more distracted by the quiet . Which is just one more reason to hope Chicago's not faced with the "nuisance" of noise-free living any time soon. December 21, 2005 Wrap and Fly Here's something cool: You know how you're not supposed to bring wrapped presents through the security check at the airport? Well, between now and Friday, you can take advantage of free gift-wrapping services on the other side of the x-rays from 2pm to 5pm at O'Hare and noon to 4pm at Midway. December 18, 2005 From Junk Were Ye Made... Aww, you spent twenty minutes digging your car out of the snow last week? Get over it. The Tribune reports that, starting Monday, the Streets and Sanitation Department will start hauling away your lawn chairs, ladders, and other space savers. "The snowstorm we had is history," says the Department, and there you have it. December 18, 2005 The CTA Holiday Train derailed on the Brown/Purple line tracks just north of Sedgewick on Saturday night. Friend of GB Wendy McClure happened to be on the train, and took some pictures . December 16, 2005 I Like Big Butts and I Cannot Lie Starting next year, your booty will have a little more room on CTA and Pace buses. Both are are ordering wider seats for hundreds of buses, making our seats the widest in the country. The CTA and Pace are trying to couch the move in PC jargon, but face it--we're not just the city of Big Shoulders anymore. December 15, 2005 Can You Hear Joan Cusack Now? The CTA has announced that those wireless communication points in the Red and Blue Line subways weren't just for better emergency response, after all. Within a few months, you'll be able to tell who's a US Cellular customer; until other providers get on board, they'll be the only ones yapping away underground. December 12, 2005 CTA tattler reports that your favorite local transit authority dispatched this message via their wireless alert system Thursday night: "Due to airplane blocking 55th Street at Central, #55 reroute is WB: 55th -Cicero-Archer-55th - Central.EB:Reverse." Can nothing faze them? December 09, 2005 New cab or old cab? I didn't even realize that the Chicago taxi cabs had been redesigned recently, but apparently in 2001 the lights on top of the cab that indicate whether or not the cab is available were changed. A veteran driver took an informal survey of his riders, and found out that they nearly all thought that the pre-2001 design was easier to see. So now what does he do with this information? Well, now that Mayor Daley is interested in putting rooftop advertising on Chicago cabs, obviously the lights are going to have to be redesigned again, so why not return to a design that people prefer? December 06, 2005 Atlanta gets busy The annual competition of world's busiest airport is heating up this year between Chicago's O'Hare and Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. O'Hare has had fewer flights flights this year, due to flight restrictions imposed by the FAA and rising fuel costs. O'Hare officials are hoping that December will pick up for Chicago; the holiday travel season is typically busier for O'Hare than it is for Hartsfield-Jackson. Check in at the end of the month to see if Chicago retains the title. December 05, 2005 Sticker time! Today is the day to vote for the next design of the city stickers that we'll all have to buy next year. See the finalists' designs here, and vote for your favorite by this afternoon at 5:00. The winning design will be seen on windshields citywide in 2006-07. December 01, 2005 Isn't It About Time You Got the Card? Given that the CTA's fare structure is shifting to favor use of Chicago Cards in January, it's probably only fair that they're giving the things away for free again. Starting today and running through the end of March, the $5 fee will be waived. November 30, 2005 First, there was I-GO ; look soon for Zipcar . Today's Times has the story on emerging competition in the car-sharing market and the "free satellite radio, iPod connections and access to convertible Mini Coopers" that come with it. November 28, 2005 Winter Parking Rules Do you like to find your car still in the place it was last parked? Of course you do! Therefore, you might want to take note that the winter overnight parking rules take effect on Wednesday night at 3 a.m., unless you want to pay $150 for the tow and $50 for a possible additional ticket. Time to pull out those buckets, lawn chairs, and any other junk you have lying around that you can use for "spot saving"; the winter parking games are about to begin. November 24, 2005 We can all be thankful no one died in the collision of a Metra train with several cars last night: looking at the wreckage depicted in these photos , it almost seems a miracle. November 16, 2005 It's best not to mess with Mimi Smartypants. Or, at least, best not to mess with yourself while in her Red Line car. She's seen this kind of thing before, and she's not gonna put up with anymore nasty shenanigans . November 14, 2005 New city motto: Expect delays If you thought that the city had finished work on the Chicago Skyway at the end of last year, you're in for a surprise; work on the Skyway will continue for the next two years, as a series of viaduct repairs that had been postponed in 2003 are now scheduled to occur. Said one transit official after hearing of the new construction, "Didn't the city just rebuild the skyway?" November 09, 2005 CTA fare increases for some Today the CTA approved a 25-cent fare increase for riders paying cash, starting in January. The CTA will also stop giving transfers to people paying in cash. Time to get yourself a Chicago Card, and make sure it's always got money on it! November 08, 2005 New Buses on the Way ChicagoBus.org reports that the CTA today received its first New Flyer D40LF 1000 series , which may replace half of the current fleet. Twenty of the new buses will be diesel-electric hybrids. Here's a video (.avi) of the bus pulling away from this morning's press conference. November 07, 2005 Help study the CTA Tired of late-running buses, or buses that arrive in bunches? Take some action against the problem! The Campaign for Better Transit, a group of people trying to improve Chicago's public transportation, is starting a new study of the reliability of CTA buses. In 2004 the group released a study called The Late State of the Buses (PDF link) which documented the problems people have with the buses (late arrivals, bus bunching, etc.). This year's study will attempt to find out if there've been any improvements since the previous study. See this post at Chicago Indymedia for details on how to volunteer your time on the study to hold the CTA accountable for its problems. November 06, 2005 The Reincarnation of 7L39 New York taxis never die, they just ship out for Chicago... Follow their journey in text and images in today's Times. (Bonus fun fact: when it comes to cabs, yellow in the Big Apple is different than yellow in the Big Shoulders.) November 02, 2005 While this was originally aired on WNYC's Studio 360 , a radio piece produced by Jonathan Menjivar that features me waxing poetic about fixed gear bikes will air shortly on WBEZ's 848 . If you miss it, I'm sure the archive will provide otherwise, listen in online . October 31, 2005 Airport Parking Deck Status Dot Com If you're the type who wants every. little. detail. planned when traveling, you'll be happy to know that the regional airport system is now posting information about parking availability on its website, FlyChicago.com . And there's no need to worry about things changing after you've left the comfort of your 'net connection. Nope, register to receive mobile alerts, and you're all set. October 25, 2005 Something To Hold On To Germophobes, take further note: the CTA won't introduce train cars with aisle-facing seats for another few years (assuming the plans are to schedule, at least), so you're probably not a rush hour straphanger just yet. But, once the switch happens, you may want to remember the TranStrap , which, if its makers are to be believed, "dramatically enhances the public transit experience" -- especially when you've forgotten your travel-size Purel. [ via ] October 24, 2005 If high oil prices are making you think about trading in your gas guzzler for a two-wheeler and cycling to the office, you might want to attend Wednesday's Chicagoland Bicycle Federation lunchtime roundtable on commuting by bike. Details in Slowdown . October 21, 2005 Cyclists who have been using Metra can now rejoice: the trial period is over and today's meeting resulted in bikes on Metra year-round . Cheers all round! October 18, 2005 10/17: CTA board chair Carole Brown applauds the Tattler on her blog for "holding our feet to the fire." October 16, 2005 Roll Up for the History Tour Today was the Chicago-L.org tour we mentioned last month, but let's say you couldn't make it. While you won't be able to hear the attendant commentary, thanks to the interweb you can at least see the sights via this here Flickr photoset . Update: And another . October 12, 2005 Sign of the Season If you live or work within sight of a Chicago harbor, you may have noticed the sailboat population beginning to dwindle. Except for holders of "late leaver" permits (who can stay till November 15), boats need to leave their harbor moorings by October 15. Which makes for interesting viewing on Wednesdays and Saturdays , if you live or work within sight of a Chicago River drawbridge. October 11, 2005 Counting Down You can take your bike on Metra only till 30 October. If you want to be able to do so throughout the year, give Metra Chairman Philip A. Pagano a piece of your mind. The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation recommends you send him a thank-you letter if you took your bike on Metra this summer, and ask that Bikes on Trains be reinstated year-round . October 07, 2005 The CTA announced 2006 budget recommendations which increase fares another quarter to $2 -- but only for people not using the Chicago Card . In related news, the CTA has beefed up security in response to the threat to New York's subway. October 05, 2005 Elbow Grease on the Red Line It's easy to complain about how bad certain CTA stations smell, but how many people are willing to go clean them up on a Saturday morning? The residents of Edgewater are tired of waiting for the CTA to fix up the Thorndale red line station, so they are taking matters into their own hands . From 9 to noon this Saturday, October 8th, they will be entering the station to clean, paint and fix up the North side stop themselves. If guerilla cleaning is not your thing, the Campaign for Better Transit also has a list of other ways you can take action . October 03, 2005 With its station turnstile sponsorship scheme , the CTA takes another step toward plastering every available surface with advertisements. October 03, 2005 But hey, this one shows the train lines in their appropriate color! Which is pretty cool. ( Here's how he did it .) October 03, 2005 The Trib reports that Red and Brown line trains are running again, after an early morning train derailment disrupted train service between Belmont and Fullerton. Purple Line service between Evanston and the Loop remains shut down. October 02, 2005 Ever wonder what the little messages that pop up on CTA turnstiles and bus fare meters mean? The Tribune did a little digging . September 28, 2005 Stick it to the Gas Tank I love my Prius. While everyone else complains about the high price of gas, I get to gloat about filling up only every 350-400 miles. And thanks to MPG Stick! I can boast a little more openly about my 50+ MPG average this summer . September 26, 2005 Pedestrian Rally Against TMA Many groups in Chicago such as Break The Gridlock and Logan Square Walks are organizing a demonstration downtown on Wednesday to protest Chicago's Traffic Management Authority (TMA) policy of ticketing pedestrians . You can see the flyer here , or read the Trib's article saying that yes, this is dumb . If you want to join the protest, it starts at 5pm at Daley Plaze on Wednesday. September 23, 2005 Pilsen Critical Mass Like the idea of Critical Mass but don't like the crowds? The Pilsen Critical Mass is a nice alternative with a smaller group. Plus, they usually go out to dinner afterwards so it's a nice way to meet other cyclists on the Near South Side. (If you can't make this one, it's always on the 2nd to last Friday of the month.) September 22, 2005 Cross at the green After tackling such menaces as people who drive in the passing lanes too long and people who talk on cell phones while driving, Chicago may tackle yet another menace to drivers: pedestrians who cross after the light has changed. The city is considering a crackdown on jaywalking during morning and evening rush hours in the downtown area. A fine has not been specified, but the all-purpose misdemeanor fine ranges from $25 to $500. So you'd better think twice (or at least check for nearby cops) before crossing the street against the light in the future. September 17, 2005 Rock Island District Derails Reuters reports that one person died and 76 were injured by the derailment of a Metra train this morning on the Rock Island District line. The Tribune has further coverage , while CBS2 has extensive footage . Rock Island service to and from Joliet was disrupted but is expected to resume its ordinary schedule by 2:30pm; Metra updates are available here . Those looking for information about passengers on train run 504, which was due into LaSalle St. at 8:45am, can call 311 (in Chicago) or 312/729-6100 (outside the city). September 12, 2005 Know Your Transit Chicago-L.org will be hosting its 7th annual tour of �L� stations next month, visiting various stations by old-school train cars and offering lectures on CTA architecture and history. Reservations are required and can be made via this form [PDF], which also provides the tentative itinerary. Experience past tours virtually here . Or, if you're not quite a trainspotter, but you're still mildly interested, check out the Loop Tour Train . It's touristy, but free, and it runs Saturdays through the end of September. September 07, 2005 Get Your Kicks (By Bike) On Route 66? Planning is beginning to create a bike trail across Illinois along famous Route 66. In places it will diverge, running through the town nearby rather than the road. This would be a great bonus for Illinois -- the flat countryside would be a great place for a historical bike trail. Not that there aren't already a lot of trails ... September 02, 2005 Cell phone ticketing no idle threat After the city made it illegal to use a cell phone without a hands-free device while driving, over 800 tickets were issued to Chicago drivers for breaking this law in the first 6 weeks. So here's another friendly reminder: GET A HANDS-FREE DEVICE. August 31, 2005 When I saw this bumper sticker on SkinnyCorp 's Threadless van a couple months ago, I didn't realize that they were the ones behind it. I'm tempted to pick up a pack. August 26, 2005 Don't forget that today is Chicago Critical Mass . While it's technically just a bike ride, it's absolutely a ton of fun. 5:30 at Daley Plaza. Bring a bike and a smile. August 23, 2005 Watch That Meter Chicago police wrote 60,000 fewer parking tickets last year than in 2003, and numbers are down even further this year . It's a good thing the city raised the cost of a ticket, otherwise they'd be losing money. Still, you'd better keep your meter filled, your city stickers current -- the rest of the year is probably going to be tough on street parkers. August 22, 2005 Late last week, Fuel asked whether you feel safe. Today, the Sun-Times profiles a key figure in Chicago's effort to make sure the answer's yes: meet the CTA's vice president of security and training, Pat Daly. August 19, 2005 Petrol Prices Punish Us All Just as Mayor Daley says he's "sympathetic" to cab drivers' request for a per-ride surcharge in a time of $3/gallon gas, rising fuel prices are hitting the CTA, as well. As discussed at their monthly board meeting yesterday, the Transit Authority could face $10mil in unexpected costs. Revenue from riders has risen recently, but not enough to off-set the uptick. As such, the possible fare increases and service cuts we thought we'd escaped for the year are creeping back into the conversation. In our Party Line email yesterday, Brian pondered the idea of staying put on any given Sunday; might not be too long before that starts seeming like the way to go. Or, rather, not go. August 18, 2005 World's Most Beautiful Subway Stops Since our humble elevated has usually been a great but not beautiful way to get from one part of town to another, I wasn't surprised to see that Chicago wasn't included in this list of beautiful transit stops . With all the money problems the CTA's been having of late, it's hard to realistically suggest that this might be one way to increase ridership: make it beautiful. More people might take the train if it were a pleasant aesthetic experience. Design matters, especially on subways. August 17, 2005 Wireless alerts revisited If you signed up for the unofficial CTA alert system, chances are you've encountered some frustrations. Earlier this week, Kevin O'Neil posted a few etiquette suggestions, but that hasn't stopped people from sending insipid texts like "OK." The beauty of the distributed messaging is also its potential downfall, so the CTA's apparent interest in the effort is encouraging. The Tattler reports SMS/e-mail alerts will be a topic of discussion at tomorrow's board meeting. If you have thoughts about the program and its potential, public testimony starts at 10am. August 16, 2005 On Line for Cheap Gas The shock I received while driving past my regular cheap gas station this morning almost made me wreck my car. Luckily, there are a few websites where you can search for cheap gas prices, and even report ones you discover around the state . Gas Buddy has a local component, Chicago Gas Prices , which covers the city, suburbs, and nearby towns. There's also a cool Google application we told you about last spring. Unfortunately for drivers, it looks like Chicago gas is still well above the new national average of $2.52 per gallon. August 15, 2005 Slow Train to Chicago Ever wonder why the El is so slow in some spots? Well, this PDF map won't exactly tell you why, but it will tell you where you can expect to crawl -- it shows all the slow zones on the CTA map. (Thanks, Tony) August 11, 2005 Pork By The Truckload So I'm sure you've heard that our Prez was in town yesterday to sign a mega-transportation bill . So if you're wondering "What improvements can I expect in the next 5 years from this?" scroll to the bottom of the article--there's a list of the projects by county. Damen/Elston/Fullerton underpass, 43rd St. pedestrian bridge, Milwaukee Ave. repaving, and river walk money are just a few Chicago projects that jump out at me. August 11, 2005 CTA maps on shuffle Say you've succumbed to the omnipresent Apple advertising on the El (or, perhaps more likely, you didn't need any convincing), and you, like everyone else on the Belmont platform, have that personal audio device known as the iPod. You know it can play more than music, but how often do you refer to its built-in address book? Well, assuming you've got one of the new-fangled variety that has a color display, iPod Subway Maps provides a functionality you might actually use. Install the site's CTA maps on your 'Pod and never forget which direction the Purple Line runs through the Loop again. August 04, 2005 Transit by phone, part 2 As Anne mentions , there's the new mobile RTA planner, but another way to put your phone into action is evolving at the grassroots. CTA tattler readers have created an SMS alert group to disseminate information about service interruptions and other details of interest to transit riders. The system will be unofficial and rely on the input of users, but, as it grows, it seemingly has the potential to meet a real need in real-time. August 04, 2005 Transit by Phone The RTA has just released a site you can pull up on your internet-ready cell phone to help plan your trip in the Chicago area. Just type in the RTA Mobile website (www2.rtamobile.com) and you'll find a fairly familiar screen of options (time, day, starting and ending address) to fill in to figure out the best route. The problem is that, unlike the CTA's current online trip planner , you can't select from a set of popular destinations if you don't know the address of, say, Midway Airport or Navy Pier. There are plans for access to bus and train schedules through the RTA Mobile site in September, but until then, better start memorizing some addresses, or just call the RTA up at 836-7000. August 02, 2005 Metra: We Didn't Get The Email I actually was planning on writing a thank-you email to Metra today for the Bikes On Trains program - it's been a real benefit to my morning commute. Despite a $486 million dollar budget, Metra doesn't have an email address yet. Neither the Contact Metra page nor the commuter newsletter On The Bi-Level list an email address, even though the CTA and PACE pages do. August 02, 2005 Lakeview hastens home tonight now that the horrid, law-busting, anarchist bikers will continue to rule the streets. Right. Sarcasm aside, the police have postponed the crackdown on bikers in Lakeview because... someone's on vacation. August 01, 2005 CTA Note Quite For Sale Carole Brown , a CTA executive who blogs, tells the other side of the story about the CTA and corporate sponsorship . Executive summary: yes, more ad revenue would be nice, but it's just an idea and only one of many many ideas under consideration. She throws her preferences into the fray in good humor too: Selsun Blue (less dandruff than any other line) Line. Nice to see a sense of humor poke out. July 30, 2005 Chicago Card promotion ends soon In an effort to boost usage, the CTA has lately waived the $5 purchase price for Chicago Cards . That was too good to last forever, and, indeed, tomorrow, July 31st, is the final day you can get either version of the card for free. Surf on over and sign up. Too late! Slate has an article by a UofC econ professor explaining why delays occur at major airports like O'Hare -- it's not just too many flights. In related news, the city's plans for O'Hare expansion got final environmental approval from the FAA yesterday. July 25, 2005 Going nowhere fast U of C economics professor Austan Goolsbee looks at the science behind traffic jams at the nation's busiest airports, and he offers a few tips on how to avoid delays at O'Hare. Sadly, having read through the alternatives Goolsbee lays out, I'm left with the impression that we hardly have any alternatives at all. July 23, 2005 The challenges of safe transport With New York introducing baggage checks on the MTA, the CTA tattler asked the obvious question : "Are we next?" The post sparked spirited debate among commenters, particularly about privacy in the face of screening. Slate explores that very topic in its latest " Explainer ," noting a number of variables affect the legality of such an operation. Meanwhile, revelations that the man shot and killed by police yesterday in London's Underground had no terrorist connections can only underscore how difficult the problem of transit security really is. July 21, 2005 Rules of the ride We noted yesterday the city's plan to increase enforcement of traffic laws for cyclists. If writers to Eric Zorn are any indication, the issue has lots of people, ahem, exercised. Among Zorn's correspondents, the pro crackdown camp has been more vocal than those opposed , but what do you think? Join the discussion in Fuel . July 20, 2005 Bikes Are Vehicles, Too Consider yourself warned: the bike cops are out , and they're making sure bicyclists are aware that they're subject to the same traffic laws as cars -- with warnings for now, but in August they start ticketing. No more blowing off stop signs, at least when there's a cop nearby. Read more on the city's bike program webpage . July 19, 2005 Right Turns Made Easier The city is conducting a traffic experiment at Washington and State in August: there will be a new right turn signal to let more cars get around the corner before the wave of pedestrians closes the opportunity. If the test works, expect other corners to be similarly outfitted. July 14, 2005 Transfer to the Orange, Brown and McDonald's line! The CTA hired a consulting firm in March to analyze its operations, and to make suggestions on how to increase productivity and revenues. Among the suggestions that the consultants presented at a CTA board meeting yesterday: outsourcing real estate management; adding more ATMs to stations; and ... selling corporate sponsorship and possibly naming rights to El stations and lines. CTA Prez Frank Kreusi says that the ideas presented "need to be explored further", to see how much money they could generate. (And, hopefully, how many consumers would react negatively to having to ride a train line named after a corporation.) July 12, 2005 Another day, another bomb threat Life on the CTA has been a nightmare over the past few days, with the Trib reporting a bomb threat on the Purple Line during this afternoon's rush period. The incident follows a similar hoax on the Brown Line Sunday and an evacuation of the Red Line at Berwyn last Friday due to an unattended suitcase. There was also a Red Line stoppage yesterday, but it was apparently for reasons happier than potential acts of destruction: a passenger went into labor at Morse. Update: Or apparently not. As information trickles in, Kevin O'Neil has updated the post again. In contrast to the claims of one of his commenters, the Sun-Times has now reported that the Morse delay was in fact another threat, this time from an on-board passenger. July 07, 2005 Local transit on alert Following this morning's apparent terrorist attacks on the London transport grid, the Trib reports that the CTA and Metra are putting additional security in place. As always, riders are asked to contact appropriate staff or emergency services at 911 if they see any suspicious activity. July 06, 2005 A recent Fuel asked about gross things readers had seen on local transit. Today, the CTA Tattler follows up on who's to blame for one of the many complaints we heard: the El's replacement of molded plastic with upholstered seating. July 05, 2005 Hands-free by Friday, or else! Cell phone users, don't forget that this Friday a new city law goes into effect that forbids the use of the phones while driving, unless you're using a hands-free headset. (Use of the phone will cost you a $50 ticket, which goes up to $200 if you're using your phone during a traffic accident.) But, as the Sun-Times notes today, local stores have been running out of headsets, so you might want to start looking around today to get your headset by the end of the week. June 23, 2005 CTA saved! (for now) Although the situation has remained up in the air , Carole Brown announces " Great news! " in her blog. The RTA has voted to fund the roughly $55m shortfall in the CTA's budget, meaning that it can forgo service cuts, layoffs and fare increases in 2005. June 21, 2005 Guess what? According to the Sun-Times, the CTA may still cut service and increase fares on July 17, if Pace officials go ahead with their plan to take a portion of the cash that was meant for the CTA bailout. Gaaaaahhhhh. (tip from CTA Tattler, of course) June 20, 2005 IDOT Is Watching... And Ticketing IDOT has gotten a lot more strict about speeding in construction zones. Instead of putting up signs and the occasional police officer, IDOT is positioning vans equipped with cameras to catch speeders in construction zones. At $375 for the first ticket, and $1000 for the second, this is serious. And how long will it be before the hundreds of city cameras do the same ? I hate speeding and the carnage of cars, but the proliferation of cameras is sorta spooky. Panopticon , here we come. June 15, 2005 The Regional Transporation Authority has a new board chairman, James R. Reilly, and he says the problems at the CTA are real . That's a relief. In the meantime, Peter Davidson wonders if turning some lanes on the Kennedy into premium toll lanes might be a way to help fund the El. (Thanks, spindlechuck.) June 14, 2005 Be A Hero This week is Bike To Work Week in Chicago. The CBF has info on how to join the masses who are biking to work. And if you're not sure which way to go, the city has the bike map online , or you can pick up a copy for free at most libraries or Bank One . June 08, 2005 The CTA is committed to not making any service cuts this year (gee, thanks, CTA!), but won't make any promises about next year. So tune in next year for another round of dire predictions of service cuts unless the CTA gets funding, etc. etc. etc., ad infinitum.... (Tip from CTA Tattler, who adds "Bring me the head of Frank Kreusi." ) June 06, 2005 Membership has its privileges You CTA commuters who have already invested in a Chicago Card will no doubt be thrilled to learn that the CTA has introduced express lanes for Chicago Card users on 10 bus lines and 8 train stations. See the story for the full list of routes and stations with the new "Go Lane" entrances. (And for those commuters without a Chicago Card, the CTA is waiving the $5 purchase fee for the card through July 31, to encourage people to get cards.) May 16, 2005 Not just here -- everywhere We all know the CTA's in a bind. As the Christian Science Monitor makes clear, though, it isn't alone . Across the country, cities like D.C., Philadelphia and San Francisco have seen the same ultimatum: fare hikes or service cuts. And, according to William Millar, president of the American Public Transit Association, while either option is apt "to make riders leave," the combination can be disastrous. So that's good. May 16, 2005 This is just not turning out to be the CTA's year. Despite an increase in ridership, the CTA continues to lose money, and is using that as further incentive for a bailout from state legislators (a move that the state is still looking into, as it schedules an audit of CTA books to make sure that the CTA really is $55 million in the red). Meanwhile, some of the CTA's smart cards are giving free rides to customers (over $4,000 in uncollected fares so far), and the CTA's retirement fund is set to run dry as early as next year. May 15, 2005 United We Fall In the wake of the latest development in beleagured United Airlines' bankruptcy restructuring, The New York Times wonders, briefly, if it would be such a bad thing just to let the airline fail. Its 61,000 employees might have something to say about that. In the Trib, meanwhile, Jon Hilkevitch worries about the fate of the United archives . May 13, 2005 Expect delays The start of the CTA's Brown Line expansion project could be delayed even further, as the Sun-Times reports that the CTA has purchased less than half of the properties it needs for station improvements. The paper's report also includes a list of dates that each station would be worked on, which range from this August (for the Belmont and Fullerton stops) through 2007 (for the Paulina and Wellington stops). Oh, and don't forget the service cutbacks, which are scheduled to go into effect on July 17. Happy commuting! May 11, 2005 The recently proposed ban on hand-held cell phone usage while driving was passed today by the City Council. It goes into effect July 1. May 09, 2005 But it's only 2.42 days a year! According to the latest national Urban Mobility Study , Chicago ranked 7th in one of those contests no one wants to win: annual traffic delays. Based on 2003 figures, local drivers spent 58 hours in gridlock during peak travel times, which is three hours more than in 2002. If that sounds high, count your blessings you don't live in LA, where you'd have waited in traffic for 93 hours. Of course, if the proposed CTA cuts go through in a few months, I hate to imagine what our roads will be like. Given that the study's authors, the Texas Transportation Institute , estimate Chicago's road congestion cost a cool $4.3 billion in wasted time and fuel, one might think that the Legislature's coughing up a few extra bucks for transit would be money well-spent. Or not? April 29, 2005 How high of a commodity is downtown parking? Well, last night 23 parking spots were auctioned off, and the total amount of cash raked in was.... $750,000. Gaaah. Guess we better stick to the CTA, right? Oh, wait... April 28, 2005 CTA questions answered The great Chicago transportation blog CTA Tattler has an anonymous contact inside the CTA, and is starting to field questions from its readers for this CTA insider to answer. Today's question: what "waiting for signals ahead" really means. If you've got a burning question that only a CTA insider can answer, check this site out. April 27, 2005 Ask Carole Tony of SaveChicagoTransit.com points out that CTA Board Chairman Carole Brown has created a blog to "answer some of the questions people have been asking about the CTA's funding situation. We on the board have asked many of these same questions, and we want to help get the word out." She includes an email address where you can direct questions and comments. April 21, 2005 Save the CTA SaveChicagoTransit is a new site providing information about the current CTA budget crisis -- which will help you bone up for the Rally for New Transit Priorities and Funding taking place today at 3pm at City Hall, corner of Clark and Randolph. Bring your bullhorn. (Thanks, Matt and Leah .) April 19, 2005 Google Maps Hack Adrian Holovaty has created a snazzy trick for Chicagoans using GoogleMaps -- provided you use Firefox . It changes the map of the city from Google's map to the CTA version. Don't let the scary techie stuff scare you, it's really easy to implement. (Thanks again, Matt !) April 15, 2005 Car Blog Geekout I have a friend who can identify a car by sound -- the purr of the engine, the growl of the muffler. He'd no doubt enjoy Chicago Car News , a relatively new blog about automobiles. (And did you know the author of Autoblog is local?) April 13, 2005 Welcome to Doomsday Crain's Business reports that the CTA board today voted to slash service and raise fares, unless they get a $55 million cash bailout from state lawmakers in the next few months. Check the article for the gory details, which include severe crowding and doubled delays for rush hour commuters, a 68% increase in average wait times for all services and the elimination of over 50 bus routes and the Purple Line train from Evanston. (Thanks to CTA Tattler for the tip.) April 11, 2005 The group behind the Chicago Area Transportation Study has launched ShareTheDrive.org , a site where interested parties can find a carpool. The goal is to help reduce traffic congestion by reducing the number of single-passenger vehicles on the road. April 08, 2005 Boo! It's been a busy and stressful week for the CTA. At a public meeting to try and drum up support for their doomsday plans to deal with budget shortfalls, the audience booed each of the plans and instead called for CTA officials to cut their own pay. Meanwhile, Mayor Daley said on Wednesday that he doesn't care about a Chicago casino; he just wants funding for education and the CTA, and did not rule out increasing the region-wide sales tax to get it. And Alderman Eugene Schulter and state rep John Fritchey, not wanting to rely on funding just from the state budget, are going to be asking Illinois' two US senators for federal funding for the Brown Line reconstruction, so that the CTA won't have to temporarily shut down stations during construction. Oh, it's going to be a long hot summer for CTA riders. April 07, 2005 CTA Board Meeting Today the CTA Board will hold a meeting to discuss the upcoming proposed service cuts and fare increases . The meeting is open to the public and will be held at CTA offices, 567 W. Lake St., at 4pm. If you can't make the meeting you can submit your comments through Friday via email at ctaboard[at]transitchicago.com. Reader Sarah Southcott also offers to compile letters and notes for those unable to attend. Email them to her at southie[at]gmail.com and include your full name, address and phone number so she can try to make those opinions heard. April 05, 2005 Hang up and drive The city is moving closer to a ban on cell phone usage by drivers. Drivers would be permitted to use hands-free devices, and would be allowed to use handhelds while parked or while calling 911, but use of a regular cell phone while driving would cost a $50 ticket ($200 if an accident is caused by a cell-phone-using driver). Not surprisingly, cellular service providers Sprint and Verizon Wireless objected to the plan, saying the city should enforce reckless driving laws instead of cell phone bans. April 04, 2005 Google Finds You a Cab This is almost too cool to be real: Google is working on a project called Ride Finder , which shows you the real-time location of taxis in the city . Check the map and see whether there's a cab nearby, then call the provided dispatch number to bring it to your door. There are only three cab companies participating right now, but that should change quickly. (Thanks, Atul!) March 31, 2005 Alderman cracks down on illegal Cubs parking As a former resident of Wrigleyville, I was gladdened to see that Tom Tunney is looking into the problem of Cubs fans illegally buying residential parking permit stickers so that they can park on the streets during night games. The parking over there is bad enough as it is! March 29, 2005 Get on the Bus The CTA's train system gets plenty of attention online, via Chicago-L.org , This Is Grand , the CTA Tattler , etc. Meanwhile, the CTA buses have been ignored. Well, not anymore: ChicagoBus.org is your new one-stop site for all things bus. You may be particularly interested in the multimedia page , containing .wav files of your favorite announcements. March 29, 2005 Traffic Snarls The highways got even more congested than normal this morning thanks to several accidents happening at once. On the Kennedy, four cars, a semi and a bus collided , closing three inbound lanes for hours; another crash brought power lines down onto the Indiana Tollway and halted South Shore Line service; and reader Jeremy wrote in to report a semi got stuck under the Metra tracks near Damen and Webster on the Dan Ryan, gumming up traffic in that area -- Chicagoist says the semi's load of Spam and canned mushrooms was spilled all over the road. Not to mention the nice weather bringing on the start of Construction Season... hope you got to work on time. March 25, 2005 Cap the Ike Could the Chicago area get its own version of The Big Dig? While the expressway wouldn't go underwater, a panel is studying the fesability of capping the Ike between Harlem and Austin. The new land would be used for parks, buildings, and - I'm guessing here - at least one Starbucks. Three variations of the plan are shown in map form ( 1 , 2 , 3 .) This all may be several years off, but seeing more green is something to look forward to. March 15, 2005 The future of traffic control On Monday, Mayor Daley unveiled his plan for Chicago traffic control, which contains such items as self-adjusting traffic lights, carpool lanes for streets leading to and from expressways, and tow trucks dispatched within minutes to remove disabled vehicles and delivery trucks that are blocking lanes. Before you get your hopes up, though, the article says that this plan hinges on installing cameras and sensors at 2,800 intersections in the city, a plan which could cost $200-700 million and could take anywhere from 15 to 50 years for complete installation. Some of the less costly changes, such as the fast-tow program and ticketing of vehicles using bus lanes, will be implemented later this year. March 11, 2005 A Better Summer For Biking According to the Tribune , Metra has bowed to the pressure of the Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn and has agreed to allow bicycles on Metra during non-rush periods. Reverse commuters (like me) have special cause to celebrate, since we can take our bikes on the train during rush hour. March 09, 2005 CTA yet again warns of looming budget cuts No, they really mean it this time: today the CTA unveiled five new plans to cover budget shortfalls, if they don't get the funding they've been requesting from state legislators. And the plans are terrifying; rush-hour fares of $3 and up, increased waiting time between trains and buses, and the elimination of many bus routes and weekend and overnight service are but some of the details that the CTA listed to try and get politicians to act on funding requests. The CTA is planning to start cutting service on July 1, so this might be a very bad summer for commuters. Stay tuned... March 03, 2005 Congrats to Chicago's very own Steve Fossett, who just touched down in Salina, Kansas, becoming the first person to fly solo around the world without stopping or refueling. We always knew he'd make something of himself someday.... March 03, 2005 CTA Brown Line customers see red The CTA held a public meeting last night to talk about the station closings during the Brown Line expansion. The Tribune reports that more than 400 people showed up to the meeting, many of whom blasted the CTA for waiting so long before announcing budget cuts in the project that necessitate temporary closings of stations during construction. Among the people there was Chicago blogger Leah Jones, who has posted her summary of the meeting. (Thanks as always to CTA Tattler for the tip.) March 02, 2005 Pedway Love The Tribune ran a story about the pedway yesterday, which included a nice map of the various public passageways throughout the Loop. Our resident librarian Alice Maggio gave a guided tour ( part one , part two ) of the main burrow almost exactly a year ago. (Oh, and here's another pedway map , for those who want to explore.) February 26, 2005 Some neat pictures of this month's Critical Mass in black and white. February 25, 2005 Today in Bicycle News A few bicycle items of interest. As usual on the last Friday of the month, today is the Chicago Critical Mass ride. Gather at 5:30 in front of the Picasso. Bikers today will have a small victory to celebrate, as HB467 - Lt. Gov Quinn's initiative to require Metra to allow bicycles on trains at least during non-rush periods - passed unaminously and moves to the Senate. And finally, if you have any cute pictures of yourself as a youngster on a bicycle, the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation wants 'em! They're looking for pictures of you on your first bike . February 25, 2005 New CTA buses are driving around town Pay attention the next time you board a CTA bus. Does the seating arrangement look different? The CTA is currently testing buses with aisle-facing seats, to make passenger boarding easier, on two downtown routes. The new buses are based on a redesign that was originally for the L trains, but the CTA is also testing the seat configuration on buses, to see if that improves passengers' bus-riding experience. February 22, 2005 Real-Time Pace Bus Times Pace , the suburban bus transit system, has implemented a real-time system named WebWatch were you can check to see when the next bus on your route is going to appear. The schedules on the site are updated with information from the bus as it is traveling, so if the bus will be early or late, you'll easily be able to check. Supposedly a similar system is in the works for the CTA... February 21, 2005 Bicycle owners protested at the Chicago Auto Show on Saturday. Of course there are pictures online. (found via Metafilter ) February 17, 2005 The $15 El Ride Crain's Chicago Business is reporting that the CTA is about to open bids on a new "premium" express train line from the Loop to O'Hare and Midway. Premium is right -- it'll cost an estimated $15 one way. But you'll get from here to there in about 20 minutes, and at that price there probably won't be too many vagrants sleeping in the seats. February 15, 2005 Brown Line renovation project meeting Thanks to CTA Tattler for pointing out that the CTA is holding a public meeting tomorrow night at 7:00 to discuss the Brown Line renovation project, focusing on the work planned for the Belmont and Fullerton train stops. If you're going to be affected by the closures, this might be a good time to make your opinions on the subject heard. See the CTA site for full details. February 14, 2005 DOT: Better Living Without Amtrak, Part II According to my sources, DOT Secretary Mineta was late today for his meeting to discuss the end of Amtrak ... because he was stuck in traffic. And why is no more Amtrak is going to be good for us? Well those silly Amtrak trains won't get in the way of the commuter trains of course! Mind you he didn't actually meet with the public, he just met behind closed doors and ignored the 100 or so protesters, according to my sources who were there. February 13, 2005 Word on the street is that Dept. of Transportation Secretary Mineta is going to be at Union Station tomorrow at 10am to explain how eliminating Amtrak is going to be great, just totally great. February 11, 2005 The CTA Tattler has an eye-witness account of a suicide at the Loyola Red Line stop last night. Chilling. February 09, 2005 The Chicago Auto Show is only a couple days away, and the articles are starting to come out. You can even follow along as AutoBlog blogs the whole thing . February 09, 2005 CTA news: More riders, fewer services The CTA reported an increase in ridership in 2004. There were a total of 444.5 million rides last year, up slightly from 2003. This increase in ridership, of course, hasn't deterred the CTA from their plans to close Brown Line stations during construction or to prepare an emergency plan that calls for massive service cuts and fare increases, if they finally get the long-promised funding from the Illinois General Assembly. Oh, and starting Friday, Red Line riders won't be able to get out at the Lake Street station on weeknights or weekends; it's being closed for construction. February 07, 2005 Chicago Drivers, Beware We all know what people say about Chicago drivers . Well, those ever-industrious gents over at SkinnyCorp have a new meme / business venture / public service they'd like to share. I Park Like An Idiot provides bumper stickers that you are NOT supposed to put on offending vehicles. No, really. [via YH ] February 07, 2005 Which would you prefer: cellphone reception, or better CTA service? The Tribune's transportation reporter, Jon Hilkevitch, published a righteous rant today about the CTA's continued pouring of money into a project to provide cellphone reception for train riders underground, at a time when CTA officials are talking of serious cash shortfalls and closing train stations during Brown Line construction. (Thanks to CTA Tattler for the tip.) February 07, 2005 O'Hare in 2004: not so good O'Hare ended up with the worst record for on-time arrivals and departures in 2004, when compared to the nation's 31 busiest airports. 30 percent of arrivals and 73 precent of departures were late into/out of O'Hare. There is hope, though; the FAA is making O'Hare cut flights back on peak arrival times, in the hopes of easing congestion. The reductions went into effect last November, and December did see a bit of an improvement (66 percent of flights were on time, up from 60 percent in December 2003). And in case you were wondering about Chicago's other airport, Midway fared a bit better in the rankings; it was ranked 17th, with only 21 percent of its inbound flights and 22 percent of its outbound flights delayed. Something to keep in mind next time you're booking a flight. January 31, 2005 Critical mass for bikes-on-Metra-trains bill In the Illinois General Assembly is a new bill that would allow bike riders to take their bikes onto Metra trains during off-peak hours and weekends. For their part, Metra officials are saying that making provisions for bikes would cut into the seating capacities of their trains, and are hoping to work with the bill sponsors and local bike organizations for a compromise. January 28, 2005 It's official: Brown Line closings during construction Late-breaking news at the Tribune Website: the CTA has officially announced that 15 Brown Line stations will be closed anywhere from six weekends up to a full year during renovation of the stations starting after September. Criticism of the CTA's announcement came quickly; Alderman Gene Schulter and State Rep. John Fritchey said that the CTA "dropped the ball" when they failed to consult with city officials until only recently. January 28, 2005 A fire in the Red Line subway south of North & Clybourn caused an evacuation of a train late last night. On the scene (and on the train) was none other than CTA enthusiast Tony Coppoletta, whose collection of CTA Stuff we pointed you to just a few days ago. Read his account of the evacuation in the Chicago El community at LiveJournal. (Thanks, Matt !) January 27, 2005 More for the public transportation buffs: this CTA Roster site has photos of the different trains and busses used by the CTA , listed by model and year, as well as a few streetcars . January 27, 2005 Reducing traffic jams by computer Last September, GB mentioned that Chicagoans spend an average of 56 hours per year stuck in traffic. Well, Mayor Daley is in LA this week, learning about computer technology to automatically adjust traffic lights to ease traffic back-ups. LA has seen road delays reduced by as much as 30 to 40%, and Daley is hoping for similar improvements with a Chicago computer system modelled on the one in LA. The bad news: such a system would be an expensive process that could take years to implement, according to the Traffic Management Authority. So for the time being, you're still stuck with the crappy commute times. January 26, 2005 Taxi drivers planning radio strike Angered at the city's stalling on a taxi fare increase (the Chicago cab rates haven't increased since November 2000, while gas prices and insurance rates have gone up), a group of cab drivers is planning to call for a one-week job action by drivers in March, during which they would not respond to radio calls. Consumer Services Commissioner Norma Reyes counters that the rate hike that cabbies are asking for is too high. There's a City Council meeting coming up on February 9th, at which Alderman Tom Allen says he hopes to have "something together". It might be a good time to reacquaint yourself with CTA bus schedules .... January 25, 2005 CTA Geek Out Tony Coppoletta's online collection of CTA Stuff will bring warmth to the heart of any transit nerd. He has photos from station tours, a huge set of WAV recordings of the CTA Voice from the el and buses, and a collection of scans of farecard designs from tokens to the ChicagoCard. January 24, 2005 CTA crime up, citywide crime down Protect your valuables when you're on the train or bus! Crime on the CTA increased last year, while overall crime in the city decreased. CTA boss Frank Kreusi said the increase was just a "blip," and noted that CTA crime has fallen 32% since 1997. Still, commuters should watch out for theft on the CTA, especially pickpockets working in the downtown train stations. The stations with the highest theft rates: State and Lake; Clark and Lake; and State and Chicago. January 18, 2005 The Sun-Times reports today on a consequence of the threatened Brown Line station closures that I didn't even think of until they pointed it out: businesses near the closed stations will be hit hard by the loss of the majority of their commuting customers. January 13, 2005 Update: Bikes On Metra As this map shows , Chicago is waaay behind the rest of the country in allowing bicycles on trains. The Lt. Governor's Office has started an online petition to force Metra to allow bikes on trains during "non-rush and weekends". Finally. Sign-up today! January 13, 2005 CTA threatens wider cuts The CTA continues its dire threats/predictions on what will happen to service if state lawmakers don't come through with increased subsidies for mass transit. According to the Tribune, the CTA is toying with such lovely options as: increased fares for people who pay with cash; increased rush-hour fares; different fares on buses and trains; and a 40% cut in service (up from the 20% cut threatened last year by the CTA). Meanwhile, the Sun-Times has some stark figures on the proposed Brown Line closings mentioned yesterday. The line's stations may be closed during construction anywhere between 4-6 months and 10-12 months. Oh, it's not going to be a happy year for commuters. January 12, 2005 Brown line stops closing for construction? The CTA, facing skyrocketing costs for its Brown Line renovation project, is considering temporarily closing some stops on the line as construction affects them. The cost of working on a train station while keeping it open is apparently too prohibitive, and the CTA warns that, without closing stations, construction costs would use up funds needed for other CTA amenities, such as bike racks and escalators. Says 32nd Ward Alderman Ted Matlak, "If they close the Paulina stop, we'll be picketing. Where's [CTA President Frank] Kruesi's house?" January 11, 2005 Car dealers can really be pricks On that freshly launched Cartype , Carlos Segura posts an interesting story about trying to test drive (and perhaps buy) a Ford Mustang . Because I absolutely hate when businesses are complete pricks, let it be known that North Ridge Ford and especially TV-ad-saturated Al Piemonte Ford fall in those categories. At least if you're trying to buy a Mustang. Tsk, tsk. January 11, 2005 Segura Launches Cartype Chicago-based designer Carlos Segura , the man behind T.26 Digital Type Foundry and custom CD house 5inch , has just completed another project entitled Cartype . Labeled as a "personal collection of images, comments, links, information and general interest related to cars and motorcycles," this is a well-executed, comprehensive resource for the vehicle aficionado. Now, if he could just make these appear in the US sooner, we'd be all set. [via Signal vs. Noise ] January 11, 2005 Heard at the rumor mill: Lt. Governor Pat Quinn is expected to announce legislation to require Metra to allow bicycles on trains on Thursday. January 06, 2005 Winterize Your Car In the spirit of better late than never, check out these tips from AAA Chicago for winterizing your car . Among other things, they advise you "keep the gas tank at least half full to prevent frozen fuel lines and to allow you to drive an alternate route to safety or run your car's heater if you get stranded." January 03, 2005 The Tribune posted a nice slice of history concerning Chicago's ever-growing love affair with cycling. It's a nice read for those interested in bikes, but also a love letter to Chicago's strong cycling past. January 03, 2005 I'm not sure it does much good for people actually on the roads, but you can now get an RSS feed of current traffic conditions from Traffic Pulse , which has a pretty good visual traffic map , too. December 29, 2004 Making Cents The CTA has announced that it will indeed be offering its " Penny Rides " this New Year's Eve, and has extended hours on some trains and buses. It's quite the community gift, given the CTA's notoriously bad financial situation. Catch a ride on the CTA for just $.01 from 8 p.m. Friday night until 6 a.m. Saturday morning. Just do everyone a favor and try not to boot in the train. December 20, 2004 Tolls Rise Skyway-ward You knew this was going to happen: The new owners of the Skyway are raising tolls . Starting February 16, you'll pay $2.50 to the trolls under the bridge, instead of an even $2. At least they're waiting till after the holidays. December 17, 2004 5th Annual Santa Cycle Rampage Every year, in cities around the world (and even Antartica), people dress up like Santa, get drunk, and hold a Santa Rampage . Last weekend saw one such event, and this weekend the kind people at Bike Winter are hosting another. The 5th Annual Chicago Santa Cycle Rampage meets on Saturday at the Twisted Spoke to get started. I think it's one holiday tradition we can all get behind. December 17, 2004 CTA service cuts experiencing a delay It's official: the CTA board voted to delay service cuts and layoffs which were set to go into effect at the beginning of the new year. The board voted unanimously to delay these cost-cutting measures until July 1, encouraged by promises from Illinois Senate President Emil Jones and Governor Blagojevich. So now it's up to state leaders to come through with additional funding by the summer, a plan which CTA board members weren't exactly enthusiastic about (Chairwoman Carole Brown used words such as "faith" and "hope for the best" when talking about the plan). CTA President Frank Kreusi warns that, if this gamble doesn't pay off, "then we are really, literally are in the process of dismantling public transit in this region ... a terrible, terrible loss." Keep your fingers crossed, commuters... December 15, 2004 CTA's budget cuts may experience delay The service cuts and layoffs that the CTA has been warning us all about if it doesn't get additional funding may be put off for a while, according to the Sun-Times. Illinois Senate President Emil Jones said that funding the CTA is going to be a "top legislative priority" for next year, and with this promising development the CTA board is expected to delay cost-cutting measures for at least six months when it holds a meeting tomorrow. December 14, 2004 Pedway navigation Winter is descending; if you work downtown it's time to consider the pedway again as a slightly warmer means of getting around. Last year, Alice Maggio did a two part article on the pedway that's worth revisiting. Or, if you want a printable version, check out this pedway map . December 13, 2004 O'Hare busiest, most delayed airport If you've been following the rivalry between O'Hare and Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport for this year's title of the world's busiest airport, good news for you! The Sun-Times reports that O'Hare pulled ahead in November, and is set to hit a record of nearly one million flights this year. Of course, with this number of flights there are still quite a few delayed flights, and O'Hare will also take the title of world's most delayed airport with nearly 30% of its flights delayed. December 10, 2004 The CTA's Holiday Train has been in the news recently, but there's another CTA holiday transportation option: the Christmas bus. Check out the photos on Flickr, courtesy of Chicago blogger Jasmine. December 08, 2004 I-Pass, You-Pass Remember when you heard that you might be paying double at Illinois tolls if you don't have I-Pass ? Well, you will, starting January 1st. Motorists who do not have I-Pass will pay $.80 at Illinois tolls in 2005, so folks are out scrambling to pick up that little black box before the year's out. Problem is, it doesn't work on the windshields of some car models . Those folks will have to get an I-Pass that screws into their license plate. That sounds like a fun way to spend New Year's Day. December 03, 2004 Don't throw Santa from the train Two days ago we were mourning the loss of the CTA Holiday Train due to the transit authority's well-known budget issues. Turns out that if you threaten Santa, CTA board president Carole Brown gets pissed. Thanks to Brown's intervention, the holiday train is back on track . Apparently threatening to lay off 1,200 employees and to cut bus routes and overnight train service is all cool, but Santa? Don't f$ck with Santa! December 02, 2004 They've Got Great Wings...In Rockford While looking for something else, I stumbled upon this: Hooters Air has signed a deal with the Rockford airport to fly to Denver, Atlanta, and Las Vegas. With departures from Rockford and Gary, who could resist the appeal of Hooters Air? Pluh-eez. December 01, 2004 All Aboard the Humbug Train Apparently, the impending CTA budget cuts left no funds to support this year's Holiday Train . No more poles striped like candy canes. No more elves manning the car doors. No more Christmas music pumping through the PA system inspiring riders to clap their hands and sing along. Ah...I think my commutes will feel just a little bit safer this holiday season. December 01, 2004 Another Sign of Winter Don't forget that December 1st also marks the day when the speed limit on Lake Shore Drive is lowered from 45 to 40 mph . And natives know the police love to pull people over on the Drive, so slow down! The lowered speed limit remains in affect until April 1st. December 01, 2004 Fare Strike! Think the requests to have CTA riders complain to legislators and the city about threatened service cuts and fare increase is a bunch of hooey? You're not alone. The folks at Midwest Unrest aren't the type of people to complain about something, they're the type of people who do something about it. What do they propose? A fare strike on December 15th. December 01, 2004 The first real sign of winter The winter parking ban goes into effect today. No parking on designated snow routes between 3 and 7 AM. If you do, you're looking at a $150 towing fee and a $50 ticket. And do you really want to tangle with Chicago tow trucks right about now? No, you don't. Also be aware that there's another parking ban that goes into effect for the 500 miles of Chicago's snow routes, barring people from parking on them when there's at least 2 inches of snow on the street. $30 ticket for that violation. November 30, 2004 Not so Grand Jonathan Messinger, of This is Grand , offers his opinions on the Campaign for Better Transit 's report on the CTA. I've never found a grenade on a train, but how about no more than two Brown lines per Red line at transfer stations in the morning? Any morning in which I don't have a man's front area rubbing against my rear area with no room to move even my hand, let alone my entire self, makes for a pleasant CTA experience. November 30, 2004 Signs of hula-hooping hippies in Chicago The Sun-Times staff must be checking out boingboing.net, because today they printed a story about hula hoop decals being added to road signs in Chicago, apparently by fans of the Colorado jam band String Cheese Incident. This phenom was covered last week at BoingBoing, among other places. Be careful, SCI fans (and vegan activists ); defacing a city sign carries a maximum punishment of a $500 fine and 30 days in jail. November 29, 2004 Vote for the next city sticker design If you've ever wanted to have a say in the designs of the Chicago vehicle stickers, here's your chance. Yesterday's Sun-Times included the 10 finalists by artists from local high schools, and today you get your chance to cast a vote for the winning design at the City Clerk's Website. You can also cast your vote in person at City Hall (121 N. LaSalle) or by phone at (312) 744-2506. But hurry to cast your vote; the polls close tonight at 5:00 PM. The winning design will net its creator a $1,000 savings bond. November 24, 2004 O'Hare put to the test this holiday weekend You've probably heard by now that the Skyway is re-opening in time for Thanksgiving travel. But the Skyway isn't the only travel route that's getting a test this holiday weekend. O'Hare will be experiencing its first major holiday season after flight limits were put into effect on November 1. (You may recall the news from last summer that the FAA was forcing O'Hare to reduce flights into the airport, because delays at O'Hare cause delays at other airports nationwide.) On the bright side, there's apparently already a noticeable improvement in O'Hare's on-time performance this month. You'll still probably want to bring that paperback book to pass the time, though; airline officials are still advising customers to arrive at the airport two hours before your flight. November 22, 2004 The Campaign for Better Transit is trying to help CTA riders control their transportation destiny. Check out their PDF report on whether your CTA train ride is worth the fare . (Short answer: no.) November 18, 2004 CTA service cuts on track for next year The Illinois General Assembly has postponed talks on restructuring transit funding until the middle of next year at the earliest, which means that the CTA may proceed with massive service cuts in January, as the Tribune reports. CTA prez Frank Kreusi has asked state lawmakers to rework the Chicago mass transit funding formulas to improve the CTA's outlook, but this is considered a longshot strategy. So get ready for decreased bus and train service in January... November 10, 2004 BikeTraffic's Top 10 The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation , the region's primary bicycle organization, has released their Top 10 Priorities for the coming year. Apparently CBF is doing really well and is looking to expand beyond their bicycle roots to include pedestrians. They have some goals you would expect - bikes on Metra, safety campaigns - but they also have some exciting new ideas. They are looking to have some city streets shut-down for automobile traffic on Sundays to encourage bicycling as well as reaching out to encourage cycling among minorities and women. October 15, 2004 Another CTA rate hike? Yesterday, the CTA held the first of four public hearings on the subject of proposed schedule reductions, which were announced as a possible way of dealing with budget shortfalls. Another possible method of dealing with the shortfall is another 25-cent fare increase, which CTA board members asked their staff to investigate. WBEZ reported this morning that the rate increase could be set to happen as early as next year. Meanwhile, an editorial in today's Tribune offers other ideas on how to save funds, including charging customers for how far they travel and encouraging private competition for the right to run the bus lines. The next public hearing on the service cuts is next Tuesday, if you want to attend and make your opinions known. October 07, 2004 A Small Slice of Reality The "Doomsday" scenario, the dire budget prediction coming from the CTA, was announced earlier this week. This promises to touch the lives of just about everyone riding the CTA; to see how the plan will affect just a portion of the NW side, read about it here . Some items include: complete elimination of at least 7 bus routes, major cuts along many routes and overnight Blue Line service eliminated between 1am and 4am. City officials say the voices of the people are absolutely necessary to put this doomsday budget to bed for good. Refer to the Campaign for Better Transit website for a schedule of upcoming hearings, and watch the GB events calendar as well. October 01, 2004 CTA Reveals Worst-Case Cuts The Sun-Times has just published lists from the CTA detailing the routes the CTA plans to eliminate or reduce if they cannot make up their $55 million budget gap. Among the bus routes to be cut: the 11 Lincoln and the 88 Northwest Highway. All together, the Sun-Times reports "the CTA's proposed doomsday budget would slice service by 20 percent, eliminate all overnight L trains, kill 30 bus routes and cut 1,000 union workers." Read the complete list of cuts here . September 24, 2004 CTA Cutbacks Loom Just what we needed: The CTA is threatening rush-hour service cutbacks if it doesn't get more state and federal funding, and Mayor Daley is backing them up . "Sometimes, you don't have any money. What are you gonna do?" the always eloquent Daley said. (On the plus side, starting today your CTA card also works on Pace buses .) September 17, 2004 Got towed? Check online Ever wonder how you would find your car if it were towed? Fortunately for you Web-surfing types, the Department of Streets and Sanitation has put together a Web interface for their list of towed cars. If your car got towed by The Man, you can check their site to see where it's being stored, and the phone number to call to get it back. Expect to pay either $150 or $250, depending on the size of your vehicle. September 16, 2004 Big Brother Street Sweeper In addition to all the other cameras Big Brother... er... Mayor Daley wants to put around the city, he's also proposed putting surveillance cameras on city street sweepers ; not for the safety of his constituents, but to catch scofflaws who ignore the "no parking" signs on street-cleaning days. September 16, 2004 Everybody's Watching You In the wake of recent news to install 2,000+ cameras around the city , now comes word that we might be seeing some new surveillance on the L. The CTA is currently looking at bids for 366 new rail cars. Talk includes putting security cameras inside our elevated train cars . The CTA already installs cameras on buses, as part of a plan to curb vandals and criminals. September 15, 2004 Lock + Pen = Theft Chicago's bicycle community (and frankly the bicycle community in general) is in a total uproar right now because of the discovery by someone that many Kryptonite U-Locks can be picked with your basic ballpoint pen. Here's the message from the Chicago Critical Mass mailing list that started it all . No clear solutions have been posted yet (greasing the lock seems to help, but it's a sure prevention) and there has been only a lame reaction from Kryptonite despite numerous phone calls. The original poster started here in this BikeForums.net thread . There are movies and photos in there if you're intrigued. Only two of Kryptonite's locks in their arsenal do not use the cyclindrical chamber lock but most do (the other two use a flat key design). Word on the street from various sources is that there have been reports of Bic pens jammed in locks. Local bike shop owners in Chicago have been debating the issue and seeing what they can do. September 15, 2004 Fold - n - Go Flying to a foreign destination and wish you could take your bike with you? Want to visit a suburban destination on Metra and wish you could peddle those few miles instead of drive? Folding bikes give you freedom and flexibility that many other bikes don't. The Chicagoland Folding Bike Society meets tonight to talk about food, nutrition and cycling as well as, well, obviously folding bikes. Meet other folding bike enthusiasts and drink beer at the Handlebar. Starts at 7pm and runs til 9ish. September 14, 2004 Bike Fall, Bike Winter! The sun's starting to set a little early and the kids are back in school. And while you hardly need an excuse to Bike Fall, you might need a little motivation to Bike Winter. Bike Winter is a site that provides lots of info on how to dress for cycling when it is cold out, as well as staging lots of events. Things officially get started on Oct 1st, but the planning is happening now if you'd like to lend a hand to make Chicago the best city in the US for bicycles. September 09, 2004 Narcoleptic Commuters Beware John Kass, Tribune columnist, writes today about an IIT chemical engineering grad student who was fined recently for sleeping on the CTA. When he had to be awakened by police at the end of the Orange line, the officers lectured him about CTA safety and issued him a $50 ticket for sleeping on the train -- a legitimate offense in the CTA rule book (who knew?). Kass offered to pay the man's fine if he loses his bid to contest the ticket in court, but everyone else is on their own. September 09, 2004 Bike to O'Hare Ever wonder how you can get to O'Hare by non-motorized means? With the acres and acres of parking and garages, you might wonder if the planning department ever figured someone might walk or bike to the airport. (Answer: No.) But here's the story of how to ride your bike to O'Hare without taking the CTA or Pace . Summary: it ain't easy, and you have to pretend you're a taxi for a little bit. September 08, 2004 There is another bagel directly behind this one Dunkin' Donuts has opened two concession stands in two separate El stations (the Western Avenue blue line stop, and the Lake & Cicero green line stop) and have plans to open 10 more stores by the end of the year. Even better, additions to the El stations will include more than just snack shops; the CTA will be adding newspaper stands, photo processing and shoe repair stands and express mail stores at 33 separate stations. September 07, 2004 Are we there yet? The Chicago-Indiana area ranks 8th in a list of the longest commutes in the country, according to a new study by the Texas Transportation Institute. Ranked at #1: Los Angeles (surprise!), with an average of 93 hours spent in traffic during the year 2002. Also ranking high on the list: San Francisco-Oakland (73 hours) and Washington DC (67 hours). Chicago's average was 56 hours, which sounds pretty bad until you consider that you could be living in LA and spending even more time stuck in traffic. August 31, 2004 Meet the Matlak The Sun-Times reports that Ted Matlak is working on a speed-reducing solution for neighborhood streets that works better than the unpopular speed humps. The latest speeder-stopping technology is a mid-block island (which sounds like a roundabout in the middle of the block) that Matlak says he'll name after himself if it works and keeps speed humps from proliferating in the 32nd Ward. Aside from speed humps (and Matlaks), transportation officials are toying with other technologies to stop speeders, including installing cameras at stop signs and radar guns with cameras to automatically catch speeding drivers on side streets. August 26, 2004 More concrete falling! But not at Wrigley Field this time. Early Tuesday morning some chunks of concrete fell on the Dan Ryan from the 33rd Street overpass. Inspectors were able to remove enough loose concrete from the structure to fill a wheelbarrow. Yipes! And here's something else to worry about: cracks have begun to appear in posts holding up parts of Wacker Drive, less than a year after the street's $200 million renovation project finished. Although IDOT says these cracks don't affect the structural integrity of the roadway, it's yet another indication that this summer is turning out to be Chicago's Summer of Structural Integrity. August 26, 2004 Change and Spare Change Starting January 1, you�ll have to pay double at Illinois tollbooths , that is, if you don�t have I-Pass for your vehicle. This comes in an effort by the state to raise funds for more road work in the area, which, as we all know, is plentiful. Maybe this is also their way of getting us to stop using pennies at the tollbooths? This plan still has to be approved, but that could come as early as next month. August 25, 2004 Trib's CTA Tattler In another example of mainstream media imitating the blogo sphere , the Chicago Tribune has put out a call for Chicagoans' tales of CTA woes and frustrations. Oh, wait, excuse me - they want "Tales of Rage." The rants will go into a regular column in the Transportation section called "Commuter Follies." Hmm... rage... follies... sounds like someone's got their wires crossed. August 24, 2004 Universal Fare Card? Ever wished you could take that $20 you put on your CTA fare card and use it on Metra? Or that you could use the same ticket for all transit systems here? The RTA is considering adding a universal fare card for the region , and have commissioned a study to find out if it's feasible. If this becomes reality, you might actually be able to buy a train ticket from a vending machine and avoid the huge lines at the train stations. August 18, 2004 Hot Dish: Bikes On Metra Metra is one of the last rail agencies in the country that doesn't allow bikes on its trains. This is the missing link in making Chicago the best city for bicycling in the country, but now there's hope. Word on the street that the biggest prevention was the stalwart director of the RTA, Thomas McCracken. He's announced his retirement (pdf) and it is expected that the new director will be more friendly towards allowing some bicycles on trains. In the meantime, folding bikes are still allowed on Metra anytime. August 16, 2004 The Red Red Line While you were sleeping, the Red Line between Belmont and Howard was shut down both directions, from 2 to 6 a.m., while police investigated the discovery of "body parts on the tracks". Only one local media outlet has any details on the death, which are few: the body probably belonged to a 30-something male who was probably struck near the Morse stop. Note to the CTA: something like this probably shouldn't be such a mystery. August 16, 2004 Ride the Swift Into History You know the wire system above the Skokie Swift trains? That's called a "catenary system," and the Skokie Swift is the last CTA line to use it. Well, the catenary system has fallen into disrepair, and instead of fixing it, the CTA is replacing it with the more conventional third-rail system. In honor of this passing, the Central Electric Railfans' Association is hosting three last trips on the line , on CTA Historic Trains , Sunday, September 5. Three two-hour trips will depart from the Yellow Line Dempster stop at 9 am, 12 pm and 3 pm. Tickets are $20. Info on reserving seats can be found on CERA's site . August 16, 2004 Segue, Segway, Segue Oh, and by the way, apparently two Segway stores will be opening here soon : one in the city, one out in La Grange. You could buy one for around $4,000, or you could rent one for a couple hours from Chicago Segway Tours . So anyway... August 13, 2004 Parking tickets down The Sun-Times reports the amount of parking tickets issued this year is down by 60,000 when compared to last year's numbers. The main reason: two recently completed construction projects, the Wacker Drive reconstruction and 11 Street/Columbus Drive, which brought in loads of parking violations for the city. August 13, 2004 After about a year of trying, a Schaumburg woman has her new vanity license plate -- the number 867 5309, as immortalized in the Tommy Tutone hit from the 1980s. And yes, the woman's name is Jenny. August 12, 2004 CTA gives go-ahead to I-Go The CTA voted Wednesday to enter into a year-long pilot program that will put I-GO (car sharing) cars at five El stations, including the Damen blue line and Western brown line (yay!). Studies have shown that car-sharing programs increase use of public transportation, and it stands to reason that putting cars closer to the El will increase use of car-sharing programs, so—hey!—everybody wins! August 12, 2004 Gary or bust Paul Karas, administrator of the Gary airport, thinks Gary is the answer to Chicago’s airport congestion problem. Instead of spending $500 million and 10 years to build a third airport in Peotone—under debate for more than a decade and still pending FAA approval—Karas believes a $90 million expansion is all it will take to make the Gary airport “Chicago’s third airport.” August 10, 2004 Still No Progress on Brown Line Rehab The $530 million major renovation of the CTA brown line was scheduled to begin this past Spring, but was put on hold because construction bids were too high. No progress has been made in choosing new construction companies , but the CTA will be asking for new bids soon. Until then, our much-loved neighborhood under-the-El businesses (e.g., Beans n Bagels at Montrose) are spared the wrecking ball for another few months. CTA officials assure us the late start won't delay the projected completion date of December 31, 2009. August 10, 2004 Anyone seen the bridge? It's a great day when you get a story like this: the tour bus driver for the Dave Matthews Band denies that his bus was the one that rained liquid waste on a tour boat on Sunday. An eyewitness to the accident gave authorities the license plate for the bus, but when he was talking to reporters the driver coaxed a police sergeant to inspect the tank (how'd you like THAT job?), who then told reporters that the tank was indeed nearly full. August 06, 2004 O'Hare: now with 5% less delays! The Sun-Times reports that delayed flights at O'Hare improved in June, with on-time arrivals increasing from 64 to 69%, and on-time departures increasing from 68 to 70%. That puts O'Hare ahead of Atlanta's Heartsfield-Jackson in improving flight delays, but the airport still needs to cut back the number of flights, according to the FAA. August 04, 2004 The Airlines and O'Hare In an effort to combat ever increasing delays, the FAA has scheduled a meeting for all domestic carriers serving O'Hare. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the airline executives will enjoy a lunch of reheated chicken served in little plastic treys, and a small cup of orange juice sealed with foil. August 02, 2004 Speaking of traffic and construction, the Chicagoland expressway congestion map provides a regularly-updated almost real-time color-coded traffic map. Or just listen to WBBM 780 on the eights if you're not near a computer.  August 02, 2004 Worst traffic EVER. There are a number of construction projects happening this summer on the highways between Chicago and northwest Indiana, and they've all combined to create an unusually long commute for drivers going to or coming from Indiana. Unfortunately, it's not going to get any better anytime soon; the bulk of the work is scheduled to last for three years. Just keep this in mind, next time you decide to take the Chicago Skyway. Perhaps an alternative route going through Kentucky? July 28, 2004 O'Hare flight numbers to be cut As previously mentioned, O'Hare has been processing record numbers of flights and passengers in recent years. Unfortunately, they've also been having record numbers of delayed flights (14,500 delayed flights in the month of May alone!), and obviously those delayed flights can cause further delays in other airports. So the FAA wants O'Hare to reduce its number of flights, and will come up with some flight reduction numbers by Monday. Does this mean that O'Hare will lose the World's Busiest Airport title to Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International? We shall see. July 28, 2004 Green Line Station Additions? Craig of Fueled By Coffee has posted a " Diagrammatic Suggestion for Green Line Station Addition ". In layman's terms, a rather cool suggestion ( and image ) of additional stations that would make sense on the Green Line. That's putting it too simply but read his thoughts on why these stations would make sense on existing infrastructure. July 27, 2004 Smile, It's a Red Light In case you've ever wondered just where those fancy red light cameras are at intersections around town, now you can track them down on the web. Photo Enforced lets you look for intersections across the country that have installed cameras that photograph and then ticket drivers (by mail) heading through red lights. Chicago has quite a few listed, and the database is growing. You can also join a discussion about red light cameras, or compare ticket prices for other big cities. Chicago's ticket prices are similar to New York City's, but less than a third of what you'll pay in San Diego. July 27, 2004 S. Clark Street closing for construction A section of Clark Street, from Polk to 15th Street, will be closed for construction starting next week, and remain closed at least through June 2005. The main plan is to lower the road, so it passes underneath Roosevelt Road, and to widen the street to allow more traffic. One of the reasons that this project is under way: a new Target store is opening on the intersection's northwest corner in October. So... perhaps they should have started already? July 20, 2004 Free Bike Valet If you were planning to bike down to the Chicago Outdoor Film Fest tonight to see "The Birds", you don't have to worry about finding a safe place to park your bike. Bank One is offering free, secure bike valet parking , at the NW corner of Lake Shore Drive and Monroe, every night of the film fest. Safety checks and basic repairs will be provided on-site by the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation . July 16, 2004 Busiest airport: O'Hare or Hartsfield? Which is the busiest airport in the world: Chicago's O'Hare, or Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International? Depends on how you define "busiest," according to the FAA. O'Hare has handled the most number of flights in the first half of 2004 (nearly a half-million), but Hartsfield-Jackson is handling the most number of passengers (12 million in the first 4 months of 2004). Either way, that's still a huge amount of traffic flowing through the two airports. We'll have to check back with this story near the end of the year, to see which airport will win the coveted title of World's Busiest Airport. (I think there might be a trophy of some sort awarded to the winner.) July 16, 2004 Alternative bike routes The lakefront path is popular for bikers in the summer and sometimes, a little too popular. If you'd care to avoid the bladers, the joggers, the walkers and the kids whose parents don't seem to hold on to when walking the path, always refer to the Chicago Bike Map for various routes around the city. Dan Hosek has a brief list of routes with descriptions going east-west and north-south. It gives you an idea of what a proposed bike route might be like. July 15, 2004 City sticker shock Today's the deadline for getting your Chicago city sticker purchased and stuck to your windshield. (Although you can still buy them after today, you have to pay $40 extra, and if you're caught without one after today, it's a $120 fine. Amusingly enough, some cops have already started giving out tickets. ) If you haven't bought one yet (or if you did buy one and had it stolen ), then get yourself to the City Clerk's office (or buy it online). And if you DID buy one, but it hasn't arrived in the mail yet, then you might wish to check out the list of undeliverable stickers that were returned to the city by the post office. July 13, 2004 I-GO Car Sharing Expands Good news for the transportationally challenged: I-GO Car Sharing will expand its fleet to Millennium Park this month and Lincoln Square in August, bringing the number of Chicago locations to 13, including two cars installed in Lakeview in June. They simplified their pricing plan and are offering a $50 discount on membership, so now's the time to get yourself some eco-friendly wheels (no hybrids yet, but they're on the way). UPDATE: Honda Civic Hybrids will arrive at the Millennium Park location on July 20. Sweet! June 30, 2004 $2.00, here we come... The Sun-Times reports that Mayor Daley hasn't ruled out another hike in CTA fares to solve its financial crises. He would only say that the CTA is "looking at many alternatives," which at this time seem to be (1) increase fares, (2) cut service, or (3) both. Hey, on the bright side, if the fare goes up to $2, we can all start using those super-cool redesigned $2 bills. June 21, 2004 Blue light's special on El trains The CTA, having installed signs and special metal rings surrounding the emergency contact buttons that are in each train car, have now added an additional feature to identify the buttons: blue lights above the buttons. The blue light should make it extremely easy to spot the buttons, which were installed to allow passengers to contact the train driver. (But only in emergencies! So don't be pushing the button just because you're lonely and need someone to talk to. And if you accidentally push the button, just let the driver know it was an accident.) June 15, 2004 Gipper's Block The renaming of 1-88 to the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway/Tollway is complete: The Illinois State Tollway Authority approved the name change for their portion of the road (it's maintained by several state and local agencies over its length) yesterday. The former East-West Tollway is not to be confused with Ronald Reagan Highway -- US Rte. 14, which most people still refer to as Northwest Highway. June 11, 2004 Just weeks after This Is Grand is launched, a competitor appears. The CTA Tattler offers short vignettes and snippets of conversation witnessed on and around the city's train lines. Interesting. June 10, 2004 Brown Line work on hold; Demon Dogs lives! The Sun-Times reports that the CTA's plans to renovate the Brown Line are currently on hold, after they realized the construction bids that they received for the project were way too high. This means that businesses near Brown Line tracks that were due to be demolished for the construction have a bit of a reprieve (I'm looking at you, Demon Dogs! ), although the CTA's Frank Kreusi promises they'll still be done by the original 2009 completion date. June 04, 2004 See the lakefront at 5 mph The Sun-Times reports that a new tour company is offering a three-hour, seven-mile tour of the Chicago lakefront on a Segway. $65 gets you access to one of the scooters, which you can use to visit Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain and the museum campus. You also get an instructional class on the Segway's operation -- and a helmet, just in case. June 01, 2004 Car-Safety.org Before you hit the road this summer, check out the website for Car-Safety.org , a non-profit, volunteer based organization, operated in conjunction with the DuPage County SAFE KIDS Chapter . Car-Safety.org includes information about the proper installation of carseats, a vehicle features buying guide, and excellent collections of links to additional resources regarding carseats and car safety. According to the site, motor vehicle crashes are the #1 cause of death for children and adults, ages 1 to 34, so buckle up and drive safe! May 28, 2004 City sticker price rises for SUVs After getting hit with high gas prices over the past few weeks, SUV owners will have another higher price to deal with this year: an increase in their city sticker fees. 43 models of SUVs that weight more than 4,500 pounds will have to shell out $90 for a sticker, up from $75. The complete list of vehicles that will have increased sticker prices is up at the City Clerk's Website. Time to switch to a bike, perhaps? May 27, 2004 $18,000 measuring cup? The Chicago Department of Consumer Services unveiled today an $18,000 measuring device that can accuately measure the amount of gas delivered by a station pump. This device can be used by city workers to measure the accuracy of gas station equipment, and cite station owners if they're short-changing customers. (For the record, department spokesmen say that Chicago stations overall are giving out a bit more gas than is paid for.) May 25, 2004 Evanston Bicycle Auction A bit early, but might be worth it to ya: The Evanston Police are having a bicycle auction to rid the department of the bikes that are "unclaimed property". It's a good chance to find a good deal or pick up that second commuter bike you've been dreaming about for the summer. May 18, 2004 Taxi fare increase looming With Chicago's gas prices heading towards $2.35 and $2.40 per gallon (according to Chicago Gas Prices ), a number of taxi drivers are asking for an increase in cab fares to compensate for the price increase. But to even consider the issue, the city council requires that the drivers turn in a petition signed by 10% of the city's 17,000 licensed drivers -- and when THAT'S been verified, the council has 60 days to hold hearings. Which means that the summer driving season might be over before the fare increase is even considered. May 17, 2004 This biking city Chicago is one of the best cities in the world to bike . Warm weather is here and people are dustuing off their trusty steeds unless you're like me and you bike all year round. The Tribune has a neat little section about biking in this city spinning a few tales of what it's like and what you can do to bike more everyday including more info about the Millennium Park Bicycle Station . May 10, 2004 CTA Issues Think the trains and busses are slow now? Wait till later this year, when rehab projects on the Red and Brown lines begin and the roadwork season starts. The Redeye (!) took commuter complaints to the CTA , and, surprisingly, the CTA responded. (Bonus: They also provided contact info so you can submit complaints or suggestions to the CTA board directly.) May 07, 2004 Are you an avid cyclist and a lady? The Cycling Sisters wants you. This Chicago group promotes bike communting, provides bike tips, and organizes outings for gals. May 05, 2004 But they've got great wings! Most people would describe Gary as "an experience that enlivens the senses". That's how Hooters Air is describing their in-flight experience as well. Now you can combine those two experiences - Hooters Air is offering flights from Gary International Airport to Myrtle Beach, SC. Hooters Air is in distinguished company here. Casino Express (Elko Nevada's #1 airline!) and Southeastern Airlines ("A fare to remember.") You get free parking at the Gary Airport too - if you dare. April 30, 2004 Secret interstate ramp! The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority has a secret entrance ramp onto I-88 that allows them to get from the parking lot of their Downers Grove headquarters right onto the interstate, saving a trip of several miles. As the Sun-Times reports today, the tollway board voted to make the ramp accessible to the public by building a route to the ramp from Ogden Avenue. Makes you wonder what other secret stuff is built into the interstate system. Keep your eyes peeled on the commute home tonight... April 28, 2004 More cameras to be installed at intersections More bad news for Chicago motorists who like to run red lights: the Sun-Times reports that the city has been so pleased with the trial installation of security cameras watching accident-prone intersections that they're planning to install more cameras at 10 additional intersections. Over the last 6 months, the cameras have identified over 15,000 vehicles running red lights at various intersections in the city, generating nearly $1.4 million in potential revenues (assuming the ticketed motorists pay the fines). The new intersections will be chosen by mid-summer, and camera installation is expected to be completed by year's end. April 15, 2004 CTA tokens to be melted down An inglorious end to the CTA token: the Sun-Times reports that the CTA's remaining stock of metal tokens, 20 million pieces, has been sold to a Cincinnati-based company that plans to melt the stock down and use the metal in other works. (The tokens are made of brass, and were pulled out of circulation in 1998 in favor of those fancy magnetic cards that the CTA's already trying to phase out.) The CTA will keep about 2,000 tokens and make them into jewelry. April 14, 2004 Deadbeat gassers on the rise As Illinois gas prices escalate, gas stations are reporting a marked increase in people driving off without paying. The current loss to drive-offs is about $100 per week per station, a dramatic increase from a year ago, which was $100 per month. Chicago has had fewer incidents of drive-offs because nearly all stations in the city require drivers to pay before getting gas. April 13, 2004 Brown Line expansion funded Today, city officials celebrated the fact that federal funding is in place for a $530 million Brown Line expansion, which will consist of lengthening station platforms and making stations handicapped accessible. This means that you can officially say good-bye to all those bought-up buildings near Brown Line stops, probably including the long-suffering Demon Dogs. For the CTA's side of things, check out the project info on the CTA's Website. March 30, 2004 Revamped Kedzie Blue Line stop opens The Kedzie stop on the CTA Blue Line has been renovated and is back open for passengers. The station reopening is part of a $482.6 million reconstruction of the Cermak-Douglas Branch of the Blue Line, which involves the renovating of 8 stations. Kedzie was the 5th to reopen, and the remaining stations should be finished within 10 months. March 29, 2004 CTA mag cards lose bonus You still using those old-fashioned magnetic-stripe cards, granddad? You're gonna pay the price for not upgrading to the fancy-shmancy Chicago Card, as the Sun-Times reports that the CTA is finally phasing out the bonus dollar that you get whenever you put $10 on your card. As of April 1, only the Chicago Card and Chicago Card Plus will get the bonus money. If you don't have one of the newer cards yet, act fast; the CTA will also start charging $5 for the purchase of a Chicago Card on April 1. March 25, 2004 More Shorter Delays a Fix? The FAA has a plan in the works that will reduce the total amount of flight delays. However, this entails more short delays for commuters in order to ease the crowded skies. Airlines have agreed to take short delays or reroute flights in order to reduce overall delays in the air traffic system. For example, look at one of Chicago's situations: thunderstorms cause outbound flights to stack up quickly at O'Hare. Under the plan, airlines will delay for about 10 minutes flights that are bound for O'Hare. The backed-up planes at O'Hare could more quickly get into the air when the weather clears because the airspace will be less crowded. All air travelers flying in and out of Chicago would face fewer total delays with this plan. March 24, 2004 Rolling Into Spring The weather's warming up this week, so here's a few things to get your bike groove on. Critical Mass is this Friday. Celebrate the end of winter with a nice, leisurely neighborhood ride. 5:30pm, Daley Plaza. Looking for a longer ride? This list of all rides in Illinois gives you a chance to keep in shape and get out and see some of that countryside us city dwellers hear so much about. If you're looking for more intense, training style rides, check out some of the offerings of Chicago Cycling Club . If you want to see the latest in cycling stuff, check out the Chicago Bike Show happening this weekend at Navy Pier. Need a map of how to get around? Where to go? The City's Bike Page has an online bike map of Chicago that shows where the bike paths are and what streets are best to take if you can't find a path. March 23, 2004 United's low-fare carrier, Ted, is coming to O'Hare. Tickets go on sale Saturday, and flights will start May 24th. The Ted destinations from O'Hare: Las Vegas, Tampa, Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale, and Phoenix. March 18, 2004 Dan Ryan to shoulder CTA burden The Sun-Times reports that the CTA will be running El track directly on the shoulder of the Dan Ryan Expressway in areas of the South Side branch of the Red Line route, so that CTA workers can have free access to repair areas of track that are currently plagued by power outages. This project begins on Saturday, and is expected to run through October 2006. (The Dan Ryan portion of the project is supposed to be done by the fall.) March 14, 2004 Traffic cameras target red-light runners At various accident-prone intersections in Chicago, the Transportation Department set up cameras to catch people running red lights, and as the Sun-Times reports, in just four months they've issued over 5,000 tickets to red-light runners. The cameras were installed in particularly troublesome intersections to attempt to bring down the number of accidents, and it appears to be working; the number of tickets issued at one intersection, 55th and Western, are down from 55 a day in November to 33 a day in February. March 12, 2004 CTA super-station coming soon? The Tribune reports that the CTA has plans to turn the downtown block known as Block 37 into a new CTA station that would connect the Red and Blue lines, as well as provide express trains to O'Hare and Midway airports. The block has previously been eyed by developers, who have wished to build condos, office towers and hotels on the site, as well as WBBM, which expressed interest in building a media center there. If the CTA's plans are approved by the city, the station could open in 2007. March 12, 2004 Meals for Metra riders The Orland Park Metra station will soon be offering ready-made meals for commuters, provided by Palermo's of Chicago. Train riders would order their meal in the morning at the train station, or during the day by phone, and pick up the meal at Orland Park's 153rd Street station. Now if only the CTA would pick up on this idea... March 10, 2004 Red line repairs, and so much more! The CTA is starting a $282 million makeover of the Red Line with a series of repairs to the tracks between 95th and Cermak. Trains will be running, but you should expect delays. In case you're wondering what else might be going on that'll impact your daily commute, check out this press release at the CTA Website, which includes details on Red and Blue Line repairs, as well as a list of bridges that will be closed for repairs and testing. March 10, 2004 Just a $20 deposit reserves your spot in U of I's Motorcycle Rider Program , which begins enrolling "sometime in the second or third week of March." Classes fill up quickly, but there are also throughout Chicagoland, so if you don't mind heading down to Kankakee or out to Palatine -- and you can predict when enrollment begins -- you should be OK. [Thanks Armaghetto.] March 05, 2004 Another dubious honor: Our local stretch of Interstate 90 is number three on a list of the top five worst freeways . Woohoo! (Thanks Ian.) March 04, 2004 Scale images of the world's subway systems. The CTA doesn't quite match up to New York, Tokyo, Moscow ... even Singapore looms larger than our puny El system. But we're totally huger than either Vienna or Barcelona. Take that! March 03, 2004 O'Hare Int'l Airport ranks dead last in on-time flights, according to a study by the US Department of Transportation. Well, at least the food is good... March 02, 2004 Skyway for Sale? As construction began Monday on the elevated Skyway, a groundbreaking agreement could possibly mean higher tolls and better service . The mayor took the first steps towards privatizing the Chicago Skyway this week. City Hall will issue a ''request-for-qualifications'' to private toll operators to gauge interest in the 7.8-mile roadway connecting Chicago and Northwest Indiana. Several dozen bids are expected. The Skyway's $2 toll, last increased in 1993, is likely to be raised, under an agreement that would ''set forth parameters'' for future increases. February 26, 2004 Skyway construction starts Monday As if we didn't have enough headaches in our commutes, Monday marks the beginning of construction on the Chicago Skyway. This construction on the Skyway's westbound portion is actually the latest in a series of constructions on the Skyway, and the projected finish date for the whole project is 2005. So you can look forward to reduced traffic flow on the Skyway for quite some time. February 25, 2004 There is another train directly behind this one As you wend your way to or from work, and ponder the length of your daily commute, take some small solace in the fact that your commute is not yet the longest in the country. The longest commute, unsurprisingly, is in NYC, according to the Census Bureau. An average commute of 38 minutes in the Big Apple, beating out Chicago by six minutes. We're still above the national average of 24 minutes, though. The shortest commutes: Wichita, KS (16.5 minutes), Tulsa, OK (16.8 minutes) and Omaha, NE (17.3 minutes). February 23, 2004 Slow times on the Brown line If you depend on the Brown line for your daily commute, expect delays for the next couple of weeks: a weekend fire has forced the CTA to run half as many trains as usual during peak hours for the next two weeks, while they make repairs to a substation on Lincoln Avenue that was damaged by the fire. According to this CTA press release, you should be careful during your commute out of the Loop in the evenings, as only half of the northbound Brown line trains will be going north of the Belmont station. Check the train's destination sign before boarding. February 20, 2004 Angels Get Wings, Cabbies Get Medallions Two cabbies received their own taxi medallions (estimated value: $53,000 each) from the city for their work with disabled riders. One teaches other drivers how to conform to the city's Taxi Access Program , the other picked up more than 1,300 disabled riders last year. February 19, 2004 Strangler strangled The good news: the Hillside Strangler, one of the most infamous features of the meet-up of 88, 290 and 294, has been improved so much by a 2001 renovation project that it is no longer on a list of the worst bottlenecks in the nation, according to the Sun-Times. The bad news: the Circle Interchange (the Kennedy/Dan Ryan/Eisenhower meeting in the Loop) is the third-worst bottleneck in the nation. It's going to be fixed, of course, but you'll probably have to put up with it till 2006 or 2007, when the Dan Ryan is scheduled to be renovated. February 17, 2004 Chicagoland Bicycle Federation Conference This March, the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation is offering a two-day conference on ways to improve bicycling and walking conditions in Chicagoland for transportation professionals, public officials and advocates. In addition, a Chicago bike lane tour and the fourth annual Bike Town Bash will take place in conjunction with the conference. Some of the events, including the Bike Lane Tour, have limited capacity, so register soon if this sounds like something for you! February 16, 2004 Trolley System Grant Speaking of transportation, the Chicago trolley system will be expanded with the aid of a $600,000 federal grant . U.S. Representative Rahm Emanuel helped secure the grant and says the improved trolley service will connect museums and cultural centers in Lincoln Park to Michigan Avenue, Navy Pier, Chinatown and Metra and C.T.A. stations. The expanded service will bring riders to Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Lincoln Park Zoo and the Chicago Historical Society during the holidays and in the summer. February 16, 2004 Vehicles of mass destruction It was not a good weekend to be a pedestrian. One of the weekend's three car-related homicides killed Chin Up Chin Up bassist Chris Saathoff (Friendster profile here ). Blogger Mimi Smartypants was there . (Coincidentally, the Tribune's Transportation section on Sunday looked at what's being done to make cars less dangerous for pedestrians . Not enough, obviously. Cars kill more than 43,000 people a year in the U.S., and about 12 percent are innocent bystanders, the equivalent of one Sept. 11 every seven months.) February 12, 2004 Speaking of memorable cab rides: Tomorrow, the Chicago Carriage Cab company is giving out 500 roses to passengers in its maroon luxury taxis as a Valentine's Day publicity stunt (never mind that Saturday is the big day). February 11, 2004 Where you'll be sitting in traffic this year The Sun-Times has a list of this year's road projects, giving us all an idea of where not to be driving this summer. Near the top of the list: a stretch of I-88 from Naperville Rd to Route 59 that's apparently like driving on a roller coaster.  February 06, 2004 More Yellow The RTA , parent of the CTA, is mulling a plan to add two new stops to the Yellow line -- one in downtown Skokie and one near Old Orchard Mall, which would mean a 1.6-mile extension of the line. The latter would be great for citydwellers itching to get to a proper mall without a car. February 02, 2004 As you're standing at the bus stop this morning, you might be asking yourself why CTA el stops have those heat lamps, but CTA bus shelters don't. This Sun-Times story explains why. January 30, 2004 Paper and a Muffin, Please Soon you'll be able to grab breakfast at the El. Crain's reports that the CTA is planning new concession stands in 28 El stops , including the UIC stop on the Blue line and the North & Clybourn stop on the Red -- which will be getting a "gourmet coffee shop." (Wonder if they'll finally get rid of their rule against food and beverages on trains now.) January 28, 2004 40 Minutes from Allstate to Downtown!? Last December, our very own Librarian took on a daunting task: writing a guide to Chicago traffic reports . In a shrewd move, executives at Clear Channel Radio have handed down a new edict . No longer should on-air talent report travel times from O'Hare airport. Instead, more corporate product placement may enter our lives, as this traffic point shall now be the Allstate Arena. January 21, 2004 O'Hare leading in fired screeners O'Hare is near the top of another list, only this one isn't so great. The Sun-Times reports that O'Hare and Los Angeles International Airport lead the nation in firing federal government screeners that were hired with incomplete background checks, and then had to be let go after subsequent checks found problems. Even Midway had problems in the past months with having to fire screeners. Just one more thing to be wary of as you stand in line for your next flight. January 16, 2004 CTA card gets better Have you seen those cool kids with their flashy Chicago Cards at the train turnstyle? Well, if you're considering joining their ranks, wait till Monday. That's when the Chicago Card Plus becomes available. With it you'll get the free $1 for every $10 you put on your card, it will still be protected in case you lose it, and now you'll be able to add money to it online. Oh yeah, no more missing a train because some tourist can't figure out how the machine works. January 09, 2004 On your marks, get set, snow! Sunday morning kicks off the 2004 Tour da Chicago , a six-stage alleycat bike race. This weekend's time trial will start in stages from the Bahai Temple in Wilmette and race to YoJimbo's Garage at 1310 N. Clybourn. Entrance is $10 for the race or $45 for the series. Register at 1461 W. Chicago at 7 a.m. January 01, 2004 Hope you enjoyed the penny fares overnight; as of six a.m., CTA fares go up to $1.75 per standard ride. December 29, 2003 New traffic laws for 2004 The Sun-Times reports on a number of new traffic laws set to go into effect on January 1. These new laws will discourage people from staying in the lefthand passing lane too long, limit the number of passengers teenage drivers can have, and require children ages 4 to 7 to be in booster seats. December 19, 2003 O'Hare security: fast! More good news for O'Hare! After recently getting good grades on the food it serves, it's now been recognized as having some of the shortest wait times among the nation's airports. Washington Dulles International and Dallas-Fort Worth International are also among the quickest, with a security screening wait time of less than two minutes; Los Angeles and Miami were among the worst, with wait times of about seven minutes. December 19, 2003 More fees for all! In their recent zeal to ticket Chicago cars without their precious precious city stickers, investigators for the city clerk's office have turned up another lucrative source of revenue for the city: a large number of motorists driving with expired plates. Does this mean more fines? You bet! "I can honestly say that there's millions of dollars in those parking garages in expired plate fees," City Clerk James Laski said on a WBBM radio program (hopefully he was not rubbing his hands in glee when he said this). December 17, 2003 R, Not Just C, TA The Regional Transit Authority has unveiled a lukewarm program to finally unify all regional transit -- the buses, the El, and the "commuter lines." State Representative Julie Hamos of Evanston doesn't think the convoluted program does nearly enough, and she seems to be right. ERSys provides a simple sort-of-audit of the CTA's service here. December 05, 2003 Sticker-free cars stuck with tickets! The city has finally begun ticketing city-sticker-less cars in parking garages. After five days over 1,000 tickets have been written, and that's after patrolling less than 10 percent of the city-licensed garages. If this rate keeps up, the program is projected to bring in over $6 million for the city next year, and to make thousands of drivers unhappy. December 01, 2003 Hundreds towed! As if we didn't have enough to worry about with the enforcement of towing legislation against cars without Chicago city stickers, now we've gotta worry about the winter parking rules on many of the city's streets. It's December 1, the day that winter parking laws go into effect, and the city went about its assigned task, towing hundreds of cars this morning. Violators face paying a minimum $150 towing fee and a $50 ticket. Buck up, kiddos, you've only got 4 months before winter parking ends on April 1. [Trib. login: gapers/gapers] December 01, 2003 Metra naughtiness A former Metra train conductor has written a book called That's What I Call Commuting, which according to the Sun-Times is a collection of the most memorable moments from his 30 years of working on the trains. Most of the tales sound like out-takes from "America's Funniest Home Videos:" women taking their clothes off, children puking in the conductor's cap, and a guy who missed his morning commute jumping onto a slow-moving freight train and ending up in Iowa. November 26, 2003 Know before you go. Road ragers should check the traffic report before heading out for this extended T-Day weekend. Get updates at from UIC , Traffic.com , or the Trib . November 26, 2003 Need to get to grandma's house but your roommate backed out of loaning you the car? Check out the rideshare board on Craig's List for a last-minute hitch. November 25, 2003 North Ave. Bridge Construction Watch out! Next spring, the long-awaited construction begins to constrct a new, wider bridge over the Chicago River at North Ave . Don't fret, a temporary bridge will be built across the Chicago River to allow North Ave. to remain open to traffic traveling in both directions. The reconstruction of the bridge is the first in a series of steps planned by the city to help alleviate the chronic traffic congestion that continues to plague the North and Clybourn intersection. In addition to the reconstruction of the bridge, the city will install a new stop light at the intersection of North Avenue and Kingsbury Street. November 25, 2003 Drivers, Check Your Parking Spot... ...for snow removal signs. The winter snow removal schedule begins Monday , December 1, which means those of us who park overnight on major streets (Clark, for instance) may wake up to find our car missing. The result is a minimum $200 fine and a trip to obscure corners of the city to pick up our vehicles. And no, it doesn't have to snow for the rule to be in effect. [Trib log-in: gapers/gapers] November 24, 2003 Santa train is coming to town This upcoming holiday weekend marks the return of the CTA Holiday Train, which is a regular El train festooned with festive holiday decoration, and includes Santa and his reindeer on an open-air flatcar. The train starts riding 'round the Loop the day after Thanksgiving, and then moves to different train lines through the next month; check the CTA Website to see what days you can expect a little extra holiday spirit during your daily commute. November 23, 2003 Increased security lanes at Midway If you're flying through Midway as part of your Thanksgiving plans this week, here's some good news: there will be additional security lanes open in anticipation of a busy holiday travel weekend. The city estimates there will be 52,000 travelers a day coming through Midway over the holiday, which is pretty good but still doesn't match O'Hare, with an estimated 215,000 travelers per day. November 18, 2003 O'Hare Expansion Begins The demolition has begun: the first building has been torn down to make way for the expansion of O'Hare Airport. The office building had been vacant for several years and was sold to the city willingly. The rest of the buildings in the bulldozer's path won't come so easily. November 12, 2003 You can drive, but you can't hide. If you've been putting off buying a city sticker, you might want to think about doing it soon: police and investigators will be able to ticket unstickered cars in licensed garages and parking lots, thanks to new legislation passed Wednesday by the City Council. City Clerk James Laski estimates the city could make as much as $10 million in the next two years. Although the legislation is already in effect, you still have a couple of weeks to get your sticker before the city starts enforcing the law. [Trib. login: gapers/gapers] November 11, 2003 Your morning CTA news. The CTA approved an amended version of its 2004 budget on Monday, which includes a 25-cent increase to the base fare. The $1.75 price goes into effect on January 1. In addition to the increase, the price of a transfer will be decreased from 30 cents to 25 cents. While you let that news sink in, here's a bit of good news: Demon Dogs can stay open! The restaurant was supposed to close at the end of October, but it negotiated a new lease which will allow it to stay open through June of next year. Here's the kicker: its monthly rent has been raised from $630 to $2,500. Aie! That's a lot of dogs to sell! November 10, 2003 United used a guerrilla marketing campaign in Denver and a cryptic Web site to introduce Ted, its new low-cost airline . Ted will compete with the likes of Southwest, Jet Blue and Song. [Trib. login: gapers/gapers] November 06, 2003 CTA price increase delayed. The Sun-Times reports that the CTA is delaying its vote on a fare increase from $1.50 to $1.75, to take into account public input on the increase. Unfortunately, CTA spokespeople are pretty much agreeing that the only options left are either fare increases or service cuts. Hmm. Where'd I put that bike.... October 28, 2003 The Daily Northwestern , apparently concerned that not enough students were braving the El, put out a 16-page section on the city's train system. Articles range from cajoling to educational -- one includes a brief interview with the "voice of the CTA." October 22, 2003 It's time to pay final respects at Demon Dogs , for 20 years an institution under the Fullerton El stop . It will close Oct. 31 as part of the CTA's Brown Line expansion . October 21, 2003 Two dollars! The Sun-Times is reporting that CTA president Frank Kruesi is planning two rate hikes in the next two years: a 25-cent increase at the beginning of 2004, and another 25-cent increase in 2005, bringing the ticket price of El and bus rides to a cool $2. If these plans are followed, Chicago would have one of the highest transit rates in the country. Start saving your quarters, kids. October 15, 2003 Through rain, snow, sleet and hail Not even a Chicago winter should be an excuse to stop commuting by bicycle. The good people at Bike Winter know all the ways to keep you warm, clean and safe on two wheels while everyone else is shivering on the El platform. Nov. 1 at 1 there will be an educational expo in the field house at Daley Bicentennial Plaza, 337 E. Randolph Drive. October 13, 2003 RFD Never heard of Northwest Chicagoland Regional Airport ? It's out in Rockford, and it's hoping to beat Peotone to become the area's third major airport . It has a head start: it's already built, for one, and TransMeridian Airlines already flies to Orlando and Las Vegas from there. Another big bonus: free parking. October 04, 2003 CTA to riders: Take a hike The next bum to ask you for a quarter on the El may well be CTA President Frank Kruesi. This week he'll propose raising the regular fare from $1.50 to $1.75 to help deal with a massive deficit. Other changes and increases are in the works, too, including encouraging more off-peak travel, but the monthly passes will remain $75. He also promises no service cuts. It's the first increase since 1991 -- first person to name something whose price hasn't gone up in 12 years wins a prize -- and it's still cheaper than New York ($2), though not Boston ($1) or L.A. ($1.35). [Trib. login: gapers/gapers] September 15, 2003 Bike 2010 Plan Chicago is undoubtedly one of the best US cities to bike in. Mayor Daley's efforts with the coordination and handling of such an environment by the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation has been solid and they are now working towards the Bike 2010 Plan . You can read the overview , attend one of the meetings, share your thoughts or read about some of the comments people have written . If you use your bike regularly or even occasionally, this is important and we're fortunate enough to have good people working for this. So make your voice heard. September 15, 2003 You know, the drive to Milwaukee is boring. Not much to look at, other than the Mars Cheese Castle and outlet malls. Wouldn't it be more fun to take a hovercraft on Lake Michigan ? September 10, 2003 Depave the Drive The Campaign for a Free and Clear Lakefront have just this small, reasonable request: to depave Lakeshore Drive. Buy hey, Hizzoner, Da Mare seems to think it's a good idea, so we should be seeing those bulldozers and jackhammers on the drive any day now, right? (Probably at 2am without warning...) September 04, 2003 Soon you'll be able to ride in style, cruising the Boule Mich in a London Taxi : Yellow Cab will be running the distinctive coaches starting later this month . (Tip via Dave at Coudal ) August 29, 2003 SegwayFest The first convention of Segway owners takes place this weekend at McCormick Place. Two Chicago area residents organized the event, which expects up to 80 Segway owners to converge on the lakefront this weekend. The inventor will give a speech, maintenance tips will be offered, and owners can show off their ballroom-style synchronized Segway routines before a group ride along the lakefront. [Trib. login: gapers/gapers] August 22, 2003 CTA Strike? Despite pleas from CTA board chairwoman Valerie Jarrett and the mediation efforts of Rev. Jesse Jackson, CTA drivers are giving serious thought to a strike. On the way to work today, a driver told me that they plan to leave work this coming Monday. You may want to give yourself plenty of extra time for the morning commute, or arrange another means of transportation. August 18, 2003 Authorities at the Illinois Institute of Technology say the school on Chicago's South Side has become the nation's first Segway-friendly campus . The school announced a partnership yesterday with the New Hampshire-based company that makes the two-wheeled battery-powered transportation devices. August 11, 2003 Southwest Airlines wants your travel-related story for Airline, a new show debuting soon on A&E . The stories must be related to Southwest Airlines travel into or out of Los Angeles World Airport and/or Chicago Midway Airport. August 08, 2003 Great news for those of us tired of ensuring we've got cash before loading up our Transit Cards: the CTA is going to install BankOne ATMs at 11 El stations. It makes so much sense, it almost hurts. August 03, 2003 For $1200 you can throw your next soiree in an El car (or a whole train.) Choo! Choo! July 28, 2003 The good news: the CTA is considering lower off-peak pricing . The bad news: you might need a Chicago Card in order to get it. Oh, cruel fate! July 18, 2003 The Gray Line is a proposal to convert Metra electric train lines into a CTA route serving the South and Southeast Sides. (More info here .) June 27, 2003 Once again, it's the last Friday of the month, and Critical Mass will be going down at 5:30pm congregating at Daley Plaza. It'll be funny if they went down Michigan and passed the Apple Store... June 19, 2003 New Cabs Keep your eye out for burgandy cabs with a blue stripe -- they're from the new Chicago Carriage Cab Co. , and they boast uniformed drivers, extra legroom and, of all things, Internet access. (No website for the company yet, though.) In the meantime, Yellow Cab is planning on converting about half its fleet to London-style taxis . June 13, 2003 Bike Depot Announced today, a new plan for a bike depot located in the parking structure beneath Millenium Park. Mayor Daley is taking the city to a "new level of bicycle friendliness" with this new bike station, complete with a bike storage area for up to 400 bikes, showers, lockers and a coffee bar. Grants from the federal government will help pay the costs, as funding for the bike station comes from the federal government under a program to ease congestion and improve air quality. [Trib. login: gapers/gapers] June 12, 2003 Who is Shadow Traffic, Anyway? Talk about a Gaper's Block. My usual 45 min commute took 1hr 45 min. today due to extreme rubbernecking on the Edens. It made me wonder: why does every radio station report travel times from "Shadow Traffic" but you can't find anything about them on the web . The only traffic site I know of is astoundingly inaccurate, while Shadow usually seems spot on. Shouldn't this information be more widely available? June 05, 2003 Lakeshore Bus Routes Change The CTA approved changes to express bus routes serving the north and south Lake Shore regions. Theoretically, the new routes will improve commute times and allow passengers to take just one bus to their destinations (instead of having to transfer.) The CTA's site has more details . [Trib login: gapers/gapers] May 29, 2003 CTA trip-tick The CTA has a great feature which lets you find the different modes of public transportation to get you from one point to the next. So, next time you need to get to some part of the city you're unfamiliar with, or if you want to find a way to cut down your commute to work, give it a try. May 27, 2003 Gary Airport Gary/Chicago Airport , which has been trying to position itself as an alternative to Midway and O'Hare -- and as a solution to the Peotone airport issue -- is courting Pace Airlines , a regional carrier serving the Carolinas. Pace was in the news most recently for closing a deal with Hooters Restaurants to creat Hooters Air . May 21, 2003 Live Traffic Map Speaking of interactive maps, this one will come in handy: GCMTravel.com provides live, constantly updated maps of the "Gary/Chicago/Milwaukee Transportation Corridor," including construction, accidents and congestion points along the entire highway system. Travel times are constantly updated, so you don't have to wait for the next traffic report. Originally developed by UIC's AI Lab . May 16, 2003 Bike Ride: Sat May 17th As part of the DePaul Bike Club (god do I pimp my alma mater) and the Chicago Bike Fed. , there will be a neighborhood bike ride in and around the Lincoln Park area tomorrow afternoon that starts at 1pm. The weather will be perfect for it, and it is open to all. I'll be there so if you're interested in a leisurely bike ride on a mild Saturday afternoon, this is the place to be. Click more for details on where to meet. Meeting: The Quad, Lincoln Park Campus DePaul University Saturday May 17th at 1:00pm The Quad as it's affectionately known is a the big square of open park-like area in between Kenmore and Clifton avenues on Fullerton. Mild tune-ups and bike maintenance will be done beforehand if you need it. For any other questions, please feel free to e-mail me at [email protected] . May 09, 2003 Traffic to go subterranean The city wants to build tunnels to channel traffic underneath two high-volume, accident-prone locations. One is at Clark Street, tunneling under where it crosses Roosevelt Road. The other is on Fullerton Avenue under the notorious six-legged intersection of Fullerton, Elston and Damen Avenues. [Trib. login: gapers/gapers] May 08, 2003 Student Bikes I just finished up a site for the Chicago Bike Federation , called Student Bikes . It promotes, educates and informs university and college students on how they too can bike to school. Also, this Monday, May 12th, DePaul University , the DePaul Bicycle Club and Mayor Daley's Bicycle Ambassador's will be hosting a presentation called Commuting to Class. Details: DePaul's Lincoln Park Campus, Levan Center, Rm 502, 2pm-3pm. May 05, 2003 I Can Turn the World on With My Butt Mary Richards might have been able to turn the world on with her smile, but I can open CTA turnstiles with my butt. Yes, thanks to the microchip-embedded Chicago Card , I don't need to remove my wallet from my hip pocket to sail through the turnstiles. I just twist a bit to one side, give a little bump toward the sensor and open, sesame! I've already executed this maneuver at several CTA stations and you know what? Much to the chagrin of my junior high school sensibilities, the staff is not the least bit impressed. One staffer even rolled her eyes and shook her head, like I was only the 500th customer she'd seen do this. Over the weekend, I decided that if I could use this technique on a CTA bus, that would definitely be impressive. The bus fareboxes, however, are surrounded by protective railings. I'd need to have the elastic ass of The Fantastic Four's Reed Richards to pull it off. April 25, 2003 Critical Mass 04/25 Today is the last Friday of the month, which means it's Critical Mass Friday. I'm going to be there and if you ride a bike at all, you should try to be there. Support alternative means of transport! Daley Plaza, 5:30pm  
i don't know
A square grid of square cells, with five cells in each of its longest diagonals, contains how many cells in total?
puzzle - How to solve 5x5 grid with 16 diagonals? - Mathematics Stack Exchange How to solve 5x5 grid with 16 diagonals? I have a grid 5x5 and I have to fill 16 little squares with a diagonal Rules You cannot place more than 1 diagonal in each square The diagonals cannot touch each other (example bellow) But what I seek here is a mathematical solution for this puzzle, I don't even know where to start looking for information. Can someone explain how do I solve this puzzle using equations? Think of it this way: You have a 5x5 array, and you need to fill it with values 0, 1, or -1, with three restrictions: The cells sharing an edge with a cell with a $\pm 1$ cannot contain a $\mp 1$. If a cell contains a 1, the adjacent cells to the top-left and bottom-right cannot also contain a 1. If a cell contains a -1, the adjacent cells to the bottom-left and top-right cannot also contain a -1. Here, cells containing a "1" have a diagonal running top-left to bottom-right, and cells containing a "-1" have a diagonal running the other way. Cells containing 0 do not have a diagonal at all. So, for the example grid you provide, you start with the grid: $$ \begin{matrix}0&0&-1&0&0\\0&-1&0&-1&1\\0&0&0&0&0\\0&0&0&0&0\\0&0&0&0&0\end{matrix} $$ I don't think there's "a mathematical solution" to it - that is, I doubt that one could immediately find the "right answer" without some level of trial and error. But it does give a good starting point to automating the search, if you want to try solving it computationally.      Maybe the $+1$ cells should be those whose diagonal slope is positive (from lower left to upper right). That is only a suggestion since positive slope diagonals would be naturally associated to a positve number. But the restatement of the problem is nice, +1. –  coffeemath Mar 24 '13 at 8:54 I have written a brute force search, which seems to work. But it would take days to inspect the $3^{25} = 847,288,609,443$ configurations or reimplementation of some parts in C. Some feasible solutions from a random walk: [ 45.33%] [1100201102001021010210022] found: len = 14 [max = 14] / / . . \ . / / . \ . . / . \ / . / . \ / . . \ \ [ 41.74%] [1020210202102021101001001] found: len = 14 [max = 14] / . \ . \ / . \ . \ / . \ . \ / / . / . . / . . / [ 99.59%] [2222200000102011000011111] found: len = 14 [max = 14] \ \ \ \ \ . . . . . / . \ . / / . . . . / / / / / [ 38.82%] [1011110001111010000011111] found: len = 15 [max = 15] / . / / / / . . . / / / / . / . . . . . / / / / /      I think there are only 95 possible patterns for any given row, as $1$ and $-1$ can't be adjacent. That reduces the search space to $95^5=7.7$ billion, or just one percent of the starting point. –  Michael Oct 27 '15 at 10:03      Build a $95\times95$ table that shows which rows may be adjacent to which other rows. That replaces repeated comparisons with a lookup. –  Michael Oct 27 '15 at 10:10      Sounds good. The idea might be used for the columns as well, should be the same table. –  mvw Oct 27 '15 at 10:16 up vote 0 down vote Between two adjacent rows of squares is a row of six corners. Each diagonal uses up one of them, so at most six diagonals in two adjacent rows. At most six diagonals in rows 1-2, six in rows 3-4, so at least four in row 5 to make sixteen. In the same way, rows 3 and 1 have at least four diagonals. So rows 2 and 4 have at most two diagonals, or else you get more than six in two adjacent rows. Seventeen is impossible: Since Row1+Row2 has at most six diagonals, and so does Row3+Row4, you need five diagonals in Row5. For the same reason, you need five in Row3 and Row1. But then you need one in either Row2 or Row4, and the only free corners do not allow a diagonal to join them. Row3 can't have five diagonals: If it did, Row2 and Row4 could have only one each. That makes seven, leaving nine more between Row1 and Row5. So Row1 or Row5 has five as well. But, just as for the 'seventeen' case, if Row1 and Row3 both have five then Row2 must be empty; so Row4 and Row5 have six between them to make sixteen; So Row5 has five diagonals; so Row4 is empty; and we only have fifteen diagonals. So Row3 has at most 4. Row1 and Row2 have at most six between them, and so do Row4 and Row5. So to make sixteen total, Row1 and Row2 have exactly six between them, as do Row4 and Row5. There are no spare corners between Row1 and Row2, nor between Row4 and Row5. So, once Row1 is chosen, there are at most four choices for Row2; and similar for Row5 and Row4. There are 18 possible Row1s with at least four diagonals. There are 16 possible Row3s with exactly four diagonals. Take the 18 possible Row1s, pair each with its possible Row2 to get a few dozen Row1Row2 pairs. For each pair, check which of the sixteen possible Row3s fits with the particular Row2. Having gone through all Row1Row2 pairs, you have a subset of the sixteen which can be part of a Row1RowRow3 triple. To check whether that Row3 can attach to a Row4 and Row5, you just have to mirror-reflect it so that rising diagonals become falling diagonals, and check whether that reflection can be part of a Row1Row2Row3 triple. This is a few hundred comparisons, that might take ten minutes by hand.
25
The Geminids of December are a?
Cell Biology/Print version - Wikibooks, open books for an open world Cell Biology/Print version This is the print version of Cell Biology You won't see this message or any elements not part of the book's content when you print or preview this page. Note: current version of this book can be found at http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cell_Biology Remember to click "refresh" to view this version. Table of contents[ edit ] What is the difference between elements? What is living? What is interesting about cell biology? What is a tertiary protein? Types of cells Unique Properties of Plant Cells Parts of the cell Energy supply (chloroplasts and mitochondria) Cell division Size of cells[ edit ] Size of Cells[ edit ] Cells are so small that even a cluster of these cells from a mouse only measures 50 microns Although it is generally the case that biological cells are too small to be seen at all without a microscope, there are exceptions as well as considerable range in the sizes of various cell types. Eukaryotic cells are typically 10 times the size of prokaryotic cells (these cell types are discussed in the next Chapter). Plant cells are on average some of the largest cells, probably because in many plant cells the inside is mostly a water filled vacuole. So, you ask, what are the relative sizes of biological molecules and cells? The following are all approximations: 0.1 nm (nanometer) diameter of a hydrogen atom 0.8 nm Amino Acid 2 nm Diameter of a DNA Alpha helix 4 nm Globular Protein 6 nm microfilaments 7 nm thickness cell membranes 20 nm Ribosome 25 nm Microtubule 30 nm Small virus (Picornaviruses) 30 nm Rhinoviruses 50 nm Nuclear pore 100 nm HIV 120 nm Large virus (Orthomyxoviruses, includes influenza virus) 150-250 nm Very large virus (Rhabdoviruses, Paramyxoviruses) 150-250 nm small bacteria such as Mycoplasma 200 nm Centriole 200 nm (200 to 500 nm) Lysosomes 200 nm (200 to 500 nm) Peroxisomes 800 nm giant virus Mimivirus 1 µm (micrometer) (1 - 10 µm) the general sizes for Prokaryotes 1 µm Diameter of human nerve cell process 2 µm E.coli - a bacterium 3 µm Mitochondrion 5 µm length of chloroplast 6 µm (3 - 10 micrometers) the Nucleus 9 µm Human red blood cell 10 µm (10 - 30 µm) Most Eukaryotic animal cells (10 - 100 µm) Most Eukaryotic plant cells 90 µm small Amoeba 120 µm Human Egg up to 160 µm Megakaryocyte up to 500 µm giant bacterium Thiomargarita up to 800 µm large Amoeba 1 mm (1 millimeter, 1/10th cm) 1 mm Diameter of the squid giant nerve cell up to 40mm Diameter of giant amoeba Gromia Sphaerica 120 mm Diameter of an ostrich egg (a dinosaur egg was much larger) 3 meters Length of a nerve cell of giraffe's neck What limits cell sizes? Related reading[ edit ] Some early history related to the development of an understanding of the existence and importance of cells. The importance of microscopy. What is a cell?[ edit ] Cells are structural units that make up plants and animals; also, there are many single celled organisms. What all living cells have in common is that they are small 'sacks' composed mostly of water. The 'sacks' are made from a phospholipid bilayer membrane. This membrane is semi-permeable (allowing some things to pass in or out of the cell while blocking others). There exist other methods of transport across this membrane that we will get into later. So what is in a cell? Cells are 90% fluid (called cytoplasm) which consists of free amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and numerous other molecules. The cell environment (i.e., the contents of the cytoplasm and the nucleus, as well as the way the DNA is packed) affect gene expression/regulation, and thus are VERY important aspects of inheritance. Below are approximations of other components (each component will be discussed in more detail later): The following is optional reading, as all cell components will be discussed in subsequent chapters. Cytosol - contains mainly water and numerous molecules floating in it- all except the organelles. Organelles (which also have membranes) in 'higher' eukaryote organisms: Nucleus (in eukaryotes) - where genetic material (DNA) is located, RNA is transcribed. Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) - Important for protein synthesis. It is a transport network for molecules destined for specific modifications and locations. There are two types: Rough ER - Has ribosomes, and tends to be more in 'sheets'. Smooth ER - Does not have ribosomes and tends to be more of a tubular network. Ribosomes - half are on the Endoplasmic Reticulum, the other half are 'free' in the cytosol, this is where the RNA goes for translation into proteins. Golgi Apparatus - important for glycosylation, secretion. The Golgi Apparatus is the "UPS" of the cell. Here, proteins and other molecules are prepared for shipping outside of the cell. Lysosomes - Digestive sacks found only in animal cells; the main point of digestion. Peroxisomes - Use oxygen to carry out catabolic reactions, in both plant and animals. In this organelle, an enzyme called catalase is used to break down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen gas. Microtubules - made from tubulin, and make up centrioles,cilia,etc. Cytoskeleton - Microtubules, actin and intermediate filaments. Mitochondria - convert foods into usable energy. (ATP production) A mitochondrion does this through aerobic respiration. They have 2 membranes, the inner membranes shapes differ between different types of cells, but they form projections called cristae. The mitochondrion is about the size of a bacteria, and it carries its own genetic material and ribosomes. Vacuoles - More commonly associated with plants. Plants commonly have large vacuoles. Organelles found in plant cells and not in animal cells: Plastids - membrane bound organelles used in storage and food production. These are similar to entire prokaryotic cells - for example, like mitochondria they contain their own DNA and self-replicate. They include: Chloroplasts - convert light/food into usable energy. (ATP production) Leucoplasts - store starch, proteins and lipids. Chromoplasts - contain pigments. (E.g. providing colors to flowers) Cell Wall - found in prokaryotic and plant cells; provides structural support and protection. What is the difference between elements?[ edit ] The various elements that make up the cell are: 59% Hydrogen (H) 4% Nitrogen (N) 2% Others - Phosphorus (P), Sulphur (S), etc. The difference between these elements is their respective atomic weights, electrons, and in general their chemical properties. A given element can only have so many other atoms attached. For instance carbon (C) has 4 electrons in its outer shell and thus can only bind to 4 atoms; Hydrogen only has 1 electron and thus can only bind to one other atom. An example would be Methane which is CH4. Oxygen only has 2 free electrons, and will sometimes form a double bond with a single atom, which is an 'ester' in organic chemistry (and is typically scented). Methane Essential to alcohol oxidizing enzyme. What is living?[ edit ] The question, "What is life?" has been one of many long discussions and the answer may depend upon your initial definitions. Life is cells. Cell theory consists of three basic points. All living things are made of cells. The cell is the smallest living thing that can perform all the functions of life. All cells must come from preexisting cells. Some definitions of life are: The quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a non-living or dead body or purely chemical matter. The state of a material complex or individual characterized by the capacity to perform certain functional activities including metabolism, growth, and reproduction. The sequence of physical and mental experiences that make up the existence of an individual. A cell undergoing mitosis. Reproduction is one of the seven criteria for life. In biology, whether life is present is determined based on the following seven criteria: It should maintain some balanced conditions in its inner structure. This is called Homeostasis Its structure is highly organized. It should be able to break down or build up nutrients to release or store energy based on need. This is called Metabolism It should grow, which means its structure changes as time goes by in an advantageous manner. It should show adaptation to the environment. It should be able to respond to environmental stimuli on demand (as opposed to adaptation, which occurs over time). It should be able to reproduce itself. Another way of remembering the seven life processes for children is:- Movement Respiration Sensitivity Growth Reproduction Excretion Nutrition Note the beginning letter of all the seven life processes, it spells out MRS GREN. Virus Controversy[ edit ] Are these bacteriophages technically alive? This definition of life has got some problems to it though: As an example, let's take viruses. Just by your intuition, what would you say: Are viruses alive or dead? Most people's intuitive answer is: Viruses are alive. When we suffer from any viral infection, we have the feeling that these viruses that cause or infection are alive. According to the seven principles as shown above, viruses are dead, as dead as a piece of plastic: They can't reproduce themselves. To understand that, we want to make a quick excursion to the replication mechanism of viruses: Viruses are really strange in their reproduction technique. Humans and other animals reproduce by the means of sexual intercourse, bacteria do something called binary fission: They divide. One cell divides itself into two, the two daughter cells divide again an so on. The point here is that both bacteria and animals or humans reproduce actively without any help from outside. Keep this point in mind as we move on to the viruses. Viruses need other cells to reproduce. They "drill" their way into another cell, called the host cell. Here, they release the genetic material they carry and, by a complex mechanism that shouldn't be explained further at this point, force their host cell to produce exact copies of the virus. After some time, the host cell is full of viruses and bursts, releasing the new viruses into the environment. Thus viruses need help to reproduce. They can't reproduce at all without a host cell and therefore do not fulfill the requirement "It should be able to reproduce itself". Looking at the other parts of the definition we find that viruses maintain some degree of homeostasis (1), being able to keep its protenatious and nucleic machinery separated from the outside world. Viruses also show adaptation(5), with their ability to mutate in order to affect new organisms. In addition to the reproduction problem, they also fail to meet the other requirements, showing no cellular organization (2) (or indeed cells at all), metabolism (3), or growth (4). This example is just to illustrate the problems that arise using this definition. Life is not something one can define as any other technical term in science. Life arose from dead matter around 4 billion years ago. When life can arise from dead matter, there can't be a precise border line between these two. The cell is alive, what about parts of it?[ edit ] Organelles are parts of eukaryotic cells (ones having a nucleus). They help the cell carry out its task. But, are they alive? Do they meet 7 criteria? When a cell divides into two, organelles also 'reproduce'. They also age from young to old and then die. Some of them carry out the task of taking food, converting it to nutrients and energy. They can also react to stimuli, and surely they can evolve. Of course one can argue that all the above are coordinated by the nucleus. But it seems there are some signs of life there. Yes, there are! Scientists have proven that some bacteria, in its evolutionary way, had found a home in other cells. They felt comfortable when living there, and gradually, they have become a part of that cell. Chloroplasts, for example, used to be bacteria. At some point in their evolutionary history these cyanobacteria formed a mutual symbiosis with the proto-eukaryote ancestors of algae. Since that time, chloroplasts have been helping plant cells photosynthesize. Another example is mitochondria, organelles that produce energy for eukaryotes. Very likely a parasitic organism originally, the ancestor of the mitochondria we see today colonized the larger proto-eukarotes. It is unknown if the mitochondrial ancestor originally had a metabolic role in its life cycle or if it adapted to the changing conditions after it was engulfed. What is interesting about cell biology?[ edit ] What makes Cell Biology particularly interesting is that there is so much that is not fully understood. A cell is a complex system with thousands of molecular components working together in a coordinated way to produce the phenomenon we call " life ". During the 20th century these molecular components were identified (for example, see Human Genome Project ), but research continues on the details of cellular processes like the control of cell division and cell differentiation . Disruption of the normal control of cell division can cause abnormal cell behavior such as rapid tumor cell growth. Cells have complex interactions with the surrounding environment. Whether it is the external world of a single celled organism or the other cells of a multicellular organism, a complex web of interactions is present. Study of the mechanisms by which cells respond appropriately to their environments is a major part of cell biology research and often such studies involve what is called signal transduction . For example, a hormone such as insulin interacting with the surface of a cell can result in the altered behavior of hundreds of molecular components inside the cells. This sort of complex and finely tuned cell response to an external signal is required for normal metabolism and to prevent metabolic disorders like Type II diabetes . Most of the cells of a multi-cellular organism have the same genetic material in every cell; yet, there may be hundreds of different types of cells that make up the organism's body each with its own distinctive shape, size, and function. In any case, all of these cells were developed from one special cell, a zygote . The study of how the many cell types develop during embryonic development ( Developmental Biology ) is a branch of Biology that is heavily dependent on the use of microscopy. Much of the control of cell differentiation is at the level of the control of gene transcription , the control of which mRNAs are made. Muscle cells make muscle proteins and nerve cells make brain proteins. Geneticists, molecular biologists and cell biologists are working to discover the details of how cells specialize to accomplish hundreds of functions from muscle contraction to memory storage. Prokaryotes[ edit ] The structures of two prokaryotic cells. The bacterium (shown at the top) is a heterotroph, an organism that eats other organisms. Cyanophytes are autotrophs, organisms that make their food without eating other organisms. Most of these prokaryotic cells are small, ranging from 1 to 10 microns with a diameter no greater than 1 micron. The major differences between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells are that prokaryotes do not have a nucleus as a distinct organelle and rarely have any membrane bound organelles [mitochondria, chloroplasts, endoplasmic reticulum, golgi apparatus, a cytoskeleton of microtubules and microfilaments] (the only exception may be a bacterium discovered to have vacuoles). Both types contain DNA as genetic material, have a surrounding cell membrane, have ribosomes[70 s], accomplish similar functions, and are very diverse. For instance, there are over 200 types of cells in the human body, that vary greatly in size, shape, and function. Prokaryotes are cells without a distinct nucleus.They have genetic material but that material is not enclosed within a membrane. Prokaryotes include bacteria and cyanophytes. The genetic material is a single circular DNA strand and is located within the cytoplasm. Recombination happens through transfers of plasmids (short circles of DNA that pass from one bacterium to another). Prokaryoytes do not engulf solids, nor do they have centrioles or asters. Prokaryotes have a cell wall made up of peptidoglycin. In majority of prokaryotes, the genome consists of a circular chromosome whose structure includes fewer proteins that found in the linear chromosomes of eukaryotes. Their chromosome is located in the nucleoid, a region of cytoplasm that appears lighter than surrounding cytoplasm in electron micrographs. Also, a single chromosome have much smaller rings of separately replication DNA called plasmids. Cell Surface[ edit ] Prokaryotic cell walls maintain cell shape, provide physical protection, and prevents the cell from bursting in a hypotonic environment. In hypertonic environment, most prokaryotes lose water and shrink away from their wall (plasmolyze). The cell walls of prokaryotes differ in molecular composition and construction from those of eukaryotes. The bacterial cell walls contain peptidoglycan, a network of modified-sugar polymers cross linked by short polypeptides. This molecular fabric encloses the entire bacterium and anchors other molecules that extend from its surface. Archaeal cell walls contain a variety of polysaccharides and proteins but lack peptidoglycan. Gram-positive bacteria have simpler walls with a relatively large amount of peptidoglycan. It has a thick cell wall that traps the crystal violet in the cytoplasm. The alcohol rinse does not remove the crystal violet which masks the added red safanin dye. Gram-negative bacteria have less peptidoglycan and are structurally more complex, with an outer membrane that contains lipopolysaccharides. It has a thinner layer of peptidoglycan, and it is located in a layer between the plasma membrane and an outer membrane. The crystal violet is easily rinsed from the cytoplasm, and the cell appears pink or red. The cell wall of many prokaryotes is covered by a capsule, a sticky layer of polysaccharide or protein. The capsule enables prokaryotes to adhere to their substrate or to other individuals in a colony. Some capsules protect against dehydration, and some shield pathogenic prokaryotes from attack by their host's immune system. Some prokaryotes stick to their substrate or to one another by means of hair like protein appendages called fimbriae. They are also known as attachment pili. Fimbriae are usually shorter extension of the plasma membrane. In uniform environment, flagellated prokaryotes move randomly, but in heterogeneous environment, many prokaryotes exhibit taxis, movement toward or away from a stimulus. For example, prokaryotes that exhibit chemotaxis change their movement pattern in response to chemicals. They move toward nutrients or oxygen (positive chemotaxis) or away from a toxic substance (negative chemotaxis). Reproduction and Adaptation[ edit ] Prokaryotes reproduce quickly in a favorable environment. By binary fission, a single prokaryotic cell divid into 2 cells, which then divide into 4, 8, 16, and on. Under optimal conditions, many prokaryotes can divide every 1-3 hours. However the cells eventually exhaust their nutrient supply, poison themselves with metabolic wastes, face competition from other microorganisms, or are consumed by other organisms. The prokaryotes are small, they reproduces by binary fission, and they have short generation times. The ability of some prokaryotes to withstand harsh conditions also contributes to their success. Certain bacteria develop resistant cell called endospores when an essential nutrient is laking. The original cell produces a copy of its chromosome and surrounds it with a tough wall, forming the endospore. Water is removed from the endospore, and its metabolism halt. The rest of the original cell then disintegrates, leaving the endospore behind. Most endospore are so durable that they can survive in boiling water. In less hostile environments, endospore can remain dormant but viable for centuries, able to rehydrate and resume metabolism when their environment improves. Due to their short generation times, prokaryotic populations can evolve substantially in short periods of time. The ability of prokaryotes to adapt rapidly to new conditions highlights the fact that although the structure of their cells is simpler than that of eukaryotic cells, prokaryotes are not "primitive" or "inferior" in an evolutionary sense. They are highly evolved, and their population have responded successfully to many different types of environmental challenges. Rapid reproduction and mutation In sexually reproducing species, the generation of a novel allele by a new mutation is rare at any particular gene. Instead, most of the genetic variation in sexual populations results from the way existing alleles are arranged in new combinations during meiosis and fertilization. Prokaryotes do not reproduce sexually, so at first glance their extensive genetic variation may seem puzzling. After repeated rounds of division, most of the offspring cells are genetically identical to the original parent cell; however owing to insertions, deletions, and base-pair substitutions in their DNA, some of the offspring cells may differ genetically. The new mutations, though individually rare, can greatly increase genetic diversity in specie that has short generation times and large population sizes. This diversity, in turn, can lead to rapid evolution: individuals that are genetically better equipped for their local environment tend to survive and reproduce more prolifically than less fit individuals. Transformation and Transduction[ edit ] In transformation, the genotype and possible phenotype of a prokaryotic cell are altered by the uptake of foreign DNA from its surroundings. For example, bacteria from a harmless strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae can be transformed to pneumonia causing cells if they are placed into a medium containing dead, broken-open cells of the pathogenic strain. This transformation occurs when a live nonpathogenic cell takes up a piece of DNA carry the allele for pathogenicity. The foreign allele is then incorporated into the cell's chromosome, replacing the existing nonpathogenic allele- an exchange of homologous DNA segments. The cell is now a recombinant: Its chromosome contains DNA derived from two different cells. In transduction, bacteriophage carry bacterial genes from one hose cell to another; transduction is a type of horizontal gene transfer. For most phages, transduction results from accidents that occur during the phage reproductive cycle. A virus that carries bacterial DNA may not be able to reproduce because it lacks its own genetic material. However, the virus may be able to attach to another bacterium (a recipient) and inject the piece of bacterial DNA acquired from the first cell (the donor). Some of this DNA may subsequently replace the homologous region of the recipient cell's chromosome by DNA recombination. In such case, the recipient cell's chromosome becomes a combination of NA derived from two cells; genetic recombination has occurred. Conjugation and Plasmids In a process called conjugation, genetic material is transferred between two bacterial cells ( of same or different species) that are temporarily joined. The DNA transfer is one way: One cell donates the DNA,a nd the other receives ti. The donor uses sex pili to attach to the recipient. After contacting a recipient cell, each sex pilus retracts, pulling the two cells together, much like a grappling hook. A temporary "mating bridge" then forms between the two cells, providing an avenue for DNA transfer. In most cases, the ability to form sex pili and donate DNA during conjugation results from the presence of a particular piece of DNA called F factor. The F factor consists about 25 genes, most required for the production of sex pili. The F factor can exist either as a plasmid or as a segment of DNA within the bacterial chromosome The F factor in its plasmid form is called F plasmid. Cells containing the F plasmid, designated F+ cells, function as DNA donors during conjugation. Cells lacking the F factor, designated F-, function as DNA recipients during conjugation. The F+ condition is transferable in the sense that an F+ cell converts and F- cell to F+ is a copy of the entire F+ plasmid is transferred. Chromosomal genes can be transferred during conjugation when the donor cell's F factor is integrated into the chromosome. A cell with the F factor built into its chromosome is called an Hfr cell. Like an F+ cell, an Hfr cell functions as a donor during conjugation with an F- cell. When chromosomal DNA from an Hfr cell enters and F- cell, homologous regions of the HFr and F- chromosomes may align, allowing segments of their DNA to be exchanged. This results in the production of a recombinant bacterium that has genes derived from two different cells- a new genetic cariant on which evolution can act. Though theses processes of horizontal gene transfer have so far been studied almost exclusively in bacteria, it is assumed that they are similarly important in archaea. Diverse nutritional and metabolic adaptations[ edit ] The mechanisms discussed in the previous section- rapid reproduction, mutation, and genetic recombination- underlie that extensive genetic variation found in prokaryotic populations. This variation is reflected in the nutritional adaptations found in prokaryotes. Like all organisms, prokaryotes can be categorized by their nutrition; how they obtain every and the carbon used in building the organic molecules that make up cells. Nutritional diversity is greater among prokaryotes than among eukaryotes: Every type of nutrition observed in eukaryotes is represented among the prokaryotes, along with some nutritional modes unique to prokaryotes. Phototrophs are the organisms that obtain energy from light. Chemotrophs are the organisms that obtain energy from chemicals. Organisms that need only an inorganic compound are called autotrophs. Heterotrophs require at least one organic nutrient to make other organic compounds. Combining these possibilities for energy sources and carbon sources results in four major modes of nutrition. Photoautotrophs: photosynthetic organisms that capture light energy and use it to drive the synthesis of organic compounds and other inorganic carbon compounds. Cyanobacteria and many other groups of prokaryotes are photoautotrophs, as are plants and algae. Chemoautotrophs: also need only an inorganic compound; however, instead of using light as an energy source, they oxidize inorganic substance, such as hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, or ferrous ions. This mode of nutrition is unique to certain prokaryotes. Photoheterotrophs: Harness energy from light but must obtain carbon in organic form. This mode is unique to certain marine and halophilic (salt-loving) prokaryotes. Chemoheterotrphs: must consume organic molecules to obtain both energy and carbon. This nutritional mode is widespread among prokaryotes. Fungi, animals, most protists, and even some parasitic plants are also chemoheterotrophs. The Role of Oxygen In Metabolism[ edit ] Prokaryotic metabolism also varies with respect to oxygen. Obligate aerobes use oxygen for cellular respiration and cannnot grow without it. Obligate anaerobes, however, are posioned by oxygen. Some obligate anaerobes live exclusively by fermentation; other extract chemical energy by anaerobic respiration, in which substance other than oxygen such as nitrate ions or sulfate ions accept electrons at the "downhill" end of electron transport chains. Facultative anaerobes use oxygen if it is present but can also carry out anaerobic respiration or fermentation in an anaerobic environment. Nitrogen Metabolism Nitrogen is essential for the production of amino acids and nucleic acids in all organisms. Whereas eukaryotes can obtain nitrogen from only a limited group of nitrogen compounds, prokaryotes can metabolize nitrogen in a wide variety of forms. For example, some cyanobacteria and some methanogens covert atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia, a process called nitrogen fixation. The cells can then incorporate this "fixed" nitrogen into amino acids and other organic molecules. In terms of their nutrition, nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria are some of the most self-sufficient organisms, since they need only light, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, water and some minerals to grow. Nitrogen fixation by prokaryotes has a large impact on other organisms. For example, nitrogen -fixing prokaryotes can increase the nitrogen but can use the nitrogen compounds that the prokaryotes produce from ammonia. Metabolic Cooperation Cooperation between prokaryotes allows them to use environmental resource they could not use as individual cells. In some cases, this cooperation takes place between specialized cells of a colony. For instance, the cyanobacterium Anabaena has genes than encode proteins for photosynthesis and for nitrogen fixation, but a single cell cannot carry out both processes at the same time. The reason is that photosynthesis produces oxygen which inactivates the enzymes involved in nitrogen fixation. Instead of living as isolated cells, anabaena forms filamentous colonies synthesis while a few specialized cells called heterocytes carry out only nitrogen fixation. Each heterocyte is surrounded by a thickened cell wall that restricts entry of oxygen produced by neighboring photosynthetic cells. Intercellular connections allow heterocytes to transport fixed nitrogen to neighboring cells and to receive carbohydrates. Metabolic cooperation between different prokaryotic species often occurs in surface-coating colonies known as biofilms. Cells in a biofilm secrete signaling molecules that recruit nearby cells, causing the colonies to grow. The cells also produce proteins that stick the cells to the substrate and on to another. Channels in the biofilm allow nutrients to reach cells in the interior and wastes to be expelled. Biofilm damage industrial and medical equipment, contaminate products, and contribute to tooth decay and more serious health problems. In another example of cooperation between prokaryotes, sulfate-consuming bacteria coexist with methane-consuming archaea in ball- shaped aggregates on the ocean floor. The bacteria appear to use the archaea's waste products, such as organic compounds and hydrogen. In turn, the bacteria produce compounds that facilitate methane consumption by the archaea. This partnership has global ramifications. Reference[ edit ] Berg, Jeremy M., John L. Tymoczko, and Lubert Stryer. Biochemistry. 7th ed. New York: W.H. Freeman, 2012. Print. Reece, Campbell, Lisa A. Urry, Michael L. Cain, Steven A. Wasserman, Peter V. Minosky, and Robert B. Jackson. Biology. 8th ed. San Francisco: Cummings, 2010. Print. Bacteria[ edit ] Bacteria are prokaryotic, unicellular organisms. Bacteria are very small; so much so that 1 billion could fit on 1 square centimeter of space on the human gums, and 1 gram of digested food has 10 billion bacteria. Bacteria are the simplest living organisms. Previously they fell under the Kingdom Moneran, but now they fall into two different Domains: Archaebacteria and Eubacteria. There are several differences between the two. Typically, microbiologists in the 21st century call these groups "Archaea" and "Bacteria." One of the co-discoverers of the three Domains has argued that the term "prokaryote" should be removed from classrooms because it reflects an evolutionary hypothesis that has been disproved, given that the Archaea are more closely related to the Eukarya than they are to the Bacteria (Pace 2006, Nature 441 p. 289). It is incorrect to think of bacteria as particularly "simplistic" for all that they do not have internal organelles that can be visualized using a light microscope. The bacterial nucleoid, for example, is a highly organized structure even though it typically contains just one or two circular chromosomes with a total of millions of basepairs of DNA (Thanbichier et el., 2005, J Cell. Biochem. 96:506-521; see also http://www.microbelibrary.org/Laboratory%20Diagnostics/details.asp?id=782&Lang=English ). Bacteria have complex cell walls exterior to the cell membrane. Some bacteria contain plasmids, which are typically circular DNA with replication that is uncoupled from binary fission (cellular division). Plasmids in nature often encode traits of significant interest to humans, such as the ability to be resistant to clinically important antibiotics, or the ability to degrade "odd" carbon sources such as TNT or human-made pollutants. Plasmids from Escherichia coli have been "domesticated" and have long been in use for genetic engineering, as it is easier to isolate and modify plasmid DNA, and introduce it into a new cells, than it is to modify a bacterial chromosome (see "Techniques" at dnai.org; see also http://www.microbelibrary.org/Laboratory%20Diagnostics/details.asp?id=707&Lang=English ). A few phylogenetic groups of bacteria can make endospores, which are metabolically inert but are able to resist high temperatures, radiation, and desiccation (see http://www.microbelibrary.org/Laboratory%20Diagnostics/details.asp?id=2511&Lang=English ). Bacterial reproduction is always asexual and usually occurs through binary fusion, once thought to be a simple process of growing and dividing. Microbiologists now know, however, that binary fission is complex in that it requires dozens of proteins cooperating to build the septum (new cell wall between 'daughter' cells) and to actively separate the two daughter chromosomes. Furthermore, there are other forms of reproduction in bacteria, all of them "asexual" in that they do not use gametes or involve genetic exchange (Angert 2005, Nature Reviews Microbiology 3:214-224). Genetic exchange in bacteria is instead called horizontal (or lateral) gene transfer, because bacteria can obtain genetic information from organisms that are not their parents (Amabile-Cuevas 2003, American Scientist 91:138-149). (Vertical genetic transmission is the inheritance of DNA down through the generations.) Horizontal gene transfer can happen any time and has nothing to do with cell division. There are three main types, conjugation which is the sharing of plasmid DNA; transduction, where a bacterial virus accidentally transfers bacterial DNA from one bacterium to another, and transformation, where bacteria bind to DNA in the environment, internalize it, and can use that DNA as genetic material. Archaea[ edit ] Archaea are microbes that are more closely related to Eukaryotic cells than they are to the Bacteria ( http://tolweb.org/tree/home.pages/aboutoverview.html ). Under a light microscope, they visually resemble Bacteria, so that it wasn't until the advent of the use of molecular methods in evolutionary biology that they were recognized as belonging to their own Domain (a phylogenetic grouping above the level of Kingdom). Archaea have ultrastructural features that are superficially similar to those in Bacteria but are usually comprised of distinctive molecules. They do, for example, have a cell wall, yet that cell wall never contains peptidoglycan. Instead, peptidoglycan is a unique molecular signature of the Bacteria. Archaea also have odd lipids in their cell membranes. They were originally discovered living in extreme environments thought to resemble conditions on early earth, but now that microbiologists have become more adept at detecting them, it is clear that the Archaea are not confined to extreme habitats and can instead be found everywhere. It is true that some Archaea are "extremophiles," found in extremely salty or hot environments, but there are also extremophile Bacteria and even some very unusual extremophile Eukarya. The best-understood groups of Archaea are: Methanogens use Carbon dioxide and Hydrogen to make Methane. They are found in sewage, cows, and swamps, and they do not take in oxygen. Extreme Halophiles live in extremely salty places (i.e.: the dead sea and great salt lake). Thermoacidophiles prefer extremely hot, acidic areas (i.e.: hot springs and volcanos). Bacteria[ edit ] (sometimes called "eubacteria") Bacteria have peptidoglycan in their cell walls, and they have no unusual phospholipids. Bacteria have four shapes: bacilli (rod shaped) coccus (round shaped) spirilli (spiral shaped). Bacteria can also have prefixes before their names: strepto, indicating chains of the shaped bacteria, and staphylo, indicating clusters of the shaped bacteria. A 19th century microbiologist invented the Gram stain, still used today to differentiate bacteria into two types, Gram negative and Gram positive ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_Christian_Gram ). These types are not useful in determining phylogeny but can be very useful in a clinical setting, because Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria can exhibit differential sensitivity to some classes of antibiotics. There are probably dozens of "Kingdoms" within the Domain Bacteria, but the phylogeny of Bacteria is still disputed as microbiologists continue to study the evolution of bacteria using molecular methods. Some of the major types of Bacteria are: Cyanobacteria are photoautotrophs that strip electrons from water and use them to fix carbon dioxide; they are a major source of organic carbon in marine ecosystems. Spirochetes are Gram negative bacteria that have flexible cells and internal flagella in an unusual form of a more typical Gram negative cell wall. Proteobacteria (E-coli) Some bacteria produce virulence factors that can cause sickness. Some examples of these are serotoxins, which are given off by the Gram positive bacteria, and endotoxins, which are given off by Gram negative bacteria as they die. There are many other examples, however, and specific pathogens make a unique suite of virulence factors that lead to the particular disease caused by that pathogen. Eukaryotes[ edit ] An animal Cell Eukaryotes house a distinct nucleus, a structure in which the genetic material (DNA) is contained, surrounded by a membrane much like the outer cell membrane. Eukaryotic cells are found in most algae, protozoa, all multicellular organisms (plants and animals) including humans. The genetic material in the nucleus forms multiple chromosomes that are linear and complexed with proteins that help the DNA 'pack' and are involved in regulation of gene expression. The cells of higher plants differ from animal cells in that they have large vacuoles, a cell wall, chloroplasts, and a lack of lysosomes, centrioles, pseudopods, and flagella or cilia. Animal cells do not have the chloroplasts, and may or may not have cilia, pseudopods or flagella, depending on the type of cell. Comparing Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells[ edit ] All cells have several basic features in common: they are all bounded by a selective barrier, plasma membrane. Cytosol is a jellylike substance that is semifluid. All cells contain chromosomes which carry genes in the form of DNA, and ribosomes that make proteins according to instructions from the gene. The major difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells is the location of their DNA. In eukaryotic cell, DNA is found at the nucleus, which is bounded by a double membrane. (the word eukaryotic is from the Greek eu, true, and karyon, kernel, here referring to the nucleus). Eukaryotic cells are much larger than prokaryotic cells; size is general aspect of cell structure that relates to function. The logistics of carrying out cellular metabolism sets limits on cell size. At the lower limit, the smallest cells, known are bacteria called mycoplasmas have diameters between 0.1 and 1.0mm. These are the smallest packages with enough DNA to program metabolism and enough enzymes and other cellular equipment to carry out the activities necessary for a cell to sustain itself and reproduce. Metabolic requirements also impose theoretical upper limits on the size that is practical for a singel cell. Plasma membrane functions as a selective barrier that allows sufficient passage of oxygen, nutrients, and wastes to service the entire cell. For each square micrometer of membrane, only a limited amount of a particular substance can cross per second, so the ratio of surface area to volume is critical. As a cell increases in size, its volume grows proportionately more than its surface area. Area is proportional to a linear dimension squared, whereas volume is proportional to the linear dimension cubed. Therefore a smaller object has a greater ration of surface area to volume. The need for a surface area sufficiently large to accommodate the volume helps explain the microscopic size of most cells, and the narrow, elongated shapes of others, such as nerve cells. Larger organisms has more cells compare to smaller cells. High ratio of surface area to volume is especially important in cells that exchange a lot of material with their surroundings such as intestinal cells. Such cells may have many long, thin projections from their surface called microvilli, which increase surface area without an appreciable increase in volume. Animal Cells[ edit ] Flagellum: locomotion organelle present in some animal cells; composed of a cluster of microtubules within an extension of the plasma membrane. Centrosome: region where the cell's microtubules are initiated contains a pair of centrioles which function is unknown. Cytoskeleton: reinforces cell's shape, functions in cell movement components are made of protein. It includes microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. Microvilli: projections that increase the cell's surface area. Peroxisome: organelle with carious specialized metabolic functions; produces hydrogen peroxide as a by-product, then converts it to water. Mitochondrion: organelle where cellular respiration occurs and most ATP is generated. Lysosome: digestive organelle where macromolecules are hydrolyzed. Golgi apparatus: organelle active in synthesis, modification, sorting, and secretion of cell products. Ribosomes: complexes (small brown dots) that make proteins; free in cytosol or bound to rough ER or nuclear envelope. Plasma membrane: membrane enclosing the cell Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): network of membraneous sacs and tube; active in membrane synthesis and other synthetic and metabolic processes; has rough (ribosome-studded) and smooth regions. (Rough ER, and Smooth ER) Nucleus: nucleus contains: Nuclear envelope: double membrane enclosing the nucleus; perforated by pores; continuous with ER Nucleolus: structure involved in production of ribosomes; a nucleus has one or more nucleoli Chromatin: material consisting of DNA and proteins; visible as individual chromosomes in a dividing cell In animal cells, lysosomes, centrosomes with centrioles, and flagella are present but not in plant cells. Plant Cell[ edit ] Cell Wall: outer layer that maintains cell's shape and protects cell from mechanical damage; made of cellulose, other polysaccharide, and protein. Plasmodesmata: channels through cell walls that connect the cytoplasms of adjacent cells. Chloroplast: photosynthetic organelle; converts energy of sunlight to chemical energy stored in sugar molecules. Central vacuole: prominent organelle in older plant cells; functions include storage, breakdown of waste products, hydrolysis of macromolecules; enlargement of vacuole is a major mechanism of plant growth. Nucleus: nucleus contains: Nuclear envelope: double membrane enclosing the nucleus; perforated by pores; continuous with ER Nucleolus: structure involved in production of ribosomes; a nucleus has one or more nucleoli Chromatin: material consisting of DNA and proteins; visible as individual chromosomes in a dividing cell Golgi apparatus: organelle active in synthesis, modification, sorting, and secretion of cell products. Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): network of membraneous sacs and tube; active in membrane synthesis and other synthetic and metabolic processes; has rough (ribosome-studded) and smooth regions. (Rough ER, and Smooth ER) Ribosomes: complexes (small brown dots) that make proteins; free in cytosol or bound to rough ER or nuclear envelope. Cytoskeleton: reinforces cell's shape, functions in cell movement components are made of protein. It includes microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. In plant cell, chloroplasts, central vacuole, cell wall, and plasmodesmata are present but not in animal cells. Chromatin in the plant cell is a primary protein Nucleus[ edit ] The nucleus contains most of the genes in the eukaryotic cell; some genes are located in mitochondria and chloroplast. It is generally the most conspicuous organelle in a eukaryotic cell. The nuclear envelope encloses the nucleus, sparating its contents from the cytoplasm. The nuclear envelope is a double membrane, each a lipid bilayer with associated proteins. The envelope is perforated by pore structure that are about 100nm in diameter. At the lip of each pore, the inner and outer membranes of the nuclear envelope are continuous. Pore complex lines each pore and regulates the entry and exit of most proteins and RNAs, as well as large complexes of macromolecules. Except at the pores, the nuclear side of the envelope is lined by the nuclear lamina, a netlike array of protein filaments that maintains the shape of the nucleus by mechanically supporting the nuclear envelope. Also nuclear matrix, a framework of fibers extending throughout the nuclear interior, present. Chromosomes are organized DNA units that carry the genetic information. Each chromosome is made up of material called chromatin, a complex of proteins and DNA. Stained chromatic usually appears as a diffuse mass, byt as a cell prepares to divide, the thin chromatin fibers coil up and condense thick enough to be distinguished as chromosomes. Each eukaryotic species has a characteristic number of chromosomes. For example human has 46 chromosomes. Nucleolus is a prominent structure within the nondividing nucleus. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is synthesized from instructions in the DNA; in nucleolus, proteins imported from the cytoplasm are assembled with rRNA into large and small ribosomal subunits. Theses subunits then exit the nucleus through the nuclear pores to the cytoplasm, where a large and a small subunit can assemble into a ribosome. the number depends on the species and the stage in the cell's reproductive cycle. The Nucleus directs protein synthesis by synthesizing messenger RNA (mRNA) according to instructions provided by the DNA. The mRNA is then transported to the cytoplasm via the nuclear pores. Once an mRNA molecule reaches the cytoplasm, ribosomes translate the mRNA's genetic message into the primary structure of a specific poly peptide. Ribosomes[ edit ] Ribosomes are complexes made of ribosomal RNA and protein; ribosomes are the cellular components that carry out proteins synthesis, also known as protein factories. Cells that have high rates of protein synthesis have particularly large number of ribosomes. Cells active in protein synthesis also have prominent nucleoli. Ribosomes build proteins in two cytoplasmic locales. Free ribosomes are suspended int he cytosol, while bound ribosomes are attached to the outside of the endoplasmic reticulum or nuclear envelope. Bound and free ribosomes are structurally identical, and ribosomes can alternate between the two roles. Most of proteins are made on free ribosomes function within the cytosol. Bound ribosomes generally make proteins that are destined for insertion into membranes, for packaging within certain organelles such as lysosomes, or for export from the cell (secretion). The Endomembrane System[ edit ] Endomembrane system carries out a variety of tasks in the cell. These tasks include synthesis of proteins and their transport into membranes and organelles or out of the cell, metabolism and movement of lipids, and detoxification of poisons. The membrane of this system are related either through direct physical continuity or by the transfer of membrane segments as tiny vesicles. The various membranes are not identical in structure and function; the thickness, molecular composition, and types of chemical reactions carried out in a given membrane are not fixed but modified several times during the membrane's life. The endomembrane system includes the nuclear envelope, the endoplasmic reticulum, the Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, various kinds of vacuoles, and the plasma membrane. Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)[ edit ] Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an extensive network of membrane that it accounts for more than half the total membrane in many eukaryotic cells. The word endoplasmic means "within the cytoplasm", and reticulum is Latine for "little net". The ER consists of a network of membranous tubules and sacs called cisternae. The ER membrane separates the internal compartment of the ER, ER lumen (cavity) or cisternal space, from the cytosol. Since ER membrane is continuous with the nuclear envelope, the space between the two membranes of the envelope is continuous with the lumen of the ER. Smooth ER lacks ribosomes on its outer surface, and Rough ER has ribosomes on the outer surface of the membrane. Ribosomes are also attached to the cytoplasmic side of the nuclear envelope's outer membrane. Smooth ER- The smooth ER functions in diverse metabolic processes, which vary with cell type. Theses processes include synthesis of lipids, metabolism of carbohydrates, and detoxification of drugs and poisons. Enzymes of the smooth ER are important in the synthesis of lipids, including oils, phospholipids, and steroids. Sex hormones of vertebrates and the various steroid hormones are produced by the smooth ER in animal cells. Other enzymes of the smooth ER help detoxify drugs and poisons in liver cells. Detoxification involves adding hydroxyl groups to drug molecules, making them more soluble and easier to flush from the body. For example, sedative phenobarbital and other barbiturates are the drugs that metabolized in this manner by smooth ER in liver cells. Barbiturates, alcohol, and many other drugs induce the proliferation of smooth ER and its associated detoxification enzymes, therefore, increasing tolerance to the drugs; in other words, higher doses are required to achieve a particular effect. Also, because some of the detoxification enzymes have relatively broad action, the proliferation of smooth ER in response to one drug can increase tolerance to other drugs as well. The smooth ER also stores calcium ions; in muscle cells, a specialized smooth ER membrane pumps calcium ions from the cytosol into the ER lumen. When a muscle cell is stimulated by a nerve impulse, calcium ions rush back across the ER membrane into the cytosol and trigger contraction of the muscle cell. Rough ER- Many times of cells secrete proteins produced by ribosomes attached to rough ER. As a polypeptide chain grows from a bound ribosomes, it is threaded into the ER lumen through a pore formed by a protein complex in the ER membrane. As the new protein enters the ER lumen, it folds into its native shape. Most secretory proteins are glycoproteins, which have carbohydrates covalently bonded to them. After secretory proteins are formed, the ER membrane keeps them separate from proteins that are produced by free ribosomes and will remain in the cytosol. Secretory proteins depart from the ER wrapped in the membranes of vesicles that bud like bubbles from a specialized region called transitional ER. Transport vesicles are the vesicles in transit from one part of the cell to another. Rough ER is also a membrane factory for the cell; it grows in place by adding membrane proteins and phospholipids to its own membrane. As polypeptide destined to be membrane proteins grow from the ribosomes, they are inserted into the ER membrane and are anchored there by their hydrophobic portions. The rough ER makes its own membrane phospholipids; enzymes build into the ER membrane assemble phospholipids from precursors in the cytosol. The ER membrane expands and is transferred in the form of transport vesicles to other components of the endomembrane system. Golgi Apparatus[ edit ] Golgi is a center of manufacturing, warehousing, sorting, and shipping. The products of the ER are modified and stored and then sent to other destinations. Golgi apparatus is extensive in cells specialized for secretion. The Golgi apparatus consists of flattened membranous sac, cisternae. The membrane of each cisterna in a stack separates ints internal space from the cytosol. Besicles concentrated in the vicinity of the Golgi apparatus are engaged in the transfer of material between parts of the Golgi and other structures. Golgi stack has a distinct structural polarity with the membrane of cisternae on opposite side of the stack different in thickness and molecular composition. The two poles of a Golgi stack are referred to as the cis face and the trans face; cis is the receiving and trans is shipping departments of the Golgi apparatus. The cis face is usually located near ER. Transport vesicles move material from the ER to the Golgi apparatus. A vesicle that buds from the ER can add its membrane and the contents of its lumen to the cis face by fusing with a Golgi membrane. The trans face give rise to vesicles, which pinch off and travel to other sites. The products of ER are usually modified during their transit from the cis region to the trans region of the Golgi. Various Golgi enzymes modify the carbohydrate portions of glycoproteins; carbohydrates are first added to proteins int he rough ER during the process of polypeptide synthesis. The carbohydrate on the resulting glycoprotein is then modified as it passes through the rest of the ER and the Golgi. The Golgi removes some sugar monomers and substitutes other, producing a large variety of carbohydrates. In addition, the Golgi apparatus manufactures certain macromolecules by itself. Many polysaccharides secreted by cells are Golgi products, including pectins and certain other non-cellulose polysaccharides made by plant cells and incorporated along with cellulose into their cell walls. Similar to secretory proteins, non-protein Golgi products will be secreted depart from the trans face of the Golgi inside transport vesicles that eventually fuse with the plasma membrane. The Golgi manufactures and refines its products in stages, with different cisternae containing unique teams of enzymes. Recent research has give rise to a new model of the Golgi as a more dynamic structure; According to the cisternal maturation model, the cisternae of the Golgi actually progress forward from the cis to the tras face of the Golgi, carrying and modifying their cargo as they move. Before a Golgi stack dispatches its products by budding vesicles fromt he trans face, it sorts these products and targets them for various parts of the cell. Molecular identification tags, such as phosphate groups added to the Golgi products, aid in sorting. Transport vesicles budded fromt he Golgi may have external molecules on their membranes that recognize "docking site" on the surface of specific organelles or on the plasma membrane, therefore, targeting the vesicle appropriately. Lysosomes[ edit ] Lysosome is a membranous sac of hydrolytic enzymes that an animal cell uses to digest macromolecules. Lysosomal enzymes work best in the acidic environment found in lysosomes. If a lysosome breaks open or leaks its contents, the released enzymes are not very active because the cytosol has a neutral pH. However, excessive leakage from a large number of lysosomes can destroy a cell by autodigestion. Hydrolytic enzymes and lysosomal membrane are made by rough ER and then transferred to the Golgi apparatus for further processing. Proteins of the inner surface of the lysosomal membrane and the digestive enzymes are spared from destruction by having three dimensional shapes that protect vulnerable bonds from enzymatic attack. Phagocytosis is a process that amoebas and many other protists eat by engulfing smaller organisms or other food particles. The food vacuole formed , and then fuses with a lysosome and digests the food. Digestion products pass into cytosol and become nutrients for the cell. In human body, white blood cell helps defend the body by engulfing and destroying bacteria and other invaders. Lysosome use their hydrolytic enzymes to recycle the cell's own organic material; this is called autophagy. During autophagy, damaged organelle or small amount of cytosol become surrounded by a double membranes, and lysosome fuses with the outer membrane of their vesicle. The lysosomal enzymes dismantle the enclosed material, and the organic monomers are returned to the cyotosol for reuse. The lysosomes become engorged with indigestible substrates, which begin to interfere with other cellular activities. Vacuoles[ edit ] Vacuoles are membrane-bounded vesicles whose functions vary in different kinds of cells. Food vacuoles are formed by phagocytosis. Many freshwater protists have contractile vacuoles that pump excess water out of the cell, thereby maintaining a suitable concentration of ions and molecules inside the cell. In plants and fungi, which lacks lysosomes, vacuoles carry out hydrolysis; The central vacuole develops by the coalescence of smaller vacuoles, themselves derived from the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. The vacuolar membrane is selective in transportin solutes. As result, the solution inside the central vacuole is called cell sap, is different in composition from the cytosol. It can hold reserves of important organic compounds such as proteins stockpiled in the vacuoles of storage cells in seeds. Also it is the plant cell's main repository of inorganic ions, such as potassium and chloride. Many plant cells use their vacuoles contain pigments that color the cells. Vacuoles may also help protect the plant against predators by containing compounds that are poisonous or unpalatable to animals. The vacuole has a major role in the growth of plant cells, which enlarge as their vacuoles absorb water, enabling the cell to become larger with a minimal investment in new cytoplasm. Mitochondria and Chloroplasts[ edit ] Mitochondria and chloroplasts are the organelles that convert energy to forms that cells can use for work. Mitochondria are the site of cellular respiration, the metabolic process that generates ATP by extracting energy from sugars, fats, and other fuels with the help of oxygen. Chloroplasts, are found in plants and algae, and they are the sites of photosynthesis. They convert solar energy to chemical energy by absorbing sunlight and using it to drive the synthesis of organic compounds such as sugar from carbon dioxide and water. Both of them are not part of endomembrane system. Mitochondria have two membrane separating their innermost space from the cytosol, and chloroplasts have three. The membrane proteins of mitochondria and chloroplasts are made not by ribosomes bound to the ER, but by free ribosomes in the cyotosol and by ribosomes contained within these organelles themselves. They also contain small amount of DNA that programs the synthesis of the proteins made on the organelle's ribosomes. Mitochondria and chloroplasts are semiautonomous organelles that grow and reproduce within the cell. Mitochondria Mitochondria are found in all eukaryotic cells; Some cells have a singel large mitochondrion, but more often a cell has hundreds or thousands of mitochondria. The number correlates with he cell's level of metabolic activity. The mitochondrion is enclosed by two membranes, each a phospholipid bilayer witha unique collection of embedded proteins. The outer membrane is smooth, but the inner membrane is convoluted, with infolding called cristae. The inner membrane divides the mitochondrion into two internal compartments. The first is the inter-membrane space, the narrow region between the inner and outer membranes. The second compartment, the mitochondrial matrix, is enclosed by the inner membrane. the matrix contains many different enzymes as wellas the mitochondrial DNA and ribosomes. Enzymes in the matrix catalyze some steps of cellular respiration. Other proteins that function in respiration, including the enzyme that makes ATP are built into the inner membrane, As highly folded surface, the cristae give the inner mitochondrial membrane a large surface ares, thus enhancing the productivity of cellular respiration. Chloroplasts The chloroplast is a specialized member of related plant organelles called plastids. Chloroplasts contain the green pigment chlorophyll, along with enzymes and other molecules that function in the photosynthetic production of sugar. Its shape is lens-shaped and found in leaves. The contents of a chloroplast are partitioned from the cytosol by an envelope consisting of two membranes separated by a very narrow intermembrane space. Inside the chloroplast is another membranous system in the form of flattened, intern=connected sacs called thylakoids. Thylakoids are stacked like poker ships, and each stack is called granum. The fluid outside the thylakoids is the stroma which contains the chloroplast DNA and ribosomes as well as many enzymes. The membranes of the chloroplast divide the chloroplast space into three compartments: the intermembrane space, the stroma, and the thylakoid space. Cytoskeleton[ edit ] Cytoskeleton is a network of fibers extending throughout the cytoplasm. It plays a major role in organizing the structure and activities of the cell. It is composed of three types of molecular structure: microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments. The main function of the cytoskeleton is to give mechanical support to the cell and maintain its shape. Cytoskeleton is stabilized by balance between opposing forces exerted by its elements. The cytoskeleton is more dynamic than an animal skeleton; it can be quickly dismantled in one part of the cell and reassembled in a new location, changing the shape of the cell. Also several types of cell motility involve the cytoskeleton. the cell motility encompasses both changes in cell location and more limited movements of parts of the cell. Cell motility require the interaction of the cytoskeleton with motor proteins. Cytoskeletal elements and motor proteins work together with plasma membrane molecules to allow whole cells to move along fibers outside the cell. The cytoskeleton is also involved in regulating biochemical activities in the cell in response to mechanical stimulation forces exerted by extracellular molecules via cell-surface proteins are apparently transmitted into the cell by cytoskeletal elements, and the forces may even reach the nucleus. Microtubules- thickest All eukaryotic cells have microtubules; the wall of the hollow tube is constructed from a globular protein called tubulin. Each tubulin protein is a dimer, a molecule made up of two subunits. A tubulin dimer consists of two slightly different polypeptides, alpha-tublin, and beta-tubulin. Microtubules grow in length by adding tubulin dimers. Due to the architecture of a microtubules, its two ends are slightly different; one end can accumulate or release tubulin dimers at a much higher rate than the other, therefore, growing and shrinking significantly during cellular activities. This is called the "plus end", not because it can only add tubulin proteins but because it's the end where both "on" and "off" rates are much higher. Microtubules shape and support the cell and also serve as tracks along which organelles equipped with other proteins can move. In animal cells, microtubules grow out from a centrosomes, a region that is often located near the nucleus and considered a "microtubule-organizing center". Theses microtubules function as compression-resisting girders of the cytoskeleton. Within the centrosome are a pair of centrioles, each composed of nine sets of triplet microtubules arrange in a ring. Before division, the centrioles replicate; although centrosomes with centrioles may help organize microtubule assembly in animal cell,s they are not essential for this function in all eukaryotes. Also specialized arrangement of microtubules is responsible for the beating of flagella and cilia. Thees are microtubule containing extensions that project from some cells. When cilia or flagella extend from cells that are held in place as part of a tissue layer, they can move fluid over the surface of the tissue. Flagella and cilia different in their beating patterns. A flagellum has an undulating motion that generates force in the same direction as the flagellum's axis. However cilia work more like oars, with alternating power and recovery strokes generating force in a direction perpendicular to the cilium's axis. A cillium may also act as a signal-receiving "antenna" for the cell. Cilia that have this function are nonmotile, and there is only one per cell. Membrane proteins on this kind of cilium transmit molecular signals from the cell's movement to its interior, triggering signaling pathways that may lead to changes int he cell's activities. Cillia-based signaling appears to be crucial to brain function and to embryonic development. Motile cilia and flagella share a common ultrastructure; each has a core of microtubules sheathed in an extension of the plasma membrane. Nine doublets of microtubules, the members of each parit sharing part of their walls, are arranged in a ring. This arrangement, referred to as the "9+2" pattern, is found in all eukaryotic flagella and motile cilia. Non-motile primary cilia have "9+0" pattern, lacking the central pari of microtubules. The microtubule assembly of a cilium or flagellum is anchored in the cell by a basal body, which is structurally very similar to a centriole. In flagella and motile cilia, flexible cross-linking proteins, evenly spaced along the length of the cilium or falgellum, connect the outer doublets to each other and to the two central microtubules Each outer doublet also has paris of protruding proteins spaced along its length and reaching toward the neighboring doublet; These are large motor proteins called dyneins, composed of several polypeptides. Dyneins are responsible for the bending movements of the organelle. A dynein molecule performs a complex cycle of movements cause by changes in these shape of the proteins, with ATP providing the energy for these changes. The mechanics of dynein-based bending involve a process that resembles walking. A typical dynein protein has two "feet" that "walk" along the microtubule of the adjacent doublet, one foot maintaining contact while the other releases and reattaches one step further along the microtubules. Without any restraints ont he movement of the microtubules doublets, one doublet would continue to "walk" along and slide past the surface of the other, elongating the cilium or flagellum rather than bending it. Microfillaments- thinnest Microfilaments are solid rods about 7nm in diameter. They are also called as actin filaments because they are build from molecules of actin, a globular protein. A microfilament si a twisted double chain of actin subunits. Microfilaments can form structural networks, due to the presence of proteins that bind along the side of an actin filament and allow a new filament to extend as a branch. The structure role of microfilaments in the cytoskeleton is to bear tension. A cortical microfilaments, a three-dimensional network formed by microfilaments just inside the plasma membrane, helps support the cell's shape. This network give the outer cytoplasmic layer of a cell called the cortex. In animal cells specialized for transporting materials across the plasma membrane, such as intestinal cells, bundles of microfilaments make up the core of microvilli. Microfillaments are well known for their role in cell motility, particularly as part of the contractile apparatus of muscle cells (myosin). Localized contraction brought about by actin and myosin also plays a role in amoeboid movement, which a cell such as an amoeba crawls along a surface by extending and flowing into cellular extension called pseudopodia. pseudopodia extend and contract through the reversible assembly of actin subunits nto microfilaments and of microfillaments into networks that convert cytoplasm fro a sol to a gel. The pseudopodium extends until the actin reassembles into a network. In plant cells, both actin-myosin interactions and sol-gel transformations brought about by actin may be involved in cytoplasmic streaming, a circular flow of cytoplasm within cells. intermediate filaments- middle range intermediate filaments are larger than the diameter of microfilaments but smaller than that of microtubules. Specialized for bearing tension (like microfilaments), intermediate filaments are a diverse class of cytoskeletal elements. Each type is constructed from a different molecular subunit such as keratins. Intermediate filaments are more permanent fixture of cells than are microfilaments and microtubules. Even after the death of the cell, intermediate filament networks often persist. Intermediate filaments are important in reinforcing the shape of a cell and fixing the position of certain organelles. For instance, the nucleus commonly sits within a cage made of intermediate filaments, fixed in location by braches of the filaments that extend into the cytoplasm. Other intermediate filaments make p the nuclear lamina that lines the interior of the nuclear envelope. In case where the shape of the entire cell is correlated with function, intermediate filaments support that shape. Cell Wall[ edit ] Cell wall is an extracellular structure of plant cell that distinguishes them from animal cells. The wall protects the plant cell, maintains its shape, and prevents excessive uptake of water. The strong walls of specialized cells hold the plant up against the force of gravity. Plant cell walls are much thicker than the plasma membrane, and the exact chemical composition of the wall varies from species to species and even from one cell type to another in the same plant, but basic design of the wall is consistent. Microfibrils made of the polysaccharide cellulose are synthesized by an enzyme called cellulose synthase and secreted to the extracellular space, where they become embedded in a matrix of other polysaccharides and proteins. This combination of materials, strong fibers in a "ground substance" (matrix), is the same basic architectural design found in steel-reinforced concrete and in fiberglass. A young plant cell first secrets a thins and flexible wall called the primary cell wall; as the cell grows, the cellulose fibrils are oriented at right angels to the direction of cell expansion, possibly affecting the growth pattern. Between primary walls of adjacent cell is the middle lamella, which is a thin layer rich in sticky polysaccharides pectins. The middle lamella flues adjacent cells together. When the cell mature and stops growing, it strengthens its wall. Some plant cells do this simply by secreting hardening substances into the primary wall, but other cells add a secondary cell wall between the plasma membrane and the primary wall. Then secondary wall, often deposited in several laminated layer, has a strong and durable matrix that afford the cell protection and support. References[ edit ] Berg, Jeremy M., John L. Tymoczko, and Lubert Stryer. Biochemistry. 7th ed. New York: W.H. Freeman, 2012. Print. Reece, Campbell, Lisa A. Urry, Michael L. Cain, Steven A. Wasserman, Peter V. Minosky, and Robert B. Jackson. Biology. 8th ed. San Francisco: Cummings, 2010. Print. Cell_biology | Types of cells << Eukaryotes | Unique Properties of Plant Cells Plant Cells have a number of important differences compared to their animal counterparts. The major ones are the Chloroplasts, Cell walls and Vacuoles. Unlike animal cells, plant cells do not have centrioles. Chloroplasts[ edit ] The chloroplasts are an organelle similar to the mitochondria in that they are self reproducing and they are the energy factories of the cell.they are near the large center vacuole. There most of the similarities ends. Chloroplasts capture light energy from the sun and convert it into ATP and sugar. In this way the cell can support itself without food. Vacuoles[ edit ] Plants often have large structures containing water surrounded by a membrane in the center of their cells. These are vacuoles and act as a store of water and food (in seeds), a place to dump wastes and a structural support for the cell to maintain turgor. When the plant loses water the vacuoles quickly lose their water, and when plants have a lot of water the vacuoles fill up. In mature plants there is usually one large vacuole in the centre of the cell. Cell walls[ edit ] Plant cells are not flaccid like animal cells and have a rigid cell wall around them made of fibrils of cellulose embedded in a matrix of several other kinds of polymers such as pectin and lignin. The cellulose molecules are linear and provide the perfect shape for intermolecular hydrogen bonding to produce long, stiff fibrils. It is the cell wall that is primarily responsible for ensuring the cell does not burst in hypotonic surroundings. Parts of the cell[ edit ] Membranes[ edit ] Parts of the cell The cell membrane is very important, because it works as a selective filter that allows only certain things to come inside or go outside the cell, it act as a body guard for our body.It can maintain a stable and healthy environment for cell in order to keep people healthy. plant cell membranes are rigid walls, and animal cell membranes are lipid bilayers. Plasma membrane bilayer The phospholipid bilayer which the cell membrane is an example of, is composed of various cholesterol, phospholipids , glycolipids, blagoscony and proteins. Below is an example of a simple phospholipid bilayer . The smaller molecules shown between the phospholipids are Cholesterol molecules. They help to provide rigidity or stability to the membrane. The two main components of phospholipids are shown in these figures by blue circles representing the hydrophilic head groups and by long thin lines representing the hydrophobic fatty acid tails. Both the interior of the cell and the area surrounding the cell is made up of water or similar aqueous solution. Consequently, phospholipids orient themselves with respect to the water and with each other so that the hydrophilic ("water loving") head groups are grouped together and face the water, and the hydrophobic ("water fearing") tails turn away from the water and toward each other. This self-organization of phospholipids results in one of just a few easily recognizable structures. Cell membranes are constructed of a phospholipid bilayer as shown above. Smaller structures can also form, known as 'micelles' in which there is no inner layer of phospholipid. Instead, the interior of a micell is wholly hydrophobic, filled with the fatty acid chains of the phospholipids and any other hydrophobic molecule they enclose. Micelles are not so important for the understanding of cellular structure, but are useful for demonstrating the principles of hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity, and for contrasting with lipid bilayers. At least 10 different types of lipids are commonly found in cell membranes. Each type of cell or organelle will have a different percentage of each lipid, protein and carbohydrate. The main types of lipids are: Cholesterol Phosphatidic acid The Cell Membrane is Asymmetric[ edit ] The cell membrane tends to have different composition on one side of the membrane than on the other side of the membrane. The differences can be caused by the different ratios or types of amphipathic lipid-based molecules, the different positioning of the proteins (facing in or facing out), or the fixed orientations of proteins spanning the membrane. Additionally, there are different enzymatic activities in the outer and inner membrane surfaces. The reason the cell membrane is asymmetric is because when the proteins are synthesized by the preexisting membranes, they are inserted into the membrane in an asymmetric manner. The asymmetry of the cell membrane allows the membrane to be rigid and allows the cell to have a different intracellular environment from the existing extracellular environment. Additionally, the cell membrane's phospholipids are distributed asymmetrically across the lipid bilayer, in a phenomenon called membrane phospholipid asymmetry. There are three mechanisms for transmembrane movement of phospholipids: 1) spontaneous diffusion, 2) facilitated diffusion, 3) ATP-dependent active translocation. The spontaneous diffusion is a form of passive transport. Because passive transport does not require energy to transport non-polar substances through the membrane, this can happen spontaneously. Facilitated diffusion, like spontaneous diffusion, is a form of passive transport. The molecules or ions in this diffusion pass through the membrane by using specific transmembrane transport proteins. Membrane transport of small molecules Because animal membrane proteins are lipid bilayer which are inner hydrophobic, this character prohibits polar molecules. Transport proteins can provide help for this situation. It can transport polar molecules across the membrane. There are several types of membrane transport proteins. They are uniports and cotransport. Uniports can move solutes from one side to another, change the position of the proteins. Cotransport systems can simultaneously sending two solutes across the lipid bilayer. Solutes are sent in the same direction or opposite directions Transport proteins does not need to be acts natural direction. Membrane Transport of Macromolecules Membrane transport of Macromolecules can divide into two parts, they are exocytosis and endocytosis. In exocytosis, the contents of vesicles are released when the vesicle fuses with the cell membrane. There are five steps involved, which are vesicle trafficking, vesicke tethering, vesicle docking, vesicle priming and vesicle fusion. In endocytosis the membrane depresses and pinches off, enclosing the molecule. In receptor-mediated endocytosis, coated pits and vesicles bind to specific receptors on the cell surface, allowing the cell to select what molecules to take and what to reject. Important aspects of Membranes[ edit ] Parts of the cell Schematic of typical animal cell, showing subcellular components. Organelles: (1) nucleolus (2) nucleus (3) ribosome (4) vesicle (5) rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER) (6) Golgi apparatus (7) Cytoskeleton (8) smooth ER (9) mitochondrion (10) vacuole (11) cytoplasm (12) lysosome (13) centrioles Nucleus[ edit ] The nucleus contains genetic material or DNA in the form of chromatin, or, during mitosis or late interphase, chromosomes. All transcription and replication of genetic material takes place within the nucleus, as does RNA processing. The nucleolus also resides within the nucleus, and is responsible for RNA transcription and folding. Translation of RNA transcripts takes place outside of the nucleus. Mitochondria[ edit ] A mitochondrian is the organelle responsible for a cell's metabolism. It synthetizes ATP through a protein called ATP synthase. Mitochondria have a double membrane. An outer membrane and a folded inner membrane. The internal membrane, called the cristae is invaginated (folded or creased), to maximize surface area enabling it to hold more ATP synthases. Ribosomes[ edit ] Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis. They are comprised of interacting protein and nucleic acid chains. Broadly, ribosomes are comprised of a large and a small subunit. The small subunit functions to attach to the mRNA strand and hold it in place during translation, while the large subunit holds and manufactures the growing polypeptide chain. The large subunit is further subdivided into the A (aminoacyl), P (peptidyl), and E (exit) binding sites. Aminoacyl Binding Site The aminoacyl binding site binds a charged tRNA whose anticodon matches the codon in the A site. Peptidyl Binding Site The peptidyl binding site contains the molecular machinery that transfers the bound polypeptide from the tRNA to the polypeptide chain, and holds the growing chain in place. Exit Site The exit site is the terminal binding site for tRNA, where discharged tRNA's are released from the translation complex. Endoplasmic Reticulum[ edit ] The Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) acts as a transport from the nucleus and ribosomes to the Golgi apparatus. There are two types of endoplasmic reticulum: Smooth ER[ edit ] Smooth ER act as transport for various things, mainly the RNA from the nucleus to the ribosomes (RNA is a small piece of the DNA code specifically designed to tell the ribosomes what to make). Smooth ER appears smooth in texture, hence the name. Smooth ER plays an important role in lipid emulsification and digestion in the cell. Rough ER[ edit ] Rough ER are "rough" because of the ribosomes embedded in them. The rough ER takes the protein to the Golgi apparatus to be packaged into vacuoles Golgi Complex[ edit ] The Golgi Complex basically functions as a "packaging center" for the cell, attaching "address labels" (functional groups) to various cell products to direct them to their respective locations, and "packaging" the products into vacuoles to ensure delivery. Anatomically, the Golgi Complex consists of layers of lipid membrane stacked one one top of another, with a cis face and a trans face. As the molecular product being packaged moves through the complex, various enzymes act upon it to induce vacuole formation and functional group attachment. Vacuole[ edit ] Paramecium, with contractile vacuoles indicated using arrows. Vacuoles are cellular storage places. Like the cell membrane, they are comprised of a lipid bilayer that functions as a selectively permeable barrier to regulate movement of materials into and out of the compartment. They can serve a variety of purposes, storing food, water, or waste products, or immune functions such as containing dangerous materials or maintaining turgor pressure (in plants). Vacuoles serve very different purposes in plant cells than they do in animal cells. Plant Cells In plants, vacuoles comprise a significant portion of the cell's total volume and often contribute significantly to the function of a differentiated cell. For example, vacuoles in stomata cells contain large numbers of potassium ions, which can be pumped in or out to open or close the stomata. Animal Cells In animal cells, vacuoles serve more subordinate roles, such as assisting in endo- and exocytosis or basic storage of food and waste. Central Vacuole The central vacuole is found only in plant cells. It is filled with water and is pressurised, like a balloon. This forces all the other organelles within the cell out toward the cell wall. This pressure is called turgor pressure and is what gives plants their "crisp" and firm structure. Peroxisomes[ edit ] Peroxisomes perform a variety of metabolic processes and as a by-product, produce hydrogen peroxide. Peroxisomes use peroxase enzyme to break down this hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. Lysosomes[ edit ] Lysosomes are vacuoles containing digestive and destructive membranes. In white blood cells, these are used to kill the bacteria or virus, while in tadpole-tail cells they kill the cell by separating the tail from the main body. They also do much of the cellular digestion involved in apoptosis , the process of programmed cell death. Cell cycle[ edit ] The normal cell cycle consists of 2 major stages. The first is interphase, during which the cell lives and grows larger. The second is Mitotic Phase. Interphase is composed of three subphases. G1 phase (first gap), S phase (synthesis), and G2 phase (second gap). The interphase is the growth of the cell. The normal cell functions of creating proteins and organelles. The Mitotic Phase is composed of Mitosis and Cytokinesis. Mitosis , when the cell divides. Mitosis can be further divided into multiple phases. Cytokinesis, which is when the two daughter cells complete their separation. Mitosis is the division of the nucleus and cytokinesis is the division of the cytoplasm. There is some overlap between there two sub phases. Reproductive cell division is called meiosis, which yields a nonidentical daughter cells that have only one set of chromosomes. In other words, they have half as many chromosomes as the parent cell. Meiosis occurs in gonads, ovaries or testes. Therefore combining two gametes together produce 46 chromosomes. From Wikipedia[ edit ] The cell cycle is the cycle of a biological cell, starting from the time it is first formed from a dividing parent cell until its own division into two cells, consisting of repeated mitotic cell division and interphase (the growth phase). A cell spends the overwhelming majority of its time in the interphase(about 90% of time). Background Information[ edit ] DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid, consists of four nucleic acids, A, T, C, and G. In a cell, the DNA provides the directions for creating all of the proteins necessary for cell viability, health, growth, function, and replication. The unique DNA sequence that encodes each protein is called a gene, and the complete set of genes for an organism or cell is referred to as it's genome. Prokaryotic genomes are often a single long DNA molecule, and Eukaryotic genomes consist of number of DNA molecules. A typical human cell has about 2 m of DNA, which is 250,000 times greater than the cell's diameter. Before a cell divides the DNA is first copied then separated so that each daughter cell ends up with a complete genome. Chromosomes are the packaged DNA molecules. Because of chromosomes, the replication and distribution of so much DNA is manageable. Every eukaryotic species has a characteristic number of chromosomes in each cell nucleus. They contain two sets of each chromosome: one set inherited from each parent. For example human somatic cells (all body cells except the reproductive cells) each contain 46 chromosomes; the reproductive cells, gametes, have half as many chromosomes as somatic cells. The number of chromosomes in somatic cells varies widely among species. Eukaryotic chromosomes are made of chromatin that is a complex of DNA and associated protein molecules. Each single chromosome contains one very long, linear DNA molecule that carries several hundred to a few thousand genes; the associated proteins maintain the structure of the chromosome and help control the gene activity. When a cell is not dividing, each chromosome is a long thins chromatic fiber; however after DNA duplication chromosomes condense. Each chromatin fiber coils and folds. Each duplicated chromosome has two sister chromatids, containing an identical DNA molecule, initially attached along adhesive protein complex; such attachment is called sister chromatid cohesion. In condensed form of chromosome, a center narrow part is called centromere, a specialized region where the two chromatids are closely attached. The other part of a chromatid on either side of the centromere is referred as arm. Once the sister chromatids separate, they are considered individual chromosomes. Overview[ edit ] Schematic of the cell cycle. I=Interphase, M=Mitosis. The duration of mitosis in relation to the other phases has been exaggerated in this diagram. The mitotic phase includes both mitosis and cytokinesis which is usually the shortest part of the cell cycle. Interphase accounts about 90%of the cycle; during interphase the cell grows and copies its chromosomes in preparation for cell division. Interphase is divided into sub-phases: G1 phase ("first gap"), the S phase ("synthesis"), and G2 phase ("second gap"). The chromosomes are duplicated only during the S phase. During G1 phase cell grows until S phase where the cell prepares for the cell division during G2 phase. Based on human cell, M phase only takes about 1 hour while the S phase occupies about 10-12 hours. The cell cycle consists of G1 phase, the first growth phase S phase, during which the DNA is replicated, where S stands for the Synthesis of DNA. G2 phase is the second growth phase, also the preparation phase for the next stage M phase or mitosis and cytokinesis , the actual division of the cell into two daughter cells The cell cycle stops at several checkpoints and can only proceed if certain conditions are met, for example, if the cell has reached a certain diameter. Some cells, such as neurons, never divide once they become locked in a G0 phase. Mitosis[ edit ] Mitosis has five stages: prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. Mitotic spindle starts to form in the cytoplasm during prophase. it is made of microtubules and other associated proteins. while the mitotic spindle assembles, the microtubules of the cytoskeleton disassemble, providing the material used to construct the spindle. In animal cells, the assembly of spindle microtubules starts at the centrosome, the microtubule-organizing center. In plant cells, the centrioles are not present. During interphase in animal cells, the single centrosome replicates; the two centrosomes remain together near the nucleus and they move apart during prophase and prometaphase of mitosis as spindle microtubules grows. The two centrosomes are located at the opposite end of the cell. Then aster, a radial array of short microtubules, extends from each centrosome. Kinetochore is a structure of proteins associated with specific sections of chromosomal DNA at the centromere. Each of the two sister chromatids of a replicated chromosome contains kinetochore as it face in opposite direction. During prometaphase, kinetochore microtubules form as come of the spindle microtubules attach to the kinetochores. After the microtubuels are attached to chromosome's kinetochores, the chromosome begins to move towards the pole from which those microtubules extend. the chromosomes moves in a motion like a tug-of-war. Metaphase plate is the imaginary plane that formed during metaphase the centromeres of all the duplicated chromosomes are on the plane midway between the spindle's two poles. The other microtubules that did not attach to kinetochores overlap and interact with other nonkinetochore microtubules from the opposite pole. The nonkinetochore microtubules are responsible for elongating the whole cell during anaphase. During anaphase, the cohesins holding the sister chromatids of each chromosome are cleaved by enzymes. Then the chromatids separated, and they move towards the opposite ends of the cell. The region of overlap is reduced as motor proteins attached to the microtubules move away from one another, using ATP. As the microtubules push apart from each other, their spindle poles are pushed apart, elongating the cell. As the duplicate groups of chromosomes arrive at the opposite ends of the elongated parent cell, the telophase begins; during telophase nuclei reforms and cytokinesis begins. G2 of Interphase:During G2 phase, a nuclear envelope bounds the nucleus, and two centrosomes forms by replication of a single centrosome. In animal cells, each centrosome contains two centrioles. The chromosomes are duplicated during S phase but cannot be seen since they are not condensed yet. Prophase: the chromatin fibers coils and dense into chromosomes and the nucleoli disappear. Each duplicated chromosome has tow identical sister chromatids joined at their centromeres along with their arms by cohesins, then the mitotic spindle form. The asters are the radial arrays of shorter microtubules that extend from the centrosomes. Propelled by the lengthening microtubules, the centrosomes move away from each other. Prometaphase: As the nuclear envelope fragments, the microtubules extending from each centrosome invade the nuclear area. the chromosome become more condensed as each of the two chromatids of each chromosome has a kinetochore. Some of the microtubules attach to the kinetochores ("kinetochore microtubules" and other nonkinetochore microtubules interact with each from fromt he opposite pole of the spindle. Metaphase: Metaphse is the longest stage of mitosis. The centrosomes are placed at the opposite poles of the cell. The chromosomes' centromeres lie ont he metaphse plate as the chromosome convene on the metaphase plate. Each kinetochores of the sister chromatids are attacged to kinetochore microtubules coming from opposite poles. Anaphase: Anaphase is the shortest stage of mitosis, and begins when the cohesin proteins are cleaved, allowing the two sister chromatids of each pair to part suddenly. The two liberated daughter chromosomes moves towards oppostie ends of the cell as the kinetochore microtubules shorten. The cell starts to elongate and nonkinetochore microtubules lengthen. By the end of anaphase, the two ends of the cell have equivalent collections of chromosome. Telophase: Two daughter nuclei form in the cell, and nuclear envelopes arise from the fragments of the parent cell's nuclear envelope. As nucleoli reappear, the chromosome become less condensed, and completes the division of the one nucleus into two genetically identical nuclei. Cytokinesis: In animal cells, cytokinesis involves formation of cleavage furrow; in plante cell the cleavage furrow does not exist. The formation of cell wall in the middle of cell (cell plate) divides the cell into two daughter cells. Details of mitosis[ edit ] Cytokinesis[ edit ] The cytokinesis process begins with cleavage. Cleavage furrow, a shallow groove in the cell surface near the old metaphase plate, is the first sign of cleavage. As it process, contractile ring of actin microfilaments form on the cytoplasmic side. The actin microfilaments interact with the myosin molecules, and cause the ring to contract. As the cleavage furrow deepens, the cell is separated into two with its own nucleus. For plant cells, there is no cleavage furrow because they have the cell walls. Instead of forming cleavages, vesicles derived from the Golgi apparatus move along microtubules to the middle of the cells, and forms cell plate. As the cell plate enlarges, and surrounding membrane fuses with the plasma membrane along the perimeter of the cell and from two daughter cells. Binary Fission[ edit ] Binary fission is a method of asexual reproduction by "division in half". In prokaryotes, binary fission does not involve mitosis, but in single celled eukaryotes that undergo binary fission. In bacteria, motst genes are carried on a single bacterial chromosome that consists of a circular DNA molecule and associated proteins. The chromosome of the bacterium Escherichia coli, is 500 times as long as the cell when it is sctreched out. At the origin of replication, DNA of the bacterial chromosome begins to replicate. As the chromosome continues to replicate, one origin moves rapidly toward the opposite end of the cell, and the cell elongates. When the replication is complete the bacterium is about twice its initial size, and its plasma membrane grows inward, dividing the parent E. coli cell into two daughter cells. Bacteria don’t have mitotic spindles; the two origins of replication end up at opposite ends of the cell or in some other very specific location. The Evolution of Mitosis[ edit ] Since the prokaryotes were on Earth more than a billion years than eukaryotes that mitosis had its origins in simpler prokaryotic mechanism of the cell reproduction can be assumed. Some of the proteins involved in bacterial binary fission are related to eukaryotic proteins that function in mitosis. Possible hypothesis of evolution of mitosis is that prokaryotic cell's reproduction gave rise to mitosis. The Cell Cycle Control System[ edit ] Based from mammalian cell grow experiment, possible hypothesis was supported: the cell cycle is driven by specific signaling molecules present in the cytoplasm. In this experiment two cells in different phase of the cell cycle were fused to form a single cell with two nuclei. One cell was in the S phase and the other was in G1, and G1 nucleus immediately entered the S phase, as though stimulated by chemicals present in the cytoplasm of the first cell. Therefore, if a cell undergoing mitosis (M phase) was fused with another cell in any stage of its cell cycle, the second nucleus enteres mitosis. Other experiments on animal cells and yeasts demonstrates the sequential events of the cell cycle control system; the cell cycle control system operates set of molecules in the cell that both triggers and coordinates key events in the cell cycles. The cell cycle control system proceeds on its own, but it is regulated at certain checkpoints by internal and external signals. Animal cells have built-in stop signals that halt the cell cycle at checkpoints until they get go-ahead signals. The signals report whether crucial cellular processes that should have occurred by that point have in fact been completed correctly and thus whether or not the cell cycle should proceed. The three check points are in G1, G2, and M phase. For mammalian cells, G1 check points are the most important. When a cell receives a go-ahead signal at the G1 checkpoint, the cell complete the G1, S, G2 and M phases and divide; however when a cell does not get a go-ahead signal, it will exit the cycle and enter non dividing state, G0 phase. Most of human cells are in G0 phase, such as mature nerve cells and muscle cells. However the liver cells can re-enter the cycle by external signals such as growth factor released during injury. Rhythmic fluctuations in the abundance and activity of cell cycle control molecules pase the sequential events of the cell cycle. The regulatory molecules are portins of two types: protein kinases and cyclins. Portin kinases are enzymes that activate or inactivate other proteins by phosphorylating. The protein kinases give the go-ahead signals at the G1 and G2 checkpoints. The kinases that drive the cell cycle are present at a constant concentration in the growing cell, but they are in an inactive form. In order to activate them, kinase must be attached to a cyclin, a protein that cyclically fluctuating concentration in the cell. Because of such requirement, these are called cyclin-dependent kinases or Cdks. The activity of cdks rises and falls with changes in the concentration of its cyclin partner. The cylclin level rises during the S and G2 phases and then falls rapidly during M phase. MPF, the maturation -promoting factor, or M-phase -promoting factor, activity corresponds to the peaks of cyclin concentration. MPF triggers the cell's passage past the G2 checkpoint into M phase. MPF acts both directly as a kinase and indirectly by activating other kinases. During anaphase, MPF hels switch itself off by initiating a process that leads to the destruction of its own cyclin. The Cdk, noncyclin part of MPF, persists in the cell in inactive form until it associates with new cyclin molecules synthesized during the S and G2 phase of the next round of the cycle. Density-dependent inhibition is a phenomenon in which crowded cells stop dividing. It is caused by external physical factor. Also most animal cells exhibit anchorage dependence; in order to divide, the cells must be attached to a substratum; like a cell density, anchorage is signaled to the cell cycle control system via pathways involving plasma membrane proteins and elements of cytoskeleton linked to them. The loss of cell cycle controls leads to cancer cells, which exhibit neither density-dependent inhibition nor anchorage dependence. Reference[ edit ] Berg, Jeremy M., John L. Tymoczko, and Lubert Stryer. Biochemistry. 7th ed. New York: W.H. Freeman, 2012. Print. Reece, Campbell, Lisa A. Urry, Michael L. Cain, Steven A. Wasserman, Peter V. Minosky, and Robert B. Jackson. Biology. 8th ed. San Francisco: Cummings, 2010. Print. Meiosis[ edit ] Meiosis is a special type of cell division that is designed to produce gametes. Before meiosis occurs, the cell will be double diploid and have a pair of each chromosome, the same as before mitosis. Meiosis consists of 2 cell divisions, and results in four cells. The first division is when genetic crossover occurs and the traits on the chromosomes are shuffled. The cell will perform a normal prophase, then enter metaphase during which it begins the crossover, then proceed normally through anaphase and telophase. The first division produces two normal diploid cells, however the process is not complete. The cell will prepare for another division and enter a second prophase. During the second metaphase, the chromosome pairs are separated so that each new cell will get half the normal genes. The cell division will continue thorough anaphase and telophase, and the nuclei will reassemble. The result of the divisions will be 4 haploid gamete cells. Crossover[ edit ] Crossover is the process by which two chromosomes paired up during prophase I of meiosis exchange a distal portion of their DNA. Crossover occurs when two chromosomes, normally two homologous instances of the same chromosome, break and connect to each other's ends. If they break at the same locus, this merely results in an exchange of genes. This is the normal way in which crossover occurs. If they break at different loci, the result is a duplication of genes on one chromosome and a deletion on the other. If they break on opposite sides of the centromere, this results in one chromosome being lost during cell division. Any pair of homologous chromosomes may be expected to cross over three or four times during meiosis. This aids evolution by increasing independent assortment, and reducing the genetic linkage between genes on the same chromosome. Mitosis[ edit ] Mitosis is the normal type of cell division. Before the cells can divide, the chromosomes will have duplicated and the cell will have twice the normal set of genes. The first step of cell division is prophase, during which the nucleus dissolves and the chromosomes begin migration to the midline of the cell. (Some biology textbooks insert a phase called "prometaphase" at this point.)The second step, known as metaphase, occurs when all the chromosomes are aligned in pairs along the midline of the cell. As the cell enters anaphase, the chromatids, which form the chromosomes, will separate and drift toward opposite poles of the cell. As the separated chromatids, now termed chromosomes, reach the poles, the cell will enter telophase and nuclei will start to reform. The process of mitosis ends after the nuclei have reformed and the cell membrane begins to separate the cell into two daughter cells, during cytokinesis. Mitosis divides genetic information during cell division. The mitotic phase which includes both mitosis and cytokinesis is the shortest part of the cell cycle. The interphase cycle accounts for about 90% of the cell cycle. This phase is where the cell grows and copies its chromosomes in preparation for cell division. In the G1 phase which is also called the “first gap” the cell grows as it copies its chromosomes. In S phase, the cell starts to synthesize the DNA and completes preparation for cell division. In G2 it starts to divide. In biology, Mitosis is the process of chromosome segregation and nuclear division that follows replication of the genetic material in eukaryotic cells. This process assures that each daughter nucleus receives a complete copy of the organism's genetic material. In most eukaryotes, mitosis is accompanied with cell division or cytokinesis, but there are many exceptions, for instance among fungi. There is another process called meiosis, in which the daughter nuclei receive half the chromosomes of the parent, which is involved in gamete formation and other similar processes, which makes the parent cell still active. Mitosis is divided into several stages, with the remainder of the cell's growth cycle considered interphase. Properly speaking, a typical cell cycle involves a series of stages: G1, the first growth phase; S, where the genetic material is duplicated; G2, the second growth phase; and M, where the nucleus divides through mitosis. Mitosis is divided into prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase. The whole procedure is very similar among most eukaryotes, with only minor variations. As prokaryotes lack a nucleus and only have a single chromosome with no centromere, they cannot be properly said to undergo mitosis. Prophase[ edit ] The genetic material (DNA), which normally exists in the form of chromatin condenses into a highly ordered structure called a chromosome. Since the genetic material has been duplicated, there are two identical copies of each chromosome in the cell. Identical chromosomes (called sister chromosomes) are attached to each other at a DNA element present on every chromosome called the centromere. When chromosomes are paired up and attached, each individual chromosome in the pair is called a chromatid, while the whole unit (confusingly) is called a chromosome. Just to be even more confusing, when the chromatids separate, they are no longer called chromatids, but are called chromosomes again. The task of mitosis is to assure that one copy of each sister chromatid - and only one copy - goes to each daughter cell after cell division. The other important piece of hardware in mitosis is the centriole, which serves as a sort of anchor. During prophase, the two centrioles - which replicate independently of mitosis - begin recruiting microtubules (which may be thought of as cellular ropes or poles) and forming a mitotic spindle between them. By increasing the length of the spindle (growing the microtubules), the centrioles push apart to opposite ends of the cell nucleus. It should be noted that many eukaryotes, for instance plants, lack centrioles although the basic process is still similar. File:InterphaseSH.png 300px Some biology texts do not include this phase, considering it a part of prophase. In this phase, the nuclear membrane dissolves in some eukaryotes, reforming later once mitosis is complete. This is called open mitosis, found in most multicellular forms. Many protists undergo closed mitosis, in which the nuclear membrane persists throughout. Now kinetochores begin to form at the centromeres. This is a complex structure that may be thought of as an 'eyelet' for the microtubule 'rope' - it is the attaching point by which chromosomes may be secured. The kinetochore is an enormously complex structure that is not yet fully understood. Two kinetochores form on each chromosome - one for each chromatid. When the spindle grows to sufficient length, the microtubules begin searching for kinetochores to attach to. Metaphase[ edit ] As microtubules find and attach to kinetochores, they begin to line up in the middle of the cell. Proper segragation requires that every kinetochore be attached to a microtubule before separation begins. It is thought that unattached kinetochores control this process by generating a signal - the mitotic spindle checkpoint - that tells the cell to wait before proceeding to anaphase. There are many theories as to how this is accomplished, some of them involving the generation of tension when both microtubules are attached to the kinetochore. When chromosomes are bivalently attached - when both kinetochores are attached to microtubules emanating from each centriole - they line up in the middle of the spindle, forming what is called the metaphase plate. This does not occur in every organism - in some cases chromosomes move back and forth between the centrioles randomly, only roughly lining up along the midline. File:AnaphaseSH.png 250px Anaphase is the stage of meiosis or mitosis when chromosomes separate and move to opposite poles of the cell (opposite ends of the nuclear spindle). Centromeres are broken and chromatids rip apart. When every kinetochore is attached to a microtubule and the chromosomes have lined up along the middle of the spindle, the cell proceeds to anaphase. This is divided into two phases. First, the proteins that bind the sister chromatids together are cloven, allowing them to separate. They are pulled apart by the microtubules, towards the respective centrioles to which they are attached. Next, the spindle axis elongates, driving the centrioles (and the set of chromosomes to which they are attached) apart to opposite ends of the cell. These two stages are sometimes called 'early' and 'late' anaphase. At the end of anaphase, the cell has succeeded in separating identical copies of the genetic material into two distinct populations. Telophase[ edit ] The nonkinetochore microtubules elongate the cell and try to cut the cell in two. The nuclear envelopes start to become created by fragments of the parents cell’s nuclear envelope. Then, the chromatids start to become less tightly coiled together. By this point, cytokinesis is fully under way. Cytokinesis[ edit ] Cytokinesis refers to the physical division of one eukaryotic cell. Cytokinesis generally follows the replication of the cell's chromosomes, usually mitotically, but sometimes meiotically. Except for some special cases, the amount of cytoplasm in each daughter cell is the same. In animal cells, the cell membrane forms a cleavage furrow and pinches apart like a balloon. In plant cells, a cell plate forms, which becomes the new cell wall separating the daughters. Various patterns occur in other groups. In plant cells, cytokinesis is followed through by the usage of contracting ring of microfilaments that pull the cleavage furrow within itself, cutting the cell in two. In plant cells, vesicles from the Golgi apparatus start to form a cell plate within the center of the cell. When this cell plate solidifies and connects the two ends of the cell, a new cell wall is created and two daughter cells are produced. Regulation of Cell Cycle[ edit ] Protein kinases are enzymes that activate or inactivate other proteins by phosphorylating them. These give out the signals for the G1 and G2 checkpoints to occur. However, to be active, the kinase must be attached to a cyclin. This is why it is called a CDK or a cyclin-dependent kinase. Internal kinetochores exhibit a wait function. Not until all kinetochores are attached to a spindle microtubule does the cell process starts. This helps prevent some chromosomes from being left behind. Density dependent inhibition is when cells have a cue to multiply until a certain level of density is fulfilled. This means that a cell keeps multiplying until there is a full layer or until a certain level of pressure is built upon each other. One possible explanation of why cancer cells do not follow normal signals is because they have an abnormality in the signaling pathway that conveys the growth factor’s signal to the cell-cycle control system. Usually, a cell will follow normal checkpoints due to the release of CDK in the system that regulate the cell process. However, in a cancer cell, the checkpoints are random. This means that because the cell does not follow density-dependent inhibition or follow the growth signals, the cell replicates at random points. Expression[ edit ] Gene expression is the first stage of a process that decodes what the DNA holds in a cell. It is the expression of a gene that gives rise to a protein. How does gene expression occur? Genetic expression is a complex process. It is regulated by a series of mechanisms. Gene expression begins with transcription of DNA, giving rise to messenger RNA (mRNA). This is performed by the enzyme RNA polymerase, which produces the mRNA. The mRNA in prokaryotes is coupled with several ribosomes which are responsible for translating proteins. In eukaryotes, mRNA that is made from DNA is immature, and is called pre-mRNA. Pre-mRNA loses non-coding sections (called exons), maturing to mRNA. mRNA is coupled to ribosomes on Rough Endoplasmatic Reticle (RER) where translation happens. Translation is made when a new polypeptide is formed. The genetic code indeed says the order of pe polypeptides, but it doesn't give us a clue about it's tridimensional structure. Tridimensional structure is given by post-translational processes. Translation occurs following transcription wherein the protein synthesis machinery gets into action and uses its tools to read out the message that the RNA holds. There are some genes known to be without coding proteins. Yet, they work as regulation sequences in a cell. In this case, the sequences can enhance coding (called "enhancers") or they can inhibit (called "repressors"). When a protein is coupled with these genes, a substrate or hormone, they join together. In multicellular organisms only certain cells will produce a certain type of protein; e.g.: Haemoglobin is encoded in every cell of a mammal organism (it includes humans), but only precursors of red blood cells are allowed to express it (red blood cells are not allowed to express it, because they lose their nucleus). However, the enhancers and repressors are present in every cell of a mammal. Genetic Information In nature, there is information found in all living cells. Different cultures have often studied this information and used various forms of recording techniques to display it. Ancient Egyptians, in particular, referred to this information and its records as "provider of attributes" and determined it ||| to mean several, and that was earlier in human history of recording something that was known about nature. There were often other signs as well that accompanied Egyptian writings on the source of this "information key of life". Among them were double, water and wick of twisted flax. But the most central one, for modern science, of course, was the snake like determinative that meant a worm or serpent in the limit of life. This limit, water, was "N" meaning that something or someone is, the essence which would be referred to by the Greeks as "esse" or "ens", and in today's English terms, the "essence". In anthropology, the language of gene expression is rooted in the sources of knowledge that Odhiambo Siangla of Kenya has called "rieko" and Jeremy Narby of Switzeland has termed the "cosmic serpent". Both Siangla and Narby are not only experts in cultures but are trained in communication and expression. And from both the key has been the "three letter word". In the alphabet of the three letter word found in cell biology are the organic bases, which are adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C) and thymine (T). It is the triplet recipe of these bases that make up the ‘dictionary’ we call in molecular biology genetic code. The codal system enables the transmission of genetic information to be codified, which at the molecular level, is conveyed through genes. What is gene ? A gene is a region of DNA that produces a functional RNA molecule. If a region of DNA is not functional, that region is not a transmissible form of information for protein synthesis. And because the information is not transmissible, it is not readily functional. There are various sizes of gene. The first recorded attempts to imagine the very small was the Horus Eye, which is also a pristine idea of limit. Today we talk about bases. The insulin gene, for example, has 1.7 x 10 3 {\displaystyle 10^{3}} , about 1700 nucleotides. There exists a receptor gene known as low-density lipoprotein (LDL). This protein has 4.5 x 10 4 {\displaystyle 10^{4}} nucleotides. In terms of nucleotides this (LDL) approximates to 45,000 nucleotides. Now, with the dystrophic gene as another example, we find the nucleotides to be around 2.0 x 10 {\displaystyle 10^{8}} , approximately 200,000,000 nucleotides in number. Now, the introns. It is the noncoding regions of DNA that are called introns meaning the “intervening sequences”. Introns make up a greater part of the nucleotide sequences of a gene. The coding regions are called exons to mean “expression sequences”. They constitute a minority of the nucleotide progression of a DNA and they instruct cellular workshops for the formation of proteins via amino acids. Through proteins, the expression of genetic information is achieved. In particular are the enzymes. Even during the ancient time the enzymes were understood and utilized well. The enzymes catalyze the chemical reactions of anabolic kind, that is, the building of cellular food and those of catabolic type, the braking down of food. The two processes are collectively termed metabolism. What, further, can we add about proteins? We can further say that proteins are concentration of heteropolymers manufactured from amino acids. There are 20 amino acids used in synthesizing natural proteins. It is clear that a protein may consist of many, in fact, several hundred amino acid sediments. It is essentially unlimited in number to speak about how many different proteins we can make from combinations of amino acids. Mathematics explains it well. There is therefore a diverse set of proteins whose forms and functions can be achieved by means of a coding system explained below. Genetic information flows unidirectional, from DNA to protein and with messenger RNA (mRNA) as intermediate. First, DNA encodes genetic information into an RNA molecule. This is called transcription (TC) of the information. Then the information gets converted into proteins, being named here translation (TL). It is this concept of information current that is called the Central Dogma of molecular biology. The Central Dogma is the fundamental theme in our exploration on gene articulation. In order to complete the picture, we can add two further aspects of information flow. We can add duplication of the genetic material, which occurs prior to cell division. And that a DNA, in this case, represents duplication process, —DNA transfer. Wherefore in this case it is known as DNA replication. But where some viruses have RNA instead of DNA as their genetic material, we speak about reverse transcription (RT). With this transcription, we get a DNA molecule as a copy of the viral RNA genome. In other words, genetic information, whether historically traced world wide (Narby,1998) or particularly assigned to ancient Africa (Siangla,1997) involves gene expression. Both DNA and RNA are polynucleotides, where nucleotides are the monomer—building units, which are composed of three basic subunits called nitrogenous base, sugar, and phosphoric acid. Genetic information is contained in DNA. The genetic code in DNA expresses the connection between the polynucleotide alphabet of four bases and 20 amino acids. In one strand of the parental DNA molecule, there is a dictated amino acid sequence strictly for protein production. We will discuss in the next few postings, a relatively detailed understanding of the polymerization of amino acids sequence as directed by base sequences of messenger RNA. At the moment, though, let us note that protein synthesis is an expression of genetic information. Protein synthesis is the cellular procedure, as we have said, of making proteins and involves two main processes: Transcription and Translation. The two processes mean that the direction of the synthesis is from DNA to RNA and then from RNA to protein respectively. Is this true to all organisms? Yes. With a few exceptions, which are in mitochondria, and as stated above, some viruses become exceptions to this order because in their genetic material, they have RNA instead of DNA as their initial information source. However it is true that in all organisms, methods that relate the nucleotide sequence in messenger RNA to the amino acid sequence in proteins (genetic code proper) are the same. For in the given exceptions there occurs reverse transcription (RT). With that viral example of transcription noted, we get DNA molecular information being copied from the genome of viral RNA. Building on this clue that is provided by transcription processes, we can readily see that a three-nucleotide sense codon denotes each amino acid. For example, UUU specifies phenylalanine, UCU specifies serine and GCA specifies alanine. But UAC and UAU both specify tyrosine. We will speak more about this tyrosine when expanding cell biology in the study of melanin. Here now are other ways to see the remaining three properties of the genetic code. One is the contiguous property. With this property the codons do not overlap and at the same time they do not separated by spacers. The other is degenerate property in which there is more than one codon for some amino acids as exemplified by tyrosine in the above paragraph. And finally, there is the unambiguous property. With this genetic code of unambiguity, each codon specifies only one amino acid. Translation[ edit ] The Translation Phase of Genetic Expression is divided into 2 Steps Transcription and Translation. During Transcription RNA Polymerase unzips the two halfs of the DNA where it needs to transcript. Then free RNA bases Attach to the DNA bases with the Polymerase starting at the promoter and ending at the Termination signal. From this the RNA can become mRNA, rRNA, or tRNA. The mRNA is a ribbon like strand that takes the genetic information from the nucleus of the cell to the ribosome. rRNA forms a globular ball that attaches to the rough E.R. to help make ribosomes. finally the tRNA forms a hair shaped landing base that reads the genetic information to make proteins. Translation happens when mRNA is pulled through a ribosome and tRNA reads the RNA bases on the mRNA to make anti-codons of 3 bases and brings amino-acids to form the protein. This starts with the condon AUG and ends at UAG. When done the protein forms the correct shape and does the task it was created for. This brings the genetic code from the nucleus, which it never leaves, to the cytoplasm of the cell where proteins are produced to upkeep the body.
i don't know
Latin 'Aurum' refers to which precious commodity?
Precious Metals and Commodity Glossary Actuals — Physical cash commodities as opposed to futures contracts. Ag — See "Argent". Chemical symbol for silver. Alloy — Mixture of more than one element, generally metallic, which is more useful than either metal on its own. Allocated Metal — Refers to the accounting assignment, or reporting of, defined quantities of specific physical products to a particular account. For example, a custodian may have 100 ten-ounce gold bars in its care and "allocate" 50 bars to account A and 50 bars to account B. Allocated precious metals products may be segregated or commingled, fungible or non-fungible. Approved Carriers — Armored carriers approved by an Exchange for the transportation of silver, gold, platinum, and palladium. Argentum — Latin. Its abbreviation, Ag, is used as the chemical symbol for silver. Ask — A motion to sell. The same as offer. The Ask price is the price at which a dealer offers to sell a commodity. Assay — To test a metal for purity or quality. Au — See "Aurum". Chemical symbol for gold. Aurum — Latin. Its abbreviation, Au, is used as the chemical symbol for gold.   B Backwardation — Market situation in which futures prices are lower in each succeeding delivery month. Also known as an inverted market. The opposite of contango. Bactericides — Materials that kill bacteria, such as silver salts. Bank Wire — Funds transferred through the Federal Reserve System from one financial institution to another for the benefit of a specific account. Base Metal — Copper, aluminum, iron, lead, nickel, tin and zinc. Basis — The differential that exists at any time between the cash, or spot, price of a given commodity and the price of the nearest futures contract for the same or a related commodity. Basis may reflect different time periods, product forms, qualities, or locations. Cash price minus Futures price equals Basis. Bear Market — Market in which prices are in a declining trend. Bid — A motion to buy a commodity at a specified price. Opposite of offer. The Bid price is the price at which a dealer offers to buy a commodity. Bullion — Precious metals that are traded based on their intrinsic metal value. Bullion may be in the form of bars, plates, ingots and coin. Bullion Coin — A precious metal coin whose market value is determined by its inherent precious metal content. They are bought and sold mainly for investment purposes. Bull Market — Market in which prices are in an upward trend.   C Carry Market — A market situation in which prices are higher in the succeeding delivery months than in the nearest delivery month. Also known as contango, it is the opposite of backwardation. Carrying Charge — The total cost of storing a physical commodity over a period of time. Includes storage charges, insurance, interest, and opportunity costs. Cash — U.S. currency.   D Deliverable Bar — A precious metals bar with a weight, fineness and hallmark approved as a tradable unit on a commodity exchange. Delivery — Delivery generally refers to the change of ownership or control of a commodity under specific terms and procedures established by the Exchange upon which the contract is traded. Typically, except for energy, the commodity must be placed in an approved warehouse, depository, or other storage facility, and be inspected by approved personnel, after which the facility issues a warehouse receipt, shipping certificate, demand certificate, or due bill, which becomes a transferable delivery instrument. Delivery of the instrument usually is preceded by a notice of intention to deliver. Delivery Point — A location designated by an exchange at which delivery may be made in fulfillment of contract terms. Depository or Warehouse Receipt — A document issued by a depository institution indicating ownership of a commodity stored in a vault or warehouse. In the case of many commodities deliverable against futures contracts, transfer of ownership of an appropriate depository receipt may affect contract delivery. Derivative — Financial instrument derived from a cash market commodity, futures contract, or other financial instrument. Derivatives can be traded on regulated exchange markets or over-the-counter. For example, futures contracts are derivatives of physical commodities, options on futures are derivatives of futures contracts. Dore Bullion — An impure alloy of silver or gold produced at a mine. Ductility — An ability to change shape drastically without breaking. The capacity of a metal to be hammered into a thin sheet or drawn into a fine wire.   E Exchange of Futures for Physicals (EFP) — A futures contract provision involving an agreement for delivery of physical product that does not necessarily conform to contract specifications in all terms from one market participant to another and a concomitant assumption of equal and opposite futures positions by the same participants at the time of the agreement.   F Face Value — The monetary value worth of a coin. This does not necessarily correspoind to its actual worth. For example, a pre-1965 U.S. half dollar has a face value of $0.50 but its intrinsic value is tied to the price of silver and much higher. Fineness — The purity of precious metal measured in parts per thousand. A "Good Delivery" bar contains a least 995 part pure gold and no more that 5 parts other metals or impurities. A bar that is 999.9 fine is 99.99% pure gold and referred to as "four nines" gold. Fine Weight — The weight of precious metal contained in a coin or bullion as determined by multiplying the gross weight by the fineness. Fine Silver — Pure silver. Generally 99.9% pure. Fungible — Interchangeable. Products that can be substituted for purposes of shipment or storage. Futures Contract — A contract between a buyer and seller, whereby the buyer is obligated to take delivery and the seller is obligated to provide future delivery of a fixed amount of a commodity at a predetermined price at a specified location. Futures contracts are most often liquidated prior to the delivery date and are generally used as a financial risk management and investment tool rather than for supply purposes. These contracts are traded exclusively on regulated exchanges and are settled daily based on their current value in the marketplace.   G Gold — A chemical element in the periodic table that has the symbol Au (L. aurum) and atomic number 79. A soft, shiny, yellow, heavy, malleable, ductile (trivalent and univalent) transition metal, gold does not react with most chemicals but is attacked by chlorine, fluorine and aqua regia. The metal occurs as nuggets or grains in rocks and in alluvial deposits and is one of the coinage metals. Gold is used as a monetary standard for many nations and is also used in jewelry, dentistry, and in electronics. Gold/Silver Ratio — The number of ounces of silver required to buy one ounce of gold at current spot prices. Good Delivery — Approved metals brands acceptable for delivery against the metals contracts.   H Hallmark — A stamped impression on the surface of a precious metals bar that indicates the producer, serial number, weight, and purity of metal content. Hedge — The initiation of a position in a futures or options market that is intended as a temporary substitute for the sale or purchase of the actual commodity. For example: the sale of futures contracts in anticipation of future sales of cash commodities as a protection against possible price declines, or the purchase of futures contracts in anticipation of future purchases of cash commodities as a protection against the possibility of increasing costs.   I Intrinsic Value — The actual value of the precious metals contained within a bullion bar or coin. Inverted Market — A futures market is said to be inverted when distant contract months are selling at a discount to nearby contract months; also known as backwardation. K Karat — A measure of the purity of gold. Pure gold is 24-karat.  22-Karat gold is 22/24ths pure or 91.67% pure.   L Legal Tender — Coins that have been authorized by Congress. This includes circulating coins and all commemorative coins legislated by Congress. Licensed Warehouse — Warehouse that has been approved for the storage of silver or gold deliverable against a silver or gold futures contracts. Licensed Weighmaster — An organization approved by an exchange to witness and verify the weighing of silver or gold delivered against a silver or gold futures contract. Liquid Market — A market characterized by the ability to buy and sell with relative ease. London Fix — Price set each day in London by five old-line firms. The "fixing price" reflects the price at which buy and sell orders from the firms' customers' are in balance. The London Fix is an internationally recognized benchmark price for that particular moment in time.   M Malleable — Having the property of being deprived of form, accepting deformation under pressure or hammering without rupture or fracture. Market Value — The total price of a bullion bar or coin inclusive of intrinsic value and any premium or discount. Money Order — Order for the payment of a specified amount of money, usually issued and payable at a bank or post office.   N National Futures Association (NFA) — Futures industry trade association which promulgates rules of conduct and mediates disputes between customers and brokers. Non-Fungible - Opposite of fungible. Product is not interchangeable.     O Offer — A motion to sell a commodity at a specified price. Opposite of bid. The Offer price is the price at which a dealer offers to sell a commodity.   P Palladium — A chemical element with symbol Pd and atomic number 46. A rare silver-white transition metal of the platinum group, palladium resembles platinum chemically and is extracted from some copper and nickel ores. It is primarily used as an industrial catalyst and in jewelry. Pd — Used as the chemical symbol for palladium. Personal Check — A bank draft drawn on an individual account or a company account and signed by an authorized person. Platinum — A chemical element in the periodic table that has the symbol Pt and atomic number 78. A heavy, malleable, ductile, precious, gray-white transition metal, platinum is resistant to corrosion and occurs in some nickel and copper ores along with some native deposits. Platinum is used in jewelry, laboratory equipment, electrical contacts, dentistry, and automobile emissions control devices. Premium — The market value of a coin less the intrinsic value of its metal content. A coin that contains $6.00 of silver (intrinsic value) and sells for $7.50 (market value) has a $1.50 premium. Pt — Used as the chemical symbol for platinum.   S Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) — An independent agency that administers federal securities laws and regulates the firms that buy and sell those securities. Settlement Price — The price established by the Exchange settlement committee at the close of each trading session as the official price to be used by the clearinghouse in determining net gains or losses, margin requirements, and the next day's price limits. The term "settlement price" is often used as an approximate equivalent to the term "closing price." The close in futures trading refers to a brief period at the end of the day, during which transactions frequently take place quickly and at a range of prices immediately before the bell. Therefore, there frequently is no single closing price, but a range of prices. In months with significant activity, the settlement price is derived by calculating the weighted average of the prices at which trades were conducted during that period. Silver — A chemical element in the periodic table that has the symbol Ag (from the traditional abbreviation for the Latin Argentum) and atomic number 47. A soft white lustrous transition metal, silver has the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal and occurs in minerals and in free form. This metal is used in coins, jewelry, tableware, and photography. Spot — Term which describes one-time open market cash transaction, where a commodity is purchased "on the spot" at current market rates. Spot transactions are in contrast to term sales, which specify a steady supply of product over a period of time. Spot Market — A market of immediate delivery of product and immediate payment. Spot Month — The futures contract closest to maturity. The nearby delivery month. Spread — The difference between the bid price and the ask price of a bullion bar or coin. Sterling Silver — Silver of a fineness of 92.5%.   T Troy Ounce — A unit weight, equal to 1.09711 avoirdupois ounces. The troy ounce is the traditional unit weight for precious metals, believed to be named after a weight used at the annual fair at Troyes in France in the Middle Ages. 1 ounce Troy = 480 grains = 31.1035 grams = 1.09711 avoirdupois ounces   U Unallocated Metal — Refers to the accounting assignment, or reporting of, precious metals balances denominated in ounces to a particular account, also known as a statement account. Unallocated holdings are sometimes referred to as "pooled holdings" because they may comprise a mix of various products held at various custodians. The mix of products (in ounces) equals the unallocated balance (in ounces). In an unallocated account, specific bars or coins are not assigned to any particular customer; customers own a proportionate interest in the bulk holdings.  
Gold
What sort of song takes its name from old French for a circle dance?
Glossary of Bullion Terms - Gold Price OZ Glossary of Bullion Terms Glossary of terms used in the precious metals market Menu☰ Glossary of Bullion Terms - Gold Price Glossary of Bullion Terms Acid Test - A means to test the fineness of gold by using nitric acid and aqua regia. This testing will lose some small amount of gold. Actual Gold Content - The amount of gold that exists in an object, that means all the alloys have been subtracted. Ag - The chemical symbol for silver. Allocated Account - A bank storage account held by dealers in clients' names, in which the clients have their precious metals physically segregated from other metal in the vault and are given detailed lists of the weights and assays of their precious metals. The client has full title to this precious metal. Metal in an allocated account does not form part of a precious metal dealer’s assets. This is as opposed to unallocated storage. Alloy - A mixture of two or more metals. Such as gold alloy which is mixed with other metals (copper, silver, nickel or zinc) to improve its hardness and change its color. Arbitrage - In order to profit from a difference in the price, the investors simultaneously purchase and sale a product. It is the practice of taking advantage of a price difference between two or more markets. Argentum - Latin name for the element silver. Ask Price - The current lowest price that the customer could buy. In fact, if a customer decides to buy it, he should pay higher than "ask price”. This price is as opposed to bid price. Assay - A test to determine the purity and weight of a precious metal (such as gold or silver products). If a gold product delivers with an "assay", that means the product is guaranteed by the assayer that the product in question does indeed contain the described amount and purity of gold. Au - The chemical symbol for gold. Aurum - Latin name for the element gold. Aqua Regia - A mixture by mixing concentrated nitric acid and hydrochloric acid in a volume ratio of 1:3. It is commonly used in testing the fineness of gold. Backwardation - also called inverted market, is a situation in which prices for future deliveries are lower than price for a nearer delivery date, or spot price. It describes a downward sloping forward curve in a commodity market. Backwardation is the opposite of contango. Bar - A mass of metal cast or shaped into a convenient shape. It is a generic term for a bar of gold or silver and a non-numismatic form of precious metal bullion. Base Metal - commonly refers to all non-precious metals. They are oxidize, tarnish or corrode relatively easily when exposed to moisture or air, such as Zinc, copper, nickel, aluminum, iron and lead. These metals are commonly used in alloying gold, silver and platinum. Bear Market - Describes a market condition, a prolonged period in which investment prices fall, along with widespread pessimism. It usually occurs when economy is in a recession and unemployment is high, or inflation is rising quickly. Opposite of bull market. Bid Price - The current highest price that the customer could sell. In fact, if a customer decides to sell, his selling price is closest to "bid price", rather than the "bid price”. This price is as opposed to ask price. Blank Planchet - A round metal disk that is ready to be struck as a coin. In other word, the round metal has not yet been struck with an obverse, reverse or edge design. BU - stands for brilliant uncirculated, describes a coin in a new condition. A BU coin means that the coin has never been circulated, and retains its original mint luster. Bull Market - Describes a market condition, a prolonged period in which investment prices are rising, or soon expected to rise. It usually occurs as a result of an economic recovery, an economic boom, or investor psychology. Opposite of bear market. Bullion - traditionally stands for precious metals bars or ingots, such as gold bullion and silver bullion which are officially recognized as being at least 99.5% purity and are in the form of bars or ingots rather than coins. In the United States, the most commonly traded gold bullion pieces among individual investors weigh 10 oz. or less. Bullion Coin - a coin is made of precious metal and kept as an investment or a store of value. It is traded at a price close to its intrinsic or precious metal value, rather than its face value. Britannia Silver - An alloy of silver which contains 95.84% silver, with the balance usually copper. It should be distinguished from Britannia metal which is a pewter-like alloy containing no silver. Carat - a unit for mass which is used for measuring the weight of gemstones and pearls (1 carat is equal to 200mg). Distinguished from "karat" which is used for measuring the fineness of gold. Cash Market - also called "spot market", is a public market in which financial instruments or commodities are traded for cash and for immediate delivery. In cash market, settlement happens in T+2 working days. Cash Price - also known as spot price, is a price quotation in a cash market, that means the commodities (such as gold and silver products) immediate or nearly immediate delivery. CU - The metallurgical symbol for copper. Contango - is a situation in which the futures price (or forward price) of a commodity is higher than the expected spot price. It describes an upward sloping curve for futures prices over time. Opposite of backwardation. Condition - The condition of a gold or silver bar, round, or coin. Common conditions are "New", "Varied", "Brilliant Uncirculated", "Proof", "Circulated", etc. Certified Coin - A coin authenticated and graded by a professional service. Cull coin - Coin in a exceedingly poor condition that is extremely worn or damaged. Generally, coin are graded as Basil State, Fair, or Poor by wear are considered Cull, "hole filler" or simply "filler" coins. Denomination - Properly describes a currency amount, usually for coins or banknotes. For the coin, denomination is equivalent to its face value. Deliverable Bar - A precious metal (such as gold and silver) with a weight, fineness and hallmark that is approved as a tradable unit on a commodity exchange. Doré bullion - A impure alloy silver contains a variable but usually appreciable percentage of gold. Edge - The side of coin which may be reeded, lettered or plain. Electrum - A natural alloy of gold and silver, with trace amounts of copper and other metals. It can be produced artificially, and is often known as green gold. Face Value - The value of a investment coin (such as gold coins, or silver coins) which is printed on the coin by the minting authority. It is symbolic face value, rather than its actual worth. Fine Gold - Indicates the fineness or purity of a gold coin or gold bullion. It means the gold item is a pure gold, 24 karat, or .999 fine gold. Fine Silver - Indicates the fineness or purity of a silver coin or silver bullion. It means the silver item is a pure silver, 99.9% or higher pure. Fineness - The degree purity of a precious metal usually expressed in parts per thousand. For example, American Gold Eagle is .9167 fineness, which means it contains 91.67% gold,and 8.33% other metals. Pure gold is expressed as .9999 or 9999, rather than 1.0000, or 100%. Fine Weight - The metallic weight of a coin, bar, or ingot, rather than the item's gross weight which contains the weight of the alloying metal. Such as a 1/10 oz Gold American Eagle, its fine weight (gold content) is 0.1 toz, and its gross weight is 0.10909 toz. Fine Ounce - A troy ounce of gold or silver which has a minimum fineness of .995 (99.5%). Forward transaction - An transaction agreement to purchase or sale for delivery and payment at an agreed date in the future. It is similar to a futures contract, except that forward transactions are not subject to the standardized procedures and regulations of a commodities futures exchange. Futures Contract - Also called Futures, is a standardized contract (details the quality and quantity) to buy or sell a particular commodity or financial instrument at a pre-determined price in the future. Futures contracts are available for each month of the year. German Silver - A metal alloy of copper, nickel and zinc, sometime also containing tin and lead. It is named for its silvery appearance, rather than containing silver. GLR - stands for Gold Lease Rate, the interest on an unsecured gold loan. In fact, it is the derived rate. GLR is defined as: GLR = LIBOR - GOFO. GOFO - represents Gold Forward Offered Rates, is the interest you should pay if you swap gold for US$. It is a common transaction in London and published daily by LBMA. Good Delivery - The specification that a bar of precious metal must meet in order to be acceptable for delivery at a particular exchange. Gold/Silver ratio - a ratio of the gold price to the silver price . In other words, it measures how many ounces of silver it takes to buy an ounce of gold. Hallmark - Mark or marks which is struck on items made of precious metals. Such as the mark on the gold bar indicates the producer, weight and its fineness or other characteristics. Karat - A unit of purity for gold alloys, rather than weight. The word "karat" is from the carob seed, which was used as balance scales to measure the weight of gold in ancient Asian bazaars. Pure gold is considered to be 24 karat . Karat Gold - A gold alloy mixed with other metals, such as silver, copper, or zinc. It is used in the manufacture of jewelry. The higher the karat, the higher the gold content in the item. In U.S., the gold jewelry must be at least 10 karat, otherwise it cannot be called gold. LIBOR or Libor - represents London Interbank Offered Rate, it is the average interest rate used in borrowing from other banks. It is more officially abbreviated to ICE LIBOR (for Intercontinental Exchange Libor). London Fixing price - A precious metal price which is fixed by the London Gold Market Fixing Ltd via conference call, which is used as a benchmark to pricing the major global precious metal products and derivatives. The gold fixing price is fixed twice each business day at 10:30 am and 3 pm, and the silver price fixing is set or fixed once a day, at 12:00 am London local time. London gold or LOCO London - a way of gold trading . In a narrow sense, London gold is a traded product provided by the London International Financial Futures Exchange, and stored in the city of London underground vault in a purity of 99.5% with 400 ounces of gold bricks. Broadly speaking, London gold represents all of spot gold trading. Obverse - The front of a coin containing the principal design. The device on the obverse usually consists of a portrait and date. Pennyweight - An American unit of weight for gold which is equal to 1/20 of a troy ounce. Premium - The additional cost of a coin or bullion item, over and above the spot price of the precious metal contained in the item. The premium contains the costs of fabrication, distribution and a minimal dealer fee. Rare coins carry an additional premium called numismatic value. Proof coin - A coin produced using highly polished dies and special plainchants that result in a sharpness of detail and a virtually flawless surface, usually mirror-like fields. It is created by striking the coin multiple times, using higher pressure, and polishing the dies. Proof coins are different with business coins. They are generally made for collectors rather than for normal use. Pure Gold - 24 karats gold or gold content is 99.99% in a gold item. Physical Market - A marketplace where the physical commodities are bought and sold for cash and delivered immediately. It is also called cash market or spot market, as opposed to the futures market. Precious Metal - A rare and high economic value metal. The commonly traded in coin form and used in the jewelry industry are gold, silver, palladium and platinum. PD - The chemical symbol for palladium. PT - The chemical symbol for platinum. Reeding - A technique wherein "reeds" are carved or milled into a surface. In numismatics, reeded edge is to prevent counterfeiting, and helps enable different coin denominations to be easily identified and distinguished from each other by sense of touch alone. Reverse - The back side of a coin. The device on the reverse usually consists of a country's coat of arms or an insignia. Spot price - The current price at which precious metal is being traded at a specified time and place. It is calculated according to the most recent average bid price offered by the worldwide professional traders. Generally, the London spot price is used as the world barometer, after conversion from pounds to dollars. Spread - stands for “bid-ask spread” which is the difference between the bid price and the ask price. If you would like to sell gold, a broker will offer to buy it for the bid price. And if you would like to buy it, the broker will offer to sell it to you for the ask price. The spread is the broker's profit. The ask price is always higher than the bid price, because nobody would like to lose money in business. Troy Ounce - abbreviated as "oz t". Troy ounce is commonly used to measure the mass of precious metals, such as gold, silver. 1 troy ounce is equal to 31.1034768 grams, or 1/12 per troy pound (1 troy pound ≈ 373.24 grams, that is lighter than avoirdupois pound), distinguishing from avoirdupois ounce which equals to 28.3495231 grams. In modern times, the troy ounce is the only measurement unit of troy weights system is widespread used in the British Imperial and American. In fact, the gold fixing price is based on the unit of troy ounce. Unallocated Account - An account in which the client's precious metal are not separated from other metals that may be held by the bank. Since some banks do not charge for storage, unallocated account may be cheaper than an allocated account; however, the client carries higher counterparty risk. Uncirculated coin - A coin is released to the public but not intended for general circulation. However, it is available through a mint or through a local coin dealer. These type coins sometimes said to be "Brilliant Uncirculated or BU. White Gold - An alloy of gold contains at least one white metal, such as silver, nickel or palladium. It is commonly used as a setting for diamond jewelry.
i don't know
Anser is the genus name for which family of creatures whose fat is traditional in cooking?
I have two goose breasts... any ideas? New Posts   All Forums:Forum Nav: I have two goose breasts... any ideas? My potential brother-in-law just arrived from Michigan and brought with him two Canadian goose breasts which are frozen and waiting to be savoured. Never had goose before. I hear it's very good. I don't know if we're going to have them Thursday for Thanksgiving or Friday. I am hoping some of you will be able to provide me with a tried recipe or a credible source from which to obtain one that you are familiar with. I've been searching on the net for recipes (no surprise to some), but I'd like to try suggestions from someone here. I'd prefer it to be extremely tender, succulent, and pleasantly flavorful. Not too gamey, not overpowered by spices but enhanced by them by preferrably a marinade and/or slow roasting/cooking or broiling. I'd like to avoid excessive fruit and barbequeing, unless you talk me into it. I'm open to general opinions regarding methods on the subject; also interested in what typically goes well with it (like lamb and rosemary). I'm curious about a confit, and if you'd like me to post the possible recipes for discussion, I'd be more than happy to. Thanks in advance! [This message has been edited by cchiu (edited 11-21-2000).] [This message has been edited by cchiu (edited 11-21-2000).] Select All Posts By This User CChiu, It is not to often that I prepare breast of Goose, I prefere it whole roasted, Then you can cook it slowly. I would shy away from slow cooking the breast however ( very little fat) And do a pan roast. I do Duck Magret mohoganey (sp?)To clean the breast, First turn the flesh side up and remove any silver skin,being careful not to remove the tenderloin. Trim off any fat on the flesh side. Turn over so skin is up, Trim outer areas of the breast and look at the breast part that would be closer to the wish bone. The reason is the fat may be thicker there, if it is trim it to the same depth as the rear section. Take your knife and make a tic tac toe design on the fat side being sure not to go down all the way to the meat.Rub it with asian 5 spice powder, this will help it tenderize. Let masirate in the fridge four 3 hours. While in the fridge,take some mollassas, jack Danials,fresh ginger root a little salt and black pepper and mix in a bowl. Add the Goose to the marinade and let sit in the fridge for 1 more hour. Remove the breast and pat dry and place in a cool saute pan and render the fat ( skin side down) until deep brown and you see the fat jumping about. This should be done on medium heat as to not burn the sugars. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. After brown turn over the breast and cook for 3 minutes, place a piece of tin foil right on the breast. Not as a tent you don't want to steam it and place in the pre heated oven for about 15 minutes give or take after ten minutes in the oven remove the foil. Remove the Goose from the oven and let it sit for ten minutes or more to let the juices solidefy. slice very thinly on a bias. I serve this with mashed sweet potatoes with charred shallots and sauteed apples , Just a Idea. Happy cooking cc cchiu, Use fresh ginger root minced. If the bird is skinless (which I dought) Macarate for 1 1/2 hours istead of 3 hours and reduce maranade time by about half. If it is skinless do not use a cool pan use a medium high tempature,make sure it is preheated. Now at this time pat the breat dry put two tablespoons each butter and canola oil,wait until the butter stops bubbling and put the breast is the pan. Be sure to drap it away from you (toward the rear of the pan) so you don't splatter on yourself, cook for about 3 or 4 minutes on each side then place in the preheated oven for 5 minutes no foil.If you take your pointer finger and touch the fatty ball below your thumb as you move it closer to the center of the base of your hand it will go from soft to firm when the breast feels about what your hand feels like mid way to the center it is done pull it out lest rest and slice cc All right cape chef. That last response right there may tip me into going for it! Now, let me break this down, please note that I am not good at "a little of this and a little of that " which is why I'm a better baker. Also. I will be travelling to their family's house about 2 hours away and my not have access to the net so I need to be clear on everything before I go. AND, I just called and currently can't get ahold of anyone to verify whether the breast has skin or not. It was a trade between hunters, fish for goose. So I need to know what I happens if there is no skin because I realize this may affect the flavor and moistness. I'm going to write this like a recipe, could you please fill in the blanks, correct the quantities, instructions? Duck Magret Mahogany 1 breast of goose with skin [***** need provisions for without!!!!] 2T five-spice powder 1t ginger, minced (or grated? or microplaned?) 1t kosher salt 1t fresh ground pepper Preparation: 1. To clean breast, turn flesh side up and remove any silver skin, being careful not to remove the tenderloin. Trim off any fat on the flesh side. Turn skin side up, trim outer areas of the breast and look at the breast part that would be closer to the wish bone. (If the fat is thicker there, trim it to the same depth as the rear section.) 2. Take your knife and make a tic tac toe design on the fat side being sure not to go down all the way to the meat. Rub it with five-spice powder, to tenderize. Let macerate in fridge 3 hours. 3. In large bowl, mix mollassas, Jack Daniels, ginger, salt, and black pepper. 4. After macerated 3 hours, add Goose to marinade and let sit in the fridge for 1 more hour. 5. Preheat oven to 425º. Remove breast and pat dry, place in cool saute pan skin side down. Using medium heat (so as not to burn the sugars), cook until deep brown and you see the fat jumping. About 10 minutes. When brown turn over and cook 3 more minutes. 6. Cover breast with a piece of tin foil (Not as a tent - you don't want to steam it.). Put in oven about 15 minutes, removing foil after ten minutes. 8. Remove from oven and let rest ten minutes or more (this allows juices to solidify). 9. Slice very thinly on a bias. Enjoy! Select All Posts By This User You're probably right, Tyler, that XanderMac won't be able to tell by looking at them, because of unfamiliarity. But guys like you, me, and OldPro should have no problem. The flesh of Canadas is much darker than that of snow/blue geese and specks. Brant are about as dark. But considering that XM is in central Canada, it's doubtful that they are brants.   If the were specks, of course, I'd have to advise XM that they are bad for you, and should be carefully wrapped, chilled, and overnighted to me for proper disposal.   Swan and Canada goose meat could be confused. But, from a size perspective, there's no question if they are swan breasts.   I don't have enough experience with them to know for sure, but my impression is that sandhills are about the same color as snow geese. That is, somewhat paler than Canadas.   From a cooking viewpoint, none of this matters, as they should all be handled pretty much the same. The key: Beware of overcooking. Edited by KYHeirloomer - 12/1/10 at 7:01am They have taken the oath of the brother in blood, in leavened bread and salt. Rudyard Kipling
Goose
In the Christian calendar the 1st of January is traditionally a feast celebrating Christ's what?
I have two goose breasts... any ideas? New Posts   All Forums:Forum Nav: I have two goose breasts... any ideas? My potential brother-in-law just arrived from Michigan and brought with him two Canadian goose breasts which are frozen and waiting to be savoured. Never had goose before. I hear it's very good. I don't know if we're going to have them Thursday for Thanksgiving or Friday. I am hoping some of you will be able to provide me with a tried recipe or a credible source from which to obtain one that you are familiar with. I've been searching on the net for recipes (no surprise to some), but I'd like to try suggestions from someone here. I'd prefer it to be extremely tender, succulent, and pleasantly flavorful. Not too gamey, not overpowered by spices but enhanced by them by preferrably a marinade and/or slow roasting/cooking or broiling. I'd like to avoid excessive fruit and barbequeing, unless you talk me into it. I'm open to general opinions regarding methods on the subject; also interested in what typically goes well with it (like lamb and rosemary). I'm curious about a confit, and if you'd like me to post the possible recipes for discussion, I'd be more than happy to. Thanks in advance! [This message has been edited by cchiu (edited 11-21-2000).] [This message has been edited by cchiu (edited 11-21-2000).] Select All Posts By This User CChiu, It is not to often that I prepare breast of Goose, I prefere it whole roasted, Then you can cook it slowly. I would shy away from slow cooking the breast however ( very little fat) And do a pan roast. I do Duck Magret mohoganey (sp?)To clean the breast, First turn the flesh side up and remove any silver skin,being careful not to remove the tenderloin. Trim off any fat on the flesh side. Turn over so skin is up, Trim outer areas of the breast and look at the breast part that would be closer to the wish bone. The reason is the fat may be thicker there, if it is trim it to the same depth as the rear section. Take your knife and make a tic tac toe design on the fat side being sure not to go down all the way to the meat.Rub it with asian 5 spice powder, this will help it tenderize. Let masirate in the fridge four 3 hours. While in the fridge,take some mollassas, jack Danials,fresh ginger root a little salt and black pepper and mix in a bowl. Add the Goose to the marinade and let sit in the fridge for 1 more hour. Remove the breast and pat dry and place in a cool saute pan and render the fat ( skin side down) until deep brown and you see the fat jumping about. This should be done on medium heat as to not burn the sugars. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. After brown turn over the breast and cook for 3 minutes, place a piece of tin foil right on the breast. Not as a tent you don't want to steam it and place in the pre heated oven for about 15 minutes give or take after ten minutes in the oven remove the foil. Remove the Goose from the oven and let it sit for ten minutes or more to let the juices solidefy. slice very thinly on a bias. I serve this with mashed sweet potatoes with charred shallots and sauteed apples , Just a Idea. Happy cooking cc cchiu, Use fresh ginger root minced. If the bird is skinless (which I dought) Macarate for 1 1/2 hours istead of 3 hours and reduce maranade time by about half. If it is skinless do not use a cool pan use a medium high tempature,make sure it is preheated. Now at this time pat the breat dry put two tablespoons each butter and canola oil,wait until the butter stops bubbling and put the breast is the pan. Be sure to drap it away from you (toward the rear of the pan) so you don't splatter on yourself, cook for about 3 or 4 minutes on each side then place in the preheated oven for 5 minutes no foil.If you take your pointer finger and touch the fatty ball below your thumb as you move it closer to the center of the base of your hand it will go from soft to firm when the breast feels about what your hand feels like mid way to the center it is done pull it out lest rest and slice cc All right cape chef. That last response right there may tip me into going for it! Now, let me break this down, please note that I am not good at "a little of this and a little of that " which is why I'm a better baker. Also. I will be travelling to their family's house about 2 hours away and my not have access to the net so I need to be clear on everything before I go. AND, I just called and currently can't get ahold of anyone to verify whether the breast has skin or not. It was a trade between hunters, fish for goose. So I need to know what I happens if there is no skin because I realize this may affect the flavor and moistness. I'm going to write this like a recipe, could you please fill in the blanks, correct the quantities, instructions? Duck Magret Mahogany 1 breast of goose with skin [***** need provisions for without!!!!] 2T five-spice powder 1t ginger, minced (or grated? or microplaned?) 1t kosher salt 1t fresh ground pepper Preparation: 1. To clean breast, turn flesh side up and remove any silver skin, being careful not to remove the tenderloin. Trim off any fat on the flesh side. Turn skin side up, trim outer areas of the breast and look at the breast part that would be closer to the wish bone. (If the fat is thicker there, trim it to the same depth as the rear section.) 2. Take your knife and make a tic tac toe design on the fat side being sure not to go down all the way to the meat. Rub it with five-spice powder, to tenderize. Let macerate in fridge 3 hours. 3. In large bowl, mix mollassas, Jack Daniels, ginger, salt, and black pepper. 4. After macerated 3 hours, add Goose to marinade and let sit in the fridge for 1 more hour. 5. Preheat oven to 425º. Remove breast and pat dry, place in cool saute pan skin side down. Using medium heat (so as not to burn the sugars), cook until deep brown and you see the fat jumping. About 10 minutes. When brown turn over and cook 3 more minutes. 6. Cover breast with a piece of tin foil (Not as a tent - you don't want to steam it.). Put in oven about 15 minutes, removing foil after ten minutes. 8. Remove from oven and let rest ten minutes or more (this allows juices to solidify). 9. Slice very thinly on a bias. Enjoy! Select All Posts By This User You're probably right, Tyler, that XanderMac won't be able to tell by looking at them, because of unfamiliarity. But guys like you, me, and OldPro should have no problem. The flesh of Canadas is much darker than that of snow/blue geese and specks. Brant are about as dark. But considering that XM is in central Canada, it's doubtful that they are brants.   If the were specks, of course, I'd have to advise XM that they are bad for you, and should be carefully wrapped, chilled, and overnighted to me for proper disposal.   Swan and Canada goose meat could be confused. But, from a size perspective, there's no question if they are swan breasts.   I don't have enough experience with them to know for sure, but my impression is that sandhills are about the same color as snow geese. That is, somewhat paler than Canadas.   From a cooking viewpoint, none of this matters, as they should all be handled pretty much the same. The key: Beware of overcooking. Edited by KYHeirloomer - 12/1/10 at 7:01am They have taken the oath of the brother in blood, in leavened bread and salt. Rudyard Kipling
i don't know
According to biblical tradition the three 'magi' (wise men or kings) came from the?
Three Wise Men: What were their names? | Bibleinfo.com Home » Bible Questions » Three Wise Men: What were their names? Three Wise Men: What were their names? We really don’t know the names of the magi because the Bible doesn’t tell us. In fact, the Bible is silent on how many wise men visited Jesus. However, tradition has it that the three wise men who came to seek and honor the infant Jesus were named Gaspar, Balthasar, and Melchior. Browse: Was Jesus Born on December 25? The three wise men, also known as magi, were men belonging to various educated classes. Our English word magician comes from this same root. But these wise men were not magicians in the modern sense of sleight-of-hand performers. They were of noble birth, educated, wealthy, and influential. They were philosophers, the counselors of rulers, learned in all the wisdom of the ancient East. The wise men who came seeking the Christ child were not idolaters; they were upright men of integrity. They had apparently studied the Hebrew Scriptures and found there a clear transcript of truth. In particular, the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament must have claimed their attention, and among these they found the words of Balaam: “A Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel” (Numbers 24:17, NKJV). They certainly were acquainted with the prophecy of Micah: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel” (Micah 5:2, NKJV; see also Matthew 2:5, 6). They probably also knew and understood the time prophecy of Daniel regarding the appearance of the Messiah (see Daniel 9:25, 26) and came to the conclusion that His coming was near. On the night of Christ’s birth, a mysterious light appeared in the sky which became a luminous star that persisted in the western heavens (see Matthew 2:1, 2). Impressed with its import, the wise men turned once more to the sacred scrolls. As they tried to understand the meaning of the sacred writings, they determined to go in search of the Messiah. Like Abraham, they knew not at first where they were to go, but followed as the guiding star led them on their way. Gifts of the three wise men The tradition that there were three wise men arose from the fact that the Bible mentions three gifts, gold frankincense and myrrh according to Matthew 2:11. Howerver, the Bible doesn’t say how many wise men made the journey to see the baby Jesus. The unfounded idea that they were also kings came from the imagery of Isaiah 60:3.  
East
What is an interface, a side, a logistics facility, and a geographically protected drink name?
Biblical Magi - The THREE KINGS Mysteries - YouTube Biblical Magi - The THREE KINGS Mysteries Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. The interactive transcript could not be loaded. Loading... Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Published on Dec 9, 2014 Biblical Magi - 3 KINGS, 3 WISE MAN Mysteries The Biblical Magi, also referred to as the (Three) Wise Men or (Three) Kings were, in the Gospel of Matthew and Christian tradition, a group of distinguished foreigners who visited Jesus after his birth, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They are regular figures in traditional accounts of the nativity celebrations of Christmas and are an important part of Christian tradition. According to Matthew, the only one of the four Canonical gospels to mention the Magi, they came "from the east" to worship the "king of the Jews". Although the account does not mention the number of people "they" or "the Magi" refers to, the three gifts has led to the widespread assumption that there were three men. In Eastern Christianity, especially the Syriac churches, the Magi often number twelve. Their identification as kings in later Christian writings is probably linked to Psalms 72:11, "May all kings fall down before him". Category
i don't know
What's the traditional name for a cockerel or rooster that's been castrated, to improve the quality of its meat?
To Cut or Not? | Sugar Mountain Farm Sugar Mountain Farm Posted on Friday, November 11th, 2005 @ 20:27 by Walter Jeffries This is a posting I have hesitated to make. It delayed me from making a post yesterday. I have hesitated because I fear that fanatical anti-farming groups like People Eating Tasty Animals, they who shall not be named or something like that, will try and take this posting and abuse my words for their own ends. Undoubtedly I will also ruffle some feathers and spill some soup. This is not a posting to read over dinner. Down in the lower right of that photo is the east end of a westward boar. He is missing nothing. Adult boars put even the most evangelitical sex spammer to shame. Traditionally in our culture male pigs, which are called boars if they have the balls, are castrated at a young age, that is to say cut, de-nutted, neutered, fixed*, relieved of the family jewels, etc. In a nutshell, they get their balls cut off. This turns the boar into a barrow in two fell swoops of the knife. The reason for this process is that when boars come of age and start noticing pretty girl pigs as more than play mates, they release hormones that in some cases, can eventually flavor their pork with a rank ‘boar taint’ that people find objectionable. It is also argued by some that cutting the boars will make them more docile and safer to work with. This done for bulls, rams and roosters for the same reasons. No balls, no hormones. Let’s start by examining the aggression issue. First of all, market pigs are slaughtered before they get far into puberty. Aggression is not an issue for them. Secondly, consider those who do get to puberty: they are to become real boars for breeding who thus must keep their family jewels intact. For these fellows, if you properly, gently handle them when you are raising them they are calm and gentle animals in almost all cases. I say almost because somewhere out there is an aggressive animal to argue the point. We have never had a bad boar. We borrowed several boars which we did not raise and they were all gentlemen. Those that we have raised were even more so. Any that are not gentle should be culled – You do not want to breed aggression into your livestock. We have a firm policy that the mean make meals and right quick. How you raise and handle the animal is the largest determinant in how it will behave. Getting back to the taste of the matter… How bad is boar taint? Some people swear it is the worst thing they’ve ever smelled, that “it makes the whole house uninhabitable forever if you cook boar meat in the kitchen.” I suspect that is a bit of an exaggeration even in the worst of cases. Some people say the same thing for roosters, rams and other livestock. I differ. Sponsoring Ads: My own personal experience with young boars and rams, under nine months old, is that there is no boar taint even if you keep them in with the females. I have yet to eat a male older than that so I can’t personally comment beyond that point. Archie, a farmer I know a bit north of us, says that even with a big boar if you just set it apart from the females for a month then the meat tastes fine – he’s eaten three year old boars weighing in at as much as 1,062 pounds(!) and I’m inclined to believe him given that he’s raised pigs for over 30 years. When Archie speaks, I listen – he knows what he’s talking about. We eat roosters, up to age two or three, all the time and they are delectable. There is no taint nor are they tough. Mean ones get eaten earlier so that is never a problem. They do tend to have less fat than younger birds and hens but the meat is still tender. Since they have so little fat in their lean meat, I marinade them for 48 hours to make them juicier, which is wise with any meat to pass the rigor mortis phase – with larger livestock you hang and chill the meat often for weeks – same thing. There was a very interesting Brazilian study done on this topic. The report, published in December of 2000 at Conferência Virtual Internacional sobre Qualidade de Carne Suína by Jerônimo Antônio Fávero concluded that boar taint was avoidable without castration. The purpose of this study was to enact new standards in Brazil for the slaughter of “Entire Male Pigs” that is to say boars. You can checkout the original research paper in English if you like (the article is unfortunately gone from that link but I have a copy if needed) but here is a very short summary for those not interested in reading the whole thing: “The maximum weight of the dressed carcass will be 73 kg without the head (equivalent to approximately 100 kg live weight), with a maximum age of 160 days. Up to these weight and age limits, all carcasses do not need to be submitted to any kind of test for boar taint.” For the metrically challenged of us here in the USA, 100kg equals 220 lbs, which is a typical market weight pig. The point being that up to a certain age none of the male pigs show boar taint. They also identified the exact cause of boar taint as being “due to the presence of high levels of androsterone and skatol.” If you’re interested in reading more on the chemistry, check out this Penn State research article “Pigs in Paradise” by David Pacchioli and this European article . It suggests that it may even be possible to breed pigs that have low levels of the problematic chemicals and indeed other research suggests that some pigs are more likely to show boar taint than others. Perhaps there are even differences between breeds. Interestingly, boar taint can also happen in female pigs on occassion . These articles also mentions some alternatives to castration to prevent boar taint such as feeding chicory root at a rate of 25% of feed intake – results are apparent in three days. Some of these articles mention possible vaccination against hormonal development but that has it’s own problems as they discuss. There are significant costs to cutting for the person raising the pigs and for the consumer. Often the producer is the consumer out in rural areas so the cost does not get passed on but absorbed. Several studies show , and my experience bears this out, that barrows grow about 10% slower than boars on average and they are fattier than boars. Note that the focus is on growing meat, not bone or fat. Likewise down the scale are gilts, young female pigs, who grow again about 10% slower than barrows making them even slower growing than boars. This is not to say you won’t have the occasional barrow or gilt who outgrows a boar, but on average over many animals it has found to be the case that the intact males win the race to market. This results in more time and more feed being needed bring the barrow up to market weight than if he hadn’t been cut. If you’re feeding the pig commercial grains then that matters since every day it eats it costs you money. It also means that instead of taking 160 days to grow to market weight the pig will take 176 days for example. The time doesn’t usually matter to most of us small farmers and back yard home pig raisers but the added grain cost does mount up. An extra 16 days at 4 lbs/day is 64 lbs or about $10 in feed required for the barrows to catch up with the boars. On commercial operation s where they only profit $4 per hundred weight that could be the difference between profit and loss. Just to confuse the matter I have read one study in Australia that said there is no significant difference in growth. I don’t know what the exact reason for that is but it mixes the equation just a little. However this study does point out that the feed intake is still higher for the barrows resulting in a higher piglet to market cost and the meat is fattier as well reducing the actual meat yield. The cutting also costs the pig – the barrows go through a bit of a traumatic experience having their balls cut off and there is the risk of infection like with any surgery. We use clean instruments and iodine so we have never had a problem with that but it is a risk. Unfortunately you can’t use an elasti-bander or other tourniquet method like you can with sheep or cows since the boar’s testicles don’t hang down from his body like a man’s do. Instead, cutting is required and the term is very descriptive. Think about that image a moment… Worse yet is caponizing which is done to roosters to make them capons. Caponizing requires abdominal surgery which is more akin to spaying than neutering. Lastly, cutting costs the pig breeder. It is a very labor intensive and an unpleasant task. I’ll tell you right off, the farmer does not enjoy the process. The pigs don’t enjoy it. They are scared, may bite, thrash and get an unpleasant association with the person doing the process. The person doing the holding or cutting can get cut as well, although hopefully not in that place. All around it is not a fun time for anyone involved. This whole process is very cultural. In some countries they do not castrate their pigs, sheep, bulls or roosters. On the flip side, markets in other countries like Singapore and Germany absolutely insist on castration. In some countries it is even required by law. Other countries have banned it like Norway. So why do we still do it? Because customers demand it. People are afraid of boar taint in the meat. They’re worried that the boars will be overly aggressive. I understand their fear. They’re buying piglets and want to maximize their chances of success. No balls = no taint. The equation is simple. I hope that education may change tradition. If you raise boars away from females and slaughter them at a young age then they don’t start releasing large amounts of the tainting chemicals into their blood stream. They’ll grow faster than barrows would saving you money on feed as well as labor. The boars will also be more efficient at putting on muscle so they will have healthier, leaner meat. If you treat them well they should not be aggressive, the last reason given for castrating. The pig benefits – it gets a less stressful life. You benefit – you pay less for feed and get a quicker growing animal that hasn’t been stressed as much. It’s a win-win. That was probably more than you wanted to know about the annual pig ball. I bring this topic up because I view the castration process as unnecessary and hope that people might start moving away from it to a more humane management of the pigs they raise. This would benefit the pig, the farmer and the consumer.   Pastured Pigs & Pork Our family raises pigs on pasture in the mountains of Vermont and delivers weekly to stores, restaurants and individuals. We have our own state inspected on-farm butcher shop where we cut our own pork and make sausages. Look for our label in stores and restaurants... We hope you enjoy our pastured pork! Pastured pork , piglets , roasters , half & whole pigs available direct via our CSA and at local stores & restaurants . A Favor Please… If you enjoy my blog please do me the favor of making links to articles you enjoy and to my blog's main page at http://SugarMtnFarm.com because links are what build the power of the web through sharing information. A year before
Capon
What creature is Equus africanus asinus?
Heraldry Clipart Symbolism Coat of Arms & Family Crests Store Heraldry Clipart Symbolism This summary of Heraldic Symbols was extracted from WWW.HERALDRYCLIPART.COM Visit them for Wonderful Clip Art for making your own coats of arms! Introduction The word Symbolism is defined as the practice of representing things by symbols, or of investing things with a symbolic meaning or character. Armorial Gold Heraldry Services attempts, in the spirit of the old armorists, to suggest the probable derivation of some of the more ancient symbols, the origin of which may perhaps have been forgotten by the families who still display them. Heraldry in its present form, commenced to be displayed in the early part of the twelfth century, but many of its figures and symbols were derived from remote ages, and of these some appear to have come from Mythological beliefs from as far back as the Egyptians, with many from ancient Rome, Greece, the Druids and Celts and many more historic cultures, too numerous to mention. Then came many symbols from the crusades and of the military and civil life of that period. After these came certain merchants� marks, and figures emblematical of the arts, agriculture, and the chase (the hunt). Some figures and devices were introduced with the sole intent of shadowing forth the bearer�s surname; these are called �canting or punning arms�, ie: a fish for FISHER, or an arrow for ARCHER or a Crane for CRANE etc. Tournaments brought into regular heraldry many devices that had been gloriously borne in those brilliant pageants, and successful wars contributed numerous decorations to the personal insignia of the victors. A later and more learned age derived fresh symbols from classic story. Symbolism has become interwoven with history and daily life of our race for at least 8 centuries. What is now deniable, has to be charitably accepted as having been credible and estimable in those enlightened ages, when the crudest ideas gained acceptance among the highest intellects and foremost heroes of whom the world could boast. It is only by taking a broad-minded view of the limitations of knowledge in the past, that one can derive pleasure from the study of ancient armoury. Coats of arms were in general use long before surnames became fixed; and it may be remarked that surnames are themselves often symbols, whilst the earliest form of writing was nothing but a methodized symbolism. A synoptic from: �A Treatise on the Meaning and Derivations of Armorial Bearing� by W. Cecil Wade, first edition manuscript 1898. Milton said it best when he wrote: �And if aught else great bards beside In sage and solemn tunes sung, Of turneys, and of trouble hung, Of forests, and enchantments drear, Where more is meant than meets the ear.� CHAPTER ONE-THE LIVING ALERION: An eagle displayed (wings spread) but without beak or claws; denoted one who was injured in a war and thus was prevented from fully asserting his power. ANGEL: According to Dionysius the Areopagite, angels were divided into nine orders: Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones, in the first circle, Dominions, Virtues, and Powers, in the second circle, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels, in the third circle. They denote dignity, glory, virtue and honour; missionary; bearer of joyful intelligence. ANT: Denotes great labour, wisdom, and providence in one's affairs; diligence and industriousness. ANTELOPE (heraldic): A mythical beast with the body of a stag, the tail of a unicorn, a tusk at the tip of the nose, tufts down the back of the neck, chest, and thighs. One of the most ferocious of beasts, wild and untamable. Beware to all beholders. ANTELOPE: The word comes from Medieval Latin anthalopus and from Late Greek antholops. It was only the Egyptian elite who was allowed to hunt various species of Antelope and Ibex and considered them magical, and even had amulets made in their shapes. In Heraldry, Antelopes seem to appear more often in the arms of royalty but not exclusively so. The symbol represents action, agility and sacrifice and a very worthy guardian that is not easily provoked, but can be fierce when challenged. In Sumerian mythology, the antelope was both a lunar and solar animal. As a solar creature it was sacred to the God Ea who was sometimes called Ea-Onnes ("the antelope of Apsu and of creation") and the God Marduk. In its lunar form the antelope or gazelle was sacred to the Goddess Astarte. In Egyptian Lore, this animal represented Osiris and Horus, but was also sacred to the Goddess Isis, and it was sacrificed to the desert God Set. In most of Asia Minor the antelope was considered to be a lunar animal and associated with the Great Mother. In India it was an emblem of Shive, the chariots of Chandra. ARM (bare): Signifies a labourious and industrious person. ASS: The ass has enjoyed a marked favour above all other beasts of burden in many ancient countries. In Heraldry times it was the symbol of patience, peace and humility. BAT: Has strong associations with darkness and obscurity, as a creature of the night. In Christian terms, the bat is viewed as "the bird of the devil" an incarnation of the Prince of Darkness. The bat is a symbol of the challenge to release the old and create the new - death and rebirth. They symbolize the facing of fears - entering the dark on the way to the light. BEAR: A creature of enormous strength yet it survives on fruit and fish. Their habit of hibernation during winter months has held the Bear as a symbol of resurrection for hundreds of years. It was the royal emblem for the kingdoms of Persia and Russia, and the Celts considered the Bear the symbol of the great warrior; it is associated with Arctic of Muri, the Celtic Goddess of the bear cult who was usually depicted in the form of a Bear. It is said to be betoken on one who possessed policy equal to its great strength and it is also the emblem of ferocity in the protection of kindred. In Heraldry, the Bear is most often depicted muzzled. In Scandinavia, there was a firm belief in the ability of some people to change into or assume the characteristics of bears. Our English word "berserk" comes from this legend. It was thought that if a warrior was to don a bearskin shirt (called a bear-sark) which had been treated with oils and herbs, that the warrior would gain the strength, stamina, and power of the animal. BEAVER: Once treasured for its fur, the Beaver is known for its engineering feats. The first bearer was likely one of industry, of acute adeptness and unrelenting perseverance. Beavers are known to keep busy year round building, repairing, and modifying dams and canals. These master builders have long been emblems of industry, cooperation, and community. The Beaver's work ethics helps to keep the entrances of his home under water making it more difficult for an invading predator. Since Beaver lodges have two entrances, they are reminders that when a door (an opportunity) is blocked, another usually presents itself. In Christian symbolism the Beaver represents chastity and the willingness to sacrifice anything that hinders one's walk with God. This icon is also a symbol of vigilance and self-sacrifice, and was often used in Heraldry as a symbol of protection and dedication. BEE: In Christian tradition, the Bee was the emblem of Christ, of his forgiveness (the sweetness of his honey), with his justice (through its sting), and Christian virtues, because of the exemplary way worker bees behave towards their queen. It is an ancient Minoan symbol of the soul; Melissa the bee is the symbol of the Goddess of Regeneration. It is also an ancient belief that bees were begotten of bulls. An emblem of Regal power (the Egyptians) the Bee denotes a well governed industry, resurrection, steadfastness and obedience. BIRD CLAW (or leg): Symbolizes that the 'preyer' upon others has been preyed upon. BLOODHOUND: Similar to a talbot and was representative of the hunt, the Bloodhound was introduced into Europe long before the Crusades, and was associated with the aristocracy and clergy. It is said that the clergy were responsible for the dog's careful breeding and purity of strain, and is why this hound was called "blooded hound," the hound of noble ancestry. Denotes pertinaciousness or one who perseveres in hunting the enemy and always being mindful of his foes. BOAR (WILD): Artemis, the goddess of hunting, is the most closely linked with the Wild Boar. Artemis was the virgin goddess of the moon and the twin sister of Apollo. The Wild Boar's strength, courage, and ferocity, made it a worthy adversary for the hunter. To the Celts, the Boar was an emblem of war and represented a fierce combatant when at bay, and it is said the Boar ceases fighting only with its life. In the ancient Celtic system the Boar is associated with the South and the element of Fire. It is connected with the life giving power of the sun. The Boar (and its not so wild cousin the pig), are probably the most important totem animals of the Gaelic Celts, particularly in terms of their connections with the Underworld (the mythological place of departed souls), as providers of spiritual nourishment. The Wild Boar symbol was often used as an armorial bearing of a warrior. When just the Boar's Head is used it signifies a token of hospitality; it was often the fee mentioned as due to the King as the condition of feudal tenure. BUCK (STAG): The Stag is the male deer; the male of the hind. As an emblem it is indicative of life (fabled to live over 1000 years), symbol of wisdom, regeneration and growth, and virility. Because its antlers resemble branches, the Stag has been associated with the 'Tree of Life' and because of the way it renews its antlers, it is used as a symbol of regeneration. During the middle Ages, the Stag was often shown with a crucifix between its horns where, in Christianity, it represented purity and solitude and was the enemy of Satan, the serpent. The Celts believed the Stag guided souls through the darkness (the world for departed souls). The stag also was associated with warriors and hunting in Celtic culture and in Greco-Roman mythology where it was an animal sacred to Artemis. In Buddhism, the golden stag represents knowledge and the Chinese regard it as a symbol of virility and happiness. Heraldic writers say of the Stag: "One who will not fight unless provoked, a lover of music and harmony who well foresees his times and opportunities". The Vikings used the stag as a symbol of royal status and the Romans used it as an icon of masculine values. BUFFALO (WATER): Buffalo is the name commonly applied to the American Bison but restricted to certain related African and Asian mammals of the cattle family, the Water Buffalo, or Indian Buffalo. It is a large, extremely strong, dark grey animal, standing nearly 6 ft at the shoulder and weighing up to 2,000 lbs. Its widely spread horns curve out and back in a semicircle and may reach a length of 6 ft. For many centuries it has been domesticated as a draft animal. Wild Water Buffalo are extremely fierce and have been known to kill fully- grown tigers. The water buffalo is a symbol of power, wealth, and comfort. Farmers have found them indispensable, and in many parts, water buffalo make human survival possible. BULL: This ancient symbol of valour and magnanimity represents male fertility, a fiery temperament, and a role as the dedicated father. The Bull was a sun-god in many cultures and was often used in Heraldry to denote kingly power. The Bull is equated with the god Thor (God of thunder, war, strength, and fertility of Norse mythology). Sin (the moon and vegetation-god of Mesopotamia mythology) is regarded as lord of the calendar and was depicted as riding on a winged Bull (his sacred ANIMAL). To the Celts, the Bull represented divine power and strength; to the Druids it was a symbol for the sun and the pro-creativity associated with its forces. The Bull played an important part in the symbolism of the Minoans; according to legend, King Minos had a son who was called the Minotaur because he was half Bull and half human. BULL'S HORNS: Denotes strength, power and fortitude; horns were used also as divine power. The bull's horns represented fertility of the earth, growth, and generation, analogous to spring, when the earth is fertile and everything is growing abundantly. Bulls were revered as the masculine counterpart to goddesses in the ancient Mediterranean. BUSTARD: A type of wild turkey aggressively hunted for its meat with the aid of greyhounds. The great or bearded bustard is the largest game bird in Europe weighing upwards of 25 lbs. and a metre tall. It inhabits the temperate regions of Europe and Asia, and was formerly common in Great Britain. An ancient emblem of Hungary and is symbolic of the hunt, and said to be betoken on one of noble prominence and grace. BUTTERFLY: The Greek emblem of Psyche or the Soul. The Soul, considered collectively, has the care of all that which is soulless, and it traverses the whole heaven, appearing sometimes in one form and sometimes in another. Butterflies represent frivolity, the soul's ascent to immortality, and freedom. CAMEL: Highly valued in Middle Eastern cultures and represents stamina, obedience, and temperance. It is a classical symbol of Arabia where it is regarded as ennobled by God. Prized by the Bedouin desert nomads, it was used as a beast of burden, for riding, and as a draught animal. "Kaswa, Al" was the name of Muhammad's favourite Camel. It fell on its knees when the prophet delivered the last clause of the Koran to the assembled multitude at Mecca. In ancient Persian texts and in the Zohar, the serpent in the Garden of Eden is said to have been a flying a dragon-camel; such Camels are also thought to be Eden's guards. A Camel was a sign of wealth in the ancient world; their rich trappings, even during the Renaissance, were used to indicate royalty and prosperity. The three wise men are usually shown riding Camels to Bethlehem where the beasts knelt to worship the Christ Child; according to legend, the wise men's Camels journeyed to Bethlehem without food, water, or rest in order to reach the Child in only twelve or thirteen days. CANNET: A duck without beak or legs. Signifies one who has to subsist by virtue and merit. The symbolism is suggested to be the same or similar to that of a 'martlet'. CAPON: A cockerel, castrated to improve the flesh for use as food. The Capon looks like a rooster but without wattles. It's been called a Capon since the times of the ancient Romans. Capon was the preferred course of ecclesiastic people and princes and is a symbol of hospitality and virtue. CAT (CAT-A-MOUNT): Represents a mountain or wild cat and signify liberty, vigilance, forecast, and courage. The Roman goddess of Liberty was represented as holding a cup in one hand, a broken sceptre in the other, and with a cat lying at her feet. No animal is so great an enemy to all constraint as a cat. Held in veneration by the Egyptians under the name of �lurus. This deity is represented with a human body and a cat's head. Diodorus tells us that whoever killed a cat, even by accident, was by the Egyptians punished by death. CHERUB: In Jewish, Christian, and Islamic literature, a celestial winged boy's head that, functions as a throne bearer of the deity. Derived from ancient Middle Eastern mythology. Denotes dignity, glory, and honour; symbol of a missionary; bearer of joyful news. CHOUGH (Cornish): A species of crow with red legs, called "the king of crows and was betoken on one manifesting military stratagems to the great disadvantage of his enemies. It is also said the Cornish Chough indicates one who is watchful for friends and kindred. COCK: A symbol of vigilance, and also an emblem of St. Peter. It denotes great courage, and as the herald of the dawn, it is often used as an emblem of watchfulness. It signifies a hero in the field or an able man in the senate. It is said the Cock, crows three times before the death of a person. As the Cock was always connected in symbolism with the sun gods of Death and Resurrection, it has found its appropriate place in the four Gospels in the prophecy about Peter repudiating his Master before the Cock crowed thrice. The Cock is the most magnetic and sensitive of all birds, hence its Greek name "alectruon". In the Zoroastrian Avesta, the Cock is called Parodarsh "he who foresees" the coming dawn, and is also termed the drum of the worlds, for he crows in the dawn that dazzles away the fiends of the Avesta: thus he shares with the dawn the honour of the victory. COCKATRICE: A heraldic monster with the head, beak, comb, wattles and legs of a cock, a barbed tongue and the wings, tail and body of a wyvern. It is said the Cockatrice is hatched from a cock's egg by a serpent. Since It had the "Medusa-like" gift of killing anything that looked upon it, the Cockatrice was often depicted as an emblem of protection and used by many who bore it to instil deadly fear on the enemy. It is mentioned in several passages of the bible and is the emblem of terror to all beholders. CONEY: Also known as the pika or mouse hare or rock rabbit, the Coney is an old world rabbit. 'Coney' is from the Hebrew 'shaphan' meaning "the hider", and is an animal that inhabits the mountain gorges and the rocky districts of Arabia and the Holy Land. It is about the size and colour of a rabbit, though appearing clumsier in structure has no tail and is not to be confused with a Rabbit or Hare. Its feet are not formed for digging, and therefore it has its home not in burrows but in the clefts of the rocks. It is quite likely that a scriptural reference to conies was intended. An often-quoted proverb says: "The Conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks" (Proverb. 30:26; Ps. 104:18). The proverb refers to the Coney's gregariousness and wisdom for he who realizes his weaknesses can better prepare to thwart his enemies; this strategy results in the weakness becoming the reason for his strength; one should never underestimate a Coney. CORBIE (THE RAVEN): The Raven was considered a symbol of virility or wisdom by many medieval cultures. An ancient Norse saga describes the use of Ravens by ocean navigators as guides to land, and Norse mythology describes Ravens as scouts for Odin. The Gaelic name for the raven is 'Bran,' also the name of a Celtic God; Bran offers initiation, protection, and the gift of prophecy. To the ancient Germanic tribes, Ravens were a symbol of sacrifice, for they were known for "receiving and rejoicing over sacrificial victims." The Raven was associated to thought and memory, and thus was a source of wisdom and prophetic knowledge, most particularly where such knowledge concerned omens of war. Like their relatives the crows, Ravens were known throughout Europe as death birds and otherworld messengers especially if you were doomed to die in battle. It is said that dead warriors on the battlefield were called 'feeders of ravens' in Skaldic verse. The all-powerful Viking leaders however, were known to bear the sign of the Raven upon their banners as a token of victory. Esteemed by the Romans and an ensign of the Danes, the Raven denotes prophetic counsel and is the sentinel of successful endeavours. A bearer using this device may have done so to commemorate a great battle or noted experience where a family member was killed. To the Christians, the Raven was a symbol of the Jews, of confession and of penance. COW: The Egyptian goddess Hathor was the goddess of fertility and agriculture and she was also known as the cow-goddess. In Norse mythology, the Cow was also a symbol of fertility and a symbol of the goodness that nourishes. It is also a symbol of the harvest. CRAB: Symbolizes force and energy expressed through emotions and imagination, and a desire to store memories and possessions. An ancient Zodiac symbol. CRANE: The word literally means long-shanks; it comes from the Welsh, gar, "the shanks" Garan is the long-shanked bird, contracted into g'ran, which eventually became 'crane'. Although sometimes confused with herons, cranes are more closely related to rails and limpkins. Cranes are known for their loud trumpeting call that can be heard for miles and for the rhythmic dances they perform during mating season, when both males and females can be seen jumping high into the air. The Crane symbol is said to be representative of long life, fidelity, grace, prosperity and peace. The ancient Greeks revered the Crane as a guide to Hades, the immortal kingdom of the dead. Legend has it that when the Greek poet Ibycus was murdered by unknown robbers, Cranes pointed to the killers by mysteriously circling over the head of one of the guilty. This old proverb has been referred to as 'The Cranes of Ibycus'. In mythology, they are often messengers for the gods, and are thought to have great intelligence and vigilance. The Crane is associated with the Greek Goddess Demeter (the Roman Ceres), goddess of the harvest, and also the Celtic god Pwyll, king of the underworld (the mythological place of departed souls). CROW (ROOK): The emblem of long life; a settled habitation and a quiet life. DESTRIER: The Knight's warhorse. This most valuable of the Knight's horses was bred exclusively for fighting, were almost twice the weight of a normal horse, very strong and extremely fierce; it is said they often used their hooves or teeth in battle. They were trained to walk rather than trot and would charge at a canter rather than at a gallop. A knight would only mount his Destrier for battle or tournament. For more casual use, the knight would ride his 'courser' for wayfaring journeys, and his 'palfrey' when leisure was the undertaking; preparedness for martial encounter; a valiant defender of the sovereign. DOLPHIN: In the times of heraldry the Dolphin was known as the king of fish. It is said that those who used it as a symbol had a fondness for music and that the emblem was one of charity and affection towards children and kindred. Often referred to as "The Sailor's Friend", Dolphins were judged from ancient times to be intelligent, skilful and devoted to saving lives. Romans used the Dolphin to signify the soul's journey across the sea of death to the Blessed Isles. The Christians began to use the image of the Dolphin as a specific symbol of Christ, the 'guide' of souls across the waters of death. The Dolphin was associated with many mythological gods including Eros (shown riding a Dolphin), Aphrodite (as well, riding a Dolphin), and Taras of Tarentum (shown on a Dolphin). Greek mythology abounds with tales revolving around the Dolphin, man's guiding light of the sea. The Dauphin of France used the Dolphin as his icon to represent protection for his fleet and salvation for his country. DOVE: A symbol of innocence, gentleness, and affection and in art and in the Scriptures, the symbol of the Holy Ghost. Ever since the Dove returned to Noah's ark carrying the olive branch, it has been considered the messenger of peace and a harbinger of good tidings. In church windows the seven rays proceeding from the Dove signify the seven gifts of the Holy Ghost. It also symbolises the human soul, and as such is represented coming out of the mouth of saints at death. The Slavs and Greeks pictured the human soul as a Dove, which helps to explains why Doves are found on some pagan monuments; Doves with human heads may be found on Greek tombs. Since the Dove was believed to be incapable of malice towards any creature, it is said that Jesus sent His disciples into the world after instructing them to "Be as wise as serpents and harmless as Doves". Over the centuries, the Dove has been used to represent many things. It is the emblem of temperance, the symbol of innocence, the token of inspiration, and the ensign of peace. The Dove also represents fidelity in marriage, chastity and patience in suffering. DUCK (the drake, sheldrake, wild duck, teal, mallard): Denotes a person of many resources. DRAGON: Its head is that of a serpent, with a forked tongue and ears. The body is that of a lion, but it is represented scaled, and the large wings are webbed and pointed, and resemble those of a bat. The legs are also scaled, and the feet are represented with webbed talons. The dragon is the most valiant of all living creatures because of his sharpness of sight and therefore it symbolizes the defender of treasure and worldliness. The Anglo-Saxon word "dragon" is derived from the Greek, "to see clearly", hinting at the Dragon's gift of prophecy. Although Dragons were often born out of destruction and chaos, the dragon to some cultures was an emblem of good fortune & perfection. Found in many cultures it became a symbol for volatility, the search for secret knowledge, finding your way through all things, Alchemy, the elements, eternal change, discovery of hidden treasures and the protector of all you possess. EAGLE: A noble device signifying a person of action, ever more occupied in high and weighty affairs, and one of lofty spirit, ingenious, speedy in apprehension, and judicious in matters of ambiguity; true magnanimity and fortitude of mind; a symbol of power and sovereignty. The Eagle also symbolizes courage, freedom, and immortality. It proudly served as an emblem of the might and unity of empire for Babylon, the Caesars, Charlemagne and many Holy Roman and Byzantine emperors as well as for Russian czars, Aztecs and Napoleon. The heraldic Eagle appeared in Persian and Egyptian battle ensigns and on the flags of the Roman legions. The Romans called the Eagle the "bird of Jove, and carried it on their standards, into battle. If a legion lost its Eagle, it was in disgrace until the Eagle could be recovered. It was the Roman custom to let an Eagle fly from the funeral pyre of a deceased emperor, bearing the god's soul to heaven after a period of earthly incarnation as the emperor. Early Christians honoured the Eagle as a symbol of hope, of strength and of Resurrection. The latter is based on the early belief that the Eagle, unlike other birds, periodically renewed its plumage and its youth by flying near the sun then plunging into the water. The majestic Eagle was central to many mythologies and sacred writings of humanity. The ancient Greeks revered the eagle as a symbol of the god of lightning, and it is said they nailed Eagles to the peaks of temples to serve as magic lightning rods; Scandinavian myths also associate the Eagle with lightning and storm. The Hittites (an ancient people living in Anatolia and northern Syria about 2000-1200 B.C) used the double Eagle as an emblem of sovereignty. EEL: (grigs) The symbol of fertility; illusiveness. ELEPHANT: This heraldic symbol denotes great strength, greater wit and greatest ambition. The Elephant was the ensign of Cyneus, king of Scythia, and Idomenes, king of Thessaly. Elephants are the bearers of kings and queens and so a symbol of royalty, prosperity, temperance, dignity, and power. In 250 BC, Pyrrhus, the king of Epirus (now North Albania), with an army of 25,000 men and 20 Elephants won a hard-fought victory over the Romans at Heraclea. At a crucial phase of the battle, Pyrrhus ordered his Elephants to charge and it was too much for the Roman legions. The Romans had never seen Elephants before and called them 'Lucanian Cows'. The Elephant was the totem animal of the god Shiva, the Destroyer, who seeks to banish illusion and to encourage a clearer perception of reality. ENFIELD: Mythical beast which has the head of a fox, the chest of a hound, the talons of an eagle, the body of a lion and the hindquarters and tail of a wolf; said to have protected fallen chieftains' bodies for proper burial. ERMINE: The fur most frequently used in heraldry. It derives its name from the Ermine or 'mus Armenicus' (so call from being found in the woods of Armenia), a small white animal whose fur it is. The black spots are supposed to represent the tails of ermines, sewed to the white fur for its enrichment; a symbol of dignity. EYE: It is generally a symbol of the watchful and protective power of the Supreme Being; also providence in government. FALCON: Is derived from the Latin falx, meaning sickle, a reference to the Falcon's wing shape in flight. Egyptians associated the Falcon with the 'Eye of Horus'. The god Horus was believed to appear in the form of Pharaoh's Falcon or as a Falcon-headed god. The mythology states he could see everything at once because one eye was the sun and the other was the moon. It is written that Falcons were permitted to ride on Pharaoh's nape as his protector and divine spirit. Falcons were used in a royal sport known as falconry. Is the art of training Falcons (or hawks) to pursue and attack wild fowl or game; falconry started in ancient China and Persia and soon became prevalent with the royals of ancient Egypt; the Falcon was associated with the Egyptian sun god 'RA' and later the Christians adopted it as an emblem of the saviour. A venerable symbol of majesty and power, heraldic writers add that the Falcon denotes someone eager, or hot in the pursuit of an object much desired; if seated on its 'rest' or perch it may signify a bearer who is ready and serviceable for high affairs. FLAMING HEART: The Heart is a symbol of charity and a flaming heart (heart flammant) denotes ardent affection. FLY: Beelzebub, the God of Flies was considered the patron deity of medicine and was supposed to ward off flies from his votaries; he was one of the gods of the Philistines. The Greeks had a similar deity, Zeus Apomyios; symbol of adventurousness. FOX: In pre-Christian times the Fox was seen as a symbol of the gods of the forests and mountains. This changed in Christian times, to where the Fox was seen as a demonic creature. The Fox appears extensively in myth and fable; it is one of the great tricksters. It was associated with Enki, the Sumerian god (lord of abundance), and Bacchus, god of wine as he considered the Fox the protector of the vines. In Japan, it is a "Spirit of Rain" and an attribute of the rice deity Indari. Synonymous with the terms: tod, reynard or a genet, the Fox is the most famous of tricksters and signifies one who will use all that he may possess of wisdom and wit in his own defence, and denotes one of strategic talents and fertility of resources. FROG (toads, tadpoles, and powets): In ancient Egypt, frogs were regarded as a symbol of fertility. The frog became the symbol of Hefnu. Soon Heket, the water goddess, had the head of a frog. The grateful Egyptians wore frogs as talismans to attract her favours of fruitfulness and fertility. A symbol of resurrection; one easily stirred up to anger whereunto he is naturally prone of himself. GAD-FLY (gad-bee, horse fly): A fly that so stings the cattle as to make them gad or run madly about; it makes a humming noise when flying and has a sting both great and stiff. May denote one who should never be underestimated because of the size of his army or his physical stature. GAMB (Jambe): The fore-leg of a lion, bear or other beast, from the knee joint; if couped or erased near the middle joint, it is called paw. Ancient symbolism signified that the bearer needed only a show a glimpse of his strength to the enemy, for this enemy to surmise the wholeness of his ferocity. GOAT: The Goat-Gods Pan and Dionysius in Greek Mythology represent the forest and unbridled nature; lust in the case of Pan, and drinking and fertility in the case of Dionysius. The Goat is said to signify one who wins through politics and wit rather than war and confrontation. The Goat was a popular symbol in Christian art for the damned. This symbolism was based upon Christ's depiction of Himself at the Last Judgment as a shepherd dividing his sheep from the Goats. The constellation known as Capricornus is one of the oldest of the astrological interpretations. Saturn rules it and its symbol is the Goat. Deities associated with Goats include Aphrodite (Greek goddess of love, beauty and fertility, and the protectress of sailors) who rode Goats, Artemis (the virgin goddess of the hunt) to whom Goats were sacrificed, and Agni the Vedic (Hindu) fire-god who rides a Goat. The baby Zeus was hidden in a cave and suckled by a female Goat named Amalthea. The Goat is said to be the emblem of the martial man and is an icon representing perseverance and vitality. GOOSE (grey-lag, wild goose, gander): A symbol of resourcefulness; an Egyptian symbol of vanity; an ancient military symbol of imminent victory. GRASSHOPPER (locust): Denotes nobility and wisdom; paintings of the Christ child holding a grasshopper are symbolic of the conversion of the Gentiles; the locust, on the other hand, was the symbol of a destroyer or great warrior. GREYHOUNDS: Are one of the oldest breeds of dogs, and appear in art and literature throughout history. The breed was developed nearly 5,000 years ago in Egypt. Known in England before the 9th century, the Greyhound was bred and raised by the aristocracy. For 700 years it was illegal under English law for a commoner to own a Greyhound. It was used to hunt small game, especially hares. In ancient Egypt the Greyhound were not only companions, but they were revered and almost worshipped; they were cherished so much that a birth of one was second in importance only to the birth of a human boy. When a pet Greyhound died the entire family mourned by shaving their heads, fasting and crying. When Greyhounds died, they were buried, mummified, and placed in the tomb of their owner. Often the tombs were decorated with figures of favourite Greyhounds. Greek mythological figures were often portrayed with Greyhounds and Hecate, goddess of wealth, is often shown with a Greyhound. The same is true for Pollux, protector of the hunt. The ancient Romans also had an appreciation of the Greyhound; their Gods and Goddesses, were shown with Greyhounds. The middle ages were a time of famine, and the Greyhound almost became extinct. The clergymen saved them from starvation and bred them for noblemen. The Greyhound is said to denote majesty, courage, vigilance, swiftness and loyalty, and they were emblematic of nobility. GRIFFIN: This chimerical creature has the head, wings, and talons of an eagle with the body of a lion, and is said expressed the ideal combination of swiftness, strength and intelligence. Historically the Griffin has been emblematic of valour, vigilance and death defying bravery. Guillim, an often quoted heraldic writer says this about the Griffin: " sets forth the property of a valorous soldier whose magnanimity is such that he will dare all dangers, and even death itself, rather than become captive." This creature is as old as the time of the Phoenicians, was sacred to the sun, and kept guard over hidden treasures. It is symbolic of watchfulness, courage, perseverance, and rapidity of execution. In legend, the creature was a symbol of superbia (arrogant pride), because Alexander the Great was said to have tried to fly on the backs of Griffins to the edge of the sky. During the middle Ages, Christian nobles searched for Griffin's eggs or "grypeseye" which they mounted and used for cups, believing they brought health to any beverage. HADDOCK: In Scotland the haddock is considered to be a very lucky fish. It is thought that the faith, in the attributes of the haddock, are as a result of the belief that this is the very fish that was chosen to feed many people. Black spots can be seen around the gills, which were said to indicate the places were Christ held the fish as He distributed them to the people as told in the parable of the 'Feeding of the Five Thousand'; signifies good fortune and bountifulness. HARPY: A mythical beast with the face and breasts of a virgin, the body, wings and talons of a vulture. In this mythology they are known as 'snatchers' and although found mostly in German heraldry, it will also be found used in other countries. The German name for it is 'Jungfraunadler' and the symbol is notoriously present in the shield of the Rietbergs, Princes of Ost-Friesland. In heraldry it is said they signify one ferocious when provoked. In Greek mythology the Harpy was an implement of vengeance and also symbolized justice. Originally created to signify the horror and fury of the storm, the Harpy has been delivered to us always as a symbol of sudden death and is to some, a symbol of the feminine principle. According to Greek legend there was actually three Harpies, Aello, Ocypete, and Celaeno. They were the children of the sea god Thaumas and the gods used them as their tools of justice to keep their faithful obedient. Should one go against the will of the gods, the Harpies would be dispatched, fly over the offender, attack and violate them, tear them apart and then eat them. HEAD: (Saxons, Saracens, Turks, Moors, Blackamoors, Savages, Maidens, Infants etc.) A Human Head stands for honour, there are many variations; a Saracen's head represents a Bedouin tribe from Sinai, the term was more generally applied to Arabs and Muslims during the Crusades and may denote one who fought in the Crusades against this tribe. A Saxon on the other hand was a member of a West Germanic tribal group that inhabited northern Germany and invaded Britain in the fifth and sixth centuries A.D. with the Angles and Jutes, and the head may symbolize some great battle against them. In the middle Ages, the Europeans called all Mahometans (Muslims) Moors, in the same manner as the Eastern nations called all inhabitants of Europe Franks. HIGHLANDERS: Were from a mountainous region in Northern Scotland. Famous for its rugged beauty, it consists roughly of that part of Scotland north of the imaginary line from Dumbarton to Stonehaven, excluding the Orkneys, the Shetlands, and lower coastal areas. The Scottish Highlanders were regiments of the British army, originally recruited in the Highlands of Scotland; among them are the First Battalion Royal Highlanders, founded in 1729, commonly called the Black Watch, and the Gordon Highlanders, founded in 1787 by George Gordon, 5th duke of Gordon (1770-1836). The Highlanders (as a people) are of Celtic descent, and a small number of them still speak Gaelic, an ancient Celtic language. In early days, the ruggedness of the land led to the separation of the Highlanders into small groups called clans. A chief rules each clan, and the members of a clan claimed descent from a common ancestor. The traditional garment of the Highland clansmen is the kilt, which is suitable for climbing the rough hills. The Highland soldier is representative of an unbreakable spirit, is an emblem of bravery and an icon of courage. HEDGEHOG: It collects its stores for the winter with its prickles and is symbolic of a provident provider. HERON: A symbol of contemplation, vigilance, divine wisdom, and inner quietness. Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, employed a Heron as one of her divine messengers; symbol of righteousness; Herons are images of the eternal struggle of good against evil. HERRING: Seems to be found borne principally on shields of families with phonetically similar names. An ancient fable does though state that if the first herring picked out were female the nets would be full for the rest of the year, with good health and financial security ensured for the families of the fishermen; hospitality and abundance. Eating a herring in three mouthfuls including the bones with salt was once believed to induce visions of the future. HIND: A female stag; symbol of peace and harmony. See Buck. HORSE: the Mitanni and the Hittites used Warhorses and chariots in Anatolia, in Syria by about 1600 BC. The Greeks viewed the horse as a heroic symbol, a wonder beast ridden by great warriors and by the gods. The belief in the magical power of the Horse is common to all peoples of Indo-European descent whose ancestors in the Palaeolithic had belonged to Horse totem clans and later, in the Neolithic, were the first to tame Horses, breed and ride them. In the Medieval period a well-equipped knight needed at least four different types of Horses: (1) a charger, (2) a palfrey, (3) a courser, and (4) a battle horse. To many, the Horse was a symbol of war and a black horse would mean calamitous war. Horses were a potent symbol from almost every world religion and mythology; many of its myths express the Horse's innate clairvoyance and ability to perceive the magic within humans. Some view the Horse as the symbol of strength, virility and lust. It is a symbol for loyalty and devotion, such as the faith it has with its master, and it also represents the warrior spirit, bravery and courage. Heraldic writers say that Horses (and those who used it as an emblem) represented the readiness for all employments for king and country. HYDRA: A venomous monster of the Lernean marshes, in Argolis. It had seven heads (some say nine), and Hercules was sent to kill it. As soon as he struck off one of its heads, two shot up in its place. The stench from the Hydra's breath was enough to kill man or beast. Borne by those said to have fought the greatest of battles. IBEX: Also called a Steinbok, the Ibex is a wild goat that is said to be the stock of the tame goat. The Ibex is a creature that dwells in the mountains, has large knotty horns reclining on its back, is of a yellowish brown colour, and has a black beard. It is mentioned in the Bible as one of the clean animals that the children of Israel were allowed to eat. The Arabs know the Ibex as the Beden; they live in small herds of eight or ten and are still found in Palestine. The extremely strong and often fabled horns of the Ibex were generally acknowledged, as a symbol of renewal and rejuvenation and the Ibex itself is a harbinger of spring and a unifier of nature. Because of the Ibex's healing influence it soon faced extinction as unfailing powers were attributed to its antlers, blood and parts of his heart. Medieval pharmacies used the dried and pulverized blood as an ingredient in many medicines. In the late middle Ages the number of Ibexes continued to decrease, calling for Emperor Maximilian to put them under protection to prevent possible extinction. Known as the 'great stag' to the Sumerians, the Ibex became known as not only symbol of healing but also of nobility as it was they (only) who were permitted to hunt them. JESSANT DE LIS: A fleur-de-lis shooting out from the mouth of a leopard or a lion. Conferred by Edward III during his wars in France, as a reward to some of the leaders who served under him in his victorious campaigns. The lion of the English arms is swallowing the lily of the French coat. KINGFISHER: also known as the Halycon, the Kingfisher is a long-time symbol of peace and prosperity. It has many legends and superstitions surrounding it with many originating in ancient Greece; the body of the Kingfisher -if dried - could ward off thunderbolts and storms. It is said the Kingfisher is the promise of abundance, of new warmth, prosperity and love about to unfold within your life. In Greek mythology Alcyone, daughter of Aeolus (king of the winds), found her husband drowned and cast herself into the sea; the gods rewarded her devotion by turning her into a kingfisher, and Aeolus forbade the winds to blow during the "Halcyon Days" (the seven days before and the seven after the winter solstice, when legend has it that the kingfisher lays its eggs). Kingfishers are associated with Pallas (one of the Titans,a race of godlike giants who were considered to be the personifications of the forces of nature), Hera (the queen of the Olympian deities, the eldest daughter of Cronus and Rhea, and wife and sister of Zeus), and Thetis, one of the Nereids, the fifty daughters of Nereus and Doris who dwell in the Mediterranean Sea. These beautiful women were always friendly and helpful towards sailors fighting perilous storms. The Kingfishers are beloved by sea-nymphs (in Greek mythology, nymphs are spirits of nature, and they are minor female deities and the protectors of springs, mountains, and rivers). KITE: As we read in the book of Etymologies of Isidore: The kite (with its distinctive forked tail), milvus, derives its name from mollis volatu, weak in flight (it glides through the air). The kite signifies those who are tempted by effete pleasures; also acuity of vision; the Egyptians held the kite in high honour and the symbol may signify that the first bearer was one who accomplished a great deal with little effort. KNIGHT: Those who served the feudal kings bore arms, and persons admitted to this privilege were the king's Knights; as this distinction was limited to men of family, the word became a title of honour next to the nobility. It symbolized prowess in the field of battle; dependability beyond doubt or question; never fleeing from the face of his foes; generous to all, and always and everywhere a champion of the right and the good. The Knight or chevalier was the professional soldier of the middle ages. No Knight was thought to be properly equipped without at least three horses: the battle horse, or dexterarius, which was led by hand, and used only for the onset, the palfrey or courser, for the route, and the pack-horse for the luggage and belongings. The Knight also required several attendants: one to conduct the horses, another to bear the heaviest weapons, particularly the shield or escutcheon, one to aid his master to mount his battle horse or to raise him if dismounted, and a fourth to guard prisoners who were sought for high ransom. LAMB: An emblem of the Redeemer; symbolizes gentleness, innocence, and purity; sacrifice. LAPWINGS (pewit, plover, tyrwhitt, sea-pye): An ancient bird said that to protect its young, by luring the enemy from its nest by flying away and crying loudest when furthest from its nest; an Old World wading bird of the family Charadriidae, characterized by a markedly slow beat of the wings, dark, glossy plumage, and distinctive white markings. Denotes one who protects the young with cunning and ruse rather than force or confrontation. LARK (skylark): An old World bird characterized by an unusually long, straight hind claw. It was symbolic merriment as the lark sang hymns at the gates of heaven; the lark was the bird that announced the coming of the day. Because of the bird's boundless energy, it is said the lark is also the symbol of hope, happiness, and of good fortune; creativity. LEG (usually in armour): Is emblematical of strength, stability, and expedition. LEOPARD: In heraldry, represents those brave and generous warriors who have performed some bold enterprise with force, courage, promptitude, and activity. LING: (cod, hake, whiting ): These fish all belong to the family Gadid�. The Hake is more slender, and sports a larger head than the cod but otherwise the drawing does not usually distinguish the many varieties. The symbolism for cod is generally accepted to be the same for the Ling. LION: An emblem of majesty, strength, and justice, military might and deathless courage, the Lion was indeed a foe to fear. The French heralds call the lion passant a leopard; accordingly Napoleon said to his soldiers, "Let us drive these leopards (the English) into the sea." In heraldry any Lion not rampant is often called a lion leopard�. The Lion is also an emblem of the resurrection; according to tradition, the lion's whelp is born dead, and remains so for three days, when the father breathes on it and it receives life. Another tradition is that the Lion is the only animal of the cat tribe born with its eyes open, and it is said that it sleeps with its eyes open; although not completely true the Lion does sleep watchfully and lightly. The Lion in the arms of Scotland is derived from the arms of the ancient Earls of Northumberland and Huntingdon, from whom some of the Scottish monarchs were descended. The Lions in the arms of England: They are three Lions passant guardant, i.e. walking and showing the full face. The first Lion was that of Rollo, Duke of Normandy, and the second represented the country of Maine, which was added to Normandy. These were the two Lions borne by William the Conqueror and his descendants. Henry II added a third Lion to represent the Duchy of Aquitaine, which came to him through his wife Eleanor. Commonly referred to as "the KING of the beasts," it is a symbol of kingly power and might, but as the lioness it is commonly related to the Great Mother and to protection. The following is the symbolism associated with the more popular lion positions typically blazoned: Rampant Guardant: Erect on his hind legs; full face; emblematic of prudence. Rampant Reguardant: Erect on his hind legs; side face looking behind; emblematic of circumspection. Saliant: The act of springing forward on its prey; emblematic of valour. Sejant: Sitting, head in profile. Justice Sejant Erect: Sitting, rising to prepare for action; face in profile, tail erect; emblematic of counsel. Sejant Affront�: (as in the crest of Scotland): majesty. Statant: Standing with four legs on the ground; able for battle. With tail erect, ready for battle. Couchant: Lying down; head erect, and tail beneath him; emblematic of sovereignty. Coward or Cou�: With tail hanging between his legs. Represents cowardice. Dormant: Asleep, with head resting on his forepaws. Passant: Walking, three feet on the ground; in profile; emblematic of resolution. Passant Guardant: Three feet on the ground; full face. The "Lion of England."; resolution and prudence. Passant Reguardant: Three feet on the ground; side face turned backwards. Rampant: Erect on his hind legs; in profile; emblematic of magnanimity. LIZARD: Lizards are seekers of the sun and may symbolize the human soul seeking the light; also borne to ward off evil; may symbolize death followed by resurrection. It also symbolizes safety and welfare because it can lose it's tail and regenerate it. LOBSTER (crayfish): The Crayfish and Lobster were often used to symbolize the Zodiacal sign of Cancer the Crab; water symbol. Denotes tenaciousness; one that moves quickly; also regeneration, steadfastness, resoluteness. LUCE (hake, pike): Now commonly called the pike. Luce comes from the Latin Luci-us which is from the Greek lukos (a wolf) meaning the wolf of fishes. Bestowed on one not to be set at naught or underestimated. LYNX: Stealthiness and cunning; vigilance, alertness; the lynx is a predator that was once believed to have incredible powers of vision. During the middle Ages, people thought it could see through walls. In representations of the five senses, the lynx is used to symbolize the sense of sight. One of the Argonauts who sailed with Jason in search of the Golden Fleece was named Lynceus because of his exceptional powers of vision. To be "lyncean" or "lynx-eyed" is to be sharp-sighted. MACKEREL: From the Latin " macula", for spot, the Mackerel, known as the Holy fish, denotes abundance and was an ancient Christian totem. Originally a pagan symbol of fertility and continuity, the Mackerel are also superb, swift swimmers. Its symbol may be representative of the bearer's name or his profession, or may involve a memorable or significant experience. The Mackerel was one of the most abundant food fishes in the North seas and several species are found throughout the world today. They are emblematic of affluence, profusion and were often used as symbols in groups of three to represent the Holy Trinity. The Emblem was often one used by royalty. The ancient expression "a mackerel sea", tells of a sea in stormy ripples believed to be caused by an very large school of Mackerel just under the surface. This was a sign that the Mackerel had arrived (and usually the herring along with it), and it indicated that better times were indeed ahead. "Have faith young man, the Mackerel are here...there is little now, to fear" (E. Vance Hale). MAGPIE (jay): In Celtic lore, the magpie was a bird associated with fairy revels; in Scandinavia, magpies were said to be sorcerers flying to unholy gatherings, and yet the nesting magpie was once considered a sign of luck in those countries. In Old Norse myth, Skadi (the daughter of a giant) was priestess of the magpie clan. In England, the sighting of magpies is still considered a good omen. MAIDEN: Word comes from the Middle English, from Old English m�gden, m[AE]den, diminutive of m�geth; akin to Old High German magad meaning maiden and also the Old Irish word mug which meant serf. It usually signifies an unmarried woman, a young unmarried woman or a virgin as in, 'Maiden innocence'. The Greek and Roman Maiden Goddesses of Diana/Artemis were goddesses of fertility, and probably the best-known association with deities the Maidens enjoy. Maidens in heraldry denote purity and redemption and virtuousness. It is said that only a young maiden could capture the Unicorn as it was attracted to chastity and purity, so the noble huntsmen would take a maiden with them when hunting this shy and wild creature. The ancient Celts and many other cultures tell of folk and mythological tales involving the Maiden; the folkloric maidens, in many Indo-European and Asian fables and legends were said to be capable of being transformed into swans. MARTEN (Weasel, Kuna): Martens are larger, heavier-bodied animals than weasels, with thick fur and bushy tails and were valued for their fur. In heraldry, however, there is usually no differentiation between it and the weasel. An ancient emblem of Slavonia, The kuna, is similar to a ferret or mink, and was traded as a pelt in Roman times. They are known for their boldness and their tendency to attack and defeat animals much larger than themselves. Therefore they have become symbols of spiritual warriors who, in spite of their physical weakness, are able to defeat the Devil. It is said that they denote fickleness and inconstancy, but also parental love, vigilance, and watchfulness; a symbol of the hunt; a worthy adversary of distinction, and the symbol borne by those affirming that duty hath no place for fear; sometimes called the marten-cat. MARTLET: (Martlet, Merlette, Martin): a bird resembling a swallow, with thighs but no visible legs representing the martin. It is a mark of Cadency and was used as the symbol of the fourth son, because its footlessness symbolized his inability to inherit, and walk on, his ancestral lands. May signify one who had to subsist by virtue and merit, not inheritance; also denotes promptness. It is said that the use of a martlet indicates that the first bearer of the arms had acquired nobility through his own exertions or by patronage, with the absence of feet on the heraldic martlet signifying the lack of ancestral foundations for his nobility. There is some dispute as to what kind of bird it really is. In English heraldry, it is a swallow; in German heraldry, it is said to be a lark. It was apparently, in its original purpose, a small blackbird and the species of the bird was interpreted in various ways depending on the country. The word 'martlet' does exist in English as the name of a swift or martin and appears to have been confused with the French 'merlette' (merle) because of its similarities to the word 'martlet'. However, it is also said that the charge first appeared as a small blackbird in 1185 in the arms of Mello in Normandy and subsequently in canting arms of 'merlot', indicating that the intention was to represent the French blackbird called 'merlette'. The legend of the martlet is most appealing but readers should determine their own interpretation, as history seems to be confused about the dubious origins and myths of this marvellous bird. MERLE (merlette, blackbird, thrush): the blackbird in ancient times was called Medula, because it sang rhythmically. Others say that it was called Merula, because it flew on its own. It represents those tainted by the blackness of sin; a symbol of temptation. However, the sight of two blackbirds sitting together is a symbol of peace and a good omen. MERMAID (siren): The Syrians and the Philistines were known to have worshipped a Semitic mermaid moon-goddess. The Syrians called her Atargatis while the Philistines knew her as Derceto. The symbol of the mermaid with her comb and mirror in hand seems to first be depicted during the middle ages. This came to represent vanity and female beauty that could cause the destruction of men. A symbol of eloquence and to some it represented a safe-voyage. MEW (sea gull): The sounds of the sea mew represented a guide to the lost sailor and an indication that land was near; symbol of hope. MINERVA: The Roman goddess of wisdom, medicine, the arts, science and trade, and also of war. As Minerva Medica she is the patroness of physicians. The Roman Minerva was especially the protectress of commerce and industry and of schools. It was only later that she assumed the character of a warrior-goddess. The Roman goddess first appeared in Etruria and was perhaps a goddess of the thunderbolt. She was then introduced into the Capitoline Triad, with Jupiter and Juno. According to Roman tradition the cult of Minerva originated in Falerii in 241 BC. One of her earliest temples was built on Mons Caelius and bore the name Minerva Capta. There was, however, a temple already consecrated to Minerva in Rome on the Aventine. According to one tradition Minerva was one of the gods brought to Rome by Numa. Minerva is commonly represented with helmet. MOGUL (carp): The Mogul allied to the Carp, is used as a badge of dignity called the MAHI MARATIB, which dignity is said to have originated with the Mogul dynasty founded in 1206. It is said to signify youth, bravery, perseverance and strength. MONKEY (baboon): The amusing antics of monkeys make them a symbol of mimicry, agility, buffoonery, cunning, satire, and the unconscious. It is said that they conceal their sage-like wisdom and magical powers with their humorous antics. Ancient Egyptians also esteemed the monkey, particularly the baboon whose morning screeches were believed to be prayers to the sun god rising in the sky. Thoth, the Egyptian god of wisdom and scribe of the gods was depicted as a dog-faced baboon and was thought to be as quarrelsome and lecherous as he was wise. MOOR-COCK (red grouse): The male of the moorfowl or red grouse of Europe is borne by several families in allusion to their names. Birds in general are almost universally exalted and accepted as symbolically beings associated with the soul, as messengers of the gods, carriers of souls, as oracles, or seen to possess the spirit of loved ones. They are also symbols of good or evil and a universal emblem of freedom. NIGHTINGALE: An emblem of love, righteousness, poetry and education. Throughout the ages, people have sought the meaning of the nightingale's song. In medieval times, it was thought that this bird sang all night long with its breast pressed against a thorn to keep itself awake because of its fear of snakes. OPINICUS: A beast with the body and fore legs of a lion, the head, neck and wings of an eagle, with the tail of a camel; a medieval monster, emblematic of a valiant protector that could defy all dangers, and embolden the weak. OSTRICH: First domesticated by the ancient Egyptians and Romans who used them to pull their triumphal chariots. The parent does not sit and hatch it's eggs, but lets the sun do its work while it guards them vigilantly. Denotes willing obedience and serenity and is also a symbol of meditation. OTTER: Related to the minks and weasels and having webbed feet and dense, dark brown fur. Otter hunting was once a favourite pastime and the fur was quite prized by those of noble blood. The otter is a symbol of grace and empathy. It is said the otter is also emblematic of a man who lives life to the fullest measure; it may also represent a person of great dexterity and adroitness. OUNCE: A fierce animal granted to a warrior who had proven an ability to devise and execute stratagems and cunning to the great disadvantage of the enemy. Usually borne as a snow leopard, which is smaller than a leopard, with a tawny white top, grey bottom and strewn with spots. OWL: Usually shown full-faced or guardant, a hawk-like creature, the owl is the bird of Athena (Minerva), Greek goddess of wisdom and favourite daughter of Zeus. Athena is best known for her embodiment of reason, strength and wisdom and for assisting others on their heroic journey for self-mastery and understanding; since this centuries old connection with Athena/Minerva the owl has been used to denote one who is vigilant, prudent and of acute wit. PANTHER: The heraldic Panther is often depicted spitting fire from its mouth (and sometimes from its nostrils and its ears), bearing hind legs similar to a lion and front legs similar to an eagle. It is said that a Panther symbolizes a beautiful woman, though fierce and intense, is very tender and loving to her brood, and will defend them with the hazard of her life and soul. The Panther has been associated with Jesus; in the 'Abodazara' (early Jewish commentaries on the scriptures), it is listed as a surname for the family of Joseph. It tells how a man was healed "in the name of Jesus ben Panther". The Panther was also associated with the Greek God of wine, Dionysus; one story tells how Dionysus was nursed by panthers, and he is sometimes depicted riding a chariot drawn Panthers. The Early Egyptians were known to sacrifice Panthers to various gods and its skin was a symbol of strength and resurrection in their funerary rites. Throughout the ancient world mythological characters wore Panther skins; Astarte, the Phoenician goddess of procreation and birth, rode on a panther. Some people believed that the panther once sacrificed himself so that he could give humankind the gift of spiritual awakening in the form of his skin. In Indian culture the Panther is feared and respected, and historically regarded my many cultures as the protector of the universe. PARROT (popinjay, perroquet, papagay, papingay): In olden times called the popinjay, it was early bird in English and French heraldry. It was an Egyptian symbol of wisdom and of good counsel and in wealthy Roman households; it was the function of one slave to care for the family bird, which was often a parrot. In Medieval and renaissance Europe, it was only royalty or the very wealthy who kept parrots PARTRIDGE: An old game bird related to the pheasant and the grouse. A symbol of the Sacred King as it is said that the partridge gathers its own under its wing and even permits it to be injured in order to decoy predators from its helpless nestlings. Said to denote cunning and guile. PASCHAL LAMB: or Holy lamb is depicted passant, carrying a flag charged with the cross of St. George, and a circle of glory over its head. It is a symbol of faith, innocence, bravery, gentleness, purity, and resolute spirit. PEACOCK (peafowl): Sacred to Hera (Juno), daughter of Titans Cronus and Rhea, wife and sister of Zeus. A medieval symbol of the soul, signifying beauty, power, and knowledge and is also a religious symbol of resurrection. PEGASUS: The flying horse of Greek mythology. Pegasus was born of the blood of the decapitated Medusa, and mounting the Medusa's head upon Pegasus enabled Bellerophon to slay the Chimera. It is said that one day Pegasus pranced around so frivolously that his hooves created a spring called Hippocrene, which was alleged to have magic power in its waters. If one were to drink water from this spring, one would be gifted with the art of poetry. The Pegasus is symbolic of poetic genius and inspiration, vision and refinement. PELICAN: A Christian symbol of charity and sacrifice. It owes its stature as an emblem of sacrifice to its long beak and sack where it stores small fish to feed its young. In the process of feeding, the bird appears to open its own breast with its bill. The reddish tinge of its plumage and the redness of its beak prompted the legend that it drew its own blood to feed its young; if shown feeding her young ("in her piety"), it symbolizes filial love. PHEASANT: This ancient game bird was named from Phasis, a stream of the Black Sea. Because of its evasiveness and dexterity, the Pheasant became a favourite game bird of the ancient Romans. Denotes an alert person of many resources. PHOENIX: The mythical bird that lives for 500 years, builds its own funeral pyre, is consumed by the flames, and rises anew from the ashes. This bearing symbolizes the rising and setting of the sun, as well as immortality, resurrection, and life after death. PIGEON: Were used as messenger carriers by the early Persians, Egyptians, Phoenicians and later the Romans. Betoken on one who is virtuous and also denotes peace and wisdom. PORCUPINE: Symbol of invincibility. The badge of King Louis XII of France (1498-1515) who used as is motto: Cominus et eminus (from near and afar), an allusion to the myth of Porcupines throwing their spines at their enemies. PRAWNS (shrimp): It is said that Shrimp were called one of the old men of the sea. Shrimp got this name from their long antennae and curved spines, which made them, resemble old men. For this reason shrimp have come to symbolize long life, and the prayer that one could live long enough for one's spine to curve like that of a Shrimp. PROBOSCIDES (probisces): Elephant trunks; usually represented in pairs; the elephant symbolizes longevity, strength, royalty, dignity, patience, wisdom, happiness, and good fortune. PYTON-PITHON: A monstrous serpent in Greek mythology, and the Child of Gaia, the goddess earth. It was produced from the slime and mud that was left on the earth by the great flood of Deucalion. It lived in a cave and guarded the oracle of Delphi on mount Parnassus. No man dared to approach the beast and the people asked Apollo for help. He came down from Mount Olympus with his silver bow and golden arrows. With using only one arrow he killed the serpent and claimed the oracle for himself. After that, he was known as Pythian Apollo. In memory of this victory, Apollo started the Pythian games, which were held every four years. The old name of Delphi, Pytho, refers to the serpent. Note: In Heraldry use Pithon for winged serpents, and Python for non-venomous constrictor snakes of the boa family. The Pithon or Pyton signifies guardianship. QUAIL (bobwhite): In mythology and legend the Quail is widespread and appears in many different cultures. It was a fighting bird and so depicted courage and victory in battle for the Romans. The term 'quail' was one of endearment; the bird was sometimes given as a gift from one lover to another. In Greek legend the jealous Hera turned Leto into a Quail; she was the mother of Apollo and Artemis, so the bird was associated with them also. Asteria changed into a Quail to escape Zeus. The bird is connected with Heracles/Hercules. The Phoenicians sacrificed the Quail to Melkarth when he defeated Typhon (Sephon), as darkness. It was also sacrificed to the Tyrian Baal. The Quail was also a game bird and was symbolic of the hunt. The Quail was the protector to Germanic farmers who captured them and penned them inside houses as protection against lightning strikes. RAM: A male sheep. In Celtic symbolism, the Ram is believed to be a symbol of fecundity and rebirth. The Ram was revered by the Persians and sacred to the Egyptians as a symbol of fife, dominion and stability. It is also said to represent leadership and authority. The symbolism of the Ram has great antiquity. The cult of the Ram flourished in the Middle East beginning about 2000 BC. For example, the chief god of Upper Egypt was Amon, a highly spiritual deity whose name means "occult" or "hidden." He was originally represented as having the head of a Ram and was worshipped in Roman times as Jupiter Ammon. Isaiah prophesied that the Rams returning to Israel with God's scattered children would joyfully offer themselves upon the altars of the Millennial Temple. The most famous Ram in the Old Testament is the one Abraham found trapped by its horns in a thicket on Mount Moriah where he had gone to sacrifice his only son Isaac. [Gen 22:1-14] An angel stopped the hand of Abraham just as he was about to kill his boy and the Ram was sacrificed instead. This story is known as the akedah (binding) and is a reminder of the obedience of the patriarchs. Aries, the Ram, is the first sign of the zodiac and is related to dawn, the spring, and the beginning of life. The Ram has played an important role in the religion and mythology of many different cultures. RAVEN: See Corbie RAT: A fierce and voracious animal. In Hinduism the Rat is the most powerful of the demons and represents foresight and prudence and as such is the vehicle of Ganesha, the elephant-headed god (of wisdom, prosperity and successful endeavour), and is an object of veneration. It is also regarded as the symbol of industry and prosperity on account of its ability for locating, acquiring, and hoarding abundant supplies of food. RATCH-HOUND (small hound, beagle): Once widely used, either singly or in packs, to hunt hares; symbol of the hunt, loyalty, courage, and vigilance. REINDEER: A stag with double attires; one erect and one pendent; extremely strong and has great powers of endurance; hunted by the ancients, for both meat and hide; symbolic of persistence, and resoluteness. RHINO: The word Rhinoceros comes from two ancient Greek words - "rhino" meaning horn and "ceros" meaning head. They are descendants of ancient times and bring with them the energy of comfort in one's own solitude. The Rhino is unpredictable, and can turn and charge with great agility and ferociousness especially when aroused or agitated. Rhinoceroses have poor eyesight but acute senses of hearing and smell. Most prefer to avoid man, but males, particularly bad-tempered during the breeding season, and females with calves may charge with little provocation. Some historians believe that the horn of the Rhinoceros, former uniceros, is in fact the horn of the legendary unicorn, symbol of chastity. The horn of the Rhino is not made of bone but of skin and hair tissue called keratin and was used by many cultures as an aphrodisiac; the skin of the Rhino could not be pierced by sword or lance and this lead to many legends written about the Rhino. "Thou shalt not conquer my army, as it likens to the skin of the mighty Rhinoceros and cannot be pierced with lance or saber." A symbol of tenacity, vigour and concord, and may symbolize jurisdiction. ROBIN: An old world bird resembling the thrush and originally called Ruddock' or 'Redbreast'; symbol of domestic peace and tranquillity; also the mariner's bird of hope. SALAMANDER: Fabled to live in fire. Francois I. of France adopted it as his badge and his motto is roughly translated to mean 'I nourish the good and extinguish the bad'; a symbol of bravery, purification, protection, immortality and survival. It is said that the word comes from the Persian for lizard. SALMON: From the Latin, salmo, to leap; the leaping fish. The sacred Salmon represents the ancient sanctity of water, its power to destroy and create. At another level it may stand for the troubled human soul, in its perpetual struggle to reconcile itself to itself; a symbol of perseverance. Legend states that the magic Salmon gained the power of wisdom by consuming the hazel nuts that dropped into sacred springs. Betoken on one of wisdom, knowledge and constancy. SARACEN: a Bedouin tribe from Sinai, the term was more generally applied to Arabs and Muslims during the Crusades and the device is generally in commemoration of the wars undertaken by European Christians between the 11th and 14th centuries to recover the Holy Land from the Muslims. Pope Urban II received Alexius' call for assistance, but decided to use that call to advance a more ambitious plan. Jerusalem, on the East coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the modern nation of Israel, is considered holy land to Christians, Jews and Muslims, but in 1095, the city was controlled by Muslims. The message from Alexius presented Urban with an opportunity to retake the holy lands from the Muslims. The pope called for a "War of the Cross," or Crusade, to retake the holy lands from the unbelievers. The Crusaders were ultimately unable to reclaim their holy lands, but the wars had another effect. Western Europeans had left their homes to fight in a distant war. The stories of the returning Crusaders encouraged their countrymen to look beyond their own villages for the first time. Saracen is from the Arabic sharakyoun or sharkeyn (the eastern people), as opposed to Magharib� (the western people- i.e. of Morocco). Any un-baptized person was called a Saracen in medieval romance; in the Greek language, they are called Surakenos, and in Spain they are referred to as 'moors'. SAVAGE: Indifferently termed, the Wild-man, or Woodman, the Savage is a large man wreathed about the head and loins with leaves, and generally carrying a club. The Savage, in heraldry, represented the forest and the wild, remote from human residence and improvements; the Savage, although uncultivated, was nonetheless feared and as such, was often used to denote protection. He is the icon of the untamed and the unpolished but he is fierce, ferocious and of savage spirit. The emblem is also a reminder that Christianity can tame the savage. The Savage represented one uncorrupted by the vices of civilized men and signified truth, fidelity and gratitude to their friends. The bearer was attempting to allude that even the feared Savage was at his disposal and would fight to defend his honour. The Savage was usually depicted as a very large almost Herculean man and the club was his defence. It is also important to note that the bearer also may have used the Savage as an emblem to allude to his family name. SCORPION: The Scorpion is the symbol of both wisdom and self-destruction. The Scorpion's sting could also be directed at enemies and so amulets in the form of Scorpions were worn in many cultures as a protection against evil. It was thought that the Scorpion produced both venom and anti-venom. In some areas this made it an emblem of resurrection and constancy. Selket, the Egyptian goddess and protectress of the dead had the head of a scorpion. SEAL: Usually only the paw or the head of the Seal is found borne. This sea animal was known throughout antiquity. The Seal was a regular inhabitant of the Greek coast at that time and regarded as a good omen and harbinger of promise. Seal-calf milk was prized as a remedy for the 'falling sickness'. SERAPH (seraphim): An order of angels distinguished for fervent zeal, unconquerable will, and religious ardour and vivacity. It is said the word Seraph comes from the Hebrew verb saraph ('to burn'). They are depicted with three pairs of wings. One pair of wings is for flying, one for covering their eyes (for even they may not look directly at God), and one for covering its feet. SERPENT (snake, asp): A popular symbol in heraldry the Serpent has always been a symbolical Deity, because it feeds upon its own body. It's been used since antiquity as a symbol of healing because when old, it has the power of growing young again, by shedding its skin. It was sacred to Aesculapius, and was supposed to have the power of discovering healing herbs. The ancient Greeks and Romans revered the symbol as a guardian spirit; a noted symbol of wisdom, cunning and sagacity. SHARK: In some cultures the Shark is a demon, both worshipped and feared as the ruler of the seas. It is symbolic of persistence and perseverance because Sharks have no swim bladder and must swim perpetually to keep from sinking to the bottom. SHELDRAKE: A waterfowl somewhat larger than the ordinary duck. A Canting arms as it is said that this bird was introduced into English heraldry to accommodate Sheldon, Lord Mayor of London in 1676. He bore three Sheldrakes on his shield. SKULL: Privateers used the symbol to intimidate the enemy and their flag was designed to conjure up fear and dread. The ancients used the skull on burial sites to indicate that the debt to nature had been paid; a symbol of mortality and dissolution; fear and intimidation. SNAIL: Snails were eaten by primitive man and raised for food by the Romans. In heraldry, it is a rare device signifying deliberation and steadfastness. The Snail shell was the Egyptian symbol of infinity. SNIPE (sandpiper, curlew): An old world bird of the sandpiper family with a distinctive 'piping' call. It was emblematic of a beacon announcing imminent danger or representative of an experience or expedition of a periculous nature. The Snipe and others in the species 'pipe' when rising to flight and are generally silent when at rest. SOLE (flatfish): seen occasionally in heraldry, the sole may be a symbol of plenitude, liberality and charity. The fish symbol has been used for millennia worldwide as a religious symbol associated with the Pagan Great Mother Goddess, and was also a noted symbol of early Christians. SPHINX: A mythical beast of ancient Egypt with the head of a man and the body of a lion, frequently symbolizing the pharaoh as an incarnation of the sun god Ra. The Sphinx was not peculiar to Egypt as it was also a deity throughout the Middle East and Greece. The name 'Sphinx' (in fact) is derived from the Greek sphingo, which means "to strangle". The legend states that if a man could not answer the riddle of the Sphinx, the Sphinx would then strangle him. In Greek mythology the Sphinx was a winged monster with the head and breasts of a woman and the body of a lion. In ancient Assyrian myths, the Sphinx usually appears as a guardian of temple entrances. The Sphinx is shrouded with mystery and secrecy and when the symbol is used in heraldry it usually denotes guardianship, divinity, and providence. SPIDER: To Ancient Egyptians and Greeks, the Spider was symbolic of the fates who constantly wove at the web of each person's destiny. To the Christian, the Spider's web was representative of human frailty and the temporary nature of earthly existence and riches. In Greek mythology Arachne, challenged Athene, Zeus' daughter, to a weaving contest, and hanged herself when the goddess destroyed her web. Athene then changed her into a Spider, condemned for eternity to hang at the end of her thread. In heraldry the spider symbolizes tenacity of purpose, heedfulness, and cunning. SQUIRREL: The squirrel's common name can be traced back to the ancient Greeks, where Aristotle used the word "skiouros," skia meaning shade, while "oura" meaning tail. Thus the meaning "he who sits in the shadow of his tail" was recorded. It is said, centuries later, the French created a noun "esquirel" to describe this animal. From this the word "squirrel" was derived. It was a symbol of the 'soul' in Nordic myth and in medieval times it denoted one who was provident toward the future. It is also said that the first bearer was a lover of woodland, trustworthy and with a strong sense of duty. The squirrel's nest is called a 'holt' and the squirrel emblem may be an allusion to the family name of 'holt' as it appears in some of their arms. SPANIEL: A Spanish dog, from the Old French Espagneul. The Spaniel is thought to have originated in Spain and was perhaps introduced to ancient Britons by the Roman legions. They were outstanding hunters that were both submissive and servile to their masters but fierce adversaries if challenged; a symbol of the hunt signifying loyalty, integrity and trustworthiness. STAG: see Buck STAR FISH: In Christianity it represents Mary guiding the faithful through the storms of love. Seen in Europe as a symbol of the undying power of love. STARLING: The word means small star. This common bird resembles a blackbird, but has triangular wings. Branwen was a Welsh Princess, mistreated by her Irish husband. She trained a Starling to take a message to her brother Bran in Wales. There followed a great war between Wales and Ireland in which Bran and all but seven of his men were killed. The Starling is associated with warriors due to its aggressive manner with other birds. STORK: To many cultures a sacred bird and one lavished with symbolism. Storks are the sworn foes of snakes, hence the veneration in which they are held. Storks are also ancient fertility symbols and are typically associated with springtime and birth. In Germanic states, storks found human infants called "stork-children" dwelling in caves hidden in rocky steeps called "Adeborsteine" or "stork-stones," and carried them to their expectant parents. They are said to feed their elderly parents, therefore storks have long been symbolic of filial piety or gratitude. They are emblems of immortality and longevity, vigilance, contemplation, prudence, piety, meditation, and chastity. Aristotle taught that the jealous male bird would put an unfaithful mate to death for her transgressions. Christians regarded the stork as a symbol for Christ and His disciples because it was the terror of snakes that represented Satan and his demons. STURGEON: In ancient times, they were both feared and worshipped; a symbol of the Greek goddess Aphrodite who was the goddess of love, beauty and fertility. The Romans considered Sturgeon the best tasting fish in the world and always served it on a bed of roses. The Sturgeon also known as the 'royal fish, was a favourite dish in medieval times. All catches were the property of the King, unless the rights had been granted to a local Lord and all catches should have been reported to the Coroner who would send the actual fish, or certainly the value of it, to the King. Denotes longevity, permanence and stability, and bestowed on one of Royal favour. SWAN: The male Swan is called a cob, the female a pen, a young Swan a cygnet. Like the peacock and pheasant, the Swan was an emblem of chivalry; every knight chose one of these birds, which was associated in his oath with God, the Virgin, or his lady-love. In Greek mythology, Zeus took the form of a Swan to seduce Leda. The Swan has erotic associations as an emblem of Aphrodite/Venus. Swans drew the Chariot of Venus. The most famous belief about the Swan is that it only sings when it is about to die. The legendary Swan's song has caused this bird to represent music and poetry, especially that which is divinely inspired, passionate or tragic. The beauty and roundness of the Swan's body caused Nordic people to allude to it as the height of female grace and beauty. A Swan with a fish in its mouth represents the Devil snatching up and consuming the unwary Christian, and two Swans with their necks entwined stand for two lovers or friends united in a companionship. SWALLOW: It is said that the Scandinavians believed the Swallow hovered over the cross of our Lord, crying "Svala! svala!" (Console! console!)� and was thereafter called svalow (the bird of consolation). The Swallow was sacred to the Penates (Roman deities of the household), and therefore to injure one would be to bring wrath upon your own house. The Swallow has always been regarded as a harbinger of spring, a symbol of abundant harvest and happiness. TAILS: The tail of a deer is called a 'single', that of a boar is called a wreath, that of a fox is called the 'brush' and that of the hare is called the 'scut'. In Heraldry you find the tail of a lion or of a beaver most prevalent, and to show the tail only was representative of an amulet of good fortune, believed to endow the bearer with the traits and characteristics of the animal. TALBOT: Said to be an ancestor of the Bloodhound, the ancient Talbot (a name of Norman origin) is depicted white or sometimes golden brown. It is a hound that existed in medieval Europe, having long pendent ears and noted for his quick scent and his eager pursuit of game. It is said that the Talbot thrived on the hunt rather than the kill. By the 1600's, this strain of hound had died out as a breed. A forerunner of the modern fox and staghounds, they apparently had most remarkable powers of scent and were betoken on one of courage and forecast, vigilance and loyal fidelity. Used primarily for tracking and hunting, it is said however, the British had talbots run alongside coaches on the ancient highways; this might explain why so many pubs bore its name. In Medieval times, 'Talbot' appeared to be common name for any hound; in a quotation from about 1449, the king referred to John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury as 'Talbott, oure good dogge', perhaps as a play on his name, or perhaps an allusion to the family coat of arms. TEAL: A small dabbling duck, the ancient Teal were known for their swiftness and were popular as game birds. Representative of the hunt, the Teal fowl also signified earnestness and quickness of action. TIGER: The Tiger often took the place of the lion as King of Beasts in Eastern mythology. It's symbolic of royalty, power, and fearlessness, and was known to be dangerous if aroused. In China the Tiger is Lord of the 'land animals' and is an emblem of authority and power. The Chinese have long held the Tiger in high esteem and regard; in folklore, they called it "Hu-Fu" or 'tiger seal' and is considered undisputedly the king of all animals and one of the few important celestial beings after the dragon and phoenix. It is the emblem of some military officers, typifying war, might and courage. Evidence dating from the Warring States of China shows that the token used by emperors and generals for military manoeuvres was structured in the form of a Tiger. In Japan, although it is a mythical animal only, it is said to live a thousand years and was adopted as an emblem of the warrior class. In India, Durga rides a tiger, and Siva is often shown wearing a tiger skin. Bacchus (Roman god of wine) had his cart drawn by tigers, and tigers drawn by artists crouching at the feet of Bacchus, are documented well. Since antiquity, the fearless tiger has played a significant role in royalty and the military, and for centuries was the emblem of authority and power. TENCH: A food and sport fish of the carp family, the Tench is a stout, small-scaled fish with a barbel at each corner of its mouth and a thick, slimy skin. The ancients believed that the Tench was able to cure injured fishes and was often applied to human wounds; a symbol of forgiveness, regimen and sovereign remedy. THRUSH: A songbird symbolic of solitude and poetry. The poet identified with the Thrush by the semantic double meaning of the verb 'to sing', which literally means to utter sounds and to write poems as well; a symbol of concord. TORTOISE (turtle): Once prized as a major source of meat for sailors in the 17th and 18th centuries, the Tortoise is a symbol of longevity, patience and practicality; strength and time. It is also one of independence because it takes its home with it and is well protected. The name Tortoise (Lat. testuoo) is given to the ancient Roman protective shelter formed by soldiers with shields overlapping above their heads when attacking a fort. As the feminine power of the waters the Tortoise was an emblem of Aphrodite/ Venus; also of Hermes/Mercury in Greco-Roman myth; sacred to 'pan' among the Arcadians and killing it was prohibited. Also, because of its hard shell, it was representative of one who was invulnerable to attack. TURKEYCOCK: The Turkey was tamed by the American Indian cultures in Mexico and taken from Mexico to Europe by Spanish conquistadors early in the 16th century. By 1524, the Turkey is known to have reached England and, by 1558, it was becoming popular at banquets in England and throughout Europe. It is a symbol of festivity, hospitality and resourcefulness. If only the feathers are borne, it is a symbol of pride and of distinction. UNICORN: In Japan it is called Kirin, and in China Ki-lin. The name is based on the Hebrew word re'em, in early versions of the Old Testament translated as "monokeros", meaning "one horn", which became "unicorn" in English; a fabulous and mythological, and magical beast. Ctesias (Greek historian, B.C. 400) describes the Unicorn as a beast with the legs of a buck, the tail of a lion, the head and body of a horse, and a single horn in the middle of its forehead. Fable has it the horn is white at the base, black in the middle, and red at the tip. The body of the Unicorn is white, the head red, and eyes blue. Unicorns were elusive and mysterious creatures, said to be the personifications of innocence and purity, and as such were often identified with virgins. According to the legends of the middle Ages, placing a virgin in his haunts was the only way to catch a Unicorn; upon seeing the virgin, the creature would lose its fierceness and lie quiet at her feet. This is said to be an allegory of Jesus Christ, who willingly became man and entered the Virgin's womb, when He, was taken by the hunters of blood. The one horn symbolises the great Gospel doctrine-that Christ is one with God. Aristotle called it the Wild Ass; Pliny, the Indian Ass; Lobo also describes it in his History of Abyssinia. According to a belief once popular, the Unicorn by dipping its horn into a liquid could detect whether or not it contained poison. Amongst royalty and with the nobility in the middle Ages, it became quite fashionable to own a drinking cup made of the horn of a Unicorn. VULTURE: This unique bird derives its name from the Latin vultur, and although it does not kill its own prey, it is considered a raptor and a predator. It has a magnificent wingspan and an ability to soar effortlessly for great lengths of time. It is one of the most misunderstood birds, and yet it was one of the most powerful and mystical in many cultures. Tutankhamun the famous Egyptian pharaoh displayed the Vulture's head and the risen snake (cobra) as the symbols of his ruler-ship. The first letter of the Egyptian alphabet is represented by the Vulture symbol and is pronounced "ah". The Vulture is a very powerful emblem and is a promise that all hardship was temporary and necessary for a higher purpose. In Greek mythology, the Vulture is the descendant of the Griffin, and was the symbol of heaven and earth, spirit and matter, good and evil, a guardian and an avenger. The Greek god Aries, son of Zeus and Hera and the god of war used the Vulture as his bird symbol. The Vulture is the avenger of nature spirits. Ancient Assyrians believed the Vulture or griffin was the Angel of Death, and the union between the day and night. The Egyptian Goddess Maat is usually depicted carrying a Vulture and was considered the personification of the order of the world. WEASEL: A ferocious fighter considered by some to be poisonous and unlucky. Ancient peoples believed that Weasels would attack by the thousands to avenge the death of a single Weasel. To counter this and instead of setting traps for the Weasel which threatened their livestock, they held Weasel festivals on St. Matthew's or St. Catherine's Day to honour these fierce creatures. They are symbolic of boldness and resoluteness due largely to their reputation of battling much larger enemies. The Weasels have long been considered spiritual warriors. WHALE: This marine giant is strongly linked to the biblical story of Jonah and is an emblem of righteousness, repentance and majesty. WINGS: Usually borne in pairs on either side of another charge and denote protection. WOLF: Webster's (1828) describes the Wolf as "a beast of prey that kills sheep and other small domestic animals; called sometimes the wild dog, the Wolf is crafty, greedy and ravenous. From mythology and story telling from all parts of the world, the Wolf has carried a sense of contradiction: a wild and fearful animal that can represent death and Satan; but at the same time a companion to the goddess Artemis and Scandinavian god, Odin. Throughout ancient history the Wolf was admired and respected as a symbol of strength, intelligence and courage. Neolithic artists duplicated its image on cave walls. Shamans sought its power. Even Romulus and Remus, founders of Rome, were reportedly nurtured and raised by Wolves. Eventually, this noble legend became the "bloodthirsty savage" of European lore. Many cultures included the crafty Wolf in their legends; Vereticus, king of Wales, was converted by St. Patrick into a Wolf; it was an emblem of the tribe of Benjemin; the Chinese saw the Wolf as a guardian of the heavenly palace; in Japan the Wolf was admired for its ferocity, tenacity and swift attack, and considered the wolf to be from heaven and to be venerated. WOODCOCK: From the Middle English woodcock, of origin in the Old English words wudu for wood, and cocc for cock or bird. Highly esteemed as game birds and said to be a bird easily caught. Usually borne as a pun on the family name. WOODPECKER: The Woodpecker is the guardian of the forest and heralds the rain and storms. Since Picas the Roman god of agriculture was famous for his divination skills and was associated with the Woodpecker, this bird became a symbol of prophecy. WREN: The Druids considered the Wren 'supreme among all birds.' It was the sacred bird of the Isle of Man, formerly a shrine of the dead and the dwelling-place of the Moon Goddess who cared for pagan souls. In Scotland it was the Lady of Heaven's Hen and killing a Wren was considered extremely unlucky; however in England and in France the Wren was hunted on St Stephen's Day, where an ancient Christian ceremony took place. It is said that hunters dressed in ritual garb, hunted and killed a Wren, then hung it on a pole, taking it on a procession though the village demanding money and fortune. The Wren is generally accepted as a totem of good fortune and affluence. WYVERN: The word Wyvern is an alteration of Middle English wyvere for viper, it is also from Old North French wivre, and a modification of Latin vipera. A mythical beast usually represented as a 2-legged winged creature similar to a dragon (much like a cockatrice but with the head of a dragon) and with wings and a barbed serpent tail. Considered a sign of strength to those who bore the symbol the Wyvern is an ancient token associated with Mercia and the old kings of Wessex. Mercia was one of the kingdoms of Anglo-Saxon England, consisting generally of the region of the Midlands. It was settled by Angles c.500, probably first along the Trent valley. Its history emerges from obscurity with the reign of Penda, who extended his power over Wessex (645) and East Anglia (650) to gain over-lordship of England, South of the Humber River. Later, the Wyvern symbol was adopted by other societies including the Slavs and the people in the South-West Baltic. The Wyvern is symbolic of valour, strength, protection, warden-ship and dominion. CHAPTER II - INANIMATE The following are some of the more common heraldic symbols and their meanings as suggested by some historians and heralds. Heralds have been known not to agree with meanings and interpretations. There are literally thousands of charges and devices. Here are some of the most often mentioned in blazoning. ACACIA BRANCH OR LEAVES It is said that the gods were born underneath the goddess Saosis' Acacia tree, north of Heliopolis. Horus (Egyptian God) was supposed to have emerged from an Acacia tree and as such this symbol was betoken on one to signify eternal and affectionate remembrance both for the living and the dead. ACORN Denotes antiquity and strength. Acorns hold high significance as a Scandinavian and a Celtic symbol for life, fertility, and immortality. AGRICULTURAL TOOLS Implements of husbandry representing one who laboured in the earth and was dependant upon providence; see also Scythe and Sickle, Plough. ANCHOR The Christian emblem of hope and refuge; awarded to sea warriors for special feats performed; the Greeks and Romans referred to the anchor as sacred as it was always dedicated to some god. The anchor was given to Clement of Rome and Nicolas of Bari. Nicolas of Bari is the patron saint of sailors. Also signifies steadfastness and stability. In seafaring nations, the anchor is a symbol of good luck, of safety, and of security, and thus of trust and confidence. ANNULET The emblem of fidelity; a ring worn as a sign of Knighthood (Roman);it stood as the symbol of nobility and jurisdiction, and was the gage of royal favour and protection; also a mark of Cadency of the fifth son. See Cadency. ANTLERS Strength and fortitude; once used as a symbol of divine power in Assyria, Mesopotamia and Egypt. ANVIL Denotes honour and strength; chief emblem of the smith's trade. APPLE Denotes liberality, felicity, and peace; temptation, fertility. In Greek mythology, Hera received an apple as a symbol of fertility upon her engagement to Zeus. ARROW An ancient and honourable symbol sometimes referred to as the emblem of affliction; martial readiness; if with a cross it denotes affliction; a bow and arrow signifies a man resolved to abide the uttermost hazard of battle. AXE See Battleaxe and Hatchet. BAGUE (ring) 'Bague' is the French term for finger ring and is an emblem of fidelity (see annulet). BANNERS Signifies a special action or service in which the bearer was captured, or a reward for gallant service. BALLS (Cannon) Bestowed upon those who have dared their terrors in sieges and battles. BAR, BARRY, OR BARRULET One who sets the bar of conscience, religion, and honour against angry passions and evil temptations. BARRY WAVY It is said that troubles keep us in continuous exercise and reminders of providence, as waves in a storm at sea. BATON The baton was a token of authority and used as a badge of office; symbol of title or rank. BATTERING RAM A heavy beam of wood with a head of ram at its point (others were iron tipped) used in ancient warfare to batter down the walls and gates of a place under siege. The battering ram was frequently in a wagon covered with drapery or hides, ornamented with fringes and even with devices. Awarded to the first bearer for gallant service to the sovereign or for a military victory; also assertiveness in conquest. BATTLE AXE A fighting axe signifying execution of military duty. It is said that the Celts first introduced the first metal axe-heads of a distinctive shape with a hole for mounting the handle. This is no doubt why archaeologists refer to them as 'the battle-axe people'. BAY LEAVES A wreath of bay was conferred on the Poet; it is also the victor's laurel. BEACON From the Saxon 'becnian' meaning 'beckon' or come together; the Mariners' symbol of hope. Betoken on one who is watchful, or who gave the signal in time of danger. BELLS Bells were believed to disperse storms and pestilence, drive away devils, and extinguish fires; hawk's bells denote one who was not afraid of signalling his approach in peace or war. BEND Representative of a scarf or shield suspender of a knight or commander; signifies defence or protection. See Ordinaries. BERRIES A symbol of liberality, felicity, and peace; (applies to most other fruit as well). BEZANT A gold roundle representing a Byzantine coin. Denoted one who had been found worthy of trust and treasure. See Roundles. BILLET Represents letters folded for transmission; denotes a man who obtained credence, knowledge and faith in his words and deeds and was secret in his affairs. BISHOP'S MITRE Denotes Episcopal jurisdictions and authority. If tinctured in black the Mitre is that of a Bishop (or Abbey), in red, that of a Cardinal, green, that of an Archbishop. BOATS (Ships, Lymphads, and Galleys) They symbolize notable expeditions by sea, by which the first bearers had become famous. BOMB (Mortar) One who has dared the terror of such a weapon in battle BOOK If open, symbolizes manifestation; if closed, counsel; usually represents the bible. BORDER (bordure) A sub-ordinary-This bearing is of great antiquity and is often adopted as a difference between relatives bearing the same arms; or an augmentation of an honour. BOUGET (water-bouget) A charge representing an ancient leather vessel used for carrying water to an army or to a besieged place. It consisted of a yoke with two leather pouches appended. BOURDON Also known as pilgrim or shepherd's staff. Usually borne in reference to early pilgrimages to Jerusalem. BOW A warrior ready for battle; always prepared for any challenge. BOW AND ARROW Denotes a man resolved to abide the uttermost hazard of battle, which to that end has furnished himself to the full. BRIDGE Signifies the cares and patient stability of magistrates or governors, who must endure the assaults, taunts, and envy of the discontented and vulgar. BROOM PLANT A sprig of this Anglo-Saxon medicinal shrub was chosen, as the badge of the royal house of Plantagenet, who are said to have derived their surname from the circumstance of one of their ancestors having worn a branch of broom is his helmet. Denotes humility. BUCKLE Ancient and honourable bearing signifying victorious fidelity in authority. BURGANET (Burgonet) a steel cap or helmet, anciently worn by infantry. So named after the Burgundians, (French Bourguignons) who were first to use it. BUSH (brush) A term used for the tail of a fox. A Good luck amulet attached to personal possessions. In ancient times it was believed that it endowed the bearer with the cunning of the animal CADENCY As the original object of armorial bearings was to distinguish one iron- encased warrior from another, it was also necessary to provide distinctive bearings for different members of a family all entitled to bear the paternal arms. This gave rise to the use of Marks of Cadency, or differences (called by the French 'brisure'). Label: - A bearing closely resembling the strap with pendants which form the saddle crossed the horse's chest. It is the oldest mark of difference, but sometimes borne as a charge. As a difference, the princes of the royal house used it. The number of points did not necessarily mean anything, although the label of three points was supposed to represent the heir during the lifetime of his father; five points, during the lifetime of his grandfather; seven points, while the great-grandfather still lived, etc. According to the modern system, the elder son of an elder son places a label upon a label. Crescent: - A bearing resembling the half moon with the points turned up. When used as a mark of cadency it denotes the second son. Mullet: - A bearing resembling a five-pointed star. It is sometimes called a spur rowel, but it was in use long before the rowel spur. When used as a difference it denotes the third son. Martlet: - A fanciful bird somewhat resembling a swallow, but having short tufts of feathers in the place of legs. When used as a difference it denotes the fourth son. Annulet: - A ring borne on an escutcheon. Originally it stood as the symbol of nobility and jurisdiction, being the gage of royal favour and protection. In describing the arms the colour of the annulet should always be expressed. When used as a difference, the annulet represents the fifth son. Fleur-de-lis: - Heraldically this is a flower, and stands at the head of the flowers of heraldry. Its origin is unknown, one "authority" claiming that it was brought down from heaven by an angel for the arms of France. It is also said to mean the flower of Louis (Fleur de Louis), and was certainly used by Louis VII. It is undoubtedly the "flower of the Lilly." Originally the royal banner of France was semee-of-lis (completely covered with fleurs-de-lis); but from the time of Charles VI it has consisted of three golden fleurs-de-lis on a blue field. The fleurs-de-lis did not at first meet with much favour in England, and did not become popular, in fact, until its assumption by Edward III. George VI, on his accession, abolished French quartering, in the English royal arms. When used as a difference the fleur-de-lis represents the sixth son. Rose: - The Rose, which is popular in English heraldry, is generally borne singly and full-faced, with five petals, barbs and seeds. When used as a difference it denotes the seventh son. Cross Moline: - So called because its shape resembles a millrind (the iron clamp of the upper millstone). It is borne both inverted and rebated, and sometimes saltire-wise or in saltire. When used as a mark of cadency it represents the eighth son. Octofoil: - A double quatrefoil: a leaf of eight points. When used as a difference it denotes the ninth son. Inanimate continued.... CADUCEUS: The mace of Mercury, with wings attached, and entwined with two snakes. Denotes balance and the union of opposing forces. It is a symbol of peace and healing. CALTRAP: French heralds called it Chausse-trap. It Is an abbreviated form of Cheval-trap: an instrument thrown upon the ground to injure feet of horses. One who demonstrates ingenuity and resourcefulness when faced with a stronger foe? CANNON (and Cannon Balls): Said of one who has dared their terror in sieges and in battles. CANTING ARMS: Canting, or punning, arms, are derived from the literal meaning or from the sound of a name. They are bearings in the nature of a similarity alluding to the name of the bearer. Thus, the Castletons bear three castles, and Pope Adrian IV. (Nicholas Breakspeare) bore a broken spear, The Keyes bore keys and Wells used a water well and Archer bore arrows etc. and the list is extensive. Although individually these charges may have specific historical symbolism it may be that the first bearer had in mind a pun on the name, and nothing more. There are however some instances where apparent 'canting arms' where not only an allusion to the name but had true symbolic meaning to the bearer. In most cases its indeed impossible to know which of these gleanings apply. CANTON: - A Subordinary-Bearing of honour; when borne charged, it often contains some very special symbol granted by the sovereign in reward for the performance of eminent service. CAP OF MAINTENANCE: Granted to British peers and Scottish feudal barons (see "Chapeau"). CARNATION: Symbol of admiration; hope and joy. CARPENTER'S SQUARE: Given to those that in all their works there shall nothing be found done either rashly or by adventure. CASTLE (tower, chateau): The emblem of grandeur and society, and has been granted sometimes to one who has faithfully held one for his king, or who has captured one by force or strategy. The castle of Western Europe was a Norman creation, stemming from the 10th and 11th-century 'Norman Mound' castles. A castle that became the model for many English and Norman castles was the formidable castle built at Arques in Normandy by Henry I of England. In the Middle East the Crusaders developed great castles with double circuits of curving outer walls and towers or turrets to overlook all sections of the wall. Early in the 13th century the medieval castle, a mixture of Norman, English, and Byzantine elements was born. CATHERINE WHEEL: Said to have been used in the martyrdom of St. Catherine, and therefore it is the emblem of one who is prepared to undergo great trials for the Christian faith. CHAINS: Reward for acceptable and weighty service; with crowns and collars, this suggests the bearer bore the chain of obligation or obliged others because of services done. CHALICE: The receptacle of spiritual forces. It is associated with the element of water. Shown upright, the cup is ready to receive; shown inverted, it symbolizes birth and realization; a symbol of faith. CHAPEL: When St. Martin divided his military cloak (cappa) and gave half to the beggar at the gate of Amiens, he wrapped the other half round his shoulders, thus making of it a cape (capella). This cape, or its representative, was afterwards preserved as a relic and accompanied the Frankish kings in their wars, and the tent which sheltered it became known also as cappella or capella. In this tent Mass was celebrated by the military chaplains (capellani). When at rest in the palace the relic likewise gave its name to the oratory where it was kept, and subsequently any oratory where Mass and Divine service were celebrated was called capella, chapelle, chapel. Often awarded for special services to the church or as a revelation of faith. CHAPEAU: Granted to British peers and Scottish feudal barons. It is a cap generally of red velvet turned up with ermine, formerly peculiar to dukes (whence it is sometimes called a duciper), but now often used to place crests upon instead of a wreath. CHAPLET: A circular garland, usually woven of 4 flowers (equally spaced), leaves, and foliage, that traditionally indicated honour or celebration. The wreath in ancient Egypt was most popular in the form of a chaplet made by sewing flowers to linen bands and tying them around the head. In ancient Greece, wreaths, usually made of olive, pine, laurel, celery, or palm, were awarded to athletes victorious in the Olympic games and as prizes to poets and orators. In Rome, laurel crowns were bestowed as a mark of honour, especially on civil officials and returning warriors. The heraldic chaplet is a crown of joy and admiration, honour and celebration. CHESS-ROOK: Heraldic symbol of a fortress signifying protection and strength; a representation of the chess piece resembling the cronal of a lance. May have been granted to one who successfully shielded a leader in an engagement of war or notorious enterprise. CHEVRON: See Ordinaries CHEVRONELS: - Diminutive of the Chevron-Represents military stripes of merit worn by gallant soldiers. CHIEF: see Ordinaries CINQUEFOILS: A five leafed flower signifying hope and joy. In French civic heraldry, the cinquefoil is sometimes used to represent the plant, narcissus, commonly called the cinquefoil. In Scottish heraldry this symbol is called a fraise. Cinquefoils were held by the ancient heralds to represent various flowers according to the colours in which they were borne. CIVIC WREATH: One who saved a fellow citizen's life or shown patriotism in defence of one's native land. CLAYMORE (Glaymore): The word is derived from the Gaelic claidheamh (a sword), and m�r (great); large two-handed sword popular in Scotland during the 15th, 16th and even the 17th centuries. These swords were popular also in Germany and in the Swiss states during the 15th and 16th centuries, although the term Claymore seems to have been restricted to Scotland. Said to denote one who was of high military honour, equity and justice. CLARION: Represents the ancient clarion. An emblem well becoming one who has bravely followed its sound in war; ready for the fray. CLUB: A heavy stick, usually thicker at one end than at the other; also known as a cudgel; usually borne as a weapon of defence by savages. If shown as a separate charge or device it may have represented some special enterprise or experience to the first bearer; symbol of guardianship and propugnation. COATS OF ARMS (TERMS) WREATH,(French: tortil, also bourrelet): the wreath, technically speaking, is the twisted band composed of two strips of lace and silk by which the crest is joined to the helmet; the colors are usually the two principal colors of the shield. It is sometimes referred to as a �torse�. It was, perhaps, copied by the crusaders from the wreathed turbans of the Saracens. HELMUT, sometimes called a Helm, in French, a Casque. There were many different types and styles over the centuries. Note: the Helmet is not officially or traditionally part of a coat of arms SUPPORTERS, It is generally accepted that Supporters had their origin from tilts and tournaments, wherein the knights caused their shields to be carried by servants or pages, under the disguise of Lions, Bears, Griffins etc, who also held and guarded the escutcheons, which the knights were obliged to expose to public view some time before the lists were opened. The French refer to supporters as �supports� and �tenants�, the former applied to animals, the latter to human beings. SHIELD, (Anglo-Saxon: Scyld): borne on the arm to protect the bearer in battle and to be recognized by his compatriots in the midst of the fight. COMPARTMENT, a compartment is a carved panel, sometimes stone or earth and grass, or a period scroll; it�s placed below the shield and it is where supporters stand. CREST, (French: cimier): a figure anciently affixed to the helmet of every commander, for his distinction in the confusion of battle. It�s the portion above the wreath. MANTLE, (Mantling, or Cappeline). In French it�s called a Lambrequin. It represents the lambrequin, or covering of the helmet, to protect it from the sun or rain. Typically, the colors are the primary colors of the shield. Note: the Mantle is not officially or traditionally part of a coat of arms. ESCROLL (SCROLL), a long strip of parchment bearing the motto. When no motto is available, the name is often found here. The motto can be below or above the shield. Note: the escroll is not officially or tradionally part of a coat of arms. CHARGE (DEVICE), anything borne on a coat of arms, whether upon the field, as was more usually the case in ancient arms, or upon an ordinary, or indeed upon another charge. In French it�s called �Meuble�. COLOURS, TINCTURES, METALS 1--OR, GOLD, YELLOW; known as 'jaune'; symbolizes generosity and elevation of the mind; one of the two metals of Heraldry. 'Or' is from Latin aurum): the chief of the tinctures; it is called Sol by those who blazon by the sun and planets. 2--ARGENT, SILVER OR WHITE; sometimes fancifully called Luna in the arms of princes, as also Pearl in those of peers; peace and sincerity. 3--RED OR GULES, (fr. gueules): the term is probably derived from the Arabic gule, a red rose; introduced by the Crusaders. Some historians feel the word is derived from the Latin gula, which in old French is found as gueule, i.e. the "red throat of an animal." Others, again, have tried to find the origin in the Hebrew word gulade, which signifies red cloth. Symbolizes a warrior or martyr; military strength and magnanimity. 4--BLUE OR AZURE; bright blue, the colour of an eastern sky, derived from the Arabic 'lazura'; denotes truth and loyalty. 5---GREEN OR VERT; (fr. sinople): The French are said to have called it Sinople, from a town in Asia Minor (Sinope) from which were brought the best materials for dyeing green, or silks and stuffs of a brilliant green colour; signifies hope, joy, and loyalty in love. 6--BLACK OR SABLE; derived from animals with black feet called Sable; signifies constancy or sometimes grief; mysteriousness. 7--PURPLE OR PURPURE; royal majesty, sovereignty, and justice. It is the most majestic of colours. It has also been referred to as 'plumby' and 'porprin'. 8--ORANGE, TAWNY OR TENNE; occasionally called 'brusque'; denotes worthy ambition. It is very rarely found mentioned, but was one of the colours forming the livery of the royal House of Stuart 9--MAROON SANGUINE OR MURRAY; blood colour, called by heraldic writers in the arms of princes Dragon's tail, and in those of lords Sardonyx; symbolizes patient in battle, and yet victorious. COLUMBINE: Called the dove plant, columbine was also thought to be the favourite plant of lions and thus was known also as Herba leonis. It was highly regarded for its medicinal values. In religious symbolism, the columbine signified the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit; the five petals of the flower formed little doves. Denotes courage and love. COLUMN (or pillar): Signifies fortitude and constancy. A serpent coiled around a pillar would signify wisdom and fortitude. COMET: Were seen as harbingers of devastating invasion, war, and conquest; also may signify the remembrance of a great battle. CONE, PINE: The emblem of life amongst the ancient Semitic races, much like the Crux Ansata or key-cross among the Egyptians. See Pine. CORNUCOPIA (or horn of plenty): The ancient symbol of the bounty of Nature's gifts. COUPEAUX: Usually described as a mountain of three coupeaux or hills. Can also be 6 or 10 hills. The reference to the first bearer was representative of locale and not to any other symbolism. Many communes had arms where coupeaux were blazoned, referring to the geographical nature and site of the commune, castle or domicile. It is doubtful the coupeaux had any other significance. Whether it was a mount of 3 coupeaux or 10 simply meant that there were more hills or hillocks involved. One herald impressed that the hills represented challenges accomplished. CRESCENT: (or increscent): Said to signify one who has been enlightened and honoured by the gracious aspect of his sovereign; symbol of 'hope and greater glory'. CROSIER/shepherd's crook: The shepherd's watchfulness; Christian faith; pastoral authority; also Episcopal jurisdiction; service in the Crusades. CROSSBOW (properly called an Arbalest): (Fr: arbal�te, Ger. Armbrust, Crossbow) First introduced early in the 14th century, the crossbow consisted of a bow mounted on a stock that could be cranked or pulled into place using more leverage than could be used on a conventional longbow. The result was a very high-powered, lower trajectoried weapon of great destructive potential. It fired a bolt, a shorter version of an arrow; an emblem of war and of great power. CROSSES Cross-Baptismal: This Greek cross is superimposed on a Greek "chi", the first letter of the Greek word for "Christ." It forms a cross with eight arms. Since the number eight is symbolic of rebirth or regeneration. Cross-Calvary: Was originally rejected by Christians because it was a pagan symbol. Some earlier uses of this symbol was as a sceptre of Apollo; with the phrase "Ptolemy the Saviour"; and a sign of life to come in the Egyptian religion of Sarapis. Cross Celtic: One of the most ancient of cruciforms; this cross was used by the Celtic Christians in Great Britain and Ireland. Symbolizes the unity of heaven and earth. Cross Constantine's: (Labarum) Good omen; Christianity. Cross Crosslet: Signifies the fourfold mystery of the cross. Cross Eastern: Used primarily in the Russian Orthodox Church. The upper bar represents the inscription, abbreviated "INRI" that Pilate had placed above Jesus' head. The meaning of the slanted bar is lost in legend. One story holds that Jesus' legs were of unequal length, another that the earthquake that came at His death caused the cross to tilt. Another explanation (probably the correct one) is that the slanted bar forms St. Andrew's cross. St. Andrew is believed to have introduced Christianity to Russia. Cross Embattled: This heraldic cross calls to mind the battlements of a fortress or castle, and thus may have been used as a symbol of the "church militant" (the church at war, as opposed to the church triumphant). Cross Fitchee: (cross pointed at base) A combination of cross and sword; symbolizing unshakeable faith. Cross Fleurette: Much like the cross fleurie/fleury, this cross is a reminder of the Trinity and of the Resurrection. Cross Flory (Patoncee): Represents one who has conquered. Cross Fourchee: This design reflects Christian piety and was popular as a decorative cross in medieval heraldry. The design ties to the age-old trust in the pagan magic of the forked stick. Cross Formee (see Pattee): Denotes military honour. Cross-Greek: one of the original forms used by Christians. (The Latin cross was not in popular usage until the eighth and ninth centuries.) Before Christianity, the Greek cross was an emblem of Hecate as the Goddess of Crossroads. The vertical was male; the horizontal was female - making it a plus sign of one-plus-the-other. Cross Jerusalem: This complex form is composed of a central cross made of four tau crosses representing the Old Testament law. The four smaller Greek crosses represent the fulfilment of the law in the gospel of Christ. This cross appeared on the coat-of-arms Godfrey of Bouillon, the first ruler of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem. It was embodied in the heraldry of the Crusaders. Cross Maltese: The badge of Knights; from the island of Malta, home of one of the world's oldest Goddess temples. This design directs attention to the centre, possibly to indicate earth's geographical centre, Omphalos, and site of the Goddess's chief temple. Cross Moline: The mutual converse of human society; said to represent a millstone. Cross Pattee: Was popular in medieval heraldry. It was a combination of the Christian (Greek) cross and Wotan's. This cross, also known as Cross Formee, was often shown as the insignia of the god Frey. Cross Patriarchal: This is an ecclesiastical cross that is often seen carried by the patriarchs in works of art. The upper bar represents the inscription placed on the cross by Pilate; adopted by cardinals and archbishops as a hierarchical distinction. Cross Pommee: This cross represents the Assyrian god Asshur, who ruled time and seasons. He was pictured with the faces of a man, lion, eagle, and bull, his four totems. The cross with circles was later used on Jewish amulets. Cross Potent: Was a symbol of ancient Mesapotamia. The cross- potent, with a circle was the sign of the Assyrian heaven-god Anu. This cross is also called the Windlass, a term linked with it in the Middle Ages. Cross Raguly: Denotes difficulties encountered. Cross-of St. Andrews: According to tradition, St. Andrew felt unworthy to be crucified like his Lord, so he begged that his cross be made differently. It is a symbol of humility and suffering. Cross Tau: Made from the Greek letter "T", is the simplest of all crosses. It is often used as the cross of Prophecy, or Old Testament cross, because it is the traditional sign that Israelites made with lamb's blood on their doorposts in Egypt on the night of Passover. A tau cross is often pictured as the pole on which Moses lifted up the brazen serpent in the wilderness. Inanimate continued.... CROWNS: Are symbols of monarchy, state and power and denotes dignity and accomplishment. The etymology is as follows Middle English coroune, crowne, from Old French corone, from Latin corona wreath, crown, from Greek korOnE culmination, something curved like a crow's beak, literally, crow; akin to Latin cornix crow, Greek korax raven. The use of the crown as a symbol of monarchy is of ancient tradition in Egypt and the Middle East. In ancient Greece and Rome, however, crowns sometimes made of leaves, were simply wreaths, awarded to victors in athletic tournaments or bestowed on citizens in recognition of an extraordinary deed. In medieval and modern times, the crown is generally made of metal, often gold or silver and inlaid with precious gems. SOME CROWN TYPES ANTIQUE OR ANCIENT: The ancient crown is often used to represent the days of the Saxons and at times the feudalistic period. It is usually depicted in Gold. THE EASTERN CROWN:represents the crown anciently worn by Oriental princes. Baron�s Coronet: is a plain circle of gold having six large pearls upon it, four which are seen in a drawing. Sometimes referred to an antique crown (as well). CHARLEMAGNE: this crown having been borne by five kings of England as Arch-treasurers of the Holy Roman Empire. DUKE'S CROWN: is a circle of gold richly chased, and having upon its upper edge eight strawberry-leaves; only five are shown in the drawing, two of them being in profile. The cap is of crimson velvet lined with white taffeta and turned up with ermine. At the top is a gold tassel. A coronet without the cap, and showing but three leaves, is called a Ducal (or Crest)coronet, and frequently a Ducal crown. Rarely a ducal coronet is shown with cap. EARL'S CORONET: is a rim of gold richly chased, on the upper edge of which are eight strawberry-leaves, and the same number of pearls (5 showing on a drawing) set upon high points, so that it is readily distinguished from the coronet of the marquis. HANOVER CROWN: the electorate of Hanover having been constituted a kingdom, the bonnet which had hitherto been placed over the insignia of that state was exchanged for a crown, in pursuance of a royal proclamation dated June 8, 1816. IMPERIAL CROWN OF ENGLAND: the Royal Crown of England is adorned with gold crosses patt�e and fleur-de-lis, cap is of crimson velvet, turned up with ermine, and surmounted by a cross patt�e. IMPERIAL CROWN OF GERMANY: is properly the crown peculiar to the German emperor. MURAL CROWN: formed of battlements masoned.Said to have been given by the Romans to the soldier who first ascended the walls of a besieged fortress. Symbolizes a defender of a fortress, token of civic honour; one who first mounted the breach in the walls of a fortress. MARQUIS CORONET: this coronet features a rim of gold richly chased, supporting four strawberry-leaves and as many large pearls(or rather balls of silver-2 showing in a drawing) upon short points. NAVAL CROWN: a circle, having upon its upper edge four masts of galleys, each with a topsail, and as many sterns placed alternately. Some heralds say it was invented by the Emperor Claudius as a reward for sea service. Denotes one who first boarded an enemy's ship; distinguished naval commander. CROWN PALISADO: (Vallary) a name given to a form of crown with, as it were, palisades upon it, and hence said to have been given by the Roman generals to him who first entered the enemies' camp by breaking through their outworks. It is also called vallary, from the Latin vallus, which generally means the palisade surmounting the vallum. VISCOUNT'S CORONET: a chased circle of gold supporting twelve, fourteen, or, as some say, sixteen pearls, but usually only seven visible. CUIRASS: The armour defence for the body. First Introduced during the third quarter of the 14th century and it became the premier defence of the 15th century. Consisting of a breast and back-plate, hoops of steel to defend the hips known as faulds, and tassets to defend the upper or front surface of the thigh. During the 14th century, the breastplate was often made from a single piece of steel and the back-plate from a brigandine, but during the 15th the breastplate was generally made in two or more pieces and the back in many pieces. It represented one who was unassailable, one of strength and might. CUSHION (pillow): Marks of authority. CYPRESS (pine, yew): Evergreen tree emblematic of death; the Egyptians considered this evergreen symbolic of hope in an eternal life beyond the tomb. DAGGER (dirk, rapier, and skean, or skene): Justice and military honour. DANCETT� or dancetty: a zigzag line of partition, differing from indented only in the indentations, being larger in size. Denotes water and may signify an important sea voyage. DANISH HATCHET: symbol of the execution of military duty. See Axe. DECRESCENT: One who has been honoured by the sovereign; hope of greater glory (a crescent with horns to the sinister). DELF (SQUARE): Popular in German heraldry. To some ancients, the square was the earth, as opposed to the heavens. Because of its geometric perfection it denoted honesty and straightforwardness, equity, morality and integrity. DICE (cubes, gads): Falls right however they be cast; emblems of constancy and equity. DROPS (Guttees): One who has endured torrents of liquids in battle depending upon the colour of the liquid; sometimes used for the purpose of differencing. Or/Yellow: gold--may indicate a generous deed or spiritual richness if borne on a cross. Azure/Blue: tears--shed in a great battle over a lost compatriot or family member or the bearer shows some great work unaccomplished and deplored his unavailing efforts; also grief, loss. Vert/Green: oil--symbolizes olive oil; peace and concord as in the olive branch. Argent/White: water--usually denoting that while engaged in battle it rained down upon the bearer. Sable/Black: pitch or tar--boiling pitch or tar was often poured down upon the assailants of castles. Gules/Red: blood--referring to some bloody conflict in which the first bearer was engaged. DRUM: Readiness for war. EEL FORK: Used by ancient fisherman to catch eel in the mud where a net would not do. Signifies such action of merit, wherein both strength and policy are conjoined. ELM TREE: Represents the power and mystery of nature; demands respect and reverence; the home of the gods; tree of sleep and denotes wisdom. ESCALLOP (shell): This is the badge of a pilgrim, also a symbol of the Apostle St. James the Great. Denotes one who has made long journeys or voyages to far places; a naval commander. ESCARBUNCLE: May owe its origin to the ornamental metalwork on the shield that was added to strengthen it. Denotes supremacy. ESTOILE: Celestial goodness, a man of noble personage. See Star. FALCON'S (HAWK'S) LURE: Denotes one who was fond of the highest pursuits. Hunting and Falconry were such pursuits in the days of Heraldry. The bell signifies a signal to recall the absent from afar. FASCES: the Roman fasces, consisting of a bundle of rods (elm or ash) bound round the helve of a hatchet. The bundle of rods bound together symbolizes strength that is lacking in the single rod. The axe symbolizes authority and leadership. FEATHERS (Plume): Ostrich feathers. When three or more occur, they are termed a plume or in French, a panache. When more than three heights (rows) occur, the term pyramid of feathers is used. Denotes willing obedience and serenity. FER DE MOLINE (Millrind, inkmoline, mill-ink, millrine) : Represents the iron which supports the upper millstone of a corn-mill, and carries the eye which rests upon the end of the mill spindle. Denotes divination, luck, protection. FETTERLOCK (shacklebolt, shackbolt, or manacle): A 'handcuff,' or prisoners' bolt. Signifies victory; one that has taken prisoners or rescued prisoners of war. Fire: Ancient symbol of a ruler; also symbolizes the transforming energy of the Holy Spirit's actions; denotes zeal; was anciently connected with the universal worship of the sun. FLAG (standard, banner): see Banner FLASQUES OR FLANCHES: A sub-ordinary given by a king for virtue and learning, and especially for service in embassage (the message or commission entrusted to an ambassador). FLEAM: representing an ancient lancet or bloodletting instrument; the fleam of St. Luke, denoting that the bearer may have been a physician. (A fleam is a sharp lancet, which was used to open veins). FLEECE: Owes its celebrity to the classical fable of Jason's expedition to Colchis in the ship Argo to obtain it; ancient honour from the Knightly Order of the Golden Fleece. FLEUR DE LIZ: Originally the white Lily, and applied in early heraldic treatises to the white flowers attributed to the Virgin Mary. Later the term was used also for the flower of the French royal arms, and subsequently to any conventionalized flower of this form and of any tincture. Denotes purity; light; represents sixth son as mark of difference or distinction. See Cadency. FLOWERS (lily, poppy, daisy, tulip, sunflower, lily-flower, etc): The flower and the blossom are both symbols of young life. Flowers are associated with the sun, because the arrangement of its petals is reminiscent of the shape of a star. The flower is generally representative of beauty, hope and joy. FORK (pitch, hay): Denotes laboriousness. Express image of a trade very vital to man, and their exquisite skill issued out of the plentiful fountain of God's abundant spirit; may denote an estate owner whose lands included agricultural farms; always willing and able to lend a helping hand. FOUNTAIN: Represents a well or spring of water. Occasionally borne as an illusion to the first bearer's name, i.e.: Wells, Sykes, Weller etc. FRAMED SAW (saw): The frame-saw was the instrument used by tree-cutters to fell trees in the days of heraldry. It may have special significance to the bearer as it relates to a great experience encountered; may also signify determination and the dependance on providence for the event. FRASIER-FRAISES (strawberry): Usually represented by the cinquefoil (Scotch term for a Cinquefoil is a 'strawberry) but occasionally represented by strawberry leaves fructed (bearing fruit). An Anglo-Saxon symbol for a wanderer. The French word for strawberry is 'fraise' and growers are called fraisiers. FRUIT (apple, pear, pineapple, fig, pomegranate, hazel, walnuts etc.): Signifies liberality, felicity and peace. Refer to individual fruits. FUSIL: In its natural form and sense, is a spindle belonging to a distaff (the staff from which the flax was drawn in spinning) but in its conventional form it is an elongated lozenge. Denotes laboriousness; always with work in hand. FYLFOT (Gammadion): An ancient figure to which different mystic meanings have been applied; said to have been known in India and China long before the Christian era. Signifies power, energy, and migration. GALLEY (Lymphad): An ancient ship with one mast; a feudal ensign; notable expedition by sea, by which, perhaps, the first bearers had become famous. See Ship. GALTRAP: see Caltrap. GARB: A sheaf of wheat, or corn. It represented that the harvest of one's hopes had been secured. GILLY-FLOWER (July-flower): The Gilly-Flower was originally a lily and was bright crimson in colour; an emblem of chastity, innocence, and purity. GAUNTLET: A glove of mail (iron). The custom in the Middle Ages, when one knight challenged another, was for the challenger to throw his gauntlet on the ground, and if the challenge was accepted the person to whom it was thrown picked it up. Signifies one who is armed for the performance of martial enterprise. GLOVE: Falconer's or Hawking-glove. When the quarry is bolted the hawk flies fast in pursuit and seizes its prey with its talons, overpowering it through sheer strength of grip. If it misses, it is trained to return to the falconer's glove for a piece of meat. Usually borne on a shield by a bearer who was indeed a Falconer or one who successfully completed an enterprise involving a Falcon. GOLDEN-FLEECE: a ram stuffed and suspended by a collar round his middle. See Fleece. GOLPES: A purple roundle. Signifies a wound in battle. See Roundles GORGED: Collared around the neck; symbolic of high dignity. GRAPES: An ancient symbol of hospitality and youthfulness; vineyard. GUTT�E: drops, varying in colour, according to what is intended to be represented. See Drops. GYRON: Two straight lines from the dexter fess and chief points, meeting in an acute angle in the fess point; a symbol of unity; the joining of forces to defeat an otherwise stronger enemy or cause. Gyron - from the Spanish 'Gyron', a triangular piece of cloth sewed into a garment. The usual number of pieces is eight, but there may be six, ten, or twelve or sixteen. Denotes Unity. HALBERT (pole-axe): A weapon of the 15th and 16th centuries having an axe-like blade and a steel spike mounted on the end of a long shaft. See axe for symbolism. HAMMER (marteau): The hammer signifies that the gate will not yield without opposing resistance, as if it needed the repeated metal stroke, equal to the insistent in order to force the Gates of Justice and Charity. It is a symbol of honour and is also a symbol of the smith's trade. HARP: Henry VIII was the first to assume the harp as the Irish device, and James I. to place it in the third quarter of the royal achievement of Great Britain. Denotes a well-composed person of tempered judgment; contemplation; mystical bridge between heaven and earth. HARROW (Herse): used in husbandry (agriculture, farming). A farm implement consisting of a heavy frame with sharp teeth or upright disks used to break up and even off ploughed ground; to inflict great distress or torment on; see agricultural implements. HATCHET: See Axe. HAZEL (tree): In Celtic tradition, the Salmon of Knowledge is said to eat the 9 nuts of poetic wisdom dropped into its sacred pool from the hazel tree growing beside it. Each nut eaten by the salmon becomes a spot on its skin. The Hazel tree provided shade, protection and baskets; may signify knowledge, wisdom and poetic inspiration. HAWK'S LURE: A decoy used in falconry, consisting of two wings joined with a line, to the end of which is attached the ring. Usually denotes one who is fond of the highest pursuits, such as hunting and falconry. See Falcon. HELMET (helm): Resting on the chief of the shield, and bearing the crest; indicates rank: Gold, with six bars, or with the visor raised (in full face) for royalty. Steel, with gold bars, varying in number (in profile) for a nobleman; Steel, without bars, and with visor open for a knight or baronet; Steel, with visor closed (in profile), for a squire or gentleman. HILT: The handle of a sword. See Sword. HOOK: (fish): The symbolism is typically that of "fishes" however the fishhook may also symbolizes the agency whereby one investigates the unseen; one who despite not knowing his enemy's strength will venture forth with confidence. HOLLY: Holly is associated with the death and rebirth symbolism in both Pagan and Christian lore. In Arthurian legend, Gawain (representing the Oak King of summer) fought the Green Knight, who was armed with a holly club to represent winter. It is one of the three timbers used in the construction of chariot wheel shafts. It was used in spear shafts also. The qualities of a spear shaft are balance and directness, as the spear must be raised to be thrown, the holly indicates directed balance and vigour to fight if the cause is just; symbol of truth. HORSESHOE: Signifies good fortune and was used as a safeguard against evil spirits. HOUR-GLASS: A symbol of time and time expiring; an ancient pirate symbol; death, mortality. HUNTING-HORN: A signal horn used in the chase. Denotes one who is fond of high pursuits. HURT (heurt, hueurt, hurtle-berry, huckleberry): a blue roundle; some claim that it represents a wound or hurt, while others say it is a representation of the hurtleberry also knows as the wortleberry; see Roundle. INCRESCENT: A special honour received by the sovereign; hope of greater glory. See Crescent. INKHORN (penner, pen): An ink-well. Signifies the liberal art of writing and of learned employments. INESCUTCHEON: a coat of arms borne as a shield (escutcheon) of Pretence; superimposed upon a shield of arms in testimony of the claim of a prince to the sovereignty of the country so represented, or if by a private person, then as a sign that he had married the heiress of the family indicated. INK-MOLINE: See Fer-de-Moline. IRISH BROGUE (Dutch boot, boot, antique boot, shoe etc.): An Irish boot of un-tanned leather; the shoe being a sign of dignity, and the shoeless foot a mark of servitude. The brogue is an Irish symbol of respect. IVY LEAVES: Protection and healing; strong and lasting friendship; the ivy and vine were by the Romans consecrated to Bacchus, as the Myrtle to Venus, the poplar to Hercules, wheat-ears to Ceres, and Reeds to the river gods. JAVELIN (spear, tilting spear, lance, dart,): If a stranger kept the point of his spear forward when he entered a strange land, it was a declaration of war; if he carried the spear on his shoulder with the point behind him, it was a token of friendship. Bestowed only on the valiant and well deserving soldier. It is the emblem of knightly service and signifies devotion to honour. JESSAMINE (Jasmine): Is the white quatrefoil and signifies hope, joy and a demonstration of attachment. JESSANT DE LIS: A fleur-de-lis shooting out from the mouth of a leopard or a lion. Conferred by Edward III during his wars in France, as a reward to some of leaders who served under him in his victorious campaigns. The lion of the English arms is swallowing the lily of the French coat. JUNIPER: Protection against thieves, witches and evil; healer. KEYS: Borne as emblems of guardianship and dominion. Denotes liberation, knowledge, mystery, and initiation. Silver (Argent) keys usually refer to temporal power, while Gold (Or) ones refer to spiritual power. In Christianity, it is the emblem of St. Peter as the guardian of the gate of Heaven, and the key may either confine or release. LABEL: See Cadency LADDER (scaling ladder): A military ladder with curved top. Denotes one who was fearless in attacking; used in warfare only by extremely brave soldiers; when born up against a tower, it symbolizes awareness to stand carefully on guard as the castle is continually assailed by our spiritual and corporal enemies. LADY'S SLEEVE (maunch, manche): Used in heraldry from the custom of knights who attended tournaments wearing their ladies' sleeves as a pledge of love. LAMP (Tin workers, Roman, Ancient): If not used for the purposes of profession (tin worker), lamps of this sort were used as vessels of light, and as beacons to ward off evil. LANCE: see Javelin. LANTERN (falot): Ship's Lantern; watchful; cautious; a great navigator of tormented seas. LATHS: a bundle of laths is borne by the 'bricklayers' company', and also by the 'woodmongers' company, but not by any family that I know of. LAUREL LEAVES: (branch) In ancient times these leaves were used as remedies against poison and were used as tokens of peace and quietness. The branches were held in honour in the temples of ancient Greece. LEAVES (Bay, Ivy, Oak, Olive): Oak leaves: antiquity and strength, Olive leaves: peace and concord, Ivy leaves: strong and lasting friendship, Bay leaves: the victor's laurel. LIGHTNING: The classical preservatives against lightning were the eagle, the sea-calf, and the laurel. Jupiter chose the first, Augustus Caesar the second, and Tiberius the third. Bodies scathed and a man struck dead by lightning were said to be incorruptible; and anyone so distinguished was held by the ancients in great honour. The bolt of lightning is a traditional symbol of sudden illumination and the destruction of ignorance; it also represents a punishment of humans by the gods from the skies. LILY: Emblem of chastity, innocence, and purity; see Cinquefoil. LIME TREE (linden tree): the Crusaders brought the lime tree to France and Italy in the 13th Century. It is a symbol of life and vitality and energy; resurrection. LINES OF PARTITION: There are many lines of partition between the fields. Some have documented symbolism others were merely added for artistic purposes or for purposes of distinguishing one shield from another. Nebuly or Nebulee-- signifies clouds or air, Wavy or Undee--sea or water, Engrailed--earth or land, Invected--earth or land, Indented--fire, Dancettee--water, Raguly or Ragulee--Difficulties that have been encountered, Embattled--fire or walls of a fortress or town, Dovetail -- Strength, Rayonnee -- Sun, Radiant, Potent -- Determined through adversity LOCK (padlock): Symbolizes guardianship and dominion. See keys. LOTUS FLOWER: The lotus flower appeared in legends originating both from India and from ancient Egypt. The lotus is a flower that opens and closes each day. In ancient Egypt the lotus also known as the sacred water lily was frequently represented; it was associated with the life-giving power of the Nile River and with Osiris, lord of the dead. It is a symbol of purity, virtue and honesty. LOZENGE: Denotes honesty and constancy. Held to be a token of noble birth. A Lozenge that is shown voided is called a mascle. LYMPHAD (Lymphiad): See Galley or Ship. LYRE (Harp): The lyre was the attribute of the Greek god Apollo. Hermes, who later became the messenger of the Greek gods and, as Mercury, became the god of merchants and thieves in Rome, stole some oxen from Apollo. The dispute was settled when Hermes gave Apollo his own musical instrument, the lyre; symbolic of one who was well-composed and tempered judgement; contemplation. MACE: Originally a short mass weapon of battle not unlike a heavy club. A mace is an ensign of dignity and a symbol of authority and power. After the third quarter of the 14th century the club end was often made of metal and enhanced with metal flanges or spikes. MACE OF AUTHORITY: During medieval times, the Royal Serjeants-at-Arms were distinguished by their power of arrest without a warrant. To an increasing extent, their Maces - originally ordinary weapons of war, similar to a club became their emblems of authority. They were stamped with the Royal Arms; and in an age in which few men could read or write, the Serjeants effected their arrests by showing their Maces and not by producing any form of written warrant. Maces have since evolved to larger and more ornate Royal Arms and an arched crown surmounted by an orb and cross. MAIL (aventail, ventail, hauberk, haubergeon): Defensive armour. Interwoven links of iron wire riveted together to form a kind of defensive metal cloth, highly resistant to slashing but less effective against piercing or crushing wounds. During the latter 14th and 15th centuries sometimes the riveted links were interposed with solid links that had been stamped to halve the production time. Specialized armourers made Mail, and because it was easy to make, it was manufactured all over Europe. First introduced by the Romans during the latter days of their empire; symbol of protection; a great warrior ready for battle or symbolic of a great battle won. MANACLES: See Fetterlock MANDRAKE: In ancient times human figures were often cut out of the root, and wonderful virtues ascribed to them. It was used to produce fecundity in women. Another superstition is that when the mandrake is uprooted it utters a scream, in explanation of which Thomas Newton, in his Herball to the Bible, says, "It is supposed to be a creature having life, engendered under the earth of the seed of some dead person put to death for murder." Mandrake are also called 'love apples', from the old notion that they excited amorous inclinations; hence Venus is called Mandragoritis, and the Emperor Julian, in his epistles, tells Calixenes that he drank its juice nightly as a love-potion; symbol of love, fecundity, gallantry and benevolence. MANTLING (or Cappeline, in French call Lambrequin) this device of the painter/designer was created to give prominence to the coat of arms and crest and is considered in theoretical heraldry to represent the lambrequin, or covering of the helmet, to protect it from the weather. Typically, the colors of the mantling are the principal color(s) and metal of the Coat of Arms. See coat of arms section. MASCLE: A lozenge that is perforated or voided. Mascles represent the links that composed chain armour and may also represent the mesh of a net. If shown to represent a mesh of net it denotes persuasion; if shown to represent the links in chain armour it denotes protection. MILLSTONE (mill-pick, millrind): Signifies the mutual converse of human society, since the stones are never used singly, but in couples, each standing in need of the other's aid for the performance of its work. MIRROR: Represented oval and with a handle: The mirror is a reflection of the soul; it does not lie, it is absolute truth. It is "man's knowledge of himself, the clear shining surface of divine truth, the gateway to the realm of inversion" (Cooper, 106). Taoists regard the mirror as the mechanism of self-realization, and Christians view a spotless mirror as an image of the Virgin Mary. For the Chinese, it is sincerity, and for the Buddhists it is the soul in a state of purity. MITRE: See bishop's mitre MOON: See crescent. MORION: Antique helmet, originating in Spain in the 15th century and worn by infantry. When depicted on the shield, it denotes strength and protection; an ensign of a great battle won; also wisdom; security and safety in defence. MORTAR & PESTLE: A vessel in which substances are crushed or ground with a pestle. The bearers were Knights of the Pestle and Mortar; Apothecaries or druggists, whose chief instrument is the pestle and mortar, used in compounding medicines. MOUND (orb): A globe surmounted by a cross, used as a symbol of monarchical power and justice; part of the regalia of sovereigns. MOUND (rising or hillock): On which crests are often under set, and usually for artistic purposes. Although occasionally, they were used to represent burial mounds and symbolized either remembrance, or protection by the device or charge resting on the mound. Sometimes referred to as a Compartment. MOUNT (mountain): Symbolizes constancy, permanence and enlightenment; an ancient symbol of the communication between heaven and earth. MULBERRY: From the Greek moros (a fool); so called, we are told in the Hortus Anglicus, because "it is reputed the wisest of all flowers, as it never buds till the cold weather is past and gone." Denotes wisdom and the sagacity of good judgement. MULLET (star): Usually 5 pointed however, in French heraldry the mullet is a six-pointed star. It usually represents the rowel of a spur. The mullet is also the mark of distinction of the third son. See Cadency. Is also said to denote some Divine quality bestowed from above. See Star. MUSHROOM: An ancient symbol of good fortune; immortality. MUSKET (pot-gun): The musket was the largest matchlock requiring the use of a rest to support its weight of 20 pounds. It is believed the Duke of Alba introduced the matchlock musket into Spanish service in the mid-16th century. By the 17th century, the English matchlock musket weighed 16 pounds and was10 gauge. (Gauge is the diameter of a gun barrel as determined by the number of lead balls in a pound that exactly fit the barrel). Denotes readiness for battle, warden-ship; a rampart of honour. MUSICAL PIPES (tabors): Emblems of festivity and rejoicing. A tabor is a small drum worn suspended from the waist. Often played with one hand while the other fingers play a hole-whistle, which is called pipe-and-tabor playing. MYRTLE: Usually borne as an oval garland representative of the victors at the Julian Games; a cipher symbolic of victory. Also a symbol of conviction and faith as the ancient Jews believed that the eating of myrtle leaves conferred the power of detecting witches; and it was said that if the leaves crackled in the hands, the person beloved, would prove faithful. NAILS (passion, spike): Borne in token of poignant suffering undergone by the first bearer. NARCISSUS: Flower with six petals. Narcissus was the son of the Greek river god Kephissos; symbol of vanity, arrogance; also a symbol of confidence and self-reliance. NESTS: A symbol of security and safety. The Pelican feeding her young in a nest is frequently found on European shields and crests. NETS: It is said that the term fret, or rather fretty, should be used to represent the nets; an Honourable bearing, symbolizing persuasion, and often granted to commanders for valiant service to their sovereign in a Great War, or battle. NIMBUS (aureole, circle of glory): A halo-- a circle of radiant light around the heads of God, Christ, the Virgin Mary, or a saint: type of aureole, gloriole, or glory. It indicates divinity or holiness, though originally it was placed around the heads of kings and gods as a mark of distinction characterizing authority and power. NOAH'S ARK: In Christian ideology, this bearing was a way of saving believers from the "engulfing sea of godlessness" (Biederman, 17). In Heraldry, the Ark symbolizes hope and survival, prospects and aspirations. NUT; See Hazel OAK TREE: An oak was often the guardian tree of a family. It is the emblem of virtue and strength and resiliency. Long associated with thunder gods such as Thor in Norse mythology; denotes steadfastness, endurance. Known as the holy oak by ancient Christians, denoting worship. OAR: Signifies power, skill, and knowledge; a sign of respect and salutation. Often granted for successful enterprises at sea. OCTOFOIL: An eight leaved flower; also called a double quatrefoil. A mark of cadency of the eight son. See Cadency. OGRESS: (same as a pellet): see Roundles OLIVE TREE: This popular bearing has much symbolism. Chastity. In ancient Greece the newly married bride wore an olive-garland. Fecundity. The fruit of the olive is produced in vast profusion; so that olive-trees are valuable to their owners. Merit. In ancient Greece a crown of olive-twigs was the highest distinction of a citizen who had deserved well of his country. Peace. An olive branch was anciently a symbol of peace. The vanquished that sued for peace carried olive branches in their hands. And an olive-twig in the hands of a king (on medals), as in the case of Numa, indicated a reign of peace. Victory. The highest prize in the Olympic games was a crown of olive-leaves. It is said that Athene (Minerva) and Poseidon (Neptune) disputed the honour of giving a name of a certain city of Greece, and agreed to settle the question by a trial of which could produce the best gift for the new city. Athena commanded the earth to bring forth the olive-tree. Poseidon commanded the sea to bring forth the war-horse. Athena's gift was adjudged the better, and the city was called Athens, hence the origin of the Olive Tree. ORDINARIES: Are certain charges in common use in arms, and in their simple forms are bounded by straight lines. Their number has never been precisely agreed upon, but most heralds recognize nine principal ones, which they call honourable, namely, the cross, the chief, the pale, the bend, the bend sinister, the fesse, the bar, the saltire, and the chevron. ORDINARIES-Symbolism Chief--Honourable ordinary occupying the whole of the top and one-third of the total surface of the shield, and it has often been granted as a special reward for prudence and wisdom, as well as for successful command in war. The chief betoken a senator or honourable personage borrowed from the Greeks, and is a word signifying a 'head', in which sense we call capitaneous (so named for caput, the head), a chieftain. And as the head is the chief part of a man, so the chief in the escutcheon should be a reward of such onely, whose high merits have procured them chief place, esteem, or love amongst men. Cross--Faith; service in the Crusades, (see crosses) Saltire Cross or St. Andrews Cross-- symbol of resolution; reward of such as have scaled the walls of towns. Chevron-- Protection; granted as a reward to one who has achieved some notable enterprise. Said to represent the rooftree of a house, and has sometimes been given to those who have built churches or fortresses or who have accomplished some work of faithful service. Fesse--Represents a military belt or girdle of honour. The word Fesse is a French word; and signifies the loines of a man. The girdle of honour may seem to have been in ancient time given by Emperors, and Kings, and their Generals of the field unto soldiers, for reward of some special service performed by them. This Ordinary has been anciently taken for the same that we call Baltheum militare or a belt of honour. The bestowing of this military girdle was reputed very honourable because none were to receive it but men of merit. If a knight was disarmed of his Military girdle by his demerits and offence, he is there-with-all deprived of all Military privileges. Bar - For one who sets the bar of conscience, religion and honour against angry passions and evil temptations; denotes some high excellence in its first bearer. Pale - Military strength and fortitude; bestowed upon those who have impaled or otherwise defended cities, or who have supported the government of their sovereigns, and for standing uprightly for their prince and country. Bend - Bearing of high honour; represents the scarf or shield suspender of a knight commander signifying defence or protection; granted to those who have distinguished themselves as commanders. The symbolism also applies to the Bends diminutives the Bendlet and the Cotise. Inanimate continued.... PALE One of the nine honourable ordinaries. It is a vertical line, set upright in the middle of the shield and occupying one-third of the field. It seldom contains more than three charges. Said to denote military strength and the governor of a powerful legion. PALET - Diminutive of the Pale. See Ordinaries PALL A figure having the form of the letter Y. It consists of half a pale issuing from the base, and conjoined in the fesse point with half a saltier from the dexter chief and sinister chief. It is said to represent a liturgical vestment worn over the chasuble by the pope, archbishops, and some bishops in the Roman Catholic Church. It is betoken by the pope on archbishops and bishops having metropolitan jurisdiction as a symbol of their participation in papal authority; secular tradition of emperors and other high officials wearing a special scarf usually of velvet as a badge of office. PALM BRANCH In pre-Christian times the palm was regarded as a symbol of victory, justice, and high honour. It is the symbol of Saint Anastasia. The palm branch became an insignia for all those who, martyr or saint, deserved victory over evil. PALM TREE Betoken on one as a reward for justice, as justice is long in coming to the virtuous. It is a symbolic tree of paradise. Denote righteousness and resurrection. PANACHE see Feather. PALMERS STAFF A palmer is a pilgrim privileged to carry a palm-staff; originally a branch of a palm tree carried by a palmer in token of his having been to the Holy Land. Palmers differed from pilgrims in that a pilgrim made his pilgrimage and returned to public or private life, but the wandering palmer spent his life visiting holy shrines, and lived on the benevolence of God. Betoken on one of faith. PANSY A colourful flowering plant. Pansy divination was said to be a method of fortune telling supposedly used by the Knights of the Round Table. It involved randomly picking a petal off a pansy and looking at its markings. Denotes love, freedom of thought and reflection, and also of good fortune. PARTI PER Arms divided by lines of partition (raguly, embattled, rayonnee etc) are referred to as �Parted (or Parti) per�. Most contemporary Armorists drop the word parted (or Parti) and use �per� only. It is said these types of partitioned shields took their origin from the parti-coloured coats which were actually worn as garments when Heraldry first arose. The symbolism lies in their tinctures, furs or patterns, and charges (if any are so blazoned) and not in the partition type or style; partitioning a shield in such a way was also a means of 2 or more branches of the same family being represented on one coat of arms or a reference to kinfolk such as the house of the father and the house of the mother etc. The primary aim of Heraldry was to produce the most striking effect at a glance, and the shield attitude (partitions) being adopted merely as a means of distinction between one coat and another. PHEON (broad arrow) Barded head of a dart, javelin or arrow, pointing down, with long barbs that are engrailed on the inner edge. The order of the golden pheon was a kingdom level award given to those Outlands archers who the crown felt exhibited great skill in target archery, or who greatly enriched the kingdom through service in the practice of archery. Denotes dexterity and nimble wit; readiness for battle. PIGEON Were used as messenger carriers by the early Persians, Egyptians, Phoenicians and later the Romans. Betoken on one who is virtuous and also denotes peace and wisdom. PIKE A long spear usually of ash, with a small piercing head. The point was made first of flint, later of bronze, and ultimately of steel; the spear has been in use since prehistoric times, originally as a missile or lance type weapon. Up to 20 feet in length, they were popular with the Scots, Swiss and Flemings during the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries. Although the symbolism is the same as the lance; it is also said of the pike to be symbolic of the swift and straight current which carries away the foolhardy. PILE A Sub-ordinary-Fitted for an engineer or for one who has shown great ability in any kind of construction; represents the large pieces of wood used by engineers in the construction of(military) bridges or of buildings on insecure or marshy ground. When only one pile is found borne on a shield it very much resembles a pennon or small pointed flag, and it may be that this was intended when only one is represented. PILLAR See Column. PINEAPPLE Originally called pineapple because of its shape and external appearance to that of the cone of the pine tree. As early as 1492 Christopher Columbus found pineapple growing at Guadeloupe and carried it back to Spain to Queen Isabella. Ancient sea captains would place a pineapple on their gatepost when returning from a long journey, to let their neighbours know they were home. It became the symbol of elite social standing and hospitality. PINCERS Honourable emblem of the smiths trade. PINE CONE (pine-apple) The ancient Greeks and Assyrians viewed the pinecone as a symbol of masculinity because of its phallic shape. It formed the apex of the thyrsus staff, which represented both fertility and immortality. As the emblem of Artemis, it represented feminine purity. It was also the emblem of the Roman goddess Venus (Aphrodite). In Christianity, the pinecone forms the crown of the Tree of Life. Symbolizes immortality and fertility. PINE TREE (Fir) The tree of life and humanity. A pine tree in the forest symbolizes long-suffering, steadfast friendships, and enduring fame. According to Virgil, early Romans decorated pine trees with little masks of Bacchus (a fertility god). As the wind blew the masks around, Bacchus was believed to grant fertility to every part of the tree the masks faced. It is said to symbolize immortality, resiliency, longevity, and rebirth. PIPES (music) Festivity and rejoicing. See musical pipes. PLATE See Roundles PLOUGH An implement of husbandry. Betoken on one who laboured in the earth and depended upon providence for the event. PLUME See feathers PLUMMET The weight used on a level. It symbolizes equity and upright action; denotes a virtuous person. POLEARM Any of a number of weapons with a cutting or slashing blade at one end attached to a long pole for a handle. The halberd, guisarm, bill, bec-de-corbin, and poleaxe are all specific kinds of polearms, rising in popularity during the 15th century and into the 16th amongst the infantry. As charges they are generally symbols of power, guardianship and authority. POLEAXE (pollaxe, polaxe) A staff weapon used by Knights. The blade was an axe-head, usually balanced by a hammer-type head, and surmounted by a steel spike. Used from the fifteenth century for foot combats. The shaft was of ash other hardwood, mounted by an ax blade that had a forward point for thrusting and a thin projection on the back for piercing armour or pulling a horseman off balance. The poleaxe and halberd were specialized weapons for fighting armoured men-at-arms and penetrating knightly armour. It is said that pole in the name refers not to the staff, but to the Old English word poll which meant head. Betoken on one of dignity and repute; readiness for the ordeal of battle and the defence of purpose through allegiance to the sovereign; loyalty, conviction, unconquerable will. POMEIS See Roundles POMEGRANATE From the Old English Pomgarnet, the garnet no doubt for the crimson coloured seeds of the pomegranate; sacred to Hera (Greek mythology), the daughter of Cronos and Rhea, and queen of the Olympian gods. She was worshipped as the goddess of marriage, women, and childbirth; her sacred emblems were the apple, pomegranate and peacock. The biblical name for the pomegranate was the rimmon, which is derived from the word rim, meaning to bear children. An ancient symbol of fertility and also of fecundity POMEL see hilt POPPY Is represented in heraldry as a sanguine (blood) quatrefoil. The poppy has been the symbol of the dead and of sleep since antiquity. The poppy was a flower dedicated to the Egyptian Goddess Nix, who was the Goddess of the Night. They were also dedicated to Thantos, God of Death and his twin brother Hypnos, God of Sleep, as well as his Son, Morpheus, the God of Dreams. The seeds were offered to the gods during death ceremonies. Over time, the poppy became a symbol of sacrifice and of remembrance; also signifies hope and joy. PORTCULLIS (castle gate) The frame of wood, pointed at the bottom, used to guard a castle gate, always emblazoned with chains on either side. It was one of the royal badges of the Tudors. Portcullises were generally controlled from an interior room on the gatehouse, raising and lowering it as required; symbol of security and protection. POT (vessel, pottery) The function of most of these vases was to hold water, wine, and oil. Said to be a symbol of liberality and of charity. POTENT Similar to Vair. Composed of figures shaped like the ends of a crutch, arranged in rows, and of alternate colours. Mark of dignity. PRIMROSE (Quatrefoil) The bearer of good tidings. PYRAMID It is said that the pyramid represented the primal hill upon which Ra (God of the sun, and one of the major gods in Egyptian mythology) climbed out from the waters of Nun (the primeval water that encircles the entire world, and from which everything was created, personified as a god). It is also said to represent the rays of the Sun falling upon the earth, providing sustenance for the Ba (the soul) of the king within. It is a rare device in heraldry but some writers say it is borne as a symbol of duration and longevity. QUARTER A Sub-ordinary--Bearing of honour for brilliant military service. QUIVER In ancient times, arrows were usually made of reed and fitted with metal heads. They were carried in leather quivers, and sometimes horse-drawn chariots were also fitted with quivers. A quiver is depicted in ancient Egyptian and Assyrian reliefs as holding approximately 30 arrows, or approximately 50 arrows when attached to a chariot; ensign of Diana, Roman goddess of the hunt and protector of children (Artemis is her Greek counterpart). It is both a symbol of the hunt and one of a valiant defender RAINBOW A symbol of transfiguration; in Norse mythology the rainbow is Bifrost, the bridge between Midgaard, the world of men and Asgaard, home of the gods; a symbol of peace and concord and a sign of promise. RAPIER A small sword used for thrusting. See Swords. REED (slay, slea) Instrument used by weavers and may indicate the trade of the first bearer. REEDS A long hollow knotted grass sacred to the mythological river gods. Syrinx was an Arcadian river-nymph who was pursued by Pan. To escape him she fled into the waters of her river where she pleaded the gods for help, and they changed her into a reed. Disappointed, Pan cut the reed into pieces of gradually decreasing lengths, fastened them together with wax and thus produced the shepherds flute, or "pipes of Pan", upon which he plays; lover of music and with a methodical disposition. RING See Bague RIZOM Is the fruit of the oat and is a symbol of harvest, hope, and were used as emblems of the faithful. ROCKS Safety and protection; refuge ROSE The early Greeks and the Romans inexorably linked the rose to love, beauty, purity and passion. The Christians adopted the Rose as a symbol of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and hence became a symbol of motherhood and purity. When shown stalked and leaved it has the added symbolism of protection because of the thorns. The Rose is the emblem of England and still the two counties (Yorkshire and Lancashire) replay the Wars of the Roses on the cricket field each English summer. In heraldry the Rose is used as a mark of distinction for the seventh son. The Red Rose is one of the badges used for the House of Lancaster and is mentioned severally in the early days of heraldry in the reigns of Henry IV and Henry V. The White Rose was used as a badge by Richard Duke of York by his son Edward IV and was adopted by his descendants. The Jacobites also adopted it as an emblem. The Rose can be shown as a heraldic rose or as a natural rose; symbol of providence, divination, love, beauty, purity and passion. ROUNDLES (roundels) The old heralds have attached various names and significations to these round figures. When of gold they were called Bezants, and represented ancient Byzantine coins. This bearing has been said to denote one who had been found worthy of trust and treasure. The white roundle is called a Plate, and denoted "generosity." The green was called a Pomme or pomeis, and had the same signification as the apple, when purple it was called a Golpe, and denoted a wound; when blue it was a Hurt or wortleberry, known in ancient times as a hurtleberry; when black it was a Pellet, Ogress, or Gunstone, and represented a cannon ball; when red it was called Torteau, and signified the communion wafer or Manchet-cake; when Tawney it was called an Orange, and signified a tennis-ball. A Guze is sanguine in colour and represents an eyeball. ROSEMARY This shrub has long been said to aid in the inclination to love. When Venus, the love goddess, was sprung from the foam of the sea, rosemary (or sea dew) would thereafter have amatory qualities. Rosemary is also an emblem of remembrance. In Hamlet, Ophelia says Theres rosemary, thats for remembrance. In the language of the flowers it means fidelity in love. ROWEL A small wheel with radiating points, forming the extremity of a spur. A mullet, pierced, is said by some to represent the rowel. The spur was one of the essential tools a knight possessed as an equestrian, and they became one of the dominant symbols of knighthood. Prior to the late 13th century simple "prick" type spurs were in wide use, but during the last two decades of the 13th century and into the 14th the "rowel" spur gained wide popularity. SABATONS (Solleret) Armour for the foot, usually consisting of articulated plates ending in a toecap. Plate Sabatons seem to have made their appearance in the middle of the 14th century, remaining in common use throughout the 15th and 16th centuries. In the early 14th century, the foot was defended by chain mail. SADDLE A symbol of the martial men that serve on horseback in the field for that by the means, and of the stirrups affixed, they may be able to sustain the shock of their adversary, as also the more forcibly to encounter him. SALADE (Sallet, Salet) A helmet that rested entirely upon, and generally covered only the top half of, the head, and the rear of which tapered to a point and projected behind the head; a common helmet of the 15th century. Denotes wisdom and security in defence. SAVIN TREE Refers to the ancient juniper tree. In Lothian, in Medieval times, giving birth under the savin tree was a euphemism for miscarriage or juniper-induced abortion; symbol of female virtue and a religious symbol of protection and of life. SCALES The scales of justice, order and balance have been symbols of righteousness since early times. Justitia, the Roman goddess of justice (Greek Themis), Rashnu, the Persian angel of justice and Nemesis the goddess of divine justice and vengeance, are all associated with the scales. SCEPTRE A staff used by the ancient Pharaos as a symbol of kingship and is also a religious symbol of temporal power; throughout the ages borne to represent sovereignty and dominion. SCIMITAR A Curved Turkish sword. The Scimitar was Mohameds ensign and then it was changed to a crescent which has been the symbol of Islam ever since. When borne in heraldry, it usually represents an expedition and possibly a battle or conquest of an enemy whose principal weapon was a scimitar; emblem of battle and conquest. SCRIP Refers to a Palmers purse used to carry one ration of food for one days pilgrimage. The first bearer was likely a palmer and the symbolism of the scrip suggests that God will always provide, and his that faithful servants will never go hungry. SCYTHE (sickle) A hand tool traditionally used for cutting grasses and grains, consisting of a long, curved blade sharpened on one edge. The sickle is virtually the same but with a short handle. As with all farm implements and other instruments of husbandry these signify the hope of a fruitful harvest. It is said that the sickle, (and later the scythe), was a symbol of the cruel, unrelenting flow of Time, which in the end cuts down all things. SEAX A Saxon sword much like the Turkish Scimitar but with a circular notch on the back of the blade. There is much dispute as to the purpose of this notch. It is said by some that the notch lightened the blade without losing strength, while others are of the opinion that the notch made for a more devastating weapon, while still others maintain that since the seax is both weapon and tool, the notch aided the bearer to accomplish some non military task. Regardless of these mixed opinions Heralds are united in their view that the seax, as with all swords, are representative of justice and military honour. See Sword. SEMY or SEMEE refers to a regular pattern of charges in staggered rows. They should look as if the shield was cut from a piece of patterned cloth with partial charges at the edges of the shield. The Number of the charges on the shield in this fashion is not relevant. As far as symbolism is concerned, the "semy" has no particular symbolism but the individual charge does. For example, A SEMY DE LIZ, would have the symbolism associated with the "fleur de lis". Semee's were generally adopted and used to emphasize the particular charge, and of course for artistic impression and distinctiveness. SEXTANT An Instrument used primarily for measuring the altitude of the sun and which enabled ancient mariners to determine their geographical position. The mariners most prized possession was often his sextant. This measuring instrument was indispensable to all navigators, and long symbolized adventure and the discovery of new horizons; an emblem of direction, watchfulness, guidance and protection. The sextant is also closely associated with progress, because it expands the boundaries of knowledge and extends the limits of understanding. SHACKLEBOLT (manacle, fetterlock) See Fetterlock. SHEARS Weavers shears; used in the process of dressing cloth and may be emblematic of the bearers trade. The Greek goddess Clotho, the Spinner, spun the thread of life; Lachesis, the Dispenser of Lots, decided its span and assigned to each person his or her destiny; and Atropos, the Inexorable, carried the dread shears that cut the thread of life at the proper time. SHOT (chain shot) A chain-shot was two cannon balls joined by a chain which when fired from a cannon revolved upon the shorter axis and were hence effective for mowing down masts and rigging. There were also other forms of shots including the bar shot which was a bar attached to two mortars and also the mysterious chain-shot shown in the margin, sometimes called the star-shot because of its shape. SHAMROCK (trefoil) The word shamrock comes from the Gaelic seamrag for three-leafed. The trefoil pattern has been discovered in Mesopotamia and also on the royal couch of Tutankhamen (of the ancient Pharaohs). It was a symbol of three sun-disks fused together to represent the unity of the gods of the sun, water and earth. The trefoil is also the national symbol of Ireland. According to legend, Saint Patrick planted shamrock in Ireland because the three small leaflets represented the Holy Trinity. The trefoil in Arabia is called shamrakh and in Iran it was a sacred emblem of the Persian triads. Denotes omnipotence, providence and perpetuity. SHAKEFORK See Pall SHEAF May refer to a sheaf of arrows called a quiver or a sheaf of wheat or corn also called a garb. SHIELDS The Chief--An honourable ordinary occupying the whole of the top and one-third of the total surface of the shield, and it has often been granted as a special reward for prudence and wisdom, as well as for successful command in war. The Chief betoken a senator or honourable personage borrowed from the Greeks, and is a word signifying a �head�, in which sense we call capitaneous (so named for caput, the head), a chieftain. And as the head is the chief part of a man, so the Chief in the escutcheon should be a reward of such onely, whose high merits have procured them chief place, esteem, or love amongst men. The Pile--Fitted for an engineer or for one who has shown great ability in any kind of construction; represents the large pieces of wood used by engineers in the construction of (military) bridges or of buildings on insecure or marshy ground. When only one pile is found borne on a shield it very much resembles a pennon or small pointed flag, and it may be that this was intended when only one is represented. The Pale-- The term is from Middle English, from Middle French pal meaning stake, and from Latin palus for one of the stakes of a palisade or fort. It typically represented Military strength and fortitude and was bestowed upon those who have impaled or otherwise defended cities, or who have supported the government of their sovereigns, and for standing uprightly for their prince and country. The Gyron--From the Spanish �Gyron� and of Germanic origin, a triangular piece of cloth sewed into a garment. The usual number of pieces is eight, but there may be two, four six, ten, twelve or sixteen. It is said to denote Unity and an inseverable bond, as in many souls with but a single thought, or several hearts that beat as one. The Gyron, of course, limited in Scotland to the Campbells only, is rare in all countries other than the lands influenced by early Flanders that is to say Spain, Austria, Belgium etc. The Gyron has also been referred to as an Esquire. An Esquire was a candidate for knighthood, the term is from esquier, akin to French ecuyer and Italian scudiero, and some armorists believe that the Gyron was originally bestowed upon them (an esquire) as a sign of nobility and rank. The Fesse--Represents a military belt or girdle of honor. The word Fesse is a French word; and signifies the loines of a man. The girdle of honour may seem to have been in ancient time given by Emperors, and Kings, and their Generals of the field unto soldiers, for reward of some special service performed by them. This Ordinary has been anciently taken for the same that we call Baltheum militare or a belt of honour. The bestowing of this military girdle was reputed very honourable because none were to receive it but men of merit. If a knight was disarmed of his Military girdle by his demerits and offence, he is there-with-all deprived of all Military privileges. The Bar (barre)--The Bar is one fifth of the field as compared to one third for the Fesse. This charge is of more estimation than is well considered of many that bear the same. There are differing opinions as to the symbolism of this charge. Said by some to represent a gatehouse of a castle or fortified town and therefore a symbol of protection and defense. It is also said that the Bar is for one who sets the bar of conscience, religion and honor against angry passions and evil temptations, and that it denotes some high excellence in its first bearer. The Chevron--The term is from 14th century Middle English, from Middle French, rafter, chevron. It generally denotes Protection and was granted as a reward to one who has achieved some notable enterprise. Said to represent the roof-tree of a house or the zigzag moulding, or group of mouldings, common in Norman architecture. It has sometimes been given to those who have built churches or fortresses or who have accomplished some work of faithful service. Worn by gallant soldiers. The Bend--The Bend seems to have his denomination from the French word Bender, which signifies to stretch forth, because it is extended between those opposite points of the shield. Yet in ancient Rolls we find the Bend drawn somewhat archwise, or after the resemblance of the bent of a bow. Notwithstanding this, according to some armorists, it does represent a Ladder set aslope on this manner, to scale the walls of any castle or City, and was bestowed on one of the first that mounted upon the enemies walls. The bend is a bearing of high honor and to some it represents the scarf or shield suspender of a knight commander signifying defense or protection, granted to those who have distinguished themselves as commanders. The symbolism also applies to the Bend�s diminutives. The Cross--Referred by some as the crux a cruciando, because of the unspeakable torture and torment which they do suffer, who undergo this kind of death, the Cross was first adopted in general heraldic use by those who had actually served in the Crusades. The hundreds of smaller crosses borne in coats of arms are not considered ordinaries but simple charges. The Cross shown in the margin is taken to be the true Cross, which is taken to be the true shape of the Cross, whereupon our blessed Saviour Jesus Christ suffered; whose godly observation and use was in great esteem in the Primitive Church. This bearing was first bestowed on such as has performed, or at least undertaken, some service for Christ and Christian procession. The Cross is the express badge of a Christian that he bear the same according to the prescript rule and will of his Lord and Master. Although Crosses may signify tribulations and afflictions there is comfort to be found in them to those that make a right use of them, and do undergo the burden of them cheerfully. The Saltire--The term is from Middle English sautire, which is from Middle French saultoir or saulter to jump, or from Latin saltare. In the days of old the Saltire was made of the height of man and was driven full of pinnes (metal pegs), the use whereof was to scale the low walls of towns; from this interpretation the Saltire was bestowed upon one who was successful in accomplishing such a military mission. The Saltire is also known as St. Andrew�s cross as according to legend is that shape because the apostle Andrew petitioned the Roman authorities who had sentenced him to death not to crucify him on the same shape of cross as Christ, and this was granted. St. Andrew is Scotland�s patron saint and the Saltire is today its flag and national symbol; from this interpretation the Saltire is in recognition of Scotland, its patron saint, faith and resolution. The Bordure (border)--Frequently adopted as a "difference" between relatives bearing the same arms and also used as an augmentation of honour. It is said that Moses commanded the Israelites to wear about the skirts of the garments, to put in mind of their duties touching their observation of his precepts in respect that the people were yet rude, and unexercised in obedience, therefore was the ordinary prescribed to them. This practice of differencing was adopted in Heraldry, for distinguishing not only of one nation or tribe from another, but also to diversify between particular persons also, descended out of one Family, and from the same parents. As previously noted, the Bordure may also signify an augmentation of honor bestowed on a person often in Royal favour by their Sovereign. Orle and Tressure--The Orle and the Tressure are considered diminutives of the Bordure and bring with them similar symbolisms. The tressure �fleury counter-fleury� (shown in the margin) however, was adopted by a Scottish King to commemorate that close alliance which existed between France and Scotland for so many ages. It is said that this tressure was anciently given to Achaius, King of Scots, by Charlemagne, in order to signify that the French lilies should defend the Scottish lion; as such the tressure has historically long been a symbol of preservation or protection. Flasques--Said to be given by a King for virtue and learning, and especially for service in embassage (the message or commission entrusted to an ambassador); for therein may a Gentleman deserve as well of his Sovereign, as the Knight that serveth him in the field. The shape is called an Arch line of the Latin word arcus, that signifies a bow. The word Flasque is derived from the Latin flectus which signifies to bend or bow. Flanches--This is said to be one degree under the Flasque yet it is commendable armory. The word Flanch is derived from the French flans, which signifies the flank, of a man or beast. It is said by some that both the Flanch and the Voider are diminutives of the Flasques. Although all are ancient degrees of honor few modern day armorists differentiate between them. Voiders--This is the reward of given a Gentlewoman for service by her, done to the Prince; but when the Voider should be of one of the many furs or doublings, such reward might the Duchess have given to her Gentlewomen, who served her most diligently. It is said that these are called Voiders after the French word voire, which signifies a looking glass or mirror, which in Ancient times were commonly made in that bulging form. The Canton--Termed a Canton because it occupies but a corner or cantle of the escutcheon. It is said that the Canton is a reward given to Gentleman, Esquires and Knights, for service done by them, and not to a baron. Other armorists maintain that the Canton may well beseem an Earl or a Baron receiving the same at his Sovereign�s hand. Nevertheless, the Canton is bearing of honor and when borne charged, it often contains some very special symbol granted by the sovereign in reward for the performance of eminent service. A canton may be borne on the sinister side but is rare and the symbolism remains unchanged. The Quarter--The Quarter is said for the most part given by Emperors and Kings to a Baron (at least) for some special or acceptable service done by him. Unlike the Canton (taking only a small corner of the shield), the Quarter comprehends the full � of the shield as shown in the margin. As with the Canton, the Quarter may be borne on the sinister side but is indeed rare. Inanimate continued.... SHIP Bearings of ships are often met with in Heraldry. They symbolize some notable expedition by sea, by which the first bearer had become famous. The single-mast Galley and the Lymphad or Lymphiad seem to be the most prevalent. There are also full sailing ships, pirate ships, Viking ships and much more. If a ship is borne without a mast it is said to denote tragedy at sea. The ship was also an early symbol of the church as a place where the voyagers of faith could gather and sail over the rough areas of life to the good destination God had for them. Other cultures believed the ship was like a planet or star revolving around its centre, it is the earth and the image of life. Man is navigating the ship as a symbol of life, determining both its centre and its course. SHUTTLE The shuttle is a simple stick on which the crosswise or weft yarn is wound. Associated with the Egyptian goddess Neith who was the patroness of weaving. The deceased received her divine power by means of the mummys wrappings, for the bandages and shrouds were considered gifts of Neith. The bearer or an ancestor was likely a weaver; the shuttle has come to signify swiftness of action and destiny. SPADE A tool of agriculture and construction denoting subsistence, production and creation; symbol of honest labour. SNAFFLE-BIT That part of a horses bridle usually jointed in the middle, with a ring at each end to which a rein and cheek strap are attached; symbol of horsemanship denoting control, influence and jurisdiction. SPANCEL A noosed rope or wooden leg harness with which to hobble a horse and control its gait. Used in Chivalry by knights to train horses for tournaments and other tasks. It has no specific symbolism other than its definition and is not borne as a separate device. SPEAR See Pike and Lance. SPEAR-HEADS See Pheons. SPERVER See Pavilion. SPHERE (globe) May refer to the extent of a persons knowledge, interests, or social position; ones geographical domain or area of power, control, or influence; symbol of a fertile earth. The ancients attributed perfection to the spherical shape and considered the sphere as the symbol of perfection. SPINDLES An instrument of the weaver trade used to wind fibres in a continuous thread or yarn. In Europe from the 14th to the 16th centuries the distaff and spindle were gradually followed by the spinning wheel. It is said that the term Wife is from the verb to weave, the Saxon wefan, or German weben, and denotes one who works at the distaff or spindle. When a girl was spinning her wedding clothes she was simply a spinster; but when this task was completed and she was indeed married, she became a wife. SPUR Attached to the heel by straps, the spur was one of the prominent tools a knight possessed as an equestrian, and they became one of the ascendant symbols of knighthood. Prior to the late 13th century "prick" type spurs were in wide use, but during the last two decades of the 13th century and into the 14th the "rowel" spur gained wide popularity. It is said that the mullet device represents the rowel but I must say that the mullet existed long before the spur. Said also to signify preparedness for military engagement or readiness for an encounter of consequence; impulsiveness. If shown with wings as in the margin it has the added symbolism of covertures or protection and wings are hieroglyphics of celerity. STANDARD A flag or ensign. The ancient military standard consisted of a symbol carried on a pole. In medieval times the standard was not square like the banner but rather elongated, much larger, and featured a narrow, rounded and slit end (unless the standard belonged to a prince of the blood royal). The Royal standard, which ranged in size from eleven yards for an emperor to four yards for a baron, was usually divided into three portions - one containing the arms of the knight, another for his cognizance or badge, and the other for his crest - these being divided by bands, on which was inscribed his war cry or motto, the whole being fringed with his livery or family colours. STAPLE It is said that the staple usually refers to a door staple and although this charge is borne frequently for the sake of the play upon the family name, such as Staples, Stapleton and the like... it is however borne in other instances. When this is the case, the staple signifies reunion, communication and coherence. STAR As a light shining in the darkness, the star is often considered a symbol of truth, the spirit and of hope; its meaning depends upon the number and sometimes the orientation of its points. It is the ensign of knightly rank; a star of some form constitutes part of the insignia of every order of knighthood. The star is the "presence of the divinity". It is a symbol of constancy, celestial goodness and a noble ensign. Many cultures throughout antiquity have used the star as a talisman or national insignia. In heraldry its also known as a mullet star. See Mullet. STAVE (pilgrims stave) See Palmers Stave. STEEPLE (spire) From Old English stepel, tower; or German word staup (high tower) representing the heights of human aspiration and sublimation, of the path towards God. STUMP (stock of tree) It is said that if the top or boughs of a tree be cut off, but the root is standing then there is hope of a new growth, a new beginning. When the root is plucked up there remains no hope of reviving and this was symbolic of fearful warning. A limb or bough of a tree was often used offensively to scale walls and also defensively to impede the besiegers. STIRRUP The adoption of the stirrup is commonly held to have caused a revolution in the use of the horse for war, a revolution which led to the feudal age and the dominance of the armoured knight, mounted on a great warhorse; noble symbol of the knight signifying gallantry, preparedness, horsemanship and conquest. STOOL Also known as a Trevet or Trestle in reference to its three tripod style legs. Amongst the heathens, Apollos priest was said to give answers from the oracle sitting on such a stool. Denotes wisdom, knowledge; hospitality. SURCOAT (surcote) A garment worn over the armour to protect it from sun and rain, and usually blazoned heraldically. During the 14th century they were gradually shortened from their 13th century lines. They started during the first quarter of the century ending at the knee, and ended the century ending at the edge of the hip. During the 15th century they were shortened further, and eventually abandoned in favour of a large tunic worn over the cuirass. The surcoat bears no particular symbolism that this writer could find other than the obvious symbolism associated with the arms or crests that may be embroidered on the surcoat. SUN Usually borne in its glory, or splendour, as shown in the margin. Associated with Helios, the young Greek god of the sun. Revered by many cultures as a token and ensign of power, glory, illumination, vitality, and the source of life on earth. SUN RAY As with other symbols of the sun, a single ray also denotes power, glory, illumination, vitality, and the source of life on earth. SWEEP (swepe, balista) The engine anciently used for casting stones into fortresses. It was the more formidable engine of warfare, similar to the catapult or mangonel. As a heraldic device it was used to commemorate a siege that the first bearer was famous for and to warn enemies that they should be heedful. This most powerful of weapons also denoted military strength, resoluteness and courage. SWORD: The sword symbolizes power, protection, authority, strength, and courage. It is a symbol of knighthood and chivalry. European Knights during the period of Crusades, used swords that were less bulky and blades tapering for thrusting as well as hacking. Swords of the Teutonic Knights featured downward quillons that first appeared around the 11th century. To them, swords were the symbols of truth and honour and were bestowed on one of stature. In heraldry, differentiation of the type of sword is rare, however, you will find reference to the scimitar, the seax, the sabre, the claymore, the rapier, Irish sword etc. The usual form in Heraldry is a long straight blade, with a cross handle. Quillons can be pointing downwards, upwards, s shaped, with cruciforms (cross shaped), fleur-de-lis tipped and more. Pommels can be round, square, ring-shaped (like the Irish sword) or other shapes. A sword can also be blazoned wavy, which may be symbolic of the Christian flamed sword. The changes in warfare associated with the introduction of firearms did not eliminate the sword but rather proliferated its types. The discarding of body armour made it necessary for the swordsman to be able to parry with his weapon, and the thrust-and-parry rapier came into use. The advantage of a curved blade for cutting was early appreciated in Asia, where it was long used by the Indians, Persians, and others before its introduction to Europe by the Turks. The Turkish scimitar was modified in the West to the cavalry sabre. At the other extreme of Asia, the Japanese developed a long-bladed, slightly curved version with a two-handed grip, with which an elaborate duelling cult, as well as ancestor worship, became associated. TABOUR A small drum formerly used to accompany oneself on a pipe or fife. See Musical pipes. TAILS The tail of a deer is called a single, that of a boar is called a wreath, that of a fox is called the brush and that of the hare is called the scut. In Heraldry, you find the tail of a lion or of a beaver most prevalent, and to show the tail only was representative of an amulet of good fortune, believed to endow the bearer with the traits, and characteristics of the animal. TASSELS A tassel that was commanded by God to be worn on the borders of all Jewish garments. It became not only an emblem of Christianity but, one of authority, repute and majesty. TAPER-CANDLESTICK Has a spike, or, as it is technically termed, a picket, upon which the taper is placed; a symbol of the Church, which should be a light in the world. A symbol of any light-giving agency .The light which "symbolizes the knowledge of God is not the sun or any natural light, but an artificial light supplied with a specially prepared oil; for the knowledge of God is in truth not natural nor common to all men, but furnished over and above nature." TARGET (targe) The Scottish Targe was a small circular shield, used by highlanders as a defence against both arrows and hand weapons. It was light and manoeuvrable, often concealing a left-hand held dirk (dagger). It was leather-covered wood with metal mounts, a central spike and leather arm straps symbol of a defender and the martial man; a Scottish emblem. TEA PLANT (or leaves) tea was considered to have an aura of the gods and was used as a combination of medicine and elixir. In China, in the eighth century, it entered the realm of poetry as one of the polite amusements. The earliest samples of tea reached England somewhere between 1652 and 1654 when King Charles II ended his exile in Holland and re-established the English Monarchy. When used as emblems the tea plant or leaf, denote wisdom, resolution and strength. TEAZEL The head or seed-vessel of a species of thistle; bearing a large flower head covered with stiff, prickly, hooked bracts. This flower head, when dried, is used for raising a nap on woollen cloth and is a symbol of the weaver trade. To the faithful they were known in some regions as Our Ladys Little Brushes, calling to mind Marys motherly care for the Infant Saviour. TENT ROYAL This is the Royal war tent, which is more ornamental than a sperver and should have a split pennon flowing towards the sinister. The device was bestowed upon one as a laurel and achievement of war; a noble insignia. See also Pavilion. THATCH-RAKE An instrument used in thatching. In Europe thatched homes evolved during medieval times. Thatching is the use of straw or grasses as a roofing material. In 1300 the great Norman castle at Pevensey (Sussex) bought up 6 acres of rushes to roof the hall and chambers; the marquee of a thatcher. THISTLE The Order of the Thistle represents the highest honour in Scotland, and it is second only in precedence to the Order of the Garter. It was to reward Scottish peers who supported the kings political and religious aims. The date of the foundation of the Order is not known, although legend has it that it was founded in 809 when King Achaius made an alliance with the Emperor Charlemagne. It is possible that the Order may have been founded by James III (1488-1513), who was responsible for changes in royal symbolism in Scotland, including the adoption of the thistle as the royal plant badge; symbol of independence, strength, protection and healing. THORN TREE Believed to be the plant from which Christs crown of thorns was made from. See Thorn. THORN (crown of) The origin and character of the thorns, both tradition and existing remains suggest that they must have come from the bush botanically known as Zizyphus spina Christi, more popularly, the jujube-tree. This reaches the height of fifteen or twenty feet and is found growing in abundance by the wayside around Jerusalem. The crooked branches of this shrub are armed with thorns growing in pairs, a straight spine and a curved one commonly occurring together at each point. The thorn tree and the crown of thorns are symbolic of Christ and of martyrdom. THRESTLE (perch) Usually signifies a hawks perch, consisting of two cylindrical pieces of wood joined in the form of the letter T. It was the symbol of a falconer or hawker. THUNDERBOLT Twisted bar, normally with rays of lightning behind it. If shown winged as in the margin it is the symbol of Zeus, supreme god of Greek mythology. In ancient mythologies, (Norse, Roman, Greek, Egyptian, etc.) the lighting bolt would be hurled by male sky gods to punish, water, or fertilize the earth or its creatures. It is a symbol of power, defiance of danger, and fortitude. THYRSUS a pole carried by Bacchus/Dionysus (the twice-born, the god of the vine), and by Satyrs, Maenades, and others who engaged in Bacchic festivities and rites, and was sometimes terminated by the apple of the pine, or fir-cone. TIARA The triple crown of the popes, known as a tiara, dates from the 14th century and is surmounted by a globe and a cross (an orb). It is a symbol of sovereign power, also honour, and especially the reward of martyrdom. TILTING SPEAR See Lance. TINES (tynes) A prong or point of an antler. The symbolism is that, that relates to the animal bearing the antlers. It is however said that the more tynes, the more power, strength and wisdom. TOBACCO PLANT (and leaf) so named from Tabaco, a province of Yucatan, in Spanish America, where it was first found by the Spaniards. To the early Europeans, tobacco was first seen as a "cure-all" medicine and used to treat all kinds of disease. It was (ironically) a symbol of healing and purification. TOMB-STONE Derived from the Greek tymbos [burial ground]. Denotes constancy, inspiration, bereavement; mortality. TON (or tun) Large cask for holding liquids, especially wine, ale, or beer. See Barrel. TORCE (torse, wreath) A wreath of twisted skeins of silks of two alternating tinctures, usually a metal and a colour, depicted supporting a crest, often upon a helmet but occasionally borne separately. The wreath is also an ancient head ornament of the Saracens and Turks and may represent a notable expedition involving these tribes. TORCH (flambeau, fire-brand) A light to be carried in the hand, consisting usually of twisted flax or the like soaked with tallow, ignited at the upper end. It is a symbol of the source of illumination, enlightenment, and guidance; often referred to as the torch of learning. TORN An ancient name for a spinning wheel. It is said the spinning wheel was probably invented in India, though its origins are obscure. It reached Europe via the Middle East in the European Middle Ages. The Saxon, or Saxony wheel, introduced in Europe at the beginning of the 16th century, incorporated a bobbin on which the yarn was wound continuously; the distaff on which the raw fibre was held became a stationary vertical rod, and the wheel was actuated by a foot treadle, thus freeing both of the operators hands. Another of the many weavers symbols often found in heraldry. Other than being an emblem representative of the trade, the spinning wheel has no heraldic symbolism that the author could find. TORTEAU A red roundel. See Roundles. TOWER A castle tower. See Castle. TREFOIL A three-leaved figure usually slipped at the base and symbolic of perpetuity. TRESSURE, TRESSURE FLORY COUNTER-FLORY Preservation or protection. The tressure fleury counter-fleury was adopted by a Scottish King to commemorate that close alliance which existed between France and Scotland for so many ages. TRESTLE A stool of three legs. Can be shown in different ways. See Stool. TRIANGLE The triangle was a symbol for God. In Christian symbolism it stands for the Holy Trinity. It is also a symbol for power and, as such, related to danger. But according to the law of the polarity of meanings of the elementary graphs, it also means success, prosperity, and safety. The Hittites used it to mean well, good, or healthy. TRIDENT The staff of Poseidon (in Greece) and the staff of Neptune (in the Roman Empire) are referred to as tridents. Poseidon was the younger brother of Zeus and master of the seas, rivers, and earthquakes in Greek mythology. The symbol was representative of seniority and supremacy by sea. In the Euphrates-Tigris region and along the eastern Mediterranean coast the trident has since time immemorial been a symbol of thunder and lightning. In Christian art the trident is an attribute of lesser devils and the Evil One, the staff of the Devil. TRIMOUNT A stylized hillock of three mounds in base; was probably rendered in the earliest coats of arms as a natural mountain having three summits; popular in Italian Heraldry. See mount and mound. TROWEL A tool used to work mortar and symbolic of the stone masons trade. This emblem serves as a reminder that we should always endeavour to build and improve ourselves; it is also a symbol of unity and peace; an ancient symbol, of the Freemasons and also of the church. TRUMPET Throughout Europe trumpeters had become a powerful, organized body of musicians employed directly by the king as a symbol of his own importance and also to entertain the court. The tradition of an elite trumpet corps stretches back to the middle Ages. The trumpet was used also. TURNIP The ancient Celts made candle lanterns out of hollowed out turnips, in the days when few households did not have enough glass-sided metal lamps to provide one for each of the family members to carry. Older children and young adults carried these lanterns (fastened to wooden staves) out into the night to light the path from the local graveyards to the dwellings, so that the departed souls did not lose their way in the darkness; symbol of remembrance. VAIR Blue and white bell-shaped objects; said to be the skin of an animal of the weasel kind called varus which was once used for the lining of military coats (fr. vair�), generally written vairy when definite tinctures are named; when no tinctures mentioned one assumes argent and azure. As with all heraldic furs the Vair is a mark of dignity. VANE A plate placed on a spindle, at the top of a spire, for the purpose of showing by its turning and direction, which way the wind blows; symbol of promise, guidance and safety. VASE (urn) The Vase or Urn is a symbol for the receptacle of the spirit (ashes of the dead), and since a vase may also contain living elements such as flowers, it may symbolize natures bounty awaiting fulfilment. The vessel generally denotes openness, and validity. Historically, ceremonial urns containing consecrated elements such as oils, wine, etc were an intrinsic feature in religious rituals of consecration as well as divination to the gods. VINE Usually depicted as a grape vine, this charge symbolizes promise, frolic and bounty. VIOLIN In Europe, the violin can be traced back to the 9th century, with its origin possibly in Asia. The violin emerged in its definitive form between 1520 and 1550 in northern Italy. It symbolizes harmony and stability in life, music, contentment and joy. Believed by some to be one of the most perfect instruments ever invented and hence a symbol of perfection. WAGON (war-cart)a symbol of sovereignty, territory. WALLET see Scrip WALNUT Different nuts had their own specific symbolic qualities, for example the walnut was considered good for the brain because of its sympathetic shape. It was to some, an evil talisman but to other a symbol of intellect; stratagem. WATER-BOUGET see Bouget WEEL (fish-weel, fish basket) a device used to catch fish; fertility, abundance, resurrection. WELL The well was viewed as a shrine dedicated to the miraculous emergence of living water, and in most cultures was a symbol of generation, purification, and the matrix of life itself WHEEL The wagon wheel is symbolic of transportation, successful journeys and expeditions, and also perpetuity. WILLOW Known as the tree of enchantment to some and a totem of grief and mourning to others. Eastern cultures revered the willow as a symbol of beauty, grace, endurance and strength. WREATH Generally a symbol of victory and to some, immortality, although a laurel wreath is a symbol of triumph, an oak laurel signified strength, rosemary, remembrance etc. YEW Known as the sacred yew, it can signify both death and longevity. Bulls sacrificed to Hecate in Rome were wreathed in yew. In Ireland, as wine barrels are made from yew staves, it is considered the coffin of the vine. Its prime use however was in bow making and dagger handles. Old British legends suggest that yew trees were planted in churchyard burial grounds to help resurrect the dead. It is known that the yew is the latest to reach full maturity, lives longer than the oak and has extended powers of endurance and resistance to decay and corruption. As a symbolic tree of faith and resurrection, it is said that Old England referred to it as the witchs tree. YOKE A symbol of agriculture, servitude and obedience. Throughout the Old Testament, the yoke is a symbol of oppression. We find it as early as the story of Jacob and Esau, with a prophecy that at some time in the future Esau will gain the dominion and "break the yoke" from off his neck. (Genesis 2740). Orders over $85 qualify for Free Shipping within the U.S. (Use coupon code: FREESHIP).
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The 'Last Adam' is an alternative name for whom or what?
Last Adam The Last Adam By David A. DePra And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. (1 Cor. 15:45)   Adam, the first man, is called THE FIRST ADAM. Jesus Christ is called THE LAST ADAM. Of course, the name, "Adam," means, "man." Man is a distinct type of being that God created in His image and likeness. But this raises an interesting question: How is Christ, "The Last Adam?" He obviously wasn�t the last man ever born. So what does that name indicate?   Actually, to discover the answer to that question is to discover a fundamental Truth about the Redemption of Jesus Christ. Indeed, to discover why Jesus is called, "The Last Adam," is to discover the essence of His Redemptive work itself.   In Adam   Let�s first talk about Adam. Adam was an individual -- the first man. He isn�t an allegory or a picture lesson. He wasn�t the product of evolution. Rather, he was a created being � a man. God created Adam of the dust of the ground and breathed into Him the breath of life. He BECAME a living soul. (Genesis 2:7)   Now note: Adam was created � and is the ONLY human being ever created by God. Everyone else came FROM Adam. First, there was Eve. She wasn�t born, but was created FROM Adam. But then everyone else was BORN of Adam and Eve. It is therefore a fact that the human race, through natural birth is born IN ADAM.   God began the human race with Adam � and when God created him, God said that it was good. In fact, Adam was made one with God in his spirit. His union with God was built into him as a part of his makeup and structure. This was NORMAL in God�s original design. As a result Adam was ALIVE in every way. He was alive because he was one with Life Himself.   Of course, Adam was created without a sin nature. But what is the sin nature? Well, the sin nature is death personified in a human being. Adam was built to be one with God. But he willfully chose to reject God. The result was exactly what he chose: God was no longer one with him. This resulted in DEATH. Death is a state of being without God � and carries with it corruption, darkness, and all that the Devil can usher in. This, we call, the nature of sin.   The trouble with human beings boils down to one thing: We are born spiritually dead � completely without contact with God. Adam�s sin rejected God, not just for himself, but for humanity AS A BEING. This is why the Bible says, "In Adam all die�." (see I Cor. 15:22) And as we have seen, we are all IN ADAM by natural birth.   In a very real sense, the entire human race, through natural birth, IS collective Adam � because together we comprise the original Adamic race. We are all OF that original creation of humanity that God began with Adam. We are IN ADAM, because we have all come FROM Adam. We all form the collective BODY of Adam � i.e., together we are all summed up in one man called ADAM. We are that old creation through natural birth.   So the FIRST ADAM is the individual whom God created from the dust of the ground and who became a living soul when God breathed into him the breath of life. He alone was created by God. Everyone one of us can trace their human origin back to this FIRST ADAM.   Jesus Christ   Read that last sentence again: Everyone one of us can trace their human origin back to this FIRST ADAM. This includes Jesus Christ. That�s right. However, with some variation. Jesus Christ was born not born OF ADAM in the same way in which we are born OF Adam. Rather, He was born INTO Adam from the outside. Jesus had been God from eternity, and therefore, is the only human being who ever existed before human birth. Thus, at physical birth, He had a human mother, but God was His Father. He was born the God-man.   Now here is the important point: Despite being God BECOME man, Christ was born into the same human race that started with Adam. Christ was not, through His physical birth, of a different order of man, or of a different creation of human being. No. For you can trace the genealogy of Jesus Christ back to Adam, and the gospels do so. Jesus did not usher in the NEW creation until His death and resurrection. So keep this vital point in your mind: Jesus was born into the same human creation that God started with Adam.   Jesus, of course, was born INTO Adam from the outside, but not born IN Adam. This is an important distinction, because it is why He had NO sin nature. His pre-existence and the virgin birth means Jesus did not have a human father, but did have a human mother. Thus, just as the FIRST ADAM was created without sin, so was the LAST ADAM born without a sin nature.   So we are beginning to see a relationship between Adam and Jesus Christ. Adam was the original human being, created in God�s image. He was the, "first man," or, "first Adam." He was created without a sin nature. But he rejected God and brought his entire race down into death � and this became the sin nature. Thus, IN ADAM all die.   Jesus, however, despite being born of that original Adamic race, did not inherit this sin nature. Thus, we have a SECOND perfect man � come into this world without sin. And Jesus would not fail. He would not sin. He lived a sinless human life and satisfied the heart of God and fulfilled the purpose of God for that ORIGINAL human race.   Do you see this? Where Adam failed � in the original race of man that God designed and created � Jesus succeeded. Jesus was born of the very same original creation God began with Adam, and brought through to God�s glory what a human being was supposed to be.   Now we begin to see one reason why Jesus is called THE LAST ADAM � the LAST MAN. He was everything that God intended humankind to be. He lived it to God�s glory. In that sense, therefore, Jesus Christ � as the sinless man � was the summation of man. And because He was the summation or finality of God�s original thought for humanity. He was humanity wrapped up in one Person. He can therefore be called the LAST ADAM. There is no improving upon Christ.   The Last Adam   God made Adam for a purpose � to glorify and reflect God Himself. But instead, Adam chose to turn away from God. So Adam DIED. And from this death there is NO WAY BACK. It isn�t a matter of God forgiving or letting things slide. No. Adam was dead � void of God, and consequently, ruined as a creature. All of us inherit this condition through natural birth. As we have seen, it�s called the SIN NATURE.   So what does Adam need? Well, if death is his problem, then Adam needs LIFE. But a reversal of death back again to the OLD life is not possible. No. That old creation is ruined. Adam needs a NEW LIFE.   This is where The Last Adam comes in. The name, "The Last Adam," really carries TWO dimensions. We have already mentioned one of them: Jesus� perfect life as the perfect man.   When Jesus was born of Mary, we�ve seen that He was NOT born as a NEW CREATION. No. That would come later through His resurrection. Rather, originally, Jesus was born of the old creation � of the very same Adamic order of humanity that God started through the first Adam. So what we had here was God Incarnate, fully God and fully man, born into the old creation of humanity from the outside.   Jesus lived a sinless life. He therefore became everything God intended the first Adam to become. Herein we see the first reason why Jesus was THE LAST ADAM: Because in Him was accomplished the fullness of God�s thought for man � for, "Adam," as an order of being.   Again -- this is but one dimension of Jesus as the, "The Last Adam." He was the full Truth in human form. There could be no improvement upon Him as a man. He was The Last Adam in the sense that He was God�s final word as to what He wanted in a human being � the fullness of God�s glory shined through Him.   But incredibly, there is an even greater sense in which Jesus is, "The Last Adam." As a human being Jesus was the living fulfillment of God�s thought for man. But then Jesus laid down His sinless life for us. And when He did, He brought to a close the Adamic race. In Him, ADAM � that original race � actually DIED.   The name of Jesus -- The LAST Adam � refers to the fact that through His death on the Cross, the original creation which God began with Adam DIED. It ended in Christ on the Cross.   This will make no sense at all if we think that all Jesus did on the Cross was bear our punishment for us at the hand of God. But Christians by the thousands think that this is all Jesus was doing. Man sinned, God got mad, and Jesus appeased Him by taking our punishment for us. To many, that is the Redemption.   How many times have you heard that? Many Christians continue to think that all Jesus did on the Cross was appease God�s anger against us because of sin. This, in turn, supposedly allows God to then lift from us the death penalty for sin. And once God lifts that death penalty, we reason, we are out from under the death penalty, and thus, have eternal LIFE!   But this is NOT the Redemption. Indeed, it makes eternal life nothing more than the result of God lifting His punishment of eternal death. It makes the new birth nothing more than a new legal classification. And worse, it does absolutely NOTHING to change the sinner. This wrong idea of the Redemption merely removes the punishment for sin, but does nothing to actually DELIVER us from sin itself. It makes Jesus, not the SIN-BEARER, but only the punishment bearer FOR sin.   The Truth is, Jesus did not merely bear our punishment for us on the Cross � or merely bear the judgment FOR sin on the Cross. He did much more. Jesus bore SIN ITSELF. Indeed, He bore the, "body of sin," � or to say it another way � Jesus bore the entire Adamic race in His body on the Cross.   (2 Cor 5:21) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.   (Rom 6:6-8) Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:   (1 Pet 2:24) Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.   The Last Adam BORE the FIRST Adam in His own body on the Cross. He then DIED. Thus, the entire Adamic race died IN CHRIST. But we do not end there. Having brought an END to the original Adamic race through His death on the Cross, Jesus was raised � not as a restored OLD creation, but as a NEW CREATION. And IN HIM, we are new creations as well.   For the love of Christ constrains us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Cor. 5:14-17)   The collective FIRST ADAM died in the LAST ADAM � and for those who believe -- are raised NEW CREATIONS in Christ Jesus. Jesus brought an END to that original Adam race by living it out to God�s glory, and then by dying on the Cross. In Him, that original Adamic race is finished, closed out, and dead. This is why He is called THE LAST ADAM. And it is likewise why He is the Risen Christ.   Two Men   Jesus was the consummation of the Adamic race embodied in one Person � The Last Adam. He filled that to the full. He was perfectly sinless � the Lamb of God without blemish. But then, as The Last Adam, the perfect man, Jesus goes to the Cross.   Only The Last Adam could go to the Cross for us. Why? Because only The Last Adam � and everything we�ve seen that means � could offer Himself to bear the weight of the collective first Adam. Only The Last Adam could bear the collective Adam -- US � and be raised. Only The Last Adam could die for us � and bear us up to a resurrection unto newness of life.   It is only because Jesus became the fullness and perfection of everything God wanted in the first Adam, that He is able to offer Himself as the depository of everything which is of the fallen Adamic race on the Cross. He offered Himself as The Last Adam, and in doing so, brought death to that original Adamic creation that God had made, but which had fallen. And then He was raised. As what? As a NEW creation! As the FIRST BORN. As the one through whom all of us can likewise be born again.   Now, unless that is true, then there is no NEW creation, is there? You cannot have a new creation if the old one is still hanging around. Unless all that is of Adam died in Christ, then there is no escape from Adam. We are still of that old creation, and are not new creations in Christ Jesus.   The key to so much in our understanding is the new birth as new creations in Jesus Christ. Grasp that and you will see that you are delivered from the power of the old creation � wherein resides the sin nature, the power of the enemy, and everything else which drags you down. Grasp that and you will see that you are a new creation who is raised in Christ Jesus, with power over all of those negative things. Of course, this is exactly why the enemy seeks to keep us from seeing this Truth. The Cross � which is where Adam died � is his defeat. So he seeks to hide from us the Truth about who we are in Christ Jesus.   In Christ   For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (I Cor. 15:22)   When all is said and done, there really are only TWO MEN. There is Adam, and there is Christ. In the end, we are going to choose to be identified with one or the other. We are going to be IN ADAM, or IN CHRIST.   You and I are IN ADAM by natural birth. We are summed up under that one name: Adam. But we are IN CHRIST through the death of the old creature we are IN ADAM, and then through the NEW BIRTH as a NEW creature IN Christ Jesus. Thus, we are either IN ADAM � a member of that body of spiritually dead human beings � or we are IN CHRIST � a member of HIS Body, and partakers of His resurrection life.   Notice the phrase which Paul uses to describe the relationship of a believer to Christ. Paul uses a number of terms. But his favorite is a simple, "in Christ." What does it mean to be IN CHRIST?   To be IN CHRIST means to be united with Him through death and resurrection, and then, because of that, to be eternally one with Him in a spiritual union. This is another Truth which is vital to see.   For example, have you noticed that God never speaks of eternal life as a THING He gives us through Christ? � not when we read all the scriptures on the subject? Eternal life isn�t a THING. No. Rather, God speaks of eternal life as the result of being ONE with Christ through death and resurrection. In other words, Christ IS our life. CHRIST IN US is eternal life.   Notice the following passages which clearly show that eternal life is Christ in us, and a product of our ONENESS with Him � rather than a THING God hands to us independent of Christ.   (John 15:5) I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.   (Rom 6:5-8) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:   (Gal 2:20) I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.  
Jesus
The lowest pitch string on a conventionally tuned violin is?
The Genealogy from Adam to Jesus Christ The Genealogy from Adam to Jesus Christ By Dr. Lambert Dolphin "The Son of God" and The First Adam       SETH (2)     m. Rachab  (Sala: Luke 3:32)      (11) BOAZ (31) m. Bathsheba (Luke 3:31)    (1) SOLOMON Matthew 1:6   (2 Sam.5.14)  (2) REHOBOAM        (3) ABIA      MATTATHA (36)  ELIAKIM (39)  AHAB m. Jezebel  ↓      JONAN (40) (who had brothers, Matthew 1:11)          ADDI (52)      MELCHI (53)  (1) JECHONIAS (55) m. →    (2) SALATHIEL (56)   Widowed daughter  husband deceased (Evidently Salathiel died childless and Pedaiah, his brother, married his widow according to Deut. 25:5,6)  ↔  wife m. PEDAIAH (Quite legally according to the Mosaic law, Pedaiah's name does not appear as the father of Zerubbabel in either Matthew or Luke.)        (3) ZERUBBABEL (57)  HELI (75)    (13) JOSEPH  m.  MARY (76)        (14) JESUS (77) The Son of God and the Last Adam   The Line of Jesus through Joseph The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa, and Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations. (Matthew 1:1-17) The Line of Jesus Through Mary Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God. (Luke 3:23:38) The Combined Genealogies of Matthew and Luke (from The Seed of the Woman) By Arthur C. Custance ( http://custance.org ) The study of an ancient genealogy can be quite fascinating but it takes a little getting into and demands more than ordinary dedication. The two genealogies of our Lord which together establish his absolute right to the throne of David, both by blood relationship through Mary and by title through Mary's husband, bear close examination. For they show how the two lines were preserved at one particularly critical period when almost all family relationships in Israel were being disrupted. This was at the time of the Captivity in Babylon. It is shown in a standard genealogy chart as a kind of "wasp-waist" joining the head and the body of the genealogy above and below Zerubbabel. The details of this gate are the subject of this Appendix. It seemed important to say something about the circumstances here because it is at this point in the line that the blood relationship between the Lord and David comes nearest to being destroyed. The numbers which appear against the names in the Tabulation represent the two different systems of accounting adopted by Matthew, on the left side, and Luke, on the right. In Matthew, David appears as the 14th name from Abraham: in Luke David is the 34th name from Adam. The red line represents the blood line connection: the yellow line represents the carrying of title to the throne of David. David had two sons who figure as heads of the two branches of the family as indicated in Matthew and Luke, namely, Solomon and Nathan. In Matthew's genealogy Solomon becomes No. 1 in the second group of 14 names: and in Luke's genealogy Nathan becomes No. 35 on the other branch line. From Solomon we move down to Joram, No. 6. Joram married Athaliah, the wicked daughter of a wicked father and mother (Ahab and Jezebel). As a consequence of this evil man and his wife, his seed was cursed for four generations in accordance with the reference made in Exodus 20:5. Thus Matthew, who probably follows the Temple records faithfully in his list, omits the next three names (Ahaziah, Joash, and Amaziah) from his genealogy. There is little doubt that these Temple records had, by divine providence, removed these three generations from the register, so that Ozias (No. 7) appears as though he were the son of Joram, No. 6, in the accounting of Matthew 1:8. We know from 1 Chronicles 3:11 and 12 that in the original court records, these three missing names were written down. In this court record, Ozias (No. 7) is given an alternative name Azariah (1 Chron. 3:12), and elsewhere he is also called Uzziah (Isa. 6:1). These are merely variants of the same name. We pass on to No. 14, Jehoiakim. It is important to note that his name ends with an M, not an N, and he is not to be confused with his son whose name was Jehoiakin (or alternatively Jeconiah, Jechonias, Coniah, and Conias). This multivariant form of a name applied to a single individual is common in many of the older cultures. It seems to be particularly prevalent in Russia, even today. Now, with Jehoiakim (No. 14) we begin to see the hand of God at work in a very special way separating the thread of continuity of blood relationship and titular right to the throne in David's family. Jehoiakim was the last king of Israel to come to the throne as a free man. Unfortunately he was both an evil man and a foolish one. He began his reign just when the Fertile Crescent was in a state of political turmoil, Nebuchadnezzar in particular having very ambitious designs for empire building which were challenged by Egypt. In this see-saw contest for power that habitually characterized the relationship between Egypt and Babylon, Palestine stood at the pivot point. But Jerusalem itself need not really have become involved, for the city actually stood off the main route between the two warring parties. Any king of Judah who kept out of the fray and conciliated the antagonists as they marched their armies back and forth to attack each other, could expect to be left more or less alone except for paying token tribute. Jehoiakim was not humble enough or wise enough to realize this, and provoked Nebuchadnezzar to attack Jerusalem. This was the Lord's way of punishing a wicked man who had unwisely aligned himself with the king of Egypt. His immediate punishment was to have his city besieged and overrun, and to be carried captive to Babylon (2 Chron. 36:5,6). But for some reason Nebuchadnezzar decided to return him to Jerusalem as a puppet king while he completed his unfinished business in Egypt. His long range punishment was foretold by Jeremiah (36:30) that none of his seed should ever sit upon the throne of David. This was a severe blow to him because he was in the direct line, as Matthew's genealogy shows, and probably had every expectation of seeing this greatest of all honors accorded to his seed in due time. Meanwhile Nebuchadnezzar, having completed his Egyptian campaign, soon discovered that Jehoiakim was a treacherous man who could not be trusted by friend or foe. Indeed, so treacherous was he that even the people of his own city, Jerusalem, turned against him, murdered him, threw his body over the walls and left him unburied outside the city - exactly as predicted by Jeremiah (22:18,19). Nebuchadnezzar must surely have known what had happened, but he did not interfere when Jehoiakin (i.e., Jechonias, No. 55) succeeded his father. But this young prince who was only eighteen years old when thus honoured (2 Kings 24:8) proved to have no more good sense than his evil father. He provoked Nebuchadnezzar (after only three months and ten days on the throne) to invest the city once more and depose him (2 Chron. 36:9). Jechonias and all his court were taken captive to Babylon while his uncle, Zedekiah, was left as regent. Unfortunately, Zedekiah behaved as the rest of his family had done and eleven years later, Nebuchadnezzar seized Zedekiah, put all his sons to death before his eyes, and then deliberately blinded him. Zedekiah was taken to Babylon and died there. Jerusalem meanwhile was utterly destroyed (2 Kings 24:17-25:16). Now Jechonias, after being taken to Babylon, was put in prison where he remained for some thirty-seven years. It appears that either before he was taken captive or possibly during his captivity he was married to a woman of appropriate status who appears to have been a daughter of Neri (No. 54 in Nathan's branch of the family) and therefore of David's line. In order to account for the subsequent relationships shown in the two converging genealogies, we have to assume that this woman was a widow whose husband had probably been killed in one of the many sieges which Jerusalem had suffered. It seems as though the prophet Zechariah had this circumstance in mind (12:12). This widow already had a son by her deceased husband when Jechonias took her as a wife. This son's name was Pedaiah. His name is not numbered in the genealogy shown in the chart. It appears only in 1 Chronicles 3:18 where he is shown as a son of Jehoiakin (i.e., Jechonias). If his widowed mother was married to Jechonias, he would by Jewish custom become the son of Jechonias automatically. But Jechonias appears to have had a son of his own by this widow of the royal line. This son's name was Salathiel (No. 2 and No. 56 in the two pedigree lines). By this marriage of a widow to Jechonias, these two boys - sons of the same mother - would become brothers by Jewish custom. However, Salathiel appears to have died childless, though not until he had reached manhood and married a wife. Jehoiakim's blood line thus came to an end in his grandson Salathiel - indicated by termination of the red line. But as it happens the actual title to the throne remained active. The curse of Jeremiah 36:30 was to be fulfilled not by the removal of the title itself from Jehoiakim's line but by the denial of that title to anyone who happened to be a blood relative in the line. With the death of Salathiel this blood line terminated. But now, according to Jewish custom as set forth in the principle of the Levirate (Deut. 25:5,6), it became incumbent upon Pedaiah, the deceased Salathiel's (step) brother, to take his widow and raise up seed through her who would not therefore be of Salathiel's blood line but would be constituted legally as Salathiel's son through whom the title would pass to his descendants. The son of this Levirate union was Zerubbabel. In Matthew 1:12 and Luke 3:27 Zerubbabel is listed legally as Salathiel's son: but in 1 Chronicles 3:19 he is listed as the son of Pedaiah by actual blood relationship. In the terms of biblical reckoning these two statements are in no sense contradictory. We might wish to be more precise by substituting such extended terms of relationship as son-in-law, stepson, and so forth. But Scripture is not required to adopt our particular terminology. It is required only to be consistent with itself, and the facts of the case as recorded of those who were the actors in the drama are precisely as stated. We thus have a remarkable chain of events. Jehoiakim has a son, Jechonias, who has a son, Salathiel, who by Levirate custom has a son named Zerubbabel. This son, Zerubbabel, has no blood line connection whatever with Jechonias, for he has no blood relationship with Salathiel. The blood relationship of Zerubbabel is with Pedaiah, and through Pedaiah with Pedaiah's mother, and through this mother with Neri. Thus Neri begat a grandson, Salathiel, through his daughter; and Salathiel "begets" a son, Zerubbabel, through Pedaiah. The blood line thus passes through Zerubbabel: but so does the title also. The former passes via Pedaiah's mother, the latter passes through Salathiel's father. And though this mother and this father were also man and wife, the blood line stopped with Salathiel who literally died childless. It is necessary to emphasize this word literally, for it appears that it was literally true. Jeremiah 22:30 had predicted that Jechonias would also die "childless"-but we are reasonably sure that this was not literally the case, for he had a son Salathiel whom we cannot otherwise account for. But Jechonias' subsequent history tells us the sense in which childlessness was to be applied to him. Jechonias seems to have matured and softened during his thirty-seven years of imprisonment in Babylon, and Nebuchadnezzar's son, Evil-Merodach, evidently took a liking to him and set him free, giving him a pension for the rest of his life (2 Kings 25:27-30: Jer. 52:31-34). He would by now be nearing sixty and probably be counted a harmless old man. Reading these two records of Scripture concerning this surprising act of clemency accorded to the last genuine king of Israel (until Messiah shall be crowned), one has a strange sense of the mercy of God and the potential for gracious action that even pagan kings could display in those days. It is a touching swan-song to the old kingdom of David's line which will yet be renewed in glory. At any rate, when Jechonias died, he seems to have died alone without male descendants, "childless" in his old age, as Jeremiah had predicted he would. As to Zerubbabel, he became a very prominent and worthy man in the rebuilding of Israel's fortunes after the Captivity, under the benevolent authority of Cyrus. He stands as No. 3 and No. 57 in the dual pedigree. He appears to have had several sons and one daughter (1 Chron. 3:19). We do not know why his sons were disqualified: we only know that their sister, Shelomith, inherited the title and carried the blood line. Both of these she passed on to her eldest son, Abiud, and so to Joseph. But with Joseph, as with Salathiel, the blood line terminated once again in so far as the Lord Jesus received nothing from him by natural procreation. However, Mary drew her line, the blood line, through Heli from Joanna (No. 59), the second son of Shelomith. And thus the Lord Jesus received the two guarantees of right to the throne of David: the blood line through his mother directly, and the title through his adopting father, Joseph. With his death and resurrection these two rights became locked for ever in his Person and cannot be passed on to, or henceforth claimed by, any other man. The chart at the top of the page is from Arthur Custance's book, "The Seed of the Woman." Why a Virgin Birth? by Dr. Chuck Missler Every Christmas season our thoughts turn to the birth of Christ and to his mother, Mary. To some extent, we all take the nativity for granted. But why  was   Jesus born of a virgin? One answer, of course, is to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14: "Behold the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." But that's more descriptive than causal: why was it necessary in the first place? There are, of course, many profound theological issues inherent in the virgin birth. One way to view this issue is to address one of the problems it solves. The Problem God announced very early that His plan for redemption involved the Messiah being brought forth from the tribe of Judah (1),  and specifically from the line of David 2.  The succession of subsequent kings proved to be, with only a few exceptions, a dismal chain. As the succeeding kings of Judah went from bad to worse, we eventually encounter Jeconiah (also known as Jehoiachin), upon whom God pronounces a "blood curse":  "Thus saith the Lord, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah." (Jeremiah 22:30) This curse created a rather grim and perplexing paradox: the Messiah had to come from the royal line, yet now there was a "blood curse" on that very line of descent! (I always visualize a celebration in the councils of Satan on that day. But then I imagine God turning to His angels, saying, "Watch this one!") The Solution The answer emerges in the differing genealogies of Jesus Christ recorded in the gospels. Matthew, as a Levi, focuses his gospel on the Messiahship of Jesus and presents Him as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Thus, Matthew traces the  legal line from Abraham (as any Jew would) through David, then through Solomon (the . royal. line) to Joseph, the  legal  father of Jesus (3). On the other hand, Luke, as a physician, focuses on the humanity of Jesus and presents Him as the Son of Man. Luke traces the blood line from Adam (the first Man) through to David -- and his genealogy from Abraham through David is identical to Matthew's.  But then after David, Luke departs from the path taken by Matthew and traces the family tree through  another son of David (the second surviving son of Bathsheba), Nathan, down through Heli, the father of Mary, the mother of Jesus (4). Zelophehad One should also note the exception to the law which permitted inheritance through the daughter if no sons were available and she married within her tribe (5). The daughters of Zelophehad had petitioned Moses for a special exception, which was granted when they entered the land under Joshua. I believe it was C.I. Scofield who first noted that the claims of Christ rely upon this peculiar exception granted to the family of Zelophehad in the Torah. Heli, Mary's father, apparently had no sons, and Mary married within the tribe of Judah. Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, of the house and lineage of David and carrying legal title to the line, but without the blood curse of Jeconiah. [I believe that every detail in the Torah -- and the entire Bible -- has a direct link to Jesus Christ.  "The volume of the book is written of me." (Psalm 40:7)  [For a more detailed discussion, see our book, Cosmic Codes -- Hidden Messages from the Edge of Eternity, presently in publication.] Earlier Glimpse This was no afterthought or post facto remedy, of course. It was first announced in the Garden of Eden when God declared war on Satan:  " I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." (Genesis 3:15) The "Seed of the Woman" thus becomes one of the prophetic titles of the Messiah. This biological contradiction is the first hint -- in the early chapters of Genesis -- of the virgin birth. John also presents a genealogy, of sorts, of the Pre-Existent One in the first three verses of his gospel (6). The Prophet Micah also highlights this: " But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." (Micah 5:2) Notes:       2. Ruth 4:22; 2 Samuel 7:11-16. 3. Matthew 1:1-17. 5. Numbers 26:33; 27:1-11; 36:2-12; Joshua 17:3-6; 1 Chronicles 7:15. 6. John 1:1-3.
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Programs & Classes - Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Community Programs & Classes Connect with ballet in your backyard. PBT’s education team brings ballet into neighborhoods throughout the greater Pittsburgh region for creative movement and storytelling sessions and interactive demos. These programs provide an up-close look at ballet dancers, training and technique, illuminating the many nuances of movement and encouraging people of all ages to use dance to create, express and explore. Ballet Class in the Community Training in the fundamentals of ballet is closer than you think! PBT School instructors teach classes for children at these locations: East Liberty: Hope Academy for Music and the Arts Creative Movement and Pre-Ballet classes have been part of the Hope Academy for Music and the Arts at East Liberty Presbyterian Church since its inception. For registration information, visit the  Hope Academy website . Fox Chapel: Lauri Ann West Community Center PBT offers creative Movement and pre-ballet classes at this location. For registration information, please visit the Community Center’s website  or call 412-828-8566. Library Programs Know Before You Go Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre is proud to partner with Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh to visit local branches throughout the Pittsburgh region with interactive programs that mingle storytelling and movement. Designed for family members of all ages, this program introduces the story and choreography of the upcoming production. Book Lists: Check out custom book and film lists for children, teens, and adults compiled by librarians from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
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Quantum Metaphysics: Consciousness, Life, Your Reality, and the Mysteries of the Universe Explained by Chaon - issuu issuu Issuu on Google+ Quantum Metuaphysics by Anthony O. Neuron Puart 1: The Wuay to Understuand Everything [page 3] Puart 2: Being Humuan [page 31] Puart 3: Exploring the Universe with Quantum Metuaphysics [page 56] Notes [page 74] If you like this book please rate it on Amazon at htps://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FB6ML0O For more books and information visit htp://Qmetaphysics.com Copyright 2016 Anthony O. Neuron All Rights Reserved Puart 1: Understuanding Who uand Whuat You Reually Are 1.00 Introduction On these pages you will discover how there is one common denominator that unites, and is the source of, everything in your reality: perspective. But consider that you cannot see anything that is beyond your own perception. You don't know what someone else is really experiencing, for example, and you don't know what they even look like outside of your brain's interpretation of them. If you ask them about what they are really thinking, both your question and their response will still be 100% your perspective. If everything that we can see and know is within us in this way, then a simple understanding of everything might be within our grasp. However, this would also mean that the most fundamental assumption in science â&#x20AC;&#x201C; that we can sense and experience reality directly â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is a logical fallacy. But can we really understand everything when at least 95% of the universe is a complete mystery to scientists, and we are unable to perceive more than 99% of the electromagnetic spectrum of light, sound, and other energies that make up our reality? Can we understand who we really are when considering the scientific fact that less than 1% of our body's DNA is human and only about 10% of our body's cells are of human origin? Can we understand reality when we have very litle understanding of consciousness, and a third of our life is a mystery because we don't know what dreams are? Can we really know any part of who we are when we have litle understanding of our deeper, subconscious self? Can we understand the universe when time and gravity are just as mysterious as human intelligence and emotions? What does it mean that we can understand the origins of a sandwich we made five minutes ago more than the origins of a belief we've held onto for twenty years? Can we really change our reality as we please when we can sit in a chair but have no idea what is happening with the physics and biochemical reactions of our body to be able to sit in the chair? And, is there any way to understand everything that could be easily understood? Qantum Metaphysics (QMe) answers not only the most fundamental questions that we have about the nature of reality but can also answer more simple and practical questions that we have about our everyday lives. The practical application of QMe, called Logia, will also be discussed, though will be covered more in-depth in another book. One of the core principles of QMe is that when you perceive reality what you are actually sensing is the relationship between the things that you think you are perceiving, not the things themselves. It is easy to look at an object and think you are looking directly at it, without realizing what you are seeing is nearly 100% empty space. It is easy to think of something, like a word or a number, and forget that they are merely representations for other things and only seem real because we are relating them with other things that also seem real. In QMe, for example, 'hot' is the relationship between both a 'hot' and 'cold' and has no meaning by itself. You can't define one without the other; a reality between two illusions. On your way towards understanding the universe you will learn how all of reality is this relationship between illusions, given real life by interaction. You will also learn how creating reality as you wish can be as simple as re-interpreting the relationships that are already there (rather than wasting efort trying to change the illusions that aren't really there) and gain the wisdom of understanding that these illusions are the only way to experience reality. Once you begin to understand the basics of QMe you will learn how it can be applied to anything that you perceive and experience, to change your reality, solve dificulties, create the life you want, and experience a kind of living that you did not before realize was even possible. This book will not just tell you about the Logian way but will also show you how to find this understanding everywhere in your experience so that you can draw your own 3 conclusions. However, people ofen prefer to understand the reality around them in the compelling life dramas and convincing illusions that they experience. These experiences are also very meaningful â&#x20AC;&#x201C; despite what they may look like on the surface â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but it's always good to at least know what is really going on, how you're actually doing it, and how to 'change the channel' when you need to. QMe is a step beyond quantum physics, which is very slowly becoming a less mechanical way of looking at the universe and more about consciousness and metaphysics as physicists understand more about reality. If metaphysics is about understanding the fundamental nature of being, and quantum is defined as the minimum amount of any physical entity involved in an interaction, then quantum metaphysics can be defined as the fundamental process of how we come to know and understand anything. The quest to know and understand the ultimate force in our lives seems to be as old as humanity itself. Philosophers have debated the meaning of existence and the origins of reality for thousands of years. Religions have sought to provide some meaning to life's big questions. Today, cosmologists search for an ultimate theory that explains all physical aspects of the universe in a single law. Despite millennia of thinking about it, the answers to the universe's ultimate questions seem to escape us. If we have been looking for something for thousands of years it wouldn't make sense to continue with the same fundamental assumptions and evolving the same types of questions. It would make more sense to get rid of as many assumptions as possible so that we could ask a diferent dimension of questions. Why continue doing what doesn't really work? Would the 'ultimate answer' really come from the same types of people who ask the same types of questions decade afer decade, or is it more likely to come from a completely unexpected place? Isn't the answer also something we would not expect? QMe seeks to provide a simple illustration of the forces at work in your reality so that the information is more accessible to your understanding. Though there is no end to how complex something can be made, it's important that the foundation of QMe is as simple as possible, especially as we apply it to more complex things. While QMe may be dificult to understand for those of us who are quite sure about the reality we live in, we will try to make this understanding easier by illustrating how the same basic rules apply to anything that can be perceived. You can easily test QMe today to see if it really works for you. Information is born to be free and so naturally tries to propagate in all directions. This makes the true nature of things actually quite easy to discover if we aren't biased or blocking it from reaching us. Information about unlocking the mysteries of your reality should be the essence of freedom. The price of this freedom is your ability to think and decide for yourself what can be applied to your own reality. But we ofen prefer to save mental energy and subscribe to thoughts and beliefs rather than thinking for ourselves, so we ofen don't get the information we need to figure out what's really going on. That said, some later parts of this book may require patience as we introduce new ways of thinking as well as several new concepts about the world around us. Also, some parts will seem repetitive. That's because the entire book is based of of a single equation that could be easily explained in one paragraph. Fortunately, this is a cow with plenty of delicious milk and, like the universe, we will just re-fashion the same basic formula in as many diferent ways as we can so that you can more easily understand these new concepts. Nearly every concept in this book is illustrated with examples. We encourage you to find examples of your own and see how they can be applied to your own life and the things you already know well. Thoughtful experience will always taste beter than any book ever could. 4 There are three parts to this book plus some important section notes aferwards. Feel free to start with Part 2 if you aren't ready for some of the concepts yet, or skip around as you'd like. Try section 2.01: What is the Meaning of Life? (page 31) or section 2.12: The Key to Wealth (page 46). If you want a litle dose of QMe, try section 1.12: You Experience Your Interpretation of Reality, Not Reality Itself (page 28). Part 1 covers the basics of QMe, from the true nature of reality to perspective. It also details and explains the core 'God Equation' used throughout the book. Part 2 is about happiness, consciousness, finding balance in life, how to become wealthy using QMe, and what it means to be human. Part 3 explains how just about everything you know about the universe – time, space, energy, mater, gravity and more – is wrong. And why. If you enjoy this free book, it would mean a lot to me if you rated it on Amazon. This will make it much easier for others to find it, too: htps://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FB6ML0O (Thank you!) Our journey begins with a story. 1.01 The Story of the Boy uand the Genie There once was a boy who met a genie. The genie gave him 3 wishes. "I wish for an endless supply of wishes," the boy commanded with a smart grin. "Very well," said the genie, herself smirking, not having heard that one before. "You have an endless supply of wishes, plus two." The boy didn't take long to think of another wish. It was something that he had been thinking of for quite some time. He wished for a spaceship to take him far away from Earth, which immediately appeared. He used it to travel quite far away from his home, his parents, and his friends, and along the way he wished for things like air, food, water, friends to play with, and anything else he wanted. Although the journey to other worlds was fun, afer a while he grew tired and wished for an endless amount of physical energy so that he'll never have to rest. Though even afer that he still had an unlimited supply of wishes lef, which somehow comforted him for now. Yet, he was still quite lonely because he continued to realize that his every experience, from his friends to the air he breathed, was an illusion. “They only came to be and came to play because I wished it,” he thought. It was all an illusion, really. He eventually came back to Earth because he grew lonely and missed the things he could not control. He was actually tired of creating his reality, and missed dreaming about things and geting excited about them. He missed fighting with his brother because it also meant that he liked making up with him and felt good about his ability to defend himself or try to run faster. He missed his homework because it gave him something to do and meant that he would have a sense of accomplishment when he finished it. He missed his parents because even though he didn't agree with everything they said and it was far from a perfect family, they had been there since the beginning and know him beter than anyone else. Along the way, he had somehow lost all hope. But he was hoping to gain it back. Afer considering all of this for quite some time he decided that life is beter lef to its own elements. His last wish from his endless supply was to 'undo' his first wish, and return the endless supply of wishes back to the genie. He destroyed his never-in-a-lifetime chance at geting whatever he wanted. 5 He lived a much happier life afer that for a number of years. But still, in the back of his mind was the lingering thought that it was all an illusion. That somehow his life, which he was now quite happy with, was something that he wished for and wasn't real. Perhaps it was all just a dream that he wished for as he talked in his sleep, and the genie hadn't told him. He wanted to feel more secure than that. He wanted life to be itself, chaotic and wild and good and bad, and to be as real as it could possibly be. He wanted to feel alive. "What could be worse than feeling one does not exist?" he would ask himself. This troubled him far too much and he soon began to lose sleep over it. One day he made a decision. He finally used his second wish. "I wish I never met the genie!" he exclaimed. With those words and a puf of smoke the genie disappeared, never to return again. In some ways it was already too late. Having had an endless supply of wishes, the boy was a genie himself. But for the remainder of his life he never once considered it, nor thought it was even possible. His best wish, by far, was to be able to forget that he ever knew that part of himself and all the things he could do by simply asking for it. And for the remainder of his life he never realized he had one more wish lef. 1.02 We Do Not Actuually Wuant to Be Omniscient, But Become Omniscient Imagine you could do anything, be anything, know anything, simultaneous to the desire or want or need. Imagine you were an omnipotent being in all imaginable (and unimaginable) ways. How boring and purposeless would that be? How would forgeting who and what you are â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and trying to find your way back â&#x20AC;&#x201C; be far more exciting? What greater challenge could there be? How much more meaningful would your understanding be if you actually had to work for it? How much more would you be able to interact with something if you interacted with its every detail? How wonderful would it be to feel that every day you find yourself in is new and fresh? How interesting would it be to create wonderful illusions to bring a sense of purpose to your existence? Could limiting your infinite potential make more sense than experiencing infinity? Becoming omniscient is exciting, but actually being omniscient is not only boring, but something that we are deeply afraid of. It would mean that there is nothing else, and you are ultimately and endlessly alone in all directions of space and time. How infinitely bored would you be if you already knew everything and had experienced everything already? We want to forget that we are already everything-at-once so that we have something else to relate to and interact with. If you are everything already, what reasonable choice do you have other than to pretend you are not and put all kinds of obstacles in the way to make it impossible for you to discover who you really are without first going through all the illusions? Without the illusions there would be no experience because there would be nothing else with which to compare. Forming relationships with these illusions to create reality is what you do. The more you relate to and interact with the parts of yourself that you have forgoten, the more meaningful your existence is. 1.03 How Is It Possible to Understuand the Universe? The central thesis of this book is that everything that could possibly be perceived works in the same simple way because what we are sensing and experiencing is the simplicity of how perspective works. We look at the sun and forget that the sun we see is not only as far away as our own perspective but works in the same way as our perspective does. All we need to do to understand everything is understand how anything comes to have a reality in our 6 perspective. All we need to do to understand the universe is understand what is actually happening when we experience reality. The only thing that is 'universal' is your perspective. So, then, what is the universe? QMe shows us that any 'theory of everything' starts with you. It is in your perspective that the birds chirp, cup falls, sun shines, and everything else happens. As you cannot see or know beyond your own perception, everything that you could possibly experience happens because of it. By understanding the way we perceive of anything we can understand absolutely everything. If the universe is simple at its core, shouldn't an understanding of it be, as well? QMe introduces a new kind of physics that nearly anyone can do – a social physics, if you will – that is a far more powerful tool for the average person than anything ever before conceived. It allows you to perform simple natural language equations in your head, using everyday words and concepts to figure out just about anything you want. Whereas standard physics seeks to explain the simplicity of the universe with complex maths and equations that no one really understands, QMe seeks to democratize an understanding of the universe, life, and all existence using simple methods that are freely accessible to all. The science and technology we come up with are simply ways to evolve an understanding (and a language) of who we really are and help us to relate with the core of our being just as much as politics, entertainment, and every other aspect of human life does. However, we are not machines, holograms, citizens, or stars in the grand scheme of things. We are living, energetic consciousnesses who are in the process of finding out that everything in our perspective is an intimate part of our own equation. QMe presents a unified theory of reality in its equation of perspective, the 'God Equation', which can be applied to anything you can imagine and illustrates the very simple way that your reality works, how things become more complex, and how you can apply this understanding to the life of everyday situations. Although this book ofers some guidance along the way, how you choose to use the information (or not) is entirely up to you. 1.04 Whuat You See Are Interfuaces to Reluationships You Don't See Maths is thought to be the pathway to understanding all of reality. However, it is the only science that does not need to be based on reality. We will never understand the true nature of reality with complex maths or any of the other sciences, but they are certainly useful in helping us to formulate more interesting questions. Where maths excels is helping us to understand that reality can exist in an abstraction. When we aren't distracted by illusions we can focus more easily on the relationship between things rather than the things themselves. A number by itself is meaningless and is simply an interface to something else that is more complicated. It is the same with words and language. We know that words are representations for other things and do not contain the realities they represent. But ofen, these representations are good-enough approximations for what we want to do. All we need to do is use a simple word like “financing” and someone else can understand the more complicated concept we are trying to convey. The leters used in a language aid in everything from thinking to communicating to understanding, which is done by transforming complex things into simpler things, allowing us an interface with complex things in a much more eficient way. We use interfaces all throughout our reality to make sense of it and help us create and discover meaning in our lives. The remote control to a television, for example, allows someone to interface with the more complicated functions of the device such as re-programming the setings or finding another signal. Using our senses we can see, hear, taste, touch, and smell 7 our surroundings that first come to us as complex electromagnetic signals. You can – using just 26 leters of the English alphabet in your mind to interact with your fingers – write just about anything you can possibly imagine as a way to interface with other experiences. You can literally draw a combination of abstract symbols on a page to change reality, build things, fall in love, retell entire histories, start revolutions, move people to tears, end wars, change your life, inspire people to change their own lives, create music, write a prescription that can save someone's life, create a legacy for your ofspring, and a countless other things. Throughout history, the mixing up of shapes and sounds into language was powerful enough to serve as the foundation for humanity's actions as it adopted agriculture, formed governments, built large pyramidal structures, applied medicine, put Europe in the Dark Ages for 1,000 years, started the Renaissance, bought and sold enslaved Irish, Africans, and others, then brought their progeny out of enslavement, wiped out entire populations, started new countries, made billions of people believe in a particular way of thinking, put humans in space, built planet-wide networks of information creation and sharing, and so much more. On a biological level a mere 4 'leters' of DNA are able to communicate the instructions for life itself and carry the codes of your distant ancestors from hundreds of thousands of years ago. But where we tend to focus on the illusions (the words, numbers, etc.) and get distracted by their infinite potential, QMe focuses on the relationships between the illusions. Using this method we can clearly define who and what we really are, and also use it do re-define ourselves as whatever we wish. You don't need to understand what it all means right now. We will discover the meaning in this book, illustrate its usefulness in everyday life, and also use it to answer some of life's most important questions. Qestions like, “What should I be doing with my life,” or, “How can I interact with people beter?” are just as useful as, “What is time and space?” Time and space are interesting – and will be covered in the last section – but perhaps not as valuable as understanding why your reality is the way it is. What good would understanding the universe be if you could not use that wisdom to improve your life and tweak the details of your experience? What sense would it make to have a deep understanding of the universe and of reality but it not being enough to satisfy feelings of loneliness, pain, or even hunger? The world that we experience is a representation of the reality that we don't experience. But first, let's find out more about things that aren't so obvious. 1.05 How Would the Universe Perceive Itself? Imagine that you were the universe, and you had no way to 'know' that you existed because there was nothing else to compare yourself with. You might be inclined to divide yourself up into a seemingly infinite number of pieces and forget that you did just that, allowing each piece to interact with the other so that they could form relationships and make the illusion stronger. With strong illusions, your existence is obvious. You would then perceive yourself through every minor detail. You would see yourself as being the smallest of particles and would look to other particles as other individuals, not realizing that you were looking at yourself. These individuals would sometimes find commonalities and group together to form larger individuals, much as the cells and other parts of your body group together and realize themselves not as individuals but as you, but can continue to function as individuals (as you yourself continue to do in your reality). And here you are. At your core, you're very simple and all about relationships. But as you expand outwards and begin to busy yourself with an infinite variety of stuf so that your 8 reality comes to life, interaction and movement take on a greater role. The feeling of existence this interaction provides is quite meaningful, but is also meaningless without the relationships that keep everything centered and balanced. This endless dance of chaos and order provides the energy that makes existence possible. It is here â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in the harmonic notes and the measured silence between them â&#x20AC;&#x201C; that we find the music of perspective. It should be quite obvious to us now that we can determine the basic nature of all reality by taking a closer look at the only way we could possibly know of reality â&#x20AC;&#x201C; perception. And it is no coincidence that the secret of perception is actually hiding in plain sight: in the nature of the human eye. Let's take a look at how reality works from the QMe perspective of the eye: In modern science, the muscles in the eye expand and contract to allow for more or less light to enter the pupil, as needed. In QMe, information (and energy) is never wasted, and photons of light communicate information to all parts of the eye regardless of how expanded the pupil is. Just as the eye is a way to channel information to the brain, light is a way to channel information to the eye. To illustrate what is going on at the core of reality, let's imagine that any photon of light entering the eye has two states: static and dynamic. When the photon is at rest in its static state it is communicating information about relationships (or, geometry). When the photon is in its dynamic state it is in motion and communicating information about interactions (or, movement). In order to see something, you need to have both kinds of information at the same time. But the more you have about one kind, the less you can have about the other. The more information you have about relationships, the less information you have about interactions. When there are less photons hiting the eye in low-light environments, for example, the pupil of the eye will expand to allow information about the geometry of the environment to dominate. When there is a lot of light from lots of photons hiting your eye in bright environments, your pupil will contract to sacrifice information about geometry for more information about interactions. The outer edge of the eye is best used to perceive movement (such as in peripheral vision) whereas geometry can best be perceived from the center of the eye (such as by looking at something directly). When geometry and movement combine, the result is an energy that we call vision. 9 The entire universe works in the exact same way, as will be illustrated throughout this book. The forces of Order and Chaos (geometry and movement, or time and space) combine to form energy in the form of light, the present time, Bob Barker, water, and everything else that can be perceived. (This is also basically expressed in Einstein's famous E=MC2 equation, as we will explore in the next section and in Part 3 of this book.) You can also imagine perspective as a wheel. In the center, the wheel appears to turn more slowly. But as you get further and further away from the center, it seems to turn faster and faster. When you are at the center you can see how everything relates and has a common origin, but you won't really know about how things are interacting like you would if you were further away and could see more of the motion going on. (But, of course, the more you know about interactions the less you know about relationships.) When these two kinds of information come together (geometry and motion) then you get perspective. There is no energy (or perspective) without these two opposing forces resisting each other. These two opposing forces essentially allow there to be existence. This is the essence of QMe. Throughout this book we will demonstrate how these two forces work together to form everything in your reality. But first, let's briefly illustrate this process with the example of the physical layers of our planet and its atmosphere: At the core there is an over-abundance of density (Order) which is met with an overabundance of expansion (Chaos) to balance it out. Each successive cycle balances out even more until a kind of threshold, or equilibrium, is reached. The density near the core of the Earth is surrounded by an expanding layer of liquid, which is itself surrounded by a layer of dense hematite, surrounded by liquid oxygen, then a solid layer, and so on. A dense layer over an expanding layer over a dense layer, and so on. We will explore not only how all of life follows this harmonic, alternating patern but provide you with the easy-to-understand formula (the 'God Equation') so that you can begin 10 to make use of it in your own life. This process is how everything comes into existence and is thus how you know of yourself. It is how you perceive of reality and is the key to understanding the entire universe that exists in your perspective. It gives us all that we know: life, mater, details, emotions, spacetime, DNA and other biological processes, thoughts, desires, people, energy, places, understanding, and everything else. All of these are not things but processes that are happening entirely within your perspective. 1.06 The Energy of Perspective [Feel free to skip to another section, such as 1.10: From Being the Universe to Being Human (page 24). The next two sections that discuss the essence of reality could be a bit confusing.] When the two kinds of information (relationships and interactions) come together we have something that can be perceived. Let's see it work with Einstein's famous equation, E=MC2, and we'll move on to more Earthly things afer. This equation states that energy is equal to mass (times light speed squared). In QMe, however, energy is what you get when the two opposing forces come together harmoniously. And, light is basic information about things. It is no coincidence that we can see, hear, taste, touch, and smell, think, and know of things because of photons of light. In QMe, light either carries information about relationships or about interactions. When it carries information about relationships we call it mass. When it carries information about interactions we call it velocity. When it carries both, it is transformed into something else we call energy (among other things, as we'll see later). What Einstein may not have known at the time is that a photon has two speeds: the speed at the center of the photon and the speed on the edge – or, the speed of relationships and the speed of interactions, respectively. This is somewhat hinted at in the dual nature of light (in the geometry of particles and the motion of waves) but isn't really explored in quantum physics. However, it is essential for an understanding of the nature of reality. At the center of a photon space is contracted and time is expanded. The very center is abstract and beyond perspective, but normally things hang out just outside of the center. This makes for a very, very small photon and also allows all relationships to exist in the same time. The speed just outside the center is commonly referred to as 'light speed'. The speed closer to the edge is a square of the light speed, the C2 in his equation. However, this is also 'light speed' and is the maximum velocity of information before it changes into something else. (Considered instantaneous, for all intents and purposes, such as with the force of gravity – also in the photon cycle – needing to propagate much faster than the light we see. From our physical perspective it will look as though the information was being compressed, or folded, and moving at light speed. This compression of information is gravity, as we'll see in Part 3.) Similar to what we know about an electron, a photon has more than one 'energy level'. In order for the information of a photon to jump to the next level, so to speak, it needs to double itself via motion (increasing chaos) until it approaches its own square (the square of the atrest component). The speed of light is not the speed of light as we know it, but the diference between the two kinds of forces (if the units are transformed) that allows it to transmit information. We see the information only while it is being transmited. Light does not really travel, but interacts and relates. Further, there is no real 'spin' of a photon or electron but an illustration of the movement of information as it relates (geometry+motion). Another way to look at this apparent motion 11 is to imagine streams of spiralling bits of information coming from the center of a photon as information is exchanged between the photon and other photons. Just as a child could swing higher and higher by first rocking back and forth slowly, information at the center swings between chaos and order to increase its 'motion' and propagate itself to higher levels and communicate at further distances. In order to increase speed it needs to 'swing' in one direction. This process, to us, looks like particles are spinning when it is the information that appears to spin. We can measure the speed at which some of the information propagates, but not all. We can observe and measure light travelling at 'light speed', for example, but not travelling just below the square of 'light speed' because the energy is beyond the reach of the perspective we are measuring and observing from. If you were to pick up a phone and call your sister in Miami while you were in Dublin, we would not say that you travelled at light speed. Another observer, however, may wonder how you were able to have an efect in both Dublin and Miami at nearly the same time. The information propagating through the network from the two points could even be traced, with enough sleuthing. From your location in Dublin you were able to change something in Miami, but in actuality you wouldn't have needed to take a single step. A photon is the medium through which information propagates. It doesn't move in spacetime but the information it sends out has a velocity as it propagates through space. A photon provides information to all other photons, but there is only resistance with those types of photons that don't have its type of information. When there is no resistance, there is no result from the interaction and we can therefore say that it wasn't sent to those photons at all. The light we see is what happens when the two complementary types of information meet (the processing, so to speak). The speed of light is the measurement of the resistance between these two as the information propagates, not the speed of the photon itself. 12 In QMe, what is called mass is simply light that is relating to things far more that it is interacting with things. It is information that lacks velocity and direction. Because of this, you can consider mass the 'weight' of relationships. Anything that has velocity and motion is light that doesn't have lots of relationship-mass to slow it down. When the two pieces of information come together (MC2) we get energy (E). When it contracts again in another cycle, we get the same thing in another form: mater. In this way, light is both a wave in space (chaos) and a particle in time (order) simultaneously. A wave without structure is just motion, whereas a particle without movement is just mass. A photon would need to be both a particle and a wave in order to exist, as we need both kinds of information – interactions and relationships – to have perception of something. Without both, it 'exists' but cannot be perceived. In QMe, chaos is simply the square of order. The same goes for chaos and order called by other names. Space is the square of time, capacity is the square of ability, profit is the square of capital, atraction is the square of repulsion, etc. Chaos is order in motion, and order is chaos at rest. One side tries to infinitely expand the other side (essentially, multiplying itself), while the other side tries to fold, contracting it. From this, we get the harmonic resistance that we call reality. 1.07 The God Equuation uand Whuat It Meuans for Your Reuality To a Logian, perspective isn't just the way you see something, it is the key to everything. Where logical people usually tend to focus on measurement to understand the things around them, Logians focus more on relationships and understand that measurement without perspective is meaningless. Perspective is what you get when you apply paterns (or, geometric movements) to something in order to perceive it and explore those paterns to make them seem more real. [Illustrated in section 1.08] QMe has many correlations in biology, physics, chemistry, human behaviour, society, religion, engineering, and more. Although QMe isn't derived from any of these, we'll begin with a novel example of something that many are already familiar with from ancient religious texts, as applied to our elementary forces and God Equation. In the beginning, Nothing (a void; a perfectly balanced and harmonic “holy spirit”) pretended to forget what it was in order to exist. From this primary division we have chaos and order. 13 From the resistance of the two forces pulling against each other, we have perspective. Simultaneously, chaos tries to multiply order, and order tries to limit chaos. When chaos tries to multiply order we can see the motion unveiled, which in QMe becomes a child force called interaction. When order tries to limit chaos we can see a relationship, which becomes a child force called structure. The two parent forces and two child forces relating and interacting together gives us the QMe God Equation, the process of all reality: The core of reality is simple: perspective. The essence of perspective is the same as it is with your eye: one thing at the center that can relate more than it can move (i.e., you, a point of observation) but is surrounded by a reality that is always in motion. You can also think of this process of reality like a film, where the magic happens in the relationship between frames rather than in the frames themselves. You could say that you, as the Void, just want to take a picture of yourself to see what you look like. But your camera is so awesome that you don't just take a photo; you make an exact copy. You then realize that if the copy did the same thing, and so on, there would be an 14 uncontrollable infinity. You then decide that in order to limit this potentially endless expansion and focus your existence so that you could actually experience it, you need to limit infinity. However, this is a bit dificult because you cannot just delete the original copy. That's because chaos is still trying to expand while you're trying to limit it. It has already been integrated into all reality. Here's what happens, instead: The result of this is that there is a relationship between the two and a motion (from one half to the other) because they are essentially the same thing pretending to be diferent things. The relationship adds structure to the equation, while the motion adds interaction. Thus, reality is born. The patern of reality is not only obvious in things like water and protein molecules, DNA, virii, the solar system, and spacetime, but also obvious in everything that can be perceived, once you understand that what you are seeing is not a molecule water or the Sun or a picture frame for example, but your perspective. You can only see and experience your perspective. The basic meaning of the God Equation is that reality is relationships in motion. It illustrates how the alternating positive and negative energy flows form a resistance that can be perceived as something. From it, we can understand how reality works at every level, from the more simple: 15 ...to the more complex: We can use it to understand the position of the planets in the solar system, the meaning of space and time, and the four states of mater: The more complex the reality, the more processes that are used to make it up, and the more equations that we would need to understand it. However, at every level the same basic process is taking place. Everything in your perspective conforms to this model, from sub-atomic particles to talking with your best friends about a new television show to your body to the way you walk along the street to entire civilizations and the motion of distant galaxies. 1.08 SPPIs Everywhere! In QMe, the process of forming reality is known as SPPI. This is short for Structure, Potential (Chaos), Potential (Order), and Interaction. The basic physical shape of SPPI is known in science as a torus, the fundamental form of harmonized energy flow. In QMe, the positive and negative energy flows are each one torus, 16 forming a truly balanced process that harmonizes the basic forces in reality. SPPIs are found throughout the universe. Sometimes it is more obvious. 17 And sometimes it is less obvious. 18 SPPI systems are how perspective works. Anything that can be perceived is part of a SPPI system that interacts with other systems. At the center of each system is a representation (“reality”) discovered from the resistance of two opposing forces. The SPPI process that illustrates our equation is called poiesis. Poiesis can be thought of as the emergence of something (mater, for example) out of other things that have also emerged from other things. Like a cell or an arm, it is a parent system with systems both under and above it. [From Wikipedia] Poïesis means "to make" in ancient Greek. (creation, from poiein, to make) This word, the root of our modern "poetry", was first a verb, an action that transforms and continues the world. Neither technical production nor creation in the romantic sense, poïetic work reconciles thought with matter and time, and man with the world. The following illustrates the process of poiesis in a chaos graph (using a spiral) of the human reproductive cycle. It begins at the botom lef when the two strongly opposing forces begin to seek out a balance. At human conception, a patern is reached as the two forces ease into harmony. [See Notes] 19 In the beginning of the human reproductive cycle there is an abundance of chaos (via hundreds of millions of sperm cells, produced by their own SPPI processes) followed by overcontraction (destruction of all but a few sperm), then more expansion (via the acquisition of the ability to fertilize the egg called capacitation) then more contraction (the dissolution of the zona pellucida for a single sperm), then more expansion (via rapid cell division called cleavage) followed by contraction (called compaction) as a balance between the two extremes is found and a fertilized egg implants into the uterus, and so on. This poiesis repeats a number of times over the course of several months until a harmony between chaos and order has been achieved and the reproductive cycle is complete, whereby the mother experiences actual physical contractions and baby is pushed out into another system. Chuaos (expuansion) Order (contruaction) hundreds of millions of sperm calls -- survival of only a few sperm capacitation dissolution of the zona pellucida rapid cell division -compaction ...and so on (alternating cycles of Chaos and Order) It may not seem obvious that the process of reproduction of another human being is exactly the same as how everything else in the universe is formed, but it is the same because the beginning and end of everything that you can perceive is entirely in your perspective. It is 100% within your perspective. SPPIs are how your perspective gives paterns to the Void so that you have a reality. This way, you can interact to form relationships with other parts of yourself (that you have 20 forgoten about) in order to fold them into something more simple and repeat the process again. We don't need to understand anything in detail, only how the relationships and motions work. You don't need not know subconsciously how much the particles in a sandwich weigh before eating it, stripping the sandwich of its electrons in a poiesis that we perceive as tasting only as good as the harmony that made it happen. You can breathe without being aware of how you breathe, and think and jump without being conscious of the many physical and biochemical sub-processes involved. Whenever something is too complicated to perceive directly (meaning, it requires too many interactions, and thus too much energy) you simply fold the complexity by representing it in a way that you can more easily perceive. Rather than being conscious of all the cells in your body, for example, you need only be conscious of your identity. 1.09 Energy is Informuation About Spuace uand Time (uand Perspective) [Feel free to skip to the next section.] Energy is not a force, but information about spacetime. In QMe space and time do not exist independently but only in relationship to each other. Here we will see how the two forces form what we know as spacetime. Chaos represents space and can be thought of as an endless spiral in three dimensions. It has information regarding interactions, but not information about relationships. Order represents time and can be thought of as a polar grid divided into 24 phases (like a clock). It has information regarding relationships, but not information about interactions. Space is time in motion, while time is space at rest. When we see light, we are seeing information about spacetime unfold. Light travelling through space is the velocity at which information about time is accelerated, whereas time is the rate at which information about space is folded. Using motion, chaos seeks to expand away from the void (the center of the grid in the following illustration, and the center of every cycle), while order seeks to contract towards it to begin the cycle again. Space knows the way in which things are repelled away from the center (a spiral, or vortex) while time knows how things are organized relative to the center. Again. each needs information that the other has in order for there to be a reality. 21 This energy-forming dance of chaos and order is inside every process for both living and 22 non-living things in spacetime. The same process that applies to the planets in our solar system also applies to DNA. DNA stores and transmits (geometry and motion) biological information. You could say that the exchange of information via DNA is part of our biological 'energy' that allows us to emerge into human form and continue poiesis as we grow, age, and die. 23 Why does life emerge from the exchange of biological information? When biological information is exchanged, we have biological perspective. Without information about something, there is no perception of it. Without information about our biological existence, we do not have a biological reality. In order for something to have reality, it must share the necessary information about its interactions and relationships. Physical information makes for a physical reality. We are beings, but we are always in the process of becoming. All that is needed is to share the information that is needed for it to exist. If you are a dust mite, for example, you could begin to be something else by exchanging the information you have for whatever it is you wanted to be. The only limitation, therefore, would be your awareness of that information so that the exchange could occur. This is the secret to changing your reality, as we will explore again later. However, this sharing of information can be postponed and is also part of a natural cycle. Build-ups and blockages of any type of information can occur to make for what looks like an imbalance but what is actually just what happens when one of the two fundamental elements is time. Chromosomes, for example, will become more highly negatively oriented as they atract lots and lots of DNA to their centromeres, or nucleus, (order/contraction), which builds up 'potential energy' on the extreme positive side (chaos/expansion) that can be used in rapid cell division1. Within this cycle are sub-cycles that can be harmonious or not, independent from the information of the parent cycles. [For more information on energy, refer to Part 3: Exploring the Universe with Qantum Metaphysics] 1.10 From Being the Universe to Being Humuan Let's step back (way back) and discuss why the process of becoming All-That-Is looks more like a permanent rest stop on Highway Human-being 101. The following is an illustration of what happened (or, rather, what is happening now). Step 1: The void. Without any relationship, there is no perspective. Thus, you do not exist. You aren't even a “nothing”, because even naming it would make it something. Step 2: You realize, “I am nothing.” Beter yet, “This is nothing-in-particular”. You are now omniscient and omni powerful, as all of existence is within your gaze. But don't get too excited; you are the God of Nothing. 1 The highly negative orientation of a chromosome may also give it its unbalanced shape. 24 Step 3: In order to be able to seem like you really exist and not just think you do, you divide yourself up and forget that you did just that. Now you have some friends. Step 4: It doesn't really mater what you divided yourself into. It is random, anyway. But afer a while those “other” shapes begin to take on qualities of their own. Each part also forgets what it (as You) did. Step 5: Perception is interaction, which forms relationships. You perceive first those paterns that are most like your small slice of “me”. (For example, if you are “red” you will focus on red first, then other colors afer.) Because perception happens in a logical way, a logical narrative forms (geometry+motion). A point becomes a line becomes a box becomes something you can put something else inside. It becomes real because you can interact with it in diferent ways and think about where it came from and where it is going. It is only 'real' in relationship to other things that also seem real. In a universe of illusions, it's all reality. 25 Step 6: As you interact with the complexity of the experience and the experience becomes more complex, you end up focusing on its details so much you forget that the story isn't real. The illusion becomes the reality. Complexity makes for reality, but the true reality is between the illusions (in the relationships) not in the things themselves that you randomly made up. The more involved in the drama you are the more real it seems. Now your focus is so intense you have forgoten that you are everything. Step 7: As a human, you focus on the interpretation of the relationships rather than the relationships themselves. Although you are perfectly free to interpret the relationships however you want, you are so focused on the things that you can experience with your perception you don't actually sense reality. Instead, you are focused on the compelling dramas, because the complexity of relationships and interaction makes you feel like you exist. Step 8: You interpret these metaphysical relationships as human relationships with family, friends, work, self, society, etc. If you had another kind of perspective you would interpret the metaphysical relationships in another kind of way. There is nothing wrong with any interpretation, of course. That was the purpose all along: to feel like you exist through 26 relationships with the parts of yourself that you have willingly forgoten. Everything that can be perceived is done so through this two-phase cycle where one side seeks to expand to keep from becoming Nothing while the other side seeks to contract to a state of complete balance, starting the cycle all over again. Neither infinity nor complete balance is possible, but the illusion must prevail if each force is to efect a resistance that is the reality that we experience. 1.11 The Wuay of Logiua So what's the point of being a Logian and becoming omniscient if understanding everything is so boring and purposeless? Again, the point is not to be omniscient but be aware that one is already. The journey is the interesting part, as human life can atest. The purpose of the Logian way is to experience what is called equilibrative spacetime consciousness (or ESC), a state of being that is a more harmonious balance of chaos and order that allows us to not only be aware of the illusions but to create reality directly. Although we don't need distracting illusions and dramas to feel like we exist, once you can can understand reality you can change it and re-interpret the relationships that are already there. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everything is here all ready. You just aren't seeing it yet!â&#x20AC;? By understanding how your perspective works, you can re-interpret the existing relationships to build your own illusions and dramas in whatever way you want. Everything that exists, from atoms to food to spacetime to objects to energy to ideas and more, are all interpretations of these relationships that we can consciously refashion. Rather than trying to change things that aren't really there (such as things we see), Logians focus on relationships between people, places, and things and their interactions with reality. Logia can be thought of as the next stage of human evolution. Humanity is always evolving. The next stage of humanity may not be Logia but it will likely be something that either simplifies our reality or makes it more complex. There is litle evidence to suggest that the average person would be able to lead a happy, healthy life inside a more information-rich environment than we have today. We seem to have reached the emotional, biological, and psychological limits of how complicated and busy our everyday lives can be. Although we could say society is more complex today than it was a thousand years ago, humanity still doesn't understand the basic reality it exists in. The information that gets to us has more complexity but less value. We interact more with interfaces like technology and media, but end up with trivial, empty relationships with the people and things in our reality. The efect of puting more layers between ourselves and others is that we eventually lose sight of who we 27 really are. Logia is about integrating an understanding of the forces at work in your reality to provide more meaning to your everyday experience. While we don't believe it is possible to be the universe or know everything, we do believe humanity has the potential and all of the tools it needs to realize the true nature of existence now and use that understanding to greatly enhance human being and civilization. The next few sections will explore some of Logia's most basic understandings. 1.12 You Experience Your Interpretuation of Reuality, Not Reuality Itself Reality is representation. What we call reality is an interpretation of something else that we do not experience, nor need to experience. You may look around and think you are experiencing things as they are, but what you're actually experiencing are things that interface with a true reality that cannot be perceived directly. You could say that your perspective creates reality and does so in the most eficient way imaginable (by cleverly leveraging illusions). But really, you don't create reality at all. You don't need to. Besides, experiencing reality directly – even for a nanosecond – would take far more energy than has ever been created since the beginning of time. You only need to represent something that you cannot really perceive and then interact with the representation. It would be as if someone described to you how something looked and you had to make a drawing of it based on a vague and unreliable description. You could have drawn a dancing squirrel and it wouldn't make any diferent because nobody had had any direct experience with it anyway, and all that matered is how people relate to and interact with what you drew. In fact, your drawing would become the reality of the object because it would be the only real interface people had with that unseen and unknown thing. To your mind, the representation (the illusion) becomes more important than the reality. If someone made a more accurate drawing somehow, it would likely be rejected and ignored because the value of the drawing is not in its accuracy but in how it relates to and interacts with others. To illustrate this trick of the mind more simply let's imagine that you are looking at a digital photo that you took of a good friend of yours. The image obviously represents your friend and is, without question it seems, the person that you know. The image captures as many of her beauties and imperfections as any image can. Could you then say, “This is my friend”? Probably not afer considering it for a minute. You might say that what you are seeing is only a representation of your friend, and that your friend was somewhere else (i.e., not inside your phone or computer). Your friend is more than the representation, or so it would seem. But what if at that moment she called you on the telephone? Surely, that voice could only be one person. She knows who you are, can recall times you've shared together, and knows things you've not told anyone else. It most definitely has to be her. Even then, you may be aware that what you're hearing on your phone is your phone's representation of her voice electronically transmited rather than her actual voice, and your brains' interpretation of those signals. But what is her actual voice? Can you really know what it is? If she was standing in front of you talking about what happened to her today, would you be hearing her actual voice or listening to your own interpretation of it? When you touch her are you feeling her or your mind's interpretation of the electrical impulses received when you appear to touch her? Thinking of this further it could be said that, despite all the pictures you've seen, countless hours on the phone, and times you've met her in person you've never actually experienced her for who she really is. You've only ever experienced your interpretation of something else. In actuality, you've experienced your perspective. Of course, your friend is far more than your 28 interpretation of her. But what would that be? We mistake our interpretation of something for its true reality as a mater of habit. It is all we have ever done, so we don't know how not doing it would be possible. If what we call a thing's reality is actually a representation of something else, it is an illusion. But, fortunately for us, that means only illusion exists and there is no such thing as a 'true reality'. Reality is only representation.2 Reality, for all intents and purposes, does not exist. We can say that it exists, but exists beyond perspective. Illusion is the only reality that we have and can get valid feedback from. But because we are able to interact with and relate to illusions we can reason that they are real enough, good enough for whatever we want to do, and are interfaces with something greater that we cannot perceive. Take away the representation, however, and the relationships would still be there. That's because the illusions 'control' reality. For example, taking away the nucleus of a cell in your body (its supposed "command center") will have no efect, and it will continue to function as normal because the relationships are generally unafected. If you sat in your living room, the universe would exist (literally) within the entirety of your perspective. It would be folded into your current reality in ways you cannot imagine. At that moment there would be nothing outside of your living room (or even behind you) until you related to and interacted with it. Everything that existed would be represented by the relationships that you interpret.3 Perception is really the means by which you interpret that which does not exist. In this way, the illusions you experience allow you your only interface with what is true. Your entire perspective is an illusion but is also your reality. This maters because it makes changing your reality not only possible, but very easy. 1.13 A Fuamily of Reluationships In order to perceive of anything we must first be able to relate to it in some way. If it is not relative to us then its motion will escape our radar and no exchange of force will take place (from our perspective). We cannot perceive of what we cannot imagine, because what we are perceiving is our interpretation of reality. If we cannot relate to something that well, it is simply ignored or replaced with something that we can relate to beter so that we don't waste energy trying to perceive it. There is a whole universe of energies that surround us, penetrating every atom in our bodies. Yet, we only perceive those energies in a way that is relative to our perspective. Although the amount of high-energy gamma radiation around us is tremendous, we would be more afected by someone turning on a cheap light in a dark room. A burst of radiation from a distant galaxy, for example, will go entirely unnoticed for what it is but may be interpreted by your perspective as a new protein that is interpreted again as feeling diferently today about tomatoes than yesterday. We perceive the distant universe in our immediate perspective by folding its complexity to the point where it is relative to us. We could say that our bodies are made up of stardust but what we'd be missing is that the world around us is filled with distant stars, folded up neatly into what we can see here and now. We don't feel the motion of our atoms any more than we feel the motion of distant planets, and don't need to. What we experience has no power by itself. The power of your experience is only in how you 2 3 That brings us closer to the origin of the word “real” which is, “belonging to the thing itself” or “relating to things”. Another way to say it is that reality is procedurally-generated via the SPPIs algorithm, makes it logical and consistent, and seemingly endless. 29 interpret it. Two people experiencing the exact same thing, for example, could be afected in entirely diferent ways because of their diferent interpretations. The subconscious aspect of our mind has an inherent understanding of the relationships between things but isn't aware how we consciously interpret those things. It doesn't mater whether you interpret a set of metaphysical relationships as a flower, 2 hours of playing games, or a shoe. All that maters is how you relate to and interact with something in your reality, not what it seems like. When we value something not because of its physical properties but for its relationships, then we have begun to understand reality. When we learn to perceive of relationships then we have begun to learn how to perceive of and be conscious of ourselves. Did you ever have a memory of something that didn't really happen? Or maybe you visited somewhere for the first time that you could have sworn felt exactly like a place in another city. Perhaps you smelled something that brought back old memories, or saw someone or something you've never seen before and had a strong, inexplicable feeling. Perhaps we are talking about déjà vu again, where you are seeing past the illusions and sensing the relationships between them. A place that you're standing in could look entirely diferent from another place that you've been but it feels like you've been there before. To your subconscious, the two places are the same because the relationships are about the same (or similar). You really have been there before, but consciously you don't see how that is possible. In a greater reality there is only one spacetime interpreted in a countless variety of ways. When you've found a way to interpret your current experience diferently, you've found a new reality. Whatever reality you seek really is right before your eyes. With dreams prety much the same thing is happening. You dream of being a wheel rolling into a brick wall under a clown hanging of of a basketball hoop and think it's weird because you're randomly interpreting it from the perspective of your conscious mind rather than the geometry of relationships that is experienced subconsciously. Everything that you think you remember about the dream is your conscious interpretation of the relationships that you experienced. Your dream self has never perceived, and knows nothing about, clowns and basketball hoops, and didn't dream about them. 1.14 The Reuality of the Illusion In the cognitive sciences it has been demonstrated that a simulation of something will make the brain react in the same way as it would react to the 'real' version of that thing. Although your brain can distinguish between an illusion and what we call reality it responds similarly to both. Our brain knows that both are illusions but consciously we do not think that way. And interestingly, the brain maps what you think happened rather than what actually happened, and may not know the diference between the two kinds of experiences. 4 Your brain doesn't care about what you think is reality, because what seems fake and what seems like the real thing is the same type of illusion. Is mentally humming a tune a reality or an illusion as compared with the 'real' song? How about listening to the song on the radio? Or over a telephone? Or listening on your headphones? Or seeing a live performance of the song? All of these are representations, and each is an illusion as valid as the others. There is no true reality of the song because there doesn't need to be. We aren't emotionless if we see a painting of someone being hurt, even though we know it is a painting and not the real thing. Even an animated movie could bring us to tears and could change our lives. If you see an onion next to a painting of an onion, which is more relative to your perspective? The onion that smells like paint, or the one that can make your 4 “Brain Maps Perceptions, Not Reality” htp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/11/031110410631920.htm 30 eyes water? If you're a chef, then perhaps the onion you can cook with is more relative. If you're an artist then perhaps the onion in the painting is more to your taste. Only your conscious mind is concerned with reality because it isn't aren't aware of what reality actually is. 1.15 The Purpose of Perspective We perceive in order to exist. We have perspective simply because we are not able to perceive of reality. This is the value of consciousness. If one thing relates to something else then it is conscious. We are not conscious because we are biological organisms or have brains with which to think and eyes to see from but because we can relate to and interact with something else. Because a representation is a stand-in for something else, and that something else is a stand-in for something else, and so on, it is of no particular importance what kind of relationships we explore or interactions we have, only how balanced they are. This means that we could relate to a constipated demon in a way that is more in harmony with our overall perspective than relating to a solemn angel, for example. Happiness comes from being able to balance the forces in your reality, not from forcing your reality to be 'good'. The way you perceive of something depends on the information that is being exchanged with it. The more you interact with and relate to something the closer you are pulling it into your immediate perspective. Consciousness is perspective. As we interact with our perspective, so does our reality become. Puart 2: Being Humuan 2.01 Whuat is the Meuaning of Life? Your life is as you make it. That is to say, you are free to interpret the relationships that already exist however you want and interact with them accordingly. What is important is not what you see when you look around but how you are relating to the reality you find yourself in. Life is not about finding yourself, but finding yourself in others. When you understand that everything in your perspective is an illustration of who and what you are then you have discovered a very important part of the equation. The missing pieces of your true identity are not in your name, how you look, where you live, what your job is, or how many friends you have. Although you can only ever experience the extent of your own perspective, the true “you” is everywhere in your reality in the relationships between the things that you perceive. The important question is, “How am I relating with the reality around me?” The meaning of life is not to be confused with what things appear to be on the surface. How we interpret things is diferent from the actual meaning behind them. Something that appears to be bad could actually be very beneficial to your life, for example. In order to uncover more of the mystery we can ask, “Are the individual things and experiences in my reality balanced with my entire perspective?” Is the relationship of the house with your family harmonious? Does the mortgage balance with the family's needs? Are the members of the family doing things together? Are you doing something because you want to or because it makes sense to do, all things considered? Most importantly, do you realize that the things you see and experience are diferent interpretations of yourself? Do you realize that when you see something you like or hate, or whatever, you are experiencing who you are? Who you are is all about what you're interacting with, because you can only ever interact with your own perspective. 31 2.02 Whuat is Huappiness? Let's take a paragraph and use the previous example of where civility in society comes from to find out a bit more about how happiness is born. In society, civility is the balance between chaos and order via laws. Rather than total anarchy (chaos) or totalitarian rule (order), there is a harmonic balance between the two that society can make use of. The laws help to keep the balance, and people are free to do whatever they want within the laws. People won't always get what they want, but in this way society generally won't get too out of control and civility can flourish. In life, happiness is the balance between chaos and order via structure. Rather than total chaos or order in your life, there can be a harmonic balance between the two that can lead to a state of happiness. The structure in your life helps to keep the balance, and you're free to do whatever you want within it. You won't always get what you want, but your life won't get too much out of control and happiness can flourish. Although the balance between chaos and order is important, how we structure the way we live can mean everything to how we feel about our lives, and whether or not we would ultimately feel that we are happy. The change you need in your life could be as simple as making a plan or a budget, or simply introducing yourself to strangers more ofen. We ofen think that we need more of something in order to be happy. More money, more friends, more love, more time, more control, etc. But Logia tells us that, ofen, what we need is the opposite of what we think we need. When you feel you don't have enough money, a higher salary probably wouldn't help much â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you might just end up spending more money anyway. When there is too much stress from school or work, working smarter or studying harder probably won't help. In relationships, sometimes loving someone less and allowing your feelings room to breathe may make the relationship stronger. And without silence placed artfully between the notes of a piece of music there is just a bunch of garbage that you wouldn't want to listen to. We can try to work as much as possible, love as much as possible, and do things we enjoy as much as possible but this way of living is unlikely to result in balance, and therefore a state of happiness. If you're not happy, something is out of balance. To achieve balance in your life you either need more order or more chaos. But how do you find out what you need? 2.03 When There's Too Much Chuaos in Your Life Sometimes you must limit yourself in order to take control of your infinite potential. Without 32 controls in place, your potential is chaotic and has a dificult time being in harmony with your experience. If you have an over-abundance of chaos in your perspective it means that there's too much velocity and motion in your life, which can lead to all kinds of conditions that can make life suck. Running a marathon is okay sometimes, but it would be quite dificult trying to eat, drink, and do everyday stuf at the same time. You're also much more likely to make mistakes and fall on your ass. But so many people live their lives in chaos and don't realize how much efort and energy is actually being wasted trying to do and be so many things at once. The force of chaos is equal to space, which in QMe is the same as velocity and motion. Too much of it is not only unhealthy but is also addictive. It is easy to believe that more of something must be beter. We have an innate desire to feel alive, and chaos ofen helps to satisfy that. Let's imagine that you have only a limited amount of perspective at each moment in the form of 100 straws. You have 1 straw for every 1% of your perspective. Think about all of the things that you are handing out straws to every day. If you're like many people, you give a big chunk of your straws to work. Not only do you spend a great deal of time preparing for work, maintaining your work clothes and stuf, commuting, and of course doing work, but also thinking about work, talking about it with others, recovering from work-related stress (which is probably more time than you realize), and perhaps even dreaming and worrying about it sometimes. Add up all the straws that are marked 'work' and it may even be half of the total of your perspective. Spend 5 hours throughout the day using your mobile device? 20 straws. Another 4 hours watching television and media? 16 more straws. Afer all of this, how many straws are you lef with? It doesn't mean that your life is out of control if you have only a few straws lef. But it may be a sign that you are addicted to chaos, because where your straws go is most ofen your decision. The following are some signs that there might be too much chaos in your perspective. You: might:              have a fear of being alone. To test this, are you unable to sit alone in a chair with only your thoughts for 30 minutes without being distracted? Would you prefer to spend 30 minutes 'doing something. anything!' rather than being alone with your thoughts? Or do you always need to be in a romantic relationship or with someone, or out with your friends?; have a fear of silence with others. You feel uncomfortable with breaks in conversation; have a need to stay busy; fidget or have physical ticks (nail-biting, leg-shaking, etc.); feel stressed when you interact with something that you hate or don't like; find it stressful to hear opinions and viewpoints that contradict your own; spend more than a couple of hours a day using mobile devices, absorbing media, or driving a vehicle. (These amplify chaos by allowing you to interface with more chaotic elements at a greater speed.); have an over-active imagination; sometimes add onto what someone said or did with your own story; over-emphasize appearances, including your own; are atracted to people and places with an abundance of resources (wealth, power, or fame); love the drama of other people's lives; think your feelings are more important than what makes sense overall for everyone (or 33     you think your own feelings make the most sense); are easily ofended, or limit or reject talking with others because they might ofend you; have dificulty falling asleep because you're thinking too much; consume lots of sugar in foods and drinks; or experience anxiety easily. The more interactions you have going on, the less value each relationship has. The more straws you give away, the less your own energy is able to radiate from your core. If each straw represents an hour of your time through which your consciousness is always flowing, when you are lef with only a few straws then the energy going through each one that remains must be pushed through more forcefully. If each straw was a vein in your body and you had only a few, you'd be dead! But a chaotic life is, in a counter-intuitive way, a slow death. If not of your body, then of your perspective. In order to reduce much of the chaos in your life you can pay more atention to what you are actually using your time for. The following is a grid of a well-balance life. It divides personal time into both chaotic and orderly elements, with 12 hours for each. Some aspects – like work or rest – need more time allocated to them, while others require less. Let's take a look to see how many hours a day this means for each kind of personal relationship. Personual Reluationship 1 Extended social engagements Close social engagements Entertainment Silence You can mix the hours around, but be sure to take it from the same side. If, for example, you need to work 8 hours a day (chaos) then you can take out two hours from 'Life Improvement and Maintenance' (also chaos), perhaps by learning a new skill at work or working towards a promotion. Or if you prefer to spend more than 1.5 hours with your friends on Saturdays, do something with them in the 'Life Improvement' or 'Entertainment' category. There's nothing wrong with the occasional imbalance, though, as long as it is generally balanced. We can also get rid of complexity in our lives by finding ways to interface with it. In QMe this is called folding complexity and we do this all the time without realizing it. Using language is one way that we fold complexity, breaking down complicated concepts into simple words and phrases. Using a graphical interface on a computer is another way. Looking at a hand instead of the countless interactions of sub-atomic particles that the hand represents is another. In another way, if you have a company with 75 employees you can either deal with all employees directly (chaos) or find an interface like a manager or liaison (order). Folding complexity actually allows you to scale up your velocity because you then have more time for each interaction. [We'll talk more about how this trick pertains to creating wealth in your reality in section 2.12.] Also, many of us who have too much chaos going on in our lives have an excess of emotions. Emotions are not inherently chaotic but, to a Logian, they are undefined thoughts. We tend to think of emotions as not only human nature but completely natural because we can feel them, without thinking of how out-of-balance many of our own emotions actually are. Is it human nature to chew on our own arm, just because we can? Nature doesn't do what it feels like doing. It does what makes sense, all things considered. It doesn't need to understand everything, such as how the sun works. It need only understand how the complex nature of the sun is folded into sunlight, and then interact with the sunlight, regardless of whether it 'feels' like interacting with the sun today. So many of us are slaves to our emotions, thinking that they belong with us just because we feel them. Choosing to feel a certain way just so happens to produce more of it, so then we think that happened naturally too. We end up following feelings that didn't actually have a clear definition to begin with and so we ofen end up not knowing how we actually feel about things. Our bodies ofen have a beter sense for balance than our conscious thoughts do. Afer a long day we feel tired. When we need nourishment we feel hungry. We can feel comfort or discomfort about something or someone without being aware of why. Your body wouldn't work if it was powered by emotions. It's powered by sense, just like nature. If you had to choose between taking a 6-hour flight on a plane piloted by someone that was more emotional versus someone that was more logical, what would be your choice? You would probably not choose a pilot that acted from emotions, yet both are imbalanced. A logic-only pilot could deduce that there was no way to safely land the plane afer a critical malfunction and give up trying altogether. A pilot acting on the balance of sense instead of the extremes of either emotions or logic might add some hope to the equation. 35 Logians employ sense rather than just emotions or logic alone. Think of Logia as logic-inaction, a practical kind of rationality that adheres to the more universal balance illustrated on these pages. Emotions are still there, but they are expressed for what they are – undefined thoughts – rather than authorities of reality and experience. In the same way, nature isn't more emotional or more logical but is that which makes sense, all things considered. Emotions are chaotic because they try to define the invisible. They are an atempt to add an internal map to our external environment by annotating people, places, things, ideas, words, etc., with our feelings. It's a fruitless efort because it's not possible to define the metaphysical relationships that make up our reality – they change too rapidly. We can only guess what those relationships might be by observing them over time. We can only have a sense for those relationships, not a definition of them. Realizing that emotions are based on illusions makes all the diference in the world when minimizing chaos in your life. Ofen, our emotions are based on how something looks or seems on the surface (chaos/space) rather than how something relates and interacts over time (order). Acting on our emotions is like a tiger eating a poisonous snake because it looks delicious. Sense is seeing how it is now and how it relates and interacts over time. In that way you still have undefined thoughts but your actions are defined by a sense of what you can and cannot immediately see. Just because you feel a certain way, it doesn't mean it has anything to do with what is actually going on. If you want to get more in balance with the reality around you, stop doing what you feel like doing and start doing what makes sense to do. As thoughts are more abstract, some of us use emotional expression as a way to try to find out what we ourselves are thinking. We're used to thinking in words to communicate with other people and interact with them. But we ofen try to communicate to ourselves using emotion. This might lead us to think that when we express a particular emotion it is evidence that we feel that way. Not having a clear way to communicate with ourselves makes it dificult to really know who we are and what is going on in our minds, so the power of emotion fills the gap. Talking to yourself more ofen could help. As words make it much easier to communicate with and interact with others, it also means that when something doesn't have structure (or hasn't really been defined) it is dificult for interaction to take place. We assume, for example, that love is more powerful than like. But 'love' has less definition than 'like' does. You can love someone and do all kinds of wonderful or terrible things (e.g., hugging, or abuse from loving parents). But when you like someone a much more clear patern of behaviour is defined. We ofen feel beter when we 'express' an emotion because we are atempting to define our thoughts, thinking that clear communication has taken place. But expressing emotion is really an atempt to provide our thoughts with shape and form – giving it life so that we can feel like we exist. The act of 'expressing yourself' really is an act of enhancing your existence and making yourself feel more alive. For something to be useful, it must be defined and given a structure (order) so that it can interact (chaos). By taking control of your emotions, you don't suppress them but shape them. By adding some emotional irrigation to your daily life, you can direct the flow of your thoughts where you want. Instead of just saying you 'love' someone, for example, define what that means. In what ways are you loving them? How? When? How ofen? How do they benefit (and how do you know)? How do they feel about what you're doing and how? How are you communicating those feelings? Don't just talk to yourself about them. Writing them down, drawing them, playing with them, etc., are other ways to help make them more clear. You can turn these emotions into sense by defining them, seting rules, and choosing what they are related to and how, what they atract, and what they repel. This limits the abstraction that is the power of chaos. Then you can begin to take control of your infinite potential. 36 You can also focus on simple structures and simple interactions rather than complex ones. This way, the more complex things will be more harmoniously atuned to them. Instead of 'loving someone' by working hard for 5 years so that you could aford a new house for you both to live in (complexity), perhaps taking a simple walk every day for 20 minutes would be beter. Instead of expressing anger by saying a bunch of things at once (complexity), maybe taking a break for 20 minutes and doing something simple (like going out for ice cream or siting quietly next to them) makes more sense. Here are some other ways to minimize the complexity in your life. Many of them are simple activities.  take more time for simple interactions with people, places, and things;  think carefully before responding (bonus points for the thought, “Maybe I am wrong”);  write things down so you don't forget or change your memory of it;  make plans for yourself and others, and save lots of room for changes;  wait 20 minutes before any dramatic emotional expression;  be more consistent, especially in relation to other people;  minimize interactions with others who are overly chaotic;  make a daily, weekly, and monthly schedule;  get to really know things you don't like;  minimize interactions and stimuli, focusing more on the more simple and important things or people in your life. “More” of something ofen does not mean more balance, but likely more chaos;  make sure you're geting enough sleep (if you can, 8-9 hours of sleep, rest, quiet activities, and silence a day); and  cut down on chaos consumption; particularly sugary drinks and foods, and alcohol (and get rid of the worst ofenders entirely). Most people are addicted to sugar without realizing it. When your life is made more simple, then your true self is more easy to see. 2.04 When There's Too Much Order in Your Life Sometimes you need to open your life up to chaos to free your perspective from the monotony of routine experiences. Without chaos flowing above the ground of your being like the wind, the steadily rising atmosphere of your potential eventually runs out of breath and begins to wither away. Without the chaos of inner conflict, things would not be able to divide themselves in two so that they could form relationships with other things, increasing the overall health and fitness of your reality. If you have an over-abundance of order in your perspective it means that there's too much mass and density in your life, which can lead to conditions that can make life uncreative and uninteresting. Too much density blocks life from happening, as any rock could tell you. True, a rock has an abundance of order and thus plenty of time on its side but, like a mountain, it will pay for all the time it has (mass) by taking away from its motion. Too much order can decrease the speed of life so much that your immediate reality has dificulty keeping up with everything else around you. Order is vital, but an excess of it prevents interactions from taking place. You cannot drink water if the cup you're drinking out of has no structure. Structure in your life is what limits the chaos from geting out of control, and provides the definition for the nourishment that you need. Too much structure in the cup, however, and the movement of the water will be inhibited. 37 If one of the following applies to you, you may have too much order in your life. Perhaps you:        like to plan with lots of detail; have dificulty trying new things; have dificulty opening up to people, especially with those that are not close; are more introverted; are detail-oriented; are frugal; or experience low blood sugar (are hypoglycaemic) Imagine that your life is a balance between motion and order, like a line that turns into a spiral. At the center of the spiral are the things most relative to you: your body, the place you live, your family and friends, your personality, etc. The longer the spiral goes out the more you find things that aren't in your immediate reality. And at the end of the spiral are things you can't even begin to imagine. Now, consider that events in your life happen more or less randomly. How you interpret and feel about something is entirely up to you. If an event lands on the spiral it is in harmony with your life and you feel happy. (And if it's perfectly aligned, you feel really happy.) But if something happens that is out of harmony with your interpretation (and therefore doesn't land on the line), perhaps you feel disinterested or sad. One event can be interpreted two diferent ways by two diferent people. It is not the thing itself that is good or bad, or harmonious, but the interpretation itself. The question is always, “How does this thing relate to how I see myself?” 38 You can feel “happy” no mater what condition you're in, how much money you have, how many friends you have, or whatever. This also means that we ofen don't know what actually makes us happy. An event or thing can appear to be bad or wrong on the surface but somehow we can be satisfied or comfortable with it, simply because it is harmonious with our immediate reality. “It is not external events themselves that cause us distress, but they way in which we think about them, our interpretation of their significance. It is our atitudes and reactions that give us trouble. We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them.” - Epictetus We tend to be atracted to things that are more relative to us – closer to us on the scale – because those things have a higher chance of a connection with who we are, as the spiral is more concentrated as we get to the core. If you focus on what isn't relative to you – far along on the scale – you could still find some harmony but it's not as likely. However, you can only atract what you are already relating to, and you can only repel what you are already interacting with. You interpret and re-interpret people, places, and things along this line all the time. For example, you could meet a stranger and, as you get to know who they are and relate more with them, you draw them closer to the center of your spiral. Before then they were further away from your center and you didn't feel as much of a connection. But as you related to them more the random distribution had a greater chance of meeting the line, simply because the line is more tightly packed at your core. So when there's too much order in your life it might be a good idea to simply relate with more things. This can be done by:     interacting more ofen with what you don't like; meeting more strangers; learning to forget and say “I don't know” or “Forget about it”; and making a habit of doing one weird thing a day (e.g., having dinner in the bathroom, trying to eat your furniture, talking to your fingers, having a nonsense conversation with someone in public) with bonus points for interacting with people, places, and things outside of your immediate reality. To a Logian, what is most reasonable is not that which is most logical but that which is able to have the most relationships over time. Too much order isn't good for a balanced life, as it diminishes the possibility of relationships. 2.05 When Huappiness is ua Mystery Being happy is not a mystery when you're thinking of happy things. Instead of asking, “How can I be happy?” perhaps ask, “What are the ways I am happy now, and how can I focus on them more?” When you're not feeling happy, it is probably because you're not interacting with happiness. (Try finding examples of happiness in your life that don't involve relating to something.) As independent as we pride ourselves to be, as humans, our happiness is really defined by what we relate to. Real happiness is hard to define. What we are usually thinking about when we think about it is the feeling of happiness. The feeling is itself as much of a representation as as the chemical that transmits the feeling, or the smile that may result. Happiness is one way for us to represent a balanced and harmonic relationship with something else. We can be just as happy with something that we think is 10 years away as something that is right around the corner. We make things relative to us here and now, regardless of how far away they may seem. 39 As we've discovered in the last section, the “secret” to happiness is to simply relate to more things. Or, at least, understand that happiness is harmony (not a default state) and it is okay to not feel happiness in your life, especially if you are choosing to not interact much with who and what is around you. As we relate to more things we draw those things closer to our perspective, increasing the chances that we'll experience a balanced harmony. Find yourself in the world around you and this harmony will come automatically. Conversely, you can minimize your chances for harmonic interactions by relating to things less, but of course then you would be choosing not to connect with your own perspective that much. Focus on what is most relative to you and the rest will fall into place. The entire universe is folded into your current perspective, and you interact with it through your every movement. Why do people ofen choose to live in a neighbourhood with people like themselves? Why do we want to be friends with people that we have a lot in common with? Why do we do the same things over and over? Is it because we don't want to evolve or expand our perspective, be inclusive, or shake up our reality? Or is it because we naturally tend to perceive best what is most relative to us, and make connections more easily with those things? If we seek happiness in our lives we should consider whether we want the feeling of happiness or prefer to be happy with what we're already comfortable with. Do we want mysterious new things that we hope will fall on a good spot on our spiral or do we want to interact with what is already relative to us, hoping that we can bring it more in line with who we are? To answer this, we can think about how much time we spend finding replacements for the things we think we aren't satisfied with – it's probably not much. Sometimes we may find a desire to maintain our existing relationships (even if chaotic or 'bad') over an unknown that we are not sure if we would be able to connect with. We ofen make the comfortable choice, not the more reasonable one. You are interacting with – and have a relationship with – everything in your reality. The closer something is to you in time and space the more interactions you have with it. You are also exchanging energy with it, a very important consideration. If you, for example, like to watch violent movies then you are exchanging energy with whatever it is you're perceiving and integrating it into your perspective. Happiness also does not depend on what is true. Truth has nothing to do with happiness because truth is a reality beyond perception and it is meaningless to pursue both at the same time. If you think you've discovered truth, it's only a sign that you've discovered an interesting illusion. If you think you've discovered something that makes you happy then that truth is good enough for now. The interesting illusions in our lives are what 'make' us happy. What is useful to us is much more important than uncovering the mysteries of life. And when we think about how easy it is interact with everyday illusions the mystery of where happiness might be found quickly disappears. The truth of the universe is not in this book or in some other material or way of life, but is illustrated best in your here and now, in whatever reality you happen to find yourself in. And, as always, you are free to interpret it in any way that you'd like. 2.06 How to Get Whuat You Wuant Nobody cares what you want – except you. But even then, you don't really care that much, because those wants are always changing in small ways. Your wants and desires are like undefined thoughts – emotions – and are as nebulous as the sea. They morph as your perspective does. What you really care about is that which you can actually perceive – the drama surrounding your wants and desires. 40 Do you really want to buy a new house, or is what you really want all of the benefits it could bring? If it did not have those benefits, would you still want it? If you could get into a time machine and see yourself 10 years from now you probably wouldn't care about what kind of car or job your future self wanted, especially if those things were diferent from what your younger self wanted. We only desire something when we can perceive what surrounds it, while the thing itself – an illusion – is just an interface to those other things that we really want but can't define as easily. That your wants and desires are ultimately meaningless is wonderful. It means that your conscious thoughts can impose meaning onto reality rather than having meaning imposed onto it. It also means you can bring experiences closer to your reality by beginning to perceive and experience what surrounds it rather than trying to perceive the thing itself. You can make things more likely to happen, even if you don't know exactly what will happen. You understand this intuitively – you're not likely to find a job if you don't look for one, for example – but how can you supercharge this to make things happen for you? Want a new romance? Define it. What does it do to your Saturday morning schedule? Start to perceive it now by experiencing what it means now. Want a new laptop? Bring it closer to your experience by experiencing the drama that owning it might involve, perhaps by looking for a replacement for the adapter you 'lost'. (Your perspective will begin to fill in the blanks with the missing information that looks more and more like your new laptop.) There is no need to wait for what is waiting for you. Make it happen by nudging your perspective in that direction. The same way you can get what you don't want is the same way you can get what you do want: through interactions and relationships. By structuring drama around your desires and interacting with the drama, a desired reality can unfold. What memories and possibilities are you interacting with? What are you listening to people tell you? What are you being exposed to every day? All of these are interactions and afect how you interpret reality. In cases where something in your life is too chaotic (or too constrained) you can consciously structure its over-contraction (or over-expansion) rather than have it happen in ways that you might not want to experience. You balance your perspective quite ofen without realizing it. You turn down boiling water before it gets out of control, for example, or undo a buton on your pants afer eating a big meal before the buton breaks. There's no reason that you can't direct your entire perspective in the same way. 2.07 Becoming Comfortuable with Your Self Forget about knowing yourself. It's impossible. You can only try to perceive what's around you. Instead, understand how you relate to the people, places, and things that make up your reality. Although you cannot know yourself directly, when you understand how you interact and relate with your perspective you can have a prety good idea. You needn't love or even like everything that you perceive, or pretend to. It isn't natural to force love or good feelings on everything in your perspective. You needn't love yourself completely, either. It isn't natural, or healthy, to do so. You cannot love everyone no mater how good it sounds. That would be an imbalanced SPPI (or, perspective) and not a healthy relationship with your reality. Counter-intuitively, if love is how you interpret some feelings then you also need a dose of hate for some other things. You can't have one without the other. This is not to suggest that you begin to hate things, of course, but to realize that hate is as natural as love is because what you are loving and hating is your own perspective. One is defined by the other. As you begin to accept all of your perspective (and not just 'good' 41 things) then you can begin to feel more comfortable with your complete self. It's not easy to think about, but where do those things you feel so badly about really come from? Rather than focusing on feeling chaotic emotions that cannot actually be defined, focus on how you are interacting with things. How do you really feel about something that you continue to interact with and relate to? If you didn't interact and relate to it, it wouldn't be possible to feel the way you do because you wouldn't know about it. What is hate but love in disguise? Logians have a sense for relationships and interactions. The emotions and feelings of humans are chaotic and infinite and may very lead to the decline of civilization. A human professes to love everyone equally while thinking mostly of their own welfare and benefit. A Logian can do nice things for someone with the sole purpose of interaction. A human will start a conflict with someone because they may be easily ofended. A Logian sees the true nature of conflict, embraces it, and is thus able to manage it and extinguish it at will. A human wishes for all human sufering to disappear, not realizing that most such sufering can be traced back to someone's emotions (fear, greed, hate, anger, jealously, nihilism, envy, depression, pride, contempt, shame, etc.) and that all of those things in their imagination originate from their own perspective. Having a sense for relationships, a Logian does not act from emotions or logic alone. The subconscious mind doesn't care about love or hate, or how the conscious mind interprets anything else. It does not perceive those interpretations – the conscious mind does. Love and hate are words that represent how we atempt to define certain aspects of our reality, emotions, and thoughts. They are dificult to define precisely because they represent other things that are not those interpretations. Humans tend to focus on the details – the slap, the pain, the loss – but not their relationship with the other things behind what they can see. An old story about a farmer illustrates this: One day one of the farmer's horses ran away. The farmer's neighbors heard the news and came to visit. "Such bad luck," they said. "May be," the farmer replied. The next morning the horse returned and brought with it three other wild horses. "How wonderful," the neighbors exclaimed. "May be," replied the farmer. The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses and was thrown to the ground, breaking his leg. The neighbors again came to the farmer to ofer their sympathy. "May be," replied the farmer. The day afer, military oficials came to their village to draf young men into the army for their campaign. Seeing that the son's leg was broken they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out. "May be," replied the farmer. The average human would be quite upset that their horse ran away. (A move that may deharmonize that aspect of their reality, making it unlikely to perceive the horse returning with more horses.) A Logian would sense the relationships, just as the farmer did. It is dificult to figure out – consciously – what we really desire or like and what we really resist or dislike. We focus on the immediate physical interactions of something but not its relationship over time. We ignore the bad behaviour of a handsome guy or beautiful girl because of the way they look. We continue to play that song that is actually changing your life in ways you would not want. We run into someone we think we don't like. We continue to do things that feel good in the moment but are actually quite harmful. What is most relative to you is what is easiest to perceive and interact with. What is most relative is not what you think you like or desire the most or are puting the most energy into, but what is easiest to perceive and interact with in any way. If it's easier for someone to smoke a cigarete than to quit smoking cigaretes, then cigaretes are probably more harmonious with their perspective. If your friend says they detest violence but enjoy a number of violent movies, then violence is more relative to them than they probably realize. The efect of this relativity is that they will be more likely to interpret relationships in the 42 neighborhood of conflict. (Playing violent video games doesn't really have a direct efect but it, like anything else, actually changes how you relate to and perceive things. Perhaps their car continues to break down, for example, or their business partner decides to rip them of.) However, focusing on the good side of things will eventually have the opposite efect, as (for sake of simplicity) you will give yourself a lesson that good and bad are the same thing. So by focusing only on one side of the equation you would experience the other side, which balances the experience as it illustrates its more complete nature. Have you ever looked at something for so long that it morphed into something else? When you resist the things in your perspective it is the same as thinking, “That isn't me. That is other!” The illusion of your perspective becomes even less evident the more you resist it. We don't realize that when we experience something we are actually experiencing the illustration of ourselves. Although you exist by perceiving parts of yourself as something else, you will experience the reality of separation if you divide yourself even more by perceiving more complex dramas. These experiences should not be seem as 'bad' but as complexity illustrating itself. 2.08 The Art of Resistuance The human body lives by balancing opposing forces. It breathes by geting rid of air, not just taking it in. We cannot be 100% healthy physically, mentally, or emotionally, nor should we be. And we cannot like something without disliking parts of it at the same time. There is no absolute cold, love, height, pressure, or beauty, because those things only exist in relation to what they are not. You could say that we are beings resisting a state of not being anything so we create meaningful illusions for our own existence. Resistance is at our core, and it is as natural as sleeping. The area between atraction and repulsion is what makes us feel alive. You can't have a stable reality trying to walk on just one leg. You cannot perceive anything without both positive and negative forces at work, and you cannot live a balanced life focused on just one side of the equation. Life, perspective, happiness, consciousness, energy, and everything wonderful around you is the harmonic resistance between chaos and order. When you do not want something in your life you can try to make it and the things it relates to (and interacts with) irrelevant. You can do this by simply focusing on something else. It might be a bit tricky at first because sometimes the thing we think we don't want is atached to the thing we do want. But if the things you don't want in your life were not interacting with your reality somehow, they wouldn't be there. We sometimes wonder why things might get worse when we think we're doing the 'right' thing, forgeting that the seemingly opposing sides of something are intertwined with each other. An imbalance leads to conditions that just seem bad. For examples, too much atention could harm a relationship. Too much light could lead to blindness. People would respect the law more if the number of laws was decreased. An engineer can make a structure stronger by placing empty spaces within it. Like water, to properly balance your perspective you allow room for more rigidity or more fluidity, depending on what is needed. To resist something entirely, however, is to deny your own perspective. It is in your perspective because somehow it is a part of what you are right now, whether or not you accept it. And as there would be no need to resist what you do not perceive, if you feel like resisting something in your reality the question would be, “Why am I interpreting myself in this way?” 43 2.09 Right uand Wrong, uand Kuarmua As an example of karma, let's say that you were leading a nice, stress-free life without anything really bad happening. One day you got angry and hit someone. The next day your pet gerbil died. You may link the death of your beloved pet to your anger the day before and think the two are related by karma, one causing the other. Remember that your reality is afected by the interactions you make. As we interact with things, those things also interact with us and our interpretation of reality. Perhaps when you interacted with the person by hiting them, the geometry of your perspective changed and in your new perspective the gerbil was not compatible. (As your perspective takes on a new flavour afer every interaction. It would be like moving to a slightly diferent climate and expecting all your plants to stay alive.) The gerbil would not just disappear, of course, but must take a logical departure from your reality. Death is one of the ways the gerbil could make its exit. It could also depart from your perspective by running away (and coming back if your narrative meets it again), someone else taking care of it, etc. You interpret the geometry of perspective as a logical narrative (bringing order to your interactions), so it appears to you that things flow in a linear fashion. You see cause and efect where there is none. Although there are no consequences to any of your actions in the way of cause and efect, this doesn't mean that you can act irresponsibly. You could say that at every moment the entire universe is interpreted anew from the formula of your perspective. At each moment you make things more or less relative to you depending on how you interact with them, whereby your entire reality (going in all directions, past and future) becomes more or less like the thing you have interacted with, and in the way you have interacted with it. This may be more obvious in other ways, for example, when something really nice happens to you and your entire perspective seems to radiate with joy. It is not a result of what happened but simply your new interpretation of reality that is influenced by what you interact with, and in the way you have interacted with it. As you interact with your reality, so does your reality become. 2.10 The SPPIs Within Us Although we intuitively understand how SPPI (the language of perspective) works we do not really consciously understand the process. Our misunderstanding, or perhaps ignorance, of natural systems creates variations that are still natural, but emphasize the positive force more than a balance of forces. We end up with systems that have no or litle opposing force, something designed to pursue infinity instead of a process where infinity is balanced by limitation. In other words, we ofen want certain things to go on forever without end, thinking that this is the model that makes the most sense. Endless advancement, laws, creativity, happiness, profits, income, friends, productivity, and more. (Manufacturers of cars, bateries, light bulbs, mobile phones, and other 'planned obsolescence' products that chase limitless profits notwithstanding.) Such social systems are riddled with logical fallacies such as confirmation bias and argument from authority, as they are not designed to depend on opposing forces. These are not inherently negative or harmful systems but systems designed to facilitate the pursuit of meaning in our lives. They work as they're supposed to. (And we will see how such systems are perfectly natural). But because they do not integrate opposing forces to beter balance them they do not promote and facilitate as much harmony as they could. We adopt an endless variety of these circular SPPIs in order to interpret relationships in their light in the hopes of creating a sense of a greater reality. Each of the following systems is a metaphysical tool interpreted into oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s physical existence for the purpose of giving focus, meaning, and to transcend and transform our daily lives. 44 System Media and Social Inputs Form(s) of Endlessness Conversion, Enlightenment, Sufering, Omnipotence Circular SPPIs tend to be overly-emotional, with supporters defending the recursive logic of the structure's narrative at all costs. Again, these are not inherently bad structures; they are the focus of much of our reality and deeply integrated with our daily lives. We can, however, say that they don't lead to balanced relationships by themselves. 2.11 You Are Not Meuant to Be Rich or Fuamous. You Alreuady Are. Think for a moment about the people in your perspective. There are all types: over-educated, under-educated, rich, poor, famous, unknown, remarkable, unremarkable, etc. They're outside of your perspective for a reason â&#x20AC;&#x201C; that's where their energies are best expressed. If you aren't rich or famous, you're not meant to be in your current perspective. Those values are more harmonious outside of your immediate physical identity, for now at least. You're not a mirror, for example, because it isn't relative to your immediate perspective. But you probably have one close to you somewhere, so it's not too far away. All of those types of people are exactly where they need to be right now. If you want or desire something that isn't in your immediate perspective but could be, take steps to make it relative. Anything that you can imagine can be brought closer to your immediate experience, with the proper dose of motion and geometry, of course, as we will exemplify in the next section. 45 2.12 The Key to Weualth QMe is about the balance between the forces of chaos and order working together to create the reality of your perspective. When considering how these two fundamental forces can be used to perceive wealth in your everyday experience, we can think of chaos and order as 'space' and 'time', respectively. You can think of space as a force that wants to expand and grow forever. Space is always in motion and therefore is always interacting. Time is a force that contracts and tries to minimize the infinite growth of space. Time is more about mass and relationships. When these two forces come together, we get perspective. We can leverage how these two forces interact and relate in order to create wealth in our perspective. The following are examples of the two elements in relation to maters of business, finance, and building wealth in the SPPI of capitalism. Order (Time/Geometry/Reluationships) Chuaos (Spuace/Motion/Interuactions) Scale Magnitude It is important to note that chaos is simply order set in motion. (For example, 'resources' are tools-in-motion. And when capital is set in motion we can profit from it.) Because of this, we can leverage the force of order/time to build wealth. Wealth, then, is not a thing that happens to you but a 'result' of seting a relationship in motion. Becoming wealthy is a side-efect of having grown wealth out of one or more processes. We can use one side to multiply or change the efect on the other side. Let's take a look at how this can work in business with the last examples, scale and magnitude:   Scale – order – e.g., number of units Magnitude – chaos – e.g., amount of profit If, for example, we wanted to turn a profit with a product or service we could create one of three types of systems: Type Composition Lots of scale at low magnitude 500,000 units at 10 cents profit each B Lots of magnitude at low scale 5 units at $200,000 profit each C Lots of scale at lots of magnitude 500,000 units at $1,000 profit each The following are some examples of recommended systems of each type: 46 Systems thuat Leveruage Time elements Systems thuat Leveruage Spuace elements (usually by minimization of time/mass/relationships) (usually by maximization of space/motion/resources) A, B Distribution systems (moving products and services to the masses) A Human resource systems (where you depend on social elements, such as in manufacturing, restaurants, etc.) B Real estate systems (non-leasing) A, B, C Content systems (media, publishing, etc.) A, B, C Logical systems of information A, B, C Royalty systems 1) leases (Real estate, products, services, financial instruments such as money-for-interest) 2) payments from licensing and rights-holding 3) franchising A, B, C Information product and service systems (i.e., computer and sofware) [note: You can also take a system or pre-existing business that depends on lots of people and change it to one that doesn't] If you create a content system, for example, you're allowing people to have a relationship with one thing that bundles interactions together (making it easier for people to find information in one place, rather than going to multiple places). In this way your system seeks to leverage relationships for others (by making it simpler for your customers) and maximizes resources for yourself (by charging a fee for the convenience). It is generally easier to extract wealth from the lef column (order) than from the right column (chaos) because the foundation is not in motion. It would be easier, for example, to build wealth by leasing out condos than by selling them because the asset itself relates more and interacts less. However, a balance of chaos and order is needed to set the wealth process in motion. This means taking something in the lef column (order) and building processes that maximize its efect (chaos). As it is generally easier (and recommended) to begin the wealth process by leveraging the force of order/time, the first step is to begin with the obvious question, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Who owns my time?â&#x20AC;? If you do not own your time (or own very litle of it), it will be more dificult, though not impossible, to get the momentum required for wealth to unfold in your lifetime. Your first step is to own as much of your time-capital as you can so that you can start to multiply it. If you don't own it, you cuan't multiply it. To simplify how you think of your time (in relation to building wealth) you can think about time in two ways: Building Wealth Everything Else How much time do you spend or have to research opportunities and ideas, educate yourself in relevant ways, and execute your plan for wealth creation? How much of your time is used for everything else: work, life maintenance, recreation, relaxation, family, socialization, etc.? This is not to say that spending time with family, relaxing, and other activities are not important. They are of course vitally important and, for many of us, have more value than building wealth. But if you needed to study for a big test, for example, you'd still need to think about where your time is going, and how to put as much time towards studying as possible to 47 reach your goals. Where is your time-capital going? Are you spending most of your time-capital to make someone else rich or powerful, or are you spending it educating yourself, working on your own plans, and increasing your wealth potential? To get an idea of your potential for generating wealth, find out how much time-capital you have. Multiply the number of hours in the right column by 2 and divide the result by 24. If the result is 50% or more, it will likely be more dificult for you to build wealth processes (as your time-capital will not be multiplied by much). The more of your own time you own the more likely you are to be able to multiply it (as the more chances you will have to do so). Put more timecapital in the lef column to increase your wealth potential. When people talk about financial freedom and wealth, they are really talking about owning their own time. It means being able to take a holiday for as long as they'd like, retiring early, not having to spend time doing something that they don't want to do, being able to build something in their lifetime that benefits others, being able to aford something without having to save up months or years for it, being able to pay someone else a wage or salary, etc. How Do You Use Money? The mindset of someone who is building and using processes to create wealth is diferent than someone who isn't. To a wealthy person (or one who is on the way to becoming wealthy), wealth is used mostly as a tool, not as a resource.  Money as a tool to multiply time (e.g., buying the rights to a book that is becoming popular, which creates more time-capital because you may never have to work full-time again)  Money as a resource to destroy time (e.g., buying a car that you don't really need, which destroys your time-capital because you're paying for it with 1,000 hours of your past or future time. Your time then becomes frozen in the thing you bought.) How Do You Use Your Personual Spuace uand Time? The diference between the two mindsets can also be illustrated as the diference between someone who mostly consumes and someone who mostly produces:   Consumers: use space to destroy their time-capital. This is using personal space-resources (a physical body and brain, i.e., working for someone else) to destroy their time-capital by exchanging their time to buy things that rapidly decrease in value. Producers: use time-capital to multiply space-resources (e.g., by spending 100 hours building a system that will produce a lifetime of benefits). Producers create wealth by amplifying time and giving it room to grow, whereas consumers destroy wealth by locking up time in products like expensive cars, overpriced homes, and unnecessary purchases. Are you using your time-capital to increase the wealth and resources of others in exchange for things that decrease your own wealth over time? When you are a producer you are transferring production from yourself to something or someone else, removing the 24-hour limit that is atached to your time-capital. You can only work so many hours in a day but if you invent a new toy and license it to a toy company, for example, then your ability to produce is shifed to something that does not sufer the same time limitations. Now, instead of being able to produce value no more than 24 hours a day (minus sleep, etc.) your ability to produce has no limitations.  Producers and the wealthy use resources to create more time (i.e., passive income, 'make money while you sleep'): unlimited wealth potential 48  Consumers and those who aren't wealthy generally use time to buy resources (i.e., using their wage or salary): limited-to-very-limited wealth potential If you don't make the bulk of your income while you sleep, you're probably in the 'consumer' category. They key to wealth then, is to produce much more than you consume, perhaps making use of the strategies above. Wealth is simply bringing order to the infinite nature of the SPPI of capitalism (section 2.10). 2.13 Whuat is Consciousness? The word consciousness derives from the Latin conscius, “to know with”. It is a close relative of the word science, which is also derived from the same root scire, “to know”. Although we cannot know anything without consciousness, in the breadth of all our sciences we have no definition for what consciousness is. Consciousness and science are connected at the root, but you'd never know it by how far they apart they've grown. We cannot know if we've really progressed without knowing how far we've come. Is there anything that you're completely aware of? Reality is unlike our experience – we can only perceive our interpretations. We cannot see, hear, touch, taste, feel, or even think beyond our perspective. For us, our perspective is all that is, but is not yet enough to perceive reality. The day that we give up the notion of truth is the day that we learn to work within the illusion to find out, instead, what truly works for us. We think of a consciousness that can be aware of something – but even illusions laugh at such thoughts. The term conveniently hides the reality that we cannot be aware of something directly. Consciousness is all about relationships. If you look at your hand you are not seeing your hand for what it is. Although the illusion seems like reality it is the only way to perceive we've ever known, and so it becomes our ultimate reality by default. What the hand is really like is irrelevant, as it likely does not exist without an interpretation of it. It doesn't mater how something sees itself, either, as that is also an interpretation. If you see yourself as tall and bear-like and someone else does not, it doesn't mean that they aren't seeing you for who you are. Perspective cannot be shared. Even as you look in the mirror you are interpreting the electrical signals coming from your retina as they were in the past; we cannot even share perspective with ourselves. And the moment we share our perspective with another it becomes another perspective. If you could perceive the signals directly you'd still be perceiving an interpretation. True reality cannot be perceived directly. Truth has no perspective. Illusions are more important than reality because they allow relationships to exist, whereas absolute reality does not. What is important is that which we can use. The illusions 'create' consciousness simply by relating to each other, making up the geometry of perspective we call reality. Consciousness, by itself, does not exist. We can only know of other – it is impossible to know of your self in a 1:1 relationship. Such would be beyond perspective because there would be nothing else with which to compare. So we make up 'other' in our body, our thoughts, our beliefs, our actions, other people and things, and events and activity all over the Earth, round infinity and back again. We can represent infinity and interpret something to be infinite, but infinity itself does not exist any more than an illusion. The universe is no more infinite than finite, as there really is no “other” other than something that cannot be wholly interpreted and so seems to go on forever in our natural interpretations. Watching a film, the illusion of motion is very convincing. We are so engaged in the drama we forget that we are watching individual frames rather than something lively. How much more dificult would it be to think about illusions in reality? The magic happens in the 49 relationships between the frames of our reality to give us perspective. Logians find consciousness not in the frames of existence but between those convincing illusions. What do you consider your 'self'? If it is your body, then what do you do with a part of your self when you clip your nails or cut your hair? If it is only the living part of your body that you consider your self, where does your self go when you lose weight? If it is your mind, do you gain more self as you get older and wiser, or perhaps lose part of your self if you have forgoten something? Where is your self when you are dreaming – in the dream? If consciousness is "awareness of my own being", what does it mean to be aware of another being? Are you independently aware of your being, or are you just using one part of your 'self' to sense another part? If you are more than your brain, could you be aware of what remains if your brain was shut of completely? There is no one point that you can say, “This is my self,” because there is nothing to point at. You are wanting to point between the frames but end up focusing on the frames themselves for the answers because you can see them. The notion of self must, paradoxically, include other things. There is no self without what you don't consider your self to be. In order to be you must relate, as you cannot be by yourself. What you perceive is much more of your self than your body alone is. In order to think or feel, you must relate to what you are thinking and feeling. By thinking, you open a dialogue with something you do not yet sense your self to be. By feeling, your emotions flow to where they weren't before. In order for consciousness to be, it must be conscious of it being something else. Your brain reflects this a bit in its mirror neurons, which fire the same way if you do something as they would if you see someone else doing the same thing.5 That you may be conscious, you must forget that you are something else already, but still interact with it as if you're not. This brings us back to the root of consciousness, the Latin term for, “to know with”. We are conscious when we know with something else, forming a relationship. But, as relationships vary, consciousness is relative. We are conscious by relating to one thing more and another thing less. As an example, the more aware we are of dreams the less aware we are of waking reality. This balance of potentials to harmonize our awareness with whatever we are relating to and interacting with is at the root of our perspective. What is 'me' but everything else? 2.14 The Present is ua Gif Thuat You Never Got (but Hints uat ua Reluationship Thuat You Did) Our lives revolve around the present moment. It seems like we're on the edge of something amazingly new and continuous, yet perfectly balanced between the known (our past) and the unknown (our future). It seems to be all we can be easily perceive, like an active and perfectly fluid memory. But, unfortunately, the present doesn't exist. We know that when we look at the stars we are looking back in time billions of years, as it takes a really long time for their light to reach us. Light from our own Sun does not have too far to travel but is still around 8 minutes old. Although sound and light take time to travel you can still function as though they were instantaneous occurrences, as your brain doesn't seem to care for how old or new something is. Looking at your hand or listening to your own voice you are not seeing or hearing it as it is in the present, but as it was in the past. The diference is in nanoseconds, but it is still significant enough that it isn't truly now. 5 Reference: htps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0pwKzTRG5E 50 These illusions work well enough that you can manage your life without struggling with fundamental properties of physics as you walk down the street or pay your bills. But it also shows you that you are not able to experience reality directly, only the workable illusion of reality. Light travels from our Sun at 671,000,000 miles per hour. Sound travels to your ears at 768 miles per hour. You can walk home at about 3 miles per hour. But a relationship is instantaneous. The Sun has already formed a new relationship with everything around it before its light has had a chance to do anything. Your brain already has a relationship with a decision several seconds before you are aware.6 The Sun knows where the Earth is going to be long before its light reaches us. The Sun doesn't consider stars in other galaxies, as those relationships are already folded into whatever is nearby. What is far is folded into what is near. Everything doesn't need to be known, only the harmony of what is close needs to be sensed to extrapolate the totality of everything else. If Jupiter was somehow to disappear, the 'shock' of the unfolding relationships would push the Sun a litle, then pull it back as it organized the unfolded relationships into new folds (which is a mystery that has been puzzling cosmologists for some time). As people and things appear and disappear from our lives we may also be shocked in such a way as we re-organize the new relationships. Your past and future are also folded like this. Distant past and future are simply current perceptions that aren't so relative to you. The resistance between the two we call the present, but even this cannot be touched. The present illustrates the universal illusion. Is it time that allows you to perceive an apple as round, juicy, and red? These things are just our interpretation of the relationships behind the apple that allow you to see it that way. You are perceiving what is related and you fold up the rest into the wide arms of potential. You are perceiving the same apple as a seedling, an apple tree, an unripe apple, a ripe apple, a half-eaten apple, and a roten apple â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but all folded into the round, juicy, and red apple because that is the apple that is most relative to you. It is not the speed of time that causes the 'delay' of perspective, but our own swinging on the geometry of relationships, like monkey bars, as we sense the next closest bar to swing on. What we call the immediate past and future are the bars around us, but the present is the time spent between bars, floating in an experience that has no representation. We are not conscious of the present because awareness of the present only comes about through a relationship with something else, in what we call past and future. We hang between memory and possibility. The future expands our awareness, while the past contracts it. The harmonic equilibrium in the middle, the resistance, is our present. We seem to be moving forward in time as our bodies are powered by chaos and limited by order. The past burns the future like oxygen burns hydrogen in the fuel cell of our bodies, beckoning us electromagnetically as the past turns to rust. 2.15 You Are Not Reually Humuan Just as consciousness exists in relationships rather than individual somethings, humanness is a state of being rather than a state of physicality. We are human because of our relationships. Your physical body is a massive collection of both physical and non-physical consciousness. 7 Approximately 100 trillion bacterial cells, each with its own consciousness and thoughts (via relationships), inhabit your body. You have 10 times more more of these bacterial cells in your body than you do human cells. What we refer to as human DNA actually has anywhere from 6 7 Reference: htp://phys.org/news12713951619.html Just as our brain operates in both physically and non-physically-oriented (metaphysical) geometries. 51 100 to 1,000 times more microbial genes than what we think of as human genes. You are, in actuality, not human. You stopped being physically human the moment you were born and microbial life began to take over. A complex microbial ecosystem staked claims in your digestive and respiratory tracts, your teeth, and your skin. They established increasingly complex communities, like a forest that gradually takes over a clearing. By the time you were a few years old, these communities matured. You will carry them with you, more or less, for your entire life. Less than 1% of your genetic make-up is human DNA. It’s easy to ignore the astonishing fact that you are not nearly as human as you think. “Human beings are not really individuals; they’re communities of organisms,” says McFall-Ngai. “It’s not just that our bodies serve as a habitat for other organisms; it’s also that we function with them as a collective. As the profound interrelationship between humans and microbes becomes more apparent, the distinction between host and hosted has become both less clear and less important — together we operate as a constantly evolving man-microbe kibbutz. Which raises a startling implication: If being Homo sapiens through and through implied a certain authority over our corporeal selves, we are now forced to relinquish some of that control to our innerdwelling microbes. Ironically, the human ingenuity that drives us to understand more about ourselves is revealing that we’re much less “human” than we once thought.” [from The Body Politic8] To you, an aggregated consciousness, riding a bicycle is a simple activity. It does, however, require the rapid execution of successive calculations of physics, trigonometry, and calculus. Calculations that would be quite impossible for anyone to do (rapidly, if at all) with their brain are easily and quickly performed by the other types of consciousnesses within their body. You quite ofen and easily perform calculus at speeds that would make Isaac Newton sweat through his wig. We take these abilities (or relationship-consciousnesses) for granted and say that it just comes naturally to us, without ever actually knowing how we do it. Other types of animals have also been shown to perform calculus,9 but perhaps researchers never thought to apply the same question to humans. We can perform calculations of physics without thinking about them because parts of us do make those calculations. We are then intuitively aware of the result because we need only sense the representation that has the answer folded in it. One interpretation is no more valid than any other. A physicist's understanding of physics, for example, is useless to a baby walking for the first time, though baby has a diferent but still-useful interpretation of physics and physical relationships. Our own understanding of the inner workings of our bodies would be useless to whatever is working inside our body. How reasonable would it be to assume that a cell has no thoughts, feelings, or intelligence, because we don't know how to communicate with them? We are human because of the particular way we interact with our physical environment and from the social relationships with have with each other. Our atoms, cells, organs, etc., allow us to express the humanity that is already there, beyond what we consider human. Being a Logian doesn't mean you're from another planet, of course, or spend your nights chating with microbial organisms. It simply means that you put perspective at the forefront of your reality to remove its limitations. 8 9 2.16 Your Perfect Reuality We can either have truth or we can have perception. We can't have both. If there's 'truth' there's no perception of it. If there's perception, 'truth' cannot be perceived. We can perceive only an illusion that is more than a good-enough approximation for our reality. In truth, the illusion is the reality. Reality is a resistance between two or more illusions. Your perspective is the most perfect thing you'll ever experience because of the perfect way that the process works, even when it really doesn't seem to be working at all. There is no reality more wonderful or more amazing than the one that you're experiencing right now. Forget about what something looks like or feels like. Forget that your bed might be a litle too uncomfortable or the neighbors might be too loud on weekends. Forget for a moment about how money seems to have a life of its own and might be thinking of leaving you, not coming home for weeks at a time. Those are illusions. When you think deeply about your self and your life, think as the subconscious might think; the engaging and sometimes amazing illusions and the realities they enable, not all the chaos that comes and goes like bubbles in boiling water. Focusing on the physical aspect of things is like geting a present and obsessing over the wrapping, completely ignoring what's inside. Life's wrappings are not the gifs. But yet, this is what we do. We focus on the representations and assume that our reality is defined by how it looks. It's isn't. What is a perfect reality? It is not the perfect job or the perfect life according to your hopes and dreams. It doesn't mean geting what you want. The subconscious mind doesn't care about how many times you've fallen on your ass or how many obstacles are in front of you. It doesn't care about how many cars you think you own or how much you think you recycle. Those experiences exist in your complex interpretation of reality, not in the simplicity of reality itself. Fortunately (or unfortunately), how you interpret reality is far more important than what kind of life you have. A single, carefully-considered interaction can do more for your life than a thousand achievements or well-meaning friends ever could. A perfect reality is a balance of all relationships. And you only need to worry about the folds of your immediate reality, not what is happening on the other side of the world. Reality works in ways you cannot imagine. You may not see it as being 'wonderful' if someone dies from lung cancer because they have been smoking cigaretes for 20 years, even though it is perfectly reasonable as far as nature goes. The subconscious mind sees relationships, not the illusions that we focus on. It knows only that the person had been interacting with something (that we interpret as cigaretes, which have acids that severely contract the cells) and another relationship to balance it out formed over time (that we call cancer, a harmful overgrowth). As far as perspective is concerned, the relationship worked out prety well, just as it did for another person with another type of cancer whose smoking helped to reverse. Your reality is a perfect representation according to the value of every person, place, thought, thing, process, emotion, and experience in your perspective. These experiences are all relationships doing their thing, and you doing your thing by interpreting them as you wish. The poiesis that 'creates' your reality is perfect. How you decide to experience it is entirely up to you. There is an endless variety of interpretations. Pick one. If it doesn't work, pick something else. How beautiful is it that you're not stuck with one interpretation? You could pick and re-pick thousands of times if you wanted to. And that's exactly what we do moment afer moment, day afer day, to give us the motion of our experience. All we need to do is realize what is actually happening. In an absolutely perfect existence there would be no drama. In fact there wouldn't be 53 anything else, either. It is the drama that focuses reality. The resistance between chaos and order can be interpreted as anything you want: good and bad, high and low, angelic or evil, happy or sad, and everything in between and back again. If you don't like the really bad, stop focusing on the really good. It is understandable that you could get lost in the drama of all these relationships and think that it must come from somewhere else; surely not your own mind. But it is entirely in the perspective you call your reality and you therefore have a choice in how to interpret it. You are perfectly free to interpret the relationships that are already there however you want. How awesome is that! You are the most beautiful and wondrous thing that could ever be imagined. But 'you' is not just the you that you see in the mirror. You is perspective. You are everything born of nothing-in-particular in all of its hell, peanuts, and glory. This is the stuf of existence. And we delightfully ignore the power of the moment to create all of reality as we go about our every day. It's quite dificult to see yourself without a mirror. Now imagine this on a cosmic scale. You are that which leaves home for an eternity in order to forget who you are so that you can remember yourself once again in every possible kind of relationship and through every possible kind of interaction. You are the happy ant that plays with dust. You are the angles in a room on the 5th floor. You are the rookie trader on the exchange floor. You are the light running through the galaxy's veins and the serious professor. You are that guy. And his grandma. You are that which takes an endless variety of perceptions and perspectives to try and reproduce. You can't really remember yourself completely, but you sure do try hard! You formulate all of the songs, birds, laughter, love, clouds, hats, and swords in the world and across the fictional heavens of your mind to try – time and time again – to capture your essence. You are the life. The wonder of the wonderful. That which the endless variety of your perspective tries to capture but cannot begin to. That is the endlessness of how awesome you are. You try through all manner of drama of every possible measure to form a universe of things that – for beter or for worse – cannot capture even a small fragment of the impossible-to-perceive. But you don't even think about giving up trying to look at yourself in the mirror once and for all. Who are you? You are whatever is possible to be, in whatever way you want. You are that whose first priority is to forget yourself. You are always your best re-interpretation, no mater how itchy your underwear gets. You are one and the other, and neither, all at the same time. You are so confident in your existence it seems like you undo yourself just to be able to make a grand entrance at every moment. But this is a paradox. You don't want to be nothing again. Not existing is so boring and lonely. You only want to be able to perceive yourself, but by doing so you get lost in the everything. This is how you like it. Being many-things-at-once reminds you of being nothingin-particular, and that's not the direction you want to go. You want the illusion of somethingin-particular; far more exciting! You don't want to know exactly how you breathe – you just want to breathe! You don't need to know the intimate details of your cells and hormones and other internal processes when your body needs adenosine triphosphate. Why should you care? You only need to feel the hunger. You don't need to have intimate knowledge of your system needing more DHA than it did 5 years ago. You only know you now love to eat salmon and you want some right now. When you eat, you don't need to know how your body's positive enzymes strip the negative electrons of what you digest, you just think about what you'll be doing afer you finish eating. You represent complex processes as simply and eficiently as possible and then proceed to forget all about those complex things. You have complex representations of vast inner 54 galaxies that interact with other worlds, but you see only a chair and a table. Representing these realities more simply allows you to interact with them in ways that would never have otherwise been possible. Who wants to lay on a micro-galaxy? In another space and time zone it might be exciting, but for now you just want to get in the bed. And so here you are again. Impossible to define, impossible to perceive, impossible to merely think of... but how wonderfully amazing it is that you try again and try again. When you try to perceive something so amazing and indescribable that it is beyond perception, even a litle piece of it is still world-changing and wonderful. A couple of tiny words on a piece of paper can literally rock your world. Your 'try' is enough to create an endless universe of interpretations, exploding and imploding at every moment and filling in again with an entirely new something that you can perceive as whatever you want. Your clothes do not illustrate the complete essence of who you are. Your friends don't reflect it completely. The dishes on the table do not capture the essence. The dirt blissfully hiding in the comfort of your fingernails cannot even daydream of such things. You are so wonderfully hidden yet so spectacularly visible because it is the process of perspective that formulates your existence and extends to everything that could possibly be. You're not just trying to look in the mirror as you read this book. You're trying to jump through your own eyes! Are we alone in this efort? Are you alone? If everything in your perspective is you, what and who else is there? It would seem from this that you are, indeed, a party of one. Is it true? What else is there when you are everything? Ahh. But you are not actually 'everything' because then you wouldn't exist. You are an interpretation of everything. You are not alone because then you'd be nothing-in-particular, all by yourself with nothing else to relate to, and not existing at all. Being 'alone' is irrelevant. You could not be more surrounded by everything. There is no need to worry about being alone when you can form relationships with everything in your perspective. We tend to focus on a handful of people in our lives and the dramas we produce, but the subconscious mind sees the relationships with everything, not just people. Imagine knowing as much about the life of the table in your room as you do about your closest friend. Imagine knowing that the water you just drank has a memory of an interesting family of fish that liked to play all day in the ocean. Imagine having a 'conversation' with the bone in your finger about what it was like being part of the Sun. Imagine knowing what pets and other animals and plants are thinking and feeling. Imagine an older person shouting at their television and it shouts back, in its own way. Now imagine that you do none of this at all but that all of this awareness is folded up in the sense of wonder and awesomeness you might have at any moment. There would be no need to experience any of these things â&#x20AC;&#x201C; just feel the life around you. This is no crazier than still hearing the same voice in your mind as you read these words when you don't need to. By sensing the eternal life around you, you are just interpreting what has been here all along, in a way that somehow makes sense as you feel yourself fold into the arms of the universe itself. Nothing is insignificant when there is so much of something else with which to compare. So here you are. A universe of relationships to explore and an endless variety of things to fold up into representations to have relationships with. It's certainly a mouthful, but all of this love, the beauty, the sadness, the cheeky grins, these countless swords and all the stories and songs that will ever be writen are a part of something so amazing it cannot actually be defined. This particular story â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the epic drama of existence â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is all that needs to be and is the most real thing that could ever possibly be. Beter than merely being something that exists, you are that which can relate with whatever you can imagine existing. You are the perfect balance between chaos and order, and you don't even realize it yet. 55 You are all that you need to be right now. There is no need to be anyone else, go anywhere else, do anything else, other than what you are doing right now in your perspective. Until, of course, you re-interpret everything again and continue to explore who you are. In one word, the you that you have been trying to define is perfection. Puart 3: Exploring the Universe with Quantum Metuaphysics “Mind is the matrix of all mater.” - Max Planck, Winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics 3.01 The Greuatest Trick Afer more than 500 years since Copernicus first turned his mind to the cosmos, cosmologists seem to agree that only about 4% of the universe is understood. The remaining 96% is unknown and termed 'dark mater' or 'dark energy', which seems to be an other way to say that nearly all of the universe is a complete mystery. As well, science still doesn't understand why the act of observation would afect the measurements of sub-atomic particles. However, it is understood forces like gravity can influence the visual perception of moving objects10 and the perception of time, and the mind can be influenced by other forces like electromagnetism. There are also some new theories on the fringes of quantum physics11 that suggest the mind can interact with information in the universe at the Planck scale12. Qantum physics tells us that is impossible to gain information about an electron, for example, without changing its state. Qantum Metaphysics tells us that we are not measuring an electron (and thus changing its state from an observation of it) but, first and foremost, measuring our own perspective. The observer afects what is observed because there is no diference between the two. From this perspective, modern physics sounds more like hocus-pocus. The Logian understands that observation comes from perception and that we could never possibly observe anything outside of our perception. The universe could not possibly be divorced from perspective because perception of anything (including everything, or even other perspectives) is entirely subjective. Physicists may think that consciousness can't be measured, but if that was true then it means that consciousness cannot be measured in any way. If we consider the capacity of consciousness as a form of measurement, then a way to measure consciousness could be to simply be aware of one thing. Consciousness – through relationships and interactions – is itself a measurement of reality. In order for us to measure consciousness, we must first realize that consciousness is the ultimate instrument. Any measurement in our perspective is a measurement of our perspective, in a way that is relative to how it is being measured. What would science be without observation? And has anything truly been observed except for one's own perspective? Theoretical physics has made nearly zero progress in nearly one hundred years, ofering less discovery and testable new ideas than the children's toy market. We can almost measure this lack of progress with a pogo stick and come to the conclusion that modern physics is in dire need of a quantum Reformation. Somehow, in all of the 'beautiful' mathematics that modern physics has turned into (that, coincidentally, there can never be proof for) as it sacrificed science for politics, we have lost perspective. 10 “Your Perception of Gravity Is All Relative, Study Finds” htp://www.livescience.com/131906-brain-perceives-gravitysenses.html 11 “The Weird Efects of the Mind and Gravity” htp://www.neuroquantology.com/index.php/journal/article/view/621 12 Definition at htps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planck_scale 56 Rather than experiencing the laws of physics, thermodynamics, biology, chemistry, etc., a Logian understands that we are experiencing the nature of perspective. Consciousness is not by itself logical, nor does it follow any law. However, your experience and interpretation of reality follows the law of perspective. The reality beyond perspective is meaningless because it cannot be perceived. The universe and everything in it is a representation of the process of perspective wrapped up in a nice logical narrative that takes shape as a seemingly endless expression of consciousness, mater, relationships, equations, ideas, geometries, realities, stories, thoughts, and everything else. We look up at the stars and think of them as being many light years away, forgeting that they are as close as our own perspective. It is the greatest trick in the universe. 3.02 The Logic of E=MC2 The most famous formula in all of science, Einstein's E=MC2, is a work of genius. It is also irrational. Although the equation explains the relationship between mass and energy (energy equals mass times the speed of light squared), there is no clear definition of what energy means in physics. The concept of energy is abstract and not defined nearly as well as the concepts of mass or momentum. One of the greatest minds in science makes our understanding of energy clear by saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is important to realize that in physics today, we have no knowledge what energy is.â&#x20AC;? (Richard Feynman, Nobel Prize Winner in Physics.) If we are unable to define what energy is, how are we able to define what it is equal to? QMe defines energy as the measurable, harmonic resistance between space and time (chaos and order). Or, as applied to Einstein's formula, between time (mass) and space (time squared, or the maximum velocity of information). In QMe, mass is a measurement of relationships in a unit of spacetime13. The 'speed of light' is the rate at which the units interact to exchange information about other areas of spacetime. This information exchange follows a certain patern, so we can predict how much mass will result in how much energy. This simple dynamic leads to all kinds of observable phenomena in physics. For example, the excited nature of light in space has much more information regarding interactions than does mass, which has more information about relationships. Without information about relationships, however, the light in space cannot interact. Therefore, more excited light gets the more information it needs about relationships. The phenomena of light bending towards objects with the most mass is a mater of light photons (positively charged) interacting with those objects that have the information it needs about spacetime relationships (negatively charged, such as our planet). The result of the resistance between these two forces is what we call energy. Put another way, E=MC2 can be writen simply as Energy=Spacetime. Energy is the harmonic resistance between space (chaos) and time (order). [Note: We can also think of space as the square of time, as we will see.] 13 There is no irreducible unit of spacetime, per se, however, so this value is relative to the observer. This would mean that there is an irreducible unit of perspective. 57 We can also say that energy is equivalent to the medium in which it is perceived. Energy is the value of the information in a given unit of space over time. When something produces no energy it is not perceived, as there is no information about its existence (and is, thus, beyond observation). It follows that energy is equivalent to spacetime. If we wanted to see how much information is in a particular system, we just square the value of relationships at its center. For example, let's say we wanted to know the size of our solar system. First, we take what we can measure (in this case, the speed of light.) We must then realize that the speed we measure is not the true speed, but the speed of our interface with it. In order to perceive light (as we know it) we have to unpack it and make it more complex than it actually is. This interfacing layer is always either a folding of complexity (towards order) or an unfolding (towards chaos). In our physicality, we have de-compressed light in order to get the light that we see. [Note: This is similar to how we must fold the space of water in order to get ice, as we will learn in section 3.06.] As light is measured at 299,792 km/s, half of it is 149,896 km/s. This is the 'speed' of light from the core of the sun, where it is very dense. When we square this number we get 22 billion kilometers in one second, the size of the solar system in one second. But why would we measure the size of the solar system in seconds? That is because space is always relative to time. If we wanted to know the size of something, we would need to determine it in relation to time. Something could not be just 5 meters wide, for example, but 5 meters wide between August 5th and November 4th. (Although in saying it the former way, we are already implying that it is [now] 5 meters wide.) In this way, we are considering the two axes of spacetime – yes, only two – as related to anything in perspective, just as you would if you were navigating a ship and needed information about both longitude and latitude. We do this ofen while speaking without realizing it. We would say that a movie (chaos) is three hours long (order), for example. Or the house (order) is two hundred square meters in size (chaos). Even the speed of light is measured in space and time (kilometers per second). Everything in spacetime would need to be measured in both space and time. If you didn't catch it above, “... the size of the solar system in one second,” is quite important with regards to QMe. It means that the size of the solar system has no upper limit without regards to time. It is interpreted as smaller or larger, depending on the time units involved. It also means that the smallest particle is no diferent than the entire universe as a whole. That's why energy is so important, as it is information about spacetime that depends on other information for its value. However, before we get into energy we will illustrate the Chaonic Field, the source of spacetime. [Feel free to skip to the last section if the next few get too confusing.] 3.03 The Chuaonic Field The essence of mater is not perceived directly. Spacetime is the only medium in which we can perceive anything. Mater – and all reality – that is independent of perspective is referred 58 to here as the Chaonic Field. The Chaonic Field is made up of two sub-fields that converge into spacetime and everything else that we perceive. These sub-fields are the Relative Field (RF) and the Interactive Field (IF). You can think of the Chaonic Field as the Nothing that chaos and order are trying to find (in order to atract or repel it) but cannot. Each is looking for information that the other has in order to find it, but for diferent reasons. For simplicity's sake, let's say that order is looking for information to know where to atract, while chaos is looking for information to know when to repel. Within the Chaonic Field are nested, alternating positive and negative cycles. These alternations come about because of the exchange of information in the form of energy. From this, the appearance of motion, being, life, and things comes about. Let's see how this works for something that we know. Imagine that you're looking at the Earth as it was billions of years ago. It is just a ball of dust. This dust came from somewhere so that means it was either atracted to something or repelled by something. This means it is carrying an electrical charge. Let's say that this charge has a value of +112. Other particles of dust will sense the charge of it (we'll see how later). Those that are positive (red) will be repelled by it, while those that are negative (blue) will be atracted to it. Those that have a positive charge around +112 will repel it the most, while those that have a negative charge around -112 will be most atracted to it. Soon our red dust particle is surrounded by blue dust particles of opposing charge. This is chaos and order at work; we have a relationship through charge and interaction through 59 proximity. Eventually, our red dust particle is surrounded by blue dust particles. This also has the efect of pushing away the blue dust particles that were atracted to the area because of the red particle. It also brings in the other red particles who were formerly pushed away. Now the patern of the Chaonic Field is beginning to emerge. We have a core surrounded by other particles. The dust particle that used to be ordinary is now transformed into something else – a nucleus. Every particle is itself a Chaonic Field and is made up of the 4 fundamental forces of SPPI: structure, chaos-potential, order-potential, and interaction. The internal fluctuation between chaos and order causes the appearance of 'spin'. The more imbalanced it is the more it seems to spin, like a pendulum that is pulled too far back and moves to maintain equilibrium. At the equator of the particle is information about relationships being pushed out. The particle communicates to the other particles around it about relationships. At each pole there is information about interactions being pulled in from those particles that are immediately surrounding it. All the information that has ever been communicated by a particle boils down to one of two questions: “I am a net negative,” or, “I am a net positive.” That's it. No other information is ever 60 communicated by particles, systems, you, or anyone or anything else. This is the quantum in Qantum Metaphysics. But how is this possible? How does a -112 particle find +112 particles? And how are you able to get spagheti sauce all over your shirt and be totally unaware of the quite basic realities going on at the quantum level? To illustrate how this is possible, imagine that you're driving along a road in the country at night and your car gets stuck. Your phone batery is dead so you need to find someone to help you. You see an area with four farm houses that are a bit distant from each other. You want to know just one thing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Which one should I go to?â&#x20AC;? You intuitively know that you should pick the house with the most lights. That means there might be several people inside and there's a good chance they're all awake and there might be someone who is able to help. You avoid the house with fewer lights because your chances of finding help probably would not be as good. Now imagine that in each house the lights were constantly turned on and of. All the houses have intermitent lighting, but there are two houses that keep their lights on more than others. Of course, you decide to go to the house between these two that kept its light on most ofen. Back to our dust particle, it doesn't 'know' where to to find particles with opposing values that it can be atracted to. It is most atracted to surrounding systems with a consistent signal. The longer the signal the greater the chance that a particle will 'choose' it. It's safe to say that if a system has been net-negative for a while then there are probably a lot more negative particles inside it than positive. Those that shif back and forth between positive and negative probably have fewer net negative particles. This makes it easy for systems that are highly negative (due to the 'length' of time it has been net-negative) to atract the greatest number of opposing particles to achieve equilibrium. As information is pushed out from a system's nucleus its complexity unfolds. The more it interacts the more complex it gets. And, as it is pulled in again, it folds into simplicity. All particles from the Chaonic Field are actually chaons (in this book referred to as photons because chaons cannot be perceived) that become an electron or a neutron and other particles, depending on its spin and radius. Through many cycles of spins in the Chaonic Field, a chaon can transform into anything that can be perceived. Let's see again how the Chaonic Field allows a particle of dust to become the Earth and its atmosphere, as we did in section 1.05. 61 A layer of chaos is always enveloped by a layer of order. This process unfolds in everything from small particles to planets, solar systems, and beyond. Less obviously is the way it manifests in our daily lives when we pour a cup of tea or talk with friends, but the process is the same. Each layer is interpreted diferently. Of your personal identity, for example, one layer would look like your body, whereas the layer 'underneath' would be under your skin, and the layer on top would be the electromagnetic radiation emanating from it. 62 When we re-define the elements of the SPPI process, we can get the color spectrum, for example: Or the spin of an electron: Changing the potentials again we get a water molecule: Hydrogen expands via endless combustion while oxygen contracts via oxidation, forming a water molecule as the poiesis of equilibrium unfolds. Water molecules then go through the same process as they balance between expansion (as a gas) and contraction (as a solid) to reach a liquid state. Mater, like reality, is the narrative of positive and negative charges balancing relative to the structure of what the result (the representation) is interfering with. Diferent kinds of mater are diferent ways to interpret these relationships. We do not perceive mater directly, however. We perceive only our interpretation of it. There are as many interpretations of the same basic relationships as there are perspectives. As each thing interacts with every other thing we get a complex, harmonious, and seemingly infinite reality. Every system and sub-system â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from the smallest of particles to the most complex social structures to gravity and beyond â&#x20AC;&#x201C; has the Chaonic Field at its core. Through the oscillation of positive and negative charges we perceive a picture that we call reality. However, SPPI does not just show how mater and everything else is formed. More than that, it shows how perspective forms mater within it. Perspective is the origin of the universe and everything within. How we interpret the SPPI is up to us. 63 3.04 Folding uand Unfolding In QMe, nothing exists until it interacts with something else. This also means that the entire universe is contained within your current perspective and need only exist inasmuch as you are interacting with it. Each thing in your perspective is a representation that you use to interface with something else. Illusions are enough for interactions to take place, and nothing in your perspective needs to be real for reality to emerge. If you're siting in a closed room, for example, everything outside of it doesn't need to be 'rendered' if you're not interacting with it. You can have sunlight with no Sun. Schroedinger's cat isn't in the box afer it closes. It can meow with only the meow needing to exist. Everything else about the cat is neatly folded into the box. Your perspective is highly eficient and wastes nothing. No energy is used, none is wasted. Just as you can compress a complex concept into a simpler one by giving it a name, your perspective folds everything into simpler representations. When you interact with something it unfolds the complexity. A complex thing in one part of your perspective can be interpreted as a more simple thing in another part, which will change the perception of it completely. A distant geomagnetic explosion may be interpreted, closer to your immediate perspective, as political chaos in a particular country. An interesting 5-dimensional cloud may be an old colleague. The sound of running across the floor may unfolded as a breeze on Venus. The representations themselves don't mater – nature doesn't care if something is a boat, a teapot, a contract, or a sun, only we do. Here is, roughly, what this looks like for a group of particles: On a quantum level in your perspective, when you interact with something you are multiplying the units of information by 2. You may stop at the first multiplication – even before it, if harmony isn't your thing – or continue on until you reach the end of the cycle (which is the square of the value of the nucleus). This is not a conscious decision to interact with something, of course. It's a quantum decision of whether or not one thing is compatible 64 with something else, and will atract or repel it accordingly. That is to say, “Is the next fold up/down a net positive or net negative?”. The other layers that are immediately up or down from it are irrelevant, because all of their information has already been folded/unfolded in those surrounding layers. In a similar way, the Sun does not push or pull on a distant object but is atracted and repelled by things relative to it in the chain of relationships, and atracts and repels the distant object only as it is folded into the more relative object. To the Sun, there is no need for the distant object to exist, as it is already harmoniously folded in the closer relationships. [See Notes for a bit more on the Chaonic Field.] 3.05 Energy The purpose of energy is to communicate charge status – either negative or positive – across the Chaonic Field. It does not transmit the charge itself but only information about the charge. Energy is feedback about interactions and relationships. One of most basic laws of physics is the Law of the Conservation of Energy, which states that energy cannot be created or destroyed but only changed from one form to another. QMe extends that to hold that energy does not exist independent of perspective, but depends on it entirely. Just as a story can 'exist' in the relationship between individual frames of a motion picture, energy can 'exist' in the relationship between things. There is no actual energy, or even motion, between frames – there doesn't need to be. The motion is abstract, just as energy is. However, it could be said that energy is a function of mater rather than something that is produced from mater. The universe (or, more accurately, your perspective) does not waste energy. It is so eficient, in fact, that it does not use energy at all.14 It only needs to relate to and interact with the things that comprise it. The relationships and interactions between one thing and an other thing is not created or destroyed, it simply changes. Information about interactions are communicated by photons, whereas more massive photons – called electrons – communicate information about relationships to the nucleus. 'Potential energy' is a folding of information, whereas 'kinetic energy' is the unfolding of it. In DNA, for example, information is folded ('compacted') in chromosomes, which builds up potential energy (velocity) for the unfolding of rapid cell growth. The more something can be set according to relationships (such as phi or symmetry) the more kinetic energy can be unfolded. The building up of potential energy could be considered a storing of information. It is information more at-rest than in motion, though is never completely at rest or completely in motion (as its existence couldn't be communicated in either extreme). When information is set in motion it becomes kinetic energy. Communication of Energy How is energy communicated to other particles? 14 Of course, it can't use what it doesn't really have. There's no need to: pretending to do it is more efective. You get the same 'result' without any energy expenditure. 65 Here is the only information that is ever communicated. That is to say, all the energy in the universe can be boiled down to this: These Chaonic Fields are anywhere and everywhere in reality, but are never observed for what they are. If you were a cell in your body, for example, you'd take chaos inputs from your environment (e.g., whatever your body interacts with, such as the sun) into your nucleus and output proteins. You would only be able to perform one function at a time (either input or output) but you could switch as fast as you'd like. However, too much information about interactions would cause you to become cancerous, whereas too much information about relationships would cause you to protect yourself too much, and you would die. Switching functions is essential to maintain the integrity of the Chaonic Field. Life is the continual balance between chaos and order. All of reality is this relationship between illusions, given real life by interactions and interpreted by your perspective. 3.06 Muass uand Being The definition of mass in classical physics is the property of mater that causes it to resist any change in its motion (inertia). This definition is okay for the purposes of QMe, but it begins to break down at the quantum level. If classical physics says a photon is never at rest, how can it be said that a photon resists changes in its motion more than anything else (because it has no mass)? In QMe, mass is a measurement of relationships rather than substance. It is informationat-rest and, although we may say that a photon is moving, there is no movement with a photon because it is already where it needs to be. Just like a bug frozen in a block of ice doesn't need to move in order to communicate information to others about its state, the 66 photon and other particles don't need to waste energy moving, especially when moving isn't possible. In classical physics, the photon should not be moving at all. Another interesting diference is that in QMe, mass is the opposite of what it is in classical physics. Let's illustrate the diference: It is easy to look at 1kg of ice compared with 1kg of water, and see that water takes up more space as it turns to ice. However, this is not the case. As water turns to ice, each particle takes up less space. Ice has less information about interactions (motion) and therefore 'heat' is what compels the particles to become more tightly packed, as the information that heat exchanges with cold is compressed and folded into smaller units of space. As ice turns to water, each particle takes up more space. Water has more information about relationships (mass) and therefore 'cold' is what compels the particles to become more free, as the information that cold exchanges with heat is unpacked into greater units of space. 67 Compression (folding) is a centripetal acceleration. You could say that as water turns to ice its particles are still accelerating, but the acceleration is directed to its center instead of outward. This vortex motion causes it to fold, decreasing its spatial magnitude as its mass increases. Mass, then, is a contraction of space. This contraction is an electrical charge, which is a representation of the summed mass of all the system's sub-particles. The electrical charge is information about relationships that have been folded from inside the system, and is strongest at the nucleus. The messenger of this charge â&#x20AC;&#x201C; electrons â&#x20AC;&#x201C; define time and communicate information regarding relationships to other particles. This informationcarrying charge allows harmony to be maintained in a sea of chaos. Think of mass as memory, where information is stored for later use. It is simply being, or the 'path of least resistance' for a particle when litle information is had about interactions. 3.07 Velocity uand Motion If you were on a train travelling at 200 kilometers an hour and looked over to the person siting across from you, they would appear not to be moving at all. That is because you'd be sharing the same inertial frame of reference. When you look at the mass of things just about everything appears to have mass â&#x20AC;&#x201C; except the photon. That is because the photon shares the same frame of reference as your perspective. Existence begins when information is in motion, and information is transmited by the photon. It is no coincidence that we can see, hear, taste, smell and more because of the photon, the carrier of electromagnetic information. But what would velocity be if nothing actually moved? If we imagine that the universe has nowhere to move, can we imagine that all motion is not real but an illusion of change based on a frame of reference within the universe? If there is only perspective then nothing really moves at all, but propagates via information about movement instead. In QMe, velocity is the rate at which information is unfolded. Photons do not move any more than cookie recipes do. Rather, photons define space by transmiting information regarding interactions to other particles. 68 The maximum speed of interactions in a Chaonic Field is the square of its mass value. This is also the radius of the field and is its 'now' (as we will see in the next section). If the nucleus of a Chaonic Field has a value of 7, the maximum velocity of information would be 49, which also determines the size of the field. Let's illustrate this with Einstein's E=MC2 equation. The edge of velocity – of chaos – is as much a nucleus at the inner mass is. At the end of each cycle we find reproductive systems where the cycle can begin again as well as interface layers to regulate the systems outside it and turn them into processes inside it. In the Chaonic Field of the human body, for example, the ectoderm creates layers of the skin, lining of the mouth, nostrils, sweat glands, hair, nails, tooth enamel, brain, and neurons to interface with the environment outside the body's Chaonic Field. The size of the field – the initial value of time/mass – determines whether or not the (nonextant) chaon that has been set into motion becomes an electron, neutron, photon, or something else. The radius of the field sets the properties of relationship and interaction, which we interpret to be diferent particles with diferent behaviour and characteristics.. Cosmologists continue to say that the Earth revolves around the Sun, even though they know that it would be impossible for the Earth or another of the other planets to actually do so, as the Sun is moving too fast in its own orbit for the Earth to catch up. The Earth has never once been able to revolve around the Sun because of the limitations the size of its field imposes. The picture we have of the solar system is as inaccurate and incomplete as our picture of photons, electrons, and other particles. It is dificult to imagine the Sun moving along its own orbit, independent of its planets. It is also dificult to imagine photons, electrons, and other particles that don't move at all. Velocity is not actually motion – nothing moves. Instead, it is the rate at which information about spacetime is 'received' by particles. We interpret this as speed when it is far more than that. 69 As velocity increases, the radius of a Chaonic Field over spacetime increases, allowing for greater interaction. When a particle lacks suficient information about relationships its space is amplified. We interpret this to be an increase in motion, but for the particle the increased 'motion' is its path of least resistance in spacetime. (That is to say, the particle transmits information about space in the direction where there is a deficit of information regarding interactions. The more information about interactions, the greater the velocity. You might interpret this in your perspective as an increase in gas afer something you just ate, something falling to the floor, or needing to run for the train. Perspective is prety clever, isn't it?) 3.08 The Reluative Nowhere Space and time are not experienced independently, so always have proportionate values. Anything taking up space is also taking up time, and vice versa. The resistance between the two sides of the same force of spacetime â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the now â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is like a capacitor, or store of energy in an electrical field. As nothing can exist that is absolutely balanced, everything that exists is at least slightly out of balance and works towards equilibrium to maintain natural proportions. This allows us to have a 'now' that has two directions â&#x20AC;&#x201C; chaos-as-possibility ahead of you, and order-as-memory behind you. Time makes space relative to your perspective, and thus perceivable. When you look out into the universe you see this efect much more pronounced. Looking at one galaxy you see it as it was 3.2 billion years ago. Looking in an other direction you are looking back in time several hundred million years. Each thing in space is a diferent time. Each thing that appears to take up 'space' or 'time' is actually taking up spacetime. All things exist in the same space because space is an illusion brought to life by interacting with time in spacetime. Two galaxies exist in the same space but appear to be two separate things because of this time-spacing efect. It is one thing, divided by time. It is all the same thing: the Chaonic Field. Breaking it down makes it perceivable. But it must be broken down into a seemingly infinite array of spacetime. Each Chaonic Field is a 'now', be it the field of your body or the sun. As space expands, time contracts. Let's illustrate this again: 70 To our Sun, 1 year is equal to approximately 225,000,000 Earth years. Compared to the Earth, the Sun's space has expanded and its time contracted to contain a greater “now” in one unit of space. The 'now' of your body is diferent than the 'now' of your cells because of size which, generally-speaking conforms to the radius of its Chaonic Field. To you, however, all things within your Chaonic Field (your body) are running on the same clock. The largest unit of space is that where the smallest unit of time can be found, making for an eternal now. The largest unit of time is where there is the densest mass, making for an eternal here. Less than half a day ago (to the Sun) humanity hadn't even begun. And we have never lef the Big Bang. How massive is a mountain when, to itself, it might be running? 3.09 Modern Science, Arguuably, Huas Un-scientific Founduations Science, although useful in the pursuit of ourselves, is unfortunately based upon the untested hypothesis that reality can accurately be perceived. Ignoring that, scientists seem to agree that we can perceive almost nothing – less than 1% of what exists. This contradiction is generally unstudied, as perspective is not able to be factored into modern equations. The fact that science does not test its basic assumptions – accurate perception – shows that science only applies its own core scientific principles when the result does not threaten its foundations. We can argue, fuss, and fight over how we think it isn't important or doesn't apply, but of course it does. It is time the scientific method is applied to science itself. Scientific observations are assumed to be objective when they are subjective 15 because they 15 Qantum physicists understand that there isn't a reality independent of our observation, but don't understand that what we are observing is the nature of our own perspective (rather than elementary particles). 71 rely on subjective perceptions. We may think that the instrument through which an observation is being made is objective and does not interfere, but how are we observing the instrument itself? How can quantum physicists hold that the observer afects what is being observed but not reason that the medium through which the observation is made might have something to do with it? Unfortunately, modern science would fail its own test; the scientific method cannot be tested scientifically because the foundations of the method rest upon assumptions independent from experience. "..there are certain philosophical assumptions made at the base of the scientific method â&#x20AC;&#x201C; namely, that reality is objective and consistent, that humans have the capacity to perceive reality accurately, and that rational explanations exist for elements of the real world. These assumptions are the basis of naturalism, the philosophy on which science is grounded.." â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Kate and Vitaly (2000) The nature of something cannot be observed independently of the observation (as it actually is). There will always be 'perception' of something, even when perceiving through an apparatus. Are you perceiving properties of the electron, properties of the electron microscope, or properties of your perspective? Only maths is a real science, as it does not need to be based on reality. But even then, those doing the maths don't realize that they are only interfacing with the nature of perspective, not looking at God's underwear. Even the mind is an apparatus, albeit a more complex one that tricks us even more cleverly than our eyes. Few are able to see this illusion for what it is, as that which is considering the nature of the illusion is the same as that which is performing the illusion. This means that scientists are not observing reality directly, but observing the reality of their instruments. To someone holding a hammer, everything looks like a nail. To someone looking through a kaleidoscope, everything looks kaleidoscopic. You're not seeing the reality of Germany by analyzing the word, though it may seem like it if the interface is interesting enough. Although we can theorize about particles, we can only perceive the results in our perspective, which is the only medium that particles exist in. The instrument that is used for the measurement or observation is rarely considered as afecting the measurement or observation, but ofen what is being observed are the efects of the instrument and whatever it is relative to rather than what is being observed. It is obvious when you look through a telescope that your perspective is changed, but less obvious when using other instruments because one has no physical frame of reference with which to compare and use to model what is being perceived. Instruments can be references of interpretation, but are used as a means to observe reality. Looking through an electron microscope we do not see electrons. We see the reality of the electron microscope.16 If you invented a new gestalt spectrometer that is designed to capture oompa particles, you'd probably find them eventually with a bit of tweaking. But it doesn't mean that they exist outside of your interpretation. Satisfied with your results you'd find a place for it in the logical narrative of your field of science. Other scientists could then find the same particles using the same or a similar instrument, verifying your results. However, other instruments without such relationships in their immediate geometry, like a pair of binoculars, will not allow you to interpret oompa particles in the same way. (Remember though: the other scientists would also be a part of your perspective, as would their findings be.) The benefit of science is not in discovery of the truth, but discovery of what is useful right now. We may not be able to accurately perceive reality, but we can learn how to look at the steppingstones that will take us there. 16 We are, more accurately, looking into that section of the geometry where the instrument appears. 72 3.10 Is the Universe Infinite? The world around you seems to go on forever, to the outermost reaches of the universe and beyond. But does it really? Are we really looking at something infinite when we peer out into the heavens or into the endlessly layered details of the microscopic world? Cosmologists use maths to help explain the universe. But we mustn't confuse the infinities of maths with the infinities of the universe. Of course numbers can go on forever if that's the kind of system we use. If we divide 10 by 2 we get a nice round number. But dividing 10 by 3 we get a fraction that goes on forever. So where did the infinity hiding for the first calculation? Did we somehow outwit the universe by trying to calculate the exact tax on a stick of gum? We're using the same maths logic, but in this example we've shifed from a 10-2 to a 10-3 way of looking at reality. Why do some things appear finite while other things, in the same system, appear infinite? Why does my body appear finite from the perspective of my eyes but infinite from the perspective of an electron microscope? In some perspectives, infinity appears to exist (when it doesn't really). Does infinity exist because we have come up with a way of counting where some results seem to go on forever? The real question is, “Can infinity be perceived?” Logians hold that we cannot ever perceive what is beyond our perception, and that if infinite potentials actually existed then there would be no perspective. Therefore, infinity is meaningless because it represents that which cannot be perceived. We atempt to 'perceive the infinite' by perceiving the finite. In order to discover a basic and concise explanation for the world around us, we must start from the right place. If we, for example, tried to calculate the exact tax on our stick of gum from a 10-3 perspective, it may take quite a long time. We may even come up with a logical narrative to explain the complexity, postulating that the convenience store exists in 10 dimensions or has a counterpart in 3 parallel universes, and then invent a method to describe it all that looks absolutely beautiful – from the 10-3 perspective. We then become so emotionally atached to what we've created we probably wouldn't care to realize that an elementary school drop-out could figure out that we need a 10-2 perspective, something more relative to what was being observed. If I brought home for you a nice big Box of Chaonic Fields, its reality could not be contained in any one perception. Looking into it you would think that the box went on forever in endless dimensions. It would appear infinite, because you would not be able to perceive it in its entirety. It would look very much like the universe. In our above example, we cannot perceive the entirety of 10 divided by 3 but we can perceive the entirety of 10 divided by 2. In one way reality appears infinite because it cannot be easily defined. It appears chaotic – but chaos is simply an order that isn't yet in our perspective. From our perspective the universe seems to go on forever in every direction. The only diference is that there is no perspective that can 'define' the entirety of the universe, so it appears infinite. Some perspectives just have diferent logical narratives than others. Some of these logical narratives provide a more useful explanation of everything and how to work with it. Some of these narratives can put you on the other side of the galaxy using abstract methodologies. But they are all just patern-making, however useful the paterns would be under certain conditions. Reality can only be approximated. Our universe seems complex because we're starting from a vantage point that makes it appear that way. We're looking at a 10 and using a 3 to perceive it. Our maths will go on forever (and keep a number of physicists employed forever, as well). We make observations but rule out perception (and mind) as irrelevant, when instead they could be the primary tool for discovery that harmonizes all of what we perceive. We build exceedingly expensive machines that do the same work as a child could do – if we started from a perspective that was more relevant to what we're observing. 73 If the universe was infinite there would be no reality. --If you like this book please rate it on Amazon at htps://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FB6ML0O Notes 1.00 Introduction When scientists can only calculate (rather than measure) things like the mass of the universe or vast distances, they are guessing. Calculations, methodologies, and results change more times than scientists are willing to admit, and that makes it a mystery. If we have two liquids in a jar of unknown size and can only measure one liquid, we can't actually know what percentage of the jar the other takes up, and thus can't know how much of the jar is filled. Dark mater and dark energy is said to account for more than 95% of the universe's mass, but this is really just a best-guess. 'Constants' aren't really constants at all, but every-changing filler for holes in calculations where the meat should be [such as with the Hubble Constant, perhaps the most important cosmological discovery ever made, and the findings of astronomer Kris Stanek and an approximate 15% miscalculation in the position of a particular galaxy, which in cosmology is a tremendously large error that went unnoticed for nearly 90 years]. The eventual corrections are not called such, of course, but are simply forgoten or given names like “improved determination” [htp://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.11033/PhysRevLet.111.1013102]. This is because the constants are not actual measurements but useful calculations that appear to be measurements and are used as such. When we consider that calculations will always be mere approximations of reality, then we can begin to see reality (and the act of observation) for what it really is. 1.00 Have we truly made much scientific progress over the past 500 years in the way of understanding the universe when most of the fundamental questions we had then are still unanswered? Or, do we consider progress to be discovering more things that can be useful but are not fundamental, like faster internet speeds and discovery of new or imaginary sub-atomic particles? We seem to have just come up with more complicated questions that keep us distracted from thinking about the fact that we don't really understand much at all. We understand fundamental questions about plumbing but not what holds it all together. 1.00 The laws of nature are simple and easily understood by design. If the laws that governed all of existence were not simple, how could they apply to everything from the smallest particle to the gentlest of social interactions to the most complex system? We agree that complex systems arise from the interaction of simple components, but it doesn't dictate that all such systems need to be described with more complex systems that only a few can truly understand. If a 'final theory' is too complicated for a person of average intelligence to understand, then it has failed to apply its own rules to itself (that it be a simple way to understand everything). If we lef it to the exclusive domain of physicists and cosmologists to describe how to fall in love, the great majority of us would have never been born. (Thank goodness that understanding the universe is far less important!) 1.00 Science now understands that 'color' doesn’t exist outside of our brain's interpretation of it. As well, there are no universal rules that define ‘color’ solely on the physical properties 74 of light. Color is subjective rather than objective, even though it appears consistently throughout your reality. What our brain does is perform an amazing feat of calculation, taking the relationships between the impulses generated from cells in our eye and interpreting them as color where no real color exists. Rather than being a property of the thing that we're looking at, color is a sensation that exists entirely in our minds. 1.00 Note that certain concepts and illustrations have been simplified (or not included) to make the book easier for the average person to understand. 1.00 The word “Logia” is here meant as a particular system of reason (from the Greek logos). 1.00 The answer to the universe's ultimate question will likely never be found by philosophers, clergy, or scientists because it is far bigger than any one domain. It also doesn't help that many religions place belief over a real understanding of whatever the universe may be, perhaps because thinking about how everything works doesn't seem to have any practical applications for everyday life. It followed that the religious search for an understanding of the universe became a search for believers, with a few still trying to understand the how and why of it all. T he end of religion wouldn't be too far away if anyone could answer these questions for themselves, so instead, any real answer is said to be unknowable and beyond the reach of the average person. On the more physical side, a true theory of everything in science would need to be something that could actually be applied to anything, from the very simple to the very complex. Such a theory would not actually appear to be scientific any more than it would appear to be social, political, religious, geophysical, biological, and whatever else it could be applied to, and would therefore not seem to be a worthy pursuit for scientists at all. The 'ultimate theory' would be generic and unassuming rather than the kind of shiny, complex thing that appeals to scientists who make careers out of discovering or making up reasons why certain complexities exist. It follows that the search for the ultimate understanding in science would be replaced with a search for status among peers via elegant hypotheses about problems that are, in a way, hypotheses themselves. Any universal equation would actually need to relate to everything, and therefore needs to make questions about the universe much more simple, not more complicated. However, the end of science as we know it wouldn't be too far away if the average person could answer these questions for themselves. So instead, any ultimate answer is said to be excruciatingly dificult and beyond the reach of all but a handful of scientists, if not no one at all. 1.02 We Do Not Actuually Wuant to Be Omniscient, But Become Omniscient Whether you want to take this material in this book as 'proof of God' or not is up to you. Although I am by no means a religious person, I would go so far as to say that a belief in God is far more rational than saying that God doesn't exist. Saying that something doesn't exist requires proof of its non-existence, whereas a belief requires so such proof. 1.03 How Is It Possible to Understuand the Universe? Pioneers of modern physics agree that the world we see is an illusion. “An independent reality, in the ordinary physical sense, can neither be ascribed to the phenomena nor to the agencies of observation.” - Niels Bohr "If one wants to give an accurate description of the elementary particle, the only thing which can be writen down as description is a probability function. But then one sees that not even the 75 quality of being belongs to what is described.” - Heisenberg 1.04 Whuat You See Are Interfuaces to Reluationships You Don't See Humans are somewhere in the middle of the scale, perhaps. You don't perceive of every detail of our body or the trillions of processes going on inside it – but other forms of life do. The parts of your body do not act as united wholes. Some cells do not 'like' other cells. There are wars inside of your body when you get sick or have an illness, for example. Each 'body' or field of the cycle believes in an 'I'. A cell in your body says “myself” just as you do now, in its own way of course. The Earth is, in a similar way, made up of cells that look like you and I. 1.04 If we are perceiving something it is moving in some way and has at least a litle mass. Likewise, something cannot have infinite velocity or movement if we are perceiving it. 1.04 The speed of light in the Standard Model of physics has been measured where measurements make the most sense in relation to our inertial frame of reference – a few steps above the center of order. Here, it is not measured as being completely expanded (i.e., 'infinite') but is measured to have a certain speed and a photon to have no mass or very litle mass in a very contracted space. 1.05 How Would the Universe Perceive Itself? All we need to understand reality is found in six numbers: the first three numbers of the Fibonacci series, and the first three prime numbers. These six numbers define the patern of perspective itself and is the foundation of everything in the universe that could ever be perceived. The Fibonacci series is a sequence of numbers that express various paterns found in nature17 such as seed heads, pinecones, fruits and vegetables, flowers, the distance of planets relative to our Sun, the spiral movement of leaf and branch distributions, honeybees, weather, galaxy formations, and even humans18. Modern financial systems also use it19. The sequence begins with 0 and 1, and the last two numbers are always added together to come up with the next in the series. Prime numbers are considered among mathematicians to be the building blocks of the universe. A prime number is any natural number that can only be divided by itself and 1 20. From the first three prime numbers (2, 3, and 5) we can extrapolate the first three numbers of the Fibonacci series – (0, 1, 1) and vice versa. These six numbers can tell us everything about the universe, its origins, who we are, what reality is, and much more. “If you only knew the magnificence of the 3, 6 and 9, then you would have a key to the universe.”— Nikola Tesla. We can break down 3, 6, and 9 to 1, 2, and 3. But the numbers by themselves are irrelevant. They allow us to see the patern and harmony of the universe and, as we will see, allow perspective to form. From it, Logians can extrapolate the formula for all of reality, the 'God equation'. 17 More examples can be found at htp://io9.com/519851588/15-uncanny-examples-of-the-golden-ratio-in-nature 18 Most of the human body's parts are of one, two, three and five segments: fingers, nose, mouth, eyes, and three segments to each limb. The proportions and measurements of the body also conform to the golden ratio, as Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man illustrates. When a person's face conforms to these proportions, using various points such as their pupil, nose tip, hairline, nose width, etc., we say that their face is “beautiful”. 19 Reference htp://www.investopedia.com/articles/technical/04/0331104.asp 20 However, for most of the history of prime numbers, the number “1” was part of the club. 76 There are four parts of perspective and reality:     Structure (or logic) Potential – infinite (chaos) Potential – limited (order) Interaction However, the three elements of structure, potential, and interaction represent the minimum number of relationships required for perspective to form. Simply put, reality is formed by limiting infinity with some kind of structure and allowing the two sides of potential to interact harmoniously. 1.07 The God Equuation uand Whuat It Meuans for Your Reuality It follows that the Old Testament represents chaos, while the New Testament represents order. In the Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu writes, “The Tao is like a well; use but never used up. It is like the eternal void: filled with infinite possibilities. It is hidden but always present. I don't know who gave birth to it. It is older than God.” Also in Taoism, the tension between opposing forces yin and yang creates qi (or “chi”), which is life energy. 77 1.07 Although the cycle of complexity is indefinite due to Chaos wanting it to go on forever, the force of Order is at work to fold everything that exists into our current perspective. Everything in the universe is represented somehow in your current experience. You could say that everything that exists contains the algorithm for God, but of course we're talking about the nature of perspective. 1.07 The complexity of subsequent equations is the square of distance from the first. In this book we cover only the first two cycles, and a few examples of the third cycle. The first cycle is the basic Chaos:Order relationship. The second cycle is the God Equation. The third cycle are things like space and time. 1.07 In order for the illusion of 'something' to be possible, two things are happening simultaneously to bring about a result. Chaos tries to resist being the void by doubling or squaring Order to make everything infinite in space, while Order tries to fuse everything together in time (a 1:1 relationship) so that the cycle of birth-death-birth may be repeated again. Neither of these are balanced, however. But between all the doubling and the fusing, a harmony between 1 and 2 is found that is a good compromise (called the golden ratio, 1.618, with the 'nothing' that repeats the cycle making it lean a bit more towards Chaos.) In this cycle, nothing becomes something, then simultaneously becomes two things (chaos and order) in order to have existence, then four things, and so on. Afer it has gone from the very simple to the very complex, it reverses the process and simplifies again. However, we need only to take to see what happens soon afer the first step to find the formula that creates all of reality: QMe's God Equation. 78 1.08 SPPIs Everywhere! The Potential sides of a SPPI are what makes us able to approximate reality. One thing pretending to be two things (via opposing sides) that interact together in a structure, forming a reality. Let's take a look at some of the names we know the illusion of opposing sides by. Positive Potentiual Future Past One side wants to expand forever (chaos) while the other side works to limit the expansion (order). When the two sides interact in a certain way â&#x20AC;&#x201C; forming a relationship â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you get a representation, or approximation of the relationship called a resistance. The new representation can then form another relationship with anything else, though the success of that enterprise will depend on compatibility. When anything on the lef interacts with anything on the right, we get something we can use. When creation interacts with destruction we get life, for example. When velocity interacts with mass in a certain way we get radiant energy. When female interacts with male in a certain way, we get baby. Each of these systems can have subsystems of their own. The illusions can also interact with other illusions to form reality. An electrical field, for example, interacting with time is an electrical wave as the radius of the field spins. All of the illusions interacting together forms the entire universe. But not every aspect is balanced. The threshold for harmonized potential is pi/2. 79 As you can see, in the beginning the two sides of potential are imbalanced, yet still harmonious.21 We can have too much of one side and not enough of the other side. We can find extreme cold, too much production, too much pressure, too much strength, etc. However, these aspects will eventually relate to other aspects to balance out and are, by nature, always harmonious. You can think of something that is “too strong” as being chaotically harmonious and in the beginning of a more harmonious relationship (1:2). 22 It might even interact with something that makes it very weak to balance the equation. But, again, imbalances are still harmonious. The more a Potential interacts with other Potentials the more equilibrium there is between the two forces as it approaches a more balanced ratio, called the golden ratio (1.618). 23 21 Note that this is a simplification. It, for example, should not imply that there is too much chaos and not enough order. In this example there is a lot of chaos/expansion in the beginning, to be sure, but this is balanced out in other ways. The two sides are imbalanced at the micro level but harmonious at their core. 22 As everything interacts, you can also have relationships such as 2:8 (something that would be “too cold”, for example) or 3:55 (something that would be “too massive”, for example). 23 We can also multiply any number in the Fibonacci series by QMe's prime numbers, “123,” and get a sum that is another number in the series (10 places up) plus another number in the series (10 places down). Multiplying 80 When an illusion interacts with another illusion of the same type (positive-to-positive, for example) discordance results. Discord is natural and can be maintained for a while, but it is not balanced. A lack of balance may mean that more illusions from the other side are required to smooth out the equation. A lack of harmonious relationships is highly ineficient. For example, we can take a trip into space using discordant methods (such as a misunderstanding of spacetime) but it will require far more time, space, energy, and resources than using concordant methods. Or, when two of the same electrical fields interact they might cancel each other out. Or, we could work out in the gym to build muscle for 5 hours a day, but will be paying with other Potentials that may contribute to ill health. Ideally, any aspect of one side is paired with an aspect on the other side for balanced, eficient, and optimal results (around 1.61). When two illusions on the same side are paired together you get imbalance, poor performance, disease, ineficiency, etc. For example, cold isn't good for muscle performance because the two are diferent interpretations of the same thing, but heat balances out muscles in a more harmonious way. However, the body becomes cold to assist in melatonin production before sleep and stimulate other processes. Cold air is dense, and warm air is not. Disease is subjective, and health can increase capacity. Chaos implodes, and we get the universe. Further, each of these illusions is just that â&#x20AC;&#x201C; an illusion. They are not absolute. You can never have 'absolute male' or 'absolute heat'. The interaction between two illusions forms a representation. From the Tao Te Ching: When people see some things as beautiful, other things become ugly. When people see some things as good, other things become bad. Being and non-being create each other. Dificult and easy support each other. Long and short define each other. High and low depend on each other. Before and afer follow each other. 1.07 Energy is Informuation About Spuace uand Time (uand Perspective) The order of the three cycles of primate DNA also make other sub-processes more eficient, such as the three stages of the polymerase chain reaction, the three stages of the cell cycle, and forming codon bases. (The four-leter 'alphabet' of A, T, G and C form 'words' of threeleters codons. Each of the three cycles 'types' out one leter to code a complete codon base, like an amino acid.) The minor phases of the grid also act as grooves to hold water molecules, which helps stabilize the DNA helix (except in low-humidity conditions). 1.07 DNA is like a blueprint, or long-term memory, that is negatively charged. As in any system, however, there are both positive and negative sub-processes at work. It can pick up any signal from the local environment (everything from food and water to living conditions to your own thoughts) which serve as information about interactions. The resulting energy can then turn on/of (atract/repel) regulatory proteins. 1.11 The Wuay of Logiua Logia can be thought of as the next stage of human evolution. prime numbers by â&#x20AC;&#x153;123â&#x20AC;? also produces a patern. 81 1.14 The Reuality of the Illusion The most logical thing is that which applies to everything. Thus, Nothing is most logical. But how is it that the primary relationships afer Nothing are logical when they are defined as having 'too much expansion' and 'too much contraction' as compared with later relationships, which express seem to express phi more closely? It is because they can apply to everything, express the limits of both Nothing and Something, have the most eficient interactions through the most eficient representations, and inherently allow for more complexities within those limits. 1.15 The Purpose of Perspective Reality's logical narrative is the backbone that our entire existence rests on: the geometry of motion. It is the way in which nothing-in-particular makes sense to us. The act of perception could be more appropriately termed â&#x20AC;&#x153;patern-makingâ&#x20AC;?, building a logical narrative out of chaotic stimuli. We build identities that relate to paterns and find comfort in what we seem to have discovered. We look at randomness and automatically find order, though order is not inherent in randomness but is inherent in perspective. We break down chaos with order and perspective is born. We search the chaos of Nothing for paterns where none exist to give meaning to our perspective and, by extension, our lives. The paterns that we find have no reality whatsoever outside of our perspective. Although they're paterns that we just make up, they mean everything to us. We become very atached to them, and rightfully so. They are how we exist. Everything that exists fits into the logical narrative of Nothing, then fits into more complex narratives from there. Further, we form representations of all the most complex logical systems in our perspective. Instead of having to perceive (and interact with) countless systems of chemicallike electromagnetism we perceive of other humans that have a clear physical form, a much more simple (and eficient) interpretation. Instead of having to experience the nuances of relationships of a group of atoms entering someone's body we simply see them geting sick or feeling energized. Rather than having to calculate the involved harmonic relationships in the part of our perspective we call physicality, one need only experience walking down the street. 82 We represent everything in perspective. Everything we sense, think, feel, etc., is itself a story that makes sense of something more complex, and we give it life with more simple representations. A thing is but a lifeless abstraction that comes alive when it relates to another. A smile is a wonderfully simple representation of more complex feelings that do not even know what a smile is. 2.02 Whuat Is Huappiness? The feeling of happiness is the opposite of being 'one' with the universe. If we are 'one' with the universe there is nothing else with which to compare, so we do not exist. To be nothingin-particular and connect with nothing, having no relationship and unable to experience harmony because of the lack of relationships with 'other', is frightening. We naturally avoid this emptiness in our perspective, creating endless illusions out of thin air in order to avoid this fate. 2.10 The SPPIs Within Us Many corporations, for example, seem to exist for the sole purpose of competing to stay in business and provide executives with busy-ness, no mater how meaningless the overall afair is. Other businesses may fill a trivial need with a line of relatively meaningless products and services that serve no other purpose than to keep the company in business. Ofen, those subscribed to a system will begin to see their reality through the lens of the system. Operating by natural systems ourselves, we cannot interact with any system without adopting some of its perspective. And although we can find utility in each of these systems we should not forget that, as we interact with them, we are also integrating our own perspective with it. For example, the more we interact with traditional, formal education (or those who have been so educated) the more imbalanced our own perspective becomes until we find ourselves overly confident in the supposed truth of what we have learned. It must be noted that any system conforms to the SPPI model on some level. These systems will afect limitations in other, unintended ways, usually with the stakeholders involved. Many aspects of environmental 'preservation' promote ill-health in humans 24 and lead companies to increase prices unnecessarily, for example. An ever-expanding economy comes with increased consumer debt. University tuition prices rise without end, discouraging students from pursuing an education. The more laws there are the more people are found to be breaking the law. Endless news is being shared where there is none, focusing on irrelevant happenings and creating a false sense of importance and priority. A myriad of recipes means that you will ofen have no idea what you're eating, which may afect health. The list goes on. Without a logical system at its base or a strong enough natural limitation a system will sufer from an endless variety of logical fallacies and likely evolve diferently from what was intended and also afect other systems in unintended ways. But this isn't an argument against these types of systems. We all enjoy things like music, food, and the by-products of scientific discoveries among other wonderful things. We can, however, learn to build systems that have its own opposition built in to discover healthier types of systems that are more natural. Some of us realize that allowing for sadness can lead to a more healthy psychological and emotional state rather than pretending that everything is just fine. An educational system that has 'known/unknown' at its base might allow students to discover for themselves, becoming instead a way to facilitate the pursuit of learning rather than a system of indoctrination. A governmental system that had 'authority/non-authority' at its base might build cities and sections of cities where innovation, experimentation, and personal freedom can thrive, or cancel out a percentage of existing laws every year. 24 Such as the toxins in energy-saving light bulbs that leak out when heated, which are not in incandescent bulbs. 83 We have circular SPPIs at the core of our civilization, ingrained in its every gear. Natural SPPIs seem almost counter-intuitive, as if they were not compatible with ego. Can you imagine a national holiday for sadness where we were encouraged to cry over something? A company saying that it wants to reduce prices to benefit consumers because its profit margins are too high? A news program saying there is not much to report today, so they will lead with something happy, or just play music and dance? A team of scientists saying that they made too many assumptions over the past 10 years and will need to start over? Or environmentalists proclaiming that we should follow nature's example and allow some species to expire, naturally? It is silly to consider these things precisely because circular SPPIs are so ingrained in how we think, but even more silly to formulate systems with endless chaos at their core. These systems seek to nurture infinity in a way that allows for limitless expansion like a rising sea without boundaries. Instead, an endless parade of logical fallacies such as argument from authority and confirmation bias25 are found in its wake. These systems typically promote the interpretation of ambiguous information as supporting its existing structure while ignoring other information that challenges its fundamental assumptions, unless that information poses a direct threat to its survival. Each system develops a logic that is apparent to its proponents. A test to see how rigid the beliefs are for any system is to see how it works with contradicting or opposing information. Does it recognize that there are other equally valid realities? If the system does not operate by confirmation bias there will be no need to confirm or disprove new information that has revealed itself. In order for the integrity of the logical narrative to be sustained, circular SPPI systems ignore and reject information that does not conform to that already in place. Without confirmation bias, we do not perceive of reality. As humans, we need such systems in order to live and perceive as humans. However, we should be aware where we are subscribed to a belief system that may inhibit our movement and interaction, or shield us from new information in the pursuit of an infinity that does not exist. As we pursue circular SPPIs we will explore a system's seemingly limitless possibilities. We must assume that if a system is designed to be unlimited then it will eventually try to pursue the capacity for which is was intended, and even beyond what it was intended for. We focus on the normality of the present reality rather than the unlimited nature of the system itself. Surveillance starts on Thursdays between 5 and 6 in the afernoon and proceeds over time to encompass all 168 hours of the week. Conditional rules will eventually try to flow to unconditional rules, and vice versa. A website selling a single broken laser pointer will explore its endless capacity for person-to-person transactions and may eventually become a telecommunications provider. A search engine will try to explore the endless applications of its algorithm. A political ideology with the capacity to change how people live and work will eventually seek out totalitarianism. At each stage the system integrates its constituents as part of its logical narrative. Frogs don't mind being boiled if each gradual increase in temperature makes sense from the last. Each change will appear to be logical in the system at that time, even if the system itself is based on logical fallacies. 3.01 The Greuatest Trick Though there are many logical conjectures in quantum physics, quantum physics itself is based on a logical fallacy. Much of quantum physics can actually be explained mechanically. For example, it is overlooked that red photons are larger than blue photons so will have larger electromagnetic fields. The importance of the double-slit experiment to establish the probabilistic nature of quantum mechanical phenomena uses only monochromatic light. 25 Science, economics, education, media, medicine, corporations, and others are especially prone to the â&#x20AC;&#x153;argument from authorityâ&#x20AC;? fallacy. 84 Using a light with more than one color the experiment will break down, because the efect depends entirely on the wavelength of the photon. Photons of diferent color wavelengths will have diferent paterns through the slit. A red photon will be larger than a blue photon, and so will its magnetic field. Photons passing over an object will bend from the interaction of the magnetic fields. A small enough slit will produce the paterns seen in the experiment but a large slit will not, as the photon's magnetic field will not interfere with the slit. When the photon passes through a slit with two sides some photons will bend in one direction and some will bend in an other direction. This efect is light difraction, but because two slits are being used the difraction will form an interference patern. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What we observe is not nature itself, but nature exposed to our method of questioningâ&#x20AC;? Heisenberg 3.02 The Logic of E=MC2 We can observe the contracting of space in a photon. As information about a photon of light exits a medium it is observed to be 'pushed' as it leaves. This efect is space being ordered, contracting via spacetime. Through a medium, space needs to contract more in order to maintain its integrity relative to its logical narrative, as the density of the medium does not allow space to contract in the same way as it did outside of the medium. As it exits it is still contracting itself as it had been in the medium and again adjusts its contractions to the environment. We can observe this repulsion/atraction efect as it repels itself away from one aspect of its perspective to another, expanding and contracting information at the same time. 3.02 Perhaps a more accurate measurement would be 299,261 km/s, as true vacuums do not exist (as it would also need to disallow perception and instruments to measure it). The measurement of light in a vacuum would only be relevant if the Sun did not contain 99.85% of the solar system's mass and the mass was spread uniformly throughout the solar system. Like anything else, light must always travel through a medium and cannot travel in a vacuum. 3.02 We can also use this information to determine that there are 17 layers of the solar system, the size of each layer, the charge of each layer, and so on. And inside of the sun's core is another set of 17 layers (that resist the 17 of the solar system). The edge of this inner solar system has a value of 149,896 km/s, which is the interface layer with our own. 3.02 The solar system is only 20 years old, as our Sun takes about 225 million years to complete one orbit around its galactic center (one Solar year). Our galaxy is moving at about 2,100,000 kilometers per hour through whatever system it's in, if we consider cosmic background radiation to be a kind of local frame of reference. If you stand completely still for one minute, you've still moved more than 35,000 kilometers through space. That's just the speed of our galaxy as it makes its way around the galactic center and does not include Earth's rotation speed (1,600 km/hour at the equator), Earth's revolution around the sun (about 107,000 km/hour), and the sun's orbit in the galaxy (792,000 km/hour), and who knows what else. The sun carries the Earth with it around the galaxy, which itself is carried around other things in space. We are born and live all our lives in the rotation of the earth so we do not feel this acceleration. But it's safe to say that the Earth has never been in the same space twice. Space and time need all the information they can get. 3.02 There is no need for multiple axes of space when time already performs that function with regards to space. 85 3.03 3.03 The RF and IF fields emerge from the same core: The Relative Field The Relative Field (RF) has the force of 'Order' at its foundation. This field organizes relationships and is the basis for relationships in spacetime. It corresponds to the prime number part of perspective â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 011235 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and is an aspect of time. 86 As there are four states of mater for each of the three elements needed to form a relationship (Structure, Potential, and Interaction), and two potentials for each state (Chaos Potential and Order Potential), we end up with 24 phases. Every third phase is a major phase, and every fourth major or sub-major phase is a fundamental phase. These phases are organized like the hours of the day, with 24 phases surrounding a center hub. Each of the twenty-four phases forms a cycle which, in turn, is part of a larger cycle that consists of three phases. This allows every phase to perform either a minor, sub-major, or major role, depending on the cycle.26 The three cycles will form a double toroidal vortex when brought to life by the Interactive Filed (IF). As the RF represents relationships, inter-phase paterns will form. For example, prime numbers distribute in the minor phases that surround major and fundamental phases. Elements in the periodic table are also arranged according to this cycle. The major and fundamental phases correspond to the four states of mater: In any system, the fundamental phases are the most extreme. As extreme chaos is balanced by extreme order, the fundamental phases are the origin of all of the other phases. There are two fundamental phases. The following is an example of the RF's fundamental phases as related to the Earth (and Sun). The fundamental phases can be thought of as extreme positive and negative potentials in the process of harmonizing. 26 You can think of each phase as being an hour of the day, with a shif every three hours and a bigger shif every six hours. The day is divided into negative (night) and positive (day), which is an illustration of the fundamental force. 87 [Note: The above example illustrates a non-random, continuous probability distribution of positive and negative states. The side of the Earth that the sun faces at a particular time would be a net-positive potential with the other side being a net-negative potential.] There is no such thing as a point charge that is entirely negative or positive. What is measured is the net charge, which is made up of sub-charges of positive and negative. The Earth, for example, will be net negative, as it balances out the net positives surrounding it. If the RF reminds you of the electric field in an isolated charge to you, that's because it is. 88 89 [It is important to note that this 2D grid represents 3D axes. A particle rotating at its major phase from top to botom, for example, would be spinning on its axis and have a net negative charge.] It is interesting to note that a religious symbol, the monstrance, has a similar depiction of fundamental, major, and sub-major phases, symbolized by a cross and its emanations. The Jewish cross also has a similar arrangement. We could conjecture that the saying, “Jesus died on the cross,” is an allegory to represent the end of the 24-phase cycle, afer which the process begins again afer a “resurrection afer 3 days” at the end of the three phases, or 72 hours. Being 'nailed' to the cross could represent a lack of movement with regards to the position of the hands (fundamental phases) and feet (major phase), as a total harmonic balance of forces is reached at the end of the cycle. There seem to be other correlations between the Jesus story and the chaos/order cycle, such as the 12 disciples (12 axes of rotation of the 24-phase cycle), many of the sayings (e.g., “...truth, light, and way” perhaps being symbolic of the nucleus, information, and path of the information; “Not through seeking will you find me [busyness and chaos], but through Peace [balance]”; “...I am the way, No one can go to the father except through me”; “I am the Door”) and various 'miracles' and events. 3.03 Distribution of the elements in the 24-phase cycle (RF). 90 3.03 Prime numbers are simply numbers that don't have any other numbers folded into it. Here is how they are distributed in the 24-phase cycle: 91 The fields can also be seen in music: 92 3.03 And plants: 3.03 The Interactive Field (IF) has the force of 'Chaos' at its foundation. This field facilitates interactions and is the basis for interaction in spacetime. It corresponds to the recursive number sequence part of perspective – 011235. The IF could be pictured as a three-dimensional logarithmic spiral whose growth factor is a balance of positive and negative forces (ideally phi). Think of the IF as wavelength. [There's already too much chaos, so the IF will not be illustrated here, other than some parts of RF illustrations.] 3.04 Folding uand Unfolding As an illustration of space expansion and time contraction, let's imagine you were a Flatlander of two dimensions and had 10 minutes to spend with a round apple, which changed into a juicy apple that you could spend another 10 minutes with. If you moved to three-dimensional space, space will contract as time will expand. Now you have 20 minutes to spend with a round and juicy apple, followed by 20 minutes to spend with a roten apple. And if you moved to four dimensions there will be more contraction of space and expansion of time so that you experience 40 minutes with a round, juicy, and roten apple all at the same time. A contraction of time doesn't mean that time doesn't exist. Although time is an illusion, we still experience it where perspective is concerned. If there is perspective there is movement and energy. If there is movement and energy, there is some aspect of time. It is for this reason there is a 'speed' of light. If you were to look out to the sun, for example, you would see the expansion of space. This would require time to contract, so you would experience “two times” at once – the first being your present time and the second being 8 minutes ago. There is really only one time, but the force of chaos divides it into a seemingly endless degree of spaces. 3.04 This method of folding and unfolding is also used in modern computers for arithmetic and is an ancient method of counting cofee beans still in use in Kenya today. 3.05 Energy Photons are just as abstract as the interactions they represent. The things they represents are also representations. 93 3.05 This energy communication might be interpreted as 'gravity' when it is just charges communicating. This interpretation is influenced by the radius of the Chaonic Field and the direction of charges. The information that we call gravity changes as the radius of the field does. 3.05 A flower does not smell as a nose does because it would not be eficient for it to do so. It would take far too much information for the collection of atoms and molecules that we call a 'flower' to smell like a nose. When is a nose not a nose? When it is no longer eficient for the atoms and molecules to maintain balance with the geometry and motion that leads you to interpret it as a 'nose'. The particles that make up your body can be anything in the universe. But right now they are most eficiently your body. Our interpretations of reality also follow this patern. Any person, place, thing, event, etc., is most eficiently whatever it is interpreted to be right now. Our interpretations are complex relationships that confuse us into solidifying their reality as we interact. Ours is the perspective that requires the least number of other interactions to be. We pick out paterns to make sense of reality where no paterns really exist. Those paterns then become an aspect of our reality, allowing us to build the logical narrative of our lives. You're born, you grow up, you go to school, you work, you die â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and everything in between. Without the ability to illustrate the narrative by puting some relationships before others, much of the meaning is removed. Spacetime helps us to relate with others in manageable chunks. 3.06 Muass uand Being A note about scalar and vector units. Scalar units measure magnitude on a scale (such as mass or time). Vector units take magnitude and add direction. In QMe, however, vector units are a kind of added dimension of scalar units. They are scalar units in motion. Scalar units express the magnitude of relationships in units, while vector units is magnitude set into motion. 94 To illustrate how a unit could have a dual nature, imagine a person that is tall and a pedestrian at the same time. In some aspects of perspective, a person cannot be experienced as a pedestrian while being tall at the same time (e.g., Carl Sagan's 'flatland'). How we are measuring something is an important consideration when measuring anything, like a photon. 3.07 Velocity uand Motion Time appears to move forward because we are 'pointing our poles' of perspective towards the direction of interaction in our wakeful state, so to speak. If we were pointing them backward towards relationships as we do while we're sleeping (and had always been doing so) we 95 probably wouldn't know the diference. 3.07 For a more accurate depiction of the orbit of planets in our solar system see htps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwaTzpNo4BA 3.09 Modern Science, Arguuable, Huas Un-scientific Founduations Chaotic systems based on authority and legacy tend to sufer from the argument from authority and sunk cost biases. We assume that the technological and scientific progress made over the past few hundred years could have not been far exceeded with a diferent kind of approach to science. We haven't experienced an alternative, so we have had nothing to compare our progress to. This is not an argument against science, however. Qite the contrary, an argument for the scientific method to be applied to where it will have greatest efect. If we, for example, were to make science more objective at points of interaction (publishing, funding, and peer review) how would it be diferent from today's environment? That science research cannot be published objectively should demonstrate one of the ways we could begin applying the scientific method to science. If a scientist is bribed or pressured (via funding and de-funding) to subscribe to and promote a certain logical narrative and ignore others, it would be folly to say that research is being done objectively. A researcher that depends on grants and funding from any outside organization will likely be influenced by the needs, opinions, policies, and other influences of that organization, rendering their eforts subjective. Another researcher may not even begin to pursue a hypothesis that may possibly find others in strong disagreement. Further, if the impetus is subjective, the research will not be objective. Subjectivity makes most, if not all, of the sciences a circular SPPI system that is beneficial to us in a certain kind of way that we've become accustomed to, but one where fundamental assumptions are not questioned, only one kind of understanding is presumed to exist, and the logical narrative is emotionally and vehemently defended. How can we pursue parallel universes in spacetime while at the same time waste time arguing against parallel theories? How can anyone insist that 10-dimensional worlds exist while ignoring the other 9 dimensions of a particular argument? If we were to apply the scientific method to science itself, what illusions would we uncover? What logical fallacies would unveil themselves, such as thinking that if we don't know how to measure something (e.g., consciousness) then it is unmeasurable? Thinking, perhaps, that if we cannot imagine something and don't know anyone else who can, then it must be impossible? Rather than destroying our current method of scientific reasoning we can, instead, learn to balance the equation with a more harmonic relationship that takes into consideration the necessity of opposing forces to hold up a solid foundation, much like the Ancient Greeks and Romans did when building structures that can outlast most any we build today using brute force. Instead of approaching these big, ancient questions about the universe with a small, crumbling handful of logical fallacies in tow let us begin to observe from the origin of perspective. --If you like this book please rate it on Amazon at htps://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FB6ML0O Thank you! 96
Deduction
Who wrote The Communist Manifesto (1848) and Das Kapital (1867)?
Quantum Metaphysics: Consciousness, Life, Your Reality, and the Mysteries of the Universe Explained by Chaon - issuu issuu Issuu on Google+ Quantum Metuaphysics by Anthony O. Neuron Puart 1: The Wuay to Understuand Everything [page 3] Puart 2: Being Humuan [page 31] Puart 3: Exploring the Universe with Quantum Metuaphysics [page 56] Notes [page 74] If you like this book please rate it on Amazon at htps://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FB6ML0O For more books and information visit htp://Qmetaphysics.com Copyright 2016 Anthony O. Neuron All Rights Reserved Puart 1: Understuanding Who uand Whuat You Reually Are 1.00 Introduction On these pages you will discover how there is one common denominator that unites, and is the source of, everything in your reality: perspective. But consider that you cannot see anything that is beyond your own perception. You don't know what someone else is really experiencing, for example, and you don't know what they even look like outside of your brain's interpretation of them. If you ask them about what they are really thinking, both your question and their response will still be 100% your perspective. If everything that we can see and know is within us in this way, then a simple understanding of everything might be within our grasp. However, this would also mean that the most fundamental assumption in science â&#x20AC;&#x201C; that we can sense and experience reality directly â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is a logical fallacy. But can we really understand everything when at least 95% of the universe is a complete mystery to scientists, and we are unable to perceive more than 99% of the electromagnetic spectrum of light, sound, and other energies that make up our reality? Can we understand who we really are when considering the scientific fact that less than 1% of our body's DNA is human and only about 10% of our body's cells are of human origin? Can we understand reality when we have very litle understanding of consciousness, and a third of our life is a mystery because we don't know what dreams are? Can we really know any part of who we are when we have litle understanding of our deeper, subconscious self? Can we understand the universe when time and gravity are just as mysterious as human intelligence and emotions? What does it mean that we can understand the origins of a sandwich we made five minutes ago more than the origins of a belief we've held onto for twenty years? Can we really change our reality as we please when we can sit in a chair but have no idea what is happening with the physics and biochemical reactions of our body to be able to sit in the chair? And, is there any way to understand everything that could be easily understood? Qantum Metaphysics (QMe) answers not only the most fundamental questions that we have about the nature of reality but can also answer more simple and practical questions that we have about our everyday lives. The practical application of QMe, called Logia, will also be discussed, though will be covered more in-depth in another book. One of the core principles of QMe is that when you perceive reality what you are actually sensing is the relationship between the things that you think you are perceiving, not the things themselves. It is easy to look at an object and think you are looking directly at it, without realizing what you are seeing is nearly 100% empty space. It is easy to think of something, like a word or a number, and forget that they are merely representations for other things and only seem real because we are relating them with other things that also seem real. In QMe, for example, 'hot' is the relationship between both a 'hot' and 'cold' and has no meaning by itself. You can't define one without the other; a reality between two illusions. On your way towards understanding the universe you will learn how all of reality is this relationship between illusions, given real life by interaction. You will also learn how creating reality as you wish can be as simple as re-interpreting the relationships that are already there (rather than wasting efort trying to change the illusions that aren't really there) and gain the wisdom of understanding that these illusions are the only way to experience reality. Once you begin to understand the basics of QMe you will learn how it can be applied to anything that you perceive and experience, to change your reality, solve dificulties, create the life you want, and experience a kind of living that you did not before realize was even possible. This book will not just tell you about the Logian way but will also show you how to find this understanding everywhere in your experience so that you can draw your own 3 conclusions. However, people ofen prefer to understand the reality around them in the compelling life dramas and convincing illusions that they experience. These experiences are also very meaningful â&#x20AC;&#x201C; despite what they may look like on the surface â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but it's always good to at least know what is really going on, how you're actually doing it, and how to 'change the channel' when you need to. QMe is a step beyond quantum physics, which is very slowly becoming a less mechanical way of looking at the universe and more about consciousness and metaphysics as physicists understand more about reality. If metaphysics is about understanding the fundamental nature of being, and quantum is defined as the minimum amount of any physical entity involved in an interaction, then quantum metaphysics can be defined as the fundamental process of how we come to know and understand anything. The quest to know and understand the ultimate force in our lives seems to be as old as humanity itself. Philosophers have debated the meaning of existence and the origins of reality for thousands of years. Religions have sought to provide some meaning to life's big questions. Today, cosmologists search for an ultimate theory that explains all physical aspects of the universe in a single law. Despite millennia of thinking about it, the answers to the universe's ultimate questions seem to escape us. If we have been looking for something for thousands of years it wouldn't make sense to continue with the same fundamental assumptions and evolving the same types of questions. It would make more sense to get rid of as many assumptions as possible so that we could ask a diferent dimension of questions. Why continue doing what doesn't really work? Would the 'ultimate answer' really come from the same types of people who ask the same types of questions decade afer decade, or is it more likely to come from a completely unexpected place? Isn't the answer also something we would not expect? QMe seeks to provide a simple illustration of the forces at work in your reality so that the information is more accessible to your understanding. Though there is no end to how complex something can be made, it's important that the foundation of QMe is as simple as possible, especially as we apply it to more complex things. While QMe may be dificult to understand for those of us who are quite sure about the reality we live in, we will try to make this understanding easier by illustrating how the same basic rules apply to anything that can be perceived. You can easily test QMe today to see if it really works for you. Information is born to be free and so naturally tries to propagate in all directions. This makes the true nature of things actually quite easy to discover if we aren't biased or blocking it from reaching us. Information about unlocking the mysteries of your reality should be the essence of freedom. The price of this freedom is your ability to think and decide for yourself what can be applied to your own reality. But we ofen prefer to save mental energy and subscribe to thoughts and beliefs rather than thinking for ourselves, so we ofen don't get the information we need to figure out what's really going on. That said, some later parts of this book may require patience as we introduce new ways of thinking as well as several new concepts about the world around us. Also, some parts will seem repetitive. That's because the entire book is based of of a single equation that could be easily explained in one paragraph. Fortunately, this is a cow with plenty of delicious milk and, like the universe, we will just re-fashion the same basic formula in as many diferent ways as we can so that you can more easily understand these new concepts. Nearly every concept in this book is illustrated with examples. We encourage you to find examples of your own and see how they can be applied to your own life and the things you already know well. Thoughtful experience will always taste beter than any book ever could. 4 There are three parts to this book plus some important section notes aferwards. Feel free to start with Part 2 if you aren't ready for some of the concepts yet, or skip around as you'd like. Try section 2.01: What is the Meaning of Life? (page 31) or section 2.12: The Key to Wealth (page 46). If you want a litle dose of QMe, try section 1.12: You Experience Your Interpretation of Reality, Not Reality Itself (page 28). Part 1 covers the basics of QMe, from the true nature of reality to perspective. It also details and explains the core 'God Equation' used throughout the book. Part 2 is about happiness, consciousness, finding balance in life, how to become wealthy using QMe, and what it means to be human. Part 3 explains how just about everything you know about the universe – time, space, energy, mater, gravity and more – is wrong. And why. If you enjoy this free book, it would mean a lot to me if you rated it on Amazon. This will make it much easier for others to find it, too: htps://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FB6ML0O (Thank you!) Our journey begins with a story. 1.01 The Story of the Boy uand the Genie There once was a boy who met a genie. The genie gave him 3 wishes. "I wish for an endless supply of wishes," the boy commanded with a smart grin. "Very well," said the genie, herself smirking, not having heard that one before. "You have an endless supply of wishes, plus two." The boy didn't take long to think of another wish. It was something that he had been thinking of for quite some time. He wished for a spaceship to take him far away from Earth, which immediately appeared. He used it to travel quite far away from his home, his parents, and his friends, and along the way he wished for things like air, food, water, friends to play with, and anything else he wanted. Although the journey to other worlds was fun, afer a while he grew tired and wished for an endless amount of physical energy so that he'll never have to rest. Though even afer that he still had an unlimited supply of wishes lef, which somehow comforted him for now. Yet, he was still quite lonely because he continued to realize that his every experience, from his friends to the air he breathed, was an illusion. “They only came to be and came to play because I wished it,” he thought. It was all an illusion, really. He eventually came back to Earth because he grew lonely and missed the things he could not control. He was actually tired of creating his reality, and missed dreaming about things and geting excited about them. He missed fighting with his brother because it also meant that he liked making up with him and felt good about his ability to defend himself or try to run faster. He missed his homework because it gave him something to do and meant that he would have a sense of accomplishment when he finished it. He missed his parents because even though he didn't agree with everything they said and it was far from a perfect family, they had been there since the beginning and know him beter than anyone else. Along the way, he had somehow lost all hope. But he was hoping to gain it back. Afer considering all of this for quite some time he decided that life is beter lef to its own elements. His last wish from his endless supply was to 'undo' his first wish, and return the endless supply of wishes back to the genie. He destroyed his never-in-a-lifetime chance at geting whatever he wanted. 5 He lived a much happier life afer that for a number of years. But still, in the back of his mind was the lingering thought that it was all an illusion. That somehow his life, which he was now quite happy with, was something that he wished for and wasn't real. Perhaps it was all just a dream that he wished for as he talked in his sleep, and the genie hadn't told him. He wanted to feel more secure than that. He wanted life to be itself, chaotic and wild and good and bad, and to be as real as it could possibly be. He wanted to feel alive. "What could be worse than feeling one does not exist?" he would ask himself. This troubled him far too much and he soon began to lose sleep over it. One day he made a decision. He finally used his second wish. "I wish I never met the genie!" he exclaimed. With those words and a puf of smoke the genie disappeared, never to return again. In some ways it was already too late. Having had an endless supply of wishes, the boy was a genie himself. But for the remainder of his life he never once considered it, nor thought it was even possible. His best wish, by far, was to be able to forget that he ever knew that part of himself and all the things he could do by simply asking for it. And for the remainder of his life he never realized he had one more wish lef. 1.02 We Do Not Actuually Wuant to Be Omniscient, But Become Omniscient Imagine you could do anything, be anything, know anything, simultaneous to the desire or want or need. Imagine you were an omnipotent being in all imaginable (and unimaginable) ways. How boring and purposeless would that be? How would forgeting who and what you are â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and trying to find your way back â&#x20AC;&#x201C; be far more exciting? What greater challenge could there be? How much more meaningful would your understanding be if you actually had to work for it? How much more would you be able to interact with something if you interacted with its every detail? How wonderful would it be to feel that every day you find yourself in is new and fresh? How interesting would it be to create wonderful illusions to bring a sense of purpose to your existence? Could limiting your infinite potential make more sense than experiencing infinity? Becoming omniscient is exciting, but actually being omniscient is not only boring, but something that we are deeply afraid of. It would mean that there is nothing else, and you are ultimately and endlessly alone in all directions of space and time. How infinitely bored would you be if you already knew everything and had experienced everything already? We want to forget that we are already everything-at-once so that we have something else to relate to and interact with. If you are everything already, what reasonable choice do you have other than to pretend you are not and put all kinds of obstacles in the way to make it impossible for you to discover who you really are without first going through all the illusions? Without the illusions there would be no experience because there would be nothing else with which to compare. Forming relationships with these illusions to create reality is what you do. The more you relate to and interact with the parts of yourself that you have forgoten, the more meaningful your existence is. 1.03 How Is It Possible to Understuand the Universe? The central thesis of this book is that everything that could possibly be perceived works in the same simple way because what we are sensing and experiencing is the simplicity of how perspective works. We look at the sun and forget that the sun we see is not only as far away as our own perspective but works in the same way as our perspective does. All we need to do to understand everything is understand how anything comes to have a reality in our 6 perspective. All we need to do to understand the universe is understand what is actually happening when we experience reality. The only thing that is 'universal' is your perspective. So, then, what is the universe? QMe shows us that any 'theory of everything' starts with you. It is in your perspective that the birds chirp, cup falls, sun shines, and everything else happens. As you cannot see or know beyond your own perception, everything that you could possibly experience happens because of it. By understanding the way we perceive of anything we can understand absolutely everything. If the universe is simple at its core, shouldn't an understanding of it be, as well? QMe introduces a new kind of physics that nearly anyone can do – a social physics, if you will – that is a far more powerful tool for the average person than anything ever before conceived. It allows you to perform simple natural language equations in your head, using everyday words and concepts to figure out just about anything you want. Whereas standard physics seeks to explain the simplicity of the universe with complex maths and equations that no one really understands, QMe seeks to democratize an understanding of the universe, life, and all existence using simple methods that are freely accessible to all. The science and technology we come up with are simply ways to evolve an understanding (and a language) of who we really are and help us to relate with the core of our being just as much as politics, entertainment, and every other aspect of human life does. However, we are not machines, holograms, citizens, or stars in the grand scheme of things. We are living, energetic consciousnesses who are in the process of finding out that everything in our perspective is an intimate part of our own equation. QMe presents a unified theory of reality in its equation of perspective, the 'God Equation', which can be applied to anything you can imagine and illustrates the very simple way that your reality works, how things become more complex, and how you can apply this understanding to the life of everyday situations. Although this book ofers some guidance along the way, how you choose to use the information (or not) is entirely up to you. 1.04 Whuat You See Are Interfuaces to Reluationships You Don't See Maths is thought to be the pathway to understanding all of reality. However, it is the only science that does not need to be based on reality. We will never understand the true nature of reality with complex maths or any of the other sciences, but they are certainly useful in helping us to formulate more interesting questions. Where maths excels is helping us to understand that reality can exist in an abstraction. When we aren't distracted by illusions we can focus more easily on the relationship between things rather than the things themselves. A number by itself is meaningless and is simply an interface to something else that is more complicated. It is the same with words and language. We know that words are representations for other things and do not contain the realities they represent. But ofen, these representations are good-enough approximations for what we want to do. All we need to do is use a simple word like “financing” and someone else can understand the more complicated concept we are trying to convey. The leters used in a language aid in everything from thinking to communicating to understanding, which is done by transforming complex things into simpler things, allowing us an interface with complex things in a much more eficient way. We use interfaces all throughout our reality to make sense of it and help us create and discover meaning in our lives. The remote control to a television, for example, allows someone to interface with the more complicated functions of the device such as re-programming the setings or finding another signal. Using our senses we can see, hear, taste, touch, and smell 7 our surroundings that first come to us as complex electromagnetic signals. You can – using just 26 leters of the English alphabet in your mind to interact with your fingers – write just about anything you can possibly imagine as a way to interface with other experiences. You can literally draw a combination of abstract symbols on a page to change reality, build things, fall in love, retell entire histories, start revolutions, move people to tears, end wars, change your life, inspire people to change their own lives, create music, write a prescription that can save someone's life, create a legacy for your ofspring, and a countless other things. Throughout history, the mixing up of shapes and sounds into language was powerful enough to serve as the foundation for humanity's actions as it adopted agriculture, formed governments, built large pyramidal structures, applied medicine, put Europe in the Dark Ages for 1,000 years, started the Renaissance, bought and sold enslaved Irish, Africans, and others, then brought their progeny out of enslavement, wiped out entire populations, started new countries, made billions of people believe in a particular way of thinking, put humans in space, built planet-wide networks of information creation and sharing, and so much more. On a biological level a mere 4 'leters' of DNA are able to communicate the instructions for life itself and carry the codes of your distant ancestors from hundreds of thousands of years ago. But where we tend to focus on the illusions (the words, numbers, etc.) and get distracted by their infinite potential, QMe focuses on the relationships between the illusions. Using this method we can clearly define who and what we really are, and also use it do re-define ourselves as whatever we wish. You don't need to understand what it all means right now. We will discover the meaning in this book, illustrate its usefulness in everyday life, and also use it to answer some of life's most important questions. Qestions like, “What should I be doing with my life,” or, “How can I interact with people beter?” are just as useful as, “What is time and space?” Time and space are interesting – and will be covered in the last section – but perhaps not as valuable as understanding why your reality is the way it is. What good would understanding the universe be if you could not use that wisdom to improve your life and tweak the details of your experience? What sense would it make to have a deep understanding of the universe and of reality but it not being enough to satisfy feelings of loneliness, pain, or even hunger? The world that we experience is a representation of the reality that we don't experience. But first, let's find out more about things that aren't so obvious. 1.05 How Would the Universe Perceive Itself? Imagine that you were the universe, and you had no way to 'know' that you existed because there was nothing else to compare yourself with. You might be inclined to divide yourself up into a seemingly infinite number of pieces and forget that you did just that, allowing each piece to interact with the other so that they could form relationships and make the illusion stronger. With strong illusions, your existence is obvious. You would then perceive yourself through every minor detail. You would see yourself as being the smallest of particles and would look to other particles as other individuals, not realizing that you were looking at yourself. These individuals would sometimes find commonalities and group together to form larger individuals, much as the cells and other parts of your body group together and realize themselves not as individuals but as you, but can continue to function as individuals (as you yourself continue to do in your reality). And here you are. At your core, you're very simple and all about relationships. But as you expand outwards and begin to busy yourself with an infinite variety of stuf so that your 8 reality comes to life, interaction and movement take on a greater role. The feeling of existence this interaction provides is quite meaningful, but is also meaningless without the relationships that keep everything centered and balanced. This endless dance of chaos and order provides the energy that makes existence possible. It is here â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in the harmonic notes and the measured silence between them â&#x20AC;&#x201C; that we find the music of perspective. It should be quite obvious to us now that we can determine the basic nature of all reality by taking a closer look at the only way we could possibly know of reality â&#x20AC;&#x201C; perception. And it is no coincidence that the secret of perception is actually hiding in plain sight: in the nature of the human eye. Let's take a look at how reality works from the QMe perspective of the eye: In modern science, the muscles in the eye expand and contract to allow for more or less light to enter the pupil, as needed. In QMe, information (and energy) is never wasted, and photons of light communicate information to all parts of the eye regardless of how expanded the pupil is. Just as the eye is a way to channel information to the brain, light is a way to channel information to the eye. To illustrate what is going on at the core of reality, let's imagine that any photon of light entering the eye has two states: static and dynamic. When the photon is at rest in its static state it is communicating information about relationships (or, geometry). When the photon is in its dynamic state it is in motion and communicating information about interactions (or, movement). In order to see something, you need to have both kinds of information at the same time. But the more you have about one kind, the less you can have about the other. The more information you have about relationships, the less information you have about interactions. When there are less photons hiting the eye in low-light environments, for example, the pupil of the eye will expand to allow information about the geometry of the environment to dominate. When there is a lot of light from lots of photons hiting your eye in bright environments, your pupil will contract to sacrifice information about geometry for more information about interactions. The outer edge of the eye is best used to perceive movement (such as in peripheral vision) whereas geometry can best be perceived from the center of the eye (such as by looking at something directly). When geometry and movement combine, the result is an energy that we call vision. 9 The entire universe works in the exact same way, as will be illustrated throughout this book. The forces of Order and Chaos (geometry and movement, or time and space) combine to form energy in the form of light, the present time, Bob Barker, water, and everything else that can be perceived. (This is also basically expressed in Einstein's famous E=MC2 equation, as we will explore in the next section and in Part 3 of this book.) You can also imagine perspective as a wheel. In the center, the wheel appears to turn more slowly. But as you get further and further away from the center, it seems to turn faster and faster. When you are at the center you can see how everything relates and has a common origin, but you won't really know about how things are interacting like you would if you were further away and could see more of the motion going on. (But, of course, the more you know about interactions the less you know about relationships.) When these two kinds of information come together (geometry and motion) then you get perspective. There is no energy (or perspective) without these two opposing forces resisting each other. These two opposing forces essentially allow there to be existence. This is the essence of QMe. Throughout this book we will demonstrate how these two forces work together to form everything in your reality. But first, let's briefly illustrate this process with the example of the physical layers of our planet and its atmosphere: At the core there is an over-abundance of density (Order) which is met with an overabundance of expansion (Chaos) to balance it out. Each successive cycle balances out even more until a kind of threshold, or equilibrium, is reached. The density near the core of the Earth is surrounded by an expanding layer of liquid, which is itself surrounded by a layer of dense hematite, surrounded by liquid oxygen, then a solid layer, and so on. A dense layer over an expanding layer over a dense layer, and so on. We will explore not only how all of life follows this harmonic, alternating patern but provide you with the easy-to-understand formula (the 'God Equation') so that you can begin 10 to make use of it in your own life. This process is how everything comes into existence and is thus how you know of yourself. It is how you perceive of reality and is the key to understanding the entire universe that exists in your perspective. It gives us all that we know: life, mater, details, emotions, spacetime, DNA and other biological processes, thoughts, desires, people, energy, places, understanding, and everything else. All of these are not things but processes that are happening entirely within your perspective. 1.06 The Energy of Perspective [Feel free to skip to another section, such as 1.10: From Being the Universe to Being Human (page 24). The next two sections that discuss the essence of reality could be a bit confusing.] When the two kinds of information (relationships and interactions) come together we have something that can be perceived. Let's see it work with Einstein's famous equation, E=MC2, and we'll move on to more Earthly things afer. This equation states that energy is equal to mass (times light speed squared). In QMe, however, energy is what you get when the two opposing forces come together harmoniously. And, light is basic information about things. It is no coincidence that we can see, hear, taste, touch, and smell, think, and know of things because of photons of light. In QMe, light either carries information about relationships or about interactions. When it carries information about relationships we call it mass. When it carries information about interactions we call it velocity. When it carries both, it is transformed into something else we call energy (among other things, as we'll see later). What Einstein may not have known at the time is that a photon has two speeds: the speed at the center of the photon and the speed on the edge – or, the speed of relationships and the speed of interactions, respectively. This is somewhat hinted at in the dual nature of light (in the geometry of particles and the motion of waves) but isn't really explored in quantum physics. However, it is essential for an understanding of the nature of reality. At the center of a photon space is contracted and time is expanded. The very center is abstract and beyond perspective, but normally things hang out just outside of the center. This makes for a very, very small photon and also allows all relationships to exist in the same time. The speed just outside the center is commonly referred to as 'light speed'. The speed closer to the edge is a square of the light speed, the C2 in his equation. However, this is also 'light speed' and is the maximum velocity of information before it changes into something else. (Considered instantaneous, for all intents and purposes, such as with the force of gravity – also in the photon cycle – needing to propagate much faster than the light we see. From our physical perspective it will look as though the information was being compressed, or folded, and moving at light speed. This compression of information is gravity, as we'll see in Part 3.) Similar to what we know about an electron, a photon has more than one 'energy level'. In order for the information of a photon to jump to the next level, so to speak, it needs to double itself via motion (increasing chaos) until it approaches its own square (the square of the atrest component). The speed of light is not the speed of light as we know it, but the diference between the two kinds of forces (if the units are transformed) that allows it to transmit information. We see the information only while it is being transmited. Light does not really travel, but interacts and relates. Further, there is no real 'spin' of a photon or electron but an illustration of the movement of information as it relates (geometry+motion). Another way to look at this apparent motion 11 is to imagine streams of spiralling bits of information coming from the center of a photon as information is exchanged between the photon and other photons. Just as a child could swing higher and higher by first rocking back and forth slowly, information at the center swings between chaos and order to increase its 'motion' and propagate itself to higher levels and communicate at further distances. In order to increase speed it needs to 'swing' in one direction. This process, to us, looks like particles are spinning when it is the information that appears to spin. We can measure the speed at which some of the information propagates, but not all. We can observe and measure light travelling at 'light speed', for example, but not travelling just below the square of 'light speed' because the energy is beyond the reach of the perspective we are measuring and observing from. If you were to pick up a phone and call your sister in Miami while you were in Dublin, we would not say that you travelled at light speed. Another observer, however, may wonder how you were able to have an efect in both Dublin and Miami at nearly the same time. The information propagating through the network from the two points could even be traced, with enough sleuthing. From your location in Dublin you were able to change something in Miami, but in actuality you wouldn't have needed to take a single step. A photon is the medium through which information propagates. It doesn't move in spacetime but the information it sends out has a velocity as it propagates through space. A photon provides information to all other photons, but there is only resistance with those types of photons that don't have its type of information. When there is no resistance, there is no result from the interaction and we can therefore say that it wasn't sent to those photons at all. The light we see is what happens when the two complementary types of information meet (the processing, so to speak). The speed of light is the measurement of the resistance between these two as the information propagates, not the speed of the photon itself. 12 In QMe, what is called mass is simply light that is relating to things far more that it is interacting with things. It is information that lacks velocity and direction. Because of this, you can consider mass the 'weight' of relationships. Anything that has velocity and motion is light that doesn't have lots of relationship-mass to slow it down. When the two pieces of information come together (MC2) we get energy (E). When it contracts again in another cycle, we get the same thing in another form: mater. In this way, light is both a wave in space (chaos) and a particle in time (order) simultaneously. A wave without structure is just motion, whereas a particle without movement is just mass. A photon would need to be both a particle and a wave in order to exist, as we need both kinds of information – interactions and relationships – to have perception of something. Without both, it 'exists' but cannot be perceived. In QMe, chaos is simply the square of order. The same goes for chaos and order called by other names. Space is the square of time, capacity is the square of ability, profit is the square of capital, atraction is the square of repulsion, etc. Chaos is order in motion, and order is chaos at rest. One side tries to infinitely expand the other side (essentially, multiplying itself), while the other side tries to fold, contracting it. From this, we get the harmonic resistance that we call reality. 1.07 The God Equuation uand Whuat It Meuans for Your Reuality To a Logian, perspective isn't just the way you see something, it is the key to everything. Where logical people usually tend to focus on measurement to understand the things around them, Logians focus more on relationships and understand that measurement without perspective is meaningless. Perspective is what you get when you apply paterns (or, geometric movements) to something in order to perceive it and explore those paterns to make them seem more real. [Illustrated in section 1.08] QMe has many correlations in biology, physics, chemistry, human behaviour, society, religion, engineering, and more. Although QMe isn't derived from any of these, we'll begin with a novel example of something that many are already familiar with from ancient religious texts, as applied to our elementary forces and God Equation. In the beginning, Nothing (a void; a perfectly balanced and harmonic “holy spirit”) pretended to forget what it was in order to exist. From this primary division we have chaos and order. 13 From the resistance of the two forces pulling against each other, we have perspective. Simultaneously, chaos tries to multiply order, and order tries to limit chaos. When chaos tries to multiply order we can see the motion unveiled, which in QMe becomes a child force called interaction. When order tries to limit chaos we can see a relationship, which becomes a child force called structure. The two parent forces and two child forces relating and interacting together gives us the QMe God Equation, the process of all reality: The core of reality is simple: perspective. The essence of perspective is the same as it is with your eye: one thing at the center that can relate more than it can move (i.e., you, a point of observation) but is surrounded by a reality that is always in motion. You can also think of this process of reality like a film, where the magic happens in the relationship between frames rather than in the frames themselves. You could say that you, as the Void, just want to take a picture of yourself to see what you look like. But your camera is so awesome that you don't just take a photo; you make an exact copy. You then realize that if the copy did the same thing, and so on, there would be an 14 uncontrollable infinity. You then decide that in order to limit this potentially endless expansion and focus your existence so that you could actually experience it, you need to limit infinity. However, this is a bit dificult because you cannot just delete the original copy. That's because chaos is still trying to expand while you're trying to limit it. It has already been integrated into all reality. Here's what happens, instead: The result of this is that there is a relationship between the two and a motion (from one half to the other) because they are essentially the same thing pretending to be diferent things. The relationship adds structure to the equation, while the motion adds interaction. Thus, reality is born. The patern of reality is not only obvious in things like water and protein molecules, DNA, virii, the solar system, and spacetime, but also obvious in everything that can be perceived, once you understand that what you are seeing is not a molecule water or the Sun or a picture frame for example, but your perspective. You can only see and experience your perspective. The basic meaning of the God Equation is that reality is relationships in motion. It illustrates how the alternating positive and negative energy flows form a resistance that can be perceived as something. From it, we can understand how reality works at every level, from the more simple: 15 ...to the more complex: We can use it to understand the position of the planets in the solar system, the meaning of space and time, and the four states of mater: The more complex the reality, the more processes that are used to make it up, and the more equations that we would need to understand it. However, at every level the same basic process is taking place. Everything in your perspective conforms to this model, from sub-atomic particles to talking with your best friends about a new television show to your body to the way you walk along the street to entire civilizations and the motion of distant galaxies. 1.08 SPPIs Everywhere! In QMe, the process of forming reality is known as SPPI. This is short for Structure, Potential (Chaos), Potential (Order), and Interaction. The basic physical shape of SPPI is known in science as a torus, the fundamental form of harmonized energy flow. In QMe, the positive and negative energy flows are each one torus, 16 forming a truly balanced process that harmonizes the basic forces in reality. SPPIs are found throughout the universe. Sometimes it is more obvious. 17 And sometimes it is less obvious. 18 SPPI systems are how perspective works. Anything that can be perceived is part of a SPPI system that interacts with other systems. At the center of each system is a representation (“reality”) discovered from the resistance of two opposing forces. The SPPI process that illustrates our equation is called poiesis. Poiesis can be thought of as the emergence of something (mater, for example) out of other things that have also emerged from other things. Like a cell or an arm, it is a parent system with systems both under and above it. [From Wikipedia] Poïesis means "to make" in ancient Greek. (creation, from poiein, to make) This word, the root of our modern "poetry", was first a verb, an action that transforms and continues the world. Neither technical production nor creation in the romantic sense, poïetic work reconciles thought with matter and time, and man with the world. The following illustrates the process of poiesis in a chaos graph (using a spiral) of the human reproductive cycle. It begins at the botom lef when the two strongly opposing forces begin to seek out a balance. At human conception, a patern is reached as the two forces ease into harmony. [See Notes] 19 In the beginning of the human reproductive cycle there is an abundance of chaos (via hundreds of millions of sperm cells, produced by their own SPPI processes) followed by overcontraction (destruction of all but a few sperm), then more expansion (via the acquisition of the ability to fertilize the egg called capacitation) then more contraction (the dissolution of the zona pellucida for a single sperm), then more expansion (via rapid cell division called cleavage) followed by contraction (called compaction) as a balance between the two extremes is found and a fertilized egg implants into the uterus, and so on. This poiesis repeats a number of times over the course of several months until a harmony between chaos and order has been achieved and the reproductive cycle is complete, whereby the mother experiences actual physical contractions and baby is pushed out into another system. Chuaos (expuansion) Order (contruaction) hundreds of millions of sperm calls -- survival of only a few sperm capacitation dissolution of the zona pellucida rapid cell division -compaction ...and so on (alternating cycles of Chaos and Order) It may not seem obvious that the process of reproduction of another human being is exactly the same as how everything else in the universe is formed, but it is the same because the beginning and end of everything that you can perceive is entirely in your perspective. It is 100% within your perspective. SPPIs are how your perspective gives paterns to the Void so that you have a reality. This way, you can interact to form relationships with other parts of yourself (that you have 20 forgoten about) in order to fold them into something more simple and repeat the process again. We don't need to understand anything in detail, only how the relationships and motions work. You don't need not know subconsciously how much the particles in a sandwich weigh before eating it, stripping the sandwich of its electrons in a poiesis that we perceive as tasting only as good as the harmony that made it happen. You can breathe without being aware of how you breathe, and think and jump without being conscious of the many physical and biochemical sub-processes involved. Whenever something is too complicated to perceive directly (meaning, it requires too many interactions, and thus too much energy) you simply fold the complexity by representing it in a way that you can more easily perceive. Rather than being conscious of all the cells in your body, for example, you need only be conscious of your identity. 1.09 Energy is Informuation About Spuace uand Time (uand Perspective) [Feel free to skip to the next section.] Energy is not a force, but information about spacetime. In QMe space and time do not exist independently but only in relationship to each other. Here we will see how the two forces form what we know as spacetime. Chaos represents space and can be thought of as an endless spiral in three dimensions. It has information regarding interactions, but not information about relationships. Order represents time and can be thought of as a polar grid divided into 24 phases (like a clock). It has information regarding relationships, but not information about interactions. Space is time in motion, while time is space at rest. When we see light, we are seeing information about spacetime unfold. Light travelling through space is the velocity at which information about time is accelerated, whereas time is the rate at which information about space is folded. Using motion, chaos seeks to expand away from the void (the center of the grid in the following illustration, and the center of every cycle), while order seeks to contract towards it to begin the cycle again. Space knows the way in which things are repelled away from the center (a spiral, or vortex) while time knows how things are organized relative to the center. Again. each needs information that the other has in order for there to be a reality. 21 This energy-forming dance of chaos and order is inside every process for both living and 22 non-living things in spacetime. The same process that applies to the planets in our solar system also applies to DNA. DNA stores and transmits (geometry and motion) biological information. You could say that the exchange of information via DNA is part of our biological 'energy' that allows us to emerge into human form and continue poiesis as we grow, age, and die. 23 Why does life emerge from the exchange of biological information? When biological information is exchanged, we have biological perspective. Without information about something, there is no perception of it. Without information about our biological existence, we do not have a biological reality. In order for something to have reality, it must share the necessary information about its interactions and relationships. Physical information makes for a physical reality. We are beings, but we are always in the process of becoming. All that is needed is to share the information that is needed for it to exist. If you are a dust mite, for example, you could begin to be something else by exchanging the information you have for whatever it is you wanted to be. The only limitation, therefore, would be your awareness of that information so that the exchange could occur. This is the secret to changing your reality, as we will explore again later. However, this sharing of information can be postponed and is also part of a natural cycle. Build-ups and blockages of any type of information can occur to make for what looks like an imbalance but what is actually just what happens when one of the two fundamental elements is time. Chromosomes, for example, will become more highly negatively oriented as they atract lots and lots of DNA to their centromeres, or nucleus, (order/contraction), which builds up 'potential energy' on the extreme positive side (chaos/expansion) that can be used in rapid cell division1. Within this cycle are sub-cycles that can be harmonious or not, independent from the information of the parent cycles. [For more information on energy, refer to Part 3: Exploring the Universe with Qantum Metaphysics] 1.10 From Being the Universe to Being Humuan Let's step back (way back) and discuss why the process of becoming All-That-Is looks more like a permanent rest stop on Highway Human-being 101. The following is an illustration of what happened (or, rather, what is happening now). Step 1: The void. Without any relationship, there is no perspective. Thus, you do not exist. You aren't even a “nothing”, because even naming it would make it something. Step 2: You realize, “I am nothing.” Beter yet, “This is nothing-in-particular”. You are now omniscient and omni powerful, as all of existence is within your gaze. But don't get too excited; you are the God of Nothing. 1 The highly negative orientation of a chromosome may also give it its unbalanced shape. 24 Step 3: In order to be able to seem like you really exist and not just think you do, you divide yourself up and forget that you did just that. Now you have some friends. Step 4: It doesn't really mater what you divided yourself into. It is random, anyway. But afer a while those “other” shapes begin to take on qualities of their own. Each part also forgets what it (as You) did. Step 5: Perception is interaction, which forms relationships. You perceive first those paterns that are most like your small slice of “me”. (For example, if you are “red” you will focus on red first, then other colors afer.) Because perception happens in a logical way, a logical narrative forms (geometry+motion). A point becomes a line becomes a box becomes something you can put something else inside. It becomes real because you can interact with it in diferent ways and think about where it came from and where it is going. It is only 'real' in relationship to other things that also seem real. In a universe of illusions, it's all reality. 25 Step 6: As you interact with the complexity of the experience and the experience becomes more complex, you end up focusing on its details so much you forget that the story isn't real. The illusion becomes the reality. Complexity makes for reality, but the true reality is between the illusions (in the relationships) not in the things themselves that you randomly made up. The more involved in the drama you are the more real it seems. Now your focus is so intense you have forgoten that you are everything. Step 7: As a human, you focus on the interpretation of the relationships rather than the relationships themselves. Although you are perfectly free to interpret the relationships however you want, you are so focused on the things that you can experience with your perception you don't actually sense reality. Instead, you are focused on the compelling dramas, because the complexity of relationships and interaction makes you feel like you exist. Step 8: You interpret these metaphysical relationships as human relationships with family, friends, work, self, society, etc. If you had another kind of perspective you would interpret the metaphysical relationships in another kind of way. There is nothing wrong with any interpretation, of course. That was the purpose all along: to feel like you exist through 26 relationships with the parts of yourself that you have willingly forgoten. Everything that can be perceived is done so through this two-phase cycle where one side seeks to expand to keep from becoming Nothing while the other side seeks to contract to a state of complete balance, starting the cycle all over again. Neither infinity nor complete balance is possible, but the illusion must prevail if each force is to efect a resistance that is the reality that we experience. 1.11 The Wuay of Logiua So what's the point of being a Logian and becoming omniscient if understanding everything is so boring and purposeless? Again, the point is not to be omniscient but be aware that one is already. The journey is the interesting part, as human life can atest. The purpose of the Logian way is to experience what is called equilibrative spacetime consciousness (or ESC), a state of being that is a more harmonious balance of chaos and order that allows us to not only be aware of the illusions but to create reality directly. Although we don't need distracting illusions and dramas to feel like we exist, once you can can understand reality you can change it and re-interpret the relationships that are already there. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everything is here all ready. You just aren't seeing it yet!â&#x20AC;? By understanding how your perspective works, you can re-interpret the existing relationships to build your own illusions and dramas in whatever way you want. Everything that exists, from atoms to food to spacetime to objects to energy to ideas and more, are all interpretations of these relationships that we can consciously refashion. Rather than trying to change things that aren't really there (such as things we see), Logians focus on relationships between people, places, and things and their interactions with reality. Logia can be thought of as the next stage of human evolution. Humanity is always evolving. The next stage of humanity may not be Logia but it will likely be something that either simplifies our reality or makes it more complex. There is litle evidence to suggest that the average person would be able to lead a happy, healthy life inside a more information-rich environment than we have today. We seem to have reached the emotional, biological, and psychological limits of how complicated and busy our everyday lives can be. Although we could say society is more complex today than it was a thousand years ago, humanity still doesn't understand the basic reality it exists in. The information that gets to us has more complexity but less value. We interact more with interfaces like technology and media, but end up with trivial, empty relationships with the people and things in our reality. The efect of puting more layers between ourselves and others is that we eventually lose sight of who we 27 really are. Logia is about integrating an understanding of the forces at work in your reality to provide more meaning to your everyday experience. While we don't believe it is possible to be the universe or know everything, we do believe humanity has the potential and all of the tools it needs to realize the true nature of existence now and use that understanding to greatly enhance human being and civilization. The next few sections will explore some of Logia's most basic understandings. 1.12 You Experience Your Interpretuation of Reuality, Not Reuality Itself Reality is representation. What we call reality is an interpretation of something else that we do not experience, nor need to experience. You may look around and think you are experiencing things as they are, but what you're actually experiencing are things that interface with a true reality that cannot be perceived directly. You could say that your perspective creates reality and does so in the most eficient way imaginable (by cleverly leveraging illusions). But really, you don't create reality at all. You don't need to. Besides, experiencing reality directly – even for a nanosecond – would take far more energy than has ever been created since the beginning of time. You only need to represent something that you cannot really perceive and then interact with the representation. It would be as if someone described to you how something looked and you had to make a drawing of it based on a vague and unreliable description. You could have drawn a dancing squirrel and it wouldn't make any diferent because nobody had had any direct experience with it anyway, and all that matered is how people relate to and interact with what you drew. In fact, your drawing would become the reality of the object because it would be the only real interface people had with that unseen and unknown thing. To your mind, the representation (the illusion) becomes more important than the reality. If someone made a more accurate drawing somehow, it would likely be rejected and ignored because the value of the drawing is not in its accuracy but in how it relates to and interacts with others. To illustrate this trick of the mind more simply let's imagine that you are looking at a digital photo that you took of a good friend of yours. The image obviously represents your friend and is, without question it seems, the person that you know. The image captures as many of her beauties and imperfections as any image can. Could you then say, “This is my friend”? Probably not afer considering it for a minute. You might say that what you are seeing is only a representation of your friend, and that your friend was somewhere else (i.e., not inside your phone or computer). Your friend is more than the representation, or so it would seem. But what if at that moment she called you on the telephone? Surely, that voice could only be one person. She knows who you are, can recall times you've shared together, and knows things you've not told anyone else. It most definitely has to be her. Even then, you may be aware that what you're hearing on your phone is your phone's representation of her voice electronically transmited rather than her actual voice, and your brains' interpretation of those signals. But what is her actual voice? Can you really know what it is? If she was standing in front of you talking about what happened to her today, would you be hearing her actual voice or listening to your own interpretation of it? When you touch her are you feeling her or your mind's interpretation of the electrical impulses received when you appear to touch her? Thinking of this further it could be said that, despite all the pictures you've seen, countless hours on the phone, and times you've met her in person you've never actually experienced her for who she really is. You've only ever experienced your interpretation of something else. In actuality, you've experienced your perspective. Of course, your friend is far more than your 28 interpretation of her. But what would that be? We mistake our interpretation of something for its true reality as a mater of habit. It is all we have ever done, so we don't know how not doing it would be possible. If what we call a thing's reality is actually a representation of something else, it is an illusion. But, fortunately for us, that means only illusion exists and there is no such thing as a 'true reality'. Reality is only representation.2 Reality, for all intents and purposes, does not exist. We can say that it exists, but exists beyond perspective. Illusion is the only reality that we have and can get valid feedback from. But because we are able to interact with and relate to illusions we can reason that they are real enough, good enough for whatever we want to do, and are interfaces with something greater that we cannot perceive. Take away the representation, however, and the relationships would still be there. That's because the illusions 'control' reality. For example, taking away the nucleus of a cell in your body (its supposed "command center") will have no efect, and it will continue to function as normal because the relationships are generally unafected. If you sat in your living room, the universe would exist (literally) within the entirety of your perspective. It would be folded into your current reality in ways you cannot imagine. At that moment there would be nothing outside of your living room (or even behind you) until you related to and interacted with it. Everything that existed would be represented by the relationships that you interpret.3 Perception is really the means by which you interpret that which does not exist. In this way, the illusions you experience allow you your only interface with what is true. Your entire perspective is an illusion but is also your reality. This maters because it makes changing your reality not only possible, but very easy. 1.13 A Fuamily of Reluationships In order to perceive of anything we must first be able to relate to it in some way. If it is not relative to us then its motion will escape our radar and no exchange of force will take place (from our perspective). We cannot perceive of what we cannot imagine, because what we are perceiving is our interpretation of reality. If we cannot relate to something that well, it is simply ignored or replaced with something that we can relate to beter so that we don't waste energy trying to perceive it. There is a whole universe of energies that surround us, penetrating every atom in our bodies. Yet, we only perceive those energies in a way that is relative to our perspective. Although the amount of high-energy gamma radiation around us is tremendous, we would be more afected by someone turning on a cheap light in a dark room. A burst of radiation from a distant galaxy, for example, will go entirely unnoticed for what it is but may be interpreted by your perspective as a new protein that is interpreted again as feeling diferently today about tomatoes than yesterday. We perceive the distant universe in our immediate perspective by folding its complexity to the point where it is relative to us. We could say that our bodies are made up of stardust but what we'd be missing is that the world around us is filled with distant stars, folded up neatly into what we can see here and now. We don't feel the motion of our atoms any more than we feel the motion of distant planets, and don't need to. What we experience has no power by itself. The power of your experience is only in how you 2 3 That brings us closer to the origin of the word “real” which is, “belonging to the thing itself” or “relating to things”. Another way to say it is that reality is procedurally-generated via the SPPIs algorithm, makes it logical and consistent, and seemingly endless. 29 interpret it. Two people experiencing the exact same thing, for example, could be afected in entirely diferent ways because of their diferent interpretations. The subconscious aspect of our mind has an inherent understanding of the relationships between things but isn't aware how we consciously interpret those things. It doesn't mater whether you interpret a set of metaphysical relationships as a flower, 2 hours of playing games, or a shoe. All that maters is how you relate to and interact with something in your reality, not what it seems like. When we value something not because of its physical properties but for its relationships, then we have begun to understand reality. When we learn to perceive of relationships then we have begun to learn how to perceive of and be conscious of ourselves. Did you ever have a memory of something that didn't really happen? Or maybe you visited somewhere for the first time that you could have sworn felt exactly like a place in another city. Perhaps you smelled something that brought back old memories, or saw someone or something you've never seen before and had a strong, inexplicable feeling. Perhaps we are talking about déjà vu again, where you are seeing past the illusions and sensing the relationships between them. A place that you're standing in could look entirely diferent from another place that you've been but it feels like you've been there before. To your subconscious, the two places are the same because the relationships are about the same (or similar). You really have been there before, but consciously you don't see how that is possible. In a greater reality there is only one spacetime interpreted in a countless variety of ways. When you've found a way to interpret your current experience diferently, you've found a new reality. Whatever reality you seek really is right before your eyes. With dreams prety much the same thing is happening. You dream of being a wheel rolling into a brick wall under a clown hanging of of a basketball hoop and think it's weird because you're randomly interpreting it from the perspective of your conscious mind rather than the geometry of relationships that is experienced subconsciously. Everything that you think you remember about the dream is your conscious interpretation of the relationships that you experienced. Your dream self has never perceived, and knows nothing about, clowns and basketball hoops, and didn't dream about them. 1.14 The Reuality of the Illusion In the cognitive sciences it has been demonstrated that a simulation of something will make the brain react in the same way as it would react to the 'real' version of that thing. Although your brain can distinguish between an illusion and what we call reality it responds similarly to both. Our brain knows that both are illusions but consciously we do not think that way. And interestingly, the brain maps what you think happened rather than what actually happened, and may not know the diference between the two kinds of experiences. 4 Your brain doesn't care about what you think is reality, because what seems fake and what seems like the real thing is the same type of illusion. Is mentally humming a tune a reality or an illusion as compared with the 'real' song? How about listening to the song on the radio? Or over a telephone? Or listening on your headphones? Or seeing a live performance of the song? All of these are representations, and each is an illusion as valid as the others. There is no true reality of the song because there doesn't need to be. We aren't emotionless if we see a painting of someone being hurt, even though we know it is a painting and not the real thing. Even an animated movie could bring us to tears and could change our lives. If you see an onion next to a painting of an onion, which is more relative to your perspective? The onion that smells like paint, or the one that can make your 4 “Brain Maps Perceptions, Not Reality” htp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/11/031110410631920.htm 30 eyes water? If you're a chef, then perhaps the onion you can cook with is more relative. If you're an artist then perhaps the onion in the painting is more to your taste. Only your conscious mind is concerned with reality because it isn't aren't aware of what reality actually is. 1.15 The Purpose of Perspective We perceive in order to exist. We have perspective simply because we are not able to perceive of reality. This is the value of consciousness. If one thing relates to something else then it is conscious. We are not conscious because we are biological organisms or have brains with which to think and eyes to see from but because we can relate to and interact with something else. Because a representation is a stand-in for something else, and that something else is a stand-in for something else, and so on, it is of no particular importance what kind of relationships we explore or interactions we have, only how balanced they are. This means that we could relate to a constipated demon in a way that is more in harmony with our overall perspective than relating to a solemn angel, for example. Happiness comes from being able to balance the forces in your reality, not from forcing your reality to be 'good'. The way you perceive of something depends on the information that is being exchanged with it. The more you interact with and relate to something the closer you are pulling it into your immediate perspective. Consciousness is perspective. As we interact with our perspective, so does our reality become. Puart 2: Being Humuan 2.01 Whuat is the Meuaning of Life? Your life is as you make it. That is to say, you are free to interpret the relationships that already exist however you want and interact with them accordingly. What is important is not what you see when you look around but how you are relating to the reality you find yourself in. Life is not about finding yourself, but finding yourself in others. When you understand that everything in your perspective is an illustration of who and what you are then you have discovered a very important part of the equation. The missing pieces of your true identity are not in your name, how you look, where you live, what your job is, or how many friends you have. Although you can only ever experience the extent of your own perspective, the true “you” is everywhere in your reality in the relationships between the things that you perceive. The important question is, “How am I relating with the reality around me?” The meaning of life is not to be confused with what things appear to be on the surface. How we interpret things is diferent from the actual meaning behind them. Something that appears to be bad could actually be very beneficial to your life, for example. In order to uncover more of the mystery we can ask, “Are the individual things and experiences in my reality balanced with my entire perspective?” Is the relationship of the house with your family harmonious? Does the mortgage balance with the family's needs? Are the members of the family doing things together? Are you doing something because you want to or because it makes sense to do, all things considered? Most importantly, do you realize that the things you see and experience are diferent interpretations of yourself? Do you realize that when you see something you like or hate, or whatever, you are experiencing who you are? Who you are is all about what you're interacting with, because you can only ever interact with your own perspective. 31 2.02 Whuat is Huappiness? Let's take a paragraph and use the previous example of where civility in society comes from to find out a bit more about how happiness is born. In society, civility is the balance between chaos and order via laws. Rather than total anarchy (chaos) or totalitarian rule (order), there is a harmonic balance between the two that society can make use of. The laws help to keep the balance, and people are free to do whatever they want within the laws. People won't always get what they want, but in this way society generally won't get too out of control and civility can flourish. In life, happiness is the balance between chaos and order via structure. Rather than total chaos or order in your life, there can be a harmonic balance between the two that can lead to a state of happiness. The structure in your life helps to keep the balance, and you're free to do whatever you want within it. You won't always get what you want, but your life won't get too much out of control and happiness can flourish. Although the balance between chaos and order is important, how we structure the way we live can mean everything to how we feel about our lives, and whether or not we would ultimately feel that we are happy. The change you need in your life could be as simple as making a plan or a budget, or simply introducing yourself to strangers more ofen. We ofen think that we need more of something in order to be happy. More money, more friends, more love, more time, more control, etc. But Logia tells us that, ofen, what we need is the opposite of what we think we need. When you feel you don't have enough money, a higher salary probably wouldn't help much â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you might just end up spending more money anyway. When there is too much stress from school or work, working smarter or studying harder probably won't help. In relationships, sometimes loving someone less and allowing your feelings room to breathe may make the relationship stronger. And without silence placed artfully between the notes of a piece of music there is just a bunch of garbage that you wouldn't want to listen to. We can try to work as much as possible, love as much as possible, and do things we enjoy as much as possible but this way of living is unlikely to result in balance, and therefore a state of happiness. If you're not happy, something is out of balance. To achieve balance in your life you either need more order or more chaos. But how do you find out what you need? 2.03 When There's Too Much Chuaos in Your Life Sometimes you must limit yourself in order to take control of your infinite potential. Without 32 controls in place, your potential is chaotic and has a dificult time being in harmony with your experience. If you have an over-abundance of chaos in your perspective it means that there's too much velocity and motion in your life, which can lead to all kinds of conditions that can make life suck. Running a marathon is okay sometimes, but it would be quite dificult trying to eat, drink, and do everyday stuf at the same time. You're also much more likely to make mistakes and fall on your ass. But so many people live their lives in chaos and don't realize how much efort and energy is actually being wasted trying to do and be so many things at once. The force of chaos is equal to space, which in QMe is the same as velocity and motion. Too much of it is not only unhealthy but is also addictive. It is easy to believe that more of something must be beter. We have an innate desire to feel alive, and chaos ofen helps to satisfy that. Let's imagine that you have only a limited amount of perspective at each moment in the form of 100 straws. You have 1 straw for every 1% of your perspective. Think about all of the things that you are handing out straws to every day. If you're like many people, you give a big chunk of your straws to work. Not only do you spend a great deal of time preparing for work, maintaining your work clothes and stuf, commuting, and of course doing work, but also thinking about work, talking about it with others, recovering from work-related stress (which is probably more time than you realize), and perhaps even dreaming and worrying about it sometimes. Add up all the straws that are marked 'work' and it may even be half of the total of your perspective. Spend 5 hours throughout the day using your mobile device? 20 straws. Another 4 hours watching television and media? 16 more straws. Afer all of this, how many straws are you lef with? It doesn't mean that your life is out of control if you have only a few straws lef. But it may be a sign that you are addicted to chaos, because where your straws go is most ofen your decision. The following are some signs that there might be too much chaos in your perspective. You: might:              have a fear of being alone. To test this, are you unable to sit alone in a chair with only your thoughts for 30 minutes without being distracted? Would you prefer to spend 30 minutes 'doing something. anything!' rather than being alone with your thoughts? Or do you always need to be in a romantic relationship or with someone, or out with your friends?; have a fear of silence with others. You feel uncomfortable with breaks in conversation; have a need to stay busy; fidget or have physical ticks (nail-biting, leg-shaking, etc.); feel stressed when you interact with something that you hate or don't like; find it stressful to hear opinions and viewpoints that contradict your own; spend more than a couple of hours a day using mobile devices, absorbing media, or driving a vehicle. (These amplify chaos by allowing you to interface with more chaotic elements at a greater speed.); have an over-active imagination; sometimes add onto what someone said or did with your own story; over-emphasize appearances, including your own; are atracted to people and places with an abundance of resources (wealth, power, or fame); love the drama of other people's lives; think your feelings are more important than what makes sense overall for everyone (or 33     you think your own feelings make the most sense); are easily ofended, or limit or reject talking with others because they might ofend you; have dificulty falling asleep because you're thinking too much; consume lots of sugar in foods and drinks; or experience anxiety easily. The more interactions you have going on, the less value each relationship has. The more straws you give away, the less your own energy is able to radiate from your core. If each straw represents an hour of your time through which your consciousness is always flowing, when you are lef with only a few straws then the energy going through each one that remains must be pushed through more forcefully. If each straw was a vein in your body and you had only a few, you'd be dead! But a chaotic life is, in a counter-intuitive way, a slow death. If not of your body, then of your perspective. In order to reduce much of the chaos in your life you can pay more atention to what you are actually using your time for. The following is a grid of a well-balance life. It divides personal time into both chaotic and orderly elements, with 12 hours for each. Some aspects – like work or rest – need more time allocated to them, while others require less. Let's take a look to see how many hours a day this means for each kind of personal relationship. Personual Reluationship 1 Extended social engagements Close social engagements Entertainment Silence You can mix the hours around, but be sure to take it from the same side. If, for example, you need to work 8 hours a day (chaos) then you can take out two hours from 'Life Improvement and Maintenance' (also chaos), perhaps by learning a new skill at work or working towards a promotion. Or if you prefer to spend more than 1.5 hours with your friends on Saturdays, do something with them in the 'Life Improvement' or 'Entertainment' category. There's nothing wrong with the occasional imbalance, though, as long as it is generally balanced. We can also get rid of complexity in our lives by finding ways to interface with it. In QMe this is called folding complexity and we do this all the time without realizing it. Using language is one way that we fold complexity, breaking down complicated concepts into simple words and phrases. Using a graphical interface on a computer is another way. Looking at a hand instead of the countless interactions of sub-atomic particles that the hand represents is another. In another way, if you have a company with 75 employees you can either deal with all employees directly (chaos) or find an interface like a manager or liaison (order). Folding complexity actually allows you to scale up your velocity because you then have more time for each interaction. [We'll talk more about how this trick pertains to creating wealth in your reality in section 2.12.] Also, many of us who have too much chaos going on in our lives have an excess of emotions. Emotions are not inherently chaotic but, to a Logian, they are undefined thoughts. We tend to think of emotions as not only human nature but completely natural because we can feel them, without thinking of how out-of-balance many of our own emotions actually are. Is it human nature to chew on our own arm, just because we can? Nature doesn't do what it feels like doing. It does what makes sense, all things considered. It doesn't need to understand everything, such as how the sun works. It need only understand how the complex nature of the sun is folded into sunlight, and then interact with the sunlight, regardless of whether it 'feels' like interacting with the sun today. So many of us are slaves to our emotions, thinking that they belong with us just because we feel them. Choosing to feel a certain way just so happens to produce more of it, so then we think that happened naturally too. We end up following feelings that didn't actually have a clear definition to begin with and so we ofen end up not knowing how we actually feel about things. Our bodies ofen have a beter sense for balance than our conscious thoughts do. Afer a long day we feel tired. When we need nourishment we feel hungry. We can feel comfort or discomfort about something or someone without being aware of why. Your body wouldn't work if it was powered by emotions. It's powered by sense, just like nature. If you had to choose between taking a 6-hour flight on a plane piloted by someone that was more emotional versus someone that was more logical, what would be your choice? You would probably not choose a pilot that acted from emotions, yet both are imbalanced. A logic-only pilot could deduce that there was no way to safely land the plane afer a critical malfunction and give up trying altogether. A pilot acting on the balance of sense instead of the extremes of either emotions or logic might add some hope to the equation. 35 Logians employ sense rather than just emotions or logic alone. Think of Logia as logic-inaction, a practical kind of rationality that adheres to the more universal balance illustrated on these pages. Emotions are still there, but they are expressed for what they are – undefined thoughts – rather than authorities of reality and experience. In the same way, nature isn't more emotional or more logical but is that which makes sense, all things considered. Emotions are chaotic because they try to define the invisible. They are an atempt to add an internal map to our external environment by annotating people, places, things, ideas, words, etc., with our feelings. It's a fruitless efort because it's not possible to define the metaphysical relationships that make up our reality – they change too rapidly. We can only guess what those relationships might be by observing them over time. We can only have a sense for those relationships, not a definition of them. Realizing that emotions are based on illusions makes all the diference in the world when minimizing chaos in your life. Ofen, our emotions are based on how something looks or seems on the surface (chaos/space) rather than how something relates and interacts over time (order). Acting on our emotions is like a tiger eating a poisonous snake because it looks delicious. Sense is seeing how it is now and how it relates and interacts over time. In that way you still have undefined thoughts but your actions are defined by a sense of what you can and cannot immediately see. Just because you feel a certain way, it doesn't mean it has anything to do with what is actually going on. If you want to get more in balance with the reality around you, stop doing what you feel like doing and start doing what makes sense to do. As thoughts are more abstract, some of us use emotional expression as a way to try to find out what we ourselves are thinking. We're used to thinking in words to communicate with other people and interact with them. But we ofen try to communicate to ourselves using emotion. This might lead us to think that when we express a particular emotion it is evidence that we feel that way. Not having a clear way to communicate with ourselves makes it dificult to really know who we are and what is going on in our minds, so the power of emotion fills the gap. Talking to yourself more ofen could help. As words make it much easier to communicate with and interact with others, it also means that when something doesn't have structure (or hasn't really been defined) it is dificult for interaction to take place. We assume, for example, that love is more powerful than like. But 'love' has less definition than 'like' does. You can love someone and do all kinds of wonderful or terrible things (e.g., hugging, or abuse from loving parents). But when you like someone a much more clear patern of behaviour is defined. We ofen feel beter when we 'express' an emotion because we are atempting to define our thoughts, thinking that clear communication has taken place. But expressing emotion is really an atempt to provide our thoughts with shape and form – giving it life so that we can feel like we exist. The act of 'expressing yourself' really is an act of enhancing your existence and making yourself feel more alive. For something to be useful, it must be defined and given a structure (order) so that it can interact (chaos). By taking control of your emotions, you don't suppress them but shape them. By adding some emotional irrigation to your daily life, you can direct the flow of your thoughts where you want. Instead of just saying you 'love' someone, for example, define what that means. In what ways are you loving them? How? When? How ofen? How do they benefit (and how do you know)? How do they feel about what you're doing and how? How are you communicating those feelings? Don't just talk to yourself about them. Writing them down, drawing them, playing with them, etc., are other ways to help make them more clear. You can turn these emotions into sense by defining them, seting rules, and choosing what they are related to and how, what they atract, and what they repel. This limits the abstraction that is the power of chaos. Then you can begin to take control of your infinite potential. 36 You can also focus on simple structures and simple interactions rather than complex ones. This way, the more complex things will be more harmoniously atuned to them. Instead of 'loving someone' by working hard for 5 years so that you could aford a new house for you both to live in (complexity), perhaps taking a simple walk every day for 20 minutes would be beter. Instead of expressing anger by saying a bunch of things at once (complexity), maybe taking a break for 20 minutes and doing something simple (like going out for ice cream or siting quietly next to them) makes more sense. Here are some other ways to minimize the complexity in your life. Many of them are simple activities.  take more time for simple interactions with people, places, and things;  think carefully before responding (bonus points for the thought, “Maybe I am wrong”);  write things down so you don't forget or change your memory of it;  make plans for yourself and others, and save lots of room for changes;  wait 20 minutes before any dramatic emotional expression;  be more consistent, especially in relation to other people;  minimize interactions with others who are overly chaotic;  make a daily, weekly, and monthly schedule;  get to really know things you don't like;  minimize interactions and stimuli, focusing more on the more simple and important things or people in your life. “More” of something ofen does not mean more balance, but likely more chaos;  make sure you're geting enough sleep (if you can, 8-9 hours of sleep, rest, quiet activities, and silence a day); and  cut down on chaos consumption; particularly sugary drinks and foods, and alcohol (and get rid of the worst ofenders entirely). Most people are addicted to sugar without realizing it. When your life is made more simple, then your true self is more easy to see. 2.04 When There's Too Much Order in Your Life Sometimes you need to open your life up to chaos to free your perspective from the monotony of routine experiences. Without chaos flowing above the ground of your being like the wind, the steadily rising atmosphere of your potential eventually runs out of breath and begins to wither away. Without the chaos of inner conflict, things would not be able to divide themselves in two so that they could form relationships with other things, increasing the overall health and fitness of your reality. If you have an over-abundance of order in your perspective it means that there's too much mass and density in your life, which can lead to conditions that can make life uncreative and uninteresting. Too much density blocks life from happening, as any rock could tell you. True, a rock has an abundance of order and thus plenty of time on its side but, like a mountain, it will pay for all the time it has (mass) by taking away from its motion. Too much order can decrease the speed of life so much that your immediate reality has dificulty keeping up with everything else around you. Order is vital, but an excess of it prevents interactions from taking place. You cannot drink water if the cup you're drinking out of has no structure. Structure in your life is what limits the chaos from geting out of control, and provides the definition for the nourishment that you need. Too much structure in the cup, however, and the movement of the water will be inhibited. 37 If one of the following applies to you, you may have too much order in your life. Perhaps you:        like to plan with lots of detail; have dificulty trying new things; have dificulty opening up to people, especially with those that are not close; are more introverted; are detail-oriented; are frugal; or experience low blood sugar (are hypoglycaemic) Imagine that your life is a balance between motion and order, like a line that turns into a spiral. At the center of the spiral are the things most relative to you: your body, the place you live, your family and friends, your personality, etc. The longer the spiral goes out the more you find things that aren't in your immediate reality. And at the end of the spiral are things you can't even begin to imagine. Now, consider that events in your life happen more or less randomly. How you interpret and feel about something is entirely up to you. If an event lands on the spiral it is in harmony with your life and you feel happy. (And if it's perfectly aligned, you feel really happy.) But if something happens that is out of harmony with your interpretation (and therefore doesn't land on the line), perhaps you feel disinterested or sad. One event can be interpreted two diferent ways by two diferent people. It is not the thing itself that is good or bad, or harmonious, but the interpretation itself. The question is always, “How does this thing relate to how I see myself?” 38 You can feel “happy” no mater what condition you're in, how much money you have, how many friends you have, or whatever. This also means that we ofen don't know what actually makes us happy. An event or thing can appear to be bad or wrong on the surface but somehow we can be satisfied or comfortable with it, simply because it is harmonious with our immediate reality. “It is not external events themselves that cause us distress, but they way in which we think about them, our interpretation of their significance. It is our atitudes and reactions that give us trouble. We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them.” - Epictetus We tend to be atracted to things that are more relative to us – closer to us on the scale – because those things have a higher chance of a connection with who we are, as the spiral is more concentrated as we get to the core. If you focus on what isn't relative to you – far along on the scale – you could still find some harmony but it's not as likely. However, you can only atract what you are already relating to, and you can only repel what you are already interacting with. You interpret and re-interpret people, places, and things along this line all the time. For example, you could meet a stranger and, as you get to know who they are and relate more with them, you draw them closer to the center of your spiral. Before then they were further away from your center and you didn't feel as much of a connection. But as you related to them more the random distribution had a greater chance of meeting the line, simply because the line is more tightly packed at your core. So when there's too much order in your life it might be a good idea to simply relate with more things. This can be done by:     interacting more ofen with what you don't like; meeting more strangers; learning to forget and say “I don't know” or “Forget about it”; and making a habit of doing one weird thing a day (e.g., having dinner in the bathroom, trying to eat your furniture, talking to your fingers, having a nonsense conversation with someone in public) with bonus points for interacting with people, places, and things outside of your immediate reality. To a Logian, what is most reasonable is not that which is most logical but that which is able to have the most relationships over time. Too much order isn't good for a balanced life, as it diminishes the possibility of relationships. 2.05 When Huappiness is ua Mystery Being happy is not a mystery when you're thinking of happy things. Instead of asking, “How can I be happy?” perhaps ask, “What are the ways I am happy now, and how can I focus on them more?” When you're not feeling happy, it is probably because you're not interacting with happiness. (Try finding examples of happiness in your life that don't involve relating to something.) As independent as we pride ourselves to be, as humans, our happiness is really defined by what we relate to. Real happiness is hard to define. What we are usually thinking about when we think about it is the feeling of happiness. The feeling is itself as much of a representation as as the chemical that transmits the feeling, or the smile that may result. Happiness is one way for us to represent a balanced and harmonic relationship with something else. We can be just as happy with something that we think is 10 years away as something that is right around the corner. We make things relative to us here and now, regardless of how far away they may seem. 39 As we've discovered in the last section, the “secret” to happiness is to simply relate to more things. Or, at least, understand that happiness is harmony (not a default state) and it is okay to not feel happiness in your life, especially if you are choosing to not interact much with who and what is around you. As we relate to more things we draw those things closer to our perspective, increasing the chances that we'll experience a balanced harmony. Find yourself in the world around you and this harmony will come automatically. Conversely, you can minimize your chances for harmonic interactions by relating to things less, but of course then you would be choosing not to connect with your own perspective that much. Focus on what is most relative to you and the rest will fall into place. The entire universe is folded into your current perspective, and you interact with it through your every movement. Why do people ofen choose to live in a neighbourhood with people like themselves? Why do we want to be friends with people that we have a lot in common with? Why do we do the same things over and over? Is it because we don't want to evolve or expand our perspective, be inclusive, or shake up our reality? Or is it because we naturally tend to perceive best what is most relative to us, and make connections more easily with those things? If we seek happiness in our lives we should consider whether we want the feeling of happiness or prefer to be happy with what we're already comfortable with. Do we want mysterious new things that we hope will fall on a good spot on our spiral or do we want to interact with what is already relative to us, hoping that we can bring it more in line with who we are? To answer this, we can think about how much time we spend finding replacements for the things we think we aren't satisfied with – it's probably not much. Sometimes we may find a desire to maintain our existing relationships (even if chaotic or 'bad') over an unknown that we are not sure if we would be able to connect with. We ofen make the comfortable choice, not the more reasonable one. You are interacting with – and have a relationship with – everything in your reality. The closer something is to you in time and space the more interactions you have with it. You are also exchanging energy with it, a very important consideration. If you, for example, like to watch violent movies then you are exchanging energy with whatever it is you're perceiving and integrating it into your perspective. Happiness also does not depend on what is true. Truth has nothing to do with happiness because truth is a reality beyond perception and it is meaningless to pursue both at the same time. If you think you've discovered truth, it's only a sign that you've discovered an interesting illusion. If you think you've discovered something that makes you happy then that truth is good enough for now. The interesting illusions in our lives are what 'make' us happy. What is useful to us is much more important than uncovering the mysteries of life. And when we think about how easy it is interact with everyday illusions the mystery of where happiness might be found quickly disappears. The truth of the universe is not in this book or in some other material or way of life, but is illustrated best in your here and now, in whatever reality you happen to find yourself in. And, as always, you are free to interpret it in any way that you'd like. 2.06 How to Get Whuat You Wuant Nobody cares what you want – except you. But even then, you don't really care that much, because those wants are always changing in small ways. Your wants and desires are like undefined thoughts – emotions – and are as nebulous as the sea. They morph as your perspective does. What you really care about is that which you can actually perceive – the drama surrounding your wants and desires. 40 Do you really want to buy a new house, or is what you really want all of the benefits it could bring? If it did not have those benefits, would you still want it? If you could get into a time machine and see yourself 10 years from now you probably wouldn't care about what kind of car or job your future self wanted, especially if those things were diferent from what your younger self wanted. We only desire something when we can perceive what surrounds it, while the thing itself – an illusion – is just an interface to those other things that we really want but can't define as easily. That your wants and desires are ultimately meaningless is wonderful. It means that your conscious thoughts can impose meaning onto reality rather than having meaning imposed onto it. It also means you can bring experiences closer to your reality by beginning to perceive and experience what surrounds it rather than trying to perceive the thing itself. You can make things more likely to happen, even if you don't know exactly what will happen. You understand this intuitively – you're not likely to find a job if you don't look for one, for example – but how can you supercharge this to make things happen for you? Want a new romance? Define it. What does it do to your Saturday morning schedule? Start to perceive it now by experiencing what it means now. Want a new laptop? Bring it closer to your experience by experiencing the drama that owning it might involve, perhaps by looking for a replacement for the adapter you 'lost'. (Your perspective will begin to fill in the blanks with the missing information that looks more and more like your new laptop.) There is no need to wait for what is waiting for you. Make it happen by nudging your perspective in that direction. The same way you can get what you don't want is the same way you can get what you do want: through interactions and relationships. By structuring drama around your desires and interacting with the drama, a desired reality can unfold. What memories and possibilities are you interacting with? What are you listening to people tell you? What are you being exposed to every day? All of these are interactions and afect how you interpret reality. In cases where something in your life is too chaotic (or too constrained) you can consciously structure its over-contraction (or over-expansion) rather than have it happen in ways that you might not want to experience. You balance your perspective quite ofen without realizing it. You turn down boiling water before it gets out of control, for example, or undo a buton on your pants afer eating a big meal before the buton breaks. There's no reason that you can't direct your entire perspective in the same way. 2.07 Becoming Comfortuable with Your Self Forget about knowing yourself. It's impossible. You can only try to perceive what's around you. Instead, understand how you relate to the people, places, and things that make up your reality. Although you cannot know yourself directly, when you understand how you interact and relate with your perspective you can have a prety good idea. You needn't love or even like everything that you perceive, or pretend to. It isn't natural to force love or good feelings on everything in your perspective. You needn't love yourself completely, either. It isn't natural, or healthy, to do so. You cannot love everyone no mater how good it sounds. That would be an imbalanced SPPI (or, perspective) and not a healthy relationship with your reality. Counter-intuitively, if love is how you interpret some feelings then you also need a dose of hate for some other things. You can't have one without the other. This is not to suggest that you begin to hate things, of course, but to realize that hate is as natural as love is because what you are loving and hating is your own perspective. One is defined by the other. As you begin to accept all of your perspective (and not just 'good' 41 things) then you can begin to feel more comfortable with your complete self. It's not easy to think about, but where do those things you feel so badly about really come from? Rather than focusing on feeling chaotic emotions that cannot actually be defined, focus on how you are interacting with things. How do you really feel about something that you continue to interact with and relate to? If you didn't interact and relate to it, it wouldn't be possible to feel the way you do because you wouldn't know about it. What is hate but love in disguise? Logians have a sense for relationships and interactions. The emotions and feelings of humans are chaotic and infinite and may very lead to the decline of civilization. A human professes to love everyone equally while thinking mostly of their own welfare and benefit. A Logian can do nice things for someone with the sole purpose of interaction. A human will start a conflict with someone because they may be easily ofended. A Logian sees the true nature of conflict, embraces it, and is thus able to manage it and extinguish it at will. A human wishes for all human sufering to disappear, not realizing that most such sufering can be traced back to someone's emotions (fear, greed, hate, anger, jealously, nihilism, envy, depression, pride, contempt, shame, etc.) and that all of those things in their imagination originate from their own perspective. Having a sense for relationships, a Logian does not act from emotions or logic alone. The subconscious mind doesn't care about love or hate, or how the conscious mind interprets anything else. It does not perceive those interpretations – the conscious mind does. Love and hate are words that represent how we atempt to define certain aspects of our reality, emotions, and thoughts. They are dificult to define precisely because they represent other things that are not those interpretations. Humans tend to focus on the details – the slap, the pain, the loss – but not their relationship with the other things behind what they can see. An old story about a farmer illustrates this: One day one of the farmer's horses ran away. The farmer's neighbors heard the news and came to visit. "Such bad luck," they said. "May be," the farmer replied. The next morning the horse returned and brought with it three other wild horses. "How wonderful," the neighbors exclaimed. "May be," replied the farmer. The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses and was thrown to the ground, breaking his leg. The neighbors again came to the farmer to ofer their sympathy. "May be," replied the farmer. The day afer, military oficials came to their village to draf young men into the army for their campaign. Seeing that the son's leg was broken they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out. "May be," replied the farmer. The average human would be quite upset that their horse ran away. (A move that may deharmonize that aspect of their reality, making it unlikely to perceive the horse returning with more horses.) A Logian would sense the relationships, just as the farmer did. It is dificult to figure out – consciously – what we really desire or like and what we really resist or dislike. We focus on the immediate physical interactions of something but not its relationship over time. We ignore the bad behaviour of a handsome guy or beautiful girl because of the way they look. We continue to play that song that is actually changing your life in ways you would not want. We run into someone we think we don't like. We continue to do things that feel good in the moment but are actually quite harmful. What is most relative to you is what is easiest to perceive and interact with. What is most relative is not what you think you like or desire the most or are puting the most energy into, but what is easiest to perceive and interact with in any way. If it's easier for someone to smoke a cigarete than to quit smoking cigaretes, then cigaretes are probably more harmonious with their perspective. If your friend says they detest violence but enjoy a number of violent movies, then violence is more relative to them than they probably realize. The efect of this relativity is that they will be more likely to interpret relationships in the 42 neighborhood of conflict. (Playing violent video games doesn't really have a direct efect but it, like anything else, actually changes how you relate to and perceive things. Perhaps their car continues to break down, for example, or their business partner decides to rip them of.) However, focusing on the good side of things will eventually have the opposite efect, as (for sake of simplicity) you will give yourself a lesson that good and bad are the same thing. So by focusing only on one side of the equation you would experience the other side, which balances the experience as it illustrates its more complete nature. Have you ever looked at something for so long that it morphed into something else? When you resist the things in your perspective it is the same as thinking, “That isn't me. That is other!” The illusion of your perspective becomes even less evident the more you resist it. We don't realize that when we experience something we are actually experiencing the illustration of ourselves. Although you exist by perceiving parts of yourself as something else, you will experience the reality of separation if you divide yourself even more by perceiving more complex dramas. These experiences should not be seem as 'bad' but as complexity illustrating itself. 2.08 The Art of Resistuance The human body lives by balancing opposing forces. It breathes by geting rid of air, not just taking it in. We cannot be 100% healthy physically, mentally, or emotionally, nor should we be. And we cannot like something without disliking parts of it at the same time. There is no absolute cold, love, height, pressure, or beauty, because those things only exist in relation to what they are not. You could say that we are beings resisting a state of not being anything so we create meaningful illusions for our own existence. Resistance is at our core, and it is as natural as sleeping. The area between atraction and repulsion is what makes us feel alive. You can't have a stable reality trying to walk on just one leg. You cannot perceive anything without both positive and negative forces at work, and you cannot live a balanced life focused on just one side of the equation. Life, perspective, happiness, consciousness, energy, and everything wonderful around you is the harmonic resistance between chaos and order. When you do not want something in your life you can try to make it and the things it relates to (and interacts with) irrelevant. You can do this by simply focusing on something else. It might be a bit tricky at first because sometimes the thing we think we don't want is atached to the thing we do want. But if the things you don't want in your life were not interacting with your reality somehow, they wouldn't be there. We sometimes wonder why things might get worse when we think we're doing the 'right' thing, forgeting that the seemingly opposing sides of something are intertwined with each other. An imbalance leads to conditions that just seem bad. For examples, too much atention could harm a relationship. Too much light could lead to blindness. People would respect the law more if the number of laws was decreased. An engineer can make a structure stronger by placing empty spaces within it. Like water, to properly balance your perspective you allow room for more rigidity or more fluidity, depending on what is needed. To resist something entirely, however, is to deny your own perspective. It is in your perspective because somehow it is a part of what you are right now, whether or not you accept it. And as there would be no need to resist what you do not perceive, if you feel like resisting something in your reality the question would be, “Why am I interpreting myself in this way?” 43 2.09 Right uand Wrong, uand Kuarmua As an example of karma, let's say that you were leading a nice, stress-free life without anything really bad happening. One day you got angry and hit someone. The next day your pet gerbil died. You may link the death of your beloved pet to your anger the day before and think the two are related by karma, one causing the other. Remember that your reality is afected by the interactions you make. As we interact with things, those things also interact with us and our interpretation of reality. Perhaps when you interacted with the person by hiting them, the geometry of your perspective changed and in your new perspective the gerbil was not compatible. (As your perspective takes on a new flavour afer every interaction. It would be like moving to a slightly diferent climate and expecting all your plants to stay alive.) The gerbil would not just disappear, of course, but must take a logical departure from your reality. Death is one of the ways the gerbil could make its exit. It could also depart from your perspective by running away (and coming back if your narrative meets it again), someone else taking care of it, etc. You interpret the geometry of perspective as a logical narrative (bringing order to your interactions), so it appears to you that things flow in a linear fashion. You see cause and efect where there is none. Although there are no consequences to any of your actions in the way of cause and efect, this doesn't mean that you can act irresponsibly. You could say that at every moment the entire universe is interpreted anew from the formula of your perspective. At each moment you make things more or less relative to you depending on how you interact with them, whereby your entire reality (going in all directions, past and future) becomes more or less like the thing you have interacted with, and in the way you have interacted with it. This may be more obvious in other ways, for example, when something really nice happens to you and your entire perspective seems to radiate with joy. It is not a result of what happened but simply your new interpretation of reality that is influenced by what you interact with, and in the way you have interacted with it. As you interact with your reality, so does your reality become. 2.10 The SPPIs Within Us Although we intuitively understand how SPPI (the language of perspective) works we do not really consciously understand the process. Our misunderstanding, or perhaps ignorance, of natural systems creates variations that are still natural, but emphasize the positive force more than a balance of forces. We end up with systems that have no or litle opposing force, something designed to pursue infinity instead of a process where infinity is balanced by limitation. In other words, we ofen want certain things to go on forever without end, thinking that this is the model that makes the most sense. Endless advancement, laws, creativity, happiness, profits, income, friends, productivity, and more. (Manufacturers of cars, bateries, light bulbs, mobile phones, and other 'planned obsolescence' products that chase limitless profits notwithstanding.) Such social systems are riddled with logical fallacies such as confirmation bias and argument from authority, as they are not designed to depend on opposing forces. These are not inherently negative or harmful systems but systems designed to facilitate the pursuit of meaning in our lives. They work as they're supposed to. (And we will see how such systems are perfectly natural). But because they do not integrate opposing forces to beter balance them they do not promote and facilitate as much harmony as they could. We adopt an endless variety of these circular SPPIs in order to interpret relationships in their light in the hopes of creating a sense of a greater reality. Each of the following systems is a metaphysical tool interpreted into oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s physical existence for the purpose of giving focus, meaning, and to transcend and transform our daily lives. 44 System Media and Social Inputs Form(s) of Endlessness Conversion, Enlightenment, Sufering, Omnipotence Circular SPPIs tend to be overly-emotional, with supporters defending the recursive logic of the structure's narrative at all costs. Again, these are not inherently bad structures; they are the focus of much of our reality and deeply integrated with our daily lives. We can, however, say that they don't lead to balanced relationships by themselves. 2.11 You Are Not Meuant to Be Rich or Fuamous. You Alreuady Are. Think for a moment about the people in your perspective. There are all types: over-educated, under-educated, rich, poor, famous, unknown, remarkable, unremarkable, etc. They're outside of your perspective for a reason â&#x20AC;&#x201C; that's where their energies are best expressed. If you aren't rich or famous, you're not meant to be in your current perspective. Those values are more harmonious outside of your immediate physical identity, for now at least. You're not a mirror, for example, because it isn't relative to your immediate perspective. But you probably have one close to you somewhere, so it's not too far away. All of those types of people are exactly where they need to be right now. If you want or desire something that isn't in your immediate perspective but could be, take steps to make it relative. Anything that you can imagine can be brought closer to your immediate experience, with the proper dose of motion and geometry, of course, as we will exemplify in the next section. 45 2.12 The Key to Weualth QMe is about the balance between the forces of chaos and order working together to create the reality of your perspective. When considering how these two fundamental forces can be used to perceive wealth in your everyday experience, we can think of chaos and order as 'space' and 'time', respectively. You can think of space as a force that wants to expand and grow forever. Space is always in motion and therefore is always interacting. Time is a force that contracts and tries to minimize the infinite growth of space. Time is more about mass and relationships. When these two forces come together, we get perspective. We can leverage how these two forces interact and relate in order to create wealth in our perspective. The following are examples of the two elements in relation to maters of business, finance, and building wealth in the SPPI of capitalism. Order (Time/Geometry/Reluationships) Chuaos (Spuace/Motion/Interuactions) Scale Magnitude It is important to note that chaos is simply order set in motion. (For example, 'resources' are tools-in-motion. And when capital is set in motion we can profit from it.) Because of this, we can leverage the force of order/time to build wealth. Wealth, then, is not a thing that happens to you but a 'result' of seting a relationship in motion. Becoming wealthy is a side-efect of having grown wealth out of one or more processes. We can use one side to multiply or change the efect on the other side. Let's take a look at how this can work in business with the last examples, scale and magnitude:   Scale – order – e.g., number of units Magnitude – chaos – e.g., amount of profit If, for example, we wanted to turn a profit with a product or service we could create one of three types of systems: Type Composition Lots of scale at low magnitude 500,000 units at 10 cents profit each B Lots of magnitude at low scale 5 units at $200,000 profit each C Lots of scale at lots of magnitude 500,000 units at $1,000 profit each The following are some examples of recommended systems of each type: 46 Systems thuat Leveruage Time elements Systems thuat Leveruage Spuace elements (usually by minimization of time/mass/relationships) (usually by maximization of space/motion/resources) A, B Distribution systems (moving products and services to the masses) A Human resource systems (where you depend on social elements, such as in manufacturing, restaurants, etc.) B Real estate systems (non-leasing) A, B, C Content systems (media, publishing, etc.) A, B, C Logical systems of information A, B, C Royalty systems 1) leases (Real estate, products, services, financial instruments such as money-for-interest) 2) payments from licensing and rights-holding 3) franchising A, B, C Information product and service systems (i.e., computer and sofware) [note: You can also take a system or pre-existing business that depends on lots of people and change it to one that doesn't] If you create a content system, for example, you're allowing people to have a relationship with one thing that bundles interactions together (making it easier for people to find information in one place, rather than going to multiple places). In this way your system seeks to leverage relationships for others (by making it simpler for your customers) and maximizes resources for yourself (by charging a fee for the convenience). It is generally easier to extract wealth from the lef column (order) than from the right column (chaos) because the foundation is not in motion. It would be easier, for example, to build wealth by leasing out condos than by selling them because the asset itself relates more and interacts less. However, a balance of chaos and order is needed to set the wealth process in motion. This means taking something in the lef column (order) and building processes that maximize its efect (chaos). As it is generally easier (and recommended) to begin the wealth process by leveraging the force of order/time, the first step is to begin with the obvious question, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Who owns my time?â&#x20AC;? If you do not own your time (or own very litle of it), it will be more dificult, though not impossible, to get the momentum required for wealth to unfold in your lifetime. Your first step is to own as much of your time-capital as you can so that you can start to multiply it. If you don't own it, you cuan't multiply it. To simplify how you think of your time (in relation to building wealth) you can think about time in two ways: Building Wealth Everything Else How much time do you spend or have to research opportunities and ideas, educate yourself in relevant ways, and execute your plan for wealth creation? How much of your time is used for everything else: work, life maintenance, recreation, relaxation, family, socialization, etc.? This is not to say that spending time with family, relaxing, and other activities are not important. They are of course vitally important and, for many of us, have more value than building wealth. But if you needed to study for a big test, for example, you'd still need to think about where your time is going, and how to put as much time towards studying as possible to 47 reach your goals. Where is your time-capital going? Are you spending most of your time-capital to make someone else rich or powerful, or are you spending it educating yourself, working on your own plans, and increasing your wealth potential? To get an idea of your potential for generating wealth, find out how much time-capital you have. Multiply the number of hours in the right column by 2 and divide the result by 24. If the result is 50% or more, it will likely be more dificult for you to build wealth processes (as your time-capital will not be multiplied by much). The more of your own time you own the more likely you are to be able to multiply it (as the more chances you will have to do so). Put more timecapital in the lef column to increase your wealth potential. When people talk about financial freedom and wealth, they are really talking about owning their own time. It means being able to take a holiday for as long as they'd like, retiring early, not having to spend time doing something that they don't want to do, being able to build something in their lifetime that benefits others, being able to aford something without having to save up months or years for it, being able to pay someone else a wage or salary, etc. How Do You Use Money? The mindset of someone who is building and using processes to create wealth is diferent than someone who isn't. To a wealthy person (or one who is on the way to becoming wealthy), wealth is used mostly as a tool, not as a resource.  Money as a tool to multiply time (e.g., buying the rights to a book that is becoming popular, which creates more time-capital because you may never have to work full-time again)  Money as a resource to destroy time (e.g., buying a car that you don't really need, which destroys your time-capital because you're paying for it with 1,000 hours of your past or future time. Your time then becomes frozen in the thing you bought.) How Do You Use Your Personual Spuace uand Time? The diference between the two mindsets can also be illustrated as the diference between someone who mostly consumes and someone who mostly produces:   Consumers: use space to destroy their time-capital. This is using personal space-resources (a physical body and brain, i.e., working for someone else) to destroy their time-capital by exchanging their time to buy things that rapidly decrease in value. Producers: use time-capital to multiply space-resources (e.g., by spending 100 hours building a system that will produce a lifetime of benefits). Producers create wealth by amplifying time and giving it room to grow, whereas consumers destroy wealth by locking up time in products like expensive cars, overpriced homes, and unnecessary purchases. Are you using your time-capital to increase the wealth and resources of others in exchange for things that decrease your own wealth over time? When you are a producer you are transferring production from yourself to something or someone else, removing the 24-hour limit that is atached to your time-capital. You can only work so many hours in a day but if you invent a new toy and license it to a toy company, for example, then your ability to produce is shifed to something that does not sufer the same time limitations. Now, instead of being able to produce value no more than 24 hours a day (minus sleep, etc.) your ability to produce has no limitations.  Producers and the wealthy use resources to create more time (i.e., passive income, 'make money while you sleep'): unlimited wealth potential 48  Consumers and those who aren't wealthy generally use time to buy resources (i.e., using their wage or salary): limited-to-very-limited wealth potential If you don't make the bulk of your income while you sleep, you're probably in the 'consumer' category. They key to wealth then, is to produce much more than you consume, perhaps making use of the strategies above. Wealth is simply bringing order to the infinite nature of the SPPI of capitalism (section 2.10). 2.13 Whuat is Consciousness? The word consciousness derives from the Latin conscius, “to know with”. It is a close relative of the word science, which is also derived from the same root scire, “to know”. Although we cannot know anything without consciousness, in the breadth of all our sciences we have no definition for what consciousness is. Consciousness and science are connected at the root, but you'd never know it by how far they apart they've grown. We cannot know if we've really progressed without knowing how far we've come. Is there anything that you're completely aware of? Reality is unlike our experience – we can only perceive our interpretations. We cannot see, hear, touch, taste, feel, or even think beyond our perspective. For us, our perspective is all that is, but is not yet enough to perceive reality. The day that we give up the notion of truth is the day that we learn to work within the illusion to find out, instead, what truly works for us. We think of a consciousness that can be aware of something – but even illusions laugh at such thoughts. The term conveniently hides the reality that we cannot be aware of something directly. Consciousness is all about relationships. If you look at your hand you are not seeing your hand for what it is. Although the illusion seems like reality it is the only way to perceive we've ever known, and so it becomes our ultimate reality by default. What the hand is really like is irrelevant, as it likely does not exist without an interpretation of it. It doesn't mater how something sees itself, either, as that is also an interpretation. If you see yourself as tall and bear-like and someone else does not, it doesn't mean that they aren't seeing you for who you are. Perspective cannot be shared. Even as you look in the mirror you are interpreting the electrical signals coming from your retina as they were in the past; we cannot even share perspective with ourselves. And the moment we share our perspective with another it becomes another perspective. If you could perceive the signals directly you'd still be perceiving an interpretation. True reality cannot be perceived directly. Truth has no perspective. Illusions are more important than reality because they allow relationships to exist, whereas absolute reality does not. What is important is that which we can use. The illusions 'create' consciousness simply by relating to each other, making up the geometry of perspective we call reality. Consciousness, by itself, does not exist. We can only know of other – it is impossible to know of your self in a 1:1 relationship. Such would be beyond perspective because there would be nothing else with which to compare. So we make up 'other' in our body, our thoughts, our beliefs, our actions, other people and things, and events and activity all over the Earth, round infinity and back again. We can represent infinity and interpret something to be infinite, but infinity itself does not exist any more than an illusion. The universe is no more infinite than finite, as there really is no “other” other than something that cannot be wholly interpreted and so seems to go on forever in our natural interpretations. Watching a film, the illusion of motion is very convincing. We are so engaged in the drama we forget that we are watching individual frames rather than something lively. How much more dificult would it be to think about illusions in reality? The magic happens in the 49 relationships between the frames of our reality to give us perspective. Logians find consciousness not in the frames of existence but between those convincing illusions. What do you consider your 'self'? If it is your body, then what do you do with a part of your self when you clip your nails or cut your hair? If it is only the living part of your body that you consider your self, where does your self go when you lose weight? If it is your mind, do you gain more self as you get older and wiser, or perhaps lose part of your self if you have forgoten something? Where is your self when you are dreaming – in the dream? If consciousness is "awareness of my own being", what does it mean to be aware of another being? Are you independently aware of your being, or are you just using one part of your 'self' to sense another part? If you are more than your brain, could you be aware of what remains if your brain was shut of completely? There is no one point that you can say, “This is my self,” because there is nothing to point at. You are wanting to point between the frames but end up focusing on the frames themselves for the answers because you can see them. The notion of self must, paradoxically, include other things. There is no self without what you don't consider your self to be. In order to be you must relate, as you cannot be by yourself. What you perceive is much more of your self than your body alone is. In order to think or feel, you must relate to what you are thinking and feeling. By thinking, you open a dialogue with something you do not yet sense your self to be. By feeling, your emotions flow to where they weren't before. In order for consciousness to be, it must be conscious of it being something else. Your brain reflects this a bit in its mirror neurons, which fire the same way if you do something as they would if you see someone else doing the same thing.5 That you may be conscious, you must forget that you are something else already, but still interact with it as if you're not. This brings us back to the root of consciousness, the Latin term for, “to know with”. We are conscious when we know with something else, forming a relationship. But, as relationships vary, consciousness is relative. We are conscious by relating to one thing more and another thing less. As an example, the more aware we are of dreams the less aware we are of waking reality. This balance of potentials to harmonize our awareness with whatever we are relating to and interacting with is at the root of our perspective. What is 'me' but everything else? 2.14 The Present is ua Gif Thuat You Never Got (but Hints uat ua Reluationship Thuat You Did) Our lives revolve around the present moment. It seems like we're on the edge of something amazingly new and continuous, yet perfectly balanced between the known (our past) and the unknown (our future). It seems to be all we can be easily perceive, like an active and perfectly fluid memory. But, unfortunately, the present doesn't exist. We know that when we look at the stars we are looking back in time billions of years, as it takes a really long time for their light to reach us. Light from our own Sun does not have too far to travel but is still around 8 minutes old. Although sound and light take time to travel you can still function as though they were instantaneous occurrences, as your brain doesn't seem to care for how old or new something is. Looking at your hand or listening to your own voice you are not seeing or hearing it as it is in the present, but as it was in the past. The diference is in nanoseconds, but it is still significant enough that it isn't truly now. 5 Reference: htps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0pwKzTRG5E 50 These illusions work well enough that you can manage your life without struggling with fundamental properties of physics as you walk down the street or pay your bills. But it also shows you that you are not able to experience reality directly, only the workable illusion of reality. Light travels from our Sun at 671,000,000 miles per hour. Sound travels to your ears at 768 miles per hour. You can walk home at about 3 miles per hour. But a relationship is instantaneous. The Sun has already formed a new relationship with everything around it before its light has had a chance to do anything. Your brain already has a relationship with a decision several seconds before you are aware.6 The Sun knows where the Earth is going to be long before its light reaches us. The Sun doesn't consider stars in other galaxies, as those relationships are already folded into whatever is nearby. What is far is folded into what is near. Everything doesn't need to be known, only the harmony of what is close needs to be sensed to extrapolate the totality of everything else. If Jupiter was somehow to disappear, the 'shock' of the unfolding relationships would push the Sun a litle, then pull it back as it organized the unfolded relationships into new folds (which is a mystery that has been puzzling cosmologists for some time). As people and things appear and disappear from our lives we may also be shocked in such a way as we re-organize the new relationships. Your past and future are also folded like this. Distant past and future are simply current perceptions that aren't so relative to you. The resistance between the two we call the present, but even this cannot be touched. The present illustrates the universal illusion. Is it time that allows you to perceive an apple as round, juicy, and red? These things are just our interpretation of the relationships behind the apple that allow you to see it that way. You are perceiving what is related and you fold up the rest into the wide arms of potential. You are perceiving the same apple as a seedling, an apple tree, an unripe apple, a ripe apple, a half-eaten apple, and a roten apple â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but all folded into the round, juicy, and red apple because that is the apple that is most relative to you. It is not the speed of time that causes the 'delay' of perspective, but our own swinging on the geometry of relationships, like monkey bars, as we sense the next closest bar to swing on. What we call the immediate past and future are the bars around us, but the present is the time spent between bars, floating in an experience that has no representation. We are not conscious of the present because awareness of the present only comes about through a relationship with something else, in what we call past and future. We hang between memory and possibility. The future expands our awareness, while the past contracts it. The harmonic equilibrium in the middle, the resistance, is our present. We seem to be moving forward in time as our bodies are powered by chaos and limited by order. The past burns the future like oxygen burns hydrogen in the fuel cell of our bodies, beckoning us electromagnetically as the past turns to rust. 2.15 You Are Not Reually Humuan Just as consciousness exists in relationships rather than individual somethings, humanness is a state of being rather than a state of physicality. We are human because of our relationships. Your physical body is a massive collection of both physical and non-physical consciousness. 7 Approximately 100 trillion bacterial cells, each with its own consciousness and thoughts (via relationships), inhabit your body. You have 10 times more more of these bacterial cells in your body than you do human cells. What we refer to as human DNA actually has anywhere from 6 7 Reference: htp://phys.org/news12713951619.html Just as our brain operates in both physically and non-physically-oriented (metaphysical) geometries. 51 100 to 1,000 times more microbial genes than what we think of as human genes. You are, in actuality, not human. You stopped being physically human the moment you were born and microbial life began to take over. A complex microbial ecosystem staked claims in your digestive and respiratory tracts, your teeth, and your skin. They established increasingly complex communities, like a forest that gradually takes over a clearing. By the time you were a few years old, these communities matured. You will carry them with you, more or less, for your entire life. Less than 1% of your genetic make-up is human DNA. It’s easy to ignore the astonishing fact that you are not nearly as human as you think. “Human beings are not really individuals; they’re communities of organisms,” says McFall-Ngai. “It’s not just that our bodies serve as a habitat for other organisms; it’s also that we function with them as a collective. As the profound interrelationship between humans and microbes becomes more apparent, the distinction between host and hosted has become both less clear and less important — together we operate as a constantly evolving man-microbe kibbutz. Which raises a startling implication: If being Homo sapiens through and through implied a certain authority over our corporeal selves, we are now forced to relinquish some of that control to our innerdwelling microbes. Ironically, the human ingenuity that drives us to understand more about ourselves is revealing that we’re much less “human” than we once thought.” [from The Body Politic8] To you, an aggregated consciousness, riding a bicycle is a simple activity. It does, however, require the rapid execution of successive calculations of physics, trigonometry, and calculus. Calculations that would be quite impossible for anyone to do (rapidly, if at all) with their brain are easily and quickly performed by the other types of consciousnesses within their body. You quite ofen and easily perform calculus at speeds that would make Isaac Newton sweat through his wig. We take these abilities (or relationship-consciousnesses) for granted and say that it just comes naturally to us, without ever actually knowing how we do it. Other types of animals have also been shown to perform calculus,9 but perhaps researchers never thought to apply the same question to humans. We can perform calculations of physics without thinking about them because parts of us do make those calculations. We are then intuitively aware of the result because we need only sense the representation that has the answer folded in it. One interpretation is no more valid than any other. A physicist's understanding of physics, for example, is useless to a baby walking for the first time, though baby has a diferent but still-useful interpretation of physics and physical relationships. Our own understanding of the inner workings of our bodies would be useless to whatever is working inside our body. How reasonable would it be to assume that a cell has no thoughts, feelings, or intelligence, because we don't know how to communicate with them? We are human because of the particular way we interact with our physical environment and from the social relationships with have with each other. Our atoms, cells, organs, etc., allow us to express the humanity that is already there, beyond what we consider human. Being a Logian doesn't mean you're from another planet, of course, or spend your nights chating with microbial organisms. It simply means that you put perspective at the forefront of your reality to remove its limitations. 8 9 2.16 Your Perfect Reuality We can either have truth or we can have perception. We can't have both. If there's 'truth' there's no perception of it. If there's perception, 'truth' cannot be perceived. We can perceive only an illusion that is more than a good-enough approximation for our reality. In truth, the illusion is the reality. Reality is a resistance between two or more illusions. Your perspective is the most perfect thing you'll ever experience because of the perfect way that the process works, even when it really doesn't seem to be working at all. There is no reality more wonderful or more amazing than the one that you're experiencing right now. Forget about what something looks like or feels like. Forget that your bed might be a litle too uncomfortable or the neighbors might be too loud on weekends. Forget for a moment about how money seems to have a life of its own and might be thinking of leaving you, not coming home for weeks at a time. Those are illusions. When you think deeply about your self and your life, think as the subconscious might think; the engaging and sometimes amazing illusions and the realities they enable, not all the chaos that comes and goes like bubbles in boiling water. Focusing on the physical aspect of things is like geting a present and obsessing over the wrapping, completely ignoring what's inside. Life's wrappings are not the gifs. But yet, this is what we do. We focus on the representations and assume that our reality is defined by how it looks. It's isn't. What is a perfect reality? It is not the perfect job or the perfect life according to your hopes and dreams. It doesn't mean geting what you want. The subconscious mind doesn't care about how many times you've fallen on your ass or how many obstacles are in front of you. It doesn't care about how many cars you think you own or how much you think you recycle. Those experiences exist in your complex interpretation of reality, not in the simplicity of reality itself. Fortunately (or unfortunately), how you interpret reality is far more important than what kind of life you have. A single, carefully-considered interaction can do more for your life than a thousand achievements or well-meaning friends ever could. A perfect reality is a balance of all relationships. And you only need to worry about the folds of your immediate reality, not what is happening on the other side of the world. Reality works in ways you cannot imagine. You may not see it as being 'wonderful' if someone dies from lung cancer because they have been smoking cigaretes for 20 years, even though it is perfectly reasonable as far as nature goes. The subconscious mind sees relationships, not the illusions that we focus on. It knows only that the person had been interacting with something (that we interpret as cigaretes, which have acids that severely contract the cells) and another relationship to balance it out formed over time (that we call cancer, a harmful overgrowth). As far as perspective is concerned, the relationship worked out prety well, just as it did for another person with another type of cancer whose smoking helped to reverse. Your reality is a perfect representation according to the value of every person, place, thought, thing, process, emotion, and experience in your perspective. These experiences are all relationships doing their thing, and you doing your thing by interpreting them as you wish. The poiesis that 'creates' your reality is perfect. How you decide to experience it is entirely up to you. There is an endless variety of interpretations. Pick one. If it doesn't work, pick something else. How beautiful is it that you're not stuck with one interpretation? You could pick and re-pick thousands of times if you wanted to. And that's exactly what we do moment afer moment, day afer day, to give us the motion of our experience. All we need to do is realize what is actually happening. In an absolutely perfect existence there would be no drama. In fact there wouldn't be 53 anything else, either. It is the drama that focuses reality. The resistance between chaos and order can be interpreted as anything you want: good and bad, high and low, angelic or evil, happy or sad, and everything in between and back again. If you don't like the really bad, stop focusing on the really good. It is understandable that you could get lost in the drama of all these relationships and think that it must come from somewhere else; surely not your own mind. But it is entirely in the perspective you call your reality and you therefore have a choice in how to interpret it. You are perfectly free to interpret the relationships that are already there however you want. How awesome is that! You are the most beautiful and wondrous thing that could ever be imagined. But 'you' is not just the you that you see in the mirror. You is perspective. You are everything born of nothing-in-particular in all of its hell, peanuts, and glory. This is the stuf of existence. And we delightfully ignore the power of the moment to create all of reality as we go about our every day. It's quite dificult to see yourself without a mirror. Now imagine this on a cosmic scale. You are that which leaves home for an eternity in order to forget who you are so that you can remember yourself once again in every possible kind of relationship and through every possible kind of interaction. You are the happy ant that plays with dust. You are the angles in a room on the 5th floor. You are the rookie trader on the exchange floor. You are the light running through the galaxy's veins and the serious professor. You are that guy. And his grandma. You are that which takes an endless variety of perceptions and perspectives to try and reproduce. You can't really remember yourself completely, but you sure do try hard! You formulate all of the songs, birds, laughter, love, clouds, hats, and swords in the world and across the fictional heavens of your mind to try – time and time again – to capture your essence. You are the life. The wonder of the wonderful. That which the endless variety of your perspective tries to capture but cannot begin to. That is the endlessness of how awesome you are. You try through all manner of drama of every possible measure to form a universe of things that – for beter or for worse – cannot capture even a small fragment of the impossible-to-perceive. But you don't even think about giving up trying to look at yourself in the mirror once and for all. Who are you? You are whatever is possible to be, in whatever way you want. You are that whose first priority is to forget yourself. You are always your best re-interpretation, no mater how itchy your underwear gets. You are one and the other, and neither, all at the same time. You are so confident in your existence it seems like you undo yourself just to be able to make a grand entrance at every moment. But this is a paradox. You don't want to be nothing again. Not existing is so boring and lonely. You only want to be able to perceive yourself, but by doing so you get lost in the everything. This is how you like it. Being many-things-at-once reminds you of being nothingin-particular, and that's not the direction you want to go. You want the illusion of somethingin-particular; far more exciting! You don't want to know exactly how you breathe – you just want to breathe! You don't need to know the intimate details of your cells and hormones and other internal processes when your body needs adenosine triphosphate. Why should you care? You only need to feel the hunger. You don't need to have intimate knowledge of your system needing more DHA than it did 5 years ago. You only know you now love to eat salmon and you want some right now. When you eat, you don't need to know how your body's positive enzymes strip the negative electrons of what you digest, you just think about what you'll be doing afer you finish eating. You represent complex processes as simply and eficiently as possible and then proceed to forget all about those complex things. You have complex representations of vast inner 54 galaxies that interact with other worlds, but you see only a chair and a table. Representing these realities more simply allows you to interact with them in ways that would never have otherwise been possible. Who wants to lay on a micro-galaxy? In another space and time zone it might be exciting, but for now you just want to get in the bed. And so here you are again. Impossible to define, impossible to perceive, impossible to merely think of... but how wonderfully amazing it is that you try again and try again. When you try to perceive something so amazing and indescribable that it is beyond perception, even a litle piece of it is still world-changing and wonderful. A couple of tiny words on a piece of paper can literally rock your world. Your 'try' is enough to create an endless universe of interpretations, exploding and imploding at every moment and filling in again with an entirely new something that you can perceive as whatever you want. Your clothes do not illustrate the complete essence of who you are. Your friends don't reflect it completely. The dishes on the table do not capture the essence. The dirt blissfully hiding in the comfort of your fingernails cannot even daydream of such things. You are so wonderfully hidden yet so spectacularly visible because it is the process of perspective that formulates your existence and extends to everything that could possibly be. You're not just trying to look in the mirror as you read this book. You're trying to jump through your own eyes! Are we alone in this efort? Are you alone? If everything in your perspective is you, what and who else is there? It would seem from this that you are, indeed, a party of one. Is it true? What else is there when you are everything? Ahh. But you are not actually 'everything' because then you wouldn't exist. You are an interpretation of everything. You are not alone because then you'd be nothing-in-particular, all by yourself with nothing else to relate to, and not existing at all. Being 'alone' is irrelevant. You could not be more surrounded by everything. There is no need to worry about being alone when you can form relationships with everything in your perspective. We tend to focus on a handful of people in our lives and the dramas we produce, but the subconscious mind sees the relationships with everything, not just people. Imagine knowing as much about the life of the table in your room as you do about your closest friend. Imagine knowing that the water you just drank has a memory of an interesting family of fish that liked to play all day in the ocean. Imagine having a 'conversation' with the bone in your finger about what it was like being part of the Sun. Imagine knowing what pets and other animals and plants are thinking and feeling. Imagine an older person shouting at their television and it shouts back, in its own way. Now imagine that you do none of this at all but that all of this awareness is folded up in the sense of wonder and awesomeness you might have at any moment. There would be no need to experience any of these things â&#x20AC;&#x201C; just feel the life around you. This is no crazier than still hearing the same voice in your mind as you read these words when you don't need to. By sensing the eternal life around you, you are just interpreting what has been here all along, in a way that somehow makes sense as you feel yourself fold into the arms of the universe itself. Nothing is insignificant when there is so much of something else with which to compare. So here you are. A universe of relationships to explore and an endless variety of things to fold up into representations to have relationships with. It's certainly a mouthful, but all of this love, the beauty, the sadness, the cheeky grins, these countless swords and all the stories and songs that will ever be writen are a part of something so amazing it cannot actually be defined. This particular story â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the epic drama of existence â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is all that needs to be and is the most real thing that could ever possibly be. Beter than merely being something that exists, you are that which can relate with whatever you can imagine existing. You are the perfect balance between chaos and order, and you don't even realize it yet. 55 You are all that you need to be right now. There is no need to be anyone else, go anywhere else, do anything else, other than what you are doing right now in your perspective. Until, of course, you re-interpret everything again and continue to explore who you are. In one word, the you that you have been trying to define is perfection. Puart 3: Exploring the Universe with Quantum Metuaphysics “Mind is the matrix of all mater.” - Max Planck, Winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics 3.01 The Greuatest Trick Afer more than 500 years since Copernicus first turned his mind to the cosmos, cosmologists seem to agree that only about 4% of the universe is understood. The remaining 96% is unknown and termed 'dark mater' or 'dark energy', which seems to be an other way to say that nearly all of the universe is a complete mystery. As well, science still doesn't understand why the act of observation would afect the measurements of sub-atomic particles. However, it is understood forces like gravity can influence the visual perception of moving objects10 and the perception of time, and the mind can be influenced by other forces like electromagnetism. There are also some new theories on the fringes of quantum physics11 that suggest the mind can interact with information in the universe at the Planck scale12. Qantum physics tells us that is impossible to gain information about an electron, for example, without changing its state. Qantum Metaphysics tells us that we are not measuring an electron (and thus changing its state from an observation of it) but, first and foremost, measuring our own perspective. The observer afects what is observed because there is no diference between the two. From this perspective, modern physics sounds more like hocus-pocus. The Logian understands that observation comes from perception and that we could never possibly observe anything outside of our perception. The universe could not possibly be divorced from perspective because perception of anything (including everything, or even other perspectives) is entirely subjective. Physicists may think that consciousness can't be measured, but if that was true then it means that consciousness cannot be measured in any way. If we consider the capacity of consciousness as a form of measurement, then a way to measure consciousness could be to simply be aware of one thing. Consciousness – through relationships and interactions – is itself a measurement of reality. In order for us to measure consciousness, we must first realize that consciousness is the ultimate instrument. Any measurement in our perspective is a measurement of our perspective, in a way that is relative to how it is being measured. What would science be without observation? And has anything truly been observed except for one's own perspective? Theoretical physics has made nearly zero progress in nearly one hundred years, ofering less discovery and testable new ideas than the children's toy market. We can almost measure this lack of progress with a pogo stick and come to the conclusion that modern physics is in dire need of a quantum Reformation. Somehow, in all of the 'beautiful' mathematics that modern physics has turned into (that, coincidentally, there can never be proof for) as it sacrificed science for politics, we have lost perspective. 10 “Your Perception of Gravity Is All Relative, Study Finds” htp://www.livescience.com/131906-brain-perceives-gravitysenses.html 11 “The Weird Efects of the Mind and Gravity” htp://www.neuroquantology.com/index.php/journal/article/view/621 12 Definition at htps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planck_scale 56 Rather than experiencing the laws of physics, thermodynamics, biology, chemistry, etc., a Logian understands that we are experiencing the nature of perspective. Consciousness is not by itself logical, nor does it follow any law. However, your experience and interpretation of reality follows the law of perspective. The reality beyond perspective is meaningless because it cannot be perceived. The universe and everything in it is a representation of the process of perspective wrapped up in a nice logical narrative that takes shape as a seemingly endless expression of consciousness, mater, relationships, equations, ideas, geometries, realities, stories, thoughts, and everything else. We look up at the stars and think of them as being many light years away, forgeting that they are as close as our own perspective. It is the greatest trick in the universe. 3.02 The Logic of E=MC2 The most famous formula in all of science, Einstein's E=MC2, is a work of genius. It is also irrational. Although the equation explains the relationship between mass and energy (energy equals mass times the speed of light squared), there is no clear definition of what energy means in physics. The concept of energy is abstract and not defined nearly as well as the concepts of mass or momentum. One of the greatest minds in science makes our understanding of energy clear by saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is important to realize that in physics today, we have no knowledge what energy is.â&#x20AC;? (Richard Feynman, Nobel Prize Winner in Physics.) If we are unable to define what energy is, how are we able to define what it is equal to? QMe defines energy as the measurable, harmonic resistance between space and time (chaos and order). Or, as applied to Einstein's formula, between time (mass) and space (time squared, or the maximum velocity of information). In QMe, mass is a measurement of relationships in a unit of spacetime13. The 'speed of light' is the rate at which the units interact to exchange information about other areas of spacetime. This information exchange follows a certain patern, so we can predict how much mass will result in how much energy. This simple dynamic leads to all kinds of observable phenomena in physics. For example, the excited nature of light in space has much more information regarding interactions than does mass, which has more information about relationships. Without information about relationships, however, the light in space cannot interact. Therefore, more excited light gets the more information it needs about relationships. The phenomena of light bending towards objects with the most mass is a mater of light photons (positively charged) interacting with those objects that have the information it needs about spacetime relationships (negatively charged, such as our planet). The result of the resistance between these two forces is what we call energy. Put another way, E=MC2 can be writen simply as Energy=Spacetime. Energy is the harmonic resistance between space (chaos) and time (order). [Note: We can also think of space as the square of time, as we will see.] 13 There is no irreducible unit of spacetime, per se, however, so this value is relative to the observer. This would mean that there is an irreducible unit of perspective. 57 We can also say that energy is equivalent to the medium in which it is perceived. Energy is the value of the information in a given unit of space over time. When something produces no energy it is not perceived, as there is no information about its existence (and is, thus, beyond observation). It follows that energy is equivalent to spacetime. If we wanted to see how much information is in a particular system, we just square the value of relationships at its center. For example, let's say we wanted to know the size of our solar system. First, we take what we can measure (in this case, the speed of light.) We must then realize that the speed we measure is not the true speed, but the speed of our interface with it. In order to perceive light (as we know it) we have to unpack it and make it more complex than it actually is. This interfacing layer is always either a folding of complexity (towards order) or an unfolding (towards chaos). In our physicality, we have de-compressed light in order to get the light that we see. [Note: This is similar to how we must fold the space of water in order to get ice, as we will learn in section 3.06.] As light is measured at 299,792 km/s, half of it is 149,896 km/s. This is the 'speed' of light from the core of the sun, where it is very dense. When we square this number we get 22 billion kilometers in one second, the size of the solar system in one second. But why would we measure the size of the solar system in seconds? That is because space is always relative to time. If we wanted to know the size of something, we would need to determine it in relation to time. Something could not be just 5 meters wide, for example, but 5 meters wide between August 5th and November 4th. (Although in saying it the former way, we are already implying that it is [now] 5 meters wide.) In this way, we are considering the two axes of spacetime – yes, only two – as related to anything in perspective, just as you would if you were navigating a ship and needed information about both longitude and latitude. We do this ofen while speaking without realizing it. We would say that a movie (chaos) is three hours long (order), for example. Or the house (order) is two hundred square meters in size (chaos). Even the speed of light is measured in space and time (kilometers per second). Everything in spacetime would need to be measured in both space and time. If you didn't catch it above, “... the size of the solar system in one second,” is quite important with regards to QMe. It means that the size of the solar system has no upper limit without regards to time. It is interpreted as smaller or larger, depending on the time units involved. It also means that the smallest particle is no diferent than the entire universe as a whole. That's why energy is so important, as it is information about spacetime that depends on other information for its value. However, before we get into energy we will illustrate the Chaonic Field, the source of spacetime. [Feel free to skip to the last section if the next few get too confusing.] 3.03 The Chuaonic Field The essence of mater is not perceived directly. Spacetime is the only medium in which we can perceive anything. Mater – and all reality – that is independent of perspective is referred 58 to here as the Chaonic Field. The Chaonic Field is made up of two sub-fields that converge into spacetime and everything else that we perceive. These sub-fields are the Relative Field (RF) and the Interactive Field (IF). You can think of the Chaonic Field as the Nothing that chaos and order are trying to find (in order to atract or repel it) but cannot. Each is looking for information that the other has in order to find it, but for diferent reasons. For simplicity's sake, let's say that order is looking for information to know where to atract, while chaos is looking for information to know when to repel. Within the Chaonic Field are nested, alternating positive and negative cycles. These alternations come about because of the exchange of information in the form of energy. From this, the appearance of motion, being, life, and things comes about. Let's see how this works for something that we know. Imagine that you're looking at the Earth as it was billions of years ago. It is just a ball of dust. This dust came from somewhere so that means it was either atracted to something or repelled by something. This means it is carrying an electrical charge. Let's say that this charge has a value of +112. Other particles of dust will sense the charge of it (we'll see how later). Those that are positive (red) will be repelled by it, while those that are negative (blue) will be atracted to it. Those that have a positive charge around +112 will repel it the most, while those that have a negative charge around -112 will be most atracted to it. Soon our red dust particle is surrounded by blue dust particles of opposing charge. This is chaos and order at work; we have a relationship through charge and interaction through 59 proximity. Eventually, our red dust particle is surrounded by blue dust particles. This also has the efect of pushing away the blue dust particles that were atracted to the area because of the red particle. It also brings in the other red particles who were formerly pushed away. Now the patern of the Chaonic Field is beginning to emerge. We have a core surrounded by other particles. The dust particle that used to be ordinary is now transformed into something else – a nucleus. Every particle is itself a Chaonic Field and is made up of the 4 fundamental forces of SPPI: structure, chaos-potential, order-potential, and interaction. The internal fluctuation between chaos and order causes the appearance of 'spin'. The more imbalanced it is the more it seems to spin, like a pendulum that is pulled too far back and moves to maintain equilibrium. At the equator of the particle is information about relationships being pushed out. The particle communicates to the other particles around it about relationships. At each pole there is information about interactions being pulled in from those particles that are immediately surrounding it. All the information that has ever been communicated by a particle boils down to one of two questions: “I am a net negative,” or, “I am a net positive.” That's it. No other information is ever 60 communicated by particles, systems, you, or anyone or anything else. This is the quantum in Qantum Metaphysics. But how is this possible? How does a -112 particle find +112 particles? And how are you able to get spagheti sauce all over your shirt and be totally unaware of the quite basic realities going on at the quantum level? To illustrate how this is possible, imagine that you're driving along a road in the country at night and your car gets stuck. Your phone batery is dead so you need to find someone to help you. You see an area with four farm houses that are a bit distant from each other. You want to know just one thing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Which one should I go to?â&#x20AC;? You intuitively know that you should pick the house with the most lights. That means there might be several people inside and there's a good chance they're all awake and there might be someone who is able to help. You avoid the house with fewer lights because your chances of finding help probably would not be as good. Now imagine that in each house the lights were constantly turned on and of. All the houses have intermitent lighting, but there are two houses that keep their lights on more than others. Of course, you decide to go to the house between these two that kept its light on most ofen. Back to our dust particle, it doesn't 'know' where to to find particles with opposing values that it can be atracted to. It is most atracted to surrounding systems with a consistent signal. The longer the signal the greater the chance that a particle will 'choose' it. It's safe to say that if a system has been net-negative for a while then there are probably a lot more negative particles inside it than positive. Those that shif back and forth between positive and negative probably have fewer net negative particles. This makes it easy for systems that are highly negative (due to the 'length' of time it has been net-negative) to atract the greatest number of opposing particles to achieve equilibrium. As information is pushed out from a system's nucleus its complexity unfolds. The more it interacts the more complex it gets. And, as it is pulled in again, it folds into simplicity. All particles from the Chaonic Field are actually chaons (in this book referred to as photons because chaons cannot be perceived) that become an electron or a neutron and other particles, depending on its spin and radius. Through many cycles of spins in the Chaonic Field, a chaon can transform into anything that can be perceived. Let's see again how the Chaonic Field allows a particle of dust to become the Earth and its atmosphere, as we did in section 1.05. 61 A layer of chaos is always enveloped by a layer of order. This process unfolds in everything from small particles to planets, solar systems, and beyond. Less obviously is the way it manifests in our daily lives when we pour a cup of tea or talk with friends, but the process is the same. Each layer is interpreted diferently. Of your personal identity, for example, one layer would look like your body, whereas the layer 'underneath' would be under your skin, and the layer on top would be the electromagnetic radiation emanating from it. 62 When we re-define the elements of the SPPI process, we can get the color spectrum, for example: Or the spin of an electron: Changing the potentials again we get a water molecule: Hydrogen expands via endless combustion while oxygen contracts via oxidation, forming a water molecule as the poiesis of equilibrium unfolds. Water molecules then go through the same process as they balance between expansion (as a gas) and contraction (as a solid) to reach a liquid state. Mater, like reality, is the narrative of positive and negative charges balancing relative to the structure of what the result (the representation) is interfering with. Diferent kinds of mater are diferent ways to interpret these relationships. We do not perceive mater directly, however. We perceive only our interpretation of it. There are as many interpretations of the same basic relationships as there are perspectives. As each thing interacts with every other thing we get a complex, harmonious, and seemingly infinite reality. Every system and sub-system â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from the smallest of particles to the most complex social structures to gravity and beyond â&#x20AC;&#x201C; has the Chaonic Field at its core. Through the oscillation of positive and negative charges we perceive a picture that we call reality. However, SPPI does not just show how mater and everything else is formed. More than that, it shows how perspective forms mater within it. Perspective is the origin of the universe and everything within. How we interpret the SPPI is up to us. 63 3.04 Folding uand Unfolding In QMe, nothing exists until it interacts with something else. This also means that the entire universe is contained within your current perspective and need only exist inasmuch as you are interacting with it. Each thing in your perspective is a representation that you use to interface with something else. Illusions are enough for interactions to take place, and nothing in your perspective needs to be real for reality to emerge. If you're siting in a closed room, for example, everything outside of it doesn't need to be 'rendered' if you're not interacting with it. You can have sunlight with no Sun. Schroedinger's cat isn't in the box afer it closes. It can meow with only the meow needing to exist. Everything else about the cat is neatly folded into the box. Your perspective is highly eficient and wastes nothing. No energy is used, none is wasted. Just as you can compress a complex concept into a simpler one by giving it a name, your perspective folds everything into simpler representations. When you interact with something it unfolds the complexity. A complex thing in one part of your perspective can be interpreted as a more simple thing in another part, which will change the perception of it completely. A distant geomagnetic explosion may be interpreted, closer to your immediate perspective, as political chaos in a particular country. An interesting 5-dimensional cloud may be an old colleague. The sound of running across the floor may unfolded as a breeze on Venus. The representations themselves don't mater – nature doesn't care if something is a boat, a teapot, a contract, or a sun, only we do. Here is, roughly, what this looks like for a group of particles: On a quantum level in your perspective, when you interact with something you are multiplying the units of information by 2. You may stop at the first multiplication – even before it, if harmony isn't your thing – or continue on until you reach the end of the cycle (which is the square of the value of the nucleus). This is not a conscious decision to interact with something, of course. It's a quantum decision of whether or not one thing is compatible 64 with something else, and will atract or repel it accordingly. That is to say, “Is the next fold up/down a net positive or net negative?”. The other layers that are immediately up or down from it are irrelevant, because all of their information has already been folded/unfolded in those surrounding layers. In a similar way, the Sun does not push or pull on a distant object but is atracted and repelled by things relative to it in the chain of relationships, and atracts and repels the distant object only as it is folded into the more relative object. To the Sun, there is no need for the distant object to exist, as it is already harmoniously folded in the closer relationships. [See Notes for a bit more on the Chaonic Field.] 3.05 Energy The purpose of energy is to communicate charge status – either negative or positive – across the Chaonic Field. It does not transmit the charge itself but only information about the charge. Energy is feedback about interactions and relationships. One of most basic laws of physics is the Law of the Conservation of Energy, which states that energy cannot be created or destroyed but only changed from one form to another. QMe extends that to hold that energy does not exist independent of perspective, but depends on it entirely. Just as a story can 'exist' in the relationship between individual frames of a motion picture, energy can 'exist' in the relationship between things. There is no actual energy, or even motion, between frames – there doesn't need to be. The motion is abstract, just as energy is. However, it could be said that energy is a function of mater rather than something that is produced from mater. The universe (or, more accurately, your perspective) does not waste energy. It is so eficient, in fact, that it does not use energy at all.14 It only needs to relate to and interact with the things that comprise it. The relationships and interactions between one thing and an other thing is not created or destroyed, it simply changes. Information about interactions are communicated by photons, whereas more massive photons – called electrons – communicate information about relationships to the nucleus. 'Potential energy' is a folding of information, whereas 'kinetic energy' is the unfolding of it. In DNA, for example, information is folded ('compacted') in chromosomes, which builds up potential energy (velocity) for the unfolding of rapid cell growth. The more something can be set according to relationships (such as phi or symmetry) the more kinetic energy can be unfolded. The building up of potential energy could be considered a storing of information. It is information more at-rest than in motion, though is never completely at rest or completely in motion (as its existence couldn't be communicated in either extreme). When information is set in motion it becomes kinetic energy. Communication of Energy How is energy communicated to other particles? 14 Of course, it can't use what it doesn't really have. There's no need to: pretending to do it is more efective. You get the same 'result' without any energy expenditure. 65 Here is the only information that is ever communicated. That is to say, all the energy in the universe can be boiled down to this: These Chaonic Fields are anywhere and everywhere in reality, but are never observed for what they are. If you were a cell in your body, for example, you'd take chaos inputs from your environment (e.g., whatever your body interacts with, such as the sun) into your nucleus and output proteins. You would only be able to perform one function at a time (either input or output) but you could switch as fast as you'd like. However, too much information about interactions would cause you to become cancerous, whereas too much information about relationships would cause you to protect yourself too much, and you would die. Switching functions is essential to maintain the integrity of the Chaonic Field. Life is the continual balance between chaos and order. All of reality is this relationship between illusions, given real life by interactions and interpreted by your perspective. 3.06 Muass uand Being The definition of mass in classical physics is the property of mater that causes it to resist any change in its motion (inertia). This definition is okay for the purposes of QMe, but it begins to break down at the quantum level. If classical physics says a photon is never at rest, how can it be said that a photon resists changes in its motion more than anything else (because it has no mass)? In QMe, mass is a measurement of relationships rather than substance. It is informationat-rest and, although we may say that a photon is moving, there is no movement with a photon because it is already where it needs to be. Just like a bug frozen in a block of ice doesn't need to move in order to communicate information to others about its state, the 66 photon and other particles don't need to waste energy moving, especially when moving isn't possible. In classical physics, the photon should not be moving at all. Another interesting diference is that in QMe, mass is the opposite of what it is in classical physics. Let's illustrate the diference: It is easy to look at 1kg of ice compared with 1kg of water, and see that water takes up more space as it turns to ice. However, this is not the case. As water turns to ice, each particle takes up less space. Ice has less information about interactions (motion) and therefore 'heat' is what compels the particles to become more tightly packed, as the information that heat exchanges with cold is compressed and folded into smaller units of space. As ice turns to water, each particle takes up more space. Water has more information about relationships (mass) and therefore 'cold' is what compels the particles to become more free, as the information that cold exchanges with heat is unpacked into greater units of space. 67 Compression (folding) is a centripetal acceleration. You could say that as water turns to ice its particles are still accelerating, but the acceleration is directed to its center instead of outward. This vortex motion causes it to fold, decreasing its spatial magnitude as its mass increases. Mass, then, is a contraction of space. This contraction is an electrical charge, which is a representation of the summed mass of all the system's sub-particles. The electrical charge is information about relationships that have been folded from inside the system, and is strongest at the nucleus. The messenger of this charge â&#x20AC;&#x201C; electrons â&#x20AC;&#x201C; define time and communicate information regarding relationships to other particles. This informationcarrying charge allows harmony to be maintained in a sea of chaos. Think of mass as memory, where information is stored for later use. It is simply being, or the 'path of least resistance' for a particle when litle information is had about interactions. 3.07 Velocity uand Motion If you were on a train travelling at 200 kilometers an hour and looked over to the person siting across from you, they would appear not to be moving at all. That is because you'd be sharing the same inertial frame of reference. When you look at the mass of things just about everything appears to have mass â&#x20AC;&#x201C; except the photon. That is because the photon shares the same frame of reference as your perspective. Existence begins when information is in motion, and information is transmited by the photon. It is no coincidence that we can see, hear, taste, smell and more because of the photon, the carrier of electromagnetic information. But what would velocity be if nothing actually moved? If we imagine that the universe has nowhere to move, can we imagine that all motion is not real but an illusion of change based on a frame of reference within the universe? If there is only perspective then nothing really moves at all, but propagates via information about movement instead. In QMe, velocity is the rate at which information is unfolded. Photons do not move any more than cookie recipes do. Rather, photons define space by transmiting information regarding interactions to other particles. 68 The maximum speed of interactions in a Chaonic Field is the square of its mass value. This is also the radius of the field and is its 'now' (as we will see in the next section). If the nucleus of a Chaonic Field has a value of 7, the maximum velocity of information would be 49, which also determines the size of the field. Let's illustrate this with Einstein's E=MC2 equation. The edge of velocity – of chaos – is as much a nucleus at the inner mass is. At the end of each cycle we find reproductive systems where the cycle can begin again as well as interface layers to regulate the systems outside it and turn them into processes inside it. In the Chaonic Field of the human body, for example, the ectoderm creates layers of the skin, lining of the mouth, nostrils, sweat glands, hair, nails, tooth enamel, brain, and neurons to interface with the environment outside the body's Chaonic Field. The size of the field – the initial value of time/mass – determines whether or not the (nonextant) chaon that has been set into motion becomes an electron, neutron, photon, or something else. The radius of the field sets the properties of relationship and interaction, which we interpret to be diferent particles with diferent behaviour and characteristics.. Cosmologists continue to say that the Earth revolves around the Sun, even though they know that it would be impossible for the Earth or another of the other planets to actually do so, as the Sun is moving too fast in its own orbit for the Earth to catch up. The Earth has never once been able to revolve around the Sun because of the limitations the size of its field imposes. The picture we have of the solar system is as inaccurate and incomplete as our picture of photons, electrons, and other particles. It is dificult to imagine the Sun moving along its own orbit, independent of its planets. It is also dificult to imagine photons, electrons, and other particles that don't move at all. Velocity is not actually motion – nothing moves. Instead, it is the rate at which information about spacetime is 'received' by particles. We interpret this as speed when it is far more than that. 69 As velocity increases, the radius of a Chaonic Field over spacetime increases, allowing for greater interaction. When a particle lacks suficient information about relationships its space is amplified. We interpret this to be an increase in motion, but for the particle the increased 'motion' is its path of least resistance in spacetime. (That is to say, the particle transmits information about space in the direction where there is a deficit of information regarding interactions. The more information about interactions, the greater the velocity. You might interpret this in your perspective as an increase in gas afer something you just ate, something falling to the floor, or needing to run for the train. Perspective is prety clever, isn't it?) 3.08 The Reluative Nowhere Space and time are not experienced independently, so always have proportionate values. Anything taking up space is also taking up time, and vice versa. The resistance between the two sides of the same force of spacetime â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the now â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is like a capacitor, or store of energy in an electrical field. As nothing can exist that is absolutely balanced, everything that exists is at least slightly out of balance and works towards equilibrium to maintain natural proportions. This allows us to have a 'now' that has two directions â&#x20AC;&#x201C; chaos-as-possibility ahead of you, and order-as-memory behind you. Time makes space relative to your perspective, and thus perceivable. When you look out into the universe you see this efect much more pronounced. Looking at one galaxy you see it as it was 3.2 billion years ago. Looking in an other direction you are looking back in time several hundred million years. Each thing in space is a diferent time. Each thing that appears to take up 'space' or 'time' is actually taking up spacetime. All things exist in the same space because space is an illusion brought to life by interacting with time in spacetime. Two galaxies exist in the same space but appear to be two separate things because of this time-spacing efect. It is one thing, divided by time. It is all the same thing: the Chaonic Field. Breaking it down makes it perceivable. But it must be broken down into a seemingly infinite array of spacetime. Each Chaonic Field is a 'now', be it the field of your body or the sun. As space expands, time contracts. Let's illustrate this again: 70 To our Sun, 1 year is equal to approximately 225,000,000 Earth years. Compared to the Earth, the Sun's space has expanded and its time contracted to contain a greater “now” in one unit of space. The 'now' of your body is diferent than the 'now' of your cells because of size which, generally-speaking conforms to the radius of its Chaonic Field. To you, however, all things within your Chaonic Field (your body) are running on the same clock. The largest unit of space is that where the smallest unit of time can be found, making for an eternal now. The largest unit of time is where there is the densest mass, making for an eternal here. Less than half a day ago (to the Sun) humanity hadn't even begun. And we have never lef the Big Bang. How massive is a mountain when, to itself, it might be running? 3.09 Modern Science, Arguuably, Huas Un-scientific Founduations Science, although useful in the pursuit of ourselves, is unfortunately based upon the untested hypothesis that reality can accurately be perceived. Ignoring that, scientists seem to agree that we can perceive almost nothing – less than 1% of what exists. This contradiction is generally unstudied, as perspective is not able to be factored into modern equations. The fact that science does not test its basic assumptions – accurate perception – shows that science only applies its own core scientific principles when the result does not threaten its foundations. We can argue, fuss, and fight over how we think it isn't important or doesn't apply, but of course it does. It is time the scientific method is applied to science itself. Scientific observations are assumed to be objective when they are subjective 15 because they 15 Qantum physicists understand that there isn't a reality independent of our observation, but don't understand that what we are observing is the nature of our own perspective (rather than elementary particles). 71 rely on subjective perceptions. We may think that the instrument through which an observation is being made is objective and does not interfere, but how are we observing the instrument itself? How can quantum physicists hold that the observer afects what is being observed but not reason that the medium through which the observation is made might have something to do with it? Unfortunately, modern science would fail its own test; the scientific method cannot be tested scientifically because the foundations of the method rest upon assumptions independent from experience. "..there are certain philosophical assumptions made at the base of the scientific method â&#x20AC;&#x201C; namely, that reality is objective and consistent, that humans have the capacity to perceive reality accurately, and that rational explanations exist for elements of the real world. These assumptions are the basis of naturalism, the philosophy on which science is grounded.." â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Kate and Vitaly (2000) The nature of something cannot be observed independently of the observation (as it actually is). There will always be 'perception' of something, even when perceiving through an apparatus. Are you perceiving properties of the electron, properties of the electron microscope, or properties of your perspective? Only maths is a real science, as it does not need to be based on reality. But even then, those doing the maths don't realize that they are only interfacing with the nature of perspective, not looking at God's underwear. Even the mind is an apparatus, albeit a more complex one that tricks us even more cleverly than our eyes. Few are able to see this illusion for what it is, as that which is considering the nature of the illusion is the same as that which is performing the illusion. This means that scientists are not observing reality directly, but observing the reality of their instruments. To someone holding a hammer, everything looks like a nail. To someone looking through a kaleidoscope, everything looks kaleidoscopic. You're not seeing the reality of Germany by analyzing the word, though it may seem like it if the interface is interesting enough. Although we can theorize about particles, we can only perceive the results in our perspective, which is the only medium that particles exist in. The instrument that is used for the measurement or observation is rarely considered as afecting the measurement or observation, but ofen what is being observed are the efects of the instrument and whatever it is relative to rather than what is being observed. It is obvious when you look through a telescope that your perspective is changed, but less obvious when using other instruments because one has no physical frame of reference with which to compare and use to model what is being perceived. Instruments can be references of interpretation, but are used as a means to observe reality. Looking through an electron microscope we do not see electrons. We see the reality of the electron microscope.16 If you invented a new gestalt spectrometer that is designed to capture oompa particles, you'd probably find them eventually with a bit of tweaking. But it doesn't mean that they exist outside of your interpretation. Satisfied with your results you'd find a place for it in the logical narrative of your field of science. Other scientists could then find the same particles using the same or a similar instrument, verifying your results. However, other instruments without such relationships in their immediate geometry, like a pair of binoculars, will not allow you to interpret oompa particles in the same way. (Remember though: the other scientists would also be a part of your perspective, as would their findings be.) The benefit of science is not in discovery of the truth, but discovery of what is useful right now. We may not be able to accurately perceive reality, but we can learn how to look at the steppingstones that will take us there. 16 We are, more accurately, looking into that section of the geometry where the instrument appears. 72 3.10 Is the Universe Infinite? The world around you seems to go on forever, to the outermost reaches of the universe and beyond. But does it really? Are we really looking at something infinite when we peer out into the heavens or into the endlessly layered details of the microscopic world? Cosmologists use maths to help explain the universe. But we mustn't confuse the infinities of maths with the infinities of the universe. Of course numbers can go on forever if that's the kind of system we use. If we divide 10 by 2 we get a nice round number. But dividing 10 by 3 we get a fraction that goes on forever. So where did the infinity hiding for the first calculation? Did we somehow outwit the universe by trying to calculate the exact tax on a stick of gum? We're using the same maths logic, but in this example we've shifed from a 10-2 to a 10-3 way of looking at reality. Why do some things appear finite while other things, in the same system, appear infinite? Why does my body appear finite from the perspective of my eyes but infinite from the perspective of an electron microscope? In some perspectives, infinity appears to exist (when it doesn't really). Does infinity exist because we have come up with a way of counting where some results seem to go on forever? The real question is, “Can infinity be perceived?” Logians hold that we cannot ever perceive what is beyond our perception, and that if infinite potentials actually existed then there would be no perspective. Therefore, infinity is meaningless because it represents that which cannot be perceived. We atempt to 'perceive the infinite' by perceiving the finite. In order to discover a basic and concise explanation for the world around us, we must start from the right place. If we, for example, tried to calculate the exact tax on our stick of gum from a 10-3 perspective, it may take quite a long time. We may even come up with a logical narrative to explain the complexity, postulating that the convenience store exists in 10 dimensions or has a counterpart in 3 parallel universes, and then invent a method to describe it all that looks absolutely beautiful – from the 10-3 perspective. We then become so emotionally atached to what we've created we probably wouldn't care to realize that an elementary school drop-out could figure out that we need a 10-2 perspective, something more relative to what was being observed. If I brought home for you a nice big Box of Chaonic Fields, its reality could not be contained in any one perception. Looking into it you would think that the box went on forever in endless dimensions. It would appear infinite, because you would not be able to perceive it in its entirety. It would look very much like the universe. In our above example, we cannot perceive the entirety of 10 divided by 3 but we can perceive the entirety of 10 divided by 2. In one way reality appears infinite because it cannot be easily defined. It appears chaotic – but chaos is simply an order that isn't yet in our perspective. From our perspective the universe seems to go on forever in every direction. The only diference is that there is no perspective that can 'define' the entirety of the universe, so it appears infinite. Some perspectives just have diferent logical narratives than others. Some of these logical narratives provide a more useful explanation of everything and how to work with it. Some of these narratives can put you on the other side of the galaxy using abstract methodologies. But they are all just patern-making, however useful the paterns would be under certain conditions. Reality can only be approximated. Our universe seems complex because we're starting from a vantage point that makes it appear that way. We're looking at a 10 and using a 3 to perceive it. Our maths will go on forever (and keep a number of physicists employed forever, as well). We make observations but rule out perception (and mind) as irrelevant, when instead they could be the primary tool for discovery that harmonizes all of what we perceive. We build exceedingly expensive machines that do the same work as a child could do – if we started from a perspective that was more relevant to what we're observing. 73 If the universe was infinite there would be no reality. --If you like this book please rate it on Amazon at htps://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FB6ML0O Notes 1.00 Introduction When scientists can only calculate (rather than measure) things like the mass of the universe or vast distances, they are guessing. Calculations, methodologies, and results change more times than scientists are willing to admit, and that makes it a mystery. If we have two liquids in a jar of unknown size and can only measure one liquid, we can't actually know what percentage of the jar the other takes up, and thus can't know how much of the jar is filled. Dark mater and dark energy is said to account for more than 95% of the universe's mass, but this is really just a best-guess. 'Constants' aren't really constants at all, but every-changing filler for holes in calculations where the meat should be [such as with the Hubble Constant, perhaps the most important cosmological discovery ever made, and the findings of astronomer Kris Stanek and an approximate 15% miscalculation in the position of a particular galaxy, which in cosmology is a tremendously large error that went unnoticed for nearly 90 years]. The eventual corrections are not called such, of course, but are simply forgoten or given names like “improved determination” [htp://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.11033/PhysRevLet.111.1013102]. This is because the constants are not actual measurements but useful calculations that appear to be measurements and are used as such. When we consider that calculations will always be mere approximations of reality, then we can begin to see reality (and the act of observation) for what it really is. 1.00 Have we truly made much scientific progress over the past 500 years in the way of understanding the universe when most of the fundamental questions we had then are still unanswered? Or, do we consider progress to be discovering more things that can be useful but are not fundamental, like faster internet speeds and discovery of new or imaginary sub-atomic particles? We seem to have just come up with more complicated questions that keep us distracted from thinking about the fact that we don't really understand much at all. We understand fundamental questions about plumbing but not what holds it all together. 1.00 The laws of nature are simple and easily understood by design. If the laws that governed all of existence were not simple, how could they apply to everything from the smallest particle to the gentlest of social interactions to the most complex system? We agree that complex systems arise from the interaction of simple components, but it doesn't dictate that all such systems need to be described with more complex systems that only a few can truly understand. If a 'final theory' is too complicated for a person of average intelligence to understand, then it has failed to apply its own rules to itself (that it be a simple way to understand everything). If we lef it to the exclusive domain of physicists and cosmologists to describe how to fall in love, the great majority of us would have never been born. (Thank goodness that understanding the universe is far less important!) 1.00 Science now understands that 'color' doesn’t exist outside of our brain's interpretation of it. As well, there are no universal rules that define ‘color’ solely on the physical properties 74 of light. Color is subjective rather than objective, even though it appears consistently throughout your reality. What our brain does is perform an amazing feat of calculation, taking the relationships between the impulses generated from cells in our eye and interpreting them as color where no real color exists. Rather than being a property of the thing that we're looking at, color is a sensation that exists entirely in our minds. 1.00 Note that certain concepts and illustrations have been simplified (or not included) to make the book easier for the average person to understand. 1.00 The word “Logia” is here meant as a particular system of reason (from the Greek logos). 1.00 The answer to the universe's ultimate question will likely never be found by philosophers, clergy, or scientists because it is far bigger than any one domain. It also doesn't help that many religions place belief over a real understanding of whatever the universe may be, perhaps because thinking about how everything works doesn't seem to have any practical applications for everyday life. It followed that the religious search for an understanding of the universe became a search for believers, with a few still trying to understand the how and why of it all. T he end of religion wouldn't be too far away if anyone could answer these questions for themselves, so instead, any real answer is said to be unknowable and beyond the reach of the average person. On the more physical side, a true theory of everything in science would need to be something that could actually be applied to anything, from the very simple to the very complex. Such a theory would not actually appear to be scientific any more than it would appear to be social, political, religious, geophysical, biological, and whatever else it could be applied to, and would therefore not seem to be a worthy pursuit for scientists at all. The 'ultimate theory' would be generic and unassuming rather than the kind of shiny, complex thing that appeals to scientists who make careers out of discovering or making up reasons why certain complexities exist. It follows that the search for the ultimate understanding in science would be replaced with a search for status among peers via elegant hypotheses about problems that are, in a way, hypotheses themselves. Any universal equation would actually need to relate to everything, and therefore needs to make questions about the universe much more simple, not more complicated. However, the end of science as we know it wouldn't be too far away if the average person could answer these questions for themselves. So instead, any ultimate answer is said to be excruciatingly dificult and beyond the reach of all but a handful of scientists, if not no one at all. 1.02 We Do Not Actuually Wuant to Be Omniscient, But Become Omniscient Whether you want to take this material in this book as 'proof of God' or not is up to you. Although I am by no means a religious person, I would go so far as to say that a belief in God is far more rational than saying that God doesn't exist. Saying that something doesn't exist requires proof of its non-existence, whereas a belief requires so such proof. 1.03 How Is It Possible to Understuand the Universe? Pioneers of modern physics agree that the world we see is an illusion. “An independent reality, in the ordinary physical sense, can neither be ascribed to the phenomena nor to the agencies of observation.” - Niels Bohr "If one wants to give an accurate description of the elementary particle, the only thing which can be writen down as description is a probability function. But then one sees that not even the 75 quality of being belongs to what is described.” - Heisenberg 1.04 Whuat You See Are Interfuaces to Reluationships You Don't See Humans are somewhere in the middle of the scale, perhaps. You don't perceive of every detail of our body or the trillions of processes going on inside it – but other forms of life do. The parts of your body do not act as united wholes. Some cells do not 'like' other cells. There are wars inside of your body when you get sick or have an illness, for example. Each 'body' or field of the cycle believes in an 'I'. A cell in your body says “myself” just as you do now, in its own way of course. The Earth is, in a similar way, made up of cells that look like you and I. 1.04 If we are perceiving something it is moving in some way and has at least a litle mass. Likewise, something cannot have infinite velocity or movement if we are perceiving it. 1.04 The speed of light in the Standard Model of physics has been measured where measurements make the most sense in relation to our inertial frame of reference – a few steps above the center of order. Here, it is not measured as being completely expanded (i.e., 'infinite') but is measured to have a certain speed and a photon to have no mass or very litle mass in a very contracted space. 1.05 How Would the Universe Perceive Itself? All we need to understand reality is found in six numbers: the first three numbers of the Fibonacci series, and the first three prime numbers. These six numbers define the patern of perspective itself and is the foundation of everything in the universe that could ever be perceived. The Fibonacci series is a sequence of numbers that express various paterns found in nature17 such as seed heads, pinecones, fruits and vegetables, flowers, the distance of planets relative to our Sun, the spiral movement of leaf and branch distributions, honeybees, weather, galaxy formations, and even humans18. Modern financial systems also use it19. The sequence begins with 0 and 1, and the last two numbers are always added together to come up with the next in the series. Prime numbers are considered among mathematicians to be the building blocks of the universe. A prime number is any natural number that can only be divided by itself and 1 20. From the first three prime numbers (2, 3, and 5) we can extrapolate the first three numbers of the Fibonacci series – (0, 1, 1) and vice versa. These six numbers can tell us everything about the universe, its origins, who we are, what reality is, and much more. “If you only knew the magnificence of the 3, 6 and 9, then you would have a key to the universe.”— Nikola Tesla. We can break down 3, 6, and 9 to 1, 2, and 3. But the numbers by themselves are irrelevant. They allow us to see the patern and harmony of the universe and, as we will see, allow perspective to form. From it, Logians can extrapolate the formula for all of reality, the 'God equation'. 17 More examples can be found at htp://io9.com/519851588/15-uncanny-examples-of-the-golden-ratio-in-nature 18 Most of the human body's parts are of one, two, three and five segments: fingers, nose, mouth, eyes, and three segments to each limb. The proportions and measurements of the body also conform to the golden ratio, as Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man illustrates. When a person's face conforms to these proportions, using various points such as their pupil, nose tip, hairline, nose width, etc., we say that their face is “beautiful”. 19 Reference htp://www.investopedia.com/articles/technical/04/0331104.asp 20 However, for most of the history of prime numbers, the number “1” was part of the club. 76 There are four parts of perspective and reality:     Structure (or logic) Potential – infinite (chaos) Potential – limited (order) Interaction However, the three elements of structure, potential, and interaction represent the minimum number of relationships required for perspective to form. Simply put, reality is formed by limiting infinity with some kind of structure and allowing the two sides of potential to interact harmoniously. 1.07 The God Equuation uand Whuat It Meuans for Your Reuality It follows that the Old Testament represents chaos, while the New Testament represents order. In the Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu writes, “The Tao is like a well; use but never used up. It is like the eternal void: filled with infinite possibilities. It is hidden but always present. I don't know who gave birth to it. It is older than God.” Also in Taoism, the tension between opposing forces yin and yang creates qi (or “chi”), which is life energy. 77 1.07 Although the cycle of complexity is indefinite due to Chaos wanting it to go on forever, the force of Order is at work to fold everything that exists into our current perspective. Everything in the universe is represented somehow in your current experience. You could say that everything that exists contains the algorithm for God, but of course we're talking about the nature of perspective. 1.07 The complexity of subsequent equations is the square of distance from the first. In this book we cover only the first two cycles, and a few examples of the third cycle. The first cycle is the basic Chaos:Order relationship. The second cycle is the God Equation. The third cycle are things like space and time. 1.07 In order for the illusion of 'something' to be possible, two things are happening simultaneously to bring about a result. Chaos tries to resist being the void by doubling or squaring Order to make everything infinite in space, while Order tries to fuse everything together in time (a 1:1 relationship) so that the cycle of birth-death-birth may be repeated again. Neither of these are balanced, however. But between all the doubling and the fusing, a harmony between 1 and 2 is found that is a good compromise (called the golden ratio, 1.618, with the 'nothing' that repeats the cycle making it lean a bit more towards Chaos.) In this cycle, nothing becomes something, then simultaneously becomes two things (chaos and order) in order to have existence, then four things, and so on. Afer it has gone from the very simple to the very complex, it reverses the process and simplifies again. However, we need only to take to see what happens soon afer the first step to find the formula that creates all of reality: QMe's God Equation. 78 1.08 SPPIs Everywhere! The Potential sides of a SPPI are what makes us able to approximate reality. One thing pretending to be two things (via opposing sides) that interact together in a structure, forming a reality. Let's take a look at some of the names we know the illusion of opposing sides by. Positive Potentiual Future Past One side wants to expand forever (chaos) while the other side works to limit the expansion (order). When the two sides interact in a certain way â&#x20AC;&#x201C; forming a relationship â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you get a representation, or approximation of the relationship called a resistance. The new representation can then form another relationship with anything else, though the success of that enterprise will depend on compatibility. When anything on the lef interacts with anything on the right, we get something we can use. When creation interacts with destruction we get life, for example. When velocity interacts with mass in a certain way we get radiant energy. When female interacts with male in a certain way, we get baby. Each of these systems can have subsystems of their own. The illusions can also interact with other illusions to form reality. An electrical field, for example, interacting with time is an electrical wave as the radius of the field spins. All of the illusions interacting together forms the entire universe. But not every aspect is balanced. The threshold for harmonized potential is pi/2. 79 As you can see, in the beginning the two sides of potential are imbalanced, yet still harmonious.21 We can have too much of one side and not enough of the other side. We can find extreme cold, too much production, too much pressure, too much strength, etc. However, these aspects will eventually relate to other aspects to balance out and are, by nature, always harmonious. You can think of something that is “too strong” as being chaotically harmonious and in the beginning of a more harmonious relationship (1:2). 22 It might even interact with something that makes it very weak to balance the equation. But, again, imbalances are still harmonious. The more a Potential interacts with other Potentials the more equilibrium there is between the two forces as it approaches a more balanced ratio, called the golden ratio (1.618). 23 21 Note that this is a simplification. It, for example, should not imply that there is too much chaos and not enough order. In this example there is a lot of chaos/expansion in the beginning, to be sure, but this is balanced out in other ways. The two sides are imbalanced at the micro level but harmonious at their core. 22 As everything interacts, you can also have relationships such as 2:8 (something that would be “too cold”, for example) or 3:55 (something that would be “too massive”, for example). 23 We can also multiply any number in the Fibonacci series by QMe's prime numbers, “123,” and get a sum that is another number in the series (10 places up) plus another number in the series (10 places down). Multiplying 80 When an illusion interacts with another illusion of the same type (positive-to-positive, for example) discordance results. Discord is natural and can be maintained for a while, but it is not balanced. A lack of balance may mean that more illusions from the other side are required to smooth out the equation. A lack of harmonious relationships is highly ineficient. For example, we can take a trip into space using discordant methods (such as a misunderstanding of spacetime) but it will require far more time, space, energy, and resources than using concordant methods. Or, when two of the same electrical fields interact they might cancel each other out. Or, we could work out in the gym to build muscle for 5 hours a day, but will be paying with other Potentials that may contribute to ill health. Ideally, any aspect of one side is paired with an aspect on the other side for balanced, eficient, and optimal results (around 1.61). When two illusions on the same side are paired together you get imbalance, poor performance, disease, ineficiency, etc. For example, cold isn't good for muscle performance because the two are diferent interpretations of the same thing, but heat balances out muscles in a more harmonious way. However, the body becomes cold to assist in melatonin production before sleep and stimulate other processes. Cold air is dense, and warm air is not. Disease is subjective, and health can increase capacity. Chaos implodes, and we get the universe. Further, each of these illusions is just that â&#x20AC;&#x201C; an illusion. They are not absolute. You can never have 'absolute male' or 'absolute heat'. The interaction between two illusions forms a representation. From the Tao Te Ching: When people see some things as beautiful, other things become ugly. When people see some things as good, other things become bad. Being and non-being create each other. Dificult and easy support each other. Long and short define each other. High and low depend on each other. Before and afer follow each other. 1.07 Energy is Informuation About Spuace uand Time (uand Perspective) The order of the three cycles of primate DNA also make other sub-processes more eficient, such as the three stages of the polymerase chain reaction, the three stages of the cell cycle, and forming codon bases. (The four-leter 'alphabet' of A, T, G and C form 'words' of threeleters codons. Each of the three cycles 'types' out one leter to code a complete codon base, like an amino acid.) The minor phases of the grid also act as grooves to hold water molecules, which helps stabilize the DNA helix (except in low-humidity conditions). 1.07 DNA is like a blueprint, or long-term memory, that is negatively charged. As in any system, however, there are both positive and negative sub-processes at work. It can pick up any signal from the local environment (everything from food and water to living conditions to your own thoughts) which serve as information about interactions. The resulting energy can then turn on/of (atract/repel) regulatory proteins. 1.11 The Wuay of Logiua Logia can be thought of as the next stage of human evolution. prime numbers by â&#x20AC;&#x153;123â&#x20AC;? also produces a patern. 81 1.14 The Reuality of the Illusion The most logical thing is that which applies to everything. Thus, Nothing is most logical. But how is it that the primary relationships afer Nothing are logical when they are defined as having 'too much expansion' and 'too much contraction' as compared with later relationships, which express seem to express phi more closely? It is because they can apply to everything, express the limits of both Nothing and Something, have the most eficient interactions through the most eficient representations, and inherently allow for more complexities within those limits. 1.15 The Purpose of Perspective Reality's logical narrative is the backbone that our entire existence rests on: the geometry of motion. It is the way in which nothing-in-particular makes sense to us. The act of perception could be more appropriately termed â&#x20AC;&#x153;patern-makingâ&#x20AC;?, building a logical narrative out of chaotic stimuli. We build identities that relate to paterns and find comfort in what we seem to have discovered. We look at randomness and automatically find order, though order is not inherent in randomness but is inherent in perspective. We break down chaos with order and perspective is born. We search the chaos of Nothing for paterns where none exist to give meaning to our perspective and, by extension, our lives. The paterns that we find have no reality whatsoever outside of our perspective. Although they're paterns that we just make up, they mean everything to us. We become very atached to them, and rightfully so. They are how we exist. Everything that exists fits into the logical narrative of Nothing, then fits into more complex narratives from there. Further, we form representations of all the most complex logical systems in our perspective. Instead of having to perceive (and interact with) countless systems of chemicallike electromagnetism we perceive of other humans that have a clear physical form, a much more simple (and eficient) interpretation. Instead of having to experience the nuances of relationships of a group of atoms entering someone's body we simply see them geting sick or feeling energized. Rather than having to calculate the involved harmonic relationships in the part of our perspective we call physicality, one need only experience walking down the street. 82 We represent everything in perspective. Everything we sense, think, feel, etc., is itself a story that makes sense of something more complex, and we give it life with more simple representations. A thing is but a lifeless abstraction that comes alive when it relates to another. A smile is a wonderfully simple representation of more complex feelings that do not even know what a smile is. 2.02 Whuat Is Huappiness? The feeling of happiness is the opposite of being 'one' with the universe. If we are 'one' with the universe there is nothing else with which to compare, so we do not exist. To be nothingin-particular and connect with nothing, having no relationship and unable to experience harmony because of the lack of relationships with 'other', is frightening. We naturally avoid this emptiness in our perspective, creating endless illusions out of thin air in order to avoid this fate. 2.10 The SPPIs Within Us Many corporations, for example, seem to exist for the sole purpose of competing to stay in business and provide executives with busy-ness, no mater how meaningless the overall afair is. Other businesses may fill a trivial need with a line of relatively meaningless products and services that serve no other purpose than to keep the company in business. Ofen, those subscribed to a system will begin to see their reality through the lens of the system. Operating by natural systems ourselves, we cannot interact with any system without adopting some of its perspective. And although we can find utility in each of these systems we should not forget that, as we interact with them, we are also integrating our own perspective with it. For example, the more we interact with traditional, formal education (or those who have been so educated) the more imbalanced our own perspective becomes until we find ourselves overly confident in the supposed truth of what we have learned. It must be noted that any system conforms to the SPPI model on some level. These systems will afect limitations in other, unintended ways, usually with the stakeholders involved. Many aspects of environmental 'preservation' promote ill-health in humans 24 and lead companies to increase prices unnecessarily, for example. An ever-expanding economy comes with increased consumer debt. University tuition prices rise without end, discouraging students from pursuing an education. The more laws there are the more people are found to be breaking the law. Endless news is being shared where there is none, focusing on irrelevant happenings and creating a false sense of importance and priority. A myriad of recipes means that you will ofen have no idea what you're eating, which may afect health. The list goes on. Without a logical system at its base or a strong enough natural limitation a system will sufer from an endless variety of logical fallacies and likely evolve diferently from what was intended and also afect other systems in unintended ways. But this isn't an argument against these types of systems. We all enjoy things like music, food, and the by-products of scientific discoveries among other wonderful things. We can, however, learn to build systems that have its own opposition built in to discover healthier types of systems that are more natural. Some of us realize that allowing for sadness can lead to a more healthy psychological and emotional state rather than pretending that everything is just fine. An educational system that has 'known/unknown' at its base might allow students to discover for themselves, becoming instead a way to facilitate the pursuit of learning rather than a system of indoctrination. A governmental system that had 'authority/non-authority' at its base might build cities and sections of cities where innovation, experimentation, and personal freedom can thrive, or cancel out a percentage of existing laws every year. 24 Such as the toxins in energy-saving light bulbs that leak out when heated, which are not in incandescent bulbs. 83 We have circular SPPIs at the core of our civilization, ingrained in its every gear. Natural SPPIs seem almost counter-intuitive, as if they were not compatible with ego. Can you imagine a national holiday for sadness where we were encouraged to cry over something? A company saying that it wants to reduce prices to benefit consumers because its profit margins are too high? A news program saying there is not much to report today, so they will lead with something happy, or just play music and dance? A team of scientists saying that they made too many assumptions over the past 10 years and will need to start over? Or environmentalists proclaiming that we should follow nature's example and allow some species to expire, naturally? It is silly to consider these things precisely because circular SPPIs are so ingrained in how we think, but even more silly to formulate systems with endless chaos at their core. These systems seek to nurture infinity in a way that allows for limitless expansion like a rising sea without boundaries. Instead, an endless parade of logical fallacies such as argument from authority and confirmation bias25 are found in its wake. These systems typically promote the interpretation of ambiguous information as supporting its existing structure while ignoring other information that challenges its fundamental assumptions, unless that information poses a direct threat to its survival. Each system develops a logic that is apparent to its proponents. A test to see how rigid the beliefs are for any system is to see how it works with contradicting or opposing information. Does it recognize that there are other equally valid realities? If the system does not operate by confirmation bias there will be no need to confirm or disprove new information that has revealed itself. In order for the integrity of the logical narrative to be sustained, circular SPPI systems ignore and reject information that does not conform to that already in place. Without confirmation bias, we do not perceive of reality. As humans, we need such systems in order to live and perceive as humans. However, we should be aware where we are subscribed to a belief system that may inhibit our movement and interaction, or shield us from new information in the pursuit of an infinity that does not exist. As we pursue circular SPPIs we will explore a system's seemingly limitless possibilities. We must assume that if a system is designed to be unlimited then it will eventually try to pursue the capacity for which is was intended, and even beyond what it was intended for. We focus on the normality of the present reality rather than the unlimited nature of the system itself. Surveillance starts on Thursdays between 5 and 6 in the afernoon and proceeds over time to encompass all 168 hours of the week. Conditional rules will eventually try to flow to unconditional rules, and vice versa. A website selling a single broken laser pointer will explore its endless capacity for person-to-person transactions and may eventually become a telecommunications provider. A search engine will try to explore the endless applications of its algorithm. A political ideology with the capacity to change how people live and work will eventually seek out totalitarianism. At each stage the system integrates its constituents as part of its logical narrative. Frogs don't mind being boiled if each gradual increase in temperature makes sense from the last. Each change will appear to be logical in the system at that time, even if the system itself is based on logical fallacies. 3.01 The Greuatest Trick Though there are many logical conjectures in quantum physics, quantum physics itself is based on a logical fallacy. Much of quantum physics can actually be explained mechanically. For example, it is overlooked that red photons are larger than blue photons so will have larger electromagnetic fields. The importance of the double-slit experiment to establish the probabilistic nature of quantum mechanical phenomena uses only monochromatic light. 25 Science, economics, education, media, medicine, corporations, and others are especially prone to the â&#x20AC;&#x153;argument from authorityâ&#x20AC;? fallacy. 84 Using a light with more than one color the experiment will break down, because the efect depends entirely on the wavelength of the photon. Photons of diferent color wavelengths will have diferent paterns through the slit. A red photon will be larger than a blue photon, and so will its magnetic field. Photons passing over an object will bend from the interaction of the magnetic fields. A small enough slit will produce the paterns seen in the experiment but a large slit will not, as the photon's magnetic field will not interfere with the slit. When the photon passes through a slit with two sides some photons will bend in one direction and some will bend in an other direction. This efect is light difraction, but because two slits are being used the difraction will form an interference patern. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What we observe is not nature itself, but nature exposed to our method of questioningâ&#x20AC;? Heisenberg 3.02 The Logic of E=MC2 We can observe the contracting of space in a photon. As information about a photon of light exits a medium it is observed to be 'pushed' as it leaves. This efect is space being ordered, contracting via spacetime. Through a medium, space needs to contract more in order to maintain its integrity relative to its logical narrative, as the density of the medium does not allow space to contract in the same way as it did outside of the medium. As it exits it is still contracting itself as it had been in the medium and again adjusts its contractions to the environment. We can observe this repulsion/atraction efect as it repels itself away from one aspect of its perspective to another, expanding and contracting information at the same time. 3.02 Perhaps a more accurate measurement would be 299,261 km/s, as true vacuums do not exist (as it would also need to disallow perception and instruments to measure it). The measurement of light in a vacuum would only be relevant if the Sun did not contain 99.85% of the solar system's mass and the mass was spread uniformly throughout the solar system. Like anything else, light must always travel through a medium and cannot travel in a vacuum. 3.02 We can also use this information to determine that there are 17 layers of the solar system, the size of each layer, the charge of each layer, and so on. And inside of the sun's core is another set of 17 layers (that resist the 17 of the solar system). The edge of this inner solar system has a value of 149,896 km/s, which is the interface layer with our own. 3.02 The solar system is only 20 years old, as our Sun takes about 225 million years to complete one orbit around its galactic center (one Solar year). Our galaxy is moving at about 2,100,000 kilometers per hour through whatever system it's in, if we consider cosmic background radiation to be a kind of local frame of reference. If you stand completely still for one minute, you've still moved more than 35,000 kilometers through space. That's just the speed of our galaxy as it makes its way around the galactic center and does not include Earth's rotation speed (1,600 km/hour at the equator), Earth's revolution around the sun (about 107,000 km/hour), and the sun's orbit in the galaxy (792,000 km/hour), and who knows what else. The sun carries the Earth with it around the galaxy, which itself is carried around other things in space. We are born and live all our lives in the rotation of the earth so we do not feel this acceleration. But it's safe to say that the Earth has never been in the same space twice. Space and time need all the information they can get. 3.02 There is no need for multiple axes of space when time already performs that function with regards to space. 85 3.03 3.03 The RF and IF fields emerge from the same core: The Relative Field The Relative Field (RF) has the force of 'Order' at its foundation. This field organizes relationships and is the basis for relationships in spacetime. It corresponds to the prime number part of perspective â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 011235 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and is an aspect of time. 86 As there are four states of mater for each of the three elements needed to form a relationship (Structure, Potential, and Interaction), and two potentials for each state (Chaos Potential and Order Potential), we end up with 24 phases. Every third phase is a major phase, and every fourth major or sub-major phase is a fundamental phase. These phases are organized like the hours of the day, with 24 phases surrounding a center hub. Each of the twenty-four phases forms a cycle which, in turn, is part of a larger cycle that consists of three phases. This allows every phase to perform either a minor, sub-major, or major role, depending on the cycle.26 The three cycles will form a double toroidal vortex when brought to life by the Interactive Filed (IF). As the RF represents relationships, inter-phase paterns will form. For example, prime numbers distribute in the minor phases that surround major and fundamental phases. Elements in the periodic table are also arranged according to this cycle. The major and fundamental phases correspond to the four states of mater: In any system, the fundamental phases are the most extreme. As extreme chaos is balanced by extreme order, the fundamental phases are the origin of all of the other phases. There are two fundamental phases. The following is an example of the RF's fundamental phases as related to the Earth (and Sun). The fundamental phases can be thought of as extreme positive and negative potentials in the process of harmonizing. 26 You can think of each phase as being an hour of the day, with a shif every three hours and a bigger shif every six hours. The day is divided into negative (night) and positive (day), which is an illustration of the fundamental force. 87 [Note: The above example illustrates a non-random, continuous probability distribution of positive and negative states. The side of the Earth that the sun faces at a particular time would be a net-positive potential with the other side being a net-negative potential.] There is no such thing as a point charge that is entirely negative or positive. What is measured is the net charge, which is made up of sub-charges of positive and negative. The Earth, for example, will be net negative, as it balances out the net positives surrounding it. If the RF reminds you of the electric field in an isolated charge to you, that's because it is. 88 89 [It is important to note that this 2D grid represents 3D axes. A particle rotating at its major phase from top to botom, for example, would be spinning on its axis and have a net negative charge.] It is interesting to note that a religious symbol, the monstrance, has a similar depiction of fundamental, major, and sub-major phases, symbolized by a cross and its emanations. The Jewish cross also has a similar arrangement. We could conjecture that the saying, “Jesus died on the cross,” is an allegory to represent the end of the 24-phase cycle, afer which the process begins again afer a “resurrection afer 3 days” at the end of the three phases, or 72 hours. Being 'nailed' to the cross could represent a lack of movement with regards to the position of the hands (fundamental phases) and feet (major phase), as a total harmonic balance of forces is reached at the end of the cycle. There seem to be other correlations between the Jesus story and the chaos/order cycle, such as the 12 disciples (12 axes of rotation of the 24-phase cycle), many of the sayings (e.g., “...truth, light, and way” perhaps being symbolic of the nucleus, information, and path of the information; “Not through seeking will you find me [busyness and chaos], but through Peace [balance]”; “...I am the way, No one can go to the father except through me”; “I am the Door”) and various 'miracles' and events. 3.03 Distribution of the elements in the 24-phase cycle (RF). 90 3.03 Prime numbers are simply numbers that don't have any other numbers folded into it. Here is how they are distributed in the 24-phase cycle: 91 The fields can also be seen in music: 92 3.03 And plants: 3.03 The Interactive Field (IF) has the force of 'Chaos' at its foundation. This field facilitates interactions and is the basis for interaction in spacetime. It corresponds to the recursive number sequence part of perspective – 011235. The IF could be pictured as a three-dimensional logarithmic spiral whose growth factor is a balance of positive and negative forces (ideally phi). Think of the IF as wavelength. [There's already too much chaos, so the IF will not be illustrated here, other than some parts of RF illustrations.] 3.04 Folding uand Unfolding As an illustration of space expansion and time contraction, let's imagine you were a Flatlander of two dimensions and had 10 minutes to spend with a round apple, which changed into a juicy apple that you could spend another 10 minutes with. If you moved to three-dimensional space, space will contract as time will expand. Now you have 20 minutes to spend with a round and juicy apple, followed by 20 minutes to spend with a roten apple. And if you moved to four dimensions there will be more contraction of space and expansion of time so that you experience 40 minutes with a round, juicy, and roten apple all at the same time. A contraction of time doesn't mean that time doesn't exist. Although time is an illusion, we still experience it where perspective is concerned. If there is perspective there is movement and energy. If there is movement and energy, there is some aspect of time. It is for this reason there is a 'speed' of light. If you were to look out to the sun, for example, you would see the expansion of space. This would require time to contract, so you would experience “two times” at once – the first being your present time and the second being 8 minutes ago. There is really only one time, but the force of chaos divides it into a seemingly endless degree of spaces. 3.04 This method of folding and unfolding is also used in modern computers for arithmetic and is an ancient method of counting cofee beans still in use in Kenya today. 3.05 Energy Photons are just as abstract as the interactions they represent. The things they represents are also representations. 93 3.05 This energy communication might be interpreted as 'gravity' when it is just charges communicating. This interpretation is influenced by the radius of the Chaonic Field and the direction of charges. The information that we call gravity changes as the radius of the field does. 3.05 A flower does not smell as a nose does because it would not be eficient for it to do so. It would take far too much information for the collection of atoms and molecules that we call a 'flower' to smell like a nose. When is a nose not a nose? When it is no longer eficient for the atoms and molecules to maintain balance with the geometry and motion that leads you to interpret it as a 'nose'. The particles that make up your body can be anything in the universe. But right now they are most eficiently your body. Our interpretations of reality also follow this patern. Any person, place, thing, event, etc., is most eficiently whatever it is interpreted to be right now. Our interpretations are complex relationships that confuse us into solidifying their reality as we interact. Ours is the perspective that requires the least number of other interactions to be. We pick out paterns to make sense of reality where no paterns really exist. Those paterns then become an aspect of our reality, allowing us to build the logical narrative of our lives. You're born, you grow up, you go to school, you work, you die â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and everything in between. Without the ability to illustrate the narrative by puting some relationships before others, much of the meaning is removed. Spacetime helps us to relate with others in manageable chunks. 3.06 Muass uand Being A note about scalar and vector units. Scalar units measure magnitude on a scale (such as mass or time). Vector units take magnitude and add direction. In QMe, however, vector units are a kind of added dimension of scalar units. They are scalar units in motion. Scalar units express the magnitude of relationships in units, while vector units is magnitude set into motion. 94 To illustrate how a unit could have a dual nature, imagine a person that is tall and a pedestrian at the same time. In some aspects of perspective, a person cannot be experienced as a pedestrian while being tall at the same time (e.g., Carl Sagan's 'flatland'). How we are measuring something is an important consideration when measuring anything, like a photon. 3.07 Velocity uand Motion Time appears to move forward because we are 'pointing our poles' of perspective towards the direction of interaction in our wakeful state, so to speak. If we were pointing them backward towards relationships as we do while we're sleeping (and had always been doing so) we 95 probably wouldn't know the diference. 3.07 For a more accurate depiction of the orbit of planets in our solar system see htps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwaTzpNo4BA 3.09 Modern Science, Arguuable, Huas Un-scientific Founduations Chaotic systems based on authority and legacy tend to sufer from the argument from authority and sunk cost biases. We assume that the technological and scientific progress made over the past few hundred years could have not been far exceeded with a diferent kind of approach to science. We haven't experienced an alternative, so we have had nothing to compare our progress to. This is not an argument against science, however. Qite the contrary, an argument for the scientific method to be applied to where it will have greatest efect. If we, for example, were to make science more objective at points of interaction (publishing, funding, and peer review) how would it be diferent from today's environment? That science research cannot be published objectively should demonstrate one of the ways we could begin applying the scientific method to science. If a scientist is bribed or pressured (via funding and de-funding) to subscribe to and promote a certain logical narrative and ignore others, it would be folly to say that research is being done objectively. A researcher that depends on grants and funding from any outside organization will likely be influenced by the needs, opinions, policies, and other influences of that organization, rendering their eforts subjective. Another researcher may not even begin to pursue a hypothesis that may possibly find others in strong disagreement. Further, if the impetus is subjective, the research will not be objective. Subjectivity makes most, if not all, of the sciences a circular SPPI system that is beneficial to us in a certain kind of way that we've become accustomed to, but one where fundamental assumptions are not questioned, only one kind of understanding is presumed to exist, and the logical narrative is emotionally and vehemently defended. How can we pursue parallel universes in spacetime while at the same time waste time arguing against parallel theories? How can anyone insist that 10-dimensional worlds exist while ignoring the other 9 dimensions of a particular argument? If we were to apply the scientific method to science itself, what illusions would we uncover? What logical fallacies would unveil themselves, such as thinking that if we don't know how to measure something (e.g., consciousness) then it is unmeasurable? Thinking, perhaps, that if we cannot imagine something and don't know anyone else who can, then it must be impossible? Rather than destroying our current method of scientific reasoning we can, instead, learn to balance the equation with a more harmonic relationship that takes into consideration the necessity of opposing forces to hold up a solid foundation, much like the Ancient Greeks and Romans did when building structures that can outlast most any we build today using brute force. Instead of approaching these big, ancient questions about the universe with a small, crumbling handful of logical fallacies in tow let us begin to observe from the origin of perspective. --If you like this book please rate it on Amazon at htps://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FB6ML0O Thank you! 96
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The original meaning of capital (financial/money) referred to 'caput', head, specifically head of?
Capitalism | Lies, Liars, Beatniks and Hippies Lies, Liars, Beatniks and Hippies Politics, Current Events, politics, the Economy, politics, hate, politcs, Lies, Economy, mistrust, BENGHAZI…this is not a page to park on if you don't like the daily hate fest we call politics and government…I'd rather we had decent people in DC but we have what we have and we can't lynch em anymore….NOTICE: I am unabashedly LEFTWING, I WILL post things you may disagree with…just because you disagree doesn't make you right…just keep that in mnd Capitalism From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia “Free enterprise” redirects here. For the 1999 film, see  Free Enterprise (film) . Part of  a series  on Capitalism e Capitalism is an  economic system  in which trade, industry, and the  means of production  are controlled by private owners with the goal of making  profits in a  market economy . [1] [2]  Central characteristics of capitalism include  capital accumulation ,  competitive markets  and  wage labor . [3]  In a capitalist economy, the parties to a transaction typically determine the prices at which assets, goods, and services are  exchanged . [4] The degree of competition, role of  intervention  and regulation, and scope of public ownership varies across different models of capitalism. [5]  Economists, political economists , and  historians  have taken different perspectives in their analysis of capitalism and recognized various forms of it in practice. These include  laissez-faire  capitalism,  welfare capitalism  and  state capitalism ; each highlighting varying degrees of dependency on markets, public ownership, and inclusion of  social policies . The extent to which different markets are free, as well as the rules defining private property, is a matter of politics and policy . Many states have what are termed capitalist  mixed economies , referring to a mix between  planned  and  market-driven  elements. [6]   Crony capitalism is a state of affairs in which insider corruption, nepotism and cartels dominate the system. In  Marxian economics  this is considered to be the normal state of mature capitalism, while in  anarcho-capitalist  theory it is considered a political distortion of capital and markets. [7]  Capitalism has existed under many forms of government , in many different times, places, and cultures. [8]  Following the demise of  feudalism , capitalism became the dominant economic system in the  Western world . Capitalism was carried across the world by broader processes of  globalization  such as imperialism and, by the end of the nineteenth century, became the dominant global economic system, in turn intensifying processes of economic and other globalization. [9]  Later, in the 20th century, capitalism overcame a challenge by  centrally-planned economies  and is now the encompassing system worldwide, [10] [11]  with the  mixed economy  being its dominant form in the industrialized Western world. Different economic perspectives emphasize specific elements of capitalism in their preferred definition. Laissez-faire and  liberal  economists emphasize the degree to which  government  does not have control over markets and the importance of  property rights . [12] [13]  Neoclassical and Keynesian macro-economists emphasize the need for government regulation to prevent  monopolies  and to soften the effects of the  boom and bust  cycle. [14]  Marxian economists emphasize the role of capital accumulation,  exploitation  and  wage labor . Most political economists emphasize private property as well, in addition to  power  relations, wage labor,  class , and the uniqueness of capitalism as a historical formation. [6] Proponents of capitalism argue that it creates more prosperity than any other economic system, and that its benefits are mainly to the ordinary person. [15]  Critics of capitalism variously associate it with economic instability [16]  and an inability to provide for the well-being of all people. [17]  In contrast to both perspectives,  socialists  maintain that capitalism is superior to all previously existing economic systems (such as feudalism or slavery) but that the contradiction between class interests will only be resolved by advancing into a completely social system of production and distribution in which all persons have an equal relationship to the means of production. [18] The term capitalism, in its modern sense, is often attributed to  Karl Marx . [8] [19]  In his  magnum opus   Capital , Marx analysed the “ capitalist mode of production ” using a method of understanding today known as  Marxism . However, Marx himself rarely used the term “capitalism”, while it was used twice in the more political interpretations of his work, primarily authored by his collaborator  Friedrich Engels . In the 20th century defenders of the capitalist system often replaced the term capitalism with phrases such as free enterprise and private enterprise and replaced capitalist with  rentier  and  investor  in reaction to the negative connotations associated with capitalism. [20]   Agrarian capitalism[ edit ] The economic foundations of the feudal agricultural system began to shift substantially in 16th century England; the  manorial system  had broken down by this time, and land began to be concentrated in the hands of fewer landlords with increasingly large estates. Instead of a  serf -based system of labor, workers were increasingly being employed as part of a broader and expanding money economy. The system put pressure on both the landlords and the tenants to increase the productivity of the agriculture to make profit; the weakened coercive power of the  aristocracy  to extract peasant  surpluses encouraged them to try out better methods, and the tenants also had incentive to improve their methods, in order to flourish in an increasingly competitive  labor market . Terms of rent for the land were becoming subject to economic market forces rather than the previous stagnant system of custom and feudal obligation.  [22] By the early 17th-century, England was a centralized state, in which much of the feudal order of  Medieval Europe  had been swept away. This centralization was strengthened by a good system of roads and a disproportionately large capital city,  London . The capital acted as a central market hub for the entire country, creating a very large internal market for goods, instead of the fragmented feudal holdings that prevailed in most parts of the Continent . Main article:  Mercantilism A painting of a French seaport from 1638 at the height of  mercantilism . The economic doctrine that held sway between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries is commonly described as  mercantilism . [23]  This period, the  Age of Discovery , was associated with the geographic exploration of foreign lands by merchant traders, especially from England and the  Low Countries . Mercantilism was a system of trade for profit, although commodities were still largely produced by non-capitalist production methods. [8]  Most scholars consider the era of merchant capitalism and mercantilism as the origin of modern capitalism, [24] [25]  although  Karl Polanyi  argued that the hallmark of capitalism is the establishment of generalized markets for what he referred to as the “fictitious commodities”: land, labor, and money. Accordingly, he argued that “not until 1834 was a competitive labor market established in England, hence industrial capitalism as a social system cannot be said to have existed before that date.” [26] England began a large-scale and integrative approach to mercantilism during the  Elizabethan Era  (1558–1603). A systematic and coherent explanation of balance of trade was made public through  Thomas Mun ‘s argument England’s Treasure by Forraign Trade, or the Balance of our Forraign Trade is The Rule of Our Treasure. It was written in the 1620s and published in 1664. [27] Robert Clive  after the  Battle of Plassey . The battle began  East India Company  rule in India. Among the major tenets of mercantilist theory was  bullionism , a doctrine stressing the importance of accumulating  precious metals . Mercantilists argued that a state should export more goods than it imported so that foreigners would have to pay the difference in precious metals. Mercantilists argued that only raw materials that could not be extracted at home should be imported; and promoted government  subsidies , such as the granting of monopolies and protective  tariffs , which mercantilists thought were necessary to encourage home production of manufactured goods. European  merchants , backed by state controls, subsidies, and  monopolies , made most of their profits from the buying and selling of goods. In the words of  Francis Bacon , the purpose of mercantilism was “the opening and well-balancing of trade; the cherishing of manufacturers; the banishing of idleness; the repressing of waste and excess by sumptuary laws; the improvement and husbanding of the soil; the regulation of prices …” [28] The  British East India Company  and the  Dutch East India Company  inaugurated an expansive era of commerce and trade. [29] [30]  These companies were characterized by their  colonial  and  expansionary  powers given to them by nation-states. [29]  During this era, merchants, who had traded under the previous stage of mercantilism, invested capital in the East India Companies and other colonies, seeking a  return on investment . A  Watt steam engine . The  steam engine  fuelled primarily by  coal propelled the  Industrial Revolution  in Great Britain . [31] A new group of economic theorists, led by  David Hume [32]  and  Adam Smith , in the mid-18th century, challenged fundamental  mercantilist  doctrines such as the belief that the amount of the world’s wealth remained constant and that a state could only increase its wealth at the expense of another state. During the  Industrial Revolution , the industrialist replaced the merchant as a dominant factor in the capitalist system and affected the decline of the traditional handicraft skills of  artisans , guilds, and journeymen . Also during this period, the surplus generated by the rise of commercial agriculture encouraged increased mechanization of agriculture. Industrial capitalism marked the development of the factory  system of manufacturing, characterized by a complex  division of labor  between and within work process and the routine of work tasks; and finally established the global domination of the capitalist mode of production. [23] Britain also abandoned its  protectionist  policy, as embraced by mercantilism. In the 19th century,  Richard Cobden  and  John Bright , who based their beliefs on the  Manchester School , initiated a movement to lower tariffs. [33]  In the 1840s, Britain adopted a less protectionist policy, with the repeal of the  Corn Laws  and the  Navigation Acts . [23]  Britain reduced  tariffs  and  quotas , in line with David Ricardo’s advocacy for  free trade . Globalization[ edit ] The  gold standard formed the financial basis of the international economy from 1870-1914. Industrialization  allowed cheap production of household items using  economies of scale , while rapid population growth created sustained demand for commodities. Globalization in this period was decisively shaped by nineteenth-century  imperialism . [34]  After the  First  and  Second Opium Wars  and the completion of British conquest of India, vast populations of these regions became ready consumers of European exports. It was in this period that areas of sub-Saharan Africa and the Pacific islands were incorporated into the world system. Meanwhile, the conquest of new parts of the globe, notably sub-Saharan Africa, by Europeans yielded valuable natural resources such as  rubber ,  diamonds  and  coal  and helped fuel trade and investment between the European imperial powers, their colonies, and the United States. [35] “ The inhabitant of London could order by telephone, sipping his morning tea, the various products of the whole earth, and reasonably expect their early delivery upon his doorstep. Militarism and imperialism of racial and cultural rivalries were little more than the amusements of his daily newspaper. What an extraordinary episode in the economic progress of man was that age which came to an end in August 1914. ” The global financial system was mainly tied to the  gold standard  in this period. The  United Kingdom  first formally adopted this standard in 1821. Soon to follow was  Canada  in 1853,  Newfoundland  in 1865, and the  United States  and Germany ( de jure ) in 1873. New technologies, such as the  telegraph , the  transatlantic cable , the  Radiotelephone , the  steamship  and  railway  allowed goods and information to move around the world at an unprecedented degree. [36] Keynesianism and neoliberalism[ edit ] The New York  stock exchange traders’ floor  (1963) In the period following the global depression of the 1930s, the state played an increasingly prominent role in the capitalistic system throughout much of the world. The post war era was greatly influenced by  Keynesian  economic stabilization policies. The postwar boom ended in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and the situation was worsened by the rise of  stagflation . [37] Monetarism , a theoretical alternative to Keynesianism that is more compatible with laissez-faire, gained increasing prominence in the capitalist world, especially under the leadership of  Ronald Reagan  in the US and  Margaret Thatcher  in the UK in the 1980s. Public and political interest began shifting away from the so-called collectivist  concerns of Keynes’s managed capitalism to a focus on individual choice, called “remarketized capitalism.”  [38] Economic elements[ edit ] The essential feature of capitalism is the investment of money in order to make a profit. [39] In a capitalist economic system capital assets can be owned and controlled by private persons, labor is purchased for money wages, capital gains accrue to private owners, and the  price mechanism  is utilized to allocate capital goods between competing uses. The extent to which the price mechanism is used, the degree of competitiveness, the balance between the public sector and the private sector, and the extent of government intervention in markets are the factors which distinguish several forms of capitalism in the modern world. [5] In free-market and  laissez-faire  forms of capitalism, markets are utilized most extensively with minimal or no regulation over the pricing mechanism. In mixed economies, which are almost universal today, [40]  markets continue to play a dominant role but are regulated to some extent by government in order to correct  market failures , promote  social welfare , conserve  natural resources , fund  defense  and  public safety  or for other reasons. In  state capitalist systems, markets are relied upon the least, with the state relying heavily on  state-owned enterprises  or indirect economic planning to accumulate capital. Capitalism and capitalist economics is often contrasted with  socialism , though the meaning of the word socialism has changed over time. The original meaning of socialism was state ownership of the means of production. Today, the word is often used to mean any state control of economic decision-making. Money, capital, and accumulation[ edit ] Money is primarily a standardized medium of exchange, and final means of payment, that serves to measure the value of all goods and commodities in a standard of value. It is an abstraction of economic value and medium of exchange that eliminates the cumbersome system of  barter  by separating the transactions involved in the exchange of products, thus greatly facilitating specialization and trade through encouraging the exchange of commodities. Capitalism involves the further abstraction of money into other exchangeable assets  and the accumulation of money through ownership, exchange, interest and various other  financial instruments . The  accumulation of capital  refers to the process of “making money”, or growing an initial sum of money through investment in production. Capitalism is based around the accumulation of capital, whereby  financial capital  is invested in order to realize a profit and then reinvested into further production in a continuous process of accumulation. In Marxian economic theory, this dynamic is called the  law of value . Capital and financial markets[ edit ] The defining feature of capitalist markets, in contrast to markets and exchange in pre-capitalist societies like  feudalism , is the existence of a market for capital goods (the means of production), meaning exchange-relations (business relationships) exist within the production process. Additionally, capitalism features a  market for labor . This distinguishes the capitalist market from pre-capitalist societies which generally only contained market exchange for final goods and secondary goods. The “market” in capitalism refers to  capital markets  and  financial markets . Thus, there are three main markets in a typical capitalistic economy: labor, goods and services, and financial. Wage labor and class structure[ edit ] Wage labor  refers to the class-structure of capitalism, whereby workers receive either a wage or a salary, and owners receive the  profits  generated by the factors of production employed in the production of economic value. Individuals who possess and supply financial capital to productive ventures become owners, either jointly (as  shareholders ) or individually. In Marxian economics these owners of the means of production and suppliers of capital are generally called capitalists. The description of the role of the capitalist has shifted, first referring to a useless intermediary between producers to an employer of producers, and eventually came to refer to owners of the means of production. [20]  The term capitalist is not generally used by supporters of mainstream economics. “Workers” includes those who expend both manual and mental (or creative) labor in production, where production does not simply mean physical production but refers to the production of both tangible and  intangible  economic value. “Capitalists” are individuals who derive income from  investments . Labor  includes all physical and mental human resources, including entrepreneurial capacity and management skills, which are needed to produce products and services.  Production  is the act of making goods or services by applying  labor power . [41] [42] Macroeconomics[ edit ] Macroeconomics keeps its eyes on things such as inflation: a general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money; growth: how much money a government has and how quickly it accrues money;  unemployment , and rates of trade between other countries. Whereas microeconomics deals with individual firms, people, and other institutions that work within a set frame work of rules to balance prices and the workings of a singular government. Both micro and macroeconomics work together to form a single set of evolving rules and regulations. Governments (the macroeconomic side) set both national and international regulations that keep track of prices and corporations’ (microeconomics) growth rates, set prices, and trade, while the corporations influence what federal laws are set. [43] [44] [45] Types of capitalism[ edit ] There are many variants of capitalism in existence that differ according to country and region. They vary in their institutional makeup and by their economic policies. The common features among all the different forms of capitalism is that they are based on the production of goods and services for profit, predominately market-based allocation of resources, and they are structured upon the accumulation of capital. The major forms of capitalism are listed below: Main articles:  Mercantilism  and  Protectionism Mercantilism is a nationalist form of early capitalism that came into existence approximately in the late 16th century. It is characterized by the intertwining of national business interests to state-interest and imperialism, and consequently, the state apparatus is utilized to advance national business interests abroad. An example of this is colonists living in America who were only allowed to trade with and purchase goods from their respective mother countries (Britain, France, etc.). Mercantilism holds that the wealth of a nation is increased through a positive balance of trade with other nations, and corresponds to the phase of capitalist development called the  Primitive accumulation of capital . See also:  Free market  and  Laissez-faire Free-market economy refers to a capitalist economic system where prices for goods and services are set freely by the forces of supply and demand and are allowed to reach their point of equilibrium without intervention by government policy. It typically entails support for highly competitive markets, private ownership of productive enterprises. Laissez-faire is a more extensive form of free-market economy where the role of the state is limited to protecting  property rights . Main articles:  Social market  and  Nordic model A social-market economy is a nominally free-market system where government intervention in price formation is kept to a minimum but the state provides significant services in the area of social security, unemployment benefits and recognition of  labor rights  through national  collective bargaining  arrangements. This model is prominent in Western and Northern European countries, and Japan, albeit in slightly different configurations. The vast majority of enterprises are privately owned in this economic model. Rhine capitalism  refers to the contemporary model of capitalism and adaptation of the social market model that exists in continental Western Europe today. Main article:  State capitalism State capitalism  consists of state ownership of the means of production within a state, and the organization of state enterprises as commercial, profit-seeking businesses. The debate between proponents of private versus state capitalism is centered around questions of managerial efficacy, productive efficiency, and fair distribution of wealth. According to Aldo Musacchio, a professor at Harvard Business School, it is a system in which governments, whether democratic or autocratic, exercise a widespread influence on the economy, through either direct ownership or various subsidies. Musacchio also emphasizes the difference between today’s state capitalism and its predecessors. Gone are the days when governments appointed bureaucrats to run companies. The world’s largest state-owned enterprises are traded on the public markets and kept in good health by large institutional investors. [46] Profits system [54] The term capitalist as referring to an owner of capital (rather than its meaning of someone adherent to the economic system) shows earlier recorded use than the term capitalism, dating back to the mid-17th century. Capitalist is derived from capital, which evolved from capitale, a late  Latin  word based on caput, meaning “head” — also the origin of  chattel  and  cattle  in the sense of movable property (only much later to refer only to livestock). Capitale emerged in the 12th to 13th centuries in the sense of referring to funds, stock of merchandise, sum of money, or money carrying interest. [55] [56] [57]  By 1283 it was used in the sense of the capital assets of a trading firm. It was frequently interchanged with a number of other words — wealth, money, funds, goods, assets, property, and so on. [55] The Hollandische Mercurius uses capitalists in 1633 and 1654 to refer to owners of capital. [55]  In French,  Étienne Clavier  referred to capitalistes in 1788, [58]  six years before its first recorded English usage by  Arthur Young  in his work Travels in France(1792). [57] [59]   David Ricardo , in his  Principles of Political Economy and Taxation  (1817), referred to “the capitalist” many times. [60] Samuel Taylor Coleridge , an English poet, used capitalist in his work Table Talk (1823). [61]   Pierre-Joseph Proudhon  used the termcapitalist in his first work,  What is Property?  (1840) to refer to the owners of capital.  Benjamin Disraeli  used the term capitalist in his 1845 work  Sybil . [57]   Karl Marx  and  Friedrich Engels  used the term capitalist (Kapitalist) in  The Communist Manifesto  (1848) to refer to a private owner of capital. According to the  Oxford English Dictionary  (OED), the term capitalism was first used by novelist  William Makepeace Thackeray  in 1854 in  The Newcomes , where he meant “having ownership of capital”. [57]  Also according to the OED,  Carl Adolph Douai , a  German-American   socialist  and  abolitionist , used the term private capitalism in 1863. The initial usage of the term capitalism in its modern sense has been attributed to  Louis Blanc  in 1850 and Pierre-Joseph Proudhon in 1861. [62]   Karl Marx  and  Friedrich Engels  referred to thecapitalistic system (kapitalistisches System) [63] [64]  and to the capitalist mode of production (kapitalistische Produktionsform) in Das Kapital (1867). [65]  The use of the word “capitalism” in reference to an economic system appears twice in Volume I of Das Kapital, p. 124 (German edition), and in Theories of Surplus Value, tome II, p. 493 (German edition). Marx did not extensively use the form capitalism, but instead those of capitalist and capitalist mode of production, which appear more than 2600 times in the trilogy Das Kapital. Marx’s notion of the capitalist mode of production is characterised as a system of primarily private ownership of the means of production in a mainly market economy, with a legal framework on commerce  and a physical  infrastructure  provided by the state. He believed that no legal framework was available to protect the laborers, and so exploitation by the companies was rife. [66] [ page needed ] Engels made more frequent use of the term capitalism; volumes II and III of Das Kapital, both edited by Engels after Marx’s death, contain the word “capitalism” four and three times, respectively. The three combined volumes of Das Kapital (1867, 1885, 1894) contain the word capitalist more than 2,600 times. An 1877 work entitled Better Times by Hugh Gabutt and an 1884 article in the  Pall Mall Gazette  also used the term capitalism. [57]  A later use of the term capitalism to describe the production system was by the German economist  Werner Sombart , in his 1902 book The Jews and Modern Capitalism (Die Juden und das Wirtschaftsleben). Sombart’s close friend and colleague,  Max Weber , also used capitalism in his 1904 book  The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism  (Die protestantische Ethik und der Geist des Kapitalismus). Adam Smith The  classical school of economic thought  emerged in Britain in the late 18th century. The classical political economists  Adam Smith ,  David Ricardo , Jean-Baptiste Say , and  John Stuart Mill  published analyses of the production, distribution and exchange of goods in a  market  that have since formed the basis of study for most contemporary economists. In France, ‘Physiocrats’ like  François Quesnay  promoted  free trade  based on a conception that wealth originated from land. Quesnay’s Tableau Économique (1759), described the economy analytically and laid the foundation of the Physiocrats’ economic theory, followed by  Anne Robert Jacques Turgot  who opposed tariffs and  customs duties  and advocated  free trade .  Richard Cantillon  defined long-run equilibrium as the balance of flows of income, and argued that the  supply and demand  mechanism around land influenced short-term prices. Smith’s attack on  mercantilism  and his reasoning for “the system of natural liberty” in  The Wealth of Nations  (1776) are usually taken as the beginning of classical political economy. Smith devised a set of concepts that remain strongly associated with capitalism today. His theories regarding the “ invisible hand ” are commonly interpreted to mean individual pursuit of self-interest unintentionally producing collective good for society. It was necessary for Smith to be so forceful in his argument in favor of free markets because he had to overcome the popular mercantilist sentiment of the time period. [67] He criticized monopolies, tariffs, duties, and other state enforced restrictions of his time and believed that the market is the most fair and efficient arbitrator of resources. This view was shared by  David Ricardo , second most important of the classical political economists and one of the most influential economists of modern times. [68] In  On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation  (1817), he developed the law of  comparative advantage , which explains why it is profitable for two parties to trade, even if one of the trading partners is more efficient in every type of economic production. This principle supports the economic case for  free trade . Ricardo was a supporter of  Say’s Law  and held the view that full employment is the normal equilibrium for a competitive economy. [69]  He also argued that  inflation  is closely related to changes in quantity of money and  credit  and was a proponent of the law of  diminishing returns , which states that each additional unit of input yields less and less additional output. [70] The values of classical political economy are strongly associated with the  classical liberal  doctrine of minimal government intervention in the economy, though it does not necessarily oppose the state’s provision of a few basic  public goods . [71]  Classical liberal thought has generally assumed a clear division between the economy and other realms of social activity, such as the state. [72] While economic liberalism favors markets unfettered by the government, it maintains that the state has a legitimate role in providing  public goods . [73]  For instance, Adam Smith argued that the state has a role in providing roads, canals, schools and bridges that cannot be efficiently implemented by private entities. However, he preferred that these goods should be paid proportionally to their consumption (e.g. putting a  toll ). In addition, he advocated  retaliatory tariffs  to bring about free trade, and  copyrights  and  patents  to encourage innovation. [73] Marxist political economy[ edit ] Main article:  Marxian economics Karl Marx  considered capitalism to be a historically specific  mode of production  (the way in which the productive property is owned and controlled, combined with the corresponding  social relations  between individuals based on their connection with the process of production) in which capitalism has become the dominant mode of production. [23] The capitalist stage of development or “ bourgeois  society,” for Marx, represented the most advanced form of social organization to date, but he also thought that the working classes would come to power in a worldwide  socialist  or  communist  transformation of human society as the end of the series of first aristocratic, then capitalist, and finally working class rule was reached. [74] [75] Karl Marx Following  Adam Smith , Marx distinguished the  use value  of commodities from their  exchange value  in the market. Capital, according to Marx, is created with the purchase of commodities for the purpose of creating new commodities with an exchange value higher than the sum of the original purchases. For Marx, the use of  labor power  had itself become a commodity under capitalism; the exchange value of labor power, as reflected in the wage, is less than the value it produces for the capitalist. This difference in values, he argues, constitutes  surplus value , which the capitalists extract and accumulate. In his book  Capital , Marx argues that the  capitalist mode of production  is distinguished by how the owners of capital extract this surplus from workers—all prior class societies had extracted  surplus labor , but capitalism was new in doing so via the sale-value of produced commodities. [76]  He argues that a core requirement of a capitalist society is that a large portion of the population must not possess sources of self-sustenance that would allow them to be independent, and must instead be compelled, to survive, to sell their labor for a living wage. [77] [78] [79] In conjunction with his criticism of capitalism was Marx’s belief that the working class, due to its relationship to the means of production and numerical superiority under capitalism, would be the driving force behind the socialist revolution. [80]  This argument is intertwined with Marx’s version of the  labor theory of value  arguing that labor is the source of all value, and thus of profit. Vladimir Lenin , in  Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism  (1916), further developed Marxist theory and argued that capitalism necessarily led to  monopoly capitalism  and the export of capital—which he also called “imperialism”—to find new markets and resources, representing the last and highest stage of capitalism. [81]  Some 20th-century  Marxian economists  consider capitalism to be a social formation where capitalist class processes dominate, but are not exclusive. [82] Capitalist class processes, to these thinkers, are simply those in which  surplus labor  takes the form of  surplus value , usable as capital; other tendencies for utilization of labor nonetheless exist simultaneously in existing societies where capitalist processes are predominant. However, other late Marxian thinkers argue that a social formation as a whole may be classed as capitalist if capitalism is the mode by which a surplus is extracted, even if this surplus is not produced by capitalist activity, as when an absolute majority of the population is engaged in non-capitalist economic activity. [83] In Limits to Capital (1982),  David Harvey  outlines an overdetermined, “spatially restless” capitalism coupled with the spatiality of crisis formation and resolution. [84]  Harvey used Marx’s theory of crisis to aid his argument that capitalism must have its “fixes” but that we cannot predetermine what fixes will be implemented, nor in what form they will be. His work on contractions of capital accumulation and international movements of capitalist modes of production and money flows has been influential. [85]  According to Harvey, capitalism creates the conditions for volatile and geographically uneven development  [86] Weberian political sociology[ edit ] Max Weber In  social science , the understanding of the defining characteristics of capitalism has been strongly influenced by the German sociologist,  Max Weber . Weber considered  market   exchange , a voluntary supply of labor and a planned division of labor within the enterprises as defining features of capitalism. Capitalist enterprises, in contrast to their counterparts in prior modes of economic activity, were directed toward the rationalization of production, maximizing  efficiency  and  productivity  – a tendency embedded in a sociological process of enveloping  rationalization  that formed modern legal bureaucracies in both  public  and  private  spheres. [87]  According to Weber, workers in pre-capitalist economies understood work in terms of a personal relationship between  master  and  journeyman  in a  guild , or between  lord  and  peasant  in a  manor . [88] For these developments of capitalism to emerge, Weber argued, it was necessary the development of a “capitalist spirit”; that is, ideas and habits that favor a rational pursuit of economic gain. These ideas, in order to propagate a certain manner of life and come to dominate others, “had to originate somewhere … as a way of life common to whole groups of men”. [87]  In his book  The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism  (1904–1905), Weber sought to trace how a particular form of religious spirit, infused into traditional modes of economic activity, was a condition of possibility of modern western capitalism. For Weber, the ‘spirit of capitalism’ was, in general, that of ascetic Protestantism; this ideology was able to motivate extreme rationalization of daily life, a propensity to accumulate capital by a religious ethic to advance economically through hard and diligent work, and thus also the propensity to reinvest capital. This was sufficient, then, to create “self-mediating capital” as conceived by Marx. This is pictured in the Protestant understanding of beruf  [89]  – whose meaning encompass at the same time profession, vocation, and calling – as exemplified in Proverbs 22:29, “Seest thou a man diligent in his calling? He shall stand before kings”. In the Protestant Ethic, Weber describes the developments of this idea of calling from its religious roots, through the understanding of someone’s economic success as a sign of his salvation, until the conception that moneymaking is, within the modern economic order, the result and the expression of diligence in one’s calling. Finally, as the social mores critical for its development became no longer necessary for its maintenance, modern western capitalism came to represent the order “now bound to the technical and economic conditions of machine production which today determine the lives of all the individuals who are born into this mechanism, not only those directly concerned with economic acquisition, with irresistible force. Perhaps it will so determine them until the last ton of fossilized coal is burnt” (p. 123). [90]  This is further seen in his criticism of “specialists without spirit, hedonists  without a heart” that were developing, in his opinion, with the fading of the original  Puritan  “spirit” associated with capitalism. Thorstein Veblen Institutional economics, once the main school of economic thought in the United States, holds that capitalism cannot be separated from the political and social system within which it is embedded. It emphasizes the legal foundations of capitalism (see  John R. Commons ) and the evolutionary, habituated, and volitional processes by which institutions are erected and then changed. One key figure in institutional economics was  Thorstein Veblen  who in his book,  The Theory of the Leisure Class  (1899), analyzed the motivations of wealthy people in capitalism who  conspicuously consumed  their riches as a way of demonstrating success. The concept of  conspicuous consumption was in direct contradiction to the neoclassical view that capitalism was efficient. In  The Theory of Business Enterprise  (1904) Veblen distinguished the motivations of industrial production for people to use things from business motivations that used, or misused, industrial infrastructure for profit, arguing that the former often is hindered because businesses pursue the latter. Output and technological advance are restricted by business practices and the creation of monopolies. Businesses protect their existing capital investments and employ excessive credit, leading to depressions and increasing military expenditure and war through business control of political power. German Historical School and Austrian School[ edit ] Main articles:  Historical school of economics  and  Austrian School From the perspective of the  German Historical School , capitalism is primarily identified in terms of the organization of production for  markets . Although this perspective shares similar theoretical roots with that of Weber, its emphasis on markets and money lends it different focus. [23]  For followers of the German Historical School, the key shift from traditional modes of economic activity to capitalism involved the shift from medieval restrictions on credit and money to the modern  monetary economy  combined with an emphasis on the profit motive. Ludwig von Mises In the late 19th century, the German Historical School of economics diverged, with the emerging  Austrian School  of economics, led at the time by  Carl Menger . Later generations of followers of the Austrian School continued to be influential in Western economic thought in the early part of the 20th century. Austrian-born economist  Joseph Schumpeter , sometimes associated with the School, [91]  emphasized the “ creative destruction ” of capitalism—the fact that market economies undergo constant change. Schumpeter argued that at any moment in time there are rising industries and declining industries. Schumpeter, and many contemporary economists influenced by his work, argue that resources should flow from the declining to the expanding industries for an economy to grow, but they recognized that sometimes resources are slow to withdraw from the declining industries because of various forms of institutional resistance to change. The Austrian economists  Ludwig von Mises  and  Friedrich Hayek  were among the leading defenders of  market economy  against 20th century proponents of socialist  planned economies . Mises and Hayek argued that only market capitalism could manage a complex, modern economy. Since a modern economy produces such a large array of distinct goods and services, and consists of such a large array of consumers and enterprises, argued Mises and Hayek, the information problems facing any other form of economic organization other than market capitalism would exceed its capacity to handle information. Thinkers within  Supply-side economics  built on the work of the Austrian School, and particularly emphasize Say’s Law : “supply creates its own demand.” Capitalism, to this school, is defined by lack of state restraint on the decisions of producers. John Maynard Keynes In his 1937  The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money , the British economist  John Maynard Keynes  argued that capitalism suffered a basic problem in its ability to recover from periods of slowdowns in investment. Keynes argued that a capitalist economy could remain in an indefinite equilibrium  despite high  unemployment . Essentially rejecting  Say’s law , he argued that some people may have a  liquidity preference  that would see them rather hold money than buy new goods or services, which therefore raised the prospect that the  Great Depression  would not end without what he termed in the General Theory “a somewhat comprehensive socialization of investment.” Keynesian economics challenged the notion that laissez-faire capitalist economics could operate well on their own, without state intervention used to promote  aggregate demand , fighting high unemployment and  deflation  of the sort seen during the 1930s. He and his followers recommended “ pump-priming ” the economy to avoid  recession : cutting taxes, increasing government borrowing, and spending during an economic down-turn. This was to be accompanied by trying to control wages nationally partly through the use of  inflation  to cut real wages and to deter people from holding money. [92] John Maynard Keynes tried to provide solutions to many of Marx’s problems without completely abandoning the classical understanding of capitalism. His work attempted to show that regulation can be effective, and that economic stabilizers can rein in the aggressive expansions and recessions that Marx disliked. These changes sought to create more stability in the business cycle, and reduce the abuses of laborers. Keynesian economists argue that Keynesian policies were one of the primary reasons capitalism was able to recover following the Great Depression. [93]  The premises of Keynes’s work have, however, since been challenged by neoclassical and  supply-side economics  and the Austrian School. Another challenge to Keynesian thinking came from his colleague  Piero Sraffa , and subsequently from the  Neo-Ricardian school  that followed Sraffa. In Sraffa’s highly technical analysis, capitalism is defined by an entire system of social relations among both producers and consumers, but with a primary emphasis on the demands of production. According to Sraffa, the tendency of capital to seek its highest  rate of profit  causes a dynamic instability in social and economic relations. Neoclassical economics and the Chicago School[ edit ] Main article:  Neoclassical economics Today, the majority of academic research on capitalism in the  English-speaking world  draws on  neoclassical economic thought . It favors extensive market coordination and relatively neutral patterns of governmental market regulation aimed at maintaining property rights; deregulated  labor markets ; corporate governance dominated by financial owners of firms; and financial systems depending chiefly on  capital market -based financing rather than state financing. Milton Friedman Milton Friedman  took many of the basic principles set forth by Adam Smith and the classical economists and gave them a new twist. One example of this is his article in the September 1970 issue of The New York Times Magazine, where he argues that the social responsibility of business is “to use its resources and engage in activities designed to increase its profits … (through) open and free competition without deception or fraud.” This is similar to Smith’s argument that self-interest in turn benefits the whole of society. [94]  Work like this helped lay the foundations for the coming  marketization  (or privatization ) of state enterprises and the  supply-side economics  of  Ronald Reagan  and  Margaret Thatcher . The  Chicago School of economics  is best known for its free market advocacy and  monetarist  ideas. According to Friedman and other monetarists, market economies are inherently stable if left to themselves and depressions result only from government intervention. [95] Friedman, for example, argued that the  Great Depression  was result of a contraction of the money supply, controlled by the  Federal Reserve , and not by the lack of investment as  John Maynard Keynes  had argued.  Ben Bernanke , former Chairman of the  Federal Reserve , is among the economists today generally accepting Friedman’s analysis of the causes of the Great Depression. [96] Neoclassical economists, who by 1998 constituted a majority of academic economists, [97]  subscribe to a subjective theory of value, according to which the value derived from consumption of a good, rather than being objective and static, varies widely from person to person and for the same person at different times. Adherence to a subjective theory of value compels Neoclassical thinkers to reject the  labor theory of value  upheld by Adam Smith and other classical liberal thinkers, which was grounded upon a conception of objective value. Neoclassical models typically adopt the assumptions of  Marginalism , according to which economic value results from marginal utility and  marginal cost  (the  marginal concepts ). Marginalist theory implies that capitalists earn profits not by exploiting workers, but by forgoing current consumption, taking risks, and organizing production. Neoclassical economic theory[ edit ] This section needs additional citations for  verification . Please help  improve this article  by  adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.  (June 2010) Neoclassical economics explain capitalism as made up of individuals, enterprises, markets and government. According to their theories, individuals engage in a capitalist economy as consumers ,  laborers , and  investors . As laborers, individuals may decide which jobs to prepare for, and in which markets to look for work. As investors they decide how much of their income to save and how to invest their savings. These savings, which become investments, provide much of the money that businesses need to grow. Business firms decide what to produce and where this production should occur. They also purchase inputs (materials, labor, and capital). Businesses try to influence consumer purchase decisions through marketing and advertisement, as well as the creation of new and improved products. Driving the capitalist economy is the search for profits (revenues minus expenses). This is known as the  profit motive , and it helps ensure that companies produce the goods and services that consumers desire and are able to buy. To be profitable, firms must sell a quantity of their product at a certain price to yield a profit. A business may lose money if sales fall too low or if its costs become too high. The profit motive encourages firms to operate more efficiently. By using less materials, labor or capital, a firm can cut its production costs, which can lead to increased profits. An economy grows when the total value of goods and services produced rises. This growth requires investment in infrastructure, capital and other resources necessary in production. In a capitalist system, businesses decide when and how much they want to invest. Income in a capitalist economy depends primarily on what skills are in demand and what skills are being supplied. Skills that are in scarce supply are worth more in the market and can attract higher incomes. Competition among workers for jobs — and among employers for skilled workers — help determine wage rates. Firms need to pay high enough wages to attract the appropriate workers; when jobs are scarce, workers may accept lower wages than they would when jobs are plentiful.  Trade union  and governments influence wages in capitalist systems. Unions act to represent their members in negotiations with employers over such things as wage rates and acceptable working conditions. The market[ edit ] The price (P) of a product is determined by a balance between production at each price (supply, S) and the desires of those with  purchasing power  at each price (demand, D). This results in a market equilibrium, with a given quantity (Q) sold of the product. A rise in demand would result in an increase in price and an increase in output. Supply is the amount of a good or service produced by a firm and which is available for sale. Demand is the amount that people are willing to buy at a specific price. Prices tend to rise when demand exceeds supply, and fall when supply exceeds demand. In theory, the market is able to coordinate itself when a new equilibrium price and quantity is reached. Competition arises when more than one producer is trying to sell the same or similar products to the same buyers. In capitalist theory, competition leads to innovation and more affordable prices. Without competition, a monopoly or  cartel  may develop. A monopoly occurs when a firm supplies the total output in the market; the firm can therefore limit output and raise prices because it has no fear of competition. A cartel is a group of firms that act together in a monopolistic manner to control output and raise prices. Role of government[ edit ] Further information:  Competition regulator ,  Consumer protection  and  Competition law In a capitalist system, the government does not prohibit private property or prevent individuals from working where they please. The government does not prevent firms from determining what wages they will pay and what prices they will charge for their products. Many countries, however, have minimum wage  laws and minimum safety standards. Under some versions of capitalism, the government carries out a number of economic functions, such as issuing money, supervising public utilities and enforcing private contracts. Many countries have  competition laws  that prohibit monopolies and cartels from forming. Despite anti-monopoly laws, large corporations can form near-monopolies in some industries. Such firms can temporarily drop prices and accept losses to prevent competition from entering the market, and then raise them again once the threat of entry is reduced. In many countries, public utilities (e.g. electricity, heating fuel, communications) are able to operate as a monopoly under government regulation, due to high economies of scale. Government agencies regulate the standards of service in many industries, such as airlines and broadcasting, as well as financing a wide range of programs. In addition, the government regulates the flow of capital and uses financial tools such as the interest rate to control factors such as inflation and unemployment. [98] Democracy, the state, and legal frameworks[ edit ] Private property[ edit ] The relationship between the  state , its formal mechanisms, and capitalist societies has been debated in many fields of social and political theory, with active discussion since the 19th century. Hernando de Soto  is a contemporary economist who has argued that an important characteristic of capitalism is the functioning state protection of property rights in a formal property system where ownership and transactions are clearly recorded. [99] According to de Soto, this is the process by which physical assets are transformed into capital, which in turn may be used in many more ways and much more efficiently in the market economy. A number of Marxian economists have argued that the  Enclosure Acts  in England, and similar legislation elsewhere, were an integral part of capitalist  primitive accumulation  and that specific legal frameworks of private land ownership have been integral to the development of capitalism. [100] [101] Institutions[ edit ] New institutional economics , a field pioneered by  Douglass North , stresses the need of a legal framework in order for capitalism to function optimally, and focuses on the relationship between the historical development of capitalism and the creation and maintenance of political and economic institutions. [102]  In new institutional economics and other fields focusing on public policy, economists seek to judge when and whether governmental intervention (such as  taxes ,  welfare , and  government regulation ) can result in potential gains in efficiency. According to  Gregory Mankiw , a  New Keynesian economist , governmental intervention can improve on market outcomes under conditions of “ market failure “, or situations in which the market on its own does not allocate resources efficiently. [103] Market failure occurs when an  externality  is present and a market will either under-produce a product with a positive externalization or overproduce a product that generates a negative externalization. Air pollution, for instance, is a negative externalization that cannot be incorporated into markets as the world’s air is not owned and then sold for use to polluters. So, too much pollution could be emitted and people not involved in the production pay the cost of the pollution instead of the firm that initially emitted the air pollution. Critics of market failure theory, like Ronald Coase ,  Harold Demsetz , and  James M. Buchanan  argue that government programs and policies also fall short of absolute perfection. Market failures are often small, and government failures are sometimes large. It is therefore the case that imperfect markets are often better than imperfect governmental alternatives. While all nations currently have some kind of market regulations, the desirable degree of regulation is disputed. Democracy[ edit ] The relationship between  democracy  and capitalism is a contentious area in theory and popular political movements. The extension of universal adult male  suffrage  in 19th century Britain occurred along with the development of industrial capitalism, and democracy became widespread at the same time as capitalism, leading many theorists to posit a causal relationship between them, or that each affects the other. However, in the 20th century, according to some authors, capitalism also accompanied a variety of political formations quite distinct from liberal democracies, including  fascist  regimes, absolute monarchies, and single-party states. [23] While some thinkers argue that capitalist development more-or-less inevitably eventually leads to the emergence of democracy, others dispute this claim. Research on the  democratic peace theory  indicates that capitalist democracies rarely make war with one another [104]  and have little internal violence. However, critics of the democratic peace theory note that democratic capitalist states may fight infrequently and or never with other democratic capitalist states because of political similarity or stability rather than because they are democratic or capitalist. Some commentators argue that though economic growth under capitalism has led to democratization in the past, it may not do so in the future, as  authoritarian  regimes have been able to manage economic growth without making concessions to greater political freedom. [105] [106]  States that have highly capitalistic economic systems have thrived under authoritarian or oppressive political systems. Singapore, which maintains a highly open market economy and attracts lots of foreign investment, does not protect civil liberties such as freedom of speech and expression. The private (capitalist) sector in the People’s Republic of China has grown exponentially and thrived since its inception, despite having an authoritarian government.  Augusto Pinochet ‘s rule in Chile led to economic growth by using authoritarian means to create a safe environment for investment and capitalism. Thomas Piketty  of the  Paris School of Economics  asserts that rising  economic inequality  is a natural consequence of capitalist activity, and is destabilizing to democratic societies and undermines the ideals of social justice upon which they are built. [107] In response to criticism of the system, some proponents of capitalism have argued that its advantages are supported by empirical research.  Indices of Economic Freedom  show a correlation between nations with more economic freedom (as defined by the indices) and higher scores on variables such as income and life expectancy, including the poor, in these nations. Advocacy for capitalism[ edit ] World’s  GDP  per capita shows exponential growth since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. [108] Capitalism and the economy of the People’s Republic of China Many theorists and policymakers in predominantly capitalist nations have emphasized capitalism’s ability to promote economic growth, as measured by Gross Domestic Product  (GDP),  capacity utilization  or  standard of living . This argument was central, for example, to Adam Smith’s advocacy of letting a free market control production and price, and allocate resources. Many theorists have noted that this increase in global GDP over time coincides with the emergence of the modern world capitalist system. [109] [110] Between 1000 and 1820, the world economy grew sixfold, a faster rate than the population growth, so each individual enjoyed, on the average, a 50% increase in wealth. Between 1820 and 1998, world economy grew 50-fold, a much faster rate than the population growth, so each individual enjoyed, on the average, a 9-fold increase in wealth. [111]  In most capitalist economic regions such as Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the economy grew 19-fold per person, even though these countries already had a higher starting level, and in Japan, which was poor in 1820, the increase per person was 31-fold. In the  third world  there was an increase, but only 5-fold per person. [111] Proponents argue that increasing GDP (per capita) is empirically shown to bring about improved standards of living, such as better availability of food, housing, clothing, and health care. [112]  The decrease in the number of hours worked per week and the decreased participation of children and the elderly in the workforce have been attributed to capitalism. [113] [114] Proponents also believe that a capitalist economy offers far more opportunities for individuals to raise their income through new professions or business ventures than do other economic forms. To their thinking, this potential is much greater than in either traditional  feudal  or  tribal  societies or in socialist societies. Political freedom[ edit ] In his book  The Road to Serfdom ,  Freidrich Hayek  asserts that the  economic freedom  of capitalism is a requisite of  political freedom . He argues that the market mechanism is the only way of deciding what to produce and how to distribute the items without using coercion.  Milton Friedman ,  Andrew Brennan  and  Ronald Reagan  also promoted this view. Friedman claimed that centralized economic operations are always accompanied by  political repression . In his view, transactions in a market economy are voluntary, and that the wide diversity that voluntary activity permits is a fundamental threat to repressive political leaders and greatly diminish their power to coerce. Some of Friedman’s views were shared by  John Maynard Keynes , who believed that capitalism is vital for freedom to survive and thrive. [115] [116] The novelist and philosopher  Ayn Rand  made positive moral defences of laissez-faire capitalism, most notably in her 1957 novel  Atlas Shrugged , and in her 1966 collection of essays Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal . She argued that capitalism should be supported on moral grounds, not just on the basis of practical benefits. [117] [118]  She has significantly influenced conservative and  libertarian  supporters of capitalism, especially in the American  Tea Party movement . [119] Self-organization[ edit ] Austrian School economists have argued that capitalism can organize itself into a complex system without an external guidance or central planning mechanism. Friedrich Hayek considered the phenomenon of  self-organization  as underpinning capitalism. Prices serve as a signal as to the urgent and unfilled wants of people, and the opportunity to earn profits if successful, or absorb losses if resources are used poorly or left idle, gives entrepreneurs  incentive  to use their  knowledge  and resources to satisfy those wants. Thus the activities of millions of people, each seeking his own interest, are coordinated. [120] Notable critics of capitalism have included:  socialists ,  anarchists ,  communists ,  national socialists , a few  social democrats ,  technocrats , some types of conservatives ,  Luddites ,  Narodniks ,  Shakers , and some types of  nationalists . Marxists  have advocated a revolutionary overthrow of capitalism that would lead to socialism, before eventually transforming into communism. Many socialists consider capitalism to be irrational, in that production and the direction of the economy are unplanned, creating many inconsistencies and internal contradictions. [121]   Labor historians  and scholars such as  Immanuel Wallerstein  have argued that  unfree labor  — by  slaves ,  indentured servants , prisoners, and other coerced persons — is compatible with capitalist relations. [122]  According to Wallerstein, institutional racism has been “one of the most significant pillars” of the capitalist system and serves as “the ideological justification for the hierarchization of the work-force and its highly unequal distributions of reward.” [123]   Marxian economist   Richard D. Wolff  postulates that capitalist economies prioritize profits and capital accumulation over the social needs of communities, and capitalist enterprises rarely ever include the workers in the basic decisions of the enterprise. [124] Many aspects of capitalism have come under attack from the  anti-globalization movement , which is primarily opposed to  corporate capitalism . Environmentalists  have argued that capitalism requires continual economic growth, and that it will inevitably deplete the finite natural resources of the Earth. [125]  Such critics argue that while this  neoliberalism , or contemporary capitalism, [126]  has indeed increased global trade, it has also increased global poverty – with more living today in abject poverty than before neoliberalism, and that environmental indicators indicate massive environmental degradation since the late 1970s. [127] Following the banking crisis of 2007,  Alan Greenspan  told the United States Congress on October 23, 2008, “The whole intellectual edifice collapsed. I made a mistake in presuming that the self-interests of organizations, specifically banks and others, were such that they were best capable of protecting their own shareholders. … I was shocked.” [128] Many religions have criticized or opposed specific elements of capitalism. Traditional  Judaism ,  Christianity , and Islam forbid  lending money at interest , [129] [130]  although alternative methods of banking have been developed. Some Christians have criticized capitalism for its  materialist  aspects [131]  and its inability to account for the wellbeing of all people. Many of Jesus’ parables deal with clearly economic concerns: farming, shepherding, being in debt, doing hard labor, being excluded from banquets and the houses of the rich, and have implications for wealth and power distribution. [132] [133] In his 84-page  apostolic exhortation   Evangelii Gaudium ,  Pope Francis  described unfettered capitalism as “a new tyranny” and called upon world leaders to fight rising poverty and inequality. [134]  In it he says: “ Some people continue to defend  trickle-down theories  which assume that economic growth, encouraged by a free market, will inevitably succeed in bringing about greater justice and inclusiveness in the world. This opinion, which has never been confirmed by the facts, expresses a crude and naive trust in the goodness of those wielding economic power and in the sacralized workings of the prevailing economic system. Meanwhile, the excluded are still waiting. [135] ” Notes[ edit ] Jump up^   “Capitalism”  Oxford Dictionaries. “capitalism. an economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state.” Retrieved 4 January 2013. Jump up^  Chris Jenks. Core Sociological Dichotomies. “Capitalism, as a mode of production, is an economic system of manufacture and exchange which is geared toward the production and sale of commodities within a market for profit, where the manufacture of commodities consists of the use of the formally free labor of workers in exchange for a wage to create commodities in which the manufacturer extracts surplus value from the labor of the workers in terms of the difference between the wages paid to the worker and the value of the commodity produced by him/her to generate that profit.” London, England, UK; Thousand Oaks, California, USA; New Delhi, India: SAGE. p. 383. Jump up^  Heilbroner, Robert L.  “capitalism.”  Durlauf, Steven N.and Lawrence E. Blume, eds., The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics. 2nd ed. (Palgrave Macmillan, 2008) doi : 10.1057/9780230226203.0198 Jump up^   http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capitalism “an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market” ^  Jump up to:a   b  Macmillan Dictionary of Modern Economics, 3rd Ed., 1986, p. 54. ^  Jump up to:a   b  Stilwell, Frank. “Political Economy: the Contest of Economic Ideas.” First Edition. Oxford University Press. Melbourne, Australia. 2002.
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Appendix:List of Latin phrases - Wiktionary Appendix:List of Latin phrases Appendix: *List of Latin phrases Warning, this page may be too large for some browsers. If so, the sections can be reviewed individually: This appendix lists direct English translations of Latin phrases. Some of the phrases are themselves translations of Greek phrases, as Greek rhetoric and literature reached its peak centuries before that of Ancient Rome: Contents A B C D E F G H I J L M N O P Q R S T U V This list is a combination of the three divided pages, for users who have no trouble loading large pages and prefer a single page to scroll or search through. The contents of the list cannot be edited here, and are kept automatically in synch with the divided lists (A-E), (F-O) and P-Z) through template inclusion. a bene placito "from one who has been pleased well" Or "at will", "at one's pleasure". This phrase, and its Italian (beneplacito) and Spanish (beneplácito) derivatives, are synonymous with the more common ad libitum ("at pleasure"). abusus non tollit usum "abuse does not preclude proper use" a caelo usque ad centrum "from the sky to the center" Or "from heaven all the way to the center of the earth". In law, can refer to the obsolete cuius est solum eius est usque ad coelum et ad inferos maxim of property ownership. a capite ad calcem From top to bottom; all the way through. Equally a pedibus usque ad caput. a contrario "from the opposite" Equivalent to "on the contrary" or "au contraire". An argumentum a contrario is an "argument from the contrary", an argument or proof by contrast or direct opposite. a Deucalione a fortiori "from the stronger" Loosely, "even more so" or "with even stronger reason". Often used to lead from a less certain proposition to a more evident corollary. a mari usque ad mare "from sea to sea" From Psalm 72:8, "Et dominabitur a mari usque ad mare, et a flumine usque ad terminos terrae" ( KJV : "He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth"). National motto of Canada . a pedibus usque ad caput "from feet to head" Completely. Similar to the English expressions "from tip to toe" or "from top to toe". Equally a capite ad calcem. See also ab ovo usque ad mala. a posse ad esse "from being able to being" "From possibility to actuality" or "from being possible to being actual" a posteriori "from the latter" Based on observation (i.e., empirical knowledge ), the reverse of a priori. Used in mathematics and logic to denote something that is known after a proof has been carried out. In philosophy, used to denote something that can be known from empirical experience. a priori "from the former" Presupposed, the reverse of a posteriori. Used in mathematics and logic to denote something that is known or postulated before a proof has been carried out. In philosophy, used to denote something that can be known without empirical experience. In everyday speech, it denotes something occurring or being known before the event. ab absurdo "from the absurd" Said of an argument that seeks to prove a statement's validity by pointing out the absurdity of an opponent's position (cf. appeal to ridicule ) or that an assertion is false because of its absurdity. Not to be confused with a reductio ad absurdum , which is usually a valid logical argument. ab abusu ad usum non valet consequentia "a consequence from an abuse to a use is not valid" Inferences regarding something's use from its misuse are invalid. Rights abused are still rights (cf. abusus non tollit usum). ab aeterno "from the eternal" Literally, "from the everlasting" or "from eternity". Thus, "from time immemorial", "since the beginning of time" or "from an infinitely remote time in the past". In theology, often indicates something, such as the universe, that was created outside of time. ab antiquo ab extra "from beyond" A legal term meaning "from without". From external sources, rather than from the self or the mind (ab intra). ab hinc Often rendered abhinc (which in Latin means simply "since" or "ago"). ab imo pectore "from the bottom of my heart" More literally, "from the deepest chest". Attributed to Julius Caesar . Can mean "with deepest affection" or "sincerely". ab inconvenienti "from an inconvenient thing" New Latin for "based on unsuitability", "from inconvenience" or "from hardship". An argumentum ab inconvenienti is one based on the difficulties involved in pursuing a line of reasoning, and is thus a form of appeal to consequences ; it refers to a rule in law that an argument from inconvenience has great weight. ab incunabulis "from the cradle" Thus, "from the beginning" or "from infancy". Incunabula is commonly used in English to refer to the earliest stage or origin of something, and especially to copies of books that predate the spread of the printing press around AD 1500. ab initio "from the beginning" "At the outset", referring to an inquiry or investigation. In literature, refers to a story told from the beginning rather than in medias res (from the middle). In law , refers to something being the case from the start or from the instant of the act, rather than from when the court declared it so. A judicial declaration of the invalidity of a marriage ab initio is a nullity . In science, refers to the first principles . In other contexts, often refers to beginner or training courses. Ab initio mundi means "from the beginning of the world". ab intestato From someone who dies with no legal will (cf. ex testamento). ab intra From the inside. The opposite of ab extra. ab irato "from an angry man" By a person who is angry. Used in law to describe a decision or action that is detrimental to those it affects and was made based on hatred or anger, rather than on reason. The form irato is masculine; however, this does not mean it applies only to men, rather 'person' is meant, as the phrase probably elides "homo," not "vir." ab origine ab ovo usque ad mala "from the egg to the apples" From Horace , Satire 1.3. Means "from beginning to end", based on the Roman main meal typically beginning with an egg dish and ending with fruit (cf. the English phrase soup to nuts ). Thus, ab ovo means "from the beginning", and can also connote thoroughness. ab uno disce omnes "from one, learn all" From Virgil's Aeneid . Refers to situations where a single example or observation indicates a general or universal truth. (a.U.c.) "from the founding of the city" Refers to the founding of Rome , which occurred in 753 BC according to Livy 's count. Used as a reference point in ancient Rome for establishing dates, before being supplanted by other systems. Also anno Urbis conditae (a.U.c.) ("in the year that the city was founded"). ab utili absens haeres non erit "an absent person will not be an heir" In law, refers to the principle that someone who is not present is unlikely to inherit. absente reo "with the defendant being absent" In the absence of the accused. absit iniuria "let injury be absent" Expresses the wish that no insult or wrong be conveyed by the speaker's words, i.e., "no offense". Also rendered absit iniuria verbis "let injury be absent from these words". Contrast with absit invidia. absit invidia "let ill will/jealousy be absent" Said in the context of a statement of excellence. Unlike the English expression "no offense", absit invidia is intended to ward off jealous deities who might interpret a statement of excellence as hubris. Also extended to absit invidia verbo, meaning "may ill will/jealousy be absent from these words." Contrast with absit iniuria. An explanation of Livy's usage. absit omen "let an omen be absent" In other words, "let there not be an omen here". Expresses the wish that something seemingly ill-boding does not turn out to be an omen for future events, and calls on divine protection against evil. absolutum dominium absolvo "I acquit" A legal term said by a judge acquitting a defendant following a trial. Te absolvo or absolvo te, translated, "I forgive you," said by Roman Catholic priests during the Sacrament of Confession prior to Vatican II . abundans cautela non nocet "abundant caution does no harm" Thus, one can never be too careful; even excessive precautions don't hurt anyone. abusus non tollit usum "misuse does not remove use" An axiom stating that just because something can be, or has been, abused, does not mean that it must be, or always is. Abuse does not, in itself, justify denial of use accusare nemo se debet nisi coram Deo "no one ought to accuse himself except in the Presence of God" A legal maxim denoting that any accused person is entitled to make a plea of not guilty, and also that a witness is not obliged to give a response or submit a document that will incriminate himself . A very similar phrase is nemo tenetur seipsum accusare. Accipe Hoc Motto of 848 Naval Air Squadron, Royal Navy. acta est fabula plaudite "The play has been performed; applaud!" A common ending to ancient Roman comedies, also claimed by Suetonius in Lives of the Twelve Caesars to have been Caesar Augustus ' last words. Applied by Sibelius to the third movement of his String Quartet no. 2 so that his audience would realize it was the last one, as a fourth would normally be expected. acta non verba Acta Sanctorum "Deeds of the Saints " Also used in the singular, Acta Sancti ("Deeds of the Saint"), preceding a specific Saint's name. A common title of works in hagiography . actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea "The act is not guilty unless the mind is also guilty." A legal term outlining the presumption of mens rea in a crime . actus reus "guilty act" The actual crime that is committed, rather than the intent or thought process leading up to the crime. Thus, the external elements of a crime, as contrasted with mens rea, the internal elements. ad absurdum "to the absurd" In logic, to the point of being silly or nonsensical. See also reductio ad absurdum . Not to be confused with ab absurdo ("from the absurd"). adaequatio intellectûs nostri cum re "conformity of our minds to the fact" A phrase used in epistemology regarding the nature of understanding. ad abundantiam "to abundance" In legal language, used when providing additional evidence to an already sufficient collection. Also used commonly, as an equivalent of "as if this wasn't enough". "to the stars through difficulty" Motto of Kansas, and other organisations. ad astra per alia porci "to the stars on the wings of a pig" A favorite saying of John Steinbeck . A professor told him that he would be an author when pigs flew. Every book he wrote is printed with this insignia. ad captandum vulgus "in order to court the crowd" To do something to appeal to the masses. Often used of politicians who make false or insincere promises to appeal to popular interest. An argumentum ad captandum is an argument designed to please the crowd. ad eundem "to the same" An ad eundem degree , from the Latin ad eundem gradum ("to the same step" or "to the same degree"), is a courtesy degree awarded by one university or college to an alumnus of another. It is not an honorary degree, but a recognition of the formal learning that earned the degree at another college. A motto of Renaissance humanism . Also used in the Protestant Reformation . ad fundum "to the bottom" Said during a generic toast , equivalent to "bottoms up!" In other contexts, generally means "back to the basics". ad hoc "to this" Generally means "for this", in the sense of improvised on the spot or designed for only a specific, immediate purpose. Rather than relying on ad hoc decisions, we should form a consistent plan for dealing with emergency situations. ad hominem "to the man" Connotations of "against the man". Typically used in argumentum ad hominem, a logical fallacy consisting of criticizing a person when the subject of debate is the person's ideas or argument, on the mistaken assumption that the validity of an argument is to some degree dependent on the qualities of the proponent. (ad int) "for the meantime" As in the term "chargé d'affaires ad interim" for a diplomatic officer who acts in place of an ambassador. ad Kalendas Graecas "to the Greek Kalends " Attributed by Suetonius in Lives of the Twelve Caesars to Caesar Augustus . The phrase means "never" and is similar to phrases like " when pigs fly ". The Kalends (also written Calends) were specific days of the Roman calendar , not of the Greek , and so the "Greek Kalends" would never occur. ( ad lib ) "toward pleasure" Loosely, "according to what pleases" or "as you wish"; libitum comes from the past participle of libere, "to please". It typically indicates in music and theatrical scripts that the performer has the liberty to change or omit something. Ad lib is specifically often used when someone improvises or ignores limitations. ad litem "to the lawsuit" A legal term referring to a party appointed by a court to act in a lawsuit on behalf of another party who is deemed incapable of representing himself. An individual who acts in this capacity is called a guardian ad litem . ad lucem "to the light" ad nauseam "to the point of disgust" Literally, "to the point of nausea ". Sometimes used as a humorous alternative to ad infinitum. An argumentum ad nauseam is a logical fallacy involving basing one's argument on prolonged repetition, i.e., repeating something so much that people are "sick of it". ad oculos Meaning "obvious on sight" or "obvious to anyone that sees it". ad pedem litterae "to the foot of the letter" Thus, "exactly as it is written". Similar to the English idiom "to the letter", meaning "to the last detail". ad perpetuam memoriam "to the perpetual memory" Generally precedes "of" and a person's name, and is used to wish for someone to be remembered long after death. ad pondus omnium (ad pond om) "to the weight of all things" More loosely, "considering everything's weight". The abbreviation was historically used by physicians and others to signify that the last prescribed ingredient is to weigh as much as all of the previously mentioned ones. ad quod damnum "to what damage" Meaning "according to the harm" or "in proportion to the harm". The phrase is used in tort law as a measure of damages inflicted, implying that a remedy , if one exists, ought to correspond specifically and only to the damage suffered (cf. damnum absque injuria). ad referendum "for life or until fault" Usually used of a term of office. addendum An item to be added, especially a supplement to a book. The plural is addenda. adequatio intellectus et rei "correspondence of the mind and reality" One of the definitions of the truth. When the mind has the same form as reality, we think truth. Also found as adequatio rei et intellectus. adsum Equivalent to "Present!" or "Here!" The opposite of absum ("I am absent"). adversus solem ne loquitor "Don't speak against the sun" I.e., don't argue the obvious aegri somnia From Horace , Ars Poetica, 7. Loosely, "troubled dreams". aequitas aetatis suae "of his own age" Thus, "at the age of". Appeared on portraits, gravestones, etc. Sometimes extended to anno aetatis suae (AAS) , "in the year of his age". Sometimes shortened to just aetatis (aet.) . alea iacta est "the die is cast" Said by Julius Caesar upon crossing the Rubicon in 49 BC , according to Suetonius . The original meaning was roughly equivalent to the English phrase "the game is afoot", but its modern meaning, like that of the phrase " crossing the Rubicon ", denotes passing the point of no return on a momentous decision and entering into a risky endeavor where the outcome is left to chance. alenda lux ubi orta libertas "Let learning be cherished where liberty has arisen." The motto of Davidson College . alias "otherwise" An assumed name or pseudonym . Similar to alter ego, but more specifically referring to a name, not to a "second self". alibi "elsewhere" A legal defense where a defendant attempts to show that he was elsewhere at the time a crime was committed. His alibi is sound; he gave evidence that he was in another city on the night of the murder. alis aquilae "on eagles wings" taken from the Book of Isaiah, Chapter 40. "But those who wait for the Lord shall find their strength renewed, they shall mount up on wings like eagles, they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not grow faint." alis grave nil "nothing is heavy to those who have wings" motto of the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro ( Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro - PUC-RIO). alis volat propris "she flies with her own wings" State motto of Oregon . Can also be rendered alis volat propriis. Aliquantus "something that stands for something else" A foundational definition for semiotics alma mater "nourishing mother" Term used for the university one attends or has attended. Another university term, matriculation , is also derived from mater. The term suggests that the students are "fed" knowledge and taken care of by the university. The term is also used for a university's traditional school anthem. alter ego "other I" Another self, a second persona or alias . Can be used to describe different facets or identities of a single character, or different characters who seem representations of the same personality. Often used of a fictional character 's secret identity . alterius non sit qui suus esse potest "Let no man belong to another that can belong to himself" Final sentence from Aesop ascribed fable (see also Aesop's Fables ) " The Frogs Who Desired a King " as appears in the collection commonly known as the "Anonymus Neveleti" (fable "XXIb. De ranis a Iove querentibus regem"). Motto of Paracelsus . Usually attributed to Cicero . alterum non laedere One of Justinian I 's three basic legal precepts. alumna or alumnus "pupil" Sometimes rendered with the gender-neutral alumn or alum in English. A graduate or former student of a school, college or university. Alumna (pl. alumnae) is a female pupil, and alumnus (pl. alumni) is a male pupil—alumni is generally used for a group of both males and females. The word derives from alere, "to nourish", a graduate being someone who was raised and taken care of at the school (cf. alma mater). amicus curiae "friend of the court" An adviser, or a person who can obtain or grant access to the favour of powerful group, like a Roman Curia . In current U.S. legal usage, an amicus curiae is a third party allowed to submit a legal opinion (in the form of an amicus brief) to the court. amiterre legem terrae "to lose the law of the land" An obsolete legal term signifying the forfeiture of the right of swearing in any court or cause, or to become infamous. amor est vitae essentia "love is the essence of life" As said by Robert B. Mackay, Australian Analyst. amor et melle et felle est fecundissmismus "love is rich with both honey and venom" Amor fati "love of fate" Nietzscheian alternative world view to memento mori [remember you must die]. Nietzsche believed amor fati to be more life affirming. amor omnibus idem from Virgil 's Georgics III. amor patriae (an.) "in the year" Also used in such phrases as anno urbis conditae (see ab urbe condita), Anno Domini, and anno regni. (A.D.) "in the Year of the Lord" Short for Anno Domini Nostri Iesus Christi ("in the Year of Our Lord, Jesus Christ"), the predominantly used system for dating years across the world, used with the Gregorian calendar , and based on the perceived year of the birth of Jesus Christ . The years before Jesus' birth were once marked with a. C.n ( Ante Christum Natum , "Before Christ was Born"), but now use the English abbreviation BC ("Before Christ"). Augustus was born in the year 63 BC , and died AD 14 . anno regni "In the year of the reign" Precedes "of" and the current ruler. Annuit Cœptis "He Has Approved the Undertakings" Motto on the reverse of the Great Seal of the United States and on the back of the U.S. one dollar bill . "He" refers to God , and so the official translation given by the U.S. State Department is "He [God] has favored our undertakings". annus horribilis "horrible year" A recent pun on annus mirabilis, first used by Queen Elizabeth II to describe what a bad year 1992 had been for her, and subsequently occasionally used to refer to many other years perceived as "horrible". In Classical Latin , this phrase would actually mean "terrifying year". See also annus terribilis. annus mirabilis "wonderful year" Used particularly to refer to the years 1665 – 1666 , during which Isaac Newton made revolutionary inventions and discoveries in calculus, motion, optics and gravitation. Annus Mirabilis is also the title of a poem by John Dryden written in the same year. It has since been used to refer to other years, especially to 1905 , when Albert Einstein made equally revolutionary discoveries concerning the photoelectric effect, Brownian motion and the special theory of relativity. (See Annus Mirabilis Papers ) annus terribilis aqua vitae "water of life" "Spirit of Wine" in many English texts. Used to refer to various native distilled beverages , such as whisky in Scotland and Ireland, gin in Holland, brandy (eau de vie) in France, and akvavit in Scandinavia. aquila non capit muscas "an eagle doesn't catch flies" A noble or important person doesn't deal with insignificant issues. arare litus From Gerhard Gerhards' (1466-1536) [better known as Erasmus] collection of annotated Adagia (1508). Wasted labour. arbiter elegantiarum "judge of tastes" One who prescribes, rules on, or is a recognized authority on matters of social behavior and taste. Said of Petronius . Also rendered arbiter elegentiae ("judge of a taste"). arcus senilis Also "silver coin". Mentioned in Domesday , signifies bullion , or silver uncoined . arguendo "for arguing" For the sake of argument. Said when something is done purely in order to discuss a matter or illustrate a point. Let us assume, arguendo, that your claim is correct. argumentum "argument" Or "reasoning", "inference", "appeal", "proof". The plural is argumenta. Commonly used in the names of logical arguments and fallacies , preceding phrases such as a silentio ("by silence"), ad antiquitatem ("to antiquity"), ad baculum ("to the stick"), ad captandum ("to capturing"), ad consequentiam ("to the consequence"), ad crumenam ("to the purse"), ad feminam ("to the woman"), ad hominem ("to the person"), ad ignorantiam ("to ignorance"), ad judicium ("to judgment"), ad lazarum ("to poverty"), ad logicam ("to logic"), ad metum ("to fear"), ad misericordiam ("to pity"), ad nauseam ("to nausea"), ad novitatem ("to novelty"), ad personam ("to the character"), ad numerum ("to the number"), ad odium ("to spite"), ad populum ("to the people"), ad temperantiam ("to moderation"), ad verecundiam ("to reverence"), ex silentio ("from silence"), and in terrorem ("into terror"). ars celare artem "art [is] to conceal art" An aesthetic ideal that good art should appear natural rather than contrived. ars gratia artis " art for art's sake " Translated into Latin from Baudelaire 's "L'art pour l'art". Motto of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer . This phrasing is a direct transliteration of 'art for the sake of art.' While very symmetrical for the MGM logo, the better Latin word order is 'Ars artis gratia.' ars longa vita brevis "art is long, life is short" The Latin translation by Horace of a phrase from Hippocrates , often used out of context. The "art" referred to in the original aphorism was the craft of medicine, which took a lifetime to acquire. asinus ad lyram "an ass to the lyre" From Gerhard Gerhards' (1466-1536) [better known as Erasmus] collection of annotated Adagia (1508). An awkward or incompetent individual. asinus asinum fricat "the jackass rubs the jackass" Used to describe two people lavishing excessive praise on one another. assecuratus non quaerit lucrum sed agit ne in damno sit "the assured does not seek profit but just indemnity for the loss" Refers to the insurance principle that the indemnity cannot be larger than the loss. audeamus "let us dare" Motto of Otago University Students' Association , a direct response to the university's motto of sapere aude ("dare to be wise"). audemus jura nostra defendere "we dare to defend our rights" State motto of Alabama , adopted in 1923. Translated into Latin from a paraphrase of the stanza "Men who their duties know / But know their rights, and knowing, dare maintain" from the poem "What Constitutes a State?" by 18th-century author William Jones. audentes fortuna iuvat "fortune favors the bold" From Virgil , Aeneid X, 284 (where the first word is in the archaic form audentis). Allegedly the last words of Pliny the Elder before he left the docks at Pompeii to rescue people from the eruption of Vesuvius in 79. Often quoted as audaces fortuna iuvat. audere est facere "to dare is to do" audi alteram partem "hear the other side" A legal principle of fairness. Also worded as audiatur et altera pars ("let the other side be heard too"). audio hostem Motto of 845 NACS Royal Navy aurea mediocritas From Horace 's Odes II, 10. Refers to the ethical goal of reaching a virtuous middle ground between two sinful extremes. The golden mean concept is common to many philosophers, chiefly Aristotle . auri sacra fames "accursed hunger for gold" From Virgil , Aeneid 3,57. Later quoted by Seneca as "quod non mortalia pectora coges, auri sacra fames": "What aren't you able to bring men to do, miserable hunger for gold!" auribus teneo lupum "I hold a wolf by the ears" A common ancient proverb, this version from Terence . Indicates that one is in a dangerous situation where both holding on and letting go could be deadly. A modern version is "To have a tiger by the tail." aurora australis "southern dawn" The Southern Lights , an aurora that appears in the Southern Hemisphere . It is less well-known than the Northern Lights, or aurorea borealis. The Aurora Australis is also the name of an Antarctic icebreaker ship. aurora borealis The Northern Lights, an aurora that appears in the Northern Hemisphere . aut Caesar aut nihil "either Caesar or nothing" Indicates that the only valid possibility is to be emperor , or a similarly prominent position. More generally, "all or nothing". Adopted by Cesare Borgia as a personal motto. aut concilio aut ense "either by meeting or by the sword" Thus, either through reasoned discussion or through war. A former motto of Chile , post tenebras lux ultimately replaced by Por la Razon o la Fuerza (Spanish) ' by reason or by force '. aut pax aut bellum The motto of the Gunn Clan . Aut viam inveniam aut faciam "I will find a way, or I will make one" Medical shorthand for "twice a day". bona fide In other words, "well-intentioned", "fairly". In modern contexts, often has connotations of "genuinely" or "sincerely". Bona fides is not the plural (which would be bonis fidebus), but the nominative , and means simply "good faith". Opposite of mala fide. bona notabilia — In law, if a person dying has goods, or good debts, in another diocese or jurisdiction within that province, besides his goods in the diocese where he dies, amounting to a certain minimum value, he is said to have bona notabilia; in which case, the probat of his will belongs to the archbishop of that province. bona officia A nation's offer to mediate in disputes between two other nations. bona patria A jury or assize of countrymen, or good neighbors. bona vacantia United Kingdom legal term for ownerless property that passes to The Crown . boni pastoris est tondere pecus non deglubere "It is of a good shepherd to shear his flock, not to flay them." Tiberius reportedly said this to his regional commanders, as a warning against taxing the populace excessively. bonum commune communitatis "common good of the community" Or "general welfare". Refers to what benefits a society, as opposed to bonum commune hominis, which refers to what is good for an individual. bonum commune hominis "common good of a man" Refers to an individual's happiness, which is not "common" in that it serves everyone, but in that individuals tend to be able to find happiness in similar things. busillis — Pseudo-Latin meaning "baffling puzzle" or "difficult point". John of Cornwall (ca. 1170 ) was once asked by a scribe what the word meant. It turns out that the original text said in diebus illis magnis plenæ ("in those days there were plenty of great things"), which the scribe misread as indie busillis magnis plenæ ("in India there were plenty of large busillis"). Refers to a situation where nobody is safe from anybody, each man for himself. capax infiniti "capable of the infinite" a pejorative term refering (at least) to some Christian doctrines of the incarnation of the Son of God when it asserts that humanity is capable of housing full divinity within its finite frame. Related to the Docetic heresy and sometimes a counterpoint to the Reformed 'extracalvinisticum.' caput inter nubila (condit) "head in the clouds" So aggrandized as to be beyond practical (earthly) reach or understanding (from Virgil 's Aeneid and the shorter form appears in John Locke 's Two Treatises of Government) Caritas Christi "The love of Christ" It implies a command to love as Christ loved. Motto of St. Franicis Xavier High School located in West Meadowlark Park (Edmonton) . carpe diem "seize the day" An exhortation to live for today. From Horace , Odes I, 11.8. By far the most common translation is "seize the day," though carpere normally means something more like "pluck," and the allusion here is to picking flowers. The phrase collige virgo rosas has a similar sense. carpe noctem "seize the night" An exhortation to make good use of the night, often used when carpe diem, q.v., would seem absurd, e.g., when observing a deep sky object or conducting a Messier marathon . Carthago delenda est "Carthage must be destroyed" From Roman senator Cato the Elder , who ended every speech of his between the second and third Punic Wars with ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam, literally "For the rest, I am of the opinion that Carthage is to be destroyed." Other translations include "In conclusion, I declare that Carthage must be destroyed." and "Furthermore, I move for Carthage to be destroyed." The user is responsible for checking whether the goods suit his need. Cedant arma togae "Let military power yield to civilian power," Cicero , De Officiis . See Toga , it:Cedant arma togae celerius quam asparagi cocuntur "more swiftly than asparagus is cooked" Or simply "faster than cooking asparagus". A variant of the Roman phrase velocius quam asparagi coquantur, using a different adverb and an alternate mood and spelling of coquere . cepi corpus "I got the body" In law, it is a return made by the sheriff, upon a capias, or other process to the like purpose; signifying, that he has taken the body of the party. certum est quod certum reddi potest "It is certain if it is capable of being rendered certain" Often used in law when something is not known, but can be ascertained (e.g. the purchase price on a sale which is to be determined by a third-party valuer) cessante ratione legis cessat ipsa lex "When the reason for the law ceases, the law itself ceases." A rule of law becomes ineffective when the reason for its application has ceased to exist or does not correspond to the reality anymore. cetera desunt In the sense of "approximately" or "about". Usually used of a date. circulus vitiosus In logic, begging the question , a fallacy involving the presupposition of a proposition in one of the premises (see petitio principii). In science, a positive feedback loop. In economics, a counterpart to the virtuous circle . citius altius fortius Motto of the modern Olympics . Clamea admittenda in itinere per atturnatum A writ whereby the king of England could command the justice in eyre to admit one's claim by an attorney, who being employed in the king's service, cannot come in person. clausum fregit An action of tresspass; thus called, by reason the writ demands the person summoned to answer to wherefore he broke the close (quare clausum fregit), i.e. why he committed such a trespass. claves Sancti Petri "the keys of Saint Peter " A symbol of the Papacy . The means of discovering hidden or mysterious meanings in texts, particularly applied in theology and alchemy . clerico admittendo "about to be made a clerk" In law, a writ directed to the bishop, for the admitting a clerk to a benefice upon a ne admittas, tried, and found for the party who procures the writ. clerico capto per statutum mercatorum In law, a writ for the delivery of a clerk out of prison, who is imprisoned upon the breach of statute merchant. clerico convicto commisso gaolae in defectu ordinarii deliberando In law, a writ for the delivery of a clerk to his ordinary, that was formerly convicted of felony; by reason that his ordinary did not challenge him according to the privilege of clerks. clerico intra sacros ordines constituto non eligendo in officium In law, a writ directed to the bailiffs, etc, that have thrust a bailiwick or beadleship upon one in holy orders; charging them to release him. Codex Iuris Canonici The official code of canon law in the Roman Catholic Church (cf. Corpus Iuris Canonici). Coelum non animum mutant qui trans mare currunt "Those who hurry cross the sea change the sky [upon them], not their souls or state of mind" "congress in the way of beasts" An medical euphemism for the doggy-style sexual position. "pick, girl, the roses" "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may", 1909, by John William Waterhouse . Exhortation to enjoy fully the youth, similar to Carpe diem, from De rosis nascentibus (also titled Idyllium de rosis ) attributed to Ausonius or Virgil . communibus annis "in common years" One year with another; on an average. "Common" here does not mean "ordinary," but "common to every situation" communibus locis "in common places" A term frequently used among philosophical and other writers, implying some medium, or mean relation between several places; one place with another; on a medium. "Common" here does not mean "ordinary," but "common to every situation" communis opinio compos mentis "in control of the mind" Describes someone of sound mind. Sometimes used ironically. Also a legal principle, non compos mentis ("not in control of one's faculties"), used to describe an insane person. concordia cum veritate Motto of the University of Waterloo . concordia salus The official name of Switzerland , hence the use of " CH " for its ISO country code , " .ch " for its Internet domain , and " CHF " for the ISO three-letter abbreviation of its currency, the Swiss franc . coniunctis viribus Or "with united powers". Sometimes rendered conjunctis viribus. Consuetudo pro lege servatur "Custom is kept before the law" An inconsistently applied maxim. See also consuetudo est altera lex (custom is another law) and consuetudo vincit communem legem (custom overrules the common law) consummatum est The last words of Jesus on the cross in the Latin translation of John 19:30. contemptus saeculi "scorn for the times" Despising the secular world. The monk or philosopher 's rejection of a mundane life and worldly values. contra spem spero A word that makes itself impossible contraria contrariis curantur "the opposite is cured with the opposite" First formulated by Hippocrates to suggest that the diseases are cured with contrary remedies. Antonym of Similia similibus curantur (the diseases are recovered with similar remedies. ) contra bonos mores Offensive to the conscience and to a sense of justice. contra legem cor ad cor loquitur "heart speaks to heart" From Augustine 's Confessions , referring to a prescribed method of prayer: having a "heart to heart" with God. Commonly used in reference to a later quote by John Henry Cardinal Newman . A motto of Newman Clubs. cor meum tibi offero domine prompte et sincere "my heart I offer to you Lord promptly and sincerely" cor unum "one heart" A popular school motto. Often used as names for religious and other organisations such as the Pontifical Council Cor Unum . coram Deo "in the Presence of God" A phrase from Christian theology which summarizes the idea of Christians living in the Presence of, under the authority of, and to the honor and glory of God . coram populo "in the presence of the people" Thus, openly. "the corruption of the best is the worst" corruptus in extremis Motto of the fictional Springfield Mayor Office in The Simpsons TV-Show Corruptissima re publica plurimae leges "When the republic is at its most corrupt the laws are most numerous"--Tacitus Cras amet qui nunquam amavit; quique amavit, cras amet "May he love tomorrow who has never loved before; And may he who has loved, love tomorrow as well" It's the refrain from the 'Pervigilium Veneris', a poem which describes a three day holiday in the cult of Venus, located somewhere in Sicily, involving the whole town in religious festivities joined with a deep sense of nature and Venus as the "procreatrix", the life-giving force behind the natural world. Credo in Unum Deum "I Believe in One God" The first words of the Nicene Creed . credo quia absurdum est "I believe it because it is absurd" A very common misquote of Tertullian 's et mortuus est Dei Filius prorsus credibile quia ineptum est ("and the Son of God is dead: in short, it is credible because it is unfitting"), meaning that it is so absurd to say that God's son has died that it would have to be a matter of belief, rather than reason. The misquoted phrase, however, is commonly used to mock the dogmatic beliefs of the religious (see fideism ). This phrase is commonly shortened to credo quia absurdum, and is also sometimes rendered credo quia impossibile est ("I believe it because it is impossible")or, as Darwin used it in his autobiography, credo quia incredibile. crescamus in Illo per omina "May we grow in Him through all things" crescit eundo "it grows as it goes" State motto of New Mexico , adopted in 1887 as the territory's motto, and kept in 1912 when New Mexico received statehood. Originally from Lucretius ' On the Nature of Things book VI, where it refers in context to the motion of a thunderbolt across the sky, which acquires power and momentum as it goes. cruci dum spiro fido "while I live, I trust in the cross", "Whilst I trust in the Cross I have life" Motto of the Sisters of Loreto (IBVM) and its associated schools. A second translation is "Whilst I trust in the Cross I have life" cucullus non facit monachum cui bono "Good for whom?" "Who benefits?" An adage in criminal investigation which suggests that considering who would benefit from an unwelcome event is likely to reveal who is responsible for that event (cf. cui prodest). Also the motto of the Crime Syndicate of America , a fictional supervillain group. The opposite is cui malo ("Bad for whom?"). cui prodest "for whom it advances" Short for cui prodest scelus is fecit ("for whom the crime advances, he has done it") in Seneca 's Medea. Thus, the murderer is often the one who gains by the murder (cf. cui bono). cuius est solum eius est usque ad coelum et ad inferos "Whose the land is, all the way to the sky and to the underworld is his." First coined by Accursius of Bologna in the 13th century. A Roman legal principle of property law that is no longer observed in most situations today. Less literally, "For whosoever owns the soil, it is theirs up to the sky and down to the depths." cuius regio, eius religio "whose region, his religion" The privilege of a ruler to choose the religion of his subjects. A regional prince's ability to choose his people's religion was established at the Peace of Augsburg in 1555. Cuiusvis hominis est errare, nullius nisi insipientis in errore perseverare. "Anyone can err, but only the fool persists in his fault." — Marcus Tullius Cicero, Philippica XII, ii, 5 culpa "fault" Also "blame" or " guilt ". In law, an act of neglect. In general, guilt, sin, or a fault. See also mea culpa . cum gladiis et fustibus From the Bible. Occurs in Matthew 26:47 and Luke 22:52. cum gladio et sale Motto of a well-paid soldier. See salary . cum grano salis Not to be taken too seriously or as the literal truth. Yes, the brochure made it sound great, but such claims should be taken cum grano salis. cum laude "with praise" The standard formula for academic Latin honors in the United States. Greater honors include magna cum laude and summa cum laude. A Roman custom in which disgraced Romans (particularly former Emperors) were pretended to have never existed. damnum absque injuria "damage without injury" A loss that results from no one's wrongdoing. In Roman law , a man is not responsible for unintended, consequential injury to another resulting from a lawful act. This protection does not necessarily apply to unintended damage by negligence or folly. data venia "with due respect" or "given the excuse" Used before disagreeing with someone. dat deus incrementum Motto of Westminster School , a leading British independent school. de bonis asportatis Trespass de bonis asportatis was the traditional name for larceny , or wrongful taking of chattels. Decus Et Tutamen "An ornament and a safeguard" Inscription on one pound coins . Originally on 17th century coins, it refers to the inscribed edge as a protection against the clipping of precious metal. The phrase originally comes from Virgil 's Aeneid . "The descent into the cave of the rabbit" Down the Rabbit Hole de facto "in fact" Said of something that is the actual state of affairs , in contrast to something's legal or official standing, which is described as de jure. De facto refers to the "way things really are" rather than what is "officially" presented as the fact. Although the emperor held the title and trappings of head of state, the Shogun was the de facto ruler of Japan . de fideli "with faithfulness" A clerk makes the declaration De fideli on when appointed, promising to do his or her tasks faithfully as a servant of the court. de futuro Usually used in the context of "at a future time" de gustibus non est disputandum "there is not to be discussion regarding tastes" Less literally "In matters of taste there is no dispute" or simply "There's no arguing taste". A similar expression in English is "There's no accounting for taste". Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, without attribution, renders the phrase as de gustibus non disputandum; the verb "to be" is often assumed in Latin, and is rarely required. de integro de jure "by law" "Official", in contrast with de facto. Analogous to "in principle", whereas de facto is to "in practice". In other contexts, can mean "according to law", "by right" or "legally". Also commonly written de iure, the classical form. de lege ferenda "from law to be passed" de lege lata de minimis non curat praetor "The commander does not bother with the smallest things." Also "The chief magistrate does not concern himself with trifles." Trivial matters are no concern of a high official (cf. aquila non capit muscas, "the eagle does not catch flies"). Sometimes rex ("the king") or lex ("the law") is used in place of praetor , and de minimis is a legal term referring to things unworthy of the law's attention. de mortuis aut bene aut nihil "about the dead, either well or nothing" Less literally, "speak well of the dead or not at all" (cf. de mortuis nil nisi bonum). de mortuis nil nisi bonum "about the dead, nothing unless a good thing" From de mortuis nil nisi bonum dicendum est, "nothing must be said about the dead except the good", attributed by Diogenes Laertius to Chilon . In legal contexts, this quotation is used with the opposite meaning, as defaming a deceased person is not a crime. In other contexts, it refers to taboos against criticizing the recently deceased. de nobis fabula narratur "about us is the story told" Thus, "their story is our story". Originally referred to the end of Rome's dominance. Now often used when comparing any current situation to a past story or historical event. de novo "from the new" "Anew" or "afresh". In law, a trial de novo is a retrial. In biology, de novo means newly-synthesized , and a de novo mutation is a mutation that neither parent possessed or transmitted. In economics, de novo refers to newly-founded companies, and de novo banks are state banks that have been in operation for five years or less. de omnibus dubitandum "be suspicious of everything, doubt everything" Karl Marx 's favorite motto. He used this to explain his standpoint: "Critique everything in a capitalist economy". de omni re scibili et quibusdam aliis "about every knowable thing, and even certain other things" A 15th-century Italian scholar wrote the De omni re scibili portion, and a wag added et quibusdam aliis. "Free From Having Been Oppressed" Commonly mistranslated as "To Liberate the Oppressed". The motto of the United States Army Special Forces . The semi-Hispanicized form Deogracias is a Philippine first name. Deo Optimo Maximo (DOM) "To the Best and Greatest God" Derived from the Pagan Iupiter Optimo Maximo ("To the best and greatest Jupiter"). Printed on bottles of Benedictine liqueur. Deo vindice Motto of the Confederate States of America . An alternate translation is "With an avenging God". Deo volente "with God willing" This was often used in conjunction with a signature at the end of letters. It was used in order to signify that "God willing" this letter will get to you safely, "God willing" the contents of this letter come true. deus ex machina "a god from a machine" From the Greek Από μηχανής Θεός (Apo mēchanēs Theos). A contrived or artificial solution, usually to a literary plot. Refers to the practice in Greek drama of lowering by machine an actor playing a god or goddess, typically either Athena or (as in Euripides ) the Dioscuri onto the stage to resolve an insuperable conflict in the plot. The principal slogan of the Crusades . deus otiosus Dicto simpliciter "[From] a maxim, simply" I.e. "From a rule without exception." Short for A dicto simpliciter, the a often being dropped by confusion with the indefinite article. A dicto simpliciter occurs when an acceptable exception is ignored or eliminated. For instance, the appropriateness of using opiates is dependent on the presence of extreme pain. To justify the recreational use of opiates by referring to a cancer patient or to justify arresting said cancer patient by comparing him to the recreational user would be a dicto simpliciter. "my word [is] my bond" Motto of the London Stock Exchange diem perdidi "I have lost the day" From the Roman Emperor Titus . Passed down in Suetonius 's biography of him in Lives of the Twelve Caesars (8) Diem Ex Dei Dies Irae "Day of Wrath" Refers to the Judgment Day in Christian eschatology . The name of a famous 13th-century Medieval Latin hymn by Tommaso da Celano , used in the Mass for the dead. differentia specifica dirigo "I direct" In Classical Latin , "I arrange". State motto of Maine . Based on a comparison of the state of Maine to the star Polaris . dis aliter visum "it seemed otherwise to the gods" In other words, the gods have different plans than mortals, and so events do not always play out as people wish them to. dis manibus sacrum (D.M.S.) "Sacred to the ghost-gods" Refers to the Manes , Roman spirits of the dead. Loosely "To the memory of". A conventional inscription preceding the name of the deceased on pagan grave markings, often shortened to dis manibus (D.M.) , "for the ghost-gods". Preceded in some earlier monuments by hic situs est (H. S. E.) dixi "I have spoken" A popular eloquent expression, usually used in the end of a speech. The implied meaning is: "I have said all that I had to say and thus the argument is settled". ["...", ...] dixit Used to attribute a statement or opinion to its author, rather than the speaker. do ut des "I give that you may give" Often said or written for sacrifices, when one "gives" and expects something back from the gods. Docendo discitur "It is learned by teaching" Also translated "One learns by teaching." Attributed to Seneca the Younger . Docendo disco, scribendo cogito I learn by teaching, think by writing. dolus specialis special intent "The ... concept is particular to a few civil law systems and cannot sweepingly be equated with the notions of ‘special’ or ‘specific intent’ in common law systems. Of course, the same might equally be said of the concept of ‘specific intent,’ a notion used in the common law almost exclusively within the context of the defense of voluntary intoxication."—Genocide scholar William Schabas [1] Motto of the University of Oxford . Dominus vobiscum "Lord be with you" Phrase used during and at the end of Catholic sermons, and a general greeting form among and towards members of Catholic organizations, such as priests and nuns. See also pax vobiscum. dona nobis pacem "give us peace" Often set to music, either by itself or as part of the Agnus Dei prayer of the Mass (see above). Also an ending in the video game Haunting Ground . donatio mortis causa "giving in expectation of death" A legal concept where a person in imminent mortal danger need not meet the requisite consideration to create or modify a will . draco dormiens nunquam titillandus "a sleeping dragon is never to be tickled" Motto of the fictional Hogwarts school in the Harry Potter series; translated more loosely in the books as "never tickle a sleeping dragon". dramatis personae "the parts of the play" More literally, "the masks of the drama"; more figuratively, "cast of characters". The characters represented in a dramatic work. Duae tabulae rasae in quibus nihil scriptum est "Two minds, not one single thought" Stan Laurel , inscription for the fanclub logo Sons of the Desert . Ductus exemplo "Leadership by Example" This is the motto for the United States Marine Corps' Officer Candidates School located at Marine Corps Base Quantico; Quantico, Virginia. dulce bellum inexpertis "war is sweet to the inexperienced" War may seem pleasant to those who have never been involved in it, though the more experienced know better. A phrase from Erasmus in the 16th century . dulce et decorum est pro patria mori "It is sweet and honorable to die for the fatherland." From Horace , Odes III, 2, 13. Used by Wilfred Owen for the title of a poem about World War I , Dulce et Decorum Est . dulce et utile "a sweet and useful thing" Horace wrote in his Ars Poetica that poetry must be dulce et utile ("pleasant and profitable"), both enjoyable and instructive. dulce periculum e pluribus unum 'From many, (comes) One.' Usually translated 'Out of many, (is) One.' Motto of the United States of America. Inscribed on the Capitol and many coins used in the United States of America. The motto of the Sport Lisboa e Benfica Portuguese soccer club. Ecce Homo 'Behold the Man' From the Latin Vulgate Gospel according to St. John (XIX.v) (19.5, Douay-Rheims) , where Pilate speaks these words as he presents Christ , crowned with thorns, to the crowd. Oscar Wilde opened his defense with this phrase when on trial for sodomy , characteristically using a well-known Biblical reference as a double entendre. It is also the title of Nietzsche 's autobiography and of the theme music by Howard Goodall for the BBC comedy Mr. Bean . Often confused with id est (i.e.) ego te absolvo 'I absolve you' Part of the absolution -formula spoken by a priest as part of the sacrament of Penance (cf. absolvo). ego te provoco emeritus 'veteran' Also 'worn-out'. Retired from office. Often used to denote a position held at the point of retirement, as an honor, such as professor emeritus or provost emeritus. This does not necessarily mean that the honoree is no longer active. ens causa sui 'existing because of oneself' Or 'being one's own cause'. Traditionally, a being that owes its existence to no other being, hence God or a Supreme Being (cf. Primum Mobile ). errare humanum est 'to err is human' From Seneca the Younger . The full quote is errare humanum est perseverare diabolicum: 'to err is human; to persist is of the Devil'. erratum 'error' Or 'mistake'. Lists of errors in a previous edition of a work are often marked with the plural, errata ('errors'). esse est percipi 'to be is to be perceived' George Berkeley 's motto for his idealist philosophical position that nothing exists independently of its perception by a mind except minds themselves. esse quam videri 'to be, rather than to seem' Truly being something, rather than merely seeming to be something. State motto of North Carolina and academic motto of several schools, including North Carolina State University , Berklee College of Music , and Columbia College Chicagoas well as Connell's Point Public School and Cranbrook High School in Sydney, Australia. From chapter 26 of Cicero 's De amicitia ('On Friendship'). Earlier than Cicero, the phrase had been used by Sallust in his Bellum Catilinae (54.6), where he wrote that Cato esse quam videri bonus malebat ('he preferred to be good, rather than to seem so'). Earlier still, Aeschylus used a similar phrase in Seven Against Thebes, line 592, ou gar dokein aristos, all' enai thelei ('his resolve is not to seem the best, but in fact to be the best'). esto perpetua 'may it be perpetual' Said of Venice by the Venetian historian Fra Paolo Sarpi shortly before his death. Also the state motto of Idaho , adopted in 1867. et alibi (et al.) 'and elsewhere' A less common variant on et cetera used at the end of a list of locations to denote unlisted places. et alii (et al.) 'and others' Used similarly to et cetera ('and the rest'), to stand for a list of names. Alii is actually masculine , so it can be used for men, or groups of men and women; the feminine, et aliae, is appropriate when the 'others' are all female. Et alia is correct for the neuter. [3] APA style uses et al. if the work cited was written by more than two authors; MLA style uses et al. for more than three authors. Pluralized as et sequentia ('and the following things'), abbreviations: et seqq., et seq. ., or sqq. et suppositio nil ponit in esse 'a supposition puts nothing in being' More typically translated as "sayin' it don't make it so" 'And you, Brutus ?' Also 'Even you, Brutus?' or 'You too, Brutus?' Used to indicate a betrayal by someone close. From Shakespeare 's Julius Caesar , based on the traditional dying words of Julius Caesar . However, these were almost certainly not Caesar's true last words; Plutarch quotes Caesar as saying, in Greek (which was the language of Rome's elite at the time), 'και συ, τεκνον;' (Kai su, teknon?), in English 'You as well, (my) child?' Some have speculated based on this that Brutus was Caesar's child, though there is no substantial evidence of this. et uxor Ex Astris Scientia 'From the Stars, Knowledge' The motto of the fictional Starfleet Academy on Star Trek . Adapted from ex luna scientia, which in turn was modeled after ex scientia tridens. ex cathedra 'from the chair' A phrase applied to the declarations or promulgations of the Pope when, preserved from even the possibility of error by the action of the Holy Ghost (see Papal Infallibility ), he solemnly declares or promulgates to the Church a dogmatic teaching on faith or morals as being contained in divine revelation, or at least being intimately connected to divine revelation. Used, by extension, of anyone who is perceived as speaking as though with supreme authority or with arrogance. ex Deo 'from fraud ' 'From harmful deceit'; dolus malus is the Latin legal term for 'fraud'. The full legal phrase is ex dolo malo non oritur actio ('an action does not arise from fraud'). When an action has its origin in fraud or deceit, it cannot be supported; thus, a court of law will not assist a man who bases his course of action on an immoral or illegal act. ex facie 'from the face' Idiomatically rendered 'on the face of it'. A legal term typically used to note that a document's explicit terms are defective without further investigation. ex gratia 'from kindness' More literally 'from grace'. Refers to someone voluntarily performing an act purely out of kindness, as opposed to for personal gain or from being forced to do it. In law, an ex gratia payment is one made without recognizing any liability or legal obligation. ex hypothesi ' nothing may come from nothing ' From Lucretius , and said earlier by Empedocles . Its original meaning is 'work is required to succeed', but its modern meaning is a more general 'everything has its origins in something' (cf. causality ). It is commonly applied to the conservation laws in philosophy and modern science. Ex nihilo often used in conjunction with the term creation, as in creatio ex nihilo, meaning 'creation, out of nothing'. It is often used in philosophy or theology in connection with the proposition that God created the universe from nothing. ex oblivione The title of a short story by H.P. Lovecraft . ex officio 'from the office' By virtue of office or position; 'by right of office'. Often used when someone holds one position by virtue of holding another. A common misconception is that ex officio members of a committee or congress may not vote, but this is not guaranteed by that title. ex opere operantis 'from the work of the one working' A theological phrase contrasted with ex opere operato , referring to the notion that the validity or promised benefit of a sacrament depends on the person administering it. ex opere operato 'from the work that worked' A theological phrase meaning that the act of receiving a sacrament actually confers the promised benefit, such as a baptism actually and literally cleansing one's sins . The Catholic Church affirms that the source of grace is God, not just the actions or disposition of the recipient. ex oriente lux 'from the East, the light' Superficially refers to the sun rising in the east, but alludes to culture coming from the Eastern world. ex parte 'from a part' A legal term meaning 'by one party' or 'for one party'. Thus, on behalf of one side or party only. 'from a thing done afterward' Said of a law with retroactive effect. ex scientia tridens 'from knowledge, sea power.' The United States Naval Academy motto. Refers to knowledge bringing men power over the sea comparable to that of the trident -bearing Greek god Poseidon . ex scientia vera The motto of the College of Graduate Studies at Middle Tennessee State University . ex silentio 'from silence' In general, the claim that the absence of something demonstrates the proof of a proposition. An argumentum ex silentio (' argument from silence ') is an argument based on the assumption that someone's silence on a matter suggests ('proves' when a logical fallacy ) that person's ignorance of the matter or their inability to counterargue validly. ex tempore 'This instant', 'right away' or 'immediately'. Also written extempore. ex vi termini 'from the force of the term' Thus, 'by definition'. ex vivo 'out of or from life' Used in reference to the study or assay of living tissue in an artificial environment outside the living organism. ex voto 'from the vow' Thus, in accordance with a promise. An ex voto is also an offering made in fulfillment of a vow. excelsior 'higher' exceptio firmat regulam in casibus non exceptis 'The exception confirms the rule in cases which are not excepted' A juridical motto which means that exception , as for example during a ' state of exception ', does not put in danger the legitimity of the rule in its globality. In other words, the exception is strictly limited to a particular sphere (see also: exceptio strictissimi juris est . excusatio non petita accusatio manifesta 'an excuse that has not been sought is an obvious accusation' More loosely, 'he who excuses himself, accuses himself'—an unprovoked excuse is a sign of guilt. In French, qui s'excuse, s'accuse. Literally 'believe one who has had experience'. An author's aside to the reader. expressio unius est exclusio alterius 'the expression of the one is the exclusion of the other' 'Mentioning one thing may exclude another thing'. A principle of legal statutory interpretation : the explicit presence of a thing implies intention to exclude others; e.g., a reference in the Poor Relief Act 1601 to 'lands, houses, tithes and coal mines' was held to exclude mines other than coal mines. Sometimes expressed as expressum facit cessare tacitum (broadly, 'the expression of one thing excludes the implication of something else'). 'still in existence; surviving' adjective: extant law is still existing, in existence, existent, surviving, remaining, undestroyed. Usage, when a law is repealed the extant law governs. extra domus '(placed) outside of the house' Refers to a possible result of Catholic ecclesiastical legal proceedings when the culprit is removed from being part of a group like a monastery. Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus 'Outside the Church there is no salvation' This expression comes from the writings of Saint Cyprian of Carthage, a bishop of the third century. It is often used to summarise the doctrine that the Catholic Church is absolutely necessary for salvation. Extra omnes 'Out, all of you.' It is issued by the Master of the Papal Liturgical Celebrations before a session of the Papal Conclave which will elect a new Pope . When spoken, all those who are not Cardinals , or those otherwise mandated to be present at the Conclave, must leave the Sistine Chapel . extra territorium jus dicenti impune non paretur 'he who administers justice outside of his territory is disobeyed with impunity' Motto of Prince Alfred College in Adelaide , Australia. fac simile Origin of the word facsimile, and, through it, of fax . facta, non verba "actions, not words" Motto of United States Navy Destroyer Squadron 22, and the Canadian Fort Garry Horse armoured regiment (Militia). falsus in unum, falsus in omnibus "false in one thing, false in everything" A Roman legal principle indicating that a witness who willfully falsifies one matter is not credible on any matter. The underlying motive for attorneys to impeach opposing witnesses in court: the principle discredits the rest of their testimony if it is without corroboration. felo de se "felon from himself" An archaic legal term for one who commits suicide , referring to early English common law punishments, such as land seizure, inflicted on those who killed themselves. fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt "as a rule, men willingly believe that which they wish to" People believe what they wish to be true, even if it isn't. Attributed to Julius Caesar . festina lente "hurry slowly" An oxymoronic motto of St Augustine . It encourages proceeding quickly, but with calm and caution. Equivalent to 'More haste, less speed'. fiat iustitia et pereat mundus "let justice be done, even should the world perish" (fd) "Defender of the Faith" A title given to Henry VIII of England by Pope Leo X on October 17 , 1521 before Henry became a heresiarch . Still used by the British monarchs, it appears on all British coins, usually abbreviated. fides qua creditur "the faith by which it is believed" the personal faith which apprehends, contrasted with fides quae creditur fides quae creditur "the faith which is believed" the content of "the faith," contrasted with fides qua creditur fides quaerens intellectum the motto of Saint Anselm , found in his Proslogion fidus Achates A faithful friend. From the name of Aeneas 's faithful companion in Virgil 's Aeneid . flagellum dei flectere si nequeo superos, Achaeronta movebo "If I cannot move heaven I will raise hell" habeas corpus "you may have the body" A legal term from the 14th century or earlier. Refers to a number of legal writs to bring a person before a court or judge, most commonly habeas corpus ad subjiciendum ("you may have the body to bring up"). Commonly used as the general term for a prisoner's legal right to have the charge against them specifically identified. habemus papam "we have a pope" Used after a Roman Catholic Church papal election to announce publicly a successful ballot to elect a new pope. hac lege haec olim meminisse iuvabit "one day, this will be pleasing to remember" Commonly rendered in English as "One day, we'll look back on this and smile". From Virgil 's Aeneid 1.203. Hannibal ante portas Refers to wasting time while the enemy is already here. Attributed to Cicero. Hannibal ad portas " Hannibal is at the gates" Roman parents would tell their misbehaving children this, invoking their fear of Hannibal. haud ignota loquor "I speak not of unknown things" Thus, "I say no things that are unknown". From Virgil 's Aeneid , 2.91. hic abundant leones Written on uncharted territories of old maps. hic et nunc (HJ) "here lies" Also rendered hic iacet. Written on gravestones or tombs, preceding the name of the deceased. Equivalent to hic sepultus ("here is buried"), and sometimes combined into hic jacet sepultus (HJS) hic manebimus optime "here we'll stay excellently" According to Titus Livius the phrase was pronounced by Marcus Furius Camillus , addressing the senators who intended to abandon the city, invaded by Gauls , in 390 BCE circa. It is used today to express the intent to keep one's position even if the circumstances appear adverse. hic sunt leones Written on uncharted territories of old maps. hinc illae lacrimae "hence those tears" From Terence , Andria, line 125. Originally literal, referring to the tears shed by Pamphilus at the funeral of Chrysis, it came to be used proverbally in the works of later authors, such as Horace (Epistula XIX, 41). historia vitae magistra "history, the teacher of life" From Cicero , Tusculanas, 2, 16. Also "history is the mistress of life". homo homini lupus "man [is a] wolf to man" First attested in Plautus ' Asinaria ("lupus est homo homini"). The sentence was drawn on by Hobbes in Leviathan as a concise expression of his human nature view. homo sum humani a mi nihil alienum puto "I am a human being; nothing human is strange to me" From Terence , Heautontimoroumenos. Originally "strange" or "foreign" (alienum) was used in the sense of "irrelevant", as this line was a response to the speaker being told to mind his own business, but it is now commonly used to advocate respecting different cultures and being humane in general. Puto ("I consider") is not translated because it is meaningless outside of the line's context within the play. Medical shorthand for "at bedtime". horas non numero nisi serenas "I do not count the hours unless they are sunny" A common inscription on sundials . hortus in urbe "A garden in the city" Motto of the Chicago Park District , a playful allusion to the city's motto, urbs in horto, q.v. horribile dictu That is, "a horrible thing to relate". A pun on mirabile dictu. hostis humani generis "enemy of the human race" Cicero defined pirates in Roman law as being enemies of humanity in general. hypotheses non fingo "I do not fabricate hypotheses" From Newton , Principia . Less literally, "I do not assert that any hypotheses are true". Not to be confused with an intelligence quotient . i.e. Abbreviation for id est, above. Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum ( INRI ) " Jesus of Nazareth , King of the Jews" Based on a Christian belief that "this one is King of the Jews" was written in Latin, Greek and Aramaic at the top of the cross Jesus was crucified on. igne natura renovatur integra "through fire, nature is reborn whole" An alchemical aphorism invented as an alternate meaning for the acronym INRI . igni ferroque "with fire and iron" A phrase describing scorched earth tactics. Also rendered as igne atque ferro, ferro ignique, and other variations. ignis fatuus Legal term for "in court". in girum imus nocte et consumimur igni "We enter the circle at night and are consumed by fire" A palindrome said to describe the behavior of moths. Also the title of a film by Guy Debord . in hoc signo vinces Words Constantine claimed to have seen in a vision before the Battle of Milvian Bridge . in illo tempore "in that time" "at that time", found often in Gospel lectures during Masses, used to mark an undetermined time in the past. in limine "at the outset" Preliminary, in law referring to a motion that is made to the judge before or during trial, often about the admissibility of evidence believed prejudicial in loco "in the place" That is, "at the place". The nearby labs were closed for the weekend, so the water samples were analyzed in loco. "in the place of a parent" A legal term meaning "assuming parental (i.e., custodial) responsibility and authority". in luce Tua videmus lucem "in Thy light we see light" in lumine tuo videbimus lumen "in your light we will see the light" in manus tuas commendo spiritum meum "into your hands I entrust my spirit" According to Luke 23:46, the last words of Jesus on the cross. in medias res "into the middle of things" From Horace . Refers to the literary technique of beginning a narrative in the middle of, or at a late point in, the story, after much action has already taken place. Examples include the Iliad , the Odyssey , and Paradise Lost . Compare ab initio. in necessariis unitas, in dubiis libertas, in omnibus caritas "in necessary things unity, in doubtful things liberty, in all things charity" "Charity" ( caritas ) is being used in the classical sense of "compassion" (cf. agape ). Motto of the Cartellverband der katholischen deutschen Studentenverbindungen . Often misattributed to Augustine of Hippo . in nuce I.e. "in potentiality." Comparable to "potential", "to be developed". In omnia paratus Motto of the so-called secret society of Yale in the sitcom Gilmore Girls . In omnibus requiem quaesivi, et nusquam inveni nisi in angulo cum libro "Everywhere I have searched for peace and nowhere found it, except in a corner with a book" in partibus infidelium "in the parts of the infidels" That is, "in the land of the infidels", infidels here referring to non- Christians . After Islam conquered a large part of the Roman Empire, the corresponding bishoprics didn't disappear, but remained as titular sees . in personam "into a person" "Directed towards a particular person". In a lawsuit in which the case is against a specific individual, that person must be served with a summons and complaint to give the court jurisdiction to try the case. The court's judgment applies to that person and is called an "in personam judgment." In personam is distinguished from in rem, which applies to property or "all the world" instead of a specific person. This technical distinction is important to determine where to file a lawsuit and how to serve a defendant . In personam means that a judgment can be enforceable against the person, wherever he or she is. On the other hand, if the lawsuit is to determine title to property (in rem), then the action must be filed where the property exists and is only enforceable there. in propria persona "in silicon " Coined in the early 1990s for scientific papers. Refers to an experiment or process performed virtually, as a computer simulation. The term is Dog Latin modeled after terms such as in vitro and in vivo. The Latin word for silicon is silicium, so the correct Latinization of "in silicon" would be in silicio, but this form has little usage. in situ "in the place" In the original place, appropriate position, or natural arrangement. In medical contexts, it implies that the condition is still in the same place and has not worsened, improved, spread, etc. In spe "in hope" "future" ("My mother-in-law in spe", i.e. "My future mother-in-law"), or "in embryonic form", as in " Locke 's theory of government resembles, in spe, Montesquieu 's theory of the separation of powers." In specialibus generalia quaerimus "To seek the general in the specifics" That is, to understand the most general rules through the most detailed analysis. in statu nascendi "in the state of being born" Just as something is about to begin. in toto "in wine [there is] truth" That is, wine loosens the tongue. (Referring to alcohol 's disinhibitory effects.) in vitro "in glass" An experimental or process methodology performed in a "non-natural" setting (e.g., in a laboratory using a glass test tube or Petri dish), and thus outside of a living organism or cell. The reference to glass is merely an historic one, as the current usage of this term is not specific to the materials involved, but rather to the "non-natural" setting employed. Alternative experimental or process methodologies would include in vitro, in silico, ex vivo and in vivo. In vitro fertilization is not literally done "in glass", but rather is a technique to fertilize egg cells outside of a woman's body. By definition, it is thus an ex vivo process. "in life" or "in a living thing" An experiment or process performed on a living specimen. incredibile dictu inter arma enim silent leges "In the face of arms, the law falls mute," more popularly rendered as "during warfare, in fact, the laws are silent" Said by Cicero in Pro Milone as a protest against unchecked political mobs that had virtually seized control of Rome in the '60s and '50s BC. Also used in the Star Trek DS9 episode of the same name to justify Admiral William Ross' decision to assist Agent Sloan from Section 31 in destabilizing the Romulan Senate. inter caetera Title of a papal bull . inter spem et metum inter vivos "between the living" Said of property transfers between living persons, as opposed to inheritance; often relevant to tax laws. intra muros Thus, "not public". Source of the word intramural. See also Intramuros . intra vires That is, "within the authority". ipsa scientia potestas est Or "by that very fact". Ira Deorum "Wrath of the Gods" Like the vast majority of inhabitants of the ancient world, the ancient Romans practiced pagan rituals, believing it important to achieve a state of Pax Deorum ("Peace of the Gods") instead of Ira Deorum ("Wrath of the Gods"): earthquakes, floods, famine, etc. ita vero "thus indeed" A useful phrase, as the Romans had no word for "yes", preferring to respond to questions with the affirmative or negative of the question (i.e., "Are you hungry?" was answered by "I am hungry" or "I am not hungry", not "Yes" or "No"). "go, the things have been sent" The final words of the Roman Missal , meaning "leave, the mass is finished". iura novit curia "the court knows the laws" A legal principle in civil law countries of the Roman-German tradition (e.g., in Brazil , Germany and Italy ) that says that lawyers need not to argue the law, as that is the office of the court. Sometimes miswritten as iura novat curia ("the court renews the laws"). juris ignorantia est cum jus nostrum ignoramus "it is ignorance of the law when we do not know our own rights" Johannes est nomen ejus "John is its name / Juan es su Nombre" Motto of the Seal of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico jus ad bellum "law towards war" Refers to the "laws" that regulate the reasons for going to war. Typically, this would address issues of self-defense or preemptive strikes jus in bello "law in war" Refers to the "laws" that regulate the conduct of combatants during a conflict. Typically, this would address issues of who or what is a valid target, how to treat prisoners, and what sorts of weapons can be used. The word jus is also commonly spelled ius. jus primae noctis lucus a non lucendo "[it is] a grove by not being light" From late 4th-century grammarian Honoratus Maurus, who sought to mock implausible word origins such as those proposed by Priscian . A pun based on the word lucus ("dark grove") having a similar appearance to the verb lucere ("to shine"), arguing that the former word is derived from the latter word because of a lack of light in wooded groves. Often used as an example of absurd etymology . lupus in fabula "the wolf in the story" With the meaning "speak of the wolf, and he will come". Occurs in Terence 's play Adelphoe. lupus non mordet lupum "a wolf does not bite a wolf" lux et lex "light and law" Motto of the prestigious liberal arts school, Franklin & Marshall College . Light in reference to Benjamin Franklin 's many innovations and discoveries. Law in reference to John Marshall as one of the most notable Supreme Court Justices. lux et veritas "light and truth" A translation of the Hebrew Urim and Thummim . Motto of Yale University and Indiana University . An expanded form, lux et veritas floreant ("let light and truth flourish"), is the motto of the University of Winnipeg lux hominum vita "life the light of men" lux sit " let there be light " A more literal Latinization of the phrase "let there be light", the most common translation of fiat lux ("let light arise", literally "let light be made"), which in turn is the Latin Vulgate Bible phrase chosen for the Genesis line "ג וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים, יְהִי אוֹר; וַיְהִי-אוֹר" ("And God said: 'Let there be light.' And there was light"). Motto of the University of Washington . Used to indicate that it is the moment to address more important, urgent, issues. mala fide "in bad faith" Said of an act done with knowledge of its illegality, or with intention to defraud or mislead someone. Opposite of bona fide. mala tempora currunt "bad times are upon us" Also used ironically, e.g.: New teachers know all tricks used by pupils to copy from classmates? Oh, mala tempora currunt!. malum discordiae "apple of dischord" Alludes to the apple of Eris in the judgement of Paris , the mythological cause of the Trojan War . It is also a pun based on the near- homonymous word malum ("evil"). The word for "apple" has a long a vowel in Latin and the word for "evil" a short a vowel, but they are normally written the same. malum quo communius eo peius "the more common an evil is, the worse it is" (m.p.) "with one's own hand" With the implication of "signed by one's hand". Its abbreviated form is sometimes used at the end of typewritten or printed documents or official notices, directly following the name of the person(s) who "signed" the document exactly in those cases where there isn't an actual handwritten signature . manus celer Dei "the swift hand of God" Originally used as the name of a ship in the Marathon game series, its usage has spread. manus manum lavat "one hand washes the other" famous quote from Lucius Annaeus Seneca . It implies that one situation helps the other. mare clausum In law, a sea under the jurisdiction of one nation and closed to all others. mare liberum In law, a sea open to international shipping navigation. mare nostrum "our sea" A nickname given to the Mediterranean Sea during the height of the Roman Empire , as it encompassed the entire coastal basin. "the mother of the family" The female head of a family. See paterfamilias. materia medica "medical matter" The branch of medical science concerned with the study of drugs used in the treatment of disease. Also, the drugs themselves. me vexat pede "it annoys me at the foot" Less literally, "my foot itches". Refers to a trivial situation or person that is being a bother, possibly in the sense of wishing to kick that thing away. Mea Culpa "My Fault" Used in Christian prayers and confession to denote the inherently flawed nature of mankind. Can also be extended to mea maxima culpa ("my greatest fault"). Also used similarly to the modern English slang "my bad". Media vita in morte sumus "In the midst of our lives we die" A well-known sequence, falsely attributed to Notker during the Middle Ages. It was translated by Cranmer and became a part of the burial service in the funeral rites of the Anglican Book of Common Prayer . meliora Carrying the connotation of "always better". The motto of the University of Rochester . Melita, domi adsum "Honey, I'm home!" A relatively common recent Latinization from the joke phrasebook Latin for All Occasions . Grammatically correct, but the phrase would be anachronistic in ancient Rome . memento mori "remember that [you will] die" Figuratively "be mindful of dying" or "remember your mortality", and also more literally rendered as "remember to die", though in English this ironically misses the original intent. An object (such as a skull) or phrase intended to remind people of the inevitability of death. A more common theme in Christian than in Classical art. The motto of the Trappist order . memento vivere Also, "remember that you have to live." Literally rendered as "remember to live." memores acti prudentes futuri "mindful of what has been done, aware of what will be" Thus, both remembering the past and foreseeing the future. From the North Hertfordshire District Council coat of arms. mens agitat molem "the mind moves the mass" An accommodation between disagreeing parties to allow life to go on. A practical compromise. montani semper liberi State motto of West Virginia , adopted in 1872. Montis Insignia Calpe "Badge of the Rock of Gibraltar " more ferarum used to describe any sexual act in the manner of beasts morituri te salutant "those who are about to die salute thee" Used once in Suetonius' Life of the Divine Claudius, chapter 21, by the condemned prisoners manning galleys about to take part in a mock naval battle on Lake Fucinus in AD 52. Popular misconception ascribes it as a gladiator's salute. mors vincit omnia "death conquers all" or "death always wins" An axiom often found on headstones. That is, the natural world is not sentimental or compassionate. natura non facit saltum ita nec lex "nature does not make a leap, thus neither does the law" Shortened form of "sicut natura nil facit per saltum ita nec lex" ("just as nature does nothing by a leap, so neither does the law"), referring to both nature and the legal system moving gradually. navigare necesse est vivere non est necesse "to sail is necessary; to live is not necessary" Attributed by Plutarch to Gnaeus Pompeius , who, during a severe storm, commanded sailors to bring food from Africa to Rome. ne cede malis "do not give in to misfortune" Used as a level name in the Marathon series to reflect the doomed theme of the level, and derived from the family motto of one of the developers. ne sutor ultra crepidam "Cobbler, no further than the sandal!" Thus, don't offer your opinion on things that are outside your competence. It is said that the Greek painter Apelles once asked the advice of a cobbler on how to render the sandals of a soldier he was painting. When the cobbler started offering advice on other parts of the painting, Apelles rebuked him with this phrase in Greek, and it subsequently became a popular Latin expression. nec dextrorsum, nec sinistrorsum "Neither to the left nor to the right" Do not get distracted. This Latin phrase is also the motto for Bishop Cotton Boys School and the Bishop Cotton Girls High school, both located in Bangalore, India. nec plus ultra "nothing more beyond" Also ne plus ultra or non plus ultra. A descriptive phrase meaning the best or most extreme example of something. The Pillars of Hercules , for example, were literally the nec plus ultra of the ancient Mediterranean world. Charles V 's heraldic emblem reversed this idea, using a depiction of this phrase inscribed on the Pillars—as plus ultra , without the negation. This represented Spain's expansion into the New World. The motto of the Dutch 11th air manouvre brigade 11 Air Manoeuvre Brigade nemine contradicente (nem. con.) "with no one speaking against" Less literally, "without dissent". Used especially in committees, where a matter may be passed nem. con., or unanimously . "no one gives what he does not have" Thus, "none can pass better title than they have". nemo iudex in sua causa "no man shall be a judge in his own cause" Legal principle that no individual can preside over a hearing in which he holds a specific interest or bias. nemo me impune lacessit "no one provokes me with impunity" Motto of the Order of the Thistle , and consequently of Scotland , found stamped on the milled edge of certain British pound sterling coins. It is also the motto of the Montressors in the Edgar Allan Poe short story " The Cask of Amontillado " nemo nisi per amicitiam cognoscitur "No one learns except by friendship" Used to imply that one must like a subject in order to study it. nemo tenetur seipsum accusare "no one is bound to accuse himself" A maxim banning mandatory self-incrimination . Near-synonymous with accusare nemo se debet nisi coram Deo. Similar phrases include: nemo tenetur armare adversarium contra se ("no one is bound to arm an opponent against himself"), meaning that a defendant is not obligated to in any way assist the prosecutor to his own detriment; nemo tenetur edere instrumenta contra se ("no one is bound to produce documents against himself", meaning that a defendant is not obligated to provide materials to be used against himself (this is true in Roman law and has survived in modern criminal law , but no longer applies in modern civil law ); and nemo tenere prodere seipsum ("no one is bound to betray himself"), meaning that a defendant is not obligated to testify against himself. nihil dicit nil sine numine "nothing without the divine will" Or "nothing without providence ". State motto of Colorado , adopted in 1861. Probably derived from Virgil 's Aeneid Book II, line 777, "non haec sine numine devum eveniunt" ("these things do not come to pass without the will of the gods"). See also numina . nil volentibus arduum "Nothing [is] arduous for the willing" "Nothing is impossible for the willing" nisi Dominus frustra "if not the Lord, [it is] in vain" That is, "everything is in vain without God ". Summarized from Psalm 127, "nisi Dominus aedificaverit domum in vanum laboraverunt qui aedificant eam nisi Dominus custodierit civitatem frustra vigilavit qui custodit" ("unless the Lord builds the house, they work on a useless thing who build it; unless the Lord guards the community, he keeps watch in vain who guards it"). The motto of Edinburgh . nisi prius "unless previously" In England, a direction that a case be brought up to Westminster for trial before a single judge and jury. In the United States, a court where civil actions are tried by a single judge sitting with a jury, as distinguished from an appellate court . nolens volens "unwilling, willing" That is, "whether unwillingly or willingly". Sometimes rendered volens nolens or aut nolens aut volens. Similar to willy-nilly, though that word is derived from Old English will-he nil-he ("[whether] he will or [whether] he will not"). noli me tangere "do not touch me" Commonly translated "touch me not". According to the Gospel of John , this was said by Jesus to Mary Magdalene after his resurrection . noli turbare circulos meos "Do not disturb my circles!" That is, "Don't upset my calculations!" Said by Archimedes to a Roman soldier who, despite having been given orders not to, killed Archimedes at the conquest of Syracuse . The soldier was executed for his act. nolle prosequi "to be unwilling to prosecute" nolo contendere "I do not wish to contend" That is, " no contest ". A plea that can be entered on behalf of a defendant in a court that states that the accused doesn't admit guilt, but will accept punishment for a crime. Nolo contendere pleas cannot be used as evidence in another trial. A scientific name of unknown or doubtful application. nomen est omen "the name is a sign" Thus, "true to its name". nomen nescio "I do not know the name" Thus, the name or person in question is unknown. nomen nudum "naked name" A purported scientific name that does not fulfill the proper formal criteria and therefore cannot be used unless it is subsequently proposed correctly. non bis in idem A legal principle forbidding double jeopardy . non causa pro causa "not the cause for the cause" Also known as the " questionable cause " or "false cause". Refers to any logical fallacy where a cause is incorrectly identified. non compos mentis "not in control of the mind" See compos mentis. Also rendered non compos sui ("not in control of himself"). Samuel Johnson , author of the first English dictionary, theorized that the word nincompoop may derive from this phrase. Motto of São Paulo city, Brazil . See also pro Brasilia fiant eximia. non facias malum ut inde fiat bonum "you should not make evil in order that good may be made from it" More simply, "don't do wrong to do right". The direct opposite of the phrase " the ends justify the means ". non impediti ratione congitatonis Motto of radio show Car Talk . non in legendo sed in intelligendo legis consistunt "the laws depend not on being read, but on being understood" non liquet "it is not proven" Also "it is not clear" or "it is not evident". A sometimes controversial decision handed down by a judge when they feel that the law is not complete. non mihi solum non obstante veredicto "not standing in the way of a verdict " A judgment notwithstanding verdict , a legal motion asking the court to reverse the jury 's verdict on the grounds that the jury could not have reached such a verdict reasonably. non olet non omnis moriar "I shall not all die" "Not all of me will die", a phrase expressing the belief that a part of the speaker will survive beyond death. non progredi est regredi "to not go forward is to go backward" non prosequitur "he does not proceed" A judgment in favor of a defendant when the plaintiff failed to take the necessary steps in an action within the time allowed. Non scholae sed vitae discimus "We learn not for school, but for life." from Seneca non sequitur "it does not follow" In general, a non sequitur is a comment which is absurd due to not making sense in its context (rather than due to being inherently nonsensical or internally inconsistent), often used in humor. As a logical fallacy , a non sequitur is a conclusion that does not follow from a premise. non serviam "I will not serve" Possibly derived from a Vulgate mistranslation of the Book of Jeremiah . Commonly used in literature as Satan 's statement of disobedience to God , though in the original context the quote is attributed to Israel , not Satan. non sum qualis eram "I am not such as I was" Or "I am not the kind of person I once was". Expresses a change in the speaker. non vi, sed verbo Martin Luther on Catholic church reform. (see Reformation ) nosce te ipsum From Cicero , based on the Greek γνῶθι σεαυτόν (gnothi seauton), inscribed on the Temple of Apollo at Delphi . A non-traditional Latin rendering, temet nosce ("thine own self know"), is translated in The Matrix as "know thyself". nota bene Also "contracts must be honored". Indicates the binding power of treaties. panem et circenses "bread and circuses" From Juvenal, Satire X , line 81. Originally described all that was needed for emperors to placate the Roman mob. Today used to describe any entertainment used to distract public attention from more important matters. parens patriae "parent of the nation" A public policy requiring courts to protect the best interests of any child involved in a lawsuit. See also Pater Patriae. pari passu Thus, "moving together", "simultaneously", etc. parva sub ingenti "the small under the huge" Implies that the weak are under the protection of the strong, rather than that they are inferior. Motto of Prince Edward Island . passim "here and there" Less literally, "throughout" or "frequently". Said of a word that occurs several times in a cited texts. Also used in proof reading , where it refers to a change that is to be repeated everywhere needed. pater familias "father of the family" Or "master of the house". The eldest male in a family, who held patria potestas ("paternal power"). In Roman law , a father had enormous power over his children, wife, and slaves, though these rights dwindled over time. Derived from the phrase pater familias, an Old Latin expression preserving the archaic -as ending. A euphemism for the British Empire . Adapted from Pax Romana. pax Dei Used in the Peace and Truce of God movement in 10th-Century France. Pax Deorum "Peace of the Gods" Like the vast majority of inhabitants of the ancient world, the Romans practiced pagan rituals, believing it important to achieve a state of Pax Deorum (The Peace of the Gods) instead of Ira Deorum (The Wrath of the Gods). pax et bonum "peace and the good" Motto of St. Francis of Assisi and, consequently, of his monastery in Assisi , in the Umbria region of Italy . Translated in Italian as pace e bene. pax et lux Pax Sinica "Chinese Peace" A euphemism for periods of peace in East Asia during times of strong Chinese imperialism . Adapted from Pax Romana. pax vobiscum "peace [be] with you" A common farewell. The " you " is plural ("you all"), so the phrase must be used when speaking to more than one person; pax tecum is the form used when speaking to only one person. pecunia non olet "the money doesn't smell" According to Suetonius , when Emperor Vespasian was challenged by his son Titus for taxing the public lavatories , the emperor held up a coin before his son and asked whether it smelled or simply said non olet ("it doesn't smell"). From this, the phrase was expanded to pecunia non olet, or rarely aes non olet ("copper doesn't smell"). "if you can use money, money is your slave; if you can't, money is your master" Written on a old Latin tablet in downtown Verona (Italy). pendent opera interrupta From the Aeneid of Virgil , Book IV. per "By, through, by means of" See specific phrases below. per ardua ad astra "through adversity to the stars" Motto of the British Royal Air Force , the Royal Australian Air Force , the Royal Canadian Air Force , and the Royal New Zealand Air Force . The phrase was derived from H. Rider Haggard 's famous novel The People of the Mist, and was selected and approved as a motto for the Royal Flying Corps on March 15 , 1913 . In 1929, the Royal Australian Air Force decided to adopt it as well. per aspera ad astra "through hardships to the stars" From Seneca the Younger . Motto of NASA and the South African Air Force . A common variant, ad astra per aspera ("to the stars through hardships"), is the state motto of Kansas . Ad Astra ("To the Stars") is the title of a magazine published by the National Space Society . De Profundus Ad Astra ("From the depths to the stars.") is the motto of the LASFS . per capsulam (per pro) "through the agency" Also rendered per procurationem. Used to indicate that a person is signing a document on behalf of another person. Correctly placed before the name of the person signing, but often placed before the name of the person on whose behalf the document is signed, sometimes through incorrect translation of the alternative abbreviation per pro. as "for and on behalf of". per quod "by reason of which" In a UK legal context: "by reason of which" (as opposed to per se which requires no reasoning). In American jurisprudence often refers to a spouse's claim for loss of consortium. per rectum pia mater "pious mother" Or "tender mother". Translated into Latin from Arabic. The delicate innermost of the three membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. pinxit "one painted" Thus, "he painted this" or "she painted this". Formerly used on works of art, next to the artist's name. pluralis majestatis "plural of majesty" The first-person plural pronoun when used by an important personage to refer to himself or herself; also known as the "royal we". pollice verso "with a turned thumb" Used by Roman crowds to pass judgment on a defeated gladiator. It is uncertain whether the thumb was turned up , down , or concealed inside one's hand. Also the name of a famous painting depicting gladiators by Jean-Léon Gérôme . pons asinorum "bridge of asses" Any obstacle that stupid people find hard to cross. Originally used of Euclid 's Fifth Proposition in geometry . Pontifex Maximus "Greatest High Priest" Or "Supreme Pontiff". Originally an epithet of the Roman Emperors , and later a traditional epithet of the pope . The pontifices were the most important priestly college of the ancient Roman religion ; their name is usually thought to derive from pons facere ("to make a bridge"), which in turn is usually linked to their religious authority over the bridges of Rome, especially the Pons Sublicius . posse comitatus "to be able to attend" Thus, to be able to be made into part of a retinue or force. In common law, posse comitatus is a sheriff's right to compel people to assist law enforcement in unusual situations. post aut propter "after it or by means of it" Causality between two phenomena is not established (cf. post hoc, ergo propter hoc). post cibum Usually rendered postmortem. Not to be confused with post meridiem. post prandial "after the time before midday" Refers to the time after any meal. Usually rendered postprandial. post scriptum (p.s.) "after what has been written" A postscript . Used to mark additions to a letter, after the signature. Can be extended to post post scriptum (p.p.s.) post tenebras lux "after darkness, light" A motto of the Protestant Reformation inscribed on the Reformation Wall in Geneva, Switzerland . A former motto of Chile , replaced by the current one, Por la Razón o la Fuerza (Spanish: "By Right or Might"). Another obsolete motto is aut concilio aut ense. prima facie "at first sight" Used to designate evidence in a trial which is suggestive, but not conclusive, of something (e.g., a person's guilt). prima luce " prime mover " Or "first moving one". A common theological term, such as in the cosmological argument , based on the assumption that God was the first entity to "move" or "cause" anything. Aristotle was one of the first philosophers to discuss the "uncaused cause", a hypothetical originator—and violator of— causality . primum non nocere "first, to not harm" A medical precept. Often falsely attributed to the Hippocratic Oath , though its true source is probably a paraphrase from Hippocrates ' Epidemics, where he wrote, "Declare the past, diagnose the present, foretell the future; practice these acts. As to diseases, make a habit of two things: to help, or at least to do no harm." A title of the Roman Emperors (cf. princeps ). principia probant non probantur "principles prove; they are not proved" Fundamental principles require no proof; they are assumed a priori. prior tempore potior iure "earlier in time, stronger in law" A legal principle that older laws take precedent over newer ones. Another name for this principle is lex posterior. pro bono "for the good" The full phrase is pro bono publico ("for the public good"). Said of work undertaken voluntarily at no expense, such as public services . Often used of a lawyer 's work that is not charged for. pro Brasilia fiant eximia quem di diligunt adulescens moritur "he whom the gods love dies young" Other translations of diligunt include "prize especially" or "esteem". From Plautus , Bacchides, IV, 7, 18. In this comic play, a sarcastic servant says this to his aging master. The rest of the sentence reads: dum valet sentit sapit ("while he is healthy, perceptive and wise"). questio quid iuris From the Summoner's section of Chaucer 's General Prologue to the Canterbury Tales , line 648. qui bono Common nonsensical Dog Latin misrendering of the Latin phrase cui bono ("who benefits?"). qui pro quo literally qui instead of quo ( medieval Latin ) Unused in English, but common in other modern languages (for instance Italian and Polish). Used as a noun , indicates a misunderstanding. Trivia: The expression "quid pro quo" is not used in Italian. An exchange of favours is indicated by "do ut des", another Latin expression meaning "I give in order that you give". qui tacet consentire videtur "he who is silent is taken to agree" Thus, silence gives consent. Sometimes accompanied by the proviso "ubi loqui debuit ac potuit", that is, "when he ought to have spoken and was able to". qui transtulit sustinet "he who transplanted still sustains" Or "he who brought us across still supports us", meaning God . State motto of Connecticut . Originally written as sustinet qui transtulit in 1639. quia suam uxorem etiam suspiciore vacare vellet "because he should wish even his wife to be free from suspicion" Attributed to Julius Caesar by Plutarch , Caesar 10. Translated loosely as "because even the wife of Caesar may not be suspected". At the feast of Bona Dea , a sacred festival for females only, which was being held at the Domus Publica, the home of the Pontifex Maximus , Caesar, and hosted by his second wife, Pompeia , the notorious rhetorian Clodius arrived in disguise. Caught by the outraged noblewomen, Clodius fled before they could kill him on the spot for sacrilege. In the ensuing trial, allegations arose that Pompeia and Clodius were having an affair, and while Caesar asserted that this was not the case and no substantial evidence arose suggesting otherwise, he nevertheless divorced, with this quotation as explanation. quid est veritas In the Vulgate translation of John 18:38, Pilate 's question to Jesus . quid novi ex Africa "What of the new out of Africa?" Less literally, "What's new from Africa?" Derived from an Aristotle quotation. quid pro quo "what for what" Also translated "this for that" or "a thing for a thing". Signifies a favor exchanged for a favor.' Trivia: The expression "quid pro quo" is not used in Italian. An exchange of favours is indicated by "do ut des", another Latin expression meaning "I give in order that you give". quid nunc "What now?" Commonly shortened to quidnunc. As a noun, a quidnunc is a busybody or a gossip. Patrick Campbell worked for The Irish Times under the pseudonym "Quidnunc". quidquid Latine dictum sit altum viditur "whatever has been said in Latin seems deep" Or "anything said in Latin sounds profound". A recent ironic Latin phrase to poke fun at people who seem to use Latin phrases and quotations only to make themselves sound more important or "educated". Similar to the less common omnia dicta fortiora si dicta latina. quis custodiet ipsos custodes? "Who will guard the guards themselves?" From Juvenal 's On Women , originally referring to the practice of having eunuchs guard women and beginning with the word sed ("but"). Usually translated less literally, as "Who watches the watchmen?" This translation is a common epigraph , such as of the Tower Commission and Alan Moore 's Watchmen comic book series. quis ut Deus "Who [is] as God?" Usually translated "Who is like unto God?" Questions who would have the audacity to compare himself to a Supreme Being. quo errat demonstrator A pun on quod erat demonstrandum. quo fata ferunt quo usque tandem "For how much longer?" From Cicero 's Ad Catilinam speech to the Roman Senate regarding the conspiracy of Catiline : quo usque tandem abutere Catilina patientia nostra ("For how much longer, Catiline, will you abuse our patience?"). quo vadis "Where are you going?" According to John 13:36, Saint Peter asked Jesus Domine, quo vadis ("Lord, where are you going?") on the Appian Way in Rome . The King James Version has the translation "Lord, whither goest thou?" quod erat demonstrandum ( Q.E.D. ) "which was to be demonstrated" The abbreviation is often written at the bottom of a mathematical proof . Sometimes translated loosely into English as "The Five Ws", W.W.W.W.W. , which stands for "Which Was What We Wanted". quod erat faciendum (Q.E.F) "which was to be done" Or "which was to be constructed". Used by Euclid in his Elements when there was nothing to prove, but there was something be constructed, for example a triangle with the same size as a given line. quod est quod gratis asseritur, gratis negatur "what is asserted without reason may be denied without reason" If no grounds have been given for an assertion, there is no need to provide grounds for contradicting it. quod licet Iovi non licet bovi "what is permitted to Jupiter is not permitted to an ox" If an important person does something, it does not necessarily mean that everyone can do it (cf. double standard ). Iovi (also commonly rendered Jovi) is the dative form of Iuppiter ("Jupiter" or "Jove"), the chief god of the Romans. quod me nutrit me destruit "what nourishes me destroys me" Thought to have originated with Elizabethan playwright Christopher Marlowe . Generally interpreted to mean that that which motivates or drives a person can consume him or her from within. This phrase has become a popular slogan or motto for pro-ana websites, anorexics and bulimics . In this case the phrase is literally describing food. quod natura non dat Salmantica non praestat "what nature does not give, Salamanca does not provide" Refers to the Spanish University of Salamanca , meaning that education cannot substitute the lack of brains. quod vide (q.v.) "which see" Used after a term or phrase that should be looked up elsewhere in the current document or book. For more than one term or phrase, the plural is quae vide (qq.v.) ratione soli "by account of the ground" Or "according to the soil". Assigning property rights to a thing based on its presence on a landowner's property. re "in the matter of" More literally, "by the thing". From the ablative of res ("thing" or "circumstance"). Often used in e-mail replies. It is a common misconception that the "Re:" in e-mail replies stands for reply, response, or regarding, or is simply the prefix meaning "again". The use of Latin re, in the sense of "about, concerning", is English usage. Whether to leave it in Latin or to translate it may depend on the usage of the target language, but the Internet norm is to leave it in Latin. rebus sic stantibus "with matters standing thus" The doctrine that treaty obligations hold only as long as the fundamental conditions and expectations that existed at the time of their creation hold. reductio ad absurdum "leading back to the absurd" A common debate technique, and a method of proof in mathematics and philosophy, that proves the thesis by showing that its opposite is absurd or logically untenable. In general usage outside mathematics and philosophy, a reductio ad absurdum is a tactic in which the logic of an argument is challenged by reducing the concept to its most absurd extreme. Translated from Aristotle 's "ἡ εις άτοπον απαγωγη" (hi eis atopon apagogi, "reduction to the impossible"). reductio ad infinitum "leading back to the infinite" An argument that creates an infinite series of causes that does not seem to have a beginning. As a fallacy, it rests upon Aristotle's notion that all things must have a cause, but that all series of causes must have a sufficient cause, that is, an unmoved mover. An argument which does not seem to have such a beginning becomes difficult to imagine. regnat populus "the people rule" State motto of Arkansas , adopted in 1907. Originally rendered in 1864 in the plural, regnant populi ("the peoples rule"), but subsequently changed to the singular. Regnum Mariae Patrona Hungariae res gestae "things done" (1) A phrase used in law representing the belief that certain statements are made naturally, spontaneously and without deliberation during the course of an event, they leave little room for misunderstanding/misinterpretation upon hearing by someone else ( i.e. by the witness who will later repeat the statement to the court) and thus the courts believe that such statements carry a high degree of credibility. (2) In history, a Latin biography res ipsa loquitur "the thing speaks for itself" A phrase from the common law of torts meaning that negligence can be inferred from the fact that such an accident happened, without proof of exactly how. A mock Latin clause sometimes added on to the end of this phrase is sed quid in infernos dicit ("but what the hell does it say?"), which serves as a reminder that one must still interpret the significance of events that "speak for themselves". res judicata "judged thing" A matter which has been decided by a court. Often refers to the legal concept that once a matter has been finally decided by the courts, it cannot be litigated again (cf. non bis in idem and double jeopardy ). respice finem "look back at the end" i.e., "have regard for the end" or "consider the end". Generally a memento mori , a warning to remember one's death. respiciendum est iudicanti ne quid aut durius aut remissius constituatur quam causa deposcit nec enim aut severitatis aut clementiae gloria affectanda est "the judge must see that no order be made or judgment given or sentence passed either more harshly or more mildly than the case requires; he must not seek renown, either as a severe or as a tender-hearted judge" A maxim on the conduct of judges. respondeat superior "let the superior respond" Regarded as a legal maxim in agency law, referring to the legal liability of the principal with respect to an employee. Whereas a hired independent contract acting tortiously may not cause the principal to be legally liable, a hired employee acting tortiously will cause the principal (the employer) to be legally liable, even if the employer did nothing wrong. res nullius "nobody's thing" Goods without an owner. Used for things or beings which belong to nobody and are up for grabs, e.g., uninhabited and uncolonized lands, wandering wild animals, etc. (cf. terra nullius, "no man's land"). rex regum fidelum et "king even of faithful kings" rigor mortis "stiffness of death" The rigidity of corpses when chemical reactions cause the limbs to stiffen about 3–4 hours after death. Other signs of death include drop in body temperature ( algor mortis , "cold of death") and discoloration ( livor mortis , "bluish color of death"). Romanes eunt domus "Romanes go the house" An intentionally garbled Latin phrase from Monty Python's Life of Brian . Its translation is roughly, as said by a centurion in the movie, "'People called Romanes they go the house'", but its intended meaning is "Romans, go home!" When Brian is caught vandalizing the palace walls with this phrase, rather than punish him, the centurion corrects his Latin grammar , explaining that Romanus is a second declension noun and has its plural in -i rather than -es, that ire ("to go") must be in the imperative mood to denote a command, and that domus takes the accusative case without a preposition as the object. The final result of this lesson is the correct Latin phrase Romani ite domum . rosa rubicundior lilio candidior omnibus formosior semper in te glorior "redder than the rose, whiter than the lilies, fairer than all things, I do ever glory in thee" rus in urbe "Farm in the city" Generally used to refer to a haven of peace and quiet within an urban setting, often a garden, but can refer to interior decoration. salus populi suprema lex esto "the welfare of the people is to be the highest law" From Cicero 's De Legibus, book III, part III, sub. VIII. Quoted by John Locke in his Second Treatise, On Civil Government, to describe the proper organization of government. Also the state motto of Missouri and of Harrow. salva veritate Salvator Mundi "Savior of the World" Christian epithet, usually referring to Jesus . The title of paintings by Albrecht Dürer and Leonardo da Vinci . salvo errore et omissione "save for error and omission" Appears on statements of "account currents". salvo honoris titulo "save for title of honor" Sancta Sedes More literally, "Sacred Seat". Refers to the Papacy or the Holy See . Sancta Simplicitas sapere aude "dare to be wise" From Horace 's Epistularum liber primus , Epistle II, line 40. Popularized by its use in Kant 's What is Enlightenment? to define the Enlightenment . Frequently used in mottos, such as for the University of Otago , University of New Brunswick , Phystech , Manchester Grammar School , town of Oldham , and the University of New Zealand before its dissolution. Sapientia et Doctrina Motto of Fordham University , New York. sapienti sat "enough for the wise" From Plautus . Indicates that something can be understood without any need for explanation, as long as the listener has enough wisdom or common sense. Often extended to dictum sapienti sat est ("enough has been said for the wise", commonly translated as "a word to the wise is enough"). semper fidelis "always faithful" Motto of Exeter and several other cities; more recently has become the motto of United States Marine Corps and the Swiss Grenadiers . Also the motto of the Rot-Weiss Oberhausen and Plymouth Argyle football clubs. The US Marines often abbreviate it to Semper Fi. semper paratus Motto of the United States Coast Guard and the United States Cavalry 's 12th Regiment. semper reformanda "always reforming" A shortened form of a motto of the Protestant Reformation , Ecclesia reformata semper reformanda est secundu Verbum Dei ("the reformed Church must be always reforming according to the Word of God"), which refers to the Protestant position that the church must continually re-examine itself, reconsider its doctrines , and be prepared to accept change, in order to conform more closely to orthodox Christian belief as revealed in the Bible . The shortened form, semper reformanda, literally means "always about to be reformed", but the usual translation is taken from the full sentence where it is used in a passive periphrastic construction to mean "always reforming." semper ubi sub ubi "always where under where" A common English- New Latin translation joke . The phrase is nonsensical in Latin, but the English translation is a pun on "always wear underwear". Senatus Populusque Romanus "The Senate and the People of Rome" The official name of the Roman Republic . " SPQR " was carried on battle standards by the Roman legions . In addition to being an ancient Roman motto, it remains the motto of the modern city of Rome . sensu stricto Less literally, "in the strict sense". Servo Permaneo Bovis Provestri "Save the Last Bullet for Yourself" Meaning "After giving it everything you've got against the enemy,save the last effort to save yourself". sesquipedalia verba "words a foot and a half long" From Horace 's Ars Poetica , "proicit ampullas et sesquipedalia verba" ("he throws down his high-flown language and his foot-and-a-half-long words"). A self-referential jab at long words and needlessly elaborate language in general. si peccasse negamus fallimur et nulla est in nobis veritas "if we refuse to make a mistake, we are deceived, and there's no truth in us" From Christopher Marlowe 's The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus , where the phrase is translated "if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and there's no truth in us". si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice "if you seek a delightful peninsula, look around" State motto of Michigan , adopted in 1835. Said to have been based on the tribute to architect Christopher Wren in St Paul's Cathedral , London , which reads si monumentum requiris circumspice ("if you seek a memorial, look around"). Si tacuisses, philosophus mansisses "If you had kept your silence, you would have stayed a philosopher" This quote is often attributed to the Latin philosopher Boethius of the late fifth and early sixth centuries. It translates literally as, "If you had been silent, you would have remained a philosopher." The phrase illustrates a common use of the subjunctive verb mood. Among other functions it expresses actions contrary to fact. Sir Humphrey Appleby translated it to the PM as: "If you'd kept your mouth shut we might have thought you were clever". si vales valeo (SVV) "if you are well, I am well" A common beginning for ancient Roman letters. Also extended to si vales bene est ego valeo ("if you are well, that is good; I am well"), abbreviated to SVBEEV . The practice fell out of fashion and into obscurity with the decline in Latin literacy. si vis pacem para bellum "if you want peace, prepare for war" From Vegetius , Epitoma rei militaris. Origin of the name parabellum for some ammunition and firearms, such as the luger parabellum. sic "thus" Or "just so". States that the preceding quoted material appears exactly that way in the source, despite any errors of spelling, grammar, usage, or fact that may be present. Used only for previous quoted text; ita or similar must be used to mean "thus" when referring to something about to be stated. sic et non More simply, "yes and no". sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc "we gladly feast on those who would subdue us" sic semper tyrannis "thus always to tyrants" State motto of Virginia , adopted in 1776. Attributed to Brutus at the time of Julius Caesar 's assassination, and to John Wilkes Booth at the time of Abraham Lincoln 's assassination; whether it was actually said at either of these events is disputed. sic transit gloria mundi "thus passes the glory of the world" From the Bible . A reminder that all things are fleeting. During Papal Coronations , a monk reminds the pope of his mortality by saying this phrase, preceded by pater sancte ("holy father") while holding before his eyes a burning paper illustrating the passing nature of earthly glories. This is similar to the tradition of a slave in Roman triumphs whispering "memento mori". sic utere tuo ut alienum non laedas "use [what is] yours so as not to harm [what is] of others" Or "use your property in such a way that you do not damage others'". A legal maxim related to property ownership laws, often shortened to simply sic utere ("use it thus"). sic vita est "thus is life" Or "such is life". Indicates that a circumstance, whether good or bad, is an inherent aspect of living. signetur sine qua non "without which not" Used to denote something that is an essential part of the whole. See also condicio sine qua non. sine scientia ars nihil est "without knowledge, skill is nothing" Motto of The International Diving Society. sit venia verbo "may there be forgiveness for the word" Similar to the English idiom "pardon my French". sola fide "by faith alone" The material principle of the Protestant Reformation and one of the five solas , referring to the Protestant claim that the Bible teaches that men are saved by faith even without works. sola gratia "by grace alone" A motto of the Protestant Reformation and one of the five solas , referring to the Protestant claim that salvation is an unearned gift (cf. ex gratia), not a direct result of merit . Sola lingua bona est lingua mortua "the only good language is a dead language" sola scriptura "by scripture alone" The formal principle of the Protestant Reformation and one of the five solas , referring to the Protestant idea that the Bible alone is the ultimate authority, not the pope or tradition . soli Deo gloria (S.D.G.) "glory to God alone" A motto of the Protestant Reformation and one of the five solas , referring to the idea that God is the creator of all good things and deserves all the praise for them. Johann Sebastian Bach often signed his manuscripts with the abbreviation S.D.G. to invoke this phrase, as well as with AMDG "hope is the anchor of [my] life" Motto of the Doran family. spiritus mundi "spirit of the world" From The Second Coming (poem) by William Butler Yeats . Refers to Yeats' belief that each human mind is linked to a single vast intelligence, and that this intelligence causes certain universal symbols to appear in individual minds. The idea is similar to Carl Jung 's concept of the collective unconscious . spiritus ubi vult spirat "the spirit spreads wherever it wants" From El espiritu donde quiera se infunde by Fernando Porturas ( http://www.cayetano-pae.org/Spiritus.htm ). Refers to The Gospel of Saint John, where he mentions how Jesus told Nicodemus "The wind blows wherever it wants, and even though you can hear its noise, you don't know where it comes from or where it goes. The same thing happens to whomever has been born of the Spirit". It is the motto of Cayetano Heredia University . splendor sine occasu Loosely "splendour without diminishment" or "magnificence without ruin". Motto of British Columbia . stamus contra malo "we stand against by evil" The motto of the Jungle Patrol in The Phantom . The phrase actually violates Latin grammar because of a mistranslation from English, as the preposition contra takes the accusative case . The correct Latin rendering of "we stand against evil" would be "stamus contra malum". stante pede Less literally, "in the strict sense". stupor mundi "the wonder of the world" The title by which Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor , was known. More literally translated "the bewilderment of the world", or, in its original, pre- Medieval sense, "the stupidity of the world". sua sponte Motto of the U.S. Army Rangers . Also a legal term . Sub Cruce Lumen "The Light Under the Cross" Motto of the University of Adelaide , Australia. Refers to the figurative "light of learning" and the Southern Cross constellation, Crux . sub judice "under a judge" sub poena "under penalty" Commonly rendered subpoena. Said of a request, usually by a court, that must be complied with on pain of punishment. Examples include subpoena duces tecum ("take with you under penalty"), a court summons to appear and produce tangible evidence, and subpoena ad testificandum ("under penalty to testify"), a summons to appear and give oral testimony. sub rosa "under the rose" "In secret", "privately", "confidentially" or "covertly". In the Middle Ages , a rose was suspended from the ceiling of a council chamber to indicate that what was said in the "under the rose" was not to be repeated outside. This practice originates in Greek mythology, where Aphrodite gave a rose to her son Eros , and he, in turn, gave it to Harpocrates , the god of silence, to ensure that his mother's indiscretions—or those of the gods in general, in other accounts—were kept under wraps. sub specie aeternitatis "under the sight of eternity" Thus, "from eternity's point of view". From Spinoza , Ethics. sub verbo; sub voce Literally "highest good". Also summum malum ("the supreme evil"). sunt lacrimae rerum "there are tears for things" From Virgil , Aeneid . Followed by et mentem mortalia tangunt ("and mortal things touch my mind"). Aeneas cries as he sees Carthaginian temple murals depicting the deaths of the Trojan War . See also hinc illae lacrimae. sunt omnes unum suo jure "in one's own right" Used in the context of titles of nobility , for instance where a wife may hold a title in her own right rather than through her marriage. suo moto "upon one's own initiative" Also rendered suo motu. Usually used when a court of law, upon its own initiative, (i.e., no petition has been filed) proceeds against a person or authority that it deems has committed an illegal act. It is used chiefly in South Asia . supero omnia A declaration that one succeeds above all others. surgam terra nova "new land" Also latin name of Newfoundland (island portion of Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador , capital- St. John's ), also root of French name of same, Terre-Neuve terra nullius "land of none" That is, no man's land . A neutral or uninhabited area, or a land not under the sovereignty of any recognized political entity. terras irradient "let them illuminate the lands" Or "let them give light to the world". An allusion to Isaiah 6.3: plena est omnis terra gloria eius ("the whole earth is full of his glory"). Sometimes mistranslated as "they will illuminate the lands" based on mistaking irradiare for a future indicative third- conjugation verb, whereas it is actually a present subjunctive first-conjugation verb. Motto of Amherst College ; the college's original mission was to educate young men to serve God. tertium non datur "a third is not given" A logical axiom that a claim is either true or false, with no third option. tertium quid "a third something" 1. Something that cannot be classified into either of two groups considered exhaustive; an intermediate thing or factor. 2. A third person or thing of indeterminate character. timeo Danaos et dona ferentes "I fear Greeks, even bearing gifts" Danaos being a term for the Greeks . In Virgil 's Aeneid , II, 49, the phrase is said by Laocoön when warning his fellow Trojans against accepting the Trojan Horse . The full original quote is quidquid id est timeo Danaos et dona ferentis, quidquid id est meaning "whatever it is" and ferentis being an archaic form of ferentes. Commonly mistranslated "Beware of Greeks bearing gifts". timidi mater non flet "A coward's mother does not weep" A Latin proverb . Occasionally appears on loading screens in the game Rome: Total War . timor mortis conturbat me "the fear of death confounds me" A Latin refrain originating in the response to the seventh lesson in the Office of the Dead . In the Middle Ages , this service was read each day by clerics . As a refrain, it appears also in other poems and can frequently be found inscribed on tombs. translatio imperii "transfer of rule" Used to express the belief in the transfer of imperial authority from the Roman Empire of antiquity to the Medieval Holy Roman Empire . Treuga Dei "Truce of God" A decree by the medieval Church that all feuds should be cancelled during the Sabbath —effectively from Wednesday or Thursday night until Monday. See also Peace and Truce of God . tu autem "you indeed" Also "even you" or "yes, you", in response to a person's belief that he will never die. A memento mori epitaph . tu autem domine miserere nobis "But Thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us" Phrase said at the end of biblical readings in the liturgy of the medieval church. tu fui ego eris "I was you; you will be me" Thus, "what you are, I was; what I am, you will be.". A memento mori gravestone inscription to remind the reader that death is unavoidable (cf. sum quod eris). tu ne cede malis, sed contra audentior ito "you should not give in to evils, but proceed ever more boldly against them" From Virgil , Aeneid , 6, 95. tu quoque "you too" The logical fallacy of attempting to defend one's position merely by pointing out the same weakness in one's opponent. If a politician is criticized for advocating an inadequately-funded plan, and replies that his or her opponent's plan is equally inadequately funded, this is a 'tu quoque' argument: undermining the counterproposal on the same basis does not make the original plan any more satisfactory. Tu quoque may also refer to a "hypocrisy" argument, a form of ad hominem where a claim is dismissed as untrue on the basis that the claimant has contradicted his own advice. While contradiction may make the claimant's argument unsound, it does necessarily not make his claims untrue. It comes from the supposed last words of Julius Caesaer (" Et tu, Brute? ") tuebor "where [it is] well, there [is] the fatherland" Or "where I prosper, there is my country". Patriotic motto. ubi caritas et amor Deus ibi est "where there is charity and love, God is there" ubi mel ibi apes "where [there is] honey, there [are] bees" ubi dubium ibi libertas "where [there is] doubt, there [is] freedom" Anonymous proverb. "Where [there is] a right, there [is] a remedy" ubi non accusator ibi non iudex "where [there is] no accuser, there [is] no judge" Thus, there can be no judgement or case if no one charges a defendant with a crime. The phrase is sometimes parodied as "where there are no police, there is no speed limit". ubi re vera "when, in a true thing" Or "whereas, in reality..." Also rendered ubi revera ("when, in fact" or "when, actually"). ubi solitudinem faciunt pacem appellant "when they make a wasteland, they call it peace" ubi sunt "where are they?" Nostalgic theme of poems yearning for days gone by. From the line ubi sunt qui ante nos fuerunt ("Where are they, those who have gone before us?"). una salus victis nullam sperare salutem "the only safety for the conquered is to hope for no safety" Less literally, "the only safe bet for the vanquished is to expect no safety". Preceded by moriamur et in media arma ruamus ("let us die even as we rush into the midst of battle") in Virgil 's Aeneid , book 2, lines 353–354. Used in Tom Clancy 's novel Without Remorse , where character Clark translates it as "the one hope of the doomed is not to hope for safety". ultimo mense Urbi et Orbi "To the City and the Circle [of the lands]" Meaning "To Rome and the World". A standard opening of Roman proclamations. Also a traditional blessing by the pope . Urbs in Horto Motto of the City of Chicago . Usus magister est optimus ut biberent quoniam esse nollent "so that they might drink, since they refused to eat" Also rendered with quando ("when") in place of quoniam. From a story by Suetonius (Vit. Tib., 2.2) and Cicero (De Natura Deorum, 2.3). The phrase was said by Roman admiral Publius Claudius Pulcher right before the battle of Drepana , as he threw overboard the sacred chickens which had refused to eat the grain offered them—an unwelcome omen of bad luck. Thus, the sense is, "if they do not perform as expected, they must suffer the consequences". ut incepit fidelis sic permanet "as she began loyal, so she persists" Thus, the state remains as loyal as ever. Motto of Ontario . ut desint vires tamen est laudanda voluntas "though the power be lacking, the will is to be praised all the same" From Ovid , Epistulae ex Ponto (III, 4, 79). ut infra A vade-mecum or vademecum is an item one carries around, especially a handbook. vade retro Satana "Go back, Satan !" An exhortation for Satan to begone, often used in response to temptation . From a popular Medieval Catholic exorcism formula, based on a rebuke by Jesus to Peter in the Vulgate , Mark 8:33: vade retro me Satana ("step back from me, Satan!"). The older phrase vade retro ("go back!") can be found in Terence 's Formio I, 4, 203. vae victis "Woe to the conquered!" Attributed by Livy to Brennus , the chief of the Gauls , while he demanded more gold from the citizens of the recently-sacked Rome in 390 BC. vanitas vanitatum omnia vanitas "vanity of vanities; everything [is] vanity" More simply, "vanity, vanity, everything vanity". From the Vulgate , Ecclesiastes , 1:2. vaticinium ex eventu "prophecy from the event" A prophecy made to look as though it was written before the events it describes, while in fact being written afterwards. vel non "or not" Summary of alternatives, ie. "this action turns upon whether the claimant was the deceased's grandson vel non." velocius quam asparagi coquantur "more rapidly than asparagus will be cooked" Or simply "faster than cooking asparagus". Ascribed to Augustus by Suetonius (The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Book 2 (Augustus), para. 87). Can refer to anything done very quickly. A very common variant is celerius quam asparagi cocuntur ("more swiftly than asparagus is cooked"). veni, vidi, vici "I came, I saw, I conquered" The text message sent by Julius Caesar to the Roman Senate to describe his battle against King Pharnaces II near Zela in 47 BC. Sometimes used by magicians as a catch phrase similar to abracadabra in completing a performance. "I came, I saw, I went" vera causa "true cause" verba ita sunt intelligenda ut res magis valeat quam pereat "words are to be understood such that the subject matter may be more effective than wasted" A legal maxim. "words fly away, writings remain" verbatim et litteratim "word by word and letter by letter" Verbi divini minister "servant of the divine Word" A priest (cf. Verbum Dei). Verbum Dei vi veri universum vivus vici "by the power of truth, I, a living man, have conquered the universe" From Christopher Marlowe 's The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus . Note that v was originally the consonantal u , and was written the same before the two forms became distinct, and also after in many cases, when u and v were both capitalized as V: thus, Vniversum. Also, universum is sometimes quoted with the form ueniversum (or Veniversum), which is presumably a combination of universum and oeniversum, two classically-attested spellings). Recently quoted in the film, V for Vendetta, by the main character, V. via Thus, "by way of" or "by means of". I'll contact you via e-mail. via media "middle road" The Anglican Communion has claimed to be a via media between the errors of the Roman Catholic Church and the extremes of Protestantism . Can also refer to the radical middle political stance. via, veritas, vitae The motto of the University of Glasgow . vice versa "with position turned" Thus, "the other way around", "conversely", etc. Historically, vice is more properly pronounced as two syllables, but the one-syllable pronunciation is extremely common. victoria aut mors See aut vincere aut mori. victoria concordia crescit The official club motto of Arsenal FC. victrix causa diis placuit sed victa Catoni "the victorious cause pleased the gods, but the conquered cause pleased Cato " Lucanus , Pharsalia 1, 128. Dedication on the south side of the Confederate Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery . vide infra Vive ut vivas "live so that you may live" The phrase essentially means that one should live life to the fullest and without fear of a possible future consequence. vocatus atque non vocatus Deus aderit "called and not called, God will be present", or "called and even not called, God approaches" Attributed to the Oracle at Delphi . Used by Carl Jung as a personal motto adorning his home and grave. volenti non fit injuria "to one willing, no harm is done" or "to he who consents, no harm is done used in tort law to delineate the principle that one cannot be held liable for injuries inflicted on an individual who has given his consent to the action that gave rise to the injury. votum separatum An independent, minority voice. vox clamantis in deserto "the voice of one shouting in the desert" (or, traditionally, "the voice of one crying in the wilderness") From Isaiah 40, and quoted by John the Baptist in the Gospels . Usually the "voice" is assumed to be shouting in vain, unheeded by the surrounding wilderness. However, in this phrase's use as the motto of Dartmouth College , it is taken to denote an isolated beacon of education and culture in the "wilderness" of New Hampshire . vox nihili vox populi "voice of the people" Sometimes extended to vox populi vox Dei ("the voice of the people [is] the voice of God"). In its original context, the extended version means the opposite of what it's frequently taken to mean: the source is usually given as the monk Alcuin , who advised Charlemagne that nec audiendi qui solent dicere vox populi vox Dei quum tumultuositas vulgi semper insaniae proxima sit, meaning "And those people should not be listened to who keep saying, 'The voice of the people [is] the voice of God,' since the riotousness of the crowd is always very close to madness." (Works, Letter 164)
i don't know
Satin is traditionally/originally made from what fibre?
What is the fiber content of satin? | Reference.com What is the fiber content of satin? A: Quick Answer Satin fabric can contain silk, wool, cotton, polyester, rayon and acetate fibers. What makes a fabric satin is not the type of fibers that it is made of but rather the type of weave that is used in bringing those fibers together. Full Answer Satin fabric is weaved using four warp threads going over with one weft thread going under. This creates less interlacing between the threads. The result is a glossy surface with a dull back. Satin that is made with cotton fibers is known as sateen. Satin made with a combination of silk and rayon fibers is known as duchesse. Satin derived its name from Zayton, a Chinese port from where it was first exported internationally in the 12th century.
Silk
What (at 2015) is the only major nation of the world which charges income tax on its citizens working overseas?
FabricLink :: Fabric Seminar Fabric Seminar Fabric Seminar FIBER HISTORY Natural fibers have been used for apparel and home fashion for thousands of years, with the use of wool going back over 4,000 years. In comparison, the man-made fiber industry began with the first commerical production of rayon in 1910. For those old enough to remember the 50's and 60's, this was when there was a great deal of technology happening in the man-made fiber industry. And the technology continues even today. Microfibers, fibers finer than the finest silk, were developed in 1989 and lyocell, was developed in 1993. Today, many man-made fibers, including polyester have been developed into beautiful fabrics that are being used by major designers. Natural Fibers History of the principal natural fibers used in textiles for apparel and home fashion EST. DATE Generally considered to be the oldest natural textile fiber. Fine linen was used as burial shrouds for the Egyptian pharaohs Largest producer: Soviet States; other large producers include Poland, Germany, Belgium and France. Largest exporters are Northern Ireland and Belgium. 3,000+ BC Earliest use estimated between 3,000 BC to 5,000 BC. Worn by Egyptians earlier than 2,500 BC. Eli Whitney's invention of the cotton gin in 1793 revolutionized the processing of cotton. The development of the power loom in 1884 brought significant improvements and variations to cotton fabrics. Major producers: United States, Soviet States, China and India. Lessor producers include Pakistan, Brazil, Turkey, Egypt, Mexico Iran and Sudan. 3,000 BC WOOL: Used by people of the Late Stone Age, There are 40 different breeds of sheep, which produce approximately 200 types of wool of varying grades. Major producers include: Australia, New Zealand, Soviet States, China, South Africa, and Argentina. 2,600 BC SILK: Believed discovered by a Chinese princess. Silk is made from two continuous filaments cemented together and used to form the cocoon of the silkworm. Silk culture began about 1725 BC, sponsored by the wife of China's emperor. Secrets of cultivation and fabric manufacturing were closely guarded by the Chinese for about 3,000 years. There is a story that two monks smuggled seeds of the mulberry tree and silkworm eggs out of China by hiding them in their walking sticks. India learned of silk culture when a Chinese princess married an Indian prince. The major producer and exporter of silk is Japan. Man-Made Fibers The history of U.S. Production of the principal man-made fibers used in textiles for apparel and home fashion It is important to understand that all manufactured fibers are not alike. Each fiber has a unique composition and it's own set of physical properties. The U. S. Federal Trade Commission has established generic names and definitions for manufactured fibers, including acetate, acrylic, lyocell, modacrylic, nylon, polyester, polypropylene (olefin), rayon, and spandex. However, all fibers under a generic name are not exactly the same. Fiber producers have been able to modify the basic composition of each generic fiber, both chemically and physically, to produce variations which provide a softer feel, greater comfort, brighter/longer lasting colors, better warmth/cooling, moisture transport/wicking, and better properties for blending with other fibers. These improved fibers are given a trademark name and are owned and promoted by the fiber producer. The following is a list of producers of manufactured fibers and their trademark names. DATE RAYON The first man-made fiber. The first commercial production of rayon fiber in the United States was in 1910 by the American Viscose Company. By using two different chemicals and manufacturing techniques, two basic types of rayon were developed. They were viscose rayon and cuprammonium rayon. Today, there are no producers of rayon in the U.S. 1924 ACETATE: The first commercial production of acetate fiber in the United States was in 1924 by the Celanese Corporation. 1939 NYLON: The first commercial production of nylon in the United States was in 1939 by the E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Inc. It is the second most used man-made fiber in this country, behind polyester. 1950 ACRYLIC: The first commercial production of acrylic fiber in the United States was in 1950 by E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Inc. 1953 POLYESTER: The first commercial production of polyester fiber in the United States was in 1953 by E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Inc. Polyester is the most used man-made fiber in the U.S. 1954 TRIACETATE: The first commercial production of triacetate fiber in the United States was in 1954 by the Celanese Corporation. Domestic Triacetate production was discontinued in 1985. 1959 SPANDEX: The first commercial production of spandex fiber in the United States was in 1959 by E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Inc. It is an elastomeric man-made fiber (able to stretch at least 100% and snap back like natural rubber). Spandex is used in filament form. 1961 POLYOLEFIN/ POLYPROPYLENE: The first commercial production of an olefin fiber manufactured in the U.S. was by Hercules Incorporated. In 1966, polyolefin was the world's first and only Nobel-Prize winning fiber. 1989 MICRO FIBERS/ MICRODENIER: The first commercial production of micro fiber in the U.S. was in 1989 by E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Inc. Today micro fibers are produced in a variety of synthetic fibers (i.e. polyester, nylon, acrylic, etc.) The true definition of a micro fiber is a fiber that has less than one denier per filament. Micro Fiber is the thinnest, finest of all man-made fibers. It is finer than the most delicate silk. To relate it to something more familiar--A human hair is more than 100 times the size of some micro fibers 1993 LYOCELL: The first commercial production of lyocell in the U.S. was in 1993 by Courtaulds Fibers, under the Tencel¬ trade name. Environmentally friendly, lyocell is produced from the wood pulp of trees grown specifically for this purpose. It is specially processed, using a solvent spinning technique in which the dissolving agent is recycled, reducing environmental effluents.
i don't know
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are collectively known as (What?) religions, referring to their founding biblical character?
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Judaism, Christianity, and Islam: A Common Tradition Author: Arshad Khan The Review of Religions October 1992 The world of the ancient Near East -- particularly in the regions of Egypt and the lands east of the Mediterranean Sea (Assyria and Media) -- was predominantly a polytheistic world around the time of the 7th Century B.C. (Historical Atlas of the World, p. 3). The people in those lands worshipped many different kinds of deities. Some were linked to the welfare of towns and cities in local areas, such as Marduk in Babylonia or Ra of Heliopolis in Egypt. Other gods were responsible for the livelihood and welfare of man during times of war and chaotic upheaval -- such as Baal for the Canaanites, and Ishtar for the Sumerians and Assyrians. (The Heritage of World Civilizations, p 54) Amongst this diverse conglomerate of varying polytheistic cultures and beliefs, emerged a single great tradition that was to later fuse the foundations of three great religions of the world: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. These three religions can all be linked to one common religious tradition that goes as far back as the time of the patriarchal prophet Abraham. This underlying religious tradition forms the solid foundation on which all three religions have built upon over the course of history, and from which each has developed different beliefs and ideals that set them apart from others. To begin with, the one fundamental difference that sets apart the religious tradition of these three religions was the unifying concept of monotheism: faith in a single, All-Powerful God who is the sole Creator, Sustainer and Ruler of the universe. (Ibid, p. 56) While it is not quite clear exactly when this doctrine first came into being, historians generally agree that the concept of monotheism first made a clear appearance amongst a nomadic tribal people known as the Hebrews. (Ibid, p. 56) Essentially, the common religious tradition that Islam, Christianity, and Judaism share can be traced back to these peoples. A better understanding of the history of this group of people can be useful in understanding the common origin of contemporary monotheistic religions. The precise account of the activities of the Hebrews is not available. Nevertheless, scholars agree on the fact that Biblical accounts of the migration of the Hebrews into the Near Eastern area from Mesopotamia are plausible, and in accord with what is known of the general migration routes of such semi-nomadic tribes. (Ibid, p. 57) Religious and historical traditions mention that the patriarch Abraham came from Mesopotamia, and migrated west with his Hebrews followers, and settled along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, in the area now known as Palestine. (Ibid, p. 56) Abraham brought with him the idea of a monotheistic belief, an idea that would later prove to endure for a long time in the area. Monotheistic belief emphasized on the moral demands and responsibilities of the individual and the community towards the worship of one God, who was ruler over all. Moreover, a belief in one God stressed the idea that God had a divine plan for human history, and the actions and ideals of His chosen people were inextricably tied to that divine plan. (Ibid, p. C-1) At the apex of this tradition sits Abraham, who is recognized as the founder of their faith by all three religions: Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. Abraham's followers passed down this tradition generation after generation, strengthening and unifying the people in the Palestine area with the belief in God and the covenant made with His chosen people. It was the 13th century B.C. that the personage of Moses proved to be a great unifying force that was to quite literally forge the nation of Israel. It was during the time of Moses that the concept of the covenant was reiterated and reinstated amongst the descendants of Abraham. The importance of this covenant can be recognized from a close scriptural analysis of all three religions. All three branches of the original monotheistic beliefs introduced by Abraham into the Palestine area recognize and account for the event in their religious scriptures: And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. ... And Moses took half of the blood of the oxen, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. And he took the book of the covenant, and read it in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient. (Exodus: 24: 4, 6, 7) Similarly, the religion of Islam also recognizes the covenant of the Hebrews with God. It is mentioned in the Holy Quran, the religious text of the Muslims, that man must remember the fact that such a covenant was taken by a group of people with God: O children of Israel! Remember My favours which I bestowed upon you, and fulfil your covenant with Me, I will fulfil My covenant with you, and Me alone should you fear..... (The Holy Quran: 2:41 ) O children of Israel! Remember My favour which I bestowed on you and that I exalted you above the peoples of the time. (The Holy Quran: 2:48 ) And remember when We gave Moses the Book and the Discrimination, that you might be rightly guided. (The Holy Quran: 2:54 ) And remember the time when WE took a covenant from you and raised you above the Mount, saying, `Hold fast that which WE have given you and bear in mind what is therein, that you may be saved.' (The Holy Quran: 2:64 ) The need to quote the fore-going passages is seen when one attempts to correlate and compare them together with other underlying beliefs found in all three religions. It is seen that the tradition brought by Abraham, and reinforced and reinstated by Moses, is present and recognized by all three religions. This is the common point among all the three faiths: an affirmation and acknowledgment of the covenant which the Hebrews of the Palestine area made with God. This forms the fundamental basis for these monotheistic religions. Another important similarity among the three religions is their relative closeness in terms of geographical proximity. It is not coincidental that all three great monotheistic religions of the world today have a common ancestral homeland: the fact that Abraham was the father of the faithful for all three religions also would signify that the place where he lived and led his people would be the place where all three faiths would be born. The Near East, comprising of the Palestine area, the Sinai peninsula, the Arabian peninsula (especially the northern half), and the areas of modern-day Turkey and Greece -- essentially make up the birthplace of all three faiths. Yet another parallelism among the three religions is the belief and ideal that through prayer and supplications, and establishing a relationship with God, one can achieve goodness in life and be in a constant state of peace and tranquillity with himself. This is the fundamental root of all worship in a monotheistic religion. The Almighty Creator is seen as a Being actively concerned with the deeds and doings of His creatures: thus a turning to Him would eventually lead to a path of divine Grace and Mercy. Essentially speaking, God's purpose in creating mankind was for a very good reason: they were called upon to be just and good like their Creator, for they were involved with the fulfilment of His divine purpose. (Craig, Albert, et al; [The Heritage of World Civilizations, page 60]) This concept is illustrated in God's statement to the House of Israel mentioned in the Bible. I will put my law within them, and I will write it upon their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (Jeremiah: 31:33) God's purpose, according to monotheistic beliefs, was to raise man in rank and elevation in terms of spiritual conduct and moral excellence. This could only be done if the individual, or the society at large, would acknowledge the fact that they were created for a divine purpose, and according to a pre-ordained plan. Believers were expected to follow the teachings given to them through their respective scriptures and to recognize such personages as Abraham, Moses, and others to be Prophets who were inspired and enlightened by God, and given the task of leading and reforming the people. (Craig, Albert, et al; [The Heritage of World Civilizations, page 59]) All of the beliefs mentioned are found in all three faiths. They all share a common belief in a living, self-sufficient, and ever-present God that maintains and regulates each and every individual's lifestyle and conduct. These beliefs formed the cement for the foundation that was common to all faiths which originated from Abraham. This common point also served as the unifying force that united all of Israel under one belief and one God. The religions of Islam and Christianity also maintain these beliefs. Originating in the Arabian Peninsula and Palestine area respectively, both hold the personage of Christ to be the extension of this tradition. While both Islam and Christianity believe in Christ as a Prophet and reformer -- the Jewish faith does not. This is where the parallelisms and similarities among all three religions stop. Islam and Christianity break away from Judaism when they acknowledge the holiness and righteousness of Christ. All three share a belief in Moses, but only two share a belief in the truth of Christ. The similarities between Christianity and Islam come to an end as well, when Islam breaks away from the parallelisms and acknowledges the Holy Prophet of Islam as a true prophet of God who came after Christ to bring God's final law for the guidance of all mankind. Both Judaism and Christianity reject this claim. Hence, the religions split apart, and their similarities end when they begin to differ in opinion regarding Christ and Muhammad (peace be on them). Only Islam acknowledges the divine selection and prophethood of all three personages, while the other two do not. All three religions do not share common beliefs after the belief in Moses. Islam acknowledges all three, Christianity acknowledges two, and Judaism only one. Yet all are deeply rooted in the fabric of monotheism. It is this tradition that serves as the backbone for each religion. The covenant established by the patriarch Abraham, reinstated by Moses -- serves as the common link between three world religions. A close geographical and historical origin brings all three religions closer together, and under a unifying perspective. This feature is what makes the religions so remarkably similar. The great tradition that gave raise to these three faiths traces its origin and birth to a tiny group of nomadic Hebrew people, simple in lifestyle and habits. It was not the product of imperial forces, or from great empires (Bid, page 56). The eventual products that formed as a result of this tradition came into being after a long period of time. It was a gradual and slow process -- not a quick period of religious upheaval and chaos. The time interval between the advent of Moses and Muhammad (peace be on them) was roughly nineteen centuries (1300 B.C. - 600 A.D.) -- a monumental amount of time to change and evolve in religion. Nevertheless, a proper understanding of the origin of monotheistic belief enables one to clearly and understand to what extent Judaism, Christianity and Islam can be considered as part of the same religious and spiritual tradition: a tradition that dates back to the time of Abraham, simple nomad leading his flock of followers to a better homeland. Copyright © by Ahmadiyya Muslim Community 1995-2001. All rights reserved. 15000 Good Hope Road, Silver Spring MD 20905 If you have questions, comments or suggestions, email at [email protected] or call 1-800-WHY ISLAM  between 8AM and 5PM USA PST
Abrahamic religions
Vande Mataram (I praise thee, Mother) is the national song of which BRIC nation?
Religion Dictionary | Teaching Tools | The Learning Center | The Association of Religion Data Archives A Abraham : The Hebrew Bible patriarch and father of the "Abrahamic," monotheistic religions of Judaism , Christianity , and Islam (Prothero 2008: 193). Adherent : 1) A person who identifies with some religious tradition. It is a broader term than "member" because the latter refers to an official status that varies according to congregation or denomination. 2) Note that in ARDA's online Maps & Reports , �adherent� has a more specific meaning: �All members, including full members, their children and the estimated number of other participants who are not considered members; for example, the �baptized,� �those not confirmed,� �those not eligible for communion,� �those regularly attending services,� and the like,� according to the Religious Congregations and Membership Study, 2010 (Grammich et al. 2012: xvi). Advent : A season of preparation for Christmas , more characteristic of Western Liturgical Churches . In Orthodox Churches , Advent is known as the "Nativity Fast" (Reid et al. 1990: 28). Adventist Family : Churches originating from founder William Miller in the late 19th century. Miller taught that Christ would soon return to earth and that Saturday, rather than Sunday, should be observed as the Christian Sabbath . The Adventist family includes the Seventh-day Adventist Church , which was founded by Ellen White and James Springer White , as well as offshoots such as the Advent Christian Church (Melton 2009: 560-561). African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) : One of the largest black denominations in the United States. The denomination broke off from the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1787. In 1816 , it was officially founded by Richard Allen in Philadelphia (Prothero 2008: 194). Afterlife : The fate of humans after death (Smith and Green 1995: 31). Descriptions of the afterlife will differ by cultural, historical and geographical context (see Egyptian Book of the Dead and Tibetan Book of the Dead ). In Eastern religions, such as Hinduism or Buddhism , reincarnation is an afterlife concept. In the monotheistic religions of Judaism , Christianity and Islam discussions of the afterlife also entail whether an individual goes to either heaven or hell based on God's judgment (Hinnells 1984: 25-26). Agnosticism : A philosophical position neither affirming nor denying belief in a deity. Agnostics believe the question of whether God exists must be left open and unanswered. The concept comes from David Hume (1711-1776), who questioned the idea of causality, and by extension the historical accuracy of biblical miracles. The term "agnostic" was coined by Thomas Huxley (1825-1895), and was used as a method more than a belief system, claiming that one should seek truth until a certain point where the evidence becomes scarce or non-existent (Reid et al. 1990: 31). Ahimsa : A term in Hinduism , Buddhism , and Jainism that is often translated as "non-violence," referring to not harming or wishing to harm. In Jainism, nonviolence is considered the highest moral duty, as Jain ascetics even attempt to avoid the injury and death of insects. Ahimsa also influenced Gandi and his nonviolent campaign in India (Prothero 2008: 194-195). Ali : One of the most important caliphs in Islam . He was cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad , founder of Islam. Ali was brutally murdered in 661 CE by an assassin. Sunnis consider him the fourth caliph, while Shi'ite Muslims consider him the first. In addition, Shiite Muslims trace the lineage of the imams through him (Esposito 2011: 241). Alienation : A feeling of estrangement from society as a whole, or from its dominant institutions, but not necessarily estrangement from all local religious groups (Dean 1961; Neal and Rettig 1967). All Saints Day : A feast celebrated in the Western Church on the first of November to commemorate Christian martyrs and all those who have led conspicuously holy lives. In the Eastern Church it is observed on the first Sunday after Pentecost (Reid et al. 1990: 36). Allah : A term in Islam , meaning "God" in Arabic. In the Koran , Allah is viewed as merciful and compassionate along with being all powerful (Prothero 2008: 195). Allen, Richard (1760-1831) : Richard Allen was an influential black minister who established the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1816, the first black denomination in the United States. For more information on Richard Allen, click here . Al-Qaeda : An international terrorist organization founded by Osama bin Laden in the 1980s. The organization seeks to establish a transnational Islamic empire that strictly adheres to Islamic law. The group is most famous for the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11th, 2001 . The leader, Osama bin Laden, was killed on May 2, 2011 by U.S. Navy seals and CIA operatives (Prothero 2008: 196). Amillennialism : A Christian theological position that the thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ is symbolic, not literal, and is a period between the ministry of Christ and the Second Coming . It emphasizes the present reality of the Kingdom of God, and that the perfect age will not arrive until the establishment of the new heaven and the new earth. This is an alternative interpretation of Chapter 20 in the New Testament's Book of Revelation , and it differs from a premillennial interpretation (Reid et al. 1990: 57). See Premillennialism for more. Amish : A group of the Mennonites who broke away in the late seventeenth century, led by the minister Jacob Amman. He supported a strict interpretation of discipline and the practice of avoidance, shunning excommunicated members . They arrived in America in the early 1700s, and have retained a fairly separatist environment from modern culture ever since, preferring to cultivate a community more representative of the late seventeenth century (Melton 2009: 439). Examples of Amish churches include the Beachy Amish Mennonite Churches and Old Order Amish Mennonite Church Analogical Imagination : A religious perspective that emphasizes God�s presence in the world, expressed through every aspect of creation. Moreover, it stresses the community. The analogical imagination contrasts with the dialectical imagination , which stresses the individual and the belief that God has withdrawn from the sinful world. This concept was developed by Andrew Greeley (1989), who believed that Catholics tend to have analogical imagination, while Protestants tend to have dialectical imagination. Ananda : Cousin and disciple of the Buddha who lived in the sixth century BCE. He used his exceptional memory to recite the Buddha�s sermons , and played a pivotal role in forming the Buddhist community after the Buddha�s death. He also is known for his support of female disciples (Smith and Green 1995: 46). Anathema : 1) A Greek term referring to a curse in the New Testament . 2) In Catholicism , it refers to an open condemnation against immorality, heresy , or blasphemy by church authorities (Smith and Green 1995: 46). Anatman : A Buddhist doctrine denying the reality of a permanent, immortal soul as the spiritual center of a human. The term means "no self," and it is meant to teach that all things are connected and there is no separate existence (Esposito et al. 2012a: G-6). Ancestor Worship : The worship, feeding and petitioning of the souls of dead ancestors at home altars, temples and graves. This practice is most common among East Asian religions (Esposito et al. 2012b: G-15). Angel : A superhuman intermediary between the divine and human realm. Angels exist in Judaism , Christianity and Islam . Perhaps the most famous angel is Gabriel , who reveals himself as God's messenger in the Hebrew scriptures , Christianity's New Testament and Islam's Koran . Theological discussions of the nature of angels vary by tradition (Smith and Green 1995: 49-50). Anglican Family : Churches originating in England that broke with Roman Catholicism during the 16th century Reformation after King Henry VIII rejected papal supremacy. Some view the Anglican Church as a "middle way" between Catholicism and Protestantism , since both traditions have influenced Anglican theology and practice (Mead et al. 2005: 102). Churches in the Anglican family include the Church of England and the Episcopal Church in the United States . For more information on the Anglican family, click here . Animism : The belief in an inner soul that represents the main identity for all humans, animals, plants and places. It places a large emphasis on ritualistic activities (Esposito et al. 2012b: G-2). Antichrist : In Christian literature, the Antichrist is an evil figure that deceives people into thinking that he is holy. In the end-times , according to the Christian tradition, Jesus will come back and defeat the Antichrist (Smith and Green 1995: 53). In Islamic eschatology , there also is an Antichrist figure that is depicted in the Hadith as a one-eyed monster from the East who rules the earth for a period of time before Jesus comes to vanquish him (Hinnells 1984: 44). Antinomianism : 1) The belief that certain religious allegiances exempt one from following secular law. 2) The belief that secular laws ought to be disobeyed because they are evil (Smith 1995: 53). 3) A theological position in which subjective elements of Christianity are emphasized over objective elements of Christianity, like moral law. The famous "Antinomian Controversy" took place in the 1630s, where Anne Hutchinson was brought to trial in Massachusetts for claiming to follow her direct revelation of the Holy Spirit instead of Scripture alone. She was banished from the colony in 1638 (Reid et al. 1990: 69). Anti-Semitism : Unreasoning hostility toward and discrimination against the Jews . It can range from a formal doctrine and from mild antipathy to active efforts to kill the Jews. German writer Wilhelm Marr coined the term in 1880 to distinguish between secular hatred for the Jews as a people and hatred toward the Jewish religion , although the modern usage of the word denotes hatred for the Jews and Judaism in all forms (Smith and Green 1995: 53). Also defined on the ARDA's Theory, Concepts & Measures page. Apocalypse : Catastrophic end-times battle between good and evil, in which good will triumph over evil. The Greek term refers to "hidden things." The most famous apocalyptic literature is the Book of Revelation at the end of the New Testament . In contemporary usage, the apocalypse has been popularized by Tim LaHaye's Left Behind series of Christian novels (Prothero 2008: 197). Apocrypha : A collection of books or chapters of books not included in the Hebrew Bible , but present in various Christian versions of the Old Testament , mostly in the Catholic and Orthodox traditions. These traditions see the Apocrypha as authoritative, whereas Protestantism does not. Protestant Bibles either exclude the Apocrypha or create a separate section for it found in-between the Old and New Testament . Traditions that include this collection of terms prefer the term "deuterocanonical" books, not the Apocrypha. The majority of these books were composed between the third century BCE and the first century CE. This collection of books is not to be confused with the pseudepigrapha or the Christian Apocrypha , which are not regarded as authoritative by any major branch of Christianity (Smith and Green 1995: 55). Apologetics : The argumentation or defense on behalf of a certain religious faith. It is usually directed toward those outside the faith community, but the audience is usually those within the faith community (Reid et al. 1990: 71). Famous apologists include Orestes Brownson and Francis Schaeffer . Apologist : One who engages in apologetics (see Apologetics ). Famous apologists include Orestes Brownson and Francis Schaeffer . Apostasy : Departing or falling away from a religious faith. In Christianity , it is the complete renunciation of the faith through either words or actions (Reid et al. 1990: 72). Apostle : It refers to both the mission and representational authority of someone sent on a mission by a superior. In Christianity , "apostle" refers to the authoritative mission conferred to Christ on his disciples, with special emphasis on the Twelve Apostles and other specific people, to continue his mission on earth after his resurrection-ascension (Reid et al. 1990: 72). Apostles' Creed : Short statement of Christian beliefs, attributed to Jesus� disciples, but officially written long after their deaths (Prothero 2008: 198). Archbishop : The bishop of an Archdiocese. The archbishop�s power extends over an ecclesiastical province, not just a diocese. Catholic Churches , Eastern Orthodox Churches , and Anglican Churches maintain these hierarchal positions, although the jurisdiction, positional rank and specific role of the archbishop differs by tradition (Reid et al. 1990: 73). Famous archbishops in American Catholic history include James Gibbons and John Hughes . Archdiocese : A large diocese overseen by the Archbishop . Since the fourth century CE, neighboring dioceses have been grouped into provinces, and the most important province has been designated as the archdiocese, while the others are called "suffragan dioceses." Catholic Churches and Eastern Orthodox Churches recognize archdioceses, although Eastern Orthodox Churches prefer the terminology of �eparchey� and �archeparchy.� Although Episcopalians organize dioceses into provinces, they do not officially recognize archdioceses (Reid et al. 1990: 74). Arhat : One who has attained the final stage of enlightenment in Theravada Buddhism . Over time, a distinction arose between arhats and bodhisattvas , and some Mahayanists came to malign arhats as a selfish and inferior enterprise, lacking in the compassion of the bodhisattva. There has been some debate as to whether only monks and nuns or laypeople can be arhats, and whether arhats still exist today (Smith and Green 1995: 71). Armageddon : A term referring to the battle between god and evil in the last days. The term itself only appears once in the Bible in Revelation 16:16. �Armageddon� is a transliteration for the Hebrew word for �Mount Megiddo� in northern Israel (Prothero 2008: 198). Asbury, Francis (1745-1816) : Francis Asbury was the preeminent leader of American Methodism after the Revolutionary War. When many Methodist missionaries fled back to England during the American Revolution, he stayed behind and continued spreading Methodism. For more information on Francis Asbury, click here . Asceticism : The complete renunciation of physical pleasures and other bodily desires in order to foster spiritual development. This practice is common in many religious traditions, including Buddhism , Catholicism , Eastern Orthodoxy and classical Hinduism (Smith and Green 1995: 77-78). Ash Wednesday : The first day of the Lent in the Western calendar, where individuals spread ashes on their forehead as a sign of penitence or mortality (Smith and Green 1995: 84). Ashkenazi : Jews originating from central and eastern Europe. This group adopted Yiddish , a language based on medieval German. The majority of American Jews are Ashkenazi (Smith and Green 1995: 83). Assemblies of God : One of the largest Pentecostal denominations in the United States. As the Pentecostal movement began to flourish in the early 20th century, several diverse regional constituencies of the Reformed tradition desired to combine their efforts into one movement. Click here for more information on the founding of the Assemblies of God. Today they have a little under three million adherents (Smith and Green 1995: 84). Astral Projection : The experience of one�s soul traveling outside the physical body into unknown realms of the universe. The belief in astral projection is found in many occult systems (Smith and Green 1995: 84). Astrology : Belief and practice of determining the influence of stars (Smith and Green 1995: 85). Atheism : A belief that God does not exist (Prothero 2008: 198). Atman : The Hindu concept that the soul resides in the heart, and is the source of life energy and spiritual awareness. In Hindu thought, the soul transmigrates after death (Esposito et al. 2012a: G-4). Atonement : A term in both Judaism and Christianity referring to the forgiveness of sins. For Christians , atonement is found through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. For Jews , atonement is found on the holiday Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) , where practitioners ask God to forgive them of the sin they committed in the past year (Prothero 2008: 199). Attachment Theory : Attachment theory, under a religious framework, posits that religion can be explained by understanding the human need for attachment in general and one�s relationship to her/his parents specifically. For more information on attachment theory, click here . Avalokiteshvara : The most popular and celestial bodhisattva in Buddhism , especially Mahayana Buddhism . He is the bodhissattva of compassion. In China, Avalokiteshvara is known as Guanyin, and is female (Esposito et al. 2012b: 424). Ayatollah : The highest rank of Shi'ite Muslim clerics. The term literally means "sign of God." An ayatollah is respected for his knowledge and his piety (Esposito 2011: 241). Azusa Street Revival (1906-1915) : The Azusa Street Revival, led by William Seymour, took place in Los Angeles, where Seymour�s congregants began experiencing miraculous healings, glossalia (i.e., "speaking in tongues"), and spontaneous worship. It was a defining event for early Pentecostalism and functioned as the catalyst to the growth of American Pentecostalism. For more on William Seymour and the Azusa Street Revival, click here . B Baha�i : A religion started in 19th century Persia (now Iran) by Mirza Husain Ali. The Baha�i faith is now worldwide and teaches the unity of God, the truth of his prophets , and continuation of revelation in every age. It has no priesthood, believing in spiritual equality between men and women (Parrinder 1973: 39). Baptism : The rite of applying water to a person, usually marking his or her entrance into the Christian church . It appears to have derived from John the Baptist in the first century CE, although some scholars believe that the act was inspired by the ritual ablution of the Jewish Essenes. Churches and denominations are divided on whether baptism literally or symbolically washes away sin (Smith and Green 1995: 102-103). Baptist : Protestants that originated from 17th century English Puritanism. The term "Baptist" came from their insistence that baptism should be reserved for those old enough to comprehend and confess a personal faith in Jesus . Modern Baptist churches teach that only believers should be voluntarily baptized by immersion (Reid et al. 1990: 110). For more on the Baptist family, click here . To interactively explore the history of Baptists in America, click here . Bar Mitzvah : This Jewish ceremony, usually performed when a boy is 13, marks his passage into adulthood. The ceremony includes a reading from the Torah or the Prophets, and is followed by an elaborate party for friends and family (Smith and Green 1995: 104). Bat Mitzvah : A Jewish ceremony, usually performed when a girl is 12, which marks her transition into adulthood. The ceremony includes a reading from the Torah or the Prophets , and is followed by an elaborate party for friends and family. The Bat Mitzvah is a fairly new rite of passage in modern times, and functions as a way to give the girl more of a role in Jewish public life (Hinnells 1984: 37). Belief, Religious : On its most basic level, religious belief refers to views toward the supernatural . One of the most common measures for religious belief is whether respondents believe in God . A new strain of research is focusing not just on if individuals believe in God, but specifically what they believe God to be like (see images of God ). For more on religious belief, click here . Bhagavad Gita : The most popular scripture in contemporary Hinduism . It is part of a Hindu epic called the Mahabharata, written in Sanskrit between 200 BCE and 200 CE, and discusses Hindu ethics (Prothero 2008: 201). Bible, Christian : The sacred text for Christians , comprising the Old and New Testaments . The Old Testament is comprised of thirty-nine books, further divisions of the twenty-four books in the Hebrew Bible . The New Testament contains twenty-seven books: the four Gospels of Jesus� life, the Acts of the Apostles, twenty-one letters, and the Book of Revelation . The canon of the New Testament became official in the Easter Letter of Athanasius in 367 CE. It is important to note that Bibles in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches contain more books, including the apocrypha (Smith and Green 1995: 113). Bible, Hebrew (Tanakh) : The sacred text of Judaism , also known as the Old Testament for Christians . The Hebrew Bible is comprised of twenty-four books that are further divided into the Law , the Prophets, and the Writings (Smith and Green 1995: 113). Biblical Inerrancy : The belief that the Bible is without error, in terms of theology , ethics, history, geography, and science. This is common in Christian fundamentalism , as opposed to evangelicals who typically have a less strict view that the Bible, and instead simply believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God (Prothero 2008: 235). Biblical Literalism : The extent to which individuals believe that the Bible (or other sacred scriptures) should be interpreted literally. Social surveys that are interested in religion often ask a question pertaining to biblical literalism, though the question wording and response options can vary. For more information, click here . Bishop : A senior member of the clergy who is in charge of a diocese or association of congregations or parishes (Smith and Green 1995: 116). Black Muslims : Members of the Nation of Islam. See Nation of Islam for more. Black Protestantism : Also known as the Black Church, Black Protestantism is a unique religious tradition that has theological and structural similarities to white evangelical denominations, but also emphasizes social justice and community activism. Black Protestants tend to be liberal on economic issues, but conservative on social issues. Historically, seven major denominations compose this religious tradition, including the African Methodist Episcopal Church , the Church of God in Christ , and the Progressive National Baptist Convention . For more information, click here . Black Theology : A system of Christian thought that focuses on God as a liberator of the oppressed, specifically those in the black community. It derives from traditional African-American religion and liberation theology . Many attribute its development to the Civil Rights and Black Power movements of the 1950s/1960s (Reid et al. 1990: 161-164). Blasphemy : An act or verbal offense that mocks beliefs, sacred beings, or objects in a certain religion. In some religions, like Islam , blasphemy and heresy are sometimes used interchangeably (Smith and Green 1995: 118). Bodhisattva (Bodhissata) : One destined for enlightenment in the Buddhist tradition. In Theravada Buddhism , it is one on the way to becoming a Buddha. In Mahayana Buddhism , there are many Bodhisattvas, and they function as embodiments of ideals like compassion. One of the greatest bodhisattvas in Mahayana Buddhism is Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion (Parrinder 1973: 48). Book of Mormon : The sacred text of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) , along with the Bible . It is said that the angel Moroni led church founder Joseph Smith to golden plates in 1827. According to Smith, the angel gave him gold plates that were engraved in what Smith describes as a reformed Egyptian language. The angel also gave him two divining stones, the Urim and Thummim, which were used to translate the text. The Book of Mormon tells the story of two groups of people: the Jeradites and the Israelites. According to the story, both groups came to America, although at different times, and both groups were eventually destroyed, with Native Americans as the last remnants of the Israelites in America. In the book, Jesus visits the New World after his resurrection and before his ascension. These revelations were officially published in 1830. Smith also received other revelations, including the Book of Moses, the Book of Abraham, and an alternate translation of the Bible (Melton 2009: 635-636). Book of Revelation : An important book in Christian apocalypticism and millenarianism . It is the last book in the New Testament canon , and it is written by John of Patmos. The book has traditionally been attributed to John the Apostle, but more recently scholars have questioned this assertion. The book deals with the end-times as well as persecution by the Roman government at the time. The writing heavily uses symbolic language and imagery (Smith and Green 1995: 927). Born-Again : A term used by Jesus in the New Testament that is now employed to describe the conversion experience for many evangelical and fundamentalist Christians. The conversion experience includes the feeling of knowing Jesus, sensing the Holy Spirit , and putting off the old sinful self (Smith and Green 1995: 126). Brahman : A Hindu concept referring to the world spirit that arises at creation. Hindus believe that it is either in an impersonal form (Nirguna Brahman) or human form (Saguna Brahman) (Esposito et al. 2012a: G-4). Branch Davidians : A breakaway Christian Adventist group that was infamously sieged by the U.S. government in 1993 at Mt. Carmel Center, the Davidians' compund outside Waco, Texas. The Branch Davidians began as an offshoot of the Davidian Seventh-day Adventist Association in 1930. After a divisive fight in the 1950s, Vernon Howell, who later assumed the messianic name of David Koresh , became the prominent leader of the group. Based on Koresh's interpretation of the Book of Revelation , the group stockpiled weapons in preparation for imminent final conflict. This attracted the attention of government officials, who in February 1993 launched a deadly gun battle, during which several federal agents and Branch Davidians died. That set off a siege of nearly two months. On April 19, federal authorities launched another attempt to raid Mt. Carmel. A fire erupted, the complex burned down and many members died, including David Koresh (Smith and Green 1995: 127-128). Brownson, Orestes (1803-1876) : Orestes Brownson (1803-1876) was a 19th century public intellectual in the United States. He defended Catholicism and its compatibility with American society, which was controversial at the time, for Catholics were a small minority that many Protestant Americans viewed with skepticism. For more on Orestes Brownson, click here . Buddha : It literally means one who has "awakened," reaching enlightenment and escaping rebirth (see samsara ). This also is the name given to Siddhartha Gautama , the founder of the Buddhist religion (Esposito et al. 2012a: G-6). Buddha-nature : The inborn essence of all sentient beings that enable them with the potential for Buddhahood. This is a prominent belief in Chinese Buddhism (Smith and Green 1995: 129). Buddhism : A world religion founded by Siddhartha Gautama , the Buddha in the sixth or fifth century BCE in India. Teaching reincarnation and freedom from worldly attachments, Buddhism has three major branches: Theravada , Mahayana and Vajrayana . According to Buddhism, the origin of suffering comes from ignorance, and that one must follow the Eightfold Path to reach nirvana . Buddhism first came to America through Chinese immigration (Prothero 2008: 205-206). C Caliph : A title for the political leader of the Muslim community. Sunni Muslims believe that the most qualified person should be elected as a caliph, whereas Shi'ite Muslims believe that the caliph should come from the bloodline of Ali , Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law (Esposito 2011: 43). Calvinism : Also known as Reformed theology , Calvinism is a Protestant theological tradition based on the works of John Calvin (1509-1564). Calvin believed in the absolute sovereignty of God and the total depravity of humans. Calvinism also includes the doctrine of double predestination : the belief that God fated every human being, before birth, to either heaven or hell (Prothero 2008: 207). Cane Ridge Camp Meeting : Barton Stone organized the Cane Ridge camp meeting (1801), the largest and most famous religious revival of the Second Great Awakening . It took place in Bourbon County, Kentucky, and he invited Presbyterian , Baptist and Methodist preachers. For more information on Cane Ridge Camp Meeting, click here . Canon : A general term for an authoritative set of sacred texts (Smith and Green 1995: 179). Canon Law : Church law or decrees given by an ecclesiastical authority for governing a given church. In Roman Catholicism , there is a history of systematic collections dating back to the 11th century, but the first code of canon law was promulgated in 1917, and was revised several times since its inception. It includes the obligations of the clergy and laity , missionary activities , Catholic education, worship and the sacraments (Reid et al. 1990: 219-220). Cardinal : A papal-appointed position in the Roman Catholic Church responsible for electing new popes . The term originally applied to all clergy with permanent positions. Currently, there are more than 100 cardinals (Reid et al. 1990: 223). Carroll, John (1735-1815) : John Carroll served as the first Catholic bishop in the United States and helped expand the Catholic Church domestically. For more information on John Carroll, click here . Caste System : A complex network of interdependent, yet separated, hereditary, occupationally specialized, and hierarchal social groups in India. It is a distinctive social institution in India, guided by religious principles in Hinduism , and yet transcending Hinduism in the sense that non-Hindus also are subject to the caste system. The structure of the caste system can be traced back thousands of years. Some scholars have recently questioned the emphasis of the caste system as a definitive representation of Indian society and culture. Some scholars even suggest that the caste system is a recent invention due to the fall of Hindu kings in the medieval period, or due to British colonial rule (Smith and Green 1995: 182-185). Catechism : A manual of instruction in the basics of the Christian faith. Various denominations have issued catechisms outlining basic teachings and practices of their faiths. Examples of catechisms include Luther�s German catechism (1529) and the Roman Catechism (1566). Catechisms were an important tool in educating both Catholic and Protestant youths until recently, where many have viewed them as somewhat outdated (Smith and Green 1995: 186). Cathedral : A building traditionally designated as the principal church of a diocese or archdiocese in the Catholic , Anglican and Orthodox traditions (Reid et al. 1990: 232). Catholic Church Abuse Scandal : The Catholic Church abuse scandal involves widespread allegations of child sexual abuse at the hands of Catholic clergy and institutional cover-ups by Catholic officials. Although accusations of clerical sexual misconduct had arisen in decades prior to 2002, investigative reporters for the Boston Globe revealed not only how prevalent it was, but how these incidents were dealt with internally within the Catholic Church. For more information on the abuse scandal, click here . Catholic Worker Movement : A Catholic movement created to serve the poor. It was founded by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin during the Great Depression , and it still exists today. For more information, click here . Catholicism, Roman : The largest of Christianity�s three main branches, which include the Eastern Orthodox Church and Protestantism . Catholicism maintains a hierarchy of bishops and priests , with the pope as the clerical leader. Notable differences from Protestantism also include the veneration of the Virgin Mary and other saints, the importance of church traditions, and the celibacy of the priesthood (Prothero 2008: 208). For more information on the Roman Catholic Church, including membership data, click here . To interactively explore the history of Catholics in America, click here . Celibacy : The renunciation of marriage and sexual relations as part of a religious vocation. Roman Catholic priests are celibate while Orthodox priests are not required to be celibate (Smith and Green 1995: 190-191). Charismatics : Christians who stress spiritual gifts described in the New Testament , such as speaking in tongues and healing. Prior to 1960, this phenomenon was closely associated with the Pentecostal tradition (see Azusa Street Revival ), but since then it has become a more general term that emphasizes the presence of the Holy Spirit , without a specific denominational affiliation (Smith and Green 1995: 194). For more information on charismatics, click here . Christian Apocrypha : Also known as the New Testament Apocrypha, it is a collection of non-canonical Christian writings purporting to contain information regarding Jesus and other first-century Christian leaders. Books in the Christian Apocrypha include the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of Peter. The major branches of Christianity do not view these books as authoritative, as many of them were written much later than the New Testament canon . The Christian Apocrypha is different from the Old Testament Apocrypha , or deuterocanonical books (Smith and Green 1995: 55). Christian Coalition : A conservative political pressure group composed of white evangelicals and Catholics that was established in 1989 by Pat Robertson after he failed to receive the Republican nomination in the presidential election. The Christian Coalition is the spiritual successor to Jerry Falwell's Moral Majority of the 1980s . Today, the group is known for promoting "family values" and a return to the nation�s "Christian heritage" (Prothero 2008: 209). Christian Science Family : Churches following the teachings of founder Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) , who believed that personal healing was the central message of Christianity . She believed that the correct interpretation of Scripture would alleviate disease, suffering, and even death according to her book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (1875). The movement became more of an institution in 1879. Worship services include readings from the Bible as well as Eddy�s �Science and Health.� The largest group in the Christian Science family is the Church of Christ, Scientist (Smith and Green 1995: 264). Christianity : The largest of the world religions , comprising a third of the world�s population. It views sin as a core human problem that can only be absolved through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ , the Son of God. The three main branches of Christianity are Eastern Orthodoxy , Roman Catholicism , and Protestantism (Prothero 2008: 209-210). See the ARDA's American Denomination: Profiles web page for specific denominations of Christianity. Christians : Adherents of the Christian religion. See Christianity for more details. Christmas : A Christian holiday generally celebrated on December 25th that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ . Some Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7th (Prothero 2008: 210). Christology : The theological study of Jesus Christ , mostly concerned with his person and nature (Reid et al. 1990: 263). Church : 1) A building, program or service providing religious goods to a certain constituency and a specific geographical location. 2) Historically and theologically , it represents a Christian community founded on the teachings of Jesus Christ (Reid et al. 1990: 266). Church/Sect Cycle : A cycle whereby new religious bodies begin as sects that have high tension with their surrounding environment and gradually transform into churches that have low tension with their surrounding environment. As members become less satisfied with their low-tension church, growing conflict within the group will erupt into a split, and the faction desiring a return to higher tension will found a new sect. This perpetuates an endless cycle of church-sect formation (Finke and Stark 1992:44-45). For more, click here Circumcision : In Judaism , the cutting of the penis's foreskin as a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's offspring. The practice is also common among Christians and Muslims , along with some indigenous groups (Esposito et al. 2012b: G-4). Civil Religion : A religio-political phenomenon describing the general faith of a nation or state, and its commonly held beliefs about the history and destiny of the nation. The term was coined by Jean-Jacques Rousseau in his book, Social Contract (1762). The concept was further developed by the sociologist Robert Bellah in 1967, referring to the historical belief that America represents "God�s New Israel" (Reid et al. 1990: 281). For more information on civil religion, click here . Clergy : Ordained leaders who carry out religious duties. Roman Catholic , Eastern Orthodox , and Anglican churches tend to emphasize the distinction between the clergy and the laity , although this distinction exists in various other Protestant denominations to a lesser degree (Reid et al. 1990: 293). Communal Family : Churches where members often live together or share living activities, such as common meals, as an expression of their faith. The Hutterian Brethren is an example of a communal church (Smith and Green 1995: 275). Communion : 1) The Christian commemoration of Christ's last supper by partaking of the elements of bread and wine (or grape juice). The various churches and denominations are divided on whether these elements actually become Christ's body and blood or symbolize them (see Transubstantiation ). Communion also is known as the Eucharist in some Christian traditions. 2) The fellowship of all Christians on earth and in heaven. 3) A specific Christian church or family of churches (Hinnells 1984: 94). Confession : A sacrament in the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches in which a penitent confesses his or her sins to a priest and is absolved of them. In Roman Catholicism, confession is only one part of the entire sacrament of penance (Smith and Green 1995: 280). Confirmation : This ceremony marks the reception of young Christians (usually in their early teen years) into full participation in the life of the church . Confirmation is most often celebrated in the Roman Catholic , Episcopal , Lutheran , Methodist and Presbyterian denominations (Smith and Green 1995: 280). Confucianism : A Chinese religion founded by Confucius (551-479 BCE), whose goal was to foster social harmony through a combination of self-cultivation and social rites. Chinese Immigrants brought Confucianism to the United States in the 19th century (Prothero 2008: 211-212). Confucius (551-479 BCE) : A Chinese philosopher who taught concepts of righteousness and of "being fully human." His disciples helped spread his philosophy, which later became known as Confucianism in the Han dynasty. His name actually was Master K'ung, but Catholic missionaries later referred to him as Confucius, a Latinized version of his name (Esposito et al. 2012: 491-492). Congregation : Any local gathering of believers for worship. This can be thought of as a more inclusive term for church , since many religious traditions use different names for their place of worship. Usually this refers to a building or physical structure, but it also could refer to a more fluid group of people without a specific building (e.g. a �congregation� that meets in member�s homes). Congregationalism : A system of church governance in which the members hold most of the power, such as electing the clergy and making other major decisions. 2) Congregationalism can also refer to the church tradition stemming from the English Puritans of the 17th century and now found in the United States in the United Church of Christ and smaller Congregationalist bodies (Smith and Green 1995: 285-286). Conservative Judaism : An offshoot of Reform Judaism in America that officially began in the early 20th century, but traces its early thought pattern to European Jews in the mid-19th century. The founders desired to reaffirm the validity of the Jewish past while still emphasizing the need for Jews to modernize. The movement claims to be an authentic continuation of rabbinical Judaism while still maintaining a sense of relevance in modern times (Smith and Green 1995: 286-287). Conservative Protestantism : A broad social category of Protestantism that advocates a conservative theological position (e.g., the inspiration of the Bible , the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ , etc.). Conservative Protestants are often subdivided into Evangelical Protestants and Fundamentalists , who differ in terms of their engagement with the secular non-Christian world. Conversion : A turning away from one way of life to another. In Christianity , it is a turning away from sin and toward a new life of Christ . Most churches agree on the need for conversion, but its relationship with salvation is debated between religious groups (Reid et al. 1990: 316). Some sociologists of religion define conversion as the shift in religious allegiance from one religious tradition to another, from Judaism to Christianity, for example. These scholars would define the shift from the Baptist to the Catholic tradition as a process of reaffiliation , not conversion (Stark and Finke 2000: 114). For more information on conversion, click here . Coping Theory : The way in which individuals use religion to cope with difficult situations and make sense of events in their lives (Pargament 1997). Originating in psychological studies of religion, research and theory indicate that religious coping is more likely to occur in situations perceived as uncontrollable. For more information, click here . Coughlin, Charles (1891-1979) : Charles Coughlin was a Catholic "radio priest ," who was controversial for his anti-Semitic , pro-Nazi views leading up to World War II. Although he garnered millions of listeners, the U.S. government and church authorities were disturbed by Coughlin, and they eventually pushed him off the air in 1942. For more information on Charles Coughlin, click here . Creationism : The belief that the creation account of Genesis, the first book of the Bible, is historically and scientifically correct. This has led to some confrontation with proponents of Darwinian evolution, most notable in the infamous Scopes Trial of 1925 in Dayton, Tennessee. More recently, former creationists have advocated Intelligent Design instead of creationism to counter evolutionary claims (Prothero 2008: 213-214). For more information, click here . Creed : A confession or adherence to selected essentials of religious faith. Creeds are especially prominent in liturgical traditions. Some groups, like those in the Restoration Movement , state that there is "no creed, but Christ." Baptist groups also resist creedal statements. The most famous creeds are Christianity's Apostles' Creed and Nicene Creed (Reid et al. 1990: 327). Crosby, Frances "Fanny" (1820-1915) : Fanny Crosby was a blind Christian hymn writer who wrote thousands of famous hymns, including "Blessed Assurance," "Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross," and "To God Be the Glory." For more information on Fanny Crosby, click here . Cross : 1) A sign widely used in the history of religion to express the structure of the cosmos. 2) An instrument of execution used by the Romans. 3) A Christian symbol of salvation and God�s compassion on humanity by allowing his Son, Jesus Christ , to die for humanity�s sins (Smith and Green 1995: 297). Crucifix : A cross bearing the figure of Christ . It is often used to represent the suffering of Christ. It became an important image for devotional purposes in the Middle Ages, but was viewed as idolatry by many Protestant Reformers, which is why many Protestant churches prefer the symbol of a cross without Jesus on it (Reid et al. 1990: 330). Crusades : Medieval military campaigns of the eleventh through fifteenth centuries waged by Christians to recapture Jerusalem from Muslims (Prothero 2008: 214). Cult : 1) A new and unconventional religious movement that is often founded on the teachings of a new prophet and/or new sacred text. 2) The ARDA and other scholars tend to use the term "new religious movements" rather than cults because the latter term carries negative political and social connotations and prejudices associated with those belonging to such groups. 3) In popular use, people often refer to sects as cults (Smith and Green 1995: 298). For more information on this concept, click here . D Damnation : Condemnation to punishment in the afterlife for sins committed while alive. This is said to occur on judgment day , and the eternal abode for the damned is hell (Smith and Green 1995: 303). Day, Dorothy (1897-1980) : Dorothy Day was a Catholic activist known for co-founding the Catholic Worker movement , leading anti-war and anti-nuclear proliferation movements, and promoting assistance to the poor. For more information on Dorothy Day, click here . Deacon : A minister ranking below a priest in the Anglican , Catholic and Orthodox churches. In most Protestant churches, deacons are not ordained and are seen as people who assist the clergy (Reid et al. 1990: 344). Deism : A rationalistic religion based on religion and nature instead of revelation. Deists believe in one God and in an afterlife of rewards and punishments, but they reject both miracles and prayers . This position spread under the Enlightenment period and influenced the founding fathers of the United States (Prothero 2008: 216). Deity : Typically, a supernatural being considered holy or sacred . Demon : A superhuman being between humans and gods , which can have benevolent or malevolent intentions based on the religious tradition. In Christianity , they are considered evil. In Hinduism , demons belong to many castes and are sometimes hard to distinguish from gods (Smith and Green 1995: 311). Denomination : A larger religious organization or structure to which a congregation may be a member. Usually, congregations within a denomination are united by some historical and/or theological tradition. Congregations not belonging to a denomination are usually called "independent" or "non-denominational" (Melton 2009: 3). Denominationalism : Denominationalism refers to the subdivision of a particular religion. A common example is Protestant Christianity in the United States, which is subdivided into multiple denominations (e.g., Baptist, Methodist, etc.). For more information, click here . Deuterocanonical Books : See Apocrypha . Devotionalism : The frequency at which an individual performs religious rituals and comparable behaviors, notably prayer and Bible reading, often measured independently of group activities such as church attendance (Roof 1976). For ways to measure devotionalism, click here . Dharma : The proper course of conduct, norms and ultimate realities in the Buddhist religion. Dharma is central to Buddhist practice. The term also exists in Hinduism and Brahmanic thought as a set of ritual actions sanctioned by the priestly class (Smith and Green 1995: 315). Dialectical Imagination : A religious perspective emphasizing the individual and the withdrawal of God from the sinful world. The dialectical imagination contrasts with the analogical imagination , which stresses the community and the expression of God through every aspect of creation. The differing concepts were developed by Andrew Greeley (1989), who believed that Catholics tend to have analogical imagination while Protestants tend to have dialectical imagination. Diaspora : The dispersion of a religious people outside their geographic homeland, where they must live as a minority among others (Esposito et al. 2012: G-4). Diocese : The wider regional structure connecting parishes and other local organizations that is overseen by a bishop (Reid et al. 1990: 357). Disaffiliation : The opposite of conversion , disaffiliation refers to the process of leaving a religious organization or disavowing one�s former religious identity . For more information on this concept, click here . Disciple : A pupil who is attached to a specific teacher or way of life (Smith and Green 1995: 317). In the Christian tradition, John the Baptist and Jesus had disciples. Peter is a famous disciple of Jesus. The term also has been used in the Buddhist tradition. For example, Ananda was a disciple and cousin of the Buddha . Dispensational Premillennialism : The belief held by some Christians that the current dispensation, or historical period, is near the end, and will conclude with the rapture of the believers into heaven . Jesus will come down from heaven to fight the Antichrist and establish a thousand-year reign of peace . British theologian John Nelson Darby (1800-1882) developed this theology and it spread to the United States after the Civil War. This type of theology was made popular by the Scofield Reference Bible and the fictional Left Behind book series. It is one of the most popular forms of prophecy belief in the United States (Prothero 2008: 217). Dispensationalism : A Christian theological view that divides history into several periods, or dispensations. God�s plan for salvation differs according to the dispensation (Smith and Green 1995: 318). Divination : The determination of the hidden significance of things through a variety of techniques. Divination often is performed by specialists and is historically common in Chinese and Japanese religions (Smith and Green 1995: 318-319). Divinity : A term frequently used prior to the 20th century to refer to the study of theology or the "science of divine things." The term also could refer to the quality of being divine as well as to God himself (Reid et al. 1990: 359). Doctrine : An official teaching of a religious group. Religious bodies and officials often establish doctrine through written statements or councils. In a Christian context, the Trinity serves as an important doctrine. In Buddhist , Hindu , and Jainist traditions, ahimsa is an important doctrine (McBrien 1995: 424). Dogma : A religious doctrine that is taught definitively, that is infallibly. Dogma is understood as a principle component of a religious ideology that is non-disputable. In the context of the Catholic Church, the Nicene Creed contains dogmata (McBrien 1995: 424). Dogma : The truths and their systematic presentations which all Christians must accept. The Greek word is "dokeo," which means "appears." Dogma is particularly found in Roman Catholicism , explicitly stated in ecumenical councils or by the pope . In a non-liturgical setting, it has a pejorative connotation (Reid et al. 1990: 361). Dome of the Rock : A domed shrine in Jerusalem that houses the rock upon which the Prophet Muhammad ascended into the Seven Heavens during his night journey . It was constructed by the Caliph Abd al-Malik and was finished in 691 CE (Smith and Green 1995: 320). Dominionism : The belief that Christians should hold positions of power in society and government based on biblical law. Dominionism has close ties to Christian nationalism , which suggests that it is important to reunite church and state in the United States because the Founding Fathers believed in a Christian nation. E Easter : A Christian holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his crucifixion. It is known as "Pascha" by Orthodox Christians (Prothero 2008: 218). Eastern Liturgical (Orthodox) Family : One of the three great divisions of Christianity ; the others are the Protestant churches and the Roman Catholic Church . The Catholic and Orthodox churches were originally united, but they parted in the eleventh century, when they differed over several points of doctrine, including the supreme authority of the pope, which Orthodox Christians reject (Melton 2009: 169-172). Since the 20th century, the Catholic and Orthodox churches have made greater efforts toward reconciliation. Ecclesiastic : A broad term for anyone who specializes in religion . The person helps to explain, supervise, and/or conduct exchanges with a god or gods (Stark and Finke 2000: 279). Ecumenism : A movement supporting closer relations and unity between Christians . Often this means denominational dialogues and even mergers (Reid et al. 1990: 377). For more information on ecumenism, click here . Eddy, Mary Baker (1821-1910) : Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) founded the Christian Science movement , a religious body that believes illness is an illusion. She helped establish a church of 100,000 members and founded the Christian Science Monitor, which still exists today. For more on Mary Baker Eddy, click here . Edwards, Jonathan (1703-1758) : Jonathan Edwards is the most influential theologian in American religious history and helped start the First Great Awakening . He was a Congregational preacher with a calm preaching style, though he is ironically known for his passionate 1741 sermon entitled "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" . For more information on Jonathan Edwards, click here . Egyptian Book of the Dead : A collection of more than 200 prayers , spells, and illustrations to ensure a peaceful afterlife for the dead. It dates back to the second millennium BCE in Egypt (Smith and Green 1995: 331). Eightfold Path : As a culmination of the Four Noble Truths in Buddhism , it charts the course from suffering to nirvana . It is further divided into three parts: wisdom (right view and right intention), morality (right speech, right conduct, and right livelihood), and concentration (right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration). It also is known as the "middle way" (Prothero 2008: 189-190). Elder : In various churches , especially the Presbyterian-Reformed tradition, the elders are laypeople who share authority and leadership with the clergy (Smith and Green 1995: 335-336). Emerson, Ralph Waldo (1803-1882) : Ralph Waldo Emerson was an influential writer/ minister who promoted Transcendentalist thought, which emphasized experiencing God through lived experience and intuition. For more information on Ralph Waldo Emerson, click here . Encyclical : A statement or document on an important issue written by the pope or bishops to fellow Catholics . These statements often pertain to controversial social issues, like poverty ( Rerum Novarum , 1891), human rights (Pacem in Terris, 1963), contraception ( Humanae Vitae , 1968), as well as abortion, birth control, euthanasia, and capital punishment (Evangelium Vitae, 1995) (Prothero 2008: 219). End-Times : The belief that the world is coming to an end and God�s kingdom will be established. See Apocalypse . Enlightenment : The experience of knowing the cause of suffering in the Buddhist tradition. Siddhartha Gautama , the Buddha, is said to have experienced enlightenment under the Bodhi tree (ca 530 BCE) (Smith and Green 1995: 338). Eschatology : A broad theology concerning the End-Times , and processes of salvation . The term was first used in the nineteenth century with the advent of critical biblical studies. Topics in eschatology include Armageddon , millennialism, the Second Coming , and the Messiah (Smith and Green 1995: 342). Eucharist : The Christian ritual that focuses on the life, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ . The term has existed since the second century CE and comes from a thanksgiving prayer that acts as an important element of the rite. It also is known as the Divine Liturgy, Holy Communion , Lord�s Supper, or Mass (Smith and Green 1995: 345). European Free Church Family : Churches that left established and state churches in Europe over the belief that congregational activity and membership should be voluntary and free of state control. Examples of these churches include the Society of Friends ( Quakers ) and the Evangelical Covenant Church, which is the result of a schism from the Church of Sweden in the 19th century (Melton 2009: 433). Evangelical Protestantism : A movement in Protestantism emphasizing one�s personal relationship with Christ , the inspiration of the Bible , and the importance of sharing one�s faith with non-believers. Evangelical Protestantism is usually seen as more theologically and socially conservative than Mainline Protestantism , although there is obviously variation between denominations , congregations , and individuals within the "evangelical" category (Reid et al. 1990: 413). Evangelism : The Christian practice of sharing the gospel of Christ with non-believers. This term comes from the New Testament Greek word "euangelizomai," which means "to proclaim the good news" (Reid et al. 1990: 416). Evangelist : One who engages in evangelism. See evangelism . Excommunication : The banishment of an individual from a religious community. This practice exists in some Jewish and Christian communities (Smith and Green 1995: 351). Extrinsic Religion : Using religious participation and affiliation to achieve practical rewards, such as social status. This is in contrast to intrinsic religion , which pertains to internal motivations for religious activity. The concepts of extrinsic religion and intrinsic religion was developed by Gordon Allport (1960). Differences between intrinsic and extrinsic religion can be understood as differences in religious orientation (Allport 1960). Family, Religious : See religious family . Fanatic : A derogatory term for someone overly zealous in their religious faith (Smith and Green 1995: 356). Fasting : The religious practice of abstaining from food for a certain period of time. There are various forms of fasting in the three Abrahamic religions: Judaism , Christianity and Islam . The Jewish passover includes a fast, Lent usually includes a chosen fast for Christians, and Ramadan in Islam includes a month-long daytime fast (Smith and Green 1995: 357). Fatalism : The belief that all events are predetermined, and human effort is therefore irrelevant (Smith and Green 1995: 357). Fatwa : The legal opinion of a private religious scholar concerning Islamic law . This opinion often guides certain legal rulings (Esposito 2011: 243). Feminist Theology : A system of religious thought that interprets practices and scriptures through a feminist perspective. It tends to challenge male-dominance in religious language, authority, and scripture. This perspective spans across Christian , Jewish , Muslim , and other religions (Lippy and Williams 2000). Finney, Charles (1792-1875) : Charles Finney was a prominent evangelist and revivalist during the Second Great Awakening . Licensed by the Presbyterian Church , Finney began conducting revivals in small New York towns and then spread to large urban centers, including Philadelphia, Boston, and Rochester. Like many revivalists, he was criticized for using emotionalism and abandoning traditional religious teachings. For more information on Charles Finney, click here . Fiqh : Human interpretation and application of divine law in Islam (Esposito et al. 2012b: G-8). First Great Awakening (1730s-1770s) : The First Great Awakening (1730s-1770s) was a series of religious revivals in the 18th century that propelled the expansion of evangelical denominations in the colonies. Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield played pivotal roles in the development of the First Great Awakening. For more information on the First Great Awakening, click here . Five Pillars of Islam : The five essential practices of Islam . These include shahada (profession of faith), salat (worship), zakat (alms-giving), saum (fasting) and Hajj (pilgrimage). The observance of these pillars differs between Sunni and Shi�ite traditions (Hinnells 1984: 136). Four Noble Truths : The Core Teachings of Buddha in his first sermon in what is now known as northern India. These four truths include: the Existence of Suffering (which characterizes human life), the Origin of Suffering (which is ignorance), the Cessation of Suffering (through nirvana ), and the Path to the Cessation of Suffering (through the Eightfold Path ) (Prothero 2008: 187-188). Friar : A member of the mendicant orders of Roman Catholicism (Reid et al. 1990: 454). Fuller, Charles (1887-1968) : Charles Fuller was a prominent evangelist on the popular evangelical radio show "The Old Fashioned Revival Hour." By the mid-1940s, Fuller's sermons were being broadcast on 575 stations, making the "The Old Fashioned Revival Hour" one of the most widely heard shows. Fuller also founded Fuller Theological Seminary, which helped graduate influential religious figures, including Bill Bright, Rob Bell, John Piper , and Rick Warren . For more information on Charles Fuller, click here . Fundamentalism : 1) A movement of Protestants embracing similar beliefs as evangelicals , although usually in a more conservative direction, stressing separation from the world and from more liberal Christian bodies. The term derives from a series of booklets entitled The Fundamentals, which were published in the early 20th century on what were viewed to be the basic doctrines of Christianity . 2) The term also is used to describe similarly conservative movements in other religions, particularly Islam (Smith and Green 1995: 369-370). For more information on fundamentalism, click here . G Gabriel : An archangel in Jewish , Christian and Islamic traditions. In Christianity, he is known for announcing to Mary that she will bear the Jesus , the savior of humanity. In Islam, he is known as "Jibril," and is known for visiting the Prophet Muhammad in a human form. It was Jibril who revealed God�s messages through Muhammad, and who also guided Muhammad during his night journey through the heavens (Smith and Green 1995: 373). Gentile : Anyone not Jewish (Esposito et al. 2012b: G-4). Ghost : The appearance of a dead person, usually thought of as a disembodied spirit . In Korea, ghosts operate as malevolent spirits who died prematurely and are therefore unfulfilled, like unmarried women, young children or drowning victims (Smith and Green 1995: 385). Gibbons, James (1834-1921) : James Gibbons was an important American cardinal archbishop who guided the Catholic Church through the influx of Irish immigrants in the 19th century. Moreover, he mediated relations between American Catholics and the Vatican . Pope Leo XIII was suspicious of American cultural influence on American clerics, but Gibbons defended his American officials. For more information on James Gibbons, click here . Gnosticism : A term used for a category of religions that emphasize knowledge as a means to salvation . Its origins and age are debated. Since there have been Gnostic interpretations of Christian , Jewish , Greek and Iranian philosophies, it is not necessarily a religion as much as it is an interpretative perspective of specific religious phenomena (Smith and Green 1995: 387). God/Goddess : Common term for supreme deities. Judaism , Christianity , and Islam often mention God as the supreme and sole deity. Goddesses are more common in Eastern religions, especially Hinduism (Smith and Green 1995: 389). Golden Rule : A popular moral maxim espoused by Jesus in the New Testament Gospel According to Matthew. It states, "Do to others what you would have them do to you" (Matthew 7:12, NIV). Variations of this precept are attributed to Confucius, Muhammad and the rabbi Hillel (Prothero 2008: 227-228). Good Friday : The Friday before Easter and an important Holy Week observance for Christians . It functions as a somber time of reflection and meditation with regards to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ (Reid et al. 1990: 485). Gospel of Wealth : A religious doctrine that maintains that wealth is the natural product of moral character, diligence and faith (Reid et al. 1990: 1238). Gospels : The narratives of the life of Jesus found in the beginning of the New Testament of the Bible in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. In Greek, "gospel" refers to "good news." The gospels contain some differences between them. Many believe that Mark is the first gospel, and that Matthew and Luke borrowed some of their material from Mark. For this reason, they are known as synoptic gospels, while the Book of John is believed to be written later, and contains information not found in the synoptic gospels (Prothero 2008: 187). Government Favoritism : When a government provides subsidies, privileges, support, or favorable sanctions for a select religion or a small group of religions . For more information, see the National Profiles section on the ARDA website. Government Regulation of Religion : The restrictions placed on the practice, profession, or selection of religion by the official laws, policies, or administrative actions of the state. For more information, see the National Profiles section on the ARDA website. Grace : The term refers to an expression of unmerited divine love and assistance given to humans from God (Esposito et al. 2012b: G-6). In Christianity , God's grace is expressed through the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ , on the cross for the redemption of human sin . Graham, William "Billy" (1918-present) : Billy Graham was the preeminent Christian evangelist of the second half of the 20th century, preaching to millions in the United States and abroad. His "crusades" throughout his career were attended by very large audiences. For example, the 1949 Los Angeles Crusade was attended by more than 350,000 people. He was friends with Martin Luther King, Jr. , as well as many U.S. presidents. For more information on Billy Graham, click here . Greek Septuagint : The name for the original Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. It was the first translation of the Hebrew Bible into another language and includes the books in the rabbinic Bible along with apocryphal/deuterocanonical books. Scholars trace some of the early translations to as far back as the third century B.C. The Greek Septuagint was later eclipsed by the Latin Vulgate (McBrien 1995: 1183-1184). Guru : A spiritual and cultural leader. Sometimes disciples perceive their guru to be semi-divine (Esposito et al. 2012b: G-10). H Hadith : A narrative report of what the Prophet Muhammad said and did based on the accounts of his followers, which supplements the Koran (Smith and Green 1995: 403). Hajj (Pilgrimage) : One of the Five Pillars of Islam is the Hajj (pilgrimage), where Muslims visit the sacred monuments in and near Mecca . It is required for Muslims to make the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime, if they are physically able and can afford it (Hinnells 1991: 145). Hanukkah (Chanukah, Chanukkah, or Chanuka) : An eight-day Jewish festival of lights commemorating the victory of the Hasmonean priests over the non-Jewish Seleucid rulers of Palestine in the second century BCE. On each night a candle is lit on a special Hanukkah menorah , and presents are exchanged (Hinnells 1991: 34). Hasidism : A form of Judaism that is orthodox in that it emphasizes the fulfillment of all Jewish precepts and ritual, and yet it also incorporates mystical aspects. It originated in the Ukraine during the 18th century through the efforts of rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov. He taught that all men were equal under God, and that piety, devotion, purity and prayer were more important than study, learning or ascetic practices. A strong emphasis on tradition, social service, celebration, communal life and experimenting with radical ideas is characteristic of Hasidic practice. In the last generation, the Hasidim became the fastest growing segment of American Judaism, due to proselytization and high birth rates (Melton 2009: 898). Heaven (Christianity) : The dwelling place of God, angels and redeemed individuals in the afterlife . It functions as the ultimate reward for the redeemed, as opposed to hell , which is the punishment for the damned (Smith and Green 1995: 411). To find information on survey questions related to heaven, click here . Hell (Christianity) : A place for the damned in the afterlife after Judgment Day . Hell originally referred to the dark regions of the underworld, but now it refers to the eternal separation between individuals and God. Whether hell is everlasting or a temporary state of existence is often debated (Smith and Green 1995: 412). Heresy : Either a rejection of doctrines taught by a communal authority or a choice to advocate an alternative doctrine/interpretation opposed to the authoritative conventional teaching. This concept is tied to the early Christian tradition, as the Church attempted to dispel certain Hellenistic philosophies. It also is evident in Judaism and Islam , although in these religions it is often more related to religious behavior, instead of religious beliefs (Smith and Green 1995: 414). Heschel, Abraham (1907-1972) : Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907-1972) was an important Jewish theologian and social activist in the 20th century. He boldly supported the civil rights movement and walked with Martin Luther King, Jr. at Selma, which led to jail time. He opposed the Vietnam War and helped improve Jewish-Catholic relations by providing advice during Vatican Council II . For more information on Abraham Heschel, click here . Hijab : An Arabic term referring to any partition separating two things, but most commonly it refers to a veil or head covering worn by Muslim women (Prothero 2008: 232). Hijra : The Prophet Muhammad�s flight from Mecca to Medina in 622 after his enemies attempted to assassinate him. This year serves as the first year in the Islamic lunar calendar (Prothero 2008: 257). Hijra : Muhammad's flight from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. He fled after his enemies made a failed assassination attempt on him. His flight to Medina led to the establishment of the first Muslim community . The year of the flight (622 CE) now serves as the first year in the Muslim lunar calendar (Prothero 2008: 257). Hinduism : The name given for the majority religion of India. There is no central authority in Hinduism, although most Hindu groups and traditions believe in reincarnation and venerate gods and goddesses who are viewed as manifestations of God. Sanskrit texts known as Vedas are sacred scriptures in Hinduism, and they were composed between 1200 and 900 BCE. Around 660 million people identify as Hindu in the world, and 97 percent of Hindus live in India (Smith and Green 1995: 424). Holiness Family : Churches that emerged out of the Methodist churches in the United States as they sought to restore John Wesley�s teachings of personal holiness and total sanctification (perfection). The movement originated in the mid-nineteenth century. Holiness bodies include the Church of the Nazarene and the various Church of God denominations (Smith and Green 1995: 457-458). Holy : See sacred . Holy Spirit : A term widely employed in the New Testament , and used at points in the Old Testament , although in a different context. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit came upon prophets in order for them to transmit God's message to others. In Christianity , it describes the third person in the Trinity . The archaic term for the Holy Spirit is "holy ghost." Charismatics often refer to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, including speaking in tongues and prophecy (Smith and Green 1995: 464). Holy Thursday : A day in the Christian Holy Week commemorating the Eucharist at the Last Supper of Jesus . The rite of washing feet also is sometimes practiced, just as Jesus washed his disciples' feet at the Last Supper. Holy Thursday also is known as Maundy Thursday (Smith and Green 1995: 465). Holy Week : A Christian celebration of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus . Palm Sunday begins the week, followed by Holy Thursday , Good Friday , an Easter Vigil on Saturday night and Easter Sunday. This practice probably began in fourth-century Jerusalem (Smith and Green 1995: 465). Homily : Similar to a sermon , though usually briefer and most often given in Catholic churches. In the Catholic Church, it is often a short interpretation of a Gospel passage during the Eucharistic liturgy (Smith and Green 1995: 465). Homo religiosus : A term referring to the universal practice of religion by all humans. From the earliest period of human history, religion has been the center of human culture and social life. The term was coined by the comparative religions scholar Mircea Eliade (Esposito et al. 2012b: 41). House Churches : Gatherings of believers held in the home of a Christian individual or family. They existed from the time early Christianity began, and continue to exist with the advent of new independent Christian groups. Some view it as providing intimacy and community that is more difficult to find in larger churches (Reid et al. 1990: 557). Hubbard, L. Ron (1911-1986) : L. Ron Hubbard (1911-1986) founded Scientology , a controversial new religious movement . Once a science fiction writer, he became interested in the human condition and detailed techniques to rid humans of destructive behaviors in his famous book entitled Dianetics (1950). In 1954, he opened the first Church of Scientology in Los Angeles. He was accused of being a cult leader and a fraud. For more information, click here . Hughes, John (1797-1864) : John Hughes was an important New York archbishop who oversaw growth in the American Catholic Church due to Irish immigration and advocated Catholic parochial education. For more information on John Hughes, click here . Hymn : A worship song. Influential hymn writers include Fanny Crosby and Charles Wesley . Hymnal : A collection of hymns , typically organized in a book for worship. Icon : A religious sacred image. Icons are an integral part of worship in Eastern Orthodox Churches . They also are important to Catholic Churches and Anglican Churches (Hinnells 1984: 159). Idol : A pejorative term for any three-dimensional, or sculpted figure, or more broadly, a figure representing a god or goddess used for worship. Many world religions use such figures in their religious rituals , but Western religions, including Judaism , Christianity and Islam , forbid the worship of idols (Smith and Green 1995: 479). Idolatry : A pejorative term for the alleged worship of idols . In Judaism , Christianity and Islam , it often loosely refers to the worship of other beings or things besides God (Smith and Green 1995: 479). Ijma : A term referring to the agreement of Muslim scholars on the interpretation of legal questions. Their consensus is seen as authoritative (Esposito et al. 2012b: G-8). Images of God : Images of God are a collection of survey items that tap into personal theologies pertaining to God�s nature. Typically, these measures ask respondents their beliefs pertaining to: God�s level of engagement or distance from the world, wrath or anger, and love (see Froese and Bader 2010). For more information on this topic, click here . Imam : For Sunni Muslims , the imam is the prayer leader of a mosque . For Shi'ite Muslims , the imam is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad that leads the congregation in all areas of belief in practice. Many Shi'ite Muslims believe that there will be a "hidden imam" that will come in the end-times to bring peace and justice to the world (Prothero 2008: 234-235). Immaculate Conception : A teaching of the Roman Catholic Church that the Blessed Virgin Mary , by a singular grace and privilege of God, through the merits of her son Jesus Christ , was preserved from the stain or effects of original sin from the first moment of her conception by her parents. This teaching is not the same as the virgin birth of Jesus (Reid et al. 1990: 567). Incarnation : In Christian theology , it is the eternal Word of God embodied in the flesh of Jesus during his time on earth (Esposito et al. 2012b: G-6). Independent Fundamentalist Family : Churches that left mainline and evangelical denominations in 1930. Out of the initial 39 men who formed the movement, twelve were Congregationalists , three Presbyterians , nineteen Independents, one Baptist , and four with no denominational affiliation. The movement was a response to modernity, as they believed that other churches were too liberal in theology . The Independent Fundamental Churches in America is the largest of these separatist bodies (Reid et al. 1990: 573). Intelligent Design : A theory that posits that both the universe and individual organisms are too complex to be a result of either chance or random selection, thus pointing to an "intelligent designer." Critics accuse Intelligent Design proponents of espousing "pseudoscience," and attempting to give creationist sentiments a more scientific facade (Prothero 2008: 214). Interfaith (Dialogue) : A movement attempting to foster closer relations between different religions (Smith and Green 1995: 317). Interfaith Marriage : When spouses in a marriage identify with different religions (e.g., Christianity and Judaism ). Typically, this excludes interdenominational marriages (e.g., Baptist & Methodist ), but some researchers consider it interfaith marriage if the spouses come from different Christian traditions (e.g., Evangelical Protestant & Mainline Protestant ; see Murphy 2015). For more on how researchers measure interfaith marriage, click here . Intrinsic Religion : Religion that serves as its own goal, motivated by internal desires. The concepts of extrinsic religion and intrinsic religion was developed by Gordon Allport (1960). Differences between intrinsic and extrinsic religion can be understood as differences in religious orientation (Allport 1960). Irreligion : Irreligion refers to individuals who are "not religious." This can refer to a number of different dimensions including religious affiliation , belief, practice, and identification . For more information, click here . Islam : The religion founded by the Prophet Muhammad (570-632), who is believed by followers to be the final prophet . The word "Islam" means "submission." Muslims follow the sacred text of the Koran and stress the oneness of God. Muslims practice the Five Pillars : praying , fasting during Ramadan , almsgiving , pilgrimage and a testimony of faith . There are two divisions of Islam: Sunni and Shi�ite . The Muslim community split due to different opinions on leadership succession (Prothero 2008: 236). Islamic Center : A building that operates as a community center, similar to Christian or Jewish community centers. It usually has educational programs, sports activities, computer classes, religious classes and a prayer room. Islamic centers are either stand alone or incorporate a mosque (Esposito 2011: 40). Islamism : Ultraconservative Islamic movements that use their religion to advance a political agenda. The term is pejorative, and often aimed at groups like al-Qaeda . It also is known as "political Islam" (Prothero 2008: 237). Israel : 1) A term for the Jews as a religious people. 2) The land and state of Israel founded in 1948 and located in the Middle East (Esposito et al. 2012b: G-4). Jain : An adherent of Jainism . Jainism : An ancient Indian religion that teaches no supreme deity, although some Hindu gods are recognized. The religion stresses non-violence and takes its authority from spiritual teachers known as Jinas. There are two major sects , the Digambaras and Shvetambara, and both have different canons of scripture (Parrinder 1973: 141). Jehovah�s Witnesses : A worldwide Christian society noted for their use of "Jehovah" as the name of God and their assertive proselytizing efforts through door-knocking. Charles Taze Russell founded the movement in the 1880s with hopes of restoring the Church to the beliefs of first-century Christianity. Some of their prominent beliefs include: hell is not a place of eternal torment, the entire Bible is the inspired Word of God, a rejection of the Trinity , living in the "last days" of the world ( millenarianism ), and converting every person into a Witness (Melton 2009: 592). Jerusalem : The capital city of Israel , and a holy site for Judaism , Christianity and Islam . In the Jewish tradition, Jerusalem was a holy city where King Solomon built the first temple to God around 950 BCE. In Christianity, Jesus performed miracles there and spent his last weeks there. In Islam, Jerusalem was the site where Muhammad traveled on his Night Journey (Smith and Green 1995: 567-568). Jesus Christ : The founder of the Christian religion. "Christ" is a Hebrew term for "messiah," meaning Christians believe that he is the savior of humanity. Jesus was born in Palestine under Roman occupation around 6 BCE. Many Christians believe that he is the Son of God, who died for human sin , and was raised in order for all humans to have salvation . He, along with God the Father and the Holy Spirit make up what is known as the Trinity . Muslims believe that Jesus was an important prophet , but he was not the Son of God, nor do they believe in the Trinity. The nature of Jesus� form, in terms of his physical form and divine form, has been debated over the centuries in what is known as Christology (Smith and Green 1995: 568-572). Jews : A term originally referring to inhabitants of Judea, but now refers to adherents of Judaism , or individuals who strongly identify with Jewish culture (Smith and Green 1995: 572). Jews for Jesus : A term referring to a contemporary movement of young Jews to Christianity and a missionary agency. The movement began in the late 1960s during the "Jesus Movement." The movement and missionary group attempt to convert Jews by emphasizing that accepting Christianity did not entail an automatic rejection of Jewish heritage (Reid et al. 1990: 595). Jihad : A term derived from Arabic that means "to struggle." For Muslims , there are two types of Jihads: the greater struggle is the internal spiritual battle between the believer and his/her nature, and the lesser struggle is the physical battle against the enemies of Islam . Muslim extremists and critics of Islam emphasize jihad as a "holy war," while most Muslims do not (Prothero 2008: 240). Jimmy Carter�s 1976 Election : In 1976, Jimmy Carter became the first self-proclaimed "born again" Christian elected to be president of the United States. For more information on this historical event, click here . Jinn : An invisible order of beings who are either good or evil in Islam . They hold extraordinary powers and are held accountable for their actions before God (Smith and Green 1995: 573). Joan of Arc : A 15th century French saint, martyr and national hero (Prothero 2008: 241). John F. Kennedy�s 1960 Election : John F. Kennedy became the first Catholic President of the United States when he defeated Richard Nixon in the 1960 election. Unlike Al Smith , an earlier Catholic candidate, Kennedy was able to overcome suspicions that his faith would impede his ability to successfully govern. He was assassinated during his first term, in 1963. For more on John F. Kennedy and his presidential election, click here . John the Baptist : A first-century figure who appears in Josephus' Antiquities and in the New Testament gospels as a prophetic forerunner to Jesus Christ . Many believe that he was associated with the baptist movements in Judaism at the time and preached baptism for the purification of sins (Smith and Green 1995: 574). Joint Catholic-Orthodox Declaration of 1965 : The Joint Catholic-Orthodox Declaration of 1965 revoked the mutual excommunications of 1054 that led to the Great Schism, which separated Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. During the Second Vatican Council in 1964, Catholic leaders and Orthodox representatives began discussing greater efforts of ecumenism between Catholic and Orthodox churches, which came to fruition in 1965. This event reflected a growing desire for reconciliation between both churches and led to firmer ecumenical relations after centuries of mutual excommunication. For more information on this historical event, click here . Jones, Jim : The founder of the controversial religious movement known as the People's Temple. See People's Temple for more information. Jonestown : See People's Temple . Judaism : A monotheistic religion based on the Torah , Talmud and other texts in the Hebrew Bible . There are several Jewish traditions, including Orthodox , Conservative , Reform Judaism , and Reconstructionist . Today, there are 15 million Jews worldwide, making it the third largest religion, and there are 5.2 million Jews in the United States (Prothero 2008: 241-242). Judgment Day : A Christian term for the imminent last period of the world when Jesus will render a verdict of salvation or damnation for human beings (Smith and Green 1995: 611). Judson, Adoniram (1788-1850) : Adoniram Judson was one of the first American missionaries to travel to Burma, inspiring other Protestants to engage in overseas missionary work. For more information on Adoniram Judson, click here . K Kaaba : The most sacred space in the Muslim world. It literally means "cube" because it is a cube-shaped structure that contains a sacred black stone, which Muslims believe is a meteorite upon which Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son, Ishmail, to display his submission to Allah (in Christianity, it was his son Isaac who Abraham nearly sacrificed; and this has become a key distinction between the two religions). It is located in the Grand Mosque at Mecca , and many Muslims visit it every year as part of their pilgrimage . Muslims pray in the direction of the Kaaba everyday (Esposito 2011: 23-24). Kaballah : The Jewish mystical teachings which offer esoteric interpretations of Jewish law. It comes from the Zohar, a thirteenth century (CE) multivolume text, and covers topics ranging from angels to the afterlife (Prothero 2008: 244). Kama Sutra : A popular Hindu scripture , originally intended as a sex manual for courtesans. It was written around 400 CE by Hindu thinker Vatsyayana. It provides different types of kisses and different sexual positions for intercourse (Prothero 2008: 244). Karma : A term in Sanskrit referring both to an action and its consequences. It drives the never-ending cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth in the eastern religions of Buddhism , Hinduism , Jainism , and Sikhism (Prothero 2008: 244). Khatam : The seal or last of the prophets . In Islam , the Prophet Muhammad is the khatam (Esposito et al. 2012b: G-8). Khutba : A sermon delivered at the Friday prayer session in a mosque (Esposito et al. 2012b: G-8). King, Martin Luther (1929-1968) : Martin Luther King, Jr. was an important African-American Baptist minister and civil rights leader who combined Gandhi�s nonviolent philosophy and Christian love to fight racism. He is the most recognizable figures in in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. For more information on Martin Luther King, Jr., click here . Kingdom Hall : A meeting place for Jehovah�s Witnesses , which are usually built by Witnesses themselves (Melton 2009: 593). Koan : A Buddhist riddle designed to foster spiritual growth, posed by a monastic leader to junior monks . An example includes: "What is the sound of one hand clapping?" (Esposito et al. 2012a: G-7). Koran : The sacred text of Muslims , and the ultimate authority in Islam regarding law, religion , and ethics. It literally means "recitation." It is also spelled "Quran" or "Qur'an." The Koran is a compilation of the Prophet Muhammad's revelations from the angel Gabriel between 610 CE and 632 CE. Muhammad's recited these revelations, which his followers memorized and later complied into a canon . It consists of 114 surahs , or chapters, which are organized from largest to shortest. As a result, the Koran is not arranged chronologically, which can be confusing for those unfamiliar with the context of each surah (Prothero 2008: 269-270). The Koran is four-fifths the size of the New Testament Koresh, David (1958-1993) : Leader of the breakaway Christian Adventist group known as the Branch Davidians and self-proclaimed final prophet . His birthname is Vernon Howell, but he took on the messianic name David Koresh in 1990. He died in 1993 after government officials raided the Branch Davidian compound outside of Waco, Texas (Smith and Green 1995: 127-128). See Branch Davidians for more details. Kosher : Jewish dietary laws that include permissible and restricted foods from one�s diet. These guidelines were set forth in the Torah , and later elaborated in postbiblical Jewish law. Animals with cloven hooves and who chew their cud are forbidden to eat, like pigs. Some explain that kosher laws exist for hygienic reasons, as well as symbolic reasons, like discouraging the assimilation of non-Jewish neighboring communities (Smith and Green 1995: 645-646). L Laity : Non-ordained members of Christian churches. The term�s root meaning comes from the Greek "laos," which means "the people." The distinction between laity and clergy is often articulated in a Catholic context in order to clarify roles in church hierarchy. Some Protestant denominations claim that there should be no distinction between laity and clergy, at least in a theological sense (Reid et al. 1990: 627). Last Rites : The Catholic sacrament preparing members for death, which usually involves applying oil to the dying person and hearing his or her last confession (Reid et al. 1990: 1036). Last Supper : The New Testament narrative of Jesus' last meal with his disciples prior to his arrest, trial and crucifixion. This event is commemorated through the Christian rite of Communion , also known as the Eucharist (Smith and Green 1995: 652). Latter-day Saints Family (Mormonism) : A 19th century religious movement in America founded by Joseph Smith . The purpose of the movement is to restore New Testament Christianity . The Latter-day Saints� main authority is the Book of Mormon , along with a distinct translation of the Bible . Mormons moved westward from New York after religious persecution. Some of their distinct doctrinal views include: baptism for the dead, eternal marriage and the corporeality of God. They also refrain from tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) , and the Community of Christ (formerly the Reorganized Church of Latter-day Saints) are the largest denominations in this family (Prothero 2008: 254-255). Lent : A 40 day period of fasting that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter . The purpose of fasting is to encourage spiritual discipline and devotional reflection. These 40 days usually don't include Sundays. Roman Catholic , Orthodox , Anglican , and some Protestant churches celebrate this practice. For Orthodox Christians, Lent begins on Clean Monday (Reid et al. 1990: 643). Li : In Confucianism , it refers to individual performances needed for personal development. These include services to others and various rituals (Esposito et al. 2012b: G-16). Liberal Religious Family : Consists of churches and associations stressing the primacy of reason and experience over the authority of doctrine and sacred texts. It emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in hopes of making Christianity more relevant to modern times (Reid et al. 1990: 646). The Unitarian-Universalist Association and the American Ethical Union are two examples of such groups. Liberation Theology : A system of Christian thought that reflects on structures of oppression and emphasizes divine judgment on the oppressors. It began in Latin America in the 1960s as a response to explain extreme poverty, and God�s response to these conditions. In North America, it has been used to explain racial and gender inequalities. Some have criticized liberation theology for using Marxist concepts (Smith and Green 1995: 658). Liturgy : A set order of public worship , often comprised of chants, prayers and readings. Catholic , Eastern Orthodox and Anglican churches have more ornate liturgies than other churches that stress preaching and the singing of hymns (Reid et al. 1990: 662). Lord�s Prayer : The most popular prayer in Christianity , and widely recited by Christians today. It comes from a passage in the Gospel According to Matthew, where Jesus� disciples ask him how to pray. It begins (in the King James Bible): "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name�" (Prothero 2008: 246-247). Luther, Martin (1483-1546) : A German monk and theologian who became a leader in the sixteenth century during the Protestant Reformation. He was excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church after publishing his 95 Theses, which challenged the Church�s doctrines and practices. Luther placed importance on justification by grace through faith, and the Bible as the sole authority for Christians, not scripture and tradition as Catholics assert. His ideas helped pioneer Protestant thought. He is the founder of Lutheranism (Prothero 2008: 247). Lutheran Family : Christian churches following the teachings of sixteenth century reformer Martin Luther , particularly his teaching on justification by faith and scripture alone ( sola scriptura ). It is one of the most liturgical Protestant movements, along with Episcopalianism. Lutheranism is more prominent in the Midwestern United States, particularly among those with German ancestry. There has never been a Lutheran president of the United States (Prothero 2008: 247-248). M Madrasa : The term is most often used to describe Islamic schools, including Islamic universities, seminaries, primary and secondary schools. The term literally means "a place where learning or studying occurs." While some madrasas teach a radical view of Islam, most historically do not. Critics of Barack Obama have equated madrasas with terrorist training schools in order to malign the president�s early schooling (Esposito 2011: 40-41). Magic : A term referring to all efforts to manipulate supernatural forces to gain rewards, or avoid costs, without a reference to a god or gods or to general explanations of existence (Stark and Finke 2000: 279). Mahayana Buddhism : A school of Buddhism that is much more open to the role of nonmonks in the faith. The goal for this school of thought is the ultimate salvation of all living beings. This universalist tendency helped to carry the faith across Southeast Asia to Japan. The school dates itself to Ananda and other early disciples of Buddha (Melton 2009: 1043). Mainline Protestantism : A branch of Protestantism encompassing what are considered theologically liberal and moderate denominations , such as the Presbyterian Church (USA) , the United Methodist Church , The Reformed Church in America , the Episcopal Church , the United Church of Christ , and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America . This term emerged in the youth counterculture of the 1960s, and was used pervasively in the 1970s by journalists and scholars. While Mainline Protestantism is usually seen as more theologically and socially liberal than Evangelical Protestantism, there is obviously variation between denominations, congregations, and individuals within the "Mainline" category (Reid et al. 1990: 700). Martyr : In Judaism , Christianity and Islam , a martyr is someone who dies, typically premature and violently, for a sacred cause. During the late 20th and early 21st centuries, martyrdom became a terrorist strategy for suicide bombers in Israel, Iraq, the United States, and other countries (Prothero 2008: 248). Mary (Mother of Jesus) : Also known as the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Catholic tradition, she was the mother of Jesus Christ . Her miraculous virgin birth is recorded in the gospels . She is frequently depicted in Eastern icons and Western art. In the Catholic tradition, she is seen as a powerful mediator between the individual and God. The Protestant Reformers criticized what they believed was an excessive veneration of Mary (Smith and Green 1995: 687). Mary Magdalene : A prominent follower of Jesus Christ as recorded in the gospels . She is specifically mentioned as a witness to his death as well as one of the first witnesses of his resurrection . A gnostic gospel presents her as one of the most important disciples of Jesus. A later tradition depicted her as a prostitute, which is not evident in the gospels (Smith and Green 1995: 687). Masjid : Another term for a mosque (Esposito et al. 2012b: G-8). Massachusetts Bay Colony : In 1630, a group of Puritans, led by John Winthrop , established the Massachusetts Bay Colony after fleeing religious persecution in England. For more information on the Massachusetts Bay Colony, click here . Matha : A term for a Hindu monastery; also used in Jainism (Esposito et al. 2012b: G-10). Mecca : The most holy city in Islam , located in modern-day Saudi Arabia. It was the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and is the location for the sacred Kaaba . When Muslims go on their pilgrimage (hajj), they visit Mecca. Muslims pray toward this city as well (Esposito 2011: 245). Medina : The second most holy city in Islam after Mecca . It is located in modern day Saudi Arabia. Muslims view the city as holy because Muhammad fled to Medina in 622 CE (see Hijra ) and established the Muslim community there before returning to Mecca. In Medina, Muhammad established himself as a politician and military leader in addition to being a religious leader (Prothero 2008: 251). Meditation : A process of serious contemplation that is common in Eastern religions. In Buddhism , it refers to a range of conscious-altering practices used to remove passion and ignorance, leading to nirvana . Meditation is also prominent in the practice of Taoism , although the connection to Taoist thought is unclear (Smith and Green 1995: 692-695). Megachurch : A large congregation with 2,000 or more people attending services. It is typically Protestant , often evangelical . Two-thirds of megachurches are affiliated with a denomination . They tend to cluster in the suburbs located outside of growing cities. Currently, there are more than 1,200 megachurches in the United States. Famous megachurch pastors include Joel Osteen and Rick Warren (Prothero 2008: 251). Member : 1) A member is a person belonging to a congregation and/or denomination . Rules concerning membership vary by religious tradition. For example, there may be confessions, behaviors, rituals or other requirements for becoming a full member. 2) Sometimes people use the word "member" to mean that they simply attend a congregation, whether they are full members of the congregation or denomination. In this sense, "member" is similar to adherent . 3) Note that on the ARDA's Maps & Reports, "members" are defined as "All individuals in a religious group with full membership status," based on the definition of a "member" from the Religious Congregations and Membership Study (Grammich et al. 2012: xvi). Menorah : A seven-branched candle stand first mentioned in the Book of Exodus. It is a strong symbol of Jewish identity, and is associated with modern Israel (Smith and Green 1995: 700). Merger : When two or more denominations , organizations or congregations join together to make one structure. For instance, the creation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 1988 was the result of a merger of three smaller Lutheran denominations. Denominations with low tension will typically have declining membership, and are therefore more likely to form mergers (Stark and Finke 2000: 206). See the Denominations section to explore denominational histories, including mergers. Merton, Thomas (1915-1968) : Thomas Merton was a Catholic monk and prolific writer. He denounced social inequality and opened up interfaith dialogue through his hundreds of articles and numerous books. For more information on Thomas Merton, click here . Messiah : The long-awaited king who will come in the last days. In the Jewish tradition, the messiah will restore the Jews to the promised land, rebuild the temple, and inaugurate a period of peace. This is particularly emphasized in Orthodox Judaism . In the Christian tradition, Jesus is the messiah, but most Jews do not hold this view, with the exception of Jews for Jesus and some messianic Jewish groups (Prothero 2008: 252). Methodist-Pietist Family : The Methodist-Pietist family consists of churches that stress the importance of internal faith, spirituality and Christian living over adherence to formal creeds and doctrine. The largest among these churches is the United Methodist Church , which follows the teachings of John Wesley , who in the 18th century broke away from the Church of England because of his emphasis on personal holiness. Methodism came to the United States in the 1760s with Leesburg, Virginia being the site of the first Methodist society (Melton 2009: 273-274). Millenarianism : The belief that there will be an unprecedented period of peace and righteousness on the earth, usually associated with the return of Jesus Christ . Millennial groups are typically divided into premillennialist and postmillennialist perspectives based on beliefs regarding the return of Christ and the events preceding his return. Amillennialism is sometimes considered a third perspective, although it mostly deals with a symbolic interpretation of the "millenium" (Smith and Green 1995: 738). Miller, William (1782-1849) : William Miller was a Baptist lay preacher who predicted that the return of Christ would occur in 1843. This garnered both fervor from religious seekers and criticism from established churches. Despite his failed predictions, his teachings influenced both Ellen Gould White and her husband, James Springer White . They would later found the Seventh-day Adventist Church . For more information on William Miller, click here . Million Man March : The Million Man March of 1995, organized by the Nation of Islam's Louis Farrakhan, was the largest gathering of African Americans in U.S. history. Taking place after the widely publicized beating of Rodney King, the subsequent riots in Los Angeles, and in the midst of conservative backlash toward civil rights efforts, the Million Man March desired to paint a more positive portrayal of black males in America. For more information on the Million Man March, click here . Minister : 1) One who performs a number of church duties. 2) The title for a preacher or pastor in many Protestant churches (Smith and Green 1995: 721). Miracle : A desirable effect believed to be caused by the intervention of a god or gods in worldly matters. Miracles credited to a religion will increase the confidence in certain religious explanations (Stark and Finke 2000: 280). To find survey questions related to miracles, click here . Mission/Missionary Movements : The organized effort to spread one's religion to others, often by traveling to other nations (Smith and Green 1995: 723). Mitt Romney's 2012 Presidential Campaign : Mitt Romney became the first Mormon nominee for president when he ran as a Republican in 2012 against Barack Obama. His religious views became a focus in both his 2008 and 2012 presidential runs, though it is debatable whether it actually led to either failed campaigns. For more on Mitt Romney and his religious faith, click here . Modernization Theory : This theory holds that religion is just as important a feature of modern society as it is of traditional society, but it takes different forms and possesses different characteristics. For more information on this theory, click here . Moksha : A Hindu concept meaning the release of samsara , or the life cycle from birth, life, death and rebirth. In Buddhism , this concept is known as nirvana (Esposito et al. 2012a: G-4). Monasticism : A form of religious organization that emphasizes strict ascetic practices and individual salvation . The origins of monasticism are somewhat unknown, although many believe that started around the third to fourth century CE by Christians . Monasticism was fairly dominant in the medieval ages. It has waned since the Protestant Reformation, but still exists in Catholic and Orthodox traditions. Monasticism also is fairly prominent in the Buddhist tradition (Smith and Green 1995: 727). Monk : Male member of a monastic community (Smith and Green 1995: 728). See Monasticism . Monotheism : The belief that there is only one God, shared by Jews , Christians and Muslims . This is in contrast to polytheism , which posits multiple gods, and atheism , which posits that there is no God (Prothero 2008: 253). Monstrance : A vessel, typically made of metal, used to display the Eucharistic bread in Catholic and Anglican churches. Typically, it is placed on the altar for adoration during religious rites. It is also known as an ostensorium (McBrien 1995:890). Moody, Dwight (1837-1899) : Dwight L. Moody was a 19th century Protestant revivalist whose popularity led to the Moody Bible Institute and the growth of Christian fundamentalism . For more information on Dwight Moody, click here . Moonie : A popular name for members of the controversial Unification Church (Smith and Green 1995: 728). See Unification Church . Moral Majority : A conservative political group seeking to "return" Judeo-Christian morality to society. Founded in 1979 and led by Baptist pastor Jerry Falwell , the Moral Majority later dissolved in 1989. For more information, click here . Mormon : A member who belongs to a church in the Latter-day Saint Family. See Latter-day Saints Family for more. Moroni : The last of the Nephite prophets who resurrected in the form of an angel to reveal to Joseph Smith where he buried sacred golden plates 14 centuries earlier. This occurred on September 21, 1823 (Smith and Green 1995: 731). Moses : A very important prophet in Judaism , Christianity , and Islam . He is remembered for leading the Jewish slaves out of Egypt and receiving the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai. The revelations on Mount Sinai became known as the Torah , or Law. In all three traditions, Moses is highly regarded, but receives special importance in the Jewish tradition (Prothero 2008: 256). Mosque : The Islamic building for public worship. The term "mosque" comes from the Arabic word "masjid," meaning "place for ritual prostration." The first mosque was founded by the Prophet Muhammad in Medina as a place for worship and prayer . There are more than 2,100 mosques located in the United States (Esposito 2011: 38-39). Muhammad (Mohammad) : The founder and last prophet in Islam . He was born in Mecca (570 CE) and died in Medina (632 CE). He was born an orphan and became a trader. He received his first of many revelations at age 40 from the angel Gabriel in a cave. These revelations covered issues of God�s nature, morality, other prophets (including Jesus ) and more. His followers recorded his accounts, which later became the Koran . As he preached his revelations in Mecca, which differed from the polytheism at the time, he started to encounter hostility. After his enemies attempted to kill him, he fled to Medina in 622 C.E., where he established his Muslim community. He returned to Mecca with his army in 630 C.E., and demolished the idols around the Kaaba . In Islam, the phrase "peace be upon him" follows any utterance of his name (Prothero 2008: 257-258). Muslim : An adherent of Islam. See Islam . Mystical Experience : Some sense of contact, however fleeting, with a god or gods . Mystical experiences increase the confidence in religious explanations (Stark and Finke 2000: 280). Mysticism : A form of spirituality stressing union with God and religious experience, rather than doctrine. Mystical traditions transcend religious traditions, evident in the three major world religions of Christianity , Islam , and Judaism (Smith and Green 1995: 747-748). N Nation of Islam : An American movement founded in the early 20th century that emphasizes that Islam is the true religion of black people and that African-Americans should leave the distorted white religion of Christianity . The movement spread throughout the country under Elijah Muhammad and became increasingly militant after World War II (Mead et al. 2005: 379-380). Native American Church : A movement among Native Americans that has factions related to Christianity , but diverges from popular aspects of Christianity through the use of cactus peyote for ceremonial purposes. This movement has been criticized for diluting distinct tribal identities into one "pan-American" religious identity. Their use of peyote is legal in the United States since it is being used for "religious" purposes (Esposito et al. 2012b: 64). Neo-Confucianism : A tradition that attempts to harmonize the spiritual teachings of Confucius with the cosmology of Taoism and the teaching of karma in Buddhism . It also incorporates meditation techniques from both Taoism and Buddhism (Esposito et al. 2012b: G-16). Neopaganism : A diverse, decentralized religious movement that emphasizes the importance of nature, polytheism , pantheism , personal responsibility and rituals . Neopagan religions include reconstructions of Egyptian, Celtic, Norse and Greek Paganism as well as Neopagan Witchcraft ( Wicca ). The movement has more than 100,000 adherents in the United States and Canada (Smith and Green 1995: 765). New Age : A loosely based movement that emerged in the late 1960s stressing experiential spirituality, the interconnectedness of life and the immanence (or nearness) of the sacred to the world, drawing on a blend of occult , Eastern and human potential teachings. Evangelical churches in the United States and Europe have denounced New Age movements as detrimental to Christian values (Smith and Green 1995: 768-769). For more information on the New Age movement, click here . New Religious Movements : Groups and movements that because of belief and practice exist outside of traditional Christianity , Judaism , and other major religious traditions. Examples of new religious movements would be the Unification Church and various neopagan groups, although even such an established religion as Christianity started out as a new religious movement within Judaism. Scholars prefer the term "New Religious Movement" over "cult" because the term "cult" is more of a political term used to denounce new religious groups. There is little evidence that new religious movements actually use "brainwashing" (Stark and Finke 2000: 136). New Testament : Canonized scripture in addition to the Old Testament that constitutes the Christian Bible . The New Testament is made up of 27 books, written roughly between 50 and 150 CE. The first four books are the gospels , which record the life of Jesus Christ . Among the gospels, the first three (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) are considered the synoptic gospels for their similarity in content, whereas the book of John is considered fairly distinct. The gospels are followed by the Acts of the Apostles, which records the development of the early Christian movement. Most of the New Testament contains letters, many of whom are attributed to the apostle Paul, while others are either anonymous or associated with other early church leaders. The New Testament ends with the book of Revelation, an apocalypse that deals with the end-times as well as with current persecution at the hands of the Romans. The New Testament was officially canonized in 367 by Bishop Athanasius of Alexandria (Smith and Green 1995: 769-770). Nicene Creed : A formal creed stating that Jesus was "the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God." This creed originated in the fourth century CE as a response to controversies pertaining to Jesus� nature (see Christology ). Most Catholics , Protestants , and Orthodox Christians affirm this creed (Prothero 2008: 239). Niebuhr, Reinhold (1892-1971) : Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971) was an influential Christian theologian in the 20th century. He advocated social justice and, although he came from a theologically liberal background, he rejected liberal notions of the innate goodness of humans. He also is credited with the popular Serenity Prayer. For more information on Reinhold Niebuhr, click here . Night Journey : The Prophet Muhammad's journey from Mecca to Jerusalem , and then from Jerusalem into heaven where he met Abraham , Moses , Jesus , and other prophets . This event is reported to have occurred in 621 CE. This event is briefly discussed in the Koran and further elaborated in the hadith . The Night Journey made Jerusalem the third-holiest city, behind Mecca and Medina , in Islam . It also affirmed the continuity of Islam with Judaism and Christianity (Esposito 2011: 188). Nirvana : The main religious goal in major forms of Hinduism and Buddhism . The term comes from Sanskrit, meaning "blowing out." It is essentially the extinction of suffering and the liberation from samsara . It is important to note that Mahayana Buddhists do not see a clear distinction between nirvana and samsara, seeing the world of suffering as nirvana itself (Prothero 2008: 259). Nominal Christian : A term for those who identify as Christian in name only, meaning that they aren�t particularly religious. This identification is contrasted with practicing Christians, and is often used in a pejorative way (Reid et al. 1990: 827). Numinous : A primary sense of religious experience, an overwhelming feeling of the divine. The German theologian Rudolf Otto coined this term in his 1917 book The Idea of the Holy (Smith and Green 1995: 804). Nun : A term referring to any Catholic , Orthodox or Anglican woman who is an avowed member of the religious community. Technically, it refers to women who take a solemn oath to renounce a life of pleasure and live a life of prayer and discipline in a monastery (Reid et al. 1990: 832). O Occultism : The practices and beliefs relating to "hidden" spiritual truths or esoteric insights. These hidden truths are seen as very powerful. This tradition was somewhat underground during the Middle Ages, but became more prominent in the Renaissance. The occult worldview was basic to pre-Copernican and pre-Newtonian science. Modern groups that incorporate elements of the occult include the Liberal Catholic Church and Wicca, as well as some Neopagan groups (Smith and Green 1995: 806). Ockenga, Harold (1905-1985) : Harold Ockenga was an influential evangelical leader in the mid-20th century. He led a "neo-evangelical" movement, which upheld conservative theological standards while still maintaining a sense of warmth and engagement with society. He helped co-found Fuller Seminary, the National Association of Evangelicals , and Christianity Today. For more information on Harold Ockenga, click here . of Constantinople, Athenagoras I (1886-1972) : Athenagoras was an important archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in America . He helped unite Orthodox communities that were divided by ethnicity at the time. In 1948, he was elected Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, a position he held until his death in 1972. For more information on Athenagoras, click here . Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) : The first portion of the Christian Bible . It also is known as the Hebrew Bible in Judaism. The Hebrew Bible contains twenty-four books, while Protestant Bibles further divide the 24 books into 39 books, and place them in a different order. Catholic Bibles are ordered the same as Protestant Bible, but include seven additional books known as the Deuterocanonical Books . Orthodox Bibles also contain additional books (Prothero 2008: 260). Ordination : The setting apart of some members by a church for ministerial or priestly leadership. In Christianity , this usually is done by either the laying on of hands or invocation of the Holy Spirit . Ordination is considered a sacrament in the Catholic and Orthodox traditions. Roman Catholic , Eastern Orthodox , and evangelical churches ordain men only, while liberal , some Holiness , and some Pentecostal churches have ordained women (Reid et al. 1990: 846). Ordinations also exist in Buddhism and Judaism (Smith and Green 1995: 815-816). Orthodox Judaism : A branch of Judaism that was developed by European Jews in the 19th century as a response to modernization and the rise of Reform Judaism . Orthodox Jews maintain a traditional form of worship and strict observance of dietary laws (Smith and Green 1995: 822). Orthodoxy : This is usually assessed in reference to affirming a series of beliefs representing "traditional" religious views, such as stances on sacred texts or belief in miracles (Smith and Green 1995: 824). Click here for more information regarding orthodoxy. Orthopraxy : The "right actions" or rituals in religious practice (Esposito et al. 2012b: G-1). P Pali Canon : The complete canon among the early collections of the Buddha's teachings. It is written in the Pali language derived from Sanskrit. The canon is split into three sections: Vinaya (monastic code), Sutras (sermons), and Abhidhamma (advanced teaching formula) (Esposito et al. 2012b: G-13). Palm Sunday : The first day of Holy Week that commemorates Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem . It is called "Palm Sunday" because in the gospel of John, the crowds took palm branches and met Jesus as he arrived into the city. It is celebrated a week before Easter (Smith and Green 1995: 827). Pantheism : The belief that all of reality is divine. It can be cosmic in the sense that God is equated with nature, or acosmic in the sense that experience is illusory and only the divine is real (Hinnells 1984: 245). Papal Infallibility : A Roman Catholic term referring to the pope�s share in the general grace that preserves the Church from error. This term was formally defined by the Roman Catholic Church in 1870 at the First Vatican Council (Reid et al. 1990: 862). Paranormal : This concept refers to beliefs, views, or experiences that are typically perceived as supernatural in nature. For more information, click here . Parish : Another name for a congregation found predominantly in Roman Catholic , Orthodox and Anglican churches (Smith and Green 1995: 829). Parochial Schools : Parish-supported Catholic , usually elementary, schools (Reid et al. 1990: 868). Particularism : This refers to the belief that only one�s own faith is true or that salvation can be achieved only by adherence to a particular religion . For more information on particularism, click here . Passover : A seven-day Jewish holiday commemorating the story in Exodus where God saved the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. No leavened bread is eaten during this holiday, and matzah is considered the staple food (Hinnells 1991: 35). Pastor : Ordained leader of a congregation . In Catholicism , the term can also mean the head priest of a parish (Reid et al. 1990: 871). Patriarch : 1) The head bishop of an Eastern Orthodox Church (see Athenagoras I of Constantinople, 1886-1972 ). 2) A historical title for the bishops in the ancient cities of Rome, Alexandria, Antioch, Constantinople, and Jerusalem. 3) A term for Abraham , Isaac, and Jacob in the Hebrew Bible (Smith and Green 1995: 833). Patriarchate : A seat of authority in the Eastern Orthodox churches . See Patriarch . Paul : A first-century church leader in Christianity and the author of many New Testament epistles. He was born Jewish and was called Saul, a Pharisee and persecutor of Christians . According to the Book of Acts, he saw the resurrected Christ on the road to Damascus and converted to Christianity. Afterward, he preached the gospel to Jews and Christians alike. While some debate whether all the letters attributed to him in the New Testament were written by him, the consensus is that his "authentic" letters were written around the 50s CE and became the theological architecture of ancient and modern Christian beliefs (Prothero 2008: 261-262). Penn, William (1644-1718) : William Penn was a Quaker activist, religious tolerance advocate, and founder of the Pennsylvania colony. He wrote many books on his religious faith and the ideal style of government, including No Cross, No Crown (1669) and Frame of Government (1682), the latter of which influenced the U.S. Constitution. For more information on William Penn, click here . Pentecost : The annual Christian celebration commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus as recorded in the biblical book of Acts. The term derives from Greek, literally meaning "50 days," traditionally the time between the Passover feast and the wheat harvest. In the early church and in some churches today, Pentecost is celebrated fifty days following Easter . Later Judaism associated Pentecost with God giving Moses the Law on Mount Sinai. The Christian celebration is common in liturgical churches with the final lighting of the Paschal candle, readings from the lectionary, and prayer (Reid et al. 1990: 881). Pentecostal Family : A movement of churches that emerged in early 20th century America , stressing enthusiastic worship and the restoration of such practices evident in New Testament Christianity , such as speaking in tongues and healing . It is sometimes divided into "classical Pentecostalism," indicating the movement�s historical bodies, and "neo-Pentecostalism," the modern movement emphasizing charismatic renewal (Reid et al. 1990: 885-886). People of the Book (Ahl al-Kitab) : In Islam , this refers to non-Muslims who possess some revelation or scripture from God. Jews and Christians make up this group, and sometimes Zoroastrians are included (Esposito et al. 2012b: G-9). People's Temple : A controversial new religious movement that was founded by Jim Jones in the 1960s. The congregation was known for its racial diversity, emphasizing anti-racial themes along with socialist ideals. Jones became increasingly paranoid about government authorities, moving followers from California to Guyana, where he established an isolated farming community dubbed Jonestown. The group would routinely practice mass suicide rituals. This, along with heterodox religious teachings, made the People's Temple a controversial group. As growing opposition mounted against Jones in the United States, Congressman Leo Ryan visited Jonestown in 1978 and was murdered along with several members of his group. Thereafter, Jones gave members poisoned fruit punch in a mass suicide, often argued as murder. Jones and more than 900 members died on November 18, 1978 (Smith and Green 1995: 836). Pluralism : The existence or toleration of diverse religious groups in a society. For example, America is a religiously pluralistic country because it has many different denominations and religions . Some consider this to be a distinctly modern phenomenon. Social scientists have debated whether this is a problem or opportunity in modern religion (Smith and Green 1995: 848). For more information on pluralism, click here . Plymouth Plantation : Plymouth Plantation was a North American colony settled in 1620 by English Separatists, later known as Pilgrims, who desired to practice their own religion freely. For more information on Plymouth Plantation, click here . Polytheism : The belief in many gods (Prothero 2008: 264). Pope : The appointed leader of the Roman Catholic Church (Smith and Green 1995: 849). Pope John XXIII (1881-1963) : Pope John XXIII called the Second Vatican Council , one of the most significant events in the modern Catholic Church . Though he died two years before its conclusion, the historic council would become his lasting legacy for its momentous moves toward openness and ecumenism in the Roman Catholic Church. Pope John XXIII was canonized a saint in 2014. For more information on Pope John XXIII, click here . Pope Paul VI (1897-1978) : Pope Paul VI oversaw the completion of the Second Vatican Council and authored Humanae Vitae , an important, albeit controversial, document in modern Catholicism that denounced contraception. For more on Pope Paul VI, click here . Postmillennialism : The belief that the return of Christ will take place after the millennium, which may be a literal period of peace and prosperity or else a symbolic representation of the final triumph of the gospel. This new age will come through Christian teaching and preaching on earth. This view is often dismissed by critics as a Christian version of the secular idea of progress, but it was actually formulated by Puritan theologians (Reid et al. 1990: 919). Prayer : Communication addressed to god or gods , and sometimes intermediaries. Prayers build confidence and affection between humans and a god or gods (Stark and Finke 2000: 280). Preacher : A person, traditionally, ordained, who preaches sermons to a congregation . It�s a common term for ministers in non- liturgical religious groups. Predestination : The belief that every human being, before birth, was predestined by God to either heaven or hell . This is found in Calvinist theology , also known as Reformed theology (Prothero 2008: 207). Premillennialism (Chiliasm) : The belief that at the end of the present age Christ will come back and reign on earth for one thousand years, based on passages in Isaiah 55-66 and Revelation 20:1-10. Before the advent of God�s kingdom, premillennialists believe that there will be signs including preaching to all nations, earthquakes, famine, wars, a great apostasy , the Antichrist , and a period of great tribulation (Reid et al. 1990: 929). Presbyterian-Reformed Family : The Protestant tradition based on the teachings of reformer John Calvin. The Reformed tradition consists both of Presbyterian churches as well as denominations that developed in continental Europe, such as the Dutch and the German Reformed. American Presbyterianism split over revivalism, slavery and fundamentalism, but is still one of the leading Protestant families in the United States (Prothero 2008: 265). Presbytery : An administrative body in a Presbyterian church (Reid et al. 1990: 933). Priest : An ordained person who performs religious duties in the Anglican , Catholic , and Orthodox churches, as well as in world religions such as Hinduism (Smith and Green 1995: 858-859). Prophecy : A mode of communication between the divine and specific humans, known as prophets . Prophecy can be understood as a dialogue, not just a one-way message from God. In various religious traditions, prophecy often occurs at times of crises, like an imminent military threat or natural disaster (Smith and Green 1995: 861-862). Prophet : The intermediary between the divine and the human audience, communicating with god/gods on behalf of other humans. Famous prophets in the Judeo-Christian-Islam traditions include Abraham , Moses and the Prophet Muhammad . Some other traditions, especially native religions, refer to this type of intermediary as a shaman , conjurer, spirit or medium (Smith and Green 1995: 861). Proselytism : The practice of seeking to convert people from other religions or no religion to another faith (Melton 2009: 3). Prosperity Gospel : See Gospel of Wealth . Protestant Buddhism : A term coined by anthropologist Gananath Obeyesekere to describe the adoption of aspects of missionary Protestant Christianity into Buddhism to reinvigorate practices and doctrines. Henry Steele Olcott (1832-1907) was an American convert who went to colonial Sri Lanka, and encouraged Buddhist leaders to emphasize the importance of the laity and reestablish "true Buddhism" (Esposito et al. 2012: 450). Protestant Ethic : Based on Max Weber�s ([1904-05] 1996) classic argument about religion and capitalism, this concept brings together supposed characteristics of Protestantism , such as worldly asceticism , dedication to work, and the notion that economic success is evidence of grace . Protestantism : A branch of Christianity dating back to the Reformation of the 15th century, when Reformers, such as Martin Luther and John Calvin, first sought to reform the Catholic Church but increasingly left to start their own churches . Most Protestant churches share a belief in the priesthood of all believers, whereas Catholic Churches have a hierarchal model that clearly separates the priesthood (clergy) from the members (laity) . Also, Protestants emphasize the sole authority of the Bible (sola scriptura) , whereas Catholics see church tradition along with the Bible as authorities for faith and practice (Reid et al. 1990: 949). Pseudepigrapha : A collection of Jewish and Christian books written from the third century BCE to the sixth century CE. These works include rewritten portions of the Hebrew Bible , resemble biblical texts, and books attributed to figures in the Hebrew Bible. The term "pseudepigrapha" literally means "writings with false attributions," for they are not regarded as authentic, and therefore not authoritative. However, some parts of the pseudepigrapha are included in the Ethiopian Christian Old Testament (Smith and Green 1995: 55). Punya : Good karma , or merit, in Buddhism . One accumulates punya through moral actions, learning, and meditation (Esposito et al. 2012b: G-14). Purgatory : The place, state or condition of departed Christian souls in which they undergo purifying suffering before entering heaven . This belief is evident in Roman Catholicism (Reid et al. 1990: 964). Purim : A Jewish holiday commemorating the events in the book of Esther, where Queen Esther saved the Jews of the Persian Empire from the designs of the villainous Haman. On this day, the scroll of Esther is read publicly in Jewish synagogues . Some Jews wear costumes on this day and send food to one another (Hinnells 1991: 35). Q Qiyas : A legal term in Islam that refers to analogical reasoning. This form of deduction often is used in order to understand whether something is forbidden, even if not explicitly stated in any Islamic scriptures (Esposito et al. 2012b: G-9). Quakers (Friends) : A seventeenth century Christian movement that originally arose in England, led by George Fox. They emphasize the belief in the "inner light," where God�s revelation is not limited to the Bible but continues in the daily contact between the believer and God. Because of this, they have no clergy , and their worship service consists of members waiting in silence until the Holy Spirit moves them. They also are known for their social-activism (Melton 2009: 440). QuickLists : Using the best available data, the QuickLists section of the ARDA provides data on American and international religion in rank order. For example, if one wants to know the number of Christians or Muslims in the world, this list will assist the user. If one wants a list of states with the most Evangelical Protestants, this list provides that information. For more information on QuickLists, click here ! QuickStats : The QuickStats section of the ARDA allows users to browse dozens of topics covered by major national surveys. Survey responses, pie charts, and time series charts present a variety of religious attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs among individuals as well as congregations. Click here to explore the ARDA�s QuickStats! Rabbi : The ordained leader of a synagogue in Judaism . The term was first used after the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 CE (Melton 2009: 440). Ramadan : The Islamic month of daytime fasting , and one of the Five Pillars of Islam. This daytime fast includes abstinence from food, water and sensual pleasures. An evening meal usually follows the daytime fast (Smith and Green 1995: 363). Rapture : The belief that Christians will be brought up to heaven and escape a time of tribulation and testing before the return of Christ (Smith and Green 1995: 877). Rauschenbusch, Walter (1861-1918) : Walter Rauschenbusch was the main founding theologian of the Social Gospel movement , a loose coalition of social reformers and theologians who believed that Christianity would eradicate all societal evils some day. His most famous works are Christianity and the Social Crisis (1907) and A Theology for the Social Gospel (1917). For more information on Walter Rauschenbusch, click here . Reaffiliation : The process by which people shift from one religious group to another within their religious tradition. For example, one goes from a Baptist church to a Methodist Church. Reaffiliation is synonymous with religious switching . This is in contrast with conversion , which is understood as a shift across religious traditions, like converting to Christianity from Judaism (Stark and Finke 2000: 114). Reconstructionism, Christian : A fundamentalist Christian movement that started in the 1960s with the intent of reconstructing society based upon Old Testament law. Reconstructionists argue that Old Testament law still applies today, and that Christians should oversee all aspects of society. Reconstructionists also are postmillennial in their eschatology , believing the world is now in the millennial age (Reid et al. 1990: 977). Reconstructionism, Judaism : A modern movement of Judaism in North America, and to some extent, in Israel . American theologian and Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan (1881-1983) is considered the founder of the movement and provided the formal name "Reconstructionism" for the movement. Influenced by French sociologist Emile Durkheim and American psychologist John Dewey, Kaplan believed that Judaism was an ever-changing institution, and that its main function is to provide social solidarity and desire for moral perfection. Kaplan's rejection of Israel being "supernaturally" chosen made him a controversial figure in Judaism (Smith and Green 1995: 881). Reform Judaism : A form of Judaism that arose in Europe and the United States in the 19th century as a Jewish response to modernity. It is considered a liberal movement within Judaism. It proposes that Jewish Law provides general guidelines for Jewish observance and does not require strict adherence like in Orthodox Judaism (Lindner 2010: 225). Reincarnation : The belief that souls take up new bodies as part of an ongoing cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth (see samsara ). This belief is common in Hinduism . In Buddhism , they affirm the belief in reincarnation, but contend that one's consciousness is reborn, not the soul, for they deny the existence of the eternal soul . Although this belief is common in Eastern religions, nearly one-fourth of American Christians believe in reincarnation (Prothero 2008: 272-273). To find information on survey questions related to reincarnation, click here . Relic : Sacred items, like the bones of saints or articles of clothing associated with specific saints Religion : Religion consists of very general explanations of existence, including the terms of exchange with a god or gods (Stark and Finke 2000: 91). Religiosity : The degree to which a person is religious or spiritual. Sociologists usually consider a number of factors, such as church attendance, belief in God, prayer frequency, and professed importance of religion to assess a person's level of religiosity (Johnstone 2006: 102-103). For more information on religiosity, click here . Religious Affiliation : This refers to an individual�s self-identified religious tradition (e.g., Evangelical Protestant, Mainline Protestant, etc.) or denomination (e.g., Baptist, Methodist, etc.). For more information, click here . Religious Behavior : The type and amount of religious actions an individual exhibits. Closely tied to the concept of religiosity , religious behavior focuses upon what individuals are doing in relation to religion specifically. The most commonly used measure of religious behavior in survey research is religious service attendance. For more on this topic, click here . Religious Capital : The degree of mastery and attachment to a particular religious culture. For example, one might learn when or when not to say "Amen" during a sermon , or learn certain passages of scripture in order to accumulate religious capital. The greater their religious capital, the less likely people are to either reaffiliate or to convert (see Stark and Finke 2000: 120). For more information on religious capital, click here . Religious Compensator : A religious compensator promotes the belief in a future reward and/or justice. According to Iannaccone and Bainbridge (2009:466), "A distinctive feature of religious organizations is that they promise attainment of rewards, such as eternal life in Heaven , that cannot be delivered in the here and now" (2009:466). For more on this concept, click here . Religious Consumer : Using a religious economies perspective, a religious consumer is a religiously active individual seeking religious goods, often from religious organizations (Iannaccone and Bainbridge 2009). A religious consumer often weighs the benefits and costs of their religious investment. For more information on this concept, click here . Religious Economies : A sociological term used to denote a distinct subsystem encompassing the religious activity of a society. It focuses on a "market" of current and potential adherents , organizations seeking to attract and maintain adherents, and the religious culture offered by the organizations. Within all religious economies, there are relatively stable market niches that appeal to the religious preferences of potential adherents (Stark and Finke 2000: 193-195). Religious Experience : An experience that is believed to have religious significance. The term usually refers to experiences of the divine through either God or sacred objects. Theologians often debate whether reports of religious experiences function as universal phenomena. A famous example of a religious experience is when the apostle Paul reported witnessing Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, even though Jesus was no longer on earth at the time (Smith and Green 1995: 918). For more information on religious experiences, click here . Religious Family : A way to classify religious groups based on religious ancestry or heritage. It is a broader category than religious denomination , but more specific than a religious tradition . Some common religious families include: Adventist , Lutheran , Holiness , etc. The ARDA provides religious family trees to illustrate the history of schisms and mergers within each religious family. Religious Favoritism : Subsidies, privileges, support or favorable sanctions provided by the state to a select religion or a small group of religions. Research shows that religious favoritism can be used to reduce religious freedoms and to control religious groups. Religious favoritism is also associated with higher rates of violent religious persecution (Grim and Finke 2011: 207). Religious Freedom : The absence of government discrimination, restrictions, regulations and societal pressures on religious individuals or groups. This allows for individuals to change religions, or propagate their message within society with the intent of winning new adherents . Research shows that religious freedoms produce less violent religious persecution , less conflicts, and better overall outcomes for society (Grim and Finke 2011: xiii). Religious Group : 1) Typically a subgroup of a larger world religion that is defined by a common religious doctrine , identity and/or value-system. 2) When used by the ARDA, a religious group is an alternative way to describe a religious denomination without the connotations linked to Protestant Christianity or a centralized/established religious organization. Religious Identity : This refers to how survey respondents place themselves within a certain religious category, like whether the respondent considers himself/herself an Evangelical Protestant . This is in contrast to survey researchers categorizing the respondent based on beliefs (theological conservative) or denomination . The strengths and limitation of this measure are discussed here . Religious Investor : One who gives their church time and money in hopes of some reward (Iannaccone and Bainbridge 2009). For more information on this concept, click here . Religious Markets : Using a religious economies perspective, religious markets describe the three main economic roles that people play in religion : consumer , producer , and investor (Iannaccone and Bainbridge 2009). In religious markets, religious producers (i.e., religious organizations) compete over consumers (i.e., adherents ). For more on this concept, click here . Religious Order : An official society within a church whose members , such as nuns or monks , live under the same rule (Reid et al. 1990: 997). Religious Organizations : Social enterprises whose primary purpose is to create, maintain and supply religion to a set of individuals. They support and supervise exchanges with a god or gods . Religious organizations are able to demand extended and exclusive commitments to the extent that they offer otherworldly rewards (Stark and Finke 2000: 279). Religious Orientation : The motivation for the expression of religiosity . A religious orientation perspective is sometimes used in the psychology of religion. For more information, click here . Religious Persecution, Violent : The physical abuse or displacement of people because of their particular religion (Grim and Finke 2011: xii). Religious Preference : This refers to an "individual�s evaluations of competing religious goods" (Sherkat 1997:69). Religious preference as a concept is used to explain why individuals participate in different religions or choose varying styles of religion. For more information, click here . Religious Problem-Solving : Religion conceptualized as a way of responding to life�s problems, in contrast, for example, to political or psychotherapeutic responses. For more information, click here . Religious Producer : Providers of religious "goods," typically available clergy or administrative denominational members (Iannaccone and Bainbridge 2009). For more on this topic, click here . Religious Regulation : The legal and social restrictions that inhibit the practice, profession, or selection of religion . Societies with high religious regulation produce less religious pluralism (Stark and Finke 2000: 198). For more information on religious regulation, click here . Religious Seeker : The state of a person who is unsatisfied with her currently available religious affiliation and is carrying out exchanges in search of a more satisfying affiliation, belief system, or practice. For more on this topic, click here . Religious Social Network : This refers to the religious affiliation and ideological composition of people within one�s social network. For more information on this concept, click here Religious Switching : This concept refers to shifts in religious affiliations within religious traditions (e.g., Baptist to Methodist ). This term is synonymous with reaffiliation . The concept of religious switching is commonly conflated with the concept of religious conversion , which deals with shifts from one religious tradition to another (e.g., Christianity to Judaism ). It can be difficult to measure what constitutes religious switching (for more on this topic, click here ). Religious Tolerance : One�s level of toleration and acceptance of members of differing religions or worldviews. For more information on this concept, click here . Religious Tradition (RELTRAD) : A way to measure religious affiliation . Developed by Steensland and colleagues (2000), it divides religious traditions into Black Protestant, Catholic, Evangelical Protestant, Jewish, Mainline Protestant, no religion, and "other" religion based on both doctrine and historical changes in religious groups . The ARDA uses this general scheme for our U.S. Congregational Membership Reports . For more information, click here . Ren : In Confucianism , it refers to the ideal of being "fully human," as described by Confucius . This is fulfilled through ethics, manners and cultivation (Esposito et al. 2012b: G-16). Renewal Group : A group or movement within or on the periphery of a denomination attempting to reform or change its teachings and practices in a desired direction. Usually this means change back to "traditional" beliefs and/or practices (Reid et al. 1990: 1002-1003). Rerum Novarum : Rerum Novarum, an 1891 encyclical by Pope Leo XIII on protecting the working class, is a foundational text in modern Catholic social thought. The encyclical decried the poverty condition of the working class as well as the dangers of runaway profiteering. For more information on Rerum Novarum, click here . Restorationist Family : Churches that broke away from established American denominations during the 19th century to restore what they understood as true New Testament Christianity , stressing strict adherence to the Bible rather than to creeds . Restorationist churches include the Churches of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) (Melton 2009: 478-479). Resurrection : The belief that the dead will rise on some day in the future for final judgment . This is closely associated with the Jewish , Christian , and Islamic belief that a person is a combination of body and soul . Belief in a resurrection came late in the Jewish tradition, in 2 Maccabees, and was later adopted by Christians. Sometimes, when Christians refer to the "resurrection," they are referring to the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his crucifixion (Prothero 2008: 274). Revival, Religious : This refers to staged episodes of increased religious emotion and group celebration, often to reclaim "sliding" religious commitment or moral values. Revivals are typically organized by established religious groups , and employ a variety of methods designed to arouse religious fervor. For more information on revivals, click here . For examples of revivals, see the First Great Awakening , the Second Great Awakening , Cane Ridge camp meeting , and Charles Finney�s Rochester Revival . Revivalist : An individual who is engaged in religious revivals. See religious revivals . Rite : Any repetitive ceremonial activity with fixed rules. It also may be any particular ritual ceremony (e.g., Baptism) (McBrien 1995:1118). Ritualism : Strict and frequent performance of the public rites of religious observance, even in the absence of fervent belief. For more information on ritualism, click here . Rituals, Religious : Collective ceremonies having a common focus and mood in which the common focus is on a god or gods , while the common mood may vary (Stark and Finke 2000: 107). For more information on religious rituals, click here . Russell, Charles Taze (1852-1916) : Charles Taze Russell sparked the religious group later known as the Jehovah's Witnesses . He wrote a series of Bible study books called Studies in Scripture, which, although popular, attracted criticism from evangelical Christians for his denial of hell , the immortal soul , the deity of Jesus , and his insistence that God was One, not a Trinity . His ideas and early religious movement would later influence the development of Jehovah�s Witnesses. For more information on Charles Taze Russell, click here . Ryan, John (1869-1945) : John A. Ryan was a Catholic priest and moral theologian who fought for economic justice. He helped inspire and support Roosevelt�s New Deal Programs. For more information on John Ryan, click here . S Sabbatarianism : The rigid and scrupulous observance of the Sabbath as a divinely ordained day of rest. This view contends that people should abstain from all activity on the Sabbath, except for what is necessary for the benefit of society and is based on a strict understanding of Old Testament law (Reid et al. 1990: 1036). Sabbatarianism also is often associated with Christian groups that believe the Sabbath should be observed on Saturday rather than Sunday, like the Seventh-day Adventist Church Sabbath : The last day of the week, considered the day of rest by Jews according to the Book of Genesis. On this day, God rested after creating the universe, and therefore observers are forbidden from working. Over time, the Sabbath became known as a day of worship. Jews and Seventh-day Adventists observe the Sabbath on Saturday, while many Christians observe it on Sunday (Prothero 2008: 275). Sacralization : The process through which there is little differentiation between religious and secular institutions, and the primary aspects of life, from family to politics, are suffused with religious symbols, rhetoric and rituals (Stark and Finke 2000: 199). For more information on sacralization, click here . Sacrament : A term for a sacred rite or "holy act" of great significance. Catholics affirm seven sacraments: baptism , confirmation , the Eucharist , penance, Anointing of the Sick, ordination and matrimony. Eastern Orthodox Christians also have sacraments, but believe that there are other "holy acts" besides those practiced by Catholics. Protestants generally only recognize the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, with Baptists viewing these as ordinances, performed because Jesus ordained their use, rather than as a means of grace (Reid et al. 1990: 1037). Sacred : Things set apart or forbidden, according to the sociologist Emile Durkheim. This is contrasted with the "profane," or mundane aspects of life. Critics claim that this definition is fairly vague, and not too useful in understanding religion (Stark and Finke 2000: 89). Saint : A category of holy person. In Christianity , it can mean at least one of the following: a holy person who is venerated in life and after death, a term to designate a member of the Christian community, or a person who is publicly venerated in the liturgy as an intercessor in heaven . In Islam , it is used in the Koran to designate a "friend of God," and a person who mediates on behalf of adherents (Smith and Green 1995: 953). Salat (Worship) : One of the Five Pillars of Islam . The Salat consists of formal prayer rituals performed five times a day facing Mecca (Hinnells 1991: 137). Salem Witch Trials : During the Salem Witch Trials (1692-1693), citizens accused one another of witchcraft, leading to mass hysteria and the imprisonment/death of approximately 170 community members in Salem, Massachusetts. For more detailed information on the Salem Witch Trials, click here . Salvation : The belief that humans require deliverance due to the problem of sin . For Christians , the death and resurrection of Jesus allows individuals to be forgiven of sin, and therefore saved. Salvation also is often associated with receiving admission into heaven (Smith and Green 1995: 954). Samsara : The never-ending cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth due to karma , the ethical law of cause and effect. This doctrine is found in the eastern religions of Buddhism , Hinduism , Jainism and Sikhism (Prothero 2008: 244). Sangha : Monks and nuns who make up the Buddhist monastic community (Esposito et al. 2012b: G-14). Satan : A malevolent figure in the Abrahamic religions, which include Judaism , Christianity and Islam . Satan often is interpreted as an angelic being in the Hebrew scriptures . In the New Testament , Satan is the enemy of God who challenges Jesus in the desert. In Islam, Satan is identified with Iblis, chief of the legion of devils who leads humanity astray. It is important to note that the portrayal of Satan as a horned being with cloven hoofs and a tail appears in the Middle Ages, ascribed by the European populace to ancient fertility spirits, such as the Greek god Pan (Smith and Green 1995: 962). Satanism : The worship of Satan or the devil. Satanism should not be confused with Neopaganism or with occultism because Satanists in some sense honor the biblical interpretation of Satan, but choose to venerate him instead of vilify him. Modern Satanism emerged from the late medieval and early modern period due to rising spiritual tension and atmosphere of witch hysteria. Satanism garnered much attention in the mid-20th century with the much-publicized Church of Satan and the Manson family (Smith and Green 1995: 963). Saum (Fasting) : One of the Five Pillars of Islam . The Saum is a 30-day daytime fast performed during Ramadan (Hinnells 1991: 144). Scapular : A garment typically worn by monks . The narrow cloak has an opening for the head that hangs in front and in back of the body (McBrien 1995:1165-1166). Schaeffer, Francis (1912-1984) : Francis Schaeffer was a famous evangelical apologist , famous for denouncing the spread of relativism in modern society in his book How Should We Then Live? (1976) . For more information on Francis Schaeffer, click here . Schism : A division or split within a religious group. Although a congregation can undergo a schism, the term usually refers to a split within a denomination (Smith and Green 1995: 964). For example, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America split off from the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1874. See the "Denominations" section to explore denominational histories, including schisms. Scientology : A new religious movement , founded in 1953 by science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard . Scientologists believe that suffering is caused by ingrained records of past experiences ("engrams"). Scientologists aim to remove these "engrams" and become "Clears." Famous Scientologists include John Travolta and Tom Cruise (Prothero 2008: 276). Scofield Reference Bible : The Scofield Reference Bible, developed by C.I. Scofield and published in 1909, popularized premillennial dispensationalism , a theological development suggesting that the world would inevitably spiral downward into sin and decay prior to the return of Christ. The book was a tremendous success, selling more than two million copies by the end of World War II. For more information on the Scofield Reference Bible, click here . Scopes Trial : A 1925 court case in Dayton, Tennessee, in which science teacher John Scopes was accused of violating state law by teaching Darwinian evolution instead of a creationist account. The court found John Scopes guilty, but the ruling was overturned due to a small technicality (Prothero 2008: 214). For more information on the Scopes trial, click here . Scriptures : A term often used to denote sacred writings of different religions . Commonly, the authority of the scriptures is believed to come from God (e.g., Christianity , Judaism , and Islam ), and sometimes it is believed to come from a legendary person (e.g., Confucianism and Buddhism ). Popular scriptures include the Christian Bible , the Torah , the Koran , and the Vedas (Hinnells 1984: 289). Second Coming : The belief that Jesus will return to earth to judge the world at the end of time (Prothero 2008: 277). Second Great Awakening (1790s-1840s) : The Second Great Awakening(s) (1790s-1840s) fueled the rise of an evangelical Protestant majority in antebellum America, giving rise to new denominations and social reform organizations. The Cane Ridge camp meeting of 1801 , led by Barton Stone, is considered the largest and most famous religious revival of the Second Great Awakening. For more information on the Second Great Awakening, click here . Sect : 1) A religious group that separates from a larger religious movement or tradition. 2) Sociologists also refer to sects as religious groups making high demands on their members and holding a high level of tension with the rest of society (Stark and Finke 2000: 144). For more information on sects, click here . Secular : Someone or something not identified as religious or spiritual (Esposito et al. 2012b: 27). Secularization : 1) The process of a group or individual discarding religious beliefs and practices. 2) Sociologists also refer to a society being secularized when religion loses its public presence. 3) A theory about the eventual decline of religion due to modernity (i.e. science, economic development, pluralism, etc.), which is debated among social scientists (Reid et al. 1990: 1069-1070). For more information on secularization, click here . Seminary : An institution that educates clergy , theologians and other professionals for religious service (Reid et al. 1990: 1071-1072). Sephardic Jews : Jews whose traditions originated in Spain and Portugal (Esposito et al. 2012b: G-4). September 11th (9/11) : On September 11, 2001 ("9/11"), al-Qaeda terrorists crashed two planes into the Twin Towers and one into the Pentagon. More than 3,000 people died. The event was the catalyst for two wars, one in Afghanistan and one in Iraq, and deepened anti-Muslim sentiments in America, even though al-Qaeda espoused a form of militant Islamism not approved by the majority of Muslims in the world. For more information on 9/11, click here . Sermon : A message on a religious topic preached by clergy and other leaders of a congregation during worship. Serra, Junipero (1713-1784) : Junipero Serra (1713-1784) was a Spanish Franciscan priest who strengthened Spanish control of California and helped spread Catholicism to the New World. His relationship with the native population, however, was complex and remains widely debated. For more information on Junipero Serra, click here . Seven Deadly Sins : In Roman Catholicism , it refers to the seven most serious human failings: pride, envy, greed, anger, sloth, lust and gluttony. Some date the list back to Pope Gregory the Great in the sixth century CE (Prothero 2008: 189). Seventh-day Adventist Church : An evangelical sabbatarian church founded in the mid nineteenth century. It grew from the work of William Miller , who had predicted the Second Coming of Christ in 1844. The church continued to grow under Ellen White and James Springer White . Besides advocating a Saturday Sabbath , the church also teaches the infallibility of the Bible , the Trinity , creation out of nothing, baptism by immersion, and salvation by atonement in Jesus Christ (Melton 2009: 577). Shahada (Profession of Faith) : One of the Five Pillars Of Islam . The Shahada is a profession of faith. A Muslim recites the following Islamic creed : "There is no God but God and Muhammad is the messenger of God." This is recited by new converts and during each performance of Salat (Hinnells 1991: 136). Shaman : Intermediaries who attempt to connect this realm to another realm of existence that affects humanity. They act as ritual specialists that help foster social solidarity within the community, and protect the group from harm. This role is more common in indigenous religions (Esposito 2012b: G-3). Sharia : The canon law of Islam that seeks to guide human activity. It is established from the Koran and the hadith . Some nations incorporate Sharia law into their governance (Smith and Green 1995: 982). Sheen, Fulton (1895-1979) : Fulton Sheen was a popular Catholic leader, who appeared on popular radio programs ("Catholic Hour") and television programs (Emmy-winning "Life is Worth Living"). His themes of patriotism, Christian faith, and morality strongly resonated with both Catholic and non-Catholic Americans alike. For more information on Fulton Sheen, click here . Shema : The declaration of monotheistic faith in Judaism . This central prayer , which begins, "Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One," often is recited in temple services (Esposito et al. 2012b: G-5). Shi'ite Islam : A branch of Islam that split from Sunni Islam when the fourth caliph , Ali , was assassinated in 661 CE. The Shi�is viewed Ali as the First Caliph, rather than the Fourth, and traced the line of true Caliphs through Ali's family. Shi'ite Muslims make up 10 percent of the one billion Muslims in the world (Mead et al. 2005: 341). Shinto : The indigenous religion of Japan, also known as the "way of the gods." Its polytheistic "kami" were, by and large, essentially the patronal deities of the uji, or clans, of ancient Japan. Since Shinto holds to a strong sense of purity, its shrines are often located outside human communities, away from possible pollutions. It was not considered a distinct religion until the advent of Buddhism in the sixth century CE. Most Japanese maintain a relationship to both Shinto and Buddhism (Melton 2009: 1052). Shirk : Considered the biggest sin in Islam . It includes polytheism , idolatry and attribution of anyone or anything with God (Esposito et al. 2012b: G-9). Shramana : Wandering ascetics that existed at the time of Buddha . It was his experience with seeing a shramana that led the Buddha to leave his palace and search for deeper meaning in life (Esposito et al. 2012b: G-14). Shrine : A sacred place usually commemorating a holy person or a holy event. Shrines typically house relics and sometimes are constructed over tombs. The Kaaba in Mecca functions as a shrine for Muslims (Smith and Green 1995: 992). Siddhartha Gautama : Also known as Gautama Buddha, he is the founder of Buddhism . He was born around 563 BCE to an aristocratic family in an area near the Himalayan foothills. He decided to leave his palace after seeing a sick man, an old man, a dead man, and a shramana . He experimented with asceticism before finding a "middle way" (see eightfold path ) between excessive indulgence and asceticism (Buddhism also is known as the "Middle Way" for this reason). Finally, he reached enlightenment under the bodhi tree, extinguishing all desire and ignorance. He taught his disciples , called arhats , about suffering and how to reach enlightenment. He died around 483 BCE (Esposito et al. 2012b: 400-402). Siddhartha often is associated with the jolly corpulent being depicted in statues in Chinese restaurants. But, it is important to note that the being in the statue is not Siddhartha, but Maitreya, a Chinese bodhisattva who many believed would be the next Buddha (Esposito et al. 2012a: 208). Sikh : An adherent of Sikhism Sikhism : Emerged in central India and the Punjab region of India in the 16th century and was founded by Guru Nanak. The Sikhs stress the oneness of God and follow the teachings of 10 gurus , the fifth of whom, Arjan, compiled the religion's primary sacred text, the Guru Granth Sahib (Parrinder 1973: 260). Sin : An act against religious law. In Judaism , it is a violation of the stipulations of the covenant with God. In Orthodox Judaism , it may not be a moral violation, but perhaps a violation of dietary law. In Christianity , sin has a variety of interpretations. It can mean "missing the mark" or wandering from God's path. It also can be interpreted as rebellion against God or a disease (Smith and Green 1995: 1002-1003). Smith, Joseph (1805-1844) : The founder and prophet of the Church of Latter-day Saints . He lived from 1805 to 1844, and wrote the Book of Mormon (1830). The Book of Mormon consists of revelations that he received from the angel Moroni . He also wrote Doctrine and Covenants (1835) and The Pearl of Great Price (1842) (Smith and Green 1995: 1006). He was killed by a mob on June 27, 1844 . For more information on Joseph Smith, click here . Social Encapsulation : The situation when a high fraction of friendships or other social relations of members of a religious organization are with fellow members rather than outsiders (Stark and Bainbridge 1980). For more information on this concept, click here . Social Gospel : A theological Protestant movement that aims to apply Jesus' teachings toward ameliorating socioeconomic problems. This movement was led by Baptist theologian Walter Rauschenbusch in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its emphasis on rectifying the problems caused by capitalism and industrialism influenced aspects of the New Deal policies (Prothero 2008: 283). Social Regulation of Religion : The restrictions placed on religion by other religious groups, associations, or the culture at large (Grim and Finke 2011: 216). Sociology of Religion : The study of religion as an institution, a cluster of values, norms, statuses, roles and groups developed around a basic social need. Under this framework, sociologists study religious behavior as a social phenomenon (Smith and Green 1995: 905). Sola Scriptura : A Latin phrase translated as "by Scripture alone," used in the Protestant tradition to signify that biblical scriptures are the ultimate authority of faith and practice. This was a response to the Catholic emphasis on church traditions as an authority (Reid et al. 1990: 1111). Soteriology : The doctrines and beliefs regarding salvation (Smith and Green 1995: 1012). Soul : The animating force conjoined with the body in a human being. Many believe that the soul is capable of separating from the body at death and under special conditions, like dreaming (see astral projection ). In some dualistic traditions, the soul is understood as divine and in opposition to the body. The belief in the soul pervades various religious traditions, including Hinduism , Buddhism , Judaism , Christianity and Islam (Smith and Green 1995: 1012-1013). Southern Christian Leadership Conference : Founded in 1957, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) was monumental in the Civil Rights Movement. The organization believed that racial equality was a Christian imperative and utilized non-violent protests to combat racism. Led by Martin Luther King, Jr. , SCLC members organized protests in Albany (1962), Birmingham (1963), St. Augustine (1964), and Selma (1965). For more information on the SCLC, click here . Speaking In Tongues : The practice of speaking in unknown or foreign languages by charismatic and Pentecostal Christians. It is usually seen as a gift of the Holy Spirit first described in the New Testament book of Acts. It is also known as "glossolalia" (Reid et al. 1990: 1179-1180). Spirit : General term for minor supernatural beings, especially disembodied ghosts (Smith and Green 1995: 1022). Spiritualist Family : Churches and other religious associations teaching that believers can communicate with spirits and the deceased through such practices as seances and other paranormal activities (Melton 2009: 747-750). Churches in the Spiritualist tradition include the Swedenborgian Church and the International General Assembly of Spiritualists . Spirituality : An orientation toward transcendent or supernatural realities outside any strict doctrinal framework. This primarily includes beliefs and practices that are internal and privatized. For more information on this concept, click here . Stake : A regional association of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) congregations or wards . Stanton, Elizabeth Cady (1815-1902) : Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815-1902) was an important women�s rights leader in the 19th century, who, along with Susan B. Anthony, convened the first women�s rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York, in 1848. However, it was her controversial biblical commentary, known as The Woman�s Bible (1895), that led many in the movement to disaffiliate with her. Nonetheless, The Woman�s Bible helped pioneer feminist theology . For more information on Elizabeth Cady Stanton, click here . Star of David (Magen David) : A six-pointed star that is an important symbol of Judaism , similar to the importance of the symbol of the cross in Christianity . In the Middle Ages, both Jews and Christians used the Magen David as a symbol to protect against the powers of demons . It was only after the emancipation of European Jewry in the 19th century that it became centrally associated with Judaism (Smith and Green 1995: 673). State Church : An officially endorsed denomination by a government, such as the Church of England (Smith and Green 1995: 1025). Stations of the Cross : Fourteen images that depict the Passion of Jesus in his last hours, from condemnation through his crucifixion. Stations of the Cross are found in some Roman Catholic churches and Episcopal churches. Mel Gibson fashioned his film The Passion of the Christ from the Stations of the Cross (Prothero 2008: 284). Stigmata : The imprinted wounds on the hands and feet that resemble the wounds of Jesus Christ . Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) was the first to report experiencing stigmata. The Roman Catholic Church is cautious about the validity of stigmata (Smith and Green 1995: 1026). Strictness Theory : This theory suggests that strict religious groups will tend to retain members and foster ongoing commitment, while more lenient churches will tend to lose members and exhibit lower levels of commitment. Kelley (1972) posited three primary aspects of strictness: 1) ideological; 2) lifestyle or behavioral; 3) and policing. For more on this theory, click here . Stupa : A Buddhist shrine , a raised mound surmounted by a ceremonial pole and umbrella. It usually contains relics of a Buddha or an enlightened saint (Esposito et al. 2012a: G-8). Sub-Cultural Identity Theory : A theory that posits that religion survives and can thrive in pluralistic, modern society by embedding itself in subcultures that offer satisfying, morally-orienting collective identities which provide adherents with meaning and a sense of belonging. For more information, click here . Sufism : A term used to describe a wide variety of mystical and disciplined orders found throughout the Islamic world. It is an eclectic movement that draws from Christian and Gnostic elements. There is an emphasis on ecstatic experience, the immediate knowledge of God, in contrast to secondhand knowledge from theologians (Melton 2009: 927). Sunday School : An educational ministry for children and adults usually held before or after worship services in Christian churches . In Judaism , there are educational classes for children that serve a similar purpose and are sometimes called Hebrew school. The Sunday school movement migrated from England to the United States in the 1790s, although the purpose at the time was to teach working-class children how to read (Prothero 2008: 100). Sunday, William "Billy" (1862-1935) : Billy Sunday was a prominent evangelist who led revivals in the early 20th century. He passionately advocated a prohibition of alcohol and strengthened conservative Protestantism . For more information on Billy Sunday, click here . Sunnah : The Prophet Muhammad's life example as evidenced in the hadith (Esposito 2011: 248). Sunni Islam : A branch of Islam that teaches that the process of interpretation of the law was closed in the 10th century. Before that there were four legal traditions: Hanafi, Malaki, Shafi and Hanbali. Sunnis are expected to follow one of the four traditions, which is somewhat difficult for American Muslims from different schools who share the same mosque . Sunnis make up 90 percent of the one billion Muslims in the world (Mead et al. 2005: 339-340). Supernatural : A term referring to forces or entities beyond or outside nature that can suspend, alter, or ignore physical forces (Stark and Finke 2000: 277). Surah : The chapters in the Koran , arranged from the largest in content to the smallest. The 286 Surahs detail the revelations communicated through the Prophet Muhammad . Since they are ordered by size, and not chronologically or thematically, it can be difficult to follow without any additional commentaries. For this reason, the hadith accounts can be very useful in understanding the context of certain passages. Muslims believe that the Koran was initially preserved in oral and written form during the lifetime of the Prophet. Muslims also do not believe that Muhammad was the author, nor editor, of the Surahs because they consider the scriptures to be the eternal word of God (Esposito 2011: 9). Synagogue : The Jewish building for public worship. Since the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, the synagogue has been a central component of Jewish religious and cultural life (Smith and Green 1995: 1041). Synod : An official meeting of ministers and other members of the Christian church . This term also can refer to an association of churches, such as the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (Smith and Green 1995: 1044). T Taliban : Islamic militants who were trained in Pakistani refugee camps during the Russo-Afghan war. The Taliban took control of Afghanistan in the mid-1990s and turned it into a theocratic state under Mullah Muhammad Omar. The United States invaded Afghanistan in 2001 because the state was providing shelter and protection to Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda (Prothero 2008: 285). Talmud : A text of commentary and traditions supplementing the Torah and other Old Testament writings. There are two Talmuds: the first is called the Talmud of the Land of Israel, and was completed in Israel between 400-500 CE. The second is called the Talmud of Babylonia, and was completed around 600 CE in present-day Iraq (Smith and Green 1995: 1048). Tantra : An esoteric tradition common to both Hinduism and Buddhism (see Tantric Buddhism ). It often defies caste and gender orthopraxy , and is believed to lead to nirvana faster (Esposito et al. 2012b: G-11). Tantric (Vajrayana) Buddhism : A form of Buddhism that combines elements of the Theravadan tradition and the Mahayanan tradition based on the belief that everything is permeated by a single power (Shakti) emanating from God. It originated in India around the fifth century CE. It manifests itself in three ways: positive masculine, negative feminine, and the union of the two. Tantric Buddhism is known for its esoteric rituals, including sexual rituals (Melton 2009: 1047). Taoism : One of the three "Great Teachings of China," along with Buddhism and Confucianism . Lao Tzu (570-490 BCE) founded Taoism, while Chuang Tzu (370-290 BCE) further advanced it in China. They viewed Confucianism as an empty set of rituals, and supported self-cultivation through naturalness and spontaneity. This is known as "philosophical Taoism," as opposed to "religious Taoism," which is a later form that emphasizes physical immortality through meditation and dietary practices (Prothero 2008: 286). Televangelism : The use of television to teach viewers about Christianity . Well-known televangelists include Pat Robertson , Jerry Falwell and Benny Hinn. The Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) is an example of a Christian television station used for the purposes of televangelists. For how survey researchers study televangelism, click here . Televangelist : A preacher who engages in televangelism (i.e., appearing on television to preach Christianity). Examples include Pat Robertson , Jerry Falwell , and Benny Hinn. Temperance : The proper control of one�s desires and one of the four cardinal virtues in the Catholic tradition. It�s often associated with abstaining from alcohol (see Temperance Movement ) (McBrien 1995:1244). Temperance Movement : A century-long effort, beginning in the 19th century, to denounce alcohol consumption in the United States. Many temperance organizations, like the American Temperance Society (est. 1826) and Women�s Christian Temperance Union (est. 1873/1874), had explicit connections to Protestantism and Christian thought. Seven of the 16 founders of the American temperance Society were clergyman. The temperance movement slowly declined in the 1930s, as Prohibition became increasingly unpopular (Reid et al 1990). Temple : Religious buildings for ritual activities and public worship (see also Synagogue for Jews). They are commonly known in Judaism , Mormonism , Hinduism , and Buddhism . There also existed temples in Mesopotamia, ancient Greece, and ancient Rome (Smith and Green 1995: 1059-1062). Ten Commandments (Decalogue) : Religious and moral laws given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai. This story is found in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) books of Exodus and Deuteronomy. The Ten Commandments begin with obligations towards God and end with obligations toward one another. There are Catholic , Protestant , and Jewish variations of these statutes (Prothero 2008: 190). Tension : A term referring to the degree of distinctiveness, separation and antagonism in the relationship between a religious group and the "outside" world (Stark and Finke 2000: 281). For more information on tension, click here . Theism : The belief in God (Reid et al. 1990: 1167). Theologian : A person who systematically studies theology or some aspects of theology. In Colonial America, theologians usually were educated pastors who might instruct prospective ministers in a college setting. Theologians became professional academicians and specialists after the advent of seminaries in the 19th century (Reid et al. 1990: 1170). Theology : The study of God and of his relationship with created reality (Reid et al. 1990: 1170). Theravada Buddhism : One of the oldest schools of Buddhism that looked to the writings of Sariputra, an early disciple of the Buddha whose method of interpreting Buddha�s teachings was very conservative and emphasized the role of the monastic life as the way to nirvana (Melton 2009: 1043). Three Faiths : The Chinese grouping of the three great religions : Confucianism , Taoism and Buddhism (Esposito et al. 2012a: G-11). Three Jewels : The three things that provide refuge for Buddhists : the Buddha , the Dharma (teaching), and the Sangha (Buddhist community) (Prothero 2008: 205). Three Marks of Existence : Described as impermanence, suffering, and no soul in the Buddhist conception of human reality (Esposito et al. 2012b: G-14). Tibetan Book of the Dead : A collection of Buddhist texts focused on the state between death and rebirth. The texts describe a 49-day journey that includes unconsciousness at the moment of death, reawakening in a bodiless form, and the appearance of both peaceful and wrathful deities (Smith and Green 1995: 1075). Torah : The Hebrew term ("teaching") broadly refers to both the oral and written Jewish Law. More narrowly, it refers to the first five books in the Hebrew Bible , or Old Testament, which Jewish believers consider their most sacred text (Prothero 2008: 287). Tradition : See religious tradition . Transubstantiation : A Catholic doctrine that the Eucharistic bread and wine are the body and blood of Christ in a literal sense. The term means "substance crossing" or "substance changing." It is based on the literal interpretation of the Last Supper in the Gospel accounts. The Benedictine monk Paschasius Radbertus (c.785-c.860 CE) is credited as the first explicit proponent of the doctrine, although the actual term first appears around 1130 CE. The Protestant reformers rejected this doctrine (Reid et al. 1990: 1184). Trinity : The Christian term for the community of God made of three "persons" (Father, Son and Holy Spirit ). The term itself is not in the New Testament , although the persons of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are mentioned. The distinctions between the three are relational and not believed to be a separation of power. Jesus is said to be the Son of God. The doctrine of the trinity is somewhat controversial, for critics (e.g. Muslims and Unitarians ) claim that it is polytheism , while Christians traditionally defend the doctrine as communal monotheism (Smith and Green 1995: 1100). Turban : The head covering worn by some Muslim males in Afghanistan and in Iran (Esposito 2011: 248). U Ummah : The Muslim community of believers (Esposito et al. 2012b: G-10). Unchurched : Those who do not attend or have stopped attending religious services. For more information on the unchurched, click here . Unclaimed Population : As used by the ARDA, the unclaimed population are those that are not adherents of any of the 236 groups included in the Religious Congregations & Membership Study, 2010 . This number should not be used as an indicator of irreligion or atheism , as it also includes adherents of groups not included in these data. Unction : The sacrament of healing in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches . Since Vatican Council II , Catholicism has used the term "Anointing of the Sick" rather than "unction." This sacrament is based on passages in the New Testament books of Mark and James, as well as early Christian tradition. Medieval practice in Western Christianity limited the sacrament to those who were dying. Vatican Council II restored its earlier general purpose (Reid et al. 1990: 1194). Unification Church : A new religious movement founded in Korea by Sun Myung Moon in 1954. The full name of the movement is the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity. Unification theology is based on Moon's interpretation of the Old and New Testaments . It claims that Jesus� mission was to restore spiritual and physical salvation to the world, but due to his crucifixion, he was only able to bring spiritual salvation . Moon claims that physical salvation comes through marriage, and as a result, Moon selects members of the church to be married. Their children are considered to be free of a "fallen nature" (Smith and Green 1995: 1109). Unitarianism : The belief that there is only one God, and thus Jesus was not divine in essence. This tenet dates back to the Protestant Reformation, where Michael Servetus and Faustus Socinus were opposing the concept of the Trinity . Famous Unitarians include Issac Newton, John Locke, and John Milton (Mead et al. 2005: 368). For modern Unitarian/Universalist churches, see the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations . Universalism : The belief that ultimately all individuals will be saved (Reid et al. 1990: 1205). For modern Unitarian/Universalist churches, see the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations . Upanishads : A collection of texts at the end of the Vedas that record early Hindu speculations on Brahman , atman and moksha . These texts are very influential to Hindu thought (Esposito et al. 2012a: G-5). Vajrayana Buddhism : See Tantric Buddhism . Vatican City : An independent state within the city of Rome governed by the pope . It was established by the Lateran Pacts in 1929, and later ratified by the Republic of Italy in 1948. The area is 108.7 acres and has a population of 1,000, making it the smallest country in the world. Its famous buildings include St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel (Smith and Green 1995: 1114). Vatican Council I : A church-wide council held for Catholics from 1869 to 1870 in Rome at St. Peter�s Basilica. Led by Pope Pius IX, the purpose of the Council was to deal with contemporary problems of the time, but it is best known for establishing the definition of papal infallibility (McBrien 1995:1296-1298). Vatican Council II : A church-wide council held for Catholics from 1962-1965 to renew the church and update Catholic teachings, especially involving the liturgy , religious freedom, and ecumenism (Smith and Green 1995: 1114). For more information on Vatican Council II, click here . Vedas : The most ancient and sacred texts of Hinduism . It is a large body of Sanskrit texts collected by the Brahmans , or priestly class, who were Aryans who occupied North India. They are dated from 2000-1000 BCE. Until recently, it was preserved through oral tradition (Smith and Green 1995: 1114). Virgin Birth : A Christian teaching that Mary conceived Jesus without a human father. God miraculously made Mary pregnant without the use of sexual intercourse with Joseph. This doctrine is accepted by Catholics , Orthodox Christians, Protestants , and Muslims . This doctrine is not the same as the Immaculate Conception (Prothero 2008: 289). Virginia's Religious Disestablishment (1786) : In 1786, the Virginia legislature passed a bill by Thomas Jefferson ending the Anglican Church�s formal establishment as the state religion. Although Virginia was not the first state to disestablish religion -- North Carolina claimed that honor in 1776 -- it marked the turning point in American disestablishment because of the state's massive population and the out-sized political influence. Virginia�s disestablishment became important to future legal battles regarding the separation of church and state. For more information on this historical event, click here . Vishnu : The most popular Hindu deity. He is said to have 10 different incarnations, including the Buddha (Prothero 2008: 289). Voodoo (Vodou) : An African-Christian religion originating in Haiti. Followers serve divine spirits and accept possession by those spirits for spiritual and healing purposes. Recently, the Roman Catholic Church in Haiti attempted to suppress Voodoo. It has spread to Noth America in the cities of New York, Miami, Montreal and is significantly present in New Orleans (Smith and Green 1995: 1126). Vulgate : The Latin translation of the Bible used by the Roman Catholic Church . In the late fourth century CE, Jerome put together a Latin translation that translated from the Hebrew of the Old Testament instead of the Greek Septuagint as was common at the time. It was deemed the official version of the Bible of the Roman Catholic Church in the 16th century CE, and all Roman Catholic translations were required to use it until 1943 (Smith and Green 1995: 1127). W Wahhabism : A conservative Sunni Muslim movement that seeks to return the Muslim world to the pure Islam in the Koran and restore traditional morality in society. The term derives from the founder of the movement, Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab (1703-1792), although the term is considered derogatory. Proponents of the movement prefer being called "Muwahhidun" or Salafis. It recently spread to Afghanistan through the Taliban , and has influenced leaders of al-Qaeda , like Osama bin Laden (Prothero 2008: 290). Ward : A congregation in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) . Warrior Monks : Japanese Buddhist monks who participated in armed violence in the eighth century. They were used to protect the monasteries' interests as they continued to grow. Most of the conflicts were between monasteries, but some warrior monks would threaten the government if their demands were not met. Warrior monks were particularly influential in eleventh through twelfth centuries, but their influence abated when Japan was unified in the sixteenth century (Smith and Green 1995: 1130). Wesley, Charles (1707-1788) : Charles Wesley was an important leader of the Methodist movement. He was influential in having his brother, John , join the group that eventually became the Methodists. He also was a prolific hymn writer. Some of his well-known hymns include "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today." For more information on Charles Wesley, click here . Wesley, John (1703-1791) : The founder of Methodism . He was ordained in 1725 in the Church of England. From 1729 to 1735, he led the Holy Club, a group of students who were called Methodists. They performed acts of piety and charity. After his disastrous missionary trip to America, he returned to England. In 1738, he had a religious experience that convinced him the activities of the Methodists could be empowered by grace through faith in Jesus . This led to a revival and a 52-year ministry up until his death (Reid et al. 1990: 1241). For more information on John Wesley, click here . Western Liturgical Family : Churches represented by or originating from the Roman Catholic Church . Such offshoots include the Old Catholic Church and the Polish National Catholic Church, which differ from the Roman Catholic Church in their rejection of the authority of the pope (Melton 2009: 82). To interactively explore the history of Catholics in America, click here . Westminster Abbey : The central church of English Christianity . It also is the traditional site for the coronation of British royalty. It was once a Benedictine Abbey, and legend has it that Peter consecrated it (Smith and Green 1995: 1131). White, Ellen Gould (1827-1915) : Ellen Gould White was the co-founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church , along with her husband, James Springer White . She promoted Saturday as the Christian Sabbath and advocated biblically-based health initiatives. For more information on Ellen White, click here . White, James Springer (1821-1881) : James Springer White was the co-founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church , along with his wife Ellen Gould White . For more information on James Springer White, click here . Whitefield, George (1714-1770) : George Whitefield was the leading preacher and revivalist of the First Great Awakening in the American colonies. George Whitefield was a Church of England clergyman and itinerant preacher who made seven trips to the American colonies, attracting large crowds during this "preaching tours." For more information on George Whitefield, click here . Wicca : The common term for many different traditions of Neopagan Witchcraft, also known as "the craft." It is a nature-based religion that celebrates seasonal and life cycles (Smith and Green 1995: 1131). Willard, Frances (1839-1898) : Frances Willard was a Christian social activist who promoted temperance , women�s suffrage, labor reform and home-centered family life. She became involved in the Women�s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) in 1874 when she began preaching at daily temperance meetings in Chicago, and she eventually became WCTU president in 1879 (see Temperance Movement ). In her later life, she promoted Christian socialism, making her a forerunner of the Social Gospel Movement . For more information on Frances Willard, click here . Williams, Roger (1603-1683) : Roger Williams was a theologian , advocate for the separation of civil and church authority, and founder of Rhode Island. For more information on Roger Williams and his role in American history, click here . Winthrop, John (1588-1649) : John Winthrop was the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He was famous for describing the colony as a "city on a hill." For more information on John Winthrop, click here . Witherspoon, John (1723-1794) : John Witherspoon was an influential Presbyterian minister in Colonial America. As president of the college of New Jersey (Princeton), he helped expand the college�s curriculum, endowment, and enrollment. He also was influential in American politics, serving as a delegate to the Continental Congress, New Jersey state legislature, and the only clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence. For more information on John Witherspoon, click here . World Religion : The broadest categorization of religious affiliation . Examples of world religions include: Christianity , Judaism , Islam , Buddhism , and Hinduism . Worship (Christianity) : The public and ritual honor given to God in the name of Jesus Christ . It often consists of words ( prayers and other ritual formulas) and sacred acts (see sacrament ). Protestant churches tend to stress the verbal aspect of Christian worship over sacramental activity. Catholic and Orthodox churches place a larger emphasis on the sacraments (Smith and Green 1995: 260). Worship Style : The types of activities that occur within the context of worship services in a given religious group. Some worship styles are more liturgical (e.g., Catholic Mass), and some are more spontaneous (e.g., Pentecostal services). For more on this topic, click here . X X, Malcolm (1925-1965) : Malcolm X was an active and controversial minister/spokesman for the Nation of Islam from the mid-1950s until 1964. He brought national attention to his religious group and the problems facing the black Americans, though his negative comments toward whites and the civil rights movement received national criticism as well. For more information on Malcolm X, click here . Y Yiddish : A vernacular language of Ashkenazi Jews. It is a combination of medieval German with elements from Hebrew, Slavic and other romance languages. It has been used since the Middle Ages and continues to be used today (Smith and Green 1995: 1143). Yin/Yang : Two forces that oppose, yet complement each other in the world according to Confucianism , Taoism and religion in China. Yin is dark and passive, while yang is bright and active (Prothero 2008: 290-291). Yoga : A term meaning "union," specifically referring to union with the divine. Early forms of yoga were related to ascetic practices and Hindu philosophy, but now many use it for physical fitness and mental health. In 1893, yoga was introduced to Americans by Swami Vivekananda, the first Hindu missionary in the United States. The practice took off in the 1950s and 1960s, and now it is considered mainstream (Prothero 2008: 291). Yogi, Maharishi Mahesh (1918-2008) : Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was the founder of Transcendental Meditation and a popular religious figure of the 1960s and 1970s. He became a mentor to rock groups like the Beatles and The Rolling Stones. For more information on this important figure, click here . Yom Kippur : A Jewish holiday 10 days after the Jewish New Year that entails a 25-hour fast day from dusk until nightfall the following day. It also is known as the Day of Atonement, where Jews seek atonement from God for past sins . It is considered one of the most solemn Jewish holidays, and synagogues are often very crowded on this day (Hinnells 1991: 34). Young, Brigham (1801-1877) : Brigham Young succeeded Joseph Smith as Mormon president. He led the Mormon exodus to Utah and helped expand the church to 150,000 members. Young was one of the most influential leaders in Latter-day Saints history, although critics have noted his controversial history of plural marriage, ban on African-American priesthood, tacit support for slavery, and wars with the American government. For more information on Brigham Young, click here . Z Zakat (Alms-giving) : One of the Five Pillars of Islam . Zakat (alms-giving) is the sharing of one's wealth, generally to either an administration or government (Hinnells 1991: 143). Zen Buddhism : A mystical school of Buddhism founded by Daosheng (Tao-sheng) (360-434 CE), who added to Buddhist meditative techniques the doctrine of instantaneous enlightenment �the attainment of enlightenment in one single act. It illuminates the goal of mystical truth in both its objective and subjective aspects (Melton 2009: 1046). Zion : 1) A specific hill in Jerusalem . 2) The place from which God rules the world in the Hebrew Bible (Smith and Green 1995: 1149). Zionism : It relates to the persistent belief that God's covenant with his people, the Jews , is linked to Palestine and Jerusalem , in particular, and that that land is rightfully theirs (Reid et al. 1990: 1303). The growth of Zionism came with the 1917 Balfour Declaration that committed England to the Zionist cause (Melton 2009: 897). Zoroastrianism : The religion founded by Zoroaster (c. 1400 BCE) that reforms ancient Persian polytheism into a monotheistic belief system. Zoroastrian teachings include the Avesta and the Pahlavi literature. It is considered dualistic since it has a good god, Ahura Mazda, and an evil god, Angra Mainyu. The religion has influenced Judaism , Christianity and Islam , specifically in the concepts of heaven and hell , resurrection of the dead and final judgment (Hinnells 1984: 362-363).
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Author Malcolm Gladwell popularized the notion (2000s) that to become truly expert at something a minimum of how many hours practice is required?
Grit to Great: How Perseverance, Passion, and Pluck Take You from Ordinary to Extraordinary eBook: Linda Kaplan Thaler, Robin Koval: Amazon.ca: Kindle Store By Robert Morris HALL OF FAMETOP 50 REVIEWER on Sept. 9 2015 Format: Hardcover Angela Lee Duckworth is among the sources that Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval cite in their latest book, Grit to Great. Briefly, in her late 20s, Duckworth left a demanding job as a management consultant at McKinsey to teach math in public schools in San Francisco, Philadelphia and New York. After five years of teaching seventh graders, she went back to graduate school to complete her Ph.D. in psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, where she is now an assistant professor in the psychology department. Her research subjects include students, West Point cadets, and corporate salespeople, all of whom she studies to determine how "grit" is a better indicator of success than factors such as IQ or family income. I agree with Kaplan Thaler and Koval that "the science of success is only beginning to be explored. And there is much to learn But the great thing about grit is that working harder, smarter, more passionately, and longer is something we control, unlike the community we grew up in, the high school we attended, the money and resources our parents have, company politics, or the current state of the economy. It is [begin italics] attainable [end italics] by each and every one of us. Even if you're not the smartest or most talented person in the room." Decades of research by K. Anders Ericsson and his associates at Florida State University clearly indicate that, on average, achieving peak performance in almost any human endeavor (e.g. playing chess or the cello) requires 10,000 hours of "deep" (i.e. highly disciplined) practice under strict, expert supervision...and some luck. Even then, success is not guaranteed. Read more › One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback... Thank you for your feedback. Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again.
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E The Magazine for Today's Female Executive November 2015 issue by E The Magazine for Today's Female Executive - issuu issuu The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Living in Gratitude Women in Transition A New Serires by Author Linda Rossetti while Expecting Wonderful Things to Happen A sit down With Kathryn Hall YOYOYOUUU Celebrity Chefs do the Holiday Fashion Ralph Lauren SHERRI HILL Anna Sui MADAME Closed Borders: r Sp g n i v i g nks Tha November 2015 $4.99 USA (CAN $5.99) Female-Exec.com Digital edition included with current subscription Page 1 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Do The 10 Day Cleanse and fit into that Little Black Dress. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Sometimes A Trip Home is What’s Needed E The Magazine For Today’s Female Executive Subscribe Here E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Give a gift -Free Subscription to someone special! Page 2 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html d to Relaunch a New Future. Page 3 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Look Who’s Talking Yang Lan, Media Mogul, TV host. Yamg Lan is ofter called “the Oprah of China.” The chair of a multiplatform business empire, Yang is pioneering more-open means of communication in the communist nation. Full bio TED TALKS Ideas worth spreading* 1700+ talks to stir your curiosity www.TED.com Page 4 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html 122 Do the 10 Day Celebrity Cleanse & Get $50 Free Presentd by Lawrence Anthony Earth Org. 154 130 Here’s some research that lays bare a rather David Goodman You Can Fit that Little Black Dress. It’s time to Get Serious About Water. By Linda Kaplan Thaler & Robin Koval 174 Franchising Pit Falls Women Need to Avoid 162 Gratitude in Spite of YOUR Secret Addiction and The Holidays We’ve Got it All Here at NAFE Stunning Marketing Misconception. By Bruce Wiseman Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Kathy Williamson E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Page 7 Subscribe and Connect E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Click directly on icons to link or copy links below & paste into your browser. Althea Ledford Editor Rochal Iscar Etiquette Expert Dr. Janet Woods Lifestyle Expert http://facebook.com/femaleexecmagazine https://twitter.com/femaleexecmag Subscription Link www.female-exec.com/s.html Linda Rossetti Their Were Not Revealed Page 8 Names E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Author and Speaker. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Contributors Kathy Williamson Author and Speaker. Author Jaques McNeil David Goodman Franchise Expert E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Page 9 What is a Female Executive? I am the one that makes the bread, weaves the fabric, creates the peace, negotiates the smiles, shuts it down and wakes it all back up. I am the Swiss Army Knife of mankind. I am the one that gives birth and keeps life goingwhether I have to nudge it with my heart, my mind, my blood or my foot! I keep the bass rhythm of life moving. I am that female that executes the needed, the necessary and the fantastic. I am THAT female executive. -Althea Ledford Page 10 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html From the Editor and Chief Creative Officer Welcome to the November Issue of E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive. Our theme is Living in Gratitude while Expecting Wonderful Things to Happen featuring Vintner Kathryn Walt Hall. Before we launch into this month’s issue and in light of recent tragic events in Paris, let’s take a minute to really be grateful for our loved ones and friends. We have only to wake up in the morning and that alone is something to be grateful for. Despite the dozens of aggravating events that can take place in a day from parking tickets to waiting in line, to bad reports, kids in trouble, issues in the office and so on. Any one of these events, once lined up from the perspective of a “real tragedy” , would still cause you to be grateful for your simpler lot in life. We can truly lend our hearts and minds to the people of Paris during this thanksgiving season. Each life lost could have been one of our friends, relatives or neighbors. In fact, as we now live in a global village, they are our friends, family and neighbors. As we enter this holiday season, let’s each work hard to make the world a better safer place. I hope you enjoy this issue. -Althea Ledford E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Page 11 Numberscribe is brought to E– Magazine Readers in partnership with the National Business Consortium. Page 12 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Page 13 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Ralph Lauren Anna Sui MADAME SHERRI HILL Coats&Gowns Page 14 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Page 15 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Page 16 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Page 17 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Page 18 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Page 19 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Page 20 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Page 21 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Page 22 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Page 23 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html If you’re an Organization If your Organization wants to earn money. If you want value added benefits for your members. Click Here & Get Free Information at No obligation NOW! Page 24 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html GO Earn income for your Organization No Cost Discounts and value added benefits for your members. Win Win--Win for you and your members. Page 25 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Women & Transition Reinventing Work and Life A New Series by Linda Rossetti Based on her New Book Women & Transition Page 26 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Page 27 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Meet Linda Rossetti Author & Advocate of Women & Transition Linda Rossetti focuses on women’s development through research, advocacy and writing. She also serves as Managing Director for Golden Seeds, LLC, an angel capital network for women -led entrepreneurial businesses. She previously served as Executive Vice President for Human Resources and Administration for Iron Mountain; Board and Compensation Committee member for Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates; and CEO of EMaven, Inc., a venture capital backed tech start-up that was sold to Perot Systems, Inc., now Dell Corporation. She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a B.A. from Simmons College. Page 28 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive What You Need to Know about Women and Transition: Reinventing Work and Life. Women & Transition: Reinventing Work and Life introduces a new way of thinking about the events that shape women’s adult lives – like marriage or childbirth or job loss - and offers a step-by-step toolkit designed specifically for women in transition. The book chronicles the real life transition story of author Linda Rossetti, a Harvard MBA, veteran vc-backed tech start-up ceo and mom, and the stories of more than 200 other women who shared their transition experiences with her. The book repositions transition as positive and optimistic, a substantive departure from the negative characteristics typically ascribed to it. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Rossetti was inspired to write the book because of a gap she perceived between the narrative of women’s progress in society and what she encountered in her own life and in the voices of women who participated in her research. From her research Rossetti concluded that transition is widely misunderstood in our society and that the skill sets required to navigate it are underdeveloped. Rossetti reasons that this lack of understanding can translate into women misinterpreting the early signs of transition – a route that very often includes a personal narrative of failure or self-doubt for women. While the book highlights women’s transition both women and men can transition. What is gendered about transition is a woman’s response to it. Rossetti argues that this response is highly influenced by how women are socialized. Women’s socialization affects a woman’s voice; her access to reliable sources of recognition and support; and her beliefs regarding what’s possible thanks in large part to our male-normed society. The last factor is further complicated by the care roles that women frequently hold. Overall women’s socialization influences a woman’s belief system about what she could’ or ‘should’ do, critical inputs to the transitioning process. Page 29 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Women & Transition is told in three parts: understanding transition; the mechanics. of transitioning; and navigating transition. In understanding transition Rossetti defines transition; explores the differences between change and transition; and introduces a universal framework for transition. The mechanics of transitioning introduces the transitioning process and presents eight specific transitioning tools suitable for transition over the arc of women’s lives. In navigating transition Rossetti explores barriers to transition, lessons learned from women who’ve transitioned and ‘how to’ get started. The story is told through vignettes of real life women making the text and its toolkit highly approachable. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Preorder now: Amazon pre-order link |B&N pre-order link |Powell’s pre-order link Page 30 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Women & Transition serves as a cornerstone to a broader effort spearheaded by Rossetti to build the capacity for transition in women. E Magazine had an opportunity to speak with Linda as she’s launched her new book Women and Transition. Let’s Listen in as Linda shares her own experience with the challenge of self fulfillment and transition. (click to listen) Rossetti argues that in order for women’s progress to accelerate the capacity for transition needs to be developed in women in parallel to renewed policy and programmatic efforts designed to address the cultural, governmental and workplace barriers that exist today for women and a growing but small number of men who hold care roles. Page 31 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Click Here for Free Information NOW! Say Goodbye to Joint Pain the Non Surgical Way.   Improve Joint mobility, reduce discomfort Counteract wrinkles and skin aging Watch Scientific Advisory Board Member Louis P. Brady, M.D. (3 min) Liquid BioCell Science, US (4min)   Page 33 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Feng Shui for Harmonious Holiday Gatherings Dr. Janet Woods Social gathering during the holidays can create some of the most memorable times of the year for friends and family. Whether it is an intimate lunch for two, or a huge traditional family sit down dinner. To make this event truly special consider using the Art of Placement, known as Feng Shui. Using this Asian principle will support you in creating an environment where your friends and loved ones can sit, and really savor the love you have put into your holiday celebration. Feng Shui, The Art of Placement is a Chinese philosophical system of harmonizing everyone with the surrounding environment. Your environment impacts you on many levels. Using the art of Page 34 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Feng Shui allows you to create harmony in your home and bring peace to social gatherings. Psychologists have documented that by decorating our home and planning celebrations, you create feelings of happiness that increase our endorphins and trigger serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is known as the “feel good” hormone. It Starts with the Table A round table is the best shape when planning a dinner party for a group of people. It means everyone is equal and able to Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html allow easy access to all chairs around the table. It is better to use a fabric tablecloth because it is warm, soft and tactile. This helps people to feel comfortable and relaxed. This also represents a special event to many people. Keep the fabric fairly plain and choose a white, ivory or pastel color. Light colors will open the heart and bring warmth to the table. Be careful with the color red when using a tablecloth. Red has been know to agitate and over stimulate certain individuals, and is the color we use in stop signs. It is best used as an accent color, or a pop of color to add a little drama. Try to avoid strongly contrasting stripes, checks or jarring abstract designs that can also agitate some individuals on a subconscious level. In restaurants contrasting patterns and checked tablecloths are use to make you eat faster. That is not what you want for your guest. You want them to linger and enjoy the wonderful meal you have taken time and energy to create just for them. Using fabric tablecloths softens the edges of sharp corners. if you need to use a rectangular table, the softness of a tablecloth helps the conversation to flow freely, and keeps the energy flowing gently throughout participate, with no one person dominating the celebration. There will be lots of movement so conversation will flow smoothly creating an atmosphere of connectivity. Your dinner table is the focal point of the meal. Place your dinner table in the middle of the room, which allows energy to flow throughout the room, and openness. You will need to remove any furniture pieces that are not being used that day. So if you have a display hutch or buffet you will not be using, get it out of the way. This will create more energy in the room and Page 35 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive the room. Table Top Decor Your table decor needs to be the brightest thing in the room to create a focal point and prevent dinner conversations from splintering off. Start with a round or octagon mirror in the center of the table. In Feng Shui mirrors are used to double the energy and intensity of a space. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html You can also add a mirror to the wall in the dining room. If you hang the mirror so it reflects an outside view of a garden or beautiful landscape, bring that into the dining area uplifts the energy of your celebration. Lighting plays a key role in creating a nurturing environment. Candle light is the easiest way to set the tone of a party. Page 36 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Place pillar candles or tea lights at varying heights to enhance the ambiance of the meal. Whenever you light a candle it will become a focal point and draw everyone a little bit closer. Make sure that they are not too tall, so that they do not create divisions between dinner guests. I do not recommend scented candles at the Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html dining table. You want the food to simulate the appetites of your guests. Maintain harmony by balancing active and contrasting colors in your decorating. Be careful not to have too many decorations so that the eye, mind and senses are not over-stimulated. You will want to invite an even number of guests, so that everyone has someone to converse with. Be sure to keep the lights low and soft, and decorate with soothing earth tones like orange, gold, green and brown for Thanksgiving, and for the December festivities use lots of whites, gold, silver, and the last trend, copper. For Thanksgiving, you can incorporate a centrepiece of orange flowers to encourage conversation, or display vegetables, such as pumpkins, gourds, and cranberries to symbolize good health and longevity. You can also use Ivy in your arrangement as it symbolizes fidelity. For the Month of December when celebrating Hanukah use glass beads, the color silver, cobalt blue and white. For Christmas add pine cones which in Feng Shui are symbolic of friendship, and poinsettia flowers in red, pink or white. It is also fun to add tree ornaments as decoration to your table top. Another popular celebration is Kwanzaa.This is when you can use lots of yellow flowers, Page 37 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive red napkins or candles as accents, and soft greenery as part of your table top dĂŠcor. Avoid using holly and pine tree branches on dinner table, as people will subconsciously 'flinch' from the sharp edges and prickly points from these seasonal trees and bushes. I know pine branches are used quite a bit in floral dĂŠcor. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html They may also contribute to sharp tongues and arguments at the celebration. The Unseen Focal Point Music is a focal point that can set the tone for your celebration. It is a vibrational key that unlocks the senses. Make sure your choice of music is lively and happy. Use music without words. There are plenty of conversations going on, so music with words can be distracting, if you are not dancing. Use classical, jazz or piano music, which has been known to clear the mind, and energy of a space. Be sure that the volume is not so loud that people have to talk over it. Page 38 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Harmonious Seating Holidays are a time when loved ones gather to share their lives and a meal. There is also the possibility of unfinished emotional issues and negative memories between people that can derail a perfectly good celebration. Using the Art of Placement can help you to bypass these unpleasant situations and bring harmony to the dinner table. By using some key placement rules you can use seating arrangements to put people in their best power positions. Rule Number One: Do Not put the husband at one end of the table and the wife at the other. This is called the head Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html the room without having to turn their heads. This is called the “Command Position”. This position is the furthest position away from the door and is supported by the back of a wall. If there are two or more entryways, the focus should be on the doorway most used by your guests. Rule Number Three Do not place unfriendly guest across form each other. This is known as the “Conflict Position. At this position the guest is constantly staring into the energy field of the person and begins to remember all the reasons they dislike them. To avoid this issue, position guests who are unfriendly on the same side of the table, and place a person or two in between them. When they are separated and on the same side, it takes more energy to start a fight. Rule Number Four Be sure to support new guests and the vulnerable people at the celebration by seating them with a solid wall behind them. The solid wall represents support and a feeling of belonging. This is how we want all of our guests to feel. Rule Number Five and the tail position. On a subconscious level this is a position of conflict and can lead to tension for your guests. This is as if they are both firmly on opposite sides. It may look good at the movies, but does not work in real life. Proper placement would be for one partner to sit at the top of the table and the other to sit to the right or left of the other partner. This shows the guests there is unity and collaboration in the relationship. Rule Number Two: The hosts should be facing the entryway to the room. This enables them to see people entering Page 39 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive It is very important when planning your celebration to use comfortable chairs. Wrought iron chairs may look beautiful but they are not very practical. Spending several hours seated at a table requires plenty of cushions. You may want to use chairs that have some cushion, or have fabric covers. Fabric implies softness and formality. If seating people of varying ages make sure that the children have the less comfortable chairs and that the adults get the most comfortable ones. In Conclusion Using Feng Shui, the Art of Placement is a natural, holistic and intuitive way to celebrate the upcoming holidays. When you take the time and energy to create an environment that feeds the soul, nurtures the senses and creates harmony, you create lasting memories and joy for your loved one and guests. Visit Dr. Janet Woods www.janetwoods.com Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html c Page 44 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html athryn Walt Hall esswoman, community activist, and d States Ambassador to Austria. Francis Xavier Lalanne Kathryn Walt Hall is the proprietor of HALL Wines and WALT Wines, and has been involved in the California wine industry since her family f irst purchased a vineyard thirty years ago. She has had a distinguished career as a successful businesswoman, community activist, and as the United States Ambassador to Austria. one of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s f irst and largest aff irmative action programs.Subsequently she worked as an attorney and businesswoman in Dallas, Texas,where she was president of an inner city development company and par tner of Hall Financial Group, Inc. Craig & Kathryn Hall Kathryn and her family have been grape growers in Mendocino County since 1972. The Walt family owns 63 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc in the Redwood Valley and has sold their grapes to such wineries as Fetzer, Parducci and Beringer. Kathryn managed the family vineyard from 1982 to 1992, and during this time she produced Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon under the label WALT Vineyards.Kathryn began her public career as assistant city attorney in Berkeley, California.Later she joined Safeway Stores, where she was responsible for developing and administering Long committed to social issues, Kathryn has served on numerous non-profit and institutional boards, addressing issues related to social care and mental health. She cofounded the Nor the Texas Food Bank, served on the U.S. House of Representatives Hunger Advisory Committee , and was the director/vice president of the Texas Mental Listen to November 2015 Interview Page 45 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Health Association. Kathryn has served on the National Advisory Council for Violence Against Women and as a trustee of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. From 1997 to July 2001, Kathryn served as the United States Ambassador to Austria. During her term as Ambassador, she worked hard to promote American wine in Austria and Europe. Since her return to America, she has resumed her role as proprietor of HALL Wines along with her husband Craig. Continuing upon her experience promoting American agriculture inToday’s Austria, in SeptemPage 46 E The Magazine for Female Executive 2001 she was appointed to the United States Depar tment of Agriculture’s Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC) for international trade. Kathryn is fluent in both French and German, earned an B.A. in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, a joint MBA from UC California, Berkeley & Columbia University and a J.D. from the University of California Hastings College of Law. Together with her husband Craig, they have four children. “When I wake up in the morning, every morning, I look at the vines and I think How Lucky I am.” Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Artist Lawrence Argent Hall Wines Highlights Nearly 700 HALL wine lovers converged on the grounds for a western-style bash on Saturday, September 12, 2015. Guests received bandannas upon arrival, noshed on farm-to-table bites, western style by Feast Catering, took scenic hayrides through the vineyard on a luxurious horse drawn carriage with leather bench seating, kicked up their spurs to the country band Twang Ditty and, of course, enjoyed the delicious new 2012 Kathryn Hall Cabernet which awardwinning Director of Winemaking Steve Leveque should be quite proud of considering the cabernet received 97+ points from Robert Parker. At HALL Wines, we pride ourselves on being leaders in innovation, while being Page 47 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive cognizant of our beginnings. We take this to heart in every aspect of HALL Wines from our vineyard practices and winemaking techniques to our tasting rooms and the facilities on our properties. In the Vineyard & Winemaking Practices At HALL, we are passionate about environmental responsibility and sustainable stewardship of our land. All of our vineyards have been certified organic by the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). Farming organically involves committing to two principals: ecological production and maintaining organic integrity. Additionally, production methods must conserve soil, pollute little, and promote a healthy ecosystem. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html We value the land and we also value its creation, which is why we continue the tradition of hand picking all of the grapes throughout our estate vineyards. Once the grapes are brought to our winemaking facility, we process the grapes with innovative techniques to ensure the highest standard and quality of our wine. We have been using a cutting edge digital optical sorting machine to help us achieve this. The machine uses lasers and sensors to identify which grapes meet the requirements that we set and allow only the finest fruit to reach our fermentation tanks, barrels, and finished wines. Winery Facility & Visitor Center The Halls acquired the historic Bergfeld winery in 2003 and have merged history with innovation with the state-of-the-art, LEED® Gold certified winery. John Baldessari Page 48 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive In 2009, HALL became the first winery in California to be distinguished as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Gold certified fullysustainable production facility by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Juaume Plensa preservation of the environment and bringing innovation to Napa Valley. HALL Wines is always looking for new ways to provide support and dedication to the sustainable-living movement. We continue to reinforce our commitment to the health of the land, as well as that of the greater Napa Valley ecosystem”, notes Ambassador Kathryn Hall, HALL Wines owner and vintner. LEED® Green Building Rating System. Since then, we also received another prestigious award of LEED® Gold Certification for modern Tasting Room & high-tech Production Facility. In addition to our recognition through LEED® certifications, we are the first vineyard and winery to install an ECOtality electric charging vehicle station. In the Community “Since launching HALL Wines, we have been dedicated to the Page 49 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Alyson Shotz Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Page 50 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Page 51 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Corporate Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast A further Analysis of the Concept-Althea Ledford The origin of the quote appears to be Mark Fields, at Ford Motor Company, in 2006, who attributed it to Peter Drucker, although I have not found that exact quote by him. It is certainly the sort of thing Peter Drucker might have said, but I haven't been able to source the quote, and neither has anyone else. Peter Drucker often argued that a companies culture would trump any attempt to create a strategy that was incompatible with it's culture. Drucker did say Company cultures are like country cultures. Never try to change one. Try, instead, to work with what you’ve got.” Sourxe J. Martineez Page 52 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive There is a reason culture be it the culture of a country or the culture of a company have a stronger determination of behavior than strategy. The next few paragraphs will diagram and describe ‘why” professor Duckers' statement was so accurate. Social Structures have a hierarchy of derivatives. Meaning the lower base derivative hae an influence on all subsequent levels (derivatives ). The following diagram shows how these levels have unfolded throughout history. culture is a derivative of human nature. Culture travels within the generations with the following characteristics:  Subject to geographical location  Evolving practices over hundreds and hundreds of years. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html   Pop-Culture is considered a trend. Developing new cultures are not always considered trends. (vulnerable to change) Cultures are dynamic with accumulation of traditions, superstitions, foods and various powerful images. Practices within a culture aren’t always logical. Understanding the practices of a group or culture before interacting with them at a significant level really impacts the management of contingencies. Cultures will shift and adjust with exposure to new information. However, the levels of change and the depth of change as a result of this new information vary greatly between cultures. Culture can contain absolutely non-logical practices that are cherished by a particular group. Social structures are a derivative of Culture. The way we establish laws and civic atmospheres are directly designed to fit within their particular cultures. Social structures tend to have some element of logic. Social structures have more observable measurements thus making some element of contingency, planning or predictability manageable. Because social structures have an element of logic, infers it can be reactive and adjust to reason. Business sits right on top of social structure. It is also a direct derivative of human nature filtered through a specific culture, filtered through a social structure or set of laws. For example, a football game where the fans paint themselves, and the players pour Gatorade on the coach -if they win, what’s the logic of that? And the answer is absolutely none. There are countless examples of mindless wonderment we, Americans and other countries as well- happily engage in. Culture does not have to line up with intelligence or logic to be practiced. Before the onset of the internet and the era of instant knowing, business were highly tailored to the social structures they were planted in. Even when they went global each global subsidiary was tailored to adapt to that countries particular social structures. The lack of logic as a evaluation tool means that the only way to understand a culture is to experience it and study it. Businesses are actually social systems within themselves. The next set of illustrations will show how business culture is almost as entrenched as social cultures. Page 53 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html All business have a legal structure framing their operations. There are operating limitations attached to the various type of structures. Sitting on business Legal Structure is the business’s culture. These could actually be interchanged as the culture an influence which legal structure a business needs to take. Business culture is the ore that drives an operation. Whether it’s driven from the topdown meaning the founder or owner creates that environment or it’s organically evolved from within by it’s team members. It’s a businesses version of family traditions. It’s the under current by which all the other team Page 54 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive members recognize each other. Business culture runs deeper than branding, logo and color choices. It’s the blood stream of a business and It will not change easily. The finer points of Policies and Procedures are directly steaming from business culture. Outside of what’s state regulated, policies and procedures are simply enforce the companies culture. This last level is where the truth is revealed. If a company can adjust to a new marker from the inside out, then the culture is flexible enough to substain itself in the future. On the other hand, if a company has a culture that is out of sync, rigid or stagnant, it will began to die. If the written strategy doesn’t consider culture, it’s useless and will not foster change. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Magic!- “RUDE” Parody-corporate Version http://youtu.be/j4WvsJQhJxQ Page 55 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Page 56 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Page 57 Page 58 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Protect Your Intellectual Property Abroad Part 3: India By Anna Corsaro & Daniel Djouder “The Industry's at war. I think it's about control. You can make all of the financial arguments that the industry has been shooting itself in the foot, but it is an industry built on a foundation of ownership and exploitation of intellectual property rights.” Don Rose Page 59 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html This is part 3 of a series of article to help you protect your intellectual property when doing business abroad, a hot topic for any company running international operations. Each part will focus on an attracting country for foreign investors. One billion potential customers. Yes, in India alone. That one is reason enough for many businesses to set foot in the markets of this spiritual land, and countless more companies are looking forward to following in their footsteps. The story doesn't end there, though. There are other good reasons that set India apart as a particularly attractive destination. For one, the language barrier is reduced, as English knowledge is widespread. This is an important point for American companies, that could tip the scale when compared to other hot markets such as China, which, despite possessing a staggering customer base of Page 60 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive two billion people, could prove to be more problematic language-wise than India.Moreover, given its historical ties with the West, India is a common law country. Anyone who has got even minimum experience in doing business abroad is well aware of what a game changer that is. When you have to explore the law of your target location to do business, and find out that you are actually able to understand it because it is built on similar foundations Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Patented Novelty and thought process of the law you are used to back in your home country, you can be certain that that will save you from a lot of headaches. It goes without saying, that is even more important for a topic such as intellectual property, which is heavy on the legal implications. So, without further ado, let's head to the spicy atmosphere of India and see how you can bring over your intellectual assets to start your business ventures. Page 61 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive India is a signatory to all the most important international agreements and conventions about intellectual property. The two fundamental national laws regulating patents are the Patent Act and the Patent Rules. The fundamental principle for eligibility to be patented – beside the usual nonobviousness and industrial applicability – is novelty. It should be noted that in India this requirement is interpreted very strictly as it must be absolute. Inventions that are already known either inside or outside the country are not patentable. The only exception is when the original inventor divulged their discovery for experimental purposes, and for a maximum period of 12 months. Utility models are not patentable in India, but there is a workaround if you have also a patentable invention. Indeed, The holder of a patent or of a patent application patent may file a further application – known as Patent of Addition – to protect an improvement or modification of an invention. A patent of addition follows the fate of the original patent Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html from which it depends. For instance, if the addition application is successful, it will be granted for the residual duration of the original patent. On the same token, the addition cannot be granted before the original patent is granted too. On the other hand, it is worth noting that if the original patent is revoked it is possible to ask the conversion of the patent of addition into an independent patent. Patent Procedure Patents last 20 years from the date you submitted your application. You can file your request in either of the two official languages: Hindu and English. If the invention is still not completed, but you wish to obtain a date of submission, you have the option to file a provisional application, which may contain only a provisional description stating the nature of the invention, which and must be followed within 12 months by a regular patent application. The Controller General of Patents Design and Trademarks works through four Page 62 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive branches located in Kolkata (Calcutta), Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai. Resident companies have to choose the branch nearest to their registered office. Foreign applicants have more flexibility, they can simply name a representative who has its headquarters close to the branch of their preference. The patent are granted on average between 3 to 5 years from the beginning of the procedure.A particular aspect of the Indian procedure is the obligation for the applicant to submit a statement within 6 months from the filing date, setting out in detail the parallel applications filed abroad corresponding to the same patent sought out in India. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html applicant to provide their answers in a timely – and possibly – rapid fashion. Protection For Your Inventions Within 48 months from the filing date an applicant needs to file a Request For Examination (RFE) to assess whether the invention meets the requirements for patentability. The observations of the assessor will be collected in the First Examination Report (FER), which will be available to the applicant in about 2 years. If the report contains a provisional refusal, the applicant has an undelayable period of 12 months to reply to all the objections. It is possible that the assessor will answer once again with a provisional refusal that needs a reply. So, it's in the best interest of the Page 63 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Contrary to other locations, the best way to fight patent infringements in India is in the courts. Proceedings can be started only after a patent was granted and within 3 years from an infraction. Typical duration of a trial is between 3 and 5 years. The cause can be established at the District Courts (District Court), or at the High Court if one of the parties calls for the invalidation of the patent. A patent holder can request an Ex Parte Interim Injunction – which is a provision that forbids the infringer to create counterfeited products – or a search-and-seize injunction, which allows the authorities to search the premises of the infringer and seize any non-genuine products. Anything is a Trademark The Trademark Law of India complies with all internationally accepted standards. The range of trademarkable entities is the widest, contrary to other areas of the world. Anything that could be conceived as a distinctive sign can be treated as a potential Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html trademark, including â&#x20AC;&#x201C; beside graphic signs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; sounds, smells, colors or combinations of any of the above. The crucial points are that trademarks must be distinctive as such, and not misleading, offensive, immoral, or disrespectful to religious sentiments. PRO TIP: register your brand in two versions, one containing Latin characters and one in Indian characters. Both natural and legal persons can register a trademark. Similarly to patents, novelty must be absolute, both nationally and internationally. One caveat on the territorial scope of the registration: it is valid only in the Republic of India, with exclusion of any of the territories of Sri Lanka or Pakistan, regardless of any claims that India may have on them. The registration procedure can be either direct, or through the Madrid system by submitting your application to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva, which also allows you to obtain the registration in multiple countries with a single submission. However, if you choose the latter, be aware that your trademark will still be subject to Indian laws and undergo the appropriate procedural steps. Page 64 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive The trademark needs to pass an assessment phase to verify that all legal requirements are met. If there are no incidents during this stage, then the registration will be completed on average in 18 to 24 months, else the delay could go up to 5 years. PRO TIP: it is customary for the Controller General of Patents Design and Trademarks (Indian Trademark Office) to have a hearing before the novelty assessment. It is strongly advisable that applicants attend, otherwise the office often assumes Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html The registration is valid for 10 years from the date it was granted and it is renewable for an unlimited number of times for periods of the same length. The request for renewal may be filed within 12 months prior to the expiration date. After this deadline it is still possible to proceed to the renewal within 6 months for an additional fee. After being registered, it is mandatory to make use of the trademark for an uninterrupted period of five years, or you'll run the risk to incur into the revocation. This sanction is inflicted only after request from a third party, and only if the owner of the registration cannot provide sufficient evidence of correct use for the required time span. Examples of correct use include, but are not limited to: use on products, packaging, invoices, advertisement, exhibitions and events. The evidence must show the date and be related directly to the Indian territory. that the interest in the registration has ceased and rejects the application. After successfully passing the novelty examination, the trademark is published and third parties can oppose to the registration within 3 months, if law requirements are not satisfied. Beyond that deadline, it is possible to start a cancellation procedure within 5 years. If also that deadline has expired, the only option left is to ask for cancellation if the trademark remains unused. Page 65 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Keeping Your Brand Yours Trademark infractions are criminal offenses in India. The Police may start investigations and seize counterfeited products. Offenders may still be punished with penalties ranging from 6 months to 3 years of imprisonment and fines up to INR 50.000.00, which are equal to about $ 7.750. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html On the other hand, using the symbol ® in relation to an unregistered trademark is also considered a criminal offense. The symbols that can be freely used, even in the absence of registration, are the sign TM (trademark) to identify products, or SM (service mark) to identify services. Since the novelty requirement is so strict in India, it is also possible to act against infringers even in the case of a brand which is not registered on the Indian territory, by invoking the principles of fair competition. This is called a Passing-Off Action. It goes without saying, in such cases it will be necessary to prove to have a “reputation” (visibility) to defend on the Indian territory. NAMASTE! Page 66 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive DISCLAIMER: this article contains general information about legal matters. The information is not legal advice, and should not be treated as such. You must not rely on the information on this article as an alternative to legal advice from your attorney or other professional legal services provider. You should never delay seeking legal advice, disregard legal advice, or commence or discontinue any legal action because of information in this article. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Anna Corsaro c She is a Multilingual Senior Crisis and Homeland Security Advisor, with several years at the service of Governments and Corporations. Her Consultant Group and she provide Advice and Training in: Crisis Prevention | Intelligence Analysis | Counter-Espionage | CounterTerrorism | Criminal Organizations | Man-Made Disasters | Corporate Crime | Union Strike and Negotiation | Crisis Communication | Crisis of Malevolence | Post-Conflict Recovery | Seminars | Workshops | Conference | Keynote Speeches Keep in touch with Anna: E-mail: [email protected] LinkedIn: AnnaCorsaro Twitter: @AnnaCorsaroAdv Daniel Djouder He is a Multilingual Economic and Geopolitical Analyst who works as team-member for Anna Corsaroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Consultant Group. He holds an MA in Law and Economics with honors, an MA in International Relations and a Postgraduate Diploma in Economic Security, Geopolitics and Intelligence. He writes articles for Geopolitical Monitor Intelligence Corp., The Daily Journalist, and Forbes. Keep in touch with Daniel: Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: Daniel Djouder Twitter: @DanielDjouder Page 67 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html c Visit The NEW Broad Museum 221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 232-6200 Call for Tickets www.thebroad.org Page 68 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Page 69 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Our Humans Humanity Making a Difference. Closed Borders: A Crime Against Humanity By Cynthia M. Lardner Attorney, Social Advocate, Journalist http://appearoo.com/DeverouxCleary Crimes currently being prosecuted or under investigation by the International Criminal Court all involve Arab or African countries, save the Ukraine. European countries have largely escaped ICC scrutiny. However, the refugee crisis in the European Union has created a factual scenario that may, if it has not already devolved into the commission of a crime against humanity. Specifically, those countries which have already closed off their borders to staggering numbers of beleaguered refugees, many of whom are children, woman and others who are ill and all of whom are certainly hungry and cold, have opened the jurisdictional Pandora's box. Page 70 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive To the right is a map showing refugee routes and border closings, and below is a timeline in brief: October 17, 2015 Hungary closed its Turkish border, building a fence Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html topped with barbed wire, to preclude the refugee route to Germany, the country of preference amongst refugees[i]. October 19, 2015 Germany threatened to close its borders in response to a lack of agreement as to support by the European Union and suspends compliance with Schengen Agreement allowing for free travel to those lawfully within the European Union[ii]. October 24, 2015 Slovenia stated it will follow Hungaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lead and close its border to the nonstop influx of refugees at a cost of 80 million Euros; money that could be better spent on humanitarian relief[iii]. threaten to close their borders if Germany closes its own border; perhaps with the understanding that Germany was the preferred country[iv]. October 28, 2015 Austria indicates it will be closing its border[v]. October 31, 2015 Austria and now Slo- venia stated they are closing borders necessary for refugees to pass through to the northern and Western European countries creating panic amongst the refugees and spurring divisiveness within the European Union[vi]. October 31, 2015 Germany indi- cated that is overwhelmed by the flow of refugees and is limiting the number of entry October 25, points to five where 50 2015 bia and Romania Page 71 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive essed per hour at each Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html October 31, 2015 The voice of reason appears in the form of a joint statement issued by Union Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and International Committee of the Red Cross President Peter Mauer. Citing 60 million people having been displaced as a result of armed conflict: They called on states to do the following to help bring about peace: ■ protect and assist displaced people fleeing insecurity, and help to find long-term solutions ■ ensure unhindered access to medical and humanitarian missions ■ condemn those who violate international humanitarian law ■ redouble efforts to find sustainable solutions to conflicts (Emphasis Added) [viii] That statement most certainly contained ■ rein in armed groups and hold them accountable for abuses, and stop the use of heavy weapons in populated areas Page 72 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive less than veiled hints that crimes against humanity were being committed in Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html violation international human rights law[ix], specifically the Geneva Conventions of 1949, the most relevant of which is the Fourth Geneva Convention[x], the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court [xi], especially the Elements of Crimes, and the International Declaration of Human Rights[xii]. Both the Geneva Convention and Article 14 of the International Declaration of Human Rights guarantee the right to political asylum to which all 193 members of the United Nations are bound by to uphold. The most egregious violations of these treaties are considered crimes against humanity. Page 73 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive The International Criminal Court has 123 member nations and investigates and prosecutes genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. For there to be jurisdiction for the prosecution of a crime against humanity under Article 7, there must an intentional act meeting the Element of Crimes, otherwise known as a prima facie case. Under Article 7, a "crime against humanity" includes “any inhumane acts of a similar character intentionally causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or to mental or physical health”, as well as ”persecution Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html against any identifiable group or collectivity on political, racial, national, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender as defined in para- This is not human; we are not animals,” said Kawphar Zangana, an Iraqi refugee and father.") graph 3, or other grounds that are universally recognized as impermissible under international law, in connection with any act referred to in this paragraph or any crime within the jurisdiction of the Court.” In this case, there is a universally recognized right to seek political asylum. Conclusion The statement issued by Mr. Ki-moon and Mr. Mauer outright called for the condemnation of those who violate international humanitarian law. Condemnation is commonly defined as censure, to pronounce guilty, punishment and sentencing. Certainly, if the practice of closing off borders continues, the ICC has jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute those responsible. References Available upon request. Page 74 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive About The Author Cynthia M. Lardner holds a journalism degree, she is a licensed attorney and trained as a clinical therapist. Her philosophy is to collectively influence conscious global thinking understanding that everything and everyone is subject to change given the right circumstances; Standard Theory or Theory of Everything. Ms. Lardner has accounts on Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus and LinkedIn, as well as accounts under the pseudonym of Deveroux Cleary, and is globally ranked in the top 1% of all account holders for her outreach and influence. Having just relocated to Den Hague or The Hague, she is currently looking for a challenging position that will fully utilize her collective skill set. [email protected] Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html The making of The War Room The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Click Here to Subscribe Page 75 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html The PARIS Bombing! The right, the wrong and thinly Veiled. By: Cynthia M. Lardner Friday the 13th’s massacre attacks in FRANCE IS AT WAR WITH SYRIA Paris by radicalized terrorists calling them- French President Francois Hollande, in his selves ISIL on bars, restaurants, a concert speech to joint session of both houses of hall and a stadium in which 129 people Parliament, stated that France is “at war” with died and more than 350 others were in- Syria. While an interim 10 ten day ‘state of jured, has resulted in international outrage emergency” had already been called, Mr. precipitating widespread media coverage. Hollande asked for an immediate bill to be Page 76 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html intelligence, France engaged in airstrikes in Syria. Ten fighter jets targeted sites, including a command centre, a recruitment centre for jihadists, a munitions depot and a training camp, in the terrorist’s stronghold in Raqqa, Syria, successfully dropping 20 guided bombs. Mr. Hollande stated that France’s military campaign against the terrorists in Iraq and Syria will only intensify. Mr. Hollande stated that France’s European allies were obligated to assist in protecting its citizens. During the same address, he referred to United States having already stepped up to do so. In essence, Mr. Hollande invoked Article Five of the Washington Treaty governing NATO members. Article Five requires NATO member nations to defend other members when faced with a threat. Article Five is a commitment clause or casus foederis requiring each member state to consider an armed attack against one member state to be an armed attack against them all. Article Five states: The Parties agree that an armed attack against one passed placing France under a three month “ state of emergency”[i]. This would effectively reduce constitutional rights while increasing the French military and police officers’ ability to conduct a thorough investigation. or more of them in Europe or North America shall be Over the weekend, with the assistance of U.S. 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, will assist Page 77 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive considered an attack against them all and consequently they agree that, if such an armed attack occurs, each of them, in exercise of the right of individual or collective self-defence recognised by Article Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Photo Courtesy of ABC News the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, individually and in concert with the other Parties, such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area. Any such armed attack and all measures taken as a result thereof shall immediately be reported to the Security Council. Such measures shall be terminated when the Security Council has taken the measures necessary to restore and maintain international peace and security [ii]. Invoking Article Five will hasten the sharing of intelligence, heighten European action against arms trafficking, and improve concerted attacks against radicalized terrorists on domestic soil and abroad. that, “This is not a traditional military oppo- As for the type of military invention, Presi- Britain’s M-15, which handles domestic sur- dent Barack Obama addressing the G20 veillance, and M16, responsible for global Summit in Antalya, Turkey, firmly stated surveillance. Page 78 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive nent. We can retake territory and as long as we keep our troops there we can hold it. But that does not solve the underlying problem of eliminating the dynamics that are producing these kinds of violent, extremist groups [iii].” “There’s also the role of surveillance, domestic and foreign, and getting private companies, like Apple, to allow the U.S. government access” by the National Security Administration (NSA)[iv]. NSA surveillance, the most elite and comprehensive program of its kind, will be augmented by programs already in place in allied countries, such as Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html THE REFUGEE CRISIS Mr. Hollande, during yesterday’s speech, and Mr. Obama, at the G20, both reiterated that the Syrian refugees are just as much victims of terrorism as were the 129 brutally slaughtered in the Paris attacks this past Friday. To exclude the right of refugees to seek political asylum in the European Union and the U.S. would be a crime against humanity[v]. Despite an outcry over accepting refugees by several U.S. States, Mr. Obama “urged the U.S. to “step up and do its part” to help those fleeing the civil war[vi]”. If the incident resulted in backlash against the refugees, it would be consistent with the terrorist’s radicalized view that those fleeing from Syria are also its enemies deserving to be punished. Closing the door only furthers the terrorist’s agenda. The other consideration is that ISIS recruits globally from outside of those sharing its ideology, preying upon those individuals who are disenfranchised and malcontent. Denying a safe haven to refugees only increases the pool of individuals from which ISIS can recruit[viii]. betrayal of our values… Our nations can wel- ELIMINATING THE NAMES ISIS, ISIL and IS come refugees who are desperately seeking The radicalized terrorists also recruit from safety and ensure our own security. We can among those who lured by what is no less and must do both,” Mr. Obama stated at the that its blasphemous use of the term G20 Summit[vii]. “Caliphate”. A Caliphate is a prophet sent Presidents Obama and Hollande both stated by God, not only to lead all of Islam but to that there will be a better system of registra- provide just governance[ix]. Abu Bakr, tion for Syrian’s seeking refuge. leader of the radicalized terrorists de- “Slamming the door in their faces would be a clared himself the rightful Caliphate on June 29, 2014[x]. The continued use of these names by the governments and mass media only Page 79 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html allows the terrorists to use mass media to About The Author tiate the blasphemous use of the words Ca- Cynthia M. Lardner holds a journalism degree, she is a licensed attorney and trained as a clinical therapist. Her philosophy is to collectively influence conscious global thinking understanding that everything and everyone is subject to change given the right circumstances; Standard Theory or Theory of Everything. Ms. Lardner has accounts on Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus and LinkedIn, as well as accounts under the pseudonym of Deveroux Cleary, and is globally ranked in the top 1% of all account holders for her outreach and influence. Having just relocated to Den Hague or The Hague, she is currently looking for a challenging position that will fully utilize her collective skill set. liphate, Muslim and Islam. [email protected] its advantage[xi]. During his speech, Mr. Obama was definitive in stating that ISIS isn’t a “state”. But, when we refer to it as ISIS, or as IS or ISIL, we inadvertently condemn the innocent Islamic population and perpetuate deepseated mistrust and rampant discrimination against them. In the few days since Friday’s attacks, peaceful Muslim people have already adopted the slogan “not in my name”[xii]. This writer suggests that it would serve humanity’s best interest in the fight against terrorism to call the group what it really is: “the radicalized terrorist group”. It would vi- Page 80 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Coming Soon E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive is The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive On The Go! With Our New Mobile Phone Application Enjoy E Magazine even when your on the go. Get  Breaking News Up-To-Date features Coupons and Discounts Travel Deals Restaurant Specials & Business Tips on the go! Exclusively Only for our readers. Page 81 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Page 82 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Support the American Heart Association www.heart.org Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Page 83 Navigating The Holidays Etiquette Tips For A Smoother Holiday By Rachel Isgar Once November hits we start thinking about the upcoming holiday season. For some of us that is exciting and for some of us we associate it with a fair amount of stress. Some of us are very excited to take our china out once a year and plan a full holiday meal and put up holiday decorations. Some people simply choose to go away for some of the holidays so they don’t have to host company or holiday meals and can avoid family conflict. No matter which religion you practice (or don’t) there are some common threads that getting ready for the holidays involve. Page 84 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Table Settings What if I don’t own china or have enough nice dishes for a full table to set but I want to host Thanksgiving at my place this year?  China is beautiful but not necessary in my opinion.  Perhaps we registered for china if we are married and feel like we have to use it. It is often passed down as an heirloom and has sentimental value too.  Table settings can range from one plate for the main course and one plate for dessert to multiple plates and courses. This is a personal choice of the host. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html acceptable in this day and age. You can also buy beautiful disposable silverware (caution some of these are a little tricky to cut into chicken or meat with. I have had many a plastic utensil break on me).  Remember if you are a guest you are not typically the one doing the dishes.  Think about how There are numerous websites that show beautiful layout arrangements from simple to advanced. Know your stress level as a host or hostess so you can plan for a casual approach to entertaining so you can have fun with it and this starts out with figuring out your menu and dishes.  Generally if the host is having fun, everyone else will follow the lead. If the host appears stressed that may wear off on company.  It is perfectly acceptable to assign guests different dishes to bring. You should know that there are beautiful knock off disposable china place settings which can be purchased at Costco, Smart and Final, Party City, etc… amongst other stores and this is very Page 85 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive many courses you are serving so you have an idea of the quantity you will need to buy before you get to the store.  Thanksgiving can be a great time to teach your children to set the table if you have not done this yet.  It is also a good time to explain why you use different sized forks and spoons with fancier meals. Sometimes adults don’t know the differences either. Table Decorations  Some people like to place name holders at individual seats so people know where to sit.  This can also be very helpful with holiday events where there are divorced parents with both in attendance.  These can also be helpful if you are trying to mix up the ladies and the men and the children.  Making the placeholders can also become a great art project for children prior to the holiday if they are seeking a way to be involved in the day’s planning and events. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Putting flowers or holiday themed decorations out at the table gives a very festive look.  Candles are also a great addition if young children are not present.  For a guest coming that is very craft oriented they may have a field day making some holiday decorations, but be specific on what you are asking them to do. Make sure you will have room at the table for decorations before putting too much thought into it.  Michael’s Arts and Craft Stores have tons of great ideas on display and the supplies you need to replicate. Page 86 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Invitations  Request an R.S.V.P. with a specific date on the invitation whether it is sent in the mail or electronically. As the host you need an accurate head count.  Don’t be surprised if a lot of people don’t R.S.V.P. even when you asked them to. In this case it is o.k. to follow up to see if they are coming. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Hosting In-laws or Your Own Parents Holiday Arguments  A holiday meal is not the time for divorced couples to discuss issues. If there is business that needs to be taken care of then find a way to approach this before or after Thanksgiving so everyone can enjoy the day!  If you and your spouse or significant other differ on how to handle conflict with company around figure it out early in your relationship. A quarrel with your mate can make a special day go south.  If you have issues with your own child(ren) be careful to pick your battles and really limit it on the holiday. You all want to have happy memories later on.  Don’t draw a third party into your issue.  If you need to vent to make it through the day then go outside far away where no one can hear. I have a brother-in-law that I adore. He told me many years ago that after three nights house guests can smell like fish (meaning that 3 nights is the perfect amount of time for a visit). If guests are traveling a far distance it is o.k. to also consider the option of a hotel for a portion of the visit even though this may be uncomfortable to introduce.  Set a timeline for the visit before you   make the invite. Choose this timeline very carefully with your spouse or significant other. If your houseguests have airline tickets they will not be leaving early. Have an activity planned each day. Even if the event is an afternoon card game or scrabble game or taking the Grandkids to the park, it will give everyone something to look forward to and offer some structure.  Take out food for dinner some nights of the visit is A o.k. You do not have to cook for your       company very night nor should you be expected to. Your parents or in-laws should at least offer to pay for the take out food or eating out. Have some good movies on hand for watching at night after dinner. Keep up your regular exercise routine if you have one. Your houseguests will understand and you will need the break and mental release. Encourage your houseguests to take a walk weather permitting so you can get some time alone in your house. Allow and encourage in-laws to get involved. Everyone wants to feel needed. No one wants to feel like they are a burden. And, you may really need an extra set of hands if you are the host. If you have children this is a good opportunity for you to get a date night out while the Grandparents watch the kids for a couple hours (if they are able to do this). It also gives special bonding time for the Grandparents and grandchildren. You may need to bring this idea up….. If there is a real issue brewing in the house let the actual son or daughter of the In-laws be the one to deal with it. Page 87 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Hostess Gifts Do not under any circumstances show up for Thanksgiving dinner without a hostess gift or a dish for the meal (even if you ask the host what you can bring and they say “just yourself.”). If you want to contribute a dish to the meal ask the host or hostess in advance what you can contribute towards the meal so you are not duplicating. Great hostess gift recommendations are:  Flowers  Bottle of wine  Pretty disposable napkins for the bathroom (especially during the cold and flu season this is a great gift) FLOWERS WINE GIFTS WINE GIFTS FLOWERS Don’t show up and regift something that may have been given to you by a member of the group you will be with. Also if you are even considering regifting make sure the item is in its original packaging and has never been opened. If it is a food item make sure it is new and fresh. Thanksgiving reminds us to be thankful for what we have. Putting some advance planning into the holiday season and sharing some of the ideas in this article with your extended family can make the day special for everyone! Page 88 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Page 89 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Page 90 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Page 91 Thanksgiving Special Segment Part 1 Featured Chefs Executive Chefs Rich Mancini & Roshni Gurnani This year E magazine has devided the food segment into 2 parts. Part 1 is featuring two fantastic ExecutiveChefs and Part 2 has loads of the best basic dishes-the effort of over a dozen chefs around the country. Read, Enjoy and Share this issue with friends. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great resource you can reference for years to come. Page 92 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Page 93 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Page 94 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Biography With impeccable taste and a flare for excellent service, Chef Rich Mancini is quite at home in the kitchen.He has been chef to a host stars including the Rolling Stones, U2, INXS, the crew of Airforce 1, the movie crews for Chain Reaction, My Best Friend’s Wedding and more. Chef Rich has appeared on prestigious cooking shows as well… Chef Wanted where he won the title of Season 1 Winner and most recently Hell’s Kitchen 2013. After an 11-year stint as an acclaimed restaurant owner, Chef Rich is getting back to what fills his heart… catering to people directly. Whether its an inhome gathering, catering or a corporate party, the service is sure to satisfy with Chef Rich in the kitchen. CREDENTIALS Chef Rich Mancini solidified his talent as an acclaimed restaurant owner in North Shore of Chicago for 11 years. He is a certified Executive Chef – an American Culinary Federation member holding licences in both Chicago and the state of Illinois. EXPERIENCE Chef Rich has been chef to a host stars including the Rolling Stones, U2, INXS, the crew of Airforce 1, the movie crews for Chain Reaction, My Best Friend’s Wedding and more. Chef Rich has appeared on prestigious cooking shows as well…Chef Wanted where he won the title of Season 1 Winner and most recently Hell’s Kitchen 2013 SCHOOLING/TRAINING Chef Mancini attended the oldest culinary institute in the United States, Washburn Culinary. where he received world-class culinary and hospitality training. With the latest culinary techniques perfected, Chef Rich was able to take his training to some of the most prestigious celebrities of the day. Page 95 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Thanksgiving Menu Appetizers Cheese & olive platter w/ Crostini’s Turkey meatballs w/ tomato sauce Salad Great fall greens w/ candied pecans, dried cranberries, mini heirloom tomato’s, blue cheese w/ a white balsamic dressing The Bird Full roasted and carved fresh hoka Turkey/ giblet gravy Sides Mascarpone and fontini mashed potatoes Fresh whipped red sweet potatoes w/ pecans and brown sugar Fresh green beans w/ crispy onions Homemade cranberry relish w/ walnuts and strawberries Dessert Homemade pumpkin cheesecake w/ Chantilly cream Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Herb Butter Roasted Turkey Ingredients 3/4-cup butter, softened 1 1/2 teaspoons poultry seasoning 2 tablespoons garlic herb sauce mix (recommended: Knorr) 1 1/2 teaspoons crushed garlic 1 (32-ounce) bag celery and carrot party sticks 2 large onions, large dice 1 (32-ounce) container lowsodium chicken broth 12 -pound turkey, thawed if necessary 1-tablespoon salt 1-tablespoon pepper 3 (3/4-ounce) packets fresh herbs poultry herb blend (sage, thyme and rosemary) 1 lemon, thickly sliced Directions Watch how to make this recipe. In a small bowl, combine softened butter, poultry seasoning, garlic herb sauce mix, and crushed garlic. Use a fork to mix together until well combined. Cover and put in the refrigerator for 15 to 30 minutes, until firm but not hard. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Arrange celery, carrots, and half of the diced onions in the bottom of a roasting pan. Add chicken broth and set aside. Rinse the thawed turkey and pat dry. Use your finger to carefully loosen the skin around the entire bird. Take the butter mixture and cut into large pieces. Place the butter pieces under the skin of the entire turkey. Rub the remaining butter pieces on the outside of the skin and season with salt and pepper. Stuff the inside of turkey cavity with remaining onions, fresh herb poultry blend, and lemon slices. (Truss if necessary.) Insert the pop-up thermometer at an angle about 3inches down from the neck cavity and 2-inches from the breastbone, in the thickest part of the breast. Bring 1 inch of water to a boil in a high-sided saute pan. If using fresh beans, cut them lengthwise while you wait for the water to boil. Add salt and green beans to boiling water and cook until just tender. Drain beans and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Return the skillet to medium heat and add the butter. When butter is melted, add the almonds and cook until golden brown. Return the green beans to the pan, along with the juice of 1/2 a lemon, add salt and pepper, to taste. When warmed through, top with fried onions. Place turkey on the bed of vegetables in roasting pan. Place in the oven and reduce temperature to 325 degrees F. Roast for 1 hour, then baste with pan juices every 20 minutes until thermometer pops up or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the turkey. Pumpkin Soup French-cut-green Ingredients 1-pound fresh green beans or frozen French-cut green beans Salt 1 to 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/4 cup slivered almonds (2-ounce package) 1/2 lemon, juiced Ground black pepper 1 can fried onions Page 96 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive INGREDIENTS 2 3/4 pounds sugar pumpkin or butternut squash, halved and seeded 1 onion, peeled and quartered through the stem 2 shiitake mushrooms, stemmed, caps wiped clean 1 garlic clove, peeled 1/2 cup olive oil Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper 5 cups homemade or storebought low-sodium vegetable stock DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Cut pumpkin into 2-inch pieces. Combine pumpkin, onion, mushrooms, and garlic on a Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html rimmed baking sheet. Add oil and 2 teaspoons salt; toss to coat, then spread in a single layer. Roast until pumpkin is tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife, about 30 minutes, rotating pan and tossing vegetables halfway through. Let cool, then remove skins. Transfer vegetables to a medium saucepan; heat over medium. Pour in 2 cups stock; puree with an immersion blender until smooth. With the blender running, slowly add remaining 3 cups stock, and puree until smooth. Bring soup just to a simmer. Remove from heat, and season with salt and pepper. Cover to keep warm. Turkey Meatballs Ingredients               Meatballs: 1-cup plain breadcrumbs 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan, plus more for serving 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley 1/4-cup whole milk, at room temperature 1-tablespoon ketchup, optional 1-tablespoon tomato paste 3/4-teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 2 large eggs, at room temperature 2 cloves garlic, minced sausage links, casings removed Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling 1 small onion, finely chopped 1-pound ground dark turkey meat  1-pound spicy Italian turkey   Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. For the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, basil, parsley, milk, ketchup if using, tomato paste, salt, pepper, eggs, garlic and onions. Using a wooden spoon, stir to blend. Add the ground turkey and sausage meat. Using fingers, gently mix all the ingredients until thoroughly combined. Using a 1-ounce cookie scoop or a small ice cream scoop, form the meat mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls (22 to 24 meatballs). Place the meatballs on a heavy nonstick baking sheet, spacing apart. Drizzle with olive oil and bake until cooked through, 15 minutes. For the tomato sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet with 2-inch-high sides over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, onions, salt and pepper. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of the basil, the fennel, oregano and crushed tomatoes. Bring to a simmer. Cook over medium heat until the sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup basil. Adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if desired. Add the meatballs to the tomato sauce and simmer until the meatballs are heated through, about 10 minutes. Thin the sauce with chicken stock, 1/4 cup at a time, if needed. Page 97 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Turkey Meatballs Sauce: 1/4-cup extra-virgin olive oil 3 large cloves garlic, smashed and peeled 1 large onion, finely chopped 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to season 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to season 3/4 cup chopped fresh basil 2 teaspoons finely ground fennel seeds 2 teaspoons dried oregano Two 28-ounce cans crushed tomatoes 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth, optional Cranberry relish sauce 1 lb. cranberries 2 cups sugar 1⁄2 cup water 1⁄2 cup orange juice 2 teaspoons orange zest, grated 1⁄2 cup almonds, slivered (optional) DIRECTIONS Combine everything (except almonds) in a skillet. Cook uncovered over medium heat until most of the cranberries pop open and the mixture is thickened, 7-10 minute. if desired, add almonds. let cool, and serve or refrigerate up to a day. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html It’s A Canadian Thanksgiving! Asia, UK, Canada and the US. Today Roshni is a highly innovated and passionate chef with over 15 years of industry experience. She has a unique fusion style of cooking, blending different cultures together. Her hard work and dedication has brought her to where she is today. In 2009 Roshni was awarded Chopped Champion on the hit Food Network show Chopped. In 2009 she was also the first Chef in Boston to introduce healthy restaurant style quality food into college campuses and was featured in the Boston Globe Newspaper. This triggered the healthy food scene throughout colleges in Massachusetts. Roshni’s wide travels and vast knowledge and hunger for the culinary world has awarded her as being one of the top 5 Indian chefs in USA by India Currents magazine, in 2011. In 2011 Roshni was also invited to be Biography A native of Canada, Roshni has always been interested and passionate about food. Since the tender age of 7 she wanted to be a chef and her career began at the age of 13. She started her path to become a chef at a local diner bussing tables and prepping vegetables. After graduating from The culinary Institute of Canada, Roshni began her travels around the world to gain knowledge and experience in different cultures and foods. She has cooked in 5 star hotels, Country Clubs, restaurants, colleges and private homes is Page 98 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive the featured chef for Masala, Mendhi, Masti in Toronto Canada, North America’s largest South Asian festival. In 2012 Roshni was a contestant on the very popular FOX TV show Hell’s Kitchen with Michelin Star chef GordonRamsey. Today Roshni is a Culinary Professor at the Art Institute of America in Houston Texas. She is also a chef consultant and private chef. She feels that “there is never an end to flavors and foods.” “Food is a journey not a destination”. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Sautéed Brussels sprouts with turkey bacon and onions Fall fresh roasted veggies 1lbs Brussels sprouts 1/2 lbs turkey bacon chopped 1 red onion julienne 1 clove chopped garlic 1/4 cup white wine 2 tbs butter 1/2 cup baby carrot steam on 1 cup parsnip peeled 1 lbs red bliss potato 1 cup peal onion peeled 1 head garlic chopped 1/2cup olive oil 1 bunch Rosemary 3 tbs maple syrup Salt Pepper In a late boil mix oil, maple syrup, garlic. Add veggies and coat evenly. Spears on a sheet tray and top with rosemary sprigs. Bake on 400' for 15-20 mins Challah French toast with fresh berries and walnut maple reduction Baked side of salmon with pickled vegetables 1 side salmon 1 bunch dill 2 lemons sliced 1/4 lbs butter cubed 1/2 cup cauliflower 1 cup pearl onion peeled 1 cup radish, halved 1 cup cider vinegar 1/2 cup sugar 2 tbs kosher salt 2 bay leaf 5 cups water 1 loaf challah bread 1 dozen eggs 1 cup cream 2 cinnamon sticks 1 juice of orange 2 pints berries of choice 1 cup maple syrup 1/2 cup bourbon Powdered sugar Cooking spray In a pot boil water, cider, sugar, salt, bay leaf, once boiled turn off and pour liquid over vegetables and let soak for 7-10 minutes, strain. Arrange salmon on platter surrounded by picked vegetables Whole Roasted leg of lamb with fresh orange and mint jus In a bowl whisk eggs, cream and orange juice, add cinnamon sticks and place in fridge over night. Spray non stick plan with cooking spray and put on medium Place salmon on a sprayed heat. Dip and coat slices of cookie sheet, top with butter, dill, bread and seat in pan on each and sliced lemon, bake on 350' side until golden brown. for 15 mins In a pot add syrup and bourbon and simmer on low for 30 mins Cut and Place cooked fresh toast on a plate, top with syrup mixture, fresh berries and powdered sugar. Page 99 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Heat skillet, melt butter, add Brussels sprouts and bacon, sautéed for 6-8 minute, add garlic and onion, sautéed for 5 mins, deglaze with white wine, summer for five minutes. Serve. Can top with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. 1 leg of lamb 6 oranges 1 bunch of mint 1 cup red wine 1 head garlic peeled 1 tbs dry chopped rosemary 1 pint yogurt 3 oz tomato past In a bowl mix yogurt, tomato paste, garlic cloves, 1/2 cup red wine, Rosemary and coat over lamb. In a roasting pan place lamb covered and bake on 350' for 30 mins and the. Uncover and continue baking for 35-40 mins for medium. In a pot squeeze oranges and add the orange, add the mint bunch with steams and 1/2 cup wine, simmer on low for 30 mins. Pour over lamb before serving Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Part 2 The Best Basics Individual Holiday Dishes Turkeys Traditional Baked Turkey Ingredients: One 20 pound fresh whole turkey, giblets and neck removed from cavity and reserved  3 sticks of unsalted butter, melted, plus 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature  2 teaspoons salt  2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper  2 teaspoons granulated garlic  Cheesecloth  Roasting pan Foil  1) Rinse turkey with cold water, and pat dry with paper towels. Let stand for 2 hours at room temperature. 2) Place oven rack on lowest level in oven. Heat oven to 450 degrees. Fold a large piece of cheesecloth into quarters and cut it into a 17-inch, 4-layer square. Immerse cheesecloth in the melted butter and let soak. 3)Place turkey breast side up, on a roasting rack in a heavy metal roasting pan. Remove the pop up cooking timer that comes with the turkey. It's best to use an instant-read thermometer because it is much more accurate. Fold wing tips under turkey. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon each salt, granulated garlic, and pepper inside turkey. Fill large cavity and neck cavity loosely with as much stuffing as they hold comfortably; do not pack tightly. Tie legs together loosely with butcher's twine. Fold neck flap under, and secure with toothpicks. Rub turkey with the softened butter, and sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, granulated garlic, and pepper. 4) Lift cheesecloth out of melted butter, and squeeze it slightly, leaving it very damp. Spread it evenly over the breast and about halfway down the sides of the turkey; it can cover some of the leg area. Place turkey, legs first, in oven. Page 100 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html be golden brown. The breast does not need to be checked for temperature. If legs aren't fully cooked, baste turkey, return to oven, and cook another 20 to 30 minutes. 7) When fully cooked, transfer turkey to a serving platter, and let rest for about 30 minutes. Slice, serve, an enjoy! Special Thanks To Gillian Larson, Founder of Reality Rally and the Reality Rally Chefs As major contributors for this segment. Cook for 30 minutes. Using a pastry brush, baste cheesecloth and exposed parts of turkey with butter melted butter. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue to cook for 2 1/2 more hours, rotating the pan and basting every 30 minutes and watching pan juices; if the pan gets too full spoon out juices (reserving them for gravy). For more information Visit www.realityrally.com 5)After the third hour of cooking remove and discard cheesecloth. Turn roasting pan so that the breast is facing the back of the oven. Baste turkey with pan juices. If there are not enough juices, continue to use melted butter. The skin gets fragile as it browns, so baste carefully! Cook 1 more hour basting after 30 minutes. 6) After this fourth hour of cooking, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. Be careful not to poke into a bone. The temperature should reach 180 degrees (stuffing should be between 140 degrees and 160 degrees) and the turkey should Page 101 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Deep Fried Turkey Ingredients Smoked Turkey Ingredients    1 (12 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed 1 (20 pound) bag high quality charcoal briquettes hickory chips or chunks Directions 1. Place the charcoal into the bottom pan of the smoker. Light the coals and wait for the temperature of the smoker to come to 240 degrees F (115 degrees C). Lightly oil grate. 2. Rinse turkey under cold water, and pat dry. Place hickory chips into a pan with water to cover. 3. Place turkey onto the prepared grate. Add 2 handfuls damp chips at start of cooking, then a handful every couple of hours during the cooking process. Leave the lid on - DO NOT keep looking at turkey, or you will let the heat out! Continue smoking until the internal temperature of the turkey reaches180 degrees F (82 degrees C), or keep going until the coals die out. 1 (10-pound) turkey 2 tablespoons House seasoning, recipe follows 2 tablespoons of your favorite dry rub 3 to 5 gallons peanut oil Cooks Note: To measure the amount of oil needed to fry the turkey, place turkey in fryer, add water to top of turkey, remove the turkey and the water line will indicate how much oil will be needed to fry your turkey. Having too much oil can cause a fire. The pot should not be more than 3/4 full or the oil could overflow when the turkey is added. Directions Wash bird inside and out, and allow to drain. Rub turkey all over with House Seasoning. Coat turkey with dry rub. Allow the bird to sit until it reaches room temperature. Heat peanut oil in a turkey fryer or a very, very large stockpot to 350 degrees F. Lower turkey into hot oil, very carefully, making sure it is fully submerged. Fry turkey for 3 minutes per pound plus 5 minutes per bird. Remove turkey from oil and drain on paper towels. House Seasoning: 1 cup salt, 1/4 cup black pepper & 1/4 cup garlic powder. Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/ recipes/paula-deen/deep-fried-turkeyrecipe.html?oc=linkback Page 102 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Oyster Cornbread Dressing Ingredients 2 1/2 pounds cornbread 2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter, plus more as needed  2 cups mediumdice celery (about 6 medium stalks)  1 cup peeled, mediumdice celery root, also known as celeriac (about 1/2 medium celery root)  3/4 cup small-dice red onion  Kosher salt 2 tablespoons finely chopped freshthyme leaves  1 tablespoon celery seeds, crushed  Freshly ground black pepper  1 1/2 cups stock or lowsodiumchicken broth  12 fresh oysters, shucked and liquid reserved  3 large eggs, lightly beaten  1/4 cup finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Dressings To save time, you can make your cornbread ahead of time and freeze it. If you don’t want to make your own, buy a pan of good-quality cornbread at a bakery or specialty-foods store. Special equipment: An oyster knife has a broad, thin, but sturdy and rigid blade. Some have a small hook at the tip to help wedge open the shell. An oyster knife shouldn’t be sharp. The blade has to be just thin enough to insert into the tightly closed shell and strong enough to pop the shell apart without snapping or bending. Game plan: The heat and time required to safely cook stuffing that’s packed into a good-size turkey usually results in a breast with the flavor of sawdust. The stuffing should be cooked to 160°F, the same internal temperature required for the turkey, so you’d think it would work perfectly. But when the bird is at 160°F and ready to serve, the stuffing (insulated against the oven heat by the bird) is still undercooked and needs at least another 90 minutes in the oven. Which is why preparing your stuffing separately, as done here, is ideal. The cornbread needs to dry in the oven overnight, so plan accordingly. Instructions 1. Heat the oven to 275°F and arrange a rack in the middle. 2. Using your hands, crumble the cornbread into pieces no larger than 3/4 inch onto a rimmed baking sheet. Spread into an even layer and bake for 15 minutes. Turn off the oven and let the cornbread dry out inside the oven overnight. 3. The next day, transfer the cornbread to a large bowl and set it aside. Heat the oven to 350°F with the rack in the middle. Coat a 13by-9-inch baking dish with butter; set aside. 4. Melt 1 1/2 sticks of the measured butter in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the celery, celery root, and onion, season with salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 10 minutes. 5. Add the thyme and celery seeds and cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to the bowl with the cornbread. 6. Drizzle the stock or broth and the oyster liquid into the bowl and stir until completely incorporated. Fold in the oysters, eggs, and parsley. 7. Transfer the stuffing to the prepared baking dish. Cut the remaining 1/2 stick of butter into small pieces and scatter them over the top of the stuffing. Bake until golden brown on top, about 40 minutes. Page 103 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Apple Cornbread Dressing Ingredients             1 recipe Easy Cornbread, chilled and cut into 3/4 -inch cubes (or about 9 cups of your favorite cornbread) 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick), plus more as needed 2 medium Gala or Pink Lady apples, cored and medium dice 2 medium Granny Smith apples, cored and medium dice 4 medium celery stalks, medium dice 1 medium yellow onion, medium dice 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon ground sage 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup dry white wine 1 1/2 cups stock or low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth 2 large eggs lightly beaten Instructions 1.Heat the oven to 375°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Coat a 13-by-9-inch baking dish with butter and set aside. 2.Place the cornbread in a large bowl; set aside. 3.Melt the measured butter in a large frying pan over medium-high heat until foaming. Add the apples, celery, onion, salt, sage, and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion has softened, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the wine, stir to combine, and cook until the wine is almost all evaporated, about 2 minutes. 4.Pour the apple mixture over the cornbread, add the broth and eggs, and stir until combined and thoroughly moistened. 5.Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer. Bake uncovered until the top is golden brown, about 35 to 40 minutes. Remove to a wire rack and let cool for at least 5 minutes before serving. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Cornbread Dressings Pies and Cobbl continued Directions Roasted Chestnut, Sausage & Cornbread Dressing Ingredients            1 medium carrot, peeled and roughly chopped 1 medium onion, roughly chopped 1/2 bunch fresh sage 1 1/2 lbs loose hot sausage 1 lb roasted chestnuts (peeled and chopped) 1 cup low-sodium chicken stock 5 cups of cubed corn bread 1/2 cup heavy cream 1 large egg extra virgin olive oil freshly ground sea salt and pepper 1. Preheat oven to 375F and butter a 9x11 baking dish. 2. Puree the carrot, onion, and sage in a food processor until you have a fine pulp. 3. Brown the sausage in a large skillet with a little extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. 4. Once the meat has browned nicely and the fat has rendered, remove with a slotted spoon and place in a large mixing bowl. 5. Add the vegetable pulp to the skillet and saute until most of the moisture has evaporated. 6. Season with salt and pepper. 7. Add the cooked vegetables to the mixing bowl along with the sausage, cornbread, and roasted chestnuts. 8. In a separate bowl mix the chicken stock, cream, and egg. 9. Add this mixture to the large mixing bowl, season with more salt and pepper and fold everything together. 10.Pour into the baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the dressing is golden brown. (Tent with foil if it browns too early). Page 104 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Boysenberry Cobbler Mixture 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch 1/3 cup sugar 4 cups boysenberries 1/8 cup water 1 tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon lemon juice Batter topping 1 cup flour 1 cup sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons soft butter 1 egg, slightly beaten 3 tablespoons milk Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 2. In a saucepan mix cornstarch, sugar, and water. Add berries and cook on medium to medium high heat until mixture is thickened, about 15 minutes. Add butter and lemon juice. Pour into an 8" baking dish. 3. Prepare the batter by mixing all of the batter ingredients and beating with a spoon until the batter is smooth. 4. Drop the batter over the berry mixture. Bake 25-30 minutes at 350°F 5. Let cool. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html lers enough of the liquid into the flour mixture so it comes together in a rough ball; do not overwork. Discard the remaining liquid. Divide the dough in half and wrap each half in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2 hours. To make the filling, in a bowl, toss together the apples, the 1/2 cup sugar (adding more to taste if the apples are tart), cinnamon, nutmeg and lemon juice. Peach Cobbler Ingredients:  3 lb. peaches, peeled, pitted and each cut into 8 slices  1/4 cup plus 2 Tbs. plus 1 tsp. granulated sugar  1/4 cup plus 2 Tbs. firmly packed light brown sugar 2 1/2 Tbs. cornstarch 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice 1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg 1 Tbs. unsalted butter, cut into small pieces  1 batch cobbler dough (see related recipe at left)  1 egg, lightly beaten Vanilla ice cream for serving (see related recipe at left)     Directions: Preheat an oven to 425ºF. In a large bowl, stir together the peaches, 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbs. granulated sugar, the brown sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice and nutmeg. Transfer to a 2-quart rectangular baker and scatter the butter pieces on top. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the cobbler dough 1/4 inch thick. Tear the dough into 3-inch pieces and place on top of the peach filling. Brush the dough with the beaten egg and sprinkle with the 1 tsp. granulated sugar. Bake the cobbler for 10 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350ºF and bake until the topping is browned, 50 to 60 minutes more. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool for about 20 minutes. Serve the cobbler with vanilla ice cream. Serves 10 to 12. Apple Pie Preheat an oven to 400°F. Ingredients: For the pastry:  2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour  1 tsp. salt  2 Tbs. sugar  10 Tbs. (1 1/4 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces  10 Tbs. cold vegetable shortening, cut into pieces  7 Tbs. ice water 1 tsp. distilled white vinegar For the filling:  2 1/2 lb. baking apples, peeled, cored, quartered and cut lengthwise into slices 1/2 inch thick  1/2 cup sugar, plus more as needed  1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon  1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg  1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice  2 Tbs. unsalted butter, cut into pieces  1 egg yolk  1 Tbs. heavy cream Directions: To make the pastry, in a large bowl, stir together the flour, salt and sugar. Make a well in the center, add the butter and shortening and, using your fingertips, rub them into the flour mixture until small, flat pieces form. In a cup or small bowl, combine the water and vinegar. Using a fork, gently mix just Page 105 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive On a lightly floured work surface, roll out half of the dough (leave the other half refrigerated) into a 12inch round about 1/8 inch thick. Fold the dough in half and then into quarters and transfer it to a 9-inch pie dish. Unfold and gently press into the bottom and sides of the dish. Trim the edges even with the rim. Roll out the remaining dough into a 10-inch round about 1/8 inch thick. Turn the apples into the pastrylined pan, mounding them slightly in the center. Dot evenly with the butter. Brush the edges of the dough with water. Fold the dough round into quarters and unfold over the apples. Press together the top and bottom crusts to seal, then trim the edges flush with the rim of the dish and crimp to form an attractive edge. In a small bowl, beat together the egg yolk and cream and brush over the pastry. Make a few slits near the center to allow steam to escape. Bake for 25 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F and continue to bake until the apples are tender (insert a knife blade through a slit) and the top is golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes more. Transfer the dish to a wire rack and let the pie cool for at least 20 minutes before serving. Makes one 9-inch pie; serves 8. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Pies and Cobblers Continued Pour the filling into the warm prepared pie crust and bake for 50 minutes, or until the center is set. Place the pie on a wire rack and cool to room temperature. Cut into slices and top each piece with a generous amount of whipped cream. Pumpkin Pie Ingredients 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened 2 cups canned pumpkin, mashed 1 cup sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 egg plus 2 egg yolks, slightly beaten 1 cup half-and-half 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) melted butter 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, optional 1 piece pre-made pie dough Whipped cream, for topping Directions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place 1 piece of pre-made pie dough down into a (9-inch) pie pan and press down along the bottom and all sides. Pinch and crimp the edges together to make a pretty pattern. Put the pie shell back into the freezer for 1 hour to firm up. Fit a piece of aluminum foil to cover the inside of the shell completely. Fill the shell up to the edges with pie weights or dried beans (about 2 pounds) and place it in the oven. Bake for 10 minutes, remove the foil and pie weights and bake for another 10 minutes or until the crust is dried out and beginning to color. For the filling, in a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer. Add the pumpkin and beat until combined. Add the sugar and salt, and beat until combined. Add the eggs mixed with the yolks, half-andhalf, and melted butter, and beat until combined. Finally, add the vanilla, cinnamon, and ginger, if using, and beat until incorporated. Pumpkin Cheese Cake Ingredients Pecan Pie Ingredients  1 cup Karo® Light OR Dark Corn Syrup  3 eggs  1 cup sugar  2 tablespoons butter, melted  1 teaspoon Spice Islands® Pure Vanilla Extract  1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) pecans 1 (9-inch) unbaked OR frozen** deep -dish pie crust Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 2. Mix corn syrup, eggs, sugar, butter and vanilla using a spoon. Stir in pecans. Pour filling into pie crust. 3. Bake on center rack of oven for 60 to 70 minutes (see tips for doneness, below). Cool for 2 hours on wire rack before serving. **To use prepared frozen pie crust: Place cookie sheet in oven and preheat oven as directed. Pour filling into frozen crust and bake on preheated cookie sheet. Page 106 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Crust: 1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs 3 tablespoons light brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 stick melted salted butter Filling: 3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature 1 (15-ounce) can pureed pumpkin 3 eggs plus 1 egg yolk 1/4 cup sour cream 1 1/2 cups sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. For crust: In medium bowl, combine crumbs, sugar and cinnamon. Add melted butter. Press down flat into a 9-inch springform pan. Set aside. For filling: Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add pumpkin puree, eggs, egg yolk, sour cream, sugar and the spices. Add flour and vanilla. Beat together until well combined. Pour into crust. Spread out evenly and place in oven for 1 hour. Remove from the oven and let sit for 15 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Gluten-Free Vegetables Stuffed Winter Squash Ingredients 3/4 lb. ground turkey (95 percent lean) 3 Tbs. olive oil 4 cloves garlic, minced (4 tsp.), divided ¾ cup of chopped tomatoes 4 acorn squash, halved and seeded 1/8 tsp. cayenne, plus more for sprinkling squash 1/8 tsp. cumin 3 ½ oz feta cheese 1 ½ oz toasted pine nuts small bunch chives, snipped 1 red pepper, chopped 1/3 cup quinoa ( make sure to rinse quinoa well before cooking) Candied Beets Beets are a great source of folate, iron, B complex, vitamin A & C, beta-carotene, magnesium and potassium. Beets have a natural sweetness to them making them perfect as an additive to side dishes and salads. Ingredients 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar 2 tablespoons orange juice 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 3 cups pealed & steamed cubed beets, 1/2- to 1-inch cubes ½ cup chopped walnuts Endive & Red Cabbage Salad w/Feta Endive is a lettuce that most people do not utilize enough. This cool weather leafy green is most notably known for its high quantities of vitamin K per serving which the body needs to coagulate the blood. It is also high in vitamin A for eye health, the phytonutrient kaempferol, which is being studied for ovarian cancer cell inhibition. Red cabbage has ten times more vitamin A than green cabbage because of the dark pigments involved. It also contains two very important phytonutrients that are essential to eye health and preventing macular degeneration, lutein and zeaxanthin. Preparation Preheat oven to 400. Place cut squash face down in a 9×13 casserole dish and bake until tender, 35 to 40 minutes. Boil water and prepare quinoa following directions on box Heat oil in pan on medium heat. Add cut tomatoes and garlic until soft and then add ground turkey, a pinch of cayenne, cumin and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until browned. Transfer to bowl and cover. Scrape out baked squashes, forming 1/4 inch thick bowls. Combine squash with meat mixture, quinoa, pinenuts, feta cheese and chives. Divide among squash halves, and return to the oven. Bake until warmed through and tops are browned. 12 to 14 minutes. Combine brown sugar, orange juice, butter, salt and pepper in a large nonstick skillet. Cook over medium heat until the sugar and butter are melted and starting to bubble. Stir in beets and walnuts and cook until most of the liquid has evaporated and the beets are coated with glaze, 6 to 8 minutes. Serve hot or warm. Page 107 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Ingredients 2-4 cups endive 2-4 cups red cabbage ½ cup of feta 2 stalks of celery ¼ cup of finely chopped walnuts A few dashes of salt and pepper 2 tbsp of lemon juice 5 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil 2 tbsp of red wine vinegar This is made to order depending on how many people are eating. Combine equal amounts of endive and red cabbage. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Thanksgiving Sides and Vegetables Gluten-Free Desserts Apple Crisp For the filling: 6 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced 1 teaspoon cinnamon 2 tablespoons raw honey 1 teaspoon lemon juice For the topping: 1/2 cup almond flour 1/2 cup certified gluten-free whole oats 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped 1/4 cup raw honey 3 tablespoons unsalted butter Preperation Preheat oven to 375 degrees In a medium bowl, combine the apples, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 2 tablespoons honey, and lemon juice. Stir together until apples are coated evenly. In a separate bowl, whisk together the almond flour, oats, salt, remaining cinnamon, and pecans. Use a fork or your fingers (it's messy, but effective) to mix in the remaining honey and butter, until the topping has a crumbly consistency. Arrange the apples into a 9-inch pie dish or baking dish. Cover with the crumble topping. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Apple crisp is best served immediately, when it's warm. It can also be served at room temperature. Store, covered, in the refrigerator up to four days. Pumpkin Ravioli Carribean Lobster Paella .Filling 1 Hard Squash Butternut Olive Oil Salt Nutmeg Parmesan Cheese Grated 2 Tblsp mascarpone cheese Yield: 4 portions Ingredients Amounts   Pasta Dough  1 ½ Cups Semolina Flour Fine Grind 1 ½ Cups All Purpose Flour ½ tsp Kosher Salt 3 Eggs XL 2 Tblsp Olive Oil  Filling, Peel and seed squash cut up into med size cubes toss in 2 Tblsp of Olive oil lay out on a sheet pan and roast at 300 till very soft. Pass cooked squash thru a food mill, grind into a mixer on low add mascarpone cheese Parm cheese and mix add nutmeg and salt to taste and let cool. Pasta dough, sift the semolina flour, salt and AP flour into a bowl, make a well in the center in a separate bowl whisk the 3 eggs till blended. Add olive oil and eggs to center of the well and with your hands mix until the dough well blended, let rest for 30 min Assembly, Rough dough into thin strips using a pasta rolling machine put filling into pastry bag and pipe 2oz of filling about 1 inch apart egg wash the edges of the pasta and between each filling cover with another layer of dough and cut with a ravioli cutter let rest for 30 min. Page 108 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive                  Garlic cloves, coarsely chopped 3 ea. Sweet onion, cut into large dice 1 ea. Celery rib, including leaves, chopped 1 ea. Poblano pepper, large, split, 1 ea. seeded and ripped coarsely Chouriço 4 oz. Bay leaves 2 ea. Tomatoes, ripe, diced, or 3 ea. 2 cups/473 ml diced canned tomatoes Saffron threads ½ tsp. Risotto, parcooked 2/3 cup or other short-grain rice Caribbean lobsters, (1 ½ lb.) 2 ea. still squirming Oranges, juice of 2 ea. Fish or lobster stock, ½ cup or low-sodium natural clam juice Mussels, rinsed and debearded ½ lb. Sea salt Ground black pepper Olive oil, as needed Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Method 1. Preheat your oven (or smoker) to 500°F/260° C, or its highest level. 2. In a wide, metal pan, place ¼-cup of olive oil, the garlic, onion, and celery. Put it in the oven and let cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens, 8 minutes. Add the green pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the color brightens and they turn a bit brown. 3. Add chouriço, bay leaves, tomatoes, and saffron. Cook for 20 to 30 minutes, simmering Ingredients: the “sauce” in the oven. Add 1 lb Chorizo (small dice) 2 Large Sweet Potatoes (small dice) the risotto and stir. 4. Split the lobster from head to tail. Scrape the entrails out of the body and head cavities. Clean the vein in the tail. Crack the claws with the back of a French knife or whack with a meat mallet. (This permits the claw meat to cook in approximately the same time as the tail.) Add the orange juice and stock to the sauce. Place the lobster halves on the sauce, spooning some onto all parts of the lobster. 5. Back to the forno. Cook for 10 to 20 minutes, then add the mussels. Cook for about as long again. When it is done, the lobster tail meat will be firm (not dry—that’s why you spooned the sauce over it). The mussels will be open and the rice cooked through. Add salt and pepper to finish. The chouriço and the natural brininess of the mussel and lobster juice add salt; do taste before you salt. 6. Serve in the casserole dish with big spoons, claw crackers and picks. Brussels Sprouts . Ingredients 1 Large Red Pepper (small dice) 1 Honey Crisp Apple (1/8” x 2” strips) 1 tbs Minced Garlic 1 Red Onion or Spanish Onion (small dice) 2 Tomatillo (small dice) 1/3 Cup Grated Parmesan TT Salt TT Pepper 2 Oz Oil 2 tbs Unsalted Butter 4 Oz White Cooking Wine Mascarpone Cheese Cooking Instructions: Put a large sauté pan on high heat and let pan get hot. Add oil to pan and let oil get hot. Add your small dice Chorizo and render down the fat aprox 2 minutes. Add the Sweet Potato and let cook for an additional 3 minutes, tossing the mixture about every 30 seconds. Add your small dice Red Pepper and continue on high heat for an additional 2 minutes again tossing every 30 seconds. Add your Onion and Garlic and cook down until onion becomes slightly translucent. Add your Tomatillo and White Wine to deglaze the pan. Once wine is reduced to 1/3 add your butter and mix well tossing until melted. Add your Parmesan by half until you have it at a consistency of your liking and serve. After Plating take about 1 tablespoon of mascarpone per plate and Garnish with a cannel on top of hash. **This Recipe can also be made into a stuffing by adding some Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme and some large dice day old bread at the very end and then baked for about 6 minutes at 400 degrees Page 109 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive 1 1/2 pounds Brussels sprouts 3 tablespoons good olive oil 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Read more at: http:// www.foodnetwork.com/ recipes/ina-garten/roastedbrussels-sprouts-recipe2.html? oc=linkback . Directions Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cut off the brown ends of the Brussels sprouts and pull off any yellow outer leaves. Mix them in a bowl with the olive oil, salt and pepper. Pour them on a sheet pan and roast for 35 to 40 minutes, until crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. Shake the pan from time to time to brown the sprouts evenly. Sprinkle with more kosher salt ( I like these salty like French fries), and serve immediately. 1999, The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, All Rights Reserved Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Thanksgiving Sides and Vegetables Co Carrot and Ginger Rice with Mint . Yields: 4–6 servings This is a good example of how easy it is to take a basic concept and turn it into something unique simply by changing the base ingredients. Rather than simply having white rice cooked in water or stock, I’ve used aromatic jasmine rice and infused it with Ginger essential oil. Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 cup jasmine rice 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt 2 cups carrot juice 5 drops dōTERRA Ginger essential oil 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh mint Glazed Spicy Sweet Potatoes 1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees (400 convection). Yield: 4 Servings 2. Coat large baking dish or roasting pan with oil. This side dish adds a vibrant, tropical flavor to any meal. Ingredients:      Directions 1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (325 convection). 2. Heat a 1- or 2-quart saucepan over high heat until the heat can be felt radiating from the surface of the pan when your hand is held about 6 inches above the bottom of the pan. 3. Add olive oil to the pan and tilt the pan to coat evenly. 4. Add rice and salt; stir frequently to keep from burning. When rice starts to turn opaque, remove pan from heat and gradually add carrot juice. 5. Add Ginger essential oil and place lid on the pan (or cover tightly with foil if a lid isn’t available) and place in the preheated oven; bake for 30 minutes. 6. Remove from the oven and let sit covered for 10 minutes. 7. Remove cover and fluff rice with a fork. 8. Stir in the chopped fresh mint and serve hot. Directions   4 tablespoons butter, melted 4 tablespoons honey Juice of 1 lime 2 teaspoons ground allspice 8 drops dōTERRA Cinnamon Bark essential oil 5 drops dōTERRA Ginger essential oil 2 pounds orangefleshed sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch thick slices Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste Fresh thyme sprigs for garnish (optional) Note: The sweet potatoes can be prepared in advance and then reheated in the oven to heat through. 3. In large bowl, stir butter, honey, lime juice, allspice, and Cinnamon and Ginger oils together until blended. 4. Add sweet potato slices and toss to coat before placing on baking pan in a single layer. Note: If a bowl large enough to mix everything together isn’t available, place the potatoes on the baking pan and pour the glaze over the potatoes, tossing on the pan to coat as evenly as possible. 5. Arrange the slices in a single layer in prepared dish or pan. 6. Season potatoes with salt and pepper. 7. Bake the sweet potatoes for 10 minutes and then stir to coat with glaze. 8. Continue baking another 10– 15 minutes or until tender and slightly caramelized. 9. Transfer to bowl and garnish with fresh thyme leaves, if desired. To purchase the doTERRA essential oils in these recipes, please contact: B.J. Miller email [email protected] Phone 323.209.8130 http://www.mydoterra.com/bjmiller Page 110 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html sauce mixture and simmer for a couple of minutes uncovered to reduce the sauce. Transfer the beans to a serving dish and pour the sauce over them. ontinued... Macaroni & Cheese . Ingredients 1/2 pound elbow macaroni 3 tablespoons butter 3 tablespoons flour 1 tablespoon powdered mustard 3 cups milk 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced 1 bay leaf 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1 large egg 12 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded 1 teaspoon kosher salt Fresh black pepper Topping: 3 tablespoons butter 1 cup panko bread crumbs Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large pot of boiling, salted water cook the pasta to al dente. While the pasta is cooking, in a separate pot, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and mustard and keep it moving for about five minutes. Make sure it's free of lumps. Stir in the milk, onion, bay leaf, and paprika. Simmer for ten minutes and remove the bay leaf. Temper in the egg. Stir in 3/4 of the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Fold the macaroni into the mix and pour into a 2-quart casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese. Melt the butter in a saute pan and toss the bread crumbs to coat. Top the macaroni with the bread crumbs. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and rest for five minutes before serving. String Beans Ingredients 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed 3 tablespoons light soy sauce 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1 teaspoon white sugar 2 tablespoons sesame oil 2 teaspoons minced garlic Directions 1. Place the green beans in a large saucepan or pot with one inch of water. You may place them in a steamer insert if you have one. Bring to a boil, cover and cook for 5 minutes, they should still be firm and bright green. 2. In a small bowl, stir together the soy sauce, balsamic vinegar and sugar; set aside. 3. Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until starting to brown. Add the green beans and stir to coat with the oil. Stir in the soy Page 111 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive cranberry Sauce .. Directions Empty a 12-ounce bag of fresh or frozen cranberries into a saucepan and transfer 1/2 cup to a small bowl. Add 1 cup sugar, 1 strip orange or lemon zest and 2 tablespoons water to the pan and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the cranberries are soft, about 10 minutes. Increase the heat to medium and cook until the cranberries burst, about 12 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the reserved cranberries. Add sugar, salt and pepper to taste and cool to room temperature before serving. Read more at: http:// www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ food-network-kitchens/perfectcranberry-sauce-recipe.html? oc=linkback Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Women Thrive Worldwide advocates for change at the U.S. and global levels so that women and men can share equally in the enjoyment of opportunities, economic prosperity, voice, and freedom from fear and violence. Page 112 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html We ground our work in the realities of women living in poverty, partner with locally based organizations, and create powerful coalitions to advance the interests of the women and girls we serve. www.womenthrive.org Page 113 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Turkey and Wine-Perfect Together! Laurie Forster The Wine Coach For people that love food and wine, Thanksgiving just might be the perfect holiday. It is the one time of year we assemble where it’s about dining and thankfully no major gift giving is involved. The traditional meal in our house consists of the infamous turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and maybe some green bean casserole to Page 114 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive round out the plate. With so many different dishes in one meal it may seem like finding a wine that pairs with everything is as likely as balancing the budget. With a little work however you can find some great wines that can handle the variety of dishes found on a Thanksgiving dinner table. As far as the budget goes we’ll leave that to Washington. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Sparkling Wines are great way to start your turkey dinner especially if they have a touch of sweetness or at least ample fruit. This allows them to stand up to the spices and herbs that are found in most of the side dishes. Try a Champagne or sparkler that is not Brut or bone dry. Extra Dry styles are the next step up in sweetness and you can find great examples in many price ranges from Italy, France, Spain or California. One of my personal favorites is Italian Prosecco. Made in the Veneto region of northeast Italy, Prosecco has fruit flavors of apple and citrus and many are frizzante or semi-sparkling making them softer as well as food friendly. There are several white wine grape varieties that have both the fruit and acid to handle a Thanksgiving feast. My favorites include Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Gris and Viognier. You can find great domestic wines that fit this bill or if you are feeling adventurous look to France, Page 115 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive South Africa or Australia. If you cannot bear to be without Chardonnay, try a lighter unoaked style from California, Australia or New Zealand. These will usually say unoaked, unwooded or virgin on the bottle to indicate they are not aged in oak barrels. These Chardonnay have fresher fruit flavors and retain more food friendly acidity than the bigger oaky styles. Don’t forget red wine. According to recent studies by the Wine Market Council red wine is preferred by 60% of wine drinkers so you’d better have some red wine options at the table. Fortunately there are several reds that will be a great addition to your Thanksgiving festivities. Pinot Noirs are a great option because they not only have great fruit flavors but enough acidity to stand up to the salt and acids found in many of the Thanksgiving dishes. Syrah and Zinfandel are also good choices with jammy fruit and a touch of spice to complement the flavors on your plate. Zinfandel is a California specialty but you might look to its Italian relative Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Primitivo for a change of pace. If you want to spice things up try a Syrah (aka Shiraz) from California, Washington, Australia or the Rhone Valley in France. To add something new to this year’s dinner start with a sparkling wine to loosen everyone up and then serve several white and red wines with the meal. Then everyone can compare how each wine pairs with the various side dishes as well as the Turkey. It adds a modern twist to your traditional meal! Try these wines to liven up your Thanksgiving feast: Mionetto Prosecco NV, Veneto, Italy Made from Glera grapes, these sparklers from the Veneto region of Italy are made in a variety of styles from frizzante, which in Italian means slightly sparkling, to fully sparkling like Champagne. Prosecco tends to be fruitier than Champagne or other dry sparklers making it more accepted by a wide range of wine and beer lovers. Fruity, but dry, this lively wine is the perfect way to start off your Thanksgiving feast. Add a touch of peach nectar to a Prosecco, and you have what’s called a Bellini. Salute! (Retails $18) Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and refreshing and goes with so many different dishes especially salads, appetizers, white meats and seafood. Some of the best New World Sauvignon Blancs come from New Zealand specifically the Marlborough region. New Zealand is made up of two islands; Marlborough is in the northern part of the south island. This wine has lively acidity and aromas of herbs, grapefruit and passion fruit. The fruit flavors along with its crisp acidity will help this wine stand up to all your turkey sides. (Retails $16) Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley Jim Bernau, owner and founder of Willamette Valley Vineyards, is obsessed with making the best Pinot Noir that the Willamette Valley can deliver. The Whole Cluster Pinot Noir uses a process similar to that in Beaujolais, France delivering a softer wine that has aromas much like that a fresh fruit berry salad. The balance of fruit, acidity and structure in this wine make this a perfect accompaniment to your Thanksgiving meal. (Retails $22) Page 116 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html 0 Celebrate Harvest 2015! There is an exciting feeling we get from something NEW. Whether it be a new piece of clothing, a new car or maybe a new house, the feeling is exhilarating. Same goes for NEW wine! One special wine is available just weeks after it is har- Beaujolais Nouveau. This Nouveau will be released on November 19, 2015. vested— These wines travel from Beaujolais, in the southernmost part of Burgundy, to destinations around the world for their "official" release on the third Thursday of November. Beaujolais is a region that makes mostly red wines from the Gamay grape known for its fruitiness, soft tannins and food friendly acidity. About half of the wines made in Beaujolais are bottled early for the Nouveau release and the other half spend time aging in oak barrels until being released in the spring. Nouveau wines are seen by some as a way to celebrate the harvest and gauge the quality of the more "serious" wines to be released in the spring. Winemaker Georges Duboeuf is credited with developing the idea of Nouveau to help find a unique way to create demand for Beaujolais. He felt that these wines could be released within in weeks of harvest increase cash flow for wineries that typically could not sell their wines till later in the year. By the 1970s Nouveau was a tradition in Paris and eventually all over the world. On the day of the release at midnight the wines would be transportedto Paris and other destinations where eager wine drinkers would gladly purchase these affordable wines. Through Page 117 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive marketing and other means this became a day of celebration where parties and events drove consumption and purchase of Nouveau. Most producers in Beaujolais use a unique process called carbonic maceration to create these fruity wines. Unlike traditional fermentation the grapes are not crushed and in fact the fermentation happens in- side the grape itself. This process creates fruity wines with soft tannins that are reminiscent of fruit salad. In general, Beaujolais Nouveau is made for early consumption and its flavors can fade after six months or so. Serve these wines slightly chilled at maybe 60-65 degrees to taste them at their best. Wine snobs and wine enthusiasts sometimes don’t view Nouveau as a “serious wine” but they miss the point. Nouveau is about celebrating the harvest and all the hard work that went into that year. These wines are not produced for critical acclaim. Instead, they are meant to be fun wines that appeal to a wide variety of wine drinkers. Not all the wines from Beaujolais are the light, fun and fruity like Nouveau. Wine drinkers looking to see the best of this region should consider trying Beaujolais from one of the ten best villages. These 10 form the Cru appellations which include St-Amour, Juliénas, Chénas, Moulin-a-Vent, Fleurie, Chiroubles, Morgon, Régnié, Brouilly, and Côte de Brouilly. Moulin-à-Vent, for instance produces full bodied and structured reds that have the ability to age for up to twenty years. The fact that Beaujolais is a great pairing to an American Thanksgiving feast is reason enough to enjoy these wines or introduce them to your guests. So grab a bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau or a Cru Beaujolais and celebrate the harvest of 2015! Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Laurie Forster The Wine Coach is one of the country’s leading wine experts whose mission is to demystify wine one glass at a time. The queen of wine edutainment, she is also the author of the award-winning book, The Sipping Point and a regular guest on TV and radio shows across the country. Laurie’s specialty is delivering unique corporate keynotes, teambuilding events and group tasting seminars for corporate leaders such as MetLife, LG, Microsoft and the US Chamber of Commerce. Laurie’s radio show The Sipping Point can be heard every week on WBAL or in her free App The Wine Coach which was rated one of the Top 8 Wine Apps by Wine Enthusiast magazine. She partners with her better half Chef Michael Forster to create The Wine Coach Club. The Sipping Point With over 125 pages of wine essentials along with stunning photos, The Sipping Point is the perfect book for you or any wine lover on your list! wwwTheSippingPoint.com For FREE secrets to make wine easy and FUN!: http://thewinecoach.com/videoseries/ sommeliersecrets.html Join The Wine Coach® Wine Club: http://thewinecoach.com/wine-club/ Laurie for your next corporate, client or fundraising event! More Info: http://thewinecoach.com/speaking-corporate/ WATCH Laurie! 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Or copy and paste http://www.female-exec.com/ advertsmallbiz1.html For Customized Quote Contact [email protected] Page 133 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html www.woundedwarr Page 134 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html riorproject.org Page 135 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Page 136 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html The Gift Horse Part 3 Maggie and Parker are finished working at the library for the day. Parker does not trust the librarian. Is she right? or unnaturally cynical? Meanwhile: it's time for the friends to head out. By Leslie Silton Page 137 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html At her station, Elizabeth Browning was facing the computer monitor but her unseen hands were at rest. Mentally reviewing the plan she was focused on, she decided they were making good progress. It was unfortunate that human pleasure signals tripped a particular hormonal wire in the pituitary, causing a flow which would inevitably bring a smile to her face. Even after all this time, the feeling of her facial skin being stretched still didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel very comfortable. If Elizabeth had had her way, she would have disabled those muscles a long time ago. But of course that would have been a grave tactical mistake. Humans set enormous store by these smiles. Never mind. It was a small price to pay. Vig hanish dal. ( Never forget.) The reason for being here preceded all. Vig hanish dal. She did miss being able to speak Minda more often. That was the one real drawback about being here. Human own. For that thought she was rewarded by a pleasure sensation emanating from language couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hold a candle to their the gills hidden behind her ear coverings which required no engagement of her human parts. The tantalizing flutter which turned on her internal sensors continued flowing. Mutely she received her reward. Her way was better, she concluded. No fuss. No smiles. In the meantime, there was a pile of special requests to be logged before her work day was over. She hurried back to her duties. Page 138 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Standing by the top of the stairs, Parker Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html show by putting her arm through Maggie’s. That’s how they warded off bounders. Show of force. Or let them think we’re lesbians. It didn’t matter. Either way, it worked. there’s a man is looking at us.” whispered to Maggie, “Don’t look now but I think Maggie looked in the direction of Parker’s slight nod. Deep inside the room she saw a man standing near Ms. Browning. It looked like he was patting her arm. Oh, look at that. Ms. Browning, always the cool customer, has a friend. Or a honey. Well, well. She’s human after all. But now he was looking their way. It was an intrusive look for someone who was an utter stranger. Parker didn’t like it and made a Page 139 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Parker scowled at the man. “I don’t think he likes me,” she said. vv“Like you? He doesn’t know you,” Maggie noted with a small chortle. The man continued looking at Parker in a decidedly interested way. Parker reminded herself she was a New Yorker. She knew how to handle his kind. She would not look away. She would not knuckle. “Let him look. I’ll tell our Daddy on him,” Maggie whispered with an impish smile. “Right …” Parker agreed, and they both laughed. Enough was enough. Parker did look away. He didn’t win anything anyway. They both decided he would have to enjoy the sight of their backs as they departed; that little would have to suffice. In fact they both agreed they would never even deign to speak to a person of his ilk, (whatever that ilk was) and had another good laugh. Walking down the stairs felt good to their legs after all that sitting, until Parker reminded them with a dramatic moan, “Oh, god, we have to go outside again.” “Can’t be helped,” Maggie replied as she tied on a fur hood while Parker deftly twisted her long blond hair into a knot on top of her head and stuffed it inside a knit Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html ski cap. Wrapping her scarf around and around her neck, she made sure to cover her mouth as well. With a mutual nod, they each took a breath as they pushed through the exit. The cold wind hit them broadside. “Ridiculous,” said Parker, her mouth well muffled. “But hey. It’s New York.” Huddling at the corner of the street with their backs to the wind, Maggie asked Parker, “Are you coming to dinner? Barbara’s making brisket.” “No, I can’t.” “She’s also making home -made biscuits even as we speak …” “Shut up. I can’t. I have to finish this paper. I typed everything into the computer in the den the last time we were there, remember? I should have put it on my laptop but I didn’t. And they aren’t networked … so I can’t. Anyway, now there’s just this last bit. I’ll meet you in the morning. Bring me a sandwich? … Besides, Richard said he might call again. End of the night here is morning there.” She didn’t dare miss his calls. Maggie felt herself biting her lip. As if Richard would inconvenience himself to work out the 5-hour difference between London and New York. That man really really really irked her. Well, that was nothing new. Parker punched her lightly on the shoulder. “I’d better be there to take the call.” (If he calls. Richard was pathetic. His promises Page 140 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive were unreliable.) “Okay. Love you. See you tomorrow.” Parker grabbed the sleeve of her friend’s coat. “Please don’t say anything to Evan. Not yet. Okay? I know you. But this is my fight. I have to learn to stand up to him … what’s the use of graduating from college if I still can’t deal with my own father.” “Okay.” (Grrrr.) Maggie turned east, Parker headed downtown. Back inside the reading room, Arthur’s hand was still resting on Elizabeth Browning’s arm, albeit discretely. He liked the feel of her cool, humanoid skin. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Just touching it made the fluid deep inside the small pockets within his shoulder blades quiver with pleasure. The brief caress also stirred the corresponding fluid in the wells behind his ears, making them fibrillate silently. It was very erotic. Too bad there was no place to go—and no time. As much as he liked life on this planet, he had to agree with Elizabeth. The fake skin covering their ear valleys was Page 141 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive a nuisance. On the other hand, any discovery of the extra ear holes would constitute a dead give-away and ruin decades of hard-won ground. The anomalies between their divergent races would have to continue to be tolerated. For now. “Well, I must be going. Oscar is waiting. The man simply can’t do a thing unless I am there to direct him. Have Nick keep an eye on our prospect. She’s coming along very nicely.” With that Arthur swept grandly out the door. Once gone Elizabeth hurried through her work. She had no intention of leaving things to Nick. How many times had she explained to Arthur that Nick could not carry a firearm without a permit, but he just brushed it off. One of these days Nick would use that stupid thing—and then what? Oh, no. She didn’t like Nick one bit. It was just that he had certain skills and some necessary brawn. But she didn’t have to like him. He had been an unsatisfactory but necessary replacement for James. Which mention of the longdeparted defector was still disconcerting, even after all this time. Elizabeth simply didn’t care to follow where those thoughts would lead. On this Mission she had seniority over Nick. He would do as he was told. After she logged off the computer, she retrieved her coat from the employee closet. Downstairs she paused at the entrance, checking to make sure Arthur’s limousine was Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html already gone. He was. Good. Sometimes he liked to sit there, like some foreign diplomat, flaunting the no-double-parking law, just to enjoy the effect. Foreign? Oh, definitely. Except that no one would recognize Mindar’s symbol anyway, so he used Oscar’s Venezuelan special visitor status and flag instead. Outside it was incredibly cold. No extra bits of warmth even though the sun was sending long shafts of light flaring dramatically down the street. Elizabeth noted again that her back itched. She was going to have to find somewhere safe to shed—soon. In the meantime, she wanted to find out if their little Earth Girl was still really worth all the effort. If not, they could end this now. Personally she didn’t care a hill of beans one way or the other, but Elizabeth needed to see for herself, again, to be sure. She would have no qualms about shutting down the Maggie Malone Project even Page 142 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive though Arthur would have to be convinced. If Maggie was as good as he thought, the girl could make them a fortune. Elizabeth had no qualms about making a fortune at the expense of one human being. Even after her decades here, she felt no loyalty to the human race whatsoever. Their only value was their usefulness. Those not useful were open to discard. Blending with the other pedestrians, bending into the wind to allay the worst of its effects, Elizabeth was an Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html expert in knowing how to be comfortably overlooked. She could easily be just one more attractive woman wearing the upscale ‘uniform’ of good, grey herringbone wool coat with the black velvet collar fashionably turned up, a pair of Jackie O-dark glasses and high black suede boots. Over her hair was a baby-soft black pashmina tied with the ends wrapped around and around and knotted in the back, her chin and throat well-protected. It wasn’t enough to really keep out the cold but it would have to do. Page 143 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Following Maggie was easy since she knew exactly where the girl was going. Therefore, Elizabeth could afford to reflect, even as she walked along as a fair clip. The winter months of cold here were abominable. There were times when she thought she couldn’t wait anymore to get home and stretch out her natural length on a large, flat, warm rock in a desert region: The Noave Coalition would be quite perfect right about now. They gave very good service. As a less expensive alternative, there was always the Juno Sanitation Waste Region. Much more economical. Not as service-minded and often littered with useless but attractive lay-abouts … still, one could manage to come across the occasional fellow reptile worthy of coiling with—which thought produced a well-hidden blue mottling on her chest and a kind of hormonal vibration. It was nearly her favorite sensation and even the biting cold couldn’t dampen the effect it was having. Elizabeth recognized she was having a moment of happy self-gratification. A few yards further on, she picked up the dropped thread of thoughts that had brought it on. She knew the scenario only too well: you go to Juno because you have to; you go to the Noave because you can. Naturally the itching and the molting is never anything to write home about, but if Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html you need to save money, you go to Juno and sometimes … just sometimes … you unexpectedly meet someone that maybe you can nest with. That’s Juno for you. After all, an egg is an egg … By now the blue mottling with its sensual vibration had descended to her torso, circling her thighs. It paused, climbed back up to her waist line and paused again. Which handsome reveler had she coiled with who had reminded her of this lovely reward? Vendeeth? No. He had annoyed her with his fawning. Ky-phan? No. Not him, either … although he had managed to hold her attention longer than usual. But when he told her he planned to eat their egg, that truly disgusted her. An egg-eater. Meaning: a baby-killer. Remembering that made the pleasurable buzz begin to fade. A picture came to mind. Far-jhan. That’s right. Far-jhan. Young and muscular. He knew how to coil. And squeeze. Too bad there hadn’t been enough time to make an egg with Far-jhan. She had quite fancied him. A gust of wind reminded Elizabeth she was catching up to Maggie too quickly, so she slowed down. The sensory recall of that languid coiling under the warm comfort of the twin red suns of Mindar caused the mottle to blaze again. Elizabeth stopped. Closing her eyes, Page 144 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive she felt like she was at the center of a storm. She waited. In a minute or so the storm was over. She knew the mottling was gone. She could afford to be flexible about such matters, as long as she could stand being Elizabeth, that is—wearing this humanoid skin. This was the real work that counted. Not the library. Because of the real work, she could practically hear the credits accruing in her home planet account. Day by day. Caching. Ca-ching.No, she wouldn’t be stuck here forever. That was the thing to remember. If she couldn’t find Far-jhan again, she’d find someone else. Since we live a very long time, even one more decade is acceptable . In fact, by her calculations, one more decade and she would have enough set aside Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html for a proper retirement. By Earth standards she would be filthy rich. By Mindarian standards, she could enjoy a reasonable life of moderate leisure for decades thereafter. In the meantime, there was Arthur. Arthur. Most of the time, she was satisfied with their relationship. He really could provide a most satisfying squeeze, but whatever he might promise in the heat of the moment, she was pretty sure Arthur knew very little about nesting. Her musings were interrupted when Elizabeth saw Maggie enter the Park and head purposely down a familiar path. Actually she was glad when Maggie finally sat down on a nearby bench. Walking was so uneconomical. Slithering never tired one out. She picked a bench on the other side of the path, took a book out of her tote bag and opened it. It would allow her to Page 145 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive continue her observation, herself unobserved.Suddenly, miraculously, the brute force of The Montreal Express subsided. It sometimes happened that way, for reasons best explained only by meteorologists. The world seemed to quiet itself and come to rest. Sitting on her own favorite bench, Maggie looked around. She could imagine the whole city was sighing with relief. Little remained of the intense blowing. It felt like the mercury was actually climbing. The cloud cover had been torn to small pieces even as the last bit of good light turned the underside of those same clouds a celestial pink and gold. On a bench some yards away, Elizabeth was reminded that at home on Mindar no one ever had to suffer through these inopportune seasons. That’s when she felt another pang of loss for her home planet shear through her because, in its own stark way, it was quite beautiful. Well, well, she thought. That would be the feeling of … never mind. She had no heart. Literally. Her body looked authentic. Naturally. She had certainly paid enough. Her cheek muscles gave way because her endocrine system worked quite well and she felt a momentary, ruthless sneer spread itself on her face as a frisson of hate shot through. Now that wasn’t an entirely objectionable sensation. Now let’s just see what our Maggie is doing these days. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Think Big Your Purpose is Out There... E The Magazine For Today’s Female Executive Subscribe Here E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Give a gift -Free Subscription to someone special! Page 146 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Page 147 Time To Get Serious About Water! Waterâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;A Fundamental Human Right! towards irreversibly toxic because of repeated and cumulative oil and hazardous chemicals spills. This is Part I of a series of articles and blogs we will be sharing with you about WATER; protecting it and making it available to all life, and, eliminating the fear of its scarcity forever. We researched, identified potential remedies, and over the past five years have worked hard to implement effective water clean-up solutions. And by working with industry and all parties, effective clean-ups are happening! We have advocated for and published materials on a unique bioremediation technology that for the first time in spill history, is now strongly in position to restore some of the worst festering spill There is growing excitement at the U.S. Headquarters of the Lawrence Anthony Earth Organization about our expanding water protection and preservation programs. You have heard much about our projects for cleaning ocean and fresh water environments that are trending Page 148 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Continue on Page 152 Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html A message from the International President: Barbara Wiseman Hello! Welcome to our on-going environmental news column in EMag! We are going to utilize this wonderful opportunity to present interesting educational information so that you can play an even bigger part in preserving and protecting Earth’s waters and all life through the daily choices you make. We want to bring practical information to you. We are not about spreading bad or scary news, but about spreading constructive news and information. Yes, we talk about the problems, but, also, about technologically sound and easy-to-implement remedies and answers. We want to actively engage with you, and other likeminded groups and organizations, to multiply those who are beneficially influencing the direction of our society’s culture, and to promote practical and realistic environmental solutions. When I co-founded The Earth Organization with Dr. Lawrence Anthony, we wanted to bring a new brand of environmentalism to the world described under a term we coined: Cooperative Ecology ™. Order Now Page 149 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html sites in the world. In fact, heavily polluted Rio Bay in Brazil is about to be restored after decades of ‘no solutions’. And in Colombia, (see photo at left) a river flowing with oil is being restored. As we continue to make breakthroughs towards fully cleaning up some these most concerning locations we will keep you posted. In the mean time, the first point we want to brief you on are the consequences of dwindling clean water supplies on the planet–a situation that represents one of the most critical social and environmental challenges of this century. Important also, is the identification of the sources and reasons for this, some being correct and some, wrongly identified causes that we will be evaluating further. While there is ample evidence and educational materials describing the problem, we have selected an excellent summary covering our global water challenges to help put this situation in perspective for you. Below is a superb film segment by Running Dry-A Chronicles Group Production. We thank and acknowledge them for this incredible work and view it as a needful catalyst for igniting a Cooperative Ecology movement towards the implementation of real solutions to our impending water crisis. Over the past few months, we have identified other clean water technology Page 150 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive solutions that we believe will be significant and far reaching in water protections and preservation. We will release more information on these projects once we complete building the support organization for our science advisory teams launching the program. To be part of the solution or to participate with our Science and Technology Committee and Water Technology Projects, contact: [email protected]. Thank you! And, by the way, did you know that elephants drink more than 50 gallons of water a day! See Lawrence Anthony’s herd thriving on our game preserve–it is a wonderful sight, water bliss and happiness!!! See this growing family by clicking here . (Click on titles to download) Cooperative Ecology-Fixing Oil Spill Response Systems Assessing Oil Spill Response Tools A Call for a Twenty-First-Century Solution in Oil Spill Response Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html The making of The War Room The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Click Here to Subscribe Page 151 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Page 152 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Page 153 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Franchising Pit Falls Women Need to Avoid And the Best Franchises for November; The Season of Thanksgiving. David Goodman, President of Franchise Biz Consulting, LLC Welcome to Franchise Forum. My name is David Goodman. I am the President /CEO of Franchise Biz Consulting. As a short re-cap; I have been in a variety of very successful business enterprises for close to 50 years. I have held or currently hold: RE, Life-Health, Executive Recruiter, Investment Banker and Food Preparation. Not a business licenses. I have a degree in Allied Health and was the Charge Nurse for a very large and prestigious hospital in Philadelphia. I, also, have the distinction of owning the #1 Dunkin’ Donut Shop in the country; I accomplished that by astute and “out-of-thebox” marketing techniques that I learned during my progression through the ranks of the Good-OldBoys Club” that dominated the business world of yesteryear. But enough about me, let’s talk about Franchising. Pitfall #1 Don’t Get Over Whelmed. Franchising can be the fastest, safest, and most financially rewarding way to covet the American Dream. But how can that be true? Here is the answer, pure and simple. Government statistics stated that almost 72% of the working population of this country would like to work to fulfill their own dreams and not someone else’s. I suspect women play an even larger part in those numbers, simply because there seems to be a huge gap between what their male counter- parts command for a salary and what the average female executive brings home. In an article I found on Google, “The Simple Truth about the Gender Pay Gap (Fall 2014)”, Catherine Hill, Ph.D., it stated, “On average women get 78% of what men get for doing the same job! Page 154 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Minorities may experience even worse gender gap non-uniformity…” Here comes my silver bullet for women, to sum it up in one word, “Franchising”. Do not succumb to Pitfall Number One which is, feeling that it would be too overwhelming to own your own business and then put the concept on the back burner or worse yet, on your wish list. Franchising, very eloquently, takes the guesswork out of the, Who, What, When, Where, Why, of starting your own money making machine. Want to own your own money making machine instead of being your boss’s personal printing press? Then take that first step. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html I recently spoke to a woman who did not have a lot of money or experience in much of anything but she loved pets. Let’s call her Josephine ( Josephine, Napoleon Bonaparte’s first wife loved her female pet orangutan. It is said that the simian was dressed up and ate the table, like a member of the family!). Now, Josephine had a ton of drive and determination. She was able to have her children finance her into a very unique Pet Motel Business. This business was very simple. All she had to do was find, kind, and responsible pet loving, people who would bring a pet into their homes while the owners went on vacation. This is a perfect business for a pet lover. It was perfect for Josephine. Pitfall #2 Stop Wishing for It. I heard an old saying when I was about 20 years old, “One very rarely gets what one wishes for but one always gets what one expects!” That has stuck with me for almost 50 years and has really been the impetus behind my success. Simply broken down, it means when you wish for something you are relying on someone or something else to fulfill that action. However, when you expect something you typically make it happen by relying on yourself. Do not be daunted by Pitfall Number Two. The underlying behavior or theme is self confidence breeds success. I read an article or heard the story (at my age it is sometimes difficult to discern which) about a now billionaire Hollywood Page 155 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive producer whose parents gave him/her a movie camera at the age of 10. He/she took movies of everything and anything. Of course it had to be extremely difficult for the parents to, time and time again, watch these child driven movies about of every topic from butterfly catching to an inside the bus view, of a school bus pulling away from the bus stop. But the parents constantly praised the child, no matter what. That helped to build up the confidence for this now Hollywood film making mogul. Did he/she have more abilities than others entering the field? Perhaps, or perhaps not, however, I will bet dollars to donuts or in this case hot buttered popcorn to caramel corn, that he/she felt like he/she could conquer the world… and he/she did! Franchising gives you the edge, the You are not reinventing the wheel. You simply follow the system that has proven, via its history, to be successful and you will have the upmost opportunity to duplicate that winning pattern. self confidence to start the ball rolling. I had the dubious pleasure of working with a woman whose husband was unemployed and had been for a few years. She knew she was stuck with a dead end job and her husband did not show much promise with landing a job any time soon. She wanted to give herself and her family a future. She came to me. After simply feeding her and her husband’s criteria and financial parameters into my proprietary computer generated software program, I was able to help her and her husband find a new concept in the retail food industry that has been very successful in Europe. However, it has just been introduced into this country! It should help revolutionize a certain segment of the fast food industry. And my clients will have virtually the first one the West Coast! It could be the magic pill for all their financial concerns. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Pitfall #3 Don’t do it alone! Franchising can be very complicated or very simple, similar to buying a home. Do not fall prey to Pitfall Number Three. Very few people would ever think of seeing a home for sale sign and then knocking on the door for more information. Appearing at the door and announcing that they would like to see what’s inside! Of course the obvious problem is one of safety and protection for both, the prospective buyer and seller. But once again, there is another problem not as obvious to the buyer. The dynamics are such that the seller’s main focus is to sell that home. The seller doesn’t really care if it is right for the buyer. The buyer has very little safeguards. He/she will not know if: the neighborhood has kids the buyer’s age, whether the addition had Page 156 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive been built according to code, the structure of the school system, the school bussing situation, near public transportation, restaurants, shopping, community pool availability, any peculiarities of the community such as (a PUD), etc. Franchises work in the identical manner. If you search for yourself, you could end up spending an inordinate amount of time and money, only to find out that the territory is not available or worse yet, you enter into a franchise that is simply not suited for you! I worked with a candidate who wanted a Home Health Care Franchise. She theorized that the industry was going to take off. She did research and learned that approximately 10,000 people turn 65 every day! And this should continue for another 20 years. To her, this was a natural winner. She wanted to be a part of this burgeoning growth industry. The expense was not that great, about 75K and some of that could be financed. She was all in. Fortunately she spoke to me before taking Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html the plunge. After an in depth study of her temperament, personality, in addition to her needs, wants, desires, skill set and financial capabilities, I learned that she was not at all happy being around old people who were soon to be in hospice. Instead, I showed her a decorating business that fit her like the placing of the last piece to a complicated jigsaw puzzle. This business was female friendly and it: was low cost, no royalties, home based, no inventory or stock to keep, best discounts for name brand products, very flexible and family friendly hours, recession resistant, quick ROI, brand name recognition, etc. Always ask for help from a professional. It shouldn’t cost you any more in the short run and in the long run it could save you from entering into a horrible mistake. Pitfall #4 Don’t Let Lack of Fund Discourage You. Here is a tricky topic. Pitfall Number Four of course, in order to buy a franchise, you are going to need some dollars to start. There are franchises for $20k and others for much more. That is the bad news, now the good news. There is actually no scale that dictates or can accurately predict success based on the amount of money you start with. I have seen people who start out on a shoe string and hit a business niche that sets them up for the rest of their lives. Of course, I see others who spend a huge amount of money and they simply carve out a steady but mediocre business. A lot of that has to do with finding the correct consultant who has been in the business world and knows the trends and ebb and flow of business. For the sake of time, I am simply going to note all the different opportunities that are the, somewhat, conventional forms of funding. Then I will simply mention my favorite of the out-of the-box, funding magic. SBA and preferred lender programs, 401K and IRA rollover’s, unsecured lines of credit-up to $150K, securities based loans, short term unsecured loans, merchant cash advances, and equipment leasing. Now, the one I am partial to; Family help or partnership is my favorite. Quite often a son or daughter, father, mother, or grandparent will help a family member secure a strong hold on a business which will alleviate financial strain for the rest of the family when that member either lives past his/her money or simply cannot financially sustain themselves. I can remember my son calling me on the phone and telling me that he has it all figured out. When I am ready, he will find me the best and least expensive elder care facility. I told him, “Don’t worry, I already had it figured out.” He said, “Awesome, what’s your plan, Dad?” I said, “I am coming to live with you!” The silence on the other end of the phone was deafening. Page 157 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html The Ideal Franchises for November This is the time of y that theme I have This is The Decorating Season At the core of the Gotcha Covered franchise opportunity lie compelling financial fundamentals and a uniquely flexible lifestyle. Low startup expenses and no inventory, receivables or bad debt, combined with high transaction amounts, high margins and minimal overhead, provide our franchisees with the ability to create extraordinary bottom lines within a surprisingly short timeframe. Gotcha Covered becomes even more enticing when you consider the lifestyle options of our model. Across our system, our franchisees operate in multiple flavors: single owner-operators (main or secondary source of income), spouses and/or family members working together, an executive model with staff and sales associates, and the fully evolved model of our system - retail locations with signage, dedicated business hours and full-time staff. Our franchisees can be what they want to be within our system, and we support whatever lifestyle goals they have. Gotcha Covered franchisees focus on selling inhome and commercial window fashions to the general public using proprietary graphic software. They go into customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s homes or offices and use a laptop to show the client a virtual picture of what the window treatment will look like once applied while pricing the treatment instantaneously. This gives you an OVERWHELMING advantage over competition. Gotcha Covered brings design solutions to life, versus merely having to imagine what they will look like. Coupled equally.with exemplary training and support, no design experience is needed to enter this highly lucrative business. Men and woman excel equally. Page 158 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive House Guests this Time of Year Can Leave a Mess! Maid Brigade, Inc. is a professional home cleaning service with a focus on providing long term regular service to our clients. Maid Brigade is the first in the industry to offer a Green Cleaning system. All of our franchisees are certified to use this system. Cleaning green protects the health of our customers, and employees but most importantly, it protects the environment. We offer customized exclusive territories across the country and will tailor a market size to best suit your needs. Maid Brigade is ranked as a "World-class Franchise"the most prestigious award in franchising? Last year, over 94% of Maid Brigade franchisees rated the overall quality of Maid Brigade as good, very good or excellent. Our culture is based on integrity and strong positive relationships with everyone throughout the Maid Brigade organization. Our two different offerings are customized to the investment of skill levels of potential franchisees. Our National Sales Center will respond to your phone calls during, before, and after regular business hours. The staff is carefully trained to provide estimates and schedule service appointments. This allows the franchisee to focus on team building and customer retention. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html year of Thanksgiving. Keeping in cadence with e selected the ideal franchises for November.. Franchise Biz Consulting, LLC David Goodman Office 818 578 8706 Cell 856 287 0303 Either Going to Visit Family or not Having Your Pet Underfoot. Love your dog? Thought of putting him a cage for a week or two upsetting? Now you don't have to. Introducing the #1 pet lodging alternative and the most unique pet franchise in the industry. Your cherished pet is cared for in a pre-screened private home by dog lovers. The business model has you/and or your staff providing round trip pick-up and delivery. Finally...loving pet care with no cages or kennels. Enjoy vacations and business trips without guilt. Low investment and exceptionally high returns. Easy to run. Simple to manage. And if you love animals...the perfect pet franchise. It's peace of mind for you and a "home environment" for that special member of the family. Some of these franchises are not available in all states. This is not a solicitation to buy or sell. In summary, I very recently went to a meeting with a group of highly credible and credentialed financial planners. Their message was, “If you invest in the stock market, you are better off doing it through a professional.” I would simply reiterate, “Working with a professional franchise consultant, alleviates the waste of, time, money, and angina”. Save the indigestion for after the turkey, giblets and aunt Bertha’s pound cake! Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! Page 159 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Email : [email protected] Webite: www.franchisebizconsulting.com If you are truly serious about taking the control of your life away from others and finally seizing the reigns of your own destiny, please call me. Click Here to Subscribe Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html NHTRC 1 888 373 7888 Page 160 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive NATIONAL HUMA Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html AN TRAFFICKING RESOURCE CENTER For information go to www.traffickingresourcecenter.org Page 161 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Grateful in Spite of Your Secret Your Behavior Doesn’t Determine Your Gratitude Karen’s eyes frantically check out family and friends around the Thanksgiving table. Does anyone know what’s going on inside of me? Have I been able to keep my secret hidden for one more holiday? Is my speech and behavior going to tell on me? Fear gripped her heart one more time. Holidays were difficult for Karen. It brought together family members which triggered her memories of abuse and neglect. She had risen so far above her past, yet she always returned to her addictive behavior of over-using prescription pills to mask her pain. No one knew, and that’s the way she wanted it. Lately she found herself over-using her prescription pills to get through the day at work. On the outside she portrayed having her act together, but inside she was in constant turmoil. She thought she could manage her life without resorting to the pills, but she found they helped her cope with the combination of the stress of her job, a young child in school, and a husband who just didn’t understand her desires to make an impact in the world. Page 162 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Karen dreaded what was going to happen next at the Thanksgiving table. It was a tradition in their family for each person to mention one or more things they were thankful for. Karen’s turn was approaching and she just couldn’t think of what to say. She didn’t feel thankful for anything. She wanted everything in her life to change, because she wasn’t happy at all. Her desire for more stuff in life didn’t pan out into the happiness she thought she would have from having those items. The relationship with her husband had gone sour several years ago and she was just hanging on the best she could. As long as she had her supply of prescription pills, she would be okay. Karen’s story is familiar to many female executives. When addictive behavior becomes the ruler of your life, you just added one more thing to your stress level. Page 163 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Whether the addictive behavior is drinking alcohol, using drugs, abusing prescription pills, gambling, overeating, or uncontrollable shopping, they all are used to avoid an underlying emotional issue that has not been resolved. Many times the person is not aware of these issues. They just know that they feel much better when they turn to their addictive behavior. Underlying Issues How about you? Do you use an addictive behavior to avoid the emotional turmoil brought up by any of the following issues:  Emotional Hurt  Perfectionism  Insecurities  Peer Pressure  Low Self-Esteem  Rejection  Boredom in Life  Health Problems  Physically Abused  Sexually Abused Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html     Loneliness Self-pity Codependency Self-hatred If you have a secret addictive behavior, you can add to your list a constant fear of losing your job, or of massive embarrassment, if your boss, co-workers or associates discover your secret. Also, a fear that your family and friends will find out and will disown you. Being too afraid to seek help, your life spirals into one of hopelessness. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. Ten-Year Addiction Beaten Throughout my ten-year addiction to pain medication, I kept my addiction a secret. I spent endless energy on hiding it from my bosses, my co-workers, my family and my friends. Although I kept it under control to the point I could function at work, it was draining to be on my good behavior all the time in order to avoid screw-ups. When I got home from work I would take more pills to help me unwind and escape. It took me ten long years of continuous relapses to find the right path out of my addiction. I initially got into my addiction due to a major medical problem. Then, I continPage 164 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html ued to use the pain medication because it helped me deal with the emotions of hatred toward my parents. Once that situation was resolved, I thought it would end my addiction, but it didn’t. I rarely attended any support group, because after I completed the steps, I kept asking, “Now what?” No one had an answer. Once the doors opened for me to pursue my passion in life, which at that time was opening a crisis hotline, my entire life turned around in just four months! Why? Because I was using my passion in life to reach out to love and serve others. That was in 1990 and I’ve never gone back to my addictive behavior. I discovered that when a person operates within their passion, they have so much emotional and physical fuel to keep them headed in the right direction. When I coach people with addictive behaviors, besides helping resolve the underlying issues, I help them identify what their passion is, even if it is not their career. Then we put together a plan on Page 165 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive how to use that passion in a life-long vision to reach out to love and serve others. The ideal situation is to learn how to make a great living while doing your passion. Finding Gratitude If you are like Karen, not sure what you can be grateful for this season, instead of looking at tangible things, check out the following intangibles you can be thankful for: 1. Hope – because there is a way out of addictive behaviors, or any problem you’re stuck in. 2. Dreams – for your life and business. The passion you still have to carry out your Godgiven destiny indicates you have what it takes to carry it through. 3. Self-Actualization – you can change your inner world first by your thoughts, words, and actions, and then your outer world changes. 4. Emotions – even if you’re trying to escape the negative ones. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html You can choose the emotions that will inspire you to rise above your problems. 5. Love – it breaks all barriers, open doors you can’t open, heals the heart, and raises your life to new levels! Tips To Improve Your Behavior After you have done some soul-searching this holiday season and know you want to improve your life but don’t know how, here are some tips to help you get started. 1. Plan ahead how you will react in a better manner to the people who push your hot buttons. Decide to either not engage in their conversation, or even how to excuse yourself and physically walk away from the situation. 2. To stop your emotions from getting out of control, causing you to resort to your addictive behavior, learn EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique). This is a simple technique you can learn in five minutes. I have a free ebook on my website that teaches this technique Page 166 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive and how to use it for various emotions and anxieties. If you’re out in public, you can excuse yourself to the restroom for privacy and use this technique to immediately calm yourself down. 3. Identify your negative thinking. Look at the last two weeks and write down all the negative selftalk. Now determine whether those beliefs are true. Decide which belief you will embrace. Your life is a result of your thoughts. To get different results, change your thoughts first. 4. Find a mentor to help you through this process. Be sure the person you choose has experience in successfully stopping addictive behavior and has gone on to live the life of her dreams. It’s easier to rise up and live to your fullest potential when you have someone encouraging and guiding you. Gratitude Never Ends This attitude of gratitude extends beyond this holiday season. It is your choice to be grateful, whether or not your behavior is where you want it Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html to be today. Choose the right attitude, change your beliefs, and empower yourself by focusing on your dreams. The world is waiting for your vision to be fulfilled. Gratitude is not in things; it is in us. Kathy Williamson is an Author, Speaker and Addictions Coach. Her Out Of Addiction Forever™ program transforms addicts and their families into productive, thriving people who impact their world—without being swayed by the disease model. www.ProfessionalsRiseUpAndLive.com Kathy Williamson Speaker, Author & Trainer Professional Addictions Coach P.O. Box 11660 Prescott, AZ 86304 (928) 925-5410 [email protected] www.MyFriendIsAnAddict.com www.OutOfAddiction.com www.OutOfAddictionTraining.com Page 167 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Briya inspires compassion through fashion by making fun, fa concerned global citizens and dedicated change-makers to t their full potential in underprivileg With the purchase of each Briya bag, you will be providing employment and other essential resources needed stricken communities Page 168 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html www.briyabags.com ashionable purses and bags that allow adventurous spirits, travel in style while also helping women and children reach ged regions around the world. school supplies, uniforms, textbooks, vocational training, d to empower women or children living in povertys across the globe. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Page 169 Click and Listen as E Magazine interviews Author Jaques McNeil. In Life Happens, 30 Strategies for Triumphant Living, Jacques McNeil will share words of encouragement that provide hope for those times when you encounter unpredictable events. Living a triumphant life, is not a perfect, formula-based life, but an overcoming, Christ-centered life. Through compelling stories, inspirational writing, and faith-filled declarations, she encourages you to stand strong in the midst of life's challenges. "This book is exceptional in its presentation of God's truth in a way that resonates with women across a broad spectrum. Women will be able to think critically about themselves, their relationships and God's presence in their lives, despite life's circumstances. I was moved, challenged and inspired to develop to a deeper, more meaningful life with Christ based on this clear, concise exploration of triumphant living." Elaine Walton, Psy.D. Director, Women's Resource Center, Azusa Pacific University "Life Happens...", and when it does, few are equipped with practical, effective strategies to deal with the elements which are presented during the storm. Within this literary gem, Lady Jacques McNeil pens from her own experiences, her time tested strategies, which have brought great freedom to her own person, granting her entre' to walk through her storm as a victorious woman. You will find yourself reading this offering over and over again, with each re-read, extrapolating something new, different and meaningful from the text. Empower yourself by allowing these strategies to cause the overcomer to be awakened in you! Dr. Judith McAllister International Minister of Music, Department President, Church of God in Christ, Inc. Jacques McNeil's passion is equipping women with the tools necessary to courageously live a life of purpose. She is the founder and president of W.I.T.N.E.S.S. Book Club, a licensed Evangelist, motivational speaker, corporate image consultant, professional development consultant, and an instructional designer at UCLA Health Systems. She is the wife of David McNeil, pastor of Transforming Lives Community Church, COGIC and they live in Los Angeles, California with their miracle daughter, Micaela. Page 170 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Page 171 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html About Linda & Robin the corner office because they are simply gifted, or well-connected, or both. But research shows that we far overvalue talent and intellectual ability in our culture. The fact is, so many people get ahead--even the gifted ones--because they worked incredibly hard, put in the thousands of hours of practice and extra sweat equity, and made their own luck. And Linda and Robin should know-they are two girls from the Bronx who had no special advantages or privileges and rose up through their own hard work and relentless drive to succeed to the top of their highly competitive profession. Grit to Great: How Perseverance, Passion, and Pluck Take You from Ordinary to Extraordinary. In Grit to Great, Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval tackle a topic that is close to their hearts, one that they feel is the real secret to their own success in their careers--and in the careers of so many people they know and have met. And that is the incredible power of grit, perseverance, perspiration, determination, and sheer stick-to-ittiveness. We are all dazzled by the notion that there are some people who get ahead, who reach Page 172 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive In a book illustrated with a cornucopia of stories and the latest research on success, the authors reveal the strategies that helped them, and countless others, succeed at the highest levels in their careers and professions, and in their personal lives. They talk about the guts--the courage--necessary to take on tough challenges and not give up at the first sign of difficulty. They discuss the essential quality of resiliency. Everyone suffers setbacks in their careers and in life. The key, however, is to pick yourself up and bounce back. Drawing on the latest research in positive psychology, they discuss why optimists do better in school, work, and on the playing field--and how to reset that optimistic set point. They talk about industriousness, the notion that Malcolm Gladwell popularized with the 10,000-hour rule in his book Outliers. Creativity theorist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi believes it takes a minimum of 10 years for one's true creative potential to be realized. And the Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Linda's Other Publications authors explore the concept of tenacity--the quality that allows us to remain focused and avoid distraction in order to get the job done--an increasingly difficult task in today's fragmented, cluttered, high-tech, connected world. Written in the same short, concise format as The Power of Nice and leavened with the natural humor that characterizes Linda's and Robin's lives-and books--Grit to Great is destined to be the book everyone in business needs. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Both Books Available on Amazon E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Page 173 We’ve Got it All Here at NAFE National Association of Female Executive Nafe is the largest global network for women with thousands of members. They recently celebrated their 42nd anniversary, headquartered in New York they have many affiliate networks across the country. About NAFE Would a group of women sharing their dreams…supporting, encouraging and Page 174 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive mentoring you, be beneficial at this time of your life. Nafe offers great benefits to members, and the annual membership is only $39.00 go to www.nafe.com and check out all the wonderful benefits, Information on the Southern CA networks can be found at www.wrnafe.com The network meeting Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html From the Desk of Robbie Motter.,NAFE Global Coordinator Congratulations to New York Nafe Director Roxanne Natale who just launched her New York Nafe Network, Roxanne worked for Nafe in New York for many years and now she is a financial advisor,and actually works in the same building that Nafe Headquarters is located on Park Avenue. If you live in New York City or have friends in New York have them contact Roxanneat [email protected] to get invited to their next Nafe meeting. es Our San Antonio Nafe Network WELEAD (Women Executives Leading Empowering and Developing) is working on a New Logo and will be changing their network name to NAFE San Antonio. They have a great network so contact their President Tiffany Tremont at [email protected] to learn more about their monthly meetings. December 11th from 7:45 am to 10:15 am in New York City at the Yale Club 50 Vanderbilt Avenue, Nafe will host their annual Nafe 2015 Nafe Women of Excellence Awards where 14 dynamic Women Leaders will be honored, go to http:// www.workingmother.com/meet-2015-nafe-womenexcellence to see their photos and all their great accomplishments as well as other information on the event which is always wonderful with lots of networking that takes place. If you are not a Nafe member we invite you to join other dynamic women from across the Globe today and become part of the Nafe family. Here is a link where you can join online. http://online.icnfull.com/ wmm/?action=SUBSCRIPTION Membership is only $39.00 a year. fees are $10.00 for Nafe Members and $15.00 for guests then you pay the restaurant direct for your meal. like eating right now? Using this simple technique, my choices changed to a healthier fare. Instead of a cheese tuna melt, coke, and french fries, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d glance through WWW.NAFE.COM Page 175 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive As your Nafe Global Coordinator I welcome the opportunity to meet you via email, on the phone or in person I can be reached at [email protected] or you may call me anytime at 951-255-9200, let me know how I can assist YOU!. Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Meet one of our NAFE Women Donna Petri Financial Service Professional, Indianapolis, Indiana Donna Petri- Financial Service Professional, Indianapolis, Indiana says “I joined NAFE-Women in Networking to further my networking opportunities to expand my financial services practice. But it is so much more. Connections, Community, and Causes. What started out as a somewhat selfinterest endeavor has turned into an altruistic mission. Helping other women connect, achieve their goals and working with them to better our community has been so .rewarding. I am looking forward to Page 176 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive helping our organization grow and assisting in recruiting more members. I like that our organization’s membership consists of a wide range of women in various stages of our lives. The diversity helps each of us gain a better prospective and enriches our understanding of others. Mary Aurtrey Nafe Women in Networking in Indianapolis, Indiana says " Donna has been an inspiration and an invaluable asset to NAFE/Women In Networking. Donna volunteered to be our Treasurer. Donna, thru her point of contact, ensured that our organization became 501(c)(3). Thru Donna’s connections with the local Chamber of Commerce, she assisted NAFE/WIN to become a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Donna’s focus has been to continue to assist our organization and members so we may continue to build our organization and assist our community, Donna Petri, Financial Service Profesional,WestPoint Financial Group,[email protected] What NAFE Means to Me Holding 30 Year DOD Plaque- Gloria Hill Nafe Women in Networking, Indianapolis, Indiana says "NAFE/WIN is a professional women's organization that educates, trains, mentors, and gives women opportunities to venture out into the business world. It is life-standing in the community where it provides Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html food and clothing to homeless people throughout the community to include homeless Veterans. It's a great networking and volunteer resource, and also takes members where they may not have the opportunity to serve and meet people from various background and statue. As the NAFE/WIN Membership Chairperson, I have recruited numerous members over the past 15 years. Some have retired and are still members, and some have moved on to other places. It is a rewarding opportunity especially in helping others to reach their goals (personally and professionally)." grafts, numerous surgeries. then 11 months later I discovered that I had brain tumor, having lots of treatments. To me, 'my life was over" I was just waiting to fade away..Then one day I met Robbie Motter Global Coordinator for Nafe.She encouraged me to join this group of ladies in business. I was wondering why? I have nothing to offer, I then discovered that it's all about women with "heart" encouraging each other no matter what you do or not do. we can just sit and listen or share our experiences in life. I also learn a lot from their main speakers a different topic every month. Mary Aurtrey Director of Nafe Win says "Gloria has done an outstanding job throughout her tenure with NAFE/WIN. As the first and only Chairperson for NAFE/WIN, she has conducted Membership Drives, assisted with Food, Clothing, Linen, and Toiletry Drives to help causes in the community. She recruits members and ensure that theyrenew their membership when it is time. She keeps membership records for each member. Gloria is a U.S. Army Veteran, an Accountant, and is the recipient of several Financial Management Certifications. She serves hot meals to homeless Veterans, and provides information to them, whenever needed. She also helps the organization at other events such as conferences and conducts membership business. She is also a very valuable asset to NAFE/Women In Networking". Nicole Farrell, FRENCHNOTE NTERTAINMENT. Ambassador Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce, Menifee/ Sun City Women's Club ,Michelle's Place Breast Cancer Resource Center Survivor- Public Relation,Member National Association of Female Entrepreneur, Menifee & Murrieta Buzz Entertainment Reporter To me Nafe is a Life saver it gives me a New Lease on life. I now have a lot to share with my " sisters" and most of all I learn a lot from them. Thank you for the opportunity NAFE Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s New at NAFE What NAFE Means to Me What Nafe Means to Me...It means everything to me.. I was a recluse after 15 years of being in the public eye, being an Entertainer. Then I had breast cancer, I had complications, skin Page 177 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Join NAFE at any of these WestCoast Networks Come and join us at one of these monthly Nafe affiliate meetings: Please contact the Director of the network below. Any Nafe questions you may contact me Robbie Motter Nafe Global Coordinator at 951-255-9200 or email [email protected]. As a member you will join one of the networks but you may attend any of the network meetings each month as they all offer great networking opportunities. ARIZONA Phoenix Impact for Enterprising Women – A Nafe affiliate network contact director Joan Howard 602725-3246 email [email protected] website www.impactforenterprisingwomen.com CALIFORNIA Bakersfield Nafe meets the 2nd Thursday starting in January 2016 at Mimi’s Café 4025 California Avenue, Bakersfield, Director Cheryl Hughley Phone 661-421-5861 Email [email protected] U Tube Video coming soon Bel Air (coming soon) Director LaDonna Roberts 323-806-3433 email [email protected] U Tube Video coming soon Coastal Nafe Network Meets 3rd Thursday at 11:00 am at, Ramano's Macaroni Grill 12380 Seal Beach Blvd, Seal Beach, CA 90740 Director Lynne Martin, 714-357-4159 email [email protected] http://www.meetup.com/wwwnafecoastal-com/ U Tube Video coming soon Los Angeles Nafe Network Meets 2nd Tuesday, 6:30 pm at Marie Callendar’s 5773 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90232 . website is www.nafelosangeles.com Director Althea Ledford, 310-990-9496, email [email protected] check out this networks u tube video to meet the director of this network and to learn more about the network https://youtu.be/RkSuoZaGrJc Menifee Nafe Network meets the 2nd Wed 11:30 am, Merna’s Café & Grill (formerly Boston Billie’s Restaurant ) 26850 Cherry Hills Blvd, Sun City, Ca. Contact Director Robbie Motter, NAFE Global Coordinator 951-255-9200 or email [email protected] Menifee/.Murrieta Meetup page http://tinyurl.com/ cjbvurl Please check out this networks u tube video to meet the director of this network and to learn more about the network https://youtu.be/ HspfWnbAI4w Central Orange County Nafe meets the 3rd Tuesday at 6:30 pm, at Coco’s Restaurant 14971 Holt Avenue, Tustin, CA, Director, Sheila A Caruso, 949 -330-0927 email [email protected] Please check out this networks u tube video to meet the director of this network and to learn more about the network https://youtu.be/fj2iy3x5i9E Murrieta Nafe Network meets the 4th Thursday of each month at 12:00 noon at R J’s Sizzling Steak House 41401 Kalima Street, Murrieta, CA Contact Director Robbie Motter,951-255-9200 or email [email protected] Menifee/.Murrieta Meetup page http://tinyurl.com/cjbvurl Please check out this networks u tube video to meet the director of this network and to learn more about the network https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=WmClfV9VcMA Page 178 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html North San Diego County Nafe Network (Carlsbad/Vista/San Marcos) Coming in January 2016 contact Director Luz Paez 951-966-8277 email [email protected] U Tube Video coming soon Rancho Cucamonga Nafe Connector meets the 3rd Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm Mimi's Cafe 10909 Foothill Boulevard Rancho Cucamonga CA 91730. Contact Director Vivian Haire, Rancho Cucamonga Nafe Connector Phone 951-380-0211 or email [email protected] U Tube Video coming soon Riverside Nafe Connector meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm Canyon Crest Winery 5225 Canyon Crest Drive #7a Riverside, CA 92507 contact Joan Wakeland Director 909-7217648 or email [email protected] Please check out this networks u tube video to meet the director of this network and to learn more about the network https://youtu.be/vQT80UAUm-k San Fernando Valley, starting in January , contact Director Carol Pilkington 661-3134578 or email [email protected] for more information U Tube Video coming soon San Francisco/Bay Area Network 4th Thursday 6:15 PM Call Director for meeting location. Director Stone Love Cell 510 565 4425Home office 510 972 0528 or [email protected] Meet up Page http://www.meetup.com/SAN-FRANCISCO-BAYAREA-NAFE/events/225941823/ U Tube Video coming soon South Bay Nafe Network, meets 4th Tuesday 6:30 pm @ Cozymel’s Mexican Restaurant 2171 Rosecrans Ave Manhattan Beach, Ca 90245 contact Director Alina Estrada 562-313-1190 or email [email protected] join us on Meetup.com/southbay-nafe-network www.nafesouthbay.com Please check out this networks u tube video to meet the director of this network and to learn more about the network https://youtu.be/1V83aqOxEWk Page 179 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive South Orange County Nafe Network Morning Coffee meeting, 2nd Wednesday of each month, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Microsoft Store, 578 The Shops at Mission Viejo, Mission Viejo, CA (Upstairs in mall) For information and/or to RSVP Contact Director Mikki St Germain, 949-429-3438 or [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/nafe.soc U Tube Video Coming soon Ventura County Nafe Network, meets 3rd Wednesday 11:45 AM at Mimi’s Café, 400 N Moorpark Road Thousand Oaks, Ca 91360 Contact Director Sheryl Tash 805-794-4005 or email [email protected] Meet up page: http:// www.meetup.com/members/159937202/ Please check out this networks u tube video to meet the director of this network and to learn more about the network https://youtu.be/OZqKdhKUf5o Wildomar Nafe Network meets 4th Thursday 6:00 PM D’Canters Restaurant 32100 Clinton Keith Road, Wildomar, CA Contact Director Robbie Motter Nafe Regional Coordinator 951-255-920 or email [email protected] http://www.meetup.com/MenifeeMurrieta-Wildomar-Nafe-networks/ events/224726252/ Please check out this networks u tube video to meet the director of this network and to learn more about the network https://youtu.be/ okj-UzaTbM4 COLORADO Denver Coming soon contact Director [email protected] 314) 378-1611 Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Join NAFE at any of these East Coast Networks DC Washington DC Greater Washington DC Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Network, Mary Greene, Executive Director 202=5808884, email [email protected] Website www.gwwwn.org meets Sept thru June GEORGIA Atlanta Nafe Atlanta Network, Executive Director, Lisadouglas 404-913nafe email [email protected] ILLINOIS Chicago Coming soon Zsyke Tusa Director, 331-212 -0585 email [email protected] INDIANA Indianapolis Nafe Women in Networking (WIN) Mary Aurtrey, Director 317-894-942` or 317413-719 email [email protected] Co Director Lotti McCallistor 317-905-3666 e,ail [email protected] meets 1st Wednesday each month at 11:30-12:30 at Defense Finance & Accounting Services (DFAS) Center 8899 E 56th Street Indianapolis. IN 46249 Check out their Utube Video Page 180 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive LOUISIANA Gretna Women on the Go, Director Rose Mary Ceasar, 504-366-6889 email rosemarycadam@bellsouth,net, regular meetings 1st Monday of the month 7:00 pm MARYLAND Baltimore Celebrate Greatness Nafe Affiliate Network Stephanie Popular Director 443-857-1549 email [email protected], meetings at 1300 Mercantile Lane Ste 100 Largo Maryland 20774 Wendy Dorcy Marketing Director 405-6936059 Kenya Battle Community liaison [email protected], Robin Worrell-Thorne, Women Empowerment Facilitator/Coordinator [email protected] Facebook page www.facebook.com/ celebrategreatnessnow, www.celebrategreatnessradio.com Howard County Celebrate Greatness Nafe Affiliate network Stephanie Popular Director 443-857-1549 email [email protected] contact director for meeting location Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Wendy Dorcy Marketing Director 405-6936059 Kenya Battle Community liaison [email protected], Robin Worrell-Thorne, Women Empowerment Facilitator/Coordinator [email protected] www.facebook.com/ celebrategreatnessnow, www.celebrategreatnessradio.com Pikesville Celebrate Greatness Nafe Affiliate network , Stephanie Popular Director 443-857-1549 email [email protected] Denise Laws, Co-Director 443-527-7403 contact director for meeting location Wendy Dorcy Marketing Director 405-6936059 Kenya Battle Community liaison [email protected], Robin Worrell-Thorne, Women Empowerment Facilitator/Coordinator [email protected] www.facebook.com/ celebrategreatnessnow, www.celebrategreatnessradio.com Prince George’s County Celebrate Greatness Nafe Affiliate Network Stephanie Popular Director 443-857-1549 email [email protected] contact director for meeting location Wendy Dorcy Marketing Director 405-6936059 Kenya Battle Community liaison [email protected], Robin Worrell-Thorne, Women Empowerment Facilitator/ Coordinator [email protected] www.facebook.com/ celebrategreatnessnow, www.celebrategreatnessradio.com Page 181 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive MICHIGAN Detroit Women Empowering Leadership & Legacy (WELL) Director Donna Stallings 313-999-2211 email [email protected]. Contact Director for meeting location and time. MISSOURI St Louis The Professional Women’s Alliance STL, Director Ninoska Clarkin 314-991-6144 NEW JERSEY Northern New Jersey Professional Women New Jersey, Dee Marshall, Director 862-218-0076 email [email protected] NEW YORK New York City, Roxanne Natale, Director 917 -952-0681 cell, 646-647-2148 work, email [email protected] North Carolina Nafe North Carolina, Director Michele Rogers, 919-621-3310 Email [email protected] website is www.nafenc.com Utube video https://youtu.be/snLmjMtGS7A PENNSYLVANIA Pittsburgh Women Interactive Network WINN< Director Dawn Pomaybo 412-963-6311 email [email protected] SOUTH CAROLINA Coming Soon, contact Director Jayne Jordan 843-532-1123, email [email protected] Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html [email protected] President-elect: Tracy Cifone, [email protected] VP of Events: Jacqueline Jackson, [email protected] 210-458-2483 VP of Membership: Brooke Lanie, [email protected], 210-458-4288 VP of Sponsorship, Aaron Sams, [email protected], 210-788-1034 VP of Marketing, Chris Slowey, [email protected], 210-569-0953 VP of Finance, Natasha Robles, [email protected], 210-5690953 Secretary, Trudy Pape, [email protected], 210-396-1879 TEXAS Dallas P-31 Women Inc, Contact Connie Mitchell 214-404-6462 Midland Successful Women’s Alliance, Diector Mary Elena Duron 432-978-2009 San Antonio WELEAD (Women Executives Leading Empowering And Developing) www.weleadsa.org Meets at Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar 2nd Wednesday of every month 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM Alamo Quarry Market, 255 E Basse Rd. San Antonio, TX 78209 President: Tiffany Tremont, [email protected], 210-569-0953 Page 182 E The Magazine for Today’s Female Executive Waco Women’s Information Network, Max Nolen Director 254-717-5188 [email protected] E The Magazine for Today's Female Executives edited by Althea Ledo who runs the LA Nafe Nework has 4 pages dedicated to Nafe so be sure and send her your news. [email protected] and mark in subject News or even stories for Nafe section. Here is the website for the Magazine www.female-exec.com Also send news to Paula Damiano for the Nafe E Newsletter her email is [email protected] We are always looking for more individuals to step to the plate to start additional Nafe networks contact Robbie Motter, Nafe Global Coordinator, [email protected] or 951-255-9200 Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Page 183 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html Page 184 E The Magazine for Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Female Executive Subscription link www.female-exec.com/s.html
i don't know
The Indian wind instrument, the pungi (also been or bin), is associated with what street activity?
Windy Skies: Musicians at a Wedding Down South August 02, 2008 Musicians at a Wedding Down South Before the advent of ‘marriage halls’ (known as Kalyana Mantap) most Indian marriages used be conducted at the home of the bride, the others at temples. I attended several such marriages as a child. It helped that I had several aunts from either side of my family, resulting in a succession of marriages over the years. Weeks before the wedding date, relatives from near and far, usually women, traveling long distances, having left their working husbands behind, would gather at the home of the bride. And then would commence a very enjoyable time with the household turning into a bee hive of activity as preparations for the marriage began in earnest. With sweets being central to wedding preparations, a whole variety of them, it was only natural that I would, along with sundry other cousins keep a close watch on the large tins they were stored in, raiding them at the first unguarded opportunity that presented itself. The elders even if they knew of our capers did not let on. In the evenings the house rang to devotional songs with neighbours joining in as the women took turns singing songs, much laughter interspersing playful ribbing as reluctant singers were prodded into giving voice to their vocals. The shamiana (pavilion), chairs, flower arrangements, horse carriages, cooks, and the wedding band used to be arranged for in advance. I took a fascination to the music band (also known as a brass band or procession band), attracted to their tidy uniforms often a bright red, and shiny epaulettes and shoes, marching in formation while playing gleaming musical instruments, often a mix of clarinets, trumpets, and saxophones. Widely employed during weddings, brass bands lead the procession (also known as ‘baarat’) as the groom makes his way to the wedding venue on the female of a horse, known as ghodi. The male of the horse is called ghoda. Also, the night before the wedding the brass band leads the bride’s side of the family in a procession to the groom’s house to escort the groom for the milni ceremony. The repertoire of early brass bands was Indian classical music, largely raga based, rendered with a mix of shehnais, dholaks, and the harmonium among others. With the advent of film songs popularizing wedding sequences in Hindi films, brass bands added films songs to their repertoire. Over time ‘marriage halls’ began to make their presence felt, essentially shifting the preparations out of the house and to a commercial venue. Flower arrangements, brass band, seating arrangements, food, and even accommodation are now available as services for a fee. Each time I attend a wedding I look for the musicians, which I suspect is more for their outfits than their ability with the musical instruments. However this time around last year the five musicians I met in Bangalore during the wedding were clad in simple clothes: shirts and white dhotis. It might have to do with the instruments they were playing. I cannot imagine a clarinet or a saxophone with a dhoti. Of the group two played the dholak, one was on the harmonium, while the other two played the shehnai, an ancient Indian wind instrument. The shehnai (also spelled shenai) is rarely played solo. It is usually accompanied by another shehnai. While one holds a drone the other exults in a succession of subtleties, flowing richly. Ustad Bismillah Khan, the legendary shehnai exponent, came to be synonymous with the shehnai and no Indian marriage is deemed complete without the shehnai making its presence felt with its soulful tunes that reflect the seriousness of the occasion even as it exuberates in the joyousness of the event, alternating between smiles and the tears streaming down the cheeks of the bride as she prepares to leave her parents’ home for that of her husband, a separation that distinguishes between the two phases of life in the Indian scheme of things. Inching closer to the hand operated harmonium I noticed on the bellows a company label showing a map of undivided India, indicating the harmonium was manufactured before India’s partition in 1947. It is very likely that it was rolled out in 1944, the year R. Annaihya started Bharath Harmonium Works near Balapet Square, Bangalore. Along with the harmonium the now yellowing label has survived over sixty years, enduring the daily rigour on the musician’s circuit. It cannot but be a testimony to the care lavished on the harmonium over the years. Bharath Harmonium Works still operates out of the same place it first started, manufacturing a range of musical instruments, even the telephone number is the same as that on the original label except for the prefixes occasioned by a growing Bangalore population. The third generation now runs the place. I spoke with Yashpal, the grandson of the founder, R. Annaihya. He told me that along with his brothers he took over daily operations at the manufacturing unit after his father passed away. He does not remember much of the old days except that his grandfather worked under Hanif, a Muslim musician he credits with introducing the harmonium to Bangalore. I can only guess what he might mean by this because he does not recollect any details beyond this except to say that Hanif, on finding that harmonium was not in use in Bangalore, maybe also elsewhere in Karnataka State, “took four carpenters to Bombay somewhere in 1888-1890 to train in the art of making the harmonium.” He does not recollect the exact year his grandfather went to work for Hanif. “It must be somewhere between 1930-34,” he said, arriving at the date backwards from 1944, the year his grandfather, R. Annaihya, started his own company, Bharath Harmonium Works, after working for Hanif for “ten years or so”. R. Annaihya passed away in 1992, leaving behind a legacy whose future now appears increasingly bleak. “I may not continue this much longer,” Yashpal said, indicating that Bharath Harmonium Works faces imminent closure. “I function with a lone carpenter,” he explained before continuing, “Hardly anyone wants to learn the craft now.” The hall resounds to the tunes of the shehnai while the harmonium keeps up a steady drone. Strangely I cannot recollect the harmonium player use the keys, only the external bellows, depressing them rhythmically, forcing the air into the internal bellows, expanding them as they push against the reeds to produce the characteristic sound of the harmonium. Actually I cannot recollect seeing keys on that harmonium either. I’m not sure if they had any. I sit on the side watching them play in concert. They hail from Tamilnadu, traveling from wedding to wedding. July is an auspicious month for weddings in the Hindu calendar. “This is a busy month for us,” the shehnai player leans over and tells me, smiling as he returns it to his lips, straining on it as the tunes fill the large hall. Note: The post has spawned an interesting debate on whether the instrument shown in the pictures above is a Shehnai or a Nadaswaram or if using both interchangeably is correct. The Nadaswaram is also referred as Nagaswaram or Nagasvara (the name probably owing its origins to the Pungi that snake charmers use, Nag is Indian for Cobra). However the Pungi is much smaller. One school of music lovers will insist that Nagaswaram is the correct name, and not Nadaswaram. If the Pungi origin is true then they make a valid point. The Nadaswaram itself is not of uniform length across its constructs. A shorter version of Nadaswaram is known as Mukhavina. There’s yet another length of the Nagaswaram that is known as the Timiri, and another version that is known as the Bari. The Nagaswaram that functions as a drone is also known as the Ottu. In each case the length differs. However the variations do not matter insofar as knowing the instrument as Nagaswaram among the people of South India. But to the North of India, Nagaswaram is seen as a variation of the Shehnai just as the Mukhavina, the Timiri, the Bari, and the Ottu are seen as variations of the Nagaswaram and/or differing in nomenclature where applicable. The instrument that South Indians know as the Nadaswaram the North Indians will identify as the Shehnai, else as belonging to the Shehnai group. It’s a common construct insofar as both are wind instruments, using bamboo reeds, the number of reeds could differ between them just as their lengths differ among themselves, their use during weddings, and they’re both played in a drone-'active' pairing. With the Shehnai there is no consistency in the number of openings either, ranging from six to nine, but they’re the Shehnai just the same. Down South the Shehnai is known as the Hindustani music counterpart of Carnatic music. Up North the Nagaswaram is known as the Carnatic music counterpart of Hindustani music. Out West, the Shehnai and hence the Nagaswaram will be seen as a variation of the Clarinet, and vice versa. Once variations come into the picture the original name ends up being a generic name, just the way the Nagaswaram/Nadaswarsam became a generic name for the Timri, the Bari, the Ottu, and the Mukhvina, just as the Shehnai probably became a generic name for the Nagaswaram, or possibly the other way round depending on which came first. This makes me curious to know which of these three came first. Does anyone know for certain? Grist for another North – South debate? :) Posted by
Snake charming
Expressed traditionally as N s, what in physics is the product of mass and velocity?
Windy Skies: Musicians at a Wedding Down South August 02, 2008 Musicians at a Wedding Down South Before the advent of ‘marriage halls’ (known as Kalyana Mantap) most Indian marriages used be conducted at the home of the bride, the others at temples. I attended several such marriages as a child. It helped that I had several aunts from either side of my family, resulting in a succession of marriages over the years. Weeks before the wedding date, relatives from near and far, usually women, traveling long distances, having left their working husbands behind, would gather at the home of the bride. And then would commence a very enjoyable time with the household turning into a bee hive of activity as preparations for the marriage began in earnest. With sweets being central to wedding preparations, a whole variety of them, it was only natural that I would, along with sundry other cousins keep a close watch on the large tins they were stored in, raiding them at the first unguarded opportunity that presented itself. The elders even if they knew of our capers did not let on. In the evenings the house rang to devotional songs with neighbours joining in as the women took turns singing songs, much laughter interspersing playful ribbing as reluctant singers were prodded into giving voice to their vocals. The shamiana (pavilion), chairs, flower arrangements, horse carriages, cooks, and the wedding band used to be arranged for in advance. I took a fascination to the music band (also known as a brass band or procession band), attracted to their tidy uniforms often a bright red, and shiny epaulettes and shoes, marching in formation while playing gleaming musical instruments, often a mix of clarinets, trumpets, and saxophones. Widely employed during weddings, brass bands lead the procession (also known as ‘baarat’) as the groom makes his way to the wedding venue on the female of a horse, known as ghodi. The male of the horse is called ghoda. Also, the night before the wedding the brass band leads the bride’s side of the family in a procession to the groom’s house to escort the groom for the milni ceremony. The repertoire of early brass bands was Indian classical music, largely raga based, rendered with a mix of shehnais, dholaks, and the harmonium among others. With the advent of film songs popularizing wedding sequences in Hindi films, brass bands added films songs to their repertoire. Over time ‘marriage halls’ began to make their presence felt, essentially shifting the preparations out of the house and to a commercial venue. Flower arrangements, brass band, seating arrangements, food, and even accommodation are now available as services for a fee. Each time I attend a wedding I look for the musicians, which I suspect is more for their outfits than their ability with the musical instruments. However this time around last year the five musicians I met in Bangalore during the wedding were clad in simple clothes: shirts and white dhotis. It might have to do with the instruments they were playing. I cannot imagine a clarinet or a saxophone with a dhoti. Of the group two played the dholak, one was on the harmonium, while the other two played the shehnai, an ancient Indian wind instrument. The shehnai (also spelled shenai) is rarely played solo. It is usually accompanied by another shehnai. While one holds a drone the other exults in a succession of subtleties, flowing richly. Ustad Bismillah Khan, the legendary shehnai exponent, came to be synonymous with the shehnai and no Indian marriage is deemed complete without the shehnai making its presence felt with its soulful tunes that reflect the seriousness of the occasion even as it exuberates in the joyousness of the event, alternating between smiles and the tears streaming down the cheeks of the bride as she prepares to leave her parents’ home for that of her husband, a separation that distinguishes between the two phases of life in the Indian scheme of things. Inching closer to the hand operated harmonium I noticed on the bellows a company label showing a map of undivided India, indicating the harmonium was manufactured before India’s partition in 1947. It is very likely that it was rolled out in 1944, the year R. Annaihya started Bharath Harmonium Works near Balapet Square, Bangalore. Along with the harmonium the now yellowing label has survived over sixty years, enduring the daily rigour on the musician’s circuit. It cannot but be a testimony to the care lavished on the harmonium over the years. Bharath Harmonium Works still operates out of the same place it first started, manufacturing a range of musical instruments, even the telephone number is the same as that on the original label except for the prefixes occasioned by a growing Bangalore population. The third generation now runs the place. I spoke with Yashpal, the grandson of the founder, R. Annaihya. He told me that along with his brothers he took over daily operations at the manufacturing unit after his father passed away. He does not remember much of the old days except that his grandfather worked under Hanif, a Muslim musician he credits with introducing the harmonium to Bangalore. I can only guess what he might mean by this because he does not recollect any details beyond this except to say that Hanif, on finding that harmonium was not in use in Bangalore, maybe also elsewhere in Karnataka State, “took four carpenters to Bombay somewhere in 1888-1890 to train in the art of making the harmonium.” He does not recollect the exact year his grandfather went to work for Hanif. “It must be somewhere between 1930-34,” he said, arriving at the date backwards from 1944, the year his grandfather, R. Annaihya, started his own company, Bharath Harmonium Works, after working for Hanif for “ten years or so”. R. Annaihya passed away in 1992, leaving behind a legacy whose future now appears increasingly bleak. “I may not continue this much longer,” Yashpal said, indicating that Bharath Harmonium Works faces imminent closure. “I function with a lone carpenter,” he explained before continuing, “Hardly anyone wants to learn the craft now.” The hall resounds to the tunes of the shehnai while the harmonium keeps up a steady drone. Strangely I cannot recollect the harmonium player use the keys, only the external bellows, depressing them rhythmically, forcing the air into the internal bellows, expanding them as they push against the reeds to produce the characteristic sound of the harmonium. Actually I cannot recollect seeing keys on that harmonium either. I’m not sure if they had any. I sit on the side watching them play in concert. They hail from Tamilnadu, traveling from wedding to wedding. July is an auspicious month for weddings in the Hindu calendar. “This is a busy month for us,” the shehnai player leans over and tells me, smiling as he returns it to his lips, straining on it as the tunes fill the large hall. Note: The post has spawned an interesting debate on whether the instrument shown in the pictures above is a Shehnai or a Nadaswaram or if using both interchangeably is correct. The Nadaswaram is also referred as Nagaswaram or Nagasvara (the name probably owing its origins to the Pungi that snake charmers use, Nag is Indian for Cobra). However the Pungi is much smaller. One school of music lovers will insist that Nagaswaram is the correct name, and not Nadaswaram. If the Pungi origin is true then they make a valid point. The Nadaswaram itself is not of uniform length across its constructs. A shorter version of Nadaswaram is known as Mukhavina. There’s yet another length of the Nagaswaram that is known as the Timiri, and another version that is known as the Bari. The Nagaswaram that functions as a drone is also known as the Ottu. In each case the length differs. However the variations do not matter insofar as knowing the instrument as Nagaswaram among the people of South India. But to the North of India, Nagaswaram is seen as a variation of the Shehnai just as the Mukhavina, the Timiri, the Bari, and the Ottu are seen as variations of the Nagaswaram and/or differing in nomenclature where applicable. The instrument that South Indians know as the Nadaswaram the North Indians will identify as the Shehnai, else as belonging to the Shehnai group. It’s a common construct insofar as both are wind instruments, using bamboo reeds, the number of reeds could differ between them just as their lengths differ among themselves, their use during weddings, and they’re both played in a drone-'active' pairing. With the Shehnai there is no consistency in the number of openings either, ranging from six to nine, but they’re the Shehnai just the same. Down South the Shehnai is known as the Hindustani music counterpart of Carnatic music. Up North the Nagaswaram is known as the Carnatic music counterpart of Hindustani music. Out West, the Shehnai and hence the Nagaswaram will be seen as a variation of the Clarinet, and vice versa. Once variations come into the picture the original name ends up being a generic name, just the way the Nagaswaram/Nadaswarsam became a generic name for the Timri, the Bari, the Ottu, and the Mukhvina, just as the Shehnai probably became a generic name for the Nagaswaram, or possibly the other way round depending on which came first. This makes me curious to know which of these three came first. Does anyone know for certain? Grist for another North – South debate? :) Posted by
i don't know
FAST is the very apt acronym for recognizing and reacting to what sort of medical emergency?
Sleep Apnea: Symptoms, Causes, Types, Self-Help and Treatment Options Sleep Apnea Symptoms, Causes, Types, Self-Help and Treatment Options Many people treat snoring as a joke or something they feel embarrassed about. But loud snoring—especially when accompanied by daytime fatigue—may be a sign of sleep apnea, a common disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts as you sleep. Sleep apnea can leave you feeling exhausted during the day, affect your mood and your relationship with your bed partner, and even be dangerous to your health. But there are things you can do to sleep better at night and feel sharper and more energetic during the day. The first step is to overcome any embarrassment you feel about your snoring and learn to recognize the symptoms of sleep apnea. What you can do Recognize the difference between snoring and sleep apnea Learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea Look into lifestyle changes that can reduce symptoms Explore breathing devices for treating sleep apnea Explore dental devices for treating sleep apnea What is sleep apnea? Sleep apnea is a common but serious sleep disorder where your breathing is briefly interrupted when you’re asleep. If you have sleep apnea, you’re probably not aware of these short breathing pauses that occur hundreds of times a night, jolting you out of your natural sleep rhythm. All you know is that you don’t feel as energetic, mentally sharp, or productive during the day as you should do. The most common type of sleep apnea—obstructive sleep apnea—occurs when the airway is blocked, causing pauses in breathing and loud snoring. Since sleep apnea only occurs while you’re sleeping, you may only discover you have a problem when a bed partner or roommate complains about your snoring. Though you may feel self-conscious about it or tempted to just make light of your snoring, it’s something you shouldn’t ignore. Sleep apnea can take a serious toll on your physical and emotional health. The chronic sleep deprivation caused by sleep apnea can result in daytime sleepiness, slow reflexes, poor concentration, and an increased risk of accidents. Sleep apnea can cause moodiness, irritability, and even lead to depression, as well as serious physical health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, liver problems, and weight gain. With the right treatment and self-help strategies, however, you can control your snoring and the symptoms of sleep apnea, get your sleep back on track, and feel refreshed and alert during the day. Anatomy of a sleep apnea episode As airflow stops during a sleep apnea episode, the oxygen level in your blood drops. Your brain responds by briefly disturbing your sleep enough to kick start breathing—which often resumes with a gasp or a choking sound. If you have obstructive sleep apnea, you probably won’t remember these awakenings. Most of the time, you’ll stir just enough to tighten your throat muscles and open your windpipe. In central sleep apnea, you may be conscious of your awakenings. Types of sleep apnea Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea. It occurs when the soft tissue in the back of the throat relaxes during sleep and blocks the airway, often causing you to snore loudly. Central sleep apnea is a much less common type of sleep apnea that involves the central nervous system, occuring when the brain fails to signal the muscles that control breathing. People with central sleep apnea seldom snore. Complex sleep apnea is a combination of obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Signs and symptoms It can be tough to identify sleep apnea on your own, since the most prominent symptoms only occur when you’re asleep. But you can get around this difficulty by asking a bed partner to observe your sleep habits, or by recording yourself during sleep. If pauses occur while you snore, and if choking or gasping follows the pauses, these are major warning signs that you have sleep apnea. Major warning signs Impotence Is it sleep apnea or just snoring? Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, and not everyone who has sleep apnea snores. So how do you tell the difference between normal snoring and a more serious case of sleep apnea? The biggest telltale sign is how you feel during the day. Normal snoring doesn’t interfere with the quality of your sleep as much as sleep apnea does, so you’re less likely to suffer from extreme fatigue and sleepiness during the day. Record yourself sleeping or ask your sleep partner to keep track of your snoring, noting how loud and frequent it is, and if you’re gasping, choking, or making other unusual sounds. Even if you don’t have sleep apnea, a snoring problem can get in the way of your bed partner’s rest and affect your own sleep quality and health. See How to Stop Snoring . See a doctor immediately if you suspect sleep apnea Sleep apnea can be a potentially serious disorder, so contact a doctor immediately if you spot the warning signs. An official diagnosis of sleep apnea may require seeing a sleep specialist and taking a home- or clinic-based sleep test. Do you have sleep apnea? These questions can help you and your physician figure out if you should be tested for sleep apnea. Is it Sleep Apnea? Source: Harvard Health Publications Sleep apnea causes While anyone can have sleep apnea, you have a higher risk for obstructive sleep apnea if you’re: Overweight, male, with a family history of sleep apnea Over the age of 50, a smoker, affected by high blood pressure Black, Hispanic, or a Pacific Islander Someone with a neck circumference greater than 15.75 inches (40 cm) Other physical attributes that put you at risk for obstructive sleep apnea include a deviated septum, receding chin, or enlarged tonsils or adenoids. Your airway may be blocked or narrowed during sleep simply because your throat muscles tend to relax more than normal. Allergies or other medical conditions that cause nasal congestion and blockage can also contribute to sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea causes Like obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea is more common in males and people over the age of 65. However, unlike obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea is often associated with serious illness, such as heart disease, stroke, neurological disease, or spinal or brainstem injury. The first step in treating CSA is to treat the existing medical conditions that are causing it. Some people with obstructive sleep apnea can develop central sleep apnea when they're being treated with positive airway pressure (PAP) devices. Self-help treatments While a diagnosis of sleep apnea can be scary, it is a treatable condition. In fact, there are many things you can do on your own to help, particularly for mild to moderate sleep apnea. Home remedies and lifestyle modifications can go a long way in reducing sleep apnea symptoms. However, they should not replace medical evaluation and treatment. Lifestyle changes to reduce sleep apnea symptoms Lose weight. People who are overweight have extra tissue in the back of their throat, which can fall down over the airway and block the flow of air into the lungs while they sleep. Even a small amount of weight loss can open up your throat and improve sleep apnea symptoms. Quit smoking . Smoking contributes to sleep apnea by increasing inflammation and fluid retention in your throat and upper airway. Avoid alcohol, sleeping pills, and sedatives, especially before bedtime, because they relax the muscles in the throat and interfere with breathing. Exercise regularly . As well as helping you lose weight, regular exercise can have a major effect on the duration and quality of sleep. Aerobic and resistance training can help reduce sleep apnea symptoms, while yoga is also good for strengthening the muscles in your airways and improving breathing. Avoid caffeine and heavy meals within two hours of going to bed. Maintain regular sleep hours. Sticking to a steady sleep schedule will help you relax and sleep better. Sleep apnea episodes decrease when you get plenty of sleep. Bedtime tips for preventing sleep apnea Sleep on your side. Avoid sleeping on your back which makes it more likely for your tongue and soft tissues to obstruct your airway. Some people only experience sleep apnea when sleeping on their back. The tennis ball trick. To keep yourself from rolling onto your back while you sleep, sew a tennis ball into a pocket on the back of your pajama top. Or wedge a pillow stuffed with tennis balls behind your back. Prop your head up. Elevate the head of your bed by four to six inches, or elevate your body from the waist up by using a foam wedge or special cervical pillow. Open your nasal passages at night by using a nasal dilator, saline spray, breathing strips, or a neti pot. Tighten the muscles that keep the mouth closed. Try chewing gum or holding a pen between your teeth for about 10 minutes before bedtime, or until your jaw starts to ache. Alternative remedies Singing can increase muscle control in the throat and soft palate, reducing snoring and sleep apnea caused by lax muscles. Playing the didgeridoo (native Australian wind instrument) can strengthen the soft palate and throat, reducing daytime sleepiness and snoring in people with moderate sleep apnea. Throat exercises Throat and tongue exercises may reduce the severity of sleep apnea by strengthening the muscles in the airway, making them less likely to collapse. It may take several weeks before you start to notice the benefits. Try these exercises: Press your tongue flat against the floor of your mouth and brush top and sides with a toothbrush. Repeat brushing movement five times, three times a day. Press the length of your tongue to the roof of your mouth and hold for three minutes a day. Place a finger into one side of your mouth. Hold the finger against your cheek while pulling the cheek muscle in at same time. Repeat 10 times, rest, and then alternate sides. Repeat this sequence three times. Purse your lips as if to kiss. Hold your lips tightly together and move them up and to the right, then up and to the left 10 times. Repeat this sequence three times. Place your lips on a balloon. Take a deep breath through your nose then blow out through your mouth to inflate the balloon as much as possible. Repeat five times without removing balloon from your mouth. Gargle with water for five minutes, twice a day. Lightly hold your tongue between your teeth. Swallow five times. Repeat this five times a day. Sleep apnea treatment options If your sleep apnea is moderate to severe, or you’ve tried self-help strategies and lifestyle changes without success, a sleep doctor may help you find an effective treatment. Treatment for sleep apnea has come a long way in recent times, so even if you were unhappy with sleep apnea treatment in the past, you may now find something that works for you. Treatments for central and complex sleep apnea usually include treating any underlying medical condition causing the apnea, such as a heart or neuromuscular disorder, and using supplemental oxygen and breathing devices while you sleep. Treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea include: CPAP Implants Surgery *Medications are only available to treat the sleepiness associated with sleep apnea, not the sleep apnea itself. Option 1: CPAP Continuous Positive Airflow Pressure (CPAP) is the most common treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. The CPAP device is a mask-like machine that covers your nose and mouth, providing a constant stream of air that keeps your breathing passages open while you sleep. If you’ve given up on sleep apnea machines in the past because of discomfort, you owe it to yourself to give them a second look. CPAP technology is constantly being updated and improved, and the new CPAP devices are lighter, quieter, and more comfortable. In many cases, you’ll experience immediate symptom relief and a huge boost in your mental and physical energy. CPAP tips and troubleshooting It can take some time to get accustomed to sleeping while wearing a CPAP device. It’s natural to miss sleeping the “old way,” but there are things you can to do make the adjustment easier. Make sure your CPAP device fits correctly. A correct fit makes a huge difference. Schedule regular appointments with your doctor to check the fit and evaluate your treatment progress. Ease into it. Start by using your CPAP device for short periods. Use the “ramp” setting to gradually increase air pressure. Customize the mask, tubing and straps for the right fit. Ask your doctor about soft pads to reduce skin irritation, nasal pillows for nose discomfort, and chinstraps to keep your mouth closed and reduce throat irritation. Many CPAP devices now come with a built-in humidifier to decrease dryness and skin irritation. Try a special face moisturizer for dry skin. Try a saline nasal spray or a nasal decongestant for nasal congestion. Keep your mask, tubing and headgear clean. To ensure maximum comfort and benefit, replace CPAP and humidifier filters regularly and keep the unit clean. Mask the sound of the CPAP machine. If the sound of the CPAP machine bothers you, place it beneath the bed to reduce the noise and use a sound machine to help you sleep. Option 2: Other breathing devices In addition to CPAP, there are other devices that a sleep specialist may recommend for sleep apnea treatment: Expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) single-use devices fit over the nostrils to help keep the airway open and are smaller, less intrusive than CPAP machines and may benefit people with mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP) devices can be used for those who are unable to adapt to using CPAP, or for central sleep apnea sufferers who need assistance for a weak breathing pattern. This device automatically adjusts the pressure while you're sleeping, providing more pressure when you inhale, less when you exhale. Some BPAP devices also automatically deliver a breath if it detects you haven't taken one for a certain number of seconds. Adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) devices can be used for treating central sleep apnea as well as obstructive sleep apnea. The ASV device stores information about your normal breathing pattern and automatically uses airflow pressure to prevent pauses in your breathing while you’re asleep. Option 3: Dental devices Most dental devices are acrylic and fit inside your mouth, much like an athletic mouth guard. Others fit around your head and chin to adjust the position of your lower jaw. Two common oral devices are the mandibular repositioning device and the tongue retaining device. These devices open your airway by bringing your lower jaw or your tongue forward during sleep. Dental devices are only effective for mild to moderate sleep apnea. There are also a number of troubling side effects from using this type of treatment, including soreness, saliva build-up, nausea, and damage or permanent change in position of the jaw, teeth, and mouth. It’s very important to get fitted by a dentist specializing in sleep apnea, and to see the dentist on a regular basis to monitor any problems and periodically adjust the mouthpiece. Option 4: Sleep apnea implants One of the newest treatments for sleep apnea involves the insertion of a pacemaker system that stimulates muscles to keep airways open so you can breathe during sleep. The new treatment has been approved by the FDA in the U.S. for people with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. Although the technology is relatively new (and expensive), studies suggest it may also benefit people with central sleep apnea. Option 5: Surgery If you have exhausted other sleep apnea treatment options, surgery can increase the size of your airway, thus reducing episodes of sleep apnea. The surgeon may remove tonsils, adenoids, or excess tissue at the back of the throat or inside the nose, reconstruct the jaw to enlarge the upper airway, or implant plastic rods into the soft palate. Surgery carries risks of complications and infections, and in some rare cases, symptoms can become worse after surgery. Sleep apnea in children While obstructive sleep apnea can be common in children, it’s not always easy to recognize. In addition to continuous loud snoring, children with sleep apnea may: Pause breathing while sleeping, snort, or gasp Adopt strange sleeping positions Suffer from bedwetting, excessive perspiration at night, or night terrors Exhibit daytime sleepiness Develop behavioral problems or declining grades If you suspect sleep apnea in your child, it’s important to consult a pediatrician who specializes in sleep disorders. Left untreated, sleep apnea can affect your child’s learning, mood, growth, and overall health. Causes and treatment for sleep apnea in children The most common causes of obstructive sleep apnea in kids are enlarged tonsils and adenoids. A simple adenotonsillectomy to remove the tonsils and adenoids usually corrects the problem. Your child’s doctor may also recommend using a CPAP or other breathing device. If excess weight is causing your child’s obstructive sleep apnea, there are plenty of ways you can help your child reach and maintain a healthy weight. See Curbing Weight Problems and Obesity in Children Related HelpGuide articles
Stroke
The German Imannuel Kant, Englishman Bertrand Russell, and American John Dewey, were notable?
Sleep Apnea: Symptoms, Causes, Types, Self-Help and Treatment Options Sleep Apnea Symptoms, Causes, Types, Self-Help and Treatment Options Many people treat snoring as a joke or something they feel embarrassed about. But loud snoring—especially when accompanied by daytime fatigue—may be a sign of sleep apnea, a common disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts as you sleep. Sleep apnea can leave you feeling exhausted during the day, affect your mood and your relationship with your bed partner, and even be dangerous to your health. But there are things you can do to sleep better at night and feel sharper and more energetic during the day. The first step is to overcome any embarrassment you feel about your snoring and learn to recognize the symptoms of sleep apnea. What you can do Recognize the difference between snoring and sleep apnea Learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea Look into lifestyle changes that can reduce symptoms Explore breathing devices for treating sleep apnea Explore dental devices for treating sleep apnea What is sleep apnea? Sleep apnea is a common but serious sleep disorder where your breathing is briefly interrupted when you’re asleep. If you have sleep apnea, you’re probably not aware of these short breathing pauses that occur hundreds of times a night, jolting you out of your natural sleep rhythm. All you know is that you don’t feel as energetic, mentally sharp, or productive during the day as you should do. The most common type of sleep apnea—obstructive sleep apnea—occurs when the airway is blocked, causing pauses in breathing and loud snoring. Since sleep apnea only occurs while you’re sleeping, you may only discover you have a problem when a bed partner or roommate complains about your snoring. Though you may feel self-conscious about it or tempted to just make light of your snoring, it’s something you shouldn’t ignore. Sleep apnea can take a serious toll on your physical and emotional health. The chronic sleep deprivation caused by sleep apnea can result in daytime sleepiness, slow reflexes, poor concentration, and an increased risk of accidents. Sleep apnea can cause moodiness, irritability, and even lead to depression, as well as serious physical health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, liver problems, and weight gain. With the right treatment and self-help strategies, however, you can control your snoring and the symptoms of sleep apnea, get your sleep back on track, and feel refreshed and alert during the day. Anatomy of a sleep apnea episode As airflow stops during a sleep apnea episode, the oxygen level in your blood drops. Your brain responds by briefly disturbing your sleep enough to kick start breathing—which often resumes with a gasp or a choking sound. If you have obstructive sleep apnea, you probably won’t remember these awakenings. Most of the time, you’ll stir just enough to tighten your throat muscles and open your windpipe. In central sleep apnea, you may be conscious of your awakenings. Types of sleep apnea Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea. It occurs when the soft tissue in the back of the throat relaxes during sleep and blocks the airway, often causing you to snore loudly. Central sleep apnea is a much less common type of sleep apnea that involves the central nervous system, occuring when the brain fails to signal the muscles that control breathing. People with central sleep apnea seldom snore. Complex sleep apnea is a combination of obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Signs and symptoms It can be tough to identify sleep apnea on your own, since the most prominent symptoms only occur when you’re asleep. But you can get around this difficulty by asking a bed partner to observe your sleep habits, or by recording yourself during sleep. If pauses occur while you snore, and if choking or gasping follows the pauses, these are major warning signs that you have sleep apnea. Major warning signs Impotence Is it sleep apnea or just snoring? Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, and not everyone who has sleep apnea snores. So how do you tell the difference between normal snoring and a more serious case of sleep apnea? The biggest telltale sign is how you feel during the day. Normal snoring doesn’t interfere with the quality of your sleep as much as sleep apnea does, so you’re less likely to suffer from extreme fatigue and sleepiness during the day. Record yourself sleeping or ask your sleep partner to keep track of your snoring, noting how loud and frequent it is, and if you’re gasping, choking, or making other unusual sounds. Even if you don’t have sleep apnea, a snoring problem can get in the way of your bed partner’s rest and affect your own sleep quality and health. See How to Stop Snoring . See a doctor immediately if you suspect sleep apnea Sleep apnea can be a potentially serious disorder, so contact a doctor immediately if you spot the warning signs. An official diagnosis of sleep apnea may require seeing a sleep specialist and taking a home- or clinic-based sleep test. Do you have sleep apnea? These questions can help you and your physician figure out if you should be tested for sleep apnea. Is it Sleep Apnea? Source: Harvard Health Publications Sleep apnea causes While anyone can have sleep apnea, you have a higher risk for obstructive sleep apnea if you’re: Overweight, male, with a family history of sleep apnea Over the age of 50, a smoker, affected by high blood pressure Black, Hispanic, or a Pacific Islander Someone with a neck circumference greater than 15.75 inches (40 cm) Other physical attributes that put you at risk for obstructive sleep apnea include a deviated septum, receding chin, or enlarged tonsils or adenoids. Your airway may be blocked or narrowed during sleep simply because your throat muscles tend to relax more than normal. Allergies or other medical conditions that cause nasal congestion and blockage can also contribute to sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea causes Like obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea is more common in males and people over the age of 65. However, unlike obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea is often associated with serious illness, such as heart disease, stroke, neurological disease, or spinal or brainstem injury. The first step in treating CSA is to treat the existing medical conditions that are causing it. Some people with obstructive sleep apnea can develop central sleep apnea when they're being treated with positive airway pressure (PAP) devices. Self-help treatments While a diagnosis of sleep apnea can be scary, it is a treatable condition. In fact, there are many things you can do on your own to help, particularly for mild to moderate sleep apnea. Home remedies and lifestyle modifications can go a long way in reducing sleep apnea symptoms. However, they should not replace medical evaluation and treatment. Lifestyle changes to reduce sleep apnea symptoms Lose weight. People who are overweight have extra tissue in the back of their throat, which can fall down over the airway and block the flow of air into the lungs while they sleep. Even a small amount of weight loss can open up your throat and improve sleep apnea symptoms. Quit smoking . Smoking contributes to sleep apnea by increasing inflammation and fluid retention in your throat and upper airway. Avoid alcohol, sleeping pills, and sedatives, especially before bedtime, because they relax the muscles in the throat and interfere with breathing. Exercise regularly . As well as helping you lose weight, regular exercise can have a major effect on the duration and quality of sleep. Aerobic and resistance training can help reduce sleep apnea symptoms, while yoga is also good for strengthening the muscles in your airways and improving breathing. Avoid caffeine and heavy meals within two hours of going to bed. Maintain regular sleep hours. Sticking to a steady sleep schedule will help you relax and sleep better. Sleep apnea episodes decrease when you get plenty of sleep. Bedtime tips for preventing sleep apnea Sleep on your side. Avoid sleeping on your back which makes it more likely for your tongue and soft tissues to obstruct your airway. Some people only experience sleep apnea when sleeping on their back. The tennis ball trick. To keep yourself from rolling onto your back while you sleep, sew a tennis ball into a pocket on the back of your pajama top. Or wedge a pillow stuffed with tennis balls behind your back. Prop your head up. Elevate the head of your bed by four to six inches, or elevate your body from the waist up by using a foam wedge or special cervical pillow. Open your nasal passages at night by using a nasal dilator, saline spray, breathing strips, or a neti pot. Tighten the muscles that keep the mouth closed. Try chewing gum or holding a pen between your teeth for about 10 minutes before bedtime, or until your jaw starts to ache. Alternative remedies Singing can increase muscle control in the throat and soft palate, reducing snoring and sleep apnea caused by lax muscles. Playing the didgeridoo (native Australian wind instrument) can strengthen the soft palate and throat, reducing daytime sleepiness and snoring in people with moderate sleep apnea. Throat exercises Throat and tongue exercises may reduce the severity of sleep apnea by strengthening the muscles in the airway, making them less likely to collapse. It may take several weeks before you start to notice the benefits. Try these exercises: Press your tongue flat against the floor of your mouth and brush top and sides with a toothbrush. Repeat brushing movement five times, three times a day. Press the length of your tongue to the roof of your mouth and hold for three minutes a day. Place a finger into one side of your mouth. Hold the finger against your cheek while pulling the cheek muscle in at same time. Repeat 10 times, rest, and then alternate sides. Repeat this sequence three times. Purse your lips as if to kiss. Hold your lips tightly together and move them up and to the right, then up and to the left 10 times. Repeat this sequence three times. Place your lips on a balloon. Take a deep breath through your nose then blow out through your mouth to inflate the balloon as much as possible. Repeat five times without removing balloon from your mouth. Gargle with water for five minutes, twice a day. Lightly hold your tongue between your teeth. Swallow five times. Repeat this five times a day. Sleep apnea treatment options If your sleep apnea is moderate to severe, or you’ve tried self-help strategies and lifestyle changes without success, a sleep doctor may help you find an effective treatment. Treatment for sleep apnea has come a long way in recent times, so even if you were unhappy with sleep apnea treatment in the past, you may now find something that works for you. Treatments for central and complex sleep apnea usually include treating any underlying medical condition causing the apnea, such as a heart or neuromuscular disorder, and using supplemental oxygen and breathing devices while you sleep. Treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea include: CPAP Implants Surgery *Medications are only available to treat the sleepiness associated with sleep apnea, not the sleep apnea itself. Option 1: CPAP Continuous Positive Airflow Pressure (CPAP) is the most common treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. The CPAP device is a mask-like machine that covers your nose and mouth, providing a constant stream of air that keeps your breathing passages open while you sleep. If you’ve given up on sleep apnea machines in the past because of discomfort, you owe it to yourself to give them a second look. CPAP technology is constantly being updated and improved, and the new CPAP devices are lighter, quieter, and more comfortable. In many cases, you’ll experience immediate symptom relief and a huge boost in your mental and physical energy. CPAP tips and troubleshooting It can take some time to get accustomed to sleeping while wearing a CPAP device. It’s natural to miss sleeping the “old way,” but there are things you can to do make the adjustment easier. Make sure your CPAP device fits correctly. A correct fit makes a huge difference. Schedule regular appointments with your doctor to check the fit and evaluate your treatment progress. Ease into it. Start by using your CPAP device for short periods. Use the “ramp” setting to gradually increase air pressure. Customize the mask, tubing and straps for the right fit. Ask your doctor about soft pads to reduce skin irritation, nasal pillows for nose discomfort, and chinstraps to keep your mouth closed and reduce throat irritation. Many CPAP devices now come with a built-in humidifier to decrease dryness and skin irritation. Try a special face moisturizer for dry skin. Try a saline nasal spray or a nasal decongestant for nasal congestion. Keep your mask, tubing and headgear clean. To ensure maximum comfort and benefit, replace CPAP and humidifier filters regularly and keep the unit clean. Mask the sound of the CPAP machine. If the sound of the CPAP machine bothers you, place it beneath the bed to reduce the noise and use a sound machine to help you sleep. Option 2: Other breathing devices In addition to CPAP, there are other devices that a sleep specialist may recommend for sleep apnea treatment: Expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) single-use devices fit over the nostrils to help keep the airway open and are smaller, less intrusive than CPAP machines and may benefit people with mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP) devices can be used for those who are unable to adapt to using CPAP, or for central sleep apnea sufferers who need assistance for a weak breathing pattern. This device automatically adjusts the pressure while you're sleeping, providing more pressure when you inhale, less when you exhale. Some BPAP devices also automatically deliver a breath if it detects you haven't taken one for a certain number of seconds. Adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) devices can be used for treating central sleep apnea as well as obstructive sleep apnea. The ASV device stores information about your normal breathing pattern and automatically uses airflow pressure to prevent pauses in your breathing while you’re asleep. Option 3: Dental devices Most dental devices are acrylic and fit inside your mouth, much like an athletic mouth guard. Others fit around your head and chin to adjust the position of your lower jaw. Two common oral devices are the mandibular repositioning device and the tongue retaining device. These devices open your airway by bringing your lower jaw or your tongue forward during sleep. Dental devices are only effective for mild to moderate sleep apnea. There are also a number of troubling side effects from using this type of treatment, including soreness, saliva build-up, nausea, and damage or permanent change in position of the jaw, teeth, and mouth. It’s very important to get fitted by a dentist specializing in sleep apnea, and to see the dentist on a regular basis to monitor any problems and periodically adjust the mouthpiece. Option 4: Sleep apnea implants One of the newest treatments for sleep apnea involves the insertion of a pacemaker system that stimulates muscles to keep airways open so you can breathe during sleep. The new treatment has been approved by the FDA in the U.S. for people with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. Although the technology is relatively new (and expensive), studies suggest it may also benefit people with central sleep apnea. Option 5: Surgery If you have exhausted other sleep apnea treatment options, surgery can increase the size of your airway, thus reducing episodes of sleep apnea. The surgeon may remove tonsils, adenoids, or excess tissue at the back of the throat or inside the nose, reconstruct the jaw to enlarge the upper airway, or implant plastic rods into the soft palate. Surgery carries risks of complications and infections, and in some rare cases, symptoms can become worse after surgery. Sleep apnea in children While obstructive sleep apnea can be common in children, it’s not always easy to recognize. In addition to continuous loud snoring, children with sleep apnea may: Pause breathing while sleeping, snort, or gasp Adopt strange sleeping positions Suffer from bedwetting, excessive perspiration at night, or night terrors Exhibit daytime sleepiness Develop behavioral problems or declining grades If you suspect sleep apnea in your child, it’s important to consult a pediatrician who specializes in sleep disorders. Left untreated, sleep apnea can affect your child’s learning, mood, growth, and overall health. Causes and treatment for sleep apnea in children The most common causes of obstructive sleep apnea in kids are enlarged tonsils and adenoids. A simple adenotonsillectomy to remove the tonsils and adenoids usually corrects the problem. Your child’s doctor may also recommend using a CPAP or other breathing device. If excess weight is causing your child’s obstructive sleep apnea, there are plenty of ways you can help your child reach and maintain a healthy weight. See Curbing Weight Problems and Obesity in Children Related HelpGuide articles
i don't know
What is a feature of wood, sand, cereal, and also 0.0648 grams?
What is the difference between cereal and grain? | the-difference-between.com What is the difference between cereal and grain? Cereal is a see also of grain. In context|countable|lang=en terms the difference between cereal and grain is that cereal is (countable) a particular type of breakfast cereal while grain is (countable) a former unit of gold purity, also known as carat grain , equal to "carat" (karat). In context|uncountable|lang=en terms the difference between cereal and grain is that cereal is (uncountable) breakfast cereal while grain is (uncountable) a linear texture of a material or surface. As nouns the difference between cereal and grain is that cereal is (countable) a type of grass (such as wheat, rice or oats) cultivated for its edible grains while grain is (uncountable) the harvested seeds of various grass-related food crops eg: wheat, corn, barley or grain can be a branch of a tree; a stalk or stem of a plant. As a verb grain is to feed grain to. Noun (en-noun) (countable) A type of grass (such as wheat, rice or oats) cultivated for its edible grains. (uncountable) The grains of such a grass. (uncountable) Breakfast cereal. Would you like some cereal ? (countable) A particular type of breakfast cereal. Which cereal would you like for breakfast? Hyponyms * cereal bar * cereal dust * cereal killer * pseudocereal Related terms From (etyl) grain, grein, from (etyl) . Compare English corn. Noun (uncountable) The harvested seeds of various grass-related food crops eg: wheat, corn, barley. We stored a thousand tons of grain for the winter. (countable) A single seed of grain. a grain of wheat (countable|uncountable) The crops from which grain is harvested. The fields were planted with grain . (uncountable) A linear texture of a material or surface. Cut along the grain of the wood. (countable) A single particle of a substance. a grain of sand a grain of salt (countable) A very small unit of weight, in England equal to 1/480 of an ounce troy, 0.0648 grams or, to be more exact, 64.79891 milligrams (0.002285714 avoirdupois ounce). A carat grain or pearl grain is 1/4 carat or 50 milligrams. The old French grain was 1/9216 livre or 53.11 milligrams, and in the mesures usuelles permitted from 1812 to 1839, with the livre redefined as 500 grams, it was 54.25 milligrams. (countable) A former unit of gold purity, also known as carat grain , equal to "carat" (karat). (materials) A region within a material having a single crystal structure or direction. Derived terms
Grain
What word meaning official procedure derives ultimately from Greek root words for first and glue?
Grain - definition of grain by The Free Dictionary Grain - definition of grain by The Free Dictionary http://www.thefreedictionary.com/grain n. 1. a. A small, dry, one-seeded fruit of a cereal grass, having the fruit and the seed walls united: a single grain of wheat; gleaned the grains from the ground one at a time. Also called caryopsis. b. The fruits of cereal grasses especially after having been harvested, considered as a group: The grain was stored in a silo. 2. a. A cereal grass: Wheat is a grain grown in Kansas. b. Cereal grasses considered as a group: Grain is grown along the river. 3. a. A relatively small discrete particulate or crystalline mass: a grain of sand. b. A small amount or the smallest amount possible: hasn't a grain of sense. 4. Aerospace A mass of solid propellant. 5. Abbr. gr. A unit of weight in the US Customary System, an avoirdupois unit equal to 0.002285 ounce (0.065 gram). 6. a. The markings, pattern, or texture of the fibrous tissue in wood: Cherry wood has a fine grain. b. The direction of such markings: cut a board with the grain. 7. a. The side of a hide or piece of leather from which the hair or fur has been removed. b. The pattern or markings on this side of leather. 8. The pattern produced, as in stone, by the arrangement of particulate constituents. 9. The relative size of the particles composing a substance or pattern: a coarse grain. 10. A painted, stamped, or printed design that imitates the pattern found in wood, leather, or stone. 11. The direction or texture of fibers in a woven fabric. 12. A state of fine crystallization. 13. a. Basic temperament or nature; disposition: It goes against my grain to ask for help. b. An essential quality or characteristic: "Toughness as a virtue ... is, needless to say, fully embedded in the American grain" (Benjamin DeMott). 14. Archaic Color; tint. v. grained, grain·ing, grains v.tr. 1. To cause to form into grains; granulate. 2. To paint, stamp, or print with a design imitating the grain of wood, leather, or stone. 3. To give a granular or rough texture to. 4. To remove the hair or fur from (hides) in preparation for tanning. v.intr. To form grains: The corn began to grain. Idioms: Contrary to custom, one's inclination, or good sense. with a grain of salt With reservations; skeptically: Take that advice with a grain of salt. [Middle English, from Old French graine, from Latin grānum; see gr̥ə-no- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] grain′er n. 1. (Botany) the small hard seedlike fruit of a grass, esp a cereal plant 2. (Botany) a mass of such fruits, esp when gathered for food 3. (Botany) the plants, collectively, from which such fruits are harvested 4. a small hard particle: a grain of sand. 5. (Furniture) a. the general direction or arrangement of the fibrous elements in paper or wood: to saw across the grain. b. the pattern or texture of wood resulting from such an arrangement: the attractive grain of the table. 6. the relative size of the particles of a substance: sugar of fine grain. 7. (Geological Science) a. the granular texture of a rock, mineral, etc b. the appearance of a rock, mineral, etc, determined by the size and arrangement of its constituents 8. (Tanning) a. the outer (hair-side) layer of a hide or skin from which the hair or wool has been removed b. the pattern on the outer surface of such a hide or skin 9. (Furniture) a surface artificially imitating the grain of wood, leather, stone, etc; graining 10. (Units) the smallest unit of weight in the avoirdupois, Troy, and apothecaries' systems, based on the average weight of a grain of wheat: in the avoirdupois system it equals of a pound, and in the Troy and apothecaries' systems it equals of a pound. 1 grain is equal to 0.0648 gram. Abbreviation: gr 11. (Units) Also called: metric grain a metric unit of weight used for pearls or diamonds, equal to 50 milligrams or one quarter of a carat 12. (Textiles) the threads or direction of threads in a woven fabric 13. (Photography) photog any of a large number of particles in a photographic emulsion, the size of which limit the extent to which an image can be enlarged without serious loss of definition 14. (Broadcasting) television a granular effect in a television picture caused by electrical noise 15. (Jewellery) cleavage lines in crystalline material, parallel to growth planes 16. (Chemistry) chem any of a large number of small crystals forming a polycrystalline solid, each having a regular array of atoms that differs in orientation from that of the surrounding crystallites 17. (Cookery) a state of crystallization: to boil syrup to the grain. 18. a very small amount: a grain of truth. 19. natural disposition, inclination, or character (esp in the phrase go against the grain) 20. (Astronautics) astronautics a homogenous mass of solid propellant in a form designed to give the required combustion characteristics for a particular rocket 21. (Dyeing) (not in technical usage) kermes or a red dye made from this insect 22. (Dyeing) dyeing an obsolete word for colour 23. with a grain of salt with a pinch of salt without wholly believing: sceptically vb (mainly tr) 24. (also intr) to form grains or cause to form into grains; granulate; crystallize 25. to give a granular or roughened appearance or texture to 26. (Furniture) to paint, stain, etc, in imitation of the grain of wood or leather 27. (Tanning) a. to remove the hair or wool from (a hide or skin) before tanning b. to raise the grain pattern on (leather) [C13: from Old French, from Latin grānum] ˈgrainer n (greɪn) n. 1. a small, hard seed, esp. the seed of a food plant such as wheat, corn, rye, oats, rice, or millet. 2. the gathered seed of food plants, esp. of cereal plants. 3. such plants collectively. 4. any small, hard particle, as of sand, gold, pepper, or gunpowder. 5. the smallest unit of weight in the U.S. and British systems, equal to 0.002285 ounce (0.0648 gram). 6. the smallest possible amount of anything: a grain of truth. 7. the arrangement or direction of the fibers in wood, meat, etc., or the pattern resulting from this. 8. a. the side of leather from which the hair has been removed. b. the pattern or markings on this side. 9. the direction of threads in a woven fabric. 10. the lamination or cleavage of stone, coal, etc. 11. any of the individual crystalline particles forming a metal. 12. a unit of weight equal to 50 milligrams or ¼ carat, used for pearls and sometimes diamonds. 13. the size of constituent particles of any substance; texture. 14. a granular texture or appearance: a stone of coarse grain. 15. a state of crystallization: boiled to the grain. 16. temper or natural character: two brothers of similar grain. v.t. 17. to form into grains; granulate. 18. to give a granular appearance to. 19. to paint in imitation of the grain of wood, stone, etc. 20. to feed grain to (an animal). 21. a. to remove the hair from (skins). b. to soften and raise the grain of (leather). [1250–1300; < Old French grain < Latin grānum seed, grain; see corn 1] grain′er, n. 1. A small, hard seed, especially of wheat, corn, rice, or another cereal plant. 2. A small particle of something, such as salt, pollen, or sand. 3. A unit of weight equal to 0.002 ounce (0.07 gram). See Table at measurement . grain I will have been graining you will have been graining he/she/it will have been graining we will have been graining you will have been graining they will have been graining Past Perfect Continuous they would have grained grain (gr) A unit of mass measurement, used especially in the apothecaries’ system. 1 grain = 1⁄7000 lb (avoirdupois); 480 grains = 1 ounce troy; 24 grains = 1 pennyweight. ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend: Noun 1. grain - a relatively small granular particle of a substance; "a grain of sand"; "a grain of sugar" granule - a tiny grain corpuscle , mote , particle , speck , molecule , atom - (nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything 2. food product , foodstuff - a substance that can be used or prepared for use as food edible corn , corn - ears of corn that can be prepared and served for human food grist - grain intended to be or that has been ground groats - the hulled and crushed grain of various cereals millet - small seed of any of various annual cereal grasses especially Setaria italica barley , barleycorn - a grain of barley buckwheat - grain ground into flour wheat , wheat berry - grains of common wheat; sometimes cooked whole or cracked as cereal; usually ground into flour oat - seed of the annual grass Avena sativa (spoken of primarily in the plural as `oats') rice - grains used as food either unpolished or more often polished Indian rice , wild rice - grains of aquatic grass of North America malt - a cereal grain (usually barley) that is kiln-dried after having been germinated by soaking in water; used especially in brewing and distilling 3. grain - the side of leather from which the hair has been removed leather - an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning 4. grain - 1/60 dram; equals an avoirdupois grain or 64.799 milligrams troy unit - any of the unit of the troy system of weights apothecaries' unit , apothecaries' weight - any weight unit used in pharmacy; an ounce is equal to 480 grains and a pound is equal to 12 ounces scruple - a unit of apothecary weight equal to 20 grains pennyweight - a unit of apothecary weight equal to 24 grains 6. grain - 1/7000 pound; equals a troy grain or 64.799 milligrams avoirdupois unit - any of the units of the avoirdupois system of weights dram - 1/16 ounce or 1.771 grams 7. amaranth - seed of amaranth plants used as a native cereal in Central and South America barleycorn - a grain of barley wheat berry - a grain of wheat kernel - a single whole grain of a cereal; "a kernel of corn" rye - the seed of the cereal grass seed - a small hard fruit 8. grain - a cereal grass; "wheat is a grain that is grown in Kansas" cereal , cereal grass - grass whose starchy grains are used as food: wheat; rice; rye; oats; maize; buckwheat; millet 9. grain - the smallest possible unit of anything; "there was a grain of truth in what he said"; "he does not have a grain of sense" littleness , smallness - the property of having a relatively small size 10. grain - the direction, texture, or pattern of fibers found in wood or leather or stone or in a woven fabric; "saw the board across the grain" texture - the characteristic appearance of a surface having a tactile quality wood grain , woodgrain , woodiness - texture produced by the fibers in wood graining , woodgraining - a texture like that of wood 11. grain - the physical composition of something (especially with respect to the size and shape of the small constituents of a substance); "breadfruit has the same texture as bread"; "sand of a fine grain"; "fish with a delicate flavor and texture"; "a stone of coarse grain" physical composition , composition , make-up , makeup , constitution - the way in which someone or something is composed Verb penetrate , perforate - pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance; "The bullet penetrated her chest" 2. grain - paint (a surface) to make it look like stone or wood paint - apply paint to; coat with paint; "We painted the rooms yellow" 3. form - assume a form or shape; "the water formed little beads" 4. change form , change shape , deform - assume a different shape or form grain 1. seed , kernel , grist a grain of wheat 2. cereal , corn a bag of grain 4. texture , pattern , surface , fibre , weave , nap Brush the paint over the wood in the direction of the grain. see rice and other cereals grain noun A tiny amount: إتجاه الأليافبِذْرَه ، حَبَّه حَبَّة حبوبحُبوب zrnkozrnoobilízrnívlákno 1. (= single particle of wheat, sand etc) → grano m 2. (no pl) (= cereals) → cereales mpl (US) (= corn) → trigo m 3. (fig) [of sense, truth] → pizca f there's not a grain of truth in it → en eso no hay ni pizca de verdad with a grain of salt → con reservas 4. [of wood] → fibra f, hebra f; [of stone] → veta f, vena f; [of leather] → flor f; [of cloth] → granilla f (Phot) → grano m against the grain → a contrapelo to saw with the grain → aserrar a hebra it goes against the grain → no me pasa , no me entra 5. (Pharm) → grano m [salt, wheat, sand] → grain m a grain of truth → une once de vérité [wood] → fibre f it goes against the grain → cela va à l'encontre de sa (or ma ) naturegrain elevator n (US) → silo m à céréales grain no pl → Getreide nt, → Korn nt (of corn, salt, sand etc) → Korn nt; (fig, of sense, malice) → Spur f; (of truth) → Körnchen nt; (of hope) → Funke m; that’s a grain of comfort → das ist wenigstens ein kleiner Trost (of leather) → Narben m; (of cloth) → Strich m; (of meat) → Faser f; (of wood, marble) → Maserung f; (of stone) → Korn nt, → Gefüge nt; (Phot) → Korn nt; it goes against the (Brit) or my (US) grain (fig) → es geht einem gegen den Strich vt wood → masern ; leather, paper → narben grain a. (no pl, cereals) → cereali mpl (Am) (corn) → grano b. (single seed, of wheat, rice) → chicco , granello ; (particle, of sand, salt, sense) → grano , granello there's not a grain of truth in what you say → non c'è un briciolo di verità in quello che dici c. (of wood, marble) → venatura ; (of leather, also) (Phot) → grana it goes against the grain (fig) → va contro la mia (or la sua ) natura grain (grein) noun 1. a seed of wheat, oats etc. graan بِذْرَه ، حَبَّه зърно grão zrno das Korn korn κόκκος , σπυρί grano viljatera دانه jyvä grain גַרעִין תְּבוּאָה बीज zrno szem biji korn grano , chicco 穀粒 낟알, 알곡 grūdas grauds bijirin graankorrel korn ziarno غله، دانه، حب grão gră­unte, bob зернышко zrno zrno zrno sädeskorn เมล็ดธัญพืช buğday 穀粒 зернина غلے کا دانہ یا پودا thóc; gạo 谷粒 2. corn in general. Grain is ground into flour. graan حُبوب жито grão zrní das Korn korn δημητριακά cereal vili غلات vilja blé גרעין अनाज, अन्न žito gabona biji-bijian korn grano 穀物 곡물, 곡식 grūdai labība; graudi biji-bijian graan , koren korn zboże غله cereais grâu зерно zrno, obilie žito kukuruz korn, gryn ข้าวโพด tahıl 穀類 зерно مکئی ngũ cốc 谷类 3. a very small, hard particle. a grain of sand. korrel ذَرَّه частица grão zrnko das Korn korn κόκκος grano tera هر چیز ریز؛ ذره hyvä grain גרגיר तंतु रचना zrnce szem(cse) butir ögn, arða granello 微粒 아주 조금 grūdelis, kruopelė (sāls, smilšu) graudiņš butir-butir korreltje korn ziarnko ذره grão granulă крупинка, песчинка zrnko zrnce zrno korn เม็ดเล็ก ๆ tane , kırıntı 顆粒 крупинка سخت ذرہ hạt; hột 细粒 4. the way in which the lines of fibre run in wood, leather etc. draad, grein إتجاه الألياف влакнест строеж veio vlákno; léta; žilkování die Faser, die Maserung åre νερά, γραμμές ξύλου veta , fibra toim, maare جهت لایه ها و نقش و نگار puun syyn suunta fil מַעֲרַך סִיבִים तन्तुरचना smjer zrnate (vlaknaste) građe szélirány serat (æða)mynstur filo , venatura きめ (종이, 목재, 석재, 무두질한 가죽 등의) 조직, 결 rievės, skaidulos šķiedra; dzīsla ira draad ; nerf årring faktura د كښل شوي نقش خطونه veio nervură волокно vlákno; rok(y); žilkovanie porazdelitev vlaken v materialu god ådring ลายไม้ dammar, su 紋理 волокно, нитка جلد، لکڑی یا پتھر وغیرہ کی مخصوص بناوٹ thớ (gỗ) 纹理 5. a very small amount. There isn't a grain of truth in that story. sweempie waarheid ذَرَّة من зръннце pingo zrnko die Spur gran ίχνος , πολύ μικρή ποσότητα pizca , ápice kübeke ذره hitunen grain קורטוב , שמץ कण zrnce egy szemernyi sedikit agnarögn, sannleikskorn grano ほんの少し 극소량 kruopelytė, trupučiukas kripata sekelumit greintje , zier smule , grann źdźbło , szczypta ذره pingo dram крупица zrnko trohica trun gnutta, uns จำนวนน้อย nebze , zerre 一點兒 крупинка بہت تھوڑی مقدار một chút 一点儿 go against the grain to be against a person's wishes, feelings etc. It goes against the grain for me to tell lies. dit stuit teen die bors يسير ضد رَغْبَتِه أو ميله капка ser contra o feitio de být proti mysli das Wesen stride imod ens natur είναι αντίθετο στη φύση μου ir en contra de los principios/deseos/sentimientos de alguien vastukarva olema بر خلاف طینت کسی بودن olla vastoin luontoa à l'encontre de לִהיוֹת מְנוּגָד לְטִבעוֹ किसी की इच्छा या भावना इत्योदि के विपरीत जाना ne poštivati želje kedve ellenére berlawanan dengan sifat fara gegn straumnum (essere contro la propria inclinazione) 性分に合わない 기질에 맞지 않다 prieštarauti prigimčiai būt pretdabīgi bertentangan dengan tegen de borst stuiten , tegenstaan by en imot być przeciwnym czyjejś naturze د يو چا په خلاف اوسيدل ser contra o feitio de a fi împotriva dorinţei cuiva быть не по нутру byť proti mysli upirati se (komu) raditi protiv volje strida mot ngns natur, bjuda ngn emot ต่อต้านความรู้สึก huyuna/yaradılışına aykırı olmak; isteklerine aykırı olmak 違背...的意思 бути не до душі خواہشوں یا مزاج کے خلاف جانا trái ngược 违反意愿 grain
i don't know
What word, from a US dietary reformist, refers to unsifted wholewheat flour?
Cooking with the Bible - GRAINS Cooking with the Bible GRAINS Barley Barley (Hordeum vulgare), cultivated for food and livestock feed, is a member of the Grass family. Probably originating in the highlands of what is now Ethiopia, modern barley is thought to have descended from wild barley (H. spontaneum), which is still found in the Middle East, and to be one of the first plants cultivated for food. There is some archaeological evidence of domesticated barley in Syria by about 8000 b.c.e., but the first recorded mention of barley is in Egyptian hieroglyphics dating from 5000 b.c.e. and Sumerian cuneiform tablets from about 3500 b.c.e. It was being grown in northwestern Europe and in the Indus River valley by 3000 b.c.e. The two “immortal sons of heaven” of the early Vedic literature are barley and rice, and a 2800 b.c.e. Chinese writing lists barley among the five sacred crops of China (the others being soybeans, rice, wheat, and millet). The ancient Hebrews used barley extensively in bread-making. One of the plagues visited upon Pharaoh to convince him to let the Israelites leave Egypt was a rain of hailstones that ruined the barley (Exodus 9:31). Barley was one of the riches of the Promised Land that God held in store for the Israelites (Deuteronomy 8:8). Ruth arrived in Bethlehem with her mother-in-law, Naomi, at the beginning of the barley harvest and gleaned barley from the harvested fields (Ruth 1:22 and 2:17). Absalom destroyed Joab's barley fields to weaken his enemy (II Samuel 14:30). God instructed Ezekiel to make a bread with barley (Ezekiel 4:9). And Jesus took five barley loaves and fed 5,000 people, with such abundance that afterward his followers were able to collect twelve large baskets of leftover bread ( John 6:1–13). Barley was the chief grain of the Greek Homeric epics, and it may have been the venerated grain spike of the fertility rituals of the Demeter (“Mother-Goddess' or “Bringer of Seasons,” sometimes known as “Barley-mother”) cult of the ancient Greeks, who also fermented barley grain into a mildly alcoholic beverage. The ancient Romans preferred barley bread over all others and at one point even demanded a barley tribute from Carthage. Barley remained the major bread grain in Europe until the 16th century c.e. Spanish colonists planted barley in South America, and English colonists brought it to North America, where it thrived in Pennsylvania (and was later fermented with limestone water to make whiskey). Barley is low in gluten and does not respond to yeast, so it lost its popularity when leavened bread became the standard for bread-making. Nowadays barley is primarily used for feeding livestock and making beer, though where wheat is difficult to grow, barley remains an essential grain for the human table—in fact, it is the fourth most important cereal crop in the world. It is tolerant of both cold and salty conditions. Today, the major producers of barley are Russia, Canada, the Ukraine, Turkey, Spain, Australia, Morocco, the United States, Iraq, and Iran, in order of decreasing barley cultivation. Three species of barley are widely farmed, differing by the number of rows of kernels in the barley head: two-row barley (H. distichum), four-row barley (H. tetrastichum), and the most common, six-row barley (H. vulgare). The species differ in both protein and enzyme content, with two-row barley having less protein but more enzymes. Barley commonly is available in several forms: Flakes (or flaked barley) are flattened grains. Grits are barley grains that have been toasted and cracked into small pieces. Hulled barley is barley that has had only the outer, inedible hull removed; the bran remains, so it is rich in dietary fiber and iron and other minerals. Pearl (pearled) barley is barley that has been scoured during milling to completely remove the double husk and the bran layer. This process shortens the grain's cooking time but removes many nutrients. This is the form most commonly found in the supermarket. Pot (Scotch) barley is barley that has been scoured, but not quite so thoroughly as pearl barley, and the bran layer remains intact. Barley can be eaten alone or as a side dish, but it is often used in soups, casseroles, stuffings, stews, and salads. Chilled cooked barley can even be made into a pudding. In general, barley is high in calories and dietary fiber but low in fat and cholesterol. It provides vitamin B6, copper, folacin, iron, magnesium, manganese, niacin, phosphorus, thiamin, and zinc. [ top ] Barley Flour The grains of barley (Hordeum vulgare) can also be ground into flour, which can be made into breads and porridge. Indeed, barley bread is a staple of many regions where wheat is difficult to cultivate, as barley is hardy and can be grown in land that is unfriendly to wheat. [ top ] Basmati Basmati is a small, long-grained variety of rice. Its name comes from Hindi and means “queen of fragrance,” and it is justly famous for its aroma and flavor. Basmati has been grown on the Indian subcontinent for centuries and is one of the rices popular in the Middle East today. [ top ] Chickpea Flour Dried chickpeas (Cicer arietinum) can be ground into a versatile flour that can be used to make flatbreads and to thicken soups and stews. This flour can also bemixed with flours from other grains to create baked goods with different textures and flavors. Chickpeas are themain ingredient in hummus, a popular Middle Eastern dish. [ top ] Corn Corn (Zea mays) is one of the most versatile and important grain crops in the world, as corn production (600 million metric tons in 2003) has recently surpassed that of wheat. Also known as maize, sweetcorn, and Indian corn, corn is native to the Americas, growing wild in what is now southern Mexico as long as 70,000 years ago. Some botanists believe that Native Americans may have begun to bring corn under cultivation as early as 10,000 b.c.e. The earliest archaeological evidence of corn cultivation comes from the Guila Naquitz Cave in the Oaxaca Valley, Mexico, where tiny maize cobs dating from about 4250 b.c.e. have been discovered. As the wild varieties of corn yield very small edible portions, many centuries of selective cultivation and hybridization and perhaps many chance mutations must have been required to produce plants with ears large enough to be worth cultivating. By the time of Christopher Columbus' voyages, Native Americans from present-day Massachusetts to present-day Argentina were farming corn in silty river valleys, cutting and burning trees to clear the forests. In North America they tended to grow corn, squash, and beans in tandem; these plants worked together and were known as the Three Sisters: the corn provided support for the bean plants, and the squashes covered the ground and helped prevent weeds from taking over. Native Americans would use a particular plot for about a decade before allowing it to go back to the wild and moving on to another piece of land. In Central and South America, corn agriculture was the economic power base for the empires of the Toltecs, Aztecs, Mayans, and Incas. In the early 17th century corn helped save the starving survivors of both the Plymouth, Massachusetts, and the Jamestown, Virginia, colonies. Native Americans developed five different types of corn: Sweet corn for eating Flint (hard-grained) corn for feeding animals Dent (dimpled-grained) corn for feeding animals Popcorn, with kernels that explode when heated Flour corn, with soft kernels used for baking To mature properly, corn needs long hot summers and drying autumns. These types of corn (called maize in Europe) quickly made their way across the Atlantic, taking root in the Mediterranean region. North American settlers also took corn with them as they spread westward, planting it in the Ohio River valley and eventually converting much of the Great Plains of North America into cornfields. Now, about four centuries and many hybrids later, corn is farmed in places as diverse and widespread as France, China, India, Indonesia, South Africa, and Australia. Corn grows to a height of 7–10 feet. At the top of the plant is the flower, called the tassle, which drops pollen onto the tufts of silk that grow out from the joints where the leaves meet the stem. Pollinated silk develops the corn cobs, or ears, The Lore of the Ingredients each pollinated strand leading to a developed kernel of corn. Each kernel is about the size of a mature pea and is usually yellow or yellowish in color, though different varieties of corn may produce red, white, orange, and even blackish and brownish kernels. A single corn stem can produce half a dozen ears of corn, though modern hybrids can yield much more. Native Americans in Mexico used corn meal or corn flour to create tortillas and cornbread and used corn husks to make tamales. Farther north, local tribes baked corn paste into flat cakes called corn pones. North American pioneers called these cakes “journey-cakes,” or “johnny-cakes,” because they ate them on their way over the Appalachian Mountains. Farmers in Bourbon County, Kentucky, developed corn alcohol and used it to make bourbon whiskey. Nowadays, corn has many additional uses. Bleaching corn kernels with lye yields hominy. Coarsely grinding the kernels produces grits. Popcorn and cornflakes have become popular snacking and breakfast foods, respectively. Corn syrup is used in sweetening other prepared foods. Some corn is processed into ethanol, which is added to gasoline. Corn cobs and even corn kernels are used as heating and cooking fuel. Dried corn cobs are hollowed out into pipes, and some multicolored corns are grown for decorative purposes. Primarily, though, corn is grown to feed livestock. For example, in recent years U.S. livestock consumed 5.6 billion bushels of corn—57 percent of all the corn grown in the United States. In fact, 80 percent of all U.S. corn was fed to livestock around the world. But for the human table, corn has an incredible number of uses. Corn can be eaten fresh off the cob, or it can be made into soups, added to salads and salsas and vegetable dishes, pickled, creamed, used in casseroles and meat loaves, turned into relish, mixed in with muffin and bread batter, and prepared into puddings and custards. It can be barbecued, grilled, roasted, baked, boiled, fried, stir-fried, and steamed. It can also be ground into flour or pounded into paste and used in baking breads. Corn is relatively high in vitamin C, folacin, magnesium, phosphorus, and thiamin. It has no cholesterol, is low in fat, and provides a good amount of dietary fiber. In many parts of the world, the word “corn” is used to name the most common cereal grain, and the word “maize” is used to name what people in the Americas think of as corn. It is interesting to note that the King James Version of the Bible often refers to corn; however, corn is a uniquely American plant and would not have been known to the peoples of the Bible. Where it does appear, it should be properly translated as grain (barley, wheat, or some other type). [ top ] Cornmeal Also known as masa harina, mealie meal, and farina di granturco, cornmeal is made from corn (Zea mays) that is dried, then ground, either by hand with a stone or in a steel gristmill. Cornmeal that has been stone-ground includes the hull and germ and thus has a bit more flavor and nutrition than steel-ground cornmeal, for which the hull and germ have been removed. Stone-ground cornmeal is, however, more perishable. Blue cornmeal is made from grinding blue corn or by adding coloring to the cornmeal. Usually mixed with boiling water to form a thick mush, cornmeal becomes grits in the southern United States, polenta in Italy, and ugali, nsima, sadza, and mealie pap in different parts of Africa. Cornmeal is also the basis for cornbread, muffins, pancakes, johnny-cakes, hoecakes, cornpones, hush puppies, dumplings, waffles, biscuits, and even cookies, cakes, and puddings. [ top ] Couscous Couscous has been popular in North Africa since biblical times. It is a fine meal made from semolina, which is a coarsely ground durum wheat product. The name couscous comes from the Maghreb Arabic (north of the Sahara and west of the Nile River) kuskusu, which in turn comes from the Berber (of Algeria and Morocco) seksu. In northern Africa, parts of the Middle East, and France, couscous is usually served as a bedding beneath a spicy meat (chicken, lamb, or mutton), fish (or squid), or vegetable (such as carrot and turnip) stew. Couscous grains are usually about 1 /16 inch (1 millimeter) in diameter when cooked. Traditionally made by rolling the semolina grain by hand and then sieving the pellets to produce a batch of the proper size, couscous needs to be steamed rather than boiled to prevent it from sticking together in a large mass (though packaged couscous available in the United States has been pre-steamed and dehydrated so that only the addition of boiling water is required to make it ready to eat). [ top ] Cream of Wheat Also known as farina, cream of wheat is the finely milled endosperm of the wheat grain. While milling removes the bran and much of the germ of the wheat, cream of wheat is usually enriched with vitamins and minerals. It is consumed as a breakfast cereal or cooked like polenta. [ top ] Filo Also known as phyllo (from the Greek word phyllon, which means “leaf”), filo is a dough that is made in extremely thin layers, often leaf-thin or paper-thin. In traditional Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines, this dough is used to make pastries, such as bo¨rek in Turkey, byrek in Albania, sometimes pita in Greece, and strudel in Austria, Germany, and Hungary. Layers of filo can be stuffed with apples (apfelstrudel), cheese (peynir bo¨rek and tiropita), chicken (tavuklu bo¨rek and kotopita), meats (kiymah bo¨rek and kreatopita), nuts and syrup (baklava), potatoes, cherries, or spinach and feta (ispanak bo¨rek and spanakopita). It can also be served sprinkled with powdered sugar (sekerli bo¨rek). [ top ] Flour “Flour” is a term used to describe any soft, dry powder that comes from the grinding of grain, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, even fish—though “flour” usually signifies a grain product. Finely ground grain has been used since prehistoric times, and for most of that time grain kernels were ground between stones. Nowadays, mechanical rollers are used to mill flour. Because of the importance of wheat in agriculture and cooking, and because of its gluten content, which gives wheat dough strength, elasticity, and the ability to rise, wheat flour is processed into a wide variety of products. There are two main types: refined wheat and whole wheat. Refined wheat flour, sometimes called white flour, represents the vast majority of flour available today. To make this flour, only the endosperm of the wheat kernels is milled. The result is a very light flour with an unequaled ability to rise. However, loss of the bran and germ from the kernels before milling means a significant decrease in the amount of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals present in the flour, so white flour is often enriched with iron, thiamin, niacin, calcium, vitamin D, and riboflavin. Some of the kinds of white flour available are: All-purpose flour (also called family, plain, white, or general-purpose flour), which is made from blending soft and hard wheats. This flour usually comes presifted, which means that it has been milled to a very fine level and aerated to make it lighter. Bleached flour, which is treated with chemicals to turn the naturally yellow flour a white color. This process also accelerates the flour's gluten-making capability (natural aging of flour does the same at a slower rate). Bread flour, which is made from hard wheat with a high gluten content that promotes the quick rising of bread dough. Bromated flour, which contains a maturing agent that develops the gluten in the flour. Maturing agents include bromate, phosphate, ascorbic acid, and malted barley. Cake flour, which is made from soft wheat. It is an extremely fine flour with a low gluten content. Durum flour, which has the highest protein content of all flour and, thus, produces the most gluten. Durum flour is often used to make pastas. Farina, which is used in pastas and cereals. Gluten flour, which has about twice the gluten potential of other flours. It often strengthens other low-gluten flours. Instant flour (also called instant-blending, quick-mixing, or granulated flour), which has a very powdery texture and high starch content. It mixes quickly with liquids and serves to thicken sauces and gravies. Pastry flour (also called cookie or cracker flour), which is suitable for light pastries because its gluten content lies between that of cake flour and that of all-purpose flour. Self-rising flour, which contains salt, leavening (such as baking soda or baking powder), and a substance to start the process. It is made from soft wheat. Semolina, which is milled from durum wheat. It is high in protein and is used in pastas and breads. Whole wheat flour is made by recombining the ground bran and germ with the milled endosperm of the wheat kernels. Sometimes called graham flour, whole wheat flour has more fiber, vitamin E, B vitamins, minerals, and proteins than even enriched white flour. However, the bran decreases the flour's ability to develop gluten, so whole wheat flour produces baked goods that are denser than those made with white flour. There are many types of non-wheat flours, which generally have little or no gluten and so will not rise. Some of these flours include: Amaranth flour, which is ground from amaranth (Amaranthus genus) seeds. It has more fiber than wheat and rice flours and more protein than most others. Amaranth flour is good for making cookies, cereals, and crackers. Arrowroot flour, which is milled from the roots of the maranta plant (Maranta arundinacea). This tropical plant's roots are extremely high in starch, and the flour is very easy to digest. Buckwheat flour, which is ground from buckwheat. It is used for pancakes and Japanese soba noodles. Cornmeal flour, which is made from corn. Oat flour, which is milled from oats. Potato flour, which is also called potato starch. Made from steamed, dried, and ground potatoes, it is used to make breads, cakes, and pancakes and to thicken sauces. Rye flour, which is ground from rye grains (Secale cereale). Soy flour, which is used to increase the protein content of baked items. It is made from ground, defatted soybeans (Glycine max). Tapioca flour, which comes from ground cassava (Manihot esculenta) root. It is used to thicken puddings, pies, and soups. Triticale flour, which is made from triticale (X Triticosecale), a wheat-rye hybrid. In general, flour does not store very well. It absorbs moisture from the air and can develop strange flavors and yield unpredictable results. If flour is to be stored for longer than a month or two, it can be frozen to keep it fresh. Grain flours are basic to many biblical meals, though “flour” is specifically mentioned only a handful of times in the scriptures. [ top ] Matzoh Matzoh, also known as matzo, matzah, and matza, is an unleavened bread (bread that does not rise; made without yeast or any leavening) made from flour and water. It is one of the main foods of the Jewish Passover meal. According to the account in Exodus (chapters 11 and 12), God sent several plagues to Egypt to convince Pharaoh to allow Moses to lead the Israelites out of bondage. The final plague, the death of the firstborn males of Egypt, was a frightful curse that caused Pharaoh to let the Israelites leave his land. God spared the Israelites from this plague by instructing them, through Moses, to mark the doors of their homes with the blood of a newly slaughtered lamb, to prepare a quick meal of roasted lamb, bitter herbs, and unleavened bread, and to eat the meal with their sandals on and their belts around their waists, in preparation for a hasty departure. The unleavened bread used at Passover (for the plague “passed over” the houses of the Israelites) has come to be known as matzoh. According to some Jewish traditions and laws, Passover meals may not include any wheat, barley, spelt, rye, or oats unless they are dry-roasted or made into matzoh. Any dough made from these five grains during Passover must be baked or otherwise used within eighteen minutes (eighteen being a sacred number) of the time the dough is moistened or it cannot be considered unleavened. Matzoh can be ground into meal, which can be substituted for flour during Passover cooking. [ top ] Millet “Millet” is a name used to denote a number of small-seeded species of cereal crops grown world-wide for food and fodder (both for livestock and for pet birds). This group includes pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), foxtail millet (Setaria italica), proso millet (Panicum miliaceum), finger millet (Eleusine coracana), barnyard millet (Echinochloa spp.), kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum), little millet (Panicum sumatrense), guinea millet (Brachiaria deflexa), browntop millet (Urochloa ramosa), teff (Eragrostis tef), and fonio (Digitaria exilis). Sorghum (Sorghum spp.) and Job's tears (Coix lacrima-jobi) are sometimes included among the millets. Some botanists believe that the various millets probably originated in northern Africa; others believe millets are native to Asia. Wherever they first sprang up, millets have been a staple in Asia, India, parts of the Middle East, and parts of Africa for millennia. In fact, some archaeologists speculate that millet in some form may have been the very first cultivated cereal (though others give that distinction to wheat). The first written record of millet dates from a 2800 b.c.e. Chinese writing that lists millet among the five sacred crops of China (the others being soybeans, rice, wheat, and barley). Millet was grown in India during prehistoric times, and millet remains have been found in Swiss lake settlements of the 3rd millennium b.c.e., though millet did not become common in Europe until the 1st millennium b.c.e. It seems that millet migrated to Europe via the Eurasian steppes and not by the Mediterranean sea routes. Millet was among the plants in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon (about 2300 b.c.e.) and is mentioned in the Old Testament (Ezekiel 4:9), so it was known to the peoples of the Bible. The ancient Gauls and Etruscans were growing millet before the arrival of the Romans. Charlemagne (8th century c.e.) had millet stocked as a food for Lent, and Marco Polo (13th century) reported vast quantities of millet in China. Europeans grew more millet than wheat during the Middle Ages. Millets are extremely hardy cereals, thriving in the wild but also responding well to cultivation. In general, they go dormant during times of drought but grow quite fervently when water returns. Millets thus manage very well in monsoon climates, from the Arabian Sea to China. All of the millets have tiny seeds, which are spread and sown easily by small birds or the wind. Millet seeds store well (some can keep for up to five years if unthreshed), making any of the millets the perfect grain to keep in reserve against times of famine. However, the tiny seeds are somewhat difficult to handle and contain no gluten, so millet flour will not rise and is suitable for flatbread only. Many people also consider millet grain to taste inferior to other grains. Millet grain can be cooked or prepared in the same way as other grains. It can be simmered like rice, prepared as a pilaf, or steamed like couscous. If prepared as a hot cereal, it blends well with milk, fruit, and yogurt. It can be added to hamburger and meatloaves, casseroles, and soups. Mixed with cucumbers and tomatoes, millet grain makes a light side dish. It can even be added to cookies or mixed with honey and fruit as desserts. Millet grain is high in phosphorus, magnesium, thiamin, folacin, iron, manganese, and copper. It has no cholesterol and is low in protein but rich in carbohydrates. [ top ] Oat Bran Oat bran is the outer layer of oat groats (see oats). Available in bulk or as a cereal, oat bran has fewer calories than whole oats but more dietary fiber and higher concentrations of magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and thiamin. [ top ] Oatmeal Oatmeal is made from processed oats. In most of the English-speaking world, oatmeal refers to any coarsely ground grain such as cornmeal, wheatmeal, and peasemeal. In North America, however, oatmeal means crushed, rolled, or cut oats, as well as the porridge made from these oats. Oatmeal has many uses in the kitchen: as an ingredient in cookies and cakes, as a poultry stuffing, even as a cheese coating. Oatmeal has also been used in alcoholic beverages, in cosmetics, in soaps, and in topical medicines. Oatmeal as a porridge, combined with brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, or maple syrup; butter or margarine; milk, cream, or yogurt; raisins, apples, or other fruits, makes a filling and tasty breakfast. Certain medical studies have indicated that eating a bowl of oatmeal daily can help lower cholesterol. Other studies have shown that oatmeal may help reduce the risk of heart disease. In both cases, a low-fat diet is recommended as well. [ top ] Oats Oats (Avena sativa) are a plant of cool climates and probably originated in the greater region of northern Germany. They do not require much summer heat (in fact, they go dormant if it gets too hot) and are tolerant of rain, cold, and even late frosts or snow. An annual, oats are planted either in the fall for late summer harvest (or plowed under in the spring to serve as green fertilizer) or in the spring for early autumn harvest. Some archaeologists claim that oats did not enter cultivation until the 1st century c.e.; others assert that oats were being grown in Germany, Denmark, and Switzerland by 1000 b.c.e., and perhaps even earlier. Although both the ancient Greeks and Romans knew of oats, they used this grain sparingly, and oats never established firm roots in the Mediterranean region. Oats would not have been known to the peoples of the Bible (though modern Middle Eastern cooks sometimes use oats in their recipes). Though many peoples have readily used oats as livestock feed, just as many have disdained oats for human consumption. Oats were particularly favored in Scotland and other Celtic lands and in Germany, and cooks of the Middle Ages placed bags of oatmeal in kettles while cooking salted foods, as the oats would absorb enough of the salt to make the rest of the meal palatable. Oats are generally available in only a few forms: as oat groats, which are whole kernels that can be cooked like rice; steel-cut oats, which are groats that have been sliced lengthwise and so require longer cooking times (about twenty minutes); and rolled oats, which are flattened kernels that cook relatively quickly (about five minutes). Oat bran, the outer layer of oat groats, is also available in bulk or as a cereal. While oat bran has fewer calories than whole oats, it has more dietary fiber and higher concentrations of magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and thiamin. Oats are one of the main ingredients in granola and muesli. Groats can be prepared like a pilaf and resemble the taste of wheatberries; they can be added to steamed or grilled vegetables, soups, stews, stuffings, poultry or fish breadings, wheat breads and muffins, cookies, cakes, and even pancakes. Oats do not contain gluten and so constitute a safe grain for people who are wheat- or gluten-intolerant. [ top ] Potato Flour Potato flour is made by steaming, then drying, then grinding potatoes (Solanum tuberosum). Breads, biscuits, pancakes, and cakes can be made using potato flour, which is also used as a thickener for sauces. [ top ] Rice Rice (Oryza sativa) has been the staple food of more than half the world's population since prehistoric times. Rice is native to Asia (probably northern Thailand, where rice grains have been found at an archaeological site dating to 3500 b.c.e.). Rice was named one of the two “immortal sons of heaven” in the early Vedic literature (along with barley) by about 3000 b.c.e., though the documents themselves, along with carbonized rice grains found in Uttar Pradesh, date from about 1000 b.c.e. A 2800 b.c.e. Chinese writing lists rice among the five sacred crops of China (the others being soybeans, barley, wheat, and millet), and rice husks mixed with potsherds (pottery fragments) dating from 2000 b.c.e. have been found in China. Rice was also the basis for an ancient Chinese dish called the Eight Marvels, made from rice, oil, onions, mushrooms, pork, ham, eggs, and soybean sauce. Rice made its way to Japan by the 1st century b.c.e., though it had reached all of southeastern Asia, the Philippine islands, and Indonesia much earlier. Moving westward, rice became one of the most important foods of the Middle East. Brought to Spain by the Moors in the 8th or 9th century c.e., it became the basis for paella. From there it made its way to Italy, certainly by the 15th century, and became the famous Italian risotto. It arrived in North America in the late 17th century and is now a major export of the United States. It is also an important crop in the West Indies, parts of Central America, and Brazil. Needing warm, wet climates to thrive, rice can be divided into two types: paddy rice and upland rice. Paddy rice is grown in fields that are flooded for most of the growing season; the water prevents the growth of weeds, and the fields are drained when it is time to harvest. Upland rice does not require flooding but does need wet soil, and this rice is often grown in terraced fields. Rice is either long-grain, medium-grain, or short-grain and is available in four forms: brown, white, aromatic, and glutinous: Brown rice is the most nutritious because only the husk is removed during milling; the bran is left intact, so brown rice has more fiber, folacin, iron, riboflavin, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, and manganese than white rice. It also has vitamin E, which is absent in all the other rices. White rice, also called milled rice, is the more popular type of rice. White rice has had the husk, bran, and most of the germ removed during milling. It is worth noting that much white rice is enriched after milling to replace the nutrients lost in the milling process. Aromatic rices are long-grained and have a nutty or toasty flavor. These include basmati, jasmine, texmati, wehani, and wild pecan rices. Glutinous (sweet) rice is short-grained, starchy, and sticky; it turns translucent when cooked. Rice, in general, is high in calories; it also has significant amounts of vitamin B6. Rice dishes can be plain or elaborate. Cooking rice in broth or adding spices and herbs to the water will add a great deal of flavor. Any number of vegetables, nuts, fruits, spices, sauces, and dressings can be added to rice after it is cooked. Rice has become a necessary part of curries, gumbos, goulashes, stews, and stirfries and can replace pasta in many dishes. It can also be added to soups, stuffings, and salads. Rice pilaf and risotto are specialty dishes that are relatively easy to prepare. Rice can even be made into a dessert pudding. [ top ] Rye Closely related to wheat, rye (Secale cereale) is thought by some to be native to Asia and to have spread westward as a weed, and by others to be native to northern Europe and to have spread southward and eastward. Wherever it originated, it was being cultivated in Britain, Germany, and central Europe by 1000 b.c.e. It was known in ancient Greece, but not in ancient Rome, Egypt, or India. In the Middle Ages, rye was the principal cereal crop in north-central Europe and Russia. Although some versions of the Bible incorrectly identify a certain rough-grained wheat as “rye,” it is unlikely that what we know as rye was known to the peoples of the Bible. Rye, however, is commonly used by Jews of the Diaspora, particularly those who settled in Eastern Europe and Russia. Rye proliferates under conditions that are too wet or too cold for other grains, so it became a staple of Scandinavia, Russia, and northeastern Europe. Another reason for its prevalence is that rye breads have a much longer shelf-life than wheat breads; like wheat, rye contains gluten (which makes bread rise) and other grains do not. French colonists were probably the first to plant rye in the Americas—in Nova Scotia in 1606. Dutch and English colonists also brought rye to New England, where it grew much better than wheat and became a staple of breadbaking (such as Boston brown bread) and a cereal grain. Whole rye is available as Whole rye berries, also called whole kernels or groats, which resemble wheatberries; Cracked rye, which are whole groats cracked open; and Rye flakes, which are made by heating and then pressing the berries. Whole rye can be prepared as a casserole or added to soups. Rye flakes can serve as a hot breakfast cereal, like oatmeal. Cracked rye can be added to soups or prepared as a pilaf or hot cereal. Rye is very high in dietary fiber, calories, and carbohydrates, high in protein, and very low in cholesterol. It provides significant amounts of vitamins B6 and E, copper, folacin, iron, magnesium, manganese, niacin, phosphorus, riboflavin, thiamin, and zinc. Unfortunately, rye sometimes gets sick with ergot (contamination by the parasitic fungus Claviceps purpurea), which causes uncontrollable and violent muscular fits and hallucinations, and sometimes death, in humans who consume it. Over history, instances of ergot poisoning have often been attributed to spells cast by witches or to demon possession, and many historians believe that the citizens of Salem, Massachusetts, who were hanged as witches in 1692 were convicted because the town's rye had been contaminated and caused the townspeople to exhibit odd behaviors. Rye Flour Rye flour is made by grinding rye seeds (Secale cereale). There are three types of rye flour: Light, sometimes called “bolted,” which has been sifted to remove the germ and bran Medium Dark, which is unsifted and has more fiber Rye flour is most often used to make bread and crackers. [ top ] Tahini Also known as tehina in Hebrew, tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds. In Middle Eastern markets, tahini is available fresh, in cans, in jars, or dehydrated. The sesame seeds are also available, either hulled or unhulled. Tahini made from unhulled seeds is bitter but it has more vitamins, calcium, and protein than tahini made from hulled seeds. Tahini is a major ingredient in hummus and other vegetable and meat dishes. It is also used as a spread on bread, as the base for a sauce with lemon juice and garlic, or as a side dish by itself. [ top ] Wheat It might easily be said that wheat is the most important cereal crop in the world, for wheat nourishes more people than any other grain. One of the oldest cultivated grains—and perhaps the first crop deliberately planted and raised for harvest—wheat is believed to be descended from a wild grass, probably einkorn, native to Asia Minor, somewhere between modern-day Afghanistan and Ethiopia. Stone Age people began growing wheat before 6000 b.c.e., and it has been found in archaeological sites dating from that era as far from its origins as the French Pyrenees. Wheat kernels have also been found at a site in Turkey dating from 5500 b.c.e. Sumerian writings of 3100 b.c.e. (Sumerian being the oldest known written language) describe how wheat was used for making bread and beer. Thereafter, the cultivation of wheat was recorded in ancient Babylonia, Mesopotamia, and Egypt. Egyptian pictorial representations of wheat date from earlier than 2600 b.c.e. Wheat was cultivated in India by 2500 b.c.e. and in China perhaps by 2800 b.c.e. Wheat is frequently mentioned in the Bible, and the Israelites would probably have learned how to leaven bread dough from the Egyptians, though the escape from Egypt may have happened so quickly that there would have been no time to take the leavening mixture with them. This would explain the commemorative meal of unleavened bread. When they finally reached the Promised Land, the Israelites may have begun to cultivate “yeast,” by which was meant the froth of any fermenting liquid. This froth would have been used in making raised bread, though the entire process by which real yeast causes dough to rise was not understood until the 19th century when Louis Pasteur discovered that yeast is a living organism. The ancient Greeks imported most of their wheat from Egypt and Sicily and the Black Sea lands. Carthage, Malta, and Gaul were very important regions of wheat agriculture during the Roman Empire. Wheat agriculture continued to spread north, to Britain by the 7th century c.e. and to the Baltic by the 13th century. The Moorish colonization of Spain and southern Europe was nearly disastrous for European wheat production; the Moors brought barberry, which is an intermediate host for the parasite that causes black stem rust in wheat. In France, rye overran the wheat fields during Renaissance times, and the French could not separate the wheat from the rye until the 19th century. As a result, England became the primary supplier of wheat to Europe, with occasional help from Russia, which had become a great wheat-growing country. Christopher Columbus was the first to plant wheat in the Americas, at Isabela, Puerto Rico. Wheat did not grow well in the Caribbean, but Spanish conquistadors brought it to modern-day Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, and California. Native Americans of the southwestern United States began to cultivate wheat, and wheat came to New England and Virginia early in the 17th century with the Dutch explorers and the English settlers. But wheat did not truly flourish in these areas. Not until the early 18th century, when wheat was planted in the Mississippi Valley, did wheat agriculture really establish itself in the Americas. Wheat is tolerant and adaptable and is now grown virtually world-wide, though Australia, the United States, Canada, Argentina, and Russia grow the vast majority of the world's wheat today. Although there are more than thirty thousand varieties of wheat grown world-wide, agronomists and botanists now divide wheat into six classes based upon their planting season, the hardness of their grain, and the color of their kernels. These classes are Hard Red Winter, Hard Red Spring, Soft Red Winter, Hard White, Soft White, and Durum. The winter wheats, planted in the fall, lie dormant until the spring and may be harvested in early summer. The spring wheats are sown in the early spring and harvested in late summer. The harder wheats have a greater protein-to-starch ratio than the others, and Durum is the hardest of all. Bread and all-purpose flours are ground from the kernels of Hard Red Winter, Hard Red Spring, and Hard White. Baking flour comes from Soft Red Winter and Soft White. Pastas are made from Durum. Aside from grinding and milling wheat into flour, there are numerous ways to process and use whole-wheat products. Bulgur, produced when whole-wheat kernels are steamed, dried, and cracked, is used for pilaf, cereal, and tabbouleh. Wheatberries (also known as groats) are whole, untreated wheat kernels; with a nutlike flavor, they often work as a side dish or an accompaniment to main dishes. Cracked wheat, made from ground wheatberries, is often served as a breakfast cereal; it can also be mixed into baking recipes and substituted for bulgur or rice or other grains in most dishes. Farina, milled from the endosperm of the wheat grains, is almost exclusively used as a breakfast cereal. Rolled wheat (also known as wheat flakes) is made by flattening whole wheatberries and can be used in baking or cooked as hot cereal. Wheatena, a finely cracked wheat product, is used as a hot cereal. Simmering is the usual way of cooking wheatberries, cracked wheat, and bulgur. Whole wheatberries can be sprouted, and the sprouts can be used like bean sprouts, or allowed to grow longer and used as wheat grass. Bulgur, rolled wheat, farina, and wheatena can be cooked by steeping. Whole-wheat products are high in dietary fiber and can be beneficial to those with a family history of colorectal cancer. Whole wheat is also a good source of protein, B vitamins, iron, magnesium, and manganese. [ top ] Wild Rice Contrary to common belief, wild rice is not a type of rice but a type of grass that grows in shallow water, in lakes, ponds, and streams. There are four main species of wild rice: Northern wild rice (Zizania palustris), native to the Great Lakes region of North America; it is an annual plant. Wild rice (Z. aquatica), native to the Saint Lawrence River and the North American Atlantic and Gulf coasts; it is also an annual plant. Texas wild rice (Z. texana), limited to the San Marcos River in Texas; it is a perennial plant. Manchurian wild rice (Z. latifolia), native to China; it is a perennial. Now cultivated primarily in Minnesota, wild rice is relatively expensive, but it was once a staple of the diet of the Chippewa and the Dakota. It is high in calories and higher in protein and iron, zinc, thiamin, niacin, and vitamin B6 than true rices. Wild rice is cooked in much the same way as true rices, though it may have a somewhat chewy texture. It also has a nutty flavor that makes it enjoyable to eat. It is a nutritious substitute for traditional rice, though it would not have been known by the peoples of the Bible.
Graham
The long-standing flag of New Zealand (to 2015) has how many stars, based on Crux, the Southern Cross constellation?
Cholesterol Chart: Cholesterol in Foods and Saturated Fats in Foods The Professionals behind www.CholesterolCholestrol.com Donald Urquhart,(BA & DipAppPsy), Fully Registered Psychologist. A past cholesterol sufferer. Dr James Hogg, (BSc Oxon, MBBS & BA Hons), Medical Doctor, experienced and trained. A great addition to www.CholesterolCholestrol.com Michael T. Sapko, M.D., Ph.D.,Trained as a Doctor, but preferred writing more. Excellent that he chose to write for www.CholesterolCholestrol.com too! Loni Ice, (CphT), Certified Pharmacy Technician - the one behind the counter you ask for help from with your cholesterol medication and drugs. Strong interest in healing herbs. Chris Urquhart, Student, studying for a social work degree. Has a passion for medical and veterinarian history and provides back up support. Not yet qualified to write for CholesterolCholestrol.com, but very useful indeed. Cant see all the site links? Scroll down so that the topic you are interested in is at the top of the screen and mouse over. Site appears to display best in IE, eg IE7. Screen resolution about 1200+ wide. CHOLESTEROL CHART OF FOODS INCLUDING AMOUNTS OF SATURATED FAT, FAT AND CALORIES IN COMMON FOODS. The actual Cholesterol Chart / Cholesterol Table is a little bit further down the page. By using the cholesterol chart, you may reduce your cholesterol levels by utilising the knowledge of the cholestero l and saturated fats in foods. I purchased the rights to duplicate an exhaustive cholesterol table right here, which I modified to make more appropriate for a cholesterol sufferer. The cholesterol chart is derived from the Dept of Agriculture, USA and the unmodified table can be found on many websites. For around 75% of people, the consumption of high cholesterol food is nothing to worry about, as their liver compensates by lowering it's cholesterol production. However, for those of us with high cholesterol, our liver cannot compensate enough, as our bodies are just being overwhelmed by the shear quantity of cholesterol we have in our blood streams, often caused by wrong diet - so high cholesterol foods should be avoided and lower cholesterol foods encouraged, and we need to monitor our high cholesterol levels to make sure they are lowering.  Cholesterol charts ands tables are invaluable for assisting that process. Saturated fat, on the other hand, is processed by the body into blood cholesterol and it is very important to monitor the intake of saturated fat and to minimize it's consumption.  Saturated Fat and Cholesterol charts and tables again can be of incredible value for keeping tabs on the saturated fat in food and drinks. You may want to visit our Cholesterol Guidelines and Saturated Fat Guidelines page to find out what the recommended guidelines are.  You may also find the CHOLESTEROL DIET page more to your liking - it's a cholesterol meal planner.  If you are really new to the cholesterol scene, then the sample cholesterol diet may be beneficial. Another page you may be interested in is our Cholesterol supplement page , where you can find out about an online cholesterol supplement and how it can be helpful. So, whether your after the cholesterol in eggs, or the turkey cholesterol, or the shrimp cholesterol, or the ham cholesterol - trying to answer questions like " Is shrimp high in cholesterol ? " before that special meal - then you can use the cholesterol chart below to help find the cholesterol and saturated fat content easily.   Our cholesterol chart covers the cholesterol and saturated fat in around 1000 highly used foods and drinks. The Warnings and Precautions When Using Saturated Fat and Cholesterol Charts and Tables (Things to be aware of when working out your daily consumption of cholesterol and saturated fat): Ever wondered how accurate or meanigful that saturated fat and cholesterol food label, chart or table really is?  Well, here's the answer: Cholesterol and Saturated Fat Charts and Tables - Weights and Measures Frequently 0 mgs of cholesterol often means less than 0.5 milligrams of cholesterol. Due to the small amounts of saturated fats we are talking about, working in fractions of an ounce is cumbersome, so people work in grams, which is the basis of most web sites - US and otherwise. If you are not familiar with grams, don't worry, you will NOT be asked to weigh anything in grams. You will see how much quicker and easier it is to then compare the saturated fat of foods. When the word ounce is used, it is essentially equivalent of the Australian, American, English, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish ounce. For those living in France or Germany, for example, their native ounce is much heavier, by about 10%, which means that if they were to use the ounce measurements, they would need to increase the saturated fat and cholesterol figures we provide on this web site by about 10% . To my knowledge, the metric system is the same from one country to the next, so people working exclusively with our gram figures don't need to worry about ounces or differences between countries.   Saturated Fat and Cholesterol Tables and Charts are about Averages of a food. One of the things I came to realise about food composition - levels of cholesterol, fat, ... in the food - was that people present very nice tables of very precise information regarding how much fat, cholesterol, saturated fat and so on is in food. I even purchased the rights to duplicate such an exhaustive food table here - it is derived from the Dept of Agriculture, USA and the table can be found on many web sites. You know, I've since realised that no matter who makes the table or where it's made or how many decimal points are included in the food table, the table gives, at best, only an approximation of the food content. Think about it, beef for example, the fat content of the cow or steer changes from one animal to the next, from one paddock to the next, from one farm to the next, from one breed to another breed, from one climate to another climate .... See, all those decimal points may help you put your faith in this table or that table, but in the end, such precision is actually of little value. So really, keep that in mind that no matter what table you are using on food composition - the food you are eating is probably a little, maybe even a lot different to the food that was analysed in the table in the book you may be reading.   Food Labels are often based on food tables. As a human, we have to accept such vagaries in life. It is, however, possible to get round this problem: Just get into the habit of reading the food labels on foods that have them.  This is not necessarily accurate either, as the label on the packaging may be based on a food table, more than likely it is!  Seldom will a manufacturer actually perform a food composition test of it's products for cholesterol and saturated fat. If you do that, you will soon realise that the food label provides the most accurate information about the food you are eating and you will quickly pick up some key realisations; such as, lite often refers to reduced fat content, but it also often means the fat has been substituted by sugar - calorie wise, there is often not much difference.   The usefullness of Saturated Fat and Cholesterol Food Tables and Charts However, food tables like the ones I present here is useful for raw foods, which typically don't have the information you want - ever seen a carrot with a food composition label on it? Food tables are also of value to initially get started with, you can quickly see the cholesterol ... in the foods you normally consume and can look for alternatives to the the high cholesterol and high saturated fat foods, before you even get to the supermarket, so you are not left wondering what am I going to be able to buy. The Cholesterol Diet Plan I presented are based on several food tables and reading the composition tables on packaged foods. Many, many hours were spent going over and working out how best to present the information in a user friendly form. I believe I succeeded. Most people, I think, like me, when confronted with the need to reduce their cholesterol levels through diet manipulation, don't want food tables, they want to know, be told to some extent, how to put together a cholesterol diet quickly which satisfies their preferences in food. I sincerely trust that my Cholesterol Diet Plan has achieved this for you. I know in putting the cholesterol diet plan together over the last few days that I benefited as well by improving my eating behavior yet again. You know, I've since realised that no matter who makes the cholesterol chart, or how many decimal points are included in the cholesterol chart, it gives, at best, only an approximation of the food composition. Think about it, beef for example, the cholesterol and saturated fat content of the cow or steer changes from one animal to the next, from one paddock to the next, from one farm to the next, from one breed to another breed, from one climate to another climate .... See, all those decimal points may help you put your faith in this cholesterol chart table or that cholesterol chart table, but in the end, such precision is actually of little value. So, keep that in mind, no matter what cholesterol chart or food table you are using - the food you are eating is probably a little different, may be a lot different to the food that was analysed. It is, however, possible to get round this problem somewhat: Get into the habit of reading the food labels on foods. Doing that, you will soon realise it provides the most accurate information about the food you are eating and you will quickly pick up some key realisations; such as, lite often refers to reduced fat content, but it also often means the fat has been substituted by sugar. Calorie wise, there is often not much difference. Cholesterol charts, like the one presented below, have much value when food is not labelled with it's own little composition chart, or when trying to work out what you can look at buying in the supermarket with out spending the whole time just reading labels - which is what can happen when you first learn you have high cholesterol and go shopping. Food tables on the food packaging, although normally better than general food composition tables as a guide to what you are eating, are also normally NOT derived from the manufacturer testing their food! Rather, the food table on the packaging is normally derived from food tables kept by governments or private enterprises - They are still only an approximation. Though one would expect a better approximation. Please note that 0 in our cholesterol chart means less than 0.5 milligrams of cholesterol or what ever. CHOLESTEROL CHART / TABLE INFORMATION IS BELOW Due to the physical size of our cholesterol chart, please wait for the page to load. SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD Fat includes saturated fat within it. SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Food Energy, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat (Grams),(Calories),(Milligrams),(Grams), (Grams) 1000 ISLAND, SALAD DRESSING, LOW CALORIE 1 TABLESPOON 2 25 2 15 0.2 1000 ISLAND, SALAD DRESSING, REGULAR 1 TABLESPOON 6 60 4 16 1 100% NATURAL CEREAL 1 OUNCE .... 6 135 0 28 4.1 40% BRAN FLAKES, KELLOGG'S .................. 1 OUNCE .... 1 90 0 28 0.1 40% BRAN FLAKES, POST 1 OUNCE .... 0 90 0 28 0.1 ALL-BRAN CEREAL 1 OUNCE .... 1 70 0 28 0.1 ALFALFA SEEDS, SPROUTED, RAW 1 CUP .... 0 10 0 33 0 ALMONDS, SLIVERED ........................... 1 CUP .... 70 795 0 135 6.7 ALMONDS, WHOLE 1 OUNCE .... 15 165 0 28 1.4 ANGELFOOD CAKE, FROM MIX 1 CAKE .... 2 1510 0 635 0.4 ANGELFOOD CAKE, FROM MIX ................... 1 PIECE .... 0 125 0 53 0 APPLE JUICE, CANNED 1 CUP .... 0 115 0 248 0 APPLE PIE 1 PIE .... 105 2420 0 945 27.4 APPLE PIE 1 PIECE ........ 18 405 0 158 4.6 APPLESAUCE, CANNED, SWEETENED 1 CUP ........ 0 195 0 255 0.1 APPLESAUCE, CANNED, UNSWEETENED 1 CUP ........ 0 105 0 244 0 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat APPLES, DEHYDRATED, SULFURED 10 RINGS ........ 0 155 0 64 0 APPLES, RAW, PEELED, SLICED 1 CUP ....... 0 65 0 110 0.1 APPLES, RAW, UNPEELED, 2 PER POUND 1 APPLE ....... 1 125 0 212 0.1 APPLES, RAW, UNPEELED, 3 PER POUND ........... 1 APPLE ....... 0 80 0 138 0.1 APRICOT NECTAR, NO ADDED VITAMIN C 1 CUP ....... 0 140 0 251 0 APRICOTS, CANNED, JUICE PACK 1 CUP ....... 0 120 0 248 0 APRICOTS, CANNED, JUICE PACK 3 HALVES ....... 0 40 0 84 0 APRICOTS, DEHYDRATED, COOKED, UNSWEETENED 1 CUP ....... 0 210 0 250 0 APRICOTS, DEHYDRATED, UNCOOKED 1 CUP ....... 1 310 0 130 0 APRICOTS, RAW 3 APRICOTS ....... 0 50 0 106 0 APRICOT, CANNED, HEAVY SYRUP .................. 1 CUP ........ 0 215 0 258 0 APRICOT, CANNED, HEAVY SYRUP 3 HALVES ........ 0 70 0 85 0 ARTICHOKES, GLOBE, COOKED, DRAINED 1 ARTICHOKE ..... 0 55 0 120 0 ASPARAGUS, COOKED FARM FROZEN, DRAINED, CUT 1 CUP ........ 1 50 0 180 0.2 ASPARAGUS, COOKED FARM FROZEN, DRAINED, SPEARS 4 SPEARS ........ 0 15 0 60 0.1 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat ASPARAGUS, COOKED FARM RAW, DRAINED, CUT 1 CUP ........ 1 45 0 180 0.1 ASPARAGUS, COOKED FARM RAW, DRAINED, SPEARS 4 SPEARS ........ 0 15 0 60 0 ASPARAGUS, CANNED, SPEARS, NO SALT 4 SPEARS ........ 0 10 0 80 0 ASPARAGUS, CANNED, SPEARS, SALTED ........... 4 SPEARS ........ 0 10 0 80 0 AVOCADOS, CALIFORNIA 1 AVOCADO ........ 30 305 0 173 4.5 AVOCADOS, FLORIDA 1 AVOCADO ........ 27 340 0 304 5.3 BAGELS, EGG 1 BAGEL 2 200 44 68 0.3 BAGELS, PLAIN 1 BAGEL 2 200 0 68 0.3 BAKING POWDER , LOW SODIUM 1 TEASPOON 0 5 0 4 0 BAKING POWDER , STRAIGHT PHOSPHATE ............ 1 TEASPOON 0 5 0 4 0 BAKING POWDER , SAS, CA PO4 1 TEASPOON 0 5 0 3 0 BAKING POWDER , SAS, CAPO4+CASO4 1 TEASPOON 0 5 0 3 0 BAKING POWDER BISCUITS, FROM MIX 1 BISCUIT 3 95 0 28 0.8 BAKING POWDER BISCUITS, HOME RECIPE 1 BISCUIT 5 100 0 28 1.2 BAKING POWDER BISCUITS, REFRIGERATED DOUGH 1 BISCUIT 2 65 1 20 0.6 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat BAMBOO SHOOTS, CANNED, DRAINED .............. 1 CUP 1 25 0 131 0.1 BANANAS .. 1 BANANA 1 105 0 114 0.2 BANANAS, SLICED .. 1 CUP 1 140 0 150 0.3 BARBECUE SAUCE .. 1 TABLESPOON 0 10 0 16 0 BARLEY, PEARLED, LIGHT, UNCOOKED .. 1 CUP 2 700 0 200 0.3 BEAN SPROUTS, MUNG, COOKED, DRAINED .. 1 CUP 0 25 0 124 0 BEAN SPROUTS, MUNG, RAW .. 1 CUP 0 30 0 104 0 BEAN WITH BACON SOUP, CANNED .. 1 CUP 6 170 3 253 1.5 BEANS, DRY, CANNED, WITH FRANKFURTER 1 CUP 18 365 30 255 7.4 BEANS, DRY, CANNED, WITH PORK SWTSCE 1 CUP 12 385 10 255 4.3 BEANS, DRY, CANNED, WITH PORK TOMATOE SAUCE 1 CUP 7 310 10 255 2.4 BEEF AND VEGETABLE STEW, HOME MADE RECIPE 1 CUP 11 220 71 245 4.4 BEEF BROTH, BOULLN, CONSM, CANNED 1 CUP 1 15 0 240 0.3 BEEF GRAVY, CANNED .. 1 CUP 5 125 7 233 2.7 BEEF HEART, BRAISED .. 3 OUNCE 5 150 164 85 1.2 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat BEEF LIVER, FRIED .. 3 OUNCE 7 185 410 85 2.5 BEEF NOODLE SOUP, CANNED .. 1 CUP 3 85 5 244 1.1 BEEF POTPIE, HOME RECIPE .. 1 PIECE 30 515 42 210 7.9 BEEF ROAST, EYE O ROUND, LEAN .. 2.6 OUNCE 5 135 52 75 1.9 BEEF ROAST, EYE O ROUND, LEAN+FAT .. 3 OUNCE 12 205 62 85 4.9 BEEF ROAST, RIB, LEAN ONLY .. 2.2 OUNCE 9 150 49 61 3.6 BEEF ROAST, RIB, LEAN + FAT .. 3 OUNCE 26 315 72 85 10.8 BEEF STEAK, SIRLOIN, BROIL, LEAN .. 2.5 OUNCE 6 150 64 72 2.6 BEEF STEAK, SIRLOIN, BROIL, LEAN+FAT 3 OUNCE 15 240 77 85 6.4 BEEF, CANNED, CORNED .. 3 OUNCE 10 185 80 85 4.2 BEEF, COOKED, BTTM ROUND, LEAN ONLY 2.8 OUNCE 8 175 75 78 2.7 BEEF, COOKED, BTTM ROUND, LEAN+ FAT 3 OUNCE 13 220 81 85 4.8 BEEF, COOKED, CHUCK BLADE, LEANONLY 2.2 OUNCE 9 170 66 62 3.9 BEEF, COOKED, CHUCK BLADE, LEAN+FAT 3 OUNCE 26 325 87 85 10.8 BEEF, DEHYDRATED, CHIPPED 2.5 OUNCE 4 145 46 72 1.8 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat BEER, LIGHT .. 12 FLUID OUNCE 0 95 0 355 0 BEER, REGULAR .. 12 FLUID OUNCE 0 150 0 360 0 BEET GREENS, COOKED, DRAINED .. 1 CUP 0 40 0 144 0 BEETS, CANNED, DRAINED, NO SALT .. 1 CUP 0 55 0 170 0 BEETS, CANNED, DRAINED, SALTED .. 1 CUP 0 55 0 170 0 BEETS, COOKED, DRAINED, DICED .. 1 CUP 0 55 0 170 0 BEETS, COOKED, DRAINED, WHOLE .. 2 BEETS 0 30 0 100 0 BLACK-EYED PEAS, DRY, COOKED .. 1 CUP 1 190 0 250 0.2 BLACK BEANS, DRY, COOKED, DRAINEDAND 1 CUP 1 225 0 171 0.1 BLACKBERRIES, RAW .. 1 CUP 1 75 0 144 0.2 BLACKEYE PEAS, IMMATURE, RAW, COOKED 1 CUP 1 180 0 165 0.3 BLACKEYE PEAS, IMMATURE, FROZEN, COOKED 1 CUP 1 225 0 170 0.3 BLUE CHEESE .. 1 OUNCE 8 100 21 28 5.3 BLUE CHEESE SALAD DRESSING 1 TABLESPOON 8 75 3 15 1.5 BLUEBERRIES, FROZEN, SWEETENED 1 CUP 0 185 0 230 0 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat BLUEBERRIES, FROZEN, SWEETENED 10 OUNCE 0 230 0 284 0 BLUEBERRIES, RAW 1 CUP 1 80 0 145 0 BLUEBERRY MUFFINS, HOME RECIPE 1 MUFFIN 5 135 19 45 1.5 BLUEBERRY MUFFINS, FROM COM MIX 1 MUFFIN 5 140 45 45 1.4 BLUEBERRY PIE 1 PIE 102 2285 0 945 25.5 BLUEBERRY PIE 1 PIECE 17 380 0 158 4.3 BOLOGNA 2 SLICES 16 180 31 57 6.1 BOSTON BROWN BREAD, WITH WHITE CRNM 1 SLICE 1 95 3 45 0.3 BOSTON BROWN BREAD, WITH YELLOW CRNML 1 SLICE 1 95 3 45 0.3 BOUILLON, DEHYDRATED, UNPREPARED 1 PACKET 1 15 1 6 0.3 BRAN MUFFINS, FROM COMMERCIAL MIX 1 MUFFIN 4 140 28 45 1.3 BRAN MUFFINS, HOME RECIPE 1 MUFFIN 6 125 24 45 1.4 BRAUNSCHWEIGER 2 SLICES 18 205 89 57 6.2 BRAZIL NUTS 1 OUNCE 19 185 0 28 4.6 BREAD STUFFING, FROM MIX, DRY 1 CUP 31 500 0 140 6.1 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat BREAD STUFFING, FROM MIX, MOIST 1 CUP 26 420 67 203 5.3 BREADCRUMBS, DRY, GRATED 1 CUP 5 390 5 100 1.5 BROCCOLI, FROZEN, COOKED, DRAINED 1 CUP 0 50 0 185 0 BROCCOLI, FROZEN, COOKED, DRAINED 1 PIECE 0 10 0 30 0 BROCCOLI, RAW 1 SPEAR 1 40 0 151 0.1 BROCCOLI, RAW, COOKED, DRAINED 1 CUP 0 45 0 155 0.1 BROCCOLI, RAW, COOKED, DRAINED 1 SPEAR 1 50 0 180 0.1 BROWN AND SERVE SAUSAGE, BROWNED 1 LINK 5 50 9 13 1.7 BROWN GRAVY FROM DRY MIX 1 CUP 2 80 2 261 0.9 BROWNIES WITH NUTS, FARM HOME RECIPE 1 BROWNE 6 95 18 20 1.4 BROWNIES WITH NUTS, FROSTNG, COMMERCIAL 1 BROWNE 4 100 14 25 1.6 BRUSSELS SPROUTS, FROZEN, COOKED 1 CUP 1 65 0 155 0.1 BRUSSELS SPROUTS, RAW, COOKED 1 CUP 1 60 0 155 0.2 BUCKWHEAT FLOUR, LIGHT, SIFTED 1 CUP 1 340 0 98 0.2 BULGUR, UNCOOKED 1 CUP 3 600 0 170 1.2 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat BUTTERMILK, DEHYDRATED 1 CUP 7 465 83 120 4.3 BUTTERMILK, FLUID 1 CUP 2 100 9 245 1.3 BUTTER, SALTED 1 PAT 4 35 11 5 2.5 BUTTER, SALTED 1 TABLESPOON 11 100 31 14 7.1 BUTTER, SALTED 1/2 CUP 92 810 247 113 57.1 BUTTER, UNSALTED 1 PAT 4 35 11 5 2.5 BUTTER, UNSALTED 1 TABLESPOON 11 100 31 14 7.1 BUTTER, UNSALTED 1/2 CUP 92 810 247 113 57.1 CABBAGE, CHINESE, PAK-CHOI, COOKED 1 CUP 0 20 0 170 0 CABBAGE, CHINESE, PE-TSAI, RAW ............ 1 CUP 0 10 0 76 0 CABBAGE, COMMON, COOKED, DRAINEDNED 1 CUP 0 30 0 150 0 CABBAGE, COMMON, RAW 1 CUP 0 15 0 70 0 CABBAGE, RED, RAW 1 CUP 0 20 0 70 0 CABBAGE, SAVOY, RAW .................... 1 CUP 0 20 0 70 0 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat CAKE OR PASTRY FLOUR, SIFTED 1 CUP 1 350 0 96 0.1 CAMEMBERT CHEESE 1 WEDGE 9 115 27 38 5.8 CANTALOUP, RAW 1/2 MELON 1 95 0 267 0.1 CAPTAIN CRUNCH CEREAL 1 OUNCE 3 120 0 28 1.7 CARAMELS, PLAIN OR CHOCOLATE 1 OUNCE 3 115 1 28 2.2 CAROB FLOUR 1 CUP 0 255 0 140 0 CARROT CAKE, CREAM CHEESE FROSTING, REC 1 CAKE 328 6175 1183 1536 66 CARROT CAKE, CREAM CHEESE FROSTING, REC 1 PIECE 21 385 74 96 4.1 CARROTS, CANNED, DRAINED, SALTED 1 CUP 0 35 0 146 0.1 CARROTS, CANNED, DRAINED, WITH NO SALT 1 CUP 0 35 0 146 0.1 CARROTS, COOKED FROM FROZEN ............. 1 CUP 0 55 0 146 0 CARROTS, COOKED FROM RAW 1 CUP 0 70 0 156 0.1 CARROTS, RAW, GRATED 1 CUP 0 45 0 110 0 CARROTS, RAW, WHOLE .................... 1 CARROT 0 30 0 72 0 CASHEW NUTS, DRY ROASTED, SALTED 1 OUNCE 13 165 0 28 2.6 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat CASHEW NUTS, DRY ROASTED, UNSALTED 1 CUP 63 785 0 137 12.5 CASHEW NUTS, DRY ROASTED, UNSALTED 1 OUNCE 13 165 0 28 2.6 CASHEW NUTS, DRY ROASTED, SALTD 1 CUP 63 785 0 137 12.5 CASHEW NUTS, OIL ROASTED, SALTED 1 CUP 63 750 0 130 12.4 CASHEW NUTS, OIL ROASTED, SALTED 1 OUNCE 14 165 0 28 2.7 CASHEW NUTS, OIL ROASTED, UNSALTED 1 CUP 63 750 0 130 12.4 CASHEW NUTS, OIL ROASTED, UNSALTED......... 1 OUNCE 14 165 0 28 2.7 CATSUP 1 CUP 1 290 0 273 0.2 CATSUP 1 TABLESPOON 0 15 0 15 0 CAULIFLOWER, COOKED FROM FROZEN 1 CUP 0 35 0 180 0.1 CAULIFLOWER, COOKED FROM RAW 1 CUP 0 30 0 125 0 CAULIFLOWER, RAW 1 CUP 0 25 0 100 0 CELERY SEED 1 TEASPOON 1 10 0 2 0 CELERY, PASCAL TYPE, RAW, PIECE 1 CUP 0 20 0 120 0 CELERY, PASCAL TYPE, RAW, STALK 1 STALK 0 5 0 40 0 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat CHEDDAR CHEESE 1 CUBIC INCH 6 70 18 17 3.6 CHEDDAR CHEESE 1 OUNCE 9 115 30 28 6 CHEDDDAR CHEESE, SHREDED 1 CUP 37 455 119 113 23.8 CHEERIOS CEREAL 1 OUNCE 2 110 0 28 0.3 CHEESE CRACKERS, PLAIN 10 CRACK 3 50 6 10 0.9 CHEESE CRACKERS, SANDWHICH, PEANUT 1 SANDWHICH 2 40 1 8 0.4 CHEESE SAUCE WITH MILK, FARM MIX 1 CUP 17 305 53 279 9.3 CHEESEBURGER, 4OZ PATTY 1 SANDWHICH 31 525 104 194 15.1 CHEESEBURGER, REGULAR 1 SANDWHICH 15 300 44 112 7.3 CHEESECAKE 1 CAKE 213 3350 2053 1110 119.9 CHEESECAKE 1 PIECE 18 280 170 92 9.9 CHERRIES, SOUR, RED, CANNED, WATER 1 CUP 0 90 0 244 0.1 CHERRIES, SWEET, RAW 10 CHERY 1 50 0 68 0.1 CHERRY PIE 1 PIE 107 2465 0 945 28.4 CHERRY PIE 1 PIECE 18 410 0 158 4.7 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat CHESTNUTS, EUROPEAN, ROASTED 1 CUP 3 350 0 143 0.6 CHICKEN A LA KING, HOME RECIPE 1 CUP 34 470 221 245 12.9 CHICKEN AND NOODLES, HOME RECIPE 1 CUP 18 365 103 240 5.1 CHICKEN CHOW MEIN, CANNED 1 CUP 0 95 8 250 0.1 CHICKEN CHOW MEIN, HOME RECIPE 1 CUP 10 255 75 250 4.1 CHICKEN FRANKFURTER 1 FRANKFURT 9 115 45 45 2.5 CHICKEN GRAVY FROM DRY MIX 1 CUP 2 85 3 260 0.5 CHICKEN GRAVY, CANNED 1 CUP 14 190 5 238 3.4 CHICKEN LIVER, COOKED 1 LIVER 1 30 126 20 0.4 CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP, CANNED 1 CUP 2 75 7 241 0.7 CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP, DEHYDRATED, PREPARED 1 PACKET 1 40 2 188 0.2 CHICKEN POTPIE, HOME RECIPE 1 PIECE 31 545 56 232 10.3 CHICKEN RICE SOUP, CANNED 1 CUP 2 60 7 241 0.5 CHICKEN ROLL, LIGHT 2 SLICES 4 90 28 57 1.1 CHICKEN, CANNED, BONELESS 5 OUNCE 11 235 88 142 3.1 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat CHICKEN, FRIED, BATTER, BREAST 4.9 OUNCE 18 365 119 140 4.9 CHICKEN, FRIED, BATTER, DRUMSTICK 2.5 OUNCE 11 195 62 72 3 CHICKEN, FRIED, FLOUR, BREAST 3.5 OUNCE 9 220 87 98 2.4 CHICKEN, FRIED, FLOUR, DRUMSTICK 1.7 OUNCE 7 120 44 49 1.8 CHICKEN, ROASTED, BREAST 3.0 OUNCE 3 140 73 86 0.9 CHICKEN, ROASTED, DRUMSTICK 1.6 OUNCE 2 75 41 44 0.7 CHICKEN, STEWED, LIGHT / DARK MEAT 1 CUP 9 250 116 140 2.6 CHICKPEAS, COOKED, DRAINED 1 CUP 4 270 0 163 0.4 CHILI CON CARNE WITH BEANS, CANNED 1 CUP 16 340 28 255 5.8 CHILI POWDER 1 TEASPOON 0 10 0 3 0.1 CHOCOLATE CHIPS, SEMI SWEET 1 OUNCE 9 136 0 28 5.0 CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES, COMMERCIAL 4 COOKIE 9 180 5 42 2.9 CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES, HOME RECIPE 4 COOKIE 11 185 18 40 3.9 CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES, REFRIGERATED 4 COOKIE 11 225 22 48 4 CHOCOLATE MILK, LOW FAT 1% 1 CUP 3 160 7 250 1.5 CHOCOLATE MILK, LOW FAT 2% 1 CUP 5 180 17 250 3.1 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat CHOCOLATE MILK, REGULAR 1 CUP 8 210 31 250 5.3 CHOCOLATE, BITTER OT BAKING 1 OUNCE 15 145 0 28 9 CHOP SUEY WITH BEEF + PORK, HOME RECIPE 1 CUP 17 300 68 250 4.3 CINNAMON 1 TEASPOON 0 5 0 3 0 CLAM CHOWDER, MANHATTAN, CANNED 1 CUP 2 80 2 244 0.4 CLAM CHOWDER, NEW ENG, WITH MILK 1 CUP 7 165 22 248 3 CLAMS, CANNED, DRAINED 3 OUNCE 2 85 54 85 0.5 CLAMS, RAW 3 OUNCE 1 65 43 85 0.3 CLUB SODA 12 FLUID OUNCE 0 0 0 355 0 COCA POWDER WITH NON FAT DRY MILK, PREPARED 1 SERVNG 9 225 33 265 5.4 COCA POWDER WITH NON FAT DRY MILK 3/4 OUNCE 1 75 0 21 0.3 COCOA POWDER WITH NON FAT DRY MILK 1 OUNCE 1 100 1 28 0.6 COCOA POWDER WITH NON FAT DRY MILK, PREPARED 1 SERVNG 1 100 1 206 0.6 COCONUT, DEHYDRATED, SWEETENED, SHREDED 1 CUP 33 470 0 93 29.3 COCONUT, RAW, PIECE 1 PIECE 15 160 0 45 13.4 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat COCONUT, RAW, SHREDED 1 CUP 27 285 0 80 23.8 COFFEECAKE, CRUMB, FROM MIX 1 CAKE 41 1385 279 430 11.8 COFFEECAKE, CRUMB, FROM MIX 1 PIECE 7 230 47 72 2 COFFEE, BREWED 6 FLUID OUNCE 0 0 0 180 0 COFFEE, INSTANT, PREPARED 6 FLUID OUNCE 0 0 0 182 0 COLA, DIET, ASPARTAME ONLY 12 FLUID OUNCE 0 0 0 355 0 COLA, DIET, ASPARTAME + SACCHARIN 12 FLUID OUNCE 0 0 0 355 0 COLA, DIET, SACCHARIN ONLY 12 FLUID OUNCE 0 0 0 355 0 COLA, REGULAR 12 FLUID OUNCE 0 160 0 369 0 COLLARDS, COOKED FROM FROZEN 1 CUP 1 60 0 170 0.1 COLLARDS, COOKED FROM RAW 1 CUP 0 25 0 190 0.1 COOKED SALAD DRAINEDSSING, HOME RECIPE 1 TABLESPOON 2 25 9 16 0.5 CORN CHIPS 1 OUNCE 9 155 0 28 1.4 CORN FLAKES, KELLOGG'S 1 OUNCE 0 110 0 28 0 CORN FLAKES, TOASTIES 1 OUNCE 0 110 0 28 0 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat CORN GRITS, COOKED, INSTANT 1 PACKET 0 80 0 137 0 CORN GRITS, COOKED, REGULAR, WHITE, NO SALT 1 CUP 0 145 0 242 0 CORN GRITS, COOKED, REGULAR, WHITE, SALTED 1 CUP 0 145 0 242 0 CORN GRITS, COOKED, REGULAR, YELLOW, NO SALT 1 CUP 0 145 0 242 0 CORN GRITS, COOKED, REGULAR, YELLOW, SALTED 1 CUP 0 145 0 242 0 CORN MUFFINS, FROM COMMERCIAL MIX 1 MUFFIN 6 145 42 45 1.7 CORN MUFFINS, HOME RECIPE 1 MUFFIN 5 145 23 45 1.5 CORN OIL 1 CUP 218 1925 0 218 27.7 CORN OIL 1 TABLESPOON 14 125 0 14 1.8 CORNMEAL, BOLTED, DRY FORM 1 CUP 4 440 0 122 0.5 CORNMEAL, DEGERMED, ENRCHED, COOK 1 CUP 0 120 0 240 0 CORNMEAL, DEGERMED, ENRICHED, DRY 1 CUP 2 500 0 138 0.2 CORNMEAL, WHOLE-GROUND, UNBOLT, DRY 1 CUP 5 435 0 122 0.5 CORN, CANNED, BLENDED SMOOTH, WHITE, NO SALT 1 CUP 1 185 0 256 0.2 CORN, CANNED, BLENDED SMOOTH, WHITE, SALTED 1 CUP 1 185 0 256 0.2 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat CORN, CANNED, BLENDED SMOOTH, YELLOW, NO SALT 1 CUP 1 185 0 256 0.2 CORN, CANNED, BLENDED SMOOTH, YELLOW, SALTED 1 CUP 1 185 0 256 0.2 CORN, COOKED FARM FROZEN, WHITE 1 CUP 0 135 0 165 0 CORN, COOKED FARM FROZEN, WHITE 1 EAR 0 60 0 63 0.1 CORN, COOKED FARM FROZEN, YELLOW 1 CUP 0 135 0 165 0 CORN, COOKED FARM FROZEN, YELLOW 1 EAR 0 60 0 63 0.1 CORN, COOKED FROM RAW, WHITE 1 EAR 1 85 0 77 0.2 CORN, COOKED FROM RAW, YELLOW 1 EAR 1 85 0 77 0.2 CORN, CANNED, WHOLE KERNEL, WHITE, NO SALT 1 CUP 1 165 0 210 0.2 CORN, CANNED, WHOLE KERNEL, WHITE, SALTED 1 CUP 1 165 0 210 0.2 CORN, CANNED, WHOLE KERNEL, YELLOW, NO SALT 1 CUP 1 165 0 210 0.2 CORN, CANNED, WHOLE KERNEL, YELLOW, SALTED 1 CUP 1 165 0 210 0.2 COTTAGE CHEESE, BLENDED SMOOTH, LARGE CURD 1 CUP 9 215 31 210 6 COTTAGE CHEESE, BLENDED SMOOTH, WITH FRUIT 1 CUP 4 205 19 226 2.8 COTTAGE CHEESE, NOT BLENDED SMOOTH 1 CUP 1 125 10 145 0.4 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP WITH WATER, CANNED 1 CUP 7 115 10 244 2.1 CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP WITH MILK, CANNED 1 CUP 11 190 27 248 4.6 CREAM OF MUSHROM SOUP WITH WATER, CANNED 1 CUP 9 130 2 244 2.4 CREAM OF MUSHROM SOUP WITH MILK, CANNED 1 CUP 14 205 20 248 5.1 CRABMEAT, CANNED 1 CUP 3 135 135 135 0.5 CRACKED-WHEAT BREAD 1 LOAF 16 1190 0 454 3.1 CRACKED-WHEAT BREAD 1 SLICE 1 65 0 25 0.2 CRACKED-WHEAT BREAD, TOASTED 1 SLICE 1 65 0 21 0.2 CRANBERRY JUICE COCKTAL WITH VITAMIN C 1 CUP 0 145 0 253 0 CRANBERRY SAUCE, CANNED, SWEETENED 1 CUP 0 420 0 277 0 CREAM CHEESE 1 OUNCE 10 100 31 28 6.2 CREAM CHEESE, FAT FREE 1 OUNCE 0.4 27 2 28 0.3 CREAM OF WHEAT, COOKED, MIX N EAT 1 PACKET 0 100 0 142 0 CREME PIE 1 PIE 139 2710 46 910 90.1 CREME PIE 1 PIECE 23 455 8 152 15 CREMED WHEAT, COOKED, QUICK, NO SALT 1 CUP 0 140 0 244 0.1 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat CREMED WHEAT, COOKED, QUICK, WITH SALT 1 CUP 0 140 0 244 0.1 CREMED WHEAT, COOKED, REGULAR, INSTANT, NO SALT 1 CUP 0 140 0 244 0.1 CREMED WHEAT, COOKED, REGULAR, INSTANT, SALTED 1 CUP 0 140 0 244 0.1 CROISSANTS 1 CROISSANT 12 235 13 57 3.5 CUCUMBER, WITH PEEL 6 SLICES 0 5 0 28 0 CURRY POWDER 1 TEASPOON 0 5 0 2 0 CUSTARD PIE 1 PIE 101 1985 1010 910 33.7 CUSTARD PIE 1 PIECE 17 330 169 152 5.6 CUSTARD, BAKED 1 CUP 15 305 278 265 6.8 DANDELION GREENS, COOKED, DRAINED 1 CUP 1 35 0 105 0.1 DANISH PASTRY, FRUIT 1 PASTRY 13 235 56 65 3.9 DANISH PASTRY, PLAIN, NO NUTS 1 OUNCE 6 110 24 28 1.8 DANISH PASTRY, PLAIN, NO NUTS 1 PASTRY 12 220 49 57 3.6 DANISH PASTRY, PLAIN, NO NUTS 1 RING 71 1305 292 340 21.8 DATES 10 DATES 0 230 0 83 0.1 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat DATES, CHOPPED 1 CUP 1 490 0 178 0.3 DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE, CHOCOLATE FROSTING, FMIX 1 CAKE 136 3755 598 1107 55.6 DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE, CHOCOLATE FROSTING, FMIX 1 CUPCAKE 4 120 19 35 1.8 DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE, CHOCOLATE FROSTING, FMIX 1 PIECE 8 235 37 69 3.5 DOUGHNUTS, CAKE TYPE, PLAIN 1 DONUT 12 210 20 50 2.8 DOUGHNUTS, YEAST-LEAVEND, GLAZED 1 DONUT 13 235 21 60 5.2 DUCK, ROASTED, FLESH ONLY 1/2 DUCK 25 445 197 221 9.2 EGGNOG 1 CUP 19 340 149 254 11.3 EGGPLANT, COOKED, STEAMED 1 CUP 0 25 0 96 0 EGGS, COOKED, FRIED 1 EGG 7 90 211 46 1.9 EGGS, COOKED, HARD-COOKED 1 EGG 5 75 213 50 1.6 EGGS, COOKED, POACHED 1 EGG 5 75 212 50 1.5 EGGS, COOKED, SCRAMBLED/OMELET 1 EGG 7 100 215 61 2.2 EGGS, RAW, WHITE 1 WHITE 0 15 0 33 0 EGGS, RAW, WHOLE 1 EGG 5 75 213 50 1.6 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat EGGS, RAW, YOLK 1 YOLK 5 60 213 17 1.6 ENCHILADA 1 ENCHLD 16 235 19 230 7.7 ENDIVE, CURLY, RAW 1 CUP 0 10 0 50 0 ENG MUFFIN, EGG, CHEESE, BACON 1 SANDWHICH 18 360 213 138 8 ENGLISH MUFFINS, PLAIN 1 MUFFIN 1 140 0 57 0.3 ENGLISH MUFFINS, PLAIN, TOASTD 1 MUFFIN 1 140 0 50 0.3 EVAPORATED MILK, SKIM, CANNED 1 CUP 1 200 9 255 0.3 EVAPORATED MILK, WHOLE, CANNED 1 CUP 19 340 74 252 11.6 FATS, COOKING, VEGETABLE SHORTENING 1 CUP 205 1810 0 205 51.3 FATS, COOKING, VEGETABLE SHORTENING 1 TABLESPOON 13 115 0 13 3.3 FETA CHEESE 1 OUNCE 6 75 25 28 4.2 FIG BARS 4 COOKIE 4 210 27 56 1 FIGS, DEHYDRATED 10 FIGS 2 475 0 187 0.4 FILBERTS, (HAZELNUTS) CHOPPED 1 CUP 72 725 0 115 5.3 FILBERTS, (HAZELNUTS) CHOPPED 1 OUNCE 18 180 0 28 1.3 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat FISH SANDWICH, LGE, NO CHEESE 1 SANDWHICH 27 470 91 170 6.3 FISH SANDWICH, REGULAR, NO CHEESE 1 SANDWHICH 23 420 56 140 6.3 FISH STICKS, FROZEN, REHEATED 1 STICK 3 70 26 28 0.8 FLOUNDER OR SOLE, BAKED, BUTTER 3 OUNCE 6 120 68 85 3.2 FLOUNDER OR SOLE, BAKED, MARGARINE 3 OUNCE 6 120 55 85 1.2 FLOUNDER OR SOLE, BAKED, WITH OUT FAT 3 OUNCE 1 80 59 85 0.3 FONDANT, UNCOATED 1 OUNCE 0 105 0 28 0 FRANKFURTER, COOKED 1 FRANKFURTER 13 145 23 45 4.8 FRENCH BREAD 1 SLICE 1 100 0 35 0.3 FRENCH OR VIENNA BREAD 1 LOAF 18 1270 0 454 3.8 FRENCH SALAD DRESSING, LOW CALORIE 1 TABLESPOON 2 25 0 16 0.2 FRENCH SALAD DRESSING, REGULAR 1 TABLESPOON 9 85 0 16 1.4 FRENCH TOAST, HOME RECIPE 1 SLICE 7 155 112 65 1.6 FRIED PIE, APPLE 1 PIE 14 255 14 85 5.8 FRIED PIE, CHERRY 1 PIE 14 250 13 85 5.8 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat FROOT LOOPS CEREAL 1 OUNCE 1 110 0 28 0.2 FRUIT COCKTAIL, CANNED, HEAVYSYRUP 1 CUP 0 185 0 255 0 FRUIT COCKTAIL, CANNED, JUICE PACK 1 CUP 0 115 0 248 0 FRUIT PUNCH DRINK, CANNED 6 FLUID OUNCE 0 85 0 190 0 FRUITCAKE, DARK, FROM HOME RECIPE 1 CAKE 228 5185 640 1361 47.6 FRUITCAKE, DARK, FROM HOME RECIPE 1 PIECE 7 165 20 43 1.5 FUDGE, CHOCOLATE, PLAIN 1 OUNCE 3 115 1 28 2.1 GARLIC POWDER 1 TEASPOON 0 10 0 3 0 GELATIN DESSERT, PREPARED 1/2 CUP 0 70 0 120 0 GELATIN, DRY 1 ENVELOPE 0 25 0 7 0 GINGER ALE 12 FLUID OUNCE 0 125 0 366 0 GINGERBREAD CAKE, FROM MIX 1 CAKE 39 1575 6 570 9.6 GINGERBREAD CAKE, FROM MIX 1 PIECE 4 175 1 63 1.1 GIN, RUM, VODKA, WHISKY 80-PROOF 1.5 FLUID OUNCE 0 95 0 42 0 GIN, RUM, VODKA, WHISKY 86-PROOF 1.5 FLUID OUNCE 0 105 0 42 0 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat GIN, RUM, VODKA, WHISKY 90-PROOF 1.5 FLUID OUNCE 0 110 0 42 0 GOLDEN GRAHAMS CEREAL 1 OUNCE 1 110 0 28 0.7 GRAHAM CRACKER, PLAIN 2 CRACKR 1 60 0 14 0.4 GRAPE-NUTS CEREAL 1 OUNCE 0 100 0 28 0 GRAPE DRAINEDINK, CANNED 6 FLUID OUNCE 0 100 0 187 0 GRAPE JUICE, CANNED 1 CUP 0 155 0 253 0.1 GRAPE SODA 12 FLUID OUNCE 0 180 0 372 0 GRAPEFRT JUICE, FROZEN, CONCENTRATED, UNSWTEENED 6 FLUID OUNCE 1 300 0 207 0.1 GRAPEFRT JUICE, FROZEN, DILUTED, UNSWTEENED 1 CUP 0 100 0 247 0 GRAPEFRUIT JUICE, CANNED, SWEETENED 1 CUP 0 115 0 250 0 GRAPEFRUIT JUICE, CANNED, UNSWEETENED 1 CUP 0 95 0 247 0 GRAPEFRUIT JUICE, RAW 1 CUP 0 95 0 247 0 GRAPEFRUIT, CANNED, SYRUP PACK 1 CUP 0 150 0 254 0 GRAPEFRUIT, RAW, PINK 1/2 FRUIT 0 40 0 120 0 GRAPEFRUIT, RAW, WHITE 1/2 FRUIT 0 40 0 120 0 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat GRAPEJCE, FROZEN, CONCENTRATE, SWEETENED, WITH C 6 FLUID OUNCE 1 385 0 216 0.2 GRAPEJCE, FROZEN, DILUTED, SWEETENED, WITH C 1 CUP 0 125 0 250 0.1 GRAPES, EUROPEAN, RAW, THOMPSN 10 GRAPE 0 35 0 50 0.1 GRAPES, EUROPEAN, RAW, TOKAY 10 GRAPE 0 40 0 57 0.1 GRAVY AND TURKEY, FROZEN 5 OUNCE 4 95 26 142 1.2 GREAT NORTHN BEANS, DRY, COOKED, DRAINED 1 CUP 1 210 0 180 0.1 GROUND BEEF, BROILED, LEAN 3 OUNCE 16 230 74 85 6.2 GROUND BEEF, BROILED, REGULAR 3 OUNCE 18 245 76 85 6.9 GUM DROPS 1 OUNCE 0 100 0 28 0 HADDOCK, BREADED, FRIED 3 OUNCE 9 175 75 85 2.4 HALF AND HALF, CREAM 1 CUP 28 315 89 242 17.3 HALF AND HALF, CREAM 1 TABLESPOON 2 20 6 15 1.1 HALIBUT, BROILED, BUTTER, LEMON JUICE 3 OUNCE 6 140 62 85 3.3 HAMBURGER, 4OZ PATTY 1 SANDWHICH 21 445 71 174 7.1 HAMBURGER, REGULAR 1 SANDWHICH 11 245 32 98 4.4 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat HARD CANDY 1 OUNCE 0 110 0 28 0 HERRING, PICKLED 3 OUNCE 13 190 85 85 4.3 HOLLANDAISE SAUCE, WITH WATER, FARM MIX 1 CUP 20 240 52 259 11.6 HONEY 1 CUP 0 1030 0 339 0 HONEY 1 TABLESPOON 0 65 0 21 0 HONEY NUT CHEERIOS CEREAL 1 OUNCE 1 105 0 28 0.1 HONEYDEW MELON, RAW 1/10 MELON 0 45 0 129 0 ICE CREAM, VANLLA, REGULAR 11% 1 CUP 14 270 59 133 8.9 ICE CREAM, VANLLA, REGULAR 11% 1/2 GALON 115 2155 476 1064 71.3 ICE CREAM, VANLLA, REGULAR 11% 3 FLUID OUNCE 5 100 22 50 3.4 ICE CREAM, VANLLA, RICH 16% FAT 1 CUP 24 350 88 148 14.7 CE CREAM, VANLLA, RICH 16% FAT 1/2 GALON 190 2805 703 1188 118.3 ICE CREAM, VANLLA, SOFT SERVE 1 CUP 23 375 153 173 13.5 ICE MILK, VANILLA, 4% FAT 1 CUP 6 185 18 131 3.5 ICE MILK, VANILLA, 4% FAT 1/2 GALON 45 1470 146 1048 28.1 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat ICE MILK, VANILLA, SOFTSERVE 3% 1 CUP 5 225 13 175 2.9 IMITATION CREAMERS, LIQUID FROZEN 1 TABLESPOON 1 20 0 15 1.4 IMITATION CREAMERS, POWDERED 1 TEASPOON 1 10 0 2 0.7 IMITATION WHIPPED TOPPING, FROZEN 1 CUP 19 240 0 75 16.3 IMITATION WHIPPED TOPPING, FROZEN 1 TABLESPOON 1 15 0 4 0.9 IMITATION SOUR DRESSING 1 CUP 39 415 13 235 31.2 IMITATION SOUR DRESSING 1 TABLESPOON 2 20 1 12 1.6 IMITATION WHIPPED TOPPING, PRESSURIZED 1 CUP 16 185 0 70 13.2 IMITATION WHIPPED TOPPING, PRESSURIZED 1 TABLESPOON 1 10 0 4 0.8 IMITATION WHIPPED TOPPING, POWDERED, PREPARED 1 CUP 10 150 8 80 8.5 IMITATION WHIPPED TOPPING, POWDERED, PREPARED 1 TABLESPOON 0 10 0 4 0.4 ITALIAN BREAD 1 LOAF 4 1255 0 454 0.6 ITALIAN BREAD 1 SLICE 0 85 0 30 0 ITALIAN SALAD DRESSING, LOW CALORIEOR 1 TABLESPOON 0 5 0 15 0 ITALIAN SALAD DRESSING, REGULAR 1 TABLESPOON 9 80 0 15 1.3 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat JAMS AND PRESERVES 1 PACKET 0 40 0 14 0 JAMS AND PRESERVES 1 TABLESPOON 0 55 0 20 0 JELLIES 1 PACKET 0 40 0 14 0 JELLIES 1 TABLESPOON 0 50 0 18 0 JELLY BEANS 1 OUNCE 0 105 0 28 0 JERUSALEM-ARTICHOKE, RAW 1 CUP 0 115 0 150 0 KALE, COOKED FROM FROZEN 1 CUP 1 40 0 130 0.1 KALE, COOKED FROM RAW 1 CUP 1 40 0 130 0.1 KIWIFRUIT, RAW 1 KIWIFRUIT 0 45 0 76 0 KOHLRABI, COOKED, DRAINED 1 CUP 0 50 0 165 0 LAMB, RIB, ROASTED, LEAN ONLY 2 OUNCE 7 130 50 57 3.2 LAMB, RIB, ROASTED, LEAN + FAT 3 OUNCE 26 315 77 85 12.1 LAMB, CHOPS, ARM, BRAISED, LEAN 1.7 OUNCE 7 135 59 48 2.9 LAMB, CHOPS, ARM, BRAISED, LEAN + FAT 2.2 OUNCE 15 220 77 63 6.9 LAMB, CHOPS, LOIN, BROIL, LEAN 2.3 OUNCE 6 140 60 64 2.6 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat LAMB, CHOPS, LOIN, BROIL, LEAN + FAT 2.8 OUNCE 16 235 78 80 7.3 LAMB, LEG, ROASTED, LEAN ONLY 2.6 OUNCE 6 140 65 73 2.4 LAMB, LEG, ROASTED, LEAN+ FAT 3 OUNCE 13 205 78 85 5.6 LARD 1 CUP 205 1850 195 205 80.4 LARD 1 TABLESPOON 13 115 12 13 5.1 LEMON-LIME SODA 12 FLUID OUNCE 0 155 0 372 0 LEMON JUICE, CANNED 1 CUP 1 50 0 244 0.1 LEMON JUICE, CANNED 1 TABLESPOON 0 5 0 15 0 LEMON JUICE, RAW 1 CUP 0 60 0 244 0 LEMON JUICE, FROZEN, SINGLE-STRENGTH 6 FLUID OUNCE 1 55 0 244 0.1 LEMON MERINGUE PIE 1 PIE 86 2140 857 840 26 LEMON MERINGUE PIE 1 PIECE 14 355 143 140 4.3 LEMONADE, CONCENTRATE, FROZEN, UNDILUTED 6 FLUID OUNCE 0 425 0 219 0 LEMONADE, CONCENTRATE, FROZEN, DILUTED 6 FLUID OUNCE 0 80 0 185 0 LEMONS, RAW 1 LEMON 0 15 0 58 0 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat LENTILS, DRY, COOKED 1 CUP 1 215 0 200 0.1 LETTUCE, BUTTERHEAD, RAW, HEAD 1 HEAD 0 20 0 163 0 LETTUCE, BUTTERHEAD, RAW, LEAVE 1 LEAF 0 0 0 15 0 LETTUCE, CRISPHEAD, RAW, HEAD 1 HEAD 1 70 0 539 0.1 LETTUCE, CRISPHEAD, RAW, PIECES 1 CUP 0 5 0 55 0 LETTUCE, CRISPHEAD, RAW, WEDGE 1 WEDGE 0 20 0 135 0 LETTUCE, LOOSELEAF 1 CUP 0 10 0 56 0 LIGHT, COFFEE OR TABLE CREAM 1 CUP 46 470 159 240 28.8 LIGHT, COFFEE OR TABLE CREAM 1 TABLESPOON 3 30 10 15 1.8 LIMA BEANS, DRY, COOKED, DRAINED 1 CUP 1 260 0 190 0.2 LIMA BEANS, BABY, FROZEN, COOKED, DRAINED 1 CUP 1 190 0 180 0.1 LIMA BEANS, THICK SEED, FROZEN, COOKED 1 CUP 1 170 0 170 0.1 LIME JUICE, RAW 1 CUP 0 65 0 246 0 LIME JUICE, CANNED 1 CUP 1 50 0 246 0.1 LIMEADE, CONCENTRATE, FROZEN, UNDIL 6 FLUID OUNCE 0 410 0 218 0 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat LIMEADE, CONCEN, FROZEN, DILUTED 6 FLUID OUNCE 0 75 0 185 0 LUCKY CHARMS CEREAL 1 OUNCE 1 110 0 28 0.2 MACADAMIA NUTS, OIL ROASTED, SALTED 1 CUP 103 960 0 134 15.4 MACADAMIA NUTS, OIL ROASTED, SALTED 1 OUNCE 22 205 0 28 3.2 MACADAMIA NUTS, OIL ROASTED, UNSALTED 1 CUP 103 960 0 134 15.4 MACADAMIA NUTS, OIL ROASTED, UNSALTED 1 OUNCE 22 205 0 28 3.2 MACARONI AND CHEESE, CANNED 1 CUP 10 230 24 240 4.7 MACARONI AND CHEESE, HOME RECIPE 1 CUP 22 430 44 200 9.8 MACARONI, COOKED, FIRM 1 CUP 1 190 0 130 0.1 MACARONI, COOKED, TENDER, HOT 1 CUP 1 155 0 140 0.1 MACARONI, COOKED, TENDER, COLD 1 CUP 0 115 0 105 0.1 MALT-O-MEAL, WITH SALT 1 CUP 0 120 0 240 0 MALT-O-MEAL, WITH OUT SALT 1 CUP 0 120 0 240 0 MALTED MILK, CHOCOLATE, POWDER 3/4 OUNCE 1 85 1 21 0.5 MALTED MILK, CHOCOLATE, POWDER, PREPARED 1 SERVNG 9 235 34 265 5.5 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat MALTED MILK, NATURAL, POWDER 3/4 OUNCE 2 85 4 21 0.9 MALTED MILK, NATURAL, POWDER, PREPARED 1 SERVNG 10 235 37 265 6 MANGOS, RAW 1 MANGO 1 135 0 207 0.1 MARGARINE, IMITATION 40% FAT 1 TABLESPOON 5 50 0 14 1.1 MARGARINE, IMITATION 40% FAT 8 OUNCE 88 785 0 227 17.5 MARGARINE, REGULR, HARD, 80% FAT 1 PAT 4 35 0 5 0.8 MARGARINE, REGULR, HARD, 80% FAT 1 TABLESPOON 11 100 0 14 2.2 MARGARINE, REGULR, HARD, 80% FAT 1/2 CUP 91 810 0 113 17.9 MARGARINE, REGULR, SOFT, 80% FAT 1 TABLESPOON 11 100 0 14 1.9 MARGARINE, REGULR, SOFT, 80% FAT 8 OUNCE 183 1625 0 227 31.3 MARGARINE, SPREAD, HARD, 60% FAT 1 PAT 3 25 0 5 0.7 MARGARINE, SPREAD, HARD, 60% FAT 1 TABLESPOON 9 75 0 14 2 MARGARINE, SPREAD, HARD, 60% FAT 1/2 CUP 69 610 0 113 15.9 MARGARINE, SPREAD, SOFT, 60% FAT 1 TABLESPOON 9 75 0 14 1.8 MARGARINE, SPREAD, SOFT, 60% FAT 8 OUNCE 138 1225 0 227 29.1 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat MARSHMALLOWS 1 OUNCE 0 90 0 28 0 MAYONNAISE TYPE SALAD DRESSING 1 TABLESPOON 5 60 4 15 0.7 MAYONNAISE, IMITATION 1 TABLESPOON 3 35 4 15 0.5 MAYONNAISE, REGULAR 1 TABLESPOON 11 100 8 14 1.7 MELBA TOAST, PLAIN 1 PIECE 0 20 0 5 0.1 MILK CHOCOLATE CANDY, PLAIN 1 OUNCE 9 145 6 28 5.4 MILK CHOCOLATE CANDY, WITH ALMOND 1 OUNCE 10 150 5 28 4.8 MILK CHOCOLATE CANDY, WITH PEANUTS 1 OUNCE 11 155 5 28 4.2 MILK CHOCOLATE CANDY, WITH RICE CRACKER 1 OUNCE 7 140 6 28 4.4 MILK, LOFAT, 1%, ADDED SOLIDS 1 CUP 2 105 10 245 1.5 MILK, LOFAT, 1%, NO ADDED SOLID 1 CUP 3 100 10 244 1.6 MILK, LOFAT, 2%, ADDED SOLIDS 1 CUP 5 125 18 245 2.9 MILK, LOFAT, 2%, NO ADDED SOLID 1 CUP 5 120 18 244 2.9 MILK, SKIM, ADDED MILK SOLIDS 1 CUP 1 90 5 245 0.4 MILK, SKIM, NO ADDED MILK SOLID 1 CUP 0 85 4 245 0.3 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat MILK, WHOLE, 3.3% FAT 1 CUP 8 150 33 244 5.1 MINESTRONE SOUP, CANNED 1 CUP 3 80 2 241 0.6 MISO 1 CUP 13 470 0 276 1.8 MIXED GRAIN BREAD 1 LOAF 17 1165 0 454 3.2 MIXED GRAIN BREAD 1 SLICE 1 65 0 25 0.2 MIXED GRAIN BREAD, TOASTED 1 SLICE 1 65 0 23 0.2 MIXED NUTS WITH PEANUTS, DRY, SALTED 1 OUNCE 15 170 0 28 2 MIXED NUTS WITH PEANUTS, DRY, UNSALTED 1 OUNCE 15 170 0 28 2 MIXED NUTS WITH PEANUTS, OIL, SALTED 1 OUNCE 16 175 0 28 2.5 MIXED NUTS WITH PEANUTS, OIL, UNSALTED 1 OUNCE 16 175 0 28 2.5 MOLASSES, CANE, BLACKSTRAP 2 TABLESPOON 0 85 0 40 0 MOZZARELLA CHEESE, WHOLE MILK 1 OUNCE 6 80 22 28 3.7 MOZZARELLA CHEESEE, SKIM, LOW MOISTURE 1 OUNCE 5 80 15 28 3.1 MUENSTER CHEESE 1 OUNCE 9 105 27 28 5.4 MUSHROOM GRAVY, CANNED 1 CUP 6 120 0 238 1 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat MUSHROOMS, CANNED, DRAINED, SALTED 1 CUP 0 35 0 156 0.1 MUSHROOMS, COOKED, DRAINED 1 CUP 1 40 0 156 0.1 MUSHROOMS, RAW .......................... 1 CUP 0 20 0 70 0 MUSTARD GREENS, COOKED, DRAINED 1 CUP 0 20 0 140 0 MUSTARD, PREPARED, YELLOW 1 TEASPOON 0 5 0 5 0 NATURE VALLEY GRANOLA CEREAL 1 OUNCE 5 125 0 28 3.3 NECTARINES, RAW 1 NECTARINE 1 65 0 136 0.1 NEUFCHATEL CHEESE 1 OUNCE 7 75 22 28 4.0 NEUFCHATEL CHEESE, LIGHT 1 OUNCE 7 70 20 28 4.0 NON FAT DRY MILK, INSTANT IZED 1 CUP 0 245 12 68 0.3 NON FAT DRY MILK, INSTANT IZED 1 ENVLOPE 1 325 17 91 0.4 NOODLES, CHOW MEIN, CANNED 1 CUP 11 220 5 45 2.1 NOODLES, EGG, COOKED 1 CUP 2 200 50 160 0.5 OATMEAL BREAD 1 LOAF 20 1145 0 454 3.7 OATMEAL BREAD ................................ 1 SLICE 1 65 0 25 0.2 OATMEAL BREAD, TOASTED 1 SLICE 1 65 0 23 0.2 OATMEAL WITH RAISINS COOKIES 4 COOKIE 10 245 2 52 2.5 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat OATMEAL, COOKED, INSTANT, FLAVORED, FORTIFIED 1 PACKET 2 160 0 164 0.3 OATMEAL, COOKED, INSTANT, PLAIN, FORTIFIED 1 PACKET 2 105 0 177 0.3 OATMEAL, COOKED, REGULAR, QUICK, INSTANT, WITH OSAL 1 CUP 2 145 0 234 0.4 OATMEAL, COOKED, REGULAR, QUICK, INSTANT, SALTED 1 CUP 2 145 0 234 0.4 OCEAN PERCH, BREADED, FRIED 1 FILLET 11 185 66 85 2.6 OKRA PODS, COOKED 8 PODS 0 25 0 85 0 OLIVE OIL 1 CUP 216 1910 0 216 29.2 OLIVE OIL 1 TABLESPOON 14 125 0 14 1.9 OLIVES, CANNED, GREEN 4 MEDIUM 2 15 0 13 0.2 OLIVES, CANNED, RIPE, MISSION ....................... 3 SMALL 2 15 0 9 0.3 ONION POWDER 1 TEASPOON 0 5 0 2 0 ONION RINGS, BREADED, FROZEN, PREPARED 2 RINGS 5 80 0 20 1.7 ONION SOUP, DEHYDRATEDATD, PREPRED 1 PACKET 0 20 0 184 0.1 ONION SOUP, DEHYDRATED, UNPRPRED 1 PACKET 0 20 0 7 0.1 ONIONS, RAW, CHOPPED 1 CUP 0 55 0 160 0.1 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat ONIONS, RAW, COOKED, DRAINED 1 CUP 0 60 0 210 0.1 ONIONS, RAW, SLICED 1 CUP 0 40 0 115 0.1 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat ONIONS, SPRING, RAW 6 ONION 0 10 0 30 0 ORANGE JUICE, CANNED 1 CUP 0 105 0 249 0 ORANGE JUICE, CHILLED 1 CUP 1 110 0 249 0.1 ORANGE JUICE, RAW 1 CUP 0 110 0 248 0.1 ORANGE JUICE, FROZEN CONCENTRATE 6 FLUID OUNCE 0 340 0 213 0.1 ORANGE JUICE, FROZEN, CNCN, DILUTED 1 CUP 0 110 0 249 0 ORANGE SODA 12 FLUID OUNCE 0 180 0 372 0 ORANGE + GRAPEFRUIT JUICE, CANNED 1 CUP 0 105 0 247 0 ORANGES, RAW 1 ORANGE 0 60 0 131 0 ORANGES, RAW, SECTIONS 1 CUP 0 85 0 180 0 OREGANO 1 TEASPOON 0 5 0 2 0 OYSTERS, BREADED, FRIED 1 OYSTER 5 90 35 45 1.4 OYSTERS, RAW 1 CUP 4 160 120 240 1.4 PANCAKES, BUCKWHEAT, FROM MIX 1 PANCAKE 2 55 20 27 0.9 PANCAKES, PLAIN, FROM MIX 1 PANCAKE 2 60 16 27 0.5 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat PANCAKES, PLAIN, HOME RECIPE 1 PANCAKE 2 60 16 27 0.5 PAPAYAS, RAW 1 CUP 0 65 0 140 0.1 PAPRIKA 1 TEASPOON 0 5 0 2 0 PARMESAN CHEESE, GRATED 1 CUP 30 455 79 100 19.1 PARMESAN CHEESE, GRATED 1 OUNCE 9 130 22 28 5.4 PARMESAN CHEESE, GRATED 1 TABLESPOON 2 25 4 5 1 PARSLEY, FREEZE + DEHYDRATED 1 TABLESPOON 0 0 0 0 0 PARSLEY, RAW 10 SPRIG 0 5 0 10 0 PARSNIPS, COOKED, DRAINED 1 CUP 0 125 0 156 0.1 PASTERZD PROCES CHEESE, SWISS 1 OUNCE 7 95 24 28 4.5 PASTERZD PROCES CHEESE, AMERICAN 1 OUNCE 9 105 27 28 5.6 PASTERZD PROCES CHESE FOOD, AMERICAN 1 OUNCE 7 95 18 28 4.4 PASTERZD PROCES CHESE SPRED, AMERICAN 1 OUNCE 6 80 16 28 3.8 PEA BEANS, DRY, COOKED, DRAINED 1 CUP 1 225 0 190 0.1 PEACH PIE 1 PIE 101 2410 0 945 24.6 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat PEACH PIE 1 PIECE 17 405 0 158 4.1 PEACHES, CANNED, HEAVY SYRUP 1 CUP 0 190 0 256 0 PEACHES, CANNED, HEAVY SYRUP 1 HALF 0 60 0 81 0 PEACHES, CANNED, JUICE PACK 1 CUP 0 110 0 248 0 PEACHES, CANNED, JUICE PACK 1 HALF 0 35 0 77 0 PEACHES, DEHYDRATED 1 CUP 1 380 0 160 0.1 PEACHES, DEHYDRATED, COOKED, UNSWEETENED 1 CUP 1 200 0 258 0.1 PEACHES, FROZEN, SWETNED, WITH VITAMIN C 1 CUP 0 235 0 250 0 PEACHES, FROZEN, SWETNED, WITH VITAMIN C 10 OUNCE 0 265 0 284 0 PEACHES, RAW 1 PEACH 0 35 0 87 0 PEACHES, RAW, SLICED 1 CUP 0 75 0 170 0 PEANUT BUTTER 1 TABLESPOON 8 95 0 16 1.4 PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE, HOME RECIPE 4 COOKIE 14 245 22 48 4 PEANUT OIL 1 CUP 216 1910 0 216 36.5 PEANUT OIL 1 TABLESPOON 14 125 0 14 2.4 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat PEANUTS, OIL ROASTED, SALTED 1 CUP 71 840 0 145 9.9 PEANUTS, OIL ROASTED, SALTED 1 OUNCE 14 165 0 28 1.9 PEANUTS, OIL ROASTED, UNSALTED 1 CUP 71 840 0 145 9.9 PEANUTS, OIL ROASTED, UNSALTED 1 OUNCE 14 165 0 28 1.9 PEARS, CANNED, HEAVY SYRUP 1 CUP 0 190 0 255 0 PEARS, CANNED, HEAVY SYRUP 1 HALF 0 60 0 79 0 PEARS, CANNED, JUICE PACK 1 CUP 0 125 0 248 0 PEARS, CANNED, JUICE PACK 1 HALF 0 40 0 77 0 PEARS, RAW, BARTLETT 1 PEAR 1 100 0 166 0 PEARS, RAW, BOSC 1 PEAR 1 85 0 141 0 PEARS, RAW, D'ANJOU 1 PEAR 1 120 0 200 0 PEAS, EDIBLE POD, COOKED, DRAINED 1 CUP 0 65 0 160 0.1 PEAS, GREEN, CANNED, DRAINED, SALTED 1 CUP 1 115 0 170 0.1 PEAS, GREEN, CANNED, DRAINED, NO SALT 1 CUP 1 115 0 170 0.1 PEAS, SPLIT, DRY, COOKED 1 CUP 1 230 0 200 0.1 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat PEAS, GRN, FROZEN COOKED, DRAINED 1 CUP 0 125 0 160 0.1 PEA, GREEN, SOUP, CANNED 1 CUP 3 165 0 250 1.4 PECAN PIE 1 PIE 189 3450 569 825 28.1 PECAN PIE 1 PIECE 32 575 95 138 4.7 PECANS, HALVES 1 CUP 73 720 0 108 5.9 PECANS, HALVES 1 OUNCE 19 190 0 28 1.5 PEPPER-TYPE SODA 12 FLUID OUNCE 0 160 0 369 0 PEPPERS, HOT CHILI, RAW, GREEN 1 PEPPER 0 20 0 45 0 PEPPERS, HOT CHILI, RAW, RED 1 PEPPER 0 20 0 45 0 PEPPERS, SWEET, COOKED, GREEN 1 PEPPER 0 15 0 73 0 PEPPERS, SWEET, COOKED, RED 1 PEPPER 0 15 0 73 0 PEPPERS, SWEET, RAW, GREEN 1 PEPPER 0 20 0 74 0 PEPPERS, SWEET, RAW, RED 1 PEPPER 0 20 0 74 0 PEPPER, BLACK 1 TEASPOON 0 5 0 2 0 PICKLES, CUCUMBER, DILL 1 PICKLE 0 5 0 65 0 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat PICKLES, CUCUMBER, FRESH PACK 2 SLICES 0 10 0 15 0 PICKLES, CUCUMBER, SWEET GHERKIN 1 PICKLE 0 20 0 15 0 PIECRUST, FROM MIX 2 CRUST 93 1485 0 320 22.7 PIECRUST, FROM HOME RECIPE 1 SHELL 60 900 0 180 14.8 PINE NUTS 1 OUNCE 17 160 0 28 2.7 PINEAPPLE-GRAPEFRUIT JUICE DRINK 6 FLUID OUNCE 0 90 0 187 0 PINEAPPLE JUICE, CANNED, UNSWEETENED 1 CUP 0 140 0 250 0 PINEAPPLE, CANNED, HEAVY SYRUP 1 CUP 0 200 0 255 0 PINEAPPLE, CANNED, HEAVY SYRUP 1 SLICE 0 45 0 58 0 PINEAPPLE, CANNED, JUICE PACK 1 CUP 0 150 0 250 0 PINEAPPLE, CANNED, JUICE PACK 1 SLICE 0 35 0 58 0 PINEAPPLE, RAW, DICED 1 CUP 1 75 0 155 0 PINTO BEANS, DRY, COOKED, DRAINED 1 CUP 1 265 0 180 0.1 PISTACHIO NUTS 1 OUNCE 14 165 0 28 1.7 PITA BREAD 1 PITA 1 165 0 60 0.1 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat PIZZA, CHEESE 1 SLICE 9 290 56 120 4.1 PLANTAINS, COOKED 1 CUP 0 180 0 154 0.1 PLANTAINS, RAW 1 PLANTAIN 1 220 0 179 0.3 PLUMS, CANNED, HEAVY SYRUP 1 CUP 0 230 0 258 0 PLUMS, CANNED, HEAVY SYRUP 3 PLUMS 0 120 0 133 0 PLUMS, CANNED, JUICE PACK .......... 1 CUP 0 145 0 252 0 PLUMS, CANNED, JUICE PACK 3 PLUMS 0 55 0 95 0 PLUMS, RAW, 1-1/2-IN DIAM 1 PLUM 0 15 0 28 0 PLUMS, RAW, 2-1/8-IN DIAM 1 PLUM 0 35 0 66 0 POPCORN, AIR-POPPED, UNSALTED 1 CUP 0 30 0 8 0 POPCORN, POPPED, VEG OIL, SALTED 1 CUP 3 55 0 11 0.5 POPCORN, SUGAR SYRUP COATED 1 CUP 1 135 0 35 0.1 POPSICLE 1 POPSICLE 0 70 0 95 0 PORK CHOP, LOIN, BROIL, LEAN 2.5 OUNCE 8 165 71 72 2.6 PORK CHOP, LOIN, BROIL, LEAN + FAT 3.1 OUNCE 19 275 84 87 7 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat PORK CHOP, LOIN, PANFRY, LEAN 2.4 OUNCE 11 180 72 67 3.7 PORK CHOP, LOIN, PANFRY, LEAN + FAT 3.1 OUNCE 27 335 92 89 9.8 PORK FRESH HAM, ROASTED, LEAN 2.5 OUNCE 8 160 68 72 2.7 PORK FRESH HAM, ROASTED, LEAN + FAT 3 OUNCE 18 250 79 85 6.4 PORK FRESH RIB, ROASTED, LEAN 2.5 OUNCE 10 175 56 71 3.4 PORK FRESH RIB, ROASTED, LEAN + FAT 3 OUNCE 20 270 69 85 7.2 PORK SHOULDER, BRAISD, LEAN 2.4 OUNCE 8 165 76 67 2.8 PORK SHOULDER, BRAISD, LEAN + FAT 3 OUNCE 22 295 93 85 7.9 PORK, CURED, BACON, REGUL, COOKED 3 SLICE 9 110 16 19 3.3 PORK, CURED, BACON, CANADN, COOKED 2 SLICE 4 85 27 46 1.3 PORK, CURED, HAM, CANNED, ROAST 3 OUNCE 7 140 35 85 2.4 PORK, CURED, HAM, ROSTED, LEAN 2.4 OUNCE 4 105 37 68 1.3 PORK, CURED, HAM, ROSTED, LEAN + FAT 3 OUNCE 14 205 53 85 5.1 PORK, LINK, COOKED 1 LINK 4 50 11 13 1.4 PORK, LUNCHEON MEAT, CANNED 2 SLICES 13 140 26 42 4.5 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat PORK, LUNCHEON MEAT, CHOPPED HAM 2 SLICES 7 95 21 42 2.4 PORK, LUNCHEON MEAT, COOKED HAM, LEAN 2 SLICES 3 75 27 57 0.9 PORK, LUNCHEON MEAT, COOKED HAM, REGULAR 2 SLICES 6 105 32 57 1.9 POTATO CHIPS 10 CHIPS 7 105 0 20 1.8 POTATO SALAD MADE WITH MAYONNAISE 1 CUP 21 360 170 250 3.6 POTATOES, AU GRATIN, FROM MIX 1 CUP 10 230 12 245 6.3 POTATOES, AU GRATIN, HOME RECIPE 1 CUP 19 325 56 245 11.6 POTATOES, BAKED FLESH ONLY 1 POTATO 0 145 0 156 0 POTATOES, BAKED WITH SKIN 1 POTATO 0 220 0 202 0.1 POTATOES, BOILED, PEELED AFTER 1 POTATO 0 120 0 136 0 POTATOES, BOILED, PEELED BEFORE 1 POTATO 0 115 0 135 0 POTATOES, HASHED BROWN, FROZEN 1 CUP 18 340 0 156 7 POTATOES, MASHED, FARM DEHYDRATED 1 CUP 12 235 29 210 7.2 POTATOES, MASHED, RECIPE, MILK + MAR 1 CUP 9 225 4 210 2.2 POTATOES, MASHED, RECIPE, WITH MILK 1 CUP 1 160 4 210 0.7 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat POTATOES, SCALLOPED, FROM MIX 1 CUP 11 230 27 245 6.5 POTATOES, SCALLOPED, HOME RECIPE 1 CUP 9 210 29 245 5.5 POTATOES, FRENCH-FRIED, FROZEN, FRIED 10 STRIP 8 160 0 50 2.5 POTATOES, FRENCH-FRIED, FROZEN, OVEN 10 STRIP 4 110 0 50 2.1 POUND CAKE, COMMERCIAL 1 LOAF 94 1935 1100 500 52 POUND CAKE, COMMERCIAL 1 SLICE 5 110 64 29 3 POUND CAKE, FROM HOME 1 LOAF 94 2025 555 514 21.1 POUND CAKE, FROM HOME RECIPE 1 SLICE 5 120 32 30 1.2 PRETZELS, STICK 10 PRETZEL 0 10 0 3 0 PRETZELS, TWISTED, DUTCH 1 PRETZEL 1 65 0 16 0.1 PRETZELS, TWISTED, THIN 10 PRETZEL 2 240 0 60 0.4 PRODUCT 19 CEREAL 1 OUNCE 0 110 0 28 0 PROVOLONE CHEESE 1 OUNCE 8 100 20 28 4.8 PRUNE JUICE, CANNED 1 CUP 0 180 0 256 0 PRUNES, DEHYDRATED 5 LARGE 0 115 0 49 0 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat PRUNES, DEHYDRATED, COOKED, UNSWEETENED 1 CUP 0 225 0 212 0 PUDDING, CHOCOLATE, CANNED 5 OUNCE 11 205 1 142 9.5 PUDDING, CHOC, COOKED FROM MIX 1/2 CUP 4 155 14 130 2.3 PUDDING, RICE, FROM MIX 1/2 CUP 4 155 15 132 2.3 PUDDING, TAPIOCA, CANNED 5 OUNCE 5 160 0 142 4.8 PUDDING, TAPIOCA, FROM MIX 1/2 CUP 4 145 15 130 2.3 PUDDING, VANILLA, CANNED 5 OUNCE 10 220 1 142 9.5 PUDDING, VANILLA, COOKED FROM MIX 1/2 CUP 4 145 15 130 2.3 PUDDING, VANILLA, INSTANT FARM MIX 1/2 CUP 4 150 15 130 2.2 PUMPERNICKEL BREAD 1 LOAF 16 1160 0 454 2.6 PUMPERNICKEL BREAD 1 SLICE 1 80 0 32 0.2 PUMPERNICKEL BREAD, TOASTED 1 SLICE 1 80 0 29 0.2 PUMPKIN AND SQUASH KERNELS 1 OUNCE 13 155 0 28 2.5 PUMPKIN PIE 1 PIE 102 1920 655 910 38.2 PUMPKIN PIE 1 PIECE 17 320 109 152 6.4 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat PUMPKIN, CANNED 1 CUP 1 85 0 245 0.4 PUMPKIN, COOKED FROM RAW 1 CUP 0 50 0 245 0.1 QUICHE LORRAINE 1 SLICE 48 600 285 176 23.2 RADISHES, RAW 4 RADISH 0 5 0 18 0 RAISIN BRAN, KELLOGG'S 1 OUNCE 1 90 0 28 0.1 RAISIN BRAN, POST 1 OUNCE 1 85 0 28 0.1 RAISIN BREAD 1 LOAF 18 1260 0 454 4.1 RAISIN BREAD 1 SLICE 1 65 0 25 0.2 RAISIN BREAD, TOASTED 1 SLICE 1 65 0 21 0.2 RAISINS 1 CUP 1 435 0 145 0.2 RAISINS 1 PACKET 0 40 0 14 0 RASPBERRIES, FROZEN, SWEETENED 1 CUP 0 255 0 250 0 RASPBERRIES, FROZEN, SWEETENED 10 OUNCE 0 295 0 284 0 RASPBERRIES, RAW 1 CUP 1 60 0 123 0 RED KIDNEY BEANS, DRY, CANNED 1 CUP 1 230 0 255 0.1 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat REFRIED BEANS, CANNED 1 CUP 3 295 0 290 0.4 RELISH, SWEET 1 TABLESPOON 0 20 0 15 0 RHUBARB, COOKED, ADDED SUGAR 1 CUP 0 280 0 240 0 RICE KRISPIES CEREAL 1 OUNCE 0 110 0 28 0 RICE, BROWN, COOKED 1 CUP 1 230 0 195 0.3 RICE, WHITE, COOKED 1 CUP 0 225 0 205 0.1 RICE, WHITE, INSTANT, COOKED 1 CUP 0 180 0 165 0.1 RICE, WHITE, PARBOILED, COOKED 1 CUP 0 185 0 175 0 RICE, WHITE, PARBOILED, RAW 1 CUP 1 685 0 185 0.1 RICE, WHITE, RAW 1 CUP 1 670 0 185 0.2 RICOTTA CHEESE, PART SKIM MILK 1 CUP 19 340 76 246 12.1 RICOTTA CHEESE, WHOLE MILK 1 CUP 32 430 124 246 20.4 ROAST BEEF SANDWICH 1 SANDWHICH 13 345 55 150 3.5 ROLLS, DINNER, COMMERCIAL 1 ROLL 2 85 0 28 0.5 ROLLS, DINNER, HOME RECIPE 1 ROLL 3 120 12 35 0.8 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat ROLLS, FRANKFURTER + HAMBURGER 1 ROLL 2 115 0 40 0.5 ROLLS, HARD 1 ROLL 2 155 0 50 0.4 ROLLS, HOAGIE OR SUBMARINE 1 ROLL 8 400 0 135 1.8 ROOT BEER 12 FLUID OUNCE 0 165 0 370 0 RYE BREAD, LIGHT 1 LOAF 17 1190 0 454 3.3 RYE BREAD, LIGHT 1 SLICE 1 65 0 25 0.2 RYE BREAD, LIGHT, TOASTED 1 SLICE 1 65 0 22 0.2 RYE WAFERS, WHOLE-GRAIN 2 WAFERS 1 55 0 14 0.3 SAFFLOWER OIL ....................... 1 CUP 218 1925 0 218 19.8 SAFFLOWER OIL 1 TABLESPOON 14 125 0 14 1.3 SALAMI, COOKED TYPE 2 SLICES 11 145 37 57 4.6 SALAMI, DRY TYPE 2 SLICES 7 85 16 20 2.4 SALMON, BAKED, RED 3 OUNCE 5 140 60 85 1.2 SALMON, CANNED, PINK, WITH BONES 3 OUNCE 5 120 34 85 0.9 SALMON, SMOKED 3 OUNCE 8 150 51 85 2.6 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat SALT 1 TEASPOON 0 0 0 6 0 SALTINES 4 CRACKR 1 50 4 12 0.5 SANDWICH SPREAD, PORK, BEEF 1 TABLESPOON 3 35 6 15 0.9 SANDWICH TYPE COOKIE 4 COOKIE 8 195 0 40 2 SARDINES, ATLNTC, CANNED, OIL, DRAINED 3 OUNCE 9 175 85 85 2.1 SAUERKRAUT, CANNED 1 CUP 0 45 0 236 0.1 SCALLOPS, BREADED, FROZEN, REHEAT 6 SCALOP 10 195 70 90 2.5 SEAWEED, KELP, RAW 1 OUNCE 0 10 0 28 0.1 SEAWEED, SPIRULINA, DEHYDRATED 1 OUNCE 2 80 0 28 0.8 SELF-RISING FLOUR, UNSIFTED 1 CUP 1 440 0 125 0.2 SEMISWEET CHOCOLATE 1 CUP 61 860 0 170 36.2 SESAME SEEDS 1 TABLESPOON 4 45 0 8 0.6 SHAKES, THICK, CHOCOLATE 10 OUNCE 8 335 30 283 4.8 SHAKES, THICK, VANILLA 10 OUNCE 9 315 33 283 5.3 SHEETCAKE, NO FROSTNG, HOME RECIPE 1 CAKE 108 2830 552 777 29.5 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat SHEETCAKE, WITH FROSTNG, HOME RECIPE 1 CAKE 129 4020 636 1096 41.6 SHEETCAKE, WITH FROSTNG, HOME RECIPE 1 PIECE 14 445 70 121 4.6 SHEETCAKE, NO FROSTNG, HOME RECIPE 1 PIECE 12 315 61 86 3.3 SHERBET, 2% FAT 1 CUP 4 270 14 193 2.4 SHERBET, 2% FAT 1/2 GAL 31 2160 113 1542 19 SHORTBREAD COOKIE, COMMERCIAL 4 COOKIE 8 155 27 32 2.9 SHORTBREAD COOKIE, HOME RECIPE 2 COOKIE 8 145 0 28 1.3 SHREDED WHEAT CEREAL 1 OUNCE 1 100 0 28 0.1 SHRIMP, CANNED, DRAINED 3 OUNCE 1 100 128 85 0.2 SHRIMP, FRENCH FRIED 3 OUNCE 10 200 168 85 2.5 SNACK CAKES, DEVILS FOOD, CREAM FILLED SMALL CAKE 4 105 15 28 1.7 SNACK CAKES, SPONGE CREME FILLING SMALL CAKE 5 155 7 42 2.3 SNACK TYPE CRACKERS 1 CRACKER 1 15 0 3 0.2 SNAP BEAN, CANNED, DRAINED, GREEN, SALT 1 CUP 0 25 0 135 0 SNAP BEAN, CANNED, DRAINED, GREEN, NO SALT 1 CUP 0 25 0 135 0 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat SNAP BEAN, CANNED, DRAINED, YELLOW, SALT 1 CUP 0 25 0 135 0 SNAP BEAN, CANNED, DRAINED, YELLOW, NO SALT 1 CUP 0 25 0 135 0 SNAP BEAN, FROZEN, COOKED, DRAINED, GREEN 1 CUP 0 35 0 135 0 SNAP BEAN, FROZEN, COOKED, DRAINED, YELLOW 1 CUP 0 35 0 135 0 SNAP BEAN, RAW, COOKED, DRAINED, GREEN 1 CUP 0 45 0 125 0.1 SNAP BEAN, RAW, COOKED, DRAINED, YELLOW 1 CUP 0 45 0 125 0.1 SOUR CREAM 1 CUP 48 495 102 230 30 SOUR CREAM 1 TABLESPOON 3 25 5 12 1.6 SOY SAUCE 1 TABLESPOON 0 10 0 18 0 SOYBEAN COTTONSEED OIL, HYDROGENATED 1 CUP 218 1925 0 218 39.2 SOYBEAN COTTONSEED OIL, HYDROGENATED 1 TABLESPOON 14 125 0 14 2.5 SOYBEAN OIL, HYDROGENATED 1 CUP 218 1925 0 218 32.5 SOYBEAN OIL, HYDROGENATED 1 TABLESPOON 14 125 0 14 2.1 SOYBEANS, DRY, COOKED, DRAINED 1 CUP 10 235 0 180 1.3 SPAGHETTI, COOKED, FIRM 1 CUP 1 190 0 130 0.1 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat SPAGHETTI, COOKED, TENDER 1 CUP 1 155 0 140 0.1 SPAGHETTI, TOMATO SAUCE CHEESE, CONDENSED 1 CUP 2 190 3 250 0.4 SPAGHETTI, TOMATO SAUCE CHEE, HOME RECIPE 1 CUP 9 260 8 250 3 SPAGHETTI, MEATBALLS, TOMATO SAUCE, CONDENSED 1 CUP 10 260 23 250 2.4 SPAGHETTI, MEATBALLS, TOMATO SAUCE, HOME RECIPE 1 CUP 12 330 89 248 3.9 SPECIAL K CEREAL 1 OUNCE 0 110 0 28 0 SPINACH SOUFFLE 1 CUP 18 220 184 136 7.1 SPINACH, CANNED, DRAINED, SALTED 1 CUP 1 50 0 214 0.2 SPINACH, CANNED, DRAINED, NO SALT 1 CUP 1 50 0 214 0.2 SPINACH, COOKED FR FROZENEN, DRAINED 1 CUP 0 55 0 190 0.1 SPINACH, COOKED FROM RAW, DRAINED 1 CUP 0 40 0 180 0.1 SPINACH, RAW 1 CUP 0 10 0 55 0 SQUASH, SUMMER, COOKED, DRAINED 1 CUP 1 35 0 180 0.1 SQUASH, WINTER, BAKED 1 CUP 1 80 0 205 0.3 STRAWBERRIES, FROZEN, SWEETENED 1 CUP 0 245 0 255 0 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat STRAWBERRIES, FROZEN, SWEETENED 10 OUNCE 0 275 0 284 0 STRAWBERRIES, RAW 1 CUP 1 45 0 149 0 SUGAR COOKIE, FROM REFRIGERATED DOUGH 4 COOKIE 12 235 29 48 2.3 SUGAR FROSTED FLAKES, KELLOGG 1 OUNCE 0 110 0 28 0 SUGAR SMACKS CEREAL 1 OUNCE 1 105 0 28 0.1 SUGAR, BROWN, PRESSED DOWN 1 CUP 0 820 0 220 0 SUGAR, POWDERED, SIFTED 1 CUP 0 385 0 100 0 SUGAR, WHITE, GRANULATED 1 CUP 0 770 0 200 0 SUGAR, WHITE, GRANULATED 1 PACKET 0 25 0 6 0 SUGAR, WHITE, GRANULATED 1 TABLESPOON 0 45 0 12 0 SUNFLOWER OIL 1 CUP 218 1925 0 218 22.5 SUNFLOWER OIL 1 TABLESPOON 14 125 0 14 1.4 SUNFLOWER SEEDS 1 OUNCE 14 160 0 28 1.5 SUPER SUGAR CRISP CEREAL 1 OUNCE 0 105 0 28 0 SWEET (DARK) CHOCOLATE 1 OUNCE 10 150 0 28 5.9 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK CANNED 1 CUP 27 980 80 306 16.8 SWEETPOTATOES, BAKED, PEELED 1 POTATO 0 115 0 114 0 SWEETPOTATOES, BOILED, NO PEEL 1 POTATO 0 160 0 151 0.1 SWEETPOTATOES, CANDIED 1 PIECE 3 145 8 105 1.4 SWEETPOTATOES, CANNED, MASHED 1 CUP 1 260 0 255 0.1 SWEETPOTATOES, CNNED, VAC PACK 1 PIECE 0 35 0 40 0 SWISS CHEESE 1 OUNCE 8 105 26 28 5 SYRUP, CHOCOLATE FLAVORED THIN 2 TABLESPOON 0 85 0 38 0.2 SYRUP, CHOCOLATE FLVRED, FUDGE 2 TABLESPOON 5 125 0 38 3.1 TABLE SYRUP (CORN AND MAPLE) 2 TABLESPOON 0 122 0 42 0 TACO 1 TACO 11 195 21 81 4.1 TAHINI 1 TABLESPOON 8 90 0 15 1.1 TANGERINE JUICE, CANNED, SWEETENED 1 CUP 0 125 0 249 0 TANGERINES, CANNED, LIGHT SYRUP 1 CUP 0 155 0 252 0 TANGERINES, RAW 1 TANGARINE 0 35 0 84 0 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat TARTAR SAUCE 1 TABLESPOON 8 75 4 14 1.2 TEA, BREWED 8 FLUID OUNCE 0 0 0 240 0 TEA, INSTANT, PREPRD, UNSWEETEND 8 FLUID OUNCE 0 0 0 241 0 TEA, INSTANT, PREPARD, SWEETENED 8 FLUID OUNCE 0 85 0 262 0 TOASTER PASTRIES 1 PASTRY 6 210 0 54 1.7 TOFU 1 PIECE 5 85 0 120 0.7 TOMATO JUICE, CANNED WITH SALT 1 CUP 0 40 0 244 0 TOMATO JUICE, CANNED N SALT 1 CUP 0 40 0 244 0 TOMATO PASTE, CANNED WITH SALT 1 CUP 2 220 0 262 0.3 TOMATO PASTE, CANNED NO SALT 1 CUP 2 220 0 262 0.3 TOMATO PUREE, CANNED WITH SALT 1 CUP 0 105 0 250 0 TOMATO PUREE, CANNED NO SALT 1 CUP 0 105 0 250 0 TOMATO SAUCE, CANNED WITH SALT 1 CUP 0 75 0 245 0.1 TOMATO SOUP WITH MILK, CANNED 1 CUP 6 160 17 248 2.9 TOMATO SOUP WITH WATER, CANNED 1 CUP 2 85 0 244 0.4 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat TOMATO VEG SOUP, DEHYD, PREPRED 1 PACKET 1 40 0 189 0.3 TOMATOES, CANNED, S + L, SALTED 1 CUP 1 50 0 240 0.1 TOMATOES, CANNED, S + L, NO SALT 1 CUP 1 50 0 240 0.1 TOMATOES, RAW 1 TOMATO 0 25 0 123 0 TORTILLAS, CORN 1 TORTILLA 1 65 0 30 0.1 TOTAL CEREAL 1 OUNCE 1 100 0 28 0.1 TRIX CEREAL 1 OUNCE 0 110 0 28 0.2 TROUT, BROILED, WITH BUTTER, LEMON JUICE 3 OUNCE 9 175 71 85 4.1 TUNA SALAD 1 CUP 19 375 80 205 3.3 TUNA, CANNED, DRAINED, OIL, CHK, LIGHT 3 OUNCE 7 165 55 85 1.4 TUNA, CANNED, DRAINED, WATER, WHITE 3 OUNCE 1 135 48 85 0.3 TURKEY HAM, CURED TURKEY THIGH 2 SLICES 3 75 32 57 1 TURKEY LOAF, BREAST MEAT NO C 2 SLICES 1 45 17 42 0.2 TURKEY LOAF, BREAST MEAT, WITH C 2 SLICES 1 45 17 42 0.2 TURKEY PATTIES, BRD, BATTERED, FRIED 1 PATTY 12 180 40 64 3 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat TURKEY ROAST, FROZEN, LIGHT + DARK, COOKED 3 OUNCE 5 130 45 85 1.6 TURKEY, ROASTED, DARK MEAT 4 PIECES 6 160 72 85 2.1 TURKEY, ROASTED, LIGHT MEAT 2 PIECES 3 135 59 85 0.9 TURKEY, ROASTED, LIGHT + DARK 1 CUP 7 240 106 140 2.3 TURKEY, ROASTED, LIGHT + DARK 3 PIECES 4 145 65 85 1.4 TURNIP GREENS, COOKED FARM FROZEN 1 CUP 1 50 0 164 0.2 TURNIP GREENS, COOKED FROM RAW 1 CUP 0 30 0 144 0.1 TURNIPS, COOKED, DICED 1 CUP 0 30 0 156 0 VANILLA WAFERS 10 COOKE 7 185 25 40 1.8 VEAL CUTLET, MEDIUM FAT, BRAISED, BROILED 3 OUNCE 9 185 86 85 4.1 VEAL RIB, MEDIUM FAT, ROASTED 3 OUNCE 14 230 109 85 6 VEGETABLE BEEF SOUP, CANNED 1 CUP 2 80 5 244 0.9 VEGETABLE JUICE COCKTAIL, CANNED 1 CUP 0 45 0 242 0 VEGETABLES, MIXED, CANNED 1 CUP 0 75 0 163 0.1 VEGETABLES, MIXED, COOKED FROZEN 1 CUP 0 105 0 182 0.1 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat VEGETARIAN SOUP, CANNED 1 CUP 2 70 0 241 0.3 VIENNA BREAD 1 SLICE 1 70 0 25 0.2 VIENNA SAUSAGE 1 SAUSAGE 4 45 8 16 1.5 VINEGAR AND OIL SALAD DRESSING 1 TABLESPOON 8 70 0 16 1.5 VINEGAR, CIDER 1 TABLESPOON 0 0 0 15 0 WAFFLES, FROM HOME RECIPE 1 WAFFLE 13 245 102 75 4 WAFFLES, FROM MIX 1 WAFFLE 8 205 59 75 2.7 WALNUTS, BLACK, CHOPPED 1 CUP 71 760 0 125 4.5 WALNUTS, BLACK, CHOPPED 1 OUNCE 16 170 0 28 1 WALNUTS, ENGLISH, PIECES 1 CUP 74 770 0 120 6.7 WALNUTS, ENGLISH, PIECES 1 OUNCE 18 180 0 28 1.6 WATER CHESTNUTS, CANNED 1 CUP 0 70 0 140 0 WATERMELON, RAW 1 PIECE 2 155 0 482 0.3 WATERMELON, RAW, DICED 1 CUP 1 50 0 160 0.1 WHEAT BREAD 1 LOAF 19 1160 0 454 3.9 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat WHEAT BREAD 1 SLICE 1 65 0 25 0.2 WHEAT BREAD, TOASTED 1 SLICE 1 65 0 23 0.2 WHEAT FLOUR, ALL-PURPOSE, SIFTED 1 CUP 1 420 0 115 0.2 WHEAT FLOUR, ALL-PURPOSE, UNSIFTED 1 CUP 1 455 0 125 0.2 WHEATIES CEREAL 1 OUNCE 0 100 0 28 0.1 WHEAT, THIN CRACKERS 4 CRACKER 1 35 0 8 0.5 WHIPPED TOPPING, PRESSURIZED 1 CUP 13 155 46 60 8.3 WHIPPED TOPPING, PRESSURIZED 1 TABLESPOON 1 10 2 3 0.4 WHIPPING CREAM, UNWHIPPED, HEAVY 1 CUP 88 820 326 238 54.8 WHIPPING CREAM, UNWHIPPED, HEAVY 1 TABLESPOON 6 50 21 15 3.5 WHIPPING CREAM, UNWHIPPED, LIGHT 1 CUP 74 700 265 239 46.2 WHIPPING CREAM, UNWHIPPED, LIGHT 1 TABLESPOON 5 45 17 15 2.9 WHITE BREAD 1 LOAF 18 1210 0 454 5.6 WHITE BREAD CRUMBS, SOFT 1 CUP 2 120 0 45 0.6 WHITE BREAD CUBES 1 CUP 1 80 0 30 0.4 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat WHITE BREAD, SLICE 18 PER LOAF 1 SLICE 1 65 0 25 0.3 WHITE BREAD, SLICE 22 PER LOAF 1 SLICE 1 55 0 20 0.2 WHITE BREAD, TOASTED 18 PER 1 SLICE 1 65 0 22 0.3 WHITE BREAD, TOASTED 22 PER LOAF 1 SLICE 1 55 0 17 0.2 WHITE CAKE WITH WHITE FROSTNG, COMMERCIAL 1 CAKE 148 4170 46 1140 33.1 WHITE CAKE WITH WHITE FROSTNG, COMMERCIAL 1 PIECE 9 260 3 71 2.1 WHITE SAUCE WITH MILK FROM MIX 1 CUP 13 240 34 264 6.4 WHITE SAUCE, MEDIUM, HOME RECIPE 1 CUP 30 395 32 250 9.1 WHOLE-WHEAT BREAD 1 LOAF 20 1110 0 454 5.8 WHOLE-WHEAT BREAD 1 SLICE 1 70 0 28 0.4 WHOLE-WHEAT BREAD, TOASTED 1 SLICE 1 70 0 25 0.4 WHOLE-WHEAT FLOUR, HARD WHITE, STIR 1 CUP 2 400 0 120 0.3 WHOLE-WHEAT WAFERS, CRACKERS 2 CRACKER 2 35 0 8 0.5 WINE, DESSERT 3.5 FLUID OUNCE 0 140 0 103 0 WINE, TABLE, RED 3.5 FLUID OUNCE 0 75 0 102 0 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat WINE, TABLE, WHITE 3.5 FLUID OUNCE 0 80 0 102 0 YEAST, BAKERS, DRY, ACTIVE 1 PAKAGE 0 20 0 7 0 YEAST, BREWERS, DRY 1 TABLESPOON 0 25 0 8 0 YELLOW CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE FROSTING, FARM MIX 1 CAKE 125 3735 576 1108 47.8 YELLOW CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE FROSTING, FARM MIX 1 PIECE 8 235 36 69 3 YELLOW CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE FROSTING, COMMERCIAL 1 CAKE 175 3895 609 1108 92 YELLOW CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE FROSTING, COMMERCIAL 1 PIECE 11 245 38 69 5.7 YOGURT, WITH LOFAT MILK, PLAIN 8 OUNCE 4 145 14 227 2.3 YOGURT, WITH LOFAT MILK, FRUIT FLAVOURED 8 OUNCE 2 230 10 227 1.6 YOGURT, WITH NON FAT MILK 8 OUNCE 0 125 4 227 0.3 YOGURT, WITH WHOLE MILK 8 OUNCE 7 140 29 227 4.8 SATURATED FAT and CHOLESTEROL CHART BY FOOD: Fat, Calorie, Cholesterol, Weight, Saturated Fat Don't want to risk the side effects of harsh medications?   Lipi-Rite may be what you want. Lipi-Rite is Safe, Natural, and Convenient and Can help support a healthy cholesterol profile And help support cardio-vascular health   Please remember to SHARE us with your online social groups. Add www.cholesterolcholestrol.com to your bookmarks or favorites now to find it again easy! Always CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR AND DIETICIAN first about lowering cholesterol. See what they say about the cholesterol lowering ideas you find on this website and others. Our Privacy Policy: www.cholesterolcholestrol.com/privacypolicy.htm Copyright © 2000-present Donald Urquhart. All Rights Reserved. All universal rights reserved. Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our legal disclaimer .
i don't know
Which 1900s time-travel movie franchise correctly predicted automatic self-tightening shoes for 2015?
Back to the Future timeline | Futurepedia | Fandom powered by Wikia Back to the Future timeline 2,533pages on The Back to the Future film trilogy and the short film sequel, Doc Brown Saves the World , present a detailed local history of the fictitious city of Hill Valley and the genealogies, information, and histories of its residents. Each event described in this timeline is either depicted in the films (or on other artifacts such as newspapers depicted in the films), in the novels, in screenplays to the films, or described in interviews by the Bobs (director/co-writer Robert Zemeckis and producer/co-writer Bob Gale ). Additionally, some dates (e.g. Verne 's birthdate and Clara 's birth year) are derived from episodes of the animated series , although whether or not that information is canon is subject to dispute by fans. Information from fan fiction is not included. According to Dr. Emmett Brown in Back to the Future Part II , whenever a time traveler alters key events occurring in the past, they effectively bring an alternate timeline into existence at their point-of-entry, and their original timeline is erased, even though its events are not forgotten by the time-traveler. Thus, every time travel jump into the past depicted in the Back to the Future saga "destroys" a current timeline and "creates" a new one, although Doc Brown often uses the phrase "erased from existence" to describe the deleterious effects of this process. Because of this, events from later timelines do not make their way backward into previous ones; for example, Bob Zemeckis has specifically denied the presence of a second Marty at Twin Pines Mall in Timeline 1. [1] As a time traveler acquires multiple recollections of these altered timelines, a fourth-dimensional latticework begins to emerge which can be expressed graphically, as Doc Brown actually does for Marty McFly (in a crude blackboard drawing) in Back to the Future Part II. Doc further explains that the new timeline causes the world to "change around" the time traveler (e.g. Jennifer and Einstein in 1985A), leaving him or her unaffected unless the new timeline precludes the time traveler's existence (e.g. Old Biff, in a scene deleted because, according to Bob Gale, the audience likely would not understand the reasoning behind it). [1] Accordingly, there is no second version of the time traveler, as had been suggested by Imagineer Bob Gordon in issue #108 of Starlog Magazine, years before the second film was released. [2] Chart of alternate timelines The multiple Back to the Future timelines. In the graphic above, the term Timeline 1 describes the original timeline. The blue stars represent the ensuing jumps by Doc’s DeLorean depicted in the trilogy. The resulting timelines, from 2 to 8, are represented by each successive horizontal arrow. Some timelines, such as Timeline 5 in which the events of 1985A take place, are drastically different in terms of their respective events and effects. Accordingly, the events within each timeline are listed (chronologically) as they are understood to have occurred, but most often where they differ (often radically, or else subtly) from those of their "parent" timelines. For instance, permanently unaltered events in Timeline 1 during the 1960s are common to all BTTF timelines and are listed only once. Events that occur prior to a timeline split date are of course identical to those described in the lower-numbered timeline. Timeline 1 This is the original, unaltered timeline. In this timeline, Biff Tannen becomes George McFly 's supervisor and continues bullying him. 1850s 1885 April: William Sean McFly born, first son to Seamus and Maggie and the first McFly born in America. Saturday, August 29 : There is a meeting of the townspeople over who will pick up the new schoolteacher on September 4 . No one volunteers. Wednesday, September 2 : Native American Horseback-archers are chased near Hill Valley by the United States Cavalry. Friday, September 4 : The new Hill Valley Courthouse clock is delivered to Hill Valley by train. [9] Also on board the same train as a passenger is Clara Clayton, who had been commissioned to be the new teacher at the schoolhouse near Carson Spur , outside Hill Valley. With no one to meet Clara upon her arrival at the station, she then rents two horses and a wagon from Joe Statler, then sets out to find the schoolhouse on her own. A snake spooks the horses pulling Clara's wagon. They then ride madly into Shonash Ravine , killing her instantly. The ravine where she dies is renamed Clayton Ravine in her memory. [10] Saturday, September 5 : The Hill Valley Festival . As part of Hill Valley’s anniversary festivities, the new courthouse clock is started at exactly 8:00 p.m. PST. Photographs with the clock are offered to townspeople wishing to pose with the new timepiece. The clock will remain in faithful service to Hill Valley for the next seven decades. Date unknown: Scheduled completion of the railroad bridge over Clayton Ravine. [11] 1900s Saturday, November 5 : Doc Brown slips off his toilet whilst hanging a clock and has a vision of the flux capacitor . [21] Biff Tannen and his gang pick on George McFly at Lou's Café , warning George to never go into the café again. The café's busboy, Goldie Wilson, gives George advice on standing up for himself, but George ignores it. While ' birdwatching ', i.e. spying on a girl (Lorraine Baines) changing through her window, George McFly slips and falls out of a tree into the street right in front of Sam Baines's car. After hitting him with the car, Baines takes him in, and his daughter Lorraine takes care of George. The two fall in love. [22] Monday, November 7 : On the first day of school after George was hit by Sam Baines's car, Lorraine is infatuated with George as a result of the Florence Nightingale effect . Biff then apparently leaves him (and Lorraine) alone for awhile. With his attentions focused on Lorraine, George stops writing science fiction stories and having missed Science Fiction Theatre on the 5th (due to his injury), apparently has no problem missing the show scheduled for Saturday the 12th - the night of the Enchantment Under the Sea dance. George then asks Lorraine to the dance, and she accepts. Tuesday, November 8 : Biff and his gang stop by Lou's Cafe to make sure that George McFly isn't there, then drive off, perhaps commenting on a manure truck that is parked nearby. Saturday, November 12 : Doc continues to think about the vision he had had a week earlier about the flux capacitor. If Doc is conducting an experiment, it is probably in his home rather than in Courthouse Square. Lorraine, accompanied by her friend Babs , goes to Ruth's Frock Shop in downtown Hill Valley to pick up a dress she had made for the dance later that night. There is nobody else present. The Enchantment Under the Sea dance takes place at the Hill Valley High School gym. Marvin Berry and the Starlighters play a set of music, taking a break at 9 o'clock. Biff and his gang spend the evening drinking, but avoid going to the dance. During Marvin Berry and the Starlighers' second (and final for the night) set, George and Lorraine share their first kiss on the dance floor. It is at that moment that Lorraine realizes that she is going to spend the rest of her life with George. 10:04 p.m.: Lightning strikes the clock tower at precisely 10:04 p.m., damaging and stopping the seven-decade-old timepiece. 1983 Date unknown: Marty and Doc meet and become friends. According to the original Part I script, Doc shows up at Marty's house and hires Marty to sweep his garage in the year 1983 . Doc gave Marty total access to his record collection, and they became friends. Sunday, May 22 : Ronald Reagan announces he will run for a second term in office. Although a newspaper headline, seen in Timeline 2 , mentions that Doc Brown is commended and wins an award, it is unknown whether this happened in the original timeline (because in 1985, Dr. Brown is described by Stanford S. Strickland as "a real nutcase"). 8:18 a.m. Opening titles of " Back to the Future ": all the clocks in Doc's lab are set 25 minutes slow, displayed incorrectly as 7:53 a.m. 8:25 a.m. Doc asks Marty to meet him at Twin Pines Mall at 1:15 a.m. next morning. Marty arrives to school late then fails his audition with his band, The Pinheads , later after school. Marty admires a black Toyota Hilux 4X4 on a flatbed truck at the Texaco gas station. A woman asks Marty for a donation to preserve the non-functioning clock tower, handing him a flyer containing specific date and time details about the lightning strike to the clock. Marty puts the flyer in his pocket. Biff borrows George's car. He crashes it while drinking and driving (at the same time!), and the two get into an argument about whether or not George knew about a blind spot. Lorraine's brother Joey fails to make parole again. 12:28 a.m. Doc calls Marty to stop by at his garage to pick up his JVC camcorder . 1:16 a.m. Marty arrives at Twin Pines Mall. 1:18 a.m. Doc demonstrates Temporal Experiment #1 . 1:20 a.m. Temporal Experiment #1 proves to be a success. Einstein becomes the world's first time traveler by departing one minute into the future. (This time jump does not create a new timeline; timelines are only created by going back in time. Einstein merely moves one minute forward on Timeline 1 . The Doc states this is the case with timelines in the blackboard scene in Part II.) The DeLorean's time circuits as they appeared one minute after the first demonstration. 1:21 a.m. Einstein arrives at one minute into the future. 1:33 a.m. Emmett Brown is shot dead by Libyan terrorists. 1:35 a.m. Marty flees from the Libyans in the DeLorean and accidentally departs 1985 for 1955 by accelerating to 88 m.p.h. His arrival there brings Timeline 2 into existence, and Timeline 1 fades from existence. Timeline 2 This is the timeline brought into existence by Marty's accidental time journey into 1955. It is the timeline that is current at the end of the first movie , before Doc takes Marty and Jennifer into 2015. In this timeline, George becomes an author and Biff becomes an auto detailer. Saturday, November 5 : 6:15 a.m. Marty McFly arrives in 1955 from Timeline 1 , on Old Man Peabody 's farm , and knocks down one of Otis Peabody's twin pine trees. After fleeing from an angry Old Man Peabody, Marty drives over to Lyon Estates, only to discover it under construction. Immediately after, the DeLorean gets depleted of plutonium, rendering it useless for time travel. Marty then hides it behind the Lyon Estates signboard, then makes it to Hill Valley on foot. 8:29 a.m. Marty arrives in downtown Hill Valley, and steps into Lou's Cafe, where he meets George McFly. Biff Tannen and his gang enter shortly afterwards. As they pick on George, Marty directly witnesses his future father's inability to stand up to them, even as Biff warns George not to come back into the cafe. Goldie Wilson gives George advice on standing up for himself, but George ignores it, even as Marty hints about Goldie running for Mayor (which inspires Goldie to go for it, much to the amusement of his boss, Lou Caruthers ). Marty pushes George out of the way of Sam Baines's car and gets knocked unconscious, thus interfering with George's first meeting with Lorraine Baines. Lorraine then takes Marty in, then invites him to dinner with her family. Marty finds the young Doc Brown and shows him the time machine from thirty years in Doc’s future. After Doc tells Marty that only "a bolt of lightning" could provide the power to make the time machine function, Marty shows him the flyer with the details of the clock tower lightning strike (which he got in 1985). The two then devise a plan to channel the lightning exactly one week from this date. Sunday, November 6 : Doc learns that Marty has interfered with his parents' first meeting and that he and his siblings will be “erased from existence” unless Marty can get them together. Monday, November 7 : Marty, as " Calvin Klein ", goes to Hill Valley High School to try and get George and Lorraine together, but she has developed a crush on Marty instead of George. Biff is not amused by this development. Tuesday, November 8 : 1:21 a.m. Marty, in a radiation suit as " Darth Vader from the planet "Vulcan", visits George to try and make him take Lorraine to the dance that Saturday. George reports his weird alien experience to "Calvin," telling him that Darth Vader said he would melt his brain if he failed to ask out Lorraine. After George helps Marty open a Pepsi bottle, they go into the cafe, where George talks with Lorraine. The plan is successful at first, until Biff and his gang interfere. Biff and his gang chase Marty around Courthouse Square , and Marty improvises a skateboard to escape. Lorraine ignores George in favor of Marty. Biff’s car has its first recorded encounter with a manure truck. After fitting the DeLorean with a detachable pole and hook (directed into the flux capacitor when attached), Doc uses a model of the town — plus a wind-up toy car and a live electric cable — to demonstrate to Marty the plan on getting him back to the future. Immediately after, Lorraine arrives, having followed Marty, asking him to take her to the dance, much to Marty's empathy. Wednesday, November 9 : George and Marty come up with a plan for Saturday night that will see George become a "fighter" for Lorraine Baines. Saturday, November 12 : Afternoon. Biff picks up his car from Western Auto , and is billed $302.57 — much to his shock. After an argument with Terry the mechanic, Biff approaches Lorraine, who, accompanied by Babs, has just picked up her outfit for the dance from Ruth's Frock Shop (near Western Auto). As he boasts to her that he will marry her someday, she rebuffs his advances: "I wouldn’t be your girl even if you had a million dollars". Biff then jumps into his car to drive home and get ready for the evening. There is nobody with him. Marty observes that Dave, and then Linda, have disappeared from his photograph from the future, indicating that the current timeline has already changed into a timeline in which they will never be born. He looks noticeably concerned. 9:00 p.m. Marty borrows Doc’s car to take Lorraine to the dance, but Biff steals her away. As Biff's cronies lock Marty inside the trunk of Marvin Berry 's car , they have a brief altercation with the band. Given the keys fell inside the trunk, Marvin is forced to use a screwdriver to open it, cutting his hand in the process. George arrives while Marty is suddenly absent. George punches Biff before he has his way with Lorraine, but she hasn’t fallen for him quite yet. George and Marty have more to do before Marty’s future is restored, and Marty’s photo proves it. Marty himself begins to be "erased from existence." 9:28 p.m. As Marvin's injured hand prevents him from playing guitar , Marty subs up for him on stage. While George and Lorraine are finally beginning to enjoy themselves at the dance, Dixon cuts in. George nevertheless takes what is rightly his and the future Mr. and Mrs. McFly finally share their first kiss. The timeline in which George's and Lorraine's three children were never born has been averted, as Marty observes from his photo. Marvin asks if Marty would like to do one more number, and he plays " Johnny B. Goode " (leading Marvin to phone his cousin Chuck ). Marty offers additional advice to his young parents in order to assure he will have a nice life back in 1985. [34] 10:04 p.m. Lightning strikes the clock tower, and Marty travels back to 1985 in the time machine, via a complex utilization of the energy of the lightning strike itself devised by Doc Brown, and thanks to Marty McFly’s precise foreknowledge of this local historic event. There are no reported immediate witnesses to this event. Despite repeated attempts, the clock is never successfully repaired; in fact, some Hill Valley residents voice a desire for the clock’s preservation as is (along with the damaged ledge below it) to memorialize the unusual occurrence. Doc celebrates sending Marty back to the future. 10:05 p.m. The young Doc Brown returns home, unnoticed, having witnessed the earliest successful demonstration of time travel in human history. He is carrying a note Marty has handed him in lieu of verbal information about his own future, but is hesitant about reading it. While he has torn it up, he does not discard it. Doc must wait almost three decades before acquiring the technology required to build the device he has just seen with his own eyes, and is careful enough not to further interfere with McFly family events as they unfold over the next decades (see Timeline 1 above for these events, which are for the most part unaltered (although the McFly family is more affluent as a result of George being more assertive over the next 30 years); and will also occur as part of Timeline 7 below). 1985 Saturday, October 26 : It should be noted that for a period of 11 minutes on this date in this timeline, there are two Martys and two DeLoreans present: Marty A and DeLorean A being the ones who depart for 1955 at 1:35, 11 minutes after their B counterparts arrive from 1955. 1:24 a.m. Marty B arrives from 1955 in DeLorean B, crashing into the front of the Assembly of Christ church (formerly the Town Theater ). Immediately after, the DeLorean's engine fails, forcing Marty to run from the town square over to Lone Pine Mall — just as the Libyans drive by on their way there. 1:33 a.m. Doc is shot dead by the Libyans in front of Marty A. Witnessing this and hearing his A counterpart's scream, Marty B is even more horrified at having arrived too late to save Doc. 1:35 a.m. Fleeing from the Libyans, Marty A accelerates DeLorean A to 88 m.p.h., disappearing through time for 1955. Blinded and disoriented, the Libyans lose control of their van, crashing into and totaling a Fox Photo stand. Marty B, much to his relief, finds out Doc survived because he was forewarned by the note Marty gave Doc just moments ago in 1955 about the Libyans (and that Doc finally had the courage to read in his long interim). (Doc and Marty then drive the E. Brown Enterprises truck away from the parking lot at Lone Pine Mall before anyone comes to investigate the destruction of the Fox Photo stand by the Libyans' van). Doc retrieves the time machine from the Assembly of Christ building before any witnesses arrive downtown. No charges are lodged against driver or scientist. Doc takes Marty back to his home , and then travels with Einstein to 2015 on this timeline. As Doc and Einstein travel forward 30 years along this timeline, the next 30 years of timeline 2 are revealed below. 10:28 a.m. Marty awakes from a badly-needed night’s rest to discover he has a much-improved family life and circumstances, including ownership of a black Toyota 4X4. His father also seems to have become an author (see below). Jennifer arrives to see the new 4x4. Marty and Jennifer finally kiss and presumably take it up to the lake . Biff wants to show Marty his new Biff's Auto Detailing matchbook he has just had printed. Marty and Jennifer may or may have not left at that point. Sunday, October 27 : Marty races Needles and crashes into a Rolls-Royce , causing his future to be rotten (see entries below). October/November: George McFly's first novel, A Match Made in Space , is published. The cover alludes to young George, young Lorraine, and " Darth Vader " (Marty's radiation suit, utilized as a costume in 1955). Date unknown: Griff Tannen is born to Biff Tannen Jr. and an unknown woman. Date unknown: Rafe "Data" Unger , future gang member of Griff's, is born. Date unknown: Leslie "Spike" O'Malley , future gang member of Griff's, is born. Date unknown: Chester "Whitey" Nogura , future gang member of Griff's, is born. Date unknown: Marty McFly Jr. is born to Marty and Jennifer McFly. Date unknown: Bottoms Up! , a plastic surgery place, opens in Courthouse Square. 2000s Date unknown: The Hill Valley Telegraph closes or sells its printing and news-gathering operations to USA Today to create a HILL VALLEY EDITION of the nationwide newspaper. 2015 Doc spends an unknown amount of time in 2015 and later. While he's there, he places Einstein in a suspended animation kennel, outfits the time machine with a Mr. Fusion and a hover conversion, undergoes personal rejuvenation surgery, and learns as much as he can about Marty Jr.'s meeting with Griff on the 21st. Eventually, Doc leaves for 1985 to fetch Marty and Jennifer. This creates Timeline 3 which begins at the Doc's entry point of 1985 and timeline 2 fades away. Date unknown: Jaws 19 debuts at the theater: this time, it's really really personal. The Chicago Cubs win the World Series . Marty Jr. is pushed by Griff to participate in a crime. The 47-year-old Marty, dared by Needles , illegally lets Needles scan his CusCo credit card , and subsequently is fired by Ito Fujitsu in typical real-estate mogul fashion: "Read my fax !" Thursday, October 22 : Marty Jr. is tried, convicted and sentenced to 15 years in jail for a robbery. Friday, October 23 : Queen Diana visits Washington according to the 2015 newspaper. Wednesday, October 28 : Marlene McFly attempts to break her brother out of prison. She is sentenced to 20 years in jail. 2030s Wednesday, October 28 : Marlene is scheduled to be released from prison in the California State Penitentiary . Timeline 3 This is the timeline which Doc brings into existence by traveling to 1985 to seek Marty and Jennifer's help. In this timeline, the fate of the McFly children ought to have been greatly improved. Unfortunately, "Old" Biff's stealing the DeLorean and traveling back to 1955 retroactively changes the events of this timeline and bring Timeline 4 into existence instead. Biff quickly returns the DeLorean to 2015 undetected (before any past alterations have taken place), and Doc, Marty and Jennifer depart moments before it fades away. It is implied that Doc would bring both Marty and Jennifer back to 1985 after the future excursion, due to their future selves still existing and appropriately aged in 2015. Saturday, October 26 : Doc returns from 2015, sans Einstein, and crashes the DeLorean into the garbage cans in the McFlys' driveway. Doc then informs Marty that "something has got to be done about (his) kids." Doc then proceeds to take Marty (and Jennifer by circumstance) forward along this new timeline to 2015. Biff Tannen, wanting to show Marty the matchbooks he had printed for his auto detailing business, witnesses the DeLorean hovering briefly before taking off for the future. He will remember this for the next 30 years. 2010s Wednesday, October 21 : 4:29 p.m.Doc, Marty and Jennifer arrive in 2015 to save Marty Jr. from Griff. Marty poses as Marty Jr. and turns down Griff's proposal. After the hoverboard chase which ensues, only Griff and his gang are arrested for damaging the courthouse. At some point Marty acquires a Grays Sports Almanac with the intention of using it to his advantage once he returns to his own decade. Doc returns to pick up Marty, having retrieved Einstein from his suspended animation kennel, and witnesses Marty's success in changing his family's future, as indicated on his newspaper changing due to the ripple effect. Old Biff, age 78, who has been waiting for this opportunity for three decades, steals the DeLorean and heads back to 1955 with Marty’s sports almanac, which Doc angrily threw into a convenient trash receptacle, bringing Timeline 4 into existence six decades in the past. Jennifer, rendered unconscious due to her non-necessity in saving Marty Jr., is taken to her future home. There, she hides in a closet and witnesses Marty's future family life. She witnesses Marty getting fired from his job and receives a fax about it. She attempts to escape the house, but encounters her 2015 counterpart and faints. Doc takes her out of the house safely. Biff returns the DeLorean to 2015 shortly thereafter without Doc and Marty immediately noticing. He is able to do this because his younger self is not immediately able to act on the knowledge contained in the almanac, so the past remains unchanged until 1958 arrives. However, Timeline 4 has been brought into existence between the time Biff leaves 1955 and returns to 2015, and collapses in pain. He fades from existence (as seen in a deleted scene) after having been presumably murdered by Lorraine in 1996. (see below) 7:28 p.m. Doc, Marty, Einstein and Jennifer depart 2015 for the "alternate 1985", bringing Timeline 5 into existence. Date unknown: Doc returns to the suspended animation kennel to retrieve Einstein. Timeline 4 This is the timeline Old Biff brings into existence in 1955 by arriving from 2015 in the stolen DeLorean, almanac in hand. It is replaced with a virtually identical Timeline 5 on October 26, 1985 when Doc, Marty, Einstein and Jennifer arrive from 2015, and observe the damage Biff has accomplished. Wednesday, October 14 : Biff Tannen wins another large sum of money at a sports event. He is seen smiling on the cover page of the next day's edition of the newspaper, with the almanac partially visible in his pocket. [35] Date unknown: Biff Tannen wins again and again, gaining the nickname, "The Luckiest Man On Earth." [25] Unknown dates As Biff's wealth tremendously increases by his continuous betting on winnings noted in the almanac (but heeding his older self's advice to keep it a secret), he invests his winning streak into a financial empire he names BiffCo , which builds, operates, and maintains nuclear power plants, toxic waste disposals, and chemical process facilities (dioxin plants, among others) in and around Hill Valley. By this, he gains power and influence over the people of Hill Valley, even acquiring the Hill Valley Police Department and taking over Lyon Estates as a BiffCo subsidiary. Biff's former high school gang members Match, 3-D and Skinhead, become his bodyguard . 1996 Date unknown: Something causes Biff's death, but exact details are unknown. (A theory suggested by the Bobs says that Lorraine found out Biff had killed George, and shot him out of revenge.) This would seem to have the effect of erasing Old Biff from existence in 2015, as depicted in a scene deleted from BTTF Part II. Timeline 5 This is the alternate timeline brought into existence when Marty, Doc, Jennifer and Einstein return from 2015. This is referred to by Doc as 1985A , which is depicted in BTTF Part II. The key difference between this timeline and Timeline 4 is the simultaneous presence of two Martys (his doppelganger overseas at boarding school), two Docs (his doppelganger committed to a mental institution and unable to invent the time machine) and the alternate Einstein and Jennifer, the latter whom is still unconscious from what she has witnessed in 2015 (their 1985A doppelgangers, if they have any, are never seen or mentioned). Saturday, October 26 : 9:00 p.m. Doc, Marty, Einstein and Jennifer arrive back from 2015 and find out things have radically changed (see Timeline 4 above). Marty is caught by Match, Skinhead and 3-D, meets the radically alternate 1985 versions of his mother, brother Dave, and Biff Tannen, and is a direct witness to Biff’s way with women. Sunday, October 27 : Doc deduces what has happened in the past with Biff and the almanac from the evidence Biff has carelessly left behind, but he has no way of knowing when and where the transfer occurred. A courageous Marty confronts Biff about his secret document and easily extracts the needed information from the smug mogul. Biff, recalling the advice given by his future self, grabs his gun to kill Marty. A chase with Match, Skinhead and 3-D naturally ensues, and Marty escapes once again after learning it was Biff who murdered his father. 2:42 a.m.Doc and Marty head back to 1955 to put the history they remember back on track. Jennifer Parker and Einstein are left behind, as Doc surmises that they will not be erased when 1985A is. At this point, Timeline 5 fades away, to be replaced by the nascent Timeline 6 . Timeline 6 This is the key timeline brought into existence when Doc and Marty arrive in 1955 to relieve Biff of his newly acquired almanac from the future, thus preventing Timeline 4 and Timeline 5 from coming into existence, but without disturbing Timeline 2 as Marty has previously accomplished. This is the timeline that is depicted in the "1955" part of Back to the Future Part II. For purposes of clarification, this timeline can be thought of as a "patched" version of Timeline 2, with double Docs and Martys. It bears noting that for several hours during this day, three instances of Doc’s DeLorean are present in Hill Valley simultaneously. Saturday, November 12 : 6:00 a.m. Doc and Marty arrive from Timeline 5 in a DeLorean technologically improved than the one (with depleted plutonium) in which the younger Marty has already arrived ( Timeline 2 ). They have left Einstein at Doc's garage and Jennifer Parker safely asleep at home in 1985-A, as Doc surmises that they will not be erased by any changes to the future that they will make. He also advises Marty that Biff’s initial acquisition of the almanac must not be interfered with, so that Old Biff will return the time machine to 2015 thinking he’s succeeded. Later that same morning. Old Biff arrives from 2015 ( Timeline 3 ) (in yet another instance of the DeLorean) with the almanac. He then locates his younger self later that day at Western Auto, picking up his car - and having an argument with Terry over the $302.57 repair bill. As this goes on, Marty smuggles himself into the back seat of Biff's car. Accompanied by Babs, Lorraine has just picked up her outfit for the dance from Ruth's Frock Shop. As young Biff boasts to her that he will marry her someday, she rebuffs his advances. Biff is then about to jump into his car to drive home and get ready for the evening, when he encounters an elderly stranger occupying the driver’s seat. Although the stranger is mysteriously able to start the car, Biff apparently fails to recognize him as his older self, who then informs him that "Today’s your lucky day." Marty, hiding in the back seat of the car, is an intimate witness to Old Biff’s demonstration of the power of the almanac, but he does not interfere, as Doc has advised. Young Biff tells his older self he’ll "...take a look at it." 6:38 p.m.: Thinking he’s done enough to change the future, and intending to escape detection, Old Biff departs in the DeLorean to the same moment he departed in 2015. 9:28 p.m. Marty retrieves the Sports Almanac from an unconscious Biff, while Doc departs the Lyon Estates construction site to fly towards the roof of Hill Valley High School. A more mature and foreknowledgeable Marty fights off Match, Skinhead and 3-D and keeps them from jumping the naive Marty (from Timeline 2 ), allowing the events of that timeline to occur as they had before (i.e., as Marty recalls it from his point of view). Marty avoids any direct contact with his day younger self, until he loses the almanac to Biff again. After much wasted time and effort, Marty ultimately retrieves the almanac from Biff’s car. Biff, who has not paid for the $300 repairs after his first wreck, crashes his '46 Ford a second time, an event that had not happened in any previous timeline. Burning the almanac causes this timeline to fade back to closely match Timeline 3 , making Old Biff's visit to the past mostly inconsequential, except for Biff's extra encounters with Marty. Marty and Doc are able to visually confirm the erasure of 1985A from items they’ve retrieved from that alternate future. 9:44 p.m. The hover-converted DeLorean from 2015 and 1985-A, with Doc on board, gets unexpectedly struck by lightning just outside Lyon Estates and sent back to January 1, 1885 due to an on-board malfunction Doc neglected to correct. This brings Timeline 7 into existence, seven decades further in the past. [36] Timeline 7 This is the timeline Doc and Marty exist in, separated by 7 decades of time, at the end of Back to the Future Part II and the beginning of Part III (before Marty’s trip back to 1885). It is a timeline in which Doc lives in 1885, without Marty, for only eight months and almost seven days, and is shot by Buford Tannen . It seems the careful Doc's presence has little impact on known history (until 1955 when his DeLorean is unearthed), this timeline is nearly identical to Timeline 2 with Timeline 6 . Because of Doc's unintended trip to 1885, there are four DeLorean time machines that exist on November 12, 1955 in this timeline, because this is a timeline where a DeLorean has been stored in a mine for more than 70 years. Even as 1955 Doc is planning to send DeLorean "A" back to the future, 2015 Biff has brought DeLorean "B" with an almanac inside, and 1985 Doc and Marty have brought DeLorean "C" to retrieve the almanac -- there is DeLorean "D" inside the Delgado Mine. Thursday, January 1 12:00 a.m. Dr. Emmett Brown accidentally arrives from 1955 (Timeline 6). The DeLorean 's time circuits have been scrambled and shorted out by an overload caused by the lightning bolt, rendering the car useless for time travel and stranding Doc in the past. The overload also permanently damages the car's flying circuits, disabling its hover-conversion feature for good. Stranded in 1885, Doc settles in Hill Valley, where he sets himself up as a blacksmith. He then tries improvising methods in attempting repairs on the DeLorean, only to realize that most of the technology he needs will not be available until the next century (i.e. suitable replacement parts for the time circuits yet to be invented around 1947 at the earliest.) Nevertheless, Doc becomes adept at shoeing horses and repairing wagons, alongside his own experiments using the primitive technology available for the time. Date unknown between January 1 and September 1 With the DeLorean's time circuit control microchip shorted out by the lightning bolt, Doc writes detailed instructions (including drawing schematic diagrams) on rebuilding it with 1955-era vacuum tubes and transistors. (In a sense, 1985 Doc teaches his younger self how to repair the time machine.) He then places these in the DeLorean before burying it in the Delgado Mine , where he hopes it will remain undisturbed and preserved until his younger self and Marty unearth it 70 years hence. Blacksmith Emmett Brown is hired by Buford Tannen to shoe Buford's horse, but is not paid. After getting thrown off his horse and breaking a bottle of whiskey , Buford blames Doc for the accident and demands a total of eighty dollars from him; five dollars for the whiskey and seventy-five dollars for the horse, which was shot. Saturday, July 4 : Doc passes out after drinking one shot of whiskey at the 4th of July celebrations. Saturday, August 29 : There is a meeting of the townspeople over who will pick up the new schoolteacher on September 4 . Doc volunteers. Tuesday, September 1 : Having lived in 1885 for 8 months [19] , Doc writes a letter to be delivered personally by Western Union to Marty McFly on November 12 , 1955 exactly at 9:45 p.m. to the exact stretch of road he was hovering above when he was struck by lightning. Friday, September 4 : A train pulls into Hill Valley Station, carrying the new clock for the courthouse - and Clara Clayton aboard as a passenger. Doc meets her at the platform and brings her to the schoolhouse, where the two fall in love. Unknowingly, Doc also prevents Clara's death that day, and Shonash Ravine is never renamed Clayton Ravine in her memory. Saturday, September 5 : The Hill Valley Festival . A photographer takes a portrait of Doc posing next to the new courthouse clock (this photo is discovered by Marty and young Doc in 1955 at the library). While Doc dances with Clara, Buford Tannen shoots Doc in the back because he never paid Buford the eighty dollars. Monday, September 7 : Doc dies of the bullet wound Tannen caused, and is buried in Boot Hill Cemetery - which is fittingly adjacent to Delgado Mine, where the DeLorean (with repair instructions) is safely buried. Clara, grief-stricken over the loss of her man, erects a headstone on his grave in eternal memory of him. Sunday, November 13 : 7:01 a.m.: Young Doc reads the soggy old letter his 30-year-older self wrote seventy years in the past. Monday, November 14 : Marty and Doc uncover the DeLorean with repair instructions and his walkie talkie from the Delgado Mine near Boot Hill Cemetery, where the older Doc Brown was buried in 1885. As fate would have it, they also find Doc's grave and learn about Buford Tannen. They elect to photograph the headstone, as it will serve as a "ripple-effect" indicator of Marty’s success in 1885. Marty insists on going back to 1885 to rescue his friend. Tuesday, November 15 : Doc repairs and "soups up" the unearthed DeLorean, building a new time circuit with vacuum tubes and transistors. He also fits the DeLorean with new whitewall tires , and installs fresh oversized batteries on his and Marty's walkie talkies. Wednesday, November 16 10:00 a.m. Marty leaves 1955 and heads back to 1885 to rescue Doc. This would be the DeLorean's last trip through time on its own power. This act initiates the ultimate timeline, Timeline 8 . Young Doc is left behind in this timeline undisturbed to wait a few decades until the DeLorean is built, and avoids further contact with the McFlys until the 1980s as outlined above ( Timeline 1 and Timeline 2 ). [37] Timeline 8 This timeline comes into existence when Marty arrives in 1885, to try to prevent the events that led to Doc's death in Timeline 7 at the hands of Buford Tannen. It is this timeline in which Doc and Marty appear for most of Back to the Future Part III. It is also the final timeline depicted in the trilogy, as the DeLorean will no longer travel backwards in time. Since Marty chooses not to race Needles upon his return to 1985, the future is changed once again, and the alternate futures Doc and Marty have experienced in Timeline 2 and Timeline 3 are erased by this timeline. Note: Two DeLoreans exist in this timeline for five days in 1885, from September 2 when Marty arrived, until September 7 when he departed for 1985. Thursday, September 3 : Marty arrives in Hill Valley, and upsets Buford "Mad Dog" Tannen, great grandfather of Biff Tannen , at the Palace Saloon, causing Tannen to nearly hang Marty. Doc saves Marty in time. Marty informs Doc of his impending death involving Buford and his infatuation with Clara Clayton . Aware that he will fall in love with Clara and worried about changing his future, Doc decides not to pick her up, as he has already volunteered to do five days ago. He and Marty then decide to leave 1885 and go back to 1985, but Marty notes about the DeLorean's damaged fuel line, realizing that there's no way to get the car up to 88 mph without gasoline, which will not be available until next century. With 6 horses, Doc and Marty ride out to the cave where Marty hid the DeLorean. They attempt to get it to up 88 mph on the way back to Hill Valley, but this proved unsuccessful as Doc explains that even the fastest horses in the world can reach nowhere near that speed. Friday, September 4 : Doc tries using whiskey as fuel for the DeLorean's engine, but this only blows the fuel injection manifold, rendering the car completely powerless. He and Marty then think of various alternative methods to get the DeLorean up to 88 mph, but none of them seem practical. A train pulls into Hill Valley Station, carrying the new clock for the courthouse - and Clara aboard as a passenger. This gives Doc and Marty the idea of borrowing the locomotive to push the DeLorean. (They fail to recognize Clara standing behind them at the platform, waiting to be picked up. With no one to meet her, she then rents two horses and a wagon from Joe Statler, then sets out to find the schoolhouse on her own.) Doc and Marty ride out to Carson Spur, near the incomplete Shonash Ravine Bridge, ultimately deciding it is the perfect stretch of level track on which to push the DeLorean up to 88 mph with the locomotive just before they reach the edge of the ravine (over which the completed bridge would then exist upon arriving back in 1985). As Doc and Marty survey the bridge (which is scheduled for completion the following year), Clara's wagon runs away after a snake spooks the horses pulling it. Doc then comes to her rescue, saving her life. It is love at first sight. Much to Marty's horror, he and Doc realize that they unknowingly altered future history, resulting in Shonash Ravine not being re-named in memory of Clara. Marty nevertheless insists on getting the DeLorean ready to get them back to the future. Saturday, September 5 : After fitting the DeLorean with flanged steel railroad wheels, Doc uses a makeshift model railroad to demonstrate to Marty the plan on getting them back to the future. Immediately after, Clara arrives, asking Doc to repair her telescope, which had been damaged when it fell off the wagon during the rescue the day before. Doc, agreeing to perform the repair job without charge, becomes even more smitten with her. Evening. The Hill Valley Festival . Doc and Marty have a photograph taken, posing next to the new courthouse clock (this photo is given to Marty in 1985 by Doc at the spot where the DeLorean was destroyed by a locomotive near Eastwood Ravine). Later on, while Doc and Clara dance, Buford Tannen arrives and attempts to shoot Doc, but Marty interferes and saves him. Buford, angered by Marty's action, calls him " yellow ", challenging him to a duel on Monday morning. Aiming to prove himself to Buford that he isn't "yellow", Marty agrees to the face-off, setting it for 8 a.m. that morning. Sunday, September 6 : 7:00 a.m. Marty wakes up. After being confronted by Doc about the dangers of fighting Buford, Marty checks his photograph of the tombstone from 1955, and gets a shock. The future of timeline 8 in which Doc is killed is replaced by one in which Marty, aka "Clint Eastwood", is likely to be killed. Evening. Doc and Marty haul the DeLorean out to Carson Spur, where they unload the car onto the tracks in preparation for their trip back to the future. Later that night, while an exhausted Marty sleeps, Doc tells Clara the truth and says goodbye to her, but she doesn't believe him. Both are broken-hearted: Doc heads back to town and gets a drink at the Palace Saloon, while Clara prepares to leave Hill Valley. Buford and his gang rob the Pine City stage. Monday, September 7 : 8:00 a.m. Marty has a showdown scheduled with Buford Tannen outside Palace Saloon. Marty and Doc escape through the saloon's back door when Buford spots Marty, and again calls him "yellow". Marty still decides not to face Buford, showing an incredible amount of growth from a mere day earlier, and is about to walk away when Buford and his gang get a hold of Doc and threaten to shoot him. A train pulled by Locomotive 131 pulls into Hill Valley Station. Clara, deeply upset over losing Doc, then boards it before it departs for San Francisco. Marty decides to face Buford, who then shoots Marty in the chest. Using a trick learned from the Clint Eastwood movie A Fistful of Dollars (which was being watched by Biff in 1985A, in timeline 5), Marty survives, much to Buford's surprise. Marty then throws several punches at Buford, finally knocking him face-first into a manure cart, to the delight of the townspeople. Buford and his gang are arrested for the robbery of the Pine City stage. Taking one last look at the photo of the tombstone, Marty and Doc are relieved as it disappears (after having been damaged from Marty's punch-out with Buford). The future of timeline 8 in which Marty is killed is replaced by one in which both Doc and Marty survive. They then head off to the railroad line to follow the train that had just departed. Meanwhile, on board the train, Clara overhears a passenger talking about the heartsick Doc; her belief restored, she stops the train and jumps off to find him. She discovers clues at the blacksmith shop and rides on horseback towards Carson Spur . She must reach Doc before he vanishes forever. Doc and Marty ride after the train which had just left Hill Valley earlier that morning. They then stop it just before it hits the switchtrack with Carson Spur, then hijack its locomotive to push the DeLorean up to 88 mph toward Shonash Ravine so they may both go back to the future ( 1985 ). Marty succeeds in doing so, but Doc, who has gone to Clara's rescue on the accelerating locomotive, and Clara are forced to stay behind. Doc now has the hoverboard and one of the walkie talkies. Since "Clint" was observed stealing the locomotive and is presumed to have gone down with it, he enters the town's folklore as the man who beat Mad Dog Tannen, and Shonash Ravine is renamed Eastwood Ravine. 9:00 a.m. Marty departs 1885 and finally returns to 1985. Sunday, October 27 : 11:00 a.m.Marty McFly returns from 1885 and the stopped DeLorean is almost immediately demolished head-on by a diesel locomotive approaching the Eastwood Ravine Bridge in the opposite direction. Marty escapes. He returns home to see everything is back to normal (as per Timeline 2). He then drives over to check on his sleeping sweetheart. She is just as Doc predicted. In a virtuosic display of uncharacteristic self-restraint, Marty decides not to race Needles, and avoids crashing into a Rolls Royce, thus erasing the future experienced in Timeline 2. Jennifer surprises Marty with the fax she retrieved from 2015 in that very timeline, and as it "ripples" into a blank sheet of paper, she discovers the hidden truth about time travel, exclaiming: “It erased!” Marty takes her to see the remains of the DeLorean. Doc, Clara and their sons arrive at Marty’s crash site in their time locomotive to briefly check up on Marty and Jennifer, and to retrieve Doc's dog, Einstein, who was not erased by the timeline as Doc predicted. Jennifer and Marty show Doc the blank fax, and he dispenses some sound advice about its significance. The Brown family departs for times and places unknown. 2010s Date unknown: Doc, Clara and the kids hover convert their train time machine and make additional upgrades. Date unknown: Sometime within or prior 2015, Doc had access to another DeLorean time machine and had arrived in the 2010s as an elderly man. Back to the Future: The Game establishes that Doc found a temporal duplicate of the original DeLorean that had been sent seventy years forward in time at the same time the original DeLorean was sent seventy years backward in time . It, along with Back to the Future: The Animated Series , also establishes that he returned to the late 20th century to establish a part time residence there with Clara and his children. The canonicity of these sources is uncertain, however. 2015 Wednesday, October 21: After setting up his video camera to capture the changes to the timeline on camera, an elderly Doc heads to an unknown time period in the other DeLorean time machine order to prevent the invention of the food hydrator , self lacing shoes , the hoverboard , and the Mr. Fusion home energy reactor in order to prevent a nuclear holocaust in 2045 . This creates Timeline 9 . 2020s Date unknown: A great trash storm occurred when many people dropped trash from their hover cars . 2030s Sunday, June 13 : Griff Tannen starts the social network ThingMeme through his company, GriffTech , using funding secured from Douglas J. Needles. 2040s 2045 Saturday, October 21: A nuclear holocaust is caused by Griff Tannen.  He uploaded a virus to the popular social network created by GriffTech, ThingMeme.  It was supposed to flash the word butthead on every object on earth, but instead, the virus causes a short circuit in the Mr. Fusion network, causing a nuclear explosion in all one hundred million of the tiny nuclear reactors present in every unit. Date unknown: Doc travels to a point in time to discover that the nuclear holocaust occurred. 2070s Date unknown: Doc attempts to drop off the Quantum Mind Jar , but does not succeed, mistakenly bringing it back with him to 2015. Timeline 9 This timeline comes into existence when an elderly Doc Brown travels from 2015 to an unknown point in time to prevent the hoverboard, self lacing shoes, the food hydrator, and the Mr. Fusion from being commercially available by 2015 in order to stop a nuclear holocaust from occurring in 2045. 2010s 2015 Wednesday, October 21: The camera that Doc set up before he left successfully manages to record a space-time correction on film, recording the hoverboard, self lacing shoes, the food hydrator, and the Mr. Fusion being erased from existence. Doc returns from the trip, and realizes that he mistakenly brought the Quantum Mind Jar back with him. A second Doc, from an unknown timeline, arrives afterward. 2030s Sunday, June 13: Griff Tannen is arrested for illegally selling endangered animals. Marty's Timeline From the moment Marty steps into Doc's lab at the beginning of BTTF 1 until the moment he arrives on the railroad tracks at the end of BTTF 3, the "real world" of Hill Valley experiences an elapsed time of 2 day, 2 hours and 42 minutes. But Marty, in a whirlwind of time travel spanning a century, experiences an elapsed time of 18 days, 7 hours and 51 minutes. Event 18d 7:51 Behind the scenes Doc says that 1947 was when suitable replacement parts for the time circuit control microchip would be invented. This was the year when the transistor was invented (it was also the same year of the famous Roswell, New Mexico alien crash landing incident). Doc states that components that would be usable for the DeLorean would not be invented until various times in the 20th century. However, the Time Train has a working flux capacitor and time circuits, even as it was built sometime around 1895 , presumably with parts used from the hoverboard and walkie talkie he had after saving Clara from falling from the train, as well as with tools and equipment taken from the DeLorean (either before or after he left it in the cave, as it was still there after Marty left with the future DeLorean). The events in Doc Brown Saves the World may have happened in the other timelines (with the exception of 4 & 5), but we know they happen in Timeline 8 & 9. Notes and references ↑ 1.0 1.1 Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, Q&A, Back to the Future [DVD], recorded at the University of Southern California
Back to the Future
What US city is originally associated with Dixieland (jazz)?
4wedrfgfd by maga - issuu issuu WHAT THE STARS REALLY WEIGH TAYLOR 64kg CELEB TE EN 4 DIETS PO WE R THE WORLD’S P lus HOW TO GET A INFLUENTIAL FLAT TUMMY UNDER 21s SA’S MOST POPULAR CELEB MAG! EXCLUSIVE! BILLIONAIRE LIFESTYLE PALATIAL HOMES  CUSTOMISED CARS  THOUSANDS ON HAIR, CLOTHES & JEWELLERY  THE TRUTH BEHIND THE HALLE-OLIVIER SPLIT ‘ I CHOPPED OFF MY EARS – TO LOOK LIKE MY PARROTS REAL LIFE ’ FATHER’S RACE TO SAVE HIS EXCLUSIVE! SON’S LIFE MY CHILD’S DEATH SAVED FOUR LIVES ‘ A SELFLESS MOM SHARES HER STORY ALMOST LETHAL: GASTRIC BAND AT 13 EXCLUSIVE! KHLOÉ: WHY THE DIVORCE IS OFF November 13, 2015, VOL 29 NO 46 R18.00 (VAT incl). Other countries R15.79 (tax excl) WWW.PEOPLEMAGAZINE.CO.ZA The mag with the best puzzles! AT HOME WITH DANIEL RADCLIFFE lus PCREATE In This Week’s Issue #What’sTrending BY MARK WASSERMAN ANOTHER week in Celebville to get us talking, laughing… and, of course, hashtagging! #CelebNews #OurFavesThisWeek #HollywoodMemories #PeopleMagLovesIt Gossip & Features 2-3 Contents & #What’s Trending 4 Spotted: Madonna PLUS Brooklyn 5 Spotted: Zoe Saldana PLUS Taylor Swift 6-7 Kate’s fabulous week in fashion 8-9 Adele’s billionaire lifestyle PLUS Gossip 10 Spotted: The Beckhams 11 How Scott plans to win Kourtney back 12-13 Khloé’s ulterior motive PLUS Couple news 14-15 The world’s most influential teens 20-21 What celebrities really weigh 26 Olivier’s temper behind split from Halle 44-45 Get a flatter tummy the celeb way 88-89 Quiz: could you be a celeb BFF? 95 Before they were famous Saturday: #SS (Shirtless Saturday) DINNERTIME! What’s on the menu, you ask? This beefcake. And whether you’re a vegan, eat kosher, halaal, banting, whatever, he’s all of that friendly! In fact, if you put anything in your face, you’re going to want to grab a plate a dish up a helping of this buff-et. Meet Sean Sarantos, who is a fitness model and a physical and occupational therapist. His career is only beginning, and future looks bright. Also, he’s also lucky to be alive. He was stabbed in the morning of October 30, 2010. He nearly lost an eye and his life. It was a case of mistaken identity, but tell that to your body as a blade moves through your flesh. Superman that he is, he survived, and is around to give us an eyeful! Real Life PICS: WWW.ELITEPHOTOAGENCY.COM / GREATSTOCK 24-25 Exploring the Titanic part 11: When art imitates life 46-47 The rush on ephedrine 74-75 Arctic fox’s rescue PLUS Animal news PLUS Take me home 76-77 Teen gastric band horror PLUS Strange but true 82-83 ‘I chopped off my ears – to look like my parrots’ 85 My stories 90-91 Father’s race against time for his son PLUS Did you know? PLUS Mnandi News 92-93 ‘My daughter’s life saved four others’ Fashion, Beauty & Health 27-29 Get the look 30-34 Fashion 35-38 Beauty 39 Celeb fitness 40-42 Body, mind & health news 43 Dear Doc Regulars 16-19 Décor 22 Travel 48-49 Posters: The Weeknd 50 people has heart 51-62 Puzzles 63 Recipe 78-79 Puzzle answers 80-81 Classifieds 84 Horoscope 86 Dear people PLUS Mama Taxi 87 Cool stuff 94 Off the track Entertainment Central 64-65 Fab 5 and DStv highlights 66,68 & 70 Schedules PLUS Gig guide 67 Seen on set 69 Reality bites 71 Off the record, CD reviews & quiz time 72-73 One on one with Mampho Brescia PLUS Teresa Giudice’s cheating hubby update PLUS Soapie spoilers ON SALE NOW Puzzle120thEditoncoverconvert.indd 2 2 PEOPLE 10/6/2015 12:06:03 PM zle17 pg01 -35convert .indd 1 kiddiespuz PM #HankeringForSeconds THIS week’ #MCM shout out goes to popular DJ and SA celebrity Darren Scott, who underwent a five-hour procedure to remove melanoma from his upper left lobe in his lung. South Africans have been waiting for news on his condition, after Darren told fans on his Facebook page that he would be going for surgery on Thursday. His wife, Sarah-Kate is updating fans on her Facebook page, and by the sounds of things, Darren’s surgery has gone well and is on the road to recovery. She posted two adorbs pics of their kids playing with their dad in hospital, captioned: “Darren is *FINALLY* out of cardiac ICU and has been moved to the normal ward! Just a few more days here until Darren can come home!” The DJ said earlier it’s expected that he would stay in hospital for a few more checkups, and then it’s home time. He thanked fans for their love and support. But it’s not all great news for the couple. Sadly, in a statement issued on November 2, Darren and his wife announced that they are separating. “After 12 years together, and nearly six years of marriage, nearly five of which have been characterised by various challenges to both our marriage and our family, and after much soul-searching and discussion, we have taken a mutual decision to separate.” We’re so thrilled the surgery went well, and we wish the couple all the best during what will be a difficult time for their family, no doubt. #JustPainRelieved Tuesday: #TBH (To Be Honest) AND here we are again, back at Lindsay Lohan. Did you hear that LiLo was spotted wearing a ring on THAT finger? The awkward part of the whole thing was that no one seemed to care. Ouch. Lindsay is still living in London doing whoever knows what, and recently went to a Halloween knees up at The Cuckoo Club (how appropriate) last night dressed up in something we could believe she actually owns, or managed to rob off the set of Catwoman. But LiLo made sure that everyone saw the shiny ring on her engagement finger and she flaunted it while posing for pictures. We’re pretty sure that the only thing LiLo is engaged to is attention. Also, since no one has stepped forward to claim the ‘bride-to-be’, were sure that the ring is from the Dolce & Look At Me collection. It’ been an odd few weeks for LiLo, who had to resort to lowrent apartments and announcing she’s running for president on Instagram, all seemingly in a desperate attempt get attention. Just sad. Whatever happened to the days where she’d get attention by posing for Playboy and by giving us a fashion show at the court house and by playing a cringey Liz Taylor in a Lifetime movie? Our honest guess: Somewhere in London a socialite is wondering, “Where did I put that ring?” #WhoPutARingOnIt? HAIR: MARVIN LOPES FROM JEAUVAL, NICOLWAY (011) 706-9131 Monday: #MCM (Man Crush Monday) Hello... T Ed’s Letter HIS week we spotted Kate Middleton out quite a bit, she has a jam-packed schedule attending charity functions, state dinners and appearing on the red carpet at movie premieres. She never fails to impress us with her gorgeous style, which you can see on pages six and seven, and on the topic of fashion, we have put together fab summer looks on pages 27 to 34. Thank goodness summer is here, and if you are feeling a little round after winter, then turn to pages 44 and 45 to see how Hollywood stars get their flat tummies! We love to bring you the weird and strange real life stories, it definitely gets everyone chatting around the office! I have to say Ted Richards is really a bizarre man. He is obsessed with his pet parrots, nothing wrong with that, I say… But then he takes it a step further, he wants to look like them too! He has even had his ears severed and is planning to turn his nose into a beak. Yup, you read right! His face is full of tattoos and piercings and he is slowly [email protected] turning into a parrot! Turn to pages 82 and 83 to see for yourself. #HowBizarre #TruthStrangerThanFiction. Enjoy! ON SALE NOW! Colouring in bookcoverBconvert.indd 1 10/15/2015 2:51:47 PM Wednesday: #WCW (Woman Crush Wednesday) SNAPS, snaps for onse Princess Charlene whose foundation supports Charity Mile. A great sport enthusiast at heart, Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco again showed her support for the Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile race which was held on October 31. She participated in the annual charity race by endorsing it through her name and that of The Princess Charlene Foundation. Princess Charlene is very involved with the Gugulesizwe Primary School, in Daveyton, which she adopted two years ago, and the school keeps her informed of their progress. Her foundation also participates in a lot of activities and initiatives with the South African Rugby Union. She may be a princess in Europe, but she’s a lifesaver back home in South Africa. #NewPeoplesPrincess Thursday: #TBT (Throwback Thursday) BEFORE the fame and fortune, it was just Boitumelo Thulo and Refiloe Phoolo aka Cassper Nyovest. Too cute, no? #Awwww Friday: #FFF (Fun Fact Friday) IN less of a ‘fun fact’ and more of a WTF, did you know 101 Dalmations and Peter Pan are the only two Disney cartoon features with both parents that are present and don’t die throughout the movie? Which put us in mind of our favourite Oscar Wilde quote: “To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.” #DarkDisney Sunday #SS (Sore Sunday) MTV star Sam Sarpong died after falling from a bridge in southern California. Police in Pasadena spent seven hours attempting to talk the 40-yearold star down from the ledge. Los Angeles County Coroner’s office said the case was being investigated as a possible suicide but the cause of death would not be determined until the results of a toxicology test are released. The British born actor and television personality moved to the US and forged a successful career as catwalk model, working for Tommy Hilfiger, Gucci and Versace and became Louis Vuitton’s first black male model. Sarpong is survived by his father, Samuel Sr, and his sister, June, who is a TV personality in the UK. #RIP #peoplespotted PICS: WWW.ELITEPHOTOAGENCY.COM BY EUGENIA BOOI Nice Cycling Outfit, Madge NOW we all know Madonna’s a fitness freak, but we have to say, she took things a tad too far this time when she decided to do a little bike riding with her son Rocco Ritchie after dinner in Venice, California. Why? Well, timing aside, the 57-yearold had the oddest cycling outfit on – a black cardigan and wide-leg cropped pants! Not that her son was any better. He seemed to be having a bit of a vintage trip and, it has to be said, looked not all that good in cropped chinos and a granny-sofafloral shirt… Bad move, Rocco! Of course, what REALLY caught our attention was the mysterious man who later joined them, pulling signs at the paparazzi! Madonna seems quite shocked – and so are we! Aren’t you supposed to be back with Sean, Madge? Harper Hops Along For The Ride 4 PEOPLE www.peoplemagazine.co.za BROOKLYN BECKHAM just loves having his little sister Harper tag along wherever he goes – considering how adorable she is, who wouldn’t? This time the 16-yearold was spotted out with his cousin, Liberty, and little Harper seemed overjoyed to be out with the two – or maybe it was just the ice-cream she was going gaga over. As always, Brooklyn kept it cool and laidback, wearing a rolledup-sleeves T-shirt with black skinny jeans, while his sister was simply adorable in a floral white dress. #peoplespotted WWW.ELITEPHOTOAGENCY.COM BY EUGENIA BOOI tion ic F n a h T r eSWte e w S d an IFT is known to love s made TAYLOR ha , and this time she appreciate her fans ter ee come true. The Sw Swift a little girl’s dream ea dr d her mother An o Than Fiction star an wh n Taylor Rayburn, to her surprised young fa cancer, with tickets Swift suffers from kidney t ee gr ce to meet and concert and the chan s booked for surgery to wa backstage. Rayburn one of her kidneys on d an r ou m tu remove a as d, an , ay her birthd d Andrea has explaine ok bo ce on her Fa t wall, this was a grea r fo t en es pr birthday her. Taylor Swift’s mom has always encouraged her to e pay it forward. Som ed ne ly ite fin celebs de to take a leaf out of Tay Tay’s book! Follow us on twitter.com/people_sa in Patch! To Pumpk Let’s AllAGo with star Zoe Saldana was spotted COLUMBIAN gorgeous husband her little pumpkins and her n patch. The beautiful Marco Perego at the pumpki 11–month-old boys actress was trying to get her letting them pick into the Halloween spirit by into Jack-o’-lanterns. their own pumpkins to turn ual, rocking a grey Saldana kept it simple and cas going make-up ile sweater and cropped jeans wh in a white shirt, ed der oul sm free, whilst Marco rs and a matching dark black sweatpants-style trouse s the handsome boys waistcoat. And how can we mis and jeans? How rts wearing matching gingham shi adorable! www.peoplemagazine.co.za PEOPLE 5 KATE’S diary recently was jam-packed with charity functions, state dinners and red carpet appearances. BY ZARA BRINER T HE Queen has reportedly called her ‘Duchess Do-Little’ in the past, but we guess even Her Majesty has to eat a bit of humble pie from time to time, because it’s been a week of back-to-back events for the mother of two, and wow, have her looks been ones for the fashion books. We take a peek. u Pleats To Meet Yoo chic r-s eve E Duchess looked Lady In Red ckham eous red Jenny Pa KATE wore a gorg er ev tended her first gown when she at to e lac ckingham Pa State dinner at Bu g. president Xi Jinpin se ine Ch honour the arl pe a th wi f of k r loo And she finished he ce flower tiara on and diamond lotus r. the Queen’s mothe by rn owned and wo ! Now that’s royalty 6 PEOPLE www.peoplemagazine.co.za TH in her Orla when she stepped out to meet ss dre d ate ple y Kiely gre ’s Early UK children from Chance And it’s e. mm Intervention Progra ycling rec of fan a s te’ no secret Ka t sn’ wa s thi ally tur na so outfits, in r he n the first time we’ve see wore it on this number. She also ch Picture lwi Du the an outing to smart and Gallery in London. Still, stylish, we say! s Rocking The Daisie out ab t jus ll pu can she OVING PR a silk floral any look off, Kate wore attended she en wh frock by Erdem Funds e dg He In n me the 100 Wo ert Alb d event at the Victoria an And . tly en rec Museum in London a it led cal ve ha although some to ged na ma l stil it , ss’ ‘curtain dre l, rfu ou col its break the Internet for . ect bold and ruffle-y eff eek’s Work! Ice, Ice, Baby ALL eyes were on Kate at the world premiere of the latest James Bond film, Spectre. She walked the red carpet in an ice blue silk chiffon gown. And we have to admit, she fitted right in — looking as dazzling and confident as the Bond Girls themselves! Purple Reign KATE turned heads in this sizzling long-sleeved Dolce & Gabbana lace dress she wore to Lancaster House to welcome the Chinese President and his wife to Creative Collaborations. The plum dress had just the right amount of sexy and was possibly one of the more daring outfits she wore that week. Into The B lu e SHE went ba ck to her roots when she kept things covere d up with a royal blue coatdress, matching pe ncil skirt, an d black polo ne ck while visiting Scot land with Prince Willia m to show their continue d support for youngste rs with mental heal th issues. Cosmic Kate KATE looked ce lestial and rocked her spac e-themed Tabitha Webb dress for the premiere of a ne w British animated film Shaun The Sheep: The Farm er’s Llamas at BAFTA in Lo ndon recently. How far out of her! www.peoplemagazine.co.za Juicy Gossip BY ZARA BRINER GREATSTOCK / GALLO IMAGES UH-OH! It seems a Colorado radio DJ’s plans to sue Taylor Swift for false sexual assault claims has backfired, since the singer has filed a countersuit against the DJ in question, David Mueller. According to his lawsuit, he is suing Taylor after being fired for a June 2013 incident in which reports suggested he had grabbed her butt, and further claims it was another culprit’s fault. But Taylor has retaliated, filing her own lawsuit with court documents which read: “Ms Swift knows exactly who committed the assault. Resolution of this counterclaim will demonstrate that Mueller alone was the perpetrator of the humiliating and wrongful conduct targeted against Ms Swift and groped her.” If Taylor wins, the money from the case will be donated to organisations ���dedicated to protecting women from similar acts of sexual assault and personal disregard’. Zayn Plans Tour To Debut New Music FORMER One Direction band member Zayn Malik is planning a tour to promote his new music following the release of his solo album. And apparently, he’s so excited he’s even spending his days cooped up in a tent outside of Los Angeles so he can focus on the tour without distractions. “His plans for launching his new music include visiting several major US cities, playing just one song in each, to showcase his work,” says a source, who also revealed the type of sound Zayn is going for. “The set-up may be basic but it sounds like a mix between The Weeknd and Frank Ocean. He’s really excited about releasing it and has said how he can’t wait to take on his former bandmates in the charts.” Well, we certainly can’t wait to hear his new material. Meanwhile, One Direction have just ended their world tour and while they couldn’t hold back their tears during their final performance, they vowed to fans that they’re not splitting up forever following their planned hiatus. “I can tell you this, we will be back,” Niall Horan said to fans on stage. GET THE GOSSIP FOUR DAYS BEFORE THE MAG REACHES THE SHOP! TURN TO PAGE 10 FOR MORE. 8 PEOPLE TAYLOR COUNTERSUES RADIO DJ Adele’s BILLIONAIRE LIFE BY ANGELA BEKIARIS SHE swears she’s still the same person since starting out but her lifestyle says otherwise. R EPORTED to be living a life worth over R1billion, Adele has everything she could have ever wanted – and more! The star, who owns property worth over R3.4-million, has a R2.1-million car and bought a R321 000 playhouse for her son, insists she hasn’t changed a bit since rising to fame, apart from swapping her grocery store from Tesco to the pricier Waitrose in the UK. Worth an estimated R1.4-billion and still rising – we can only imagine what her bank account will look like with new hit song Hello out, and her third studio album about to hit shelves. She recently spoke out about her lavish life, her forthcoming album 25, and the fact that she’s the same working-class girl who was raised by her single mom in Tottenham, North London. Chatting to Radio One’s Nick Grimshaw – who is currently gracing our screens as a mentor/judge on hit new season of The X Factor UK –, Adele said, “I like the way I have lived my life always, so that’s why I’ll carry on living it like that. No one else in my life is famous, so they’d think I’m being an idiot if I was ever to try to get carried away with myself.” The singer, who was given a recording contract by XL Recordings after a friend posted her demo on Myspace, added, “I shop at Waitrose these days. I know, I’ve moved up in the world. I still love you, Tesco, but Waitrose – that’s probably the biggest change, honestly. That’s about it, really. I got a plasma [television]. I used to have that big facebook.com/peoplemagsa Juicy Gossip BY ZARA BRINER Simon Konecki Adele bought her son a R321 000 playhouse thick one up until recently.” But Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, the daughter of an English mother, Penny Adkins and a Welsh father, Mark Evans – who left when Adele was two – has come a long way since her recording contract back in 2006, the same year she graduated from the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology. Not only has she won numerous awards, including the Brit Awards Critics’ Choice Award and winning the BBC Sound of 2008, but her debut album, 19, released in 2008, received commercial and critical success and was certified four times platinum in the UK, and double platinum in the US. Her second album, 21, earned the singer numerous awards including a record-tying six Grammy Awards and earned her the spot of the first woman in the history of the Billboard Hot 100 to have three simultaneous top 10 singles as a lead artist, and the first female artist to simultaneously have two albums in the top five of the Billboard 200 and two singles in the top five of the Billboard Hot 100. In 2012, Adele was listed at number five on VH1’s 100 Greatest Women In Music, and she was named one of the most influential people in the world by Time magazine the same year. In 2013 she received an Academy Award, a Grammy Award and a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song for her track Skyfall, which she wrote and composed for the James Bond film of the same name. Not only is she set to release her third studio album, 25, on November 20, 2015, but since the start of her success she has become a mom to son Angelo, now three, with partner Simon Konecki, has bought property to the value of R34million including a flat in Notting Hill, London and a 10-bedroom mansion set in 25 acres of the English countryside in West Sussex for R120.7-million. She also recently bought the house next door for R114.9-million, and plans to knock the two through in order to give her extra space. And we won’t even go into the numbers spent on renovating and decorating. Adele is also said to have bought a home in London for her mother. She has permanent security present – a team which have been seen loading her bags into her car after shopping trips, with a reported cost of over R1.4-million – jewellery and clothes fit for a princess, and a R2.1million Porsche, with black interior and personalised stitching. She also reportedly bought herself a Range Rover worth around R1.7-million. And being a celebrity means always looking your best, which is why the star has her hair done by Lino Carbosiero, MBE, who also looks after David Cameron, and Hillary Clinton tresses. Her hair, which is cut every six weeks, costs a total of R27 700 a year. And with great hair comes fabulous style too – Adele is dressed by Los Angeles-based stylist Gaelle Paul who has worked with actress like Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Lopez – and which costs her a whopping R427 400 a year. Add another R213 700 a year for beauty, which includes makeup artist Michael Ashton’s services. Plus a wardrobe filled with brands such as Converse sweatpants, Nike sneakers, sunglasses by Linda Farrow, which cost over R9 700, Louboutin shoes at around R10 600 a pair, Burberry handbags at over R38 000 a bag, and Chanel padded tote, valued at over R44 000. And with a boyfriend who is the Etoneducated son of a banker – a trader in a merchant bank before founding Life, an eco-friendly bottled water company – it seems they will never be short of money. Konecki hasn’t just being brought up with the big bucks – where school fees were over R600 000 – but he knows how to spoil his baby mama too. Insiders reveal that he spent R64 000 on a gold Buddha pendant for Adele from aristocratic sculptor and jeweller Lady Marina Cowdray when their son was born. And spoiling baby Angelo is a given, too. Adele spent R321 000 on a playhouse, complete with turrets, electricity and a balcony. “I had a great childhood,” she revealed in an interview. “I was very loved, which I realise now is so important, being a mom. The way I was brought up, the morals are the same, but the environment is very different to how I’m raising my child.” Adele, who has also been criticised about her weight, pays food company Pure Package to deliver caloriecontrolled meals to her door in her attempt to shed the kilos, at a cost of thousands a year. Plus she has quit smoking with the help of hypnotherapist Susan Hepburn – an added R6 000 a time.However Adele swears she is still the humble person she was before becoming famous, despite her very lavish lifestyle. “I want to have a real life so I can write records. No one wants to listen to a record from a person that’s lost touch with reality. So I live a low-key life for my fans,” she recently revealed. Follow us on twitter.com/people_sa Burt Jenner’s Not A Fan Of KUWTK! BURT JENNER may have had an estranged relationship with his dad in the past, but ever since her transition, Burt and Caitlyn Jenner are closer than ever before. Speaking on Australia’s Today Show, Burt said, “I think he’s realised that family means a lot to him. Just like anybody else in life, all you got is family,” and added that Caitlyn is a nicer person. “She is a better person. Honesty is always the building block for any relationship, and at least we have that now.” And it seems the interview didn’t stop him from expressing his feelings about the Kardashian klan. When asked about their reality show, Burt responded, “I plead the fifth. I don’t really associate myself with it much. I don’t watch it. It’s just not part of my life.” Ouch! Brad & Angie Open Up About Her Surgery THERE’S no doubt Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have endured a few challenges over the past few years, including Angelina’s decision to undergo a double mastectomy to reduce her chances of ever getting breast cancer. And in a rare joint interview with America’s NBC News, the couple sat down to discuss what they had been through. “I knew through the surgeries that he was on my side and that this wasn’t something where I was gonna feel less of a woman, because my husband wasn’t gonna let that happen,” said Angie, who added, “I made the choices I made because I believed they were right for me.” Brad revealed, “Whatever’s got to be done to keep the family together as long as possible is gonna be done. This was her charge, no question. There are many things that can go wrong and life can go in many different directions.” Angelina lost her mother and maternal grandmother to ovarian cancer as well as a maternal aunt to breast cancer and learned that she was carrying the gene. She underwent a double mastectomy in 2013 and had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed in March. www.peoplemagazine.co.za Get Your Digital ngg!! mazziing Ama Version Of 21 21 PAGE PAGE PUZZLE PUZZLE Creative PULL-OUT PULL-OUT P LL-OUT WIN Colouring O FOR S G BH!E GROWN-UPS WIN HAIR A BHE RS HAIR LE R STY STYLE o a a not “ am “I of my p product circumstances. I am a product of .” – my decisions.” vey Covey S p Stephen POSTERS PLUS JENNIFER’S WEIGHT PLUMMETS S L W DROPS J-LAW J-LA J 4.5KG 4 G ING F LL FOLLOW LL KENDALL’S TION VATION S STARVA DIET 29 NO 45 November 6, 2015, VOL R18.00 (VAT incl). (tax excl) Other countries R15.79 OO S CAITLYN LOOKS C ONLINE O O O LOVE FOR P lus Celebrity  THE A-list reveal their scary bits! ‘scary B Movie’ than A-list. HEY have more help than the Whether it’s Taylor Swift’s puny peepers rest of us when it comes to looking good, but even the most or Wayne Rooney’s legs, when it comes to perfection, even the stars loathe beautiful women on the planet themselves sometimes. admit they sometimes see something quite Here a dozen of Hollywood’s hottest stars horrific when they look in the mirror. talk about body horrors. Brace yourself Despite personal trainers, diets and the for the scary, the hairy and the downright best in hair and beauty, the Hollywood elite weird... confess that they are often left feeling more SOURCE T SCARLETT  JOHANSSON... Wants A Toned Midsection YOUU wouldn’t really call SScarlett arlett unremarkable, but tthat’s at’s exactly how the Avengers star describes herself. Despite looking aamazing azing in her skintight ccostume, tume, the actress is llesss than impressed when iit comes omes to her kick-ass ffigure. re. The 30-yearold old, who is stunning as Bl ck Widow in the Marvel Black ffranchise nchise movies, has said sh she is disappointed with hher not-very-superhero llegss and stomach in real llife. f “It’s an okay body. I w uldn’t say it’s particularly wouldn’t rremarkable, markable, though,” says SScarlett rlett. “I don’t like my th ghs, my midsection...” thighs, RIHANNA... Wants To Be Bigger WHEN it comes to her WHE h bbody RiRi has confessed how bigge h 27-year-bigger is bbetter! The old DDiamonds d singer says she h hate k bbecause she h hates bbeing skinny loses her ffamous asset – her Brazil k bbutt! Way Brazilian bbikini back when h she h was a size zero, the h singer andd fashi fashionista said, ““I went way too ffar! I prefer f myse myselff a bit chunkier. I wan ld bbutt want my old bback!” backk ” CARA DELEVINGNE... Has Dodgy Skin DESPITE being a major movie star, Nicole, 48, would love to have the curves of Hollywood actresses of old. The Secret In Their Eyes star says of her skeletal frame: “I still think I have a boy’s body. I would prefer to have more curves because I think that’s more beautiful.” FUN FACT MATTHEW’S middle name is ‘David’. NO SO CHARMING NOT C G ANYMORE! SHE is the envy of women worldwide, so what could Queen Bey possibly hate about her perfect body? Well, it appears that the 34-yearold award-winning singer hates her feet! They are not often seen because the Bootylicious performer is always trying to hide her horror hooves. “After all the years dancing they’re a little beat up,” she says. 2015/10/26 10:05:36 AM PeopleIssue45pg22-24.indd 23 Now you can have the best in celebrity gossip, real life, fashion and beauty at your fingertips all day, any day on your tablet, phone or computer at a fraction of the price! As well as being available as a print magazine at all retailers, you can buy single issues and subscriptions FUN FACT RENÉE is of Norwegian, Finnish, Swiss and Sami descent. WE couldn’t believe our eyes when we saw this pic of the (now former) heartthrob hitting the streets. Donning a bald patch and oversized clothes, Matthew McConaughey was in character for his latest film Gold Gold,, but it certainly isn’t the best we’ve seen him looking. The actor is no stranger to transforming for a movie role but the addition of the bald patch really takes the cake. The drama thriller also stars Bryce Dallas Howard and Corey Stoll. Stoll A release date for Gold has not yet been confirmed. Celebs Having g Their BRITNEY is back with a bbangg g and is storming her Las VVegas ece residency. However, the PPiece revealed Of Me singer has reveale there are several pieces off her own body she would love to switch if she had the chance. “I wish my hair were less thick, and I would have preferred getting smaller ears and KRISTEN STEWART... nose,” says the 33-yearold singer of her least Thinks She Is Lanky favourite aspect. KRISTEN shot to fame in teen romance franchise Twilight but has been battling her own body demons over the years. Kristen has often appeared uncomfortable under the gaze of the cameras, but the 25-year-old actress has finally revealed why she acts so shifty on the red carpet. “I’m uncomfortable about the size of my ears and I’m sort of lanky,” reveals the Still Alice star of her less than A-list body parts. TAYLOR has fallen foul of social media and got herself all hung-up about comments on her persona personal appearance. The 25-year-old Shake It Off singer has failed to shake off fan criticism of her eyes, leaving her paranoid about her peepers. “I get insecure about my eyes because I once read a blog comment that said, ‘Her eyes are so small’,” she reveals. “I thought, ‘Are my eyes small? Oh no – they are’!” BEYONCÉ... Hates Her Feet BELIEVE it or not, Ben says he’s never watched Titanic! NICOLE KIDMAN... Wants Sexier Curves NOPE, THOSE AREN���T COOKIES IN COOKIE MONSTER’S TUM Say O S On Twitter… GREAT news for Bridget Jones fans! Star Renee Zellweger was spotted during takes in London recently for a new Bridget Jones movie, Bridget Jones’s Baby – which explains the massive baby bump! Can you believe it’s been 14 years since Bridget Jones first hit the big screen? This time she comes bearing a bun in the oven! Wonder what the story behind that is... Bridget Jones’s Baby is set for release sometime next year. You Said BRITNEY SPEARS... Wants Smaller Facial Features TAYLOR SWIFT...Is Paranoid About Her Eyes PeopleIssue45pg22-24.indd 22 THIS detective can save us anytime! You might remember this hunky face from series The O.C., but this time around Ben McKenzie was spotted on the set for the hit TV show Gotham in Manhattan. He stars as James Gordon, an honest police detective looking out for others. At the time of going to print, Gotham Season Two had a tentative premiere date of Thursday, October 29 at 19h00 on M-Net Edge. DREW BARRYMORE...Feels om c from ade thee sswitch CCARA made Like A Kangaroo me modell to actress jjust in time m MISS YOU ALREADY actress Drew has revealed ombie tto star in hher very own zombie how motherhood has changed her life for year-old h 23-year-old m movie it seems. The the better, but unfortunately not her body! PPaper TTownss star was soo stressed The 40-year-old former Hollywood wild f le at one oout by her jjet-set lifestyle child has gushed about her unending love loped h developed h she ppoint, that for her two daughters – three-year-old s-painful tthe sometimes-painful Olive and one-year-old Frankie – but says on sk skin condition pregnancy and childbirth has left her body ppsoriasis. “People unrecognisable. “After making two babies, holy l put on w would cow, does your body do some crazy stuff!” gl gloves andd not says Drew. “It’s hard to stay positive and uch w want to touch love yourself. You feel like a kangaroo with a m me bbecausee giant pouch; everything’s saggy and weird.” h ght it th they thought w was lleprosyy or g,” ssomething,” sa sayss CCara of rable hher miserable d ll g m modelling ddays. ““It wasn’t a me, I was ggoodd time, h d-flight ffight-and-flight nths. ffor months. nstantly JJust constantly d e. It oon edge. ental iis a mental th thing as well se if you bbecause hhate yourself aandd your dy and bbody th the way you k, it just llook, ts worse ggets and worse.” “My fans love me like blood. It’s deep!!!” – Cassper Nyovest “Listen no one can stop what God has ordained! What is yours will be yours – never give up!” – Amanda Du Pont “I’m a MAN in every sense of it. You come for me, be ready for war.” – Omarion Follow us on twitter.com/people_sa www.peoplemagazine.co.za PEOPLE 67 Go to www.peoplemagazine.co.za to download your digital copy www.peoplemagazine.co.za This Halloween She’s Scary Spice Hottest Pumpkin Pickers Ever? THE handsome David Beckham put his muscles to good use toting a wheelbarrow round, while lookalike son Brooklyn, looked on, and according to onlookers, Posh threw pumpkin after pumpkin into it. Now, either Victoria is on a new pumpkin-only diet (which is completely possible), or, more likely, the Beckhams were keen for Halloween this year. They were spotted out at the Under Farms in Moorpark, California getting a few groceries for Halloween. See that look on his face, though? We’re thinking David misses actual trolleys, like they have back home in the UK… Anyhow, people hopes you had a Happy Halloween, Becks & Co! facebook.com/peoplemagsa n i W Kourtney Back! Scott’s Plan To BY ANGELA BEKIARIS IF rehab will save his family, Scott is ready to see it through. S PICS: WWW.ELITEPHOTOAGENCY.COM / GREATSTOCK Sources say Kourtney has got rid of all Scott’s clothes and memorabilia needs’. According to insiders, the star also broke down in Kourtney tears after Kardashian and her a Kardashian youngest son, Reign intervention. “It’s been a really hard time, [from] having all of you guys to having nobody,” said Scott while crying to Kardashian sisters Kourtney, Kim and Khloé, as well as momager Kris Jenner on the family’s show Keeping Up With The Kardashians. Scott, who was fired from the show after the split – with Kourtney refusing to film if Scott was still a part of it – spent the last few months postsplit partying, clubbing and drinking with young models. But insiders say he lost everything when Kourtney kicked him out – from money to family and friends, Scott has nothing more to lose. And while Kourtney was rumoured to be having a mental breakdown, insiders say Scott was even suicidal at one point. But while Scott is working hard to get the help he needs and hopefully get his family back, sources say Kourtney is spending her time getting rid of what’s left of her relationship. The star has tossed all of his things out of her house for good, say sources, and even burned his mementos. “She got rid of everything that belonged to him. The thought of trying to communicate with him about collecting his stuff made that this time he will get the help he needs and make a full recovery. Kourt sick to her stomach,” reveals an “He’s planning a fresh start after rehab insider. She got rid of his clothes and memorabilia, and ‘even put all the and wants to move into a new home that’s family friendly,” adds the insider, cards and notes he’d given her into the fire’. And of course, in true who says Disick ‘wants to win Kourtney back, too’ and Kardashian style, she didn’t do knows he won’t have it alone. Sisters Kim, Khloé and a chance to put his Kendall joined in via FaceTime. family in a better “They were drinking wine and place ‘unless he cheering every time Kourtney sticks it out and threw something into the fire pit,” gets the help he says the source. COTT DISICK and Kourtney Kardashian have been through it all over the years – and managed to bring three beautiful children into the world in the process. But with the shock of Lamar Odom’s tragic overdose recently, and the fact that Kourtney wants nothing to do with Scott anymore – and hopes to win full custody of their kids – it seems Scott is ready to participate in any way possible in order to save his family. After news broke recently that Kourt had decided to fight for full custody, Scott checked himself into rehab again. According to sources, he is serious about it this time with a friend adding that the reality star wants to get his life back together and save his family, the people who mean the most to him, despite the way he has treated them in the past. Scott, who was on the verge of a breakdown trying to deal with his split from Kourtney, has been dealing with substance abuse for years. But Kris Jenner it seems this is the first time he has realised what he has to lose, say insiders. “He’d become a full-blown addict,” reveals the source, adding, “Scott checked himself into rehab because he truly hit rock bottom.” Just days before Lamar’s incident at a brothel in Nevada, Khloé sources say Scott Kardashian realised he needed help. “He finally realised he was killing himself and said, ‘I’m ashamed and I miss my kids’,” the insider said, Kim adding that his Kardashian friends are hopeful Kourtney celebrating Halloween with her three kids www.peoplemagazine.co.za Kourtney with daughter Penelope and eldest son, Mason Scott’s determined to do what it takes to win his family back PEOPLE 11 Couple News BY ZARA BRINER Ulterior M OH NO! It’s over for Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield, who have decided to part ways after four years together. And although it was reported they had patched things up after taking a brief break earlier this year, the pair haven’t been spotted together for a while now. “They still have a lot of love for one another and they are on good terms with each another and remain close,” revealed a source, before adding, “It just wasn’t working.” Not to mention Andrew was seen leaving a bar in Sydney recently with another woman, and when an onlooker yelled out, “Where’s Emma Stone?” he answered back, “We’re not together anymore.” Andrew and Emma met back in 2011 while filming The Amazing Spider-Man. Robert Pattinson And FKA Twigs Split! PICS: WWW.ELITEPHOTOAGENCY.COM / GREATSTOCK REPORTS have emerged that claim the Twilight star and his fiancée, FKA Twigs, have called off their engagement after they got into a bitter fight, which saw them arguing over busy schedules and their long-distance relationship. And according to a source, Rob, who is filming The Lost City Of Z in Columbia, and FKA haven’t been able to patch things up. “FKA called Rob on his first day of filming to tell him that she couldn’t visit because of her busy schedule. He let her know he wasn’t happy about it.” And FKA allegedly ‘lost her temper’ and ‘yelled at him to stop complaining and hung up on him’, revealed an insider. Apparently the next day, they ‘went into a long period of not speaking to each other’ and have decided to break up following the lack of communication. That means Rob is back on the market – yay! I PICS: WWW.ELITEPHOTOAGENCY.COM / GREATSTOCK / PAN MEDIA / E! ENTERTAINMENT Emma And Andrew Call It Quits! GET THE GOSSIP FOUR DAYS BEFORE THE MAG REACHES THE SHOP! SEE PAGE 10 FOR MORE ON ZINIO. 12 PEOPLE Lamar Odom Joe Odom T’S been a crazy few weeks for Khloé Kardashian after almost losing husband Lamar Odom to an overdose. But while she’s called of their divorce and hasn’t left his side for one minute, sources say it’s not because the couple plan on reuniting. In fact, insiders say Khloé has ulterior motives. According to reports, the estranged couple are not calling off their divorce to give love another shot. “It seems like one major reason Khloé decided to call off the divorce from Lamar was so she could continue to dictate Lamar’s medical care,” reveals a source. “The judge could have signed off on the divorce on any day, leaving her ‘with no legal standing at the hospital’. Obviously, she didn’t want to take that chance. Sources add that Khloé fears Lamar’s father, Joe, could be in charge of the NBA star’s medical decisions as he recovers from an overdose at a Nevada brothel. “It would have been a total nightmare if his dad, Joe, had become the person responsible for Lamar’s medical treatment,” the insider revealed, adding that that is the main reason Khloé opted out of the divorce. Insiders add that the star wants to ‘control the message going out to fans about Lamar and the situation’. Khloé’s lawyer, Laura Wasser, successfully petitioned to withdraw the divorce papers which were filed in December 2013, but didn’t sign off on the divorce until July 2015. When asked for comment on Khloé and Lamar, mom Kris Jenner remained silent on the real reason behind the decision by responding, “Nothing but love.” Kris has also called troubled Scott a ‘beautiful soul’. The 59-year-old admits that she hopes her eldest daughter Kourtney can still make it work with Scott Disick, who she was with for nine years before splitting, and with whom she has three children. As for Lamar, it’s no secret that Kris has always had a soft spot for the NBA player, and rushed to Las Vegas with Khloé to be at his hospital bedside. hloé’s THEY’RE not getting divorced – but they’re not staying together either! What’s Happened To BF James Harden? DURING all the commotion following Lamar’s overdose, it seems everyone has forgotten that Khloé was in fact dating someone at the time of the incident. So what happened to boyfriend James Harden? According to sources, the pair have never broken up – and while Khloé has called off her divorce for medical reasons, insiders reveals that she and James are still very much Khloé and James together. E! News recently are still going confirmed that the couple strong is still 100 percent an item. “Khloé and James never broke up. He’s been so understanding and he knows that Khloé ’s love for Lamar is deeper than what most people can understand,” says a source, who adds, “He’s been very understanding and supportive. Lamar has a long road ahead of him and Khloé will always have the love she has for Lamar.” In fact, sources add that Khloé is staying focused on the present and dealing with everything as it comes. “It’s been a very emotional time, but I just continue to have faith and take it day by day. I appreciate all the support from fans,” she told E! News, with another source adding that Khloé is ‘committed to helping Lamar with his recovery… She’s giving all of her time and emotion to Lamar and has dedicated her life to helping him right now’. As for James, he is currently focusing on work – also an NBA star, James is gearing up for the first game of the 201516 NBA season. And Khloé explains that while it seems strange from the outside, and while she is very much aware of how the situation with Lamar complicates her other relationship, she is also grateful for James’ understanding, support and love during this trying time. “He’s been great with me, and I’m just allowing everything to unfold,” she told the magazine. “If it’s ever too overwhelming [for him], then I understand that as well.” Khloé Flaunts Her Lob LOOKING oh-so-sexy, Khloé Kardashian has joined the long list of celebrities who have chopped their locks. After a hectic few weeks in hospital with Lamar, it seems the star needed a change – and who knew she could look even hotter than she did before? While she’s been training hard, eating right and really making the effort to look fabulous, her new ‘lob’ really is the cherry on top! Posting a photo on Instagram, the star wrote: “Guess who just joined the #ShortHairDontCare club. Do we like? #LOBS4LIFE makeup @joycebonelli thx @traceycunningham1 @oncolourground for ur help!!” Slowly getting back to normal life, she also attended her sister Kim Kardashian’s baby shower, which was initially postponed after Lamar was hospitalised. Couple News BY ZARA BRINER A Backstreet Boy (Or Girl) For Nick! BACKSTREET BOYS band member Nick Carter is going to be a dad as new reports claim his wife Lauren Kitt is pregnant with their first child, and is already four months along. And according to a source, the couple couldn’t be happier as they’ve been trying for a baby ever since they tied the knot in April last year. “They are so happy and overjoyed. They’ve been trying and waiting for such a long time.” Speaking about Lauren in a post-wedding interview last year, Nick said, “I just felt an instant connection. It’s like I just wanted to be around her.” And now they’ll be adding a little one into the mix. Congrats! Jason Mraz Weds Girlfriend Christina Carano CONGRATS are in order for Jason Mraz as the 38-year-old musician has got married to his long-time girlfriend, Christina Carano, in a secret ceremony. The couple exchanged vows recently in Jason’s hometown in Virginia, and Jason confirmed the good news via social media. The I’m Yours singer took to Twitter to share a pic of his stunning bride and tweeted: “Today I was made the luckiest man in the world.” In fact, he even added the word ‘husband’ to his social media descriptions. How cute? Demi And Wilmer Going Strong THINGS are seemingly going well for Demi Lovato and Wilmer Valderrama as the pair were recently spotted looking all loved up. Wilmer accompanied Demi to a radio interview in New York City, where they met Nick Jonas to discuss their upcoming Future Now tour, and strolled into the studios hand-in-hand. After their interview, the three of them decided to grab a bite to eat at a nearby café and the couple, who have been dating for over four years, were clearly unfazed by Nick’s presence as they were seen locking lips throughout the lunch. Three’s a crowd, Nick! www.peoplemagazine.co.za PEOPLE 13 Influential Teens Zendaya (19) THE former Disney darling made an impact after responding graciously to the comments made by Giuliana Rancic, who made fun of her dreadlocks – which didn’t really help a flailing Fashion Police’s ratings. She also criticised a magazine for using Photoshop on her, and showed the original picture to her 14.1million Instagram followers. Maisie Williams (18) KNOWN for her role as Arya in Game Of Thrones, Maisie has been hailed as one of the best new actresses of our time. Her social following has been growing significantly and this has made her highly influential. BETHANY was chosen as one of a few YouTube stars to interview Barack Obama after the State of the Union address. Her social media following is huge, with 9.5-million subscribers on YouTube, 2.69million followers on Twitter and 5.2-million followers on Instagram. She currently works on her music, a line for brand Aéropostale and various charity organisations. Flynn McGarry (16) FLYNN has been hailed as a culinary sensation. He started a dinner club at his house when he was only 11 and is now serving meals three days a week at a pop-up location in Manhattan and charging R3 000 a head for 14-course dinners. Shawn Mendes (17) HE has 4.3-million followers on Vine and released his debut album Handwritten in April, which topped the charts. He also walked away with two awards at the MTV Europe Music Awards recently. Ahmed Mohamed (14) AHMED made the news all around the world after he was arrested for bringing a homemade clock to school, which teachers mistook for a bomb. This caused huge controversy all around the world and Ahmed was soon after invited by Barack Obama as a special guest to the White House. In October, he accepted a full scholarship to a prestigious school in Qatar. Bethany Mota (19) Malala Yousafzai (18) IT’S been three years since she was shot by the Taliban while going to school in Pakistan. Despite this attack and having to flee her country, she continues to be an advocate for girls’ education and received the Nobel Peace Prize last year. On her 18th birthday this year, she opened a school in Syria. Jaden Smith (17) WILL and Jada’s son has been getting a lot of attention lately. He dropped his first EP earlier this year and hosts his own radio show on Apple Beats 1. PICS: GREAT STOCK /PAN MEDIA At Home With e f f i l c d a R l e i Dan H ARRY POTTER star Daniel Radcliffe invites us into his trendy New York apartment. The British actor is renting out the apartment for a whopping $19 000 (almost R230 000) per month. The two bedroom, two and a half bathroom apartment located in Soho features a minimalist design with a chef’s kitchen and rooftop garden. “ENGLAND is my home. London is my home. New York feels like, if I have to spend a year living in an unfamiliar city, this is a pretty lovely one to spend a year in.” 16 PEOPLE www.peoplemagazine.co.za continues on page 18... Follow usus onon twitter.com/people_sa Follow us on twitter.com/people_sa Follow twitter.com/people_sa www.peoplemagazine.co.za PEOPLE 17 “I THINK one of my favourite things to do is just lock myself up in a small room and listen to music and watch films for a day. Also I just like seeing my friends. We have pizza parties which means I get four friends round, we eat a pizza and we’re really lazy and we play PlayStation.” 18 PEOPLE Minimalist Effect STOCKISTS: BLOCKHOUSE: WWW.BLOCKHOUSE.CO.ZA / WEYLANDTS: WWW.WEYLANDTS.CO.ZA / @HOMELIVINGSPACE: [email protected] Ceiling Pendant: R1 199, @ homelivingspace BostonTwo Division: R11 250, Blockhouse TIP D O N’T b e afraid space; reof white m less is m ember, ore. people’s Choice Lars Chair And Footstool: R4 995, Weylandts We just love this statement chair. Ideal for any modern living room or study Todd Chair: R6 995, Weylandts Baxter Wingback: R5 550 Blockhouse Anthropology Study Desk: R5 950 Blockhouse TIP C L EA N li nes are p the eye. leasing to black an Colours like ideal ford white are a mod effect. ern Moroccan Bathroom Shelf: R1 399, @homelivingspace Frenze Vase: R995, Weylandts Restoration Queen Headboard: R3 800, Blockhouse Tucan Coral Cushion: R499, @homelivingspace Follow us on twitter.com/people_sa *Prices subject to change. See disclaimer on page 28. www.peoplemagazine.co.za PEOPLE 19 What The Stars Really Weigh S OME stars really love their junk food. Others really like what they look like in a bikini and some are addicted to extreme exercise. Although many celebs try and keep their weight a secret, we’ve scoured Hollywood and got the skinny on the one thing these celebs don’t want you to know! Kourtney Kardashian Weight: 48.5kg AS we’ve seen, celebs, like us, don’t conform to any one body type. So, what does the scale BY EL BROIDE say when the rich and famous step on it? You won’t believe what some of the answers are! PICS: WWW.ELITEPHOTOAGENCY.COM / GREATSTOCK KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN looks incredible – especially after having three children! The star has reportedly been losing weight after the stress of Scott and his rehab drama, but Kourtney is right ‘in the middle of her healthy weight’, a source reveals. Kourtney’s love of light exercise helps her keep in great shape. Bella Thorne Weight: 56kg FORMER Disney darling and DUFF star Bella Thorne looks amazing in a bikini and she admits that her love of exercise helps her stay in great shape! “I never do cardio,” she says. “A lot of people think that cardio burns off weight better than weights… But weight lifting works your muscles, getting them toned while losing weight.” 20 PEOPLE www.peoplemagazine.co.za Lena Dunham Weight: 75kg IT’S no secret that Girls star Lena Dunham is a bit heavier than most Hollywood celebrities. However, she doesn’t let her weight define her. “I’ve been 14kg heavier and 14kg lighter and it’s never had an effect on my ability to find love or connect to people,” she says. Lena has a pear-shaped body, which is incredibly common in many women. Gigi Hadid Weight: 57kg GIGI HADID is taking the modelling world by storm with her great body and slim physique. However, at 178cm, Gigi is a bit on the skinny side and, although she looks good, losing any more weight would probably not be the best idea. Luckily it doesn’t seem like that will happen anytime soon. “If you just kind of embrace yourself, other people accept you.” That’s easy for a world-class model to say, right? Hilary Duff Weight: 58kg YOWZA! How smoking-hot does Younger star and singer Hilary Duff look these days? Hilary looks great and she has been spending a lot of time at the beach flaunting her newly single self. At 157cm, Hilary reveals this is the best she has ever felt. “I’m proud of my body and accepting of what it is,” she said. Hilary weighed just 44kg when she was a teenager and we must admit she looks way healthier these days! Amal Clooney Weight: 52kg AMAL CLOONEY is looking dangerously thin. The human rights lawyer looks as if she is wasting away by the day. Her waist is tiny and her legs are incredibly thin which is worrying to see. “Amal’s career is taking a huge toll on her body,” a source says. “She barely has time to think about eating – and George is really concerned. She says she forgets to eat, which with her job is certainly believable.” Amy Schumer Weight: 83kg THERE is nothing sexier than a confident woman, even if she is a bit heavier than the average. Despite being a little bit overweight, Amy is quite active. Her main focus area is her stomach and that extra weight ‘can increase the risk of diabetes’. Kate Boswoth Weight: 53kg KATE has recently overcome an eating disorder and is well on her way to recovery. While we would like to see her put on a few more kilos, Kate is starting to look healthy again. It’s her legs that are incredibly skinny, so perhaps some exercise would do the trick… Jourdan Dunn Weight: 58kg YIKES! Jourdan needs a burger – or three! At 180cm tall, Jourdan looks worryingly thin these days and while we understand that modelling requires a low body fat percentage, we’re worried Jourdan may be pushing her body too far. Jourdan has a cooking show of her very own, so we hope that she starts tasting more soon. Taylor Swift Weight: 64kg THE singer has taken the world by storm over the past year and, although 64kg may seem heavy to some, it’s important to remember that Taylor stands at 178cm tall! She has also been on tour most of this year, which has helped her stay incredibly fit. Angelina Jolie Weight: 41kg OKAY. We need an intervention here. Angelina is looking incredible skinny these days. She was spotted on a recent trip to Cambodia and we wanted to call the ambulance, ASAP! Although she blames her busy schedule for her thin physique, we’re worried that things could turn really serious really quickly while Angie is at this scarily skinny weight. www.peoplemagazine.co.za CELEBS share their adventures and travel tips with us. BY LETITIA HEROLD Exploring With Expresso’s Ewan Mauritius holiday with the family Filming in the French Alps in Val-d’Isere Desert fun in Dubai T ELEVISION personality Ewan Strydom sat down with us to chat about some of his travel adventures. The star, who co-hosts SABC 3 morning show Expresso, lives in Cape Town with his wife Adrienne and two sons, Kean and Dominic. Which country have you visited recently? I explored the wonders of Dubai and Abu Dhabi earlier this year. Tell us about the trip. I was in Dubai to explore the food culture and what they have to offer and also find out about international food influences and how it had changed the culinary industry. I also wanted to take in the incredible sights, of course. I also had to make time for a camel ride in the desert whilst learning about the Bedouin culture. And then on to Abu Dhabi. I was on this trip to celebrate the inaugural flight by SAA from Johannesburg to this magnificent city and went to explore what it has to offer, from Ferrari World to desert 4x4 trips and the breathtaking and technologically advanced Yas Marina Circuit. I got to pose on the actual podium as if I was a real F1 driver. Do you like to travel with a planned itinerary or do you explore the destination in your own time? I like to explore destinations in my own time. I like to do the unusual; not too many touristy things. That way I can really soak up what the destination has to offer. But when it comes to trips where we are filming, a plan is always a good idea! 22 PEOPLE If you were offered a trip to any destination in the world, where would you go? That’s a tough one. I have been to many incredible places, but if there is one place I would still like to go to it would be Indonesia – with a very specific goal: To swim with whale sharks in their natural habitat. That’s an item to tick off the bucket list! What’s your worst holiday experience? I haven’t really had a bad travel experience, but if there is one thing I despise it is to fall ill whilst on holiday! And your most memorable travel moment? I’ve got to keep it local – it was up in Bela Bela a while back and had the opportunity to swim with elephants. It was something I will never forget. It felt like I was connecting spiritually with these majestic animals. Tell us about your most adventurous travel experience? Thailand! Not only is it the country where I met my Hungarian beauty of a wife, but just being in Thailand is an adventure, from the streets and food culture to the breathtaking islands. I would return in a heartbeat! www.peoplemagazine.co.za What are your five must-have items to pack? Phone for pics, a portable Bluetooth speaker, sun cream, running shoes and sunnies! If you could travel with a celeb, who would it be? Bear Grylls – I would love to go on a survival adventure with him! Ewan in Pisa, Italy What’s the strangest cuisine you’ve eaten while on holiday?  I’ve gotta say a whole variety of insects. Some of them were really tasty though! Where to next? Hopefully back to Thailand or even a skiing trip to the Alps! But I have no immediate travel plans. Something can always pop up on the work front, but I’m looking forward to spending the December holidays in Cape Town! facebook.com/peoplemagsa Part 11 PREPARE for a feast of bizarre facts, shattering real life accounts from survivors, scandalous allegations and harrowing fatal flaws as we piece together week by week the mysterious puzzle behind one of history’s most talked about tragedies – the unsinkable Titanic. BY VANESSA WHEN ART IMITATES LIFE PAPAS THE sinking of Titanic had all the makings of an epic tragedy, which is why Hollywood brought it to the silver screen – and it became the love story that stole the world’s heart. N OTHING on Earth could ever come between them... except perhaps poor navigation. The fictional tale of Rose DeWitt Bukater and Jack Dawson is an unforgettable love story that captured the imagination of the world and gave a glimpse of the lives onboard, and the tragedy and terror crew and passengers endured when the ship hit the iceberg and sank into the icy cold waters of the North Atlantic. We take a look at one of the biggest blockbuster movies of the ’90s, where the inspiration for the film Titanic came from, and what made it the most expensive motion picture ever filmed at that time. Set 84 years following the sinking of the legendary vessel on April 15, 1912, 101-year-old Rose (Gloria Stuart) tells her granddaughter, Lizzy Calvert (Suzy Amis), the amazing story of her unlikely romance onboard the unsinkable ship. In the film 17-year-old Rose (played by British actress Kate Winslet), boards the luxury cruiser as a First-Class passenger, along with her mother Ruth (Frances Fisher) and her fiancé, Caledon Hockley (Billy Zane). There is no love lost between Rose and Caledon and you soon learn that she has been forced into the engagement so she and her mother can maintain their high-class status after her father’s death left the family debt-ridden. Onboard Rose meets and falls in love with Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio), a homeless young man who wins two tickets onto Titanic in a poker game. He travels as a Third-Class passenger. Titanic was the first film to reach the R13-billion mark and became the second film to gross more than R26-billion worldwide with the 3D re-release in 2012. Gloria Stuart as 101-year-old Rose 24 PEOPLE The sinking scene involved a tilting full-sized set, 150 extras and 100 stunt performers Titanic Facts PEOPLE 25 PICS: WWW.ELITEPHOTOAGENCY.COM In order to keep Titanic under wraps during production in 1996, director James Cameron decided to call the project Planet Ice. Contrary to popular belief, director, writer, co-producer and co-editor Cameron had no real intention of actually naming it that. It was, he says, just a ploy to keep Titanic a The sets were all built from scratch, based secret during production. He even shot on designs from the actual ship footage of icebergs off the coast of Nova Scotia to throw the press off. Various established actors auditioned for the leading role of Jack including Matthew McConaughey, Chris O’Donnell, Billy Crudup, Jared Leto, Stephen Dorff and even Tom Cruise (although his superstar asking price was never taken seriously), while Nicole Kidman, Madonna, Jodie Foster, Cameron Diaz, Sharon Stone, Gwyneth Paltrow, Claire Danes and Gabrielle Anwar were all Cameron kept the nature considered for the role of Rose. When of the film project a secret Winslet, 22, heard producers were looking for actors she was determined to land the role. She went so far as sending from the ship’s builders. The climactic Cameron daily notes from England persuading scene, which features the breaking of the him to invite her to Hollywood for auditions – ship directly before it sinks, as well as its and he eventually did! final plunge to the bottom of the Atlantic, While casting took place, the team behind involved a tilting full-sized set, 150 extras Titanic began the mammoth task of creating and 100 stunt performers. After filming, a believable set. The ship exterior set was the remains of the ship were sold as scrap constructed in a tank on a beach south of metal. Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico. The entire The filming schedule was intended to set was mounted on hydraulic jacks and last 138 days but grew to 160. Many cast The famous nude pose scene could be tilted up to six degrees. The modern members came down with colds, flu, or scenes were shot on board the Akademik kidney infections after spending hours in Mstislav Keldysh, which Cameron had used cold water, including Winslet. Several others left (women first), the stoicism and nobility of a as a base when filming the wreck. Scale and three stuntmen broke their bones. As the bygone age, the magnificence of the great models, computer-generated imagery and days of filming mounted, so too did the cost. ship matched in scale only by the folly of the a reconstruction of Titanic built at Playas de After its release in December 1997, Titanic was men who drove her hell-bent through the Rosarito were used to recreate the sinking. For nominated for 14 Academy Awards and won 11, darkness. And above the entire lesson: That the ship’s interiors, the team looked for artifacts including the awards for Best Picture and Best life is uncertain; the future unknowable... the from the era – every prop had to be made Director. unthinkable possible.” from scratch. The sets representing the interior “The story could not have been written better,” rooms of Titanic were reproduced exactly as says Cameron. “The juxtaposition of rich and originally built, using photographs and plans poor, the gender roles played out unto death  WINSLET was one of the few stars who didn’t want to wear a wetsuit during the water scenes, and, as a result, she got pneumonia. Some cast also suffered injuries on set, with a number of broken bones reported.  THE scenes set in 1912 (as opposed to the present-day scenes and the opening and ending credits), span a total length of two hours and forty minutes – the exact time it took for Titanic to sink... Matthew McConaughey  GLORIA STUART was the only person Gwyneth Paltrow Jared Leto Madonna who worked on the film who was actually living in 1912 when Titanic sunk. With her nomination for Best Supporting Actress at age OR the first time in South Africa, The Titanic Artifact Exhibition is being 87, she became the oldest person to ever be held in Johannesburg at The Zone @ Rosebank from September 18 until nominated for an Oscar. November 8, 2015 and in Cape Town at the V&A Waterfront from November  ON the set of Titanic, DiCaprio’s pet lizard 27 until February 14, 2016. The Exhibition puts on display authentic exhibits was run over by a truck but survived. recovered from the wreck of the famous ship. Join us at this awesome exhibition and  AFTER finding out that she was going to be naked in front of Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate feel an authentic Titanic experience! Kids under four get in for free. Winslet decided to break the ice by flashing him the first time they met. Ends Marriage BY ZARA BRINER T HIS year of Hollywood break-ups could just prove to be the most devastating yet, as Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez become the next celebrity couple to split. After just two years of married bliss, the pair have announced their divorce, releasing a joint statement that read: “It is with a heavy Gabriel Aubry sustained heart that we have horrific injuries during his come to the decision fight with Olivier to divorce. We move forward with love and respect for one another and the shared focus for what is best for our son. We wish each other nothing but happiness in life, and we hope that you respect our, and most importantly our children’s, privacy as we go through this difficult period.” According to a source, it was the French actor’s aggressive nature that finally led to their marriage ending. “He had an explosive temper in a way that was profoundly frightening,” the source stated, and added that Halle often spent time apart from Olivier during their marriage because of his uncontrollable outbursts. And it’s no secret Olivier has a history of violence, one of the most notable examples being the beating he gave Halle’s ex boyfriend, Gabriel Aubry in November 2012. The model was hospitalised with broken ribs and a bruised and battered face before he was charged with battery, but later obtained his own restraining order against Olivier. At the time, Halle and Olivier both claimed Gabriel had started the fight, but Gabriel counter-argued and photographed his clean fists as proof that he wasn’t involved in any punching. Gabriel said the day before Thanksgiving, the family went to watch Nahla, his and Halle’s daughter’s school play, when Olivier whispered in his ear in French, “I wish I could beat the sh*t out of you right now. You’re lucky we’re in a school right now. We’re going to take Nahla right now and you’re not going to follow us.” Gabriel and Halle, who had threatened to take Nahla to France, were in the midst of an ugly custody battle back then and Gabriel further 26 PEOPLE PICS: WWW.ELITEPHOTOAGENCY.COM ! r e v O s ’ t ‘Bad Temper’ IOlivier’s HALLE BERRY has filed for divorce from husband Olivier Martinez as new reports claim the actor’s anger issues took a toll on their marriage. agree on custody, Halle might use Olivier’s claimed that when he dropped Nahla off at violent bursts against him. Halle’s house the next day, after their verbal “She can use that as grounds to claim he has altercation, Olivier walked out and demanded, a propensity for violence, but she really has to “We need to talk”. prove the violence directly affects the child,” But when Gabriel ignored him and walked to said the source. his car, Olivier allegedly ‘knocked him to the Well, only ground, took his head in his hand and slammed time will it on the concrete driveway’, accusing Gabriel tell how of costing them millions due to the custody this battle. Gabriel also claims Olivier said, “We pans called the cops. You’re going to tell them that out! you’re the one who attacked me, or I’m going to kill you.” Gasp! And that’s not all. Things got heated a few months later, when Olivier got into another physical clash with a paparrazo while leaving LAX airport in April 2013. According to reports, a confrontation erupted when Halle warned paparazzi to keep their distance as they were exiting, saying, “Get away, there’s a child.” This prompted Olivier to get involved, who ended up assaulting a photographer and kicking him in the leg and wrist. But it didn’t end there, because when the couple walked to their car and were again confronted by the same man, Olivier stormed back into the airport, and proceeded to kick him further. That’s when Halle intervened, repeatedly yelling ‘Olivier, NO!’, and eventually pulled him away. In January Olivier made headlines once again for his destructive behaviour when he physically attacked an airport employee. Halle and Olivier, who had since added Halle with soon-to-be-ex son Mateo to their family, were leaving the husband Olivier Los Angeles airport with their kids when an employee whipped out his camera to take a few pics. Olivier reacted by pushing him to the floor. Halle with The whole incident was caught on her children camera and he was later charged with battery. In fact, Olivier and Halle were both named in a civil lawsuit and are currently being sued for damages, Nahla which can’t make things easy for their pending divorce. It seems their split could get ugly, as both stars have filed duelling petitions for divorce. “For tactical reasons, some attorneys want to file first because if you’re the petitioner and the case proceeds to trial, you get to put on the case first. It gives you that advantage,” revealed a law expert, while a source Mateo close to Halle added that if they can’t facebook.com/peoplemagsa BY SUZY MUKENDI GREAT looks for the scorching season! OR those who live in jeans and slouchy jerseys, summers can be difficult it gets to the point where you have no choice but to expose yourself a little, revealing parts you might not be all that confident about. But you don’t have to go to extremes to keep cool and look stylish. Summer is the perfect time to embrace your feminine, fun or edgy side. Placing small key pieces into your wardrobe you’ll easily have the perfect summer style. To help you we’ve put together an easy-to-follow guide. urites November Favo that we’re obsessing PICS: STREETSTYLE FROM PINTEREST HAVE a look at these items over for November. They’re fun, flirty and classic pieces that can easily be incorporated into your wardrobe. T IP Dress: Price On Request, Cotton On WHAT we love about denim skirt is that it’s very easy to wear. All you have to do is throw on a top and sneakers and you’re ready to go. White Sandals: R459.00 , Bronx Woman Denim Skirt: R239, Fashion Express Sunglasses: Price On Request, Cotton On T IP Block Heels: R1 049, River Island OFF-THE-SHO ULD ER tops are fantastic for those with pear or hourglass figures, as they balance out the proportions. T IP IF it’s your first time wearing suede then keep it light and sweet by pairing it with neutrals. Follow us on twitter.com/people_sa Off-TheShoulder Top: Price On Request, Cotton On Suede Shorts: R169, Fashion Express www.peoplemagazine.co.za t e s o l C B ORROWING from the boys is a trend that has been around for a while. We think it might join the category of timeless and classic trends. If you’re bored with your current look and want to update your style without having to spend a cent, borrowing from your beau’s closet will give you an instant boost. The Blazer Structured Jumpers Denim Shorts The White Shirt Necklace: Price On Request, Accessorize Earrings (Set Of Six): Price On Request, Accessorize Necklace: R370, Zuri Bracelets: Price On Request, Accessorize Jumper: R599 By Country Road, Woolworths Shirt: R449.25 By Country Road, Woolworths Necklace: R549, Mango Belt (Set Of Two): R49.99, Mr Price Bracelets: R130, Zuri Handbag: Price On Request, Accessorize Heels: R1 299, River Island Denim Shorts: R179.99, Mr Price 28 PEOPLE Handbag: Price On Request, Accessorize www.peoplemagazine.co.za Top: R119.99 To R139.99, Mr Price Heels: R699, Madison Shoes Bangles: Price On Request, Accessorize Boyfriend Jeans: R799, Mango Heels: R1 099, River Island Necklace With Pendant: Price On Request, Accessorize DISCLAIMER: WHILE DUE CARE IS TAKEN TO ENSURE ACCURACY, PEOPLE MAGAZINE IS NOT LIABLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PRODUCT LISTINGS OR AVAILABILITY, PRICING OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION THAT WAS CHECKED AND HAS CHANGED SINCE THE TIME OF GOING TO PRINT. SUMMER LOOKBOOK Look 1 I F you have no idea what to wear for summer then have a gander at these six looks that will help make deciding much easier. Necklace: R89, Fashion Express STYLIST: SUZY MUKENDI PHOTOGRAPHER: TAMIKA MILLER I F you’re a teen who struggles with finding something to wear, then you’ve turned to the right page, because this week we’re highlighting teen fashion in this quirky and fun shoot. Nowadays it seems that teen years are all about fitting in, not standing out. We strongly disagree with this. It’s important for you to find a unique way to express yourself so you can let your true colours shine! Here are few ideas to develop a killer fashion sense. Vest: R199, Cotton On Beads: R39.99, Mr Price Checked Shirt: R279, Cotton On Shorts: R349, Cotton On Sneakers: R1 100, Europa Art T IP ear nt to w r a a w u o IF y wea . et top, a croch op underneath t g , in s tie match ith boo Pair it w s and white rie accesso ans to je at. look gre Hoops (Set Of Three): R100, Lovisa Necklace: R250, Lovisa Kimono: R119.99, Mr Price Crochet Top: R399, The Lot Jeans: R159.99, Mr Price Backpack: R1 199, Accessorize Beads: R169.50, Colette By Colette Hayman Sandals: R265, Rage T IP E A FRING ect erf top is p and n for a fu ook. daring l Earrings: R114.50, Colette By Colette Hayman Necklaces (Set Of Four): R230, Lovisa Top: R69.99, Mr Price Bangles: R169.50, Colette By Colette Hayman Shorts: R349, Cotton On Heels: R599, Cotton On Stripe Top: R320, Moon Beads: R39.99, Mr Price Jeans: R189.99, Mr Price Sneakers: R3 990, Europa Art T IP IF you want your playsuits to look a bit edgy then add a studded belt and a pair of combat boots. Hoops: R39.99, Jet Chains (Set Of Four): R200, Lovisa Necklace: R69.99, Jet Playsuit: R550, Parooz Fashions Rings: R39.99, Mr Price Cuffs (Set Of Three): R180, Lovisa Sandals: R599, Cotton On T-Shirt: R69.99, Jet Joggers: R199.99, Mr Price Watch: R119.99, Mr Price Sneakers: R219.99, Mr Price Earrings: R179, Accessorize Choker: R190, Lovisa Rings: R169.50, Colette By Colette Hayman Jacket: R499, Cotton On Playsuit: R590, Parooz Fashions Wedges: R229.99, Mr Price T IP adds jacket look M I N A DE nky nd a fu s a go-to a e g d e Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; outfit. ant to any hen you w item w ghen up a to tou look. girly T-Shirt: R399, The Lot Shorts: R349, Cotton On Brogues: R2 390, Europa Art T-Shirt: R359, The Lot Jeans: R599, Cotton On Sneakers: R5 490, Europa Art tends to look A WHITE dress ore you’re for a m classy. But if en casual vibe, th g up by wrappin edge the look r u yo t around a checked shir crazy with waist and go accessories. HAIR DONE BY: ELIA LOPEZ – 082 897 8315 MAKE-UP DONE BY: CARLI PRINSLOO FASHION ASSISTANT: DENEAL FLORENCE STOCKISTS: THE LOT: (011) 880-1603 / JET: (011) 685-7000 / COTTON ON: (011) 784-0214 / PAROOZ FASHIONS: (011) 403-2035 / MR PRICE: 0800 212 535 / EUROPA ART: (011) 883-5354 / ACCESSORIZE: (011) 615-7755 / LOVISA: (011) 431-3610 / COLETTE BY COLETTE HAYMAN: 087 808 0080 / RAGE: (011) 883-7502 / MOON: 083 2818 716 Earrings: R299, Accessorize Necklaces (Set Of Four): R175, Lovisa Dress: R159.99, Mr Price Shirt: R399, Cotton On Heels: R499, Cotton On T IP BLOCK I NO risk, no fun. y t r a P Beauty BY CARLI PRINSLOO T’S all about colour this week. We’ve rounded up our favourite items that will add a pop of colour to your beauty routine this season. Whether you are in a beauty rut and want something new and fresh or if you’ve always loved colour and want to continue your love affair, there’s something for everyone. Lacquer In Emerald City: R124, Sparitual Festival Lipstick: R90, By HEAN, Glamore PHOTOGRAPHY: TAMIKA MILLER PICS: WWW.ELITEPHOTOAGENCY.COM Big Zoom Mascara: R190, By HEAN, Glamore Lethal Lipstick In Electric Amethyst: R179, By Manic Panic, AnonaMiss Nail Lacquer In Be My Violentine: R49.95, Catrice Oval Eye Shadow Brush: R299.95, Real Techniques Yellow Nail Enamel: R129, Inglot Glide Gel Liner: R59.95, By LA Girl, Dis-Chem Shadow Collection In To Play With In Vegas: R210, GOSH Cosmetics Powder Eye Shadow: R169, By Manic Panic, AnonaMiss Xtreme Liquid Gel Eyeliner: R125, GOSH Cosmetics Follow us on twitter.com/people_sa Kendall Jenner HERE are four of our favourite ways to wear coloured eyeliner 3. DUST on a darker coloured shadow from lashline to crease. This creates a nice base for bright liner, but doesn’t detract from it . 1. A TOUCH of bright colour transforms a cat eye from basic to bombshell. Remember! 2. NERVOUS about wearing a bold OPPOSITES attract. Brown eyes look best with richer colours shade? Lining your bottom lashes has like purple, turquoise, blue, gold and copper; blue eyes are beautiful major impact, yet is still totally wearable. when paired with bronze, orange or rust. Pair green eyes with purple, gold or dark blue; and hazel eyes really stand out in green or purple. Beauty YOUR beauty questions solved. 36 PEOPLE 4. LINING bright liner all around the eye is something that the adventurous should try! DEAR CARLI, IS it necessary to remove make-up before workouts at the gym? Gym Honey DEA R CAR LI, the sides of my nose. I NOT ICE small and thin vessels on What can I do about that? DEAR GYM HONEY, Vein IT’S natural to want to look beautiful for sporty guys at the gym and there’s nothing bad about that, but you really shouldn’t overload on make-up before a workout. Stick to tinted moisturiser and add some waterproof mascara. That should be all with fitness make-up! Keep in mind: if you wipe your face with a towel frequently, then avoid shiny cosmetic products, because they contain micro cells, which can traumatise skin and create acne or rashes. Remember to thoroughly wash your face after the workout to clear all the oil and sweat. www.peoplemagazine.co.za DEA R VEIN, UV rays irritate blood THIS could be caused by the sun. The the of ce vessels and weaken the surfa DO you have a beauty problem you just can’t skin, making the vessels more visible. solve? Then e-mail To solve this, go for laser treatments ller. sma els people’s vess Beauty Editor, the e mak will h whic Carli, for all your beauty In the meantime, hide them with enquiries at concealer. [email protected]. Colour Correcting 101 YOUR cheat sheet to concealers. W E are sure you agree: There are few things more hated than waking up to a nasty, unwelcome blemish on your face. This is when you have to thank your lucky stars that concealer exists! For years, concealers have been the saving grace for people struggling to hide problem areas. Thanks to concealer, we’re able to hide everything from zits and dark circles to elaborate tattoos, as well as highlight cheekbones and eyes. All-In-1 Solution Herbal Concealer: R69.95, By Palladio, Dis-Chem Veil Foundation Primer: R425, Bodyography THERE are also some palettes that offer solutions to all your concealing problems. Correcting Pearls: R99.95, AVON Adds radiance and corrects yellow undertones Concealer Jar In Yellow: R109.95, By NYX, Clicks Derma Erase Stick: R172, Kryolan CoverAll Concealer Palette: R64.95, By Wet ’n Wild, Clicks Studio Conceal And Correct Palette: R450, MAC Cosmetics Corrects under-eye bags on fair skin Photo Ready ColorCorrectPrimer: R289, Revlon Hides blue veins Corrects and under-eye under-eye bags circles on tan skin Bye-Bye Botox And Facelifts! COLLAGEN LIFT PARIS is taking South Africa by storm. T HIS daily collagen drink is easily absorbed by the body and has been clinically proven in trials in Germany and France to increase collagen densities, reduce wrinkles by up to 50 percent and increase the skin’s elasticity and hydration. Collagen Lift Paris is further enhanced with Mediterranean seaweed extract and vitamin C, making it a potent source of anti-ageing collagen, minerals and antioxidants. Collagen is a critical component of skin, providing structure and elasticity to keep skin looking plump and youthful. With age, collagen breaks down and over time the body’s capacity to regenerate collagen reduces – a double whammy for ageing skin. By using Collagen Lift Paris, women can now replenish lost collagen from within and without using external products which most often do not penetrate the skin deeply enough to be really effective. Now there is no need for injections or surgery which are both painful and invasive. Collagen Lift Paris is available online and at selected Clicks and beauty salons countrywide for R680 per box of 28 ampoules (one-month supply). Follow us on Facebook: collagenlift and visit the website: www.collagenliftparis.com. For queries call 086-111-1990. TWO lucky readers can each win a hamper containing two boxes of Collagen Lift Paris valued at R1 400. To enter simply sms the word ‘Collagenlift’ followed by your name, surname and postal address to 48408. Closing date for entries November 23, 2015. Smses cost R1.50. Terms and conditions apply. www.peoplemagazine.co.za PEOPLE O 37 3 With The Most FIVE minutes of beauty with Kriya Gangiah. K RIYA first became known to South Africa in 2007 when she joined the TUKS FM team. It did not take long for the then-17-year-old’s career to take off. In only three years listeners could enjoy their lunchtime with Kriya as she hosted the Out To Lunch show every weekday. This was the start of Kriya’s relationship with the South African media. She is also a TV presenter, model and IT auditor. A very impressive resumé! What we really want to know is how she stays looking so fabulous all day, every day. What’s your must-have summer item? With summer comes pool parties, beach cafés and sundowners, so one item that always has to be in your bag, no matter what, is a good pair of sunnies! What’s your go-to beauty product? One way you can ensure that you always look refreshed and ready for the day, the afternoon or the evening is with a fresh coat of mascara. I make sure I use Waterproof Better Than False Lashes Mascara (R84.95) from Catrice, because you never know when you are going to take a quick dip or get caught in an afternoon shower. Fact What’s in your bag and KR IYA is a br at the for or ad ss ba am moment? cs eti sm Co Catrice I always carry my South Africa. sunnies, a powder foundation from Catrice, mascara and sunblock. With the SA sun being as harsh as it is, you have to look after your skin! Colour Correcting Mattifying Powder In Delicate Blossom: R79.95, Catrice Visibly Even Daily Moisturiser with SPF30 (50ml): R139.95, Neutrogena In your beauty routine, what do you spend the most time on? I love playing around with my eye shadows and eyeliner. At the moment I am trying to perfect the exaggeratedly wingedout eyeliner. It’s a trend in beauty that I dare everyone to try out! It’s such fun. Color Splurge Eye Shadow Duo: R100 (Each), Black Opal What’s your top beauty tip? The most important thing to me is a great set of nails. Anyone who knows me knows that my nails are always clean and have a fresh coat of paint. It just adds that extra pizzazz to your look. Catch Kriya’s show, The Lounge, on JacarandaFM from Mondays to Fridays at 19h00 – 22h00. Effect Nail Polish In Sparkly Turquoise: R38.95, Essence Nail Polish (5ml): R35, InTouch Which celeb is your hair and beauty icon? I’m loving the short curls at the moment so when it comes to hair I would have to say Vanessa Hudgens it’s Vanessa Hudgens. My overall beauty icons at the moment are Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift; they are besties who are having fun and enjoying being themselves. Their looks are fresh and stylish. What is your go-to lip colour? I love a very natural look, something that goes with everything. And, even though I’m late to the trend, I’m also loving bright red at the moment. Color Sensational Vivids Lipstick In Neon Red: R114.95, Maybelline Which local celeb do you look up to and why? I am a huge Sureshnie Rider fan; besides being absolutely KRIYA loves stunning and a great radio baking and enjo and TV personality, she ys bubblegum is an ambassador for milkshakes. women’s and youth rights. Fact STOCKISTS: ANONAMISS: WW.ANONAMISS.CO.ZA / AVON: 0860 102 345 / BLACK OPAL: (011) 462 5321 / BODYOGRAPHY: (011) 463-9912 / CATRICE: SELECTED RETAILERS / CLICKS: 0860 254 257 / DIS-CHEM: 0860 347 243 / ESSENCE: SELECTED RETAILERS GLAMORE: WWW.GLAMORECOSMETICS.CO.ZA / GOSH COSMETICS: 0800 203 925 / IN TOUCH: 0861 112 222 / INGLOT: (021) 447-7718 / KRYOLAN: (011) 786-8598 / MAC COSMETICS: 0800 390 013 / MAYBELLINE: 0860 102 492 / NEUTROGENA: SELECTED RETAILERS REAL TECHNIQUES: (011) 445-3300 / REVLON: (011) 971-0812 / SPARITUAL: SELECTED SALONS AND SPAS KRIYA PICTURE BY PHOTOGRAPHER: ILANI VONK FROM GET IT PRETORIA. THE HOST Celeb Fitness FOLLOW your favourite celebs’ exercise routines and look and feel as good as they do! TV personality, author, lifestyle and fitness expert Lisa Raleigh will help you achieve your desired celebrity body. K Like Kayla Itsines KEEP FIT IN THE OFFICE BY LISA RALEIGH AYLA ITSINES has become a celebrity in her own right, thanks to rocking the Instagram world with her fitness pics. Rehydrate: It’s one of the easiest and yet most underestimated health strategies. If you’re at a desk all day you have no excuse not to sip on water to meet your daily requirements and beyond. Take The Stairs: This is one of the most likely opportunities for you to get some mileage at the office, so opt for the stairs whenever it’s time to run errands. Make It A Team Effort: Kayla says that getting a few colleagues on board can make office fitness more fun and regular – it could be as simple as a walk during your lunch break. Stretch It Out: Being desk-bound most of the day is guaranteed to take its toll on your body and your posture. Set a timer on your watch to stand up and have a thorough stretch every 45 minutes. INCLUDE these three ‘anywhere moves’ into your day to train in the office like Kayla: 1 Wall Squat IF you’re waiting for the kettle to boil, use the nearest wall to your advantage. Lean against it then sink down into a squat, and hold it for the length of time it takes the kettle to boil. If you’re a regular tea or coffee drinker you will tally up a few squats in a day. Chair Dips PUT your office chair to good use and practise tricep dips off of it. Rest your hands on the chair alongside your body, then lift yourself off the chair and dip down. 2 Walking Lunge IF you’re lucky enough to have a stretch 3 of floor space, seize the opportunity with walking lunges. Grab two filled water bottles, two heavy handbags – or anything, really – and practise a few walking lunges up and down the designated area whenever you can. Send Lisa your questions. E-mail [email protected] and write ‘Fitness’ in the subject line. www.lisaraleigh.co.za l [email protected] l Lisa Raleigh Fan Page – Facebook l @LisaRaleighSA – Twitter l LisaRaleighTV – YouTube www.peoplemagazine.co.za GET your booty into shape! BY ANGELA BEKIARIS Your Work Lunch Box ACCORDING to registered dietician Kelly Schreuder on PICS: FOTOLIA All4Women.co.za, a healthy work lunch box includes:  A variety and balance of foods  A variety of nutrients, including protein, carbohydrates, fat and micronutrients  Real food, as opposed to processed snacks that are high in added fat (especially poor-quality fat), sugar and salt  Portion control Go-To Snacks WHEN you’re feeling a little hungry, this is what you should be snacking on, say experts:  A few nuts  Fresh fruit  Vegetable crudités with a dip like hummus  Lean biltong  Plain yoghurt flavoured with fresh berries or fruit What’s Your Body Type? DID you know there are five different body types? They are:  Pear: Weight is carried on the hips, thighs and behind. Defined waist with narrower shoulders than hips.  Apple: Carries fat and weight around the middle. Lower body is generally slimmer with well-shaped legs. Prone to having a rounded shoulder line and a flattish derrière.  Inverted Triangle: Narrower hips than shoulders and the shoulder line is fairly straight and squared. The waist may curve in slightly. Often this body type is referred to as a ‘swimmer’s body’.  Hourglass: A combination of an inverted triangle and triangle. Hips and shoulders are more or less the same width and in proportion with a defined waist. Many hourglass figures also have a big bust.  The Ruler: Shoulders, waist and hips are more or less the same width. No obvious curves. Get Fitness Ready Exercise For Your Body Type Grey Shorts: R79.99, Mr Price Bag: R349, By Nike, Zando Printed Top: R549, By Country Road, Woolworths STOCKISTS: MR PRICE: 0800 212 535 WOOLWORTHS: (011) 290-1011 ZANDO: 0861 192 636 40 PEOPLE www.peoplemagazine.co.za TO help you embrace and tone your body, healthline.com suggests you choose workout plans for your personal body type. This is what the experts feel is best for your shape: The Pear: Rows and reverse flies back exercises to help improve the shape of the back and develop the upper body. Deadlifts will help tone and recruit the large muscles of the buttocks. Static lunges allow you to focus on good form and lateral lunges will help recruit the muscles of the quadriceps and the inner thighs. The Apple: High-intensity cardiovascular interval training to help increase calories burnt per session. The biggest muscles – the legs in the case of apple body shapes – will burn the most calories. The plank and Pilates play a big role in increasing the strength of the core. The Inverted Triangle: Squatting, lunging and deadlifts are great for achieving increased muscle mass and tone in the legs and glutes; twisting type exercises play a role in improving shape and tone around the mid-section and also help sculpt and shape the oblique stomach muscles. Low weights and high repetitions will ensure a nice tone and shape without increasing the size of the muscles. The Hourglass: Double-arm rows, bent-over rows and reverse flies can bring shape around the shoulders and strengthen the back muscles – trapezius and rhomboids – and help maintain great posture. The plank will help maintain shape and tone around the abdominals. Side plank and rotational exercises performed with control can also make the mid-section look amazing. Combination exercises like glute bridging with tricep extension work well; step-ups with bicep curls is another great combination routine. The Ruler: Core work and Pilates will improve and tighten the abdominal area. Glute exercises are a big focus to get shape around the hips. Deadlifts, step-ups and squats are all great for the lower body. Chest press, back rows and shoulder work – frontal and lateral raises – can build the shape and size of the upper-body muscles. Courtesy of www.all4women.co.za, www.active.com, www.healthyceleb.com and www.healthfitnessrevolution.com SICK and tired of being sick and tired? Health News BY ANGELA BEKIARIS What Causes Night Sweats? NIGHT sweats – excessive perspiration at night – is an uncomfortable part of life for many people. But what causes it? There are 24 possible conditions, say experts. We share 14:  Pulmonary tuberculosis  Tuberculosis  Acute stress disorder  Leukaemia  Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma  Congestive heart failure  Hodgkin’s disease  Acute lymphocytic leukaemia  Empyema  Infectious mononucleosis  Sarcoidosis  Endocarditis  Colitis  Crohn’s disease We discuss three of these conditions: PICS: FOTOLIA What Is Crohn’s Disease? CROHN’S disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes inflammation of the intestinal tract, which includes your mouth, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon), rectum, and anus. The inflammation and irritation of Crohn’s disease can occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract but is most common in the lower portion of the small intestine (the ileum). Crohn’s disease can occur in anyone at any age and can affect men and women equally – it most commonly begins between the ages of 13 and 30. Smokers are also more likely than non-smokers to develop Crohn’s. There are several types of Crohn’s disease depending on what part of the GI tract is involved:  Ileocolitis affects the ileum and the colon.  Gastroduodenal Crohn’s disease affects the stomach and the beginning of the small intestine (the duodenum).  Jejunoileitis affects the upper half of the small intestine (the jejunum and ileum).  Crohn’s (granulomatous) colitis affects the colon only. ACCORDING to experts, Crohn’s disease can vary from mild to severe to life-threatening. In children, Crohn’s can delay growth and development. In severe cases, it can cause intestinal blockage or ulcers that can tunnel through the intestinal wall into surrounding tissues and organs. Courtesy of www.healthyceleb.com, www.helpguide.org, www.webmd.com and www.your-bulimia-recovery.com What Is Pulmonary Tuberculosis? ACCORDING to healthline.com, Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is bacteria that attack your lungs. It is a potentially deadly disease, but it is curable if you get medical help right away and follow your doctor’s instructions. Who Is At Risk For TB?  The elderly  Small children  Smokers  People who already have an immune system problem, such as HIV  People who do not regularly see a doctor, such as homeless people  People who live in crowded conditions, such as prisons Symptoms Of Pulmonary TB  Coughing that continues for several days  Coughing up blood  Fever, including low-grade consistent fever  Excessive sweating  Chest pain  Unexplained weight loss  Fatigue What Is Leukaemia? LEUKAEMIA is a cancer of the blood cells. We have several types of blood cells, including red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets. Leukaemia generally refers to cancers of the WBCs. Symptoms include:  Excessive sweating, especially at night  Fatigue and weakness that does not go away with rest  Unintentional weight loss  Bone pain and tenderness  Painless, swollen lymph nodes (especially in the neck and armpits)  Enlargement of the liver or spleen  Red spots on the skin (petechiae)  Bleeding and bruising easily  Fever or chills  Frequent infections www.peoplemagazine.co.za FEELING a little blue is not the same as being depressed. Unhappiness Or Depression? OU might think they’re the same Y thing, but they’re not. According to experts, being unhappy isn't the same as being depressed. While depression is a term often used loosely to describe how we feel, major depressive disorder — a type of depression — is much more complicated. We share some symptoms and signs that determine whether it’s depression or just a case of the blues, courtesy of healthline.com:  Changed Feelings: Major depression is a mood disorder that affects the way you feel about life in general. Are you feeling helpless, hopeless, worthless, or suffering from inappropriate guilt?  Loss Of Interest: Depression can take the pleasure or enjoyment out of the things you love. A loss of interest or withdrawal from activities that you once looked forward to, such as sports, hobbies, or going out with friends, is a telltale sign of major depression.  Fatigue And Sleep: Depression often comes with a lack of energy and an overwhelming feeling of lethargy – this could lead to excessive sleeping or no sleep at all. Depression is also linked to insomnia, as one might lead to the other.  Anxiety And Irritability: The physical and mental toll of depression also contributes to anxiety and irritability – and it affects the sexes differently. Research shows men may display symptoms not typically associated with depression, like escapist or risky behaviour, substance abuse, or misplaced anger.  Appetite And Weight: These can fluctuate differently for each person with major depression – some will have an increased appetite and gain weight while others won’t be hungry and will lose weight. A distinguishing factor to determine if the dietary changes are related to depression is whether they are intentional or not.  Uncontrollable Emotions: First you’re angry, then you’re crying – your emotions are up and down at a moment’s notice.  Looking At Death: The scariest reality of depression is its connection with suicide, say experts. Often people will talk about it or have a first attempt before succeeding in ending their life. 42 PEOPLE Eating Fish To Ward Off Depression A CCORDING to Chinese researchers, eating a lot of fish can boost your mood. Webmd.com claims that researchers found that people who consumed the most fish lowered their risk of depression by 17 percent compared to those who ate the least. “Studies we reviewed indicated that high fish consumption can reduce the incidences of depression, which may indicate a potential causal relationship between fish consumption and depression,” said lead researcher Fang Li of the Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics at the Medical College of Qingdao University in China. However, the researchers added that this association was only statistically significant for studies done in Europe. Fish is among the healthiest foods on the planet. Other health benefits of eating fish:  Fish is high in important nutrients that most people don’t get enough of.  Fish may lower your risk of heart attacks and strokes.  It contains nutrients that are crucial for development.  Fish may increase grey matter in the brain and protect it from age-related deterioration.  Fish is the only really good dietary source of vitamin D. Dear Doc Dr Karen Koch, a general practitioner, answers your health questions. PICS: FOTOLEA DEAR DOC, MY nine-year-old boy has stopped eating and is losing weight. He’s always been a ‘picky’ eater but every meal feels like a fight to the death. The paediatrician says there’s nothing wrong with him. Can children get anorexia? Concerned Mom DEAR DOC, IS there any cure for a hangover which actually works? Wine Flu DEAR WINE FLU, SORRY, but there’s no magic bullet for this one. Aspirin and bananas will not save you! Many of the symptoms of a hangover can be caused by simple dehydration. Alcohol is a diuretic so it makes you pass more urine. Staying hydrated – by drinking plenty of water between drinks and hydrating before going to bed – can help. Sometimes it’s the combination of a late night, overall tiredness, sinus blockage from smoke inhalation, additives (also called ‘congeners’) in the alcohol or low blood sugar and reflux that causes tiredness and headache after a night out. A hangover is your body’s way of telling you that you’re not coping with the alcohol. The best way to avoid a hangover is to limit your alcohol intake and pace yourself (slowly) if you do have a few drinks. DEAR CONCERNED MOM, EATING disorders are rare but possible in children. Your paediatrician is the right place to start. They will look at gross measures like weight and height as well as the overall nutritional state of your child. A paediatrician may need more than one visit to establish the chronic nature of the problem. Any child who is ill will have a loss of appetite, making it a very common complaint. When it’s an ongoing problem it needs to be investigated further. There are many things which can cause mealtime mayhem with a child. Refusing to eat can be a sign of many issues – both physical and psychological. Bullying, drugs, sexual abuse, depression and anxiety can all lead to decreased appetite or refusal to eat. Specific behaviours like a preoccupation with food, weight and food labels, weight fluctuations, secret eating and extreme exercise are all warning signs. Apart from your paediatrician it would be helpful to let your child see a psychologist or counsellor who can discuss other issues which could be underlying the eating problem. DEAR DOC, HOW can I help a colleague who’s been diagnosed with cancer? I don’t want to make things awkward at work. Helping Hand DEAR HELPING HAND, HOW you help a co-worker, and what you offer to do for that colleague, will depend on how close the relationship is. Don’t make things more difficult by pretending to be BFFs if you’re not. It’s good to start by acknowledging that you know the person has cancer and that you want to be of help. There is nothing worse than people pretending everything is fine when it’s not. Be guided by the person’s needs. This is not something you’ll be able to always predict up front. Don’t ever take over the person’s work without first asking them. Cancer makes its victims helpless by hijacking their lives. Suddenly everything is about cancer. Holding onto something like a job can be integral for the mental stability and sense of self. Don’t take this away. Don’t be over-solicitous, but also don’t pretend the problem will go away. People usually get caught up in the initial ‘cancer frenzy’ and then forget to support the person once the chemo has stopped. Do not harp on about death, dying or religion. It’s unprofessional and unkind. E-mail any questions to [email protected] and write ‘Dear Doc’ in the subject line DEAR DOC, HELP! I have the world’s worst teeth. Despite following a strict dental hygiene regimen, they seem to be worsening. Anything I can do to save my teeth? Toothless DEAR TOOTHLESS, EXPERTS seem to agree that there is a lot we can do to take control of our teeth. Our mouths are a constantly changing environment which we need to keep ‘healthy’ in order to protect our teeth. Make sure you’re using proper technique to brush your teeth and floss. Being over-enthusiastic in the wrong way can actually worsen your dental health. Take all your equipment when you next see you dentist and get them to demonstrate proper technique. Smoking, hard sweets, starchy foods and acidic drinks are a no-no. The organisms responsible for tooth decay thrive on carbohydrates. Avoiding sweets and carbs is good not only for your waistline, but also your teeth. Acidic drinks like colas, fruit juice or any fizzy drinks can damage your enamel, making your teeth more likely to decay. Try to get in the habit of drinking water after each meal or chewing sugar-free gum. If you can – brush your teeth 30 to 60 minutes after every meal or snack. Keep your mouth moist with water throughout the day (a dry mouth is bad for your teeth). Stopping smoking is of huge benefit to your oral hygiene as well. www.peoplemagazine.co.za Celeb D BY FEATS PRESS / PICS: FOTOLEA Special WE bring you the stars and their easy-to-stomach ways to a flatter tummy. T HERE’S abs-olutely no denying it – we’d all like a flatter tummy. As trainer-to-the-stars David Kirsch – who’s worked with Liv Tyler, Anne Hathaway and Heidi Klum – puts it: “People think celebrities and supermodels are different. They’re not. We all want a flat belly and a perky butt. But the reality is that anyone who leads a busy lifestyle doesn’t always have the time or the inclination to follow a long-term diet and fitness plan.” The Belly Fat Cure Beyoncé Knowels 44 PEOPLE www.peoplemagazine.co.za THIS plan has been developed by Jorge Cruise, the man behind The 3-Hour Diet, who asks, “What if the truth on how to lose weight – especially from the waistline – has nothing to do with eating less or exercising more?” Get The Skinny: Cruise’s Carb Swap System, which helps you ditch the sweeteners and processed carbs in favour of wholegrain complex carbs, offers a solution to the problem of too much insulin, ‘the hormone that science proves pushes fat into fat cells’. “You can’t get fat if you keep your insulin under control,” claims Cruise, adding that just seven days is all you need to take off up to 4kg from that belly. Take A Bite: Cruise advocates prehistoric eating principles, explaining, “In my research on the evolution of nutrition, it was evident that early humans didn’t consume any sugar because it didn’t exist (with the exception of honey and fruit).” According to him, it’s no coincidence that diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease weren’t much of a problem back then. You’re allowed 15g of sugar and six servings of carbs a day (about 120g) but you’re allowed unlimited amounts of fat and protein as they don’t affect insulin levels – plus you’re more likely to feel full with those foods. A Typical Day: Breakfast: Three eggs and two pieces of buttered toast Snack: Handful of walnuts Lunch: Tuna salad on small pita bread Snack: Cottage cheese Dinner: Grilled chicken with sautéed vegetables and half a cup of brown rice The Belly Fat Cure and the 3-Hour Diet are available from Amazon. Even celebrities like Beyoncé admit that it’s tough to stomach the hard work needed to slim that midriff, confessing, “I go through agonies to keep my stomach as flat as possible, though it is never flat enough for me”. So if tum-thing’s the matter, stop your bellyaching and trust your gut with our top four diets hot from Hollywood for a flatter stomach. * Remember to consult a doctor before starting a new diet. Diet The Skinny Gut Diet The Abs Diet HEALTHY eating combined with muscle-building exercise can give you the Miley Cyrus-esque tum you’ve always dreamed of, according to creator David Zinczenko. His regimen offers six meals a day, all packed with healthy ingredients he calls powerfoods. Get The Skinny: Exercise is the key to unlocking the abs-creating potential in this plan: that means two cardio workouts a week, two sessions of abs-specific exercises, three sessions of strength training and one interval workout. Zinczenko also points out that different workouts work better for different body types – some leaner physiques will want to build curves as well as strength, while curvier types should aim for a fast-paced routine to burn calories too. Take A Bite: The Abs Diet lists 12 nutrient-packed secret weapons you should aim to eat as much of as possible, as they’re packed with fibre and protein to keep you feeling full for hours: Almonds and other nuts Beans and legumes Spinach and other green veggies Dairy (fat-free or low-fat) Instant Oatmeal (unsweetened, unflavoured) Eggs Turkey and other lean meats Peanut butter Olive oil Wholegrain breads and cereals Extra-protein whey powder Raspberries and other berries A Typical Day: Breakfast: One slice of grilled bacon, one baked egg and one slice of low-fat cheese in a whole-wheat muffin Lunch: Chicken, bean and tomato soup (add carrots and corn for extra fibre) Snacks: Handful of almonds and a handful of berries Dinner: Prawns stir-fried with carrots, green beans and cashews and served with brown rice Smoothie: Yoghurt, oatmeal and peanut butter with low-fat milk, whey protein powder and ice cubes The Abs Diet is available from Amazon. Miley Cyrus The Flat Belly Diet THIS plan, created by Prevention magazine’s Liz Vaccariello and Cynthia Sass, is based on a traditional Mediterranean diet as well as the theory that plenty of monounsaturated fatty acids, or MUFAs, will whittle your waistline. Get The Skinny: The diet allows you to consume 1 600 calories a day and you must be sure to include MUFAs, found in healthy oils like canola oil, flaxseed oil or olive oil, and in nuts and seeds, with every meal. “Not only does the Flat Belly Diet deliver a healthy, satisfying way of eating – one that will rid your body of fat in the place you want to slim down most – but you'll discover that you’ll want to live this way forever,” says Vaccariello. Take A Bite: This plan is made up of two parts: the Four-Day Anti-Bloat Jumpstart, then the Four-Week Eating Plan. The first four days are designed to ‘flush out fluid, reduce water retention and relieve digestive issues like gas and constipation which can make your belly puff unnecessarily’, then after that you stick to a healthy diet packed with MUFAs, and even chocolate, as well as fruit and veg, wholegrains and fish. A Typical Day: Breakfast: Waffle made with flaxseed topped with half a cup of sliced banana and sprinkled with cinnamon, nutmeg and pecans Lunch: Corn tortillas with low-fat mince and fresh spinach, salsa and avocado Dinner: Grilled fish with one cup of steamed green beans and half a cup of roasted potatoes drizzled with olive oil Snack: Blueberry smoothie made from skimmed milk with frozen blueberries and one tablespoon of cold-pressed organic flax oil. The Flat Belly Diet is available from Amazon. NUTRITION expert Brenda Watson claims to know how to break the cycle of losing weight then gaining it back almost immediately. If you would like to be more ab-tastic than flab-tastic, you need to boost the levels of healthy bacteria living inside your digestive system – the Skinny Gut Diet claims positive results will include weight loss, a better immune system and fewer cravings. Get The Skinny: “Inside your digestive tract are trillions of bacteria that play a crucial role in not only your digestive and immune health, but also your overall health – and, most notably, your weight,” says Watson. “Each of us has a unique balance of bacteria that either protects us and keeps us healthy or leaves us susceptible to disease. That same balance can either contribute to weight gain or to weight loss.” Although an imbalance can lead to weight gain, the right proportion inside your gut can mean fewer cravings, less digestive upsets and less inflammation, meaning you feel great. Take A Bite: To help your intestinal flora to flourish, there are lots of ‘living foods’ on the menu. These include fermented foods like live cultured gherkins, sauerkraut and kimchi, as well as unpasteurised miso, yoghurt made with live cultures and kefir. Watson also recommends eating more healthy fats to reduce the silent inflammation which can result from being overweight – don’t worry about monitoring your intake of good fats, but just avoid eating bad fats like vegetable oils or trans fats. Also on the menu is plenty of protein, non-starchy vegetables, lowsugar fruits (too much sugar will just feed the nasty bacteria) and lean protein to curb cravings. A Typical Day: Breakfast: Spinach and red pepper omelette with fermented vegetables and sliced avocado Snack: Sliced turkey and cheese with a fermented gherkin rolled up in a lettuce leaf Lunch: High-protein shake made from two scoops of protein powder, sugar-free almond milk, half a cup of blueberries and plain live yoghurt Snack: A handful of toasted seeds Dinner: Grilled chicken breast with green salad and sauerkraut, with olive oil dressing The Skinny Gut Diet is available from Amazon. www.peoplemagazine.co.za PEOPLE I Whitney Houston’s death may have been a result of ephedrine abuse IF you or anyone you know is suffering from narcotics dependence, contact the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA) for help at http://sancanational.org or on their toll-free number 086 14 SANCA (086 14 72622). 46 T’S been dubbed ‘the poor man’s cocaine’ yet unlike blow, ephedrine is a drug not given nearly enough attention. Believed to be responsible for the abuse and addiction of thousands, and numerous deaths around the globe, this sought-after common street drug is still being used for weight loss, migraines, reducing hypertension and increasing stamina, despite its deadly risks. This year has seen a massive explosion of the trafficking of ephedrine into the global market. A man named Shulai Fan thought he’d hit the jackpot but New Zealand airport officials ratted him out before he had a chance to tally his loot. Fan was found with 65kg of ephedrine with a street value of around R68-million hidden inside a secret compartment of a courier bag. He was sentenced to six years behind bars. Fan is one of four offenders jailed for eight importations of ephedrine from China to different continents in less than 12 months. Elsewhere, two men and a woman pleaded guilty to related charges after customs intercepted courier packages containing ephedrine concealed in power adaptors and cigarette packets. They are currently serving prison sentences between six and eight years. Late last month a 25-year-old man was nabbed with almost R137-million worth of the drug. The shipment had been concealed in pallets of small plastic toys in a shipping container sent from China and had the potential to produce PEOPLE more than 60kg of meth, with a street value of up to R820-million. Two men were arrested at the Beitbridge border post with Zimbabwe after they allegedly transported more than R5-million worth of ephedrine into the country. Just days later, customs officials seized around R2-million worth of ephedrine found hidden in ironing boards at the OR Tambo International Airport mail centre. The package originated from India. The herb ephedra has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years as a natural health booster. The stem of this shrubby, evergreen plant has been used for centuries for treatment of mood swings, breathing difficulties, colds and coughs. It has also been noted that the herb will promote thermogenesis, the speeding up of the metabolism by the increase of norepinephrine and epinephrine in the blood system. Commonly used today in the modern world as an appetite suppressant, concentration aid, decongestant and to treat hypotension associated with anaesthesia, ephedrine stimulates the brain, increases the heart rate, increases blood pressure, expands bronchial tubes, increases metabolism, and increases body heat. Because of its effects, it is a commonly abused drug. Contrary to what many believe, it is also highly addictive, and, like crack and cocaine, the addiction is hard to treat. New research — the results of which were released last year — confirms that ephedrine can cause sudden heart attacks and may explain many cases of sudden cardiac death in people with no warnings or previous symptoms of heart disease. A variety of other studies associate ephedrine use with cardiovascular problems, including high blood pressure and palpitations. More than 800 dangerous reactions have been reported — among them, heart attacks, strokes, seizures, and sudden facebook.com/peoplemagsa www.peoplemagazine.co.za PICS: WWW.ELITEPHOTOAGENCY.COM / GREATSTOCK / FOTOLIA COULD a Chinese herb have played a role in the deaths of Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Heath Ledger, Anna Nicole Smith and even Elvis Presley? Experts say it’s highly possible.. has increased by over 500 percent worldwide,” death. Psychosis, insomnia, and heatstroke says Mike Bolhuis, a Pretoria-based specialist have also been reported. Some experts are investigator into serious violent and investigating a possible link between serious economic crimes. “Drug lords ephedrine and the deaths of a are aware that they are being long line of celebrities including watched and have developed Whitney Houston, Michael a new strategy to avoid being Jackson, Heath Ledger, captured. They now import and Anna Nicole Smith and even export the drug in a break-up Elvis Presley. The death of its ingredients, which means of famed singer Houston that local customs officers don’t began many conversations recognise the ingredients as the Michael Jackson about the long and quickly drug. These are imported from a growing list of famous actors, variety of countries and pharmaceutical singers and artists who met a companies. Since most people don’t premature death because of know what to look for they get prescription drugs, and shone their product through the border, Pakistani officials recently seized 345kg a spotlight on ephedrine. It’s undetected.” understood Houston, and of ephedrine from a spices consignment destined for Australia Bolhuis says the situation is several others, had a history exacerbated by the fact that of taking ephedrine pills – in Argentinian police seized over four trained dogs are also unable to Houston’s case, for drastic and tonnes of ephedrine during an anti-drug sniff out the ingredients, while fast weight loss. The deaths of operation in the neighbourhood of the Elvis Presley they would be able to recognise several international sportsmen city of Buenos Aires cat or crystal meth. “Ephedrine has also have also been linked to ephadrine — been imported in sealed containers football players Rashidi Wheeler, that have been marked with Korey Stringer, Devaughn fraudulent labelling. The rest of Darling and Curt Jones all the ingredients and equipment collapsed and died in 2001. required for production of the Products containing ephedra, product are easily acquired or any of its extracts, were through smuggling from banned in the USA in February pharmaceutical and chemical 2004 by the US Food and Drug companies,” he says. “Even the lab Administration (FDA). At the time Heath Ledger equipment needed is easy to get with the FDA was already in possession of the right contacts. For this reason it a file on ephedra casualties including is imperative that one must be more than 100 deaths due to the suspicious of any strange liquid use of various preparations or powder substance, and containing ephedra or one should report it to the ephedrine, when an American police. Officials should also major league baseball player, be contacted immediately if Steven Scott Bechler, died you happen to smell a strange at the age of 23 after using an chemical-like smell emanating ephedra product. At the time Anna Nicole from your neighbours or any other Smith of Bechler’s death, ephedra was venue.” banned by the International Olympic Ephedrine is found in tablet or liquid form and Committee, the National Collegiate Athletic is commonly taken orally, but may also be Association, and the National Football crushed into a powder and snorted. “This year League, but not by Major League Baseball. has seen a sudden increase of liquid ephedrine, Bechler’s death prompted the total ban of which is freely available to all and sundry,” ephedra products in the USA. says Bolhuis. “Sports people are more likely Due to the illegal drug trade, South Africa to abuse liquid ephedrine as it is known to has now also heavily restricting the sale increase stamina. It retails at between R200 and of ephedrine. The drug known as tik uses Pakistani customs officers display drugs R500 per ampule in Pretoria and Johannesburg. both pseudoephedrine and ephedrine in its seized in southern Pakistani port city Besides being extremely dangerous to adults, it of Karachi production, and for this reason the sale of is especially dangerous in the hands of children. the herb is now listed under schedule six Dependency to ephedrine does not only cause classifications. bodily and mental harm to the addict, but it “One of the biggest problems we face today is the illegal trade in ephedrine. Since 2002 it also affects friends and family around them.” Follow us on twitter.com/people_sa peoplaert A Life Less Has He Ordinary B Y VA N E S S A PA PA S EVERY week we bring you ries g sto heartwarmin people of ordinary ordinary xtra dealing with e s, and offer ce n a circumst ance to help readers the ch g them by payin . it forward EVERYONE onboard the plane survived the crash – except Mark. D URBAN teen Mark Schroeder was 17 years old when his life was cut short. He put his body on the line for others after a freak accident saw a plane crash into an icy lake near Seward in Alaska where he was on holiday in July 2005. Tragically Mark, who was the youngest and fittest onboard, drowned. Ten years later and the events that unfolded that fateful day are still fresh in the minds of those who knew and cherished him. Mark loved the outdoors. He was in his last year of high school, about to take his final exams – a golden boy and born leader who was immensely popular. His parents had encouraged all their sons to travel and be independent. A free spirit, Mark was excited about a trip to Alaska and his family believed it would be a defining experience for him as he stood at the brink of manhood and considered options for his adult life. What was supposed to be an unforgettable adventured turned into a nightmare for the Schroeder family. The float plane Mark was travelling in crashed into the Johnson Lake on a clear, summer day, in calm waters. At 17 he was the youngest by decades and in peak physical condition – rugby captain of his high school team, ice hockey goalie for the South African team – so when news broke that everyone onboard but Mark had survived, his family were at a loss for words. It emerged that several factors played a role in the events that unfolded that day. The plane could only take three passengers but when a fourth passenger showed up, the plane’s pilot knowingly overloaded the plane. Because of the unexpected fourth passenger, the pilot put Mark in the cargo hold in an authorised seat with no restraint. Mark hit his head in the crash. He was also wearing heavy waders, which he never took off, and which added extra weight. “Mark didn’t die straightaway,” says his mom Lesley. “When he was asked about his bleeding nose, he brushed it aside and his natural instinct to help others came to the fore. He spent precious time freeing another passenger’s foot, a woman named Carolyn, who was trapped, before getting out of the water onto the wing. Then, instructed by the pilot, he went back to the plane to retrieve 50 PEOPLE www.peoplemagazine.co.za gear and swam around the icebergs trying to find a way up for the others.” Lesley says all the while, Mark was the only one without a life jacket. Because he stayed in the Mark and his mom Lesley freezing water longer than the others, he became hypothermic and drowned within a few metres of the plane. Carolyn saw his eyes glaze over and she said he never once showed any fear, he just kept on trying. The other four people were saved after a daring rescue by state troopers in a helicopter. Because Mark’s body was not found his status was ‘presumed dead’. It took nearly a year to have Mark declared officially dead. To this day the plane lies with Mark’s body at the bottom of Johnson Lake. An investigation by The National Transportation Safety Board ruled that the crash was probably caused by pilot error. The pilot had failed to maintain minimum airspeed during final approach, which resulted in an inadvertent stall, and impact with the lake. “Mark was brave to the last and died a hero. He wanted to be a pilot. That was his dream. He was taking flying lessons before he died. He was so exhilarated the first time he flew over the ocean in Durban. I often think of all Mark could have become, all he could have done, had his life not been snatched away before his time. Despite the years that have gone by, there are days when the absence of his beautiful presence smacks us in the face and we still find it so unbelievable that he is not with us. Some people describe Mark The last photo of Mark, taken about three hours before he died as extraordinary because he was given the rare opportunity to die heroically. Yet Mark was an ordinary boy living large, experimenting with life, testing the boundaries. To us he was just ‘our Markie’ – spokesman and chief operations man for his brothers and friends; the one who hatched all the schemes and persuaded everyone else to help him carry them out. Now that we look back at his life we see why everyone says he taught them so much, why he had such impact. He was a physical boy in a physical world – beautiful to look at, beautiful at play, he drew people to him. When Mark spoke to you, he focused all his attention on you and made you feel special.” Mark was a fun-lover who lived life to the full PAY IT FORWARD MARK’S death was the catalyst for his mother, Lesley , starting a degree in Psychology (UNISA), which she received cum laude in 2011. In March 2013, Lesley graduated with an MPHIL cum laude from Stellenbosch University. Her thesis on how schools can help sibling-bereaved adolescents was dedicated to Mark’s life and legacy. This has extended into other forms of outreach to those left behind. Lesley works closely with schoo l psychologists at the Western Cape Education Department, offering workshops and guidelines for schools. She moderates an online group for parents whose teen or 20-something children have died and she runs workshops for parents trying to live meaningfully after the death of a child. Next year she is planning to write a book aimed at supporting grieving teens. If you would like to suppo rt her volunteer work please e-mail [email protected] and we will put you in touch with her. facebook.com/peoplemagsa GIANT Puzzles WORDSEARCH NO. 338 Can you find the listed words in the box of letters? They may read horizontally, vertically and diagonally, either forwards or backwards, but always in straight lines. ABATEMENT ABJECT ADVERSITY APARTMENT APPEAL BACK BATHROOM BENCH BOARDER BUNCH BUTCHER CARNATION CHARACTER CITIZEN CORDIAL CORDON DANGEROUS DECIDE DESTINY DOME DOOR ECCENTRIC EDIFY ELEMENTARY EMERGENCY EXPERIENCE EXPERT FACTORY FOLD GABLE GAUGE HAMSTER HARMONY HARPOON HARRIED HEADACHE HERITAGE HICCUP IBEX IMPECCABLE IMPERSONAL INMATE JARGON JUMPY KINGFISHER KINSHIP LENTIL LIFEBOAT LIVERY LOBSTER LOWLAND Follow us on twitter.com/people_sa MACHINE MAIL MANAGE MELODRAMATIC MISSION MOLE MOTIVATION MUSTARD NEBULOUS NEUTRAL NICKEL NORMALIZE NOSEBAG OBSESSIVE OFFSIDE PENSIVE PORTENT PRESENT PRINTER QUARTER REGULATION REVERENCE RUIN RUMMAGE SANITY SUBURBAN SWIFT SYNDROME TALENT TANKARD TELEPATHY THEOLOGY THREATEN TIMID TOGGLE ULTIMATE UNPOPULATED VAGABOND VANE VANGUARD VELOCITY VIVID VOCATION WATCHDOG WAVEBAND WHENEVER WINEPRESS WORMHOLE ZENITH www.peoplemagazine.co.za CODEBREAKER 5 CODEBREAKERS require inspired guesswork. They are crosswords without clues. Every letter of the alphabet is used (you might find it useful to cross out the letters located by the grid as you find them) and each letter has its own number. In this puzzle ‘16’ has the letter ‘C’, so a useful start is to insert ‘C’ in all the boxes that contain the number ‘16’. Vowels appear at least once in a word but letters such as and are few. ‘X’ NUMBERSEARCH ‘Z’ 6 7 3 4 8 5 9 7 6 2 8 9 2 5 7 6 3 1 9 9 3 0 7 2 5 1 6 3 2 6 4 0 3 8 6 6 0 4 2 4 3 3 5 8 2 3 7 7 8 2 5 035616 1207031837 1438139601 1549579249 18691640 197197297 1989672300 2113677983 5 0 6 2 2 9 2 3 9 8 9 6 7 9 0 8 4 3 1 8 8 0 9 0 7 6 2 3 9 5 2 4 5 8 0 4 9 4 5 0 7 9 1 3 7 6 0 3 8 2 1 5 9 5 3 9 6 4 5 5 6 6 2 7 8 5 8 0 6 0 2 0 3 4 1 4 9 1 1 2 1 2 1 0 4 2646195896 2869241 350363426 365035616 4810403740 4951293072 5231498562 5280819024 3 0 3 1 9 9 0 0 4 4 8 5 9 8 4 8 0 WITHIN this grid are hidden the numbers below. They are found horizontally, vertically, diagonally and back-tofront. 7 3 1 0 9 8 5 3 6 1 5 6 9 0 6 1 3 4 2 4 7 0 7 7 3 1 9 7 1 9 7 2 9 7 5 7 9 2 4 7 6 0 6 8 3 4 0 1 8 0 4 57399000 6750147023 679584376 681874 7825 7855475096 8130494806 8304623615 2 6 8 5 3 8 6 9 8 5 9 1 6 4 6 2 0 4 9 5 1 2 9 3 0 7 2 9 9 8 2 9 4 6 4 8 6 7 8 8 0 7 5 8 0 7 6 3 2 9 0 7 9 2 6 0 6 2 9 3 5 0 3 6 3 4 2 6 5 1 6 9 3 7 3 8 1 3 0 7 0 2 1 1 4 8542593267 909233 91303 9236708570 9589683586 9762892576 K I D S MAZE NUMBER CRUNCH S STARTING from the left with the given number, work your way across each of the puzzles, applying the instruction in each cell to your number. Celeb Crossword.. 52 PEOPLE www.peoplemagazine.co.za Across 3. Agent Smith in The Matrix trilogy and Elrond in The Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit film trilogy are roles played by this Australian-British actor (4,7) 4. Academy Award winning US actress, whose movies include Big, Gia, Married To The Mob and The Fisher King (8,5) 6. Tracers, Abduction and Valentine’s Day are movies starring this US actor, who plays the role of Jacob Black in The Twilight Saga film series (6,7) 8. US actor who played the title role in the RoboCop films, Marcus in Star Trek Into Darkness and Joe Hendricksson in Screamers (5,6) 9. British actor whose movie roles include Kevin Harper in Abduction, Prophet Josiah in Sweetwater and Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter films (5,6) 10. US actress, comedian and writer whose movie roles include Violet Newstead in 9 To 5, Vivian Jaffe in I Heart Huckabees and Georgie Rockwell in Tea With Mussolini (4,6) Down 1. See 7 down 2. Melina in Total Recall, Sophie in The Illusionist and Lt. Sosa in The A-Team, are roles played by this US actress (7,4) 3. Ludwig in The Grand Budapest Hotel, Mr White in Reservoir Dogs and Sadusky in National Treasure, are movie roles played by this US actor (6,6) 4. The role of Chandler Bing in the TV series Friends was played by this US actor (7,5) 5. Late US actress whose films include To Have And Have Not, The Big Sleep, Key Largo and How To Marry A Millionaire (6,6) 7/1. The movie roles Indiana Jones, Han Solo, Jack Ryan and Rick Deckard are played by this US actor (8,4) 13 X 13 4 Across because they ve been 4. I’m shaking my fists because misplaced (7) they’ve been misplaced (7) 8 Vera Get Veratoto 8. Get to point thepoint bird (5)to the 9. I let Vera’s ability be known (9) birdmany-sided (5) 10. Found growing at themany-sided southern border (5) 9 I let Vera’s 11. Doubted if Ed had put the cat out etc. (9) beisknown (9) to have 13. Puss ability loves it and currently about a pint 10(6)Found growing at the 15. When worn could,border perhaps, give southern (5) one water on the brain? (6) Doubted if Ed for had the 19.11 Lost again when longing pastput times? (9) cat out etc (9) 21.13 No, Meg! Your place isitinand the garden! (5) Puss loves is cur22. To act tame is important here! Chew that over! (9)rently about to have a pint 23. So it (6) takes art to produce a tasty meal? (5) 24.15 I left When the sceneworn and didn’t make pera sound could, (7) 19 21 22 23 haps, give one water on the brain? (6) Lost again when longing for past times? (9) No, Meg! Your place is in the garden! (5) To act tame is important here! Chew that over! (9) So it takes art to produce a tasty meal? (5) D 2 In that event I’d say it Down come will be (7) 1.3It isNo! in theIt’s cardsgiven and it will be violent and it tookanda unsparing (7) lotevent, of research see why 2. In that I’d say it wastoobvious what the outcome will be (7) (13) 3.4No!That’s It’s given right! and it took lot of research to AnaAmerican see why (13) elkright! canAnbe reallyelksour4 .That’s American can be really sourtempered (6) (6) tempered 5.5It’s the when we seewhen strange It’sage, theSam, age, Sam, people behind the scenes (5,8) strange people 6. Do Iwe havesee to take it from that blockhead? (5) behind scenes (5,8) 7. Given in place the of dates (5) 12. come from a tree?it(3) 6 Fuel Domust I have to take from 14. Such a fuss! It’s only a party! (3) that blockhead? (5) 16. He takes a tumble to you at the circus (7) 7 Memorial Giventoina Canadian place of dates(7) 17. province 18. At(5) Alcoholics Anonymous, he’s a little gentleman, so I’m on dad’s side! (6) 12Means Fuelone must come from a(5) 19. nominates differently? tree? (3) 20. I need a lass with fibre (5) 14 Such a fuss! It’s only a party! (3) 16 He takes a tumble to you at the circus (7) 17 Memorial to a Canadian province (7) 18 At Alcoholics Anonymous, he’s a little gentleman so E I M I S F I T S A V E N O T D T A I V E R S A T I L E Follow uR SUKO Place the numbers 1 to 9 in the spaces so Place the numbers 1 to 9 in the spaces so that the number in each circle is equal to that the numberthe insum each is equal of the circle four surrounding spaces, to the sum of and theeach four surrounding colour total is correct. spaces, and each colour total is correct STICKLERS STICKLERS 343/46 129 3. Inuit craft 7. Impudent 11. English racing town 17. Not present 18. Winter footwear 19. Bank robbery 20. Sheen 21. Moon of Saturn 22. Ticked off 23. Noblemen 24. Postpone 25. Debate topic 26. Soft seat 27. Meager 28. Pageant host 29. Pokes 30. Salamanders 31. Floral necklace 32. Long time 33. Absent-minded 37. Sergeant’s badge 40. Overseas 44. Leg joint 48. Consecrate 50. Tough test 51. Verse 53. Lay blame 54. Singing voice 56. Prison room 58. Grippe 59. Help or support 60. Ballet step 62. Body shape 63. Actress, … Longoria 65. Synagogue official 66. Concealing Muslim dress 67. Umbilicus 68. Storage container 71. Female ruff 74. Abrasive material 75. Strong point 77. Story 79. Medicinal plant 80. Be unsuccessful 81. Lout 82. Component 83. Cheese 84. Javelin 86. Wrinkled 88. Arctic mass 89. Clip wool 91. Stop 94. Court event 96. Rotates 98. Body fat 100. Male child 101. Excessively 102. Youngster 103. Star sign 104. Golfer, Ernie … 105. Seaweed product 109. Edge 111. Cowardly 112. Greek letter 113. Devout petition 114. Do penance 116. Woman’s garment 118. Jellyfish 120. Opposes 123. Buy back 125. Go over snow 128. Wooden pin 130. Road bend 132. Ring-shaped cake 134. Bid 137. Cheerless 138. Quiver item 139. Beat 140. Arizona Indian 141. Valleys 142. River mouth 143. Actor, Jeremy … 144. Digging tool 145. Continental currency 146. Put up 147. Fixed standard 148. Tries out 149. Heavenly bodies 150. Perceive facebook.com/peoplemagsa DOWN 1. Young woman 2. Star 3. Blackguard 4. Try 5. Diminish 6. Ritually pure 7. Tree remnant 8. Malign 9. Common cheese 10. Abominable snowmen 11. Not straight 12. Cherry pit 13. Senior citizen 14. Walrus features 15. Run wild 16. Trust (4,2) 34. Coagulate 35. Type of exercise 36. Molasses 38. Listen 39. Carry out order 41. Since 42. Repulsive 43. Out of the wind 45. African antelope 46. Shows off 47. Sturgeon eggs 49. Figure out 52. Twelve months 55. Oiling 57. Sensible 58. Pieces 60. Defeat utterly (3,2,4) 61. Miser 64. Anaphylaxes 69. Wasteland 70. Spicy dip 72. Dodge 73. Bridal accessories 76. Girlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name 78. Moving truck 85. Nutty confection 87. Flight formation 89. Talked drunkenly 90. Salad greens 92. Dye in blue jeans 93. Series unit 95. Cook in oven 97. Frolic 99. Secluded valleys 106. Skin disorder 107. Casual eatery 108. Move quickly 110. Regarding (2,2) 115. Item left out 117. Special attention 119. Luau instrument 121. Least speedy 122. Speech defect 124. Spanish chaperones 125. Inhuman person 126. Against 127. Subjects 129. Food merchant 130. Trainee 131. Manservant 132. Extinct birds 133. Pulls apart 135. Strong point 136. Grizzled civet EVEN EXCHANGE EACH numbered row contains two clues and two answers. The two answers differ from each other by only one letter, which has already been inserted. For example, if you exchange the A from MASTER for an I, you get MISTER. Do not change the order of the letters. BLOCKWORD WINR 5 0 0 Follow us on twitter.com/people_sa TO ENTER this BLOCKWORD , all you have to do is finish the grid, and the ringed areas will make up one word. The clue to the answer is: Ineffectu ality. SMS 48408 with the answer, your name and surname, and people/Blockword No. 619. Be sure to SMS before Nov ember 23, 2015. By doing this, you could win R500. Winner of Blockword 615: Tiffany Moodley. Answer: Compas sion electronically. SMSes charge ate. Winners will be paid d at R1.50 and free SMSes do not apply. Terms and conditi ons apply. www.peoplemagazine.co.za SUGARU Mega Maze 5 2 5 EACH cell in an outlined block must contain a digit: a two-cell block contains the digits 1 and 2, a threecell block contains the digits 1, 2 and 3; and so on. No same digit appears in any neighbouring cell, not even diagonally. MISSING LINKS CALCULATE the results and Missing Links actions. Fill the missing links Calculate the results and actions from the top. Fill the missing links from the top RESULT 1217.DOC CAPITAL CITIES OF THE WORLD #2 FIND-A-WORD Amsterdam (Netherlands) Apia (Western Samoa) Athens (Greece) Baghdad (Iraq) Cairo (Egypt) Canberra (Australia) Helsinki (Finland) Colombo (Sri Lanka) Conakry (Guinea) Copenhagen (Denmark) Dakar (Senegal) Dublin (Ireland) Honiara (Solomon Islands) Kabul (Afghanistan) Kigali (Rwanda) Lagos (Nigeria) Lima (Peru) Luanda (Angola) Luxembourg (Luxembourg) Madrid (Spain) Managua (Nicaragua) Mexico City (Mexico) Nouakchott (Mauritania) Paris (France) Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea) Quito (Ecudor) Rome (Italy) San Jose (Costa Rica) Tokyo (Japan) Tunis (Tunisia) Vaduz (Liechtenstein) Valletta (Malta) Washington (USA) ON SALE Solution: 12 Letters N O T G N I H S A W L NOW! I M A M S P O G R U O B M E X U L A A N K O T M A N A G U A M D A D E I I R I S O G A L H R R Z R V E S I A D I R O V O Y N C M A N I J R N K H E R O K B O A L H N R K A D A I S C O E C K L A U I N A P A E N B T R I A E G T O K I C T R E S Y R X B T E C A A D A D H G A B A E U T N R N O U A K C H O T T M L A E S O J N A S C O L O M B O Apia (Western Samoa) Athens (Greece) Luanda (Angola) Luxembourg (Luxembourg) Madrid (Spain) 241 29 16 15 41 3 © Auspac Media - ml1575 THERE are 9 letters used within the puzzle, each letter must be used (but never repeated) in every row, column and 3x3 square. H C L G T U R O M E I A U Y E T O L B A M Q A L D I D C T T A P S U U L O S Y N A O A I S 56 PEOPLE www.peoplemagazine.co.za Amsterdam (Netherlands) ÷ + = = 255 + ÷ = = 10 x = = 96 ÷ = 5 + = = = 63 x x = = 756 Killer Kakuru GO FIGURE THE idea of Go Figure is to arrive at the figures given at the bottom and right-hand columns of the diagram â&#x20AC;&#x201C; by following the arithmetic signs in the order they are given (from left to right and top to bottom). Use only the right numbers below the diagram to complete its blank squares, and use each of the nine numbers only once. FILL the grid so that each block adds up to the total in the box above or to the left of it. You can only use the digits 1-9 and you must not use the same digit twice in a block. (The same digit may occur more than once in a row or column, but it must be in a separate block.) 7 10 Follow us on twitter.com/people_sa 9/8/2015 12:04:13 PM www.peoplemagazine.co.za PEOPLE 57 CRISS CROSS FIT the words in the grid. 3 LETTERS AGE ART CUP FAN OLD POT SET URN 4 LETTERS COIN GAME GOLD PAIR TOYS 5 LETTERS CHAIR CHINA CLOCK PLATE STAMP TABLE WATCH 6 LETTERS BRONZE FIGURE SAUCER SILVER SKETCH TEAPOT 7 LETTERS CUTLERY DRESSER PICTURE 8 LETTERS ANTIQUES CROCKERY PAINTING 9 LETTERS FURNITURE JEWELLERY PORCELAIN SCULPTURE Spot T he Difference! , AT first glance these two look pictures may t u B l. identica e there are som s ge n a ch e tl sub d in the secon if you picture. See six e th can find s. ce differen Celeb FIND A WORD that can follow the word on the left and precede the word on the right. When you have filled in all the answers, the name of a celebrity can be read from top to bottom in oneon of the the lines. Find a word that can follow the word left and precede CELEBRITY WORDMATCH Wordmatch the word on the right. When you have filled in all the answers, the name of a celebrity can be read from top to bottom in one of the lines. NUCLEAR 28 32 34 © Auspac Media - mq1330 29. 21 × 4 ACROSS ACROSS 2920 ÷ 8 1. 696 - 5 1. .. 696 - 5 30. 32. 13 × 5 20. 4. 118 - 7 23. 7. 4. 613 .. - 12118 - 7 33. 112 + 293 4 10.7. 347..×613 2 - 1234. 804 ÷ 25. DOWN 12. 333 + 147 10. 7 14. 5 × .. 3 347 × 22. 6748 ÷ 27. 3. 13 - 3 29. 15. 357..+ 333 135 + 147 12. 144 + 20 17. .13 × 7 14. .. 5 × 3 5. 30. 6. 467 + 294 18. 54 + 659 15. 8. 1512 ÷ 832. 20. 203..- 357 64 + 135 23. 4610 5 × 7 9. 808 ÷ 833. 17. .. ÷13 11. 1034 - 77 25. 4130 ÷ 5 18. .. ÷54 13. 5394 ÷34. 6 27. 1450 5 + 659 15. 129 ÷ 3 16. 1484 ÷ 7 203 - 64 19. 930 ÷5 4610 ÷ 5÷ 5 21. 1610 22. 349 4130 ÷ 5+ 139 23. 4730 ÷ 5 1450 ÷ 5 ÷4 24. 2020 2126.×287 4 - 43 28. 3844 ÷ 4 2920 30. 63÷ 8 - 28 1331.×135× 4 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 112 + 293 .. 804 ÷ 4 DOW 2. .. 3. .. 5. .. 6. .. 8. .. 9. .. 11. . 13. . 15. . 16. . 19. . 21. . 22. . 23. . 24. . 26. . 28. . 30. . 31. .. 13 KAKURU FIT only the numbers 1 to 9 into the grid so that each horizontal run of white squares adds up to the total above the diagonal line to the left of the run, and so that each vertical run of white squares adds up to the total below the diagonal line above the run. No number can be used more than once in any run. 4 ACROSS 3) Bide your time (4) 5) One of the seven deadly sins (5) 7) Helper (4) 11) Very strong (5) 12) Pellets of ice (4) 13) Cooking cupboard (4) 14) Have being (5) 1 1 1 15) Lazy6(4)9 1 16) Goodbye 7 6 (5) 0 1 6 1 17) Make a sound of derision (4) 6 9 4 8 4 8 0 18) Intended (5) 19) Make 1 5 an assault 4 9 (4) 2 9 1 21) Someone who does a stupid 7 1 3 1 3 9 thing (4) 5 23) 4 Perfect8(5) 9 2 2 24) 8 Bordered 2 6 (5) 4 2 9 0 26) Throw out (5) 4 3 6of 5a pound6 (5)5 29) 8 One-sixteenth 31) Sledge 4 0runner 5 (3) 2 0 1 32) Metal with the symbol Sn (3) 33) Took out a cork © Auspac Media(6)- mq1330 36) Example of excellence (7) 39) Thick lubricant (6) 42) Cash paid as punishment (4) 46) Chances (4) DOWN 1) Target for a bowler (6) 2) Process of change (8) 3) Colour of purity (5) 4) At that place (5) 5) Forest clearing (5) 6) Think something’s unlikely (5) 7) Variety of pear (5) 8) Unnerving (5) 9) Taken into the system (8) 10) Taken unlawfully (6) 20) Put into the mixture (3) 22) Animal park (3) 25) Loud noise (3) 27) Sudden jolt (3) 28) Gear tooth (3) 30) Billiard stick (3) 34) Look closely (4) 35) Historical period (3) 37) In the middle of (4) 38) Bowling of six balls (4) 40) Tear (3) 41) Carbonated drink (4) 43) Belonging to Ireland (5) Follow us on twitter.com/people_sa 48) Break out (6) 50) Fill with a quality (5) 52) Hang menacingly (6) 54) Thin thread (5) 55) Before time (5) 56) Can be eaten (6) 58) Close companion (3) 60) Quick look (6) 62) Inexpensive (5) 64) Any vital body part (5) 65) Have great fear (5) 68) Printer’s fluid (3) 69) Peculiar (3) 70) Rectify a program fault (5) 74) Square objects (5) 77) One of our species (5) 79) Take up space (6) 80) Animal lair (3) 81) Gentle wind (6) 82) Lowest point (5) 86) Covered in iron oxide (5) 88) Tendency to anger (6) 90) More than needed (5) 91) Treat lavishly (6) 93) Surrender (4) 95) Bacterium (4) 97) Communicate (6) 99) Money allowance (7) 102) Decayed (6) 104) Large public-transport vehicle (3) 107) Feline animal (3) 109) Nut for a pie (5) 111) Supplied (5) 113) Lets fall (5) 116) Walk casually (5) 117) Ancient story (4) 118) Short form of oleograph (4) 119) Group of wives and concubines (5) 120) Group of three (4) 121) Curved lake, once part of a river (5) 122) Small car (4) 123) Happening (5) 124) One following in order (4) 125) Meat-substitute bean (4) 126) ----- mignon – a small steak (5) 127) Counterpart to yin (4) 128) Very fat (5) 129) Bird’s home (4) 44) Disposes of for cash (5) 45) Not too clearly (5) 47) Triangular land area at a river mouth (5) 49) Leak slowly (4) 51) Boast (4) 53) Requirement (4) 57) Relating to charged atoms (5) 58) Satisfyingly pleased with yourself (5) 59) Loaded down (5) 61) Gentle push with the elbow (5) 62) Ungentlemanly man (3) 63) Diminish in intensity (3) 66) Large deciduous tree (3) 67) University college teacher (3) 71) Dodge (5) 72) Wound with an animal horn (4) 73) Sharp, steep church roof (5) 75) Leather strap (4) 76) Edible stomach lining (5) 77) At this place (4) 78) Change (5) 83) Single thing (4) 84) No longer straight (4) 85) Extreme discomfort (4) 87) Egg on (4) 89) Average level (3) 92) Cow noise (3) 94) Stops from working (8) 96) Put all round (8) 98) Top card (3) 100) Sick (3) 101) Organ of sight (3) 103) Upper surface (3) 104) Wide cup (6) 105) Unlimited (3) 106) Lyrical poem (3) 108) Red vine vegetable (6) 109) Of little importance (5) 110) In the midst of (5) 111) Snap-shot (5) 112) Immerse in water (5) 114) Empire of Christ’s time (5) 115) Work period (5) www.peoplemagazine.co.za WIN Proper size of a quantity of medicine 600 TO ENTER this SOAP BLOCKWORD, all you have to do is finish the grid. When completed the scrambled letters will spell out the answer for the clue: A character in Muvhango. SMS 48408 with the answer, your name and surname, as well as people/Soap Blockword No. 600. Be sure to SMS before November 23, 2015. By doing this, you stand the chance of winning R500. Winner of Soap No. 596: Valmai van Niekerk. Answer: Mduduzi Mabaso. Winners will be paid electronically. SMSes charged at R1.50 and free SMSes do not apply. Terms and conditions apply. BY JOHN WHIFFIN / PICS: PUBLICITY/ WWW. ELITEPHOTOAGENCY.COM / MAGAZINE FEATURES R 500 Lower part of a leg of beef Not (prefix) Glided high in the air Abdominals (abbr) In a non-stop manner Mother or father Exuberant enjoyment Practice of planting areas of dense trees Lease Alarmed agitation Passive Animal Poles pointed at one end Ransack Fuse two pieces of metal together Too BY JOHN WHIFFIN / PICS: WWW. ELITEPHOTOAGENCY.COM 000 TO ENTER our CELEB BLO CKWORD, all you have to do is finish the grid. When completed, the circled letters will spell out the name of a celebrity whose films include Britannia Hos pita and The Guyver. SMS 484 08 with the answer, your nam l e and surname, and people/Cele b Blockword No. 600. Be sure SMS before November 23, to 2015. By doing this, you stan d the chance of winning R1 000 . Winner of Celeb Blockword No. 596: William Crawford. Ans wer: Colin Farrell. Winner s paid electronically. SMSes charge d at R1.50 and free SMSes do not apply. Terms and conditions apply. www.peoplemagazine.co.za 5 1EASY WAYS2TO SUBSCRIBE 3 Subscribe ONLINE at peoplemagazine. co.za or e-mail peoplesubs@ RNAD.co.za 62 PEOPLE SMS the words ‘CAXTONPP’ to 33115 (sms costs R1) www.peoplemagazine.co.za CALL NOW For payment by credit card or debit order, call (011) 473-8700 4 FREE POST Make your cheque out to RNA Subs and post to people Subs, freepost JHZ1135, Box 725, Maraisburg, 1700 5 EFT/DIRECT DEPOSIT, FNB Trade Services 657, Branch 254655, Account 62104927259, Reference: Surname and sub no, OR surname and cell number. Fax proof of payment with address to 086 756 6375 Turn to page 78 for answer grids EDDIE REDMAYNE MARMITE PICS: TAMIKA MILLER / WWW.ELITEPHOTOAGENCY.COM TART Date Of Birth: January 6, 1982 Place Of Birth: London, UK Birth Name: Edward John David Redmayne Parents: Mom, Patricia and dad Richard Redmanye Height: 1.81m Spouse: Hannah Bagshawe Siblings: Charles, Annabel, James, Thomas Ingredier n E DDIE REDMAYNE is an English actor, singer and model. He started his professional career as an actor in both theatre and television in the early 2000s and then made his film debut, Like Minds, in 2006. His performance as physicist Stephen Hawking in The Theory Of Everything earned him a Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild award, and Oscar nomination – not to mention an army of new fans across the world. His mother runs a relocation business and his father is a London-based businessman. He is one of five kids, but is the only member of his family to pursue an acting career. Before the young actor pursued the craft professionally, he attended the prestigious boarding school, Eton College, where Prince William was one of his classmates. Afterwards he graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge with a degree in Art History. This Marmite tart is a sort of gourmet version of a Marmite-and-cheese panini, which is said to be a favourite of his. It’s really simple to make, and perfect for a picnic, light summer lunch or tasty snack. METHOD COMBINE the flour, baking powder and butter. Then mix the milk, salt and egg together and add to the flour mixture, beating to combine. Add the grated cheese and stir through, then pour into a greased pie dish and bake at 180o C for 30 minutes. Take the tart out of the oven and prick it all over. Melt together the one-and-a-half teaspoon of butter and one teaspoon of Marmite and pour over the warm tart. Serve and enjoy! ts u 1 Cup of flo er, plus an ftened butt so f o p u C ½ of melted ½ teaspoon additional 1 butter ar ated chedd ½ Cup of gr 1 Cup of milk of salt 1 Teaspoon 1 Egg owder of baking p 1 Teaspoon e it m of Mar 1 Teaspoon Follow us on twitter.com/people_sa cipes go to yummy re FOR more e.co.za lemagazin www.peop www.peoplemagazine.co.za 5 THIS WEEK’S FA B BY PEARL MPHUTHI people searches the entertainment world to bring you the hottest highlights of the week. KEVIN HART, WHAT NOW? IF you’ve been having a rough day, don’t despair because people has your back! We’re beyond excited to announce that popular comedian and actor Kevin Hart will be jetting to Mzansi for his famous What Now? Comedy Tour that been making headlines. The 36-year-old is set to arrive in March 2016, when he’ll showcase his comic talents to his South African fans in the flesh. Without a doubt Kevin has a wide following, and back in August he became the first comedian to sell-out a stadium at the Lincoln Financial Field in his hometown of Philadelphia, where he performed to nearly 60 000 people! The tour has been dubbed ‘the highest-grossing comedy tour of all time’ by Forbes Magazine and has sold-out performances throughout the USA, Canada, UK and Australia. You can get your tickets from R400 – R3 825 on www.computicket.co.za. SCHEDULES|DSTV people’s guide to TV’s best programmes of the week... November 12 – 18 LOVE AND HIP HOP A SHOW that centres on women who have been loyal to their music-driven men and are now rocking the spotlight. Catch Love And Hip Hop, Mondays at 19h00 on Vuzu Amp. V-ENTERTAINMENT AN exciting youth-based show that focuses on the freshest local and international celebrity news, views and interviews. Catch V-Entertainment, weekdays at 18h00 on Vuzu. THE DAILY SHOW WITH TREVOR NOAH JOIN South Africa’s very own Trevor Noah as he covers current affairs with his hilarious wit, as well as interviewing famous celebrities. Catch The Daily Show With Trevor Noah, weekdays at 21h00 on Comedy Central. ANNE DROIDS FOLLOW the story of scientific genius Anne, her friends Nick and Shania and her android creations Hand, Eyes and Pal. Watch them as they embark on the biggest experiment of them all. Catch Annedroids Wednesdays at 18h40 on Disney XD. 1 THE LOFT 2 64 PEOPLE INTRIGUE is the name of the game in this film about the secret lives of five married guys (played by Karl Urban, Wentworth Miller, James Marsden, Eric Stonestreet, and Matthias Schoenaerts) who have one thing in common – a penthouse loft in the city, where each has secret affairs and indulges in his fantasies. Things soon take a very dark turn when they discover the dead body of an unknown woman in the loft. Which one of them is holding a deadly secret? The Loft releases November 13, 2015. www.peoplemagazine.co.za THE WALKING DEAD HALLOWEEN may be over, but that doesn’t mean the scares are! Make sure you don’t miss out on the smash hit series that’s all about surviving the zombie apocalypse! Catch The Walking Dead, Mondays at 21h20 on Fox. facebook.com/peoplemagsa PICKS BLINKY BILL SOMETHING for the kiddies! This delightful animation movie follows the life of an imaginative koala bear named Blinky Bill. He truly is an explorer and one day dreams of leaving the little town of Green Patch to discover what happened to his father, Mr Bill. Blinky Bill releases November 13, 2015. CLANGERS NARRATED by Michael Palin, the series is aimed at a younger audience, delivering a quirky, warm feeling, as well as music and colours galore. Catch Clangers, Mondays at 13h20 on CBeebies. THE GREAT SOUTH AFRICAN BAKE OFF CATCH the local version of this baking competition, which sees Mzansi’s talented bakers competing to win the grand prize. Catch The Great South African Bake Off, Tuesdays at 20h00 on BBC Lifestyle. THE JEFF DUNHAM SHOW TUNE in for side-splitting comedy with the famous Jeff Dunham and his ensemble of outrageous and hilarious puppets. Catch The Jeff Dunham Show, Mondays at 19h15 on Comedy Central. 4 CHRISTINA MILIAN TURNED UP THIS reality series follows the family life of Grammy-nominated singer Christina Milian. Her mom and sisters help with raising her young daughter as she tries to reinvigorate her music career. Catch Christina Milian Turned Up, Fridays at 19h00 on E! Entertainment. DANCE MOMS FOLLOW dance instructor Abby Lee Miller as she dedicates her life to teaching, bestowing her vast knowledge of dance to her students. Catch Dance Moms, Mondays at 20h00 on Lifetime. FIFA 15 FOOTBALL fans will definitely enjoy playing this game, which is a great way to kick off your weekend and experience the sport on another level! FIFA 15 is all about putting you on the football field with stunning graphics and seamless gameplay. You can choose from a range of talented players from around the world, and of course, what would a football game be without a cheering crowd to back you up during the match? FIFA 15 is available from gaming retailers nationwide. Follow us on twitter.com/people_sa EDGE OF HEAVEN THIS series is a heart-warming comedy drama set in an English town and follows the lives of the Taylor-Chatterjee family, headed by Judy, a feisty landlady, and her husband Tandeep. They own and manage an 1980s-themed bed and breakfast, and the comedy begins when the couple’s son Alfie is set to tie the knot with childhood sweetheart Carly. But, as can be expected, things don’t exactly pan out as planned. Edge Of Heaven starts Sunday 22 November at 19h50 on BBC First. 5 www.peoplemagazine.co.za PEOPLE 65 SCHEDULES M-Net 06:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 07:00 The McCarthys 07:30 The Night Shift 08:30 Chicago PD 09:30 Sunshine On Leith 11:30 The Goldbergs 12:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 13:00 Britain’s Got Talent 14:00 Carte Blanche 15:00 The Good Wife 16:00 Clipped 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 18:00 Two And A Half Men 18:30 America’s Got Talent 19:30 Power Couple 20:30 Hawaii Five-O 21:30 Night Shift 22:30 Last Week Tonight With John Oliver 23:15 Revenge 00:15 Begin Again 02:00 Code Black 03:00 City Of Violence 05:00 X Factor UK 06:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 07:00 The Big Bang Theory 07:30 The Good Wife 08:30 Clipped 09:30 Into The Woods 11:30 Clipped 12:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 13:00 Britain’s Got Talent 14:00 NCIS 15:00 Hawaii Five-O 16:00 Suits 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 18:00 Playing House 18:30 America’s Got Talent 19:30 Rizzoli & Isles 20:30 NCIS: Los Angeles 22:30 Foxcatcher 01:00 Murder In The First 02:00 Grey’s Anatomy 03:00 The Fixer 04:00 Royal Pains 05:00 The X Factor UK 06:00 Barbie In Rock & Royals 08:00 The X Factor UK 13:00 Revenge 14:00 Hawaii Five-O 15:00 Idols SA 17:00 Chicago Fire 18:00 The Goldbergs 18:30 About A Boy 19:00 The Middle 19:30 Two And A Half Men 20:00 Royal Pains 21:00 Blindspot 22:00 Rizzoli & Isles 23:00 NCIS 00:00 Lovelace 02:00 Blue Bloods 03:05 One Night In Istanbul 05:00 Into The Storm November 12 – 18 07:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 11:00 Annie 12:30 Idols SA 14:30 Grey Anatomy 15:15 Chicago PD 16:00 Power 17:00 Idols SA 19:00 Carte Blanche 20:05 The Wedding Ringer 22:00 Last Week Tonight With John Oliver 22:35 The Fixer 23:40 Home Sweet Hell 01:30 As Above So Below 03:20 Heavenly Match 05:00 Made In Hollywood Top Pick This Week 06:00 07:00 07:30 08:30 09:30 11:30 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30 00:00 01:50 04:30 05:00 Carte Blanche Modern Family Hawaii Five-O Suits Mothers Of The Bride About A Boy Ellen’s Design Challenge The X Factor UK Revenge NCIS Rizzoli & Isles The Ellen DeGeneres Show The Goldbergs The X Factor UK Grey’s Anatomy The Fixer Madam Secretary Carte Blanche Murder In The First The Drop Exodus: Gods And Kings Movie Talk The X Factor UK 06:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 07:00 The Goldberg 07:30 Rizzoli & Isles 08:30 Madam Secretary 10:30 The Whispers 11:30 The McCarthys 12:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 13:00 MasterChef Australia 14:00 Madam Secretary 15:00 The Fixer 16:00 Grey’s Anatomy 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 18:00 The McCarthys 18:30 Britain’s Got Talent 19:30 The Big Bang Theory 20:00 The Big Bang Theory 20:30 The Good Wife 21:30 Secrets And Lies 22:30 Battle Creek 23:30 Chicago Fire 00:30 Oculus 02:00 Limitless 03:10 The Quiet Ones 05:00 X Factor UK Synopsis Fun Fact As Above, So Below STAR Ben Feldman actually suffers from claustrophobia. Since the film is set in the catacombs of Paris, and was actually filmed in them, he had to take a few breaks in order to cope. Home Sweet Hell Home Sweet Hell THIS dark comedy starring Patrick Wilson and Katherine Heigl follows the life of Don Champagne, a successful businessman who seems to have it all. But when he begins an affair with an attractive salesgirl, his psycho wife will stop at nothing to make sure her fairytale life remains intact. SCHEDULES SABC 1 05:02 Geleza Nathi 06:00 Kids News & Current Affairs 06:30 YO.TV 07:00 YO.TV Land 07:15 YO.TV Ilitha Lethu 07:30 Takalani Sesame 08:00 The Bold And The Beautiful 08:30 Isidingo 09:00 Generations: The LegacyR 09:30 Muvhango 10:00 Skeem Saam R 10:30 Retro Comedy 11:00 Stumbo Stomp 11:30 100% Youth First 12:00 Sports @ 10 13:00 Lunchtime News 13:30 Fan Base 14:00 Zaziwa R 14:30 Galaxy Racers 15:00 YO.TV 16:00 Bona Retsang 16:30 My World 17:28 Devotion Region Premier 17:30 News (Siswati/ Ndebele) 18:00 100% Youth 18:30 Skeem Saam 19:00 News 19:30 Zaziwa 20:00 Generations: The Legacy 20:30 End Game 21:30 Cutting Edge 22:00 Home Affairs 23:00 Ispani 00:00 Koze Kuse 66 PEOPLE 06:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 07:00 Clipped 07:30 The Whispers 08:30 Idols SA 10:30 Resurrection 11:30 The McCarthys 12:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 13:00 Britain’s Got Talent 14:00 Madam Secretary 15:00 The Fixer 16:00 Grey’s Anatomy 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 18:00 Playing House 18:30 Britain’s Got Talent 19:30 Chicago PD 20:30 Mr Robot 21:30 Murder In The First 22:30 My Story 23:30 The Good Wife 00:30 Last Week Tonight With John Oliver 01:00 The Eichmann Show 02:50 The 100-YearOld Man Who Climbed Out Of The Window And Disappeared 05:00 The X Factor UK 05:00 Reflection Of Faith 05:02 Geleza Nathi 06:00 Kids News & Current Affairs 06:30 Sports Buzz 07:00 YO.TV 07:15 YO.TV Ilitha Lethu 07:30 Takalani Sesame 08:00 The Bold And The Beautiful 08:30 Isidingo 09:00 Generations: The Legacy R 09:30 Muvhango 10:00 Skeem Saam R 10:30 Emzini Wezinsizwa 11:00 Cutting Edge 11:30 Jika Majika 12:00 Friends Like These 13:00 Lunchtime News 13:30 Yilungelo Lakho 14:30 Foreign Children 15:00 YO.TV 16:00 Bona Retsang 16:30 Ba Kae 16:59 Centre Stage 17:28 Devotion Region 18:00 Fan Base 18:30 Skeem Saam 19:00 News 19:30 1’s And 2’s 20:00 Generations: The Legacy 20:30 Tempy Pushas 21:00 Live Amp 22:00 TBA 00:00 Koze Kuse 05:00 Geleza Nathi 06:00 African Spiritual Realms 06:30 Siyakholwa 07:00 Carl 07:30 YO.TV Mmino Mania 08:00 YO.TV What’s In The Fridge 08:15 YO.TV Yo Hambo 08:30 Matt Hatter Chronicles 09:00 Mzansi Insider 10:00 Generations: The Legacy (Omnibus) 12:30 Imizwilili 13:30 Sport Magazine 14:00 Soccer 411 15:00 Soccer Build-Up 15:30 Laduma Live Soccer 17:30 Roots 18:00 Friends Like These 19:00 News 19:30 Real Goboza 20:00 Soccer Build-Up 20:15 Soccer 22:00 Skyroom Live 23:00 Mzansi Insider www.peoplemagazine.co.za 05:00 06:00 06:30 07:00 07:30 08:00 08:15 08:30 09:00 10:00 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 14:00 14:30 15:00 17:30 18:00 19:00 19:30 20:00 22:00 22:30 23:00 November 12 – 18 Geleza Nathi Siyakholwa Bonisanani Carl YO.TV YO.TV YO.TV Matt Hatter Chronicles Mzansi Insider Gospel Gold Identity The Chatroom Big Up Roots Sunday Chillas Real Goboza Nedbank Ke Yona Laduma Code Green Joyous Celebration News Sunday Live TBA The Game My Perfect Family Gospel Gold Top Pick This Week Uzalo 05:00 Aum 05:02 Geleza Nathi 06:00 Kids News & Current Affairs 06:30 YO.TV Paws And Claws 07:00 YO.TV 07:15 YO.TV Ilitha Lethu 07:30 Takalani Sesame 08:00 The Bold And The Beautiful 08:30 Isidingo 09:00 Generations: The Legacy R 09:30 Muvhango 10:00 Skeem Saam R 10:30 Emzini Wezinsizwa 11:00 Shift 12:00 Yilungelo Lakho 13:00 Lunchtime News 13:30 Making Moves 14:30 Matt Hatter Chronicles 15:00 YO.TV 16:00 LOC Youth Region 16:30 Shift 17:28 Aum 17:30 News 18:00 Now Or Never 18:30 Skeem Saam 19:30 Ses’Top La 20:00 Generations: The Legacy 20:30 Uzalo 21:00 Soccer Zone 22:00 My World 23:00 Shift 00:00 Koze Kuse 05:00 Izwi La Bantu 05:02 Geleza Nathi 06:00 Kids News & Current Affairs 06:30 YO.TV Zenzele 07:00 YO.TV 07:15 YO.TV Ilitha Lethu 07:30 Takalani Sesame 08:00 The Bold And The Beautiful 08:30 Isidingo 09:00 Generations: The Legacy R 09:30 Muvhango 10:00 Skeem Saam R 10:30 Emzini Wezinsizwa 11:00 Shift 12:00 Soccer Zone 13:00 Lunchtime News 13:30 Ispani 14:30 Iron Man 15:00 YO.TV 16:00 Teenagers On A Mission 16:30 Shift 17:28 Izwi La Bantu 17:30 News 18:00 Nyan Nyan 18:30 Skeem Saam 19:00 News 19:30 Selimathunzi 20:00 Generations: The Legacy 20:30 Uzalo 21:00 Find Me My Man 22:00 Making Moves 23:00 Shift 00:00 Koze Kuse 05:00 Devotion Region 05:02 Geleza Nathi 06:00 Kids News & Current Affairs 06:30 YO.TV 06:45 YO.TV 07:00 YO.TV 07:15 YO.TV Ilitha Lethu 07:30 Takalani Sesame 08:00 The Bold And The Beautiful 08:30 Isidingo 09:00 Generations: The Legacy R 09:30 Muvhango 10:00 Skeem Saam R 10:30 Emzini Wezinsizwa 11:00 Rise 11:30 Selimathunzi R 12:00 Khumbul’ekhaya 13:00 Lunchtime News 13:30 My World 14:30 Hurray For Huckle 15:00 YO.TV 16:00 Bona Retsang 16:30 My World 17:28 Devotion Region 17:30 News 18:00 Remix 18:30 Skeem Saam 19:00 News 19:30 Single Galz 20:00 Generations: The Legacy 20:30 Uzalo 21:00 Khumbul’ekhaya 22:00 Sports @10 23:00 Soccer We are not responsible for schedule changes made by the TV channels Seen On Set YOUR backstage pass to the best movie and TV sets. FUN FACT DID you know Melissa and Jenny McCarthy are cousins? Now you do! FUN FACT DIANE’S full name is ‘Lila Diane Sawyer’. YOU’D SWEAR THEY’RE RELATED! SPOTTED roaming the busy streets near New York’s Union Square were journalist extraordinaire Diane Sawyer and Tinseltown powerhouse Jennifer Lawrence. The actressjourno duo was filming an interview segment and they seemed to get along really well. In fact, if we didn’t know better, we’d swear they were relatives! We’re surprised to see J.Law working on something else, though, considering how hectic her schedule is with her role on upcoming movie Passengers, which also stars Chris Pratt. MELISSA ROCKS GINGER – LIKE A BOSS! WHO is that lady with flaming red hair? Melissa McCarthy? No! Surely not! The famous (and slimmer!) starlet was seen on set of upcoming film The Boss in LA wearing a red wig and fitted tailored suit. She stars alongside Kristen Bell as a business woman recently released from jail for insider trading, ready to turn over a new leaf. Melissa’s hubby Ben Falcone wrote and directs the comedy. It has not yet been revealed when the movie will screen but you know it’s going to be a great watch! THE JAKES ARE HERE FUN FACT DID you know Mampho Brescia is BFFs with Terry Pheto? SPOTTED entering a church on set of local movie The Jakes Are Missing are the talents that made the movie possible – Mampho Brescia, Pope Jerrod and Mpho Sebeng. The film follows the Jakes, a family that ends up under witness protection after their son Simon (Mpho) accidently witnesses an horrific murder (don’t miss our interview with Mampho Brescia on page 72!). The Jakes Are Missing is currently showing in cinemas. Celebs Having Their Say On Twitter… You Said “Don’t let the enemies’ hate determine your fate.” – Jessica Nkosi “In this heat fake American accents have come home to roost.” – Trevor Gumbi “Whatever it is you will sacrifice for is where you will find your purpose.”– Phat Joe Follow us on twitter.com/people_sa PEOPLE 67 SCHEDULES | SABC 2 November 12 – 18 05:00 05:30 05:57 06:00 08:00 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 12:00 12:30 13:00 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 17:00 17:30 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:30 22:00 23:00 00:00 01:00 02:00 Informercials 05:30 Living Land 05:57 Motheo 06:00 Morning Live 08:00 Parliament: A View From The House 09:00 Inside The Baobab Tree 09:30 Moonbeam Bear 10:00 And His Friends 10:30 Takalani Sesame 11:00 Rivoningo Women In 11:30 Science 12:00 Love That Girl In The Name 05:30 Of Love 13:00 Dr Phil 13:30 R 7de Laan 14:00 Mali 14:30 Skeem Saam 15:00 R Muvhango 15:30 Hectic Nine-9 16:00 Snake Park 17:00 News (Venda/ Tsonga) 17:30 Leihlo La Sechaba 18:00 7de Laan 18:30 Nuus 19:00 News 19:30 Jamie Foxx Show 20:00 La Familia Muvhango 21:00 Speak Out 21:30 Unusual Suspects Person Of 22:00 Interest TBA 22:30 Dr Phil Mali 23:00 00:00 00:30 Living Land Motheo Morning Live Parliament: A View From The House Inside The Baobab Tree Tree Fu Tom Takalani Sesame Rivoningo Mother Of All Professions Ngula Ya Vutivi Leihlo La Setshaba When Duty Calls Interface Speak Out 7de Laan R Mali Skeem Saam Muvhango R Hectic Nine-9 Siyaya Come Wild With Us News (Venda/ Tsonga) Pasella 7de Laan Nuus News Musiek Roulette Muvhango Dinnete Tsa Bophelo In The Name Of Love Boxing Magazine Smallville Mali Deutsche Welle 05:30 Living Land 05:57 Op Pad 06:00 Thabang Thabong 06:30 Inside The Boabab Tree 07:00 Morning Live 08:30 House Call 09:30 Thukuta 10:00 Athletics Alive 10:30 Sportview 11:00 One Piece 13:00 Takeshi’s Castle 13:30 Muvhango (Omnibus) 16:00 TBA 18:00 Wipeout USA 19:00 Nuus 20:00 Gauteng Maboneng 20:30 TBA 23:00 Afro Café 00:00 Mali 00:30 Deutsche Welle 05:57 06:00 06:30 07:00 08:30 09:00 10:00 10:30 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 14:30 15:30 18:00 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 22:00 23:00 00:00 01:00 Motheo Thabang Thabong Hug A Tree Morning Live Simcha Issues Of Faith Hosanna Psalted Saath Phere Mela Iyanla: Fix My Life Pasella Musiek Roulette 7de Laan (Omnibus) Gospel Classics Nuus News Majakathata Interface Greatest Moments Person Of Interest Smallville Saath Phere Deutsche Welle Top Pick This Week 05:30 05:57 06:00 08:00 Living Land Motheo Morning Live Parliament: A View From The House 08:30 Magical World Of Luna-Belle 09:15 Magical World Of Luna-Belle 09:30 Moonbeam Bear And His Friends 10:00 Takalani Sesame 10:30 Rivoningo 11:00 Super Nanny 12:00 Rands With Sense 13:00 Dr Phil 14:00 7de Laan R 14:30 Mali 15:00 Skeem Saam 15:30 Muvhango R 16:00 Hectic Nine-9 17:00 Dragon Ball 17:30 News (Venda/ Tsonga) 18:00 When Duty Calls 18:30 7de Laan 19:00 Nuus 19:30 News 20:00 Pretty Little Liars 21:00 Muvhango 21:30 Ga Re Dumele 22:00 TBA 02:00 TBA 03:00 Dr Phil 04:00 Deutsche Welle 05:30 05:57 06:00 08:00 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 17:00 17:30 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:30 21:34 22:30 23:00 00:00 01:00 05:30 Living Land Motheo Morning Live Parliament: A View From The House Inside The Baobab Tree Moonbeam Bear And His Friends Takalani Sesame Rivoningo Words And Numbers How Do They Do That Talk SA Golden Years Dr Phil 7de Laan R Mali Skeem Saam Muvhango R Hectic Nine-9 Dragon Ball News (Venda/ Tsonga) Ngula Ya Vutivi/ Zwa Maramani 7de Laan Nuus News All Of Us Maropeng Muvhango Powerball Gospel Classic Psalted TBA Dr Phil Mali Deutsche Welle 05:30 Breaking New Ground 05:57 Op Pad 06:00 Morning Live 08:00 Parliament: A View From The House 09:00 Inside The Baobab Tree 09:30 Moonbeam Bear And His Friends 10:00 Takalani Sesame 10:30 Sports Lifestyle 11:00 Rivoningo 11:30 Roughing It Out 12:00 It’s for Life 12:30 48 Hours 13:00 Dr Phil 14:00 7de Laan R 14:30 Mali 15:00 Skeem Saam 15:30 Muvhango R 16:00 Hectic Nine-9 17:00 Dragon Ball 17:30 News (Venda/ Tsonga) 18:00 Motswako 18:30 7de Laan 19:00 Nuus 19:30 News 20:00 Love That Girl 20:30 Maropeng 21:00 Live Lotto Draw 21:04 Muvhango 21:30 Mamello 22:00 Afro Café 23:00 The Secret Circle 00:00 TBA 01:00 Dr Phil 02:00 Mali 02:30 Deutsche Welle Dr Phil SCHEDULES | SABC 3 November 12 – 18 05:00 05:30 06:00 08:30 09:30 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:30 21:00 22:00 23:00 00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 AM Shopping Snazzy Stories Expresso The Real Days Of Our Lives High Rollers Isidingo R 7de Laan Magnum PI News The Meredith Vieira Show The Real Afternoon Express Days Of Our Lives The Bold And The Beautiful News Isidingo Top Billing Man Cave Girl Eat World Super Natural Those Who Can’t Miami Vice The Meredith Vieira Show 3 Talk R     Top Billing R 05:00 05:30 06:00 08:30 09:30 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 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Generations: The Legacy Isidingo R 7de Laan News The Meredith Vieira Show The Real Afternoon Express Days Of Our Lives The Bold And The Beautiful News Isidingo High Rollers Roer Jou Voete CSI Californication The Mentalist Special Assignment Kojak The Meredith Vieira Show 3 Talk R Steven And Chris Dr Oz Show We are not responsible for schedule changes made by the TV channels On The Box This Week NEWS and views from the world of reality television. Reality Bites BY EL BROIDE WAGS, Wednesdays At 21h00 On E! WHEN cousins Natalie and Olivia, famous Instagrammers, offend fellow WAG and ex WWE Diva Barbie Blank, a huge rivalry begins. Naturally, a lot of drama follows. I Am Cait To Return T RANSGENDER reality star Caitlyn Jenner has a lot to smile about this week because E! has confirmed that her popular reality show I Am Cait is returning to the channel for a second season. “Caitlyn’s story has ignited a global conversation on the transgender community on a scale that has never been seen before. We are honoured Caitlyn has chosen to continue to share her ongoing story with our viewers around the world,” E!’s Jeff Olde said in a statement. Caitlyn also confirmed the news on her Twitter page with this simple tweet: “I’m looking forward to continuing the conversation. #IAmCait.” More good news rolls in for Caitlyn who announced last week that she will be embarking on a speaking tour across America. In the series of talks, Caitlyn will open up about the struggles she has gone through over the past few years. The Real Housewives Of Orange County, Thursdays At 20h30 On Vuzu. SHANNON is excited for her annual Christmas party but the holiday cheer is quickly extinguished once all the girls get together. Vicki is also incredibly upset when Briana moves to Oklahoma. Simon Cowell – AGT’s New Judge ONLY a few weeks ago it was rumoured that One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson will replace Howard Stern on America’s Got Talent, but now the show has officially confirmed that Simon Cowell will be joining the judges table in the show’s next season. “What I love about this show is that it’s open to absolutely anyone,” Simon said. “America has some fantastic talent just waiting to be discovered, and I would like that talent to come to our show, including any dogs who can sing.” The show’s 11th season will premiere shortly after Simon’s hit show American Idol comes to an end early next year. At this stage, although unconfirmed, it is likely that Howie Mandel, Mel B and Heidi Klum will return to fill out the judge’s panel. Nick Cannon is also expected to return as host. Xtina The Diva The Bachelor In Paradise, Fridays At 23h20 On Vuzu Amp. CONTESTANTS from the last few seasons of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette are off to Mexico in the search for true love. Will they find it or will they crash and burn on their search for their soulmate? Follow us on twitter.com/people_sa WHILE the ninth season of The Voice is airing in the United States at the moment, the show has already announced that Christina Aguilera will be returning for its 10th season. However, as excited as everyone may be, the production crew isn’t thrilled that the show’s diva is replacing Gwen Stefani. “Christina is a nightmare,” says an on-set insider. “Last time she was on the show, she made outrageous food and scheduling demands and even had the upholstery on her chair customised to velvet. She’s only been back for a few days, but already she’s forced everyone to come in super early, on short notice, so she could wrap in time for a dinner date. Then she showed up an hour late – a total slap in the face to the crew” Yikes! Marnie Simpson Vs Vicky Pattison IT seems Geordie Shore star Marnie Simpson isn’t looking to end her feud with former cast member Vicky Pattison anytime soon. The two came face-to-face at the MTV EMAs recently and avoided each other at all costs. A journalist on the red carpet asked Marnie, who recently split from fiancé Ricky Rayment, if she would go out partying with Vicky. She replied, “No, never, not in a million years. There’s nothing about the girl that I like so why would I?” Marnie also criticised Vicky for slamming new Geordie Shore star Chloe Etherington. “For some reason she’s just really unhappy with herself. I think she’s such an insecure girl that she’s got to try and bash other girls to make herself feel better...How old’s Vicky? 30? 31? Why would you even grief a 19-year-old?” Sigh, it seems that there is nothing that will get these two ladies to bury the hatchet. www.peoplemagazine.co.za PEOPLE 69 November 12–18 SCHEDULES | e-tv 05:00 05:30 06:00 08:00 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:30 14:35 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:30 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 22:45 01:00 03:00 04:20 04:50 Grassroots e-News Sunrise e-News Sunrise e-News Sunrise Infomercials Rhythm City Scandal! Ekse Zwakala The Young And The Restless Checkpoint Makwaya Backstage News Day WWE Raw Quiz Time Cool Catz SpongeBob SquarePants Jackie Chan Adventures Craz-e World Live The Steve Harvey Show Just Shoot Me Hush e-News Prime Time Rhythm City Scandal! Gold Diggers Gamer Vampire In Vegas TBA Vampire In Vegas Murder One e-Insert 05:00 05:30 06:00 08:00 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:30 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:30 16:20 16:30 17:30 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 23:10 01:00 02:50 04:35 Life By Design e-News Sunrise e-News Sunrise e-News Sunrise Infomercials Rhythm City Scandal! Hush The Young And The Restless eKasi: Our Stories Backstage News Day 2015 WWE NXT The Adventures Of Tom Thumb And Thumbelina Frenzy The Steve Harvey Show Just Shoot Me Club 808: Make Some Noise e-News Prime Time Rhythm City Scandal! Gold Diggers Die Hard Kickboxer 2: The Road Back Knots Ricochet The Planet’s Funniest Animals 05:00 Medical Detectives 05:30 Infomercials 06:00 The Planet’s Funniest Animals 06:35 Cool Catz 07:00 Quiz Time 07:05 Cool Catz 07:30 Everything’s Rosie 07:45 Fireman Sam 08:00 Julius Jr 08:30 SpongeBob SquarePants 09:00 Sistahood 09:30 Scandal! (Omnibus) 11:30 Paternity Court 12:00 Hell Date 12:30 e-Shibobo 13:30 The Planet’s Funniest Animals 14:05 The Legend Of Johnny Lingo 16:00 The Planet’s Funniest Animals 17:00 WWE Smackdown 18:00 e-News Early Edition 18:05 Reality Check 18:30 B&B 19:00 e-News Prime Time 19:30 The Karate Kid 21:25 Meet The Spartans 23:20 TBA 01:55 Last Night At Eddie’s 03:35 Braxton Family Values 04:30 House Of Payne 05:00 05:30 06:00 06:25 06:30 07:00 07:25 07:30 08:00 08:05 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 11:00 12:00 14:10 13:50 16:00 17:00 18:00 18:05 19:00 19:30 20:00 22:05 00:15 02:00 03:50 04:20 Infomercials 05:00 Creflo Dollar Joseph Prince 05:30 e-News Sunrise Die Woord 06:00 e-News Sunrise e-Insert 08:00 e-News Sunrise Creflo Dollar 08:30 Infomercials Grassroots 09:00 Rhythm City e-Insert 09:30 Scandal! Hillsong 10:00 e-Shibobo Quiz Time 10:30 The Young And Cool Catz The Restless Kung Fu Panda 11:30 Great Max Steel Expectations Shiz Niz 12:00 Checkpoint Behind The 12:30 Backstage Gospel 13:00 News Day 2015 Braxton Family 13:30 WWE Superstars Values 14:30 Peppa Pig Bogus 14:35 Cool Catz Center Stage: 15:00 Everything’s Turn It Up Rosie WWE Specials - 15:15 Fireman Sam Tamar And 15:30 Transformers: Vince Beast Machines WWE Raw 16:00 Sistahood e-News Early 16:30 The Steve Harvey Edition Syndicated I Shouldn’t 17:30 Katch It With Be Alive Khanyi e-News Prime 18:00 Shikisha Time 18:30 e-News Prime How I Met Time Your Mother 19:00 Rhythm City G.I Joe: The 19:30 Scandal! 20:00 Gold Diggers Rise Of Cobra 20:30 Coke Studio Phoenix 21:00 Umlilo Alliance Tricks 22:00 Crazy Heart Phoenix Paternity Court 23:55 Sister Blue e-Shibobo 03:05 Murder One 05:00 05:30 06:00 08:00 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:30 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:30 14:35 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:25 17:30 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:05 21:35 22:05 22:35 00:25 02:00 03:35 Hillsong e-News Sunrise e-News Sunrise e-News Sunrise Infomercials Rhythm City Scandal! Katch It With Khanyi The Young And The Restless Great Expectations Backstage News Day WWE Experience Quiz Time Cool Catz Julius Jr Pokémon Shiz Niz The Steve Harvey Show e-Insert Ekse Zwakala TBA e-News Prime Time Rhythm City Scandal! Gold Diggers TBA Powerball Draw Matatiele Z’bondiwe Checkpoint Jesse Stone: No Remorse The Clandestine Marriage Jesse Stone: No Remorse House Of Payne 05:00 05:30 06:00 08:00 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:30 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:30 14:35 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:25 17:30 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 22:00 00:20 01:55 04:15 04:45 Die Woord e-News Sunrise e-News Sunrise e-News Sunrise Infomercials Rhythm City Scandal! Ekse Zwakala The Young And The Restless Supernanny Backstage News Day WWE Smackdown Quiz Time Cool Catz The Penguins Of Madagascar Frenzy Supa Strikas The Steve Harvey Syndicated e-Insert Ekse Zwakala TBA e-News Prime Time Rhythm City Scandal! Gold Diggers Spina Guluva WWE Main Event Grey Owl Knots Grey Owl Rude Awakening The Planet’s Funniest Animals Top Pick This Week Synopsis Vampire In Vegas THINGS take a turn for the bizarre when a 300-year-old vampire hires a doctor to create a serum that would enable him to move about in sunlight unharmed. The doctor picks up three female vampires to use as guinea pigs, but matters are complicated when her experiment-gone-wrong in the desert is witnessed by some campers. Gamer Where YOU Should Be Seen November 12 – 18 November 11-13, The Whisky Live Festival, Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg. Tickets from R210. November 13, Queen – It’s A Kinda Magic, Artscape Opera House, Cape Town. Tickets are R125 – R290. November 14, Mzansi Magic Ensemble, Playhouse Drama Theatre, Durban. Tickets are R150. The Whiskey Live Festival 70 PEOPLE www.peoplemagazine.co.za FOR MORE INFO GO TO WWW.COMPUTICKET.CO.ZA Queen - It’s A Kinda Magic We are not responsible for schedule changes made by the TV channels Off The Record With... WE chat to musicians making waves in the SA music scene! A LTERNATIVE ROCK star Jesse Clegg is back with a bang! His new single Use Me has become one of his biggest hits to date and the artist is hard at work recording new material that is bound to rock our socks off. As Use Me continues to climb the charts, El chats to the singer about the smash single, his upcoming EP and his creative process. Congrats on your new single. What inspired Use Me? This song captures a moment in time for me as someone who is always trying to find new ways to talk about the world and the relationships we form with one another. Use Me is a song about the ambiguous nature of love and how it can be both inspiring and destructive at the same time. The music video is on point! What was the process of the shoot like? The video was shot outside George in the Wilderness National Park. We used drone technology, piloted by the SA Champion Carl Nicholl, to capture the expansive scenery of the area. The idea was to represent nature in its rawest form – its stunning beauty but also its inherent violence. The song talks about a relationship that is similarly ambiguous, compassionate and inspiring but also fraught with danger. The tension in all passionate relationships is what makes them unique – the question is whether that’s sustainable. Why do you think the song has become such a huge hit? I’m thankful that there has been such a fantastic response to the song. I think every songwriter would agree that it’s a mystery as to what makes a song a hit or not. I always try to write about moments in life that are both personal to me but also universal in everyone’s life. I think people just related to Use Me because it is a story about someone navigating a complicated relationship. Lyrically, the song is beautiful. Explain your writing process to us. I usually start with a melody and one line of the lyrics. In this case, I liked the idea of being ‘used’ – both the positive and negative connotations of that word. Once the core concept of the song is clear and the ‘hook’ melody works, the song just seems to write itself. What can we expect from you in the next few months? I’ll be releasing a new single very soon and a music video. I also have a major national tour in SA in November/December. I’ll be playing across the Eastern and Western Cape for six weeks. The dates will be announced soon on my website: www.jesseclegg.com. TV QUIZ 1. In the premiere, who is revealed to have a bed that doesn’t have any space under it? 2. How many stalkers were introduced in the premiere? 3. Who was outside of Beth’s house, seemingly stalking her? 4. Who said: “I know how hard it is but we have to follow the law”? 5. Who said: “Believe me, I know. I’ve been through this, much worse than this”? 6. Who is Tracey Wright? 7. Who does Dylan McDermott play? 8. Who’s a detective and a rookie member of TAU? 9. Who created the series? 10. How many episodes are in the first season? Follow us on twitter.com/people_sa ««« 85% PROOF is the sixth studio album from British singer Will Young. Coming from a reality TV background, it’s no surprise that Will’s vocals are fantastic. He explores his voice on this record and takes it to new places. Will also plays around with elements of swing and jazz on the album which makes it quite interesting. The album is very personal and, as expected, some great songs have been made. The album as a whole, however, doesn’t stand out from the crowd all that much. El’s Favourite Track: I Don’t Need A Lover Paper Gods Duran Duran You’re thinking of releasing a new EP as well. Why go the EP route? I’m still undecided as to whether we are going to do a full album or an EP. I’ve written a huge amount of new material (over 40 songs) but it’s also a case of what works best in today’s music industry. I think fewer people are buying and listening to full albums. It’s more focused on singles on iTunes and releasing content to go with the single like the music video. We have already started recording a lot of the music, so it depends where we are in the next two months. r Stalke airs at sdays Wedne 0 on 19h0 ge. Ed M-Net 85% Proof Will Young ««« BRITISH rockers Duran Duran are finally back with a brand new album! Paper Gods features their new hit Pressure Off. The new album sees them move into a more electronic, pop sound and they have managed to produce a modern sound without losing their style. It’s an adult contemporary album that will not only please the ears of the fans that have been supporting them for years, but with a funky new sound, is sure to earn them some new ones. The band challenged themselves by collaborating with some interesting folk – and it worked! Songs with artists such as Janelle Monae, Lindsay Lohan and Mr Hudson really take things to new heights. El’s Favourite Track: Danceophobia Respect The Drumboss 2015 Heavy K «««« HEAVY K is a heavyweight in the local dance scene. He has a string of hits to his name and after the brilliant album Respect The Drumboss, the producer has released his brand new album Respect The Drumboss 2015. Heavy K knows how to make good dance music, and while the traditional dance sound used throughout the record is somewhat repetitive, Heavy understands what the audience wants. He’s also collaborated with a number of musicians such as Mpumi, DJ Tira, Nokwazi, and Riky Rick, and each delivers Heavy K’s message beautifully. There is something incredibly special about this collection of songs. El’s Favourite Track: Sweetie (Feat. Nokwazi) CELEB QUIZ TRIVIA 1. Which time-travel movie franchise correctly predicted the invention of automatic self-tightening shoes? 2. What feature of tailored clothing has variations described as bound, plain and keyhole? 3. What word makes five new words when prefixing: ‘man’, ‘post’, ‘nail’, ‘bell’, and ‘stop’? 4. What does a calorimeter measure? 5. Which famous musician was born ‘Robert Allen Zimmerman’? 6. The term ‘domicile’ refers to what? 7. What organ of the body acts as both an exocrine and endocrine gland? 8. Who wrote the book Problems Of The East? 9. Who said that Md. Ali Jinnah was an ‘ambassador of Hindu-Muslim Unity’? 10. The Lakshadweep Islands are the product of what? 1. Which famous rapper sang Gold Digger at his American Idol audition? 2. Who doesnt want people to feel sorry for her following her lupus diagnosis? 3. How old is Vin Diesel? 4. Which female rapper had another wardrobe malfunction recently during a performance? 5. According to her assistants, which reality star is known as a moody boss? 6. True or False: Kendra Wilkonson is ready to divorce her athlete husband. 7. Who discussed post-prison sex with his reality star wife? 8. True or False: Yolanda Foster revealed two of her children suffer from Lyme disease. 9. Who was spotted shopping for rings following her separation from Chris Martin? 10. Which reality star is scheduled for heart surgery? www.peoplemagazine.co.za WE chat to local star Mampho about her new film, The Jakes Are Missing. SKEEM SAAM RACHEL gets a boost to her confidence that makes her take a very big risk. =Meikie is shocked to discover what Mokgadi really thinks of her. Wallet is on a mission for revenge. There is very good news for Leeto. The ripple effect of Mapitsi and Sonti’s actions continues to cause pain. Rachel jumps off a metaphorical cliff and hopes someone will catch her. Molahlegi makes Mokgadi a very tempting offer. Kat learns shocking news about his friend. Skeem Saam, weekdays on SABC 1 at 18h30. THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL AS Ridge tells Katie about the events that took place in the office, he reveals that he and Caroline shared a kiss. Wondering what this means for their relationship, Katie is reassured by Ridge that things have not changed between them. Caroline begins to panic about the fate of her marriage when she is unable to locate Rick. Maya feels victorious when she fondly remembers the evening that she spent with Rick. Caroline gets the shock of her life when she discovers the extent of the damage that was done to her marriage. The Bold And The Beautiful, weekdays on SABC 3 at 18h00. RHYTHM CITY SABELO manages to secure the full R20 000 for himself. Kop is retrenched. Suffo tries to get to the bottom of why Puleng lied about her whereabouts. Thandeka tells Doc a possible plan to get Solomon to back off. Niki’s surprised to hear that Puleng is moving out of the townhouse. Mapula discovers the stolen money. Mamokete gets angry when she hears that Kop was retrenched. Zinzi feels neglected by Bongi. Doc learns some very interesting news about Bongi’s connection to David. Rhythm City, weekdays on e.tv at 18h30. 7DE LAAN WILL Aggie be able to move on after Lindile’s death? Marko tries his best to support the Croukamp family. Vince isn’t happy with Xander’s attitude. Marko wants to be honest and tell Thinus the truth about Emma. Paula tries her best to get Themba’s approval. The Hillside girls don’t stand a chance against the Casanova’s charm. Xander makes a big decision about the future of the Hillside Times. The Pastor comes to visit Kim and her new flatmate. Retha Ingrid Paulus does not approve is Vanessa on Marko’s decisions. 7de Laan Errol shares his concerns with 7de Laan’s Ingrid Paulus Vince. They  Ingrid was born on October 15, decide to stand up 1977 in Uitenhage. to Xander.  She was once a contestant on 7de Laan, Strictly Come Dancing SA. weekdays on SABC 2 at 18h30.  The beauty stars as Vanessa Meintjies on SABC 2 soapie 7de Laan.  She has a daughter with co-star Denver Vraagom. PIE SOAR OF STAWEEK THE Finding The Jakes Withcia Mampho Bres L OCAL comedy The Jakes Are Missing follows the story of a wealthy family that ends up in witness protection when their son witnesses a murder. people got the chance to chat with lead actress Mampho Brescia (perhaps best know for playing Iris Zungu on popular Mzansi Magic’s soapie IsiBaya) and her role starring alongside Pope Jerrod and Mpho Sebeng. Tell us more about your role on The Jakes Are Missing. I play Janice Jakes, a successful woman in her career but at a crossroads in her personal life. Janice is about to embark on a journey of self-discovery, whether she likes it or not! Is there much of a crossover with this role and your role on IsiBaya? No, there isn’t. They are completely different characters. I had to immerse myself completely in Janice’s skin and leave Iris at home! What were the highlights of shooting the film? I suppose working with a great cast makes the experience a lot more fun. You’ve worked with some familiar faces in the film industry. Would you consider doing movies full time? At this stage, our industry isn’t big enough to sustain a full-time career as a film actress only. Our audiences are very loyal to TV productions, and we are still in the process of building a viable film audience for SA cinema. The good news is that we have great talent in front and behind the camera to build the industry further! What’s the most embarrassing thing that happened to you while filming? I’m not easily embarrassed so if anything did happen, I probably didn’t notice! I enjoy living in the moment while planning for the long term, and enjoy each circumstance on its merit. Actors have very little time or opportunity to feel embarrassed! We need to learn to connect with a myriad of emotions and learn to be as fearless as possible! If you could be an animal for a day, what would you be and why? It would probably be a dragon: I love the combination of flying high and being able to breathe fire! Juicy Bites Teresa’s Heartbreak: ‘I Know Joe Cheats On Me’ BY EL BROIDE AS she prepares to finally leave prison, the reality star comes to terms with the fact that her marriage is broken. T HE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NEW JERSEY star Teresa Giudice is only two months away from the end of her prison sentence, and the star is excited to get back out into the real world. Teresa has expressed her desire to start building her life again, which will be hard – especially since her husband, Joe Giudice, is set to serve a 41-month term shortly after she is released. Unfortunately, Joe’s prison sentence is the first of many problems – and her marriage may not survive. While remaining rather isolated during her 15-month stint in jail, Teresa isn’t a fool. She has opened up to family and friends about the fact that she knows Joe has been cheating on her while she serves her time – and it breaks her heart. “Teresa is heartbroken,” a source says. “They are both guilty and Teresa expected Joe to not only look after her family while she serves her time, but that he would work on their marriage again. The fact that she knows he sleeps with other women kills her – especially because there is nothing she can do about it in jail.” Earlier this year, Joe was involved in a cheating scandal after a rendezvous with a strip club employee. “Joe took 27-yearold brunette Samary Graulau to dinner at Seabra’s restaurant in Newark, New Jersey, on April 29. Graulau is an employee of Breathless Gentleman’s Club in Rahway, New Jersey, and Radar found her working there one night recently,” the source says. When confronted about the cheating rumours, Samary was quick to deny that anything happened between the two. “It’s ridiculous. It was just a dinner,” she said. “He is a friend. That is it. I can’t believe this. We are just friends. Nothing happened.” Meanwhile, Joe is preparing for his long 41-month sentence due to begin early next year and has recently opened up, saying, “I didn’t know I was doing things wrong in the first place. Basically I committed some kind of fraud with mortgages, and I know now it wasn’t the right thing to do.” However, Joe says one can never really prepare themselves for prison time. “I ain’t even really thinking about myself going to jail. When the time comes, you just go,” he says. “We’re in this situation, we need to slowly climb out of it and never look back.” In the meantime, Teresa is anxious to confront Joe on his cheating and clear up why he decided to abandon her like this. Teresa loves Joe and doesn’t want to break their family apart, but the thought of him having sex with another woman breaks her heart. Will the two manage to come out of this ordeal stronger before Joe makes his way to prison or will they be signing divorce papers? We will find out soon after Teresa makes her way back home. Joe Giudice stays strong and keeps a positive front for his girls as he holds the fort Follow us on twitter.com/people_sa ISIDINGO APHIWE is forced to come clean to S’khu about sleeping with Calvin. Angie decides to take the job in Egypt, while Rajesh pleads for her to stay. Lerato, still shaken by the home invasion, finds some closure with Sechaba’s support. Gabriel prepares to leave his life behind and face the law. Just when Angelique starts to let down her icy walls, she is yanked back to ice queen mode to protect her heart. Lerato gets to know her neighbourhood better and wants to play an active role in making it safer. Calvin’s future looks grim now that his behaviour has threatened every personal relationship he has. A strong attraction grows between Angelique and Jean-Marc on the eve of her leaving town. Lerato’s security fears find relief in her drive to mobilise her neighbourhood. Nina and Barker are desperate to take over the church accounts but the Zondiles stand in their way. Rabelani falls ill underground, exposing a secret. Isidingo, weekdays on SABC 3 at 19h30. SCANDAL QUINTON denies an accusation and seems intent on starting to lead a double life. Scelo discovers that Lindiwe is gathering information in a less than honest fashion. Gloria finalises her plans, which are not nearly as fabulous as she makes them out to be. Thembeka starts to fear that her talent for lying is no longer enough to keep her out of trouble and a friend of hers crosses a line for the second time. Lindiwe comes across information which a member of her family is desperate to have. Stokkies has finger trouble which lands him in hot water. Zinzile and Mlungisi receive shocking news and Mlu makes a promise on both their behalf without Zinzi’s knowledge. Thembeka has to get a nurse to doctor the past to keep them both out of terrible trouble. Maletsatsi makes an unpleasant discovery about Stokkies and decides to help set him free. Scandal!, weekdays on e.tv at 19h30. BINNELANDERS IVANKA insists on going back to work, while Lexi jumps to her own conclusions about her parents’ increasingly strange behaviour. Mia’s first attempt at impressing Rian leaves Pippa speechless. Steve and Ivanka have a huge fight in the office, while Tim objects to his son-in-law’s plans. Tim wants to meet Dennis, and Rian gets carried away with the new project. At’s visit makes him think twice about a professional relationship, and Pippa teases Christiaan about Mia. At asks Rossouw’s assistance after a conversation with Ivanka, and Jana walks in on a very uncomfortable situation. Jana wants answers from Karli, and a doctor needs to clear the misconceptions. Mia is at loggerheads with Rian, and At sets his sights on Steve. Naomi shares her secret with Marinda, and Tim is formulating a dangerous plan intended to trap Dennis. Recognising someone could have huge implications. Mia could become a problem within the corridors of Binneland Clinic. Binnelanders, weekdays on kykNET and M-Net Terrestrial at 18h30. Teresa and her Joe Giudice leaving federal court www.peoplemagazine.co.za Animal News PICS: GREATSTOCK / PAN MEDIA BY EUGENIA BOOI Under-TheSea Shock! DIVER Karina Oliani got more than a huge surprise when she met with an 8m anaconda while filming the television series Wild Ocean The terrifying snake, which coils around its prey and crushes it to death, was one of the biggest ever encountered underwater, with an estimated weight of between 300 and 400kg. Fox’s d Newfoun Freedom BY VANESSA PAPAS Stare Off SIGNE FOGELQVIST is a young Swedish photographer with a passion for taking pictures and animals. So it’s no surprise then that she has combined her two loves, and the results are adorable! Often just taking pics of the animals – both domestic and wild – she comes across on a dayto-day basis, Signe’s pics seem to suggest that she and the animals are having a staring contest! CONTINENTS away from its natural habitat, an Arctic fox kept at a local petting farm has been given a new lease on life. T When A King Fights For His Queen THIS dramatic series was captured by 25-year-old finance assistant JP Meiring in the Kruger National Park. The photos revealed a lioness trying to catch the eye of a male lion as she attempts to abandon her mate. But her furious partner is having none of it and comes bounding over to claim his girl. “There were two females and two males next to the road. The one couple was mating every five to 10 minutes,” says Meiring. After the brawl the two began mating again. 74 PEOPLE www.peoplemagazine.co.za HE Arctic fox lives in some of the most frigid extremes on the planet. Mother Nature has ensured it is well equipped to survive icy conditions with its incredibly thick, deep coat. Generally found throughout the entire Arctic tundra, South Africa and its hot temperatures is a far cry from the intended home this sprightly fox belongs in. As the Arctic fox is an exotic animal, however, some have sadly landed up in the pet shop trade – Snowy was one of them. Four years ago the SPCA Roodepoort came across Snowy, who was a wellknown resident at Westrand Pet & Bird Farm, which has been around for over 20 years. The Society has, says manager Mandy Cattanach, been working tooth and nail to try and help some of the many animals at the Farm, allegedly living in unsuitable and cruel conditions. “We have been battling with this farm for years and are continually begging them to change the living conditions of many of their animals. The first time we saw Snowy he was being kept in a sand enclosure at the petting zoo on the Farm. He had a small area but shared it with a vixen. From what we have been told the female died in a tunnel. Staff at the farm only realised she’d died after a few days when the body began to rot. facebook.com/peoplemagsa Now alone, Snowy was moved into a cement enclosure – roughly 3m by 4m in size,” says Mandy. “There was nothing in the enclosure aside from the cement floor, a kennel and a tree stump. Every time we went to inspect the premises we found Snowy curled up in the corner, looking depressed and ‘half dead’. While the staff at the Farm did give him food (dead chicks) and water he had no stimulation and company, and his living quarters were less than ideal. There are a number of different animals on the Farm including monkeys, miniature pot belly pigs, guinea pigs, rabbits, mice and rats, snakes, spiders, iguanas, fish, ostriches, goats and ponies. Along with Snowy were other animals also living in unfavourable, cruel conditions, and others who had died under questionable circumstances.” Mandy says after much debate the management at the farm agreed to hand the fox over to the SPCA. “With the heat wave here in Joburg we decided to relocate Snowy to a sanctuary in the Cape. He should be living in snow, so the sanctuary, which is based in Stellenbosch, have tried to make his enclosure as cold as possible, with a climate controlled room that leads into a large run. He has ample room to roam now. At first, he was incredibly skittish and scared but he’s calmed down a lot and is reportedly very happy in his new home. Unfortunately, it will never be possible for us to take Snowy back to Alaska. He would never survive in the wild as he wouldn’t know how to hunt.” Arctic foxes usually mate for life so ideally Snowy should have a partner. “The Sanctuary will likely try and look for a partner for Snowy. If someone has an Arctic fox and are looking for a home, that would be ideal,” says Mandy. “The SPCA’s stance is that exotic animals should not be kept as pets. The contentious issue of the trade in breeding and the keeping of exotic wild animals as pets in South Africa has not only deeply disturbing welfare implications for the animals concerned, but, just as importantly, is a significant threat to conservation and biodiversity.” Westrand Pet & Bird Farm’s Faye Potgieter says recently the team ‘decided it was in the fox’s best interests to be rehomed’ as, she agrees, his living conditions were not ideal. “From what I understand Snowy was born in captivity and originally bought by the farm from someone many, many years ago. Regarding the death of his mate, yes she was found in the tunnel in their original sand floored enclosure where they lived before Snowy was moved to a concrete enclosure so he wouldn’t escape (since foxes burrow). Foxes spend time underground, which is why her absence wasn’t noticed immediately. The petting farm, now called Barnyard Buddies, was contacted by the Johannesburg zoo a little while back in connection with Snowy. The zoo was interested in taking Snowy to live there. I am the one who signed the fox over voluntarily to the SPCA – contrary to some reports he was not confiscated – and I was under the impression that Snowy was going to be rehomed at the zoo. We were only told recently that he was going to a sanctuary in the Cape. We agree that a new home is in Snowy’s best interests and that Joburg’s climate is not suitable for him. Westrand Pet & Bird Farm was caretaker of the zoo briefly this year for two months until the new owner took over in September. It was during this time that I contacted the SPCA to rehome Snowy. Jungle Nook Zoo is where the animals such as Snowy are – Westrand Pet & Bird Farm is the Pet shop where the spiders, snakes, birds etc. are – yes we also keep animals but we are two separate entities,” says Faye. Animal News BY EUGENIA BOOI Take Me Home THIS week we have some adorable pets from Friends Of Rescued Animals. H OW To Adopt Me: If one of us has caught your eye and you’re willing to provide us with a loving home, please phone FORA on 082 336 5568 to meet us. TIPS ON ADOPTING A PET BEFORE you adopt a gorgeous pet, make sure you have considered the following:  Do you travel a lot?  Does your complex / neighbourhood allow pets?  Do you have a safe and secure home for the new addition?  Do you have the time and money to look after a pet?  Will you love and care for this animal at all times?  Will the animal fit in with your other pets?  Ensure the breed is one that suits you and your family.  Do you have enough space for the pet to run around?  Do you have kids? If yes, take the correct security measures before adopting. Pie Pudding Now moved from his concrete enclosure, Snowy is much happier in a climate-controlled environment Do you have a story for Animal News by Eugenia Booi (with pictures) you would like to share with us? E-mail [email protected] and write ‘Animal’ in the subject line. We will give you R500 if your story is published! You can upload your cute or funny animal videos to our website Follow us on twitter.com/people_sa Strange But True BY EUGENIA BOOI Marriage Is No Drag! By A SOURCE: PAN MEDIA WHILE popping the question is an occasion in itself, this 23-year-old Chinese citizen took things a few steps further. Liu Wang hired florists to decorate an area of the University of Chongqing, where he proposed to his devoted girlfriend Liang Sun wearing what a lot of women dream of – a wedding dress! “I wore it because I wanted to tell her that one day I want to see her in this dress beside me. I know it’s not for her to wear right now but now she knows I would do anything for her,” he says. Hitting A Brick Wall SIX businessmen who wanted to make sure their cars were safe while they were at work ended up having the vehicles destroyed when a builder accidentally knocked a brick wall down on them. A crane driver had moved alongside the wall in the Chinese province of Jiangsu while working on a housing project. But as the crane spun round the rear end it hit the wall, knocking the entire structure down onto the cars. The drivers are now suing the crane operator for compensation after both the car park owner and the building firm refused to pay. The crane driver, Lu Han, meanwhile has been fired and said that even with the job earning just R1 500 a week he was unlikely to be able to cover the repair bill. Car owner Han Ling said, “I parked here to stop my car getting damaged, and now it has been wrecked. Somebody needs to pay and it’s not going to be me.” 76 PEOPLE www.peoplemagazine.co.za W HEN Emrah Mevsimler became the first British child to have a gastric band fitted he hoped it would be a lifesaver. But seven years on he has issued an urgent warning to doctors after it nearly killed him. The 20-year-old had emergency surgery to remove the band recently after it strangled his bowel, nearly causing it to explode. Now he is calling for medics to stop giving the weight-loss aids to obese youngsters to spare them the agony he has suffered. “I don’t think kids should be given these bands,” he said. “I’ve been through hell because of mine. I think every doctor should refuse to do them on anyone under 18 as it is not the answer.” Emrah has suffered years of agony that have left him barely able to eat or exercise since having the band fitted at the age of 13. Recently the pain became so unbearable his twin sister Jaydan rushed him to hospital. By that time his stomach hurt so much medics were unable even to touch it, and within two hours he had been taken into surgery. He said, “I hadn’t been to the toilet for a few days so they suspected my bowel was blocked, but when I woke up I was shocked to find out they had taken out the band.” Doctors at the hospital told him if he had not been operated on his bowel would have exploded, killing him. Emrah, who is a care worker for disabled teenagers, had been saving up to get the band removed privately but never suspected it was slowly killing him. He said, “My gastric band was a ticking time-bomb. If I had ignored those pains I would have been dead. It’s a massive shock to me but I now realise I should never have had the operation so young. I’m one of the first to have such drastic weight-loss surgery in childhood – but it should have never happened. I should have been put on a diet and made to exercise, not whisked in for surgery.” Emrah’s mother Sharon paid for him to have a gastric band fitted in Belgium in 2007 after he became so trapped in the vicious cycle of depression, comfort eating and being bullied that he tried to end his life. Sharon was Britain’s most obese woman at the time, weighing in at 266kg, and wanted her son to avoid the same fate. Emrah started comfort eating aged facebook.com/peoplemagsa wly Strangled Gastric Band Exclusi A YOUNG man who had a gastric band fitted found out that the device was slowly strangling him to death from within. ve! Around the age of 13, Emrah weighed 106kg nine as he battled depression. Growing up in Chelmsford with mom Sharon and dad Bulent, 51, along with twin Jaydan, sister Paige, now 22, and brother Tyler, 24, he was the only chubby child in the family. He loved junk food and used to scoff three breakfasts a day, eating at 05h00 before his family woke then joining them for a bowl of cereal and gorging on sweets and fizzy drinks on the way to school. He would eat burgers and chips for lunch, then more sweets and crisps on his way home. He had pizza for dinner then complained he was still hungry. He said, “At my worst I was eating around 4 000 calories a day, with sweets my biggest weakness.” As Emrah piled on the weight, the other children at school began to call him ‘fatso’ and ‘fatty’. “Children can be so cruel,” he said. “They’d also tease me about my mom as they knew how big she was. I was fat, my mom was big and I was also starting to battle with my sexuality. But I carried on eating. I was in a vicious circle.” By the age of 13, Emrah weighed 106kg. The bullying was now out of control and, hitting rock bottom, he tried to take his own life. “I just wanted everything to end,” he said. “The bullying, the eating. I needed it to stop and felt killing myself was the only way. Mom knew I was struggling and would do anything she could to help me. I begged her for a gastric band as I desperately wanted to stop eating. Eventually she gave in.” Sharon took him to see a consultant in London and just five days later, after paying R82 000, he was on his way to have the surgery at Obesity Solutions at St Elisabeth Hospital in Zottegem, Belgium. “They never ever really questioned my age. They just agreed to do it. I remember thinking how much I wanted it and I was going to get my way no matter what. Thinking back now I can’t believe how the doctors just agreed to do it on a 13-year-old,” says Emrah. After the operation the weight dropped away but he was unable to ignore the pain. “I never ate properly for quite a few years because I noticed that every time I did eat, I would throw up,” he said. “My band was definitely too tight and I’d go back to the doctors to get it loosened. They would always loosen it a little but it was never enough and I looked skinny and pale. I wasn’t getting the nutrients I needed to grow properly. I tried to eat but was lucky if anything stayed down. I mostly ate soups, mash and soft foods like mince meat.” He added, “I’ve been in pain for years especially when I’d exercise or eat. I’d cry from the pain so I basically stopped.” Emrah says he has spent R60 000 on follow-up procedures since the original operation. “My mouth would often be so dry I couldn’t keep water down and I’d have to go off for another emergency appointment.” Three years after his op Emrah lost his mother, just 12 months after she had her own gastric band fitted. At her peak she weighed 285kg Tell Us Your Story! E-mail [email protected] WE PRINT, WE PAY! Emrah lost weight – as the band allowed him to eat hardly anything and spent the last two months of her life on a strengthened bed in hospital. Stomach-stapling or gastric banding operations used to be considered too risky for youngsters, often driving desperate parents of morbidly obese children to pay for treatment abroad. Experts have now warned that travelling to foreign clinics for complex weight-loss surgery can lead to problems like Emrah’s, as proper checks and after-care appointments are often not given. Tam Fry of the UK’s National Obesity Forum says, “If you go abroad you’re essentially no longer on the list of any English NHS facility and essential follow-up care doesn’t happen. Children need to be under the care of a specialist for at least three years before surgery takes place to ensure it’s the right decision.” Surgery is only offered on the NHS when children have reached puberty, have a BMI index of at least 40 and only as a last resort when all other efforts to slim down have failed. More than 200 British children have had the weight-loss surgery since Emrah’s pioneering treatment in 2007. Emrah is now calling for the practice to end. “The surgeons shouldn’t have let me have it without exhausting all the other options. I was overeating to mask my issues which could have been helped with counselling. I feel lucky to be alive but action must be taken to protect under-18s, who are not mature enough to make a decision like this. Having a gastric band will affect the rest of your life.” www.peoplemagazine.co.za PEOPLE 77 d w s c t s be violent and unsparing © Auspac Media - mq1330 (7) 13. .. 5394 ÷ 6 15. .. 129 ÷ 3 16. .. 1484 ÷ 7 19. .. 930 ÷ 5 20. .. 203 - 64 Cryptic to Crossword No. 2180 21. .. 1610 ÷ 23.Solution .. 4610 ÷ 5 S F S I M I D 25. E.. 4130 +1 ÷ 5 T 22.DI ..T 349 T O R A V E N 23.I ..L 4730 ÷ E R S A T V E÷ 5 A 27. I.. 1450 A O .. 2020 E D.. G S 29. ÷ 21E× 4 O G 24. S U S P E C T E D E T ÷ 8E M 26. ..L 287 - 4 T I 30. N.. 2920 A A T.. N C32. ÷ 13I ×P5 P A N28.A ..M 3844 L C N A G D 112 B - 28 R .. 63 G I A 30. L 293 A + O S.. T N33. E × 4 M O G N T ÷ 4N A34. I.. 804 31. .. 13 PUZZLE ANSWERS Even ACROSS 1. .. 696 - 5 Exchange 4. .. 118 - 7 7. .. 613 - 12 10. .. 347 × 2 12. .. 333 + 147 14. .. 5 × 3 15. .. 357 + 135 17. .. 13 × 7 18. .. 54 + 659 Arrow Word R B M A S T I C A T E R O A S T T O A E A T S S I L E N C E Sudoku Maths Quiz 6 7 6 9 1 5 7 4 8 2 8 4 4 CELEBRITY WORDMATCH Killer Kakuru 4 1 2 4 2 3 1 3 1 3 1 8 5 2 1 2 3 3 8 9 1 1 9 7 2 3 1 1 4 3 2 1 2 1 4 5 3 1 2 1 2 4 7 8 9 8 9 5 7 2 4 8 9 4 9 7 1 1 2 3 8 9 1 1 9 7 2 3 3 1 1 5 6 2 3 1 3 1 3 2 4 2 1 4 Kids Maze Find a word that can follow the word on the left and precede the word on the right. When you have filled in all the answers, the name of a celebrity can be read from top to bottom in one of the lines. Celeb Wordmatch NUCLEAR F A M I L Y MAN G U I L T Y PLEASURE NOT WITCH D O C T O R WHO - C H A S E RAINBOWS LEFT B R A I N - FREEZE G R E A S E MONKEY P I L L O W TALK - S C A L E RULER C R A S H - LAND M A I D E N NAME T E N N I S COURT S K E T C H SHOW www.peoplemagazine.co.za Codebreaker 9 1 6 0 1 4 8 4 9 1 3 8 9 6 4 3 6 0 5 1 1 6 4 2 1 3 2 2 2 5 2 0 Go Figure 1 1 8 0 9 1 9 5 9 0 6 5 1 © Auspac Media - mq1330 Jumbo Crossword ACROSS: 3. KAYAK 7. SAUCY 11. ASCOT 17. ABSENT 18. BOOTS 19. HEIST 20. LUSTRE 21. ATLAS 22. UPSET 23. LORDS 24. SHELVE 25. THEME 26. DIVAN 27. SKIMPY 28. EMCEE 29. PRODS 30. NEWTS 31. LEI 32. EON 33. SCATTY 37. CHEVRON 40. ABROAD 44. ANKLE 48. BLESS 50. ORDEAL 51. RHYME 53. ACCUSE 54. ALTO 56. CELL 58. FLU 59. BACKUP 60. PAS 62. FIGURE 63. EVA 65. RABBI 66. BURKA 67. NAVEL 68. CHEST 71. REEVE 74. GRIT 75. ASSET 77. NOVEL 79. ALOE 80. FAIL 81. OAF 82. UNIT 83. EDAM 84. SPEAR 86. LINED 88. BERG 89. SHEAR 91. CEASE 94. TRIAL 96. TURNS 98. PUDGE 100. SON 101. UNDULY 102. TOT 103. GEMINI 104. ELS 105. AGAR 109. SIDE 111. CRAVEN 112. ALPHA 113. ORISON 114. ATONE 116. DRESS 118. MEDUSA 120. RESISTS 123. REDEEM 125. SKI 128. PEG 130. CURVE 132. DONUT 134. OFFER 137. DISMAL 138. ARROW 139. TEMPO 140. NAVAHO 141. DELLS 142. DELTA 143. IRONS 144. SHOVEL 145. EUROS 146. ERECT 147. ASSIZE 148. TESTS 149. STARS 150. SENSE DOWN: 1. DAMSEL 2. ASTERISK 3. KNAVE 4. ATTEMPT 5. ABATE 6. KOSHER 7. STUMP 8. ASPERSE 9. CHEDDAR 10. YETIS 11. ASLANT 12. STONE 13. OLDSTER 14. TUSKS 15. STAMPEDE 16. RELY ON 34. CLOT 35. AEROBIC 36. TREACLE 38. HARK 39. OBEY 41. BECAUSE 42. OBSCENE 43. ALEE 45. NYALA 46. FLAUNTS 47. CAVIARE 49. SOLVE 52. YEAR 55. LUBRICATING 57. LEVELHEADED 58. FRAGMENTS 60. PUT TO ROUT 61. SKINFLINT 64. ALLERGIES 69. HEATH 70. SALSA 72. ELUDE 73. VEILS 76. SUE 78. VAN 85. PRALINE 87. ECHELON 89. SLURRED 90. ENDIVES 92 ANILINE 93. EPISODE 95. ROAST 97. ROMP 99. GLENS 106. ACNE 107. CAFE 108. DART 110. IN RE 115. OMISSION 117. EMPHASIS 119. UKULELE 121. SLOWEST 122. STUTTER 124. DUENNAS 125. SADIST 126. VERSUS 127. TOPICS 129. GROCER 130. CADET 131. VALET 132. DODOS 133. TEARS 135. FORTE 136. RASSE Missing Links 1 5 1 2 1 2 4 3 4 3 3 1 2 1 2 2 4 3 4 3 6 6 0 4 2 4 3 3 5 8 2 3 7 7 8 2 5 5 0 6 2 2 9 2 3 9 8 9 6 7 9 0 8 4 3 1 8 8 0 9 0 7 6 2 3 9 5 2 4 5 8 0 4 9 4 5 0 7 9 1 3 7 6 0 3 8 2 1 5 9 5 3 9 6 4 5 5 6 6 2 7 8 5 8 0 6 0 2 0 3 4 1 4 9 1 1 2 1 2 1 0 4 3 0 3 1 9 9 0 0 4 4 8 5 9 8 4 8 0 7 3 1 0 9 8 5 3 6 1 5 6 9 0 6 1 3 4 2 4 7 0 7 7 3 1 9 7 1 9 7 2 9 7 5 7 9 2 4 7 6 0 6 8 3 4 0 1 8 0 4 2 6 8 5 3 8 6 9 8 5 9 1 6 4 6 2 0 4 9 5 1 2 9 3 0 7 2 9 9 8 2 9 4 6 4 8 6 7 8 8 0 7 5 8 0 7 6 3 2 9 0 7 9 2 6 0 6 2 9 3 5 0 3 6 3 4 2 6 Celeb Crossword Giant Wordsearch Numbersearch 1 9 9 3 0 7 2 5 1 6 3 2 6 4 0 3 8 Tatami 1 5 1 5 1 CrissCross 6 7 3 4 8 5 9 7 6 2 8 9 2 5 7 6 3 Kakuru 5 1 6 9 3 7 3 8 1 3 0 7 0 2 1 1 4 Crossword ACROSS 3) WAIT 5) GREED 7) AIDE 11) TOUGH 12) HAIL 13) OVEN 14) EXIST 15) IDLE 16) ADIEU 17) JEER 18) MEANT 19) RAID 21) BOZO 23) IDEAL 24) EDGED 26) EJECT 29) OUNCE 31) SKI 32) TIN 33) OPENED 36) PARAGON 39) GREASE 42) FINE 46) ODDS 48) ESCAPE 50) IMBUE 52) IMPEND 54) FIBRE 55) EARLY 56) EDIBLE 58) PAL 60) GLANCE 62) CHEAP 64) ORGAN 65) DREAD 68) INK 69) ODD 70) DEBUG 74) CUBES 77) HUMAN 79) OCCUPY 80) DEN 81) BREEZE 82) NADIR 86) RUSTY 88) TEMPER 90) EXTRA 91) PAMPER 93) CEDE 95) GERM 97) IMPART 99) STIPEND 102) ROTTEN 104) BUS 107) CAT 109) PECAN 111) PLIED 113) DROPS 116) AMBLE 117) MYTH 118) OLEO 119) HAREM 120) TRIO 121) OXBOW 122) MINI 123) EVENT 124) NEXT 125) SOYA 126) FILET 127) YANG 128) OBESE 129) NEST DOWN 1) STUMPS 2) MUTATION 3) WHITE 4) THERE 5) GLADE 6) DOUBT 7) ANJOU 8) EERIE 9) DIGESTED 10) STOLEN 20) ADD 22) ZOO 25) DIN 27) JAR 28) COG 30) CUE 34) PEER 35) ERA 37) AMID 38) OVER 40) RIP 41) SODA 43) IRISH 44) SELLS 45) DIMLY 47) DELTA 49) SEEP 51) BRAG 53) NEED 57) IONIC 58) PROUD 59) LADEN 61) NUDGE 62) CAD 63) EBB 66) ELM 67) DON 71) EVADE 72) GORE 73) SPIRE 75) BELT 76) TRIPE 77) HERE 78) ALTER 83) ITEM 84) BENT 85) PAIN 87) URGE 89) PAR 92) MOO 94) DISABLES 96) ENCIRCLE 98) ACE 100) ILL 101) EYE 103) TOP 104) BEAKER 105) ANY 106) ODE 108) TOMATO 109) PETTY 110) AMONG 111) PHOTO 112) DOWSE 114) ROMAN 115) SHIFT Spot The Difference 1. Clothesline is missing 2. Handle is shorter 3. Sweatshirt is shorter 4. Can is missing 5. Crossed arms are switched 6. Rake is missing WordDoku THE PEOPLE BEHIND EDITOR Andrea Caknis MANAGING EDITOR Gabrielle Ozynski CHIEF SUB-EDITOR Matthew Holland SUB-EDITOR Mark Wasserman FASHION EDITOR Suzy Mukendi ASSISTANT FASHION EDITOR Deneal Florence BEAUTY EDITOR Carli Prinsloo ART CONTENT DIRECTOR Kathy Dry CREATIVE DIRECTOR Chris van Wyk CONTENT/VIDEOGRAPHER/DESIGNER Matthew Engelbrecht DESIGNER Courtney Moore PRODUCTION MANAGER Yvonne Albers @baterim PICTURE EDITOR Brenda Taylor ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Pearl Mphuthi [email protected] @mphuthi_pearl NEWS AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Eugenia Booi [email protected] @thibi27 DIGITAL EDITOR Bridgette Matjuda [email protected] PHOTOGRAPHER Tamika Miller JOURNALIST Zara Briner OFFICE MANAGER Vera Fourie CAXTON MAGAZINE EDITORIAL OFFICES: Suko Private Bag X005, Roosevelt Park, 2129. 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Kim Zolciak GROUP ADVERTISING MANAGER: Eugene Marais Johannesburg: (011) 293-6000 KwaZulu-Natal: (031) 910-5800 Cape Town: (021) 530-8600 CLASSIFIED SALES Gary Wium (011) 889-0885 [email protected] BOOKINGS AND MATERIAL/ MEDIA COORDINATOR Danica Thomas: Tel (011) 889-0614 Fax 086 677 1306 PRINTING: CTP Gravure, Durban (Pty) Ltd DISTRIBUTION Republican News Agency (RNA), 12 Nobel Street Industria, 2093 PO Box 101, Maraisburg, 1700 Tel: (011) 248-3500 Fax: (011) 474-3583 E-mail: [email protected] SUBSCRIPTIONS: (021) 530-3383 PUBLISHER AND PROPRIETOR: CTP Limited www.peoplemagazine.co.za November 13, 2015, VOL 29 NO 46 www.peoplemagazine.co.za WHO’S A PR SOURCE: PAN MEDIA SICK BOY?  A MAN who had his face and eyeballs tattooed to look like his pet parrots has gone a step further – by cutting off his ears. B ONKERS Ted Richards, 56, is obsessed with pets parrots Ellie, Teaka, Timneh, Jake and Bubi and has had his face tattooed with colourful feathers. But the animal nut – who has 110 tattoos, 50 piercings and a split tongue – has now had both his ears removed by a surgeon in a six-hour operation. Eccentric Ted has given his severed ears to a friend who ‘will appreciate them’ and is now planning to find a surgeon prepared to turn his nose into a beak. “I think it looks really great. I love it. It’s the best thing that has happened to me. I am so happy, it’s unreal. I can’t stop looking in the mirror. I’ve done it because I want to look like my parrots as much as possible. I’ve had my hair long for so many years my ears have been covered up. I have to admit I used to get teased at school about my ears but that’s not the reason I’ve had it done,” says Ted, adding, “The kids are running up to me and asking to see gory photos – they just love it. They are just so fascinated. I was really surprised – I thought they were more likely to run away.” Ted, a retired shoe factory worker, got his first tattoo in 1976 and has since built up a collection covering almost his entire body. He also has a peace sign branded on his left shoulder with a 750o C hot iron, and has two magnets implanted in his hands. He shares his home in Hartcliffe, Bristol with his four parrots, as well as South American green iguana Iggy, and pitbull terrier, Candy. He scours the Internet looking for new procedures and says his facial transformation is a tribute to his ‘babies’ – Ellie, a greenwinged macaw, and Teaka, a harlequin macaw. Ted is keeping tight-lipped about who carried out the six-hour operation, but insists he is ‘happier than ever’, and has even now got himself a girlfriend, Suzannah, 31. Ted and his girlfriend, Suzannah 82 PEOPLE RETTY Exclusive! He’s had his ears removed, and has had a metal rod added to hold up his glasses Since undergoing the operation Ted says the only issue he has is keeping his glasses in place – so he has had two small metal pins added to the side of his head. “I went to the supermarket the other day and when I went in I said, ‘Gosh, it’s so windy out there it blew my ears off’, and everybody had a chuckle. There’s no doubt that when they made me they broke the mould. But seriously, I love the fact that I’m unique and I have always wanted to be different.” The practice of removing someone’s ears was historically done as an act of physical punishment in England called ‘cropping’. Marc Pacifico, a consultant plastic surgeon and member of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, has slammed the surgery. “I am absolutely horrified to learn that someone has voluntarily put themselves forward for this to be done and possibly more so that he found somebody to actually carry it out. The sad truth of life, though, is that if you want something badly enough you will eventually find someone willing to do it. I would like to think whoever did this is not medically qualified because that would call into judgement their ethics and morals.” Pacifico went further. “As an accredited plastic surgeon you have to have a great sense of moral and ethical responsibility. I can only assume the ethical code and moral compass of whoever did this in nonexistent.” Says Ted, “It took a while to do because there is only one other person in the world who has had it done. They are in America and transgender, and they want to look like a lizard. But they had one done first and then the other later, but I had both done at the same time. They’ve also had their nose done to look like a beak. I like that and I am seriously considering doing that. The surgeon who did my ears has years of medical experience, and he would be able to do it, no problem.” The risks of the six-hour surgery to remove his ears didn’t seem to bother Ted. “I could have died from a massive infection or Follow us on twitter.com/people_sa Ted wanted to look more like his pet parrots something. It’s a major job. It came so close to my skull, as when you look at me full on you can’t see anything. And the nerve endings and blood vessels too. Everything is risky, but I wasn’t worried one bit. If there had been any major complications it was down to me [not the surgeon]. But I’m lucky as I heal so quickly,” he said. Ted says he no longer speaks to his family and has just two friends. “But the parrots love it. And I met someone, Suzannah, who I’m moving in with in Brighton. She loves it as she is into body modification as well. She is going to get a lot more done. We’re going to go crazy. I might get 16 transdermals put into my head to look like a Mohican, or something like that, but it will definitely be another big mod. Suzannah has got something I have never had the chance of having – children. Because my ex didn’t want any so I had a vasectomy. She has a 10-yearold and a two-year-old.” Responding to his critics, Ted says, “Bring it on. The only people who show negativity are people who want it done or other artists who I didn’t go to. I know I’m going to get the white coat people coming round saying it’s completely illegal. They say we can’t do what we want to do to make us look like we want to. But my argument is, ‘What’s stopping me going abroad and having cosmetic surgery done by an iffy surgeon, coming back here, having complications and getting the NHS to sort them out free of charge’?” www.peoplemagazine.co.za Horoscope BY WILLIAM SMITH ARIES: Mar 21 – Apr 20 TAURUS: Apr 21 – May 20 Your Week: Focus on agreements and arrangements as this session marks significant turning points as regards such matters. You can tie up some good contracts. It is also opportune to clarify important concerns involving family and close companions. Taken: Pleasant influences prevail. You can put your union on a happier basis. Single: If you are lonesome, an introduction could lead to a new heart affair. Power Days: Wednesday & Thursday (shared goals) Lucky Numbers: 8, 12, 22, 23, 42, 47 GEMINI: May 21 – Jun 21 Your Week: Your enhanced intuition enables you to accomplish notable things. You are now seeing wonderful opportunities where none existed hitherto, and could latch on to a profitable scheme along with a friend who matches you in important ways. Taken: You and your mate need to get and stay on the same emotional wavelength. Single: Friendship is highlighted. An introduction could prove rather exciting. Power Days: Monday & Tuesday (good advice) Lucky Numbers: 6, 8, 14, 25, 33, 44 CANCER: Jun 22 – Jul 23 Your Week: Try to get a really good grip on your thoughts and feelings – especially if a secret worry or deep anxiety has made you restless. Once you gain proper control, you will move forward with fresh ideas – and should have plenty of fun. Taken: A smoother trend could see you enjoying the renewal of your relationship. Single: Your yearning could be satisfied – depending on how well you word yourself. Power Days: Wednesday & Thursday (planning ahead) Lucky Numbers: 2, 14, 24, 29, 35, 48 LEO: Jul 24 – Aug 23 Your Week: Progress is indicated concerning business or career. You may get an unexpected break that results in financial betterment. A step-up in the professional zone appears possible. Success is an application away if you are hunting for a job. Taken: Relating may not be very exciting yet should be generally satisfactory. Single: Your romantic prospects have brightened so go after your desire. Power Days: Monday & Tuesday (career concerns) Lucky Numbers: 1, 9, 17, 20, 38, 40 VIRGO: Aug 24 – Sep 22 Your Week: It is opportune to indulge your social instinct so get out and about. You can now enjoy light-hearted contact with old friends and new acquaintances. By increasing your personal network, you will discover new and different interests. Taken: Play it cleverly. Find out what your partner really wants and supply it. Single: Your ability to communicate and good humour boosts your popularity. Power Days: Wednesday & Thursday (new friendships) Lucky Numbers: 9, 17, 22, 26, 38, 49 LIBRA: Sep 23 – Oct 22 Your Week: Your current love of quiet and solitude will do you a world of good. Recovery from personal anguish should be rapid if you resort to meditation. You really can be as one with the universal power. Soul restoration ought to be your aim. Taken: Set out to enjoy good times with your sweetheart during this pleasant cycle. Single: A good friend can be a helpful matchmaker. You may find your truelove. Power Days: Monday & Tuesday (private issues) Lucky Numbers: 8, 12, 15, 26, 31, 44 SCORPIO: Oct 23 – Nov 22 Your Week: An optimistic outlook ought to go a long way toward enhancing your popularity. Your show of self-assurance will inspire confidence in others with benevolent consequences for your personal and worldly aims. Seize your chances eagerly. Taken: A frank discussion with your opposite number should sort out differences. Single: You could make a thrilling romantic conquest if you are free to have fun. Power Days: Wednesday & Thursday (worldly aims) Lucky Numbers: 3, 13, 17, 25, 35, 49 Your Week: Be conscientious about your tasks. You will be immeasurably respected for doing them well. Good discipline must also be applied to diet and fitness because good habits will make you a great performer. Foster congenial relationships at work. Taken: Show how much you care by promoting joint interests above personal aims. Single: An admirer’s smile excites you and gives your confidence a nice boost. Power Days: Monday & Tuesday (health measures) Lucky Numbers: 3, 7, 10, 15, 20, 22 ASTRO PROFILE WHAT THE STARS SAY ABOUT... WHOOPI GOLDBERG November 13, 1955 A PIC: WWW.ELITEPHOTOAGENCY.COM October 23 – November 22 MERICAN actress and comedienne Whoopi Goldberg’s real name is Caryn Elaine Johnson. In between getting small parts on Broadway, Whoopi worked as a bricklayer and sometimes in a funeral parlour before making her mark as a superstar. She has won an Emmy, an Oscar, a Grammy, a Tony, and two Golden Globe awards. Sun, Moon, Mercury and Saturn in Scorpio, with Aquarius Rising, at her birth served to make Whoopi extremely determined and purposeful as well as unique and innovative; while Mars and Neptune in Libra inclined her toward a performing career and favoured her with abundant charm and artistic talent. Uranus in Leo and Venus in Sagittarius accounts for her warm personality and offbeat sense of humour respectively. No wonder she took her name from the whoopi cushion, and actually considered calling herself ‘Whoopi Cushion’ (joking that she was often full of gas) until her mother Emma persuaded to opt for the Jewish name ‘Goldberg’. 84 PEOPLE www.peoplemagazine.co.za SAGITTARIUS: Nov 23 – Dec 21 CAPRICORN: Your Week: Think about having good fortune regarding money and property because that will put you in the mood to do business at a favourable time. Substantial gains are surely within your grasp, and the onus is on you to close those deals quickly. Taken: Your relationship now runs smoothly. Your mate really understands you. Single: New friendships are coming your way. You may find romance in the process. Power Days: Monday & Tuesday (financial issues) Lucky Numbers: 4, 18, 24, 25, 37, 42 AQUARIUS: Jan 21 – Feb 19 Your Week: Act now to improve your standing in your community or within your home. Safety and security should be among your main concerns. Much can be achieved now that you are enjoying generally easy relationships with folk in your surroundings. Taken: Show compassion as it will bring harmony and warmth to your partnership. Single: You can now get on very well with everybody – perhaps make a new love match. Power Days: Monday & Tuesday (family matters) Lucky Numbers: 4, 7, 8, 12, 16, 22 Dec 22 – Jan 20 Your Week: The greater the scope and flow of your plans, the bigger and quicker the gains you will reap. Resolve to think positively and to plan constructively, and put your notions across eagerly. Curiosity and observation ought to enlighten you. Taken: You can now establish a suitable working arrangement with your partner. Single: You are feeling affectionate and could attract that special somebody. Power Days: Wednesday & Thursday (vital talks) Lucky Numbers: 1, 14, 21, 27, 37, 45 PISCES: Feb 20 – Mar 20 Your Week: You are quick to click on to the good feelings in others, and will accordingly become more spirited and responsive. Luck favours you through positive connections and you will be kept quite busy with some excellent options to consider. Taken: Nurture the love you share by becoming a more entertaining partner. Single: This round should be full of stimulating social activity and variety. Power Days: Wednesday & Thursday (romantic treats) Lucky Numbers: 1, 6, 11, 14, 19, 23 facebook.com/peoplemagsa TELL US YOUR STORY. E-mail [email protected]. WE PRINT, WE PAY! THEM? ‘Disappointed By My Brother’ THE largest number of missing children worldwide are runaways, then family abductions, being lost or injured, and non-family abductions. SHE thought she knew her brother. She was wrong. “I BLESSING MOAGI Disappeared: October 1, 2015 Age: Nine Blessing left home in De Deur and has been missing ever since. PRETTY SIFUNDZA Disappeared: October 1, 2015 Age: 22 Pretty left home in Low’s Creek and has been missing ever since. AYANDA MQWA Disappeared: June 6, 2015 Age: 22 Ayanda left home in Hillbrow and has been missing ever since. # HELPLINES POWA: Telephone: (011) 642-4345/6 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.powa.co.za Rape Crisis (021) 447-1467 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.rapecrisis.org.za Lifeline (011) 715-2000 / 0800 012 322 Childline 082 233 2333 or 0800 055 555 SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection And Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) (011) 403-3413 Teddy Bear Clinic (011) 481-5161 Aids Helpline 0800 012 322, or (011) 880-0405 Web: www.aidsinfo.co.za Anorexia and Bulimia Family Support Group (011) 640-1965 Web: www.edsupport.co.za Cancercare Centre (011) 646-5628 SA Depression & Anxiety Support Group (SADAG) (011) 783-1474 or (011) 884-1797 Alcoholics Anonymous South Africa (011) 452-9907 SANCA (011) 482-1070 Gamblers Anonymous 0800 006 008 IF you think you’ve seen any of these people, or would like to report a missing person, contact the Bureau For Missing People on (012) 393-2005, or fax (012) 393-2012. Missing people can contact the bureau to let them know they’re alive and well – even if they don’t want to get in touch with family. IN South Africa alone, almost 1 000 children are reported missing every year. The actual figure is probably much higher. Currently the police have an 82 percent success rate finding the children. Ideally they’d like to achieve a 100 percent success rate. But they need your help! Have you seen any of these people? Follow us on twitter.com/people_sa TOLD BY ANONYMOUS / EDITED BY EUGENIA BOOI KATLEGO SEGONE Disappeared: September 4, 2015 Age: 10 Katlego left home in Sophiatown and has been missing ever since. PATRICIA NKOSI Disappeared: September 30, 2015 Age: 14 Patricia left home in Tokoza and has been missing ever since. My Stories WAS born in the Eastern Cape and I’m the youngest of four siblings. We moved to Johannesburg after my parents bought a house in Diepkloof. We loved everything about Soweto – its environment and how people interacted with each other. I enrolled at a private school. Waking up every morning was something to look forward too. I made friends easily and instantly became popular. I was famous for my personality because I got along with everyone in my grade. I was the kind of girl who everyone can talk to. My family was proud of me, especially my brother. He was 10 years older than I and we had a very special bond. We did everything together and I enjoyed watching soccer with him. I’m grateful that my parents treated us equally. One afternoon I came back home from a long day at school. I overheard my brother speaking to an unfamiliar guy. He was a weird looking man. I sensed a bad vibe about him and the way he looked made me uncomfortable. They were in our family sitting room, pretending to watch TV. I knew my brother was up to no good because he was acting strangely. It was unlike him. They exchanged packages and I knew that something illegal was happening. I was shocked and couldn’t believe that the man I looked up to was involved in drugs. I confided in my sister. She said she’d talk to our parents and promised to confront my brother about his illicit behaviour. To think that he invited dangerous and shady strangers in our home is frightful. My father spoke to my brother and he eventually agreed to seek help.” ‘To think that he invited dangerous and shady strangers in our home is frightful.’ ‘Living With Autism’ THIS reader speaks about the challenges of being autistic. “M Y family is an autism family – my brother, Dylan, and I are both autistic. I am 21 and I also have Asperger’s Syndrome, while my brother, who is 19, has severe autism. He cannot speak, read or write. Life has not always been easy and there are times when the stress levels in our house are extremely high. Each day comes with new challenges. We do things differently so that Dylan can remain calm and happy. If he gets upset he has very bad meltdowns and I get very stressed when this happens in public places – people always stare at us. My parents have raised me to be the best that I can be. My mother homeschooled me for 10 years so that I could do the work at my own pace, without the other children teasing and bullying me, which caused me stress and I couldn’t cope. Today I have a registered vocational certificate for my hard work. My parents are my support system and they always encourage me to achieve my goals. It is due to their constant support and encouragement that I obtained my driver’s licence two years ago. They try hard and have given up a lot so that my brother and I can have the stability and support that we need on a daily basis. I pray to the Lord each night to help people in this world to accept and try to understand the hardships that autistic individuals go through every day to fit into society. I know that I struggle in social situations and I am very socially awkward. I have strange behaviours that others find weird, but it helps me cope. I have certain routines that cannot be changed; I have no ‘grey areas’ in my life because I don’t understand them. Things are right or wrong, black or white. My goal in life is to help people become more aware of what it is like to live with autism. I have seen a few films featuring characters with autism – like Rain Man – but I have yet to see an animated film or television series focusing on autistic people trying to survive everyday life. This has become a dream of mine to fulfil. My brother and I grew up watching animation (Dreamworks, Disney, Pixar, Nickelodeon etc.) and each movie tells a story that children and adults can relate to. I would really like to be involved in making an animated movie and/or TV series about someone living with autism. Maybe then I will be able to make people in society see what it is like to be judged for being different and help them to understand how to accept us. Autistic individuals have a lot to offer – we just need a chance.” ‘If he gets upset, he has very bad meltdowns and I get very stressed.’ www.peoplemagazine.co.za PEOPLE 85 Dear people HI everybody! Send only one pic to [email protected] with your name and a caption, and put the photo category in the subject line. If your pic doesn’t appear on our Dear people page, go to the Dear people gallery on our website (www. peoplemagazine.co.za) where you can My sister Angi upload your own photos! and her baby girl, Cayli. A. Payne Me, my daughter Kendall and her dad, Petrus. Wilma Harper From the moment I first saw him, he took my breath away. My angel and me. Natasha Singh 86 PEOPLE Riley and me sharing a moment. #speechlessmoments. Love you, Riley. Gregory Jaftha My cousin Letoya and me at Wendy’s in Soweto. Brittney Barnes See more pictures, or upload your own on www.peoplemagazine.co.za www.peoplemagazine.co.za Me and my beautiful baby, Entle. Elizabeth ‘Ouma’ Modimoeng Missy, my cat. She’s waiting for me to make a fire in the fireplace – LOL. Dolly Van Heerden My beautiful son Shayden and daughter Kylie. Stacey Le Roux facebook.com/peoplemagsa MAKE your life easier with these efficient technology tools. Cool Stuff BY LETITIA HEROLD R8 000 Soundbar Samsung THE Samsung Soundbar delivers the ultimate in wireless connectivity and superior sound quality. Featuring the latest audio innovation and superb wireless sound this speaker has been designed to connect to the base of the Samsung range of Smart, Curved UHD and SUHD TVs to create an exceptional, enhanced audio experience. M535 Bluetooth Mouse Logitech THE Logitech M535 Bluetooth Mouse lets you create on virtually any computing device whenever and wherever you choose. Designed with a laser grade optical sensor, the mouse tracks reliably on just about any surface – from metal café tables to tile countertops to your favourite study desk. Simply download the Logitech Options Software and customise both the keyboard and mouse to enhance your experience. PICS: GREAT STOCK PRICE ON REQUEST Snug Viking Case Gammateck R249 A ROBUST, tight-fitting case that protects your smartphone against drops and shocks. It also features an anti-scratch, anti-fingerprint and antidust screen guard. Available in black or white with a clear back to show off your favourite phone. Tech News Keeping An Eye On Surveillance CANON o Tech Exp Innovator event is a one-day networking THE Tech Expo events in Durban, Joburg and Cape Town in November. It’s a beneficial platform for anyone in IT, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. This event assists and encourages young students to be creative and come up with moving and innovative ideas that can be used in the commercial world. For dates or info visit www.techexpo-africa.com. is developing a high-sensitivity network camera that ensures clear visibility even for long-range night-time surveillance. The network camera will make possible the clear viewing, in colour, of distant subjects even under conditions that would prove challenging to the naked eye, such as at night with few ambient light sources. The camera’s imaging capabilities make it ideal for such surveillance applications as crime prevention and the monitoring of natural disaster sites, enabling the viewing of scenes during either night or day. Canon aims to commercialise the new network camera in 2016. STOCKISTS: SAMSUNG: WWW.SAMSUNG.CO.ZA / GAMMATEK: WWW.GAMMATEK.CO.ZA / LOGITECH: WWW.LOGITECH.CO.ZA Follow us on twitter.com/people_sa * Prices checked at time of going to print and are subject to change. www.peoplemagazine.co.za PEOPLE 87 E B U O Y D L COU FF? B B E L E C A lebrity and see if ce gs in th l al of e dg le ow ur kn TAKE the quiz that tests yo iend to the stars! fr st be a be to s ke ta it t ha you have w SOURCE: MAGAZINE FEATURES / PICS: WWW.ELITEPHOTOAGENCY.COM T HINK you know showbiz enough to reach celeb bestie status? Match the famous face to their fave things and see how well you’d do in Hollywood. Iggy Azalea Zac Efron 3. FREQUENTLY-USED EMOJI… Selena Gomez 1. FOOD OF CHOICE… 1. Selena Gomez 2. Katy Perry 3. Justin Bieber 4. Zac Efron A. Mushrooms B. Orange chicken C. Swedish Fish D. Pickles 1. Iggy Azalea 2. Jai Waetford 3. Carly Rae Jepsen 4. Jamie Curry A. Crying/laughing face B. Peace sign C. Dancing lady D. Gun Lady Gaga Demi Lovato Justin Bieber 2. TOP SHOW TO MARATHON… 1. Bethany Mota 2. Anna Kendrick 3. Chris Colfer 4. Emma Stone A. iCarly B. The Vampire Diaries C. Game Of Thrones D. Once Upon A Time 4. MOST-LOV Emma Stone www.peoplemagazine.co.za 1. Lady Gaga ED BOD FEATURE… 2. Demi Lov A. Stomach ato 3. Kim Karda B. Heart shian 4. Sofia Verg C. Eyes ara D. Booty fac 5. FAVE CARTOON CHARACTER… 1. Emma Roberts 2. Hayden Panettiere 3. John Pearce 4. Dave Cameron A. Aladdin B. Alvin C. Powerpuff Girls D. Rapunzel Miley Cyrus T… 6. SIGNATURE SCEN A. Chanel ly e Live 1. Blak 2. Emma Stone 3. Miley Cyrus d 4. Amanda Seyfrie B. Bvlgari C. Acqua di Parma D. Gucci Kylie Jenner Hayden Panettiere 7. BEST CHILDHOOD MOVIE… 1. Kylie Jenner 2. Liam Payne 3. Calum Hood 4. Nick Jonas A. Toy Story B. Mean Girls C. Finding Neverland D. Monsters, Inc. 9. THE ICE-CREAM FLAVOUR THEY LOVE… Katy Perry Kevin Jonas 1. Luke Hemmings 2. Beyoncé 3. Justin Bieber 4. Katy Perry 8. DREAM SUPERPOWER… 1. Nolan Gould 2. Kevin Jonas 3. Lucy Hale 4. Cameron Diaz A. Invisibility B. Be a fly on the wall C. The ability to fly D. Telekinesis A. Cookies & Cream B. Butter Pecan C. Salted Caramel D. Cotton Candy Bella Thorne 10. THEY SHOP TILL THEY DROP AT… 1. Emma Roberts 2. Hilary Duff 3. Bella Thorne 4. Blake Lively A. Chanel B. Topshop C. Gucci D. Forever 21 GIVE yourself one point for every correct answer and then tally up the results. ANSWERS. 1. 1. D 2. A 3. C 4. B 2. 1.D 2.C 3.B 4. A 3. 1. D 2.A 3.B 4. C 4. 1.B 2.D 3.A 4.C 5. 1.C 2.B 3.A 4. D 6. 1.D 2.A 3.C 4. B 7. 1.B 2.A 3.D 4. C 8. 1.D 2.C 3.B 4 .A 9. 1.A 2.B 3.D 4. C 10. 1.B 2.C 3.D 4.A 1 – 3 LOST IN HOLLYWOOD IF you were to stumble upon a star-studded party, you’d be as awkward as K-Pez and T-Swizzle in a room together (oops, chances are you didn’t even get that reference). A major celeb study sesh is in order, so hit your people collection and browse through the goss to get up to speed with the stars. Maybe one day you’ll be Hollywood material. Follow us on twitter.com/people_sa Follow us on twitter.com/people_sa 4 – 7 CASUAL ACQUAINTANCES YOU’D have some pretty great dinnertable banter with Selena Gomez and you’d enjoy some delish ice-cream with Luke Hemmings for dessert, but if Anna Kendrick asked you to marathon with her, you wouldn’t know what to put on – eek! Follow as many celebs as poss on Insta and Twitter, and you’ll be on your way to celeb BFF status in to time. Trust us, this is the fun kind of homework. 8 – 10 BESTIE TO THE STARS YOWZA, talk about a Hollywood hotshot! We’re seriously impressed. You cyber-stalk celebs every day and you’re all too familiar with that incredible feeling of being retweeted and double-tapped by a big-name star. You’d have the time of your life shopping with Blake Lively and having emoji wars with Iggy A. Ever thought of starting a star blog? It could be your calling... www.peoplemagazine.co.za INTERESTING facts about the world we live in. A Battle With Time  FISHING is the world’s most participative sport, while football is the world’s most popular spectator sport.  FORMER basketball player Shaquille O’Neal wears a size 22 shoe.  A PERSON’S heart beats over 100 000 times a day.  LIZARDS can self-amputate their tails when they encounter a predator. The tail, which contains a portion of the spinal cord, is voluntarily detached by muscular contractions that break it off at a weak point within a single vertebra.  SNAILS are related to shellfish. They are considered molluscs, which puts them in the same category as oysters, clams and mussels.  IF looked after properly, goldfish can live for up to 30 to 40 years.  THERE are 10-million bricks in the Empire State Building.  ELLEN DEGENERES is the only woman in history to have hosted both the Oscar and Emmy Awards shows.  BOXING became a legal sport in 1901.  NICOLE KIDMAN is a lepidopterophobe, which means she has a fear of butterflies.  MATT DAMON used to break-dance for money in the middle of Harvard Square, Massachusetts when he was a teenager.  THE word ‘ketchup’ originally meant ‘fish sauce’ and was created in the 17th century by the Chinese after mixing pickled fish and spices together.  A WATERMELON comprises 92 percent water and six percent sugar.  THE state of Florida is bigger than England and has a land mass of 58 560 square miles. THIS boy has been diagnosed with a disease that makes him age prematurely. Exclusive! N IHAL BITLA is a 14-yearold boy with bright eyes and childlike innocence, but he has the body of an elderly man, with wrinkled leathery skin, a bald enlarged head and withered limbs. Nihal, who lives on the outskirts of Mumbai, India suffers from a rare genetic disorder called Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome, which causes him to age eight times faster than normal. “I ignore it now if people stare at me because of the way I look,” says Nihal, who stopped going to school five years ago because he was being teased about his condition by his classmates. Nihal also doesn’t like the Bollywood movie Paa so much. While he was always the odd boy out because of the way he looked, school life became all the more difficult for him after the movie was released. The movie had Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan play a progeria patient named ‘Auro’. Nihal’s fellow students began teasing him, calling him ‘Auro’. The last straw was when a fellow student told him he too would suffer a heart attack like Auro did in the movie. Tired of his fellow pupils’ barbs, he stopped going to school. Repeated attempts by teachers, who felt he was a bright student, to get him back to class failed. Some of his friends tried too, but Nihal didn’t budge. Now he stays home on most days, rarely ever stepping out of the house, and spends all his time either painting or surfing the Internet. Nihal has a kind, gentle nature and gets on well with his siblings. His younger brother Lucky is particularly fond of him and spends many hours playing with him. He has three wishes in his life – one is to meet ASIMO, the robot made by Honda in Japan; the second wish is to visit Disneyland in California, and the last wish he says he will reveal at an appropriate time. “I just want to try to fulfil my son’s wishes for now,” says Nihal’s father Srinivas Bitla, who owns a small cellphone repair shop, with a ray of hope and resolve of a devoted caring parent. Progeria is believed to have inspired the story of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, which was the basis for a film starring Brad Pitt, about a character born as an elderly man who then ages backwards. For years the family did not know what was wrong with Nihal. He appeared healthy until the age of 18 months, when his parents noticed Nihal and his father, Srinivas Bitla 90 PEOPLE SOURCE: PAN MEDIA Did You children regardless of gender or ethnicity, and is caused by a genetic mutation. The mutation occurs in the gene LMNA, which is responsible for producing a protein that helps maintain the structural integrity of the nucleus in cells. Without strength in the nucleus, the cell structure is weak and leads to rapid aging. While the syndrome is genetic, it is not thought to be hereditary. Parents who have one child affected with progeria can also have children who are unaffected. The symptoms of progeria normally begin to appear before or around the child’s first birthday. Children with progeria are born looking like healthy babies, but begin to age rapidly from there. They fail to develop in height and weight and lose body fat. They also typically lose hair, develop visible scalp veins, and some light Nihal with his toys have stiff joints. Their skin often looks aged patches or worn, with protruding eyes, beaked nose and dark and thin lips. They easily dislocate hips, spots on his and eventually suffer from heart disorders skin. In the and stroke. It is very common for children following with progeria to develop hardening in their years it was arteries, or atherosclerosis. clear that However, ongoing research in Boston, USA something has identified some promising options, and was a few sufferers have received treatment for drastically complications from the disease, including wrong: he aspirin regimen, medications (such as did not grow coagulants and statins) or physical therapy. and develop Progeria is, however, a fatal syndrome. as a child Srinivas says that Nihal was the first person in normally India to be discovered with Hutchinson-Gilford would. His progeria syndrome, although it was not until joints were five years ago that Dr Parag Tamhankar, weak, his a paediatrician and geneticist in Mumbai, hair fell out, made the diagnosis. Dr Tamhankar referred his veins Nihal to the Progeria Research Foundation in became very prominent, and his skin aged rapidly. Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome Boston. Nihal went last December to undergo treatment, which uses a cancer drug called (HGPS) is a rare, fatal genetic condition characterised by an appearance of accelerated Lonafarnib. Nihal is one of 40 children from around aging in children. Its name is derived from the world who are part of clinical trials at Greek and means ‘prematurely old’. While the Progeria Research Foundation, where there are different forms of progeria, the scientists are working on a drug that may classic type is HGPS, which was named after be able to slow down the ageing the doctors who first described process involved in this disease, it: In England in 1886 by Dr a farnesyltransferase inhibitor Jonathan Hutchinson; and (or FTI) which was discovered in 1897 by Dr Hastings back in 2012. Gilford. Progeria is While the Progeria very rare and affects Research Foundation has only one in 4 – identified 125 children 8-million children. with progeria globally, Those with progeria as mentioned before it live to an average believes there are many of 14 years only. more out there, and is trying The Progeria Research to find them with its global Foundation says there are Asimo campaign, ‘Find The Other 150’, in the 200 – 250 kids living with the hopes that it can administer treatment. syndrome at any given time. It affects Follow us on twitter.com/people_sa Mnandi News BY JACQUI THOMPSON SPREADING FEEL-GOOD NEWS W ANT to say thank you? Got something positive to say about someone? Has a stranger done a good deed for you? Have you received outstanding service from a place or a person? We want to know about it. No kind deed should go unacknowledged. E-mail [email protected] or sms the word ‘Mnandi’ to 48408. Keep your message to about 50 words and include your name or pseudonym and area. PLEASE give a massive thank you to EFC (Extreme Fighting Championship) and MMA’s (Mixed Martial Arts) Danella Eliasov. She donated all of her winnings to a charity working in the townships. She’s a tough woman with a big heart and keeps her word. Respect! Mark Joubert, Linden BIG ups to Busisiwe Ntele at SARS Rissik Street. Great service received, fast and effective. Keep it up, please. Sizakele Majola, Johannesburg I TOOK a chance and called one of those guys who advertise on handmade signs at robots for DStv repairs when the big companies could not come out the same day. Jacob came out immediately and sorted my problem out. Sometimes we need to take a chance on someone. It was a win for both of us. LW Forrester, Paulshof THANKS to the Xhosa guy at Nedbank Sandton City, teller six, working on Tuesday October 6. He made sure I didn’t have to queue as I had my five-month-old baby with me. That made a lot of difference. Thanks, bhuti. Sizakele Majola, Johannesburg WE were on a very full Gautrain carriage on the way to the airport. Thank you to the young man who stood up immediately to offer his seat to our elderly companion. We travel a great deal and have not always experienced this kindness. Grant and Jemma, Suffolk, UK A FRIEND of our child attended a birthday party for a nine-year-old, Kylie, who asked that instead of presents people brought pet food which she donated to her chosen charity. We wish to say thank you to her and her parents who have raised a thoughtful child. Phillips Lewis, Mondeor www.peoplemagazine.co.za ‘MY CHILD’S DEATH SOURCE: CYNTHIA VICE ACOSTA Exclusive! Saved Four Lives’ THE story of a selfless mother who donated her little daughter’s organs to change the lives of many others. C ARING, smart and generous, Lauressa Swedberg of North Platte, Nebraska was always the strongest one of her three sisters. As a young girl, she’d make dinner and take care of her younger sister, Quincy, because her drugaddicted mother lacked the skills or desire to be a loving parent. At age 19, she counselled abandoned and neglected children about the importance of perseverance and courage since she knew what it was like to work and live on her own as a teenager. But when she was told that her three-year-old daughter had an inoperable brain tumour, the 31-year-old mother of two was devastated. Shocked and feeling helpless, in her sorrow she began thinking of the suffering of other mothers who were facing similar challenges because their sick child was dying. So in the weeks leading up to Olivia’s death, Lauressa and her husband Brock agreed to share their little girl’s organs with strangers. “What better way was there to honour Olivia’s infectious love for life?” asked the grieving mother. “It wasn’t easy to see her take her last breath – the second worst day of my life. The first was when she was diagnosed, but I know that she continues to live in others. At such a young age, her life already had purpose and I was privileged to know her those few years.” When Olivia Rae Swedberg was pronounced brain dead on June 30, 2015, doctors rushed to harvest her organs to save the lives of four people and give sight to one other. Her liver was given to two-year-old Lucas Goeller; small intestines to four-year-old Angelo Giorno; heart to 22-month-old Kevon Long; and kidneys to 22-year-old Scott Saunders. One of her corneas was transplanted to an as yet unidentified person. “I feel my family has grown since Olivia died,” Lauressa said demurely. She’s become fast friends with Lucas’s parents, has connected with Angelo’s relatives and Kevon’s mother; and had lunch with Scott and his new wife. Unfortunately, Angelo died of an unrelated virus two months after his transplant. While her life has been enriched by the many people she has met or connected with since her daughter’s death, she still cries ‘at the most random times’ and has trouble concentrating or doing simple tasks because she misses Olivia so much. “She was a daddy’s girl. She got pride out of helping out – emptying 92 PEOPLE www.peoplemagazine.co.za The Swedberg family: Brock and Lauressa with Olivia and Sophie the dishwasher or organising his nails and screws in the tool shed. She’d dance in the kitchen, loved playing with my hair, colour and draw and was strong-willed and emotional like me. She was a born animal lover and called the eggs she found in an Easter egg hunt in March ‘gorgeous’. She was the easiest child.” Olivia was Lauressa’s firstborn. Married in 2004, Lauressa waited seven years before getting pregnant. She and Brock wanted first to buy a house and be financially prepared. Looking back, she recalled thinking that Olivia looked cross-eyed when she was born; her eyes would involuntarily shake. “How long has her left eye been drooping?” asked one doctor who suggested she take an MRI. Olivia got prescription glasses instead. “I didn’t want to get an MRI until she weighed over 10kg,” Lauressa said. “We thought it was a congenital problem. Other than that, she was perfect.” In February 2015, when one-year-old Sophie was diagnosed with deafness in her right ear, the family took both children to Omaha, Nebraska for testing. Doctors didn’t spot Olivia’s tumour. However, by April 2015 she was beginning to lose her balance. She’d run into walls and kept falling over. While at a working luncheon, the babysitter called Lauressa saying that Olivia ‘wouldn’t stop crying’, that she was ‘complaining of a headache’ and was very tired. On May 6, Olivia had an MRI under anesthesia and the next day she was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, an incurable brain tumour that affects only children. “The neurosurgeon said he couldn’t remove Little Lucas received Olivia’s liver the tumour and told me to talk to the oncologist,” Lauressa recalled. “Hands down, it was the worst day of my life. I knew there was a 0 percent survival rate for her cancer and we couldn’t imagine putting her through chemotherapy and radiation at age three. She would have died in under nine months anyway. We just wanted her to be happy and alive as long as she could.” Olivia didn’t understand what was happening to her, but the family went home the next day trying to stay strong. The illness progressed quickly. Within a week, Olivia couldn’t speak clearly and got frustrated when her mother couldn’t understand her. Then she began having trouble holding anything in her hands, her right side became paralyzed and she could no longer walk. On June 22, the family went on one last trip together – a Disney cruise in the Caribbean. Olivia was by then so ill, she enjoyed very little of it; she cried at dinner and refused to eat. She did manage to kick her left leg when she tried to swim with the dolphins and grab Mickey Mouse’s hand. However, the trip was cut short and Olivia was airlifted to a Florida hospital with a collapsed left lung. While at the hospital, her mother received a Facebook message from a woman who’d been following Olivia’s illness on social media and also knew of a little boy who needed a liver. The boy, Lucas Goeller, was suffering from biliary atresia, an end-stage liver disease that did not allow him to walk and required constant blood transfusions. Lauressa messaged Lucas’ mother and promised to make a direct organ donation when Olivia died. “I just couldn’t believe it,” said Jessica Goeller, 33, “Lauressa, during her darkest hour, was willing to reach out and love another child.” In another room at the same Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Angelo Giorno received Olivia’s intestines on July 1. Born premature with his intestines outside his body, he was Scott received Olivia’s kidneys. He is pictured here with Olivia’s mother and his fiancée hanging on to life by a thread. The boy’s grateful father called the donation a ‘blessing’, but Angelo died on September 4. Lauressa and Brock flew to Angelo’s funeral in Pennsylvania. “I was so sad that he died,” she said. When Olivia left the Florida hospital, it was to be hospitalised in Nebraska where she would die a few days later. Her mother sat by her bedside day and night watching her steadily deteriorate. Everyone gathered around her to say their last goodbyes. Although she continued breathing on her own when the ventilator was turned off on the morning of June 30, she showed no brain activity. By 19h00 she was wheeled into the operating room. “You want them to pass peacefully and when they don’t you become hopeful and then you say to yourself, ‘Wait a minute, you need to go’,” Lauressa said in tears as she remembered Olivia’s last moments. After Olivia’s funeral, Lauressa was messaged on social media by Scott Saunders girlfriend, Emma. “I think my fiancé got Olivia’s kidneys,” she wrote. Lauressa met the couple for lunch in Lincoln, Nebraska in September. “We hugged and he thanked me,” she said. “It was very emotional.” The couple were married in October. Lauressa was also messaged by Vonkeisha Long, the mother of 22-month-old KeVon Long, from Mississippi. “My son got your daughter’s heart,” she said. “Thank you! Thank you!” Although she can’t help but cry when she talks about Olivia, Lauressa feels she’s ‘forever bonded’ to the families that have her daughter’s organs. “My daughter will always be inside them; what an honour for me. I was the blessed one to have this opportunity to see her through these three years.” Lauressa adds, “She didn’t suffer long. Yes, 55 days is too short after the diagnosis and she couldn’t do the things that three-year-olds do, but her life made a difference.” Little Kevon and his mother. He received Olivia’s heart www.peoplemagazine.co.za WE score up the hottest sporting gossip from around the world! Two Minutes With ELTON JANTJIES S OUTH AFRICAN rugby player Elton Jantjies is currently using his skills in Japan.We caught up with the Lions and Springbok player, and found out more about his Japanese journey. In a short sentence, who is Elton Jantjies? Elton Jantjies is a driven, dedicated and hardworking sportsman who has committed himself to the game of rugby. I am a family man whose main priority is to look after those who matter to me. I am a huge style and fashion lover, who also enjoys fast cars! You are currently in Japan playing rugby – how did that come about? I am playing for the Shining Arcs in the Japanese Rugby League. The Japanese rugby scene has grown tremendously over the last few years and I am one of the privileged South African players to be chosen to come over to Japan and play the game here. WWW.ELITEPHOTOAGENCY.COM/GALLO IMAGES A Royal Affair FORMER England international Frank Lampard beamed with pride as he was honoured with an OBE by Prince William for his services to football at Buckingham Palace. The New York City midfielder’s fiancée, Christine Bleakley, and his two daughters, Isla and Luna (who he had with his former fiancée, Spanish model Elen Rivas), were dressed to the nines as they smiled for the cameras. Lampard is the all-time leading goalscorer for Chelsea, where he played for 13 years, and is considered by a number of journalists and football experts to be one of the best midfielders of his generation. He hung up his boots last year, having earned 106 caps and scoring 29 goals. What area are you based in? In a city called Shin-Urayasu, which is located 20 minutes from Tokyo. It’s easily accessible, which is great! How did you adapt to the language and the culture in Japan? This is not the first time I’ve lived and played in Japan, so it certainly gets easier every time I’m here. It was a huge adjustment at first, but you learn to accept the culture, the food, the people, the language and adopt it as your own! When you are not training, what do you do in your spare time? I try look after my body and apply my recovery methods, and rest, but they have a very open culture in Japan so I also try utilise my time as best as possible, whether it’s going for a bicycle ride or a walk within the city. Everything is accessible by train or bus. Or you can rent a bicycle. What are your training hours like? We are currently prepping for the main rugby season here in Japan, so training becomes quite demanding and physically challenging. However, with that being said, we push our bodies as we want to be the best, become the best and see the results. Every day we commit to at least four to five hours training, alternating between field and gym sessions. We also then try to do some informal training on our days off. Have you been able to make many friends over there? I am lucky enough to have a fellow South African in my team, Willie Britz, as well as my best friend and brother Lionel Mapoe just a few kilometres away. Lionel and I have a very special bond that cannot be explained, so having him here is amazing. I have also made many friends over the years of being here, such as the scrum half who I call ‘Bashi’, so we always get together for dinners and a good catch-up. I also have what I call my ‘Dinner Party’ friends, which includes Jidi – the Shining Arc’s Fullback. The Best Of The Black ALL BLACKS fly-half Dan Carter was named World Player of the Year for the third time, just a day after inspiring his country to a 34-17 World Cup final victory over Australia. The 33-year-old, who also won the award in 2005 and 2012, scored 19 points in Saturday’s final and was named man of the match in what was his 112th and last international appearance. Carter joins his All Blacks captain Richie McCaw as a three-time recipient of the prestigious accolade, whose other previous winners include Thierry Dusautoir, Bryan Habana and Jonny Wilkinson. E-mail your sports news to [email protected] 94 PEOPLE THEY’RE big stars now, but it wasn’t always the case... BY MARK WASSERMAN T He scaled Kilimanjaro this year HIS week is a case of video made the radio star, where we take a look at South Africa’s very own Good News messenger, Brent Lindeque. You’ll know him as the person who turned the #NekNomination phenomenon upside down, choosing to use his nomination to perform a random act of kindness, and inspired an international ‘pay it forward’ trend. By giving a homeless man a R20-meal, the CliffCentral DJ and all-round Nice Guy has become a symbol of what it means to be Proudly South African. Here are a few facts you may not know about one of the Mail & Guardian’s Top 200 Young South Africans.  BRENT was born on January 16, 1985 in Alberton, Johannesburg.  HE has two brothers and a sister.  BRENT started a charity group at the age of 10 called ‘Kids With A Mission’, which travelled to underprivileged communities, putting on plays, reading books and raising funds to help those in need. (Talk about being born with a purpose!)  HE started working at the age of 16, and has worked as a waiter, a salesman for designer Italian clothing and a club promoter. (Quite an impressive CV, Brent.)  BRENT dropped out of university twice – the first time because he wanted to travel, and the second time because he started a company and just didn’t have the time.  THAT being said, Brent is currently five modules away from his Marketing degree.  HIS dad was an engineer and his mom is an accountant.  BRENT’S dad passed away five years ago from malaria after holidaying in Mozambique. Modern Family Brent with his brothers and sister Brent in nursery school  AFTER high school, he travelled the length and breadth of the US for two years, working wherever he could. He’s lived in Boston, New York, North Carolina and Miami.  HE currently has over 130 hats in his wardrobe. (See? Even Nice Guys have bad hair days…)  BRENT has a radio show on CliffCentral every Tuesday called The Good Stuff. (Download the podcasts – they’re a boost of feel-good fun!)  HE also does the social media wrap up on CNBC Africa.  THE chance to work in radio didn’t land in his lap – being the go-getter he is he worked hard behind the scenes to set up meetings with Gareth Cliff. He’s also completed the Warrior Race With his BFF, Shelley  NEVER considering himself the typical sportsman, Brent has surprised even himself by racing Formula 3 cars, completing cycle challenges, climbing Kilimanjaro and competing in cross-fit and warrior races! (Funky, fun and fit: a triple threat!)  HE met his best friend, Shelley Wilson, at the age of five and the two have been inseparable ever since.  WHEN he isn’t making the world a better place, he spends his downtime with his fiancé, marketing guru Andrew Ross, and two kids, Maxine and Matthew. (Talk about a modern family!) On air at CliffCentral
i don't know
From Greek for wing and lizard, what name was given to a flying reptile of the Jurassic/Cretaceous periods?
Pterodactyl, Pteranodon & Other Flying 'Dinosaurs' Pterodactyl, Pteranodon & Other Flying 'Dinosaurs' By Joseph Castro, Live Science Contributor | March 18, 2016 01:37pm ET MORE Credit: Joe Tucciarone Credit: Joe Tucciarone Pterodactyl is the common term for the winged reptiles properly called pterosaurs, which belong to the taxonomic order Pterosauria. Scientists typically avoid using the term and concentrate on individual genera, such as Pterodactylus and Pteranodon.  There are at least  130 valid pterosaur genera , according to David Hone, a paleontologist at Queen Mary University of London. They were widespread and lived in numerous locations across the globe, from China to Germany to the Americas. Pterosaurs first appeared in the late Triassic Period and roamed the skies until the end of the Cretaceous Period (228 to 66 million years ago), according to an article published in 2008 in the German scientific journal  Zitteliana . Pterosaurs lived among the dinosaurs and became extinct around the same time, but they were not dinosaurs. Rather, pterosaurs were flying reptiles.  Modern birds didn't descend from pterosaurs; birds' ancestors were small, feathered, terrestrial dinosaurs. The first pterosaur discovered was Pterodactylus, identified in 1784 by Italian scientist Cosimo Collini, who thought he had discovered a marine creature that used its wings as paddles.  A French naturalist, Georges Cuvier, proposed that the creatures could fly in 1801, and then later coined the term "Ptero-dactyle" in 1809 after the discovery of a fossil skeleton in Bavaria, Germany. This was the term used until scientists realized they were finding different genera of flying reptiles. However, "pterodactyl" stuck as the popular term. Pterodactylus comes from the Greek word pterodaktulos, meaning " winged finger ," which is an apt description of its flying apparatus. The primary component of the wings of Pterodactylus and other pterosaurs were made up of a skin and muscle membrane that stretched from the animals' highly elongated fourth fingers of the hands to the hind limbs.  The reptiles also had membranes running between the shoulders and wrists (possibly incorporating the first three fingers of the hands), and some groups of pterosaurs had a third membrane between their legs, which may have connected to or incorporated a tail.  Early research suggested pterosaurs were cold-blooded animals that were more suited to gliding than active flying. However, scientists later discovered that some pterosaurs, including Sordes pilosus and Jeholopterus ninchengensis, had furry coats consisting of hairlike filaments called pycnofibers, suggesting they were warm-blooded and generated their own body heat, according to a 2002 study in the  Chinese Science Bulletin .  What's more, a 2010 study in the journal  PLOS ONE  suggested pterosaurs had powerful flight muscles, which they could use to walk as quadrupeds (on all fours) like vampire bats and vault into the air.  Once airborne, the largest pterosaurs (Quetzalcoatlus northropi) could reach speeds of over 67 mph (108 kph) for a few minutes and then glide at cruising speeds of about 56 mph (90 kph), the study found. Artwork by Scott Hartman reveals the bone structure of Pteranodon. Credit: © Scott Hartman / All rights reserved Sizes of pterosaurs Pterodactylus antiquus (the only known species of the genus) was a comparatively small pterosaur, with an estimated adult wingspan of about 3.5 feet (1.06 meters), according to a 2012 study in the journal  Paläontologische Zeitschrift . There was some confusion early on as to the size of the Pterodactylus, because some of the specimens turned out to be juveniles rather than adults. Pteranodon, discovered in 1876 by Othniel C. Marsh, was much bigger. It had a wingspan that ranged from 9 to 20 feet (2.7 to 6 m), according to a 2000 study in  Current Research in Earth Sciences , a peer-reviewed bulletin of the Kansas Geological Survey.  The  smallest pterosaur , called Nemicolopterus crypticus, was discovered in the western part of China's Liaoning Province. It had a wingspan of only 10 inches (25 centimeters), according to a description of the animal, published 2008 in the journal  Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences . One of the largest pterosaurs is believed to be Quetzalcoatlus northropi, whose wingspan reached 36 feet (11 m), according to the 2010  PLOS ONE  article.  Another large pterosaur was  Coloborhynchus capito , which had a wingspan of about 23 feet (7 m). This discovery, described in a 2012 article in the journal  Cretaceous Research , followed an examination of a fossil that had been in the Natural History Museum of London since 1884. Physical characteristics Given the large number of different types of pterosaurs, the physical characteristics of the winged reptiles varied widely depending on the genera.  Pterosaurs often had long necks, which sometimes had throat pouches similar to pelicans' for catching fish. Most pterosaur skulls were long and full of needlelike teeth. However, pterosaurs of the taxonomic family Azhdarchidae, which  ruled the Late Cretaceous skies  and included Quetzalcoatlus northropi, were toothless, according to a 2014 study in the journal  ZooKeys .  A distinguishing feature of pterosaurs was the crest on their heads. Though it was initially thought that pterosaurs had no crests, it's now known that crests were widespread across pterosaur genera and came in various forms. For instance, some pterosaurs had big, bony crests, while other crests were fleshy with no underlying bone. Some pterosaurs even appear to have had a saillike crest made up of a membrane sheet connecting two large bones on the head. "We now know that pterosaur crests had all kinds of [bone and flesh] combinations," Hone told Live Science.  Over the years, scientists have proposed many possible purposes for these crests, including that they were used for heat regulation or to serve as rudders during flight. "But almost all of the hypotheses have failed the most basic tests," Hone said, adding that models show the crests aren't effective rudders and many small pterosaurs have crests even though they wouldn't have needed them to dissipate heat.  What seems most likely is that the crests were used for sexual selection, Hone and his colleagues argued in a 2011 study in the journal  Lethaia .  There are several lines of evidence that support this function of the crests, Hone explained, perhaps most notably that juveniles, which look like miniature versions of adult pterosaurs, don't have crests, suggesting the structures are used for something that is only relevant to adults, such as mating.  A look at the Cretaceous-era flying reptile. Credit: Ross Toro, Livescience contributor What did pterosaurs eat? Pterosaurs were carnivores, though some may have occasionally ate fruits, Hone said. What the reptiles ate depended on where they lived — some species spent their lives around water, while others were more terrestrial.  Terrestrial pterosaurs ate carcasses, baby dinosaurs, lizards, eggs, insects and various other animals. "They were probably fairly active hunters of small prey," Hone said. Water-loving pterosaurs ate a variety of marine life, including fish, squid, crab and other shellfish.  In 2014, Hone sought to learn more about the lives of marine pterosaurs. With these animals, juveniles dominate the fossil record, Hone said. This is odd because young animals are generally those that are targeted by predators, preventing them from becoming part of the fossil record.  One hypothesis to explain this strange occurrence is that the juvenile pterosaurs often died by drowning instead of being eaten. To test this, Hone and his colleague Donald Henderson modeled how well could pterosaurs float on water (like ducks). They found that pterosaurs floated well, but they had poor floating postures, in which their heads rested very close to the water, if not on the water. This suggests that aquatic pterosaurs wouldn't spend much time on the water's surface and would launch into the air shortly after diving for food to avoid drowning. However, young pterosaurs that don't yet have strong muscles or are still learning to fly would have more difficulties launching back into the air from a dive, possibly resulting in drowning, Hone said. Additional reporting by Kim Ann Zimmermann, Live Science Contributor Related pages
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Paleobiology 4 PALEOBIOLOGY: THE MESOZOIC, AGE OF CYCADS AND DINOSAURS Table of Contents Learning Objectives | Terms | Review Questions | Links | References The Mesozoic era covers the time between two great extinctions: the Permian extinction that closed the Paleozoic era , and the Cretaceous extinction that ended the reign of the dinosaurs (as well as the Mesozoic). The Mesozoic era is divided into three geologic periods, the Triassic ( 245-208 million years ago), the Jurassic (208-146 million years ago), and the Cretaceous (146-65 million years ago). The Mesozoic was the time of the beginning of the breakup of Pangaea about 225-200 million years ago, eventually fragmenting that supercontinent into the modern continents. This breakup had profound consequences for living things, as had the earlier formation of Pangaea during the later Paleozoic. The breakup continues today! The breakup of Pangaea. Image from http://pubs.usgs.gov/publications/text/historical.html. Mesozoic seas saw a rise and spread of another iteration of the cephalopods, the ceratites, eventually to be replaced by the ammonites. Coral reefs, which had been decimated by the Carboniferous extinction returned to prominence with the evolution of new groups of reef-building animals and algae. Modern bony fish evolved and began to compete with the ammonites as swimming predators. Terrestrial animals saw the rise of major groups of tetrapods: dinosaurs and mammals and the later advent of birds. Tetrapods took to new envirponments in the air as well as a secondary return to the waters. Forests took on an increasingly modern look, with the evolution of cycads and cycadeoids , conifers and ginkgoes. Flowering plants finally appeared about 140 million years ago and have risen to become the dominant floral component of many areas of the planet. The Mesozoic ended with the great mass extinction that eliminated nearly 75% of all species, including dinosaurs , swimming and flying reptiles, and ammonites. The causes of this extinction have long been speculated on and are not presently conclusively settled. First appearances and relative diversity (width of shaded area) for major groups of animals. Image from Purves et al., Life: The Science of Biology, 4th Edition, by Sinauer Associates ( www.sinauer.com ) and WH Freeman ( www.whfreeman.com ), used with permission. The fossil records of some protist and plant groups. The width of the shaded space is an indicator of the number of species. Image from Purves et al., Life: The Science of Biology, 4th Edition, by Sinauer Associates ( www.sinauer.com ) and WH Freeman ( www.whfreeman.com ), used with permission. The Triassic | Back to Top The Triassic period lasted from 245 to 208 million years ago. Following the massive extinction at the end of the Permian, the survivors underwent adaptive radiations as they diversified and began to reoccupy many of the now-vacated environmental roles. Dinosaurs arose in the Triassic. In this scene, Plateosaurus (larger) spies two Yaleosaurus (left) and a smaller Coelophysus behind. Cycads were a dominant vegetative type. The taller trees belong to the genus Bjuvia. Image and caption from http://seaborg.nmu.edu/earth . Life in Water Coral, decimated by Paleozoic extinctions, rebounded during the Triassic with the evolution of the scleractinian corals. Dinoflagellates made their first appearance as part of the phytoplankton . Dinoflagellates have an excellent fossil record and make useful index fossils for age dating of rocks. The oldest possible dinoflagellate was Arpylorus antiquus, from the Silurian period . Dinoflagellates become more common in Triassic and younger rocks. Modern scleractinian corals have some symbiotic dinoflagellates, known as zooxanthellae, living inside the coral. Both groups seem to appear in the fossil record at approximately the same time, suggesting the symbiosis was a valuable relationship. Another group of phytoplankton that appeard at the end of the Triassic was the coccolithophorids, usually shortened to coccoliths. These small fragments of a much larger, yet still microscopic, creature collect calcium carbonate from the seawater and use it to build their small "skeletons". Below is an electron micrograph of a coccolith collection formed by a modern alga. Coccosphere of a marine alga, Emiliania huxleyi. Image from http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/inorg/mann/webpage.htm . The cephalopods recovered from the extinction of the goniatites and developed a remarkably similar group, the ceratites. These coiled, chambered animals had slightly more complex sutures than did the goniatites. Ceratites nodosus from the Triassic of Saverne, France. Image from http://www.toyen.uio.no/palmus/galleri/montre/english/159_155.htm . Bivalves (specifically pelecypods) became more abundant and important parts of reefs as the Triassic progressed, and would remain important parts of the marine fauna throughout the Mesozoic. Life on Land Plants Unlike marine animals, terrestrial plants for the most part (save the cordaites) escaped the great Permian extinction. The Triassic was a period of transition for the world's floras, as Paleozoic plants such as the calamites and lycopsids declined in favor of newer gymnosperm groups such as the "cycads". During the Triassic up to 20% of the world's flora consisted of cycads, the acme of the group that today has declined to but a few genera restricted to the tropics. Plants possibly allied to the modern ginkgoes have been found in Permian aged sediments. These plants have been classified in the leaf-genera Ginkgoites and Baiera, although recent studies suggest these genera are really morphological variants and that the modern genus Ginkgo should be used to include these fossils. During the Mesozoic ginkgoes were worldwide in their distribution and important elements in the gymnosperm forests that dominated the land. Ginkgoites leaf from the Triassic of North Korea. Image from http://www.dges.tohoku.ac.jp/museum/fosgal19.html . The glossopterids persisted in Gondwana but were gradually replaced by a new flora characterized by the seed fern, Dicroidium. By the close of the Triassic the glossopterids were extinct. Dicroidium sp. from New South Wales, Australia. Image from http://www.toyen.uio.no/palmus/galleri/montre/english/159_177.htm . Animals Terrestrial faunas of the early Triassic were dominated by therapsids, evolutionary offshoots of the by-then extinct "sail-backs". These therapsids divided into two groups: herbivores and carnivores. The therapsids of this time may have had some sort of "hair" as a body covering as well as some degree of endothermy . By the close of the Triassic therapsids had given rise to early mammals. Reconstruction of Lystrosaurus, a southern hemisphere therapsid (L) and Thrinaxodon (R), a therapsid reconstructed with hair and very mammalian features. Images from http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/dees/courses/v1001/dinoorig9.html . Reconstructions of Lystrosaurus (top or left) and Thrinaxodon (bottom or right). Images from http://cas.bellarmine.edu/tietjen/Evolution/triassic_dinosaurs.htm . The ancestors of modern turtles appeared during the Triassic. Whereas modern turtles have lost their teeth, these Triassic turtles retained teeth on their jaws. Another reptile group, the euryapsids, made the transition from land to sea during the Triassic. These swimming reptiles diverged into three groups during the Triassic: the ichthyosaurs (dolphin-shaped swimming reptiles), the placodonts (bulky, paddle-limbed reptiles that went extinct by the end of the Triassic), and the nothosaurs (streamlined, long-necked swimming predators). Display of two placodont skeletons assigned to the genus Placodus. Image from http://www.senckenberg.uni-frankfurt.de/ob/ob3.htm . Reconstruction of the early ichthyosaur Cymbospondylus. Later ichthyosaurs became much more dolphin-like. Image from http://cas.bellarmine.edu/tietjen/Evolution/triassic_dinosaurs.htm . Composite of an early Triassic ichthyosaur. Note the shape is not so much fish-like as lizard-like, reflecting the recent move of these creatures from land to the sea. Image from http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/people/motani/ichthyo/intro.html . Skull and some of the upper body of Nothosaurus, from the Triassic of Germany. Image from http://www.toyen.uio.no/palmus/galleri/montre/english/x647.htm . Reconstruction of Nothosaurus as it might have looked when feeding. Image from http://www.paflo.demon.nl/page35.html . The diapsids, the "reptiles" except for turtles and a few extinct forms, rose to prominence during the latter Triassic times. Diapsids, you recall, have two openings in the skull behind the eye socket. While the diapsids had originated possibly as far back as the late Carboniferous, they did not become major elements of the fauna until the Triassic. The major group of diapsids, the archosaurs (ruling reptiles) evolved in the later part of the Permian, and underwent a major adaptive radiation in the late Triassic. Today only the birds and crocodiles remain of the once dominant ruling reptile group. The first true crocodiles also appeared during the Triassic. Several other reptile groups, such as the Triassic phytosaurs, adapted to the environment that crocodiles lived in. Due to evolutionary convergence , these animals took on an outer semblance of crocodiles, even though there were numerous anatomical differences. The ancestral crocodiles fully occupied the phytosaur niche in the environment after the extinction of phytosaurs at the close of the Triassic. One early archosaur was Euparkeria, a small, Triassic-aged, quadrupedal reptile that some scientists think may have been able to run short distances on its hind legs. Euparkeria specimens reach about 0.5 meters in length. The genus appears restricted to the Triassic of South Africa. Another archosaur, at one time considered a dinosaur, was Herrerasaurus, from the Triassic of Argentina. This animal marked the transition between the archosaur stem group and the derived dinosaurs. In all but a few characteristics Herrerasaurus is a dinosaur, although a smallish one of 3-4 meters in length and a body weight estimated at around 300 kg.. Eoraptor, from the same age and area, was another archosaur with a mosaic of dinosaurian and nondinosaurian characteristics. Reconstruction of Herrerasaurus. Image from http://www.inhandmuseum.com/Dinosauria/Herrerasauria/Herrerasaurus.html . The Triassic saw the evolution of the first true dinosaurs, the ceratosaurians, or horned dinosaurs. These bipedal, carnivorous dinosaurs have skeletons with a number of bird-like features. Famous members of this group include Dilophosaurus and Coelophysis. Both occur in Triassic deposits in the North American Painted Desert. Coelophysis and similar dinosaurs are known from other Triassic rocks throughout Pangaea. Unlike the specimen shown in the movie Jurassic Park, Dilophosaurus did not have a wide fringe nor is ther any evidence that it spit venom. But then, you know how movies are, right? Dilophosaurus was a slender 6-7 meters long dinosaur that weighed an estimated 300-400 kg. Coelophysis was less than 3 meters long and weighed a slight 15-30 kg. Reconstruction of Dilophosaurus. Image from http://rainbow.ldeo.columbia.edu/courses/v1001/lias12.html . The dinosaurs have traditionally been classified into two distinct taxonomic classes, the saurischia (lizard-hipped) and ornithischia (bird-hipped). This divergence was accomplished by the close of the Triassic. The ancestors of dinosaurs were some unspecified thecodont earlier in the Triassic. The Saurischia, which includes Dilophosaurus and Coelophysis, has two main groups, the theropods and the sauropods. The theropods were bipedal carnivores that included the famous Velociraptor and Tyrannosaurus rex as well as birds. Sauropods and similar forms were quadrupedal, mostly herbovorous forms that include the giants of the Jurassic: Apatosaurus, Diplodicus, and Brachiosaurus. The recently discovered Arizona dinosaur Sonorasaurus belongs in this group as well. Ornithischians were all herbivourous, with some retaining a bipedal gait, and others returning to four legs, and included: the ornithopods (such as Trachodon and Maiasaurus), ceratopsians (such as Triceratops), and the stegosaurians (including Stegosaurus and Ankylosaurus). Mammals also evolved during the Triassic, at about the same time as the dinosaurs. However, Triassic mammals were small and inconsequential components of the Triassic ecosystems. The Triassic World Pangaea reached its greatest extent during the Triassic. The conditions from the Permian (dry continental interiors, few if any shallow marginal continental seas) continued. Around the middle of the Triassic the breakup of Pangaea began, with the supercontinent separating into two landmasses, Gondwana in the south (composed of the future continents of South America, Africa, India, Antarctica, and Australia) and Laurasia in the north (Asia and North America). The breakup of Pangaea also resulted in mountain-building along the western edges of North and South America. Reconstruction of Triassic continents. Image from http://vishnu.glg.nau.edu/rcb/Trias.jpg . The Triassic Extinction At the end of the Triassic a minor mass extinction occurred. The cause of this is still in dispute, although the consensus opinion involves global cooling associated with an asteroid impact or comet showers. The victims of this event included the labyrinthodont amphibians , conodonts, and all marine reptiles except ichthyosaurs. Thecodonts , brachiopods , gastropods, and molluscs also suffered a loss of diversity as did the synapsids. As with larger mass extinctions, the Triassic die off opened ecological spaces into which the dinosaurs and other creatures moved during the Jurassic. The Jurassic | Back to Top The Jurassic period spanned the time interval from 208 to 146 million years ago. The major events of the Jurassic were the explosive adaptive radiation of dinosaurs and the evolution of birds (sometimes referred to as the avian dinosaurs), the diversification of the cycads, seed ferns and the "cycadeoids", and the continued breakup of Pangaea. The opening of the Atlantic Ocean between Africa and North America created new shallow-water environments, as did the global rise of sea-levels that occurred during the Jurassic. As you might expect, marine life responded with a burst of adaptation and the appearance of new forms. Life in Water The separation of Pangaea caused the formation of new oceans, such as the Atlantic. It also led to a global rise in sea-level. Consequently there were many more environmental spaces open for exploitation. Since the Trissic extinction was not nearly as calamitous as the Permian one, life rebounded much quicker. Dinoflagellates and coccoliths became major elements of the oceanic phytoplankton. The bivalves, specifically the rudistids, began to play a larger role in reef formation. Two bivalves from the Jurassic of Germany. Image from http://www.toyen.uio.no/palmus/galleri/montre/english/140_346.htm . Coral reefs expanded into these new ocean environments. Thecosmilia sp., coral colony preserved in chalcedony, from the late Jurassic of Germany. Image from http://www.toyen.uio.no/palmus/galleri/montre/english/167_739.htm . The cephalopods again produced a new coiled, chambered form, the ammonites. Suture patterns of these forms were even more elaborate than those found in the Triassic ceratites. The belemnites were straight-shelled cephalopods with elaborate suture patterns. Dactyliceras commune, an ammonite from the early Jurassic of Withby, Yorkshire, England. A complete specimen is shown on the left, while a sectioned specimen is on the right. Image from http://www.toyen.uio.no/palmus/galleri/montre/english/a31188.htm . The ichthyosaurs had been virtually unaffected by the Triassic extinction. During the Jurassic they reached their peak of diversity and prevalence ecologically. Whereas the triassic forms had resembled swimming lizards, Jurassic and later forms took on increasngly fish-like shapes. Stenopterygius hauffianus, an ichthyosaur from the Jurassic of Holzmaden, Germany. Image from http://www.toyen.uio.no/palmus/galleri/montre/english/nn003.htm . Stenopterygius quadriscissus was a Jurassic ichthyosaur (a reptile) which reached lenghts of 10-12 feet. Large eyes provided for keen sight. Unlike otherswimming reptiles which could come out on land to lay eggs, the ichthyosaurs gave birth to live young, eliminating the need to leave the water. Image and caption from http://seaborg.nmu.edu/earth/jurassic/jur02b.html . In addition to ichthyosaurs, Jurassic seas also contained long-necked plesiosaurs. Plesiosaurs evolved at the end of the Triassic, most likely from nothosaurs, and diversified during the Jurassic, persisting until the terminal Cretaceous event that closed the Mesozoic era. While most of us think of plesiosaurs as having long necks, there are also short-necked forms. Unlike the ichthyosaurs, which swam in a fishlike manner, plesiosaurs swam by using their paddle-like limbs in a manner similar to that of a sea lion or seal. Plesiosaurs did not give birth to live young, but instead crawled ashore to lay eggs as turtles do. Plesiosaurus macrocephalus was a Jurassic pleisiosaur (a swimming reptile) from England. They reached a length of about 3 meters. These animals arose at the start of the Jurassic and continued through the Cretaceous. Image and caption from http://seaborg.nmu.edu/earth/jurassic/jur03b.html . Mary Anning, a 19th century fossil collector from England. Although she had no formal training, Mary was recognized as the premiere fossil collector of her time. Among her finds are the first well-preserved ichythosaurs and the first plesiosaurs. Image from http://rainbow.ldeo.columbia.edu/courses/v1001/lias12.html http://rainbow.ldeo.columbia.edu/courses/v1001/lias12.html Life on Land The Jurassic terrestrial environments saw an increase in gymnosperm groups such as the cycads, ginkgoes, and cycadeoids. Reptilian groups also became more adept at flying, while the dinosaurs grew in size with such giants as Apatosaurus and Brachiosaurus, and ferocious predators like Allosaurus. The first birds appeared, as did the most famous fossil bird, Archaeopteryx. Plants The Jurassic was a time of increasing diversity for the cycads and a similar-looking group, the cycadeoids. The cycadeoids, sometimes known as the Bennettitales, produced leaves that superficially resembled cycad leaves. However, details of the reproductive structures indicate the two were not closely related. During the Mesozic leaves of these groups were so common that paleobotanists refer to the era as the age of cycads. Cycads The modern cycads are a pale remnant of the dominant plants of the Mesozoic, with today only 160 species in 11 genera, confined to the tropics. Cycads retain some fern-like features, notably pinnate leaves and circinate vernation. However, they (usually) produce cones of nonphotosynthetic reproductive structures. These cones are unisexual, in fact the plants are dioecious, having separate male and female plants. Based on structure of the leaf cuticle, cycads are usually separated from the cycadeoids. A number of leaf genera from the Mesozoic have been assigned to the cycads: Taeniopteris and Nilssonia. Cycadeoids The cycadeoids superficially resemble cycads in having recurrent leaf bases on soft-wood stems. Unlike the cycads, however, the cycadeoids have bisexual reproductive structures and structure of their stomates more like what is found in angiosperms and gnetophytes. Their reproductive structures were at one time interpreted as flowers and the cycadeoids were suggested as ancestors to the flowering plants. Cladistic analyses, such as Doyle and Donoghue (1986), suggest the cycadeoids and the flowering plants belong to the same clade, the anthophyte clade, but that cycadeoids are not the sister group for the angiosperms. Williamsonia sewardiana, a cycadeoid. Image taken from Prehistoric Animals, J. Augusta, illust. by Z. Burian, (Paul Hamilyn, London, 1960), pl.14 by http://www.kheper.auz.com/gaia/biosphere/plants/bennettitales/Bennettitales.html . Ginkgophytes The ginkgoes, like the cycads, originated during the late Paleozoic and diversified during the Mesozoic. Beginning during the Jurassic the number of species increased to a maximum of 11 during the Cretaceous before the decline to the single species, Ginkgo biloba, that remains today. Othe Gymnosperms The Mesozoic saw the spread of true conifers, including forms similar to Metasequioia and Sequoia, as well as numerous types of pines. A wide variety of extinct gymnosperms were present, including Caytonia and Pentoxylon. Animals Flying Reptiles   The flying reptiles of the Triassic underwent diversification during the Jurassic. The pterosaurs (literally winged-lizard) consisted of the earlier forms with long tails, like Rhamphorhynchus shown below, and the later forms that ruled the Cretaceous period, the pterodactyls. The long tailed formns died out by the close of the Jurassic. Pterosaurs had hollow bones, large brains and possibly some had endothermy. Rhamphorhynchus. The Rhamphorhynchus group of pterosaurs had sharp teeth and most had long tails. Some species, as this one, had short, diamond-shaped "rudders" on the end of their tails. This specimen had about a 3-foot wingspread. Image from http://seaborg.nmu.edu/earth/ . Cast of a specimen of Pterodactylus sp. from Solnhofen, Germany (late Jurassic). Image from http://www.toyen.uio.no/palmus/galleri/montre/english/x649.htm . Dinosaurs In contrast to the Triassic dinosaurs, the Jurassic forms became even larger and more fierce.  While most Triassic dinosaurs were saurischians, the ornithischians became more prominent during the Jurassic. The small, bipedal saurischians of the Triassic continued in the Jurassic, as exemplified by Ornithomimus. This dinosaur had no teeth in its jaws, a bird-like head, and a long, ostrich-like neck, was around 3 meters long and weighed approximately 100-150 kg. The true giants of the finosaur world were the sauropods. These quadrupedal, herbivores included Apatosaurus, Brachiosaurus, and Diplodocus. Paleontologists believe that the sauropod clade evolved from a Triassic ancestor similar to Plateosaurus. Sauropods ate numerous types of plants, often specializing in plants of a certain height. Since the teeth of sauropods are not adapted for grinding, this mechanical part of the digestive process was accomplished in their stomachs. Sauropod skeletons are often found in association with curiosuly rounded stones in the approximate position of the stomach. These "stomach stones" are known as gastroliths, and served a similar function in sauropods as bird gravel does in birds: to aid digestion of plant material not ground up enough in the mouth. Gastroliths are not unique to sauropods, as many other herbivorous dinosaurs and plesiosaurs have been found with stomach stones. Apatosaurus, once much better known as "Brontosaurus", was a herbivore from the Jurassic deposits in the western United States that ranged from 21 to 26 meters long, and had an estimated weight of between 30 and 35 tons. For over 100 years after its discovery, Apatosaurus skeleton was fitted with the wrong head. During the 1980s the error was discovered and the correct head (which had been descxribed separately from the skeleton) wwas attached. Owing to the rules of zoological nomenclature, the recponstructed fossil would take the name of the oldest described part, in this case the head. Thus paleontology lost a truly great scientific name, Brontosaurus, which literally means "thunder lizard". The name "Brontosaurus" is invalid and the correct name is Apatosaurus. Naming was not the only error. Apatosaurus weighed over 30 tons when alive, and early paleontologists considered the animal too heavy to have lived on land. The frequently drew Apatosaurus living in water where the water would help support the animal's weight. In modern reconstructions of the the Apatosaurus environment the vegetation is not swampy but almost desert-like, and Apatosaurus is now considered to have been a fully terrestrial animal. Apatosaurus skeleton as seen in the Chicago Field Museum. Image from http://www.artcom.com/museums/vs/af/369.jpg . Barchiosaurus (22 to 30 meters long; 30 to 80 tons weight) was a larger dinosaur than Apatosaurus, and for many years was considered the heaviest of the sauropods. Brachiosaurs, as shown below, were different from other sauropods in having their forelegs longer than their hind legs, as well as having their nostrils high on the forehead. The largest known doinosaur, Ultrasaurus, either belongs to the brachiosaurs or is in fact a large specimen of Brachiosaurus, according to some paleontologists. Reconstruction of the face of Brachiosaurus. Image from http://www.facethemusic.org/fantasy/brach10.html . The remaining saurishian dinosaurs were theropods, the bipedal carnivores exemplified by Allosaurus. Deciphering the evolutionary relationships of the theropods is difficult due to the often fragmentary nature of theropod fossils. Current thought is that there were several groups of theropods, and that one group, the carnosaurids contained the largest of the carnivores such as Allosaurus. Another theropod group was the coelurosaurids, which containd the birds and smaller carnivores such as ornithomimids, "raptors", and the tyrannosaurs. The carnosaurs, such as the Jurassic-aged Allosaurus, had long narrow skulls, strong forelimbs, and a variety of horns or knobs projecting from the skull. Allosaurus skeleton displayed at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. This image is from http://www.universitycircle.org/members/cmnh2.htm . One of the hottest topics of discussion for years was the hypothesis, proposed by Charles Darwin, that birds were descendants of dinosaurs. The shared derived characteristics of birds and dinosaurs include the structure of the hip, egg-laying, as well as a great deal of anatomical similarity. The 1861 discovery of Archaeopteryx, the "first bird" added fuel to this discussion. Archaeopteryx has a skeleton that retains a number of dinosaurian traits such as scales on the neck, teeth in the mouth, a jointed tail, and grasping fingers on the wings. It also has avian characteristics such as hollow bones and flight feathers. Many "dinosaur" specimens have, upon the discovery of feathers, been reassigned to fossil bird species. The discovery of feathers on some dinosaurs has further blurred what was once a clear-cut distinction between birds and dinosaurs. Cladistic analyses have repeatedly shown that birds and some groups of dinosaurs form a well-defined clade. Most paleontologists today feel safe in stating that birds are dinosaurs. Archaeopteryx, once considered the first bird. The fossil is from the Solnhoefen Limestone (Jurassic) of Germany. Image is from http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/diapsids/birds/ . Reconstruction of Archaeopteryx. Image from http://www.dinosauria.com/gallery/joe/archaeopteryx.jpg . There have been other fossils interpreted as birds, specifically Protoavis from the Triassic of Texas and Confuscornis from the Jurassic of China. While some paleontologists accept Protoavis as representing a bird that is closer to modern birds than is Archaeopteryx, there is an equally large camp who consider Protoavis as an early dinosaur that had evolved several bird-like adaptations by convergent evolution. Confuciusornis sanctus, the oldest bird with a beak, from Liaoning Province, China. This species retained some of the primitive features seen in Archaeoptyeryx, such as free claws on the wing, along with more advanced features such as the lack of teeth in the bill. Image from http://www.toyen.uio.no/palmus/galleri/montre/english/161_632.htm . The consensus view is that the coelurosaurs are the dinosaurian group from which the "avian dinosaurs" evolved. Members of this group include the small predatory dinosaurs such as Compsognathus (again a star of the Jurassic Park movies), and Velociraptor. The ornithischian dinosaurs became more significant elements of the dinosaurian faunas during the Jurassic, and especially so during the Cretaceous period. The ornoithischians are the so-called bird-hipped dinosaurs. However, the resemblance of hip structure between birds and this group is no longer considered evidence for the rise of birds from ornithischians, but as a result of convergent evolution. A major group of ornithischians during the Jurassic was the stegosaourids, exemplified by the genus Stegosaurus, the state dinosaur of Colorado. These quadrupedal animals sported spiked tails and large flat armor plates arrayed along the spine. These plates functioned for regulation of body heat. Stegosaurus was about 9 meters long and weighed about 2 tons. Even among dinosaurs it is noteworthy for its incredibly small brain. Stegosaurus in foreground under a gymnosperm tree and a tree fern, with a flying reptile in the background. Image from http://www.elykish.com/Gallery/Dinosaurs/overview.htm , used with permission of Ely Kish. The ankylosaurs were the armored ornithischians. They appeared in Europe during the late Jurassic and became more abundant during the Cretaceous. Ankylosaurs bore armor and spikes on their backs and may have defended themselves by using their tails (which often had armor balls at the tips) and by their dense back armor. Another group of ornithischians was the ornithopods. Among the earliest ornithopods was Camptosaurus, a 17 foot long Jurassic dinosaur from Europe and North America. Camptosaurus reached Australia by the early Cretaceous. During the Cretaceous the ornithopods became much more diverse. The Jurassic World The major geological events of the Jurassic involved the continued separation of the former parts of Pangaea. During this period the northern Atlantic continued to open, with a small connection remaining between North America and Europe. In the southern hemisphere the former parts of Gondwana completely separated, with Antarctica and Australia being the last of the modern southern continents to form. Great seaways flooded most of the continents, possibly caused by the increased rates of sea-floor formation at the newly forming mid-Atlantic ridge. Active tectonic plate margins along the then-western coasts of the Americas began or continued the mountain-building that would become the Rocky Mountains in North America and the Andes Mountains in South America. Reconstruction of the continents during the late Jurassic. Image from http://vishnu.glg.nau.edu/rcb/Late_Jur.jpg . The Jurassic Extinctions The Jurassic saw two minor mass extinctions. The first of these occurred about one-third of the way through the period, during the early Jurassic. This first Jurassic extinction affected approximately 80% of the bivalves as well as other shallow water organisms. At the close of the Jurassic, about 140 million years ago, a second minor mass extinction happened, affecting mostly the ammonoids, marine reptiles, bivalves and certain dinosaur groups such as the stegosaurs and the giant sauropods. Only one stegosaur escaped this extinction, Dravidosaurus, a small stegosaurid restricted to the Cretaceous of India (which was an island at that time). The causes of both of these extinctions are not clear. The Cretaceous | Back to Top The Cretaceous period, spanning the time interval from 144 to 65 million years ago, saw the final phases of the opening of the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the northward migration of India toward its collision with Asia during the Tertiary period of the Cenozoic era. The last of the major forms of plant life, the angiosperms, appeared near the beginning of the period. Dinosaurs continued their diversification, with the increasing dominance of the herbivorous ornithischians. The Cretaceous ended with the famous mass extinction that resulted in the extinction of the non-avian dinosaurs, the swimming reptiles, pterosaurs, ammonites and other creatures, nearly three-fourths of all life on Earth in fact. Life in Water The bivalves recovered from the Jurassic extinctions and again became major reef-formers in the numerous shallow marginal seas that encroached onto the continents during the Cretaceous. Reconstruction of a Cretaceous seafloor. Note the large ammonite on the right, the belemnites in the center, and the gastropods and bivalves on the seafloor. Image from http://seaborg.nmu.edu/earth/cret/cre01b.html . Exogyra sp., a bivalve from the del Rio Formation in Texas. In this view we see the top of one of the shells. The lower shell was usually quite different in shape. Image from http://www.vvm.com/~jevans/dr01.html . Ammonites continued their dominance, as did their relatives the straight-shelled belemnites. Modern teleost fish appeared during the Cretaceous and may have competed for the same prey as the ammonites. The teleost fish were apparently stronger and swifter swimmers than the fish of the Jurassic. Some paleontologists speculate that the extinction of ichthyosaurs during the Cretaceous may have been hastened by the rise of these new faster fish that would have been difficult for the ichthyosaurs to catch and eat. Eubranoceras sp. from the Cretaceous of Huanzala, Peru. The specimen is 2.5 inches across. Image from http://www.fossilsforsale.com/photos/xiaoc05c.jpg . Baculites, a genus of straight-shelled cephalopods, was particularly abundant in the Cretaceous seas. Note the elaborate suture patterns in the fossil specimen below. Left image Baculites was a straight-shelled cephalopod, about two feet in length, that presumably scavenged the bottom in search of food. Here, a small cephalopod becomes dinner (image from http://seaborg.nmu.edu/earth/cret/cre05b.html ). Right image, Baculites. Notice the extremely intricate suturing between septa. (image from http://seaborg.nmu.edu/earth/cret/cre08b.html ). The plesiosaurs from the Jurassic continued their diversification. Ichthyosaurs, however, declined during the early Cretaceous before becoming extinct well before the end-of-the-Cretaceous extinction. Both the long-necked plesiosaurs, and the short-necked pliosaurs were present during the Cretaceous. Despite inevitable competition and changes in their diets as new prey evolved, plesiosaurs were doing well up until the extinction at the close of the Cretaceous. To the list of swimming reptiles we add the mosasaurs, essentially swimming "lizards". These ferocious predators reached lengths to 30 feet (9 meters). Mosasaurs are usually considered relatives of the monitor lizards, although some recent analyses suggest a closer link to snakes is a distinct possibility. Mosasaurs were predators of the Cretaceous seas. Many ammonite fossils have been found that have tooth marks suggesting mosasaurs actively sought and ate ammonites. Some paleontologoists believe that mosasaurs became so successful because they were able to utilize the role in the marine environment that was opened once the ichthyosaurs went extinct. Mosasaurs apparently gave birth to live young and perhaps had some level of parental care for their young. A mosasaur from the Cretaceous (approximately 78-million years old) of southern Georgia. The specimen is 26 feet long and almost completely original material. Image is from http://www2.gasou.edu/musenews/mosasaur50.gif . Mosasaur dentition was well-adapted for catching fish, ammonites, and other free-swimming prey. The recurved teeth prevented prey from escaping once caught. Image and caption from http://seaborg.nmu.edu/earth/cret/cre23b.html . Life on Land Perhaps the greatest change in the terrestrial life of the Cretaceous was the rise and diversification of the flowering plants, the angiosperms . The angiosperms, the last of the seed plant groups to evolve, appeared over 140 million years ago during the the beginning of the Cretaceous. All members of this group produce flowers . Within the female parts of the flower angiosperms produce a diploid zygote and triploid endosperm . Fertilization is accomplished by a variety of pollinators, including wind, animals, and water. Two sperm are released into the female gametophyte: one fuses with the egg to produce the zygote, the other helps form the nutritive tissue known as endosperm. The angiosperms (angios = hidden) produce modified leaves grouped into flowers that in turn develop fruits and seeds. There are presently 235,000 known living species. Whence came the angiosperms? This was Darwin's "abominable mystery". Clearly angiosperms are descended from some group of Mesozoic-aged gymnosperm seed plant....but which one? Click here to view an online lab exercise in phylogeny and try to figure things out! The flowering plants most likely evolved from a Mesozoic gymnosperm group. At one time the cycadeoids were the prime candidates, although more recent studies suggest another group, the gnetophytes as the sister group to the angiosperms. Three distinctive genera comprise this group: Welwitschia, Gnetum, and Ephedra. Ephedra occurs in the western United States where it has the common name "Mormon tea". It is a natural source for the chemical ephedrine, although there is no evidence the Mormons in Utah (where the plant is extremely common) ever used it for tea, the use of stimulants being against their beliefs. Welwitschia is limited to coastal deserts in South Africa, although fossil leaf, cuticle and pollen evidence indicates plants of this type were widespread during the Mesozoic era. Welwitschia is noted for its two long, prominent leaves. Gnetum has leaves that look remarkably like those in angiosperms, as well as vessels in the xylem , generally considered an angiosperm characteristic. Gnetophytes appear in the fossil record before the angiosperms do, and share a great many derived characteristics, making them the current choice as the angiosperm sister group (or ancestral group in a noncladistic sense). The classical view of flowering plant evolution suggests early angiosperms were evergreen trees that produced large Magnolia-like flowers. Click here to view an illustration of suggested paths of floral evolution. However, this view has recently been contradicted by the oldest fossil yet found, a 140 million year old plant found by paleobotanist David Dilcher and his associates at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Fossil birch leaf from the Cretaceous Dakota Formation in Kansas. Image modified from the Internet. Part and counterpart of a Cretaceous fossil angiosperm leaf. Image from http://seaborg.nmu.edu/earth/cret/cre16b.html . The angiosperms underwent an adaptive radiation during the Cretaceous, and for the most part escaped the major extinctions at the end of the Cretaceous. One group of angiosperms that did suffer from the extinction was the unknown groups of plants that produced triprojectate pollen. My dissertation dealt with the systematics of this fossil group. The pollen is quite odd-shaped and quite striking to see. Aquilapollenites, from the Cretaceous Judith River Group. This palynomorph occurs in sediments from 74 to 76 million years ago. This grain is about 50 mm in length. (Photo courtesy of: Dr. Dennis Braman, Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, Drumheller, Alberta). Image from http://www.science.uwaterloo.ca/earth/geoscience/prequat.html . Crocodiles, which had been around since the Triassic, produced a massive form, Deinosuchus, during the Cretaceous. This marine crocodile was over 20 feet long, and dwarfs the largest modern crocodile. Comparison of the skull of Deinosuchus and a modern crocodile. Image from http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/diapsids/pseudosuchia/deinosuchus.jpg . The ornithischian dinosaurs during the Cretaceous evolved into a number of interesting groups. From bipedal ornithischians during the Jurassic, like Camptosaurus, the larger and more nimble ornithopods of the Cretaceous evolved. One of the first dinosaurs to be scientifically described was Iguanodon, a bipedal herbivore thought to have moved about in herds. Iguanodon was between 6 and 10 meters long and weighed around 5 tons. Reconstruction of Iguanodon, an early Cretaceous ornithopod dinosaur. Image from http://www.bauwesen.tu-cottbus.de/~baehr/bilder/iguanodon3.jpg . The hadrosaurs, commonly known as the duck-billed dinosaurs, are another group of ornithopods. These animals had hundreds of teeth in a bill reminiscent of a duck's bill (although ducks lack teeth). There were two subgroups of hadrosaurs. The crested lambeosaurs, and the noncrested hadrosaurines. The latter group is exemplified by Maiasaura and Edmontosaurus. The lambeosaurs are exemplified by Parasaurolophus. Maiasaura, the "good mother lizard" has been extensively studied for its nesting and parental care. Adult Maiasaura and two juveniles. Image from http://www.bauwesen.tu-cottbus.de/~baehr/bilder/maia6.jpg . The skull of Saurolophus showing the crest and duckbill-like snout. Image from http://www.mathematical.com/dinosauropholus.html . Reconstruction of Saurolophus by a Cretaceous lake. Image from http://www.elykish.com/Gallery/Dinosaurs/overview.htm , used with permission of Ely Kish. Another major group of Cretaceous ornithischians was the ankylosaurs, the armored, quadrupedal herbivores. Unlike the Jurassic stegosaurids, the armor covering on the back was more robust, as were the spikes behind the shoulders. In some ankylosaurs the tail terminated in a bony knob that might have been used to sweep the legs of predators, possibly even breaking bones. Sauropelta, a Cretaceous ankylosaur. Image from http://www.elykish.com/Gallery/Dinosaurs/overview.htm , used with permission of Ely Kish. The other great ornithischian group was the ceratopsians.  These quadrupedal herbivores were characterized by a beak-like snout, horns above the eyes and possibly on the end of the nose, and some degree of a bony frill around the back of the skull. Triceratops is perhaps the most famous and well known of this group. Triceratops was about 8 meters long and weighed between 4 and 8 tons. Ceratopsians first evolved, possibly from an ornithopod ancestral group, at the beginning of the Cretaceous, some 140 million years ago. By the end of that geological period, ceratopsians were among the most common dinosaurs in the northern hemispjere. Triceratops in fact was one of the last of the nonavian dinosaurs. A herd of Triceratops, with palm trees in the background and the large flying reptile Quetzlcoatulus. Image from http://www.elykish.com/Gallery/Dinosaurs/overview.htm , used with permission of Ely Kish. Triceratops was a rhinoceros-sized herbivore with three bony facial projections and a large neck frill. Image from http://seaborg.nmu.edu/earth/cret/cre12b.html . The saurischians of the Cretaceous included the ferocious Tyrannosaurus rex (literally "tyrant king lizard "), as well as numerous smaller predatory dinosaurs such as the "raptors" popularized by the Jurassic Park series. Spinosaurus, the voracious carnivore of Jurassic Park III was an African member of this group. In addition to the carnivores, Cretaceous sauropods existed, although diminished in size and abundance from their Jurassic forebearers. Perhaps no other dinosaur has inspired as many plush toys, tattoos, and awe as Tyrannosaurus rex.  Sporting six inch long serrated teeth T. rex was a meat-eating machine. Tyrannosaurs ranged from 10-14 meters in length and weighed in at an estimated 5-7 tons, and were restricted to North America during the latest part of the Cretaceous period. The most famous T. rex, and possibly the most complete skeleton, was dubbed Sue. This fossil was the object of protracted legal fight before being sold to a group of Chicago Field Museum supporters for a reported $7 million. Sue is now on exhibit at that museum. Tyrannosaurus rex skull. Image from http://seaborg.nmu.edu/earth/cret/cre26b.html . A smaller carnovore that preceeds T. rex in time is Albertosaurus. This smaller version of T. rex reached lengths of between 7 and 8.5 meters and weighed in at a mere 2 tons. It ranged North America in the time interval just prior to the rise of T. rex. Corythosaurus, a crested hadrosaur, fleeing from a hungry Albertosaurus. Image from http://www.elykish.com/Gallery/Dinosaurs/overview.htm , used with permission of Ely Kish. A related group of carnivorous Cretaceous dinosaurs is the dromaesaurs, considered by some recent studies to be the sister group to the birds. Dromaesaurs had been around since the Jurassic or earlier. Sometime during the Jurassic the line leading to birds diverged. The dromaesaurs had a variety of unique features, such as their slashing modified foot claw, as well as an inferred behavior of grasping with their forelimbs. This latter feature may have been important in the evolution of avian dinosaur flight. Until the Cretaceous, dromaesaurs were smallish predatory dinosaurs. Deinonychus, considered one of the most important dinosaurs ever found, was a small animal about 3-4 meters long, weighing a mere 75 kg. Utahraptor, discovered from middle Cretaceous rocks in Utah, is the largest dromaesaurid at a weight of one ton and a length of 5 to 7 meters. Velociraptor, the dromaesaurid so prominent in the Jurassic Park series, was about 2 meters long and had an estimated weight of 7 to 15 kg. A pack of Dromaeosaurus hectoring a doomed Lambeosaurus. Image from http://www.elykish.com/Gallery/Dinosaurs/overview.htm , used with permission of Ely Kish. The flying reptiles of the Cretaceous were the pterodactyls, short tailed descendants of the long tailed Jurassic forms. The largest of the pterodactyls was Quetzalcoatlus, named after the Aztec feathered serpent god. Quetzalcoatlus northropii had a wingspan of 11 meters and may have weighed over 200 km. Pteranodon (whose scientific name literally means "wing without tooth") was a common Cretaceous form that had a 7 meter wingspan as well as a large crest that presumably served as a navigational aid. Two Quetzalcoatlus flying over a grouyp of ceratopsians by a Cretaceous seashore. Image from http://www.elykish.com/Gallery/Dinosaurs/overview.htm , used with permission of Ely Kish. Skeleton of a pterodactyl. Image from http://seaborg.nmu.edu/earth/cret/cre32b.gif . Cretaceous birds continued to expand their environmental range. Hesperornis was a flightless swimming bird that lived in the shallow seas of the Cretaceous. There were other Cretaceous birds that flew. Large, flightless birds, like the ostrich, would not appear until the Tertiary period. Hesperornis and a nestling. Image from http://www.elykish.com/Gallery/Dinosaurs/overview.htm , used with permission of Ely Kish. Cretaceous mammals were still quite small and minor components of the fauna. Their significance would change with the Cretaceous mass extinction, from which they would emerge as co-rulers of the land (with the avian dinosaurs). The Cretaceous World The breakup of Pangaea continued during the Cretaceous, with the Atlantic Ocean finally opening completely by the late Cretaceous. The westward movement of North and South America led to massive mountain building episodes that produced parts of the Rocky Mountains in the north and the Andes Mountains in the south. During much of the Cretaceous, North America was split into two separate land areas by the north-south tending seaway. This led to the development of two distinct paleofloristic regions: the Aquilapollenites province in the west and the normapolles province in the east. The Aquilapollenites province extended northward through Alaska and Siberia and then southward into eastern Asia. The normapolles province passed through Greenland and into northern Europe. With the drop in sea-levels at the end of the Cretaceous plants and animals were able to migrate between these (and other) regions. India, which had separated from the rest of the former Gondwana earlier, remained an island throughout the Cretaceous and into the Tertiary period. The Cretaceous seems to have been a time period during which the climates were quite equitable. There is no evidence of glaciation during this time. Palm trees in fact have been found in Cretaceous sediments as far north as Alaska, and numerous plants with tropical affinities today were common throughout the Aquilapollenites province. Near the end of the Cretaceous a slight global cooling began. Reconstruction of the continents during the late Cretaceous. Image from http://vishnu.glg.nau.edu/rcb/Late_Cret.jpg . The Great Cretaceous Mass Extinction | Back to Top The sudden disappearance of the dinosaurs has long been known to paleontologists. Numerous attempts have been made to explain this, with two major ideas having the largest amounts of evidence. Sixty-five million years ago nearly 75-80% of all species of life on Earth were wiped out in an incredibly short period of time. In addition to dinosaurs, pterosaurs, belemnoids, many species of plants (such as the plant that produced Aquilapollenites type pollen), ammonites, marine reptiles, and rudist bivalves also disappeared. The major mass extinctions of the Phanerozoic. Image from http://www.carleton.ca/~tpatters/teaching/intro/extinction/extinction1.html . Among the various hypotheses to explain the extinction that closed the Mesozoic era were allergies by dinosaurs to pollen produced by flowering plants, increased radiation levels that led to male dinosaur sterility, diseases brought by migrating animals, and a gradual climate deterioration that the dinosaurs were unable to cope with. The first hypothesis ignores the fact that flowering plants and dinosaurs had coexisted for over 70 million years at the time of the mass extinction. Increased radiation levels would not cause the extinction of many of the plant species, nor do we know if male dinosaurs carried their gonads outside their bodies. The migration hypothesis does have some merit. We know, for example, that introduction of a new animal group to an area will cause ecologoical realignments, as well as ossibly bring disease to an area. Sheep in Iceland, for example, were severely affected by a virus brought along with new sheep from Europe. The icelandic sheep had no resistance to this virus (although the european newcomers did). The suggestion that dinosaurs went extinct because they were unable to cope with a cooling had merit when we viewed all dinosaurs as little more than large ectothermic lizards. The modern view of dinosaurs suggests they were quite well adapted to their environments, and although the diversity of dinosaurs shows a drop approaching the end of the Cretaceous, that those dinosaurs that existed, such as Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops, were well suited to their environments. In 1980, physics Nobel laureate Luis Alvarez (1911 - 1988) with his son, Berkeley geology professorWalter Alvarez (born in 1940), and their coworkers proposed a wild idea: an asteroid had hit the earth 65 million years ago and triggered a series oif events that culminated in the mass extinction that ended the age of dinosaurs. Their discovery of unusually high levels of the rare metal iridium at the boundary layer between the Cretaceous and the Tertiary periods led to a conclusion that the extinction was caused by a 10 km asteroid. Iridium is a rare metal at the Earth's surface, but is known to occur at impact sites, and is also thought to occur deep within the Earth. The major flaw in the hypothesis at that time was the lack of a suitably large impact structure of the correct age. In 1991 a team of other scientists found evidence of just such a crater buried off the coast of the villiage of Chicxulub in Yucatan, Mexico. Consequences of the impact were profound. The immense amounts of material ejected from the crater into the atmosphere blocked or reduced sunlight levels, effectively shutting down the process of photosynthesis that is the basis of all food webs. The vaporization of rocks at impact contributed sulfur and nitric acids, which had a severe acid rain effect of vegetation and marine environments. Shocked quartz grains, usually considered diagnostic of an impact site (or a nuclear test site), have been found associated with these deposits. Luis (left) and his son Walter (right) Alvarez. Image from http://cgi.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/databank/entries/boalva.html . Remote sensing of the structure buried offshore near Chicxulub in Yucatan, Mexico. The raised central portion is consistent with the hypothesis of a large impact structure. Image from http://blueox.uoregon.edu/~jimbrau/astr123/Notes/ch29/Chicxulb.jpg . Shocked quartz grain, as viewed under a microscope. Image from http://rainbow.ldeo.columbia.edu/courses/v1001/dinos.2001.html . The competing hypothesis is that intense flood volcanism in India greatly altered the clomate in a very brief time and led to the mass extinction. The Indian deposits are known as the Deccan Traps. Geochemical age dating of the basalts that comprise the Traps support the major eruptive phase of the Traps at the same time the Cretaceous mass extinction occurred. While volcanic eruptions, such as those at Hawaii, do bring iridium to the surface, they do not produce shocked quartz.   One way to represent geological time. Note the break during the precambrian. If the vertical scale was truly to scale the precambrian would account for 7/8 of the graphic. This image is from http://www.clearlight.com/~mhieb/WVFossils/GeolTimeScale.html . Be able to list the three periods that comprise the mesozoic era, and give one or two examples of a novel creature that makes its first appearance during that time interval. List three features in which dinosaurs differed from mammals. Be able to present evidence that birds are dinosaurs. Describe the significance of the discovery of the fossil bird Archaeopteryx to evolutionary science. Describe the role of mass extinctions at the beginning of the Mesozoic in the evolution of life during the Mesozoic. Compare and contrast the two main hypotheses regarding the terminal Cretaceous extinction event and be able to defend your choice of which one is correct. Links | Back to Top This Dynamic Earth: The Story of Plate Tectonics This is an online version of a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) publication that gives a well illsutrated account of the development and implications of plate tectonic theory. Fossils, Rocks, and Time This online version of a U.S. Geological Survey general interest publication, by Lucy E. Edwards and John Pojeta, Jr., gives additional insight to application of the study of fossils. Life Through Geologic Time: A Pictorial History of Life on Earth This online geologic time scale allows you to click on any period of time you wish, and see what life was like way back when! A Geologic Timeline This site gives the majopr events in Earth hostory presented against twelve standard hours, from midnight to noon. Geologic Ages of Earth History This site by Jeff Poling give a much more detailed geologic time scale than is commonly encountered in introductory textbooks. Rest assured, as you get deeper into any field of science, that things will most assuredly get more detailed! The Major Fossil Groups This U.S. Geological Survey page provides additional details about selected groups of fossil-producing organisms. INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION OF PALAEOBOTANY (IOP) This wonderful site houses the Plant Fossil record database among other superb resources for the specialist and interested general public alike. The Fossil Cycads This online article provides a nicley illustrated look at these important Mesozoic plants. Ichthyosaur Page This page from the University of Califormia Museum of Paleontology offers plenty of information about ichthyosaurs and their kin. The page is by Ryosuke Motani. fossil reptiles of the south african karoo This website, an adaptation of a 1978 book by M.A. Cluver provides a detailed look at the animals of the Triassic Karoo deposits in South Africa. DILOPHOSAURUS! A Narrated Exhibition This special online exhibit at the University of Califormia Museum of Paleontology highlights the three specimens of Dilophosaurus, a famous dinosaur from the book and movie Jurassic Park. Anning's Plesiosaurs Mary Anning was an uneducated Englishwoman who possessed fine observational skills. She was the most successful dinosaur hunter of her time. This page shows the plesiosaurs she found. This page is part of a series about her at the University of Califormia Museum of Paleontology in Berkeley. Dinosaurs and Dinosaur National Monument Dinosaur National Monument near Vernal, Utah, is a spectacular site to learn more about dinosaurs, stand next to a brachiosaur femur, and watch the bones being excavated from the rocks. Jurassic Reef Park This tongue-in-cheek look at the ocan reef biota is well worth the visit.
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The term domicile refers most accurately to a person's country of?
You're Not a "Resident" under the Internal Revenue Code Such individual meets the substantial presence test of paragraph (3). (iii) First year election Such individual makes the election provided in paragraph (4). Therefore, the terms “resident”, “alien”, and “resident alien” are all synonymous terms within the Internal Revenue Code. QUESTION FOR DOUBTERS:  If you believe we are wrong, then please show us a definition of the term “resident” within either the Internal Revenue Code or the implementing regulations that includes “citizens of the United States” as defined under 8 U.S.C. �1401 .  There simply isn’t one!  You are not free to “presume” or “assume” that “citizens of the United States” are also “residents” without the authority of a law that authorizes it.  To make this assumption in a court of law would violate our right to “due process or law”, because “presumption” or “assumption” of anything in the legal realm is a violation of due process.  Everything must be proven. The only way you can come under the jurisdiction of the Internal Revenue Code is to to meet one or more of the following two criterias below: A “U.S. person” residing on or BEING federal property or situated inside the “federal zone” as defined under 26 U.S.C. �7701 (a)(30):  (D) any estate (other than a foreign estate, within the meaning of paragraph (31)), and  (E) any trust if -         (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the             trust, and        (ii) one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust. The above “U.S. person” is technically either an “alien” or a federal corporation only.  A corporation can also be an “alien” if it was incorporated outside of federal jurisdiction but has a presence inside the federal zone.  Under 26 C.F.R. � 301.6109-1 , these are the only entities who are required to provide any kind of identifying number on their tax return!  That regulation requires the furnishing of a “Taxpayer Identification Number” for these legal “persons”, but 26 C.F.R. �301.6109-1 (d)(3) says that Social Security Numbers are not to be treated as “Taxpayer Identification Numbers”.  Consequently, natural persons with a Social Security Number do not have to provide any kind of identifying number on their return because they aren’t the proper subject of Subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code.  See section 5.4.12 later for further details on this scandal. A “nonresident alien” under 26 C.F.R. �1.1-1(a)(2)(ii) or 26 C.F.R. �1.1441-1(c )(3)   who has income “effectively connected with a trade or business”, which means a political office in the United States government under 26 U.S.C. �7701(a)(26) .  See 26 C.F.R. �1.1-1(a)(2)(ii). Under item 1 above, the term “citizen of the United States” is used in describing a “U.S. person”, but that “person” is technically only a federal corporation, as confirmed by the following: The legal encyclopedia, Corpus Juris Secundum confirms that corporations are treated in law as “citizens of the United States”: "A corporation is a citizen, resident , or inhabitant of the state or country by or under the laws of which it was created, and of that state or country only." [19 Corpus Juris Secundum, Corporations, �886] The definition of “income” as including only “corporate profit” under our Constitution limits the entire Internal Revenue Code to corporations only.  See section 5.6.5 later for complete details on this subject. Human beings (people) who are “citizens of the United States” are those born only in the District of Columbia or federal territories under the provisions of 8 U.S.C. �1401 .  Federal territories are the only “States” within the Internal Revenue Code.  These “citizens of the United States” cannot legally be classified as “residents” under the Internal Revenue Code and are not authorized by the code to “elect” to be treated as one either.  The reason is because the purpose of law is to protect, and a person cannot elect to lose their constitutional rights and protection, even if they want to!  However, by filing an IRS form 1040 or 1040A, they in effect make this illegal election anyway, and the IRS looks the other way and does not prosecute such unintentional fraud because they benefit financially from it.  The pronouncements of the U.S. Supreme Court also identify this kind of constructive fraud on the part of the IRS as an invalid election if this unwitting choice did not involve fully informed consent.  Did you know that you were agreeing to be treated as an “alien” by the IRS when you signed and sent in your first form 1040 or 1040A?: "Waivers of Constitutional rights not only must be voluntary, but must be knowing, intelligent acts done with sufficient awareness of the relevant circumstances and likely consequences." [Brady v. U.S., 397 U.S. 742 (1970)] The reason Constitutional rights are being waived is because people who are “residents” of the federal zone have no constitutional rights in law.  The only way to avoid this involuntary election is to instead either file nothing or to file a 1040NR form with the IRS instead of a 1040 or 1040A form.  You will learn starting in the next section that people who are born in states of the Union are not “citizens of the United States” under 8 U.S.C. �1401 , but are instead the equivalent of “non-citizen nationals of the United States” under 8 U.S.C. �1408 who are in fact “nonresident aliens” under the Internal Revenue Code who should file only the 1040NR form if they file anything with the IRS.  The rules for electing to be treated as a “resident” or “resident alien” are found in IRS Publication 54: Tax Guide for U.S. citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad.  See the following sections for amplification on this subject: 5.5.2, 5.5.3, and 5.4.12. IMPORTANT:  If you were born in a state of the Union, NEVER, EVER file a 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ form unless you want to throw your Constitutional rights in the toilet!  If you determine that you must file a tax form with the IRS, then the following are the only thing you may send without mirespresenting your status, committing perjury, and sacrificing your sovereign "non-resident non-person" status: Federal Nonresident Nonstatutory Claim for Return of Funds Unlawfully Paid to the Government-Short, Form #15.002 Nonresident alien NON-persons and NON-individuals cannot be penalized under the Internal Revenue Code because they don’t reside there and are not subject!  When you send in the 1040NR form, make sure to attach the Tax Form Attachment, Form #04.201 to put yourself outside of federal jurisdiction as follows: You will learn later that 5.4.5 that the IRS has no legal authority to institute penalties against natural persons, but they will try to do it anyway.  Since IRS likes to try to illegally penalize people for changing the “jurat” or perjury statement at the end of the 1040NR form, then you can accomplish the equivalent of physically modifying the words in the perjury statement by redefining the words in the statement or redefining the whole statement in it's entirety in an attached letter.  Physically changing the words in the statement is the only thing IRS incorrectly “thinks” they can penalize for, and especially if the return was completed and submitted outside of federal jurisdiction in a state of the Union and the perjury statement accurately reflects that fact.  Remember that crimes can only be punished based on where they are committed, and if your perjury statement reflects the fact that you are outside of federal jurisdiction, then IRS can’t penalize you no matter how hard they try or how many threats they make. So being a “resident of the State” from the above description makes you a nonresident alien in your own state liable for state income taxes!  And because as a “resident of the State” you are presumed to reside inside the federal zone, you don’t have any constitutional rights according to the U.S. supreme Court.  Listen to the dissenting opinion from Justice Harlan in the case of Downes v. Bidwell, 182 U.S. 244 (1901) which ruled that the federal zone doesn’t have constitutional protections: “The idea prevails with some, indeed it has found expression in arguments at the bar, that we have in this country substantially two national governments; one to be maintained under the Constitution, with all of its restrictions; the other to be maintained by Congress outside the independently of that instrument, by exercising such powers [of absolutism] as other nations of the earth are accustomed to.. I take leave to say that, if the principles thus announced should ever receive the sanction of a majority of this court, a radical and mischievous change in our system of government will result.  We will, in that event, pass from the era of constitutional liberty guarded and protected by a written constitution  into an era of legislative absolutism.. It will be an evil day for American liberty if the theory of a government outside the supreme law of the land finds lodgment in our constitutional jurisprudence.  No higher duty rests upon this court than to exert its full authority to prevent all violation of the principles of the Constitution.” [Downes v. Bidwell, 182 U.S. 244 (1901)] When you accept the false notion that you are “liable” for federal income taxes under Subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code and subsequently file a 1040 tax return (bad idea!), you are admitting under penalty of perjury that you are an alien “individual” of your own country (not a “national” or “citizen” of the United States) who lives in the federal zone.  The only definitions of “individual” found in 26 C.F.R. �1.1441-1 (c )(3) and 26 C.F.R. �1.1-1 (a)(2)(ii) confirm that the only people who are “individuals” in the context of federal income taxes are “aliens” residing in the federal “United States” or “nonresident aliens”.  That lie or mistake on the tax return you never should have submitted caused you to become the equivalent of a “virtual inhabitant” of the federal zone in law and from that point on you are treated as such by both the federal government and the state government, even if you don’t want to be and never intended to do this!  Here is more proof showing that even if you weren’t located in the federal zone when you submitted the false 1040 return, you gave your tacit permission to be treated as a resident of the District of Columbia: Sec. 7701. – Definitions (a)(39) Persons residing outside [the federal] United States If any citizen or resident of the United States does not reside in (and is not found in) any United States judicial district, such citizen or resident shall be treated as residing in the District of Columbia for purposes of any provision of this title relating to - (A) jurisdiction of courts, or (B) enforcement of summons. What the above means is that if you filed a 1040 or 1040A form, you are telling the federal government that you are an “alien” who lives in the federal zone and consequently, the courts will treat you like you live in the District of Columbia, which we call the District of Criminals.  You are living in the King’s Castle and you better bow down to the king boy by paying “tribute” with all your earnings!  Important about the above is the fact that “U.S. nationals” and “nonresident aliens” are not included in the above!  One more big reason why you don’t want to be a “U.S. citizen” in the context of federal statutes such as 8 U.S.C. �1401!  That false 1040 tax return you submitted, which said “U.S. individual” at the top, became a contract with criminals from the “District of Criminals” (the “D.C.” in “Washington D.C.”) to take yourself out of the Constitutional Republic and out of the protections of the Bill of Rights.  You united with or “married” Babylon the Great Harlot mentioned in Rev. 17 and 18 and you live where she lives: inside of a totalitarian socialist democracy devoid of constitutional rights and predicated solely on the love of money and luxury.  You declared yourself to be an “employee” of the Harlot, and the false W-4 form you submitted proves that, because the upper left corner says “employee”, and the only people who are “employees” as defined in 26 U.S.C. �3401 (c) work for the federal government.  You have joined the “Matrix” and become a socialist federal serf.  “Heil Hitler!” “You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men [and remember that government is made up of men].”  [ 1 Cor. 7:23 , Bible, NKJV] Who says we don’t live in a police state, and you didn’t even know it until now, did you?  Can you see how insidious this lawyer deception is?  The American people and our media are asleep at the wheel folks!…and it’s going to take a lot more to fix than blind and ignorant patriotism and putting an idiotic flag or bumper sticker on your car.  That’s right: if you are a “resident of the United States” or of “the State”, then you’re a federal serf and a ward of the socialist government who is nonresident to his own state!  You better to do what you’re told, pay your taxes, and shut up, BOY, or we’ll confiscate all your property,  give you 40 lashes and send you to bed without dinner or a blanket.  Watch out! To summarize the preceding discussion of “resident”, for the purposes of taxation, one establishes that they are a “resident” of the federal zone by any of the following techniques: Filing a form 1040 or 1040a or 1040EZ Filling out a W-4 form, which is only for use by federal “employees”, all of whom work only in the federal zone. Claiming to be  “U.S. citizen” on any federal form. If you never did any of the above, then it can’t be said that you ever consented to participate in the federal income tax system and the federal government has no jurisdiction or proof of jurisdiction over you for the purposes of Subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code.  If they wrongfully proceed at that point over your objections by attempting unlawful collection and/or assessment actions against you in violation of 26 U.S.C. �6020(b) or the Constitution, then they: Are involved in identity theft because they moved your legal identity under the I.R.C. to a physical place where you neither intend to live or actually live, which is the District of Columbia. Are involved in: 2.1.Racketeering in violation of 18 U.S.C. �1951. 2.2.Extortion in violation of 18 U.S.C. �872. 2.3.Conspiracy against rights in violation of, 18 U.S.C. §241. Can and should be prosecuted individually for fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. �1001, kidnapping in violation of 18 U.S.C. �1201, and all of the above crimes under both state and federal law. Now we’ll examine and compare the word “domicile” to put it into context within our discussion: domicile.  A person's legal home.  That place where a man has his true, fixed, and permanent home and principal establishment, and to which whenever he is absent he has the intention of returning.  Smith v. Smith, 206 Pa.Super. 310, 213 A.2d. 94.  Generally, physical presence within a state and the intention to make it one's home are the requisites of establishing a "domicile" therein.  The permanent residence of a person or the place to which he intends to return even though he may actually reside elsewhere.  A person may have more than one residence but only one domicile.  The legal domicile of a person is important since it, rather than the actual residence, often controls the jurisdiction of the taxing authorities and determines where a person may exercise the privilege of voting and other legal rights and privileges. The established, fixed, permanent, or ordinary dwellingplace or place of residence of a person, as distinguished form his temporary and transient, though actual, place of residence.  It is his legal residence, as distinguished from his temporary place of abode; or his home, as distinguished from a place to which business or pleasure may temporarily call him.  See also Abode; Residence. "Citizenship," "habitancy," and "residence" are severally words which in particular cases may mean precisely the same as "domicile," while in other uses may have different meanings. "Residence" signifies living in particular locality while "domicile" means living in that locality with intent to make it a fixed and permanent home.  Schreiner v. Schreiner, Tex.Civ.App., 502 S.W.2d. 840, 843. For purpose of federal diversity jurisdiction, "citizenship" and "domicile" are synonymous.  Hendry v. Masonite Corp., C.A.Miss., 455 F.2d. 955. [Black's Law Dictionary, Sixth Edition, p. 485] Note the word “permanent” used in several places above.  Note also that in the above definition that the taxes one pays are based on their “domicile” and “residence”.  Here is what it says again: “The legal domicile of a person is important since it, rather than the actual residence, often controls the jurisdiction of the taxing authorities and determines where a person may exercise the privilege of voting and other legal rights and privileges.” This is very important.  Now for the $64 question:  “If you are a Christian and God says you are a citizen of heaven and not of earth, then where is your permanent domicile? “  The answer is that it is in heaven, and not anywhere on earth: "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ"  [ 1 Peter 2:11 , Bible, NKJV] Furthermore, if “the wages of sin is death” (see Romans 6:23 ) and you are guaranteed to die eventually and soon because of your sin, then can anything here on earth be called “permanent” in the context of God’s eternal plan?  If you look in the book of Revelations, you will find that the earth will be completely transformed when Jesus returns to become a new and different earth, so can our present earth even be called “permanent”?  The answer is NO.  Therefore, as a Christian, you cannot claim to have a “domicile” or a “residence” anywhere here on the present earth without committing idolatry and blaspheming God.  To admit that your physical or spiritual “domicile” or your “residence” is here on earth and/or is “permanent” is to admit that there is no God and no Heaven and that life ends both spiritually and physically when you die!  You are also admitting that the only thing even close to being permanent is the short life that you have while you are here.  So as a Christian, you can’t have a “domicile” or a “residence” anywhere on the present earth from a legal perspective without blaspheming God.  Consequently, it also means that you can’t be subject to taxes based on having a “domicile” or “residence” in any earthly jurisdiction: state or federal.  You are a child of God and you are His “bondservant” while you are here. “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.”  [ 1 Peter 2:15-16 , Bible, NKJV] You are “just passing through”.  This life is only a temporary test to see whether you will evidence by your works the saving faith you have which will allow you to gain entrance into Heaven and the new earth God will create for you to dwell in mentioned in Rev. 21:1 . The definition of “domicile” above establishes also that “intent” is an important means of determining domicile as follows: “…the place to which he intends to return even though he may actually reside elsewhere”. [Black’s Law Dictionary, Sixth Edition, page 485, under “domicile”] As a Christian, the only place you should want to reside in or return to is heaven, because the present earth is a temporal place full of sin and death that is ruled by Satan.  Your proper biblical “intent”, should therefore be to return to heaven and to leave the present corrupted earth as soon as possible and as God in His sovereignty allows.  God has prepared a mansion for you to live in with the Father, and that mansion cannot be part of the present corrupted earth: “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.  And where I go you know, and the way you know.”  [ John 14:2-4 , Bible, NKJV] So why don’t they teach these things in school?  Remember who runs the public schools?:  Your wonderful state government.  Do you think they are going to volunteer to clue you in to the fact that you’re the sovereign in charge of the government and don’t have to put up with being their slave, which is what their legal treachery has made you into?  The only kind of volunteering they want you to do is to volunteer to be subject to their corrupt laws and become a “taxpayer”, which is a person who voluntarily enlisted to become a whore for the government as you will find out in chapter 5.  Even many of our Christian schools have lost sight of the great commission and awesome responsibility they have to teach our young people the profound truths in the Bible and this book in a way that honors and glorifies God and allows them to be the salt and light of the world. There is much which can be said about our earlier legally acceptable definition of the term “resident” from Black’s Law Dictionary, but one thing which is perfectly clear, nowhere does it say a word about a “resident” being a Citizen, of anything.  As a matter of fact if you are not a citizen, then there is only one other thing you can be, and that is an alien.  It does not matter what other name they might decide to call it. Here then is an example of its usage: Let’s say, for whatever reason, you move to France for a time. First, it is obvious you are an alien to France.  Right?  After having moved to France you then become a resident of France. Why are you a resident of France? Because you are now living there, but you still are not a citizen. Why are you not a citizen of France?  Because you are an alien.  So, it goes that a resident is an alien.  Why?  Because he is not a citizen, hence the term resident alien. Get it? Now, the question becomes: what are you when you answer to the question “are you a resident of the state of Illinois?”  Like we do when we go to the Motor Vehicle Dept.  Are you not declaring that you are an alien?  Well that is exactly what you are doing.  Why is this important? Because, only Citizens of the several states of the Union have Constitutional Rights, aliens do not. [Whoops] So, if you are a Citizen of any one of the several states of the Union, then you are not an alien and therefore not a “resident”. You then have your full Constitutional Rights, which includes the Right to “Liberty”, which is the Right to travel FREELY amongst the several States, untaxed and unlicensed. You simply can not regulate a Right.  If you could it wouldn't be a Right, it would be a privilege.  Our Creator granted these Rights to us, and no man or government can legislate or regulate an (unalienable) Right. The government can only legislate and regulate the benefits offered by their statute-laws, which can only offer immunities and privileges, but not Rights. Hence all the trickery to coerce you into saying you are something you are not. We must stop looking to Webster's Dictionary for the legal definitions.  Buy a copy of Black's Law Dictionary – it is there that you will find a new world of meaning. The biggest trick of all has been to redefine common, every day terms to mean something else within the statute-laws, and you didn't know they did it [to you], did you.. that is, until you read this book? “The sovereignty has been transferred from one man to the collective body of the people - and he who before was a 'subject of the king' is now 'a citizen of the State'.” [State v. Manuel, North Carolina, Vol. 20, Page 121 (1838)] [Underline added] Think about it. The Constitution talks about Citizens. Why then do state governments feel the need to change it to “residents”?  It just seems that to be clear and unambiguous, they would have used the same words and phrases already understood and accepted and stated as part of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Oh, by the way, here is the definition of a resident alien: Resident alien. “One, not yet a citizen of this country, who has come into the country from another with the intent to abandon his former citizenship and to reside here.” [Black’s Law Dictionary 6th Edition, p. 1309, Underlines added] Remember the phrase “transitory in nature” in the above definition of a resident? The nature part is the Creator. As a child of God we are merely traveling through life (“Liberty”), hopefully on our way to the great beyond, which is the transitory part. But, if you claim to be a “resident” you are not a child of God and therefore not a Sovereign Citizen of the State, and therefore an alien of God, who has NO CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.  This is accomplished when we accept the term “person” as underlined in the above definition of the term “resident”, and as you will also come to realize, this too is a trick to coerce you into subjection to government regulation. Below is a table that succinctly summarizes everything we have learned in this section in tabular form.  The left column shows what you are now and the two right columns show what you can “elect” or “volunteer” to become under the authority of the Internal Revenue Code based on that status: Table 4-9: Residency summary
permanent home
Alnwick Castle, Northumberland UK, featured in a popular movie franchise as which institution?
You're Not a "Resident" under the Internal Revenue Code Such individual meets the substantial presence test of paragraph (3). (iii) First year election Such individual makes the election provided in paragraph (4). Therefore, the terms “resident”, “alien”, and “resident alien” are all synonymous terms within the Internal Revenue Code. QUESTION FOR DOUBTERS:  If you believe we are wrong, then please show us a definition of the term “resident” within either the Internal Revenue Code or the implementing regulations that includes “citizens of the United States” as defined under 8 U.S.C. �1401 .  There simply isn’t one!  You are not free to “presume” or “assume” that “citizens of the United States” are also “residents” without the authority of a law that authorizes it.  To make this assumption in a court of law would violate our right to “due process or law”, because “presumption” or “assumption” of anything in the legal realm is a violation of due process.  Everything must be proven. The only way you can come under the jurisdiction of the Internal Revenue Code is to to meet one or more of the following two criterias below: A “U.S. person” residing on or BEING federal property or situated inside the “federal zone” as defined under 26 U.S.C. �7701 (a)(30):  (D) any estate (other than a foreign estate, within the meaning of paragraph (31)), and  (E) any trust if -         (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the             trust, and        (ii) one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust. The above “U.S. person” is technically either an “alien” or a federal corporation only.  A corporation can also be an “alien” if it was incorporated outside of federal jurisdiction but has a presence inside the federal zone.  Under 26 C.F.R. � 301.6109-1 , these are the only entities who are required to provide any kind of identifying number on their tax return!  That regulation requires the furnishing of a “Taxpayer Identification Number” for these legal “persons”, but 26 C.F.R. �301.6109-1 (d)(3) says that Social Security Numbers are not to be treated as “Taxpayer Identification Numbers”.  Consequently, natural persons with a Social Security Number do not have to provide any kind of identifying number on their return because they aren’t the proper subject of Subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code.  See section 5.4.12 later for further details on this scandal. A “nonresident alien” under 26 C.F.R. �1.1-1(a)(2)(ii) or 26 C.F.R. �1.1441-1(c )(3)   who has income “effectively connected with a trade or business”, which means a political office in the United States government under 26 U.S.C. �7701(a)(26) .  See 26 C.F.R. �1.1-1(a)(2)(ii). Under item 1 above, the term “citizen of the United States” is used in describing a “U.S. person”, but that “person” is technically only a federal corporation, as confirmed by the following: The legal encyclopedia, Corpus Juris Secundum confirms that corporations are treated in law as “citizens of the United States”: "A corporation is a citizen, resident , or inhabitant of the state or country by or under the laws of which it was created, and of that state or country only." [19 Corpus Juris Secundum, Corporations, �886] The definition of “income” as including only “corporate profit” under our Constitution limits the entire Internal Revenue Code to corporations only.  See section 5.6.5 later for complete details on this subject. Human beings (people) who are “citizens of the United States” are those born only in the District of Columbia or federal territories under the provisions of 8 U.S.C. �1401 .  Federal territories are the only “States” within the Internal Revenue Code.  These “citizens of the United States” cannot legally be classified as “residents” under the Internal Revenue Code and are not authorized by the code to “elect” to be treated as one either.  The reason is because the purpose of law is to protect, and a person cannot elect to lose their constitutional rights and protection, even if they want to!  However, by filing an IRS form 1040 or 1040A, they in effect make this illegal election anyway, and the IRS looks the other way and does not prosecute such unintentional fraud because they benefit financially from it.  The pronouncements of the U.S. Supreme Court also identify this kind of constructive fraud on the part of the IRS as an invalid election if this unwitting choice did not involve fully informed consent.  Did you know that you were agreeing to be treated as an “alien” by the IRS when you signed and sent in your first form 1040 or 1040A?: "Waivers of Constitutional rights not only must be voluntary, but must be knowing, intelligent acts done with sufficient awareness of the relevant circumstances and likely consequences." [Brady v. U.S., 397 U.S. 742 (1970)] The reason Constitutional rights are being waived is because people who are “residents” of the federal zone have no constitutional rights in law.  The only way to avoid this involuntary election is to instead either file nothing or to file a 1040NR form with the IRS instead of a 1040 or 1040A form.  You will learn starting in the next section that people who are born in states of the Union are not “citizens of the United States” under 8 U.S.C. �1401 , but are instead the equivalent of “non-citizen nationals of the United States” under 8 U.S.C. �1408 who are in fact “nonresident aliens” under the Internal Revenue Code who should file only the 1040NR form if they file anything with the IRS.  The rules for electing to be treated as a “resident” or “resident alien” are found in IRS Publication 54: Tax Guide for U.S. citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad.  See the following sections for amplification on this subject: 5.5.2, 5.5.3, and 5.4.12. IMPORTANT:  If you were born in a state of the Union, NEVER, EVER file a 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ form unless you want to throw your Constitutional rights in the toilet!  If you determine that you must file a tax form with the IRS, then the following are the only thing you may send without mirespresenting your status, committing perjury, and sacrificing your sovereign "non-resident non-person" status: Federal Nonresident Nonstatutory Claim for Return of Funds Unlawfully Paid to the Government-Short, Form #15.002 Nonresident alien NON-persons and NON-individuals cannot be penalized under the Internal Revenue Code because they don’t reside there and are not subject!  When you send in the 1040NR form, make sure to attach the Tax Form Attachment, Form #04.201 to put yourself outside of federal jurisdiction as follows: You will learn later that 5.4.5 that the IRS has no legal authority to institute penalties against natural persons, but they will try to do it anyway.  Since IRS likes to try to illegally penalize people for changing the “jurat” or perjury statement at the end of the 1040NR form, then you can accomplish the equivalent of physically modifying the words in the perjury statement by redefining the words in the statement or redefining the whole statement in it's entirety in an attached letter.  Physically changing the words in the statement is the only thing IRS incorrectly “thinks” they can penalize for, and especially if the return was completed and submitted outside of federal jurisdiction in a state of the Union and the perjury statement accurately reflects that fact.  Remember that crimes can only be punished based on where they are committed, and if your perjury statement reflects the fact that you are outside of federal jurisdiction, then IRS can’t penalize you no matter how hard they try or how many threats they make. So being a “resident of the State” from the above description makes you a nonresident alien in your own state liable for state income taxes!  And because as a “resident of the State” you are presumed to reside inside the federal zone, you don’t have any constitutional rights according to the U.S. supreme Court.  Listen to the dissenting opinion from Justice Harlan in the case of Downes v. Bidwell, 182 U.S. 244 (1901) which ruled that the federal zone doesn’t have constitutional protections: “The idea prevails with some, indeed it has found expression in arguments at the bar, that we have in this country substantially two national governments; one to be maintained under the Constitution, with all of its restrictions; the other to be maintained by Congress outside the independently of that instrument, by exercising such powers [of absolutism] as other nations of the earth are accustomed to.. I take leave to say that, if the principles thus announced should ever receive the sanction of a majority of this court, a radical and mischievous change in our system of government will result.  We will, in that event, pass from the era of constitutional liberty guarded and protected by a written constitution  into an era of legislative absolutism.. It will be an evil day for American liberty if the theory of a government outside the supreme law of the land finds lodgment in our constitutional jurisprudence.  No higher duty rests upon this court than to exert its full authority to prevent all violation of the principles of the Constitution.” [Downes v. Bidwell, 182 U.S. 244 (1901)] When you accept the false notion that you are “liable” for federal income taxes under Subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code and subsequently file a 1040 tax return (bad idea!), you are admitting under penalty of perjury that you are an alien “individual” of your own country (not a “national” or “citizen” of the United States) who lives in the federal zone.  The only definitions of “individual” found in 26 C.F.R. �1.1441-1 (c )(3) and 26 C.F.R. �1.1-1 (a)(2)(ii) confirm that the only people who are “individuals” in the context of federal income taxes are “aliens” residing in the federal “United States” or “nonresident aliens”.  That lie or mistake on the tax return you never should have submitted caused you to become the equivalent of a “virtual inhabitant” of the federal zone in law and from that point on you are treated as such by both the federal government and the state government, even if you don’t want to be and never intended to do this!  Here is more proof showing that even if you weren’t located in the federal zone when you submitted the false 1040 return, you gave your tacit permission to be treated as a resident of the District of Columbia: Sec. 7701. – Definitions (a)(39) Persons residing outside [the federal] United States If any citizen or resident of the United States does not reside in (and is not found in) any United States judicial district, such citizen or resident shall be treated as residing in the District of Columbia for purposes of any provision of this title relating to - (A) jurisdiction of courts, or (B) enforcement of summons. What the above means is that if you filed a 1040 or 1040A form, you are telling the federal government that you are an “alien” who lives in the federal zone and consequently, the courts will treat you like you live in the District of Columbia, which we call the District of Criminals.  You are living in the King’s Castle and you better bow down to the king boy by paying “tribute” with all your earnings!  Important about the above is the fact that “U.S. nationals” and “nonresident aliens” are not included in the above!  One more big reason why you don’t want to be a “U.S. citizen” in the context of federal statutes such as 8 U.S.C. �1401!  That false 1040 tax return you submitted, which said “U.S. individual” at the top, became a contract with criminals from the “District of Criminals” (the “D.C.” in “Washington D.C.”) to take yourself out of the Constitutional Republic and out of the protections of the Bill of Rights.  You united with or “married” Babylon the Great Harlot mentioned in Rev. 17 and 18 and you live where she lives: inside of a totalitarian socialist democracy devoid of constitutional rights and predicated solely on the love of money and luxury.  You declared yourself to be an “employee” of the Harlot, and the false W-4 form you submitted proves that, because the upper left corner says “employee”, and the only people who are “employees” as defined in 26 U.S.C. �3401 (c) work for the federal government.  You have joined the “Matrix” and become a socialist federal serf.  “Heil Hitler!” “You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men [and remember that government is made up of men].”  [ 1 Cor. 7:23 , Bible, NKJV] Who says we don’t live in a police state, and you didn’t even know it until now, did you?  Can you see how insidious this lawyer deception is?  The American people and our media are asleep at the wheel folks!…and it’s going to take a lot more to fix than blind and ignorant patriotism and putting an idiotic flag or bumper sticker on your car.  That’s right: if you are a “resident of the United States” or of “the State”, then you’re a federal serf and a ward of the socialist government who is nonresident to his own state!  You better to do what you’re told, pay your taxes, and shut up, BOY, or we’ll confiscate all your property,  give you 40 lashes and send you to bed without dinner or a blanket.  Watch out! To summarize the preceding discussion of “resident”, for the purposes of taxation, one establishes that they are a “resident” of the federal zone by any of the following techniques: Filing a form 1040 or 1040a or 1040EZ Filling out a W-4 form, which is only for use by federal “employees”, all of whom work only in the federal zone. Claiming to be  “U.S. citizen” on any federal form. If you never did any of the above, then it can’t be said that you ever consented to participate in the federal income tax system and the federal government has no jurisdiction or proof of jurisdiction over you for the purposes of Subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code.  If they wrongfully proceed at that point over your objections by attempting unlawful collection and/or assessment actions against you in violation of 26 U.S.C. �6020(b) or the Constitution, then they: Are involved in identity theft because they moved your legal identity under the I.R.C. to a physical place where you neither intend to live or actually live, which is the District of Columbia. Are involved in: 2.1.Racketeering in violation of 18 U.S.C. �1951. 2.2.Extortion in violation of 18 U.S.C. �872. 2.3.Conspiracy against rights in violation of, 18 U.S.C. §241. Can and should be prosecuted individually for fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. �1001, kidnapping in violation of 18 U.S.C. �1201, and all of the above crimes under both state and federal law. Now we’ll examine and compare the word “domicile” to put it into context within our discussion: domicile.  A person's legal home.  That place where a man has his true, fixed, and permanent home and principal establishment, and to which whenever he is absent he has the intention of returning.  Smith v. Smith, 206 Pa.Super. 310, 213 A.2d. 94.  Generally, physical presence within a state and the intention to make it one's home are the requisites of establishing a "domicile" therein.  The permanent residence of a person or the place to which he intends to return even though he may actually reside elsewhere.  A person may have more than one residence but only one domicile.  The legal domicile of a person is important since it, rather than the actual residence, often controls the jurisdiction of the taxing authorities and determines where a person may exercise the privilege of voting and other legal rights and privileges. The established, fixed, permanent, or ordinary dwellingplace or place of residence of a person, as distinguished form his temporary and transient, though actual, place of residence.  It is his legal residence, as distinguished from his temporary place of abode; or his home, as distinguished from a place to which business or pleasure may temporarily call him.  See also Abode; Residence. "Citizenship," "habitancy," and "residence" are severally words which in particular cases may mean precisely the same as "domicile," while in other uses may have different meanings. "Residence" signifies living in particular locality while "domicile" means living in that locality with intent to make it a fixed and permanent home.  Schreiner v. Schreiner, Tex.Civ.App., 502 S.W.2d. 840, 843. For purpose of federal diversity jurisdiction, "citizenship" and "domicile" are synonymous.  Hendry v. Masonite Corp., C.A.Miss., 455 F.2d. 955. [Black's Law Dictionary, Sixth Edition, p. 485] Note the word “permanent” used in several places above.  Note also that in the above definition that the taxes one pays are based on their “domicile” and “residence”.  Here is what it says again: “The legal domicile of a person is important since it, rather than the actual residence, often controls the jurisdiction of the taxing authorities and determines where a person may exercise the privilege of voting and other legal rights and privileges.” This is very important.  Now for the $64 question:  “If you are a Christian and God says you are a citizen of heaven and not of earth, then where is your permanent domicile? “  The answer is that it is in heaven, and not anywhere on earth: "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ"  [ 1 Peter 2:11 , Bible, NKJV] Furthermore, if “the wages of sin is death” (see Romans 6:23 ) and you are guaranteed to die eventually and soon because of your sin, then can anything here on earth be called “permanent” in the context of God’s eternal plan?  If you look in the book of Revelations, you will find that the earth will be completely transformed when Jesus returns to become a new and different earth, so can our present earth even be called “permanent”?  The answer is NO.  Therefore, as a Christian, you cannot claim to have a “domicile” or a “residence” anywhere here on the present earth without committing idolatry and blaspheming God.  To admit that your physical or spiritual “domicile” or your “residence” is here on earth and/or is “permanent” is to admit that there is no God and no Heaven and that life ends both spiritually and physically when you die!  You are also admitting that the only thing even close to being permanent is the short life that you have while you are here.  So as a Christian, you can’t have a “domicile” or a “residence” anywhere on the present earth from a legal perspective without blaspheming God.  Consequently, it also means that you can’t be subject to taxes based on having a “domicile” or “residence” in any earthly jurisdiction: state or federal.  You are a child of God and you are His “bondservant” while you are here. “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.”  [ 1 Peter 2:15-16 , Bible, NKJV] You are “just passing through”.  This life is only a temporary test to see whether you will evidence by your works the saving faith you have which will allow you to gain entrance into Heaven and the new earth God will create for you to dwell in mentioned in Rev. 21:1 . The definition of “domicile” above establishes also that “intent” is an important means of determining domicile as follows: “…the place to which he intends to return even though he may actually reside elsewhere”. [Black’s Law Dictionary, Sixth Edition, page 485, under “domicile”] As a Christian, the only place you should want to reside in or return to is heaven, because the present earth is a temporal place full of sin and death that is ruled by Satan.  Your proper biblical “intent”, should therefore be to return to heaven and to leave the present corrupted earth as soon as possible and as God in His sovereignty allows.  God has prepared a mansion for you to live in with the Father, and that mansion cannot be part of the present corrupted earth: “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.  And where I go you know, and the way you know.”  [ John 14:2-4 , Bible, NKJV] So why don’t they teach these things in school?  Remember who runs the public schools?:  Your wonderful state government.  Do you think they are going to volunteer to clue you in to the fact that you’re the sovereign in charge of the government and don’t have to put up with being their slave, which is what their legal treachery has made you into?  The only kind of volunteering they want you to do is to volunteer to be subject to their corrupt laws and become a “taxpayer”, which is a person who voluntarily enlisted to become a whore for the government as you will find out in chapter 5.  Even many of our Christian schools have lost sight of the great commission and awesome responsibility they have to teach our young people the profound truths in the Bible and this book in a way that honors and glorifies God and allows them to be the salt and light of the world. There is much which can be said about our earlier legally acceptable definition of the term “resident” from Black’s Law Dictionary, but one thing which is perfectly clear, nowhere does it say a word about a “resident” being a Citizen, of anything.  As a matter of fact if you are not a citizen, then there is only one other thing you can be, and that is an alien.  It does not matter what other name they might decide to call it. Here then is an example of its usage: Let’s say, for whatever reason, you move to France for a time. First, it is obvious you are an alien to France.  Right?  After having moved to France you then become a resident of France. Why are you a resident of France? Because you are now living there, but you still are not a citizen. Why are you not a citizen of France?  Because you are an alien.  So, it goes that a resident is an alien.  Why?  Because he is not a citizen, hence the term resident alien. Get it? Now, the question becomes: what are you when you answer to the question “are you a resident of the state of Illinois?”  Like we do when we go to the Motor Vehicle Dept.  Are you not declaring that you are an alien?  Well that is exactly what you are doing.  Why is this important? Because, only Citizens of the several states of the Union have Constitutional Rights, aliens do not. [Whoops] So, if you are a Citizen of any one of the several states of the Union, then you are not an alien and therefore not a “resident”. You then have your full Constitutional Rights, which includes the Right to “Liberty”, which is the Right to travel FREELY amongst the several States, untaxed and unlicensed. You simply can not regulate a Right.  If you could it wouldn't be a Right, it would be a privilege.  Our Creator granted these Rights to us, and no man or government can legislate or regulate an (unalienable) Right. The government can only legislate and regulate the benefits offered by their statute-laws, which can only offer immunities and privileges, but not Rights. Hence all the trickery to coerce you into saying you are something you are not. We must stop looking to Webster's Dictionary for the legal definitions.  Buy a copy of Black's Law Dictionary – it is there that you will find a new world of meaning. The biggest trick of all has been to redefine common, every day terms to mean something else within the statute-laws, and you didn't know they did it [to you], did you.. that is, until you read this book? “The sovereignty has been transferred from one man to the collective body of the people - and he who before was a 'subject of the king' is now 'a citizen of the State'.” [State v. Manuel, North Carolina, Vol. 20, Page 121 (1838)] [Underline added] Think about it. The Constitution talks about Citizens. Why then do state governments feel the need to change it to “residents”?  It just seems that to be clear and unambiguous, they would have used the same words and phrases already understood and accepted and stated as part of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Oh, by the way, here is the definition of a resident alien: Resident alien. “One, not yet a citizen of this country, who has come into the country from another with the intent to abandon his former citizenship and to reside here.” [Black’s Law Dictionary 6th Edition, p. 1309, Underlines added] Remember the phrase “transitory in nature” in the above definition of a resident? The nature part is the Creator. As a child of God we are merely traveling through life (“Liberty”), hopefully on our way to the great beyond, which is the transitory part. But, if you claim to be a “resident” you are not a child of God and therefore not a Sovereign Citizen of the State, and therefore an alien of God, who has NO CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.  This is accomplished when we accept the term “person” as underlined in the above definition of the term “resident”, and as you will also come to realize, this too is a trick to coerce you into subjection to government regulation. Below is a table that succinctly summarizes everything we have learned in this section in tabular form.  The left column shows what you are now and the two right columns show what you can “elect” or “volunteer” to become under the authority of the Internal Revenue Code based on that status: Table 4-9: Residency summary
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What's the more common name for a megagram (Mg)?
SI Units: Mass | NIST SI Units Facebook   Google Plus   Twitter   U.S. National Prototype Kilogram. ©Robert Rathe The kilogram is the SI base unit of mass and is equal to the mass of the international prototype of the kilogram , a platinum-iridium standard that is kept at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) . The primary standard of mass for this country is United States Prototype Kilogram 20 , which is a platinum-iridium cylinder kept at NIST. The kilogram, originally defined as the mass of one cubic decimeter of water at the temperature of maximum density, was known as the Kilogram of the Archives. It was replaced after the International Metric Convention in 1875 by the International Prototype Kilogram which became the unit of mass without reference to the mass of a cubic decimeter of water or to the Kilogram of the Archives. Each country that subscribed to the International Metric Convention was assigned one or more copies of the international standards; these are known as National Prototype Meters and Kilograms. Learn more about the history and current definition of the kilogram . Among the SI base units, the kilogram (kg) is the only one whose name and symbol, for historical reasons, include a prefix . "Kilo" the SI prefix for 1000 or 103. Names and symbols for decimal multiples and submultiples of the unit of mass are formed by attaching prefix names to the unit name "gram," and prefix symbols to the unit symbol "g." Learn more about this historical quirk .   = 1 megagram (Mg) or 1 metric ton (t) Physicist Richard Steiner adjusts the electronic kilogram, an experimental apparatus for defining mass in terms of the basic properties of nature. Credit: Copyright Robert Rathe The SI base unit of mass, the kilogram, is the last remaining physical artifact. All other base units have been defined in terms of fundamental constants. In 1999, the 21st CGPM recommended that national measurement institutes (NMI) continue their efforts to refine experiments that link the unit of mass to fundamental or atomic constants with a view to a future redefinition of the kilogram. Learn more about NIST research to redefine the kilogram and the electronic kilogram . For Students and Teachers League of SI Superheroes - Monsieur Kilogram This comic book-style video animation series has been developed to help middle school students learn about the 7 SI base measurement units. With his immensely strong arms, Monsieur Kilogram is the master of mass. The kilogram is a cylinder of special metal about 39 millimeters wide by 39 millimeters tall that serves as the world's mass standard.   FAQ - What is the difference between the terms "mass" and "weight"? The mass of a body is a measure of its inertial property or how much matter it contains. The weight of a body is a measure of the force exerted on it by gravity or the force needed to support it. Gravity on earth gives a body a downward acceleration of about 9.8 m/s2. In common parlance, weight is often used as a synonym for mass in weights and measures. For instance, the verb “to weigh” means “to determine the mass of” or “to have a mass of.” The incorrect use of weight in place of mass should be phased out, and the term mass used when mass is meant. The SI unit of mass is the kilogram (kg). In science and technology, the weight of a body in a particular reference frame is defined as the force that gives the body an acceleration equal to the local acceleration of free fall in that reference frame. Thus, the SI unit of the quantity weight defined in this way (force) is the newton (N).  
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What fruit is named from medieval Latin meaning seeded apple?
Units: M the symbol for "molar" in chemistry (see below). Ma a symbol for one million years, often used in astronomy and geology. The "a" stands for the Latin annum. mab symbol for "meters above bottom" (bottom of the sea), a unit used in oceanography. mace a traditional Chinese unit for weighing precious metals, especially silver. In the European colonial period, the mace was considered equal to 0.1 tael or liang ; this would be 2/15 ounce or about 3.78 grams. Mach or mach (M or Ma) a measure of relative velocity, used to express the speed of an aircraft relative to the speed of sound. The name of the unit is often placed before the measurement. Thus "Mach 1.0" is the speed of sound, "Mach 2.0" is twice the speed of sound, and so on. (The actual speed of sound varies, depending on the density and temperature of the atmosphere. At 0 °C and a pressure of 1 atmosphere the speed of sound is about 1088 ft/s, 331.6 m/s, or 741.8 mi/h). The mach speed is important to the control of an aircraft, especially at speeds close to or exceeding Mach 1.0. The unit is named for the Austrian physicist Ernst Mach (1838-1916). maf or Maf a symbol for one million acre feet . This symbol, commonly used in reservoir management in the U.S., should be written Maf. 1 Maf = about 1.2335 billion (109) cubic meters. magnitude (mag) [1] a unit traditionally used in astronomy to express the apparent brightness of stars, planets, and other objects in the sky. For centuries, the brightest stars were said to be of the "first magnitude," with fainter ones of the "second magnitude" and so on down to "sixth magnitude" for the faintest stars visible to the unaided eye. When it became possible to measure stellar brightnesses precisely, it was discovered that stars of a given traditional magnitude were roughly 2.5 times brighter than stars of the next magnitude. Astronomers agreed to define the magnitude scale so that a difference of exactly 5.0 mag corresponds to a brightness difference of exactly 100 times. A difference of 1.0 mag then corresponds to a brightness difference of the fifth root of 100 or about 2.512 times. The scale is upside down: brighter stars have lower, not higher magnitudes, in keeping with the historical origin of the scale. The zero point (0.0 mag) is set arbitrarily so that the stars historically listed as "first magnitude" have magnitude measurements of 1.5 mag or brighter. The brightest stars and planets have negative magnitudes on this scale. Note: the scale is commonly used to describe the apparent magnitude of objects as we view them on Earth, but astronomers also use it for absolute magnitude, which is the magnitude the object would have if it were placed at a standard distance of 10 parsecs (32.61 light years ) from earth. magnitude (mag) [2] a unit used in earth science to measure the intensity of earthquakes. Geologists actually use several scales to measure earthquake intensity, but the one best known to the public is the Richter magnitude scale, developed in 1935 by Charles F. Richter (1900-1985) of the California Institute of Technology. The Richter magnitude is computed from the measured amplitude and frequency of the earthquake's shock waves received by a seismograph, adjusted to account for the distance between the observing station and the epicenter of the earthquake. An increase of 1.0 in the Richter magnitude corresponds to an increase of 10 times in the amplitude of the waves and to an increase of about 31 times more energy released by the quake. The most powerful earthquakes recorded so far had magnitudes of about 8.5. The Richter magnitude measures the intensity of the earthquake itself, not the intensity of the earthquake's effects: the effects also depend on the depth of the earthquake, the geology of the area around the epicenter, and many other factors. Earthquake effects are rated using the Mercalli scale (see below). magnum a traditional unit of volume for wine, generally equal to 2 bottles . This is now exactly 1.5 liters (about 2.114 U.S. quarts ). mahnd a traditional Arab weight unit equal to about 2.04 pounds or 925 grams. mål a Norwegian word for "measure," mål has been used as a name for various traditional Norwegian units. As a land measure, the mål is currently defined to be the same as the dekare, that is, exactly 1000 square meters (0.1 hectare or 0.2471 acre ). The mål has also been used as a unit of volume equal to the dekaliter (10 liters). mandel a traditional German unit of quantity equal to 15. man hour a common unit of labor equal to the work of one person for one hour. The name person hour is increasingly used for this unit. manpower an informal unit of power equal to 0.1 horsepower or about 74.57 watts . The unit seems to have been invented by American engineers. manzana a traditional unit of land area in Central America. The manzana is the area of a square 100 varas on a side; it thus varies according to the length of the vara. The Costa Rican manzana equals 0.698 896 hectares or about 1.727 acres. Very similar units are used in Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The word manzana means an apple, but the unit is probably related to manzanar, orchard. marathon a traditional unit of distance used in athletics. The length of a marathon is exactly 42 195 meters (about half an inch longer than 26 miles 385 yards). Invented for the first modern Olympic Games at Athens in 1896, the marathon recalls a run made in 490 BC by a Greek soldier (possibly Pheidippides) to bring to Athens the news of the Greek victory over the Persians at the Battle of Marathon. However, the actual distance from Marathon to Athens is only about 36.75 kilometers. The 1896 run was exactly 40 kilometers from the Marathon Bridge to the Olympic Stadium. At the 1908 Olympics in London, a course of 26 miles 385 yards brought runners from Windsor Castle to White City Stadium (the story is that exactly 26 miles was intended, but Queen Alexandra insisted that the finish line be moved in front of the royal box). The marathons at the Olympic Games varied in length until the 1924 Olympics in Paris, when the International Olympic Committee adopted the 1908 London distance as official. marc, marco, or mark traditional units of weight in various countries of Western Europe. In each country the unit equals 1/2 the unit corresponding to the English pound . Thus the French marc equals 1/2 livre , 8 onces or about 244.75 grams; the Spanish marco equals 1/2 libra or about 230 grams; the German mark equals 1/2 pfund or about 280.5 grams; and the English mark equals 8 ounces or 226.8 grams. The English unit was used almost entirely for measuring precious metals. marine league an informal name for the league as used at sea: a unit of distance generally equal to 3 nautical miles (5556 meters). mark twain see twain . marla a traditional unit of area in Pakistan. The marla was standardized under British rule to be equal to the square rod [1], that is, 272.25 square feet, 30.25 square yards, or 25.2929 square meters. mas symbol for milli arcsecond , a unit of angular measure commonly used in astronomy. masha a traditional unit of mass in India and Pakistan, standardized under British rule as 15 grains , 1/12 tola , or about 0.972 gram. In Pakistan, the unit is still used sometimes for the weight of precious metals. masl a common symbol for "meters above sea level" used in geology and geography. maß (mass) a unit of volume for beer in Germany and Austria, usually equal to one liter today. The traditional Bavarian maß was about 1.07 liters. mAU a symbol for the milli- absorbance unit . An increase in absorbance of 1 mAU corresponds to a reduction in transmittance of about 0.2305%. maund a traditional unit of weight in India and throughout South Asia. The maund varied considerably, but during the period of British rule in India it was standardized at about 82.286 pounds or 37.3242 kilograms. The maund is divided into 40 seers . Since 1980, Pakistan has used a metric version of the maund equal to exactly 40 kilograms (88.185 pounds), thus making the seer equal to the kilogram. maxwell (Mx) a CGS unit of magnetic flux, equal to 10-8 weber . In a magnetic field of strength one gauss , one maxwell is the total flux across a surface of one square centimeter perpendicular to the field. This unit was formerly called the line [2]. The newer name honors the British physicist James Clerk Maxwell (1831-1879), who presented the unified theory of electromagnetism in 1864. MBF or MBM traditional symbols for 1000 (not one million) board feet , a unit of volume for timber equal to 250/3 = 83.333 cubic feet or 2.360 cubic meters. "BM" stands for "board measure." mbsl a common symbol for "meters below sea level" used in geology and oceanography. MBH, MBtuh symbols for 1000 (not one million) Btu (British thermal units) per hour, a unit traditionally used in the U.S. heating and air conditioning industry to state rates of heating or cooling. One MBH equals about 0.293 071 kilo watt . mc- or mc [1] alternate symbol for micro- (see below). This prefix is often seen in the symbol mcg for the microgram. The use of the symbol mc- for micro- became established because typewriters and early dot matrix printers did not have the proper symbol µ-. Also, many hospitals require the use of mc- in all handwritten notes and records, because a hastily written "µ" may be mistaken for an "m," leading to serious dosing errors. However, the use of mc- for micro- is also confusing and should be avoided as much as possible. One source of confusion is that mc- may be interpreted as "millicenti-", a mistake that could also lead to dangerous dosing errors. Occasionally, mc has been used as a symbol for the micron (see below). mc [2] Italian abbreviation for the cubic meter (metro cubico). This is a non-standard symbol; the proper symbol is m3. MCF a traditional symbol for 1000 (not one million) cubic feet, a unit of volume equal to about 28.317 cubic meters. Mcfd a symbol for 1000 (not one million) cubic feet per day, a unit of water flow used by many U.S. water supply companies and agencies. 1 Mcfd = 19.665 liters (5.195 U.S. gallons ) per minute. Mcfe a symbol used in the natural gas industry for 1000 (not one million) cubic feet of gas equivalent ( cfe ). This is really an energy unit equal to about 1.091 giga joules (GJ). mcg an alternate symbol for the microgram. Although the SI symbol µg is preferable in print, the symbol mcg is used widely in medicine, and its use is required in many hospitals and clinics. This is because a handwritten µg is too easily mistaken for the milligram symbol mg, possibly leading to serious medical errors. mcL a symbol sometimes used for the microliter (µL). MCM a symbol for 1000 circular mils , a unit of area equal to about 0.5067 square millimeter commonly used in stating wire gauges. This symbol is being replaced by the less-confusing symbol kcmil. Mcps a symbol used for 1000 (not one million) centipoises , a unit of dynamic viscosity. This is a jarring addition of an obsolete English prefix to a metric unit, and its use risks a major misunderstanding since M- is the metric prefix for a million rather than a thousand. 1 Mcps equals 10 poises, so the proper name of the unit is decapoise (daP). MCU a symbol for milk clotting unit, used for measuring dosage of bromelain, an enzyme used as a digestive aid and for reduction of pain and inflammation. This unit cannot be converted to a weight unit, because different preparations of the enzyme differ in activity. Bromelain is also measured in gelatin digesting units ( GDU ); 1 MCU equals approximately 2/3 GDU. mease a unit of quantity formerly used by fishermen. The mease equals the number of herring in a basket, roughly 620. measure a musical unit representing a series of beats [2] (rhythmic stresses) with one primary or accented stress. A measure is also called a bar because the end of a measure is represented in musical notation by a vertical bar. measurement ton (MTON or MT) a unit of volume used for measuring the cargo of a ship, truck, train, or other freight carrier, equal to exactly 40 cubic feet, or approximately 1.1326 cubic meters. This unit was traditionally called a freight ton (see ton [5]), but that term now means a metric ton of freight in most international usage. However, the confusion seems impossible to dispel; some shippers are now using "measurement ton" to mean a metric ton of freight. (The way out of this dilemma is simple: measure volume in cubic meters and weight in metric tons.) mebi- (Mi-) a binary prefix meaning 220 = 1 048 576. This prefix, adopted by the International Electrotechnical Commission in 1998, is intended to replace mega- for binary applications in computer science. (This replacement does not seem to be happening.) The prefix is a contraction of "megabinary." MED a common symbol for "minimum erythemal dose," the smallest amount of ultraviolet radiation that produces observable reddening (erythema) of the skin. (Skin is sensitive to reddening by radiation in only a narrow band of wavelengths around 300 nanometers.) The MED obviously varies from one person to another. Doctors and tanning salon operators typically use a value of 200 joules per square meter (J/m2), which represents the MED of a highly sensitive individual; persons with dark skin have MED's in the range of 1000 J/m2. Regulatory agencies are moving to use of the standard erythemal dose (SED), a unit equal to exactly 100 J/m2. In tanning, a dose rate of one MED per hour is equivalent to 55.55 milli watts per square meter of skin surface. meg informal contraction of "megabyte," used in computer science. mega- (M-) [1] a metric prefix meaning 106, or one million. (The form meg- is often used before a vowel, as in megohm for one million ohms.) The prefix is also common in ordinary language, meaning "very large," as in megabucks or megadose. The prefix is derived from the Greek word for large, megas. mega- (M-) [2] in measuring the storage capacity of a computer, the prefix mega- often means 220 = 1 048 576 instead of an even one million. By a 1998 resolution of the International Electrotechnical Commission, the new prefix mebi- (Mi-) is supposed to replace mega- for 220. megabar (Mbar) a metric unit of pressure. The megabar equals one million bars , 100 giga pascals (GPa) or about 14.503 million pounds per square inch. Such intense pressures are found inside the earth or in various advanced scientific experiments. megabarrel (Mbbl, Mbo, MMb, or Mb) a unit of volume used in the energy industry, equal to one million barrels of oil. One megabarrel equals 42 million U. S. gallons , which is about 158.987 megaliters (ML). megabase (Mb) a unit of genetic information equal to the information carried by 1 million pairs of the base units in the double-helix of DNA; also used as a unit of relative distance equal to the length of a strand of DNA containing 1 million base pairs. In humans, one megabase corresponds approximately to a gene separation of one centimorgan . megabecquerel (MBq) a unit of radioactivity equal to one million atomic disintegrations per second or 27.027 micro curies . megabyte (MB) this unit of information is very common in the computer world, but it is poorly defined. Often it means 1 000 000 bytes, but sometimes it means 220 = 1 048 576 bytes. As if that weren't confusing enough, the 1.44 megabytes stored on "high density" floppy disks are actually megabytes of 1 024 000 bytes each. This uncertainty is a major reason for the recent decision of the International Electrotechnical Commission to establish new binary prefixes for computer science. megacycle (Mc) 1 million cycles, a term sometimes used as an informal name for the megahertz. megacycle per second (Mc/s) an older name for the megahertz. megadalton (MDa) a unit of mass equal to one million atomic mass units . See dalton . megaflops (Mflops) a unit of computing power equal to one million floating point operations per second. See flops . megagram (Mg) an SI unit of mass equal to one million grams or 1000 kg. This means the megagram is identical to the tonne (metric ton). Large masses are almost always stated in tonnes in commercial applications, but megagrams are often used in scientific contexts. One megagram equals about 2204.623 pounds . megahertz (MHz) a common unit of frequency equal to one million per second. Frequencies of radio waves are commonly stated in megahertz. megajoule (MJ) a common metric unit of work or energy. The megajoule equals one million joules, which is approximately 737 562 foot pounds, 947.8170 Btu , 238.846 (kilogram) Calories , or 0.277 778 kilowatt hours . megakelvin (MK) a unit of temperature equal to one million kelvins. This unit is used in astrophysics; temperatures in megakelvins are found in the interiors of stars or in highly excited plasmas. The reciprocal megakelvin (MK-1) is used in colorimetry. megalerg a CGS unit of energy equal to 106 ergs or 0.1 joule (0.073 756 foot pound). The "l" was added to "mega-erg" to make the unit pronounceable. megaline a metric unit of magnetic flux, equal to one million lines [2] or 0.01 weber. megaliter (Ml or ML) a metric unit of volume equal to 1000 cubic meters. Commonly used in reservoir and water system management outside the U.S., the megaliter equals 264 172 U.S. gallons or 0.810 713 acre foot . megalithic yard a unit of distance equal to about 83 centimeters or 2.72 feet, defined in 1951 by the Scottish engineer Alexander Thom (1894-1985). Thom claimed this unit was used in the construction of many megalithic monuments, including Stonehenge. If so, the unit was probably measured by the length of a workman's arm. megameter (Mm) a metric unit of distance equal to 1000 kilometers or about 621.371 miles . Although this appears to be an appropriate unit for longer distances on the earth, the megameter is seldom used. megampere (MA) a unit of electric current equal to one million amperes . This unit is used in plasma physics and fusion research. meganewton (MN) a metric unit of force equal to one million newtons. One meganewton equals about 101 972 kilograms of force or 224 809 pounds of force . The main engines of the U.S. space shuttle have a maximum thrust of about 2.28 meganewtons. megaohm (megohm) a common unit of electric resistance equal to one million ohms . The spelling megohm is also used. megaohm (megohm) centimeter a unit of resistivity, used for pure water and for other substances having relatively high resistivity. In the case of water, resistivity is a measure of purity: the higher the purity, the higher the resistivity. The resistivity of a conductor in megaohm centimeters is defined to be its resistance (in megaohms) multiplied by its cross-sectional area (in square centimeters) divided by its length (in centimeters). One megaohm centimeter equals 10 000 ohm meters. megaparsec (Mpc) the longest distance unit in common use, the megaparsec is used by astronomers studying the most distant quasars and galaxies. One megaparsec equals one million parsecs , 3.2616 million light years or 30.857 x 1018 kilometers (30.857 zettameters). megapascal (MPa, MP) a common metric unit of pressure or stress equal to one million pascals or one newton per square millimeter. One megapascal equals 10 bars or approximately 145.038 pounds per square inch (lbf/in2 or psi) or 20 885.5 pounds (10.443 U.S. tons) per square foot. The symbol MP is used fairly commonly in engineering, but it is not correct: use MPa. megapixel a unit used to describe the size or resolution of an image or of a digital camera. One megapixel is one million pixels (picture elements, or "dots"). For example, a rectangular image 1000 pixels by 1000 pixels is comprised of one megapixel. megapond (Mp) a metric unit of force equal to 1000 kilograms of force (kgf). The megapond also equals 9806.65 newtons , or 2204.6226 pounds of force in the traditional English system. Although it is considered obsolete, the megapond is still used sometimes by engineers in Europe, especially in Germany. megaton (Mton or Mt) a unit of energy used for measuring the energy of an explosion, especially a nuclear explosion. Supposed to be the amount of energy released by the explosion of one million (short) tons of TNT, the megaton is defined to equal 4.18 x 1015 joules (4.18 petajoules), 1.16 billion kilowatt hours, or roughly 4 trillion Btu . megatonne (Mt) a metric unit of mass or weight equal to one million metric tons (tonnes), one teragram (Tg), or about 2.2046 billion pounds . megawatt (MW) a common metric unit of power. One megawatt is equal to one million watts , about 1341.02 horsepower , or 947.817 Btu per second. megawatt hour (MW·h) a metric unit of energy, especially electrical energy. One megawatt hour equals exactly 3.6 giga joules (GJ), about 3.412 million Btu , or about 2.655 billion foot pounds. megawatt day (MW·d or MWD) a unit of energy used in the nuclear power and nuclear weapons industries. One megawatt day equals exactly 24 megawatt hours, 86.4 giga joules (GJ), about 81.89 million Btu , or about 63.7 billion foot pounds. megayear (Myr or Ma) a unit of time equal to one million years. megohm a common unit of electric resistance equal to one million ohms . This simplified spelling of megaohm is approved by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). meile A traditional distance unit in German speaking countries, the meile is much longer than the mile units of western Europe. Typically the meile was equal to 4000 klafters (fathoms) or 24 000 fuß (German feet). In Austria this came to 7586 meters (4.714 miles); in northern Germany it was 4.6805 miles or 7532.5 meters. A version of the meile called the geographische meile was defined to equal exactly 4 (Admiralty) nautical miles (24 320 feet , 4.6061 miles, or 7412.7 meters). The geographische meile was designed to equal 1/15 degree [2] or 4/3 league . See also mil [4], the Scandinavian version of this unit. mel a unit of perceived musical pitch, originally defined by Stevens, Volkmann, and Newmann in 1937. Our perception of musical pitch is complex. Although tones of higher frequency are perceived as being higher in pitch, tones separated by equal intervals (frequency ratios), such as octaves, will not be perceived as being equally spaced in pitch. A pure tone of frequency 1000 hertz, at a sound level 40 decibels above the faintest sound a listener can hear, is defined to have a pitch of 1000 mels, and tones perceived as being equally spaced in pitch are separated by an equal number of mels. Because perceptions of pitch depend on a number of factors other than frequency, it is not possible to give a straightforward conversion between hertz and mels. For tones above 1000 hertz the perceived pitch in mels is lower than the frequency in hertz; a 10-kilohertz tone is perceived at around 3000 mels. For tones lower than 1000 hertz the perceived pitch is a little higher than the frequency in hertz. melchior a huge bottle of champagne, holding about 18 liters. Mercalli intensity scale an empirical scale for rating the effects of an earthquake, as opposed to its strength (see magnitude [2] above). Mercalli estimates are stated as Roman numerals (I-XII) to avoid confusion with magnitude estimates on the Richter scale. The scale is named for the Italian geologist Giuseppe Mercalli (1850-1914), who devised the first version in 1902; the modified version used in the U.S. and Canada was developed by Charles F. Richter in 1956. mercantile pound (lb merc) a historic English unit of weight, the mercantile pound (libra mercatoria) was the commercial predecessor of the avoirdupois pound [1]. Used from about 1100 to 1300, the mercantile pound contained 15 troy ounces [2] or 7200 grains . This is equivalent to about 1.0286 avoirdupois pounds or 466.55 grams. -merous an ending meaning "-parted," added to a number to create an adjective. Thus "8-merous" means "having 8 parts." The suffix, frequently used by botanists, is derived from the Greek meros, "part." mesh a traditional unit used to measure the fineness of woven products such as fishing nets, fencing fabric, window screening, etc., equal to the number of strands per inch . For n mesh fabric, the distance between strands is 1/n inch or 25.4/n millimeter. met a unit of metabolism. Metabolism, the sum of all the processes going on in the body to sustain life, is measured in units of power expended per unit of body surface area. One met is the metabolism of a seated, resting person, equal to about 58.15 watts per square meter (W/m2) or 13.89 calories per second per square meter (cal/m2·s) regardless of the person's size. Measurements of human metabolism generally fall in the range 0.8-3.0 met, although athletes can achieve 10 met or more. meter or metre (m) the metric and SI base unit of distance. Originally, the meter was designed to be one ten-millionth of a quadrant , the distance between the Equator and the North Pole. (The Earth is difficult to measure, and a small error was made in correcting for the flattening caused by the Earth's rotation. As a result, the meter is too short by a bit less than 0.02%. That's not bad for a measurement made in the 1790's.) For a long time, the meter was precisely defined as the length of an actual object, a bar kept at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures in Paris. In recent years, however, the SI base units (with one exception) have been redefined in abstract terms so they can be reproduced to any desired level of accuracy in a well-equipped laboratory. The 17th General Conference on Weights and Measures in 1983 defined the meter as that distance that makes the speed of light in a vacuum equal to exactly 299 792 458 meters per second. The speed of light in a vacuum, c , is one of the fundamental constants of nature. Since c defines the meter now, experiments made to measure the speed of light are now interpreted as measurements of the meter instead. The meter is equal to approximately 1.093 613 3 yards , 3.280 840 feet , or 39.370 079 inches . Its name comes from the Latin metrum and the Greek metron, both meaning "measure." The unit is spelled meter in the U.S. and metre in Britain; there are many other spellings in various languages (see Spelling of Metric Units ). meter-atmosphere another name for the atmo-meter . meterlambert or meter-lambert another name for the nit , an MKS unit of luminance equal to one candela per square meter. The name is coined by analogy with the footlambert . meter per second (m/s) the metric and SI unit of speed or velocity. One meter per second is equal to exactly 3.6 kilometers per hour (km/h) or about 2.236 936 miles per hour or 3.280 840 feet per second. methuselah a large wine bottle holding about 6 liters, 8 times the volume of a regular bottle . Metonic cycle a unit of time equal to 19 years, used in astronomy in predicting the phases of the Moon. By coincidence, 19 years is equal to 6939.602 days and 235 lunar months is equal to 6939.689 days, just 125 minutes longer. As a result, the phases of the Moon repeat almost exactly after 19 years. (Since 19 years can contain either 3 or 4 leap days, the recurrence isn't always exact as to the day of the month.) Many lunar calendars, such as the Chinese and Jewish calendars, share this 19-year cycle. The cycle is named for the ancient Greek astronomer Meton, who first used it for predictions around 433 BC. metric carat the current internationally-recognized carat , equal to exactly 200 milligrams. metric grain a unit of mass sometimes used by jewelers, equal to 50 milligrams or 1/4 carat . This unit is often used for pearls and is sometimes called the pearl grain. metric horsepower a unit of power, defined to be the power required to raise a mass of 75 kilograms at a velocity of 1 meter per second. This is approximately 735.499 watts or 0.986 32 horsepower . The unit is known in French as cheval vapeur, in Spanish as caballo de vapor, and in German as Pferdestärke. metric hundredweight an informal unit of mass equal to 50 kilograms or approximately 110.231 pounds, close to the traditional British hundredweight of 112 pounds. This unit is also known by its German name, the zentner , or (in English) the centner. metric mile an informal unit of distance used mostly in athletics. The metric mile is equal to 1500 meters or 1.5 kilometers (approximately 0.932 057 statute mile or 4921.26 feet ). In U.S. high school competition the term is sometimes used for a race of 1600 meters (0.994 194 miles or 5249.34 feet). metric pound an informal name for a mass of 500 grams (0.5 kilogram or 1.1023 pound ). metric quintal a unit of mass equal to 1 decitonne, 100 kilograms or about 220.462 pounds. See quintal for a more complete description. metric slug see TME or hyl . metric ton (t or MT) an alternate name for the tonne . In the United States, the Department of Commerce recommends that the tonne be called the metric ton to distinguish it clearly from the traditional American ton. The proper symbol for the unit is simply t. metric ton unit (mtu) a unit of mass used in mining to measure the mass of the valuable metal in an ore. Customarily, the metric ton unit is defined to be one metric ton of ore containing 1% metal, but it is the metal, not the ore, that is being measured. Thus the unit is really a unit of mass equal to 10 kilograms (22.0462 pounds). MeV the symbol for one million electronvolts . Thanks to Einstein's equation E = mc2 equating mass wth energy, the MeV can be regarded either as a unit of energy equal to 160.217 646 2 femto joules , or as a unit of mass equal to 1.782 662 x 10-27 gram or 0.001 073 544 atomic mass unit . This is 1.956 951 times the mass of the electron (me). MFD, mfd common but incorrect symbols for the microfarad (see below). The correct symbol is µF, or mcF if µ is not available. mg-at an obsolete symbol for "milligram atom", an equally obsolete name for the milli mole (mmol). Mgd an abbreviation for millions of gallons per day (Mgal/d), a unit used in reservoir management to express the rate at which water is withdrawn, or could be withdrawn, for drinking or for some other purpose. 1 Mgd equals approximately 3.785 43 megaliters per day, or 3785.43 cubic meters per day, or 133 681 cubic feet per day. mg/dl symbol for milligram per deciliter, a unit used in U.S. medicine to measure the concentration of cholesterol and other substances in the blood. 1 mg/dl equals 0.01 grams per liter (g/L). Internationally, the SI unit for data of this type is millimoles per liter (mmol/L); see the table of SI Units for Clinical Data for conversions of many common measurements. mg-eq an obsolete symbol for "milligram equivalent", an equally obsolete name for the milli equivalent (mEq). mg/kg symbol for milligram per kilogram, a unit used in medicine to measure dosage rates. 1 mg/kg is equivalent to 10-6 g/g or 1 part per million based on the patient's body weight. mgon symbol for the milligon (milligrad), a unit of angle measure equal to 0.001 gon , 10-5 right angle, 0.0009°, 3.24 seconds of arc, or 15.708 microradians (µrad). Surveying equipment is often marked in "mgons." mho an older name for the siemens , which is defined to be the reciprocal of the ohm . In case you didn't notice already, "mho" is "ohm" spelt backwards. mic an informal name for the microgram, pronounced "mike." mickey a unit used in computer science in programming mice and similar input devices. One mickey is the length of the smallest detectable movement of the mouse. This depends on the equipment. Typical values are in the range 1/200 to 1/300 inch or roughly 0.1 millimeter. Obviously, the name comes from the Disney cartoon character Mickey Mouse. micro- (µ- or mc- or u-) a metric prefix meaning 10-6 (one millionth). The prefix comes from the Greek prefix mikro-, meaning small. In print the prefix is sometimes abbreviated mc- or u- when the Greek letter mu (µ) is not available. microampere (µA) a unit of electric current equal to 10-6 ampere . microarcsecond (µas) a unit of angle measurement sometimes used in astronomy. The microarcsecond equals 10-6 arcsecond or about 4.8481 pico radian . microbar (µbar) a CGS unit of pressure equal to 0.001 millibar, 0.1 pascal , 1 dyne per square centimeter (1 barye ), or about 0.002 089 pounds per square foot. The microbar is used commonly in acoustics and sound engineering. microcurie (µCi) a common unit of radioactivity. The microcurie equals 10-6 curie or 37 kilobecquerels ; this corresponds to a radioactivity of 37 000 atomic disintegrations per second. microdegree (µdeg) [1] a unit of angle measure equal to a millionth of a degree or exactly 36 milliarcseconds. microeinstein (µE) a unit of light energy concentration used in measuring the flux or density of light or any form of electromagnetic radiation. The microeinstein is equal to 10-6 einstein or one micro mole of photons. The density of photosynthetically active radiation, for example, is reported in microeinsteins per second per square meter (µE/s·m2). microequivalent (µEq or µeq) a unit of relative amount of substance equal to 10-6 equivalent weight . This unit is used, for example, in stating the concentrations of ions in drinking water. microfarad (µF) a common unit of electric capacitance equal to 10-6 farad . microflick (µf) a unit of spectral radiance used in optical and communications engineering, equal to 10-6 flick , or 1 microwatt per steradian per square centimeter of surface per micrometer of span in wavelength. This is mathematically equivalent to 10 milliwatts per steradian per cubic meter. microgram (µg or mcg) a metric unit of mass equal to 0.001 milligram (mg) or one millionth of a gram. Ingredients of drugs and vitamins are often stated in micrograms. microgray (µGy) a unit of radiation dose equal to a millionth of a gray or 0.1 milli rad . Small doses of this size are often provided by natural sources in the environment. microinch (µin) a traditional unit of distance equal to 10-6 inch, 0.001 mil, or 25.4 nanometers (nm). The microinch is used rather widely to state the roughness of optical surfaces, precise tolerances in machining, and for other industrial purposes. microliter (µl, µL, mcl, or mcL) a metric unit of volume equal to 0.001 milliliter or 1 cubic millimeter (mm3). Microliters are used in chemistry and medicine to measure very small quantities of liquid. This unit has also been called the lambda. micrometer (µm) a common metric unit of distance equal to 0.001 millimeter or about 0.039 370 mil. The name micron is also used for this unit. micromicro- (µµ-) an obsolete metric prefix denoting 10-12. The prefix has been replaced by pico- (p-). micromicrofarad (µµF or mmfd) an older name for the picofarad (10-12 farad ). Though it is obsolete now, this name is still seen marked on many capacitors. micromicron (µµ) a former name for a millionth of a micron, that is, 10-12 meter. The name bicron was also used for this unit, which is now called the picometer (pm). micromole (µmol) a unit of amount of substance equal to a millionth of a mole (see below). This unit is used very commonly in biochemistry, since a mole of a large organic molecule can be quite a large amount. micron (µ) [1] a metric unit of distance equal to one millionth of a meter. "Micron" is simply a shorter name for the micrometer. In 1968 the CGPM decided to drop the micron as an approved unit and recommend that micrometers be used instead. Microns, however, are still in common use. micron (µ) [2] an informal unit of pressure widely used in vacuum technology. In this use, a micron is a micron of mercury, that is, 0.001 mm Hg or approximately 1.333 micro bars (µbar or µb) or 133.3 milli pascals (mPa). For all practical purposes, 1 micron is identical to 1 milli torr (mTorr). micronewton (µN) a unit of force equal to a millionth of a newton or 0.1 dyne . The unit is often used in astronautical engineering to describe the tiny forces applied to spacecraft to adjust their attitudes in space. micropascal (µPa) an SI unit of pressure equal to 10-6 pascal or 1 micro newton per square meter. This very small unit is used to measure the pressure of sound waves. micropoise (µP, µPo, or µPs) a unit of dynamic viscosity used primarily for describing the viscosities of gases. One micropoise equals 10-6 poise or 10-7 pascal second (Pa·s). microrad (µrad) a unit of radiation dose equal to a millionth of a rad or 10 nano grays . microradian (µrad) a unit of angle measure equal to 10-6 radian . The microradian equals about 0.208 533 milliarcsecond (mas). microrem (µrem) a unit of effective radiation dose equal to a millionth of a rem or 10 nano sieverts . Doses in this range are much smaller than those provided by natural sources of radioactivity in the environment. microsecond (µs or µsec) a unit of time equal to a millionth of a second. microsievert (µSv) a unit of radiation dose equal to 10-6 sievert or 0.1 milli rem . The radiation doses resulting from exposure to natural sources such as radon gas in the atmosphere are often measured in this unit. microstrain (µstrain) a common engineering unit measuring strain. An object under strain is typically deformed (extended or compressed), and the strain is measured by the amount of this deformation relative to the same object in an undeformed state. One microstrain is the strain producing a deformation of one part per million (10-6). microtesla (µT or mcT) a common unit of magnetic field intensity equal to 10-6 tesla . The unit is widely used to measure the strength of electromagnetic fields generated by powerlines or electronic equipment. By comparison, the strength of the Earth's own magnetic field at the surface is about 50 microteslas. One microtesla equals 0.01 gauss . microvolt (µV or mcV) a unit of electric potential equal to 10-6 volt . This unit is used in cardiology and other medical fields to measure the small potentials within the nervous system. middy an informal unit of volume for beer used in many Australian pubs. A middy is generally 285 milliliters (or 10 British fluid ounces), larger than a pony but smaller than a schooner . miglio the traditional Italian mile. The miglio equals 1628 yards, which is 0.925 English mile or about 1488.6 meters. This is 32 yards (29.3 meters) shorter than the classical Roman mile. miil or mijl alternate spellings for the Scandinavian mil [4] (see below). mil [1] a unit of distance equal to 0.001 inch: a "milli-inch," in other words. Mils are used, primarily in the U.S., to express small distances and tolerances in engineering work. One mil is exactly 25.4 microns, just as one inch is exactly 25.4 millimeters. This unit is also called the thou. With the increasing use of metric units in the U.S., many machinists now avoid the use of "mil" because that term is also a handy slang for the millimeter. mil [2] a unit of angle measure, used in the military for artillery settings. At one time the U. S. Army used a mil equal to 1/1000 of a right angle, 0.1 grad, 0.09°, or 5.4 arcminutes (often written 5.4 moa; see "moa" below). Later this was changed to 1/1600 right angle, or 0.05625° (3.375 moa). In target shooting, the mil is often understood to mean 0.001 radian or 1 milliradian, which is about 0.0573° or 3.43775 moa. In Britain, the term angular mil generally refers to the milliradian. 1 milliradian corresponds to a target size of 10 millimeters at a range of 10 meters, or 3.6 inches at 100 yards. mil [3] a common slang name for the milliliter (mL) or the millimeter (mm). mil [4] in Scandinavia, the mil, pronounced like "meal" in English, is a traditional distance unit considerably longer than Roman or English miles. In Denmark, the traditional mil was 24 000 Danish feet, which is 4.6805 miles or 7.5325 kilometers (this is the same as the north German meile; see above). The Danish mil has sometimes been interpreted as exactly 7.5 kilometers (4.6603 miles). In Sweden, the traditional mil was 36 000 Swedish feet, which is 6.641 miles or 10.687 kilometers. In Sweden and Norway the mil is now interpreted as a metric unit equal to exactly 10 kilometers (6.2137 miles). See also sjømil . mil [5] an alternate spelling of the mill [1] (see below). mile (mi) [1] a traditional unit of distance. The word comes from the Latin word for 1000, mille, because originally a mile was the distance a Roman legion could march in 1000 paces (or 2000 steps, a pace being the distance between successive falls of the same foot). There is some uncertainty about the length of the Roman mile. Based on the Roman foot of 29.6 centimeters and assuming a standard pace of 5 Roman feet, the Roman mile would have been 1480 meters (4856 feet); however, the measured distance between surviving milestones of Roman roads is often closer to 1520 meters or 5000 feet. In any case, miles of similar lengths were used throughout Western Europe. In medieval England, several mile units were used, including a mile of 5000 feet (1524 meters), the modern mile defined as 8 furlongs (1609 meters), and a longer mile similar to the French mille (1949 meters). None of these units corresponded with the Scottish mile (1814 meters) or the Irish mile (2048 meters). In 1592, Parliament settled the question in England by defining the statute mile to be 8 furlongs , 80 chains , 320 rods [1], 1760 yards or 5280 feet . Using the international definition of the foot as exactly 30.48 centimeters, the international statute mile is exactly 1609.344 meters. (In technical U.S. usage, the statute mile is defined in terms of the survey foot and equals about 1609.3472 meters; this unit is called the survey mile). In athletics, races of 1500 or 1600 meters are often called metric miles. See also nautical mile . mile (mi) [2] an informal name for mile per hour, sometimes seen on U.S. road signs with markings such as "Speed Limit 25 miles." mile per gallon (mi/gal or mpg) [1] the unit customarily used in the United States to measure the fuel efficiency of motor vehicles. 1 mile per U.S. gallon [1] equals about 0.4252 kilometers per liter. In most other countries, however, the usual measure of fuel consumption is liters per 100 kilometers; x miles per U.S. gallon is equal to 235.215/x liters per 100 kilometers. mile per gallon (mi/gal or mpg) [2] the unit formerly used in Britain, Canada, Australia, and other British Commonwealth nations to measure the fuel efficiency of motor vehicles, analogous to the U.S. unit but based on the Imperial gallon [3]. Although still used sometimes, this unit has been replaced officially by liters per 100 kilometers; x miles per Imperial gallon is equal to 282.481/x liters per 100 kilometers. One mile per Imperial gallon is equal to about 0.8327 mile per U.S. gallon. mile per hour (mi/h or mph) a traditional unit of velocity. One mile per hour equals exactly 22/15 feet per second, approximately 1.609 kilometers per hour (km/h), or exactly 0.447 04 meter per second (m/s). mil-foot a mil-foot is a section of wire one foot long and one mil in diameter; this would be a unit of volume equal to about 0.0377 cubic inches or 0.6178 cubic centimeters. However, the unit is used primarily in statements of resistivity in ohms per mil-foot or of density in pounds per mil-foot. The unit is also called the circular mil-foot. milha the traditional Portuguese mile, one of the "longest miles" of western Europe at 2282.75 yards (1.297 statute miles or 2087.3 meters). military pace another name for a step . In the U.S. Army, the military pace is defined to be exactly 30 inches (76.2 centimeters) for ordinary "quick time" marching and 36 inches (91.44 centimeters) for double time marching. The same definitions are generally used by marching bands. mill [1] an informal unit of quantity or of proportion, equal to 0.001. When Congress established the U. S. monetary system in 1791, it provided for 10 mills to the cent and 100 cents to the dollar; thus the mill was an amount of money equal to $0.001. Although the mill is unfamiliar now as a monetary unit, it has come to represent a one thousandth part as a proportion. Many towns in the United States set their property tax rates in mills, for example. mill [2] slang for one million. milla the traditional Spanish mile, equal to 5000 pies (Spanish feet) or 8 estadios . This is about 1392 meters, 4567 feet , or 0.865 statute mile. mille [1] the traditional French mile, equal to 1000 toises . This is equal to about 6394.4 feet , 1.211 statute mile, or 1949 meters. In modern France, the mille sometimes means the nautical mile (mille marin), equal to exactly 1852 meters. mille [2] in French-speaking Canada, the English statute mile of 5280 feet (1609.344 meters). mille [3] the Latin word for 1000, sometimes used in English in very learned or literary contexts. millenary a unit of quantity equal to 1000. millennium a traditional unit of time equal to 1000 years. The plural is millennia or sometimes millenniums. milli- (m-) a metric prefix meaning 0.001 (one thousandth). The prefix was coined from the Latin number mille, one thousand. milliampere (mA) a common unit of electric current equal to 0.001 ampere . milliampere hour (mA·h) a common unit of electric charge, used (for example) in stating the capacity of batteries for cell phones and other electronic equipment. One milliampere hour is the charge accumulated by a current of 1 milliampere in 1 hour; this is equal to exactly 3.6 coulombs (C). milliarcsecond (mas) a unit of angular measure commonly used in astronomy. One milliarcsecond is equal to 0.001 arcsecond, 0.277 77 microdegrees, or 4.848 137 nano radians . milliard [1] a unit of quantity equal to 109, which is what Americans call a billion. See Using Numbers and Units for more on the "billion" controversy. milliard [2] a unit of volume used by engineers to describe a large quantity of water. One milliard equals one cubic kilometer, which is 1 billion (109) cubic meters or about 810 767 acre feet . millibar (mb) a common metric unit of atmospheric pressure, equal to 0.001 bar, 100 pascals , 1000 dynes /cm2, about 0.0295 inches (0.7501 millimeters) of mercury, or about 0.014 504 lb/in2. A millibar is the same thing as a hectopascal (hPa), and some weather agencies have replaced the millibar with the hectopascal in an effort to conform with the SI . However, many meteorologists resist this change and continue to use millibars. In fact, an appropriate SI unit for atmospheric pressure would be the kilopascal (10 millibars or 0.145 038 lb/in2). millicandela (mcd) a unit of light intensity equal to 0.001 candela . The intensity of the light-emitting diodes (LEDs) used in electronics are stated in millicandelas. millicurie (mCi) a common unit of radioactivity. One millicurie represents radioactivity at the rate of 37 million atomic disintegrations per second, that is, 37 mega bequerels . millidegree (mdeg) [1] a unit of angle measure equal to 0.001° or exactly 36 arcseconds. millidegree (mdeg) [2] a unit of temperature equal to 0.001°, usually meaning 0.001 °C. milliequivalent (mEq or meq) a unit of relative amount of substance commonly used in chemistry. One mEq equals 0.001 equivalent weight . millier a former name for the tonne or metric ton. This name, obsolete now, was used in Britain to avoid confusion with the British long ton. millifarad (mF) a common unit of electric capacitance equal to 0.001 farad . milligal (mGal or mgal) a unit of acceleration used in geology to measure subtle changes in gravitational acceleration. One milligal equals 10 micrometers per second per second, or 10-5 meters per second per second. The unit should really be called the milli galileo . milligauss (mG) a unit of magnetic flux density equal to 0.001 gauss , 0.1 micro tesla , or 100 nanoteslas. The magnetic fields generated by power lines and electronic equipment are often measured in milligauss. milligram (mg) a very common metric unit of mass equal to 0.001 gram or 1000 micrograms (µg or mcg). One milligram equals approximately 0.015432 grain or 35.274 x 10-6 ounce. milligram per deciliter (mg/dl or mg/dL) a conventional unit in medicine for measuring concentrations of cholesterol and many other substances in the blood. Internationally, the SI unit for data of this type is millimoles per liter (mmol/L); see the table of SI Units for Clinical Data for conversions of many common measurements. milligray (mGy) a common unit of radiation dose equal to 0.001 gray , 0.1 rad , or 1 millijoule of energy per kilogram of matter. Because the gray itself is such a large unit, many practical radiation measurements are made in milligrays. In particular, the exposures cause by X-ray equipment are typically in the milligray range. millihenry (mH) a common metric unit of electric inductance equal to 0.001 henry . millihg an informal name (pronounced "millig") for the millimeter of mercury (see below). millihorsepower (mhp) a unit of power equal to 0.55 foot-pound per second or 0.7457 watt . This unit is commonly used to state the power of small electric motors. millijoule (mJ) a common metric unit of work or energy equal to 0.001 joule or 104 ergs . milli-k a unit used in nuclear engineering to describe the "reactivity" of a nuclear reactor. One milli-k is a reactivity of 0.001 or 0.1%; the origin of the name is that k is a common symbol for reactivity. This unit was introduced in the Canadian nuclear power industry. For a discussion of reactivity, see inhour . millikelvin (mK) a unit of temperature equal to 0.001 kelvin or 0.001 degree Celsius (°C). This unit is used mostly by scientists investigating substances cooled very close to absolute zero. millilambert (mLb) a common metric unit of illumination equal to 0.001 lambert or 10 lux (lx). millilux (mlx) a metric unit of illumination equal to 0.001 lux . The natural illumination at night is measured in millilux. milliliter (ml or mL) a very common metric unit of volume. One milliliter equals 0.001 liter, exactly one cubic centimeter (cm3 or cc), or approximately 0.061 023 7 cubic inch or 16.231 U.S. minims (see below). The milliliter is used almost entirely for measuring the volumes of liquids, with solids being measured in cubic centimeters. Note: until 1964 the milliliter was equal to 1.000 028 cubic centimeters; see liter for a discussion of this history. millimass unit (mu or mmu) a unit of mass equal to 0.001 atomic mass unit , used in physics and chemistry. This unit is also called the milli dalton (mDa). The millimass unit is an SI unit, but its proper SI symbol is mu, not the older symbol mmu. millimeter (mm) a very common metric unit of distance. One millimeter equals 0.001 meter, 0.1 centimeter, about 0.039 370 inch, or 39.370 mils. millimeter of mercury (mm Hg) a unit of pressure equal to the pressure exerted at the Earth's surface by a column of mercury 1 millimeter high. When a traditional mercury barometer is used, the pressure is read directly as the height of the mercury column in millimeters. One millimeter of pressure is equivalent to approximately 0.03937 in Hg , 0.01933 lbf/in2, 1.333 millibars , or 133.3 pascals . In medicine, blood pressure is traditionally recorded in mm Hg. In engineering, the millimeter of mercury is often replaced by the torr , the two units being equal to within 1 part per million. Hg, the chemical symbol for mercury, is taken from the Latin hydrargyrum, "water-silver," describing the silvery liquid metal. millimeter of water (mmH2O, mm WC, mm CE, mm WS) a unit of pressure equal to the pressure exerted at the Earth's surface by a column of water 1 millimeter high. This is a small pressure, about 9.8067 pascals , 0.098 067 millibars , 0.03937 inch of water, or 0.204 pounds per square foot. The French symbol is mm CE (colonne d'eau), and the German symbol is mm WS (Wassersäule). millimeter of water gauge (mm WG) another common name for the millimeter of water column. The word "gauge" (or "gage") after a pressure reading indicates that the pressure stated is actually the difference between the absolute, or total, pressure and the air pressure at the time of the reading. millimicro- (mµ-) an obsolete metric prefix denoting 10-9 or one billionth. This prefix has been replaced by nano- (n-). millimicron (mµ) a former metric unit of distance equal to 0.001 micron or 10-9 meter. The millimicron has been replaced by its equivalent, the nanometer (nm). millimole (mmol) a very common unit of amount of substance equal to 0.001 mole (see below). millimole per liter (mmol/l or mmol/L) the SI unit in medicine for measuring concentrations of cholesterol and many other substances in the blood. A table is provided for conversion of conventional units, such as milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), to SI units. milline a traditional unit of advertising. One milline equals the height of a line of "agate" type (5.5 points, or about 2 mm) times the width of a column times one million copies of the publication. millinewton (mN) a metric unit of force equal to 0.001 newton , 100 dynes , or about 0.101 972 gram of force (gf). millinile a unit used in British nuclear engineering to describe the "reactivity" of a nuclear reactor. One millinile is a reactivity of 10-5. For a discussion of reactivity, see inhour . millioctave (mO) a unit used in music to describe the ratio in frequency between notes. The difference between two frequencies in millioctaves is equal to 1000 times the base-2 logarithm of the ratio between the two frequences. One millioctave equals exactly 1.2 cents [3] or about 0.30103 savart . If two notes differ by 1 millioctave, the ratio between their frequencies is 21/1000 or approximately 1.000 6934. millioersted (mOe) a name sometimes used for the milligauss as a unit of magnetic flux density. milliosmole (mOsm) a unit of osmotic pressure, equal to 0.001 osmole , commonly used in biology and medicine. milliparsec (mpc) a unit of distance in astronomy equal to 0.001 parsec . Used in studying crowded parts of the universe such as globular clusters and galactic centers, the milliparsec is equal to about 206.265 astronomical units , 11.913 light days, or 30.8568 terameters (30.8568 x 109 kilometers or 49.6486 million miles). millipascal (mPa) an SI unit of pressure equal to 0.001 pascal or 1 milli newton per square meter. This very small unit is used to measure the pressure of sound waves. millipascal second (mPa·s) an SI unit of dynamic viscosity equal to the centi poise (cP). This unit is gradually replacing the centipoise in many contexts. milliphot (mph) a unit of illuminance or illumination equal to 0.001 phot or 10 lux . millipoise (mP, mPs, or mPo) a metric unit of dynamic viscosity equal to 0.001 poise or 0.1 millipascal second (mPa·s). millirad (mrad) a unit of radiation dose equal to 0.001 rad or 10 micro grays . milliradian (mrad) a unit of angle measure equal to 0.001 radian. The milliradian equals about 0.057 296°, 3.437 75 arcminutes, or 3" 26.265'. In Britain this unit is often called the angular mil. millirem (mrem) a common unit of radiation dose equal to 0.001 rem or 10 micro sieverts (µSv). A millirem is roughly the radiation dose you would receive from wearing a luminous dial watch for a year. millisecond (ms or msec) a common unit of time equal to 0.001 second. millisiemens (mS) a common unit of conductance equal to 0.001 siemens or 1 milli ampere of current per volt of potential difference. The millisiemens is often used to measure the salinity of seawater or brackish water, since adding salt to water makes it much more conductive of electricity. millisievert (mSv) a unit commonly used to measure radiation dose. One millisievert equals 0.001 sievert or 0.1 rem . millitesla (mT) a common unit of magnetic field intensity equal to 0.001 tesla or 10 gauss . Since the tesla is quite a large unit, many practical measurements are made in milliteslas. millivolt (mV) a common unit of electric potential equal to 0.001 volt . milliwatt (mW) a common unit of power equal to 0.001 watt . milliwatt hour (mW·h) a common metric unit of work or energy, representing the energy delivered at a rate of one milliwatt for a period of one hour. This is equivalent to exactly 3.6 joules (J) of energy, or about 0.003 412 Btu , 0.859 846 (small) calories , or about 2.655 foot pounds. mina a historic unit of weight, originating in Babylonia and used throughout the eastern Mediterranean. The mina is roughly comparable to the pound , but over the centuries it varied quite a bit. In Babylonian times it was a large unit, roughly 2 pounds, almost as much as a kilogram. The Hebrew mina, frequently mentioned in the Bible, is estimated at 499 grams (1.10 pounds). The Greek mina was equal to 100 drachmai or 431 grams (0.95 pound). In Biblical times the mina was equal to 60 shekels, and there were 60 minas in a talent . miner's inch a traditional unit of water flow in the western United States. The unit originally represented streamflow through an opening one inch (25.4 mm) square at a specified distance below the surface of the water; this distance varied from 4 to 6 inches. In Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, North and South Dakota, Utah, and Washington the miner's inch is legally defined to equal 9 gallons per minute or 1.2 cubic feet per minute (about 34.07 liters per minute). In Arizona, California, Montana, Nevada, and Oregon the definition is 1.5 cubic feet per minute (42.48 L/min). In Colorado, the legal equivalent is 1.5625 cubic feet per minute (44.25 L/min). See also water inch . -minex a suffix used to create small numbers. The number n-minex is 10-n, which is 0.000...0001 with a total of n-1 zeros between the decimal marker and the 1. Thus one millionth (0.000001), for example, is 6-minex. See also dex and -plex . minim (m or min) [1] a traditional unit of volume used for very small quantities of liquids. In pharmacy, the term drop traditionally meant the same thing as 1 minim. The minim is defined to be 1/60 fluid dram or 1/480 fluid ounce. The U. S. minim is equal to about 0.003 760 cubic inch or 61.610 microliters, while the British minim is equal to about 0.003 612 cubic inch or 59.194 microliters. As you might guess, the word comes from the Latin minimus, small. minim [2] a unit of relative time in music equal to 1/2 whole note (a half note) or 1/4 breve . minipin an informal unit of volume for beer and other alcoholic beverages, used mostly in Britain. A minipin is 1/2 of a polypin ; this is about 17 Imperial pints or 10 liters (roughly 2.64 U.S. gallons). minute (′) [0] a historic unit of proportion equal to 1/60. The Romans lacked our flexible terminology for fractions; they followed Babylonian and Greek practice in visualizing quantities as being divided into 60 parts, so they could express fractions consistently in 60ths. A 60th part was called a pars minuta prima ("first small part") of the whole. For smaller fractions, a 60th part was divided into 60 smaller parts, each called a pars minuta secunda ("second small part"). The minuta prima has come down to us as "minute," the minuta secunda is our "second," and the prima leads to the traditional symbol ′ being called a "prime." minute (min or ′ or m) [1] a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or to 1/60 hour. The SI specifies min as the symbol for the time unit and ′ as the symbol for the minute of arc (see below). minute (′ or m or moa) [2] or minute of arc or minute of angle a unit of angular measure equal to 60 arcseconds or to 1/60 degree. This unit is often called the arcminute to distinguish it from the minute of time. There are 21 600 arcminutes in a circle. The SI defines min as the symbol for the time unit (see above) and recommends ′ as the symbol for the minute of arc. The symbol moa is often used in target shooting. The international standard ISO 31 requires that angles be stated in degrees and decimal fractions of the degree, without use of arcminutes and arcseconds. minute (′ or m) [3] a unit of angular measure used in astronomy. Astronomers measure right ascension (see hour [2]) in time units by dividing the equator into 24 hours instead of 360 degrees. This makes 1 minute of right ascension equal to 15 arcminutes. minute [4] a unit of time equal to 1/60 day or 24 minutes in the modern sense. This was the original definition of the minute as a unit of time. The modern definition of 1/60 hour did not appear until the invention of mechanical clocks made it practical to measure such small intervals of time. minute (min or m or ′) [5] a unit of sidereal time in astronomy; see sidereal day . minutum in medieval times, a unit of time equal to 1/10 hour, or 6 minutes in modern terminology. This unit was divided into 4 moments (see below). minyan a traditional Hebrew unit of quantity equal to 10, the number of males aged 13 or over required for a Jewish worship service. (In many modern congregations, both males and females can be included in a minyan.) mips a unit of computing power equal to one million instructions per second. An "instruction" is a single program command to the computer's central processor. In a particular computer, there is a definite relationship between the rate at which instructions are processed, in mips, and the "clock speed" of the processor, measured in megahertz (MHz). However, this relationship varies considerably between computers, so it is usually not meaningful to compare the mips rates of dissimilar machines. See also megaflops (above). mired a name used in colorimetry for the reciprocal megakelvin (MK-1). The word is an acronym for "micro-reciprocal degree"; it is pronounced my-red, in two syllables. MIU symbol for one million international units . Dosages of certain drugs, such as various forms of interferon, are commonly stated in this unit. MJD see modified Julian day (below). mKB symbol for "meters from the Kelly bushing," used in the oil and gas industry to indicate the length of a bored well as measured from the large bushing at the top of the shaft. Since the drilling is usually not exactly vertical, this measurement will be larger than the actual depth of the bottom of the well. The symbol mTVD is often used for true vertical depth. mkono a traditional unit of distance in East Africa, standardized under British rule as 1/2 yard (18 inches , or 45.72 centimeters). This unit is an African version of the cubit . mkp a common symbol for the meter kilopond , a metric unit of torque equal to 9.806 65 newton meters (N·m) or 7.233 01 pound feet . Mlb, Mlbs (1) common symbols for one million pounds . Although "Mlbs" is seen frequently, symbols need not take the terminal -s in the plural and this dictionary takes the position that they should not; "Mlb" is correct. (Also note that the "l" is not capitalized in the symbol for the pound.) Mlb (2) a traditional unit of mass for steam, equal to 1000 (not one million) pounds. This is one of many uses of the Roman numeral M to represent a multiple of 1000; all these uses should be replaced by the metric prefix k- (kilo-). mM a common symbol in chemistry for millimolar, that is, millimoles per liter. The SI does not allow the use of this symbol. MM an abbreviation for one million, seen in a few traditional units such as those listed below. The abbreviation is meant to indicate one thousand thousand, M being the Roman numeral 1000. However, MM actually means 2000, not one million, in Roman numeration. Since the single letter M is now used commonly for one million, the use of MM is confusing and strongly discouraged. m/m an abbreviation for "by mass," used in chemistry and pharmacology to describe the concentration of a substance in a mixture or solution. 2% m/m means that the mass of the substance is 2% of the total mass of the solution or mixture. MMb, MMbo symbols for one million barrels of oil; see megabarrel above. MMBF or MMBM symbols sometimes used in U.S. forestry for one million board feet . One MMBF represents a volume of 83 333 cubic feet or 2360 cubic meters. "BM" stands for "board measure." MMBtu a traditional symbol for one million Btu (about 1.055 057 giga joules (GJ)), a unit used widely in the energy industry. This unit is also called the dekatherm. MMcf a symbol for one million cubic feet (28 316.85 m3, or 28.316 85 megaliters). Similarly, MMMcf is used for one billion cubic feet. MMcfe a symbol used in the natural gas industry for one million cubic feet of gas equivalent ( cfe ). This is really an energy unit equal to about 1.091 tera joules (TJ). Similarly, MMMcfe is used for one billion cubic feet of gas equivalent: 1.091 petajoules (PJ). MMcps a symbol used for one million centipoises , a unit of dynamic viscosity. This is a jarring addition of an obsolete English prefix to a metric unit, and its use cannot be recommended. 1 MMcps equals 10 000 poises or 10 kilopoises (kP or kps). mmg an obsolete symbol for the microgram, mmg stands for "millimilligram," that is, 0.001 milligram. This symbol should never be used. The SI symbol for the microgram is µg, and an acceptable alternate (often used in medicine) is mcg. mmHg symbol for the millimeter of mercury (see above), a unit of pressure equal to 133.3 pascals . MMM an abbreviation for one billion (109), seen in a few traditional units such as those mentioned above. The abbreviation is meant to indicate one thousand thousand thousand, M being the Roman numeral 1000. However, MMM actually means 3000, not one billion, in Roman numeration. MMscfd symbol for one million standard cubic feet per day, the customary unit for measuring the production and flow of natural gas. "Standard" means that the measurement is adjusted to standard temperature (60 °F or 15.6 °C) and pressure (1 atmosphere ). -mo a "unit" traditionally used in printing to describe the page size of a book or other publication. In traditional printing, large sheets are printed, folded, and then cut to manufacture the book. After the cut is made, the sheet has been divided into a certain number of "leaves." Each leaf, folded at the spine of the book, comprises two pages front and back. When sheets were cut to form 4, 8, or 12 leaves, the resulting pages were described as quarto (4to), octavo (8vo) or duodecimo (12mo), respectively. Later, the suffix -mo from duodecimo was made into a suffix that can be attached to any number to indicate the number of leaves per sheet; thus 16mo indicates 16 leaves per sheet. Link: book sizes , from Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books , by Matt T. Roberts and Don Etherington, posted by Stanford University. moa an acronym for "minute of angle," that is, for the arcminute (see minute [2], above). This unit is commonly used in target shooting to express the angular size of targets or the spacing between marks on a reticle (the grid of lines seen in the eyepiece of a rifle). By coincidence, 1 moa is very nearly equal to a target size of 1 inch at 100 yards; in fact, 1 moa = 1.047 20 inches at 100 yards or 10.4720 inches at 1000 yards. In metric units, 1 moa = 2.9089 centimeters at 100 meters. modified Julian day (MJD) a count of days used by astronomers, space agencies, and others. Astronomers have long used the Julian day , a count of days beginning at noon Universal Time January 1, 4713 BC, as a means of specifying a date independent of all calendars. One problem with this is that the numbers are large, more than 2.4 million, for current dates. Also, the old astronomical custom of beginning a day at noon is awkward for converting Julian dates to the ordinary calendar. To ease these problems, space engineers introduced the modified Julian date, equal to the Julian date minus 2 400 000.5. The result is a count of days beginning at 0 hours (midnight) Universal Time on 17 November 1858. Thus (for example) 0 hours 1 January 2005 is MJD 53371.0. module a unit of volume for raw cotton in the U.S. When cotton is harvested, machinery is used to compact it into bundles called modules for transportation to the gin. A cotton module is 8 ft by 8 ft by 20 ft, or 1280 cubic feet (about 36.25 cubic meters). This unit is essentially the same as the TEU , the volume of a standard 20 ft container. Mohs hardness scale a 1-10 scale for estimating the hardness of a mineral, introduced by the German geologist Friedrich Mohs (1773-1839) in 1812. To apply the scale, one attempts to scratch the mineral with standard minerals assigned hardness numbers as follows: diamond 10, corundum 9, topaz 8, quartz 7, orthoclase 6, apatite 5, fluorite 4, calcite 3, gypsum 2, and talc 1. If, for example, the mineral is scratched by quartz but not by orthoclase, then its hardness is between 6 and 7. moiety another name for a half, from the French moitié. molad Hebrew name for the lunar (synodic) month (see month [1] below). This unit, 29.530 59 days, is crucial in the regulation of the Jewish lunisolar calendar. molal (m), molar (M) these notations, traditionally used by chemists to describe the concentration of chemical solutions, often appear to be units of measurement. It's easy to get them confused. The term "molal" describes the concentration of a solution in moles per kilogram of solvent (mol/kg), while "molar" describes a concentration in moles per liter (mol/L). A solution described as 1.0 µM has a concentration of 1.0 µmol/L. These units are not approved by the General Conference on Weights and Measures. Their use is declining, but still substantial. molar volume a unit used by chemists and physicists to measure the volumes of gases. The behavior of gases under ordinary conditions (not at very high pressures or very low temperatures) is governed by the Ideal Gas Law. This law says that the volume V of a gas is related to its temperature T and pressure P by the formula PV = nRT, where n is the number of moles of gas present and the gas constant R equals 8.314 joules per mole per kelvin . The molar volume is the volume one mole of gas occupies at standard temperature (273.16 kelvins, or 0 °C) and standard pressure (1 atmosphere , or 101.325 kilo pascals ). The molar volume is equal to 22.414 liters or 0.7915 cubic foot. (Occasionally the term "molar volume" is used for the volume occupied by a mole of a substance which is not a gas; in such cases the molar volume will be different for each substance.) mole (mol) the SI base unit of the amount of a substance (as distinct from its mass or weight). Moles measure the actual number of atoms or molecules in an object. An earlier name is gram molecular weight, because one mole of a chemical compound is the same number of grams as the molecular weight of a molecule of that compound measured in atomic mass units . The official definition, adopted as part of the SI system in 1971, is that one mole of a substance contains just as many elementary entities (atoms, molecules, ions, or other kinds of particles) as there are atoms in 12 grams of carbon-12 (carbon-12 is the most common atomic form of carbon, consisting of atoms having 6 protons and 6 neutrons). The actual number of "elementary entities" in a mole is called Avogadro's number after the Italian chemist and physicist Amedeo Avogadro (1776-1856). Careful measurement determines Avogadro's number to be approximately 602.214 179 x 1021. In the American system of naming big numbers, that's 602 sextillion 214 quintillion 179 quadrillion, give or take about 50 quadrillion. moment a medieval unit of time equal to 1/40 hour or 1.5 minutes. This meaning has come down to us only as "a brief interval of time." The moment was divided into 12 ounces [4] of 7.5 seconds each. momme [1] a traditional Japanese weight unit corresponding to the Chinese mace (see above). Jewelers continue to use the momme to measure the weight of cultured pearls; for this purpose it equals exactly 3.75 grams (about 0.132 ounce ) or 18.75 carats . The unit is commonly pronounced "mommy" in English. momme [2] a traditional unit used to measure the "weight" (density per unit area) of silk. The measure is the weight in momme [1] of a standard strip of silk 25 yards long by 1.49 inches wide, an area of 1341 square inches or about 0.8652 square meter. This makes the silk momme equal to about 3.62 grams per square yard or 4.33 grams per square meter. MON abbreviation for motor octane number. See octane number . mondo point another name for a millimeter, when used to measure shoe and boot sizes. Ski boots, for example, are sized in mondo points. month (mo or mon) [1] a unit of time marked by the revolution of the Moon around the Earth. In many traditional societies the appearance of the first tiny crescent moon after the New Moon signaled the start of the month. This start of the month, based on the first appearance of the Moon, is still proclaimed from mosques in Islamic countries. Thus the lunar month is defined as the average interval between two successive moments of New Moon. Astronomers call this period the synodic month. Its length is 29.530 59 days. month (mo or mon) [2] a civil unit of time equal to approximately 1/12 year, but varying from 28 to 31 days [3]. The Sun and the Moon are our traditional time keepers, but they are badly out of step with each other. A solar year equals approximately 12.368 lunar months. The large fraction in this number makes it difficult to design a calendar with a whole number of months in each year. There are at least three solutions to the problem: [i] Use leap months. In the traditional Chinese and Jewish calendars most years have 12 months, but some have a 13th month. In these luni-solar calendars the length of the year varies from 354 to 384 days. [ii] Define 12 synodic lunar months to be a year and don't worry about the length of the year. This is the solution of the Islamic calendar. Since the Islamic year has only 354 or 355 days, its length does not match the cycle of the seasons. [iii] Observe the solar year and let the months be 12 arbitrary periods; don't worry about the Moon. This is the solution adopted by Julius Caesar, who established the civil calendar we use today. In this calendar, all months have 30 or 31 days except the second month, February. February has 28 days in ordinary years and 29 in leap years. See also year [2]. moog a proposed unit in synthetic music, equal to one volt per octave. The unit would honor Robert Moog (1934-2005), the inventor of the Moog synthesizer. morgan (M) a unit of genetic separation used in genetics and biotechnology. If two locations on a chromosome have probability p of being separated during recombination in a single generation, then the distance between those locations is p morgan. In practice, measurements are made in centimorgans , each centimorgan representing a 1% probability. The unit honors the American geneticist Thomas Hunt Morgan (1866-1945), who received the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1933 for his pioneering work in studying the genetics of the fruit fly Drosophila. morgen a traditional unit of land area in Northern Europe. "Morgen" means "morning," and most likely the unit arose as the area a yoke of oxen could plow in one morning. The Dutch morgen, also used in Dutch colonies including old New York, equals about 2.10 acres or 0.850 hectare . In South Africa, this unit was defined to equal 10 246 square yards , which is 2.1169 acres or 0.8567 hectare. In Scandinavia and northern Germany, the morgen is a smaller unit equal to about 0.63 acre or 0.25 hectare (2500 square meters). The Prussian morgen, standardized at 2553.22 square meters, was in common use during the nineteenth century. In Austria and southern Germany, the morgen was often the same as a joch , typically defined to be 0.5755 hectare or about 1.422 acres. mou see mu (below). mouse unit (MU or U) an unofficial unit of toxicity used in pharmacology. A mouse unit is the dose of a toxin that kills 50% of mice (that is, it is the LD50 dose for mice). Typically the mice are assumed to have a mass of 20 grams, the toxin is administered by intraperitoneal injection, and mortality is measured over a standard period that may vary according to the toxin. The size of the mouse unit (in milliliters or international units) depends on the specific toxin. MP, MPa symbols for the megapascal, a unit of pressure or stress (see above). MPa is the correct symbol; MP should not be used. mppcf abbreviation for million particles per cubic foot, a unit used to measure concentration of dust particles, mostly in industrial settings. 1 mppcf is equivalent to about 35.315 million particles per cubic meter. The symbol mp/f3 is sometimes used for this unit. mq Italian abbreviation for the square meter (metro quadrato). Similarly, cmq is a square centimeter and kmq is a square kilometer. These are non-standard symbols; the correct symbol for the square meter is m2. msl or MSL abbreviation for "above mean sea level," often seen in measurements of altitude, as in m (msl) for meters above mean sea level or ft msl for feet above mean sea level. "Mean sea level" is defined to be the average height of the sea, for all stages of the tide, as measured over a 19-year Metonic cycle (see above). msnm Spanish symbol for meters above sea level (metros sobre el nivel del mar), a unit of altitude. Mstb a symbol commonly used in the oil industry for 1000 stock tank barrels . msw symbol for "meters of seawater," a conventional unit of pressure. The pressure exerted by seawater varies slightly with temperature and salinity, but for practical purposes the convention is that each meter imposes a pressure of 0.1 bar or 10 kilo pascals (about 0.102 kilograms of force per square centimeter or 1.45 pounds per square inch). Sometimes the convention is that each meter is equivalent to 0.1 atmosphere (0.1013 bar), which is practically the same thing. In English units, 1 msw = 3.28 feet of seawater (fsw). Underwater pressure gauges are frequently calibrated in this unit. Msym/s a unit of radio transmission rate equal to 1 million symbols per second. MT a common U.S. abbreviation for the metric ton or tonne (1000 kilograms). mtu see metric ton unit, above. mu or mou a traditional unit of land area in China. The traditional mu is about 675 square meters or 800 square yards. However, the colonial customs authorities used a larger mu equal to 8273.75 square feet, 919.3 square yards, or 768.65 square meters. In modern China, the mu is often reckoned to be exactly 1/15 hectare , which is 666.667 square meters or 797.327 square yards. mud a traditional Dutch unit of volume for grains and other dry commodities. Originally varying from market to market, the unit was declared equal to the hectoliter (about 3.5315 cubic feet or 2.838 U.S. bushels ) when the metric system was introduced in the Netherlands. With this definition it is still in use. mug [1] an informal contraction of "metric slug". See TME or hyl . mug [2] another name for a slinch . mutchkin a traditional Scottish unit of liquid volume. The mutchkin is about 15 British fluid ounces , which is about 426 milliliters or almost exactly 0.9 U.S. pint . mwe abbreviation for meter of water equivalent, a unit used in nuclear physics to describe the shielding around a reactor, accelerator, or detector. 1 mwe of any material (such as rock, gravel, etc.) is a thickness of that material providing shielding equivalent to one meter of water. MWe, MWt symbols used in the electric power industry to describe the size of generating plants. MWe is the symbol for the actual output of a generating station in megawatts of electricity; MWt is used for the heat energy, or thermal output, required to operate the generators. Thermal output is typically about three times the electric output. Mya or mya a common abbreviation (in English speaking countries) for "million years ago." The form "Mya" is recommended, since the capital M, taken from the metric prefix mega- (M-), is the appropriate symbol for a million. myria- (my-) a metric prefix meaning 10 000. This prefix was part of the original metric system of 1795 and was used throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It has been obsolete officially since 1960, when the CGPM adopted the standard list of SI prefixes. The ancient Greek word myrios means countless, without number. This was modified by later Greeks to form a word myrioi meaning ten thousand. The word myriad, generally used today to mean an indefinitely large number, originally meant the number 10 000. myriagram (myg) a metric unit of mass equal to 10 000 grams or 10 kilograms (about 22.046 pounds ). Although it is considered obsolete now, the myriagram was a useful unit comparable to the English quarter or Spanish arroba . myriameter (mym) an obsolete metric unit of distance equal to 10 000 meters or 10 kilometers (about 6.2137 miles ).
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The Italian term 'Intermezzo' refers to a piece of (What?) between two larger related creations?
Glossary of Musical Terms Glossary of Musical Terms One or more vocalists performing without an accompaniment. Accelerando - A symbol used in musical notation indicating to gradually quicken tempo. Accessible - Music that is easy to listen to and understand. Adagio - A tempo having slow movement; restful at ease. Allegro - A direction to play lively and fast. Atonal - Music that is written and performed without regard to any specific key. Baroque - Time in music history ranging from the middle of the 16th to the middle of the 17th centuries. Characterized by emotional, flowery music; written in strict form. Beat - The unit of musical rhythm. Cadence - A sequence of chords that brings an end to a phrase, either in the middle or the end of a composition. Cadenza - Initially an improvised cadence by a soloist; later becoming an elaborate and written out passage in an aria or concerto, featuring the skills of an instrumentalist or vocalist. Cadenza - Originally an improvised cadence by a soloist. Later it became a written out passage to display performance skills of an instrumentalist or performer. Canon - A musical form where the melody or tune is imitated by individual parts at regular intervals. The individual parts may enter at different measures and pitches. The tune may also be played at different speeds, backwards, or inverted. Cantabile - A style of singing which is characterized by the easy and flowing tone of the composition. Cantata - Music written for chorus and orchestra. Most often religious in nature. Capriccio - A quick, improvisational, spirited piece of music. Carol - A song or hymn celebrating Christmas. Castrato - Male singers who were castrated to preserve their alto and soprano vocal range. Cavatina - A short and simple melody performed by a soloist that is part of a larger piece. Chamber music - Written for 2 to 10 solo parts featuring one instrument to a part. Each part bears the same importance. Chant - Singing in unison, texts in a free rhythm. Similar to the rhythm of speech. Choir - Group of singers in a chorus. Chorale - A hymn sung by the choir and congregation often in unison. Chord - 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony. Chord progression - A string of chords played in succession. Chorus - A group singing in unison. Chromatic scale - Includes all twelve notes of an octave. Classical - The period of music history which dates from the mid 1700’s to mid 1800’s. The music was spare and emotionally reserved, especially when compared to Romantic and Boroque music. Classicism - The period of music history which dates from the mid 1800’s and lasted about sixty years. There was a strong regard for order and balance. Clavier - The keyboard of a stringed instrument. Clef - In sheet music, a symbol at the beginning of the staff defining the pitch of the notes found in that particular staff. Coda - Closing section of a movement. Concert master - The first violin in an orchestra. Concerto - A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment. Conductor - One who directs a group of performers. The conductor indicates the tempo, phrasing, dynamics, and style by gestures and facial expressions. Consonance - Groups of tones that are harmonious when sounded together as in a chord. Contralto - Two or three melodic lines played at the same time. Courante - A piece of music written in triple time. Also an old French dance. Da Capo - In sheet music, an instruction to repeat the beginning of the piece before stopping on the final chord. Deceptive cadence - A chord progression that seems to lead to resolving itself on the final chord; but does not. Development - Where the musical themes and melodies are developed, written in sonata form. Dissonance - Harsh, discordant, and lack of harmony. Also a chord that sounds incomplete until it resolves itself on a harmonious chord. Drone - Dull, monotonous tone such as a humming or buzzing sound. Also a bass note held under a melody. Duet - A piece of music written for two vocalists or instrumentalists. Dynamics - Pertaining to the loudness or softness of a musical composition. Also the symbols in sheet music indicating volume. Elegy - An instrumental lament with praise for the dead. Encore - A piece of music played at the end of a recital responding to the audiences enthusiastic reaction to the performance, shown by continuous applause. Energico - A symbol in sheet music a direction to play energetically. Enharmonic Interval - Two notes that differ in name only. The notes occupy the same position. For example: C sharp and D flat. Ensemble - The performance of either all instruments of an orchestra or voices in a chorus. Espressivo - A direction to play expressively. Etude - A musical composition written solely to improve technique. Often performed for artistic interest. Exposition - The first section of a movement written in sonata form, introducing the melodies and themes. Expressionism - Atonal and violent style used as a means of evoking heightened emotions and states of mind. Falsetto - A style of male singing where by partial use of the vocal chords, the voice is able to reach the pitch of a female. Fermata - To hold a tone or rest held beyond the written value at the discretion of the performer. Fifth - The interval between two notes. Three whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes. Finale - Movement or passage that concludes the musical composition. Flat - A symbol indicating that the note is to be diminished by one semitone. Form - The structure of a piece of music. Forte - A symbol indicating to play loud. Fourth - The interval between two notes. Two whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes. Fugue - A composition written for three to six voices. Beginning with the exposition, each voice enters at different times, creating counterpoint with one another. Galliard - Music written for a lively French dance for two performers written in triple time. Gavotte - A 17th century dance written in Quadruple time, always beginning on the third beat of the measure. Glee - Vocal composition written for three or more solo parts, usually without instrumental accompaniment. Glissando - Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played grandly. Grave - Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played very slow and serious. Grazioso - Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played gracefully. Gregorian Chant - Singing or chanting in unison without strict rhythm. Collected during the Reign of Pope Gregory VIII for psalms and other other parts of the church service. Harmony - Pleasing combination of two or three tones played together in the background while a melody is being played. Harmony also refers to the study of chord progressions. Homophony - Music written to be sung or played in unison. Hymn - A song of praise and glorification. Most often to honor God. Impromptu - A short piano piece, often improvisational and intimate in character. Instrumentation - Arrangement of music for a combined number of instruments. Interlude - Piece of instrumental music played between scenes in a play or opera. Intermezzo - Short movement or interlude connecting the main parts of the composition. Interpretation - The expression the performer brings when playing his instrument. Interval - The distance in pitch between two notes. Intonation - The manner in which tones are produced with regard to pitch. Introduction - The opening section of a piece of music or movement. Key - System of notes or tones based on and named after the key note. Key signature - The flats and sharps at the beginning of each staff line indicating the key of music the piece is to be played. Klangfarbenmelodie - The technique of altering the tone color of a single note or musical line by changing from one instrument to another in the middle of a note or line. Leading note - The seventh note of the scale where there is a strong desire to resolve on the tonic. Legato - Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played smoothly. Leitmotif - A musical theme given to a particular idea or main character of an opera. Libretto - A book of text containing the words of an opera. Ligature - Curved line connecting notes to be sung or played as a phrase. Madrigal - A contrapuntal song written for at least three voices, usually without accompaniment. Maestro - Refers to any great composer, conductor, or teacher of music. Major - One of the two modes of the tonal system. Music written in major keys have a positive affirming character. March - A form of music written for marching in two-step time. Originally the march was used for military processions. Measure - The unit of measure where the beats on the lines of the staff are divided up into two, three, four beats to a measure. Medley - Often used in overtures, a composition that uses passages from other movements of the composition in its entirety. Mezzo - The voice between soprano and alto. Also, in sheet music, a direction for the tempo to be played at medium speed. Minor - One of the two modes of the tonal system. The minor mode can be identified by the dark, melancholic mood. Minuet - Slow and stately dance music written in triple time. Modes - Either of the two octave arrangements in modern music. The modes are either major or minor. Modulation - To shift to another key. Monotone - Repetition of a single tone. Motif - Primary theme or subject that is developed. Movement - A separate section of a larger composition. Musette - A Boroque dance with a drone-bass. Musicology - The study of forms, history, science, and methods of music. Natural - A symbol in sheet music that returns a note to its original pitch after it has been augmented or diminished. Neoclassical - Movement in music where the characteristics are crisp and direct. Nocturne - A musical composition that has a romantic or dreamy character with nocturnal associations. Nonet - A composition written for nine instruments. Notation - First developed in the 8th century, methods of writing music. Obbligato - An extended solo, often accompanying the vocal part of an aria. Octave - Eight full tones above the key note where the scale begins and ends. Octet - A composition written for eight instruments. Opera - A drama where the words are sung instead of spoken. Operetta - A short light musical drama. Opus - Convenient method of numbering a composer’s works where a number follows the word “opus”. For example, Opus 28, No. 4. Oratorio - An extended cantata on a sacred subject. Orchestra - A large group of instrumentalists playing together. Orchestration - Arranging a piece of music for an orchestra. Also, the study of music. Ornaments - Tones used to embellish the principal melodic tone. Ostinato - A composition whose style is simple and idyllic; suggestive of rural scenes. Pentatonic Scale - A musical scale having five notes. For example: the five black keys of a keyboard make up a pentatonic scale. Phrase - A single line of music played or sung. A musical sentence. Piano - An instruction in sheet music to play softly. Abbreviated by a “p”. Pitch - The frequency of a note determining how high or low it sounds. Pizzicato - String instruments that are picked instead of bowed. Polyphony - Combining a number of individual but harmonizing melodies. Also known as counterpoint. Polytonality - Combination of two or more keys being played at the same time. Portamento - A mild glissando between two notes for an expressive effect. Prelude - A short piece originally preceded by a more substantial work, also an orchestral introduction to opera, however not lengthy enough to be considered an overture. Presto - A direction in sheet music indicating the tempo is to be very fast. Progression - The movement of chords in succession. Quadrille - A 19th century square dance written for 4 couples. Quartet - A set of four musicians who perform a composition written for four parts. Quintet - A set of five musicians who perform a composition written for five parts. Recapitulation - A solo concert with or without accompaniment. Recitative - A form of writing for vocals that is close to the manner of speech and is rhythmically free. Reed - The piece of cane in wind instruments. The players cause vibrations by blowing through it in order to produce sound. Refrain - A repeating phrase that is played at the end of each verse in the song. Register - A portion of the range of the instrument or voice. Relative major and minor - The major and minor keys that share the same notes in that key. For example: A minor shares the same note as C major. Relative pitch - Ability to determine the pitch of a note as it relates to the notes that precede and follow it. Renaissance - A period in history dating from the 14th to 16th centuries. This period signified the rebirth of music, art, and literature. Reprise - To repeat a previous part of a composition generally after other music has been played. Requiem - A dirge, hymn, or musical service for the repose of the dead. Resonance - When several strings are tuned to harmonically related pitches, all strings vibrate when only one of the strings is struck. Rhythm - The element of music pertaining to time, played as a grouping of notes into accented and unaccented beats. Ricercar - Elaborate polyphonic composition of the Boroque and Renaissance periods. Rigaudon - A quick 20th century dance written in double time. Rococo - A musical style characterized as excessive, ornamental, and trivial. Romantic - A period in history during the 18th and early 19th centuries where the focus shifted from the neoclassical style to an emotional, expressive, and imaginative style. Rondo - A musical form where the principal theme is repeated several times. The rondo was often used for the final movements of classical sonata form works. Root - The principal note of a triad. Round - A canon where the melody is sung in two or more voices. After the first voice begins, the next voice starts singing after a couple of measures are played in the preceding voice. All parts repeat continuously. Rubato - An important characteristic of the Romantic period. It is a style where the strict tempo is temporarily abandoned for a more emotional tone. Scale - Successive notes of a key or mode either ascending or descending. Scherzo - Pertaining to the sonata form, a fast movement in triple time. Scordatura - The retuning of a stringed instrument in order to play notes below the ordinary range of the instrument or to produce an usual tone color. Septet - A set of seven musicians who perform a composition written for seven parts. Sequence - A successive transposition and repetition of a phrase at different pitches. Serenade - A lighthearted piece, written in several movements, usually as background music for a social function. Sextet - A set of six musicians who perform a composition written for six parts. Sharp - A symbol indicating the note is to be raised by one semitone. Slide - A glissando or portamento. Also refers to the moving part of a trombone. Slur - Short detached notes, as opposed to legato. Staff - Made up of five horizontal parallel lines and the spaces between them on which musical notation is written. Stretto - Pertaining to the fugue, the overlapping of the same theme or motif by two or more voices a few beats apart. String Quartet - A group of 4 instruments, two violins, a viola, and cello. Suite - A loose collection of instrumental compositions. Symphony - Three to four movement orchestral piece, generally in sonata form. System - A combination of two or more staves on which all the notes are vertically aligned and performed simultaneously in differing registers and instruments. Tablature - A system of notation for stringed instruments. The notes are indicated by the finger positions. Temperament - Refers to the tuning of an instrument. Tempo - The range of an instrumental or a vocal part. Theme - A melodic or, sometimes a harmonic idea presented in a musical form. Timbre - Tone color, quality of sound that distinguishes one verse or instrument to another. It is determined by the harmonies of sound. Time Signature - A numeric symbol in sheet music determining the number of beats to a measure. Tonal - Pertains to tone or tones. Tonality - The tonal characteristics determined by the relationship of the notes to the tone. Tone - The intonation, pitch, and modulation of a composition expressing the meaning, feeling, or attitude of the music. Tone less - The first tone of a scale also known as a keynote. Treble - The playing or singing the upper half of the vocal range. Also the highest voice in choral singing. Tremolo - Quick repetition of the same note or the rapid alternation between two notes. Triad - Three note chords consisting of a root, third, and fifth. Trill - Rapid alternation between notes that are a half tone or whole tone apart. Trio - A composition written for three voices and instruments performed by three persons. Time signature with three beats to the measure. Triplet - Three notes played in the same amount of time as one or two beats. Tritone - A chord comprised of three whole tones resulting in an augmented fourth or diminished fifth. Tune - A rhythmic succession of musical tones, a melody for instruments and voices. Tuning - The raising and lowering a pitch of an instrument to produce the correct tone of a note. Tutti - Passage for the entire ensemble or orchestra without a soloist. Twelve-tone music - Music composed such that each note is used the same number of times. Unison - Two or more voices or instruments playing the same note simultaneously. Verismo - A form of Italian opera beginning at the end of the 19th century. The setting is contemporary to the composer’s own time, and the characters are modeled after every day life. Vibrato - Creating variation pitch in a note by quickly alternating between notes. Virtuoso - A person with notable technical skill in the performance of music. Vivace - Direction to performer to play a composition in a brisk, lively, and spirited manner. Voice - One of two or more parts in polyphonic music. Voice refers to instrumental parts as well as the singing voice. Waltz - A dance written in triple time, where the accent falls on the first beat of each measure. Whole note - A whole note is equal to 2 half notes, 4 quarter notes, 8 eighth notes, etc. Whole-tone scale -
Music
The main filling of a Scotch pie, (or shell pie) is traditionally?
Renaissance Religion and sacred music The Renaissance was a time of major religious upheaval in Europe. The traumatic events that shook the church in the fourteenth and early fifteenth centuries led to problems of corruption and mismanagement in the succeeding period. These problems culminated in the Protestant Reformation, a movement initiated by Martin Luther in the early sixteenth century in which various groups broke from the Catholic church and founded independent Christian sects (Lutheran, Calvinist, Anglican, etc.). A few decades later, the Catholic church responded with its own process of internal reform, known as the Counter-Reformation, which aimed to root out the problems that had sparked the Reformation in the first place. The agenda of the Counter-Reformation was promoted by a series of official meetings known as the Council of Trent (1545-1563). The principal genres of Catholic sacred music throughout the period were the Mass and the motet. As in the preceding century, a Mass (in the musical sense) is a set of musically related polyphonic settings of the texts of the Mass Ordinary, but the term "motet" takes on a new meaning at this point in history: it now refers to a musical setting of any Latin text other than the Mass Ordinary. Although the defining features of Mass and motet remained the same from 1400 to 1600, their styles changed considerably in response to changing religious views and circumstances. Protestant churches cultivated different genres of sacred music, many in the vernacular languages, for their own styles of worship. Luther encouraged the composition of German congregational hymns known as chorales, which played a role in Lutheran music much like that of Gregorian chant in Catholic music. Government, society, and secular music Throughout the Renaissance and for several centuries thereafter, most parts Europe were governed by hereditary rulers with titles such as king, duke, elector (in the territory of the Holy Roman Empire), etc. These rulers maintained lavish courts that employed many musicians and supported the production of both sacred and secular music. Although the courts were the principal centers of social and economic power apart from the church, the growing middle class exercised an increasing influence on the economy and culture of the period. Some families, such as the Medici in Florence, earned fortunes banking or trade and made their way into the hereditary nobility through this means. The modern idea of the nation as a political and cultural unit began to take shape during the Renaissance. In the Middle Ages, political units were determined by conquests and marriage alliances and often had little relation to geographic, linguistic, or cultural units. By the sixteenth century, however, people in many places felt a sense of national identity even if the cultural area with which they identified was not a unified politically. Nationalism was one of the motives underlying the Reformation, and it shaped sixteenth-century culture in many other ways as well. One of the most obvious influences of nationalism was in the increased use of vernacular languages in literature and, by extension, in secular songs. In the fifteenth century, French was the international language of courtly culture, and the great majority of secular songs were in French even if neither the composers nor the patrons for whom they worked were French. In the sixteenth century, there were large bodies of secular songs not only in French, but also in Italian, German, Spanish, and English, These songs differed from one another not only in language, but in characteristic features of musical style as well. Songs in French, from any time period and in any style, are called chansons. The most important Italian and English songs of the Renaissance are called madrigals. Music printing A major indicator of increased middle-class influence was the invention of the printing press by Johann Gutenberg in 1453. Music requires more complex printing techniques than text, but in 1501 a Venetian printer named Ottaviano Petrucci invented a way to print music from movable type and began issuing volumes of music produced with his new technique. His first publication, a collection of 96 French songs, was entitled Harmonice musices Odhecaton A. Printing made written music available to anyone who could read it and gave composers the opportunity to compose for the educated general public, as well as for their direct employers. This new audience had a major impact on musical styles of the sixteenth century. Composers' careers Most Renaissance composers were employed as singers (less often as instrumentalists) or music directors at churches and courts. Many received their training in choir schools, which were maintained by large churches for the purpose of providing boy singers for the treble parts in sacred music. Boys educated in this way had a thorough knowledge of Gregorian chant, the sacred musical styles of their own day, music theory, Latin language, theology, and liturgy by the time they were adults. Characteristics of Musical Style Harmony Perhaps the most immediately audible difference between medieval and Renaissance music is the harmony. While the principal consonances of the Middle Ages were perfect intervals (unisons, octaves, fifths, and fourths), the basic unit of Renaissance harmony is the triad, which may appear in either root position or first inversion. Triadic harmony gives Renaissance music a warmer, more blended sound than medieval music. Along with the change to triadic harmony went a new attitude toward the control of dissonance. Renaissance composers developed systematic methods of preparing and resolving dissonances so that they do not disrupt the smooth, consonant flow of the harmony. Dissonant notes are approached and left in the most subtle way possible, by step or common tone. Passing tones and neighbor tones appear on weak beats or between beats; suspensions fall on strong beats, usually just before cadences. Despite their subtlety, these dissonances can create powerful expressive effects. Modern listeners accustomed to more dissonant styles must pay close attention to appreciate them. Melody Like the harmonies, the melodies of Renaissance music create an effect of smoothness. They move predominantly by small intervals, especially steps and thirds; skips of larger intervals are balanced by stepwise motion in the opposite direction. Phrases or groups of phrases often outline a graceful arch shape, rising gradually to a high point and then falling back to a lower pitch to conclude the phrase or section. Direct leaps and prominent outlines of dissonant intervals are avoided. Mode and accidentals Renaissance music is based on modal scales with finals of C, D, E, F, G, A, and B-flat. (B is excluded because the scale on B has no perfect fifth above the final.) Key signatures with no accidentals or one flat are common; two or three flats are found occasionally, but rarely. The terminology for these modes was a matter of controversy among Renaissance music theorists and remains problematic for modern scholars. For our purposes, it will be sufficient to identify them by final pitch and key signature. Cadences appear regularly at ends of phrases and may fall on any pitch of the scale that has a perfect fifth above it. Most cadences are produced by a rising half-step in one voice combined with standard melodic progressions in the other parts. In a special type called a Phrygian cadence, the half-step melodic motion is downward, rather than upward, to the final pitch. When a cadence falls on a pitch without a half-step below or above it, an accidental is usually added to create the half-step. For example, before a cadence on G, F is raised to F-sharp, and before a cadence on A, G is raised to G-sharp or B is lowered to B-flat. These alterations strengthen the effect of the cadence, just as a leading tone increases the pull toward the tonic in tonal music. Accidentals are also used to transform dissonant tritones (augmented fourths and diminished fifths) into perfect fourths and fifths. For example, if a melody has a leap from F to B, or if a chord contains both of those pitches simultaneously, the B is lowered to B-flat or, more rarely, the F IS raised to F-sharp. These changes are necessary to preserve the consonant quality of the melodies and harmonies, since tritones sound very harsh except in special contexts where they are not too noticeable. Pitches altered by accidentals are called musica ficta (literally, "faked music"). Renaissance composers often left them unwritten and expected performers to supply them on the basis of customary rules. Modern editors write them above the notes when they do not appear in the original sources. Accidentals not required by the rules of musica ficta are relatively rare in Renaissance music and may be used for striking special effects. Texture Most Renaissance music is scored for three to six voices. In general, the number of voices tends to increase throughout the period. In the early fifteenth century, the voices are relatively close together, with the lower pair in a three-voice texture often sharing the tenor range and crossing frequently. Around 1450, composers began writing the lowest voice in a bass register, creating a fuller, more resonant sound. The different voices are generally similar in melodic and rhythmic style, forming a more homogeneous combination than the voices of a medieval polyphonic piece. They may join together in homophony or enter independently in imitation. In either case, all voices are of equal importance. They must be heard as separate, independent lines, not simply as elements of chords. In the original notation, each voice was written as a separate melody, either on its own section of a page or in a separate partbook. Singers could see only their own parts, which they had to coordinate with the other parts by careful counting. Contrasts of texture are an important source of musical variety and a defining feature of form in many pieces. They include changes in both the number of voices and the relationships among them. For example, a four-voice piece may have some phrases or sections for two or three voices, and sections featuring imitaton may alternate with homophonic sections for the same or a different number of voices. Rhythm Most Renaissance music is in simple duple or triple meter, sometimes with changes of meter marking the beginnings of new sections. The rhythms of the individual voice parts are often quite independent of the meter and of each other. Much of the rhythmic interest comes from the interplay between the irregular accents in the individual voices and the subtle regularity of the underlying meter. Because the beats are not strongly emphasized, the effect is one of great suppleness and flexibility. Bar lines were not used in the notation of Renaissance music. They were not necessary when the parts were written separately, but they are needed in modern score notation to clarify the vertical alignment of the parts. Modern editors sometimes draw them between the staves or in dotted form to avoid the need for ties when notes cross from one bar to the next. Vocal and Instrumental Ensembles Renaissance music was performed by a wide variety of vocal, instrumental, and mixed ensembles. Because of the homogeneity of the texture, combinations of similar sounds, often all-vocal or all-instrumental, were generally preferred. An all-vocal ensemble is known as an a cappella group (literally, a "chapel" group, referring to the common practice of unaccompanied choral singing in Renaissance churches). Sacred music was performed by male choirs, with either boys or falsettists on the treble parts. Instruments could reinforce or replace parts in a choral ensemble, but they did not perform independent, contrasting parts. Secular songs were performed by unaccompanied ensembles of soloists or by solo voices with instrumental accompaniment. Because of the more personal nature of their texts and the smaller, more private places where they were heard, they were not sung by choirs. Women were not allowed to sing in church, but they often sang secular songs. Instruments played arrangements of vocal music, both sacred and secular, as well as pieces composed for them. Composers often wrote music that could be played by a variety of instruments and left choice of specific ones up to the performers. Soft instruments, such as bowed strings, harps, lutes, and recorders, played in small rooms, and loud instruments, such as shawms (powerful double-reed instruments) and trombones, played in large halls and outdoors. The main solo instruments were the lute, harpsichord, clavichord, and organ. Words and Music One of the most important innovations of the Renaissance was a new concept of how music should relate to the words that it sets. In the Middle Ages, the main factor connecting music to its verbal texts was form. In the Renaissance, composers were more concerned with matching rhythms and melodies to the declamation of the words, or the way they would be sound if they were spoken. This naturally led to more syllabic styles of text setting. In the later part of the period, composers also invented techniques of word painting, ways of representing the meanings and emotional qualities of the words in music. For example, words like "heaven" could be set to high notes, "pain" to dissonances, etc. These principles for relating muisc to words were inspired by newly discovered writings on music from ancient Greece. They are one of the ways in which the Renaissance revival of antiquity influenced music, even though no actual ancient music was known at the time. The notion that music can or should represent non-musical ideas and express the kinds of emotions that can be described in words is by no means as self-evident as it may seem to those who have grown up taking it for granted. Music is, after all, by nature abstract. People of all times and places have been moved by its beauty, but some have held that using it to represent things or ideas outside itself distorts its nature and debases its character. This is a long-standing aesthetic debate that we will meet in other forms in later periods of music history. When music is designed to reflect in detail the declamation and meaning of the words, it is difficult to use the same music for different sections of a poem, as in the strophic forms of troubadour songs or the formes fixes of the fourteenth century. Music composed to fit one set of words cannot be equally ideal for other words with different sounds and meanings. For this reason, the most common form for Renaissance pieces is throughcomposed. Formal balance and clear relationships among sections are important, but literal repetition of sections with new words becomes increasingly rare throughout the period. Table of contents
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The price of which metal commodity is traditionally considered an indicator of global economic buoyancy?
Global Economy Are You Kidding Me? Chinese Exports Plunge 25.4 Percent Compared To Last Year We just got more evidence that global trade is absolutely imploding.  Chinese exports dropped 25.4 percent during the month of February compared to a year ago, and Chinese imports fell 13.8 percent compared to a year ago.  For Chinese exports, that was the worst decline that we have seen since 2009, and Chinese imports have now fallen for 16 months in a row on a year over year basis.  The last time we saw numbers like this, we were in the depths of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression of the 1930s.  China accounts for more global trade than any other nation (including the United States), and so this is a major red flag.  Anyone that is saying that the global economy is in “good shape” is clearly not paying attention. If someone would have told me a year ago that Chinese exports would be 25 percent lower next February, I would not have believed it.  This is not just a slowdown – this is a historic implosion.  The following comes from  Zero Hedge … Things are not getting better in China as Exports crashed 25.4% YoY (the 3rd largest drop in history), almost double the 14.5% expectation and Imports tumbled 13.8%, the 16th month of YoY decline – the longest ever. Altogether this sent the trade surplus down to $32.6bn (missing expectations of $51bn) to 11-month lows. So much for that whole “devalue yourself to export growth” idea… I don’t know how anyone can possibly dismiss the importance of these numbers.  As you can see, this is not just a one month aberration.  Chinese trade numbers have been declining for months, and that decline appears to be accelerating. Another very interesting piece of news that has come out in recent days regards the massive layoffs that are coming at state industries in China.  According to Reuters , five to six million Chinese workers are going to be losing their jobs during this transition… China aims to lay off 5-6 million state workers over the next two to three years as part of efforts to curb industrial overcapacity and pollution, two reliable sources said, Beijing’s boldest retrenchment program in almost two decades. China’s leadership, obsessed with maintaining stability and making sure redundancies do not lead to unrest, will spend nearly 150 billion yuan ($23 billion) to cover layoffs in just the coal and steel sectors in the next 2-3 years.   For years, the Chinese economic miracle has been fueling global economic growth, but now things are changing dramatically. Another factor that we should discuss is the fact that the relationship between the United States and China is going downhill very rapidly.  This is something that I wrote about yesterday .  China has seized control of several very important islands in the South China Sea, and in response the Obama administration has been sailing military vessels past the islands in a threatening manner.  Most recently, Obama decided to have an aircraft carrier task force cruise past the islands, and this provoked a very angry response  from the Chinese … The four-ship U.S. strike group that patrolled the disputed South China Sea was followed by Chinese warships, a show of force that prompted a hard-line response from China doubling down on its claim to nearly all of the resource-rich sea.   China’s foreign minister said his country’s sovereignty claims are supported by history and made a veiled reference to the 5-day patrol by the Stennis Carrier Strike Group, as well as recent passes by China’s man-made islands by destroyers Lassen and Curtis Wilbur in recent months. “The South China Sea has been subject to colonial invasion and illegal occupation and now some people are trying to stir up waves, while some others are showing off forces,” Wang Yi said, according to an Associated Press report , a day after the Stennis CSG departed the South China Sea.  “However, like the tide that comes and goes, none of these attempts will have any impact. History will prove who is merely the guest and who is the real host.” Most Americans are not even paying attention to this dispute, but in China there is talk of war.  The Chinese are absolutely not going to back down, and it does not look like Obama is going to either.  Needless to say, a souring of the relationship between the largest economy on the planet and the second largest economy on the planet would not be a good thing for the global economy. And of course China is far from the only country that is having economic problems.  Yesterday, I discussed how Italy’s banking system is on the verge of completely collapse .  A few days before that I discussed the economic depression that has gripped much of South America .  A new global economic crisis has already begun, and just because the United States is feeling less pain than the rest of the world so far does not mean that everything is going to be okay. There are huge red flags in Europe, Asia and South America right now.  In addition, our neighbor to the north (Canada) is experiencing a very significant slowdown.  The irrational optimists can continue to believe that the U.S. economy will somehow escape relatively unscathed if they would like, but that is not going to be what happens. Just like virtually everyone else on the planet, we are heading into hard times too, and this is going to become a dominant theme in the presidential campaign as we move forward into the months ahead. 22 Signs That The Global Economic Turmoil We Have Seen So Far In 2016 Is Just The Beginning As bad as the month of January was for the global economy, the truth is that the rest of 2016 promises to be much worse.  Layoffs are increasing at a pace that we haven’t seen since the last recession, major retailers are shutting down hundreds of locations, corporate profit margins are plunging, global trade is slowing down dramatically, and several major European banks are in the process of completely imploding.  I am about to share some numbers with you that are truly eye-popping.  Each one by itself would be reason for concern, but when you put all of the pieces together it creates a picture that is hard to deny.  The global economy is in crisis, and this is going to have very serious implications for the financial markets moving forward.  U.S. stocks just had their worst January in seven years, and if I am right much worse is still yet to come this year.  The following are 22 signs that the global economic turmoil that we have seen so far in 2016 is just the beginning… 1. The number of job cuts in the United States skyrocketed 218 percent during the month of January according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas. 2. The Baltic Dry Index just hit yet another brand new all-time record low.  As I write this article, it is sitting at 303 . 3. U.S. factory orders have now dropped for 14 months in a row . 4. In the U.S., the Restaurant Performance Index just fell to the lowest level that we have seen since 2008 . 5. In January, orders for class 8 trucks (the big trucks that you see shipping stuff around the country on our highways) declined a whopping 48 percent from a year ago. 6. Rail traffic is also slowing down substantially.  In Colorado, there are hundreds of train engines that are just sitting on the tracks with nothing to do. 7. Corporate profit margins peaked during the third quarter of 2014 and have been declining steadily since then .  This usually happens when we are heading into a recession. 8. A series of extremely disappointing corporate quarterly reports is sending stock after stock plummeting.  Here is a summary from Zero Hedge of a few examples that we have just witnessed… SHARES OF LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT FALL 5 PCT IN EXTENDED TRADE AFTER QUARTERLY RESULTS – RTRS TABLEAU SOFTWARE SHARES TUMBLE 40 PCT IN AFTER HOURS TRADING – RTRS YRC WORLDWIDE SHARES DOWN 16.4 PCT AFTER THE BALL FOLLOWING RESULTS – RTRS SPLUNK INC SHARES DOWN 7.6 PCT IN AFTER HOURS TRADING – RTRS LINKEDIN SHARES EXTEND DECLINE, DOWN 24 PCT AFTER RESULTS, GUIDANCE – RTRS HANESBRANDS SHARES FURTHER ADD TO LOSSES IN EXTENDED TRADE, LAST DOWN 14.9 PCT – RTRS OUTERWALL SHARES FALL 11 PCT IN EXTENDED TRADING AFTER QUARTERLY RESULTS – RTRS GENWORTH SHARES DOWN 16.5 PCT AFTER THE BELL FOLLOWING RESULTS, RESTRUCTURING PLAN 9. Junk bonds continue to crash on Wall Street.  On Monday, JNK was down to 32.60 and HYG was down to 77.99 . 10. On Thursday, a major British news source publicly named five large European banks that are considered to be in very serious danger… Deutsche Bank, Credit Suisse, Santander, Barclays and RBS are among the stocks that are falling sharply sending shockwaves through the financial world, according to former hedge fund manager and ex Goldman Sachs employee Raoul Pal. 11. Deutsche Bank is the biggest bank in Germany and it has more exposure to derivatives than any other bank in the world.  Unfortunately, Deutsche Bank credit default swaps are now telling us that there is deep turmoil at the bank and that a complete implosion may be imminent . 12. Last week, we learned that Deutsche Bank had lost a staggering 6.8 billion euros in 2015.  If you will recall, I warned about massive problems at Deutsche Bank all the way back in September .  The most important bank in Germany is exceedingly troubled, and it could end up being for the EU what Lehman Brothers was for the United States. 13. Credit Suisse just announced that it will be eliminating 4,000 jobs . 14. Royal Dutch Shell has announced that it is going to be eliminating 10,000 jobs . 15. Caterpillar has announced that it will be closing 5 plants and getting rid of 670 workers. 16. Yahoo has announced that it is going to be getting rid of 15 percent of its total workforce. 17. Johnson & Johnson has announced that it is slashing its workforce by 3,000 jobs . 18. Sprint just laid off  8 percent of its workforce and GoPro is letting go 7 percent of its workers. 19. All over America, retail stores are shutting down at a staggering pace.  The following list comes from one of my previous articles … -Wal-Mart is closing 269 stores , including 154 inside the United States. -K-Mart is closing down more than two dozen stores over the next several months. -J.C. Penney will be permanently shutting down 47 more stores after closing a total of 40 stores in 2015. -Macy’s has decided that it needs to shutter 36 stores and lay off approximately 2,500 employees . -The Gap is in the process of closing 175 stores in North America. -Aeropostale is in the process of closing 84 stores all across America. -Finish Line has announced that 150 stores will be shutting down over the next few years. -Sears has shut down about 600 stores over the past year or so, but sales at the stores that remain open continue to fall precipitously. 20. According to the New York Times, the Chinese economy is facing a mountain of bad loans that “ could exceed $5 trillion “. 21. Japan has implemented a negative interest rate program in a desperate attempt to try to get banks to make more loans. 22. The global economy desperately needs the price of oil to go back up, but Morgan Stanley says that we will not see $80 oil again until 2018 . It is not difficult to see where the numbers are trending. Last week, I told my wife that I thought that Marco Rubio was going to do better than expected in Iowa. How did I come to that conclusion? It was simply based on how his poll numbers were trending. And when you look at where global economic numbers are trending, they tell us that 2016 is going to be a year that is going to get progressively worse as it goes along. So many of the exact same things that we saw happen in 2008 are happening again right now, and you would have to be blind not to see it. Hopefully I am wrong about what is coming in our immediate future, because millions upon millions of Americans are not prepared for what is ahead, and most of them are going to get absolutely blindsided by the coming crisis. Lowest Ever: The Baltic Dry Index Plunges To 394 As Global Trade Grinds To A Standstill For the first time ever, the Baltic Dry Index has fallen under 400.  As I write this article, it is sitting at 394 .  To be honest, I never even imagined that it could go this low.  Back in early August, the Baltic Dry Index was sitting at 1,222, and since then it has been on a steady decline.  Of course the Baltic Dry Index crashed hard just before the great stock market crash of 2008 too, but at this point it is already lower than it was during that entire crisis.  This is just more evidence that global trade is grinding to a halt and that 2016 is going to be a “ cataclysmic year ” for the global economy. If you are not familiar with the Baltic Dry Index, here is a helpful definition  from Wikipedia … The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) is an economic indicator issued daily by the London -based Baltic Exchange . Not restricted to Baltic Sea countries, the index provides “an assessment of the price of moving the major raw materials by sea. Taking in 23 shipping routes measured on a timecharter basis, the index covers Handysize , Supramax , Panamax , and Capesize dry bulk carriers carrying a range of commodities including coal , iron ore and grain .” The BDI is one of the key indicators that experts look at when they are trying to determine where the global economy is heading.  And right now, it is telling us that we are heading into a major worldwide economic downturn. Some people try to dismiss the recent drop in the Baltic Dry Index by claiming that shipping rates are down because there is simply too much capacity out there these days.  And I don’t dispute that.  Without a doubt, too many vessels were built during the “boom years”, and now shipbuilders are paying the price.  For example, Chinese shipyards reported a 59 percent decline in orders during the first 11 months of 2015… Total orders at Chinese shipyards tumbled 59 percent in the first 11 months of 2015, according to data released Dec. 15 by the China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry. Builders have sought government support as excess vessel capacity drives down shipping rates and prompts customers to cancel contracts. Zhoushan Wuzhou Ship Repairing & Building Co. last month became the first state-owned shipbuilder to go bankrupt in a decade. But that doesn’t explain everything.  The truth is that exports are way down all over the world.  China, the United States, South Korea and many other major exporting nations have all been reporting extremely dismal export numbers.  Global trade is contracting quite rapidly, and I don’t see how anyone could possibly dispute that. The global economy is a mess, but many people are not paying any attention to the economic fundamentals because they are too busy looking at the stock market. The stock market does not tell us how the economy is doing.  If the stock market is up today that does not mean that the economy is doing well, and if the stock market is down tomorrow that does not mean that it is doing poorly. Yes, the health of the financial markets can greatly affect the overall economy.  We saw this back in 2008.  When there is a tremendous amount of panic, that can cause a credit crunch and make it very difficult for money to flow through our system.  The end result is a rapid slowdown of economic activity, and it is something that we will be experiencing again very soon. But don’t let the day to day fluctuations of the stock market fool you.  Just because the Dow was up 227 points today does not mean that the crisis is over.  It is important to remember that stocks are not going to go down every single day.  On Thursday, the Dow didn’t even regain two-thirds of what it lost on Wednesday.  Even in bear markets there are up days, and some of the biggest up days in stock market history were right in the middle of the crash of 2008. It is critical that we take a long-term view of things and not let our vision be clouded by every tick up and down in the financial markets.  Initial jobless claims just hit their highest level in about six months , and companies like Macy’s and GoPro are laying off thousands of workers.  Things are already bad, and they are rapidly getting worse. And let us not forget the great amount of financial carnage that has already happened so far this year.  According to CNBC , approximately 3.2 trillion dollars of stock market wealth was wiped out globally during the first 13 days of 2016… Almost $3.2 trillion has been wiped off the value of stocks around the world since the start of 2016, according to calculations by a top market analyst. It has also been the worst-ever start to a year for U.S. equities, said Howard Silverblatt, senior index analyst at S&P Dow Jones Indices, as both the S&P 500 and the blue-chip Dow Jones industrial average have posted their steepest losses for the first eight days trading of a year. Over the past six months, there have now been two 10 percent “corrections” for U.S. stocks.  The only other times we have seen multiple corrections like this were in  1929, 2000 and 2008 .  If those years seem familiar to you, that is because they should.  In all three years, we witnessed historic stock market crashes. The stunning collapse of the Baltic Dry Index is just more evidence that we have entered a global deflationary crisis.  Goods aren’t moving, unemployment is rising all over the planet, and commodity prices have fallen to levels that we have not seen in over a decade. Around the globe, there have been dramatic stock market crashes to begin the year, and we should expect to see much more market turmoil during the weeks and months to come. If the markets have calmed down a bit for the moment, we should be very thankful for that, because we could all use some additional time to prepare for what is coming . The debt-fueled standard of living that so many of us are enjoying today is just an illusion.  And many of us won’t even understand what we have been taking for granted until it is taken away from us. A great shaking is coming to the global economy, and the pain is going to be unimaginable.  So let us enjoy every single day of relative “normalcy” while we still can, because there aren’t too many of them left. Guess What Happened The Last Time The Price Of Oil Plunged Below 38 Dollars A Barrel? On Monday, the price of U.S. oil dropped below 38 dollars a barrel for the first time in six years.  The last time the price of oil was this low, the global financial system was melting down and the U.S. economy was experiencing the worst recession that it had seen since the Great Depression of the 1930s.  As I write this article, the price of U.S. oil is sitting at $37.65.  For months, I have been warning that the crash in the price of oil would be extremely deflationary and would have severe consequences for the global economy.  Nations such as Japan, Canada, Brazil and Russia have already plunged into recession, and more than half of all major global stock market indexes are down at least 10 percent year to date.  The first major global financial crisis since 2009 has begun, and things are only going to get worse as we head into 2016. The global head of oil research at Societe Generale, Mike Wittner, says that his  “head is spinning” after the stunning drop in the price of oil on Monday.  Just like during the last financial crisis, we have broken the psychologically important 40 dollar barrier, and there are concerns that we could go much lower from here… One analyst told CNBC that he believes that we could soon see the price of U.S. oil go all the way down to 32 dollars a barrel… “We’re in a tug-of-war between a heavily shorted market and a glut of oil in the U.S. and globally, as Saudi Arabia continues to produce oil at elevated levels to maintain market share,” said Chris Jarvis at Caprock Risk Management, an energy markets consultancy in Frederick, Maryland. “Couple this with a strengthening dollar as the market anticipates a U.S. rate hike this month, oil is heading lower with a near term target of $32 for WTI.” Analysts at Goldman Sachs are even more pessimistic than that.  According to  Business Insider , they are saying that we could eventually see the price of oil go below 20 dollars a barrel… At OPEC’s meeting on Friday, member countries decided to set its production level at 31.5 million barrels per day, and did not agree on what the new limit should be. After OPEC’s meeting, commodity strategists at Goldman put out a note saying that oil prices could plunge another 50% in the coming months, as the oil market tries to rebalance the supply and demand situation. That may sound really good to you, especially if you fill up your gas tank frequently.  But the truth is that plunging oil prices are exceedingly bad for the U.S. economy as a whole.  In recent years, the energy industry has been the primary engine for the creation of good jobs in this country, and now those firms are having to lay off people at a frightening pace.  Not only that,  CNBC’s Jim Cramer is warning that many of these firms may actually start going under if the price of oil doesn’t start going back up soon… “This is not ‘longer and lower;’ this is ‘longer and much lower.’ There’s companies that are not going to be able to fund with futures; there’re companies that are not going to be able to get credit,” Cramer said on “ Squawk on the Street .” Cramer made his remarks after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries decided not to lower production on Friday. “This was a devastating blow for the U.S. oil industry,” Cramer said. On Monday, we witnessed another benchmark that we have not seen since the last financial crisis. I watch a high yield bond ETF known as JNK very closely.  On Monday, JNK broke below 35 for the first time since the financial crisis of 2008.  Just like 40 dollar oil, this is a key psychological barrier. So why is this important? As I discussed last week , junk bonds crashed before stocks did in 2008, and now it is happening again.  If form holds true, we should expect U.S. stocks to start tumbling significantly very shortly. Meanwhile, another notable expert has come forward with a troubling forecast for the global economy in 2016.  Just like Citigroup , Raoul Pal believes that there is a  very significant chance that we will see a recession next year… Former global macro fund manager Raoul Pal says there’s now a 65% chance of a global recession. In July, Pal predicted that the Institute of Supply Management’s (ISM) manufacturing index would break the key level of 50 late in 2015. On December 1, the ISM broke the 50 level for the first time since the 2008 recession, reaching 48.6. “I use the ISM as a guide to the global business cycle, not just the US cycle,” Pal told Business Insider. What amazes me is that so many people out there cannot see what is happening even though the next great crisis has already started.  The evidence is all around us , and yet so many choose to be willingly blind. Instead of fixing our problems after the last crisis, we just papered them over with lots of money printing and lots more debt.  And of course all of this manipulation just made our long-term problems even worse.  I really like how Peter Schiff put it recently… What’s happening is pretty much what we would anticipate. I don’t see from the data any real economic recovery, certainly not in the United States. We’re spending more money, but it’s not because we’re generating more wealth. We’re generating more debt. We’re using that borrowed money to consume and so temporarily it feels that we’re wealthier because we get to spend all that money… but we have to come to terms with paying the bill. The bills are going to come due. Right now interest rates are being kept at zero which makes it possible to service the debt even though it’s impossible to repay it… at least we can service it. But once interest rates go up then we can’t even service it let alone repay it.  And then the party is going to come to an end. Indeed – the party is coming to an end, and a new financial crisis is playing out in textbook fashion right in front of our eyes. Hopefully you are already prepared for what is coming next, because it is going to be extremely painful for the U.S. economy. Global Trade Is Collapsing As The Worldwide Economic Recession Deepens When the global economy is doing well, the amount of stuff that is imported and exported around the world goes up, and when the global economy is in recession, the amount of stuff that is imported and exported around the world goes down.  It is just basic economics.  Governments around the world have become very adept at manipulating other measures of economic activity such as GDP, but the trade numbers are more difficult to fudge.  Today, China accounts for more global trade than anyone else on the entire planet, and we have just learned that Chinese exports and Chinese imports are both collapsing right now.  But this is just part of a larger trend.  As I discussed the other day , British banking giant HSBC has reported that total global trade is down 8.4 percent so far in 2015, and global GDP expressed in U.S. dollars is down 3.4 percent .  The only other times global trade has plummeted this much has been during other global recessions, and it appears that this new downturn is only just beginning. For many years, China has been leading the revolution in global trade.  But now we are witnessing something that is almost unprecedented.  Chinese exports are falling, and Chinese imports  are absolutely imploding … Growth of exports from China has been dropping relentlessly, for years. Now this “growth” has actually turned negative. In September, exports were down 3.7% from a year earlier, the “inevitable fallout from China’s unsustainable and poorly executed credit splurge,” as Thomson Reuters’ Alpha Now puts it. Most of these exports are manufactured goods that are shipped by container to the rest of the world. And imports into China – a mix of bulk and containerized freight – have been plunging: down 20.4% in September from a year earlier, after at a 13.8% drop in August. This week it was announced that Chinese GDP growth had fallen to the lowest level since the last recession, and that makes sense.  Global economic activity is really slowing down, and this is deeply affecting China. So what about the United States? Well, based on the amount of stuff that is being shipped around in our country it appears that our economy is really slowing down too.  The following comes from  Wolf Richter , and I shared some of it in a previous article , but I think that it bears repeating… September is in the early phase of the make-or-break holiday shipping season. Shipments usually increase from August to September. They did this year too. The number of shipments in September inched up 1.7% from August, according to the Cass Freight Index . But the index was down 1.5% from an already lousy September last year, when shipments had fallen from the prior month, instead of rising. And so, in terms of the number of shipments, it was the worst September since 2010. It has been crummy all year: With the exception of January and February, the shipping volume has been lower year-over-year every month! The index is broad. It tracks data from shippers, no matter what carrier they choose, whether truck, rail, or air, and includes carriers like FedEx and UPS. What major retailers such as Wal-Mart are reporting also confirms that we are in a major economic slowdown.  Wal-Mart recently announced that its earnings would fall by as much as 12 percent during the next fiscal year, and that caused Wal-Mart stock to drop by the most in 27 years . And of course this is going to have a huge ripple effect.  There are thousands of other companies that do business with Wal-Mart, and  Reuters is reporting that they are starting to get squeezed… Suppliers of everything from groceries to sports equipment are already being squeezed for price cuts and cost sharing by Wal-Mart Stores. Now they are bracing for the pressure to ratchet up even more after a shock earnings warning from the retailer last week. The discount store behemoth has always had a reputation for demanding lower prices from vendors but Reuters has learned from interviews with suppliers and consultants, as well as reviewing some contracts, that even by its standards Wal-Mart has been turning up the heat on them this year. “The ground is shaking here,” said Cameron Smith, head of Cameron Smith & Associates, a major recruiting firm for suppliers located close to Wal-Mart’s headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas. “Suppliers are going to have to help Wal-Mart get back on track.” Similar things are going on at some of the other biggest companies in America as well. For instance, things have gotten so bad for McDonald’s that one franchise owner recently stated that the restaurant chain is  “facing its final days” … “McDonald’s announced in April that it would be closing 700 ‘underperforming’ locations, but because of the company’s sheer size — it has 14,300 locations in the United States alone — this was not necessarily a reduction in the size of the company, especially because it continues to open locations around the world. It still has more than double the locations of Burger King, its closest competitor.” However, for the franchisees, the picture looks much worse than simply 700 stores closing down. “We are in the throes of a deep depression, and nothing is changing,” a franchise owner wrote in response to a financial survey by Nomura Group . “Probably 30% of operators are insolvent.” One owner went as far as to speculate that McDonald’s is literally “facing its final days.” Why would things be so bad at Wal-Mart and McDonald’s if the economy was “recovering”? Come on now – let’s use some common sense here. All of the numbers are screaming at us that we have entered a major economic downturn and that it is accelerating. CNBC is reporting that the number of job openings in the U.S. is falling and that the number of layoffs is rising… Job openings fell 5.3 percent in August, while a 2.6 percent rise in layoffs and discharges offset a 0.3 percent gain in hires. Finally, the amount of quits — or what Convergex calls its “take this job and shove it” indicator because it shows the percentage of workers who left positions voluntarily — fell to 56.6 percent from 57.1 percent, indicating less confidence in mobility. And as I discussed the other day , Challenger Gray is reporting that we are seeing layoffs at major firms at a level that we have not witnessed  since 2009 . We already have 102.6 million working age Americans that do not have a job right now.  As this emerging worldwide recession deepens, a lot more Americans are going to lose their jobs.  That is going to cause the poverty and suffering in this country to spike even more, if you can imagine that. Just consider what authorities discovered on the streets of Philadelphia  just this week … Support is flooding in for a homeless Philadelphia family whose two-year-old son was found wandering alone in a park in the middle of the night. Angelique Roland, 27, and Michael Jones, 24, were sleeping with their children behind cardboard boxes underneath the Fairmount Park Welcome Center in Love Park when the toddler slipped away. The boy was found just before midnight and handed over to a nearby Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority police officer, who took him to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He was wearing a green, long sleeve shirt, black running pants and had a diaper on, but did not have shoes or socks. Could you imagine sleeping on the streets and not even being able to provide your two-year-old child with shoes and socks? These numbers that I write about every day are not a game.  They affect all of us on a very personal level. Just like in 2008 and 2009, millions of Americans that are living a very comfortable middle class lifestyle today will soon lose their jobs and will end up out in the streets. In fact, there will be people that will read this article that this will happen to. So no, none of us should be excited that the global economy is collapsing.  There is already so much pain all around us, and what is to come is beyond what most of us would even dare to imagine. Moving Toward A One World Government, A One World Economy And A One World Religion The global elite have never been closer to their goal of a united world.  Thanks to a series of interlocking treaties and international agreements, the governance of this planet is increasingly becoming globalized and centralized, but most people don’t seem alarmed by this at all.  In the past 30 days, we have seen some of the biggest steps toward a one world government, a one world economy and a one world religion that we have ever witnessed, but these events have sparked very little public discussion or debate.  So please share this article with as many people as you can.  We need to wake people up about this before it is too late. From September 25th to September 27th, the United Nations launched a “ new universal agenda ” for humanity.  Those are not my words, they actually come directly out of the core document for this new agenda .  The Pope traveled to New York City to give the address that kicked off this conference, thus giving his considerable endorsement to this new plan.  Virtually every nation on the entire planet willingly signed up for the 17 goals that are included in this plan, but this stunning turn of events made very few international headlines. The United Nations is promising that if we all work together that we can turn our planet into some kind of “utopia”, but the truth is that all of this talk about “unity” masks a very insidious agenda.  The following comes from a recent piece by  Paul McGuire , the author of a groundbreaking new book entitled “The Babylon Code” … The UN is not asking permission, but issuing a command that the entire planet will commit to 17 sustainable development goals and 169 sustainable development targets designed to radically transform our world by 2030. The UN 2030 plan promoted by the Pope will advance Agenda 21 on steroids. Through a controlled media the mass populations will be told that this is all about saving the environment and “ending poverty.” But that is not the true agenda of Agenda 21. The true agenda of Agenda 21 is to establish a global government, global economic system, and global religion. When UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon spoke of “a dream of a world of peace and dignity for all” this is no different than when the Communists promised the people a “workers paradise.” For the general population, “the 2030 Agenda” has been rebranded as “the global goals”.  On September 26th , some of the biggest names in the music world (including Beyonce) promoted these new “global goals” at the “Global Citizen Festival” that was held in Central Park.  And you can watch a YouTube video where some of the most famous names on the entire planet urge all of us to get behind these new “global goals” right here . None of this is by accident.  We are being trained to think of ourselves as “global citizens” that belong to a “global community”.  Decades ago, most Americans would have been up in arms over something like this.  But now most people just seem to accept these changes passively.  Very powerful secret societies and international organizations have been moving us in this direction for a very long time, and most Americans simply have no idea what is happening.  Here is more  from Paul McGuire … The United Nations is a de facto global government and does not rule by the “consent of the governed.” The United Nations is a global government to which American politicians of both parties have surrendered our Constitutional rights. If you look at the Republican Presidential debates you see the vast majority of those running are “bought men and women.” They are there to do the bidding of their true masters, the international banking families and their interlocking secret societies. If a candidate has a different set of beliefs than the “Orwellian group think” which constitutes domestic and foreign policy, he is allowed to go only so far. Who are these powerful elite groups and the secret societies that run them? As we extensively document in our new book, The Babylon Code , co-authored by this author and Troy Anderson, a Pulitzer Prize-nominated investigative journalist, there exists a very real network of semi-secretive and secret groups. Groups like The Council on Foreign Relations, The Trilateral Commission, Royal Institute of International Affairs, United Nations, Club of Rome, The Bilderberg Group, and others control presidents, prime ministers, media networks, politicians, CEO’s, and entire nations. You will almost never hear any substantive analysis by the media, which is controlled by these groups nor of attempts at holding them accountable by governments around the world. Another way that our planet is being “united” is through the use of international trade agreements. The ultimate goal is for the entire world to become a “single market” with uniform laws, rules and regulations.  But as we merge our economy with the rest of the globe, the United States has been losing tens of thousands of businesses and millions of jobs as the monolithic corporations that now dominate our economy shift production to areas where labor is much cheaper.  This is absolutely destroying the middle class, but very few people seem to care. Negotiations for one of the biggest international trade treaties that the world has ever seen recently concluded.  The Trans-Pacific Partnership, also known as “Obamatrade”, would represent a giant step toward a truly unified global economy.  The following is an excerpt from one of my previous articles … We have just witnessed one of the most significant steps toward a one world economic system that we have ever seen.  Negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership have been completed, and if approved it will create the largest trading bloc on the planet.  But this is not just a trade agreement.  In this treaty, Barack Obama has thrown in all sorts of things that he never would have been able to get through Congress otherwise.  And once this treaty is approved, it will be exceedingly difficult to ever make changes to it.  So essentially what is happening is that the Obama agenda is being permanently locked in for 40 percent of the global economy. The United States, Canada, Japan, Mexico, Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam all intend to sign on to this insidious plan.  Collectively, these nations have a total population of about 800 million people and a combined GDP of approximately 28 trillion dollars. And do you want to know who pushed really hard to give Obama fast track negotiating authority so that these negotiations could be brought to a successful conclusion? It was the traitorous Republican leadership in Congress.  They did everything that they could to pave the way for Obamatrade. We are also seeing some stunning moves in the direction of a one world religion. In recent years, you may have noticed that it has become very trendy to say that all religions are just different paths to the same God.  In fact, many prominent religious leaders are now openly proclaiming that the two biggest faiths on the entire planet, Christianity and Islam, worship the exact same deity. For example, just consider what the Pope is saying publicly on this matter.  The following is an extended excerpt from one of my recent articles on End of the American Dream … ***** What Pope Francis had to say at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan has received very little coverage by the mainstream media, but it was exceedingly significant.  The following  is how he began his address … I would like to express two sentiments for my Muslim brothers and sisters: Firstly, my greetings as they celebrate the feast of sacrifice. I would have wished my greeting to be warmer. My sentiments of closeness, my sentiments of closeness in the face of tragedy. The tragedy that they suffered in Mecca. In this moment, I give assurances of my prayers. I unite myself with you all. A prayer to almighty god, all merciful. He did not choose those words by accident.  In Islam, Allah is known as “the all-merciful one”.  If you doubt this, just do a Google search . And this is not the first time Pope Francis has used such language.  For instance, the following comes from remarks that he made during his very first ecumenical meeting as Pope… I then greet and cordially thank you all, dear friends belonging to other religious traditions; first of all the Muslims, who worship the one God, living and merciful, and call upon Him in prayer, and all of you. I really appreciate your presence: in it I see a tangible sign of the will to grow in mutual esteem and cooperation for the common good of humanity. The Catholic Church is aware of the importance of promoting friendship and respect between men and women of different religious traditions – I wish to repeat this: promoting friendship and respect between men and women of different religious traditions – it also attests the valuable work that the Pontifical Council for interreligious dialogue performs. Pope Francis clearly believes that Christians and Muslims worship the exact same God.  And so that helps to explain why he authorized “Islamic prayers and readings from the Quran” at the Vatican for the first time ever back in 2014. ***** What is happening is undeniable. We are steamrolling toward a one world government, a one world economy and a one world religion. Of course we will not get there overnight.  It is going to take some time, and there are going to be quite a few bumps along the way.  In fact, I believe that our planet will experience an extreme amount of chaos before we actually get there. But every major crisis will be used as an excuse to advance this agenda.  Virtually every solution that the elite offer us will involve more globalization and more centralization.  We will be told that all of our problems will be solved if humanity will just come together in unity. For some, the goal of a “united planet” where we are all working together to eradicate things like poverty, war and disease makes all the sense in the world. For others, a one world government, a one world economy and a one world religion would simply mean setting the stage for “one world tyranny”. So what do you think?  Please feel free to share your thoughts by posting a comment below… The Numbers Say That A Major Global Recession Has Already Begun The biggest bank in the western world has just come out and declared that the global economy is “already in a recession”.  According to British banking giant HSBC, global trade is down 8.4 percent so far this year, and global GDP expressed in U.S. dollars is down 3.4 percent .  So those that are waiting for the next worldwide economic recession to begin can stop waiting.  It is officially here.  As you will see below, money is fleeing emerging markets at a blistering pace, major global banks are stuck with huge loans that will never be repaid, and it looks like a very significant worldwide credit crunch has begun.  Just a few days ago, I explained that the IMF, the UN, the BIS And Citibank were all warning that a major economic crisis could be imminent .  They aren’t just making this stuff up out of thin air, but most Americans still seem to believe that everything is going to be just fine.  The level of blind faith in the system that most people are demonstrating right now is absolutely astounding. The numbers say that the global economy has not been in this bad shape since the devastating recession that shook the world in 2008 and 2009.  According to  HSBC , “we are already in a dollar recession”… Global trade is also declining at an alarming pace. According to the latest data available in June the year on year change is -8.4%. To find periods of equivalent declines we only really find recessionary periods. This is an interesting point. On one metric we are already in a recession. As can be seen in Chart 3 on the following page, global GDP expressed in US dollars is already negative to the tune of USD 1,37trn or -3.4%. That is, we are already in a dollar recession.  Here is the chart that Zero Hedge posted along with the quote above.  As you can see, the only time global GDP expressed in U.S. dollars has fallen faster in recent years was during the horrible recession of seven years ago… But there are still a whole lot of incredibly clueless people running around out there claiming that “ nothing is happening ” even though more signs of trouble are erupting all around us every single day. For instance, just today CNBC published an article entitled “ The US is closer to deflation than you think “, and Twitter just announced that it plans to lay off 8 percent of its entire workforce . But of course the biggest problems are happening in “emerging markets” right now.  The following is an excerpt from an article that was just published in a major British news source entitled “ The world economic order is collapsing and this time there seems no way out “… Now act three is beginning, but in countries much less able to devise measures to stop financial contagion and whose banks are more precarious. For global finance next flooded the so-called emerging market economies (EMEs), countries such as Turkey, Brazil, Malaysia, China, all riding high on sky-high commodity prices as the China boom, itself fuelled by wild lending, seemed never-ending. China manufactured more cement from 2010-13 than the US had produced over the entire 20th century. It could not last and so it is proving. China’s banks are, in effect, bust: few of the vast loans they have made can ever be repaid, so they cannot now lend at the rate needed to sustain China’s once super-high but illusory growth rates. China’s real growth is now below that of the Mao years: the economic crisis will spawn a crisis of legitimacy for the deeply corrupt communist party. Commodity prices have crashed. Money is flooding out of the EMEs, leaving overborrowed companies, indebted households and stricken banks, but EMEs do not have institutions such as the Federal Reserve or European Central Bank to knock up rescue packages. Yet these nations now account for more than half of global GDP. Small wonder the IMF is worried. It is one thing for The Economic Collapse Blog to warn that “the world economic order is collapsing”, but this is one of the biggest newspapers in the UK. I was writing about these emerging market problems back in July , but at that time very few really understood the true gravity of the situation.  But now giant banks such as Goldman Sachs are calling this the third stage of the ongoing global financial crisis.  The following comes from a recent CNBC piece entitled “ Is EM turmoil the third wave of the financial crisis? Goldman thinks so “… Emerging markets aren’t just suffering through another market rout—it’s a third wave of the global financial crisis, Goldman Sachs said. “Increased uncertainty about the fallout from weaker emerging market economies, lower commodity prices and potentially higher U.S. interest rates are raising fresh concerns about the sustainability of asset price rises, marking a new wave in the Global Financial Crisis,” Goldman said in a note dated last week. The emerging market wave, coinciding with the collapse in commodity prices, follows the U.S. stage, which marked the fallout from the housing crash, and the European stage, when the U.S. crisis spread to the continent’s sovereign debt, the bank said. You know that it is late in the game when Goldman Sachs starts sounding exactly like The Economic Collapse Blog.  I have been warning about a “series of waves” for years. When will people wake up? What is it going to take? The crisis is happening right now. Of course many Americans will refuse to acknowledge what is going on until the Dow Jones Industrial Average collapses by several thousand more points.  And that is coming.  But let us all hope that day is delayed for as long as possible, because all of our lives will become much crazier once that happens. And the truth is that many Americans do understand that bad times are on the horizon.  Just check out the following numbers that were recently reported by  CNBC … The CNBC All-America Economic Survey finds views on the current state of the economy about stable, with 23 percent saying it is good or excellent and 42 percent judging it as fair. About a third say the economy is poor, up 3 points from the June survey. But the percentage of Americans who believe the economy will get worse rose 6 points to 32 percent, the highest level since the government shutdown in 2013. And just 22 percent believe the economy will get better, 2 points lower than June and the lowest level since 2008, when the nation was gripped by recession. If you want to believe that everything is going to be just fine somehow, then go ahead and believe that. All I can do is present the facts.  For months I have been warning about this financial crisis, and now it is playing out as a slow-motion train wreck right in front of our eyes. We are moving into a period of time during which events are going to start to move much more rapidly, and life as we know it is about to change in a major way for all of us. Hopefully you have already been preparing for what is about to come. If not, I wouldn’t want to be in your position. Copper, China And World Trade Are All Screaming That The Next Economic Crisis Is Here If you are looking for a “canary in a coal mine” type of warning for the entire global economy, you have a whole bunch to pick from right now.  “Dr. Copper” just hit a six year low, Morgan Stanley is warning that this could be the worst oil price crash in 45 years , the Chinese economy is suddenly stalling out, and world trade is falling at the fastest pace that we have seen since the last financial crisis.  In order not to see all of the signs that are pointing toward a global economic slowdown, you would have to be willingly blind.  In recent months, I have been writing article after article detailing how the exact same patterns that happened just before the stock market crash of 2008 are playing out once again.  We are watching a slow-motion train wreck unfold right before our eyes, and things are only going to get worse from here. Copper is referred to as “Dr. Copper” because it does such an excellent job of indicating where economic conditions are heading next.  We saw this in 2008, when the price of copper started crashing big time in the months leading up to the stock market implosion. Well, now copper is crashing again.  Just check out this chart .  The price of copper plunged again on Wednesday, and it is now the lowest that it has been since the last financial crisis.  Unfortunately, the forecast for the months ahead is not good.  The following is what  Goldman Sachs is saying about copper… “Though we have been bearish on copper on a 12-mo forward basis for the past two and a half years, we have maintained a more bullish medium to long-term stance on the assumption of Chinese copper demand growth of 4% per annum and a major slowing in supply growth around 2017/2018 … we substantially lower our short, medium, and long-term copper price forecasts, on the back of lower Chinese copper demand growth forecasts (we have been highlighting that the risk has been skewed to the downside for some time), increased conviction in copper supply growth over the next three years, and increased conviction in the outlook for mining cost deflation in dollar terms.” It is funny that Goldman mentioned China so prominently.  Even though China’s fake GDP figures say that everything is fine over there, other numbers are painting a very dismal picture. For instance, Chinese electrical consumption in June grew at the slowest pace that we have seen in 30 years , and capital outflows from China have reached a level that is “frightening” … Robin Brooks at Goldman Sachs estimates that capital outflows topped $224bn in the second quarter, a level “beyond anything seen historically”. The Chinese central bank (PBOC) is being forced to run down the country’s foreign reserves to defend the yuan. This intervention is becoming chronic. The volume is rising. Mr Brooks calculates that the authorities sold $48bn of bonds between March and June. Charles Dumas at Lombard Street Research says capital outflows – when will we start calling it capital flight? – have reached $800bn over the past year. These are frighteningly large sums of money. Just last month, the Chinese stock market started to crash , but the crash was interrupted when the Chinese government essentially declared a form of financial martial law. And I don’t think that “financial martial law” is too strong of a term to use in this case.  Just consider the following excerpt from a recent article  in the Telegraph … Half the shares traded in Shanghai and Shenzhen were suspended. New floats were halted. Some 300 corporate bosses were strong-armed into buying back their own shares. Police state tactics were used hunt down short sellers. We know from a vivid account in Caixin magazine that China’s top brokers were shut in a room and ordered to hand over money for an orchestrated buying blitz. A target of 4,500 was set for the Shanghai Composite by Communist Party officials. So a stock market crash was halted, but in doing so Chinese officials have essentially destroyed the second largest stock market in the world.  China’s financial markets have lost all legitimacy, and foreigners are going to be extremely hesitant to put any money into Chinese stocks from now on. Meanwhile, there is no hiding the fact that trade activity in China and in most of the rest of the planet is slowing down.  In fact, world trade volume has now dropped by the most that we have seen since the last global recession.  The following comes from  Zero Hedge … As goes the world, so goes America (according to 30 years of historical data), and so when world trade volumes drop over 2% (the biggest drop since 2009) in the last six months to the weakest since June 2014, the “US recession imminent” canary in the coalmine is drawing her last breath… As Wolf Street’s Wolf Richter adds , this isn’t stagnation or sluggish growth. This is the steepest and longest decline in world trade since the Financial Crisis. Unless a miracle happened in June, and miracles are becoming exceedingly scarce in this sector, world trade will have experienced its first back-to-back quarterly contraction since 2009. As you probably noted in the chart above, a decline in world trade is almost always associated with a recession. That was certainly the case back in 2008 and 2009. Another similarity between the last crisis and what is happening now is a crash in the price of oil. According to  Business Insider , we have just officially entered a brand new bear market for oil… Oil is officially in a bear market. On Thursday, West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures fell more than 1% to settle near $48.55 per barrel in New York. A bear market is roughly defined as a 20% drop from highs. Crude has now fallen by about 20% in the last six weeks. So what does all of this mean? All of these signs are indicating that another great economic crisis is here, and that a global financial implosion is just around the corner. At this point, even many of the “bulls” are sounding the alarm.  For example, just consider what  Henry Blodget of Business Insider is saying… As regular readers know, for the past ~21 months I have been worrying out loud about US stock prices. Specifically, I have suggested that a decline of 30% to 50% would not be a surprise. I haven’t predicted a crash. But I have said clearly that I think stocks will deliver returns that are way below average for the next seven to 10 years. And I certainly won’t be surprised to see stocks crash. So don’t say no one warned you! For those that don’t know, Henry Blodget is definitely not a bear.  In fact, he is one of Wall Street’s biggest cheerleaders. So for Blodget to suggest that we could see the stock market drop by half is a really big deal. The closer that we get to this next crisis, the clearer that everything is becoming. Where are things going to go from here?  Please feel free to add to the discussion by posting a comment below… The Debt To GDP Ratio For The Entire World: 286 Percent Did you know that there is more than $28,000 of debt for every man, woman and child on the entire planet?  And since close to 3 billion of those people survive on less than 2 dollars a day, your share of that debt is going to be much larger than that.  If we took everything that the global economy produced this year and everything that the global economy produced next year and used it to pay all of this debt, it still would not be enough.  According to a recent report put out by the McKinsey Global Institute entitled “ Debt and (not much) deleveraging “, the total amount of debt on our planet has grown from 142 trillion dollars at the end of 2007 to 199 trillion dollars today.  This is the largest mountain of debt in the history of the world, and those numbers mean that we are in substantially worse condition than we were just prior to the last financial crisis. When it comes to debt, a lot of fingers get pointed at the United States, and rightly so.  Just prior to the last recession, the U.S. national debt was sitting at about 9 trillion dollars .  Today, it has crossed the 18 trillion dollar mark .  But of course the U.S. is not the only one that is guilty.  In fact, the McKinsey Global Institute says that debt levels have grown in all major economies since 2007.  The following is an excerpt from the report … Seven years after the bursting of a global credit bubble resulted in the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, debt continues to grow. In fact, rather than reducing indebtedness, or deleveraging, all major economies today have higher levels of borrowing relative to GDP than they did in 2007. Global debt in these years has grown by $57 trillion, raising the ratio of debt to GDP by 17 percentage points (Exhibit 1). That poses new risks to financial stability and may undermine global economic growth. What is surprising is that debt has actually grown the most in China.  If you can believe it, total Chinese debt has grown from 7 trillion dollars in 2007 to 28 trillion dollars today.  Needless to say, that is absolutely insane… China’s debt has quadrupled since 2007. Fueled by real estate and shadow banking, China’s total debt has nearly quadrupled, rising to $28 trillion by mid-2014, from $7 trillion in 2007. At 282 percent of GDP, China’s debt as a share of GDP, while manageable, is larger than that of the United States or Germany. Three developments are potentially worrisome: half of all loans are linked, directly or indirectly, to China’s overheated real-estate market; unregulated shadow banking accounts for nearly half of new lending; and the debt of many local governments is probably unsustainable. However, MGI calculates that China’s government has the capacity to bail out the financial sector should a property-related debt crisis develop. The challenge will be to contain future debt increases and reduce the risks of such a crisis, without putting the brakes on economic growth. What all of this means is that our long-term global economic problems have gotten much, much worse.  This short-lived period of relative stability that we have been enjoying has been fueled by unprecedented amounts of debt and voracious money printing.  Anyone with half a brain should be able to see that this is a giant financial bubble, and in the end it is going to unwind very, very painfully.  The following comes  from a Canadian news source … At the beginning of 2008, government accounted for a smaller portion of the debt pie than corporate, household or financial debt. It now exceeds each of those other categories. “The current situation is much worse than in 2000 or 2007, and with interest rates near or at zero, the central banks have already used up their ammunition. Plus, the total indebtedness, especially the indebtedness of governments, is much higher than ever before,” said Claus Vogt, a Berlin-based analyst and co-author of a 2011 book titled The Global Debt Trap . “Every speculative bubble rests on some kind of a fairy tale, a story the bubble participants believe in and use as rationalization to buy extremely overvalued stocks or bonds or real estate,” Mr. Vogt argued. “And now it is the faith in the central-planning capabilities of global central bankers. When the loss of confidence in the Fed, the ECB etc. begins, the stampede out of stocks and bonds will start. I think we are very close to this pivotal moment in financial history.” But for the moment, the ridiculous stock market bubble continues. Internet companies that didn’t even exist a decade ago are now supposedly worth billions upon billions of dollars even though some of them don’t make any money at all.  There is even a name for this phenomenon.  Internet companies that have gigantic valuations without gigantic revenue streams are being called  “unicorns” … A dizzying mix of bold ideas and lavish investments has catapulted dozens of privately held start-ups to unicorn status, defined as having market valuations of at least $1 billion often without soaring revenues to match. Social-sharing site Pinterest has soared to $11 billion. Ride-hailing company Uber is now worth a staggering $50 billion. How long can the party last? And these days, Wall Street even rewards companies that lose huge amounts of money quarter after quarter.  For example, just check out what happened when JC Penney announced that  it only lost 167 million dollars during the first quarter of 2015… Yippee!!! JC Penney ONLY lost $167 million in the first quarter. The Wall Street shysters are ecstatic because they BEAT expectations. Buy Buy Buy. This loss now brings JC Penney’s cumulative loss since 2011 to, drum roll please, $3.5 BILLION. They haven’t had a profitable quarter in over four years. But, they are always on the verge of that turnaround just over the horizon. Wall Street has told you to buy this stock from $42 in 2012 to it’s current pitiful level of $9. They tout the wonderful 3.4% increase in comparable sales. They fail to mention that first quarter 2016 sales are only 30% below first quarter sales in 2011. They fail to mention that JC Penney burned through another $274 million of cash in the first quarter. Their equity has dropped by $1 billion in the last year, while their long term debt has gone up by $500 million. This is how irrational Wall Street has become.  JC Penney is ultimately going to zero, and yet there are still people out there that are pouring huge amounts of money into that financial black hole. Sadly, the truth is that Wall Street is headed for a very painful awakening. What we are experiencing right now is the greatest financial bubble of all time. What comes after that is going to be the greatest financial crash of all time. 199,000,000,000,000 dollars of debt is about to come crashing down, and the pain of this disaster will be felt by every man, woman and child on the entire planet.  
Copper
What popular food takes its name from Italian for 'twine'?
About Metals & Bullion Trading : Kerford Investments Limited – Online Forex and Bullion Trading Home > Resources > Metals Bullion & Metals include most of precious metals like Gold, Silver, Platinum and Copper in which investments in these products are now been considered as safe havens for investors despite alternatives like equities, bonds and currencies. Bullion market is open 24 hours a day through over-the-counter market, most of the trades being held in London. It’s a high turnover rate market with most of the transactions conducted via online. As a primary hedge against inflation, Bullion is considered as a universal appeal in today’s investment community. Among the wide range of financial products traded today, the precious metals have been the most fascinating commodities, which never seem to lose their appeal in the international investment community. The Gold market stands out as having a universal appeal in the international investment community. Gold is a benchmark among precious metals for its unique rarity, beauty, and versatility. Many Nations and Central Bank use gold as a store of wealth and a medium of international trade. For most individuals and institutions, Gold is still considered an ideal protection against inflation. Gold futures opened for trading in the United States on December 31, 1974. Today, gold prices float freely in accordance with supply and demand, responding quickly to political and economic events. Kerford provides metal prices and quotes everyday from 8.00am to 7.00pm GMT. We are a primary market maker providing fast and accurate prices covering a wide array of precious metals and order types. Our team of experts gives up-to-date, reliable and comprehensive market information and research data providing valuable online support to your trading activities all day. Bullion trading involves precious metals, and gold has special rules attached to it in many tax -collecting nations. In the United States, citizens may be taxed on gold profits depending on the investment vehicle, with it often being characterized as a collectible. In the European Union, trading of gold coins and bullion products are free of the Value Added Tax, while silver and other bullion metals are not granted the same exclusion. GOLD Why buy gold? In addition to gold’s aesthetic appeal and use in jewelry, gold has numerous practical uses due to its inert nature and malleability. As the global economic downturn deepens investors are turning to gold as both a safe haven and a store of wealth, and gold prices continue to make new highs. Learn how to position yourself in the gold market using futures and options. How can you invest in gold? There are many ways to invest in gold. You can buy physical gold (bars and coins), buy gold mining stocks, buy exchange-traded funds that track gold, or buy gold futures and options on the regulated commodity exchanges. If you believe that the price of gold is moving higher, you could try to find the best gold stock or you could consider going long the gold futures or buying a call option on gold. What Market Fundamentals Can Affect The Gold Futures? In free market economies, supply and demand is the primary enabler for price movement. Any outside forces that affect supply and demand eventually affect prices. When you are considering a trade in the gold market some of the basic fundamentals that you should consider are: 1. Supply The credit crisis should continue to affect both exploration activity and potential mine expansion, especially among marginal producers. The round of selling by hedge funds that were forced to sell gold to raise cash to fund significant redemptions in other financial investments is tapering off. 2. Demand Retail investment demand for gold in Q3 2008 rose 121%. The biggest surge in demand was in Switzerland, Germany, India and the US. The increased demand coincided with a fall in gold prices and increased economic uncertainty. If Governments around the globe are successful in jump-starting world economic growth, this should result in higher commodity prices in general and higher prices for metals, both industrial and precious. 3. Dollar Weakness There seems to be a growing belief in Washington that the only way to deal with both the recession and asset deflation is by creating huge amounts of liquidity. The government is doing this by printing more money and increasing deficit spending. This should inevitably weaken the value of the US dollar. A weak dollar encourages U.S. investors to turn to gold because the metal is known for holding its value. It also encourages foreign investors to buy the dollar-denominated metal, because the cost is not as high for those with stronger currencies. These are just some of the basic fundamentals to keep in mind when you are considering a trade in the gold market. Therefore, before opening up a commodity account to trade gold you should consult with a licensed commodity broker that follows the gold market to discuss investment strategies. Gold Futures Price The gold futures price is different than the gold price in the cash (physical) market. Generally, the price of a commodity for future delivery is higher than the cash price due to carrying costs (insurance, interest, and warehousing fees). This is called contango. The opposite of contango is backwardation. Backwardation is when the price of a commodity for future delivery is lower than the cash price Backwardation is normal in a “seller’s market.” When you trade gold futures, your futures price depends on where you get into the market. After you post your initial margin, your profit or loss depends on where you enter and exit the market (minus transaction costs). For example: The contract size for gold is 100 ounces. So each $1 move equals $100. As the market moves your account value adjusts. If your account value drops below the maintenance margin a margin call is due. A margin call can be met by offsetting positions or adding money to your account. Gold commodity futures contract trading can be both highly profitable and extremely risky because of leverage. Leverage is the ability to control a large quantity of a commodity for a very modest investment. That investment is called margin. Be certain you understand the risk of trading futures on margin before you consider opening a gold trading account. Trading futures is like driving a car without insurance. You save theinsurance premium, but if you crash you will wish that you were insured. If you have very deep pockets or deal with the physical gold product then futures may be for you. If you are a speculator with a limited amount of risk capital then gold options are a better way for you to invest in the gold market. SILVER What is silver? As a precious metal, silver was long considered only second to gold in value. Silver is a luxury item being purchased by customers for its uses in jewelry and silverware. A hybrid between an industrial and precious metal, silver is also being used in various ranges of manufactured products like cameras, hearing aids, cell phones and other electronic products. In recent years, silver consumption has outpaced new production. This probably cannot occur forever without demand for silver falling or production supplies and prices rising. What Market Fundamentals Can Affect The Silver Futures? In free market economies, supply and demand is the primary enabler for price movement. Any outside forces that affect supply and demand eventually affect prices. When you are considering a trade in the silver market some of the basic fundamentals that you should consider are: 1. U.S. Dollar The main factor that will affect the commodities market is the value of the US$, because commodities are priced in US$. As you know The Federal Reserve and the Department of Treasury have committed nearly $8 trillion towards the bailout and economic stimulus packages. This unprecedented creation of liquidity will inevitably weaken the US$, and we believe that will result in inflation. 2. Mine Supply In 2008, when silver prices were around $20, mine production was expected to increase significantly. However, the price of silver has dropped. The current price levels are quickly ruining mining companies. A number of projects that were quite profitable are now unprofitable, and there’s no debt or equity capital to finance the losses needed to sustain production. This is leading to the wholesale abandonment of mining projects. 3. Fiscal Stimulus The US and China will lead the world in fiscal stimulus and that fiscal stimulus is going to be focused on infrastructure. So the raw material required for that infrastructure, and the general simulative effect of the infrastructure build is going to have a significant impact on the overall world economy. 4. Jewelry Demand India is traditionally the largest market for gold jewelry demand. However, with the price of gold relatively high on a historic price-ratio basis compared to silver, we are starting to see substitution demand in favor of silver. India is now importing silver at record levels. 5. Coinage Demand In 2008 Coinage demand was up 68%. The US mint is having trouble keeping up with demand for the popular Silver Eagle coins. Coinage demand is expected to grow in 2009. 6. Investor Demand There seems to be a growing belief that the only way to deal with both the recession and asset deflation is by creating huge amounts of liquidity. Governments around the world are doing this by printing more money and increasing deficit spending. We believe that given the current economic enviroment, investors will increasingly look to add silver to their portfolios. These are just some of the basic fundamentals to keep in mind when you are considering a trade in the silver market. Therefore, before opening up a commodity account to trade silver you should consult with a licensed commodity broker that follows the silver market to discuss investment strategies. Silver Futures Price The silver futures price is different than the silver price in the cash (physical) market. Generally, the price of a commodity for future delivery is higher than the cash price due to carrying costs (insurance, interest, and warehousing fees). This is called contango. The opposite of contango is backwardation. Backwardation is when the price of a commodity for future delivery is lower than the cash price Backwardation is normal in a “seller’s market.” When you trade silver futures, your futures price depends on where you get into the market. After you post your initial margin, your profit or loss depends on where you enter and exit the market (minus transaction costs). For example: The contract size for silver is 5,000 ounces. So each $.01 move equals $50. As the market moves your account value adjusts. If your account value drops below the maintenance margin a margin call is due. A margin call can be met by offsetting positions or adding money to your account. Silver commodity futures contract trading can be both highly profitable and extremely risky because of leverage. Leverage is the ability to control a large quantity of a commodity for a very modest investment. That investment is called margin. Be certain you understand the risk of trading futures on margin before you consider opening a silver trading account. PLATINUM What is platinum? Platinum is often referred to as the noble metal. Platinum is the most popular of six metals collectively known as the platinum group metals (PGMs). Platinum is the rarest of the precious metals. 90% of global supplies come from South Africa and Russia. In contrast with gold and silver, there are no large above-ground platinum stockpiles to fill the gap against significant supply disruptions. How is platinum used? Platinum is used in a wide range ofapplications. Platinum’s main use is as a catalyst in devices that remove automotive pollutants. It is also used as a catalyst in the refining of crude oil into its constituent products. Platinum is also popularly used in jewelry. Platinum Futures Price The platinum futures price isdifferent than the platinum price in the cash (physical) market. Generally, the price of a commodity for future delivery is higher than the cash price due to carrying costs (insurance, interest, and warehousing fees). This is called contango. The opposite of contango is backwardation. Backwardation is when the price of a commodity for future delivery is lower than the cash price Backwardation is normal in a “seller’s market.” When you trade platinum futures, your futures price depends on where you get into the market. After you post your initial margin, your profit or loss depends on where you enter and exit the market (minus transaction costs). For example: The contract size for platinum is 50 troy ounces. So each $1 move equals $50. As the market moves your account value adjusts. If your account value drops below the maintenance margin a margin call is due. A margin call can be met by offsetting positions or adding money to your account. Platinum commodity futures contract trading can be both highly profitable and extremely risky because of leverage. Leverage is the ability to control a large quantity of a commodity for a very modest investment. That investment is called margin. Be certain you understand the risk of trading futures on margin before you consider opening a platinum trading account. What Market Fundamentals Can Affect Platinum Futures? In free market economies, supply and demand is the primary enabler for price movement. Any outside forces that affect supply and demand eventually affect prices. When you are considering a trade in the platinum market some of the basic fundamentals that you should consider are: 1. Demand Platinum has unique chemical and physical properties that make it essential in a wide range of industrial and environmental applications. The platinum price continues to be partly driven by demand from the auto catalyst sector. There has been strong growth in platinum use in the European diesel vehicle market and in the heavy-duty diesel sector. Platinum is used as a catalyst in the production of nitric acid, which is used in explosives and fertilisers. Demand in those areas has also been strong. 2. Jewelry As the price of platinum has been increasing the demand has been dropping. The biggest drop in demand is in the middle and low end jewelry. However, platinum demand remains strong in the bridal and the luxury goods sectors. The high price of platinum is encouraging recycling. Second-hand platinum jewelry is being returned for recycling and ending up as scrap supply. 3. Supply Unlike gold and silver, platinum is only mined in a few countries. The major producers are South Africa and Russia. Since the mid-1980s, platinum mine supply had been on the rise due to increases in South Africa. However, in 2007 mine production started to decline. Due to declining mine production and increasing demand, platinum oversupply has been dropping steadily, and may soon be deficit. 4. South Africa South Africa is the largest producer of platinum in the world. The South African mining industry has recently faced a number of challenges in meeting the global platinum demand. Interruptions in electricity supply, safety shutdowns, geological and equipment problems, and a difficult labor environment have all affected South African platinum supplies. 5. Russia Russia is the second largest platinum producer in the world. Almost all its platinum is produced by Norilsk Nickel which also produces large amounts of copper, nickel, cobalt and other commodities. Until the mid-2000’s, actual output levels were state secrets. Now Norilsk Nickel and other Russian platinum producers release information on production, reserves, inventories and other data. This has allowed for greater transparency and reliability of Russian platinum supply estimates. These are just some of the basic fundamentals to keep in mind when you are considering a trade in the platinum market. The geographic concentration of platinum production makes it a very volatile market. Therefore, before opening up a commodity account to trade platinum you should consult with a licensed commodity broker that follows the platinum market to discuss investment strategies. COPPER What is copper? Copper is a soft, malleable, and highly conductive metal so it has a lot of industrial uses. Two radioactive isotopes of copper: Copper-64, and Copper-67 have important medical uses, and two copper compounds: copper sulfate (CuS), and copper acetate [Cu2O(C2H3O2)2] have numberous industrial and farm applications. Copper is the world's third most widely used metal. Copper is often considered an accurate indicator of economic growth. An economic expansion is usually present or beginning if demand for copper is increasing. Copper Futures Price The copper futures price is different than the copper price in the cash (physical) market. Generally, the price of a commodity for future delivery is higher than the cash price due to carrying costs (insurance, interest, and warehousing fees). This is called contango. The opposite of contango is backwardation. Backwardation is when the price of a commodity for future delivery is lower than the cash price Backwardation is normal in a “seller’s market.” When you trade copper futures, your futures price depends on where you get into the market. After you post your initial margin, your profit or loss depends on where you enter and exit the market (minus transaction costs). For example: The contract size for copper is 25,000 lbs. So each $.01 move equals $250. As the market moves your account value adjusts. If your account value drops below the maintenance margin a margin call is due. A margin call can be met by offsetting positions or adding money to your account. Copper commodity futures contract trading can be both highly profitable and extremely risky because of leverage. Leverage is the ability to control a large quantity of a commodity for a very modest investment. That investment is called margin. Be certain you understand the risk of trading futures on margin before you consider opening a copper trading account. What Market Fundamentals Can Affect The Copper Futures? In free market economies, supply and demand is the primary enabler for price movement. Any outside forces that affect supply and demand eventually affect prices. When you are considering a trade in the copper market some of the basic fundamentals that you should consider are: 1. Supply The major refining nations include the United States, Japan, Chile, Canada, Zambia, and the European Union. Copper and copper alloy scrap compose a significant share of the world's supply. The largest international sources for scrap are the United States and Europe. Chile, Indonesia, Canada and Australia are the major exporters while Japan, China, the European Union and Philippines are the major importers. World copper mine production through exploration of new mines and expansion of existing mines is a major factor that affects copper supply and pricing. 2. Supply Disruptions Strike periods that occur with expiration of labor contracts have a significant effect on copper prices. Additionally, earthquakes, shipping problems, and political unrest in Chile, Peru, and South Africa can cause a decrease in supplies of copper and cause copper futures to rally. 3. Demand The largest refined copper-consuming nations have long been the industrialized countries with large manufacturing bases. The major copper-consuming nations are the European Union, the United States, Japan, Russia, and China. Since the 1950's, the trend has been toward increased consumption by the Asian countries, particularly Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, mainly to support export-oriented fabrication industries. More recently, China has become a major user of copper and accounts for an increasing amount of demand for copper. 4. Inventory Stocks LME and NYMEX are the two international markets where copper trades. Changes in the inventory stocks in LME and NYMEX warehouses provide future price direction for the copper market. 5. Copper Supply Reports The main report for copper futures is the Copper - High Grade Warehouse Stocks. This report indicates whether copper supplies are increasing or decreasing. These are just some of the basic fundamentals to keep in mind when you are considering a trade in the copper market. Therefore, before opening up a commodity account to trade copper you should consult with a licensed commodity broker that follows the copper market to discuss investment strategies.
i don't know
What's the surname of award-winning movie making brothers Joel and Ethan?
Coen brothers: pioneers of American cinema Coen brothers: pioneers of American cinema US directors Joel (L) and Ethan Coen More Regarded as two of the most innovative directors in the world, brothers Joel and Ethan Coen have been pushing back the boundaries of movie-making for nearly three decades. The nearly inseparable American duo, who will chair the Cannes film festival jury in May, write, direct and produce their films jointly. They have also edited movies, under the alias Roderick Jaynes. They know Cannes well, having won the Palme d'Or in 1991 for "Barton Fink," and the best director prize for "Fargo" in 1996 and "The Man Who Wasn't There" in 2001. Their "Inside Llewyn Davis" won them the jury's grand prize in 2013. Since exploding onto the scene in 1984 with their offbeat thriller "Blood Simple," the two have reeled off a dozen films, each notable for their distinctive quirky humor or macabre themes. Favored by critics and film festivals, they have won more than 100 prizes together. They have been jointly nominated for 12 Academy Awards and one individual Oscar each. The siblings are known as the "two-headed director" within the movie world for their seamless ability to work alongside each other. - Midwest roots - Joel, 60, and Ethan, 57, grew up in St Louis Park, Minnesota as the children of college professors. They had an interest in film from an early age, remaking movies seen on television with a Super-8 camera they bought using money saved from mowing lawns. After graduating from Simon's Rock College of Bard in Massachusetts, Joel spent four years studying film at New York University, while Ethan attended Princeton, where he graduated in philosophy in 1979. Joel's early experience involved working as an assistant editor on Sam Raimi's 1981 film "The Evil Dead" and it was another three years before the two brothers arrived with "Blood Simple," which they wrote and directed. The film is notable for the appearance of Frances McDormand, who would later marry Joel before appearing in several of the brothers' films. The Coens followed up with their screwball 1987 comedy "Raising Arizona" starring Nicolas Cage and Holly Hunter as a married couple who steal a baby to raise as their own. The start of the next decade saw the Coens pay homage to gangster films with the 1990 flick "Miller's Crossing," featuring a youthful Gabriel Byrne, Albert Finney and John Turturro. Two memorable comedies -- "Barton Fink" (1991) and "The Hudsucker Proxy" (1994) -- came next, before arguably the Coens' best-known film, "Fargo," in 1996. The movie, about a bungling car salesman (William Macy) who sets up a bogus kidnap plot involving his wife with disastrous consequences, earned two Oscars: best actress for McDormand and original screenplay for the Coens. It has since been made into a television series that began in 2014, with the Coen brothers serving as executive producers. A dramatic change of tone was to follow with 1998's "The Big Lebowski," a surreal comedy about an aging Californian slacker (Jeff Bridges) who is mistaken for a millionaire, and hilarity ensues. Another comedy, "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" starring George Clooney, John Turturro and Tim Blake Nelson as three convicts on the run in 1930s Mississippi came in 2000. The film, a loose interpretation of Homer's "The Odyssey," was nominated for two Oscars. - Success across genres - The Coens returned to neo-noir in their next film, "The Man Who Wasn't There" (2001), while a second collaboration with Clooney came in the 2003 offbeat comedy "Intolerable Cruelty." A remake of the classic comedy "The Ladykillers," starring Tom Hanks, came in 2004 before the bleak "No Country for Old Men," which won four Oscars in 2008 -- best director, best picture, best adapted screenplay and best supporting actor for Javier Bardem. Later that year, they teamed up with Clooney and McDormand again in "Burn After Reading," a comedy about a hapless pair of gym employees trying to make money from a disc containing the memoirs of a CIA agent. In 2009 came "A Serious Man," a typically black comedy about a Midwest professor who watches his life unravel through a series of incidents, seemingly unable to stop the downward spiral. "True Grit," (2010) a remake of the classic John Wayne western, took the Coens into unexplored territory. The mostly urban, New York-based pair had never worked with animals, for example, let alone horses thundering across plains in bloody shootouts. But some of their trademark touches are there to see -- unexpected graphic violence, odd verbal mannerisms -- if not as obvious as in many of their award-winning films. They followed up with "Inside Llewyn Davis," a nostalgic film full of humor that follows a young singer's forays into the Greenwich Village folk music art scene of the 1960s. Reblog
Coen
German physicist Rudolf Mossbauer ('mossbower'), and the 'Mossbauer effect' named after him, are associated with the science of?
Inside Llewyn Davis – Original Soundtrack Recording | Nonesuch Records - MP3 Downloads, Free Streaming Music, Lyrics Inside Llewyn Davis – Original Soundtrack Recording Inside Llewyn Davis – Original Soundtrack Recording by 3:45 2 3:27 5 3:58 8 1:41 News & Reviews Paul Thomas Anderson, Richard Linklater, Joel & Ethan Coen, Darren Aronofsky Films Among BBC Culture's 100 Greatest Films of 21st Century BBC Culture has just released its list of the 100 Greatest Films of the 21st Century so far, and among them are three films by Paul Thomas Anderson—There Will Be Blood, The Master, and Inherent Vice, all of which feature scores by Jonny Greenwood—along with Richard Linklater's Boyhood, Joel and Ethan Coen's Inside Llewyn Davis, and Darren Aronofsky's Requiem for a Dream, for all six of which Nonesuch Records released the film soundtracks. BBC Culture says: "Film-making today, whether massively expensive or made with tiny budgets, shot on celluloid or video is thriving artistically as much as it ever has." "Another Day, Another Time: Celebrating the Music of 'Inside Llewyn Davis'" Concert Album Out Now Another Day, Another Time: Celebrating the Music of "Inside Llewyn Davis" is out now on Nonesuch Records. The two-disc collection captures a one-night-only concert held at New York City’s Town Hall in 2013 to celebrate the music of the Coen brothers film Inside Llewyn Davis, featuring live performances by icons and rising stars of folk and Americana. They sang "in pitch perfect tone that left an oft-awestruck audience silently stunned," says the Los Angeles Times, "then vocally thrilled." The Independent on Sunday says it's "as excellent as you would expect with surprising collaborations and stately performances breathing new life into old songs and old fire into new ones." Outside the US? Click here. About This Album “Joel and Ethan Coen’s wonderful new film is the kind of great work that cuts right through the noise.” —The New York Times “Audiences just heard a clean, hard crack: the Coen brothers hit one out of the park. The musical interludes are stunning.” —The Guardian “A great film by two American masters, the Coens have taken a real time and place and freely made it their own, drawing on actual persons and events for inspiration, but binding themselves only to their own bountiful imaginations. The result is playful and evocative. There is also the joy of the music itself, exquisitely arranged by T Bone Burnett and sung live on set by the actors themselves. The soundtrack is stupendous.” —Variety Nonesuch Records releases the soundtrack to Inside Llewyn Davis on November 11, 2013. Written and directed by Academy Award© winners Joel and Ethan Coen and produced by Scott Rudin and Joel and Ethan Coen, the film stars Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, John Goodman, Garrett Hedlund, and Justin Timberlake. Produced by T Bone Burnett, Joel Coen, and Ethan Coen, with Marcus Mumford as its associate producer, the album features 12 new recordings created especially for the film and soundtrack. Also included is a never-before-released recording of Bob Dylan performing his song “Farewell,” which was originally recorded during the sessions for his album The Times They Are A-Changin' and is available exclusively on this soundtrack. Inside Llewyn Davis is the Coen brothers’ fourth collaboration with the multiple Grammy and Academy Award®–winning Burnett; his soundtrack to their film O Brother, Where Art Thou? won five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and Producer of the Year (Burnett). Inside Llewyn Davis recently won the Grand Prix at the Cannes International Film Festival and will be distributed by CBS Films in the United States, where it opens theatrically on December 6. (Studio Canal is handling international distribution for Inside Llewyn Davis.) Inside Llewyn Davis follows a week in the life of a young folk singer as he navigates the Greenwich Village folk scene of 1961. Llewyn Davis (Oscar Isaac) is at a crossroads. Guitar in tow, huddled against the unforgiving New York winter, he is struggling to make it as a musician against seemingly insurmountable obstacles—some of them of his own making. Living at the mercy of both friends and strangers, scaring up what work he can find, Llewyn’s misadventures take him from the baskethouses of the Village to an empty Chicago club—on an odyssey to audition for a music mogul—and back again. Brimming with music performed by Isaac, Justin Timberlake and Carey Mulligan (as Llewyn’s married Village friends), as well as Marcus Mumford and Punch Brothers, Inside Llewyn Davis—in the tradition of O Brother, Where Art Thou?—is infused with the transportive sound of another time and place. Watch a trailer for Inside Llewyn Davis here: Credits Music produced by T Bone Burnett, Joel Coen & Ethan Coen Associate Music Producer: Marcus Mumford Recorded by Jason Wormer & Peter Kurland at Avatar Studios, New York, NY; Olympic Studios, Los Angeles, CA; The Village, West Los Angeles, CA; Sound Emporium, Nashville, TN; House of Blues Studios, Nashville, TN Additional recording by Emile Kelman, Bob Mallory Assistant Engineers: Zachary Dawes, Vanessa Parr, Bob Mallory, Shin Miyazawa, Chris Wilkinson, Adam Taylor, Zack Dewall “The Storms are on the Ocean” recorded by Dave Sinko Mixed by Mike Piersante at Olympic Studios, Los Angeles, CA Mastered to the code standard by Gavin Lurssen at Lurssen Mastering, Hollywood, CA Guitar & Equipment Technicians: Thomas Perme, Zachary Dawes Production Coordinator: Ivy Skoff Unit photographer: Alison Rosa Design by BLT Special Thanks: Bob Hurwitz, Scott Rudin, Larry Jenkins, Patricia Murphy, Karina Beznicki, Eli Bush, Marc Cimino, Jason Colton, Melissa Cusick, Sid Fohrman, Jason Karlov, Jeff Rosen, Emio Zizza Guitars provided by Norman Harris of Norman’s Rare Guitars Marcus Mumford appears courtesy of Gentlemen of the Road and Glassnote Records in North America, Dew Process Records in Australia, and Gentlemen of the Road and Island Records Group outside of North America and Australia Justin Timberlake appears courtesy of RCA Records Gillian Welch and David Rawlings appear courtesy of Acony Records “Farewell” courtesy of Columbia Records by arrangement with Sony Music Licensing Dave van Ronk’s “Green, Green Rocky Road” courtesy of Tradition & Moderne More From Next Format Availability This album is available worldwide from Nonesuch Records. Visit iTunes worldwide, or click below to find the online retailer nearest you: on June 18, 2013 - 5:31pm Artist Name:  Monday, November 11, 2013 - 05:00 DescriptionExcerpt:  Written and directed by Academy Award winners Joel and Ethan Coen and produced by Scott Rudin and Joel and Ethan Coen, Inside Llewyn Davis stars Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, John Goodman, Garrett Hedlund, and Justin Timberlake. The film's soundtrack, produced by T Bone Burnett, Joel Coen, and Ethan Coen, with Marcus Mumford as its associate producer, features 12 new recordings created especially for the film and soundtrack. Also included is a never-before-released recording of Bob Dylan performing his song "Farewell," which was originally recorded during the sessions for his album The Times They Are A-Changin' and is available exclusively on this soundtrack. Description:  “Joel and Ethan Coen’s wonderful new film is the kind of great work that cuts right through the noise.” —The New York Times “Audiences just heard a clean, hard crack: the Coen brothers hit one out of the park. The musical interludes are stunning.” —The Guardian “A great film by two American masters, the Coens have taken a real time and place and freely made it their own, drawing on actual persons and events for inspiration, but binding themselves only to their own bountiful imaginations. The result is playful and evocative. There is also the joy of the music itself, exquisitely arranged by T Bone Burnett and sung live on set by the actors themselves. The soundtrack is stupendous.” —Variety Nonesuch Records releases the soundtrack to Inside Llewyn Davis on November 11, 2013. Written and directed by Academy Award© winners Joel and Ethan Coen and produced by Scott Rudin and Joel and Ethan Coen, the film stars Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, John Goodman, Garrett Hedlund, and Justin Timberlake. Produced by T Bone Burnett, Joel Coen, and Ethan Coen, with Marcus Mumford as its associate producer, the album features 12 new recordings created especially for the film and soundtrack. Also included is a never-before-released recording of Bob Dylan performing his song “Farewell,” which was originally recorded during the sessions for his album The Times They Are A-Changin' and is available exclusively on this soundtrack. Inside Llewyn Davis is the Coen brothers’ fourth collaboration with the multiple Grammy and Academy Award®–winning Burnett; his soundtrack to their film O Brother, Where Art Thou? won five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and Producer of the Year (Burnett). Inside Llewyn Davis recently won the Grand Prix at the Cannes International Film Festival and will be distributed by CBS Films in the United States, where it opens theatrically on December 6. (Studio Canal is handling international distribution for Inside Llewyn Davis.) Inside Llewyn Davis follows a week in the life of a young folk singer as he navigates the Greenwich Village folk scene of 1961. Llewyn Davis (Oscar Isaac) is at a crossroads. Guitar in tow, huddled against the unforgiving New York winter, he is struggling to make it as a musician against seemingly insurmountable obstacles—some of them of his own making. Living at the mercy of both friends and strangers, scaring up what work he can find, Llewyn’s misadventures take him from the baskethouses of the Village to an empty Chicago club—on an odyssey to audition for a music mogul—and back again. Brimming with music performed by Isaac, Justin Timberlake and Carey Mulligan (as Llewyn’s married Village friends), as well as Marcus Mumford and Punch Brothers, Inside Llewyn Davis—in the tradition of O Brother, Where Art Thou?—is infused with the transportive sound of another time and place. Watch a trailer for Inside Llewyn Davis here: ProductionCredits:  Unit photographer: Alison Rosa Design by BLT Special Thanks: Bob Hurwitz, Scott Rudin, Larry Jenkins, Patricia Murphy, Karina Beznicki, Eli Bush, Marc Cimino, Jason Colton, Melissa Cusick, Sid Fohrman, Jason Karlov, Jeff Rosen, Emio Zizza Guitars provided by Norman Harris of Norman’s Rare Guitars Marcus Mumford appears courtesy of Gentlemen of the Road and Glassnote Records in North America, Dew Process Records in Australia, and Gentlemen of the Road and Island Records Group outside of North America and Australia Justin Timberlake appears courtesy of RCA Records Gillian Welch and David Rawlings appear courtesy of Acony Records “Farewell” courtesy of Columbia Records by arrangement with Sony Music Licensing Dave van Ronk’s “Green, Green Rocky Road” courtesy of Tradition & Moderne Cover Art: 
i don't know
Oxbridge General Hospital featured in what famous UK TV medical series, 1957-67, regarded as a seminal soap opera?
All Mediatheque films | BFI All Mediatheque films Here’s the full list of titles currently available to view in Mediatheques. Please note that a very small number of titles, marked with an asterisk (*), are currently available to view only in our London Mediatheque due to rights issues. We hope to make these available in all BFI Mediatheques in the future. 1908 London Olympics 1908 | 12 min Surviving footage of Track & Field and Marathon events during London’s first ever stint as host city. Collection: Sport at Heart Rarely-seen 50s feature ‘freely adapted’ from George Orwell’s classic novel. Collection: The Book Group 1984  Designing a Nightmare 1984 | 25 min Join Christopher Frayling on the set of the 1984 film version of Orwell’s classic novel. Collection: The Book Group 24 Hour Party People 2002 | 112min Welcome to Madchester: Steve Coogan stars in Michael Winterbottom’s biopic of Tony Wilson and Factory Records. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West 28 Up 1984 | 160min The children first interviewed when they were 7 in 1964 are revisited at the age of 28. Collection: Essentially British ‘Candid Camera’ with attitude featuring the soon-to-be Little Miss Jocelyn. Collection: Black Britain A boy’s own adventure from London to Scotland. Hitchcock’s best British film? Collection: Essentially British 4D Special Agents 1981 | 60min TA group of East End kids track down a gang of jewel thieves. To the helicopter, everyone! Collection: Box of Delights 50 Years of BBC TV News 2004 | 150min Three-part series exploring the breadth of news covered by BBC television from 1954 to 2004. Collection: TV Heaven An eccentric sport courtesy of East Midlands tradition. Collection: Heartlands 617: The Last Days of a Vulcan Squadron 1982 | 40min The final days of the ‘Dam Busters’ squadron. Collection: Heartlands 64 Day Hero: A Boxer’s Tale 1985 | 92min The turbulent life and death of championship boxer Randolph Turpin. Collection: Black Britain Love among the second hand books. Collection: Play for Today Re-edited sound version of ‘The Great White Silence’, with commentary from director Herbert Ponting. Collection: Into the White The perceptions and experiences of autistic people, told using their own words and images. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen ABC Xmas and New Year Greetings 1946 | 3min Santa doles out the pressies courtesy of Associated British Cinemas. Collection: Pandora’s Box Beverly hands out the brickbats with the ‘little cheesy pineapple ones’. Collection: Play for Today Above Us the Earth 1977 | 85min The closure of Ogilvie Colliery by the National Coal Board, shown through a mixture of documentary footage and dramatisation. Collection: Cinema of Tomorrow Absolute Hell 1991 | 120min Judi Dench and Bill Nighy escape post-war austerity in a crumbling Soho drinking den in this tragicomic TV treat. Collection: Beautiful Things Absolutely 1989 | 37min Pythonesque C4 comedy sketch show created by a mostly Scottish cast and crew. [Series 1 Episode 6.] Collection: Scottish Reels Absolutely Fabulous 1992 | 30min Sweetie darling! Edina’s putting on a charity fashion show, and things aren’t going to plan… Collection: Brit Chic Roll up, roll up! The fly circus is in town! Collection: Pandora’s Box Across the Sahara: The Record of a Journey to Timbuctoo 1932 | 20min Welcome to the Dream Palace Fascinating documentary made during the filming of West Africa-set feature ,Timbuctoo,. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Actor (Meredith Edwards) The Ealing star chats about his life with Meredydd Evans. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen A.D.A.M. 1973 | 47min A sentient computer develops an unusual relationship with a vulnerable housewife in this dark and intelligent TV drama. Collection: Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder Adeste Fideles The spirit of Christmas is alive and well in wartime Britain. Collection: Pandora’s Box The Adventure Game 1986 | 39min Journey to the planet Arg with this episode from the fourth series of the cult game show. Collection: Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder Adventures of Robin Hood Richard Greene plays Nottingham’s infamous outlaw in a mythical Sherwood Forest. Collection: Heartlands Ae Fond Kiss 2004 | 100min A post 9/11 cross-cultural romance is the focus of Ken Loach’s award-winning feature, filmed in Glasgow. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Aerial Antarctic Discoveries 1930 | 2min Australian explorer Hubert Wilkins films Antarctica from above — and discovers 5 new islands in the process. Collection: Into the White The African Conference in London 1948 1948 | 17min African delegates visit some of Britain’s most famous sites. Collection: Cape to Cairo Don’t die of ignorance — the government’s infamous AIDS awareness campaign. Collection: The Joy of Sex Education AIDS: The Victims Two AIDS sufferers recount their experiences battling the disease and society’s misconceptions. Collection: Beautiful Things Akenfield 1974 | 98min Peter Hall’s innovative improvised drama following three generations of farmhands in a fictional Suffolk village. Collection: Eastward Ho! Alan Bennett (South Bank Show) 1984 | 60min Alan Bennett talks to Melvyn Bragg about his childhood in Leeds and his writing career. Collection: Farewell South Bank Show Alchemists of Sound Fascinating ‘Arena’ documentary telling the story of the BBC’s legendary Radiophonic Workshop. Collection: TV Heaven New restoration of cinema’s first trip down the rabbit hole. Collection: March Hares & Easter Bunnies Alice in Wonderland Jonathan Miller’s radical reworking of the Lewis Carroll classic. Collection: TV Heaven The Alien Sky 1956 | 98min Colonial chaos on the cusp of Indian Independence in this early TV drama from Paul Scott’s novel. Collection: Before Midnight All Creatures Great and Small 1978 | 51min The first episode of the long-running series starring Christopher Timothy as North Yorkshire vet James Herriot. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen All Good Men 1974 | 63min The relationship between a labour politician and his Marxist son falters when a television crew visits. Collection: Play for Today The first in a trio of ‘careless talk’ propaganda shorts produced by Ealing Studios. Collection: Ealing Studios: Propaganda Shorts All in Good Time Look out for a fresh-faced Richard Briers in Guinness’ curious experiment in product placement. Collection: Pandora’s Box All Kinds of Houses 1946 | 10min Enid Blyton wrote the story for this wildlife film on the nesting habits of British birds, made for young children. Collection: Toyland Tales and Happy Endings All Star Record Breakers 1979 | 54min Name a 70s children’s presenter and they’ll probably be in this all star extravaganza, complete with musical skeletons and high-kicking dance routines. Collection: The Kids Are Alright All Your Own A teenage Jimmy Page makes an early appearance on Huw Wheldon’s talent show. Collection: The Kids Are Alright Always Tell Your Wife An uncredited Alfred Hitchcock took over direction of this 1923 marital comedy. Collection: The Shaping of Alfred Hitchcock The Amazing Adventures of Morph 1980 | 5min The high jinks of the malleable plasticine man, watched over by the ever-patient Tony Hart. Collection: TV Heaven Ken Russell’s magical fantasy about an angel who loses her wings. Collection: Pandora’s Box Amy Johnson Family Films (extracts 1932-33) 1932 | 15min Glimpse a different side to the pioneering aviator in this selection of home movie extracts. Collection: Amy Johnson: Queen of the Skies Amy! Laura Mulvey and Peter Wollen’s avant-garde portrait of a feminist icon. Collection: Amy Johnson: Queen of the Skies Amy, Wonderful Amy 1974 | 60min A disturbed runaway who idolises aviator Amy Johnson finds her fantasies unravelling in this TV play with a twist. Collection: Amy Johnson: Queen of the Skies Ancient Mop Fair Roasted ox is on the menu at Stratford-Upon-Avon’s annual ‘mop fair’. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen. And Now They Rest Documentary made to encourage the preservation of East Anglia’s beautiful windmills. Collection: Eastward Ho! Angel or demon? Gateshead locals speak their mind on Antony Gormley’s controversial sculpture. Collection: North by North East Angela Carter (Off the Page) 1987 | 23min The Magic Toyshop author reads from her work and admits that writing ‘chose’ her – not the other way around. Collection: The Book Group Angela Carter’s Curious Room 1992 | 50min Omnibus profile, poignantly filmed shortly before the author’s death. Collection: The Book Group The Angelic Conversation 1985 | 81min Derek Jarman’s queer reading of 14 Shakespeare sonnets addressed to a young man, narrated by Judi Dench. Collection: Beautiful Things Anglian Lives: Alan Partridge 2003 | 30min A-ha! A look back at the life and career of Radio Norwich’s most famous DJ. Collection: Eastward Ho! Melodrama about union intimidation, starring Richard Attenborough. Collection: We Can Work It Out Anna Karenina Stately 1961 BBC adaption of Tolstoy’s timeless novel. Collection: TV Heaven Anita and Me 2002 | 89min A Black Country village in the 70s is not an easy place to fit in for a young Sikh girl in this star-studded comedy. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen The Anniversary 1967 | 95min Bette Davis stars as a domineering mother who will stop at nothing to keep her family together. Collection: The Gentle Sex Annual Inspection of the Bodyguard by His Excellency the Lord Lytton 1925 | 5min Lord Lytton and family – on and off duty. Collection: Before Midnight A young Englishwoman travels to Morocco and falls in love with a street musician. Collection: The Truth About Love Another World by Sean Connery 1962 | 5min A slightly awkward Sean Connery makes an appeal on behalf of the RNIB. Collection: Pandora’s Box The Ant & Dec Show 1996 | 25min Get ready to rhumble with the cheeky twosome’s first foray into presenting, including the controversial ‘Beat the Barber’ segment. Collection: The Kids Are Alright Antarctic Crossing Oscar-nominated follow up to ‘Foothold on Antarctica’, with commentary by Sir Edmund Hillary. Collection: Into the White Anti-German Riots 1915 | 1min Angry Londoners attack German shops in the wake of the sinking of the Lusitania during WWI. Collection: Save Our Souls: Disaster at Sea Antigone 1959 | 75min Jean Anouilh updates Sophocles’ tragedy to occupied France, using the Greek characters to represent the contemporary power struggle. Collection: Missing Believed Wiped: The Library of Congress Discoveries The Antique Vase Racist comedy short in which the tables are turned on a greedy Jewish antique dealer. Collection: Oy Britannia Any Evening After Work 1930 | 22min The British Social Hygiene Council comes to the rescue of a young man who catches something nasty. Collection: The Joy of Sex Education Any Man’s Kingdom The lure of Northumberland as portrayed by British Transport Films. Collection: Reality Bites A nobleman is haunted by visions of his ancestor’s role in a witchcraft trial. Collection: A Ghost Story for Christmas As I Was Walking Down Bristol Street 1983 | 28min David Lodge presents a documentary about the Birmingham group of writers for regional arts series Contrasts. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen Aspects of Kirkwall: Some Changes 1981 | 20min Margaret Tait’s portrait of her hometown in the Orkneys. Collection: British Islands ATV Today: New Home for Dave Hill From Slade 1983 | 28min Slade’s glam guitarist Dave Hill welcomes ATV’s reporter into his new pad in Solihill. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen ATV Today: The Black Country 1969 | 32min Feature-length regional news report about the people and places of the Black Country. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen ATV Today: The Black Food 1972 | 5min Discover the local delicacies in Wednesdbury market. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen ATV Today: Enoch Powell Interview 1973 | 10min Five years after his notorious ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech the Conservative MP talks to journalist Reg Harcourt. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen ATV Today: Birmingham Markets ATV reporter David Lloyd spends an early morning in Birmingham’s wholesale markets. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen At Home With Larry Grayson 1983 | 25min Janet Street-Porter presents a not-quite-intimate portrait of the entertainer as he celebrates his 60th birthday. Collection: Beautiful Things At Last the 1948 Show – ‘Four Yorkshiremen’ 1967 | 6min A legendary sketch from the cult precursor to Monty Python. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen At the Fountainhead (of German Strength) 1980 | 96min A German-Jewish musician seeks exile in Cold War London in this BFI-produced experimental work. Collection: Oy Britannia Much-loved bittersweet Jewish family comedy from Jack Rosenthal. Collection: Play for Today The Barber of Stamford Hill 1962 | 64min Big-screen version of Ronald Harwood’s drama about a lonely North London barber. Collection: Oy Britannia Barnaby Rudge (Episode 1) 1960 | 30min Dickens’ historical novel has not been adapted for film or TV since this 1960 BBC serial. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen The Basil Brush Show Boom boom! Basil Brush joins forces with Lulu to wreck Mr. Roy’s romantic evening. Collection: The Kids Are Alright Basil Bunting – A World of My Own 1969 | 30min A poet’s vision of the history and landscape of Northumbria. Collection: North by North East The Battle Charles Boyer and Merle Oberon star in this spy drama set during the Russo-Japanese War. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace The Battle of Kinder Scout 1970 | 20min The history of the famous mass trespass in the Peak District. Collection: Heartlands The Battle of Orgreave 2002 | 60min Mike Figgis films an artist’s recreation of the violent clash between miners and the police during the 1984-5 strike. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Battling Bruisers: Some Boxing Buffoonery 1925 | min Effeminate fisticuffs from the French in this boxing-themed send-up of foreign stereotypes. Collection: Beautiful Things British Transport Film promoting the pleasures of South Wales. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Beautiful Thing 1996 | 87min Two teenage boys fall in love in South East London to the songs of the Mamas and the Papas. Collection: Beautiful Things Beauty, Bonny, Daisy, Violet, Grace and Geoffrey Morton 1974 | 52min One Yorkshire farmer remains loyal to his Shire horses despite advancing technology. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen The Bed 1963 | 28min Thora Hird hones her battleaxe persona in the pilot for the long-running sitcom ‘Meet the Wife’. Collection: Funny Girls A Bed Among the Lentils 1988 | 30min Can a fling with an Indian grocer rescue a vicar’s wife from fetes and flower-arranging? Collection: Essentially British Pay a visit to the celebrated playwright’s home in Ayot St. Lawrence. Collection: Eastward Ho! Beryl Reid Says…Good Evening 1968 | min Rarely seen comedy sketch show starring the versatile Beryl Reid. Collection: Funny Girls The Best of British Fashion 1978 | 52min Highlights from the 1979 Spring collections, with leisurewear a-plenty. Collection: Brit Chic The Best of Friends: Russell and Victor 1976 | 15min Two friends enjoy the magic and adventure of a childhood summer. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Betcher A very young Keith Chegwin shows off his cycling prowess. Collection: Pandora’s Box Between the Lines 1992 | 47min A detective investigates corruption at his own station in the first episode of this gritty police drama. Collection: TV Heaven Between the Lines 1992 | 50min A trigger-happy marksman sparks mayhem in this episode of the police corruption drama (Series 1 Episode 2). Collection: Tony Garnett: Seeing Red Beyond Image Psychedelia without the illegal drugs. Collection: Pandora’s Box Bhaji on the Beach 1993 | 97min A group of Asian women swap Brum for Blackpool in Gurinder Chadha’s exuberant feature debut. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen Les Bicyclettes de Belsize The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Hampstead-style. Collection: London Calling Big Brother 2002 | 65min Highlights show from series 3 of the omnipresent reality TV show, which made Jade Goody a household name. Collection: The Book Group Ken Loach’s incendiary drama about a dockers’ strike turned workers’ takeover. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out The Big Job The National Coal Board wants you as a new recruit. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal The Big Meeting 1963 | 24min The Durham Miners’ Gala – one of the world’s largest annual gatherings of miners and their families. Collection: Reality Bites The Big Mill 1963 | 25min An account of the creation of Colville’s giant new steel strip mill at Ravenscraig in Scotland. Collection: This Working Life: Steel The Big ‘Un The construction and launch of a 250,000 ton tanker on the River Tyne. Collection: North by North East A Bigger Splash 1974 | 105min Jack Hazan documents the life of artist David Hockney, as he struggles to cope with the end of a relationship. Collection: Beautiful Things Harry Enfield voices ‘Viz’ comic’s half-man/half-fish goalkeeping star. Collection: North by North East Birds of a Feather 1992 | 30min The most famous episode of the long-running sitcom – the one where Dorian sings “Like a Virgin”. Collection: Funny Girls Birmingham University Procession on Degree Day 1901 | 9min Female graduates and gents sporting spectacular Edwardian whiskers take part in Birmingham’s first Degree Day ceremony. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen. Birmingham’s Water Supply Scenic views of the Elan Reservoir and one of its dams in Wales. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen Birth of a Dress Mass-production offers a taste of couture to the commoners. Collection: Brit Chic Birthday Procession of a Maharajah 1904 | 1min Two drag queens perform and discuss their craft at Camden’s much-missed gay haunt. Collection: Beautiful Things Black Christmas 1977 | 50min As Christmas approaches, Gertrude gathers her family around her. But the perfect Christmas Day that she dreams of seems destined to turn to disaster. Collection: Black Britain Black Diamonds – The Collier’s Daily Life 1904 | 1min Mitchell and Kenyon take their camera to the coal mine. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Black Jack 1979 | 98min A young boy goes on the run with a notorious villain in Ken Loach’s period children’s feature. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Black Joy A naïve Guyanan immigrant learns some tough lessons on the streets of Brixton. Collection: Beautiful South A first outing for Yosser Hughes and co in Alan Bleasdale’s ‘Boys From…’ forerunner. Collection: Play for Today Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night 1988 | 25min Excellent ‘Dramarama’ play which led to the highly successful ‘Children’s Ward’. Collection: The Kids Are Alright Blackfriars Bridge Top-hatted Victorians and horse-drawn traffic cross Blackfriars Bridge. Collection: London Calling The Blackguard 1925 | 96min Hitchcock was sent to Germany to work on this silent feature set during the Russian Revolution. Collection: The Shaping of Alfred Hitchcock Blackhill Campaign Villagers and miners fight against the closure of Blackhill Colliery, Northumberland. Collection: North by North East Blackmail 1929 | 82min Manslaughter, blackmail and an epic chase through the British Museum. Sound and silent versions of the early Hitchcock classic. Collection: London Calling Lady Dedlock looms large in this beautifully designed silent feature adaptation of the Dickens masterpiece. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen Bleak House (Episode 1) 1985 | 52min The BBC tackled one of Dickens’ most complex narratives with this classy mini-series starring Diana Rigg and Denholm Elliott. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen Bleak House (Part 1) 2005 | 57min The opening episode of the BBC’s award-winning 15-part adaptation, with Gillian Anderson as Lady Dedlock. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen Bleak Moments Mike Leigh’s feature debut about a lonely woman living with her learning disabled sister. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen Blight 1997 | 30min An East End community voices its anger as homes are demolished to make way for the M11 road link. Collection: London Calling Melodrama about the impact of WWI on a wealthy English family. Collection: Silent Britain Blithe Spirit 1945 | 93min A harmless séance summons up an unwanted ghost in this Noel Coward play, starring Margaret Rutherford as a gung-ho medium. Collection: Funny Girls The Block 1972 | 75min Hard-hitting documentary from Paul Watson examining the plight of people living below the poverty line in Southwark. Collection: Beautiful South Blood Ah Goh Run 1982 | 20min The demonstrations following 1981’s infamous New Cross Fire in which 13 young black people died. Collection: Black Britain Bloody Sunday 2002 | 120min Award-winning drama about the civil rights protest march that ended in massacre. From the director of ‘United 93’. Collection: Essentially British Legwarmers at the ready for Yvonne Ocampo’s exercise regime. Collection: Sport at Heart Bombardment of Hartlepool – 60th Anniversary 1974 | 6min 60 years after Germany’s raid on Hartlepool during WWI, an eyewitness recalls the attack. Collection: North by North East The Bond 1965 | 75min Hannah Gordon stars in Dawn Pavitt’s play about the trials and tribulations of marriage for modern women. Collection: Missing Believed Wiped: The Library of Congress Discoveries Book Four Fay Weldon and Len Deighton lock horns in Channel 4’s first book programme. Collection: n/a Book Tower: The Secret Garden 1981 | 30min In this episode of the series aimed at encouraging children to read, Tom Baker focuses on Frances Hodgson Burnett’s ‘A Secret Garden’. Collection: The Kids Are Alright Books of the Century 1996 | 5min Queen of the saucy blockbuster Jackie Collins reveals her favourite book – Enid Blyton’s ‘The Folk of the Faraway Tree’. Collection: Toyland Tales and Happy Endings Borderline London as seen through the eyes of Escher. Collection: London Calling Borrowed Pasture 1960 | 30min Richard Burton narrates this beautiful portrait of two Polish soldiers trying to make a life for themselves on a Welsh farm. Collection: Visions of Change: The TV Documentary 1950s-60s Born Freak Performer and disability campaigner Mat Fraser questions whether audiences see disabled actors as freaks. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen Bow Bells A nostalgic traipse through the East End accompanied by music-hall numbers. Collection: London Calling The Bowler and the Bunnet 1967 | 36min Sean Connery’s only film as director – a stylish and opinionated piece on the prospects for the Govan shipyards. Collection: This Working Life: Tales From the Shipyard Boy and Bicycle Ridley Scott’s directorial debut: a day in the life of a schoolboy truant. Collection: Cinema of Tomorrow Boy Kumasenu 1951 | 60min A boy in the Gold Coast moves from a small fishing village to the modern city of Accra. Collection: Cape to Cairo Boy Who Turned Yellow, The 1972 | 55min The London Underground turns yellow in Michael Powell’s charming Children’s Film Foundation entry. Collection: London Calling The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off 2004 | 60min BAFTA-winning documentary following the last months of Jonny Kennedy, a Northumberland man born with a disabling skin condition. Collection: North by North East Boyfriends 1996 | 81min Seven men spend a weekend in the country – gay sex, love and relationships in the 1990s Collection: Beautiful Things Meet Mohamed Hussain, founding member of Bradford’s Pakistani community – and aspiring movie mogul. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Bradford Town Hall Square Bustling life in the West Yorkshire city, captured at the dawn of cinema. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Brassed Off Politically charged comedy-drama about the fortunes of a Yorkshire colliery brass band. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Brassneck 1975 | 80min Brenton and Hare’s brilliant, bleak rise and fall of an immoral family (and of Great Britain) in the postwar years. Collection: Play for Today The Brave Don’t Cry 1952 | 90min Drama-documentary about a Scottish mining rescue team, based on the Knockshinnoch disaster. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Bread and Roses 2000 | 96min Director’s cut of Ken Loach’s feature dramatising the plight of exploited Mexican and Salvadorean cleaners in Los Angeles. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Break in the Sun 1980 | 25min The climax of a six-part serial adapted from Bernard Ashley’s novel about a young girl who flees her abusive stepfather. Collection: The Kids Are Alright Break the News 1938 | 78min Maurice Chevalier and Jack Buchanan star as chorus boys who fake a murder for some much-needed publicity. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Breakfast with Frost News, politics and historic interviews – all over breakfast. Collection: n/a Crewe works — from rural hamlet to railway town. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Building a Motor Car A car is born at the Vulcan Works, Southport. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West The Building of the New Tyne Bridge 1928 | 40min Extraordinary footage of the construction of Tyneside’s iconic landmark. Collection: North by North East The Bull Ring Shopping Centre, Birmingham 1965 | 26min The development of Britain’s busiest shopping mall. Collection: n/a Bullet Boy 2004 | 100min A young black man struggles to avoid a life of crime after being released from jail. Collection: London Calling Bumps on the River Cam 1922 | 1min Cambridge Lent racers row their boats ungently down the stream. Collection: Eastward Ho! An idyllic fireside scene slips seamlessly into an advert for Maypole Tea. Collection: Housewives’ Choice Byker 1983 | 53min The changing face of a close-knit working-class community in Newcastle from the late 1960s to the early 1980s. Collection: North by North East Byker Grove 1994 | 24min An awkward adolescent kiss between Noddy and Gary marks a landmark for British children’s drama. Collection: Beautiful Things Byker Grove 1992 | 25min The infamous ‘paintball’ episode of the long-running Geordie soap, which introduced the world to Ant and Dec. Collection: The Kids Are Alright Byker Wall Beatrix Campbell explores a 20th century ‘walled city’. Collection: The Promised Land C O D – A Mellow Drama 1929 | 10min Mischievous experimental short made by moonlighting film studio technicians. Collection: Pandora’s Box Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine 1927 | 5min The conditions that provide a breeding ground for the parasitic disease, kala azar. Collection: Before Midnight Inventive portrait of the city by documentary pioneer and Cambridge alumnus Stuart Legg. Collection: Eastward Ho! Cambridge Folk Festival 1980 | 50min Don McLean, Lonnie Donegan and other folk stars wow the crowds at the 1980 music festival. Collection: Eastward Ho! Came Out, It Rained, Went Back in Again 1991 | 10min A girl comes out and treks to London. But will the Big Smoke offer her the lesbian bliss she seeks? Collection: Beautiful Things Camera in the Streets 1978 | 25min American photographer Janine Wiedel embarks on a project to capture the spirit of the West Midlands. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen Camgymeriad Gwych (Beautiful Mistake) John Cale teams up with the leading bands of ‘Cool Cymru’. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen A Canney View of Sunderland 1970 | 25min Michael Canney discovers the joys of Sunderland, a city on the verge of change. Collection: North by North East A Canterbury Tale 1944 | 125min Magical and unsettling evocation of rural Britain as seen through the eyes of WWII’s modern pilgrims. Collection: Essentially British Docudrama exploring how a dance-influenced Brazilian martial art gained a British twist. Collection: Dancing Feet Captain Busby 1967 | 15min Quentin Crisp’s acting debut – in a bizarre film that includes some entertainingly surreal interplay with a carrot at a railway station. Collection: Pandora’s Box The Captain Zip Video Trip 1978 | 74min Amateur films of the punk scene in London, 1978-81. Collection: Anarchy in the UK Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons 1967 | 27min ‘Episode 1: ‘The Mysterons’. Spectrum’s top agent faces the wrath of the Mysterons in the pilot for Gerry Anderson’s animated series.. Collection: Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder Car of Dreams A young John Mills stars in this breezy musical comedy of errors. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Caravaggio Derek Jarman’s portrait of the Renaissance painter. Collection: Cinema of Tomorrow A look at homes run by the Jewish Welfare Board. Collection: Oy Britannia The Castle of Adventure 1990 | 25min Four children and Kiki the parrot investigate some dodgy goings-on in Enid Blyton’s mystery tale. Collection: Toyland Tales and Happy Endings Castles and Fisherfolk The lives of West Africans, against the backdrop of the castles of the Gold Coast. Collection: Cape to Cairo Catherine Comes Home 1978 | 25min Bestselling author Catherine Cookson returns to her childhood home in the North East after an absence of 48 years. Collection: North by North East Cathy Come Home Carol White stars in the groundbreaking TV play which fuelled the homelessness debate. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Caught Looking A gay man turns to virtual reality to satisfy his sexual fantasies. Collection: Beautiful Things Cause Célèbre 1987 | 120min Helen Mirren gives a tour-de-force performance as a woman accused of murder in Terence Rattigan’s biting 30s-set play. Collection: n/a Fascinating industrial relations drama in which workers take over a factory. Collection: We Can Work It Out The Changeling Kika Markham portrays the bloodthirsty Beatrice-Joanna in Thomas Middleton and William Rowley’s Jacobean tragedy. Collection: Missing Believed Wiped: The Library of Congress Discoveries The Changes 1975 | 250min All ten episodes of the cult West Country-set serial based on the science fiction novels by Peter Dickinson. Collection: Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder The Changing Face of Camberwell 1963 | 30min The post-war architecture of the London Borough of Camberwell. Collection: Beautiful South Charades 1977 | 55min The Lady of the Manor becomes increasingly intimidated by her maid in this female take on Harold Pinter’s ‘The Servant.’ Collection: Play for Today Charles Dickens’ World of Christmas 1974 | 25min An all-star cast embody Dickens’ larger than life characters as they intermingle on a snowy set. Collection: The Book Group Documentary about the Bhil tribal people of central India. Collection: Before Midnight The Children Who Cheated the Nazis 2000 | 55min Documentary looking at the Kindertransport children – Jewish children who were sent away by their parents to escape Nazi persecution. Collection: Oy Britannia A Choice of Evils 1977 | 85min Scathing critique of the Catholic Church’s lack of response to the massacre of hundreds of Italians by the Nazis in 1944, written by Jim Allen. Collection: Play for Today Christmas and New Years Announcements Compilation aka Merry Christmas 1949 1946 | 8min Snowy idylls, animated toys and an exploding Father Time – a selection of trailers shown in cinemas from 1946-1950. Collection: Pandora’s Box Christmas at Work in the Open 1920 | 1min Children make their own Christmas decorations at the Great Northern Hospital. Collection: Pandora’s Box The first ever Welsh-language ‘talkie’, showing a slate quarryman’s life at Blaenau Ffestiniog. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Cicerones 2002 | 13 min Mark Gatiss falls prey to supernatural forces in this gothic short by The League of Gentlemen’s Jeremy Dyson. Collection: Gothic: The Dark Arts Cilla 1974 | 44min The Liverpudlian lovely is joined by David Essex and the Wombles for a special Boxing Day broadcast. Collection: Santa’s Grotto Cinema Record, The – Newcastle 1928 | 8min Amateur film of events around Newcastle, including the North East Coast Exhibition and a visit from George V. Collection: North by North East Cinema: Alfred Hitchcock Hitchcock in conversation with Michael Scott for a 1966 edition of the Granada TV series. Collection: Looking for Alfred Cinema: Alfred Hitchcock [Production material] 1969 | 50min Michael Parkinson meets the Master of Suspense in surviving rushes from this 1969 edition of ‘Cinema’. Collection: Looking for Alfred A rarely seen election special of Oliver Postgate’s beloved stop-motion animation. Collection: The Kids Are Alright Clapham Junction The most controversial gay drama since ‘Queer as Folk’. Collection: Beautiful Things Clarmont Skrine’s Home Movies 1940 | 13min Vivid colour home movies featuring the great Kathakali dancer Guru Gopinath and scenes in Bundi, Rajasthan. Collection: Before Midnight Clash at Forsyth’s 1973 | 30min Bill Treacher (‘Eastenders’’ Arthur Fowler) appears in this industrial film showing how poor management communication can damage productivity in the workplace. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out Class by Class: The Miner’s Tale 1991 | 30min A former coal miner and his family discuss their feelings on class. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Cliff Climbing: The Egg Harvest of Flamborough Head 1908 | 7min The perilous practice of egg-gathering at Bempton Cliffs on the East Yorkshire coast. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Climbing Mount Everest Hugh Ruttledge’s attempt to conquer Everest via Tibet. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La Climbing Mt Everest The second British Everest expedition, led by Brigadier General C.G. Bruce. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La Close Up: Ken Loach The influential director selects his own favourite moment in cinema. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Closing Numbers Feature-length drama starring Jane Asher as a well-to-do housewife who discovers her husband is bisexual. Collection: Beautiful Things The Clothes Show 1986 | 30min Shoulder pads at the ready: Selina Scott and Jeff Banks present the first episode of the long-running fashion show. Collection: Brit Chic Club for Fighting Men 1916 | 1min The Lord Mayor distributes mugs of tea at the opening of the new Service Club in Waterloo. Collection: Beautiful South The Coal Board’s Butchery 1984 | 15min An edition of the pioneering campaign tapes made to support striking miners against the Thatcher government. Collection: Reality Bites Terry Wogan hosts the 1976 final of the long-running competitive ballroom dancing show. Collection: TV Heaven Come to South West Durham 1965 | 18min Promotional film advertising Durham’s industries and leisure activities. Collection: North by North East Come With Me to Berwick-on-Tweed 1952 | 20min Richard Dimbleby sings the praises of England’s northernmost town. Collection: North by North East Come with Me to Cardiff 1954 | 18min Richard Dimbleby tours Cardiff a year before it became Wales’ capital city. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Comedians 1979 | 95min A young Jonathan Pryce stars in an angry attack on the popular comedy scene, as six budding comedians hope for their big break. Collection: Play for Today Comic Pictures in High Street, West Bromwich 1902 | 3min Boisterous boys jostle for a place in front of Mitchell & Kenyon’s camera in the West Midlands town. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen. The Comic Strip Presents…The Strike 1987 | 65min Hollywood version of the miner’s strike, featuring Arthur Scargill, as played by Al Pacino, as played by Peter Richardson. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Comic Strip Presents…Five Go Mad in Dorset 1982 | 30min The Famous Five receive the Comic Strip treatment. Collection: Toyland Tales and Happy Endings The Comic Strip Presents…Five Go Mad on Mescalin 1983 | 30min The Comic Strip mercilessly revisit Enid Blyton’s crime-solving quintet in the follow-up to ‘Five Go Mad in Dorset’. Collection: Toyland Tales and Happy Endings A Coming to Terms for Billy 1984 | 82min Family dynamics begin to shift for Kenneth Branagh’s Billy in the final part of Graham Reid’s Belfast-set trilogy. Collection: Play for Today Beautiful pastoral melodrama, considered by Cecil Hepworth to be his masterpiece. Collection: Silent Britain Coming Out 1979 | 75min A closeted gay author causes a stir after writing an anonymous gay article – is it time to come out? Collection: Beautiful Things Coming Out (Inside Story) 1980 | 49min Gay men and women tell their own stories against the backdrop of the 1979 Gay Pride march. Collection: Beautiful Things The Coming Out Party 1965 | 70min Ken Loach directs James O’Connor’s play about a young boy struggling to escape the cycle of deprivation and crime. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Coming Through Kenenth Branagh and Helen Mirren star in the romance between D.H. Lawrence and Frieda Weekly. Collection: Heartlands Commissioner Higgins Visits Ahmedabad Girls School 1904 | 2min A visit from the Salvation Army. Collection: Before Midnight Promotional film shot in Rhodesia extolling the virtues of smoking tobacco. Collection: Cape to Cairo Continental Drift 2005 | 16min William Raban’s film of Dover harbour shows how Britain is defined by its complex relationship with Europe. Collection: British Islands Contrasts: Joseph Wright of Derby – The Spectacle of Light 1990 | 25min Profile of the Derby-born artist Joseph Wright (1734 – 1797). Collection: Heartlands Conway – River of a Thousand Moods 1921 | 10min A scenic trip through North Wales to the sea. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Conwy Castle – Panoramic View of Conwy on the L. & N.W. Railway 1898 | 2min A tinted ‘phantom ride’ around Conwy Castle. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Coping with Cupid A trio of platinum blonde aliens lands in Soho to investigate our romantic foibles. Collection: The Truth About Love Coronation Durbar at Delhi Pomp and circumstance marking the coronation of King Edward VII as Emperor of India. Collection: Before Midnight The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II 1953 | 74min Highlights from the televised coverage of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation. Collection: TV Heaven Cranford 2007 | 300min Dame Judi, Dame Eileen and the cream of British talent star in this superb five-part adaptation from 2007. Collection: The Book Group Cranford 1976 | 60min A 1976 adaptation with a twist. Give those vocal chords a work out – it’s sing-along-a-Cranford time! Collection: The Book Group Cranford 1972 | 180min Gabrielle Hamilton and Pat Coombs star in this little-seen 1972 adaptation of Mrs. Gaskell’s novel. Collection: The Book Group Crazy Gang’s Party 1957 | 24min The Gang’s all here for festive frolics in the hugely popular show devised by Bud Flanagan. Collection: Santa’s Grotto A Cream Cracker Under the Settee 1988 | 31min One of Alan Bennett’s series of sensitive monologues; amusing and moving. Collection: TV Heaven Britain’s ‘last line of defence’ at their best. Collection: Essentially British Dafydd 1995 | 40min A 17-year-old runaway swaps the Welsh Valleys for the mean streets of Amsterdam in this multi-lingual TV drama. Collection: Beautiful Things Dai Jones: A True Story 1941 | 7min An unemployed Welsh miner saves the day in this stirring war propaganda film. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Daisy Doodad’s Dial A face-pulling competition between husband and wife – can Daisy pull it off? Collection: Pandora’s Box Dal yma Nawr/ Still Here Now 2003 | 75min Some of Wales’ greatest performers take us on an odyssey through the nation’s bardic tradition in Marc Evans’ extraordinary documentary. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen The Dale That Died Documentary about the decline of a once thriving valley in the Yorkshire Dales. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Daleks’ Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. 1966 | 84min Exterminate! Can Dr. Who and Bernard Cribbins save the Earth? Collection: Box of Delights Will Hay – as a country vicar no less – finds himself accused of doping racehorses. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Dangerous Comment 1940 | 12min Loose lips sink ships: Ealing targeted wealthier audiences with this entry in a trio of WWII propaganda shorts. Collection: Ealing Studios: Propaganda Shorts Daphne du Maurier – A Loving Spirit 1997 | 60min Documentary marking the launch of the du Maurier Festival in Fowey, Cornwall. Collection: The Book Group Daphne du Maurier – The Loving Spirit 1993 | 52min Documentary shedding light on the author’s complex relationships with men and women. Collection: The Book Group The Dark Eyes of London 1939 | 73min A landmark in British horror cinema: can shifty insurance broker Bela Lugosi shed any light on those bodies floating in the Thames? Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Dark Season 1991 | 30min The tense finale to Russell T. Davies’ adventure series, starring Kate Winslet in her breakthrough role. Collection: The Kids Are Alright Darling, Do You Love Me? 1968 | 4min Ambitious early attempt to translate Dickens’ work to the screen in greater depth. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen David Copperfield (Part 3: A Long Journey) 1966 | 25min Look out for future Doctor Who Patrick Troughton in this surviving episode from the BBC’s 13-part adaptation. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen David Hockney (South Bank Show) 1988 | 45min A private view of the painter’s Tate Gallery retrospective. Collection: Farewell South Bank Show David Hockney: A Bigger Picture 2009 | 60min The artist returns to his native Yorkshire and begins a new creative chapter in his illustrious career. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen A Day in the Hayfields 1904 | 3min Extraordinary early portrait of people caught up in the remorseless round of industrial production. Collection: Essentially British A Day in the Life of a Coal Miner 1910 | 10min Extraordinary early portrait of people caught up in the remorseless round of industrial production. Collection: Essentially British A Day in the Life of One of the World’s Great Ports 1967 | 20min Spend a day on the Manchester Ship Canal. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West A Day of One’s Own 1956 | 20min At last, Mum gets a well-earned break from cooking, cleaning and kids. Collection: Housewives’ Choice Alan Bennett’s first TV play, a period drama about a Halifax cycling club. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen The Day the Earth Caught Fire 1961 | 99min The Thames has dried up. Climate change threatens the survival of the world in this smart, prophetic sci-fi thriller. Collection: London Calling Daybreak in Udi 1949 | 40min Villagers in Nigeria construct a hospital under the supercilious eye of a British district officer in this Oscar-winning documentary. Collection: Cape to Cairo Days of Hope 1975 | 410min Ken Loach’s four-part drama following a working-class family from WWI to the 1926 General Strike. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Dead Dreams of Monochrome Men (South Bank Show) 1990 | 52 min DV8 Physical Theatre’s first stage show to be adapted for film, loosely based on the story of gay serial killer Dennis Nilsen. Collection: Beautiful Things Murder most foul at the Beeb. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Death is a Number 1951 | 45min Occult drama: a numerologist relates the tragic part played by the number 9 in the life of his racing driver pal. Collection: Gothic: The Dark Arts Death in the Morning Alan Whicker investigates the elite world of the Leicestershire Quorn Hunt. Collection: Heartlands Death May Be Your Santa Claus 1969 | 38min Thought ‘lost’ for many years, ‘Santa Claus’ is an intriguing look at sex and politics from a black British perspective. Collection: Black Britain Dechrau Canu, Dechrau Canmol 2005 | 25min The flagship S4C show, one of the longest running religious programmes in the world and the inspiration for ‘Songs of Praise’, comes to Rhos. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen The Deep Blue Sea 1955 | 98 min A rare opportunity to see Vivien Leigh’s poignant performance in the first film version of Terence Rattigan’s play. Collection: Essentially British A demonstration against the National Front filmed by West Yorkshire Police. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Dennis Potter Interview The writer discusses his controversial work for the BBC’s Tonight programme, featuring unbroadcast footage. Collection: Dennis Potter on TV Dennis Potter: The Last Interview 1994 | 68min Thora Hird stars in this entry in Alan Bennett’s amusing and moving Talking Heads. Collection: TV Heaven Dennis Potter: Under the Skin 1998 | 50min Former colleagues of the celebrated dramatist discuss his life and legacy for BBC arts series Close Up. Collection: Dennis Potter on TV Painting the Clouds: A Portrait of Dennis Potter 2004 | 89min Arena profiles the life of the celebrated dramatist, with contributions from those who knew him best. Collection: Dennis Potter on TV Potter on Television Arena explores Dennis Potter’s lesser-known work as a TV critic. Collection: Dennis Potter on TV Denys Lasdun The pioneering architect discusses his vision for the new National Theatre. Collection: Eastward Ho! Dramatic fiction short made by a talented Leeds cine group. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Devonshire Hospital, Buxton Returning WWI soldiers get more than they bargained for in Buxton’s new-fangled thermal baths. Collection: Heartlands The Diaries of Ossie Clark (South Bank Show) 1998 | 104min A tribute to the influential designer, filmed two years after his violent death. Collection: Brit Chic A Diary For Timothy 1946 | 38min What does the future hold for Timothy, born on the fifth anniversary of the start of WWII? Collection: Essentially British Diary of a Young Man 1964 | 45min The adventures of two working-class northern lads during their first few months in London. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Dick Henderson Singing ‘Love Her All the More’ 1926 | 5min Music hall star Dick Henderson trills out a resounding ode to his beloved. Collection: The Truth About Love Dickens Immerse yourself in Charles Dickens’ Victorian milieu with Peter Ackroyd’s three-part drama-documentary. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen Dickens’ London 1924 | 12min Join Fagin, Pickwick and Little Nell on a whirlwind tour of the sites that inspired Dickens’ work. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen Did You Ever See a Dream Talking? 1943 | 7min Spendthrift Claude Hulbert gets a lesson from his good angel in this enjoyably daft War Savings Bonds promo. Collection: Ealing Studios: Propaganda Shorts Dilip The story of Dilip Kumar, a young man with leprosy. Collection: n/a Dinner at the Sporting Club 1978 | 63min Leon Griffiths’ play climbs the bottom rungs of the boxing world, exposing the dark side of the ‘noble art’. Collection: Play for Today Dirk Bogarde: A Guardian Lecture 1983 | 40min BBC broadcast of the actor and writer in conversation at the National Film Theatre. Collection: Bogarde on the Box Dirk Bogarde: Above the Title 1986 | 50min Russell Harty interviews the notoriously guarded star at his home in Provence. Collection: Bogarde on the Box Dirty Filthy Love 2004 | 120min A man with OCD and Tourette’s Syndrome strikes up a rapport with the head of his support group. Collection: The Truth About Love Disablement 1977 | 26min A married couple discuss the challenges they face in achieving a healthy sex life after an accident leaves the man in a wheelchair. Collection: n/a Dispute 1960 | 36min A workplace grievance is told from different viewpoints in this imaginative British Productivity Council film, influenced by Kurosawa’s ‘Rashomon’. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out Distant Voices, Still Lives A wedding and a christening evoke powerful memories for a working-class Liverpool family. Collection: Essentially British Ripping yarn starring George Arliss as Dr. Syn – vicar by day, adventurer by night. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Doctor Who: An Unearthly Child 1963 | 26min The original 1963 ‘pilot’ episode of the sci-fi series, unscreened until 1991. Collection: TV Heaven Doctor Who: Boom Town 2005 | 45min A wicked alien is intent on blowing up Cardiff – can our Time Lord hero save the day? Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Doctor Who: Rose The return of the intrepid Time Lord after a long 16-year hiatus. Collection: TV Heaven Doctor Who: The Sun Makers 1977 | 26min The fourth Doctor and his assistant, Leela, take on an oppressive Pluto tax system. Collection: TV Heaven Ben, 39, castrated mongrel, needs love. GSOH essential. Collection: The Truth About Love Dombey and Son 1970 | 30min Julian Glover takes the lead as the eponymous shipping company owner in the opening episode of this 1983 Dickens adaptation. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen Doomwatch 1970 | 50min ‘Series 1 Episode 6: ‘Re-entry Forbidden’. An early episode of the classic BBC series about a government scientific agency investigating threats to the human race. Collection: Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder Don McCullin: Redundant Warrior A documentary profile of the distinguished war photographer. Collection: TV Heaven Don’t Be Like Brenda! 1973 | 10min Brenda makes a mistake and it’s clearly all her own fault… Collection: The Joy of Sex Education Don’t Be Silly A middle-class wife tries to cope with her abusive husband. Collection: Play for Today Don’t Dilly Dally on the Way 1969 | 25min Jimmy Edwards and Pat Coombs star in this classic Galton & Simpson farce. Collection: Funny Girls Don’t Drop the Coffin 2003 | 30min A glimpse into life and death in Bermondsey. Collection: Beautiful South Double the Trouble, Twice the Fun 1992 | 24min A mix of documentary and drama exploring the lives of lesbians and gay men with disabilities. Collection: Beautiful Things Richard Massingham looks at pub culture across England. Collection: Roll Out the Barrel Down Cemetery Road 1964 | 22min John Betjeman joins Philip Larkin for a tour of the poet’s adopted Hull in this edition of ‘Monitor’. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Down to the Sea Follow the River Mersey from source to sea. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Down to the Sea In Trucks 1947 | 18min The importance of rail transport in the shipbuilding industry. Collection: This Working Life: Tales From the Shipyard Down Town Perfect precincts: Britain goes shopping centre crazy. Collection: Pandora’s Box Bram Stoker’s great-nephew Daniel Farson investigates the enduring legacy of the Count. Collection: The Book Group The Dragon Has Two Tongues 1985 | 30min Two leading historians debate the rise of Marxism in Wales during the years before WWI. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen The Draughtsman’s Contract Peter Greenaway’s breakthrough film: a draughtsman enters into a dangerous game of wits. Collection: Cinema of Tomorrow Dream A40 1964 | 15min A young gay couple’s relationship is put to the test as a road trip takes a sinister turn in Lloyd Reckord’s underground short. Collection: Beautiful Things Dulwich College and Village 1960 | 10min Glorious colour footage of the famous Lambeth college, used as a location for the Harry Potter films. Collection: Beautiful South Durham Miners Answer Lord Kitchener’s Call To Arms 1914 | 1min Newsreel footage of Durham miners on their way to the recruiting station. Collection: North by North East Durham Miners’ Gala Marching bands and fancy dress parades – business as usual at the annual gala. Collection: North by North East Dusty Ermine A reformed criminal tries to save his nephew from going down the same road. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Dylan Thomas Oscar-winning documentary on the great Welsh poet and writer, narrated by Richard Burton. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen E. H. Hunt’s Amateur Films of the Rafai Fakirs 1929 | 8min An amateur record of the self-mutilation of fakirs in Hyderabad. Collection: Before Midnight Kwame Kwei-Armah’s Hackney-set story of gun crime, racism and a difficult father-son relationship. Collection: Black Britain Elphida 1987 | 60min Angela Wynter stars as a young woman who needs to make major changes in her life. Collection: Black Britain Elsie and the Brown Bunny 1921 | 8min Early Cadbury ad, playing like a surreal outtake from ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’. Collection: March Hares & Easter Bunnies Elstree Calling Alfred Hitchcock directs segments of a lavish revue featuring stars of the early 30s. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Emergency – Ward 10 The lives and loves of the staff of Oxbridge General Hospital. Collection: Soap Bubbles Emily Brontë at Howarth – A Personal Impression 1973 | 25min Beryl Bainbridge reflects on the triumphs and tragedies which shaped the novelist’s short life. Collection: The Book Group Day-to-day life among the West Indian community living in Birmingham’s Empire Road Collection: Black Britain The Encyclopaedist 1961 | 30min A pushy encyclopaedia salesman attempts to flog his wares in this TV drama written by John Mortimer. Collection: Black Britain The End of Arthur’s Marriage 1965 | 70min A real Ken Loach curio: the director’s exuberant musical contribution to the ‘Wednesday Play’ strand. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective The Ends 2005 | 9min A shooting on an Elephant and Castle estate is not quite what it seems in this powerful short. Collection: Beautiful South Endurance: The Story of a Glorious Failure 1933 | 55min Re-edited sound version of ‘South’, detailing Shackleton’s Antarctic Expedition of 1914-16 with spoken commentary. Collection: Into the White The Lake District beckons in this evocative amateur travelogue. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West An Englishman’s Home… A salute to the calming influence of Horlicks. Collection: Pandora’s Box Enid 2009 | 82min A memorably icy performance from Helena Bonham Carter uncovers the public and private lives of prolific children’s author Enid Blyton. Collection: Toyland Tales and Happy Endings Entertaining Mr Sloane 1968 | 80min A sexy young murderer joins the household of a spinster and her brother – but who is manipulating whom? Collection: Beautiful Things The Enthronement of the First Archbishop of Wales 1920 | 7min Alfred George Edwards becomes Wales’ first Archbishop at a ceremony attended by Lloyd George. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Epic of Everest Mallory and Irvine’s ill-fated attempt to conquer Everest. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La Epic of Joey Follow that monkey! A pet ape makes a break for freedom in Camberwell. Collection: Beautiful South The Epic That Never Was 1965 | 70min Dirk Bogarde tells the fascinating story of unfinished 1930s epic ‘I, Claudius’. Collection: Bogarde on the Box Erection of the Dome of Discovery, Festival of Britain, 1950/51 1951 | 48min The Festival of Britain’s radical centrepiece rises from the rubble of the South Bank. Collection: Beautiful South The effect of modern transport on the Welsh valleys and beyond. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Everyday Something A Home Truths-style guide to British eccentricity narrated by John Peel. Collection: Essentially British Everything In the Garden’s Lovely 1980 | 26min Tom Baker narrates the story of the Garden City movement, founded at Letchworth in Hertfordshire. Collection: Eastward Ho! Everything is Rhythm 1936 | 73min Harry Roy stars as a band leader who falls in love with a European princess in this vibrant musical comedy. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Experiment 1958 | 33min How to defuse potential industrial relations problems, using an experiment at a Monmouthshire coal mine as an example. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out Expresso Bongo Cliff Richard gyrates his way through Soho’s strip clubs and coffee bars. Collection: London Calling Ken Loach’s feature film reworking of controversial mental illness drama ‘In Two Minds’. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Family Pride The first Asian soap to hit British television screens. Collection: Soap Bubbles Family Snapshots 1937-1941 1937 | 18min Parties and day trips give way to the arrival of wartime evacuees in one Yorkshire family’s home movies. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen The Family Way Jenny and Arthur are unable to consummate their marriage. Tongues wag… Collection: Beautiful Things Famine 1967 | 39min Jack Gold’s powerful documentary about the famine and drought in the Indian state of Bihar. Collection: Visions of Change: The TV Documentary 1950s-60s Far and Near 2003 | 30min Leaving her country for the first time, a young Chinese writer wanders on a wild mountain in West Wales. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen The Far Pavilions ‘Gone With the Wind’, India-style. Collection: Before Midnight Learn to make the perfect Yorkshire parkin in this edition of the 70s cookery show. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Fashion Fantasy A glamour-starved Wren dreams of modelling for Norman Hartnell. Collection: Brit Chic Fat Man on a Bicycle aka W-H-O-R-K a la Pimple 1914 | 3min Pimple attempts to teach a large friend to ride a bicycle, with disastrous results. Collection: Pandora’s Box Father and Son 1945 | 14min Old ways and new ways clash as a son returns to his Kenyan village and contends with his father’s belief in magic and superstition. Collection: Cape to Cairo Agitprop film campaigning against the Industrial Relations Act. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out Figures in a Landscape The sculptures of Barbara Hepworth, and the Cornish landscapes that inspired them. Collection: Cinema of Tomorrow The Film That Never Was 1955 | 30min The making of a movie about industrial relations is thwarted – by industrial relations – in Paul Dickson’s funny and eccentric film. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out The Films of E.J. Montgomery 1928 | 26min An often playful record of the lives and duties of Lord and Lady Stephenson. Collection: Before Midnight Filth: The Mary Whitehouse Story 2008 | 88min Julie Walters steps into the sensible shoes of a fellow West Midlands icon. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen Fingersmith 2005 | 60min In the 1860s, a female pickpocket and an heiress enter into a relationship – but is the whole thing a con? Collection: Beautiful Things Gary Oldman stars in Alan Clarke’s searing indictment of football hooliganism. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen First a Girl A hard-up girl pretends to be a female impersonator to make ends meet. Collection: Beautiful Things The First Born 1928 | 93min Desire for a son and heir leads to marital strife between director/star Miles Mander and future ‘Hitchcock blonde’ Madeleine Carroll. Collection: Silent Britain First Reaction: Isabella Rusbridger 1992 | 3min A schoolgirl gives her verdict on the rewritten Enid Blyton novels, which tone down the sexism of the originals. Collection: Toyland Tales and Happy Endings First Reaction: Ken Loach The outspoken director attacks the way some filmmakers promote political parties. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective First Reaction: Ken Loach 1993 | 4min The filmmaker questions Channel 4’s decision to withdraw transmission of two films set in Northern Ireland. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Fisherfolk of Northumbria 1942 | 20min With the men at war, the laborious jobs in Newbiggin-by-the Sea fall to the village’s women. Collection: North by North East Five and Under Ministry of Information-sponsored investigation into the needs of overstretched working mothers in wartime. Collection: Reality Bites Five Go to Demon’s Rock 1996 | 25min The Famous Five encounter buried treasure, a shipwreck and a mischievous monkey in this 1990s adaptation. Collection: Toyland Tales and Happy Endings Five Have a Mystery to Solve 1964 | 15min A cliff passage on Whispering Island promises adventure for the young sleuths. Collection: Toyland Tales and Happy Endings Five Inch Bather A naked Richard Massingham extols the virtues of bathwater conservation. Collection: Pandora’s Box Five on a Treasure Island 1957 | 15min The first episode of the Children’s Film Foundation adventure serial – Julian, Dick, Ann and Timmy the dog meet tomboy George, and the Famous Five are born. Collection: Toyland Tales and Happy Endings Five Towns Life and work in the Staffordshire Potteries. Collection: Essentially British Flame in the Streets 1961 | 93min Domestic difficulties develop in a working-class family when their daughter falls in love with a Jamaican man. Collection: Black Britain The consequences of lust: an illegitimate child threatens ruin in this lavish 1920s society drama. Collection: The Truth About Love Flames of Passion Ingenious gay homage to Brief Encounter. Collection: The Truth About Love The Flaxton Boys A ghostly children’s adventure set in crumbling Flaxton Hall (actually Ripley Castle, near Harrogate). Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen The Flickering Flame 1996 | 50min Ken Loach tells the story of the sacked dockers of Liverpool and the Women of the Waterfront campaign. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Flight of the Swan Can a young black girl hope to become a classical ballerina? Collection: Black Britain The Flipside of Dominick Hide 1980 | 95min A time-traveller from 2130 attempts to track down his great-great-grandfather in 1980, but love complicates things… Collection: Play for Today The changes in coal mining that have taken place during one man’s working lifetime. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Forward to Service Didactic instructional film promoting company loyalty to employees of Smiths Dock Company, Teesside. Collection: North by North East The Four M’s 1964 | 44min The eccentric Lord Robens takes us through the 4 essential M’s of the coal industry. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out The Fourth Everest Expedition 1933 | 49min Hugh Ruttledge’s failed attempt to conquer Everest – he got to a point just 1000 feet below the summit. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La Fox Farm Passion blooms in the countryside when a girl falls in love with a blind farmer. Collection: Silent Britain The hills are alive with the sound of protestors, fighting for the right to roam. Collection: Heartlands Frenzy Featurette Material 1971 | 30min Rare footage taken on set at Pinewood and on location in Soho during production of Hitchcock’s first British film since ‘Stage Fright’. Collection: Looking for Alfred Friday the Thirteenth 1933 | 84min A star-studded cast appears in this ensemble piece – a dozen characters are involved in a London bus crash, but who will survive? Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace The Frock and Roll Years 2002 | 23min A beginner’s guide to post-war British fashion. Collection: Brit Chic From High Heels to Sensible Shoes 1997 | 30min Former TV presenter Jackie Forster discusses the day that changed her life – when she had her first lesbian affair. Collection: Beautiful Things From Raw Material to Finished Product 1932 | 26min Descend into the Eston mines as coal and ore are gathered to make iron and steel products. Collection: North by North East From Spain to Streatham (Monitor) 1959 | 10min Ken Russell’s affectionate tribute to the guitar features performances by John Williams and the teenage Davey Graham. Collection: Ken Russell on TV From the Four Corners Why would Australians, Canadians and New Zealanders risk their lives for Britain? Collection: Essentially British From the Sea to the Land Beyond 2012 | 72min A lyrical portrait of Britain’s coastline, combining BFI National Archive footage and stirring music by British Sea Power. Collection: Essentially British Frontier: A Return to the Austro-Hungarian Border 1964 | 32min A personal, poetic and moving documentary by exiled Hungarian filmmaker Robert Vas. Collection: Visions of Change: The TV Documentary 1950s-60s The Frost Programme Counterculture invades The Frost Programme as Jerry Rubin and the Yippies take over the stage. Collection: n/a The Frost Report on Class 1966 | 25min Classic sketches from Messrs Barker, Corbett, Cleese and Frost. Collection: Essentially British The Frost Report on Elections 1966 | 25min Satirical send ups of politicians – ‘The Daily Show’ circa 1966. Collection: The Ballot Box An oddball inventor startles Londoners with images of the city’s future. Collection: London Calling The Funeral of Queen Victoria (Funeral Procession at Cowes) 1901 | 3min The funeral of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. Collection: Essentially British Funny Farm 1975 | 93min Roy Minton’s play follows a day in the life of a charge nurse in a mental health unit. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen Gala Day Controversial portrait of the 1962 Durham Miners’ Gala. Collection: North by North East Gallivant A tour of Britain’s coastline, with the director’s grandmother and daughter in tow. Collection: Essentially British The Gamekeeper 1980 | 80min An ex-steelworker seeks a gentler pace of life in rural Yorkshire but finds his allegiances tested in Ken Loach’s TV drama. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective The Games A surreal take on East London’s Olympian future. Collection: London Calling Gangsters 1976 | 51min Paul Barber stars in the first episode of the ‘urban western’ set in Birmingham (Series 1 Incident 1). Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen Gangsters The French Connection comes to Birmingham. Collection: Play for Today Fifth instalment in the major ‘Arena’ portrait of Orwell, focusing on his final work. Collection: The Book Group George Orwell: The Road to the Left 1973 | 60min Documentary tracking Orwell’s life in 1936, the year he married, set off for the Spanish Civil War and completed his first novel. Collection: The Book Group George Sherriff’s Home Movies – Lhasa Films 1940 | 63min These amateur films of Lhasa feature the current Dalai Lama and his family in the 1940s. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La George Sherriff’s Home Movies – S.E. Tibet, Bhutan and Sikkim Films 1934 | 155min The vivid colours of Tibet, Bhutan and Sikkim in the 1930s and 40s. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La George Sherriff’s Home Movies – Tibetan Landscapes and Ceremonies 1938 | 51min The Tibetan landscape, wildlife and religious ceremonies through the eyes of botanist George Sherriff. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La Gert and Daisy’s Weekend 1941 | 79min The irrepressible Cockney pensioners take on a boisterous group of evacuee kids in this wartime comedy. Collection: Funny Girls Ghost Downstairs The Andrew Gosling 1982 | 60 min Creepy part-animated adaptation of Leon Garfield’s children’s novel set in Victorian London. Collection: Gothic: Love is a Devil A Ghost of a Chance Jan Darnley-Smith 1967 | 53 min Spooky kids’ caper with some famous faces. Collection: Gothic: Love is a Devil The Ghost of Monks Island Jeremy Summers 1967 | 89 min Lively Children’s Film Foundation adventure filmed in the Channel Islands. Collection: Gothic: Love is a Devil Ghostbuster — The Real Thing Psychic investigator Maurice Grosse revisits his most famous case: the Enfield Poltergeist. Collection: Gothic: Love is a Devil Ghostwatch Lesley Manning 1992 | 90 min Legendary Halloween ‘mockumentary’ investigating a haunted house. Collection: Gothic: Love is a Devil Ghostwatch: Behind the Curtains Rich Lawden 2012 | 90 min Documentary revisiting the British TV phenomenon. Collection: Gothic: Love is a Devil Gi’ It Some ‘Ommer 1984 | 25min An episode from a Central TV series looking at industry and business in the Black Country. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen Giant in the Sun Beautiful colour documentary showing Nigeria’s preparations for self-government. Collection: Cape to Cairo The Gift 1997 | 16min A man gives his disabled wife a video camera, and she begins to film their deteriorating relationship. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen Gilbert & George Go Day Tripping 1992 | 10min The Turner prize-winning artists head to Southend, the popular Essex seaside resort. Collection: Eastward Ho! Gilbert and George (The South Bank Show) 1997 | 75min The flamboyant artists discuss their provocative work. Collection: Farewell South Bank Show Ginger Nutt’s Christmas Circus 1949 | 7min Disney-inspired animated mayhem at the circus. Collection: Pandora’s Box Shy factory worker Beryl lets her hair down in Joanna Quinn’s uproarious animation. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Give Her a Ring A switchboard operator unknowingly falls for her boss in 1930s Copenhagen. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Glasgow Belongs to Me 1965 | 20min An affectionate sketch of life in a great city, tracing the development of the ‘Glasgow man’. Collection: Scottish Reels Glengarry Cinema Topical News No.4 1929 | 12min Chester bids farewell to its trams in this local transport newsreel. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Glengarry Cinema Topical News No.5 1930 | 15min Leaving Liverpool on the M.V. Britannic; back in Liverpool for the Railway Centenary exhibition. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Glimpses of a Manchester Popular Rendezvous 1924 | 5min Welcome to the Piccadilly Dance Salon. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Glimpses of India Indian travelogue featuring the famous sights and rural life. Collection: Before Midnight Glowyr – Mynd yn Grwt i’r Gwaith 1994 | 25min Ex-miners recall their childhood days working in the Welsh coalmines. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Go Go Go Said the Bird 1966 | 55min A trip through Swinging London with Marianne Faithfull, David Hockney, Twiggy and co. Collection: London Calling Go to Blazes 1942 | 8min Clueless know-it-all Will Hay demonstrates how not to put out incendiary bombs in this WWII public information short. Collection: Ealing Studios: Propaganda Shorts The Go-Between Sex, class and cricket – the past as a not-so-foreign country. Collection: Essentially British Perhaps the best-loved Dickens adaptation, David Lean’s 1946 feature has been painstakingly restored. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen Great Expectations Michael York stars as Pip in the first colour version of the Dickens classic. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen Great Expectations 1999 | 185min Charlotte Rampling as Miss Havisham and Ioan Gruffudd as Pip lead an all-star cast in this sumptuous two-part adaptation. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen Great Expectations (Part 1) 1959 | 30min Part one of an early adaptation of the Dickens favourite directed by children’s TV pioneer Dorothea Brooking. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen Great Hucklow Jubilee Film May 5th 1935 1935 | 6min Jubilee celebrations in a Derbyshire village. Collection: Heartlands An early forerunner of the party political broadcast from the Conservatives. Collection: Reality Bites The Great War 1964 | 40min The Devil is Coming: relive the horror of the Somme in this edition of the groundbreaking 1964 series. Collection: Reality Bites The Great White Silence 1924 | 104min Astonishing film record of Scott’s tragic 1910-13 expedition to the South Pole, restored by the BFI National Archive. Collection: Into the White The Greatest Menace We Have Ever Known 1921 | 1min ‘Topical Budget’ opposes the miners during the 1921 Coal War. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Gregory’s Girl Affectionate Scottish high school comedy about an amiable loser in love. Collection: Scottish Reels Groove on a Stanley Knife 1997 | 41min Two girls – a lesbian and a homophobe – go on the run from crack-dealers. Collection: Beautiful Things The festival of Dashian is celebrated – including scenes of animal sacrifice. Collection: Before Midnight Gwaed ar y Sêr (Blood on the Stars) Wil Aaron 1975 | 57 min The local school kids aren’t as innocent as they look in this cult Welsh-language horror. Collection: Gothic: Monstrous Gŵyl Cerdd Dant – Rhosllannerchrugog a’r Cylch 2006 | 48min The unique Welsh art of singing poetry to the accompaniment of harp music. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen H.R.H. Prince George Prince George launches a lifeboat in Cromer. Collection: Eastward Ho! H.R.H. The Princess Royal Visit to Oswestry 1933 | 3min Princess Mary visits Oswestry, near Wrexham, in 1933. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Hadrian’s Wall Haunting landscape poem dedicated to the Roman Wall – Northern England’s most visited tourist attraction. Collection: North by North East Halcyon Days Brushes at the ready – are you ready to paint the Halcyon way? Collection: Heartlands Meet Dr Josef Ranald, palmist to the stars ‚Äì and the occasional Nazi. Collection: Gothic: The Dark Arts Hanif Kureishi – ‘Black and White in Colour’ Interviews 1991 | 30min ‘The Buddha of Suburbia’ author offers his opinions on race in British film and TV. Collection: The Book Group Hanif Kureishi (Guardian Interview) AUDIO ONLY 1999 | min South Bank Show profile of the provocative writer. Collection: The Book Group Hanif Kureishi (South Bank Show) 2003 | 48min Kureishi discusses his work at the NFT. Collection: The Book Group Ha’penny Breeze 1951 | 57min A young man tries to rally a Suffolk village on the banks of the River Orwell to improve their post-war lot. Collection: Eastward Ho! The popular sitcom that introduced the world to retired empty nesters Terry and June. Collection: Funny Girls Happy Families 1985 | 30min Jennifer Saunders takes on five roles in this neglected Ben Elton sitcom, also starring Dawn French. Collection: Funny Girls The Happy Family 1952 | 86min A plucky South Bank family decide to fight back when building work for the Festival of Britain threatens their home. Collection: Beautiful South Happy Family 1939 | 8min John Mills stars in Ealing Studios’ first foray into propaganda filmmaking, made shortly before the outbreak of WWII. Collection: Ealing Studios: Propaganda Shorts Happy in the Morning: A Film Fantasy 1938 | 13min A jolly showcase for Henry Hall’s band, doubling up as a water heater commercial. Collection: Pandora’s Box Happy Moorings 1964 | 52min Comedy starring Millicent Martin as a prim lady apparently having an affair with her manservant. But is she? Collection: Funny Girls Hard Feelings 1984 | 85min A group of Oxford graduates live in Brixton in 1980, oblivious to the rioting on the streets. Collection: Beautiful South Hard Labour 1973 | 70min Mike Leigh’s first TV drama, starring Liz Smith and Alison Steadman in a Salford-set snapshot of domestic drudgery. Collection: Play for Today Hard Times (Episode 1) 1977 | 50min The opening episode in Granada TV’s impressive four-part version of the atypical Dickens tale set in a northern mill town. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen Harlequinade Rare comedy from Terence Rattigan, starring Denholm Elliott and Edith Evans. Collection: n/a Harrison Compilation – 1950s 1950 | 14min Highlights from the home movies of a Hull fish merchant, documenting an industry on the cusp of change. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Harrods (A Day in the Life…) 1993 | 30min A 1990s peek behind the scenes of the Knightsbridge institution. Collection: London Calling An early episode of the children’s art show presented by the much-missed Tony Hart. Collection: The Kids Are Alright Hartlepool Charter 1950s Hartlepool – port town of industry and tourism. Collection: North by North East Harvest Shall Come, The 1942 | 38min Dramatised account of the poor working and living conditions of the average farm worker, filmed in Needham Market, Suffolk. Collection: Eastward Ho! Have We Missed the Boat? (Northern Scene) 1981 | 25min The challenges facing shipbuilding in Tyneside. Collection: This Working Life: Tales From the Shipyard Hawking 2004 | 89min Dramatised account of the early adult life of Stephen Hawking, including his radical work at Trinity College, Cambridge. Collection: Eastward Ho! A young woman suffers under an embittered guardian in Cecil Hepworth’s Yorkshire-set melodrama. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Hell is a City Tough thriller with Stanley Baker on a murder hunt in Manchester. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Help for Russia 1941 | 9min After the German invasion of Russia in 1941, Bermondsey locals do their bit to raise funds. Collection: Beautiful South Hen Elynion (Old Enemies) 1997 | 100min The complex relationships of a Rhos-born Spanish Civil War veteran are explored in this absorbing S4C drama. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Henry V Central TV’s minority ethnic arts and culture programme visits Birmingham’s Hummingbird club. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen Here and Now: The Jah People 1981 | 26min A look at the Rastafari way of life in Handsworth, West Midlands. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen Here is the Gold Coast 1947 | 35min A Central Office of Information film outlining the planned development of the Gold Coast over the next ten years. Collection: Cape to Cairo Here’s a Health to the Barley Mow 1955 | 17min Traditional English folk songs and step dances in a Suffolk pub. Collection: Eastward Ho! Blackmail and murder in the colonies. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace High Jinks at Durham Miners’ Gala 1928 | 1min In spite of an uncertain future, Durham miners party in the streets. Collection: North by North East High Living The only way is up: the 1960s’ answer to Britain’s booming population. Collection: The Promised Land High Spirits with Shirley Ghostman 2005 | 28 min Medium Shirley can channel the dead famous, ably assisted by canine spirit guide Sheba. Collection: Gothic: Love is a Devil High Summer 1972 | 75min A young man returns to the family manor to demand his inheritance in a rare written-for-television play by Terence Rattigan. Collection: n/a High Treason 1928 | 75min Britain’s answer to ‘Metropolis’ – a sci-fi epic of conspiracy and sabotage set in a futuristic London. Collection: Silent Britain Who needs an iron when you have a jam jar to hand? Collection: Pandora’s Box Hints and Hobbies No.3 1926 | 5min How to construct an efficient wireless set for just 1/10d. Although Mensa membership may be a prerequisite… Collection: Pandora’s Box Hints and Hobbies No.7 1926 | 14min How to remove dirt from your finest stole and enthral your guests with a few sugar lumps. Collection: Pandora’s Box Hints and Hobbies No.8 1926 | 12min Turn your dog into a burglar alarm and clean out that murky decanter – the Hints and Hobbies team are back. Collection: Pandora’s Box Historic Mutiny Sites 1914 | 5min Sixty years after the event, this travelogue indicates the continued potency of the Indian Mutiny to the British in India. Collection: Before Midnight History of the English Language 1943 | 15min How did the mother tongue of 400 million people come into existence? Collection: Pandora’s Box The kiss-me-quick pleasures of saucy Blackpool. Collection: Essentially British Holidays at Home – Saltwell Park Gateshead 1944 | 11min Gateshead residents enjoy a ‘staycation’ to cut down on travel during WWII. Collection: North by North East Hollow Drift Children’s Procession, Durham 1902 | 3min Thousands of Durham schoolchildren march through the streets to mark the coronation of Edward VII. Collection: North by North East The Holly and the Ivy 1952 | 83min An unfairly neglected Christmas tale starring Ralph Richardson and Celia Johnson. Collection: Pandora’s Box Holly and the Ivy, The 1952 | 83min An unfairly neglected Christmas tale starring Ralph Richardson and Celia Johnson. Collection: Eastward Ho! Hollyoaks 2000 | 25min Three men go on trial for the rape of Luke Morgan (Gary Lucy) in a superior episode of the soap. Collection: Soap Bubbles 1898 | 1min The Royal Mail steamer Munster completes its journey from Dublin to the island of Anglesey. Llong ager y Post Brenhinol, y Munster, yn cyrraedd pen ei thaith o Ddulyn i Ynys Môn. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Home Guard ‘D Coy’ Aston Park, Birmingham 1940 | 12min D Company of the Birmingham Home Guard marching and performing a drill. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen Home James Film star James Mason returns to his home town of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen The Home Movies of H.A.N. Barlow 1945 | 20min Gritty images of India’s northerly frontiers contrast with vibrant colour scenes of Udaipur in these 8mm films. Collection: Before Midnight The Home Movies of Robert Wrench 1924 | 14min Home movies showing Tyneside in the 1920s and 30s. Collection: North by North East Home Movies of T. Burtt 1933 | 39min Lahore, Rajasthan and Simla feature in Burtt’s home movies. Collection: Before Midnight Homes for All (This Modern Age No.1) 1946 | 20min A plug for the post-war housing policy of a new Labour government. Collection: The Promised Land Racism in a white, working-class family – later re-made as ‘Flame in the Streets’. Collection: Black Britain Hothouse, The 1978 | 50min Six former Newnham students – “the pleasantest of the ladies’ colleges” – discuss their lives since leaving Cambridge University. Collection: Eastward Ho! A House in Battersea (Monitor) 1961 | 17min Ken Russell’s portrait of an extraordinary collection of Pre-Raphaelite art and the 95-year-old woman who preserves it. Collection: Ken Russell on TV A House in Bayswater 1960 | 30min A nostalgic look at a house in which Ken Russell himself once lived, still packed with artists on every floor. Collection: Ken Russell on TV House in Which You Live, The 1947 | 17min Don’t mention the War: a reassuring architectural tour of British homes past, present and future. Collection: The Promised Land House of Cards 1990 | 56min The death of the Prime Minister sparks the faithful party whip’s ambition in this political thriller. Collection: TV Heaven The Houseboy 1982 | 52min A young man gets a job in a decaying London guest house managed by an ageing gay couple. Collection: Beautiful Things Moving wartime drama about a real-life Barrow housewife, written by and starring Victoria Wood. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Housing Problems Inhabitants of 1930s slums voice their grievances, experiences and hopes. Collection: Essentially British How a Bicycle is Made 1945 | min The recipe for the perfect bike. Collection: Pandora’s Box How a British Bulldog Saved the Union Jack 1906 | 7min A plucky hound rescues a British cavalryman from a treacherous Zulu in this Edwardian flag-waver. Collection: Cape to Cairo How Percy Won the Beauty Competition 1909 | 6min Percy drags up to scoop the top prize in this silent short – but will he be found out? Collection: Beautiful Things How to explain the birds and the bees – and STDs – to your children. Collection: The Joy of Sex Education Hoxton…Saturday, July 3rd, Britannia Theatre 1920 | 6min A very busy Saturday on Old Street. Collection: London Calling Huddersfield International Club Opening Night 1968 | 3min A pioneering attempt to promote understanding between communities at a time of great social upheaval. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Hue and Cry 1946 | 82min A group of schoolboys uncover a dastardly scam. When the police won’t listen, it’s time to take matters into their own hands. Collection: Box of Delights Hugh MacDiarmid: No Fellow Travellers 1972 | 26min Made to commemorate the 80th birthday of the late Hugh MacDiarmid, the poet speaks about his life and work. Collection: Scottish Reels John Mills’ perfect beer moment makes for a perfect movie moment. Collection: Roll Out the Barrel The Ice House 1978 | 35min A mysterious outbuilding holds a chilling secret in the last of the 1970s Christmas ghost stories. Collection: A Ghost Story for Christmas ICI on Teesside The influence of Imperial Chemical Industries on Billingham and Wilton. Collection: North by North East Ilford Everest Members of Ruttledge’s Everest expedition at play. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La I’m All Right Jack 1959 | 105min Peter Sellers is a militant trade unionist in this peerless workplace satire. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out I’m British But… Britain beats to the sound of Bhangra and Bangla. Collection: Essentially British Morse investigates an apparent suicide in the debut episode of the stately police drama. Collection: TV Heaven Intensive Care 1982 | 80min A teacher visits his dying father and strikes up a rapport with the night nurse in Alan Bennett’s black comedy, starring Thora Hird and Julie Walters. Collection: Play for Today International Association Match, England v. Wales, Wrexham 1912 1912 | 3min Billy Meredith, one of Wales’ early football superstars, takes on the English team at the Racecourse, Wrexham. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Interview with Beatles 1963 | 10min The Fab Four respond to searching questions from viewers of Tyne Tees Television – does Ringo like beards? Collection: North by North East Introducing Anglia Anglia Television makes its debut. Collection: Eastward Ho! Introducing Work Study 1955 | 20min Industrial film aimed at the many sceptics of the work study scheme, seen by thousands of workers across the country. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out Invisible City 1991 | 18min The fate of a Nazi-era Jewish couple disrupts a futuristic dystopia where memory and history are outlawed. Collection: Oy Britannia A no-nonsense warning of the perils of gonorrhoea and syphilis. Collection: The Joy of Sex Education Isadora Ken Russell’s dramatised documentary on the eccentric life of American dance pioneer Isadora Duncan. Collection: Ken Russell on TV Island People The British way of life at the dawn of the 1940s. Collection: Essentially British It Ain’t Half Racist, Mum 1979 | 30min The pervasive racism of British TV in the ’70s is exposed. Collection: Black Britain It Always Rains on Sunday 1947 | 92min A housewife’s life is complicated when her ex-lover, an escaped violent criminal, comes to her for shelter. Collection: London Calling It’s a Free World 2007 | 92min The dark side of the capitalist dream: Ken Loach’s powerful feature tackles the exploitation of London’s illegal workforce. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective It’s Fantastic It’s Futuristic It’s Fatalistic It’s Science Fiction 1973 | 48min Absorbing documentary tracing sci-fi’s literary journey from Jules Verne and H.G. Wells to Isaac Asimov and J.G. Ballard. Collection: Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder It’s No Joke Living in Barnsley 1976 | 27min Writer, actor and wrestler Brian Glover revisits the South Yorkshire town where he was born. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen It’s Not Unusual: A Lesbian and Gay History 1997 | 147min Major three-part history of homosexuality in Britain from 1920 to 1996. Collection: Beautiful Things J L McAdam Ltd. Annual Staff Outing to Beadnell 1937 | 5min Staff of the Newcastle tailor’s head for the seaside at Beadnell Sands. Collection: North by North East Jack Hylton Presents: The Crazy Gang 1956 | 55min The Crazy Gang at the Victoria Palace – British humour from another era. Collection: Essentially British Jack Petersen v. Hein Muller 1930 | 9min The greatest moment in the history of Welsh boxing? Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Jack the Ripper Screaming Lord Sutch performs a song of alarmingly questionable taste. Collection: Pandora’s Box Jackanory – George’s Marvellous Medicine 1986 | 75min Rik Mayall makes for a bravura storyteller with his reading of Roald Dahl’s children’s classic. Collection: The Kids Are Alright Jacqueline Du Pre and the Elgar Cello Concerto 1967 | 70min Documentary about the legendary cellist, featuring a complete performance of her finest hour – the Elgar Cello Concerto. Collection: Hope and Glory A breathtaking glimpse of city life on the cusp of the Edwardian era. Collection: Scottish Reels James Guthrie’s Home Movies – Gyantse Trips 1935 | 50min Amateur films shot in and around Gyantse, Tibet. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La James Guthrie’s Home Movies – Lhasa Trips 1935 | 73min Life in and around Lhasa. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La James Guthrie’s Home Movies – Miscellaneous Tibet Films 1935 | 39min Ceremonies, people and landscapes – life in Tibet vividly captured by amateur filmmaker Guthrie. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La James Guthrie’s Home Movies – Tibetan Ceremonies 1939 | 60min Home movie footage including a potent scene featuring the young Dalai Lama in a golden palanquin. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La James Guthrie’s Home Movies – Tibetan Valley Trips 1939 | 29min Tibetan life and landscape by British Medical Officer/Civil Surgeon James Guthrie. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La Jemima and Johnny 1966 | 30min In a west London community divided by racism, a white boy befriends the daughter of a family recently arrived from the Caribbean. Collection: Box of Delights A day’s world news from October 1975. Collection: The Kids Are Alright John Galliano (South Bank Show) 1997 | 52min Profile of the trailblazing British couturier during his time at Givenchy. Collection: Brit Chic John Peel’s Sounds of the Suburbs: South Wales 1999 | 35min The legendary DJ turns his ear to the musical developments in South Wales. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Johnnie’s Welcome Home 1930 | 3min The ‘Topical Budget’ cameras capture Amy Johnson’s triumphant return to Croydon Aerodrome after her solo flight to Australia. Collection: Amy Johnson: Queen of the Skies Johnny Cash in San Quentin 1969 | 60min Haunting record of the singer’s legendary concert in San Quentin. Collection: Reality Bites Floella Benjamin and friends look back on 60 years of BBC children’s programmes. Collection: The Kids Are Alright Judean Club in Leeds 1935 | 17min Members of Leeds’ thriving Jewish community indulge their hobbies in this film made by a local tailor. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Jumping Bean Bag 1976 | 70min Androgynous, sexually-charged rock group Slag Bag rise to fame – but do they understand the forces they unleash? Collection: Play for Today Just A Boy’s Game 1979 | 75min The brutal life of Glasgow hard-man, Jake McQuillan – from the director of ‘The Long Good Friday’. Collection: Play for Today Just Another Saturday 1975 | 75min One young man’s long day as participant and bystander in the Protestant Orange day parades of Glasgow 1975. Collection: Play for Today Just Your Luck 1972 | 65min Greenock teenager Alison falls pregnant and has to marry: but her family is Protestant and the father’s is Catholic… Collection: Play for Today Juvenile Liaison 1975 | 97min Banned documentary from Nick Broomfield exposing the bullying methods of a juvenile liaison unit in Blackburn. Collection: Cinema of Tomorrow Juvenile Scientist, A 1907 | 4min Punished for mistreating the family pets, a young boy uses his chemistry set to wreak revenge on his parents. Collection: Pandora’s Box The Kamikaze Ground Staff Reunion Dinner 1981 | 70min Japanese servicemen – all played by white Englishmen – gather to commemorate their country’s defeat 35 years previously. Collection: Play for Today Katie Boyle at Selfridges (Camay Commercial) 1967 | 1min Camay hope the luxury store’s glamour will rub off in this 60s soap commercial. Collection: Pandora’s Box Keep an Eye on Albert 1975 | 75min The neglected wife of a pigeon fancier becomes attracted to his best mate. Collection: Play for Today The John Woods 1983 | 27 min A spooky edition of kids’ series ‘Dramarama’, written by Alan Garner. Collection: Gothic: Love is a Devil Keep Things As They Are 1991 | 12min Recreation of artist Ian Breakwell’s residency at Cambridge. Collection: Eastward Ho! George Formby and his trusty ukulele go on the hunt for missing jewellery. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Ken and Rosa: The Making of Bread and Roses 2001 | 49min An entertaining behind-the-scenes insight into Ken Loach’s LA-set feature and his process as a director. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Ken Loach (South Bank Show) 1993 | 60min The veteran director reflects on the motivation behind his work in conversation with Melvyn Bragg. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Ken Russell’s ABC of British Music (South Bank Show) 1988 | 77min Ken Russell’s wildly self-indulgent but irresistibly entertaining survey of one of his favourite subjects. Collection: Ken Russell on TV Kenneth Williams (Comic Roots) Kenneth Williams takes us on a very personal stroll around the city he called home. Collection: London Calling The Kenny Everett Television Show 1981 | 30min The ethos of punk is alive and well in Kenny Everett’s appropriately disrespectful hands. Collection: Anarchy in the UK Kensal House A visionary community powered by the miracle of gas. Collection: The Promised Land Empire adventure starring Paul Robeson as enigmatic tribal king Umbopa. Collection: Cape to Cairo Kingdom of My Own, A 1962 | 30min The life of John Constable, featuring shots of the Suffolk countryside that inspired his paintings. Collection: Eastward Ho! King’s Visit to Norwich, October 25th 1909 1909 | 14min Century-old actuality footage of Edward VII visiting Norwich. Collection: Eastward Ho! Kipps: The Story of a Simple Soul 1921 | 89min Folkestone-set film based on H.G. Wells’ novel about a draper who struggles when thrust into high society. Collection: Silent Britain The Kiss in the Tunnel 1899 | 1min Amorous Victorians indulge in illicit smooching. Collection: Essentially British The Kiss of Death 1977 | 70min ‘Shameless’’ David Thelfall plays Trevor, a quirky undertaker’s assistant, in Mike Leigh’s black comedy. Collection: Play for Today A middle-aged man’s fling with a barmaid threatens the stability of his family. Collection: Play for Today Kizzy 1976 | 45min A young Romany girl deals with prejudice after moving to a small village in Rumer Godden’s tale for children. Collection: Box of Delights Knave of Hearts [aka Monsieur Ripois] 1954 | 100min Tales of an incorrigible French womaniser, starring Gérard Philipe and Joan Greenwood. Collection: The Truth About Love Knightmare Kids’ TV entered the era of computer gaming with this cutting-edge swords-and-sorcery game show. Collection: The Kids Are Alright The Knowledge Learner taxi drivers attempt to master ‘the knowledge’ of London’s streets. Collection: London Calling The Kumars at No. 42 2001 | 30min Spoof chat-show featuring the Kumars, with this week’s special guests Graham Norton and Davina McCall. Collection: Funny Girls Laburnum Grove 1936 | 73min Hypocrisy and deceit bubble under the surface of suburbia in this brilliantly acted J.B. Priestley adaptation. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Lace The manufacture of Nottingham lace in the 1920s. Collection: Heartlands Victorian ladies show off their slalom cycling skills. Collection: Pandora’s Box Lady Audley’s Secret 1920 | 76min To what lengths will Lady Audley go to hide her past? Margaret Bannerman stars in this silent feature film adaptation from 1920. Collection: The Gentle Sex Lady Audley’s Secret 2000 | 98min Neve McIntosh stops at nothing to safeguard her future in this 2000 TV adaptation of Mary Elizabeth Braddon’s novel. Collection: The Gentle Sex Lady Godiva Procession in Coventry 1902 | 7min Crowds pay homage to the legendary Anglo-Saxon noblewoman during Coventry’s Edwardian coronation celebrations. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen. Lady Windermere’s Fan 1916 | 72min Will the mysterious Mrs Erlynne redeem herself? Upper class intrigue abounds in the first screen adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s play. Collection: Silent Britain Ladybird Ladybird 1994 | 98min Ken Loach returned to the themes of his classic ‘Cathy Come Home’ with this tough domestic drama. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective The Ladykillers Brilliant black comedy of armed robbers, murder and a Boccherini string quintet. Collection: London Calling Lambeth Boys 1985 | 120min What happened to the lads from 1959’s ‘We Are the Lambeth Boys’? And do teenagers in the 80s share the same concerns? Collection: Beautiful South A lap dancer meets a man at a bus stop one rainy night. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen The Larkins 1958 | 26min Forty years before ‘The Darling Buds of May’, Peggy Mount and David Kossoff star in an early TV adaptation of H.E. Bates’ popular novels. Collection: Funny Girls The Last Days of Dolwyn 1949 | 95min The shadow of murder haunts a doomed village in the Welsh valleys in Emlyn Williams’ period drama, with Richard Burton in his big screen debut. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen The Last of England* 1987 | 88min Derek Jarman’s dark, poetic vision of a city and a country brought to its knees. Collection: London Calling The Last of the Summer Wine (Comedy Playhouse) 1973 | 30min Three Yorkshire pensioners philosophise about life in Roy Clarke’s original TV play. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen The Last Place on Earth: Rejoice 1985 | 52min The final episode in a controversial TV dramatisation of Scott and Amundsen’s race for the South Pole. Collection: Into the White The Amber collective captures a breathtaking launch at the Swan Hunter’s Wallsend shipyard. Collection: This Working Life: Tales From the Shipyard The Launch of the HMS Albion 1898 | 2min RW Paul’s controversial film of the launch of the mighty battleship, which ended in tragedy when many spectators drowned following the collapse of a gangway. Collection: This Working Life: Tales From the Shipyard The Launching of Formby Lifeboat 1916 | 3min A rare glimpse of lifeboat men at work in the 1910s. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Laurence Olivier – A Life (South Bank Show) 1982 | 95min Emmy award-winning edition profiling one of Britain’s greatest actors. Collection: Farewell South Bank Show The League of Gentlemen Welcome to the weird world of Royston Vasey. You’ll never leave! Collection: Heartlands The League of Gentlemen Christmas Special 2000 | 60min Festive tales of terror for local people. Collection: A Ghost Story for Christmas Learie Constantine A day in the life of the Trinidadian-British cricketer. Collection: Black Britain British Transport Films’ love letter to Wales. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen A Letter From Wales A farmer’s boy describes his life in the rural idyll of Llandwrog. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Letter to Brezhnev A romp through the rain-soaked alleyways, chip shops and cheap hotels of Thatcher era Liverpool. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Licking Hitler 1978 | 65min During WWII, a woman is sent deep into the countryside to work in secret with a Glaswegian journalist, where she finds herself in a brutal and sinister world. Collection: Play for Today Lido 1995 | 49min A microcosm of London life from beautiful men to spirited single mums: meet the regulars at the Brockwell Park Lido. Collection: Beautiful South Ingmar Bergman dissects a marriage breakdown. Collection: Play for Today Lieutenant Pimple’s Dash to the Pole 1914 | 10min Fred Evans’ clownish boob heads for the Arctic in the earliest surviving film in the Pimple series. Collection: Into the White The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby 1947 | 108min The first British version of the Dickens favourite – and Cavalcanti’s final film for Ealing Studios. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen A Life Apart An examination of the charity Raphael’s work with people living with leprosy. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen Life in Hunza Rural life in the mountainous valley near Gilgit – now in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. Collection: Before Midnight Life in the Freezer 1993 | 30min David Attenborough visits Captain Scott’s hut and looks at the ways scientists and filmmakers have adapted to hostile Antarctic conditions. Collection: Into the White The Life of the Rabbit 1945 | 11min The behaviour of the European rabbit. Collection: March Hares & Easter Bunnies Life on Earth 1979 | 54min This edition of David Attenborough’s landmark documentary series introduces Man’s nearest relatives, the primates. Collection: TV Heaven Life Story 1987 | 107min Jeff Goldblum stars as controversial scientist James D. Watson in the race to discover DNA in 1950s Cambridge. Collection: Eastward Ho! The Light Fantastic (Monitor) 1960 | 23min Former dancer Ken Russell takes a look at the state of the art in early 1960s Britain. Collection: Ken Russell on TV Lights and Shades on the Bostock Circus Farm 1911 | 5min A tumultuous and tragic day on the Bostock Circus Farm. Collection: Pandora’s Box Lambeth buildings at their best – and worst. Collection: Beautiful South The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne 1987 | 116min Maggie Smith on BAFTA-winning form as a lonely Irish spinster. Collection: The Truth About Love The Lonely Shore (Monitor) 1962 | 16min A team of alien archaeologists sift through abandoned British objects in one of Ken Russell’s most original early documentaries. Collection: Ken Russell on TV The Long Day Closes Terence Davies revisits his Liverpool childhood for this lyrical follow-up to Distant Voices, Still Lives. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West The Long Distance Piano Player 1970 | 80min The Kinks’ Ray Davies stars as a pianist who embarks on a 4-day musical marathon. Collection: Play for Today Employers and employees give wildly varying opinions on the high productivity at a Northumberland colliery. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out Look Around: Edgbaston If the Bard had ridden a bicycle… Industrial film masquerading as a travelogue. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen. Look Up and Laugh 1935 | 80min Gracie Fields takes on some grasping businessmen in this superior star vehicle, also featuring Vivien Leigh. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Looks and Smiles 1981 | 99min Among Ken Loach’s least known works, this 1981 feature explores the romantic and economic travails of a pair of Sheffield school leavers. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Lord Camber’s Ladies Getrude Lawrence makes a rare screen appearance in this Hitchcock-produced tale of dastardly deeds. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace The Lord Mayor Recruiting 1916 | 1min The Lord Mayor, having opened the Mansion House as a recruiting office, makes a special appeal to Jewish men to join the war effort. Collection: Oy Britannia Home movie of the Viceroy of India. Collection: Before Midnight The Lost City: A Return Journey With J B Priestley 1958 | 45min J.B. Priestley returns to his native Bradford to see what changes have taken place over 40 years. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Lost Hearts 1973 | 35min An orphan moves in with his sinister relative, and is disturbed by visions of ghostly children. Collection: A Ghost Story for Christmas The Lost Language of Cranes 1992 | 87min Nature or nurture? A father and son discover that they have something in common. Collection: Beautiful Things The Lost World of Tibet 2008 | 90min The BBC/BFI documentary exploring life in pre-invasion Tibet features a potent interview with the Dalai Lama. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La Louise 1969 | 50min A manipulative woman (Sarah Badel) uses her illness to live a life of luxury. Based on the story by W. Somerset Maugham. Collection: The Gentle Sex Love From A Stranger 1937 | 92min A lottery winner meets the man of her dreams (Basil Rathbone) – but does he have sinister motives? Based on a short story by Agatha Christie. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Love is the Devil: Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon 1998 | 87min Derek Jacobi and Daniel Craig star as artist Francis Bacon and his muse, George Dyer. Collection: Beautiful Things Wayward women, lonely soldiers and a visit to the V.D. clinic. Collection: The Joy of Sex Education Love on the Range It’s Horlicks to the rescue in this animated ad set in the Wild West. Collection: The Truth About Love Love on the Wing Banned Norman McLaren animation following the journey of a letter between two lovers. Collection: The Truth About Love Love on Wheels Wonderful toe-tapping musical comedy starring Jack Hulbert. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Love Story Love conquers all: Margaret Lockwood and Stewart Granger defy death on the Cornish coast. Collection: The Truth About Love Love Test Scheming chemists in laboratory love triangle shock! Collection: The Truth About Love Love Thy Neighbour The hugely popular – but deeply racist – ’70s sitcom starring Rudolph Walker and Nina Baden-Semper. Collection: Black Britain Groundbreaking British feature facing up to antisemitism in inter-war high society. Collection: Oy Britannia LSO — The Music Men 1965 | 59min Collection: The demands of life inside the London Symphony Orchestra with conductors Colin Davis and Istvan Kertesz. Visions of Change: The TV Documentary 1950s-60s L.S. Lowry, the Industrial Artist 1974 | 18min A look at the work and world of the artist who captured the industrial north. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Lump 1967 | 75min A Manchester student is politicised while working on a building site in Jim Allen’s highly-charged Wednesday Play. Collection: Tony Garnett: Seeing Red Luna 14-year-old Patsy Kensit stars in this wildly inventive futuristic kids’ series. Collection: The Kids Are Alright Lunch-Hour The Lure of Crooning Water 1920 | 105min Sun-dappled pastoral romance starring the golden couple of ’20s British cinema. Collection: Silent Britain Lusitania Day 1916 | 1min A march takes place in London on the first anniversary of the sinking of RMS Lusitania by a German U-boat. Collection: Save Our Souls: Disaster at Sea Lusitania: Murder on the Atlantic 2007 | 89min John Hannah stars in this docudrama about the sinking of RMS Lusitania, torpedoed during WWI. Collection: Save Our Souls: Disaster at Sea Lust for a Vampire Hammer horror with a Sapphic twist. Collection: Beautiful Things Lyon’s Grocers Shop, Market Weighton 1957 | 20min Who needs supermarkets? This East Yorkshire emporium stocks everything the 1950s family could need. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Machair Gaelic-language soap set in the Outer Hebrides. Collection: Soap Bubbles Machynlleth (in the Heart of Cambria) 1929 | 2min Gorgeous Pathécolor snapshot of the Powys market town. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Mackrell Personal Films 1934 | 36min Hunting and fishing are the order of the day in the colourful home movies of this Assam-based tea planter. Collection: Before Midnight Made in Huddersfield 1985 | 90min A look at the Second Wave of punk that hit the North of England in the 1980s. Collection: Anarchy in the UK Madeleine 1949 | 114min New restoration of David Lean’s true-crime drama set in Victorian Glasgow, with an intriguingly icy Ann Todd. Collection: The Gentle Sex A young James Fox stars in this lesser-known Ealing comedy set on Merseyside. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Magnificent Reproductions of the Great Yorkshire Show at Bradford 1901 | 13min Classes mingle in Mitchell & Kenyon’s multi-reel record of the annual agricultural event. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Magnus Family in India Home movie footage of the Magnus family. Collection: Before Midnight Maharajah of Jodhpur – Personal Films 1946 | 260min See India from a royal perspective with these home movie records of princely power and sumptuous ceremony. Collection: Before Midnight Mahatma Gandhi (Noa Khali March) 1947 | 18min Rarely seen footage of Gandhi filmed by his great nephew, Kanu. Collection: Before Midnight Groundbreaking TV play about a married transvestite coming to terms with his true identity. Collection: Beautiful Things The Maid of Cefn Ydfa: The Love Story of Ann Thomas 1914 | 40min Welsh romantic tragedy shot in and around Pontarddulais, made by William Haggar and Son. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Main Line Diesel The Derby Works proudly present Britain’s first diesel locomotive. Collection: Heartlands Maisie’s Marriage aka Married Love 1923 | 95min Based on Marie Stopes’ 1918 bestseller about sex and sexuality, Maisie learns the advantages of having a small family. Collection: The Joy of Sex Education Make Me A Tory Can a disillusioned Labour voter do the unthinkable and turn Tory? Collection: The Ballot Box Documentary examining the archetype of the Welsh ‘mam’. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen A Man and His Bottle 1908 | 6min The demon drink has dreadful consequences in this trick film. Collection: Roll Out the Barrel Man at Dover (Eye to Eye) 1957 | 29min Lyrical reflection on how England and the English appear to a refugee who has made Britain his adopted home. Collection: Visions of Change: The TV Documentary 1950s-60s A Man From the Sun 1956 | 58min One of the earliest TV dramas to explore the lives of newly-arrived West Indians in Britain. Collection: Black Britain The Man in the White Suit 1951 | 85min Ealing classic with naive inventor Alec Guinness up against British industry. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out The Man Who Changed His Mind 1936 | 63min Boris Karloff, in his first mad-scientist role, develops a machine that can exchange minds between bodies. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace The Man Without Desire Ivor Novello stars in this extraordinary psychosexual time-travelling drama. Collection: Silent Britain Residents of Manchester’s ‘Little Italy’ take part in the city’s annual Whit Walk. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Manchester Spiritualists Procession Exponents of Britain’s newest religion parade through Edwardian Manchester. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Manchester Street Scene A rare glimpse of early Edwardian Manchester when the horse-drawn tram still reigned supreme. Mandy Ealing’s powerful portrait of a family struggling to cope with their profoundly deaf daughter. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen Manfailure Women are to blame for all mining accidents in this grisly – and raunchy – safety video. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Manifesto for Love An exploration of the meaning of love – accompanied by Dusty Springfield. Collection: Beautiful Things Marcel Marceau’s A Christmas Carol 1973 | 40min Our favourite Victorian miser is brought to life by the legendary French mine artist. Collection: The Book Group Germ warfare threatens to ruin young Mary’s birthday party. Collection: Pandora’s Box Mary’s Lucky Day 1952 | 19min Extraordinary advert for Lux soap, showing how the lather makes a black Rhodesian woman’s skin look ‘whiter’. Collection: Cape to Cairo Master of the King’s Musik 1931 | 3min Elgar conducts Land of Hope and Glory. Collection: Hope and Glory Master Singers: Two Choirs and a Valley 1965 | 46min Sensitive documentary about a Welsh mining community. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Mastermind Four brave contestants face question-master Magnus Magnusson and the intimidating black chair. Collection: TV Heaven A Matter of Choice for Billy 1983 | 84min Ma’s death causes upheaval for the Martin clan in the middle part of Graham Reid’s ‘Billy’ trilogy. Collection: Play for Today A Matter of Life and Death 1946 | 104min Heavenly love – the Powell and Pressburger must-see classic. Collection: The Truth About Love May 33rd Guy Hibbert’s uncompromising TV drama about a woman with multiple personality disorder. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen May We Borrow Your Husband? 1986 | 102min Dirk Bogarde stars in his own adaptation of Graham Greene’s short story, as a writer drawn into the romantic entanglements of two couples at an Antibes hotel. Collection: Bogarde on the Box Mayfair Merry-Go-Round Katie Boyle sells affordable fashion to 50s women in this early magazine show. Collection: Brit Chic Mayor Entering His Carriage Near the Town Hall, Halifax 1902 | 3min A richly detailed snapshot of Edwardian street life from Mitchell & Kenyon. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Mayor Making The election and installation of Derby’s mayor in 1946. Collection: Heartlands Comedy with a conscience in which comedian Sydney Howard saves the slums. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace McLibel A David and Goliath tale of not-so-happy meals. Collection: Reality Bites The Michael Simpson 1973 | 31 min A medium causes upset at a North East social gathering in this rarely seen play. Collection: Gothic: Love is a Devil The Medium Exposed? Or, A Modern Spiritualistic Séance J.H. Martin 1906 | 6 min Faking the ability to contact the dead proves to be a big mistake for one Edwardian charlatan. Collection: Gothic: Love is a Devil Me! I’m Afraid of Virginia Woolf 1978 | 65min A day in the life of schoolteacher, from an unrequited crush on a male student to discussing lesbianism with Thora Hird. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Meantime Tim Roth and Gary Oldman star as troubled Londoners in Mike Leigh’s made-for-TV favourite. Collection: London Calling Meet of the Quorn Hounds at Kirby Gate 1912 | 3min The hunting pack prepare for the chase. Collection: Heartlands Meet the People 1977 | 75min Rarely-screened TV drama set in a Yorkshire pit village, directed by Ken Loach and written by Barry Hines. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Meet the Pioneers Lindsay Anderson’s debut demonstrates new technology in coal mines across the nation. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Memorial Service at St. Paul’s Cathedral to the Antarctic Heroes 1913 | 3min The nation says farewell to Captain Scott and his ill-fated companions. Collection: Into the White Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress 1944 | 40min William Wyler’s classic documentary following the 25th mission of the iconic aircraft, based at Bassingbourn, Cambridgeshire. Collection: Eastward Ho! Men Cycling Up a Country Lane 1910 | 2min “An adventure into the awe-inspiring guts of steelmaking…” Collection: This Working Life: Steel Men of Corby Rabbie Burns transplanted to the East Midlands. Collection: Heartlands Men of Steel 1932 | 71min A young steelworker rises to the company board in this drama partly filmed at a Middlesbrough steelworks. Collection: North by North East Men of Two Worlds 1946 | 109min An African music student returns home and has to defeat the witch doctor who dominates his tribe and take them to healthier land. Collection: Cape to Cairo Method Study in the Office 1958 | 23min A comic tribute to improved paper filing, made by the British Productivity Council. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out Metro-Land 1973 | 50min John Betjeman examines the culture and spirit of Metro-Land – the outer reaches of the Metropolitan Railway. Collection: London Calling Travelogue of Birmingham and Warwickshire with a ‘workshop of the world’ theme. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen. Midland Country 1974 | 20min Take a gentle tour of the East and West Midlands with this 1970s travelogue by British Transport Films. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen. Midlands News Day Go behind the scenes at ATV Midlands’ evening news programme. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen. The Mighty Leek Size most definitely matters at the World Open Leek Championship in Ashington, Northumberland. Collection: North by North East Mile End Purgatorio All the signs point to the Mile End Road. Collection: London Calling Ken Russell directs the annual colliery band contest at Bedlington. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Mining Review4th Year No. 11 1951 | 10min The race to save lives from the underground fire at Easington colliery. Collection: North by North East Mining Review 12th Year No. 10 1959 | 9min How coal contributes to the making of beer, and other tales from the pit. Collection: Roll Out the Barrel Mining Review 13th Year No. 4 1959 | 10min The acclaimed painting miners of Ashington, Northumberland feature in this edition of the mining cinemagazine. Collection: North by North East Mining Review 16th Year No 5 1963 | 10min County Durham is the focus for three of the four stories featured in this edition of the long-running cinemagazine. Collection: North by North East Mining Review 17th Year No 7 1964 | 11min Horse-drawn coal carts, female trainee engineers and a trip to Prague feature in this edition. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Mining Review 1st Year No.1 1947 | 10min Mining songs, cutting edge machinery and heated debates. The world’s longest-running cinemagazine starts here. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Mining Review 22nd Year No.5 1969 | 10min ‘Mining Review’ turns its attention to the women who work in the coal industry. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Mining Review 25th Year No 9 1972 | 10min Tom McGuinness, the celebrated mining painter from Durham, and the dangers of working underground are the focal points of this review. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Mining Review 7th Year No.12 1954 | 10min Ballet dancing miners and the crowning of the ‘Coal Queen’. Collection: Essentially British A day in the life of the ‘typical’ English family. Collection: Essentially British Mr Lloyd George at the National Welsh Eisteddfod Ceremony at Caernarfon, 1921 1921 | 1min The Prime Minister pays his annual visit to the Eisteddfod celebrations. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Mr. Mensah Builds a House 1955 | 36min Breezy comedy set around a government housing scheme in the Gold Coast. Collection: Cape to Cairo The Mrs Merton Show 1995 | 30min Spoof chatshow with Caroline Aherne: just what first attracted Debbie McGee to the millionaire Paul Daniels? Collection: Funny Girls Mrs Williamson’s Tibetan Films – Part 1 1930 | 90min Vivid homes movies of life in Tibet made by the Political Officer. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La Mrs Williamson’s Tibetan Films – Part 2 1930 | 83min Life in Tibet – look out for the somewhat surprising egg-and-spoon race… Collection: The Search for Shangri-La Mrs Williamson’s Tibetan Films – Part 3 1930 | 89min Home movie scenes in Lhasa, Tibet – as well as further afield in India and Bhutan. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La Mrs Williamson’s Tibetan Films – Part 4 1930 | 22min Home movie footage of life in Tibetan monasteries. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La Mrs Worth Goes to Westminster 1949 | 21min An intriguing attempt by the steel industry to win women over to the anti-nationalisation cause. Collection: This Working Life: Steel Mrs. Mopp Entertains Wartime washing tips from Persil, starring popular radio character Mrs. Mopp. Collection: Funny Girls 30s romcom starring Polish tenor Jan Kiepura. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Y Mynydd Grug (Heather Mountain) 1997 | 88min A year in the life of an 8-year-old girl living in a close-knit community in Caernarfonshire. Based on the stories by Kate Roberts. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen The Mystery of Marriage 1932 | 32min A comparison of the mating rituals of humans, animals and plants unlocks the secrets of marriage. Collection: The Joy of Sex Education N or NW Letter-writing lovers in North London postcode palaver. Collection: The Truth About Love Naked – As Nature Intended* Gratuitous nudity masquerading as a South West travelogue. Collection: Essentially British The white residents of a Leeds suburb express their thoughts on their new black neighbours. Collection: Reality Bites Neil Kinnock (Labour Party Election Broadcast) 1987 | 10min The Labour leader’s (in)famous campaigning film, dubbed ‘Kinnock: The Movie’. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Nervous Energy 1995 | 105min A young Glaswegian man with AIDS returns to visit his family and friends, but when things do not go as planned his lover comes to patch things up. Collection: Beautiful Things Never Mind the Quality, Feel the Width 1968 | 30min Can an East End Jew and an Irish Catholic run a business together? Festive edition of the popular culture clash comedy. Collection: Oy Britannia Never on a Sunday 1996 | 60min Will the ban on alcohol in Dwyfor – the last place in Britain where you can’t legally get a drink on a Sunday – be overturned? Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen New Architecture at the London Zoo 1937 | 15min Penguins get the VIP treatment in this artistic look at the Zoo’s visionary ’30s revamp. Collection: London Calling New Captain Scarlet 2005 | 44min ‘Episode 1: ‘Instrument of Destruction’. The Spectrum agents are back in this CGI reboot of Gerry Anderson’s classic series. Collection: Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder A New Era 1973 | 27min A lesson in ‘how not to do it’: the run-up to a strike in a fictitious and fractious company. Collection: We Can Work It Out New London County Hall Icon or eyesore? George V opens the still controversial landmark. Collection: Beautiful South New Orleans Jazz Club in Newcastle 1970 | 8min Hang with the cool cats in Tyneside’s legendary jazz club. Collection: North by North East New Styles of Architecture Alan Bennett surveys the architectural landscape of post-WWI Britain. Collection: The Promised Land The Night Has Eyes 1942 | 76min James Mason stars as a reclusive composer holed up on the Yorkshire Moors in this eccentric thriller. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen A Night Like This Aldwych farce with extravagant musical numbers. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Night Mail London to Scotland by train in the company of Benjamin Britten and W. H. Auden. Collection: Reality Bites Nightmare: The Birth of Horror 1996-97 | 200min Sir Christopher Frayling presents a 4-part series examining Britain’s most iconic gothic novels. NB Three remaining parts added to previously available episode on Dracula — replace existing record. Collection: Gothic: Monstrous There’s trouble at the coalface in Peter Pickering’s satirical, semi-improvised farce. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out Noddy Goes to School Richard Briers narrates a softened version of Enid Blyton’s toyland tale. Collection: Toyland Tales and Happy Endings Noddy in Toyland Computer animation brings Blyton’s most popular creation up to date. Collection: Toyland Tales and Happy Endings North London Liberal Jewish Group 1956 | 16min Fabulous home movie footage of the annual competition between the Finchley and Ealing teams of the North London Liberal Jewish Group. Collection: Oy Britannia North Sea Fisheries, North Shields 1901 | 1min Fish-gutting and staged fights on the North East coast. Collection: North by North East The North West Frontier 1959 | 129min Adventure yarn starring Kenneth More as a plucky Brit sent to rescue a Hindu Prince from certain death in British India. Collection: Before Midnight A tribute to Ryan Davies, one of Wales’ most popular entertainers. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Noson Lawen 1950 | 27min Homespun evening of entertainment to celebrate the harvest, with singing, dancing and a timely lesson in thrift from National Savings, the film’s sponsor. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Not Just Tea and Sandwiches 1984 | 12min Miners’ wives speak out in one of the campaigning videotapes made in support of their striking husbands. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Noted Eel and Pie Houses 1975 | 45min Fascinating social history of that great London delicacy – the jellied eel. Collection: London Calling Now That It’s Morning 1992 | 11min Neil Bartlett’s provocatively romantic tale of the love between a 45-year-old man and a 15-year-old schoolboy. Collection: Beautiful Things Now You’re Talking 1940 | 12min Blabber-mouthed van driver Alf puts more than lives at risk in this cautionary tale on a ‘careless talk’ theme. Collection: Ealing Studios: Propaganda Shorts Nude Woman By Waterfall A woman poses – in and out of her diaphanous shift. Collection: Pandora’s Box Number 13 2006 | 40min Greg Wise wishes there had been no room at the inn as things go bump in the night… Collection: A Ghost Story for Christmas Nursery Island The birdlife of the Farne Islands takes centre stage in Mary Field’s delightful documentary. Collection: North by North East Nuts in May 1976 | 85min A new age couple try to get back to nature – but does nature want them back? Collection: Essentially British Early karaoke from the Odeon National Cinema Club. Sing along with the bouncing ball… Collection: Pandora’s Box Of Time and the City 2008 | 74min Terence Davies’ gorgeous film-poem about his native Liverpool. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West The Office David Brent, Slough’s favourite son, entertains the nation. Collection: Essentially British The Official Film of the Railway Centenary 1925 | 17min The future George VI and Queen Elizabeth celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Line. Collection: North by North East Often During the Day 1978 | 16min The notion that ‘the woman belongs in the kitchen’ gets a grilling in Jo Davis’ film. Collection: British Islands The first play broadcast by HTV – a shocking drama starring Ian Holm as an alcoholic. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen On a Cold and Frosty Morning 1969 | 17min The activities of the Indian charity, Raphael. Collection: n/a On Call to a Nation 1958 | 72min Well-regarded BBC documentary made to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the NHS. Collection: Visions of Change: The TV Documentary 1950s-60s One in Every 100 Affecting exposé showing the contrasting care of children with learning difficulties in England and Canada. Collection: Visions of Change: The TV Documentary 1950s-60s On Giant’s Shoulders 1979 | 91min Judi Dench stars in this Cambridgeshire-based dramatisation of the life of Terry Wiles, one of the babies affected by the thalidomide drug. Collection: Eastward Ho! On Ilkla’ Moor Baht At 1921 | 14min The Yorkshire Dales – from Ilkley to Hubberholme. Collection: Essentially British Onion Johnnie (Eye to Eye) 1957 | 30min Meet the Breton onion sellers as they travel through Britain selling their wares. Collection: Visions of Change: The TV Documentary 1950s-60s On Show: Strictly Male Voice 2006 | 30min The story of the record-breaking Fron Male Voice Choir. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen On the Black Hill Adaptation of Bruce Chatwin’s tale of twin brothers battling the elements – and each other. Collection: Essentially British Ronnie Barker stars as crotchety Yorkshire shopkeeper Arkwright in the sitcom’s first episode. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen The Open Road An epic trip across Britain filmed in remarkable early colour. Collection: Essentially British Opening of British Instructional Film Studio 1928 | 4min VIPs brave the mud to attend the opening ceremony of a new film studio at Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. Collection: Eastward Ho! Opening of Ossett Town Hall 1908 | 5min Edwardian residents of the West Yorkshire market town turn out to celebrate a grand opening. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen The Opening of the New Benton Bank Tram Route 1913 | 5min Local film of the launch of a brand new tram route in Benton, Newcastle upon Tyne. Collection: North by North East Opening of the New Lambeth Bridge 1932 | 3min The opening of Lambeth Bridge by George V in July 1932. Collection: Beautiful South Author Anthony Burgess talks about the significance of Orwell’s ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’. Collection: The Book Group Othello 1956 | 120min The first televised production of Shakespeare’s play to feature a black actor in the lead role. Collection: Black Britain The Other Woman 1976 | 70min An activist lesbian artist embarks on an affair with a young woman, with dramatic repercussions for all concerned. Collection: Beautiful Things The Otter [aka An Otter Study] 1912 | 8min Marvel at an otter from before WWI in this early nature film. Collection: Box of Delights Our Friends in the North 1996 | 75min The first episode of Peter Flannery’s epic portrait of four Newcastle friends, spanning the 1960s to the 1990s. Collection: North by North East Our Friends the Police A policeman’s lot can be a happy one, after all. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Our Mutual Friend (Part 1) 1976 | 50min One-time ‘Artful Dodger’ Jack Wild stars in the first of a 13-part version of Dickens’ last completed novel. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen Out and About A vibrant colour record of the 1974 Leeds West Indian Carnival. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Out of the Darkness 1985 | 68min Three children in the Derbyshire village of Eyam are haunted by the ghosts of the 1665 plague. Collection: Heartlands A growth experiment goes horribly wrong in this macabre minute of black comedy. Collection: Pandora’s Box The Owl Service 1969 | 25min A Welsh myth threatens to possess three teenagers holidaying in a rural North Wales valley in this controversial adaptation of Alan Garner’s novel. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Oyster Fishing at Whitstable, England 1920 | 6min The harvest and consumption of everyone’s favourite bivalve. Collection: Pandora’s Box P.D. James (South Bank Show) 2006 | 45min Murder she wrote – the crime writer in conversation. Collection: Farewell South Bank Show Pacemakers: Biba Drop in on a photoshoot at the iconic Kensington fashion emporium. Collection: Brit Chic An edition of the BBC’s enduring current affairs flagship reporting on the Vietnam war. Collection: TV Heaven Panoramic View of the Morecambe Seafront 1901 | 7min Crystal-clear views of town, sands, sea, tourists and locals at the Lancashire resort. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Papworth Hall, Cambridge Royalty visits the Cambridgeshire settlement in this silent film compilation. Collection: Eastward Ho! Parkgate Iron and Steel Co. 1901 | 2min Probably the first appearance of the abusive ‘V’ sign in British film history. Collection: This Working Life: Steel Parkinson: Orson Welles Legendary actor, writer and director Orson Welles is interviewed by Michael Parkinson. Collection: TV Heaven Diana Dors stars in this stern exposé of the white slave trade. Collection: The Truth About Love Pattern for Progress 1948 | 47min Early documentary from John Krish touring an Ebbw Vale steelworks, with animation from Halas and Batchelor. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Paul Merton Looks at Alfred Hitchcock 2009 | 60min A fresh take on Hitchcock’s filmmaking career and style, stressing the importance of his work in Britain. Collection: Looking for Alfred Pauline’s Quirkes 1976 | 25min Controversial – and banned – sketch show for kids featuring the future star of ‘Birds of a Feather’. Collection: The Kids Are Alright Payroll 1961 | 105min The best laid plans of a gang of crooks go horribly wrong in this Tyneside-set thriller. Collection: North by North East Peace and Plenty Savage polemic against the National government in Britain. Collection: The Ballot Box The Peaches 1964 | 15min A very beautiful, very clever girl adores peaches, but when she falls in love the world’s peaches start to wither… Collection: Pandora’s Box English pagan myths and burgeoning sexuality in the Malverns. Collection: Play for Today The People at No.19 1949 | 18min Ministry of Health film highlighting the menace of venereal disease and its impact on the health of the nation. Collection: The Joy of Sex Education People Like Us 1983 | 23min Recruitment film for psychiatric nurses, produced at a time when standards of mental health care were in the firing line. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen People, Productivity and Change 1963 | 44min Workers and trade union officials voice their concerns about changes designed to increase productivity in the workplace. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out The Perfect Home A frustrated Alain de Botton leaves Britain in search of architectural inspiration. Collection: The Promised Land Permission to Love 1999 | 30min Two couples with learning disabilities feel they are ready for a sexual relationship, but their parents have other ideas. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen Peter Ackroyd’s London 2004 | 48min How has London survived over the centuries? 3-part series from the great chronicler of the capital. Collection: London Calling Two ‘black sheep’ form an unusual and enduring bond in the Black Mountains. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Petticoat Lane Sunday morning in the East End market. Collection: London Calling Phantom Light, The 1935 | 75min A series of mysterious deaths in a Welsh lighthouse lead locals to believe it is haunted in this early work from Michael Powell. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Philip and His Seven Wives 2005 | 75min Marc Isaacs’ portrait of an unconventional family – lead by a former messianic rabbi who believes he is a Hebrew king. Collection: Oy Britannia Philip Treacy: A collaboration with Alexander McQueen for Givenchy 1997 | 30min The master milliner teams up with the provocative young maverick of British fashion. Collection: Brit Chic All aboard the North York Moors Railway for a nostalgic journey from Pickering to Grosmont. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Pickwick Papers Spirited 1950s feature adaptation of Dickens’ first novel. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen The Pickwick Papers 1913 | 15min American comedian John Bunny stars in the surviving parts of this 1913 Dickens adaptation filmed in Kent. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen Picturesque North Wales A series of views of the castles, landscapes and people of North Wales. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen A Piece of Cake 1948 | 44min Husband and wife duo Cyril Fletcher and Betty Astell write and star in a madcap tale of magic and mayhem. Collection: Funny Girls Blocks of flats offer a new future for 1930s working class families. Collection: The Promised Land Platt’s New Works, Werneth, Oldham 1900 | 2min A visually striking film of staff exiting a turn-of-the-century Lancashire machine factory. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Play School Innovative ‘education through play’ in a programme which also helped BBC2 trial early colour broadcasts. Collection: The Kids Are Alright The Pleasure Garden 1952 | 38min There’s magic in the ruins of Crystal Palace – and Hattie Jacques is the fairy queen! Collection: London Calling The Pleasure Girls 1965 | 88min Three beautiful girls enjoy the pleasures of London in the Swinging 60s and befriend their gay lodger. Collection: Beautiful Things Pobol y Chyff 1990 | 25min Rhys Ifans and Meirion Davies star as hapless Welsh learners in this hugely popular comedy series. Chuffin’ great! Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Pobol y Cwm Christmas edition of the Welsh-language soap from its first year of broadcast. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Pobol y Cwm 1994 | 20min A particularly eventful day for the residents of Cwmderi, the fictional village in the BBC’s longest running soap. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Polish Your Shoes The life of a Cockney patriarch is remembered by his children. Collection: London Calling Crime drama set in London’s Docklands. Collection: London Calling Poor Cow 1967 | 98min Terence Stamp and Carol White star in Ken Loach’s cinematic debut, about a young woman involved with two criminals. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Porridge An episode of the classic prison sitcom starring Ronnie Barker. Collection: TV Heaven Port of London’s Aquatic Sports 1925 | 1min The intrepid Topical Budget newsreel scales the diving board to capture a Port of London Authority sports day at Rotherhithe. Collection: Beautiful South Portrait of a Goon (Monitor) 1959 | 14min A day in the life of Spike Milligan, as imagined by Ken Russell. Collection: Ken Russell on TV Portrait of a Miner The working day, ambitions and hopes of a Nottinghamshire coalminer. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Portrait of a School Life in a London secondary modern school. Collection: Reality Bites Sleazy sexploitation – from Soho strippers to Jack the Ripper. Collection: London Calling Prince of Wales as Miner 1918 | 1min Prince Edward, later Edward VIII, visits a Rhondda coal mine and the Cardiff Docks. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen The Princess and the Pendant 2007 | 9min Charming animation in the style of Lotte Reiniger, made by the pupils of Hartside Primary School, Durham. Collection: North by North East Printer’s Ink 1962 | 32min Hold the front page! The production of a West Yorkshire newspaper from news gathering to distribution. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Prisoner The very first episode of the most cultish of 60s TV dramas. Collection: TV Heaven The Private Dirk Bogarde 2001 | 135min Interviews with family, friends and collaborators and previously unseen archive footage illuminate this groundbreaking two-part profile. Collection: Bogarde on the Box A Private Enterprise The first British Asian feature, about a would-be entrepreneur in Birmingham. Collection: Cinema of Tomorrow A Private Function 1984 | 94min Alan Bennett’s Yorkshire-based comedy set in times of rationing, starring Michael Palin and Maggie Smith. Collection: Funny Girls The Private Life of Henry VIII 1933 | 96min Charles Laughton on Oscar-winning form as the much-married monarch. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace The Private Life of the Gannets 1934 | 14min Oscar-winning portrait of the seabirds of the Pembrokeshire coast. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Private Lives Penelope Keith stars in Noël Coward’s comedy of marital errors. Collection: Funny Girls Never mind the bollocks, here’s the story of the Sex Pistols. Collection: Anarchy in the UK Punk Can Take It A punk parody of wartime propaganda featuring the UK Subs. Collection: Anarchy in the UK Punk Rock (London Weekend Show) 1976 | 30min Janet Street-Porter meets The Sex Pistols. Collection: Anarchy in the UK Purely Belter 2000 | 99min Alan Shearer features in a cameo in this winning film about two lads scraping money together for Newcastle season tickets. Collection: North by North East Pwllheli Carnival Join the floats, brass bands and marching leeks in the Pwllheli carnival parade. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Q Planes Rip-roaring flag-waver starring Ralph Richardson and Laurence Olivier. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace A Quaint Little Railway All aboard the little milk train, carrying its cargo through the Manifold Valley. Collection: Essentially British The reigning monarch pays a visit to Yorkshire during her Diamond Jubilee year. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee 1897 | 14min Celebrations of Queen Victoria’s sixtieth year on the throne. Collection: London Calling The Queen’s Christmas Day Broadcast 1957 1957 | 14min 50 years of change and continuity reflected in the very first televised Queen’s Speech. Collection: Pandora’s Box Queenie’s Castle 1970 | 27min Comedy starring Diana Dors as the head of an unruly family on a Leeds housing estate. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Queer As Folk 1999 | 50min The opening episode of the trailblazing drama that follows the lives of three gay men in Manchester. Collection: Beautiful Things The first-ever episode of the colourful series aimed at younger children. Collection: TV Heaven Raining Stones 1993 | 87min An unemployed man tries desperately to raise funds for his daughter’s communion dress in Ken Loach’s moving Manchester-set drama. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Rainy Day Women Wartime tensions in a remote English village. Collection: Play for Today Rali Senedd I gymru, Machynlleth 1949 1949 | 7min Plaid Cymru rally from 1949. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen The Rank and File 1971 | 78min The effect of a glass factory strike on the local community is explored in Ken Loach’s drama-documentary, filmed in Stoke-on-Trent. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Raphael 1987 | 21min This film about the Indian charity features a focus on Ava Vihar, the residential centre for people with learning disabilities. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen Raspberry Ripple 1988 | 81min A wheelchair user plots a robbery in Rupert Haselden’s comedy staring Faye Dunaway, John Gordon-Sinclair and Nabil Shaban. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen Ratcatcher Lynne Ramsay’s first feature, a harrowing, beautiful tale of adolescence set in 1970s Glasgow. Collection: Scottish Reels Three films by a South Yorkshire filmmaker who captured 1940s village life with artistic flair. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Reach For the Sky Kenneth More plays real-life fighter pilot and double amputee Douglas Bader in this 50s favourite. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen The Real Amy Johnson TV documentary re-examining Johnson’s life and the legends inspired by her untimely death. Collection: Amy Johnson: Queen of the Skies A Real Day Out aka Bakewell Show 1929 | 2min Prize bulls and horsemanship at the agricultural and military show in Bakewell. Collection: Heartlands The Real George Orwell (South Bank Show) 2003 | 52min D.J. Taylor traces the early years of George Orwell, their influence on his later outlook and the writing of his final novel: ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’. Collection: The Book Group Can architects learn lessons from the mistakes made during Birmingham’s 1960s redevelopment? Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen. Record of the Opening of the Preston and Lancaster Motorways 1959 | 12min What Lancashire has today, other parts of the country will have tomorrow: the arrival of the motorway. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West The Red and the Blue 1983 | 80min Ken Loach contrasts the 1982 Labour and Conservative party conferences, seen through the eyes of six delegates. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Red Ensign A visionary shipbuilder strives to rescue the British shipping industry in Michael Powell’s film. Collection: This Working Life: Tales From the Shipyard Red Road 2006 | 110min Glasgow’s condemned Red Road estate is the ominous setting for Andrea Arnold’s gripping debut feature. Collection: Scottish Reels Nye Bevan appears in this sincere protest against the Depression’s effects in the Rhondda. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Rhyl The Prince and Princess of Wales open Rhyl’s Royal Alexandra Hospital in 1903. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Rich and Strange A marriage hits the rocks during a world cruise in this Hitchcock curio. Collection: The Truth About Love Richard Dimbleby: The Voice of the Nation 1990 | 60min A review of the life and career of the remarkable broadcaster and journalist. Collection: TV Heaven Richard is My Boyfriend 2007 | 62min A young woman with learning difficulties has a sexual relationship with her boyfriend, who has Downs Syndrome. What will the neighbours say? Collection: n/a Riff-Raff 1991 | 96min Robert Carlyle stars in Ken Loach’s raucous tale of camaraderie on a London building site. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective The Right Spirit Propaganda cartoon promoting the Conservative Party. Collection: The Ballot Box The design and construction of one of Birmingham’s inner ring roads. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen. The Rise and Fall of Nellie Brown 1964 | 80min Elisabeth Welch and Jamaican teen-singer Millie star in this festive twist on ‘The Wizard of Oz’. Collection: Black Britain Rising Damp (Pilot Ep) 1974 | 25min Pilot episode for the sitcom about a self-styled ‘aristocrat of bedsit land’ and his unfortunate tenants. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Rita, Sue and Bob Too 1986 | 90min Provocative 80s comedy about two teenage girls from a Bradford housing estate and their affair with a married man. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen River Folk (Songs of the Organ) 1944 | 10min Let the organist at Hounslow’s Ambassador Cinema take you on a musical journey down the river. Collection: Pandora’s Box Animated moral fable designed to keep the British public on the ‘straight and narrow’. Collection: The Joy of Sex Education The Robbers and the Jew 1908 | 5min Cruel, anti-Semitic comedy – one of the earliest representations of a Jew on film. Collection: Oy Britannia Robin Redbreast 1970 | 75min A woman visits her holiday home in the country, but begins to suspect the villagers may be planning a human sacrifice. Collection: Play for Today Robinson in Space 1997 | 82min Seven trips across industrial England in search of Utopia… Patrick Keiller’s sequel to his hugely successful London. Collection: Essentially British Rock Goes to College (The Stranglers) 1978 | 30min Well, what a bummer – The Stranglers are unimpressed by their student-heavy audience. Collection: Anarchy in the UK Rocket Site Story 1958 | 20min Residents of Norfolk descend upon North Pickenham near Swaffham to protest the construction of a missile base. Collection: Eastward Ho! Early film footage of Admiralty Pier, Dover. Collection: British Islands Rough Trade (South Bank Show) 1979 | 60min The story of Rough Trade, the iconic punk music store at 130 Talbot Road. Collection: Anarchy in the UK Round the Clock The story of the Giant Cream Cracker, or how biscuits are baked in Crumpsall. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West The Royal First episode of the ‘Heartbeat’ spin-off set in a Yorkshire hospital in the 1960s. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen The Royal Family A year in the life of the royal family. Collection: Reality Bites The Royal Festival Hall, 1951 1966 | 25min The design and construction of the arresting London landmark. Collection: Beautiful South Royal School for the Deaf 1934 | 15min Pupils and staff enjoy sports day and a trip to Skegness. Collection: Heartlands Royal Visit to Bangor 1902 | 3min The Prince and Princess of Wales go on a day trip to Bangor. / Tywysog a Thywysoges Cymru’n mynd ar daith undydd i Fangor. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Royal Visit to Barrow and Launch of HMS Dominion 1903 | 5min An Edwardian battleship takes its first plunge. Collection: This Working Life: Tales From the Shipyard Royal Visit to Sheffield A young Queen Elizabeth II receives a rapturous reception in the ‘City of Steel’. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen The Royle Family Innovative offbeat fly-on-the-wall comedy set in a Manchester council house. Collection: TV Heaven The Rugged Island: A Shetland Lyric 1933 | 54min The story of a young couple torn between the choice of emigration to Australia or remaining to work their croft in Shetland. Collection: Scottish Reels What is the future for a county that only has one set of traffic lights? Collection: Heartlands South of Watford 1985 | 33 min Ben Elton meets 80s London’s most in-demand party planners, including the infamous Vicki de Lambray. Collection: Beautiful Things S.O.S. Titanic 1979 | 98min Look out for Helen Mirren as a plucky stewardess in this rarely seen feature, originally made for US television. Collection: Save Our Souls: Disaster at Sea S.S. Olympic The building and launch of the Titanic’s sister ship in Belfast. Collection: This Working Life: Tales From the Shipyard S.W.A.L.K. aka Melody 1970 | 107min Mark Lester and Jack Wild star in a tale of young love at a Lambeth comprehensive. Collection: Box of Delights Profile of the Somali community in Cardiff. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Saloon Bar Gordon Harker plays an amateur sleuth from his base in a London pub. Collection: Roll Out the Barrel Saltburn-by-the-Sea Centenary 1861 – 1961 Seaside views on the town’s 100th Anniversary. Collection: North by North East Salvage with a Smile 1940 | 6min Ealing’s appeal for the conservation of household waste products as part of the war effort. Collection: Ealing Studios: Propaganda Shorts Sam Goes Shopping 1939 | 6min There’s a fleeting appearance from a very young Terry-Thomas in this advert for the Co-op’s wares. Collection: Pandora’s Box A South Asian teenager seeks to break free from family traditions and constraints. Collection: Heartlands Saturday Morning Out – Halifax etc. [1951-1965] 1951 | 20min A hairdressing competition is among the events caught in these short films by the Halifax Cine Club. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Saturday Shopping A brow-beaten husband causes havoc on a trip into town. Collection: Pandora’s Box Save the Children Fund Film 1971 | 50min Ken Loach’s documentary for the charity, filmed in the UK and Africa and unseen for more than four decades. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Save Your Shillings and Smile 1943 | 7min Wartime favourite Tommy Trinder stars in this musical short to promote War Savings Bonds. Collection: Ealing Studios: Propaganda Shorts Say It With Flowers Cockney musical featuring a a flower seller and Old Kent Road music hall. Collection: London Calling Proposed pit closures provoke different responses among the inhabitants of a Durham town. Collection: North by North East Scarborough 1927-1938 The North Yorkshire resort captured in the heyday of the British seaside holiday. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Scarlet Woman Catholic fantasy starring Evelyn Waugh in an Andy Warhol fright wig. Collection: Pandora’s Box Scenes at Piccadilly Circus and Hyde Park Corner Underground Stations 1931 | 7min Magical, slightly surreal record of the London Underground. Collection: London Calling Scenes from a Suffragette Demonstration at Newcastle 1909 | 1min Supporters of the Women’s Social and Political Union campaign in the North East. Collection: North by North East Scenes in Ceylon aka Native Life in Ceylon 1909 | 8min Street scenes, elephants and ‘native magic’. Collection: Before Midnight Ken Russell documentary about the painters known as ‘the two Roberts’, MacBryde and Colquhoun. Collection: Ken Russell on TV Scrooge The definitive Scrooge? See Alastair Sim’s bravura performance and judge for yourself. Collection: The Book Group Scrooge 1913 | 30min Seymour Hicks recreates a role he played thousands of times on stage for this 1913 screen version. Collection: The Book Group Scrooge; or, Marley’s Ghost 1901 | 4min The earliest surviving Dickens adaptation: A Christmas Carol, condensed into 4 minutes. Collection: Pandora’s Box Scrubbers 1982 | 89min A young lesbian engineers her arrest to be nearer her borstal inmate lover. From the writer of ‘Scum’. Collection: Beautiful Things Scully’s New Year’s Eve 1978 | 75min Alan Bleasdale’s Scouse tearaway makes his debut. Collection: Play for Today Ray Winstone and David Threlfall star in this famously banned Borstal drama. Collection: Play for Today Sea Fort 1940 | 6min Ealing’s propaganda short offers a snapshot of life on the front line of coastal defence during WWII. Collection: Ealing Studios: Propaganda Shorts Seachd: The Inaccessible Pinnacle 2007 | 88min The first Scottish Gaelic feature film follows a young man’s quest for the truth behind the death of his parents. Collection: Scottish Reels Seacoal 1985 | 82min The men and women who eke a living from collecting ‘seacoal’ on the Northumberland coast find their way of life under threat. Collection: Essentially British Stunning, Oscar-winning doc celebrating Scotland’s shipping industry. Collection: This Working Life: Tales From the Shipyard The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister 2010 | 90min Maxine Peake stars as the real-life 19th century Yorkshire landowner and rediscovered feminist icon. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Secret Lives: Enid Blyton The darker side of the bestselling children’s author. Collection: Toyland Tales and Happy Endings The Secret of Stamboul A young James Mason uncovers a sinister plot in Turkey. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace The Secret of the Loch 1934 | 73min Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace The Selling of Noddy The first episode of the irreverent comedy series set on a Manchester housing estate. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Share Thy Bread The early years of the charity Raphael as described by founder Leonard Cheshire. Collection: n/a Sheffield Spartan Swimmers 1933 | 16min A hardy band of friends brave all weathers to enjoy their local outdoor pool in this light-hearted amateur film. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Shelagh Delaney’s Salford (Monitor) 1960 | 15min Ken Russell travels to Salford to interview one of its most celebrated residents, not yet 21 but with two plays already produced. Collection: Ken Russell on TV Shellshock Rock Punk goes to Northern Ireland. Collection: Anarchy in the UK Sherlock Conan Doyle’s peerless detective genius is given a bold reboot for the 21st century. Collection: TV Heaven Two children nurse a feline patient. Collection: Pandora’s Box The Sidney Street Siege aka The Great East End Anarchist Battle 1911 | 4min Documentary footage of the 1911 Siege of Sidney Street. Collection: London Calling Sidney Turtlebaum 2008 | 19min Sir Derek Jacobi plays an eccentric gay Jewish man with an unsavoury interest in funerals in this award-winning short. Collection: Oy Britannia Sidney’s Chair 1995 | 21min The arrival of film star Sidney Poitier in East London is a momentous event for a young boy and his friends. Collection: Black Britain The Signalman 1976 | 40min Denholm Elliot struggles with a chilling premonition on an isolated railway line in Andrew Davies’ adaptation of a short story by Dickens. Collection: A Ghost Story for Christmas The Silence 2010 | 229min Deaf teenager Amelia’s life is turned upside down after she witnesses a murder in this four-part thriller. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen Silent Britain Start reclaiming your silent film heritage with a look at Matthew Sweet’s ground-breaking documentary. Collection: Silent Britain A learning disabled man unwittingly poisons children in this affecting south London-set drama. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen Silent Scream 1990 | 85min The true story of Larry Winters, prisoner and poet – a convicted murderer with an IQ of 165. Collection: Cinema of Tomorrow The Silent Village 1943 | 36min A Welsh mining community is used to dramatise the lives of a Czech village under Nazi occupation. Directed by Humphrey Jennings. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Silver Blades Ice Skating Vibrant colour footage of Silver Blades, Streatham – ‘the most luxurious ice rink in the world’. Collection: Beautiful South The Silver Sword 1958 | 30min Superb adaptation of Ian Serraillier’s wartime adventure story, starring a young Frazer Hines and Melvyn Hayes. Collection: The Kids Are Alright Simba Love story set amidst the Mau Mau’s uprisings in Kenya, starring Dirk Bogarde. Collection: Cape to Cairo Vibrant animated vehicle for a rather unsavoury message from the War Office. Collection: The Joy of Sex Education Sixth Happiness The sexual awakening of a young Indian man born with brittle bones. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen Size M ‘Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe’ goes underground. Collection: Pandora’s Box The Sky’s the Limit 1945 | 13min John Mills heads up a stirring recreation of a bombing raid in Ealing’s ‘Wings for Victory’ campaign film. Collection: Ealing Studios: Propaganda Shorts Slavery Business: Breaking the Chains 2005 | 60min William Wilberforce and the rise of the abolition movement. Collection: Exodus: Remembering Slavery sleep furiously 2009 | 94min Gideon Koppel’s bittersweet ode to the farming community of Trefeurig, with music by Aphex Twin. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Sling Your Hook A rowdy troupe of Nottingham miners spend a life-changing weekend in Blackpool. Collection: Heartlands The Small Back Room 1949 | 103min A bomb disposal expert, suffering from depression and alcoholism after losing a leg, is called back to frontline duty. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen The Small World of Sammy Lee 1962 | 107min Taut, under-seen crime drama set in the seedy Soho underworld. Collection: London Calling The Smallest Car in the Largest City in the World 1913 | 6min A cute baby Cadillac completes a victory lap of Trafalgar Square and dodges the city’s omnibuses. Collection: London Calling Residents of Berwick compete with local dignitaries for the attention of the filmmaker. Collection: North by North East Snow Poetic portrait of running the railways through a perilous British winter. Collection: Reality Bites The Snowman 1982 | 26min David Bowie introduces the Oscar-nominated animation, a staple of festive TV schedules since the early 80s. Collection: Santa’s Grotto So Clever are the German Spies in their Disguises that Even Nuns Have to Have Their Passports Examined 1915 | 1min Nuns at bayonet point… almost. Collection: Pandora’s Box So Haunt Me 1992 | 30min Miriam Karlin stars as ghostly grandmother Yetta Feldman in the first episode of this BBC sitcom. Collection: Oy Britannia Tony Wilson presents live performances from The Stranglers, The Sex Pistols and The Clash. Collection: Anarchy in the UK So that You Can Live 1982 | 83min Reflective film following a union activist and her family in Treforest, South Wales. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Socialist Labour Party Election Broadcast 1997 | 5min Ken Loach directs the first broadcast by the newly formed SLP. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Soho Square Painterly portrait of the sights and sounds of the crowded London square. Collection: London Calling Soho Stories 1996 | 460min All 12 episodes of the superior BBC TV ‘docusoap’ about life in London’s bohemian enclave. Collection: London Calling Road movie or acid trip? Collection: Pandora’s Box Solomon and Gaenor 1999 | 99min Oscar-nominated tale of love across the cultural divide in early 20th century Wales, starring Ioan Gruffudd. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Some Activities of the Bermondsey Borough Council 1931 | 25min A forward-thinking London borough council records its good deeds for posterity. Collection: London Calling Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em 1978 | 35min Comic misadventures of the unfortunate Frank Spencer. Collection: TV Heaven Some of My Friends Are…Jewish 2003 | 30min Anita Land investigates what it means to be Jewish, interviewing a rabbi and an edgy stand-up comedian. Collection: Oy Britannia The psychological journey of three friends from a children’s home. Collection: Cinema of Tomorrow John Harlow 1941 | 82 min A bereaved young man falls under the influence of a group of Spiritualists. Collection: Gothic: Love is a Devil Spend Spend Spend The rags to riches to rags story of Britain’s most famous pools winner. Collection: Play for Today Spender 1991 | 55min It’s Jimmy Nail vs the criminal underworld, as a jaded detective returns to his native Newcastle. Collection: North by North East Spirit of Albion New Age Travellers, Britain’s very own nomads, attempt to preserve their way of life. Collection: Essentially British A triumphant steel industry showcase featuring dazzling Technicolor photography by Jack Cardiff. Collection: This Working Life: Steel Steel for the Seventies Steelmaking enters a bold new era at the Port Talbot plant in South Wales. Collection: This Working Life: Steel Steel Goes to Sea “Hitler is a B******” – Shipbuilding at the height of WWII. Collection: This Working Life: Tales From the Shipyard Steel in South Wales A tour of milling and galvanising factories at Port Talbot, Newport, Cardiff, and Ebbw Vale. Collection: This Working Life: Steel Steel Scrap Drives in Bolton, Preston & Liverpool 1952 | 13min Any old iron? North West people contribute to the collection of scrap steel. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Steel Town 1958 | 20min Evocative colour film promoting United Steel’s Stocksbridge plant and its role at the heart of the community. Collection: This Working Life: Steel The Steelchest, Nail in the Boot and the Barking Dog 1987 | 45min Award-winning documentary showing the lives of shipyard workers through story and song. Collection: This Working Life: Tales From the Shipyard Steptoe and Son Harold is led astray by a ‘cultured’ antiques dealer. Collection: Beautiful Things Home movies shot in Manipur. Collection: Before Midnight Stigma 1977 | 32min A mother and daughter move into a remote house in the middle of a stone circle – with predictably disastrous consequences. Collection: A Ghost Story for Christmas Still Waters Tropical disease prevention in Southern Rhodesia. Collection: Cape to Cairo Stille Nacht II: Are We Still Married? 1992 | 3min Echoes of ‘Alice’ in the Quay Brothers’ eerie stop-motion music video for US group His Name Is Alive. Collection: March Hares & Easter Bunnies Stocker’s Copper Drama set around the strike of Cornish clay miners in 1913. Collection: Play for Today Stockton-on-Tees 1910 | 3min The Cleveland market town-dwellers smile for the camera in a film commissioned by the local cinema. Collection: North by North East The Stone Tape Sci-fi maestro Nigel Kneale reimagines the period ghost story for the video age. Collection: A Ghost Story for Christmas Stonehenge – Panorama of the Ancient Druidical Remains 1900 | 1min The ancient British icon in the days before coach parties invaded. Collection: Essentially British Ashley Walters and Adrian Lester star in this tough drama about troubled teenagers in care. Collection: Black Britain Stormy Monday 1988 | 93min Melanie Griffith and Tommy Lee Jones come to Newcastle in Mike Figgis’ debut, inspired by the T. Dan Smith scandal. Collection: North by North East Story of Papworth: The Village of Hope, The 1935 | 18min Anthony Asquith directs an appeal for funds for the Cambridgeshire medical settlement, starring Madeleine Carroll and Gordon Harker. Collection: Eastward Ho! The Story of Tracy Beaker 2008 | 15min Funny and moving series about a high-spirited ten-year-old girl living in a children’s home. Collection: TV Heaven A Story to Frighten the Children 1976 | 85min Police struggle to investigate an horrific murder on a high-rise estate in John Hopkins’ shocking play. Collection: Play for Today Straight and Narrow-Minded 1988 | 30min A late-80s look at homophobia in the UK and the true story behind 2014 hit ‘Pride’. Collection: Beautiful Things Original Welsh-language episode of the popular children’s series about a teddy with super powers. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Supervisor’s Progress 1973 | 27min The devil may find work for an idle supervisor, but not in this colourful instructional film starring Windsor Davies. Collection: We Can Work It Out Survivors 1975 | 50min ‘Series 1 Episode 1: ‘The Fourth Horseman’. The extraordinary opening episode of Terry Nation’s classic post-apocalyptic series. Collection: Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wondert Suzie Gold 2003 | 90min Girl meets goy: a Jewish princess must decide between a Jew and a gentile in this light-hearted romantic comedy. Collection: Oy Britannia Sweeney Todd 1928 | 91min Early British horror about the legendary barber-cum-killer, made over 80 years before Tim Burton’s vision. Collection: Silent Britain Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street* 1936 | 68min The City’s menfolk risk a dangerously close shave in Mr Todd’s barbershop. Collection: London Calling Philip Schofield presents a behind-the-scenes look at his own Saturday morning show ‘Going Live!’ Collection: The Kids Are Alright A Tale of Two Cities 1958 | 117min A wayward barrister (Dirk Bogarde) redeems himself with a heroic act of self-sacrifice during the French Revolutionary Terror. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen Talk About Work 1971 | 16min Candid views on the world of work from three North West youngsters in Ken Loach’s rarely seen short. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Talkies Come to Britain (Yesterday’s Witness) 1971 | 50min Hitchcock discusses the making of ‘Blackmail’ in this rarely seen documentary exploring cinema’s transition to sound. Collection: Looking for Alfred A South London schoolboy runs away and becomes involved with a gang of tearaways. Collection: Box of Delights A Test for Love 1937 | 28min Sweeping romantic drama (and treatise on STDs) set in a sleepy English seaside town in the ’30s. Collection: The Joy of Sex Education That’s What Friends Are For 1988 | 7 min Neil Bartlett performs his powerful spoken-word piece responding to the AIDS crisis for C4’s Alter Image strand. Collection: Beautiful Things That Paralympic Show 2010 | 30min This edition of the C4 series features wheelchair racer David Weir and a visit to the Olympic Stadium. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen That Was the Week That Was – Tribute to President Kennedy 1963 | 20min Poetic tribute to John F. Kennedy on the day following his death. Collection: TV Heaven The Game of Haxey Hood 1929 | 1min Welcome to a mad British tradition. Follow that hood! Collection: Heartlands How to deal with airline passengers, however tiresome. Collection: Pandora’s Box Things to Come 1936 | 97min The city of the future rises from the rubble of world war in H.G. Wells’ prescient sci-fi fable. Collection: The Promised Land Things Unseen: Ena Twigg — Medium Bimbi Harris 1971 | 42 min Profile of a medium who first encountered her “misty people” at the age of seven. Collection: Gothic: Love is a Devil Think of a Number Johnny Ball does the impossible and makes maths and science interesting for kids. Collection: The Kids Are Alright Think of England Photographer Martin Parr seeks out the English icons. Collection: Essentially British Noël Coward’s saga of a Clapham family between the two World Wars. Collection: London Calling This is a Matter Which Vitally Concerns You 1938 | 4min Screen A public appeal by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham for volunteer air raid wardens, fire fighters and medical staff. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen. This Is Tomorrow 2007 | 54min The Royal Festival Hall is reborn for a new generation, to the sounds of Saint Etienne. Collection: Of Dreams and Cities This Is Your Life Eamonn Andrews gets out the Red Book for Ealing comedies scriptwriter T.E.B. Clarke. Collection: TV Heaven This Life 1996 | 40min Family Outing’. Warren’s sexuality comes under scrutiny in this episode of the 90s legal drama series. Collection: Tony Garnett: Seeing Red This Was a Woman Mothers don’t come much deadlier than Sonia Dresdel’s murderous matriarch… Collection: The Gentle Sex Cult ’80s drama following the lives of inner city teens. Collection: Play for Today Three Weird Sisters 1948 | 82min Three spinsters – one deaf, one blind, one with arthritis – battle their younger brother in a gothic tale from Dylan Thomas. Collection: The Gentle Sex The Threepenny Opera 1931 | 105min 19th century London is recreated in a Berlin film studio for this adaptation of Brecht and Weill’s revolutionary musical. Collection: London Calling The Trial of Oscar Wilde 1960 | 52 min Gripping recreation of Wilde’s 1895 trial, starring Micheál MacLiammóir. Collection: Beautiful Things The Trial of Sir Roger Casement 1960 | 52 min Peter Wyngarde plays the gay British diplomat turned Irish nationalist, executed in 1916 for treason. Collection: Beautiful Things Don Levy’s extraordinary experimental collage film, produced for the Nuffield Foundation. Collection: Reality Bites The Time of Our Lives 1994 | 81min The life and times of an East End Irish family. Collection: London Calling A Time There Was…A Profile of Benjamin Britten (South Bank Show) 1980 | 90min The life of Suffolk’s greatest musical son. Collection: Eastward Ho! Time to Go 1989 | 30min A characteristically polemical documentary by Ken Loach, arguing for the withdrawal of British troops from Northern Ireland. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Time-Lapse Study of Nail Growth 1960 | 2min Serious scientific study or long-lost avant-garde body horror? You decide. Collection: Pandora’s Box Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy 1979 | 41min An episode of the intricately plotted serial based on the spy novel by John Le Carré. Collection: TV Heaven Compilation of the madcap children’s Saturday morning show presented by Chris Tarrant. Collection: The Kids Are Alright The Titanic Disaster 1912 | 5min Gaumont’s newsreel boasted a brief glimpse of the real Titanic in dock prior to her ill-fated maiden voyage. Collection: Save Our Souls: Disaster at Sea Titanic: A Question of Murder? [Production material] 1983 | 88min An extended interview with surviving Titanic crewman Major Prentice, filmed for a 1983 documentary. Collection: Save Our Souls: Disaster at Sea Titanic: The Mission Five-part series following a team of engineers as they rebuild sections of the legendary liner. Collection: Save Our Souls: Disaster at Sea To Have and to Hold 2000 | 13min A woman finds herself in a gruesome predicament after a car crash in the deep, dark woods… Collection: Pandora’s Box To Keep Our Way of Life 1959 | 54min A West Indian man working in Britain faces prejudice, suspicion and jealousy. Collection: Black Britain The Tocher; A Film Ballet by Lotte Reiniger 1938 | 5min The ‘wee folk’ help a man woo his true love in Lotte Reiniger’s ‘film ballet’. Collection: Pandora’s Box To-day We Live; a Film of Life in Britain 1937 | 23min Impassioned socialist view of Depression-era Britain. Collection: Reality Bites East End and Butlers Wharf locations feature in this under-seen drama about two deaf men. Collection: London Calling Together Alone 2009 | 30min The last of a generation of East London Jews tell their story with humour and optimism. Collection: Oy Britannia Torment 1947 | 78min A mentally unstable novelist commits murder in a twisted attempt to give himself a feeling of reality. Collection: Gothic: Monstrous Tommy Cooper’s Christmas 1973 | 51min Magic, music and sketches with the kooky comedian, with appearances by Sacha Distel and Clodagh Rogers. Collection: Santa’s Grotto Tommy Steele My Life, My Song 1974 | 60min An evening of music and anecdotes from Bermondsey boy Tommy Steele. Collection: Beautiful South The Tomorrow People 1973 | 24min ‘Series 1 Episode 1: ‘The Slaves of Jedikiah’. The Tomorrow People find a new recruit in the first ever episode of the hit show. Collection: Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder Tom’s Ride Tom wants a bike and finds a wallet – will he do the honourable thing? Collection: Pandora’s Box Tonite, Let’s All Make Love in London 1967 | 72min Vivid, memorable doc examining the ‘swinging’ London phenomenon. Collection: London Calling Too Late to Talk to Billy 1982 | 85min Blistering, Belfast-set drama of a family at loggerheads, starring Kenneth Branagh. Collection: Play for Today Too Long a Winter 1973 | 47min Documentary about the lifestyle of a lone female farmer in the most isolated corner of the Yorkshire Dales. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Toot-an-kum-in Daily Sketch Cambridge students re-enact the opening of Tutankhamun’s tomb in a rag week stunt. Collection: Eastward Ho! Top of the Pops ‘78 (Inc. Kate Bush ‘Wuthering Heights’ promo video) 1978 | 59min Kate Bush throws some ethereal shapes in the iconic music video for ‘Wuthering Heights’. Collection: The Book Group All the fun of the Newcastle Town Moor Fair from over 100 years ago. Collection: North by North East Town Sparrows 1949 | 16min A day in the life of a group of children from Oldbury in the West Midlands. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen. The Trade Winds Blow Glossy cinemagazine following the decline (and possible renaissance) of industry in the North East. Collection: North by North East Trafalgar Square Riot A suffragette procession in Trafalgar Square causes a riot. Collection: London Calling Traffic Island 1994 | 27min Five people and a dog cope with harsh conditions when they become marooned – on a traffic island just off Hemel Hempstead. Collection: Pandora’s Box A sizzling insight into student life in the ’30s. Collection: The Joy of Sex Education A Trip Down the Clyde 1921 | 2min A visit to the Dumbarton Rock and Rothesay shipyards. Collection: This Working Life: Tales From the Shipyard A Trip to North Wales on the St. Elvies 1902 | 2min All aboard the St. Elvies paddle steamer to Llandudno with Mitchell and Kenyon. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Tropical Hookworm Instructional film for African audiences on the causes and prevention of disease. Collection: Cape to Cairo The Trouble With Black Men 2004 | 53min David Matthews’ polemic unpicking the preconceptions that surround African-Caribbean men in Britain today. Collection: Black Britain The Trouble With…Gay Men 2006 | 56min After years of political and cultural progress, why do so many of today’s gay men seem content to conform to stereotypes? Collection: Beautiful Things The Truth About Gay Sex 2002 | 49min Ever wondered what gay men get up to in bed? Virgins, notepads at the ready… Collection: Beautiful Things Anti-Congress propaganda made by a District Officer. Collection: Before Midnight Trying to Kiss the Moon 1995 | 96min Film autobiography by the late Stephen Dwoskin drawing on home movies, photographs and extracts from his own experimental work. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen Tryweryn 1965 | 37min Amateur film by Bangor schoolchildren, about the hugely controversial flooding of a valley to create the Llyn Celyn reservoir. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Tulip Town Tiptoe through the tulip parade at the vibrant Spalding festival. Collection: Heartlands Tunde’s Film 1973 | 40min A rarely seen portrait of racial tension in London’s East End, featuring original music by Joan Armatrading. Collection: Black Britain Spectacular sci-fi tale about the troubled construction of a transatlantic tunnel. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Turkey Time 1933 | 72min Festive frolics in a seaside town. Politically correct viewers, look away now. It’s Turkey Time! Collection: Funny Girls A Turn Up For Tony 1968 | 30min Tati-esque comedy – Tony Tanner seeks a job and a girlfriend in Newcastle. Collection: North by North East The Turning Point (Horlicks Ad) 1951 | 3min Who needs a marriage councillor when a mug of Horlicks is at hand? Collection: Pandora’s Box Twelve Views of Kensal House 1984 | 55min Can the social housing ideals of the ’30s survive in a very different era? Collection: The Promised Land The ancient and the modern worlds come together in the North East coal industry. Collection: North by North East Tynemouth Swimming Gala in the Haven, North Shields 1901 | 1min Racing swimmers take the plunge – wearing top hats and tails. Collection: North by North East Tyneside 1941 | 17min The building of the ‘Dominion Monarch’ on the River Tyne – the most powerful motor liner in the world. Collection: North by North East Tyrannosaur Paddy Considine’s directorial debut, a powerful Sheffield-set tale of rage and redemption. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen UCS 1 Campaign film used by the Clydeside shipyard workers. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out An Ultra Modern House The ultimate in streamlined chic – on a hillside above Amersham. Collection: The Promised Land Un Nos Ola Leuad (One Full Moon) 1991 | 98min Haunting adaptation of Caradog Prichard’s classic novel, set in Snowdonia. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen The Uncharted Sea A young man discovers the perils – and sensual pleasures – of city life. Collection: The Joy of Sex Education Uncle Denis? US-born filmmaker Adrian Goycoolea recalls his Great Uncle Denis – aka Quentin Crisp. Collection: Beautiful Things Passions run deep on the London Underground. Collection: London Calling Undressing Extraordinary 1901 | 2min Classic comedy or early horror? A man finds taking his clothes off more difficult than usual. Collection: Pandora’s Box Uneasy Dreams: the Life of Mr Pickwick 1970 | 26min A fictional biography of Mr. Pickwick, from childhood to his adventures in Dickens’ The Pickwick Papers. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen The Union Jack: A Banner for Britain 2006 | 60min Biography of the flag – from a symbol of national pride to its adoption by the BNP. Collection: Essentially British United Kingdom 1981 | 75min Play for Today at its most political – Tyneside communities take on the police and the state. Collection: Play for Today The Universe of Dermot Finn 1988 | 15min Guess who’s coming to dinner? A brilliant, touching short reminiscent of Tim Burton. Collection: Pandora’s Box Pay a visit to the nit nurse. Collection: Pandora’s Box Up the Junction 1965 | 70min Abortion and pre-marital sex are no longer off-limits in Ken Loach’s vibrant and controversial TV play, based on the book by Nell Dunn. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Uppies and Downies Thrilling sport or hideous brawl? Medieval football, the Ashbourne way. Collection: Heartlands Upside Down or The Human Flies 1899 | 1min A mischievous magic trick that would inspire the special effects in 2001: A Space Odyssey. Collection: Pandora’s Box Urdd Gobaith Cymru – Anenwadol ac Amhleidiol 1930 | 8min The activities of the The Welsh League of Youth. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen USSR Now (This Week) 1958 | 59min Michael Ingrams tries to fathom Russian life over the course of three months as part of an exchange programme with Moscow. Collection: Visions of Change: The TV Documentary 1950s-60s V E Day War is over, and Gateshead celebrates in style. Collection: North by North East The Val Doonican Show Snuggle up with the Irish crooner for an evening of comedy, warmth and Nana Mouskouri. Collection: Santa’s Grotto Huge box office success detailing the life and loves of Queen Victoria (Anna Neagle). Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Victoria Wood – As Seen on TV 1986 | 30min The joy of Victoria Wood: from Acorn Antiques to the erotic potential of bicycle clips. Collection: Essentially British A View from a Hill 2005 | 40min BBC Four revived the creepy Christmas tradition with M.R. James’ tale of a mysterious pair of binoculars. Collection: A Ghost Story for Christmas View From An Engine Front – Ilfracombe 1898 | 4min A bendy train trip through Devon – full steam ahead! Collection: Reality Bites The View from the Woodpile 1989 | 50min Ken Loach’s prescient documentary exposes the plight of the West Midlands’ disenfranchised youth. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Views on Trial 1954 | 26min Amusing, yet heavily biased, industrial film – a disgruntled worker is put on trial for rallying against the introduction of machinery in the workplace. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out A Village Affair 1995 | 120min A married mother’s life is turned upside down in the much-loved lesbian Aga saga from Joanna Trollope. Collection: Beautiful Things Richard Burton stars as a psychotic homosexual gangster based on Ronnie Kray. Collection: Beautiful Things Viola 1967 | 23min Experimental film using still imagery to convey a man’s fractured state of mind following the disappearance of his wife. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen The Violent Playground The battle of wills between a Liverpool Juvenile Liaison officer and a dangerous young pyromaniac. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West The Vise 1958 | 25min WWII veteran and amputee Donald Gray stars as Detective Mark Saber in this early TV crime series. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen The Vision 1988 | 105min Rarely seen sci-fi drama starring Dirk Bogarde as an unwitting TV presenter recruited by a sinister organisation to front their satellite channel. Collection: Bogarde on the Box Visit of Her Royal Highness the Princess Elizabeth 1951 | 18min The future Queen Elizabeth II visits Birmingham on 9 June 1951. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen. Visit of Their Majesties The King And Queen To The North-East Coast Ship-Building and Engineering On The Wear 1917 | 8min George V and Queen Mary visit the Sunderland shipyards. Collection: North by North East A Visit to an Art School 1929 | 35min Aspiring artists acquire their skills at Manchester School of Art. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West A Visit to Peek Frean and Company’s Biscuit Works 1906 | 36min Meet the workers at one of Bermondsey’s thriving family businesses. Collection: Beautiful South Vivienne Westwood (South Bank Show) 1990 | 52min Take a revealing peek into the working life of British fashion’s grande dame. Collection: Brit Chic Prolific documentary producers Gaumont-British Instructional promote their output to schools. Collection: Reality Bites Vymura Advert – Noddy and Big Ears 1982 | 2min Noddy’s interior decorating tips lead to a violent altercation with Big Ears. Collection: Toyland Tales and Happy Endings The W Plan Brian Aherne is dropped behind enemy lines in this inventive espionage thriller. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Waddington’s Piano Works, Scarborough 1930 | 9min See the painstaking craft processes that enable us to tinkle those ivories. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Wales v. Ireland at Wrexham 1906 | 2min An Edwardian treat for footie fans courtesy of Mitchell & Kenyon. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Wales’ Wonderful Rugby Win Wales thrash England with a landslide win. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Walter 1982 | 75min Ian McKellen stars as a man with learning difficulties in the first ever Film on Four broadcast, directed by Stephen Frears. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen Waltzes From Vienna A real Hitchcock rarity, and a Hitchcock musical, to boot. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace The Wandering Jew 1923 | 108min The legend of the Wandering Jew, condemned to walk the earth until the Second Coming, is brought to the big screen. Collection: Oy Britannia Words of warning on the eve of the war from Sir John Anderson. Collection: Heartlands A Warning to the Curious 1972 | 50min An amateur archaeologist visits the remote Norfolk coast to search for a buried Saxon crown, angering the violent forces which guard it. Collection: A Ghost Story for Christmas Waterloo Road* Soldier John Mills goes AWOL in Lambeth to investigate rumours about his wife. Collection: Beautiful South Waterloo Sunset 1979 | 78min Queenie Watts stars as a spirited Cockney pensioner returning to her Lambeth roots in Barrie Keeffe’s standout Play for Today. Collection: London Calling Watership Down* 1978 | 92min “Bright eyes, burning like fire…” Memorably dark animated classic, based on Richard Adams’ bestselling children’s novel. Collection: March Hares & Easter Bunnies Watton Christmas Party American airmen entertain war orphans at Watton airfield, Norfolk. Collection: Eastward Ho! Learie Constantine and Una Marson introduce the war effort in the West Indies. Collection: Black Britain The Westcliff Cine Club Visits Mr. Hitchcock in Hollywood 1963 | 11min One lucky film club gets a very special address all the way from Universal Studios. Collection: Looking for Alfred We’ve Come a Long Way 1951 | 11min The history of the oil tanker, as told through Halas & Bachelor’s vivid animation. Collection: This Working Life: Tales From the Shipyard What a Life! Rationing, moaning and burnt toast. A film for pessimists. Collection: Essentially British What Can I Do With a Male Nude? 1985 | 24min Ron Peck’s amusing rumination on the difficulties of showing the naked masculine body. Collection: Beautiful Things What Do You Do On Friday Night? 1926 | 2min Dance the night away at the Cambridge Varsity Dance Club. Collection: Eastward Ho! What Have You Done Today, Mervyn Day? 2006 | 45min Saint Etienne’s hymn to a vanishing east London – before the Olympic bulldozers moved in. Collection: London Calling What We Want is Watney’s: Michael Caine 1959 | 1min A pre-fame Michael Caine stars in this advert for Watney’s ale. Collection: Pandora’s Box What Will You Be Doing in 2012? 2004 | 7min East London school children discuss their hopes for 2012. Collection: Sport at Heart Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? 1973 | 30min The Likely Lads’ finest (half) hour – can they avoid hearing the football results? Collection: Essentially British A remarkably explicit warning to WWI soldiers about the perils of fraternizing with loose women. Collection: The Joy of Sex Education What a Difference a Gay Makes 1984 | 30 min Is homosexuality contagious? Former Gay News editor Denis Lemon busts some myths in this edition of Diverse Reports. Collection: Beautiful Things What’s a Girl Like You… 1969 | 45min Scintillating look at the 1960s drag renaissance, with a visit to London’s Royal Vauxhall Tavern. Collection: Visions of Change: The TV Documentary 1950s-60s When Coal Was King with Ricky Tomlinson 2006 | 60min Ricky Tomlinson’s personal history of British coal mining, lavishly illustrated with footage from the BFI National Archive. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal When I Came to Britain 2004 | 12min Caribbean settlers in the UK recall their first impressions of Britain. Collection: Black Britain It’s never too late to come out… Collection: Beautiful Things When the Boat Comes In 1976 | 50min The first episode of the much-loved BBC series set in the fictional town of Gallowshield – loosely based on South Shields. Collection: North by North East When The Boat Comes In 1976 | 50min Dance ti’ thy daddy, sing ti’ thy mammy – Bill Seaton digs under the floorboards for precious coal in an episode from the much-loved series. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Where There’s a Curd… There’s a Whey 1979 | 22min Is Yorkshire’s famous Wensleydale cheese under threat from mechanisation? Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Which Side Are You On? 1984 | 50min Ken Loach’s anthology of songs and poems inspired by the Miners’ Strike, controversially refused a broadcast by the South Bank Show. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Whicker’s World California 1980 | 53min Alan Whicker investigates San Francisco’s controversial new policy of recruiting gay and lesbian police officers. Collection: Beautiful Things Gently subversive Ealing comedy about whisky smuggling in the Hebrides. Collection: Scottish Reels Whistle and I’ll Come to You 2010 | 55min John Hurt stars in ‘Spooks’ writer Neil Cross’ modern take on Jonathan Miller’s classic 1968 chiller. Collection: A Ghost Story for Christmas Whistle and I’ll Come to You 1968 | 42min Classic ghost story in which Michael Hordern summons a phantom apparition while holidaying in Norfolk. Collection: Eastward Ho! The White Shadow 1924 | 43min Hitchcock worked on this silent feature – thought lost until 2011 – about a young woman possessed by the soul of her dead twin. Collection: The Shaping of Alfred Hitchcock White Tribe Darcus Howe goes in search of white England. Collection: Essentially British Pagan rites on a Scottish isle in the original cult favourite. Collection: Essentially British Wil Cwac Cwac 1985 | 5min Children’s animation based on the Welsh-language stories by Jennie Thomas and J.O. Williams about a mischievous duckling. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen The Wild and the Willing 1962 | 115min A young cast of future stars features in this X-rated university-set drama. Collection: Heartlands The Wild Duck 1957 | 90min The idealistic son of a corrupt businessmen exposes a lifetime of lies in Ibsen’s masterpiece, directed for TV by Ealing regular Charles Crichton. Collection: Missing Believed Wiped: The Library of Congress Discoveries William Meiklejohn’s Family Films 1935 | 17min These home movies include footage of Darjeeling, West Bengal and Bangladesh. Collection: Before Midnight Women’s clubs in rural Rhodesia. Collection: Cape to Cairo The Woman for Joe 1955 | 94min A hawker at Nottingham’s Goose Fair attempts to find a woman for his latest attraction – ‘The World’s Smallest Man”. Collection: Heartlands John Bruce 1982 | 277 min Five-part BBC adaptation of Wilkie Collins’ Victorian chiller. Collection: Gothic: Love is a Devil Women in Tropical Places Women on the verge of a Newcastle breakdown. Collection: North by North East Women of Steel Documentary celebrating the contribution of Sheffield’s female steelworkers during WWII. Collection: This Working Life: Steel Women of the Rhondda Four women living in a South Wales mining village describe their experiences. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Women’s Rights aka Ladies Skirts Nailed to a Fence 1899 | 1min Victoria Wood’s first TV sketch show, co-starring Julie Walters. Collection: Funny Girls Woodbine Place 1989 | 105min A gentle observation of the private world of children living on a Gateshead street, and a follow-up documentary shot 4 years later. Collection: North by North East The World of George Orwell: 1984 1965 | 113min The BBC’s second impressive adaptation of Orwell’s dystopian classic, thought lost until 2010. Collection: Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder Work at St Dunstan’s 1916 | 1min Visually impaired servicemen learn new skills on their return to civilian life. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen Work Study and Tom Howard 1958 | 20min British Rail wants to follow the work study model – but Tom Howard is not a fan. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out Workers at Jesse Crossley and Sons Ironworks, Ripley 1900 | 2min Victorians take a break from work. Collection: Heartlands Workers Leaving Butterley Ironworks, Ripley 1900 | 3min The end of a hard day’s work in Derbyshire, over 100 years ago. Collection: Heartlands Workforce of Scott and Co Shipyard Greenock 1901 | 2min Workers leaving the Greenock-based shipbuilding firm. Collection: This Working Life: Tales From the Shipyard Working Class Dykes From Hell 1992 | 60min Lesbians talk about being out, proud and working class. Collection: Beautiful Things England’s finest hour? World Cup coverage from the BBC. Collection: Sport at Heart A World is Turning (Rushes) 1948 | 40min Six reels of rushes are all that remain of this unfinished film showcasing talented members of Britain’s black and Asian communities. Collection: Black Britain The World of Frank Letch 1978 | 30min Quietly inspirational documentary about an ordinary man born with no arms, and life in his adopted South Wales. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen The World of Wooster The only surviving complete episode of this 1965-66 adaptation of Wodehouse’s much-loved stories. Collection: TV Heaven The World Ten Times Over 1963 | 93min British cinema’s earliest lesbian relationship? Collection: Beautiful Things World’s First Caterpillar Track 1908 | 6min It’s tractor vs. tractor in this gruelling test to see who will triumph – will it be steam or petrol? Gentlemen, start your engines. Collection: Pandora’s Box 9/11 and its after-effects on a young Muslim woman. Collection: Essentially British The Year of the Sex Olympics 1968 | 104min Nigel Kneale’s daring play set in a future Britain, where the appetites and passions of the masses are controlled by television. Collection: Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder Yellow 1996 | 12min A young girl pits her wits against her mother’s lover in this provocative short starring Ray Winstone. Collection: Cinema of Tomorrow Yellowbacks 1990 | 80min Chilling drama with an all-star cast, set in a near future when authorities wield draconian powers in the wake of viral epidemics. Collection: Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder Yellow Caesar Ealing’s blackly comic propaganda film attacking fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. Collection: Ealing Studios: Propaganda Shorts Yellow Week at Stanway J.M. Barrie’s whimsical home-movie record of a summer house party in the Cotswolds. Collection: Pandora’s Box A death-row dame (Diana Dors) awaits execution for murder. Collection: The Gentle Sex Yorkshire Beaches 1945 | 14min A stunning colour record of family life on the Yorkshire coast made despite wartime film rationing. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Yorkshire Curiosities Amateur documentary capturing some of the region’s more esoteric delights. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen The Yorkshire Disco Dancing Championships 1980 | 26min Step inside Doncaster’s answer to Studio 54 for a glitter-strewn edition of the regional TV talent show. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen You in Your Small Corner 1962 | 82min Lloyd Reckord stars as a gifted student confronting the race and class divide in 1960s Brixton. Collection: Beautiful South You Made Me Love You: Nathan Evans Films David Hoyle 2008 | 79min Avant-garde performance artist David Hoyle muses on capitalism, gay rights and mental health in a series of six short films: Dave’s Drop-in Centre, A Village Stroll with David Hoyle, Natural Human, Manchester (So Much to Answer For), At Home with David Hoyle and On the Couch with David Hoyle. Collection: Beautiful Things Young British Artists (South Bank Show) 1998 | 45min Profile of YBAs Gillian Wearing and Gary Hume. Collection: Farewell South Bank Show Young Lesbians The problems facing young lesbians at the end of the 1970s. Collection: Beautiful Things The day the cosmonaut came to town. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Z Cars 1964 | 50min When a young African man attacks a bailiff, his wife does not believe he will get unprejudiced treatment from the Newtown police. Collection: Black Britain Z Cars: A Straight Deal 1964 | 50min PC Lynch makes an unexpected discovery in this episode of the police drama series, directed by Ken Loach. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Z Cars: Profit by Their Example 1964 | 44min A businessman takes on local hooligans in the first of three episodes of Z Cars directed by Ken Loach: Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Z Cars: The Whole Truth 1964 | 50min A slow-witted former boxer becomes embroiled in a police investigation in this episode of Z Cars directed by Ken Loach. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective A Zed and Two Noughts 1985 | 112min Peter Greenaway’s visionary tale of a woman who loses her leg in a car accident – caused by a low-flying swan. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen
Emergency – Ward 10
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All Mediatheque films | BFI All Mediatheque films Here’s the full list of titles currently available to view in Mediatheques. Please note that a very small number of titles, marked with an asterisk (*), are currently available to view only in our London Mediatheque due to rights issues. We hope to make these available in all BFI Mediatheques in the future. 1908 London Olympics 1908 | 12 min Surviving footage of Track & Field and Marathon events during London’s first ever stint as host city. Collection: Sport at Heart Rarely-seen 50s feature ‘freely adapted’ from George Orwell’s classic novel. Collection: The Book Group 1984  Designing a Nightmare 1984 | 25 min Join Christopher Frayling on the set of the 1984 film version of Orwell’s classic novel. Collection: The Book Group 24 Hour Party People 2002 | 112min Welcome to Madchester: Steve Coogan stars in Michael Winterbottom’s biopic of Tony Wilson and Factory Records. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West 28 Up 1984 | 160min The children first interviewed when they were 7 in 1964 are revisited at the age of 28. Collection: Essentially British ‘Candid Camera’ with attitude featuring the soon-to-be Little Miss Jocelyn. Collection: Black Britain A boy’s own adventure from London to Scotland. Hitchcock’s best British film? Collection: Essentially British 4D Special Agents 1981 | 60min TA group of East End kids track down a gang of jewel thieves. To the helicopter, everyone! Collection: Box of Delights 50 Years of BBC TV News 2004 | 150min Three-part series exploring the breadth of news covered by BBC television from 1954 to 2004. Collection: TV Heaven An eccentric sport courtesy of East Midlands tradition. Collection: Heartlands 617: The Last Days of a Vulcan Squadron 1982 | 40min The final days of the ‘Dam Busters’ squadron. Collection: Heartlands 64 Day Hero: A Boxer’s Tale 1985 | 92min The turbulent life and death of championship boxer Randolph Turpin. Collection: Black Britain Love among the second hand books. Collection: Play for Today Re-edited sound version of ‘The Great White Silence’, with commentary from director Herbert Ponting. Collection: Into the White The perceptions and experiences of autistic people, told using their own words and images. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen ABC Xmas and New Year Greetings 1946 | 3min Santa doles out the pressies courtesy of Associated British Cinemas. Collection: Pandora’s Box Beverly hands out the brickbats with the ‘little cheesy pineapple ones’. Collection: Play for Today Above Us the Earth 1977 | 85min The closure of Ogilvie Colliery by the National Coal Board, shown through a mixture of documentary footage and dramatisation. Collection: Cinema of Tomorrow Absolute Hell 1991 | 120min Judi Dench and Bill Nighy escape post-war austerity in a crumbling Soho drinking den in this tragicomic TV treat. Collection: Beautiful Things Absolutely 1989 | 37min Pythonesque C4 comedy sketch show created by a mostly Scottish cast and crew. [Series 1 Episode 6.] Collection: Scottish Reels Absolutely Fabulous 1992 | 30min Sweetie darling! Edina’s putting on a charity fashion show, and things aren’t going to plan… Collection: Brit Chic Roll up, roll up! The fly circus is in town! Collection: Pandora’s Box Across the Sahara: The Record of a Journey to Timbuctoo 1932 | 20min Welcome to the Dream Palace Fascinating documentary made during the filming of West Africa-set feature ,Timbuctoo,. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Actor (Meredith Edwards) The Ealing star chats about his life with Meredydd Evans. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen A.D.A.M. 1973 | 47min A sentient computer develops an unusual relationship with a vulnerable housewife in this dark and intelligent TV drama. Collection: Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder Adeste Fideles The spirit of Christmas is alive and well in wartime Britain. Collection: Pandora’s Box The Adventure Game 1986 | 39min Journey to the planet Arg with this episode from the fourth series of the cult game show. Collection: Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder Adventures of Robin Hood Richard Greene plays Nottingham’s infamous outlaw in a mythical Sherwood Forest. Collection: Heartlands Ae Fond Kiss 2004 | 100min A post 9/11 cross-cultural romance is the focus of Ken Loach’s award-winning feature, filmed in Glasgow. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Aerial Antarctic Discoveries 1930 | 2min Australian explorer Hubert Wilkins films Antarctica from above — and discovers 5 new islands in the process. Collection: Into the White The African Conference in London 1948 1948 | 17min African delegates visit some of Britain’s most famous sites. Collection: Cape to Cairo Don’t die of ignorance — the government’s infamous AIDS awareness campaign. Collection: The Joy of Sex Education AIDS: The Victims Two AIDS sufferers recount their experiences battling the disease and society’s misconceptions. Collection: Beautiful Things Akenfield 1974 | 98min Peter Hall’s innovative improvised drama following three generations of farmhands in a fictional Suffolk village. Collection: Eastward Ho! Alan Bennett (South Bank Show) 1984 | 60min Alan Bennett talks to Melvyn Bragg about his childhood in Leeds and his writing career. Collection: Farewell South Bank Show Alchemists of Sound Fascinating ‘Arena’ documentary telling the story of the BBC’s legendary Radiophonic Workshop. Collection: TV Heaven New restoration of cinema’s first trip down the rabbit hole. Collection: March Hares & Easter Bunnies Alice in Wonderland Jonathan Miller’s radical reworking of the Lewis Carroll classic. Collection: TV Heaven The Alien Sky 1956 | 98min Colonial chaos on the cusp of Indian Independence in this early TV drama from Paul Scott’s novel. Collection: Before Midnight All Creatures Great and Small 1978 | 51min The first episode of the long-running series starring Christopher Timothy as North Yorkshire vet James Herriot. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen All Good Men 1974 | 63min The relationship between a labour politician and his Marxist son falters when a television crew visits. Collection: Play for Today The first in a trio of ‘careless talk’ propaganda shorts produced by Ealing Studios. Collection: Ealing Studios: Propaganda Shorts All in Good Time Look out for a fresh-faced Richard Briers in Guinness’ curious experiment in product placement. Collection: Pandora’s Box All Kinds of Houses 1946 | 10min Enid Blyton wrote the story for this wildlife film on the nesting habits of British birds, made for young children. Collection: Toyland Tales and Happy Endings All Star Record Breakers 1979 | 54min Name a 70s children’s presenter and they’ll probably be in this all star extravaganza, complete with musical skeletons and high-kicking dance routines. Collection: The Kids Are Alright All Your Own A teenage Jimmy Page makes an early appearance on Huw Wheldon’s talent show. Collection: The Kids Are Alright Always Tell Your Wife An uncredited Alfred Hitchcock took over direction of this 1923 marital comedy. Collection: The Shaping of Alfred Hitchcock The Amazing Adventures of Morph 1980 | 5min The high jinks of the malleable plasticine man, watched over by the ever-patient Tony Hart. Collection: TV Heaven Ken Russell’s magical fantasy about an angel who loses her wings. Collection: Pandora’s Box Amy Johnson Family Films (extracts 1932-33) 1932 | 15min Glimpse a different side to the pioneering aviator in this selection of home movie extracts. Collection: Amy Johnson: Queen of the Skies Amy! Laura Mulvey and Peter Wollen’s avant-garde portrait of a feminist icon. Collection: Amy Johnson: Queen of the Skies Amy, Wonderful Amy 1974 | 60min A disturbed runaway who idolises aviator Amy Johnson finds her fantasies unravelling in this TV play with a twist. Collection: Amy Johnson: Queen of the Skies Ancient Mop Fair Roasted ox is on the menu at Stratford-Upon-Avon’s annual ‘mop fair’. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen. And Now They Rest Documentary made to encourage the preservation of East Anglia’s beautiful windmills. Collection: Eastward Ho! Angel or demon? Gateshead locals speak their mind on Antony Gormley’s controversial sculpture. Collection: North by North East Angela Carter (Off the Page) 1987 | 23min The Magic Toyshop author reads from her work and admits that writing ‘chose’ her – not the other way around. Collection: The Book Group Angela Carter’s Curious Room 1992 | 50min Omnibus profile, poignantly filmed shortly before the author’s death. Collection: The Book Group The Angelic Conversation 1985 | 81min Derek Jarman’s queer reading of 14 Shakespeare sonnets addressed to a young man, narrated by Judi Dench. Collection: Beautiful Things Anglian Lives: Alan Partridge 2003 | 30min A-ha! A look back at the life and career of Radio Norwich’s most famous DJ. Collection: Eastward Ho! Melodrama about union intimidation, starring Richard Attenborough. Collection: We Can Work It Out Anna Karenina Stately 1961 BBC adaption of Tolstoy’s timeless novel. Collection: TV Heaven Anita and Me 2002 | 89min A Black Country village in the 70s is not an easy place to fit in for a young Sikh girl in this star-studded comedy. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen The Anniversary 1967 | 95min Bette Davis stars as a domineering mother who will stop at nothing to keep her family together. Collection: The Gentle Sex Annual Inspection of the Bodyguard by His Excellency the Lord Lytton 1925 | 5min Lord Lytton and family – on and off duty. Collection: Before Midnight A young Englishwoman travels to Morocco and falls in love with a street musician. Collection: The Truth About Love Another World by Sean Connery 1962 | 5min A slightly awkward Sean Connery makes an appeal on behalf of the RNIB. Collection: Pandora’s Box The Ant & Dec Show 1996 | 25min Get ready to rhumble with the cheeky twosome’s first foray into presenting, including the controversial ‘Beat the Barber’ segment. Collection: The Kids Are Alright Antarctic Crossing Oscar-nominated follow up to ‘Foothold on Antarctica’, with commentary by Sir Edmund Hillary. Collection: Into the White Anti-German Riots 1915 | 1min Angry Londoners attack German shops in the wake of the sinking of the Lusitania during WWI. Collection: Save Our Souls: Disaster at Sea Antigone 1959 | 75min Jean Anouilh updates Sophocles’ tragedy to occupied France, using the Greek characters to represent the contemporary power struggle. Collection: Missing Believed Wiped: The Library of Congress Discoveries The Antique Vase Racist comedy short in which the tables are turned on a greedy Jewish antique dealer. Collection: Oy Britannia Any Evening After Work 1930 | 22min The British Social Hygiene Council comes to the rescue of a young man who catches something nasty. Collection: The Joy of Sex Education Any Man’s Kingdom The lure of Northumberland as portrayed by British Transport Films. Collection: Reality Bites A nobleman is haunted by visions of his ancestor’s role in a witchcraft trial. Collection: A Ghost Story for Christmas As I Was Walking Down Bristol Street 1983 | 28min David Lodge presents a documentary about the Birmingham group of writers for regional arts series Contrasts. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen Aspects of Kirkwall: Some Changes 1981 | 20min Margaret Tait’s portrait of her hometown in the Orkneys. Collection: British Islands ATV Today: New Home for Dave Hill From Slade 1983 | 28min Slade’s glam guitarist Dave Hill welcomes ATV’s reporter into his new pad in Solihill. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen ATV Today: The Black Country 1969 | 32min Feature-length regional news report about the people and places of the Black Country. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen ATV Today: The Black Food 1972 | 5min Discover the local delicacies in Wednesdbury market. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen ATV Today: Enoch Powell Interview 1973 | 10min Five years after his notorious ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech the Conservative MP talks to journalist Reg Harcourt. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen ATV Today: Birmingham Markets ATV reporter David Lloyd spends an early morning in Birmingham’s wholesale markets. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen At Home With Larry Grayson 1983 | 25min Janet Street-Porter presents a not-quite-intimate portrait of the entertainer as he celebrates his 60th birthday. Collection: Beautiful Things At Last the 1948 Show – ‘Four Yorkshiremen’ 1967 | 6min A legendary sketch from the cult precursor to Monty Python. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen At the Fountainhead (of German Strength) 1980 | 96min A German-Jewish musician seeks exile in Cold War London in this BFI-produced experimental work. Collection: Oy Britannia Much-loved bittersweet Jewish family comedy from Jack Rosenthal. Collection: Play for Today The Barber of Stamford Hill 1962 | 64min Big-screen version of Ronald Harwood’s drama about a lonely North London barber. Collection: Oy Britannia Barnaby Rudge (Episode 1) 1960 | 30min Dickens’ historical novel has not been adapted for film or TV since this 1960 BBC serial. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen The Basil Brush Show Boom boom! Basil Brush joins forces with Lulu to wreck Mr. Roy’s romantic evening. Collection: The Kids Are Alright Basil Bunting – A World of My Own 1969 | 30min A poet’s vision of the history and landscape of Northumbria. Collection: North by North East The Battle Charles Boyer and Merle Oberon star in this spy drama set during the Russo-Japanese War. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace The Battle of Kinder Scout 1970 | 20min The history of the famous mass trespass in the Peak District. Collection: Heartlands The Battle of Orgreave 2002 | 60min Mike Figgis films an artist’s recreation of the violent clash between miners and the police during the 1984-5 strike. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Battling Bruisers: Some Boxing Buffoonery 1925 | min Effeminate fisticuffs from the French in this boxing-themed send-up of foreign stereotypes. Collection: Beautiful Things British Transport Film promoting the pleasures of South Wales. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Beautiful Thing 1996 | 87min Two teenage boys fall in love in South East London to the songs of the Mamas and the Papas. Collection: Beautiful Things Beauty, Bonny, Daisy, Violet, Grace and Geoffrey Morton 1974 | 52min One Yorkshire farmer remains loyal to his Shire horses despite advancing technology. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen The Bed 1963 | 28min Thora Hird hones her battleaxe persona in the pilot for the long-running sitcom ‘Meet the Wife’. Collection: Funny Girls A Bed Among the Lentils 1988 | 30min Can a fling with an Indian grocer rescue a vicar’s wife from fetes and flower-arranging? Collection: Essentially British Pay a visit to the celebrated playwright’s home in Ayot St. Lawrence. Collection: Eastward Ho! Beryl Reid Says…Good Evening 1968 | min Rarely seen comedy sketch show starring the versatile Beryl Reid. Collection: Funny Girls The Best of British Fashion 1978 | 52min Highlights from the 1979 Spring collections, with leisurewear a-plenty. Collection: Brit Chic The Best of Friends: Russell and Victor 1976 | 15min Two friends enjoy the magic and adventure of a childhood summer. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Betcher A very young Keith Chegwin shows off his cycling prowess. Collection: Pandora’s Box Between the Lines 1992 | 47min A detective investigates corruption at his own station in the first episode of this gritty police drama. Collection: TV Heaven Between the Lines 1992 | 50min A trigger-happy marksman sparks mayhem in this episode of the police corruption drama (Series 1 Episode 2). Collection: Tony Garnett: Seeing Red Beyond Image Psychedelia without the illegal drugs. Collection: Pandora’s Box Bhaji on the Beach 1993 | 97min A group of Asian women swap Brum for Blackpool in Gurinder Chadha’s exuberant feature debut. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen Les Bicyclettes de Belsize The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Hampstead-style. Collection: London Calling Big Brother 2002 | 65min Highlights show from series 3 of the omnipresent reality TV show, which made Jade Goody a household name. Collection: The Book Group Ken Loach’s incendiary drama about a dockers’ strike turned workers’ takeover. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out The Big Job The National Coal Board wants you as a new recruit. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal The Big Meeting 1963 | 24min The Durham Miners’ Gala – one of the world’s largest annual gatherings of miners and their families. Collection: Reality Bites The Big Mill 1963 | 25min An account of the creation of Colville’s giant new steel strip mill at Ravenscraig in Scotland. Collection: This Working Life: Steel The Big ‘Un The construction and launch of a 250,000 ton tanker on the River Tyne. Collection: North by North East A Bigger Splash 1974 | 105min Jack Hazan documents the life of artist David Hockney, as he struggles to cope with the end of a relationship. Collection: Beautiful Things Harry Enfield voices ‘Viz’ comic’s half-man/half-fish goalkeeping star. Collection: North by North East Birds of a Feather 1992 | 30min The most famous episode of the long-running sitcom – the one where Dorian sings “Like a Virgin”. Collection: Funny Girls Birmingham University Procession on Degree Day 1901 | 9min Female graduates and gents sporting spectacular Edwardian whiskers take part in Birmingham’s first Degree Day ceremony. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen. Birmingham’s Water Supply Scenic views of the Elan Reservoir and one of its dams in Wales. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen Birth of a Dress Mass-production offers a taste of couture to the commoners. Collection: Brit Chic Birthday Procession of a Maharajah 1904 | 1min Two drag queens perform and discuss their craft at Camden’s much-missed gay haunt. Collection: Beautiful Things Black Christmas 1977 | 50min As Christmas approaches, Gertrude gathers her family around her. But the perfect Christmas Day that she dreams of seems destined to turn to disaster. Collection: Black Britain Black Diamonds – The Collier’s Daily Life 1904 | 1min Mitchell and Kenyon take their camera to the coal mine. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Black Jack 1979 | 98min A young boy goes on the run with a notorious villain in Ken Loach’s period children’s feature. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Black Joy A naïve Guyanan immigrant learns some tough lessons on the streets of Brixton. Collection: Beautiful South A first outing for Yosser Hughes and co in Alan Bleasdale’s ‘Boys From…’ forerunner. Collection: Play for Today Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night 1988 | 25min Excellent ‘Dramarama’ play which led to the highly successful ‘Children’s Ward’. Collection: The Kids Are Alright Blackfriars Bridge Top-hatted Victorians and horse-drawn traffic cross Blackfriars Bridge. Collection: London Calling The Blackguard 1925 | 96min Hitchcock was sent to Germany to work on this silent feature set during the Russian Revolution. Collection: The Shaping of Alfred Hitchcock Blackhill Campaign Villagers and miners fight against the closure of Blackhill Colliery, Northumberland. Collection: North by North East Blackmail 1929 | 82min Manslaughter, blackmail and an epic chase through the British Museum. Sound and silent versions of the early Hitchcock classic. Collection: London Calling Lady Dedlock looms large in this beautifully designed silent feature adaptation of the Dickens masterpiece. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen Bleak House (Episode 1) 1985 | 52min The BBC tackled one of Dickens’ most complex narratives with this classy mini-series starring Diana Rigg and Denholm Elliott. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen Bleak House (Part 1) 2005 | 57min The opening episode of the BBC’s award-winning 15-part adaptation, with Gillian Anderson as Lady Dedlock. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen Bleak Moments Mike Leigh’s feature debut about a lonely woman living with her learning disabled sister. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen Blight 1997 | 30min An East End community voices its anger as homes are demolished to make way for the M11 road link. Collection: London Calling Melodrama about the impact of WWI on a wealthy English family. Collection: Silent Britain Blithe Spirit 1945 | 93min A harmless séance summons up an unwanted ghost in this Noel Coward play, starring Margaret Rutherford as a gung-ho medium. Collection: Funny Girls The Block 1972 | 75min Hard-hitting documentary from Paul Watson examining the plight of people living below the poverty line in Southwark. Collection: Beautiful South Blood Ah Goh Run 1982 | 20min The demonstrations following 1981’s infamous New Cross Fire in which 13 young black people died. Collection: Black Britain Bloody Sunday 2002 | 120min Award-winning drama about the civil rights protest march that ended in massacre. From the director of ‘United 93’. Collection: Essentially British Legwarmers at the ready for Yvonne Ocampo’s exercise regime. Collection: Sport at Heart Bombardment of Hartlepool – 60th Anniversary 1974 | 6min 60 years after Germany’s raid on Hartlepool during WWI, an eyewitness recalls the attack. Collection: North by North East The Bond 1965 | 75min Hannah Gordon stars in Dawn Pavitt’s play about the trials and tribulations of marriage for modern women. Collection: Missing Believed Wiped: The Library of Congress Discoveries Book Four Fay Weldon and Len Deighton lock horns in Channel 4’s first book programme. Collection: n/a Book Tower: The Secret Garden 1981 | 30min In this episode of the series aimed at encouraging children to read, Tom Baker focuses on Frances Hodgson Burnett’s ‘A Secret Garden’. Collection: The Kids Are Alright Books of the Century 1996 | 5min Queen of the saucy blockbuster Jackie Collins reveals her favourite book – Enid Blyton’s ‘The Folk of the Faraway Tree’. Collection: Toyland Tales and Happy Endings Borderline London as seen through the eyes of Escher. Collection: London Calling Borrowed Pasture 1960 | 30min Richard Burton narrates this beautiful portrait of two Polish soldiers trying to make a life for themselves on a Welsh farm. Collection: Visions of Change: The TV Documentary 1950s-60s Born Freak Performer and disability campaigner Mat Fraser questions whether audiences see disabled actors as freaks. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen Bow Bells A nostalgic traipse through the East End accompanied by music-hall numbers. Collection: London Calling The Bowler and the Bunnet 1967 | 36min Sean Connery’s only film as director – a stylish and opinionated piece on the prospects for the Govan shipyards. Collection: This Working Life: Tales From the Shipyard Boy and Bicycle Ridley Scott’s directorial debut: a day in the life of a schoolboy truant. Collection: Cinema of Tomorrow Boy Kumasenu 1951 | 60min A boy in the Gold Coast moves from a small fishing village to the modern city of Accra. Collection: Cape to Cairo Boy Who Turned Yellow, The 1972 | 55min The London Underground turns yellow in Michael Powell’s charming Children’s Film Foundation entry. Collection: London Calling The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off 2004 | 60min BAFTA-winning documentary following the last months of Jonny Kennedy, a Northumberland man born with a disabling skin condition. Collection: North by North East Boyfriends 1996 | 81min Seven men spend a weekend in the country – gay sex, love and relationships in the 1990s Collection: Beautiful Things Meet Mohamed Hussain, founding member of Bradford’s Pakistani community – and aspiring movie mogul. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Bradford Town Hall Square Bustling life in the West Yorkshire city, captured at the dawn of cinema. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Brassed Off Politically charged comedy-drama about the fortunes of a Yorkshire colliery brass band. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Brassneck 1975 | 80min Brenton and Hare’s brilliant, bleak rise and fall of an immoral family (and of Great Britain) in the postwar years. Collection: Play for Today The Brave Don’t Cry 1952 | 90min Drama-documentary about a Scottish mining rescue team, based on the Knockshinnoch disaster. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Bread and Roses 2000 | 96min Director’s cut of Ken Loach’s feature dramatising the plight of exploited Mexican and Salvadorean cleaners in Los Angeles. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Break in the Sun 1980 | 25min The climax of a six-part serial adapted from Bernard Ashley’s novel about a young girl who flees her abusive stepfather. Collection: The Kids Are Alright Break the News 1938 | 78min Maurice Chevalier and Jack Buchanan star as chorus boys who fake a murder for some much-needed publicity. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Breakfast with Frost News, politics and historic interviews – all over breakfast. Collection: n/a Crewe works — from rural hamlet to railway town. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Building a Motor Car A car is born at the Vulcan Works, Southport. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West The Building of the New Tyne Bridge 1928 | 40min Extraordinary footage of the construction of Tyneside’s iconic landmark. Collection: North by North East The Bull Ring Shopping Centre, Birmingham 1965 | 26min The development of Britain’s busiest shopping mall. Collection: n/a Bullet Boy 2004 | 100min A young black man struggles to avoid a life of crime after being released from jail. Collection: London Calling Bumps on the River Cam 1922 | 1min Cambridge Lent racers row their boats ungently down the stream. Collection: Eastward Ho! An idyllic fireside scene slips seamlessly into an advert for Maypole Tea. Collection: Housewives’ Choice Byker 1983 | 53min The changing face of a close-knit working-class community in Newcastle from the late 1960s to the early 1980s. Collection: North by North East Byker Grove 1994 | 24min An awkward adolescent kiss between Noddy and Gary marks a landmark for British children’s drama. Collection: Beautiful Things Byker Grove 1992 | 25min The infamous ‘paintball’ episode of the long-running Geordie soap, which introduced the world to Ant and Dec. Collection: The Kids Are Alright Byker Wall Beatrix Campbell explores a 20th century ‘walled city’. Collection: The Promised Land C O D – A Mellow Drama 1929 | 10min Mischievous experimental short made by moonlighting film studio technicians. Collection: Pandora’s Box Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine 1927 | 5min The conditions that provide a breeding ground for the parasitic disease, kala azar. Collection: Before Midnight Inventive portrait of the city by documentary pioneer and Cambridge alumnus Stuart Legg. Collection: Eastward Ho! Cambridge Folk Festival 1980 | 50min Don McLean, Lonnie Donegan and other folk stars wow the crowds at the 1980 music festival. Collection: Eastward Ho! Came Out, It Rained, Went Back in Again 1991 | 10min A girl comes out and treks to London. But will the Big Smoke offer her the lesbian bliss she seeks? Collection: Beautiful Things Camera in the Streets 1978 | 25min American photographer Janine Wiedel embarks on a project to capture the spirit of the West Midlands. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen Camgymeriad Gwych (Beautiful Mistake) John Cale teams up with the leading bands of ‘Cool Cymru’. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen A Canney View of Sunderland 1970 | 25min Michael Canney discovers the joys of Sunderland, a city on the verge of change. Collection: North by North East A Canterbury Tale 1944 | 125min Magical and unsettling evocation of rural Britain as seen through the eyes of WWII’s modern pilgrims. Collection: Essentially British Docudrama exploring how a dance-influenced Brazilian martial art gained a British twist. Collection: Dancing Feet Captain Busby 1967 | 15min Quentin Crisp’s acting debut – in a bizarre film that includes some entertainingly surreal interplay with a carrot at a railway station. Collection: Pandora’s Box The Captain Zip Video Trip 1978 | 74min Amateur films of the punk scene in London, 1978-81. Collection: Anarchy in the UK Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons 1967 | 27min ‘Episode 1: ‘The Mysterons’. Spectrum’s top agent faces the wrath of the Mysterons in the pilot for Gerry Anderson’s animated series.. Collection: Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder Car of Dreams A young John Mills stars in this breezy musical comedy of errors. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Caravaggio Derek Jarman’s portrait of the Renaissance painter. Collection: Cinema of Tomorrow A look at homes run by the Jewish Welfare Board. Collection: Oy Britannia The Castle of Adventure 1990 | 25min Four children and Kiki the parrot investigate some dodgy goings-on in Enid Blyton’s mystery tale. Collection: Toyland Tales and Happy Endings Castles and Fisherfolk The lives of West Africans, against the backdrop of the castles of the Gold Coast. Collection: Cape to Cairo Catherine Comes Home 1978 | 25min Bestselling author Catherine Cookson returns to her childhood home in the North East after an absence of 48 years. Collection: North by North East Cathy Come Home Carol White stars in the groundbreaking TV play which fuelled the homelessness debate. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Caught Looking A gay man turns to virtual reality to satisfy his sexual fantasies. Collection: Beautiful Things Cause Célèbre 1987 | 120min Helen Mirren gives a tour-de-force performance as a woman accused of murder in Terence Rattigan’s biting 30s-set play. Collection: n/a Fascinating industrial relations drama in which workers take over a factory. Collection: We Can Work It Out The Changeling Kika Markham portrays the bloodthirsty Beatrice-Joanna in Thomas Middleton and William Rowley’s Jacobean tragedy. Collection: Missing Believed Wiped: The Library of Congress Discoveries The Changes 1975 | 250min All ten episodes of the cult West Country-set serial based on the science fiction novels by Peter Dickinson. Collection: Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder The Changing Face of Camberwell 1963 | 30min The post-war architecture of the London Borough of Camberwell. Collection: Beautiful South Charades 1977 | 55min The Lady of the Manor becomes increasingly intimidated by her maid in this female take on Harold Pinter’s ‘The Servant.’ Collection: Play for Today Charles Dickens’ World of Christmas 1974 | 25min An all-star cast embody Dickens’ larger than life characters as they intermingle on a snowy set. Collection: The Book Group Documentary about the Bhil tribal people of central India. Collection: Before Midnight The Children Who Cheated the Nazis 2000 | 55min Documentary looking at the Kindertransport children – Jewish children who were sent away by their parents to escape Nazi persecution. Collection: Oy Britannia A Choice of Evils 1977 | 85min Scathing critique of the Catholic Church’s lack of response to the massacre of hundreds of Italians by the Nazis in 1944, written by Jim Allen. Collection: Play for Today Christmas and New Years Announcements Compilation aka Merry Christmas 1949 1946 | 8min Snowy idylls, animated toys and an exploding Father Time – a selection of trailers shown in cinemas from 1946-1950. Collection: Pandora’s Box Christmas at Work in the Open 1920 | 1min Children make their own Christmas decorations at the Great Northern Hospital. Collection: Pandora’s Box The first ever Welsh-language ‘talkie’, showing a slate quarryman’s life at Blaenau Ffestiniog. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Cicerones 2002 | 13 min Mark Gatiss falls prey to supernatural forces in this gothic short by The League of Gentlemen’s Jeremy Dyson. Collection: Gothic: The Dark Arts Cilla 1974 | 44min The Liverpudlian lovely is joined by David Essex and the Wombles for a special Boxing Day broadcast. Collection: Santa’s Grotto Cinema Record, The – Newcastle 1928 | 8min Amateur film of events around Newcastle, including the North East Coast Exhibition and a visit from George V. Collection: North by North East Cinema: Alfred Hitchcock Hitchcock in conversation with Michael Scott for a 1966 edition of the Granada TV series. Collection: Looking for Alfred Cinema: Alfred Hitchcock [Production material] 1969 | 50min Michael Parkinson meets the Master of Suspense in surviving rushes from this 1969 edition of ‘Cinema’. Collection: Looking for Alfred A rarely seen election special of Oliver Postgate’s beloved stop-motion animation. Collection: The Kids Are Alright Clapham Junction The most controversial gay drama since ‘Queer as Folk’. Collection: Beautiful Things Clarmont Skrine’s Home Movies 1940 | 13min Vivid colour home movies featuring the great Kathakali dancer Guru Gopinath and scenes in Bundi, Rajasthan. Collection: Before Midnight Clash at Forsyth’s 1973 | 30min Bill Treacher (‘Eastenders’’ Arthur Fowler) appears in this industrial film showing how poor management communication can damage productivity in the workplace. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out Class by Class: The Miner’s Tale 1991 | 30min A former coal miner and his family discuss their feelings on class. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Cliff Climbing: The Egg Harvest of Flamborough Head 1908 | 7min The perilous practice of egg-gathering at Bempton Cliffs on the East Yorkshire coast. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Climbing Mount Everest Hugh Ruttledge’s attempt to conquer Everest via Tibet. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La Climbing Mt Everest The second British Everest expedition, led by Brigadier General C.G. Bruce. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La Close Up: Ken Loach The influential director selects his own favourite moment in cinema. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Closing Numbers Feature-length drama starring Jane Asher as a well-to-do housewife who discovers her husband is bisexual. Collection: Beautiful Things The Clothes Show 1986 | 30min Shoulder pads at the ready: Selina Scott and Jeff Banks present the first episode of the long-running fashion show. Collection: Brit Chic Club for Fighting Men 1916 | 1min The Lord Mayor distributes mugs of tea at the opening of the new Service Club in Waterloo. Collection: Beautiful South The Coal Board’s Butchery 1984 | 15min An edition of the pioneering campaign tapes made to support striking miners against the Thatcher government. Collection: Reality Bites Terry Wogan hosts the 1976 final of the long-running competitive ballroom dancing show. Collection: TV Heaven Come to South West Durham 1965 | 18min Promotional film advertising Durham’s industries and leisure activities. Collection: North by North East Come With Me to Berwick-on-Tweed 1952 | 20min Richard Dimbleby sings the praises of England’s northernmost town. Collection: North by North East Come with Me to Cardiff 1954 | 18min Richard Dimbleby tours Cardiff a year before it became Wales’ capital city. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Comedians 1979 | 95min A young Jonathan Pryce stars in an angry attack on the popular comedy scene, as six budding comedians hope for their big break. Collection: Play for Today Comic Pictures in High Street, West Bromwich 1902 | 3min Boisterous boys jostle for a place in front of Mitchell & Kenyon’s camera in the West Midlands town. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen. The Comic Strip Presents…The Strike 1987 | 65min Hollywood version of the miner’s strike, featuring Arthur Scargill, as played by Al Pacino, as played by Peter Richardson. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Comic Strip Presents…Five Go Mad in Dorset 1982 | 30min The Famous Five receive the Comic Strip treatment. Collection: Toyland Tales and Happy Endings The Comic Strip Presents…Five Go Mad on Mescalin 1983 | 30min The Comic Strip mercilessly revisit Enid Blyton’s crime-solving quintet in the follow-up to ‘Five Go Mad in Dorset’. Collection: Toyland Tales and Happy Endings A Coming to Terms for Billy 1984 | 82min Family dynamics begin to shift for Kenneth Branagh’s Billy in the final part of Graham Reid’s Belfast-set trilogy. Collection: Play for Today Beautiful pastoral melodrama, considered by Cecil Hepworth to be his masterpiece. Collection: Silent Britain Coming Out 1979 | 75min A closeted gay author causes a stir after writing an anonymous gay article – is it time to come out? Collection: Beautiful Things Coming Out (Inside Story) 1980 | 49min Gay men and women tell their own stories against the backdrop of the 1979 Gay Pride march. Collection: Beautiful Things The Coming Out Party 1965 | 70min Ken Loach directs James O’Connor’s play about a young boy struggling to escape the cycle of deprivation and crime. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Coming Through Kenenth Branagh and Helen Mirren star in the romance between D.H. Lawrence and Frieda Weekly. Collection: Heartlands Commissioner Higgins Visits Ahmedabad Girls School 1904 | 2min A visit from the Salvation Army. Collection: Before Midnight Promotional film shot in Rhodesia extolling the virtues of smoking tobacco. Collection: Cape to Cairo Continental Drift 2005 | 16min William Raban’s film of Dover harbour shows how Britain is defined by its complex relationship with Europe. Collection: British Islands Contrasts: Joseph Wright of Derby – The Spectacle of Light 1990 | 25min Profile of the Derby-born artist Joseph Wright (1734 – 1797). Collection: Heartlands Conway – River of a Thousand Moods 1921 | 10min A scenic trip through North Wales to the sea. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Conwy Castle – Panoramic View of Conwy on the L. & N.W. Railway 1898 | 2min A tinted ‘phantom ride’ around Conwy Castle. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Coping with Cupid A trio of platinum blonde aliens lands in Soho to investigate our romantic foibles. Collection: The Truth About Love Coronation Durbar at Delhi Pomp and circumstance marking the coronation of King Edward VII as Emperor of India. Collection: Before Midnight The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II 1953 | 74min Highlights from the televised coverage of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation. Collection: TV Heaven Cranford 2007 | 300min Dame Judi, Dame Eileen and the cream of British talent star in this superb five-part adaptation from 2007. Collection: The Book Group Cranford 1976 | 60min A 1976 adaptation with a twist. Give those vocal chords a work out – it’s sing-along-a-Cranford time! Collection: The Book Group Cranford 1972 | 180min Gabrielle Hamilton and Pat Coombs star in this little-seen 1972 adaptation of Mrs. Gaskell’s novel. Collection: The Book Group Crazy Gang’s Party 1957 | 24min The Gang’s all here for festive frolics in the hugely popular show devised by Bud Flanagan. Collection: Santa’s Grotto A Cream Cracker Under the Settee 1988 | 31min One of Alan Bennett’s series of sensitive monologues; amusing and moving. Collection: TV Heaven Britain’s ‘last line of defence’ at their best. Collection: Essentially British Dafydd 1995 | 40min A 17-year-old runaway swaps the Welsh Valleys for the mean streets of Amsterdam in this multi-lingual TV drama. Collection: Beautiful Things Dai Jones: A True Story 1941 | 7min An unemployed Welsh miner saves the day in this stirring war propaganda film. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Daisy Doodad’s Dial A face-pulling competition between husband and wife – can Daisy pull it off? Collection: Pandora’s Box Dal yma Nawr/ Still Here Now 2003 | 75min Some of Wales’ greatest performers take us on an odyssey through the nation’s bardic tradition in Marc Evans’ extraordinary documentary. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen The Dale That Died Documentary about the decline of a once thriving valley in the Yorkshire Dales. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Daleks’ Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. 1966 | 84min Exterminate! Can Dr. Who and Bernard Cribbins save the Earth? Collection: Box of Delights Will Hay – as a country vicar no less – finds himself accused of doping racehorses. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Dangerous Comment 1940 | 12min Loose lips sink ships: Ealing targeted wealthier audiences with this entry in a trio of WWII propaganda shorts. Collection: Ealing Studios: Propaganda Shorts Daphne du Maurier – A Loving Spirit 1997 | 60min Documentary marking the launch of the du Maurier Festival in Fowey, Cornwall. Collection: The Book Group Daphne du Maurier – The Loving Spirit 1993 | 52min Documentary shedding light on the author’s complex relationships with men and women. Collection: The Book Group The Dark Eyes of London 1939 | 73min A landmark in British horror cinema: can shifty insurance broker Bela Lugosi shed any light on those bodies floating in the Thames? Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Dark Season 1991 | 30min The tense finale to Russell T. Davies’ adventure series, starring Kate Winslet in her breakthrough role. Collection: The Kids Are Alright Darling, Do You Love Me? 1968 | 4min Ambitious early attempt to translate Dickens’ work to the screen in greater depth. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen David Copperfield (Part 3: A Long Journey) 1966 | 25min Look out for future Doctor Who Patrick Troughton in this surviving episode from the BBC’s 13-part adaptation. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen David Hockney (South Bank Show) 1988 | 45min A private view of the painter’s Tate Gallery retrospective. Collection: Farewell South Bank Show David Hockney: A Bigger Picture 2009 | 60min The artist returns to his native Yorkshire and begins a new creative chapter in his illustrious career. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen A Day in the Hayfields 1904 | 3min Extraordinary early portrait of people caught up in the remorseless round of industrial production. Collection: Essentially British A Day in the Life of a Coal Miner 1910 | 10min Extraordinary early portrait of people caught up in the remorseless round of industrial production. Collection: Essentially British A Day in the Life of One of the World’s Great Ports 1967 | 20min Spend a day on the Manchester Ship Canal. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West A Day of One’s Own 1956 | 20min At last, Mum gets a well-earned break from cooking, cleaning and kids. Collection: Housewives’ Choice Alan Bennett’s first TV play, a period drama about a Halifax cycling club. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen The Day the Earth Caught Fire 1961 | 99min The Thames has dried up. Climate change threatens the survival of the world in this smart, prophetic sci-fi thriller. Collection: London Calling Daybreak in Udi 1949 | 40min Villagers in Nigeria construct a hospital under the supercilious eye of a British district officer in this Oscar-winning documentary. Collection: Cape to Cairo Days of Hope 1975 | 410min Ken Loach’s four-part drama following a working-class family from WWI to the 1926 General Strike. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Dead Dreams of Monochrome Men (South Bank Show) 1990 | 52 min DV8 Physical Theatre’s first stage show to be adapted for film, loosely based on the story of gay serial killer Dennis Nilsen. Collection: Beautiful Things Murder most foul at the Beeb. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Death is a Number 1951 | 45min Occult drama: a numerologist relates the tragic part played by the number 9 in the life of his racing driver pal. Collection: Gothic: The Dark Arts Death in the Morning Alan Whicker investigates the elite world of the Leicestershire Quorn Hunt. Collection: Heartlands Death May Be Your Santa Claus 1969 | 38min Thought ‘lost’ for many years, ‘Santa Claus’ is an intriguing look at sex and politics from a black British perspective. Collection: Black Britain Dechrau Canu, Dechrau Canmol 2005 | 25min The flagship S4C show, one of the longest running religious programmes in the world and the inspiration for ‘Songs of Praise’, comes to Rhos. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen The Deep Blue Sea 1955 | 98 min A rare opportunity to see Vivien Leigh’s poignant performance in the first film version of Terence Rattigan’s play. Collection: Essentially British A demonstration against the National Front filmed by West Yorkshire Police. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Dennis Potter Interview The writer discusses his controversial work for the BBC’s Tonight programme, featuring unbroadcast footage. Collection: Dennis Potter on TV Dennis Potter: The Last Interview 1994 | 68min Thora Hird stars in this entry in Alan Bennett’s amusing and moving Talking Heads. Collection: TV Heaven Dennis Potter: Under the Skin 1998 | 50min Former colleagues of the celebrated dramatist discuss his life and legacy for BBC arts series Close Up. Collection: Dennis Potter on TV Painting the Clouds: A Portrait of Dennis Potter 2004 | 89min Arena profiles the life of the celebrated dramatist, with contributions from those who knew him best. Collection: Dennis Potter on TV Potter on Television Arena explores Dennis Potter’s lesser-known work as a TV critic. Collection: Dennis Potter on TV Denys Lasdun The pioneering architect discusses his vision for the new National Theatre. Collection: Eastward Ho! Dramatic fiction short made by a talented Leeds cine group. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Devonshire Hospital, Buxton Returning WWI soldiers get more than they bargained for in Buxton’s new-fangled thermal baths. Collection: Heartlands The Diaries of Ossie Clark (South Bank Show) 1998 | 104min A tribute to the influential designer, filmed two years after his violent death. Collection: Brit Chic A Diary For Timothy 1946 | 38min What does the future hold for Timothy, born on the fifth anniversary of the start of WWII? Collection: Essentially British Diary of a Young Man 1964 | 45min The adventures of two working-class northern lads during their first few months in London. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Dick Henderson Singing ‘Love Her All the More’ 1926 | 5min Music hall star Dick Henderson trills out a resounding ode to his beloved. Collection: The Truth About Love Dickens Immerse yourself in Charles Dickens’ Victorian milieu with Peter Ackroyd’s three-part drama-documentary. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen Dickens’ London 1924 | 12min Join Fagin, Pickwick and Little Nell on a whirlwind tour of the sites that inspired Dickens’ work. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen Did You Ever See a Dream Talking? 1943 | 7min Spendthrift Claude Hulbert gets a lesson from his good angel in this enjoyably daft War Savings Bonds promo. Collection: Ealing Studios: Propaganda Shorts Dilip The story of Dilip Kumar, a young man with leprosy. Collection: n/a Dinner at the Sporting Club 1978 | 63min Leon Griffiths’ play climbs the bottom rungs of the boxing world, exposing the dark side of the ‘noble art’. Collection: Play for Today Dirk Bogarde: A Guardian Lecture 1983 | 40min BBC broadcast of the actor and writer in conversation at the National Film Theatre. Collection: Bogarde on the Box Dirk Bogarde: Above the Title 1986 | 50min Russell Harty interviews the notoriously guarded star at his home in Provence. Collection: Bogarde on the Box Dirty Filthy Love 2004 | 120min A man with OCD and Tourette’s Syndrome strikes up a rapport with the head of his support group. Collection: The Truth About Love Disablement 1977 | 26min A married couple discuss the challenges they face in achieving a healthy sex life after an accident leaves the man in a wheelchair. Collection: n/a Dispute 1960 | 36min A workplace grievance is told from different viewpoints in this imaginative British Productivity Council film, influenced by Kurosawa’s ‘Rashomon’. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out Distant Voices, Still Lives A wedding and a christening evoke powerful memories for a working-class Liverpool family. Collection: Essentially British Ripping yarn starring George Arliss as Dr. Syn – vicar by day, adventurer by night. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Doctor Who: An Unearthly Child 1963 | 26min The original 1963 ‘pilot’ episode of the sci-fi series, unscreened until 1991. Collection: TV Heaven Doctor Who: Boom Town 2005 | 45min A wicked alien is intent on blowing up Cardiff – can our Time Lord hero save the day? Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Doctor Who: Rose The return of the intrepid Time Lord after a long 16-year hiatus. Collection: TV Heaven Doctor Who: The Sun Makers 1977 | 26min The fourth Doctor and his assistant, Leela, take on an oppressive Pluto tax system. Collection: TV Heaven Ben, 39, castrated mongrel, needs love. GSOH essential. Collection: The Truth About Love Dombey and Son 1970 | 30min Julian Glover takes the lead as the eponymous shipping company owner in the opening episode of this 1983 Dickens adaptation. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen Doomwatch 1970 | 50min ‘Series 1 Episode 6: ‘Re-entry Forbidden’. An early episode of the classic BBC series about a government scientific agency investigating threats to the human race. Collection: Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder Don McCullin: Redundant Warrior A documentary profile of the distinguished war photographer. Collection: TV Heaven Don’t Be Like Brenda! 1973 | 10min Brenda makes a mistake and it’s clearly all her own fault… Collection: The Joy of Sex Education Don’t Be Silly A middle-class wife tries to cope with her abusive husband. Collection: Play for Today Don’t Dilly Dally on the Way 1969 | 25min Jimmy Edwards and Pat Coombs star in this classic Galton & Simpson farce. Collection: Funny Girls Don’t Drop the Coffin 2003 | 30min A glimpse into life and death in Bermondsey. Collection: Beautiful South Double the Trouble, Twice the Fun 1992 | 24min A mix of documentary and drama exploring the lives of lesbians and gay men with disabilities. Collection: Beautiful Things Richard Massingham looks at pub culture across England. Collection: Roll Out the Barrel Down Cemetery Road 1964 | 22min John Betjeman joins Philip Larkin for a tour of the poet’s adopted Hull in this edition of ‘Monitor’. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Down to the Sea Follow the River Mersey from source to sea. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Down to the Sea In Trucks 1947 | 18min The importance of rail transport in the shipbuilding industry. Collection: This Working Life: Tales From the Shipyard Down Town Perfect precincts: Britain goes shopping centre crazy. Collection: Pandora’s Box Bram Stoker’s great-nephew Daniel Farson investigates the enduring legacy of the Count. Collection: The Book Group The Dragon Has Two Tongues 1985 | 30min Two leading historians debate the rise of Marxism in Wales during the years before WWI. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen The Draughtsman’s Contract Peter Greenaway’s breakthrough film: a draughtsman enters into a dangerous game of wits. Collection: Cinema of Tomorrow Dream A40 1964 | 15min A young gay couple’s relationship is put to the test as a road trip takes a sinister turn in Lloyd Reckord’s underground short. Collection: Beautiful Things Dulwich College and Village 1960 | 10min Glorious colour footage of the famous Lambeth college, used as a location for the Harry Potter films. Collection: Beautiful South Durham Miners Answer Lord Kitchener’s Call To Arms 1914 | 1min Newsreel footage of Durham miners on their way to the recruiting station. Collection: North by North East Durham Miners’ Gala Marching bands and fancy dress parades – business as usual at the annual gala. Collection: North by North East Dusty Ermine A reformed criminal tries to save his nephew from going down the same road. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Dylan Thomas Oscar-winning documentary on the great Welsh poet and writer, narrated by Richard Burton. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen E. H. Hunt’s Amateur Films of the Rafai Fakirs 1929 | 8min An amateur record of the self-mutilation of fakirs in Hyderabad. Collection: Before Midnight Kwame Kwei-Armah’s Hackney-set story of gun crime, racism and a difficult father-son relationship. Collection: Black Britain Elphida 1987 | 60min Angela Wynter stars as a young woman who needs to make major changes in her life. Collection: Black Britain Elsie and the Brown Bunny 1921 | 8min Early Cadbury ad, playing like a surreal outtake from ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’. Collection: March Hares & Easter Bunnies Elstree Calling Alfred Hitchcock directs segments of a lavish revue featuring stars of the early 30s. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Emergency – Ward 10 The lives and loves of the staff of Oxbridge General Hospital. Collection: Soap Bubbles Emily Brontë at Howarth – A Personal Impression 1973 | 25min Beryl Bainbridge reflects on the triumphs and tragedies which shaped the novelist’s short life. Collection: The Book Group Day-to-day life among the West Indian community living in Birmingham’s Empire Road Collection: Black Britain The Encyclopaedist 1961 | 30min A pushy encyclopaedia salesman attempts to flog his wares in this TV drama written by John Mortimer. Collection: Black Britain The End of Arthur’s Marriage 1965 | 70min A real Ken Loach curio: the director’s exuberant musical contribution to the ‘Wednesday Play’ strand. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective The Ends 2005 | 9min A shooting on an Elephant and Castle estate is not quite what it seems in this powerful short. Collection: Beautiful South Endurance: The Story of a Glorious Failure 1933 | 55min Re-edited sound version of ‘South’, detailing Shackleton’s Antarctic Expedition of 1914-16 with spoken commentary. Collection: Into the White The Lake District beckons in this evocative amateur travelogue. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West An Englishman’s Home… A salute to the calming influence of Horlicks. Collection: Pandora’s Box Enid 2009 | 82min A memorably icy performance from Helena Bonham Carter uncovers the public and private lives of prolific children’s author Enid Blyton. Collection: Toyland Tales and Happy Endings Entertaining Mr Sloane 1968 | 80min A sexy young murderer joins the household of a spinster and her brother – but who is manipulating whom? Collection: Beautiful Things The Enthronement of the First Archbishop of Wales 1920 | 7min Alfred George Edwards becomes Wales’ first Archbishop at a ceremony attended by Lloyd George. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Epic of Everest Mallory and Irvine’s ill-fated attempt to conquer Everest. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La Epic of Joey Follow that monkey! A pet ape makes a break for freedom in Camberwell. Collection: Beautiful South The Epic That Never Was 1965 | 70min Dirk Bogarde tells the fascinating story of unfinished 1930s epic ‘I, Claudius’. Collection: Bogarde on the Box Erection of the Dome of Discovery, Festival of Britain, 1950/51 1951 | 48min The Festival of Britain’s radical centrepiece rises from the rubble of the South Bank. Collection: Beautiful South The effect of modern transport on the Welsh valleys and beyond. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Everyday Something A Home Truths-style guide to British eccentricity narrated by John Peel. Collection: Essentially British Everything In the Garden’s Lovely 1980 | 26min Tom Baker narrates the story of the Garden City movement, founded at Letchworth in Hertfordshire. Collection: Eastward Ho! Everything is Rhythm 1936 | 73min Harry Roy stars as a band leader who falls in love with a European princess in this vibrant musical comedy. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Experiment 1958 | 33min How to defuse potential industrial relations problems, using an experiment at a Monmouthshire coal mine as an example. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out Expresso Bongo Cliff Richard gyrates his way through Soho’s strip clubs and coffee bars. Collection: London Calling Ken Loach’s feature film reworking of controversial mental illness drama ‘In Two Minds’. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Family Pride The first Asian soap to hit British television screens. Collection: Soap Bubbles Family Snapshots 1937-1941 1937 | 18min Parties and day trips give way to the arrival of wartime evacuees in one Yorkshire family’s home movies. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen The Family Way Jenny and Arthur are unable to consummate their marriage. Tongues wag… Collection: Beautiful Things Famine 1967 | 39min Jack Gold’s powerful documentary about the famine and drought in the Indian state of Bihar. Collection: Visions of Change: The TV Documentary 1950s-60s Far and Near 2003 | 30min Leaving her country for the first time, a young Chinese writer wanders on a wild mountain in West Wales. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen The Far Pavilions ‘Gone With the Wind’, India-style. Collection: Before Midnight Learn to make the perfect Yorkshire parkin in this edition of the 70s cookery show. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Fashion Fantasy A glamour-starved Wren dreams of modelling for Norman Hartnell. Collection: Brit Chic Fat Man on a Bicycle aka W-H-O-R-K a la Pimple 1914 | 3min Pimple attempts to teach a large friend to ride a bicycle, with disastrous results. Collection: Pandora’s Box Father and Son 1945 | 14min Old ways and new ways clash as a son returns to his Kenyan village and contends with his father’s belief in magic and superstition. Collection: Cape to Cairo Agitprop film campaigning against the Industrial Relations Act. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out Figures in a Landscape The sculptures of Barbara Hepworth, and the Cornish landscapes that inspired them. Collection: Cinema of Tomorrow The Film That Never Was 1955 | 30min The making of a movie about industrial relations is thwarted – by industrial relations – in Paul Dickson’s funny and eccentric film. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out The Films of E.J. Montgomery 1928 | 26min An often playful record of the lives and duties of Lord and Lady Stephenson. Collection: Before Midnight Filth: The Mary Whitehouse Story 2008 | 88min Julie Walters steps into the sensible shoes of a fellow West Midlands icon. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen Fingersmith 2005 | 60min In the 1860s, a female pickpocket and an heiress enter into a relationship – but is the whole thing a con? Collection: Beautiful Things Gary Oldman stars in Alan Clarke’s searing indictment of football hooliganism. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen First a Girl A hard-up girl pretends to be a female impersonator to make ends meet. Collection: Beautiful Things The First Born 1928 | 93min Desire for a son and heir leads to marital strife between director/star Miles Mander and future ‘Hitchcock blonde’ Madeleine Carroll. Collection: Silent Britain First Reaction: Isabella Rusbridger 1992 | 3min A schoolgirl gives her verdict on the rewritten Enid Blyton novels, which tone down the sexism of the originals. Collection: Toyland Tales and Happy Endings First Reaction: Ken Loach The outspoken director attacks the way some filmmakers promote political parties. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective First Reaction: Ken Loach 1993 | 4min The filmmaker questions Channel 4’s decision to withdraw transmission of two films set in Northern Ireland. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Fisherfolk of Northumbria 1942 | 20min With the men at war, the laborious jobs in Newbiggin-by-the Sea fall to the village’s women. Collection: North by North East Five and Under Ministry of Information-sponsored investigation into the needs of overstretched working mothers in wartime. Collection: Reality Bites Five Go to Demon’s Rock 1996 | 25min The Famous Five encounter buried treasure, a shipwreck and a mischievous monkey in this 1990s adaptation. Collection: Toyland Tales and Happy Endings Five Have a Mystery to Solve 1964 | 15min A cliff passage on Whispering Island promises adventure for the young sleuths. Collection: Toyland Tales and Happy Endings Five Inch Bather A naked Richard Massingham extols the virtues of bathwater conservation. Collection: Pandora’s Box Five on a Treasure Island 1957 | 15min The first episode of the Children’s Film Foundation adventure serial – Julian, Dick, Ann and Timmy the dog meet tomboy George, and the Famous Five are born. Collection: Toyland Tales and Happy Endings Five Towns Life and work in the Staffordshire Potteries. Collection: Essentially British Flame in the Streets 1961 | 93min Domestic difficulties develop in a working-class family when their daughter falls in love with a Jamaican man. Collection: Black Britain The consequences of lust: an illegitimate child threatens ruin in this lavish 1920s society drama. Collection: The Truth About Love Flames of Passion Ingenious gay homage to Brief Encounter. Collection: The Truth About Love The Flaxton Boys A ghostly children’s adventure set in crumbling Flaxton Hall (actually Ripley Castle, near Harrogate). Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen The Flickering Flame 1996 | 50min Ken Loach tells the story of the sacked dockers of Liverpool and the Women of the Waterfront campaign. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Flight of the Swan Can a young black girl hope to become a classical ballerina? Collection: Black Britain The Flipside of Dominick Hide 1980 | 95min A time-traveller from 2130 attempts to track down his great-great-grandfather in 1980, but love complicates things… Collection: Play for Today The changes in coal mining that have taken place during one man’s working lifetime. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Forward to Service Didactic instructional film promoting company loyalty to employees of Smiths Dock Company, Teesside. Collection: North by North East The Four M’s 1964 | 44min The eccentric Lord Robens takes us through the 4 essential M’s of the coal industry. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out The Fourth Everest Expedition 1933 | 49min Hugh Ruttledge’s failed attempt to conquer Everest – he got to a point just 1000 feet below the summit. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La Fox Farm Passion blooms in the countryside when a girl falls in love with a blind farmer. Collection: Silent Britain The hills are alive with the sound of protestors, fighting for the right to roam. Collection: Heartlands Frenzy Featurette Material 1971 | 30min Rare footage taken on set at Pinewood and on location in Soho during production of Hitchcock’s first British film since ‘Stage Fright’. Collection: Looking for Alfred Friday the Thirteenth 1933 | 84min A star-studded cast appears in this ensemble piece – a dozen characters are involved in a London bus crash, but who will survive? Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace The Frock and Roll Years 2002 | 23min A beginner’s guide to post-war British fashion. Collection: Brit Chic From High Heels to Sensible Shoes 1997 | 30min Former TV presenter Jackie Forster discusses the day that changed her life – when she had her first lesbian affair. Collection: Beautiful Things From Raw Material to Finished Product 1932 | 26min Descend into the Eston mines as coal and ore are gathered to make iron and steel products. Collection: North by North East From Spain to Streatham (Monitor) 1959 | 10min Ken Russell’s affectionate tribute to the guitar features performances by John Williams and the teenage Davey Graham. Collection: Ken Russell on TV From the Four Corners Why would Australians, Canadians and New Zealanders risk their lives for Britain? Collection: Essentially British From the Sea to the Land Beyond 2012 | 72min A lyrical portrait of Britain’s coastline, combining BFI National Archive footage and stirring music by British Sea Power. Collection: Essentially British Frontier: A Return to the Austro-Hungarian Border 1964 | 32min A personal, poetic and moving documentary by exiled Hungarian filmmaker Robert Vas. Collection: Visions of Change: The TV Documentary 1950s-60s The Frost Programme Counterculture invades The Frost Programme as Jerry Rubin and the Yippies take over the stage. Collection: n/a The Frost Report on Class 1966 | 25min Classic sketches from Messrs Barker, Corbett, Cleese and Frost. Collection: Essentially British The Frost Report on Elections 1966 | 25min Satirical send ups of politicians – ‘The Daily Show’ circa 1966. Collection: The Ballot Box An oddball inventor startles Londoners with images of the city’s future. Collection: London Calling The Funeral of Queen Victoria (Funeral Procession at Cowes) 1901 | 3min The funeral of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. Collection: Essentially British Funny Farm 1975 | 93min Roy Minton’s play follows a day in the life of a charge nurse in a mental health unit. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen Gala Day Controversial portrait of the 1962 Durham Miners’ Gala. Collection: North by North East Gallivant A tour of Britain’s coastline, with the director’s grandmother and daughter in tow. Collection: Essentially British The Gamekeeper 1980 | 80min An ex-steelworker seeks a gentler pace of life in rural Yorkshire but finds his allegiances tested in Ken Loach’s TV drama. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective The Games A surreal take on East London’s Olympian future. Collection: London Calling Gangsters 1976 | 51min Paul Barber stars in the first episode of the ‘urban western’ set in Birmingham (Series 1 Incident 1). Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen Gangsters The French Connection comes to Birmingham. Collection: Play for Today Fifth instalment in the major ‘Arena’ portrait of Orwell, focusing on his final work. Collection: The Book Group George Orwell: The Road to the Left 1973 | 60min Documentary tracking Orwell’s life in 1936, the year he married, set off for the Spanish Civil War and completed his first novel. Collection: The Book Group George Sherriff’s Home Movies – Lhasa Films 1940 | 63min These amateur films of Lhasa feature the current Dalai Lama and his family in the 1940s. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La George Sherriff’s Home Movies – S.E. Tibet, Bhutan and Sikkim Films 1934 | 155min The vivid colours of Tibet, Bhutan and Sikkim in the 1930s and 40s. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La George Sherriff’s Home Movies – Tibetan Landscapes and Ceremonies 1938 | 51min The Tibetan landscape, wildlife and religious ceremonies through the eyes of botanist George Sherriff. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La Gert and Daisy’s Weekend 1941 | 79min The irrepressible Cockney pensioners take on a boisterous group of evacuee kids in this wartime comedy. Collection: Funny Girls Ghost Downstairs The Andrew Gosling 1982 | 60 min Creepy part-animated adaptation of Leon Garfield’s children’s novel set in Victorian London. Collection: Gothic: Love is a Devil A Ghost of a Chance Jan Darnley-Smith 1967 | 53 min Spooky kids’ caper with some famous faces. Collection: Gothic: Love is a Devil The Ghost of Monks Island Jeremy Summers 1967 | 89 min Lively Children’s Film Foundation adventure filmed in the Channel Islands. Collection: Gothic: Love is a Devil Ghostbuster — The Real Thing Psychic investigator Maurice Grosse revisits his most famous case: the Enfield Poltergeist. Collection: Gothic: Love is a Devil Ghostwatch Lesley Manning 1992 | 90 min Legendary Halloween ‘mockumentary’ investigating a haunted house. Collection: Gothic: Love is a Devil Ghostwatch: Behind the Curtains Rich Lawden 2012 | 90 min Documentary revisiting the British TV phenomenon. Collection: Gothic: Love is a Devil Gi’ It Some ‘Ommer 1984 | 25min An episode from a Central TV series looking at industry and business in the Black Country. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen Giant in the Sun Beautiful colour documentary showing Nigeria’s preparations for self-government. Collection: Cape to Cairo The Gift 1997 | 16min A man gives his disabled wife a video camera, and she begins to film their deteriorating relationship. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen Gilbert & George Go Day Tripping 1992 | 10min The Turner prize-winning artists head to Southend, the popular Essex seaside resort. Collection: Eastward Ho! Gilbert and George (The South Bank Show) 1997 | 75min The flamboyant artists discuss their provocative work. Collection: Farewell South Bank Show Ginger Nutt’s Christmas Circus 1949 | 7min Disney-inspired animated mayhem at the circus. Collection: Pandora’s Box Shy factory worker Beryl lets her hair down in Joanna Quinn’s uproarious animation. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Give Her a Ring A switchboard operator unknowingly falls for her boss in 1930s Copenhagen. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Glasgow Belongs to Me 1965 | 20min An affectionate sketch of life in a great city, tracing the development of the ‘Glasgow man’. Collection: Scottish Reels Glengarry Cinema Topical News No.4 1929 | 12min Chester bids farewell to its trams in this local transport newsreel. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Glengarry Cinema Topical News No.5 1930 | 15min Leaving Liverpool on the M.V. Britannic; back in Liverpool for the Railway Centenary exhibition. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Glimpses of a Manchester Popular Rendezvous 1924 | 5min Welcome to the Piccadilly Dance Salon. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Glimpses of India Indian travelogue featuring the famous sights and rural life. Collection: Before Midnight Glowyr – Mynd yn Grwt i’r Gwaith 1994 | 25min Ex-miners recall their childhood days working in the Welsh coalmines. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Go Go Go Said the Bird 1966 | 55min A trip through Swinging London with Marianne Faithfull, David Hockney, Twiggy and co. Collection: London Calling Go to Blazes 1942 | 8min Clueless know-it-all Will Hay demonstrates how not to put out incendiary bombs in this WWII public information short. Collection: Ealing Studios: Propaganda Shorts The Go-Between Sex, class and cricket – the past as a not-so-foreign country. Collection: Essentially British Perhaps the best-loved Dickens adaptation, David Lean’s 1946 feature has been painstakingly restored. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen Great Expectations Michael York stars as Pip in the first colour version of the Dickens classic. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen Great Expectations 1999 | 185min Charlotte Rampling as Miss Havisham and Ioan Gruffudd as Pip lead an all-star cast in this sumptuous two-part adaptation. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen Great Expectations (Part 1) 1959 | 30min Part one of an early adaptation of the Dickens favourite directed by children’s TV pioneer Dorothea Brooking. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen Great Hucklow Jubilee Film May 5th 1935 1935 | 6min Jubilee celebrations in a Derbyshire village. Collection: Heartlands An early forerunner of the party political broadcast from the Conservatives. Collection: Reality Bites The Great War 1964 | 40min The Devil is Coming: relive the horror of the Somme in this edition of the groundbreaking 1964 series. Collection: Reality Bites The Great White Silence 1924 | 104min Astonishing film record of Scott’s tragic 1910-13 expedition to the South Pole, restored by the BFI National Archive. Collection: Into the White The Greatest Menace We Have Ever Known 1921 | 1min ‘Topical Budget’ opposes the miners during the 1921 Coal War. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Gregory’s Girl Affectionate Scottish high school comedy about an amiable loser in love. Collection: Scottish Reels Groove on a Stanley Knife 1997 | 41min Two girls – a lesbian and a homophobe – go on the run from crack-dealers. Collection: Beautiful Things The festival of Dashian is celebrated – including scenes of animal sacrifice. Collection: Before Midnight Gwaed ar y Sêr (Blood on the Stars) Wil Aaron 1975 | 57 min The local school kids aren’t as innocent as they look in this cult Welsh-language horror. Collection: Gothic: Monstrous Gŵyl Cerdd Dant – Rhosllannerchrugog a’r Cylch 2006 | 48min The unique Welsh art of singing poetry to the accompaniment of harp music. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen H.R.H. Prince George Prince George launches a lifeboat in Cromer. Collection: Eastward Ho! H.R.H. The Princess Royal Visit to Oswestry 1933 | 3min Princess Mary visits Oswestry, near Wrexham, in 1933. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Hadrian’s Wall Haunting landscape poem dedicated to the Roman Wall – Northern England’s most visited tourist attraction. Collection: North by North East Halcyon Days Brushes at the ready – are you ready to paint the Halcyon way? Collection: Heartlands Meet Dr Josef Ranald, palmist to the stars ‚Äì and the occasional Nazi. Collection: Gothic: The Dark Arts Hanif Kureishi – ‘Black and White in Colour’ Interviews 1991 | 30min ‘The Buddha of Suburbia’ author offers his opinions on race in British film and TV. Collection: The Book Group Hanif Kureishi (Guardian Interview) AUDIO ONLY 1999 | min South Bank Show profile of the provocative writer. Collection: The Book Group Hanif Kureishi (South Bank Show) 2003 | 48min Kureishi discusses his work at the NFT. Collection: The Book Group Ha’penny Breeze 1951 | 57min A young man tries to rally a Suffolk village on the banks of the River Orwell to improve their post-war lot. Collection: Eastward Ho! The popular sitcom that introduced the world to retired empty nesters Terry and June. Collection: Funny Girls Happy Families 1985 | 30min Jennifer Saunders takes on five roles in this neglected Ben Elton sitcom, also starring Dawn French. Collection: Funny Girls The Happy Family 1952 | 86min A plucky South Bank family decide to fight back when building work for the Festival of Britain threatens their home. Collection: Beautiful South Happy Family 1939 | 8min John Mills stars in Ealing Studios’ first foray into propaganda filmmaking, made shortly before the outbreak of WWII. Collection: Ealing Studios: Propaganda Shorts Happy in the Morning: A Film Fantasy 1938 | 13min A jolly showcase for Henry Hall’s band, doubling up as a water heater commercial. Collection: Pandora’s Box Happy Moorings 1964 | 52min Comedy starring Millicent Martin as a prim lady apparently having an affair with her manservant. But is she? Collection: Funny Girls Hard Feelings 1984 | 85min A group of Oxford graduates live in Brixton in 1980, oblivious to the rioting on the streets. Collection: Beautiful South Hard Labour 1973 | 70min Mike Leigh’s first TV drama, starring Liz Smith and Alison Steadman in a Salford-set snapshot of domestic drudgery. Collection: Play for Today Hard Times (Episode 1) 1977 | 50min The opening episode in Granada TV’s impressive four-part version of the atypical Dickens tale set in a northern mill town. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen Harlequinade Rare comedy from Terence Rattigan, starring Denholm Elliott and Edith Evans. Collection: n/a Harrison Compilation – 1950s 1950 | 14min Highlights from the home movies of a Hull fish merchant, documenting an industry on the cusp of change. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Harrods (A Day in the Life…) 1993 | 30min A 1990s peek behind the scenes of the Knightsbridge institution. Collection: London Calling An early episode of the children’s art show presented by the much-missed Tony Hart. Collection: The Kids Are Alright Hartlepool Charter 1950s Hartlepool – port town of industry and tourism. Collection: North by North East Harvest Shall Come, The 1942 | 38min Dramatised account of the poor working and living conditions of the average farm worker, filmed in Needham Market, Suffolk. Collection: Eastward Ho! Have We Missed the Boat? (Northern Scene) 1981 | 25min The challenges facing shipbuilding in Tyneside. Collection: This Working Life: Tales From the Shipyard Hawking 2004 | 89min Dramatised account of the early adult life of Stephen Hawking, including his radical work at Trinity College, Cambridge. Collection: Eastward Ho! A young woman suffers under an embittered guardian in Cecil Hepworth’s Yorkshire-set melodrama. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Hell is a City Tough thriller with Stanley Baker on a murder hunt in Manchester. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Help for Russia 1941 | 9min After the German invasion of Russia in 1941, Bermondsey locals do their bit to raise funds. Collection: Beautiful South Hen Elynion (Old Enemies) 1997 | 100min The complex relationships of a Rhos-born Spanish Civil War veteran are explored in this absorbing S4C drama. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Henry V Central TV’s minority ethnic arts and culture programme visits Birmingham’s Hummingbird club. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen Here and Now: The Jah People 1981 | 26min A look at the Rastafari way of life in Handsworth, West Midlands. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen Here is the Gold Coast 1947 | 35min A Central Office of Information film outlining the planned development of the Gold Coast over the next ten years. Collection: Cape to Cairo Here’s a Health to the Barley Mow 1955 | 17min Traditional English folk songs and step dances in a Suffolk pub. Collection: Eastward Ho! Blackmail and murder in the colonies. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace High Jinks at Durham Miners’ Gala 1928 | 1min In spite of an uncertain future, Durham miners party in the streets. Collection: North by North East High Living The only way is up: the 1960s’ answer to Britain’s booming population. Collection: The Promised Land High Spirits with Shirley Ghostman 2005 | 28 min Medium Shirley can channel the dead famous, ably assisted by canine spirit guide Sheba. Collection: Gothic: Love is a Devil High Summer 1972 | 75min A young man returns to the family manor to demand his inheritance in a rare written-for-television play by Terence Rattigan. Collection: n/a High Treason 1928 | 75min Britain’s answer to ‘Metropolis’ – a sci-fi epic of conspiracy and sabotage set in a futuristic London. Collection: Silent Britain Who needs an iron when you have a jam jar to hand? Collection: Pandora’s Box Hints and Hobbies No.3 1926 | 5min How to construct an efficient wireless set for just 1/10d. Although Mensa membership may be a prerequisite… Collection: Pandora’s Box Hints and Hobbies No.7 1926 | 14min How to remove dirt from your finest stole and enthral your guests with a few sugar lumps. Collection: Pandora’s Box Hints and Hobbies No.8 1926 | 12min Turn your dog into a burglar alarm and clean out that murky decanter – the Hints and Hobbies team are back. Collection: Pandora’s Box Historic Mutiny Sites 1914 | 5min Sixty years after the event, this travelogue indicates the continued potency of the Indian Mutiny to the British in India. Collection: Before Midnight History of the English Language 1943 | 15min How did the mother tongue of 400 million people come into existence? Collection: Pandora’s Box The kiss-me-quick pleasures of saucy Blackpool. Collection: Essentially British Holidays at Home – Saltwell Park Gateshead 1944 | 11min Gateshead residents enjoy a ‘staycation’ to cut down on travel during WWII. Collection: North by North East Hollow Drift Children’s Procession, Durham 1902 | 3min Thousands of Durham schoolchildren march through the streets to mark the coronation of Edward VII. Collection: North by North East The Holly and the Ivy 1952 | 83min An unfairly neglected Christmas tale starring Ralph Richardson and Celia Johnson. Collection: Pandora’s Box Holly and the Ivy, The 1952 | 83min An unfairly neglected Christmas tale starring Ralph Richardson and Celia Johnson. Collection: Eastward Ho! Hollyoaks 2000 | 25min Three men go on trial for the rape of Luke Morgan (Gary Lucy) in a superior episode of the soap. Collection: Soap Bubbles 1898 | 1min The Royal Mail steamer Munster completes its journey from Dublin to the island of Anglesey. Llong ager y Post Brenhinol, y Munster, yn cyrraedd pen ei thaith o Ddulyn i Ynys Môn. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Home Guard ‘D Coy’ Aston Park, Birmingham 1940 | 12min D Company of the Birmingham Home Guard marching and performing a drill. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen Home James Film star James Mason returns to his home town of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen The Home Movies of H.A.N. Barlow 1945 | 20min Gritty images of India’s northerly frontiers contrast with vibrant colour scenes of Udaipur in these 8mm films. Collection: Before Midnight The Home Movies of Robert Wrench 1924 | 14min Home movies showing Tyneside in the 1920s and 30s. Collection: North by North East Home Movies of T. Burtt 1933 | 39min Lahore, Rajasthan and Simla feature in Burtt’s home movies. Collection: Before Midnight Homes for All (This Modern Age No.1) 1946 | 20min A plug for the post-war housing policy of a new Labour government. Collection: The Promised Land Racism in a white, working-class family – later re-made as ‘Flame in the Streets’. Collection: Black Britain Hothouse, The 1978 | 50min Six former Newnham students – “the pleasantest of the ladies’ colleges” – discuss their lives since leaving Cambridge University. Collection: Eastward Ho! A House in Battersea (Monitor) 1961 | 17min Ken Russell’s portrait of an extraordinary collection of Pre-Raphaelite art and the 95-year-old woman who preserves it. Collection: Ken Russell on TV A House in Bayswater 1960 | 30min A nostalgic look at a house in which Ken Russell himself once lived, still packed with artists on every floor. Collection: Ken Russell on TV House in Which You Live, The 1947 | 17min Don’t mention the War: a reassuring architectural tour of British homes past, present and future. Collection: The Promised Land House of Cards 1990 | 56min The death of the Prime Minister sparks the faithful party whip’s ambition in this political thriller. Collection: TV Heaven The Houseboy 1982 | 52min A young man gets a job in a decaying London guest house managed by an ageing gay couple. Collection: Beautiful Things Moving wartime drama about a real-life Barrow housewife, written by and starring Victoria Wood. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Housing Problems Inhabitants of 1930s slums voice their grievances, experiences and hopes. Collection: Essentially British How a Bicycle is Made 1945 | min The recipe for the perfect bike. Collection: Pandora’s Box How a British Bulldog Saved the Union Jack 1906 | 7min A plucky hound rescues a British cavalryman from a treacherous Zulu in this Edwardian flag-waver. Collection: Cape to Cairo How Percy Won the Beauty Competition 1909 | 6min Percy drags up to scoop the top prize in this silent short – but will he be found out? Collection: Beautiful Things How to explain the birds and the bees – and STDs – to your children. Collection: The Joy of Sex Education Hoxton…Saturday, July 3rd, Britannia Theatre 1920 | 6min A very busy Saturday on Old Street. Collection: London Calling Huddersfield International Club Opening Night 1968 | 3min A pioneering attempt to promote understanding between communities at a time of great social upheaval. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Hue and Cry 1946 | 82min A group of schoolboys uncover a dastardly scam. When the police won’t listen, it’s time to take matters into their own hands. Collection: Box of Delights Hugh MacDiarmid: No Fellow Travellers 1972 | 26min Made to commemorate the 80th birthday of the late Hugh MacDiarmid, the poet speaks about his life and work. Collection: Scottish Reels John Mills’ perfect beer moment makes for a perfect movie moment. Collection: Roll Out the Barrel The Ice House 1978 | 35min A mysterious outbuilding holds a chilling secret in the last of the 1970s Christmas ghost stories. Collection: A Ghost Story for Christmas ICI on Teesside The influence of Imperial Chemical Industries on Billingham and Wilton. Collection: North by North East Ilford Everest Members of Ruttledge’s Everest expedition at play. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La I’m All Right Jack 1959 | 105min Peter Sellers is a militant trade unionist in this peerless workplace satire. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out I’m British But… Britain beats to the sound of Bhangra and Bangla. Collection: Essentially British Morse investigates an apparent suicide in the debut episode of the stately police drama. Collection: TV Heaven Intensive Care 1982 | 80min A teacher visits his dying father and strikes up a rapport with the night nurse in Alan Bennett’s black comedy, starring Thora Hird and Julie Walters. Collection: Play for Today International Association Match, England v. Wales, Wrexham 1912 1912 | 3min Billy Meredith, one of Wales’ early football superstars, takes on the English team at the Racecourse, Wrexham. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Interview with Beatles 1963 | 10min The Fab Four respond to searching questions from viewers of Tyne Tees Television – does Ringo like beards? Collection: North by North East Introducing Anglia Anglia Television makes its debut. Collection: Eastward Ho! Introducing Work Study 1955 | 20min Industrial film aimed at the many sceptics of the work study scheme, seen by thousands of workers across the country. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out Invisible City 1991 | 18min The fate of a Nazi-era Jewish couple disrupts a futuristic dystopia where memory and history are outlawed. Collection: Oy Britannia A no-nonsense warning of the perils of gonorrhoea and syphilis. Collection: The Joy of Sex Education Isadora Ken Russell’s dramatised documentary on the eccentric life of American dance pioneer Isadora Duncan. Collection: Ken Russell on TV Island People The British way of life at the dawn of the 1940s. Collection: Essentially British It Ain’t Half Racist, Mum 1979 | 30min The pervasive racism of British TV in the ’70s is exposed. Collection: Black Britain It Always Rains on Sunday 1947 | 92min A housewife’s life is complicated when her ex-lover, an escaped violent criminal, comes to her for shelter. Collection: London Calling It’s a Free World 2007 | 92min The dark side of the capitalist dream: Ken Loach’s powerful feature tackles the exploitation of London’s illegal workforce. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective It’s Fantastic It’s Futuristic It’s Fatalistic It’s Science Fiction 1973 | 48min Absorbing documentary tracing sci-fi’s literary journey from Jules Verne and H.G. Wells to Isaac Asimov and J.G. Ballard. Collection: Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder It’s No Joke Living in Barnsley 1976 | 27min Writer, actor and wrestler Brian Glover revisits the South Yorkshire town where he was born. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen It’s Not Unusual: A Lesbian and Gay History 1997 | 147min Major three-part history of homosexuality in Britain from 1920 to 1996. Collection: Beautiful Things J L McAdam Ltd. Annual Staff Outing to Beadnell 1937 | 5min Staff of the Newcastle tailor’s head for the seaside at Beadnell Sands. Collection: North by North East Jack Hylton Presents: The Crazy Gang 1956 | 55min The Crazy Gang at the Victoria Palace – British humour from another era. Collection: Essentially British Jack Petersen v. Hein Muller 1930 | 9min The greatest moment in the history of Welsh boxing? Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Jack the Ripper Screaming Lord Sutch performs a song of alarmingly questionable taste. Collection: Pandora’s Box Jackanory – George’s Marvellous Medicine 1986 | 75min Rik Mayall makes for a bravura storyteller with his reading of Roald Dahl’s children’s classic. Collection: The Kids Are Alright Jacqueline Du Pre and the Elgar Cello Concerto 1967 | 70min Documentary about the legendary cellist, featuring a complete performance of her finest hour – the Elgar Cello Concerto. Collection: Hope and Glory A breathtaking glimpse of city life on the cusp of the Edwardian era. Collection: Scottish Reels James Guthrie’s Home Movies – Gyantse Trips 1935 | 50min Amateur films shot in and around Gyantse, Tibet. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La James Guthrie’s Home Movies – Lhasa Trips 1935 | 73min Life in and around Lhasa. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La James Guthrie’s Home Movies – Miscellaneous Tibet Films 1935 | 39min Ceremonies, people and landscapes – life in Tibet vividly captured by amateur filmmaker Guthrie. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La James Guthrie’s Home Movies – Tibetan Ceremonies 1939 | 60min Home movie footage including a potent scene featuring the young Dalai Lama in a golden palanquin. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La James Guthrie’s Home Movies – Tibetan Valley Trips 1939 | 29min Tibetan life and landscape by British Medical Officer/Civil Surgeon James Guthrie. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La Jemima and Johnny 1966 | 30min In a west London community divided by racism, a white boy befriends the daughter of a family recently arrived from the Caribbean. Collection: Box of Delights A day’s world news from October 1975. Collection: The Kids Are Alright John Galliano (South Bank Show) 1997 | 52min Profile of the trailblazing British couturier during his time at Givenchy. Collection: Brit Chic John Peel’s Sounds of the Suburbs: South Wales 1999 | 35min The legendary DJ turns his ear to the musical developments in South Wales. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Johnnie’s Welcome Home 1930 | 3min The ‘Topical Budget’ cameras capture Amy Johnson’s triumphant return to Croydon Aerodrome after her solo flight to Australia. Collection: Amy Johnson: Queen of the Skies Johnny Cash in San Quentin 1969 | 60min Haunting record of the singer’s legendary concert in San Quentin. Collection: Reality Bites Floella Benjamin and friends look back on 60 years of BBC children’s programmes. Collection: The Kids Are Alright Judean Club in Leeds 1935 | 17min Members of Leeds’ thriving Jewish community indulge their hobbies in this film made by a local tailor. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Jumping Bean Bag 1976 | 70min Androgynous, sexually-charged rock group Slag Bag rise to fame – but do they understand the forces they unleash? Collection: Play for Today Just A Boy’s Game 1979 | 75min The brutal life of Glasgow hard-man, Jake McQuillan – from the director of ‘The Long Good Friday’. Collection: Play for Today Just Another Saturday 1975 | 75min One young man’s long day as participant and bystander in the Protestant Orange day parades of Glasgow 1975. Collection: Play for Today Just Your Luck 1972 | 65min Greenock teenager Alison falls pregnant and has to marry: but her family is Protestant and the father’s is Catholic… Collection: Play for Today Juvenile Liaison 1975 | 97min Banned documentary from Nick Broomfield exposing the bullying methods of a juvenile liaison unit in Blackburn. Collection: Cinema of Tomorrow Juvenile Scientist, A 1907 | 4min Punished for mistreating the family pets, a young boy uses his chemistry set to wreak revenge on his parents. Collection: Pandora’s Box The Kamikaze Ground Staff Reunion Dinner 1981 | 70min Japanese servicemen – all played by white Englishmen – gather to commemorate their country’s defeat 35 years previously. Collection: Play for Today Katie Boyle at Selfridges (Camay Commercial) 1967 | 1min Camay hope the luxury store’s glamour will rub off in this 60s soap commercial. Collection: Pandora’s Box Keep an Eye on Albert 1975 | 75min The neglected wife of a pigeon fancier becomes attracted to his best mate. Collection: Play for Today The John Woods 1983 | 27 min A spooky edition of kids’ series ‘Dramarama’, written by Alan Garner. Collection: Gothic: Love is a Devil Keep Things As They Are 1991 | 12min Recreation of artist Ian Breakwell’s residency at Cambridge. Collection: Eastward Ho! George Formby and his trusty ukulele go on the hunt for missing jewellery. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Ken and Rosa: The Making of Bread and Roses 2001 | 49min An entertaining behind-the-scenes insight into Ken Loach’s LA-set feature and his process as a director. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Ken Loach (South Bank Show) 1993 | 60min The veteran director reflects on the motivation behind his work in conversation with Melvyn Bragg. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Ken Russell’s ABC of British Music (South Bank Show) 1988 | 77min Ken Russell’s wildly self-indulgent but irresistibly entertaining survey of one of his favourite subjects. Collection: Ken Russell on TV Kenneth Williams (Comic Roots) Kenneth Williams takes us on a very personal stroll around the city he called home. Collection: London Calling The Kenny Everett Television Show 1981 | 30min The ethos of punk is alive and well in Kenny Everett’s appropriately disrespectful hands. Collection: Anarchy in the UK Kensal House A visionary community powered by the miracle of gas. Collection: The Promised Land Empire adventure starring Paul Robeson as enigmatic tribal king Umbopa. Collection: Cape to Cairo Kingdom of My Own, A 1962 | 30min The life of John Constable, featuring shots of the Suffolk countryside that inspired his paintings. Collection: Eastward Ho! King’s Visit to Norwich, October 25th 1909 1909 | 14min Century-old actuality footage of Edward VII visiting Norwich. Collection: Eastward Ho! Kipps: The Story of a Simple Soul 1921 | 89min Folkestone-set film based on H.G. Wells’ novel about a draper who struggles when thrust into high society. Collection: Silent Britain The Kiss in the Tunnel 1899 | 1min Amorous Victorians indulge in illicit smooching. Collection: Essentially British The Kiss of Death 1977 | 70min ‘Shameless’’ David Thelfall plays Trevor, a quirky undertaker’s assistant, in Mike Leigh’s black comedy. Collection: Play for Today A middle-aged man’s fling with a barmaid threatens the stability of his family. Collection: Play for Today Kizzy 1976 | 45min A young Romany girl deals with prejudice after moving to a small village in Rumer Godden’s tale for children. Collection: Box of Delights Knave of Hearts [aka Monsieur Ripois] 1954 | 100min Tales of an incorrigible French womaniser, starring Gérard Philipe and Joan Greenwood. Collection: The Truth About Love Knightmare Kids’ TV entered the era of computer gaming with this cutting-edge swords-and-sorcery game show. Collection: The Kids Are Alright The Knowledge Learner taxi drivers attempt to master ‘the knowledge’ of London’s streets. Collection: London Calling The Kumars at No. 42 2001 | 30min Spoof chat-show featuring the Kumars, with this week’s special guests Graham Norton and Davina McCall. Collection: Funny Girls Laburnum Grove 1936 | 73min Hypocrisy and deceit bubble under the surface of suburbia in this brilliantly acted J.B. Priestley adaptation. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Lace The manufacture of Nottingham lace in the 1920s. Collection: Heartlands Victorian ladies show off their slalom cycling skills. Collection: Pandora’s Box Lady Audley’s Secret 1920 | 76min To what lengths will Lady Audley go to hide her past? Margaret Bannerman stars in this silent feature film adaptation from 1920. Collection: The Gentle Sex Lady Audley’s Secret 2000 | 98min Neve McIntosh stops at nothing to safeguard her future in this 2000 TV adaptation of Mary Elizabeth Braddon’s novel. Collection: The Gentle Sex Lady Godiva Procession in Coventry 1902 | 7min Crowds pay homage to the legendary Anglo-Saxon noblewoman during Coventry’s Edwardian coronation celebrations. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen. Lady Windermere’s Fan 1916 | 72min Will the mysterious Mrs Erlynne redeem herself? Upper class intrigue abounds in the first screen adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s play. Collection: Silent Britain Ladybird Ladybird 1994 | 98min Ken Loach returned to the themes of his classic ‘Cathy Come Home’ with this tough domestic drama. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective The Ladykillers Brilliant black comedy of armed robbers, murder and a Boccherini string quintet. Collection: London Calling Lambeth Boys 1985 | 120min What happened to the lads from 1959’s ‘We Are the Lambeth Boys’? And do teenagers in the 80s share the same concerns? Collection: Beautiful South A lap dancer meets a man at a bus stop one rainy night. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen The Larkins 1958 | 26min Forty years before ‘The Darling Buds of May’, Peggy Mount and David Kossoff star in an early TV adaptation of H.E. Bates’ popular novels. Collection: Funny Girls The Last Days of Dolwyn 1949 | 95min The shadow of murder haunts a doomed village in the Welsh valleys in Emlyn Williams’ period drama, with Richard Burton in his big screen debut. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen The Last of England* 1987 | 88min Derek Jarman’s dark, poetic vision of a city and a country brought to its knees. Collection: London Calling The Last of the Summer Wine (Comedy Playhouse) 1973 | 30min Three Yorkshire pensioners philosophise about life in Roy Clarke’s original TV play. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen The Last Place on Earth: Rejoice 1985 | 52min The final episode in a controversial TV dramatisation of Scott and Amundsen’s race for the South Pole. Collection: Into the White The Amber collective captures a breathtaking launch at the Swan Hunter’s Wallsend shipyard. Collection: This Working Life: Tales From the Shipyard The Launch of the HMS Albion 1898 | 2min RW Paul’s controversial film of the launch of the mighty battleship, which ended in tragedy when many spectators drowned following the collapse of a gangway. Collection: This Working Life: Tales From the Shipyard The Launching of Formby Lifeboat 1916 | 3min A rare glimpse of lifeboat men at work in the 1910s. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Laurence Olivier – A Life (South Bank Show) 1982 | 95min Emmy award-winning edition profiling one of Britain’s greatest actors. Collection: Farewell South Bank Show The League of Gentlemen Welcome to the weird world of Royston Vasey. You’ll never leave! Collection: Heartlands The League of Gentlemen Christmas Special 2000 | 60min Festive tales of terror for local people. Collection: A Ghost Story for Christmas Learie Constantine A day in the life of the Trinidadian-British cricketer. Collection: Black Britain British Transport Films’ love letter to Wales. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen A Letter From Wales A farmer’s boy describes his life in the rural idyll of Llandwrog. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Letter to Brezhnev A romp through the rain-soaked alleyways, chip shops and cheap hotels of Thatcher era Liverpool. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Licking Hitler 1978 | 65min During WWII, a woman is sent deep into the countryside to work in secret with a Glaswegian journalist, where she finds herself in a brutal and sinister world. Collection: Play for Today Lido 1995 | 49min A microcosm of London life from beautiful men to spirited single mums: meet the regulars at the Brockwell Park Lido. Collection: Beautiful South Ingmar Bergman dissects a marriage breakdown. Collection: Play for Today Lieutenant Pimple’s Dash to the Pole 1914 | 10min Fred Evans’ clownish boob heads for the Arctic in the earliest surviving film in the Pimple series. Collection: Into the White The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby 1947 | 108min The first British version of the Dickens favourite – and Cavalcanti’s final film for Ealing Studios. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen A Life Apart An examination of the charity Raphael’s work with people living with leprosy. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen Life in Hunza Rural life in the mountainous valley near Gilgit – now in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. Collection: Before Midnight Life in the Freezer 1993 | 30min David Attenborough visits Captain Scott’s hut and looks at the ways scientists and filmmakers have adapted to hostile Antarctic conditions. Collection: Into the White The Life of the Rabbit 1945 | 11min The behaviour of the European rabbit. Collection: March Hares & Easter Bunnies Life on Earth 1979 | 54min This edition of David Attenborough’s landmark documentary series introduces Man’s nearest relatives, the primates. Collection: TV Heaven Life Story 1987 | 107min Jeff Goldblum stars as controversial scientist James D. Watson in the race to discover DNA in 1950s Cambridge. Collection: Eastward Ho! The Light Fantastic (Monitor) 1960 | 23min Former dancer Ken Russell takes a look at the state of the art in early 1960s Britain. Collection: Ken Russell on TV Lights and Shades on the Bostock Circus Farm 1911 | 5min A tumultuous and tragic day on the Bostock Circus Farm. Collection: Pandora’s Box Lambeth buildings at their best – and worst. Collection: Beautiful South The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne 1987 | 116min Maggie Smith on BAFTA-winning form as a lonely Irish spinster. Collection: The Truth About Love The Lonely Shore (Monitor) 1962 | 16min A team of alien archaeologists sift through abandoned British objects in one of Ken Russell’s most original early documentaries. Collection: Ken Russell on TV The Long Day Closes Terence Davies revisits his Liverpool childhood for this lyrical follow-up to Distant Voices, Still Lives. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West The Long Distance Piano Player 1970 | 80min The Kinks’ Ray Davies stars as a pianist who embarks on a 4-day musical marathon. Collection: Play for Today Employers and employees give wildly varying opinions on the high productivity at a Northumberland colliery. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out Look Around: Edgbaston If the Bard had ridden a bicycle… Industrial film masquerading as a travelogue. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen. Look Up and Laugh 1935 | 80min Gracie Fields takes on some grasping businessmen in this superior star vehicle, also featuring Vivien Leigh. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Looks and Smiles 1981 | 99min Among Ken Loach’s least known works, this 1981 feature explores the romantic and economic travails of a pair of Sheffield school leavers. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Lord Camber’s Ladies Getrude Lawrence makes a rare screen appearance in this Hitchcock-produced tale of dastardly deeds. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace The Lord Mayor Recruiting 1916 | 1min The Lord Mayor, having opened the Mansion House as a recruiting office, makes a special appeal to Jewish men to join the war effort. Collection: Oy Britannia Home movie of the Viceroy of India. Collection: Before Midnight The Lost City: A Return Journey With J B Priestley 1958 | 45min J.B. Priestley returns to his native Bradford to see what changes have taken place over 40 years. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Lost Hearts 1973 | 35min An orphan moves in with his sinister relative, and is disturbed by visions of ghostly children. Collection: A Ghost Story for Christmas The Lost Language of Cranes 1992 | 87min Nature or nurture? A father and son discover that they have something in common. Collection: Beautiful Things The Lost World of Tibet 2008 | 90min The BBC/BFI documentary exploring life in pre-invasion Tibet features a potent interview with the Dalai Lama. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La Louise 1969 | 50min A manipulative woman (Sarah Badel) uses her illness to live a life of luxury. Based on the story by W. Somerset Maugham. Collection: The Gentle Sex Love From A Stranger 1937 | 92min A lottery winner meets the man of her dreams (Basil Rathbone) – but does he have sinister motives? Based on a short story by Agatha Christie. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Love is the Devil: Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon 1998 | 87min Derek Jacobi and Daniel Craig star as artist Francis Bacon and his muse, George Dyer. Collection: Beautiful Things Wayward women, lonely soldiers and a visit to the V.D. clinic. Collection: The Joy of Sex Education Love on the Range It’s Horlicks to the rescue in this animated ad set in the Wild West. Collection: The Truth About Love Love on the Wing Banned Norman McLaren animation following the journey of a letter between two lovers. Collection: The Truth About Love Love on Wheels Wonderful toe-tapping musical comedy starring Jack Hulbert. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Love Story Love conquers all: Margaret Lockwood and Stewart Granger defy death on the Cornish coast. Collection: The Truth About Love Love Test Scheming chemists in laboratory love triangle shock! Collection: The Truth About Love Love Thy Neighbour The hugely popular – but deeply racist – ’70s sitcom starring Rudolph Walker and Nina Baden-Semper. Collection: Black Britain Groundbreaking British feature facing up to antisemitism in inter-war high society. Collection: Oy Britannia LSO — The Music Men 1965 | 59min Collection: The demands of life inside the London Symphony Orchestra with conductors Colin Davis and Istvan Kertesz. Visions of Change: The TV Documentary 1950s-60s L.S. Lowry, the Industrial Artist 1974 | 18min A look at the work and world of the artist who captured the industrial north. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Lump 1967 | 75min A Manchester student is politicised while working on a building site in Jim Allen’s highly-charged Wednesday Play. Collection: Tony Garnett: Seeing Red Luna 14-year-old Patsy Kensit stars in this wildly inventive futuristic kids’ series. Collection: The Kids Are Alright Lunch-Hour The Lure of Crooning Water 1920 | 105min Sun-dappled pastoral romance starring the golden couple of ’20s British cinema. Collection: Silent Britain Lusitania Day 1916 | 1min A march takes place in London on the first anniversary of the sinking of RMS Lusitania by a German U-boat. Collection: Save Our Souls: Disaster at Sea Lusitania: Murder on the Atlantic 2007 | 89min John Hannah stars in this docudrama about the sinking of RMS Lusitania, torpedoed during WWI. Collection: Save Our Souls: Disaster at Sea Lust for a Vampire Hammer horror with a Sapphic twist. Collection: Beautiful Things Lyon’s Grocers Shop, Market Weighton 1957 | 20min Who needs supermarkets? This East Yorkshire emporium stocks everything the 1950s family could need. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Machair Gaelic-language soap set in the Outer Hebrides. Collection: Soap Bubbles Machynlleth (in the Heart of Cambria) 1929 | 2min Gorgeous Pathécolor snapshot of the Powys market town. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Mackrell Personal Films 1934 | 36min Hunting and fishing are the order of the day in the colourful home movies of this Assam-based tea planter. Collection: Before Midnight Made in Huddersfield 1985 | 90min A look at the Second Wave of punk that hit the North of England in the 1980s. Collection: Anarchy in the UK Madeleine 1949 | 114min New restoration of David Lean’s true-crime drama set in Victorian Glasgow, with an intriguingly icy Ann Todd. Collection: The Gentle Sex A young James Fox stars in this lesser-known Ealing comedy set on Merseyside. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Magnificent Reproductions of the Great Yorkshire Show at Bradford 1901 | 13min Classes mingle in Mitchell & Kenyon’s multi-reel record of the annual agricultural event. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Magnus Family in India Home movie footage of the Magnus family. Collection: Before Midnight Maharajah of Jodhpur – Personal Films 1946 | 260min See India from a royal perspective with these home movie records of princely power and sumptuous ceremony. Collection: Before Midnight Mahatma Gandhi (Noa Khali March) 1947 | 18min Rarely seen footage of Gandhi filmed by his great nephew, Kanu. Collection: Before Midnight Groundbreaking TV play about a married transvestite coming to terms with his true identity. Collection: Beautiful Things The Maid of Cefn Ydfa: The Love Story of Ann Thomas 1914 | 40min Welsh romantic tragedy shot in and around Pontarddulais, made by William Haggar and Son. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Main Line Diesel The Derby Works proudly present Britain’s first diesel locomotive. Collection: Heartlands Maisie’s Marriage aka Married Love 1923 | 95min Based on Marie Stopes’ 1918 bestseller about sex and sexuality, Maisie learns the advantages of having a small family. Collection: The Joy of Sex Education Make Me A Tory Can a disillusioned Labour voter do the unthinkable and turn Tory? Collection: The Ballot Box Documentary examining the archetype of the Welsh ‘mam’. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen A Man and His Bottle 1908 | 6min The demon drink has dreadful consequences in this trick film. Collection: Roll Out the Barrel Man at Dover (Eye to Eye) 1957 | 29min Lyrical reflection on how England and the English appear to a refugee who has made Britain his adopted home. Collection: Visions of Change: The TV Documentary 1950s-60s A Man From the Sun 1956 | 58min One of the earliest TV dramas to explore the lives of newly-arrived West Indians in Britain. Collection: Black Britain The Man in the White Suit 1951 | 85min Ealing classic with naive inventor Alec Guinness up against British industry. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out The Man Who Changed His Mind 1936 | 63min Boris Karloff, in his first mad-scientist role, develops a machine that can exchange minds between bodies. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace The Man Without Desire Ivor Novello stars in this extraordinary psychosexual time-travelling drama. Collection: Silent Britain Residents of Manchester’s ‘Little Italy’ take part in the city’s annual Whit Walk. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Manchester Spiritualists Procession Exponents of Britain’s newest religion parade through Edwardian Manchester. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Manchester Street Scene A rare glimpse of early Edwardian Manchester when the horse-drawn tram still reigned supreme. Mandy Ealing’s powerful portrait of a family struggling to cope with their profoundly deaf daughter. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen Manfailure Women are to blame for all mining accidents in this grisly – and raunchy – safety video. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Manifesto for Love An exploration of the meaning of love – accompanied by Dusty Springfield. Collection: Beautiful Things Marcel Marceau’s A Christmas Carol 1973 | 40min Our favourite Victorian miser is brought to life by the legendary French mine artist. Collection: The Book Group Germ warfare threatens to ruin young Mary’s birthday party. Collection: Pandora’s Box Mary’s Lucky Day 1952 | 19min Extraordinary advert for Lux soap, showing how the lather makes a black Rhodesian woman’s skin look ‘whiter’. Collection: Cape to Cairo Master of the King’s Musik 1931 | 3min Elgar conducts Land of Hope and Glory. Collection: Hope and Glory Master Singers: Two Choirs and a Valley 1965 | 46min Sensitive documentary about a Welsh mining community. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Mastermind Four brave contestants face question-master Magnus Magnusson and the intimidating black chair. Collection: TV Heaven A Matter of Choice for Billy 1983 | 84min Ma’s death causes upheaval for the Martin clan in the middle part of Graham Reid’s ‘Billy’ trilogy. Collection: Play for Today A Matter of Life and Death 1946 | 104min Heavenly love – the Powell and Pressburger must-see classic. Collection: The Truth About Love May 33rd Guy Hibbert’s uncompromising TV drama about a woman with multiple personality disorder. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen May We Borrow Your Husband? 1986 | 102min Dirk Bogarde stars in his own adaptation of Graham Greene’s short story, as a writer drawn into the romantic entanglements of two couples at an Antibes hotel. Collection: Bogarde on the Box Mayfair Merry-Go-Round Katie Boyle sells affordable fashion to 50s women in this early magazine show. Collection: Brit Chic Mayor Entering His Carriage Near the Town Hall, Halifax 1902 | 3min A richly detailed snapshot of Edwardian street life from Mitchell & Kenyon. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Mayor Making The election and installation of Derby’s mayor in 1946. Collection: Heartlands Comedy with a conscience in which comedian Sydney Howard saves the slums. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace McLibel A David and Goliath tale of not-so-happy meals. Collection: Reality Bites The Michael Simpson 1973 | 31 min A medium causes upset at a North East social gathering in this rarely seen play. Collection: Gothic: Love is a Devil The Medium Exposed? Or, A Modern Spiritualistic Séance J.H. Martin 1906 | 6 min Faking the ability to contact the dead proves to be a big mistake for one Edwardian charlatan. Collection: Gothic: Love is a Devil Me! I’m Afraid of Virginia Woolf 1978 | 65min A day in the life of schoolteacher, from an unrequited crush on a male student to discussing lesbianism with Thora Hird. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Meantime Tim Roth and Gary Oldman star as troubled Londoners in Mike Leigh’s made-for-TV favourite. Collection: London Calling Meet of the Quorn Hounds at Kirby Gate 1912 | 3min The hunting pack prepare for the chase. Collection: Heartlands Meet the People 1977 | 75min Rarely-screened TV drama set in a Yorkshire pit village, directed by Ken Loach and written by Barry Hines. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Meet the Pioneers Lindsay Anderson’s debut demonstrates new technology in coal mines across the nation. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Memorial Service at St. Paul’s Cathedral to the Antarctic Heroes 1913 | 3min The nation says farewell to Captain Scott and his ill-fated companions. Collection: Into the White Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress 1944 | 40min William Wyler’s classic documentary following the 25th mission of the iconic aircraft, based at Bassingbourn, Cambridgeshire. Collection: Eastward Ho! Men Cycling Up a Country Lane 1910 | 2min “An adventure into the awe-inspiring guts of steelmaking…” Collection: This Working Life: Steel Men of Corby Rabbie Burns transplanted to the East Midlands. Collection: Heartlands Men of Steel 1932 | 71min A young steelworker rises to the company board in this drama partly filmed at a Middlesbrough steelworks. Collection: North by North East Men of Two Worlds 1946 | 109min An African music student returns home and has to defeat the witch doctor who dominates his tribe and take them to healthier land. Collection: Cape to Cairo Method Study in the Office 1958 | 23min A comic tribute to improved paper filing, made by the British Productivity Council. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out Metro-Land 1973 | 50min John Betjeman examines the culture and spirit of Metro-Land – the outer reaches of the Metropolitan Railway. Collection: London Calling Travelogue of Birmingham and Warwickshire with a ‘workshop of the world’ theme. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen. Midland Country 1974 | 20min Take a gentle tour of the East and West Midlands with this 1970s travelogue by British Transport Films. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen. Midlands News Day Go behind the scenes at ATV Midlands’ evening news programme. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen. The Mighty Leek Size most definitely matters at the World Open Leek Championship in Ashington, Northumberland. Collection: North by North East Mile End Purgatorio All the signs point to the Mile End Road. Collection: London Calling Ken Russell directs the annual colliery band contest at Bedlington. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Mining Review4th Year No. 11 1951 | 10min The race to save lives from the underground fire at Easington colliery. Collection: North by North East Mining Review 12th Year No. 10 1959 | 9min How coal contributes to the making of beer, and other tales from the pit. Collection: Roll Out the Barrel Mining Review 13th Year No. 4 1959 | 10min The acclaimed painting miners of Ashington, Northumberland feature in this edition of the mining cinemagazine. Collection: North by North East Mining Review 16th Year No 5 1963 | 10min County Durham is the focus for three of the four stories featured in this edition of the long-running cinemagazine. Collection: North by North East Mining Review 17th Year No 7 1964 | 11min Horse-drawn coal carts, female trainee engineers and a trip to Prague feature in this edition. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Mining Review 1st Year No.1 1947 | 10min Mining songs, cutting edge machinery and heated debates. The world’s longest-running cinemagazine starts here. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Mining Review 22nd Year No.5 1969 | 10min ‘Mining Review’ turns its attention to the women who work in the coal industry. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Mining Review 25th Year No 9 1972 | 10min Tom McGuinness, the celebrated mining painter from Durham, and the dangers of working underground are the focal points of this review. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Mining Review 7th Year No.12 1954 | 10min Ballet dancing miners and the crowning of the ‘Coal Queen’. Collection: Essentially British A day in the life of the ‘typical’ English family. Collection: Essentially British Mr Lloyd George at the National Welsh Eisteddfod Ceremony at Caernarfon, 1921 1921 | 1min The Prime Minister pays his annual visit to the Eisteddfod celebrations. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Mr. Mensah Builds a House 1955 | 36min Breezy comedy set around a government housing scheme in the Gold Coast. Collection: Cape to Cairo The Mrs Merton Show 1995 | 30min Spoof chatshow with Caroline Aherne: just what first attracted Debbie McGee to the millionaire Paul Daniels? Collection: Funny Girls Mrs Williamson’s Tibetan Films – Part 1 1930 | 90min Vivid homes movies of life in Tibet made by the Political Officer. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La Mrs Williamson’s Tibetan Films – Part 2 1930 | 83min Life in Tibet – look out for the somewhat surprising egg-and-spoon race… Collection: The Search for Shangri-La Mrs Williamson’s Tibetan Films – Part 3 1930 | 89min Home movie scenes in Lhasa, Tibet – as well as further afield in India and Bhutan. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La Mrs Williamson’s Tibetan Films – Part 4 1930 | 22min Home movie footage of life in Tibetan monasteries. Collection: The Search for Shangri-La Mrs Worth Goes to Westminster 1949 | 21min An intriguing attempt by the steel industry to win women over to the anti-nationalisation cause. Collection: This Working Life: Steel Mrs. Mopp Entertains Wartime washing tips from Persil, starring popular radio character Mrs. Mopp. Collection: Funny Girls 30s romcom starring Polish tenor Jan Kiepura. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Y Mynydd Grug (Heather Mountain) 1997 | 88min A year in the life of an 8-year-old girl living in a close-knit community in Caernarfonshire. Based on the stories by Kate Roberts. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen The Mystery of Marriage 1932 | 32min A comparison of the mating rituals of humans, animals and plants unlocks the secrets of marriage. Collection: The Joy of Sex Education N or NW Letter-writing lovers in North London postcode palaver. Collection: The Truth About Love Naked – As Nature Intended* Gratuitous nudity masquerading as a South West travelogue. Collection: Essentially British The white residents of a Leeds suburb express their thoughts on their new black neighbours. Collection: Reality Bites Neil Kinnock (Labour Party Election Broadcast) 1987 | 10min The Labour leader’s (in)famous campaigning film, dubbed ‘Kinnock: The Movie’. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Nervous Energy 1995 | 105min A young Glaswegian man with AIDS returns to visit his family and friends, but when things do not go as planned his lover comes to patch things up. Collection: Beautiful Things Never Mind the Quality, Feel the Width 1968 | 30min Can an East End Jew and an Irish Catholic run a business together? Festive edition of the popular culture clash comedy. Collection: Oy Britannia Never on a Sunday 1996 | 60min Will the ban on alcohol in Dwyfor – the last place in Britain where you can’t legally get a drink on a Sunday – be overturned? Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen New Architecture at the London Zoo 1937 | 15min Penguins get the VIP treatment in this artistic look at the Zoo’s visionary ’30s revamp. Collection: London Calling New Captain Scarlet 2005 | 44min ‘Episode 1: ‘Instrument of Destruction’. The Spectrum agents are back in this CGI reboot of Gerry Anderson’s classic series. Collection: Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder A New Era 1973 | 27min A lesson in ‘how not to do it’: the run-up to a strike in a fictitious and fractious company. Collection: We Can Work It Out New London County Hall Icon or eyesore? George V opens the still controversial landmark. Collection: Beautiful South New Orleans Jazz Club in Newcastle 1970 | 8min Hang with the cool cats in Tyneside’s legendary jazz club. Collection: North by North East New Styles of Architecture Alan Bennett surveys the architectural landscape of post-WWI Britain. Collection: The Promised Land The Night Has Eyes 1942 | 76min James Mason stars as a reclusive composer holed up on the Yorkshire Moors in this eccentric thriller. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen A Night Like This Aldwych farce with extravagant musical numbers. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Night Mail London to Scotland by train in the company of Benjamin Britten and W. H. Auden. Collection: Reality Bites Nightmare: The Birth of Horror 1996-97 | 200min Sir Christopher Frayling presents a 4-part series examining Britain’s most iconic gothic novels. NB Three remaining parts added to previously available episode on Dracula — replace existing record. Collection: Gothic: Monstrous There’s trouble at the coalface in Peter Pickering’s satirical, semi-improvised farce. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out Noddy Goes to School Richard Briers narrates a softened version of Enid Blyton’s toyland tale. Collection: Toyland Tales and Happy Endings Noddy in Toyland Computer animation brings Blyton’s most popular creation up to date. Collection: Toyland Tales and Happy Endings North London Liberal Jewish Group 1956 | 16min Fabulous home movie footage of the annual competition between the Finchley and Ealing teams of the North London Liberal Jewish Group. Collection: Oy Britannia North Sea Fisheries, North Shields 1901 | 1min Fish-gutting and staged fights on the North East coast. Collection: North by North East The North West Frontier 1959 | 129min Adventure yarn starring Kenneth More as a plucky Brit sent to rescue a Hindu Prince from certain death in British India. Collection: Before Midnight A tribute to Ryan Davies, one of Wales’ most popular entertainers. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Noson Lawen 1950 | 27min Homespun evening of entertainment to celebrate the harvest, with singing, dancing and a timely lesson in thrift from National Savings, the film’s sponsor. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Not Just Tea and Sandwiches 1984 | 12min Miners’ wives speak out in one of the campaigning videotapes made in support of their striking husbands. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Noted Eel and Pie Houses 1975 | 45min Fascinating social history of that great London delicacy – the jellied eel. Collection: London Calling Now That It’s Morning 1992 | 11min Neil Bartlett’s provocatively romantic tale of the love between a 45-year-old man and a 15-year-old schoolboy. Collection: Beautiful Things Now You’re Talking 1940 | 12min Blabber-mouthed van driver Alf puts more than lives at risk in this cautionary tale on a ‘careless talk’ theme. Collection: Ealing Studios: Propaganda Shorts Nude Woman By Waterfall A woman poses – in and out of her diaphanous shift. Collection: Pandora’s Box Number 13 2006 | 40min Greg Wise wishes there had been no room at the inn as things go bump in the night… Collection: A Ghost Story for Christmas Nursery Island The birdlife of the Farne Islands takes centre stage in Mary Field’s delightful documentary. Collection: North by North East Nuts in May 1976 | 85min A new age couple try to get back to nature – but does nature want them back? Collection: Essentially British Early karaoke from the Odeon National Cinema Club. Sing along with the bouncing ball… Collection: Pandora’s Box Of Time and the City 2008 | 74min Terence Davies’ gorgeous film-poem about his native Liverpool. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West The Office David Brent, Slough’s favourite son, entertains the nation. Collection: Essentially British The Official Film of the Railway Centenary 1925 | 17min The future George VI and Queen Elizabeth celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Line. Collection: North by North East Often During the Day 1978 | 16min The notion that ‘the woman belongs in the kitchen’ gets a grilling in Jo Davis’ film. Collection: British Islands The first play broadcast by HTV – a shocking drama starring Ian Holm as an alcoholic. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen On a Cold and Frosty Morning 1969 | 17min The activities of the Indian charity, Raphael. Collection: n/a On Call to a Nation 1958 | 72min Well-regarded BBC documentary made to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the NHS. Collection: Visions of Change: The TV Documentary 1950s-60s One in Every 100 Affecting exposé showing the contrasting care of children with learning difficulties in England and Canada. Collection: Visions of Change: The TV Documentary 1950s-60s On Giant’s Shoulders 1979 | 91min Judi Dench stars in this Cambridgeshire-based dramatisation of the life of Terry Wiles, one of the babies affected by the thalidomide drug. Collection: Eastward Ho! On Ilkla’ Moor Baht At 1921 | 14min The Yorkshire Dales – from Ilkley to Hubberholme. Collection: Essentially British Onion Johnnie (Eye to Eye) 1957 | 30min Meet the Breton onion sellers as they travel through Britain selling their wares. Collection: Visions of Change: The TV Documentary 1950s-60s On Show: Strictly Male Voice 2006 | 30min The story of the record-breaking Fron Male Voice Choir. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen On the Black Hill Adaptation of Bruce Chatwin’s tale of twin brothers battling the elements – and each other. Collection: Essentially British Ronnie Barker stars as crotchety Yorkshire shopkeeper Arkwright in the sitcom’s first episode. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen The Open Road An epic trip across Britain filmed in remarkable early colour. Collection: Essentially British Opening of British Instructional Film Studio 1928 | 4min VIPs brave the mud to attend the opening ceremony of a new film studio at Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. Collection: Eastward Ho! Opening of Ossett Town Hall 1908 | 5min Edwardian residents of the West Yorkshire market town turn out to celebrate a grand opening. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen The Opening of the New Benton Bank Tram Route 1913 | 5min Local film of the launch of a brand new tram route in Benton, Newcastle upon Tyne. Collection: North by North East Opening of the New Lambeth Bridge 1932 | 3min The opening of Lambeth Bridge by George V in July 1932. Collection: Beautiful South Author Anthony Burgess talks about the significance of Orwell’s ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’. Collection: The Book Group Othello 1956 | 120min The first televised production of Shakespeare’s play to feature a black actor in the lead role. Collection: Black Britain The Other Woman 1976 | 70min An activist lesbian artist embarks on an affair with a young woman, with dramatic repercussions for all concerned. Collection: Beautiful Things The Otter [aka An Otter Study] 1912 | 8min Marvel at an otter from before WWI in this early nature film. Collection: Box of Delights Our Friends in the North 1996 | 75min The first episode of Peter Flannery’s epic portrait of four Newcastle friends, spanning the 1960s to the 1990s. Collection: North by North East Our Friends the Police A policeman’s lot can be a happy one, after all. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Our Mutual Friend (Part 1) 1976 | 50min One-time ‘Artful Dodger’ Jack Wild stars in the first of a 13-part version of Dickens’ last completed novel. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen Out and About A vibrant colour record of the 1974 Leeds West Indian Carnival. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Out of the Darkness 1985 | 68min Three children in the Derbyshire village of Eyam are haunted by the ghosts of the 1665 plague. Collection: Heartlands A growth experiment goes horribly wrong in this macabre minute of black comedy. Collection: Pandora’s Box The Owl Service 1969 | 25min A Welsh myth threatens to possess three teenagers holidaying in a rural North Wales valley in this controversial adaptation of Alan Garner’s novel. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Oyster Fishing at Whitstable, England 1920 | 6min The harvest and consumption of everyone’s favourite bivalve. Collection: Pandora’s Box P.D. James (South Bank Show) 2006 | 45min Murder she wrote – the crime writer in conversation. Collection: Farewell South Bank Show Pacemakers: Biba Drop in on a photoshoot at the iconic Kensington fashion emporium. Collection: Brit Chic An edition of the BBC’s enduring current affairs flagship reporting on the Vietnam war. Collection: TV Heaven Panoramic View of the Morecambe Seafront 1901 | 7min Crystal-clear views of town, sands, sea, tourists and locals at the Lancashire resort. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Papworth Hall, Cambridge Royalty visits the Cambridgeshire settlement in this silent film compilation. Collection: Eastward Ho! Parkgate Iron and Steel Co. 1901 | 2min Probably the first appearance of the abusive ‘V’ sign in British film history. Collection: This Working Life: Steel Parkinson: Orson Welles Legendary actor, writer and director Orson Welles is interviewed by Michael Parkinson. Collection: TV Heaven Diana Dors stars in this stern exposé of the white slave trade. Collection: The Truth About Love Pattern for Progress 1948 | 47min Early documentary from John Krish touring an Ebbw Vale steelworks, with animation from Halas and Batchelor. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Paul Merton Looks at Alfred Hitchcock 2009 | 60min A fresh take on Hitchcock’s filmmaking career and style, stressing the importance of his work in Britain. Collection: Looking for Alfred Pauline’s Quirkes 1976 | 25min Controversial – and banned – sketch show for kids featuring the future star of ‘Birds of a Feather’. Collection: The Kids Are Alright Payroll 1961 | 105min The best laid plans of a gang of crooks go horribly wrong in this Tyneside-set thriller. Collection: North by North East Peace and Plenty Savage polemic against the National government in Britain. Collection: The Ballot Box The Peaches 1964 | 15min A very beautiful, very clever girl adores peaches, but when she falls in love the world’s peaches start to wither… Collection: Pandora’s Box English pagan myths and burgeoning sexuality in the Malverns. Collection: Play for Today The People at No.19 1949 | 18min Ministry of Health film highlighting the menace of venereal disease and its impact on the health of the nation. Collection: The Joy of Sex Education People Like Us 1983 | 23min Recruitment film for psychiatric nurses, produced at a time when standards of mental health care were in the firing line. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen People, Productivity and Change 1963 | 44min Workers and trade union officials voice their concerns about changes designed to increase productivity in the workplace. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out The Perfect Home A frustrated Alain de Botton leaves Britain in search of architectural inspiration. Collection: The Promised Land Permission to Love 1999 | 30min Two couples with learning disabilities feel they are ready for a sexual relationship, but their parents have other ideas. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen Peter Ackroyd’s London 2004 | 48min How has London survived over the centuries? 3-part series from the great chronicler of the capital. Collection: London Calling Two ‘black sheep’ form an unusual and enduring bond in the Black Mountains. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Petticoat Lane Sunday morning in the East End market. Collection: London Calling Phantom Light, The 1935 | 75min A series of mysterious deaths in a Welsh lighthouse lead locals to believe it is haunted in this early work from Michael Powell. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Philip and His Seven Wives 2005 | 75min Marc Isaacs’ portrait of an unconventional family – lead by a former messianic rabbi who believes he is a Hebrew king. Collection: Oy Britannia Philip Treacy: A collaboration with Alexander McQueen for Givenchy 1997 | 30min The master milliner teams up with the provocative young maverick of British fashion. Collection: Brit Chic All aboard the North York Moors Railway for a nostalgic journey from Pickering to Grosmont. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Pickwick Papers Spirited 1950s feature adaptation of Dickens’ first novel. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen The Pickwick Papers 1913 | 15min American comedian John Bunny stars in the surviving parts of this 1913 Dickens adaptation filmed in Kent. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen Picturesque North Wales A series of views of the castles, landscapes and people of North Wales. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen A Piece of Cake 1948 | 44min Husband and wife duo Cyril Fletcher and Betty Astell write and star in a madcap tale of magic and mayhem. Collection: Funny Girls Blocks of flats offer a new future for 1930s working class families. Collection: The Promised Land Platt’s New Works, Werneth, Oldham 1900 | 2min A visually striking film of staff exiting a turn-of-the-century Lancashire machine factory. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Play School Innovative ‘education through play’ in a programme which also helped BBC2 trial early colour broadcasts. Collection: The Kids Are Alright The Pleasure Garden 1952 | 38min There’s magic in the ruins of Crystal Palace – and Hattie Jacques is the fairy queen! Collection: London Calling The Pleasure Girls 1965 | 88min Three beautiful girls enjoy the pleasures of London in the Swinging 60s and befriend their gay lodger. Collection: Beautiful Things Pobol y Chyff 1990 | 25min Rhys Ifans and Meirion Davies star as hapless Welsh learners in this hugely popular comedy series. Chuffin’ great! Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Pobol y Cwm Christmas edition of the Welsh-language soap from its first year of broadcast. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Pobol y Cwm 1994 | 20min A particularly eventful day for the residents of Cwmderi, the fictional village in the BBC’s longest running soap. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Polish Your Shoes The life of a Cockney patriarch is remembered by his children. Collection: London Calling Crime drama set in London’s Docklands. Collection: London Calling Poor Cow 1967 | 98min Terence Stamp and Carol White star in Ken Loach’s cinematic debut, about a young woman involved with two criminals. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Porridge An episode of the classic prison sitcom starring Ronnie Barker. Collection: TV Heaven Port of London’s Aquatic Sports 1925 | 1min The intrepid Topical Budget newsreel scales the diving board to capture a Port of London Authority sports day at Rotherhithe. Collection: Beautiful South Portrait of a Goon (Monitor) 1959 | 14min A day in the life of Spike Milligan, as imagined by Ken Russell. Collection: Ken Russell on TV Portrait of a Miner The working day, ambitions and hopes of a Nottinghamshire coalminer. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Portrait of a School Life in a London secondary modern school. Collection: Reality Bites Sleazy sexploitation – from Soho strippers to Jack the Ripper. Collection: London Calling Prince of Wales as Miner 1918 | 1min Prince Edward, later Edward VIII, visits a Rhondda coal mine and the Cardiff Docks. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen The Princess and the Pendant 2007 | 9min Charming animation in the style of Lotte Reiniger, made by the pupils of Hartside Primary School, Durham. Collection: North by North East Printer’s Ink 1962 | 32min Hold the front page! The production of a West Yorkshire newspaper from news gathering to distribution. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Prisoner The very first episode of the most cultish of 60s TV dramas. Collection: TV Heaven The Private Dirk Bogarde 2001 | 135min Interviews with family, friends and collaborators and previously unseen archive footage illuminate this groundbreaking two-part profile. Collection: Bogarde on the Box A Private Enterprise The first British Asian feature, about a would-be entrepreneur in Birmingham. Collection: Cinema of Tomorrow A Private Function 1984 | 94min Alan Bennett’s Yorkshire-based comedy set in times of rationing, starring Michael Palin and Maggie Smith. Collection: Funny Girls The Private Life of Henry VIII 1933 | 96min Charles Laughton on Oscar-winning form as the much-married monarch. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace The Private Life of the Gannets 1934 | 14min Oscar-winning portrait of the seabirds of the Pembrokeshire coast. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Private Lives Penelope Keith stars in Noël Coward’s comedy of marital errors. Collection: Funny Girls Never mind the bollocks, here’s the story of the Sex Pistols. Collection: Anarchy in the UK Punk Can Take It A punk parody of wartime propaganda featuring the UK Subs. Collection: Anarchy in the UK Punk Rock (London Weekend Show) 1976 | 30min Janet Street-Porter meets The Sex Pistols. Collection: Anarchy in the UK Purely Belter 2000 | 99min Alan Shearer features in a cameo in this winning film about two lads scraping money together for Newcastle season tickets. Collection: North by North East Pwllheli Carnival Join the floats, brass bands and marching leeks in the Pwllheli carnival parade. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Q Planes Rip-roaring flag-waver starring Ralph Richardson and Laurence Olivier. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace A Quaint Little Railway All aboard the little milk train, carrying its cargo through the Manifold Valley. Collection: Essentially British The reigning monarch pays a visit to Yorkshire during her Diamond Jubilee year. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee 1897 | 14min Celebrations of Queen Victoria’s sixtieth year on the throne. Collection: London Calling The Queen’s Christmas Day Broadcast 1957 1957 | 14min 50 years of change and continuity reflected in the very first televised Queen’s Speech. Collection: Pandora’s Box Queenie’s Castle 1970 | 27min Comedy starring Diana Dors as the head of an unruly family on a Leeds housing estate. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Queer As Folk 1999 | 50min The opening episode of the trailblazing drama that follows the lives of three gay men in Manchester. Collection: Beautiful Things The first-ever episode of the colourful series aimed at younger children. Collection: TV Heaven Raining Stones 1993 | 87min An unemployed man tries desperately to raise funds for his daughter’s communion dress in Ken Loach’s moving Manchester-set drama. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Rainy Day Women Wartime tensions in a remote English village. Collection: Play for Today Rali Senedd I gymru, Machynlleth 1949 1949 | 7min Plaid Cymru rally from 1949. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen The Rank and File 1971 | 78min The effect of a glass factory strike on the local community is explored in Ken Loach’s drama-documentary, filmed in Stoke-on-Trent. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Raphael 1987 | 21min This film about the Indian charity features a focus on Ava Vihar, the residential centre for people with learning disabilities. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen Raspberry Ripple 1988 | 81min A wheelchair user plots a robbery in Rupert Haselden’s comedy staring Faye Dunaway, John Gordon-Sinclair and Nabil Shaban. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen Ratcatcher Lynne Ramsay’s first feature, a harrowing, beautiful tale of adolescence set in 1970s Glasgow. Collection: Scottish Reels Three films by a South Yorkshire filmmaker who captured 1940s village life with artistic flair. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Reach For the Sky Kenneth More plays real-life fighter pilot and double amputee Douglas Bader in this 50s favourite. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen The Real Amy Johnson TV documentary re-examining Johnson’s life and the legends inspired by her untimely death. Collection: Amy Johnson: Queen of the Skies A Real Day Out aka Bakewell Show 1929 | 2min Prize bulls and horsemanship at the agricultural and military show in Bakewell. Collection: Heartlands The Real George Orwell (South Bank Show) 2003 | 52min D.J. Taylor traces the early years of George Orwell, their influence on his later outlook and the writing of his final novel: ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’. Collection: The Book Group Can architects learn lessons from the mistakes made during Birmingham’s 1960s redevelopment? Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen. Record of the Opening of the Preston and Lancaster Motorways 1959 | 12min What Lancashire has today, other parts of the country will have tomorrow: the arrival of the motorway. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West The Red and the Blue 1983 | 80min Ken Loach contrasts the 1982 Labour and Conservative party conferences, seen through the eyes of six delegates. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Red Ensign A visionary shipbuilder strives to rescue the British shipping industry in Michael Powell’s film. Collection: This Working Life: Tales From the Shipyard Red Road 2006 | 110min Glasgow’s condemned Red Road estate is the ominous setting for Andrea Arnold’s gripping debut feature. Collection: Scottish Reels Nye Bevan appears in this sincere protest against the Depression’s effects in the Rhondda. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Rhyl The Prince and Princess of Wales open Rhyl’s Royal Alexandra Hospital in 1903. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Rich and Strange A marriage hits the rocks during a world cruise in this Hitchcock curio. Collection: The Truth About Love Richard Dimbleby: The Voice of the Nation 1990 | 60min A review of the life and career of the remarkable broadcaster and journalist. Collection: TV Heaven Richard is My Boyfriend 2007 | 62min A young woman with learning difficulties has a sexual relationship with her boyfriend, who has Downs Syndrome. What will the neighbours say? Collection: n/a Riff-Raff 1991 | 96min Robert Carlyle stars in Ken Loach’s raucous tale of camaraderie on a London building site. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective The Right Spirit Propaganda cartoon promoting the Conservative Party. Collection: The Ballot Box The design and construction of one of Birmingham’s inner ring roads. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen. The Rise and Fall of Nellie Brown 1964 | 80min Elisabeth Welch and Jamaican teen-singer Millie star in this festive twist on ‘The Wizard of Oz’. Collection: Black Britain Rising Damp (Pilot Ep) 1974 | 25min Pilot episode for the sitcom about a self-styled ‘aristocrat of bedsit land’ and his unfortunate tenants. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Rita, Sue and Bob Too 1986 | 90min Provocative 80s comedy about two teenage girls from a Bradford housing estate and their affair with a married man. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen River Folk (Songs of the Organ) 1944 | 10min Let the organist at Hounslow’s Ambassador Cinema take you on a musical journey down the river. Collection: Pandora’s Box Animated moral fable designed to keep the British public on the ‘straight and narrow’. Collection: The Joy of Sex Education The Robbers and the Jew 1908 | 5min Cruel, anti-Semitic comedy – one of the earliest representations of a Jew on film. Collection: Oy Britannia Robin Redbreast 1970 | 75min A woman visits her holiday home in the country, but begins to suspect the villagers may be planning a human sacrifice. Collection: Play for Today Robinson in Space 1997 | 82min Seven trips across industrial England in search of Utopia… Patrick Keiller’s sequel to his hugely successful London. Collection: Essentially British Rock Goes to College (The Stranglers) 1978 | 30min Well, what a bummer – The Stranglers are unimpressed by their student-heavy audience. Collection: Anarchy in the UK Rocket Site Story 1958 | 20min Residents of Norfolk descend upon North Pickenham near Swaffham to protest the construction of a missile base. Collection: Eastward Ho! Early film footage of Admiralty Pier, Dover. Collection: British Islands Rough Trade (South Bank Show) 1979 | 60min The story of Rough Trade, the iconic punk music store at 130 Talbot Road. Collection: Anarchy in the UK Round the Clock The story of the Giant Cream Cracker, or how biscuits are baked in Crumpsall. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West The Royal First episode of the ‘Heartbeat’ spin-off set in a Yorkshire hospital in the 1960s. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen The Royal Family A year in the life of the royal family. Collection: Reality Bites The Royal Festival Hall, 1951 1966 | 25min The design and construction of the arresting London landmark. Collection: Beautiful South Royal School for the Deaf 1934 | 15min Pupils and staff enjoy sports day and a trip to Skegness. Collection: Heartlands Royal Visit to Bangor 1902 | 3min The Prince and Princess of Wales go on a day trip to Bangor. / Tywysog a Thywysoges Cymru’n mynd ar daith undydd i Fangor. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Royal Visit to Barrow and Launch of HMS Dominion 1903 | 5min An Edwardian battleship takes its first plunge. Collection: This Working Life: Tales From the Shipyard Royal Visit to Sheffield A young Queen Elizabeth II receives a rapturous reception in the ‘City of Steel’. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen The Royle Family Innovative offbeat fly-on-the-wall comedy set in a Manchester council house. Collection: TV Heaven The Rugged Island: A Shetland Lyric 1933 | 54min The story of a young couple torn between the choice of emigration to Australia or remaining to work their croft in Shetland. Collection: Scottish Reels What is the future for a county that only has one set of traffic lights? Collection: Heartlands South of Watford 1985 | 33 min Ben Elton meets 80s London’s most in-demand party planners, including the infamous Vicki de Lambray. Collection: Beautiful Things S.O.S. Titanic 1979 | 98min Look out for Helen Mirren as a plucky stewardess in this rarely seen feature, originally made for US television. Collection: Save Our Souls: Disaster at Sea S.S. Olympic The building and launch of the Titanic’s sister ship in Belfast. Collection: This Working Life: Tales From the Shipyard S.W.A.L.K. aka Melody 1970 | 107min Mark Lester and Jack Wild star in a tale of young love at a Lambeth comprehensive. Collection: Box of Delights Profile of the Somali community in Cardiff. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Saloon Bar Gordon Harker plays an amateur sleuth from his base in a London pub. Collection: Roll Out the Barrel Saltburn-by-the-Sea Centenary 1861 – 1961 Seaside views on the town’s 100th Anniversary. Collection: North by North East Salvage with a Smile 1940 | 6min Ealing’s appeal for the conservation of household waste products as part of the war effort. Collection: Ealing Studios: Propaganda Shorts Sam Goes Shopping 1939 | 6min There’s a fleeting appearance from a very young Terry-Thomas in this advert for the Co-op’s wares. Collection: Pandora’s Box A South Asian teenager seeks to break free from family traditions and constraints. Collection: Heartlands Saturday Morning Out – Halifax etc. [1951-1965] 1951 | 20min A hairdressing competition is among the events caught in these short films by the Halifax Cine Club. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Saturday Shopping A brow-beaten husband causes havoc on a trip into town. Collection: Pandora’s Box Save the Children Fund Film 1971 | 50min Ken Loach’s documentary for the charity, filmed in the UK and Africa and unseen for more than four decades. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Save Your Shillings and Smile 1943 | 7min Wartime favourite Tommy Trinder stars in this musical short to promote War Savings Bonds. Collection: Ealing Studios: Propaganda Shorts Say It With Flowers Cockney musical featuring a a flower seller and Old Kent Road music hall. Collection: London Calling Proposed pit closures provoke different responses among the inhabitants of a Durham town. Collection: North by North East Scarborough 1927-1938 The North Yorkshire resort captured in the heyday of the British seaside holiday. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Scarlet Woman Catholic fantasy starring Evelyn Waugh in an Andy Warhol fright wig. Collection: Pandora’s Box Scenes at Piccadilly Circus and Hyde Park Corner Underground Stations 1931 | 7min Magical, slightly surreal record of the London Underground. Collection: London Calling Scenes from a Suffragette Demonstration at Newcastle 1909 | 1min Supporters of the Women’s Social and Political Union campaign in the North East. Collection: North by North East Scenes in Ceylon aka Native Life in Ceylon 1909 | 8min Street scenes, elephants and ‘native magic’. Collection: Before Midnight Ken Russell documentary about the painters known as ‘the two Roberts’, MacBryde and Colquhoun. Collection: Ken Russell on TV Scrooge The definitive Scrooge? See Alastair Sim’s bravura performance and judge for yourself. Collection: The Book Group Scrooge 1913 | 30min Seymour Hicks recreates a role he played thousands of times on stage for this 1913 screen version. Collection: The Book Group Scrooge; or, Marley’s Ghost 1901 | 4min The earliest surviving Dickens adaptation: A Christmas Carol, condensed into 4 minutes. Collection: Pandora’s Box Scrubbers 1982 | 89min A young lesbian engineers her arrest to be nearer her borstal inmate lover. From the writer of ‘Scum’. Collection: Beautiful Things Scully’s New Year’s Eve 1978 | 75min Alan Bleasdale’s Scouse tearaway makes his debut. Collection: Play for Today Ray Winstone and David Threlfall star in this famously banned Borstal drama. Collection: Play for Today Sea Fort 1940 | 6min Ealing’s propaganda short offers a snapshot of life on the front line of coastal defence during WWII. Collection: Ealing Studios: Propaganda Shorts Seachd: The Inaccessible Pinnacle 2007 | 88min The first Scottish Gaelic feature film follows a young man’s quest for the truth behind the death of his parents. Collection: Scottish Reels Seacoal 1985 | 82min The men and women who eke a living from collecting ‘seacoal’ on the Northumberland coast find their way of life under threat. Collection: Essentially British Stunning, Oscar-winning doc celebrating Scotland’s shipping industry. Collection: This Working Life: Tales From the Shipyard The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister 2010 | 90min Maxine Peake stars as the real-life 19th century Yorkshire landowner and rediscovered feminist icon. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Secret Lives: Enid Blyton The darker side of the bestselling children’s author. Collection: Toyland Tales and Happy Endings The Secret of Stamboul A young James Mason uncovers a sinister plot in Turkey. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace The Secret of the Loch 1934 | 73min Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace The Selling of Noddy The first episode of the irreverent comedy series set on a Manchester housing estate. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Share Thy Bread The early years of the charity Raphael as described by founder Leonard Cheshire. Collection: n/a Sheffield Spartan Swimmers 1933 | 16min A hardy band of friends brave all weathers to enjoy their local outdoor pool in this light-hearted amateur film. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Shelagh Delaney’s Salford (Monitor) 1960 | 15min Ken Russell travels to Salford to interview one of its most celebrated residents, not yet 21 but with two plays already produced. Collection: Ken Russell on TV Shellshock Rock Punk goes to Northern Ireland. Collection: Anarchy in the UK Sherlock Conan Doyle’s peerless detective genius is given a bold reboot for the 21st century. Collection: TV Heaven Two children nurse a feline patient. Collection: Pandora’s Box The Sidney Street Siege aka The Great East End Anarchist Battle 1911 | 4min Documentary footage of the 1911 Siege of Sidney Street. Collection: London Calling Sidney Turtlebaum 2008 | 19min Sir Derek Jacobi plays an eccentric gay Jewish man with an unsavoury interest in funerals in this award-winning short. Collection: Oy Britannia Sidney’s Chair 1995 | 21min The arrival of film star Sidney Poitier in East London is a momentous event for a young boy and his friends. Collection: Black Britain The Signalman 1976 | 40min Denholm Elliot struggles with a chilling premonition on an isolated railway line in Andrew Davies’ adaptation of a short story by Dickens. Collection: A Ghost Story for Christmas The Silence 2010 | 229min Deaf teenager Amelia’s life is turned upside down after she witnesses a murder in this four-part thriller. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen Silent Britain Start reclaiming your silent film heritage with a look at Matthew Sweet’s ground-breaking documentary. Collection: Silent Britain A learning disabled man unwittingly poisons children in this affecting south London-set drama. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen Silent Scream 1990 | 85min The true story of Larry Winters, prisoner and poet – a convicted murderer with an IQ of 165. Collection: Cinema of Tomorrow The Silent Village 1943 | 36min A Welsh mining community is used to dramatise the lives of a Czech village under Nazi occupation. Directed by Humphrey Jennings. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Silver Blades Ice Skating Vibrant colour footage of Silver Blades, Streatham – ‘the most luxurious ice rink in the world’. Collection: Beautiful South The Silver Sword 1958 | 30min Superb adaptation of Ian Serraillier’s wartime adventure story, starring a young Frazer Hines and Melvyn Hayes. Collection: The Kids Are Alright Simba Love story set amidst the Mau Mau’s uprisings in Kenya, starring Dirk Bogarde. Collection: Cape to Cairo Vibrant animated vehicle for a rather unsavoury message from the War Office. Collection: The Joy of Sex Education Sixth Happiness The sexual awakening of a young Indian man born with brittle bones. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen Size M ‘Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe’ goes underground. Collection: Pandora’s Box The Sky’s the Limit 1945 | 13min John Mills heads up a stirring recreation of a bombing raid in Ealing’s ‘Wings for Victory’ campaign film. Collection: Ealing Studios: Propaganda Shorts Slavery Business: Breaking the Chains 2005 | 60min William Wilberforce and the rise of the abolition movement. Collection: Exodus: Remembering Slavery sleep furiously 2009 | 94min Gideon Koppel’s bittersweet ode to the farming community of Trefeurig, with music by Aphex Twin. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Sling Your Hook A rowdy troupe of Nottingham miners spend a life-changing weekend in Blackpool. Collection: Heartlands The Small Back Room 1949 | 103min A bomb disposal expert, suffering from depression and alcoholism after losing a leg, is called back to frontline duty. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen The Small World of Sammy Lee 1962 | 107min Taut, under-seen crime drama set in the seedy Soho underworld. Collection: London Calling The Smallest Car in the Largest City in the World 1913 | 6min A cute baby Cadillac completes a victory lap of Trafalgar Square and dodges the city’s omnibuses. Collection: London Calling Residents of Berwick compete with local dignitaries for the attention of the filmmaker. Collection: North by North East Snow Poetic portrait of running the railways through a perilous British winter. Collection: Reality Bites The Snowman 1982 | 26min David Bowie introduces the Oscar-nominated animation, a staple of festive TV schedules since the early 80s. Collection: Santa’s Grotto So Clever are the German Spies in their Disguises that Even Nuns Have to Have Their Passports Examined 1915 | 1min Nuns at bayonet point… almost. Collection: Pandora’s Box So Haunt Me 1992 | 30min Miriam Karlin stars as ghostly grandmother Yetta Feldman in the first episode of this BBC sitcom. Collection: Oy Britannia Tony Wilson presents live performances from The Stranglers, The Sex Pistols and The Clash. Collection: Anarchy in the UK So that You Can Live 1982 | 83min Reflective film following a union activist and her family in Treforest, South Wales. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Socialist Labour Party Election Broadcast 1997 | 5min Ken Loach directs the first broadcast by the newly formed SLP. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Soho Square Painterly portrait of the sights and sounds of the crowded London square. Collection: London Calling Soho Stories 1996 | 460min All 12 episodes of the superior BBC TV ‘docusoap’ about life in London’s bohemian enclave. Collection: London Calling Road movie or acid trip? Collection: Pandora’s Box Solomon and Gaenor 1999 | 99min Oscar-nominated tale of love across the cultural divide in early 20th century Wales, starring Ioan Gruffudd. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Some Activities of the Bermondsey Borough Council 1931 | 25min A forward-thinking London borough council records its good deeds for posterity. Collection: London Calling Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em 1978 | 35min Comic misadventures of the unfortunate Frank Spencer. Collection: TV Heaven Some of My Friends Are…Jewish 2003 | 30min Anita Land investigates what it means to be Jewish, interviewing a rabbi and an edgy stand-up comedian. Collection: Oy Britannia The psychological journey of three friends from a children’s home. Collection: Cinema of Tomorrow John Harlow 1941 | 82 min A bereaved young man falls under the influence of a group of Spiritualists. Collection: Gothic: Love is a Devil Spend Spend Spend The rags to riches to rags story of Britain’s most famous pools winner. Collection: Play for Today Spender 1991 | 55min It’s Jimmy Nail vs the criminal underworld, as a jaded detective returns to his native Newcastle. Collection: North by North East Spirit of Albion New Age Travellers, Britain’s very own nomads, attempt to preserve their way of life. Collection: Essentially British A triumphant steel industry showcase featuring dazzling Technicolor photography by Jack Cardiff. Collection: This Working Life: Steel Steel for the Seventies Steelmaking enters a bold new era at the Port Talbot plant in South Wales. Collection: This Working Life: Steel Steel Goes to Sea “Hitler is a B******” – Shipbuilding at the height of WWII. Collection: This Working Life: Tales From the Shipyard Steel in South Wales A tour of milling and galvanising factories at Port Talbot, Newport, Cardiff, and Ebbw Vale. Collection: This Working Life: Steel Steel Scrap Drives in Bolton, Preston & Liverpool 1952 | 13min Any old iron? North West people contribute to the collection of scrap steel. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Steel Town 1958 | 20min Evocative colour film promoting United Steel’s Stocksbridge plant and its role at the heart of the community. Collection: This Working Life: Steel The Steelchest, Nail in the Boot and the Barking Dog 1987 | 45min Award-winning documentary showing the lives of shipyard workers through story and song. Collection: This Working Life: Tales From the Shipyard Steptoe and Son Harold is led astray by a ‘cultured’ antiques dealer. Collection: Beautiful Things Home movies shot in Manipur. Collection: Before Midnight Stigma 1977 | 32min A mother and daughter move into a remote house in the middle of a stone circle – with predictably disastrous consequences. Collection: A Ghost Story for Christmas Still Waters Tropical disease prevention in Southern Rhodesia. Collection: Cape to Cairo Stille Nacht II: Are We Still Married? 1992 | 3min Echoes of ‘Alice’ in the Quay Brothers’ eerie stop-motion music video for US group His Name Is Alive. Collection: March Hares & Easter Bunnies Stocker’s Copper Drama set around the strike of Cornish clay miners in 1913. Collection: Play for Today Stockton-on-Tees 1910 | 3min The Cleveland market town-dwellers smile for the camera in a film commissioned by the local cinema. Collection: North by North East The Stone Tape Sci-fi maestro Nigel Kneale reimagines the period ghost story for the video age. Collection: A Ghost Story for Christmas Stonehenge – Panorama of the Ancient Druidical Remains 1900 | 1min The ancient British icon in the days before coach parties invaded. Collection: Essentially British Ashley Walters and Adrian Lester star in this tough drama about troubled teenagers in care. Collection: Black Britain Stormy Monday 1988 | 93min Melanie Griffith and Tommy Lee Jones come to Newcastle in Mike Figgis’ debut, inspired by the T. Dan Smith scandal. Collection: North by North East Story of Papworth: The Village of Hope, The 1935 | 18min Anthony Asquith directs an appeal for funds for the Cambridgeshire medical settlement, starring Madeleine Carroll and Gordon Harker. Collection: Eastward Ho! The Story of Tracy Beaker 2008 | 15min Funny and moving series about a high-spirited ten-year-old girl living in a children’s home. Collection: TV Heaven A Story to Frighten the Children 1976 | 85min Police struggle to investigate an horrific murder on a high-rise estate in John Hopkins’ shocking play. Collection: Play for Today Straight and Narrow-Minded 1988 | 30min A late-80s look at homophobia in the UK and the true story behind 2014 hit ‘Pride’. Collection: Beautiful Things Original Welsh-language episode of the popular children’s series about a teddy with super powers. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Supervisor’s Progress 1973 | 27min The devil may find work for an idle supervisor, but not in this colourful instructional film starring Windsor Davies. Collection: We Can Work It Out Survivors 1975 | 50min ‘Series 1 Episode 1: ‘The Fourth Horseman’. The extraordinary opening episode of Terry Nation’s classic post-apocalyptic series. Collection: Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wondert Suzie Gold 2003 | 90min Girl meets goy: a Jewish princess must decide between a Jew and a gentile in this light-hearted romantic comedy. Collection: Oy Britannia Sweeney Todd 1928 | 91min Early British horror about the legendary barber-cum-killer, made over 80 years before Tim Burton’s vision. Collection: Silent Britain Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street* 1936 | 68min The City’s menfolk risk a dangerously close shave in Mr Todd’s barbershop. Collection: London Calling Philip Schofield presents a behind-the-scenes look at his own Saturday morning show ‘Going Live!’ Collection: The Kids Are Alright A Tale of Two Cities 1958 | 117min A wayward barrister (Dirk Bogarde) redeems himself with a heroic act of self-sacrifice during the French Revolutionary Terror. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen Talk About Work 1971 | 16min Candid views on the world of work from three North West youngsters in Ken Loach’s rarely seen short. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Talkies Come to Britain (Yesterday’s Witness) 1971 | 50min Hitchcock discusses the making of ‘Blackmail’ in this rarely seen documentary exploring cinema’s transition to sound. Collection: Looking for Alfred A South London schoolboy runs away and becomes involved with a gang of tearaways. Collection: Box of Delights A Test for Love 1937 | 28min Sweeping romantic drama (and treatise on STDs) set in a sleepy English seaside town in the ’30s. Collection: The Joy of Sex Education That’s What Friends Are For 1988 | 7 min Neil Bartlett performs his powerful spoken-word piece responding to the AIDS crisis for C4’s Alter Image strand. Collection: Beautiful Things That Paralympic Show 2010 | 30min This edition of the C4 series features wheelchair racer David Weir and a visit to the Olympic Stadium. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen That Was the Week That Was – Tribute to President Kennedy 1963 | 20min Poetic tribute to John F. Kennedy on the day following his death. Collection: TV Heaven The Game of Haxey Hood 1929 | 1min Welcome to a mad British tradition. Follow that hood! Collection: Heartlands How to deal with airline passengers, however tiresome. Collection: Pandora’s Box Things to Come 1936 | 97min The city of the future rises from the rubble of world war in H.G. Wells’ prescient sci-fi fable. Collection: The Promised Land Things Unseen: Ena Twigg — Medium Bimbi Harris 1971 | 42 min Profile of a medium who first encountered her “misty people” at the age of seven. Collection: Gothic: Love is a Devil Think of a Number Johnny Ball does the impossible and makes maths and science interesting for kids. Collection: The Kids Are Alright Think of England Photographer Martin Parr seeks out the English icons. Collection: Essentially British Noël Coward’s saga of a Clapham family between the two World Wars. Collection: London Calling This is a Matter Which Vitally Concerns You 1938 | 4min Screen A public appeal by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham for volunteer air raid wardens, fire fighters and medical staff. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen. This Is Tomorrow 2007 | 54min The Royal Festival Hall is reborn for a new generation, to the sounds of Saint Etienne. Collection: Of Dreams and Cities This Is Your Life Eamonn Andrews gets out the Red Book for Ealing comedies scriptwriter T.E.B. Clarke. Collection: TV Heaven This Life 1996 | 40min Family Outing’. Warren’s sexuality comes under scrutiny in this episode of the 90s legal drama series. Collection: Tony Garnett: Seeing Red This Was a Woman Mothers don’t come much deadlier than Sonia Dresdel’s murderous matriarch… Collection: The Gentle Sex Cult ’80s drama following the lives of inner city teens. Collection: Play for Today Three Weird Sisters 1948 | 82min Three spinsters – one deaf, one blind, one with arthritis – battle their younger brother in a gothic tale from Dylan Thomas. Collection: The Gentle Sex The Threepenny Opera 1931 | 105min 19th century London is recreated in a Berlin film studio for this adaptation of Brecht and Weill’s revolutionary musical. Collection: London Calling The Trial of Oscar Wilde 1960 | 52 min Gripping recreation of Wilde’s 1895 trial, starring Micheál MacLiammóir. Collection: Beautiful Things The Trial of Sir Roger Casement 1960 | 52 min Peter Wyngarde plays the gay British diplomat turned Irish nationalist, executed in 1916 for treason. Collection: Beautiful Things Don Levy’s extraordinary experimental collage film, produced for the Nuffield Foundation. Collection: Reality Bites The Time of Our Lives 1994 | 81min The life and times of an East End Irish family. Collection: London Calling A Time There Was…A Profile of Benjamin Britten (South Bank Show) 1980 | 90min The life of Suffolk’s greatest musical son. Collection: Eastward Ho! Time to Go 1989 | 30min A characteristically polemical documentary by Ken Loach, arguing for the withdrawal of British troops from Northern Ireland. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Time-Lapse Study of Nail Growth 1960 | 2min Serious scientific study or long-lost avant-garde body horror? You decide. Collection: Pandora’s Box Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy 1979 | 41min An episode of the intricately plotted serial based on the spy novel by John Le Carré. Collection: TV Heaven Compilation of the madcap children’s Saturday morning show presented by Chris Tarrant. Collection: The Kids Are Alright The Titanic Disaster 1912 | 5min Gaumont’s newsreel boasted a brief glimpse of the real Titanic in dock prior to her ill-fated maiden voyage. Collection: Save Our Souls: Disaster at Sea Titanic: A Question of Murder? [Production material] 1983 | 88min An extended interview with surviving Titanic crewman Major Prentice, filmed for a 1983 documentary. Collection: Save Our Souls: Disaster at Sea Titanic: The Mission Five-part series following a team of engineers as they rebuild sections of the legendary liner. Collection: Save Our Souls: Disaster at Sea To Have and to Hold 2000 | 13min A woman finds herself in a gruesome predicament after a car crash in the deep, dark woods… Collection: Pandora’s Box To Keep Our Way of Life 1959 | 54min A West Indian man working in Britain faces prejudice, suspicion and jealousy. Collection: Black Britain The Tocher; A Film Ballet by Lotte Reiniger 1938 | 5min The ‘wee folk’ help a man woo his true love in Lotte Reiniger’s ‘film ballet’. Collection: Pandora’s Box To-day We Live; a Film of Life in Britain 1937 | 23min Impassioned socialist view of Depression-era Britain. Collection: Reality Bites East End and Butlers Wharf locations feature in this under-seen drama about two deaf men. Collection: London Calling Together Alone 2009 | 30min The last of a generation of East London Jews tell their story with humour and optimism. Collection: Oy Britannia Torment 1947 | 78min A mentally unstable novelist commits murder in a twisted attempt to give himself a feeling of reality. Collection: Gothic: Monstrous Tommy Cooper’s Christmas 1973 | 51min Magic, music and sketches with the kooky comedian, with appearances by Sacha Distel and Clodagh Rogers. Collection: Santa’s Grotto Tommy Steele My Life, My Song 1974 | 60min An evening of music and anecdotes from Bermondsey boy Tommy Steele. Collection: Beautiful South The Tomorrow People 1973 | 24min ‘Series 1 Episode 1: ‘The Slaves of Jedikiah’. The Tomorrow People find a new recruit in the first ever episode of the hit show. Collection: Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder Tom’s Ride Tom wants a bike and finds a wallet – will he do the honourable thing? Collection: Pandora’s Box Tonite, Let’s All Make Love in London 1967 | 72min Vivid, memorable doc examining the ‘swinging’ London phenomenon. Collection: London Calling Too Late to Talk to Billy 1982 | 85min Blistering, Belfast-set drama of a family at loggerheads, starring Kenneth Branagh. Collection: Play for Today Too Long a Winter 1973 | 47min Documentary about the lifestyle of a lone female farmer in the most isolated corner of the Yorkshire Dales. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Toot-an-kum-in Daily Sketch Cambridge students re-enact the opening of Tutankhamun’s tomb in a rag week stunt. Collection: Eastward Ho! Top of the Pops ‘78 (Inc. Kate Bush ‘Wuthering Heights’ promo video) 1978 | 59min Kate Bush throws some ethereal shapes in the iconic music video for ‘Wuthering Heights’. Collection: The Book Group All the fun of the Newcastle Town Moor Fair from over 100 years ago. Collection: North by North East Town Sparrows 1949 | 16min A day in the life of a group of children from Oldbury in the West Midlands. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen. The Trade Winds Blow Glossy cinemagazine following the decline (and possible renaissance) of industry in the North East. Collection: North by North East Trafalgar Square Riot A suffragette procession in Trafalgar Square causes a riot. Collection: London Calling Traffic Island 1994 | 27min Five people and a dog cope with harsh conditions when they become marooned – on a traffic island just off Hemel Hempstead. Collection: Pandora’s Box A sizzling insight into student life in the ’30s. Collection: The Joy of Sex Education A Trip Down the Clyde 1921 | 2min A visit to the Dumbarton Rock and Rothesay shipyards. Collection: This Working Life: Tales From the Shipyard A Trip to North Wales on the St. Elvies 1902 | 2min All aboard the St. Elvies paddle steamer to Llandudno with Mitchell and Kenyon. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Tropical Hookworm Instructional film for African audiences on the causes and prevention of disease. Collection: Cape to Cairo The Trouble With Black Men 2004 | 53min David Matthews’ polemic unpicking the preconceptions that surround African-Caribbean men in Britain today. Collection: Black Britain The Trouble With…Gay Men 2006 | 56min After years of political and cultural progress, why do so many of today’s gay men seem content to conform to stereotypes? Collection: Beautiful Things The Truth About Gay Sex 2002 | 49min Ever wondered what gay men get up to in bed? Virgins, notepads at the ready… Collection: Beautiful Things Anti-Congress propaganda made by a District Officer. Collection: Before Midnight Trying to Kiss the Moon 1995 | 96min Film autobiography by the late Stephen Dwoskin drawing on home movies, photographs and extracts from his own experimental work. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen Tryweryn 1965 | 37min Amateur film by Bangor schoolchildren, about the hugely controversial flooding of a valley to create the Llyn Celyn reservoir. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Tulip Town Tiptoe through the tulip parade at the vibrant Spalding festival. Collection: Heartlands Tunde’s Film 1973 | 40min A rarely seen portrait of racial tension in London’s East End, featuring original music by Joan Armatrading. Collection: Black Britain Spectacular sci-fi tale about the troubled construction of a transatlantic tunnel. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Turkey Time 1933 | 72min Festive frolics in a seaside town. Politically correct viewers, look away now. It’s Turkey Time! Collection: Funny Girls A Turn Up For Tony 1968 | 30min Tati-esque comedy – Tony Tanner seeks a job and a girlfriend in Newcastle. Collection: North by North East The Turning Point (Horlicks Ad) 1951 | 3min Who needs a marriage councillor when a mug of Horlicks is at hand? Collection: Pandora’s Box Twelve Views of Kensal House 1984 | 55min Can the social housing ideals of the ’30s survive in a very different era? Collection: The Promised Land The ancient and the modern worlds come together in the North East coal industry. Collection: North by North East Tynemouth Swimming Gala in the Haven, North Shields 1901 | 1min Racing swimmers take the plunge – wearing top hats and tails. Collection: North by North East Tyneside 1941 | 17min The building of the ‘Dominion Monarch’ on the River Tyne – the most powerful motor liner in the world. Collection: North by North East Tyrannosaur Paddy Considine’s directorial debut, a powerful Sheffield-set tale of rage and redemption. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen UCS 1 Campaign film used by the Clydeside shipyard workers. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out An Ultra Modern House The ultimate in streamlined chic – on a hillside above Amersham. Collection: The Promised Land Un Nos Ola Leuad (One Full Moon) 1991 | 98min Haunting adaptation of Caradog Prichard’s classic novel, set in Snowdonia. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen The Uncharted Sea A young man discovers the perils – and sensual pleasures – of city life. Collection: The Joy of Sex Education Uncle Denis? US-born filmmaker Adrian Goycoolea recalls his Great Uncle Denis – aka Quentin Crisp. Collection: Beautiful Things Passions run deep on the London Underground. Collection: London Calling Undressing Extraordinary 1901 | 2min Classic comedy or early horror? A man finds taking his clothes off more difficult than usual. Collection: Pandora’s Box Uneasy Dreams: the Life of Mr Pickwick 1970 | 26min A fictional biography of Mr. Pickwick, from childhood to his adventures in Dickens’ The Pickwick Papers. Collection: Hard Times: Dickens on Screen The Union Jack: A Banner for Britain 2006 | 60min Biography of the flag – from a symbol of national pride to its adoption by the BNP. Collection: Essentially British United Kingdom 1981 | 75min Play for Today at its most political – Tyneside communities take on the police and the state. Collection: Play for Today The Universe of Dermot Finn 1988 | 15min Guess who’s coming to dinner? A brilliant, touching short reminiscent of Tim Burton. Collection: Pandora’s Box Pay a visit to the nit nurse. Collection: Pandora’s Box Up the Junction 1965 | 70min Abortion and pre-marital sex are no longer off-limits in Ken Loach’s vibrant and controversial TV play, based on the book by Nell Dunn. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Uppies and Downies Thrilling sport or hideous brawl? Medieval football, the Ashbourne way. Collection: Heartlands Upside Down or The Human Flies 1899 | 1min A mischievous magic trick that would inspire the special effects in 2001: A Space Odyssey. Collection: Pandora’s Box Urdd Gobaith Cymru – Anenwadol ac Amhleidiol 1930 | 8min The activities of the The Welsh League of Youth. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen USSR Now (This Week) 1958 | 59min Michael Ingrams tries to fathom Russian life over the course of three months as part of an exchange programme with Moscow. Collection: Visions of Change: The TV Documentary 1950s-60s V E Day War is over, and Gateshead celebrates in style. Collection: North by North East The Val Doonican Show Snuggle up with the Irish crooner for an evening of comedy, warmth and Nana Mouskouri. Collection: Santa’s Grotto Huge box office success detailing the life and loves of Queen Victoria (Anna Neagle). Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Victoria Wood – As Seen on TV 1986 | 30min The joy of Victoria Wood: from Acorn Antiques to the erotic potential of bicycle clips. Collection: Essentially British A View from a Hill 2005 | 40min BBC Four revived the creepy Christmas tradition with M.R. James’ tale of a mysterious pair of binoculars. Collection: A Ghost Story for Christmas View From An Engine Front – Ilfracombe 1898 | 4min A bendy train trip through Devon – full steam ahead! Collection: Reality Bites The View from the Woodpile 1989 | 50min Ken Loach’s prescient documentary exposes the plight of the West Midlands’ disenfranchised youth. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Views on Trial 1954 | 26min Amusing, yet heavily biased, industrial film – a disgruntled worker is put on trial for rallying against the introduction of machinery in the workplace. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out A Village Affair 1995 | 120min A married mother’s life is turned upside down in the much-loved lesbian Aga saga from Joanna Trollope. Collection: Beautiful Things Richard Burton stars as a psychotic homosexual gangster based on Ronnie Kray. Collection: Beautiful Things Viola 1967 | 23min Experimental film using still imagery to convey a man’s fractured state of mind following the disappearance of his wife. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen The Violent Playground The battle of wills between a Liverpool Juvenile Liaison officer and a dangerous young pyromaniac. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West The Vise 1958 | 25min WWII veteran and amputee Donald Gray stars as Detective Mark Saber in this early TV crime series. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen The Vision 1988 | 105min Rarely seen sci-fi drama starring Dirk Bogarde as an unwitting TV presenter recruited by a sinister organisation to front their satellite channel. Collection: Bogarde on the Box Visit of Her Royal Highness the Princess Elizabeth 1951 | 18min The future Queen Elizabeth II visits Birmingham on 9 June 1951. Collection: Brum & Beyond: West Midlands on Screen. Visit of Their Majesties The King And Queen To The North-East Coast Ship-Building and Engineering On The Wear 1917 | 8min George V and Queen Mary visit the Sunderland shipyards. Collection: North by North East A Visit to an Art School 1929 | 35min Aspiring artists acquire their skills at Manchester School of Art. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West A Visit to Peek Frean and Company’s Biscuit Works 1906 | 36min Meet the workers at one of Bermondsey’s thriving family businesses. Collection: Beautiful South Vivienne Westwood (South Bank Show) 1990 | 52min Take a revealing peek into the working life of British fashion’s grande dame. Collection: Brit Chic Prolific documentary producers Gaumont-British Instructional promote their output to schools. Collection: Reality Bites Vymura Advert – Noddy and Big Ears 1982 | 2min Noddy’s interior decorating tips lead to a violent altercation with Big Ears. Collection: Toyland Tales and Happy Endings The W Plan Brian Aherne is dropped behind enemy lines in this inventive espionage thriller. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace Waddington’s Piano Works, Scarborough 1930 | 9min See the painstaking craft processes that enable us to tinkle those ivories. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Wales v. Ireland at Wrexham 1906 | 2min An Edwardian treat for footie fans courtesy of Mitchell & Kenyon. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Wales’ Wonderful Rugby Win Wales thrash England with a landslide win. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Walter 1982 | 75min Ian McKellen stars as a man with learning difficulties in the first ever Film on Four broadcast, directed by Stephen Frears. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen Waltzes From Vienna A real Hitchcock rarity, and a Hitchcock musical, to boot. Collection: Welcome to the Dream Palace The Wandering Jew 1923 | 108min The legend of the Wandering Jew, condemned to walk the earth until the Second Coming, is brought to the big screen. Collection: Oy Britannia Words of warning on the eve of the war from Sir John Anderson. Collection: Heartlands A Warning to the Curious 1972 | 50min An amateur archaeologist visits the remote Norfolk coast to search for a buried Saxon crown, angering the violent forces which guard it. Collection: A Ghost Story for Christmas Waterloo Road* Soldier John Mills goes AWOL in Lambeth to investigate rumours about his wife. Collection: Beautiful South Waterloo Sunset 1979 | 78min Queenie Watts stars as a spirited Cockney pensioner returning to her Lambeth roots in Barrie Keeffe’s standout Play for Today. Collection: London Calling Watership Down* 1978 | 92min “Bright eyes, burning like fire…” Memorably dark animated classic, based on Richard Adams’ bestselling children’s novel. Collection: March Hares & Easter Bunnies Watton Christmas Party American airmen entertain war orphans at Watton airfield, Norfolk. Collection: Eastward Ho! Learie Constantine and Una Marson introduce the war effort in the West Indies. Collection: Black Britain The Westcliff Cine Club Visits Mr. Hitchcock in Hollywood 1963 | 11min One lucky film club gets a very special address all the way from Universal Studios. Collection: Looking for Alfred We’ve Come a Long Way 1951 | 11min The history of the oil tanker, as told through Halas & Bachelor’s vivid animation. Collection: This Working Life: Tales From the Shipyard What a Life! Rationing, moaning and burnt toast. A film for pessimists. Collection: Essentially British What Can I Do With a Male Nude? 1985 | 24min Ron Peck’s amusing rumination on the difficulties of showing the naked masculine body. Collection: Beautiful Things What Do You Do On Friday Night? 1926 | 2min Dance the night away at the Cambridge Varsity Dance Club. Collection: Eastward Ho! What Have You Done Today, Mervyn Day? 2006 | 45min Saint Etienne’s hymn to a vanishing east London – before the Olympic bulldozers moved in. Collection: London Calling What We Want is Watney’s: Michael Caine 1959 | 1min A pre-fame Michael Caine stars in this advert for Watney’s ale. Collection: Pandora’s Box What Will You Be Doing in 2012? 2004 | 7min East London school children discuss their hopes for 2012. Collection: Sport at Heart Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? 1973 | 30min The Likely Lads’ finest (half) hour – can they avoid hearing the football results? Collection: Essentially British A remarkably explicit warning to WWI soldiers about the perils of fraternizing with loose women. Collection: The Joy of Sex Education What a Difference a Gay Makes 1984 | 30 min Is homosexuality contagious? Former Gay News editor Denis Lemon busts some myths in this edition of Diverse Reports. Collection: Beautiful Things What’s a Girl Like You… 1969 | 45min Scintillating look at the 1960s drag renaissance, with a visit to London’s Royal Vauxhall Tavern. Collection: Visions of Change: The TV Documentary 1950s-60s When Coal Was King with Ricky Tomlinson 2006 | 60min Ricky Tomlinson’s personal history of British coal mining, lavishly illustrated with footage from the BFI National Archive. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal When I Came to Britain 2004 | 12min Caribbean settlers in the UK recall their first impressions of Britain. Collection: Black Britain It’s never too late to come out… Collection: Beautiful Things When the Boat Comes In 1976 | 50min The first episode of the much-loved BBC series set in the fictional town of Gallowshield – loosely based on South Shields. Collection: North by North East When The Boat Comes In 1976 | 50min Dance ti’ thy daddy, sing ti’ thy mammy – Bill Seaton digs under the floorboards for precious coal in an episode from the much-loved series. Collection: This Working Life: King Coal Where There’s a Curd… There’s a Whey 1979 | 22min Is Yorkshire’s famous Wensleydale cheese under threat from mechanisation? Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Which Side Are You On? 1984 | 50min Ken Loach’s anthology of songs and poems inspired by the Miners’ Strike, controversially refused a broadcast by the South Bank Show. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Whicker’s World California 1980 | 53min Alan Whicker investigates San Francisco’s controversial new policy of recruiting gay and lesbian police officers. Collection: Beautiful Things Gently subversive Ealing comedy about whisky smuggling in the Hebrides. Collection: Scottish Reels Whistle and I’ll Come to You 2010 | 55min John Hurt stars in ‘Spooks’ writer Neil Cross’ modern take on Jonathan Miller’s classic 1968 chiller. Collection: A Ghost Story for Christmas Whistle and I’ll Come to You 1968 | 42min Classic ghost story in which Michael Hordern summons a phantom apparition while holidaying in Norfolk. Collection: Eastward Ho! The White Shadow 1924 | 43min Hitchcock worked on this silent feature – thought lost until 2011 – about a young woman possessed by the soul of her dead twin. Collection: The Shaping of Alfred Hitchcock White Tribe Darcus Howe goes in search of white England. Collection: Essentially British Pagan rites on a Scottish isle in the original cult favourite. Collection: Essentially British Wil Cwac Cwac 1985 | 5min Children’s animation based on the Welsh-language stories by Jennie Thomas and J.O. Williams about a mischievous duckling. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen The Wild and the Willing 1962 | 115min A young cast of future stars features in this X-rated university-set drama. Collection: Heartlands The Wild Duck 1957 | 90min The idealistic son of a corrupt businessmen exposes a lifetime of lies in Ibsen’s masterpiece, directed for TV by Ealing regular Charles Crichton. Collection: Missing Believed Wiped: The Library of Congress Discoveries William Meiklejohn’s Family Films 1935 | 17min These home movies include footage of Darjeeling, West Bengal and Bangladesh. Collection: Before Midnight Women’s clubs in rural Rhodesia. Collection: Cape to Cairo The Woman for Joe 1955 | 94min A hawker at Nottingham’s Goose Fair attempts to find a woman for his latest attraction – ‘The World’s Smallest Man”. Collection: Heartlands John Bruce 1982 | 277 min Five-part BBC adaptation of Wilkie Collins’ Victorian chiller. Collection: Gothic: Love is a Devil Women in Tropical Places Women on the verge of a Newcastle breakdown. Collection: North by North East Women of Steel Documentary celebrating the contribution of Sheffield’s female steelworkers during WWII. Collection: This Working Life: Steel Women of the Rhondda Four women living in a South Wales mining village describe their experiences. Collection: Through the Dragon’s Eye: Wales on Screen Women’s Rights aka Ladies Skirts Nailed to a Fence 1899 | 1min Victoria Wood’s first TV sketch show, co-starring Julie Walters. Collection: Funny Girls Woodbine Place 1989 | 105min A gentle observation of the private world of children living on a Gateshead street, and a follow-up documentary shot 4 years later. Collection: North by North East The World of George Orwell: 1984 1965 | 113min The BBC’s second impressive adaptation of Orwell’s dystopian classic, thought lost until 2010. Collection: Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder Work at St Dunstan’s 1916 | 1min Visually impaired servicemen learn new skills on their return to civilian life. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen Work Study and Tom Howard 1958 | 20min British Rail wants to follow the work study model – but Tom Howard is not a fan. Collection: Boom Britain: We Can Work It Out Workers at Jesse Crossley and Sons Ironworks, Ripley 1900 | 2min Victorians take a break from work. Collection: Heartlands Workers Leaving Butterley Ironworks, Ripley 1900 | 3min The end of a hard day’s work in Derbyshire, over 100 years ago. Collection: Heartlands Workforce of Scott and Co Shipyard Greenock 1901 | 2min Workers leaving the Greenock-based shipbuilding firm. Collection: This Working Life: Tales From the Shipyard Working Class Dykes From Hell 1992 | 60min Lesbians talk about being out, proud and working class. Collection: Beautiful Things England’s finest hour? World Cup coverage from the BBC. Collection: Sport at Heart A World is Turning (Rushes) 1948 | 40min Six reels of rushes are all that remain of this unfinished film showcasing talented members of Britain’s black and Asian communities. Collection: Black Britain The World of Frank Letch 1978 | 30min Quietly inspirational documentary about an ordinary man born with no arms, and life in his adopted South Wales. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen The World of Wooster The only surviving complete episode of this 1965-66 adaptation of Wodehouse’s much-loved stories. Collection: TV Heaven The World Ten Times Over 1963 | 93min British cinema’s earliest lesbian relationship? Collection: Beautiful Things World’s First Caterpillar Track 1908 | 6min It’s tractor vs. tractor in this gruelling test to see who will triumph – will it be steam or petrol? Gentlemen, start your engines. Collection: Pandora’s Box 9/11 and its after-effects on a young Muslim woman. Collection: Essentially British The Year of the Sex Olympics 1968 | 104min Nigel Kneale’s daring play set in a future Britain, where the appetites and passions of the masses are controlled by television. Collection: Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder Yellow 1996 | 12min A young girl pits her wits against her mother’s lover in this provocative short starring Ray Winstone. Collection: Cinema of Tomorrow Yellowbacks 1990 | 80min Chilling drama with an all-star cast, set in a near future when authorities wield draconian powers in the wake of viral epidemics. Collection: Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder Yellow Caesar Ealing’s blackly comic propaganda film attacking fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. Collection: Ealing Studios: Propaganda Shorts Yellow Week at Stanway J.M. Barrie’s whimsical home-movie record of a summer house party in the Cotswolds. Collection: Pandora’s Box A death-row dame (Diana Dors) awaits execution for murder. Collection: The Gentle Sex Yorkshire Beaches 1945 | 14min A stunning colour record of family life on the Yorkshire coast made despite wartime film rationing. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen Yorkshire Curiosities Amateur documentary capturing some of the region’s more esoteric delights. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen The Yorkshire Disco Dancing Championships 1980 | 26min Step inside Doncaster’s answer to Studio 54 for a glitter-strewn edition of the regional TV talent show. Collection: God’s Own County: Yorkshire on Screen You in Your Small Corner 1962 | 82min Lloyd Reckord stars as a gifted student confronting the race and class divide in 1960s Brixton. Collection: Beautiful South You Made Me Love You: Nathan Evans Films David Hoyle 2008 | 79min Avant-garde performance artist David Hoyle muses on capitalism, gay rights and mental health in a series of six short films: Dave’s Drop-in Centre, A Village Stroll with David Hoyle, Natural Human, Manchester (So Much to Answer For), At Home with David Hoyle and On the Couch with David Hoyle. Collection: Beautiful Things Young British Artists (South Bank Show) 1998 | 45min Profile of YBAs Gillian Wearing and Gary Hume. Collection: Farewell South Bank Show Young Lesbians The problems facing young lesbians at the end of the 1970s. Collection: Beautiful Things The day the cosmonaut came to town. Collection: Once Upon a Time in the North West Z Cars 1964 | 50min When a young African man attacks a bailiff, his wife does not believe he will get unprejudiced treatment from the Newtown police. Collection: Black Britain Z Cars: A Straight Deal 1964 | 50min PC Lynch makes an unexpected discovery in this episode of the police drama series, directed by Ken Loach. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Z Cars: Profit by Their Example 1964 | 44min A businessman takes on local hooligans in the first of three episodes of Z Cars directed by Ken Loach: Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective Z Cars: The Whole Truth 1964 | 50min A slow-witted former boxer becomes embroiled in a police investigation in this episode of Z Cars directed by Ken Loach. Collection: Ken Loach: A Retrospective A Zed and Two Noughts 1985 | 112min Peter Greenaway’s visionary tale of a woman who loses her leg in a car accident – caused by a low-flying swan. Collection: Unlimited: Disability on Screen
i don't know
Monsieur Rapide (French), Don Ocupado (Spanish), Meneertje Druk (Dutch), Unser Herr Schnell (German), and Bay Hýzlý (Turkish) are international versions of which character, from a children's book series?
Mr. Birthday - The Full Wiki The Full Wiki More info on Mr. Birthday   Wikis Mr. Birthday: Wikis Advertisements Note: Many of our articles have direct quotes from sources you can cite, within the Wikipedia article! This article doesn't yet, but we're working on it! See more info or our list of citable articles . (Redirected to List of Mr. Men article) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia This article contains special characters. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols . The following is a list of Mr. Men , from the children's book series by Roger Hargreaves , also adapted into the children's television programme The Mr. Men Show . Books one (Mr. Tickle) to forty-three (Mr. Cheerful) were written by Hargreaves, and the remainder by his son, Adam Hargreaves . Advertisements Mr. Birthday Mr. Birthday loves birthdays. His favourite part is the party. He thinks cards are nice, presents are good, but parties are great. Mr. Happy tells him not to forget about a party he knew nothing about. He appears under the title Monsieur Anniversaire (French). Mr. Bounce Mr. Muddle Mr. Bounce is the twenty-second book in the Mr. Men series. Mr. Bounce is small and bounces around like a rubber ball, which makes life very difficult for him. One day, after banging his head on the ceiling from bouncing off a chair, Mr. Bounce has decided he's had it with all this bouncing about and decides to see the doctor about it. On the way however, he trips on a pebble and becomes a live tennis ball for two boys in a tennis court. After taking a bus to the doctor's, Mr. Bounce bounces into the doctor's office and into Dr. Makeyouwell's mid-morning coffee. After Mr. Bounce explains his problem, Dr. Makeyouwell gives him the cure for bouncing about: heavy red boots. Mr. Bounce wears the boots to bed that night. The next morning, he bounces out of bed, but the boots make him fall through the floor straight into the kitchen. In the 2008 TV series The Mr. Men Show , he looks the same as in the books except his hat has a stripe on it. His bouncing about causes chaos for the other Mr. Men and Little Misses in Dillydale, especially when he's out in public. Mr. Bounce speaks with an Asian accent. His catchphrase is, "Hello! Goodbye!". He often speaks quickly. He also has an Indian accent.[citation needed] He is one of two victims of Mr. Strong, along with Mr. Quiet, and even gets in a sumo match with him! However, Mr. Bounce uses the bouncy-ness to his advantage to bounce Mr. Strong back, getting payback. In the UK and US Versions, he is voiced by Sam Gold and Simon Greenall . Mr. Bounce appears under the titles Monsieur Bing (French), Don Saltarin (Spanish), Meneer Stuiter/Meneertje Stuiterbal (Dutch), Ο Κύριος Χοροπηδούλης (Greek), 蹦跳先生 (Taiwan), Unser Herr Hupf (German) Senhor Saltitão (Portuguese) and Mister Beag (Gaeilge). Mr. Bump Mr. Snow Mr. Bump is the sixth book in the Mr. Men series. Mr. Bump can't help having accidents. He takes a vacation and falls off a boat, falls into a deep hole at the beach. When he wants a job, the best job is walking around and bumping into trees on Mr. Barley's apple orchard, making the apples fall off the trees. In Mr. Bump Loses His Memory - in which he falls out of his bedroom window and bump his head, promptly causing him to lose his memory . He is told, by Mr. Muddle that his name is, in fact, Mr. Careful, causing our confused Mr. Bump to try several jobs for which great care is needed, such as carrying eggs and delivering milk in glass bottles. His memory is restored when he walks into a tree... and then he promptly falls into a river. In the 2008 TV series The Mr. Men Show , Mr. Bump is a regular character. He kept his looks except one of his bandages is gone and is always having accidents, more often than not non-bump-related ones such as accidentally being cleaned in a car wash. Like Mr. Grumpy and Mr. Small , his favorite food is liverwurst sandwiches, as mentioned in the Beach episode. He lives in a square house which is olive, with a black chimney, arched windows and a bandaged roof. Often, Little Miss Whoops (or Little Miss Helpful) is the cause of his accidents. He also lives next door to Little Miss Whoops, and is her brother, much to his dismay. His catchphrase in the show is, "Oh poopity-poop!" and "You'll never learn.", usually exclaimed when his situation turns bad. In the US and UK Versions, he is voiced by Aaron Albertus and Simon Greenall . Mr. Bump appears under the titles Monsieur Malchance (French), Don Pupas (Spanish), Meneer Pech/Meneertje Bots (Dutch), Ο Κύριος Σκουντούφλης (Greek), 意外先生 (Taiwan), 꽈당씨 (Korean), Mr. Hergwd (Welsh), Unser Herr Schussel (German), Fætter Bumle (Danish), מר נזק Mar Nezek-Mr. Damage (Hebrew), Herra Skellur (Icelandic) and Senhor Trambolhão (Portuguese). Mr. Busy Mr. Fussy Mr. Chatterbox is the twentieth book in the Mr. Men series. Mr. Chatterbox will talk on and on. He talks leaving the mailman late delivering all his mail, and causing Mr. Bowler, the hatter, to come home late to cold dinner. Mr. Bowler sells Mr. Chatterbox a magic hat that will grow if Mr. Chatterbox talks too much. It grows until the bottom reaches Mr. Chatterbox's feet. Now Mr. Chatterbox talks less. Mr. Chatterbox appears under the titles Monsieur Bavard (French), Meneer Kwebbeldoos/Meneertje Kletskous (Dutch), 수다씨 (Korean), 多嘴先生 (Taiwan), Ο Κύριος Πολυλογάς (Greek), Unser Herr Quassel (German), Senhor Tagarela (Portuguese) and Don Charlatano (Spanish),. Mr. Cheeky Mr. Cool Mr. Cheerful is the forty-third book in the Mr. Men series and the final one by Roger Hargreaves . Mr. Cheerful is the second happiest man in the world, next to Mr. Happy. Mr. Cheerful appears under the titles Monsieur Joyeux (French), Meneertje Blij (Dutch), Ο Κύριος Κεφάτος (Greek), 開心先生 (Taiwan). Mr. Christmas Mr. Christmas is part of the Mr. Men series of books, by Roger Hargreaves . Mr. Christmas just loves Christmas. Christmas is his favourite holiday and he thinks that Santa Claus is just so amazing!. Mr. Christmas appears under the titles Monsieur Noel (French), Ο Κύριος Χριστουγεννούλης (Greek). Mr. Clever Mr. Quiet Mr. Clumsy is the twenty-eighth book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves . Mr. Clumsy always breaks things or knocks things over. When he has to go shopping, instead of taking just one can, he knocks over the whole stack. On a farm, he falls into a puddle, and must go home and take a bath. He falls into the linen basket. He falls out of his chair when he eats dinner. Then he has an accident before he goes to bed. Mr. Clumsy is green with a yellow nose and he has one pair of red shoes. Mr. Clumsy appears under the titles Monsieur Maladroit (French), Don Desastre (Spanish), Meneertje Onhandig (Dutch), 서툴러씨 (Korean), 呆呆先生 (Taiwan), Ο Κύριος Αδέξιος (Greek), Unser Herr Tolpatsch (German). Mr. Cool Mr. Rude Mr. Cool is the forty-fourth book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves and the first one created by Adam Hargreaves . Mr. Cool is the coolest person in the world. When Jack Robinson is ill and bored in bed, Mr. Cool appeared and snapped his fingers, everything happens to make Jack fun. at the end, Jack's spots are disappeared during an extremely long slide down the Mount Everest . Mr. Cool is published under the title Monsieur Génial in France. Mr. Crosspatch Mr. Crosspatch' is a Mr. Men book only available in France. Mr. Crosspatch loves to fight (which may explain the bandage on his head); he even lives in a torn up house. Mr. Crosspatch is published under the title "Monsieur Bagarreur" in France. D Mr. Forgetful Mr. Daydream is the thirteenth book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves . The story tells of a little boy named Jack. Jack is a nice boy, and he likes to daydream a lot! He is at school when his teacher is talking about history. He looks out the window and meets Mr. Daydream, who invites Jack to come on an adventure with him. They get on the back of a huge bird, and the bird flies them from place to place. In the jungle, a crocodile tricks them into using his back as a bridge, and tries to toss them into his mouth, reminiscent of what the fox did to The Gingerbread Man . The bird rescues them and takes Jack and Mr. Daydream to other places, such as the North Pole, and finally to the Wild West, where Mr. Daydream puts on a hat too big for him, and cannot see. He calls Jack's name from under the hat, and Jack realizes that it wasn't Mr. Daydream calling Jack's name, but his teacher. When the teacher says Jack has been daydreaming, the reader realizes daydreaming is more fun than history! Mr. Daydream appears under the titles Monsieur Rêve (French), Don Sonador (Spanish), Meneer Dagdroom (Dutch), 白日夢先生 (Taiwan), 공상씨 (Korean), Mr. Breuddwyd (Welsh), Ο Κύριος Ονειροπόλος (Greek), Unser Herr Träumerisch (German), Fætter Dagdrøm (Danish), Gubben Dagdröm (Swedish). Mr. Dizzy Mr. Impossible Mr. Dizzy is the twenty-fourth book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Dizzy lives in Cleverland, where everybody is clever except for him - until, one day, because a pig and an elephant take advantage of him, he wishes himself clever as he drinks from a wishing well, despite being unaware of its magical properties. He returns and asks the pig, "What's fat and pink and goes Atishoo, Atishoo?" (This is replaced with "Achoo! Achoo!" in the US edition.) The pig is flummoxed until Mr. Dizzy tickles the pig's nose, causing him to sneeze and say, "Atishoo! Atishoo!" Next he asks the elephant, "What's large and grey and goes Dopit, Dopit?" The elephant is clueless until Mr. Dizzy ties a knot in the elephant's trunk, causing him to declare, "Dopit! Dopit!" and, addressing the readers, "I duppose doo dink dat's fuddy." Mr. Dizzy appears under the titles Monsieur Nigaud (French), Ο Κύριος Χαζούλης (Greek), 傷腦筋先生 (Taiwan), 우둔씨 (Korean), Unser Herr Dussel (German), Meneer Suizebol (Dutch), Fætter Dumbum (Danish), מר טושטוש (Hebrew), Senhor Bobo (Portuguese). F Mr. Jelly Mr. Forgetful is the fourteenth book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Forgetful has a short memory. This is not particularly useful. One day he has to remember a message for Farmer Fields to say that there is a sheep loose in the lane. Can he remember the message? Sadly, no for he says "there is a goose asleep in the rain". Mr. Forgetful appears under the titles Monsieur Étourdi (French), Don Memorion (Spanish), Unser Herr Vergesslich (German), Meneer Vergeetal (Dutch), 健忘先生 (Taiwan), 잊어씨 (Korean), Ο Κύριος Ξεχασιάρης (Greek), Bay Unutkan (Turkish), Fætter Glemsom (Danish), מר שכחן (Hebrew) and Senhor Esquecido (Portuguese). Mr. Funny Mr. Mean Mr. Funny is the eighteenth book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr Funny lived inside a large teapot. So he decided to go out for a funny drive. While he was driving along the road, a Large Pig laughed to see his car and a worm laughed as well. Eventually Mr Funny came to some sign posts. One of them says "This way to the Zoo." Unfortunately all the animals at the zoo have colds. He ends up cheering up the zoo animals with his jokes and humour before driving home again. No one has a sense of humour like Mr. Funny. He is now a character in The Mr. Men Show , during its second season. He almost looks the same, but his flower and gloves are absent and has a white and red polka-dotted bow tie. He has no speaking lines, and all of his sketches are done in mime, In Season 2 his only noises being the sounds of horns and whistles, similar to comedian Harpo Marx . Mr. Funny appears under the titles Monsieur Rigolo (French), Don Bromista (Spanish), Unser Herr Lustig (German), Meneer Grapjas (Dutch), Ο Κύριος Αστείος (Greek), 趣味先生 (Taiwan), 웃겨씨 (Korean), Herra Fyndinn (Icelandic) and Senhor Engraçado (Portuguese). Mr. Fussy Mr. Bounce Mr. Fussy is the twenty-first book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Fussy is a perfectionist. He would not tolerate anything imperfect. Mr. Fussy keeps his hair combed, his moustache trimmed, his shoelaces tied and his house very neat. One evening, he is working when his cousin from Australia comes for a visit, Mr. Clumsy . Mr. Clumsy causes chaos and at the end of his stay, everything in the house is disastrous. However, things just get worse for Mr. Fussy as then a friend comes to visit, Mr. Bump . The 2008 TV series of The Mr. Men Show , he is also very clean and will not tolerate anything dirty as well as being fussy about details. He retains his yellow nose and neatly combed hair but was given a black bow tie, reading glasses, brown shoes and a more neatly waxed mustache. He lives next door to Mr. Messy in a duplex -style house. He despairs (even crying) at the end of almost all of his scenes. He often gets kicked out or yelled at when he is using his temper on another Mr. Man or Little Miss (such as Mr. Messy , Mr. Rude and Little Miss Naughty ) and he has terrible classes. In the US and UK Versions, he is voiced by Joseph J. Terry and Rob Rackstraw . In the first season of the show he was named Mr. Persnickety (Mr. Pernickety in UK version; which is in fact another name for fussy). He was renamed back to Mr. Fussy in Season 2, retaining his look from the first season, albeit now appearing in a darker shade of green. Mr. Fussy's catch phrases are , "Mr. Messy!" and "Sweet Henrietta!". On the website he says, "How revolting.". Mr. Fussy can play the Piano , the Viola , and the Harp . Mr. Fussy appears under the title Monsieur Tatillon (French), Unser Herr Ordentlich (German), Meneer Precies (Dutch), Ο Κύριος Ιδιότροπου (Greek), 挑剔先生 (Taiwan), 꼼꼼씨 (Korean) and Senhor Esnobe (Portuguese). G Mr. Happy Mr. Greedy is the second book in the Mr. Men series, by Roger Hargreaves. The story begins with Mr. Greedy waking up and having his overly large daily breakfast. He then goes on a walk afterwards and finds his way into a cave where everything is larger than life and he begins to explore, finding larger than normal food. Mr. Greedy is then picked up by a giant who then teaches him a lesson and makes him eat all the giant food, making Mr. Greedy end up bigger and feeling like he would burst at any moment. The giant agrees to let him go as long as he promises to never be greedy again. Mr. Greedy promises and then at the end he is still keeping the promise and now has lost some weight, and it shows him looking much thinner at the end. Mr. Greedy appears under the titles Monsieur Glouton (French), Don Glotón (Spanish), Mr. Barus (Welsh), Unser Herr Nimmersatt (German), 먹보씨 (Korean), Meneer Smikkel/Meneertje Vreetzak (Dutch), 貪吃先生 (Taiwan), Ο Κύριος Λαίμαργος (Greek), Fætter Grådig (Danish), Gubben Glufs Glufs (Sweden) Mr. Grumble Mr. Clumsy Mr. Grumpy is the twenty-seventh book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr Grumpy is the grouchiest person in the world. He lives in Happyland, He's always in a bad mood, hating anyone or anything he comes across. He can't stand books so he tears out all of the pages, and he is rude to Mr. Happy who comes to visit. Mr. Happy has Mr. Tickle tickle Mr. Grumpy if he is mean to somebody. This works, because it makes Mr. Grumpy nicer. He laughs out happier. Now when he picks up a book, he only tears out one page. In the 2008 TV series The Mr. Men Show , Mr. Grumpy kept his blue color, big blue nose and rectangle body. Though he wears a dark green crooked hat with a stripe instead of a light green top hat, he looks much more mature and so does his voice. He is a frequent victim of Mr. Tickle and is quite bitter about it, going so far as to invent the Tickle Protector to ward him off. His catchphrase: "Crooked cucumbers !". Like Mr. Small and Mr. Bump , his favorite food is liverwurst sandwiches, as mentioned in Beach and Construction. His favorite TV show is called "Trout Tuesday". According to what he said in the episode Farm, he was raised in the country. In the episode Dance, he was writing his life story, which he sold in Books. He also now lives in a small brown house with signs that say "Go Away" and have frowns on them in his front yard, and a vegetable garden with a peach orchard in his backyard (which Mr. Scatterbrain and Little Miss Whoops ruined). In the US and UK Versions, he is voiced by Sam Gold and Simon Greenall respectively. Mr. Grumpy appears under the titles Monsieur Grincheux (French), Don Malhumorado (Spanish), 暴躁先生 (Taiwan), Ο Κύριος Κατσούφης (Greek), Unser Herr Griesgram (German) and Senhor Rabugento (Portuguese). H Mr. Nosey Mr. Happy is the third book in the Mr Men series. Mr Happy discovers Mr. Miserable (who looks exactly like him) and helps him become happy. Mr. Happy in the 2008 TV series The Mr. Men Show looked exactly as he did in the books. He co-hosts a morning show called "Good Morning Dillydale" with Little Miss Sunshine . His catchphrase: "Wonderful!" He also has a deepish voice, sounding like a stereotyped game-show host. In the UK and US versions, he is voiced by Sam Gold , Simon Greenall (Season 1) and Rob Rackstraw (Season 2). Mr Happy spent many years as the official face of Glasgow 's Miles Better campaign. Mr. Happy appears under the titles Monsieur Heureux (French), Don Feliz (Spanish), Mr. Hapus (Welsh), Unser Herr Glücklich (German), Meneer Blij/Meneertje Vrolijk (Dutch), Ο Κύριος Χαρούμενος (Greek), 快樂先生 (Taiwan), 행복씨 (Korean), Fætter Glad (Danish), Gubben Lycklig (Swedish) and Senhor Feliz (Portuguese). I Mr. Noisy Mr. Jelly is the fifteenth book in the Mr. Men series. Mr. Jelly is afraid of everything, such as the snapping of a twig. He often hides under the covers. One day, he finds a tramp sleeping in the woods, whom he is afraid of, until the vagabond teaches him to count to ten if he feels nervous. This makes Mr. Jelly a calm fellow and he rarely hides under the covers now. In the 2008 TV series The Mr. Men Show , Mr. Jelly (now renamed Mr. Nervous in both the US and UK broadcasts) has been given an egg-shaped body, purple skin, glasses, a sea green nose (also appears light blue), and black-and-white sneakers. His catchphrases: "Oh, no no no no no no!" and "This is the end!" In the episode "Food", he says radishes give him uncontrollable flatuence, he doesn't like beets, and that he likes sprouts as long as they have been firmly washed. Mr. Nervous often goes on wacky adventures when really he's doing something as wacky as he's imagining, (i.e. He imagines he's in a rocket ship, out of gas and about crash when it turns out he's just on a carousel). He lives in a lighthouse with a large searchlight and many locks on the door. In the US and UK Versions, he is voiced by Danny Katiana and Tim Whitnall . Mr. Jelly appears under the titles Monsieur Peureux (French), Monsieur Nerveux (French on the 2008 show), Don Miedica (Spanish), Unser Herr Angsthase (German), Ο Κύριος Φοβητσιάρης (Greek), 겁쟁이씨 (Korean), 緊張先生 (Taiwan), Meneer Doodsbenauwd (Dutch), Senhor Tremilique (Portuguese) and Senhor Nervoso (Portuguese on the 2008 show). L Mr. Funny Mr. Lazy is the seventeenth book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Lazy is lazy, he lives in Sleepyland, where there are only four hours a day, as opposed to 24, and it takes two regular hours for water to boil and three regular hours for bread to toast. One day, Mr. Lazy sits down for a nap, and is awoken by Mr. Busy and Mr. Bustle. They overwork him, until Mr. Bustle blows a whistle, requiring Mr. Lazy to run as fast as he can. Mr. Lazy runs, but his legs don't get him anywhere because he is sitting on a chair in the garden. He wakes up to realize it was all a dream, and the whistle was the kettle boiling in the kitchen. He sits down to have breakfast, and he goes to sleep yet again. In the 2008 TV series The Mr. Men Show , he is more "lazy" rather than "sleepy" as he was in the books and hates work. His color is changed from pink to green, his shape changes into a more angular, slouched over shape and his hat changes into a red(also appears pink) newsboy-style cap that covers his eyes. He also wears socks and flip flops. He lives in a camper-style trailer, with the garbage cans and mailbox overfilled with trash and mail, respectively. In the US and UK Versions, he is voiced by Phil Lollar and Tim Whitnall . Mr. Lazy appears under the titles Monsieur Endormi (French), Don Vago (Spanish), Unser Herr Faulpelz (German), Meneer Luilak (Dutch), 懶惰先生 (Taiwan), 게을러씨 (Korean), Ο Κύριος Τεμπέλης (Greek), Faetter Slov (Danish), Herra Latur (Icelandic) and Senhor Preguiçoso (Portuguese). M Mr. Chatterbox Mr. Mean is the nineteenth book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves . Mr. Mean never spends a penny of his money. He is so mean he gives his brother a piece of coal for Christmas. One day a wizard starts disguising as people in need. Each time Mr. Mean rejects helping them, a spell is placed on a part of his body, such as his nose turning into a carrot, his ears turning into tomatoes. He gives help when he realizes his feet are about to fall under a spell. Then he spends his money, and now he gives his brother two pieces of coal for Christmas. Mr. Mean appears under the titles Mr. Stingy (USA), Monsieur Avare (French), Don Tacañete (Spanish), Unser Herr Geizig (German), 구두쇠씨 (Korean), Senhor Cruel (Portuguese), 吝嗇先生 (Taiwan), Ο Κύριος Τσιγκούνης (Greek), Meneer Gierig (Dutch). Mr Mean also appears in the grown up business title Mr Mean's Guide to Management. Mr. Messy Mr. Topsy-Turvy Mr. Messy is the eighth book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Messy is pink and really messy, but has a really nice smile. Mr. Messy lives in a messy house until Mr. Neat and Mr. Tidy come to clean his house and give him a bath (his first ever, as the bathroom had previously been the messiest of the house). He becomes neat and thinks he has to change his name. Mr. Messy then becomes clean. In the 2008 TV series The Mr. Men Show , Mr. Messy is not only messy but unclean and unhygienic also, notably more than he is messy. He was given blue and white sneakers (similar to Little Miss Chatterbox 's, only with patches of dirt on the toes, and one of them with untied laces occasionally), and his limbs are also made solid, instead of scribbled like they were originally. Also, his house is no longer by itself in a messy field. He lives right next door to Mr. Persnickety (U.S.) / Mr. Pernickety (UK) (originally named Mr. Fussy in the book series and also in the second series) in a duplex-styled house. His catchphrases: "Shazam!" and "That's what I'm talkin' about!" and in the official site, "Messy, not dressy". In the US and UK Versions, he is voiced by series art director Peter Rida Michail and Rob Rackstraw . Mr. Messy appears under the titles Monsieur Sale (French), Don Lioso (Spanish), Meneer Knoeipot/Meneertje Sloddervos (Dutch), Ο Κύριος Τσαπατσούλης (Greek), * 邋遢先生 (Taiwan), 너절씨 (Korean), Mr. Anniben (Welsh), Unser Herr Schlampig (German), Bay Daðýnýk (Turkish), Fætter Sjusk (Danish), מר שלומפר (Hebrew), Herra Subbi (Icelandic) and Senhor Desmazelado (Portuguese). Mr. Mischief Mr. Clever Mr. Mischief is the thirty-sixth book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr Mischief plays tricks on everybody—breaks Mr. Happy's chair, gives Mr. Greedy a cake in which the chocolate is really mud, the cream inside is really cotton, and the icing is really toothpaste and puts jam in Mr. Funny's hat. One day Mr. Mischief tries to steal a wizard's wand, but the wizard stops him and teaches Mr. Mischief a lesson by turning the tables on Mr. Mischief. Mr. Mischief is good as gold... until he cuts Mr. Fussy's mustache in half! Mr. Mischief appears under the titles Monsieur Farceur (French), Ο Κύριος Σκανταλιάρης (Greek), 惡作劇先生 (Taiwan), 장난씨 (Korean), Unser Herr Schabernack (German) and Senhor Brincalhão (Portuguese). Mr. Miserable Mr. Miserable is part of the Mr. Men series of books, by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Miserable only appears in one story, that of Mr. Happy . He lives in a room deep underground which is accessed by a door in a tree. He is the spitting image of Mr. Happy, except that he is as miserable as Mr. Happy is happy. He wants to be happy but decides that he is just miserable by nature. Mr. Happy invites his new friend to stay at his cottage for a while and there Mr. Miserable learns to be happy and even falls about with laughter, with Mr. Happy and others joining in. Mr. Muddle Mr. Dizzy Mr. Muddle is the twenty-third book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Muddle gets the simplest things messed up. He lives in a house by the sea in Seatown. He was supposed to live in the country, but he, who built the house himself, built it wrong and in the wrong spot. One day he goes fishing with a fisherman named George and does the wrong things and they don't catch any fish. George's technique is to ask Mr. Muddle to do the opposite of what George wants, and Mr. Muddle will get it right. George gets everybody to do this, and Mr. Muddle goes home and cooks himself a muddled-up meal to celebrate. He is not to be confused with a human of the same name, who appears in the book Mr. Silly . Mr. Muddle appears under the titles Monsieur Méli-Mélo (French), Don Confuso (Spanish), Unser Herr Durcheinander (German), Ο Κύριος Μπερδεμένος (Greek), 엉망씨 (Korean), 糊塗先生 (Taiwan), Meneer Stuntel (Dutch). N Mr. No Mr. No is a Mr. Men book only available in France. Mr. No always disagrees with everyone and everything. Mr. No is published under the title "Monsieur Non" in France. Mr. Nobody Mr. Lazy Mr. Noisy is the sixteenth book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Noisy is always loud. He lives on top of a hill and must go to Wobbletown at the bottom of the hill to do errands. He shouts to Mrs. Crumb, the baker, "I'D LIKE A LOAF OF BREAD!" and he shouts to Mr. Bacon, the butcher, "I'D LIKE A PIECE OF MEAT!" Having just about had it with Mr. Noisy's noisiness, Mrs. Crumb and Mr. Bacon come up with a plan. Next day, when Mr. Noisy goes shopping at both their shops again, Mrs. Crumb and Mr. Bacon just pretend not to hear him. Next day, when Mr. Noisy tries again at both shops, he realizes that he has to be quiet if he's to get what he wants. He also learns not to clump his shoes, not to open and shut doors loudly, and he also learns to whisper. In the 2008 TV series The Mr. Men Show , Mr. Noisy remains relatively the same in looks, though is given a megaphone-styled bullhorn to emphasize his character trait. His boots make loud stomping sounds when he walks. He lives next door to Mr. Quiet in a stereo-shaped house. His catchphrase: "I CAN'T HEAR YOU!" Mr. Noisy is often paired with bad ones in order to remind them, such as Mr. Grumpy, Mr. Stubborn, Mr. Rude and Little Miss Naughty. In "Games" Mr. Noisy reveals that he likes to be tickled, as when he is golfing with Mr. Tickle and Mr. Persnickety, Mr. Noisy asks for a tickle. In the US and UK Versions he is voiced by Richard Epcar and Rob Rackstraw , respectively. In the episode Travel, he was turned into a whale by Little Miss Magic and she didn't change him back to normal. Mr. Noisy appears under the titles Monsieur Bruit (French), Don Ruidoso (Spanish), Unser Herr Laut (German), Ο Κύριος Φασαρίας (Greek), Fætter Bulder (Danish), 시끄럼씨 (Korean), 吵鬧先生 (Taiwan), Meneer Brulmans (Dutch), מר קולרם (Hebrew) and Senhor Barulhento (Portuguese). Mr. Nonsense Mr. Wrong Mr. Nonsense is the thirty-third book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Nonsense lives in Nonsenseland, in a house on top of a tree. When asked why he sleeps in a rowing boat, the answer is "I tried sleeping in a motorboat and it was somewhat uncomfortable." When asked why he eats porridge on toast, the answer is, "I tried porridge sandwiches and I didn't like them." Mr. Nonsense is best friends with Mr. Silly, and when it snows yellow snow, they go for a toboggan in Mr. Nonsense's rowing boat bed. They build square snowballs somehow. Mr. Nonsense appears under the titles of Monsiuer Bizzare (French). Mr. Nosey Mr. Sneeze Mr. Nosey is the fourth book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. The character of Mr. Nosey lives up to his name, along with his big nose. He is always snooping around in other people's business, much to their annoyance. Mr. Nosey appears under the titles Monsieur Curieux (French), Don Entrometido (Spanish), Mr. Trwyn-Ym-Mhopeth (Welsh), Unser Herr Neugierig (German), Meneer Langneus/Meneertje Wijsneus (Dutch), Ο Κύριος Αδιάκριτος (Greek), 好奇先生 (Taiwan), 참견씨 (Korean), ﻞ‎ﻮ‎ﻀ‎ﻓ ﻯﺎﻘﺁ (Persian), Fætter Snus (Danish), Gubben Nyfiken (Swedish) and Senhor Narigudo (Portuguese). On the 2008 TV series The Mr. Men Show , Mr. Nosey (Mr. Nosy in the US broadcast) is light green, has a shape similar to that of Mr. Greedy , his nose is an orange oval, has one curl of hair, and wears a black necktie . He is also often seen with his best friend Mr. Small . He may be stronger than Mr. Strong, and often when he jumps he breaks things, like in the Lake episode where he breaks the wooden platform. His catchphrase is "Just looking". He lives with Mr. Small in an observatory with a large telescope that comes out of the roof. In the US and UK versions, he is voiced by Danny Katiana and Steven Kynman respectively. P Mr. Rush Mr. Quiet is the twenty-ninth book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Quiet lives in Loudland, where everybody and everything is too loud for him. Loudland would be suitable for Mr. Noisy, but not for Mr. Quiet. Mr. Quiet is scared. Whenever he tries to go shopping, he can only whisper what he wants, which results in the grocer, the milkman, the baker, and the butcher to shout "CAN'T HEAR YOU! NEXT PLEASE!" One day Mr. Quiet gets a letter from Mr. Happy to stay in Happyland, where Mr. Quiet gets a job in a library, where the rule is to always be quiet. Mr. Quiet is so happy he laughs out loud. In the 2008 TV series, The Mr. Men Show, Mr. Quiet is normal sized, instead of small like in the books, his color has been changed from light brown to light blue, and two of his hairs are gone, He also lives next door to Mr. Noisy in a small shack-like house with a zen garden. His voice is barely audible, which can cause confusion with some of the other characters. He has a taste for Asian things, such as Chinese vases (seen in "Music") and a Zen garden (seen in "Gardens"), perhaps an allusion to the stereotype "quiet Asian". In the UK and US Versions, he is voiced by Aaron Albertus and Simon Greenall. Mr. Quiet appears under the titles Monsieur Silence (French), Don Silencioso (Spanish), 조용씨 (Korean), 安靜先生 (Taiwan), Ο Κύριος Ήσυχος (Greek), Unser Herr Leise (German) and Senhor Silêncio (Portuguese). R Mr. Good Mr. Rude is the forty-fifth book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves and the second one created by Adam Hargreaves . Mr. Rude has a French accent (alluding to the stereotype that the French are rude people) and, as his name suggests, is rude to everyone. He insults a man with a big nose and an overweight woman. To the overweight woman he says "Fatty!, you're supposed to eat the things in the fridge, not eat the fridge as well!" Mr. Rude is published as Monsieur Mal-Elevé in French and Senhor Rude in Portuguese. In the 2008 TV series The Mr. Men Show , Mr. Rude kept his red colour, dark red nose, French accent, and shape, but he doesn't wear a hat, wears brown shoes and has three hairs on his head. His catchphrase is, "I'll give you..." followed by a quick fart that can be heard anywhere in Dillydale; after this, a Mr. Man or a Little Miss will shout "Mr. Rude!". In both US and UK Versions, he is voiced by Joseph J. Terry. Mr. Rush Mr. Tall Mr. Rush is the thirtieth book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Rush is always in a rush. He never does anything properly. He is in such a rush he has a terrible breakfast (toast not toasted, water cold), only brushes one tooth, and runs out of the house to go nowhere. He sees an ad for a vacation in a magazine but can't go away because he has no money, so he wants a job to make money. Being a bus driver isn't good, because he doesn't stop at any of the stops, being a waiter isn't good because he'd whisk away the food as soon as he brought it. The job he finds is as a postman delivering express letters, the best job for the fastest thing on two feet. He saves enough money and goes on vacation. Mr. Rush appears under the titles Monsieur Pressé (French), Don Prisas (Spanish), Ο Κύριος Βιαστικός (Greek), 匆忙先生 (Taiwan), 서둘러씨 (Korean), Unser Herr Eilig (German). S Portrayed by Joseph J. Terry (U.S. and UK) Mr. Scatterbrain is a new Mr. Man created for The Mr. Men Show . A magenta Mr. Men character with a blue bowler hat and a wide collection of random items, though still the least intelligent. Unlike the other Mr. Men and Little Misses, his tongue is hot pink. He also has a lot of animal friends, ranging from penguins to iguanas. His catchphrases: "Why didn't you say so?" (evident that he has short term memory loss ) and "Where's my head?" In both the U.S. and UK versions, his voice shifts around from high to low, very much like actor Ed Wynn . In the French version, he is called Monsieur Tête-en-L’air and, in the Portuguese version, he is called Senhor Distraído. He has a New York accent in both versions starred by Joseph J. Terry. Mr. Silly Mr. Uppity Mr. Silly is the tenth book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Silly lives in Nonsenseland, where the trees have red leaves and the grass is blue. Every year there is a contest for the silliest idea of the year, and Mr. Silly can't think of one. All the animals do human activity and say the wrong sounds. Mr. Silly wins the contest by painting all the leaves on the trees green. Mr. Silly appears under the titles Monsieur Étonnant (French), Don Tontainas (Spanish), Unser Herr Komisch (German), Ο Κύριος Ανόητος (Greek), 엉뚱씨 (Korean), Mr. Dwl (Welsh), Meneer Malloot (Dutch), 滑稽先生 (Taiwan), Fætter Fjolle (Danish) and Senhor Esquisito (Portuguese). He appears in the books Little Miss Wise and Little Miss Dotty . Mr. Skinny Mr. Brave Mr. Slow is the thirty-ninth book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Slow takes so long to do everything. It took him until New Year to open his Christmas presents, and until Easter to write his thank-yous. He tries to get a job. When he tried to be a news reporter, it took him until midnight to read the news. When he tried to be a taxi driver, he delayed Mr. Uppity in getting to the train station. The job he gets is as a steamroller driver. Mr. Slow appears under the titles Monsieur Lent (French), Don Tranquilo (Spanish), 느려씨 (Korean), 慢吞吞先生 (Taiwan), Ο Κύριος Αργοκίνητος (Greek), Fætter Langsom (Danish) Unser Herr Langsam (German). Mr. Small Mr. Daydream Mr. Small is the twelfth book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Small lives under a daisy in Mr. Robinson's garden. He eats very enormous meals, and talks to Walter the Worm about getting a job. He meets Mr. Robinson who tries to get him a job. They try putting mustard in mustard jars, which is not good. They try putting matches into matchboxes, no good either. The best job for somebody so small is writing children's books, and Mr. Small meets a friend of Mr. Robinson who writes children's books (referring to Roger Hargreaves), and writes a book all about himself. This Mr. Men book breaks the fourth wall . In the 2008 TV series The Mr. Men Show , Mr. Small is considerably larger (about twice the size of a slice of bread) and is an orange color. He also wears a tall black top hat (similar to Abraham Lincoln 's) instead of a blue bowler , is a somewhat egg shape and wears a pair of white sneakers. His favorite food is liverwurst sandwiches. He also is able to speak in French and Spanish. His catchphrase: "Good tidings," His best friend is Mr. Nosey , and they live together in an observatory with a large telescope coming out from the roof. In the US and UK Versions, he is voiced by Phil Lollar and Keith Wickham . Mr. Small appears under the titles Monsieur Petit (French), Don Pequeno (Spanish), Unser Herr Winzig (German), Mr. Bach (Welsh), 小不點先生 (Taiwan), 작아씨 (Korean), Meneer Klein/Meneertje Mini (Dutch), Ο Κύριος Μικρούλης (Greek), Fætter Fnug (Danish) and Senhor Pequeno (Portuguese). Mr. Sneeze Mr. Bump Mr. Sneeze is the fifth book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Sneeze lives in Shivertown, the capital of Coldland, where everybody has a red nose from all the sneezing. Mr. Sneeze doesn't like sneezing all the time, and makes a long journey to where there is no sneezing. He meets a wizard to which he explains the story. The wizard transports the two to Coldland, and the wizard uses his magic to warm up the place. Nobody has red noses anymore, not even Mr. Sneeze. Mr. Sneeze appears under the titles Monsieur Atchoum (French), Unser Herr Hatschi (German), Senhor Espirro (Portuguese), 재채기씨 (Korean), Mr. Tisian (Welsh), Meneer Hatsjie (Dutch), 噴嚏先生 (Taiwan), Ο Κύριος Συναχούλης (Greek), Fætter Nys (Danish), מר אפצ'י (Hebrew). Mr. Snow Mr. Grumpy Mr. Strong is the twenty-sixth book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Strong is so strong from eating many eggs, enough that he can break things, until he finds a farmer whose cornfield is on fire. Mr. Strong is so strong he picks up the farmer's barn and fills it with water, pours the water on the cornfield, extinguishing it. Mr. Strong is rewarded with eggs from the chickens on the farm. At the end of the story, the reader is surprised to find out that Mr. Strong is having ice cream. In the 2008 TV series, The Mr. Men Show, Mr. Strong's shape changed from a square to a triangle, however he kept his red color. He also wears a weight belt with a yellow buckle instead of his hat. He often says, "Yo" at the beginning of his sentences and he says "Aw, pickles !" when something goes wrong, which it often does due to his strength; and "Good thing I came along". Mr. Strong speaks with a New York accent. In the UK and US Versions, he is voiced by Phil Lollar and Simon Greenall . Mr. Strong appears under the titles Monsieur Costaud (French), Don Forzudo (Spanish), Unser Herr Stark (German), Meneertje Sterk (Dutch), Ο Κύριος Δυνατός (Greek), 強壯先生 (Taiwan), 힘세씨 (Korean), Fætter Stærk (Danish), Gubben Stark (Swedish) and Senhor Forte (Portuguese). Mr. Stubborn Godfrey (U.S.) Lewis MacLeod (UK) Mr. Stubborn is a new Mr. Man created for The Mr. Men Show . He is purple and resembles Mr. Grumble, with a triangular yellow nose, and two hairs. He often assumes others are wrong, even when it is obvious that he is wrong. If possible, he misuses items and after they break, he declares them cheap ("This Website is CHEAP!" or "This game is CHEAP!"). In the French version, he is called Monsieur Têtu and, in the Portuguese version, he is called Senhor Teimoso. Mr. Stubborn speaks with a Nigerian accent in the US and a Scottish accent in the UK. He is voiced by Godfrey and Lewis MacLeod . Little Miss Stubborn is his book counterpart. T Mr. Worry Mr. Tall is the thirty-first book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Tall hates his oversized legs. He meets Mr. Small, and when Mr. Small goes for a swim, Mr. Tall can't, but three other Mr. Men teach him that oversized body parts can be helpful. Mr. Tall decides his long legs are great for walking, and while Mr. Tall made it home quickly, Mr. Small took a year to get home. He recently appearred in The Mr. Men Show Season 2 voiced by Presenter Chris Jarvis (UK) and Godfrey (US). Aside from keeping his looks from the books, he has a hat that's crooked at the top. He only spoke in Travel. Mr. Tall speaks with a Sear's American accent which is deeper than Mr. Strong 's and a Polish accent. Mr. Tall appears under the titles Monsieur Grand (French), Don Alto (Spanish), Unser Herr Riesig (German), Ο Κύριος Ψηλός (Greek), 長腿先生 (Taiwan), 키다리씨 (Korean). Mr. Tickle Mr. Greedy Mr. Tickle is the first book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Like all Mr. Men, Mr. Tickle has a simplistic look. He is orange with long arms and a small blue hat. In 2001, for the 30th anniversary of the Mr. Men, Mr. Tickle's book was released as a collector's edition hardback. It included a foreword from Adam Hargreaves . Mr. Tickle's story begins with him in bed and making himself breakfast without getting up because of his "extraordinarily long arms". He then decides that it is a tickling sort of day and so goes around town tickling people - a teacher , a policeman , a greengrocer , a station guard, a doctor , a butcher and a postman . The book ends with a warning that Mr. Tickle could be lurking around your doorway, waiting to tickle you. Mr. Tickle appears under the titles Monsieur Chatouille (French), Don Cosquillas (Spanish), Mr. Goglais (Welsh), Unser Herr Killekille (German), Meneertje Kietel (Dutch), Ο Κύριος Γαργαλίτσας (Greek), 搔癢先生 (Taiwan), 간지럼씨 (Korean), Fætter Kilderik (Danish), Gubben Killekill (Swedish), מר דגדוג (Hebrew), Mr. Csiki (Hungarian) and Senhor Cócegas (Portuguese). In the 2008 TV series The Mr. Men Show , Mr. Tickle remains relatively the same in looks, though his hat has a stripe and his arms are normally sized, but can stretch out when needed. However, he tickles other Mr. Men and Little Misses (due to the obvious absence of humans in Dillydale). As far as character traits goes, he is still determined to tickle everyone he interacts with, but instead of doing it for mischief he does it to make people happy and will stop when nobody wants him to tickle them, save for when the opportunity knocks with Mr. Grumpy , who appears to be his favorite target. He also gets his own catchphrase, "Somebody needs a tickle!" In the US and UK Versions, he is voiced by Jeff Stewart and Rob Rackstraw . Mr. Tickle also featured in some of the other books, such as Little Miss Magic . In her story, she reduces his arms to normal length so he can no longer be annoying and tickle anyone. She eventually gives him his arms back when he begs for forgiveness and promises to reduce his actions to one tickle a day. However, he gets his revenge as soon as he is out of the room with his long arms and uses his one tickle for the day on her. Mr. Topsy-Turvy Mr. Silly Mr. Topsy-Turvy is the ninth of the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Topsy-Turvy does everything the wrong way around. One day he comes to the town where the reader lives. He rents a room in a hotel, speaking to the hotel manager the wrong way around, "Afternoon good, I'd room a like." The next day, he confuses the taxi driver with his backwards speaking, causing an accident, buying a pair of socks and putting them on his hands, then he disappears, but everything is still topsy-turvy. Everybody still speaks topsy-turvy, and the reader is asked to say something topsy-turvy. Mr. Topsy-Turvy originated from a competition run by Roger Hargreaves to find a new Mr Men character and was an idea by Marc Penfold who created Mr Upside Down and a story in which the character lived in a backwards world. The idea did not win the competition but Roger Hargreaves liked the idea so much he wrote to Marc Penfold saying he would use the idea and thus Mr. Topsy-Turvy was born. Mr. Topsy-Turvy appears under the titles Monsieur A L'Envers (French), Don Alreves (Spanish), Unser Herr Kuddelmuddel (German), 顛倒先生 (Taiwan), 거꿀씨 (Korean), Mr. Popeth o chwith (Welsh), Meneer Opsekop/Meneertje Andersom (Dutch), Ο Κύριος Ανάποδος (Greek), Fætter Omvendt (Danish). U Mr. Small Mr. Uppity is the eleventh book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Uppity lives in Bigtown and he is very rich. He is rude to everybody (they call him Miserable old Uppity) until one day he meets a goblin. When he is rude to the goblin, the goblin shrinks Mr. Uppity so he can fit into a hole in a tree, and they enter the tree to meet the King of the Goblins. The goblin agrees to shrink Mr. Uppity if he is rude to somebody. This happens, until Mr. Uppity is nice. In the end, he's still rich, but now he's very popular. He most frequently uses the words, "Please" and "Thank you." Hargreaves says, "Thank you for reading this story, and if you're ever thinking about being rude to somebody, please keep a sharp lookout for goblins." Mr. Uppity appears under the titles Monsieur Malpoli (French), Don Senorito (Spanish), Mr. Ffroenuchel (Welsh), Unser Herr Hochnase (German), 傲慢先生 (Taiwan), 거만씨 (Korean), Ο Κύριος Ακατάδεχτος (Greek), Meneer Onbeleefd (Dutch), Senhor Malcriado (Portuguese), Fætter Storsnude (Danish). W Mr. Nonsense Mr. Worry is the thirty-second book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Worry worries about everything. If it rains, he worries that his roof will leak, if there is no rain, he worries that all of his plants will die. He worries about the other Mr. Men, and he meets a wizard who suggests he make a list of all his worries and the wizard will make sure none of them happen. When there is nothing to worry about, Mr. Worry is happy for a week, until he is worried about not having anything to worry about. Mr. Worry appears under the titles Monsieur Inquiet (French), Don Preocupado (Spanish), Ο Κύριος Ανήσυχος (Greek), 걱정씨 (Korean), 煩惱先生 (Taiwan), Unser Herr Sorgenvoll (German). Mr. Wrong
List of Mr. Men
What food can be a wheel and contain eyes or veins?
List of Mr. Men - WOW.com List of Mr. Men Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Mr._Men Updated: 2016-12-09T17:04Z In 2010 a box set of 50 books was released, this photo is from the 2014 version. ISBN 978-1-4052-5548-6 . This article needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (June 2014) This article possibly contains original research . Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations . Statements consisting only of original research should be removed. (May 2011) This article is incomplete. Please help to improve it, or discuss the issue on the talk page . (May 2011) This article contains special characters . Without proper rendering support , you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols . The following is a list of Mr. Men , from the children's book series by Roger Hargreaves , also adapted into the children's television programme The Mr. Men Show . Books one (Mr. Tickle) to forty-three (Mr. Cheerful) were written by Hargreaves, and the remainder by his son, Adam Hargreaves . Contents : Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 288: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Publication date Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 288: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Pages Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 288: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Preceded by Mr. Muddle Mr. Bounce is the 22nd book in the Mr. Men series. Mr. Bounce is small and bounces around like a rubber ball, making life very difficult for him. One day, after banging his head on the ceiling from bouncing off a chair, Mr. Bounce has decided he's had it with all this bouncing about and decides to see the doctor about it. On the way however, he trips on a pebble and becomes a tennis ball for a pair of tennis players, but after taking a bus to the doctor's, Mr. Bounce bounces into the doctor's office and into Dr. Makeyouwell's mid-morning coffee. After Mr. Bounce explains his problem, Dr. Makeyouwell gives him heavy red boots, in which he wears them to bed that night and falls through the floor straight into the kitchen, the next morning. In the 2008 TV series, The Mr. Men Show , he looks the same as in the books except his hat has a stripe on it, but unlike the books, he actually likes bouncing about, to the point where it causes chaos for the other Mr. Men and Little Misses in Dillydale, especially when he's out in public. Mr. Bounce speaks with an Indian accent in the US dub and an Irish accent in the UK dub, his catchphrase is, "Hello! Goodbye!", often speaks quickly and is voiced by Sam Gold in the US dub and Simon Greenall in the UK dub, respectively. Mr. Bounce appears under the titles Monsieur Bing (French), Don Saltarin (Spanish), Meneer Stuiter/Meneertje Stuiterbal (Dutch), Ο Κύριος Χοροπηδούλης (Greek), 蹦跳先生 (Taiwan), Unser Herr Hupf (German) Senhor Saltitão (Portuguese) and Mister Beag (Irish). Mr. Brave Mr. Snow Mr. Bump is the 6th book in the Mr. Men series. Mr. Bump can't help having accidents: when on holiday, he falls into a deep hole on a beach, goes boating, and falls into the water. When he wants a job, the best job he can find is walking around and bumping into trees on Mr. Barley's apple orchard, making the apples fall off the trees. In Mr. Bump Loses His Memory he falls out of his bedroom window and bumps his head, promptly causing him to lose his memory . He is told by Mr. Muddle that his name is, in fact, Mr. Careful, thus encouraging our confused Mr. Bump to try several jobs for which great care is needed, such as carrying eggs and delivering milk in glass bottles. His memory is restored when he walks into a tree, causing him to fall into a river. In the 2008 TV series The Mr. Men Show , Mr. Bump is a regular character. He kept his looks except one of his bandages is gone and is always having accidents, more often than not non-bump-related ones such as accidentally being cleaned in a car wash. Like Mr. Grumpy and Mr. Small , his favourite food is liverwurst sandwiches, as mentioned in the Beach episode. He lives in a square house which is olive, with a black chimney, arched windows and a bandaged roof. Often, Little Miss Whoops , his next-door neighbor, Mr. Tickle or Little Miss Helpful is the cause of his accidents. His catchphrase in the show is, "Oh poopity-poop!" and "You'll never learn", usually exclaimed when his situation turns bad. In the US and UK versions, he is voiced by Paul Greenberg (credited as Aaron Albertus) and Simon Greenall respectively. Mr. Bump appears under the titles Monsieur Malchance (French), Don Pupas (Spanish), Meneer Pech/Meneertje Bots (Dutch), Ο Κύριος Σκουντούφλης (Greek), 意外先生 (Taiwan), 꽈당씨 (Korean), Mr. Hergwd (Welsh), Unser Herr Schussel (German), Fætter Bumle (Danish), מר בום Mar Boom-Mr. Boom (Hebrew), Herra Skellur (Icelandic) and Senhor Trambolhão (Portuguese). Mr. Busy Mr. Fussy Mr. Chatterbox is the 20th book in the Mr. Men series. Mr. Chatterbox will talk on and on. His talking causes the mailman to be late delivering all his mail, and causes Mr. Bowler, the hatter, to come home late to a cold dinner. Mr. Bowler sells Mr. Chatterbox a magic hat that will grow if Mr. Chatterbox talks too much. It grows until the bottom reaches Mr. Chatterbox's feet. Now Mr. Chatterbox talks less. Mr. Chatterbox appears under the titles Monsieur Bavard (French), Meneer Kwebbeldoos/Meneertje Kletskous (Dutch), 수다씨 (Korean), 多嘴先生 (Taiwan), Ο Κύριος Πολυλογάς (Greek), Unser Herr Quassel (German), Senhor Tagarela (Portuguese) and Don Charlatano (Spanish). Mr. Cheeky LC Class Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 288: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Mr. Cheeky is part of the Mr. Men series of books, by Roger Hargreaves . In 2001, a competition was held in the Sunday Times for children to submit their own Mr. Men character, which was to be published in a limited edition to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the series. Mr. Cheeky by 8 year-old Gemma Almond was the winner, and her creation was then published and sold only in branches of W H Smith , with a portion of the proceeds going to a charity for children's leukemia . Mr. Cheeky has a sassy attitude. Mr. Cheerful Mr. Cool Mr. Cheerful is the 43rd book in the Mr. Men series and the final one by Roger Hargreaves . Mr. Cheerful is the second happiest man in the world, next to Mr. Happy. Mr. Cheerful appears under the titles Monsieur Joyeux (French), Meneertje Blij (Dutch), Ο Κύριος Κεφάτος (Greek), 開心先生 (Taiwan). Mr. Christmas For the Wiltshire, UK, man who celebrates Christmas every day, see Andy Park (Mr. Christmas) . Mr. Christmas is part of the Mr. Men series of books, by Roger Hargreaves . Mr. Christmas just loves Christmas. Christmas is his favourite holiday and he thinks his uncle, Father Christmas, is just so amazing! Mr. Christmas appears under the titles Monsieur Noel (French), Ο Κύριος Χριστουγεννούλης (Greek). Mr. Clever "Mr. Clever" redirects here. For the Doctor Who character, see Cybermen § Variants . Mr. Clever Mr. Quiet Mr. Clumsy is the 28th book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves . Mr. Clumsy always breaks things or knocks things over. When he has to go shopping, instead of taking just one can, he knocks over the whole stack. On a farm, he falls into the duck pond, dragging the unfortunate farmer in with him, and must go home and take a bath. He falls into the linen basket. He falls out of his chair when he eats dinner. Then he has an accident before he goes to bed. Mr. Clumsy is green with a yellow nose and he has one pair of red shoes. Mr. Clumsy appears under the titles Monsieur Maladroit (French), Don Desastre (Spanish), Meneertje Onhandig (Dutch), 서툴러씨 (Korean), 呆呆先生 (Taiwan), Ο Κύριος Αδέξιος (Greek), Unser Herr Tolpatsch (German), Fætter Bulder (Danish) Mr. Cool Mr. Rude Mr. Cool is the 44th book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves and the first one created by Adam Hargreaves . Mr. Cool is the coolest person in the world. When Jack Robinson has chicken pox and is bored in bed, Mr. Cool appeared and snapped his fingers, everything happens to make Jack happy and fun. at the end, Jack's chicken pox is gone during an extremely long slide down Mount Everest . Mr. Cool is published under the title Monsieur Génial in France and Κύριος Καταπληκτικός in Greek. Mr. Crosspatch Mr. Crosspatch is a Mr. Men book only available in France and Greece. Mr. Crosspatch loves to fight (which may explain the bandage on his head); he even lives in a torn up house. Mr. Crosspatch is published under the title "Monsieur Bagarreur" in France and "Κύριος Καβγατζής" in Greek. This is one of the two Mr Men titles which were not published in English. D Mr. Forgetful Mr. Daydream is the 13th book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves . The story tells of a little boy named Jack. Jack is a nice boy, and he likes to daydream a lot. He is at school when his teacher is talking about history. He looks out the window and meets Mr. Daydream, who invites Jack to come on an adventure with him. They get on the back of a huge bird, and the bird flies them from place to place. In the jungle, a crocodile tricks them into using his back as a bridge, and tries to toss them into his mouth, reminiscent of what the fox did to The Gingerbread Man . The bird rescues them and takes Jack and Mr. Daydream to other places, such as the North Pole, and finally to the Wild West, where Mr. Daydream puts on a hat too big for him, and cannot see. He calls Jack's name from under the hat, and Jack realizes that it wasn't Mr. Daydream calling Jack's name, but his teacher. When the teacher says Jack has been daydreaming, the reader realizes daydreaming is more fun than history! Mr. Daydream appears under the titles Monsieur Rêve (French), Don Sonador (Spanish), Meneer Dagdroom (Dutch), 白日夢先生 (Taiwan), 공상씨 (Korean), Mr. Breuddwyd (Welsh), Ο Κύριος Ονειροπόλος (Greek), Unser Herr Träumerisch (German), Fætter Dagdrøm (Danish), Gubben Dagdröm (Swedish). Mr. Dizzy Mr. Impossible Mr. Dizzy is the 24th book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Dizzy lives in Cleverland, where everybody is clever except for him – until, one day, because a pig and an elephant take advantage of him, he wishes himself clever as he drinks from a wishing well, despite being unaware of its magical properties. He returns and asks the pig, "What's fat and pink and goes Atishoo, Atishoo?" (This is replaced with "Achoo! Achoo!" in the US edition.) The pig is flummoxed until Mr. Dizzy tickles the pig's nose, causing him to sneeze and say, "Atishoo! Atishoo!" Next he asks the elephant, "What's large and grey and goes Dopit, Dopit?" The elephant is clueless until Mr. Dizzy ties a knot in the elephant's trunk, causing him to declare, "Dopit! Dopit!" and, addressing the readers, "I duppose doo dink dat's fuddy." In earlier printings Mr. Dizzy was dark brown, but as of later printings he is light brown. Mr. Dizzy appears under the titles Monsieur Nigaud (French), Ο Κύριος Χαζούλης (Greek), 傷腦筋先生 (Taiwan), 우둔씨 (Korean), Unser Herr Dussel (German), Meneer Suizebol (Dutch), Fætter Dumbum (Danish), מר טושטוש (Hebrew), Senhor Bobo (Portuguese),domnul dus (Romanian). F Mr. Jelly Mr. Forgetful is the 14th book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Forgetful has a short memory. This is not particularly useful. One day he has to remember a message for Farmer Fields to say that there is a sheep loose in the lane. Can he remember the message? Sadly, no for he says "there is a goose asleep in the rain". Mr. Forgetful appears under the titles Monsieur Étourdi (French), Don Memorion (Spanish), Unser Herr Vergesslich (German), Meneer Vergeetal (Dutch), 健忘先生 (Taiwan), 잊어씨 (Korean), Ο Κύριος Ξεχασιάρης (Greek), Bay Unutkan (Turkish), Fætter Glemsom (Danish), מר שכחן (Hebrew) and Senhor Esquecido (Portuguese). Mr. Funny Mr. Mean Mr. Funny is the 18th book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr Funny lived inside a large teapot. So he decided to go out for a funny drive. While he was driving along the road, a Large Pig laughed to see his car and a worm laughed as well. Eventually Mr Funny came to some sign posts. One of them says "This way to the Zoo." Unfortunately all the animals at the zoo have colds. He ends up cheering up the zoo animals with his jokes and humour before driving home again. No one has a sense of humour like Mr. Funny. He is now a character in The Mr. Men Show , during its second season. He almost looks the same, but his flower and gloves are absent and has a white and red polka-dotted bow tie, his hat is also bent and he has Mr. Rude's nose, only it's red. In the show, Mr. Funny never spoke, and all of his sketches are done in mime and he acts like a clown , his only noises being the sounds of horns and whistles, similar to comedian Harpo Marx . Mr. Funny appears under the titles Monsieur Rigolo (French), Don Bromista (Spanish), Unser Herr Lustig (German), Meneer Grapjas (Dutch), Ο Κύριος Αστείος (Greek), 趣味先生 (Taiwan), 웃겨씨 (Korean), Herra Fyndinn (Icelandic) and Senhor Engraçado (Portuguese). Mr. Fussy Mr. Bounce Mr. Fussy is the 21st book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Fussy is a perfectionist. He would not tolerate anything imperfect. Mr. Fussy keeps his hair combed, his moustache trimmed, his shoelaces tied, his house very neat, and goes as far as keeping the blades of his grass perfectly straight. He is also a very fussy eater - when he is having breakfast, he discovers that his marmalade has bits in it and spends the rest of the morning removing the bits from the marmalade. One evening, he is working when his cousin from Australia, Mr. Clumsy , comes to visit. Mr. Clumsy causes chaos and at the end of his stay, everything in the house is disastrous. However, things just get worse for Mr. Fussy as shortly after Mr Clumsy leaves, a friend, Mr. Bump , comes to visit. In earlier prints, Mr. Fussy's shoes were red, but as of more recent prints they are bright orange. In the 2008 TV series of The Mr. Men Show , he is also very clean and will not tolerate anything dirty as well as being fussy about details. He retains his yellow nose and neatly combed hair but was given a black bow tie, reading glasses, brown shoes and a more neatly waxed mustache. He lives next door to Mr. Messy in a duplex -style house. He despairs (even crying) at the end of almost all of his scenes. He often gets kicked out or yelled at when he is using his temper on another Mr. Man or Little Miss (such as Mr. Messy , Mr. Rude and Little Miss Naughty ) and he has terrible classes. In the US and UK Versions, he is voiced by Joey D'Auria (credited as Joseph J. Terry) and Rob Rackstraw . In the first season of the show he was named Mr. Persnickety (Mr. Pernickety in UK version; both are another word for fussy) and was coloured light green. He was renamed back to Mr. Fussy in Season 2, retaining his look from the first season, albeit now appearing in his normal dark green colour (though he was mis-coloured to his Season 1 colour in a shot in the episode, "Cinema", and Mr Messy changing him to his Season 1 colour in the episode, "Home Improvement"). Mr. Fussy's catch phrases are, "Mr. Messy!" and "Sweet Henrietta!" ("Sweet apple strudel!" in the UK version, in line with his German Accent in that version). On the website he says, "How revolting.". Mr. Fussy can play the Piano (both his concerts were ruined by Mr. Rude and to that extant, if unintentionally, Little Miss Chatterbox), the Cello , and the Harp . Mr. Fussy appears under the title Monsieur Tatillon (French), Don Quisquilloso (Spanish), Unser Herr Ordentlich (German), Meneer Precies (Dutch), Ο Κύριος Ιδιότροπου (Greek), 挑剔先生 (Taiwan), 꼼꼼씨 (Korean) and Senhor Esnobe (Portuguese). G Mr. Happy Mr. Greedy is the 2nd book in the Mr. Men series, by Roger Hargreaves. The story begins with Mr. Greedy waking up and having his overly large daily breakfast. He then goes on a walk afterwards and finds his way into a cave where everything is larger than life and he begins to explore, finding larger than normal food. Mr. Greedy is then picked up by a giant who then teaches him a lesson and makes him eat all the giant food, making Mr. Greedy end up bigger and feeling like he would burst at any moment. The giant agrees to let him go as long as he promises to never be greedy again. Mr. Greedy promises and then at the end he is still keeping the promise and now has lost some weight, and it shows him looking much thinner at the end. Mr. Greedy's shape is now officially that of an eight, similar to Mr. Dizzy, but in earlier illustrations he was a slightly different shape with little to no neck. Mr. Greedy appears under the titles Monsieur Glouton (French), Don Glotón (Spanish), Mr. Barus (Welsh), Unser Herr Nimmersatt (German), 먹보씨 (Korean), Meneer Smikkel/Meneertje Vreetzak (Dutch), 貪吃先生 (Taiwan), Ο Κύριος Λαίμαργος (Greek), Fætter Grådig (Danish), Gubben Glufs Glufs (Sweden), מר חמדן (Hebrew) Mr. Grumble Mr. Clumsy Mr. Grumpy is the 27th book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr Grumpy is the grumpiest person in the world. He lives in Happyland[ citation needed ], He's always in a bad mood, hating anyone or anything he comes across. He can't stand books so he tears out all of the pages, and he is rude to Mr. Happy who comes to visit. Mr. Happy has Mr. Tickle tickle Mr. Grumpy if he is mean to somebody. This works, because it makes Mr. Grumpy nicer. He laughs out happier. Now when he picks up a book, he only tears out one page. In the 2008 TV series The Mr. Men Show , Mr. Grumpy kept his blue color, big blue nose and rectangle body. However, he wears a crooked hat with a stripe instead of a top hat, but retains its green color; he looks much more mature and so does his voice. He is a frequent victim of Mr. Tickle and is quite bitter about it, going so far as to invent the Tickle Protector to ward him off. He strongly dislikes Mr. Tickle and Mr. Scatterbrain, due to frequent incidents with them and is annoyed by happiness. His catchphrase: "Crooked cucumbers !". Like Mr. Small and Mr. Bump , his favorite food is liverwurst sandwiches, as mentioned in Beach and Construction. His favourite TV show is called "Trout Tuesday", which has been run at least once by Mr. Lazy. According to what he said in the episode Farm, he was raised in the country. In the episode Dance, he was writing his life story (and was continuously interrupted by Mr. Noisy's dance class upstairs), which he sold in Books. He also now lives in a small brown house with signs that say "Go Away" and have frowns on them in his front yard, and a vegetable garden with a peach orchard in his backyard (which Mr. Scatterbrain and Little Miss Whoops ruined). He is polite and civil to anyone he talks to, but is very vocal about his opinions and can be rather brusque at times. In the US version, he is voiced by Sam Gold and in UK version, he is voiced by Simon Greenall . Mr. Grumpy appears under the titles Monsieur Grincheux (French), Don Malhumorado (Spanish), 暴躁先生 (Taiwan), Ο Κύριος Κατσούφης (Greek), Unser Herr Griesgram (German), Senhor Rabugento (Portuguese), and คุณหงุดหงิด (Thai). H Mr. Nosey Mr. Happy is the 3rd book in the Mr Men series. Mr Happy discovers Mr. Miserable (who looks exactly like him) and helps him become happy. Mr. Happy in the 2008 TV series The Mr. Men Show looked exactly as he did in the books. He co-hosts a morning show called "Good Morning Dillydale" with Little Miss Sunshine . His catchphrase: "Wonderful!" He also has a deepish voice, sounding like a stereotypical game show host . In the US and UK versions, he is voiced by Sam Gold, Simon Greenall (Season 1) and Rob Rackstraw (Season 2). Mr. Happy spent many years as the official face of Glasgow 's Miles Better campaign. Mr. Happy appears under the titles Monsieur Heureux (French), Don Feliz (Spanish), Mr. Hapus (Welsh), Unser Herr Glücklich (German), Meneer Blij/Meneertje Vrolijk (Dutch), Ο Κύριος Χαρούμενος (Greek), 快樂先生 (Taiwan), 행복씨 (Korean), Fætter Glad (Danish), Gubben Lycklig (Swedish) and Senhor Feliz (Portuguese). I "Mr. Impossible" redirects here. For the album by Black Dice, see Mr. Impossible (album) . Mr. Impossible Mr. Strong Mr. Impossible is the 25th book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Nothing is impossible to Mr. Impossible. He can do anything. He has magic powers similar to Little Miss Magic and even uses his powers to motivate people. One day he goes to school with a boy named William. He proves he can do anything in some amazing ways! He is purple with a blue top hat. Mr. Impossible appears under the titles Monsieur Incroyable (French), Don Imposible (Spanish), Unser Herr Unmöglich (German), 불가능없어씨 (Korean), 萬事通先生 (Taiwan), Ο Κύριος Απίθανος (Greek), Meneer Onmogelijk (Dutch) and Senhor Impossível (Portuguese). J Mr. Noisy Mr. Jelly is the 15th book in the Mr. Men series. Mr. Jelly is afraid of everything, such as the snapping of a twig. He often hides under the covers. One day, he finds a tramp sleeping in the woods, whom he is afraid of, until the vagabond teaches him to count to ten whenever he feels nervous. This makes Mr. Jelly a calm fellow and he rarely hides under the covers now. In the 2008 TV series The Mr. Men Show , Mr. Jelly (now renamed Mr. Nervous in both the US and UK broadcasts) has been given an egg-shaped body, purple skin, glasses, a sea green nose (also appears light blue), and black-and-white sneakers, and is depicted as a stereotypical nerd. His catchphrases: "Oh, no no no no no no!" and "This is the end!" In the episode "Food", he says radishes give him uncontrollable flatuence in the US but terrible tummyaches in the UK, he doesn't like beets, and that he likes sprouts as long as they have been firmly washed. Mr. Nervous often goes on wacky adventures when really he's doing something as wacky as he's imagining, most times something unrelated to the episode's subject matter (i.e. He imagines he's in a rocket ship, out of gas and about crash when it turns out he's just on a carousel). He lives in a lighthouse with a large searchlight and many locks on the door. In the US and UK Versions, he is voiced by Danny Katiana and Tim Whitnall . Mr. Jelly appears under the titles Monsieur Peureux (French), Monsieur Nerveux (French on the 2008 show), Don Miedica (Spanish), Unser Herr Angsthase (German), Ο Κύριος Φοβητσιάρης (Greek), 겁쟁이씨 (Korean), 緊張先生 (Taiwan), Meneer Doodsbenauwd (Dutch), Senhor Tremilique (Portuguese) and Senhor Nervoso (Portuguese on the 2008 show). L Mr. Funny Mr. Lazy is the 17th book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Lazy is lazy, he lives in Sleepyland, where there are only four hours a day, as opposed to 24, and it takes two regular hours for water to boil and three regular hours for bread to toast. One day, Mr. Lazy sits down for a nap, and is awoken by Mr. Busy and Mr. Bustle. They overwork him, until Mr. Bustle blows a whistle, requiring Mr. Lazy to run as fast as he can. Mr. Lazy runs, but his legs don't get him anywhere because he is sitting on a chair in the garden. He wakes up to realize it was all a dream, and the whistle was the kettle boiling in the kitchen. He sits down to have breakfast, and he goes to sleep yet again. In the 2008 TV series The Mr. Men Show , he is more "lazy" rather than "sleepy" as he was in the books and hates work. His color is changed from pink to green, his shape changes into a more angular, slouched over shape and his hat changes into a red (also appears pink) newsboy-style cap that covers his eyes. He also wears socks and flip flops. He lives in a camper-style trailer, with the garbage cans and mailbox overfilled with trash and mail, respectively. He has a monotone voice that sounds like Eeyore's from Winnie The Pooh. In the US and UK Versions, he is voiced by Phil Lollar and Tim Whitnall respectively. Mr. Lazy appears under the titles Monsieur Endormi (French), Don Vago (Spanish), Unser Herr Faulpelz (German), Meneer Luilak (Dutch), 懶惰先生 (Taiwan), 게을러씨 (Korean), Ο Κύριος Τεμπέλης (Greek), Faetter Slov (Danish), Herra Latur (Icelandic) and Senhor Preguiçoso (Portuguese). M Mr. Chatterbox Mr. Mean is the 19th book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves . Mr. Mean is a miser who never spends a penny of his money. He is so mean he gives his brother a piece of coal for Christmas. One day a wizard starts disguising himself as a number of people in need. Each time Mr. Mean rejects helping them, a spell is placed on a part of his body, such as his nose turning into a carrot, his ears turning into tomatoes. He gives help when he realizes his feet are about to fall under a spell. Then he spends his money, and now he gives his brother two pieces of coal for Christmas. Mr. Mean appears under the titles Mr. Stingy (USA), Monsieur Avare (French), Don Tacañete (Spanish), Unser Herr Geizig (German), 구두쇠씨 (Korean), Senhor Cruel (Portuguese), 吝嗇先生 (Taiwan), Ο Κύριος Τσιγκούνης (Greek), Meneer Gierig (Dutch). Mr Mean also appears in the grown up business title Mr Mean's Guide to Management. Mr. Messy Mr. Topsy-Turvy Mr. Messy is the 8th book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Messy is pink and really messy, but has a really nice smile. Mr. Messy lives in a messy house until Mr. Neat and Mr. Tidy come to clean his house and give him a bath (his first ever, as the bathroom had previously been the messiest of the house). He becomes neat and thinks he has to change his name. Mr. Messy then becomes clean. In the 2008 TV series The Mr. Men Show , Mr. Messy is not only messy but unclean and unhygienic also, notably more than he is messy. He was given blue and white sneakers (similar to Little Miss Chatterbox 's, only with patches of dirt on the toes, and both on occasion in the show and in his character image, one of them with untied laces), and his limbs are also made solid, instead of scribbled like they were originally. Also, his house is no longer by itself in a messy field. He lives right next door to Mr. Persnickety (U.S.) / Mr. Pernickety (UK) (originally named Mr. Fussy in the book series and also in the second series) in a duplex-styled house. His catchphrases: "Shazam!" and "That's what I'm talkin' about!" and in the official site, "Messy, not dressy". In the US and UK Versions, he is voiced by series art director Peter Rida Michail and Rob Rackstraw . Mr. Messy appears under the titles Monsieur Sale (French), Don Lioso (Spanish), Meneer Knoeipot/Meneertje Sloddervos (Dutch), Ο Κύριος Τσαπατσούλης (Greek), * 邋遢先生 (Taiwan), 너절씨 (Korean), Mr. Anniben (Welsh), Unser Herr Schlampig (German), Bay Daðýnýk (Turkish), Fætter Sjusk (Danish), מר שלומפר (Hebrew), Herra Subbi (Icelandic) and Senhor Desmazelado (Portuguese). Mr. Mischief Mr. Clever Mr. Mischief is the 36th book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr Mischief plays tricks on everybody—breaks Mr. Happy's chair, gives Mr. Greedy a cake in which the chocolate is really mud, the cream inside is really cotton, and the icing is really toothpaste and puts treacle in Mr. Funny's hat. One day Mr. Mischief tries to steal a wizard's wand, but the wizard stops him and teaches Mr. Mischief a lesson by turning the tables on Mr. Mischief. Mr. Mischief is good as gold... until he cuts Mr. Fussy's moustache in half! Mr. Mischief appears under the titles Monsieur Farceur (French), Ο Κύριος Σκανταλιάρης (Greek), 惡作劇先生 (Taiwan), 장난씨 (Korean), Unser Herr Schabernack (German) and Senhor Brincalhão (Portuguese). Mr. Miserable Mr. Miserable is part of the Mr. Men series of books, by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Miserable only appears in one story, that of Mr. Happy . He lives in a room deep underground which is accessed by a door in a tree. He is the spitting image of Mr. Happy, except that he is as miserable as Mr. Happy is happy. He wants to be happy but decides that he is just miserable by nature. Mr. Happy invites his new friend to stay at his cottage for a while and there Mr. Miserable learns to be happy and even falls about with laughter, with Mr. Happy and others joining in. Mr. Mo LC Class Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 288: invalid escape sequence near '"^'. Mr. Mo is part of the Mr. Men series of books, by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Mo only appears in the Mr. Mo book published in 2013 in conjunction with the Movember men's health charity campaign. Mr. Mo was published in hardback in Australia, and digitally by Amazon in some parts of the world. In the book Mr. Mo has his moustache shaven off whilst at the barber, and has a change in personality. He only returns to normal after growing the moustache back. [1] [2] Mr. Muddle Mr. Dizzy Mr. Muddle is the 23rd book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Muddle gets the simplest things messed up. He lives in a house by the sea in Seatown. He was supposed to live in the country, but he, who built the house himself, built it wrong and in the wrong spot. One day he goes fishing with a fisherman named George and does the wrong things and they don't catch any fish. George's technique is to ask Mr. Muddle to do the opposite of what George wants, and Mr. Muddle will get it right. George gets everybody to do this, and Mr. Muddle goes home and cooks himself a muddled-up meal to celebrate. He is not to be confused with a human of the same name, who appears in the book Mr. Silly . Despite not appearing in The Mr. Men Show , you can see his face at the beginning of the intro. Mr. Muddle appears under the titles Monsieur Méli-Mélo (French), Don Confuso (Spanish), Unser Herr Durcheinander (German), Ο Κύριος Μπερδεμένος (Greek), 엉망씨 (Korean), 糊塗先生 (Taiwan), Meneer Stuntel (Dutch). N See Mr. Jelly . Mr. No Mr. No is a Mr. Men book only available in France. Mr. No always disagrees with everyone and everything. Mr. No is published under the title "Monsieur Non" in France. This is one of the two Mr Men titles which were not published in English. Mr. Nobody Mr. Lazy Mr. Noisy is the 16th book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Noisy is always loud. He lives on top of a hill and must go to Wobbletown at the bottom of the hill to do errands. He shouts to Mrs. Crumb, the baker, "I'D LIKE A LOAF OF BREAD!" and he shouts to Mr. Bacon, the butcher, "I'D LIKE A PIECE OF MEAT!" Having just about had it with Mr. Noisy's noisiness, Mrs. Crumb and Mr. Bacon come up with a plan. Next day, when Mr. Noisy goes shopping at both their shops again, Mrs. Crumb and Mr. Bacon just pretend not to hear him. Next day, when Mr. Noisy tries again at both shops, he realizes that he has to be quiet if he's to get what he wants. He also learns not to clump his shoes, not to open and shut doors loudly, and he also learns to whisper. In the 2008 TV series The Mr. Men Show , Mr. Noisy remains relatively the same in terms of appearance, though is given a megaphone-styled bullhorn to emphasize his character trait. His boots make loud stomping sounds when he walks. He lives next door to Mr. Quiet in a stereo-shaped house. His catchphrase: "SUPER!" Mr. Noisy is often paired with bad ones in order to remind them, such as Mr. Grumpy, Mr. Stubborn, Mr. Rude and Little Miss Naughty. He also blames people for being noisy even when it's his fault but he won't admit it, even a small whisper won't help as he has zero tolerance as shown In "Books","Library","Music",and "Movies". In the US and UK Versions he is voiced by Richard Epcar and Rob Rackstraw , respectively. Mr. Noisy appears under the titles Monsieur Bruit (French), Don Ruidoso (Spanish), Unser Herr Laut (German), Ο Κύριος Φασαρίας (Greek), Fætter Bulder (Danish), 시끄럼씨 (Korean), 吵鬧先生 (Taiwan), Meneer Brulmans (Dutch), מר קולרם (Hebrew) and Senhor Barulhento (Portuguese). Mr. Nonsense Mr. Wrong Mr. Nonsense is the 33rd book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Nonsense lives in Nonsenseland, in a boat on top of a tree. When asked why he sleeps in a rowing boat, the answer is "I tried sleeping in a motorboat and it was somewhat uncomfortable." When asked why he eats porridge on toast, the answer is, "I tried porridge sandwiches and I didn't like them." Mr. Nonsense is best friends with Mr. Silly, and when it snows yellow snow, they go for a toboggan in Mr. Nonsense's rowing boat bed. They build square snowballs somehow. Mr. Nonsense appears under the titles of Monsieur Bizarre (French), 荒唐先生 (Taiwan). Mr. Nosey Mr. Sneeze Mr. Nosey is the 4th book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. The character of Mr. Nosey lives up to his name, along with his big nose. He is always snooping around in other people's business, much to their annoyance, so they decide to teach him a lesson by giving him a sore nose whenever he becomes too nosey. Afterwards Mr. Nosey is a changed person. Mr. Nosey appears under the titles Monsieur Curieux (French), Don Curioso (Spanish), Don Metomeentodo (Mexico), Mr. Trwyn-Ym-Mhopeth (Welsh), Unser Herr Neugierig (German), Meneer Langneus/Meneertje Wijsneus (Dutch), Ο Κύριος Αδιάκριτος (Greek), 好奇先生 (Taiwan), 참견씨 (Korean), ﻞﻮﻀﻓ ﻯﺎﻘﺁ (Persian), Fætter Snus (Danish), Gubben Nyfiken (Swedish) and Senhor Narigudo (Portuguese). In earlier illustrations Mr. Nosey's nose was much longer and less pronounced than it is in newer illustrations. On the 2008 TV series The Mr. Men Show , Mr. Nosey (Mr. Nosy in the US broadcast) is light green, has a shape similar to that of Mr. Greedy , his nose is an orange oval, has one curl of hair, and wears a black necktie. He is also often seen with his best friend Mr. Small . He may be stronger than Mr. Strong, and often when he jumps he breaks things, like in the Lake episode where he breaks the wooden platform. His catchphrase is "Just looking". He lives with Mr. Small in an observatory with a large telescope that comes out of the roof. In the US and UK versions, he is voiced by Danny Katiana and Steve Kynman respectively. P Mr. Rush Mr. Quiet is the 29th book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Quiet lives in Loudland, where everybody and everything is too loud for him. Loudland would be suitable for Mr. Noisy, but not for Mr. Quiet. Mr. Quiet is scared. Whenever he tries to go shopping, he can only whisper what he wants, which results in the grocer, the milkman, the baker, and the butcher to shout "CAN'T HEAR YOU! NEXT PLEASE!" One day Mr. Quiet gets a letter from Mr. Happy to stay in Happyland, where Mr. Quiet gets a job in a library, where the rule is to always be quiet. Mr. Quiet is so happy he laughs out loud. In the 2008 TV series, The Mr. Men Show, Mr. Quiet is normal sized, instead of small like in the books, his colour has been changed from light brown to light blue, and two of his hairs are gone, He also lives next door to Mr. Noisy in a small shack-like house with a zen garden. His voice is barely audible, which can cause confusion with some of the other characters. In some situations where other characters he is with are debating, only he is aware of the dangers around them, even if he is subject to dangerous situations himself. He has a taste for Asian things, such as Chinese vases (seen in "Music") and a Zen garden (seen in "Gardens"), perhaps an allusion to the stereotype "quiet Asian". In the US and UK Versions, he is voiced by Paul Greenberg (credited as Aaron Albertus) and Simon Greenall respectively. Mr. Quiet appears under the titles Monsieur Silence (French), Don Silencioso (Spanish), Don Calladito (Mexico), 조용씨 (Korean), 安靜先生 (Taiwan), Ο Κύριος Ήσυχος (Greek), Unser Herr Leise (German) and Senhor Silêncio (Portuguese). R Mr. Good Mr. Rude is the 45th book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves and the second one created by Adam Hargreaves . Mr. Rude has a French accent (alluding to the stereotype that the French are rude people) and, as his name suggests, is rude to everyone. He insults a man with a big nose and an overweight woman. To the overweight woman he says "Fatty!, you're supposed to eat the things in the fridge, not eat the fridge as well!" Mr. Rude is published as Monsieur Mal-Elevé in French, Κύριος Αγενής in Greek and Senhor Rude in Portuguese. In the 2008 TV series The Mr. Men Show , Mr. Rude kept his red colour, dark red nose, French accent, and shape, but he doesn't wear a hat (only in some episodes, which is rare.), wears brown shoes and has three hairs on his head. His catchphrase is, "I'll give you..." followed by an episode of flatulence that can be heard anywhere in Dillydale; after this, a Mr. Man or a Little Miss will shout "Mr. Rude!" (among the most common Mr. Men and Little Misses that do this are Mr. Grumpy, Mr. Bump, Mr. Tickle, Mr. Small, Mr. Happy, Little Miss Scary, and Little Miss Helpful; as is the case of Series 1). In the episodes "Hotel" and "Inventions" Mr. Happy is in the crowd too. In both US and UK Versions, he is voiced by Joey D'Auria (credited as Joseph J. Terry). Mr. Rush Mr. Tall Mr. Rush is the 30th book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Rush is always in a rush. He never does anything properly. He is in such a rush he has a terrible breakfast (toast not toasted, water cold), only brushes one tooth, and runs out of the house to go nowhere. He sees an ad for a vacation in a magazine but can't go away because he has no money, so he wants a job to make money. Being a bus driver isn't good, because he doesn't stop at any of the stops, being a waiter isn't good because he'd whisk away the food as soon as he brought it. The job he finds is as a postman delivering express letters, the best job for the fastest thing on two feet. He saves enough money and goes on vacation. Mr. Rush appears under the titles Monsieur Pressé (French), Don Prisas (Spanish), Ο Κύριος Βιαστικός (Greek), 匆忙先生 (Taiwan), 서둘러씨 (Korean), Unser Herr Eilig (German). S Portrayed by Joey D'Auria (credited as Joseph J. Terry) (U.S. and UK) Mr. Scatterbrain is a new Mr. Man created for The Mr. Men Show . A magenta Mr. Men character with a blue bowler hat and a wide collection of random items, though still the least intelligent. Unlike the other Mr. Men and Little Misses, his tongue is hot pink. He also has a lot of animal friends, ranging from penguins to iguanas. His catchphrases: "Why didn't you say so?" (evident that he has short term memory loss ) and "Where's my head?" In both the U.S. and UK versions, his voice shifts around from high to low, very much like actor Ed Wynn . In the French version, he is called Monsieur Tête-en-L’air and, in the Portuguese version, he is called Senhor Distraído. He has a New York accent in both versions starred by Joey D'Auria . Mr. Silly Mr. Uppity Mr. Silly is the 10th book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Silly lives in Nonsenseland, where the trees have red leaves and the grass is blue. Every year there is a contest for the silliest idea of the year, and Mr. Silly can't think of one. All the animals do human activity and say the wrong sounds. Mr. Silly wins the contest by painting all the leaves on the trees green. In earlier printings Mr. Silly was cream with a red hat, but as of later printings he is light brown with an orange hat. Mr. Silly appears under the titles Monsieur Étonnant (French), Don Tontainas (Spanish), Unser Herr Komisch (German), Ο Κύριος Ανόητος (Greek), 엉뚱씨 (Korean), Mr. Dwl (Welsh), Meneer Malloot (Dutch), 滑稽先生 (Taiwan), Fætter Fjolle (Danish) and Senhor Esquisito (Portuguese). He appears in the books Little Miss Wise and Little Miss Dotty . Mr. Skinny Mr. Brave Mr. Slow is the 39th book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Slow takes so long to do everything. It took him until New Year to open his Christmas presents, and until Easter to write his thank-yous. He tries to get a job. When he tried to be a news reporter, it took him until midnight to read the news. When he tried to be a taxi driver, he delayed Mr. Uppity in getting to the train station. The job he gets is as a steamroller driver. Mr. Slow appears under the titles Monsieur Lent (French), Don Tranquilo (Spanish), 느려씨 (Korean), 慢吞吞先生 (Taiwan), Ο Κύριος Αργοκίνητος (Greek), Fætter Langsom (Danish) Unser Herr Langsam (German). Mr. Small Mr. Daydream Mr. Small is the 12th book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Small lives under a daisy in Mr. Robinson's garden. He eats very enormous meals, and talks to Walter the Worm about getting a job. He then meets Mr. Robinson, who tries to get him a job. They try putting mustard in mustard jars, and they try putting matches into matchboxes. Neither job goes well. It's decided the best job for somebody so small is writing children's books. Mr. Robinson introduces Mr. Small to a friend who writes children's books (referring to Roger Hargreaves), and writes a book all about himself. This Mr. Men book breaks the fourth wall . In the 2008 TV series The Mr. Men Show , Mr. Small is considerably larger (about twice the size of a slice of bread) and is an orange color. He also wears a tall black top hat (similar to Abraham Lincoln 's) instead of a blue bowler , is a somewhat egg shape and wears a pair of white sneakers. Like Mr. Grumpy and Mr. Bump , his favorite food is liverwurst sandwiches. He also is able to speak in French and Spanish. He behaves in a rather cheerful, gentleman-like manner and his catchphrases are "Good tidings" and "Great McGillicuddy!" His best friend is Mr. Nosey , and they live together in an observatory with a large telescope coming out from the roof. They also often pilot strange machinery that they themselves use. In the US and UK Versions, he is voiced by Phil Lollar and Keith Wickham . Mr. Small appears under the titles Monsieur Petit (French), Don Pequeno (Spanish), Unser Herr Winzig (German), Mr. Bach (Welsh), 小不點先生 (Taiwan), 작아씨 (Korean), Meneer Klein/Meneertje Mini (Dutch), Ο Κύριος Μικρούλης (Greek), Fætter Fnug (Danish) and Senhor Pequeno (Portuguese). Mr. Sneeze Mr. Bump Mr. Sneeze is the 5th book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Sneeze lives in Shivertown, the capital of Coldland, where everybody has a red nose from all the sneezing. Mr. Sneeze doesn't like sneezing all the time, and makes a long journey to where there is no sneezing. He meets a wizard to which he explains the story. The wizard transports the two to Coldland, and the wizard uses his magic to warm the place up. Nobody has red noses anymore, not even Mr. Sneeze. Mr. Sneeze appears under the titles Monsieur Atchoum (French), Unser Herr Hatschi (German), Senhor Espirro (Portuguese), 재채기씨 (Korean), Mr. Tisian (Welsh), Meneer Hatsjie (Dutch), 噴嚏先生 (Taiwan), Ο Κύριος Συναχούλης (Greek), Fætter Nys (Danish), מר אפצ'י (Hebrew). Mr. Snow Mr. Grumpy Mr. Strong is the 26th book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Strong is so strong from eating many eggs, enough that he can break things, until he finds a farmer whose cornfield is on fire. Mr. Strong is so strong he picks up the farmer's barn and fills it with water, pours the water on the cornfield, extinguishing it. Mr. Strong is rewarded with eggs from the chickens on the farm. In the 2008 TV series, The Mr. Men Show, Mr. Strong's shape changed from a square to a triangle, however he kept his red color. He also wears a weight belt with a yellow buckle instead of his hat. He often says, "Yo" at the beginning of his sentences and he says "Aw, pickles !" when something goes wrong, which it often does due to his strength; and "Good thing I came along". Mr. Strong speaks with a New York accent. In the US and UK Versions, he is voiced by Phil Lollar and Simon Greenall . Mr. Strong appears under the titles Monsieur Costaud (French), Don Forzudo (Spanish), Unser Herr Stark (German), Meneertje Sterk (Dutch), Ο Κύριος Δυνατός (Greek), 強壯先生 (Taiwan), 힘세씨 (Korean), Fætter Stærk (Danish), Gubben Stark (Swedish) and Senhor Forte (Portuguese). Mr. Stubborn Godfrey (U.S.) Lewis MacLeod (UK) Mr. Stubborn is a new Mr. Man created for The Mr. Men Show . He is purple and resembles Mr. Grumble, with a triangular yellow nose, and two hairs. He often assumes others are wrong, even when it is obvious that he is wrong. If possible, he misuses items and after they break, he thinks that they are cheap ("This website is CHEAP!" or "That door is CHEAP!"). In the French version, he is called Monsieur Têtu and, in the Portuguese version, he is called Senhor Teimoso. He is voiced by Godfrey (US) and Lewis MacLeod (UK). Little Miss Stubborn is his book counterpart. T Followed by Mr. Worry Mr. Tall is the 31st book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Tall hates his oversized legs as they have too much muscle. He then meets Mr. Small, and when Mr. Small goes for a swim, Mr. Tall can't as he splashes all the water away. However, three other Mr. Men teach him that over muscular body parts can be helpful. Mr. Tall decides his long legs are great for sprinting, and while Mr. Tall made it home quickly, Mr. Small took a year to get home. He recently appeared in The Mr. Men Show Season 2 voiced by Keith Wickham (UK) and Godfrey (US), but is silent except for "Travel" only. Aside from keeping his looks from the books, he has a hat that's crooked at the top. Mr. Tall speaks with a Texan accent which is deeper than Mr. Strong 's and a Polish accent. Mr. Tall appears under the titles Monsieur Grand (French), Don Alto (Spanish), Unser Herr Riesig (German), Ο Κύριος Ψηλός (Greek), 長腿先生 (Taiwan), 키다리씨 (Korean), ShaFanMeiYou (Mandarin). Mr. Tickle Mr. Greedy Mr. Tickle is the 1st book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Like all Mr. Men, Mr. Tickle has a simplistic look. He is orange with long arms and a small blue hat. In 2001, for the 30th anniversary of the Mr. Men, Mr. Tickle's book was released as a collector's edition hardback. It included a foreword from Adam Hargreaves . Mr. Tickle's story begins with him in bed and making himself breakfast without getting up because of his "extraordinarily long arms". He then decides that it is a tickling sort of day and so goes around town tickling people – a teacher, a policeman, a greengrocer , a station guard, a doctor, a butcher and a postman . The book ends with a warning that Mr. Tickle could be lurking around your doorway, waiting to tickle you. Mr. Tickle appears under the titles Monsieur Chatouille (French), Don Cosquillas (Spanish), Mr. Goglais (Welsh), Unser Herr Killekille (German), Meneertje Kietel (Dutch), Ο Κύριος Γαργαλίτσας (Greek), 搔癢先生 (Taiwan), 간지럼씨 (Korean), Fætter Kilderik (Danish), Gubben Killekill (Swedish), מר דגדוג (Hebrew), Mr. Csiki (Hungarian) and Senhor Cócegas (Portuguese). In the 2008 TV series The Mr. Men Show , Mr. Tickle remains relatively the same in looks, though his hat has a stripe and his arms are normally sized, but can stretch out when needed. However, he tickles other Mr. Men and Little Misses (due to the obvious absence of humans in Dillydale). As far as character traits goes, he is still determined to tickle everyone he interacts with, but instead of doing it for mischief he does it to make people happy and will stop when nobody wants him to tickle them, save for when the opportunity knocks with Mr. Grumpy , who appears to be his favourite target. He also gets his own catchphrase, "I think somebody needs a tickle!" In the US and UK Versions, he is voiced by storyboard artist, Jeff Stewart (not to be confused with the Scottish actor of the same name ) and Rob Rackstraw . Mr. Tickle also featured in some of the other books, such as Little Miss Magic . In her story, she reduces his arms to normal length so he can no longer be annoying and tickle anyone. She eventually gives him his arms back when he begs for forgiveness and promises to reduce his actions to one tickle a day. However, he gets his revenge as soon as he is out of the room with his long arms and uses his one tickle for the day on her. Mr. Topsy-Turvy Mr. Silly Mr. Topsy-Turvy is the 9th of the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Topsy-Turvy does everything the wrong way. One day he comes to the town where the reader lives. He rents a room in a hotel, speaking to the hotel manager the wrong way, "Afternoon good, I'd room a like." The next day, he confuses the taxi driver with his backwards speaking, causing an accident, buying a pair of socks and putting them on his hands, then he disappears, but everything is still topsy-turvy. Everybody still speaks topsy-turvy, and the reader is asked to say something topsy-turvy. Mr. Topsy-Turvy originated from a competition run by Roger Hargreaves to find a new Mr Men character and was an idea by Marc Penfold who created Mr Upside Down and a story in which the character lived in a backwards world. The idea did not win the competition but Roger Hargreaves liked the idea so much he wrote to Marc Penfold saying he would use the idea and thus Mr. Topsy-Turvy was born. Mr. Topsy-Turvy appears under the titles Monsieur A L'Envers (French), Don Alreves (Spanish), Unser Herr Kuddelmuddel (German), 顛倒先生 (Taiwan), 거꿀씨 (Korean), Mr. Popeth o chwith (Welsh), Meneer Opsekop/Meneertje Andersom (Dutch), Ο Κύριος Ανάποδος (Greek), Fætter Omvendt (Danish). U Mr. Small Mr. Uppity is the 11th book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Uppity lives in Bigtown and he is very rich. He is rude to everybody (they call him Miserable old Uppity) until one day he meets a goblin . When he is rude to the goblin, the goblin shrinks Mr. Uppity so he can fit into a hole in a tree, and they enter the tree to meet the King of the Goblins. The goblin agrees to shrink Mr. Uppity if he is rude to somebody. This happens, until Mr. Uppity is nice. In the end, he's still rich, but now he's very popular. He most frequently uses the words, "Please" and "Thank you." Hargreaves says, "Thank you for reading this story, and if you're ever thinking about being rude to somebody, please keep a sharp lookout for goblins." Mr. Uppity appears under the titles Monsieur Malpoli (French), Don Senorito (Spanish), Mr. Ffroenuchel (Welsh), Unser Herr Hochnase (German), 傲慢先生 (Taiwan), 거만씨 (Korean), Ο Κύριος Ακατάδεχτος (Greek), Meneer Onbeleefd (Dutch), Senhor Malcriado (Portuguese), Fætter Storsnude (Danish). W Mr. Nonsense Mr. Worry is the 32nd book in the Mr. Men series by Roger Hargreaves. Mr. Worry worries about everything. If it rains, he worries that his roof will leak, if there is no rain, he worries that all of his plants will die. He worries about the other Mr. Men, and he meets a wizard who suggests he make a list of all his worries and the wizard will make sure none of them happen. When there is nothing to worry about, Mr. Worry is happy for a week, until he is worried about not having anything to worry about. Mr. Worry appears under the titles Monsieur Inquiet (French), Don Preocupado (Spanish), Ο Κύριος Ανήσυχος (Greek), 걱정씨 (Korean), 煩惱先生 (Taiwan), Unser Herr Sorgenvoll (German). Mr. Wrong
i don't know
'Cut-and-Come-Again' is an informal term in?
Horticulture :: Landscaping :: Types of garden Horticulture :: Landscaping :: Types of garden TYPES OF GARDEN 4. ROOF GARDEN 1. LANDSCAPING OF HOME There are many people who think that landscape gardening relates to only gardening in large public parks or palaces of the rich. Landscaping as it is done for larger estates or public parks can also be implemented in a tasteful and artistic way for a small home ground, though on a smaller scale. The term "small" is a misleading 'one so far as it relates to gardens. The simplest definitive or "small", as suggested by some authors quite appropriately, is an area which can be effectively managed and maintained physically as well as financially by the owner and his family with occasional hired labour for such hard work as digging, mowing, and shearing of hedges. Here, ways will be suggested for landscaping only small residential houses. For larger estates, a combination of landscaping effects suggested for parks and home landscaping may be followed. There are some basic guidelines for a home landscape. But personal preference plays a considerable role in developing a home garden. The home including its surroundings should be an outward expression of the inner personality and individuality of the owner. Often a common mistake is made by many to copy a successful competitor of a garden competition or a neighbour. This may not suit your own home for various reasons. For example, location aspect of your own garden may be quite different compared to the one which you want to copy. It is advisable to think a lot before even a single digging work starts. It is a matter of great regret that in our country sometimes we spend a fortune in decorating the interior of the house to make it attractive but ignore the outside compound. Making a Plan Before any actual garden work is undertaken a master plan has to be prepared according to a scale (1: 15 or 1: 20) in which all the features such as house wall, drive-way, paths, flower beds, shrubbery, etc., are plotted. The shaded areas due to large tree canopy or the building itself has to be marked on the plan. A plan prepared on a printed graph paper is of great help. The plan thus prepared should be studied again and again keeping in view what shape a plant will take in the long run. It is frequently observed that people attracted by the graceful form of a young Araucaria cookii, plant this in the centre of a lawn or near the house possess the gigantic form and height it will attain after some years. Per­haps the owner of the house will cut this tree when overgrown or it may be retained to the detriment of other plants growing below it. Either way, this is not a good planning. Perhaps, one way of satisfying the urge of a garden lover to grow such beautiful trees in a small compound, is to grow them large concrete tubs and bury the tub growing the tree in the appropriate place, thus giving the impression that the plant has actually been grown on the ground. When this attains a considerable height, say 3-6 m, the tree along with the pot should be lifted and given to someone who can afford to use such a grown-up tree. But it is better not to include such controversial items. If the garden area is sufficiently large, this can be divided into three areas. (1) Approach or Public Area: This is the area from the street side extending to the entrance of the house. The area may be small or quite large depending upon where the building is situated. The aim is to harmonize or blend the surroundings with the house proper. The approach area should not be overcrowded with large trees. It is better to have doorway or "foundation" plantings with low rowing shrubs and evergreens. Floribunda and miniature roses are also suitable for foundation planting provided sufficient sun, at least during the morning hours, is available. It is important to note that planting in front of the house should neither obscure it nor cut off light and air nor block the windows thus obstructing view of the garden from indoors. Floribunda rose Big trees, if space permits, can go in the backyard but should not be overcrowded in the front. But a few low-growing trees can be accommodated at the appropriate places as next to entrance, if space is available or somewhere in the front lawn. An open spacious lawn with some annuals (cut-and-come again zinnias, salvias, and petunias) or herbaceous perennials (chrysanthemum, Canna, and Impatiens in shade) can be planned in addition to the foundation plantings.   . Impatiens balsamina                                      Zinnia (2) Work or Service Area: The work or service area can be convenient, orderly and attractive. Wherever feasible this and the living area should be situated at the back of the house as these need seclusion or privacy. This area includes the kitchen garden, compost bin, nursery, tool shed, and garage. Some people like to include the child­ren's swings and the slide in this portion as the children can be kept under surveillance from the kitchen. This should be separated from view by planting a thick hedge or a row of bushy shrubs, as this is considered as the shabbiest part in any garden. Service area (3) Private Garden Area or Living Area: This is generally termed as the outdoor living area, where people sit out in the winter to enjoy the sun or rest in the summer under an arbour or shade of tree. This area should be easily approachable and visible from the living (drawing-room) or dining-room, screened from unsightly objects and for privacy. In the western countries people prefer a terrace and this is the place where it should come. There should be some shaded sitting spot such as a tree or arbour with garden benches. Landscaping can help you effectively cover your outdoors thereby helping you block unpleasant views from outsiders or your own neighbors. Building huge walls to achieve this would be undesirable when the same can be achieved beautifully through landscaping. Garden benches offer a real opportunity to add utility, color and beauty to the landscape. Comfortable and attractive items are now available in a wide variety of low maintenance outdoor furniture. Outdoor furniture must be large enough to be practical and must be in scale with its surroundings. Built-in furniture has the added value of being permanently in place and enhancing the overall design. Occasionally the surface of a retaining wall or raised planter can serve as a seating area. The living terrace is the most usual place for outdoor furniture. A wide stretch of lawn with shrub border or few annual beds or a rose garden can also be included in this section. A tennis court or a play area has to be included here, if there is enough room. Play area But before actual planning one has to first decide what one wants for one's house. A choice has to be made from the following. Whether the garden is needed (a) as an outdoor having ­room with a long stretch of lawn and terrace (b) as a fenced-in playground (c) as a show piece with collection of exotic and rare plants or (d) a yielder of vegetables and fruits or cut flowers for the house is to be determined first. Some may like to add to the list a large tree for shade or trees to attract birds. It is to be considered first what should be the major theme of the garden. If somebody is fascinated with flowers, the borders are to be planned wide to fulfill his desire. People fond of vegetables and fruit may like to reserve the major portion of the area for this purpose with possibly a little area left around the house for a pleasure garden. But, if the garden is desired as a place for outdoor living, a vast expanse of lawn with minimum of beds and borders has to be planned. Some novices may like to combine the good qualities of all these themes and incorporate in his garden. This is bound to create a mess of everything and the ultimate result will be a garden good for nothing. Many people advise not to include any pool or formal rock garden or the kind in a home garden. But there is no harm if a formal or informal 1i1y pool can fit in with the overall design, with or without a fountain or a rock garden. A statue or sun dial can also be well fitted in some spacious compounds.   Lily pool Some Points to Ponder In designing a house some more thinking is necessary. To keep down maintenance cost and time, an untrimmed hedge should be preferred over trimmed one, open lawns and shrubs need less attention than annual flower beds. If the beds and borders in a lawn are edged with stone or brick no hand-clipping of grass will be required. A pool needs to be cleaned occasionally and one should ponder twice before including this in the plan. The water outlets in the garden should be fixed at appropriate places so that the hoses are not dragged to long distances. The above suggestions are for reducing the labour cost which is especially relevant in industrially advanced countries where labour is costly. Fortunately in India, labour is not so costly' and one can include one or two features needing help of manual labour. To create privacy, trees, hedges, shrubs, fences, or creepers trained on wire-mesh structure supported by angle iron or G.I. pipe pillars can be grown. Trees are used when height is needed, otherwise hedges and other types of screens should be preferred. Lighting is needed in the light special1y for terrace area and paths. The same electricity points can be utilized for running an electric lawn mower.  Electric lawn mower How to Proceed When everything has been decided, it is time to tentatively select the plants needed. The different features are then drawn on the paper with a pencil so that this can be erased if al­terations are to be made. After thorough study and several additions and omissions a plan is finalized. For an experienced man, this would not be much of a problem. But a novice must visit the neighbours and see some of the local parks to know what can be grown. The first thing is to select the materials for the basic framework such as background, screens, trees needed for shade, the doorway and the corner of the house. To this the features needed for effects and beauty as for example plants for foundation planting, flower beds, specimen shrubs or trees are added. After everything is finalized on paper these are put into practice on the ground with the help of split-bamboo stakes and rubber hose. The trees are represented by bamboo stakes, while the beds and borders can be plotted by bending a rubber hose in the desired pattern, Paths, hedge, or screen area can also be marked with stakes. When everything is plotted the design is studied again and last-minute changes are effected if required. After this, digging and planting work are started according to plan. Before implementing the plan some compounds may need a little dressing-up like cleaning, levelling and tidying-up. Salvaging an Old Garden If a property has been purchased which already had some garden, it is to be studied whether the old garden can be re-made. This is a complicated job which has its advantages and disadvantages. It is often difficult to adjust some existing features into the new plan. The aim is to incorporate in the new design every interesting existing feature and remove others not needed. A bird bath, water garden and terraces should be retained and improved upon. The remaking process has to be completed slowly after watching every feature care­fully and evaluating their utility in the new design.   Water garden Problems and solutions Often it so happens that a double-storey house has a one-storey garage attached at one side of the building thus disturbing the whole balance. The solution in correcting this im­balance lies in planting tall trees with rounded canopy along the garage end. It is also impor­tant to select the proper plants near the house to soften and broaden the view of the house. A medium tree with low-branching habit and with a rounded or little oval-shaped top is planted near the corner with some low-growing shrubs planted around it. Trees such as silver oak, Amherstia nobilis, Cassia nodosa, Dillenia indica, Gulmohar, Magnolia grandi­flora and Saraca indica can be used for this purpose. If the tree selected is deciduous in na­ture the evergreen shrubs below should form the contrast. For a two-storey house, a high­ branching rounded canopy tree such as Anthocephalus cadamba, Erythropsis colorata, Michelia champaca, and Polyalthia.longifolia should be planted farthest from the corner of the house and in between a fairly large second tree or shrub is planted, besides some other low-growing shrubs.      Amherstia nobilis                 Gulmohar                  Michelia champaca     A doorway near the house needs special attention as this is the place which receives maximum attention from a visitor. Depending upon the approach a doorway can be planted informally, formally, or in a semi-informal pattern. It can be arranged with a garden-type design consisting of an ornamental shade or flowering tree perennial and annual flowers, climbing roses, some bulbs such as Zephyranthes, Amaryllis and daffodils (for temperate regions). Where it is not possible to plant the annual and perennial flowers in ground these can be put in tubs and arranged artistically. An ornamental light post, an urn or an artis­tically shaped boulder will be an object of interest when placed near the shade tree or in an appropriate corner. A bed of roses can also be a spot of beauty provided it receives the morning sun. Symmetrical plants with pyramidal form such as Thuja, Juniperus chinensis, and Cupressus macrocarpa are preferred by many near the doorway for a formal treatment.                        Amaryllis                                             Daffodils If a plot is rectangular in shape, where the length is far greater than the breadth, the best way to develop such plot will be to divide the whole area into a series of garden compart­ments enclosed by hedges with continuous walk of gravel paving or grass connecting each segment with the other. But some people may prefer to have long stretches of open lawn, when this arrangement will not do. In such cases the plot should at least be subdivided into two segments as too much of a rectangular land with narrow width is not pleasing to the eye. Many people inherit irregular-shaped plots specially those who are allotted the corner plots. It is far more difficult to plan a garden for such plots compared to a rectangular or a square plot. Inept handling may ruin such plots but a man with imagination and artistic sense can develop a garden which will be far more interesting than a garden in a regular ­shaped plot. Such plots should receive informal treatments. An irregular-shaped corner may be tackled by constructing an informal lily pool. Similarly beds and borders should be shaped irregularly according to the contour of the plot. It may be far more convenient to develop a rock garden in a shapeless corner than to have a lawn or flower bed. It may be wise not to have formal paths of any kind; instead, the various areas may be reached by step­ping-stones placed in artistically-curved fashion over the grass. These are only a few sugges­tions. Much depends on the imagination and tact of the man doing the job on the spot as the situation demands. Plans for very small compounds What we have so far discussed suits the plots which are relatively large. For very small plots which cannot be divided into different segments such as public area, living area, and work area, one has to depend upon one's own imagination to landscape such plots. But it should be remembered that the majority of the flowering plants and Calcutta doob do not flourish well in a shaded place. For such plots situated under shade it is wise to put shade ­loving foliage plants and flowering plants preferring semi-shade such as Impatiens sultanii, geranium, day lily and footfall lily. Otherwise, a lawn planted with a few specimen shrubs or roses or one or two small beds of flowering annuals will be more than sufficient for small compounds situated in the open. In all probability it will not be possible to have any large tree in such compounds.   Impatiens sultanii                           Geranium What we have discussed so far are some possibilities and nothing is sacrosanct. One can use one's own imagination to alter one plan or other. Actually landscape design has a wide flexibility and the same plot can be landscaped in two or more different ways. Moreover, opinion varies between one landscape designers to another and hence, the controversy whether a design is perfect will never end. But the basic theories must be followed and mistakes such as overcrowding, monotony and placing of plants in wrong situations (e.g., a sun-loving plant placed under the shade of a tree) should be avoided. Once the design is decided, the different features such as paths, walls, pools, lawn are constructed as per the procedures suggested in this book. The basic necessities such as irrigation and drainage should also be taken care of. Trees suitable for small gardens While selecting trees for the home garden the following questions must be answered. First of all, why the tree is needed? Is it for a background or corner planting to frame the house; whether this is needed for shade for sitting or for the terrace and if so, whether grass will grow under shade? Once the questions are answered, the right type of tree has to be selected. Enough room has to be left for the tree to grow. As for example, a 25 x 50 m plot has room only for a large shade tree and two to three small flowering trees. Shallow ­rooted trees such as Millingtonia hortensis should not be planted as they are surface feeders and may be uprooted by storms. Some trees suitable for the garden have already been mentioned in the course of discussion, but some more may be added. Bauhinias in different species are quite suitable. Bauhinia purpurea Bottle brush is suitable for many situations. Tecoma argentea is a wonderful flowering tree for home gardens around Bangalore. The following trees are also suitable for planting in the home grounds: Mimusops elengi, Gliricidia maculata, Cochlospermum gossypium, Cassia fistula, and Cassia spectabilis.   Cassia fistula                                     Cassia spectabilis Some shrubs may be grown as specimens in the lawn. A few suggested shrubs are Ixora singaporensis, Brya ebenus, Sophora tomentosa, Mussaenda philippica, Azalea, Cotoneaster horizontalis and Rhododendrons in different species. The last three are suitable for temperate climates. For shrubbery border a list of shrubs may be made from the chapter on ornamental and flowering shrubs, depending upon situation.                 Ixora singaporensis                      Mussaenda philippica Landscaping a Country Home A villager in India may not need a sophisticated garden as has been discussed in the foregoing pages. However, a countryman will need as much privacy as a city dweller. A village home has to be planned with more utility items. A villager would like to grow more vegetables and fruit for his family consumption and consequently more area should be earmarked for this purpose. But a shade tree or two and some area reserved for children's playground is definitely needed. Some utility flowering trees such as Michelia champaca, Plumeria acutifolia and shrubs such as Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Tabernaemontana coronaria, Barleria, and Jasmines yielding flowers for worshipping and hair decoration should be included for planting.    Michelia champaca                        Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Tabernaemontana coronaria                      Barleria cristata The common flowering annuals such as marigold, zinnia, balsam, and sunflower can be grown for beauty and cut flowers for various purposes. Top 2. LANDSCAPING OF INSTITUTE A planned and properly landscaped school building will be different in appearance and beauty than unplanned one. Moreover a good garden in the campus inculcated aesthetic sense to our younger generation. The general recommendations is to plant large trees in the school compound in the periphery of the school campus, along the rear and wings, a thick belt of large shady trees should be planted to bring down noise and cut down dust and storms. This plantation will also help keep down severe heat and cold. The front should be planted with medium-sized flowering trees for beauty. The trees should not completely obstruct the view of the building from outside. For enhancing the scenic beauty it is also suggested to plant a row of flowering trees, with different blooming seasons, in front of the large trees along the periphery. It is difficult to give any general recommendation regarding the types of such trees, as this will vary according to the architectural design, situation and climate. The object is to provide beauty and comfort depending on convenience. The roads and paths are to be formally planted with medium to tall flowering plants. Before planting provision should be made for overhead wiring and sewerage so that these do not interface with the avenue planting. Where the electric wires limit the choice of avenue trees, small flowering trees such as Cochlospermum gossypium, Callistemon lanceolatus, Bauhinia variegata, and Tecoma argentea can be planted. The trees should be planted in pure avenues. A lawn looks nice in an educational institution, but is very difficult to maintain. The playground can be planted with lawn, if this can be maintained or should be left bare.                    Bauhinia variegata                                 Callistemon lanceolatus A thickly planted belt of eucalyptus for peripheral planting is considered ideal. Silver oak, Polyalthia and Samanea saman are also suitable for this purpose. Cassia fistula, Tecoma argentea, Erythrina indica, Lagerstroemia flos-reginae and Bauhinia variegata are suitable for planting in the front and in the front row of the border planting.   Lagerstroemia flos-reginae                   Cassia fistula The roads and paths are to be formally planted with medium to tall flowering plants. Before planting provision should be make for overhead wiring and sewage so that these do not interfere with the avenue planting. Shrubs play an important part in the school landscaping. Shrub borders round parks or playgrounds is very effective and can replace hedges as the maintenance is minimum. A lawn look nice in an educational institution but it is very difficult to maintain. A bougainvillea creeper trained over the wall of the building can change the whole look. Similarly, a Bignonia venusta supported against a wall also looks beautiful. A creeper climbing with their rootlets such as Ficus repens, Tecoma radicans can also be trained over some stone or brick wall. Besides an ornamental or a landscape garden, universities and colleges can also maintain a botanical garden or a student garden, where the plants are arranged in groups, family wise so that such gardens become educative. Top 3. LANDSCAPING OF INDUSTRY In modern times, a factory should not become a place of only machinery, dust, pollution and noise, but should also be provided with nicely laid-out parks and gardens. This is not only needed from the point of beautification, but also to fight pollution and dust. The factories may be broadly categorized into two groups. The first group comprises comparatively neat factories such as a plywood factory or a fruit processing plant which emit less dust and other polluting materials. The second group consists of factories such as cement, steel, fertilizer, etc. which emit a lot of dust, smoke, and harmful chemicals. The primary aim in a factory garden will be to plant trees to arrest the drifting dust and smoke and to cut down noise. Another important aim is to provide ample shade and coolness so that the workers get a respite under the coolness of trees from the hostile hot interior of the factory. Moreover the trees bend down the temperature in the factory premises to a considerable extent. The places where garden can be laid in the factory area are canteen, rest-shed, hospital, administrative building etc. It is interesting to note that well landscaped offices tend to have lower cases of absenteeism and job shifting. It has also been found that employees serving in offices featuring colorful landscaped entrances show better productivity. The reason for this can be attributed to the basic fact that humans have a fundamental desire to keep contact with nature. Our perception and moods are highly influenced by the colors we see in and around us Tall and hardy trees such as Casurarina equisetifloia, Eucalyptus, Polyalthia logifolia and Silver oak should be planted all around or in the direction of the winds to stop the spread rows of plants planted in a staggering manner bring down the noise from the factory to the surroundings outside this barrier. Polyalthia logifolia Moreover, in a well-planted factory, the trees bring down the zone may be created by afforestation between the factory and its residential colony. Afforestation can be done with hardy ornamentals such as Acacia auriculiformis, Casuarina equisetifolia, Dalbergia sisso, and some other shade trees. Besides planting of trees, a factory area can also be beautified with rockeries, statues water pools or lakes, fountains, etc. Bougainvillea should be used freely to beautify a factory area. Root zone process is a German Technology to treat industrial and domestic waste water economically, efficiently and naturally. Three integrated compounds are essential to this system. They are the reeds, the reed bed and the microbial organisms. Run the contaminated water under the root zone and the reed beds treat the water.  The out coming water is clear, odourless and free from contamination which can be used for gardening and farming. Landscaping can hugely enhance the sales appeal of a property thereby increasing the overall property value. The factors that seem to contribute in increasing the property values include greenery, walkways, arches, patios, decks and ponds. Thus there is vast scope for the development of industrial and institutional landscapes. Such landscapes should aim to improve the aesthetic beauty of the place and reduce the pollution. Top 4. ROOF GARDENING Garden is an embellished area with plants. The importance of gardening has been well understood by every individual. The gardens not only serve as a place of recreation, it also serves as a place for education by the way of establishing a home garden or botanical gardens. The art of creating the greenery and maintaining the greenery is known as “Roof Gardening”. This is also known as Terrace gardening. The existing roof top can be effectively utilized for growing fruit plants, vegetables, spices, homestead medicinal plants, flower plants and ornamental plants. The population explosion occurs every day resulted in the migration of peoples from rural areas to urban areas for income generation. Due to migration of peoples most of the agriculture lands are converted into residential areas, resulted with decreased production of fruits and vegetables. This can be circumvented by kitchen gardening and roof gardening. In urban areas, due to escalating population, more land area is brought under the construction of houses; therefore there is hardly any space for growing vegetables. Especially in multistoried buildings, roof gardening is the only way to grow fruits and vegetables by using the pots and containers. This practice is known as container gardening. Psychiatrist recommends that working in garden refresh the body and mind by reliving harsh stresses. Gardens become the integral part of the family life benefited by the supply of toxic free fresh fruits and vegetables. Dietitians recommend 85 grams of fruits/day, 300 grams of vegetables/day, whereas the present day consumption of fruit is only 30 grams/day and vegetables is 120 grams/day. The consequences of nutritional and vitamin deficiency are given as follows.  Nutrients Consequences of deficiency Calories and proteins Retarded growth in children; irritability, apathy and retarded mental development; discolouration of skin and hair; swelling of face and lower part of the legs and feet, fatty liver, and extreme emaciation. Vitamin A Inability to see in brightness, sensitivity to night light, foamy white patches on the conjunctive softening of the cornea, leading to blindness; frequent respiratory infections. Vitamin B Causes beriberi; loss of appetite. Riboflavin (B2) Cracks at the corners of the mouth; cracked lips; glossy tongue; ulcers in the oral cavity. Nicotinic acid Sore tongue (scarlet coloured); pellagra, showing skin changes on hands, feet, legs and neck; mental changes in severe condition. Vitamin C Scurvy – bleeding gums and mucus membranes and susceptibility to infection as common cold. Calcium Important for bones and teeth, blood clotting. Osteomalacia in women after repeated pregnancies. Iron
Horticulture
Fowler's Vacola, Kilner, Mason, and Weck are brands/designs of what?
Horticulture :: Landscaping :: Types of garden Horticulture :: Landscaping :: Types of garden TYPES OF GARDEN 4. ROOF GARDEN 1. LANDSCAPING OF HOME There are many people who think that landscape gardening relates to only gardening in large public parks or palaces of the rich. Landscaping as it is done for larger estates or public parks can also be implemented in a tasteful and artistic way for a small home ground, though on a smaller scale. The term "small" is a misleading 'one so far as it relates to gardens. The simplest definitive or "small", as suggested by some authors quite appropriately, is an area which can be effectively managed and maintained physically as well as financially by the owner and his family with occasional hired labour for such hard work as digging, mowing, and shearing of hedges. Here, ways will be suggested for landscaping only small residential houses. For larger estates, a combination of landscaping effects suggested for parks and home landscaping may be followed. There are some basic guidelines for a home landscape. But personal preference plays a considerable role in developing a home garden. The home including its surroundings should be an outward expression of the inner personality and individuality of the owner. Often a common mistake is made by many to copy a successful competitor of a garden competition or a neighbour. This may not suit your own home for various reasons. For example, location aspect of your own garden may be quite different compared to the one which you want to copy. It is advisable to think a lot before even a single digging work starts. It is a matter of great regret that in our country sometimes we spend a fortune in decorating the interior of the house to make it attractive but ignore the outside compound. Making a Plan Before any actual garden work is undertaken a master plan has to be prepared according to a scale (1: 15 or 1: 20) in which all the features such as house wall, drive-way, paths, flower beds, shrubbery, etc., are plotted. The shaded areas due to large tree canopy or the building itself has to be marked on the plan. A plan prepared on a printed graph paper is of great help. The plan thus prepared should be studied again and again keeping in view what shape a plant will take in the long run. It is frequently observed that people attracted by the graceful form of a young Araucaria cookii, plant this in the centre of a lawn or near the house possess the gigantic form and height it will attain after some years. Per­haps the owner of the house will cut this tree when overgrown or it may be retained to the detriment of other plants growing below it. Either way, this is not a good planning. Perhaps, one way of satisfying the urge of a garden lover to grow such beautiful trees in a small compound, is to grow them large concrete tubs and bury the tub growing the tree in the appropriate place, thus giving the impression that the plant has actually been grown on the ground. When this attains a considerable height, say 3-6 m, the tree along with the pot should be lifted and given to someone who can afford to use such a grown-up tree. But it is better not to include such controversial items. If the garden area is sufficiently large, this can be divided into three areas. (1) Approach or Public Area: This is the area from the street side extending to the entrance of the house. The area may be small or quite large depending upon where the building is situated. The aim is to harmonize or blend the surroundings with the house proper. The approach area should not be overcrowded with large trees. It is better to have doorway or "foundation" plantings with low rowing shrubs and evergreens. Floribunda and miniature roses are also suitable for foundation planting provided sufficient sun, at least during the morning hours, is available. It is important to note that planting in front of the house should neither obscure it nor cut off light and air nor block the windows thus obstructing view of the garden from indoors. Floribunda rose Big trees, if space permits, can go in the backyard but should not be overcrowded in the front. But a few low-growing trees can be accommodated at the appropriate places as next to entrance, if space is available or somewhere in the front lawn. An open spacious lawn with some annuals (cut-and-come again zinnias, salvias, and petunias) or herbaceous perennials (chrysanthemum, Canna, and Impatiens in shade) can be planned in addition to the foundation plantings.   . Impatiens balsamina                                      Zinnia (2) Work or Service Area: The work or service area can be convenient, orderly and attractive. Wherever feasible this and the living area should be situated at the back of the house as these need seclusion or privacy. This area includes the kitchen garden, compost bin, nursery, tool shed, and garage. Some people like to include the child­ren's swings and the slide in this portion as the children can be kept under surveillance from the kitchen. This should be separated from view by planting a thick hedge or a row of bushy shrubs, as this is considered as the shabbiest part in any garden. Service area (3) Private Garden Area or Living Area: This is generally termed as the outdoor living area, where people sit out in the winter to enjoy the sun or rest in the summer under an arbour or shade of tree. This area should be easily approachable and visible from the living (drawing-room) or dining-room, screened from unsightly objects and for privacy. In the western countries people prefer a terrace and this is the place where it should come. There should be some shaded sitting spot such as a tree or arbour with garden benches. Landscaping can help you effectively cover your outdoors thereby helping you block unpleasant views from outsiders or your own neighbors. Building huge walls to achieve this would be undesirable when the same can be achieved beautifully through landscaping. Garden benches offer a real opportunity to add utility, color and beauty to the landscape. Comfortable and attractive items are now available in a wide variety of low maintenance outdoor furniture. Outdoor furniture must be large enough to be practical and must be in scale with its surroundings. Built-in furniture has the added value of being permanently in place and enhancing the overall design. Occasionally the surface of a retaining wall or raised planter can serve as a seating area. The living terrace is the most usual place for outdoor furniture. A wide stretch of lawn with shrub border or few annual beds or a rose garden can also be included in this section. A tennis court or a play area has to be included here, if there is enough room. Play area But before actual planning one has to first decide what one wants for one's house. A choice has to be made from the following. Whether the garden is needed (a) as an outdoor having ­room with a long stretch of lawn and terrace (b) as a fenced-in playground (c) as a show piece with collection of exotic and rare plants or (d) a yielder of vegetables and fruits or cut flowers for the house is to be determined first. Some may like to add to the list a large tree for shade or trees to attract birds. It is to be considered first what should be the major theme of the garden. If somebody is fascinated with flowers, the borders are to be planned wide to fulfill his desire. People fond of vegetables and fruit may like to reserve the major portion of the area for this purpose with possibly a little area left around the house for a pleasure garden. But, if the garden is desired as a place for outdoor living, a vast expanse of lawn with minimum of beds and borders has to be planned. Some novices may like to combine the good qualities of all these themes and incorporate in his garden. This is bound to create a mess of everything and the ultimate result will be a garden good for nothing. Many people advise not to include any pool or formal rock garden or the kind in a home garden. But there is no harm if a formal or informal 1i1y pool can fit in with the overall design, with or without a fountain or a rock garden. A statue or sun dial can also be well fitted in some spacious compounds.   Lily pool Some Points to Ponder In designing a house some more thinking is necessary. To keep down maintenance cost and time, an untrimmed hedge should be preferred over trimmed one, open lawns and shrubs need less attention than annual flower beds. If the beds and borders in a lawn are edged with stone or brick no hand-clipping of grass will be required. A pool needs to be cleaned occasionally and one should ponder twice before including this in the plan. The water outlets in the garden should be fixed at appropriate places so that the hoses are not dragged to long distances. The above suggestions are for reducing the labour cost which is especially relevant in industrially advanced countries where labour is costly. Fortunately in India, labour is not so costly' and one can include one or two features needing help of manual labour. To create privacy, trees, hedges, shrubs, fences, or creepers trained on wire-mesh structure supported by angle iron or G.I. pipe pillars can be grown. Trees are used when height is needed, otherwise hedges and other types of screens should be preferred. Lighting is needed in the light special1y for terrace area and paths. The same electricity points can be utilized for running an electric lawn mower.  Electric lawn mower How to Proceed When everything has been decided, it is time to tentatively select the plants needed. The different features are then drawn on the paper with a pencil so that this can be erased if al­terations are to be made. After thorough study and several additions and omissions a plan is finalized. For an experienced man, this would not be much of a problem. But a novice must visit the neighbours and see some of the local parks to know what can be grown. The first thing is to select the materials for the basic framework such as background, screens, trees needed for shade, the doorway and the corner of the house. To this the features needed for effects and beauty as for example plants for foundation planting, flower beds, specimen shrubs or trees are added. After everything is finalized on paper these are put into practice on the ground with the help of split-bamboo stakes and rubber hose. The trees are represented by bamboo stakes, while the beds and borders can be plotted by bending a rubber hose in the desired pattern, Paths, hedge, or screen area can also be marked with stakes. When everything is plotted the design is studied again and last-minute changes are effected if required. After this, digging and planting work are started according to plan. Before implementing the plan some compounds may need a little dressing-up like cleaning, levelling and tidying-up. Salvaging an Old Garden If a property has been purchased which already had some garden, it is to be studied whether the old garden can be re-made. This is a complicated job which has its advantages and disadvantages. It is often difficult to adjust some existing features into the new plan. The aim is to incorporate in the new design every interesting existing feature and remove others not needed. A bird bath, water garden and terraces should be retained and improved upon. The remaking process has to be completed slowly after watching every feature care­fully and evaluating their utility in the new design.   Water garden Problems and solutions Often it so happens that a double-storey house has a one-storey garage attached at one side of the building thus disturbing the whole balance. The solution in correcting this im­balance lies in planting tall trees with rounded canopy along the garage end. It is also impor­tant to select the proper plants near the house to soften and broaden the view of the house. A medium tree with low-branching habit and with a rounded or little oval-shaped top is planted near the corner with some low-growing shrubs planted around it. Trees such as silver oak, Amherstia nobilis, Cassia nodosa, Dillenia indica, Gulmohar, Magnolia grandi­flora and Saraca indica can be used for this purpose. If the tree selected is deciduous in na­ture the evergreen shrubs below should form the contrast. For a two-storey house, a high­ branching rounded canopy tree such as Anthocephalus cadamba, Erythropsis colorata, Michelia champaca, and Polyalthia.longifolia should be planted farthest from the corner of the house and in between a fairly large second tree or shrub is planted, besides some other low-growing shrubs.      Amherstia nobilis                 Gulmohar                  Michelia champaca     A doorway near the house needs special attention as this is the place which receives maximum attention from a visitor. Depending upon the approach a doorway can be planted informally, formally, or in a semi-informal pattern. It can be arranged with a garden-type design consisting of an ornamental shade or flowering tree perennial and annual flowers, climbing roses, some bulbs such as Zephyranthes, Amaryllis and daffodils (for temperate regions). Where it is not possible to plant the annual and perennial flowers in ground these can be put in tubs and arranged artistically. An ornamental light post, an urn or an artis­tically shaped boulder will be an object of interest when placed near the shade tree or in an appropriate corner. A bed of roses can also be a spot of beauty provided it receives the morning sun. Symmetrical plants with pyramidal form such as Thuja, Juniperus chinensis, and Cupressus macrocarpa are preferred by many near the doorway for a formal treatment.                        Amaryllis                                             Daffodils If a plot is rectangular in shape, where the length is far greater than the breadth, the best way to develop such plot will be to divide the whole area into a series of garden compart­ments enclosed by hedges with continuous walk of gravel paving or grass connecting each segment with the other. But some people may prefer to have long stretches of open lawn, when this arrangement will not do. In such cases the plot should at least be subdivided into two segments as too much of a rectangular land with narrow width is not pleasing to the eye. Many people inherit irregular-shaped plots specially those who are allotted the corner plots. It is far more difficult to plan a garden for such plots compared to a rectangular or a square plot. Inept handling may ruin such plots but a man with imagination and artistic sense can develop a garden which will be far more interesting than a garden in a regular ­shaped plot. Such plots should receive informal treatments. An irregular-shaped corner may be tackled by constructing an informal lily pool. Similarly beds and borders should be shaped irregularly according to the contour of the plot. It may be far more convenient to develop a rock garden in a shapeless corner than to have a lawn or flower bed. It may be wise not to have formal paths of any kind; instead, the various areas may be reached by step­ping-stones placed in artistically-curved fashion over the grass. These are only a few sugges­tions. Much depends on the imagination and tact of the man doing the job on the spot as the situation demands. Plans for very small compounds What we have so far discussed suits the plots which are relatively large. For very small plots which cannot be divided into different segments such as public area, living area, and work area, one has to depend upon one's own imagination to landscape such plots. But it should be remembered that the majority of the flowering plants and Calcutta doob do not flourish well in a shaded place. For such plots situated under shade it is wise to put shade ­loving foliage plants and flowering plants preferring semi-shade such as Impatiens sultanii, geranium, day lily and footfall lily. Otherwise, a lawn planted with a few specimen shrubs or roses or one or two small beds of flowering annuals will be more than sufficient for small compounds situated in the open. In all probability it will not be possible to have any large tree in such compounds.   Impatiens sultanii                           Geranium What we have discussed so far are some possibilities and nothing is sacrosanct. One can use one's own imagination to alter one plan or other. Actually landscape design has a wide flexibility and the same plot can be landscaped in two or more different ways. Moreover, opinion varies between one landscape designers to another and hence, the controversy whether a design is perfect will never end. But the basic theories must be followed and mistakes such as overcrowding, monotony and placing of plants in wrong situations (e.g., a sun-loving plant placed under the shade of a tree) should be avoided. Once the design is decided, the different features such as paths, walls, pools, lawn are constructed as per the procedures suggested in this book. The basic necessities such as irrigation and drainage should also be taken care of. Trees suitable for small gardens While selecting trees for the home garden the following questions must be answered. First of all, why the tree is needed? Is it for a background or corner planting to frame the house; whether this is needed for shade for sitting or for the terrace and if so, whether grass will grow under shade? Once the questions are answered, the right type of tree has to be selected. Enough room has to be left for the tree to grow. As for example, a 25 x 50 m plot has room only for a large shade tree and two to three small flowering trees. Shallow ­rooted trees such as Millingtonia hortensis should not be planted as they are surface feeders and may be uprooted by storms. Some trees suitable for the garden have already been mentioned in the course of discussion, but some more may be added. Bauhinias in different species are quite suitable. Bauhinia purpurea Bottle brush is suitable for many situations. Tecoma argentea is a wonderful flowering tree for home gardens around Bangalore. The following trees are also suitable for planting in the home grounds: Mimusops elengi, Gliricidia maculata, Cochlospermum gossypium, Cassia fistula, and Cassia spectabilis.   Cassia fistula                                     Cassia spectabilis Some shrubs may be grown as specimens in the lawn. A few suggested shrubs are Ixora singaporensis, Brya ebenus, Sophora tomentosa, Mussaenda philippica, Azalea, Cotoneaster horizontalis and Rhododendrons in different species. The last three are suitable for temperate climates. For shrubbery border a list of shrubs may be made from the chapter on ornamental and flowering shrubs, depending upon situation.                 Ixora singaporensis                      Mussaenda philippica Landscaping a Country Home A villager in India may not need a sophisticated garden as has been discussed in the foregoing pages. However, a countryman will need as much privacy as a city dweller. A village home has to be planned with more utility items. A villager would like to grow more vegetables and fruit for his family consumption and consequently more area should be earmarked for this purpose. But a shade tree or two and some area reserved for children's playground is definitely needed. Some utility flowering trees such as Michelia champaca, Plumeria acutifolia and shrubs such as Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Tabernaemontana coronaria, Barleria, and Jasmines yielding flowers for worshipping and hair decoration should be included for planting.    Michelia champaca                        Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Tabernaemontana coronaria                      Barleria cristata The common flowering annuals such as marigold, zinnia, balsam, and sunflower can be grown for beauty and cut flowers for various purposes. Top 2. LANDSCAPING OF INSTITUTE A planned and properly landscaped school building will be different in appearance and beauty than unplanned one. Moreover a good garden in the campus inculcated aesthetic sense to our younger generation. The general recommendations is to plant large trees in the school compound in the periphery of the school campus, along the rear and wings, a thick belt of large shady trees should be planted to bring down noise and cut down dust and storms. This plantation will also help keep down severe heat and cold. The front should be planted with medium-sized flowering trees for beauty. The trees should not completely obstruct the view of the building from outside. For enhancing the scenic beauty it is also suggested to plant a row of flowering trees, with different blooming seasons, in front of the large trees along the periphery. It is difficult to give any general recommendation regarding the types of such trees, as this will vary according to the architectural design, situation and climate. The object is to provide beauty and comfort depending on convenience. The roads and paths are to be formally planted with medium to tall flowering plants. Before planting provision should be made for overhead wiring and sewerage so that these do not interface with the avenue planting. Where the electric wires limit the choice of avenue trees, small flowering trees such as Cochlospermum gossypium, Callistemon lanceolatus, Bauhinia variegata, and Tecoma argentea can be planted. The trees should be planted in pure avenues. A lawn looks nice in an educational institution, but is very difficult to maintain. The playground can be planted with lawn, if this can be maintained or should be left bare.                    Bauhinia variegata                                 Callistemon lanceolatus A thickly planted belt of eucalyptus for peripheral planting is considered ideal. Silver oak, Polyalthia and Samanea saman are also suitable for this purpose. Cassia fistula, Tecoma argentea, Erythrina indica, Lagerstroemia flos-reginae and Bauhinia variegata are suitable for planting in the front and in the front row of the border planting.   Lagerstroemia flos-reginae                   Cassia fistula The roads and paths are to be formally planted with medium to tall flowering plants. Before planting provision should be make for overhead wiring and sewage so that these do not interfere with the avenue planting. Shrubs play an important part in the school landscaping. Shrub borders round parks or playgrounds is very effective and can replace hedges as the maintenance is minimum. A lawn look nice in an educational institution but it is very difficult to maintain. A bougainvillea creeper trained over the wall of the building can change the whole look. Similarly, a Bignonia venusta supported against a wall also looks beautiful. A creeper climbing with their rootlets such as Ficus repens, Tecoma radicans can also be trained over some stone or brick wall. Besides an ornamental or a landscape garden, universities and colleges can also maintain a botanical garden or a student garden, where the plants are arranged in groups, family wise so that such gardens become educative. Top 3. LANDSCAPING OF INDUSTRY In modern times, a factory should not become a place of only machinery, dust, pollution and noise, but should also be provided with nicely laid-out parks and gardens. This is not only needed from the point of beautification, but also to fight pollution and dust. The factories may be broadly categorized into two groups. The first group comprises comparatively neat factories such as a plywood factory or a fruit processing plant which emit less dust and other polluting materials. The second group consists of factories such as cement, steel, fertilizer, etc. which emit a lot of dust, smoke, and harmful chemicals. The primary aim in a factory garden will be to plant trees to arrest the drifting dust and smoke and to cut down noise. Another important aim is to provide ample shade and coolness so that the workers get a respite under the coolness of trees from the hostile hot interior of the factory. Moreover the trees bend down the temperature in the factory premises to a considerable extent. The places where garden can be laid in the factory area are canteen, rest-shed, hospital, administrative building etc. It is interesting to note that well landscaped offices tend to have lower cases of absenteeism and job shifting. It has also been found that employees serving in offices featuring colorful landscaped entrances show better productivity. The reason for this can be attributed to the basic fact that humans have a fundamental desire to keep contact with nature. Our perception and moods are highly influenced by the colors we see in and around us Tall and hardy trees such as Casurarina equisetifloia, Eucalyptus, Polyalthia logifolia and Silver oak should be planted all around or in the direction of the winds to stop the spread rows of plants planted in a staggering manner bring down the noise from the factory to the surroundings outside this barrier. Polyalthia logifolia Moreover, in a well-planted factory, the trees bring down the zone may be created by afforestation between the factory and its residential colony. Afforestation can be done with hardy ornamentals such as Acacia auriculiformis, Casuarina equisetifolia, Dalbergia sisso, and some other shade trees. Besides planting of trees, a factory area can also be beautified with rockeries, statues water pools or lakes, fountains, etc. Bougainvillea should be used freely to beautify a factory area. Root zone process is a German Technology to treat industrial and domestic waste water economically, efficiently and naturally. Three integrated compounds are essential to this system. They are the reeds, the reed bed and the microbial organisms. Run the contaminated water under the root zone and the reed beds treat the water.  The out coming water is clear, odourless and free from contamination which can be used for gardening and farming. Landscaping can hugely enhance the sales appeal of a property thereby increasing the overall property value. The factors that seem to contribute in increasing the property values include greenery, walkways, arches, patios, decks and ponds. Thus there is vast scope for the development of industrial and institutional landscapes. Such landscapes should aim to improve the aesthetic beauty of the place and reduce the pollution. Top 4. ROOF GARDENING Garden is an embellished area with plants. The importance of gardening has been well understood by every individual. The gardens not only serve as a place of recreation, it also serves as a place for education by the way of establishing a home garden or botanical gardens. The art of creating the greenery and maintaining the greenery is known as “Roof Gardening”. This is also known as Terrace gardening. The existing roof top can be effectively utilized for growing fruit plants, vegetables, spices, homestead medicinal plants, flower plants and ornamental plants. The population explosion occurs every day resulted in the migration of peoples from rural areas to urban areas for income generation. Due to migration of peoples most of the agriculture lands are converted into residential areas, resulted with decreased production of fruits and vegetables. This can be circumvented by kitchen gardening and roof gardening. In urban areas, due to escalating population, more land area is brought under the construction of houses; therefore there is hardly any space for growing vegetables. Especially in multistoried buildings, roof gardening is the only way to grow fruits and vegetables by using the pots and containers. This practice is known as container gardening. Psychiatrist recommends that working in garden refresh the body and mind by reliving harsh stresses. Gardens become the integral part of the family life benefited by the supply of toxic free fresh fruits and vegetables. Dietitians recommend 85 grams of fruits/day, 300 grams of vegetables/day, whereas the present day consumption of fruit is only 30 grams/day and vegetables is 120 grams/day. The consequences of nutritional and vitamin deficiency are given as follows.  Nutrients Consequences of deficiency Calories and proteins Retarded growth in children; irritability, apathy and retarded mental development; discolouration of skin and hair; swelling of face and lower part of the legs and feet, fatty liver, and extreme emaciation. Vitamin A Inability to see in brightness, sensitivity to night light, foamy white patches on the conjunctive softening of the cornea, leading to blindness; frequent respiratory infections. Vitamin B Causes beriberi; loss of appetite. Riboflavin (B2) Cracks at the corners of the mouth; cracked lips; glossy tongue; ulcers in the oral cavity. Nicotinic acid Sore tongue (scarlet coloured); pellagra, showing skin changes on hands, feet, legs and neck; mental changes in severe condition. Vitamin C Scurvy – bleeding gums and mucus membranes and susceptibility to infection as common cold. Calcium Important for bones and teeth, blood clotting. Osteomalacia in women after repeated pregnancies. Iron
i don't know
Menchie's is a popular US international chain founded to supply what frozen product?
Menchie's Army: How Apple, Disney and the Israeli Military Inspire America's Largest Frozen Yoghurt Chain Menchie's Army: How Apple, Disney and the Israeli Military Inspire America's Largest Frozen Yoghurt Chain {{article.article.images.featured.caption}} Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Full Bio The author is a Forbes contributor. The opinions expressed are those of the writer. Loading ... Loading ... This story appears in the {{article.article.magazine.pretty_date}} issue of {{article.article.magazine.pubName}}. Subscribe Since Amit Kleinberger was appointed chief executive six years ago at the age of 27, he has grown Menchie’s from a single store in Los Angeles into the world’s largest self-serve frozen yoghurt franchise. Founded by Adam and Danna Caldwell in 2007, the business now has revenues of $178m, almost 500 franchised outlets in 40 US states, sales in another in 14 countries and ambitious plans to grow to 1,000 stores worldwide, including 200 in the UK. The plan is to tackle the ice cream market head-on with a product range that claims to be lower in fat and carbohydrates and contain more fruit, plus strains of probiotic cultures. Yet when Kleinberger is asked which brands have inspired his strategies for driving this exponential growth, he does not cite iconic ice-cream makers Ben & Jerry’s, ’s Dairy Queen or Baskin-Robbins, the world’s leading chain of ice cream speciality shops with 7,300 locations across the globe. Instead, he claims that Menchie’s – slogan: “We make you smile” – is mimicking the successful strategies of technology giant , entertainment group and the Israeli Army. “The environment we have created in our stores is extremely engaging, consumer-centric and makes you smile,” says Kleinberger. “It’s very similar to what Disney is doing with its Magic Kingdom. Disney doesn’t sell a ride; Disney sells a Magic Kingdom. I don’t sell frozen yoghurt; I sell an experience and I don’t sell it. I make it available upon consumer demand. “The greatest brands in the world don’t sell their products. They make them available because they know there’s a demand for them. That’s what Apple and Disney do and there is no doubt that in the next decades there will be a great chase for my brand to capture the hearts of consumers around the world and teach them to experience our frozen yoghurt and adopt it as their choice of frozen dessert treat.”
Yogurt
The 'river herring' fish, or genus Alosa, which lives in sea and spawns in rivers, is popularly known as a?
Frozen Food Companies | Food Industry Resources | CareersInFood.com Ciao Bella Gelato Co., Inc Ciao Bella, America’s most stylish dessert brand, began in New York’s Little Italy and has been tempting taste buds for almost three decades. Beyond ordinary, Ciao Bella’s indulgent collection of gelato, sorbet and new Greek frozen yogurt offers an unparalleled dessert experience by relying on a chef-inspired blend of naturally intense ingredients and a passion for evoking delight in every frozen bite. Offering unique and intense flavors like Blood Orange Sorbet, Key Lime Graham Cracker Gelato and Raspberry Greek Frozen Yogurt, Ciao Bella uses only the most select and pure ingredients, resulting in mouth-watering frozen treats that embody both classic Italy and modern America. The brand has been featured prominently in national media for its captivating creations. EVOL Foods Founded in Boulder in 2001, EVOL Foods is a rapidly growing frozen food manufacturer with national distribution. EVOL was named one of Inc 500/5000 fastest growing privately held companies in 2012. EVOL Foods produces all-­-natural and organic frozen burritos, flatbreads, pizzas and entrees. Our mission is to inspire people to care about where food comes from and how it is produced by making real food that tastes delicious. The Company believes that taste is a point of differentiation that sets it aside from conventional frozen brands. Broadly, if you cannot find it in your cabinets at home, you will not find it in our food. Schoep's Ice Cream Schoep's, a family-owned business located in Madison, WI, has been a family affair for the Thomsen family for seven decades. Schoep's is the largest ice cream manufacturer in Wisconsin and is able to service the entire ice cream case through different ice cream manufacturing lines at its facility. Schoep's manufactures and distributes is own brand of ice cream and ice cream novilties to Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois. However, the majority of its business is co-packing for other major companies. Schoep's is a SQF Facilty for 3 years and places a high value on producing safe and quality product.
i don't know
ISO 9407 Mondopoint, Brannock, and Paris Point are systems for sizing?
Shoe sizes - The Full Wiki The Full Wiki More info on Shoe sizes   Wikis Shoe sizes: Wikis Advertisements Note: Many of our articles have direct quotes from sources you can cite, within the Wikipedia article! This article doesn't yet, but we're working on it! See more info or our list of citable articles . (Redirected to Shoe size article) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia A shoe size is an alphanumerical indication of the fitting size of a shoe for a person. Often it just consists of a number indicating the length because many shoemakers only provide a standard width for economic reasons. There are several different shoe-size systems that are used worldwide. These systems differ in what they measure, what unit of measurement they use, and where the size 0 (or 1) is positioned. Only a few systems also take the width of the feet into account. Some regions use different shoe-size systems for different types of shoes (e.g., men's, women's, children's, sport, or safety shoes). Contents Advertisements Foot versus shoe and last The length of a foot is commonly defined as the distance between two parallel lines that are perpendicular to the foot and in contact with the most prominent toe and the most prominent part of the heel. Foot length is measured with the subject standing barefoot and the weight of the body equally distributed on both feet. The size of the left and right foot is often slightly different. In this case, both feet are measured, and the shoe size is based upon the larger foot. Each size of shoe is suitable for a small interval of foot lengths. The inner cavity of a shoe must typically be 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) longer than the foot, but this relation varies between different types of shoes. There are three characteristic lengths that a shoe-size system can refer to: The median length of feet for which a shoe is suitable. For customers, this measure has the advantage of being directly related to their body measures. It applies equally to any type, form, or material of shoe. However, this measure is less popular with manufacturers,[citation needed] because it requires them to test carefully for each new shoe model, for which range of foot sizes it is recommendable. It puts on the manufacturer the burden of ensuring that the shoe will fit a foot of a given length. The length of the inner cavity of the shoe. This measure has the advantage that it can be measured easily on the finished product. However, it will vary with manufacturing tolerances and provides the customer only very crude information about the range of foot sizes for which the shoe is suitable. The length of the " last ," the foot-shaped template over which the shoe is manufactured. This measure is the easiest one for the manufacturer to use, because it identifies only the tool used to produce the shoe. It makes no promise about manufacturing tolerances or for what size of foot the shoe is actually suitable. It leaves all responsibility and risk of choosing the correct size with the customer. Further, the last can be measured in several different ways resulting in different measurements. [1] All these measures differ substantially from one another for the same shoe. Length unit Sizing systems also differ in what units of measurement they use. This also results in different increments between shoe sizes because usually, only "full" or "half" sizes are made. The following length units are commonly used today to define shoe-size systems: The Paris point equals to ⅔ centimetres (6.6 mm or ~0.26 in). Usually, only full sizes are made, resulting in an increment of ⅔ centimetre. This unit is commonly used in Continental Europe. The barleycorn is an old English unit that equals to ⅓ inch (8.46 mm). Half sizes are commonly made, resulting in an increment of 1 ⁄ 6 inch (4.23 mm). This unit is the base for the English and the U.S. sizing system. Further, metric measurements in centimetres (cm) or millimetres (mm) are used. The increment is usually 0.5 cm (5 mm or ~0.20 in), which is between the step size of the Parisian and the English system. It is used with the international Mondopoint system and with the Asian system. Due to the different units of measurements, converting between different sizing systems results in round-off errors as well as unusual sizes such as "10⅔". Zero point The sizing systems also place size 0 (or 1) at different locations: If size 0 is placed at a foot's length of 0, the shoe size is directly proportional to the length of the foot in the chosen unit of measurement. Sizes of children's, men's, and women's shoes, as well as sizes of different types of shoes, can be compared directly. This is used with the Mondopoint and the Asian system. However, size 0 can also represent a length of the shoe's inner cavity of 0. The shoe size is then directly proportional to the inner length of the shoe. This is used with systems that also take the measurement from the shoe. While sizes of children's, men's and women's shoes can be compared directly, this is not necessarily true for different types of shoes that require a different amount of "wiggle room." This is used with the Continental European system. Further, size 0 (or 1) can just be a shoe with a given length, typically the shortest length deemed practical. This can be different for children's, teenagers's, men's, and women's shoes, making it impossible to compare sizes. For example, a women's shoe at size 8 is a different length from a men's shoe at size 8. Width designators Some systems also include the width of a foot. There are different methods indicating the width: The measured width is indicated in millimetres (mm). This is done with the Mondopoint system. The measured width is assigned a letter (or combination of letters), which is taken from a table (indexed to length and width) or just assigned on an ad-hoc basis: Examples include (each starting with the narrowest width): A, B, C, D, E, EE, EEE, EEEE, F, G 4A, 3A, 2A, A, B, C, D, E, 2E, 3E, 4E, 5E, 6E N (narrow), M (medium) or R (regular), W (wide) The exact foot width for which these sizes are suitable can vary significantly between manufacturers. The A-E width indicators used by some US and UK shoe manufacturers are typically based on the width of the foot , and common step sizes are 1/16 of an inch. Common sizing systems Mondopoint The International Standard is ISO 9407:1991, Shoe sizes—Mondopoint system of sizing and marking, [2] that recommend a shoe-size system known as Mondopoint. It is based on the mean foot length and width for which the shoe is suitable, measured in millimetres. A shoe size of 280/110 indicates a mean foot length of 280 millimetres (11 in) and width of 110 millimetres (4.3 in). Because Mondopoint also takes the foot width into account, it allows for better fitting than most other systems. It is, therefore, used by NATO and other military services. European standard EN 13402 , used also for clothes, recommends, instead, that shoes be labelled with the interval of foot lengths for which they are suitable, measured in centimetres. United Kingdom and Ireland Shoe size in the United Kingdom (British size) is based on the length of the last, measured in barleycorn (approx 1/3 inch) starting from the smallest practical size, which is size zero. It is not formally standardised. A child's size zero is equivalent to a hand (4 in, 12 barleycorns or 10.16 cm), and the sizes go up to size 13½ (8½ in or 21.59 cm). Thus, the calculation for a child shoe size in the UK is: An adult size one is then the next size up (8⅔ in or 22.01 cm) and each size up continues the progression in barleycorns. [3] The calculation for an adult shoe size in the UK is thus: United States and Canada In North America, there are different systems that are used concurrently. The size indications are usually similar but not exactly equivalent, especially with athletic shoes at extreme sizes. Customary The traditional system is similar to English sizes but start counting at one rather than zero, so equivalent sizes are one greater. (This is similar to the way that floors in buildings are numbered from one rather from zero (ground) in these regions). So the calculation for a male shoe size in the USA or Canada is: [citation needed] Women's sizes are almost always determined with the "common" scale, in which women's sizes are equal to men's sizes plus 1.5 (for example, a men's 10.5 is a women's 12). In other words: In the less popular scale, known as the "standard" or "FIA" (Footwear Industries of America) scale, women's sizes are men's sizes plus 1 (so a men's 10.5 is a women's 11.5). Children's Children's sizes are equal to men's sizes plus 12.33. Thus, girls' and boys' sizes do not differ, even though men's and women's do. Children's shoe stores in the United States use a sizing scheme which ends at 13, after which it starts at 1 again as adult sizes. Shoe Size Brannock Device Drawing of a Brannock Device (from US-Patent 1 724 244) A slightly different sizing method is based on a measurement device designed by shoe seller Charles Brannock .Many are now found in shoe stores. Men's size 1 is equivalent to a foot's length of 7 ⅔ in; [4] women's sizes are one size up. [citation needed] The method also measures the length of the distance of the heel and the widest point of the foot. For that purpose, the device has another, shorter scale at the side of the foot. If this scale indicates a larger size, it is taken in place of the foot's length. [5] For children's sizes, additional wiggle room is added to allow for growth. [5] The device also measures the width of the foot and assigns it designations of AAA, AA, A, B, C, D, E, EE, or EEE. The widths are 1/16 in apart and differ by shoe length. [4] Athletic shoes Some makers of athletic shoes, such as Nike , Reebok , or Fila , use an increment of 5 mm instead of half a barleycorn (4.23 mm) [6] As with other systems, women's sizes are one size up. male shoe size (athletic) = foot length in centimetres − 18 female shoe size (athletic) = foot length in centimetres − 17 There are different sizes for children's and youths' shoes, for example, Nike uses the following: shoe size (children) = foot length in centimetres − 6 shoe size (youth) = foot length in centimetres − 19 It is obvious that due to the different increments, the sizes can be similar to “normal” US sizes only for medium shoe sizes. For shoes that are larger or smaller, the sizes deviate substantially. Australia [citation needed] Continental Europe The Continental European system is used in France , Germany , [7] Italy , Spain , [8] and most other continental European countries. In this system, the shoe size is the length of the last , expressed in Paris points, for both genders and for adults and children alike. Because a Paris point is ⅔ of a centimetre and the last must be same length of the foot ("perfect fitting"), the formula is as follows: Asia The Asian system is based on metric measurements and standardised as JIS S 5037:1998, CNS 4800, S 1093, or KS M 6681. Foot length and girth are taken into account. [9] The foot length is indicated in centimetres; an increment of 5 mm is used. This system was also used in the GDR . The length is followed by designators for girth (A, B, C, D, E, EE, EEE, EEEE, F, G), which is taken from a table indexed to girth and length. There are different tables for men's, women's, and children's (less than 12 years of age) shoes. The tables also include the width as supplemental indications. Not all designators are used for all genders and in all countries. For example, the largest girth for women in China is EEEE, whereas in Japan, it is F. In Japan, one maker also adds an indication for the foot width: N (narrow), M (medium), and W (wide). [10] Shoe size comparison Please, note that the following tables indicate theoretical sizes calculated from the standards and information given above. Differences between these tables and makers' tables or other tables found on the Web are usually due to the following factors: The systems are not fully standardised. Differences between shoes from different makers, which are due to different methods of measuring the shoes, different manufacturing processes, or different allowances [1] are sometimes related to different countries. A “German” size may then differ from a “French” size, although both countries use the Continental European system. Different widths may have the result that for wide feet, a shoe multiple sizes larger (and actually too long) may be required. This may also result in different size indications, especially if different typical widths are attributed to different sizing systems or countries. Some tables for children take future growth into account. The shoe size is then larger than what would correspond to the actual length of the foot. [5] A indication in centimetres or inches can mean the length of the foot or the length of the shoe's inner cavity. This relation is not constant but varies due to different amounts of wiggle room required for different sizes of shoes. There are several U.S. systems, which differ substantially for sizes far above or below medium sizes. Further, some tables available on the Web simply contain errors. For example, the wiggle room or different zero point is not taken into account, or tables based on different U.S. systems (traditional and athletic) are simply combined although they are incompatible. Children Example: A child's foot that is 185 millimetres (7.3 in) long requires a shoe that is about 15 millimetres (0.59 in) longer. The inner length of 200 millimetres (7.9 in) is EU shoe size 30 or UK size 11.5. Adults Notes
Shoe
What term derived from French 'on equal terms' is a popular domestic job?
Learn and talk about Shoe size, Anthropometry, Footwear, Mechanical standards, Sizes in clothing ( Learn how and when to remove this template message ) World's largest pair of shoes, Riverbank Center, Philippines - 5.29 metres (17.4 ft) long and 2.37 metres(7.75 ft) wide, equivalent to a French shoe size of 753 A shoe size is an alphanumerical indication of the fitting size of a shoe for a person. Often it just consists of a number indicating the length because many shoemakers only provide a standard width for economic reasons. There are several different shoe-size systems that are used worldwide. These systems differ in what they measure, what unit of measurement they use, and where the size 0 (or 1) is positioned. Only a few systems also take the width of the feet into account. Some regions use different shoe-size systems for different types of shoes (e.g., men's, women's, children's, sport, or safety shoes). Contents Deriving the shoe size[ edit ] Foot versus shoe and last[ edit ] The length of a foot is commonly defined as the distance between two parallel lines that are perpendicular to the foot and in contact with the most prominent toe and the most prominent part of the heel. Foot length of the foot is measured with the subject standing barefoot and the weight of the body equally distributed on both feet. The sizes of the left and right feet are often slightly different. In this case, both feet are measured, and purchasers of mass-produced shoes are advised to purchase a shoe size based upon the larger foot because, contrary to the reality of foot sizes, most manufacturers do not sell pairs of shoes in non-matching sizes. Each size of shoe is considered suitable for a small interval of foot lengths. The inner cavity of a shoe must typically be 15–20 mm longer than the foot, but this relation varies between different types of shoes. A shoe-size system can refer to three characteristic lengths: The median length of feet for which a shoe is suitable. For customers, this measure has the advantage of being directly related to their body measures. It applies equally to any type, form, or material of shoe. However, this measure is less popular with manufacturers,[ citation needed ] because it requires them to test carefully for each new shoe model, for which range of foot sizes it is recommendable. It puts on the manufacturer the burden of ensuring that the shoe will fit a foot of a given length. The length of the inner cavity of the shoe. This measure has the advantage that it can be measured easily on the finished product. However, it will vary with manufacturing tolerances and provides the customer only very crude information about the range of foot sizes for which the shoe is suitable. The length of the " last ", the foot-shaped template over which the shoe is manufactured. This measure is the easiest one for the manufacturer to use, because it identifies only the tool used to produce the shoe. It makes no promise about manufacturing tolerances or for what size of foot the shoe is actually suitable. It leaves all responsibility and risk of choosing the correct size with the customer. Further, the last can be measured in several different ways resulting in different measurements. [1] All these measures differ substantially from one another for the same shoe. Length[ edit ] Sizing systems also differ in what units of measurement they use. This also results in different increments between shoe sizes because usually, only "full" or "half" sizes are made. The following length units are commonly used today to define shoe-size systems: The Paris point equates to 2⁄3 centimetre (6.6 mm or ~0.26 in). This means an increment of 2⁄3 centimetre ( 1⁄4 inch) between whole sizes, and 1⁄3 centimetre ( 1⁄8 inch) between half sizes. This unit is commonly used in Continental Europe. The barleycorn is an old English unit that equates to 1⁄3 inch (8.46 mm). Half sizes are commonly made, resulting in an increment of 1⁄6 inch (4.23 mm). This measure is the basis for current U.K. and U.S. shoe sizes, with the largest shoe size taken as twelve inches (a size 12) and then counting backwards in barleycorn units. Further, metric measurements in centimetres (cm) or millimetres (mm) are used. The increment is usually 0.5 cm (5 mm or ~0.20 in). It is used with the international Mondopoint system and with the Asian system. Due to the different units of measurements, converting between different sizing systems results in rounding errors as well as unusual sizes such as " 10 2⁄3". Zero point[ edit ] The sizing systems also place size 0 (or 1) at different locations: If size 0 is placed at a foot's length of 0, the shoe size is directly proportional to the length of the foot in the chosen unit of measurement. Sizes of children's, men's, and women's shoes, as well as sizes of different types of shoes, can be compared directly. This is used with the Mondopoint and the Asian system. However, size 0 can also represent a length of the shoe's inner cavity of 0. The shoe size is then directly proportional to the inner length of the shoe. This is used with systems that also take the measurement from the shoe. While sizes of children's, men's and women's shoes can be compared directly, this is not necessarily true for different types of shoes that require a different amount of "wiggle room" in the toe box. This is used with the Continental European system. Further, size 0 (or 1) can just be a shoe with a given length, typically the shortest length deemed practical. This can be different for children's, teenagers', men's, and women's shoes, making it impossible to compare sizes. For example, a women's shoe at size 8 is a different length from a men's shoe at size 8 in the US system, but not the British. Some systems also include the width of a foot. There are different methods indicating the width: The measured width is indicated in millimetres (mm). This is done with the Mondopoint system. The measured width is assigned a letter (or combination of letters), which is taken from a table (indexed to length and width) or just assigned on an ad-hoc basis: Examples include (each starting with the narrowest width): A, B, C, D, E, EE, EEE, EEEE, F, G (typical North American system; medium being D) 4A, 3A, 2A, A, B, C, D, E, 2E, 3E, 4E, 5E, 6E (variant North American) C, D, E, F, G, H (common UK; "medium" is usually F, but varies by manufacturer—makers Edward Green and Crockett & Jones, among others, use E instead, but one maker's E is not necessarily the same size as another's). N (narrow), M (medium) or R (regular), W (wide) The width for which these sizes are suitable can vary significantly between manufacturers. The A-E width indicators used by most American, Canadian, and some British shoe manufacturers are typically based on the width of the foot, and common step sizes are 3⁄16 inch. Common sizing systems[ edit ] Mondopoint[ edit ] The International Standard is ISO 9407:1991, "Shoe sizes—Mondopoint system of sizing and marking", [2] which recommends a shoe-size system known as Mondopoint. It is based on the mean foot length and width for which the shoe is suitable, measured in millimetres. A shoe size of 280/110 indicates a mean foot length of 280 millimetres (11 in) and width of 110 millimetres (4.3 in). Because Mondopoint also takes the foot width into account, it allows for better fitting than most other systems. It is, therefore, used by NATO and other military services. Mondopoint is also used for ski boots. European standard EN 13402 , used also for clothes, recommends instead that shoes be labelled with the interval of foot lengths for which they are suitable, measured in centimetres. United Kingdom and Ireland[ edit ] Shoe size in the United Kingdom and Ireland is based on the length of the last used to make the shoes, measured in barleycorn ( 1⁄3 inch) starting from the smallest size deemed practical, which is called size zero. It is not formally standardised. Note that the last is typically longer than the foot heel to toe length by about 1/2 to ⅔ inch (13 to 17 mm). A child's size zero is equivalent to 4 inches (a hand = 12 barleycorns = 10.16 cm), and the sizes go up to size 13 1⁄2 ( 8 1⁄2 in, 25 1⁄2 barleycorns or 21.59 cm). Thus, the calculation for a children’s shoe size in the UK is: child shoe size − 23 {\displaystyle {\mbox{adult shoe size}}\approx (3\times {\mbox{heel to toe length in inches}})-23} Note: some manufacturers choose to use a constant other than 25, so sizes do vary in either direction e.g. A shoe marked as a European size 40 may also be marked as a UK: 6 by Jimmy Choo, Nike; a 6 1⁄2 by Adidas, Clarks, Dr Martens, Fred Perry, Karrimor , Monsoon, New Balance, Reebok , and Slazenger ; a 7 by Converse, Gap, Pavers, and Timberland; and a 7 1⁄2 by Crocs. Australia / New Zealand[ edit ] For men and children's footwear the UK system is followed. Women's footwear has a slightly different sizing that is unique. It is in between the UK and US's sizings.[ citation needed ] United States and Canada[ edit ] In North America, there are different systems that are used concurrently. The size indications are usually similar but not exactly equivalent especially with athletic shoes at extreme sizes. Customary[ edit ] The traditional system is similar to English sizes but start counting at one rather than zero, so equivalent sizes are one greater. This is similar to the way that floors in buildings are numbered; the British count the ground floor as zero, whereas the Americans count the ground floor as one. So the calculation for a male shoe size in the USA or Canada is: male shoe size [5] The method also measures the length of the distance of the heel and the widest point of the foot. For that purpose, the device has another, shorter scale at the side of the foot. If this scale indicates a larger size, it is taken in place of the foot's length. [6] For children's sizes, additional wiggle room is added to allow for growth. [6] The device also measures the width of the foot and assigns it designations of AAA, AA, A, B, C, D, E, EE, or EEE. The widths are 3/16 in apart and differ by shoe length. [4] Foot Scanner[ edit ] Some shoe stores use optical devices to precisely measure the length and width of both feet and recommend the appropriate shoe model and size. [1] Europe[ edit ] The Continental European system is used in France , Germany , [7] Italy , Spain , [8] and most other continental European countries. It is also used in Middle Eastern countries (like Iran ), Brazil —which uses the same method but subtracts 2 from the final result—[ citation needed ] and, commonly, Hong Kong . In this system, the shoe size is the length of the last , expressed in Paris points , for both sexes and for adults and children alike. Because a Paris point is ⅔ of a centimetre, the formula is as follows: s Asia[ edit ] The Asian system is based on metric measurements and standardised as JIS S 5037:1998, CNS 4800, S 1093, or KS M 6681. Foot length and girth are taken into account. [9] The foot length is indicated in centimetres; an increment of 5 mm is used. This system was also used in the GDR . The length is followed by designators for girth (A, B, C, D, E, EE, EEE, EEEE, F, G), which is taken from a table indexed to girth and length. There are different tables for men's, women's, and children's (less than 12 years of age) shoes. The tables also include the width as supplemental indications. Not all designators are used for all genders and in all countries. For example, the largest girth for women in China is EEEE, whereas in Japan, it is F. Mexico[ edit ] Shoes are sized either according to the foot length they are intended to fit, in cm, or alternatively to another variation of the barleycorn system, with sizes calculated approximately as: adult shoe size {\displaystyle {\mbox{adult shoe size}}=3\times {\mbox{last length in inches}}-25.5} USSR (Russia / CIS)[ edit ] Historically the USSR used the European (Paris point) system but an alternate metric system (State Standard 3927–64) was devised, with shoe sizes increasing in ½ rather than the ⅔ cm intervals found in the European scheme. This system has been refined by later standards: GOST 9133-1978 Determination of linear dimensions of footwear, GOST 24382-1980 sneakers size, GOST R 54592-2011 Footwear. Methods for determination of linear dimensions. Where used this system is sometimes described as a Pointe (ballet shoe) or Stych size: Pointe / Stych shoe sizes 47½ Difficulties in shoe size comparison[ edit ] Please note that the following tables indicate theoretical sizes calculated from the standards and information given above. Differences between various shoe size tables, makers' tables or other tables found on the Web are usually due to the following factors: The systems are not fully standardised. Differences between shoes from different makers, which are due to different methods of measuring the shoes, different manufacturing processes, or different allowances [1] are sometimes related to different countries. A “German” size may then differ from a “French” size, although both countries use the Continental European system. Different widths may have the result that for wide feet, a shoe multiple sizes larger (and actually too long) may be required. This may also result in different size indications, especially if different typical widths are attributed to different sizing systems or countries. Some tables for children take future growth into account. The shoe size is then larger than what would correspond to the actual length of the foot. [6] An indication in centimetres or inches can mean the length of the foot or the length of the shoe's inner cavity. This relation is not constant but varies due to different amounts of wiggle room required for different sizes of shoes. There are several U.S. systems, which differ substantially for sizes far above or below medium sizes. Further, some tables available on the Web simply contain errors. For example, the wiggle room or different zero point is not taken into account, or tables based on different U.S. systems (traditional and athletic) are simply combined although they are incompatible. Original courtesy of Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoe_size  —  Please support Wikipedia. This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia . A portion of the proceeds from advertising on Digplanet goes to supporting Wikipedia. We're sorry, but there's no news about "Shoe size" right now. Limit to books that you can completely read online Include partial books (book previews) Oops, we seem to be having trouble contacting Twitter Support Wikipedia A portion of the proceeds from advertising on Digplanet goes to supporting Wikipedia. Please add your support for Wikipedia! Searchlight Group Digplanet also receives support from Searchlight Group. Visit Searchlight Copyright © 2009-2016 Digparty. All rights reserved.
i don't know
The famous Hallé symphony orchestra was founded and is based in which city?
Orchestra Main Page | See live article | Alphabetical index Orchestra An orchestra is a musical ensemble used most often in classical music . A small orchestra is called a chamber orchestra. Full size orchestras may sometimes be called "symphony orchestras" or "philharmonic orchestras"; these prefixes do not indicate any difference either to the instrumental content or role of the orchestra, but can be useful to distinguish different orchestras based in the same city (for instance, the London Symphony Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Orchestra ). The typical symphony orchestra consists of four groups of musical instruments : the strings (violins, violas, cellos, double basses), the percussion ( timpani , snare drum , bass drum , celesta , etc.). Contemporaneously, the musicians are usually directed by a conductor , although early orchestras did not have one, using instead the principal violinist or the harpsichordist playing the continuo for this role. Some modern orchestras also do without conductors, particularly smaller orchestras and those specialising in historically accurate performances of baroque music and earlier. The most frequently performed repertoire for a symphony orchestra is Western classical music or opera . They are also used in popular music , however. Table of contents 2.6 Other History of the orchestra At first the orchestra was an aristocratic luxury, performing privately at the courts of the princes and nobles of Italy ; but in the 17th century performances were given in theatres, and Germany eagerly followed. Dresden , Munich and Hamburg successively built opera houses, while in England opera flourished under Henry Purcell , and in France under Lully , who with the collaboration of Moliere also greatly raised the status of the entertainments known as ballets, interspersed with instrumental and vocal music. In the 17th Century and early 18th Century instrumental groups were taken from all of the available talent. A composer such as Johann Sebastian Bach had control over almost all of the musical resources of a town, where as Handel would hire the best musicians available. This placed a premium on being able to rewrite music for whichever singers or musicians were best suited for a performance - Handel produced different versions of the Messiah oratorio almost every year. As nobility began to build retreats from towns, they began to hire standing bodies of musicians. Composers such as the young Franz Joseph Haydn would have, then, a fixed body of instrumentalists to work with. At the same time, travelling virtuoso performers would write concerti which featured their skills, and travel from town to town, arranging concerts from whoever was there. This change - from civic music making where the composer had some degree of time or control, to smaller court music making and one off performance - placed a premium on music which was easy to learn, often with little or no rehearsal. The results were changes in musical style and emphasis on new techniques. Mannheim had one of the most famous orchestras of that time, where notated dynamics and phrasing, previously quite rare, became standard (see Mannheim school ). It also attended a change in musical style from the complex counterpoint of the baroque period, to an emphasis on clear melody that would later give rise to the classical style. Through out the late 18th century composers would continue to have to assemble musicians for a performance, often called an "Academy", which would, naturally, feature their own compositions. In 1781, however, the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra was organized from the merchants concert society, and it began a trend towards the formation of civic orchetras which would accelerate into the 19th century . In 1818, Boston's Handel and Haydn Society was founded, in 1842 the New York Philharmonic was created, in 1848 the Vienna Philharmonic was formed, as was the Hall� Orchestra in Manchester. There had long been standing bodies of musicians around operas, but not for concert music - this change ansion in composing symphonies and other purely instrumental forms. This was encouraged by composer critics such as ETA Hoffman who declared that instrumental music was the "purest form" of music. In the 1830s conductor Fran�ois Habeneck, in order to perform the symphonies of Beethoven, which had not been heard in their entirety in Paris, began rehearsing a selected group of musicians. He developed techniques of rehearsing the strings separately, notating specifics of performance, and other techniques of cuing entrances which were spread across Europe. His rival and friend Hector Berlioz would adopt many of these innovations in his touring of Europe. This was paralleled by a rapid standardization of instruments, the invention of the piston or valve by Stolzel and Blilmel, both Silesians, in 1815 , was the first in a series of innovations, including the use of valves for the flute by Theobald Boehm and the innovations of Adolphe Sax in the woodwinds. These would lead Hector Berlioz to write his famous treatise on instrumentation , meaning the use of instrumental sound as an expressive element of music. The effect of this invention was felt at once: instrument-makers in all countries helped with each other in making use of the contrivance and in bringing it to perfection; and the orchestra was before long enriched by a new family of valved instruments, variously known as tubas, or euphoniums and bombardons, having a chromatic scale and a full sonorous tone of great beauty and immense volume, forming a magnificent bass. This also made possible a more uniform playing of notes or intonation , which would lead to a more and more "smooth" orchestral sound which would peak in the 1950's with Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra and the conducting of Herbert von Karajan . During the transition to using these instruments, which made the performance of more difficult works easier, many composers, including Wagner and Berlioz, would demand the use of "natural" chromatic stops rather than the use of valves for their compositions. However, over time, the valved instruments became standard, and their use universal until the revival of older instruments in the contemporary movement towards authentic performance or "historically informed perfromance". With the formation of standing orchestras, and the expansion of the winds and brass, as well as the ability of winds and brass instruments to be intune with each other, it created the ability of the wind and brass to be more easily massed. It also created a professional framework where musicians could rehearse and perform the same works over and over again, leading to the concept of a repertoire in instrumental music. The next major expansion of symphonic practice came, ironically, from Wagner's Bayreuth orchestra, founded to play his musical dramas. Wagner needed to have a series of composers and notators for the complex scores which he wrote, and had a specific role for the conductor of an orchestra that he described in his influential work "On Conducting". This lead to a revolution in orchestral practice, and set the style for orchestral performance for the next eighty years. Wagner's theories changed tempi, dynamics, bowing of string instruments and the role of principals in the orchestra. Conductors who studied his methods would go on to be influential themselves. As the early 20th Century dawned, symphony orchestras were larger, better funded and better trained than ever before, and consequently composers could compose larger and more ambitious works for them. With the recording era beginning, the standard of performance reached a pinnacle, with many older conductors and composers remembering a time when simply "getting through" the music as best as possible was the standard. Since recordings could "fix" small errors in a particular studio performance, and reach people who would never have been able to travel to distance cities - the ability of listeners to compare performances across decades lead to a renewed focus on particular conductors and on a high standard of orchestral execution. In the 1920's and 1930's economic and artistic considerations lead to the formation of small concert societies, particularly those dedicated to the performance of music of the avant-garde, including Igor Stravinsky and Arnold Schoenberg . This tendency to start festival orchestras or dedicated groups would also be pursued in the creation of summer musical festivals, and orchestras for the performance of smaller works. Among the most influential of these was the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields under the baton of Sir Neville Marinner. With the advent of the early music movement, orchestras were players worked on execution of works in styles derived from the study of older treatises on playing became common. These include the London Classical Players under the direction of Sir Roger Norrington and the Academy of Ancient Music under Christopher Hogwood , among others. The late 20th century saw a crisis of funding and support for orchestras in the United States and, to a lesser extent, in Europe. The size and cost of a symphony orchestra, compared to the size of the base of supporters, became an issue which struck at the core of the institution. Along with the drastic falling off of revenues from recording, tied to no small extent to changes in the recording industry itself, a period of change began which has yet to reach its conclusion. Critics such as Norman Lebrecht were vocal in their diagnosis of the problem as the "jet set conductor" and the problems of orchestral repertory and management, while other music administrators such as Michael Tilson Thomas and Essa-Pekka Salonen argued that new music, new means of presenting it, and a renewed relationship with the community could revitalize the symphony orchestra. List of orchestras
Manchester
'Tam o' Shanter' in Scottish poet Robert Burns' 1790 poem of that name is a?
Kinshasa Symphony Orchestra - Manchester | Tickets, Reviews, Info and More Kinshasa Symphony Orchestra Hi, I was on WhatsOnStage.com and thought you might be interested in seeing this. Cancel Send Email WHAT IS IT ABOUT? The world's first all-black symphony orchestra, was founded in December 1994 by the group's conductor and former airline pilot, Armand Diangienda. Based in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the group is Central Africa's only symphony orchestra and the city's population number among the poorest inhabitants on the planet. The orchestra's members are dedicated, talented musicians who are mostly self-taught and often play on home-made instruments. Their work, which includes performing music from the core classical repertoire such as Beethoven's Symphony No.9, promotes peace and hope in a country torn apart by war and poverty. Diangienda recently received honorary membership from the Royal Philharmonic Society, which is awarded in recognition of services to music. Previous recipients of the award include Felix Mendelssohn, Igor Stravinsky and, more recently, Sir Mark Elder. The three concerts given by the OSK will also feature musicians from the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, players from Southbank Centre's Resident Orchestras and the Hall?. The Halle Youth Choir will also be joining the African singers on stage and three of the concerts will also feature the Halle's Assistant Conductor, Jamie Philips in addition to works performed by Diangienda. The concerts in Manchester, London and Bristol will close with a performance of the finale from Beethoven's Symphony No.9 Ode to Joy. Other works will include traditional Congolese music alongside other clas sical favourites. NEWSLETTER SIGN UP
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Name the Soviet Russian orbiting space station, continuously occupied 1989-99 until its replacement by the International Space Station?
Mir Space Station | Soyuz in Pravda | Soyuz Recovery | Mir Expeditions | Mir Space Station The space station Mir became a legend in its own time reflecting Russia�s past space glories and her future as a leader in space. The Russian Space Station Mir endured 15 years in orbit, three times its planned lifetime. It outlasted the Soviet Union, that launched it into space. It hosted scores of crewmembers and international visitors. It raised the first crop of wheat to be grown from seed to seed in outer space. It was the scene of joyous reunions, feats of courage, moments of panic, and months of grim determination. It suffered dangerous fires, a nearly catastrophic collision, and darkened periods of out-of-control tumbling. Mir soared as a symbol of Russia�s past space glories and her potential future as a leader in space. And it served as the stage�history�s highest stage�for the first large-scale, technical partnership between Russia and the United States after a half-century of mutual antagonism. Mir did all of that and like most legends was controversial and paradoxical. At different times and by different people, Mir was called both "venerable" and "derelict." It was also "robust," "accident-prone," and "a marvel," as well as "a lemon." For Russians, the very name "Mir" held meaning, feeling, and history. Mir translates into English as "world," "peace," and "village," but a single-word translation misses its full significance. Historically, after the Edict of Emancipation in 1861, the word "mir" referred to a Russian peasant community that owned its own land. A system of state-owned collective farms replaced the mir after the Russian revolution of 1917. Read an essay by Frank Culbertson, Shuttle-Mir Program Manager, on the meanings of "Mir: What�s in a Name?" As with most legends, Mir was literally beyond the reach of most men and women, but it could be seen by many as a bright light arcing across the night sky. Mir undoubtedly provoked many thoughts around the globe about who we�as a human race�are and where we are going. The cosmonauts and astronauts who were fortunate enough to travel to Mir were always impressed by its appearance. Regardless, Mir remained difficult to describe. Someone once called Mir a 100-ton Tinker Toy, a term that recalled Mir�s construction. Adding modules over the years, and then sometimes rearranging them, the Russians had built the strangest, biggest structure ever seen in outer space. Traveling at an average speed of 17,885 mph, the space station orbited about 250 miles above the Earth. Mir was both great and graceful�and incongruous and awkward�all at the same time. In outward appearance, Mir has also been compared to a dragonfly with its wings outstretched, and to a hedgehog whose spines could pierce a spacewalker�s suit. NASA-4 Mir Astronaut Jerry Linenger compared Mir to "six school buses all hooked together. It was as if four of the buses were driven into a four-way intersection at the same time. They collided and became attached. All at right angles to each other, these four buses made up the four Mir science modules. � Priroda and Spektr were relatively new additions � and looked it�each sporting shiny gold foil, bleached-white solar blankets, and unmarred thruster pods. Kvant-2 and Kristall � showed their age. Solar blankets were yellowed � and looked as drab as a Moscow winter and were pockmarked with raggedy holes, the result of losing battles with micrometeorite and debris strikes over the years." On the inside, Mir often surprised people, too, even when they thought they were ready for the view. By the time Americans arrived on Mir�nearly a decade into its life�the station had become cluttered with used-up and broken equipment and floating bags of trash. During Mir�s lifetime, no adequate remedy was ever developed to deal with the stowage situation. Mir looked like a metal rabbit warren, or, as Mike Foale put it, "a bit like a frat house, but more organized and better looked after." Still, Mir was home and shelter to its crews, and how it looked to them depended on their perspectives and situations. The ivory-like controls of the Base Block reminded David Wolf of classic science-fiction stories, such as The Time Machine, by H.G. Wells. After a fly-around in the cramped Soyuz capsule, Jerry Linenger wrote: "Looking into the station I could see a lone ray of light shining through the port widow and outlining the dining table. We had left some food out for dinner. It was the only time during my stay in space that Mir looked warm, inviting, and spacious. It reminded me of opening the door to a summer cottage that been boarded up for the winter, looking inside, and seeing familiar surroundings." Mir set every record in long-duration spaceflight. Physician Valeri Polyakov lived aboard Mir for a single, continuous-orbit stay of 437 days, 17 hours and 38 minutes. He completed his stay in 1995 as American Norm Thagard began his Mir residency. Polyakov's experiences contributed greatly to the biomedical studies of long-term human spaceflight conducted by the Institute of Biomedical Problems, where he served as Deputy Director. Combined with an earlier Mir expedition flight, the Russian cosmonaut spent a total 678 days, 16 hours and 33 minutes on the Russian space station. However, his achievement for total time in space was surpassed in 1999 by Sergei Avdeyev who endured a total 747 days, 14 hours and 12 minutes, during three space missions. During Shuttle-Mir, Shannon Lucid set the space endurance record for women in 1996 when she spent 188 days, 4 hours and 00 minutes in orbit. Just as "mir"�the word�had many meanings for Russians, Mir�the place�provoked many different feelings. In February 1995, Russian cosmonaut Vladimir Titov flew aboard the "near Mir" flight, STS-63, when the Shuttle rendezvoused with Mir. Six years earlier, Titov had spent a year aboard Mir as an expedition member, when Mir consisted of only the Base Block, the two Kvant modules, a Soyuz, and a Progress spacecraft. About seeing Mir again, Titov said, "It was very wonderful, a wonderful view." STS-63 did not dock, but Titov visited Mir again as a crewmember of STS-86. Alas, the sturdy Mir was built on a sinking foundation. Without repeated boostings, all things in low Earth orbit must eventually come down. With the new International Space Station requiring much of the Russian space program�s attention and financing, the Mir Space Station was doomed to be deorbited. A strong effort rallied in Russia to keep Mir aloft; and at one point, Russian State Duma representatives were calling for the firing of Yuri Koptev from his post as the head of Russia�s aerospace agency. However, on December 30, 2000, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov signed a resolution calling for Mir to be sunk into the ocean, early in 2001. Concerns circled the globe about Mir crashing into populated areas. Mir�s path crossed over nearly every city on Earth. Its orbits tracked over everything between 51 degrees North and South latitude, roughly within the limits of the Aleutian Islands to the north and the southern Andes Mountains to the south. Pieces of previous large spacecraft had landed in Canada, Australia, and southern South America, albeit fortunately without any damages or casualties. For Mir, Russia acquired insurance in the event that its deorbit caused some physical damage. Japan kept a close watch because the final orbit would bring the Mir over the island nation. The U.S. government provided Russia with tracking and trajectory data, atmospheric conditions, and even solar activity, which can cause the Earth�s atmosphere to expand farther into space. Although there was considerable certainty that debris could be limited to falling in the ocean, Yuri Semenov, RSC Energia President, was quoted as saying, "We don�t have a 100-percent safety guarantee." After more than 86,000 total orbits, Mir re-entered Earth�s atmosphere on Friday, March 23, 2001, at 9 a.m. Moscow time. The 134-ton space structure broke up over the southern Pacific Ocean. Some of its larger pieces blazed harmlessly into the sea, about 1,800 miles east of New Zealand. Observers in Fiji reported spectacular gold- and white-streaming lights. An amazing saga and a highly successful program finally had come to a watery end. Anatoly Solovyev had lived a total of 651 days on Mir and served as Mir-24 commander for Americans Mike Foale and David Wolf. He was quoted in Star City as saying, "I am especially sad these days. An entire era of our Soviet space program is ending, into which we invested not only our money but, what is more important, our intellectual potential." The Russians� investment began when a Soviet Proton launcher boosted Mir�s Base Block (core module) into orbit on February 20, 1986. This module resembled the existing Salyut-7 space station, but Mir�s design called for expansion through the addition of future modules. Mir�s first crew arrived in mid-March 1986, and the inaugural crew of Leonid Kizim and Vladimir Solovyev stayed aboard until May 5, 1986. This Solovyev would later become the Russian cochair of the Flight Operations Working Group for the Shuttle-Mir Program. And it was he who took charge of the Moscow Mission Control Center immediately after the Progress resupply vehicle collided with Mir, during NASA-5 Mir Astronaut Mike Foale�s residency. In 1987, the Soviets added Mir�s first expansion module, Kvant-1, and had the world�s first modular space station. They still needed a more versatile way of transporting crews and equipment to and from Mir�something like the American Space Shuttle. In 1988, the Soviets launched the Buran, a winged, reusable space vehicle and a close copy of the U.S. Shuttle. Its first flight was near perfect. However, at this point in history, the Soviet Union was crumbling. No further Buran flights were attempted; four planned orbiters remained unfinished. The Soyuz-TM vehicle and Progress-M resupply (cargo) vehicle became the transports of crews and supplies to the Mir. The Kvant-1 featured a docking port to accommodate the arrival of these spacecraft. The system worked well as the Russian space station was unoccupied on only five brief occasions until its deorbit on March 23, 2001. During its existence, the station had remained almost continuously occupied for nine years. Mir continued to expand during the next years with the additions of modules for research and residence. Kvant-2 arrived in November 1989 with an airlock that allowed crewmembers access to the outside of the complex for extravehicular activities. Kristall, launched at the end of May 1990, housed Earth observation instruments and was used for semiconductor and biological experiments. Five years later, Spektr, a remote-sensing module for geophysical sciences, was added to the Mir. On June 29, 1995, U.S. Space Shuttles began docking with the Russian space station. Before this first docking, the Mir-19 crew used the Lyappa manipulator arm to relocate the Kristall, thus allowing ample clearance for Atlantis. In November 1995, a new docking module arrived via STS-74 and was attached to the Kristall to provide means for future dockings without interference. The next year, on April 23, 1996, the final module, the Priroda, was added to the Mir. The complex retained a docked Soyuz-TM vehicle at all times as this spacecraft served as the crew�s "lifeboat." The vehicle carried a maximum of three persons, took two to three days to reach its destination, and could remain docked with the Mir for approximately 200 days before its orbital lifetime limit expired. The resident Soyuz was used for an occasional, scheduled "fly-around" of the T-shaped Mir, but crews primarily ventured outside for extravehicular activities (EVAs). During Mir�s lifetime, crewmembers spent more than 325 hours as part of 75 planned spacewalks to conduct research and repairs on the exterior of the structure. Additional hours were spent during three intravehicular walks inside the unpressurized Spektr module. Participants in the Mir EVAs included 29 Russian cosmonauts, 3 U.S. astronauts, 2 French astronauts, and 1 European Space Agency astronaut who was a citizen of Germany. Cosmonaut Anatoly Solovyev donned the Russian Orlan spacesuit for 16 spacewalks for a total time of 77 hours, 46 minutes�more EVA time than any other spacewalker in the world. After the Russian space station moved into its second decade, the Mir became notorious as an accident-prone spacecraft, even as it remained unparalleled in continuous service. A 15-minute fire in an oxygen-generating device imperiled the station in February 1997. Failures of the Elektron electrolysis oxygen-enerating units and problems with attitude and environmental controls often seemed to alternate with computer malfunctions and power outages. The June 1997 collision with the Progress supply vehicle breached the integrity of the Spektr�s hull and rendered that module uninhabitable. But, Mir remained; and its space explorers endured. Over its lifetime, the space station hosted 125 cosmonauts and astronauts from 12 different nations. It supported 17 space expeditions, including 28 long-term crews. Its residents arrived via the 31 spacecraft that docked with Mir; nine of the dockings involved the Space Shuttle. Additionally, 64 uncrewed cargo vessels ferried supplies and equipment periodically to Mir. And, it served as a floating laboratory for 23,000 scientific and medical experiments. Although Mir was gone by early 2001 and the International Space Station (ISS) was growing rapidly in orbit, the U.S. and Russia were still using spacecraft as statecraft. On March 23�the same day as Mir�s deorbit�Russia expelled four U.S. diplomats and said it would expel 46 more, in retaliation for the American expulsion of 50 Russian diplomats for espionage-like activities. It wasn�t the Cold War, all over again, but international tensions were certainly continuing, and the need remained for a worthy program for U.S. and Russian cooperation. One could still apply to the ISS the same hopes that Shuttle Commander Charlie Precourt had held for it during Shuttle-Mir. Precourt had predicted that the ISS would "provide the psychological impetus for politicians to force themselves to find an agreement to disputes that otherwise they wouldn�t�because they�ll all look up there and say, �Well, we have an investment in that, too. We have to keep this relationship going in a proper direction.�" Although the U.S.-Russian relationship was still going in the "proper direction," toward continued cooperation in space, the proper use and the funding of ISS were still in question. NASA cost overruns for the ISS clouded the program�s future, and Russia�s foreign department was threatening to reduce its participation in the ISS. To make the situation even more complicated, the ISS partner nations were discussing whether Russia should launch a wealthy, American "space tourist" to the space station. Notwithstanding all the diplomatic wrangling, Mir�s demise also coincided neatly with the successful finish to the first U.S.-Russian expedition to the ISS. On March 22, 2001, Expedition One crewmembers Sergei Krikalev, Yuri Gidzenko, and Commander William Shepherd returned to the Johnson Space Center in Houston. They received a ride from STS-102 Shuttle Commander James Wetherbee and a crew that included former Mir resident Andy Thomas. STS-102 had ferried the Expedition Two crew of James Voss, Susan Helms, and Commander Yury Usachev to the station. Just as the ISS itself grew out of the lessons of Mir, many of the principal people in the ISS Program drew from their experiences during the Shuttle-Mir Program. And, in Houston and in Moscow, American and Russian managers, engineers and technicians who had worked in the Shuttle-Mir Program were working to make the ISS a success. The International Space Station was growing, but the memories of Mir refused to fade. Indeed, people had anticipated its demise for long enough that, even before it fell, it had entered nostalgia. In a 1998 interview, Vladimir Semyachkin reflected on Mir. He had developed the motion control systems and navigation systems for all vehicles and stations that were produced and launched into space by RSC Energia. Semyachkin, as much as anyone, had wrestled with Mir�s problems. He said: "It�s a shame�. Our child, who we gave birth to so many years ago, � we�re going to have to put it to sleep. But, on the other hand, we understand that sometimes there�s nothing to be done�. One cannot sit, as it were, on two chairs at the same time. Nevertheless, despite this sorrow with � regard to Mir, we nonetheless do look forward to the future with a great deal of hope." Landed in Space Shuttle Atlantis July 7, 1995 The major objectives of the Mir-18 mission were to conduct joint U.S.-Russian medical research and weightlessness effects investigations; to reconfigure the station for the arrival of the Spektr science module; and to welcome the Space Shuttle Atlantis. The mission saw the first American to be part of a Mir crew, NASA-1 Mir Astronaut Norman Thagard (left), the addition of the first new module (Spektr) since Kristall arrived in 1990, and the first docking of a U.S. Space Shuttle (STS-71) with the Mir complex. Pictured with Thagard are Commander Vladimir Dezhurov (center) and Flight Engineer Gennady Strekalov (right). Mir Principal Expedition 19 Landed in Soyuz-TM 21 September 11, 1995 The only complete Mir mission of 1995 with an all-Russian crew, Mir-19 had many international elements. As the first Mir crew launched on a Space Shuttle (STS-71, Atlantis), Commander Anatoly Solovyev (right) and Flight Engineer Nikolai Budarin (left) began their work in conjunction with the visiting U.S. crew and departing Mir-18 international crew. Two of their extravehicular activities involved deploying and retrieving international experiments. They ended their stay by welcoming the incoming international Euromir 95 crew. Mir Principal Expedition 20 Launched and landed in Soyuz-TM 22 September 3, 1995�February 27, 1996 Mir-20 was the second Mir mission with a Euromir designation and the second with a European Space Agency astronaut as part of the crew. Cosmonaut Researcher Thomas Reiter (center) was the first non-Russian Mir crewmember with the added designation of Flight Engineer. Mir-20 was also the second Mir mission to include a U.S. Space Shuttle docking (STS-74, Atlantis). During that phase of the mission, the station complex housed crewmembers from four countries. Representing Russia were Commander Yuri Gidzenko, (left) and Flight Engineer Sergei Avdeyev (right). Reiter represented Germany as a member of the European Space Agency. Chris Hadfield, representing the Canadian Space Agency, arrived with the STS-74 crew�U.S. astronauts Kenneth Cameron, James Halsell, Jr., Jerry Ross, and William McArthur, Jr. Mir Principal Expedition 21 Launched and landed in Soyuz-TM 23 February 21�September 2, 1996 Commander Yuri Onufriyenko (right) and Flight Engineer Yury Usachev (center) began their mission without the third crewmember, NASA-2 Mir Astronaut Shannon Lucid (left), who would join them on March 23 during STS-76, the third Atlantis-Mir docking mission. On one of the seven extravehicular activities during Mir-21, two STS-76 astronauts, Linda Godwin and Michael (Rich) Clifford, walked outside Mir; the first U.S. extravehicular activity (EVA) outside the two mated spacecraft and the first U.S. spacewalk outside a space station since Skylab�22 years earlier. On two other EVAs, Onufriyenko and Usachev installed a new solar array on the Kvant module. In May 1996, the last permanent module was added to the complex, Priroda, with its large complement of Earth science experiments. Mir Principal Expedition 22 Launched and landed in Soyuz-TM 24 August 17, 1996�March 2, 1997 Commander Valeri Korzun (top right), Flight Engineer Alexander Kaleri (top left), and French Researcher Claudie Andre-Deshays (bottom center) joined Shannon Lucid (top center) and the Mir-21 crew, Commander Yuri Onufriyenko (bottom right) and Flight Engineer Yury Usachev (bottom left), on Mir. Andre-Deshays returned to Earth with the Mir-21 crew after about two weeks onboard the station. Lucid�s stay with the Mir-22 Expedition crew was lengthened about six weeks due to a Space Shuttle launch postponement. STS-79 launched on September 16, 1996, delivering NASA-3 resident John Blaha and returning home with Lucid onboard on September 26. STS-81 launched on January 12, 1997, with the next U.S. resident, Jerry Linenger, who later performed a spacewalk in a Russian Orlan spacesuit. Mir Principal Expedition 23 Launched and landed Soyuz-TM 25 February 10, 1997�August 14, 1997 Mir-23 had more troubles than any other Mir expedition, including an onboard fire that occurred early in the mission with six crewmembers onboard�Mir-22 crew, Valeri Korzun, Alexander Kaleri and German Researcher Reinhold Ewald; Mir-23 crew, Commander Vasily Tsibliev (left) and Flight Engineer Aleksandr Lazutkin (right); and NASA-4 resident Jerry Linenger (center). Challenges continued for the Mir-23 crew after NASA-5 Mir Astronaut Mike Foale arrived on STS-84, when a Progress resupply vehicle collided with Mir�s Spektr module, causing a loss of station control and depressurization. Mir Principal Expedition 24 Launched and landed Soyuz-TM 26 August 5, 1997�February 15, 1998 Mir-24 hosted three American astronauts, NASA-5 resident Mike Foale, NASA-6 resident David Wolf (center), and NASA-7 resident Andy Thomas. Mir continued to have systems problems, but overall conditions improved. Wolf performed an extravehicular activity with Commander Anatoly Solovyev (right). Also onboard Mir-24 was Flight Engineer Pavel Vinogradov (left). Mir Principal Expedition 25 Launched and landed Soyuz-TM 27 January 29, 1998�August 25, 1998 Mir-25 was the last Shuttle-Mir expedition. French Astronaut Leopold Eyharts flew to Mir with the Mir-25 crew and returned to Earth with the Mir-24 crew. Russian Phase 1 Manager Valery Ryumin visited Mir with the crew of STS-91, which brought NASA-7 Mir Astronaut Andy Thomas back to Earth. Mir-25 crewmembers were Commander Talgat Musabayev and Flight Engineer Nikolai Budarin. Pictured are (top row, left to right) Ryumin, STS-91 crewmember Wendy Lawrence, Thomas, STS-91 crewmember Janet Kavandi, Budarin; (bottom row, left to right) STS-91 Commander Charlie Precourt, Musabayev, and STS-91 crewmembers Dominic Gorie and Franklin Chang-Diaz.
Mir
Pinchbeck, a 1700s alloy of copper and zinc, was a popular alternative for?
Space Today Online -- Space Factoids -- part 2 Salyut: The World's First Space Stations A space station is a satellite like any other, except it can house people for long periods of time. Many unmanned satellites have been as large as a space station, have flown at the same altitudes and, in many ways, have been as complex. However, the significant difference is the life-support system built into the station to keep its human occupants alive and safe from the rigorous space environment. More than 100 men and women have lived and worked aboard space stations in Earth orbit. While the U.S. won the race to the Moon in 1969, the Soviet Union won the competition for first space station with the launch of its Salyut-1 in 1971. Salyut 1 was fired to a 200-mi.-high Earth orbit from Baikonur Cosmodrome on April 19, 1971. Cosmonauts Nikolai Rukavishnikov, Vladimir Shatalov and Alexei Yeliseyev became the first men to go to a space station, leaving the USSR on April 22 in Soyuz 10. They docked at Salyut 1 on April 24, stayed in dock less six hours, then hurried home. A Soyuz 11 crew went to the space station in June and stayed 23 days. Salyut 1 then fell from orbit Oct. 11. The USSR space program advanced quickly with the launch of Salyut-2 in 1973, Salyut-3 in 1974, Salyut-4 in 1974 and Salyut-5 in 1976. In fact, Russia's first two generations of space stations were known by the name Salyut. Salyuts 1 to 5 were considered the first generation of Russian space station technology. Salyuts 6 and 7 launched in 1977 and 1982 were a second generation. Mir, the eighth Russian space station, launched in 1986, was an improved version of Salyut 7. It had the same mass, outer contours and main dimensions as Salyut 7. Mir: The First Permanent Residence in Space Russia's Mir space station was the world's first permanent residence in space. It was occupied by cosmonauts almost continuously from 1986 to 1999. Mir surpassed 15 years in orbit in February 2001 and then re-entered the atmosphere in a fiery descent in March 2001. Most of the 130-ton outpost burned up over the South Pacific between Australia and Chile, although 30 tons may have survived re-entry through Earth's atmosphere to splash into the ocean. MIR TIMELINE Mir included an original core module plus five modules added on over the years. The oldest part of Mir was aloft more than 5,000 days. A small 19-ft. astronomy observatory module called Kvant-1 was sent up and attached to the station in 1987. A 19-ton expansion module as big as the Mir core itself, Kvant-2, was sent to the station in 1989, relieving overcrowding by doubling the size of the station. The Kristall module, launched in 1990, was the same size as Kvant-2 and the original Mir. Spektr was sent up in 1995 and Priroda in 1996. Russia had planned originally to send up and link six 43-ft. Mir clones to form one 250,000-lb. six-pointed star, 85-90 feet in diameter. At its end, the Mir complex weighed a total of 130 tons. Mir's six modules orbiting 225 miles above Earth were arranged in a T shape creating a complete spacecraft about the size of railroad car. It was 98 feet wide and 85 feet long. The Mir core The original component of Russia's Mir space station weighed 42,000 lbs. and was 43 feet long with a diameter of 13 feet -- as big as a house trailer in orbit. Five modules were added to that core in orbit after the core was launched in 1986. Mir, the core module for the entire complex, was more like a home than the earlier Salyut space stations. It had a larger, more-palatable galley, several recreation facilities, bigger bathroom with nicer shower, and private compartments for crew members. Specifically, the Mir core contained an operations area and a living area. The living area had crew quarters, galley and personal hygiene area. Each crewmember had his or her own cabin with chair, sleeping bag and porthole. The personal hygiene area had a toilet, sink and shower. The galley had a table, cooking elements and trash storage. BR> Mir crews could adjust the temperature inside the space station for shirt-sleeve work from 64 degrees to 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The operations area was the control area for the Mir complex. The crew could monitor and command core systems, science equipment and facilities, and piloting station. The habitable parts of the Mir complex all had distinct floor, walls and ceilings, including carpet on the floor, colored walls and a white ceiling with flourescent lighting. Although the concepts of up and down have no meaning in microgravity, having floors, walls and ceilings allowed the crew a semblance of normalcy. Kvant-1 Kvant-1, 19 ft. long and 14 ft. diameter, was the astrophysics module attached to Mir's aft docking port. It provided information for research into the physics of active galaxies, quasars and neutron stars by measuring the electromagnetic spectrum and X-rays. Kvant-2 Kvant-2, 40 ft. long and 14 ft. diameter, was the scientific and airlock module. It had Earth observation photographic equipment and provided EVA capability and biotechnology research data. The airlock allowed access to the outside of Mir, which allowed for experiments about the effects of space exposure on electronics and construction materials. Kristall The Kristall technology module was used for biological and materials processing technology development in space. It housed equipment that produced semiconductors and other high-tech materials that benefit from the low gravity environment of space. Its other apparatus included a greenhouse designed to cultivate plants in zero gravity. Kristall had a space shuttle docking port. Spektr The Spektr module, which arrived at the Mir complex in June, 1995, contained equipment for atmospheric research and surface studies. Priroda The Priroda remote sensing module, launched in Spring 1996, contained active, passive and infra-red radiometers, a synthetic aperture radar, and several types of spectrometers used for measuring ozone and aerosol concentrations in Earth's atmosphere. Whizzing right along Mir circled Earth about 16 times a day at a speed of 17,500 mph. The station was in a circular orbit at an altitude of approximately 250 mi. (400 km) above Earth. It took 92 minutes to complete a trip around Earth. It took two days for cosmonauts to fly in a Soyuz capsule from Russia to the Mir space station. Tuning in the cosmonauts When overhead, the cosmonauts aboard Mir space station could be heard talking by radio with mission control on the VHF frequencies of 143.625 and 143.825 MHz. Sometimes they were heard chatting with ham radio operators on Earth at 145.800 and 149.985 and 437.950 MHz. Listeners on the ground could monitor Mir communications with a typical scanner radio used to tune in police and fire calls -- if they happened to be in position under Mir's 2,800 mi. wide (4,400 km) footprint on Earth as the station passed overhead. Licensed amateur radio operators could contact the Mir crew and chat with them. Visiting the space station A total of about 100 cosmonauts and astronauts lived aboard Mir, including seven NASA astronauts, a Japanese journalist, a British candy maker and numerous visitors from other countries. Several were from countries that had no other access to space. Russian cosmonaut Valery Polyakov stayed the longest, 438 days in 1994-95. Some 16,500 experiments were conducted on board the station. Many of those dealt with one subject -- humans adapting to long-term space flight. Fifteen newts and eighty snails lived aboard the Mir space station for a time in 1998, after being flown there aboard a Progress resupply ship. The animals were part of a long-term scientific experiment to see what effects weightlessness has on living organisms. The two-year-old Oriental newts, provided by a Moscow zoo, were said to be smaller than a batch of eight Spanish newts that died after a space flight earlier that year. Cosmonauts filmed the newts and snails as they crawled out of their containers and floated around the station. The newts and snails were returned to Earth. Using the station to make money A decade earlier, the USSR had spent $17 billion a year on space -- until the Soviet nation ran short of funds. The cash-strapped government then decided to turn the Mir space station into a manufacturing plant in the sky. The Russians wanted to make big profits as cosmonauts manufactured protein crystals for new medical drugs. For example, a 25-million-ruble profit resulted from the sale of 220 lbs. of drugs for 105 million rubles. After all, it cost only 80 million rubles to manufacture the drugs in space. The cosmonauts also produced other organic and inorganic substances made better in weightlessness -- glass, metal alloys and semiconductor materials. The Russians had a grand plan to earn profits by charging businesses for tests in Kristall and by charging nations for guest-cosmonaut trips to Mir. That tourist plan continued in the 21st century, after the end of the Mir era, with several space tourist flights aboard Russian Soyuz transports to the International Space Station. Today there is a Russian yogurt cultured from bacteria in the saliva and guts of cosmonauts aboard Mir station. Spaceflight stress upset their immunity, according to the Moscow Institute of Biomedical Problems. That allowed bad bacteria to attack good bacteria. Microbiologists developed the yogurt in the 1980s as a remedy. Cosmonauts ate yogurt before blast-off. Today, it comes as fruit-flavored yogurt, cottage cheese and traditional Russian cheeses studded with garlic and herbs. The draft board sent its greetings Someone at the draft board in Russia persisted in trying to summon Sergei Krikalev to Soviet military service. The bureaucrat on the ground didn't know space-hero Krikalev had been serving his country aboard the orbiting Mir space station for months in 1988-89, even though the cosmonaut's activities were reported in USSR newspapers and on TV every day. Several written orders from Krikalev's draft board, demanding his appearance at the conscription center, arrived at Krikalev's home on Earth, but the post office didn't forward them to him in space. Krikalev disappointed the draft board by not returning to Earth ahead of schedule. Tired old bucket of bolts Mir space station suffered more than 1,600 breakdowns, including an onboard fire in 1997 and a near-fatal collision with a Progress cargo ship that same year. A Tokyo trader bought a back-up unflown Mir space station and unflown Kvant add-on module from the Russians for $10 million. Yutaka Horie outbid companies in Canada, France, South Korea and the U.S., then put the hardware on display in a museum in Japan. Progress space freighter Progress cargo freighters ferryed supplies up to Mir station in Earth orbit. Every eight weeks when Mir was occupied, an unmanned Progress freighter would carry 5,000 lbs. of goods to the station -- food, fuel, water, clothing and other necessities as well as scientific experiments to be conducted, replacement parts, and newspapers and mail from home. Progress freighters provide that same service today to the International Space Station. Progress is a single-use, unmanned version of the Soyuz human transport capsule used to ferry men and women to space. Life-support gear, parachutes, re-entry heat shields and solar panels are removed from the Soyuz capsule to create a Progress. A docking collar with radar homing transmitter and TV cameras mounted on the outside of Progress is used to guide the unmanned freighter to a space station dock. A round cargo hold behind the docking collar has a special frame with quick-release tie-downs holding 3,000 lbs. of packages. Behind that freight module is a fuel module with 2,000 lbs. of compressed air and nitrogen, hydrazine fuel and oxidizer. Oxygen has to be added to a space station from time to time as some is lost when airlocks are opened for spacewalks. Pumps move fuel, air and nitrogen from tanks aboard Progress to tanks inside a space station. Refueling can even be done without a crew at a space station. Like all Earth satellites, a space station slowly slips down toward the atmosphere. It needs to be lifted back to its original altitude from time to time. Over the years, as Mir station fell lower, the Russians used empty Progress cargo freighters as space tugs to push the station back up to a slightly higher orbit. Cosmonauts aboard Mir station generated a ton of trash each month. They would load it into an empty Progress cargo freighter, undock the Progress from Mir, and command it to fall into Earth's upper atmosphere where it would burn up over the South Pacific Ocean. America's Space Station: Skylab America was the sole proprietor of only one space station in the 20th century -- Skylab. Leftover Apollo Moon-mission capsules ferried three men to the station in each of three flights in 1973-1974. NASA had enjoyed large budgets during the 1960s space race and wanted to continue into the 1970s. The agency planned to expand Project Apollo into an Apollo Applications Program (AAP), which would have been a space station in Earth orbit as a pit stop for astronauts on their way to the Moon and Mars. However, after six spectacular manned Apollo landings on the Moon, much of NASA's money dried up. Many politicians said space spectaculars were unnecessary since the U.S. had won the race. Forced to choose, NASA canceled three Moon landing flights and built one space station. The name AAP was changed to Skylab. NASA outfitted what it called an orbital workshop on the ground and launched it to Earth orbit in 1973. At 77.5 tons and 118 feet long, Skylab was one of the largest satellites ever sent to orbit. Astronauts were shipped to the station three at a time in left-over Apollo Moon capsules, in flights from May 1973 through February 1974. The three groups stayed a total of 172 days at Skylab in 1973-74. The longest stay by one group was 84 days. NASA drew up plans for a larger space station, but sharply-reduced budgets again forced tough decisions. Skylab went unused after just three visits. Plans for a second station were dumped. NASA preferred a reusable space transportation system to carry men and equipment to orbit, so the limited money available was switched to designing and building space shuttles. Skylab was allowed to fall from orbit in 1979. The International Space Station The first element of the International Space Station (ISS) sent to orbit was Russia's Zarya (FGB) module launched in 1998 by Russia on a Proton booster from the Baiknour Cosmodrome in Kazakstan. Later, the United States' Unity module was carried to space in a shuttle flight STS-88. A crane was delivered by shuttle flight STS-96. The next element was the Russian-built Service Module, with life support, sleeping quarters, toilet and galley, as well as the primary docking port for Russian Progress resupply vehicles, and attitude control and orbital reboost thrusters. Astronauts aboard space shuttles have to keep track of 5,000 loose items such as photo equipment, supplies, food, tools, hygiene materials, payload parts and spares. By comparison, astronauts aboard the International Space Station have to track more than 50,000 items. NASA attaches a tiny electronic tag one-fourth the size of a postage stamp to each item, then uses a solar-powered infrared transmitter to read 15,000 tags per second quickly up to 40 feet away across a room.
i don't know
In geometry a lozenge is alternatively called (What?)-shaped?
Fusilly Cross Fusilly Cross Here's a yarn about a common design for a heraldic coat of arms Fusilly Cross & Mascly Cross also known as Lozengy Cross This cross is typically seen with four or five elongated lozenges, which look like diamonds, arrow heads or perhaps spear heads. As a Christian cross, when there are five lozenges, they represent the five wounds that pierced Jesus on the cross. These wounds were made by nails in His hands and feet   and the spearing of His side.   Alternatively, they can represent the four evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, with Christ in the centre (see also Evangelists' Cross ) As a heraldic cross , the lozenges (Fr: losangée) do not represent diamonds , arrow heads or spear heads. When used in coats of arms, the lozenge is called fusil and there are two origins of this word: An old French word for 'fuse'. A fuse was used to ignite the gunpowder of a musket and the steel tinderbox was called a fuisil. Flintlock muskets became known as fusils and the soldiers armed with such muskets were called fusiliers. Another old French word is fuscan, which means 'spindle'. Spindle charged with yarn Mascly Cross This latter definition is used for the Fusilly Cross (Fr: Fuselée), and represents four or five spindles loaded with yarn. The original Fusilly Cross is believed to be from the coat of arms used by the Lord of Spindleston near Belford, Durham,   in the northeast of England. The hamlet of Spindleston (Spindleton or Spindlestone) was named from the wooden spindles made there. When a fusil is void , i.e. just the outline, it is called a mascle and the adjective gives us the Mascly Cross.
Diamond
Used widely today, Irish Capt William Sankey devised his eponymous flow-(what?), for a steam engine in 1898?
Megalithic New Zealand part 5 SO WHAT HAS THIS GOT TO DO WITH THE MORIORI STICK FIGURE? We're getting there, but we'll have to introduce another very important Megalithic British symbol first. The totality of the star and cross pattern geometry develops into a 64 square calculation matrix, used on the more sophisticated sites like Stonehenge for taking star fixes and calculating angles. So let's return to the 64 square pattern and introduce its 36 (360 degree) perimeter chevrons...as is found on the Bush Barrow Lozenge artefact from the Stonehenge region. Figure 41: The Bush Barrow Lozenge, a 4 part concentric design that appeared on beaker funerary pottery of Megalithic Great Britain and on "Tapu cloths" of the South Pacific. There are 36 calibration chevrons around its perimeter, 9 per quarter of the Earth (3 spaces per side allotted to each of the houses of the zodiac to dwell in). The layered star and cross pattern geometry, culminating in 64 squares, also requires the 36 chevrons in order that the calculation matrix be complete. Figure 42: The natural outcome of placing the chevron into the layered geometry, within the 12-pointed star of the zodiac is a curious geometric effect in the corners. It was first noticed when I was working out the geometry of the Waitapu standing stone circle in Northland, New Zealand. The geometry naturally creates a little squatting figure like a grasshopper crouching on its haunches. It was enticingly familiar from some half forgotten source and it took 3 days before I figured out where I'd seen it before. Figure 43: The grasshopper character, squatting on his haunches. PARADISE LOST AND PARADISE REGAINED. In the Egyptian funerary tradition, as the body of the deceased was lain in its final resting-place, a circular disk, covered in hieroglyphic writing, was placed beneath the head. These disks varied to some degree, as to the material used in their construction. Some were cast out of a slab of Nile River mud, others were made of a simple piece of papyrus and yet others of a mix of materials such as layered cloth and perfumes. The Egyptian funeral industry was now in full flight and everyone, seemingly, was concerned about ensuring safe passage for themselves in the journey of the afterlife. The burgeoning funeral industry had developed from fairly humble beginnings reserved, for the most part, for Royalty wishing to emulate the resurrection tradition of Osiris. According to Egyptian mythology, the mutilated and segmented body of Osiris had to be gathered in, piece by piece, from scattered locations around the World and joined together by Isis, with a lot of help from Nephthys. All parts were located and restored, bar one distinctly male appendage, which is still out there somewhere and is supposed to represent the ultimate talisman of power and magic. The idea that developed from the successful restoration of Osiris's body and life force was, amongst other mortals, "if it worked for him it can work for me"! At some unknown point in Egyptian history a religious concept arose wherein every attempt was made to keep the body of a newly deceased person intact and preserved for later resurrection. Early funerary tradition was considerably simpler and less cluttered than what it became as the golden age of Egypt wound down. Toward the last, even the minions of society were getting in on the resurrection quest and arming themselves with every magic potion, amulet or spell necessary before venturing off into the unknown. The Egyptologist, James Henry Breasted mentioned how, 'The magical formulae, by which the dead are to triumph in the hereafter, become more and more numerous, so that it is no longer possible to record them on the inside of the coffin, but they must be written on papyrus and the roll placed in the tomb...the 'Book of the Dead' began to take form. All was dominated by magic; by this all-powerful means the dead might effect all that he desired.' (A History of Egypt, pages 205-206). The newly deceased person was venturing out on a perilous journey, fraught with many dangers. The goal was to get to the constellation of Orion and the "Book Of The Dead" text, along with other accompanying paraphernalia, would ensure safe arrival, after a voyage of up to 2 years duration. The Book Of The Dead gave instructions on how to get past obstacles and all necessary secrets for correct orientation to the goal. On pages 293-296 of the same book, James Henry Breasted adds these comments: 'There were sumptuous and splendid rolls, sixty to eighty feet long and containing from seventy-five to as many as one hundred and twenty five or thirty chapters... the Book of the Dead itself, as a whole, is but a far reaching and complex illustration of the increasing dependence on magic in the hereafter... Besides many charms which enabled the dead to reach the world of the hereafter, there were those which prevented him from losing his mouth, his head, his heart, others which enabled him to remember his name, to breath, eat, drink, avoid eating his own foulness, to prevent his drinking water from turning into flame, to turn darkness into light, to ward off all serpents and other hostile monsters, and many others.' In further commenting on how the funerary practices developed, in stages of ever increasing complexity, James Henry Breastedwent on to say, 'The desirable transformations too, had now increased, and a short chapter might in each case enable the dead man to assume the form of a falcon of gold, a divine falcon, a lily, a Phoenix, a heron, a swallow, a serpent called 'son of earth', a crocodile, a god, and, best of all, there was a chapter so potent that by its use a man might assume any form that he desired.' The single funerary object, placed like a pillow beneath the head of the deceased, was called a Hypocephalus and it had intricate designs on it. Most of what it says is purported to be decipherable, but there still appears to be vagueness, amongst Egyptologists, as to its deeper significance. When a hieroglyphic language was once considered "dead", whereupon its meanings have had to be painstakingly restored, there is no assurance that the deeper subtleties and meanings can ever be fully retrieved. In comparison to the natural geometric design that has emerged from the Waitapu Observatory, a central portion of the Hypocephalus becomes quite intriguing. At the very centre of the Hypocephalus, a position that one could call centre stage, is a crouched or squatting figure that looks remarkably like the corner design, in geometric terms, of the naturally occurring universal geometry. Figure 44: The Egyptian Hypocephalus funerary amulet. Repeatedly, in this hieroglyphic depiction, the crouched figure is always represented as having 4 Rams heads, two which appear to face left and another two facing right. The angles of the heads on some Hypocephali, seem to strongly suggest that they, in fact, face to the four points of the compass or, as the ancient people are quoted as saying, 'the four quarters (or corners) of the Earth'. The presence of "Rams" heads would indicate the "King of the Gods", Amon-RA (also rendered Amana, Amun, Ammon or Amen). 12 intersection points of the zodiac star seem to be appropriate positions for establishing intermediate circles between the hub and outer rim of the site. 4 of these intermediate circles conveniently coincide with the corners of the 64-square matrix and, simultaneously, the head position of Amon-RA. All in all, a geometric replica picture begins to emerge which looks remarkably like Amon-RA, the King of the Gods. Figure 45: Three items stemming from the universal geometric astronomical method and all relating to Amon-RA the Sun God. To the left is the squatting figure of the Hypocephalus. In the centre is the geometric figure, naturally generated by the overlay of star & cross pattern lines, in conjunction with the 36 part chevron of the Bush Barrow Lozenge and the 12-pointed zodiac star. To the right is one of the Moriori figurines, which more than fairly duplicates the diamond body shape and squatting configuration of the middle picture. Each variable figurine originating with the Morioris, accentuates important features of Amon-RA, as depicted in the Egyptian Hypocephalus. Figure 46: The Moriori figurines of this series accentuate the cross stripes on Amon-RA's body trunk and, as with each of the Moriori representations, the staffs balancing on the knees of Amon RA are depicted as arms and hands.. The crouched figure, found upon Egyptian Hypocephali, appears to have an elaborate triple circle crown atop the ram's heads. When one considers that each of the PHI reducing, concentric circles of the Waitapu Observatory had its own set of 72 overlapping calibration circles, one begins to see where the concept of the circular triple-crown came from. Moreover, the straight-line geometry of the 12-pointed star creates the elongated "plumes", which are seen on many statuette or pictorial representations of Amon-RA. The crouched figure on the Hypocephalus has many other features that duplicate the corner, geometric figure of the universal geometry. There are seen to be elaborately designed staffs sitting on both knees, but leaning outward and an "X" between the legs. What the staffs would represent, in the universal geometry, are lines that cut through the 64-square calculating matrix at precisely this location. They are naturally created as parts of a ray of the 12-pointed star (Star of Gilgal or zodiac star) with a spread of rays of 30-degrees (the length of one house of the zodiac). These two outgoing lines are clearly seen to traverse the position of the "knees". The two staffs are very recognisable symbols that appear in "occult" literature and were, in more modern times, associated with magical pentacles (see, The Discovery of Witchcraft, by Reginald Scot, page 401... Based on an earlier book first published in 1584). Lines forming the 12-pointed zodiac star return back and traverse the site. These returning lines are symbolic, I believe, of the elaborate, "long plumes" of the "double plumed" crown of Amon-RA. There is sometimes confusion as to which "crown" belongs to whom and other Gods are often depicted wearing the "double plumed" crown. Amongst these are Min, Mont, Ptah and Seshat. The aforementioned lines that make up the "staffs" can also be, in a second interpretation of symbolism, the downward, hanging portions of the long plumes seen on Amon-RA statuettes or hieroglyphic representations. All are, in geometric terms, simply the lines that make up parts of the 12-pointed zodiac star. Look very closely at the "body trunk" portions of both the Hypocephalus and the geometric figure and take notice of the following: 1. The manner in which the body trunk tends to be wider at the base and recede, in conical form, back to the neck. This is visually consistent on both the Hypocephalus and in the universal site geometry. 2. The "X" between the legs. This is duplicated in 2 possible ways in the universal geometry. The first way is based on the 64-square matrix corner squares, where the lines, converging at 90-degrees to each other, form an "X" in this position (if not slightly lower) between the legs of Amon-RA. The second way of looking at the "X" being alluded to, would be based on the very partial crossing of the "V" lines that make up the "chevron" pattern, ringing the 64-square matrix and contained within the outer run of squares. That "X", as seen in the site geometry, is quite flattened, but does reside in the correct position. I feel that this is the real "X", as it is an integral part of the body trunk of Amon-RA. 3. Note how the lower body region of the Hypocephalus, adjacent to the flattened "X", tends to be drawn to a lower, extended level from where the legs are seen to protrude from the conical body trunk. This is consistent with the way that the site geometry forces a partial overlap of the chevron "V's" and the legs on the geometric figure protrude from this slightly higher area of the "body". 4. The "horizontal cross lines and spaces" portion of the Hypocephalus figure's body trunk are, I believe, highly significant and tell us exactly what activity the figure was employed in doing. You will note that there are a series of "stripes" running, horizontally, across the body. It could be interpreted that there are either 5 or 6 lines and 5 spaces between lines. The top line of this series could be interpreted to be more in keeping with the ancient scribe's need to give the upper chest of Amon-RA some definition. There remain, therefore, at least 5 horizontal strokes of lines and each stroke represents, I believe, 1- degree of arc in a 360-degree circle. What happens at Waitapu and, logically, at all circle observatories built to the standard formulas, is that each calibration ring is divided up into 72 segments of 5-degrees each. Alternatively, the outer extremity ring, in another reading of the site layout, is divided up into 60 segments of 6-degrees each. The option was always available to establish any sought after segmentation on the concentric PHI circles, as required, for customised angle results. Alternatively, the Moriori figurines show 4 or 5 stripes, counting the shoulder to elbow stripe. The nose region of many Maori Moko's (Maori warrior facial art or tattooing) is predominantly made up of a series of "cross stripes" which duplicate this feature of the Hypocephalus. The similar, horizontal lines on the staff of Amon-RA need, also, to be considered, as does the entire design of the staff. The horizontal lines are, probably, another calibration feature, referring to either 3 or 4-degrees or possibly to a measurement. In Egyptian motifs a similar staff, with this "top hook and horn" feature, is often clearly depicted with a traditional "plumb-bob" bottom end and, I believe, it was a functional, solid plumb-bob that could be hung down the vertical face of a wall. Such a tool would have been very useful at Stonehenge. A pattern, tantalisingly similar to the "hook and horn" design, is also found in some Maori Moko's, located at each side of the mouth and positioned above the lips (see Angas's painting). Figure 47: A possible depiction of the hook & horn staffs in the Maori Moko. Some Maori consider these symbols to be two eels and if that is the correct interpretation then it refers to the dual snakes found throughout Egyptian to Celtic cultural expression. There are no snakes in New Zealand and the eel is about as close as we can get to a snake. Figure 48: A hook & horn staff, not dissimilar to the Egyptian type, was found in Lake Horowhenua by Archaeologist, Leslie Adkin. 5. On the Hypocephalus crown of Amon-RA, a wavy line, with 2 birds sitting on it, is seen. I believe that this is an abbreviation for a series of interrelating circles, taken from the original circle based calibration geometry and metamorphosed into picture and symbolic form, consistent with the "reassurance needs" of the developing funerary industry. One of the Moriori figurines does not display a head, but substitutes a crown-like configuration into the head region. 6. On either side of the crouched figure are rows of baboons and, in Egyptian religious tradition, the head of the baboon is associated with the God "Hapi". This God (Hapi) is also depicted as a bearded man, coloured green or blue and, because Egyptian religion found its way by population migration into so many universal belief systems, Hapi is, I believe, the "Green Man" of Celtic religious tradition. The baboons appear to be in queues, which approach the crouched figure and are seen to be holding their arms on a similar angle as the "V" chevron component of the Bush Barrow lozenge design (duplicated whenever the chevron is added into the universal geometry). In fact a very distinct "V" is seen in the combination of upward inclined forearm and downward inclined neck to elbow. 7. The number of baboons changes from one Hypocephalus to another, but there is a common consistency in that they each carry a circle on their heads. The same thing (geometrically) occurs on sophisticated standing stone circle sites, where there are 72 calibration circles placed on each concentric row of PHI reducing circles. The function of the circles (which could be produced as needed via ropes or rods swinging from carefully marked fulcrums) was to calibrate the perimeter and inner circles into increments of 5 degees. On the hypocephalus the baboons approach the "crouched figure" carrying circles on their heads. It is significant that the "orbs" represent the Sun in passage through the sky and that Amon-RA is the "Sun God".  
i don't know
Marron glacé is a confection of glazed sugar-coated what?
Marron Glace | Marrons Glaces | Marrons Glacés Menü nesnesi Marron Glace Marrons Glacés TURKEY TO BUY BEST MARRON GLACE PRODUCTS MARRON GLACE IS A CHESTNUT CONFECTION ORIGINATED FROM TURKEY. IT CONSISTS OF CANDIED CHESTNUTS IN GLAZED AND SUGAR SYRUP. About Us We offer the best marron glace made from the best quality of chestnuts. We select the best chestnuts for our wide range of products according to its variety, taste, and hygiene qualities. All of our chestnut products, candied chestnuts, chestnut puree, marrons confits, and chestnut cream have unrivalled texture and taste, combined with excellent neutrality allowing kitchen professionals to use it according to their preference. Marron Glace BEST QUALITY OF CHESTNUTS PRODUCTS If you looking for genuine chestnut treats, we offer the best marrons glacés made from the best quality of chestnuts. No doubt why marronsglace.com Candied Chestnuts,Chestnut Puree, Marrons Confits, and Chestnut Cream are delicious, good choice for gift and nutritional choice for the daily and holidays taste. Now is the perfect time to enjoy the wonderful feeling of eating these chestnuts products.
Chestnut
Which vast US corporation confidentially settled a c.13year dispute in 2010 with The Smiley Company for the use of the smiley face logo?
Candied Chestnuts (Kestane Şekeri) Are A Classic Turkish Confection Turkish candied chestnuts are among the finest in the world.  Photo © M.studio - Fotolia.com Updated November 02, 2016. If you're travelling in Turkey and venture to Bursa, the country's fourth largest city, you must do as the locals do. Stop by and enjoy one of Turkey's most prized regional delicacies -- candied chestnuts , better known as "kestane şekeri" (kes-tahn-EH' sheh-keyr-EE'). Known as marron glacés in French cuisine, candied chestnuts have been a specialty in this deeply historical region of Turkey for hundreds of years. These sweets date back to the 1300s when Bursa was capitol of the Ottoman Empire . Today, candied chestnuts from Bursa are famous all over the country and exported to over 70 countries around world. Folks come from far and wide to stock up on jars and decorative boxes of candied chestnuts to enjoy at home and to give as special gifts. So why did Bursa become the candied chestnut capitol among other things? Simply because the best and plumpest chestnuts in Turkey come from the hilly, forested terrain surrounding Bursa. No wonder it's also known as the "green" city. If you can't make it to Bursa, all isn't lost. You can make Turkish-style candied chestnuts wherever you are. They're actually very simple to prepare. All you need are good quality, freshly picked chestnuts, sugar and water. The most difficult task is to peel and parboil them just right so the chestnuts remain whole. Try this traditional Turkish confection and get a taste of history. Ingredients 1 kilogram/2.5 pounds large, fresh chestnuts 5 cups sugar 1 tsp. vanilla extract (optional) Add to shopping list
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Which famous pottery city is a (1910) merger of its original town and the adjacent Tunstall, Burslem, Hanley, Fenton and Longton?
Hanley - one of the Six Towns of Stoke-on-Trent Hanley - one of the Six Towns of Stoke-on-Trent     "The streets were lively with the red and blue colours of politics. The Liberal member for the Parliamentary borough of Handbridge, which included Bursley, had died very suddenly, and the seat was being disputed by the previously defeated Conservative candidate and a new Labour candidate officially adopted by the Liberal party. The Tories has sworn not to be beaten again in the defence of the integrity of the Empire. And though they had the difficult and delicate task of persuading a large industrial constituency that an industrial representative would not further industrial interests, and that they alone were actuated by unselfish love for the people, yet they had made enormous progress in a very brief period, and publicans were jubilant and bars sloppy." The aspect of the affair that did not quite please the Society for the prosecution of Felons, was that the polling had been fixed for the day after its annual dinner, instead of the day before. Powerful efforts had been made 'in the proper quarter' to get the date conveniently arranged, but without success; after all, the seat of authority was Hanbridge and not Bursley." Bottle Kilns in Hanley - 1930 in the bottom right corner is the former ground of Port Vale Football Club photo: Times On-Line Archive Staffordshire's potteries working at full blast 'At Hanley, Staffs, one of the original Five Towns made famous by Arnold Bennett�s novels, kilns and smokestacks are seen working at full blast in this scene observed from above by the camera in 1930. Hanley was an important manufacturer of china and earthenware from the 18th century onwards.  Since 1910 with the other Potteries towns, it has been subsumed in the borough of Stoke on Trent, but is still an important commercial and ceramics centre'   Following on from Tunstall and Burslem, Hanley dominates the next hill on the road south and was an important mining town surrounded by colliery spoil tips which have now been landscaped and reclaimed, (The main area being 'Central Forest Park'). Hanley became the main shopping centre of the Potteries when, in 1910, it became a federated city with the merger of all six towns. Nowadays the town boasts a large shopping centre and the city's Cultural Quarter comprising two splendidly refurbished theatres, the The Regent, along with one of the country's best concert venues, the Victoria Hall Amongst some of the famous people born in Hanley are football legend Sir Stanley Matthews and Captain E. J. Smith, the captain of the ill-fated Titanic. The centre of Hanley retains its 'village roots' and is made up of "an archipelago of island sites". It is the main shopping area with many 'high street' names both in the town streets and shopping centre.  On the site of the old Bell pottery stands the Potteries Museum which houses one of the largest and most important ceramics collection in the world. The museum also contains a Spitfire airplane - a tribute to the designer Reginald Mitchell who was born in the City. Lord of the Manor... "Bagnall, Esq. of London, is lord of the manor, and holds a court baron once a year; the King, as Duke of Lancaster, holds also a court baron once in the same period; and a court is held once a fortnight, for the recovery of debts under forty shillings." "HANLEY a large modern town and chapelry, in the parish of Stoke, is about two miles east by north of Newcastle, and ranks next to Burslem in size, extent and opulence. The town is in an elevated situation, and the streets forming which are irregular, but many of the houses are well built. The chapelry contained, in 1821, 5,622 inhabitants." 1828 journal "Hanley, the most populous town in North Staffordshire, is generally described as the capital of the Potteries, a title to which it has certainly the greatest pretensions; ........ it has during the present century made such strides in the art, as to overtake and pass all competitors. At the census of 1891, the population of the municipal borough reached the total of 54,846; and such is the prosperity of the district, that at the present time this number has been very largely increased. 1893 journal Dates in the history of Hanley 1227 - Hanley known as 'Hanlih'. The name means either a high wood, or a clearing in that wood. 1297 - References to coal mining at Shelton. 1685 - Thomas Miles of Shelton was producing white stone ware. 1766 - Josiah Wedgwood I purchased the Ridgehouse Estate and built a new factory there (opened on 13 June 1769). This factory was the nucleus of an industrial village which he called Etruria. 1769 - Josiah Wedgwood I opened his factory in Etruria (on the side of what was to be the Trent and Mersey Canal). 1770 - Josiah Wedgwood I completes the building of Etruria Hall. 1825 - Earliest gas works in the Potteries opened in Shelton's Lower Bedford Street, under the ownership of the British Gaslight Company, to supply Hanley and Stoke. 1857 - The townships of Hanley and Shelton, forming a portion of the parish of Stoke-upon-Trent, were incorporated to constitute the municipal borough of Hanley. 1869 - The Queen's Hotel in Albion Street Hanley build to the design of Robert Scrivener. It was acquired by the Hanley County Borough in 1888 and became the new Town Hall. 1888 - The Queen's Hotel in Albion Street, Hanley converted by Hanley County Borough for use as Hanley's Town Hall. The Victoria Hall, built on the rear was opened. Victoria Hall was built to the designs of Hanley's Borough Surveyor, Joseph Lobley to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. 1891 - The population of the municipal borough of Hanley was 54,846. 1905 - Birches Head and part of Sneyd Green were added to Hanley. 1911 - Population- Hanley: 66,255.
Stoke-on-Trent
Reggae evolved from what three-letter Jamaican music genre?
Guide to Rural England - Staffordshire STAFFORDSHIRE    Towns and Villages Abbots Bromleypg 13Alrewaspg 17Alstonefieldpg 28Altonpg 27Armitagepg 16Barlastonpg 34Biddulphpg 23Burntwoodpg 16Burton-on-Trentpg 12Cannockpg 8Cannock Chasepg 9Cauldonpg 27Cheadlepg 33Cheddletonpg 25Consallpg 25Eccleshallpg 36Edingalepg 18Endonpg 24Fazeleypg 19Featherstonepg 7Fradleypg 18Froghallpg 26Gnosallpg 6Great Haywoodpg 10Hanchurchpg 34Harriseaheadpg 24Hednesfordpg 8Hoar Crosspg 13Ilampg 28Ingestrepg 11Kidsgrovepg 33Leekpg 20Lichfieldpg 13Longnorpg 22Longtonpg 33Madeleypg 35Newcastle-under-Lymepg 34Oakamoorpg 27Rudyardpg 23Rugeleypg 10Rushton Spencerpg 23Sandonpg 39Shallowfordpg 39Staffordpg 4Stoke-on-Trentpg 31Stonepg 36Stowe-by-Chartleypg 11Swinfenpg 19Tamworthpg 18Tutburypg 12Uttoxeterpg 28Waterhousespg 27Weston-under-Lizardpg 6Wettonpg 31Whittingtonpg 18   3  G u i   d   e  t   o  R  u r  a l   E n g  l   a n d    S  T  A F  F  O R  D S  HI   R  E F Looking for somewhere to stay, eat, drink or shop?  www.findsomewhere.co.uk     The southwest of Staffordshire encompassesmany changing landscapes, from the busy industrial towns of Stafford and Burton-on- Trent to the peace and quiet of Cannock Chase. Along with the Hednesford Hills, theChase provides a wonderful open area of  woodland and moorland that is one of thecounty’s great recreational centres. Well-supported by an interesting and informative visitors’ centre, the Chase is a must for anyone visiting this part of Staffordshire. Thesoutheast of the county, although lying closeto the Black Country – the depressing productof the heavy industrialisation of the 18th and19th centuries – has managed to escape in themain. One legacy of the era and a featurethroughout the whole of Staffordshire,however, is the canal network. Built to link Birmingham with the Trent & Mersey Canal,the less well-known Coventry Canal and theBirmingham & Fazeley Canal pass throughtiny villages and hamlets and the towpathsprovide the opportunity to walk in someunexpectedly scenic countryside.Extending along the southern edge of thePeak District, the Staffordshire moorlandscertainly rival their neighbour in terms of scenic attraction. The undulating pastures of the moorlands, along with the fresh air andancient weather-worn crags, make this the idealplace to walk, cycle or trek. It is also an area fullof character, with charming scattered villages,historic market towns and a wealth of history. The Industrial Revolution also left its mark on Staffordshire the landscape, though the two great reservoirsof Rudyard and Tittesworth, built to provide a water supply to the growing industry andpopulation of the Midlands, now offer peacefulhavens for a wide variety of plants, animals andbirds, as well as recreational facilities such asfishing and boating. The area around Stoke-on-Trent is famousthe world over for its pottery industry.Originally centred on the five towns of Stoke, Tunstall, Burslem, Hanley and Longton, thePotteries were at the heart of the IndustrialRevolution. Both coal and clay were foundlocally, which gave rise to the start of theindustry, though imported clay from Cornwall was later used - but it was the foresight andingenuity of men such as Wedgwood andMinton that really turned the cottage industry into production on a much larger scale. Tosupport the industry in and around the centre,a network of canals and, later, railways wasbegun. The Trent & Mersey Canal, built by  James Brindley with the support of  Wedgwood and his friend the Duke of Bridgewater, was finally completed in 1777and made possible navigation from coast tocoast, between the busy ports of Liverpooland Hull. Together, the Trent & Mersey Canal,the Staffordshire & Worcester Canal, begun inthe same year, the Shropshire Union Canal tothe west and the Middlewich branch of theLlangollen Canal, form a wonderful fourcounties ring that can be undertaken wholly orpartly by boat. More From This User
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Vermicular refers to patterns or movements like?
Recognition of Movement Disorders: Extrapyramidal Side Effects and Tardive Dyskinesia - Medical News Today Recognition of Movement Disorders: Extrapyramidal Side Effects and Tardive Dyskinesia Adapted Media Release 4.5 1 Extrapyramidal Side Effects and Tardive Dyskinesia. Would You Recognize Them If You See Them? Anti-emetic, anti-spasmodic and prokinetic medications commonly used in gastroenterology are neuroleptics, a class of drugs which includes anti-psychotics used for schizophrenia . These medications are capable of causing serious and potentially permanent side effects. The manifestation of neuroleptic drug side effects may range from dramatic and debilitating to very subtle. It has been demonstrated repeatedly that these side effects often go unrecognized. Doctors prescribing prokinetics, anti-emetics and anti-spasmodics need to be able to recognize these side effects. A full description of the most common movement side effects and the corresponding medical term is included as a resource list for professionals and patients. BACKGROUND Any drug capable of causing Extra Pyramidal Side effects (EPS) and Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) is by definition a neuroleptic, Latin for "seize the neuron." It is widely assumed that only patients who are being treated for psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia are at risk for neuroleptic side effects, yet several gastroenterology drugs have the same side effect profile as Thorazine. Patients taking these medications need to be monitored carefully to prevent potentially irreversible side effects. Psychiatrists have long been trained to recognize the signs and symptoms of EPS and TD and a great deal of physician education has been aimed at them, yet it has been well documented that they often miss the symptoms. In some studies, experts in the field pick up twice as many cases of tardive as newly trained psychiatrists. Most other physicians have never been trained to recognize the many different manifestations of EPS and TD. These conditions can be particularly difficult to recognize in children, even for those with specific training. The relationship between neuroleptic medications and movement disorders is extremely complex and confusing. A neuroleptic may cause movement symptoms in a patient, but the same drug can also temporarily suppress the symptoms or delay the onset of symptoms for the same patient. Symptoms often first appear during withdrawal of the medication. Movement symptoms can occur spontaneously, but they are often clearly induced by medication. The best way to avoid permanent movement disorders is to use neuroleptics very cautiously and to monitor patients closely for emerging symptoms. TERMINOLOGY There are two major classifications of movement disorders, dystonias and dyskinesias. There are also two time frames used to classify the onset of symptoms. Dystonias are spasms of individual muscles or groups of muscles. They can be sustained or intermittent, sudden or slow, painful or painless. They can affect any of the body's voluntary muscles including those of the vocal cords. The movements of dystonias can appear very bizarre and deliberate but are involuntary. Dyskinesias are involuntary, often hyperkinetic movements of various types that have no purpose and are not fully controllable by the patient. Some are random, some rhythmic, most are very odd looking and socially stigmatizing. They can affect the ability to initiate or stop a movement as in Parkinson's. They can affect the smooth movement of a joint resulting in a jerky articulation. Abrupt and seemingly violent movements of a limb are common as are gyrations of any body part. Tics and involuntary vocalizations are related to dyskinesias. Extrapryramidal Side Effects (EPS) describes movement side effects that begin during the early phases of treatment with a neuroleptic drug. Early onset symptoms tend to resolve quickly and completely when the patient is weaned from the offending medication(s). The word refers to symptoms originating in a specific part of the brain that refines and modulates movement. Tardive Dyskinesia/Dystonia (TD) simply means late onset of the same EPS movement side effects. They can appear after months of trouble free treatment, or they can begin to appear as the dose is lowered or the drug is withdrawn. Symptoms generally appear shortly after drug withdrawal although they can appear months later. The previous cut off of three months post withdrawal is now being questioned. Tardive reactions may resolve quickly, but these late reactions are more likely to be persistent or permanent. Symptoms that persist for six to twelve months are considered to be permanent although they may diminish slightly over the course of several years. Masking is the term used to describe the ability of the drug to cover the toxic symptoms it is producing. EPIDEMIOLOGY Studies of movement symptoms in patients taking neuroleptics for schizophrenia show prevalence rates ranging from .5% to nearly 70%. Studies examining this wide range of published prevalence rates show the discrepancies are most likely due to the skill of the observer. Movement disorders caused by motility and antispasmodic medications in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases are widely believed to be rare. This assumption is probably dangerous and inaccurate. Small studies of metaclopramide in particular show EPS and TD in up to 30% of patients. Given the devastating and potentially permanent nature of TD, extreme care should be taken to use neuroleptic drugs only when absolutely necessary and in the lowest doses possible. RISK FACTORS Most risk assessment studies on EPS and TD have been conducted in patients with schizophrenia. In these patients, TD is associated with older age, higher medication doses and longer treatment periods; i.e. total exposure. Females also appear to be a higher risk. Concomitant treatment with any additional drugs capable of causing neuroleptic side effects is likely to increase the risk of EPS and TD. This includes both traditional antipsychotics and the newer, "atypical" antipsychotics which still carry some risk. Substances as common as alcohol and cold medications have some risk of TD and EPS. Caution is needed as well with patients taking anticonvulsants, antihistamines, barbiturates or antidepressants as some drugs in these categories have a high risk of EPS and TD. Underlying "soft neurological" factors or mental retardation are significant risk factors in the development of TD. Many experts caution that tapering down to drug free periods a few times a year is necessary to ascertain whether a patient has "covert" symptoms that are being masked by the continuing use of the drug. Other experts believe that this cycling on and off for "drug holidays" can provoke a tardive reaction and is an additional risk factor. RECOGNIZING SIDE EFFECTS OF NEUROLEPTICS Movement symptoms may be so subtle that a psychiatrist or neurologist who specializes in movement disorders may be the only expert to pick them up. But in many unfortunate patients, the symptoms are visible from blocks away. Movement symptoms are generally not present during sleep, can worsen with stress , and patients can often suppress these symptoms for a short period of time through intense concentration. Movement symptoms may be present uniformly throughout the day, or they may have a diurnal pattern. Some specific movement symptoms are more troublesome during resting and abate during voluntary movement. Other specific symptoms are only problematic during voluntary movement. Movement symptoms can wax and wane over time and deliberate provocation may be necessary to elicit the symptom in a clinical setting. This is typically done by distracting the patient with conversation or asking them to perform a mental task, such as math, that requires intense concentration. Tongue and facial symptoms are often the first to appear and a thorough neurological exam involves careful observation of the tongue in the mouth and sticking out. EPS and TD can mimic disorders such as Parkinson's Disease , Tourette's Syndrome, Huntington's Chorea, tics, cerebral palsy , stroke and hyperactivity. They are often mistaken for psychiatric disturbances and patients may be shunned. During episodes of dystonia , opposing muscles that should relax contract. This can result in a limb that appears distorted. One of the most common manifestations is an ankle that twists and won't bear weight. In some cases, muscle groups that should be uninvolved in the activity being attempted will get involved. The result can be shoulders that swing violently during walking or an entire arm and shoulder that cramp and contort while the hand is holding a pen. In some instances, the opposing hand/arm/shoulder may also contort in a perverse sympathy. Some patients find quirky tricks that can short circuit a dystonia or dyskinesia. For example, a few patients with torticollis find that stroking their jaw or touching the back of the head can stop the muscle spasms. A case report describes one patient with a severe gait disturbance who found that tossing a small object from hand to hand allowed him to walk more normally. For this reason, patients should be asked about any odd mannerisms. In addition to causing movement disorders, neuroleptics used in gastroenterology are capable of causing a host of other symptoms that may not be automatically connected with the drug: drooling, autonomic instability, depression , cognitive slowing, confusion, flat affect, agitation, restlessness, irritability, headaches , disordered thinking, memory changes, altered sensations or perceptions, word retrieval problems, and many others. Localized Symptoms Neck/spine symptoms Associated movement symptoms Muscle spasms of the neck (cervical) which pull the head to the side (torticollis), forward and down (antecollis), or up (retrocollis) are often painful. An extreme bending at the waist is rare (Pisa Syndrome or pleurothotonus). The most extreme form of back arching can bring the entire body off the bed except the back of the head and the heels (opisthotonus). Pelvic rocking or gyrations (axial hyperkinesia) may appear to be self stimulating or sexual in nature. Jacknifing refers to abrupt bending at the waist. Gait/walking disorder Associated movement symptoms A disorganized walk (ataxia) may be as subtle as a foot rolling in occasionally, or as dramatic and absurd as a Monty Python routine. The patient may appear clumsy, stumbling, clomping or drunk. An inability to start walking as if glued to the floor and then an inability to stop, or a shuffling walk are characteristic of tardive Parkinsonism. Oral facial symptoms Associated movement symptoms Oral-mandibular/buccal-lingual symptoms include chewing motions (sometimes called 'Wrigley Sign'), biting with nose wrinkling ('Rabbit Syndrome'), tongue probing in the cheek ('Bon Bon Sign'), grimacing, pouting and repetitive swallowing. The jaw may open or shut or lock (trismus/lockjaw) making eating difficult. The tongue may protrude rapidly ('Fly Catcher') or hang flaccidly (tonic). The patient may make sucking/kissing/smacking/clicking noises. The patient may bite their own cheeks or tongue. Eyebrows may raise ('Spock eyebrows') or lower making the person appear haughty or angry. Symptoms confined to the lower face may be called Miege's Syndrome. Tooth grinding (bruxism) may occur during sleep. Some symptoms can be aborted by touching the lips or other tricks. Some patients with tardive Parkinsonism lack facial expressions (mask-like facies) and they may drool. Finger movements Associated movement symptoms Finger movements often resemble playing 'Air Guitar', 'Air Piano' or a particular movement called 'milkmaid grip'. Writer's cramp is a severe spasm of the entire hand or arm. The opposing arm may also cramp. This is more than fatigue and may be induced by fine motor activities other than writing. 'Pill rolling' finger movements (rubbing the thumb and fingers in a motion similar to the gesture meaning 'money') are more common in drug-induced Parkinsonism. Limb symptoms Associated movement symptoms Flailing movements involving a whole limb may appear combative like a punch or karate kick (ballismus), or may appear like raising a hand to ask a question. This is one of the few movements that occur during sleep. Some patients with tardive Parkinsonism have limb movements that are jerky and have a ratchet-like quality (cog wheel rigidity). Eye symptoms Associated movement symptoms Blinking of both eyelids (blepharospasms) may be so severe that the patient is legally blind. The eyes may be rolled in any direction (oculogyric crisis). Vocalizations, breathing, swallowing Associated movement symptoms Vocal tics such as grunting, throat clearing, swearing (coprolalia), and echoing words or sounds (echolalia) are possible. The vocal cords may spasm (dysphonia) making the voice choppy, quavery, breathy or cause a hoarse sounding noise when breathing in (stridor). The vocal cords may clamp shut (Laryngospasm/obstructive apnea/dysepnea). The speech may be slurred (dysarthria) or have a quality normally associated with brain damage (bulbar). Swallowing may be uncoordinated ( dysphagia ). MONITORING MOVEMENT SYMPTOMS The Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale, (AIMS) is available online and provides one quick and systematic way to assess a variety of common movement symptoms. This scale is not useful for distinguishing between the many types of movement disorders and it cannot distinguish drug induced symptoms from spontaneous ones. Several other scales are commonly used and a full discussion of their merits and proper uses can be found in "Assessment of drug-related movement disorders in schizophrenia." Since different clusters of symptoms can suggest different treatments, a full exam by a movement specialist may be desired. TREATMENT Treatment of movement side effects that appear early during treatment (EPS) is generally accomplished by slowly withdrawing the drug or lowering the dose. When the drug is being used to treat a major psychiatric illness such as schizophrenia, withdrawal of the drug may not be feasible. Anticholinergic medications may be helpful in EPS, but generally are not. Beta blockers have also been tried. Treatment of late onset (TD) movement symptoms and syndromes can be much more complex. Withdrawal of the drug may need to be undertaken very slowly and drugs to counteract the symptoms may be tried. Unfortunately, anticholiergic drugs are generally not as helpful with late onset symptoms and may occasionally cause paradoxical exacerbation. Consultation with a movement disorders specialist may be helpful and in complex cases referral may be necessary. The long list of drugs that may be used to reduce TD symptoms attests to the difficulty in treating this iatrogenic disease. Many cases of TD do not respond well to currently available treatments and there are many new treatments being investigated including vitamins that act as free radical scavengers. Vitamin E and vitamin B6 have both shown benefit in preventing the development of TD although they have not been effective in treating the disorder once it has developed. Research is being conducted on the use of branch chain amino acids. PEDIATRIC CONSIDERATIONS: Recognition of movement side effects in children is particularly problematic. Infants are more likely to have boxing arm movements, cycling leg movements or generalized hypertonia, all of which are uncommon in adults. A gait disturbance may not be apparent in a child who is just learning to walk. Motor restlessness in a pre-schooler can look like urinary urgency. Early onset EPS or TD can look like cerebral palsy. How do you distinguish between biting due to a dystonia and a temper tantrum? Back and neck arching in an infant may be due to pain, an infantile spasm, a seizure, acid reflux induced Sandifer Syndrome or dystonia. A pediatric movement disorders specialist may need to examine the child in order to make a definitive diagnosis. Non-movement side effects of neuroleptics are also more difficult to recognize in children. Small children can't tell us that they have a headache, that they are having memory trouble, that their senses are not functioning correctly, or that they are suffering from a mood change. How do you distinguish hormonal changes of puberty from the hormonal changes (gyncomastia, amenorrhea ) due to prolactin fluctuations caused by a neuroleptic? How do you distinguish druginduced muscle pain (arthralgia) from the pain of the disease you are treating? How do you recognize psychosis , dementia or even a sleep disorder in a baby? There is a wide range of developmental levels within the range of "normal" making subtle deficits difficult to spot. One author (Anderson) recently met a toddler who was believed to be profoundly retarded while on metaclopramide. His "intractable seizures" stopped the day after withdrawal and he was walking and talking after several months of intense therapy (personal communications with parents and doctor). To further complicate matters, children metabolize many drugs differently. Children have an undeveloped blood-brain barrier which can leave them more susceptible to CNS involvement where none would be expected in an adult. Children with acute illness or dehydration seem to be at additional risk for dystonias. Many common medications can exacerbate neuroleptic side effects. In addition, pediatric formulations of some drugs contain alcohol which can exacerbate or precipitate movement symptoms and many other side effects. Of particular concern is the alcohol in pediatric ranitidine. One of the side effects of ranitidine is an interference with the normal clearance of alcohol that can magnify the effects of the alcohol by a factor of ten. Children and the elderly are recognized to be at additional risk of EPS and TD from neuroleptics used for psychiatric illnesses. It is reasonable to assume that they are at increased risk when using neuroleptics for gastrointestinal ailments. The lack of recognition means that any estimates about the rarity of side effects are suspect. A few pediatric gastroenterologists no longer use neuroleptics for just this reason. LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS There have been many lawsuits filed by patients experiencing TD. The Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law and the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry have both printed review articles describing the many legal issues raised. Acording to "Tardive Dyskinesia: Tremors in Law and Medicine," most suits have alleged malpractice but there have also been suits alleging failure to obtain written informed consent, torts violations, failure to monitor, inappropriate reassurance that the TD/EPS symptoms were not drug related, failure to follow standards of care, failure to refer to a neurologist, product liability, etc. Institutionalized psychiatric patients have filed suits alleging civil rights violations. This article is written jointly by a forensic psychiatrist and an attorney. It summarizes the circumstances, arguments and rulings from dozens of individual cases and is available online. "Update on Legal Issues Associated with Tardive Dyskinesia," a section of a the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry Supplement on TD, contains a history of the use of neuroleptics and is more medically oriented. It explains concepts such as determining when the statute of limitations clock is likely to start in language accessible to doctors. It gives practical guidelines for physicans who want to avoid lawsuits. The author explains that, "In determining causation, the law is more interested in the straw that broke the camel's back than in all the straws already piled on its back." He includes a quote from a 1984 article; "The impending flood of tardive dyskinesia litigation has begun. I think that there is an enormous backlog of cases that is going to plague us for years." He also warns that the pendulum is swinging in the direction of trying to link all movement disorders to neuroleptics. Indeed, there are now class action law suits for patients who took metaclopramide and were damaged. General Symptoms Akathisia An inner feeling of restlessness, which compels the patient to pace, march, fidget or wiggle although some patients are able to sit still. In infants, this is more likely to look like air boxing or air cycling. Restlessness may manifest as insomnia . It may be perceived as an uncomfortable inner vibration. Patients may call akathisia anxiety . Chorea/choreic Dance-like movements of any body part or the whole body. Myoclonus/ myoclonic Involuntary movements that are sudden and violent in appearance as if struck by lightening or hit by an invisible assailant. Tics Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome may be drug induced. Vermicular/ atheoid Worm-like writhing movement of any body part or the entire body. Bradykinesia Slowing of voluntary movements (bradykinesia) can affect any body part or the whole body. In rare cases there can be a complete lack of movement (akinesia). Resting Tremor Shaking of a resting limb or tongue that tends to subside during deliberate movements. The opposite of alcohol induced tremors which are worse during intentional movement. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome The most dangerous side effect of anti-psychotics is Neuroleptic Malignant. This Syndrome potentially fatal reaction is characterized by "lead pipe rigidity," high fever , dehydration, sweating, elevated blood pressure , fast heart rate and respiration, agitation, elevated white blood cell count, difficulty swallowing and autonomic instability. Paroxysmal Very abrupt movements RECOMMENDATIONS To avoid EPS and potentially irreversible TD, neuroleptics must be used at the lowest possible doses, for the shortest possible duration, only when clearly indicated and when there is no safer alternative. Patients should be monitored closely and frequently for emerging symptoms using standardized movement rating scales. Possible side effects should be fully disclosed via written informed consent documents and the doctor should initiate an ongoing dialog about this topic with the patient. The doctor should consider alerting family members since they often become aware of movement disorders before the patient does. Click the stars to rate this article Recognition of Movement Disorders: Extrapyramidal Side Effects and Tardive Dyskinesia Public / Patient
Worm (disambiguation)
The inclusion of 'C/O' or 'C O' in a postal address means what?
Peristalsis | definition of peristalsis by Medical dictionary Peristalsis | definition of peristalsis by Medical dictionary http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/peristalsis Related to peristalsis: Reverse peristalsis peristalsis  [per″ĭ-stal´sis] the wormlike movement by which the alimentary canal or other tubular organs with both longitudinal and circular muscle fibers propel their contents, consisting of a wave of contraction passing along the tube. adj., adj peristal´tic. When food is swallowed, it passes into the esophagus. Muscular contractions in the wall of the esophagus work the food downward, pushing it into the stomach. Here peristaltic contractions not only move the food in small amounts into the intestine but also aid in the disintegration of the food and help mix it with gastric juice. Peristalsis forces the food into and through the intestine for further digestion until the food waste finally reaches the rectum, from which it is periodically discharged from the body. The waves of peristalsis are irregular; they are stronger at some times than at others. They are also weaker in some people, notably the elderly. Although the normal peristaltic wave is downward, it is sometimes reversed. Reverse peristaltic action may be triggered by mild digestive upsets or more serious disorders, such as an obstruction in the stomach or intestines. per·i·stal·sis (per'i-stal'sis), The movement of the intestine or other tubular structure, characterized by waves of alternate circular contraction and relaxation of the tube by which the contents are propelled onward. [peri- + G. stalsis, constriction] peristalsis /peri·stal·sis/ (-stahl´sis) the wormlike movement by which the alimentary canal or other tubular organs having both longitudinal and circular muscle fibers propel their contents, consisting of a wave of contraction passing along the tube for variable distances.peristal´tic peristalsis (pĕr′ĭ-stôl′sĭs, -stăl′-) n. pl. peristal·ses (-sēz) The wavelike muscular contractions of the digestive tract or other tubular structures by which contents are forced onward toward the opening. per′i·stal′tic (-stôl′tĭk, -stăl′-) adj. per′i·stal′ti·cal·ly adv. peristalsis [-stal′sis, -stôl′sis] Etymology: Gk, peri + stalsis, contraction the coordinated, rhythmic serial contraction of smooth muscle that forces food through the digestive tract, bile through the bile duct, and urine through the ureters. Peristalsis per·i·stal·sis (per'i-stal'sis) The movement of the intestine or other tubular structure, characterized by waves of alternate circular contraction and relaxation of the tube by which the contents are propelled onward. [peri- + G. stalsis, constriction] peristalsis A coordinated succession of contractions and relaxations of the muscular wall of a tubular structure, such as the OESOPHAGUS , small intestine or the URETER , producing a wave-like pattern whose effect is to move the contents along. peristalsis the alternate contraction and relaxation of circular and longitudinal muscle which produces waves that pass along the intestine (and other tubular systems) of animals, moving the tube contents in one direction. Peristalsis A sequence of muscle contractions that progressively squeeze one small section of the digestive tract and then the next to push food along the tract, something like pushing toothpaste out of its tube. Mentioned in: Achalasia , Colonic Irrigation , Diffuse Esophageal Spasm , Esophageal Disorders , Heartburn , Intestinal Obstructions , Intestinal Polyps , Irritable Bowel Syndrome , Vagotomy peristalsis waves of alternate contraction and relaxation in circumferential muscle tissue of a tubular structure, driving contents forward, e.g. movement of blood through the vascular system (see law , Starling's) peristalsis the wormlike movement by which the alimentary canal or other tubular organs with both longitudinal and circular muscle fibers propel their contents, consisting of a wave of contraction passing along the tube. Increased peristalsis means faster movement of ingesta through the gut and less absorption of fluid, both tending to diarrhea. Reduced peristalsis means a longer alimentary sojourn, greater inspissation of ingesta and a tendency to constipation. See also peristaltic , paralytic ileus. Peristalsis. By permission from Aspinall V, O'Reilly M, Introduction to Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology, Butterworth Heinemann, 2004 reverse peristalsis peristalsis directed orally is a result of intestinal obstruction and acute, significant distention of the intestinal lumen; it is a major contributing mechanism in vomiting.
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