text:
Escape to Danger
A journey through the Target Doctor Who novels, book by book, in publication order
Tag Earth
Chapter 31. Doctor Who and the Claws of Axos (1977)
31st Dec 2020 31st Dec 2020 Jim Sangster	1 Comment
Synopsis: A strange object from space lands on Earth near a nuclear power station. Inside are Axons, a family of golden beings who offer unlimited power in return for help with their damaged spacecraft. While the Doctor tries to keep an open mind, an ambitious politician rushes to seize the Axon's power for his own interests. Deep inside the alien craft, the Master is being held captive – and as Jo Grant discovers, that's not the only secret the Axons are keeping…
Chapter Titles
1. Invader from Space
2. The Landing
3. The Voice of Axos
4. Enter the Master
5. The Doctor Makes a Plan
6. Escape from Axos
7. The Axons Attack
8. The Power Robbers
9. The Sacrifice
10. Brainstorm
11. The Feast of Axos
12. Trapped in Time
Background: Terrance Dicks adapts scripts by Bob Baker and Dave Martin from the 1971 production.
Notes: As it soars towards Earth, the Axos ship has a 'constantly changing' shape and glows with a 'myriad of colours' – its intention is to be noticed. The first scene with the two radio operators is expanded here; they're not UNIT operators here, but personnel at the tracking station – Ransome and his assistant, Harry – who work down the list of people they need to contact and find 'something called UNIT'. The first interaction between the Brigadier and Chinn also provides background information – the minister in overall charge of Chinn's department cannot stand him, and as the Brigadier is also a problem, he decides to set the two men against each other in the hope that the winner will eliminate one or the other. Although UNIT is governed from Geneva, the Brigadier's operations are part-funded by the British Government. Corporal Bell is not part of this story, her role is given to a nameless male technician.
We get an introductory scene where Bill Filer is on the hunt for a man called 'Joe Grant' – and Jo corrects him. Bill is described as having 'closely trimmed brown hair and a pleasantly ugly face' – wow, that's a pretty mean swipe at the reasonably handsome Paul Grist who played him.
The Doctor and Jo drive to the landing site in Bessie (yay!).
The Axon who first frightens Jo subsequently appears as a male identical to the Axon leader. The Axon leader does not assume that the toad is livestock, but spells out the potential, had it been a 'food animal'. The process transforms the toad into a huge form that overwhelms Chinn and makes him scream. Later, as Axos reacts to the Doctor's experiment, the Eye of Axos is said to be 'lashing wildly to and fro on its stalk', which is much more fluid a movement than the TV prop could manage.
Jo overhears the Doctor speculating about Axonite's potential for time travel and suspects he has selfish intentions early on. The Doctor spots straight away that the Axon-Filer is a fake thanks to his experience of the Autons replicating humans. He also baffles a sentry to gain access to the arrested Brigadier: 'Good heavens, man, I know the Brigadier's incommunicado. I'm incommunicado myself. There's no reason why we can't talk to each other.' Delightful!
The Master enters the Nuton complex disguised as a visitings scientist and recalls the time he broke into UNIT HQ dressed as a 'humble telephone engineer'. The Master's TARDIS is a white dome, not a filing cabinet.
To the Eye of Axos's surprise, the Doctor reveals that he's deduced that Axos already has some limited ability for time travel; he realised that Axos reached Earth before the missiles were fired and Axos confesses that they can 'move only moments in Time.' Hardiman's assistant (credited on screen as 'Technician') is named 'Ericson'.
Cover: Achilleos gives us an eerie female Axon with rays of light coming from her eyes while an Axon monster looms behind her and the Doctor (taken from a photo from Frontier in Space) is pictured inset looking concerned. A 1979 edition had a cover by John Geary showing the adult male Axon and two very green Axon monsters.
Final Analysis: I'm hugely fond of The Claws of Axos TV episodes, one of those comfort stories I can bung on while I decide what I'd sooner be watching and then settle down and enjoy it. Terrance Dicks captures all of the conflicted loyalties that the Axons draw out of our heroes – are they victims in need, or should they have been blasted into bits from the start? – but he enhances the suspicion that the Doctor is solely interested in using Axos to escape Earth and relishes in making Chinn hated by absolutely everyone he encounters. The Master once again enjoys the thrill of the adventure, deciding on a whim to jump from a bridge onto a UNIT truck and then exploiting his good fortune when it turns out to be going where he wants to be. The ending is also less rushed than on TV, as Bill Filer says his goodbyes and jokes that he'd thought England would be 'dull', Chinn scampers back to the Minister to try framing the success as his own, while the operation to rescue the TARDIS and get it onto the back of a UNIT truck turns into a huge argument, which Jo welcomes as things getting 'back to normal'.
Chapter 29. Doctor Who and the Seeds of Doom (1977)
26th Dec 2020 27th Nov 2020 Jim Sangster	Leave a comment
Synopsis: Researchers in the Antarctic uncover two alien pods. One of them germinates, infecting one of the researchers and transforming him into a murderous plant-like creature. The other pod is stolen and transported to the home of an eccentric British millionaire – the amateur botanist Harrison Chase. When the second pod also finds a victim, the Doctor and Sarah must try to prevent the resulting creature from reaching maturity and destroying all animal life on Earth.
1. Mystery under the Ice
2. Death Stalks the Camp
3. Hunt in the Snow
4. Sabotage!
5. Betrayal
6. A Visit to Harrison Chase
7. Condemned to Die
8. The Krynoid Strikes
9. Siege
10. The Plants Attack
11. Trapped!
12. The Final Assault
Background: Philp Hinchcliffe adapts the 1976 serial by Robert Banks Stewart.
Notes: The Doctor wears his red velvet coat (his first one, the one many people assume is corduroy – don't @ me) rather than the grey tweed from TV. Sarah has been the Doctor's 'special assistant' for two years.
The Krynoid pod's tendril snakes up 'a few feet in the air' before finding Winlett. The Krynoid in the Antarctic turns quickly into the large, shapeless blob of vegetable matter (on screen it remains human shaped). Chase has 'a considerable private army' and a large staff of botanists, not just Keeler. Amela Ducat's involvement beyond her first scene is completely removed. The final scene sees Sarah (not the Doctor) invite Sir Colin for a trip and the civil servant watches from a window as the pair enters the TARDIS and disappears. We don't see them return to Antarctic as on TV.
Cover: Achilles gives us the Doctor and Sarah in monochrome, flinching as the giant adult krynoid absorbs Harrison Chase's mansion while under fire from an explosive airstrike.
Final Analysis: It's difficult to know whether Terrance Dicks would have retained Amelia Ducat's involvement in the main story, but I'd like to think so. Hinchcliffe opts to cut this and while it's one of the easiest threads to dispose of, it's a shame as Ducat is such a lovely character. That one crime aside, he pares down the six-part story really well, maintaining the growing level of crisis throughout. There's a particularly strong moment where we gain an insight into Chase's state of mind even before the Krynoid takes hold:
Chase was physically repelled by people. He reduced contact with them to the bare minimum; hence the black gloves to avoid touching them, and the elaborate safety precautions surrounding the house to stop them getting in. Apart from his immediate entourage he was a recluse, known only by name to the outside world. But within the high walls of his own domain Chase had created a different world—a luxuriant, peaceful world of green – a world in which, for moments at least, he could pretend to shed his human guise and commune with his beloved plants.
A solid first effort from Hinchcliffe though, looking forward to more from him.
Chapter 27. Doctor Who and the Pyramids of Mars (1976)
24th Dec 2020 27th Dec 2020 Jim Sangster	2 Comments
Synopsis: A vision of a monstrous face in the time vortex leads the Doctor and Sarah to the home of Marcus Scarman, an Egyptologist. Scarman has disappeared and his brother has come to the house looking for answers. But Marcus Scarman is dead, his body now used like some cruel toy by an ancient evil – the god of Death known as Sutekh.
1. The Terror is Unleashed
2. The Mummy Awakes
3. The Servents of Sutekh
4. The Return of Marcus Scarman
5. The World Destroyed…
6. The Mummies Attack
7. The Doctor Fights Back
8. 'I am Sutekh!'
9. In the Power of Sutekh
10. A Journey to Mars
11. The Guardians of Horus
12. The Weapon of the Time Lords
Background: Terrance Dicks adapts scripts from a 1975 serial attributed to Stephen Harris, but which was rewritten by Robert Holmes from an original submission by Lewis Greifer.
Notes: Yes! A prologue that lays out the history of Sutekh's battle with 740 Osirians (not Osirans) and his imprisonment for thousands of years. Marcus Scarman's discovery of Sutekh's tomb is also a little more detailed (when Ahmed flees the tomb, Scarman dismisses him as a 'Superstitious savage'!). Ibrahim Namin is the High Priest of the Cult of the Black Pyramid and his knowledge of the great writings of his people, which warn that the Great Pyramid must never be opened, but when he finds the pyramid desecrated by Scarman, Namin encounters Sutekh, who convinces him that it is part of the plan. We're then presented with Namin's journey to England and the reactions of the locals, including Dr Warlock and Scarman's brother, to his arrival at the manor house.
The Doctor remembers Victoria and Dicks provides a little context there, as we're given a potted history of the Doctor's involvement with UNIT and Sarah's recognition that he's had other companions before her. Later on, Sarah tells Lawrence Scarman that she's from 'the future' – so none of the '1980' stuff that's caused nightmares for fans and Peter Grimwade ever since. As Sarah sees the image of Sutekh, it's accompanied by 'a deep discordant organ-note' – foreshadowing Namin's playing in the next scene. How cool is that? Sarah can hear Dudley Simpson's music just as clearly as we can!
The epilogue reveals that Sarah (presumably after she has left the TARDIS for the last time) has managed to find a local newspaper report of the blaze that destroyed the priory. The article details the huge loss of life, simultaneously explaining away the coincidence of the Scarman brothers, their friend Dr Warlock, the local poacher and Ibrahim Namin, a guest at the house, together in one place. The report concludes that Lawrence Scarman's many technological devices installed throughout the house may have been the cause of the fire. Sarah recognises that somehow a natural explanation was found to explain away the disaster, but that the sacrifices of so many people there had ensured that she could be safe in her own time, at the end of the Twentieth Century.
Cover: A fairly simple Achilleos cover for the first edition, featuring portraits of the Doctor and a fierce-looking Sarah (wielding a rifle) as a servo-Mummy fills the centre of the frame. Andrew Skilleter's 1982 cover shows three Mummies in front of an enlarged generic Egyptian death mask. Alister Pearson's 1993 cover is the best of the lot as the Doctor is framed within a triangle, flanked by the black-garbed servant of Sutekh and a Mummy, while Sutekh himself dominates the lower half of the cover, all against a background of Mars emanating some weird slit-scan-like rays.
Final Analysis: A very tidy adaptation as Dicks adds minimal details at the beginning and end to help things along. One particular neat addition is that he explains Sarah's unnerving ability to recall details that the Doctor (and the audience) might need to know; in this case, she researched an article on Egyptology some years before and some of the details have stayed with her. Thanks, Terrance!
Chapter 20. Doctor Who and the Tenth Planet (1976)
14th Nov 2020 14th Nov 2020 Jim Sangster	3 Comments
Synopsis: A new planet appears in Earth's solar system. The Doctor seems to know what it is and what will happen next. The planet, which bears a striking similarity to Earth, is home to a race of plastic and metal beings called 'Cybermen'. As Ben and Polly help the staff of an Antarctic tracking station to fight off the invaders, the Doctor prepares for his final adventure.
The Creation of the Cybermen
1 The Space Tracking Station
2 Disaster in Space
3 The New Planet
4 Mondas!
5 The Cyberman Invasion
6 Ben into Action
7 Battle in the Projection Room
8 Two Hundred and Fifty Spaceships
9 Z-Bomb Alert!
10 Prepare to Blast Off
11 Cybermen in Control
12 Resistance in the Radiation Room
13 The Destruction of Mondas!
Background: Gerry Davis adapts the 1966 scripts he co-wrote with Kit Pedler.
Notes: The book begins with a summary of the creation of the Cybermen, claiming they originated on the planet Telos before taking refuge on the 'lost sister planet of Earth – Mondas'. An American called Tito is reading a Captain Marvel comic (presumably a vintage edition as the character didn't have a comic of his / her own in either 1986 or 2000). Although this is only the third TV adventure for Ben and Polly, it's suggested that they've been on many uneventful journeys since they joined the Doctor. Continuity from The Moonbase is preserved, as Ben and Polly are from the early 1970s, not the mid-60s, so Ben can recognise a Roger Moore Bond film that he saw for the first time a few weeks before he joined the Doctor's travels (very possibly The Man with the Golden Gun, which would mean the Doctor's young friends are from 1974). And yes, Polly discovers they're in the more futuristic year 2000 (not 1986 as in the original. At the time of writing, the year 2000 is 20 years in my past!). The Cybermen use a 'short silver baton-like object' for a weapon, rather than the cumbersome lamps hooked onto their chest units as on screen. The Cyberleader from the second wave has a 'black impassive mask' (similar to Revenge of the Cybermen and Davis's adaptation of The Moonbase [see Doctor Who and the Cybermen]), The regeneration scene is so different that it upset some fan reviewers at the time.
Cover: Chris Achilleos makes up for the monochrome Cybermen and snowy setting by placing them in front of a vivid aurora background that's really thrilling. There's also an illustration on the rear cover of a Cyberman firing a blast from its headlamp (something that doesn't actually happen in the TV series for 51 years) and a defiant first Doctor inset. The 1993 reprint cover by Alister Pearson is almost symmetrical, with a saggy-looking Cyberman on each side, the first full-face shot of a Cyberman from the cliffhanger of episode 1 and a mid-length portrait of Hartnell from The Celestial Toymaker. It's very tidy but not that dramatic, sadly.
Final Analysis: Davis handles the Doctor's departure much better than circumstances allowed in the TV production (where Hartnell's illness led to him missing episode 3 with just a few days' notice). He seeds the Doctor's illness and frailty beautifully.
Was it Ben's imagination, or had the Doctor's hair gone a shade whiter and finer during the last few hours? His skin, which looked as transparent as old parchment, was stretched tightly over his prominent cheek bones.
I have to note the use of outdated terms to describe a couple of black characters (Williams is described as 'a tall, handsome American negro of about thirty'), while also commending that the characters were there in the first place at a time where multicultural casting was still rare. Whether this was originally scripted or down to the casting by director Derek Martinus is another matter.
The slow, steady breakdown of Cutler as he struggles with the pressure of his son's peril helps to elevate the later chapters from the absence of the Cybermen. But having built up the Doctor's demise so subtly throughout the book, it's surprising that the actual change happens out of sight of Ben and Polly. Emerging from a sarcophagus in the control room, the old Doctor has disappeared and in his place is a much younger man:
The stranger looked at him in slight surprise. 'You ask me that, Ben? Don't you recognise me?'
The Doctor's two companions shook their heads.
'I thought it was quite obvious,' Again, he smiled his gently mocking smile and winked at them with his bluegreen eyes. 'Allow me to introduce myself then. I am the new Doctor!'
Chapter 19. Doctor Who and the Dinosaur Invasion (1976)
7th Nov 2020 7th Nov 2020 Jim Sangster	2 Comments
aka Doctor Who – Invasion of the Dinosaurs (1993)
Synopsis: The Doctor and Sarah return to Earth to discover that London has been evacuated due to a spate of dinosaurs appearing and disappearing across the city. While the Doctor goes monster hunting, Sarah uncovers a conspiracy that implicates some very surprising people.
1. London Alert!
2. 'Shoot to Kill!'
3. The Time Eddy
4. The Timescoop
5. Monster in Chains
6. The Spaceship
7. The Reminder Room
8. Escape!
9. Operation Golden Age
10. The Final Countdown
Background: Malcolm Hulke adapts his 1974 scripts for Invasion of the Dinosaurs.
Notes: An opening scene is added, introducing Shughie McPherson, a football fan from Glasgow who wakes up in an evacuated London and is killed by a dinosaur. The Doctor and Sarah find a cafe and discover the food's rotten, while the Doctor is aghast that he's taken Sarah around time and space but she gets really excited by the sight of a Woolworths (and later he points out a Wimpy's too); this hints that they've had adventures since The Time Warrior but this is their first time together back on modern-day Earth.
Infamously, Butler has a 'livid scar' on his face, so that Hulke can make him easy to identify without spelling out who he is – very inventive (he could hardly say 'a man who looked just like Martin Jarvis', although that would have added a little extra fun to the audiobook). It also serves to humanise him when Sarah cruelly attacks him for choosing to be 'ugly' only to learn that he got the scar while serving as a fire officer saving the life of a child (and Sarah quickly apologises for being so callous). There's no weird new car for the Doctor; instead, he borrows a motorcycle as the best way to get around London (which all feels much more logical and in keeping for this Doctor).
As he watches the Doctor on a TV monitor, Professor Whitaker comments that the intruder is 'terribly handsome', which seems to be an addition inspired by the casting of the role onscreen, but it does add an extra dimension to him (on paper, he's extra-arrogant and driven by the glory of proving wrong a load of people who might not ever exist if he succeeds!). The story has a new conclusion where the Doctor shows Sarah a passage in Ezekiel that describes where Professor Whitaker and Grover might have ended up.
Cover: Best cover artwork ever. It's just so lurid and melodramatic and sums up the vast differences between the TV version and the imagination of a child who's read the book (and I do love both). The cheeky "KKLAK!" really makes it. Having stood in the living room of the person who owns the original art, I marvelled at the beauty of it and had criminal thoughts. The first edition I read was the 1978 reprint with a cover by Jeff Cummins showing a dinosaur standing on the lower steps at St Pauls (those ones we remember the Cybermen descending in The Invasion). Alister Pearson's cover for the 1993 rerelease (as Invasion of the Dinosaurs) shows the Doctor with his weird device and a tyrannosaurus rex, with a very subtle incorporation of the London Underground logo in a manner that might be familiar to fans of Jurassic Park. It also solidifies Pearson's record as the only artist to provide cover art for all of the novelisations in three entire seasons of stories.
Final Analysis: This has long been one of my favourites, ever since I picked up on a character having 'badly bitten fingernails', while Professor Whitaker's are 'well-polished'. That kind of subtle detail really jumped out at me at aged eight and it still does many years later. Hulke's eagerness to give a balanced view of his worlds extends to showing us how a stegosaurus reacts to being shot at on Hampstead Heath and I'm not even going to make a joke about that or point out that dinosaurs and mammals didn't really hang out together in the past.
Just a few additional lines to Mark and Adam on the 'spaceship' also help to flesh them out a bit and make them more rounded. Adam concludes that Grover is 'a raving lunatic' but Sarah counters that the politician knows exactly what he's doing. Mark rounds on Ruth because, confronted with the evidence against Grover, she still supports him because she 'can't stand being made a fool of! You must never be wrong!'
it all helps to sell the underlying message: As with The Cave Monsters, the title has a double meaning as there's more than one kind of dinosaur in Westminster; there's also the type who can't let go of ancient history and wants to drag us all back with them to a time that never really existed. Thanks in part to the actual dinosaurs being much more realistic and thrilling on the page than on screen, plus some deeper characterisation that helps us understand who these people are, this really might be the best Target novel so far. Trust me.
Chapter 18. Doctor Who and the Loch Ness Monster (1976)
31st Oct 2020 31st Oct 2020 Jim Sangster	2 Comments
aka Doctor Who – Terror of the Zygons (1993)
Synopsis: Oil rigs are being attacked off the coast of Scotland and the Brigadier summons the Doctor to help out. As the Doctor goes on a monster hunt, Harry and Sarah find something sinister under Loch Ness.
1. Death from the Sea
2. Murder on the Shore
3. The Zygons Attack
4. A Trap for the Doctor
5. The Sleeping Village
6. The Monster on the Moor
7. Hunt for a Zygon
8. A Visit to the Duke
9. The Secret of Forgill Castle
10. Plan for Conquest
11. Escape!
12. Monster in the Thames
Background: Terrance Dicks adapts Robert Banks Stewart's scripts for the 1975 serial Terror of the Zygons.
Notes: During the attack on the Bonnie Prince Charlie rig, we're told that the radio operator's name is 'Jock Munro'. We get the deleted scene of the TARDIS outer shell disappearing after it lands and a brief bit of chat with the Duke where Sarah, sat in the back of his landrover, discovers a stuffed stag's head under a tarpaulin. UNIT Corporal Palmer makes a reappearance (he's an unnamed corporal in the TV episodes). The Zygon that Sarah first encounters is 'a squat, powerful figure about the size of a small man:
Orange-green in colour, it had small, claw-like hands and feet. There was no neck: the big high-domed head seemed to grow directly from the bulbous torso. The face was terrifyingly alien, with huge, malevolent green eyes and a small, puckered mouth. A row of protuberances ran down its back. The really horrible thing about the creature was that it seemed to be a parody of the human form. It looked like a grotesque, evil baby.
Once Sarah and the Doctor are trapped in the decompresison chamber, the Zygon formerly known as Sister Lamont uses a comunications device to inform Broton (with 'a note of gloating triumph in its voice') that 'The Doctor and the human female will soon be dead'. The Doctor's encounter with the Skarasen on Tulloch Moor takes place at night. Although this is almost seen on telly, it's made much clearer that zygons can sting when in their 'proper form', either to hurt or fatally wound (and they do both here – Angus is kiled while Harry and the Doctor are only stunned). The Brigadier and Sarah add sugar and milk to The Fox Inn's porridge but the Doctor has it with salt, a taste he acquired 'during the Jacobite rebellion'. Although Madra, the Zygon who impersonates Harry, is named, the one who poses as Sister lamont is not (she's something that sounds like 'Orla' on TV). Oh and the Prime Minister who the Brigadier speaks to is identified as male.
Cover & Illustrations: It's frustrating because in my mind, the artwork I want to see was that Radio Times piece by Frank Bellamy. This one's okay, with the Skarasen looking fierce and the Zygon leaning into the centre, but the Doctor likeness reminds me too much of Eric Idle and the background is a little Looney Tunes. Might be heresy but I much prefer the Alister Pearson 1993 reprint where Broton's face merges with the background, a sombre Doctor looks very smart in his Scottish get-up and the Sister Lamont Zygon (going on the publicity photo it references) stands full-length.
Final Analysis: Broton appears more of a frustrated administrator in this version, furious at his subordinates. Dicks's description of a Zygon as 'a grotesque, evil baby' is spot on although he insists on describing a 'claw-shaped hand' that's a lot less enticing than what we actually see on TV. Bonus points for explaining that zygons have stings, which is not really clear on screen.
The Zygons are among my earliest memories of the TV show and, as mentioned in the introduction, this was one of four books I received as a Christmas present in 1980, the first Target books I owned, rather than loaning from the library.
Chapter 17. Doctor Who – The Three Doctors (1975)
24th Oct 2020 21st Oct 2020 Jim Sangster	1 Comment
Synopsis: A strange blob of jelly invades UNIT HQ while the Time Lords are being drained of energy. The answer to the mystery lies on the other side of a black hole, where a Time Lord legend waits to enact his revenge. As the Time Lords break one of their strictest rules to allow three of the Doctor's incarnations to work together, Jo Grant worries they might only end up bickering…
1. Lightning from Space
2. Attack from the Unknown
3. The Menace of the Black Hole
4. Beyond the Unknown
5. A Shock for the Brigadier
6. In the Hands of the Enemy
7. Door to Freedom
8. Escape from Omega
9 .'All things shall be destroyed'
10. Return through the Flame
11. Three Doctors Minus Two
Background: Terrance Dicks adapts the 1973 scripts by Bob Baker and Dave Martin.
Notes: The Second Doctor has 'dark brown eyes' (which doesn't match Patrick Troughton) that are 'at once humorous and sad'. Omega's servants are only called 'Jelly creatures' and 'blob-men' – not 'Gellguards' as we've come to know them. The First Doctor asks 'what's a bridge for?' and it's Jo who suggests 'crossing?', prompting the old Doctor to note 'Gel's got more sense than the two of you put together!' (it's the Third Doctor who grabs the glory on TV). The battle with Omega's monster takes place in an open-air arena and the beast itself is still humanoid but eight feet tall and muscular (rather than a short avante-garde dance performer). There's a hilarious pitch battle in chapter 10 where Jo is 'staggering under the weight of an anti-tank rifle' before she fires at the blob men and falls backwards, deciding instead to be an 'observer'.
Cover: A Chris Achilleos classic, using references from the familiar Three Doctors photoshoot and merging them with a classic Jack Kirby Fantastic Four cover (depicting Galactus where Omega would be). It's a vision in orange and gold. The first edition also has a rear illustration by Achilleos showing the second Doctor being led away by two blob-men. My first copy was the 1978 reprint with a cover by Jeff Cummins showing the three Doctors in front of a black hole in space (it's the one a reader of Doctor Who Magazine criticised for making the Doctors look too old, too evil and 'too Welsh'!). The Pertwee is from Invasion of the Dinosaurs, the Hartnell from An Unearthly Child and the Troughton isn't the Doctor, but Salamander – hence why he's 'too evil'. A 1991 edition with a cover by Alister Pearson is a little more stylised, with a photorealistic Omega ranting before a backdrop of burnt-out Doctors as banners in front of a black circle.
Final Analysis: Dicks makes Jo our point-of-view character, so to her, the other Doctor that Benton knows is her 'Doctor Two', while the one on the scanner screen is 'the old man' and 'the old Doctor', which works so well. Dicks also has Doctor Two correctly identify his instrument as a recorder – then refer to it as a 'flute' for the rest of the book!
Chapter 16. Doctor Who and the Planet of the Spiders (1975)
17th Oct 2020 16th Oct 2020 Jim Sangster	2 Comments
Synopsis: The Doctor's adventures come back to haunt him as a stolen gem from Metebelis Three triggers 'the most dangerous adventure of his life'. The Doctor's greed for adventure and knowledge is matched by the greed for power of the Eight-Legs and their leader, the Great One. And none of them will survive this one…
Prologue: The Mystery of the Crystal
1. The Menace at the Monastery
2. The Deadly Experiment
3. The Coming of the Spider
4. The Chase for the Crystal
5. The Council of the Spiders
6. Arrival on Metebelis Three
7. Prisoner of the Spiders
8. The Doctor Hits Back
9. In the Lair of the Great One
10. Return to Earth
11. The Battle with the Spiders
12. The Last Enemy
Epilogue: An End and a Beginning
Background: Terrance Dicks adapts scripts by Robert Sloman (and Barry Letts, uncredited) from 1974.
Notes: Another lovely prologue that I wish we'd seen on TV as Professor Jones and his new bride encounter resistance in their trek across the Amazon forests. Jo Jones, formerly Jo Grant of UNIT, has to ditch a huge blue crystal that the Doctor gave her as a wedding present. There's a Dr Sweetman working as UNIT's medical officer today [but see The Giant Robot]. The soldier on guard at UNIT HQ gets a name (Corporal Hodges). We also find out that four of Lupton's gang were hospitalised with nervous breakdowns, while the Brigadier helps Sarah to get Tommy into university.
Cover: 'Read the last exciting adventure of DR WHO's 3rd Incarnation!' screams the back cover. On the front, Peter Brookes gives us the Doctor reacting to Sarah with the Queen Spider on her back, along with a montage of the Doctor changing face that's much more dramatic than we get on telly. There are no illustrations inside but there's one on the back cover of a spider crawling across a mandala. I had the 1978 reprint with an Alun Hood cover depicting a blue crystal and a red-backed tarantula clambering over some rocks. The 1991 reprint with art by Alister Pearson shows a haunted portrait of Pertwee reflected in the blue crystal and another tarantula-like arachnid reared to attack.
Final Analysis: My earliest memory is of Planet of the Spiders, where a spider appearing on a carpet after some men chant 'Um Andy Pandy Um' (I know what they chant now, of course!), so this holds a special relevance for me. This is a decent adaptation with some lovely additions to the thought processes of the characters. Dicks captures Sarah's voice particularly well (although once again, he has her fainting!) and he adds greatly to our understanding of Lupton and his bitterness. We also benefit from a much more thrilling – and logical – version of the very padded chase sequence.
Chapter 15. Doctor Who and the Green Death (1975)
10th Oct 2020 10th Oct 2020 Jim Sangster	1 Comment
Synopsis: Deep beneath the hills of a Welsh town, pollutants from a chemical factory have caused the deaths of local miners. Worse, the chemicals have transformed maggots into deadly monsters. Fighting the chemical company is an idealistic young professor, who's unimpressed by a clumsy fool of a girl from UNIT who wants to join his cause. Meanwhile, the Doctor finally lands the TARDIS on Metebelis Three…
1. 'Wealth in our time!'
2. The Doctor Plans a Holiday
3. Land of My Fathers
4. Into the Mine
6. The Sluice Pipe
7. The Egg
8. The Maggots
9. The Swarm
10. The Green Death
11. The Chrysalis
12. One World, One People, One BOSS!
Background: Malcolm Hulke adapts scripts from the 1974 serial by Robert Sloman and (uncredited) Barry Letts.
Notes: The Global Chemicals of the TV show is now Panorama Chemicals. Elgin gets a first name (Mark) and a job title (public relations), and he doesn't disappear as in the TV version, so his TV replacement, Mr James, doesn't appear. Hulke has a lot of fun with Metebelis Three, constructing a bit of a legend around it involving a lone Time Lord and then giving us an insane escapade involving unicorns and giant eagles. The Doctor keeps the Professor's gang amused with stories of his journey to Metebelis Three, rather than that wonderfully incomprehensible nonsense about the perigosto stick from the telly. Jo speculates why the Doctor never married, or even if there are Lady Time Lords, while stating on the very last page that the Doctor is 725 years old. In the TV story, the actual term 'Green Death' is never mentioned; in the book it appears in descriptions and dialogue eleven times.
Cover & Illustrations: The first edition cover, by Peter Brookes, shows a giant green fly raining acid down onto the Doctor and Bessie while in inset, Jo recoils from a huge maggot. On the back cover, there's another two-panel illustration, depicting Ted Hughes discovering the deadly green goo in the mine. There's a similar illustration of that scene inside, one of six by Alan Willow, the best of which shows the Doctor and Jo in a mine-cart surrounded by maggots. I had Alun Hood's 1979 reprint cover, which has a beautiful dragonfly stretching its wings across the bleak murky landscape of the mine, surrounded by maggots. This is the final Target book to have illustrations.
Final Analysis: The opening chapter explains why the coal mines are being closed (and how the miners feel about this), how Elgin views the locals (being university educated, he considers himself superior to them) and what Stevens thinks of everyone else. And Professor Jones and Dai Evans discuss the forces of production in relation to the mining industry and the people of Llanfairfach – before they're interrupted by the first tragic event. Even in the climax, the Doctor worries about whether any of BOSS's 'slaves or semi-slaves died' in the aftermath. It's not too heavy-handed, but it leaves us no uncertainty as to where Hulke's politics might lean.
How strange that Jo Grant's final story follows her first in publication order. And is followed by the Third Doctor's last.
Chapter 14. Doctor Who and the Terror of the Autons (1975)
3rd Oct 2020 3rd Oct 2020 Jim Sangster	1 Comment
Synopsis: A renegade Time Lord calling himself 'The Master' has followed the Doctor to Earth and as an introductory calling card he's brought the Autons with him. The Doctor has even more trouble on his hands with a new assistant forced upon him by the Brigadier, the very keen and very newly qualified agent Jo Grant.
1. The Terror Begins
2. Sabotage at the Space Probe
3. The Master Takes Over
4..Death at the Plastics Factory
5. The Killer Doll
6. In the Hands of the Autons
7. The Battle of the Forest
8. The Killer Doll Attacks
9. The Deadly Daffodils
10. Prisoners of the Master
12. The End of Round One
Background: Terrance Dicks adapts Robert Holmes' 1971 scripts.
Notes: Our introduction to Luigi Rossini (real name here is 'Lew Ross') presents a much more consciously obnoxious figure, employing labour of a mainly criminal type as they're cheap and won't risk complaining. This includes Tony the Strongman, who's wanted by the police. Rossini manages to persuade his crew that the Doctor and Jo blew up Phillips as they were trying to steal the mob's wages. The Auton meteorite device glows green as in The Auton Invasion, while the Master says that the plastic chair that kills McDermott is made of 'polynestine'. The Doctor recognises the visiting Time Lord as being a member of the High Council who exiled the Doctor to Earth.
The Doctor recognises the device that the Master leaves in the cabin of the radio telescope is a 'Volataliser', a product of 'The Xanthoids [who] use them for mining operations', while the one that Jo tries to detonate in the UNIT lab is 'a Saturnian Solar Bomb'. One of the best / nastiest additions is the revelation that the Master uses Professor Phillips to help him operate controls within his Tardis, but when he's not on duty, he is both disguised as – and forced to work as – an actual clown, because it amuses the Master to 'degrade a brilliant scientist into a mindless buffoon'. There's a gap of a few days between Mr Farrel's death and the Doctor's visit to his wife, and the distribution of the daffodils spans a few more days too. Brownrose from the Ministry is completely removed and I didn't even notice until just now. And of course, as the cover reveals, the description of the Nestene's arrival is much more impressive than on TV.
Considering the Master's crimes, the Doctor provides an insight into their race:
Once captured by the Time Lords, the Master's life-stream would be thrown into reverse. Not only would he no longer exist, he would never have existed. It was the severest punishment in the Time Lords' power.
The text refers to the 'chameleon mechanism' and 'chameleon circuits' for the first time in print (and 'chameleon circuit' won't be said on screen until Logopolis!). There's also a reference to a 'Sontaran fragmentation grenade' (the story came before their first appearance, but the novelisation was published a year after The Time Warrior aired). The Doctor makes good use of his sonic screwdriver, dismantling a bomb, opening the Auton-containing safe and trying to break into the Master's Tardis.
Cover & Illustrations: Peter Brookes' original cover depicts a scene that doesn't actually happen on TV as the one-eyed crabtopus Nestene creature envelops the radio telescope and, inset, the Doctor makes a surprise entrance as the Master plays with a lever. The back cover again features an illustration, Captain Yates inspects a fallen auton carnival dummy while another soldier in silhouette takes on a horde of autons. The 1979 reprint boasts a cover by Alun Hood, again depicting the imagined Nestene but in a more photorealistic style more akin to a Pan horror book; this was the edition I first owned and I was convinced this was a photo of the prop they used (what a disappointment the TV version turned out to be!). Alan Willow provides six illustrations, all of which expand upon what we saw on TV. It's hard to pick a favourite although I love the one of the radiotelescope technician working away as 'A dark shape peered down at him' – the Master, snooping through a skylight, is much more dramatic than him just stepping through a door.
Final Analysis: Another good job by Dicks here, covering a lot of ground and adding nuance where appropriate. Jo's previous 'debut' in The Doomsday Weapon is glossed over, but there's some decent continuity between this and The Auton Invasion, including the Brigadier asking why they can't just do what they did last time and the Doctor points out all the flaws in his previous attack plan.
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Chapter 35. Doctor Who and the Mutants (1977)
Chapter 34. Doctor Who and the Planet of Evil (1977)
Chapter 33. Doctor Who and the Brain of Morbius (1977)
Chapter 32. Doctor Who and the Ark in Space (1977)
Previous Chapters
Target Books wiki A wiki about Target Doctor Who books
Squabbling Rubber The best reviews of Doctor Who DVDs ever
Next Episode Reviewing each Doctor Who episode in order from the start
Books News Latest news on Doctor Who books
Mark Gatiss on Target Documentary about Target books
Target Books Remastered Twitter account restoring Target covers


PIONEERS IN THE FRENCH PHARMACEUTICAL MARKET.
Pioneers in the French pharmaceutical market, we have been developing dossiers since the company's foundation in 1995; it's one of the things we do best.
In 2003, with a great strength in the domestic generics market, our company based in Paris, France, unveiled plans to substantially grow the company into international markets to expand our global reach.
Over the next few years Substipharm's presence grew rapidly and in 2005, we advanced into the finished pharmaceutical products market and since then have developed many innovative products for our clients worldwide.
Today, Substipharm is synonymous with integrity and quality and our story has become one of international success, developing a wide variety of pharmaceutical generics, from dossiers to finished products.


text:
NOWCAST KCRA News After the Game
$2 million in gems, gold stolen from Calif. museum
California Mining and Minerals Museum targeted
Updated: 3:22 PM PDT Oct 1, 2012
California investigators searched Monday for thieves who made off with an estimated $2 million in precious gems and gold from a Central Valley museum during a brazen daytime robbery.But they didn't get away with the biggest prize of all - the nearly 14-pound Fricot Nugget, a giant crystalline gold mass unearthed in the Gold Rush era.During their attempt to grab the rock, the robbers triggered an alarm that alerted authorities who swarmed the museum but were unable to nab the thieves.At least two robbers wearing hoods and armed with pickaxes threatened workers during the heist Friday at the California Mining and Minerals Museum in Mariposa, the California Highway Patrol said.No suspects have been identified.The heist was more bad news for the beleaguered museum, which is home to more than 13,000 artifacts.It is operated by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, and was previously on a state list of facilities being considered for closure to help save money.Authorities said the unique pieces taken would be easily identified, which could make it difficult for the robbers to sell them."It is uncommon for most citizens to possess such minerals," the CHP said in a statement.It was the second heist this year of rare, valuable metals in Northern California.In February, thieves made off with large chunks of gold that were on display in a Siskiyou County courthouse.Investigators were trying to determine if there is a connection between the two heists.Roy Stearns, a spokesman for the parks department, would not comment and referred all questions to the CHP.
MARIPOSA, Calif. —
California investigators searched Monday for thieves who made off with an estimated $2 million in precious gems and gold from a Central Valley museum during a brazen daytime robbery.
But they didn't get away with the biggest prize of all - the nearly 14-pound Fricot Nugget, a giant crystalline gold mass unearthed in the Gold Rush era.
During their attempt to grab the rock, the robbers triggered an alarm that alerted authorities who swarmed the museum but were unable to nab the thieves.
At least two robbers wearing hoods and armed with pickaxes threatened workers during the heist Friday at the California Mining and Minerals Museum in Mariposa, the California Highway Patrol said.
No suspects have been identified.
The heist was more bad news for the beleaguered museum, which is home to more than 13,000 artifacts.
It is operated by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, and was previously on a state list of facilities being considered for closure to help save money.
Authorities said the unique pieces taken would be easily identified, which could make it difficult for the robbers to sell them.
"It is uncommon for most citizens to possess such minerals," the CHP said in a statement.
It was the second heist this year of rare, valuable metals in Northern California.
In February, thieves made off with large chunks of gold that were on display in a Siskiyou County courthouse.
Investigators were trying to determine if there is a connection between the two heists.
Roy Stearns, a spokesman for the parks department, would not comment and referred all questions to the CHP.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Under-18s And Oxford United Women Both At Home This Weekend
Youth team play on Saturday and Women on Sunday
There's no reason to miss out on your football fix this weekend, with both United's under-18s and Oxford United Women at home.
On Saturday morning (11am kick-off) the youth team entertain Bristol Rovers U18s at Northcourt Road, Abingdon (OX14 1PL) in their Merit League One fixture. United are currently fifth in the table and are the only side unbeaten in the league, while Lee Mansell's Rovers are in ninth spot after losing to league leaders Southend on Tuesday.
There is always a friendly welcome at the Northcourt and admission is free.
This is the youth team's final game before their Southern Area Cup final against Luton Town at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday 31st March (11am kick-off). You can buy tickets for that match from www.oufctickets.co.uk.
Then on Sunday, United Women take on unbeaten Millwall Lionesses in WSL 2 at Court Place Farm (1pm kick-off). If you don't have a ticket for the U's game at Portsmouth that afternoon, why not get down to Oxford City's ground and support the women and then stay in the bar afterwards and watch the men's side take on Pompey live on Sky?
Tickets are available in advance from www.oufctickets.co.uk and cost just £5 for adults and £2 for over-65s and under-16s, with under-7s free. Men's season-ticket holders can get in for just £1.
Oxford United U18 vs Bristol Rovers U18 on 24 Mar 18


text:
Q: Django/Python unittesting: How to Force Exception of Try/Except Block Is there any way to force the except block to execute so that I can verify the error messages/handling with unit testing? For example:
views.py
def get_books(request):
    ...
    try:
        book = Books.objects.get_or_create(user=request.user)
    except:
        messages.error(request, 'Unable to create new book!')
        return HttpResponseRedirect(reverse('my_books'))

    # more try/except cases

So in this example, I could try to simulate an ORM failure or I can try to send in an invalid user for this case. But is there a general way to throw exceptions (I'm open to using libraries)? Mock for instance. Or is there some other method to use unittest to force exceptions? Obviously there are going to be many try/except blocks throughout the code, so I'm looking for any help.

A: You can use unittest.mock to do it. You should patch Books.objects object by patch.object and use side_effect to raise exception. A complete test of your method exception behavior should be:
import unittest
from unittest.mock import patch, ANY
from django.test.client import RequestFactory

class TestDjango(unittest.TestCase):
    @patch("your_module.messages")
    @patch("your_module.HttpResponseRedirect")
    def test_get_books_exception(self,mock_redirect,mock_messages)
        r = RequestFactory().get('/I_dont_konw_how_to_build_your_request/')
        objs = Books.objects
        with patch.object(objs,"get_or_create", side_effect=Exception()):
              self.assertIs(get_books(r),mock_redirect.return_value)
              mock_messages.error.assert_called_with(r, ANY)
              mock_redirect.assert_called_with(reverse('my_books'))

I used ANY do remove the string dependency. I'm not sure what you want test in your code (complete behavior or just redirect...), anyway I wrote a complete example.

If your project is not a legacy work consider to rewrite your method (and the new django's ORM calls) in TDD style where you have for instance a _get_books_proxy() function that just call the django ORM methods:
def _get_books_proxy(request):
    return Books.objects.get_or_create(user=request.user)

and now patch _get_books_proxy() directly by patch decorator as:
@patch("your_module.messages")
@patch("your_module.HttpResponseRedirect")
@patch("your_module._get_books_proxy", side_effect=Exception())
def test_get_books_exception(self,mock_get_book, mock_redirect, mock_messages)
    r = RequestFactory().get('/I_dont_konw_how_to_build_your_request/')
    self.assertIs(get_books(r),mock_redirect.return_value)
    mock_messages.error.assert_called_with(r, ANY)
    mock_redirect.assert_called_with(reverse('my_books'))

Moreover _get_books_proxy() behavior can be tested by patching Books and passing a simple Mock():
@patch("your_module.Books")
def test__get_books_proxy(self,mock_books):
     r = Mock()
     self.assertIs(mock_books.objects.get_or_create.return_value, your_module._get_books_proxy(r))
     mock_books.objects.get_or_create.assert_called_with(user=r.user)

Now you have a sentinel that can yield to you if your critical point behavior will be changed.
I apologize if you find some errors (I cannot test it)... but I hope the idea is clear.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Mej (K) Al Hambra Tun Juhar On Driving Philanthrophic Change
By Julie Yim
DARK GREY PANAMA WOOL MOHAIR HERITAGE JACKET WITH PATCH DETAIL FROM GUCCI; SPIRIT OF BIG BANG KING GOLD WATCH FROM HUBLOT
"This isn't going to be harder than SPM examinations, is it?" Mej (K) Al Hambra Tun Juhar jests with an amused grin, as we sit down in a quiet corner at Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort & Spa for a chat. The Prestige Malaysia team has just wrapped up a photoshoot with the Sabah native for our annual East Malaysia issue and despite it being the fasting month for Muslims, Al Hambra maintained a courteous and unassuming demeanour, with no objections to our requests.
"I am always used to being behind the camera but today was the first time that I became the subject," he confesses, before revealing that he had once harboured a passion for photography, an interest he inherited from his father, TYT Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Juhar bin Haji Mahiruddin. "My father used to carry his SLR camera and developed his own film in his dark room. He bought me a DSLR when I was in university after I expressed interest in photography," he enthuses and sends me a link to his Flickr account where his past works ranging from wedding photography and commercial photography are proudly showcased.
LONG-SLEEVE T, TRIBAL MEDUSA BLAZER JACKET AND WIDE-LEG WOOL-BLEND PANTS FROM VERSACE; CLASSIC FUSION BLUE WATCH FROM HUBLOT
Photography isn't the only hobby he inherited from his father as his face lights up when we breach the subject of music. "When I was in school, I was really into music. I started by playing the drums before moving on to be a guitarist and finally a vocalist. The instruments are self-taught and I played in a band where we performed at several venues." When prompted further, he amusingly reveals that his band was named Red Panda. "It was a lame name," he chuckles. "My family has a keen interest in music and both my father and sister still sing very well." It was his father who once again encouraged his talent by gifting him with his very first drum set at the age of 13 which he assembled on his own.
Though he was born and raised in the city of Sandakan, Al Hambra spent five years in Kuala Lumpur pursuing his tertiary education at Sunway College where he completed a degree in banking and finance. "I have fond memories but I disliked the traffic jam and the high cost of living," he says candidly. "SS15 was my playground," he chuckles with a glint in his eye.
JACKET, VERTICAL PRINT TOP AND PANTS FROM SALVATORE FERRAGAMO; BIG BANG UNICO TITANIUM CERAMIC WATCH FROM HUBLOT
Upon returning to Kota Kinabalu, he landed his first job as a marketing and communications executive in Sutera Harbour Resort where he gained plenty of exposure. However, Al Hambra did not lose sight of his dream to start his own business and left after two years to establish a manufacturing business in bakery. "It was a huge learning curve for me because I had to deal with manpower, setup, layout and renovation of the plant as well as accounting," he recalls, even going as far as to dub the business as his baby. He left the business due to a dispute with his partner.
While on an official visit with his father to Labuan, a federal territory renowned for its oil and gas operations, Al Hambra received an epiphany to venture into his next business. "We were hosted by an Asean supply base company which manages the logistics for most of the oil companies and I gained a significant amount of insight into the industry. That sparked an interest in me because I have always been partial to technology and engineering," he states. Alhambra Petroleum was established in 2014 and is currently responsible for supplying safety equipment to oil majors such as Petronas and Shell. "The future of oil and gas lies in Sabah. In the future, 50 per cent of the national oil production will be from Sabah," he discloses.
LONG-SLEEVE POCKET OVERSHIRT AND 18CM MAYFAIR FIT CHINO, FROM DUNHILL; CALFSKIN SANDALSFROM DOLCE & GABBANA; BING BANG FERRARI WATCH FROM HUBLOT
As the eldest child in a family of four siblings, Al Hambra has stepped up to fulfil his parents' vision to help those less fortunate, by taking on the responsibility as chairman of Yayasan Nur Jauhar, a foundation established by his parents in early 2012. To date, the foundation has helped more than 1,000 individuals as well as multiple charitable organisations. "We extend help to the hardcore poor, as well as orphanages and schools. One of our notable charity activities involves a donation of RM50,000 to a religious school nearby which was in dire need of a new building as it was built on a wooden house," he elaborates.
Besides that, the foundation also hosts an annual fundraiser and golf charity event known as the Head of State Corporate Charity Cup. "This is our third year organising the event and we have managed to raise almost RM500,000," Al Hambra declares. Regular visitations to the hardcore poor villages are also part of his duty as chairman of the foundation. "Some of them do not even have a roof in their homes as it was blown away by the storm. Most of them live in wooden houses. Some are not even working, handicapped or plagued with illness such as cancer," he says.
One of his visitations brought him to the home of a single mother with three children who lacked clean water supply. "She was in stage four cancer at that time and could not afford to set up proper piping. We extended monetary donation and kitchen supplies to the family. However, the mother has since passed away and the kids had to stop schooling to support the family," he says.
PARADE RUFFLE SHIRT FROM VERSACE; BIG BANG FERRARI WATCH FROM HUBLOT
He also reveals that it is common to discover thousands from the hardcore poor population residing in numerous districts in Sabah. "I don't deny that we still lack infrastructure for a few of the rural areas but the Rural and Regional Development Ministry will be allocating RM5.83 billion funds nationwide and 50 per cent will be allocated to Sabah and Sarawak. Without proper infrastructure, it will be difficult for the rural folks to access basic needs such as healthcare," he says with a hint of frustration.
When it comes to leadership, it is only natural that Al Hambra looks up to his father. "He was a village boy who grew up on a remote island north of Lahad Datu called Tambisan. He used to paddle a sampan to school and today he is the 10th Head of State of Sabah," he says proudly. As the son of a politician, Al Hambra grew up in the public eye and acknowledges the sacrifices his father made throughout his career. "When my father was in politics, it was quite tough because you have no personal time. He dedicated his time 24 hours and 7 days a week to entertain the rakyat. But I never once heard him complain," he says before adding on, "his stories and traits inspire me. It reminds me and pushes me forward when things get rough." As for whether he would consider pursuing a career in politics one day, Al Hambra has no objections, but for now, he wants to focus on his business and help people through his foundation. "I think this is a very good learning ground," he justifies.
His active involvement in philanthropy has also led him to be awarded the honorary rank of Major by the army. Apart from that, he was also appointed as Justice of the Peace (JP) by the TYT Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sabah. "We live in unity here and that's what I'm most proud of. We don't have much friction or conflict because we tolerate each other. The spirit of Sabahans is very much alive in us," he sums up deftly.
PHOTOGRAPHY ERIC CHOW @ BLINK STUDIO | WORDS JULIE YIM
STYLING IBNU ASWAN | STYLING ASSISTANCE NIGEL LEE
MAKE-UP & HAIR GAVIN SOH
LOCATION SHANGRI-LA'S RASA RIA RESORT & SPA
Cover story: Bryan Loo ventures beyond borders with ever-growing F&B empire
By Florey D Mikil
Celebrities who got married or engaged on Valentine's Day
Sabato De Sarno is Gucci's new creative director
By sanikaachrekar
Zikry Kholil, Pamela Tan and Jack Yap impart their wisdom on leadership
Julie Yim


More ways to read the full SMARTbook lineup anytime, anywhere.
In addition to paperback, SMARTbooks are also available in digital (eBook) format. Our digital SMARTbooks are for use with Adobe Digital Editions and can be used on to up to six computers and six devices (authorized to a user's Adobe ID), with free software available for 85+ devices and platforms—including PC/MAC, iPad and iPhone, Android tablets and smartphones, Nook, and more! Digital SMARTbooks are also available for use on the Kindle Fire (using Bluefire Reader for Android).
Transfer your digital SMARTbook directly to your Barnes & Noble Nook and Nook Color using the Adobe Digital Editions software.
See the full list of 85+ devices and applications here!
Once you install Adobe Digital Editions, select "Authorize Computer/Device" under the settings/help menu and sign-in with your free Adobe ID (if you don't already have one, you can create one).
Adobe Digital Editions 4.5 allows seamless fulfillment of books across devices. When a user fulfills a book on one device, the book will be automatically downloaded via AirSync to all the other devices that belong to that user (activated using the same user ID). Just install Adobe Digital Editions software on your new/additional devices (PC & Mac, iPad & iPhone, Android tablets and smartphones, Nook, & more) and sign-in with the same Adobe ID. See the full list of 85+ devices and applications.
Find your information quickly and intuitively! In addition to pan and zoom, our table of contents, A-B-C, 1-2-3 charts, and index are fully linked and interactive.
At a course or on TDY and need a copy of a particular chart or diagram? Our digital SMARTbooks allow you to print and copy up to 20 pages for personal use. Users can also highlight text, create their own page notes, and add bookmarks.
Use the "search" feature within Adobe Digital Editions to lookup keywords. Select a term you are looking for, then jump directly to that page.


Offline cameras will not wake up - Got a Question - Alfred Center | get the most out of the best home security app!
BOTH CAMERAS SAY THEY ARE OFFLINE AND WON'T RESET WHEN YOU TRY TO WAKE THEM UP. WHY DOESN'T THAT WORK?
You see your Camera offline (7007) when your Camera has been powered down, disconnected, logged out, or simply crashed.
If you see a yellow circle, please tap on it to see if the Camera can be woken up. If that fails, the only way to bring it back online is regaining physical access to the device.
Me too. They don't ever give a real solution to this problem. No advice like device settings etc. That would be really helpful. I don't know what to do except switch to the other security camera app on Google play store. Please help!
I have been having this issue for awhile now, and it's getting to the point where I am now looking at an alternative app.


We are fortunate to have Jim Valery present at our April property meeting on his tips for reducing risks associated with property development and subdivision.
Jim is well placed to provide some salient advice to our Group. While he hails from a mining background and became the Queensland Secretary of the CFMEU Mining and Energy Division, he decided to be a full time property investor and developer in 2012.
Jim has 4 projects on the go now, with projects all structured around land. However, he has also previously done build projects, including 22 apartments and a town house site. He has a huge amount to offer and his presentation is sure to be of interest to anyone venturing on a property path.
In this enlightening presentation, Jim will outline some of things you should do when developing properties, as well as some of the "dont's". He will outline what the right strategy could be for a particular suburb, including an assessment of market conditions. Jim will also explain why having a good understanding of council plans, policies and positions is so important and also having the right team involved can make or break a deal. He will use some real life examples to show how following these principles has helped him to be a successful property investor and developer.
There may be a focused networking session following on from Jim's presentation.
Meeting room doors open at 6.30 pm for a 7.00 pm start. Finish around 9.00pm.
Please bring pen and paper as you'll want to take plenty of notes! This is also a great opportunity to ask questions of the presenter and other participants. You might like to bring a jacket/ cardigan too, in case the room gets a little cool. And, of course, don't forget Business Cards!
RSVP as we have limited places available!
There is plenty of parking and remember, you are always welcome to bring along friends or relatives who are interested in property investing – it is all about networking with like-minded people! Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided.
Only $20 per head entry charge or $30 per couple, payable online or at the door via cash or card reader. We also offer a discount of $5 per person if you spend more than $10 on food and/ or drinks in the hotel.
the Function Room in the Lord Stanley Hotel, on 994 Stanley Street East, East Brisbane Qld 4169. The venue is easily accessible from all parts of the city by car and by public transport. There is ample onsite parking and on nearby streets.


There are few genres as on-the-nose as black metal. Case in point, the bunch of Swedes in Vanhelga, which means "to desecrate or profane" in Swedish. The last time these fine fellows rolled through here two albums ago, our local corpse-painted cat, Grymm, covered them, and even talked the folks upstairs into giving them a runner-up spot for RotM April 2014. Since then, madman/guitarist 145188 has taken over mic duties as well, but they still ply a demented, melancholy flavor of DSBM with plenty of soaring melodic counterpoints to all the misanthropy. As a long-running band (albeit one I was not familiar with), the question arises as it always does: what do they bring to the table this time?
Befitting their prior MO, Fredagsmys offers an off-balance listening experience,1 in this case wobbling between the icy crunch of tremolo work on the fretboard and a warmer, almost triumphant melodic through-line, all over a weighty bass and clattering drums, with 145188's sinister snarling rounding out the package. The contrast between icy cold and warm sunlight serves to enhance both flavors on such tracks as opener "Sömnparalys" ["Sleep Paralysis"], with its bitterly frosty plucked lead-in offering a counterpoint to an intermittently victorious guitar melody. The same contrast is seen in the charging, fiery "You Are Temporary," and "Förpassad till misär" ["Consigned to Misery"] which features a heady, ear-catching combination of point-counterpoint in its dueling guitar lines. Also highly engaging is the frosty tremolo of both "Varde mörker" ["Care for Darkness"] and "Två blir ett" ["Two Become One"] playing off a particularly robust, surging bassline, especially in the excellent "Två blir ett." In general, Fredagsmys offers a more traditional black metal experience than some of their prior work, while still hybridizing with the manic energy and demented melodic sensibilities of that earlier work.
There a few dud tracks. "Ensam mot alla" ["Alone against Everyone"] is a bit sedate, taking too long to build up what little steam it has in the (slightly muted) tremolo, and with the chanting over softer-toned guitar overstaying its welcome just a bit. Similarly, the closing title track spends a good 15 seconds too long in the intro, with the song suffering for the loss of momentum to close the album. The spoken-word-like bits—or outright spoken in the case of the otherwise-quite-good "You Are Temporary,"—are at times silly, melodramatic, or obnoxious, but most are short, making them a minor problem.
Perhaps the biggest issue with the album is its runtime. Fredagsmys clocks in at a robust 55 minutes, and some quirk of the songwriting, perhaps the consistent mid-pace tempo stretches this further, leaving the album feeling much more bloated than it is. The production is stellar, though, so while feeling bloated, the listening experience is never unpleasant, with the guitar and bass tone contrasting beautifully as noted above. The mix is one of the best I've heard in black metal, with the guitar and drum work resting lightly on top of the rich, thick bass, with vocals rising and falling well above the instruments without ever drowning anything out. Usually, I would insert a gripe about the level of compression in the master, here, but the mix and production work in concert with it to produce and excellent-sounding album, nonetheless.
Over 15 years into their career, Vanhelga are still going strong, and this oddly-summery record is another good example of their work. Check this out, whether you have reservations about its length or no. It's well worth your time.


I'm looking for OEG LF, Silver Duckwing and/or Mealy Grey. Started birds or hatching eggs. Anywhere in Ireland, will pay for shipping.
Johnny Blaney, Neal Adams, County Antrim.
Neal Adams currently has some Large Carlisle hatching eggs for sale.


This petition made change with 967 supporters!
We, the undersigned, respectfully ask you, ChowHound Pet Supplies, to not allow any of your Adoption Partners to condone, promote, and/or perform declawing on cats.
You informed us in November of 2018 that 95% of the cats housed in your stores from these three organizations, Harbor Humane Society, the Humane Society of West Michigan and the Kalamazoo Animal Rescue, are not declawed in order to be adopted and are from shelters/rescues who provide educational material to the public about the problems of declawing.
Our hats go off to those awesome shelters/rescues for truly caring about the welfare of their cats.
ChowHound Pet, you are a family business.
Please show us that you really do care about the welfare of ALL animals in your stores and only use ethical and humane shelters/rescues, who are against declawing, who educate the public about the facts about it, who don't perform it in their affiliated clinics, and who don't perform it on their adoptable cats before they bring them to your stores.
Every day that you look the other way or put this on the back burner, cats are being unnecessarily mutilated and harmed.
Declawing is the amputation of a cat's last toe bone and claw. It is mutilating, inhumane, unnecessary, and is always harmful to the long-term health and well-being of a cat.
Cats deserve better. Declawing is NOT a "compassionate solution." It's time for you to be strong and a true leader for animal welfare.
We will celebrate your bravery in leading the way to a better world for cats by being part of the solution to help end declawing instead of part of the problem.
When you do the right thing, usually others will follow in your footsteps.
Pet lovers are always looking for businesses to support who show that they truly care about the welfare of all animals. Your decision could also make your business more profitable.
We hope that you will do the right thing so we can add you to our list of humane companies like Petco, Litter-Robot, and Bissell, who have showed us that they are part of the solution to help us end declawing and truly care about the welfare of ALL cats.
***The declawed cats in this photo are not affiliated with Chow Hound Pet Supplies.
City the Kitty needs your help with "Chow Hound Pet Supplies, Please Only Use Adoption Partners Who Don't Condone & Perform Declawing". Join City and 966 supporters today.


Pressurized gas cannot be shipped via 3-day, 2nd day, or next-day air services.
Do not leave pressured gas cans under high heat, or in the vehicle unattended.
Due to the nature of this item and the complexity requirement on shipping, green gas cannot be returned. Please make sure your Airsoft gun is compatible with green gas before purchasing. Evike.com is committed to bringing you highest quality green gas in a timely, legal, and (most importantly) safe way.
WE-Tech 3X is a revolutionary gas specifically designed for use in cold weather. WE-Tech 3X uses new gas filling technology and additives to achieve similar performance to WE-Tech 2X at 25C but at 15C and below. A lot of research and work has gone into formulating WE-Tech 3X and we are seeing great results. Its a must-have product for all-year gas blowback (GBB) Airsoft players. Please be aware that WE-Tech 3X red gas is a high powered and high pressured gas which may not be suitable for most Airsoft guns under normal operating temperatures of Green Gas. Buyer assumes full responsibility when using high pressure gas.
"Will you guy be getting nuprol 1.0?
"I really the red gas it has worked very well for me.But I ordered the green gas and the nozzle was bent and when i went to fill a mag the gas came out of the side of the nozzle.
Discuss about Airsoft Premium 3X High Performance Gas 10.5oz by WE (Qty: 1 Can / Red) with your friends and fellow Evike.com shoppers!


Erika most recently served at the Göta Court of Appeal, where she completed her judicial training. Since being approved as an Associate Judge, she has worked at the Court of Appeal's administrative division as an assistant administrative judge.
I was drawn to Foyen since Foyen has a strong position on the market and is market leader within construction law. I look forward to working with many skilled colleagues and being able to contribute my experience to the firm, says Erika Stjärnström.
Erika's legal background also includes work at the Kalmar District Court, where she served as a junior judge, as well as clerkship at the Lund District Court. Before that, she worked for one year as an associate at Foyen Advokatfirma in Malmö. Erika joined Foyen once again on 1 March.
Erika has a very valuable legal background with judicial training and experience from handling and judging cases in courts of general jurisdiction. Her expertise strengthens us further and the recruitment constitutes a stage in our endeavour to become Sweden's leading commercial law firm within project and technology-related law, says Foyen's CEO Linnéa Djursén.
During the spring, Foyen has also recruited associate Sara Övall to the Construction and Public Sector business areas. Sara took up her position at Foyen on 1 March.


Pincaption selected a perfect "J. J. Abrams Discussing Star Trek" image.
Download J. J. Abrams Discussing Star Trek image, and other similar images listed in Others category.
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Vincent Laforet is a French-American director and photographer and one of the most influential people working in contemporary photography and film today. His AIR project is a collection of high-altitude aerial photographs taken over 10 of the world's most iconic cities: Barcelona, Berlin, Chicago, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Sydney. This is Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, with its arrays of perfectly honeycomb-like blocks.


text:
Larsen/Lisle/Webster
Elliot Sharp & J.A. Wilhite-Hannisdal
Will it Float?
NATALIE SANDTORV
ICH BIN N!NTENDO
LANA TRIO
CHRISTAN & CHRISTIAN
WOLFRAM TRIO
AS DEAFNESS INCREASES
THE JIST
Nørstebø/Strid/de Heney
"NO SIGN CAN FORETELL HOW SOON IT MUST DIE"
The Norwegian duo «kÖök» releases their third studio album on May 7, 2021. The musicians Jørn Erik Ahlsen (guitar / electronics) and Stian Larsen (guitar / electronics) have this time been inspired by the Japanese poet Matsuo Bashō (1644- 1694) which for many is known as the master of haiku. Haiku is a Japanese form of poetry where the reader is introduced to a moment or a state, often inspired by a feeling, mood and traditionally, a natural element or season. The form of the poem is sparse and strict with dogmas that control both the number of syllables and the auditory pronunciation of the words. After touring in Japan, the duo entered a phase where they wanted to develop the improvisational work from freely improvised to an expression that carried with it some of the haiku's framework. They then went into the studio to work out the music for an album that is still improvised but which carries in it an ideal of stretching the music towards shorter, pointed pieces with aesthetics and frames clearly inspired by Japanese haiku.
An important aspect of the haiku is the phrase kireji which is the last word in one of the three lines to change the flow of thought and alter the mood of the following phrase. This is a literary tool that the duo has also tried to translate into music. You can hear this clearly on "Old Pond" and "Frog Leaps In / Sound of Water" which are two tracks on the album based on Bashō's poems with the same verse lines.
Form is important for the haiku and kÖök has also chosen to experiment with form both in a musical sense but also in the album's structure and design. The artwork was created by the Dutch artist Rutger Zuydervelt (who also contributes musically on the B-side) and will support the two poems that are the starting point for the album's concept.
«In an otherwise chaotic time, we have wanted to make an album characterized by calmness, reflection and the nature. Japanese poetry has a zen aspect, a meditative aspect that suits our music very well. When we read Bashō's haikus we found that this would be perfect as a concept and framework for our new album.» - Stian Larsen, kÖök
The form is also challenged on the conventional aspect where improvised music has traditionally been physically released on record and should be more like a document of a live situation or concert experience. On this album, the duo released singles a month apart and at the same time got other artists to remix the singles that form the B-side of the album. Each single's artwork is its own part of the album's cover to make it clear that everything is connected both visually, textually and formally.
«Physical interaction and ad hoc meetings on stage were abruptly lost with Covid-19 and we wanted to find a new way to collaborate, to give and receive inspiration that was previously a big part of how improv music was created. By giving selected artists free reins to improvise over, tear apart the original or just interpret our songs, we felt that we were moving into unploughed ground.»- Jørn Erik Ahlsen, kÖök
The opening track and title of the album (the following verse lines) are taken from the poem "In The Cicada's Cry", also by Bashō, both textually and musically pointing to the previous releases and the musical expression kÖök were immersed in coming to Japan. A more challenging, freer and less harmonious universe, and as the verse lines "No Sign Can Tell / How Soon It Must Die" says, the duo also leaves that expression when the subsequent track "Old Pond" starts. It is a new calm, a return to nature and the closing track "Frog Leaps In / Sound of Water" is a metaphor for something unexpected that enters and the stillness when the water returns to its original form.
KÖök is:
Stian Larsen: Guitar/Electronics
Jørn Erik Ahlsen: Guitar/Electronics
Copyright 2019 Va Fongool


text:
5 Things to Know About the Navy Federal cashRewards Card
If you're looking for straightforward rewards, the Navy Federal Credit Union cashRewards Credit Card is appealing.
By Robin Saks Frankel
Robin Saks Frankel
Robin is a former credit cards writer for NerdWallet. She previously worked at Bankrate and has been interviewed as an expert on credit and credit cards by such outlets as CNBC, Business Insider and International Business Times.
and Kimberly Palmer
Kimberly Palmer
Senior Writer/Spokesperson | Personal finance, budgeting, family finances
Kimberly Palmer is a personal finance expert at NerdWallet. She is also the author of three books about money: "Smart Mom, Rich Mom," "The Economy of You" and "Generation Earn." Kimberly's work also appears at NerdWallet Canada.
Edited by Claire Tsosie
Claire Tsosie
Assigning Editor | Credit cards, business software, payments
Claire Tsosie is an assigning editor for NerdWallet. Her areas of expertise include research and strategy. She's edited articles on a variety of topics, including business software, Medicare and home improvement. Previously, she was a credit cards writer at NerdWallet for over five years. Her work was featured by Forbes, USA Today and The Associated Press. She's been a speaker at both CardCon (2017, 2018) and FinCon (2019). Email: [email protected].
If you have average credit — generally defined as FICO scores between 630 and 689 — and are eligible to apply for it, the Navy Federal Credit Union® cashRewards Credit Card is a great deal: It offers a solid rewards rate of up to 1.75% cash back on all purchases, if you qualify, for an annual fee of $0. That beats what most other credit cards for average credit offer.
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.
You have to be a member of Navy Federal Credit Union to apply; eligibility for membership is generally restricted to those who are current or former members of the military, immediate family members of service members and veterans, or civilians who work with the Department of Defense.
Here are five things to know about the Navy Federal Credit Union® cashRewards Credit Card.
» MORE: NerdWallet's best Navy Federal credit cards
1. It earns up to 1.75% cash back
The card offers either a straightforward rewards rate of 1.5% back on everything you purchase, or up to 1.75% if you open a bank account with Navy Federal and set up direct deposits. Even the base rate is decent and it's in line with the industry standard for cards in this class.
It's hard to find a card for average credit with a similar rewards rate and no annual fee. The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card, for example — also for average credit — offers 1.5% cash back on purchases but comes with an annual fee of $39. You might also want to consider the Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card, which offers 1.5% cash back after 12 months of on-time monthly payments and an annual fee of $0. Petal's cards are issued by WebBank.
2. You can redeem rewards for cash or statement credit
You can have your rewards deposited directly into a qualifying Navy Federal checking or savings account or get a statement credit on your credit card bill. Or, you can redeem rewards for gift cards, merchandise or travel. You can start redeeming rewards as soon as you earn them, and rewards won't expire as long as your account remains open.
» MORE: NerdWallet's best cash-back credit cards
3. You can choose between a Visa or Mastercard version
In most cases, when you apply for a credit card, you're choosing the issuing bank and a specific card offered by that bank — but the payment network typically isn't a choice.
The Navy Federal Credit Union® cashRewards Credit Card is a little different, as it lets you pick either a Visa or a Mastercard version during the application process.
Both come with perks and features that are similar but not identical, so it's worth comparing before making your pick.
4. It's light on fees
The card has an annual fee of $0, so it won't cost you anything to carry. It also doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, so it's a good choice for use overseas. There are no balance transfer fees, either.
5. It comes with rental car coverage
The card comes with secondary rental car coverage, a handy side perk. You'll get the rental car coverage when you rent an eligible car for 15 days or less and decline the collision damage waiver at the front desk. To qualify, you'll need to pay for the car rental with the Navy Federal Credit Union® cashRewards Credit Card.
About the authors: Robin is a former credit cards writer for NerdWallet. Her work has been featured by The New York Times, USA Today, Business Insider and other media outlets. Read more
Kimberly Palmer is a personal finance expert at NerdWallet. She has been featured on the "Today" show and in The New York Times. Read more
Best Balance Transfer & 0% APR Credit Cards
NerdWallet's Best Credit Card Tips for January 2023
Find the right credit card for you.
Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
Dive even deeper in Credit Cards
How to Pick the Best Credit Card for You: 4 Easy Steps
by Claire Tsosie
by NerdWallet
Why Nearly Every Purchase Should Be on a Credit Card
by Virginia C. McGuire, Paul Soucy


Check out our best offers departing from Zacatecas among more than 400 airlines now!
Not only can you use the lastminute.com website to search low cost flights, but we have even preselected some flight offers from Zacatecas to Mexico City for you to save you time.
Looking for low cost flights from Zacatecas to Mexico City? Then look no further… lastminute.com searches all available flights from Zacatecas to Mexico City from amongst the top low cost and scheduled airlines.


Composition / Typesetting | Tutis Innovative E-Solutions Pte. Ltd.
TIESPL offered following services to one of leading educational publisher for this project: Pagination (using InDesign), Image manipulations (resizing, retouching), Cover page creation as per specifications; preflight checking of print PDF.
Chinese simplified, Chinese traditional, French, Greek, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Thai, Turkish, and Vietnamese.
TIESPL performed scanning from printed book, text extraction and proofing, template creation and pagination using InDesign, Image manipulation (resizing, retouching, redraw), cover creation as well pre-flight checking of print PDF.
TIESPL offered scanning from printed book, text extraction and proofing, template creation and pagination using InDesign, Image manipulations (resizing and retouching), Cover creation and preflight checking of print PDF.
TIESPL had performed typesetting services to Samudra for close to 6 months and delivered over 100 books during this period.
TIESPL worked on template creation, Pagination using InDesign, proofing, Image manipulation (resizing, retouching, redraw), pre-flight checking of print PDF.
TIESPL undertook following services for Harper Collins: Text cleanup, Pagination in InDesign, proofing, Image manipulation (resizing, retouching, redraw) and preflight checking for print PDF. TIESPL did dictionaries typesetting in Indian languages - Bengali, Hindi, Malayalam, and Tamil.
TIESPL created templates, designed covers and brochures, Pagination using InDesign, proofing, Image creation, and delivered print and web PDFs.


Chinese New Year occurs after New Year in the Gregorian calendar – usually at the end of January to the start of February time. The Chinese calendar is known as the Chinese Zodiac and is not only based around the solar calendar, but also the lunar.
Each year in the Chinese calendar is named after an animal and this year, its the year of the Rabbit. There are many legends about how the years became named as such, so here is one of the more common tales for your enjoyment, on this Chinese New Year's Day!
Long ago in China, the Jade Emperor decided there should be a way of measuring time. On his birthday he told the animals that there was to be a swimming race. The first twelve animals across the fast flowing river would be the winners and they would each have a year of the zodiac named after them.
The animals all lined up along the river bank. The rat and the cat, who were good friends, were worried because they were poor swimmers. Being clever they asked the strong ox if he would carry them across the river.
'Of course, just climb on my back and I will take you across.' the kind ox said.
So the rat and the cat jumped onto the back of the kind ox. Soon they began to get very excited as ox soon took the lead in the race. They had almost reached the other bank when the rat pushed the cat into the river leaving him to struggle in the water. Then just before the ox was about to win the race the rat leaped on his head and on to the bank, winning the race.
Shortly after the exhausted tiger clawed his way to the river bank and took third place. Swimming across the river had been an enormous struggle for him against the strong currents. The Emperor was so delighted with his efforts that he named the third year after him.
Next to arrive was the rabbit, who hopped all the way across on some stepping stones and then found a floating log which carried him to the shore.
Soon afterwards a raft arrived carrying the goat, the monkey and the rooster. They explained to the Emperor how they had shared the raft that the rooster had found. The goat and monkey had cleared weeds and pushed the raft to the shore. The Emperor was very pleased that the animals had worked together. He said the eight zodiac animal would be the goat, the monkey would be ninth and the rooster the tenth.
'The water in the river was so clean, that I had to have a bath on the way,' explained the dog.
Now there was one place left in the zodiac and the Emperor wondered when the last winner would come. Eventually he heard a grunt from the boar.
The cat who had been pushed into the water by the rat, finally crawled out of the water but was too late to have a year named after him. He felt very cross with the rat and since then cats have never been friends with rats.
From that day onwards the Chinese Zodiac has followed this cycle of years named after these twelve animals.
What a lovely story to start a new year!


text:
The wisdom of crowding
John Dales Urban Movement
But what happens when the bus can only carry 15 people?
With cars, the numbers just don't add up. So it's more walking and cycling for the urban transport win
The idea of 'the Wisdom of Crowds' may have its roots in Aristotle, but wasn't popularised until 2004, with the publication of a book with that title by James Surowiecki whose thesis was that large groups of people, if made up of folk with diverse and independent opinions, are collectively more wise than individual experts. I just want to talk about crowds and wisdom.
The Way We Live Now (as Anthony Trollope put it in 1875) is not how we lived prior to mid-March. There are all sorts of ways in which our established patterns of living and (perhaps especially) travelling have been transformed by our corporate and personal responses to the Covid-19 virus. How We Will Live in Future is understandably, therefore, the subject of much discussion.
Indeed, it can seem (can it not?) that one of the most crowded places these days is the 'intellectual' space occupied by those jostling to have their hot takes about 'What Will Happen Next' heard. This being the case, you may be glad to know that I claim no special insight in relation to what follows. I'm just trying to think things through.
It's odd to reflect on the fact that, prior to 2020, social (or physical) distancing was a phrase used only by public health professionals. Yet now it's one of the most commonly-used terms in public discourse; and the message that our health might be endangered unless we keep far more distant from other humans than we used to is likely to be one of the most lasting legacies of the present crisis. It'll almost certainly be the most challenging for transport practitioners.
The most obvious upshot is that we'll simply not be able to pack ourselves onto buses, trains, tubes and trams in anything like the numbers we previously did. But it's not just that our ability to do so is limited by government ordinances, it's also that our unwillingness to be squeezed in with strangers will likely endure long after restrictions are lifted. It was one thing to experience, close up, the garlic-eating proclivities or halitosis of our fellow passengers; it's quite another now to be aware that 'bad breath' has potentially a far more sinister meaning.
This very day I was in a meeting where Steve Gooding, the director of the RAC Foundation, asked the question, "When is social distancing going to end?" As he did so, it struck me afresh that there will be no single answer. Because, while the Government may relax its official instructions, as it did just a few minutes after Steve asked his question, we ourselves may not choose to exploit that freedom. Or, we may already have been taking liberties for weeks.
The popular saying is that rules is rules. But this overlooks the fact that 'rules' may not actually be rules, and that they change, may be hard to interpret, and may be wilfully misinterpreted (aka ignored). Different people seem to have different instincts when it comes to law-abiding, while some find it easy to dismiss rules that are easy to question ("Why is it 2m here, but just 1m in France? And 1.5m in Australia?"). We can see, therefore, that just because a crowd might possess a wide diversity of opinions doesn't mean that all in it will pursue a wise course. That very diversity is as likely to lead to conflict.
As you will likely have experienced yourself, and certainly have seen in the news, the propensity of some individuals to follow rules – even those they made – is very low. At the other end of the scale, there are many who will simply choose not to exercise their official freedoms, even when they have them, because they fear the possible consequences for their health (even if this fear is not, by then, justified by scientific evidence).
Put simply, if somewhat tritely, the wisdom of crowding is likely to remain highly questionable for a large swathe of the population for a far longer period of time than is strictly necessary; and the period when it is strictly necessary may well be longer than many are currently hoping or expecting.
All of which means that, when it comes to transport, 'the numbers game' has suddenly come to dominate policy-makers' thinking. At least, that's the most plausible reason for recent Government pronouncements concerning investment in walking and cycling. "Public transport simply won't be able to do nearly as much heavy lifting as it did. If everyone who can do goes by car, the highway system will simply break down. Therefore, walking and cycling will simply have to carry a much greater load."
Three months ago, it would have seemed an impossible dream that the Department for Transport might write to all English local authorities, as it did today (28th May), saying that "to receive any money (from a £250m Active Travel Fund), you will need to show us that you have swift and meaningful plans to reallocate road space to cyclists and pedestrians, including on strategic corridors." But it happened.
Twisting my title one final time, might it be that the concern about over-crowding on our transport systems has finally imparted the necessary wisdom to those in power? That the act of having to stare the transport 'numbers' square in the face has opened eyes long thought shut to the pressing need for change?
Perhaps they'd already been prised open a little by the work that went into the Department's Decarbonising Transport plan, launched in the same week that 'lockdown' was announced. In his foreword, the secretary of state wrote that "Climate change is the most pressing environmental challenge of our time" and that "Public transport and active travel will be the natural first choice for our daily activities. We will use our cars less…"
Whether the motivation is, Coronavirus, or the Climate Emergency, or both, UK transport policy is becoming more aligned with the greater good, even if some in the crowd would still beg to differ.
John Dales is a streets design adviser to local authorities around the UK, a member of several design review panels, and one the London mayor's design advocates. He is a past chair of the Transport Planning Society, a former trustee of Living Streets, and a committee member of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety. He is director of transport planning and street design consultancy Urban Movement.
Tweet John @johnstreetdales
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Reviewing covers and book descriptions.
I've been taking some time to look over some of my older releases particularly those whose sales have been lower than expected while yet drawing good reactions from folk who did read them. Sometimes a bad cover or bad book description can drag a book down.
People really do, after all, judge a book by its cover.
Case in point my novelette The Spaewife.
Recently, the cover was described as "looks like a craft book from the 70's". The font used for title and byline were also problematic.
Other complaints were that the person looking at it didn't know what a "Spaewife" was. Question was: "what's a spae?" Also, they noted that a person unfamiliar with Norse myth might not know who the Norns were and, in general, the description confuses rather than entices.
Although the building styles and the cross peeking out from behind the right side of the woman's head are anachronistic for the story, this cover does more clearly say "fantasy" than the old one. The font is bolder and more easily legible even at thumbnail sizes.
The new cover has been uploaded, but Amazon can take up to three days before it shows up online.
What can a Spaewife do, when even the gods are against her and the future she foresees is full of horrors?
For years Katla Gudmarsdottir told no one of the things the Norns, controllers of fate, told her were coming. She shared forecastings of when to plant and when to harvest and other simple things, but not the dread visions the Norns gave her.
Now Ulfarr, the Foul one, has kidnapped her and holds her children hostage for her foretelling.
And alone, forsaken even by the Norns, Katla must save herself, her children and her people.
Here we make things a bit more clear. We are given an idea what a Spaewife is. The Norns are introduced to those who do not know what they are. And we are given the problem she faces in stark terms.
And so we have a much better presentation to help people who might enjoy the story find it. Which, in the end, is the goal of marketing, to bring together products and people who appreciate those projects.
$2.99 on Kindle, Always free to read on Kindle Unlimited.


Rockets: Waived F Alvin Heggs.
Anaheim Mighty Ducks: Sent D Oleg Mikulchik to Baltimore of the AHL on a conditioning assignment.
Los Angeles Kings: Activated G Kelly Hrudey. Sent G Jamie Storr to Phoenix of the IHL.