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David Robertson just published an amazing article, "Artificial Intelligence Or Real Stupidity?" in which he unbuckles the crux of where applied artifical intelligence is today.
What really piqued my interest in this article, is when David's writing moved on from artificial general intelligence (AGI) to the topic of 'Augmentation'.
Augmentation is a topic near and dear to my heart because here at Sceeto, I think that this is what we do with our own trading by augmenting trade execution and order flow analysis with bots, and ultimately what we are bringing to the trading community.
Robertson does a great job of collecitng informtion from some important scientists in this field.
Another common thread among the AI researches is the belief that AI should be used to augment human labor rather than replace it.
Further, AI can only augment human labor insofar as it can effectively work with human labor.
The evolution of using computers to augment human activity, as opposed to entirely replacing it, is what is acheivable today...and what is already in production via our trading bots, aka Sceetos (Self-Contained-Electronic-Exchange-Trading-Orbs).


Archives Antique Centre offer an amazing variety of antiquities and curiosities for collectors. Over 3 floors, Archives Antique Centre stock a variety of antiques, from rare, high value items, through to trinkets and pub memorabilia.
Aunt Sandra's has changed a lot over the years but still make all of their candy and fudge by hand. They also do birthday parties, candy making demonstrations, chocolate workshops, chocolate road shows and much more!
Avoca is located on Arthur Street, it brings an eclectic product range to Belfast in a spacious ready-to-explore store. Stocking favourites such as their designer women's wear collection, as well as homewares, children's and gifts.
Belfast City Skinworks have been providing tattoos and body piercing in Belfast for over 25 years. In the past 6 years a team of artists and piercers have been striving to produce a studio which is among the best in Europe.
Blush Boutique's friendly team of stylists are on hand to give you help or advice in choosing the right shape, style and colour for your event. From christenings and parties to black tie balls and proms, the aim is to dress to impress.
Boux Avenue pride themselves on selling a range of beautiful lingerie, nightwear and swimwear for everybody. Offering outstanding customer service and fit, gift wrapping and vintage-inspired yet contemporary designs.
Carl Scarpa is famous for exquisite ladies Italian shoes and bags, all of their labels have their own distinctive style. Each of the collections is exclusive to Carl Scarpa and within that, they regard each style as their signature.
Carrolls Gifts and Souvenirs are one of the leading retailers of quality Irish clothing, souvenirs and gifts. They provide highest standards of customer service, with an extensive range of top quality products at the best prices.
CastleCourt offers the ultimate shopping experience with all your favourite shops under one roof right in the centre of Belfast. With great stores and food places to choose from, there's never been a better time to visit CastleCourt.
Co Couture's luxurious chocolates are made in small batches using only the finest raw ingredients to ensure the ultimate taste sensation. Experience it in every delightful bite of their tantalising selection of fresh chocolates.
Step into Belfast's premium fashion destination and experience a unique and personally tailored service at Cruise. They are fashion-forward store enabling you to shop all of your favourite brands in one place.
Dunnes has been a part of the fabric of Irish life for over 70 years. They are a family run, privately owned Irish company and proud of it. They offer a mix of contemporary fashion, stylish homewares and quality-assured food.
Eason's was originally founded in 1819 and since that time it has existed through some of the most exciting events in Irish history and has grown to become the main supplier in Ireland of books, newspapers and magazines.
Envoy of Belfast, is a space for products selected with care, chosen for their excellent and distinctive quality of design, fabric and craftsmanship, where they endeavour to make each visit a rewarding experience.
A large and inviting store, this well-known Belfast boutique stocks a wide range of complementary fashion labels, all of which are attractively presented in an opulent new shopping environment.
Folktown Market runs every Thursday from 9am to 4pm selling locally grown fruit and vegetables and locally made foods and gourmet goodies, flowers, condiments, confectionary, cheese, coffee, hot food and local crafts.
Foot Factory put the success of the business down to understanding the customers and their needs and not just duplicating what's already out there and taking a gamble on the fashion ranges of brands and one-off styles.
Fountain Centre is a hidden gem in the heart of Belfast City, it is a place to shop, socialise and unwind. It is populated by independent, unique retailers. From gifts, jewellery and accessories to unique and specialised crafts.
Fred J. Malcolm started business in 1894 and opened in Chichester Street in 1926. They have always taken personal pride in holding traditional principles and bringing exquisite jewellery to the people of Northern Ireland.
Gardiner Brothers Jewellers is in Belfast's historic cathedral quarter, they have formed links with the world's leading diamond manufacturers, allowing them to offer some of the finest quality gemstones and diamonds in Ireland.
Harrison is proud to stock a selection of the best women's and children's clothing. If you are seeking a casual look that suits your sense of style and personality, they guarantee you will find it there.
Head is the one of the UKs largest independent entertainment stores, they have a great range of products including – vinyl, CD, DVD, Blu-ray, posters and record players, they also sell gift vouchers for whenever you need a gift.
Hugo Thomas has been sourcing the finest tailoring, casual wear, footwear and accessories for the modern man's wardrobe. Hugo Thomas dress individuals who desire to dress in a visually exciting and contemporary way.
JoJo Maman Bebe provides customers with a unique JoJo Maman Bebe shopping experience. The ground floor is a real aladdin's cave with a beautiful range of baby and children's clothing, toys and various products.
Jourdan is one of Ireland's most exciting shops, specialising in occasion wear. Their helpful style team have, for the past 30 years, dressed customers for events such as the Oscars to galas and most importantly, weddings.
Junction One Outlet Shopping Centre is a unique shopping environment with a mix of discount outlet shops and a retail park including a leisure element, including big brand names such as Adidas, Clarks, O2 and many more.
Lauren May Jewellery they are proud to say that they are not slaves to the brand, and that their customers seek individuality in the pieces of jewellery they seek in their shop, they have a huge selection of silver available.
Liberty Blue only stock clothes from independent or local designers and try to stay away from mass production and all it generally stands for. Liberty Blue is for non-fashion followers with their own sense of style.
Lunn's strike the perfect balance between old and new, they ensure their long established level of customer service is beyond expectation, while they also desire to present the very latest in contemporary design.
The Margaret Forbes Jewellery experience involves you experimenting with a vast range of colours and styles which you may never have considered before, that is until you have viewed the endless selection.
No Alibis is Northern Ireland's only specialist crime bookstore, based on Botanic Avenue, in the city centre, specialising in crime fiction and American studies publications, if that's what you're looking for then get down to No Alibis.
Oakland Antiques is one of Belfasts busiest antique shops, with two extensive floors of antiques including antique furniture, antique glass, antique clocks and much more that they are sure you will find very interesting.
Orchid Lingerie is a leading independent lingerie store, the collections are sourced from UK and Europe and brought to the store, items that not only offer a fantastic fit but also a luxurious look, with ranges for all budgets.
Peel Fashion Store is like a mini department store with everything you need under one roof whilst still retaining the intimacy of a small shop with excellent customer service, catering for all age groups and sizes from 6 to 20.
Red Ruby Rouge consider it their mission to track down the most innovative and aspirational artists whose products will inspire for more than just a season, but will become the items that embed into your wardrobe for far longer.
Rio and Brazil have been in fashion retail for over 35 years, the Rio and Brazil family are praised for the ability to source new labels and buying the more edgy and unique lines within well known brands just for you.
Sassy Boutique are based on the trendy Lisburn Road, and exudes an air of warmth and tranquillity. They stock a range of evening/formal wear and mother of the bride outfits sit comfortably alongside party dresses to suit all.
Since 1897, Sawers has been striving to bring you the very best in luxury gourmet foods from all over the globe, including caviar, fois gras and truffles. Where else could you find over 150 different cheeses?
Sink the Ink tattoo studio is a sanctuary for some of the country's finest up and coming tattoo artists. Sink the Ink offers a full range of flash work and custom designs, a warm, friendly welcome and knowledgeable staff.
Smithfield Market is located in the heart of Belfast's retail district and contains a range of shops and a cafe. The market is opposite the CastleCourt shopping complex, which links into the Royal Avenue and Donegal Place.
St George's Market is one of Belfast's oldest attractions. It has been selected for numerous local and national titles and awards for its fresh, local produce and great atmosphere. It hosts a range of events throughout the year.
Steensons Jewellers are a family run goldsmiths who have grown a reputation in Ireland of which they are extremely proud of. The reputation is for producing contemporary design with the highest standard of craftsmanship.
The Bureau's influenced by culture, the urban city and the great outdoors, this continues to remain their inspiration when choosing which brands to stock, brands such as Engineered Garments, Workaday, Needles and more.
The Fine and Dandy Market is a marketplace showcasing the work of independent artists, designers, illustrators and crafters. Alongside stalls from collectors of records, books and high quality food and drink produce and more.
The Good Food And Wine Company is a food-hall, teahouse and coffee brew-bar in Queens Arcade. The Good Food and Wine Company produce local, award winning, artisan food to eat in or take home as gifts.
The Vineyard Belfast has existed for over 100 years but in recent years the specialist wine and spirit emporium have expanded the extensive range to include craft beer from Ireland and beyond, both bottled and draught.
Tiger's mission is to provide customers with stylish products, in a fun and pleasant environment, at astonishingly good value. Selling a huge range of quirky, ever-changing selection of own-designed and branded products.
Una Rodden Couture as well as offering an exclusive range of garments from local up and coming talent and young european talent, also have a bespoke experience getting a one of a kind pieces tailored for any occasion.
Victoria Square is a high end commercial, residential and leisure development in Belfast, developed and built over 6 years. Their anchor tenant is the largest House of Fraser that the retailer has opened in the UK.
Yoke's main aim is to help you draw together gorgeous items to create a style that is timelessly chic, impeccably tailored and utterly effortless. Clothes that allow you to be stylishly understated yet quietly confident.


mom slaps my leg under the table as i look around the restaurant.8 i look at grandma and grandpa. they feel my eyes and turn their heads to meet my face with another smile. this time drool starts to leak out the corner of grandmas mouth.9 she reaches for the glob with the tissue in her left hand and wipes it away as if its the thousandth time today. it might be. a baby can be heard crying on the other side of the restaurant.
Kyle Liang is a 22-year-old first-generation-born Asian American and author of the forthcoming chapbook, HOW TO BUILD A HOUSE, winner of the 2017 Swan Scythe Press Chapbook Contest. His work has appeared or will be appearing in Stirring, Apogee, Crab Fat Magazine, Entropy, Hobart and more. Kyle is also a Best of the Net nominee, reader at Frontier Poetry, playwright, actor, choreographer, and teary-eyed PA student at Quinnipiac University, struggling to keep up with the demands of the healthcare field and grad school. You can find more of his work at kyleliang.com.


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Press Coverage: Q3 2017 Financial Results & Sky Deal
Categorized: media coverage | partnership | sky
"Firstsource revenues go up 8.2% this quarter as the company makes $10.4m profit"
Firstsource Solutions Limited have announced that they have experienced a revenue increase of 8.2% for the quarter ending December 31 2016.
The company is one of the biggest private sector employers in Northern Ireland with over 1300 employees across three sites in Derry and Belfast.
[Read full article]
"Firstsource Solutions Dec-qtr consol profit up about 3pct"
Jan 31 Firstsource Solutions Ltd
* consol Dec quarter net profit 697.7 million rupees
* consol Dec quarter total income from operations 8.85 billion rupees
"Firstsource Q3 net profit up 4% at Rs 70 cr"
BPO firm Firstsource Solutions today posted a 3.8 per cent rise in consolidated net profit at Rs 70 crore for the quarter ended December 2016.
The company said its UK subsidiary has signed a contract for the previously announced 10-year strategic partnership.
"Firstsource Q3 net profit up 4% at Rs 70 crore"
New Delhi: BPO firm Firstsource Solutions today posted a 3.8 per cent rise in consolidated net profit at Rs 70 crore for the quarter ended December 2016.
Revenues from operations grew 8.2 per cent to Rs 885.4 crore in the reported quarter from Rs 818.5 crore in the corresponding period last year.
"Firstsource Q3 Net Rises 4% to 70 crore"
NEW DELHI: BPO firm Firstsource Solutions on Tuesday posted a 3.8% rise in consolidated net profit at 70 crore for the quarter ended December 2016, compared with the year-ago quarter.
The company also announced the signing of previously announced 10-year outsourcing contract with Europe's largest DTH, mobile and broadband company Sky.
"Firstsource secures 10-year outsourcing contract from Sky"
KOLKATA: RP Sanjiv Goenka Group company Firstsource Solutions has secured a 10-year outsourcing contract estimated worth around Rs 12,000 crore, from Europe's largest DTH, mobile and broadband company Sky.
"We have secured possibly the largest outsourcing contract of the country from Sky for a period of 10 years," company chairman Sanjiv Goenka said, without disclosing the exact value.
"Up to 900 Derby Webhelp staff transfer to new company after Sky shake-up"
Hundreds of workers at a massive call centre in Derby have been transferred to another company.
The transfer of 868 staff who work at Web help's contact centre on Pride Park has come about following a decision by one of its key customers – media giant Sky – to "re-organise" its customer service operations. Since 2012, the centre has been handling customer service and sales inquiries on behalf of Sky.
But Sky has now decided to award the work to a company called Firstsource. It will mean that the 868 Webhelp staff in Derby will transfer to Firstsource from March 1. They will continue to handle television and broadband customer service inquiries – and will remain in the same building on Pride Park.
"900 Derby workers transfer to Firstsource"
Nine hundred staff in Derby are set to transfer to outsourcing provider Firstsource after the company signed a ten-year deal to provide TV and broadband customer services for Sky.
Firstsource has worked with the entertainment giant since 2001 and the new contract extends the partnership to 2026.
The 900 Derby workers will transfer to Firstsource via TUPE on 1 March 2017, following 300 employees based in Warrington who transferred in September. The business already employs 4,000 staff on behalf of Sky.
"Firstsource Solutions in 10 year deal to provide Sky's customer service"
CALL centre firm Firstsource Solutions has signed a 10-year deal to expand its existing partnership with Europe's leading entertainment company Sky
It comes as a result of Sky's decision to consolidate its outsourced areas under the core TV and broadband service into one strategic partnership.
The expanded partnership will see Firstsource – which employs around 1,300 staff at three Northern Ireland sites in Belfast and Derry – take on 1,200 new people and continue to provide customer experience solutions for Sky's TV and broadband services until 2026.
"Sky subscribes to Firstsource call centre for a decade"
Firstsource will be providing broadband and TV customer service until 2026 after the media giant decided to consolidate its outsourcing deals with the company.
A spokesman for Firstsource said, "the contract extension will provide employment security for many staff here and demonstrates the company's continued commitment to Northern Ireland."
"Firstsource secures 10 year Sky contract"
One of Derry's largest employers has recorded an increase in its growth and profit margins, as it confirmed a 10 years extension of its major contract with Sky.
Firstsource currently employs 951 people at its Springtown base in Derry and a further 386 in Belfast. The company has been operating here since 2006 and Sky is one of its key clients.
"Firstsource signs new ten year deal with Sky 'providing security' for staff in Derry"
Firstsource Solutions UK has signed a ten year deal to expand its existing partnership with Sky.
The deal comes as a result of Sky's decision to consolidate its outsourced areas under the core TV and Broadband service into one strategic partnership.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


These just might be the easiest cookies I've ever made. And, even better, they taste amazing! I made these to take to a spur of the moment get together with friends, and they were a huge hit. I love these cookies, because not only are they delicious, but I always have everything on hand to make them at a moment's notice. Plus they only take about 5 minutes to mix together! They are soft and sweet and just a little bit crumbly. They are also FULL of peanut butter flavor! You could leave the chocolate chips out to just make peanut butter cookies, but I love the combination of peanut butter and chocolate so much that I can't see myself ever doing that. They are also made without flour, which makes them an easy gluten-free dessert! I know I will be making these cookies again and again, and I hope you will too.
Stir together peanut butter, sugar, egg, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl until well blended.
Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto parchment lined baking sheets.
Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until puffed and lightly browned.
Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
I have always wanted to bake flourless cookies, and these look so good! Do you need to chill the dough?
I make something very similar; has brown sugar instead of regular. I use mini-chips as well. They are so delicious, easy to make and have a place on my cookie tray every Christmas.
Megan, you are amazing. These cookies are wonderful!
YUM! I love simple, but delicious recipes like this. i can't wait to try it out!
Omg these came out great. Thank you so much for this simple but great cookie.


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News you can use for the corporate communicator
Features & Analysis /
Social media /
What is the true value of a brand?
by Andrew Cave on 01/08/2016 in Issue 108
There are many rankings of brand valuations but how do the numbers actually work?
Google, Apple, Microsoft, US telecoms group AT&T and Facebook are the world's most valuable brands in that order. Or are they? The latest BrandZ global rankings compiled by advertising agency WPP and Millward Brown say so but other brand reputation charts don't agree. Amazon tops the latest RepTrak 100 list of America's most reputable companies from the Reputation Institute, a Boston-based reputation management consultancy.
Apple, meanwhile, tops the latest Global 500 rankings of brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance and also the latest Best 100 Brands survey of consultancy Interbrand, which ranks it ahead of Google, Coca-Cola, Microsoft and IBM.
However, the iPhone-maker has not even made the RepTrak 100 for the past two years, having received poor marks for its workplace culture, governance and corporate citizenship. It's a similar story in the UK, with Vodafone top of BrandZ's British list, yet not deemed worthy of a place in the top 100 of Britain's Most Admired Companies, a reputational value list drawn up by Management Today.
Unilever tops the magazine's latest rankings, while Superbrands has put British Airways top of both the consumer and business versions of its 2016 British list.
The business of rankings and lists is a broad church. It only takes 100 people to mention a company to the Reputation Institute for the organisation to begin to rank it.
The BrandZ database, meanwhile, claims to be the world's largest brand database, for which Millward Brown has interviewed more than three million consumers and business-to-business customers about 100,000 brands in more than 50 markets.
Each list compiler cites robust methodology behind its selection. BrandZ says its consumer-focused look at brand valuation gives it a clear edge.
The compilers meld its vast body of consumer research with publicly-available financial data and projections from analytical sources such as Bloomberg. Its 2016 list credits 'continual innovation' for pushing Google back to the top spot with a brand value up 32 per cent at $229 billion 'We put what consumers think about the brand at the centre of the valuation,' says global strategy director Peter Walshe.
'Our valuation gives a clearer and more accurate view of the trends that drive consumers' preferences. We think their opinion is hugely important in the financial valuation of brand.'
The Millward Brown method is the only one to put the customer at the heart of the valuation. 'We believe that the perception of consumers is the key factor determining the success or failure of a brand.'
The Reputation Institute, meanwhile, assigns each company a score, the RepTrak Pulse, for its annual survey.
It then takes into account how the general public within a country feels about the company in seven categories: products and services, innovation, workplace, governance, citizenship, leadership and performance.
The 2016 UK study collected more than 50,000 ratings from more than 14,000 members of the public and focused on 450 major companies.
Ed Coke, the Institute's director for the UK, says: 'Our model is academically-grounded and has been regularly used by companies, the public sector and the global academic community since its inception in 1997. The longevity of the study, its comprehensive nature and the robustness of the model enable us to measure reputation at a ranking level of 100 respondents per company.'
Interbrand's annual study is calculated via a fivestep economic value-added methodology that assigns a worth to each brand's financial performance, the role that it plays in influencing consumer choice and its strength or ability to command a premium price or secure earnings for its owner.
In order to qualify, brands must be present on at least three continents, with broad coverage in developing markets, and obtain 30 per cent of their revenues from outside their domestic market. No more than half a brand's revenues must come from a single continent.
Brand Finance, meanwhile, has a wordy and complicated model. Defining brand value as 'denoting the value of a transferrable asset but not the total value that a brand brings to the company', it holds that a brand should be viewed in the context of the business in which it operates. Therefore, it says it always conducts a valuation of the branded business, which it defines as 'the value of a single business operating under the subject brand or trademark' – something that's equal to enterprise value in the case of a single branded business.
Brand Finance also factors in calculations of the 'brand contribution' – the value of the wider effect of the brand that cannot be transferred. Finally, the agency comes up with a specific asset valuation which calculates the value of the transferable element of the brand.
Its methodology of conducting its analysis is just as complex, with the firm calculating 'royalty relief', a process that involves expressing the strength of a brand as a score out of 100 (brand strength index).
This is multiplied by a 'sector royalty rate range', applied to forecast revenues to determine brand revenues and then discounted after taxation to provide a net present value that represents a brand's value.
Brand valuation remains a subjective exercise, however, with valuations being taken at different times of the year and each analysing different parts of overall business performance. Brand Finance therefore also surveys customers about their perceptions of brands as part of its research.
'In our view it is essential that consumers are polled,' says marketing and communications officer Robert Haigh. Some firms take a different view, however. 'Any survey, however well constructed, is limited to the number of people surveyed, which is invariably a relatively small number,' says Edwina Dunn, chief executive of social media predictive insight firm Starcount.
'Market research surveys also require people to consciously respond to given questions. Nowadays, people are far too savvy about this process, and are all too inclined to provide answers that construct a certain identity. They want to be seen as more affluent, sophisticated or cultured than they really are.'
Dunn, who is still best-known for the phenomenal success of Tesco's Clubcard at her previous data-crunching company DunnHumby, also feels that consumers are experiencing surveyfatigue and becoming cleverer at foxing pollsters.'Survey respondents are aware of the answers you want to hear,' she says. 'For instance, they come up with obvious brand associations that position your brand unambiguously in a certain consumer group.'But it's only when you see your brand being consumed alongside those that you never would have associated with your audience that you really start to understand your consumers.'
Stephen Cheliotis, chief executive of The Centre for Brand Analysis (TCBA), which compiles the annual Superbrands list, has other concerns.'There are tables that just focus on the financial values of brands by doing discounted cashflow analysis to determine net present value,' he says. 'They are quite interesting for chief executives and finance directors but I'm not sure how useful they are from a marketing perspective. They don't tell you how brand value develops or how you can accelerate it.'
Cheliotis says Superbrands combines the use of consumer panels with research among independent experts and online panels. 'Superbrands is about showing existing perceptions across different audiences,' he adds. Others have their doubts, however. 'Informed individuals are important and their views are more significant than the average consumer,' says Haigh.
'However, they are nonetheless subject to individual biases and those used by some firms arguably have insufficient credentials to be described as 'informed' or 'expert'.' If consumers and experts cannot be trusted to accurately rank the reputations of the companies they buy products and services from, are business rivals likely to come up with more reliable rankings?
Management Today thinks so, working with Leeds Business School to ask Britain's largest public companies in 25 sectors to evaluate their peers.
Each sector comprises a maximum of ten companies, with participants rating their sector rivals using nine criteria on a scale of zero to ten. Analysts at leading City investment firms are also polled. On the basis of these scores, ratings are issued, with companies ranked in total order of those measured, by each criterion and by sector.
In sectors where there are insufficient qualifying listed UK companies, selected privately owned firms, international businesses with significant presence in the UK, and publicly or employee-owned organisations are included. Respondents are also asked to name their most admired leader.
Dunn, however, says Starcount prefers a consumer data-driven approach, similar to that behind the Tesco Clubcard.
'The greater advantage is that you can measure millions of people across the globe instantaneously,' she says.
'Though market research is supposedly representational, nothing can compete with a data-set that extensive, which at once supplies far more granular, robust and revealing insight. The sheer accuracy from the numbers outweighs any sophisticated modelling that exists.
'Being able to monitor brand consumption without conspicuous questioning, as Starcount does with social media data, we're able to see through the eyes of the consumer. 'It's only when you're able to see from the consumer's point of view in this way that you can develop a realistic understanding of brand reputation and audience base.'
Does any of this really matter? It's tempting to think that reputational league tables and rankings are consumed most readily and enthusiastically by the companies themselves, with few other outputs.
The surveyors, of course, disagree, arguing that consumers are much more likely to buy from companies with good reputational rankings.
The Reputation Institute goes as far as to claim that a five percentage points gain in its RepTrak Pulse score in the US leads to a six per cent increase in the probability that a consumer will recommend a company. Firms with a score of 80 or above found respondents to the institute's latest survey saying they were 84 per cent more likely to recommend their wares, with this figure dropping to 49 per cent for companies scoring between 70 and 79 per cent.
Dunn also concedes that market research is still better than raw sales data when it comes to understanding why consumers behave as they do.
There's another reason too, with Walshe at BrandZ arguing that brand reputation surveys can also be useful in convincing companies themselves of the value that their brands hold, influencing investment decisions about the allocation of capital.
'Brand valuations play a very important role in demonstrating both the value of that brand to the parent business but also their potential for growth,' he says. It's a lot of effort to go to if one of the main audiences is going to be internal. Yet, in a world where the obsession with measurement is likely to grow more than less intense, the ranks of the current confusing array of reputational rankings looks set to be swelled further.
With the globalisation of brands still having further to run, the most enthusiastic of reputational rankers may even espouse a kind of marketing existentialism.
Maybe one day the unranked or lowly ranked, without remedial action, will diminish to the point where they are irrelevant and unnoticed. That day seems some way off, though. Try telling the hordes in your local Apple store that the company is not in the RepTrak 100. This debate has a lot further to run.
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Marcus Spiller awarded Planning Institute of Australia Life Fellowship
Between being inspired by a planning handbook in high school and being awarded Life Fellowship of the Planning Institute of Australia, Marcus Spiller has had a very full and impactful career.
Marcus is a true humanist who always has the best interests of the community at heart. He values liveable spaces and is passionate about social housing, funding infrastructure, parks for people, fairer cities and governance and democracy.
Marcus is a recognised leader in the urban policy community. While he has been at the heart of the SGS for almost 30 years, he also a respected author and lecturer, a former national president of the Planning Institute of Australia and former board member of Places Victoria (then VicUrban).
During the award ceremony, Marcus' industry peers and colleagues said: "Marcus Spiller is one of the most outstanding thinkers and leaders in urban planning in Australia" and "Marcus is a recognised leader in the urban planning community - his writing, commentary and expansive thinking continues to inspire people to achieve more in the public interest" and "Marcus' influence on urban policy across Australia, and internationally, has been profound".
Marcus first decided on a career in planning during his final year in high school when stumbling across the Melbourne University Town and Regional Planning handbook. He found that the book seemed to cover all his interests of politics, design and economics – and he hasn't looked back!
Recognition from highly motivated and like-minded peers is very humbling. It's a spur to move on to the next big challenge.
— Marcus Spiller
Employment, Housing, Open Space, Retail
New planning policy amendment a big win for the West Melbourne community
Stroll through West Melbourne and you'll see a lot of new development: mostly residential high rise. But as the area continues to transition, its uniquely diverse character will now be retained with a...
City of Ballarat Creative City Strategy and Master Plan wins prestigious Planning Institute of Australia award
City of Ballarat Creative City Strategy and Master Plan project team received another prestigious award on Friday: the Planning Insititute of Australia Victoria 2019 Best Planning Ideas – Large Projec...


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Art & Performing Arts
Customs & Remedies
Handicrafts & Artifacts
Land & Nature
Songs & Poems
Stories & Sayings
Fatenah, an animation from Gaza
Contributed by This Week In Palestine on 07.01.2010:
Fatenah is a 27-year-old young woman who lives in the Gaza Strip. Her life was like that of many other women in Gaza, until she became ill.
This short, 27-minute animation - the first Palestinian-produced animation - reproduces with incredible accuracy the scenarios of Gaza City. The story, untold till now, is a breathtaking adventure that takes the viewer on a journey that accompanies(...)
View Contribution
Ramallah: A Portrait of Works and Days
By Dr. Robert Weston
Is there a Man whom incorrupt we call,
Who fits alike unprejudic'd to all,
By him the City flourishes in Peace,
Her Borders lengthen, and her Sons increase; From him far-seeing Jove will drive afar All civil Discord, and the Rage of War.
No Days of Famine to the Righteous fall, But all is Plenty, and delightful all.
Hesiod, Works (...)
A Multi-Coloured Dress for Jerusalem A Fashion Show of Sorts
By Amal Nashashibi, Maro Sandrouni and Hamada Atallah
The Arab League decided that in 2009, Jerusalem would be "the Capital of Arab Culture." The announcement took the Jerusalem community by surprise. Poets and writers quivered, as the task to reinstate the city as a centre of Palestinian Arab culture would be a daunting affair, especially as the necessary infrastructure is not in plac(...)
Palestinian Video Art
By Samar Martha
There are many topics that come to mind when writing about Palestinian video art, such as the emergence of the medium and its relation to the international video art movement; the political, social, and economic factors that influenced its development and content; the art movements that have influenced Palestinian video art production, such as pop art, body art, Arte Po(...)
http://www.shahiya.com/english/default.aspx
Contributed by Carole Makhoul Hani on 30.12.2009:
Shahiya.com: interactive Arabic and English food site with recipes from the Arab world, restaurants in Arab cities, and nutritional advice from Carole Hani (Registered Dietitian). Find and share what you are looking for on Shahiya.com!
Beatification of Palestinian nun
On November 22, 2009, Mother Marie Alphonsine Danil Ghattas was beatified at the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth. Born to a Palestinian family in Jerusalem in 1843, she spent her whole life working among the poor of Palestine.
The beatification ceremony was presided over by Archbishop Angelo Amato, special envoy of Pope Benedict XVI. In marking this special day the Holy Fathe(...)
Gypsies in Jerusalem: language
Contributed by Toine Van Teeffelen on 01.12.2009:
From the new Domari website
http://www.wix.com/domarisociety/domari-society-website
While related to both Punjabi of India and Romany of the Easter European Gypsies, Domari is the language unique to Middle Eastern Gypsies. It is highly influenced by Arabic, and exists in many different dialects throughout the Middle East. In Jerusalem only a few hundred speakers remain, mostly o(...)
Gypsies in Jerusalem: food
The food native to the Dom of Jerusalem is a combination of the foods their ancestors ate, and the food of their Arabic hostland.
Food takes the lead in community celebrations, such as weddings and circumcisions and life cycle events, such as funerals. Main dishes usually consist of chicke(...)
Palestina soy.
Contributed by Ana Calderon on 12.10.2009:
Bethlehem Folklore and the Virgin Mary
The following is mainly collected by dr Issa Massou, and available on the website of Dr Adnan Musallem of Bethlehem University, at
www.bethlehem.edu
Basins of Peas
To the north of Bethlehem, on the way from Jerusalem to Bethlehem at a distance of one kilometre from the town, there are some fields known as the "Basins of Peas." The tale attached to this site is very famous(...)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ... 53 54


text:
Home Entertainment News 7 things Nigerian rappers should do to compete with South African rappers...
7 things Nigerian rappers should do to compete with South African rappers – Olamond Naija Writes
Hip-hop has never been the preeminent musical form in Nigeria, but admittedly, it has fallen more in popularity over the years compared to the South African scene.
Rap is a competitive sport as they say, so everytime there is a discussion around the art globally, it usually evokes emotions, ego and a truckload of stock opinions.
The debate over the state of rap in Nigeria resurfaced yet again on social media during the week following the appearance of South African hip-hop veteran, Stoogie T on Sway in the morning.
As usual, Nigerian rappers were on the receiving end of the stick, on a day when they had nothing to do with what was actually happening on the screens.
The debate is one that will not end anytime soon. We have been here before and we will be here again, it is only a matter of time.
playSway and Stogie T on "Sway In The Morning" where the SA rapper delivered a freestyle that went viral. (SwayInTheMorning)
First, South African rap has been killing Nigerian rap for long, we just refused to admit it and it didn't happen overnight.
What they have is a thriving Hip-hop scene added to a strong culture of Hip-hop in every one of its elements and not just rap coupled with a long list of very talented rappers. What the Nigerian hip-hop scene has is a bunch of highly hypocritical and unsupportive audience with a long list of very talented rappers. It is easy to know which one will always perform better.
But amidst the largely ignorant and distorted takes expressed on all sides of the divide, let's focus on proferring solutions.
playMI Abaga released the controversial record "Your Rappers Should Fix Up Your Lives" in 2017 pointing to the SA rap killing Nigerian rap (tvcontinental)
Here are 7 ways the Nigerian hip-hop scene can get to successfully compete again
1. Investment and belief from label executives and radio stations
The impact of investment cannot be understated and in this age, where the cost of effectively creating the next music star is quite expensive, it is more difficult for rappers in Nigeria to compete.
A quick throwback to rappers who have thrived in Nigeria will point at something major, which even trumps their obvious skill and that is investment and support from label executives.
Eedris became the biggest name in Nigerian rap off the well-oiled marketing vehicle deployed by Kennis Music. Eldee with support from his mum invested heavily into Trybesmen, Ruggedmanarrived at a time when the radio needed an alternative and practically helped his career grow before he then got signed by Little Fish Records.
playRuggedman changed the Hip-hop scene when he released the hit single, 'Ehen' (Instagram/Ruggedman)
M.I Abaga had Chocolate City, Storm was supporting Naeto, Modenine's biggest mainstream moment came with QuestionMark Records, Olamide gained prominence with help from the likes of ID Cabasa and 9ice and the list goes on.
At each of this period, these rappers were the major artists on their respective labels, not anymore. It is no coincidence that the downslide tallies with the demise of labels and the few labels bold enough to sign rappers are having to make them 'dumb down' just to appeal.
For Nigerian rappers to excel again, major investments must be made in terms of structure and promotion while record labels must show faith in rappers and be willing to take more chances with them.
2. They need the help of Radio and TV stations
playRadio stations remains a major form of airplay and mass audience (Nairametrics)
While the internet currently occupies the biggest space in spreading your music, the traditional houses are still very important in making the musician a household name.
The reach of radio stations in Nigeria cannot be downplayed. Radio listenership is nowhere near it used to be, but there is a reason why record labels continue to work hand in hand with stations to deliver the music from their artists.
There is a reason why artists line up at every radio station just to see that DJ or OAP and why Payola remains a problem today. Despite this internet age, the radio and TV stations contribute majorly in the mass exposure of songs and where Hip-hop does not have a space on major belts, it is inevitable that at primetime, it always get to miss out in the pool of reachable audience.
3. A good gratification system; structure, an effective way to make money off their music, great laws on royalties
playOlamide is one of the biggest Nigerian rappers on the scene (Instagram/Olamide)
Even though this is a long shot because it includes stringent laws and enforcement, the fact that Hip-hop has never been the main genre in the country points to the reality that they cater largely to a niche audience and as such there should be an effective way where they can make returns from their tiny pool of 'loyal' fans.
From constantly paid Hip-hop shows, a sponsored and identifiable battle rap culture totally separate from the mainstream seeking rappers but contributing in terms of buzz and conveyor belt for new talents, streamlined endorsement deals, streaming and royalties, the Hip-hop scene needs to devise a way to make this work if we seriously want to see better rappers emerge.
4. It should not just be about Lagos
playErigga has been one of the most consistent names to emerge from the South South (Erigga)
Erigga has been doing his thing consistently in the South, delivering his rap in the indigenous language familiar with his people and widely spoken in Nigeria, yet when a supposed 'Hip-hop head' is discussing Nigerian rap, his name rarely gets mentioned, maybe because he is not based in Lagos, where the 'action' is.
While across every country where Hip-hop is a force, there are major cities where it is usually more vibrant like New York in the US, but there is also New Orleans and Detroit who have solid underground cultures and have birthed some of the biggest names ever.
At the point when Hip-hop thrived the most in Nigeria, Lagos was alive, Abuja and Jos brought flames, while Port Harcourt showed flashes, but today it is almost only about Lagos and as soon as these rappers hit the state, all they see are the successful pop artists and the plot is lost as they seek to compete rather than standout.
Just like we need major deepwater ports to lessen the Apapa gridlock, we also need other hot spots for Hip-hop rappers to not just come up but actually, thrive outside Lagos.
5. Good A&R, admitting that we can both have English speaking rappers and 'Local' rappers in the same scene catering to their unique audience and not necessarily turning it into a competition while encouraging the rappers to infuse more African stories into their verses.
A&R is one area where the Hip-hop community has also suffered of late, yes rappers can rap, have good songs and are convinced they are the best at what they do, but how many have a good team, that person who helps direct their collaborations, tracklisting, album themes, song selections and ways to promote their works?
6. Collaborations
playLoose Kaynon and AQ joined forces to set up 100 Crowns and released a joint album "Crowns" (Pulse)
Globally, rap is viewed as the genre that collaborates the most despite how competitive it can be. You find rappers featuring rappers to up their skill level, or rappers featuring singers to help their areas of deficiencies which is usually in delivering hooks and these collaborations are mostly done from a win-win point of view, but the case is not the same for Nigerian rappers.
Big names are afraid to cosign younger talents and when they are forced to do, they particularly refuse to shoot videos or promote those records for reasons best known to them.
Some of our most memorable rap records in history have come from collaborations, from DJ Jimmy Jatt's Stylee, to 'Spazmodic' with Modenine and Terry Tha Rapman or Terry on 'Ekwe', it is not always a path to certified success but you can be sure of a wider audience from both fanbase.
Admittedly, 2018 has witnessed more collaborative efforts with the likes of Loose Kaynon and A-Q who came together to set up the "100 Crowns" label, started the 'Coronation' event and released their joint album "Crown" as a successful template, we need more. It is good for the culture.
7. Kill the Ego, stakeholders selecting the best and not the biggest
playNigerian rappers: MI, Ice Prince, Modenine, Naeto, Sinzu at the 2011 BET Cypher (BET)
Now this is the hardest part, as rappers globally have more of this than they actually have talents, but it is essential, Rappers NEED to tuck in their ego, listen to the fans [even though I admit a number of them are clowns], stay away from silly 'beefs', except when it is brought to your doorsteps, tell better stories and continue to put in the work.
There are rappers abroad with over 20 projects who are still underground but they have developed a cult following and are making an impact through their music. Commercial success may not come immediately but rap is meaningless if it is not inspiring the community.
There was a time 'Rock' was the biggest genre in the world, not anymore. Nigerian rap once had its time in the spotlight, but despite loosing its grip, there remains a strong presence of really talented rappers who hold the proverbial 'light at the end of the tunnel.' They need to be appreciated, constructively criticized and supported.
And when next there is a rap moment on the global stage, it is on us to select the very best talents and not just the ones making the most noise, as some of their failings many years ago continue to serve as a dampener today.
VIAOlamond Naija
SOURCEOlamond Naija
Eedris
Kennis Music
Little Fish Records.
Naeto
Sinzu
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Fred Kanter's love affair with the Dual Ghia 400 Concept Car has spanned nearly 5 ½ decades. Starting in 1958 as young boy of 13, Fred and his friend hopped a train in Morris Plains eager to make it to New York City to see what the 1958 model year would bring. The space race was coming to a head and these cars with their innovative styling, reflected that notion with their wild fins and rocket booster like taillights.
The Chrysler Dual Ghia 400! At the time, and today, this car catches your attention with its soft, yet eye catching yellow and black two tone paint job. And unique body lines that start from the front smoothly and progress into sharp, tall tail fins at the rear. The 400 sported a 392 hemi with two 4 barrel carbs to satisfy the need for speed that any man would want, but has the comfort, ride and styling the Misses would expect. The Ghia was hand built on a Chrysler chassis and had every creature comfort inside, from power steering and brakes to air conditioning and even a Highway Hi-Fi in-dash record player.
That day in 1958, a man by the name of Alex Freeman purchased this unique car while at the show in search of a new family car. Mr. Freeman convinced Gene Casaroll (President of Dual Motors) to the sell the 400 for $15,000. At the time twice the asking price of a brand new Cadillac. A deal was stuck, but a contingency was made that the 400 would finish its tour of the auto shows for the '58 model year.
During this time the Dual Ghia 400 was out of Fred Kanter's sight but never out of his mind. For the next two decades Fred kept an insightful eye on the 400 and its whereabouts. In 1970 he had the chance to purchase this unique car for the sum of $10,000. He fell short of funds to attain the car due to the price tag and the fact that he and his brother were building their business Kanter Auto Products. At this point you would think a person would only get so many chances to buy a car of this caliber?
Soon enough, 1977 came along and Fred was visiting a friend's gas station, and in casual conversation it came up that a yellow and black Dual Ghia was in for service. Right then he knew it was the elusive car that had evaded him for so many years. A deal was struck that day on the car and before the day was over the 400 was sitting proudly in Fred Kanter's garage.
In the 37 years that Fred and Dan have been the caretakers of this unique automobile, not much has changed beside the mileage on the odometer. The car still sports it original paint, unique two tone interior and even its still functioning record player. The one thing that is different about this car is that it's not a trailer queen like most would expect. Fred can be seen at any given time tooling around the streets of Boonton behind the wheel of the 400. The car still makes its rounds each year to many auto shows and concourse events in the U.S. Looking great for a 56 year old car!


Lhasa Apso, Shih Tzu, Maltese and small breed rescue in greater Los Angeles area.
Provide first-rate medical care and HIV/AIDS awareness training and testing.
Charitable Arm of Ulusaba, committed to helping the disadvantaged communities living adjacent to the reserve.
Since leaving my most recent full-time position at Lotus Interworks, I have had the luxury of being able to spend some of my time using my skills to benefit causes and organizations that need my help.


Paradise Point is your destination for all things "I do." Say your vows in an unforgettable wedding location that embodies the quintessential San Diego wedding experience, like a beach wedding venue, picturesque waterfront terrace or emerald garden dotted with palm trees. Paradise Point's array of San Diego wedding ceremony and reception venues can accommodate everything from intimate vow renewals and elopements to grand ceremonies for up to 400 guests.
For the festivities that follow tying the knot, choose from a collection of San Diego wedding reception settings for a truly memorable affair. Available in a variety of sizes, Paradise Point ballrooms showcase Southern California's stunning natural beauty with expansive windows and terraces that open to bay or garden views. No matter which inspiring San Diego setting you choose, you can count on an award-winning event team that has a 95% satisfaction rating and was selected as a "Best of Weddings" pick by The Knot.
Palms tower overhead and sandy beaches encircle this intimate grassy peninsula reaching out into Mission Bay.
A lush, private setting nestled in the heart of the island amidst serene lagoons, tropical gardens and floating pagodas.
Breathtaking Mission Bay vistas are the backdrop for this secluded location perched above the shore.
A majestic venue featuring spectacular 180° bay views, a soft flowing waterfall and an entrance marked by regal palms.
An elegant space with floor to ceiling windows showcasing stunning Mission Bay. The adjacent deck is perfect for an airy cocktail hour.
Vaulted wooden ceilings, rustic pillars and subtle tropical colors give this space old world allure. A neighboring garden patio offers views of a firelit lagoon.


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APAC Realty 4Q earnings up 60% to $7.9 mil on higher revenue
By Michelle Zhu / The Edge SIngapore | February 23, 2018 5:40 PM SGT
APAC Realty
SINGAPORE (Feb 23): Real estate services provider APAC Realty announced earnings of $7.9 million for the 4Q ended Dec 2017, up 59.7% from $4.9 million on higher revenue driven by increased real estate brokerage fees and related services.
The latest quarter's result brings APAC Realty's earnings for FY17 to $25.9 million, which is 63.1% higher than the $15.9 million posted a year ago.
Group revenue for the quarter grew 62.5% to $129.7 million from $79.8 million in 4Q16.
This was mainly due to an increase in brokerage income from resale and rental of properties due to higher resale and rental market transactions as well as higher brokerage income from new home sales of private and executive condominiums (ECs).
Other revenue fell 7.9% in 4Q to $1 million from $1.1 million in 4Q16.
In line with the increase in total revenue, cost of services grew 66.1% to $16 million from $11.4 million a year ago.
Personnel cost came in at $4.6 million, up 42.8% from $3.2 million in 4Q16 as the group registered an increase in payroll and staff-related expenses on the back of increased headcount, which grew to 143 in 4Q17 from 133 in 4Q16.
In all, APAC Realty is proposing a final dividend for 2 cents for FY17, which translates to an annualised dividend yield of 12% on the IPO price of 66 cents.
The group says it has secured 20 projects to be launched in 2018 with close to 11,000 residential units available for sale, which represents double the 4,800 units from the eight projects launched under its ERA brand in 2017.
This in turn signifies greater growth opportunities for its real estate brokerage ERA, and more sales opportunities for ERA salespersons in 2018, adds the group.
"Going forward, we intend to strengthen and grow our presence in Singapore and the Asia-Pacific region, expand our range of services, and enhance our technological capabilities to remain a leader in our industry and a stalwart of the ERA brand here in Singapore and across the region," states Jack Chua, executive director and CEO of APAC Realty.
Shares in APAC Realty closed 2 cents higher at $1.10 on Friday.
This story, written by Michelle Zhu for The Edge Singapore, first appeared on Feb 23.
https://www.edgeprop.sg/property-news/apac-realty-4q-earnings-60-79-mil-higher-revenue


-A palindrome is a word or a phrase, spelt in one and the same way backwards and forwards, even if the spaces get shuffled.
-In this game, each person to take part should think of one palindrome, longer than 1 word, and shorter than 15 words.
-Underlining the letter(s) at the middle of the palindrome is a good idea; so is the idea of creating palindromes on one`s own.
-The names of people in one and the same palindrome should never be more than one; there is no limit of the number of names of geographical objects per palindrome.
-Multiple palindromes in one and the same post are allowed, if no one has posted in this thread for at least 1 day.
-Last week, I was thinking of initiating a game, completely different from this one, but I gave up initiating that game, because I realized that it would be similar to other games.
-I have seen few ASDF games, where the next post does not have to be related to the previous post`s contents in any way, and this game is one of them.
Tide tats say: "Aw, a raft far away", as stated it.
He wondered now: "Eh..." .
you can, but i wont be able to.


JaimeAstonn . JesseAndJane. R3beka. SexyDollBitchx.
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xLindaMILFxromeoxjulietaxTITTYTWISTEDtsINTIMATEcock .TessaGreenTonySpikesThiagoxsChrissJollie .milboy96xromeoxjulietaxMAKEitHOTPavlinaF .tabulosNereidaAlesanaDomEveMelanyCute .AlyssahXXXtraPornoSlimCandy19HoneyRyderxxx .SimplePerfectionxSWEETmaeAlessandro20CMSlimCandy19 .NereidaAlesanaThiagoxsJackej327MAKEitHOT .YrSweetKittyMelanyCuteRoxeneSkybaby85 .a00PetiteFairyBeautyyBlondeDovChloeTeenEvelin .DjoliMikeQTDerilYoungtsINTIMATEcock .CuteJokerantuanhotflirtantuanhotflirtsusibaez .


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Sacramento in the Movies: New Opening, Oscar Nominations
By Brandon Darnell on Feb. 08, 2018
Sacramento features prominently in two movies currently getting national attention. The first is Sacramento native Greta Gerwig's "Lady Bird," a coming-of-age story about a young woman in Sacramento that showcases a host of popular locations in the city and is nominated for five Oscars after taking the Golden Globe for Best Picture, among others. Second, opening this week, is Clint Eastwood's "The 15:17 to Paris," about the three Sacramentans who thwarted a terrorist attack on a European train.
Eastwood cast the three Sacramentans to play themselves in the telling of a story that began as a European vacation and ended in a violent confrontation that thrust them into the international spotlight.
For those looking for scenes of Sacramento in the film itself, "Lady Bird" is the go-to movie, with Gerwig seamlessly weaving in scenes that not only show great views of the city that will appeal to visitors, but bring a sense of nostalgia to those who grew up here and will smile at the nods to various landmarks, businesses and artworks.
Planning your visit to Sacramento and want to see the locations? Click here to view the location guide.
Brandon Darnell


This past weekend while the weather was looking pretty close to awesome we re-made the roof window on my greenhouse shed. The first attempt was leaking in a couple small spots which prompted me to re-think the whole design before the project was too far along. I found out while I was removing the first attempt that if I had just caulked underneath two of the clamps I used to hold the windows in place everything would have been fine! Two small spots created a drip which seeped along the window and made contact with the plywood roofing underneath. It wasn't a good situation for the plywood but a little extra silicone in two spots would have done the trick.
Still, I think I came up with a better solution in the end.
2 -12 foot long pieces of composite decking. 5 1/4" width.
6" wide pieces of pond liner.
Using the composite decking we created a frame and screwed it through the roofing into the rafters below. We cut the top piece of decking and placed it at the top. Before we screwed it in we put the pond liner underneath the top layer of shingles and the decking. Along the pond liner I crimped it to the height of the decking to create ridge for water to run along and away from the window.
Then we fit the side pieces and the bottom piece of decking. Each piece had enough overhang to support the windows around the edges. To brace the bottom window while we were getting everything attached we placed two 1/2" wide slivers of composite decking. The slivers created a brace for the lower edge of the window that wouldn't be effected by water.
In the center of the opening we put the 2"x2" flush with the side edges of the frame so that it could support the area where the two windows met. These need shimmed up slightly and again we used some small slivers of composite decking - I really like that stuff but it does cost a pretty penny! Fortunately with 2 twelve foot long pieces we had plenty for this part of the project. I can't imagine the cost that would go into building a whole deck from it - but it would last!
In the previous installation we used makeshift clamps from some hard plastic molding that we reclaimed from an old door. We used a hacksaw and cut 3 inch pieces from the plastic piece, drilled screw holes in it, then clamped eight of them around the roof window. The last task was to caulk which I used some silicon caulking that was said to work well under the weather.
It was a good days work but well worth it to ensure a leak free roof. Now it seems this week will provide a good test - rain's a' coming!
Clever design, my friend -- I do believe you've got one of the nicest greenhouses I've ever seen. It must be a pleasure to spend time in there. Kudos! Love all those small panes.
Great idea to use sliding glass windows for your greenhouse. My hubby is a contractor and gets these on sale or sometimes for free when doing a renovation. I showed him the pics of your greenhouse shed and hopefully it will get his creative juices flowing.... I've been wanting to put in a greenhouse for a long time.
Glad you solved your leaky issue! I have heard that rainwater is good for plants though, hee hee, sorry could not resist that one. We are toying with a deck idea and we priced composite material. Ouch, that would hurt the wallet. Needless to say, we will be using wood for our project.
Looks & sounds great to me Dave. It sure is a good looking shed. Be watchful, it will fill up quickly.
I think that kind of window is important in a green house. It helps absorb light from the sun that the plants need.


Make each day a work of art; make a work of art of time." McCrea Imbrie spoke those words to me quite casually one day, as we wrestled together, collaborating word by word, phrase by phrase, thought by thought, on our first play together, SOMEONE'S COMIN' HUNGRY, which was produced a year later Off-Broadway.
To discover works of art within ourselves, in words or any medium, and in the reconstruction of my own is-ness, often requires opening myself up to long-buried desires.
Many of us were taught as kids, subtly or violently, to grab desire by the throat and choke it to death, whether it was a playful desire to make a design in a plate of mashed potatoes, or a serious desire to play soldier with a dead branch as a machine-gun, killing the enemy by the dozens, or maybe just a universal primate desire to cling to daddy long after Daddy thinks clinging is appropriate.
I have been learning again and again, for decades, to throw my arms around my desires like grabbing a life-raft in the middle of a raging sea, and when the storm subsides to study how desires may lead me to new sources of fulfillment, so long as I am certain they won't lead me to hurting myself and others.
Experimenting with Doing–especially when it might be of benefit to others and myself– is never wasted, because it generates electricity that can light up my life and the lives of those I love.
The English poet William Blake once wrote, "Gratitude is heaven." That has to be the definition of heaven that delights me more than any other, because the gratitude that sometimes surges through my body in meditation, or at a moment of wordsmithing a movie script or play or poem, is so overwhelmingly and tearfully joyful.
Is there any gratitude greater than a new way to move the human body, discovered by a choreographer—or a line of dialogue that leaps with excitement—or a violently new and thrilling concatenation of musical notes, or a moment of deep, genuine caring that helps another being heal herself.
Teachers, friends and relatives have often, without meanness, but ignorantly, led us to curb our imaginations and our ability to take the artistic and relational detours that grow beauty from our deepest desire. So often it seems that the things that call to our universal human creativity lie beyond our grasp. How can we safely coordinate the wildness of creativity with a practical attitude with practical benefits, and thereby achieve a depth of heavenly gratitude beyond what we thought possible?
You might be 14 or 40 or 80 and have given up your dreams of making movies or dancing or guiding people on horseback up into the Sierra Mountains. Impractical? Impossible? Make the impossible possible! Make the impassible passible!
I recently began a fourth new film script, and the title alone gave me a rich burst of enthusiasm: DREAM A NEW YESTERDAY. Writing four new movie scripts at the same time? Will I live to write them? Does it matter? Many people diagnostically inclined might think I am acting out a longstanding A.D.H.D mental illness, working on four new film scripts, plus two new musical dramas, and occasional poems. Perhaps I am, but I have managed to complete many plays, movie scripts, and poems, and I have managed, with the scrumptious support of my Willowbird Happycake Kissdish wife, to reach our fiftieth year of passionate, joyful wildness together, projects which have given me and us the crazy wisdom of creating that contributes boons of love energy in all our relationships.
Your inner voice can override your inner censor, unearth hidden dreams. Expressing a want actually releases it, and hidden yearnings often give voice to long-lost enthusiasms. Sometimes what releases the joy of art might be. like Matisse, working on 17 paintings in various stages; hopefully he found joy in bringing each of them to completion.
Meditate on your memories, cultivating loveliness, rejoice in existence, invite nature and all your loved ones alive or dead into a pocketful of gratitude in the backyard of your mind, a refuge in the precincts of your consciousness.
Let yourself feel the presence of every flower, every creature you ever loved, every rainbow that ever jumped your soul, the delicious whiteness of ice cream sundae clouds creeping over a hill, the stillness of green leaves growing upon a lakeside sweetgum tree and shimmering mirrored in the water, the world, your body, your mind, totally choiceless, panoramic awareness, including every kiss, every hug, every pair of eyes you have looked into with a smile, no constraints of time and space, with countless chances to celebrate yourself as one in the Oneness of the All Without End.


There's a common misconception among writers that the best way to create suspense in fiction is to keep the reader guessing, to dangle the carrot of "what's going to happen next" perpetually in front of readers to propel forward motion in the narrative. I read a lot of story submissions that begin by attempting to establish vague, mysterious circumstances or a creepy atmosphere in the hopes that readers will be drawn in, but it almost always fails. That's because suspense is more effectively created by the reader having more information than the characters in a scene, not less. It's that disconnect, that unequal distribution of knowledge, that drives readers to turn the page.
Often in stories that are overtly aiming at suspense, there's a lot of description, perhaps some ambiguous dialogue, or even sometimes action, but by the end of the third page, I still can't answer the questions of who do I care about? (or even who are these characters?) and why now? If I can't answer those questions very early on in a story (preferably by the end of the first page in a short story), I don't care how interesting the situation may seem, I'm probably not going to want to read on. As a reader, I often wonder in those instances, why is the writer being so coy? It's frustrating and alienating for readers to feel like they should know what's going on but don't. Readers want to be grounded in a character, in a place, in a context. Creepy descriptions come across as campy and dull without context, so let's examine a few ways to approach suspense differently.
Consider your story to be like your house and you as the writer are the host; the readers are your guests. Do you want them to walk into an empty, dark room with hidden voices piped into the room via speakers, or do you greet them in person, take their coats, and show them where the drinks and bathrooms are for when they get around to needing those things later on? Readers want information when they enter a story. They want to know right away the who? and where? and most especially, why?
Alfred Hitchcock, master of suspense, famously illustrated the difference between suspense and surprise by suggesting that you could give movie viewers fifteen seconds of surprise by having a bomb go off (apropos of nothing) in a film or you could show the bomb being planted with a timer and then have characters sit on top of it and have a pleasant conversation — then you've created fifteen minutes of suspense. The latter is far more powerful at creating and maintaining interest in the story. Writers tend to want to work up to a big reveal, which is fine for a first draft but often comes across as disingenuous to the reader and the text in a finished story. On the other hand, being forthcoming with information — that is, manufacturing suspense — is really ultimately more effective and satisfying.
I'm thinking of two of my favorite stories right now that frontload the beginning with information and wildly succeed at manufacturing suspense. The first is the famous story "Car Crash While Hitchhiking" from Denis Johnson's collection Jesus' Son. Even in just the title alone, the reader receives tremendous amounts of information. Then there's the first lines: "A salesman who shared his liquor and steered while sleeping… A Cherokee filled with bourbon… A VW no more than a bubble of hashish fumes, captained by a college student… And a family from Marshalltown who head-onned and killed forever a man driving west out of Bethany, Missouri…" That's it! A list of facts about the situation — not the weather (though that comes later), not some description of a foreboding road ahead, just exactly, plainly what happens at the end of the story. And as readers, we're so ready to keep reading; we want to find out who these people are whose lives are about to be so thoroughly upended or destroyed and how it all transpires.
Another story that gives the ending away at the beginning but always manages to be a great read is There's a Monster at the End of This Book. It's a children's book by Jon Stone with Sesame Street's Grover as the protagonist. Bear with me. My kids have been requesting this book from me continuously at bedtime, and it never fails to leave them in stitches. That's because the child — the reader — knows what Grover does not know: that the monster at the end of the book is Grover himself. The reader is in a position of power over Grover because he reads the title and fears some terrible, actual monster, but the reader knows it's just going to be a benign Sesame Street "monster" (or if they've read it before, they know it's just Grover). In this case, it's a kind of suspenseful humor created by that uneven distribution of knowledge. The reader enjoys watching Grover become increasingly alarmed over something that the children know is going to be no big deal.
So when you're trying to make something riveting happen on the page, perhaps hold off on some of that atmosphere initially (and certainly avoid actual suspense words like "foreboding," "creepy," or "unsettling," which tend to have the opposite effect). Instead, try just telling it like it is. Some variation of This happened, and it was pretty bad, and here's how it all went down. More likely than not, you'll be creating way more tension than if you were actively trying to be mysterious. You'll be indicating to the reader that you know they're looking for a good ride and you're sure as hell going to give it to them.