This is a highly satisfying recital by the Claremont Duo, as the two performers have styled themselves. The American cellist Maxine Neuman plays with beautiful tone and sensitive phrasing while the German guitarist Peter Ernst compliments her with scintillating performances on his classical guitar. Furthermore, the program is an ingenious combination of mostly rare music that is nonetheless in familiar and mostly engaging styles.
The works...offer two works from the 18th century, and four from the 20th. Three of the modern works are highly accessible. Radames Gnattali (1906-1987) and Jaime Zenamon (b. 1953) represent Brazil and demonstrate distinct personal styles, while also reminding one of Heitor Villa-Lobos in their convincing blend of traditional European melodies and harmonies with excitingly complex Brazilian rhythms-- and, one should add, a penchant for writing beautiful music for cello. Jacques Ibert's selections, piano pieces adroitly arranged, are delectable morsels, as always. The now familiar Antonio Vivaldi and the still obscure Johann Paul Schiffelholtz (ca. 1680-1757) offer Baroque-Classical elegance, leaving only Carlo Domeniconi (b. 1947) to challenge our ears with music that is not always firmly rooted in a familiar key. It is, however, sufficiently lean and spare that the ear, while unsure what is going to happen next, will have no difficulty in following it.
Interestingly, the pieces by Gnattali, Domeniconi, and Zenamon were written precisely and quite effectively for cello and guitar. Vivaldi's sonata, on the other hand, was originally for cello and keyboard, with the latter distinctly in a subordinate role. Schiffelholtz, on the other hand, wrote his Duet for cello and a Persian plucked instrument called the colascione, and mostly gave it the leading voices while weaving an elegant obligatto with the cello.
Interesting, even fascinating repertoire, plus excellent performances, plus ideal sonic reproduction, and an interesting, eye-friendly booklet: Artek has winner here.
LibraryPreviews.com CLASSICAL NEWSLETTER ... Alan Campbell
An enchanting, astonishing and unusual combination: the rich warmth of the cello
and the delicate timbre of the guitar are perfectly attuned to each other in the
hands of Maxine Neuman and Peter Ernst. This recording demonstrates beyond a
doubt what surprising, exquisite rapport these seemingly incompatible
instruments can achieve.
The order chosen for these recorded works was not guided by chronological or stylistic principles, but rather by the theatrical perspective of showcasing the range and beauty of this superlative partnership.
The selections include compositions originally written for this instrumentation (by Zenamon, Domeniconi and Gnattali), pieces written for instruments similar to the present combination (Schiffelholtz) or which - since not specified by the composer - one can imagine being realized by this combination (Vivaldi); the program is finally complemented by a transcription of a work originally composed for piano (Ibert).
Radames Gnattali belongs to the third generation of the Brazilian school. The guitar occupies a prominent position in his extensive Œuvre. In addition to solo compositions and six concerti with orchestra, Gnattali produced numerous pieces for chamber ensembles.
Peter Ernst (guitar) and Maxine Neuman (cello) make up together the Claremont
Duo, an inspired and unusual cobination that blends the rich warmth of the cello
with the delicate timbre of the classical guitar. On this enchanting recording
the unusual repertoire features works by Radames Gnattali (Sonata), Antonio
Vivaldi (Sonata No. 5), Jacques Ibert (excerpts from Histoires), (Funf Stucke),
Johann Paul Schifferlholtz (Duetto III) and Jaime Zenamon (Reflexoes No. 6). The
performers are perfectly attuned to each other, their instruments achieve a
surprising, exquisite rapport.


text:
This is going to be a different type of post, and it may bore the daylights out of many of you. This won`t be about politics, or current events, nor will it be about science or philosophy. I`m going to talk about lost places; islands in the Atlantic Ocean which have been largely forgotten.
I had a bad week. I was ready to jump on a plane by Wednesday, and ready to jump on a rusty cargo ship by Friday. By the end of the business day on Friday I was in full fantasy-mode. I visualized myself buying a one-way ticket to Port Stanley, or to Eddington-On-The-Seven-Seas, or even to Grtvyken, where I would pass the rest of my days in blissful isolation. Peace! No problems, no headaches, no worries! I could eat penguins and seals, lamb or fish, live in a little cottage and let the world go to Helena (but please stay away from St. Helena!)
Most people dream of tropical volcanic islands in the Pacific, or perhaps even something in the Caribbean; I`ve always feared that these would quickly grow too crowded. I can just see myself settling peacefully on some atoll, only to have the Walmart Corporation descend upon me with a South-Sea distribution center, or Disney opening a South Sea theme park (to show what the ``real`` island life is like-complete with robot islanders and artificial beaches), or have the Environmental Protection Agency kick me off so they can establish a wildlife sanctuary. I want to go someplace where I can be left ALONE! I don`t really like nice weather, either, and would enjoy a cold, stormy wilderness. Fortunately for me, there are many tiny places in the Atlantic which will serve my purposes quite well!
Most people aren`t even aware that there are islands in the Atlantic outside of the European and Caribbean archipelagoes. Most of the islands which would suit our purposes lie in the South, and many have isolated communities which have very little contact with the outside world (or didn`t used to until the internet and other modern tools came along). I`m not interested in the settled places like the Azores, or Canaries, or Cape Verde islands; I`m interested in those places forgotten by time and Man, those Lilliputian rocks in the middle of nowhere. Most of them are relics of the once mighty British Empire, now forgotten. Let`s look at a few:ST. HELENA
St. Helena doesn`t really serve my purposes, since it is grossly overpopulated (any place with over a thousand people is elbow to elbow, as far as I`m concerned) and tropical to boot. St. Helena`s claim to fame is that it served as the ``Empire`` of Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon was exiled to this ignominious spec of land after his defeat at the hands of Wellington at Waterloo. The British, fearing to execute a king-even a pretender king-and realizing that his first exile on Elba was a mistake, since he was too close to the center of power, shipped his sorry carcass way out into the middle of the Atlantic. His dominion was unhappy, as the British Governor hated him and made his life miserable. Napoleon died in 1821 (about 6 years after coming to this place), and it has often been speculated that he was poisoned.
At any rate, St. Helena was your classic tropical plantation type island, with former slaves imported from Africa to work the fields. You may as well stay in the West Indies (unless you are a Napoleon buff.) ASCENSION ISLAND
This is, essentially, a rock in the Atlantic. Discovered in 1501, it served no Earthly purpose until the British exiled Napoleon. They occupied it to prevent the rescue of the Little General, actually impressing the poor place into the British Navy as HMS Ascension Island! (The British sometimes classed islands as ships.)
Ascension Island is practically uninhabitable, but does have a small, temporary settlement and air strip. It boasts the longest staircase in the world called ``Jacob`s Ladder``. Not my first choice.TRISTAN DA CUNHA
This is one of my favorite lost places! This tiny archipelago has one island worth settling (named Tristan Da Cunha) along with several fairly useless sisters (Nightingale, Inaccessible, Gough) It has no harbors, and one scraggly variety of tree which does not even make good firewood. Tristan is the most remote inhabited place on Earth, lying close to 1300 miles from Capetown, South Africa.
When the British exiled Napoleon, they established a base on Tristan to prevent the French from using the island for a rescue mission. After the death of Napoleon they decomissioned the base, and shipped everybody home-well, almost everybody. A young Lieutenant named John Glass had fallen in love, and married a most socially unacceptable girl. His bride was a ``colored``, one of the mixed race people who lived around Capetown. He couldn`t bring his new wife home, so he asked for permission to stay on the island as a representative of Great Britain. Over time, a number of sailors were shipwrecked and rescued by the Glasses. (Mrs. Glass bore 20 children, by the way!) These men, Italian, American, British, decided to stay in this little lost paradise, but desperately wanted women of their own. A passing sea captain promised to do what he could for them, and he returned with ``colored`` prostitutes who had agreed to come and be their wives. They formed the basis of a tiny outpost of the British Empire, and rarely had contact with the Mother Country.
Lord Eddington once visited their island, and so they named their tiny settlement Eddington-On-The-Seven-Seas. There are about 300 of them living on this island today! Their chief source of income is the sale of the Tristan Da Cunha postage stamp.The Falkland Islands
These dreary little islands have an area about the size of the state of Connecticut, but have a population of 2500 (this includes the British garrison left to prevent the Argentinians from invading.) There is one town-Port Stanley-which is said to be more British than modern Britain. Stanley is a place lost in time; whitewashed houses, a bank, a couple of old-fashioned pubs, a grand old English hotel, and the Governor`s Mansion pretty much round the place out. Most of the population of the Falklands live in Port Stanley.
There are a few settlements on the rest of East Falkland; Goose Green, Port San Carlos, Darwin, Douglas Settlement, etc. Most of these settlements contain one or two families, and are basically just a house and a barn or two. East Falkland is attached by a neck (where Goose Green is located) to the swampy, wind swept wilderness called Lafonia. West Falkland (divided from the East island by the Falkland Sound) is virtually uninhabited. There are numerous smaller islands surrounding the main ones.
The Falkland Islands lie in the ``Roaring Forties``, a fierce South Atlantic wind pattern which blows east from the tip of South America. The wind is so severe that there are no flying insects, and trees are unable to grow. The island is a great prairie/swampland with few trees or shrubs, great patches of tussock grass, and sheepherding is the principle industry (Falkland Island wool sweaters are famous). The people who live outside of Stanley (in what they call ``the Camp``) are extremely isolated.
The last war of the 19th Century was fought here, not in the 1800`s but in 1981; Argentina seized the islands and, in a final gasp of glory, the British sent a decrepit armada across the Atlantic to fight. This was old-fashioned warfare, fought ``for Queen and Country`` by Ship and Marine soldier. It was a throwback to a by-gone era.
The Argentinians have always claimed these islands, based on their originally being part of the Spanish dominion which became Argentina. Spain was the first to plant a settlement here, establishing a colony at Port Soledad. The British, coveting these islands as a resupply station for ships rounding the Horn, attacked and destroyed Port Soledad, driving the Spaniards out and establishing their own colony. They pushed a group of pensioned soldiers to come and settle.
The problem is that Britain has never had many willing settlers. The Falklands never get very warm, with hot summer days being in the high 60`s/low 70`s. Granted, it never gets far below freezing in the winter, still it is not a farmer`s paradise. The Falklands are one of the rainiest places on Earth, with 260 some odd days of rain a year. Couple that with the incessant wind, and you have something out of a Gothic or sword-and-sorcery novel, but not a place many people want to settle. The only source of fuel for the settlers was peat (which they have to dig out of bogs) and building material is scarce. The Falkland Island development Corporation controls most of the land on the Islands, and there are few independent farm holdings. This quasi-socialist setup has kept these islands from being developed, although the FIDC has been selling out to small farmers lately. There is a solid fishing industry.
The Falklands have often been described as a Scottish bog, with Scotsmen. It`s a dark, dour place
Perfect! Just be careful not to trip over any land mines from the war.South Georgia
This rugged, alpine jewell of the sub-Antarctic was once home to Norwegian whalers who came to hunt the great beasts for their oil. The Norwegians established a couple of stations on the island-the principles being Grtvyken and Stromness. At the heighth of whaling season Grtvyken`s population would soar to 800. The demise of the whaling industry put an end to the South Georgia colony, and the island is inhabited only by British soldiers who occupy it against Argentinian invasion.
There had been attempts to colonize the Island for other purposes, but these all failed. Sheep died too easily, farming wasn`t very productive, etc. Herds of reindeer roam the island today-the results of a failed experiment in reindeer farming. Feral dogs and Cats are also there. Otherwise, the island is the dominion of penguins, seals, and the other creatures who have wandered it`s jagged shores for millennia.
You see, South Georgia is far too difficult to reach to make it worth settling, and is south of the Antarctic Convergence so it is enclosed by pack ice during the winter. Although it is completely habitable, it is just too difficult to settle profitably. There are no trees (although there is plenty of tussock grass) and it never warms much beyond 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
South Georgia has one claim to fame; it is the final resting place of Lord Shackleton.
Shackleton`s expedition was one of the most fabled, epic failures in history. Shackleton (who was not a professional explorer, but a wealthy thrill-seeker) led an expedition to Antarctica in 1915, but his ship (the Endurance) became trapped in pack ice on the Weddell Sea. The pack ice was grinding the ship to splinters, and Shackleton realized he had to get his men to dry land, or they would drown when the ice broke. He and his men dragged their lifeboats across 250 miles of pack ice to Elephant Island, a tiny mound off the Antarctic coast.
Elephant Island is, essentially, a rock, and the crew of the Endurance had only the supplies which they could bring with them. They built a shelter out of most of the lifeboats and old barrels, and hunkered down to await rescue.
When the ice broke, it became obvious to Shackleton that he was going to have to go for help. This was a daunting challenge; Port Stanley was the nearest inhabited place, and it was 540 miles away, against the winds, across the roughest seas on Earth. It wasn`t possible. Shackleton decided to try for South Georgia; the winds would be with him, and Stromness was a permanent settlement which lay on the eastern side of the Island. Of course, this added 260 miles to his journey...
These are truly the roughest waters on the Planet; swells can reach to 90 feet or higher! Shackelton set out with some of his men in the James Caird, a fishing dingy/lifeboat, to cross 800 miles during the stormy season!
The James Caird was buffeted continually by storms, and was on the point of sinking the entire trip. Shackleton`s men spent their time bailing water, and praying they wouldn`t founder. The tiny boat was alternately blasted by wind and spray on the wave crests, or was down in the ``canyons`` of the trough, imperiled by the next crest. It was a scene from a nightmare.
Finally, out of water for several days, the tiny craft reached the reef of South Georgia. They made landfall and found a cave for shelter from the raging storm which had been buffeting them, and a clean brook to drink from. The men were totally exhausted. The next morning Shackleton set out with just two of his crew for Stromness. There was a problem; They had made landfall on the on the wrong side of the Island, and would have to cross the unexplored hinterland of South Georgia to reach the whaling station. South Georgia has 3000 foot peaks of jagged rock and ice which Shackleton would have to cross! They climbed these peaks, often having to find their way across massive crevasses to make any headway. But Shackleton was fearless and strong, and he drove them ruthlessly to Stromness. All of his men were saved!
Shackleton requested that he be buried on South Georgia, and there is a monument to his expedition (and his remains) there today.
South Georgia would be a great place to spend my days; no crowds, no voices, no aggravations. Ahhhhh!Bouvet Island
The most isolated spot on Earth, Bouvet Island lies almost 3000 miles from the nearest inhabited place. Completely uninhabited, Bouvet Island was referred to as ``the child of the mist`` because people kept finding it, then losing it. Administered by Norway, nobody ever visits, and nobody would dream of staying.
Now THAT`S my kind of place!
I had toyed with including the island of Madeira, since it is a place I wouldn`t mind visiting; Madeira was discovered by Vasco Da Gama, who ordered the entire island burned, for some strange reason. Settlers found that the ash, mixed with the volcanic soil, produced a tremendous, unique wine. Fortification (adding Cane Spirits, first cousin to Rum), heat and a sea voyage performed magic on Madeira wine. Madeira is the longest-lived wine on Earth, and was a favorite of the Founding Fathers. New sources of wine and changes in the mode of transportation led Madeira into a permanent decline, and it`s more of a novelty now.
There are far too many people on Madeira for it to be considered a serious permanent escape, but I would like to sample the wines on the island itself someday!
Anyway, I hope my little tour of the forgotten isles of the Atlantic was enjoyable to you, or at least not too painful. Whenever life becomes too complicated I can take comfort in the fact that these places are real and still exist, that there really are places a man can flee to for solitude and peace. Unfortunately, civilization is encroaching on these forgotten nooks and crannies (the Falklands are becoming a tourist destination for environmental wackos) and the days of isolation may soon be over. This makes me sad.
Just knowing there are still such places helps.

domain: geography


text:
As COVID cases continue to spike this fall, nurses describe the difficulty of connecting patients to their families during COVID. Nurse Rhoda Morrison says her patients, their families and even hospital staff face an emotional struggle.
“That’s not a pleasant thing as a nurse to know now that when they die, it’s just going to be you and me in the room. That’s hard,” Morrison said.
Three years ago, Morrison, a mother of five, graduated from nursing school. She worked as a certified nursing assistant before having kids and finally achieved her goal of becoming a nurse. As a mom and a nurse, Morrison was trained to expect anything, but COVID presents many challenges for hospitals around the world that no one imagined.
“We’re getting into the season where every year, no matter COVID or no COVID, the hospital is full all the time,” Morrison said.
But because of the risk of infection, hospitals restrict visitors. These restrictions cause problems for nursing staff.
“It’s so hard as a nursing staff. We’re just there taking care of these people day after day after day, and we’re trying to communicate with these families and give them a picture of what’s happening, but they’re not there. They’re not there to see them,” Morrison said.
There may be a disconnect between families and patients, but nurses work tirelessly to use technology to bridge the gap made by COVID. Nurses use resources like Facetime and Google Duo to help connect families to their loved ones, even in those final hours.
“I do the best that I can, and there are tools in my tool belt to help with the end of making them comfortable and talking to the family and knowing what the patient wants. I know that at the beginning of my shift — what they want,” Morrison said. “And it’s so nice when you get to really connect with these families and get to know them and find out what makes them tick; it makes it worth it. We miss that connection; COVID has taken that piece away.”

domain: medical


text:
Very useful path, linking a layby on the A149 just west of here with the footpath by Stiffkey Fen and then the coast path beyond that.
Uploaded to Geograph by Hugh Venables on 15 October 2010
Photo © Hugh Venables, 15 October 2010.
Licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons licence
BritishPlaceNames.uk is a Good Stuff website.


text:
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Cheer on your favorite team with our variety of sports themed Offray ribbon. Choose from traditional sports icons and holographic designs!
Hot Stamped Go Team Print RibbonWhite/Black
Hot Stamped Stars Print RibbonWhite/Royal
Sport Icon Pattern RibbonSoccer
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Tri-Stripe Grosgrain RibbonRoyal

domain: design


text:
Chris had been a dutiful worker on a toy factory for three years. He punched his clock, did his work, and went home alone. Forced to work in silence, his thoughts grew toward curiosity of his blossoming sexuality and the realization that he found men attractive, not women. Videos helped him find his submissive side, but in a small rural town, he couldn't do anything besides watch videos and dream.
Until one day when a chance meeting with the boss' retiring secretary sent him up to the third floor and a private meeting with the man who ruled the company with a firm hand. And when he was finally offered a new job, as the boss' new secretary, he found that the duties involved a lot more than just filling out paperwork. He would be doing most of it bent over a desk or kneeling under it while servicing the man dedicated to saving the factory from closing.
"Under the Desk" is a 11,000 word story of gay submission set in the office of a small town factory. It contains graphic scenes of consensual submission between two men.
|File size:||125 KB|
|Age Range:||18 Years|
About the Author
D. Dancer is a closeted submissive living in a little farm town in the middle of Iowa. Even though he pretends to be straight, he has a secret longing to be dominated by someone with a large cock and a firm hand. And the stories he writes up are the little fantasies that have kept him warm for years.

domain: library


text:
Clemson Football shared their pre-game motivational hype video for the National Championship game on youtube and their social media platforms on Monday.
It is voiced by Brian Dawkins and titled “Who will you be?”
The video is sure to energize fans of the Clemson Tigers across the country.
The video included footage from Clemson’s 1981 Title winning game against Nebraska in the Orange Bowl.
Watch the full hype video below:

domain: news


text:
RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - The unemployment line just got longer. Verizon Communication Inc. is slashing another 13,000 jobs this year and it's hitting home for many workers in the Richmond Metro area.
Eleven local Verizon workers will lose their jobs, Friday, and more than a hundred technicians with will either have to transfer quickly to another state or be left behind collecting unemployment.
For many of these guys, life just got a lot tougher.
"I've got a house, my first time buying a house," said Ricky Andres whose worked for Verizon five years. "We just bought a car last summer, I've got a two year old at home, almost two and a wife, and that's a huge burden right there."
The Virginia Employment Commission is staying busy making house calls. Work Force manager, William Walton met with a group of soon to be unemployed Verizon technicians.
"We do this because there is a need," said Walton. "Certainly people are coming to our local office sites and they're very much busy these days so when we can we try to come out to the community to address groups all at one time."
VEC just opened up a re-employment office last month for those collecting unemployment benefits. It's on the corner of West Marshall and Summit. There you'll find computers with internet, fax machines, and copiers.

domain: sociology


text:
Reuters reports that Sharp Corporation is not planning to spin off its LCD business as part of the company's bailout/restructuring plan, which will likely include layoffs and "a possible exit from North American TV manufacturing."
Loss-making Japanese electronics firm Sharp Corp said it's not considering spinning off its liquid crystal display business as part of a bailout plan under discussion with lenders seeking restructuring moves in return for extending support.
"This is not something we announced, nor is it something we are considering," Sharp said in a statement on Friday. The firm issued the statement after the Sankei daily newspaper earlier reported the company plans to spin off the LCD unit.
Sankei's report followed other media coverage on expected changes at Sharp, including a possible exit from North American TV manufacturing, in return for a bailout by banks. Sharp will likely cut 12 percent of its workforce in a global restructuring expected to cost more than $1.7 billion, a person familiar with the plan told Reuters on Thursday.
To read the complete Reuters story, click here.

domain: economics


Can you guess what this picture shows? Here’s a hint: the objects in the picture have been magnified, and one of them is moving rapidly. The objects are guitar strings, and the moving string is the one on the bottom right. The string is moving because it has just been plucked. Plucking the string gave it energy, which is moving through the string in a mechanical wave. A mechanical wave is a wave that travels through matter. The matter a mechanical wave travels through is called the medium. The type of mechanical wave passing through the vibrating guitar string is a transverse wave.
What Is a Transverse Wave?
A transverse wave is a wave in which particles of the medium vibrate at right angles, or perpendicular, to the direction that the wave travels. Another example of a transverse wave is the wave that passes through a rope with you shake one end of the rope up and down, as in the Figure below. The direction of the wave is down the length of the rope away from the hand. The rope itself moves up and down as the wave passes through it.
Q: When a guitar string is plucked, in what direction does the wave travel? In what directions does the string vibrate?
A: The wave travels down the string to the end. The string vibrates up and down at right angles to the direction of the wave.
Crests and Troughs
A transverse wave is characterized by the high and low points reached by particles of the medium as the wave passes through. The high points are called crests, and the low points are called troughs. You can see both in the Figure below.
Transverse waves called S waves occur during earthquakes. The disturbance that causes an earthquake sends transverse waves through underground rocks in all directions away from the disturbance. S waves may travel for hundreds of miles. An S wave is modeled in the Figure below.
- A transverse wave is a wave in which particles of the medium vibrate perpendicular to the direction that the wave travels.
- The high points of a transverse wave are called crests, and the low points are called troughs.
- S waves are transverse waves that travel through underground rocks during earthquakes.
- What is a transverse wave?
- Sketch a transverse wave and label the crests and troughs.
- Infer how S waves might affect structures such as buildings.


text:
The oceans in the Southern Hemisphere
play a crucial role in the climate system, absorbing more heat and carbon dioxide than any other region in the world," Dr Marshall said.
lt;BThe All Blacks celebrate southern hemisphere
dominance at the World Cup back in the autumn
There's no doubt if you look at the results over the years the strength has been in the southern hemisphere
, but you have to look at the preparation the southern hemisphere
teams have," he said.
She was also Holy Roman Emperor's first southern hemisphere
winner last season.
That's one difference, we often say, between the Northern and Southern hemispheres
The number eight said: "This time the northern hemisphere teams might have a little bit of an advantage over the southern hemisphere
teams in terms of the scheduling because we've had a break.
The fact they don't - with only England beating Australia and Scotland beating South Africa - two wins out of 10 games proves that the southern hemisphere
still has the strength in depth.
Mining Limited (TSX V:SH), a Canada-based exploration company, has announced results from a reverse circulation drilling programme and metallurgical testing of samples conducted at the Los Pumas Manganese project in northern Chile.
The influenza season in temperate climates extends from October through March in the northern hemisphere and from April through September in the southern hemisphere
The closing of the ozone hole, which is projected to occur sometime in the second half of the 21st century, significantly may affect climate change in the Southern Hemisphere
and, there fore, the global climate, according to a study by researchers at Columbia University, New York.
The paper's authors, CSIRO's Dr Wenju Cai and Tim Cowan, explain that airborne pollution particles, known as aerosols, cool the Northern Hemisphere's ocean surface, which causes an increase in the transport of heat from the Southern Hemisphere
oceans to the Northern Hemisphere oceans via the south Atlantic.
IRELAND coach Eddie O'Sullivan believes the timing of the World Cup gives the southern hemisphere
nations an advantage.
In the Red Planet's southern hemisphere
, orbital images show an average of about 0.
They leave the Southern Hemisphere
in the fall, stay in our hemisphere in the spring, and leave in the fall.
First, the Christian faith implanted in the southern hemisphere
is not only surviving but is thriving.


text:
Tourbillon Solo (46'19") by Gregory Taylor & Darwin Grosse will surely be noted as having been influenced by Gamelon music. However, the true relationship their work has to that of Bali and Java is in how it deals with the idea of time. More than just breaking up large swaths of chronology into well-ordered, evenly spaced rhythmic intervals, Tourbillon Solo has the listener experiencing the passage of time in a different, non-western way. The vast designs of Tayor & Grosse conjure a hidden world of both spirits and cyberspace. The ideal listener, one who is wishing to be entertained, yet is not averse to being enlightened, will appreciate Tourbillon Solo's highly cerebral time signatures and intelligently arranged configurations. Primarily using sounds and tones reminiscent of mallet instruments, rhythm and melody overlap in broken chords. Notes are played in succession, in alternating cycles, rapidly then slowly, lightly then firmly, in the hammering and tapping of exotically tuned metal and wooden tines. Melodies move in conjunct and disjunct motion, from an intimate and exact hallucinatory stillness to untamed multiple strands of urban trance. In these more energetic states Taylor & Grosse bring forth a realm where the air seems completely electric and activated in grinding, braided rhythms. Where are these urges coming from? This album may be a test of range, which this duo ably passes - but can we? Does our attention remain with the formal, the metallic pulsing and beds of digital atmosphere, or better we use these seven stirring compositions to project to a place outside of the successive moments of the day-to-day?
- Chuck van Zyl/STAR'S END 22 January 2015

domain: artistic


G37s vs. G37xby Rob Wagner
The Infiniti G37s is a top luxury model coupe, convertible or sedan produced by Nissan Motors while the G37x coupe and sedan are the all-wheel drive versions. The defining feature of the G37x is the electronic torque system called the ATTESA E-TS that provides a better grip on the road. However, the G37x is heavier than the G37s and considered less of a performance car than the G37s.
The Infiniti G37 replaced the G37 in 2009 with few interior and exterior changes, but a larger and more powerful engine with a 328-horsepower 3.7-liter V-6. A 298-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 powered the G35. G37 trim levels were the base, Journey and X models. A seven-speed automatic transmission was standard on the new G37 models, but a six-speed manual was available if customers ordered the Sport 6MT version – hence the “s” in G37s. Options featured the Premium Package, Sport Packages, Nav Package and Tech Package.
The G37s is a rear-wheel drive sports car compared to the all-wheel drive G37x. Buyers can order the Sport 6MT package on the Journey model. The 2012 models feature a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission that includes a short-throw shifter. It sits on 19-by-8.5-inch front wheels and 19-by-9-inch rear wheels, which are V-spoke aluminum-alloy. The chassis includes sport brakes and sport-tuned suspension with stiffer springs and double-piston shocks. The nose has a sport front fascia and the roof is a power-tinted glass moonroof. Infiniti’s navigation system with seven-inch touch-screen display with 3D graphics comes with the package, along with a Bose 11-speaker audio system. At the rear is a sonar system to avoid collisions while backing the car.
The G37x comes equipped with an ATTESA E-TS Intelligent All-Wheel Drive with electronic torque system matched with a seven-speed automatic transmission. The system features two extra gears to allow the engine to rev at low speeds and monitors wheelspin, vehicle speed and throttle position. This helps divert as much as 50 percent of the vehicle’s power to the front wheels to enhance traction to create more responsiveness to the driver’s touch. The all-wheel drive system also helps the G37x reach zero to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds. Like the G37s, the G37x carries the standard equipment available on the G37 Journey. Equipment includes heated front seats, dual-power exterior mirrors, dual-zone air conditioning, rearview monitor, and USB connection for iPod and Bluetooth connectivity.
The 3.7-liter V-6 engine powers the G37s and G37x models. For 2012 models, Infiniti tweaked the output rating to 330 horsepower and 270 foot-pounds of torque. Both models match fuel efficiency, earning 18 mph in city driving and 26 on the highway. The primary difference between the G37s and the G37x is that G37x is a capable winter sports car with its “snow mode” feature with the all-wheel drive system. Yet the G37x is also 150 pounds heavier than the 4,099-pound G37s, making the all-wheel drive model less agile and light to the touch on the steering wheel on tight curves than the G37s. The G37s performs marginally better than the G37x in straight-line speed contests by reaching zero to 60 in 5 seconds. For 2012 models, the G37s costs $43,800 and the G37x costs $40,700.
Rob Wagner is a journalist with over 35 years experience reporting and editing for newspapers and magazines. His experience ranges from legal affairs reporting to covering the Middle East. He served stints as a newspaper and magazine editor in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Wagner attended California State University, Los Angeles, and has a degree in journalism.


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Happy Valentine’s Day!! We hope you are enjoying (or planning) your trip in the Smokies! The weather is not cooperating the way we would like, but we hope you are enjoying the snow!
While in town for Valentine’s day, treat your someone special to some locally made gifts without breaking the bank. The Arts and Crafts community has over 60 stores with crafts, candles, jewelry and paintings. One of my favorite stores is “Good Natured Gifts” which is located in the Smoky Mtn Arts and Crafts Village on Glades Rd. Owner/Artist Lynn Rogers does beautiful silk paintings and everything in betweeen.
LynnRogers@Charter.net Another fave is the soy candle shops, they have a great smell and you can use the melted wax as moisturizer! “Deb’s Soy Candles” offers soy candles, handmade baskets and wood crafts. There are lots of scents to choose from and all at great prices! Deb’s is located at the Glades Center suite 7. Located in the arts and crafts community, Elk Springs Resort Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals is just minutes from this shop.
And last but not least-We all love jewelry! Check out “Wrapped Elegance” in the Glades Center. Becky, the owner/artist makes one of a kind jewelry using a variety of natural stones, glass beads and silver and gold wire, the jewelry is great and inexpensive! A must see while shopping in Gatlinburg!
We hope everyone enjoys their vacation and uses caution while driving in the snowy weather!!


2009 Lotus Europa SE, Power and Prestige - (Australia)
2009 Diamond Anniversary Lotus Europa Special Edition - (UK)
2008 Lotus Europa Range - (Europe)
Lotus Heritage And Engineering Philosophy Is Deeply Etched In Europa S
Safety Systems Offer Peace Of Mind For Europa S Drivers And Passengers
Highly Efficient Turbocharged Engine The Key To Lotus Europa S
The project and testing programme
The Lotus Europa S went from concept to production in just 28 months. This rapid
development was down to the capabilities of the Lotus Engineering and Lotus Manufacturing divisions. Extensive testing was conducted around the world in hot and cold climates, high humidity, city and urban environments as well as on the freeways and autobahns around Europe. Also used was the demanding 4 km (2.25 mile) Lotus test track and the roads around the Hethel headquarters - regarded by many as some of the world's most demanding with an almost unique variety of surfaces and conditions.
However, engineering a vehicle is only one of the challenges to developing a successful
product. The Europa S was developed for manufacture by the team responsible for what is regarded by many as the finest niche vehicle and low volume manufacturing facility in the world. This manufacturing facility, based at the Lotus Headquarters in Hethel, England currently produces 4000 to 4500 cars per year (with the Elise and the Exige). Volume for the Europa S is expected to be in the order of 500 cars per year across all markets but this figure is flexible and volumes can be rapidly altered to meet demand when required.
Lotus Cars Australia anticipates a limited supply in Australia of 40 units a year.
Lotus Manufacturing and Supply Chain
Lotus uses a worldwide network of high quality suppliers who not only have excellent products, but are also willing to work with Lotus to produce components specifically designed and developed to meet the exacting requirements of a Lotus vehicle. With the Europa S programme, special attention has been paid to broadening this supplier network in South East Asia, resulting in the body panels for example, being produced in Malaysia through a new partnership between Lotus and a leading local aerospace manufacturer. Such activity has been strongly supported by Proton, the parent company to Lotus, who continue to provide assistance in this region.
Lotus remains committed to using environmentally friendly high solids water based paints, and each car is carefully inspected to ensure an "A1" class finish.
Each car goes through a number of quality checking stages before being delivered to the
customer - these quality standards are world class - Lotus was the first vehicle manufacturer and engineering consultancy in the world to be awarded the prestigious QS9000 which is linked to ISO9001/2000. It is this attention to detail that lead to Lotus to be awarded the prestigious 'World Class Manufacturer of the Year' award in 2005.
Each Europa S will take about 3 1/2 days and 130 man-hours to build.
Tony Shute, Head of Product for Lotus Cars explains the concept behind the new product: "The Europa S has allowed the Company to produce a real Lotus sports car with touring capabilities which successfully complements the range of existing cars. The
concept underpinning the Europa S provides the driver with a refined
environment, incorporating innovative styling features which do not compromise the superior performance and handling that is synonymous with the Lotus marque."
The market and customer requirements for the Europa S were different to the current
range of Lotus cars, the Elise and the Exige. Therefore the challenge for the Lotus engineers was to design a car that could be constructed around the extruded and bonded Aluminium chassis - similar to that used in the Elise and Exige - but which also incorporated significantly enhanced levels of practicality, refinement for the occupants and increased cruising capability.
The chassis for the Lotus Europa S weighs just 68 kg while maintaining high levels of stiffness and strength. To make access to the cockpit easier for driver and passenger, the sills, when compared to the Elise and Exige have been lowered by 40 mm (1.6 inches) and reinforced to maintain chassis stiffness. Again, when compared to the Elise and the Exige, the door glass is 50 mm (2 inches) higher giving a total door opening access for the driver and passenger of an additional 90 mm (3 ½ inches).
The engine is mounted to a lightweight and strong, galvanised steel subframe. The lightweight steel wishbones are also mounted to this steel assembly.
The Lotus vehicle dynamics team were set a tough challenge to produce a ride and handling package for the Lotus Europa S that combines compliance and comfort with the legendary Lotus agility, responsiveness and handling.
Elegant and lightweight 17" diameter wheels front and rear are shod with bespoke Bridgestone Potenza tyres (175/55 R17 on the front and 225/45 R17 on the rear).
The light weight of the Lotus Europa S contributes to the high performance braking capability through Lotus/AP-Racing twin-piston fixed aluminium alloy brake calipers at the front and Brembo single-piston sliding calipers at the rear. The 282 mm diameter ventilated discs are linked to a servo-assisted, 4-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).
First and foremost, the Europa S is a car that is the Lotus take on a more refined interior compared to the Elise & Exige. The driving position is the same as in the Elise and Exige, a small ergonomically shaped steering wheel is located to hand and the lightweight steel and extruded aluminium pedals are positioned to make heel and toe changes easy.
ProBax seats help to significantly improve the postural position of the driver and passenger by maintaining the natural curvature of the spine, so improving comfort and improving the body's blood flow.
The interior of the Europa S is a luxurious environment for a Lotus. A leather interior (black or black with tan) comes as standard. This leather interior extends not just to the seats, and steering wheel but also the centre console and door inserts (perforated leather). Carpet lines the floor area and part of the chassis' sides - in fact the only area where carpet or leather is untrimmed is on the footplate just forward of the seats.
Other standard interior equipment includes driver and passenger airbags and air conditioning. Furthermore, as the Europa S is so highly equipped there are no additional cost options, other than premium paint or custom colours.
The key aspect to enjoyable driving is safety. The chassis is very strong and stiff, creating a safety cell around which are clad lightweight energy absorbing composite crash structures and body panels. The front crash structure is made from an advance lightweight composite material which is 3 to 4 times more energy absorbing than the equivalent structure in steel.
Coupled with the driver's and passenger's airbags, the Europa S has tried and tested active and passive safety systems.
The light weight of the Europa S is significant in reducing occupant injury. By being so light, there is less energy to dissipate in the event of a crash, when compared to a much heavier sportscar.
But of course the best way to remain unhurt in an accident is to avoid the accident in the first place. Like all Lotus cars, the Europa S has high levels of grip, predictable, responsive handling, incredible ABS-assisted braking performance and almost peerless feedback to the driver about how the car is behaving in a variety of driving conditions.
Russell Carr, Chief of Design for Lotus led the design team in producing an elegant, beautiful and sophisticated Lotus sports car.
It was important that the essence of current and classic Lotus products be captured in the design of the Europa S. Describing the Europa S, Russell Carr, Chief of Design for Lotus says:
"The form of a design should reflect the spirit of the car, and the Europa S is no different. Where the rebellious trackfocused personality of the Exige is characterised by shrink-wrapped athletic forms communicating agility and power, the Europa S has a more fluid, understated language reflecting its more sophisticated persona."
Carr continues: "The Europa from the late 1960s and early 1970s was a great design in its own right - elegant, purposeful and effective. However, we did not set out to bring the classic Europa design up to date, but instead started with a clean sheet to produce a characterful car worthy of being called a Lotus."
Engine and powertrain
The new mid-engine coupe will deliver high levels of performance from a high torque (272 Nm or 200 lbft at 5000 rpm) Ecotec Z20LER 2.0-litre (1998 cc) turbocharged engine producing 147 kW (197 hp or 200 PS) at 5400rpm. A bespoke engine management system completes the engine unit.
The Lotus Europa S achieves around 90% of its maximum torque at only 2000 rpm to give class-leading levels of acceleration from low engine speeds, propelling the car from 0 - 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.8 seconds, and 160 km/h (100 mph) in 13.8 seconds.
Maximum speed is 230 km/h (143 mph). Being a Lotus, the Europa S has a competitive power to weight ratio of 198 hp / tonne (205 PS / tonne, 148 kW / tonne).
An aluminium 6-Speed gearbox joins the engine to an open differential.
The first Lotus Europa was first introduced in 1966 and by the time it finished production in 1975, a total of 9887 examples had been built. These Europas used a Renault engine in the early versions and the later models (the Europa Special) used the Lotus Twin Cam engine producing up to 126 hp. The Lotus Europa was regarded as one of the finest handling sportscars of its time and was Lotus' first mid-engine road car.
The Lotus Europa S is a key vehicle in the Lotus product portfolio. Enthusiastic and keen
drivers for whom performance and track day competitiveness are the most important criteria are likely to venture down the Exige route, where as those drivers who are willing to sacrifice the extra 5% of track day performance for a more 'cruising' type drive, extra space and more luxury are likely to opt for a Europa.
Pricing and Timing
The Europa S is officially on sale from January 1st 2007, although the Lotus Cars Australia dealer network are already taking customer orders. It is priced at $109,990 excluding dealer delivery and government charges.
0 to 60 mph: 5.5 seconds
0 to 100 km/h: 5.8 seconds
0 to 160 km/h (100 mph): 13.8 seconds
Maximum speed: 230 km/h (143 mph)
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…constantly citing that 1 in 6 women are raped without ever specifying
- 1 in 3 Native/First Nations women are raped, and 80+% of the time by non-Native (almost exclusively white) men - and the cases are almost never even investigated.
- The rates of rape of women crossing the border into the U.S. are so high that anecdotal evidence is that it is EXPECTED, but no actual statistics can be found online to address this issue. Searching for “rape statistics for immigrants” or “rape statistics for migrants” brings up only articles debating whether immigration effects overall crime rates. This ERASES the sexual exploitation and common assaults on women coming into the country.
- Rape of non-white openly lesbian, queer and transgender individuals is significantly higher than the “1 in 6” but actual statistics are difficult to come by. So-called “corrective rape” is not something that only happens in “uncivilized”/”backwards”/”Third World” countries.
- Transgender individuals are at significantly higher risk of rape by law enforcement and immigration officials.
- Contrary to assumptions, Black men, while disproportionately present in the criminal justice system and more likely to be wrongfully convicted/serve a harsher sentence for crimes, are not anywhere near a significant rape threat as they are portrayed to be.
- In the U.S. 1 in 4 college women, and 1 in 5 high school women are raped and 44% of reported rape victims are under the age of 18, while 80% are under the age of 30. It’s bloody dangerous to be young.
- 99% of people who rape are men, 60% are Caucasian. 35% of men report at least some degree of likelihood of raping if they could be assured they wouldn’t be caught or punished.
- “In one study, 98% of men who raped boys reported that they were heterosexual.” i.e., there is NO correlation between being gay/queer and pedophilia.