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Herbert Stepic: a rare breed of banker
By Sudip Roy
When Herbert Stepic bought his first bank in central Europe in 1987, hardly anyone noticed. Now competitors closely follow his every move. On the following pages, he tells Sudip Roy how Raiffeisen's strategy has developed over the past 20 years and how he intends to stay ahead of the game.
Stepic refines his recipe for emerging Europe
Herbert Stepic is one of a rare breed of bankers whose name is synonymous with the institution he works at. When one thinks of RZB, one thinks of Stepic.
A cheerful, witty and charismatic man, Stepic is chief executive of Raiffeisen International and deputy chairman of the managing board at group level.
He has designed and driven the bank's strategy for central and eastern Europe since 1986. The following year it opened its first bank in the region in Hungary – a move that Stepic says went almost unnoticed by competitors and press alike. At the time, eastern Europe was still under communist rule and considered to be a financial backwater. It was only in 1989, amid the revolutions taking place in the region, that Stepic drew up a blueprint for expanding the bank's business there.
"We are a hot selling organisation – I'm sorry to use that expression, as a banker I shouldn't, but I love selling, so I have to"
He was at an economic and political gathering in the Austrian ski resort of Alpbach in late summer. One day, while sitting on his hotel balcony, he started making notes on how Raiffeisen could become a dominant force in eastern Europe. "I started making notes in the afternoon and was still at it by 9pm," he recalled in an interview. The document was later presented to the board and was subsequently adopted. Since then Raiffeisen International has built an empire in the region that very few institutions can match. The Austrian bank's network now encompasses 16 countries (including a leasing venture in Kazakhstan), with 12.1 million customers and 2,848 branches. Last year it made a consolidated profit of €594 million (excluding one-off sales), up 55% on 2005.
After taking a degree in economics and business, Stepic joined RZB in 1973. At the time the bank was called Genossenschaftliche Zentralbank (GZB). He started in the bank's foreign trade department, highlighting his interest in international affairs. Five years later he helped develop GZB's correspondent banking network, contributing significantly to the bank's international outlook. In 1987 he was appointed member of the managing board of GZB, which was renamed Raiffeisen Zentralbank Osterreich (RZB) in 1989. From that moment he was primarily focused on building the group's central and eastern Europe network. Stepic was appointed deputy CEO of RZB in 1995 and CEO of Raiffeisen International, the subsidiary that is the central and eastern European business, in 2001.
Clearly he is much admired by his colleagues. How many financial institutions put out a press release to celebrate one of their senior manager's 60th birthdays, as RZB did last December for Stepic? One colleague says: "It's a pleasure to work for him. I wouldn't want to work for anyone else." However, Stepic can be a difficult man to please. "He's very demanding. He's not very good at giving his staff a tap on the shoulder and saying: 'Well done guys.'" The source adds: "He's very sharp and expects the same [standards that he sets] from people who work for him."
Still, he's a man who inspires loyalty and one of his best management traits, according to colleagues, is that once he makes a decision he sticks by it. He's also someone with boundless energy. "Whatever he does, he does it to the fullest extent, whether that is work or partying," adds the colleague. "Whenever we have a company get together, he enjoys himself fully."
Interview with Herbert Stepic
How has your strategy for central and eastern Europe evolved over the years?
That is an interesting question, given that we are running a universal banking concept in 15 different countries. It all started after the fall of the Berlin Wall, when I saw a unique opportunity for our banking group, Raiffeisen Austria, which had limited growth possibilities in Austria.
I made a proposal to the board, which they accepted straightaway. Our ultimate goal was to offer a universal banking concept in central and eastern Europe – the same services that Raiffeisen offered in Austria. This meant corporate banking, servicing large corporates, the middle market and private individuals.
How did we achieve it? We started in the surrounding countries servicing primarily corporates. It was very difficult because we had companies without balance sheets, there was no banking supervision, or it was just beginning, so it was like a wild West situation.
Unlike other western banks that arrived much later and concentrated on western companies, we serviced both companies of western ownership and companies of local origin and ownership. That was a distinction from the beginning.
And then we said, we have developed this market; we will grow with it. Next was to grow, slowly but steadily, the middle market, because it was not serviced at all. We began in Slovakia in 1996; now we are strong in the middle market in all countries.
In 1999 we started our retail concept, where we clearly declared we wanted to go into the provinces and service whole territories and not just the capitals and the large towns. We want to be a bank for everybody, everywhere in the countries where we are operating.
Parallel to the commercial banking effort, we were running a somewhat diminished investment banking business out of Vienna through a specialized company called Raiffeisen Investment, which focused on privatization and M&A business.
In commercial banking, over time we developed other products, such as leasing, factoring, and selling insurance through our huge distribution network. We now have 2,848 branches, and are definitely the most widely spread banking group in central and eastern Europe, with the best name.
So we are a hot selling organization – I'm sorry to use that expression, as a banker I shouldn't, but I love selling, so I have to.
We have also done asset management since the early 1990s. Wherever we have a leading position, for example, in Croatia, we have a market share in asset management of 38%. In other countries, where we have just started, we have offered this product from the beginning. Take Bulgaria – we started the asset management business last year and it is now easily the number one bank in asset management, with very good performance, and customers satisfied. Everybody is crying out for a Raiffeisen fund.
So if you do something early and if you do it professionally, the market cries out for it; that is my experience and this is what we have been doing. My aim is not only to show higher profits year over year, but also to invest a considerable amount of money to build the future of this organization.
Is the rationale for investing in CEE today the same as it was when you first entered the region?
Are you asking me: is this still an attractive area? My answer is absolutely yes, very attractive, because the ground features are the same – emerging markets, over 300 million people, in the middle of Europe. I don't have to travel 6,000 kilometres to another emerging market. I can travel in my car – one hour to Bratislava, two-and-a-half hours to Budapest, two-and-a-half hours to the Czech Republic. Everywhere is accessible from Vienna. For business it's wonderful.
In addition, it is a market where the people are highly educated. What is the reason for the car industry flocking to Slovakia and the Czech Republic? Highly trained labour.
When you first opened a bank in the region in 1987, what was the reaction?
Frankly speaking, it went largely unnoticed. We were a non-event, a very small bank, nobody knew about us. And when we got our first Euromoney award for being the best bank in central and eastern Europe in 1992, there were not many contenders.
That year I went to the awards ceremony in London. At the time there was an IRA bombing and I couldn't reach the venue – the buses had stopped, the underground had stopped, and then it started to rain cats and dogs. When I arrived I was totally soaked and freezing. After the ceremony, everyone was talking to each other, and I was standing behind someone and he said to another: "Interesting guy, but who the hell is RZB?"
Only gradually, as information started to spill out of eastern Europe and combined with our very rapid growth, did the markets start to recognize us.
But to suddenly go from safe Austria to exciting but potentially dangerous eastern Europe was surely a big risk?
Of course. And not many established banks, actually none, were prepared to take that risk.
When you decided in April 2005 to float part of Raiffeisen International, was it designed to give you more diversity in your shareholder base, and thereby more freedom in terms of your strategy?
No, it was simply that we needed a wider scope of shareholders in order to capitalize on the very dramatic growth that we still have ahead of us.
We have grown our assets by 40% each year for the past 10 years. Before 1990, the group balance sheet of RZB was €7 billion. In Austria, we were number nine. Now RZB is number three and Raiffeisen has become by far the largest banking group in the country, so we have overtaken the savings banking group [Erste Bank] and Bank Austria. This growth was fuelled by our decision to go into central and eastern Europe, and then by the dramatic growth that has taken place in the region itself. We are producing profits in growth markets that are far above average and we do that year in year out. That's why the market likes us.
Are you too highly exposed to the region in the event that there is an economic downturn?
I don't see that. If you take the entire Raiffeisen group then we have still huge exposure in Austria, where Raiffeisen Austria is producing the best figures in the country. If you take only central and eastern Europe, then we are very much comparable with our branch network of 2,848.
Do you fear UniCredit as a more dangerous competitor following its acquisition of HVB?
Not at all. The markets are so big and we are so well established that we enjoy benevolence from the local business community as well as private investors.
Our management style is also an advantage. We have a very decentralized management style and a strong local flavour. I have very good local staff driving the business. We also have an advantage because our name recognition is extremely high. And with UniCredit that's still not the case. They have gone through so many mergers. At first it was Creditanstalt, then they changed to Bank Austria. Nobody knew Bank Austria at that time. Then they changed to HVB. Nobody knew HVB. Now the same bank is called UniCredit. That gives us a certain advantage, let's put it that way.
People at UniCredit say that, unlike Raiffeisen, which likes to come in and impose its Austrian identify on local banks, they keep the local name and are more locally sensitive. How would you react to that?
We follow the universal branding concept, because in a relatively small territory it does not make sense to create three Coca-Colas. And we make one or two few exceptions to our rule. I have a bank in Slovakia still called Tatra Bank, a member of Raiffeisen International. I have still a bank in Slovenia called Raiffeisen Krekova Banka, and Priorbank in Belarus.
And with Aval in Ukraine?
Yes, because Aval is the number one recognized brand in the country. Why should I give that up?
In other words you're doubling up?
I'm doubling up. I try to optimize the situation. But the brand that we have in Vienna is phenomenal. Recently, I was in L'viv in Ukraine, which is in the most western part, bordering Poland. In this area, everybody knows Raiffeisen. I found an original book at the counter of the local Raiffeisen bank from the year 1903, where in a long article it mentioned a certain Mr Raiffeisen and stated that there were about 800 Raiffeisen banks in the area at that time. It's the same in the Czech Republic and the same in parts of Romania. Raiffeisen has been in these regions for a hundred years.
Across the different countries you're in, do you share infrastructure and distribution channels?
We centralize whatever makes sense economically. We have call centres, we centralize the credit process, and we have a payments project in the pipeline. Mind you there are also legal obstacles, so even if I want to do it, I may not be allowed to do it yet. We have decided to go for a united payments centre in Romania. We are unifying the Swift messages group-wide. We have two card centres for credit cards, where we do all the back-office work, one for central Europe and southeastern Europe and one for the CIS countries with Aval Bank.
What's the percentage of local management for your subsidiaries?
The majority is local.
What, 85% roughly, something like that?
I would say 65%, because lately I have had to bring in western expertise, because the further east you go the less expertise you find.
And do you tend to train them in Vienna first or locally?
No, we are a training factory. We have a modular training system that goes into the banks, into the provinces, into the capitals, into the regions. Then we train them in Vienna, special training on credits, on documentation, on cash management, on asset management, whatever, in a modular fashion. And independently from that we have management training, so we have assessments to find out where the good guys are, who the guys with prospects are, and these we put on a special track and give them fast-track training. And some we send even to Fontainebleau or to the US. So we give them really hands-on tailor-made training.
But with your operations in the Ukraine or Belarus, for instance, you've had to import in more western management.
If you have a country like Ukraine, which is larger than France and the bank has 1,300 branches, you need other means and ways. Or in Russia, where you have more than 10 or 11 time zones. So we have implemented training modules via the internet, which means that people can take it home and really train themselves.
The majority of your growth initially was through organic means.
But there seems to now be a strategy of growth by acquisition – in Belarus, in Russia, in Ukraine. Why the change?
The main reason why initially we did not buy but built was that I had an enormous fear: how would it be possible for these guys that had been working under a communist regime to be able to change rapidly from one day to the other and to adopt a totally free enterprise system? That is the reason why the average age of the staff is around 30 years. We take the best brains from university and we train them.
Having said that, after the Russian crisis [in 1998], we suddenly saw an increase in appetite for eastern Europe from other large western banks. We had to really speed up our growth, even though we were building a bank, sometimes two, every year. And that was the reason we started to buy.
The first bank that we bought was in Bosnia in 2000. And then we bought one bank after the other. And in the meantime we have built only one bank, in 2001 in Serbia, because even though we checked out several banks that were available, the quality of those banks was so poor that it made no sense to buy.
There are always specific reasons behind an acquisition. When we first went to Romania, for example, nobody believed in the country. We were buying a bankrupt bank [Banco Agricola] for nothing because the World Bank wanted the Romanian government to close it. The central bank refused and sold us the bank. I told them: "You can't close a bank with 230 branches at a time when the country's under-banked."
What about elsewhere?
In Kosovo, the American Enterprise Fund came to us and said "We have a bank in Kosovo, politically it's very sensitive", and I said "What do I do in Kosovo? It's a very small country". It has a population of less than a million. If I buy a bank it's the same work, whether it is for 1 million people or 20 million. But the Americans said "We'll give it to you at a very attractive price because we need a very good strategic partner." So we said: "OK".
I also have a duty to bring know-how to the areas where other people might not go. And that was an underlying rationale for us, because we won't get rich out of Kosovo.
Is this strategy of growth by acquisition going to continue?
Now it is by acquisition, because it simply takes too long to build in most countries.
What was the process of acquisition for Priorbank in Belarus, which is not an obvious country for anyone to enter?
Priorbank was in 2003. Our aim was to play the pioneer role that we played before in southeastern Europe and also in the CIS countries. I always wanted to become the biggest foreign player in the CIS. And of course Belarus is an important country – you have Russia, you have Belarus and you have Ukraine as the three largest.
The bank's management approached me. Priorbank already had the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development as a shareholder. The EBRD advised Priorbank to get a strategic shareholder. The present CEO of the bank, Sergey Kostyuchenko, talked to several banks – something that I found out only later.
We showed the most interest. He found us to be the most suitable bank. We know how to run banks in difficult environments, and Belarus is difficult. It was very much driven by the Belarusians' initiative, because they wanted to have a western-run bank with western know-how in the country, and also a bank that would be competitive against the state's banks.
So often people come to you as much as you scanning around for opportunities yourself?
I received many letters of invitations from presidents of national banks, from governors of national banks, asking whether we would be prepared to open a Raiffeisen Bank or to buy a local bank in order to start a Raiffeisen system in their country. We have a long-term vision, so we don't rush in, try to make a lot of money and then sell.
Would you consider buying specialist organizations, such as mortgage providers?
Definitely. We are constantly negotiating in the field of mortgage banks, real estate or leasing companies.
What's the common denominator among all of your acquisitions?
When we started to buy, which was after we started our retail banking concept, we looked to see if the banks qualified as a retail outlet. Banks with a mere corporate focus would be uninteresting for us for that reason.
The second factor is the quality of the people, irrespective of whether it is already a privately owned bank, as with Aval Bank, or it is a state-owned bank. Of course we check each bank. And I never buy a bank against the will of the management.
No hostile takeovers?
No hostile takeovers, no, because I need to work with the people. We are not an investment fund.
In Ukraine you already had a presence. So why buy Aval and then sell your original business, rather than try to merge your operations together?
We had a commercial bank with 37 branches and now we have a universal bank with a very strong retail focus and 1,300 branches. Now we have a total presence in the country and we are the number one player. It's not possible to build 1,000 branches any more. It took Aval 13 or 14 years.
And the sale of the original business to OTP Bank?
We sold at a very good price [€650 million] to the Hungarians.
Were you looking to sell the business?
They came and asked us, and after we heard the price, then we could not say no to such an offer.
Were you considering merging the two initially?
Yes, that was our initial thought, but after evaluating all the pros and cons, selling was by far the better option. And it also accelerates the transformation process.
Does that mean that you might consider selling, for instance, your organic presence in Russia now you've got Impexbank too?
No, that's a totally different story, because there we have almost a perfect match. I have Raiffeisen, which is primarily a corporate bank. Raiffeisen Bank only has branches in Moscow and St Petersburg and I think five or six other provincial capitals, whereas Impexbank is almost a pure retail bank, so that is a perfect match with more than 200 branches and 400 sales agents.
Are there any regrets of missed opportunities? Would it be Kazakhstan and Bank TuranAlem?
The Kazaks were never prepared to give us 51%, so there was no choice.
So you don't necessarily see that as a lost opportunity?
We even took a stake in order to signal we would be prepared. We had an agreement with Yerzhan Tatishev, who was the former chairman and a majority owner, but he died in a hunting accident [in 2004], and the new owners had a different opinion about the future of the bank. It's as simple as that.
What was your share in the bank?
You sold that to a group of investors, including East Capital didn't you?
Yes, East Capital.
For how much?
We made a profit of €103 million out of that participation alone. But you asked whether we regretted anything that we didn't buy. I don't know of a single case, because every opportunity that we have found has materialized.
Is there any one bank that UniCredit has bought that you wish you had?
So when you've gone down the acquisition route, you've always bought the best available at the time?
In Bosnia, we were the largest bank through Market Banka and now after the many mergers, UniCredit is somewhat bigger than we are. So I am top two. With Banco Agricola, we bought a very interesting bank for a very low price. We have put in all of our know-how and strengths, and now it's the third-largest bank in Romania. But remember what we paid for it and that it was a bank that nobody wanted to buy.
Then we have Bank Aval. We were the first ones opening the trail. Unfortunately we had to publish our interest because of our IPO otherwise we would have probably got it for even less than we paid for it. But still at a multiple of 3.7 times book value, it was a very good purchase.
Priorbank is unique, the best bank in the country. It was the only bank prepared for a western type of management, there was no other one. So it was a very good investment and a very reasonable price.
Impexbank [bought in February 2006] was also unnoticed by the market. In January we sent in our feasibility team. No one else can make a feasibility study of a bank within a month in Russia because no one else has as many Russian experts as Raiffeisen. We sent 37 Russian-speaking experts in every field, including personnel, to this bank. And we bought 200 branches in a country where we know that it takes an enormously long time to build.
In total we have bought 10 banks for €2 billion in total. That is a lot of banks for a very reasonable amount of money, if you compare it against all the other prices and acquisitions by our contenders. And that was only possible because we were so early into these markets.
Presumably it's becoming harder to find cheap banks?
Of course. It will get more expensive because of supply and demand.
How do you value a bank?
The most important thing is the price versus earnings potential. Price to book is of much less relevance in reality. Take the acquisition of Impexbank. I didn't talk about price to book. I bought a structure because I know it would take me five to six, seven months to build a branch in Russia, and now I've bought 200. Effectively I bought time. Everything else we already have – the best people, the best know-how and how to work in different environments.
Two prominent banks missing to a large extent from the region are Citi and HSBC. Do you fear that one day a major global bank will come up to you and say: "Dr Stepic, we'd like to buy RZB's portfolio of banks, here's $40 billion"?
I believe that is possible with any of our contenders, but not with Raiffeisen. Raiffeisen has a long-term view. RZB owns 70% of its shares. There is not a single person or group that wants to get rich very quickly to induce such a decision. The management thinks in decades, if not in centuries, and they know how important Raiffeisen International has become for the whole group. You can do your own maths. If you see what profits we have been generating this year for the group, you know that this is almost an indispensable asset.
What about an individual subsidiary? Would you consider selling any of those?
Oh yes, definitely.
Would you consider selling Impex or Aval?
No, because they are too important.
So what subsidiaries would you consider selling?
I would only sell a subsidiary where it makes little sense economically [to keep it]. It costs me management time, it doesn't produce the right profits, so it is substantially below the average returns that I want to achieve, and I don't see an improvement for the foreseeable future. Then I say, okay, go to heaven.
Do you think you've got any of those in your portfolio at the moment?
Not yet, not yet, thanks to God.
There are some geographical gaps in your portfolio. Have you ever looked at the Caucasus, for example, Georgia?
No. I don't see many prospects in Georgia. It doesn't have anything. Why? Because it was the wine province of the Soviet Union, that's it. And what else is in Georgia? Traders. So there is very little. I would say in the Caucasus, there is little.
The only area is central Asia, although there are only a few countries where it makes sense. However, they are politically at a stage where you have to think twice before you take the step.
Uzbekistan, for example?
Yes. That is only possible with the consent and the will of the leader. If that doesn't exist, then it doesn't make sense.
You've got rep offices in parts of Asia. There's growing trade links between central and eastern Europe and the Middle East. Are you looking at other emerging regions?
Not as Raiffeisen International. Raiffeisen International will stay purely as an eastern European play. That's also the reason why we will not go to Turkey, although I am asked every week three times whether we will. I believe we should stick to ex-communist countries, because that's a different feature of the bank.
Could you not add value in Turkey?
No, I cannot. The Turks are very good bankers, they don't need us. They only need our money, and for that I'm not going there.
You don't want to pay a privilege – it's as simple as that? And you don't see the potential for building an organic operation because you'd start so small, it would take you so long, yes?
It makes no sense. The Turks are much better than I can be in Turkey. Whereas every ex-communist country has the same features: no orderly banking system during the past 50, 60 years and therefore a huge demand for banking services.
But, at group level, are you are looking at Asia?
At the RZB group level, yes. East Asia is a most interesting battlefield. We are the only Austrian bank in Beijing. We are also doing very well in Singapore. And we have rep offices in all the surrounding countries, in Hong Kong, in Seoul, in Ho Chi Minh City, in Mumbai and in Tehran.
When people think of RZB, they think of Herbert Stepic. How much longer will you do this?
I have just accepted another five-year term, and after that, I don't know yet. I love my work, I'm physically okay. I might be a bit overweight, but I've been overweight all my life, so not much difference there!
But is there a succession plan?
Oh yes, of course.
That I cannot talk about.
But it's known internally who would replace you?
The person who would succeed you doesn't know?
Is there a risk that if someone new came in five years they might decide to take a different approach?
I don't think so. I am pretty sure that after five years I will continue to play a certain role in this organization and I doubt very much that there will be an earthquake-type change of direction, but of course that's always in the hands of the shareholders. I guess they will continue to listen to what I'm voicing, let's put it that way.
Finally, what drives you? What gets you excited about this business that you run?
What makes me excited? I am excited every day. I feel excited when the alarm bell rings. I am up. I am longing to come to the office. I always say I want to change the world.
Is your internationally minded view of things a result of your upbringing?
Yes, other people, races, countries, religions, economy, lifestyle have always fascinated me.
For example, I loved England when I was a boy. I was sent over and then visited the country later on as a hitchhiker to learn the language. So it was very fascinating. I was drinking my first Coca-Cola in Hyde Park talking to a lovely English girl. So wonderful – that's life, isn't it? And what drives me? I want to create a huge empire. That is what drives me. And as long as God is willing and gives me strength and I am healthy, I will do that.
RZB gets better every year
Financial highlights of the full year 2006
* excluding one-off effects
Source: Raiffeisen International
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Tag Archives: New Zealand
'Twitchhiking' freelancer Paul Smith completes journey
Paul Smith, a freelance journalist who pledged to 'Twitchhike' the globe in 30 days, has completed his adventurous journey by reaching New Zealand.
The aim of the trip, during which Smith was only allowed to accept accommodation and travel help offered via Twitter, was to reach the furthest point – Campbell Island off the coast of NZ – from his starting location – Gateshead – to raise money for Charity:Water.
Lack of transport, poor telecommunications in New Zealand and – as a result – a smaller Twitter community thwarted Smith's plans to reach the remote Campbell Island, he said in a blog post today.
"After two months of living and breathing this project, I'd reached my journey's end. I wasn't going to see Campbell Island, but it honestly didn't matter anymore. The aim was to travel as far as I could from home as possible within 30 days, and by reaching Stewart Island I'd travelled to a place the majority of New Zealanders have never set foot on, never mind the rest of the world," wrote Smith.
Congratulations to Paul – and a safe journey back to the UK – but perhaps this isn't the end?
"The big question is: what happens next? I don't feel like this is the end. I'm already mourning the loss of this project from my life. It now feels entirely natural to live out of a single messenger bag, to throw my belongings into the back seat of a strange car, to bed down wherever I'm offered charity.
"There's something else there. I just don't know what it is yet."
This entry was posted in Freelance, Social media and blogging and tagged Campbell Island, freelance journalist, Messenger, New Zealand, paul smith, poor telecommunications, strange car, travel help, Twitter, United Kingdom on March 31, 2009 by Laura Oliver.
News agencies suspend Australian cricket coverage over online coverage terms
Reuters, Associated Press (AP) and Agence France Presse (AFP) will not cover matches, training sessions and events for cricket in Australia, because of 'unacceptable accreditation terms' set out by Cricket Australia, the sport's governing body in the country.
According to a release from Reuters:
"No text stories, photos or video of any of the training sessions, matches, press conferences or events will be distributed by the international news agencies to media around the world for the first test against New Zealand later this month, and potentially for the South Africa test coming up in December."
Reuters partner Getty Images will provide images and 'fulfil their commercial obligations only' e.g. not providing any editorial of the matches.
Rights organisation the News Media Coalition said the agencies had been in discussions with Cricket Australia for months before rejecting the terms, which featured several restrictions relating to online coverage including:
Rules on how newspaper websites can be updated
Veto power for Cricket Australia over which websites and non-sports magazines the agencies are allowed to syndicate content to
Restrictions affecting the distribution of content to mobile news services
"As in previous instances, this decision [the accreditation terms] compromises our ability to report independently and objectively, and comes at the expense of global fans and sponsors," said Christoph Pleitgen, global head of News Agency for Thomson Reuters, in the release.
"We would like to resume our timely, premium coverage as quickly as possible, pending a solution to the current situation. However, freedom of the press and protecting the news interests and coverage rights of our global clients are at the core of both our business and Reuters editorial principles, and these must be upheld."
This entry was posted in Legal, Online Journalism, Press freedom and ethics and tagged Agence France-Presse, Associated Press, Australia, Christoph Pleitgen, cricket, Cricket Australia, Getty Images, global head, New Zealand, News Agency for Thomson Reuters, News Media Coalition, news services, non-sports magazines, online coverage, online coverage including, reuters, South Africa, thomson reuters on November 18, 2008 by Laura Oliver.
New Zealand Herald: Judge bans websites from naming men charged with murder
A New Zealand judge has banned a website from naming two men charged with murder – despite allowing the pair to be named by newspapers, radio stations and on television.
Judge David Harvey has raised concerns about the 'viral effect of digital publication' and the public searching for information online in the build up to the trial.
This entry was posted in Editors' pick and tagged David Harvey, International, judge, New Zealand, New Zealand Herald on August 26, 2008 by Laura Oliver.
AFP: Australia's Fairfax Media to shed 550 jobs
Redundancies will affect 180 journalists in Australia and New Zealand, as the company attempts to save 50 million Australian Dollars.
This entry was posted in Editors' pick, Jobs and tagged AUD, Australia, International, New Zealand on August 26, 2008 by Laura Oliver.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


For your convenience you will find us located right in the heart of the Medical Precinct of Pimlico Townsville.
Welcome to Setter's Health Centre and congratulations on taking the first step to taking your health into your own hands. Setter's Health Centre is a local alternative medicine-health centre, which has been providing pain relief by using Bowen Therapeutic Technique (Bowen Therapy) and Massage Therapy to Townsville and surrounding Towns of Charters Towers, Ingham, Ayr and Home Hill since 1991.
With a supporting wing of Massage Therapy, and proudly produce an on going Alternative Medicine – Health Information Service to the Townsville community. Bringing the highest level of professionalism to Alternative Medicine and Natural Health Services in Townsville.


 SarahC's Suzuki and BSM DAS diary day four: By George I think she's got it!
My first major problem of the day was actually getting out of bed. The left side of my back has decided to go in to spasm probably after the windy ride yesterday – oh great.
On arrival at BSM's training centre I really struggled to walk into the building, let alone get geared up and head out on a motorcycle. Today I decided to put on my Weise Sophie jacket (£99.99) as it's got a proper back protector in it and as I was now properly going on to dual carriageways and going faster, I thought it was the safer option.
Apparently the new pink and black look I had going on was quite bright and Mark said I could definitely be seen in my girly attire.
Mark decided to take it fairly easy with me as I was struggling with my back so he kept me in Birmingham rather than going to Lichfield as he'd previously planned.
First we went out to some national speed limit country roads so he could show me road positioning and how to approach and take corners.
We went out on the A45 dual carriageway to the outskirts of Solihull near Hampton in Arden.
Mark knew a route they use when they take bikers on rideouts from the Motorcycle Show from the NEC so he knew some good roads which took in a roundabout, a couple of fairly easy left turns and a not so easy left turn on to a 40mph road from a 30.
He taught me about getting in to the left of the lane to go right and not to turn in too early, while for left bends I needed to be more in the centre of my lane. All this was designed to keep me safe and open up my view down the road. He was getting me to pick spots in the distance to help me see how the road bent round all of which started to make real sense on the second lap.
As my confidence increased, so did my speed so then it was time to do it all in the opposite direction.
After this and another petrol stop we headed back in to town for me to try some more U-Turns. What the hell is wrong with my brain and why is it that I am spending more time putting the Suzuki Van Van on its side than turning in the road.
I seemed to have a crowd of locals gathering to watch me which was really unnerving, and then there was all the learner drivers and this put me off more and more so once again I finished up with the motorcycle on its side.
I did manage a couple, but not enough to convince me that I was anyway near having mastered these pigging things.
Rather than me getting more and more stressed Mark suggested we head back to base, but not before grabbing a spanner out of one of his panniers to straighten the brake lever I'd just bent.
Back at the ranch Mark got me to use the road at the back of the BSM training centre to practice some hill starts on the Suzuki Van Van, which I'm not so bad at. We followed an off road track around, that was a favourite of learner drivers and children on school holidays.
Up there it was more U-Turns but the area I was to use had clear sides to the road and then a kind of dirt area. I managed a couple and cocked up quite a few more.
We gave up on this section and headed to another bit. It was here that I made a silly suggestion and asked if I could walk the U-Turn, without the motorcycle to worry about so I could just think about what I was meant to be doing with my body.
So we stood side by side with arms in front of us as if we were on the bikes. We pretended to up the revs, slightly slipped the clutch, sat with our right feet on the back brake, got going, gripped the tank, shoulder check and then push the left handle bar with our left hand (well – pretended to).
We did this a few times and then I tried it for real and what do you know, I did a U-Turn. Suddenly something clicked in my blonde brain and it was starting to come together.
After doing about 10 Mark moved me further around the track to try some more.
I did a few and cocked up a few, but I seemed to know what I'd done wrong on these occasions.
We did the off track circle again behind the training centre and one again I managed quite a lot but this time only cocked up a few and there was no more dropping the bike on the floor.
At this Mark asked if I wanted to try some on the road and I enthusiastically nodded. So we headed to a few roads where 125 tests go in Birmingham and I nailed about 90 per cent. Hooray!
Whilst we were out I also did an emergency stop, which I had been okay with throughout the week. Boy did that hurt with my back and the sudden stop, so with me walking the motorcycle in to the curb towards Mark after I finished the manoeuvre I just said 'Ow' in a fairly pathetic voice. That was the end of emergency stops for the day, which both my brain and back were thankful for.
We rode around a bit more and another couple of U-Turns and then we headed to some shops where I nearly finished up under the wheels of a reversing car. Not the best way I would have chosen to have gone – thankfully Mark hitting his horn alerted them and I am saved for another day.
This was enough to convince us both we could do with an early finish as it was gone 4pm and so we headed back to the BSM training centre again.
My back will be looking forward to bed tonight before the final full day of riding and my final day with Mark before I'm put in the care of big Chris for the test on Friday.


text:
Alex Lifeson launches new project
43 new ESP models
Jack White unplugs
Mayer demos the SE Silver Sky
Gwenifer Raymond on American primitive fingerstyle, spooky tunings and the morbid potential of the acoustic guitar
By Glenn Kimpton ( Guitarist ) published 16 August 21
The Welsh-born guitarist draws upon classical punk, grunge and folk-horror to write dark, immersive acoustic compositions
(Image credit: Jinn Woo)
Gwenifer Raymond's rich, powerful solo acoustic instrumental music first took flight with her debut album, You Never Were Much Of A Dancer. A 13-song flurry of acoustic guitar and banjo compositions – very much in the vein of the big hitters of American primitive, John Fahey and Jack Rose – the set was a riveting demonstration of her often-blistering playing.
For Gwenifer's second release, Strange Lights Over Garth Mountain, she has composed music that feels more personal and confident. Longer pieces unfold in complex forms and worry less about typical structure.
"The first album was the result of spending years playing in [American primitive] style and gathering songs," she says. "Some of the riffs went back to when I was learning. With the second album, I'd been playing this music for a long time and at lots of shows, so by that point my voice had begun to come out more naturally. Before, I felt like I was trying to do this American primitive music, but with this one I was like, 'I'm all right with whatever comes out.'"
Solo acoustic music is solitary by nature, but the pandemic put paid to Gwenifer's plans to record the second album in a studio, forcing her to take a homemade approach.
"I had the whole thing ready to record in the studio right as lockdown happened," she says. "So, instead, I dropped a couple of bucks on some mics – it was money I would've spent on studio time – and I recorded it in my bedroom. I intended to take my time over it, but I ended up doing a song or two an evening, in between waiting for the upstairs neighbour's washing machine [to finish]. I recorded it all over a week and mixed it the following week."
Sophisticated simplicity
Although Gwenifer doesn't read music ("I'm a very impatient person…") and tends to remember her tunes instead of writing them down, Strange Lights… remains complex and finely nuanced, with more sophistication than her debut.
"This one feels more compositional to me," she says. "It's a bit like classical music in that it's got these ideas of movements instead of a verse-chorus-verse-chorus structure. It has a section that has a certain vibe, which evolves into something else and then returns to it again.
"I've heard that more in classical and avant-garde stuff rather than folk music. It makes sense because I was listening to a lot of Erik Satie and Moondog, and all that kind of jam, when I was writing some of the songs.
"I also think a lot of the style-change came from a live-scoring gig that I did for silent movies, where I was assigned The Red Spectre, a French film from around 1907. So I wrote a track for it, which then turned into a single called The Three Deaths Of Red Spectre. And because it was for a movie it has a narrative to it where the mood changes, and I really liked that so I started doing that more. I still like a good riff, though.
"I started out in punk and grunge bands when I was a teenager," Gwenifer says of her rockier roots. "I then got into blues music by way of influences I'd discovered, the most famous one being Nirvana doing Lead Belly on Unplugged. But there was Dylan and The Velvet Underground, too, and I discovered that pre-war blues was an influence on those players, so I started getting these cheap blues CDs.
"They were about a fiver in HMV, so I bought loads of them and got into guys like Mississippi John Hurt, Skip James and Blind Boy Fuller. I loved how they could make the guitar sound as if there was more than one playing.
"So I started teaching myself that [style of playing] and ended up finding a blues teacher in Cardiff who was a really good alternating thumb player. He taught me open tunings as well and, because I'm the worst singer in the world, I started composing these more complex pieces without vocals."
Past influences
Gwenifer's teacher went on to play her a record by John Fahey, which led to another turning point in her career, when she realised there were people making this music and that it was being heard. There is no denying Fahey's genius and his trailblazing approach to solo acoustic guitar music, and the genre is now bursting with new, emerging players, as well as stalwarts such as Glenn Jones in the US and our own crop of talent here in the UK, which includes Gwenifer, Nick Jonah Davis, C Joynes and Toby Hay.
Tales of tunings
Gwenifer explains how she gets her sound
When Gwenifer began lessons in alternating thumb fingerstyle with her specialist tutor, she also started to explore the riches of alternate tunings, with a few becoming integral to her sound.
"My default tuning these days is probably C minor," she tells us. "C G C G C Eb. It's always the minor ones that I like, so I also go to G minor [D G D G Bb D] and D minor [DADFAD]. Very occasionally I'll use a major tuning if I feel like it, but most of the time I'm in minor.
"They're spooky. They just have that sound, that sympathetic drone that comes with them and gives them a spooky vibe that I like. That with a bit of discord – can't beat it. I'm a big folk horror fan, too, I watch way too many horror films!"
"I think it's cool that people are so interested in it now, because the more people you have doing stuff, the more likely it is that something interesting will come out of it," Gwenifer says. "I'm not really into that whole pastoral guitar thing, though. I don't like 'pretty' guitar, but that has also been a thing in American primitive music, that whole 'sounds like a lovely green meadow with some cows in it' thing.
"There are some players coming through now, though, that are getting into this weird angular, quite uncomfortable sound. People going goth, basically, which I'm always onboard with. What I don't like is self-indulgent guitar and I think that comes from my punk roots. It annoys me when it's all 'look what I can do' and the person that loves it the most is the person themselves. To me, most of the time, paring things down to their essentials is what turns it into a piece of art."
Gwenifer's picking style can be almost aggressively frenetic at times, her fingers blurring as she whips through her instrumental narratives. We talk about a Michael Chapman support slot at a venue in Bristol a few years back, where her finger-picks kept flying from her hand:
"That was a rough gig – it was the hottest place on Earth!" she laughs.
"I do like a bit of noise," she continues, "but to me it's also that 'loud-quiet-loud' thing, which is the easiest way to assert a mood change. On record it's different, but playing live it's almost like theatrics – and it's exciting. I can't help it, I just get taken away with it and it can be hard to rein it in sometimes. There might also be some pent-up aggression there, though, which is probably why I played in punk bands when I was a kid."
Go-to guitars
When it comes to favoured acoustic guitars, one instrument sits at the top of the pile for Gwenifer: "My go-to is my Waterloo WL-14L. I recorded the whole album on this and it's my live guitar as well. I got it because I was travelling around and touring and playing vintage guitars and just being terrified they were going to be smashed into a thousand pieces. Someone recommended Waterloo to me for that vintage sound that they have, without actually being vintage."
Waterloo was a concept of the late Bill Collings, who envisaged a guitar with all the charm of an old Kalamazoo but built at the Collings factory in Texas to the same high standard as Collings guitars, albeit with a simpler spec and a lower price.
"It has such a solid build," Gwenifer says. "My old Houn' Dog [a Bradley Kincaid parlour model, built by Silvertone in the 1930s], which I recorded the first album on, its neck is so fucked that it's unplayable above the 5th fret. I knew it was time for a modern guitar and I had a Gibson for a while, which was okay, but didn't quite fill the hole, so then I managed to find this Waterloo for a great price and it's spot on. I was really lucky because I bought it blind, having only heard it and not played it."
Another gem in Gwenifer's collection is a guitar gifted to her at 2018's The Thousand Incarnations Of The Rose Festival in Takoma Park, Maryland.
"[Guitarist and composer] Henry Kaiser got in contact with Tompkins Square [Gwenifer's record label] and said he had a guitar he wanted to give to me. I'd never spoken to him before, so I was quite surprised, but of course I said, 'All right, I will accept a guitar.' So when I got to the festival, it was there waiting for me. It's amazing sounding," says Gwenifer of the beautifully diminutive 1890 Joseph Bohmann parlour model.
"I was gigging it for a while, but I've stopped now because I'm scared of it. It's got this crazy sick bass sound to it. I recorded The Three Deaths Of Red Spectre on that guitar. It's got this big wide arse and a slightly rounded back, too, which makes it sound amazing.
"So yeah," she laughs. "Henry Kaiser is a pretty stand-up guy!"
Strange Lights Over Garth Mountain is out via Tompkins Square.
Strandberg Boden Original NX 6 review
Expand your chord knowledge with these easy three-note Gypsy jazz voicings


Cambridgeshire Police say they are feeling increasingly concerned about a woman who was last seen leaving Peterborough City Hospital.
She was captured on CCTV at about 3.30pm on Friday.
Police have released two images of her and are appealing for information.


Andrew could clearly hear the girls rummaging through his office. So much for their skills in stealth. They sounded like a small herd of elephants.
He decided to call their game when the whispered argument turned to demon scripts. He rattled his key in the lock and chuckled quietly to himself at their panicked departure through the other door.
Picking up his Watcher's diary, Andrew thumbed through it. He'd known the junior Slayers would try to sneak a peek sooner or later and had written it in code. He just didn't expect that knowing Klingon would come in so handy.
I heart your Andrew with a heart that will last through the ages.
How often are you going to find a useful purpose for Klingon? Geekiness rules the day again.
So much for their skills in stealth, they sounded like a small herd of elephants. Run-on.
He'd known the junior Slayers would try to sneak a peek sooner or later and had written it in code, he just didn't expect that knowing Klingon would come in so handy. Also a run-on.
Never let it be said that you can't learn anything useful from a misspent youth.
Lol! *dies* OMG, too perfect.
Thanks! Andrew does always have to suffer at the hands of my muse.


Using people to predict the future, is this the future?
What will happen in the future? Microsoft tries to answer this question by launching the Microsoft Prediction Lab. The lab is an interactive platform that is partially built around the basis of a game. Users can invest points by predicting the outcome of certain future events. If a prediction is correct, the user gains points and if the prediction is wrong the user looses his or her points. Not only is the prediction lab a game, it is also a lab (off course). David Rothschild, an expert in data driven predictive methodology and researcher at Microsoft, sees the lab as a great laboratory for researchers and a new social experience. The team behind the lab tries to figure out what is the best way of predicting the future, using more than the typical dataset.
Why is this development intriguing? First of all, this platform shows that the wisdom of crowds can be used for making accurate predictions. The users fill in their predictions based on personal expectations as well as earlier predictions made by the crowd. The user adds value to the lab by making these predictions. This can be explained as value co-creation, where the value is equal to the correct predictions. Secondly, this digital platform uses positive network effects for its own benefits. The more users submit their expectations and predictions, the more reliable the overall prediction is.
I think Microsoft's Prediction Lab is on the right track, if you consider the fact that it gave an 84% change of a 'No-vote' for the Scottish independence, and predicted 15 out of the 15 knock-out games on the FIFA World Cup correctly. For now it will focus on political events (such as elections) and sport, but the tech-giant plans to use the prediction technology for far more than that.
Microsoft has plans to incorporate the outcomes of the predictions into its existing products. Cortana, Microsofts' digital help, could answer questions like 'what will be the outcome of the next match?' or 'who will be the next president?'. I think this ability to use the lab for products is the most valuable contribution of the prediction lab; not the actual outcomes, but the value it adds to the existing products. Where do you think this technology will lead to?


Salzgitter (German pronunciation: [zaltsˈɡɪtɐ]) is an independent city in southeast Lower Saxony, Germany, located between Hildesheim and Braunschweig. Together with Wolfsburg and Braunschweig, Salzgitter is one of the seven Oberzentren of Lower Saxony (roughly equivalent to a metropolitan area). With 109,142 inhabitants and 223.94 square kilometres (86.46 sq mi) (as of 30 January 2004), its area is the largest in Lower Saxony and one of the largest in Germany. Salzgitter originated as a conglomeration of several small towns and villages, and is today made up of 31 boroughs, which are relatively compact conurbations with wide stretches of open country between them. The main shopping street of the young city is in the borough of Lebenstedt, and the central business district is in the borough of Salzgitter-Bad. The city is connected to the Mittellandkanal and the Elbe-Seitenkanal by a distributary. The nearest metropolises are Braunschweig, about 23 kilometres (14 miles) to the northeast, and Hanover, about 51 km (32 miles) to the northwest. The population of the City of Salzgitter has exceeded 100,000 inhabitants since its foundation in 1942 (which made it a city (Großstadt) in contrast to a town (Stadt) by the German definition), when it was still called Watenstedt-Salzgitter. Beside Wolfsburg, Leverkusen and Eisenhüttenstadt, Salzgitter is therefore one of the few cities in Germany founded during the 20th century.
Content on this page is licensed under CC-BY-SA from the authors of the following Wikipedia pages: List of twin towns and sister cities in Germany, Salzgitter. Note that the data on Wikipedia is highly unreliable. In many cases, sister cities are missing or wrongly listed. Some cities also have different levels of partnership. If you find an error, please make a correction on the relevant Wikipedia pages and cite your sources.


What would happen if your client's business lost a key employee, or a key shareholder?
Many businesses try to protect themselves against every eventuality – buying insurance for their buildings, fixtures and fittings, stock, and vehicles.
Often overlooked when protecting your business is the most important thing – protecting your people is an essential part of business continuity.
Although as a business owner you cannot prevent ill health or tragedy, you can prepare to protect the consequences of such things happening in the future and these preparations could be the best business decision you ever make.
Losing an essential key person to illness or death can derail a business, affecting profits, product development and timelines for essential projects. Insuring these people for what they are worth at a cost that is right for the company is where the experts at Roxburgh come in. Our advisers help you with the nuances of the key-man insurance market and help you to implement plans effectively.
What would happen if one of your shareholders died or was taken sick with a serious illness? Would you be happy to enter a business partnership with the deceased shareholders family? Would the family be happy to be in business with you? These are extremely tough questions to answer now, tomorrow and when and if the worst happens.
A shareholder protection plan answers these questions by providing an agreed purchase value (the sum assured) that the remaining shareholder(s) can use to buy the deceased's share of the business.
Our experts at Roxburgh Financial Management who deal with business protection each have more than 10 years' experience in the industry so that we are able to guide you through a process that if not done right can prove costly.


Black Panther has yet to be tamed. Since its release back in February, the Disney/Marvel superhero film has been lauded not only for its record-shattering performance at the box office, but also how it challenged the status quo of superhero flicks to become one the most culturally relevant films of 2018. Not to mention having a black director at the helm and a cast of predominantly African and African American performers.
The beauty of Wakanda is that it's that nation that actualized itself outside of colonization, which is something that Africa is still crippled by in terms of its legacy and how it's still trying to find its own identity in some ways. So the beauty of Wakanda is that it didn't go through that. So it was also somewhat of an imaginate of how you can have a complete unadulterated fulfillment, and pride, and connection, and ownership of your culture being something that has been so successful, that you are now the most successful nation on the planet, and that sense of pride.


Current Webster University and Eden Theological Seminary students, faculty, and staff have priority use of the computers throughout the library.
Members of the general public are eligible to use one of two designated computers in the E-Commons on our second floor for up to two hours each day during research desk hours on a first-come-first-served basis. We do not reserve the use of these computers and do not offer printing or scanning for the general public. Any member of the public who wishes to use either of these two computers must be willing to provide a valid photo i.d. card to a library staff member in order to sign up to use the computer.
Webster University and Eden Theological Seminary Alumni are welcome to use any available computer but may be asked to move if a current student, faculty or staff member needs a computer to use.
Webster and Eden students, faculty, staff and Alumni who wish to stay in the Cyber Cafe after library hours must present a valid, Webster University issued photo I.D. card. .
Everyone must abide by Webster University's Acceptable Use Policy when using computers anywhere on campus.
What Can The Library Do For You?


text:
Jamie Dedes' THE POET BY DAY Webzine
Poets, Poetry, News, Reviews, Readings, Resources & Opportunities for Poets and Writers
CDR Resource List
Recommended Reading, Gifts & Supplies
POEMS: "The Doves Have Flown" & others by Jamie Dedes
"Pangur Bán" ~ The Gift of a 9th Century Irish Poem Revisited in "The White Cat and the Monk" & "The Secret of the Kells"
by Jamie Dedes.In Book/Magazine/Movie Reviews, Movies/Film/Documentary, Poem/Poetry.7 Comments on "Pangur Bán" ~ The Gift of a 9th Century Irish Poem Revisited in "The White Cat and the Monk" & "The Secret of the Kells"
The White Cat and the Monk was a 2016 Christmas gift to me from my son and daughter-in-law. It's a charmingly illustrated retelling of an old Irish poem, Pangur Bán, a lovely gift and a lovely addition to my bookshelves.
I wasn't familiar with the poem, so the gift inspired – as such gifts are want to do – a few hours of pleasurable reading and research, an effort lightly akin to the endeavors of the anonymous but renown author of the poem. Pangur Bán was written by a 9th Century monk somewhere inside or in the vicinity of Reichenau Abby, which is on Reichenau Island in Lake Constance in the south of Germany.
The page of the Reichenau Primer on which Pangur Bán is written. It is now housed in St. Paul's Abbey – a Benedictine Abby – in the Lavanttal, a market town in Carinthia, Austria. (public domain photograph)
The poet monk tells of a white cat who shares his work and living space. While the monk single-mindedly finds pleasure in scholarly pursuits, the white cat finds pleasure in single-mindedly chasing mice.
There are many translations of Pangur Bán, notably by W. H. Auden and Seamus Heaney. The most famous translation – which turned out to be my favorite – is by Robin Flowler (1881-1946), an English poet and scholar, a Celticist, Anglo-Saxonist and translator of Gaelic.
The Scholar and His Cat, Pangur Bán
I and Pangur Bán my cat,
'Tis a like task we are at:
Hunting mice is his delight,
Hunting words I sit all night.
Better far than praise of men
'Tis to sit with book and pen;
Pangur bears me no ill-will,
He too plies his simple skill.
'Tis a merry task to see
At our tasks how glad are we,
When at home we sit and find
Entertainment to our mind.
Oftentimes a mouse will stray
In the hero Pangur's way;
Oftentimes my keen thought set
Takes a meaning in its net.
'Gainst the wall he sets his eye
Full and fierce and sharp and sly;
'Gainst the wall of knowledge I
All my little wisdom try.
When a mouse darts from its den,
O how glad is Pangur then!
O what gladness do I prove
When I solve the doubts I love!
So in peace our task we ply,
Pangur Ban, my cat, and I;
In our arts we find our bliss,
I have mine and he has his.
Practice every day has made
Pangur perfect in his trade;
I get wisdom day and night
Turning darkness into light.
-translated from the Gaelic by Robin Flowler
THE SECRET OF THE KELLS
Featuring Pangur Bán, both cat and poem
In 2009 the Flatiron Film Company released an animated film, The Secret of Kells, which is inspired by a mix of history, Celtic mythology, magic and fantasy. One of the characters is a white cat, Pangur Bán, and during the credits Pangur Bán is read in modern Irish.
If you are viewing this by email subscription, you'll likely have to link through to the site to view this video, the Pangur Bán Song from the film.
The Secret of the Kells is a relief from horrifying news and the overflow of often vapid and violent movie offerings. The pace of the film is relaxed. Unlike a lot of movies, it doesn't yell at you. It does engage with story and beautiful animation reminiscent of traditional Irish art.
Though the story is a fiction, it is grounded in history: an Ireland besieged by Viking raids and a mythical mystical take on the production and preservation of The Book of Kells, an early illustrated (illuminated) New Testament. The Book of Kells is housed now at Trinity College Library in Dublin. The film incorporates the Irish poetic genre – aisling – developed in Irish poetry of the 17th and 18th centuries and in which Ireland appears in a poet's dream as a woman – maiden, mother or crone – and bemoans the state of Ireland.
The White Cat and the Monk was written by JoEllen Bogart and illustrated by Sydney Smith. It was short-listed for the Governor General's Literary Awards, Young People's Literature (Illustrated Books). It was named New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book and listed on Brain Pickings' Best Children's Books of 2016.
The Secret of the Kells was nominated for an Oscar and won several other film awards including the Audience Award of the Annecy International Animated Film Festival. It has an overall approval rating of 91% on Rotten Tomatoes where the consensus is "Beautifully drawn and refreshingly calm. The Secret of the Kells harkens back to animation's gold age …"
Pierre-Cécile Puvis de Chavannes: An Aisling, 1883 – Public Domain
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"The Secret of the Kells"aislingAn Aislinganimated filmBookIrish poemJo Ellen BogartMovieMythologyPangur BanpoemPoetryRobin FlowlerSydney SmithThe While Cat and the Monk
Ancient East Boyne Tours says:
Reblogged this on The Look of Kells and commented:
A lovely read!
Jamie Dedes says:
Thank you! And thank you for your kind reblog.
scillagrace says:
My favorite song from my Senior Recital is a setting of "The Monk and His Cat" by Samuel Barber. My daughter has made this one of her research projects, too. Sharing this post with her. Thanks!
That sounds fun. Wow! I have no idea how I missed this story all these years. And it's my kind of story from the cat to the monk to the setting. Look what I found …. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EI8Fwgifeus
Yes! I did 4 of the Hermit Songs on my recital.
anisioluiz2008 says:
Thank you! Cancel reply
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"This virus is teaching us that from now on living wages, guaranteed health-care for all, unemployment and labor rights are not far left issues, but issues of right versus wrong, life versus death." Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, American Protestant minister and political activist. Rev. Barber is the author of several recommended books. His Amazon page is HERE.
"To paraphrase Tolstoy, you many not be interested in war, conflict, environmental injustice, and human rights abuses, but they are interested in you. They stalk everyone." / Jamie Dedes
"I want my friends to understand that "staying out of politics" or being "sick of politics" is privilege in action. Your privilege allows you to live a non-political existence. Your wealth, your race, your abilities or your gender allows you to live a life in which you likely will not be a target of bigotry, attacks, deportation, or genocide. You don't want to get political, you don't want to fight because your life and safety are not at stake.
"It is hard and exhausting to bring up issues of oppression (aka "get political"). The fighting is tiring. I get it. Self-care is essential. But if you find politics annoying and you just want everyone to be nice, please know that people are literally fighting for their lives and safety. You might not see it, but that's what privilege does." / Kristen Tea, motherwiselife.org
The Doves Have Flown & Other Poems
Footprints In Your Heart, Eleanor Roosevelt's wisdom poem
Our Lord, Our Father, a poem by Mark Twain
"Ithaca", a poem by C. P. Cavafy. This was Jackie Kennedy's favorite poem. It was read at her memorial service.
A Lover from Palestine, poem by Mahmoud Darwish
"Night Mail" by W. H. Auden and "From a Railway Carriage" by Robert Louis Stevenson
"My Joy Is Like Spring" ... The poetry of Thich Nhat Hanh
Reflections into William Blake's "Brutus and Caesar's Ghost," a poem by Linda Chown
"Fear Poem, or I Give You Back" by poet and jazz musician Joy Harjo
without love, there's only fear ... Pearl Buck's "Words of Love" poetry collection with short commentary by Myra Schneider
"Embarrassed" - British Poet, Hollie McNish, delivers a rhymed and reasoned defense of breastfeeding in public
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"A poet's work . . . to name the unnamable, to point at frauds, to take sides, start arguments, shape the world and stop it from going to sleep." Salman Rushdie
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anjum wasim dar on With Twice Found Hope and Tend…
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Unless otherwise noted, the content of this blog, including the photos and text (poems, essays, stories, feature articles), are owned by Jamie Dedes. Links and short excerpts of a post (up to 5 lines) may be used with credit and a link back the post or you may use the Word Press reblog function.
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Contact thepoetbyday@gmail.com with questions or for permissions.
The Poet by Day is an information hub for poets and writers. Featured each week are Calls for Submissions, Contests, Events and other useful news. Responses to WEDNESDAY WRITING PROMPTS are published on the following Tuesday. SEND ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PRESS RELEASES to thepoetbyday@gmail.com
Actively supports freedom of expression, sustainability and human rights.
The BeZine fosters understanding through a shared love of the arts and humanities and all things spirited; seeks to make a contribution toward personal healing and deference for the diverse ways people try to make moral, spiritual and intellectual sense of a world in which illness, violence, despair, loneliness and death are as prevalent as hope, friendship, reason and birth. Submissions to Jamie Dedes bardogroup@gmail.com
Actively supports peace, environmental sustainability, social justice and a life of the spirit.
THE BeZine: The BeZine
The BeZine Volume 8 Life of the Spirit Issue 4 Introduction & Table of Contents
The BeZine Announces Pushcart Nominations
The Editorial TeamatThe BeZine proudly announcesour nominationsfor this year's Pushcart Prizes! From Spring 2021 — "Fierce Wind" by Subhaga Crystal Bacon — ToC title: "Before the Plague…"Poem "One Woman Leads to Another" by Judy DeCroce —Poem From Summer 2021 — "Shoulder-to-Shoulder" by Roger Hare —ToC: B-Side Shoulders | 2 poemsPoem "Imperfect Tense" by Darrell Petska —ToC: […]
The BeZine Volume 8 September 15, 2021 Issue 3 Cover art: Exchange 1900–2021Digital Landscape from Photos (Winona, MN, USA, and Jerusalem, Israel)©2021 Michael Dickel Introduction & Table of Contents
The BeZine—Summer 2021
Waging Peace through Finding Common Ground
Art, Poetry, Essays
A Letter to Jonathan by Manouk Rachelle Rosenfeld
A Letter to Jonathan by Manouk Rachelle Rosenfeld — dedicated by its writer to Yonatan Zaken, who died too young. The BeZine dedicates it also to the 45 young and old Israelis who died last week, and to all loved ones lost during this past year.
The Bax
Baxter Dedes
2006 – May 17, 2017 6:06 pm
Bob Seger Dedes
Gypsy Rose Grandkitty
Original Watercolors
by Getchen Del Rio
© Dahlia Grandkitty
Dahlia is a Ragdoll
Enjoying New Toy
In new house


How do you determine your ring size?
Queen Jewels realise that when buying rings for any occasion, you may not know the ring size. So, here we are to help you Ring size. Our rings size chart is measured according to the standard ring charts. We store a wide array of sizes. Always keep in mind that to measure ring size with a deep bandwidth needed to be slightly larger than the normal size of your finger. Also, a ring size depends on designs and can be re-sized or not depending on the gold. Please check with us about rring size until n unless the ring size chart is mentioned for the product.
Queen Jewels provide free resizing for the selected diamond rings. Get a free consultant or check the ring size measurement tool for both men and women with our easy ring size explanation. . Diamond and gemstones rings are designed for ring finger size. A ring sizing is necessary when in the course of the time the size of finger changes. The most important step is that you need to determine with ring measure that comes with a rings in graduated sizes.
We will help with process with How to determine ring size. There are methods by which you can measure the ring size. Questions you might ask are how to measure ring size for men or how to measure ring size for women? You do not have to go to a jewellery shop when you can already measure ring size online easily. Average women ring size ranges from size 3 to 9 and average men ring size varies from 8 to 14. Size 6 is the most popular choices among women and 9 is the popular among men.
How to measure ring sizes?
Wrap it around your finger for an accurate measurement.
Double check for the perfect accuracy.
Print out our paper ring sizer.
Place around the finger and pull the pointed end to create a tight fit.
Determine the number line that is your perfect ring size.
If you think that how to measure ring size at home, the string test would be the ideal choice.
Knowing your ring size can be easier if you measure your finger properly. Refer this ring size chart to identify your ring size.
Since your finger size changes daily, measure your finger size when your finger is not cold.
Always borrow his or her ring before buying a ring as a gift and measure the ring with the help of ring measurement tool.
Make the use of ring adjuster. The ring should be enough snug that it should not fall off and not loose to slide over the knuckle.
Queen Jewels gladly helps you with resizing and measuring ring sizes online while you purchase from our online jewellery store.


text:
Q: Redirect a post to it's root category in Wordpress My blog posts can be in multiple categories, so they're accessable from
mywebsite.com/root-category/children-category-A/blog-post
and
mywebsite.com/root-category/children-category-B/blog-post
I need a redirect rule (in htaccess or with wp_redirect() function) which redirects the blog posts always to
mywebsite.com/root-category/blog-post
My attempt
$category_parent_check = get_the_category();
$category_parent_id = $category_parent_check[0]->category_parent;
if ( $category_parent_id != 0 ) {
    $category_parent = get_term( $category_parent_id, 'category' );
    $css_slug = $category_parent->slug;
} else {
    $css_slug = $category_parent_check[0]->slug;
}

if ($css_slug == "root-category") {
  wp_redirect(get_site_url() . "/root-category" . wp_make_link_relative( get_page_link())); exit;
}

I did this inside my single.php, but I didn't think about that $css_slug == "root-category" will always be true and an endless redirection is the result.
So how do I achieve that?
EDIT
my htaccess
<Files xmlrpc.php>
 Order Deny,Allow
 Deny from all
 </Files>
# BEGIN WordPress
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteRule ^root-category/[^/]+/(.+)$ $1/$2 [L,NC,R=301,NE]
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
</IfModule>
# END WordPress

A: please use below code in your function.php so i think it will remove child category from permalink.
add_filter( 'post_link', 'my_filter_post_link' );

function my_get_all_child_categories( $category_id ) {

  $subcategories = array();

  $category = get_category( $category_id );
  if ( $category->parent ) {
    $subcategories[] = $category->slug . '/';
    $results = my_get_all_child_categories( $category->parent );
    $subcategories = array_merge( $subcategories, $results );
  }

  return $subcategories;
}

function my_filter_post_link( $permalink, $post, $leavename ) {

  if ( 'post' != get_post_type( $post ) )
    return $permalink;

  switch ( $post->post_type ) {
    case 'post':

      $categories = get_the_category( $post->ID );
      $subcategories = array();

      foreach ( $categories as $category ) {
        $results = my_get_all_child_categories( $category->term_id );
        $subcategories = array_merge( $subcategories, $results );
      }

      $permalink = str_replace( $subcategories, '', $permalink );

      break;
  }

  return $permalink;
}

A: From WordPress admin you can change your blog single Page url :
Go to
Settings >> Permalinks

Select Custom Structure radio and enter this rewrite rule in text box
/%category%/%postname%/

I hope it will help you.

A: Since you want a full redirect with R flag, it is much easier to do that in a single redirect rule in your main .htaccess just below RewriteEngine On line:
RewriteEngine On

RewriteRule ^(root-category)/[^/]+/(.+)$ /$1/$2 [L,NC,R=301,NE]

# remaining rules go below this line

Make sure to test this in a new browser to avoid old cache.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


United Way offers free tax preparation services at 27 locations throughout King County from now until April 20th. Households making under $64,000 can have their taxes prepared plus they can get connected to other community resources and public benefits.
Locations can be found throughout King County with daytime, evening, and weekend hours available. No appointments are needed. To find a location near you, languages available, a list of what to bring, and other details, visit United Way's website at www.freetaxexperts.org or call 2-1-1.
Downstairs, inside the library, is a small number of free printed basic tax forms and instruction booklets that patrons can take. Librarians can print additional forms for 15 cents per page if needed.
Many of the links to pages, categories, and full blog posts show as a series of garbled characters on my mac. This is true in both chrome and safari and basically renders the site unusable. Is there any way you can fix this? I'm interested in learning more about the community and trying to advocate for improved sidewalks, particularly along 15th on the W side of the street between Northgate and 115th. Thanks!
We've noticed this. Usually if you try a second time it clears up. We will try to fix it. Sorry for the garble.


This third volume in the Write Great Code series addresses the issues of creating readable and maintainable code that will generate awe from fellow programmers. No matter how efficient your code is, if it isn't readable and maintainable by others, then it's not great code. Great code must have a great design and must adhere to good coding standards. In this book, you'll learn things like coding styles, commenting, code layout, and other crucial coding tasks.


text:
Uncategories crc co.ordinator bharti merit list 2020
crc co.ordinator bharti merit list 2020
Hash, the year 2020 is finally coming to an end.
A year that became a nightmare for the whole world. Most of the time a tragic event or mishap is limited to one city or at most one country. It is not uncommon for one event to take the world by storm. The Corona virus, which is invisible to the naked eye and has not yet been fully identified, has been defaming the whole year. The lines said for this year are really very true that, Ajib Sal Hai Yeh, if someone took a dream, someone would take it! It is already being said about this year that when the year 2021 comes, it will be happier that the year 2020 has come to an end than the arrival of that year! An ominous, dangerous, scary year has barely ended. The whole year was like a horror movie. The rising death toll was trembling day by day. The eyes of the whole world were torn when the story of Wuhan of China came out. Everyone's hysteria was gone or hi hi? Little did anyone know at the time that our turn was coming, to be fulfilled at home.
Merit List PDF Download
Everyone in the Corona era has their own story. Everyone has experienced Corona directly or indirectly. Some have had an effect that will never be forgotten. After recovering from a corona infection, those who have recovered say that it was even more difficult to stay alone for 14 days than to get out of the corona. Without the crime had to experience imprisonment. When the level of oxygen level went down, the breathing of the relatives would go up. The condition of those whose relatives have been infected with coronary heart disease was not less severe. He had to take care of what happened to Corona and at the same time protect himself from Corona. For those who have lost their loved ones, the year 2020 has come to an end. The biggest anguish was that the person's face could not be seen for the last time or his seat could not be held. The grief of an older sister was that my daughter-in-law did not even get to wear a blanket during the funeral. One sister's husband died of corona. "When I went to the hospital, I had no idea I was going to see his mouth for the last time," he said. The boys got bored of studying online. People of all ages had their own sufferings.
Someone lost their job, someone lost their business. For many, it turned out that everything was ready, only the launch was left, the ship reached shore but the anchor sank before it could do so. Experts in the world have observed that sooner or later the corona will be liberated, the economies will boom again, and the psychological effects of the corona will remain. The worst situation is with women. Women have been hit from all sides. Women had the responsibility to take care of everything when everyone in the house was home during the lockdown. If you ask the mother of the little boys, you will know how much work it takes to get the boys to study online. Working women, on the other hand, have no less problems. One study found that women lost more jobs than men. Mental damage has also reached him more. Many also did not know when the emotional distance in maintaining social distance increased.
At the end of the year, everyone thinks, how did last year go? This time all the years have gone mostly the same i.e. worse. Well, gone is gone. The best way is to forget about last year as soon as possible. The problem is, where is the easy way out? Sociologists say that 2020 is the year to rethink and reinvent. How fair was the way we lived? How much do we need to change because of Corona? There are many things but the most important thing is that our people are with us in the end. The one who has our worries, the one who has kept chewing so that we don't get corona, has saved like a life if it is done. Life has been going on, it has to go on, Corona had a big hurdle, it is also going away. There is a lot that has changed in us during this time. We have all watched the event so closely that life is so unpredictable! All our plans were not done in two hours. The new year will be better than last year. It's just like learning from last year, you don't have to go through a lot. Live happily. Never wait to live, because what is postponed can sometimes be postponed forever. Live in a way that never regrets anything. Happy 2021


Pearl Izumi's Thermal Arm Warmers feature P.R.O. Thermal Fleece fabric on the front for warmth and a lighter fabric on the back to vent excess heat. Up top, and on the wrist, the extended cut integrates perfectly with jerseys and gloves to keep cold air out. The specific right and left design provides a superb fit and allows for total freedom of movement. Plus, they boast soft grippers to keep them in place and reflective accents for safety.


Today is my brother-in-law's birthday. Later this evening, we'll be celebrating with him at dinner. A week from today is my brother's birthday. Sadly, I won't see him on his birthday, but we'll definitely talk on the phone. When I saw the current Color Throwdown Challenge, I knew exactly what I wanted to do for their birthday cards. Since their birthdays are so close together, I frequently make the same card for both of them.
More frequently than not, my idea for a card at its inception doesn't correlate particularly well at its execution. This was an exception, and the cards turned out almost exactly the way I envisioned it.
I'm guessing the majority of the cards for this challenge use these wonderful colors---silver, black, gray, and white---to create a holiday card, but I thought they were great colors for a masculine birthday card. All the design elements were stamped with Altenew's "Sohcahtoa" stamp set. The sentiment was embossed in silver from Papertrey Ink's ""Good Times."
I'm also linking this up with Seize the Birthday Challenge since any birthday card works, even if you don't use the "topping."


A complaint can stressful for the customer. But it can be even more stressful for you.
No one wants to deliver and products or service, but sadly it can sometime happen.
And then they want it pout right immediately, or at least for someone to listen to them immediately and agree to do something about it.
Using Rapid Live Chat Operators UK means that if something goes wrong when you aren't available, we can handle the first response and make the customer feel you are not only interested din their issue, but quick to respond to it.


Anthropologie's Translucent Dolman tee by Bordeaux retails for $38.
Looking to spend a little less? Check out this option from Charlotte Russe which retails for $19.50 and also comes in white. Click here if you're interested in purchasing.


This is a hand-made beauty that has been impeccably preserved. The detail alone is exquisite and is a must for the bride who wants a unique simplicity. The bodice is cut in such a way that it appears to be a separate piece from the skirt, yet it is connected seamlessly. The gathered skirt is beautiful with a small train. The skirting can be bustled. Truly perfect fro your special day!
Length from waist to bottom hem: 44"


text:
The childhood wishes fulfilled (or dashed), the magic of anticipation, fighting over the dinner table…these are the ghosts of every Christmas season. REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS brings together three yuletide stories that evoke the magic of the holidays, the ghosts of past loves and the promises of Christmases yet to come in a warm and sparkling anthology…
It's Christmas Eve in Tom Mendicino's Away, in a Manger, and James is snowbound en route from New York City to his West Virginia hometown. While the sight of a familiar Motor Lodge sparks longing for a roadside America of yesteryear, his visions of peppermint ice cream are thwarted by a vending machine. But amid the revelry at the local diner, James finds something far more satisfying that will change his Christmases for years to come.
In Frank Anthony Polito's A Christmas to Remember former Band Fag, Jack Paterno, knows exactly what he wants Santa Claus to bring him for Christmas 1991. But this year that special present isn't a what–it's a who. Before the big holiday arrives Jack must endure a trip to his hometown of Hazel Park, MI, aka Hazeltucky. There, he encounters family, old friends…and a former flame from his days at Hillbilly High.
In Missed Connections by Michael Salvatore, two childhood friends reconnect in an airport lounge on Christmas Eve. And over cocktail-fueled reminiscences, they reconsider the paths they're on–and the roads never taken.
Get what you really want this holiday season, with three captivating stories stuffed with warmth, wit, and surprises in REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS.
"With its beautifully and intricately crafted tales, unique and memorable characters, and traces of melancholy and wit, Remembering Christmas is a wondrous new piece of gay literature for all readers to behold."
— Edge Magazine
"Remembering Christmas is a fun collection of holiday stories that offer a nostalgic look at seasons past… [T]hese tales are packed with fuzzy feelings and a few hot surprises."
– INSTINCT MAGAZINE
"This wistful, gay anthology explores how 'home for the holidays' can take you back physically and mentally."
– LIBRARY JOURNAL
"Remembering Christmas is a good, gay yuletide compilation that is well-written and oftentimes hilarious as it hits home and warms the heart with its bittersweet boyhood memories told by each of the main characters. This book definitely makes for a great stocking-stuffer."
– EERIE GAY NEWS
"Given its Christmas theme, sales for this three-novella collection are likely to peak around the ho-ho holiday. Too bad – it has year-round quality."
– RICHARD LABONTE, BOOK MARKS


Some attendees from the DL-4 converse in the Hospitality Room.
Bob & Anna Mae Lange (fore & left) relax in the Hospitality Room while Dianne Caldwell (fore & right) strikes up a conversation.
Some attendees converse in the Hospitality Room.
Seattle skyline from Puget Sound aboard Washington State Ferry enroute to Bremerton.
Rocky Fanjoy, Bert Wulf, Rita Manley, John Manley, Gene Jarnagan, and Maurice Mullen (l-r) relax aboard the Washington State Ferry enroute to Bremerton.
Cozetta & Howard Dobson pose with the USS Turner Joy, DD-951 in the backgound at the Bremerton waterfront.
Attendees have lunch at a pavilion in Evergreen Park, Bremerton.
Frank Galghus feeds some sea gulls during lunch in Evergreen Park, Bremerton.
Partial view of the Bremerton Naval Museum.
Washington State Ferry docked in Bremerton about to load.
Shirley Swearingen, Anita Boutz, Helen Joiner, Edwin Willich, Glen Boutz, and Walt & Wanda Alexander (l-r) during Friday's auction.
John Manley addresses attendees at the Business Meeting on Saturday.
Lee Strozinsky addresses attendees at the Business Meeting on Saturday.
View from the Observation Deck (520 ft.) of the Space Needle looking south toward Elliott Bay.
View from the Observation Deck (520 ft.) of the Space Needle looking west over Elliott Bay.
Street magician performs at Pike Place Market.
Some attendees at Saturday's Banquet.
Mike Bugara addresses attendees before Saturday's Banquet.
Swearing in of members of the Board of Directors.
Walt Weaver, George Swearingan, and Cozetta Dobson aboard the Washington State Ferry in Puget Sound enroute to Bremerton.
View East Bremerton across the Port Washington Narrows from Evergreen Park.


Shuck the corn, stripping the husk back as though you were peeling a banana, but leaving the husk attached at the stem end (leave the stem on). Holding an ear of the corn in one hand, gather the husk together so that it covers the stem and then tie it with a piece of butcher's string. This forms a sort of handle. Remove the corn silk. Repeat with the remaining ears of corn.
Place the mayonnaise, cheese, chile powder, and lime wedges in small attractive bowls. Have these ingredients ready on the table, along with butter knives for spreading the mayonnaise.
Set up the grill for direct grilling and preheat to high. When ready to cook, arrange the corn on the hot grate so that the husks hang over the edge of the grill (this keeps them from burning) or place a folded sheet of aluminum foil under the husks to shield them. Grill the corn until nicely browned on all sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side (8 to 12 minutes in all), turning with tongs.
Transfer the grilled corn to a platter. To serve, tell everyone to spread mayonnaise on the corn, then, working over a plate or the platter, sprinkle the ears with cheese and chile powder. Squeeze lime juice to taste over the corn and eat the kernels right off the cob.


The Evening Optimist Club of Coquitlam, BC is an annual sponsor for the Festival Coquitlam, a reflection of spirit and pride. Members claim that their participation in this is event is one of their favorite activities of the year.
What is it? The Teddy Bear Picnic!
The Teddy Bear Picnic is a culmination of all good things for Teddy Bears and their companions. There is a parade, a concert, and then a picnic with a variety of entertainers for the families, owners and lovers of Teddy Bears.
The mission of Festival Coquitlam is, "To host a series of quality family entertainment experiences which will reflect the spirit and pride of our community." Sounds like a perfect connection to share with an Optimist Club!
Photo credit: Jennifer Gauthier, Coquitlam Now.


When it comes to 'fragrance etiquette', a gent should always look to match his fragrance with the time of year and the season. The weather and air temperature can have a big impact on the way a fragrance is perceived and smells. Hot weather, for example, intensifies the fragrance notes, while cold weather makes it more difficult to evaporate and a scent can linger.
The ice cold temperatures of Winter give all those delicate and sophisticated notes the necessary time they need in order to fully express themselves and with the bleak weather, a strong scent can make all the difference when it comes to moods and how you feel.
Oud is a strong scent and has become a new personal favourite of mine, ideal for this time of year if you are looking to stand out and make a great first impression. Perfect to wear in cold temperatures, oud has as distinctively woody, warm and rich scent, that lingers for hours.
What is oud you ask? It originates from the Middle East and is derived from the Agarwood tree of South-Eastern Asia. The tree creates a dark resin in order to protect itself from a certain type of mould and oud is extracted from this resin and blended into the heartwood to create a fantastically powerful scent.
The extraction process makes oud one of the most expensive components used in perfumery and ultimately gives a real aura of luxury to the overall scent.
If you are looking for an introductory fragrance that packs an oud punch, this is the one for you. Combining oud with bergamot, Jo Malone have created a seriously smoky scent with a base of burnt wood and hint of fresh bergamot to balance the fragrance out.
I particularly like the fresh citrus finish of this one and it makes it a scent that could easily be worn all year round and from season to season.
Pair this fragrance with chunky knit and bomber combo for a smart casual look and be sure to give your neckline a healthy spritz.
By Kilian is a relative newcomer to the fragrance World and is certainly changing the game when it comes to modern scents for the modern gent. There are a number of fragrances that focus in on oud within the Kilian stable, but my personal pick is 'Pure Oud', a fragrance that will capture the attention of those around you.
I wouldn't be exaggerating when I say that every time I wear this scent, without fail, I receive compliments. Whether it's from Josie, a friend or a fellow tube passenger, this is a scent that turns heads and that is the ultimate purpose of a fragrance after all right?!
Pair this chap with a cashmere roll neck and blazer for the perfect sidekick to an evening of cocktails and debauchery. When it comes to spritzing this, less is more.
To complete the trio we have a tasty number from Tom Ford and a new addition to their collection of private blends. Oud Minerale was launched towards the end of last year and is a scent that has forever grown on me.
Combining the preciousness of oud with the freshness of the ocean, ingredients like seaweed give the fragrance a salty hint. The smoky base note comes from the inclusion of pepperwood and gives the scent a deep, rich finish, that exudes sophistication.
It's a scent that is both romantic and provocative in equal measure and I'd pair this with a crisp white shirt and double breasted blazer for date night with that special someone.
If you are looking to turn heads and stand out from the crowd this Winter, then upgrade your scent game with an oud that packs a punch.
In addition to this holy trinity of oud scents, a special mention for a new launch I received just yesterday; Across Sands from Maison Margiela Replica. It's another punchy scent with a fragrant focus of oud and warm spices. Another fantastic scent for the Winter months and a good value option if you are looking to add an oud focused scent to your collection.
For some extra warmth and depth, why not combine an oud fragrance with another featuring a floral or spicy notes – a great combo for those that are more adventurous.
What are your favourite scents this season?
Next Post Last Minute Gift Ideas For Valentines Day!


INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, Safety of Nuclear Power Plants: Commissioning and Operation, IAEA Safety Standards Series No. SSR-2/2, IAEA, Vienna (2011).
This publication is a revision of IAEA Safety Standards Series No. NS-R-2, Safety of Nuclear Power Plants: Operation, and has been extended to cover the commissioning stage. It describes the requirements to be met to ensure the safe operation of nuclear power plants. Over recent years there have been developments in areas such as long term operation, plant ageing, periodic safety review, probabilistic safety analysis and risk informed decision making processes. It became necessary to revise the IAEA's safety requirements in these areas and to correct and/or improve the publication on the basis of feedback from its application by both the IAEA and its Member States. In addition, the requirements are governed by, and must apply, the safety objective and safety principles that are established in the Fundamental Safety Principles.