The Shadow of the Hummingbird

# The Shadow of the Hummingbird

## Abstract

The Shadow of the Hummingbird is a play written by South African playwright Athol Fugard. It made its world premiere at the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut, with its first run from 26 March to 23 April 2014. It was directed by Gordon Edelstein, the Long Wharf Theatre's artistic director, and starred Fugard as an elderly writer living in Southern California (loosely based on Fugard himself), when he is visited by his ten-year-old grandson. It marked Fugard's first appearance on stage as an actor in fifteen years.

The title of the play comes from Fugard observing a hummingbird 's shadow one day while writing at his home in San Diego. The opening scene, with the writer searching through his old notebooks and reading excerpts from them, was written by his life partner (now wife) Paula Fourie, who based them on Fugard's diaries and unpublished notebooks.


# 2024 North Carolina lieutenant gubernatorial election

## Abstract

The 2024 North Carolina lieutenant gubernatorial election will be held on November 5, 2024, to elect the lieutenant governor of North Carolina, concurrently with the 2024 U.S. presidential election, as well as elections to the United States Senate, elections to the United States House of Representatives, and various other state and local elections. Republican businessman Hal Weatherman and Democratic state senator Rachel Hunt are seeking their first term in office. The winner will succeed Republican incumbent Mark Robinson, who is not seeking re-election in order to run for governor.

In her party's primary, Hunt won the Democratic nomination with 70% of the vote over former state senator Ben Clark and business owner Mark H. Robinson (no relation to the incumbent). Weatherman won the Republican nomination with 74% of the vote over Forsyth County district attorney Jim O'Neil in a runoff after no candidate received over 30% of the vote in his party's primary.

## Republican primary

### Candidates

#### Nominee

- Hal Weatherman, businessman and former chief of staff to then-lieutenant governor Dan Forest

#### Eliminated in runoff

- Jim O'Neill, Forsyth County District Attorney and nominee for attorney general in 2020

#### Eliminated in primary

- Deanna Ballard, former state senator from the 45th district

- Peter Boykin, political commentator and founder of Gays for Trump

- Rivera Douthit, evangelist

- Jeffrey Elmore, state representative from the 94th district

- Allen Mashburn, pastor

- Marlenis Hernandez Novoa, paramedic and firefighter

- Sam Page, Rockingham County sheriff

- Ernest T. Reeves, businessman and perennial candidate

- Seth Woodall, attorney

#### Withdrawn

- Jim Kee, former Greensboro city councilor (ran for state auditor)

#### Declined

- Mark Robinson, incumbent lieutenant governor (endorsed Weatherman, running for governor)

#### Endorsements

- The Charlotte Observer

- New York Young Republican Club

- Mark Robinson, lieutenant governor of North Carolina

- Rhino Times

## Democratic primary

### Candidates

#### Nominee

- Rachel Hunt, state senator from the 42nd district and daughter of former governor Jim Hunt

#### Eliminated in primary

- Ben Clark, former state senator from the 21st district and nominee for North Carolina's 9th congressional district in 2022

- Mark H. Robinson, cotton candy business owner (no relation to incumbent lieutenant governor Mark Robinson)

#### Withdrawn

- Delmonte Crawford, civil rights activist (running for mayor of Raleigh)

- Chris Rey, former mayor of Spring Lake and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2016

- Raymond Smith Jr., former state representative from the 21st district (ran for mayor of Goldsboro)

#### Endorsements

- EMILY's List

- The Charlotte Observer

## Libertarian Party

### Withdrew after nomination

- Dee Watson, oncology researcher

### Replacement nominee

- Shannon Bray, cybersecurity professional and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2020 and 2022

## Constitution Party

### Nominee

- Wayne Jones, central regional director for the North Carolina Constitution Party

## General election


2024 Los Angeles Rams season

# 2024 Los Angeles Rams season

## Abstract

The 2024 season is the Los Angeles Rams ' 87th in the National Football League (NFL), their 88th overall, 58th in the Greater Los Angeles Area, fifth playing their home games at SoFi Stadium and eighth under head coach Sean McVay. This will be their first season since 2013 without Aaron Donald, who announced his retirement on March 15. The Rams will be searching to improve on their 10–7 record and to advance in the playoffs after being defeated in the Wild Card Round in 2023. After holding training camp for the first time at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, the Rams conducted the remainder of preseason practices at Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, where the team had operated its temporary training facility since 2016 when the franchise relocated from St. Louis. This was necessitated due to delays in the construction of the Kroenke Warner Center complex in Woodland Hills. Following the end of the preseason, the Rams began conducting practices at their new permanent facility.

## Offseason

### Coaching changes

- Eric Henderson, who had served as defensive line coach and run game coordinator, departed the Rams to join the USC Trojans football staff to serve as co-defensive coordinator, run game coordinator, and defensive line coach.

- Raheem Morris, the Rams' defensive coordinator since 2021, was hired by the Atlanta Falcons as head coach. He is the sixth former Rams assistant to be hired as a head coach after serving on Sean McVay 's staff.

- Zac Robinson, who had spent the previous five seasons on the Rams' coaching staff in various positions, most recently as pass game coordinator/quarterbacks coach, followed Raheem Morris to the Atlanta Falcons to become the team's new offensive coordinator.

- Jimmy Lake, the Rams' assistant head coach in 2023, joined Morris in Atlanta to serve as defensive coordinator.

- Jeremy Springer, a special teams assistant for the Rams the previous two seasons, was hired by the New England Patriots as special teams coordinator.

- Chris Shula, who served in a variety of roles on the Rams coaching staff for the previous seven seasons as an assistant, most recently as pass rush coordinator & linebackers coach in 2023, was elevated to defensive coordinator, succeeding Raheem Morris.

- Giff Smith, most recently the interim head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, was hired by the Rams to take on dual responsibilities as defensive line coach and run game coordinator, succeeding Eric Henderson in both roles.

- The Rams hired Chili Davis, former Kansas State Wildcats special teams quality control coach and a veteran college assistant, to serve as assistant special teams coach. However, the team parted ways with Peete prior to the season.

- Jake Peetz, who had spent the previous two seasons as an offensive assistant with the Rams (including last season as pass game specialist), was hired by the Seattle Seahawks as their new pass game coordinator.

- John Streicher, previously the director of football administration with the Tennessee Titans, joined the Rams staff with a new title of coordinator of football strategy.

- Dave Ragone, who had served as offensive coordinator with the Atlanta Falcons for the last three seasons, was hired as the Rams quarterback coach. The Rams also brought on board Nathan Scheelhaase, a longtime offensive assistant at Iowa State, as pass game specialist. Both positions had been previously held by Zac Robinson.

- Greg Williams joined the Rams coaching staff as inside linebackers coach.

- Sean Desai, previously a defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears and the Philadelphia Eagles, was hired by the Rams as a senior defensive assistant.

- On March 8, 2024, the Rams announced they had hired Jerry Schuplinski to serve as a senior offensive assistant.

- On September 2, 2024, the Rams announced the hiring of former Nebraska and UCF head coach Scott Frost as a senior football analyst, helping with offense, defense, and special teams.

## Preseason

The Rams' preseason opponents and preliminary schedule was announced on May 15, in conjunction with the release of the regular season schedule.

### Game summaries

#### Preseason Week 1: vs Dallas Cowboys

at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California

- Date: August 11

- Game time: 1:25 p.m. PDT

- Game weather: Sunny, 88 °F (31 °C) (fixed roof)

- Game attendance: 73,023

- Referee: Land Clark

- TV announcers (KABC): Andrew Siciliano (play-by-play), Andrew Whitworth (color analyst), Mina Kimes (commentary), and Curt Sandoval (sideline reporter)

#### Preseason Week 2: at Los Angeles Chargers

at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California

- Date: August 17

- Game time: 4:05 p.m. PDT

- Game weather: Sunny, 77 °F (25 °C) (fixed roof)

- Game attendance: 66,112

- Referee: John Hussey

- TV announcers (KABC): Andrew Siciliano (play-by-play), Andrew Whitworth (color analyst), Mina Kimes (commentary), and Curt Sandoval (sideline reporter)

For this game, assistant head coach/pass game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant served as Rams head coach, calling plays and making decisions from the sideline while Sean McVay watched the game from the coach's booth.

#### Preseason Week 3: at Houston Texans

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

- Date: August 24

- Game time: 10:00 a.m. PDT

- Game attendance: 68,829

- Referee: Scott Novak

- TV announcers (KABC): Andrew Siciliano (play-by-play), Maurice Jones-Drew (color analyst), Mina Kimes (commentary), and Curt Sandoval (sideline reporter)

## Regular season

### Schedule

Notes

- Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

- Networks and times from Weeks 5–16 are subject to change as a result of flexible scheduling.

- The date, time and network for Week 17 will be finalized at a later date.

- The date, time and network for Week 18 will be finalized at the end of Week 17.

### Game summaries

#### Week 1: at Detroit Lions

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

- Date: September 8

- Game time: 8:20 p.m. EDT /5:20 p.m. PDT

- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)

- Game attendance: 66,530

- Referee: Adrian Hill

- TV announcers (NBC): Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth and Melissa Stark

- Recap, Game Book

In a rematch of a 2023 Wild Card Round game, the Rams overcame a rash of injuries to rally for a 20-17 lead late in the fourth quarter before falling to the host Lions in overtime on Sunday Night Football at Ford Field. Wide receiver Cooper Kupp tied a single game career-high with 14 receptions for 110 yards, including a 9-yard touchdown from quarterback Matthew Stafford with 4:30 remaining that put Los Angeles in the lead for the first time on the night. Stafford completed 34 of 49 passes for 317 yards while wide receiver Tyler Johnson caught five passes for 79 yards. However, second-year wide receiver Puka Nacua left the game in the second quarter after catching four passes for 35 yards and did not return. Offensively, running back Kyren Williams had 18 carries for 50 yards with a 1-yard TD run but the Rams offensive line, already down two starters prior to the game, lost two more when left guard Steve Avila and left tackle Joe Noteboom were both injured and knocked out of the game. On defense, Rams safety Quentin Lake led the Rams with 10 tackles while fellow safety John Johnson had an interception. Linebackers Byron Young and Jared Verse (a rookie) each had four tackles and a sack in the loss.

#### Week 2: at Arizona Cardinals

at State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

- Date: September 15

- Game time: 1:05 p.m. MST & PDT

- Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)

- Referee: John Hussey

- TV announcers (Fox): Adam Amin, Mark Sanchez and Kristina Pink

- Recap

#### Week 3: vs. San Francisco 49ers

at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California

- Date: September 22

- Game time: 1:25 p.m. PDT

- Game weather: TBD (fixed roof)

- TV announcers (Fox): Adam Amin, Mark Sanchez, and Kristina Pink

- Preview

### Standings


Anne Lister

# Anne Lister

## Abstract

Anne Lister (3 April 1791 – 22 September 1840) was an English diarist, famous for revelations for which she was dubbed "the first modern lesbian."

Lister was from a minor landowning family at Shibden in Calderdale, West Riding of Yorkshire, and had several lesbian love affairs from her schooldays onwards, often on long trips abroad. Muscular and androgynous in appearance, dressed only in black, and highly educated, she was later known, generally unkindly, as "Gentleman Jack". Her final significant relationship was with Ann Walker, to whom she was notionally married in Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate, York, now celebrated as the birthplace of lesbian marriage in Britain.

Lister's diaries reveal much about contemporary life in West Yorkshire, including her development of historic Shibden Hall, and her interests in medicine, mathematics, landscaping, mining, railways, and canals. Many entries were written in code that was not decrypted until long after her death. These graphic portrayals of lesbian relationships were so frank that they were thought to be a hoax until their authenticity was confirmed.

## Biography

### Early life and education

Anne Lister was the second child and eldest daughter of Captain Jeremy Lister (1753–1836) who, as a young man in 1775, served with the British 10th Regiment of Foot in the Battles of Lexington and Concord in the American War of Independence. In August 1788, he married Rebecca Battle (1770–1817) of Welton in East Riding, Yorkshire. Their first child, John, was born in 1789 but died the same year. Anne Lister was born in Halifax on 3 April 1791. In 1793, the family moved to an estate named Skelfler House at Market Weighton. Skelfler was where young Anne spent her earliest years. A second son, Samuel, who was close to Anne, was born in 1793. The Listers had four sons and three daughters, but only Anne and her younger sister, Marian (born 13 October 1798), survived past 20 years old.

At the age of seven, Lister was sent to a school run by a Mrs Hagues and a Mrs Chettle in Agnesgate, Ripon. Between 1801 and 1804, Lister was educated at home by the Reverend George Skelding, the vicar of Market Weighton. On her visits to her aunt Anne and uncle James at Shibden Hall, the Misses Mellin gave her lessons.

While being educated at home, Lister developed an interest in classical literature. In a surviving letter to her aunt from 3 February 1803, a young Lister explains "My library is my greatest pleasure... The Grecian History had pleased me much."

### Relationship with Eliza Raine

In 1805, Anne Lister was sent to the Manor House School in York (in the King's Manor buildings), where Anne met her first love, Eliza Raine (1791–1860). Raine was the illegitimate, half-Indian daughter of an East India Company surgeon in Madras, brought to Yorkshire after his death and set to inherit a substantial amount of money. Lister and Raine shared a bedroom at the boarding school, but Lister was asked to leave after two years. Raine expected to live with Lister as an adult, but Lister began affairs with other women including Isabella Norcliffe and Mariana Belcombe. In despair and frustration, Raine became a patient at Clifton House Asylum, run by Belcombe's father, William, in 1814. Eliza Raine was later transferred to Terrace House in Osbaldwick and died there on 31 January 1860. She is buried in the Osbaldwick churchyard across the road.

### Shibden Hall

Lister inherited the Shibden estate on her uncle's death in 1826, but only controlled part of its income until both her father's and her aunt's deaths in 1836, when their shares of the income passed to her. Her wealth allowed her some measure of freedom to live as she pleased.

In addition to income from the agricultural tenancy, Lister's financial portfolio included properties in town, shares in the canal and railway industries, mining, and stone quarries. Lister used the income from this varied portfolio to finance her two passions, the renovation of Shibden Hall, and European travel.

Lister is described as having a "masculine appearance". One of her lovers, Mariana Lawton (née Belcombe), was initially ashamed to be seen in public with Lister because of the comments made on Lister's appearance. She dressed entirely in black (as was normal for gentlemen at the time) and took part in many activities that were not perceived as the norm for women of the time, such as opening and owning a colliery. She was referred to as "Gentleman Jack" in some quarters. Lawton and Lister were lovers for about two decades, including a period during which Lawton was married and to which her husband became resigned. In 1822, they visited the Ladies of Llangollen at Plas Newydd in Llangollen.

Although Lister had met her on various occasions in the 1820s, Ann Walker, who by 1832 had become a wealthy heiress, took on a much more substantial role in Lister's life. Eventually the women took communion together on Easter Sunday (30 March) 1834 in Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate, York, and thereafter considered themselves married, but without legal recognition. The church has been described as "an icon for what is interpreted as the site of the first lesbian marriage to be held in Britain", and the building now hosts a commemorative blue plaque. The couple lived together at Shibden Hall until Lister's death in 1840.

Lister renovated Shibden Hall quite significantly to her own design. In 1838, she added a Gothic tower to the main house, to serve as her private library. She also had a tunnel dug under the building which allowed the staff to move about without disturbing her.

Throughout her life, Lister had a strong Anglican faith, and also remained a Tory, "interested in defending the privileges of the land-owning aristocracy".

### Travel

Lister greatly enjoyed travel, although her biographer Angela Steidele suggests her trips in later life were also a way to "evade the self realisation that she had failed at everything she set her hand to". She made her first trip to continental Europe in 1819, when she was 28 years old. She travelled with her 54-year-old aunt, also called Anne Lister, on a two-month trip to France.

In 1824, Lister returned to Paris and stayed until the following year. In 1826, she was returned to Paris with her Aunt Anne, where she resumed an affair from her earlier visit to the city with a widow named Maria Barlow. In 1827, she set out from Paris with Barlow on a tour of northern Italy and Switzerland, returning to Shibden Hall the following year. In 1828, she travelled extensively in Scotland with Sibella MacLean.

She left for the continent again in 1829. With Paris as her base, she visited Belgium and Germany before heading south to the Pyrenees. Here she did hiking as well as crossed the border into Spain. While in Spain she demonstrated both her strong adventurous streak and considerable physical fitness by ascending Monte Perdido 11,007 ft (3,355 m), the third highest peak in the Pyrenees.

Returning to Shibden Hall in 1831, she found life with her father and sister Marian so uncomfortable that she almost immediately left again, visiting the Netherlands for a short trip with Mariana Lawton. All in all, between 1826 and 1832, she only spent a short period of time at Shibden Hall, with travels around Britain and Europe allowing her to avoid her family at home.

In 1834, she again visited France and Switzerland, this time for her honeymoon with Ann Walker. Returning with Walker in 1838, she again headed south to the Pyrenees and completed the first "official" ascent of the Vignemale (10,820 feet; 3,298 m), the highest peak in the French Pyrenees. This required a ten-hour hike to reach the top and another seven hours to descend.

Her last and greatest trip began in 1839. Leaving Shibden Hall in June with Walker and two servants, they travelled in their own carriage through France, Denmark, Sweden and Russia, arriving in St Petersburg in September and in Moscow in October. With a reluctant Walker in tow, she left Moscow in February 1840 in a new Russian carriage and very warm clothing. They travelled south, along the frozen Volga river, to the Caucasus. Few West Europeans had visited this area, let alone West European women, in part because of unrest amongst the local population against the Tsarist regime. At times they needed a military escort. The two women were a source of great curiosity to the people they visited. As Lister noted in her diary, "The people coming in to look at us as if we were some strange animals such as they had not seen the like before."

### Death

Lister died on 22 September 1840, aged 49, of a fever at Koutais (now Kutaisi in Georgia) while travelling with Ann Walker. Walker had Lister's body brought back to the UK, where she was buried in Halifax Minster, on 29 April 1841. Her tombstone was rediscovered in 2000, having been covered by a floor in 1879.

In her will, Lister's estate was left to her paternal cousins, but Walker was given a life interest. After being declared to be of "unsound mind", Walker spent time briefly in Terrace House, a private house in Osbaldwick, and then in the London area with her sister and brother-in-law. Walker returned to Shibden Hall in 1845 and moved back to her family's estate in Lightcliffe in 1848. She died in 1854 at her childhood home, Cliff Hill in Lightcliffe, West Yorkshire.

More than 40 years after her death, while reporting on a dispute over the ownership of Shibden Hall, the Leeds Times in 1882 stated, "Miss Lister's masculine singularities of character are still remembered".

## Diaries

During her life, Lister wrote a five-million-word diary. It began in 1806 as scraps of paper, recording in secret code parcels sent to and from Eliza Raine, and eventually became the 26 quarto volumes, ending at her death in 1840. In addition to her handwriting being difficult to decipher, around one-sixth of the diary is encrypted in a simple code Eliza and she had devised, combining the Greek alphabet, zodiac, punctuation, and mathematical symbols, and it describes in great detail her lesbian identity and affairs, as well as the methods she used for seduction. The diaries also contain her thoughts on the weather, social events, national events, and her business interests. The majority of her diary deals with her daily life, and not merely her sexuality, and provides detailed information on social, political, and economic events of the time.

The cypher used in her diaries was deciphered by the last inhabitant of Shibden Hall, John Lister (1847–1933) and a friend of his, Arthur Burrell. When the content of the secret passages was revealed, Burrell advised John Lister to burn all the diaries. Lister did not take this advice, but instead continued to hide Anne Lister's diaries behind a panel at Shibden Hall.

The cypher is as follows:

Underlining or dotting a letter was used to double it; in the cases of ⟨ (⟩, ⟨) ⟩ and ⟨ + ⟩ the doubling line went through the letter (so that pp looked rather like ⟨ ǂ ⟩), and in the case of ⟨ ~ ⟩, the doubling line was vertical (so that tt looked a bit like ⟨ ɫ ⟩), but the following double letters had special forms: ee ⟨; ⟩, ff ⟨ Q ⟩, ll ⟨: ⟩, oo ⟨ ! ⟩, ss ⟨ ? ⟩. Mr was an ⟨ x ⟩, with single and double cross-bars for Mrs and Miss, so that Mrs looked rather like ⟨ 𝔛 ⟩.

In 2011, Lister's diaries were added to the register of the UNESCO Memory of the World Programme. The register citation notes that, while a valuable account of the times, it was the "comprehensive and painfully honest account of lesbian life and reflections on her nature, however, which have made these diaries unique. They have shaped and continue to shape the direction of UK Gender Studies and Women's History."

Lister's diaries have been described as part of a "trilogy of early 19th century diaries" by local women, covering the same period from different perspectives, along with those of Caroline Walker from 1812 to 1830, and Elizabeth Wadsworth from 1817 to 1829. In 2020, Ann Walker's own journal was discovered. Although brief, covering June 1834 to February 1835, it covers a pivotal period that weaves through the corresponding narratives in Lister's diary.

## Research

Work by Dorothy Thompson and Patricia Hughes in the late 1980s at Birmingham University 's Department of Modern History resulted in translation of much of the code, as well as discovery of the first juvenile Lister diaries and decoding of the other two Lister codes. Hughes self-published Anne Lister's Secret Diary for 1817 (2019) and The Early Life of Miss Anne Lister and the Curious Tale of Miss Eliza Raine (2015), both of which make extensive use of other materials in the Lister archives including letters, diaries, and ancillary documents.

Helena Whitbread published some of the diaries in two volumes (1988 and 1992). Their graphic nature meant at first they were believed by some to be a hoax, but documentary evidence has since established their authenticity. A biography by the British writer Jill Liddington appeared in 1994. In 2014, a conference held at Shibden Hall focused on Lister's life along with gender and sexuality in the 19th century.

A biography by Angela Steidele in the German language was published in 2017, and published in English in 2018. In 2022 Russian researcher Olga Khoroshilova published a book about Lister's final and dramatic journey in Russia. In a 2013 Journal of Lesbian Studies paper, by Chris Roulston, she was described as "the first modern lesbian".

## Popular culture

The first episode of the 1994 BBC Two series A Skirt Through History, titled "A Marriage", features Julia Ford as Anne Lister, and Sophie Thursfield as Marianna Belcombe.

On 31 May 2010, BBC Two broadcast a production based on Lister's life, The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister, starring Maxine Peake as Lister. Revealing Anne Lister, a documentary featuring Sue Perkins, was broadcast on the same night on BBC Two.

Chamber folk duo O'Hooley & Tidow included a song about Anne Lister, "Gentleman Jack", on their 2012 album The Fragile.

The 2019 BBC - HBO historical TV drama series Gentleman Jack, starring Suranne Jones as Lister, depicts her life as "the first modern lesbian". The series is billed as "inspired by" two books about Lister by Jill Liddington, Female Fortune and Nature's Domain. Liddington also acted as a consultant for the series. O'Hooley & Tidow's "Gentleman Jack" serves as the series' closing theme music. In 2019 Penguin Books published a companion volume by the series' senior consultant, Anne Choma, which includes newly transcribed and decoded entries from Lister's diaries.

In 2022 a second series of Gentleman Jack aired, first on the BBC One between 10 April and 29 May, and then on HBO between 25 April and 13 June. Shortly after the second series ended a campaign was started to renew the show, which then transformed into an effort to save the show as on 7 July it was announced that Gentleman Jack had been cancelled by HBO.

## Plaque

In 2018, a blue plaque was unveiled at Holy Trinity Church in York to honour Lister; it was York's first LGBT history plaque (or rainbow plaque). The plaque had rainbow edging, and read " Gender-nonconforming entrepreneur. Celebrated marital commitment, without legal recognition, to Ann Walker in this church. Easter, 1834". The wording was criticised for not mentioning Lister's sexuality, and in 2019, it was replaced with a similar plaque with the wording "Anne Lister 1791–1840 of Shibden Hall, Halifax / Lesbian and Diarist; took sacrament here to seal her union with Ann Walker / Easter 1834".

## Sources

- First published as


InMerge Innovation Summit

# InMerge Innovation Summit

## Abstract

InMerge, InMerge Innovation Summit or formerly Baku Innovation Summit is an annually organized event based on new trends and innovations in Azerbaijan. The summit aims to bring together technology leaders, companies and startups.

Since 2022, annual events have featured panel discussions, business conferences, startup presentations, and workshops, with participation from influential businessmen worldwide. It fosters dynamic discussions on cutting-edge innovations and offers valuable insights from experts around the world. This summit connects speakers, investors, and collaborators from more than 25 countries spanning Caucasus, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and MENA.

The first "InMerge" event was organized on 13 December 2022. The third such event is planned to be held on October 10-11, 2024.

## History

### 2022

The event under the name of "Baku Innovation Summit" was organized by PASHA Holding in cooperation with the Innovation and Digital Development Agency on December 13, 2022. 1090 people participated in the event.

Main speakers at the 2022 summit include leadership and personal development expert Robin Sharma, speaker and futurist Kian Gohar, technology speaker Philippe Dewost, former Boston Consulting Group, IBM, EY partner Peter Ulrich, Jeroen van der Veer, the former CEO of Shell, and Chris Skinner, the author of books about technology

### 2023

"InMerge Innovation Summit" was held at the Baku Convention Center from November 30 to December 1. This event, in its second edition, is organized by the Center for Analysis and Coordination of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on behalf of the Ministry of Economy, the Innovation and Digital Development Agency under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, and PASHA Holding with primary partnership from Trendyol. About 3,000 participants from 20 countries, more than 50 investors, and more than 150 startups took part in the summit. The main goal of the event is to support the startup environment in Azerbaijan, including in the region, and to develop innovative industry.

One of the most notable speeches at the event was made by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. Wozniak shared his thoughts on innovation and the history of the company. He made his speech with the moderation of international speaker Bill Williams: He said these:

I met Steve Jobs five years before Apple was founded. He was a fun-loving young man. He admired people who changed lives.When he saw the computer I invented, he said there was a new business opportunity and came up with the idea of establishing a new company. This is how the Apple company was born. If he hadn't given me this idea, I would have remained an engineer until today.

Other interesting speeches were made by Tesla co-founder J. B. Straubel and Shazam founder Chris Barton.

Besides this, J. B. Straubel, Chris Barton, Trendyol CEO Erdem İnan, PASHA Holding Ecosystem CEO Farid Mammadov, and Uzum Company's Operations Director Roman Lavrentev discussed the future of smart ecosystems and technology integration in the panel.

There was also a panel discussion on open banking and API standards. In that discussion, Arif Babayev, co-founder of "DNA Payments Group", Farid Osmanov, who was the executive director of the Central Bank at that time, Tal Sharon, director of partnerships of "Ubeya" company, Kristina Doros, vice president of Visa for Central Asia and Azerbaijan, and Alastair Lukies, the CEO of Pollinate International company participated.

At "InMerge", participants are provided to get acquainted with local and regional startup authors. A VR zone has also been organized.

### 2024

The next summit is planned to be held on October 10-11. Professor Linda Hill from Harvard Business School, Werner Vogels, Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Amazon, and Ilya Strebulaev are scheduled to participate in the summit as speakers. YouTube co-founder Steve Chen is also expected to attend this year's summit.


Simpsonville Mill

# Simpsonville Mill

## Abstract

The Simpsonville Mill is a historic pre-colonial mill complex in Simpsonville, Maryland, part of the Columbia, Maryland land development.

Part of the stone mill ruins are located under the Cedar Lane bridge spanning the Middle Patuxent River adjacent to the James and Anne Robinson Nature Center.

## History

The Mill has been known as Joshua Warfield's mill, Richard Owing's Mill, and Simpsonville Mill. Annapolis-raised John Hobbs Jr. purchased property along the Middle Patuxent River Valley in 1741, selling it to Joshua Dorsey in 1749. In 1768, Joshua Dorsey listed the stone mill in his will. The property was acquired by Vachel Worthington in 1789. Richard Owings purchased 11 acres surrounding the mill in 1796 and expanded the property to 1000 acres. The Owings brothers operated several local mills when Napoleonic Wars caused a brief surge in flour prices, making operations very profitable at $11.00 or more a barrel, but declined shortly afterward. In 1852, Charles Ridgley Simpson bought 215 acres surrounding the mill. Production shifted to wool cloth with six employees manning six spindles, four looms, and two carders. William Simpson inherited the mill after his brother's death in 1854. After the conclusion of the Civil War, William Bradshaw operated the mill from 1865 until his death in 1877. The mill was auctioned off and the Ellicott City Times described the mill at this time as

A large three story woolen factory driven by a new turbine wheel of 25 horsepower. Grist Mill, and Saw Mill, Blacksmith and Wheelwright Shop. A Store Building with eight dwelling houses, A large switzer barn with stabling for twelve horses with all necessary farm buildings 215 acres under cultivation and good fencing

James Simpson brought the mill back to the Simpson family in 1878 who subsequently sold off a small parcel of the property and converted from wool production back to milling. Justice of the Peace Charles R. and Mary Wilson owned the mill from 1904 to 1909. From 1909 to 1934 former Howard County Commissioner William Welling Iglehart purchased the property with his brother John Iglehart. Iglehart operated the building as a sawmill, grist mill and pre-prohibition basement cider mill with production decreasing rapidly by 1915. In 1917, John Iglehart took over. In 1920, a mill fire gutted the building, leaving the stone walls mostly intact. As the Great Depression hit, the Eueka-Maryland Assurance Company took over in 1934 after the Igleharts defaulted on a mortgage. In 1963, Howard Research and Development purchased the property.

Howard Research and Development (Rouse Corporation) purchased the 58.5 acre site during the formation of the Columbia, Maryland development, changing the land to "New Town" zoning which was later changed to R-ED (Residential - Environmental). In 1977, a new bridge was proposed across the Middle Patuxent River at a raised height of 14 feet above water level. A historic inventory was performed in 1979 with little mention of the building's history, noting that it was up to the developer if they chose to submit the property to the national register. In 1993, a state highway project realigned a bridge across the Middle Patuxent to span the mill site. A $350,000 archeological dig was performed, finding a dozen homes, a blacksmith and wheelwright shop including evidence of a post office and other shops. A portion of the land forms the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area. In 1994, the Maryland State Highway Administration announced it would build a bridge over the historic mill with matching stone arches. Project engineer John Murphy said, "It really will be something. It's going to be beautiful".

In 2014, the millsite was placed on the Preserve Howard top ten most endangered list due to delays transferring the property from the State Highway Administration. In 2015, the site ownership was transferred to Howard County, remaining on the endangered list.

## Simpson Mill Historical District

The Mill stood at the center of a small milling district that was deemed eligible for three out of four categories for the National Register of Historic Places.

- The heavily modified Hatfield residence is built on a 1755 stone foundation, still resides next to the mill site and stood as the residence of several mill owners including the Igleharts.

- The Johnson site – Eight stone foundations relating to the mill.

- The Robinson House and barn adjacent to the mill was demolished in 2004 to build the James and Anne Robinson Nature Center.

- The Owings-Myerly House – 1847 Granite faced building with 1917 addition. The 142-acre tract was purchased by land developers Richard H. Vogel, William A. Vogel, Frederick D. Vogel and Mary L. Farley, who formed the Vogel Farm Partnership in 1978. The house was acquired by eminent domain in 1982, determined not eligible for historic status. The slave quarters were demolished in 1984 for a new intersection and the main house was demolished in 1992.

- Rock Quarries – Two rock quarries are onsite.

- Owings Cemetery – A half dozen tombs of the Owings Family located on an overgrown portion of a private Cedar Lane residence.

- Water Control – Headrace, floodgate, overflow dam, water gate, overflow channel, wheelpit, wheelpit walls, tailrace, headgate walls.

- Wheelwright Shop – Pre-1860 log cabin structure. Basement filled and cabin moved in 1984 for the Cedar Lane Re-alignment.


ComfyUI

# ComfyUI

## Abstract

ComfyUI is an open source, node-based, generative artificial intelligence program that allows users to generate images from a series of text prompts. It uses free diffusion models such as Stable Diffusion as the base model for its image capabilities combined with other tools such as ControlNet and LCM Low-rank adaptation with each tool being a node in the program.

## History

ComfyUI was released on GitHub in January 2023. According to comfyanonymous, the creator, a major goal of the project was to improve on existing software designs in terms of the user interface. The creator had been involved with Stability AI but by 3 June 2024 that involvement had ended and an organization called Comfy Org had been created along with the core developers. In July 2024, Nvidia announced support for ComfyUI within its RTX Remix modding software. In August 2024. support was added for the FLUX diffusion model developed by Black Forest Labs. As of September 2024, the project has 50.6k stars on GitHub.

## Features

ComfyUI ' s main feature is that it is node based. Each node has a function such as "load a model" or "write a prompt". A default node group is also included with the program. When a prompt is queued, a highlighted frame appears around the currently executing node, starting from "load checkpoint" and ending with the final image and its save location. Workflows can be saved to a file, allowing users to re-use node workflows and share them with other users. The file format for the workflows is in JSON and can be embedded in the generated images. Users have also created custom extensions to the base system such as for AnimateDiff, which aims to create videos. ComfyUI has been described as more complex compared to other diffusion UIs such as Automatic1111.

## LLMVision extension compromise

In June 2024, a hacker group called "Nullbulge" compromised an extension of ComfyUI to add malicious code to it. The compromised extension, called ComfyUI_LLMVISION, was used for integrating the interface with AI language models GPT-4 and Claude 3, and was hosted on GitHub. Nullbulge hosted a list of hundreds of ComfyUI users' login details across multiple services on its website, while users of the extension reported receiving numerous login notifications. vpnMentor conducted security research on the extension and claimed it could "steal crypto wallets, screenshot the user’s screen, expose device information and IP addresses, and steal files that contain certain keywords or extensions".

Nullbulge's website claims they targeted users who committed "one of our sins", which included AI-art generation, art theft, promoting cryptocurrency, and any other kind of theft from artists such as from Patreon. They claimed that they were "a collective of individuals who believe in the importance of protecting artists' rights and ensuring fair compensation for their work" and that they believed that "AI-generated artwork is detrimental to the creative industry and should be discouraged".


Clotilde Apponyi

# Clotilde Apponyi

## Abstract

Clotilde "Klotild" Apponyi (née Klotild Wilhelmine von Mensdorff-Pouilly-Dietrichstein; 23 December 1867 – 1 September 1942) was an Austro-Hungarian noblewoman, women's rights activist, politician and a diplomat.

## Early life and ancestry

Countess Clotilde was born as a third daughter and youngest child of the Austrian politician Prince Alexander von Dietrichstein-Nikolsburg and his wife, Countess Alexandrine Aline von Dietrichstein-Proskau-Leslie (1824-1906), second daughter and one of the heiresses of Joseph Franz, Prince of Dietrichstein. By virtue of birth, she was member of the House of Mensdorff-Pouilly and through Saxe-Coburg-Gotha blood related to the British Royal Family, German Imperial family, Russian Imperial family, as well as to almost all other European Royal families.

## Career

Apponyi was president of the Klotild association for the selling of women's work from 1908, president for the alliance of Hungarian women's associations (MNSz) from 1910, board member of the Catholic protection society for women from 1913, president for the Maria Dorotea association for women teachers from 1930, as well as for numerous other charitable associations. As president of the MNSz, she addressed the Hungarian parliament in favor of women's suffrage in 1912, and supported this reform in public in 1918. After World War I, she, as president of the MNSz, became the spokesperson of the non-socialist women's associations of Hungary in oppose to the leftist MANSz under Cécile Tormay. In 1929, she protested against the suggestion to abolish women's right to run for office, and in 1939, she did the same against the suggestion to ban married women from holding office as civil servants.

During World War I, she was an informal diplomat for the Kingdom of Hungary in Switzerland, and she served as a sub-delegate to the League of Nations in Geneva in 1928-34, and as a delegate for Hungary in 1935-37.

## Personal life

On 1 March 1897 in Vienna, she married Hungarian politician Count Albert Apponyi de Nagy-Aponyi, the only son of Count György Apponyi and his wife, Countess Júliane Sztáray de Nagymihály et Sztára (1820-1871). Albert was a leading member of the powerful Apponyi family. Together, they were the parents of three children, one son and two daughters:

- Count György II Alexander Mária Antal Apponyi de Nagy-Aponyi (1898–1970), a politician, member of the Parliament, journalist, married in 1923 to Princess Margarete Odescalchi and had issue.

- Countess Mária Alexandrina Angela Apponyi de Nagy-Aponyi (1899–1967), who married Prince Karl of Rohan in 1933 and had issue.

- Countess Julianna Maria Georgina Antonia Apponyi de Nagy-Aponyi (1903–1994), who married Count Ferenc Pálffy of Erdöd in 1924 and had issue. They divorced in 1934 and she married Hungarian nobleman Elemér Klobusiczky de Klobusicz et Zetény in 1943, and had issue. They divorced in 1947.

## Death

Countess Clotilde Apponyi died on 1 September 1942, at the age of 74 in Budapest, Hungary. At first, she was buried in Farkasréti Cemetery in Budapest, but later, her grave and a grave of her husband were moved to Éberhárd (today Slovakia), part of the Komárom County, where Apponyi family owned a country estate with a castle.


Darko Fejsa

# Darko Fejsa

## Abstract

Darko Fejsa (Serbian Cyrillic: Дарко Фејса; born 27 August 1987) is a Serbian retired footballer who played as a left-back. He is the older brother of Serbia international Ljubomir Fejsa.

## Career

Fejsa started out at his hometown club Vrbas, making his senior debut at the age of 16. He later moved to top-flight side Hajduk Kula and made over 100 league appearances. On the last day of the 2012 summer transfer window, Fejsa signed with fellow Serbian SuperLiga club Radnički Kragujevac.


The Velvet Rope

# The Velvet Rope

## Abstract

The Velvet Rope is the sixth studio album by American singer Janet Jackson. It was released on October 7, 1997, through Virgin Records. Prior to its release, she renegotiated her contract with Virgin for US$80 million, marking this as the largest recording contract in history at that time.

Upon experiencing an emotional breakdown, Jackson began facing a long-term case of depression. She developed her new record as a concept album, using introspection as its theme. Its title is a metaphor for emotional boundaries; as well as an allusion to an individual's need to feel special. Its lyrics address subject matter such as depression, self-worth, social networking, and domestic violence. It also encompasses themes of sexuality, including BDSM, sexual orientation, and same-sex relationships. Due to its sexually explicit content, the album reinforced Jackson's public image as a sex symbol and as one of the most erotic vocalists of the 1990s. Its incorporation of social issues regarding sexual orientation and combating homophobia, also established her reputation as a gay icon and received the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Music.

The record was co-written and co-produced by Jackson, alongside her then-husband René Elizondo Jr., Jimmy Jam, and Terry Lewis, with additional contributions by various songwriters. The songs on the album also includes British violinist Vanessa-Mae, Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, and American rapper Q-Tip as featured artists on the album. Its composition fuses various genres, including pop, R&B, trip hop, folk, jazz, rock, and techno music. Considered to be Jackson's most mature recording, it is regarded as a template for pop artists transitioning to a darker or rebellious sound and as a precursor to the development of alternative R&B.

The Velvet Rope became Jackson's fourth consecutive album to top the US Billboard 200. It also reached the top of charts in Denmark and the top five in major markets such as Australia, Canada, France, and Germany. The album was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and has sold an estimated eight million copies worldwide. Of the six singles released from the project, " Got 'til It's Gone " won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Music Video, " Together Again " became an international number-one hit, and " I Get Lonely " became Jackson's 18th consecutive top-ten single on the US Billboard Hot 100, making her the only female artist in history to achieve that feat. The Velvet Rope Tour, in support of the album, drew critical acclaim for its theatricality, as well as controversy for its depictions of domestic violence and bondage.

## Background

Jackson's first compilation album, Design of a Decade: 1986–1996, was released in 1995. It peaked at number three on the US Billboard 200. The lead single, " Runaway ", became the first song by a female artist to debut within the top ten of the Hot 100, reaching number three. Design of a Decade 1986–1996 was certified double platinum by the RIAA and sold ten million copies worldwide. The release marked the fulfillment of Jackson's contractual obligations to Virgin Records. As a result, she became subject to an industry bidding war between various parties, including Virgin, Bertelsmann, DreamWorks, Sony Music, Time Warner, and The Walt Disney Company, who attempted to sign her jointly with PolyGram. She ultimately renewed her contract with Virgin for $80 million—the largest recording contract in history at that time and a breakthrough she achieved for the second time in her career. The contract surpassed the recording industry's then-unparalleled $60 million contracts earned by Michael Jackson and Madonna.

## Writing and development

"I had my ways of hiding my pain. Laughing when there was nothing to laugh at. Smiling when there wasn't anything to smile about. That was just my way of getting through life. Pretending like everything was okay. I guess I did it so well that I really began to believe it. I fooled myself. Using my escapism's was my thing to not feel my pain—whatever would numb the pain."

— Janet on the repression of various traumas throughout her adolescence.

During her Janet World Tour, Jackson experienced an emotional breakdown, stemming from self-hatred, childhood humiliation, self-harm, and distorted body image. She stated, "I was very, very sad. Very down. I couldn't get up sometimes. There were times when I felt very hopeless and helpless, and I felt like walls were kind of closing in on me...like you can't escape". She questioned her career path, feeling pressured by the demands of the entertainment industry, saying, "People look at you differently, as if you're not human." Abbie Kearse of MTV responded, "You're creating a person who might not really be you, but you've created this fantasy woman, so when it's time to get back to business, it's like 'I've got to go back to that world'". Jackson expressed concern for how she could portray an object of fantasy, feeling as if she could no longer fulfill her own desires.

In self-analysis, Jackson uncovered vital details regarding her past, saying, "Certain things may happen, and you just dismiss them instead of stopping and saying, "Why am I feeling this way? Why am I acting out in this way?" She had suppressed various traumas throughout her adolescence and early adulthood, using evasion tactics to prevent thoughts from surfacing. She also recalled feeling unaccepted and ostracized for her skin color. She was persistently haunted by a memory of a school teacher intensely scolding her, causing her classmates to erupt in laughter. "Oh, God, it sounds so stupid. But being a kid you're just so frightened... I never talked about it, so it stayed with me all those years. I felt not deserving, not good enough... that's still the way I feel about myself sometimes", she declared. As a child, she managed discomfort by speaking to her animals, later turning to overeating as an anesthetic, causing fluctuations in weight. Jackson said, "I began to realize that whenever something really painful was going on, I would eat, and that's how I would run away from it. But I would just be creating another problem in another area instead of just dealing with that pain".

Jackson developed body dysmorphia as a response to ridicule, stating, "I'd look in the mirror and hate myself. I'd sit and cry. It was so hard for me to look at myself and find something that I liked. Not just physically, but something that was good in me". She also inflicted self-harm, banging her head against the wall when feeling unattractive. She traced her fragility to her abusive marriage to recording artist James DeBarge when she was 16 years old. Jackson recalled, "It all has to do with very low self esteem. Especially going into a relationship like that very young... someone telling you things like, 'no one is ever going to want you again, you should be happy here with me.'" Attempting to alter his behavior and drug addiction, she explained, "I learned the hard way that you can't change a person." Recalling her divorce, she revealed, "There came a point when I finally said, 'You know what? I just don't care what happens.' I had to do what I wanted to but had been too afraid to. And at that point I didn't care if I got my brains beat out. I just went ahead and did it. And I got my ass kicked for it. But I'm happy that I did it, or I don't think I would be here today".

Her self-hatred accelerated into raging cycles of bulimia and anorexia, repressing the issue until questioned. Jackson said, "people say to me: 'Okay, you've got to start eating more. You're too thin.' But when you look in the mirror, you see something totally different." She continued, "I had swung so far in one direction, I never thought I could swing so far in the other. You're losing weight and getting smaller, and I'd still say to myself I could afford to lose a little more". However, she refused professional guidance, reluctant to examination. She briefly saw a psychologist before an encounter with a spiritual guru, who aided her emotional recovery. Jackson recounted, "we went to this very spiritual place in the desert... That's where I met him, this cowboy. He's in his fifties, and he's full of wisdom. He's an older man who has experienced a great deal, and he used to be in the music industry, on a smaller scale. He even understood that side of my life". She also began using coffee enemas to remove "sad cells", leading to media scrutiny. The trauma lead to a brief duration of sexual questioning, saying "Am I curious? I think every girl has wondered". Jackson culminated the experiences into the album's subject matter, recording over two years.

## Recording

The album was produced by Jackson with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, as well as René Elizondo Jr. Its initial stages began following her Janet World Tour, recording intermittently over two years. The process stalled due to various issues facing Jackson, including depression, body dysmorphia, anorexia, and self-hatred. As a result, Jackson spontaneously canceled sessions, appearing constantly troubled, as Jam commented, "That was a tough album to make for her. There were times when she would not show up at the studio for five or six days in a row".

She returned to the studio in January 1997, embarking on a six-and-a-half month recording process. Its production was adjusted towards Jackson's lyrics and vocal suggestions, using an altered technique from prior sessions. Attempting to push pop music in an alternate direction, the record was described as "a triumph of the spirit, a declaration of joy and healing that comes from examining the past while energizing the present, exploring the mysteries of sexuality even as it addresses the problems of prejudice". Explaining the concept and the writing of The Velvet Rope, she stated:

Singing these songs has meant digging up pain that I buried a long time ago. It's been hard and sometimes confusing, but I've had to do it. I've been burying pain my whole life. It's like kicking dirt under the carpet. At some point there's so much dirt you start to choke. Well, I've been choking. My therapy came in writing these songs. Then I had to find the courage to sing them or else suffer the consequences — a permanent case of the blues.

## Music and lyrics

The Velvet Rope consists of sixteen songs and seven interludes; experimenting with various genres and darker themes. The album fused pop and R&B with various genres, including jazz, folk music, and techno. Jackson stated:

We've all driven by premieres or nightclubs, and seen the rope separating those who can enter and those who can't. Well, there's also a velvet rope we have inside us, keeping others from knowing our feelings. In The Velvet Rope, I'm trying to expose and explore those feelings. I'm inviting you inside my velvet rope. I have a need to feel special, and so do you. We share a burning need to belong. During my life, I've been on both sides of the rope. At times, especially during my childhood, I felt left out and alone. At times I felt misunderstood. Times when I ran into the backyard to confide in our dogs. Through them, I felt like I was talking to God. But no human heard those feelings expressed. They stay buried in my past. But the truth has to come out, and, for me, the truth the takes the form of a song.

Jackson described the release as her most personal work, developed throughout her entire lifetime. She explained, "I never looked deeply at the pain from my past, never tried to understand that pain and work it through. It was a journey I had avoided. But one I now had to face." Robert Hilburn added, "Jackson found a universal symbol to use in exploring issues of insecurity and self-worth. At some point, everyone is on the wrong side of the velvet rope, excluded because of race, social status, age or some other division." Jackson regarded commercial success as a secondary consideration, commenting, "I needed to express who I was and what I'd learned. I found out who I really was... If that can inspire people who hear this album to do the same, I'd rather have that than the biggest selling album in the world."

## Themes

The album gained media attention for its explicit themes and exploration of homosexuality, suggested as a "queer-studies thesis." Singapore law officials banned the album due to its lyrics supporting homosexuality. "Free Xone" speaks of gay, lesbian and bisexual pairings, as Jackson protests discrimination. " Together Again " recalls a departed friend lost to AIDS. Her cover of Rod Stewart 's " Tonight's the Night " suggests losing her virginity to another woman, also alluding to bisexuality. Media attention led Stewart to announce "that's an original song by Janet Jackson" when performed in concerts. In response to criticism, Jackson said, "I have a lot of gay friends, men and women, and that's why I did it. I knew people would say I was gay, and I didn't care." She also stated, "I caught a lot of hell for that... religious groups have been upset with me for certain songs on the album, but it’s not going to stop me from writing what I feel inside." Media reports of Jackson involved in intimate relationships with dancers Tina Landon and Shawnette Heard surfaced following its release, although denied.

The album's "most startling" song was considered "What About", in which Jackson violently confronts domestic abuse. Jackson stated, "I think it's important to let others know that certain things that you may have experienced in your life, and that they're not alone, and that you understand what they're going through, and that they can make it through." Joel Lyans included it among "The New Soundtrack of Social Consciousness", writing, "Here, Janet does what she does best: demonstrates a coy and shy demeanor before ripping into a confident and empowered voice for those who are afraid to speak up and speak out about a situation that plagues millions of women." Several media reports related its theme with President Bill Clinton 's infidelity to Hillary Clinton with Monica Lewinsky. Jackson clarified it to be about her own experience, saying, "President Clinton? People have said that to me. They say 'this is his song'," comparing the situation with her song "This Time" inaccurately related to O. J. Simpson and Nicole Brown Simpson due to its subject matter.

Jackson's progression into advanced erotic content was criticized, though she defended her material. J. D. Considine praised Jackson's focus on intercourse "as if it were simply a fact of life", noting her concern with "the emotional component of sex, rather than the act itself."

## Songs

In "Twisted Elegance", Jackson speaks over piano and white noise. Its composition addressed the "emotional and sexual politics of relationships", restraints of depression, self-esteem, domestic violence, homosexuality, AIDS, and sadomasochism. It transitions into the title track, progressing from rapid electronica into a mid-tempo techno structure. It incorporates The Exorcist theme " Tubular Bells " as Jackson explains "a velvet rope we have inside us, keeping others from knowing our feelings", closing with a violin solo by Vanessa-Mae. "You" incorporates "deep-down funk " and trip hop, as Jackson distorts her voice in a low range during a challenge of self-scrutiny. " Got 'til It's Gone " is an R&B, alternative pop and trip hop song, featuring folk singer Joni Mitchell and rapper Q-Tip. Jackson speaks of vulnerability and regret in a "depressive sobriety". Interlude "Speakerphone" consists of Jackson beginning to masturbate before a phone conversation with ex-sister-in-law Lisa Marie Presley, who was still romantically involved with Jackson's brother Michael Jackson at the time despite being the two being divorced. "My Need" is a mid-tempo hip hop song tackling self-obsession and unbridled lust. Interlude "Fasten Your Seatbelts" portrays Jackson and her dancers mimicking Bette Davis in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? and All About Eve. " Go Deep " combines dance-pop and G-funk, performed in a "girlish breathiness".

"Free Xone" incorporates "slamming funk" with drum and bass, derived from "scratching, sampling, honey rapping, break beats and electronic accents." Jackson described it "about homophobia and the pain it causes." " Together Again " is an uptempo house and dance-pop song; considered a "modern post-disco meditation on the beauty of dance and eternal grace of romantic bonding." Interlude "Online" features Jackson typing before a dial-up internet connection is heard. "Empty" is an electronic ballad incorporating trip hop, propelled by a "jittery, mellowed-out jungly beat". Its lyrics speak of the void felt through social network relationships, empathizing with those searching for acceptance via the internet. "What About" confronts Jackson's experiences with domestic violence. Over flamenco guitars, she recalls a former companion proposing before violently transitioning into hard rock. " Every Time " is a piano ballad documenting Jackson's fear of love, examining an apprehensive side of romance.

" Tonight's the Night " alludes to sexual anticipation, suggesting a lesbian encounter and potential threesome during its finale. Jackson stated, "The record company tried to talk me out of it because it's directed toward a girl. I love the song the way it is, and it's reality for a lot of people." " I Get Lonely " evokes lush sensuality as Jackson speaks of abandonment over a sparse backing. "Rope Burn" evokes bondage and sadomasochism, as Jackson requests to be tied down and pleasured with candle wax. It was declared "the first R&B trip-hop ballad, retro-fitted with a lazy, jazzy beat and a spare, slap bass-heavy backing track." Jackson regarded it as a "soft instrument of extended pleasure", saying, "The expression of sexual fantasies can be beautiful if there's trust, love and understanding." "Anything" is a ballad invoking "feverish dimensions" of satisfaction.

In piano ballad "Special", Jackson speaks to her inner child, spreading the message that "pain is not permanent", but rather, transformed. Jackson said, "Getting back to that child, and giving the child what the child may have missed—the reassurance of a nourishing and accepting a love, a love that says you're special—is hard work. It can be scary but, like the song says, we have to deal with the past to live completely—and freely—in the present." "Can't Be Stopped" speaks of youth victimization, bigotry, and racial unity, "directed at young people who are discouraged or discriminated against... I want them to know that their inner-strength is stronger than the forces against them."

## Packaging and title

The Velvet Rope was titled as a metaphor for the emotional barricade preventing others from revealing their innermost thoughts; in comparison to the velvet rope used at film premieres and award shows, prohibiting access from spectators. It also served as a metaphor for the barriers separating different classes of society. It was based on various events throughout her adolescence and early adulthood, resurfacing after attempted escapism.

The album's artwork was photographed by Ellen von Unwerth, with additional photos by Mario Testino. The cover depicts Jackson lowering her head amidst a crimson backdrop, symbolizing remorse. "Janet" is faintly embossed in a pixelated block formation. Jackson stated, "The shot we used on the cover shows me just looking down, and that's what the album was about, looking inward". MTV News regarded the artwork as iconic and an influence on various artists. Its internal artwork depicts Jackson's piercings and tattoos, also displaying her hands tied in bondage and latex attire, exhibiting fetishism. A particular photo of Jackson wearing a latex ensemble with her nipple piercing peering through an opening gained notoriety for its explicit nature. The photo also shows Jackson pricking her body with an ice pick.

Upon its release, Jackson unveiled an edgier image, flaunting hennaed red hair and tattoos on her neck, wrist, foot, back, and lower thigh; also acquiring nipple, septum, and labia piercings. The transition was considered to risk alienation, though she was commended as "a master at surprising and shocking her public". Jackson used a variation of the Akan Sankofa symbol throughout its artwork and imagery; representing the motif "You cannot move into the future until you learn from your past". She tattooed the symbol onto her wrist. Jackson's tattoo artist later stated, "I have a lot of people who fly in from all over the world to get something that has to do with Janet’s sacred tattoos... She's an inspiration to a lot of people, and when they see something on Janet that helps her be strong, they want that strength as well".

## Release and promotion

Prior to the album's release, Billboard reported that a large-scale marketing campaign had been organized to promote the album. Nancy Berry, then-executive vice president of Virgin Music Group Worldwide, stated that promotion for The Velvet Rope ' s release were the company's largest until then, and although the record company had planned to bring Jackson's new album to the highest number of consumers, they did not want the campaign to be too intrusive. To handle the publishing rights to the music of Janet Jackson, company Black Doll was founded. The music industry scene had changed since Jackson's last release, with hip-hop-flavored R&B taking over mainstream music. However, Virgin executives were still confident that lead single "Got 'til It's Gone" would be successful. The recording company opted for a more urban promotion, using billboards and spaces in subways, as well as TV commercials.

The music video for "Got 'til It's Gone" premiered during the opening of the MTV Video Music Awards on September 4, 1997, where Jackson presented an award to Mark Romanek. The day before, an album listening party was held in New York City at the Chrysler Building 's Art Deco Cloud Room, reopened after sixty-five years for the event. Entertainers in attendance included Marilyn Manson, Beck, Billy Corgan, Sheryl Crow, Meredith Brooks, Diddy, Naomi Campbell, Michael Douglas and Lisa Marie Presley. On September 9, a release party for the album was set up at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California. In mid-September, Jackson went to Europe to promote the album. She performed "Got 'til It's Gone" on BBC One 's Top of the Pops show and on Graines de Star in France. Upon her return to the United States to release the album, she was interviewed on The Oprah Winfrey Show, performing "Got 'til It's Gone" and "Together Again".

One of the new ways to promote the album was the use of the Internet. In a collaboration with MTV, an online chat with the singer was set up. The event happened through MTV Live on October 6, 1997, the day before the album's release. A day later, she signed copies at an album signing held at the Virgin Megastore in New York City. Jackson also promoted the album in Oceania and Asia, performing on Hey Hey It's Saturday in Australia and Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ in Japan. Upon returning to her promotional tour in Europe, she performed "Got 'til It's Gone" on French TV programs Les Années Tubes, Hit Machine along with "Together Again", and Spanish television on TV show Música Sí. while also singing on Spanish TV on the shows Música Sí and Turrón y... cuenta nueva. In January, Jackson opened the American Music Awards, performing the DJ Premier remix of "Together Again". She performed the following single " I Get Lonely " at the Soul Train Awards, with an acoustic rendition performed on the Rosie O'Donnell Show. Jackson performed a controversial rendition of "What About" at the VH1 Fashion Awards, displaying vignettes of domestic violence. Jackson also gave numerous interviews to several publications, including People, Vibe, Vogue, Ebony and Rolling Stone.

On October 7, 2022, exactly 25 years after the release of the album, a deluxe version was released digitally, adding the songs "Accept Me" (B-side of "You" and "Every Time" singles) and "God's Stepchild" (Japanese bonus track), as well as finally having the song "Can't Be Stopped" as its own stand-alone track instead of being hidden. It also comes with a second "component" including 13 remixes.

### Tour

"Janet's concerts are the pop equivalent of a summer blockbuster movie, with all the explosions, special effects, ersatz sentimentality, gratuitous cleavage and emphasis on spectacle over coherence that the term implies."

— Nicholas Barber of The Independent

Jackson embarked on The Velvet Rope Tour, visiting Europe, North America, Japan, New Zealand, Africa, and Australia. It used an autobiographical theme derived from elements of Broadway theater. She stated, "To me, being onstage is about entertaining. I know there are people who just walk onstage and give you a show by just doing their music, but I always wanted something extra". She added, "I knew what I wanted everyone to look like, especially for the opening number. I knew what I wanted everyone to wear. I visualized the whole thing". Among the first tours to use LED technology, Mark Fisher stated, "She wanted to have a book opening and herself come out of it. So I finessed that book into the video screen".

Jackson's showmanship was commended by critics, who also praised the show's theatrics and pyrotechnics. Robert Hilburn regarded it to help Jackson "finally get the credit she deserves as an artist", with the show also called "the must-see concert of the year". The tour was controversial for its sexuality and portrayal of domestic violence, most notably within performances of "Rope Burn" and "What About". Its advertisements, depicting Jackson in a transparent outfit with her nipple piercing and bikini partially visible, also drew media attention. Several publications refused to publish the ad, while billboards of the image caused traffic accidents in Europe. The tour's HBO broadcast received over 15 million viewers, surpassing the ratings of all four major networks. It won an Emmy Award for "Outstanding Technical Direction/Camera/Video for a Special". The final date at Hawaii's Aloha Stadium became the most attended concert in the venue's history. The tour was reported to receive a worldwide attendance of ten million in total. Jackson donated a portion of the tour's sales to America's Promise, an organization founded by Colin Powell to assist disenfranchised youth.

## Singles

" Got 'til It's Gone " peaked at number 36 on Hot 100 Airplay, twelve on Rhythmic Top 40 and three on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay. It was ineligible to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 due to not having a commercial single released. Internationally, it reached the top five in Denmark and New Zealand; top ten in Australia, Netherlands, Sweden, and United Kingdom and top twenty in various countries. " Together Again " reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, spending a record of 46 weeks on the chart. It was certified Gold by the RIAA. It reached the top two within Belgium, Netherlands, Canada, France, Germany, and Switzerland, and top five in Australia, Denmark, New Zealand, and United Kingdom. "Together Again" is among the biggest selling global singles in history and her highest selling single to date, exceeding six million copies.

" I Get Lonely " reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100, number one on Hot Dance Single Sales and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks, five in the United Kingdom, and fourteen on the European Hot 100. It set a record as her eighteenth consecutive top ten hit on the Hot 100, surpassed only by Elvis Presley and The Beatles. " Go Deep " was ineligible to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, though peaked at number twelve on Pop Songs, eight on Rhythmic Top 40, and number one on Hot Dance Club Play. Final release " Every Time " reached the top forty within the Netherlands and New Zealand. The success of collaborations " Luv Me, Luv Me " and " What's It Gonna Be?! " each affected the latter two singles' performances. " You " was a promotional single in the United Kingdom, being ineligible to chart. "What About" was initially planned for release, while an edit of the title track received limited test airplay. In April 2012, "Rope Burn" charted on Korea's Gaon Digital Chart.

## Critical reception

The Velvet Rope has received acclaim amongst some criticism since its release. In a contemporary review for The New York Times, critic Jon Pareles declared it "her most daring, elaborate and accomplished album", observing songs to "transform themselves as they go, leaping from sharply etched cross-rhythms to lush choruses." Greg Kot from Chicago Tribune regarded it a "soundtrack to a therapy session", while the Los Angeles Times commended its content; addressing "the social, emotional and sexual politics of relationships, peppering the wistful, spirited pop melodies and sinuous R&B rhythms with compelling jazz, folk and techno nuances." Elysa Gardner added, "provocative gestures ultimately blend in with the album's larger agenda, which is to encourage more open-minded, free-spirited relationships of all kinds... with hooks this strong and grooves this delicious, Jackson's authority should be of question to no one." MTV News declared it an "interesting step in a new direction" and "long, sometimes strange trip into Jackson's sensual world". Slant Magazine called it "a richly dark masterwork", illustrating "there is nothing sexier than emotional nakedness". Robert Christgau noted Jackson's vocal cadence, retaining "her magical ability to feign delight". Keith Harris stated it "plumbed introspective depths with intriguing results".

In his review for The Village Voice, Vince Aletti praised its "unusu-ally busy, electronica- spiked soundscape", revealing "the process of psychic reconstruction". Aletti added, "she combines a pure pop sensibility with ambition, vulnerability, freakishness, and extraordinary savvy. She's--in her inadequate word--special". However, Jackson's "isolating control" was regarded as its "more bracing" material. Entertainment Weekly observed its subject matter of "computer liaisons to bondage and bisexuality", finding the most pervasive theme to be love. Roger Catlin of The Courant noted its aura "washes away her sometimes strident political messages or her attempt to shock with sexuality", adding, "the album shimmers with sensuality, openness and thirst for new adventures, musically and otherwise." Len Righi of The Morning Call called it "compelling, as she tackled almost every imaginable social ill and personal problem while still leaving room for freakiness and fun." Jane Dark of City Pages stated it "eludes genre-fication", leaving Jackson "in a genre of her own". Alluded to "an eroticon of cybersex, queer positivity, and mild bondage", Dark regarded its production "a sexy motherfucker... abstractly electro tones come and go with sharp attack and sharper decay, appearing out of--and vanishing into--aggressively blank spaces". Jackson's "flawed sweetness" was also acclaimed; concluding, "She's the principle that organizes the noise, and the particle around which songs become pearlescent". USA Today praised her usage of "edgier beats and rawer emotions".

The length of The Velvet Rope drew criticism from certain music critics. In a less enthusiastic mixed review, AllMusic observed a "hardened, sexually experimental Janet"; however, its writer claimed that "the best moments sink into the murk", and that "there are good moments on The Velvet Rope, but at its running time it's hard to work up the patience to find them". In a retrospective review, BBC Music stated that "t's far too long. It does feel like you've given over a considerable chunk of your life to it by its end, an unfortunate by-product of the CD era with its overriding desire to fill up every last second of each disc". However, a positive review of the record was given on the whole, with its author calling it "ature and experimental... Possibly the great lost 90s trip hop album".

In October 2022, Pitchfork reviewed the deluxe edition of the album with a rating of 9.4 out of 10

### Accolades

Jackson was awarded at the American Music Awards and nominated for "Top Pop Artist" at the Billboard Awards, with "I Get Lonely" receiving a Grammy Award nomination and "Together Again" nominated at the MTV Video Music Awards. Internationally, Jackson was nominated for "Best International Female" at the BRIT Awards, winning "Best Foreign Artist" and "Best Foreign Album" at the Danish Music Awards, "Best International Female" at the Norwegian Hit-Awards, "Best Female" at the MTV Europe Music Awards, and "Best International Female" for three consecutive years at the TMF Awards. Jackson was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Contributions to Pop Music by Prince Albert at the World Music Awards. She was also presented the Lena Horne Lifetime Achievement Award by Maya Angelou at the Lady Soul Train Awards. APLA awarded Jackson for her involvement in AIDS organizations, also receiving a GLAAD Award for "Outstanding Music". VH1 ranked her among "Hollywood's 16 Hottest Celesbians" due to the album's homoerotic content. The Velvet Rope was later included among Rolling Stone 's "500 Greatest Albums of All Time".

## Commercial performance

The Velvet Rope debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 202,000 copies in its first week. It fell to number two in its second week. It sold four million copies globally within its first several months of release, and 1.6 million copies in the US in 1998. On November 11, the album was certified gold and platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), denoting 1,000,000 units sold. It was certified double platinum the following year, and triple platinum on January 15, 1999. It sold an additional 420,000 copies through BMG Music Club. According to Nielsen SoundScan, the album has sold 3,229,000 copies domestically as of March 2009.

Internationally, the album charted within the top five of numerous countries, including Australia, France, Norway, Sweden, and at number six in the UK. In Germany the album debuted at number five and charted for 46 weeks. In Japan, it debuted within the top ten, selling 34,910 copies in its first week. In Australia, the album was certified double platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). It was certified triple platinum in Canada and platinum in Japan, Europe, France, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom; also receiving a gold certification in Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Taiwan. The Velvet Rope has sold an estimated eight million copies worldwide.

## Legacy

"Janet's ability to effortlessly present necessary, meaningful messages via classic dance music is legendary. She proved that artists don't have to scream to get a message across. There is a middle ground. Here, she had perfected her mix of provocative, personal, and pertinent."

— Saint Heron on the album's legacy.

Billboard commended it as "her most personal and intimate work to date", confronting "domestic abuse, AIDS, and homophobia with her most sexually explicit songs ever." Jackson stated, "That was a crossroads for me: sharing what I'd been going through personally and how I felt about what was happening in the world." Kyra Phillips of CNN declared it "difficult and very intimate", exploring "Jackson's darker side, her emotional break down and the secret that shocked the world." Regarding its content, Jackson said, "I’m sure it did alienate a lot of people, but that’s what I was feeling, and I wanted to write about it, so" I did." Jackson later stated:

Velvet Rope is both the highest and lowest point. On a personal level, it was a low point, because I was going through a depression. That was a difficult time for me. At the same time it was my highest point, because I overcame the depression by talking about the crossroads I was at. There were so many things resurfacing that I'd suppressed: stuff from my childhood, stuff from all over the place. I was crazed trying to figure out where it was all coming from and how to deal with it. I could have made a wrong turn and tried to drink and drug it away. But drinking and drugs never appealed to me. I wanted it to stop. Talking it out and creating such an introspective work as Velvet Rope helped me do that.

Ryam Dombal of Pitchfork considered it a pioneer of "the 'dark' and/or 'mature ' " pop album, saying, "the rebel record is now a de rigueur coming-of-age manoeuvre." City Pages called it a "gem" which foresaw "damn near every rhythmic trend of the decade: Timbaland 's drum 'n' stutter, quick-stepping house, and walloping slabs of techno." Its innovation was cited as fusing "compelling jazz, folk and techno nuances" with trip hop and contemporary pop. MTV News also noted its "number of stylistic twists you might never associate with such a mainstream diva." In particular, "Empty" was commended for its theme of relationships via social networking, considered a prediction of subsequent technology.

Eve Barlow of NME included it among seven albums considered "Perfect from Start to Finish", stating: "Jackson had already begun pushing the boundaries of sexually explicit pop but it’s The Velvet Rope that cemented her as a free, liberal voice for experimentation." Its blend of "new electro " and trip-hop was thought to "meld seamlessly"; its lyrical content also thought to push society's "judgment calls", breaking free from "the American sweetheart of past LPs." Shayne Lee, author of Erotic Revolutionaries: Black Women, Sexuality, and Popular Culture (2010), wrote that the album and its predecessor "brand her as one of the most sexually stimulating vocalists of the 1990s." Jessica Skolnik of Vice stated, "I am of the Madonna generation, the Janet generation... The Velvet Rope was an absolute milestone and, in my mid-thirties, is increasingly meaningful to me." Telegram & Gazette stated, "Jackson shows once again that she can compete against any of the lightweight, mega-selling pop divas and hang them out to dry." According to the Los Angeles Times, the album became "more eagerly anticipated" than Michael Jackson 's output; taking her "once and for all out of the shadow." Sal Cinquemani declared it "Janet's richest work to date", while Brannon Smith heralded it to reveal "her battle with depression, and saw her continue to empower through her pain."

## Influence

Nicole Scherzinger cited it as the inspiration for her second album. Rihanna 's Rated R drew comparisons for its production and "nakedly autobiographical vibe"; the theme of single " Te Amo " also likened to Jackson's " Tonight's the Night ". The "burbly electro hooks" and "curled-lip sass" of Rihanna's Talk that Talk was also regarded as "warmed-over Velvet Rope -era Janet Jackson". About.com noted Patrick Stump 's Soul Punk to incorporate the album's "musical stylings". The packaging of Usher 's 8701 was also thought to recall its imagery. French singer Piu Piu also called it a primary influence.

Drew Millard of Vice stated the album "inadvertently predicts most of the cooler trends in contemporary indie music," saying, " Dam-Funk 's bedroom-keyb attack? " Go Deep " did it. " Together Again " is basically the song Disclosure has been shooting for this entire time, and Tom Krell would wrestle an alligator with his bare hands to create a song as chillingly beautiful as "Empty". How to Dress Well cites its "schizophrenic diversity" as the inspiration for the album Total Loss, saying, "She set such an example for trusting yourself, and following that intuition wherever it takes you... she made a fucking sprawling masterpiece with a song from every genre, and it works." Merchandise sold at Well's shows feature a quote from interlude "Memory". Indie rock band Wheat used the album as a reference for their second album Hope and Adams, also emulating its production techniques within lead single "Don't I Hold You". Folk rock singer Melissa Ferrick called it "a huge record" which inspired her song "Drive", saying, "Janet Jackson was making these sexual noises on that record and I cannot even describe. I was like "This is unbelievable. Janet Jackson is so ballsy to do this. This is amazing." Cassie Ramone of Vivian Girls and folk singer Seth Glier regarded the album as an important life memoir. Swedish singer Beatrice Eli stated it "defined her teenage years". Art Nouvea considered Fiona Apple 's When the Pawn... to be influenced by the record. FKA Twigs ' single "Water Me" and Laura Welsh 's "Unravel" were likened to the album, considered to evoke Jackson's "mellower work" at her "most delicate". Kingdom's "Bank Head", featuring Kelela, was thought to be influenced by "Empty", while Kelela and Tink's "Want It" was likened to the album's "most tuneful deep cuts". British singer Jai Paul 's "Str8 Outta Mumbai" was regarded to fuse "vintage Bollywood pop" with " Velvet Rope -era Janet".

It also paved the way for mainstream artists to incorporate darker themes into their music while tapping their personal lives as inspiration — with Beyoncé ’s Beyoncé and Lemonade albums as well as Rihanna’s Rated R and Anti albums being prime examples.

The Weeknd 's Thursday was likened to an attempted "male equivalent" of the record. Kelly Rowland 's Talk a Good Game drew comparisons for its revealing theme and production. Rowland's single " Dirty Laundry " was influenced by "What About", while single " Gone ", featuring Wiz Khalifa, was inspired by "Got 'til It's Gone". TLC 's " I'm Good at Being Bad " was inspired by the production and content of Jackson's "What About". Solange 's True EP was compared within its production from Dev Hynes. The composition of single " Losing You " was also likened to "Together Again" for its melancholy theme within an "uplifting" dance song. Illangelo 's "Clockwork" was also thought to recall the album. In hip hop, Odd Future collective The Internet were compared to "'‘ Velvet Rope -era Janet" for their single " Cocaine ". Kanye West 's 808s & Heartbreak was also likened to the album. Jay-Z compared his song " December 4th " to "Got 'til It's Gone" in his memoir, Decoded. Joe Budden sampled the title track in the song "Velvet Rope". In jazz, its singles have been covered by Boney James and Gene Dunlap, with the title track covered by Paul Taylor and "Anything" by Will Downing. The album is considered to have influenced the development of alternative R&B, associated with acts such as Frank Ocean, Miguel, SZA and others.

Psychologist Alan Downs' book The Velvet Rage was titled after the album and its homosexual content; demonstrating "how to heal the trauma of being a gay man in an uncompromisingly straight world." Transgender activist Janet Mock named herself after Jackson and the album's themes of sexual orientation, stating, "she was so open and raw. She was talking about her sexual fluidity. She was talking about access and elitism with the velvet rope, who gets to come in, who doesn’t. She was talking about domestic violence. All of these things within this album... my mind was blown. I couldn’t believe someone was talking about all of these issues that were paralleling my own life." "Speaker Phone" was referenced by comedian Sandra Bernhard during a monologue in " I'm Still Here... Damn It! ". The album was also mentioned in the Family Guy episode, " And the Wiener Is... "

## Personnel

Credits adapted from AllMusic.

Musicians

Production

## Charts


TicketNetwork

# TicketNetwork

## Abstract

TicketNetwork is an online marketplace that provides an outlet for buyers and sellers of tickets to live entertainment events. The company was founded in 2002 by ticket broker Don Vaccaro and software developer Doug Kruse. It operates several retail sites and partners with large name brand travel and media companies.

In 2015, TicketNetwork signed an exclusive agreement with ATBS to provide Private Label Websites to their Private Label Affiliates.

## Operations

TicketNetwork operates under a model similar to eBay, where tickets are listed on the company's marketplace, but transactions are handled by the individual seller. Buyers are charged a service fee for tickets purchased, plus a delivery fee, depending on the method of delivery, location, and time until the event. Once the tickets are available, the seller ships them directly to the buyer. Sellers are able to list and manage tickets on the marketplace via the TicketNetwork Point of Sale software.

### Properties

TicketNetwork operates several retail websites such as TicketNetwork.com and TicketLiquidator.com. It also sponsors an annual trade show called Ticket Summit, which attracts resellers and other ticket industry figures. Additionally, the company operates the Better Ticketing Association, a website containing information and resources for the ticket resale industry. TicketNetwork also sells the tickets uploaded to their marketplace with their Private Label Program which has created controversy.

### Green Initiative

TicketNetwork's campus features several amenities tied to the company's "Green Initiative." A community garden covers substantial acreage of the company headquarters campus in Connecticut. It produces fruit, vegetables, and herbs that are regularly made available for staff to take home, as well as being used in the company cafeteria. There is also an animal sanctuary on the campus, which is home to several llamas, goats, gees, chickens, and pigs as of spring 2020.

In the spring of 2019, construction was completed on a 1.4MW solar system on the roof of the headquarters building. The array, which features 4,365 solar panels, is one of the largest of its kind in Connecticut and produces energy offsetting an estimated 68% of the building's electrical use.

### Covid-19 Pandemic Response

In the wake of the sudden shutdown of live events during the COVID-19 pandemic, TicketNetwork rapidly enacted cost-cutting measures in order to ensure the company's continued operation through the crisis. Customers holding tickets to cancelled events were given the option of vouchers good towards future event purchases, and senior staff members unanimously agreed to a pay cut, allowing the business to avoid large layoffs despite the precipitous drop-off in sales revenue.

## Controversies

The ability for any seller to list tickets at any time has resulted in litigation. In 2009 New Jersey's then-Attorney General Anne Milgram filed a lawsuit against several parties, including TicketNetwork, for allegedly selling and advertising tickets before they were available from the venue. The suit was filed by Milgram following reports that primary seller Ticketmaster redirected customers to its TicketsNow website after Bruce Springsteen tickets sold out on Ticketmaster's main website. The case was dismissed in August 2010 after Judge Patricia K. Costello ruled that under federal law TicketNetwork was not liable for incorrect information about the availability of tickets because it was not the seller.

In July 2011 TicketNetwork received a $4.5 million and $1.8 million loan as part of the State of Connecticut 's First Five Program, in exchange for hiring at least 200 people over two years time. TicketNetwork also received a $250,000 grant for the training of engineers. TicketNetwork was removed from this program after its then CEO, Don Vaccaro, was arrested in February 2012 following an incident at a local Academy Awards party in Hartford, Connecticut. According to a police report, he had become intoxicated and groped a woman, then when asked to leave by security for the event, made threats to and shouted racial slurs at the bouncer. Shortly after the incident, Vaccaro announced he would be taking an indefinite leave from the company to seek treatment for alcohol abuse. On May 29, 2012, Hartford Superior Court Judge, Jane Alexander, agreed that the charges could be dismissed if Vaccaro completed a two-year accelerated rehabilitation program, a form of probation, imposing conditions such as treatment for substance abuse and abstention from alcohol.

In July 2019, TicketNetwork (along with Ticket Galaxy) reached a $1.55M settlement to resolve a lawsuit with the Attorney General of New York for "misleading tens of thousands of customers into purchasing speculative tickets for concerts and other live events". The lawsuit was prompted by a WNBC investigation in October 2018 into issues with sales of Broadway tickets.

November 21, 2023 - Allegations of drip pricing and other misleading claims in the online resale of tickets.


Yelena Godina

# Yelena Godina

## Abstract

Yelena Mikhailovna Godina (Russian: Елена Михайловна Година) (born 17 September 1977) is a Russian former volleyball player, who was a member of the national team that won the gold medal at 2006 Volleyball World Championship in Japan and the silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. She also competed at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, as well as the 2004 FIVB World Grand Prix.

## Honours

- 1998 World Championship – 3rd place

- 1999 World Cup – 2nd place

- 2000 Olympic Games – 2nd place

- 2002 World Championship – 3rd place

- 2006 World Championship – 1st place

- 2008 Olympic Games – 6th place

## Individual awards

- 1999 FIVB World Grand Prix "Best blocker"

- 2006 World Championship "Best server"


Luisangel Acuña

# Luisangel Acuña

## Abstract

Luisangel José Acuña (born March 12, 2002) is a Venezuelan professional baseball infielder for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2024.

## Career

### Texas Rangers

Acuña grew up in La Sabana, Venezuela. Acuña had agreed in principle to sign with the Atlanta Braves in 2017, but due to the Braves international signing scandal, Atlanta was stripped of its ability to pay his signing bonus and he returned to the open market. On July 2, 2018, Acuña signed with the Texas Rangers for a $425,000 signing bonus.

Acuña made his professional debut with the DSL Rangers of the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League in 2019, hitting.342/.438/.455 with two home runs, 29 runs batted in (RBI), and 17 stolen bases, and was named to the DSL All-Star team. He did not play in any games in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Acuña spent the 2021 season with the Down East Wood Ducks of the Low-A East. Over 111 games he hit.266/.345/.404 with 12 home runs, 74 RBI, and 44 stolen bases. Acuña was named the Rangers 2021 minor league Defender of the Year. Acuña opened the 2022 season with the Hickory Crawdads of the High-A South Atlantic League, hitting.317/.417/.483 with eight home runs, 29 RBI, and 28 stolen bases over 54 games. He was promoted to the Frisco RoughRiders of the Double-A Texas League on August 2 and finished the season after hitting.224/.302/.349 with three home runs, 18 RBI, and 13 stolen bases for Frisco. Acuña played for the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League following the 2022 season, and was named to the Fall League All-Star team.

On November 15, 2022, the Rangers added Acuña to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. Acuña was optioned back to Frisco to begin the 2023 season.

### New York Mets

On July 30, 2023, the Rangers traded Acuña to the New York Mets in exchange for Max Scherzer and cash considerations. In 37 games, he batted.243/.317/.304 with two home runs, 12 RBI, and 15 stolen bases. Acuña began the 2024 season with the Triple–A Syracuse Mets.

In 2024, Acuña played second base, shortstop and center field, and led Syracuse in stolen bases. In 131 games for Triple–A Syracuse, he batted.258/.299/.355 with 7 home runs and 50 RBI. On September 14, 2024, Acuña was promoted to the major leagues for the first time and made his Major League debut the same day against the Philadelphia Phillies. He then got his first Major League hit, a single to center field off of pitcher Taijuan Walker in the 4th inning.

## Personal life

Acuña comes from a baseball family. His brother, Ronald Acuña Jr., is an MLB outfielder. His father, Ronald Sr., played in minor league baseball for three organizations, and, in 2022, his younger brother Bryan was signed by the Minnesota Twins.