text:
make me happy

Meet our newest friends, Monsieur Tofu and Mister Bacon, who came home with us from our little excursion yesterday. They were unboxed and formally introduced to the children today. I know, soy has a bit of a maligned reputation these days, what with hormonal effects looming and locavores crying foul and all. But what can I say? We love ourselves some tofu here. And bacon.

Snaps shot

OK. We're a week+ into the new year. And we're still not ones to participate in the annual making and breaking of resolutions, or the subsequent failure-induced chocolate binge. My over-consumption of chocolate, for the record, requires no anomalies in self-esteem. But I did quietly inaugurate a little photographic project with the advent of the new year that may have left you wondering if I'd abandoned my usual verbosity for a bit of a different format. That last doozy of a post should have settled that point. Still, I'd like to offer up a brief-ish explanation of my intentions here.

They're two-fold.

One. I like this blog. Maintaining my presence here makes me happy. When I'm gone for extended periods, I start feeling like the absentee parent neglecting her once-lavished child. I gotta do something that will keep me thinking about Lovelihood, even when, as these days, I'm doing a lot less making. So even if the daily posts are a bit off-topic and stray a tad from the long-winded gasbag format I'd built my presence around, I think they'll round out this space nicely.

Two. We have that newish fancy camera that's been languishing from disuse. It gets some play during freakish weather events, but that's pretty much it. And we frequently comment, in the car on the way to appropriately photographable events, that we should have remembered to bring the camera. That stops here. Not every shot has to be good or in focus or, God forbid in this sunlight-poor region of ours, properly lit. But shots will be taken Every. Damned. Day. I will remember to take the camera out with us. I will play with new lenses and shots. And I will annotate them with clever little observations.

Another thing about these dailies… Because they actually originate from my Flickr account and get sucked into Lovelihood via Interweb magic, you can't really access the post and comment like the regular ones. I may have my tech department change that at some point. For now, it works for me. If you feel inexplicably compelled to comment on a photo post, you can do so by finding the original at Flickr.

That is all.

Tags: 365, photos

In search of life-meaning

Quite literally, actually. The Boy is at that sometimes aggravatingly curious stage in which it is not enough to merely know the words for things… He's now demands the meaning, the greater significance, the syntactical nuance of the inhabitants of his world. Also, he picks at every little thing we say. We attempt a demeanor of patience, and encourage his new role as inquisitor, and explain that "Let's roll, family" is not a literal request to tumble into the car, that "cool" has seemingly infinite usages, that the zombies aren't being mean, exactly, when they eat your brains — it's just who they are (zombies come up in conversation a lot around here).

But the other day The Boy, mulling over a Life is Good t-shirt, inquired as to the full explanation of that word. And I was no more prepared to offer even the broadest definition of "life" than to explain what the hell irony is, or where babies come from, or whether or not I've ever inhaled. But those, I actually have answers for. The truth is a pretty convenient thing. Mostly because I already know it. There's no need to formulate an answer if one already exists in a truth-cloud, ready for me to pluck at a 4-year-old's behest. All that's left is to craftfully supply it in a way that doesn't do lasting harm.

But, seriously, Life? I still don't know how to answer that one, either to a pre-schooler, or to an anonymous crowd of blog-readers. And in light of my prolonged absence from this space, the length of which can no longer be explained away with a We're-still-settling-in copout, I'll just offer up some scrappy bits of our life around here since we picked up and left Texas nearly two months ago. Life-filling may not be so insightful as life-relevance, but it's what I know how to explain. Deal.

So, it may not have shown up on your radar, but National S'mores Day was a couple weeks ago. And we didn't actually have much chance to revel in it, either. Because I was working. That's right. Part-time employment has been procured, putting me at a computer screen two or three days a week for pay. At my preferred venue for employment, a newspaper . And while, after taxes and child-care, my net pay actually comes in at a net loss, it's nice to actually be working in my industry again. And with Mr. New Media having landed a job of his own in his industry, things are working themselves into a nice rhythm around here. But coming off of a 12+ hour workday, I decided that we needed to make up our own s'mores to belatedly celebrate that most holy of holidays. So graham crackers were rolled out and docked and tossed into the oven, marshmallow makings set to warp speed in the mixer then poured into a pan to set, an appropriate dairy-less chocolate bar retrieved from the semi-corporate hippie grocer across the street from our neighborhood playground.

We do not, as of yet, have the implements necessary for the roasting of marshmallows for the traditional ooey-gooey s'mores. One day, maybe I'll splurge on one of those culinary flash-bangs to micro-produce a perfectly scorched s'more to order. But I suspect that would take much of the fun out of the whole thing, particularly after The Boy has an epic meltdown at our refusal to let him handle the torch. Such are battles for another day. On this one, we simply settled in with mellowly sun-warmed stacks of sugar and pastry and enjoyed them with a discussion of how much we hope to never leave our new home. The boy takes his with a deconstructionist's careful methodology, eating first the marshmallow (he takes a bite, then pulls the marshmallow back to examine the moist marshmallowy insides), then munching at the graham cracker, then taking the teensiest of nibbles at the chocolate before handing it over to someone who actually enjoys such things. I just gobble mine up, taking care to ensure each bite contains each of the three s'more-ful components, but gobbling it up all the same. And then I contemplate the fairness of sneaking another after the kids are sent to bed.

Ok, so I was going offer up some other vignettes of life as it's been the past couple months, because there's been plenty of doing and making and, yes, settling-in happening around here, and even some photographs shot here and there to document it. But I'm issuing an executive order to pace myself. S'mores are enough for now. Life-meaning can wait another day.

Graham cracker escapism

So. We're deep in some throes here. Death throes? Throes of passion? A period of extreme turmoil and stress? Yes, yes and yes. Ok. So maybe not so much with the death part. But housing plans have been imperilled, employment proven to be a fickle partner, humidity and heat smothering any headway I'd made on my regimen of running and complaining that it's too hot to run. Yes, there's been running, slow and not so steady, likely quite painful to witness. And, let me tell you, I make much better time when I'm mentally arranging my new home than when I'm stressing about salvaging the whole operation.

But there are still those boxes huddled in the back corner of the kitchen waiting to be transferred to the shipping container that has taken over our sideyard. And there are dozens (hundreds?) more that will be packed before the end of the month. Because, regardless of whether we have a solid destination, we've resolved to leave this state before the end of this calendar half-year. "Foolhardy" comes to mind. "Desperate to leave this state" is also a pretty good descriptor.

Here's where this gets a bit personal, where I venture into TMI-land. Just skip the next paragraph if you don't want to hear it. I won't mind…

Before there was The Boy, there was a miscarriage. And those were truly dark days. Further darkened by the fact that I'd already mentally checked out of my job, shoved off from all those sales reps and advertisers with their grating requests for something "better." The idea that I'd now be working with all this indefinitely, without the family I'd been brewing in my belly, was enough to set me weeping at my desk in the early morning hours before my coworkers reported in. This, despite the fact that I'd previously worked happily in the same situation for years. This is what expectation does to you.

Reflecting back on those times during these, I've settled on two things: 1) we've weathered much worse, and 2) it's more Pollyanna than I'm comfortable expressing regularly, but weathering any storm is fairly manageable from the warm comfort of our family home, wherever that may be. You always hear it, and it's absolutely true. These are my people, as a friend phrased it, and they have a way of making me feel pretty ok. But I'm just guessing that I'll feel even more ok once we're back in Seattle.

So spirits around here are actually pretty high. And, after a day of cursing our misfortune, I took The Boy aside and declared that we'd be making a batch of graham crackers. But first, we needed to darken a small amount of light brown sugar, because going out to purchase a big bag of dark brown sugar on the eve of our out-of-state-relocation… that would be a reckless move. And somehow I'd gone this far not knowing that brown sugar is nothing but your regular granulated sugar laced with molasses. Who knew? Luckily, there was that near-full bottle in the back of the cupboard, purchased last winter at the grocery store down the street, where the woman who checked us out drawled at us, "Brer Rabbit, hmmm? That's what my Pappy used to get." Now that's as close to a perfect Southern vignette as there ever was.

So, dark brown sugar and rice flour and some dairy-alternatives were battered and baked and snapped into somewhat neat little graham cracker squares. There's some room for improvements that will work themselves out in later batches. But for now, it was just nice to settle back into the occupation of making things. And doubly nice to share it with that dear Boy, who is just old enough to recognize and participate in the general foul mood of that previous day.

Now, before I get back to the occupation of packing, I'll mention that, while postings here will be sporadic for a while as we pack and move and unpack and settle into (we hope) some sort of permanence, I'll be using that Twitter thing to bring you such nuggets as "Still haven't found the box containing the yarn I need to work on that blanket," and "Found this kick-ass recipe for homemade deodorant." These are two actual sentiments I anticipate thumbing into my phone while the computer is buried under a mound of packing paper somewhere. While I was at the whole Twitter thing I went ahead and got myself one of those Facebook pages to do pretty much (ok, exactly) the same thing. It's all one big self-contaminating communications mess, probably poor use of each of the tools, but whatev. I'll leave it to Mr. New Media to fume over my ineffectual use of social media. It is, after all, his job.

Successes and a near-miss

I mentioned before that last year's egg decorating was a disaster of fantastical proportions. And by that, I mean it was very, very, VERY messy. Glue everywhere, dripping off the wooden eggs so profusely that the little bits and bobbles designated to adorn the them verily flowed right off. We were left with moist, immodestly-dressed ovate masses, glitter and beads flaking off every time The Boy breathed upon them to examine their unending states of wetness.

All I wanted this year was a better rate of return. I designed this year's activities to be messy enough to engage a near-four-year-old, but not so unconfined as to make me want to cry. In that regard, the decorating, spread over the half-week that The Boy abstains from school, was a grand success. And really, it was a success all around. After all, it resulted in my new favorite object around the house.

There's something so ridiculous about this egg, it's really difficult not to love. We blanketed an egg with adhesive dots, packed on the fuzzies, and Boy and I were just giddy with pride. So proud that we nearly tripped each other up, eager to show our day's work to Mr. New Media when he arrived home from work that evening. Now, that's a good egg.

The painted eggs were actually the first ones done that morning, basically a warm-up exercise and homage to your traditional PAAS-dyed egg. Nothing too exciting there, but I don't look at them, heart-broken at another crafty fail, either.

Easter day, kids fresh from their afternoon nap, we set to work on the two remaining eggs. We harvested up a little pailful of grass and flowers and friendly-looking weeds for the project. And after a liberal application of Mod Podge we hand-applied the bits of flora and fauna (there were some little bugs swept up with our loot that didn't survive the gluing process). And there it is, another egg success. We might have tried for a little more coverage, but I think it works. I don't know of anything more spring-like than a wooden egg shellacked with grass.

Ah yes, the near-miss. The last egg, slapdashed in the moments right after Mr. New Media announced dinner's readiness, is a bit of an Easter disaster, something that might make dear Martha cringe. But this picture gives me the giggles every time I pull it up. And so, of course, I'm constantly pulling it up. So, really, on that basis alone, I'm going to tally this one in the Wildly Successful column.

Tags: easter, easter eggs, glue, mess

Some soft things & one antlered

Here's an embarrassing fact about Mr. New Media: In his dream home he will have carved out a sizable nook just for pillows. A pit, if you will. This space would be floofy and cushy and, I imagine, I Dream of Jeannie-like. He imagines possibly falling back into it, perhaps from a second floor landing. Maybe he lazes in it, sipping red wine. Maybe he browses the internet, enveloped in velvets and damasks and silk brocades. Maybe he takes in a football game on his appropriately man-sized flatscreen. I don't know. I do not share this dream. But nothing gratifies quite as instantly as a simple pillow project. And really, when your completed product is as soft and yielding as something to populate a pit of pillows, there's also very little that's as forgiving.

For a good stretch there I followed the self-instigated tradition of crafting up a pillow as part of every gifting event for Mr. New Media. Birthdays, anniversaries, father's day, etc. Most were sewn, some with a simple envelope closure, others outfitted with zippers. At least one was knitted in an atrocious display of color theory. Some required new fabric, chosen off bolts or salvaged from the remnant bin, or worked from a napkin picked up on clearance. There's the one cut from a favorite t-shirt and fringed in bobbly orange. There's the one that sits as homage to Mondrian. One was made from velvety scraps left over from our re-creation of a favorite book. Two are giant felt carrots. One is just plain giant.

We have yet to find that dream home, the one with the pillow-lounging corner. Hell, we're not even in our dream-state. Home ownership and serious commitment to decorating will have to wait. Right now, it's really just a pillow hole, spilling out of the tent my mom made The Boy for his second birthday. Still, I'm about to stitch the first seems of a dress, a huge, daunting project, and am in serious need of some quick-return craftyness to build up my energy and self-steem.

So, pillows. In starting the dress project, I had cut out pieces to construct a muslin, a most unthinkable act. My bright idea was to use the scraplets from to piece them together in a jagged, strippy fashion to make a pillow front, and then back it with flannel left over from the throw I made at Christmas. Easy enough, but the resulting panel evoked mummies and wrapped bandages. And, as Mr. New Media pointed out, we're a family prone to laying down stains wherever we sit, with sticky chocolate and ripe-strawberry remains grinding into everything. The fine art of napkin usage, despite constant gentle reminders, has not quite stuck with the three-year-old. And the muslin panel, as it was, was just too blank a canvas. A little embellishment was in order, so a second unthinkable act was initiated. I did some appliqué work. In the shape of Texas. Which really accounts for a third unthinkable act. But as they say… When in Rome, adorn your home goods with the likeness of your nation-state. I set a zipper in and called it good.

I've been in a state of mind the past few weeks where I've been very down on this state. There are, of course, many stereotypes about Texans. You know, the whole gun-totin', hickish, loud-mouthedly conservative bit. Lately, it feels like certain citizens of this state have gone out of their way to validate these stereotypes. But there was something rather therapeutic about making this pillow. Maybe it was all the pinning and needling the shape took, like a Texas voodoo doll exorcising its likeness' demons. Maybe it's just that it's fun and cuddly.

In the background, there, is the first piece we took in to commemorate our then-new Texas-ness. Our own deer bust in cardboard and decorative paper. I tasked Mr. New Media with this project once we were settled in this house. He predictably objected to the paper I had picked out. Too girly, of course. But what could be a better antithesis to your archetypical taxidermized trophy than patterns you might decorate a girl's baby shower with? Another Texas corner funned and cuddlied up.

Snaps shot

Three years ago, while trimming the nails of a very uncooperative baby boy, I handed him the nearest shiny object in an attempt to acquiesce him into acceptance of the clippers. This camera, whose commercials claimed it to be the "official camera of the internet," eliciting a snortle every time I heard it, was swiftly clunked to the ground. It's lens, bent at an unholy angle and refusing to retract, was waiting apologetically for Mr. New Media to judge when he got out of the shower. It was deemed unfixable. So we replaced it. With the one we currently use. The one The Girlie now manhandles.

Babies, I suppose, are all alike in this regard — they have no respect for personal electronics. The Girlie, like The Boy who blazed the trail before her, has a bad habit of sweeping the camera to the floor. One swift movement of a roly-poly arm, and a pocket-sized camera can be sent clear across the room. One could see how I could be to blame. Mr. New Media has suggested that I've been purposefully careless with the camera to necessitate the purchase of a new, much more expensive one. To which I just shrug sheepishly.

After the last big tumble, this old thing's developed some focusing and lighting issues that can't be rectified. And when telescoping open, it issues a Clickety Clackety that, while not altogether displeasing, isn't really a healthy camera kind of noise. And three years in digital goods time pretty much constitutes an eternity. So we're in serious camera-shopping mode around here. And yes, we're looking at DSLRs this time. Mr. New Media's got his eye on some specific cameras whose specs elude me. I really don't know a damn about cameras so I'm leaving it to him to decide. Just direct me to the macro button, thank you very much. These fancier cameras have macro buttons, right? Jeez, it better come with a printed manual. I'm looking forward to some good ol' documentation-reading already.

In the meantime, I'm still using Clickety Clackety, because there are shots to be taken, moments to be digitized. And while I can never quite get the shot I want anymore, what with entire quadrants of blur taking over the frame, there is a bit of a lomographic quality, an analog-ness, that makes it downright charming, if quasi-artistic. Thank god for blurry photo flickr pools.

I know I'm not the world's greatest photographer. But I try. And I think I've pulled off some pretty good shots with our little point and shooter. Even Mr. New Media, who had harbored aspirations to photojournalism before being drawn to the dark arts of the eponymous New Media, concedes that I take the better photos these days. But having a camera with obvious defects takes a good deal of the pressure off. It's ok if my photos aren't in focus. Or evenly lit. Or look like they were shot in this decade. They're flawed. To which I just shrug sheepishly.

Tags: camera, photography


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It seems there has always been a fascination with Marilyn Monroe look-alikes – especially with a look-alike who can pull the whole image together and really give us a living glimpse of the character Norma Jeane created so many years ago.  blondeheads

A successful caricature of the SYI girl or Lorelie from Gentleman Prefer Blondes rarely fails to give pleasure! Being a fan of Marilyn’s is a complicated business – there are three people involved, Norma Jeane, Marilyn Monroe and Marilyn – Norma Jeane was a young girl/woman full of promise and eager to reach for the stars, to maximise her potential during a time in Hollywood where possibilities were limitless, Marilyn Monroe was the character, the entertainer the identifiable icon. Marilyn was the soul searcher, the student of life, woman in her prime who had outgrown both Norma Jeane and indeed Ms Monroe. Having observed many look-alikes, the most successful is not trying to impersonate Marilyn or Norma Jeane – 1she is giving a performance based on Marilyn Monroe – Marilyn sang and performed as an actress – not as herself!

Judging by look-alike agencies and websites bursting with enthusiastic ‘Marilyn’s’ the public today still appreciate a well made diamonds dress and a hearty joyful rendition of Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend!  Going back in time another fan of the Marilyn look-alikes was none other than the great Joe DiMaggio himself – Marilyn’s former husband took the break up of their marriage as a heavy blow – from which he never wholly recovered.

As a celebrity in his own right and an exceedingly eligible bachelor, DiMaggio was often asked to judge or attend beauty competitions and could often be seen with the latest blonde ‘Miss America’ on his arm. One in particular, Marian McKnight a 5’5 blonde Miss South Carolina, caught Joe’s eye when she was crowned Miss America in 1957 – during the talent part of the competition she astounded everyone with her impersonation of Marilyn Monroe2, she had previously intended to act out a dramatization of Joan of Arc but changed her mind for the finals where acted out a parody with her college roommate and former Miss America contestant Martha Dean Chestnut Hines of a scene from GPB’s Martha taking the part of Jane Russell’s Dorothy, she then sang “Bye Bye Baby”. Joe watched during dress rehearsals and was smitten. It was reported by the press that he ‘laughed and cried at Marian’s act’ Marian herself said “Then he closed his eyes and said, ‘that’s my wife on stage!’”

Marian did not meet DiMaggio during the pageant, (though Richard Cramer in his biography ‘Joe DiMaggio - The Hero’s Life’ does claim that he went backstage to meet her) but met him later when he, as a PR director for a manufacturing company in Virginia, offered her a job. She worked with him for two years. “I was impressed by the fact that he came,” she said. “He was older than I, a very sweet man, down to earth. I was never a fan of baseball; Joe and I were good friends, not really close friends.”

Marian wasn’t the only person constructing her career by borrowing from Marilyn. During these years there was a plethora of MM acts and if he could do so without publicly drawing attention to himself – Joe wanted to see them all! renay

Liz Renay was another artist that had won a Marilyn look-alike competition with Twentieth-Century Fox that took her to Hollywood where she managed to secure some minor bit parts. Liz had a brief liaison with Joe, saying that “His friends said he tried to get glimpses of his Marilyn by looking at me… Joe DiMaggio, was not only a good lover but a nice, likeable guy – a real gentleman”

Yet another of Joe’s ‘Marilyn’s’ was Dixie Evans who had a reputation as ‘The Marilyn Monroe of Burlesque’ Her act was a casting couch skit. Dixie was the actress; she took her clothes off and got the part!

During the late 50’s Dixie was working Miami Beach, at the Place Pigalle. An aeroplane would fly over the beach hotels towing a banner that read “see the Marilyn Monroe of Burlesque, Place Pigalle” It would always fly past the Fontainebleau where all the celebs of the day stayed, those that went to see Dixie included Sinatra, Bogart, Walter Cronkite and Chris Schenkel who suggested that she should come to the Kentucky Derby. He announced her coming in “Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s Marilyn Monroe! Oh, my mistake, it’s Dixie Evans! She’ll be playing at the Post and Paddock this evening” They all loved her act which involved Joe and his bat!

One night at the Pigalle the owner came over to Dixie’s table and told her Joe DiMaggio was in attendance, and wanted to talk to her. Dixie said Joe was a gentleman and suddenly as she sat there – she realised she would be performing in front of him and was worried about what Joe would make of her skit and confessed to him that she was concerned, to which he replied “why do you think I came here?” with this Dixie got up and did her thing, which was:

3She entered in a tight satin gown, a long scarf, and a Yankee cap, with a number 5 on it – and crying, boo-hooing, which mood she explained in song:

“Joe, you walked off and left me flat – but I’m sure glad you left your bat…”

There were a few lines about baseball and spaghetti, and how he’d stopped in the middle of making love to say “what’s the score?”…

“But I know…

You’ll still return my calls

Why? It’s simple – I’ve still got you

By your New Yankee base – (badaboomcha strike up the band)…

Afterwards, when she came out from her dressing room, Joe stood up and motioned her over. She sat with him all night. He didn’t say much, he never mentioned the act, or talked about Marilyn. But he kept sneaking glances at Dixie, checking her out and he stayed until she’d done her last set at 4.45am then invited her to breakfast.

However, their relationship never got off of the ground and didn’t go past kissing. They apparently arranged a further date but unfortunately, Dixie was due in court for some misdemeanour that she had forgotten about and was unable to let Joe know and she never saw him again.

1I’m using the term ‘she’ in respect of all look-alikes but I’m fully aware there are many male artistes that portray Marilyn Monroe amazingly well – which I will be discussing at a later date

3Joe DiMaggio – The Hero’s Life by Richard Ben Cramer

Diana Dors - England's answer to Marilyn Monroe?

The name Diana Dors is synonymous with Marilyn Monroe and Blonde Bombshells – through the decades there has been a constant comparison between these women and just mentioning Diana will bring forward statements such ‘Britain’s answer to Marilyn Monroe’ and ‘the English Marilyn Monroe’

 Loving Marilyn was fortunate in obtaining information from Paul Sullivan about this, Paul is quite an authority on Diana, having been a fan for several years he assisted TV productions companies with information for their documentaries and taken part in the Channel 4’s program “ICONS” which looked at the impact Diana had on post war Britain.

He told Loving Marilyn that “Diana was very aware of the comparisons (between herself and Marilyn) however, it was Veronica Lake who influenced Diana and probably her style. By 1952 Diana was already a veteran of about 19 British films and was already very well known as a ‘Honey blonde’ it was early in 1952 that Diana went Platinum, but her hair was always much longer and very different to that of Marilyn’s.mmdd

They never got to meet, when Diana went stateside by boat, Marilyn was on her way over by Air to the UK. I think Diana tired of being compared to Marilyn. Britain being a small country, films during the 40’s and 50’s were not as popular in the USA as American films were here, therefore, English fans were able to see both actresses and compare, whereby stateside, Diana was fairly unknown when she arrived!”

Jayne Mansfield – ‘The Poor Man’s Marilyn Monroe’?

Another Hollywood starlet that was considered a competitor for Marilyn’s blonde bombshell crown was Jayne Mansfield. Born in 1933, Mansfield set out with steely determination to make something of herself in Hollywood – noting Marilyn’s assets, Jayne took on board the look but only managed to become a parody rather than any real threat to Monroe, though Fox would often wave Jayne at a misbehaving Marilyn as a possible successor!

Much like the press today, the journalists' of the 1950’s would also build people up to knock them down When she joined the Actors Studio the press felt Monroe had begun to have ideas above her station – so on the one hand they condemned her as a bad actress, whilst on the other hand they ridiculed her for wanting to improve, Marilyn was in a no win situation. In 1956 a book was published by journalist Peter Martin who had previously interviewed Marilyn for the ‘Saturday Evening Post’ using these interviews the book was titled ‘Will Acting Spoil Marilyn Monroe’  jayne3

 Playwright George Axelrod, who wrote The Seven Year Itch, displayed very open resentment towards Marilyn’s endeavour to improve her acting skills by spoofing Marilyn in his next stage play, the comedy ‘Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?’ This starred Jayne Mansfield and ran for 444 performances on Broadway in 1955. In 1957 it was made into a film with Jayne playing the part of Rita Marlowe a Hollywood Pinup/Starlet who attempts to set up her own production company (Marilyn Monroe formed Marilyn Monroe Productions with Milton Green in 1954) it was widely viewed as a caricature of Monroe. Marilyn herself attended a performance and according to the author of ‘The Many Lives of Marilyn Monroe’ Dr Sarah Churchwell, Monroe did not find the play funny and told Axelrod simply and without elaborating ‘I saw your play’.marilynrose

 Jayne was interviewed by Lawrence J Quirk in 1957 and is reported to have said to him “Marilyn thinks of me as her rival – I know it unnerves her” she went on to say that Marilyn had gone ‘arty’ but that she (Jayne) would win the hearts of the public. “I’ll be here for the long-haul, you’ll see – I know just what I’m doing” When she was asked if she felt it demeaning to be a carbon-copy of someone (Marilyn Monroe) Jayne snapped back “Oh, but I’m merely influenced by Marilyn! Artists in all fields have original influences, then they go on to put their own individual stamp on what they are offering” Quirke went on to ask her what her ‘original stamp’ would be and Jayne reportedly replied “Well, what with the Actors Studio and stuff Marilyn goes in for, and her acting with Laurence Olivier and all that, I want to strike out on the common trail, I want to be the ordinary man’s conception of what a sexy, obliging, comradely, down to earth girlfriend ought to be”

During her career Jayne Mansfield trod eagerly in Marilyn’s footsteps but rather than achieving Monroe’s status – Mansfield became known as ‘The poor man’s Marilyn’ taking Monroe’s film role in the stage versions of both Bus Stop and Gentleman Prefer Blondes. She also had a penchant for working with Marilyn’s leading men such as Tom Ewell who worked with Marilyn in The Seven Year Itch’ and with Jayne in ‘The Girl Can’t Help It’ and Tommy Noonan who played Monroe’s love interest in ‘Gentleman Prefer Blondes’ and with Jayne in ‘Promises! Promises!’ in 1963, which was also the first mainstream Hollywood film to feature it’s female star – Jayne Mansfield, in the nude – Marilyn was set to take this accolade in her unfinished film ‘Something’s Got to Give’ with her naked swim. It was also rumoured that Jayne tried to fill Marilyn’s shoes by having an affair with John F. Kennedy.

Unlike Marilyn's failed attempts at motherhood, Jayne Mansfield said in an interview that her greatest title was that of ‘Mother’ having produced 5 children by 3 different fathers; it was considered that Jayne was a devoted and loving mother. Sadly however, like Marilyn Jayne met with an untimely and sudden death. At the age of 34, on 29th June 1967, on her way to New Orleans where she was to appear in a television interview, at approximately 2.25am the car Mansfield was travelling in, along with her chauffer, partner and three of her children, was in collision with a truck. The adults were killed instantly, the children who were in the rear of the car survived with minor injuries.

Rumour rapidly spread that Jayne had been decapitated but this was untrue. A wig or possibly her scalp was tangled in the car’s smashed windshield, and was evident in the police photos, which gave rise to the speculation.

Sybil Saulnier

The French actress Sybil Saulnier (Anatomy of a Marriage: My Days With Jean-Marc - 1964) indulged in a very Marilyn look

Celebrity Marilyns'

Professional Marilyns'

Marilyn Girls!

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OLOWALU | Homes and Land for Sale, $700,000 - $800,000

All Listings $600,000 - $700,000 $700,000 - $800,000
$1,000,000 - $2,000,000 $3,000,000 - $4,000,000 Over $5,000,000
1 Properties Found. Page 1 of 1

Inspired By Land And By Sea, Lot #17 Of The Uku...

Photo of Listing #378927

$765,000 Active Fee Simple

  • 3.1 Acres
  • 135,036 ft²

Vacant Land

0 Kehalea Pl 17, Olowalu, Hawaii

MLS® #378927

Listed By: Keller Williams Realty Maui-Ki

Inspired By Land And By Sea, Lot #17 Of The Ukumehame Subdivision Features 3.10 Acres Of Gently Rolling Topography Set In The Foothills Of The West Maui Mountains With Panoramic Views Of Haleakala To The East, The Ocean To The South, And Lanai To The West. ...

This information is believed to be accurate. It has been provided by sources other than the Realtors Assoc. of Maui and should not be relied upon without independent verification.

You should conduct your own investigation and consult with appropriate professionals to determine the accuracy of the information provided and to answer any questions concerning the property and structures located thereon.

Featured properties may or may not be listed by the office/agent presenting this brochure. Copyright, 1995-2015, REALTORS® Association of Maui, Inc. All Rights Reserved.


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Garden Weddings

The outdoor weddings are held on the Pier and decked area overlooking the lagoon covered with water lilies and featuring a large fountain. Various gum trees including Paperbarks line the perimeter of the lagoon providing the perfect scenic backdrop for your open air wedding.

The Decked area is decorated with:

  • Seating provided for approximately 30 guests adorned with white bows
  • Soft green carpet length to blend in with the natural surroundings
  • Topiary trees dressed with white bows lining the carpet length
  • Registry signing table with tablecloth and 2 chairs with chair covers tied with elegant bows

Should you have chosen to marry outdoors there is no need to let inclement weather dampen your day thanks to Macarthur Parks Wedding Chapel. You may upgrade to the Chapel on the day of your wedding. This is definitely your best backup option in Brisbane.

Macarthur Park Gardens offers you an affordable picturesque true Australian setting where you can experience nature at its finest for your perfect day.

Our staff prides itself on providing a beautiful, unique wedding venue. We are able to offer you a personalised service with attention to detail because we are proud of what we do best. A high standard of friendly professional service will make your day a truly memorable experience.


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Karla Kamstra

The Bridge Spiritual Center, located in the inner corridor of Fountain Square Mall, is a sanctuary for those seeking calmness and balance in their lives, says owner Karla Kamstra. The center, which opened in June, offers therapies like Reiki, reflexology, and crystal healing, as well as interfaith classes, workshops, and community gatherings.

Kamstra, 55, who also founded Pets Alive, a nonprofit organization that offers spay and neuter services, says her experience in developing that community-oriented organization, coupled with her long-time fascination with religion and strong Baptist upbringing, inspired her to become a spiritual leader. She is now in her fifth year of religious studies, enrolled in the One Spirit Interfaith Seminary in New York City. She expects to be ordained as an interfaith minister in June. Kamstra says she recognizes beauty and wisdom in all world religions that seek to connect to the “divine source.”

“Now I have tools to help other people find spirituality within themselves,” says Kamstra, who owns the business with her husband, John Kamstra, executive vice president and CFO of Cook Group, Inc. “The center fills the gap between those who aren’t served by organized religion and those who have given up on spirituality altogether,” she says. “I can also help people navigate into past religions, if their religious heritage still speaks to them.”

Classes such as “Seeking the God Thread,” workshops, weekly community gatherings, and book club meetings are held in one room of the center. There, anyone can use a complimentary “inhalation station” to sample essential oils. In the adjoining restorative therapy center, adults and children over the age of 6 can experience a variety of 30–90 minute therapy sessions in rooms with dim lights, soft music, and oil diffusers.

Services, described by Restorative Therapy Center Director Stacey Conlin, include acutonics, a sound healing therapy delivering vibrations into the body; crystal healing, a stress-relieving procedure placing small crystals over the body’s energy centers; and tapping, gentle, repetitive touches on pressure points. All therapies, says Conlin, help create a balance in one’s mind, body, and spirit so the physical body can better heal.

For more information, visit thebridgebloomington.com.

Here is a photo gallery of The Bridge Spiritual Center (photos by Stephen Sproull):


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Driving home one day in 2003, residential and commercial painter Tim Murphy was thinking of leaving the company he was working for and going out on his own. Then the Grateful Dead song “Picasso Moon” came on the radio. “In the song,” Murphy says, “the clouds part and the moon appears.” The lyrics inspired him to start a business, and even provided the name. That same year, Murphy launched Picasso Moon Painting.

Murphy specializes in interior residential and commercial painting. He has done jobs as varied as painting a lawn totem pole to painting a 3,000-square-foot home inside and out. His commercial clients include the Uptown Cafe and several medical offices.

Murphy, 47, also paints beach-, space-, and dinosaur-themed murals for children’s rooms and, as a volunteer, has created murals for the Monroe County CASA playhouses, which are displayed around the city and raffled annually. “I’d love to get more calls for murals,” he says.

Murphy also refinishes kitchen cabinets. Using a primer and a hard-adhesion, durable, water-based, low-volatility finish, he says the cabinets look as though they’ve been factory-sprayed. “I give kitchens a facelift for less than one-third the cost of replacing cabinets and countertops, and it only takes a week.”

Murphy’s signature service is creating accents on interior walls, specifically sharp vertical lines of color. He doesn’t plumb or draw the lines first, and he doesn’t use alignment tools. “I just drag the bead of paint on the brush straight down — it’s an artist thing — and people say they’ve never seen lines so straight.” Those vertical bands emphasize a space’s architecture, Murphy says, and both separate and unify areas within that space. “They allow you to see it in new and exciting ways.”

Picasso Moon Painting is more than a pretty name, says Murphy. “It’s about providing the best-detailed, consistent finishes to make people’s homes both look and feel the way they want them to. I offer something different, something artful.”

For more information, visit


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Four thrilling moments from S4

From Felix’s win in Marrakesh to a double points finish in New York City, it was an eventful season.

Read More

Technical Preview
New York City E-Prix

Hear it straight from our Chief Engineer Vinit Patel.

Know More

Down The Road: Check Out These
Sexy Racecars Of Tomorrow

Down the road

8 Terms Only Die-Hard Formula E
Fans Know

Formula E Terms

passioneering 24X7

A Fan's Account of Mahindra's Formula E Rollercoaster Ride

Podiums, crashes, hugs and heartbreaks – Mohit Dinodia recounts them all.

  • 04 Sep, 2017
  • 5


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You are here

Mitsu Sato Hair Academy

We encourage students to approach hair dressing as an art form. Our program is second to none in the Kansas City area. Our vision is to offer a new approach for a comprehensive quality cosmetology education within a unique learning environment. We also offer affordable salon services on our clinic floor, which are performed by students trained in the Vidal Sassoon cut and color method. The Wella color line is second to none, and our students walk away with cutting edge technology know-how. All our services are monitored by elite, professional instructors who are committed to teaching students the best techniques. We are dedicated to making sure you leave looking your very best!

Clinic Floor Hours:
Tuesday 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Wednesday 10:15am – 8:30pm
Thursday 10:15am – 8:30pm
Friday 9:45am – 4:30pm
Saturday 9:00am – 4:30pm
Evening Hours Available:
Wednesday and Thursday until 8:30pm
Located at:
9062 Metcalf Ave
Overland Park, KS 66212
United States
(913) 341-7286


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art factory, malvern

This kid. The one just here. She LOVES to paint AND she loves to make a mess. But of course this Mamma ain't always so keen on cleaning it up! That is where art classes come in handy and what's even better - an Art Factory. A brilliant spot for all those creative juices to just flow! Amy runs Kindy Art classes each weekday morning for 2 to 5 year olds at the Malvern studio. Sessions are incredibly interactive and cater to the needs of each mini maker with different degrees of difficultly and assistance provided to each child in this multi-aged program. Little ones learn the basics of masterpiece making such as sticking, cutting, weaving, painting and as always - decorating. Plus once it is all said and done - the pack up is easy! The programs run on a Term by Term basis and are also available at the Balwyn studio as well. And on top of that the Art Factory run after school sessions, kids parties, school holiday programs AND even run special events for grown ups too!

Mamma's special mention: You will most certainly need a coffee before or after these colourful sessions. Mamma's suggestion for this neck of the woods - Pour Kids.

the nitty gritty

Kindy Art
Monday to Friday
9:30 - 10:15am and 10:30 - 11:15am sessions
(Plus an extra
11:30 - 12:15am on Wednesdays)

wanna know more and book in? click here

Glenferrie Road, Malvern

For more stuff to do in Melbourne's East - click here


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In Germany, Switzerland, England, India and South America, homeopathy is a extensively practiced and principally trusted medical art. Homeopathic medicines are drug merchandise made by homeopathic pharmacies in accordance with the requirements and processes described in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States (HPUS)—the official homeopathic manufacturing handbook for the United States.

Pour in a small quantity of what you are attempting to make a remedy of-for instance for the sake of argument that you simply wish to make Homeopathic Pepsi Cola”; due to this fact, your water bottle ought to now include an answer of ninety% water and 10% Pepsi-there’s no should be fussy about your percentages-simply guess at what 10% is likely to be.homeopathic medicine

Founded by Samuel Hahnemann in Germany around the flip of the nineteenth century and launched into the United States shortly thereafter, homeopathy was predicated on such notions as like cures like” and the law of infinitesimals,” whereby terribly diluted merchandise that of their authentic form might need precipitated symptoms resembling those of the sickness in question are administered to sufferers in a highly individualized trend.

From the Division of International Health and Social Drugs, Harvard Medical School (S.H.P.), and the Program on Regulation, Therapeutics, and Law (PORTAL), Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Girls’s Hospital (A.S.Okay.) — both in Boston.

However there are thousands and thousands of homeopathic sufferers who can testify and who can bring results of medical assessments which present well being improvement. Immediately, equally, there are sometimes situations where folks want treatment, but where drugs has little to offer – numerous back pain, stress at work, medically unexplained fatigue, and most common colds, to offer just some examples.homeopathic medicine


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Nursery for great values

posted September 09, 2018 at 12:10 am
We pause today from our usual Sunday activities and pay attention to the grandparents who have been arguably essential in healthy, if positive, parent-child relationships in the social and emotional development of children.

Nursery for great values

We don’t even have to look back—and underhandedly be grateful—to 40 years ago when US President Jimmy Carter first declared Grandparents Day a national holiday in 1978, a declaration taken advantage of by commercial establishments and advertising firms for the possible wads and investments gained.

Beyond the alphabet, this jump on the bandwagon mentality has erased the meaning, the substance, of the role of grandparents in what we call the family as a basic social institution.

Grandparents—whether they are called lolo or lola, apoy, tatay (accent on the second syllable) or nanay, apong lakay or apong baket, grandpop or grandmomma, lilo or lila—can verily be the wellspring of happiness and wellbeing of the entire family, something that is not always acknowledged.

Some believe an expensive dinner or lunch at a posh restaurant on Grandparents Day would raise the gimmick.

But before and after the recognizable burp today, many slide back to forgetting what impact grandparents have in the family circle, given the Filipino culture of a nuclear family.

Some, with the irruption of technology which has made many very impersonal, have thrown into the blotted out zone the impact grandparents have on their grandchildren: a sense of emotional intimacy, unwavering support, and an experience about the face of a true and positive relationship.

Today, as it must be on other days of the common and the leap years, children and grandchildren must recognize that grandparents have an enriching wealth of experience, which makes them a good link to a child’s cultural heritage and family history.

They also provide an extra layer of support, which can make a major difference in a child’s formative years and in years beyond.

Experts have said, and we are persuaded to agree, that grandparent-grandchild bonds during the teenage years are associated with less behavioral and emotional difficulties as well as social problems with peers.

There are also instances when grandparents have an extra and soft shell tympanum when grandchildren need someone to talk with, the latter finding in grandparents a toll-free expressway to open up and share with them difficult moments.

Given the culture in pre- and post-millennium rollover, where both parents in many families are employed by firms that demand their physical presence outside the home, an often frame is that of forbearing grandparents rising to their role in raising today’s leaders of tomorrow.

One study has suggested that roughly 2.7 million grandparents provide for the basic needs of a grandchild, with more going into the extra zone to take care of their grandchildren for nights on end while the parents are away.

Grandparents, given their legends as emotional pillars, are definitely better—although not every grandparent may be gung-ho about this role—than paid househelp or babysitters, with the parents feeling a great sense of comfort, aware their children are left in the hands of doubtlessly capable and caring hands.

Today, as in the other days of the Gregorian calendar, we doff our hats to grandparents who do not compete with their children to be virtual parents, grandparents who know their role in raising a happy and emotionally stable family, not only for the clan, not only for the community, but for their country.

Topics: grandparents , President Jimmy Carter , Grandparents Day
COMMENT DISCLAIMER: Reader comments posted on this Web site are not in any way endorsed by The Standard. Comments are views by readers who exercise their right to free expression and they do not necessarily represent or reflect the position or viewpoint of While reserving this publication’s right to delete comments that are deemed offensive, indecent or inconsistent with The Standard editorial standards, The Standard may not be held liable for any false information posted by readers in this comments section.


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Gormot Consulting

Dear Supplier, Please Can you furnish us in full details about the standard of your products. An offer exist for the supply of different kinds of products to Public Procurement Board here in Ghana on contract basis. The ...

Gormot Consulting
34 Nima Street
Tema, GA 65098

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Main → Afghanistan → Badghis Province → Howz Qolak

Map of Howz Qolak Badghis Province, Afghanistan

Other Names: Hawdze Qalak,Hawdze Qolak,Hawdze Qōlak,Hawḏẕe Qālak,Howz Qolak,Howz-e Qowlak,حوض قولک,Ḩowẕ Qōlak,Ḩowẕ-e Qowlak, Ḩowẕ Qōlak

Howz Qolak

Welcome to the Howz Qolak google satellite map! This cemetery is situated in Badghis Province, Afghanistan. Original name (with diacritics) of the place is Ḩowẕ Qōlak. See Howz Qolak photos and images from satellite below, explore the aerial photographs of Ḩowẕ Qōlak area. This placemark was added 2002-06-22.

Map of Howz Qolak
  • Country: Afghanistan
  • Province: Badghis Province
  • Category: cemetery
  • Latitude/longitude:
  • Altitude: 0 m
  • Population: 0
  • Timezone:
    Asia/Kabul +4.5
  • Local Time: 03:09
  • Sunrise: 05:58
  • Sunset: 18:14
Wiki articles near Howz Qolak
Places near Howz Qolak

Online Dating

Howz Qolak Singles. Date and find singles is the best online singles dating directory of local dating sites and personals for meeting and dating singles in your area.

Howz Qolak, Afghanistan, From cheap hotel rooms to luxury hotel deals, discount 5 star hotels. Read reviews & descriptions, see maps & quality photos. Make a booking today. Find hotels in Howz Qolak, Afghanistan


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Electicians and plumbers in Northumberland and Newcastle upon Tyne to install your infrared electric design heaters

electrician plumber heating Northumberland and Newcastle upon TyneYou're looking for a local electrician, plumber or HVAC & heating company in Northumberland or Newcastle upon Tyne to fit your home with effective infrared heaters?
Please get one of our certified partners in your area for advice, installation of the new electric heating system and removal of your old radiators and boilers.

We provide heating services for our clients in Alnwick, Amble, Ashington, Bamburgh, Bardon Mill, Belford, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Brandon, Chesters, Chollerford, Corbridge, Craster, Dalton, Elsdon, Embleton, Ellington, Falstone, Gateshead, Greenhaugh, Greenhead, Haltwhistle, Hartley, Haydon Bridge, Hexham, Highfields, Horsley, Prudhoe, Housesteads, Ingram, Langley, Linton, Longhorsley, Lowick, Lynemouth, Mindrum, Morpeth, Murton, Netherton, Newcastle upon Tyne, Once Brewed, Rochester, Rothbury, Seahouses, Shipley, Stonehaugh, Vindolanda, Warkworth and Wooler.

Please choose one of our heating distributors in Newcastle upon Tyne and county Northumberland:
Details : Efficent electric design heaters: marble infrared stone radiators
Efficent electric design heaters: marble infrared stone radiators

Please contact us with your enquiry so that we can search the right one for you in your place.

www.marbleheaters.co.uk | Details
 • Related Facts •  © 2011 Electric Marble Heaters - powered by Joomla Web Design
System:     Generated in 0.143 Queries: 7


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$20m funding for Chinese digital marketing measurement firm

By on October 24, 2011 4:05 PM

CHINA— Digital marketing measurement firm Moment Systems has raised US$20m in a series B financing round involving WPP Digital and a number of venture capital groups.

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Knightscove Media Corp.

Knightscove Media Corp.

November 10, 2011 13:06 ET

Knightscove Announces Intent to Acquire 51% of RSKB Communications Inc.

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Nov. 10, 2011) - KNIGHTSCOVE MEDIA CORP. (TSX VENTURE:KC.A)(TSX VENTURE:KC.B) ( ("Knightscove"), a leading Canadian distributor of family entertainment, announced today the entering into an agreement to acquire fifty-one percent (51%) of Toronto-based RSKB Communications Inc. ("RSKB"), the owner of (""), subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange. is one of the largest ethnic sites in Canada, with original daily coverage of politics, personalities, entertainment, fashion and food. Updated hourly, it's a dynamic and engaging resource that offers readers commentaries on the hottest trends, health, beauty, fashion, shrewd dissections of breaking national and local news, blow-by-blow accounts of TV's greatest shows, the scoop on what's cooking with the latest top chefs and more. Inspired by the vision to highlight who South Asians are at their best, is the go-to guide for living the South Asian life, wherever you are. attracts up to 5 million hits daily.

"The team that Knightscove has put together is amazing. The future is digital and content has and always will be king. That is what we will be creating here, great content that is accessible across all platforms: TV, Online, Mobile and Events using social media in a very integrated way," says RSKB CEO Raaj Brar.

The purchase of RSKB and the appointment of Raaj Brar as President of the newly formed Knightscove Digital compliments Knightscove's recent announcement to acquire FDR Media Group Inc. and the launch of Bollywood Times and Mehndi TV. Together, with the digital initiatives of our other divisions, Knightscove intends to deliver content to all digital platforms.

"We are extremely pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Brar as President of Knightscove Digital and the acquisition of his company, RSKB Communications, into the Knightscove family. Our intention in building Knightscove has always been to leverage all content across all platforms. With the involvement of someone as uniquely talented in the digital world as Mr. Brar, his knowledge of Canada's largest visible minority will position us to effectively manage our broadcast and digital initiatives," says Leif Bristow, CEO of Knightscove Media Corp. "An additional advantage to having Knightscove Digital is that it will allow us to begin transitioning our proprietary libraries, including the recently acquired Ellis Entertainment library of over 600 titles, to online applications for rental and purchase."

Mr. Brar has extensive knowledge regarding the buying habits, media habits, product preferences and cultural idiosyncrasies of the two million South Asians that call Canada home. Mr. Brar's knowledge of his community can be directly attributed to the comprehensive online surveys he frequently conducts on the website and throughout his social media network of over one million fans.

The aggregate purchase price for fifty-one percent of RSKB was set at $125,000.00. Of this amount, $50,000.00 is to be issued in cash and $75,000.00 is to be satisfied through the issuance of 750,000 units of Knightscove (the "Units") at a price per Unit equal to $0.10 (the "Purchase Price").

About Knightscove Media Corp.

Knightscove is a fully integrated entertainment company specializing in the distribution, creation and financing of live action feature films and television productions. The Canadian company offers family-friendly third party and proprietary film and television content through its Knightscove Family Films and Knightscove-Ellis International brands.

The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release or the information contained herein.

Contact Information


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November 04, 2009 08:07 ET

LexisNexis Employee Recognized for Outstanding Requirements Process Improvement Within Agile Processes

Kathleen McGoey Recognized With 2009 Requirements Lifecycle Award

ATLANTA, GA--(Marketwire - November 4, 2009) -, the industry's largest consortium for the advancement of Business Analysis empowerment, today announced the winner of the inaugural Requirements Lifecycle Award. Kathleen McGoey, Director of Development Support Services at LexisNexis, was honored with the award for her ongoing work in leading significant improvements in her organization's software requirements practice.

The requirements improvement initiatives led by Kathleen McGoey focus on key client-facing, Web-based applications, back-office applications and other development initiatives. In order to be more responsive to customer needs, LexisNexis is transforming requirements definition and management, and implementing new processes. These include performance of visual requirements simulation for development cycles to ensure that all requirements are clearly understood before costly implementation commences.

McGoey has been able to achieve a commitment for continued improvement and investments in the practice across the company, and LexisNexis is moving toward establishing a center of excellence to continue that work. Specific, ongoing improvements under McGoey's guidance include:

--  Definition and visualization of requirements through simulation,
    resulting in clearer requirements understanding.
--  Creating a single reference for development and test, providing all
    stakeholders, including the business client, with a single location to find
    the requirements information they need.
--  Standardizing project frameworks and roadmaps, allowing stakeholders
    to see historical, current, and planned work and quickly drill-down into
    the detailed requirements for any of it.

LexisNexis' requirements process improvements are delivering significant business value, helping to build applications that are aligned with business and customer needs, and reducing costly rework cycles.

"We commend Kathleen on her remarkable continued work at LexisNexis to truly change the way requirements are defined, visualized and articulated throughout the organization," said Andy Simon, Partner at Centerline Partners, and spokesperson for "She is a great example for others, showcasing how organizations can work to significantly improve their requirements process and thereby drive better communication, understanding and efficiency among all stakeholders in the business."

A video interview of Kate McGoey discussing process improvement undertaken by LexisNexis is available at

About the Requirements Lifecycle Award

The Requirements Lifecycle Award recognizes the achievements of individuals who have led transformations in their organization's software requirements lifecycle through education, process, and automation initiatives to reduce waste and inefficiencies. After a lengthy review process, a judging panel consisting of members selected the winner from among all the nominees. members include HP Software, Cap Gemini, Blueprint, BA Times, The Requirements Networking Group, Orasi Software, Cortechs, Zap Technologies, the Requirements Solutions Group, Centerline Partners, and SKY IT.

About The Consortium

Founded by HP and Blueprint in 2008 and now thirteen members strong, is the industry's largest consortium for the advancement of Business Analysis empowerment. Through focus on requirements definition, visualization, and management, the companies behind are driven to share and sponsor best practices and technologies to improve industry requirements practices. As prescribed in the charter, the call for members is opened only once a year, between January and March. Participating organizations include Blueprint, HP Software, Capgemini, RQNG, Orasi Software, SKY IT Group, CorTechs, Centerline Partners, BA Times, iconATG, Zap Technologies, CapCo and the Requirement Solution Group.

Contact Information

  • Contact:
    Zenobia Godschalk
    ZAG Communications
    Email Contact


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Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

June 09, 2014 08:15 ET

May 2014 Housing Starts in Oshawa

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - June 9, 2014) - Housing starts in Oshawa Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) were trending at 1,551 units in May compared to 1,473 in April according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The trend is a six month moving average of the monthly seasonally adjusted annual rates (SAAR)1 of housing starts.

"The trend in starts in the Oshawa CMA has been fairly steady for some time with a shift from singles towards multiples. 2014. As prices of single-detached homes continue to increase, more home buyers are choosing more affordable options such as townhomes and semi-detached homes," said Ed Heese, CMHC's Oshawa Senior Market Analyst.

CMHC uses the trend measure as a complement to the monthly SAAR of housing starts to account for considerable swings in monthly estimates and obtain a more complete picture of the state of the housing market. In some situations, analysing only SAAR data can be misleading in some markets, as they are largely driven by the multiples segment of the markets which can be quite variable from one month to the next.

The standalone monthly SAAR was 1,557 units in May, down from 2,093 in April.

Preliminary Housing Starts data is also available in English and French at the following link: Preliminary Housing Starts Tables

As Canada's national housing agency, CMHC draws on more than 65 years of experience to help Canadians access a variety of quality, environmentally sustainable and affordable housing solutions. CMHC also provides reliable, impartial, and up-to-date housing market reports, analysis, and knowledge to support and assist consumers and the housing industry in making informed decisions.

1 All starts figures in this release, other than actual starts and the trend estimate, are seasonally adjusted annual rates (SAAR) - that is, monthly figures adjusted to remove normal seasonal variation and multiplied by 12 to reflect annual levels. By removing seasonal ups and downs, seasonal adjustment allows for a comparison from one season to the next and from one month to the next. Reporting monthly figures at annual rates indicates the annual level of starts that would be obtained if the monthly pace was maintained for 12 months. This facilitates comparison of the current pace of activity to annual forecasts as well as to historical annual levels.

Follow CMHC on Twitter @CMHC_ca

Additional data is available upon request.

(Ce document existe également en français)

Tables and a graph are available at the following address:

Contact Information


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SOURCE: LA Comic Con

November 02, 2016 18:18 ET

Stan Lee's Los Angeles Comic Con Hits Record Turnout Of 91,000 Attendees

LA Mayor Eric Garcetti, Celebrity Guests, Exclusive Panels, And A Trick-or-Treating Extravaganza Make 2016 The Largest Year In Show's History

LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwired - Nov 2, 2016) - LA's biggest Pop-Culture celebration unfolded this weekend when a record-setting 91,000 people donned their capes, wings, armor, Star Trek uniforms and Harley Quinn hammers to attend Stan Lee's Los Angeles Comic Con at the LA Convention Center. From Mayor Eric Garcetti's historic ribbon cutting with Stan Lee, to its epic closing that raised significant funds for the Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory, Stan Lee's Los Angeles Comic Con has officially become LA's largest pop culture celebration.

The event's humble beginnings began in 2011 when young entrepreneur Regina Carpinelli and her brothers saw a need for an annual comic book convention in Los Angeles. Its incredible inaugural success turned it into something much more "than your friendly neighborhood Con" when Stan Lee's POW! Entertainment joined as a partner in 2012.

Not only have the fans responded by growing in attendance by at least 20% each year -- so too have the exhibitors and special guests. Luke Cage's Mike Colter joined this year's event, along with Adam West, Alan Tudyk, Mike Tyson, Lance Henriksen, Gerard Way, Kevin Smith, Neal Adams, Rob Liefeld, Dan Harmon, Cary Elwes and many more. Along with hundreds of booths and panels, North America's largest traveling film festival, GeekFest, concluded its year-long campaign of visiting cons across the continent. Some of the world's best cosplayers, make-up artists and prop makers amazed attendees when they competed on-stage at the Cosplay, Make-Up and Prop Making National Championships. Families from across SoCal enjoyed an unforgettable trick-or-treating experience at LA's Ultimate Trick-or-Treat. Courtesy of Guitar Center, a coveted Gibson Flying V electric guitar signed by Stan Lee, Rob Liefeld and Marc Silvestri, was auctioned off for $1,500 to benefit the Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory.

"Watching our show unfold amidst a growing community of amazing fans has truly been an honor. Old friends, new faces and plenty of surprises has made 2016 our best year yet," said Regina Carpinelli, Founder of Stan Lee's Los Angeles Comic Con. "We appreciate the support of our vendors, exhibitors and sponsors in contributing to this year's unprecedented success."

"Los Angeles has proven itself once again as the world capital of entertainment with the unparalleled achievement of L.A. Comic Con," said Keith Tralins, CEO of Stan Lee's Los Angeles Comic Con. "With thanks to the Man himself, Stan Lee, for being LA's true believer, we are excited to continue building our legacy in the many years to come."

About Stan Lee's Los Angeles Comic Con:
Stan Lee's Los Angeles Comic Con is Los Angeles' biggest and best large-scale, multi-media pop culture convention. Held annually at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Stan Lee's L.A. Comic Con assembles the most exciting and innovative in comics, video games, sci-fi, fantasy, horror and all things pop-culture. Stan With a mission to provide celebrity, creator and talent access that is unequalled in comic conventions, Stan Lee's Los Angeles Comic Con features unique panels, autograph sessions and photo-ops that give fans once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to truly interact with their favorite creators and major players in the entertainment industry. Stan Lee's Los Angeles Comic Con is a partnership of Stan Lee's Pow! Entertainment, Cassandra Peterson, and Comikaze Entertainment, Inc. Visit

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I don’t drink. Well, I guess you can call me a social drinker. You know, the occasional drinker who drinks only when there’s an occasion? It’s just that there’s rarely an occasion.

But when I was in Misibis, there was always an occasion—a valid reason—to drink.

On our last night, I ended up downing four margaritas (I know it’s girly, but hey, I don’t drink, so you need to pat me on the back, actually) and a shot of Patron Tequila.

I seriously thought I’d throw up on the plates of sisig and rib eye steak, but I didn’t. I was even able to walk like a supermodel (you know, straight line) when I got up and walked back to my room.

I surprise myself sometimes.


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Monday, September 19, 2011

{Vendor Spotlight} Make Believe'N

I am super excited to share with you my new Etsy vendor who has been added to my list of FAVORITES! I <3 my Etsy community!

Krissy of Make Believe'N Alternative Weddings LLC located in Atlanta, Georgia hand designs high quality handcrafted keepsake bouquets, boutonnieres and accessories for your wedding day and beyond. She also does custom orders (especially for wedding flowers). Make sure you allow 6-8 weeks between order and expected completion date from the date that you will be needing your order.

Krissy has been making these amazing accessories for two years now and is also the proud team captain of the Offbeat Weddings Etsy Team: Wedeclectic and team member of the Etsy Weddings Team: Etsy wedding team. To see more of her collection shop her Etsy store: here

She will also be spotlighted in my upcoming Inspiration Wedding Styled Shoot with a local Savannah photographer, invitation designer, and make up artist. More details to come!!!

Her moto: Live your story, Love your life!

Have a look at some of her gorgeous work:

Her fabric flower bouquets are completely personal and customized. Each one is made with the style of the bride and groom in mind. Traditional or contemporary. Vegan or gothic. All styles are beautiful in their way and Krissy will do her best to make your flowers the very best representation of your personalities.

Each flower is individually handcrafted with high quality satin, organza, chiffon, tulle, crepe and/or veiling.
The flowers are then centered with your choice of photographs, pearls, beads, buttons, vintage buttons, charms, rhinestones, rhinestone buttons etc. A typical nosegay style bridal bouquet measures 9 inches wide by 12 inches long. Larger and smaller sizes are available.

Packages including boutonnieres, corsages, boo hoo bouquets (matching tissue cases) flower girl wands, hair accessories, pomanders, centerpieces, pew décor, and loose petals are available.

Aren't these AMAZING!!!???

Detailed wedding dress sash on a long taffeta belt. Each flower is handcrafted and every petal is deliberately formed into delicate layers. Flowers are crafted to resemble peonies, hydrangea, and poppies.

Perfect for a stylish bride! You can also add an authentic vintage brooch to the center to add some sparkle!!

The belt are 7 feet long so you have plenty of room to tie a bow or knot it and allow it to trail down the back of your dress.

Wear this belt on your wedding day and then dress up your LBD (little black dress) for your first anniversary night out.

Many thanks to the following for the wonderful images provided: http://darlingstudios.biz/ and http://www.cheyphotography.com

  1. Beautiful! I will definitely forward Krissy's info onto any brides I think might be interested.

  2. Absolutely love Krissy's work. Big fan.

  3. Gorgeous! That last belt is stunning- great to see a spotlight feature on Krissy's work.

  4. Thank you for the feature and the wonderful comments my dears!!! xoxo

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See who Viewed My Instagram

See Who Viewed My Instagram: Instagram is one of the most preferred picture as well as video sharing application which lets one share your personal or public pictures. It's feasible to establish film watch rely on the videos which you have downloaded with the application doesn't inform you who's looking at your Instagram account and also privately following your images.

If you are a normal Instagram user, after that there's a fantastic possibility which you have essential followers also who choose to inspect your Instagram web page along with your images. Luckily, there are ways to recognize who is examining your Instagram account. You could also understand who watches your Instagram. Instagram analytics services are offered so you could observe these engagement metrics. Provider like Statigram, Just Gauged and Nitrogram does not presently gauge raw viewership information however offers you a photo of the number of individuals have actually engaged with your posts through testimonials, suches as as well as shared Links.

Instagram is among one of the most prominent picture sharing applications held by Facebook Inc. It's been very preferred considering that its launch this year. Instagram has more than a million energetic users.

See Who Viewed My Instagram

Lots of customers have actually connected Instagram for prompting their personal privacy. Every person can inspect your report and also posts when you do not have a personal account. Yes! If you have an Instagram costs with Public solitude, it indicates anyone online could see your Instagram and also you won't understand it. Here are few factors as to why you have to find out about your account views on Instagram.

Lots of people have condemned Instagram for prompting their personal privacy. That everybody can see your profile might be stressing. It's not regarding track record. If you don't use your Instagram record for a long time, it is likely that it was considered by a tons of unknown customers. There are lots of reasons why people wish to know who sees your Instagram account as well as these are merely a few of them. You can additionally examine who Views My Instagram Free and Can I See who Views My Instagram Pictures?

Checking who watched your Instagram page will certainly give you recommended of your approval rank. For instance, if you're a greater college trainee, popularity indicates everything. You could see which user from your college check outs your account. If you don't have numerous followers, you are not that prominent.

Ever before question the amount of people check your Instagram Profile? And Ways to examine who inspected your Instagram profile? Today in this write-up, we are mosting likely to discuss how to locate who inspected your profile. There are several Third celebration solutions that enable Instagram customers to check the checklist of all the individuals who have inspected your account just recently.

InstaMutual is an application offered for iOS, lets you see who is checking your Instagram account. You can keep this function on for 24 Hr to see every user that is seeing your account. The application is simple to manage and use.

InstaView is additionally a preferred application to check who inspected your Instagram Account. This application is readily available for both iphone as well as Android. InstaView allows you to see up to 200 current sights of that Instagram profile of yours.

It feels good to share your posts by yourself Instagram which can be seen by the public. However, there is constantly a big quantity of malware that will certainly target your Instagram account by claiming to be an application which shows who views your Instagram profile, but advantages could be damaging.

With a Snapchat type of update, the previous number of modifications of Instagram allows you to share pictures and also movies that can go away after 1 Day. There is a part of your stories that you are able to control who sees your Insta reports and additionally, whenever they could react you by that, you'll have the ability to control your history replies only till your viewers.

With the help of this new function, the Instagram user can currently find out about the actual fans as well as who is spying on them by inspecting who sees Instagram profile.


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Massfiscal Fellowship Program

Building Skills   |   Identifying Future Leaders   |   Growing Community

Massachusetts Alliance Fiscal Fellowship

The mission of the Massachusetts Fiscal Fellowship program is to keep young, fiscally-interested people involved and attentive in Massachusetts policy and politics, by creating an educational and experience-based fellowship.

More often than not, talented students leave Massachusetts for Washington D.C. in hopes to find prospective learning opportunities in policy and politics. Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance unveiled its Fellowship program to keep talented young people employed in Massachusetts and show them that there are growing opportunities for fiscally-interested young professionals in the Commonwealth.

Fiscal Fellows network with current leaders in government, shadow successful entrepreneurs and learn the pillars of politics in Massachusetts. Interested in becoming a Fiscal Fellow? Join the movement by clicking here.

 MassFiscalFellowTour2.jpg   MassFiscalFellowTour6.jpgBuilding Skills: Shadowing entrepreneurs, touring successful businesses statewide, & gaining educational experiences.

Identifying Future Leaders: Using state-of-the-art technology & learning new techniques for success.

MFA.Cape.9.6.16-0050.jpg   MFA.Cape.9.6.16-0004.jpgGrowing Community: Team building, meeting locals through door-to-door canvassing, preparing potential leaders, & engaging in community.

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Postdoc & PhD positions in Freshwater Ecology at University of Québec

The University of Québec and INRS-Eau Terre Environnement jointly offer a PostDoc and a PhD position in freshwater ecology based in Montréal.

The PostDoc position focuses on aquatic ecosystem services, in particular freshwater biodiversity and the resilience of ecosystem service provision for north temperate lakes. One research topic will be to create and evaluate participatory scenarios aimed at enabling the maintenance of biodiversity and ecosystem services under different climate change, human population, societal and socio-economic trajectories.

The PhD position focuses on aquatic ecology, likewise aiming at relating freshwater biodiversity to the resilience of ecosystem service provision in north temperate lakes. The research will include work with existing databases, e.g. remote sensing data, but also collection of new phytoplankton and zooplankton data from 30 lakes in the Montréal region.

Both positions are part of an international collaboration between Canada, Sweden and Germany. For more details, and to apply, please contact Dr. Beatrix Beisner ( of the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Québec.


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During every Durga Puja festival time, I get inconsolably homesick. The grey cloud lasts until the week-long festivities are over and only after that, do I manage to limp back to normalcy. What can I say? Durga Puja is a very special time of the year for me and even after so many years of expat life, I miss home terribly during this festival. The biggest celebration in Eastern India, Durga Puja makes my hometown, Calcutta gear up like an excited bride. There is no place on earth, a Bong (local abbreviation for Bengali or people from Bengal) would be rather than their home state at that time and I am as much of a Calcutta girl as it gets. Funnily enough, you do not have to be a Bengali to be a Calcuttan, and irrespective of your cultural roots, the city rubs off its character on you. You end up following quintessentially Calcutta rituals like reading the newspaper with your morning tea at a very relaxed pace. And if you stay one generation long, some very time-bound Bengali practices of applying talcum powder in summer, rubbing Iodex on your chest for cold etc creep over your daily habits.

“Why Calcutta is the best city in the world?”

Recently I read a very interesting article called “Why Calcutta Is The Best City In The World” by Vir Sanghvi. It reflected upon the city’s quirky character in his humourous, witty words. One excerpt particularly struck me as good as gold and that is, Calcutta is essentially Bengali. In his own words, ” Calcutta’s strengths and weaknesses mirror those of the Bengali character. It has the drawbacks: the sudden passions, the cheerful chaos, the utter contempt for mere commerce, the fiery response to the smallest provocation. And it has the strengths (actually, I think of the drawbacks as strengths in their own way). Calcutta embodies the Bengali love of culture; the triumph of intellectualism over greed; the complete transparency of all emotions, the disdain with which hypocrisy and insincerity are treated; the warmth of genuine humanity; and the supremacy of emotion over all other aspects of human existence.” Those are the very words of premier journalist Vir Sanghvi, who spent many fond years of his life in Calcutta and the city’s charm lies in its unruly character.

This is not a travel guide. This is a love letter to my hometown. For a proper Calcutta food guide, check out Calcutta Belly.

hand pulled rickshaws are quintessentially calcutta

Calcutta can be seriously stereotyped

Calcutta is more than brick and mortar buildings, it is about feelings

There is more to Calcutta than brick and mortar buildings, landscaped parks and it is possibly India’s dirtiest and poorest metro city. But that does not stop the heart from loving this difficult grand dame of the British colonial empire and the city comes with a lion-sized touchy ego. Places have a way of changing people and believe it or not, most of the changes that Calcutta has brought on its patient residents are good ones. I have heard new residents of Calcutta claiming to be more humane, sociable, and people friendly while getting more culturally active every day. The city thrives on intellectualism and it is not easy to swim against this tide of thoughts and feelings. To love Calcutta is to understand it and the only way to do so, is to feel the city, let it seep into your blood, take over your brain completely until you start functioning nearly like a Bengali, and finally steal your heart forever. Only then, will the city be truly yours and wherever you go, a part of Calcutta will always go with you. I brought Calcutta with me all over the world and have inadvertently sought its familiarities with many foreign cities.

Howrah bridge is the oldest bridge of calcutta

You need to feel Calcutta to love it.                       Photo Credit – Akash Das

“No matter wherever you go, a part of Calcutta always goes with you”

It always struck me how the Rhine sunsets in Cologne, Germany were as gorgeous as the ones in summer in Calcutta. Or how downtown Havana in Cuba with its vintage cars and crumbling mansions resembled BBD Bag Calcutta with its yellow Ambassador taxis? I loved the feeling of Deja Vu while walking down streets of Yangon in Myanmar and often get disoriented in parts of Cairo. It finally dawned on me that it was not the cityscape which was familiar but the underlying connecting human emotions like elation at sunset colours, chaos of Yangon markets, and the fierce pride in the cultural heritage of the Cubans which made me yearn for my city in a foreign soil. This is the magic of Calcutta and needless to say, it is a feeling that will never go away. So, I asked some of Calcutta’s visitors, “how do you describe this city of emotions in words?” ‘Simple’, they replied. ‘Just pen down your sensory memories of Calcutta’ and you will have the city alive and humming on your page. In the upcoming series, I will showcase Calcutta through the eyes of its resident (me) and visitors alike. Called, “This is my Calcutta”, the series is a travel photo essay on emotions, culture, and the reality of loving Calcutta.

You may also like: Top things to do in Calcutta

Calcutta is the cultural capital of India

Calcutta is about timeless leisurely habits like reading

Presenting glimpses of ‘My Calcutta’

One of my favourite memories of Calcutta is of the evening walks which I took in the Southern Avenue part of the city. The walk was a part of my evening routine every time I went home and sunsets and piling on weight due to home food cause such enthusiastic efforts. West Bengal is puddled with lakes and rice fields and their fish is king. Fish and rice along with noon siesta, are our daily staple and we, Calcuttans would love to have both every day. Calcutta was experiencing monsoon the last time I left and it was very romantically pretty.

Purple is the colour of Calcutta monsoon

Monsoon flowers were in full bloom and wild blackberries were splotching the broken sidewalks with deep purple. In fact, most Calcutta monsoon days are very purple with dark violet clouds crowding a damp sky and twilight which falls in deep lilac tones. Even the dusk is velvety at that time, with an intense indigo blue lighting up with a slice of soft waxy moon. Coconut leaves rustle in a wet breeze and its only on Saturday evenings that the city murmurs joyously despite the monotony of the tedious rain. Such scenes rush through my mind like stills from a lovely movie and I can even smell the signature fragrance of autumn “shiuli” flowers in my desert beige Cairo neighbourhood.

#Kolkata #Travelbloggerindia #Travelblog #Kolkatatravelblog #WestBengaltourism

Sounds of Calcutta

The birth of Calcutta from three villages

Settled in the eastern part of India, Calcutta is located on the banks of the river Hooghly (which flows through rest of the country as the Ganges) and is very close to the Bay of Bengal. It is a laid back riverine city, hard to love at first sight, but has a peculiar charm which slowly creeps over and overpowers its visitors completely. A proudly bohemian crumbling city, Calcutta is like a grand dame of the colonial era also known as the British Raj. A long and complicated chain of national and international events spawned its birth on 24th August 1690 and it was founded by a British called Job Charnock. An equal number of conflicting stories exist about its christening, but it had been long proven that the sprawling colonial city was formed out of three villages of Gobindapur, Sutanuti, and Kolikata.

Calcutta market walk

Despite its poor and dirty city image, Calcutta can be surprisingly fun. Photo Credit – Akash Das

The British capital, a Communist headquarter and the Jack of all trades

It was the capital of the British East Indian empire until 1911, after which Delhi took over the helm of power. Always a fiery city, Calcutta had been a hotbed of controversies, revolutions, and scandals. Numerous rise and fall of regional empires saw the royal exiles roosting in its palatial homes, the opium trade, jute, indigo burst and diminish its coffers in phases and independence and violent Marxist-Maoist movements bringing the city to bloody standstills. Incidentally, Calcutta, the capital of the state of West Bengal,  was the headquarter of Communist Party of India and it dominated the political scene for more than three decades.

Suggested Read: The special Bow Barracks Christmas of Calcutta

Why is Calcutta so bohemian?

Its regime was also the world’s longest of democratically elected Communist government and Maoist-Marxist, Communist, bits of Fascist, Calcutta had experimented with them all. The city truly believes in freedom and breaking away from the socially accepted, the mundane. It was this love for experimentation which lead to some of the earliest acceptable interracial marriages in Calcutta, so much so that it almost became a fad in the 18th century. Such unions between the Europeans and local women, both Hindu and Muslim created the origin of the city’s substantial Anglo-Indian (or Eurasian) community and the city celebrates one of the classiest Christmas in India.

#Kolkata #Travelbloggerindia #Travelblog #Kolkatatravelblog #WestBengaltourism

Smells of Calcutta

Mother Teresa, factory lockouts, poverty, and other age-old controversies

Strive for constant freedom, refusal to conform to norms and obstinacy, lead post-independence Calcutta to be extremely volatile and it heralded more than a decade of unions, bandhs (standstills) and economic stagnation. The painful birth of Bangladesh from India brought ceaseless waves of immigrants into the city (active still now) and with that came poverty, squalor and utter lack of hygiene. Epidemics, leprosy and other horrifying illnesses scarred the beautiful city and it turned into a living hell in the early 90’s. Missionaries arrived in swarms, the most famous being Mother Teresa and they brought with them endless aid, changes, and more controversies.

mallick bazaar flower market in calcutta is best in the mroning

You will find beauty in Calcutta if you seek it well.

There is beauty in every step in Calcutta, only if you feel it

Poverty still remains in an objectionable amount in Calcutta and it has often been termed as a poor man’s metro. Also known as the “City of Joy”, Calcutta is home to a huge population of migrant workers, especially manual labourers who move into the city for better prospects and the movie featuring Patrick Swayze (also by the name of “City of Joy”) portrays their heart-rending tale beautifully. As mentioned before, straight from the horse’s mouth, Calcutta is hard to love at first sight but its distinction from the rest of the country can be felt from the very beginning. Beauty in Calcutta is scattered at every step with nearly every sight, sound and smell and in spite of the broken, faded facade, its grandeur is apparent and undeniable.

Check out the rest of West Bengal series on travel, food, and culture.

The crumbling grandeur of colonial Calcutta

Calcutta lanes are crowded with architectural jewels which have seen better days and rich British officers, governors, Indian elite, princes in exile, courtesans, traders, artists, rebels have thrived in their winding interiors in phases. They all have loved Calcutta, possessed it with fervour and poured parts of their soul into the city. They lent the city its real beauty, its untamed, bohemian spirit and in spite of a much culturally homogenous population, Calcutta is the proud home of the artistically inclined, wild spirited, beauty-loving Bengalis.

#Kolkata #Travelbloggerindia #Travelblog #Kolkatatravelblog #WestBengaltourism

Spirit of Joie de Vivre

The everlasting Ghoti-Bangal debate

While erstwhile Bengal included the myriad hued and more culturally rich Bangladesh, today it is restricted up to the bank of the Hooghly river. This has given rise to the sharp demarcation of Ghotis (original Indian Bengalis) and Bangals (Bangladeshi immigrant Bengalis), who in spite of being Bengalis to the core, never agree on anything. Strangely enough, even though they have similar cooking styles, their food differs in taste, texture, and consistency just like their dialect. Calcutta too is sharply divided into North and South, and the divisions do not end here.

Calcutta and its love for arguments

A sports-loving city, Calcuttans are eternally divided over football clubs (Mohun Bagan and East Bengal), renowned musicians, writers, just about anything and everything. This attitude stems from the fact that Calcuttans love politics, art and arguments over a few cigarettes and cups of tea and nothing charges a Bengali’s mind more than an aesthetic discussion. Great patrons of idyllic mental pursuits and gentle use of time, Calcuttans can argue over President Trump for days (as if it’s happening in our backyard), spend hours searching for the freshest duck eggs and hunt throughout the length and breadth of the city for the famous tender young goat meat, which we relish as mutton. Passion drives us and Calcuttans can part ways for generations due to falling out over sweets, fish preparation, music, sports, and politics.

Calcutta loves to read

It does not matter which walk of life you come from, in Calcutta we are always ready for a good debate.

The Calcutta pride in all things Bengali

In Calcutta, we take pride in our women, fish, sweets, and music. An abundance of fish and the Great Bengal Famine of 1943 lead to clever fish-based dishes, indigenous to only this part of the country and we are proudly fishy people. Much to our fellow countrymen and visitors’ surprise, we devour every part of a fish, including the tail, bones, head, eyes and even the intestines and happily pick them clean. Fries rule our palates and we fry just about anything we get our hands on. From regular potatoes, onions, okra, and eggplant fritters churned out for every meal, our festivities call for exotic ingredients like marigold, pumpkin flowers, coral jasmine leaves, lamb fat etc. Sweets according to us are divine gifts to mankind and we have the most famous sweet tooth in the country. We add sugar to our cooking, take insult to our taste in fish and sweets very personally and heartily keep a tab on the number of deserts consumed (by self and others only to excel the last count) at wedding reception parties.

#Kolkata #Travelbloggerindia #Travelblog #Kolkatatravelblog #WestBengaltourism

Fast vanishing Calcutta

Calcutta is such a culture vulture

With all that energy which goes into artistic and sensual pursuits, it is needless to say that Calcutta is an intelligent city. Every nook and corner of Calcutta have either well-constructed concrete shacks or hole in the wall rooms called clubs, where boys of that locality gather to gossip, play carom, cards, chess and watch cricket or football matches. These clubs also hold the yearly discussions and proceedings of the grand Durga Puja festivities and lots of heated arguments over them. Art and culture play major roles in lives of Calcuttans and every residential lane has an art, dance, recitation etc school. Plays and concerts draw major crowds and some of India’s most prominent artists, musicians, filmmakers, writers, and models are/were Bengalis or hailed from Calcutta.

The last but not the least, the Calcutta women

Calcutta women are deemed the most beautiful in the country and more fiery and independent-spirited than the rest of their counterparts. From the very childhood we are bred as equals to men, if not more and are trained, pushed and encouraged to excel. Although not quite the most stylish or prettiest women in the country, our sharp as nails, wily ways of talking, making pretty eyes, confidence and “intellect” help people not see that reality and we get away carrying those major chips on our shoulders. This spirit, however, changes subtly with different parts of the city and while the sedate ( but no less fiery) north Calcutta is definitely more architecturally beautiful and historically important (being the nerve center of the old moneyed), it is the racy, fast, nouveau rich South which prides itself on its vibrant spirit.

Sports, food, siesta, culture, politics, and repeat..presenting the soul of Calcutta

Cabaret, music, food, Dada art movement, and sports, almost every aspect of Calcutta still drips with a charmingly severe (British) Raj hangover and these make life there very pleasant. So as I sit here on a lonely Cairo winter day and yearn for my family, let me lead you to Calcutta, the city of artists, rebels, Ambassador taxis, trams, dreamers and big talkers. Let me lead you home.

#Kolkata #Travelbloggerindia #Travelblog #Kolkatatravelblog #WestBengaltourism

A festive lonely day

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And awful homesickness

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Make me yearn

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For home,

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For my city

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And my roots

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An architectural open air museum

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It is beautiful

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#Kolkata #Travelbloggerindia #Travelblog #Kolkatatravelblog #WestBengaltourism

#Kolkata #Travelbloggerindia #Travelblog #Kolkatatravelblog #WestBengaltourism

And has a glorious past

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Life rushes and

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And throbs through it

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In myriad colours

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#Kolkata #Travelbloggerindia #Travelblog #Kolkatatravelblog #WestBengaltourism

And phases

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Love it

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Or hate it

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You just can’t ignore it

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This is Calcutta

#Kolkata #Travelbloggerindia #Travelblog #Kolkatatravelblog #WestBengaltourism

An epic with 100’s of shades of grey

You may check out these excellent Calcutta travel blog posts by MigrationologyUrban Adventures, and Vir Sanghvi.