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1967-1977 - 15 minute episodes (1-1508), 60 minute episodes (1509-1562), and 30 minute episodes (1563-1697) produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation - 1971 Independent feature film: 'Country Town'

The Early Days

Charlie Cousens' Death

Other Cast Changes

Barbara Vernon looks back

The Bikie Love Triangle

1974 Cast Exodus

1976 Format Changes

Quinney's Departure

The End

Film Version: Country Town

Country Town: Review

Bellbird was Australia's first successful television soap opera. The serial was devised by writer Barbara Vernon and produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation at its Melbourne studios in Elsternwick. It began on air in August 1967, screening in fifteen minute installments as lead in to the 7.00 p.m. evening news Monday through to Thursday. [1] Bellbird's yearly season ended about mid-December. It would start its next season on air two months later. [2]

Set in a rural farming community, the show's storylines examined the lives of the country folk in the fictional town that gave the show's title. Footage for the opening titles sequence was shot on location in the Victorian country town of Daylesford. Other rural looking spots around Melbourne would be used in other assorted location shoots.

As a rural-based continuing drama the program had a respectable antecedent in the ABC's long-running radio serial Blue Hills. The highly popular Blue Hills had started in 1944, and would continue until 1977. [3]

Among the best remembered characters over the course of Bellbird's run were the crusty farmer Jim "The Colonel" Emerson (Carl Bleazby) and his glamorous young wife Maggie (Gabrielle Hartley), the local mechanic Joe Turner (Terry Norris) and his wife Olive (Moira Charleton), local policeman Constable Des Davies (Dennis Miller), his wife Fiona (Gerda Nicolson), and nasty stock and station agent John Quinney (Maurie Fields.) Meanwhile Jim Bacon (Peter Aanensen) and wife Marge (Carmel Milhouse) ran the local pub that served as a central meeting place for the show's characters.

The Early Days

During the early years Elspeth Ballantyne, now better known for playing Meg Morris in Prisoner, portrayed the young Lori Chandler. Lori became enmeshed in soap opera style romances and scandal. A descendent from one of the area's original white settlers she worked in the town's library and lived in the big family house from which the town takes its name. As is the custom the town's school teacher boards there. When the new appointee is a tall, good-looking and slightly mysterious man named Michael Foley (Bruce Barry), poor Lori becomes the target of town gossip Adeline Phillips (Joan MacArthur).

Lori was also involved romantically with villainous real estate agent Charlie Cousens (Robin Ramsay). Later she would marry Tom Grey (Tom Oliver). Meanwhile Mrs Phillips soon has much more to say about young Rhoda Lang (Lynette Curran), daughter of local solicitor Gilbert (Keith Eden) and Rose Lang (Dorothy Bradley). [4]

The first episode was directed by James Davern. He continued with Bellbird for seven years, working as writer, script editor and then executive producer of the series, before becoming the creator and driving force behind that other successful rural based TV drama, A Country Practice. [5]

Charlie Cousens' Death

Life was usually simple for the town's residents but the serial was not without incident. In May 1968 actor Robin Ramsay left the series to take the role of Fagin in a stage production of Oliver! in Japan. Because of the various entanglements of the character, it was decided the only way to write Charlie out at such short notice was to kill him off, and he was killed in an accidental fall from the top of a wheat silo.

Oscar Whitbread directed the dramatically staged death fall scene. It was filmed on location using shots of a falling dummy intercut with shock cuts to close-ups of Charlie's terrified expression and that of his horrified companion atop the silo, vainly reaching out as Charlie lost his footing.

When the episode went to air on Monday 27 May 1968 the scene provoked a massive deluge of mail from the show's shocked fans who protested against the death. Some viewers demanded the character be resurrected. Others sent flowers for his funeral. [6]

The ABC's program guide TV Times reportedly "received more correspondence about Charlie's death than about any other demise in the 21 years the magazine had been covering the medium." [7] The incident remains the show's most famous moment, and the skilfully assembled sequence has been repeated many times over the years in various ABC television retrospectives.

Other Cast Changes

A year into the show's run The Age newspaper reported that the series boasted a "sizeable loyal following" - which was still growing, according to the ABC. The same report highlighted the problem of actors signing on for short stints in the series and then being unable, or unwilling, to continue with their roles.

The report listed key cast member Ken Shorter, who played manager Duncan Ross, as leaving to return to Sydney to gain more experience in the theatre. Clive Winmill, who played crop duster pilot Tony Buckland, was also soon to leave. Also departing at the time were regulars Gerda Nicolson and Elspeth Ballantyne. They both left Bellbird to sign on for a season with the Melbourne Theatre Company. Actor Terry Norris, at this stage playing the role of Kev the water diviner, was also leaving for a role in a TV variety series. [8]

At the time the series producer Brett Porter said the show's writers generally agreed that it had been a mistake to kill off Charlie Cousens. With his portrayer Robin Ramsay back in Australia by August 1968, ideas of reintroducing him as Charlie's twin brother from Italy were even being tossed around. [9] (The character of Charlie's twin never eventuated, although several years later Robin Ramsay would make a cameo appearance in the 1000th episode, playing a pageant director.)

Gerda Nicolson later returned to the series, continuing as Fiona for several years. Elspeth Ballantyne, who had a young son at the time, also briefly returned as Lori in 1971. However a few weeks after the return she was pregnant again. Scripts were amended to accommodate the pregnancy: Lori would be pregnant and later her new baby could make the occasional appearance as Lori's offspring. Acting ultimately proved to be inconsistent with motherhood and Ballantyne's baby son hated being at the studio, so she soon left the series again. [10] Terry Norris also returned to the series, as new character Joe Turner starting in 1969.

In many instances, when actors left the series, their characters simply disappeared from the storyline. This fitted in with the generally loose grouping of characters the series focused on at any given time.

New characters would sometimes enter the storyline where it was explained they had always lived in the town. Ongoing regulars might take breaks of several weeks where they disappeared from the storyline before making a sudden return. Indeed some contracts for regular actors followed a 'five weeks on two weeks off' type pattern. Oscar Whitbread, the serial's executive producer circa 1972, explained to TV Week,

"In Bellbird we rarely kill anybody off, it is not policy. Almost everybody who leaves does so because they want to, and we will always leave the way open for them to come back." [11]

Barbara Vernon looks back

In early 1972, Bellbird inspired a city-based counterpart, also created by Barbara Vernon. Lane End, set in Sydney's Paddington, explored social problems in the city in much the same way Bellbird explored them in a rural setting. However, production on Lane End did not continue after its initial batch of seven thirty minute episodes had been broadcast.

By that time Vernon had not had anything to do with Bellbird for some years. Of the program's current shape, Vernon told Nan Musgrove of The Australian Women's Weekly,

"I don't think it is nearly as country-town oriented as it was in the beginning, and this apparently comes from the team of city writers who now write the very successful scripts." [12]

However Vernon had kept the original Bellbird alive in her two highly successful novels based on the series. Those novels focused on Bellbird's early days and still centred on Charlie Cousens and Lori Chandler. Vernon admitted that,

"My Bellbird books are not great literature. It is folk literature, like Blue Hills-with over-tones of Dad and Dave, too. It is very Australian. I don't think it would sell anywhere else." [13]

Musgrove reported "that according to ABC-TV experts", Bellbird's three high peaks of drama had been the death of Charlie Cousens, the marriage of Lori (Elspeth Ballantyne) to horse trainer Tom Grey (Tom Oliver), and the death of Gil Lang (Keith Eden) just before Christmas 1970. Barbara Vernon observed that,

"Bellbird certainly has had its high-drama peaks, but I think one of its strengths is its low-key content. Viewers like Bellbird's quiet ordinariness. They don't expect car crashes or bushfires or bad family troubles day after day. They like the homely stuff. To regular viewers, I always think Bellbird is like a letter, with pictures, from someone they have known a long time." [14]

The Bikie Love Triangle

The 1972 season saw a revamp for the series with arrival of new cast members John Stanton, Ross Thompson and Penne Hackforth-Jones. Their characters would be involved in storylines concerning bikies and bloodshed and a love triangle where Thompson's character, Terry Hill, tried to steal his brother's girlfriend Ginny Campbell. The storyline came to a conclusion with the wedding of Stanton and Hackforth-Jones' characters Leo and Ginny. Viewers saw them leave for their honeymoon after which they were not seen again, as both actors had decided to leave the series.

In the story it was explained they set up home in the Bellbird district, and presumably enjoyed an uneventful marriage for some time. Ross Thompson's character Terry continued to be seen the series. The then producer James Davern explained Leo and Ginny's departure for TV Week.

"Leo and Ginny were introduced as lifelong dwellers in the area when the first episode came along and they are still in that category. They have not left town. The dramatic direction of the show will just by-pass them from now on. There will be references to the pair from time to time and they will live out their marriage on the farm. These three characters brought us a lot of good, dramatic sequences. I've enjoyed having John and Penne on the show. They are both very accomplished players and added a lot to Bellbird while they were here. The way is being left open for them to return if ever they want to." [15]

In the event neither actor returned to Bellbird. Hackforth-Jones played a lead role in popular series Cash and Company (1975) and its follow-up Tandarra (1976). She later had a regular role in Punishment (1981), followed by a long list of television series guest roles and several feature film appearances.

On leaving Bellbird John Stanton went into a year-long regular role as a Homicide detective. This was followed by an ongoing role in The Box from 1975 until the series ended in 1977. Later Bellbird storylines would reintroduce Ginny, now played by Brenda Addie, and it was explained Leo had been killed in a farming accident.

1974 Cast Exodus

In 1974 popular actor Lynette Curran decided to leave Bellbird after a run of six years. Curran had played the role of Rhoda since the beginning of the series during which time the character graduated from being a young and wild single girl who later married the wrong man, to being a single mother after getting a divorce. She finally settled down by marrying the good-natured local newspaper man Roger Green (Brian Hannan).

Through her run in the series Curran had taken regular breaks where she usually sought stage roles. [16] In 1974 Curran had taken six months leave of absence during which she visited London and marvelled at that city's various theatre productions. She then returned to play out her contract (during which period she would appear in the show's celebratory 1000th episode) before leaving the role of Rhoda for good.

At the time Curran elaborated on her final departure for TV Week.

"I'm leaving Bellbird because I want to do my own thing. For the last six years I have been tied down to the series for at least five days every week. Working on Bellbird has restricted me from doing theatre and other work. I want to try my hand at films and with the Australian filming industry going ahead like it is at the moment, the time is perfect to make the break. Working on Bellbird over the last six years has been very rewarding and I've learned a lot from the regulars on the show. I'll miss working on the series, but making the break is something I've given a lot of thought to." [17]

At that time Curran was the show's longest-serving cast member, and in another shocking move her character, Rhoda, was tragically killed by a train in a level-crossing accident. In the show's storyline her widowed husband Roger continued in the series and ultimately found happiness marrying Frances Byrne (Laurel Burton) in 1977.

In June 1974 the show's 1000th episode aired in a week filled with return appearances from departed favourites. Max Pearson, David Emerson and Lori Chandler made brief returns to explain what the characters had been up to away from Bellbird. This week of episodes also featured actor Robin Ramsay's return appearance as a different character. [18]

Unfortunately there were also several departures of key cast members in 1974. Actor Stella Lamond, who had played Molly Wilson for several years, died. Meanwhile Fiona (Gerda Nicolson), Des (Dennis Miller), Terry (Ross Thompson), Maggie (Gabrielle Hartley), and Rose (Dorothy Bradley), also left the show. [19]

1976 Format Changes

Though Bellbird had a devoted band of followers, its average rating in Melbourne over the ten years it ran was a commercially unfeasible nine. [20] By 1976 major changes to the series were planned. In early 1976 the cast were advised that four cast members would be written out of the series and that the show's timeslot and format would be changed. Instead of going out as four 15 minute episodes stripped Monday to Thursday, the series would now air as just one 60 minute episode each week. [21]

The four actors being written out were long term regulars Gary Gray, Anne Phelan, Ian Smith, and Peter Aanensen. Series star Terry Norris feared the worst when the change was announced.

"I feel Bellbird will pave the way for a giant programming sweep in the 6-7 pm timeslot, whereby one hour programs will be the order of the day each week night in a bid to hold viewers for their 7 pm news service and ensuing programs. Our regular viewing audience, now well over a million people, just won't be around at 6 pm to see the program. And we fear that the change from 15 minutes to one hour will change the whole character of the show." [22]

With the support of the rest of the cast, Norris was soon rallying the show's fans to respond in a "Save Bellbird" campaign. Setting up base in his home, Norris called on viewers to write letters of support, with the aim of presenting them to ABC management prior to the scheduled change in the show's format. Said Norris,

"We're sure that the change in timeslot and the change in format will be disastrous. I wouldn't like to think on how long the show will last if that move is made." [23]

In late April 1976 the amassed letters and telegrams were presented to the ABC. (The Age newspaper reported that its readers had sent a total of 650 letters and telegrams.) [24] Despite the thousands of letters of protest received, the switch to one hour episodes went ahead.

Executive producer Patrick Barton, who had been with the show since the beginning, later described the outcome of the change. He told New Idea magazine in 1976 that the format change from four 15-minute episodes a week to a single one hour episode,

"Put new life into the show. When the format change was announced we received about 8000 letters complaining about the change, but fortunately the change has been more successful than people anticipated." [25]

Quinney's Departure

In late 1976 key cast member Maurie Fields left his long-running role of the hated John Quinney to work for Crawford Productions. Fields first did a six week stint as a ruthless executive in The Box. This was followed by the regular role of a happy-go-lucky old vaudevillian in their new situation comedy series Bobby Dazzler. Keen to keep open the possibility of the character's return, the Bellbird scriptwriters sent Quinney on a long overseas cruise after suffering a non-fatal heart attack. [26]

Having played the role for nine years actor Maurie Fields expressed his sadness at leaving the series.

"It was a very hard decision to make but I really wanted to do my new series Bobby Dazzler and it all got too complicated trying to fit in both. We had a lot of good times and the people connected with Bellbird have been marvellous. I have knocked back a lot of shows because of Bellbird but Bobby Dazzler means a lot to me. I will miss the character of Quinney. It was a great role. People used to hate the sight of me and often they'd abuse me but it was funny for when they'd finished, they'd ask for my autograph. There are a lot of things I am going to miss about Bellbird. Perhaps the biggest thing is the other actors. The show did a lot for me in the way that most people in Australia know John Quinney." [27]

After the "cruise", dialogue in the series would refer to the unseen Quinney's return to the district. Like many departed characters before him, Quinney would simply be bypassed by the story to explain his long-term absence from the show.

By the time 1977 rolled around concerted efforts were being made to revamp the series yet again. These latest changes included the introduction of former The Box actors Barbara Llewellyn and Penny Downie as members of a hippie commune, and the addition of Crawford's stars Terence Donovan, Chuck Faulkner, Alwyn Kurts and Gerard Kennedy to the cast. The show's new producer for 1977, Keith Wilkes, explained the revamps to TV Scene.

"There will be much more action this year. Everyone knows that we have to improve or we're out. And we're not giving up without a fight." [28]

Attempts to attract younger and larger audiences would see the introduction of more "visual things" - an aero club, a flying school and a trotting club - while retaining the show's realism and authenticity.

"We're not going to lose the realism of a country town. The one thing Bellbird has going for it is authenticity. Viewers have to identify with the characters within the realms of reality. We have a good team of writers, actors and good plots. I think we'll be able to go on a few more years yet." [29]

The one hour format was also abandoned. Starting 1 March 1977 the series switched to running as three thirty minute episodes each week. [30] Reportedly the new 6.30 p.m. start time had initially been resisted by the cast, who feared it would harm the show's popularity. [31]

As the 1977 storylines unfolded trotting trainer Wes Lewis (Alwyn Kurts) showed up, self-important pilot Doug Daly (Chuck Faulkner) moved in and sparked many clashes with the townsfolk, and business consultant and efficiency expert Neil Farrar (Terence Donovan) arrived to shape up Colonel Emerson's farm. Meanwhile Gerard Kennedy would make a cameo appearance as mysterious businessman Sir Edward Grey whose arrival arouses much suspicion in the town. Meanwhile central characters Joe and Olive Turner, who had first surfaced in 1969, remained in the series and celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in May 1977.

While reporting these changes TV Week noted that Bellbird had always rated higher in country areas, and emphasised that now the serial would be given even more of a country flavour. [32]

The End

Despite these efforts the show was finally cancelled at the end of 1977 when a further fall in ratings and the ABC's desire to fund other dramatic initiatives spelt the show's demise.

There had been hints in the press as early as July 1977 that the series would likely finish production at the end of that year. [33] By October, when it did seem certain that production really would finish this time, press reports hinted at fears that cast member Terry Norris had suffered some sort of nervous seizure at the news after the actor was sent off for a medical check, causing production schedules to be altered. In fact it was a minor ailment. Norris confirmed that, suggestive of his acceptance of Bellbird's cancellation, he had already officially resigned from the show in order to take a role in the upcoming Cop Shop series. [34]

Bellbird's final episode went to air 23 December 1977. The event provoked a renewed flood of viewer complaints, but this time they had no effect. At the end, Carmel Milhouse, who had joined the series as pub landlady Marge Bacon six weeks into the show's run [35] was the longest-serving cast member.

Terry Norris enjoyed a long and successful run as the comedy buffoon Eric O'Reilly in Cop Shop. Despite being unable to save Bellbird with his lobbying endeavours he remained politically-minded, and was elected to Victorian Parliament as a Labor Party member in 1982.

In total 1697 episodes of Bellbird were produced. Episodes 1 through 1508 went out as fifteen-minute instalments. In 1976 episodes were screened in 60 minute blocks, with episodes 1509 to 1562 going out this way. The series finally switched to 30 minute instalments and episodes 1563 to 1697 were grouped this way. [36]

In 2004 it was reported that the ABC taped over the master broadcast copy videotapes of the series' episodes. [37] One complete black and white episode is available to be viewed at the Australian Mediatheque at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Melbourne.

Film Version: Country Town

A feature film version of the serial had been produced in 1971. Entitled Country Town, the film has the town gripped by a severe drought when young reporter Philip Henderson (Gerard Maguire) arrives and stirs old tensions and enmities. The town's people eventually rally together to hold a fund-raising gymkhana, while a pub gathering breaks into celebrations as the much-needed rains arrive.

Country Town was the brainchild of two of the show's stars, Terry McDermott and Gary Gray. They formed the production company named Avargo with ABC film editor Fenton Rosewarne and chartered accountant Rod Barnett to make the film. The screenplay was written by series creator Barbara Vernon. The ABC itself was not formally involved with the production. Country Town had a budget of $70,000 and was shot in colour on 16 mm film. Filming took place over four weeks starting late January 1971, in the serial's summer hiatus. The newly created Australian Film Development Corporation later provided $15,000 to fund the preparation of 35 mm prints of the film for cinematic presentation. [38]

The film featured much the same cast as the series. Yea, a country town in central Victoria, was the main filming location. [39] Several farm sequences, and Philip and Rhoda's romantic picnic at Hanging Rock, were shot in the Romsey area north of Melbourne. The scenes demonstrating the effects of the severe drought were filmed in Wentworth, New South Wales, where ironically the filmmakers encountered persistent rain. [40] Some farm scenes were shot at the nearby Lake Victoria Station. The trotting race sequences were shot at Southern Speedway in the Melbourne suburb of Heatherton.

The film was released by Gray and McDermott themselves in country Victoria and Queensland in mid-1971; the film premiere was held in Mildura, Victoria on 19 June 1971. Country Town proved a success in country areas. By 1972 it was reviewed by Melbourne's The Herald newspaper whose reviewer in the March 9 edition noted an "authentic ring" to the drought scenes while surmising that "the feel of the film is right." The film did not reach Sydney until April 1973. [41] OverallCountry Town received only a limited release in metropolitan centres, where McDermott and Gray held that the film was treated shabbily by major distributors. [42] Copies of the film still exist and are held with the National Film and Sound Archive.

Country Town: Review

The feature film Country Town is a highly competent piece of drama that is readily accessible and enjoyable for any viewer unfamiliar with its progeny. As a film it stands as an effective and skilfully-produced piece of cinema. The film was made independent of the ABC, who decreed that the title "Bellbird" could not be used. Nevertheless the town is still named Bellbird in the film, and the title card appears over a roadside shot of the sign showing the town's name.

The film skilfully and swiftly introduces the situation of a town gripped by drought and financial hardship. The townsfolk are hostile and weary of the "outsider" journalist Philip Henderson who arrives to further investigate, having already published a series of bold articles that have outraged the local population. His first stop is the pub where Philip begins to meet the regulars. Running the bar is Stan, who viewers quickly learn is the brother of the usual bar owner Jim Bacon.

Jim Bacon is one of several of series regulars absent from the film. Also missing, with their absence explained in dialogue, are policeman Des Davies, and Joe Turner. Their wives remain, appearing basically in support roles at the fringes of the film's main story. Olive Turner appears briefly in several group scenes where she is a jolly and ostensibly benign figure who nevertheless enjoys a good old gossip. Marge Bacon is still at the pub where she joins the chorus of opposition to Phillip. Fiona Davies battles on running her clothing boutique while waiting for her husband's return from a training camp. Nevertheless the sardonic Fiona still plays a mean game of snooker and presents many cutting snipes at her nemesis John Quinney.

Stan the replacement barman plays a main role in the proceedings. Phillip's presence is what gets the story rolling, after which he is busy romancing the sexy, miniskirted Rhoda between tapping out a series of news reports. They enjoy a romantic picnic at Hanging Rock for a subplot through the middle stages of the story that is left unresolved at the film's end.

The film's producers Terry McDermott and Gary Gray gave themselves top billing and a significant slice of the story, with their characters Max Pearson and David Emerson enjoying romances of their own before playing a key role in the horse race that constitutes the film's climax. McDermott's character Max Pearson enjoys an understated romance with post office worker Jean Fowler (Sue Parsons) while David Emerson's girlfriend is Quinney's secretary, Julie (Kirsty Child).

Much time is spent examining the troubled and much disliked John Quinney character, the agent who many regard as benefiting financially from the rural hardship caused by the drought. With all the time devoted to Quinney - his arguments, his enmities, and his various business deals - his secretary Julie emerges as perhaps the story's most prominent female character.

Overall the film progresses at a naturalistic, gentle pace and surveys the various characters populating the town. These include the proud and imperious Colonel Jim Emerson. His farm is struggling due to the drought, however The Colonel refuses to accept financial support from his young German wife Maggie. Instead, he resorts to enlisting financial assistance from his long-term rival, Quinney.

Maggie's God-fearing and bible quoting father August Grossark (Kurt Ludescher) runs a vineyard and, with Quinney, is one of the few benefiting from the drought: the dry conditions are improving his crop of grapes. Grossark agrees to loan his land for the fundraising trotting race on the condition that there will be no gambling. Of course betting amongst the townsfolk is rife, but there is divine justice of sorts when the self-appointed bookmaker, exuberant Italian Giorgio Lini (Frank Rich), fails in his scheme to profit personally from his role after a late scratching.

The film plays more like a standalone piece of cinema than as a television spinoff. The main giveaway to its origins as a television series is the large cast of characters, many of whom are minor supporting players incorporated into group scenes in the pub and at town meetings and do not play a pivotal role in the story. Nevertheless they are well-integrated into the proceedings, and their scenes are all well written and acted. Their presence adds texture and complexity to the examination of the town and its travails.

In their appearances, the various characters serve to present their own take on the events of the story and how things affect their own situation. This results in a film that presents various viewpoints and seems to have a realistic scope. The repeated brief interludes where yet another batch of struggling farmers or business people falling on hard times are introduced do not become repetitive and successfully accentuate the severity of the drought problems.

The pace effectively gathers momentum for the climactic horse trotting race devised to raise funds for the struggling townsfolk. There are some cunning manoeuvres surrounding the prize money, and all gambling must be kept secret - with town policeman Bert Hammond (Telford Jackson) turning a blind eye to the fervent round of betting.

David Emerson's horse Joy Boy is to be raced. However Joy Boy is set loose by thugs hoping to sabotage the competition. They provoke the horse to bolt and their scheme succeeds as Joy Boy indeed exhausts himself. As a result Max Pearson is faced with his own personal demons when it is suggested he should race his own horse, Avargoes, who was retired with a perfect race record. The idea that Max is projecting his own personal demons onto his horse and the refusal to race him is effectively drawn by the film.

In its general look and visual style the film has many similarities with classic Australian film Sunday Too Far Away which was released in 1975, a few years after Country Town. This is perhaps an inevitable comparison with the desolate, unforgiving setting and the financial hardships explored in the story of both films. Though set in Victoria, the landscape depicted by Country Town is very flat, sparse, dry and dusty, and resembles an isolated area of the outback.

Further parallels are invited as both films open with the interloper who launches the main story being introduced to the community examined by the film via car trouble on a bleak and desolate dusty road. Both films also feature an opening titles sequence that includes a country-style song with lyrics that begin to describe the story in a crusty male vocal, with a simple guitar accompaniment. The Country Town opening song had lyrics and music by Johnny Young and was sung by B. Bright.

Overall Country Town's various characters and story threads are well-integrated. Things move along at a good pace, and the drama and suspense leading to the climactic horse race is effectively constructed.

Director Peter Maxwell uses a few artistic flourishes that work well to increase the tension and highlight key pivotal moments of the story. These include a startling match cut on Julie that cuts on action while switching location entirely, moving the character from being witness to Quinney in a tense negotiation, to a more convivial pub gathering where Quinney's activities are discussed. This moment recalls a famous cut in the 1961 art film Last Year at Marienbad involving the character played by Delphine Seyrig and here it fuses Quinney's actual pragmatic business stance with the unfavourable reception that awaits the tales of his financial deals. Also seen in the film is the occasional zoom shot, and even a photo-finish freeze-frame to end the suspenseful horse race. These techniques are sparingly - and effectively - deployed, and do not distract from the film's overall naturalistic style.

Originally uploaded May 2000

Last updated 23 November 2013

The Internet Movie Database - logo Bellbird cast and crew

The Internet Movie Database - logo Country Town cast and crew

[1] Clarke, David and Steve Samuelson. 50 Years: Celebrating a Half-Century of Australian Television. Random House: Milsons Point NSW, 2006, page 120.

[2] Musgrove, Nan. "Lane End should please Bellbird fans." The Australian Women's Weekly. 8 December 1971, page 10.

[3] Moran, Albert. Moran's Guide to Australian TV Series. Allen & Unwin: St Leonards NSW, 1993, page 80.

[4] Moran, Albert. Moran's Guide to Australian TV Series. Allen & Unwin: St Leonards NSW, 1993, page 78.

[5] Kingsley, Hilary. Soapbox: The Australian Guide to Television Soap Operas. Sun Books, 1989, page 20.

[6] Clarke, David and Steve Samuelson. 50 Years: Celebrating a Half-Century of Australian Television. Random House: Milsons Point NSW, 2006, page 120.

[7] Beilby, Peter. Australian TV: The First 25 Years. Cinema Papers: Melbourne, 1981, page 146.

[8] "Bellbird at the crossroads." The Age TV and Radio Guide 23-29 August 1968. 22 August 1968. page 3.

[9] "Bellbird at the crossroads." The Age TV and Radio Guide 23-29 August 1968. 22 August 1968. page 3.

[10] Mercado, Andrew. Super Aussie Soaps. Pluto Press Australia: North Melbourne, 2004, page 32.

[11] "Gary says Goodbye to Bellbird." TV Week. 25 March 1972, page 15.

[12] Musgrove, Nan. "Lane End should please Bellbird fans." The Australian Women's Weekly. 8 December 1971, page 10.

[13] Musgrove, Nan. "Lane End should please Bellbird fans." The Australian Women's Weekly. 8 December 1971, page 10.

[14] Musgrove, Nan. "Lane End should please Bellbird fans." The Australian Women's Weekly. 8 December 1971, page 10.

[15] "Love Finds a Way!" TV Week. 2 December 1972, page 6-7.

[16] "For Lyn, It's Bye-Bye Bellbird." TV Week. 19 May 1973, page 20.

[17] "Rhoda quits Bellbird." TV Week. 5 January 1974, page 5.

[18] Mercado, Andrew. Super Aussie Soaps. Pluto Press Australia: North Melbourne, 2004, page 32.

[19] Mercado, Andrew. Super Aussie Soaps. Pluto Press Australia: North Melbourne, 2004, page 32.

[20] Beilby, Peter. Australian TV: The First 25 Years. Cinema Papers: Melbourne, 1981, page 146.

[21] "The Battle Begins to Save Bellbird." TV Week. 1 May 1976, page 5.

[22] "The Battle Begins to Save Bellbird." TV Week. 1 May 1976, page 5.

[23] "The Battle Begins to Save Bellbird." TV Week. 1 May 1976, page 5.

[24] Pinkney, John. "Marzipan words from sugary scalpel-wielders." ["TV" column] The Age. 23 April 1976, page 2.

[25] Newman, Kate. "Bellbird - Where it all Happens." New Idea. 20 November 1976, page 30-31.

[26] Newman, Kate. "Bellbird - Where it all Happens." New Idea. 20 November 1976, page 30-31.

[27] "Quinney Quits Bellbird" TV Week. 10 July 1976, page 15.

[28] Patterson, Bryan. "Bellbird's Last Hope." TV Scene. 26 February - 4 March 4 1977, page 10.

[29] Patterson, Bryan. "Bellbird's Last Hope." TV Scene. 26 February - 4 March 4 1977, page 10.

[30] "SOS Out for Bellbird." TV Week. 19 February 1977, page 15.

[31] Patterson, Bryan. "Bellbird's Last Hope." TV Scene. 26 February - 4 March 4 1977, page 10.

[32] "SOS Out for Bellbird." TV Week. 19 February 1977, page 15.

[33] "Bellbird's Roger Heads off on Honeymoon." TV Week. 2 July 1977, page 3.

[34] Murphy, Jim. "Terry Took Pains to Finish." TV Week. 8 October 1977, page 34.

[35] Newman, Kate. "Bellbird - Where it all Happens." New Idea. 20 November 1976, page 30-31.

[36] Moran, Albert. Moran's Guide to Australian TV Series. Allen & Unwin: St Leonards NSW, 1993, page 78.

[37] Andrew Mercado. "Soap: It's just what the great unwashed need." The Age. November 27, 2004. URL: . Accessed 21 October 2007.

[38] Pike Andrew, and Ross Cooper. Australian Film 1900-1977. Oxford University Press: Melbourne, 1980, page 331.

[39] Oldmeadow, Harry. Oxford Companion to Australian Film, The. (Brian McFarlane, Geoff Mayer, Ina Bertand, Eds.) Oxford University Press: South Melbourne, 1999, page 80-81.

[40] Pike Andrew, and Ross Cooper. Australian Film 1900-1977. Oxford University Press: Melbourne, 1980, page 331.

[41] Pike Andrew, and Ross Cooper. Australian Film 1900-1977. Oxford University Press: Melbourne, 1980, page 331.

[42] Oldmeadow, Harry. Oxford Companion to Australian Film, The. (Brian McFarlane, Geoff Mayer, Ina Bertand, Eds.) Oxford University Press: South Melbourne, 1999, page 80-81.


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Old folk at lunch

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Schwarto and Queensland police indifference to car theft

Rob Schwarten is a long-standing Labor party member of the Queensland parliament who has served in various ministries. He has a reputation for being aggressive -- even physically intimidating. So I was amused to receive from him a letter that was typically Schwarto -- a sort of verbal punch. Before I show you the letter, however, I need to tell you what led up to it:

In a nutshell: My car was stolen and the Queensland police showed not the slightest interest in apprehending the thief or thieves, despite the ID of one of them being handed to them on a plate.

More detail: Someone reported my abandoned car to the Redcliffe police about a week after it was stolen; the Redcliffe police checked their reports of stolen cars and notified me accordingly.

When I got the car back, most of the contents that I had in it were missing. This bothered me greatly as some of the contents were of considerable value to me. On checking through what remained, however, I found a library card belonging to someone I had never heard of. It was for a library in the Redcliffe area. It seemed clear to me that one of the thieves had inadvertently dropped it while they were in the car. Eureka! Just trace the person and I might get my stuff back!

So I took the card to my nearest cop-shop -- at Dutton Park. I was greeted at the counter by a dickless Tracy by the name of Turgeon. I told her my story, she listened and said she would look into it. I had no sooner stepped outside the building before I realized however that she had not taken a single note or asked for any details, let alone fill out a proper report.

I went back in and urged details upon her -- registration number, dates etc. She grabbed a torn-off scrap of paper and jotted a few things down. That was it. I left in great doubt about whether I had been taken seriously.

So I followed the matter up in the following weeks and months. In the course of that I was told two things by various police persons:

1). The card could have been dropped by anyone so was no proof of anything. Police logic, I presume. They seemed to think that I might have been driving around with people unknown to me in my car.

2). The person on the card had been checked and found to have no "form" (no criminal record) so there was no point in pursuing them. More police logic. How one ever gets form in the first place under those circumstances was never expained.

I was of course not remotely impressed by those pearls of wisdom but they came from more than one police officer, including a rather senior one. It stood out like dog's balls that the Queensland police were not remotely interested in catching car thieves -- unless of course you could catch them at the end of an exciting high-speed chase. No wonder Queensland has the highest rate of car theft in Australia. If you don't catch the baddies they will continue doing it.

So I started writing to the politicians in order to get some action. I got some very ill-considered replies from them too but it emerged that by that time the ID card had been "lost" and they could not therefore investigate the matter even if they wanted to.

That was quite appalling. There are of course strict police rules about the recording and preservation of material evidence and those regulations had obviously been ignored. It's not much of a guess to conclude that the Virgin Turgeon threw it straight into the bin, in fact.

I asked for disciplinary measures to be taken and Inspector Volk of Dutton Pk. station assured me that they had. For all I know that was just hot air, however. Clearly, Constable Turgeon had simply been following informal police rules.

I was rather stumped at that point but eventually made what was probably the only move left to me: Sue for compensation for my loss of car contents. I accordingly wrote to the Minister in charge of police with a claim for $500 in compensation for the loss of car contents that police negligence had prevented me from recovering. I got the usual ill-considered reply -- presumably written by a junior ministerial assistant. So I wrote again to point that out.

It was then that I got my amusing letter from Schwarto:
Judy Spence MP
Member for Mount Gravatt

Office of the
Minister for Police and
Corrective Services

Ref: 5627 F6 GM

23 May, 2008

Dear Dr Ray

Thank you for your further letter of 19 March 2008 concerning your dealings with police regarding the theft of your motor vehicle and property stolen from the vehicle.

I note you have received several replies from the Honourable Judy Spence MP since 2006 regarding associated issues.

While I have noted your further comments, as the Acting Minister for Police I am unable to intervene in any particular police investigation or operational decision, or interfere in the Police Service's handling of any particular complaint against its officers.

In the circumstances, your correspondence has been forwarded to the Police Service for consideration and you should take up direct with the Service on any further issues of concern.

Neither Ms Spence nor I am can assist you further in this matter and therefore do not intend corresponding with you in future on this issue.

Yours sincerely
Robert Schwarten MP
Acting Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport

He appears to think he can shut me up!

No further correspondence from the Police Service has arrived in the two months since Schwarto wrote so I suppose that an action against the Constable in the Small Claims tribunal will have to be my next step.

I have put this post and most of the letters I wrote on the matter up on a special blog called "Queensland Police Negligence". You will see there that I even wrote to the body that is supposed to act on complaints against the police but that they simply referred the complaint back to the police -- as they usually do.

What I would most like to see at this stage is a public enquiry resulting in visible disciplinary action against the police officers primarily responsible for the unofficial policy of not investigating car stealing.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

An interesting night -- with cheesesteak

I have always been impressed by what I hear about the way Philadelphians are devoted to Cheesesteak sandwiches. Being pretty cheesy myself, I have always thought that they sound yummy. Sadly, however, they are unknown in Australia (to my knowledge) and a trip to Philadelphia is not on my horizon so I had to find another way of getting to try one.

So I gathered together various screeds about them and a couple of videos about how to make them and did my best to get Anne to create one from those sources. I bought the Provolone cheese for starters. Provolone too is little known in Brisbane but fortunately there is a large Italian deli only a few minutes drive from my place so that was easy.

Last night Anne got inspired enough to have a go at making some -- and they were deLISH! In principle they are pretty basic -- good steak sliced or diced, provolone plus onions in a bread roll. But the cook still needs to have talent to get it right -- and Anne did. You would be hard put to get a better meal in a good restaurant.

Later Anne and I were talking about religion and she made some derisive reference to it but I pointed out that she was herself a good Calvinist. As with me, her background is Presbyterian and Presbyterians are the representatives of Calvinsm (predestination) in the English-speaking world. I tried to get her to see that there was some alternative to predestinarian thinking -- such as Lutheran salvation by faith -- but it was uphill. She informed me that she never has got on well with Lutherans anyhow. She definitely has a Presbyterian brain. Fortunately, I am very much at home with that. My mother and aunties were the same.

Anne reminded me of something that had rather passed me by. The Governor of Queensland, Quentin Bryce, who is soon to become Governor General of Australia (both largely ceremonial posts but very prestigious nonetheless), is an active member of Ann St Presbyterian church -- which for both Anne and me is our old church -- and one which we still like to go to occasionally.

Quentin Bryce is a feminist lady in various ways so I had always been pretty dubious about her. Feminists can be pretty nasty. So my opinion of Her Excellency rose enormously when I realized her church affiliation. Ann St is a pretty old-fashioned gospel-oriented church so it is not the church you go to for social show. She would have gone to the Cathedral if that had been her aim. She may have a Presbyterian brain too.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Some fun times

The weekend started out early on Thursday. In an event somewhat reminiscent of a potlatch, Anne and I gave one-another blankets that day. I gave her a cotton blanket and she gave me a woollen blanket. As astronomer Sir Arthur Eddington once said: "Not only is the universe stranger than we imagine, it is stranger than we can imagine"! That applies to life on earth too.

We dined at home on some very good fish 'n chips from a nearby fish-shop that night, accompanied by some J.P. Chenet sauvignon blanc -- our favourite fish wine.

And Saturday went well with Anne cooking us some roast pork -- one of my favourites

And Sunday was the 21st for my son Joe. We had the celebration as a dinner at our usual Indian restaurant at Stone's Corner. There were 22 people present, partly Joe's friends but mostly family. Paul was full of beans as usual and livened everybody up. The rest of us are a pretty quiet lot so Paul is a great help.

The cake was a rich chocolate cake with profiteroles on top. Ken's slice did not come with any profiteroles, however, so he protested and got a special plate of them. Paul thought his curry was not hot (as in spicy) enough so he got another one which really burned him up! Joe seemed to enjoy it all, which was of course the main idea.

Joe did not know the old "21 today" song so I sang it for him and presented him with a huge antique brass key during it.

The 21 year old with Sam and empty champagne glass:

Cake topped with profiteroles:

Jill and Lewis were there:

That fat guy paid the bill:

Joe and Paul with Nanna:

Paul with the photographer:

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

An eventful day

Eventful by the standards of my quiet life anyway.

Not long ago I had a flagpole installed at the front of my house and since then I have bought various flags to fly from it to suit various occasions. The fact that my morning drive takes me past one of Brisbane's two chief flag suppliers has something to do with that.

Anyway, I decided yesterday that I would like to fly the English flag in honour of my English ancestors so I dropped in at the flag place and asked for one. A printed flag there retails for $44 so price is no big deal. They only had a sewn St George flag in stock, however, which is much dearer. So they sold me the sewn one at the wholesale price of $80. There are benefits in being a regular customer -- but being a regular customer at a flag factory is undoubtedly eccentric.

Note that I said the English flag and not the Union Jack. The Union Jack is the flag of the United Kingdom. The St George flag is the flag of England. Since devolution, flying the English flag has become popular in England, even though the lower echelons of British officialdom sometimes describe that as "racist"! Thank goodness British officialdom does not speak for all Englishmen (or even the majority of Englishmen in this case). I suppose some blighted souls would also describe the historic toast "To St George and merrie England" as racist too. Schoolkids in England have even been punished by teachers for flying the English flag!

The English flag is also often flown by Englishmen who object to the non-solution of the "West Lothian question" and I am entirely in sympathy with that protest, so I was glad to have the proud and historic red cross of St George flying over my house yesterday.

And in the afternoon, Paul came over to deliver my new UPS (uninterruptible power supply). We do have momentary interruptions of power supply here at night fairly often and there is talk of strikes from electricity unionists so I definitely need a UPS.

While he was here Paul also installed a DVD burner in my computer and installed the AVG viruschecker -- which he recommends. I have always found viruscheckers more trouble than they are worth so I hope this one turns out better.

Then in the evening Jenny had Anne and me over for a paella. There are very few restaurants in Brisbane where you can get a paella and Jenny's home-cooked paellas are as good as they come so it was much enjoyed. I took over a bottle of Veuve Cliquot to aid the deliberations and we had an excellent pavlova for dessert.

And today I have just had the termite man over. The house is under fairly heavy attack from termites at the moment so we have to do what we can to kill them. We are using Termidor this time. You never get rid of them entirely, however, so you just have to put occasional repairs down to maintenance.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Vin ordinaire report

After the fuss that the do-gooders kicked up about it, I thought I should try some of Dan Murphy's $2 wine. I bought a couple of bottles yesterday -- a shiraz and a chardonnay. Anne made us quite a nice moussaka for dinner (recipe here) so I opened the shiraz first. I am afraid that it was tres ordinaire -- with a definite barnyard taste. I tipped most of it down the sink.

So then I opened the chardonnay and was surprised to find it perfectly passable, with quite a pleasant fresh taste. I would not be embarrassed to serve it to guests. I don't plan to buy any more of it as I am rather fixated at the moment on Tyrrells verdelho and Taylors Promised Land unwooded chardonnay but if anybody is a bit short of the shekels these days, stocking up on the chardonnay would not be a bad decision -- though tastes do differ so try it for yourself first. Maybe I just got a rare good bottle.

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Daily Archives: December 16, 2008

Menardconnect.com upgrade to WordPress 2.7

Its been less than a month since this site was initially setup and now I need to upgrade to WordPress 2.7???
Honestly that was my initial reaction. But upon reading wordpress.org posts on the 2.7 upgrade instructions, visiting top blog posts on the topic and knowing the importance of patching systems in a timely manner, I decided to give it a try.
The learning process was fun!!! Creating a backup for your WordPress files and DB, testing the backup, using tools provided in cpanel, following instructions, finalizing setup, checking that your site is really running 2.7 already, reactivating plugins, and finally doing the first post using 2.7… officially.

The admin console look and feel is refreshing 🙂 I will try the new features in the coming days. Thanks WordPress!


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m4w Singleton

menu4web is implemented as m4w singleton object. Main benefit of this implementation is that no functions or variables are stored in global namespace. Instead they are defined as methods and properties of m4w object.

In JavaScript global object is used by default to store all variables. So if you do not declare your variables they will become global variables or properties of the global window object. Functions are instances of global Function object. This is usually not a problem for small javascript applications. For example if you just add a drop-down menu to a site, and this is the only javascript you will have on your site, having your menu in global namespace should be ok.

However if you plan to use multiple javascript libraries there is a good chance that your functions or variables will collide in global namespace. In this case it is much safer to encapsulate your variables and functions as properties and methods of a javascript object. menu4web examples show how to do it. Please view the source code to see how it is accomplished.

By default m4w object has the following properties and methods defined:

m4w.v - version
m4w.eDO - menu open delay
m4w.eDC - menu close delay

m4w.m - creates menu
m4w.i - creates menu item
m4w.e - creates menu element
m4w.draw - draws menus
m4w.iOver - triggers menu item over action

Object Augmentation

You can also save your own variables and functions as properties of m4w object. In javascript this is known as object augmentation. You augment an object by simply assigning new methods or properties to it. This technique allows to encapsulate your variables and functions to an isolated namespace. For example you can save your menu style into a variable:

menuStyle="position: relative; alwaysvisible: true; orientation: vertical;"

In this case menuStyle variable is global. It can potentially collide with other variables if they are named the same. However if you save it as a property of m4w object it will be limited to m4w object namespace:

m4w.menuStyle="position: relative; alwaysvisible: true; orientation: vertical;"

Keeping global namespace clean is important for large projects which may use multiple javascript libraries. To avoid collisions in the global namespace and improve reliability of your application it is recommended to encapsulate your menu variables as properties of m4w object.

Last edited Jan 1, 2013 at 4:54 PM by sn41, version 13

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June 13, 2016

14 Courage Quotes To Help You Move Through The Fear And Get Things Done

Test of Courage

What does courage really look like? What is courage really about? Why is it so important? The following courage quotes answer all of those questions and make you want to be more courageous in your everyday interactions. If you are in need of some courage – if you can’t get yourself to move through the fear, then these courage quotes are necessary for you to read.

1. You Are Courageous Even If You Don’t Know It

12Michel Bacos received the National Order of the Legion of Honour after he refused to leave Jewish passengers behind during a hijacking of his plane. When terrorists took over his plane, he was forced at gunpoint to reroute the plane from Athens to Uganda. When they landed all the non-Jewish hostages were let go, and the terrorists told Bacos he could go as well, but he stayed on the plane.

Even though he says that he was not a hero, and he was just doing his duty, he had a choice to leave, and he chose to stay. Whether he knew he was being courageous or not, he clearly made the courageous choice in the face of death.

Every day you are faced with choices. Sometimes it’s hard to make the brave choice and sometimes you are already built with the ability to make the brave choice because you believe it is your duty.

In other words, there are likely many times in your life when you are courageous and don’t even know it, which means you have the capability to be brave at any time.

2. To Change The World, We Have To Exhibit Courage

You have to be willing to do things that can help the future. In the speech this courage quote was taken from, Barack Obama talks about supporting educating everywhere in the world as that is a way to help the military avoid more conflict in the future. An educated person is more likely to think for themselves and work on collaborating for the greater good, and that in turn will ease the tension in the world.

It’s that ability to think outside of the box and see the bigger picture that we all need in order to be more courageous and change the mold of what has been into something more beneficial to the future of ourselves and other people. Whether it is in your own life, or in the life of others, take the time to see what’s not working and have the courage to do what will, even if it is not the widely accepted route.

3. You Must Believe In Yourself

You are your biggest cheerleader. If you don’t believe in yourself, then nobody else can match the power that your belief has and motivate you to do what you need to do and excel. Nobody can see things from your point of view. Nobody has access to your thoughts or what you envision past the challenges in your life. So they are unable to have the kind of ultimate faith you have in yourself when you can clearly see why you are doing what you are doing.

4. Find People Who Are Kind And Loving Towards You

Everybody gets knocked around in life, but the real test is whether you get back up and dust yourself off or not. Hilary Clinton’s mother was abandoned by her family and was working on her own at the age of 14. Her teachers, and the woman whose house she worked in showed her kindness and love, which gave her the courage to keep going.

It’s vital that you form strong relationships. For many people, their mother and father are the people who show them the kindness and love they need to feel good about themselves and gain the courage to do something with their lives. But, if your mother or father isn’t giving you the love you need, then you need to find friends or mentors who will show you love and kindness. They will give you the fuel you need to have courage to create a better life for yourself.

5. The Most Fulfilling Lifestyle Comes From Courage

If you want to live a fulfilling life, then you want to make courage a part of your life. It will give you the ability to go after your dreams and experience the kind of freedom in life that allows you to do what you want to do – what makes you feel alive and happy in life. Without courage, you will never take the steps needed to create the fulfilling and free life you want.

6. Stop Being A Victim!

In order to build courage, you have to stop being a victim in life. You have to stop letting other people dictate how you feel, what you do, what you get, where you go, and who you are. You have to stop making excuses for your life based on what other people are doing.

You have to become the hero or the heroine in your life and take control of it. When you do that, you will naturally feel more courageous in everything you do because you will have reclaimed your life’s power from everyone else.

7. Have The Courage To Ask For A Thought

One thought can get you where you want to be. One thought can transform your life or the lives of other people. All it takes is one thought. But too many people are scared to really sit down and think. They are passing their life away mindlessly doing things that don’t matter and focusing on things that don’t matter.

This comes back to education! Educating yourself can help you have those thoughts that help you change, move, evolve, grow, and become. So, take some time each day to replace mindless activities, such as watching reality TV, with activities that require you to think and challenge yourself. You must have the courage to live life and grow wiser, not let it pass you pay.

8. Let Fear Drive Your Bravery

You can’t have courage without fear! When you are scared, that’s when you need to be determined to walk through that fear so that you can get to the other side.

Therefore, don’t think of yourself as weak if you feel fear. Instead, let it remind you that the opportunity to be courageous has come!

9. Use What God Gave You!

Life is about taking your talents and using them. And, yes, that means that you must have the courage to do what needs to be done so that you can use them. Maybe you have to go to school to develop them. Maybe you have to get in front of people and put yourself out there for ridicule. Maybe you have to work harder than other people, stay up late, or travel farther than you would like on a daily basis.

Your determination to use what God gave you is what counts at the end of your life, not how much you were able to retreat back into comfort or fear. While hindsight is necessary to really understand the full power of that truth, imagining yourself at the end of your life celebrating what you did do can help motivate you to keep going.

10. Have The Courage To Admit Where Life Went Wrong

21Not everyone has the courage to admit their mistakes. I’m sure you know a lot of people like this. They don’t want people to judge them. They don’t want to admit that they have shortcomings. They don’t want to even admit that they did something wrong. But, this is one of those courage quotes that really helps you understand the power of forgiveness.

If you are willing to own up to the mistakes you have made, then other people and even you will be able to forgive you. You will be able to move on from those mistakes with a valuable lesson in mind. And, you won’t find yourself making those mistakes again once you admit they happened and learned from them.

11. Courage Is About Doing What You Know Is Right

Courage is all about doing the right thing. It’s the thing that you know you should do because it will benefit you or someone else in a big way. You shouldn’t have to be forced to do the right thing.

When you are forced to do something, that’s not courage, that’s fear. That’s fear of something greater than what you are about to face, such as a punishment or loss of something. Real courage is about doing what you know you should do with a secondary fear being your motivator.

12. What Does The Courage To Be Yourself Look Like?

It may take a while to figure out who you are, but once you know who you are, you must have the courage to walk the way you walk, talk the way you walk, and be the person you were meant to be.

All those unique people who are doing their thing and setting the trends are willing to be brave enough to be themselves. They don’t need your approval. They don’t need other people to validate whether they are being who they should be. They know who they are, they own it, and they don’t care about other’s judgments. That is extremely courageous when you consider the hate and negativity that people bring on unique people.

13. Have The Courage To Tell The Truth

24Stop looking for the answer that other people want to hear. Be brave enough to find the answer in yourself. And believe me, the truth is in there! It’s just hidden behind your desire to be liked, respected, and fit in.

When you start telling the truth, you will find your life takes a new turn. You will be able to live the life you want without being influenced by what other people want. And, you will feel better about yourself. When you tell the truth to others, you are telling the truth to yourself.

14. Courage Is The Key To Life

25Your life will be dictated by one thing – courage. This is the ultimate of the courage quotes, which is why I saved it for last.

Courage makes the difference between someone who says they couldn’t do something with their life and someone who did something with their life.

Courage makes the difference between someone living a life that had meaning and someone living a meaningless life.

The courage to stand up and do what you need to do for a better life is the key to life itself. If you live in fear – in the shadows – then you are not really living. You are existing. Find the courage to really make the most of your time and live.

Related Posts or You May Also Like:

19 Never Give Up Quotes To Keep You Motivated

10 Helpful Love Quotes For Understanding Love Better

12 You Can Do It Quotes To Motivate You To Get Busy

Happiness Quotes

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Your Guide On How To Come Up With A Blog Name

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Thursday, June 9, 2011

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  • hydubadi
    02-03 09:14 AM
    Hello -

    Its been 30 days since my AP was mailed to me as per USCIS notification and I have not yet received it, but on other hand we receiver my wifes AP with in 3 days of approval.

    Can you guys suggest if I have to wait little longer or assume its lost in mail and apply for new one.

    Did any one on this forum experience more than 30 days to receive there AP since document mailed notification from USCIS.

    I would appreciate your suggestions/comment.

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  • Almond
    07-13 09:17 AM
    Damn I am going to be pissed off if he gets a green card before I do.

    Pegasus you made my morning. I can't stop laughing at this:D

    panettiere hayden com. Hayden Panettiere: Puppy Love
  • Hayden Panettiere: Puppy Love

  • anilsal
    12-21 12:02 AM
    Hi Msyedy,

    Thanks for clarifying. What I know is I did not need a labor approval as my case was national interest waiver (NIW, EB2). I have I-140 approval notice, I-797 (Notice of action for H1b). For H1b also, there is a similar 'labor approval', but I do not have any papers to show that. I was told to take my waiver approval (foreign residency requirement- waiver), and I-797, and I-140 approval.

    Thank you,

    Pradeep, can you post your credentials that entitled you to NIW(EB2). Just curious. You have a PhD?

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  • NO_Free_Rider
    08-29 08:25 PM
    That's interesting! Could you please point me to a location where it says?

    This is the loophole that needs to be plugged for the SKIL to work successfully. The one clause that need to be added is that the advance degree must have been completed before the LC was filed / approved so that acquiring education in excess of a Bachelor's does not become a ground for exploitation. Also, Online MBA's, M.S and other programs are not accredited by their respective boards anyway, meaning it�s a good 1 1/2 to 2 years of FULL TIME graduate school to get ahead of the line.

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  • gk_2000
    01-27 02:43 PM
    I am an optimist. A hopeful person. I like to and want to see the positive side of things. However, the current political climate and economic state of the nation makes me skeptical.

    Much has been said and (not) done so far about immigration reform. The murphy's law half of my brain is starting to get queasy. I've been in this mess for 6 years now and dread the doomsday scenario that immigration reform doesn't go through this year. If it does not, I think we're all completely effed up for the next 3-4 years, at least until after the next elections. I hope to be wrong on this, by a long shot.

    My question to some of you is - what will you do if skilled reform doesn't happen this year?

    My career has been stagnating, rotting away almost. I've been working on a startup idea in my spare time for a while now. Of course, these sort of ventures need time and full-time effort to take-off. I have often entertained the thought of leaving my job, returning back to India, or finding some way, by hook or crook, of doing my own thing, and reviving my career. Having lived here, first as a grad student, and now as a wage slave, for the past 9 years, returning is not an easy option. If reform does not happen, I don't see anything but darkness for a pretty long time.

    What will you do?

    Never late or early in life. Learn as much as I can about the concepts I care about, and when I move on, use my learnings at later time, opportunity or place

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  • greatzolin
    10-24 01:27 PM
    Mine got ordered and then got approved on back on october 1st but still I have not received it yet. We have AP but not my EAD card. Anyone in same boat?

    Thanks in advance!

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  • Riakapoor
    09-16 04:10 PM
    you can apply for UI - Unemployment insurance, NOT Unemployment benefit. The first is an insurance, the second a benefit that will impact your GC application.

    Does that not effect our GC process at all? Do you know the time limit to apply for UI? I mean with in how many days after getting laid off can I apply for UI?

    Thanks a ton!

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    February 2nd, 2004, 10:53 PM
    From an old time NIkon user with of all cameras the N70 (sort of ironic). I currently own a canon dig camera (s50) and I have found the need for a better optical zoom range, and stronger flash.
    Almost bought the new canon rebel, but since I own some nikon equipment, and heard about d70, I held off.

    So, the questions:;;

    1) Will I be able to use my Nikon AF Nikkor 35-80mm lens?
    2) How about my Sigma 70-300mm apo macro for nikon?
    3) I also have sb26 nikon flash?

    Are these all usable? WIll I be giving up functionality with these lenses or flash? Obviously, I'm more willing to spend 1k on the camera if I can utilize my current investment in my lenses and flash.

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  • GC_Applicant
    07-23 11:27 PM
    I ported from EB3 to EB2 recently and if its all goes well, my PD of May 06 might be current. Is there any way one can determine if their finger prints, photographs, security checks, etc., are valid and the application is pre-adjudicated and ready for approval.

    Since, I ported recently I didn't notice any LUD's in my I-485 application. Any thoughts. Please share your experiences.

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  • bathuzp
    11-10 10:39 AM
    Hi All,

    I had worked for a company from Feb 2006 to Feb 2007 on an H-1B visa. I had applied for an H-1B extension via that company as their software engineer. I was granted that extension. After Feb 2007, i started working at a different company.
    I applied for an H1B transfer as a software engineer with my current employer on Nov 27th 2006 through a law firm in Michigan. And last year my current company applied for my GC process in October 2009 under EB2 CATEGORY but with the same designation software engineer [level 2 as suggested by our lawyer] .I obtained a Master’s of Science in Management Information Systems from (University of Illinois at Springfield) in 2008 .I received my I-140 delivery notice in July 2010 stating that they have received his I-140 and it is now in process. I also received an approval on I-131 and I-765 just 2 weeks ago, I got a notice asking me and my wife to go for the biometrics test. Moreover, yesterday i.e. Nov 9th ,I received the EAD card for both me and my wife but unfortunately the very same day I get this Notice of Intent to Deny for I-140 requesting for evidence .
    The notice states:
    "……..The record contains a form ETA 9089 received by the department of labor on October 2009, thereby establishing a priority date in this matter. The petitioner certified in part H of that form that the proffered position is that of a "Software Engineer" and that the minimum level of education required to enter into that position is a Master's in Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Information Technology.
    However the beneficiary also filed a form I-129, Petition for a non-immigrant worker in November 2006 (when i was working for the previous company) as a "Software Engineer". It is noted that the beneficiary did not have a master's degree at that time.
    If the beneficiary entered into that H1B employment as a software engineer without a master's degree, the labor certificate will be invalidated since the master's level of education was not a minimum requirement. Please submit the evidence that the beneficiary obtained a master's degree prior to starting work for the petitioner as a software engineer.
    The petition may be denied based on the above information. However u r hereby granted 30 days from the date of this letter to submit to this office a written rebuttal to the adverse information."

    Also please note that we recently applied for my H1B extension as a programmer analyst as our lawyer had applied with this designation last year.

    Now here my questions:

    1. I applied for my H1B transfer with my current employer as Software engineer in 2006; I got my masters degree in Dec 2008. After consulting with my lawyer I filed for my GC in EB2 category as Software Engineer level 2 in Oct 2009. Now based on this why do you think we got this RFE? Is this a matter of concern or can it be a mistake? How can we resolve this?

    2. The USCIS has asked me to provide evidence of my masters degree in 2006, but that is not true, I received it in 2008, what I have to prove is that my new job requires me to have my masters degree. But how do I do that since my work title is still just a software engineer but level 2 and in my organization level 2 software engineer requires masters degree?!!!

    3. What is the worst case scenario? Is there a possibility that my I-140 will be rejected? What should my next step be then?

    4. What will happen to all my approved forms (I-131 and I-765). Will they automatically get rejected too if my I-140 is denied?

    5. Has anybody else had a similar case like mine? If yes, Please post your case out-comings on this thread.

    6. What will happen to my EAD card? Can I change my status to EAD now or should I just wait?

    7. Also we applied for H-1B extension as a different designation [Programmer Analyst]. So will that affect my GC process?

    We have 30 DAYS to respond to this RFE. If u have any suggestions or advice Relating to my case please post them here ASAP. Please help us out on this.

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  • mrajatish
    04-17 03:29 PM
    I have heard of a couple of folks facing this unforseen delay- this happens when your case is audited.

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  • sagar_nyc
    06-25 09:45 AM
    i have question regarding my AP. My AP is valid Aug'09. I am going to apply for new AP soon. I am planning to go India in July. My question is Would it be ok if my new AP gets approved while i am in India? I will be using my old AP for travel. but do i need to be present in US when approval of new AP takes place. please advice

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  • kondur_007
    03-29 06:06 PM
    Good; So this is what I understand:

    You are working for employer A. Before the expiry of I 94, you applied for extension with employer A and that extension is still pending.
    After the expiry of I 94 (and pending extension) you applied for employer B, that did get approved but came without attached I 94.

    You are still working for employer A and that extension with employer A is still pending.

    If above facts are correct, you may be fine; however question is, why is your extension with employer A still pending; and what can you do about that. Depending on specifics of your case it may be time to make it premium or simply leave the country and return back on employer B's H1B and work for that employer.
    You still need to talk to a good attorney to see which one of the above options are good for you.

    Good Luck.

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  • vrbest
    03-23 10:55 AM
    I did first time AP early Feb.. I just put in a date in May and got the AP in 3 weeks (though my online status still shows received and pending).. Document listed by godspeed is what I also sent. hope this helps!

    Could someone tell me please.....I'm filling the application for advance parole the first time......what should I write where it is written: " Date of intended departure"...if I dont know exactly when I'm leaving....should I write a date or should I write " I dont know yet?"

    And also I read that the documents required are 2 photos, I-485 receipt notice, I-140 approval that right? or what other documents do I need?

    I would highly appreciate your help!
    Thnaks in advance!

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  • ramaonline
    07-15 02:10 PM
    You can still work on EAD and maintain your H4 as long as you do not go out of the country. If you go out and enter on AP, then you switch back to AOS, no reporting to USCIS is necessary. But if you can still file I-539 and switch back to H4 again.

    But on H4 you can still work on EAD, while maintaining your H4 status.

    H4 status ends the moment you start using EAD for employment. You would need to use AP for travel and re-entry.

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  • pushkarw
    12-21 02:19 PM

    All - Please contribute.

    Please think:

    A. WHY will ACLU assist us? Only because Ms. Singh is there?

    B. WHY should Dr. Singh or Mrs. Gandhi assist us? We are trying to emigrate FROM India, NOT immigrate to India, after all.

    C. Please do not formulate random "minority community" statements. It is kind of ironic to do so, given the fact that we, the EB immigrants, are usually parts of various minority communities in the U.S., and are desperately trying to make our case to the power structure here...

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  • eager_immi
    04-05 08:15 AM
    if it is urgent shouldn't you consult a lawyer?

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  • Anders �stberg
    July 15th, 2004, 01:18 PM
    Have to relate this annoying story... I went back again after some food and rest to see if I could get more pictures of the swallows, in evening light. Amazingly they were still in the same location, but had now moved to an even better branch. I carefully inched my way over and end up in a perfect spot, less than 4 meters from the birds.

    I only have time for four or five pictures when, in from stage left, enters Mr. Inconsiderate Moron No.1, looking quite the outdoors man in khaki uniform and hat, walking his black labrador on a leash. He enters the small field quite a bit away from me, but as he sees me he smartly turns and walks towards me. "Hey, what a lens, what are you photographing?". He then bends down and releases his dog who is probably supposed to run on the field. Of course he sets off barking and growling right at me, and the birds take off in all directions. That's the end of the day's photo opportunities, and I'm so pissed off I'm not even talking to the guy, he stands there looking at me and I just shake my head, gather my stuff up and leave. Arrrggghhhh!

    This is the best of the second batch, I can't but wonder what could have been possible if I had had time to dial everything in...

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  • vasired
    08-10 03:47 PM
    u can read it on or for complete press release

    10-07 02:19 PM
    When can one add a spouse to the I-485 application, and until when can a spouse be added before getting the Green Card?

    My 485 is pending, have the EAD card, and the I-140 is approved. My priority date is not current... anyone knows?

    06-10 11:37 PM
    The worst hit 140's are EB3 (and that too mostly in NSC and some in TSC). Not a single NSC EB3-140 is coming at < 400 days.

    EB2 is coming still okay and EB1/EB2-NIW are pretty quick. So i dont see a good quantity of benefit by allowing Premium Processing only on a thin section of applications ?? It make a difference of few days, not even months.

    Where they need to re-instate Premium 140 to give actual relief - they wont do anything.

    I agree, it is extremely narrow. Not too many employers wait until the 60 days window and if you had H1 approved, you would not qualify. I do believe this may be just to test waters and they will broaden it further..

    No comments:

    Post a Comment


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text:
Mirus Capital AdvisorsMirus Capital Advisors

Sunday, June 26, 2016

The 4 P’s of Business Valuation

How can business owners increase the valuation of their business prior to an M&A transaction or business sale?  Mirus recently collaborated with other Boston-area trusted advisors (including a leading accounting firm, law firm, and commercial bank) to gather 40 business buyers and sellers for a roundtable discussion of proactive steps CEOs and owners can implement to increase enterprise value during the exit planning process.

Our roundtable discussion was framed by the 4 P’s of investing:  Product, People, Potential, and Predictability.  These strength of these four factors within a business enterprise predict the future success of the entity (and are not to be confused with the 4 P’s of marketing – product, price, promotion and place – which focus on driving demand and sales for a product or service, rather than driving companywide valuation).

A business with a unique, differentiated, and defensibly-positioned Product is able to command a premium price, and thus a higher profit margin, than its competitors who offer generic me-too products.  Business owners seeking to increase the value of their enterprise are well-advised to look for “blue ocean” strategies:  don’t focus on your competitors; instead, focus on product (or service) innovation aligned with utility, price and cost to become the first mover into profitable untapped markets, thus driving enterprise value.

Even with a strong product or service offering, a business needs strong People at the senior management level to generate attractive offers when seeking a liquidity event.  Seasoned acquirers and investors “bet the jockey, not the horse.”  A company led by a skilled, experienced and empowered management team will command a higher sale price than one led by an overinvolved owner.  Talking with a prospective client recently, I asked him “To what do you attribute the firm’s strong sales growth over the last two years after many years of flat results?”  “Me!” he replied.  Somewhat taken aback, I asked for clarification. He laughed and said, “I meant, I finally got out of the way and let my managers manage!”

Buyers look for Potential when evaluating acquisition targets, paying more for companies operating within a large total addressable market.  At Mirus we’ve recently seen strong valuations for businesses in healthcare services, outsourced business services, software, and natural & organic foods – all areas where macroeconomic trends are creating widespread demand and opportunities as industry tailwinds propel rapid business growth.

Predictability is the fourth factor impacting transaction valuation:  a company that generates recurring revenue commands a higher value than one with lumpy and variable income.  Long term contracts, subscription pricing models, and strong brand equity are among the ways businesses can generate consistent and predictable revenue streams.  Steve Belkin, founder of affinity-group marketing pioneer Trans National Travel Group, learned this lesson early in life:  “Growing up, I realized that all of the downtown skyscrapers were occupied by annuity businesses,” he once said in a speech to the Small Business Association of New England (SBANE).  “The phone company, insurance companies, banks.  When I wanted to start a business, I knew it had to be something that would generate repeat revenues.”

Business buyers seek acquisition opportunities that offer strong growth opportunities with low downside risk.  Applying the 4 P’s of investing to examine and reposition your business in the years leading up to your planned M&A transaction will increase the likelihood of an exit that exceeds your expectations.

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text:
Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving!! I hope you all have the best day filled with family, friends, and lots of yummy food.

This year I've got lots to be thankful for. This year has been so crazy and hard and amazing. I am thankful for: my mom, my dad, my sister, Jasmine, Brittany, Andrea, Jesse, AJ, Leigh Anne, Traci, Amber, Lindsay, Matthew, Amber, Jason, Riley, Savannah, Kaylin, Rochelle, Carol, Josh, Kenny, James and last but certainly not least YOU!!

Thanks you all so much for being so great and inspiring and helpful. You're the best!

P.S. Don't forget to buy handmade and local tomorrow! There are big sales at Merry May Farm starting at midnight.

1 comment:

  1. oh, it is looking good around here!! I am loving the new layout and design...!!!

Thanks for visiting my blog. I'm happy you are here and can't wait to get to know you. I very much appreciate every comment and try to reply back to each one so check back often. OH! And link to your blog so I can follow :)


text:
Updated Evening Skincare Routine

Evening Skincare Routine

Following on from my updated morning skincare routine post from earlier this week. I thought I’d share with you all my updated evening skincare routine. As mentioned, I’m really lucky as a beauty blogger to be sent lots of lovely, and sometimes not so lovely, products to try. Because of this my routines change a lot. But here’s what’s in my current evening skincare routine:

Elemis Smart Cleanse Micellar Water £24

I previously blogged about this product and whether it was worth the expensive price tag. It is more expensive than others on the market but I think it’s worth it. As it’s infused with rose water, it helps to soothe and hydrate your skin. And the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory chamomile, rosehip seed oil and Indian Soapnut help to thoroughly cleanse your skin. Which makes this the perfect start to my evening skincare routine.

Roger & Gallet Beauty Vinegar £15

This is a relatively new product to my evening skincare routine, but I love the new skincare range from Roger & Gallet. After using the Elemis Micellar water to remove my makeup, I love to use this beauty vinegar to ensure my skin is completely cleansed. Not only does it remove any left over makeup, smooths your skin and removes dead skin cells, but it also tighten your pores, clarifies and refresh your complexion.

Liz Earle Instant Skin Boost Skin Tonic £14.75

I love Liz Earle products and this tonic is just lovely. It’s alcohol free, so it’s non-drying and gentle on your skin. I find it leaves my skin feeling like it’s soaked up all the Liz Earle natural goodness, meaning that it looks radiant and feels incredibly clean.

Janjira Brightening Booster Serum £36

This is another pretty new addition to my evening skincare routine but I love this serum. Not only does it brighten your skin, but it also refreshes and moisturises your face. With a mixture of Vitman C and B3, Algowhite and Sorghum Bicolor Stalk Juice, this serum leaves my skin looking clearer, brighter and rejuvenated.

Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask £24

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve repurchased this but this is one of my favourite overnight masks. I use this a few times a week as the last step in my evening skincare routine. You apply a thin layer before bed and in the morning, your skin has quite literally ‘drunk it up’. When I use this my skin looks and feels nourished, smooth and moisturised.

What products are in your evening skincare routine?

Shop The Post

  1. September 23, 2016 / 10:55 am

    Wow! I am totally in awe of proper skin care routines like this one. Mine isn’t too bad but I’m a bit lazy when it comes to eye creams and the like. Definitely interested in the overnight mask though. My skin frequently feels like it needs a big drink!

  2. September 23, 2016 / 11:25 am

    I have recently updated my skincare routine too so this post has inspired me to do one of my own! Thanks for sharing!

  3. September 26, 2016 / 8:40 pm

    The Origins overnight mask sounds interesting – I have dry skin, so now that the weather is changing, it’s extra dry! 🙁 I find that using Kiehl’s Turmeric & Cranberry Seed mask really helps, but I’m always wanting to try something new haha.

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text:
Explain Like I'm Calvin

63,291 subscribers a community for 5 years, 12 months

last post today [+]

In the spirit of /r/explainlikeimfive, here's a place to come up with the best explanation you can on topics you know nothing about. Inspired by Calvin's brilliant dad, who knew everything.

RULES (Inspired by ELI5):

  • Blatant speculation *only*. If you know the answer to a question, keep it to yourself! We only want the best and most creative wild guesses here. Even if you know the answer, make up something better.
  • Never cite sources. We're not looking for verifiable facts here. Your source should be your own crazy imagination.
  • Reference ELI5. Cross-posting good questions from /r/explainlikeimfive is encouraged, but if you do it, include a link back to the original question there (this will also help people who are interested in the "real" answers).

  • Please begin your questions with "LIC" or "ELIC".
  • If you're posting a non-question, do not use "LIC" or "ELIC".
  • Answers can be as simple or complicated as you want, but aim for humor. The spirit of the subreddit is to have a humorous exchange of completely made-up answers to life's burning questions. Feel free to add to other people's answers, or to follow-up with more questions for clarification.
  • Humor is necessary, but don't be a jerk. Try to avoid especially touchy subjects in questions, or giving blatantly offensive answers.
  • Feel free to pose a possible answer with your own question if you have a good theory.
  • "It builds character" is a perfectly appropriate answer, but remember that original answers also build character.

this reddit has been tagged

keeping track of 1,076,245 reddits


text:
Man United 'willing to treble' Thiago Alcantara's salary
Thiago Alcantara is set to be offered three times his Barcelona salary by Manchester United (Picture: Getty)

Thiago Alcantara could see his salary trebled should he join Manchester United this summer.

The in-demand Barcelona midfielder is David Moyes’ main transfer target ahead of the Scot’s debut season in the Old Trafford dugout and Moyes is willing to pull out all the stops to get his man.

MORE: David Moyes arrives for his first day as manager of Manchester United

The 22-year-old, who captained Spain’s Under-21 side to European Championship success last month, has found his first-team opportunities at the Nou Camp limited, leaving Manchester United positive they can agree a deal.

Alcantara is expected to fetch a fee of around £15m and the reigning Premier League champions are believed to be prepared to offer the youngster three times what he is currently earning in Spain to convince him to quit his boyhood club.

Bayern Munich, however, could make life difficult for Manchester United, with the Champions League holders thought to be preparing a late bid to take Alcantara to Germany.

MORE: Johan Cruyff urges Barcelona to sell Thiago Alcantara to Manchester United


text:
2014 Mets Projection: Curtis Granderson, LF

USATSI curtis granderson

Opening Day has come and gone, but there is always time for another projection. While I didn’t get to finish this series, I had written the majority of the Curtis Granderson projection, so I just decided to finish is and publish. Enjoy.

The Mets made an enormous splash this offseason, spending the most money on a single free agent since Jason Bay, inking outfielder Curtis Granderson to a four-year, $60 million contract.

The 33 year-old posted a career worst 97 wRC+ in an injury-plagued 2013 season with the Yankees. Playing only 61 games, Granderson battled a broken pinky and broken forearm, both caused by being hit by pitches. However, the Mets signed him because of his previous track record, which includes two consecutive seasons with 40 or more home runs in 2011 and 2012 as well as three seasons with at least 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases.

It’s unrealistic to expect Granderson to repeat his 40 home run totals of two and three years ago, but in a full season, he can certainly be a well above-average hitter, even in the pitcher-friendly Citi Field. In Yankee Stadium, as a lefty hitter, he thrived. However, he still managed to hit for power on the road as well, hitting 17 road home runs in 2012 and 20 in 2011. Although his home run per fly ball ratios were higher in Yankee Stadium, a sign the park was benefiting him, he still managed to hit for power on the road.

Looking back at Granderon’s career, it’s more realistic to expect the kind of numbers that Granderson put up with the Tigers, albeit with a lower batting average. In terms of overall value, that means somewhere around 3 wins above replacament. That’s not fantastic, but it’s certainly significantly above average and with one win above replacement going for somewhere between $6 million and $7 million, that would definitely make Granderson more than worth the money.

For this season, most of the projection systems have Granderson somewhere between two and three wins above replacement. For the most part, they have Granderson near or below zero in terms of runs on defense, which will probably change due to moving to left field. His defensive numbers in center field have fallen in recent years along with his speed, but moving to a less demanding left field with a defensive whiz in Juan Lagares next to him (or even Chris Young), his defensive numbers should be positive. The projections are all pessimistic about his playing time, which also skews the numbers, but even the ZiPS creator admitted that himself. With a positive WAR, more playing time will add more overall value to Granderson’s season.

Here is what the projections have for him:

grandy projections

Oddly enough, it’s ZiPS, the Debbie Downer of projection systems that has Granderson playing the best and having the highest fWAR, despite playing the least amount of time. Again, it’s important to recognize sample sizes in this. Adjusting to 650 plate appearances, Granderson hits 26, 21, and 27 home runs according to each projection. His fWAR would also come out to 1.6, 2.2, and 3.0 respectively. I’m willing to take the over in each of these categories. The projection systems see two injuries from Granderson, specifically hand injuries, and may adjust not only sample size, but also quality of the numbers, depending on the injury. That, and I’m just optimistic that the Mets lineup will get him more plate appearances than expected with an improved lineup.

Overall, Granderson is definitely not in his prime years, but with the position the Mets are putting him in, he is more likely to age rather gracefully. The 33 year-old still has power and, despite two freak injuries last season, is poised to have a quality 2014 season.

2014 Projection

.235/.325/.520, 28 HR, 11.0 BB%, 27.5 K%, 10 SB, 3.0 fWAR

About Connor O'Brien 315 Articles
Connor O'Brien is a second-year economics student in the Rutgers University Honors College, a lifelong Mets fan, and an editor here at MetsMerized Online. He embraces a sabermetric point of view in his articles, but doesn't believe this conflicts with scouting or player development. Follow him on Twitter @connor_obrien97


text:
There is both a lot of cats in this one and yet not as many as there could be. This is because particular scenes – any in Hellboy’s living quarters – are full of cats. In the background of every shot there are at least two kitties, likely just sitting somewhere or eating some tuna or something of that sort. It may make it a little distracting to follow what is actually happening within the scene, but it also makes them very enjoyable to watch.

There is one other part that involves kittens, and that scene is the reason it gets a 3.5 instead of a 4 in quality. These kittens, as cute as they are, need to be rescued from a dangerous enemy. Though the threat plays out lighthearted, some may find it a little troubling that they are in such peril.

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