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Police in Toronto are on the hunt for four heavyset women in their 30s who sexually assaulted a young man in a parking lot after he left a bar in the their company and accepted a ride from them.
This story is both horrifying and interesting at the same time. It opens up two conversations that I think we definitely need to be having.
The first conversation has to do with male victims of sexual assault. There are no details about exactly what went down in the parking lot, other than the man in question felt sufficiently violated to go to the police, and he did not require medical treatment.
That could mean a lot of things, and Kristina Hansen does a great job exploring the stigma and shame that follows ALL victims of sexual assault, but men in particular.
This case makes it patently clear that women CAN and DO sexually assault men. Rosie DiManno, writing for the Toronto Star, takes a snicker at the young man, and writes that “one man’s sexual assault is another man’s fantasy”.
Nice. Would you ever write that about a woman being sexually assaulted by four two hundred pound men? I doubt it.
There are enough accounts of women raping men on the internet to demonstrate that male victims of rape find their ordeals just as harrowing as women do. Here’s just one:
Hansen, and others, have made the argument that the stigma and shame attached to men who are raped by women results in massive underreporting of male rapes.
I want to put forward another suggestion: that even when a sexual experience meets the LEGAL definition of rape, men often don’t regard it that way, and that has everything to do with how a man perceives his influence on the world in general.
Here’s a true story: I’m not going to preface it with any “trigger warnings”, but I will say that I have complete authority from the man involved to write about this. You know him as PrinceCharming.
PrinceCharming is a good-looking, intelligent, very accomplished man who works in senior management in an aspect of healthcare, and he is an adjunct professor at the local college. By all accounts, a good catch. He hasn’t been caught yet, but not for a lack of trying from the ladies.
He works with a woman that I’ll call CourtneyCougar. She’s 45, never married, and in very good physical condition. For 45, she looks great! And she likes Charming.
Very, very much.
Charming is more than a decade younger than Courtney, but that isn’t the barrier to exploring her attraction a little further. Charming, you see, has a “don’t shit where you eat” policy when it comes to fucking his co-workers. And that’s very sensible.
That doesn’t stop Courtney. She enjoys making her attraction obvious, and makes lots of crude, raunchy comments to Charming. Astonishingly, he hasn’t collapsed in despair and become a quivering shell of his former self under her constant harassment. Hell, he hasn’t even reported Courtney to HR. His whole attitude is “Well, duh. Of course she wants to fuck me! I’m awesome!”
Imagine the genders reversed. If Courtney was the 30 something manager and Charming was the 45 year old aggressor, there would be a lawsuit brewing.
We’ll come back to that in a second.
Cue an office party, held at Charming’s house. Charming has a bit too much to drink (oops!), and Courtney stays close by him. Eventually, everyone staggers home and it’s just Charming and Courtney left at his house.
And we know what happens next, right? She straddles him and makes her desires very clear, and the Laphroaig has gone to his head and his resolve against sleeping with colleagues wavers a bit.
They start making out and things look like they are headed for naked.
But then Charming comes to his senses and decides “this is a terrible idea”. So he tries to put the brakes on the train to poundtown.
Courtney is having none of it.
Here’s where I should mention that Courtney maintains her awesome body with mixed martial arts training, and Charming is an experienced wrestler. That probably made for an interesting tussle.
At some point, Charming realized that whatever happened, the outcome was going to suck. He could either have an earnest fight with her and physically chuck her out of his house (and that would by no means have been an easy thing to do), creating a very awkward situation at work, or he could give in and fuck her, and still face an awkward situation at work.
So he went with fuck her. He decided not to risk getting hurt in a physical fight with her, which he didn’t want to do anyways, because he likes Courtney. He complied with her demand to have sex to avoid getting physically hurt (or hurting her), under the influence of way too much Scotch.
Legally, he was raped. Charming sees that the experience meets the legal definition of rape, and it’s not shame or embarrassment that keeps him from charging her criminally.
Not at all. While he regrets the experience, he also owns his role in it. He had a whole bunch of choices to make, and he made bad ones. He drank too much, he let her stay after everyone else had left, he got physical with her and then changed his mind. And then he decided to go ahead with it anyways because first of all, sex! And second, getting rid of her wouldn’t be easy.
The idea that Charming would hold Courtney responsible for all of his own shitty decisions is alien to him. His mind just does not work that way. He is a manager at work, with tons of responsibilities and a large budget to administer and he is accustomed to making decisions and facing the consequences. Yes, Courtney behaved in a totally inappropriate way, but it’s not like it was a mystery to Charming that she wanted to have sex with him. He let a situation get out of control, and he takes the responsibility for that.
In other words, he’s a grown-up.
I don’t want to diminish the experiences of men who respond differently to their experiences of sexual assault. Of course men experience the full range of human emotions, and some men are much more emotionally vulnerable than others, and will be preyed upon for precisely that reason. Men should have the full force of the law at their disposal when they experience sexual assault, just as women do.
But I also think that far more men respond to situations that meet the legal definition of assault like Charming did. He understood the role he played in the situation, and also understood that while he could have physically removed her from his house, and he would have been well within his rights to do so, there would be consequences for that action, too.
He’s just taken the experience as “lesson learned – no more drinking with Courtney”. And life goes on.
I think that attitude from men explains why there is such an underreporting of rape and sexual assault from men. The Toronto case is an anomaly not because women rarely behave in sexually aggressive ways that meet the legal definition of assault, but because men don’t feel the need to report those experiences, or even define them as assault.
Men tend not to cast themselves as victims, even when they are. Charming was definitely a victim in the scenario with Courtney, and not just a victim of assault. He was primarily a victim of his own reluctance to physically restrain or hurt Courtney, which he certainly could have done. He faced a choice: unwanted sex or beat the crap out of a girl who really likes me.
Charming HAD that choice, and he made it. I’m guessing that kid in Toronto had no such choice, facing down 800lbs of sexually aggressive womanhood. Yikes. It must have been scary, and he was absolutely right to report the assault to police.
I caught a shit-ton of flack for calling out the Steubenville rape victim as an idiot for putting herself in such a vulnerable position in the first place, and I’m going to do the same for the kid in Toronto, too. Four two-hundred pound cougars in their thirties? Are you crazy? Of course he didn’t DESERVE to be taken to a parking lot and assaulted, and those bitches deserve their comeuppance, but honestly? He didn’t see that as an intensely vulnerable position to put himself in?
My guess is no. He honestly didn’t, because as a culture, we like to pretend that rape is something that only ever happens to women. That women are blushing maidens when it comes to sex, and that sexual aggressiveness is the sole domain of men.
The Toronto story is a warning shot across a cultural landscape that is changing, and that’s a good thing. Obviously, it’s not a good thing that a young man was sexually assaulted, but it is an unmitigated good thing that women are being held responsible for how they take advantage of and abuse men, especially in a sexual context.
The lessons here are manifold:
Men DO get raped and sexually assaulted
Two hundred pound women are SCARY. Four of them are downright TERRIFYING.
EVERYONE has some responsibility to make good decisions
And finally, for the love of god,
DO NOT ACCEPT RIDES FROM PEOPLE WITH NECK TATTOOS.
Lots of love,

domain: sociology


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you, even to a mortal arbitrement;* but nothing Sir To. Nay, if you be an undertaker, I am of the circumstance more.
Enter two OFFICERS.
Fab. O good Sir Toby, hold; here come the read him by his form, as you are like to find officers. him in the proof of his valour. He is, indeed,
Sir To. I'll be with you anon. (To ANTONIO. Sir, the most skilful, bloody, and fatal oppo
Vio. Pray, Sir, put up your sword, if you sitet that you could possibly have found in any
[To Sir ANDREW. part of Illyria : Will you walk towards him? 1 Sir And. Marry, will I, Sir ;-and, for that I will make your peace with him, if I can.
promised you, I'll be as good as my word: He Vio. I shall be much bound to you for't: I will bear you easily, and reins wes. am one, that would rather go with sir priest,
1 Off. This is the man; do thy office. than sir knight: I care not who knows so much 2 0ff. Antonio, I arrest thee at the suit of my mettle.
Of count Orsino.
Ant. You do mistake me, Sir.
[head.-. not seen such a virago. I had a pass with hini, Though now you have no sea-cap on you: rapier, scabbard, and all, and he gives me the | Take him away; he knows, I know him well. stuck-in, with such a mortal motion, that it is
Ant. I must obey.-This comes with seeking inevitable ; and on the answer, he pays you But there's no remedy; I shall answer it.
you; as surely as your feet hit the ground they step What will you do? Now my necessity on : They say, he has been fencer to the Sophy. Sir And. Pox on't, I'll not meddle with him. Makes me to ask you for my purse: It grieves
Sir To. Ay, but he will not now be pacified: Much more, for what I cannot do for you, Fa can scarce hold him yonder.
Sir And. Plague on't ; an I thought he had Than what befalls myself. You stand amaz'd; been valient, and so cunning in fence, l'd have But
be of comfort. seen him. damned ere I'd have challenged him.
2 Off. Come, Sir, away. Let him let the matter slip, and I'll give him
Ani, I must entreat of you some of that money.
Vio. What my horse, grey Capilet.
money, Sir? Sir To.' f'll make the motion : Stand here, For the fair kindness you have show'd me here, make a good show on't; this shall end without And, part, being prompted by your present the perdition of souls: Marry, I'll ride your I'll lend you something: my having is not
Out of my lean and low ability (trouble, horse as well as I ride you.
much; Re-enter Fabian and VIOLA.
I'll make division of my present with you: I have bis horse [To Fab.) to take up the quar- | Hold, there is half my coffer. rel; I have persuaded him the youth's a devil. Ant. Will you deny me now?
l'ab. He is as horribly conceited|| of him; and Is't possible, that my deserts to you pants, and looks pale, as if a bear were at his Çan lack persuasion ? Do not tempt my misery, heels.
Lest that it make me so unsound a man, Sir To. There's no remedy, Sir; he will fight As to upbraid you with those kindnesses with you for his oath sake: marry, he hath bet- | That I have done for you. ter bethought him of his quarrel, and he finds
Vio. I know of none; that now scarce to be worth talking of: there. Nor know 1 you by voice, or any feature: fore draw, for the supportance of his vow ; he I hate ingratitude more in a man, protests, he will not hurt you.
Than lying, vainness, babbling, drunkenness, Vio. Pray God defend me! A little thing Or any taint of vice, whose strong corruption would make me tell them how much I lack of Inhabits our frail blood.
[Aside. Ant. O heavens themselves !
Sir To. Come, Sir Andrew, there's no reme- Ant. Let me speak a little. This youth that dy; the gentleman will, for his honour's sake,
you see here, have one bout with you: he cannot by the I snatch'd one half out of the jaws of death ; duellos avoid it: but he has promised me, as
Reliev'd him with such sanctity of love,he is a gentleman and a soldier, he will not hurt And to his image, which, methought, did proyou. Come on; to't.
mise Sir And. Pray God, he keep his oath!
Most venerable worth, did I devotion. •
[Draws. 1 Of What's that to us? The time goes by ; Enter ANTONIO.
Ant. But, 0, how vile an idol proves this I do assure you, 'tis against my will.
(shame.[Druus. | Thou bast, Sebastian, done good feature Ant. Put up your sword;-If this young In nature there's no blemish but the mind; gentleman
None can be call’d detorm'd, but to unkind : Have done offence, I take the fault on me; Virtue is beauty ; but the beauteous-evil If you offend him, I for him defy you. Are empty trunks, o'erflourish’d* by the devil.
[Drawing. 1 08: The man grotvs mad; away with him. Sir To. You, Sir ? why, what are you? Come, come, Sir. Ant. One, Sir, that for his love dares yet do Ant. Lead me on.
[Exeunt OFFICERS, with ASTOPO. Than you have heard him brag to you he will. Vio. Methinks, his words do from such pas.
sion fly, Decision.
That he believes himself; so do not I.
Laws of duel.
49 Prove true, imagination, 0, prove true, lyria: though I struck him first, yet it's no That I, dear brother, be now ta'en for you! matter for that. Sir To. Come hither knight; come hither, Seb. Let
go thy hand. Fabian; we'll whisper o'er a couplet or two of Sir To. Come, Sir, I will not let you go. most sage saws.
Come, my young soldier, put up your iron : Vio. He nam’d Sebastian; I my brother know you are well fleshed; come on. Yet living in my glass ;* even such, and so, Seb. I will be free from thee. What would'st In favour was my brother; and he went
thou now? Still in this fashion, colour, ornament, If thou dar'st tempt me further, draw thy sword. For him I imitate: 0, if it prove,
(Draws. Tempests are kind, and salt waves fresh in Sir To. What, what? Nay, then I must have love!
(Exit. an ounce or two of this malapert blood from Sir To. A very dishonest paltry boy, and you.
[Draws. more a coward than a hare: his dishonesty ap
Enter OLIVIA. pears, in leaving his friend here in necessity, and denying him; and for his cowardship, ask
Oli. Hold, Toby; on thy life, I charge thee, Fabian.
hold. Fab. A coward, a most devout coward, re
Sir To. Madam? ligious in it.
Oli. Will it be ever thus ? Ungracious wretch, Sir And. 'Slid, I'll after him again, and beat Fit for the mountains, and the barbarous caves, bin.
Where manners ne'er were preach'd! out of my Sir To. Do, cuff him soundly, but never draw sight! thy sword.
Be not offended, dear
Cesario :Sir And. An I do not,
(Exit. Rudesby,* be gone!-! pr’ythee, gentle friend, Fab. Come, let's see the event.
(Excunt Sir Toby, Sir ANDREW, and Fabian. Sir To. I dare lay any money, 'twill be no- Let thy fair wisdom, not thy passion, sway thing yet.
[Exeunt. In this uncivil and unjust extent
Against thy peace. Go with me to my house ACT IV.
And hear thou there how many fruitless pranks SCENE 1.–The Street before Olivia's House. This ruffian hath botch'd up,t that thou thereby
May'st smile at this : thou shalt not choose but Enter SEBASTIAN and Clown.
go; Clo. Will you make me believe, that I am Do not deny: Beshrewş his soul for me, not sent for you?
He started one poor heart of mine in thée. Seb. Go to, go to, thou art a foolish fellow; Seb. What relish is in this ? how runs the Let me be clear of thee.
stream? Clo. Well held out, i'faith! No, I do not Or I am mad, or else this is a dream :know you; nor I am not sent to you by iny Let fancy still my sense in Lethe steep;, lady, to bid you come speak with her; nor your If it be thus to dream, still let me sleep! name is not master Cesario; nor this is not my Oli. Nay, come, I pr’ythee: 'Would thou’dst Dose neither.-Nothing, that is so, is so.
be ruld by me! Seb. I pr’ythee, ventt thy folly somewhere Seb. Madam, I will. Thou know'st not me.
(else; Oli. O, say so, and so be! (Exeun.. Clo. Vent my folly! He has heard that word
SCENE II.-A Room in Olivia's House. of some great man, and now applies it to a fool. Vent my folly! I am afraid this great
Enter MARIA and Clown. lubber, the world, will prove a cockney:-I Mar. Nay, I pr’ythee, put on this gown, and pr’ythee now, ungird thy strangeness, and tell this beard; make him believe, thou art Sir me what I shall vent to my lady; Shall I vent Topas the curate; do it quickly: !!!! call Sir to her, that thou art coming ?
Toby the whilst.
[Erit MARIA, Seb. I pr’ythee, foolish Greek, depart from Clo. Well, I'll put it on, and I will dissem
blell myself in't; and I would I were the first There's money tor thee; if you tarry longer, that ever dissembled in such a gown. I am I shall give worse payment.
not fat enough to become the function well; Clo. By my troth, thou hast an open hand :These wise men, that give fools money, get but to be said, an honest man and a good
por lean enough to be thought a good student: themselves a good report after fourteen years' housekeeper, goes as fairly, as to say, a careful purchase.
man, and a great scholar. The competitors
enter. Enter Sir ANDREW, Sir Toby, and Fabian.
Enter Sir TOBY Belch and MARIA. Sir And. Now, Sir; have I met you again ?
[Striking SEBASTIAN. Sir To. Jove bless thee, master parson. Seb. Why, there's for thee, and there, and Clo. Bonos dies, Sir Toby: for as the old there :
hermit of Prague, that never saw pen and ink, Are all the people mad ? (Beating Sir Andrew. very wittily said to a piece of king Gorboduc,
Sir To. Hold, Sir or I'll throw your dagger That, that is, is: so I, being master parson, am o'er the house.
master parson; For what is that, but that? Clo. This will I tell nıy lady straight; I would and is, but is? not be in some of your coats for two-pence. Sir To. To him, Sir Topas.
[Exit Clown. Clo. What, hoa, I say,--Peace in this prison ! Sir To. Come on, Sir; hold.
Sir To. The knave counterfeits well; a good (Holding SEBASTIAN. knave. Sir And. Nay, let him alone, I'll go another Mal. [In an inner chamber. ] Who calls there? way to work with him; I'll have an action of Clo. Sir Topas, the curate, who comes to visit battery against him, if there be any law in Il-Malvolio the lunatic.
Rude fellow. + Violence. Made up. la the relection of my own figure. + Let out. IU betide. | Disguise. 1 Confederatas
there's for you.
Mal. Sir Topas, Sir Topas, good Sir Topas, , me in darkness, send ministers to me, asses, go to my lady.
and do all they can to face me out of my Clo. Out, hyperbolical fiend! how vexest thou wits. this man? talkest thou nothing but of ladies ? Clo. Advise you what you say; the minister Sir To. Well said, master parson.
is here.--Malvolio, Malvolio, thy wits the heaMal. Sir Topas, never was man thus wronged: vens restore! endeavour thyselt' to sleep, and good Sir Topas, do not think I am mad; they leave thy vain bibble babble. have laid me here in hideous darkness.
Mal. Sir Topas, – Clo. Fie, thou dishonest Sathan! I call thee Clo. Maintain no words with him, good fel. by the most modest terms ; for I am one of those low --Who, I, Sir? not I, Sir. God b'wi’you, gentle ones, that will use the devil himself with good Sir Topas.—Marry, amen.-I will, Sir, I courtesy: Say'st thou, that house is dark ? will. Mal. As hell, Sir Topas.
Mal. Fool, fool, fool, I say, Clo. Why, it hath bay-windows* transparent Clo. Alas, Sir, be patient. What say you, as barricadoes, and the clear stones towards Sir? I am shent" for speaking to you. the south-north are as lustrous as ebony; and Mal. Good fool, help me to some light, and yet complainest thou of obstruction ?
some paper; I tell thee, I am as well in my Mal. I am not mad, Sir Topas; I say to you, wits, as any man in Illyria. this house is dark.
Clo. Well-a-day,--that you were, Sir! Clo. Madman, thou errest: I say, there is Mal. By this hand, I am: Good fool, some no darkness, but ignorance; in which thou art ink, paper, and light, and convey what I will more puzzled, than the Egyptians in their fog. set down to my lady; it shall advantage thee
Mal. I say, this house is as dark as igno- more than ever the bearing of letter did. rance, though ignorance were as dark as hell; Clo. I will help you to't.
But tell me true, and I say, there was never man thus abused: are you not mad indeed ? or do you but counam no more mad than you are; make the trial terseit? of it in any constant question.t
Mul. Believe me, I am not; I tell thee true. Clo. What is the opinion of Pythagoras, con- Clo. Nay, I'll ne'er believe a madman, till cerning wild-fowl?
I see his brains. I will fetch you light, and Mal. That the soul of our grandam might paper, and ink. haply inhabit a bird.
Mal. Fool, I'll requite it in the highest deClo. What thinkest thou of his opinion ? gree: I pr’ythee, begone. Mal. I think nobly of the soul, and no way
I am gone, Sir, approve bis opinion.
And unon, Sir, Clo. Fare thee well: Remain thou still in
I'll be with you again, darkness : thou shalt hold the opinion of Py.
In a trice; thagoras, ere I will allow of thy wits; and fear
Like to the old vicent to kill a woodcock, lest thou dispossess the soul
Your need to sustain; of thy grandam. Fare thee well.
Who with dagger of lath,
In his rage und his wrath,
Cries, ah, hu! to the devil: Clo. Nay, I am for all waters.
Like a mad lud, Mar. Thou might'st have done this without thy beard, and gown; he sees thee not.
Pure thy nails, dad, Sir To. To him in thine own voice, and bring
Adieu, goodman drivel. (Erit. me word how thou findest him: I would, we
SCENE III.-Olivia's Garden. were well rid of this knavery. If he may be conveniently delivered, I would he were ; for I
Enter SEBASTIAN. am now so far in offence with my niece, that I cannot pursue with any safety this sport to the
Seb. This is the air ; that is the glorious sun; apshot. Come by and by to my chainber.
This pearl she gave me, I do feel't, and see't: (Exeunt Sir TOBY and MARIA. And though 'tis wonder that enwraps me thus, Clo. Hey Robin, jolly Robin,
Yet 'tis not madness. Where's Antonio then Tell me how thy lady does. [Singing. I could not find him at the Elephant: Mul. Fool,
Yet there he was; and there I found this creslit, Clo. My lady is unkind, perdy.
That he did range the town to seek me out. Mal. Fool,
His counsel now might do me golden service: Clo. Alas, why is she so?
For though my soul disputes well with my Mal. Fool, I say;
sense, Clo. She loves another- Who calls, ha ?
That this may be some error, but no madness, Mal. Good fool, as ever thou wilt deserve Yet doth this accident and flood of fortune Well at my hand, help me to a candle, and pen, So far exceed all instance, all discourse, ink, and paper; as I am a gendeman, I will That I am ready to distrust mine eyes, live to be thankful to thee for't.
And wrangle with my reason, thai persuades Clo. Master Malvolio!
To any other trust,ll but that I am mad, [me Mal. Ay, good fool.
Or else the lady's mad; yet it 'twere so, Clo. Alas, Sir, how fell you besides your five She could not sway her house, command her wits?
followers, 1 Mal. Fool, there was never man so notori- Take, and give back, affairs, and their des. ously abused : I am as well in my wits, fool, with such a smooth, discreet, and stable bear.
(ing, as thou art.
Clo. But as well? then you are mad, indeed, As, I perceive, she does: there's something in't, if you be no better in your wits than a fool.
That is deceivable. But here comes the lady. Mul. They have here propertied me, keep
* Scolded, reprimanded. + Regular conversation. + A buffoon character in the old plays, and father of I Any other gem, as a Topaz.
the modern harlequun. Senses. || Taken possession of.
Reason. || Belier. 7 Servants
* Bow windows
Enter OLIVIA und u Priest.
I come again. I go, Sir; but I would not have Oli. Blame not this haste of mine: If you you to think, that my desire of having is the mean well,
sin of covetousness : but, as you say, Sir, let Now go with me, and with this holy man,
your bounty take a nap, I will awake it anon. Into the chantry* by: there, before him,
[Exit Clown. And underneath that consecrated roof,
Enter ANTONIO and OFFJCERS. Plight me the full assurance of your faith; That my most jealous and too doubtful soul Vio. Here comes the man, Sir, that did rescue May live at peace: He shall conceal it, Whilest you are willing it shall come to note; Yet, when I saw it last, it was besmear'd
Duke. That face of his I do remember well; What time we will our celebration keep According to my birth.-What do you say?
As black as Vulcan, in the smoke of war: Seb. I'll follow this good man, and go with A bawbling vessel was he captain of, you;
For shallow draught, and bulk, anprizable; And, having sworn truth, ever will be true. With which such scathful* grapple did he make Oli. Then lead the way, good father ;-And With the most noble bottom of our feet, heavens so shine,
That very envy, and the tongue of loss, l'hat they may fairly note this act of mine! Cried fame and honour on him.- What's the
1 Off. Orsino, this is that Antonio, ACT V.
That took the Phønix, and her fraught,t from SCENE I.-The Street hefore Olivia's House. And this is he, 'that did the Tiger board,
When your young nephew Titus lost his leg: Fab. Now, as thou lovest me, let me see his Here in the streets, desperate of shame, and letter.
state, Clo. Good master Fabian, grant me another In private brabble did we apprehend him. request.
Vio. He did me kindness, Sir; drew on my Fab. Any thing:
side; Clo. Do not desire to see this letter.
But, in conclusion, put strange speech upon me, Fab. That is, to give a dog, and, in recom- I know not what 'twas, but distraction. pense, desire my dog again,
Duke. Notable pirate! thon salt-water thief!
What foolish boldness brought thee to their Enter Duke, Viola, und Attendants.
mercies, Duke. Belong you to the lady Olivia, friends? Whom thou, in terms so bloody, and so dear, Clo. Ay, Sir; we are some of her trappings. Hast made thine enemies?
Duke. I know thee well; How dost thou, my Ant. Orsino, noble Sir, good fellow?
Be pleas'd that I shake off these names you Clo. Truly, Sir, the better for my foes, and
give me; the worse for my friends.
Antonio never yet was thief, or pirate, Duke. Just the contrary; the better for thy Though, I confess, on base and ground enough, friends.
Orsino's enemy. A witchcraft drew me hither: Clo. No, Sir, the worse.
That most ungrateful boy there, by your side, Drike. How can that be?
From the rude sea's enrag'd and foamy mouth Clo. Marry, Sir, they praise me, and make Did I redeem; a wreck past hope he was: an ass of me; now my foes tell me plainly. I am His life I gave him, and did thereto add an ass : so that by my foes, Sir, I profit in the My love, without retention, or restraint knowledge of myself, and by my friends I am All his in dedication : for his sake, abused : so that, conclusions to be as kisses, if Did I expose myself, pure for his love, your four negatives make your two affirmatives, Into the danger of this adverse town; why, then the worse for my friends, and the Drew to defend him, when he was beset; better for my foes.
Where being apprehended, his false cunning, Duke. Why, this is excellent.
(Not meaning to partake with me in danger,) Clo. By my troth, Sir, po; though it please Taught him to face me out of his acquaintance, you to be one of my friends.
And grew a twenty-years-removed thing, Duke. Thou shalt not be the worse for me; While one would wink; denied me mine own there's gold.
Vio. How can this be?
Ant. To-day, my lord; and for three months Duke. Well, I will be so much a sinner to be
before, a double-dealer; there's another.
(No interim, not a minute's vacancy,) Clo. Primo, secundo, tertio, is a good play; Both day and night did we keep company. and the old saying is, the third pays for all:
Enter OLIVIA and Attendants. the triplex, Sir, is a good tripping measure; or the bells of St. Bennet, Sir, may put you in
Duke. Here comes the countess : now heaven mind; One, two, three.
walks on earth. Duke. You can fool no more money out of. But for thee, fellow, fellow, thy words are me at this throw : if you will let your lady
madness : know, I am here to speak with her, and bring Three months this youth hath tended upon me; her along with you, it may awake my bounty But more of that anon.-- Take him aside. further.
Oli. What would my lord, but that he may Clo. Marry, Sir, lullaby to your bounty, till
not have, • Little chapel.
Wherein Olivia may seem serviceable?-- Priest. A contract of eternal bond of love, Cesario, you do not keep promise with me. Confirm'd by mutual joinder of your hands, Vio. Madam?
Attested by the holy close of lips, Duke. Gracious Olivia,
Strengthen'd by interchangement of your rings ; Oli. What do you say, Cesario ?--Good And all the ceremony of this compact my lord,
Seal’d in my function, by my testimony: Vio. My lord would speak, my duty hushes Since when, my watch hath told me, toward
my grave, Oli. If it be aught to the old tune, my lord, I have traveli'd but two hours. It is as fat* and fulsome to mine ear,
Duke. 0, thou dissembling cub! what wilt As howling after music.
thou be, Duke. Still so cruel ?
When time hath sow'd a grizzle on thy case ?* Oli. Still so constant, lord.
Or will not else thy craft so quickly grow, Duke. What! to perverseness ? you uncivil That thine own trip shall be thine overthrow ? lady,
Farewell, and take her; but direct thy feet, To whose ingrate and unauspicious altars Where thou and I henceforth may never meet. My soul the faithfull’st offerings hath breath'd Vio. My lord, I do protest, out,
Oli. O, do not swear ;
[fear. That e'er devotion tender'd! What shall I do? Hold little faith, though thou hast too much Oli. Even what it please my lord, that shall become him.
Enter Sir ANDREW AGUE-Check, with his head Duke. Why should I not, had I the heart to
broke. do it,
Sir And. For the love of God, a surgeon; Like to the Egyptian thief, at point of death, Kill what I love; a savage jealousy, [this:
send one presently to Sir Toby.
Oli. What's the matter ?
Sir And. He has broke my head across, and And that I partly know the instrument
has given Sir Toby a bloody coxcomb too : for That screws me from my true place in your forty pounds, I were at home.
the love of God, your help: I had rather than favour, Live you, the marble-breasted tyrant, still;
Oli. Who has done this, Sir Andrew ? But this, your minion, whom,
Sir And. The count's gentleman, one Cesalove,
rio : we took him for a coward, but he's the And whom,' by heaven, I swear, 1 tender very devil incardinate. Him will I tear out of that cruel eye,
Duke. My gentleman, Cesario! Where he sits crowned in his master's spite.
Sir And. Od's lifelings here he is :-You Come boy, with me; my thoughts are ripe in broke my head for nothing; and that that I mischief:
did, I was set on to do't by Sir Toby. I'll sacrifice the lamb that I do love,
Vio. Why do you speak to me? I never hurt To spite a raven's heart within a dove. [Going. you: You drew your sword upon me, without
Vio. And I, most jocund, apt, and willingly: cause; But I bespake you fair, and hurt you To do you rest, a thousand' deaths would die.
Sir And. If a bloody coxcomb be a hurt, you Oli. Where goes Cesario?
have hurt me; I think, you set nothing by a Vio. After him I love,
bloody coxcomb. More than I love these eyes, more than my life. More, by all mores, than e'er I shall love wife;
Enter Sir Toby Belch, drunk, led by the
Clown. If I do feign, you witnesses above, Punish my life, for tainting of my love! Here comes Sir Toby halting, you shall hear
Oli. Ah me, 'detested! how am I beguil'd ! more: but if he had not been in drink, he Vio. Who does beguile you? who does do you would have tickled you othergatest than he wrong?
did. Oli. Hast thou forgot thyself! Is it so Duke. How now, gentleman ? how is't with long !-Call forth the holy father.
[Exit an Attendant. Sir To. That's all one; he has hurt me, and : Duke. Come away;
[TO VIOLA. there's the end on't. Sot, did'st see Dick surOli. Whither my lord ?-Cesario, husband, geon, sot? stay.
Cló. O he's drunk, Sir Toby, an hour agone; Duke. Husband ?
his eyes were set at eight i'the morning. Oli. Ay, husband ; Can he that deny ?
Sir To. Then he's a rogue. After a passyDuke. Her husband, sirrah ?
measure, or a paving: I hate a drunken rogue. Vio. No, my lord, not I.
Oli. Away with him : Who hath made this Oli. Alas, it is the baseness of thy fear, havoc with them ? That makes thee strangle thy propriety it Sir And. I'll help you, Sir Toby, because Fear not, Cesario, take thy fortunes up; we'll be dress'd together. Be that thou know'st thou art, and then thou Sir To. Will you help an ass-head, and a art
(father! coxcomb, and a knave? 'a thin-faced knave, a As great as that thou fear’st.--0), welcome, gull ?
Oli. Get him to bed, and let his hurt be look'd Re-enter Attendant and PRIEST.
to. Father, 1 charge thee, by thy reverence,
[Exeunt Clowy, Sir Toby, and Sir Andrew.] Here to unfold (though lately we intended
Enter SEBASTIAN. To keep in darkness, what occasion now Reveals before 'tis ripe,) what thou dost know, Seb. I am sorry, madam, I have hurt your Hath newly past between this youth and me.
kinsman; Dull, grote
+ Disown thy property. Skin + Otherwars. t serious cancer

domain: literature


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contractor creates the first state-approved bricklayer apprenticeship program in Western New York aimed at independent tradesman
Move reflects leveling of the playing field for “open-shop” contractors
ROCHESTER, N.Y., May 3, 2007 – Bloomfield-based F.G. Rayburn Mason Contractors Inc. today announced that the New York State Department of Labor (NYDOL) has formally recognized its bricklayer apprenticeship program, making it the first state-approved program of its kind in Western New York for independent tradesman.
The state’s approval means workers interested in learning a skilled trade can do so with their employer and without required union membership. “Until now, the only way to participate in a state-approved apprenticeship program was to pay your dues and join a union,” said Floyd Rayburn, president of F.G. Rayburn Mason Contractors Inc. “The NYSDOL approval opens the door to all men and women who want to learn the mason trade.”
The NYDOL has sanctioned a handful of apprenticeship programs run by independent contractors (commonly called merit shops) across the state. The move is significant because it helps level the playing field in the highly competitive construction industry. Most merit shops offer “craft training” programs, but until recently only union apprenticeship programs got the state’s seal of approval.
This shift affects the labor market in western New York because it’s likely to make the bidding process – especially on large construction projects – more competitive, according to Rayburn.
Many large construction projects – especially public works such as school or stadium construction – do not allow contractors to use apprentice labor if the workers are not associated with a state-approved program. Apprentice labor is significant when bidding on a job because it keeps project cost estimates down. This situation made it more difficult for merit shops to compete.
“Until now, we didn’t have the advantage of paying an apprenticeship wage,” Rayburn said. “In New York State 77 percent of the construction workforce is independent, yet many of these workers are locked out of work because of certain practices and regulations that hinder competition.”
Leveling the playing field through state-approved apprenticeship programs and other efforts has the potential to create more jobs and attract more business to the state, said Rayburn whose firm has done work for Wegmans Food Markets, Rochester Institute of Technology, Roberts Wesleyan College, Seneca Park Zoo, F.F. Thompson Hospital and several school districts. More competition also will help reduce the cost of publicly funded construction projects, saving taxpayer dollars, he said.
Rayburn said he is hopeful incremental changes will lead to other improvements in industry practices. “It makes me feel good to know we’re doing something, even small, to try to keep jobs in New York State,” Rayburn said.
Rayburn currently has two apprentices in the program, which includes on-the-job and classroom training. “We were very pleased to win the official stamp of approval from the Department of Labor because it assures our customers that work done by the apprentices is closely monitored by us and by a NYSDOL Apprenticeship Training representative,” Rayburn said. “Our ultimate goal is to train skilled craftsmen and give them the opportunity to work where they live - in Western New York.”
For more information about the apprenticeship program or to contact F.G. Rayburn Mason Contractors, go to www.fgrmasonry.com.

domain: news


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|Reviews for Tangled Up in Blue and Other Misdemeanours|
| Anita chapter 1 . 11/3/2009
Awesome fic. I love the Becca/Hank dynamic. Also, I can't believe there are so few fic for Californication! :(
| Genuhsis chapter 1 . 8/23/2009
Aw, I loved it! Ty for writing this.
| IWantToBelieve127 chapter 1 . 5/19/2009
Thank you for writing this, I love Californication and I'm psyched to finally see some fanfiction in this fandom! Both Hank and Becca were in charcter which is not an easy feat in this fandom. Their interaction at the end was sweet and touching, a wonderful father/daughter scene. Again I loved this. I'm going to read more of your stuff.

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On our first evening, we strolled up the boardwalk of the Lintang trail that leads through swamp forest. We spotted durian trees, rattan palms, and a monkey that we
Have you been to this Kuching attraction? Tell other travelers what to expect. Submit a review today!
3 of 5 stars

domain: geography


Research shows that Ghana loses $3billion each year to corruption. With the plethora of bills and laws enacted to deal with corruption, Ghana would be unparalleled among other African nations if each and every programme or policies promised in tackling corruption would be implemented. However, this is not the reality as reflected in the adverse position Ghana occupies in the corruption perception index.
Ghana’s high corruption index makes the menace an important part of the government’s success indicators and will be a point for accountability with citizens in the coming months and years.
Based on this, Penplusbytes with support from STAAC (Strengthening Transparency and Accountability Against Corruption) is implementing the 2-year METOGU! (Keeping the pressure on) project aimed at creating awareness amongst citizens on government interventions to fight corruption and creating pathways for citizens to hold government to account to deliver on their promises.
The project will use an adapted community scorecard mixed with survey and online data collection tools to gauge citizens’ perception of government’s anti-corruption interventions in four selected regions in Ghana (Ashanti, Greater Accra, Volta and Western regions).
Ahead of these engagements, which primarily comprises the administration of a scorecard to measure government’s progress in delivering its anti-corruption promises and a community survey, Penplusbytes is training key focal persons from project districts to be moderators who would assist in collecting the data.
On 1st February 2018, the project team is in the Ashanti regional capital of Kumasi to train 10 moderators from the project districts. This will be followed up with trainings in Western region Greater Accra and Volta regions on the 5th, 7th and 9th of February respectively.
According to the Executive Director of Penplusbytes, Kwami Ahiabenu II, “these trainings are aimed at equipping moderators with the necessary skills required in administering the community scorecard. They would also be taken through the moderator’s guidebook developed by Penplusbytes which outlines the dos and don’ts of their task.”
In addition to the training, there would be a field pre-testing of the questionnaire and the community scorecard to help moderators acquaint themselves with the fieldwork.
A moderator from the Asante Akim Central District, excited about being part of the project, said “we have been looking forward to doing something in the fight against corruption and this is very timely. Our communities must speak up against corruption now.”
The Metogu! Project is expected to support citizen’s engagement with government and make government accountable to its pledges made during campaign period.
Penplusbytes is a not-for-profit organization driving change through innovations in three key areas: using new digital technologies to enable good governance and accountability, new media and innovations, and driving oversight for effective utilisation of mining, oil and gas revenue and resources.


Think Tanks – Embassy of Pakistan, Washington D.C
PRESS RELEASES Bank: State Bank of Pakistan; Title: SUPREME COURT OF PAKISTAN; Account No: hilal. Official magazine of pakistan Armed Forces. Pakistan's cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party speaks to the media after casting his vote at a polling station in Islamabad during the . Israel remains open to establishing relations with Pakistan. Ok. So I don't know why our previous governments disliked Israel. The traditional agency model was a strategic partner relationship with the advertiser In Pakistan, similar to the rest of the world, media planning and buying has With the maturing of a lot of those high-yield government securities, along with with the sultry and sensual image of Iman Ali at the centre of the campaign.
At the World Affairs Council, Ambassador Chaudhry stated that Pakistan has made concrete progress in eradicating the scourge of terrorism from the soil of Pakistan.
He said that terrorists are now on the run, and through intelligence-based operation Rad-ul-Fasaad the remaining terrorist elements are being tracked down. NDI's work in Pakistan for enhancing political participation and strengthening democratic institutions was discussed.
Ambassador underlined the need for stronger Pak- US relationship on the basis of mutual respect and mutuality of interests. Entire gamut of Pakistan-US bilateral relationship and regional situation were discussed. Ambassador Aizaz Chaudhry also participated during the discussion.
The current developments in Pak-US relations and the regional situation were discussed. Ambassador Chaudhry stated that strong and durable Pakistan-US partnership is essential to achieving common objectives of peace and stability in the region, especially for peaceful resolution of the conflict in Afghanistan.
Their informal interaction with the Ambassador Aizaz Chaudhry provided an opportunity for a constructive exchange of views on various facets of Pakistan-US relations. Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said that Pakistan would continue to further build on the bilateral relationship with the US, based on mutual respect and mutuality of interests, at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on 05 December October 12, Interior Minister Mr.
To keep it brief, total ad spend on TV in FY was Rs 42 billion — digital will simply not be challenging that. For publishers, both are a blessing, extending reach, engaging audiences old and new, increasing traffic to sites etc. On the earnings front, not so much. There is little chance for publishers to grab a bigger slice of the pie, especially when it comes to banner ads. Inevitably, programmatic advertising which both Facebook and Google excel in will negatively impact anyone involved in the business of creating, procuring and running banner ad campaigns, possibly to the point of redundancy.
The problem is further exacerbated by the growing trend of users installing ad blockers for banner ads. This brings us to the next great challenge — one that applies to everyone operating in the digital sphere, not just the publishers. To put it bluntly, brands, ad agencies and marketing teams appear to be sailing rudderless, both on the strategic and creative front.
The situation is grim. Brands are allocating more and more to digital spend every year and publishers are pumping money into their digital operations, irrespective of the bottom line.
Some of the above challenges admittedly have no clear solution. Those require acceptance, adaptation and more importantly, inclusion when making decisions. For those problems that can be tackled however, a lot can be done, and done fast. After all, we are blessed with not having to invent or reinvent anything; global trends, strategies, creative ideas and solutions are just one Google search away.
It is only the will to change how we conduct business that appears to be lacking. Ahsan Sheikh examines this great switch. A billboard for Sprite overshadows another one for Coke in Lahore. Originally hand-painted by talented artists, billboards in the early days were often works of art, derived as much from the imagination of the artist as from the brief given by the agency. They were few and far between and clutter was not a problem then.
With the introduction in the nineties of digitally printed larger formats, the artists had to forsake their brushes and billboards became ubiquitous, leading to clutter and much public aggravation and then municipal intervention to restrict their numbers. As they become more interactive, digital billboards are changing public perceptions, becoming a source of entertainment with audiences. In Pakistan, we can divide its evolution into three eras: Initially, only a limited number of brands leveraged the medium.
Hand-painted boards were found at railway stations promoting electric fans, beauty creams, tobacco and tea. From the seventies onwards, there was a spurt in the usage of the medium. All the top brands soon followed suit. Along with this, came a shift in pricing.
The earlier hand-painted boards cost only a few thousand rupees annually; now prices went into hundreds of thousands per month. Despite this, huge structures started proliferating across the major three cities and city municipal authorities started to impose taxes on them, which were then used to develop the city landscape. So aggressively did the authorities collect funds in exchange for permission to erect billboards that an unprecedented number of structures went up between andespecially in Lahore.
Inevitably, clutter began to compromise the effectiveness of the medium and inthe Punjab Government took measures to rationalise the installation of outdoor structures. All billboards in Lahore were removed by the Parks and Horticulture Authority PHA and bylaws were enacted to prevent their installation.
This was a blessing in disguise as the reduction in the clutter enhanced the effectiveness of the medium, and brands started reassessing OOH with renewed interest, leading to a demand for further innovation, such as backlit billboards and large cut-outs. The artworks were a basic adaptation of print ads, with little thought going into the effectiveness of the communication. Then, another major shift took place when international specialist agency brands, such as Kinetic, entered the picture and outdoors started evolving into OOH.
This included the activation of new touch-points in the OOH space within retail spaces and on-ground. Clients started focusing on rationalising their OOH media planning in terms of target audience, with increasing focus on the quality of the execution.
Monitoring and tracking once a huge transparency challenge became a standard service offered by all OMAs. Today, tools are available to evaluate campaign coverage, assess creative impact, select sites according to specific target audiences and monitor and track results.
This is a paradigm shift, given that not until too long ago, OOH was viewed as a support medium and has now moved to the centre of the overall media planning effort. The factors contributing to this development are changing consumer behaviour patterns not least the fact that they are spending more time out of home. There was a time, when during the airing of popular TV dramas, the roads would be relatively empty with people glued to their TV sets.
Today, there is no TV show that audiences need to stay at home to watch live; they can watch it on their smartphones or watch the repeat the following day. Another benefit of OOH for advertisers is that it cannot be turned off, blocked or skipped and unlike TV and online advertising, it cannot be so easily avoided.
OOH and mobile are becoming increasingly interlinked and more and more brands are leveraging both media. We will remember as the year OOH started going digital in Pakistan and digital, once introduced, expands rapidly.
The theme has always been the product benefit. It is the way this is communicated that has changed. It is simple and straightforward; there is no spin. An explanation of what the paint does, with simple illustrations delivers the point. It was about having a freshly-painted look throughout the year and the availability of a wide range of colours.
The illustrations became better, the copy got a bit creative. In the seventies, the illustrations were replaced by photographs. The headline stated the problem, and the body copy gave the solution. Every ad illustrated a new USP — appealing to the rational mind of the consumer rather than the emotional side.
In the eighties, graphics were introduced. The message was that Berger was a global brand offering high-quality paint. The nineties focused on health. Lead-free paints were introduced and the copy emphasised benefits of these paints. The brand was evolving but not connecting. Human emotion was missing. Berger now engages with young homemakers for whom paint is as important as their furniture. Berger took a huge leap by focusing on a younger target group. A celebrity endorsement has been introduced with Mehwish Hayat, because celebrities inspire people to be like them.
From a rational, somewhat distant brand, Berger has evolved into an emotional, connected and iconic brand. From selling paints to selling lifestyles, the brand has left a footprint in every household.
Urooj Hussain examines what brands must do to adapt to this altered demand. Millennials are busy on their devices during a working day at Ogilvy Pakistan, where the average age of all new recruits is approximately For the agency, the secret to attracting Millennials is to offer them flexibility in their working hours and an informal environment.
They are pluralists and not inclined to settle on only one thing; they want to do something in the day and something else completely different in the evening. To retain them, employers must always encourage and mentor them in any activity they choose to engage in after working hours.
They have great expectations of life. The evolution has been exponential; for example, in Pakistan, Facebook has gone from 11 million active users to 34 million in the past four years alone.
The way people use social media has also evolved. It has also changed the way we view and interact with the world and the communities around us, and it has changed the way consumers behave online.
- Will Pakistan’s charismatic new premier change the relationship with Israel?
- Think Tanks
Audiences are less concerned with privacy. Since Facebook is free, many people do not necessarily realise that they are the product. The Pew Research Centre for internet and technology finds most young people more than willing to hand over their personal details. This gives advertisers a great deal of leverage in terms of data-backed targeting, which they never had before.
Brands need to adopt causes and give a collective voice to their consumers. It was the Arab Spring that gave traction to the idea that anyone can bring about a revolution on social media. Consumers know how powerful a social media platform can be and are willing to use it, be it for political issues or consumer complaints. As a result, brands need to tread carefully on social media as a single piece of negative news can snowball into a business damaging situation. Consumers are more likely to trust a brand with a social media presence.
It adds to the transparency, two-way communication, engagement and in some cases, social responsibility as well. What is the effect of all of this on how brands advertise on social media? Pakistani brands have become savvy. High levels of clutter and increasingly distracted audiences means that brands need to invest in breaking through the barrier of limited organic reach and create engaging content.
Here are some examples of how brands are using social media to its full potential: E-Commerce has grown in an extremely interesting way on social media. Not only has it benefitted large-scale online retailers such as Daraz and Goto.
Micro-influencers and vloggers have become huge social media celebrities without ever having been on the big screen. They have grown via popular demand on social media and are people which audiences can relate to. As a result, a lot of brands have signed on social media celebs such as Zaid Ali T and Ali Gur Pir to be their brand ambassadors, leveraging not only their popularity, but their individual social media profile to secure incremental and relevant reach.
In a world where customers want instant gratification, social media provides a platform where the consumer can connect to brands whenever they want. Being always-on and ready to answer consumer queries goes a long way towards building brand credibility.
This is now considered to be an important KPI for social media management. Brands like Careem and KE have added to their credibility by actively responding to messages. Social media and the way consumers use the platform will keep evolving at a rapid pace. Media experts need to be ahead of the curve and leverage new trends to their maximum potential. She can be contacted at urooj. As a result, promotion of films now heavily relies on social media as they can garner huge amounts of buzz through word-of-mouth.
Imran Khan - Wikipedia
Films are content gold mines; the challenge is to build anticipation within a short period of time. Luckily, films are stories and stories sell, especially when you involve the audience in the story via social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.
Dawn Films used these platforms in their marketing strategy for their forthcoming film Saat Din Mohabat In, leveraging viral marketing by doing something that would create talkability.
He turns to the audience for help to go about this in the best possible way.Breaking News - Chairman PEMRA, DG ISPR - Discuss Measures to Facilitate Pakistan Media
Added to this, glimpses of the romance, drama, humour and action contained in the film gave audiences a peek into the unfolding storyline. Drumming up interest and seeding your trailer online is always a challenge, but the marketing effort for the film, bridged the gap by offering a storyline and enabling fans to respond, thus generating a buzz.
This is the tip of the iceberg. Stay tuned to your digital screens for more creative content as we weave in and out of the story, taking fans along for the journey. Zohra Yusuf is one of the most outstanding and highly-regarded professionals in the advertising and media sphere. She has been in the profession for nearly five decades. She entered the advertising profession in when she joined MNJ Communications as a Copywriter; she was promoted to Creative Manager and subsequently, to Client Services Manager; this, at a time when women did not hold senior positions in advertising.
Yusuf has mentored a new generation of young advertising professionals, many of whom attribute their success to the training she imparted to them. Her cosmic ability to grasp ideological perspectives from every side of the argument has made her an outstanding communicator of her times.
As I began speaking to women working in advertising agencies, from different disciplines and age groups, to determine if the ad industry in Pakistan is female-friendly, it became evident that my initial perception was erroneous. There was general consensus on two points. First, the number of men who have reached the highest echelons of power in media and advertising is far greater than the women who have smashed the glass ceiling, despite the increasing number of women who have assumed leadership roles.
Second, the industry is far more female inclusive than anywhere else in the world. The advantage is that in Pakistan, if women stay after hours, transportation is usually provided, at least at IAL. This is mainly attributed to the fact that there is no governing body which regulates agency operations.
It is this vacuum that has resulted in variable HR and operational frameworks, since agencies in Pakistan are not required to comply with a designated set of rules in managing their workforce.
Agencies therefore, have carte blanche in formulating their HR handbooks. The two most significant issues that this lack of standardisation has created concern gender-based wage gap and maternity leave. To a large extent, this shift has been triggered by the increasing number of women who have forayed into media and advertising since the nineties, predominantly on the creative side. There was a gradual recognition of the value of their contributions to creative and strategic processes.
As women continued to progress quickly through the ranks, their influence in decision-making increased, as did the salaries they commanded. She recalls that when she joined MNJ in as a copywriter, it was the male-dominated client services department that enjoyed better incentives, including higher pay scales.
This is because at that time, the majority of accounts were won on the basis of personal relations with clients rather than the big idea and therefore, client services executives were considered the most valuable resource.
In the last decade or so, as the focus shifted to creative conceptualisation and execution, it is the women-dominated creative departments that have taken centre stage.
According to Yusuf, this is the main reason why there has been an across-the-board increase in compensation levels for women. Abdi adds that Millennials have played a significant role in changing the perception of advertising as a profession. There are a lot of young women who study commercial and communication art and then opt for advertising because they believe it provides opportunities for independent, creative expression.
However, the ad industry still has a long way to go before they can claim gender parity and inclusion in the truest sense. Providing on site child care and paid maternity leave are substantial financial commitments that agencies, particularly smaller ones, will not be able to sustain. While gender diversity in leadership roles and parity in compensation are important wins, there is a long way to go before our advertising industry can claim being an equal opportunity employer for men and women.
Ayesha Shaikh is a leading advertising and communications expert at Aurora. She can be contacted at aurora dawn.
How could it not? Here was a drink with a formulation that made it green! Mehran Bottlers have a strong vision for Pakola; they understand the love Pakistanis have for the brand. Pakola has become the essence of what defines Pakistan. The satisfying taste drives the loyalty of consumers at home while for Pakistanis abroad, Pakola evokes intense nostalgia whenever they see the brand.
In recent years, Pakola has revamped itself in order to appeal to younger audiences, both in terms of the message and the look. This resulted in people posting photographs on social media and creating a buzz online. Pakola is a brand that evokes pride, love and patriotism.
Pakola connects our hearts and minds with the national spirit. Syed Babar Ali is seated in his office at the Packages headquarters in Lahore. One of the most recognisable and successful brands under the Packages corporate umbrella is the premium-quality tissue paper Rose Petal, launched in A defining characteristic of Syed Babar Ali is his ability to identify changing consumer dynamics and then develop business solutions to cater to them.
Given the increasing demand for organised retail in Lahore, his latest venture was the launch of Packages Mall in Designed in line with international standards, the mall has redefined the shopping experience for the people of the city. Families had fixed monthly grocery lists that were handed over to the shopkeeper, who would put all the items together, bag them and hand over a chit with the billed amount scribbled on it.
Apart from the haggling it was expectedthe next customer decision was whether to pay in cash or put the amount on a monthly tab and whether or not to have the groceries delivered. Other than those, shopping excursions were limited to Juma bazaars or visits to Laloo Khait now LiaquatabadEmpress Market or Jodia Bazaar — the wholesale hubs of Karachi. It was only in the noughties, when due to increased exposure, Pakistani consumers became more aware of what was happening internationally and a significant shift in lifestyles and buying patterns started taking place.
Varied product assortments, greater convenience and accessibility, better merchandising, improved service and an enhanced store experience became the new retail rules. Quick to recognise this shift, local retailers began to invest in improving store layouts and their product mix.
There was renewed focus on customer service, rather than relying on price competitiveness. As a result, this growing retail potential put Pakistan on the radar of global retailers. As most of retail in Pakistan is unorganised, therefore undocumented, industry analysts agree that the on-ground figures are much higher.
The other trend disrupting traditional retail is e-commerce. Although still at a nascent stage, internet retail is expected to become a significant complement to brick-and-mortar grocery and non-grocery retailing in the coming years.
Before that the concept of indoor air-conditioned shopping areas was alien in Pakistan. However, the mall did not turn out the way it had been envisioned.
There were not enough local brands because many did not want to assume the high rents Dolmen Centre demanded. It was almost a decade later that Pakistan had its first shopping mall, when Park Towers opened in Karachi. The mall morphed into a social venue, where people went to enjoy the amenities rather than to buy. The opening of Dolmen Mall Tariq Road in proved to be a game changer. Positioned as a family recreational spot, the mall began to bustle with activity convincing retailers to invest in space.
Over the next 15 years, a number of malls were established mostly in Karachiredefining the shopping experience. The entry of Hyperstar in operated by the Carrefour retail chain as an anchor tenant at Dolmen Mall Clifton was another game changer. Hyperstar became a retail success, prompting other mall operators to adopt the idea of having anchor tenants. North Pakistan is now at the forefront of the retail race and several multipurpose malls are under construction in Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Islamabad, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi.
Both supermarkets began as small kiryana shops in Bahadurabad. Naheed expanded its footprint from the original 1, square feet of retail space to a 32, square feet, four-level departmental setup. Imtiaz followed and established outlets in DHA, Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Nazimabad, three of the most densely populated neighbourhoods in Karachi.
Increased competition is likely to further boost the sector and the entry of foreign players will force local retail giants to rethink, revamp and remodel their businesses. Abbasi sums up the future of retail in Pakistan:


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Meal delivery packages come with a huge range of choices, from meal kits to prepare nutritious family dinners to diet plans supported by exercise programmes and tailored health-based strategies.
Choosing the best meal delivery service depends on so many variables, such as your budget, preferences, and dietary requirements.
Best10MealDeliveries takes the hard work out of making decisions, delivering tried and tested reviews and independent rankings of the best meal delivery services money can buy!
There are countless companies offering meal deliveries - but a significant difference in the costs, choice and service on offer:
It's not always easy to know which service is the best value or ideally suited to the ages and preferences of your family - so Best10MealDeliveries samples and reviews each of the top services to help you make informed choices.
Much depends on your expectations!
Do you have time to shop and prepare dinner every evening, or do you want a timesaving service to take the stress out of cooking?
Are there specific health goals you'd like to reach, such as losing weight, meeting your macro tracking metrics, or trying a Keto or Paleo diet?
Whatever your aims, there is a meal delivery service for you, with thousands of top-quality dishes, diet plans and tasty snacks with minimal effort required.
To keep things simple, Best10MealDeliveries offers overall recommendations, followed by breakdowns of the best in class across:
Please browse through the specific category of meal deliveries you're interested in, or visit the reviews of our top recommendations to choose the plan that's aligned with your nutrition goals.
One of the biggest factors (aside from cost!) is finding a suitable meal delivery service for your diet.
Millions of people have allergies and intolerances, meaning they need to be extremely careful about ordering meals containing wheat, dairy, fish, or specific foods.
Best10MealDeliveries provides comprehensive reviews of each service, looking at everything from the cancellation policy to the variety of meals on offer - and how easy it is to customise your menu.
Each review comes with a detailed analysis of the food quality, price comparisons and quick links to competitive offers such as money-off discounts or free trial periods!
As more and more families focus on healthy eating and the number of meal delivery services grows, Best10MealDeliveries is continually updated, so keep checking back for up to date recommendations to get the tastiest dinners delivered directly to your door.

domain: food


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Showing: All news
Introducing the amazing NEW Flakt Woods JM Maxfan Compac the evolution of the bestselling Maxfan designed for high performance and reliability
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This offer will end March 31st 2017
Specified for their superior design and manufacturing excellence, the Flakt Woods CE Certified ETPR-E-1 fire damper are now available through Northern Fan Supplies and EIV from stock
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The CW has just ordered 9 additional episodes for two of its brand new series, Batwoman and Nancy Drew, increasing both shows to a full-season run of 22 episodes. It’s a pretty firm vote of confidence for the freshman dramas, with the order coming just three weeks into the CW’s fall season. It’s also good news for fans of teen mysteries and Ruby Rose beating the shit out of people.
Both Batwoman and Nancy Drew have been strong ratings performers in both live and delayed viewing, so the decision to order full seasons makes sense. Also, these are the first two new series the CW has developed since ending its output deal with Netflix, meaning the network will be able to stream every episode from the shows’ current seasons on its own platform and capitalize on that sweet binge-watching revenue.
Batwoman follows Kate Kane (Rose), a hard-edged vigilante taking up the mantle of Batwoman after Batman’s three-year disappearance throws Gotham City into chaos. The show is the latest in the line of CW’s popular DC superhero dramas including The Flash, Supergirl, and Arrow. (You can read our review of the first two episodes right here.)
Nancy Drew is the most recent adaptation of the titular character from the famed series of mystery novels. In the CW series, Nancy is a college-bound amateur detective whose plans are suddenly thrown into limbo after the sudden death of her mother. Deciding to put off college and sleuthing for a while doesn’t do any good, though, because she quickly finds herself a suspect in the murder of a prominent socialite.
Batwoman airs Sundays at 8 PM, while Nancy Drew comes on Wednesdays at 9 PM after Riverdale, another popular CW series. But you can catch both on the CW’s free streaming app, with new episodes becoming available the day after they air.

domain: entertainment


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|Age Group||7-8 Years, 9-10 Years, 11-12 Years|


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KUMASI ASANTE Kotoko SC has picked their workaholic defensive midfielder, Richard Boadu alias ‘Agadas’ as their new captain.
The former Medeama hard-tackler and good passer of the ball, will be deputised by Yusif Mubarak, a central defender.
The choice of Richard Boadu as the club’s captain follows Kotoko’s ex-captain, Ismail Ganiyu’s alleged decision to terminate his contract with the 2021/22 Ghana Premier League Champions.
Goalkeeper Ibrahim Danlad, Christopher Nattey, and Pouaty Dendoum are the Club’s second, third and fourth deputy captains in that order.
Meanwhile, Kotoko are currently in Sudan for the second half of their pre-season training, ahead of the African Champions League and domestic competitions next season.
Kotoko would engage in a number of high profiled international friendly duels to test their strength as part of their pre-season plan.
By Thomas Awuah


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While the NES was obviously not the first video game console, it’s hardly a surprise that some of the rarest and most expensive games in the world belong to that beloved console’s legendary library.
As it becomes increasingly obvious that nostalgia is driving up prices in the suddenly lucrative collectible video games market, it’s also not a surprise that NES games tend to be among the most desirable collectibles in that world. Not only did the NES ignite a generation’s love of gaming, but the unique state of the industry at the time meant that a lot of games (even good ones) were shipped in small quantities, shipped too late, or otherwise faded into obscurity only to be properly recognized years later. It was an environment that led to a lot of legitimately rare games.
Which NES games are the rarest and most valuable of them all, though? Well, a few of the most expensive NES games in the world certainly won’t surprise anyone, but you’ll be shocked by how much people are willing to spend on some games you’ve probably never heard of.
Before we dive into that, though, here are a few things to consider:
- This list primarily focuses on genuinely rare titles rather than pristine versions of common titles that are prized solely for their condition.
- There are many NES games that sell for the same basic prices, so consider this a sampling of the most desirable and rare NES games on the market in various price ranges.
- The two numbers next to each game represent their “loose” price (meaning “cartridge only” in pretty much any condition) and the highest price they currently sell for if they are in pristine condition.
15. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Tournament Fighters – $200 to $1,500
The SNES version of this game was fairly popular on the rental circuit, but did you know that there is an NES version of this licensed fighter that’s incredibly rare due largely to the fact that so few people bought it?
TMNT Tournament Fighters was not only Konami’s last NES game but one of the few “proper” 2D fighting games released for the NES. Unfortunately, its incredibly late 1994 release date (it was also released nearly 6 months after the SNES version’s debut) pretty much guaranteed that most NES gamers had moved on by the time this surprisingly good game dropped.
14. Mighty Final Fight – $250 to $2,000
Not only was there a Final Fight game released for the NES, but this rather strange little experiment includes some features not seen in most other Final Fight titles (including an experience point system). It’s actually closer to River City Ransom than Final Fight in a lot of ways.
Unfortunately, this game’s late release date, weak marketing push, and the simple fact that there are honestly better games in this genre readily available for the NES means that not many people bought Mighty Final Fight the first time around. Fortunately for collectors, that also means this franchise curiosity has only gone up in value.
13. Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers 2 – $300 to $1,300
This game is rare and certainly valuable (even if its recent digital re-release has driven down the price somewhat), but the thing that really stands about this one is its inexplicably late release date.
Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers 2 wasn’t released until December 1993 in Japan and 1994 in the U.S. and Europe. That’s three years after the release of the SNES and up to four years since the release of the previous game. In the case of the sequel’s Western releases, that’s also the same year that the Sony PlayStation was released. This game is actually quite good, but suffice to say, a lot of NES owners didn’t have this on their radars at that time.
12. Zombie Nation – $600 to $1,500
If you’re anything like me, you might vaguely remember hearing about this game in Nintendo Power but probably didn’t know anyone who owned it. Of course, we now know that’s because this game was incredibly rare even at the time of its release.
While it’s not clear how many copies of this title were initially distributed, bad sales (which were likely the result of mixed critical reception and the fact that this game is incredibly weird) combined with a late release date and somewhat weak word of mouth mean that the relatively few copies of the game that did make it out into the world now cost a shocking amount of money.
11. Power Blade 2 – $700 to $4,000
While the original Power Blade is a respectable enough Mega Man rip-off that you could certainly call underrated, it wasn’t exactly a best-seller that became a staple of NES collections everywhere. It was always somewhat strange, then, that Taito decided to make a sequel to the game in the first place and release it during the NES’ dying days.
Power Blade 2 has always been a collector’s favorite due to its initial rarity, but recent years have seen the game shoot up in price due both to the growing popularity of rare NES games and how hard it is to find a pristine copy of this one in its original box.
10. Bonk’s Adventure – $800 to $3,000
Bonk’s Adventure is a beloved TurboGrafx-16 game (if such a thing actually exists), but did you know that the platformer was also ported to the NES?
Well, apparently no one else did, which is certainly a big part of the reason why this one ended up being a consistently high-value game among collectors. To be fair, this game also isn’t nearly as good on the NES as it was on the TurboGrafx, and the NES obviously featured some considerable competition in the platforming genre. Still, we bet you wish you had purchased this one back in the day.
9. Panic Restaurant – $800 to $6,000
Panic Restaurant is actually little more than a passable Kirby-esque NES platformer that most people probably haven’t devoted a thought to in their entire lives. However, this happens to be one of the most consistently valuable NES titles among collectors.
Panic Restaurant is a great example of the “perfect storm” effect we sometimes see with collectible games. As a pretty obscure title released near the end of the NES’ lifespan, it’s a legitimately rare game that few people ever owned in the first place. As for why this particular game became so valuable years later…well, it might have something to do with its campy box art and generally weird vibes.
8. The Flinstones: The Surprise at Dinosaur Peak – $1,000 to $10,000
Legend has it that this game is so valuable because it was only available to rent at select Blockbuster locations, but that claim has been disputed over the years by reports that suggest it was actually readily available in retail stores. Those same reports suggest that its rarity can instead be attributed to the fact that few people bothered to buy it.
The point is that it was very hard to find this game when it was first released, which means that graded sealed copies of Surprise at Dinosaur Peak now sometimes sell for nearly $10,000. The fact it’s a licensed game released late in the NES’ run has only made it more valuable.
7. Bubble Bath Babes – $1,400 to $5,000
There was actually a surprising number of “adult” games released for the NES over the course of the console’s lifespan, but Bubble Bath Babes has distinguished itself over the years as seemingly the most valuable collectible in that particular category.
So far as that goes, nothing really seems to separate Bubble Bath Babes from that pack (at least in terms of rarity) aside from, perhaps, the fact that its Tetris-like gameplay isn’t actually that bad. This title was even re-released with all of the “erotic” elements removed, though that version of the game is obviously not as rare or popular.
6. Cheetahmen II – $1,500 to $11,000
To make a long story short, the original Cheetahmen was the featured game in the Action 52 collection (a special collection of 52 terrible NES games). While Action 52 is certainly one of the more notable rare NES titles on the market, Cheetahmen II is on another level so far as value goes.
In fact, many gamers once believed that this unofficial NES game was never actually manufactured. However, in 1996, 1500 prototype cartridges were discovered in a warehouse in Florida (go figure). While numerous fake copies have been created since then, securing an “original” copy of this truly terrible game is going to set you back.
5. Little Samson – $2,000 to $17,000
These days, Little Samson is sometimes referred to as one of the NES’ most underrated action-platforming games, but in 1992, a combination of terrible marketing and bad timing all but ensured that this game was destined to fall into obscurity.
That’s what’s so interesting about this game, though. Not only is it a legitimately rare title from a pure numbers perspective, but it’s also a pretty good game that’s legacy has only grown in the years since its release. The price for even “loose” versions of this game keeps going up, so it really seems like this one isn’t going to lose a lot of its value anytime in the near future.
4. Nintendo Campus Challenge 1991 – $20,000 to $30,000
In 1991, Nintendo held a special competition across 60 college campuses to see which students were the best at a series of special minigame challenges based on popular NES titles. For the purposes of the competition, those minigames were ported to special NES cartridges that were never made available to the public via any other official means.
In terms of pure rarity goes, it’s hard to beat that Nintendo Campus Challenge cartridge. Only one original copy of the game is believed to still exist, and it sold for $20,100 in 2009. The price of that cartridge has almost certainly gone up considerably since then, but nobody is sure how much it would fetch on the modern market.
3. Stadium Events – $10,000 to $100,000+
In late 1986, publisher Bandai released Stadium Events as the marquee game for their Family Fun Fitness workout accessory. Sensing an opportunity in the emerging fitness game market, Nintendo bought the rights to that title, re-branded it as World Class Track Meet, and used that game to promote their own Nintendo Power Pad hardware accessory.
That’s roughly how the legend of Stadium Events was born. A loose copy of the original game released before the re-branding will cost you about $10,000, but boxed copies of this incredibly rare game sometimes go for over $100,000. Of course, nobody is entirely sure how many real copies of this game (boxed or not) even still exist.
2. Nintendo World Championship Gold – $100,000+
In 1990, Nintendo held a special video game competition designed to find the best NES gamers in the world (or at least the United States). The event’s 90 finalists received a custom grey NES cartridge that contained the modified versions of the games used for the competition. While those cartridges are extremely rare, they are nothing compared to the 26 gold Nintendo World Championship cartridges that were given out as part of a Nintendo Power competition held at that time.
Those gold cartridges are considered to be the holy grail of collectible video games. While there was a time when you may have been able to get one for a “measly” $20,000, recent years have seen the price for one of these cartridges skyrocket to over $100,000. Honestly, even that might seem like a bargain in the next few years if any of the current owners decide to part with their copies.
1. Super Mario Bros. (Test Launch Version) – $100,000+
While this list mostly focuses on rare games and not mint conditions of otherwise readily available games, the unique circumstances surrounding this particular collectible are too incredible to not mention.
See, back when the video game market was still considered to be a commercial wasteland, Nintendo decided to host “test launch” events for the NES in New York and Los Angeles. Basically, they wanted to see how the console would perform in those markets before expanding their release strategy. For those events, they manufactured a few thousand “special copies” of Super Mario Bros. What made them so special? Well, they were sealed with a sticker rather than plastic shrink wrap. Seriously…that’s pretty much it.
As it turns out, that sticker is a pretty big deal among collectors. The only known still-sealed copy of the “test launch” version of Super Mario Bros. sold for $140,000 in 2019, and some suspect the game could go for close to $1,000,000 if it was sold on the current market.

domain: game


Last updated: January 16, 2023
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Mass Text Software Becoming Standard Protocol for Emergency Notification
With so much campus violence, schools are realizing the necessity of mass text software as part of a comprehensive emergency notification strategy.
A recent article from Campus Safety magazine discusses how college campuses are attempting to maximize the ROI of their alert systems. This isn’t a surprise, as it has become mandatory for schools to have some sort of mass communication system in place for emergencies. Sadly, school campuses from elementary through college have lost their sense of security after so many stories of campus violence. We’ve all mourned the tragedies of Sandy Hook, Columbine, and Virginia Tech. There have been 142 school shootings in the U.S. since 2013 and nearly every state has been affected…see the above map.
On top of everything, schools have to contend with each year, these horrific crimes have quickly placed campus security at the top of the priority list. The mass notification system market is responding and is expected to grow to nearly 10 billion USD by 2021, due in part to the growing demand for public safety and increased awareness for emergency communication solutions.
Squeezing ROI From Pinched Budgets
The drive to eke out as much ROI as possible from these communication tools is understandable given the strained resources of many schools. The article reminds us that email was the mainstay for all electronic communications prior to the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting. Our culture has evolved significantly since then, thanks to millennials who have set the standard for instant, real-time communications. While email still may have its place, it isn’t considered fast or reliable enough for emergency notifications.
One of the best ways for any organization, including schools, to increase ROI is to be able to extend it into other areas or for additional uses than originally planned. While mass text software may be budgeted for campus security and administrators, other departments may find the ability to communicate more effectively with groups of people highly beneficial.
Mass text software is ideal for reaching any group with important information, such as class changes or cancellations, weather-related issues, reminders and nudges, and announcements about upcoming events. Schools, in particular, have a large number of student groups, alumnae, boosters, parents, and other populations who can opt-in for text notifications that can be delivered in real-time using mass text software.
Campus Safety says emergency notification system costs vary widely, depending on the size of the campus, location, and other variables, but is considered a significant portion of an operating budget. Most schools now recognize the need for an integrated approach that combines multiple technologies to reach the broadest audience. Mass texting software, however, is considered on the lowest end of the cost spectrum and should be included in any mass notification plan.
The Value of Mass Texts
One of the benefits of texting alerts is that they are rarely ignored. Unlike the dismal open rate for email, SMS text messages have an open rate of 98 percent. Since 86 percent of college-aged adults carry smartphones with them, there’s a good chance they will see an emergency notification text within seconds of it being sent.
The Virginia Tech shooting had a significant impact across the country, particularly for residents of the state. Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) conducted a groundbreaking survey of its staff, faculty, and students, asking them various questions about their perception of safety in different areas of campus during different times of day. Based on their answers in the past, the school has implemented a layered approach which includes several different types of emergency notifications.
From campus sirens to uniformed campus police, the school is trying different methods simultaneously to not only protect its students but give them peace of mind that they are safe anywhere on campus. When asked what methods succeed most in helping them feel informed of an emergency situation, 75 percent of respondents said the school’s text alerts helped them learn about safety on campus and was the best way to reach them.
Texting With Purpose
A caveat to using mass text software for non-emergencies is that the organization must be mindful of message overload. As with email, texts that come too often with irrelevant information will likely desensitize audiences who may later overlook the more critical emergency notifications. Each organization will have to find the right balance between channels and messaging in order to achieve the desired effect.
In the case of VCU, the system is primarily used for communicating information and alerts, such as campus crime. For the first six months of 2016, the school-issued six text alerts for cases of shots fired, robberies, and a car fire. During that same period, only once did they feel it necessary to issue an “all-system alert” that included the sirens, text messages, and wall-mounted alert beacons in classrooms, dormitories, and other campus locations.
“Solutions that are used appropriately can increase the community’s knowledge about safety and security issues happening on campus, which enables students, faculty, clinicians, visitors, and staff to take responsibility for their own protection.
“Additionally, mass notification systems can reduce the number of calls from parents, friends, and other family members when an emergency occurs because the campus is proactively communicating with them. They can also address the rumors being disseminated by the media and social networks that may not be accurate.”