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(EN) FvF Mixtape #122: Laura Hunt
(EN) How musical reverberations shape mind and space with the Australian sculptor and sound artist
17 17 jun 2017
Mixtapes > (EN) FvF Mixtape #122: Laura Hunt
(EN) From the back of a dimly lit Berlin bar, a white hat weaves its way to the front of the crowd—its wearer, Sydney sound artist and sculptor Laura Hunt, seems unperturbed by the dissonant sounds and screams emanating from the floodlit stage.
(EN) She watches the performers with interest, somehow avoiding the grown men playfully hurling one another around in the front row: ears dutifully plugged, eyes set forward, entirely absorbed in the crashing, fantastic spectacle of chaos in front of her. As the raucous scene unfolds, Laura looks as if she is navigating a gallery space—watching on with a quiet kind of contemplation. It makes sense that her practice is concerned with the the way that sound shapes us, in both self and space. Her work deliberately toes the line between high art and music, utilizing the self-help YouTube videos so often decreed as crass, and liberating them conceptually through her art. "If an audience has the power to say that something is an artwork does it also give them the power to say that something isn't?" she says, later pondering, "Is it always art if someone says it is?"
Her research into the art of noise; and the speculative, biological and historical ways in which sound has been proven to shape us, inform her practice as much as the self-help programs of internet hypnotists like Lollypop Rob. We caught up to discuss how music was more than sound, and the way in which the architecture of space impacts the way people experience her creative output.
Ingredients (for 2 people)
(EN) Midori Takada – Mr Henri Rousseau's Dream (0–2:27)
(EN) Nina Buchannan (2:18–8:50)
(EN) Dej Loaf – You Me and Hennesy Instrumental Remix (8:37–9:50)
(EN) Orion – Red Lights (9:51–12:43)
(EN) Various Asses – Hood Team (12:40–15:32)
(EN) Midori Takada – Trompe-L'oeil (15:28–16:40)
(EN) Enderie Nuatal – Ataque do Poder (16:10–22:05)
(EN) Jannah Quill – Accident Techno (21:24–26:30)
(EN) Catherine Christer Hennix – The Deontic Miracle, Central Palace Music (25:55–29:06)
(EN) Rihanna – Sex With Me (28:58–31:27)
(EN) Horse MacGuyver – ®†¥¨ˆ¨¥†® (31:20–36:45)
(EN) "Sound molds us from early childhood; language exposure shapes how our voice box is developed."
(EN) You studied sculpture at University, and are currently completing your Masters in Sound: I'm interested as to how these two disciplines connect to one another. Do you shape sound in the way that you create sculptural works?
(EN) In the beginning years of art school some friends and I started a mid tempo punk band named Ghastly Spats. Playing in bands and being connected to the Sydney music scene has really shaped my practice—mainly because performing and going to shows most weekends made me needy for the type of energy that comes with live music. So I think that sound has shaped my sculptures, not the other way around.
I majored in photography but adopted sculpture as an informal major. I've found it very hard to stay in my lane! There was a lot of freedom and fluidity where I did my undergrad, and I felt so connected to my lecturers that it never occurred to me to transfer studios. I still make a lot of mixed media and image-based work, and recently have returned to video for my live performances.
The main link with my art practice and use of sound is in control, perhaps because I'm not formally trained I've always let the instruments speak to me, my early water-based sculptures were inspired by collaboration with controlled chance. My early sculptures would become percussive instruments through amplification and modulation of the dripping. There is also the potential for sonic fictions in music working with its own rules and possibilities. I like to play with those ideas in my work by making sculptures that have a life and then fade.
(EN) You mentioned that you're interested in the way that music and sound have the power to mold us, could you tell me a bit more about that? Is this something you are attempting to do in your work?
(EN) Sound has an incredible power to drive us into a certain states, and when that is paired with technology I think there are really interesting possibilities for our future— and I find it super inspiring. Sound molds us from early childhood; language exposure shapes how our voice box is developed. I draw a lot of influence on DIY hypnosis, binaural and ASMR video sharing and how these rituals have been filtered through technology and politics.
For a long time before I started my project I was hypnotizing myself on YouTube to get over extreme heartache. Every night I'd stream Lollypop Rob, (such a gross name but really good at YouTube hypnosis!) he worked on a shitty webcam recordings out of his bedroom to hypnotize people.
I found a lot of solace in the fact that all these people were hypnotizing themselves for the same reason, potentially at the same time. There's something really inspiring about the potential of widespread collective change on a platform like YouTube. I wish it was possible that lasting mobility and collective change could occur through the platform of the internet.
(EN) How would you describe your sound, and what (if any) particular scene or movement does it come from or is it aligned with?
(EN) It's always so hard to describe your own music! The music I make borders a few electronic genres and I guess it's always evolving from noise/dance to ambient. I have roots in mid tempo punk, and sludge, but I've always been influenced by the politics and sound of the early industrial scene. I think my experience in DIY communities has inevitably carried on into my ethos for how I produce art and music with the kind of laissez-faire attitude of trying things out.
(EN) You're a sound artist: but you play the same sets in clubs and festivals as you do in gallery spaces. How does that work?
(EN) Space is so inherent to the way people act at shows, architecture comes with a rule-book. When alcohol is involved these rules are relaxed a little bit, but I find it interesting that the same sets could be played at different venues but the energy and regulations of the space dictate how it's heard and also how I play because you definitely get so much from an audience. The sets I play are very fluid, there's a lot of room to change because it crosses genres and can be adapted to the setting. Generally though, it's the same formula regardless of the venue from gallery to club.
(EN) "I produce art and music with the kind of laissez-faire attitude of trying things out."
(EN) You talk about the notion of being sold an image of a better self, how does your music try and engage with this idea? Are you trying to reach a level of spirituality through your music, or are you trying to highlight the way in which we are part of a consumerist culture?
(EN) I am engaging with contemporary notions of spirituality, my practice can be placed in a techno-mystic context; it sits between historical fact, and speculation. The facts lie in the un-debatable notion that technology is reshaping us biologically and psychologically and I think where we sit now is at a crossroads to a complete reshuffle in what we know to be possible, on the one hand we have gigantic technological shifts and on the other a government entwined within pan-capitalist ideologies and media that is tightening control. I'm interested in the infected neoliberal space where contemporary sonic rituals accompany en masse sonic reshaping partaken by people in online platforms. The sound pieces I compose use subliminal and hypnotic self-help audio; get rich, be better with women and increase productivity—ideas behind this audio are reminiscent of a post human desire—placed within a techno-mystical union to create sonic fictions in an electronic and ambient setting.
(EN) Does the audience determine whether or not the work is 'art'? Obviously there is a performative aspect: is this intertwined with the sound to create the art?
(EN) Sometimes music that is assumed the art title by an audience seems to place it in the genius realm, but if it's sound art—framed that way by theorists or artists then it's a softer label. I don't actually want people to have to determine whether my music is art. I really love music that is just music, I just find it hard not to overthink things and place it in a realm where it has more possibility but that's not a prescription.
I once had a lecturer say to me that art should not be able to be understood by the general public. I vehemently disagree with this and it's the very type of exclusivity that repels me from a lot of the art world. In terms of the performative aspect, well, that is present in both an art and musical context, to be honest I've never felt entirely comfortable at gallery openings; I'm being kind of tactical and moving my practice to where I feel most comfortable.
Thank you Laura, for the music and for letting us pick your brain on bending time and space. We're very glad for serendipitous meetings at strange Berlin punk gigs.
If like what you see (and what you hear) head to Laura's website here, or visit her Soundcloud here.
Follow along online here to see more of our FvF Mixtapes. If you're interested in stories from the land down under, visit our stories from Australia here.
Text: Rosie Flanagan
Photography: Alina Usurelu and Laura Hunt


Eleven Nigerian athletes have been selected for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) scholarship scheme ahead of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
The list of athletes to enjoy the IOC grant is headlined by fast-rising 100m hurdler and reigning Commonwealth Games gold medalist, Oluwatobiloba Ayomide Amusan and Portugal-based table tennis star, Aruna Quadri.
The deal brokered by the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) also includes; Commonwealth Games wrestling champion in the 53kg category, Odunayo Adekuoroye, Blessing Oborodudu (Wrestling) and Nathaniel Glory Onome (Athletics), Nathaniel Samson (Athletics).
Others include; Adeniyi Aminat (Wrestling), Adesanmi Oluwatoyin (Weightlifting), Italy-based table tennis talent, Omotayo Olajide and taekwondo duo of Adamu Abubakar and Otuadinma Uzoamaka.
In his reaction, NOC President, Habu Gumel described the latest gesture from IOC as a welcome development which will go a long way in exposing the athletes to quality training facilities, specialised coaching, regular medical and scientific assistance as well as lodging costs and travel to Olympic qualification competitions.
"These 11 athletes were carefully selected out of the numerous applications from Nigerian athletes home and abroad. We would have wanted more slots, but we just had to make do with the available slots given to Nigeria by IOC," observed the NOC chief.
Gumel used the opportunity to appeal to corporate organisations to support and sponsor Nigerian athletes to ease the burden on the Federal Government, sports federations and individual athletes as they prepare for the Tokyo 2020 games.
"Qualifying for the Olympics is capital intensive and without heavy financial backing, athletes and federations find it difficult to cope with. To train properly and even attend the numerous competitions which serve as qualifiers for the Olympics costs fortune.
"We cannot leave everything to government or federation presidents. We need more corporate sponsors to help us in preparing these athletes for major international competitions," pleaded the NOC boss.
Prior to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil, 12 athletes including Nigeria's Queen of the track, Blessing Okagbare, Ese Brume, Ogho-oghene Egwero, Divine Oduduru, and Adekuoroye all benefitted from the IOC scholarship.


Businesses across the world are under pressure to go beyond simply providing a top-quality service to their customers. After all, this is now the minimum requirement for firms in any industry, particularly the most competitive ones.
As a result, they have had to look for other ways in which to stand out – and many have found investing in customer service the solution. The reason is clear, as it enables businesses to develop a relationship with their target market that can encourage repeat custom and – potentially – long-term brand loyalty.
Active customer engagement has also proved a necessity for another reason. With the emergence of social networking platforms, online forums and review sites, any disgruntled customer can share their experiences with a large audience and potentially put others off transacting with a firm in the future.
Businesses therefore need to be mindful of the reputational damage that can ensue if a customer does make a complaint on the internet.
Many firms have taken to building extensive and detailed data sets about their customers, so any engagement efforts are based on their established tastes, preferences, circumstances and behaviour.
This has driven a shift away from mass-market promotion, with companies instead moving towards personalising their marketing material to each individual. And this approach has been proven to deliver results. Indeed, a study by McKinsey found that retailers have seen their marketing return on investment go up by ten per cent if their campaigns are personalised according to their customers' previous purchasing decisions.
Of course, there is a delicate balance to strike for any firm that goes down this road. Firstly, consumers might be uncomfortable if a business apparently knows too much about them, and secondly they don't necessarily want to be contacted too often.
Any business that wants to engage effectively with their target audience must therefore bear this in mind and find out how often they wish to receive communications. Otherwise, a person might easily choose to stop following a firm on social media or unsubscribe from a mailing list.
CRM systems have proved invaluable in helping firms juggle every individual's various requirements and preferred options, so they can effectively engage with people at the right times and in appropriate ways.
A good way of maximising the chances of delivering well-targeted and relevant communications is tracking a customer's journey from the very beginning. By doing this, firms can build up a picture of what a potential buyer looks like, so sales people can engage in a meaningful way that is likely to yield results.
But companies should remember there is unlikely to be a one-size-fits-all persona, so they should segment their customers into different groups. A CRM platform can be a useful tool for performing this task, so firms can engage with each group in a way that suits their various requirements.
This not only helps to ensure firms get good returns on their marketing investment, but it also reduces the likelihood of annoying certain people by sending them irrelevant content.
A CRM system can also streamline the customer engagement process, so a company is less likely to leave too long a time between first contact and a promised quote or proposal. As a result, customers will probably not be tempted to look elsewhere in the meantime to get their goods or services more quickly.
Furthermore, the technology helps firms keep track of whether or not follow-up communications, such as emails and phone calls, are happening when they should, so again people won't get tired of waiting and move their custom to a competitor.
With many people commenting on their brand experiences via social media, it's useful for companies to have a means of monitoring what's being said on Facebook and Twitter about them, as well as certain products and subjects.
CRM technology comes with a social media listening facility, so they can gain insights into hot topics and people's views. Businesses can then tailor their marketing material and communications with this in mind, speaking about issues they know are on the minds of their target audience.
In summary, firms no longer need to guess about what people are interested in, how they want to be contacted and exactly who is purchasing what. It results in a far better targeted and effective marketing strategy that is based on evidence rather than random guesses and anecdotal observations.
Companies can therefore prioritise where they may see fit, perhaps by focusing their resources towards their most lucrative groups or maybe improving in areas where they might be falling short.
Attracting customers is one thing, but keeping hold of them is quite another, which is why CRM has become such a key asset to businesses in all sorts of industries.
But simply having a CRM system in place is not necessarily enough. It needs to be used properly in order to deliver maximum results, so businesses know who they are dealing with and what expectations people have of them.
So what do firms need to do in order to make sure they're making the most of this resource? Ensuring every department has access to CRM technology is vitally important, as it means large amounts of information can be shared between everybody who might need it. And this could be particularly useful for firms that have employees working remotely, perhaps from their own home.
Implementing a standard approach to using CRM across each department can also be worthwhile, so everyone in a firm is operating by the same rulebook and mistakes are less likely to be made.
Every division that needs to should be able to access the data they require in order to identify trends and sales patterns – and perhaps avoid a repeat of mistakes that might have been made in the past.
By having all this customer information available with just a few clicks of a button, companies can engage with people in a proactive way and build a reputation for offering a relevant and tailored experience every time.
Ultimately, this will generate a buzz around brands and perhaps draw even more people towards them, as well as help to ensure any problems that do arise can be dealt with quickly before they escalate into something more serious.
The case for using CRM to drive customer engagement is strong and wide-ranging, from ensuring that marketing spend is used effectively to helping firms manage the reputational risks opened up by social media.
With more and more people transacting via digital channels, there are lots of opportunities for companies to gather and use data in order to both attract and retain customers.
And those businesses that fail to take advantage of them risk getting left behind, as customers will inevitably be drawn towards those firms that seem to effortlessly provide a relevant, timely and well-targeted service.
CRM technology can help make using customer data in a meaningful way a hugely straightforward process, so businesses of all sizes should be able to keep customers happy and engaged via all the platforms through which they operate.
For more of an insight into how CRM systems can be a useful resource for a business, have a look at Redspire's new white paper on the subject – The Route to Customer Engagement with CRM.


SAM ALLARDYCE has signed a staggering £9m deal at Everton to make him one of the best-paid managers in world football.
The former England boss has agreed to take over at Goodison Park and will be in attendance tonight as they take on West Ham.
He has agreed an 18-month contract on £6m-a-year which takes him above some of the biggest names in football.
That works out at around £115k a week and will see him pocket £9m in 18 months.
Allardyce overtakes Real Madrid's double Champions League winner Zinedine Zidane, Atletico Madrid's Diego Simeone, Juventus manager Max Allegri and PSG chief Unai Emery.
It is a staggering move from Everton chief Farhad Moshiri following the dismissal of Ronald Koeman six weeks ago.
"I really want to give him the support he needs," said the Toffees owner. "He can go as far as he wants.
Everton have continued to slide under David Unsworth and are now 17th in the table just two points above the relegation zone.
But Allardyce is now in and will be unveiled tonight ahead of the West Ham match.
Everton have now tweeted: "Sam Allardyce will be at USM Finch Farm this afternoon to finalise terms on becoming the new manager of Everton Football Club.
"David Unsworth will remain in charge of the Blues for tonight's Premier League match against West Ham United at Goodison Park."
Allardyce replaces Ronald Koeman, who was sacked six weeks ago, after an emphatic summer saw £150m spent on transfers.
But without replacing Romelu Lukaku, who was sold to Manchester United, Everton have struggled.
Allardyce recently spoke of the club's troubles this season when writing a column for Paddy Power.
"Everton are obviously in a bad place at the moment and, like every football club that is struggling, it's mainly down to a loss of belief," he wrote.


Facebook is the social network of choice for companies since (almost) all their customers and their prospects are there. So here's what you need to keep in mind about new and upcoming Facebook news for your business.
7 Companies, why be present on Facebook?
Facebook wants to keep its audience as long as possible on its site. If you want to get more visibility for your business page, you will need to provide specific content for Facebook.
Instants Articles are articles directly hosted on Facebook. Just like your blog articles, they are designed to be played on mobile with ease.
They are largely favored by Facebook and thus today collects 20% more clicks * than the link of a classic article. This format also facilitates virality and thus capitalizes 30% of additional shares *. * data provided by Facebook.
Facebook Live is the name of the mobile live streaming service offered by Facebook. This feature is available to all and allows you to stream video content taken from your smartphone live for your Facebook & Instagram followers.
Facebook continues to innovate by always offering more advertising formats or distribution sites.
The next support that should quickly reach advertising on Facebook and Instagram is Messenger. Indeed, Facebook plans to set up sponsored messages to Messenger users who have already come into contact with a brand.
In terms of development, Facebook provides many new features.
Facebook should soon integrate in Europe chatbots able to offer payment methods, so it will be possible to book a plane ticket or order a pizza directly from Facebook Messenger.
Other robots should allow you to insert more content into your discussions with your friends like music (in association with Spotify), articles published by a page or products for e-commerce.
Augmented reality has been the subject of most of the announcements of this conference. No commercial applications to be expected in the near future because it must first of all that its use is democratized and that users equip themselves. But it is clearly the horse on which Facebook has decided to bet for the future of its social network.
Companies, why be present on Facebook?
Here is a series of answers that will give you an idea of the interest of social networks for your company .
Facebook is the most visited network in the world and also in France.
The site that has the most daily revisits (number of visits on a day) is Facebook.
The Facebook network has accurate, reliable targeting and the data is analyzed, cross checked, etc. : big data at its apotheosis.
Instagram belongs to Facebook and suddenly you can combine the two networks and reach even more Internet users and different Internet users (age …).
Even if a company is not present on the Internet or networks, the people who work there and their knowledge or families are there!
Even business leaders have a Facebook account … on a personal basis.
We can play the viral (sharing, buzz …) with Facebook on advertising campaigns.
We can reach internet users in an ultra-localized geographical area with Facebook, contrary to popular belief.
Your customers have a Facebook account too.
Facebook is very interesting to recruit too (job, internship …).
The advertising tools of Facebook have been greatly improved and completed (statistics, formats, targeting …).
We do not necessarily need a very large advertising budget to advertise on Facebook.
Can FinTech Transform the Future for AML Compliance?


Today while Ed Pernic and I were finishing another coldhead, one of the cranes came by the dark sector to lift a few things onto MAPO and AST/RO. Shortly after they were done, the crane started to leak hydraulic fluid into the snow. This, of course, is no good. Immediately, the crane operators gathered containers to collect the liquid, and they eventually got the crane to the garage to be fixed. But, this left a lot of hydraulic fluid in the snow which needed to be cleaned up.
The hydraulic fluid did not get more than a few inched into the snow before it froze, so the clean up was not as bad as it might have been in warmer climates. The rest of the day, dirty snow was shoveled into barrels labeled "hydraulic fluid contaminated snow" that will be shipped back to the United States for disposal. This leads one to ask the question, what happens to garbage produced here?
Antarctica is a unique environment, and we want to minimize our impact on it as much as possible. All waste at the south pole is sorted into 16 categories: aluminum cans, batteries (Ni/Cad, Lithium, mercury and unknown, alkaline), bio waste, burnables, cardboard, clothing, construction debris, food waste, florescent light bulbs, glass, human waste, light metal, magazines and newspaper, plastic, white paper, and wood. Whatever can be reused is frequently removed from the bins, parcticularly clothing. There are also subcategories, and other smaller categories for hazardous waste and accidents like the hydraulic fluid spill. Since everything that is brought here must be eventually brought back out, everyone is conscious of reducing waste as much as possible, and reusing whatever they can. Whatever cannot be reused is separated, and 70% of waste from the South Pole is recycled. From here, our waste gets flown to McMurdo, where is it sorted through again and added with the waste from McMurdo. Most of it is then shipped to Washington state for recycling and disposal.


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A Christmas of grief nearly five years after Arizona woman's death in Islamic State captivity
Marsha and Carl Mueller at home in Prescott, Ariz., with Benji, a dog they planned to give to their daughter Kayla upon her return from Syria. Kayla Mueller was a humanitarian aid worker who was captured by Syrian militants.
(Caitlin O'Hara / For The Times)
By Laura King,
Nabih Bulos
PRESCOTT, Ariz. —
At Christmastime five years ago, Carl and Marsha Mueller did what they always did when their 26-year-old daughter Kayla was out in the world somewhere: They laid a place for her at the holiday table.
Outside their home in Prescott, Ariz., the mountain air was winter chill, but inside, the lights glowed warm. The tree was trimmed with ornaments, many of them depicting owls, Kayla's favorite.
The Muellers didn't know it then, but the 2014 holiday season would be the last Christmas they could harbor any real hope that their daughter — a laughing little girl who grew into a compassionate young woman, one whose humanitarian interests took her from India to Israel — was still alive.
Today, Carl and Marsha Mueller, both of them 67 and retired — he from the auto-body shop he owned; she from nursing — remain consumed with the search for answers. Seated side by side on their sofa, they recount a years-long odyssey of sorrow and confusion, one that has taken them from their Arizona hometown to as far away as Iraqi Kurdistan.
On that Christmas, though, they had no idea of the ordeal that would lie ahead. Kayla, who traveled to southern Turkey to work with Syrian refugees, had been taken captive 16 months earlier, in Aleppo, Syria, after leaving a medical compound run by the humanitarian group Doctors Without Borders.
Soon after, her family learned she was being held by Islamic State, the brutal fundamentalist group that would go on to impose a medieval reign of terror over large swaths of Syria and Iraq.
By the late summer of 2014, her captors had killed several of her fellow U.S. hostages — horrific beheadings staged against a bleak desert backdrop, with videos gleefully posted online by the group. But Kayla, whose plight was then a closely held secret, was still alive, and her parents said in the early winter of that year, U.S. authorities told them there was no intelligence suggesting she had been harmed in captivity.
The Muellers would find out only later, they said, the degree to which their daughter was being brutalized during that period. Some of the worst abuse came directly at the hands of Abu Bakr Baghdadi, Islamic State's self-proclaimed caliph, who died in a U.S. raid in October.
Carl and Marsha Mueller look at ornaments made by their children at their home in Prescott, Ariz.
Marsha Mueller holds a ceramic hand made by her daughter Kayla.
Less than two months after that Christmas five years ago, the Muellers learned — via an Islamic State-linked Twitter account, with later confirmation from U.S. officials — that Kayla was dead. The group said she was killed in a Jordanian airstrike, a story her parents now doubt.
They still do not know exactly how their daughter died, or whether there might even be some infinitesimal hope of her survival. But they say that with the help of former FBI agent Ali Soufan, who now runs a private security group, new information has continued to emerge. That includes indications that Baghdadi, in whose household she was held for a time, may have personally ordered Kayla's death.
The Muellers still hope they will someday have final proof of her fate. That their daughter's remains will eventually be recovered and repatriated. That there will be a graveside at which to grieve.
There can never be closure for them, not in any real sense. What they have learned of Kayla's time in captivity would be unbearably painful for any parent to contemplate. When her father says the word "raped," his voice sounds like fabric tearing.
Yet they revisit these events, even speak of them to strangers, because they believe it helps keep their daughter's memory alive. And through it all, they have held one abiding wish — although its meaning has changed over time.
"We just want to bring Kayla home," Marsha Mueller said.
The Syrian city of Raqqa, on the banks of the Euphrates, is where the nascent Islamic State group first displayed the audacious scope of its ambition. In 2013, in the self-declared capital of what the group would come to call its caliphate, the militants began setting up a judicial system based on their harsh interpretation of Islamic law, fashioned a working bureaucracy and commandeered infrastructure to create a quasi-state, while looking outward to expand their territory.
Kayla Mueller in May 2013.
(Jo. L. Keener / Associated Press)
When Kayla was taken in Aleppo in August 2013, just days before her 25th birthday, large tracts of Syria's north had already fallen to rebels fighting against the rule of President Bashar Assad. Dozens of factions, including extremist groups, competed for weapons and for sources of revenue — including foreign captives they could ransom back to their home countries.
It's unclear which militants seized her, but her capture coincided with Islamic State's push into the shadowlands of eastern Syria. By the spring of 2014 she, together with other Western hostages, was being held by the group in a derelict oil refinery south of Raqqa, according to subsequent witness accounts.
By late May of that year, the Muellers were in direct contact with Islamic State by email. The family wanted proof of life; the militants replied by telling them to pose personal questions to which only Kayla would know the correct response.
Islamic State hostage Kayla Mueller: 'devoted to the people of Syria'
At an age when most kids are preoccupied with friends and school, Kayla Jean Mueller devoted herself to helping those in need around the world.
One of the queries her parents came up with was the missing word in an aphorism that she used to repeat to her little niece. The phrase in question was "Music is…" and the right answer came back: "Everywhere." They knew then that she was still alive.
The militants, who by then were successfully extracting ransoms for some European hostages, threatened Kayla with death and demanded a multi-million-dollar payoff. U.S. government policy at the time, since eased, left families of hostages held overseas vulnerable to prosecution if they made a payment to a terror group.
Around that same time, the late spring of 2014, the U.S. Joint Special Operations Command sought permission from the Obama administration to carry out a raid inside Syria to try to free the hostages. Carl Mueller remains deeply embittered by the fact that the rescue attempt did not take place until July, missing the captives by days, and that the family was not told of the operation until afterward, when word of it filtered out in news reports.
"That's the way they treated us," he said, his voice rising in anger.
Marsha Mueller looks through notebooks, letters and notes that belonged to her daughter Kayla.
Both the Muellers called that part of a pattern of misinformation and arms-length treatment by the Obama administration, which said at the time it was doing all it could for the hostages.
On Aug. 14, 2014, after little more than a year in captivity, Kayla turned 26. Five days later, a grisly video, apparently shot outside Raqqa and circulated online, showing the beheading of journalist James Foley by a knife-wielding militant dubbed Jihadi John. Other executions of captive Americans followed: journalist Steven Sotloff and aid worker Peter Kassig, also known as Abdul-Rahman Kassig.
In despair, the Muellers in September addressed a video appeal directly to Islamic State's leader, Baghdadi. "I am coming to you with a mother's heart, for the love of her daughter," Marsha Mueller told him.
It was to no avail. In February 2015, three days after the militants carried out yet another gruesome execution in Raqqa — this time, of a captured Jordanian fighter pilot who was burned alive in a cage — Islamic State said Kayla had been killed in a Jordanian airstrike.
Her body was never recovered, but U.S. officials confirmed her death on Feb. 10, 2015. President Obama conveyed "deepest condolences" and vowed to bring those responsible for her captivity, and ultimately her death, to justice.
The U.S. raid that resulted in the death of Baghdadi, announced by President Trump on Oct. 27 of this year, brought the Muellers some measure of comfort. They were touched that the military operation was dedicated to Kayla, and a lengthy personal phone call from Trump moved them to tears, they said.
But frustration lingers, as do mysteries. The Islamic State leader blew himself up as U.S. special forces closed in; had he instead been captured, Marsha Muelller said wistfully, he might have revealed something.
Will the demise of Abu Bakr Baghdadi also be the end of Islamic State?
His reign was marked with bouts of genocidal reengineering of communities that didn't fit his vision for a Sunni Muslim state.
Kurdish, Turkish forces jockey for position in Syria ahead of a deadline for Kurds to withdraw from border
Still, there are living witnesses to the months immediately preceding Kayla's death, and Soufan, the former FBI agent who has become a close family friend, is actively pursuing leads.
One harrowing new piece of the puzzle came from an interview conducted by him with Nisreen Assad Ibrahim Bahar, known as Umm Sayyaf, the widow of senior Baghdadi associate Abu Sayyaf. She said her late husband told her that Baghdadi himself ordered Kayla killed, perhaps because her knowledge represented a security threat to the group. U.S. authorities charged Umm Sayyaf in 2016 in connection with Kayla's death, and said she was aware that Baghdadi repeatedly raped her.
Marsha and Carl Mueller visit a memorial playground named for their daughter.
The Muellers have met, also, with women and girls who were held alongside their daughter at one point or another, accounts they describe as both a bane and a balm. The ex-captives, including two Yazidi girls and two Western women who worked for Doctors Without Borders, told wrenching stories of suffering, but also described Kayla's quiet determination to comfort fellow prisoners.
"Even I never knew she was so strong," her mother said.
The couple finds something akin to consolation at a playground in Prescott that opened in 2016, dedicated to Kayla's memory. On a cold sunny morning last week, they took visitors there, pointing out the zipline, the special swing designed to safely cradle disabled children.
Carl Mueller often comes alone, his wife said. She likes to visit with Kayla's niece, who is now nearly 8. Occasionally, Marsha Mueller said, she slips and calls the little girl by her daughter's name.
"Kayla saw people as precious, and saw life as precious," she said. "That's what we hope people will remember about her. That's who she was."
King reported from Prescott, Ariz., and Bulos from Amman, Jordan.
Laura King is a Washington, D.C.-based reporter for the Los Angeles Times. A member of the Foreign/National staff, she primarily covers foreign affairs. She previously served as bureau chief in Jerusalem, Kabul and Cairo.
Nabih Bulos is the Middle East bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times. Since 2012, he has covered the aftermath of the "Arab Spring" revolution as well as the Islamic State's resurgence and the campaign to defeat it. His work has taken him to Syria, Iraq, Libya, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Yemen as well as on the migrant trail through the Balkans and northern Europe. A Fulbright scholar, Bulos is also a concert violinist who has performed with Daniel Barenboim, Valeri Gergyev and Bono.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Церковь Святых Апостолов Петра и Павла в Августове — православная церковь в городе Августов (совр. Польша), существовавшая с 1884 по 1926 год.

История
Ко времени постройки церкви св. Апостолов Петра и Павла в Августове был лишь один православный храм — небольшая деревянная церковь Казанской иконы Божией Матери, которая даже после реконструкции в 1879 году не могла вместить более 400 человек.

С развитием города росло и количество православных жителей. В итоге, по распоряжению губернатора Сувалкской губернии Сергея Головина было принято решение о строительстве новой каменной церкви.

В 1881 году утверждён план строительства церкви в центре города. Возведение было поручено мастерам из Верхней Силезии. Закладка состоялась 9 июня 1881 года.

7 октября 1884 года состоялось торжественное открытие новой церкви, вмещавшей 800 прихожан. Это был однокупольный храм, с четырёхъярусной колокольней, на которой было установлено пять колоколов, самый большой из которых весил 400 килограмм. В церковь была перенесена Казанская икона Божьей Матери. Также жители города установили в церкви икону св. Александра Невского в новом киоте.

В 1915 году, во время Первой Мировой войны, при приближении линии фронта большинство православного населения было эвакуировано.

В 1921 году после образования Польской Республики, церковь была занята под гарнизонный костёл кавалерийского полка.

5 января 1925 года, в процессе ревиндикации — перераспределения имущества православной церкви в пользу римско-католической церкви и местных властей — утверждён снос церкви.

В феврале 1926 года, в течение трёх дней храм был разобран. Кирпичи пошли на строительства здания учительской семинарии.

В настоящее время на месте, где стояла церковь, установлен памятник польскому королю Сигизмунду II Августу.

Литература
 Grzegorz Sosna, Antonina Troc-Sosna. Zapomniane dziedzictwo. Nie istniejące już cerkwie w dorzeczu Biebrzy i Narwi. Стр 24-29.
 Cerkwie w centralnej Polsce 1815—1915. ISBN 978-83-931480-2-8. стр. 34.
 К. Г. Сокол, А. Г. Сосна. Купола над Вислой: Православные храмы в Центральной Польше в XIX — начале XX века.

Августов
Августов
Августов
Храмы, построенные в 1884 году
Появились в XIX веке в Польше

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Changing lives, families, and communities—one college scholarship at a time.
Give Something Back (Give Back) provides college scholarships, academic mentoring, and social guidance to students who have faced adversity.
Apply to be a Give Back scholar
Helping Students Who Need it Most
There are more than 400,000 kids in foster care in the US, and 2.7 million children with a parent who is incarcerated. These youth must overcome severely diminished odds of educational success. Give Back provides special outreach to young people who have faced significant financial hardship and other adversities such as foster care, homelessness, or the incarceration of a parent.
Supporting Foster Youth
50 percent of youth who age out of foster care become homeless.
Only 3 percent of foster youth will graduate college.
On average, a college graduate will earn $1 million more in their lifetime than a high school graduate.
A Model for Success. A Promise for Tomorrow.
Give Back scholars participate in programming and mentoring throughout high school to prepare them for college-level curriculum at one of the organization's partner colleges—with tuition, fees, room, and board covered. The public charity has already prepaid over 1500 college scholarships across the country—a contribution of over $36 million.
Give Back's on-time graduation rate at a 4-year college.
Employment rate among Give Back alumni with college degrees.
Alumni who have carried on the spirit of giving back by giving or becoming mentors for the program.
New Book Release:
Give Back Founder Robert Carr's new book, First Chance, is available now.
First Chance
How Kids With Nothing Can Change Everything
By Robert Owen Carr with Dirk Johnson
Children who experience hardships such as foster care, homelessness, or the incarceration of a parent must overcome countless obstacles on their path to educational success. First Chance explores the remarkable students who, despite considerable adversity, triumph over the odds when given a chance.
Net proceeds will be donated to Give Back.
Mallouk Scholarship Program
Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of Peter and Veronica Mallouk, we are proud to announce our first publicly-funded state, Kansas. To learn more regarding the devoted work of the Mallouks and their support of Give Back's mission, visit their page here.
Thank you to our valued partners who welcome and support the Give Back scholars.
Scholar Tips: Completing the FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is an online form designed as the first step if a student is seeking government aid to cover the cost of college. Learn about all the requirements on the blog.
Scholar Spotlight: Athena Arnau
Give Back scholar Athena Arnau is a junior at East Side Community High School in New York City. Learn about her journey with Give Back and her plans for the future.
Partner Spotlight: The Osborne Association
In 2017, the Osborne Association joined our network of community partners. As one of the leading criminal justice organizations in New York City providing support to families and children whose lives are touched by incarceration, their mission and our own were a natural fit. Learn more.
Change a life. Become a Mentor.
With a small time commitment, you can make a big impact.
Shop to Give Back
There are many ways to support Give Back simply by shopping online as you normally would. As an official AmazonSmile charity, Give Back will receive a percentage of purchases on smile.amazon.com. Many other popular retailers are featured on the Give Back Marketplace. Up to 11% of your purchases from those retailers will be donated to Give Back when you shop through the Marketplace link.
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© Give Something Back, Inc. Give Something Back is a registered nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Website Policies


The delivery system for school readiness programs is comprised of child care providers and of school-based sites operated by public and nonpublic schools. School readiness programs are funded through a mixture of state and federal funds.
Changes to Chapter 1002.55-79 of the Florida Statutes (enacted in January 2005) created the mandated Voluntary Pre-kindergarten Education Program (VPK). The Voluntary Pre-kindergarten Education Program provides that each child residing in the state who will have attained 4 years of age on or before September 1 of the school year is eligible for free early childhood development and education program. This is an organized program designed to enhance each child's ability to make age-appropriate progress in the development of language and cognitive capabilities through education in basic skills.
In addition, the governance structure of the school readiness system abolished the Florida Partnership for School Readiness and directing the Agency for Workforce Innovation (AWI) to govern state-level policy and provide statewide coordination of school readiness programs, with early learning coalitions administering the school readiness programs at the county or regional level. The delivery system for the VPK program is comprised of private Prekindergarten providers and of school-based sites operated by public and nonpublic schools. The VPK program is funded fully with state funds.


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The 5 Commandments of Laws And How Learn More
February 6, 2019 Editor
Merits of Including the Services of a Personal Injury Lawyer
Injuries are unavoidable occurrences which result to impacts in the lives of people. There are offenders who result to damaging other people's lives due to their careless behaviors and such people deserve to face the full force of law. The world has changed and most things done manually in the past are now done by machines. These machines are operated by human beings who keep risking their lives in order to earn a living. These consequences of not doing what is right are fateful and in some cases affect the lives of others as well. It is unfair to curtail the span of someone's life as a result of another's selfish gains. These less fortunate victims deserve a voice that will speak out for them which is what personal injury lawyers do. Ensuring that law is followed in paying back the injured is the responsibility of personal injury lawyer.
When one is involved in an accident caused by somebody else it means that their ability to work and earn a living on their own is curtailed. Once an individual is exposed to unfavorable conditions of having defective body organs they are no longer effective in what they used to do. Other than just having other responsibilities such as family there is the primary need to have personal needs met. Life demands that such bills be serviced as one continues living. In order to see this lives up and running again personal injury lawyers help in demanding due compensation. Day to day living is boosted and seen through by the presence of this money hence making life comfortable.
Due to the huge monetary power that big firms and the government have they tend to overlook the rights of the minority. The poor laborers who work under their surveillance may undergo bodily harm from them but will go away unrecognized. Most member of the population are usually not aware of their rights and privileges and will always require a third party who is the personal injury lawyer to act on their behalf. When left on their own such individuals may lack the necessary knowledge and skills to demand their compensation.
There are injuries that result in mental stress of an individual. A lawyer in this case knows how to go about such a case to ensure full compensation. The case may be affecting another members of the family of the victim as they are forced to use their resources in the treatment of the victim. The damages occurring to the person may be to an extent that they are forced out of work for far too long. The one who causes these damages is liable to paying the full cost of damage.
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Why People Think Attorneys Are A Good Idea
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What Has Changed Recently With Candy?
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Cawan Malaysian Delights Cafe is specialised in kopitiam-style local cuisine, from Nasi Lemak (coconut milk rice with chili), fried rice, fried noodle, laksa to Sabahan's favourite Watan Ho, and selections of desserts like ABC, cendol and Milo Dinosaur (I considered it as a dessert instead of drink :D ).
The sambal is quite nice!
Serve breakfast, lunch, dinner and supper.


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Rockville High Protesters Rip State, County Governments Over Sanctuary Policies
Will Racke/Daily Caller News Foundation
Will Racke Immigration and Foreign Policy Reporter
Local residents gathered outside the Montgomery County Council building Sunday afternoon in Maryland to call out state and county officials for their "indifference" to the effects of illegal immigration on public schools.
The rally, organized by the Montgomery County Republican Party and the local chapter of the Young Republicans National Federation, was promoted on social media as a gathering to address several issues, including taxes, educational standards, and government accountability. But the balance of the protest focused directly on a single concern: community safety imperiled by county and state sanctuary policies.
The alleged rape of a 14-year-old Rockville High School student by two illegal immigrant classmates has thrown the issue into the national spotlight. Some local residents are laying blame for the assault at the feet of Montgomery County officials and state lawmakers, who they say have ignored law-abiding citizens while trying to score political points by resisting the Trump administration's immigration enforcement orders. (RELATED: Rockville Considers Declaring Itself A Sanctuary City Amid Immigrant Rape Scandal)
"Rockville High School was a tragedy waiting to happen and can happen again," North Potomac resident Ed Amatetti told fellow protesters. "This is a public safety and school safety issue. It's about schools with declining academic and discipline standards, in part to accommodate other ill-conceived policies we question here today."
Protesters voice their concerns over sanctuary policies at a rally outside the Montgomery County Council Building on March 26, 2017. (Photo: Will Racke/TheDCNF)
Rockville, a Washington, D.C., bedroom community of over 60,000, found itself at the center of the contentious national debate over immigration policy when two teenagers–Henry E. Sanchez, 18, of Guatemala, and Jose O. Montano, 17, from El Salvador–were arrested on March 16 for allegedly raping a girl in a bathroom at Rockville High. Both suspects enrolled at the school last year despite their undocumented status and outstanding orders to appear before an immigration judge, the Baltimore Sun reported. (RELATED: 'Virtually Uncovered' – NYT Admits CNN And MSNBC Are Ignoring Rockville Rape)
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials have not commented on Montano's case due to his status as a minor but last week confirmed that an immigration detainer has been issued for Sanchez. The agency has named Montgomery County as one of hundreds of local jurisdictions that have "enacted policies which limit cooperation with ICE." (RELATED: ICE Releases List Of Sanctuary Jurisdictions Set To Lose Federal Funding)
That refusal to assist federal immigration officers has angered many area residents, who say the county is violating federal law with impunity. Dan Cox, a civil rights lawyer from Frederick, Maryland, believes the concept of rule of law is threatened by sanctuary policies.
"That's what this is about. Without laws we don't have real immigration," he said. "People love America because of our laws."
Four days after the Rockville High incident, lawmakers in the Democratic-controlled Maryland House of Delegates approved a "sanctuary state" bill that would prohibit state and local law enforcement from helping federal immigration agents track down illegal immigrants or honoring requests to hold inmates for deportation. The measure drew outrage and a veto threat from Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, who also demanded Montgomery County cooperate with federal investigators in the rape case.
Over the past week, local residents who want a crackdown on illegal immigration have traded barbs with community activists who see illegal immigrants as unfairly maligned for the actions of two individuals. During Sunday's rally, a smaller but no less vocal group of counter-protesters lined up across the street from the Montgomery County building, chanting, "No hate, no fear. Immigrants are welcome here!"
Silver Spring, Md. resident Joanna Silver told The Daily Caller News Foundation that protesters and local Republican politicians have "used the [Rockville High] rape to create an atmosphere of fear," which they are exploiting for political purposes. She insisted that sanctuary policies are not to blame, but rather the alleged rapists themselves and the misogynistic culture in which they live.
"If you want to ban rape in the high schools, ban the football team," Silver said.
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Send tips to will@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
Tags : immigration and customs enforcement montgomery county rockville
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Dana Harrell
Assault / Battery
DUI / OUI
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Charged With Drug Trafficking? Let Our Experienced Team Fight for Your Future
Rhode Island Drug Trafficking Lawyer
Drug trafficking refers to the sale and distribution of illegal drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, MDMA (ecstasy), PCP, methamphetamine, steroids, inhalants, and other controlled substances. Drug trafficking crimes are both state and federal crimes and may be investigated by such agencies as the FBI, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Facing state or federal drug trafficking charges is a serious matter and requires a competent criminal defense attorney. Our attorneys are well-versed in drug trafficking laws and can provide a thorough and aggressive defense in both state and federal courts.
If you are under investigation for or have been charged with a drug trafficking crime in Providence or anywhere in Rhode Island, it is vital that you contact a defense lawyer at our firm as soon as possible, preferably before speaking to law enforcement people.
Understanding Your Providence Criminal Charges
A drug trafficking offense may generally be charged under federal or state laws and prohibit the manufacture, import, export, distribution, or dispensing of a controlled substance. Penalties for these offenses vary, based on a number of factors including the amount of illegal drugs involved, whether minors were involved, whether weapons were involved, and the previous convictions of the defendant, if any. In many instances there are mandatory minimum sentences, often as high as five or ten years in prison. Repeat offenses may carry more severe penalties.
Our office stays current with the changing state of the law in this area, including particularly the evolution of federal drug laws as they relate to cocaine and cocaine base or crack. Because of the seriousness of drug trafficking crimes and their penalties, it is important to retain a Providence drug trafficking defense attorney from our firm to ensure that you receive the benefit of an effective defense strategy at the outset and to protect your rights under law.
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Clear all filtersSearch News & Analysis
Mid-Year Michigan Legislative Update
The Michigan Legislature has been busy during the first six months of 2018, addressing several issues that will impact employers across the state.
OFCCP Extends Moratorium on TRICARE Enforcement for Two More Years
On May 18, 2018, the OFCCP issued a directive ending uncertainty as to whether efforts to audit TRICARE participants will resume in 2019 and signaling an encouraging willingness to reconsider the agency's prior positions on this issue.
OFCCP Clarifies Methodology for Contractor Audit Selection
On April 18, 2018, in another step signaling increased transparency for federal contractors, OFCCP issued a release describing its methodology for selecting and scheduling federal contractors for audit in 2018.
OFCCP Lowers Hiring Benchmark for Veteran Affirmative Action Plans
On March 30, 2018, the OFCCP announced that it was lowering the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) hiring benchmark to 6.4 percent from 6.7 percent.
New OFCCP Directive on Predetermination Notices Makes it Easier for Contractors to Understand and Address OFCCP Audit Concerns
OFCCP has announced a new Directive providing that it will no longer issue final findings of a violation before first issuing a Predetermination Notice (PDN) and considering the contractor's response.
New EEO-1 Report Suspended Indefinitely
To the relief of employers steeling themselves for compliance with the revised EEO-1 Report, the Office of Management and Budget's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) has suspended indefinitely the new report's compliance date.
Alert for Minnesota State Government Contractors Filing Pay Equity Certifications
Most businesses entering into contracts in excess of $500,000 with the state of Minnesota are required to obtain an Equal Pay Certificate from the Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) as a condition of doing business with the state.
Administrative Law Judge Winnows OFCCP's Data Request
On July 14, 2017, an administrative law judge issued a 43-page set of recommendations and order on the OFCCP's data requests issued to Google, significantly winnowing much of the OFCCP's voluminous requests.
WPI Report
The Trump Administration's First 100 Days
On April 29, 2017, the first 100 days of the Trump administration came to an end. For those expecting dramatic changes in workplace policy, much of the new administration's agenda remains to be presented and executed.
OFCCP Announces 2017 Veterans Hiring Benchmark for Federal Contractors
On March 31, 2017, the Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) updated its Annual Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Benchmark Database to reflect a new hiring benchmark of 6.7 percent.


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Valuation: The coronavirus is crushing the aerospace industry, but these stocks should bounce back
by Julieta Michaela July 3, 2020
"The key to investing is not assessing how much an industry is going to affect society, or how much it will grow, but rather determining the competitive advantage of any given company and, above all, the durability of that advantage."
—Warren Buffett, Fortune, 1999
When the stock market gyrates as wildly as it has this year, it doesn't do any good to gyrate along with it. Much better to return to investing's first principles, one of which I wrote about last month: Buy businesses that you wouldn't mind owning if the stock market were closed for an extended period. This month, I want to explore an important corollary to this concept as seen through the prism of aerospace stocks, which I own a lot of on behalf of my clients: distinguishing between temporary losses and permanent ones.
Investors last got a good lesson in this subject more than a decade ago, when the financial crisis represented a reckoning for some businesses and a great buying opportunity for others. Heading into the 2008–09 financial crisis, for example, Wells Fargo was by far the best-capitalized and best-managed bank. Early in the crisis, Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson called the major banks to Washington to offer them rescue packages; only Wells objected. "We don't need your [expletive deleted] money," then-CEO Dick Kovacevich reportedly told federal officials.
Wells was forced to take the funds, but mainly it used the crisis to get stronger, cutting expenses and doubling its low-cost asset base by buying Wachovia at a fire-sale price. Most of the other banks, however, weren't as well prepared. Lehman Brothers went bust, Bear Stearns sold itself to JPMorgan Chase for cents on the dollar, and Citigroup had to raise so much new equity capital that even today, more than a decade after the crisis, a Citi share is worth roughly 10% of what it was before 2008.
The crisis laid bare banking cultures that were all too commonly characterized by loose lending standards and undisciplined expansion. I knew Wells didn't have such a culture, so after its shares declined 40% in late 2008 I began to buy Wells stock for Gravity Partners and its clients. In the months that followed, the market didn't agree with me: The stock fell another 20%, and then another 35%, and I was buying more all the way down. By early 2009, Wells stock price was $8, Gravity's cost basis was roughly $15, and I was not feeling very smart.
A year later, however, the market had regained its reason and saw Wells for what it was: a well-managed bank that had used the crisis to its advantage. The stock was $30 in early 2010, and I had made Gravity's clients money on an ultimately successful but often harrowing bet—namely, that the market is driven by emotion in the short run but by a rational weighing of value in the long run.
Aerospace stocks under pressure
Wells has been on my mind these days as Gravity's core aerospace holdings have come under tremendous pressure. Stocks like Heico, Safran, and Woodward fell more than the market during the initial coronavirus panic, and while Heico has fully participated in the market's rapid recovery, many aerospace companies have lost 30% to 35% of their value year to date. Heico is one of the best companies I've ever studied and a subject for a future column if it ever gets cheap enough. Meanwhile, what do I do with my other aerospace stocks? Are their losses temporary or permanent?
Note here that I am not talking about airlines, which have been perennial investment disasters. Commercial airlines have always been bad businesses: capital-intensive, cyclical, and rightly seen as commodities. When the U.S. deregulated airfares in the early 1980s, a bad industry got worse as discount carriers entered the market and fare wars began a long race to the bottom. I never understood why Warren Buffett made his latest airline-sector bet a few years ago; even when the post-2009 bankruptcies allowed U.S. carriers to consolidate, the industry never found the discipline required to make it a decent business.
As a result, the airlines in my opinion will remain quasi-public utilities that are shored up every so often by governments because their citizens want and need to fly. By contrast, the companies that supply the industry with parts, both in the new-build market and in the spare-parts aftermarket, couldn't be more different. As you can see by the chart above, the component makers Gravity owns have been long-term outperformers. These companies have generations of embedded intellectual property and manufacturing know-how that makes competing against them very difficult. To bring either a new plane or a new jet engine to market takes years of design work and testing; it also costs a minimum of $10 billion. As a result, only three enterprises in the world can make commercial jet engines. Only two companies can design and assemble commercial planes. Similar dynamics prevail in smaller niches of the aerospace market: Honeywell dominates avionics, for example, the critical controls in the cockpit, and Woodward dominates the design and manufacture of fuel systems for jet engines.
So aircraft component manufacturers are all inherently good businesses, characterized by high barriers to entry and an oligopolistic structure. Until this pandemic, they were also perennial growers: Over the past 60 years, passenger miles flown have grown at a 5% to 6% annual rate, and demand has been so steady that in the past 50 years there have been only five years of negative traffic growth. This is because aerospace represents a classic call on rising incomes worldwide: Despite generations of air-travel expansion, 80% of the world's population have yet to set foot on an airplane. Every year, 100 million people in China—roughly one-third of the entire U.S. population—take their first flight.
Because there are only two airplane makers of any worldwide scale, Boeing and Airbus, most component makers sell to them at break-even or even at a slight loss. However, because the airline passenger industry is so fragmented—there are nearly 1,000 registered commercial carriers worldwide—the balance of power shifts to the component makers in the aftermarket. With only a few companies making spare parts, and with hundreds of different airlines buying them, it's the manufacturers that have the leverage. It is common in the industry for a parts-maker to make zero margin selling to Boeing and Airbus and 40% margins in the aftermarket.
A new normal in travel
The pandemic will not alter the oligopolistic structure of the aerospace industry, but it may well bend the historical 5% to 6% annual growth curve downward. Travel is now down dramatically, and it may not come back to pre-virus levels even after we establish a regimen of testing and drug protocols. Humans may for a time be too afraid to fly, and a new normal may evolve in which people, particularly in developed markets, forgo vacations and nonessential business trips.
It's hard to imagine, however, that this crisis scars humanity so deeply that human beings lose their desire to travel. Whether it's the Icelandic sagas or the Aboriginal walkabout, journeys are deeply ingrained in the human psyche. It will take a lot to dislodge this predilection, especially in emerging markets, where people have been waiting to make enough money to finally buy a plane ticket. The average Western European, for example, travels by air twice a year; the average Eastern European travels only once every two years. These per-capita differentials are even more stark in places like India and Nigeria. To posit a secular decline in the worldwide aviation industry is therefore to bet that not only Westerners will retard their travel, but that other people who have been yearning to experience places they've seen only on TV will relinquish this dream.
Thus it's hard for me to imagine that the growth curve of airline travel will be bent materially downward for any sustained period of time. This leads me to believe that when it comes to most aerospace component makers, their stock market losses are likely temporary rather than permanent. It is true that post-pandemic, some aerospace companies may never be as valuable as they were pre-virus. These will likely be those that have played the short- rather than the long-term game: underinvesting in R&D, for example, or abusing their market dominance and subsequent pricing power. In a new, more cost-conscious world these companies will face a reckoning with their customers.
Gravity, however, owns no such businesses. Indeed, we own aerospace companies that set their prices fairly, invest heavily in innovation, and in general offer their customers great value. As a result, they are secular share gainers, which means that they should prosper even if we posit a slower-growing airline ecosystem. In a column tomorrow, I'll talk about one of those companies in particular.
Adam Seessel is the portfolio manager at Gravity Capital Management LLC, a registered investment adviser. Certain of the securities mentioned in the article may be currently held, have been held, or may be held in the future in a portfolio managed by Gravity. The article represents the views and belief of the author and does not purport to be complete. The information in this article is as of the publication date, and the data and facts presented in the article may change.
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Panglao is a municipality and the southernmost part of the province of Bohol. It is rumored that the Spanish named the island after the Filipino word "mapanglaw," which means a "lonesome place." Like much of Bohol, Panglao is known for its nice, white sand beaches and dive sites. It exudes a nice blend of natural beauty and calm tropical charm that sun seekers crave for.
Alona Beach tops the itineraries of tourists who come to Panglao. This short stretch of white sand and translucent waters is the best place in town to just kick back and relax. Like all the beach destinations in the country, Alona Beach has a bevy of exciting outdoor activities like swimming, boating, snorkeling, and island hopping. Partygoers will have a variety of options from the resorts, bars, and restaurants that line the shores.
The islands near Panglao has an impressive marine life that has made diving one of its biggest draws. Balicasag Island is among the most visited dive sites around Panglao. Divers will have a great time exploring this marine sanctuary. Some of the underwater creatures that can be seen here are sea turtles, eels, schools of barracuda, clownfish, frogfish, as well as colorful coral gardens.
Another island to explore near Panglao is Pamilacan Island. This remote island is a hidden wonder in the Bohol Sea. While the pristine shores of Pamilacan Island make swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling some of its best activities, its biggest attraction is dolphin-watching tour. While exploring the seas for these magnificent creatures, tourists also get a chance to see some huge whales.
Panglao is located southwest of Bohol, just a few kilometers off the main island. You first need to land at Tagbilaran City before you can travel to the island.
From Manila, there are daily flights to Tagbilaran via local airlines such as Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and Air Asia. Travel time usually lasts about 80 minutes. All flights are served by the Tagbilaran Airport, located in the heart of the city.
Once you have arrived in Tagbilaran City, you have numerous options to get to Panglao. You ride a taxi, tricycle, habal-habal, jeep, or bus. Travel time is approximately 30 to 45 minutes.
Traveling by sea to Tagbilaran City from Manila is also another option, but travel time is about 29 hours. But if you're coming from nearby provinces like Cebu and Dumaguete, the ferry ride is only about two hours.
Upon arrival in Tagbilaran City, you can take a taxi, tricycle, habal-habal, jeep, or bus to Panglao.
Once you are in Panglao, you can hop from one place to the other via habal-habal or tricycle. You can also hire a car or van to take you on a tour around the island. Renting a motorcycle for the day is also another option, giving you more freedom to explore the sights and attractions on the island.
The Panglao Watchtower is one of the more prominent landmarks on the island as it towers over the structures around town. This octagonal stone structure stands five stories above ground and is believed to have been built in 1851 during the Spanish colonial period. The watchtower has seen better days due to neglect throughout the years. It also suffered damages from the disastrous earthquake that struck the region in 2013. Nonetheless, the watchtower is still a sight to behold and a reminder of the historic past of Panglao.
The St. Augustine Church, also known as the Panglao Church, is also a landmark that holds historic and religious significance on the island. The present church was constructed in 1894 but it wasn't fully completed until 1924. This sacred structure features neoclassical architecture and interiors adorned with antiques and artworks. When you step inside the church, its ceiling murals that depict the seven sacraments will surely take your breath away. Fortunately, the church didn't suffer any damages during the 2013 earthquake.
The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption found in Dauis is also another sight to behold. The church features a basilica-like architecture with influences from Byzantine and Romanesque designs. The interior of the church is also impressive, where frescoes line the ceiling and the altar features striking woodwork.
When visiting Panglao Island, Alona Beach should be on top of your itinerary. This world-class beach boasts white sands and clean blue waters that are perfect for swimming, diving, snorkeling, or just plain beach bumming. It spans 1.5 kilometers that you can walk from one end to the other in just 15 minutes. Because of its popularity among tourists, the shores are lined with many hotels, restaurants, and bars that make for a fun and entertaining stay on the island. 100 meters away from the coast of Alona Beach, scuba divers are guaranteed to have a grand time feasting their eyes on the beauty of the house reef.
If you prefer to stay in quieter and less crowded shores, you can head to Danao Beach or Dumaluan Beach. Both beaches have less tourists, so you can enjoy the tranquility and serenity of the area. Meanwhile, Momo Beach is equally charming, with a stunning beachscape and shallow waters, while Doljo Beach is known for its abundance of beautiful sea shells.
Aside from its lovely shores, there is also a mystical cave found in Panglao called the Hinagdanan Cave. It is one of the many caves throughout the province of Bohol, also known as "Cave Country." The cave is filled with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites all over the interiors. There is also an underground lake, though swimming is discouraged because of natural pollutants present in the water. The cave was named "Hinagdanan" because of the series of steps or hagdan at the entrance.
The Nova Shell Museum is an attraction you shouldn't miss, especially if you are fond of sea shells in all sorts of shapes, colors, and sizes. All the shells found in the museum are collected by its owner, Mr. Quirino Hora, who has an extensive 30-year career in sea exploration under his belt.
There is also the Tarsier Botanika, a highly recommended place for nature lovers. This fairly new attraction in the heart of a 10-hectare mixed-use property has a lot of features in store for its visitors. Onsite is a botanical garden and a small zoo-like facility which serve as sanctuaries for horses and tarsiers. Tariser Botanika also houses a resort hotel, a spa, and a restaurant.
Dolphin watching is also possible when in Panglao. You can rent a boat in the wee hours of the morning that will take you to the middle of the sea where you can watch dolphins as they go out for an early morning swim. These magnificent creatures can be very elusive, so you have to be alert as a dolphin sighting can happen very quickly.
Every August, the island of Panglao becomes a vibrant spot in the province of Bohol with colorful streamers and fun-filled activities for its week-long celebration of the annual Hudyaka sa Panglao. A total of 10 villages from all over the island compete in a dance competition that showcases the history, culture, and tradition of the Boholanos, especially the natives of the island.
When it comes to dining in Panglao, Buzz Café at the Bohol Bee Farm definitely tops the list. They have an array of mouthwatering dishes that are not only tasty but organic as well, so you can eat to your heart's desires. Make sure to try their cassava lasagna or their organic roasted chicken. End you meal with their famed salted honey ice cream too!
If you're in the mood for some Italian fares, head over to Giuseppe's Pizzeria and Sicilian Roast. You can try their porcini e pancetta pizza or their Pizza Gregorio—thin crust pizza topped with tomato, mozzarella cheese, sausage, salami, smoked ham, and Parma ham. You can also try their angel hair pasta with mushroom and truffle sauce or their ravioli spinaci e ricotta.
For those who love French cuisine, there is L'Elephant Bleu, which serves garlic prawns, escargot, and crème brulée. If you're into schnitzels, sausages, and other German favorites, then CU Biergarten is the place for you. But for some homey and beloved Filipino dishes, you will enjoy the offerings at Trudi's Place, which are all affordable as well.
Lastly, to complete your beach experience, you shouldn't miss pigging out on fresh seafood. Oceanic Seafood Restaurant features an impressive menu of their different recipes for prawns, crabs, shellfish, and several kinds of fish, all fresh from the ocean.
Much like the popular beach destinations in the Philippines, Alona Beach has a vibrant nightlife as seen in the bars fringing its shores. Panglao Birdwatchers is perfect for happy hour and is a good spot to enjoy some beachfront entertainment. There is also Coco Vida Bar, which is frequented by both local and international tourists. For some good music and different kinds of beverages, you can check out T2 Lounge and Aimz Bar.
For those who just want to sit at the bar and enjoy a drink or two with some soft music, you can visit The Wine Cellar. It has a fine selection of liquors and wines all the way from Germany and Austria.
A roundtrip flight from Manila to Tagbilaran City costs as low as PHP 3,500.00. Remember that that the price depends on the season and even airline promos. Be on the lookout for great deals when booking.
If you're traveling by sea, the fare ranges from PHP 200.00 to as much as PHP 700.00 for a one way trip, depending on the point of origin.
Once in Tagbilaran, jeeps or buses to Panglao charge about PHP 25.00 to PHP 30.00 per person. Motorcycles, on the other hand, usually charge PHP 200.00 to PHP 300.00. If you wish to rent a motorbike in Panglao, it will set you back about PHP 500.00 a day.
A budget of PHP 200.00 per meal would be already enough for most restaurants. For the more upscale establishments, expect to shell out PHP 500.00 to PHP 800.00 per meal.
Popular souvenirs like key chains, ref magnets, and pens are available for about PHP 20.00 to PHP 50.00 per piece. Souvenir shirts cost somewhere between PHP 200.00 to PHP 300.00, depending on the design and material.
Basic hotels can go for as low as PHP 800.00, perfect for backpackers and budget travelers. Meanwhile, an overnight stay in a hotel room in Alona can cost about PHP 2,000.00 to as much as PHP 6,000.00.
Price varies for every activity. Museum entrances are priced at PHP 50.00 on average, while snorkeling costs roughly PHP 150.00 to PHP 200.00. For diving the estimated price is PHP 2,500.00 per person.
When dining at restaurants, tipping is no longer necessary since a service charge is already added to your bill. You can still choose to leave a tip if you wish; around PHP 20.00 to PHP 50.00 should be enough.


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ELECTRIC.MOTORCYCLES
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There and Back Again- an Energica's Tale
While Brandon and I do a fair bit of riding, we recently realized we hadn't ridden any sort of trip together since the race from LA over a year ago. Seems like longer than that, really. I sold my Zero SR and got an Energica SS9, Brandon's back is healed enough so that he can comfortably ride the Ego for long stretches, the world is on fire and everyone is in a panic. Seemed like a good time to do a group ride to LA.
One of the best things in recent memory is a new charge station has opened along Highway 101 in King City, this creating an oasis in what was previously the void between Salinas to the Camp Roberts DC station which is ~90 miles of highway speed riding. Just a bit too far at highway speeds, and necessitated taking Highway 99 to LA because there are DC stations littering the highway there, but it's a boring road. With 101 you get some coastal routes, the fun hills through Chumash, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and other beautiful places. Highway 99 has Fresno and the Grapevine. Not a difficult choice.
It also means we get to start the route with the incredibly fun G16 road from Carmel Valley to King City: 60 miles of technical twisties. However, before we could start, it was decided that my storage options on the Energica were lacking ever since we got rid of the Zero and its Givi case on the rear. We headed up to Cycle Gear in Gilroy to look at what they had for tail luggage and decided on a 32 liter soft expandable bag I could strap down to the passenger pegs. The only downside is that I needed to remove it every time I charged because the Energica seat needs to lift up on its hinge to reveal the CCS port. I got used to it fairly quickly.
The following morning we set off bright and early, by which I mean 10:30am or so. We're not morning people. As we reached the halfway point of our first leg through G16 we were met with a road block indicating roads were closed due to wildfires. This was obviously a huge problem as we were on a deadline. We had two choices: Turn around, charge back at the shop on both bikes, then head to Salinas and, eventually, King City. This would likely add at least 4 hours to the trip. The other option was to cautiously drive past the road block, assess the road, air, and climate ahead, and chance it that we would meet authorities who would force us to turn around. We nervously chose the latter and proceeded with caution. No signs of anyone were seen until about 10 miles away from our destination, before a one-lane bridge that signaled the end of the twisties. Two police cars were waiting and stopped us.
A friendly officer inquired where we were coming from. "Carmel Valley" we replied. And where were we headed? "King City." Did we realize this was a mandatory evacuation zone? "Yes, sir, we're leaving" I said while pointing at my 32 liter tail bag. They shrugged and told us to take the bridge and be on our way. We thanked them and continued to our first stop, realizing it could have gone much worse.
We arrived at the two newly-installed DC stations to find a Chevy Bolt happily sucking up electrons at one of them. This is a problem, right now, of trying to ride in groups of electric bikes. Even if you plan out stops with multiple charging stations, as I did, there's no guarantee they'll be open, or even working at all. This just meant we had to charge one at a time. Oh well; half an hour wasted.
Heading South, it was not necessary for us to check in at the Southbound Camp Roberts rest stop, but I wanted to see the free DC solar CCS station ChargePoint had installed. I plugged in briefly, used the facilities, and resumed our route to the Bank of America in Paso Robles which boasted 4 DC stations from Electrify America (EA). Easy peasy, in and out in no time, right? Or at least, it should have been.
It was reported the previous weekend that EA had taken all of their DC stations offline down I-95 on the East Coast for maintenance. They received a ton of flak because they didn't tell anyone they were doing this. Over Labor Day weekend. We quickly found that 3 of the DC stations in Paso were similarly offline. Thankfully, a friendly maintenance guy was working in the locked area with the inverters and other equipment, so I felt hopeful he would be able to reset something or get them online. No, it turns out he wasn't interested in resetting them or trying anything. He just shrugged, apologized, and left. One of the other stations indicated it was working but wouldn't start, and the one I was able to get going intermittently stopped the charging session several times. Oh well; another 40 minutes wasted. Still, there's something delightful about charging two bikes fully in under an hour. Name another bike you can do that with.
The day warmed up but the Energicas didn't care. The batteries heated up to the "yellow" level during charging but quickly cooled off back to green during the ride thanks to the aggressive air cooling channels in the battery case. At EA stations further down the line we saw similar patterns: over half the stations were deactivated or offline with no explanation. EVgo stations were reliable, but for overall simplicity and cost it's hard to beat good-old ChargePoint, even if there was an Audi E-Tron idling full at a station for 2 hours at the Santa Ynez Marriot. Oh well; another 30 minutes wasted. We passed the time with 2-for-1 McDonalds Chicken Nuggets and milkshakes.
Warmer than it looks, so why is he wearing a sweater?
I would also like to point out just how nice, on group rides, it is to have helmet communications. Brandon and I have Cardo Packtalks which I wholly endorse. I listen to music, I have full hands-free control of my phone, and Brandon and I can chat or warn each other of upcoming road obstacles. Yeah, it takes away my ability to casually sing along in my helmet, but that's only because I'm super considerate. I really wish they'd introduce a DJ mode so one person could broadcast music and the rest could tune in. That, and also have a simple audio recording option. Often we have GoPro recordings which would be great to synch with recorded Packtalk audio, but there is no option for that. Instead you end up needing to install additional microphones from a GoPro into your helmet, and before you know it you're a Gargoyle from Snow Crash.
The rest of the ride down to San Diego was smooth sailing. The next day was spent taking care of business-related tasks that all went delightfully smooth, and we found ourselves reaching out to other local EV motorcyclists to meet up and go ride. Over the next few days were were able to attract a small crowd of an Energica Ego+, a LiveWire, a Zero DSR, a Zero SR, a Zero SR/S, and an Energica SS9+. Absolutely delightful pack of people, many of whom we've talked with over social media but hadn't gotten to meet yet. The biggest problem came from San Diego's DC infrastructure being a little sparse. It was decided we would meet up at a location with 3 DC stations and 1 J1772 plug. Guess which company. Go ahead; I'll wait.
If you guessed EA you are correct. Further, if you guessed that 2 of the 3 DC stations were offline you are further correct. Get it together, EA. That didn't stop us from a lovely evening ride, though. Thanks for showing us those cool back roads! I would also like to give special mention to Daren Sorenson and his Ego+ who offered to drag race Brandon and his Ego at a red light. I had the pleasure of witnessing this firsthand, and I suggest you ask Brandon how that went. Seriously. Please ask him.
Try to use the DC station in the foreground or the J1772 station in the background
The next day we got the majority of the group together to meet ~80 miles North West at the Murrieta City Hall. Free ChargePoint DC and AC stations galore! We all topped up, then hit the twisties. At the peak of the mountain we were greeted with a glorious overlook of Lake Elsinore, so a few quick photos were snapped.
There's actually a little snack stand up here.
We cruised through beautiful, winding mountain roads that, had they not been clogged with slow stupid cars, would have been utterly perfect. The ending destination was a massive charger bank known as The Shops at Mission Viejo. Not only does it have a massive array of Tesla SuperChargers, it also featured 2 EVgo DC stations and 4 EA DC stations. Would you, dear reader, care to guess how many of those EA stations were working? The answer is actually 1.5. That is to say one of the stations errored out while attempting to charge my SS9, but was able to charge the LiveWire. I then swapped to the known working station while Brandon grabbed the EVgo that didn't have a car using it. I guess I was a bit disillusioned with EA at this point which resulted in a grumpy video update from me.
We spent a few more days in LA conducting business and building cool things, but on Friday we decided to head back home, this time independently. It would be easier if we weren't stopping at the same places and trying to use the same stations. Honestly it was the right call, because every station we stopped at was smooth sailing the entire time. The only issue was that it was 107F leaving LA. Even the mighty Energica had to slow its charge rate down to a 40 minute full charge until ambient temperatures dropped to a point where air cooling could have an effect. For reference, that appeared to be about 80F.
I honestly wasn't thinking about writing about the trip at this point. If I had, I'd have taken more photos. For example, my second stop in Oxnard was at an EVgo station with 1 CCS and 2 Chademo stations. When I pulled in, a Nissan Leaf was at the combination station. I got his attention and asked if he wouldn't mind swapping to the Chademo station, and he happily disconnected. We struck up a conversation. I think his name was Ryan, but he's a long-time EV enthusiast who tried to make an EV motorcycle in the late 90s when the tech wasn't as plentiful or easily-accessed. He proudly pointed out, "Yeah, this is my 3rd Leaf. After this one wears out, that's it. I'm selling everything and building electric boat; I'm just gonna go sailing."
Intrigued, I let him talk to me about the difficulties of EV boats including the challenging positioning of solar panels and that the motors need to be under 2000 RPM. The best ones, he said, were very expensive but rugged and worth it.
Having left later in the afternoon was probably a wise move considering the heat. As soon as the afternoon rolled into dusk my battery went back to green and stayed there for the remainder of the trip home. All in all we put another 1400 miles on each of our bikes which rolled me comfortably over 20,000 miles on my SS9. It also signaled the end of my Pirelli Angel GT II tires at around 7k miles. I am very pleased with this as the previous set of Rossos lasted under half that amount. My new Angel GT rear is out for delivery and should be here at any moment. Here's to the next 7,000.
Cannonball Run 2020: LA to Vegas
The Harley-Davidson LiveWire is really well-made.
New Zeroland gets a new bike, and it is petrol powered!
©2019 by Electric.Motorcycles


text:
// This file is automatically generated.

package adila.db;

/*
 * LG L30 Sporty
 *
 * DEVICE: luv30ds
 * MODEL: LG-D125
 */
final class luv30ds {
    public static final String DATA = "LG|L30 Sporty|";
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Winter 2019 Photos: A Look Back on a Great Season!
The International Preschools is closed for spring break until Tuesday, April 2nd. Please enjoy this gallery of photos, showcasing activities in our classrooms during the months of February and March.


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Notes and Notations
New Scottish music blog
GIG REVIEW: Cherri Fosphate EP Launch at Broadcast, Glasgow 11.05.2013
The cosy confines of Broadcast was home to yet another EP launch this weekend as Cherri Fosphate celebrated the release of 'Burning Youth'. And what a celebration it was.
The night was opened by This Silent Forest, who were a last minute fill-in for VsVs due to their demise. TSF's power indie could easily have filled Broadcast three times over, if not more. The band's performance is huge, with infectious guitar riffs and lyrical genius. In fact, the room would have been forgiven for believing they watching were a headliner. I certainly thought I was. With the release of their debut album due this Autumn, it is sure to be a big year for these guys and if Saturday's performance is anything to go by then they are going to make their mark in a huge way.
Already on a uphill battle following that performance, The Monty Hall Problem took the stage next. A much younger band than TSF, it's clear there's still a lot to learn for them. I caught myself a few times when watching their set saying to myself that I'd heard a lot of their riffs before and my immediate reaction was to think of the scene in Treme where Annie T performs her first song to Steve Earle's Harley and he tells her how it is, "You changed the progressions...at least you're stealing big." And that, my friends, is why the world is full of players. The band only have 5 songs to play, and this bodes well because one would hope they can find their own sound early on, rather than building on riffs out of other people's playbooks that they have already.
With the room now fully packed out, it was time for our headliners, Cherri Fosphate to take the stage. Their live reputation proceeds them and they do not disappoint. Their songs take on a whole new life in the live setting, big riffs become even bigger and more infectious than on record. As they are celebrating the release of their 'Burning Youth' EP, all 4 songs on the EP make an outing and 'Wool' is a definite live highlight. We are also treated to an as-yet unnamed new song that bodes incredibly well for their future beyond this EP, it has the elements of all their previous efforts but shows definite advancement too and the crowd is thoroughly impressed. Their set comes to an end all too soon but the crowd is not done with them yet, chanting and cheering to bring them back for a well-deserved encore. The band tell us they don't think they are big enough encores yet but the reaction on Saturday night proved otherwise, and even though they spent more time in rehearsal talking about whether they'd get an encore rather than rehearsing 'Heart Without Strings' that they'd play for us, it still goes down brilliantly and ends the night on a high. This band are definitely going places.
There are lots of options in Glasgow on a Saturday night but I'm glad that this was mine. A brilliant celebration for an equally brilliant EP.
Labels: Broadcast, Burning Youth, Cherri Fosphate, EP launch, Glasgow, The Monty Hall Problem, This Silent Forest
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