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Tag: Aussie Prince Campaign

Sexism Sells…Aussie Princes and Arresting the Great Japanese Tourist Decline

Japan’s Aussie Prince Campaign website seeking women’s photos of sexy blokes

In this day and age, it would be unthinkable to use taxpayers’ hard-earned money to promote a campaign promising a 1 million yen order-made trip to Australia for a young bloke sending in photos of a sexy member of the opposite sex.
But, when the shoe’s on the other foot, it seems to be all right.
At least, it was until just a few years ago.
For a while in the late Noughties to early 2010s, Tourism Australia worked desperately hard to arrest a drastic and dramatic decline in Japanese tourist numbers.

Japanese Visitors to Australia 2002-2012

Part of those efforts involved a campaign that Tourism Australia conducted in Japan back in 2009-2010. The campaign played on the Japanese homophones (words that sound the same but have different meanings) for Aussie (oojii in Japanese) and prince (ouji in Japanese).
The Oojii Ouji Campaign promised a 1 million yen prize to the entrant that provided Tourism Australia with the best story of a visit to Australia. Participants were also asked to send in a photo of an Aussie they’d enjoyed spending time with. The implied wording of the campaign (using “prince” in Japanese immediately implies a Disney-style, good-looking and virile hetero male who can sweep a woman of her feet) and actual use of only good-looking young Aussie blokes to promote the cause in Japan made it fairly obvious the promotion was all about physical attraction.

Aussie “princes” promoting the tourism campaign

The “princes” Australia sent to Tokyo to promote the campaign were Aborigine Prince Warren Clements, Great Emotion Prince Nick Atkins, Wine Prince Brett Stanley, Beach Prince Shannon Eckstein and Sports Prince Ben Tomkins.
Tourism Australia made no secret of targeting women in their 20s and 30s, a gender-oriented promotion they would not be able to engage in back in Australia.
Actually, it makes sense for tourist organizations to target younger Japanese women. They are less likely to be caught in overtime trap, have more of a chance of building up disposable income (especially if they’re living at home) and can be a bit more adventurous.
Ultimately, destiny made the campaign’s timing disastrous. Before the effects of the campaign could be felt, the Great East Japan Earthquake struck and there were far more serious issues to deal with.

The website featuring “Aboriginal Prince” Warren Clements

Tourism Australia has reverted to a more standard approach to promoting the country in Japan, which no longer has the importance for the Australian tourist market that it held when it was sending 700,000-800,000 people a year Down Under from the mid-1990s to the early Noughties. Hordes of Chinese tourists swooping into Australia have made the need to encourage more Japanese to visit a far less critical issue than it was a decade ago.


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Home Information of the Consulate General About Pakistan About China China-Pakistan Relations About Sindh and Balochistan Provinces Consular Service Economy & Trade Culture & Education
  Home > Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on November 9, 2017

Q: Today, during his joint press conference with President Xi Jinping, President Trump said that China and the United States talked about the issue of Afghanistan and reached an understanding on this. Recently the United States has introduced the new South Asia policy and pressured Pakistan to crack down on Taliban. What kind of understanding has been reached between China and the United States? Can you provide us with more details?

A: This morning, the heads of state of China and the United States held talks. The two sides believe that maintaining the stable and constructive relations between Afghanistan and its neighboring countries is of great significance to the peace and reconstruction process in Afghanistan. They support an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconstruction process, call on all relevant parties in Afghanistan to achieve extensive and inclusive national reconciliation through political negotiation at an early date and stand ready to play a positive role through such mechanisms as the Quadrilateral Coordination Group of Afghanistan, China, Pakistan and the United States.

China and the United States have important shared interests in combating terrorism and upholding regional peace and tranquility. China stands ready to continue stepping up cooperation in this regard with the United States and other relevant parties.

Q: We have noted that yesterday, accompanied by President Xi Jinping and his wife, President Trump and his wife visited the Forbidden City and President Trump said that this is unforgettable. This "state visit plus" arrangement has left a deep impression on us. What is China's consideration behind the relevant arrangements?

A: As is known to us all, when President Xi Jinping visited Mar-a-Lago this April, President Trump and his wife offered a hospitable and considerate reception to President Xi Jinping and his wife with high-standard and thoughtful arrangements being made in all respects. China is known as a nation of courtesy and we believe that courtesy calls for reciprocity. The Chinese side attaches great importance to President Trump's visit to China and it is only natural for us to do the honors and receive him in a hospitable and warmly manner.

The Forbidden City embodies the extensiveness and profoundness of the Chinese culture which boasts a history of thousands of years and mirrors the vicissitudes of the Chinese nation over hundreds of years. It serves as an indispensable window to learn about the Chinese history and culture. The heads of state of China and the United States had an in-depth exchange of views in the Forbidden City, which can help to enhance mutual understanding and friendship and is of great significance to guiding and promoting the sustained, sound and steady growth of China-US relations in the new era.

I believe you have also noted that yesterday evening, President Trump showed President Xi Jinping a video of his grand-daughter Arabella Kushner singing in Mandarin and reciting the Three-Character Classic and ancient Chinese poems. That video has been shared and reposted by Chinese netizens many times. As the little ambassador of China-US friendship, Arabella is adored by the Chinese people. This special arrangement is very sweet and heart-warming. I believe this can also help to bring closer the distance between the Chinese and the American people and build a closer bond between them.

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KAR Auction Services Announces Development of ADESA Chicago

April 9, 2015

For Immediate Release

Media Inquiries:
Darci Valentine
(317) 249-4414

Analyst Inquiries:
Jonathan Peisner
(317) 249-4390

KAR Auction Services Announces Development of ADESA Chicago

CARMEL, Ind. — KAR Auction Services (NYSE: KAR), the parent company of ADESA, today announced the development of a whole car auction facility. Named ADESA Chicago, the site will give KAR a strong local presence in the nation’s third largest metropolitan area.

“As we have discussed in our recent earnings calls, we have a responsibility to deploy capital in a manner that provides a return to our shareholders. Identifying opportunities for strategic growth has been a priority of KAR,” said Jim Hallett, KAR chairman of the board and chief executive officer. “The investment in an ADESA auction facility in Chicago is just one example of how we can deploy our capital to expand our market share, serve additional customers and enhance our financial performance. We will not only serve the Chicago market with a new physical auction facility, but I see an opportunity to expand the use of our online offerings in Chicago.”

The auction will be located in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, just off of I-90. It is conveniently located between six major interstate systems and near O’Hare International Airport. KAR will initially develop 65 acres for the ADESA auction and has an option to expand the site up to 150 acres.

“We are clearly focused on growing our market share in the wholesale used car auction market and expanding our service offerings. This greenfield development and the recent announcement of the acquisition of Pittsburg Auto Auction demonstrate our commitment to brick and mortar locations. Our investment in TradeRev in the last half of 2014 expands our reach into the dealer-to-dealer activity that occurs outside the wholesale auction process. We continue look for other opportunities to invest in the growth for all of KAR’s businesses,” added Hallett.

About KAR Auction Services
KAR Auction Services, Inc. (NYSE: KAR), a FORTUNE® 1000 company, operates used vehicle auction services for North American sellers and buyers worldwide. Based in Carmel, Ind., the KAR group of companies is comprised of ADESA, Inc. (ADESA), Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. (IAA), Automotive Finance Corporation (AFC), and additional business units, with nearly 12,000 employees across the globe.

ADESA operates 66 wholesale used vehicle auctions and IAA has 168 salvage vehicle auctions. Both companies offer leading online auction platforms to provide greater access for customers. AFC provides inventory financing and comprehensive business services primarily to independent used vehicle dealers from its 111 locations. Together, KAR’s complementary businesses provide support, technology and logistics for the used vehicle industry. For more information, visit

Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this release include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and which are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties. In particular, statements made that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Words such as “should,” “may,” “will,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results projected, expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include those matters disclosed in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.


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KAR Auction Services Names Vice President of Enterprise Optimization

August 18, 2016

Media Inquiries:
Darci Valentine
(317) 249-4414

Analyst Inquiries:
Mike Eliason
(317) 249-4559

KAR Auction Services Names Vice President of Enterprise Optimization

CARMEL, Ind., August 18, 2016—KAR Auction Services, Inc. (NYSE: KAR), a leading end-to-end vehicle remarketing services provider, announced today that Tim Massingale has been promoted to vice president of enterprise optimization. Massingale will report to David Vignes, KAR executive vice president of enterprise optimization.

In this role, Massingale will join the enterprise optimization team, which is responsible for maximizing resources and increasing synergies across all of the KAR business units. Additionally, he will oversee the company’s safety training programs, including the well-known Safe T. Sam series, and lead the team responsible for compliance with environmental, health and safety regulations.

“This promotion is a testament to the bench strength of talented professionals we have across the KAR group of companies,” said Vignes. “I am pleased to have a seasoned executive like Tim with more than 16 years of in-house and automotive experience join our team. His extensive knowledge and leadership skills will be a true asset and will contribute greatly to the continued success of KAR,” said Vignes.

Massingale joined KAR Auction Services in 2009, where he held a variety of management positions at PAR North America, including national remarketing manager, client relations manager, director of operations and, most recently, vice president of compliance and ancillary services.

“I have been fortunate to acquire a tremendous amount of experience about our industry and our company during my time at PAR,” said Massingale. “I look forward to applying these skills to my new role and working closely with a new team to continue to achieve results for KAR.”

About KAR Auction Services
KAR Auction Services, Inc. (NYSE: KAR), a FORTUNE® 1000 company, operates worldwide vehicle auction services and provides related services. Based in Carmel, Indiana, the KAR group of companies is comprised of ADESA, Inc. (ADESA), Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. (IAA), Automotive Finance Corporation (AFC), and additional business units, with approximately 17,000 employees and 300 locations. Together, KAR’s complementary businesses provide support, technology and logistics for the used vehicle industry. For more information, visit


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text: tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726720639650900706.post1505985481092027103..comments2014-04-03T10:13:08.922-07:00Comments on Karen's Hikes: Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Parkkarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16419624724854069991noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726720639650900706.post-43558698047025874802014-04-03T10:13:08.922-07:002014-04-03T10:13:08.922-07:00Karen, forgive me trespassing on your Hikes blog, ...Karen, forgive me trespassing on your Hikes blog, but the DalbyFamily blog seems to be inactive. Before that happened you mentioned there that you had family photos - your father Fritz etc. - which I'd be very interested in seeing. When I stayed with Valerie and Charles for the waterwheel ceremony I met Fritz's old bandleader Chet London. He showed me Fritz's banjo and gave me a recording of the band, which for a jazz fan like me was a great thrill. If you'd like to be in touch with your English cousin who's interested in our family history my email is JmsHogg@aol.com. Hope to hear from you.Dalbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04722863332787142556noreply@blogger.com


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Wednesday, 26 June 2013

The most famous huia painting, prepared by celebrated bird artist Johannes G. Keulemans for the 2nd edition (1888) of Sir Walter Buller's A History of the Birds of New Zealand

Deriving its name from its distinctive melodious call, the huia Heteralocha acutirostris was a member of a small family of birds found only in New Zealand and referred to as wattlebirds. A crow-sized species whose glossy black plumage disclosed a deep green sheen when viewed at certain angles in sunlight, it was instantly characterized by its pair of bright orange facial wattles, its elegant tail plumes with broad tips decorated by a wide band of sparkling white (tinged with rufous in young birds), and - above all else - by the truly exceptional, extraordinary nature of its ivory-coloured beak, for unlike virtually all other birds (see below) the huia had not one beak but two.

Female (top) and male (bottom) huia heads, by John Gould, 1837-1838

Indeed, when first scientifically described in 1836, by eminent ornithologist and bird painter John Gould, the male and female huias appeared so dissimilar in form that he mistakenly named and designated them as two separate species – Neomorpha crassirostris (the male huia) and Neomorpha acutirostris (the female huia)

A pair of huias – the male with a straight beak, the female with a curved beak; colour plate from 1860, based upon John Gould's original painting of 1848

This is not as surprising as it might otherwise seem, because whereas the male huia’s beak was short and straight, used for chiselling out grubs (especially those of Prionoplus reticularis, a longhorn beetle commonly called the huhu) from decayed wood as a woodpecker does, the female’s was long and curved gracefully downward, enabling her to secure grubs from deep woody crevices that her mate’s short beak could not reach.

Huhu grubs (Charlotte Simmonds/Wikipedia)

Many animal species exhibit some degree of sexual dimorphism, but in birds this usually involves plumage or body size. The huia’s drastic departure from that tradition, by possessing a sexually dimorphic beak, established it as a species of immense scientific worth, which made its extinction all the more tragic. (Recently, it has been shown that a second vanished species of bird, the Réunion crested starling Fregilupus varius, extinct since 1837, also sported a sexually dimorphic beak, but not to such a pronounced degree as in the huia.)

Keulemans's painting of the Réunion crested starling

Never the most common of birds, the huia inhabited beech and podocarp forests, and was apparently confined to North Island’s Ruahine, Tararua, Rimutaka, and Kaimanawa mountain ranges, with occasional reports from the Wairarapa Valley too. (Supposed sightings of huias from the woody country near Massacre Bay in South Island’s Province of Nelson were never substantiated.) Yet although it had been hunted for generations by the Maoris, who greatly prized its attractive tail feathers for their chiefs’ head-dresses, its numbers seemingly did not suffer unduly until the coming of the Europeans.

Their arrival, however, was accompanied by all manner of serious threats to the huia's survival. These included: the accompanying introduction of Western species that endangered the huia by preying upon it, competing with it for food, and exposing it to various diseases hitherto unknown there; large-scale procurement of huia specimens for museums and private collections; destruction of its forest homelands for cultivation and grazing; and ultimately the widespread wearing of huia plumes by all Maoris (regardless of status) and by members of European high society.

A pair of mounted huias at Germany's Museum für Naturkunde (Haplochromis/Wikipedia)

There could be only one outcome. The last fully verified sighting of this species was made on 28 December 1907, when W.W. Smith spotted two males and a female. Since then, the huia has been officially categorised as extinct – but is it? We'll return to this tantalizing subject a little later.

It is not widely known that the familiar glossy-black huia with a white-banded tail is not the only variety of huia on record.

For instance, several beautiful albinistic specimens are preserved in various museums, their snowy plumage and pale wattles rendering them almost as a photographic negative of their typical ebony-plumed counterparts. One such specimen, an adult female, was painted in the company of a pair of normal adult huias by celebrated bird artist Johannes G. Keulemans. This beautiful water colour was published in c.1900.

Keulemans's painting of an albinistic female huia and a normal pair

It is well documented that immature huias sometimes exhibited a rufous tinge to their tail's white band. However, Maoris sometimes specifically referred to a 'red-tailed huia' in the adult state too, by which they may have been alluding to specimens retaining this rufous tinge of the white tail band into maturity.

Far more intriguing, however, is the so-called huia-ariki (translated as 'chiefly huia') – a nowadays-forgotten yet extremely distinctive huia variant, whose plumage was decidedly different from that of the normal form. The principal source of information concerning the huia-ariki is Sir Walter Lowry Buller's magnificent and still-definitive work A History of the Birds of New Zealand. Here is what he wrote about it in the 2nd edition (1888):

The most remarkable variety, however, is that known to the Maoris as a Huia-ariki. I have never seen but one of these birds, of which I have already published the following notice*:—

[* = Trans. New-Zealand Instit. 1878, vol. xi. p. 370.]

“I have received from Captain Mair some feathers which, in colour, have much the appearance of the soft grey plumage of Apteryx oweni [nowadays termed Apteryx owenii, the little-spotted kiwi], but which are in reality from the body of a Huia, being of extremely soft texture. I hope to receive the skin for examination, but in the meantime I will give a quotation from the letter forwarding the feathers:—Old Hapuku, on his death-bed, sent for Mr. F. E. Hamlin, and presented him with a great taonga. This has just been shown to me. It is the skin of a very peculiar Huia, an albino I suppose, called by the Hawke’s Bay natives ‘Te Ariki.’ I send you a few feathers. The whole skin is of the same soft dappled colour, but the feathers are longer and softer. The bill is nearly straight, strong, and of full length. The wattles are of a pale canary-colour. The centre tail-feather is the usual black and white, while the others on each side are of a beautiful grey colour. These birds are well known to the Huia-hunting natives of Hawke’s Bay; and to possess an ‘Ariki’ skin one must be a great chief. The specimen I have described was obtained in the Ruahine mountains.”

The skin was afterwards sent to me, for examination, and was exhibited at a Meeting of the Wellington Philosophical Society. It is that of a male bird of the first-year. The whole of the body-plumage is brownish black, obscurely banded or transversely rayed with grey; on the head and neck the plumage is darker, shading into the normal glossy black on the forehead, face, and throat. The tail-feathers are very prettily marked: with the exception of the middle one, which is of the normal character in its apical portion, they are blackish brown, irregularly barred and fasciated with different shades of grey, and with a terminal band of white; the under tail-coverts, also, are largely tipped with white, indicating adolescence.

I have on file a number of examples of freak brown specimens belonging to species whose plumage is normally black, such as crows and certain other corvids. And in some cases, these brown specimens also exhibit a degree of banding or fasciation. This aberrant colouration and patterning was genetically induced in those birds, so presumably the huia-ariki arose from the expression of an analogous – or even homologous - mutant allele in the huia. However, the softer, longer nature of the feathers themselves in the huia-ariki suggests that another mutant allele may also have been involved, unless there was a single, pleiotropic (i.e. multi-potent) allele responsible, affecting separate aspects of this variant's phenotype. I wonder if there is an illustration of the huia-ariki? It would be fascinating to see what this remarkable form looked like, rather than having to rely only upon a verbal description.

A sketch from 1888 of a huia with an aberrant upper mandible

Also on record are a few huia specimens with distorted beaks, such as the bizarre example illustrated above.

The huia’s morphology is unique. No other bird in New Zealand, whether native or introduced, can be readily confused with it - which is why the sizeable number of alleged post-1907 huia sightings has attracted notable scientific interest. Their most detailed documentation is presented in William I. Phillipps’s The Book of the Huia (1963). A noted expert on New Zealand’s avifauna, Phillipps listed 23 such sightings, and learnt that as recently as the 1920s eyewitness reports of black birds with orange wattles and white-tipped tails regularly emerged from the huia’s former haunts.

The Book of the Huia, by William I. Phillipps

Although none were by professional ornithologists, a number of these sightings are sufficiently convincing to give cautious cause for optimism that this unmistakeable species still survived at that time. An official huia search was carried out in 1924, and although no huia were seen, signs of this species’ existence were observed. Moreover, a much more recent event, one that greatly impressed Phillipps, occurred on 12 October 1961, featuring Margaret Hutchinson.

As I learnt from Ron Scarlett of South Island’s Canterbury Museum, when Hutchinson arrived for a six-month stay in New Zealand in 1961 she visited the museum first of all, before travelling on to North Island; she interviewed at length its then Assistant Director, Graham Turbott, regarding the huia, as she seemed most interested in this species. After reaching North Island, she spent October at the Lake House Hotel, Waikaremoana, in the Urewera State Forest, where she was studying the native bush (forest).

On 12 October, Hutchinson spent the day at a smaller lake called Waikareiti, three miles further on from her hotel, and set amidst New Zealand beech woodland. She had been sitting by the track leading to the lake, watching some large, red-and-green native parrots called kakas pecking dead wood off a tree, when suddenly, as she was looking across a small valley nearby, she saw a bird fly up the middle of it, and disappear into some beeches. It was of similar size to the kaka (17-19 in) but was of slighter build, and its plumage was black, except for the white-banded tip of its tail. In the field-guide that she later consulted, the picture most closely matching her bird was the huia’s.

19th-Century engraving depicting a pair of huias

As she noted in an article published in the RSPB’s Birds magazine (September-October 1970), Hutchinson recounted her sighting not only to William Phillipps but also to Dr R.A. Falla (then Director of Wellington’s Dominion Museum), another major authority on New Zealand birds. Both men were sufficiently impressed to deem it likely that she had genuinely seen a huia; in The Book of the Huia, Phillipps goes so far as to conclude: “...there appears to be little doubt she did see a huia”.

However, we must also consider the possibility that Hutchinson’s evident interest in this species actually conspired against her. Could a combination of excitement and surprise at the bird’s brief and unexpected debut have ‘transformed’ it (albeit unconsciously) in her eyes from its true identity (some still-surviving species, such as a tui) into a huia? In short, could her huia have been an illusion, created unconsciously by an innate desire to see one? The human brain can play some quite extraordinary tricks on our eyes, often ‘filling in’ details that are not actually there, or modifying the appearance of an object to accord with some subconscious thought or memory - and all without the person concerned even realising what is happening.

A mounted female huia (Fritz Geller/Grimm,Wikipedia)

More recently, in 1991, Copenhagen University zoologist Lars Thomas, who has a longstanding interest in cryptozoology, also claimed to have seen a huia, while visiting North Island’s Pureora Forest.

Yet if the huia really does still survive, why has it not been formally rediscovered by now? In a foreword to Phillipps’s book, Falla noted that even at best, New Zealand’s bush is not overly conducive to easy birdwatching, requiring such a sustained effort to explore the multitude of potential hideaways for birds that there is rarely enough time to carry out detailed observations at any one given spot, so that all-too-many of its birds are not sighted at all. Having spent quite some time birdwatching in New Zealand during 2006, I can certainly vouch for this.

A New Zealand postage stamp issued in 1898 featuring a pair of huias

If the huia is alive, it has probably retreated into areas that even by the bush’s standards are quite inaccessible, and thus less readily disturbed. Indeed, over the years a number of people have informed Ron Scarlett of possible huia sightings in the remoter regions of the Kaimanawa range, so that he deems it possible that the species still survives here. Moreover, as Hutchinson revealed in her article, careful analysis of the post-1907 reports documented by Phillipps do seem to indicate a movement northwards — away from the huia’s most favoured former provenance, the Tarawera Range (now divided up by agricultural cultivation), and into a wilder, mountainous forest region (much less accessible to humans), perhaps as far as the Urewera State Forest after all.

Equally, Ron Scarlett has identified subfossil huia bones from moa-hunter middens on the Taranaki coast, and from limestone caves in the Mahoenui area, lying on the border of North Taranaki and South Auckland, and much further north than the huia’s known modern-day distribution. Could this region’s more remote portions be another putative retreat of surviving huias?

Perhaps some huias took refuge in certain northern areas less readily reached by humans during their species’ last stand in its favoured territory. In addition, there might be areas that have always housed a resident huia population, wholly unknown to the Europeans, so that this truly unique species - New Zealand’s handsome and quite astonishing bird with two beaks - still survives after all.

The extraordinary ingenuity of practical techniques employed in the field of molecular biology may eventually render superfluous searches in the field for officially extinct species in the hope of rediscovering them. Some scientists are already anticipating a time when extinct species may be resurrected in the laboratory instead - by cloning, using DNA extracted from preserved tissues. Indeed, the huia is one 'classic' extinct bird that may well become the focus of just such an attempt in the not-too-distant future.

Keulemans's painting of a huia pair within the 1st edition (1873) of Sir Walter Buller's A History of the Birds of New Zealand

In July 1999, a conference attended by biologists, bioethicists, and Maori representatives was held in New Zealand to discuss the exciting possibility of reviving the huia by cloning, using DNA samples retained in museums' taxiderm specimens. Cyberuni, a firm based in New Zealand and California, is offering to help fund the project if suitable DNA samples can be found. Even so, some researchers have objected to the plan, claiming that the huia's extinction was a natural process demonstrating its unviability as a species.

In reality, however, a major part of this bird's decline was due to over-hunting for its prized tail plumes, to diseases carried by non-native species introduced to New Zealand by Europeans, and to stuffed specimens being too zealously sought by museums and private collectors. Consequently, if the huia could be restored, humanity would merely be redressing the balance.

A New Zealand postage stamp issued in 1996 featuring a pair of huias

  1. Fascinating! It's always disappointing to see the damage that humankind has caused our planet.

  2. Somewhere somehow I know they're there. Remote or under our noses one day soon they'll be there


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Thursday, February 10, 2011

Beijing, baby! - Part 1

I'm clueless about how to begin telling you lot about our trip to Beijing. We packed so much into 9 days that when I've spoken about Beijing to my friends and family I just jabber about random things. How about a list of adjectives:

Beijing was beautiful, cheap, crowded, huge, smelly, delicious, disgusting, ancient, modern, cold, cruel, dirty, colourful and bleak. I found it equal parts frustrating, depressing, exhilarating and exciting.

The first day we dropped our bags at our hostel and went to Silk Street. Silk Street is Beijing's haggling mecca, with over 1,700 stalls hawking everything from fake shoes and handbags to pearls, coats, glasses and of course, silk. As you walk past, each of the stall owners call out to you in English, Mandarin or Russian (and a few in Korean) asking you to come and check out their goods. I was too overwhelmed to take pictures so below is one I nabbed from here.

All of the stalls are selling almost the same thing, after a while the calls became repetitive and it sounded like I was walking past a bunch of those parrot toys that screech at you when you activate their motion sensor. The prices they offer you at first are hugely inflated, so it's your job to haggle them down to something reasonable. Tom and Lauren had done some research which helped us get an idea of what we should expect to pay and what the sellers would use against us. Apparently, if the sellers ask you to shop with them again, you've paid too much (they asked me a couple of times, fail).

Some of the things sellers will tell you:
'This is a New Years special price'
'I'll give you this price because I like your hair.'
'I'll lose money! I'll lose money!'
'You bought a bag? You want one more bag?'
'What price? Give me your not joking price.'
'You have a hard heart.'

I thought I'd hate it as I'm no good at haggling, but it was actually pretty fun. I paid 100 yuan (about $19) for a fake Ferragamo bag (far too much), and I got some chopsticks too. Tom bought some prescription sunglasses for Y180 ($35!) arguing the seller down from Y900. The most badass bargainer was Lauren, who got one seller down to Y100 from Y1500, and was then told she was hard hearted. She was delighted!

After several hours wandering around the 5 floors of goods on offer, we went and got some dinner - dumplings! There was a poky little dumpling place about 5 minutes from our hostel, and for less than $25 we got 5 plates of dumplings - duck, veggie, chicken, pork and lamb.

On the street we also picked up some dessert. There are fruit kebab sellers dotted all over the main tourist areas, and for Y2 (40c) you can get a stick of Hawthorn berries dipped in melted sugar. They're tart and sweet and it's like eating a stick of tiny toffee apples. Oh man, I want one right now! I ate probably about 12 of these during our stay, and some sugar-coated strawberries which were also damned good. Also it's impossible to look demure whilst eating them.

Stay tuned for part two.

  1. they look interesting. the strawberry on a stick i take it?

  2. Those are the Hawthorn berries, my photographer isn't wonderful (cough TOM cough)


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We’ve Been Parents for a Year

April 12, 2013  |  Culture, Family

I’m from the old school. The reactive, post Magic Johnson old school. Where parents, teachers, and media all told me that if I ever had sex, I was going to die. Immediately. Somehow my parents instilled in me a healthy fear of everything.

All of it was out to kill me: the drugs, the MTV, and yes, the sex…

In that world of teenage fire and parental brimstone, the only thing worse than dying immediately from sex was “getting somebody’s daughter pregnant”. (I still hear those words in my father’s judgmental baritone.)

This is how I was conditioned.

One of those "home pregnancy test dad-to-be photos"... 'Cause everybody takes their partner to a meadow to read the pregnancy test.

One of those “home pregnancy test dad-to-be photos”… ‘Cause everybody takes their partner to a meadow to read the pregnancy test. Foolishness.

Though Kass and I were planning to procreate, when the doctor finally delivered the news that we were expecting, I was not one of those “home pregnancy test commercial dads-to-be”… all like, “Oh, honey, we did it!” My conditioning would not allow it. My first reaction was, “My father is going to be PISSED!”

Kass had to remind me that I am in my mid-thirties. Not my mid-teens. (I still told my mama first. Sorry, Pop.)

Our world has been shifting since that moment. When Soleil joined our unit, she brought a universe of experiences and emotions with her. It is hard for me to believe that we have been living this reverie for a full year. Soleil is one-year-old. Kass is amazing, and I am so blessed.

Since blessings have been shining my way, I figure that I’ll use this opportunity to spread love by sharing some insight that I’ve gained on the way.

  1. Everyone has something to teach you. Learn. Since having Soleil, all my friends have had tons of advice. I might (not) have listened. I’ve been most impressed, however, by Soleil’s ability to consistently teach me new things. Listen to the kids.
  2. Read to the people you love. My favorite time of the day is story time. Reading to Soleil and Kass is blissful. I might find some more people and read to them just ’cause. You should too. Seriously. Volunteer at a school, nursing home, mosque, whatever, and read to the people you meet there. Noting builds community like words.
  3. Talk lots. Every time Soleil does something might be the first time she’s ever done it, so we have to explain everything. Explaining everything has made my other relationships positive too. Communication works. Do it.
  4. Don’t get nobody’s daughter pregnant. 🙂

– Corn

  1. Pam Carter-Wiley

    Your dear child, Soleil, will continue to teach you all your lives in ways you cannot now even imagine. Although initially you introduce the world to your child, as the years pass, your child(ren) will open up the world to you in wondrous ways. How blessed you and Kass are enjoying the wonderful journey that is parenthood!

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Tuesday, 29 January 2013

Music ♫

I created a survey and posted it on my Blog a week or so ago to see what others thought to try and gain audience feedback to widen the target audience, my results shown that Jazz music was the most popular answer. I believe this is an appropriate music genre as it fits Charlie Chaplin's type of films which makes our product similar to his in more than one way.

Thursday, 24 January 2013

Music for the Short Film ♫

Sound is a key technical code in moving image, because basically, if the sound didn't go with the film then it wouldn't be worth watching. This is why it's vital that I choose the correct music to play along with the short film. Kelsey and I decided upon creating a short film in the style of Charlie Chaplin (black and white with no sound and an exaggerated performance by the actors). To ensure that it is similar to Chaplin's films, the sound needs to be similar, too. I have created a survery via SurveyMonkey and have asked people to complete it so I can gain audience feedback.

Thursday, 17 January 2013

We've been filming the opening scenes of our Short Film since the 10th of January and it hasn't been working the way we anticipated. We've decided to think our whole project through and have come to the conclusion that we're changing the concept to a more simple but effective twist, with a more simple but effective.

Thursday, 10 January 2013

Ideas for Music

The music in our short film needs to fit or else it will not look professional. As the sound is my role I have decided to create an online survey to see what genre of music other people think would be most effective.

I will leave it for a week or so and allow people to vote for themselves.

Thursday, 3 January 2013

Magazine Article's

I am going to find some short film articles in magazines either in shops or via the internet. This will help me have an idea on what sort of things I need to cover when producing my ancillary task. Things I will need to focus on is what will need to be said about the short film that covers enough for people to want to watch it but not enough to let the audience know exactly what happen, basically explaining some of the concept but not revealing any plot twists!


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What Do Doughnuts and Books Have in Common? The answer changed the way I view Literature

Just this last Friday was National Doughnut Day here in the United States. I had a great many things on my mind that day, and didn’t really have time to celebrate then, but it seems a pity to do nothing. After all, who wouldn’t want to celebrate the soft, sweet scrumptiousness also known as doughnuts? So here are some thoughts about how doughnuts can fit into your reading schedule without adding inches to your waistline.

One day, a few years back, I was having a conversation with my cousin and we started talking about books. Knowing she had been a long time fan of vampires, I decided to get her take on Twilight. I don’t remember her exact words, but she said something to the effect of, it was okay, but not something she would count as serious reading, kind of like eating a doughnut. Well, that got me thinking. I decided that most books out there can fit into what I call “literary food groups.
Grains– In order for me to explain, let me start with the base of our literary food pyramid. These would be the grains of all books—the classics. These are the staples of a will rounded reading diet. These are often what our English teachers made us read in high school. Names such as Shakespeare, Dickens, and Brontë come to mind. These are the books that last through the ages.
Vegetables– Next, we have our vegetables. This is where I would place the self-improvement books. Titles like The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, and How to Win Friends and Influence People would fit perfectly. These nourish and help us grow into healthy individuals in more than just the physical sense, though some health and fitness books may do that as well.
Fruits– Fruits are right there with vegetables, and what better to compare with fruits than poetry? Poetry is sweet and delicious, as well as full of nutrients for the soul. Satisfying enough to act as a dessert when necessary, but healthy enough to stand on its own. It can be combined with the classics to make them sweeter. It can be preserved in different ways, like songs, wall hangings, or even recitations, just as fruit can be preserved by making jams, bottling it, or freezing it. And, as with fruit, there is enough of a variety that everyone should be able to find something they like.
Dairy– Now we progress to the dairy, or milk, of books. I say progress, but we are actually going back in time with this. I consider the picture books and early readers to be the milk of literature. After all, isn’t milk what we start out with? If you want to grow big and strong, you better drink your milk. Milk is supposed to make strong bones. Aren’t picture books and beginning readers the means by which we build and strengthen the framework of our future reading? There are even picture books written to cater more toward adults, because after all, don’t grownups step back and drink a glass of milk once in a while?
Meat– Meat comes next. Mead is our non-fiction writing like biographies, scientific journals, histories, newspapers, and even textbooks. This is our brain food. Brains need protein to develop. They also need real information to keep up with the world and grow. We may be able to glean partial protein from other sources, but it won’t be as complete and filling as our meaty books.
Dessert– Last of all, we have our fats and sugars—our desserts, if you will. These are my personal favourites. Who doesn’t love dessert? This is where our literary doughnut will fall. Fantasies,science fiction, romance, mysteries and suspense are all a few that might fall into this category. These books are written to be pleasurable, and aren’t required to have much nutritional value, though I believe many still do. After all, not all desserts are created equal. Is a doughnut really on the same level as a perfect banana split? How about comparing a Ding Dong to a slice of rich, chocolate cake decked out in smooth, creamy frosting? Creating the perfect dessert can be an art form, and so can writing these dessert genres. They can be a fattening doughnut, tasty but not likely to benefit you in the long run, or they can be as comforting as that warm slice of apple pie. They can be as easily dismissed as the Twinkie in the bottom of your lunch, or create sweet memories, like that decadent piece of cheesecake shared with a special someone.
I love dessert. I love my cake and ice cream. I am pretty much addicted to sugar. I also love reading dessert books. I have chosen to write dessert books because of all the different literary food groups, this on can help a person escape from the stresses of real life for at least a brief moment, and give them something to look forward to. It is the genre that allows my creativity to thrive, and a reader’s imagination to soar. I have to admit, I am kind of hoping my book Gateway to Aviandria goes beyond the doughnut level and becomes more of the cheesecake or apple pie.

So, to sum up what I have discovered in my literary food and nutrition study:

  1. All the literary food groups are necessary to keep well balanced. The “serving” ratios don’t have to match the real food pyramid, but they should all be there somewhere.
  2. Dessert isn’t a bad thing. As I just stated, each food group has its place and dessert is no different. It’s alright to read for fun. You should read for fun.
  3. Not all desserts are created equal. If you are worried about overindulging on your literary desserts, pick the best ones. Pick the cheesecake over the doughnut. On the other hand, if you really prefer Twinkies to lemon meringue pie, who cares? Go for the Twinkie! In the end, reading a Twinkie is better than not reading at all.

When all is said and done, just enjoy what you read. Some people would way rather have a steak than a pie. Some people never replace milk as their beverage of choice. Reading should be pleasurable, so for now, just sit back and enjoy that literary doughnut.

4 Responses to “What Do Doughnuts and Books Have in Common? The answer changed the way I view Literature

  • I liked your take on literature. It’s a refreshing view. Thank you for sharing.

  • Great post. I have never thought about books this way but I think I will remember this from now on! I too am a dessert fan and my food pyramid I’d definitely unbalanced, although I guess If you count a lifetume’s reading then I got plenty of milk, grains, fruit and vegetables during childhood, school and university so it all balances out, right?!

    • Rie Frost
      1 year ago

      Thanks Zara. I always figured it would balance out in the end too.

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Friday, 15 April 2011

Persian Baked Yoghurt Rice with Chicken (Tahcheen-e morgh)

As I wrote recently, I fell in love with Saraban: A chef's journey through Persia by Greg & Lucy Malouf, the moment I saw it.

In this post, I want to share a most wonderful recipe from the book – tahcheen-e morgh (baked yoghurt rice with chicken).

During a talk I attended recently, Greg was asked to describe the one dish summed up Persian cuisine for him. He answered:

"There is one dish that is the centre of the universe for Iranians and that is rice… the way they cook it with a crispy edge, it's like suckling pig!"

Many questions later, he was asked about any particularly difficult cooking techniques:

"The rice! I really like making it… it's really easy… but there are five minutes of sweating at the end to see if there's a crust!"

Having taken that comment to heart, I was certainly a little nervous about how the dish would turn out, apprehensive about how disappointing it would be if I failed to get the fabled crunchy crust.

To my delight, the crust was magnificent and the dish delicious. I can't wait to make it again!

Tahcheen-e morgh

Baked yoghurt rice with chicken

250 grams thick natural yoghurt
3 egg yolks
3 tablespoons saffron liquid *
1 teaspoon orange-flower water +
finely grated zestof 1 orange
1 teaspoon sea salt ^
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
500 grams boneless free-range chicken breast and thighs, skin removed and cut into 2 cm cubes ~
400 grams basmati rice
2 tablespoons sea salt^
80 grams butter, plus extra for greasing

*The recipe for saffron liquid specifies 20 strands of saffron to 2 tablespoons of boiling water, instructing that they be lightly, briefly and carefully toasted in a dry pan over medium heat, ground in a mortar and infused in boiling water for at least 1 hour. I dislike the strong earthy taste that comes from too much saffron so I used approximately 10 strands in 3 tablespoons of boiling water and didn't bother to toast them before infusing.

+I didn't have any orange-flower water so used just 2 tiny drops of (the much stronger) natural orange extract that I had in stock. This worked well.

~ I prefer the taste and texture of thigh, so used only thigh meat and no breast.

^As the first teaspoon of salt was to be used in the marinade and the second two tablespoons were used to cook the rice, I used ordinary table salt instead of sea salt.

  • Beat the yoghurt with the egg yolks, saffron liquid, orange-flower water, zest, salt and pepper in a shallow dish. Add the chicken to the yoghurt mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 12 hours ahead of time.
  • Wash the rice thoroughly, then leave it to soak in a generous amount of lukewarm water for 30 minutes. Swish it around with your fingers every now and then to loosen the starch. Strain the rice, rinsing it again with warm water.
  • Bring 2.5 litres of water to the boil in a large saucepan. Add the salt and stir in the strained rice. Return the water to a roiling boil and cook, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Test the rice by pinching a grain between your fingers or by biting it. It should be soft on the outside, but still hard in the centre. Strain the rice and rinse again with warm water. Toss it several times to drain away as much of the water as you can.

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  • Preheat the oven to 190 C and butter a 2 litre ovenproof dish. Remove the chicken pieces from the yoghurt marinade. Mix half of the parboiled rice with the marinade and spoon it into the base of the ovenproof dish. Spread the rice over the bottom and up the sides of the dish. Arrange the chicken on top of the rice, then spoon the rest of the rice to cover, and smooth the surface. Cover tightly with a sheet of lightly buttered foil and bake for 1.5 hours.

  • Remove the dish from the oven and dot the surface of the rice with bits of butter. Replace the foil and leave to rest for 10 minutes. Turn the rice out onto a warm serving platter.

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  • Serve with a bowl of creamy yoghurt and a selection of fresh herbs – tarragon, basil, chives and parsley would be lovely.

We didn't have a suitably shallow ovenproof dish, so we used a deeper cast-iron casserole. Although we buttered very liberally, we were not able to turn the dome of baked rice and chicken out whole. In fact it wouldn't come out at all! Instead, we had to serve it from the dish, ensuring that each plate received a generous piece of the crunchy crust.

We served it with thick natural yoghurt with parsley, coriander, dill and chives (the four herbs used in the kuku-ye sabzi (soft herbed omelette) recipe we had made recently, also from Saraban.

Published by Hardie Grant Books, Saraban: A chef's journey through Persia is currently available from for £17.62 (RRP £30).

Debs @ DKC said...

Sounds delicious, can I come for dinner next time?

Su-Lin said...

Wow - I'm definitely making this!

Greedy Rosie said...

I've had my eye on this book for some time now and that dish looks delish! Have to go (nearly) the top of my list now.

Kit said...

Am definitely going to try it. Looks truly delicious. X

Laissez Fare said...

Iranians are the masters of rice. Full stop.

Well done on the dish, looks great. We have an Iranian rice dish probably once a week at a minimum.

The kitchen princess diaries said...

This sounds so delicious. I love crispy rice bits.

I heart cupcakes said...

This sounds really delicious - right up my street. May have to give it a try - thanks for sharing!

family attroney said...

Well its a good article and its too interesting one....

Mzungu said...

Rice with a crust .... Yum yum yum.....

Riocaz said...

Looks delicious Kavey!

gastrogeek said...

Stunning! Can't wait to make this :-)

celia said...

Oooh, I love Greg Malouf's books - I have Arabesque and borrowed Moorish from a neighbour, both great reading. This one looks even better! Thanks for the review and the recipe, Kavey!

Fiona said...

I used a whole chicken skinned boned and cut into strips so had a mixture of white and dark meat both were very succulent the rice does encase the meat well when cooked through and if it had turned out fine when turned upside down on a plate it would have been quite impressive to look at with the golden bottom and wonderfully coloured rice. It didn't turn out well so served it in the dish it was cooked in. It did come way well when served just not enough to turn it out. So someone else on another site suggested lining with buttered paper and this may be the way forward.

The taste of the saffron and the orange zest was light and really nice and as said the colour was lovely.

The addition of the peppers garlic and spinach as a side dish was a good thing and worked well. both in colour and taste.

The dish also seemed a little dry and would have benefited from something like the yoghurt with herbs as a side too.

We have loads of rice left which will mix well with other things but this might have been because the rice did seem a little dry but it will make excellent fried rice for tomorrows lunch.

I would certainly make it again and would make a little less rice with it or more liquid I might well experiment and do it both ways and see what is the right thing to do.

The roasted peppers did go well with it and next time I would add tomatoes and something like butternut squash as well. If you prep them just as the rice and chicken go in the oven,then pop them in they cook in the oven at the same time just nicely.

frenchcheesequeen said...

I have tried to post a report of how wonderful this was and the way that baking parchment enabled it to be turned out into a lovely golden crispy cake but it keeps getting rejected.

Chocoralie said...

This looks absolutely gorgeous. I love a light note of saffran. Have recently been given saffron sugar which I use for desert. Will try your receipe tomorrow evening!

Gourmet Chick said...

I love Malouf's cooking (had an amazing meal in Melbourne at his restaurant) and this dish looks brilliant

Katie said...

That sounds wonderful. I love baked rice. Yum!

Capricornbcaroline said...

Well Kavey, this was wonderful and thanks to the tip about baking parchment mine came out beautifully. I only used 350g of rice and that seemed just the right amount. I baked mine in a Le Creuset casserole with a baking parchment cartouche and the lid on. Thanks so much for blogging this delicious recipe.

Kavey said...

So happy that several people have made this since the post and have really liked the subtle flavours, moist chicken and crunchy rice...

Jude said...

I've bookmarked this for our Royal Wedding celebration Kavey. Thank very much.

earthmaiden said...

I just had to try this recipe. I used a cast iron casserole dish with a circle of parchment at the bottom and a foil cartouche (no lid) on top. It turned out of the dish well and was visually stunning when turned out and when the layers were cut.

The flavour of the yogurt mix was delicate and spread right through the top layer of rice. There was all in all a lot of rice when the bottom layer was included. If I made it again I think I would use more chicken and possibly try the addition of some orange juice soaked sultanas and lightly chopped pistachios to the chicken layer to add sweetness, flavour and colour (possibly not authentic but I think it would work well).

I kept quite a lot of my ‘cake’ in the fridge until the next day . Once cold the layers were colourful and looked lovely cut into slices and served as a tasty addition to a salad. There are a variety of dressings/sauces which could be experimented with as an accompaniment - I love your suggestion of yogurt with herbs.

Thanks so much for sharing the recipe. I am looking forward to experimenting some more (I think you could make a good gluten-free orange ‘sponge’ cake using the yogurt mixture, rice and something to sweeten!). Now I can’t wait to see the book!

Kavey said...

EM, so glad it turned out well. I think your additions sound like a great idea, authentic or not, and certainly pistachios and sultanas are widely used in Iran, so not beyond realms of good match at all!

Carol Birch said...

Well, I am very impressed with this. I essentially stuck to the recipe exactly with the exception of halving the quantity. I used extra large eggs so used only one yolk and it worked beautifully.

In view of the comments about it sticking I buttered a circle of baking parchment about two inches larger than the round earthenware casserole and placed it on the bottom, also buttering the inside of the dish well. I put another buttered circle on the top and then sealed the dish with a triple layer of tinfoil before putting the lid on. Despite halving the quantity I stuck to the original cooking time.

The crispy rice mould turned out beautifully, it was about an inch and a half in depth and around eight inches in diameter, far too much for me to eat at one sitting so I cut it into three portions. I ate the first immediately with a side salad of orange segments and flat leaf parsley drizzled with some rosewater - absolutely gorgeous. A crispy golden topping, that succulent saucy chicken middle and the elusive aroma of orange and saffron permeating the kitchen.

In the interests of science I wrapped one of the remaining pieces in the foil I had used to seal the dish and put it in the fridge for two days, I then reheated it in the microwave on full power for four minutes and it was most successful. Not quite as crispy but all the flavour was there. The second piece I put in a freezer bag and froze for three weeks. That was zapped from frozen for six minutes and although the crispy bit was now rather chewy all the flavours were intact. Every single bit was eaten and I shall be repeating the experiment.

Thank you Kavey.

Ianinfrance said...

We liked this dish very much indeed, though I had a couple of minor reservations about the balance between the amount and seasoning of the rice, and the chicken. Like Kavey, we made it with chicken legs, and because we buy free range farm chickens, they were only JUST cooked enough. That was partly because we increased our quantity of chicken to 1 kg to serve 8 generously. We could have got away with 750 g, We had also increased the quantity of rice slightly from 400g to 500g and we didn't need to. I reckon that as part of a five course meal, Kavey's quantites would be enough for 6.

When we normally do rice based dishes, we allow an absolute maximum of 80 to 90 g per person. So if I'm right in thinking that the recipe will feed 6 people as part of a multi-course meal then there would only be as little as 75 g of chicken per person which isn't really very much. I feel that needs a little adjustment, certainly for me effete European taste buds. That's what we did when we tried the recipe, and even so there was barely enough chicken

Seasoning. We used the full amount of sea salt to cook the rice as in the recipe. However, as I knew perfectly well would happen, when the rice was rinsed, all the salt was washed out, and in fact we felt the rice did in fact slightly lack salt. Similarly for the chicken. Making this with 1 kg (or double the recipe) of chicken, we increased the quantity of all the marinade ingredients by 50%. That too was, we felt. under salted. I used the zest of 1½ oranges, and to be honest, felt that it dominated a bit too much. the saffron didn't come through enough on the other hand, we felt.

So to resume. The dish was excellent despite my minor reservations. Having read of Kavey's problems with turning it out, we decided to line the bottom of the large pan that we used with well buttered bakewell paper as Carol suggested. It turned out beautifully, impressing our guests no end.

For me the revelation was the yoghurt which we turned into a sort of raita with loads of herbs. 375 ml yoghurt, 3 tbs chopped wild applemint, 2 tbs chopped parsley and 1 tb each of chopped chives and tarragon. 1/2 ts of salt and 20 grinds of pepper. It was absolutely delicious and went very well indeed with the dish.

Are we going to make it again? You betcha. We both thought the herby yoghurt was a triumph as was the colourful mixed salad that Jacquie made. (Red and green lettuces -red feuille de chêne, green batavia, yellow pepper, cherry tomatoes). She made a completely different vinaigrette for it than our usual type, with olive oil and lemon. It went extremely well with it.

Kavey, thanks very much for posting that recipe. It will become a regular chez nous!

Emerald7 said...

Thanks again, Kavey, and I got around to making this yesterday.

I couldn't find orange flower water anywhere, so used rose water instead, but the orange flavour and scent from the zest was quite strong, and I served it with green beans and peas with fresh orange fillets and juice.

Having read the comments of others, I reduced the quantity of rice from 400g t0 265g, to make four portions rather than six, and that worked fine.

I rather liked the delicate flavours, but OH would prefer something stronger next time, so I will experiment, as per the suggestions of Fiona and others.

Thank you also for your suggestion of yoghurt and herbs on the side. I did something similar – natural yoghurt and sour cream mixed with parsley and chives, which worked well, and I do think that the dish needed a sauce on the side.

Thanks also to FCQ for the baking parchment idea, which I followed to the letter, and the dish turned out perfectly when inverted. The other half is in the freezer for another day.

Definitely a keeper. Thanks very much Kavey.


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Friday, August 29, 2008

{beyond inspired}

today i am beyond inspired.

you simply must go and see this blog today.

words cannot express how absolutely lovely i think this idea is. sign my girls up!

now if i only had the time.....i certainly have the gumption.

1 comment:

Sunny and Darrin said...

Kam...I really think you should make this happen! You would be great at it and the girls would have such a good time! You already have major sleepovers all the time this would just add a couple extra elements to it!


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Thursday, September 4, 2008

{nie nie}

this story has really grabbed my attention lately.
this beautful little family has forever been changed. i have followed stephanie's blog and was so saddened when i heard about her accident.
burned.....over 80% of her body.....her husband a private airplane crash that killed the pilot. by the grace of GOD their children were not with them.
there is a button on the side of my blog if you want to contribute to their fund.
if you would like to read more about this beautiful woman, you can check out her nienie blog here.

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Saturday, September 12, 2009

Show Me 5 Saturday: Hollywood is Like high School with Money

That's A Novel Idea has started a new MEME called Show Me Five Saturday. This meme will give each blogger an opportunity to give a brief description of a book they have read or reviewed during the week.It will work like this: Each Saturday You will post the answer to these questions. The number indicates the number of answers you will provide.

1. Book you read and/or reviewed this week
2. Words that describe the book
3. Settings where it took place or characters you met
4. Things you liked and/or disliked about it
5. Stars or less for your rating?

Here's mine:

  • Hollywood is Like High School with Money by Zoey Dean
  • comedic, chicklit.
  • Hollywood major movie studio, Taylor Henning : main character who quickly loses her naivete after she lands a job as second assistant to Iris, Quinn: Iris's jaded teen daughter who teachs Taylor how to get ahead in this cutthroat business but has her own agenda that comes back to bite Taylor in the hindquarters. Ouch!
  • Comedy, friendships fake and real, movie business inside scoop, the ending
  • 4 stars

  1. hey Kaye! Thanks for playing! I haven't read enough chick lit lately!!

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.


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Wednesday, July 23, 2008

A quickie!

I'm at work but I just had to tell you about this dream I had. Well, actually it was a nightmare. About my cat. Yes, I know it's stupid but I never have cool dreams. The crux of it is that my precious Taz was accidentally poisoned and I had to watch him die. Again as in all my dreams it was all plausible. I was with my family, on my street and no one flew or had a cleverly concealed gun. No, it was just me and my family mourning the loss of our awesome pet.

As I was crying in my dream, I woke up and for a few seconds continued crying like the dream. Weird. Then I knew it wasn't real and was ready to get out of bed and look for my furry critter. Fortunately he was snoozing at the foot of my bed. He noticed I was upset and joined me on my pillow purring up a storm. It was a really nice moment. He'll never know how much he means to me. It makes you not even want to share your life with a pet if it's just going to up and die on you like that. Sheesh.
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Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Pineapple Park Pot Real Estate in Desert Hot Springs

Yep, POT, aka Marijuana, has become the new 'Gold Rush' it may appear.

It was such an informative article, I'm sharing the link here:

An inventive mayor who was looking for ways to bring his town out of the red decided this was a way to do that.

I'm just not sure how I feel about it. I know there is good and bad opinions out there. Not sure if I'm personally ready to have this type of Gold Rush.

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Winter Driving Tips for New Drivers

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New drivers are at an increased risk of accidents in winter weather because they may not have the experience needed to successfully avoid ice- and snow-related accidents. At the same time, winter hazards increase accidents during cold weather for all drivers. By following these five tips for new drivers, you can reduce your risk of an accident this winter.

1. Slow down.

In 2014, speeding caused 18 fatalities in Alaska alone, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This is almost 25 percent of the 73 accidents reported by the Alaska Department of Transportation.

Obeying the speed limit is always of utmost importance, but when winter weather hits and roads are slick, it is even more imperative to slow down and make extra room between your car and others. This is especially true for new drivers who are not experienced in driving in wintry conditions.

2. Do not drive distracted.

Young drivers may be more prone to answering a text while driving than their older counterparts, according to the NHTSA. Texting and driving is dangerous in any situation but can be even more deadly when you factor in black ice, snow, and animals that can streak across the road at any second.

3. Watch out for animals.

Every year, about 400 people collide with moose in Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley alone. Other large animals call Alaska home, as well, including bison, caribou, and bears. These animals cause extensive property damage and numerous fatalities each year.

The months of December, January, and February bring the most wildlife-related crashes, because animals often walk on plowed roads to avoid snowdrifts. Staying aware of your surroundings at all times and watching the sides of the road for any sign of wildlife can help you avoid this type of accident.

4. Be aware of changing road conditions.

Road conditions deteriorate quickly in Anchorage during the winter months. As temperatures drop, wet roads freeze. Snow sticks to the pavement, and traffic compacts it into ice. In a matter of a few hours, roads can go from clear to slick and dangerous. By checking the weather before you travel and keeping an eye on road conditions, you can ensure you are home before things become treacherous.

5. Be prepared.

While avoiding an accident is the best bet, do not overlook the importance of being prepared for one. Whether you break down or crash, having an emergency kit in your car can make the difference between staying warm and safe or suffering from hypothermia and potentially sustaining fatal injuries.

Traveling with a fully charged cell phone, a first aid kit, and winter supplies such as a blanket, water, and snacks can help you survive until help arrives. It is also a good idea to let someone know your destination and estimated time of arrival, and then call them when you get there.

Kelley & Canterbury LLC

Taking the right precautions can prevent many weather-related auto accidents. However, if another driver is careless, you could still find yourself injured in a winter crash. The car accident attorneys at Kelley & Canterbury LLC can help you recover the compensation you need to cover your medical bills and other losses stemming from an accident caused by a negligent driver in Anchorage, Alaska.

Contact us today at 907-276-8185 to schedule an appointment.

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About Chris Canterbury

At Kelley & Canterbury LLC, Chris has helped Alaskans successfully navigate their personal injury cases for over 15 years. When not at work, Chris enjoys spending time with his family, playing hockey, and working on his family's log cabin home in Eagle River. Chris Canterbury's Google+ Profile

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Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Create one from the heart and two for fun...

I'm creating Valentines big and small with my Linnie Blooms canvas shapes today.  I have not ventured my mixed media onto canvas before, so I started with an 8"x 8" size so I wouldn't feel too overwhelmed.  I knew that I wanted my embellishments and textures (along with the quote) to be my focus, so I wanted a more subtle background.

I spritzed some Distress Stain (worn lipstick) with water and just splattered, brushed, and dripped it onto the canvas and then let it dry overnight so that the splotches and bubbles dried just as they were when wet.  I wrapped the canvas with some metallic yarn and added the sentiment with a Sharpie marker.

I used Copic markers to color the house/arrow and heart.

I stamped (with gray ink) the background of the canvas with some Close to My Heart stitched hearts, wrote my sentiment  (wherever you go-go with all your HEART), and then layered, layered, layered.  You can spy some punches, button, stamps, burlap, tulle, twine, stickers, and a bingo card.

One Valentine present done.

When I looked at my Linnie Blooms canvas pocket one day, for some reason I saw a beak.  So this became...

THIS! (with the help of my daughter).

 With oil pastels, she colored the pocket and I colored the wings (a Linnie Blooms canvas sunflower cut in half).  We added some eyes and some punched half circles for layered feathers and she is going to stick a small treat in here for her teacher.  WHOOOOOO wouldn't want to get this cute owl?

And one last Valentine--a silly one!  Using up patterned scraps with these painted Linnie Blooms canvas hearts and LOTS of googly eyes--inside the card it says "EYE" love you lots!

Three Valentines done  (more to do).  Whether your Valentines are layered, from the heart, cute, or silly...they are OH so special when they are hand-made.

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  1. Cute valentines! You are one creative lady! Thanks for visiting my blog & leaving some love!
    Dawn xx

  2. Fabulous projects. I really love the owl pocket - what a wonderful idea :)


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Saturday, May 22, 2010

Two doctors arrested on medical negligence charge

ALAPPUZHA: Two doctors were arrested here on Saturday on the charge of medical negligence in connection with the death of a woman six days after being delivered of a baby boy in 2008.

An expert committee appointed by the Health Department found Vasantha, 75, and Phenoljenma, 65, guilty of negligence. K.M. Tomy, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Cherthala, arrested the doctors. They were let off on bail. The two attended on Jessy, 31, wife of Shaji of Kadakarapally, during labour at a private hospital at Thanki Junction, near Cherthala, on August 8, 2008. It was a normal delivery and she was discharged on August 11. In the morning of August 14, she showed signs of severe fatigue and shivers and was rushed to the hospital.

Her condition worsened and she died while being shifted to the Government Medical College Hospital, Alappuzha. Mr. Shaji filed a complaint with the police, alleging medical negligence.

The expert committee found that the two doctors had not followed the mandatory post-delivery procedures and left the foetal remains in the uterus. Jessy had died of septicaemia (life-threatening infection).

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Arlington's Top Students Can Automatically Enroll At UNT | KERA News

Arlington's Top Students Can Automatically Enroll At UNT

Jan 14, 2015

In the Arlington school district, 20 percent of graduating seniors and as many as 27 percent of Hispanic graduates in the Arlington school district don’t apply to college. That startling number is why the district has been partnering with local universities to ensure more students move beyond high school. The latest effort is with the University of North Texas.

As students streamed into the auditorium at Arlington High School, members of the UNT band blared their horns and played the drums, as Scrappy the Eagle mascot bounced around. It was a pep rally of sorts aimed at enticing these student to attend the Denton university when they graduate.

Arlington Superintendent Marcelo Cavazos talked to them about why they need to take this issue seriously.

“We don’t leave it to chance in Arlington Independent School District that you may or may not apply for college or you may wait too long or it may take too long to get accepted and things like that,” Cavazos said.

He told them about the new Eagle Advantage program, which guarantees admission to UNT to Arlington ISD juniors who are in the top 20 percent of their class. Seniors who also rank in the top 20 percent will be grandfathered into the program, but just for this fall.

“You do your work. You do your part. Your commitment, Cavazos said. “And you get admitted to UNT.”

The UNT early admission program is similar to the one that Arlington ISD launched in 2013 with the University of Texas at Arlington.

Cavazos said it’s one thing to dream about going to college and getting a degree, but it’s another thing to have a spot in a school. And that’s key for a district like Arlington where a significant number of top-performing students don’t even apply to college.

“Sometimes it has to do with that they’re the first ones in their family that are thinking of going to college or obtaining a university degree and so those pathways have not yet been set,” Cavazos said.

UNT president Neal Smatresk says he wants to relieve students’ anxiety. If students know there’s a school that will accept them, then they can focus on other things like applying for financial aid and looking at career choices.

“You know, you can’t choose a job you’ve never heard of, and so one of the things that we can do is expose them to the broad array of majors that we have, so they can make better choices and graduate in a more timely fashion,” Smatresk said.

There’s also a financial incentive for students and schools. Each Arlington high school principal will be able to give one student a $1,000 scholarship that renews.

Tiara Lewis, an 11th grader at Seguin High School, says early admission at UNT gives her a sense of security knowing she has a place to go. She has big plans for after college, too.

“I see myself basically owning my own company, manufacturing businesses,” Lewis said. “I just see myself as a global empire – the farther I can go, the farther I can go. You know?”

Arlington district officials say more than 1,400 students are eligible to enroll based on last semester’s grades. They hope that many, or close to it, take advantage of it.


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Commentary: New CD from Denton-based Centro-Matic | KERA News

Commentary: New CD from Denton-based Centro-Matic

Dallas, TX –

Last month's New York Times feature on the Denton music scene boasted only a passing mention of Centro-Matic, the low-fi, high-octane brainchild of singer-songwriter Will Johnson that has spent a decade proving melodic, moving rock music can sound glorious without sounding pretty.

The Times treatment could have been a slight, an oversight, or maybe even a technical disqualification: Although the quartet is based in Denton, Johnson lives in Austin now. But more likely, it was a backhanded confirmation that Centro-Matic has established itself as the anchor of a vital college-town music scene, bridging the scruffy charm of such campus favorites as Record Hop and Fishboy with the ethereal eclecticism of such critically acclaimed bands as mom and Midlake.

Johnson and his band mates attempt to up the artistic ante with Dual Hawks, a double CD that pairs 11 new Centro-Matic recordings with 12 tracks by the band's atmospheric side project, South San Gabriel. It's intended as a fan-friendly, value-conscious vehicle for two different sides of Johnson's artistry, but it comes across as an impressive Centro-matic album that fulfills the group's pop promise accompanied by a bonus disc.

I'm trying every day to improve and not conform, Johnson sings. Indeed, the new album achieves a compelling blend of spontaneity and clarity that 2003's Love You Just the Same and 2006's Fort Recovery only hinted at. The dense arrangements unfold as jagged layers: The drums crackle while chiming keyboards and tambourines speckle the wall of fuzz-drenched guitars. But the driving force is still Johnson's voice, a raspy, sometimes strangled tenor purposely over-modulated and distorted to enhance the urgency of such rockers as the Wilco-like Quality Strange, the gospel-flavored Twenty-Four, and the disarmingly soulful Every Single Switch.

It's easy to pigeonhole South San Gabriel as the softer side of Centro-Matic - if Johnson were Neil Young, South San Gabriel's half of Dual Hawks would be the Harvest Moon to Centro-Matic's Ragged Glory. Johnson's voice is hushed and in some ways, more strained in this setting: Surrounded by rustic guitars, dissonant strings and ambient keyboards, he rubs against the melancholy arrangements but rarely elevates them beyond pastoral soundscapes.

It's not as simple as saying that Will Johnson is better when he rocks - because anyone who has seen his solo concerts knows that he can captivate a crowd with just an acoustic guitar. But South San Gabriel treads on haunting ground already well-covered by acts like Sparklehorse, Band of Horses and Joe Henry, while Centro-matic casts its net in the uncharted waters that lie between tenderness and turbulence.

As Johnson spits out images of soldering irons and switches, thumbs his nose at deceitful women whose smiles get them on guest lists for life, and interchangeably counts stars and scars, Centro-Magic summons an emotional intensity on Dual Hawks that relies not on volume but on brute urgency, dwarfing its alter-ego in the same way that a soaring rocket overwhelms a floating kite.

David Okamoto is a content production manager at Yahoo in Dallas and a music critic whose work has appeared in Rolling Stone, ICE Magazine and the Dallas Morning News. Centro-Matic will videotape a concert DVD on June 28 at the Granada Theater.


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Pressure Is On Trump, Sanders In Crucial Contests Tuesday | KERA News

Pressure Is On Trump, Sanders In Crucial Contests Tuesday

Mar 8, 2016
Originally published on March 8, 2016 2:15 pm

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton currently lead the delegate counts for the presidential nomination. But because of the difference in how both parties award their delegates, Clinton's is the more commanding lead.

Michigan is an important test for Sanders

Tuesday's Democratic contest in Michigan, the biggest prize of the day, is key for Bernie Sanders to show he can turn things around. His campaign has argued that Clinton has ballooned her lead because of black voters in the South.

Now, many of those Southern contests are over (though there is another Tuesday in Mississippi).

But the question remains: Can the Vermont independent senator appeal to Northern black voters? They make up roughly a quarter of Michigan's Democratic electorate. He believes his economic message can resonate with them and working-class whites hurt by trade. Polls, though, have shown the former secretary of state with double-digit leads going into Tuesday.

Sanders is facing a difficult problem: This past weekend, he won three of four contests, but, because his wins were in smaller caucuses, and Clinton won by a huge margin in the primary in Louisiana, Sanders only wound up winning three more pledged delegates than Clinton. (Pledged delegates are derived from the margins candidates win in voting in various state primaries and caucuses.)

Maintaining that kind of pace will not help Sanders catch Clinton, who is 195 delegates ahead. Sanders needs 53 percent of all remaining delegates to win a majority of pledged delegates. And with each passing contest, that hill becomes even steeper. With superdelegates, those unpledged party leaders and elected officials, factored in, Sanders needs a whopping 60 percent of all remaining delegates. That's a very difficult aircraft carrier to turn around, given the Democrats' proportional system of allocating delegates.

Yes, superdelegates can change their votes, and it's true they have never not gone with who won the pledged majority, but even in 2008, when Barack Obama defeated Clinton, and won more superdelegates, not all that many superdelegates peeled off from Clinton. What's more, Clinton has a far bigger lead with them now than she ever did in 2008. Clinton already has nearly two-thirds of all superdelegates publicly in her corner. (And, by the way, they were created in the 1980s for precisely this purpose — to give party leaders a lever to prevent the nomination of what they view as an unelectable candidate after Democrats were soundly defeated in 1984.)

All that said, the pledged-delegate margin remains the most important number to watch. Clinton would prefer to win the nomination outright based on voting — and not because party leaders put her over the top. There's lots of talk of the GOP civil war, but if there was an outcome in which one candidate won the delegates from actual voters and the other won the nomination because of party insiders, you can bet there would be an equally ugly Democratic convention in Philadelphia this summer.

But unless Sanders starts winning soon and big, that's all theoretical and moot. The Democratic race, at this point, doesn't look close to heading toward anything like that.

Pressure is on Trump to regain the "inevitable" narrative

For Republicans, though, Trump is ahead, his lead is less dominant because it's a four-person race — and the candidates keep splitting the vote.

On Tuesday, Michigan has the most delegates in play with 59, far less than on the Democratic side, in part because Republicans have far fewer delegates overall, but also because of the state's history of voting Democratic.

Trump has been leading the polls there by double digits, and he needs another big win. The other contests of the day, though — in Mississippi, Idaho and Hawaii — hold far more delegates combined (91) than Michigan. There hasn't been any good polling in Mississippi, but Trump hopes to pull off a win there like he did in neighboring Louisiana over the weekend. If Louisiana is an indicator, though, Cruz could give Trump a run for his money.

If Cruz pulled that off, it would be yet another example that he could use to say he's the principal alternative to Trump — and not Marco Rubio. This past weekend, Cruz, who trails Trump by 84 delegates, made a strong case for that. He won the biggest share of the delegates out of a handful of contests with wins in Kansas and Maine — and he nearly picked off Trump in Louisiana and Kentucky.

Rubio finished third everywhere on Saturday, except in Maine, where he finished fourth. He made up for it some in Puerto Rico on Sunday, winning there by such a big margin that he took all of the territory's 23 delegates.

The GOP political establishment couldn't think of a worse possible choice than having to pick between Trump and Cruz, who might be the least liked person in Congress among his colleagues.

And then there's John Kasich. The Ohio governor is hoping to surprise the field in Michigan. He should do well there. He's a Midwesterner. But he's polling double digits behind Trump, and some polls have had Cruz either in second or a close third. If Kasich is far behind in Michigan or even finishes third behind Cruz, it's hard for him to make a case that he has a real chance at the nomination.

He'll likely stay in for the winner-take-all March 15 contest in his home state of Ohio, but what's his sell for staying in after that — aside from maybe trying to keep Trump below a majority heading into the convention by picking off votes and delegates where he can in more moderate places?

Because of the crowded field, unlike the two-person race on the Democratic side, Trump currently still needs 53 percent of all remaining delegates to win the nomination. But he has only won the majority of delegates in five of 20 states so far.

That's not to say anyone else on the GOP side has a better chance of winning a majority — Cruz needs 59 percent of all remaining delegates, Rubio 68 percent and Kasich 75 percent.

The candidates hope to start racking up more lopsided wins, as the contest rules change on March 15. That's when states can pick however they want to award delegates. Some states, like Florida, Ohio, Arizona and New Jersey, are winner take all; others are more hybrid. All of that is to say there could be some funky results, spikes and dips ahead that could sway the race in a potentially unknown direction.

But clearly, at this point, Trump is in the driver's seat. He has solid support with his hardened base that will get him a lot of delegates before June when the contests are eventually over. The question that still remains for him is: Will he grow his support?

Through 20 contests, he has averaged 35 percent of the vote. He's cracked 40 percent in five states so far and 50 percent in just one (New Hampshire). That's why he's been publicly calling for candidates, like Rubio, to get out of the race.

The theory of the establishment coalescing behind a single candidate to beat Trump might not hold true, but what might be true is Trump needs the field to shrink to get a majority before the convention.

Here's what you need to know for Tuesday's races

By Barbara Sprunt and Domenico Montanaro

How many states vote? Four: Hawaii, Idaho, Michigan and Mississippi. (All four vote on the GOP side, but just Michigan and Mississippi vote on the Democratic side.)

When do polls close? 8 p.m. ET (Mississippi), 9 p.m. ET (Michigan — most polls close at 8 p.m. ET, but some counties are in Central), 11 p.m. ET (Idaho), 1 a.m. ET (Hawaii).

How many delegates are at stake? 316 combined (338 if 22 Democratic superdelegates are included):

-- 188 Democrats (Michigan: 130 pledged+17 supers; Mississippi: 36 pledged+5 supers)
— 150 Republican (Michigan: 59; Mississippi: 40; Idaho: 32; Hawaii: 19)

Remind me what happened on Super Tuesday? Trump won big, picking up victories in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia. Cruz won his home state of Texas and also Oklahoma and Alaska. Marco Rubio eked out his first victory — in the Minnesota caucuses. That was enough to guarantee that both senators would be in the race until at least March 15, when more states become winner-take-all, including Rubio's must-win home state of Florida.

For the Democrats, Clinton won Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Sanders won Colorado, Minnesota, Oklahoma and his home state of Vermont.

Did anything happen after Super Tuesday? Yes. On the Democratic side, Sanders won the caucuses in Maine, Kansas and Nebraska. Clinton won by a huge margin in the Louisiana primary.

On the GOP side, Cruz won the most delegates out of this past weekend with wins in Kansas and Maine on Saturday. Trump pulled off narrow victories in Louisiana and Kentucky. Rubio won the Republican primary in Puerto Rico on Sunday by more than 50 percent of the vote, giving him all 23 delegates (which, by the way, is as many delegates as in New Hampshire).

What is the current delegate count? On the GOP side, Trump has 384 delegates. In second place is Cruz with 300. Rubio has 151 and Kasich 37. Remember, the Republicans need 1,237 delegates to get the nomination.

On the Democratic side, Clinton leads with pledged delegates 672 to 477 for Sanders. With superdelegates factored in (458 for Clinton), her total balloons to 1,130 to Sanders' 499 (with just 22 superdelegates).

Copyright 2016 NPR. To see more, visit


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Texas National Guard | KERA News

Texas National Guard

Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune

Nearly three days after Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas, more statewide resources were deployed to address rescue efforts in Southeast Texas Monday.

Jennifer Whitney/Bob Daemmrich / Texas Tribune

Sen. Leticia Van de Putte says her Republican opponent for lieutenant governor is fear-mongering with his first fall television ad released this week.

The ad links the threat of an ISIS invasion to the candidates' dueling policies over immigration.

Shelley Kofler / KERA News

Tonight, the eyes of the Texas will be on the Rio Grande Valley when gubernatorial candidates Wendy Davis and Greg Abbott meet in Edinburg for their first televised debate.

The Pentagon says Texas is the only state that is refusing to process benefit applications for gay and lesbian couples who are legally married in other states. A commander with the Texas National Guard cited the state's constitutional ban on gay marriage and is recommending the couples apply at federal installations.

Bill Zeeble / KERA

Dallas officials and the Texas National Guard tore down their 105th abandoned home today. The Guard has helped many cities throughout the state clean up since 1993.


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KETR and Public Radio Positives

Apr 4, 2012

On the April 2012 edition of The President's Perspective, Dr. Jones invites Grammy-award-winning songwriter and musician Brad Davis into the studio to talk about an event scheduled for this month in Downtown Commerce. We also take a few minutes to discuss the importance of giving during the Spring Pledge Drive.

This program is produced in the KETR studios, located on the campus of Texas A&M University-Commerce. We're listener-supported radio for Northeast Texas. Pledge now by clicking 'support this station' at the top of this page, and thanks.


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Monday, February 23, 2015

Musky Monday

Well…it’s Musky Monday and everything in PA is still frozen solid. It’s been a brutal winter the past month leaving us with nothing but time to tie flies and day dream about Toothies. Although the winter seems like it is never going to end, there are some awesome events/trips coming up that we are more than stoked about.

First, we have the Lancaster Fly Fishing Show this weekend!  Clark, Evan and I will be there both days tying and selling all different types of flies at our booth, so stop on by and shoot the shit! We will also be running special show prices on our Keystone Fly Fishing Beanies, so if you see Clark, mention the blog or Instagram and you will be able to buy a beanie for $20! More details on the show can be found here.

Next, my buddy Jon and I have a trip planned with Charlie Gordon of Buffalo Shoals Guide Service to chase Musky in Virginia. We couldn't be more excited about this, as Charlie seems to have those waters figured out; the dude absolutely crushes it! If you’re looking to get a Musky on the Fly, I highly suggest dropping Charlie a line.

Last but not least, in April there is the BEAST of the EAST Musky Fly Fishing Challenge hosted by the Nittany Valley Musky Alliance. Between the sponsors, the stretch of water and the guys who will be fishing it, it’s going to be a legendary event. We couldn't be more stoked! If you're interested in joining or donating to the cause, shoot an email to

Overall 2015 is already shaping up to be legendary! Let's hope the Musky agree


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Sunday, March 6, 2016

2016 Winter Fly Fishing: Final Thoughts

    As another season of winter fly fishing in Pennsylvania is nearing an end, I can’t help but look back over the time passed and reflect. The first word that comes to my mind is “mild”. The familiar crunch of boots on the snow, the scraping of ice from guides, and the fear of losing a hand to frostbite was held to a minimum. Compared to last year, this is a sigh of relief. Because of these sporadic warm conditions, it allowed for some great days on the water, memories made, and a few lessons learned. Thankfully, Ty, Clark, and myself, got to spend some of this time together on the river, and occasionally sleeping alongside it.

    One way I like to measure progress is by comparing the success of a previous winter season, with the current one. I was relieved to find my catch rate had gone up drastically since last winter.

    A lesson I learned that became of great value to me, was to thoroughly fish every different type of water I could. I often hear the generic “all the trout move out of the riffles and into the slow water during the winter”. This just frankly wasn’t true. Some of my best days this winter were spent fishing the fast water. I am not saying all the fish stay in the fast water. It is true that a fair amount of the population will move into a lighter, calmer, state of holding water. What I am saying is upon arrival to the river, focus on each different type of moving water. Get good drifts in every varying current you can. You will most likely find that the fish you catch will all be caught in similar water conditions. Once you discover the pattern, hit each run that fits the mold and pick fish out of them.

Fast Water Fish

Slow Water Fish

    In all, it was a great winter season. Full of trout, friends, and camping trips in between. I hope your season went just as well. I’ll leave you with a short excerpt of a song I wrote a few years back. Enjoy the pictures below and let’s get on to Spring time.

”Snow pools in the bends of the river bank
  Snow packs on the mountain
  I don’t know if you’re keeping track
  But the days left I am counting”