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» Forza Horizon
Forza Horizon Review
A new direction for the racing franchise thrives in its debut
Posted by Alex V on October 23, 2012 - 1:52am EST
Forza Horizon is what happens when you throw in a mix of Need for Speed, DiRT, and Test Drive Unlimited with some classic Forza. Accessible, fun, and engaging, this is the latest entry in the long running Xbox exclusive racing series. But Horizon isn't the simulator that fans have come to expect, but rather a spinoff project from developers PlayGround Games who use the series' foundations to create something that feels quite different. Borrowing some of the best elements from other racing games, Horizon ends up being one of the best arcade open world car experiences in recent memory.
Horizon takes place in a fictional open world, a first for the franchise, based loosely around the Colorado rural areas. You've got mountains, forests, and desert environments all seamlessly blended together with miles of open road to explore. The game doesn't have the scope of TDU2 or the urban city of Burnout Paradise, but this is still a very colorful and varied environment to explore. As any good open world game, there are many activities that promote discovery and feel worthwhile.
The open world mechanics allow you to explore the roads in the game (your progress is tracked, but not much else), and at any time fast travel back to the festival location which is centrally located on the map. This is the game's main hub, where you can drive up to the various stations in order to enter the car marketplace, garage, etc. so there is no game menu to speak of. As you explore the world you'll come across a few outposts which you can also fast travel to – however travelling to these costs money. In order to reduce the cost, you can participate in three special events, completing which reduces your fast travel cost to this particular outpost. It's a nice gesture that promotes more gameplay variety during exploration.
Cruising around you also frequently come across other drives, which can be instantly challenged to a quick race for some credits. You can also find some classic abandoned cars hidden throughout the map to be restored and actually become drivable. There are also special sales signs, smashing which nets you a discount on all car upgrades going forward. Although you can fast travel between the festival and outposts, all races must be driven to in order to participate. In other words, the open world of Forza Horizon is fairly expansive with a lot of things to do on the go and a reason to do them.
But, eventually you'll have to start participating in proper racing events. Under the banner of Horizon Festival, players assume the role of a nameless driver who arrives on the scene and begins his journey to the top. Through your career, like other Forza games, you'll be tasked with earning a certain amount of points in order to progress to the next wrist band and new level of competition. Earning points means winning race events, each with highly varying entry requirements; from brand- and class-specific all the way down to special cars. As you progress through wristbands, each one will have a special one on one race with the boss character of sorts, but these aren't particularly difficult. In other words, the progression is fairly standard and something that fans of racing sims like Forza should be accustomed to.
As you win races and accumulate credits, you'll be able to spend them on new cars and upgrades. The vehicle selection in Forza Horizon is decently large and extremely diverse. Most of the cars found in Forza 4 make an appearance here, so fans will feel quite happy with their available choices. All of them are wonderfully detailed with exterior and interior views, though sadly the AutoVista mode is not included with Horizon. Further, Forza's extensive car customization is in full effect here, so players can choose to tweak their rides as much as they could in the simulation-based predecessor. Further, those who don't want to mess around can use the game's automatic upgrade option to quickly get their car performance up a level or two. This means that the game has both great accessibility and depth, depending on which one you prefer.
While the game's career mode is straightforward, there are some minor balancing concerns. Money flows in fast and in large amounts, which it's not going to be a concern for most players. You can even participate in special Street races which provide bigger cash bonuses. Also, the AI isn't all that great. If you recall from Forza 4, the AI loved crashing when in first place, and Forza Horizon has a similar but more subtle problem. Essentially, the player is usually in the middle of the pack for most of the race, but in the latter half you'll find the AI in the lead slowing down or driving too cautiously, letting you slip into the lead in the final stretch. It's certainly not your driving skills that suddenly improve, so the AI seems to be allowing the player to catch up and take the lead as the race enters the final stages. After getting to the lead, just blocking the cars behind you from passing is enough to hold on. It's a bit disappointing to see and can be rather obvious in some races, regardless if you're driving a better or worse car than the opposition. Still, it's decently enjoyable to compete offline and some races do go down to the wire.
On the track, Forza Horizon is largely an arcade experience. There's no mechanical damage and the visual damage can be turned off so you can admire your car without any scratches. Driving mechanics feel just right, with enough difference between the various types and classes of cars, and feel highly comparable to Dirt 2 or Need for Speed Hot Pursuit. Off-road racing is also present in the game, though it's not a huge game changer; taking your Lamborghini across some back country roads does feel rather freeing. There are still no changing weather conditions, but that might just be nitpicking.
While you're cruising around exploring or completing races, the game offers another gameplay distraction, a so-called popularity meter. Whenever you perform stunts, be that drifting, near misses, or other dangerous driving styles, you will earn points. The more stunts you put together without crashing, the higher your multiplier and end score will be. With this system, sponsor bonuses are incorporated, granting you cash prizes when you reach certain stunt milestones. Also, reaching certain popularity ranks unlocks special events, where you get a chance to race against an airplane or a helicopter. Yes, you read that correctly and it's as thrilling as it sounds.
After you've sufficiently explored the world and finished your career, which can easily take over 20 hours and that's only doing enough races to rack up the cash and wrist bands necessary, the online competition offers more reasons to play. The successful Rivals system from Forza 4 returns to challenge you at every race to beat a ghost car of another player. It's an indirect and yet highly addictive way to compete with others. Some cash is offered as well but it's hardly worth it; the desire to best an anonymous rival far superseding anything else.
The rest of formal online modes include the ability to roam with up to 8 friends and compete in open world challenges, formal circuit and sprint races, and some special games such as Infected or King. Players can level up their profile in online play (but not via Rivals), and with a chance to win cars and cash every time you gain a new rank. The online action itself is stable and while your driving is fine, online opponents tend to spaz around the track and even drop below ground. Not a huge issue, but hopefully resolved within reasonable time. Overall the multiplayer options are extensive and feel as abundant as the offline components.
Being a Forza game means Horizon needs to live up to certain levels of polish in both technical and presentation aspects, and the game does so without a hitch. The developers have managed to create one of the best looking open world driving games of recent times, with awe-inspiring backdrops and what's further, the ability to actually explore many of these distant locations. Indeed, the gorgeous open world combined with a high level of detail in the environments – between forests and deserts to the small towns littered in between – and a full day/night cycle create a rather lasting impression. As mentioned all of the cars look great as well, and though the lighting effects and textures aren't quite as super-high resolution as those in Forza 4, it's not exactly a big deal. And best of all, it all runs at a rock solid framerate and without any technical hiccups.
Where many games have tried to reign in the party atmosphere of something like a racing festival, Horizon gets it almost perfectly right. The whole festival area in the middle of the map is simply fun to drive around and it feels as though you're part of the atmosphere. Seeing the distant lights of the party at night adds further to the feeling. The game actually opens with a surprisingly well done cutscene, but sadly it's the only one in the whole game, and in fact the final race feels rather anticlimactic. Also, the various characters you defeat at each wrist band level often start their races by mocking your ability, which is a disappointing throwback to the worst of Dirt 2, and takes away from the otherwise pleasant atmosphere of the game world.
Aside from the visuals, a special mention must be had about the game's soundtrack, which works just as hard as the open world visuals to create the atmosphere. Horizon features three radio stations – Bass, Rock, and Pulse - with great DJs that make you wish they were on the real radios. But most importantly, each radio channel features some simply fantastic tracks, obviously hand-picked by the developers. You get everything from Digitalism, Wolfgang Gartner, Ladyhawke, to Arctic Monkeys and Lostprophets. Simply put, this is probably the best licensed soundtrack of the year, not only thanks to great track selection but also because how well everything fits together.
It's no easy task following up on our Best Racing Game of 2011, Forza Motorsport 4. Not only that, but also attempting to create the first accessible and arcade-focused entry in a prominent sim franchise. And not only that, but also trying to create an open world racing experience that has been largely absent in recent years. In all these aspects, Forza Horizon succeeds. A couple of slip ups in presentation and AI aside, this is a fun arcade racing experience for any and all car nuts out there. It takes the best elements of other games and puts them together into a beautiful and expansive world, creating an almost irresistible mix of exploration, racing, and car tuning. What first seemed like a risky spinoff or even just a cash-in, Forza Horizon has instead blossomed into an experience that shouldn't be missed by racing fans this year.
Our ratings for Forza Horizon on Xbox 360 out of 100 (Ratings FAQ)
Great technical visuals, both in the cars and surrounding scenery. Solid audio design and an amazing soundtrack. Some of the dialogue could be less annoying.
Taking the franchise in a new direction, Forza Horizon is able to construct an accessible arcade driving model, while retaining the depth the series is known for, should you choose to tweak the cars.
The festival plot gives more reason for players to keep racing, while the big open world offers tons of side activities. Some AI annoyances and an overabundance of cash take away from the challenge somewhat, at least on normal difficulties.
A wealth of modes, free roam, and Rivals all combine to offer a comprehensive online experience. Some visual bugs exist.
Runs fantastically well, given the size of the game world and detail of the cars. Loading times are a bit too frequent, but are short.
A risk that paid off, Forza Horizon is easily one of the best arcade racing games of the year, and a bold new direction for the franchise.
US: October 23, 2012
Our Review of Forza Horizon
"A new direction for the racing franchise thrives in its debut"
Forza Horizon is ranked #64 out of 1633 total reviewed games. It is ranked #8 out of 145 games reviewed in 2012.
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64. Forza Horizon
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19 images added Oct 22, 2012 23:21
Forza Horizon - E3 Gameplay Footage
Forza Horizon - Developer Commentary
Posted: Sep 13, 2012 17:31
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Let's make Christchurch a National Park City
Mayor Lianne Dalziel and Environment Canterbury Chair Jenny Hughey are throwing their support behind a campaign to make Christchurch New Zealand's first National Park City. Here they explain why.
One of the reasons that so many people love living in Christchurch City is because we are never far from the great outdoors.
We have the stark beauty of the Port Hills as the backdrop to our city and the mountains and the sea close by. Banks Peninsula, with its scenic bays and dramatic landscapes, is also on our doorstep.
But imagine if we could bring nature even closer to our doorstep? Imagine if we could connect with nature by simply going about our day-to-day activities.
We have the opportunity to make this happen. Cities don't need to be concrete jungles dominated by buildings and roads. They can be buzzing with nature and filled with green spaces.
Prior to European settlement, Christchurch was a mix of wetlands, waterways and kahikatea forest used by Ngāi Tahu for food gathering.
When the early European settlers arrived, they realised the value of having open, green spaces in a city, which is why they created Hagley Park. Fast forward 157 years and Christchurch has more than 1200 parks and gardens, which is why we are recognised as New Zealand's Garden City.
But there is more that we can do to make our city greener and healthier and to enhance the natural capital of our living environment.
Doing this will not only improve our health and wellbeing, it will also help us achieve our climate change goals and ensure we leave a city that future generations will be proud to inherit.
That is why we are whole-heartedly throwing our support behind The Press campaign to make Ōtautahi Christchurch, New Zealand's first National Park City.
A National Park City represents a focused, community effort to improve a city's liveability, through better connections between people and nature.
The concept started in the United Kingdom, where London became the world's first National Park City in 2019.
We want to make Christchurch a National Park City and show that you can pair a metropolitan lifestyle with the beauty of nature.
We are already well on the path towards this.
A once in a lifetime opportunity
A young boy plays in the newly established Fungi Farm within the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor.
The Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor, which is four times the size of a Hagley Park, has presented us with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create spaces where people can enjoy the outdoors and connect with nature.
The 11-kilometre 'green spine' that will run through this area will incorporate walking paths, nature trails, cycleways, community spaces such as playgrounds, picnic spots and barbeque areas, as well as large areas of ecological restoration and wetlands.
This is an intergenerational project but the work has started, with regular mass planting events occurring as part of the ecological restoration efforts. Soon this area will be teeming with birds and other wildlife.
We are planting 40,000 kahikatea in the Cranford Basin, and each year Christchurch City Council is making money available through the Biodiversity Partnership Fund to support and encourage initiatives that protect and enhance indigenous biodiversity on private land.
We are also funding more urban park rangers and partnership co-ordinators to work with groups, schools and businesses that want to volunteer in parks by planting, maintaining and caring for their local greenspaces.
Together with Environment Canterbury we are working to improve the health of our waterways. In recent years we have been taking a 'green and blue' approach to stormwater management in Christchurch. You may not realise it, but some of the recreation areas and planted green spaces that you enjoy around the city are actually deliberately designed to manage the surface water that then filters into our stormwater network and our waterways.
Environment Canterbury also has Christchurch City amenity values at the forefront of many of its work programmes. Staff have been working with the Christchurch West Melton Water Zone Committee and community groups to control pests and restore habitats at high value biodiversity sites like Ōtukaikino wetland and the Styx River, as well as new restoration corridors like Avoca Valley. The work will give bird and freshwater species a helping hand, protect water quality, and restore vulnerable waterways for future generations to enjoy.
The Enviroschools programme, coordinated by Environment Canterbury in partnership with the city council, helps supports children and young people to plan, design and implement sustainability actions that are important to them and their communities.
In Christchurch there are hundreds of students across 28 schools that are learning about their place and participating in initiatives that help make our city be a wonderful and sustainable place to live. For example, the Heathcote Valley and Lyttelton Primary Schools (in partnership with the Lyttelton Port Company and Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust) have been taking action to restore the biodiversity of the Lyttelton Port Saddle for several years, planting, maintaining, and trapping predators.
We have a thriving Food Resilience Network and an active Canterbury Community Garden Association that is creating a growing network of community gardens across Christchurch.
Many private developers, when they rebuilt after the earthquakes, have 'greened' their buildings and created courtyard areas with grass and trees so that office workers can enjoy time outdoors.
Why we should do this
Some people might question why we putting so much emphasis on greening our city, but the benefits of doing so are enormous.
Green cities have better air quality because trees and plants not only help to produce the oxygen we breathe, they also help to filter pollutants from the air, making the air cleaner and healthier. Importantly too they sequester carbon, which helps to slow the rate of climate change.
The more trees, shrubs and plants we have, the more birds, animals and insects that can create their own healthy and sustainable ecosystems.
Time outdoors improves people's health and wellbeing. Spending time in nature relieves stress, helps lower blood pressure, and put us all in a better mood. People who live in green neighbourhoods are also more likely to get outdoors and exercise.
The design build and maintenance of new green areas also creates jobs and new opportunities for nature-based tourism, boosting the economy and employment rates.
If any city in New Zealand is ideally placed to be a National Park City, it is Christchurch City.
Together, let's make it happen.

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You might want to stop a test that has not produced results, or whose test segment effects were not well thought out and actually decrease revenue. You can stop an A/B test by changing its end date to the current date and time. A stopped test no longer takes on new participants, and excludes past participants that return to the site. However, it still collects metrics on active participant sessions until they expire.
You can stop a test on a Staging instance, but the effect only occurs if you stage the test to Production. For a more immediate effect, stop an A/B test on the Production instance. However, if you make this change on Production, you must also make it on Staging so that a subsequent replication doesn't override it.
Any metrics that were collected since the test began remain, and you can still draw conclusions about the data if there are statistically significant results.
Select site > Online Marketing > A/B tests.
On the A/B test details page, in the General section, change the end date to prior to the current date and time.


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Home / Economy / Industry
Vietnam posts positive economic performance in first month of 2021
Ngoc Mai - Thao Nguyen 11:22, 2021/02/03
While key economic indicators in January remains positive, the economy is set to go through a rough path amid a Covid-19 resurgence.
Vietnam's economy picks up where it left off last year with a positive performance in the first month of 2021.
Handling of first container in 2021 at Hoang Dieu port, Hai Phong city. Photo: An Dang
In January, the country's industrial production surged by 22.2% year-on-year, in which manufacturing and processing, a key driving force for growth, rose by 27.2%.
Such high growth came from strong production expansion of key industrial products, including phones and parts (71.5%); steel (63.4%); vehicles (38.2%); cement (35.8%); and milk powder (31.1%).
Growing demands ahead of Tet holidays led to an expansion by 6.4% year-on-year in January in total retail sales of consumer goods and services in Vietnam to VND480 trillion (US$20.83 billion).
Meanwhile, the consumer price index (CPI), a main gauge for inflation, slightly increased by 0.06% month-on-month. This resulted in a 0.27% month-on-month growth in the core inflation rate.
New business formation saw an increase both in terms of number and registered capital in the first month of the year, standing at 10,100 newly established enterprises or an increase of 21.9% year-on-year. Total new and additional registered capital pumped into the economy by enterprises in January rose by 10.5% year-on-year to VND395.1 trillion (US$17.14 billion).
Challenges remain
Economist Nguyen Minh Phong said while key economic indicators in January remain positive, the economy is set to go through a rough path amid a Covid-19 resurgence.
According to Mr. Phong, a modest rise of 0.06% month-on-month in inflation rate indicated slow recovery in domestic consumption.
While there has been a strong growth in new businesses, Mr. Phong also pointed out a 54.3% surge in the number of enterprises temporarily suspending their operation at 18,100.
"More supportive policies needed to aid the business community affected by the pandemic, particularly in taxes, technologies and financial leverage for large scale projects with high spillover effects," said Mr. Phong.
"Innovation and R&D should be the focus for local enterprises, which in turn would benefit national competitiveness in long-term," he noted.
While the pandemic continues to put pressure on the economy, there remain factors that could serve as a boost for growth, including exports and public investments, added Mr. Phong.
Phan Duc Hieu, vice director of the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM), said Vietnam's effective measures against the pandemic is fundamental to keep the business running.
"In long-term, it is essential to continue improving the business and investment environment and take advantage of new business models to ensure sustainable economic growth," Mr. Hieu stated.
Samsung's exports of flagship Galaxy S21 drives Vietnam trade surplus in January
Standard Chartered forecasts Vietnam GDP growth of 7.8% in 2021
Vietnam GDP growth may hit up to 6.9% in 2021: VIE
TAG: Vietnam economic performance covid-19 pandemic resurgence trade exports CPI inflation outlook
Vietnam's tourism forecast to strongly rebound in five years
In 2024, Vietnam's tourism revenues are expected to reach US$11 billion, which will surpass the pre-pandemic amount of $10.8 billion in 2019.
Tourism firms upbeat about Vietnam's 2023 outlook
Local businesses are advised to be more creative, react faster, and have more resources to adapt to unforeseen changes by 2023.
Surge in travel demand in Vietnam's airports ahead of Tet
Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi has taken measures to prepare for a throughput of over 100,000 passengers per day during Tet holiday.
Hanoi to host AeroExpo Hanoi & Vietnam Aviation Forum 2023 in March
Leading firms from 15 countries will bring advanced products and technologies to the four-day event.
Vietnam, S.Korea eye US$100-billion trade turnover in 2023
South Korea is currently the largest foreign investor in Vietnam, with total FDI commitments of $80.5 billion, and the third trade partner with a total turnover of $88 billion in 2022.
[Infographic] Vietnam's tourism performance before and after Covid-19
Vietnam's tourism continues to demonstrate a strong and steady recovery from the pandemic's effects despite mounting economic and geopolitical challenges since its reopening to international visitors in March 2022.
5G to boost Vietnam's growth
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Hanoi to create breakthroughs for tourism in 2023
Hanoi plans to increase supporting firms
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Vietnamese Gov't to prioritize capital market development in 2023


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Point University charges all residential students for a University meal plan for each fall and spring semesters. According to University policy, all residential students taking under 60 credit hours are required to have a 12-meal plan. However, Point University understands that students may have special circumstances which require an alternative meal option. Appeal submissions after the Drop/Add period will not be accepted.
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Molymex is a Mexican subsidiary of the Chilean consortium Molibdenos y Metales S.A. (Molymet).
It has a molybdenum processing plant in Cumpas, Sonora, Mexico and administrative offices in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico.
Currently, Molymet supplies more than 30% of the world demand for molybdenum products, in a highly technical and competitive market, which has been achieved due to an extensive network of international relations based on its five affiliates and commercial offices in the United States, Brazil, Peru, England and China.
The presence of the company in America, Europe and Asia assures industrial customers throughout the world of a direct, personalized and efficient attention to their requirements.
Molybdenum is a silver-gray colored metal, which does not exist in its pure condition in nature, So it is usually associated with other elements, such as sulphide minerals, from which copper is also obtained. It is common for molybdenum to be considered a by-product of the copper extraction operation.
In the periodic table, molybdenum is identified with the number 42 and its chemical symbol is Mo. It melts at a temperature of 2,610 degrees Celsius.
Molymex operates under the fundamental condition of going beyond compliance of laws and ordinances.
As part of its strategy of Corporate Social Responsibility, on February 18, 2014, Molymex joined the United Nations Global Compact.
Molymex has obtained the recognition of Environmental Excellence, the highest award granted by PROFEPA.
Molymex has the Clean Industry certification, which is a program that allows the integration of an environmental management system.
Blvd. Luis Donaldo Colosio No. 450 Torre 1, Nivel 5, Local 1 Entre Calle Real Del Arco y Blvd. Solidaridad Colonia Metrocentro C.P. 83250, Hermosillo, Sonora.
Carretera Moctezuma – Nacozari, Cumpas, Sonora, Mexico.


I have watched the last decade's public debate over affirmative action with both interest and disgust. I have observed the hysterics over the admission of "less qualified Blacks" through "racial preferences" and "quotas" with what is best described as an attitude of interest and cynical amusement. Majority fears of the Black-skinned "Other" encroaching upon the places that white America holds dear (the plantation household of yore, the union shop, the public high school, and — most recently — the college campus) is neither new nor surprising, nor is the denial of racism or the refusal to implement strategies for addressing not for past racism, but racism now, in the present.
Appalling, though not surprising, has been the lack of an uproar and, in many cases, the outright defense of affirmative action for other groups within the college applicant pool. I am speaking particularly of those widely known but only grudingly acknowledged systems in place at U.S. colleges and universities to accord preferential status to wealthy students, athletes, and the children of alumni.
Many college administrators, alumni, and athletic directors have argued that these students are good for the colleges that they are admitted to and — ironically enough — that they add an important element of diversity to the student body.
I believe that both institutions and the students who attend them do indeed have much to gain from enrolling students who represent a wide range of experiences and incomes, talents and passions. You may be surprising to learn that I even believe that colleges can make a compelling argument in favor of cultivating multi-generational relationships and family loyalties through legacy admissions.
In short, I believe that all of the elements of a student's background and identity should be taken into account when weighing an application for college admission, including family income, parents' education, legacy status, region, nationality, ethnicity, and race. These factors should not overshadow more academic criteria (grades, high school curriculum, teacher recommendations, standardized test scores), but they do matter, as much as any other factors that shape a students' pursuit of educational success.
Whether motivated by a single-minded fear of the browning of American, or simply by a misguided believe in the possibility (in this ever-so-subjective world) of a purely merit-based admission process, the nation's most vocal opponents of race-based anti-affirmative action remain largely silent with regard to the preferences given to athletes, wealthy students, and legacy applicants receive.
And yet a recent study conducted by two Princeton University sociologists and described in the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education suggests that while the financial boons and loyalties that at least one of these non-race-based preference groups brings to college campuses may serve an institution's economic interests, the admissions preferences grant to legacy applicants may conflict witha college's academic profile and mission.
On most selective campuses, legacy admits (few of whom a people of color) significantly outnumber African American admitted students, despite the much greater interest on the part of affirmative action opponents in ending race-based consideration than on addressing legacy or income-based preferences. For those who are uncomfortable with the hypocrisy of this stance, here is some information that might bolster your position.
In contrast, blacks who received admissions preferences did not have similar levels of poor grades and were just as likely as other blacks to stay in college and earn a degree.
The study, which is published in the journal Social Problems, did find that at the selective colleges they surveyed, 77 percent of black students were the beneficiaries of affirmative action whereas 48 percent of all legacies benefited from admissions preferences.


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Isobelle Nicole Laurel Asensio (born July 7, 1986), professionally known as Nicole Asensio, is a Filipino actress, singer and songwriter. After providing lead vocals for all-girl rock band General Luna, she began a solo career and released her first album Schizoprano in 2015.

Early life and family
A member of the Laurel family, Asensio is the daughter of singer Iwi Laurel. Her maternal grandparents are former Vice President of the Philippines Salvador Laurel (the son of Philippine President Jose P. Laurel), and the singer Celia Diaz-Laurel. She is the first cousin of actress Denise Laurel and niece of theater artist Cocoy Laurel. Her paternal grandmother is famed opera singer Fides Cuyugan-Asensio.

Asensio began singing as a child, but "didn't undergo formal voice lessons like most heirs [of] musical legends do. Instead, living with her grandmother, mother, and uncle, was enough for her to discover her musicality."

She graduated from De La Salle University in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in literature.

Musical career
Asensio got her professional start in musical theatre. At the age of five, while with Repertory Philippines, she got the chance to sing for French record producer, actor, singer, songwriter and musical theatre composer Claude-Michel Schönberg, best known for creating Les Misérables and Miss Saigon, and was offered the role of Cosette in the 1990 production. "I wasn't ready to leave the country or adjust schooling at age five," she said in an interview with MEGA Magazine. In 1998, at age twelve, Asensio performed as one of the orphans in her first major production Annie with Repertory Philippines. The following year she performed in another musical (The Magic Staff) with her grandmother.

By age 15, she had recorded radio ads and jingles for various brands. She grew up listening to different genres but her main influences are the British bands Pink Floyd and Skunk Anansie. She has performed in theater productions with Repertory Philippines, Okasaki Theaterworks, Everyman Presents, and 9Works Theatrical.

Her first musical foray outside theatre was as a founding member of the band Crowjane.

In 2010, she played Mimi Marquez in a Philippine production of RENT. That same year, all-girl rock band General Luna formed, with Asensio fronting on lead vocals. General Luna went on permanent hiatus in the last quarter of 2013.

Schizoprano
In 2015, under MCA Music, Asensio released her debut solo album Schizoprano, a portmanteau of the words schizophrenic and soprano." The album merged Asensio's background in theater and classical music with her more recent forays in rock music. Tracks from the album include single "Leader for a Day", with lyrics taken from replies to a Facebook status update she posted asking people what they would do if they were leader for a day. Other tracks are collaborations such as the WilabaliW's Ian Tayao on the love song "All in All"; rapper Mike Swift on "Wag (Mo Na Ako Mahalin)"; and her Philpop entry song "A Song on a Broken String". The piano arrangement of another track, "Walang Anuman", was created by Italian composer and friend Diedonne Russo, who gave her a piano riff with a note: "This is my gift to you. Write something in your language." Asensio teamed up with JC Magsalin of the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra to create an orchestral arrangement for the song and e-mailed it to Russo, with a note stating "This is my gift back to you."

Filmography

Film

Television series

References

External links
"Leader for a Day" video
"Walang Anuman" video

21st-century Filipino women singers
Filipino musical theatre actresses
Laurel family
1986 births
Living people

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Watch Anthony Bourdain Experience Waffle House For The First Time
By: The Federalist Staff
World-famous chef and food critic Anthony Bourdain just went to Waffle House for the first time ever. His verdict? "Oh, that's good. That's good."
The Federalist Staff
If you love cooking or travel, you've probably heard of Anthony Bourdain. If you love cheap diner food, you've probably heard of Waffle House. Now, for the very first time, you get to experience both at the same time.
Anthony Bourdain–a world-famous chef, food critic, writer, and television personality–had never before been to a Waffle House until he went there last month to tape a segment for his CNN show Parts Unknown. Bourdain's sherpa for his culinary excursion to one of the South's most revered restaurants was fellow chef Sean Brock, who credits Waffle House for stirring his desire to one day become a chef.
"Now look, I'm looking at my hash brown, and I'm already confused," Bourdain says as he looks through the Waffle House menu. "And enticed."
"You can't go all in," Waffle House pro Brock tells him. "There's a balance. And when you find your balance, you memorize it. I go scattered, covered, smothered, chunks."
At Brock's urging, Bourdain eventually orders the pecan waffle.
"You don't come here expecting The French Laundry," Brock tells Bourdain, referring to the famous restaurant by chef Thomas Keller. "You come here expecting something amazing."
Bourdain's verdict on the pecan waffle, and the whole Waffle House experience?
"This is better than The French Laundry."
Of course it is. It's Waffle House.
Parts Unknown
Pecan Waffle
Sean Brock
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Home / News / CIA Paid Torture Architects More Than $80 Million
CIA Paid Torture Architects More Than $80 Million
Although the committee identified the contractors via pseudonyms, NBC News has previously identified them as Mitchell, Jessen & Associates, a Spokane, Washington, company run by two psychologists, Dr. John "Bruce" Jessen and Dr. James Mitchell, who had both previously worked with the U.S. Air Force.
The report states that when they were hired the two did not have "specialized knowledge of al Qaeda, a background in counterterrorism or any relevant cultural or linguistic experience."…
In late July 2002 the CIA turned to the psychologists, according to both former intelligence officials and congressional investigators. Jessen was then a senior psychologist at the Defense Department agency that taught special operations forces how to resist and endure torture via so called "SERE" training, or Survival, Evasion, Resistance Escape training, at a special "SERE" school…
Within days of hiring Mitchell, Jessen & Associates, the CIA asked the Defense Department for a rush "list of exploitation and interrogation techniques that had been effective against Americans" in the SERE training…
Working with Mitchell, Jessen & Associates, the CIA soon developed a menu of 20 enhanced techniques — a list that was ultimately whittled down to 10, mainly because some of proposed techniques were considered too harsh even for terrorists. The techniques included waterboarding, sleep deprivation and forcing prisoners to assume "stress positions."
John Rizzo, the acting CIA general counsel who met with the psychologists, wrote in his book, "Company Man," that he found some of what Mitchell and Jessen were recommending "sadistic and terrifying." One technique, he wrote, was "so gruesome that the Justice Department later stopped short of approving it."
NBC News has been told by a senior U.S. intelligence official that Mitchell and Jessen had suggested "mock burial," in which a detainee would be led to believe he would be buried alive if he didn't talk. It was not approved.
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Huron, South Dakota - November 30, 2017 Dakotaland Financial Services LLC (DFS) recently acquired Steven R Hein CPA's accounting practice and now prepares for a January 1, 2018 merger. Both organizations reside in Huron and offer tax planning and preparation, payroll, and bookkeeping services. "Steven R Hein has a long history in accounting services and has been providing reputable products and services to his clients for over 30 years. We look forward to continuing that level of commitment as he joins our organization," stated Dakotaland Financial Services Manager, Andrea Brueggeman.
Mr. Hein will continue to operate from his current office location at 110 3rd St SW in Huron until the end of 2018. At which time he will relocate to Dakotaland Financial Services housed on the second floor of 1371 Dakota Avenue South. "I am grateful for the friendship and business opportunities brought to me by my clients and I am confident my new affiliation will continue to serve our clients well," shared Steven R Hein.
Once the organizations are merged, the next order of business will be to prepare for the upcoming tax season. "Tax preparation is a large part of our business and the addition of Steven R Hein CPA's experience will ensure we are more than capable of providing timely and accurate service to our clients in 2018," added Brueggeman.
Dakotaland Financial Services LLC is an independent Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) of Dakotaland Federal Credit Union in Huron. DFS was established in 2015 and offers customizable full service tax planning and preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services to both individuals and businesses, as well as other related services.


You may use any images you like to play along but you will be entered twice in the Vote if you use an IKEsART image.
using " CRYSTAL BALL GAZING "
using " LAKE LOVE "
using " LONG TALL LATEX SALLY "
" St Pat's Day Mini Kit "
using " SADNESS WALLS "
So - off you go now and create :-) You will find your FREEBIE and the Linky on WEEK 1's posting HERE.
Hi fabulous DT inspiration and having just found your challenge could you tell me is there any limit to other challenges entered besides yours?


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The Untold Story Behind How Mexico Got Its Name
Queretaro, Mexico | © Alejandro / Flickr
The country of Mexico was not always called as such. The country, the land, the region, were called many things by many different groups of inhabitants, including the original people of the Valley of Mexico, the Aztec people, who arrived there around 1200 AD, and the Spanish colonizers who came to Mexico in the 1500s. So how did Mexico come to be called Mexico?
The pre-Hispanic people of the Valley of Mexico referred to what we now call Mexico as Anahuac. This word meant "land surrounded by water," but it was also used to refer to the entire universe in the native Mayan language Nahuatl. This seems logical because the human settlements of the Valley of Mexico (which isn't really a valley at all, but a plateau surrounded by volcanic mountains) were along and among a lake system of five lakes, the largest called Texcoco. The empire that would be built by the Aztecs was right in the center of those lakes, a type of island, connected by land bridges to the shore and other islands, some natural, some man-made.
Yaxchilan │ | © Dennis Jarvis / flickr
Most historians believe that the word "Mexico" came from the Nahuatl for "place of the Mexica," who were the nomadic peoples who found their way into the Valley of Mexico from a mythical northern land called Aztlán, the ancestral home of the Aztec peoples.
Cholula, Mexico │ | © Russ Bowling / flickr
The name Aztecs was actually coined by explorer and geographer Alexander von Humboldt during his extensive travels through Latin America, observing the cultures of its indigenous people. He took this name partly from the word Aztlán, which according to the Mexicas was their northern homeland. Jonathan Kendall in his book La Capital writes that the Aztecs were actually a wandering, nomadic tribe who, opposed to popular belief, arrived at the Valley of Mexico starving and looking for a place to settle. They worked as warriors for hire in the many inter-tribal disputes among the people already settled in the area, until using that unrest to their advantage to become the ruling tribe of the area.
Mexico City │ | © VV Nincic / flickr
Regardless of exactly where they came from, the Mexica people, later called Aztecs, would make the biggest impact on the valley it had ever seen, and the term Mexico most undoubtedly comes from them. When the Spanish arrived, the Mexica (Aztec) empire was called Mexico-Tenochtitlan, and included Mexico City, much of the surrounding area and parts of today's nearby states, such as Estado de Mexico and Puebla.
Puebla, Mexico | © Russ Bowling / Flickr
The Spanish called Mexico "New Spain" and Mexico City was its capital, seamlessly adapting to the name when they declared the capital La Ciudad de Mexico (Mexico City) in 1585. At that time, Spaniards only referred to the capital as Mexico (the rest of the colony known as New Spain) and it wasn't until Mexico's independence from Spain that the name Mexico became a permanent title for all the land of the new republic.
In September 1821, when independence was finally declared from Spain, Agustín de Iturbide was officially declared the first emperor of Mexico and from that moment forward the country was officially known as Mexico, or the Mexican Empire. Today Mexico is officially the Federation of Mexican States, named as such after the 1824 constitution, a decision that Mexico's current constitution has upheld since its last revisions in 1917.


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Lakers open season on back-to-back-to-back
By Kurt HelinDec 5, 2011, 4:40 PM EDT
In every NBA season there are what are called "scheduled losses" where some team is going to lose a game thanks to the schedule maker. If you are on your third game in four days and draw a rested Oklahoma City, you are in trouble no matter who you are.
This year there are going to be a lot of scheduled losses. Details of the NBA schedule — set to be released Tuesday at 7 p.m. (Eastern) — are starting to leak out and my legs are getting tired just reading about it.
Like the Lakers opening the season with a back-to-back-to-back — at home to Chicago, at Sacramento then back to Los Angeles to face Utah, reports the Los Angeles Times. Pretty pumped if you're the Lakers fan who spent crazy cash to get tickets for that Utah game so you can watch the Lakers slog around on tired legs, aren't you?
Then there is this tweet from Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo.
One league official says there are seven NBA teams that have two stretches of 5 games in 6 nights this season. Good luck with that.
Who wants to see how the Boston Celtics' old legs look on the fifth game in six nights? Who wants to pay to see that?
That is one area the league could see backlash — in its effort to get as many games as possible in (read: rake in more revenue) they will have games so compacts as to hurt the quality of play. They are selling a weakened product.
And there are going to be a lot more "scheduled losses" this season where we can expect teams to lose basked on the schedule and not talent.
Tags: 2011-12 NBA schedule, NBA Schedule
Lawyer sentenced to 5 years for fraud, scamming Charles Barkley among others
Associated PressJul 17, 2019, 7:47 AM EDT
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — A lawyer convicted of swindling NBA star Charles Barkley and using the name of former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to bolster an investment scam was sentenced to five years in prison Tuesday.
U.S. District Judge Karon O. Bowdre also ordered Donald Watkins to pay about $14 million in restitution.
Prosecutors had sought a prison sentence of 17+ years for Watkins and 6+ years for his son, Donald Watkins Jr. Both were convicted on fraud and conspiracy charges earlier this year. The two men stole more than $15 million from investors and a bank, prosecutors said.
Bowdre said she took the elder man's age, 70, into consideration in imposing a lighter sentence, but the term was stiffer than the home confinement requested by Watkins. She then began a sentencing hearing for the son.
During the pair's trial earlier this year, witnesses including Barkley testified about losing money in an investment scheme run by the elder Watkins.
Barkley, who grew up near Birmingham and now works as a television analyst, described himself as a friend of the elder Watkins, who has split time living in both Alabama and Atlanta.
Barkley lost more than $6 million in investments and loans, prosecutors said, and so did other professional athletes including former NFL players Takeo Spikes and Bryan Thomas and former NBA star Damon Stoudamire.
Stoudamire's wife, Natasha Taylor-Stoudamire, spoke at the sentencing and said she couldn't comprehend what Watkins had done.
"I can't even comprehend how Donald Watkins Sr. and Jr. can take money from me or the rest the victims that were trying to have generational wealth for our children's children," she said, according to al.com .
Rice, a native of Birmingham, testified that Watkins wrongly used her name in promoting an energy business at the heart of the case. Prosecutors said Watkins included Rice's name in an email to investors although she had declined to get involved.
Watkins once served as a city council member in Montgomery and helped successfully defend HealthSouth Corp. founder Richard Scrushy in a massive fraud that nearly bankrupted the company, now known as Encompass Health. He also has worked on civil rights cases.
More than 15 years ago, Watkins drew media attention when he attempted to purchase a major league baseball team. More recently he said he was attempting to purchase the NFL's St. Louis Rams before the team moved to Los Angeles.
Although he portrayed himself as wealthy, prosecutors said Watkins had a net worth of only a few thousand dollars.
Writing in a blog post before the sentencing, Watkins Sr. said he would continue to appeal his conviction and claimed he was innocent.
"Jurors try to do the right thing, more often than not. However, my 46-years of active participation in the American judicial system has shown me (and the world) that well-meaning jurors often convict innocent defendants," Watkins wrote.
Dion Waiters shows off slimmed down physique on Instagram
By Kurt HelinJul 16, 2019, 11:00 PM EDT
Suddenly the annual "he lost/gained 15 points and is in the best shape of his life" portion of the NBA summer is upon us.
The Miami Heat are known around the league for having one of the best conditioning programs, guys who go there almost universally get in better shape. Dion Waiters last season seemed to be the exception to the rule. Waiters wasn't 50-year-old-suburban-dad-with-a-beer-gut out of shape, but coming off an injury where he didn't get to train like he wanted, Waiters didn't look like a guy in NBA shape either. Critics lit Waiters up on social media.
Waiters posted his response — he's been hitting the gym.
Last year when I came off 1 of the most depressing & frustrating times of my life. Coming off injury & not feeling like myself nor looking like myself I was in a dark place mentally & physically , Because the game I love so much was taken away due to season ending surgery. Now a days with this social media ran world they laughed at me made jokes etc not knowing what I was battling or going through everyday. So instead of me joining the circus I told myself you from (Philly) you've been through worst shit in your life than this. So I promise myself I would work my ass off & get back to where I was before the injury. I'm not done yet but I kno somebody in the world prolli needed to hear this. Stay positive block out the outside noise & grind. #Philly🧀 #stayTune
A post shared by 🔥🔥🔥🔥 (@waiters3) on Jul 15, 2019 at 7:22pm PDT
Good for Waiters.
Let the flood of NBA workout videos and shots of guys with their new physiques begin.
Philly fans will be hoping to see one from Joel Embiid.
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
By Kurt HelinJul 16, 2019, 9:18 PM EDT
Whatever their long-term intentions, after Paul George was traded the Oklahoma City Thunder changed focus. General Manager Sam Presti sat down with Russell Westbrook and his agent, talked about the future, what the former MVP wanted, then worked on trading him where he wanted to go.
That was Houston.
The Westbrook to the Rockets trade for Chris Paul — with Oklahoma City picking up two first-round picks and two pick swaps — is now official.
In announcing the trade, the Thunder praised the greatest player in their franchise history on his way out the door.
A legacy like none other. We grew alongside you and wish you the best. Thanks Russ! pic.twitter.com/xqNW127G0O
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) July 17, 2019
"Russell Westbrook is the most important player in the brief history of the Oklahoma City Thunder. He has left an indelible mark on this team, city and state," Presti said in a statement. "None of us could have anticipated the player he has become, and we are all deeply proud of what he has contributed to the success of the franchise and to our community. Russell and his wife Nina, their three children, his brother and his parents will always remain part of the Thunder family. We wish them nothing but happiness and success in the future."
"I have a great deal of respect for Russell and there is no way to adequately describe our appreciation for what he has meant to Oklahomans," said Thunder Chairman Clayton I. Bennett. "His legacy here is immense, and he will be honored by the team for all he has done. We wish he and Nina and their family all the best. While this era of Thunder basketball now comes to an end, I'm confident our talented team of people will once again position the Thunder for success in the future."
While Presti and the OKC front office are still working on a CP3 trade, they are entering a rebuilding phase.
The Rockets are banking on Westbrook and James Harden being able to work out any fit issues — and finding a way to defend with both of them on the court — to keep them as title contenders.
Tags: Chris Paul, James Harden, Paul George, Russell Westbrook
Anthony Davis dances around question about re-signing with Lakers
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
After the drama around his push to get to Los Angeles, league executives and other sources around the NBA expect Anthony Davis to re-sign with the Lakers on a max contract next summer.
However, Davis has paired up with LeBron James, and rule one of the LeBron contract playbook (and agent Rich Paul's, too) is to keep the pressure on a franchise. Make the team improve and keep itself in title contention.
So it's not a surprise that when ESPN's Rachel Nichols asked Davis about re-signing with the Lakers, he didn't answer the question directly.
Nichols: You're only signed through this season. Do you think you will be a pillar of the Lakers for years and years to come?
Davis: Honestly, Rachel, I'm just focused on this season. I don't know what's going to happen. I have one year here, so I'm going make the best of this year. And when that time comes around in the summer or, you know, whenever the season's over — hopefully, around, you know, mid-June, after we just had a parade, and I need a couple days to think — then we can talk about that. But until then, I'm trying to do whatever I can to help this team win this year."
That a well-handled scripted answer hitting all the talking points.
After the NBA summer we have just gone through (and continue to see with Chris Paul), nobody sane will say Davis would never leave the Lakers after one season. Cut to Kevin Garnett screaming "Anything Is Possible."
However, he came to the Lakers to win rings (now and in the future), to take over as the face of the franchise when LeBron steps away in a few years, to get the kind of recognition and endorsements he felt were not coming his way in New Orleans, and ultimately to have his jersey up in the rafters with Wilt and Kareem and Shaq. That's the plan. Which means AD will re-sign with the Lakers next summer.
He's just not going to say that right now.
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PERF spoke with three of our members who recently retired, to hear their advice for prospective chiefs and what they're planning for their "Chapter 2."
-- Jim Ferraris retired as chief of the Woodburn, OR Police Department on March 1 after five years leading the department. He spent his entire career in Oregon, starting as an officer in Beaverton from 1978-1983. He served in the Portland Police Bureau from 1983-2011, rising to the rank of assistant chief, and was the deputy chief in Salem from 2011-2015.
-- Terry Sult retired as chief of the Hampton, VA Police Department on March 26, a position he had held since 2013. He previously served as police chief in Sandy Springs, GA from 2008-2013 and in Gastonia, NC from 2004-2008. He began his career with the Charlotte, NC Police Department, which later merged with the county police to become the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, where he rose to the rank of commander.
-- Jessica Robledo retired as chief of the Pflugerville, TX Police Department on February 23 after four years leading the agency. She previously served with the Austin Police Department for 28 years, retiring from that agency as an assistant chief.
Chief Jim Ferraris
What advice would you give new or prospective police chiefs?
The first piece of advice is to have a plan going in. Know what you're getting into. Develop a plan for the first 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, 180 days, and one year. Think through it and put it on paper. It's a living document, so you can adjust it accordingly, but have a plan before you start that job.
Once you're in the door as chief, learn the landscape. Meet with employees. Meet with your fellow department heads if you work in a city, county, or state. Know your criminal justice partners. Know your community leaders. Get to know your elected officials, including those at the local and state level and your federal Congressional delegation. And get to know your union folks. Listen to all of them. They'll talk to you and give you information.
Communicate with staff from day one. You're the new chief, and they want to hear from you. Put a message out. Tell them a little about you, what you expect, and what they can expect from you.
I've seen a lot of chiefs go into jobs wearing plainclothes, but I'm a big proponent of chiefs wearing the uniform. Fly the flag. It connects you with your department and the people in your department who also wear the uniform. It also connects you with your community, because you're the most visible person in that organization, and wearing that uniform helps bring people confidence in the leader of their police department.
Use social media and work with the news media. Chiefs have a tremendous amount of influence, so use it. You have influence at the community level, in your local and state legislature, in your local government, and certainly within your own department. Use your influence.
What do you wish you had known when you first started as chief?
I knew the job would be difficult and challenging, but I didn't realize how much so. I spent many years as a number two, and I always had a decision-maker above me. But as the chief, you are the decision-maker. That buck stops with you, and you don't have a safety net any longer. I wish I had thought about that going in, because I faced some very difficult decisions in the first couple years of my tenure.
If you make a mistake, own it and don't make the same mistake in the future.
What is the most rewarding part of the job? What is the most challenging part?
I think the most rewarding thing is watching change implemented for the better. I took over an agency that was in crisis. It was in a leadership crisis, a community crisis, and there was crisis in the rank-and-file. It's a department with 45 personnel, and 12 people left in my first year and a half, either by discharge or on their own.
Watching the majority of the employees embrace change and help me move that department forward was very rewarding. When I walked out the door, I felt really good. I left a good legacy. I left capable, respected, professional law enforcement employees who can take that department to the next level. I left on my terms, and I know they're in good hands and will do a good job. For me, that's the most rewarding part.
The most challenging part is almost parental: a feeling of disappointment about employees who choose to disregard policy and the law and are self-serving. Luckily we were able to root most of them out, and that was very well received by the department. But it wore on me. It's tiring, physically and emotionally. Having a peer outside my department to talk with, vent to, and look to for advice saved me many times.
What are your plans for your "Chapter 2"?
When PERF's Chapter 2 book came out, it really inspired me to think about where I was at the time and where I'd be going when I left law enforcement. I was in the business for 43 years in 4 departments across Oregon, so I have a lot of experience at the chief, command, and line level.
I planned out and stood up a management consulting and investigations firm that has become very successful. In addition to that, I took on a training coordinator role for the Oregon State Sheriffs' Association. Both of those are part-time, and I have full control over my life and my schedule. It keeps me engaged, keeps me relevant, and gives me a chance to use those 43 years of experience to help others solve problems. I don't know that I would have put pen to paper, sought advice from others, and developed that level of a plan if I hadn't read Chapter 2.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Being a police chief is a great job. It's rewarding. It gives you an opportunity to make a difference and make things better. But not everybody is cut out for it. So if you don't feel like you're cut out for it, don't take the job. If you feel you're up for the challenge, then take it. But know what you're getting into before you walk in the door.
Chief Terry Sult
I think the biggest piece of advice is to understand the range of what you don't know, and be willing to ask questions. Don't assume that simply because you were chosen as chief, you're smarter than you were the day before.
You have to learn delegation, and hopefully you've learned that before you were selected. You have to learn trust, and trust means allowing people to fail, but fail forward.
And just remember that it's all about the people – both the citizens and your employees, sworn and civilian.
I wish I had known how national and international policing is. Often new chiefs came up through the ranks, and they understand policing from their viewpoint or the viewpoint of their agency. I came up through Charlotte, and we had a very broad view, but when I took over as chief in the city next door, Gastonia, I learned very quickly that there's a different perspective on policing. That was a little bit of a learning curve. Police agencies have not all evolved to the same level.
Being involved in PERF, IACP, NOBLE, the Police Foundation, or other professional organizations early on, before you take a chief job, will give you more national insight. I was fortunate to be exposed to some of that.
What is the most rewarding part of the job? What's the most challenging part?
The people, and the people. The most rewarding is the relationships you build with people, both internally and externally. If you know what you're doing and value the community, you get to know people. And not only the movers and shakers and the political people you have to know, but you also get into the community and are accessible to everyone as much as possible. That's extraordinarily rewarding.
Internally, it's rewarding to understand and reward the talents and capabilities in your organization. There's that old saying: "None of us are as smart as all of us." Understanding that will help you understand how extraordinary your people are. It's very satisfying to help mentor, nurture, and provide resources to people.
I've always seen my job as chief as three things: (1) Set the goals and objectives of the organization, (2) Provide resources, and (3) Tear down obstacles. That's it. My job isn't to go out there and tell everyone the technical aspects of what they do. We have trainers, teachers, field training officers, and field training supervisors for that. I have to provide support and let them know that they're backed, particularly these days.
The most challenging part is also the people, because people sometimes do dumb stuff, or they do things that may not be poorly intended, but they don't think of the consequences. And you have to hold them accountable, because if you don't, the whole organization suffers, and the community suffers.
The buck stops with the chief. You can't change the facts; you can only play the cards you're dealt. Sometimes it's most difficult when there's really no decision to make at all, because the facts are very evident. But it can be hard to hold individuals accountable because you understand that you are human yourself, and you too make mistakes. Also, when you're holding them accountable, it has impacts on their families and friends. That can be very stressful.
You lose more sleep as a chief over internal issues.
This is actually my "Chapter 4," because I retired in North Carolina, Georgia, and now Virginia. I'm going to be doing consulting with my son. And I'll be teaching with another group of folks.
My son has a strong background in cybersecurity and co-founded a successful company in Singapore with his cousin. He's now working for another cybersecurity company in the United States. We're going to be doing some consulting in that area, blending the law enforcement and cyber angles. I'm a founding member of the Computer Crime and Digital Evidence Committee at the IACP, so that will play into what we're doing.
And I'm going to be involved with PERF, particularly the Critical Issues in Policing. Policing is evolving, and we have to stay on top of it. And sometimes an old perspective is as good as the new perspectives coming up through the ranks.
Chief Jessica Robledo
Do not take this job unless you're willing to give it your all. It's not a Monday-Friday, 9-5 job.
Don't be afraid to lead and make the difficult decisions. People are watching you and testing you to see if you're just all talk.
Don't sacrifice your integrity to be popular. Some will like you, and some will dislike you for the changes you bring, so don't take it personally.
Remember to be fair and impartial to everyone. Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you. And try to sleep on things. Sometimes I knew the answer quickly, but other times I'd have to sleep on it or go for a run to help things make more sense.
Don't expect a culture to change overnight, because it takes years. I was in my job for four years, and there's still a lot of work to do.
As leaders, we forget to make ourselves and our self-care a priority. Model that behavior for your people, and create those resources so they know how to deal with stress.
Jobs like this are a multi-level sacrifice and commitment for you and your family. Be mindful, and know when to listen to your loved ones. If they say, "Hey, you're starting to change a little bit," pay attention, because they know you best.
Surround yourself with a group you can trust and can bounce ideas off of, especially during difficult times. That can be done with regional relationship-building, especially if you're new to the area.
You always have to believe in yourself and what got you the position. That strength and confidence will get you through it.
You have to make decisions. Own them. If you make a mistake, own it. You're human.
Know your personal and professional boundaries, and don't settle for less.
Position yourself to be financially sound before you take a job, so that you have options in case you need to pivot. Develop a plan going in, because politics happen. Or something may happen with your family that causes you to say, "I need to take a break."
Don't make promises you can't keep. The buck stops with you, good or bad. Be open and honest with your staff and the community. I loved showcasing the agency and humanizing the badge, especially now.
What is the most rewarding part of the job?
I knew being in a leadership position was rewarding, but I never realized just how rewarding it would be to care about a community that wanted to work with me and our officers. That impact is profound.
You need to know how to engage the community. Teach your staff how to engage. And lead by example. If you tell your folks there are three events this weekend, you need to be there. You need to lead and teach them how to engage. Sometimes police are notorious for standing in the corner and "podding" by ourselves. Tell them to go meet somebody, introduce themselves, and give them their best smile. If somebody is coming at you with a smile on their face, you can't help but smile.
I love mentoring others and pushing them out of their comfort zone. I would tell people that I was pushing them out of their comfort zone because I wanted them to maybe sit in my chair one day. You should see the look on their face, because nobody has ever told them that.
What is the most challenging part?
I think I bring a different perspective. In Texas, we have very few women chiefs. I'm a diverse chief and I check off many boxes. I'm a driven leader. I'm high speed, and I'm going drag you with me. Eventually you're going to walk fast next to me, and eventually we're both going to be jogging. Then I'm going to hand you the baton, stay back, and cheer you on. But a driven leader at any rank is generally not embraced openly, and especially in smaller agencies.
Teach your team the importance of accountability and liability, especially with negligent retention. If you keep bad cops, it reflects on your leadership team. I know we don't like to document a lot of personnel actions in our profession, but it's important, especially if you're changing a culture. You have to teach accountability and hold people accountable. Documentation is your savior. I tell people who want to take on this role to always have a witness during their critical conversations.
I'm learning to ease into my day and make my personal life a priority right now. Those who know me laugh when I tell them that. But I'm working on it.
After 34 years in law enforcement and being a female chief, you bring a different perspective and not many people can tell that story. I've learned a lot, and I think I still have something to give back to the profession, perhaps in a consulting role. I don't know that I'll ever say no to a good community, or job, or someone who needs a little help with their agency. At this point, I'm open to anything. But for now, it's about me.


text:
Dyma Loving Thrown To The Ground By Cop After Needing Help From Neighbor With Gun [VIDEO]
Photo credit – ArtOlympic/Shutterstock
This situation would make anyone apprehensive when calling 911 for help.
Dyma Loving and her friend Adrianna Green had left home in Miami and a neighbor made a rude remark, calling them "whores!"
Reported on The Root, Frank Tumm yelled at Loving about her skin complexion. "He told me that he will blow my 'burnt black face off [you] f*****g neck bitch."
At that point, she was upset and tossed Tumm's plants on the street. That's when he grabbed his gun and pointed it at them. The women ran off and called the police for help.
The first officer to arrive questioned everyone involved, including a witness, according to the report. When arresting officer A.I Giraldo showed up, that's when things got nasty!
Loving needed to charge her phone which required her to pass Tumm's house and she was seeking assistance from the officer. He refused and then began questioning her about the situation. Then shown in the video, he attempts to cuff her, grabs her arms, and throws her to the ground.
Loving was "arrested and charged with two misdemeanors, disorderly conduct and resisting an officer without violence, and spent 12 hours in jail before posting a bond of $1,500. Tumm wasn't arrested until Thursday,
according to the report.
Tumm was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Giraldo is being investigated.
Loving says her trust is "completely broken" and she will never call the police for help again.
Take a look at video coverage:
WARNING: Graphic footage — This is the body cam footage from the arrest of #DymaLoving. Miami-Dade PD is notorious for their corruption and vicious mistreatment of black people. Suspension is not enough. This guy and the officers that joined in need to be fired.
A post shared by Neo Womanism™ (@neowomanism) on Mar 16, 2019 at 3:32pm PDT


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