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Maison Margiela: How Fashion's Invisible Man Built An Empire
December 19, 2022 • by Jan Stromsodd
Fashion and anonymity don't often go hand in hand, but it was Martin Margiela's elusive design approach that catapulted his brand to fame.
The Parisian luxury fashion house is acclaimed for its cutting-edge designs, often featuring elements of deconstruction and androgyny.
The brand logo of French luxury label Maison Margiela (formerly Maison Martin Margiela) (Credit: Robert Way / Shutterstock)
Maison Margiela's garments are innovative, experimental, and undeniably chic.
Fashion's 'invisible man' built an enigmatic empire by pushing all of fashion's boundaries; find out all about Maison Margiela below!
Fashion's Most Mysterious Designer
Not much is known about Martin Margiela's personal life aside from the basics.
He grew up in Genk, Belgium, studied at the prestigious Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts and worked as a design assistant for Jean Paul Gaultier in the 80s before launching his eponymous label in 1988. And that's pretty much all that he wanted to share.
Martin Margiela instantly stood apart from other designers through his unconventional design techniques and his non-existent media presence.
Mads Mikkelsen with Kirsten Dunst in a custom Maison Margiela by John Galliano marigold satin and tulle overlay gown featuring leaf detailing at 'The Neon Demon' premiere during the 69th annual Cannes Film Festival at the Palais des Festivals on May 20, 2016, in Cannes, France (Credit: Magicinfoto / Shutterstock)
The Belgian designer wanted the public to focus on his clothing rather than his persona. He was never photographed, all interviews were taken collectively with the rest of his design team, and he avoided bows after runway shows.
This mysterious strategy to publicity slightly backfired; the media was intrigued with the man behind the designs, and Martin Margiela quickly became a renowned fashion designer.
Maison Margiela luxury store storefront on San Francisco's Maiden Lane (Credit: Michael Vi)
Margiela's secrecy extended to the label's branding. The clothing was void of flashy logos, instead showcasing its origins with four distinct white stitches attached to a simple tag with the numbers 0-23.
Each number represented the collection the garment belonged to, and the tag could easily be removed if the customer wanted an unmarked item.
Priyanka Chopra in a Richard Quinn Fall 2021 dress and her husband Nick Jonas in a Maison Margiela Icons black tuxedo paired with red Maison Margiela x Reebok red classic leather Tabi sneakers arrive at The Fashion Awards 2021 at Royal Albert Hall on November 29, 2021, in London, England (Credit: Cubankite / Shutterstock)
Sometimes even models were anonymous, sent onto the runway in ornate masks or with hairstyles that completely covered their faces!
A Master Of Deconstruction
Maison Margiela has become synonymous with deconstruction. Consider Martin Margiela a pioneer of the upcycled fashion movement.
He was taking apart vintage pieces and recreating them into new garments in the early 90s, long before the current term was coined. Martin Margiela showed the beauty of rawness in an industry that favored perfection.
Suki Waterhouse in a Maison Margiela sheer dress paired with a gold bodysuit the Swarovski Prologue at The Fashion Awards 2017 in partnership with Swarovski at Royal Albert Hall on December 4, 2017, in London, England (Credit: Cubankite / Shutterstock)
His pieces often featured unfinished fabrics, raw hems, and exposed stitches. Yet each garment was so masterfully crafted that it exuded sartorial elegance.
Exceptional quality has always been a foundation of Maison Margiela, with artisan pieces handcrafted in Paris and ready-to-wear collections made in Italy.
Margiela's unconventional design techniques have gone on to influence contemporary fashion in a major way.
Bee Shaffer in a colorful Alexander McQueen dress and Anna Wintour in a Maison Margiela Spring 2017 Couture gown attend the 71st Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 11, 2017, in New York City (Credit: Lev Radin / Shutterstock)
Raw hem jeans, cut-out sleeves, and split hem designs are just a few modern trends we can attribute to the groundbreaking Belgian designer.
The fashion house is also famous for the sleek laceless Future sneakers and split-toe shoes, head-turning trompe l'oeil motifs, oversized silhouettes, organic paint splatters on garments, and an often neutral color palette featuring a lot of white.
Singer Li Yuchun in a Maison Margiela Spring 2017 Couture ensemble attends the "Ismael's Ghosts (Les Fantomes d'Ismael)" screening and Opening Gala during the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 17, 2017, in Cannes, France (Credit: Denis Makarenko / Shutterstock)
Martin Margiela loved the clean shade as he believed it was a symbol of the strength of fragility. A crisp white coat is an essential part of the Margiela design team's uniform in the couture studio.
Martin Margiela's Silent Departure
The Maison Martin Margiela brand grew steadily throughout the 90s and 2000s. It expanded from a sole women's ready-to-wear collection into a full-blown fashion house.
The label launched MM6, a diffusion line for younger customers, and introduced their menswear ready-to-wear line in the late 90s.
The couture-esque Artisanal Collection was created in 2006; each handmade piece was crafted from vintage finds from across the globe.
Katy Perry in a red Maison Margiela Spring 2017 Couture design attends the 'Rei Kawakubo / Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between' Costume Institute Gala 2017 at Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City May 1, 2017 (Credit: Sky Cinema / Shutterstock)
Naturally, the fashion world was shocked to learn about Martin's sudden departure in 2008. Fans would have to wait for several years for a brief explanation letter.
The designer said that he could not cope with the 'increasing pressure and overgrowing demands of trade', as the fashion industry shifted from two main collections a year to several capsule collections.
Martin's slow, artisanal method simply didn't fit in with the new high-speed pace of the industry. He also shared that he didn't like that the rise of social media was taking away the 'thrill' of waiting for new fashion presentations.
Actress Sarah Paulson in a Maison Margiela dress attends the 28th annual Producers Guild Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 28, 2017, in Beverly Hills, California (Credit: Jaguar PS / Shutterstock)
The brand didn't immediately appoint a new creative director after Martin's initial departure.
Instead, they decided to carry on their founder's anonymous legacy by working as a collaborative design team.
The fashion house worked this way until 2014 when former Dior designer John Galliano took over as creative director and changed the brand's name to Maison Margiela.
Doutzen Kroes in a red Maison Margiela gown attends amfAR's 22nd Cinema Against AIDS Gala, Presented By Bold Films And Harry Winston at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 21, 2015, in Cap d'Antibes, France (Credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock)
Galliano has remained true to Martin's forward-thinking aesthetic, still producing beautifully deconstructed pieces for the contemporary fashion lover.
Maison Margiela is currently a part of the OTB Group, a company for alternative luxury brands known for pushing boundaries and challenging the established rules of the industry.
Where To Buy Margiela Designs
Are you interested in adding some intrigue to your wardrobe? Maison Margiela has boutiques in San Francisco, LA, New York, and Miami.
It's also available in major luxury department stores such as Mytheresa and Nordstrom, as well as online luxury retailers like Farfetch and Shopbop.
Scroll down to see celebrities wearing clothing and footwear by Maison Margiela, formerly Maison Martin Margiela, a French luxury fashion house headquartered in Paris.
Filed Under: Shopping Guides for Clothing, Shoes and Accessories


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Do I need to file a tax return for a deceased person?
Written by: Janet Berry-Johnson, CPA
Image: Young woman on laptop, sitting on floor, husband on sofa in background, researching how to file an estate tax return.
When a taxpayer dies, it's possible they'll still owe federal income tax on income they received during the year. It may be up to a loved one to file income tax returns, possibly including an estate return, on behalf of the person who passed.
This article was fact-checked by our editors and a member of the Credit Karma product specialist team, led by Senior Manager of Operations Christina Taylor. It has been updated for the 2020 tax year. Note: Credit Karma does not support Forms 1041 and 706.
When you lose a loved one, taxes might be the last thing on your mind. But the task of filing a deceased person's final tax returns can fall on the shoulders of a family member or friend.
If you're responsible for handling the final affairs of someone who has died, you may need to file multiple kinds of tax returns on behalf of that person. Let's look at the tax returns that may need to be filed, situations that may require their filing and who is responsible for handling each.
What tax returns might I need to file for someone who has died?
Who is responsible for filing the returns of a deceased person?
How do I file tax returns for a deceased person?
Multiple tax returns may be required when someone dies. Here are three of the federal tax returns that may be required.
Final Form 1040
First is the deceased person's final Form 1040 — the federal income tax return that everyone uses and that's typically due April 15 of every year. If your loved one earned income in the year they died, the IRS still wants its fair share. Depending on the person's gross income, age and filing status, you may need to file a 1040 on their behalf.
Estate income tax return
When someone dies, their assets become the property of their estate. If the deceased person's estate earned income after the date of their death — such as interest on a bank account or dividends from investments — you may need to file a second income tax return, Form 1041, for estates and trusts. Form 1041 is only required if the estate generates more than $600 in annual gross income.
Form 706 estate tax return
In addition to regular income tax, a second kind of tax can be levied against certain estates. Estate tax, also called the "death tax," applies to estates worth $11.58 million or more.
If an estate is subject to estate tax, someone will need to file Form 706, a federal estate tax return, on behalf of the estate. Most estates are too small to be subject to the federal estate tax. If you're in the position of handling tax affairs for someone who has died, it's more likely you'll only need to deal with Forms 1040 and 1041.
Learn more about estate taxes
A common scenario
For the rest of this article, we'll focus on Forms 1040 and 1041. Let's look at an example of how final income taxes can work.
Jada passed away on July 31, 2020. Before her death, Jada earned wages of $65,000 from her job, $600 of interest income from a bank account, and $2,500 of dividend income on investments in a brokerage account. After her death, her estate received another $500 of interest income and $2,000 of dividend income. Her assets, which passed to her estate, were worth less than $500,000 total.
At the end of 2020, two tax returns would be required.
A Form 1040 reporting the $65,000 Jada earned, $600 of interest income, and $2,500 of dividend income earned up until her date of death.
A Form 1041 reporting the $500 of interest and $2,000 of dividends paid out after death.
Because Jada's assets were well below the estate tax threshold, her estate wouldn't be subject to the estate tax.
To be legally authorized to file returns on a deceased person's behalf, you must be their personal representative — either the executor or administrator of the estate or anyone in charge of the individual's property. In many cases, this person may be identified in the deceased person's will as executor of the estate. If there isn't a will or the executor named in the will can't or won't fulfill their duties, the court will appoint someone as administrator.
A surviving spouse can file a joint return with the deceased person if a personal representative hasn't been appointed before the due date for filing the return the year of the deceased person's death. But if the surviving spouse remarries before the end of the year in which the taxpayer died, then they can't file jointly with the deceased spouse.
If you are the deceased person's personal representative and make a mistake, either by not filing at all or filing the tax return incorrectly, the IRS may assess penalties, so you'll want to take the responsibility seriously.
How can I avoid a penalty for underpaying federal income tax?
Generally, you can avoid an underpayment penalty by paying at least 90% of the total tax you owe for the current tax year or 100% of the tax shown on your last year's return (whichever is less) by Tax Day.
Here's an overview of what to consider when filing tax returns for someone who has died.
File the final Form 1040
The final Form 1040 covers the period from Jan. 1 of the year in which the person died through the date of their death. You must file and pay any tax due by the standard tax filing deadline (typically April 15) of the following year. If you need more time, you can request an extension of time to file the Form 1040.
The deceased person's income will be taxed just as it would have been if they were still living. The same tax rates apply, and they can claim the same deductions and credits.
You'll need to write the word "DECEASED," plus the person's name and date of death, across the top of the Form 1040 and complete it using the deceased's personal information, including their Social Security number and address.
Since you'll be signing the deceased's final tax return on their behalf, you need to complete IRS Form 56 and attach it to the final Form 1040. And if you'll be claiming a refund that would have been due to the deceased person, you'll likely have to file Form 1310 unless you meet these requirements.
You're the deceased person's spouse and filing a joint return or an amended joint return.
You've been appointed by a court or are a certified personal representative filing an original return on behalf of the deceased. You'll need to attach a copy of the court certificate confirming your appointment to the return.
File the estate's income tax return
While the deceased person's Social Security number is their taxpayer identification number for purposes of the income you'll report on their 1040, you have to use a different identifier if an estate income tax return is required. That's because tax law considers a person's estate to be a separate entity from the deceased person for tax purposes. Once all the heirs and beneficiaries of the estate have received their final distribution of the estate's assets, the estate ceases to exist and its tax obligations end.
Before filing Form 1041, you'll need to obtain a tax ID number, or EIN, for the estate. You can apply for an EIN online, by fax or by mail.
The deceased person's estate is taxed similarly to the way the person was taxed while they were living. Most deductions and tax credits allowed to individuals are also allowed to estates. But the estate is also allowed to claim a deduction for distributions to beneficiaries.
The estate's first tax year begins when the decedent dies. You can choose to file a short-year return that ends on December 31 or the end of any other month that ends in an initial tax period of 12 months or less.
Form 1041 is due by the 15th day of the fourth month after the tax year-end if the personal representative chooses a fiscal year for the estate's accounting period or by April 15 of the following year if they choose a calendar year accounting period.
Keep in mind you may also need to file a final state income tax return for the deceased, and a state income tax return for the estate. Check with the applicable taxing authority in the deceased's state to find out which forms you may need to file and when the state returns are due.
If you need more information on filing taxes for a deceased person, check out IRS Publication 559, Survivors, Executors and Administrators. It includes instructions for completing both the final Form 1040 and Form 1041. The IRS also has a tool to help you determine who must file a deceased person's final return and when it's due.
It's an emotional time when a friend or family member dies — and dealing with their tax liability can be challenging. But a methodical approach and guidance from the IRS may help you complete and file the necessary returns to fulfill any final tax obligations.
Relevant sources: IRS: Filing the Final Return(s) of a Deceased Person | IRS Instructions for Form 1041 and Schedules A, B, G, J and K-1 (2019) | IRS Nationwide Tax Forum (2010) Introduction to the Decedent's Final Form 1040 | IRS: Filing the Estate Income Tax Return, Form 1041 | IRS: Estate Tax | IRS Publication 559, Survivors, Executors and Administrators (2019) | IRS Instructions for Form 56, Notice Concerning Fiduciary Relationship
Christina Taylor is senior manager of tax operations for Credit Karma. She has more than a dozen years of experience in tax, accounting and business operations. Christina founded her own accounting consultancy and managed it for more than six years. She codeveloped an online DIY tax-preparation product, serving as chief operating officer for seven years. She is the current treasurer of the National Association of Computerized Tax Processors and holds a bachelor's degree in business administration/accounting from Baker College and an MBA from Meredith College. You can find her on LinkedIn.
About the author: Janet Berry-Johnson is a freelance writer with a background in accounting and insurance. She has a bachelor's degree in accounting from Morrison University. Her writing has appeared in Capitalist Review, Chase News &a… Read more.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced changes to the Enshrinement Week schedule in early August 2017.
As part of the Hall of Fame's continuous effort to make the guest experience the best it can be, some exciting changes have been made to the schedule for the 2017 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls.
Kicking off the celebration will be the annual Hall of Fame Game that, for the first time ever, will be played on a Thursday night. The preseason classic is scheduled for Thursday, August 3, 2017 in the new Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
The following night, members of the Class of 2017 will be presented their Hall of Fame Gold Jackets during the nationally televised Enshrinees' Gold Jacket Dinner held at the Canton Memorial Civic Center.
Then on Saturday, August 5, in Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, the Class of 2017 will be formally enshrined into the Hall of Fame during the nationally televised Enshrinement Ceremony. More than 120 returning Hall of Famers are expected to be on stage to welcome the newest members to the Hall of Fame fraternity.
The multi-day festivities wrap up with two exciting events on Sunday, August 6. The first is the Enshrinees' Roundtable, an afternoon event held in the Canton Memorial Civic Center. The Roundtable is an unscripted up-close-and-personal discussion with Hall of Famers. Then, later that evening, the annual Concert for Legends will be held in Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The concert will once again feature a nationally-known recording act that will be announced soon.


Chemo Crumble come from the Indica strain of cannabis as Chemo which was originally develope to help chemotherapy patients combat nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite that is commonly associate with chemotherapy treatment. This crumble is make utilizing top of the line solventless extraction techniques to provide you with a clean and pure product for the best experience possible. The strain is believe to have its origin in the 1970's at the University of British Columbia and is often also calle UBC Chemo. Also heavy-hitting Indica will provide a full body relaxation and a complete sense of euphoria. Chemo Crumble can be vape, dabb, twax inside of a joint or used within edibles as it is clean, pure and solvent free.


text:
package com.ctrip.xpipe.service.metric;

import com.ctrip.xpipe.api.monitor.Task;
import com.ctrip.xpipe.api.monitor.TransactionMonitor;
import okhttp3.OkHttpClient;
import org.influxdb.InfluxDB;
import org.influxdb.InfluxDBFactory;
import org.influxdb.dto.BatchPoints;
import org.influxdb.dto.Point;

import java.io.Closeable;
import java.time.Duration;
import java.util.HashMap;
import java.util.List;
import java.util.Map;

/**
 * @author lishanglin
 * date 2021/10/26
 */
public class InfluxDbClient implements Closeable {

    private final InfluxDB influxDB;

    private final String host;

    private final String db;

    private volatile boolean close = false;

    private static final String TYPE = "Influxdb";

    public InfluxDbClient(String host, String db) {
        this.host = host;
        this.db = db;
        this.influxDB = InfluxDBFactory.connect(host);
        this.influxDB.setDatabase(db);
    }

    public InfluxDbClient(String host, String db, long connTimeoutMilli, long soTimeoutMilli) {
        this.host = host;
        this.db = db;

        OkHttpClient.Builder httpClientBuilder = new OkHttpClient.Builder();
        httpClientBuilder.connectTimeout(Duration.ofMillis(connTimeoutMilli))
                .writeTimeout(Duration.ofMillis(soTimeoutMilli))
                .readTimeout(Duration.ofMillis(soTimeoutMilli));
        this.influxDB = InfluxDBFactory.connect(host, httpClientBuilder);
        this.influxDB.setDatabase(db);
    }

    public String getHost() {
        return host;
    }

    public String getDb() {
        return db;
    }

    public org.influxdb.InfluxDB getInfluxDB() {
        return influxDB;
    }

    // points should be less then 3000 one time
    public void send(List<Point> points) {
        BatchPoints batchPoints = BatchPoints.database(db).build();
        points.forEach(batchPoints::point);
        influxDB.write(batchPoints);
    }

    public void sendWithMonitor(List<Point> points) throws Exception {
        BatchPoints batchPoints = BatchPoints.database(db).build();
        points.forEach(batchPoints::point);

        TransactionMonitor.DEFAULT.logTransaction(TYPE, "send", new Task<Object>() {
            @Override
            public void go() {
                influxDB.write(batchPoints);
            }

            @Override
            public Map<String, Object> getData() {
                return new HashMap<String, Object>() {{
                   put("points", batchPoints.getPoints().size());
                   put("address", host);
                   put("database", db);
                }};
            }
        });
    }

    public void ping() {
        influxDB.ping();
    }

    @Override
    public String toString() {
        return "InfluxDbClient{" +
                "host='" + host + '\'' +
                ", db='" + db + '\'' +
                '}';
    }

    @Override
    public void close() {
        influxDB.close();
        this.close = true;
    }

    protected void finalize() {
        if (!this.close) this.close();
    }

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


What is the Customer Certification Program?
Who can apply for the Customer Certification Program?
How do I apply for the Customer Certification Program?
What is involved in placing the survey on my site?
What is a Point-of-Sale survey?
Does the survey interfere with my customers' ability to complete their purchases?
What is a Fulfillment survey?
How do I become a Customer Certified merchant?
What does it cost to become a Customer Certified merchant?
What are the benefits of being a Customer Certified merchant?
Can I get additional information on my customers?
What research do I get as a Customer Certified Merchant?
How can I get the answers to other questions asked in the surveys beyond my performance ratings?
What if I want answers to questions that aren't on the standard customer surveys?
What if I want to ask questions of online buyers who are not my customers?
How can I find out about my site visitors?
Can I get information on my offline performance?
What is a Smiley Scale?
How are the Ratings Used?
What does "Not Yet Rated" mean?
What does "Being Re-Rated" mean?
What is the number of reviews?
How are ratings and reviews gathered?
How are your ratings calculated?
How often are store ratings and reviews updated?
How do you stop ratings manipulations and fraud?
Many sites have store ratings, what's the big deal about yours?
Do stores pay to be listed in the store ratings section?
Shopzilla's Customer Certification Program is used by thousands of retailers every day to promote, track and improve their customer satisfaction performance. The information you gather from your customers provides you with the critical performance metrics required to say competitive in the e-commerce marketplace.
The aggregations of your customer surveys are displayed to shoppers in the form of an intuitive and consumer friendly Smiley Scale. This scale demonstrates your commitment to providing quality products and services and allows you to stand out from the competition.
If you have any questions about being evaluated and listed on BizRate or Shopzilla, please email us at support@shopzilla.com.
Please read these easy steps to get started.
In order to begin data collection you must insert three lines of HTML code on your order receipt page (i.e., the page after an order has been successfully submitted). This code provides an invitation for your buyers to fill out an evaluation form immediately after they complete their purchase. We estimate that placing this code on your site should take less than five minutes. Please note that the Web survey is only presented to those buyers who choose to participate by clicking on our invitation button. Your employees are not permitted to complete your BizRate surveys.
See examples of our surveys.
Other surveys are available for merchants providing Business-to-Business or a combination of Business-to-Business & Business-to-Consumer services. Travel merchants also have a specific survey for their customers.
Not at all. Our survey invitation is served on the receipt page, only after a sale is completed.
Customers may complete the FF survey only after they have completed a POS survey. A link to the FF survey is sent via email shortly after the product delivery date the customer indicated on the POS survey.
A merchant must actively serve the Point-of-Sale survey.
A merchant must have 20 or more completed Fulfillment surveys during the ratings period.
Panel surveys will not count towards Customer Certification.
This translates roughly into a monthly volume of approximately 250-300 orders.
There is no cost to become a Customer Certified Merchant yet you receive free valuable customer information and feedback that you can track over time. Please see the next question for benefits of being a Customer Certified Merchant.
Customer Satisfaction Ratings with filtering based on time period and survey type (Point-of-Sale or Fulfillment).
Customer Comments from BizRate.com's Point-of-Sale and Fulfillment surveys with filtering based on time period, survey type, satisfaction attributes, and keywords.
Vital Mail: an email report with your performance and sample customer comments delivered daily to your inbox.
Use of BizRate.com Customer Certified medal on your site to differentiate you as a quality merchant.
If you subscribe to the Buyer Satisfaction Service you can have access to all metrics.
Results from your surveys can be emailed to you on daily basis through VitalMail, which provides daily performance metrics on 17 key dimensions and compares them against the previous week's results. For more information, contact researchsales@bizrate.com.
You can find your customers' responses to all questions on the POS and FF surveys through our Buyer Satisfaction Service. With our Buyer Satisfaction Service, you have access to our web-based tool, AccuRate. AccuRate provides the most timely, comprehensive and actionable analysis of online customers and the competitive environment. Using BizRate's proprietary research information management and delivery platform, AccuRate enables you to build real-time custom research reports based on metrics that are crucial to your business success. This unique capability lets you derive maximum value from your performance data while presenting information in the format that best meets your research needs.
For more information, please contact researchsales@bizrate.com.
Your buyers at the Point-of-Sale: The Buyer Satisfaction Service allows you to add custom questions to your BizRate survey so you can capture information critical to your business.
A cross section of all online buyers at the Point-of-Sale: You may ask questions to other online buyers at the Point-of-Sale through the use of BizRate's Flash Survey.
A cross section of all online buyers: Panel Surveys enable you to ask in-depth questions about a broad range of online and offline issues. Field your questions to BizRate's Online Research Panel of over 800,000 online buyers.
Your personal database of recipients: Email surveys are sent to recipients from lists that you supply and can be used to: determine the reasons why customers have not purchased from your site in recent months; assess the effectiveness of advertising and marketing among those who received the promotions; or gather feedback on proposed site changes.
BizRate offers you access to online buyers from over 3,500 online and multi-channel merchants and regularly surveys its online research panel of over 1,000,000 online buyers.
Flash surveys allow you to ask questions of a cross-section of online buyers at the Point-of-Sale.
Panel surveys allow you to ask in-depth questions about a broad range of online and offline issues directed to BizRate's Online Research Panel of over 1,000,000 online buyers.
BizRate has numerous surveys to capture feedback from the visitors on your site. All of these surveys can be used to provide you with valuable insight into the factors that impact customer acquisition, conversion and loyalty.
The Visitor Survey is designed to identify why web visitors leave a site (from any page) without making a purchase.
The Shopping Cart Abandonment Survey is used to determine why shoppers place items in a cart for checkout and exit without completing the purchase.
What is the BizRate Smiley Scale?
The BizRate Smiley Scale is a simple and intuitive way to visualize a lot of research data about a store's capabilities, so the consumer can, at a glance tell the good merchants from the not-so-good merchants when comparison shopping.
The Smiley Scale ratings are used by consumers to quickly find stores with the level of quality and for the price that consumers want. Example: Is it worth saving $10 on a bouquet of flowers when the merchant has a Red Sad-face icon for "On-time delivery"? Not if it's the day before Valentines!
"Not Yet Rated" means that BizRate is in the process of evaluating the store but has not yet collected enough customer reviews to issue a rating. We require a minimum of 20 surveys to be collected during the ratings period to ensure we have a statistically significant rating of a store's performance and not the opinion of just a handful of customers. As soon as enough valid reviews have been collected, a rating will be calculated and displayed.
Detection of a significant amount of suspicious reviews or other unusual activity that makes us question that the prior ratings were unreliable.
Significant changes to a store's site or operations.
Once enough valid reviews have been gathered, a new rating will be calculated and displayed for this store.
The number of reviews is the total number of individual consumer reviews that BizRate has collected for a particular store. The more people who have reviewed a store, the more statistically reliable the ratings are. For instance if 50,000+ people say a store is great in on-time delivery, it's a little different than if 3 people say so. BizRate does not consider anything less than 20 reviews collected during the ratings period to be a statistically relevant number and therefore does not post scores for stores below this threshold of reviews. These stores are clearly designated as: "Not Yet Rated"..
BizRate combines consumer feedback from two different sources to create the most comprehensive and reliable store ratings available anywhere.
Many of our stores are designated as "Customer Certified". These stores have agreed to allow BizRate to collect feedback directly from their customers as they make purchases. To do this, BizRate literally sits at the checkout (receipt) page of tens of millions of transactions each month inviting real customers to share their experiences and give feedback directly after a purchase. (You may have seen our invitations pop-up when you've shopped around the web! Hopefully, you've filled out a survey.) Of course, a transaction is not complete until a customer receives his/her goods. Therefore, we follow up via e-mail to make sure that the store delivered the goods as promised. This continuous process ensures that BizRate is able to collect timely, detailed and accurate ratings and feedback about both the ordering and fulfillment process of every Customer Certified store. No other ratings methodology comes close!
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What Does the Outcome of the Midterm Elections Mean for Medicaid Expansion?
Published: Nov 07, 2018
While not typically an election issue, Medicaid — particularly the Medicaid expansion created under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) — was an important issue in the 2018 midterm elections in a number of campaigns throughout the country. Following the election, 37 states including the District of Columbia have adopted the ACA's Medicaid expansion. States may implement the expansion at any time, and while they can no longer receive 100% federal financing for three years, they remain eligible for enhanced federal financing of 93% in 2019 and 90% in 2020 and beyond. Many studies on the effects of the ACA Medicaid expansion point to positive effects on coverage, access to care, service utilization, and state budgets and economies. This fact sheet highlights key states in which the results of the 2018 midterm elections have implications for Medicaid expansion adoption or implementation. States examined include those that had Medicaid expansion ballot initiatives and states in which governor races have potential implications for Medicaid expansion. In states that had governor races with implications for Medicaid expansion, changes in the composition of state legislatures are also important as governors in most states will need to work with their legislatures in order to adopt the expansion.
Outcome of Medicaid Expansion Ballot Measures
Four states voted on Medicaid expansion ballot initiatives.
Idaho. Idahoans voted in favor of Idaho Proposition 2, a ballot initiative that requires the state to submit a state plan amendment to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to implement the Medicaid expansion no later than 90 days after the approval of the act. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is required and authorized to take all actions necessary to implement the provisions of this section as soon as practicable. Outgoing Governor Butch Otter endorsed the ballot initiative less than a week before the election,1 and Republican Governor-elect Brad Little has said he will implement the initiative.2
Idaho, Nebraska and Utah voters passed ballot initiatives to expand Medicaid in the Nov. 6, 2018 election, bringing the total number of states that have adopted #MedicaidExpansion under the ACA to 37. KFF examines the implications of the election.
Montana. Montanans voted down Montana I-185 after spending on campaigns for and against the initiative made it the most expensive ballot measure race in Montana history. The measure proposed raising taxes on all tobacco products (including e-cigarettes and vaping products) and dedicating a percentage of increased tax revenues for Montana's current Medicaid program; veterans' services; smoking prevention and cessation programs; and long-term care services for seniors and people with disabilities. The initiative also would have eliminated the sunset date for the Medicaid expansion, which is set to expire on June 30, 2019. The Montana State Legislature, which remains in Republican control following the 2018 midterm election,3 could take action to continue the expansion program beyond June 2019 despite the ballot measure's failure. As of late October, tobacco companies had spent more than $17 million on advertising and other efforts to oppose the ballot measure, most of which came from cigarette maker Altria.4 In comparison, I-185 supporters had spent nearly $8 million, primarily from the Montana Hospital Association.5
Nebraska. Nebraskans voted in favor of Nebraska Initiative 427, which requires the state to submit a state plan amendment or documents seeking waiver approval to CMS on or before April 1, 2019 to implement the Medicaid expansion. The initiative calls for the state Department of Human Services to "take all actions necessary to maximize federal financial participation in funding medical assistance pursuant to this section". Although Governor Pete Ricketts, who was just re-elected for a second term, has been a vocal opponent of expansion,6 he previously stated that if expansion made it onto the ballot it would be up to voters to decide.7
Utah. Voters approved Utah Proposition 3, which calls for the state to expand Medicaid coverage under the ACA beginning April 1, 2019. In addition, the initiative prohibits future changes to Medicaid and CHIP that would reduce coverage, benefits, and payment rates below policies in place on January 1, 2017. Proposition 3 calls for a 0.15% increase (from 4.70% to 4.85% of the state sales tax except for groceries) to finance the expansion or Medicaid and CHIP more broadly. 8 Utah Governor Gary Herbert did not support the initiative (he instead favored the Legislature's more limited approach of seeking a federal waiver to expand Medicaid just to the poverty line).9
Key Governor Races with Implications for Expansion
Kansas. Democratic Governor-elect Laura Kelly has promised to advocate for and sign a bill approving Medicaid expansion in her first year in office.10 Although both houses of the Legislature remain in Republican control following the 2018 midterm election,11 expansion has received bipartisan legislative support in the past. In 2017, expansion legislation was passed by the Kansas House and Senate but was vetoed by then-Governor Sam Brownback. The House then nearly overrode the veto, but fell three votes shy (in an 81-44 vote) of the 84 votes needed to overcome the Governor's opposition.12 The 2019 legislative session is set to begin on January 14th.13
Maine. Medicaid expansion was adopted in Maine through a ballot initiative in November 2017. After resisting implementation of the expansion, Governor Paul LePage complied with a Maine Supreme Judicial Court order to submit an expansion state plan amendment (SPA) to the federal government in September 2018, but he accompanied it with a letter asking CMS to reject the SPA. The newly elected Democratic governor, Janet Mills, has supported Medicaid expansion and is likely to move quickly to implement.14 Democrats also won control of the Maine Senate, giving the party control of both houses of the Maine Legislature.15
Wisconsin. The election of Democrat Tony Evers, a supporter of Medicaid expansion, over incumbent Republican Governor Scott Walker may increase the prospects of expansion in Wisconsin. The state already has a program in place to cover adults up to the poverty level through Medicaid, so unlike other non-expansion states, there is no coverage gap in Wisconsin. However, expansion to 138% of the federal poverty level under the ACA could result in additional federal Medicaid revenues and more people enrolled in Medicaid. Passage of the Medicaid expansion through the State Legislature could be a challenge even with the election of a Democratic governor, as both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature remain in Republican control.16 The 2019 legislative session is set to begin on January 7th.17 In addition, Wisconsin recently received CMS approval for a Medicaid waiver that includes work requirements, required completion of a health risk assessment as a condition of eligibility, and mandatory premiums for some Medicaid beneficiaries.18 Although the state now has authority to make these changes, the new governor could potentially withdraw, amend, or not implement the waiver.
Other States to Watch
Alaska. Alaska implemented the Medicaid expansion on September 1, 2015 under current Independent Governor Bill Walker. However, Republican Governor-elect Mike Dunleavy has been a critic of the state's Medicaid expansion program and its costs19 and favors reviewing the program.20 Following the 2018 midterms, Republicans retain control of both houses of the Alaska State Legislature.21
Georgia. The outcome of the Georgia gubernatorial race is still pending. Democrat Stacey Abrams is a vocal advocate for Medicaid expansion and would plan to make expansion her first priority as governor.22 If elected governor, Abrams would need to garner support from the legislature in order to expand coverage, as a 2014 state law prohibits Georgia's governor from expanding Medicaid without legislative approval.23 However, both houses of the General Assembly remain in Republican control following the 2018 midterm election.24 The 2019 legislative session is set to begin on January 14th.25
James Dawson, "Governor Butch Otter Gives Thumbs Up to Idaho Medicaid Expansion," Boise State Public Radio (October 30, 2018), http://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/post/governor-butch-otter-gives-thumbs-idaho-medicaid-expansion#stream/0
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Matt Guilhem, "Brad Little, Idaho's GOP Gubernatorial Candidate, Will Support Medicaid Expansion – If It Passes," Boise State Public Radio (September 26, 2018), http://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/post/brad-little-idahos-gop-gubernatorial-candidate-will-support-medicaid-expansion-if-it-passes#stream/0
National Conference of State Legislatures, "NCSL State Vote," NCSL, November 7, 2018, http://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/statevote-2018-state-legislative-races-and-ballot-measures.aspx
Eric Whitney, "Record Spending Against Montana's I-185 Tobacco Tax," Montana Public Radio (October 28, 2018), http://www.mtpr.org/post/record-spending-against-montanas-i-185-tobacco-tax
Fred Knapp, "Nebraska May Join Utah, Idaho in Putting Medicaid Expansion Before Voters," National Public Radio (July 6, 2018), https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/07/06/626569883/nebraska-may-join-utah-idaho-in-putting-medicaid-expansion-before-voters
Mattie Quinn, "November Offers Major Test of Medicaid Expansion's Support in Red States," Governing (October 1, 2018), http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/gov-medicaid-expansion-voters-ballot-november-states.html
"Proposition Number 3," Utah Elections, accessed November 5, 2018, https://elections.utah.gov/Media/Default/2018%20Election/Issues%20on%20the%20Ballot/Proposition%203%20-%20Ballot%20Title%20and%20Impartial%20Analysis.pdf
Lee Davidson, "Gov. Gary Herbert split on voter initiatives — opposes Medicaid expansion and medical marijuana, backs two aimed at election laws," The Salt Lake Tribune (April 26, 2018), https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2018/04/26/live-gov-gary-herbert-discusses-republican-convention-legislature-vetoes/
"Healthcare," Laura Kelly, Lynn Rogers, Governor/Lt. Governor, accessed November 5, 2018, https://www.laurakellyforkansas.com/issues/healthcare/
Hunter Woodall, "Kansas House fails to override Brownback Medicaid expansion veto," Kansas City Star, (April 3, 2017), https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article142396699.html
"2017-2018 Legislative Sessions," Kansas Legislature, accessed November 5, 2018, http://www.kslegislature.org/li/
"Lowering the Cost of Health Care," Janet Mills for Maine, accessed November 5, 2018, https://www.janetmills.com/issues/healthcare
Michael Shepherd, "Democrats surge to solid control of Maine Legislature," Bangor Daily News (November 7, 2018), https://bangordailynews.com/2018/11/07/politics/democrats-surge-to-solid-control-of-maine-legislature/
Todd Richmond, "Wisconsin Republicans maintain control of Legislature," Wisconsin State Journal (November 7, 2018), https://madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/wisconsin-republicans-maintain-control-of-legislature/article_5ddad096-4d09-5250-90ea-6ee014a7488d.html
"Wisconsin State Legislature," accessed November 5, 2018, https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2017/related/session_calendar/calendar
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Letter to Casey Himebauch, Wisconsin Deputy Medicaid Director, October 31, 2018, https://www.medicaid.gov/Medicaid-CHIP-Program-Information/By-Topics/Waivers/1115/downloads/wi/wi-badgercare-reform-ca.pdf
Jill Burke, "Stances on Medicaid Factor Into Alaska Governor's Race," Bloomberg BNA (August 6, 2018), https://www.bna.com/stances-medicaid-factor-n73014481574/
Harris Meyer, "Close Governor Races Could Decide Future of Medicaid," Modern Healthcare (September 22, 2018), https://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20180922/NEWS/180929963
"Stacey's Vision for Georgia Health Care," Stacey Abrams for Governor, accessed November 5, 2018, https://staceyabrams.com/vision/health-care/
H. B. 990, Georgia General Assembly 2013-2014 Regular Session, (2014) http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20132014/HB/990.
"Welcome to the Georgia General Assembly!" (Georgia General Assembly, accessed November 5, 2018), http://www.legis.ga.gov/en-US/default.aspx


Lovely townhome conveniently located in Malta, minutes to Global, Saratoga & Northway! Has an open floor plan w/vaulted ceiling, wood burning fireplace. Newer features: flooring in living area, newer carpet in bedrooms and throughout 2nd floor, ceramic tile in kitchen. Roof only a few years old! Newer high end TRIPLE Pane windows and sliding door to yard that backs to serene woods. Lawn completely reseeded last year! Just a quick walk to the park.


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« The Temple
Alone (Vampires and the Life of Erin Rose) »
Run from the Reaper
February 27, 2012 by JBronder
Run from the Reaper by Cristian YoungMiller
(Excerpt from Goodreads) It awakens; Summoned by the will of a powerful psychic, The Red Reaper forces its victims to live their darkest fantasies. If they resist, they die.
In a college town during a record cold winter break, Jon, a lonely professor, wonders the empty campus barely holding on to his sanity. Unable to stay awake during the daytime he sees a red hooded creature in the shadows at night; immediately after, his twisted desires come to life.
Searching for answers he finds Clay, a local psychic who is more than he seems, and Sarah, a gorgeous expert on the underworld who has depraved secrets of her own.
Chased by demons and with the Red Reaper at every turn, the three must face their fears, survive its relentless attacks, and find a way to escape from the Reaper.
The story starts out with a man running for his life. The moment he stops, everything goes dark. He knows he has to keep running, to stop is to die. But when he has his legs cut off in an auto accident, he is strangely accepting. Jon, one of the people that come upon the accident finds it strange how accepting the guy is about loosing his legs when his life revolved around running.
Jon wants to find out what prompts that kind of reaction. He starts becoming obsessed with it. He even goes to Clay, a psychic that his student Sarah recommends. Clay points out that if you really want something, it will find a way of happening. Jon is not impressed with that answer.
But strange things start happening. He sees glimpses of a red reaper, the dog he adopts goes crazy, and then he starts loosing time. He comes to and finds out that he has lost three days and is accused of assaulting a student. Now he is on the hunt to stay alive.
This is a quick read that shows us how sometimes what we wish for may not be what we really want. The possibilities and the twists kept me wondering where this was going. I liked the idea of the red reaper. It's a good twist from what we commonly think of when someone says reaper.
I have to say that there was a couple times that I got a little lost but I think that was because Jon had lost time. I was confused with the black reapers. The red reaper is trying to give Jon what he desires but the black ones are trying to kill him. Plus there were several black reapers floating around and only one red.
Overall, I liked this story. It feels like a first story and rough around the edges, but if you like thrillers, I think you might like this story. I do have another story of Cristian and after reading Run from the Reaper, I am excited to see what happens in that story.
I received this for free from the Library Thing Member Giveaway in exchange for an honest review.


In 2016, Panasonic launched the exoskeleton technology suit that will enable a 95 year old woman to lift 300lbs without struggle. Utilizing robot technology, Panasonic will support everyone, from the elderly to daily manual workers who suffer a variety of physical strains. However we have yet to see this remarkable machine reach the masses. Maybe they have not gotten the price down to the level of the common man.


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Thomas C. Brittain is one of America's top trial lawyers. He leaves a prestigious and highly successful law firm to join with his children, who have followed in his footsteps to form a new firm. Following a referral, he contacted the LUNDY Agency to request a meeting to discuss an advertising campaign to increase market awareness for his new firm. He wanted to set a new standard to challenge the way law firms are typically perceived.
Lundy was requested to propose an advertising platform to help the firm realize their marketing objective. The engagement started with a conversation about the group, challenges they were facing, and expectations for each individual member of the firm. It was quickly realized that this was not an advertising campaign at all. It was an opportunity to create a unique and special platform that could change the way law firms communicated their strengths and values through emotional connections with their clients. This would eventually set the stage for how all law firms could achieve a higher level of marketing success.
Brittain Law was repositioned from the position of a family law firm to become a unique legal team driven by one of the most powerful connections – the power of family. The concept centered on, "Fighting for your rights is my family's business." This epic and groundbreaking work immediately created industry differentiation. It evolved into an emotional brand experience shaped through multiple channels to align with values clients care about. The tagline, "Born to Fight, Bred to Win", was commissioned through every touch point to become points that achieved solutions and invited connection for everyone it touched.


The Atom Tri County team has advanced in the playoffs to face the Mooretown Jr Flags in league finals. Series dates to be announced. Congratulations Oilers and good luck against the Flags!
The Petrolia Atom TC Oilers bring home the local league championship victory at International Silver Stick with a 1-0 win in double overtime with a goal from Travis Wolfgram. Peyton Cudney blocked a penalty shot to defend his shut-out championship game. An extreme team effort and great parental support throughout the weekend kept the boys focused and strong in their efforts against strong competitors, Strathroy Jr Rocket. The boys were celebrated in a parade through Petrolia on Monday night. In June the International Silver Stick plaque will be placed in the hockey hall of fame declaring the Petrolia Oilers as the inaugural victors!
OILERS TRAVEL TO DRESDEN FOR AFTERNOON MATINEE!!
OILERS START SEASON WITH 2 WINS!!!


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In defence of grammar
Home Books In defence of grammar
Countable and uncountable nouns
Plural forms in English
Language and grammar
In defence of grammar, some quotes and a complete article by the famous language scholar Mario Pei who analyze the importance of grammar for learning a language.
The palest ink is better than the most retentive memory.
Chinese proverb
A world language is more important for mankind at the present moment than any conceivable advance in television or telephony.
Lewis Mumford
Language is as much an art and as sure a refuge as painting or music or literature.
Jane Ellen Harrison
The minimum grammar is no grammar at all.
Giuseppe Peano
Language exists only when it is listened to as well as spoken, The hearer is an indispensable partner.
Language is not an abstract construction of the learned, or of dictionary makers, but is something arising out of the world, needs, ties, joys, affections, tastes, of long generations of humanity, and has its bases broad and low, close to the ground.
Language is a city to the building of which every human being brought a stone.
Language most shows a man; speak that I may see thee!
Grammar is the logic of speech, even as logic is the grammar of reason.
The Story of language is the story of human civilization. Nowhere is civilization so perfectly mirrored as in speech. If our knowledge of speech, or the speech itself, is not yet perfected, neither is civilization. Language is forever changing and evolving, as are all human things. Linguistics, the study of the laws governing the evolution of language, becomes socially significant only when it sheds light upon the people who speak languages and their civilization. When this light is properly cast, linguistics ceases to be the dry-as-dust subject that many people have suspected it of being, and becomes the most absorbing of pursuits – absorbing as the study of mankind itself.
Mario Pei
''Grammar" is a term devised by the Greeks, in whose language it literally means "that which pertains to writing." The modern tendency, however, is to regard grammar as the study o£ speech rather than of writing, or at least of both. The Romans had a saying Verba volant, scripta manent ("What is spoken flies away, what is written endures"), which perhaps serves to illustrate the point of view of the Greeks, as well as of grammarians generally. The written word, remaining as a permanent record, is worthy of greater consideration than the fleeting spoken word.
During the early Middle Ages, brief glossaries for the use of travellers and missionaries were the vogue rather than full-fledged grammars. One such glossary, from the eighth century a.d., giving a list of Romance words and phrases for the use of German speakers, reminds one of a modern Army phrase-book; it contains such expressions as "Give me a haircut" and "Shave the back of my neck."
It is unfortunately fashionable in a few linguistic circles to regard literature as something set apart from language, to play up the spoken, popular tongue to the detriment of the written, literary language, and to view as "language" par excellence that form of speech which is most out of accord with the literary tradition – colloquialisms, vulgarisms and slang. That this attitude is a reaction against an earlier point of view which regarded literature and its language with undue veneration is beside the point. Language and literature are fundamentally one. Speech gives rise to writing, granted. But once writing has come into being, the written form begins to affect the spoken tongue, stabilize it, mold it, change it, give it a more esthetically pleasing form, endow it with a richer vocabulary.
The well-known simplicity of English grammar, its lack of endings, the fact that English is already the most widespread language on earth, led them to suppose that with the proper reduction in vocabulary it would be easy for anyone to acquire their creation and use it as an international tongue, at least for purposes of unpretentious self-expression.
In defence of grammar by Mario Pei
In the face of the onslaught of the linguistic scientists and its accompanying fanfare of publicity, traditional and progressive language teachers alike stood at first silent – some of them aghast. Then timid voices began to be raised, growing ever louder and more insistent.
The language scholar Mario Pei
"More time and smaller classes? That's what we have been fighting for in vain for years! Give us eight hours a week and ten students to the class, and we'll do better than the Army!" said some. "Conversational skill? Just what we have been cultivating in our students!" said others. "After all, how about all the people in America who can speak and understand foreign languages? They are our products!" "Native speakers? Aren't we native speakers?" remarked the qualified many. "Don't we cultivated Frenchmen, Spaniards, German? and Italians know and speak the languages better than barbers, bartenders and waiters?" "Recordings, soundscribers, foreign movies, radio programs?" said the rest. "Haven't we been begging our administrations to put them in for the last twenty years? And haven't we always been told that
we'd have to wait until the new gymnasium was built, or until the chemistry laboratory was fully equipped?"
Many pointed out that results at least as satisfactory, though not so spectacularly advertised, had been attained for years in institutions where the students were screened as to LQ., instead of being indiscriminately admitted just because they fell into a certain age-group. If educational administrations had been willing or able to pour into language teaching one-tenth the funds lavishly bestowed by the Federal Government on the Army Program, others insisted, there would have been no need for the Army Program. Still others pointed to the fact that the methodology of the Army Programs had been almost bodily lifted out of Berlitz, Linguaphone, Middlebury and the schools of anthropology.
However justified these counter-claims may be, they leave the root of the matter largely untouched. The question of priority in the discovery and application of a new method is on a par with an academic debate as to whether Ericsson or Columbus discovered America. From the practical standpoint, the important thing is that America was discovered. The point at issue, if any, is that the intensive Army Programs did more to shake language learning out of its traditional habits and complacency than any of the unpublicized evolutionary innovations that had silently crept in during the years between the two wars. More fundamental were the criticisms directed by a few thoughtful language scholars at the new methodology itself, as well as its applicability on a universal scale to academic language learning.
Taking the second point first, it was pointed out that a true duplication of Army Program conditions could never occur in peace-times, for lack of time, funds, teachers, equipment and pupil-interest. This objection is more easily disposed of than appears possible at first glance. Granted that one cannot expect Army Program standards to prevail universally in peace-times, there is no trouble about setting them up as an ideal goal. If a school cannot allow its pupils to devote thirty-six hours a week to language study, it can nevertheless raise the hours from three or five to six or eight.
If classes of ten are not possible, classes of twenty may be; they are surely an improvement over the old-style class of forty. If all the native-speaker and mechanical apparatus of the Army cannot be afforded, perhaps it will be possible to equip the institution with a few sets of recordings, and bring in an occasional foreign speaker. Far from being hindered in their attainment of these desirable objectives by the Army experience, progressive language teachers will be aided by its example, which can be cited to
administrators to prove what can be accomplished.
It is rather the desirability of the conversational objective per se that lends itself to discussion and debate, along with the educational psychology and linguistic philosophy that underlie it. During the war, we wanted people who could learn in a hurry to speak and understand the more common reaches of a foreign tongue for intensely practical purposes. Is that precisely what we want today? The reasons for undertaking language study in peace-times are many and varied. Some people want to learn a language in order to do what our soldiers did in war-times: go to a foreign country and get by with a minimum of intelligible oral exchange. But a good many others want languages purely as a cultural or research tool, to be able to read scientific books and periodicals, or works of literature, or commercial tracts.
One language for the world
For these people, is the conversational approach the best? Is it not in part a waste of time for them to labor to acquire a native accent? Will it avail them more to have a reading or a speaking knowledge of the foreign tongue? It is true that the one can be converted into the other, with a little time, patience and hard work, but which has a better chance to survive in the post-school years, when the former student is forced to turn his attention to other tasks; the spoken tongue which he has no occasion to speak or hear, or the written tongue, which he can cultivate in his spare time with a minimum investment in books?
It must not be forgotten that languages, like everything else, prompdy fall into oblivion if they are not constantly practised. People who wonder why they don't remember the high school French they studied twenty years ago should quickly examine their consciences to find out how much high school algebra, chemistry, physics, or even American history and civics they can recall. Spoken languages are often forgotten by their own native speakers, if they are not practised.
How much chance, then, does a high school or college student have of retaining a conversational course, with its five thousand-word vocabulary and five hundred-sentence list, unless bad fortune sends him to Europe on a third world war while the knowledge is still fresh in his mind? Will not the intellective process of learning a language's grammatical structure for reading and cultural purposes have a better chance of survival than the series of mechanical reflexes involved in the learning of colloquial phrases?
It is a fact well known to psychologists, though often ignored by spoken language advocates, that some people learn better through the ear, others through the eye. Some students are confused by the written form of the foreign language, but others find it impossible to reproduce sounds unless they have their written representation before their eyes. The eye can be the most powerful ally of the ear, as well as its enemy. The linguistic scientists, recognizing this fact, broke away from the Berlitz tradition to the extent of giving their students an English or a phonemic transcription of the sentences they taught them by ear through native speakers. The value of these transcriptions was doubtful. The English ones, equating foreign to English sounds, served to perpetuate English accents (KEY AIR OWE BAY BEAR for Spanish quiero beber gives you almost as bad a rendering as if you were to try to figure out the Spanish pronunciation for yourself.
The so-called "phonemic" transcriptions, on the other hand, proved in part too complicated for the students, and led to great confusion later on, when the actual foreign spelling had to be imparted. Students who had become accustomed to invuziverapa as the written representation of a series of French sounds found it difficult indeed to recognize these now familiar sounds when they saw them under the guise of the official French il ne vous y verra pas. All in all, the attempt to circumvent the hurdle of the discrepancy between spoken and written language in those tongues where the latter exists was anything but a brilliant success.
The deification of the native-speaker accent on the part of the new methodologists was almost as ludicrous as the earlier veneration of minor grammatical points and literary models by the traditionalists. It is a familiar fact that people can speak English quite acceptably even though they do so with a foreign accent. It is also well known that a strong slang or dialectal native accent can prove as unpleasant and partly incomprehensible as any immigrant dialect. Under the circumstances, the preoccupation of the linguistic scientists with nativespeaker perfection in the matter of sounds struck many as an exaggeration.
Why study grammar
Their proneness to use substandard native speakers, often with a dialectal taint, was almost as widely criticized. It was felt by a good many men, not all of them traditionalists, that it would be better to have a class trained in speaking Italian by an American-born instructor who knew his correct Italian grammar and vocabulary than by an illiterate Sicilian who would be laughed at in any section of Italy but his own.
Another, more far-reaching point of criticism in connection with the mechanistic learning of phrases by direct imitation was the following: there is a "language" ear just as there is a "musical" ear. Some people are born imitators of sounds, others are not. The ones that are will profit immensely by conversational practice with native speakers, even to the point of being mistaken for natives. But there is nothing more humiliating than to be told you sound like a native when you speak, and then have to remain speechless because your knowledge of the tongue is limited to a few words and phrases learned parrot-fashion.
Language is only in part a matter of sounds; far more, it is a matter of grammatical structure and, above all, vocabulary. The acquisition of sounds is only the first step in the acquisition of a foreign language. Hence, excessive concentration on sounds, to the detriment of structure and vocabulary, is hardly desirable. Last, but far from least, is the objection advanced by some historical linguists and grammarians to the linguistic philosophy of the linguistic scientists, particularly their attacks on traditional grammatical terminology.
While the terminology of Greek and Latin is not applicable to all the languages in the world, it is applicable, with appropriate modifications, to the principal western modern tongues – French, Spanish, German, Italian, Russian, even English. Hence, the attempt to break down formal grammar and replace it with a new system based primarily upon spoken forms was deplored. There is hardly any point, for instance, to trying to sidestep the subjunctive by calling it the "unreal" form of the verb, or to relabelling masculine, feminine and neuter nouns as "der, die and das-nouns," or to using the name "form 3 of the noun" instead of "dative case" or "indirect object."
There is even less point, in the familiar languages, to trying to peel a grammatical form out of a series of spoken sentences when the grammatical form is already perfectly known, or to indulging in any of the dozens of time-wasting processes developed by the linguistic scientists in the course of their investigations of obscure languages. The grammatical order prevailing in Greek and Latin, and passed on by those languages to those of the modern western world is to some extent symbolical of mental and even of social order. Most of the sloppy and confused thinking of today can be traced to the abandonment of the principles of order in the teaching of languages (particularly English) in the schools. The trained, logical minds of the past, which we occasionally admire and the absence of which we occasionally deplore, were firmly anchored to principles of order, in sociology as well as in language.
As a result of all these considerations, acceptance of the full methodology of the innovators has been rather slow. In the last chapter it was pointed out that many academic institutions have gone over to the conversational objective. In this chapter, it is well also to add that numerous schools and colleges, after going over to that objective, have reverted in part to their traditional methods, with only a semblance of innovation left in their courses. This is praiseworthy to the extent that it demonstrates a spirit of healthy caution and direct experimentation with new points of view.
It is deplorable insofar as it represents a reversion to smugness and indolence. The latter trend is exemplified by an experience in textbook publishing. A publisher, weary of French readers based on antiquated nineteenth-century short stories, decided to bring out a new type of book, containing twenty pieces, each written by a leading contemporary French writer. The book sold twenty thousand copies the year it came out, but only five hundred the following year.
Language students
The reason for its rejection after a preliminary trial was that it had proved itself "unsuited for our educational system." This means that, in the minds of the people in charge, it is not the language-teaching system that must revise itself to keep pace with the foreign language, but the foreign language that must remain static in order to fit the antiquated educational system. The absurdity of this proposition is manifest, but fundamentally it is no more absurd than the system itself, whereby languages have been taught for years on the basis of outworn methods and models.
Can a balance be struck between the requirements of tradition, which demand that we hold on to what is worth retaining in our cultural heritage, and the demands of progress, which urge us to move on with the times and bring our language-learning ways up to date.? It is our belief that the two can be reconciled.
To find out more about this topic you can also read the following articles:
Mario Pei books on the language
Why is grammar so important?
The essence of Grammar
English grammar summaries
Thunder word analysis
The English Language ;
The English language article ;
History of English ;
Short history of English ;
Diffusion of English ;
Latin influence on English ;
The blend of English ;
The power of English ;
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English Resources ;
George Mikes on English ;
English Literature ;
English History ;
Celtic languages ;
Questions on Colonialism ;
Language and Thought ;
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English the world language ;
Short History of the Origin of English
History-of-the-English-Language.pdf
British-history-milestones-synthesis
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General_literature_history_chart_summary.htm
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British_english_history_timeline.htm.
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Thunraz T-Shirt
Thor is a guardian — protector of Asgard, of sailing ships, of crops and the common folk. In Dumézil's tripartite ordering of Indo-European societies, he is a manifestation of the warrior archetype. He is the hammer of the gods and the people — the juggernaut of the Kshatriya — a crushing force set loose on malevolent jötnar and all encroaching forces of chaos and disorder.
In the words of Longfellow, his "eyes are lightning" and his name means "thunder," with an origin reaching through the Proto-Germanic "Þunraz" all the way to the Proto-Indo-European tongue of the steppe.
To fight and protect — this is the role of Thor. He is a warrior. That is his job and his duty.
But what does it feel like — to experience being thunder? What does it feel like to be a terrible rumble in the sky that seems to shake the very earth?
It sounds like it feels pretty good. It sounds like it feels like power and winning.
Nietzsche wrote that, "…a living thing seeks above all to discharge its strength…"
This is the joy of Thor, of being Thor, of being the personification of thunder itself. To have strength and exert it — to use it. To bring the BOOM.
Read the essay "The Joy of Thor" here:
https://www.jack-donovan.com/sowilo/2019/04/12/the-joy-of-thor/
This t-shirt feels soft and lightweight, with the right amount of stretch.
Back to Legacy - Brutal Company


This article introduces some Christian practices that are broadly applicable to multiple traditions. The worship life of particular Christian denominations will be described in the articles on those traditions.
Christian worship ranges in style from the use of carefully structured and prescribed rituals, called liturgy, to an emphasis on free and spontaneous expression. The Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran congregations that incorporate liturgy are called liturgical churches. Congregations with a stronger liturgical emphasis are called "high" churches, while those placing less importance on liturgy are called "low" or "non-liturgical" churches.
Baptist, Mennonite, Pentecostal, Holiness, Quaker, and free evangelical churches are among the non-liturgical churches, and they encourage spontaneous prayer and testimonials of faith, Bible reading, and praise and inspiration in common worship. Presbyterians and Methodists, who follow common worship practices without emphasizing traditional liturgy, fall somewhere in between liturgical and non-liturgical denominations. Many modern Christians participate infrequently in the worship services of the churches, though they still identify themselves as Christian and advocate living in accordance with Christian morality.
Founded by observant Jews, early Christian communities initiated rites of worship rooted in Jewish tradition. Both Jews and Christians conclude the week with a religious observance called the Sabbath, although Christians later moved the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday, thought to be the day of Christ's resurrection and therefore the most special day of the Christian week. Building on the Jewish service of communal prayer, praise, scripture readings, and exposition in sermons, Christians added the distinctive practice of sharing the Eucharist, or Lord's Supper, at Sunday worship. In remembrance of Jesus' final Passover meal with his disciples, all churches share the Lord's Supper, but the style and frequency of the observance varies.
In many non-liturgical churches, a typical Sunday service includes songs, prayers, reading the Bible, and a sermon. The liturgical churches follow a worship service varying only slightly throughout the year. The order of service for these liturgical churches is contained in prayer books. The service has two parts: the first part, often referred to as the liturgy of the word, includes hymns, prayers, scripture readings, a sermon, and a recitation of a creed; in the second part, called the liturgy of the Eucharist, the minister blesses bread and wine and shares them with the congregation. The service concludes when the minister blesses the people, instructing them to go out into the world in peace to serve Christ.
A cycle of recurring festivals and holy days marks the progress of the Christian calendar year. While Christians in the West use the Gregorian calendar, developed in the late 16th century, Eastern or Orthodox Christians often follow the old Julian calendar of the early Roman empire and set their celebrations later than those of their Catholic or Protestant counterparts, sometimes up to several weeks later.


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Netflix nabs rights to One Hundred Years of Solitude
James R | On 06, Mar 2019
For the first time in history, Nobel Prize winning author Gabriel García Márquez's literary masterwork One Hundred Years of Solitude is coming to the screen – as a new series for Netflix.
The streaming giant has snapped up the rights to develop the beloved and acclaimed novel, considered one of the most significant works of the 20th Century. One Hundred Years of Solitude was first published in 1967 and since that time has sold an estimated 50 million copies around the world and has been translated into 46 languages.
García Márquez's sons Rodrigo Garcia and Gonzalo García Barcha will serve as executive producers on the series, which will be a Netflix Spanish language original series and filmed mainly in Colombia.
"For decades our father was reluctant to sell the film rights to Cien Años de Soledad because he believed that it could not be made under the time constraints of a feature film, or that producing it in a language other than Spanish would not do it justice," says Garcia. "But in the current golden age of series, with the level of talented writing and directing, the cinematic quality of content, and the acceptance by worldwide audiences of programs in foreign languages, the time could not be better to bring an adaptation to the extraordinary global viewership that Netflix provides. We are excited to support Netflix and the filmmakers in this venture, and eager to see the final product."
"We are incredibly honored to be entrusted with the first filmed adaptation of One Hundred Years of Solitude, a timeless and iconic story from Latin America that we are thrilled to share with the world," adds Francisco Ramos, Vice President, Spanish Language Originals for Netflix. "We know our members around the world love watching Spanish-language films and series and we feel this will be a perfect match of project and our platform."
Gabriel García Márquez Netflix One Hundred Years of Solitude
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Title: Hamlin Garland to Walt Whitman, 9 November 1888
Source: The Charles E. Feinberg Collection of the Papers of Walt Whitman, 1839–1919, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Transcribed from digital images or a microfilm reproduction of the original item. For a description of the editorial rationale behind our treatment of the correspondence, see our statement of editorial policy.
Editorial note: The annotation, "See notes Nov 10 1888," is in the hand of Horace Traubel.
Contributors to digital file: Alex Ashland, Stefan Schöberlein, Caterina Bernardini, and Stephanie Blalock
Cite this page: "Hamlin Garland to Walt Whitman, 9 November 1888." The Walt Whitman Archive. Gen. ed. Ed Folsom and Kenneth M. Price. Accessed 17 January 2020. <http://www.whitmanarchive.org>.
Jamaica Plain.1
Nov. 9/88.
Dear Mr. Whitman:
I talked last night to my Waltham class (of forty ladies) about your work and read to them. I wish you could have seen how deeply attentive they were and how moved by "Out of the Cradle" "To Think of Time" "Sparkles from the Wheel" and others. Many of them will now read your works carefully and understandingly. I told them to come at you through "Specimen Days."2 I always advise my pupils so. After reading your prose they are better prepared to sympathize with your poetic views. I am much pleased with "November Boughs"3 and expect to do quite a good review soon. Mr. Clement4 of The Transcript is a personal friend and is quite kindly disposed toward your work. Indeed, all the leading men on The Transcript are. Baxter5 is away. Kennedy6 I have not seen. Chamberlain7 is in the library as usual. I think I told you of the good letter I had from Burroughs.8 I hope Mr. Howells9 will succeed in doing something for "November Boughs" in the December number it is such a great number usually.
It rejoices me to think you are gaining. I hope the winter will not be too severe for you. Though I believe you stand the cold better than the heat. I hope to hear a word from you occasionally.
Very sincerely—
Hamlin Garland
Hamlin Garland (1860–1940) was an American novelist and autobiographer, known especially for his works about the hardships of farm life in the American Midwest. For his relationship to Whitman, see Thomas K. Dean, "Garland, Hamlin," Walt Whitman: An Encyclopedia, ed. J.R. LeMaster and Donald D. Kummings (New York: Garland Publishing, 1998).
1. This letter is addressed: Walt Whitman | 328 Mickle St. Camden | New Jersey. It is postmarked: Jamaica Plain Sta'n | Nov | 9 | 2PM |Mass.; Camden, N. J. | Nov | 10 | 10AM | 1888 | Rec'd. [back]
2. The first issue of Whitman's Specimen Days and Collect was published by the Philadelphia firm of Rees Welsh and Company in 1882. The second issue was published by David McKay. Many of the autobiographical notes, sketches, and essays that focus on the poet's life during and beyond the Civil War had been previously published in periodicals or in Memoranda During the War (1875–1876). For more information on Specimen Days, see George Hutchinson and David Drews "Specimen Days [1882]," Walt Whitman: An Encyclopedia, ed. J.R. LeMaster and Donald D. Kummings (New York: Garland Publishing, 1998). [back]
4. Edward Henry Clement (1843–1920) of Chelsea, Massachusetts, began his career as a journalist with the Savannah Daily News in the mid-1860s. He later became the editor of the Boston Transcript, a position that he held for twenty-five years. [back]
5. Sylvester Baxter (1850–1927) was on the staff of the Boston Herald. Apparently he met Whitman for the first time when the poet delivered his Lincoln address in Boston in April, 1881; see Rufus A. Coleman, "Whitman and Trowbridge," PMLA 63 (1948), 268. Baxter wrote many newspaper columns in praise of Whitman's writings, and in 1886 attempted to obtain a pension for the poet. For more, see Christopher O. Griffin, "Baxter, Sylvester [1850–1927]," Walt Whitman: An Encyclopedia, ed. J.R. LeMaster and Donald D. Kummings (New York: Garland Publishing, 1998). [back]
6. William Sloane Kennedy (1850–1929) was on the staff of the Philadelphia American and later published biographies of Longfellow and Whittier (Dictionary of American Biography). Apparently Kennedy had called on the poet for the first time on November 21, 1880 (William Sloane Kennedy, Reminiscences of Walt Whitman [1896], 1). Though Kennedy was to become a fierce defender of Whitman, in his first published article he admitted reservations about the "coarse indecencies of language" and protested that Whitman's ideal of democracy was "too coarse and crude"; see The Californian, 3 (February 1881), 149–158. For more about Kennedy, see Katherine Reagan, "Kennedy, William Sloane (1850–1929)," Walt Whitman: An Encyclopedia, ed. J.R. LeMaster and Donald D. Kummings (New York: Garland Publishing, 1998). [back]
7. Mellen Chamberlain (1821–1900) was the librarian of the Boston Public Library as well as a lawyer and historian. [back]
8. The naturalist John Burroughs (1837–1921) met Whitman on the streets of Washington, D.C., in 1864. After returning to Brooklyn in 1864, Whitman commenced what was to become a lifelong correspondence with Burroughs. Burroughs was magnetically drawn to Whitman. However, the correspondence between the two men is, as Burroughs acknowledged, curiously "matter-of-fact." Burroughs would write several books involving or devoted to Whitman's work: Notes on Walt Whitman, as Poet and Person (1867), Birds and Poets (1877), Whitman, A Study (1896), and Accepting the Universe (1924). For more on Whitman's relationship with Burroughs, see Carmine Sarracino, "Burroughs, John [1837–1921] and Ursula [1836–1917]," Walt Whitman: An Encyclopedia, ed. J.R. LeMaster and Donald D. Kummings (New York: Garland Publishing, 1998). [back]
9. William Dean Howells (1837–1920) was the novelist and "Dean of American Letters" who wrote The Rise of Silas Lapham (1885) among other works. He described his first meeting with Walt Whitman at Pfaff's in Literary Friends and Acquaintances (New York: Harper & Bros., 1900), 73–76. [back]


Britt Raes, Theo Ushev, Your Name among the other winners of the Brussels animation fest.
The 36th Brussels International Animation Film Festival, Anima 2017, came to a close on Sunday evening with an attendance that greatly exceeded the record of 42,000 visitors reached last year.
The international jury - made up of Rémi Durin (Enclume Animation, BE), Graham Annable (LAIKA, US) and Annettte Schindler (Fantoche, CH) - decided to award the Anima 2017 Grand Prix to the Russian short film Among the Black Waves by Anna Budanova, who received 2,500 Euros offered by the Région de Bruxelles-Capitale.
The jury also gave its special award to Decorado, a short film by the Spanish filmmaker Alberto Vazquez and the best student short film went to the young Korean Jang Nari for My Father's Room.
The young jury, made up of representatives from the webtv Ceci n'est pas un Buzz and Ouftivi, rewarded La Cage by Loïc Bruyère as the best short film for a young audience.
The national competition jury – made up of Jeroen Jaspaert (BE), Christine Polis (BE) and Ligia Soare (Animest, RO) - awarded the best Belgian short film offered by the SABAM to Britt Raes for Catherine.
The SACD award went to Julien Grande's film Pour une poignée de girolles, while the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles Grand Prix for the best short film was awarded to the duo Vincent Patar and Stéphane Aubier for their film La Rentrée des classes.
The festival public's favourite was the Japanese film Your Name by Makoto Shinkai, which was awarded the prize for best feature and the audience award for best feature for a young audience went to Rabbit School by Ute von Münchow-Pohl. On the shorts' side, the public chose Theodore Ushev's Blind Vaysha as best short film, while the young viewers chose the French short film Jubilé from the MoPA school.
This year, Anima festival hosted 70 international guests coming from Japan, South Korea, the USA and the four corners of Europe.