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The Day Hunter S. Thompson Came to Leadville
Note: There's nothing like your first Halloween in Leadville. Here's a memorable one, which is also one of Leadville Today's #MostReadStories
The Day the Hunter S. Thompson Came to Leadville
By Kathy Bedell © Leadville Today
The day started out different. It was Halloween 1990, and the series of costume parties from the night before, had me with a splitting headache and a hollowed belly. It was already mid-morning as I was taking in my second cup of coffee on the front porch, when the whirring of a mechanical bird interrupted my recovery.
Shading my eyes from the bright October sun, I looked up to quickly determine that it was not a Flight for Life helicopter. But then, who would be flying into North America's Highest Airport today?
Ah, yes, I remembered, it was "Justice for Jessie" day. It was the day Hunter S. Thompson came to Leadville.
Like many journalists, Thompson's "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," had whet my appetite for the crazy, carefree life on the road. Little did I know that I would soon be experiencing my own "Cigars and Margaritas," but this time in Lead Vegas!
From time to time, Hunter would take up the cause of some under-privileged, under-paid soul who had found herself in trouble with the law. "Justice for Jessie" had become his most recent cause. That day, he was coming to Leadville as a character witness for a Pitkin County resident who got herself into some trouble while passing through Lake County on her way home to Aspen.
It all happened one summer day in 1990 when a hard-working housekeeper named Jesse had hitch-hiked her way home as far as the Kum and Go on Harrison Avenue. However, it wasn't until her ride was long gone, that the damsel-in-distress realized that she had left her backpack in that car.
Her quick, albeit questionable, thinking prompted a call to the Lake County Sheriff, who was able to locate and stop the car that had just given her a ride, and retrieve Jessie's backpack. A quick search of the backpack by deputies had revealed the owner's identity, but also turned up some illegal paraphernalia and a small amount of marijuana.
The boys in blue returned to Kum & Go to reunite the pack with its rightful owner. Jesse cheerfully identified the bag as hers, and was then promptly arrested and charged with possession of an illegal substance.
Now the story probably would have ended there, but this particular woman was already on probation out of Pitkin County. By then, she had also managed to rally the support of famous Aspen resident (although he really lived down valley at Woody Creek) Hunter S. Thompson. This most recent "search and seizure" of a down-on-her-luck Aspen housekeeper only seemed to amplify the Gonzo Journalist's social justice message. He had become increasingly concerned about a citizen's rights when it came to law enforcement looking through your stuff without probable cause.
The "Justice for Jessie" case would be heard on Halloween, which only added to the media circus that had started to gather at the Lake County Courthouse on October 31, 1990. All of the gossip rags known for their sensational reporting wanted to hear what Hunter had to say. Now remember, this was 1990, way before smart phones and the onslaught of social media. In fact, in today's world this may have been a very different story.
Before heading to the courthouse, I stopped in for another cup of coffee at The Golden Rose (now, the Chinese restaurant) to watch the circus unfold across the street, as everyone positioned themselves for a glimpse of the famous character witness.
Just then, a small parade of people whisked past the window I was sitting in front of and entered into the restaurant. It was the Gonzo Journalist himself, along with a small entourage, including an Aspen reporter. He boldly bellied up to the bar and called out, "Margaritas for everyone!" And pointing to me, added "A margarita for her too!" And so it began – "Cigars and Margaritas" in Lead Vegas!
For the next couple of hours, Hunter held his own court in that bar while his minions ran back and forth across to the courthouse, keeping him apprised of the case's progress, waiting for his turn to take the stand.
Screw the court case, I thought. I'm drinking margaritas with Hunter S. Thompson and it's not even noon! I smiled as I thought of all my colleagues across the street in a packed courthouse, waiting for some news tidbit, while I sat across the table from the Gonzo Journalist, wearing his hat and swilling Jose Cuervo. I was living the dream!
There are many things that stay with me from that day. First, there was his ability to consume tequila. It was nearly 3 p.m. by the time Hunter took the stand and I was floored at how coherent he seemed after drinking mucho margaritas. It was classic Hunter; he had lived up to that part of the legend. Quite honestly, I don't know if I would have believed it, unless I saw it for myself.
Which leads me to my second impression, the guy was smart, very smart. To be part of his round-table, as the politics of the day were discussed, dissected and diluted over massive amounts of tequila was something I'll never forget. And this was not your average corner bar conversation; this was world events and politics with a little Hollywood gossip from Aspen thrown in for good measure.
Eventually, Thompson took the stand as Jesse's character witness. I followed along to see the legendary event, peaking through the small windows of the courtroom's back doors. The place was packed with journalists, but I couldn't hear a thing. I just stared in amazement, watching through those small windows, as he swung that unlit cigar about in the air, making his case.
After his testimony, the media circus moved across the street; word must have got out that Hunter was hanging out at The Golden Rose. The crowd started to grow. I was surprised at the number of locals who turned up, as they were generally unimpressed with the Aspen celebrities who often traveled through town en route to Indy Pass. But this was Hunter S.Thompson.
As the afternoon stretched into Happy Hour, the margaritas continued to flow. But the merriment came to a screeching halt with the arrival of Hunter's pilot, who announced that if they didn't leave right-this-minute, they would be spending the night in Leadville. Whoosh! They were gone. The party was over.
As I walked over to the table to fetch my jacket, I spied a notebook out of the corner of my eye. I quickly picked it up, looked around to see if anyone noticed, and slid it under my coat. Jackpot!
I could hardly contain my excitement as I sprinted home. I immediately sat down on my couch and began flipping through the notebook of Hunter S. Thompson! There were half-written essays, scribblings about the "Justice for Jessie" case, and notes regarding an upcoming trip to Hawaii. It was the latter that I found most interesting; the "grocery list" and budget for this vacation was something I had never seen the likes of and to this day, never have again.
My intent focus was interrupted by the whirring of Hunter's helicopter. I went out to the front porch and watched as they flew over Mount Massive, into a glorious sunset on that last day of October 1990.
What a day, I thought! That Hunter was a pretty cool guy for helping Jesse out – the case was ruled in her favor that day. And I suppose it was that sentiment that prompted my next action. Perhaps, I too should do the right thing.
I put the notebook in a manila envelope, sealed it up tight, and wrote "Property of Hunter S. Thompson" on the outside. Then I put that envelope inside another envelope, and addressed it to the Aspen reporter who had given me her business card. I slapped enough stamps on it to ensure its journey home, and walked down to the post office.
I hesitated for a moment as I stood in the dark before the mailbox. Not only had the tequila buzz and ethical determination to return Hunter's personal property begun to wear off, but I started to think about all the money I could make by selling it. Rolling Stone Magazine! The National Enquirer! There was some classic Hunter musings on those pages.
But justice prevailed again that day, as the envelope slid from my hands, down into the depths of that big, blue mailbox.
All that next week, Hunter stories reigned supreme, as people shared their moment with the Gonzo Journalist. But as the days passed, I began to wonder if the notebook had found its way to back to its owner. Then I got a call from the reporter at the Aspen paper; she had a message from Hunter.
It seems the Gonzo Journalist was pretty impressed by my gesture to return his private notebook, and had invited me to his New Year's Eve party at his Woody Creek home. I was thrilled, and a bit scared. Knowing what a day of tequila-drinking in preparation for a court case was like, I could only imagine what a New Year's Eve might bring.
But I'll never know, because I never made it. A bad case of the flu left me down-for-the-count that New Year's Eve. Besides, that's definitely a story that nobody would have believed from just another journalist living In the 'Ville!
Kathy Bedell owns The Great Pumpkin LLC, a digital media company located in Leadville, which publishes two online news websites: LeadvilleToday.com and SaguacheToday.com. She may be reached at email@example.com


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In this introductory Adobe Illustrator course you will learn how to use Adobe Illustrator to create high-quality graphics like illustrations, logos, and other custom artwork and type in vector format. This class provides an overview of the Illustrator user interface and vector graphics, and covers how to create different shapes using various tools while offering you the ability to create a project in progress along the sessions.
Audience & Method of Delivery
This introductory Adobe Illustrator course is designed for anyone who needs to understand the workspace, tools, and drawing features that are available in Adobe Illustrator. It is designed for media professionals with little to no prior knowledge of using Adobe Illustrator. Experienced Illustrator users with no formal training will also benefit from this class as tips, tricks, keyboard shortcuts and essential foundation skills are covered throughout this class.
Training Objectives
In this course, you will learn the essentials of Illustrator including
- Formatting and stylizing type
- Creating custom shapes
- Applying effects and styles
- Drawing with the brush and pen tools
- Tracing over photos
- Creating basic logos
- Using the various tools in Illustrator, including when to use certain ones
- Creating patterns, blends, and more
Date: 4 Wednesdays as of October 4, 2017
Time: 6:30PM - 9:00PM
Location: 7th Floor, Le Mall Dbayeh Building, Dbayeh Highway
Course fees: $250.00*
*Special Prices for groups
About the Trainer
Massoud Habib is a graphic designer and illustrator with over six years of illustration, print and web design experience and he is a graphic design instructor at NDU. Mr. Habib graduated with a Master of Arts degree in design from NDU-Louaize, Lebanon.
In the past few years, he has worked for a variety of businesses, including an advertising agency and a publishing house. He has also featured in a reality TV show, won several awards and recently founded his own creative firm.
In his work as a senior illustrator, creative director and design studio owner, Mr. Habib has been responsible for drawing and editing artwork, designing brand identities, mobile applications and websites, packages, and infographics for a number of companies, organizations, shops and restaurants in more than ten countries.

subset: commoncrawl


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Vitamin Waters…. I love Vitamin Waters… I used to drink one everyday. I couldn't find it here in Seoul. What a bummer!
Refreshing draft Stella Atrois beer… yummm! I hear there are few bars where you can find Stella draft beer near Hongdae but, I haven't figured it out yet… Needless to say I've been under alcohol curfew due to my Eastern Herb medicine I'm taking right now. About one more week to go! (I might have to break it this Monday though 😛 Oh, beside alcohol restriction, there are chicken and port restrictions)
There are decent wine bars but, they are not carry even 1/10th of wines NYC bars carry. I especially miss Veloce's cold dry white wine… ahhhhhhh.
Bar with open windows…or wall… sipping while watching car passing. Somehow I've been having hard time to find a good atmosphere bars here in Seoul… I might need more time to explore.


text: The Bluegrass Lounge presents: Will Whalen. A Lakewood musician whose played at many local establishments, what he's got onstage is what determines his sound. You can expect some folk-rock if he's jamming on his acoustic electric, or some jazz and classical piano if he's on his keys. Set a groove to the thick, plucky bass lines of Cake, build a soulful vocal from The Righteous Brothers, and recite Bach's Solfeggietto in C minor. He's all over the map, and wants to take you with him. As David Goe from The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel said, "...you can hear Whalen's wide range of influences. From bluesy indie rock to electronic drum patterns... Whalen [is] a complex musician with an appreciation for all types of music."Event Website


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We recently came across a very interesting survey that had been conducted by the Content Marketing Institute (CMI).
If I were to ask you to rate your confidence with using LinkedIn, on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being "I don't have a profile" and 10 being "Move over Karen and let me share my LinkedIn insights instead of you" where would you rate yourself?
ADM's Wellness Training Program is a vital focus of its business strategy enabling employees to harness their health and well-being at work.
The ADM Systems group of companies is ISO 9001 certified.
Having a successful business training and development program is an important component for any organisation. Here at ADM training and knowledge management is an integral part of our business vision and philosophy.
ADM would like to congratulate Bubup Wilam for Early Learning Aboriginal Child and Family Centre, who were announced as the recipients of the 2106 Victorian Training Award for Medium Employer of the Year at the award ceremony held at the Crown Casino Palladium on Friday 26th August.
ADM's induction program is an important process within our business organisation. Used as a means to welcome new staff members into our company, it is a thorough, effective and enjoyable process that helps prepare our new team member to their new role and new social setting.
On 18th November, 1986 ADM Systems Pty Ltd was born.
Done correctly, E-mail marketing can be an effective tool to grow engagement with your customers and share important, relative information.
Digital marketing has made a world of difference to the ease with which a business can communicate, connect and interact with its customers.


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Low in Stock
Chicago Cubs Women's Streak Royal Quarter-Zip On-Field Pullover Fleece
Your will look like they are ready to discuss strategy with Joe Maddon in the dugout at Wrigley Field in this streak fleece pullover. This streak royal fleece pullover, modeled after the warm, insulated hoodies usually reserved for the postseason, features the team's current crawl bear logo screen-printed in red, white, and royal ink to the right of a vertical red and white "Cubs MLB Authentic Collection" text design. The collar of this pullover has a quarter-zip that keeps chilly air out and warmth in. This women's fleece pullover is a perfect choice for when you are headed to the Friendly Confines for another thrilling Chicago Cubs game.
By Majestic
100% Polyester


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Many modern commercial organisations conduct their business across multiple jurisdictions. When they require English legal advice, in a global context, they can depend on Boodle Hatfield to provide what they need. This London based law firm work together with international clients, respected law firms and expert advisers from across the globe.
Boodle Hatfield enjoy long-standing professional relationships with some of the most well-established owner managed businesses, property companies and families, both in the UK and abroad. This impressive client list has been built by the skills of their lawyers who are astute, highly skilled and attuned to the needs of each individual.
Closely involved with the wider community, Boodle Hatfield try to make a difference by the way they conduct their business. They support initiatives that contribute to the good of the community, financially assist selected charitable causes and have incorporated environmentally friendly working practices into their firm.
Ben Prokop, IT Project Manager with Boodle Hatfield, reports that although the firm had been using a forms software package provided by a large UK provider for several years, they were not entirely satisfied with the product. Users reported that they were often frustrated by a lack of flexibility.
An example of this package's lack of resilience was the limited expansion capabilities of text boxes. Users were having to place one complete piece of text across several boxes as required copy would not fit into one box. Inserting additional text into the middle of a partially completed document was also difficult and time consuming.
Ben says "Our teams were looking for a better solution. One that gave them the functionality to work in the way they needed to, without having to work around the shortcomings of their forms software".
"Oyez approached us", Ben reports. "They offered to visit and show us firsthand what the Oyez package could offer Boodle Hatfield. We were impressed by the product demonstration - the package seemed to have the built-in efficiencies we needed."
Following the initial meeting, it was agreed that Oyez would implement a free trial, set up to run simultaneously with the competitive package being used. This offered Boodle Hatfield the benefit of the time needed to integrate the forms into their document management system and technical infrastructure. It also allowed them to thoroughly investigate the functionality of the OyezForms package over a 3 month test period.
Once the OyezForms package (including the Premier Word range and the Word FormE System) was installed, the Family Team were the first to use it. Those working within the test environment reported that Oyez offered them a faster, smoother user experience. "Ultimately, our users bought into the benefits of the product" reports Ben "and it was their decision to switch to OyezForms".
Boodle Hatfield users report that they prefer the flexibility and simplicity of the Oyez package and that it now takes less time to complete documents. Unlimited expansion, intuitive navigation and even simple features like the ability to open multiple forms at the same time have boosted efficiency.
"The Word FormE System was particularly well received by our matrimonial team" says Ben. "Oyez have made the onerous tasks involved with completing financial statements quick and easy. It has saved a lot of aggravation and many hours of time".
Ben reported that changing to Oyez has also been a very smooth experience from the perspective of the IT team. "Everyone I worked with at Oyez delivered first class service. They were knowledgeable, well informed and available whenever we needed them. From delivering the first demo, through to user training, every request we had was considered and delivered effectively".
"The Automatic Updating feature has revolutionised our updating process and has been a real time saver for me. Updates are so much easier to manage and I can spend the time attending to more productive tasks. I would happily recommend this package to other law firms who are considering a move to OyezForms"


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Commercial Finance Brokers London
CS Finance Brokers London are one of the leading commercial finance brokerages in the UK, helping to source finance for clients throughout the UK and Ireland.
Our professional team have over 100 years combined experience in the Banking industry, specialising in Property Lending, Invoice Finance, Agricultural Finance, the Hospitality Sector and Debt Negotiation.
Our Clients range from small family run businesses, through to large multinationals.


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- Britain's first UFC champion, Michael Bisping, said Conor McGregor would beat Floyd Mayweather in 35 seconds in a cage.
- He said the fight would break pay-per-view records.
- Mayweather made close to $US1 billion from 21 years in professional boxing and could double his earnings in a few fights in UFC.
Britain's first UFC champion Michael Bisping has said that Conor McGregor would "kick Floyd Mayweather into hell" if the pair met in a cage.
Speaking on his "Believe You Me" podcast, Bisping said there are rumours "floating around UFC" that undefeated boxer Mayweather will sign a $US1 billion (£700 million) contract for "a few fights" in UFC.
Any deal would likely include a rematch with McGregor after their boxing rules bout last year. Bisping warned that Mayweather should be careful what he wishes for.
"Conor McGregor in an MMA fight will f—— destroy Floyd Mayweather like he's never seen," said the studio analyst for Fox Sports.
"You fight a boxer you, take him down. He could take him down pretty f—— easy. You take him down, you pass guard, and you elbow the f— out of his face in about 35 seconds."
McGregor suffered a tenth round stoppage loss when he challenged Mayweather to a boxing fight last year. But Bisping says a UFC contest would be "a field day" for the Irishman.
"It takes so long to learn the grappling basics and the transitions from striking to the grappling," he said, adding that McGregor's kicking ability will be key.
"He could use push kicks to keep him away and he could set up high kicks. McGregor has a great kicking game – we've seen them all a thousand times, very fast, very agile – a lot of spinning kicks, he could just kick him into oblivion."
A UFC deal might work for Mayweather
Bisping added that it might not be "stupid" for Mayweather to compete in MMA as "he doesn't risk his perfect [professional boxing] record of 50-0."
Regardless of whether Mayweather heads straight into a fight with McGregor, or has a few warm-up UFC bouts first, the end result would be the same – Mayweather would end up considerably richer.
Forbes estimates Mayweather to have made $US700 million in career earnings prior to the McGregor bout last year. With the prize money from that victory included, Mayweather could be pushing $US1 billion, according to Time. But the rumour is he could make a second billion if he signed with UFC.
"Everybody has their price and apparently there was rumours floating round that a billion dollars was the price for a few fights in the UFC and a f—— billion dollars goes a long way," Bisping said. "It would certainly be a record-breaking pay-per-view, Who wouldn't watch it? – I'd watch it – of course I would!"
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Interest rate stays frozen at one per cent
Published by Steve Coleman on March 08, 2012
With the global recovery happening slower than expected in developed countries, the Bank of Canada has opted to keep interest rates frozen - at least until the next update in April.
The bank announced March 8 that the overnight rate will stay frozen at one per cent with signs Europe is starting to figure out how to solve its financial problems.
While world economies are slowly picking up, the one thing that could pull the big picture out of focus is higher-than-expected commodity prices. A sudden jump in world oil prices could hamstring the world's financial situation, again, the bank said.
"Commodity prices are higher than anticipated, supported by improved global economic conditions and a geopolitical risk premium on oil," the Bank of Canada said in a news release. "If sustained, the latter could ultimately dampen the improvement in global economic momentum."
As for the Canadian economy, things are looking better now than they did in January, the bank says. A large part of the improvement, however, could be because of a stronger-than-expected recovery in the United States.
It's also expected that Canadians will continue spending and putting themselves deeper into debt this year.
Partially because of higher oil prices, the Bank of Canada predicts the inflation rate will hover somewhere around the two per cent mark by the end of the first quarter.
"With the target interest rate near historic lows and the financial system functioning well, there is considerable monetary policy stimulus in Canada," The BoC said in its news release. "The bank will continue to monitor carefully economic and financial developments in the Canadian and global economies, together with the evolution of risks, and set monetary policy consistent with achieving the two per cent inflation target over the medium term."
The next official announcement over the overnight bank rate is scheduled for April 17.
Found in: news


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Speech by Chairman John Pierce at Energy Network Association Forum 'Energy Transformed' 2015
With or without you: the evolution of Australia's energy market
7 May 2015
I'd like to start by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and pay my respects to their elders, both past and present.
Can I also thank John Bradley, CEO of the Energy Networks Association for inviting me to speak with you today.
Can I also acknowledge:
- Rosemary Sinclair, CEO of newly founded Energy Consumers Australia;
- Michelle Groves, CEO of the Australian Energy Regulator;
- CEOs of industry here today – too many to mention individually which reflects very well on the organisation of this event.
We are now three years through a market-wide energy reform program – Power of Choice – which at its heart is about facilitating the development of a more resilient, responsive market for energy services.
One that can develop and adjust to whatever the future brings, in terms of factors such as: demand patterns and levels; consumer preferences and expectations for value added services, and reliability and quality of supply; changes in technology, such as in metering, load control, electric vehicles, distributed generation and storage; and the relative input prices of capital, labour and fuel sources.
2 One where price levels, structures and risk allocation from the consumer through to energy source – which are the links that tie the different elements of the service supply chain together, that impact on the long term interests of consumers and influence their behaviour – are consistent with one and other.
One that enables and rewards the sector for making a positive contribution to the economy's long term growth potential via innovation and productivity growth.
It is important to keep in mind that structural adjustments implied by the sort of factors referred to above, far from being exceptional events, are the normal pattern underpinning economic growth. In fact it is an illusion to pursue the long term interest of consumers and at the same time pretend to keep the structure of our system of production and the businesses that make it up, stationary.
Of course the rule changes flowing from the Power of Choice review won't, by themselves, lead to a resilient, responsive energy services market.
All of our market development reviews, advice to the COAG Council for Energy and rule change processes need to be aligned to this strategic intent.
Nor of course is the AEMC's remit the sole influence on how the market evolves and its ability to respond to these drivers of structural adjustment in a manner consistent with the National Electricity Objective.
How you as individual businesses decide to respond, the strategies you pursue and priorities you set are obviously a critical determining factor. The title you have given to today's discussions reveals you are well aware of this.
On a broader level you have probably heard me say before that the outcomes experienced by consumers – the ability of the market to meet this objective – is a function of three variables.
At this point I should apologise for my somewhat mathematical bent – I recently pointed out to a learner driver how overtaking involved using the calculus he was learning at school. I'm not sure that he found that particularly helpful.
But in this case the three variables impacting on consumers are:
- what is happening in the competitive generation and retail sectors,
- what is happening in the regulated network sector; and
- the means by which – the tools and instruments – that governments choose to intervene in the market in order to achieve their quite legitimate policy objectives in areas such as vulnerable consumers, emission levels and land use planning, which are usually developed outside of energy portfolios.
Government objectives in these areas are of course a given, however what we can and should do is point out how to design policy instruments that achieve these objectives that are also compatible with how the energy market operates.
But back to Power of Choice - these are important reforms.
And much of the heavy lifting involved in the Power of Choice reform program addresses issues with regulation of electricity networks – how distribution network prices are structured and the competitive framework for metering and metering services for example.
The latter being an example of how technology can open up opportunities for consumers, rather than regulators, to decide for themselves what services are of value to them, and in the process re-define what parts of the supply chain sit within the competitive as against the regulated sectors.
So I want to thank you all – including the Energy Networks Association – for helping us lay the foundations for lasting energy market reform for the road ahead.
In any challenging reform program it is worth reminding ourselves from time to time why we started down this path in the first place.
It is true that efficient markets are characterised by effective participation of both the supply and demand sides of the equation.
And clearly that is something the Commission, industry, consumer groups and governments have an interest in encouraging.
But the Power of Choice report was really a response to changes in the key drivers of how the sector develops that was started once the decision was made to establish the NEM as part of the overall Competition Policy reform package.
When I, and I suspect many of you, started working in this sector the main driver was the generation sector. That's where all the action was. With the establishment of the NEM, and retail competition, that focus shifted to the retail sector and now – with or without us – the key driver of development is the consumer.
So how do the 'bits' of the Power of Choice reform fit together?
Connected, well thought through reform, often gets unpacked during implementation into its constituent parts and scattered to the point where you need an Allen key and Ikea instructions to get it back together.
The Power of Choice reforms are designed to fit together.
They will deliver better outcomes for consumers and set us up for long-term market efficiency and stability, but only if we stay the course on the key aspects of the reform package.
We can't pick and choose the bits we like and bits we don't without compromising the move to a consumer driven energy market, where consumer choice is what drives the way the market evolves.
The first piece of the puzzle is getting effective price signals to the consumer. That's where the distribution network pricing rule change comes in – which will come into effect from 1 July 2017.
From that date, network prices will better reflect the cost of providing network services to individual consumers.
Even if the total costs and revenues of network services are at efficient levels, retailers and consumers cannot be expected to make efficient choices unless these revenues are recovered via price structures that better reflect the cost consequences for networks of their individual decisions.
This will allow consumers to make more informed choices – to see and access value in those choices – and that gives them a reason to participate in the market.
All energy ministers indicated their full support for the network pricing reforms in the most recent COAG Energy Council meeting in December last year:
"The Council supports tariff reform as an essential next step in this process as a means of providing better price signals to consumers and notes that new Distribution Network Pricing Arrangements will enable distribution businesses to set prices that reflect the efficient costs of providing network services to each consumer. This will allow consumers to make informed decisions about their electricity usage and help to deliver better signals for efficient investment in distribution network capacity." - COAG Energy Council, December Communique
But it's no good consumers having a reason to participate, if you don't have the means to participate.
And to participate consumers need information and they need tools. Clearly competition in retail markets plays an important role here, as does government in supporting information campaigns.
So the second piece of the puzzle is improved consumer access to information about their energy consumption via a rule change that went through in November.
It allowed customers to obtain their electricity consumption data from their distributor as well as their retailer.
It allows other parties authorised by customers to request access to electricity consumption data from retailers and distributors.
And it provides minimum requirements for the format, time frames and costs involved when a customer requests their consumption data.
As well as information, consumers need tools, and that's where the third piece of the puzzle - metering reform – is important.
And the metering work is really a 'set-of-reforms' – rule changes – which provide the necessary conditions for a competitive energy services market to develop.
These include a rule change to promote competition in metering and related services; an open access and common communication standards framework for smart meters; and arrangements to allow multiple trading relationships at the consumer's connection point.
The competition in metering rule change really is the "key" to unlocking the full value and benefit of consumer participation in energy markets.
Like a mobile phone or a pay TV box, advanced meters are currently an important piece of the physical infrastructure that enables consumers to use a service they value.
It is a tool that can help consumers monitor, manage and adjust their electricity consumption and, importantly, capture the value of doing so, if they so choose. Opening up the metering space to competition will allow consumers to benefit from a wider range of energy services and demand-side products.
Tools to respond to time-of-use pricing, off-peak charging of electric vehicles, faster retailer switching and more efficient notification of system faults to network operators.
Our draft determination, as most of you will be aware, is out there for public consultation and we had a good discussion at the public forum here in Sydney last week.
The draft determination makes it clear we intend a market led approach, meaning investment in metering services will be driven by consumers choosing products and services they value at a price they are willing to pay.
Again, this is a reform which has been endorsed by energy ministers at the December COAG Energy Council meeting:
"The Council supports the push for competitive market-led rollouts of smart meters and the delivery of tangible benefits to consumers from new metering technology." - COAG Energy Council, December Communique
The metering reforms mean investment, innovation and technological development will be responding to consumer preferences, rather than a regulator's preferences.
Meters, of course, are not the only tool consumers need for competition to thrive.
Consumers also need tools to help them shop around for the best deal. Just as importantly, they need to know about the tools available to them.
And while there are useful comparison sites available to consumers, our research, including that conducted for our annual Retail Competition Review, clearly shows that most consumers don't know about them.
Our last survey found that only 1 per cent of consumers could identify their jurisdiction's independent comparison website unprompted. That went up to 29 per cent in Victoria when prompted (lower in other states) but that is still a very low number.
That's why we've recommended a range of initiatives to increase consumer awareness of the choices available to them.
These included improvements to comparison websites and tools, targeted information campaigns to consumers with difficulty accessing online information such as those who do not speak English, and a mass market media campaign.
Giving consumers the tools, information and clear price signals, means consumer choice is what will drive market development for energy and energy related services.
This is a direction consumers were already headed in – with or without us – propelled by technological change.
The different parts of the Power of Choice reform program will work together to support that change. But we must stay the course on all aspects of the reform program, because they are very much integrated reforms which rely on each other to succeed.
Metering is not the only technological issue the AEMC is looking at which has the potential to reshape the energy market landscape.
In collaboration with the CSIRO, we've also started a new project looking at the regulatory implications of storage technology.
Advances in technology and decreasing costs mean storage technologies have the potential to affect every part of the electricity supply chain.
Distributed storage systems may offer significant benefits to consumers with intermittent energy sources, such as the 1.4 million Australian households with rooftop solar PV, by allowing them to better match their generation to their usage needs.
Large-scale storage systems may be used by network businesses to reduce congestion, smooth network peaks, mitigate outages or provide network support in remote areas – all of which potentially reduce the need for spending on network infrastructure, thereby reducing the cost of network services for consumers.
Storage systems connected to power stations could allow generators to better manage variations in wholesale prices between times of high and low demand, or better integrate variable generation resources like large-scale wind.
So we are looking at how different storage technologies may be utilised across the electricity supply chain; the implications for electricity consumption; and how the legislative and regulatory framework may need to respond.
The project is a little new, so we haven't outlined the details of stakeholder engagement on this project, but that will happen in the coming months and I'm sure many of you will be interested in that.
Now, some would ask the question: does this mean you're expecting storage technology to mature in the short term?
We don't take a view on that. For us, the work we're doing: looking at metering technologies, storage technologies and the regulatory implications of technology and market change in general is about understanding what is on the horizon so that the regulatory framework is flexible and resilient enough to respond to change, whatever comes.
We don't know what types of technology are going to emerge in the future.
What we do know is that consumers will dictate that, by doing what consumers do in a workably competitive market.
The consumer driven transformation of energy markets will move ahead with us or without us.
Government, regulators and retailers, generators and networks alike have to make choices about whether they'll embrace the evolution of the market.
Our view is that it is better to be ahead of change than behind it – regulators have found out the hard way what it means to be unprepared.
It's now up to networks to respond to this evolution and to the new regulatory arrangements. The way you have structured your discussions today is evidence that has already happened.
Again, I want to thank you all – including the ENA – for coming with us on this path.
It is not an easy journey – and I dare say there'll continue to be a fruitful and robust exchange of ideas.
But no structural change happens easily; and good, lasting reform only happens when there is that free and frank exchange of ideas via robust consultation and engagement.
I look forward to continuing that engagement with all of you.
And thank you again to the Energy Networks Association for inviting me to speak today.


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Strength and Conditioning for Dancers
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Dedicated to Bart, who had the Most Beautiful Tail
Sunday, August 10, 2008
A Brand New "Flavor" Joins the Group - Meet Gerry Berry!
4 comments:
- Unknown said...
Gerry Berry is a beautiful princess!
I live in Tennessee with my 10 year old PWC girl & her cousin, a 10 year old Bichon Frise. Is there any possibility of us adopting her?
- August 11, 2008 at 8:46 PM
- Judi said...
OH my goodness she is adorable!! My parents live in Minnesota (Cannon Falls)-- any chance they could adopt her?
- August 13, 2008 at 6:19 AM
- Elbeepem said...
We always thoroughly evaluate our foster dogs before we consider making them available for placement. At that time they are posted on our ForPaws Corgi Rescue website, http://www.ForPaws.org
In order to be considered for adoption you must submit an application via the website. We screen all applicants carefully and only place a dog when there is a good match between dog and owners. We look at your lifestyle and consider whether it matches the personality and needs of the particular dog.
We also talk to you about the temperaments of any existing pets in your home. If you have a very dominant dog, and the dog we have available is also a dominant member in the pack order, clearly this is not a good match.
Bottom line: There is a LOT more to adopting a rescue dog than falling in love with a pretty face - though this certainly is part of it!
Thanks to all who've expressed interest in adoption. Please stay tuned for postings on our website. We will post to the blog when that takes place.
- August 13, 2008 at 10:20 AM
- Sally M said...
kudos to K.D. One month ago this amazing lady drove a 12 hour round trip to rescue the 4 Castaways. She still has open arms the love to give another Corgi in need. Gerry Berry is one lucky little girl. K.D. will take care of her and make sure she is placed in a new loving home.
Sally, Allan, Molly & Bo
- August 16, 2008 at 11:33 AM


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The city has asked us to pass the word on restrictions around the new Keeper of the Plains Plaza in downtown Wichita. There are large rocks in the Arkansas river that shoot large gas flames (no kidding). The city has installed electric eyes that shut off the gas if someone get close.
They have cited a ordinance that states you must stay 50 away from this area.
Please heed this request. the area has little interest to our paddlers and we do not want to stir up the parks people as they support us on other issues.
The ordinance applies only to the area between the Seneca bridge and the First Street bridge.
You can paddle in the area but please stay 50 away from the FLAMING ROCKS.... I guess it might melt your boat.
Wichita restrictions
General Discussion for the Kansas Canoe and Kayak Association
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text: Back | Project: Racism and Public Policy Abstract of Paper by Kwesi Prah Project from: 2000 to 2001 Race, Discrimination, Slavery and Citizenship in the Afro-Arab BorderlandsIn the historical experience of Africa, two major forms of dominance have been nationally imposed. The first was the cultural and political imposition arising out of the Arab conquest of North Africa, which started in the 7th Century A.D. with the Hejira. The second over-lordship arose out of Western expansion and conquests and was of much later vintage culminating in colonial rule from the late 19th Century. The conquest of North Africa by the Arabs was a slow process, which has been steady over the centuries. Apart from the political implications of conquest, perhaps even more important and in many ways more socio-culturally impactful has been the process of cultural denationalization of African communities in the face of Arab conquest and over-lordship, and the replacement of African cultural institutions by Arabic ones. Possibly the most notable of these cultural denationalization experiences has been the case of the Berbers in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya. The culture of the Berbers and the language of the people suffered subjugation and denigration from very early in the history of the Arab-African encounter. Recent conflicts, protests and demonstrations in Algeria highlight the historical plight of Berber national culture in the face of Arabization and domination. But possibly nowhere in the Afro-Arab Borderlands is the problem of race, class and citizenship in such high tension between Arab and African (or possibly Arabized Africans and Africans) as the Sudan and Mauritania. These two countries are frequently in the news for these reasons, but indeed the problem and scenario is enacted in other countries in the region including Libya, Mali, Niger and Chad. In the case of the Sudan tension between Arab and African in modern times came to a head in August 1955 with the Torit mutiny. The consequences of this mutiny in the Sudan was to trigger the beginnings of Africa's longest war. This war has lasted almost 50 years and was reduced in intensity through the good services of the All African Council of Churches, the World Council of Churches and Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia in 1972. It however persisted throughout the period of so-called peace in Sudan and exploded in full fury again in December 1983. Since then it has continued amidst growing and persistent reports of slavery of Africans by Arabs, the genocide in the Nuba Mountains area and ethnic-cleansing in the Blue Nile area and extended warlordism and genocide in the South Sudan. Fundamentalist Islam and fanatical Arabism play a very important role in this. The situation in Mauritania is equally beset with conflict. The history and tradition of African enslavement by Arabized moors is old and has persisted to the present day. Slavery was abolished by the French in 1905. A second abolition was proclaimed with the independence constitution of Mauritania in 1961. It has however continued and the tensions arising out of the enslavement of Africans in Mauritania has frequently threatened the peace between Mauritania and Senegal. This former French colony of 2 million people probably contains the world's largest concentration of chattels. In 1993, the U.S. State Department estimated that up to 90,000 blacks live as the property of North African Arabs (known as Beydanes, or white Moors). Other sources add 300,000 part-time and ex-slaves, known as haratins, many of whom continue to serve their owners out of fear or need. The local anti-slavery group El Hor ("The Free") estimates as many as one million haratins in Mauritania. In the whole region of the Afro-Arab Borderlands the last decade and a half has seen what has been described by some as the Tuareg War. In more recent years the volume of this conflict has abated but the economic, political and cultural conflicts remain. This paper looks at the specific experience of the legacy of dominance, racism and discrimination in the Afro-Arab Borderlands with specific reference to the Sudan and Mauritania. Comments are made regarding this phenomenology for other countries in the region - Mali, Niger and Chad - with respect to the same issues. The implication of these issues to future relations of Africans and Arabs in the Afro-Arab Borderlands are scrutinized. Some recommendations are presented towards the peaceful resolution of these socio-political, cultural and economic tensions in the Afro-Arab Borderlands.


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Thinking about doing my next author photo bare-chested! If I've learned anything from this blog, it's that people like shirtless stuff. The question is what is more important to me, my dignity or my desire to give you male nipplage? Ahhhh… morale dilemmas.
4 thoughts on "My Shirtless Author Photo"
Loves me some male nipplage 😀


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Our print issue theme for Winter Quarter was Fetish, in which we grapple with attachment, displacement, and paradox. In this issue, we are interested in thinking about fetishization not just as a projection of a set of desires or imaginations onto things and people, but also as a rhetorical form or logic, a structure of desire, and a displacement of value. You can view the virtual edition of this issue here.
Fetish: Winter 2018 Print Issue
108 in stock
|.5 oz
|13.5 × 11.25 in