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Contents 6
But who are you?
With corporate brands more powerful than country brands, there's a lot of work out there for agencies keen to rethink a nation's identity. Over the next 40-plus pages *Monocle* looks at the construct of countries.
Young rebels
No one – not even its only ally, Russia – recognises Abkhazia as a legitimate state. But 13 years after declaring independence from former Soviet Georgia, the region's de facto government is determined to put it on the map.
Bids for freedom
At any time in history there are countries on the way in or out – breakaway states eager for independence or now clamouring to be reassimilated into their former motherlands. This is the current crop of nations in waiting – coming soon to a checkpoint near you.
Model nation
A failed Italy and a Grimaldi household in shambles presents the perfect opportunity for a marriage of convenience between Liguria and Monaco in 2014. If it sounds like a storyline from our manga series, it might well be, but it also gave us a starting point to do a bit of nation branding of our own. Welcome to Costazzurra – the hub of the Mediterranean.
Bank of the Nile
Sudan's government is accused of aiding a genocide in Darfur and so the West refuses to do business with the regime. So how does this failed state cope? Well, for Khartoum the answer is with ease. With the help of Arab cash and expertise, the city plans to become the Dubai of Africa. This is how you build a nation without friends in the West.
Future states
The national identity of countries can shift radically and at a speed that leaves their inhabitants gasping: think of the former Soviet Union. Here leading thinkers consider what might, or should, change in the way nations present themselves. First Paula Scher, one of the world's leading graphic designers and a principal at Pentagram in New York, looks at how to rebrand the US. Then Simon Anholt, a pioneer of nation branding, reveals why brand Africa is a disaster. And, finally, Mabel van Oranje of the Open Society Institute and Mark Leonard of the European Council on Foreign Relations, argue that, united, Europe's smallest countries can challenge the world order.
On a map in the mind's eye, Spain would be a kaleidoscope of vibrant colours while Poland would be various shades of grey. Brand pioneer Wally Olins gives an insight into how nation branding works and why every country should have a creative director.
Nicolas Sarkozy's French style; the Nordic Davos; and Ukraine's Britart-loving oligarch.
Americas briefing
Peruvian extradition and a China-Taiwan tug of allies.
Building bridges in China and why you should be nice to your mum.
Kenya's watchful rich and Lebanon's army fights back.
An Antipodean Martin Luther King and New Zealand on a go-slow.
Charm offensive
Tokyo may be peaceful and calm but its governor is certainly not. Here he explains why his city has bad traffic (the Communists), what he thinks of modern Tokyo (vomit) and why kamikaze pilots were not suicide bombers.
Finn blue line
Åland, an archipelago in Scandinavia, is hailed as a model for how to create a harmonious "nation" – without giving it full independence – academics and politicians even studied it as a model for Kosovo. The prosperous islanders speak Swedish but are part of Finland and, until the EU turned up, were very happy with their arrangement.
The hills are alive
Bolzano, capital of South Tyrol, is experiencing a business boom quite beyond traditional tourism. Local initiatives have seen hi-tech start-ups soar in what is now the richest province in Italy. Is this Europe's Boulder *(see issue 5)*?
Brazilian wine; ¥100 stores hit the Gulf, Kaliningrad's revamp; Q&A Carlo Molteni.
Selling souls
Christianity is big business in the US where retailers are using pop culture to shift godly goods: Jesus skateboarder sneakers anybody? *Monocle* visited the key show for owners of religious shops.
'Forefoot striking' is the style of most professional runners – so why do the big brands all emphasise the heel? A tiny trainer company in Colorado is proving that the big boys need to stay on their toes when it comes to new sport technology.
Sudanese-born Mo Ibrahim oversaw the launch of the UK's first mobile phone network in the 1980s before taking his telecom expertise back to his home continent. Celtel, the company he founded, was sold for €2.48bn in 2005. He is now facing a bigger challenge: promoting good governance in Africa.
Bloom town
In our series looking at the companies behind everyday scenes, we visit one of the world's biggest flower auctions. Blooms were first auctioned at a café in Aalsmeer back in 1911. Today the Bloemenveiling Aalsmeer auctions 20 million cut flowers every day, from a site the size of 200 football pitches. In 2006 turnover was €1.75bn.
Canada's far north used to be too cold and inhospitable for anyone to survive there except the Inuit people. But global warming is clearing the snows and luring in a generation of ambitious speculators after oil, diamonds and uranium. It also presents the Ottawa government with a strategic nightmare over how to enforce its sovereignty.
The colour of money
The world's leading banks (you know who they are) are behind an estimated 20 per cent of all art purchases – for themselves. What's the motivation for amassing a 50,000-piece strong collection? *Monocle* finds out on a tour of Zürich, Milan and Frankfurt.
Citizen clean
This month we start a new series looking at the lives and empires of media barons. First is Michael Ringier who, in 1991, became the fifth generation of his Swiss family to head their eponymous empire. Since then Ringier AG has expanded into eastern Europe and the Far East. Last year it launched its first free evening paper in Switzerland.
Fact & Fiction, New Delhi.
Sound factory
Rough Trade, London.
Culture briefing
Offbeat literary recommendations; Monocle music for September; rocking' in Iran and T-shirt devotees get their own glossy title.
Make some noise
In 2000 Hector Mijangos founded a clothing range for DJs that led to his branded parties and then the foundation of Noiselab Records. Signing local and international bands, his label has changed Mexico's music scene.
Whether it is solid German engineering at Hochschule Pforzheim, new technologies at the RCA in London or size limitations at Academy of Art University in San Francisco, what rolls off students' drawing boards today could be at the Frankfurt Motor Show tomorrow. And with a school dedicated purely to automotive design opening in India, the future of car design is picking up speed.
Architecture/Design briefing
Muscular Icelandic gyms, Spain's eat in the White House and an explosive Beirut house.
Fashion briefing
Prada turns brogue and how to stay snug this autumn.
The brains behind Clemens en August decided the best way to kick-start the brand, in the absence of a big budget, was whistle-stop tours across Europe. Now the company – whose name is a nod to its C&A pedigree – is eyeing up the US market.
Menswear sales are still recovering from a dip in 2005, but this season's Pitti Uomo was attended by 21,000 buyers with significant growth in eastern European and Indian markets. And its fashions were similarly forward looking.
Top Marks
As millions of students around the world head back to university digs, the residents of Casa dell'Accademia have it much better than most. Here's a lesson in inspired design on a strict budget.
Inventory No. 6
Wooden toys for the boys, skin treats and feel the Sap rising with some Scandinavian fizz.
Each issue, we take an everyday pursuit or situation and give it the *Monocle* overhaul. This month, we stock up on some late-summer essentials to fill the shelves of our perfect pantry.
Caillou Boats
Tucked away near the village of Tiverton in the backwaters of Rhode Island, John Meikle and his team handcraft small wood and fibreglass daysailers that conjure up visions of more idyllic times. We join them in their halcyon daze.
Cihangir
The Romans, Byzantines and the Ottomans all recognised the importance of Istanbul as a strategic gateway between the West and the East. Oddly occidental and strikingly Asian, the city is surprising its visitors with a new open-mindedness and an attractive neighbourhood at the heart of its revival.
Taste maker
Anna Zegna's grandfather founded the fashion company that bears her name in Trivero, Piedmont in 1910. Still run by the family, the firm recently opened a cultural centre at the Zegna house. Anna invites us in for her foodie finale.
The Unravelled Kingdom: As this issue opens on the theme of nation building and branding it makes sense to close on the topic and turn our attention to a brand bit closer to Monocle HQ – the UK.
Music festivals have become big business in Japan, whether you want kodo drummers at The Earth Celebration or J-pop at A-Nation. But the one that started the boom is still the biggest and the best: Fuji Rock. We headed to the Japanese countryside to meet the world's best-behaved music freaks.
Fuji rock / Naeba
Fiona Wilson,
Robert Bound
Hiroshi Kai
If you think the weather looked bad at the UK's Glastonbury festival this year, spare a thought for the organisers of the first Fuji Rock Festival in July 1997. No sooner were the Red Hot Chili Peppers tearing into their headline set at the end of the first day, than a typhoon struck and the event had to be abandoned. Johnnie Fingers, former Boomtown Rat, and now one of the festival's organisers, was there.
"We were hit by a nasty tail-end of a typhoon," he recalls. "After it hit, the main stage began to sink. Visually, it looked wild and extreme, but the audience was unprepared – most were in summer shorts and flip-flops – and the site was a mess. The stages needed to be fortified and there was horizontal-driving rain and the storm was still blowing away. We thought someone might be killed."
The rest of the festival was promptly cancelled. Predictably, dawn broke the following day on a perfect morning. That day, says Fingers, the newspapers were "totally off the mark".
"One reported a death and that hundreds had been hospitalised, which was total fiction," he says. "Luckily, the audience gave us full support. They really understood and wanted Fuji Rock number two. Three years down the road, festivals were commonplace." Undeterred by the dramas of the first year, the likes of Red Hot Chili Peppers – who headlined again last year – Björk, Oasis, Coldplay, and The Strokes have since played at Fuji.
The first ill-fated venue, which didn't go down well with locals, was a ski resort on Mount Fuji; the following year "Fuji" Rock moved to Tokyo and crowds reached 70,000; then, in 1999, the event moved to its current home in the off-season ski resort of Naeba in the Niigata prefecture. By last year the crowd had grown to 131,000 with 17,500 people camping in 7,500 tents, 150,000 cans of beer drunk over three days, five tonnes of rubbish and 400 Portaloos. These days, the shorts and flip-flops have been replaced by festival chic and top-of-the-range Gore-Tex tents.
Fuji Rock is the brainchild of Masahiro Hidaka, founder and president of music promoter Smash Corporation. He visited Glastonbury in the mid-1980s where he got the idea of a rock festival for Japan. Hidaka and the Smash team, including Fingers, still run the event from start to finish, including choosing the bands.
"Basically it's the music we like, and we talk and argue about it a lot," says Fingers. "We need to set the headliners for each stage and this can start a year in advance but, generally, the first ideas for the line-up start eight to nine months before. Fuji Rock is now a festival many artists wish to play so we are lucky. Sometimes they are expensive and no band sells itself cheap. The yen is not what it used to be and every year the offers go up. It is now very competitive."
Hidaka has a penchant for British bands – hence the appearance, over the years, of a stellar list of British music from Echo and the Bunnymen to Elvis Costello – and has earned himself an MBE for services to Britpop.
Work starts five months before the event to get the site in shape; over three days the festival requires 2,000 staff. The only hotel is the distinctly un-rock'n'roll Naeba Prince, a utilitarian ski hotel with diminutive rooms and a functional restaurant serving Japanese ski fare such as curry rice and pork cutlets. Extravagant tour riders don't cut much ice here, although that did not stop one headliner demanding a grand piano in his bedroom – and he was a guitarist.
According to Fingers, Smash was still paying back the cancellation debts from 1997 until last year and the event has only just gone into the black. "We use very few sponsors. Basically we don't like the idea and try our best to make the festival sponsor-free. Any sponsors we have are very low profile." Beams Records and Tower Records support Fuji Rock's New Power Gear campaign to recycle festival rubbish and keep the festival carbon neutral, as it has been for four years.
These days the summer calendar in Japan is jammed with music festivals – with 50 from July to September. This year's includes the Rising Sun Rock Festival in Hokkaido, Isla de Salsa in Fukuoka, Rock in Japan in Ibaraki, and the Yokohama Reggae Bash. The Earth Celebration on Sado Island, which has been going since 1988, is a world music gathering built around the legendary Kodo drummers. For fans of Japanese-pop there's A-Nation, a sell-out group tour of artists signed to Japan's number one J-pop label, Avex. Names such as Kumi Koda, Ayumi Hamasaki and Exile might not register outside Asia but they are the shining lights of a billion dollar industry. Avex retains all the revenues made from tour merchandise. A-Nation is pure pop, the antithesis of the sweaty rock festival.
Fuji Rock's urban counterpart is Summer Sonic, a two-day event that is held over an August weekend in Tokyo and Osaka and attracts crowds of more than 160,000. Yuya Shibata has been working for Summer Sonic since its launch in 2000. "A line-up that might work abroad won't necessarily work in Japan," he says. "We look to see what's popular here." Summer Sonic goes for big-hitting rock headliners but also throws in pop, indie and punk acts. Linkin Park, Radiohead, Gwen Stefani and Arctic Monkeys have all played. Like Fuji, the organisers take care of the artists from the minute they hit the tarmac. "Bands love coming here," says Shibata. "They all say Japan has the best-organised festivals."
A between-stages boardwalk
Down time between bands near the Green Stage
Chilling-out by the river
The fifth hole at Naeba golf club
With 400 Portaloos, not even bears shit in the woods at Fuji Rock
Jun Kumayama
Noriko Takahashi
Youhei Usami and Keiko Sagara
Hiroshi Nomura
The archetypal Fuji fan
Hippie chic at the food village
Sunday mist descends on the bike park
TV ensures every angle is covered
Yukes Yabe and her rum pistol
Keisuke Watanabe, chef at Higashiyama Tokyo's Fuji outpost
The vending machine service staff
A one-man band entertains a loo queue
Queues for food are typically laid-back
Feist beguiles the Orange Court stage
Iggy Pop, Green Stage, Saturday – wild
Mr Pop's very own Tokyo punks
*Monocle* learns how to tie the towel
Fingers agrees that Japanese music festivals are different. Fuji Rock, he says, is "safe, clean with little or no theft and no fights". There are hitches – the weather being the main one, and the bands aren't always as well-behaved as the crowds. "Every year a band or two cancel at the last minute, people get sick, miss planes, have fights – it goes with the territory," he says. But whatever happens, the organisers still have to spend 10 days clearing up. "We have to leave the site as we found it, basically an alpine valley with trees and meadows."
The big event, July 2007
"When I asked you to clap I didn't think you'd last the whole song – I love you Japan!" Ricky Wilson's wide-eyed admiration for such a generous crowd goes a long way to explaining why he, his Kaiser Chiefs and 200 other bands formed an orderly queue to perform at Fuji Rock this year: either the fans rock or they'll do anything they're told.
In fact, the Fuji crowds are a discerning bunch who know their art rock from their alt folk, go bananas for their heroes and even nod along respectfully while the PA system pipes a little light soul between bands. "I actually like Al Green more than Happy Mondays!" says Shunji Masuda, a student from Nagano, as Shaun Ryder and co shamble off stage after a muddy Sunday tea-time session.
The weather is a help: despite Sunday's cloudburst no one in 10 years of the festival can remember enjoying consecutive sunny days, as Friday and Saturday see. Before the storm brings out the Berghauses, there are rare sightings: fans with tan lines and sunburn.
This year, however, there are two fashion fixtures that stay come rain or shine. In Friday's 28c heat, it seems half the girls are wearing wellies – the coolest are shod by Hunter or Aigle – in more than a nod to Kate Moss doing rural chic in the mega-mud of Glastonbury 2005 (perhaps even British fashion gets jetlag in Japan).
The men sport an equally humble piece of equipment as fashion accessory: towels worn as a hybrid of scarf, headband and bandana. The towel trend owes its genesis to construction workers, baseball stars and rock drummers, three of the sweatiest professions in the world. "Mountain weather's always crazy," concludes Shunji from beneath the hood of his poncho, below which he's still wearing his shorts and flip-flops.
Ten stages and their attendant catering tents, artist pavilions and stalls spread across acres of terrain encompassing dense woodland, green fields and river rapids, while the first few holes of Naeba golf course surrender their fairways to the campsite. Each stage has its own village vibe: the Field of Heaven and Gypsy Avalon is a tie-dyed fusion of Glastonbury and Woodstock, the Palace of Wonder appears to incorporate the more outlandish backstreets of Harajuku. There is even a tiny stage teetering on the edge of the forest path, a wooden boardwalk lit by coloured lanterns strung through the high branches.
All are lorded over by the huge Green Stage that commands, with a popular enough performer, an audience of 40,000 and is set in a valley between steep, pine-peppered slopes. The Chemical Brothers, long-time Fuji favourites and Sunday's headline act, not only blow everyone away with an incendiary set, they stage a light show that affords an incredible sense of scale, illuminating bobbing heads and glowsticks above the tree line half a kilometre away.
There are some astonishingly hard acts to follow on this main stage, too. The Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra leaves not a foot untapped nor a boogie unwoogied by their mix of rock, ska and jazz. The Beastie Boys are loud, slick and beat-perfect; Muse are bombastic and surprisingly spellbinding; the Kings of Leon play their dirty Deep South blues as if their Scotch and cigarettes depended on it; even Kula Shaker, a band all but forgotten by their native British charts, seem to be recreating a pseudo Summer of Love for thousands of flare-wearing Japanese fans. Friday is in love with the Cure, playing their first Japanese gig in 23 years. Robert Smith takes the stage like a messy, mascara'd Godzilla, "this is the end!" he yells before an encore. But it's only Friday.
The test to determine which crowds rock and which crowds are too reserved to rock, could be patented by Iggy Pop, a man for whom the phrase "visceral performance" was practically invented, a showman who could make brushing his teeth seem like an occult initiation ceremony. While his Stooges lay down the thundering backbone of "No Fun", Iggy commands the stage like an angry panther guarding his territory, spitting lyrics, prowling the perimeter, baiting the security guards, rattling the steel fences that separate performer from pit. "Let them up!" he shouts, "C'mon! Take over!"
The security guards are ready for this one and step aside on cue as a stream of flailing limbs windmill through the gates, bodies clambering wildly on stage using whatever purchase they can find on equipment, lights and each other.
The demented idolatry of the rock fan presented with a world stage and the hem of their hero's denims either turns out Mark Chapmans or the wild and wonderfully benign Fuji crowd who made it near-impossible for Iggy to sing another note, such is their enthusiasm.
"That's a whole load of love you're giving me, man!" he laughs as fans prostrate themselves to touch rock's most famous torso amid shrieks, colossal guitar feedback and sheer bedlam.
After five minutes the last bodies have been dispatched to the pit by burly roadies and Iggy owns the stage once more, "Thank you, Tokyo punks!" he roars. The Fuji crowd had passed Iggy's test: they rocked.
Iggy passed theirs, too, "He's very sexy, very good body," says 23-year-old Mayuko Takai before hearing Mr Pop turned 60 this year. "Well, we're quite far back from the stage up here," she qualifies. As Iggy's encore fades, fans wander, arm in arm, toward the food village and high-five each other in the queue for the loo. As the field clears, tipsy revellers pick up the few paper beer cups left behind; in a field where thousands had jumped up and down to the music of an anti-establishment icon, the leftover cigarette butts wouldn't fill a pack of 20. But they still rocked, those Fuji fans.
The Green Stage matches more than the surroundings, too. Fuji Rock has held a longstanding commitment to environmental awareness, especially the recycling of pretty much every element of the festival experience. The site is dotted with 20 painted wooden dumpsters staffed by cheerful volunteers. Plastic is carefully graded into its own separate sections – water bottles in one, their screw-tops in the next, cellophane in another.
It seems that even the staff at the recycling bins, one of the less glamorous jobs at a music event, are ingrained in Japan's quite phenomenal service culture. "Irrashaimase!" is a formal greeting not only reserved for diners at Tokyo's priciest restaurants, but for anyone buying a paper cup of Kirin beer for €3.
Beer is classic festival fuel, but at other sites it seems supply can never match demand: half-hour queues for a disappointing pint are commonplace in many quarters. Yet Fuji's Heineken bars seem to be tents of instant refreshment, a queue-free zone staffed by barmaids who know how to give just the right amount of head. The shochu seems to be flowing successfully, too. Ayao Takahashi owns a shochu and nihonshu distillery and happily reports that one lady drank 22 shots of his smooth but pretty potent hooch in one short session at his stand.
The queues are where the food is. The restaurant village serves ramen and udon noodles, yakitori, pork and beef with rice, Thai curries, prawn skewers, vegetable tempura – the Japanese gourmet gamut. Preparing food also has its perks, "I get paid for chopping cucumbers and then I can run off to party!" says Aya Shimizu, a lifeguard from Gunma Prefecture moonlighting as a sous chef.
In the food village the air is full of flavour, wafting music from the Red Marquee and the shouts of chefs advertising their wares from stoveside. The loudest belongs to Higashiyama Tokyo's bamboo-sided, modernist, open-plan eaterie. The original is an upmarket Tokyo restaurant in Naka Meguro but the Fuji outpost is where their cooks perfect fast food: black curry with a topping of tonkatsu proves the perfect combination of size and spice to keep the home fires burning. "We have been so busy this year," says Keisuke Watanabe, the assistant head chef, "we came here with two lorry loads of food and had to go out shopping yesterday to get more."
With an ear away from the music, the Fuji festival's attention to detail is staggering. The bus drivers working shifts from early morning until 02.00 are never without their caps, ironed epaulettes, white gloves and tie. At 01.00, teams of five are cheerfully emptying the cash from the ubiquitous Coca-Cola and Pocari Sweat vending machines that line the walkway to the main entrance.
Fuji Rock's on-site onsen is a revelation even for this service-oriented festival. The Prince Hotel, on whose grounds the festival sets up shop, annually opens its hot spring for weary party animals and worn-out rockers.
The incongruity of a peaceful oasis in the middle of 100,000 fans giving it up for the Chemical Brothers is sublime. The Japanese affinity for the demure is everywhere, from the pleated curtains on the Portaloos, to the meticulously pitched patchwork of tents that line the front nine of the golf course.
No festival is perfect, of course. Some English-speaking acts might have liked a little more noise from the crowd. But those same bands also marvel at the pitch-perfect sound systems on every stage. Some say it's too clean – but they'll be the guests with the suite at the hotel rather than the salt of the earth in their sleeping bags. The truth is, that this festival lives up to its name. Fuji rocks.


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


People are spending hours and days glued to their TVs listening to horrific news and looking at videos and images that can make any heart cry. Bad news after bad news coming from Japan have moved everyone. My roommate for four years and a long time friend lives in Tokyo and the moment I got the news about the disaster, my very first thought was ,"gosh, is she ok?!" Soon after you are relieved to find that the ones close to you are safe, you realize that there are countless people equally important to others who are unfortunately not that lucky. It is these hard times that make you take a moment and reflect on what's really important. As we go about our lives, it is not that hard to start taking things for granted. And we keep falling into that trap, until woken up again.
It is also the moment that makes you realize that what's actually true is today and now! A came back home after a crazy month of travel and work and this was the weekend when we got to spend some quality family time. But the same thought kept coming to my mind. The thought of living life and the thought of loving to the fullest. The weather was good enough to pull out the flip flops, put on the sunglasses and enjoy some beer. And the day was good enough to do some cooking and make something that I've been thinking of making forever but had been putting off. So I made some Chicken Tikka Masala.
I made a "not so traditional" version of Chicken Tikka Masala. But then again I am not sure if there is anything that qualifies as a "traditional Indian tikka masala". In fact, Chicken Tikka Masala was not even born in India. Rumor has it that years back in the 1960s, a British gentleman stepped into an Indian restaurant and returned his order of chicken tikka complaining that it was undercooked. Tired of his customer's rants, the chef opened a can of tomato soup, threw in some cream and cooked the tikka in the sauce. Ironically, the dish became so popular in England that in 2001, it was declared as England's national dish. Some Indian critics claim that it was born in the early 1500s when Babar, a Mughal emperor sick of choking on the bones of his tandoori chicken asked his Punjabi cooks to remove all the bones. Cooks terrified of the angry emperor chopped off all the bones before throwing the chicken into the tandoor (clay oven). They cooked the chicken in spices and served it to the emperor.
Whatever be the story, I know that it is one of the most popular Indian dishes and the kind of Chicken Tikka Masala a restaurant serves determines the quality of a restaurant and a chef in my book. Recently Soma from eCurry posted a recipe for butter chicken which stuck in my mind ever since. Its my little brother's all time favorite dish but needs a little more of love and patience that I can give to my food right now. So I made Chicken Tikka Masala instead and served it with some roti and Cumin scented Green Pea Pulao. This is a quicker and simpler version from a busy mom to some Indian food lovers and I have a feeling that you are going to like it!
Mix all the dry ingredients into the mixture of yogurt and lemon juice to prepare a marinade.
Add chicken pieces into the marinade.
Mix everything well. Cover the bowl and let it sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour. I did it overnight.
Grill the skewered chicken until done or pop it into the oven for 15-20 minutes at a temperature of 400 deg. F.
Pour oil in a thick bottom pan. Add ginger garlic paste.Turn on the heat and let the paste slowly cook as the oil heats up. This perfumes the oil and also your house!
When the oil is hot, add onion, coriander, fennel, black pepper powder and garam masala. Mix it all together.
Add tomato puree and mix it very well with all the spices. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes until the sauce starts reducing and the excess water evaporates. Stir occasionally scraping the bottom.
Add cooked chicken pieces along with the drippings if cooked in an oven and cream. Mix it all together and let it simmer for another 5-7 minutes.
Garnish with some chopped cilantro and serve with naan, roti, or Rice Pulao like I did.
Wash rice thoroughly with water. Set aside.
Heat oil in a saucepan. Throw in bay leaf and cumin seeds and cook until they start popping.
Add green peas. Cook for a minute.
Add rice and salt. Mix everything and then add 2 1/2 cups of water (the rule of thumb for cooking basmati rice is to add water a little over twice the quantity of rice, I added a half cup extra).
Bring the rice to a nice boil and then turn the heat to medium, cover the saucepan with a lid and cook until all the water is absorbed.
Turn off the heat and let it rest covered for 10 minutes.
Disclaimer: In no way I am trying to promote or endorse Coca Cola through my photos or post. I just found an old bottle of Coca Cola as an interesting prop so I used it in my photos. By doing this, in no way I'm asking you to use it or serve with my food or recipes.
We love your recipes, especially when its on Chicken Tikka.
You have shared some nice information about Chicken Tikka Masala in this post.
Your photographs look very tempting. I usually make Cumin Pulao (http://nithyascorner.com/?p=6943) but have not tried Cumin seeds and peas. Should try it out soon. Loved your version!
Chicken tikka is my favorite comfort food to make. I love your version of the recipe!
I think you'll be interested to know that this dish originated in Scotland.
I made this last recipe last night with my sister, and couldn't believe my taste buds. Incredibly satisfying!! I would even say one of the most satisfying things I've ever tasted. My mouth is still watering. Your blog is absolutely beautiful, I am grateful to have stumbled upon it and can't wait to try more of your recipes. Thank you so much for sharing this with the world.
Interesting that you would call regular rice with peas in it Pulao. Recipe looks great but curious about the rice since I cook Indian regularly and am Indian.
I recently returned from a trip to Pune, and made this for some friends since we had eaten it at a couple of restaurants on our trip. I was so nervous, but your recipe was easy to follow and it came out wonderful! Next on the list to try is your Naan recipe!!
Hi Nadia, yes you sure can use breasts instead of thighs. I just find thighs more tender. But just a little tip, if you are using breasts add a few chunks of pineapple to the curry and it will help keep the breasts tender.
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Wonderful! The photos make my taste buds come to life. Just beautiful!
This looks so wonderful! Chicken tikka masala is my all-time favorite Indian restaurant dish. After looking at these beautiful photos, I want to attempt making it at home.
gorgeous photos. I am a recent convert to Indian cuisine. The more I read about it the better off I am. this looks so lovely and delicious.
Adore your pictures!!!! chicken and rice looks amazing !!!
You are so right about taking what we have for granted, Prerna. Though I also think we shouldn't blame ourselves either, because there are so many things going on in the world right now and in our lives, it can be easy to get overwhelmed and lost at times if we try to be conscious of it all. But it important to take a step back from time to time and make sure we're giving the really important people and things their time. I've been thinking and watching and praying (as much as an agnostic can) for Japan and all its suffering people in the last week. It's been great to see how some people have come together and that it's helped people as far away as you or I to take a fresh look at life. But, mostly on the government level, there's also been mistrust and finger-pointing that isn't so reassuring. The dangers of nuclear technology is a fact of our modern age and something with widespread effects so I hope the reaction to this situation will set a good example of collaboration and understanding for the future rather than more distrust and discord. Haha, sorry I do go on don't I? I also wanted to say that your chicken tikka masala looks scrumptious. I know my boyfriend would love for me to make this for him 8).
Awesome spread Prerna… everything looks gorgeous.. each and every picture speaks a lot.. love the lighting and fantastic spread… Wish I can have that meal rightaway.. I am dumbstruck now.
This looks delicious! I love this dish! I can't wait to try your recipe!!
U r such a perfect gal.
wish as we can share recipes wish ur share of talent was in me to ,a pinch will do wonder as salt does.
Whatever the reason of it's creation, I'm so glad it happened, chicken tikka masala is one of my favorite dishes! Looks gorgeous. P.S – The disclaimer! I couldn't stop laughing!
Watching the news recently has just been so heartbreaking. As you say, it really does remind you about what is important in life.
Your photos are absolutely breathtaking, as usual. I am honestly in awe of your amazing talent.
Your disclaimer made me laugh!
What a post! I am saving the recipe to make it soon!
Peas Pulao are my fav. And Of course- Chicken Tikka is too. Your photos are just so lovely! I envy what you do with your photos. Teach me!
I've watched some news programs these past couple of days (and read a lot more newspaper articles)… and I'm not sure what good parking myself in front of the TV does.
With each imagine that I've seen, I've gravitated towards the kitchen where I've been trying to reflect on everything that's been happening.
This was another wonderful post… thoughtful and ultimately scrumptious.
this looks so lovely! thank you for sharing this post with us and my heart and prayers goes out to Japan in this time of need.
On a happier note, this is one of my favorite foods and you have photographed it BEAUTIFULLY! I always feel lame when I order Tikka Masala at Indian restaurants because of the whole thing with Britain, but dang…. It's so tasty!
This is such a thoughtful post. My thoughts, too, are with the people of Japan.
Tikka masala is one of my favorites and you have made such an inspiring version.
Drooling. Indian cuisine is one of my faves, but I haven't made any dishes at home in forever. Must try this. Must!
So true. Your dish looks both beautiful and comforting- something the world needs both of right now.
Beautiful chicken tissa masala! Eating with palao rice will be so satisfying!
So sad about the tragic events around the world.
I love your food photography.
Yum! I love chicken tikka masala, and I found your accounts of the possible origins of the dish really fascinating! Wherever it came from, it's a fabulous dish and I can't wait to try your recipe.
Stunning photos and mouth watering recipe. I can almost smell the aroma wafting from your kitchen.
Prerna, I am speechless whenever i visit your page..Awesome spread..
Prerna you have me drooling at 9:30 in the morning for chicken tikka and naan 🙂 thanks much for the mention.
I see you have used fennel powder, which I have never done before in the tikka masala. Does it give a very distinct different flavor? for when i make regular chicken curry with fennel, i can sense that flavor very easily. or is it subtle along with the other spices?
yes it tastes better as it matures!
the devastation is heartbreaking… so hard to believe that all that is for real. life is so darn fragile and unpredictable.
I read your entire post, but the only thing my mind was focused on is that cold glass bottle of coke. I haven't had one since returning to US 3yrs ago from UAE, and when I was in India 6months ago, they had canned coke everywhere. I only got to drink Mt Dew in a glass bottle at the snack place.
It's true what you say about us taking life for granted as we go about our busy schedules. Sometimes I find myself stopping to think of how selfish I've been for the past week because I've failed to remember in my prayers those who are in need. We, as humans, always need reminders.
It's a shame that I've never tasted chicken tikka masala before. After reading that you base the standards of an Indian restaurant on this dish, I'm definitely going to try it the next time I'm out for some Indian food.
Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola, secret product placement for Coca-Cola. Even Indian simmer needs funding-ola, so let's all hear it for Coca-Cola.
Coca-Cola. Upstaging your food since you posted this.
Hi Prema, I just wanted to say that I found your blog today and I love it! So much that I sent it to my sister and my mum and they love it too! Keep up the good work and I am following on Facebook now too. Beautiful.
Great looking dish, Prerna! It does not seem too complicated, but I have to hunt for garlic and ginger pastes (it's easier than making my own:). Isn't it odd that so many of us reach for comfort food, something warm, that reminds us of our childhood and families far away when we are distressed?
The images on TV are heart-breaking and it's definitely time to re-arrange the priorities in life.
Not a fan of the peas in the rice but chicken tikka anytime for me. I see that the American Coke culture has caught up with you as well.
This looks just delightful, and I love the mysterious history. Will definitely be making this soon!
Yes, I think the recent tragic events have given us reason to pause and grieve for those who have lost their lives or their loved ones as well as take the time to look to our own lives and appreciate what we have been given and not take anything for granted. I'm glad to hear that your husband is back and that you were able to spend some good quality family time together, cherish those special moments.
By the way, this is one of my husband's favorite dishes!
A beautiful tikka massala! Your dish looks so appetizing and beautiful. Yummy!
What an aromatic rice! Love the presentation and the clicks, Prerna!
I've always loved your pics and the titles you give to your blog posts…makes my mouth water just reading it! I love chicken tikka masala but never tried at home…yours is easy enough for me to attempt!
It is so true what you say, when you know all your lvoed ones are safe, there are still other peoples loved ones that can't be found.
All this food looks absolutely delicious and I can't wait to try cooking it in my new kitchen!


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Charles Rosa (Peabody, Massachusetts, Estados Unidos, 24 de agosto de 1986) es un artista marcial mixto estadounidense que compite en la división de peso pluma de Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Primeros años
Es de ascendencia italiana y, hijo de Chucky y Mary Rosa, nació y se crio en Peabody, Massachusetts. El padre, el abuelo y el tío de Rosa eran boxeadores profesionales. Rosa tenía dos hermanos mayores, Domenic y Vincent, que ambos murieron de sobredosis accidental de drogas. También tiene una hermana, Teresa, y dos hermanos menores, Lucas y Francis. Cuando crecía, Rosa jugaba al fútbol, al hockey y al lacrosse, y también se entrenaba en karate.

Continuó jugando lacrosse en la Universidad Johnson & Wales, donde también obtuvo un título en las artes culinarias. Tras graduarse en la universidad, Rosa se trasladó a Florida en busca de un nuevo comienzo. Buscando un gimnasio de boxeo, se topó con el gimnasio American Top Team, donde comenzó a entrenar en artes marciales mixtas.

Carrera en las artes marciales mixtas

Inicios
Compiló un récord de MMA amateur de 11-2 e hizo su debut profesional en 2012 compitiendo en promociones regionales a través del noreste de Estados Unidos. Él compiló un récord invicto de 9-0, terminando todos sus oponentes antes de firmar con la UFC en el verano de 2014.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Debutó en la UFC contra Dennis Siver el 4 de octubre de 2014 en UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Story.  Perdió el combate por decisión unánime. Este combate le valió el premio a la Pelea de la Noche.

Se enfrentó a Sean Soriano el 18 de enero de 2015 en UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Siver. Ganó el combate por sumisión en el tercer asalto.

Se enfrentó a Yair Rodríguez el 13 de junio de 2015 en UFC 188. Perdió el combate por decisión dividida. Este combate le valió el premio a la Pelea de la Noche.

Se esperaba que se enfrentara a Jimy Hettes el 17 de enero de 2016 en UFC Fight Night: Dillashaw vs. Cruz. Sin embargo, Hettes se retiró del combate en la semana previa al evento y fue sustituido por Augusto Mendes. Solo dos días después, Mendes fue retirado del combate y sustituido por Kyle Bochniak. Ganó el combate por decisión unánime.

Se enfrentó a Shane Burgos el 8 de abril de 2017 en UFC 210. Perdió el combate por TKO en el tercer asalto. Este combate le valió el premio a la Pelea de la Noche.

Se esperaba que se enfrentara a Mizuto Hirota el 23 de septiembre de 2017 en UFC Fight Night: Saint Preux vs. Okami. Sin embargo, el combate fue cancelado el día del pesaje, ya que Hirota no alcanzó el peso y fue considerado médicamente no apto para competir.

Se esperaba que se enfrentara a Dan Ige el 20 de enero de 2018 en UFC 220. Sin embargo, el 22 de diciembre de 2017, se informó que fue retirado del evento debido a una lesión en el cuello.

Tras un parón de 30 meses por una lesión en el cuello, regresó y se enfrentó a Manny Bermudez el 18 de octubre de 2019 en UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Weidman. En el pesaje, Bermudez pesó 148 libras, 2 libras por encima del límite de peso pluma de 146. El combate se celebró en el peso acordado. Bermudez fue multado con el 20% de su bolsa, que fue para Rosa. Ganó el combate por sumisión en el primer asalto. Esta victoria le valió el premio a la Actuación de la Noche.

Se esperaba que se enfrentara a Bryce Mitchell el 2 de mayo de 2020 en UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Weidman. Sin embargo, el 9 de abril, el presidente de la UFC, Dana White, anunció que este evento fue pospuesto y el combate finalmente tuvo lugar el 9 de mayo de 2020 en UFC 249. Perdió el combate por decisión unánime.

Se enfrentó a Kevin Aguilar el 13 de junio de 2020 en UFC on ESPN: Eye vs. Calvillo. Ganó el combate por decisión dividida.

Se enfrentó a Darrick Minner el 20 de febrero de 2021 en UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Lewis. Perdió el combate por decisión unánime.

Se enfrentó a Justin Jaynes el 26 de junio de 2021 en UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Volkov. Ganó el combate por decisión dividida.

Se enfrentó a Damon Jackson el 9 de octubre de 2021 en UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Rodriguez. Perdió el combate por decisión unánime.

Se enfrentó a T.J. Brown el 15 de enero de 2022 en UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Chikadze. Junto con el combate, firmó un nuevo contrato de cuatro combates con la UFC. Perdió el combate por decisión unánime.

Se enfrentó a Nathaniel Wood el 23 de julio de 2022 en UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall. Perdió el combate por decisión unánime.

Vida personal
Además de competir, trabaja como chef en un restaurante de carne de lujo, Cut 432, en Delray Beach, Florida.

Campeonatos y logros
 Ultimate Fighting Championship
 Pelea de la Noche (tres veces) vs. Dennis Siver, Yair Rodríguez, y Shane Burgos
 Actuación de la Noche (una vez)

Récord en artes marciales mixtas

Véase también
 Anexo:Actuales peleadores de UFC

Referencias

Enlaces externos

Practicantes de artes marciales mixtas de Estados Unidos
Nacidos en Massachusetts

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


While virtually unknown compared to the by now famous Israeli Shermans that were operated for years after WWII, Israel also operated for a time the American M10 Gun Motor Carriage, known by the British as the Achilles. These tank destroyers were acquired as part of a plan to have organic Anti-Tank platoons attached to the infantry battalions, a concept which was abandoned sometime in the early 1960s after Israel Tal's ideas for pure tank units were adopted. However, while the M10's service in Israel was brief, it is no less interesting. The initial shipments of M10s were acquired much the same way as the Shermans, being bought from scrapyards and depots in Europe. In this case, the first batch of 21 were bought from the UK in 1951, with the first 6 of these arriving in January of 1952. The prognosis however, wasn't good. The original 3″ guns were worn through and were missing their breech blocks, as well as all of the engines either needed extensive repairs or outright replacement. So these vehicles sat more or less untouched until 1953, when some 17-pdr cannons were acquired from the UK with the goal of rearming the M10s. This wasn't without its own drawbacks however, as the first M10 trialed with the 17-pdr suffered a serious malfunction, although no further information is given as to what this malfunction might have been. In any case, that same year, 1953, Israel had decided to acquire its first real "modern" tank in the form of some AMX-13 light tanks from France. These tanks were armed with the fairly powerful 75mm CN-75 50 cannon, and Israel also acquired 20 or so of these cannons for rearming their existing M10s and eventually, their Shermans.
In any event, it's unknown exactly how many M10s Israel ever had in service given the issues that plagued the M10, although some estimates seem to indicate as many as 100 had been acquired by 1960. Whether all of these entered service or not is impossible to determine. Making it harder is the fact that M10s equipped with the French 75mm CN-75 50 were not only labeled as M-50s, but were counted towards the number of total M-50s, further complicating matters. What is known is that all M10s, both the "M-50" 75mm CN-75 50 armed models as well as those armed with the 17-pdr, were withdrawn from service in 1966, having never seen combat in their roughly 15 year life with the IDF.
Not really. I disagree completely with the actions of the Israeli government but I don't hate the Israeli people because of it.
If the m50 was brought into world of tanks, would it be a french, US, or brittish tonk?
French premium more than likely.
Why wouldn't it be an Israeli vehicle? Israel has enough vehicles to make a full tech tree after all.
not in this particular era i dont think. Post-war they definitely do yeah but during the war, most of the vehicles used are american/french/british imports iirc.
Also, this would require WG putting in a new tech tree, and we know how often that gets done.
Why wouldn't it be a regular Israeli vehicle? Israel is more than capable of making a full tech tree.
The M50 is in now more or less as the French tier 8 premium M4A1 Sherman Revalorise which was the prototype for the M50 Sherman.
The M-51 you mean. And if Wargaming would ever bother to fix the engine on the Revalorisé to its historical Continental R-975 radial, it would be more different to the Israeli M-51.
So Life_In_Black why don't you propose the M10 75mm for the game as a French premium Tank destroyer of the Tier 5 or Tier 6? If we take the closest relative to the 75mm CN 75 50 gun it would be the AMX 13 75's gun with 144mm (202 gold)of penetration and 135 dmg.
Also, why on earth would want it to be a French premium? It's bad enough the M4A1 Revalorisé should have been an Israeli premium but Wargaming were too goddamn greedy and lazy to care about even getting the vehicle historical let alone putting it in the right nation's tree.
Its a Israeli modification so it fits more in an Israeli tech tree.


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Connections to the past mark agency's 150th birthday
History of JFS told through documents, artifacts, and stories
By Johanna R Ginsberg September 22, 2010, 12:00 am Edit
Merger documents to establish the Jewish Counseling Service Agency, a predecessor of Jewish Family Service of MetroWest, were signed and witnessed by, from left, Irving Greenberg, Martin Jelin, Abner Benisch, Herbert Hannoch, and Herman Pekarsky in 1961
In the 1860s, Newark's Hebrew Benevolent Society delivered coal to needy families in Essex County to ensure their homes were warm in the winter.
One hundred and fifty years later, Jewish Family Service of MetroWest NJ still makes sure people's homes are warm in the winter. Instead of delivering coal, however, it pays PSE&G bills.
Connections like these are at the heart of "Past Forward: Celebrating 150 Years of Jewish Family Service of MetroWest" on display through Nov. 17 at the Alex Aidekman Family Jewish Community Campus in Whippany.
The exhibit, curated by the Jewish Historical Society of Metro-
West, offers a meticulous study in the roots of the social service organization and the forces that shaped its evolution.
Featured are early-20th-century photographs, uniforms from the community orphanage, a ledger of minutes from the first years of the organization's operation, and even children's medical records.
Confidentiality issues prevent the display of client photographs in the exhibit. Curator and JHS executive director Linda Forgosh said she stayed up nights contemplating how to create an engaging visual display. "There have never been photos of clients for public use," she said.
Sandra Rosenbaum, cochair of the JFS 150th anniversary committee, thinks that particular obstacle was overcome. "The exhibit really brings to life, visually, how Jews have been helping Jews through JFS since its inception going all the way back to the Civil War, and how it has constantly evolved as our community's needs have evolved," she said.
The exhibit is just one of many events in the year-long celebration of the agency, which will culminate in a June gala where an updated history of the organization will be distributed.
Funding support for the exhibit was provided with a grant from the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey and additional contributions from Hebrew Free Loan of New Jersey and Rachel Coalition.
'Grounded in values'
Begun simply to "assist the needy, succor the helpless, and protect the weak," the Junger Manner Wahltatigskeir Gesellschaft (Young Men's Benevolent Society) was established in 1861, when its focus was mainly on providing for orphans.
Just 15 years after its inception, the organization changed its name to the Hebrew Benevolent and Orphan Asylum, and ran the Hebrew Orphans' Asylum until 1955. Other services were added and changed as necessary. The agency helped resettle members of the first wave of Russian immigrants in the early 1900s, provided services for Holocaust survivors mid-century, and again helped a second wave of Russian immigrants toward the end of the century.
The message? Adaptability has enabled the agency to survive, according to JFS executive director Reuben Rotman.
"We have always responded as the needs of the community evolved," he said. These shifts in service include the creation, for example, of the Rachel Coalition to combat domestic violence and services for caregivers of the area's growing elderly population.
"While the orphanage no longer exists," Rotman said, "the agency does provide adoption services as well as services for parents who lose a child."
Staffing changes were happening behind the scenes, with volunteers culled from among the women of Newark eventually replaced by professionally trained social workers, as documented in the exhibit. Today the JFS, a partner body of United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ, is a nonsectarian agency serving residents of Essex, Morris, Sussex, north Union, and lower Hudson counties.
But while times change, the JFS' core mission hasn't, said Rotman. "We do the work we do today grounded in the values, history, and foundations of the community," he said. "There has been a permanent role in this community for the work of this agency for 150 years."


Established in 1982, our company is an international sales agent and dealer for Italian clothing and fashion apparel. We provide sales and marketing services for importers and exporters of made in Italy fashion, clothing and accessories. Our company is equipped with the advanced inspection facilities and has skilled staff to deliver quality products. We offer various products of superior quality, innovative designs and competitive prices.


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14 firefighters promoted after court ruling
White firefighters had sued over test procedure
By John Christoffersen
Published: December 11, 2009 12:00 am
Thomas Cain, Associated Press
New Haven Mayor John DeStefano takes part in a promotion ceremony for New Haven, Conn., firefighters.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Amid blaring bagpipes, the crowd erupted with even louder cheers, whistles and shouts when firefighters entered a high school auditorium to receive their promotional badges after a five-year legal battle that ended with a U.S. Supreme Court victory.
The high court ruled in June that New Haven officials violated white firefighters' civil rights when they threw out 2003 test results in which too few minorities did well.
Fourteen firefighters who sued were promoted to lieutenant and captain. Another 10 firefighters, including four minorities, who took the 2003 tests but were not plaintiffs in the court case also were promoted along with an inspector.
"I'm just thrilled it happened," said newly promoted Capt. Gary Carbone, one of the plaintiffs. "It felt like time stood still. I was so excited to get the badge."
The crowd of several hundred gave the firefighters standing ovations as they were sworn in.
"Today we acknowledge ... the training, experience, character and sacrifice of these 25 officers who take on new leadership roles in this great department," said New Haven Mayor John DeStefano. "It's a challenge that we all acknowledge — that I acknowledge — has been earned by them."
The case became an issue in confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who ruled against the white firefighters when she served on a federal appeals court.
Another plaintiff, Steven Durand, who was accepting his promotion to lieutenant, predicted the case would result in "sweeping changes" around the country in how promotions are handled.
"Today is a great day. It takes a lot of stress off our shoulders," said Durand.
Cindy Parker, whose son Chris was promoted to lieutenant, said her son studied for six months for the exam while his wife was pregnant.
"They just worked so hard for this. God bless them," Parker said.
Ben Vargas, the only Hispanic among the plaintiffs who was promoted to captain, called the ceremony "vindication" for a hard-fought legal battle.
"It turned out to benefit the entire country," Vargas said.
Vargas said firefighters did not allow the dispute to affect their performance.
"When that bell rings all that stuff goes out the window," he said.
Dennis Thompson, an attorney for black firefighters who tried unsuccessfully last month to block the plaintiffs' promotions, said Wednesday that his clients congratulate the newly promoted firefighters.
"Nobody is going to say these guys are unqualified," Thompson said.
But Thompson, who is trying to intervene in federal court in New Haven to challenge the validity of the exams now that they have been certified, said the fight is not over because the black firefighters were not heard. In other cases, cities have been required to make more promotions than planned, he said.
"They understand this is a 15-round fight," Thompson said of his clients. "You don't decide who won in Round 3."
That prompted an angry reaction from Karen Torre, attorney for the white firefighters.
"Attorney Thompson's provocations and promise, to me, only demonstrates the need for the Supreme Court to take up the issue of the constitutionality of that provision of Title VII that allows such people to paralyze local governments and the civil service and hold the public hostage to endless litigation over the issue of race," Torre said in a statement.
David Rosen, an attorney for a black New Haven firefighter who is suing the city and arguing he was unfairly denied a promotion, said Wednesday that his client, Michael Briscoe, is happy for the promoted firefighters and has congratulated several of them.
"He's not trying to take a slot away from one of the people being promoted," Rosen said. "There are other vacant positions."


text:
Il mridangam (in tamil: மிருதங்கம்) è uno strumento a percussione indiano, utilizzato principalmente nella musica carnatica e formato da due membrane che producono rispettivamente un suono più grave e un suono più acuto.

Altri progetti

Collegamenti esterni

Strumenti musicali indiani


text:
Logan Sargeant: Can he stay the face of F1 in the USA?
Prospect Logan Sargeant has been on the radar since he signed with Williams as a development driver.
His progress in F2 has increased attention and now the rookie driver has secured his place at the top table with Williams for the 2023 season.
He will be the first American to take part in an F1 race since Alexander Rossi in 2015, and he is on pace to become the first American to compete in a full F1 calendar since Scott Speed in 2006. If he scores a win in career, he would become the first American to do so since 1978.
But before Sargeant gets all that, Dailymail.com takes a look at how he got here, how he's raced, and what Americans can expect in his first season in the big time.
Logan Sargeant could become the first American in 17 years to race in a full Formula 1 season
Logan Sargeant was born on New Year's Eve 2000 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He is the younger brother of former NASCAR Truck Series driver Dalton Sargeant and the nephew of energy and shipping magnate Harry Sargeant III.
In an interview published on the Formula Two website, Sargeant said that both of his parents encouraged his racing career, especially his father.
'Both my parents have always supported me in my career. I feel like he always has my back no matter the situation,' she said.
'He's a good and smart guy, someone to look up to and he's a great dad too.'
Sargeant began racing at a young age and credits his parents for helping him during his career
Sargeant called his father 'a good and smart man, someone to look up to' who supported him
Sargeant began his motorsport endeavors at the age of seven, when he started karting. He started at the championships stateside before crossing the pond in 2009.
In total, he won 12 different karting titles, including the 2015 CIK-FIA World Championship. In doing so, he became the first American world karting champion since Lake Speed beat a crowded field – including Ayrton Senna – for the title in 1978.
Sargeant jumped to single-seaters in the 2016-17 season in Formula Four – taking part in the UAE championship. Sargeant finished second in that series behind South African and fellow Team Motopark driver Jonathan Aberdein and ahead of future F1 driver Oscar Piastri.
Related: Everton owner Farhad Moshiri responds to fans after calls to sack the board
For 2017, Sargeant will try his hand at the F4 British Championship, racing with Carlin. He would take part in a few races at Formula Renault level, but would put in 30 races in F4 taking home third place in the drivers' standings. This time, Piastri is only 19.5 points behind him. During that time, he also took his first F4 wins.
Sargeant started karting in 2008, when he was seven years old
Sargeant's first foray into single-seater cars came during his Formula 4 career
The following year, Sargeant dedicated his season to the Formula Renault series. Competing in the R-ace GP, the 21-year-old won three races and finished fourth behind Max Fewtrell, Christian Lundgaard, and Ye Yifei. Again, he finished convincingly ahead of Piastri.
In 2019, Sargeant returned to an FIA series with the return of Carlin for the Formula Three season. In a field of 34 total drivers, Sargeant finished 19th – ahead of Teppei Natori, but behind teammate Felipe Drugovich.
That season also featured a podium finish at the Macau Grand Prix and he raced alongside the likes of Robert Shwartzman, Marcus Armstrong, Jehan Daruvala, Juri Vips, Christian Lundgaard, Liam Lawson, and Yuki Tsunoda.
In 2019, Sargeant jumped to Formula Three for a full season – racing alongside Carlin
For 2020, looking for a new challenge, Sargeant switched places and joined Prema Racing – partnered with Piastri – in Formula 3.
The season was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning the change and cancellation of races in Sochi, Bahrain, and Zandvoort.
That year, Piastri edged out Sargeant with the Australian finishing first and the American third with Frenchman Theo Pourchaire between them. Sargeant took the same number of race wins as Piastri – taking home silverware at both Silverstone and Spa.
In the revised 2020 season, Sargeant races with Prema Racing alongside Oscar Piastri
Although it was hoped for Sargeant to make the jump to F2 in 2021, he said he would not be able to make that move – citing financial reasons. He returned to Formula Three with a more underpowered Charouz Racing car. That season, he finished seventh. He was called up for three F2 races with HWA Racelab in Jeddah, failing to finish in the points.
Related: World's sexiest golfer Paige Spiranac stuns with sexy Street Fighter Halloween costume
At this time Williams Racing noticed Sargeant. They announced that the young driver will join the Williams Driver Academy at the 2021 United States Grand Prix. At the end of the F1 season that year, he took part in post-season testing.
In 2022, he finally made the jump to Formula Two – returning to Carlin with Liam Lawson.
In his first season as a Williams Academy driver, Sargeant won two Formula 2 feature races
By the time the F1 US Grand Prix rolled around in October, Sargeant was in the top three of the F2 standings having won feature races at Silverstone and the Red Bull Ring.
That weekend, then Williams team boss Jost Capito announced that Sargeant would be offered a drive for the team in the 2023 Formula One season on the condition that he accumulates enough super license points.
Sargeant finished the season fourth in the F2 standings (with Lawson leading him by one point), and earned enough SL points for the seat.
It was confirmed in late November that Sargeant will race alongside Alexander Albon in the Williams – racing No. 2, a number not seen in F1 since Stoffel Vandoorne in 2018.
It was announced in Austin that Sargeant could race for Williams if he got his super licence
After finishing fourth in the driver standings in Formula 2, Williams confirmed Sargeant's seat
So, what should Americans expect from Sargeant in his first Formula One season? It might be worth comparing him to the guy he's replacing to get a decent idea of a baseline expectation.
In his first full season in Formula Two (then GP2), Nicholas Latifi took a single podium and finished 16th out of 26 drivers. Before that, he had one season in Italian Formula Three and two full seasons worth of experience in FIA Formula Three racing.
Related: Nick Kyrgios hasn't even watched Netflix doco - as he names stars to take over from Nadal, Djokovic
That's roughly the same amount of time Sargeant spent in the series before he jumped to F2. But in his first full F2 season, the new Williams man managed two feature race wins, a feature race podium, and a sprint race podium.
It is hard to say whether Sargeant will immediately do better than Latifi, but it is worth noting that Latifi's best season in F2 was his fourth full season in that division.
Sargeant has had a few F1 car tests in the past, so he doesn't know its speed and power
It will also depend on the car Sargeant drives – especially considering the turmoil that has surrounded Williams in recent years.
Since 2020, there have been many changes in ownership and leadership of Williams' development following the sale of the team.
A further wrench was thrown into the development when Jost Capito announced that he would be stepping down as team principal.
In each of the last three seasons, Williams have finished in the bottom three of the constructors' championship – including the two seasons in which they finished last.
A wrench was thrown into Williams' development in 2023 when Jost Capito stepped down
It's hard to see any big improvements coming next year, especially considering the team's eleven point finishes and one podium in the last three seasons with a total of 61 Grands Prix.
So what remains is how Sargeant drives the car. Alex Albon's car scored five podium finishes last season – including a ninth-placed finish by Nyck de Vries at Monza – so if the two cars are even, it could be that a driver like Sargeant can put it in points.
Hopes of Sargeant breaking the record of four wins in a rookie season set by Lewis Hamilton with McLaren in 2007 are likely to be a fruitless exercise.
For now, expect Sargeant to use this season to set a baseline for any future success.
Fans shouldn't expect much, but Sargeant might surprise us all this upcoming F1 season
Tags: dailymailfaceformulaoneLoganSargeantsportsSTAYUSA
Ayoze Perez close to sealing loan move to Real Betis with Leicester eager to sign a winger
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Leeds look to bolster defensive ranks with Portugal U17 centre back Diogo Monteiro from Servette
Next Rory McIlroy calls for LIV chief Greg Norman to GO to put an end to golf's civil war
Previous Jack Grealish insists Manchester City are 'ready to POUNCE on Arsenal' if the Gunners 'slip up'
Xabi Alonso has transformed Bayer Leverkusen after taking over a club in disarray
Ludwig Augustinsson set to cut short spell at Aston Villa and join Real Mallorca on loan


Contact Us | Gardiner Immigration, P.A.
South Florida residents throughout Tampa, Plantation, Fort Lauderdale and surrounding areas are more than welcome to retain our counsel. Our hearts and minds lie with the best interests of immigrants everywhere, which is why we do our part by helping individuals like you achieve the American Dream. Get in touch with Attorney Gardiner to receive sound legal advice for your case.
We would be happy to advise you on the many ways in which you can obtain U.S. citizenship. Call or email Attorney Gardiner and team today.


text:
export interface NotificationState {
	items: NotificationMessage[];
}

export interface NotificationMessage {
	id: number;
	title: string;
	isRead: boolean;
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Congressional Black And Hispanic Caucuses Focus On Marijuana Reform At Events
Organizations affiliated with black and hispanic members of Congress both featured panels covering marijuana issues at conferences they hosted this week.
On Wednesday, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute held a panel exploring the criminal justice, economic and public health aspects of cannabis legalization, which featured Reps. Lou Correa (D-CA) and Cedric Richmond (D-LA). Experts discussed "marijuana policies, entrepreneurial opportunities, public health risks, and more," according to the event's website.
Madeline Martinez, executive director of NORML Oregon, spoke at the session and wrote in a Facebook post that it "was an amazing honor to be included."
"As an activist who has been at the forefront of the reform movement for 20 years, it was a privilege to join my fellow Latinos at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute to strategize solutions to towards solving the moral and economic failures of the war on drugs and crafting solutions that put minorities and those most affected by the war in the front of the line to reap the benefits of legalization," Martinez told Marijuana Moment.
Interestingly, the panel was sponsored by the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsible, an organization supported by several major alcohol corporations that's working to prevent drunk driving.
The following day, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation kicked off its own marijuana panel: "The Black Experience In Cannabis," which focused on civic engagement and community outreach issues.
On Friday, a separate CBC Foundation panel hosted by Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) will tackle racial and social equity in the marijuana industry.
Hi @CoryBooker! 👋🏾 Thanks for co-hosting our panel on restorative justice & equity in the cannabis industry. Your leadership inspires me and gives me hope. #ALC2018 pic.twitter.com/H6UsBc5pSG
— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) September 14, 2018
Taken together, the caucuses' panels reflect a growing interest in ensuring that the voices of people of color are heard as more states opt to legalize cannabis—a subject that the CBC in particular has put significant energy toward.
For example, in July, the CBC emphasized that ending the federal prohibition of marijuana was one of ten "must-do policies" for the government in order to "address issues hurting both communities of color and rural communities."
Beyond ending marijuana prohibition, the caucus has also previously called for the decriminalization of cannabis possession and use, automatic expungements for individuals convicted of misdemeanor marijuana offenses and an "easy path to expungement for those previously convicted of felonies for marijuana-related offense."
And in May, CBC members introduced a bill that would remove marijuana from the list of federally banned substances.
CBC Chairman @RepRichmond signs our 1,300-page #JobsAndJustice Act of 2018 after a press conference on Thursday, May 10, 2018.
If passed, the legislation would increase the upward social mobility of Black families, and help ensure equal protection under the law. pic.twitter.com/7uuywa5JUX
— Black Caucus (@OfficialCBC) May 10, 2018
Members argue that these legislative steps would right some of the wrongs perpetuated by the war on drugs. Prohibitionist policies have historically targeted communities of color, especially in terms of racially disproportionate marijuana enforcement.
As we work to address the legacy the #WarOnDrugs, we must ensure that restorative justice is at the forefront of our #cannabis policies. @CoryBooker & I are leading the fight in Congress to build racial equity in the cannabis industry & reinvest in communities of color. #ALC2018 pic.twitter.com/PkygAEvXp5
Both the CHC and CBC events also incorporated discussion about issues that have evolved in states post-legalization—namely, how racially discriminatory marijuana enforcement efforts have had residual effects on individuals previously convicted of a cannabis-related offense. Reform advocates have pushed for inclusive marijuana policies that empower those most impacted by the drug war to be represented in the legal industry.
Black Lawmakers: Marijuana Decrim Is 'Must-Do' In First 100 Days of Democratic Congress
Marijuana Opponent Compares Legalization To Deadly Hurricane Florence
Sen. Dianne Feinstein Signs Onto Marijuana Bill After Decades Of Drug War Advocacy


Deepest sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Mona Cafferty, Gorvagh who died recently. May she rest in peace.
The group will finish up this Friday June 22nd for the Summer (10am-12pm) and will resume again in September. Thanks to all who attend and support the group throughout the year and hope to see some new faces in September – there will be a special launch party in September to kick off the new term.
Thursday and Friday mornings at the Visitor Centre from 10.30am-1pm. 5 euro per child (ages 4-9 yrs). Will run throughout July. Tel 9645590 for more info. Starts July 5th & 6th.
Summer Stars programme back at you local library. The popular Summer Stars Reading is back in your local library. It's a free programme and open to all children.Each child who registers can join in the fun of reading lots of exciting books during the summer. Fun rewards will be provided along the way. At the end of the programme, all children who have participated will be invited to attend our celebratory awards event. Those that have completed the 6 book challenge will have their names entered in a draw for an overall prize. So don't miss out on the fun this summer – drop into Ballinamore library and join the Summer Stars Reading Adventure.
Cruinniú na nÓg : A day of Youthful Creativity takes place on Saturday June 23 rd and as part of this there is a morning of "Art with Dawn" from 11am to 12.30pm in Ballinamore library for children aged 6 to 12 years. All welcome.
'This is your Life' takes place in Community Centre in Ballinamore on Thursday 12th July at 9pm. The subject on the night is very well known and has a connection with all the surrounding parishes. Miss it and regret it.


text:
Conceptual Simplicity
Business strategy & Innovation
User experience & Interaction design
Download CV / Resumé (PDF)
The Sky's the limit.
scrlPosted on November 1, 2011 Posted in General
There's a great example of the power of simplicity in the sitting rooms of nearly half the homes in the UK. It's lurking under the TV in the form of the Sky+ PVR box. Sky+ has been around for over ten years now, but it's still one of my favourite examples of restraint in product design.
What I think is especially great about the Sky+ design is not how easy it is to record a programme by highlighting it in the on-screen guide and pressing the record button. That is great, of course, and it's become so natural now that most of us have long-since forgotten what a nightmare it was to program our VCRs. It's also not the near-magical ability to pause live TV that I especially like. Wasn't that a "wow!" feature when you first saw it though?
Instead, what I like is the way the recorded programmes are organised – in one long list ordered by the date and time of the recording. Nothing else – no folders, no options to sort by size or category, or channel, or programme name, or whether they're in HD or 3D, or by whether they've been watched or not, or by who recorded them and why. Not that those capabilities wouldn't be valuable, of course. When I'm searching for a programme I think I recorded, it might be very useful to be able to see an alphabetical list of my recordings. I might even like to file all the costume dramas in one folder, and all the motoring shows in another.
But all of this would have to be controlled through the buttons on the remote control. Can you imagine how complex it would be to navigate a folder hierarchy that way, and to activate all the various different ways of looking at the content. And yet because we're so used to this kind of "power" experience on our desktop and laptop computers, the temptation to include it in a device like Sky+ must be nearly irresistible. I can imagine the debate taking place numerous times in the history of Sky+:
"We should put folders into the system so each member of the family can keep their own programmes separately. Then we could put quotas on each folder so everyone could share the disk fairly. Then we could put passwords on each folder so people couldn't mess with each other's recordings. But someone would have to be an administrator to set the quotas and in case someone else forgot their password. But then the administrator might forget their password…"
Before long the complexity of all this starts to overwhelm the basic function of the product – which is to record a programme that I mark on the planner with the red "record" button, and to play that programme back when I press "play". Some vendors of competing products have gone down that feature-rich route, and their users – a minority I suspect – love them for it. But for Sky's mass market, it's ease-of-use that counts above almost everything else. And so I congratulate the designers, product managers, and engineers who work on the Sky+ box for their admirable restraint in the face of what I imagine must be almost continual pressure to add more features to their product to make it "better". Long may such judgement reign, and please don't change that box.
‹ Living in a glass house.
To the nearest half-hour. ›
Tagged with: Simplicity
© 2020 Conceptual Simplicity


The frame is handcrafted with superlight, professional-grade Advanced SL composite that's engineered with endurance geometry. Innovative features including flat-mount disc brake integration, 12mm front and rear thru-axles and the vibration-damping D-Fuse integrated seatpost deliver control and compliance. The oversized and tapered OverDrive 2 steerer tube boosts cornering precision. And the MegaDrive downtube and PowerCore bottom bracket produce sharp handling and best-in-class pedaling efficiency.
The front triangle is constructed with larger, and therefore fewer, sections of composite material, resulting in lighter weight and greater strength.
Giant's proprietary "D" shaped integrated seatpost design provides an exceptionally smooth and compliant ride quality, while lowering overall weight significantly.


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Every once in a while, I'll be talking to someone about the trail and I'll be asked if thru-hikers need to carry all the food they'll need from Georgia. Assuming each day's food weighs 1.5 pounds, which is a conservative estimate, that would mean that hikers would each carry some 250+ pounds of food when they climbed up Amicalola Falls.
Because 250 pounds isn't exactly ultralight enough to keep the Jardi-Nazis happy, thru-hikers rely on resupplying at towns along the trail. While we cross roads often on the Appalachian Trail, we'll generally only go to a town every three to six days. When we do, we'll pick up supplies at either the local grocery store/Dollar General/Walmart/gas station or at the post office, where our food and other essentials might be found in a box sent from home.
I've certainly used both methods of resupplying, but I'm quite partial to using mail drops. While at the outset these might be more complicated than spontaneously resupplying at stores, I've found that the quality and lightness of the food I can send to myself makes mail drops worth the extra effort.
Today, I thought I would address what, in my mind, is an essential step in preparing for a thru-hike: packing resupply boxes.
Any time I head out into the woods for at least a month, I scour the guidebook or maps ahead of time and plan my resupply locations. I look at the services the nearby towns offer and study the mileages and elevation gains between easily-accessible towns. Ideally, resupply locations are three to five days apart. In some sections of the Appalachian Trail, that might put town stops fewer than 50 miles from one another; other times, they might be upwards of 100 miles apart. I'm currently in the process of laying out the resupply locations for my 2015 hike of the Pacific Crest Trail, and it's already apparent that the distance between resupplies will vary widely while I'm out there.
Organizing the contents of a resupply box I received at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in North Carolina. I was on a cookie kick, apparently.
Once you have a list of planned resupply destinations, you're ready to organize your resupply boxes.
I think packing these boxes is best done slowly or in stages, but my mother is an expert at quick-packing them. Whatever your speed, you'll need an area in your home that's pest-free and able to serve as a resupply hub.
Once your boxes are organized, it's time for the fun part: packing them.
Add breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks to each box. I recommend aiming for variety; no one (except, perhaps, a certain hiker named Clif Bar Kid–or CBK) wants to eat one snack exclusively. If you choose to load the boxes over the course of several days, it's a good idea to stick a checklist to each box to save yourself from having to recount snacks or dinners.
After you've packed the food but before you seal the boxes, it's important to throw in some other essentials. Sometimes, resupply boxes contain incredibly important gear, such as a cold weather sleeping bag. Most of the time, however, the only non-food items they contain might be things like toilet paper, bandages, toothpaste, or an empty journal.
With the food and non-food items packed, you're almost ready to go. This is a good time to call the destinations of the boxes to confirm that your packages will be able to be held for you and that the addresses you'll be sending them to are correct. Once all that's taken care of, it's time to get out the tape, seal up the boxes, and send them on their way.


text:
#ifndef SCXML_EVENTTARGET_H
#define SCXML_EVENTTARGET_H

#include <Inventor/scxml/ScXMLObject.h>
#include <Inventor/tools/SbPimplPtr.h>

class ScXMLSendElt;
class ScXMLEventElt;
class ScXMLEvent;

class COIN_DLL_API ScXMLEventTarget : public ScXMLObject {
  typedef ScXMLObject inherited;
  SCXML_OBJECT_ABSTRACT_HEADER(ScXMLEventTarget)

public:
  static void initClass(void);
  static void cleanClass(void);

  ScXMLEventTarget(void);
  virtual ~ScXMLEventTarget(void);

  // event-target identification
  virtual void setEventTargetType(const char * targettype);
  const char * getEventTargetType(void) const { return this->targettype; }

  virtual void setEventTargetName(const char * targetname);
  const char * getEventTargetName(void) const { return this->targetname; }

  // event processing
  virtual const ScXMLEvent * getCurrentEvent(void) const { return this->currentevent; }

  virtual void queueEvent(const ScXMLEvent * event);
  virtual void queueEvent(const SbName & eventid);

  virtual SbBool processEventQueue(void);

  // inter-system communication
  virtual SbBool sendExternalEvent(const ScXMLSendElt * sendelt);
  virtual SbBool sendInternalEvent(const ScXMLEventElt * sendelt);

  virtual void queueInternalEvent(const ScXMLEvent * event);
  virtual void queueInternalEvent(const SbName & eventid);

protected:
  char * targetname;
  char * targettype;

  const ScXMLEvent * currentevent;
  SbBool isprocessingqueue;

  virtual void setCurrentEvent(const ScXMLEvent * event);
  virtual const ScXMLEvent * getNextEvent(void);
  virtual const ScXMLEvent * getNextInternalEvent(void);
  virtual const ScXMLEvent * getNextExternalEvent(void);

  virtual SbBool processOneEvent(const ScXMLEvent * event);

  static void registerEventTarget(ScXMLEventTarget * target, const char * sessionid = NULL);
  static void unregisterEventTarget(ScXMLEventTarget * target, const char * sessionid = NULL);

  static ScXMLEventTarget * getEventTarget(const char * targettype, const char * targetname, const char * sessionid = NULL);

private:
  ScXMLEventTarget(const ScXMLEventTarget & rhs); // N/A
  ScXMLEventTarget & operator = (const ScXMLEventTarget & rhs); // N/A

  class PImpl;
  SbPimplPtr<PImpl> pimpl;

}; // ScXMLEventTarget

#endif // !SCXML_EVENTTARGET_H


text:
De Golf Château de Preisch is een golfclub in Basse-Rentgen, in Lotharingen, Frankrijk.

Het domein
Deze club ligt in Frankrijk vlak bij de grens van Duitsland en Luxemburg. Het oude kasteel van Preisch werd gebouwd om Rodemack te verdedigen. Het werd rond 1680 verwoest. Het huidige U-vormige kasteel werd door Conrad de Soetern en Marguerite de Merode gebouwd. Tegenover het kasteel ligt een boerderij met bijgebouwen uit de laat 17de en 18de eeuw. In 1986 werd het kasteel met de bijgebouwen op de monumentenlijst geplaatst.

Het hele domein van 170 hectare (waarvan 7 hectare water) is ommuurd. Er is een Engelse tuin, aangelegd door Jacques Milleret, en een moestuin. Er lopen Hampshire schapen rond.

In 1855 werd Charles-Joseph de Gargan (1831-1920) eigenaar van het landgoed. Hij reisde veel en kocht overal kunstschatten om zijn kasteel in te richten. Tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog werd veel door de bezetters vernield. Na de oorlog nam zijn kleindochter Madeleine (1928-2000) de restauratie ter hand. Haar dochter Dominique Charpentier houdt nu de collectie in stand.

Naast het kasteel staat een kapel uit 1773. De klok is uit 1654. Charles de Gargan liet in 1862 de kapel restaureren en in barokstijl uitbreiden.

De golfclub

De club heeft drie 9-holes golfbanen met de namen Allemagne, France en Luxembourg, en is de enige 27 holesbaan in de regio. Er is ook een 6-holes par-3 baan. De club heeft ruim 1200 leden. De baan werd door de Amerikaanse golfbaanarchitect William Amick ontworpen en in 1997 geopend. Het golfterrein is 107 hectare, waarvan 52 hectare bossen is en 7 hectare vijvers. De muur om het landgoed dateert uit de tijd van Napoleon. Het clubhuis ligt in de buurt van het kasteel en op het hoogste punt van het landgoed, waar het terras ruim uitzicht biedt op het landschap van Lotharingen.

Externe links
 De golfclub
 Het kasteel en de kapel
 Wikimapia: Foto
 Lijst van golfbanen in Frankrijk

Basse-Rentgen
Franse golfclub
Chateau
Sport in Moselle
Sportaccommodatie in Grand Est
Sportclub in Grand Est


text:
Caracotsios: We take care of our own
Julian Caracotsios, Columnist
For most of my past, I've never been one for flags, ceremonies and rhetoric — the antidote to which being a healthy dose of sarcasm and satire. After all, it's naive at best; might as well remain detached and spare yourself the trouble.
For many reasons, that attitude has begun to change. A few days ago, I was reminded of just how great that change has been. Some of you may have a hard time believing that the following is actually coming from me, but it is a reflection of a personal journey as much as it is a social critique.
It goes without saying that the Boston Marathon bombings shocked and appalled even the most cynical among us. Although at first I kept my usual distance, my blood began to boil when — more than once — I heard something like this: "The bombings were terrible, but this sort of thing happens all the time around the world, and we don't care. We're stuck in our own comfortable little bubble and don't think about things outside of America."
"We're so ignorant."
"Pass the Pellegrino. I'm totally moving to Europe."
Logically, this seems to make sense. How could it not? Millions of people die slowly and painfully from starvation every year, others are sold into sex slavery and terrorist bombings are hardly anything new. But three deaths and roughly 200 injuries? It seems that only someone of incredible naivety and narrow-mindedness could justify the "inordinate" outpouring of aid, condolences and sympathy for something that is but a drop in the ocean of tragedies just because it happened to "us."
If by now you're infuriated and want to sock me straight in the face, good. It means you still have some blood pumping through your veins. However great it sounds on paper, in our hearts, we know that there's something wrong with that argument.
This still leaves us with a bit of a dilemma: How do we justify that seemingly selfish in-group loyalty? Normally, we only think about this in a philosophy discussion section, but right now, it's up close and personal. We are communal creatures and, although we have ideals, distance matters. The unavoidable fact of that matter is that our moral feelings do not extend universally in all directions. It's different when it is right here at home, in our own country, in our own city, or in our own backyard. I simply could not share the feelings of my roommate who, being from Massachusetts, was not only shocked, but also fearful for his friends back home.
Cultivation of empathy is no easy task, but is certainly one to which we should aspire. However, to denigrate loyalty to those close to us does more harm than good. The flags, moments of silence, Facebook statuses, kind words and prayers from afar will not rectify the situation, nor will they undo what has been done, nor will they prevent it from happening in the future. They were never intended to. The disillusioned among us may denigrate them for being pointless, but, tell me, how can we possibly expect to ever do more if we are not willing to even show solidarity? This kind of cynicism is not only misplaced, but downright contradictory, since it takes us even further from the kind of universal empathy it espouses.
My wake-up call came last fall. A friend of mine volunteered for the President Barack Obama's re-election campaign and got tickets to his victory rally in Chicago on Election Night. I was never involved much, but I did vote that morning, so I figured, Why not? At the time I brushed it off as rhetoric and propaganda, but when I was there I felt a very strange desire to get up and do something that I had not felt in a long time. I never told any of my friends, but I still have vivid memories of that night. One, in particular, stands out to me. Walking away from the massive crowd, I turned back and saw a sea of confetti and American flags; a Bruce Springsteen song came on in the background that I've loved ever since and will never forget.
"We Take Care of Our Own."
Start there, and move outward.
Julian Caracotsios is a Weinberg junior. He can be reached at juliancaracotsios2014@u.northwestern.edu. If you want to respond publicly to this column, send a Letter to the Editor to opinion@dailynorthwestern.com.
"We Take Care of Our Own"
Julian Caracotsios, Opinion Editor
Julian Caracotsios was an Opinion editor for The Daily. He is from Naperville, Ill. He joined the Opinion desk in March 2013 and was an assistant Opinion...
Fencing: Northwestern finishes an impressive 6-1 at DeCicco Duals
Men's Basketball: Northwestern seeks to upset Big Ten leader, No. 14 Michigan State
Jewish Council on Urban Affairs hosts talk-in on Illinois Income tax reform
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The goal of the 4 year old whiffle based division is to teach the fundamentals of the game to young players.
T-Ball Instructional Baseball/Softball Division for boys and girls age 5, as well as first year 6 year olds.
The goal of T-Ball is to teach the fundamentals of the game to young players.
T-Ball teams practice one night a week on a designated day for an hour.
Games are held on Saturdays starting in April. Games last one hour. All players bat in an inning. Fundamentals and skills are stressed week to week.
The Rookie Baseball Instructional Division is for 7 and 8 year old boys and girls. Some 8 year old players may be asked to move up to Minors with EOB approval.
Teams typically will practice once a week and play two games a week during the season. Standings are not official and there are no playoffs.
The league is a coach pitch league.
There is no base stealing during games, and time will be called when the ball is controlled by a fielder in the infield.
The Minor Baseball Instructional Division is for 9 and 10 year old boys and girls. Some 10 year old players may be asked to move up to Majors with EOB approval.
The teams practice once a week and will play two games a week. At the end of the season, a short playoff series will be held to determine the league champion.
All regular little league rules are followed at this level.
The Major Baseball Division is for 11 and 12 year old boys and girls.
Teams will practice at least once a week and play at least two games a week. At the end of the season, a short playoff series will be held to determine the league champion.
The Senior Baseball Division is for 13 to 16 year old boys.
Teams typically will practice once a week and play two to three games a week during the season. The actual schedule and location of the games may change annually depending on the league affiliation of the Senior Baseball Division.
This level follows the standard Senior League rules established by Little League.