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Chinese whispers: the Dalai Lama and Sydney University
"Education Matters" was the proposed name of a speech to be given by the Dalai Lama on the importance of learning to Sydney University students on campus this June. The irony is that in light of recent events, critics are now saying the University administration is more interested in business matters than education matters. A…
by Avani Dias
"Education Matters" was the proposed name of a speech to be given by the Dalai Lama on the importance of learning to Sydney University students on campus this June. The irony is that in light of recent events, critics are now saying the University administration is more interested in business matters than education matters.
A number of academics from the Institute for Democracy and Human Rights (IDHR) have been in the process of organising such an event since last November. They claim to have received the go-ahead from University authorities that had confirmed the logistics of the event. According to a report on the ABC's 7:30 program last Tuesday, the University pulled out of the event, wanting to "wash its hands of the Dalai Lama's visit." The University is now encouraging a new event off campus, suggesting the hotel where the spiritual leader will be staying, which will open the event to a "wider group of students from across a number of universities in the city."
Information obtained by Honi indicates that planning for the event began as early as last November when the Vice-Chancellor's approval was sought. Anonymity in these emails is necessary as adverse repercussions for those involved are a very real possibility.
In an email correspondence from this January, organisers say "the good news is that the Vice Chancellor has given the nod of approval for us to host His Holiness. The VC is also quite happy for us, being the Human Rights Team and the Institute for Democracy and Human Rights, to handle the event with the support of Sydney Ideas in terms of logistics, venue, security etc. …"
Sources familiar with the event have stated there was pressure leveraged on the University from the Chinese government or business interests. Information continues to emerge on ties between China and the University, including the recent Bo'ao forum in April in Hainan, China. The Vice-Chancellor Dr Michael Spence was the only Australian representative to sit on a panel discussing education and employment and the symposium was described in a media release by the University as a "high-level conference for leaders from government, business and academia in Asia" which Julia Gillard and Chinese President Xi Jinping also attended.
On top of this, 20 million dollars was funneled into the Centre of Carbon, Water and Food in March. In a statement by the University about this funding boost, it stated that "two memoranda of understanding were signed by representatives from the Chinese Academy of Agriculture Science and Nanjing Agricultural University" to allow joint laboratories and mirror facilities in Nanjing, China. This bilateral agreement was portrayed as beneficial to both countries and was a "culmination of several decades of collaboration already undertaken between the University of Sydney researches and Chinese colleagues from a multitude of institutions."
From the University of Sydney media release: (L-R) University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor Dr Michael Spence and Nanjing Agricultural University's Professor Ding Yanfeng signing the memorandum of understanding.
This is not to mention the intentions of the China Studies Centre — which allegedly engaged in negotiations between the parties involved in the event — and the Confucius Institute. The objectives of these departments should be to teach Chinese language and culture, but events such as a public lecture on 'The Selection of Dalai Lama and its Political, Religious and Social Influence in Tibet' run by the Confucius Institute seem contrary to these goals. The lecture was seen by some as a move to delegitimise the Tibetan spiritual leader by showing he is chosen through a non-democratic methodology, thus making an apolitical topic, political.
"Usually … if a university doesn't listen to what the [Chinese government] is saying, they would discourage their students from attending that university," says Tenpa Dugdak, an Australian-Tibetan activist. Mr Dugdak has experienced similar external pressures at various events that he was to speak at, including one at the University of Western Sydney in 2008. He claims they threatened to yield influence over the number of international students from China. If these threats were maintained it would be a major financial loss to the university. In 2012, international students from China comprised 39% of all international students enrolled at Sydney University.
Yeshi Palmo, the only Tibetan student at Sydney University, who came to Australia four years ago on a humanitarian visa, says she was also involved in the anticipated speech by her spiritual leader. "I am very involved with the Tibetan Council in NSW and I heard from our president that this talk was going to go ahead. I was asked to organise Tibetan students from other universities to come and join the event." She said that when she saw on 7:30 that no Tibetan students were allowed to attend the proposed event — a claim the Vice-Chancellor's office is denying — she was very disturbed and confused, saying: "we aren't studying in China. This is Australia."
This incident is not unique to Sydney University. Similar events have been scheduled at the University of Tasmania (UTAS), University of Western Sydney and Southern Cross University, and have met a similar fate. Dr Anna Alomes resigned from her position as the director of the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Ethics at UTAS following an almost identical episode. "In 2009, we extended an invitation to His Holiness and exactly the same outcome occurred. UTAS and its executive administration were originally enthused about the idea and could see the positive side for all involved – the University, students, the Tibetan community and the Tibetan university with which it had an exchange program. Only eight weeks out from the event taking place, and after a visit from representatives of the Chinese government during which direct threats were made to impact the financial bottom line of the University, fear replaced enthusiasm," said Dr Alomes.
The only difference between the incidents at USYD and UTAS was that the Dalai Lama did eventually visit the UTAS campus. While UTAS administration would have preferred to cancel outright, after mounting community pressure, the event went ahead, but was scaled down to exclude crowds, executive members and the Tibetan community. "The pressure came directly from the Chinese consulate in Canberra and all evidence points to the Sydney University fiasco as a duplicate situation. The response by Sydney is very common to Australian universities who have difficulty finding a moral compass in the face of mounting financial pressure," said Dr Alomes, who is now a visiting fellow at the London School of Economics' Centre for Human Rights. LSE had no trouble in hosting the Dalai Lama in 2012.
When asked about the emails mentioned above, the Vice-Chancellor's office declined to comment and maintained what was said in a statement released last Tuesday. According to this media release,"a few members of staff discussed possible arrangements for the only date and time the Dalai Lama was available in Sydney". This time was allegedly outside of semester, when students would not be on campus. As a result, an alternative proposal was put forward to hold the event at an off campus location to allow for students from other universities to attend.
The University's human rights arm recently received its largest ever grant from the European Union to educate, criticise and develop teachings on human rights. The IDHR was to host the spiritual leader of Tibet and it is in this day that we need to hear about the concept of increasing compassion, reducing violence, creating a more peaceful mind for ourselves and a new global secular ethics that the Dalai Lama is famous for.
A protest is being organised by students on campus to express their distaste in the university's decisions. Their chants will be on behalf of thousands of students that agree that this is a grave loss to the university and the students of Sydney University.
Chinese consulate
Chinese Studies Centre


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Back Home Again, Wilks and Wilson Find Happiness in Life After Football
GARY WHITE THE LEDGER
LAKELAND | Few high school cliques are exceptional enough to spawn a nickname recognized statewide.
Seven members of Lakeland High School's Class of 2007 did so when they earned football scholarships to the University of Florida. Dubbed the "Gatornaughts" — a mingling of Florida's Gators and Lakeland's Dreadnaughts — they left a program that had won three consecutive state championships to join one coming off a national championship.
"We had obviously big dreams going in," recalled Paul Wilson, one of the Gatornaughts. "We were going to go up there and all be starters and win more championships."
That is exactly how it transpired for four of the seven. Identical twin offensive linemen Maurkice and Mike Pouncey, running back Chris Rainey and safety Ahmad Black all contributed mightily to the Gators 2008 national title.
The Pounceys and Black will be in action today in season-opening National Football League games. Rainey, who played last season for the Pittsburgh Steelers, is seeking another chance after being released in January following an arrest. A fifth member of that fabled signing class, John Brown, had academic troubles and never played for Florida but is still pursuing hopes of a professional career.
For Wilson and another Gatornaught, Steven Wilks, though, the playing days are over. Neither became a star for the Gators, and each saw his college career shortened by injury.
But both say they are now at peace with that. Wilson, living in Auburndale, is married and expecting his first child this month.
"You either live and be upset or move on and accept it and move forward," Wilson said. "That's the outlook I've chosen to take on it, and I think that's what God wants me to do."
Wilson and Wilks, both 24, earned their bachelor's degrees at Florida, and each is now in the insurance business. Wilson is a business consultant for OMS Group, a Lakeland company.
Wilks lives in Lakeland and works as a sales representative for the State Farm Insurance office of Wayne Peace, a former Gator quarterback. Wilks is an assistant football coach at Lakeland Christian School, where Peace is the head coach.
"I live a boring old life," Wilks said. "I come to work, coach football, church on Sunday mornings and spending time with my family; that's me to a T. That's the life I love."
BESET BY INJURIES
Wilson, though not as speedy as some Gator recruits, earned a reputation in high school for his adroit hands. He enrolled a semester early at Florida, along with the Pounceys and Black, but a cascade of injuries began in his freshman season, when he incurred both a pulled hamstring and a torn ligament in his right wrist.
After having reconstructive wrist surgery in the summer of 2008, Wilson earned a starting position on the Gators' punt return team. He played in the season's first two games, wins over Hawaii and Miami.
But he sustained a broken right foot in the Miami game, an injury that required a screw to be surgically inserted into the bone. He returned in time to dress for the Gators' 24-14 victory over Oklahoma in the national championship game but didn't play.
The foot continued to bother Wilson through spring and summer drills, and just before the start of the 2009 season, he asked the trainers about having another X-ray taken. The scans yielded bad news: The bone hadn't healed, and the screw had become bent. Wilson would need another, more complicated operation.
Doctors told Wilson he couldn't continue playing football. His Gator career was finished after just two game appearances.
"When they told me I couldn't play any more, obviously I was heartbroken," Wilson said. "There's nothing like running out in that tunnel with 95,000 (spectators). I mean, your feet don't touch the ground; that's the excitement that crowd can give you. After they told me I couldn't play, I was very upset for a while."
Wilson said his Christian faith and family support helped him endure. Eventually his father, Mark Wilson, suggested Wilson try to join the Gator baseball team, returning to the sport he had played since age 10.
Though Wilson hadn't played baseball in three years, the Florida coaches gave him a tryout and offered him a chance to join the team as a walk-on. Though doing that meant he had to relinquish his full scholarship from football, he decided to do it.
The 2011 Florida baseball team was ranked No. 1 in the country for much of the season, and Wilson, an outfielder, was used mostly as a substitute runner. But he played in the Gators' loss to South Carolina in the College World Series Finals.
Wilson, who said his foot hasn't troubled him since he gave up football, graduated in May 2011 with a degree in sociology. He worked in Tampa for a while but wasn't happy with his job.
Last year he ran into Bob Cleghorn, a partner with OMS Group and an assistant football coach at Lakeland Christian. Cleghorn told Wilson to call him if he was interesting in joining the company, and Wilson soon took him up on the offer.
In February, Wilson married Brooke Borso, a former competitive gymnast and a Hooters calendar model.
"God has a plan for all of us," Wilson said. "Had I played football (beyond two years), I would not have graduated a semester early and I would not have moved to Tampa and I would not have met my wife. Everything works out the way it's supposed to."
SIGNING A DREAM
Wilks, a lifelong Gator fan, played safety on the Dreadnaughts' championship teams. He said it was a "dream come true" when Florida offered him a scholarship in the summer before his senior season.
The Gators, then coached by Urban Meyer, recruited Wilks as a linebacker and eventually moved him to offense as a fullback. Wilks, who is 6-foot-1, bulked up from 195 pounds to 235 while playing at Florida.
Wilks was redshirted his first season and sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee the following spring. He returned in time to suit up for the Gators' 2008 national championship game.
Wilks got increased playing time the next two seasons and hoped to draw the attention of NFL scouts. But during practices before the 2011 Outback Bowl, Wilks had a collision with linebacker Jelani Jenkins that left him unable to move his neck. An MRI revealed not only three herniated discs but also spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the open spaces within the spine.
Three specialists told Wilks that if he returned to football he faced a high risk of a paralyzing injury.
"So just like that, everything I'd gone through in the past flashed before my eyes," Wilks said. "My dreams of playing in the NFL obviously came to a halt."
Though crushed at the time, Wilks has come to view the sudden end to his career as a blessing in disguise. He said he wouldn't have learned about the stenosis, a genetic condition, if not for the injury that led to the MRI.
During his final year at UF, Wilks teamed with wide receiver Riley Cooper to create "Swamp Studs," a series of videos they shot on campus. Wilks graduated in December 2011 with a degree in family, youth and community sciences. After periods in Tampa and Orlando, he returned to Lakeland.
"When I found out about the injury, people were like, 'You should be a coach. You should be a coach,'" he said. "It was almost like I was running from it."
But his outlook had changed by the time Peace, whom he had known since he was in high school, asked him to join the LCS coaching staff. Wilks coaches linebackers and special teams.
Wilks, who has shed 35 pounds from his playing days, said he relishes the chance to share the lessons of his playing career with teenagers. Peace cited Wilks' emotional support of Vikings running back T.J. Simmons, sustained a season-ending torn ligament in his right knee in a preseason game.
"He called me and said, 'Coach, when are you taking him to the doctor?'" Peace said. "He said, 'I'm going to be there.' He was there when (Simmons) met with the doctor after the MRI. He was there when he came out after surgery. Steven was right there with him, and that says a lot about the kind of man Steven Wilks is."
There are no overwhelming displays of Gator paraphernalia in his State Farm office. Instead, a cross hangs on one wall and a framed needlepoint display of Matthew 19:26 — "With God All Things Are Possible" — sits on his desk.
Wilks is in a committed relationship with Sirena Kostick, a Washington state native who is studying to be a youth minister. He spends his leisure time hunting, reading and romping with his dog, Braxton, a Catahoula cur.
FOLLOWING FRIENDS
Wilks served as a groomsman at Wilson's wedding, and the pair display many similarities. Both talk often about their faith and use the word "blessed" to describe their lives.
Both said they try to keep in touch with other Gatornaughts. Wilks seems to maintain more contact with former Gator teammates, along with such current players as Trey Burton. But he said the only ex-teammate anyone seems interested in is Tim Tebow.
"If I had a dollar for every time somebody asked about Tebow," Wilks said.
Asked if they feel like the forgotten Gatornaughts, Wilson and Wilks gave similar answers.
"Not at all," Wilks said. "I've never been one for attention. I've always been supportive. ... I've gone from a football player to a coach, and now I'm the No. 1 fan of my buddies that are playing. So I get the best of all three worlds."
As Wilson put it: "The way I see it, my life's just beginning. I've got a wife now; I've got a house, and I've got a baby girl on the way. I can't wait to be a dad."
Wilson started playing guitar about a year ago and enjoys jamming with friends. And he spends time wakesurfing on weekends.
Wilson has not attended a Florida football game since he left the roster.
"After I couldn't play any more football, it was kind of hard for me to watch," he said. "I would go up there (to Gainesville) but not to games."
He said he finally feels able to be a spectator at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, but that will have to wait a while. Wilson's main concern these days is preparing for the arrival of Savanna Grace Wilson, who is due Sept. 27 — the day before the Gators play at Kentucky.
Wilson is making plans to lead speed training sessions for some local students and said he expects eventually to coach team sports.
Bill Castle, the Lakeland High head coach who has six state titles, said Wilks and Wilson are well suited to becoming coaches.
"They were going to be a success whether they did or didn't go on and play football just because of the type of people they are," Castle said. "They're definitely two good role models for the kids around here and good examples of the way to do things."
Might one or both someday join the staff of the coach who led the Gatornaughts to those three state championships?
"I would love to have been able to get back (to LHS)," Wilks said. "The Lord led me to Lakeland Christian; I believe that wholeheartedly. I don't know where I'll be in the future, but I'm content where I am."
Seven Lakeland High School football players signed with the University of Florida on Feb. 7, 2007. Here is what has happened to each since then:
Ahmad Black: A three-year starter for the Gators, Black is the No. 3 safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who open their season today against the New York Jets.
John Brown: One of the nation's top defensive line recruits in high school, Brown never played at Florida because of academic problems. He later signed with Tennessee but never played. Brown played briefly this summer with the Tampa Bay Storm of the Arena Football League.
Maurkice Pouncey: He started at offensive guard and center during three seasons at Florida. He was a first-found pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who open their season today against the Tennessee Titans.
Mike Pouncey: Maurkice's identical twin is in his third year as a starting center for the Miami Dolphins, who open their season today against the Cleveland Browns.
Chris Rainey: A speedy running back, Rainey finished his Gator career with 2,464 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. He played for the Steelers last season but was released in January after an arrest in Gainesville. He has not yet signed with another team.
Steven Wilks: A fullback at Florida, he saw playing time on offense and special teams in his sophomore and junior seasons, but a neck injury ended his college career.
Paul Wilson: He played on special teams the first two games of the 2008 season before going out with a foot injury that ultimately ended his career.
[ Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518. Join his discussion of books at http://ledgerlit.blogs.theledger.com or facebook.com/ledgerlit. ]

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Variable rate mortgages can cost, or save, a great deal of money.
2 What Is a Fixed Conventional Loan?
For most home buyers, making such a large purchase would be impossible without the help of a mortgage loan, which gives the buyer decades to pay back the cost of the home. Lenders offer many different types of mortgages, including fixed- and variable-rate mortgages. Each type of mortgage has its own risks and includes features to suit the needs of certain borrowers.
Despite their similarity, the terms variable-rate mortgage and adjustable-rate mortgage don't necessarily have the same meaning. Variable-rate mortgage is a more general term in use throughout the world. In the United States, the term adjustable-rate mortgage is much more common. The Federal Reserve Board defines an adjustable-rate mortgage as any mortgage with an interest rate that changes. While this is the same qualification for naming a variable-rate mortgage, economists who refer to an adjustable-rate mortgage, or ARM, are usually implying an American mortgage that falls under the oversight of the U.S. government.
Most variable-rate mortgages start out with a relatively low interest rate. This makes them attractive to home buyers and keeps the monthly mortgage payment low. When borrowers sign a mortgage agreement for a variable-rate mortgage, they agree to an initial rate period, which defines how long the initial rate will last. This may be anywhere from one month to several years depending on the terms of the loan. Once this period passes, the lender may change the interest rate, resulting in a higher, or lower, monthly bill for the borrower.
Variable-rate mortgages also include terms that define the adjustment period. This refers to the frequency with which the lender may adjust the interest rate. Adjustment periods range from once every few months to once every several years. When the previous adjustment period has passed, the lender computes a new interest rate based on an index, which is a mathematical formula that incorporates economic data such as interest rates elsewhere in the economy and the lender's own margin for profit.
Despite a lower initial payment, variable-rate mortgages include a potential risk if the interest rate increases. Homeowners who fail to see an increased income as interest rates, and monthly payments, rise may find it difficult to make each month's mortgage payment. In addition, higher monthly bills can put strain on other parts of the household budget. Finally, homeowners who buy a house with a variable-rate mortgage with the intention of selling before interest rates rise may find themselves forced to sell at a time when home values are low, or keep the house and pay the higher mortgage rate while hoping for home values to rise.
MSNBC: Is a fixed or variable rate mortgage better?
Hartman, Dennis. "The Definition of a Variable-Rate Mortgage." Home Guides | SF Gate, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/definition-variable-rate-mortgage-8870.html. Accessed 20 April 2019.
What Drives Mortgage Rates Up?


text:
Die Open Barletta 2008 waren ein Tennisturnier, das vom 24. bis 30. März 2008 in Barletta stattfand. Es war Teil der ATP Challenger Series 2008 und wurde im Freien auf Sand ausgetragen.

Das Teilnehmerfeld der Einzelkonkurrenz bestand aus 32 Spielern, jenes der Doppelkonkurrenz aus 16 Paaren.

Einzel

Setzliste

Ergebnisse

Doppel

Setzliste

Ergebnisse

Weblinks
 Turnierplan Einzel auf der ATP-Homepage (PDF; 47 kB)
 Turnierplan Doppel auf der ATP-Homepage (PDF; 46 kB)
 Turnierplan Einzel-Qualifikation auf der ATP-Homepage (PDF; 343 kB)

ATP Challenger Series 2008
Tennisturnier in Barletta

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Humanitarians work in some of the most volatile and insecure environments in the world. Even as they come under increasing attack, humanitarian workers find ways to continue delivering life-saving services to populations in need. Dr. Abby Stoddard has coordinated CIC's research on the topic of humanitarian crises. Dr. Stoddard has written extensively on issues in humanitarian action since 2000. CIC has provided consulation to international humanitarian organizations and emergency relief programs.
Program(s): Congo Research Group, Prevention and Peacebuilding
Region/Country: East Asia, South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa
Population Movements, COVID-19, and Conflict Risk
As the coronavirus pandemic spreads across the globe, people are also moving, both in response to the threat of the virus and the actions states have taken to stem transmission. This memo examines population movements in pandemics, detailing the internal and cross-border movements now taking place, tracking the measures governments are implementing to to respond, and offering policy recommendations.
Author(s) / Contributor(s): Sarah Cliffe, Leah Zamore, Nendirmwa Noel
Topic(s): Global Governance, Humanitarian Crises
CIC and COVID–19: A Message from the Director
The NYU Center on International Cooperation, like our partners and colleagues around the world, is adapting our work to cope with the impact of the COVID–19 pandemic and contribute within our own areas of expertise. This message from CIC Director Sarah Cliffe explains how our work on peace, justice, inclusion, and reducing inequalities will continue, as we also strive to to contribute to the global conversation about how governments, multilateral institutions, and civil society can respond to COVID–19.
Topic(s): 2030 Agenda, Crises, Global Governance, Humanitarian Crises
Program(s): Humanitarian Crises, Multilateral Reform, Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies
NYU CIC 2018 Annual Report
Democratise or disintegrate: How the AU can help South Sudan
North Korean Rights Abuses May Be Crimes Against Humanity
Kofi Annan à Damas pour l'opération de la "dernière chance"
Syria Diplomacy at Impasse as Envoy Cites Endless Tragedy
What can be done to prevent a resurgence of violent extremism in Northeast Syria?
The event will discuss the resort to violence and violent extremism in Northeast Syria based on a new report entitled "Preventing the Re-emergence of violent extremism in Northeast Syria." This report was produced as a joint collaboration by the National Agenda for the Future of Syria Programme (NAFS) at UN ESCWA and the Center on International Cooperation at New York University.


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text:
« Medvedev parlera énergie et investissements au - Inflation fight comes with collateral damage »
European council president's visit boosts VN-EU ties
Par Vietnam aujourd'hui le vendredi 2 novembre 2012, 07:49 - News in english - Lien permanent
The President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, will visit Vietnam from October 31 to November 2, which is seen as a display of the EU's wishes to step up cooperation with the Southeast Asian country.
The visit, the first made by an European Council President to Vietnam since EU-Vietnam diplomatic ties were set up in 1990, is to highlight the EU's appreciation of the increasing role and position that Vietnam plays in the dynamic Asian region, as well as to study the country's socio-economic development, renewal and international integration.
During the visit, measures to strengthen bilateral ties in the broader framework of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA,) as well as at regional and international multilateral forums will be tabled for discussion.
Since the EU officially opened its representative mission in Hanoi in 1996, bilateral ties have developed rapidly. The EU has become one of Vietnam 's leading partners especially in economics, trade and investment, making an active contribution to the country's socio-economic development and international economic integration.
In June 2005, the Vietnamese Prime Minister approved a plan to develop Vietnam-EU relations by 2010 with a view to 2015, focusing on building an 'equal partnership with comprehensive and long-term cooperation' between Vietnam and the EU.
After nine rounds of talks from June 2008 to October 2010, the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) was initialled on the sidelines of the 8 th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM-8) in Belgium on October 4, 2010. The agreement was officially signed by Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and the EU's Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in Brussels on June 27, 2012.
The PCA marks a milestone in cooperation between both parties and indicates the broad development of Vietnam-EU relations over the past 20 years, as well as creating a legal foundation for bilateral ties to enter in a new chapter wider scope and at a deeper level.
Senior level visits have regularly exchanged, including Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung's visit to the European Commission (EC) in October 2010; National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung's visit to the European Parliament (EP) in December 2011; the visit to Vietnam by EC President Jose Manuel Barroso in November 2007; European Commission Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht visiting in February 2010 and a delegation from the European Parliament in March 2010.
Prime Minister Dung has met with European Council President Herman and EC President Barroso on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul in the Republic of Korea .
Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh also met with the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, on the fringes of the 19 th ASEAN-Europe Ministerial Meeting (AEMM-19) in Brunei in April 2012 before visiting the EU for the official signing of the PCA in June.
During their meetings, senior officials have stated their appreciation of bilateral ties and their wishes to step up cooperation to match their potential and position.
On economic cooperation, the EU is one of Vietnam 's leading trade partners with two-way trade increasing by 15-20 per cent each year, from $4.1 billion in 2000 to $24.29 billion in 2011.
The amount exceeded $18 billion in the first eight months of this year, up 23 per cent year on year. Of which, Vietnam's exports to the EU reached $2.69 billion while its import turnover was $5.75 billion.
The EU is now Vietnam 's second largest export market, after the US . Vietnam exports mainly footwear, garment, seafood, woodwork, electronics and consumer goods to the EU while it imports machinery, vehicles, pharmaceuticals, fabrics and fertiliser from the market.
In October 2010, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and EC President Barosso announced the start of negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA), with the first round held in Hanoi in October 2012.
EU member countries are now the leading investors in Vietnam . By August 2012, 20 EU countries had invested in Vietnam , operating 1,226 projects with a total registered capital of $4.75 billion. Vietnam has 33 projects in 10 EU countries with $107 million in registered capital.
The EU is also the second largest bilateral donor of official development assistance (ODA) and the largest provider of non-refundable aid to Vietnam , with over $13 billion in ODA pledged during 1996-2012.
The EC and EU member countries have worked closely with Vietnam in a number of priority areas such as institutional assistance, science and technology, education, law, health, finance and banking, agriculture, culture and tourism.
Vietnam Investment Review - October 30, 2012
Vietnam considers EU its leading partner
Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Sinh Hung has reaffirmed Vietnam's foreign policy that deem the EU as its leading partner.
At a meeting with President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy in Hanoi on November 1, Hung said Vietnam wants to build an equal partnership and long-term comprehensive cooperation with the EU to foster peace and development in the region and the world.
Expressing his delight at the positive development of bilateral relationship, Hung said the Vietnamese NA and people support the promotion of a strategic partnership and comprehensive cooperation with the EU and its member nations.
The NA Chairman highly valued the June 2012 signing of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between Vietnam and the EU as well as the progress of the ongoing negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement, saying that they will lay a firm legal foundation for expanding and deepening bilateral relationship.
He also spoke highly of the growing relationship between the Vietnamese NA and the European Parliament (EP) which has contributed to strengthening broader bilateral ties.
Briefing his guest on the current NA session, Hung said the operation of the Vietnamese legislature is becoming more transparent with tighter supervision of Government activities.
The Vietnamese NA is considering amendments to the 1992 Constitution in order to further ensure the protection of human rights in the new period of national development, he said.
EC President Van Rompuy replied that the present negotiations and signed agreements will enhance EU-Vietnam ties across all fields,
The EU values Vietnam's role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its positive relationships with EU members, he said.
Van Rompuy also expressed his belief that Vietnam will better perform its roles as coordinator for the EU-ASEAN relationship.
The EU has been actively working towards the formal recognition of Vietnam's market economy, he added.
The President also spoke highly of Question & Answer sessions in the Vietnamese NA, saying that they demonstrate the progress of reforms in its operation.
On the same day the National University of Hanoi granted an honorary doctorate to EC President Van Rompuy.
HCM City seeks more ODA from EU
A Ho Chi Minh City leader has expressed wish that the European Union (EU) will continue providing ODA and non-refundable aid for the Southern economic hub to implement projects on public services, poverty reduction, education and climate change.
At a reception for visiting European Council President Herman Van Rompuy on November 1, Chairman of the HCM City People's Committee Le Hoang Quan further said that these projects are very significant for Vietnam in general and Ho Chi Minh City in particular.
He expressed his belief that Van Rompuy's visit will open up a new chapter in the comprehensive relationship between Vietnam and the EU.
According to Quan, HCM City now has 450 representative offices of EU companies and 452 projects invested by EU countries with a total investment of over 3.5 billion USD. In 2011, the city imported more than 1.5 billion EUR worth of goods from the EU while its exports to this market exceeded 2 billion EUR.
Van Rompuy expressed his pleasure to visit Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City , one of the most dynamic cities in the country as well as in the region.
He said he is impressed by Vietnam's development during the past two decades, especially in the fields of poverty reduction, political stability and economic growth.
The President affirmed that the EU wishes to further contribute to the development of the country in the coming time.
Recently, the two sides have signed a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and launched the first round of negotiations for a free trade agreement. Besides, the European Investment Bank has agreed to provide financial packages worth 640 million EUR for Vietnam.
In Ho Chi Minh City, the bank has participated in a project to build a metro line as well as several other projects.
Earlier the same day, the Hanoi National University granted an Honorary Doctorate to the European Council President for his significant contributions on the development of the relationship between Vietnam and European countries.
VietNamNet Bridge - November 2, 2012


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A cry against the swine
Pete Hamill, pitchfork in hand, will be waiting in hell for the ignorant publishers and egocentric, lazy reporters who have desecrated the noble profession of newspapering
By Lori Leibovich
May 6, 1998 11:00PM (UTC)
Five days after Pete Hamill started work on his latest book, the Monica Lewinsky affair broke. It proved to be a fitting backdrop for the theme of Hamill's book: the parlous state into which America's newspapers have fallen. Material poorly sourced and sensationally presented has been the order of the day in the Lewinsky story, and Hamill, a veteran columnist and former newspaper editor, lambastes his peers for it.
"Dots were being connected that didn't connect, and gravity was almost totally missing," Hamill writes. "We had reached some turning point in American journalism: The president of the United States was being examined with the tools usually reserved for the likes of Joey Buttafuoco."
In "News is a Verb: Journalism at the End of the Century" (Library of Contemporary Thought), Hamill laments the loss of the things that made great newspapering -- checking facts, double-checking sources, actually employing shoe leather rather than waiting for the phone to ring or the computer to boot up in the newsroom.
Last year, Hamill, 62, quit his job as editor in chief of the New York Daily News. He says that the changes he wanted at the paper -- running fewer sensational stories and pouring resources into meatier subjects such as immigration and education -- were met with scorn by a front office more concerned with the bottom line than with serving the public.
Hamill talked to Salon about why he thinks publishers are "swine," his new role as an online columnist and why sleaze doesn't necessarily sell.
In your blurb for Howard Kurtz's new book, "Spin Cycle: Inside the Clinton Propaganda Machine," you describe the Washington press corps as "obsessed, self-important, prosecutorial journalists." And you wrote this before the Lewinsky scandal.
The White House press corps is a very narrow part of American journalism. And the self importance is absurd! I mean they should all go cover hockey for a year and get refreshed! They get excited about things that the rest of us don't get excited about.
You mean like some of the minutiae about Lewinsky? The alleged semen-stained dress, the discussion about her love of berets?
Yes, the inflation of the story into this gigantic obsession on the part of the press. Constantly we were being embarrassed by reporters asking questions of Clinton that they knew they would never get answered -- in front of Tony Blair and Arafat! -- knowing it was a game, something directed more towards other reporters or their bosses than towards their readers.
Are reporters more concerned with their own ego than informing the public?
It's hard to generalize. There are some reporters who are serious about what they do and aren't concerned about how much air time they get or whether a certain story is good for their career. But it's been sure hard to find them covering the Lewinsky story.
Who and what specifically has been wrong in their coverage of the story?
I thought the Washington Post was awful the first couple of weeks. It had story after story with unattributed, blind quotes. Someone did a study showing that in that first month only 16 percent of the Washington Post's quotes were attributed to anybody. The press, and newspapers in particular, should be very careful not to proceed with an assumption of guilt, that Clinton did it. Not that I'm a big Clinton fan or anything, I'm not. But what we have to do, particularly with 24-hour news cycles, is act as a useful guide. We have to say: This has been verified from a couple of sources and not by the Fed Ex delivery guy or the Chinese food salesman but by a real source. We need to help sort through this stuff. We shouldn't be in the business of making our audience dumb. We're not here to titillate. The primary requirement is to tell as much as is knowable while a complicated moment is unfolding.
In your book, you take the Dallas Morning News and the Wall Street Journal to task for printing stories they later had to retract.
I used those examples not because they are bad newspapers, but because they show that even good, solid newspapers, caught up in a hysteria of deadline and breaking news stories, can make mistakes. One lesson we learned from this all is that newspapers can never be first on breaking news ever again because of technology. But we have to be right about what we put in the paper.
You say that newspapers don't credit people with much intelligence -- that they dish out sensational stories at the expense of more serious topics such as foreign news, education, the environment. But isn't the sexy stuff what sells?
The thing about tabloid TV programs and tabloid newspapers is that they don't trust the reader or the audience. While you might get a short bump in your circulation based on a sensational story, you might lose other readers who say, "This is stupid, this gives me a headache." If you look at numbers, the U.S. population has increased 26 percent since 1970 while the circulation of newspapers has increased about 2 percent. So, giving the people "what they want" is not increasing readership.
In the book you say all newspaper editors should be required to live in the city where they work. Isn't that a little rigid? What about the editor whose spouse really wants to move to the suburbs and have a yard, get a dog?
That editor should get a divorce! I think being an editor in a city is just as important as being mayor and a mayor wouldn't dream of living in the suburbs and commuting to city hall.
Should a publisher live in the city too?
He oughta live in the suburbs because usually the publisher doesn't know a goddamned thing about the newspaper. One of the things that would improve the state of American journalism right away would be if about two-thirds of the publishers moved to the south of France. Just signed the checks and stayed out of a business they don't understand, know anything about and have nothing to add to.
Aren't there any publishers who are doing a good job?
Katharine Graham [of the Washington Post] is a great publisher. I think [Arthur] Sulzburger of the New York Times is a great publisher. He is someone who very carefully trained to be publisher. He worked as a reporter, he worked on the business side. He took 15 years preparing to do that job and he's professionally trained. You might quarrel with one section or another of the newspaper, but it's a terrific paper -- still.
Often though, even if an editor or reporter is living in the city, he or she is part of an elite crowd. They get paid pretty well; they hobnob and socialize with powerful people who are covered in the pages of their newspapers. Is this a problem?
There is no doubt that reporters and editors getting paid more has shifted the culture of the newsroom. One of the reasons there are virtually no newspaper bars left is that reporters, once they become middle class, move to the suburbs. And it's allowed newspaperman to be middle class, which they weren't before. Not that they were working class, but they were sort of this bohemian class. It was possible for people like me and [Jimmy] Breslin to come out of a working-class background and get into newspapers without that being questioned. I didn't finish high school. But today, if an editor were thinking of hiring me or someone with a degree from Princeton, he would probably hire the guy from Princeton. And that prevents absorption into the newsroom of reporters who you desperately need if you're going to cover the city.
Are too many reporters covering the city from the safety of their desks?
The computer has been a great tool for us, but it has also been narrowing in a way. For example, when I was the editor at the Daily News, I refused to use e-mail. I thought it was nuts to use e-mail to communicate with someone two desks away! There has been a de-personalizing of the reporter's trade, and that hurts reporters because you don't get the same human contact. You're getting quotes, but you don't know who the quotes are coming from. Is the guy scratching his ass while he's talking? Is that relevant? Does the dead guy have white socks on? When they are in the office, reporters miss certain details that make a story come to life.
So editors should order reporters to get off their ass a couple of times a week?
Newspapers are so prosperous now, everyone has their own chair. When I was a kid at the [New York] Post, we didn't have enough chairs, so you always had to have some of the reporters out of the office to allow the other guys to write their stories. Maybe what they should do is remove about six chairs from every city room! At least then you know someone would be out on the street.
You've criticized the use of e-mail. But you, the quintessential newspaperman, have your very own monthly online column.
I know. It's a peculiar form. I started doing that column just to see what the Internet is about. A lot of the Internet isn't professional yet, it's therapy. It's not communication to me.
And what have you found?
I haven't figured it out yet. I don't even know how to find my own column half the time! They insist that people on the Internet have very short attention spans and so copy should be short. I think they are wrong. I think Salon and Slate and the others do show that there can be an audience for longer pieces. So I'm experimenting with this thing now. And I'll decide in a month or two if I want to keep doing it.
Any regrets about leaving as editor of the Daily News?
I didn't feel bad for myself, because at my age what the hell. I have a wonderful wife, a terrific career, I love the newspaper business. But I felt awful for the young reporters and the reporters I hired because I spent a lot of time trying to change the climate of the place. I said, "This is the greatest job in the whole world, let's charge the barbed wire!" To do that and then to be relieved of your command, like a general, by people who don't understand newspaper journalism, who have no respect for it, who think it's romantic bullshit. Nobody can hurt me -- I'm too old. But when young people are hurt, young reporters who are better people than the swine who run the place, that really infuriated me.
Yes, but what about their charge that you're a hopeless romantic who longs for a bygone past and is out of touch with the present?
I don't care. We romantics put out better papers then they do. We romantics create better writers than they do. And although it is a romantic vision, I think it's honorable. I don't think it's more honorable to say, "You didn't treat the readers with enough contempt -- why don't you treat them like the dumb-ass swine they are?" Readers are smart. I don't think people are successful by putting out crap. I think we can do better than we do now and we have been better than we are now. And people who are blocking that -- because they think the audience is stupid -- they'll pay for that. Through failure. Or there will be this special place in hell for them that will be tended by old romantic newspapermen with pitchforks.
Lori Leibovich
Lori Leibovich is a contributing editor at Salon and the former editor of the Life section.
MORE FROM Lori Leibovich
British Election The New York Times Washington Post


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Filed under 2018-2019, Archives, December 2018, News
Mothers and children crying. People running. The air thick with tear gas. This was the scene at the US-Mexico border on Sunday after a peaceful protest quickly exploded into violence and confusion. American border agents fired tear gas into a crowd that involved women and small children at the San Ysidro crossing, which separates Tijuana, Mexico, and San Diego, right here in California. A photo that showed a mother and her children and her young children being tear-gassed sparked international outrage after being posted onto multiple news sites.
While President Trump and Secretary of Homeland Security, Kirstjen Nielsen, have defended the action, the whole issue has sparked a wildfire of national rage, and The Foreign Ministry of Mexico has asked the United States for a full investigation.
Prominent U.S. politicians like Gavin Newsom, the governor-elect of California, have denounced the incident. Not to mention Geoff Gilbert, a professor of humanitarian law and international human rights at the University of Essex in Britain, said that while the U.S. had the right to control the flow of people who want to come in the country, the peaceful protest did not "give authorities in the United States the right to fire tear gas into another country." Gilbert consulted the United Nations Charter on the sovereign rights and obligations of member countries, and Article 2 says that members "shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity" of other members.
The event was a new low for even the Trump administration because while there have been 126 uses of tear gas at the US-Mexico border since 2012, it has never been used on this many people at once. Defending their actions, the Customs and Border Protection commissioner said that the migrants were throwing "dozens of projectiles" at the border agents. Four officers received minor injuries.
As of now, this all of the information we know of the incident: The Foreign Ministry of Mexico has asked the United States for a full investigation, and multiple humans rights organizations have denounced the border incident. While the investigation that the Mexican Foreign Ministry asked for may yield multiple leads, the U.S. and the border agents who shot the tear gas have faced no serious consequences.


Cutting with diamond wire allows us to tackle an unlimited range of applications comfortably. Very much like a cheese wire cutting though a slab of cheese, the wire is pulled through the object being sawn. Unlike circular blades that each have a maximum cutting depth, cutting with wire is almost limitless. For objects or shapes that are too uneven or irregular, whether cutting concrete, steel or a combination of both, there is a solution provided by wire sawing.
As with track sawing there are several permutations of machinery that we can employ, fully hydraulic systems for the bigger jobs or electric systems for the smaller or where there is limited working room. Both systems require 3 phase electricity. Additionally, wire sawing in comparison to wall sawing is much quieter.


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Archive for the 'bassoon' category
Having acquired some rather snazzy business cards publicising my WordPress blog site, I felt it would be only fair to post something informative on it – my blogging activity having fallen by the wayside, thanks to the ease and instantaneity of Facebook… so here's a quick update.
Recent projects:
Surtitles –
Nino Rota's Il cappello di paglia di Firenze for Wexford Festival Opera (hilarious!)
Berlioz – Roméo et Juliette for the Philharmonia Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall
Songs for Elizabeth Watts recital in Bath
Richard Strauss songs for the Salmon Orchestra's 50th birthday concert
Some interesting numbers for L'Arpeggiata at the Wigmore Hall
Programme notes –
English Chamber Orchestra concert on 9 October
Bassooning –
Invicta Wind Orchestra concert (including a featured contrabassoon solo!)
Salomon Orchestra 50th Birthday concert – contra in Strauss's Till Eulenspiegel and Shostakovich Symphony No. 7. A quite amazing occasion
Another Roméo et Juliette for the LSO
Act II of Tristan und Isolde for the LSO
Weber's Euryanthe for Chelsea Opera Group
Offenbach's Fantasio for Opera Rara
…and bookings ahead into 2015, thanks to Chelsea Opera Group, the Philharmonia and the CBSO
Programme notes, etc. –
Programme note, synopsis and pre-performance talk on Weber's Euryanthe (Chelsea Opera Group, 23 November at Cadogan Hall: be there!)
Programme notes for ECO concerts in November and December
Article for The Royal Opera for a forthcoming programme book (no idea what it will say yet…)
A large batch of songs for the Kirckman Concert Society
Beethoven 5 (contra) for the Sussex Concert Orchestra
The Rehearsal Orchestra – Rheingold weekend conducted by David Syrus (can't wait!)
So 'retirement' is a continuing to be busy and exciting experience! And we love living here on the South Coast.
Will try to keep you all posted on this site…
Categories: bassoon, bloggery, concerts, contrabassoon, Life: living of, music, opera, surtitles, wind music
Tags: bassoon, Berlioz, CBSO, contrabasoon, David Syrus, Euryanthe, Kirckman, Nino Rota, Philharmonia, Romeo et Juliette, Royal Opera, salomon orchestra, The Rehearsal Orchestra, Tristan, Wexford
John Myatt, 1931-2011
Very sad to hear of the passing of John Myatt, my beloved bassoon teacher of 40+ years ago and so much more – clarinettist, fixer, conductor, source of inspiration and outrageous jokes, printing master, guru, family friend, clown, surrogate crazy uncle…
Aged 80, John had not been well for some time. He had been living in retirement in Suffolk, with his devoted wife Janet and their equally devoted dogs. I feel very fortunate that we were able to drop in and see him in March this year and catch up after so many years. He was still on great form!
Happy memories of those days in Hitchin, and later in Cambridge, when he taught me almost all I knew about how to play the bassoon (and then generously passed me on to be finished off by Roger Birnstingl, who was another huge inspiration – I managed to catch up with him too at the recent William Waterhouse celebration at the Wigmore).
On Saturday mornings I would get on my bike (more…)
Categories: bassoon, buildings, Life: living of, music, wind music
Tags: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire College of Arts and Technology, Hitchin, Howarth, Janet Myatt, John Myatt Woodwind and Brass, Roger Birnstingl
'Cinderella' at the Royal Opera House
Lovely dayout yesterday to matinee of Cinderella (Prokofiev ballet) at ROH. Rosie's 6th birthday treat but we grownups adored it too! Glamour, magic, story clearly told, stunning sets and costumes, great music – reminding us what we go to the theatre for…
Classic Frederick Ashton choreography, with trademark Ashton figures in the hyperactive Jester (James Hay) and of course the pantomime-dame Ugly Sisters (James Wilkie and Thomas Whitehead, extremely funny). Yuhui Choe pretty and touching as Cinderella, Sergei Polunin likewise as her fairy-tale Prince. (But Rosie liked the Fairy Godmother – Francesca Filpi – best of all.)
Nice to see my old chum Mark Jonathan credited with the lighting, which was sumptuous and just right. And what a brilliant score – all the Prokofiev hallmarks of clarity, energy, ingenious and unexpected orchestration (particularly percussion, oboe, bassoon, contrabassoon and trumpet, all working incredibly hard! No 'easy night off' playing for the ballet in this one.) And he does that odd trick of putting a tuba on the bass line even in moving or touching passages – shouldn't work but it does.
Not having seen a synopsis, I was fascinated by the reference to The Love for Three Oranges in the score, paralleled by the appearance of three oranges on stage… is this Prokofiev's in-joke, or Ashton's? Any insights welcome.
What a contrast to our dismal evening at The Tsar's Bride earlier in the week. (No offence to Rimsky-Korsakov's fine and sometimes amazing music, or to Sir Mark Elder's equally fine but disappointingly ponderous conducting. But the ballet reminded us, by contrast, what a chore it is to sit through yet another grim updated staging that doesn't fit the music and has us peering at a room full of dark-suited gents in a gloomy setting, trying to figure who is who and which one is singing. And that was just the first scene. Yes, we were sitting very high up in the Amphi! 😦
See review and photos of Cinderella at http://www.seenandheard-international.com/2011/04/09/prokofiev%e2%80%99s-cinderella-at-the-royal-ballet/
photo (c) Tristram Kenton
Categories: Ain't it awful, bassoon, contrabassoon, entertainment, opera, orchestras, theatres
Tags: James Hay, James Wilkie, Prokofiev, Rimsky-Korsakov, Royal Ballet, Royal Opera House, Sergei Polunin, Sir Frederick Ashton, Sir Mark Elder, The Love for Three Oranges, The Tsar's Bride, Thomas Whitehead, Yuhui Choe
Berlioz — Grande Messe des Morts
Berlioz Grande Messe des Morts, Barbican Hall, Saturday 9 October 2010; Crouch End Festival Chorus conducted by David Temple
I played the Grande Messe des Morts with Cambridge University Music Society (in Ely Cathedral, circa 1970), so have always loved this amazing work (and the 3rd bassoon part is engraved on my brain forever). And Diana is a Berlioz scholar (PhD) and member of the Berlioz Society, so how could we miss it.
Conductor David Temple — despite his alarming resemblance to Alan Titchmarsh — did a great job. He didn't really conduct anyone except the choir, but the performance held together and the effect was overwhelming. The Crouch End Festival Chorus delivered brilliantly — intonation, attack, energy, keeping pitch, dynamic contrasts, getting the words across, even synchronised sits and stands — all absolutely fine. (Special bravas to the two lady tenors…) The orchestra was the London Orchestra da Camera, which was a bit of a mystery — supposedly ' the country's most talented freelance professional musicians', but apart from the leader, John Bradbury (very fine), I didn't recognize any of the names or faces. They played really well — sonorous and in tune — though they could have done with more cellos and basses (6 and 4 not enough for this piece) and occasionally felt as if they could have done with more rehearsal too. But they gave a magnificent performance.
Tenor Robert Murray (a former Jette Parker Young Artist at the Royal Opera House) was, well, quite divine in the Sanctus, his voice floating effortlessly over the assembled company (from his position behind the orchestra but in front of the choir — a good solution).
Slightly taken aback by the dress code — gents of the orchestra in full white tie and tails, ladies in workaday all-black (mostly trousers), choir all in black. Conductor in a black bin liner worn outside his trousers* (an unflattering fashion also affected by Tony Pappano at the ROH).
And I haven't even begun to enumerate all the things that are so extraordinary about the piece. It has been described as 'really an opera', like the Verdi Requiem – but it's also an experimental laboratory of orchestration (chords on three flutes accompanied by trombone pedal notes? Two cors anglais? Six pairs of timpani? Not to mention those four brass bands up in the balcony — I defy anyone to hear it live and not have shivers up your spine, if not a lump in your throat and tears in your eyes. What an extraordinary composer.) Well, just get hold of the Colin Davis recording and hear for yourself!
(Once upon a time I was involved in a TV recording of the Berlioz Requiem with Leonard Bernstein at Les Invalides in Paris (Napoleon's resting place), the venue for which the work was composed. Just thought I'd drop that in. Now THAT was absolutely amazing.)
Many thanks to the Berlioz Society for our excellently placed seats. Would be interesting to hear from anyone else who was there? Didn't spot many familiar faces among the (not full) audience.
If your own orchestra or choir ever gets an invitation to perform this piece, don't hesitate! As I recall from a hundred years ago, it's great fun to play as well as to listen to. And Berlioz writes for four bassoons, so he has got to be a good thing.
* For elucidation: David Temple actually wore an open-necked black shirt outside his trousers. Tony Pappano sports an oversize collarless black shirt for which my boss coined the pejorative (but graphic) description 'black bin liner'. Comfortable, perhaps — but a disconcerting sight at recent concert performances of Les pecheurs de perles when the entire ROH chorus as well as the orchestra and soloists were in full evening dress.
Categories: bassoon, buildings, churches, concert halls, concerts, music, orchestras
Tags: Berlioz, Berlioz Society, Bernstein, Cambridge, Crouch End Festival Chorus, David Temple, Ely Cathedral, Grande Messe des Morts, John Bradbury, London Orchestra da Camera, Robert Murray
The BIG double reed day! – calling all oboes and bassoons
(…and contras!)
Calling ALL double-reeders, of whatever age or standard… Come to the BIG DOUBLE REED DAY at the Guildhall School of Music in London on Sunday 10 October. Looks loads of fun as well as very educational.
Tutors include Gordon Hunt, Martin Gatt, Gareth Hulse, Meryck Alexander, John Orford and loads more.
Go to the website http://www.bigdoublereed.com/about.php and click on all the links for more details and how to reserve your place.
See you there. maybe?
Meanwhile, have a happy summer!
Categories: bassoon, contrabassoon, Fun stuff, London, music, wind music
Tags: double reed, Gareth Hulse, Gordon Hunt, guildhall school of music, John Orford, Martin Gatt, Meryck Alexander
The Orchestra of St Paul's…
…at St Paul's Church, Covent Garden, yesterday (Sunday 25 April 2010), conducted by Ben Palmer.
The concert began with the overture to Mozart's Don Giovanni, beginning with a riskily fast tempo for the 'slow' introduction – the spooky music for the arrival of the statue of the dead Commendatore at Don Giovanni's supper table; but Ben Palmer knew what he was doing, and it worked. The ensuing Allegro was a bit of a scrabble, the strings not quite in tune yet, the trumpets and timpani drowning everything out at their entries in the echoey acoustic of St Paul's. (Solution? Harder timp sticks? Just mark all their dynamics down a bit? Make each entry a very quick diminuendo from a fortepiano? Shame, as the 'straight' natural trumpets made a great sound, as well as looking terrific.)
And the Overture ended with an awkward and stylistically out-of-kilter concert ending (necessary because in the opera itself the Overture doesn't 'finish' but segues into the first scene in a different key). Nul points to whichever publisher perpetrated that one – there are much simpler solutions that work fine.
Next came the reason we were there – my niece Rosie Burton playing the Hummel Bassoon Concerto. There is something of a shortage of decent bassoon concertos (well, if you don't count the 36 or so by Vivaldi, and one that probably isn't by Rossini); the teenage Mozart wrote one, which is famous because it is by Mozart but is really not up to much (though you wonder what the other half-dozen or so he is alleged to have written might have been like). Weber wrote the greatest of all, in 1811; and that's about it, apart from a few modern ones. No Beethoven, Brahms Dvořák or Elgar… And then there's Johann Nepomuk Hummel. He was an interesting chap – student (and lodger) of Mozart, pupil of Haydn and Beethoven, wrote some fine (and very jolly) chamber music, including the wittiest Wind Octet ever written; and he wrote his Grand Concerto for Bassoon in 1805. It isn't heard very often, because it is VERY difficult: not only is there lots of whizzing about in semiquavers, but the writing is awkward and un-bassoony – double octaves, huge skips and ever-widening arpeggio patterns – so the piece is even harder than it sounds.
Rosie did a fantastic job, performing with note-perfect accuracy, style, polish and fun, and above all with a gorgeous sound: warm, rich tone, smooth and nutty, and totally under control at all times. I am very envious! – and very proud.
After the interval, Beethoven's Symphony No. 2 in D – an 'early' work that isn't heard as often as it should be or used to be. Ben Palmer once again went for broke in his daringly fast tempi, but they paid off. And this time the stabs of trumpets and timpani were perfectly judged, providing Beethovenian 'punctuation' with point and clarity but never drowning the rest of the band.
The gently lilting 'slow' movement was refreshing – special praise for Tom Hardy on bassoon, along with the other woodwind principals – though I would have preferred just a little more room to breathe for the bouncy cello theme: the tempo is Larghetto, after all.
Conversely, the Scherzo felt as if it could have done with being even quicker. But it made its Beethovenian mark, especially the moment in the Trio when the unison strings say 'We're going to play in F sharp major now' and the rest of the orchestra says 'Oh no you're not!'
The Finale was an absolute rocket, and brilliantly effective. Occasionally it seemed to totter on the verge of rushing out of control, but never quite did. Ben Palmer captured perfectly Beethoven's shock tactics and rough wit in the handling of the opening 'yah boo' motive, and conversely the hushed moment in the Coda when pizzicato cellos and basses step down and down into new harmonic realms, 'as if', in the words of Sir George Grove quoted by my brother Tony in his programme note, 'we had passed through a door and were in a new enchanted world'.
Talking of which, one small disappointment was the presence of just one double bass – who was, however, always rock solid and perfectly audible; but even with a small orchestra one surely needs two or three basses, especially as Beethoven himself apparently preferred to have more basses than cellos.
Nevertheless, this was the most exciting and compelling performance of Beethoven 2 I have heard in a long time, or possibly ever; by this time the orchestra was perfectly in focus and in full steam, and Ben Palmer brought it to life and made sense of the piece in ways I had certainly never heard before. Great concert.
more about the orchestra on their website: http://www.orchestraofstpauls.co.uk/
Categories: bassoon, churches, concerts, London, music, orchestras
Tags: Beethoven Symphony No 2, Ben Palmer, Don Giovanni, double bass, Hummel, Mozart, Rosie Burton, Sir George Grove, St Paul's Covent Garden, Tom Hardy
Reed Rage bassoon quartet
Definition: Reed Rage. An affliction commonly found in double reed players, especially bassoonists. Less serious than Reed Neurosis suffered by oboe players. It involves leaping up and down on reeds that don't work or stabbing them into music stands…
So… way back in October, we turned out to the wilds of Hampstead for a concert by REED RAGE, a brand new bassoon quartet which just happens to have my niece Rosie in it…
More about them, and biographies of the four players (and their instruments), from their website – a very swish production which I suspect Tom had a hand in:
http://www.reedrage.co.uk
They are Rosie Burton, Alex Davidson, Llinos Owen and Tom Hardy. The occasion was organised by Hugh Rosenbaum, who hovered over the proceedings like a benevolent but slightly anxious mother hen (and wrote a glowing review for Double Reed News afterwards! – Issue 89, Winter 2009, page 33). The tiny room at Burgh House was packed to the rafters, and extra chairs had to be sent for to accommodate all the bassoonists, pupils, relations, friends and other interested parties who were eager to squeeze in.
The three girls are all alumnae of the Southbank Sinfonia, and Tom is a veteran of – well, lots of things. Each of the four had a terrific, characterful sound, and as a quartet their blend, unanimity of attack, discipline and intonation were a joy. Most of the contra duties fell to Tom, although Alex's Big Bertha got a look in too.
The programme managed to avoid the usual bassoon quartet chestnuts (though it would have been nice to hear Alan Ridout's Pigs played really well) and instead gave us wide-ranging repertoire, from Senaillé and Fucik to Prokofiev, Stravinsky and beyond, mostly in arrangements – the arrangers including Boris Turner (a.k.a. Rosie Burton), Graham Sheen, and Andrew Skirrow (who turned out to be an old chum of Tom's).
The concert also included the European premiere of Dance of the Polar Bears by Gernot Wolfgang, enterprisingly commissioned by a consortium (including Hugh Rosenbaum) from this highly regarded Austrian-born composer, who currently lives in Los Angeles.
It was concentrated, jazzy and lots of fun – and very difficult (as I know from having taken part in the first UK read-through… but that's another story). Some of the audience thought it perhaps outstayed its welcome; I was too busy listening to notice.
The programme concluded with The Lone Arranger by Philip R Buttall; we were invited to count the number of quotations from familiar works that crept in along the way. I've forgotten the answer…
But the highlight for me was probably Andrew Skirrow's arrangement of The Poacher (which tickled Hugh Rosenbaum, as he had laid on Lincolnshire Poacher cheese for the interval – and very nice it was too).
Here is an audio clip, courtesy of Tom:
[click on the arrow — and wind the volume up to max…] https://jonathanburton.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/the-poacher.mp3
The point of writing this review now – four months after the event – is that Reed Rage has unfortunately been in abeyance since Llinos was involved in a rather nasty car accident. We're glad to hear she has completely recovered, and wish her well; meanwhile, Reed Rage are gearing up for another evening of delights – so watch (and listen to) this space…
Thanks to Tom for the invitation to write this piece, and for the audio clip. And to the Reed Rage website for the picture.
Categories: bassoon, buildings, chamber music, concert halls, concerts, contrabassoon, Fun stuff, London, music, wind music
Tags: Alan Ridout, Alex Davidson, Andrew Skirrow, Burgh House, Double Reed News, Fucik, Gernot Wolfgang, Graham Sheen, Hugh Rosenbaum, Lincolnshire Poacher Cheese, llinos Owen, Philip R Buttall, Prokofiev, Reed Rage, Rosie Burton, Senaille, Southbank Sinfonia, Stravinsky, Tom Hardy


text:
@interface PSWebSocket() <NSStreamDelegate, PSWebSocketDriverDelegate> {
    PSWebSocketMode _mode;
    NSMutableURLRequest *_request;
    dispatch_queue_t _workQueue;
    PSWebSocketDriver *_driver;
    PSWebSocketBuffer *_inputBuffer;
    PSWebSocketBuffer *_outputBuffer;
    NSInputStream *_inputStream;
    NSOutputStream *_outputStream;
    PSWebSocketReadyState _readyState;
    BOOL _secure;
    BOOL _opened;
    BOOL _closeWhenFinishedOutput;
    BOOL _sentClose;
    BOOL _failed;
    BOOL _pumpingInput;
    BOOL _pumpingOutput;
    NSInteger _closeCode;
    NSString *_closeReason;
    NSMutableArray *_pingHandlers;
}
@end
@implementation PSWebSocket

#pragma mark - Class Methods

+ (BOOL)isWebSocketRequest:(NSURLRequest *)request {
    return [PSWebSocketDriver isWebSocketRequest:request];
}

#pragma mark - Class Properties

+ (NSRunLoop *)runLoop {
    return [[PSWebSocketNetworkThread sharedNetworkThread] runLoop];
}

#pragma mark - Properties

@dynamic readyState;

- (PSWebSocketReadyState)readyState {
    __block PSWebSocketReadyState value = 0;
    [self executeWorkAndWait:^{
        value = _readyState;
    }];
    return value;
}

#pragma mark - Initialization

- (instancetype)initWithMode:(PSWebSocketMode)mode request:(NSURLRequest *)request {
	if((self = [super init])) {
        _mode = mode;
        _request = [request mutableCopy];
		_readyState = PSWebSocketReadyStateConnecting;
        _workQueue = dispatch_queue_create(nil, nil);
        if(_mode == PSWebSocketModeClient) {
            _driver = [PSWebSocketDriver clientDriverWithRequest:_request];
        } else {
            _driver = [PSWebSocketDriver serverDriverWithRequest:_request];
        }
        _driver.delegate = self;
        _secure = ([_request.URL.scheme hasPrefix:@"https"] || [_request.URL.scheme hasPrefix:@"wss"]);
        _opened = NO;
        _closeWhenFinishedOutput = NO;
        _sentClose = NO;
        _failed = NO;
        _pumpingInput = NO;
        _pumpingOutput = NO;
        _closeCode = 0;
        _closeReason = nil;
        _pingHandlers = [NSMutableArray array];
        _inputBuffer = [[PSWebSocketBuffer alloc] init];
        _outputBuffer = [[PSWebSocketBuffer alloc] init];
        if(_request.HTTPBody.length > 0) {
            [_inputBuffer appendData:_request.HTTPBody];
            _request.HTTPBody = nil;
        }
	}
	return self;
}

+ (instancetype)clientSocketWithRequest:(NSURLRequest *)request {
    return [[self alloc] initClientSocketWithRequest:request];
}
- (instancetype)initClientSocketWithRequest:(NSURLRequest *)request {
	if((self = [self initWithMode:PSWebSocketModeClient request:request])) {
        NSURL *URL = request.URL;
        NSString *host = URL.host;
        UInt32 port = (UInt32)request.URL.port.integerValue;
        if(port == 0) {
            port = (_secure) ? 443 : 80;
        }

        CFReadStreamRef readStream = nil;
        CFWriteStreamRef writeStream = nil;
        CFStreamCreatePairWithSocketToHost(kCFAllocatorDefault,
                                           (__bridge CFStringRef)host,
                                           port,
                                           &readStream,
                                           &writeStream);
        NSAssert(readStream && writeStream, @"Failed to create streams for client socket");

        _inputStream = CFBridgingRelease(readStream);
        _outputStream = CFBridgingRelease(writeStream);

        if(_secure) {
            NSMutableDictionary *opts = [NSMutableDictionary dictionary];

            opts[(__bridge id)kCFStreamSSLLevel] = (__bridge id)kCFStreamSocketSecurityLevelNegotiatedSSL;

            // @TODO PINNED SSL

#if DEBUG
            opts[(__bridge id)kCFStreamSSLValidatesCertificateChain] = @NO;
            NSLog(@"PSWebSocket: debug mode allowing all SSL certificates");
#endif
            [_outputStream setProperty:opts forKey:(__bridge id)kCFStreamPropertySSLSettings];
        }
	}
	return self;
}

+ (instancetype)serverSocketWithRequest:(NSURLRequest *)request inputStream:(NSInputStream *)inputStream outputStream:(NSOutputStream *)outputStream {
    return [[self alloc] initServerWithRequest:request inputStream:inputStream outputStream:outputStream];
}
- (instancetype)initServerWithRequest:(NSURLRequest *)request inputStream:(NSInputStream *)inputStream outputStream:(NSOutputStream *)outputStream {
    if((self = [self initWithMode:PSWebSocketModeServer request:request])) {
        _inputStream = inputStream;
        _outputStream = outputStream;
    }
    return self;
}

#pragma mark - Actions

- (void)open {
    [self executeWork:^{
        if(_opened || _readyState != PSWebSocketReadyStateConnecting) {
            [NSException raise:@"Invalid State" format:@"You cannot open a PSWebSocket more than once."];
            return;
        }

        _opened = YES;

        // connect
        [self connect];
    }];
}
- (void)send:(id)message {
    NSParameterAssert(message);
    [self executeWork:^{
        if([message isKindOfClass:[NSString class]]) {
            [_driver sendText:message];
        } else if([message isKindOfClass:[NSData class]]) {
            [_driver sendBinary:message];
        } else {
            [NSException raise:@"Invalid Message" format:@"Messages must be instances of NSString or NSData"];
        }
    }];
}
- (void)ping:(NSData *)pingData handler:(void (^)(NSData *pongData))handler {
    [self executeWork:^{
        if(handler) {
            [_pingHandlers addObject:handler];
        }
        [_driver sendPing:pingData];
    }];
}
- (void)close {
    [self closeWithCode:1000 reason:nil];
}
- (void)closeWithCode:(NSInteger)code reason:(NSString *)reason {
    [self executeWork:^{
        // already closing so lets exit
        if(_readyState >= PSWebSocketReadyStateClosing) {
            return;
        }

        BOOL connecting = (_readyState == PSWebSocketReadyStateConnecting);
        _readyState = PSWebSocketReadyStateClosing;

        // send close code if we're not connecting
        if(!connecting) {
            [_driver sendCloseCode:code reason:reason];
        }

        // disconnect gracefully
        [self disconnectGracefully];

        // disconnect hard in 30 seconds
        __weak typeof(self)weakSelf = self;
        dispatch_after(dispatch_walltime(DISPATCH_TIME_NOW, 30.0 * NSEC_PER_SEC), dispatch_get_main_queue(), ^{
            __strong typeof(weakSelf)strongSelf = weakSelf;
            if(!strongSelf) return;

            [strongSelf executeWork:^{
                if(strongSelf->_readyState >= PSWebSocketReadyStateClosed) {
                    return;
                }
                [strongSelf disconnect];
            }];
        });
    }];
}

#pragma mark - Stream Properties

- (CFTypeRef)copyStreamPropertyForKey:(NSString *)key {
    __block CFTypeRef result;
    [self executeWorkAndWait:^{
        result = CFWriteStreamCopyProperty((__bridge CFWriteStreamRef)_outputStream, (__bridge CFStringRef)key);
    }];
    return result;
}
- (void)setStreamProperty:(CFTypeRef)property forKey:(NSString *)key {
    [self executeWorkAndWait:^{
        if(_opened || _readyState != PSWebSocketReadyStateConnecting) {
            [NSException raise:@"Invalid State" format:@"You cannot set stream properties on a PSWebSocket once it is opened."];
            return;
        }
        CFWriteStreamSetProperty((__bridge CFWriteStreamRef)_outputStream, (__bridge CFStringRef)key, (CFTypeRef)property);
    }];
}

#pragma mark - Connection

- (void)connect {
    // delegate
    _inputStream.delegate = self;
    _outputStream.delegate = self;

    // driver
    [_driver start];

    // schedule streams
    [_inputStream scheduleInRunLoop:[[self class] runLoop] forMode:NSDefaultRunLoopMode];
    [_outputStream scheduleInRunLoop:[[self class] runLoop] forMode:NSDefaultRunLoopMode];

    // open streams
    if(_inputStream.streamStatus == NSStreamStatusNotOpen) {
        [_inputStream open];
    }
    if(_outputStream.streamStatus == NSStreamStatusNotOpen) {
        [_outputStream open];
    }

    // pump
    [self pumpInput];
    [self pumpOutput];

    // prepare timeout
    if(_request.timeoutInterval > 0.0) {
        __weak typeof(self)weakSelf = self;
        dispatch_after(dispatch_time(DISPATCH_TIME_NOW, _request.timeoutInterval * NSEC_PER_SEC), dispatch_get_main_queue(), ^{
            __strong typeof(weakSelf)strongSelf = weakSelf;
            if(strongSelf) {
                [strongSelf executeWork:^{
                    if(strongSelf->_readyState == PSWebSocketReadyStateConnecting) {
                        [strongSelf failWithCode:PSWebSocketErrorCodeTimedOut reason:@"Timed out."];
                    }
                }];
            }
        });
    }
}
- (void)disconnectGracefully {
    _closeWhenFinishedOutput = YES;
    [self pumpOutput];
}
- (void)disconnect {
    _inputStream.delegate = nil;
    _outputStream.delegate = nil;

    [_inputStream close];
    [_outputStream close];

    [_inputStream removeFromRunLoop:[[self class] runLoop] forMode:NSDefaultRunLoopMode];
    [_outputStream removeFromRunLoop:[[self class] runLoop] forMode:NSDefaultRunLoopMode];

    _inputStream = nil;
    _outputStream = nil;
}

#pragma mark - Pumping

- (void)pumpInput {
    if(_readyState >= PSWebSocketReadyStateClosing) {
        return;
    }
    if(_pumpingInput) {
        return;
    }
    _pumpingInput = YES;

    @autoreleasepool {
        uint8_t chunkBuffer[4096];
        while(_inputStream.hasBytesAvailable) {
            NSInteger readLength = [_inputStream read:chunkBuffer maxLength:sizeof(chunkBuffer)];
            if(readLength > 0) {
                if(!_inputBuffer.hasBytesAvailable) {
                    NSInteger consumedLength = [_driver execute:chunkBuffer maxLength:readLength];
                    if(consumedLength < readLength) {
                        NSInteger offset = MAX(0, consumedLength);
                        NSInteger remaining = readLength - offset;
                        [_inputBuffer appendBytes:chunkBuffer + offset length:remaining];
                    }
                } else {
                    [_inputBuffer appendBytes:chunkBuffer length:readLength];
                }
            } else if(readLength < 0) {
                [self failWithError:_inputStream.streamError];
                break;
            }
            if(readLength < sizeof(chunkBuffer)) {
                break;
            }
        }

        while(_inputBuffer.hasBytesAvailable) {
            NSInteger readLength = [_driver execute:_inputBuffer.mutableBytes maxLength:_inputBuffer.bytesAvailable];
            if(readLength <= 0) {
                break;
            }
            _inputBuffer.offset += readLength;
        }

        [_inputBuffer compact];
    }

    _pumpingInput = NO;
    if(_inputStream.hasBytesAvailable) {
        [self pumpInput];
    }
}
- (void)pumpOutput {
    if(_pumpingOutput) {
        return;
    }
    _pumpingOutput = YES;

    while(_outputStream.hasSpaceAvailable && _outputBuffer.hasBytesAvailable) {
        NSInteger writeLength = [_outputStream write:_outputBuffer.bytes maxLength:_outputBuffer.bytesAvailable];
        if(writeLength <= -1) {
            _failed = YES;
            [self disconnect];
            NSString *reason = @"Failed to write to output stream";
            NSError *error = [NSError errorWithDomain:PSWebSocketErrorDomain code:PSWebSocketErrorCodeConnectionFailed userInfo:@{NSLocalizedDescriptionKey: reason}];
            [self notifyDelegateDidFailWithError:error];
            return;
        }
        _outputBuffer.offset += writeLength;
    }
    if(_closeWhenFinishedOutput &&
       !_outputBuffer.hasBytesAvailable &&
       (_inputStream.streamStatus != NSStreamStatusNotOpen &&
        _inputStream.streamStatus != NSStreamStatusClosed) &&
       !_sentClose) {
        _sentClose = YES;

        [self disconnect];

        if(!_failed) {
            [self notifyDelegateDidCloseWithCode:_closeCode reason:_closeReason wasClean:YES];
        }
    }

    [_outputBuffer compact];

    _pumpingOutput = NO;
    if(_outputStream.hasSpaceAvailable && _outputBuffer.hasBytesAvailable) {
        [self pumpOutput];
    }
}

#pragma mark - Failing

- (void)failWithCode:(NSInteger)code reason:(NSString *)reason {
    NSDictionary *userInfo = @{NSLocalizedDescriptionKey: reason};
    [self failWithError:[NSError errorWithDomain:PSWebSocketErrorDomain code:code userInfo:userInfo]];
}
- (void)failWithError:(NSError *)error {
    if(error.code == PSWebSocketStatusCodeProtocolError) {
        [self executeDelegate:^{
            _closeCode = error.code;
            _closeReason = error.localizedDescription;
            [self closeWithCode:_closeCode reason:_closeReason];
            [self executeWork:^{
                [self disconnectGracefully];
            }];
        }];
    } else {
        [self executeWork:^{
            if(_readyState != PSWebSocketReadyStateClosed) {
                _failed = YES;
                _readyState = PSWebSocketReadyStateClosed;
                [self notifyDelegateDidFailWithError:error];
                [self disconnectGracefully];
            }
        }];
    }
}

#pragma mark - PSWebSocketDriverDelegate

- (void)driverDidOpen:(PSWebSocketDriver *)driver {
    if(_readyState != PSWebSocketReadyStateConnecting) {
        [NSException raise:@"Invalid State" format:@"Ready state must be connecting to become open"];
        return;
    }
    _readyState = PSWebSocketReadyStateOpen;
    [self notifyDelegateDidOpen];
    [self pumpInput];
    [self pumpOutput];
}
- (void)driver:(PSWebSocketDriver *)driver didFailWithError:(NSError *)error {
    [self failWithError:error];
}
- (void)driver:(PSWebSocketDriver *)driver didCloseWithCode:(NSInteger)code reason:(NSString *)reason {
    _closeCode = code;
    _closeReason = reason;
    if(_readyState == PSWebSocketReadyStateOpen) {
        [self closeWithCode:1000 reason:nil];
    }
    [self executeWork:^{
        [self disconnectGracefully];
    }];
}
- (void)driver:(PSWebSocketDriver *)driver didReceiveMessage:(id)message {
    [self notifyDelegateDidReceiveMessage:message];
}
- (void)driver:(PSWebSocketDriver *)driver didReceivePing:(NSData *)ping {
    [self executeDelegate:^{
        [self executeWork:^{
            [driver sendPong:ping];
        }];
    }];
}
- (void)driver:(PSWebSocketDriver *)driver didReceivePong:(NSData *)pong {
    void (^handler)(NSData *pong) = [_pingHandlers firstObject];
    if(handler) {
        [self executeDelegate:^{
            handler(pong);
        }];
        [_pingHandlers removeObjectAtIndex:0];
    }
}
- (void)driver:(PSWebSocketDriver *)driver write:(NSData *)data {
    if(_closeWhenFinishedOutput) {
        return;
    }
    [_outputBuffer appendData:data];
    [self pumpOutput];
}

#pragma mark - NSStreamDelegate

- (void)stream:(NSStream *)stream handleEvent:(NSStreamEvent)event {
    // @TODO HANDLE PINNED SSL CERTIFICATES
    [self executeWork:^{
        switch(event) {
            case NSStreamEventOpenCompleted: {
                if(_mode != PSWebSocketModeClient) {
                    [NSException raise:@"Invalid State" format:@"Server mode should have already opened streams."];
                    return;
                }
                if(_readyState >= PSWebSocketReadyStateClosing) {
                    return;
                }
                [self pumpOutput];
                [self pumpInput];
                break;
            }
            case NSStreamEventErrorOccurred: {
                [self failWithError:stream.streamError];
                [_inputBuffer reset];
                break;
            }
            case NSStreamEventEndEncountered: {
                [self pumpInput];
                if(stream.streamError) {
                    [self failWithError:stream.streamError];
                } else {
                    _readyState = PSWebSocketReadyStateClosed;
                    if(!_sentClose && !_failed) {
                        _failed = YES;
                        [self disconnect];
                        NSString *reason = [NSString stringWithFormat:@"%@ stream end encountered", (stream == _inputStream) ? @"Input" : @"Output"];
                        NSError *error = [NSError errorWithDomain:PSWebSocketErrorDomain code:PSWebSocketErrorCodeConnectionFailed userInfo:@{NSLocalizedDescriptionKey: reason}];
                        [self notifyDelegateDidFailWithError:error];
                    }
                }
                break;
            }
            case NSStreamEventHasBytesAvailable: {
                [self pumpInput];
                break;
            }
            case NSStreamEventHasSpaceAvailable: {
                [self pumpOutput];
                break;
            }
            default:
                break;
        }
    }];
}

#pragma mark - Delegation

- (void)notifyDelegateDidOpen {
    [self executeDelegate:^{
        [_delegate webSocketDidOpen:self];
    }];
}
- (void)notifyDelegateDidReceiveMessage:(id)message {
    [self executeDelegate:^{
        [_delegate webSocket:self didReceiveMessage:message];
    }];
}
- (void)notifyDelegateDidFailWithError:(NSError *)error {
    [self executeDelegate:^{
        [_delegate webSocket:self didFailWithError:error];
    }];
}
- (void)notifyDelegateDidCloseWithCode:(NSInteger)code reason:(NSString *)reason wasClean:(BOOL)wasClean {
    [self executeDelegate:^{
        [_delegate webSocket:self didCloseWithCode:code reason:reason wasClean:wasClean];
    }];
}

#pragma mark - Queueing

- (void)executeWork:(void (^)(void))work {
    NSParameterAssert(work);
    dispatch_async(_workQueue, work);
}
- (void)executeWorkAndWait:(void (^)(void))work {
    NSParameterAssert(work);
    dispatch_sync(_workQueue, work);
}
- (void)executeDelegate:(void (^)(void))work {
    NSParameterAssert(work);
    dispatch_async((_delegateQueue) ? _delegateQueue : dispatch_get_main_queue(), work);
}
- (void)executeDelegateAndWait:(void (^)(void))work {
    NSParameterAssert(work);
    dispatch_sync((_delegateQueue) ? _delegateQueue : dispatch_get_main_queue(), work);
}

#pragma mark - Dealloc

- (void)dealloc {
    dispatch_barrier_sync(_workQueue, ^{
        [self disconnect];
    });
}

@end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


I have two windows in my home office room, one on the side of the house overlooking my clothesline and neighbor about 100 yards away, and one on the back of my house overlooking a line of giant Norway spruces and a little meadow up the hill from my house. Out the back window this morning I see the lowest and widest branch of a Norway spruce, whose clumps of green needles hang down, has a little brown lump on it. I let my morning eyes focus a bit and see that it's a chipmunk sunning himself. How cute. Let's take a picture. So I grab little Canon Powershot SD300 and point out of the window. Kinda far away, and Canon has only 3x zoom, so outside we go. Of course he doesn't let me get too close before leaping off into the meadow. Alas. As I walk back to the house, the big orange cat that periodically creeps out of the big at the corner of my yard and the back meadow runs like a blur back under his usual spruce. I guess I interrupted his potential chipmunk breakfast. Alas for him.
Wish I were headed for Gnomedex. All the podcasting big boys will be there, and it's in groovy Seattle, a place I've always wanted to check out. Winer and Curry are both keynoting, that could be a hoot. They are both slacking on the podcasts today, but I'm guessing they'll each cast at least one from the event, as will hopefully plenty of other folks, who hopefully have good quality road gear, she said wistfully.
Speaking of good quality road gear, yo check out my new fantasy, the Mackie Onyx 1220. I keep thinking I should get some asskicking sound card, that I can plug my good audio straight in to. But, duh, then it's just a computer. Why not get a kickass mixer that also goes out USB or Firewire? Then ya get sound gig gear as well as puter toy. Shawing, enter the Onyx series. Drool.
The pool was a little cold but very refreshing yesterday, as I skipped out of work early and took a dip to cool off on my way home. Nice thing about getting a summer pool pass, you can go in for just a half hour or so and still feel like you're getting your money's worth.
Liv wants to go to Atlanta to see Weezer. Not gonna happen. Unfortunately the tour does not come very close to us (I think NJ and NY are it), and since two of her sisters live in Atlanta she thought she might talk her dad and/or me into a roadtrip southward for the show. I think not.
My single hummingbird has been joined by another male at the feeder. No females yet. Poor hummingbirds.
Off to work for me, but looking forward to a weekend at home. Somebody seriously needs to do my laundry! Uh, that would be me.


Golf holidays to Italy are fast becoming more and more popular. Playing in Italy offers you the chance to discover some of the worlds most luxurious courses, whilst visiting wonderful places and sampling Italy's world renowned gastronomy. You can head for the glamorous Lake Garda, or Como, or alternatively consider Tuscany or Sardinia, all of which provide unsurpassed luxury.
Palazzo Arzaga (Brescia, Lake Garda) has two courses designed by golfing legends Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. The immense quality of this resort is evident throughout the beautifully designed hotel and clubhouse. The courses overlook Lake Garda and provide a spectacular challenge, plus that unique Italian scenery you will not find on a golf holiday anywhere else in the world.
Poggio dei Medici golf resort (Tuscany) is set in the charming Tuscan hills and is located just 25 kilometres from Florence. Accommodation for this championship course is in the form of an elegantly restored farmhouse. Each luxury room is spacious and has their own private balcony or garden area. This fascinating course benefits from the beautiful Tuscan scenery deep in the Italian countryside which is enough of a reason to play golf in Italy in itself. Everyone can enjoy the facilities on offer which include a large swimming pool and Jacuzzi offering spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. There is also a spa which offers a range of relaxation and beauty treatments.
Terme di Saturnia (Maremma, Southern Tuscany) is also a golf and Spa resort surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the whole of Tuscany. Fine Italian wines and gourmet cuisine are available to those keen to experience the unique flavours of Tuscany. The splendid 18 hole course is suitable for beginners and experts.
A new destination we have chosen to feature is the luxury resort of Borgo Egnazia in Puglia. Well known to the followers of the European Challenge Tour Grand Final now accesible to the UK golfers looking for a quality course and a great Italian experience.
With so many amazing options available now really is the time to book your next Italian golf holidays.
Transfer from Cagliari airport just 45minutes.
Stylish and luxurious hotel with 18 holes of golf on site.
Located in the Tuscan countryside 180km 2hrs north of Rome and 200km 2.5hrs south of Florence.
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club is the official host venue of the 2022 Ryder Cup Match.
Blue, 6216 m, Par 72 - Yellow, 6214 m, Par 72.
18 holes, 6380 m, Par 73.
Situated within the regional park of La Mandria close to the Royal Palace of Venaria and just 15kms from the City of Turin.


Bowen Therapy is an effective manual therapy for treating the root cause of pain. Clients are treated fully clothed, and being gentle it is suitable for all ages, babies to the elderly.
Using Bowen for pain relief is very cost effective. Most of our clients with acute issues have significant resolution or recovery within three sessions. It's any wonder Bowen Therapy has been hailed as one of the fastest growing complimentary therapies for PAIN MANAGEMENT and SPORTS INJURIES worldwide.
By targeting precise locations on the body over muscles, ligaments, tendons and also interacting with the central nervous system, there is a wide range of ailments Bowen can treat beyond general structural muscle or tendon issues.
You can read some Google Reviews from my clients here.
Listen to my Radio Interview by pressing Play above.
Frees pinched nerves, speeds recovery from slipped disks, as well as relieving muscular spasms.
Bowen is very effective at treating pain in the buttock which may run down the leg to bring lasting relief.
A natural and effective approach to managing migraines without the risks associated with long term medication use.
Bowen treatments relieve pain associated with frozen shoulder, as well as increasing the range of movement.
Relief from pain, tingling and weakness due to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Effective relief from Plantar Fasciitis, Bunions, Gout, Hammertoes & General foot pain.
Effective treatments for both tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, and general elbow soreness.