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GMC Software, an award-winning leader in Customer Communications Management (CCM), has become part of a newly integrated company which will operate under the name Quadient. Quadient integrates the omni-channel CCM, data quality and postal capabilities of three Neopost sister companies – GMC Software, Human Inference, and Satori Software – into one powerful portfolio of solutions to enable Customer Experience (CX) by improving the customer journey across print, digital and social channels. Operating autonomously since 2012 under Neopost's Enterprise Digital Solutions (EDS) Division, GMC Software, Human Inference and Satori Software began the process of technical and cultural integration two years ago. Quadient is the final step in a thorough and fully vetted process of internal integration that is "continuing to provide world-class support to existing customers and delivering innovation with every release."
"CX is the new battleground for business and understanding customers – and the current state of their experience throughout the customer journey is critical to an organization's success," said Henri Dura, CEO of Quadient. "As companies look to compete, they're facing four foundational forces: the power consumers now have, the growing number of channels, the evolving mandates for regulatory compliance, and the proliferation of data throughout their organization. The Quadient solution suite makes it possible for companies to offer a seamless experience with the delivery of exceptional, meaningful and accurate communications that address these forces to drive exceptional customer experiences."
A Neopost company with over 350 full-time developers dedicated to CCM and CX, Quadient "is committed to innovation. It's the only company to bring data quality capabilities and communications together in a comprehensive portfolio with flexible implementation options – including on-premise, hybrid and cloud solutions for a variety of users and business requirements. Working with Quadient, organizations will have the power to leverage and validate large amounts of customer data to deliver every personalized communication quickly across the customer journey. The result is the ability to drive business growth in a market shaped by customer sophistication, rapidly changing technology, and complex regulations, said the company.


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Gatwick Airport has completed an 18-month migration to a new network infrastructure from HPE and Aruba Networks, boosting customer-facing Wi-Fi to 30mbps download speeds and giving the airport the infrastructure to adopt technologies like IoT and predictive analytics.
Speaking to Computerworld UK last week, Gatwick Airport CIO Cathal Corcoran said that modernising the network at the airport was his number one priority upon joining the company two years ago, and that it was certainly the highest profile project on his portfolio.
"On my first day this was brought to my attention, as arguably it needed doing a couple of years before," he said.
"If this had gone wrong my tenure would have been a lot shorter at Gatwick I think," he added.
The new network doesn't just serve operations at the airport - passengers, bags and planes - but Gatwick also acts as an IT provider for all of the retailers and restaurants across its two terminals.
Old by design
According to Corcoran the previous network, which dated back 15 years to the days of BAA ownership was "old by design".
"It had served its time and was getting to end of life," he said.
The new network deal, worth £11 million, was designed and implemented by HPE and its subsidiary Aruba, with the promise of stabilising network services for operational staff, boosting Wi-Fi to 30mbps download speeds for its 14 million annual passengers as well as allowing the airport to take advantage of modern technologies like IoT, passenger flow analytics and facial recognition.
The network will continue to be maintained and managed day-to-day by the HPE Pointnext team, initially on a five year contract. "The deal length is five years but I fully expect it to go on," Corcoran said. "The deal is network and Wi-Fi, IoT and helping us move to the cloud, so there are many agreements, but this is a long-term partnership with HPE and we are very much all in."
In terms of the more advanced capabilities this network will enable, Corcoran says he is looking at 40 uses for IoT across the airport, from deploying sensors from the ramps for real-time operational analytics to measuring waste bin levels, the occupancy of check-in desks, as well as table availability or pond water levels.
He also wants to use more analytics to assess passenger flow based on smart phone locations and heat maps to identify queueing times and performance improvement opportunities.
Finally, the airport is looking into machine learning and facial recognition technology to bolster security. It could also use this to better inform gate staff of late running passengers and send notifications via apps.
The whole project was completed in in March 2018 after just 18 months, all while the airport remained 100 percent operational, and the project had to be completed without any downtime or instability.
"Running a network upgrade into critical national infrastructure, if you get that wrong you end up all over the news, so a project with this amount of work and this risk profile, not everyone is up for that, but HPE was," Corcoran said.
The vendor even signed an output-based deal, which means it will only be paid when the project was completed to Gatwick's expectations.
The migration work could only be done while the airport wasn't operational, providing four hour windows in the middle of the night - two hours for work and two for rollback - and even that was just for three or four days a week. In order to hit the 18-month target this meant a huge amount of manpower, 10,000 hours to be exact, switching out forty to fifty access switches a night.
Marc Waters, managing director for UK and Ireland at HPE said: "Transitioning from old to new networks while keeping the world's most efficient runway operating is like performing open heart surgery on a patient while he is running."
Waters added that this project falls under HPE's current focus on 'intelligent edge'. According to Waters this consists of: "An underlying network based on high degrees of connectivity and high levels of security to enable data to be collected and understood to give insight for operational efficiency and also improving customer and employee engagement."
The drivers for change for Corcoran were threefold, firstly was obsolescence. "It was starting to creak," he said.
Then there was the security: "We wanted a new network to enhance our defences and add more and we needed a next-generation IT network to do that," he said.
Then, what he describes as "probably the highest value-adding angle" was helping the airport entities it supports adopt cutting edge technology that bottlenecks in the old network wouldn't allow, such as new point of sale systems or customer analytics.
Now that the network is live, the main aim for Corcoran and the Pointnext team is stability and reliability. "The metrics for me are that the campus network has to be four or five 9s and P1 and P2 [incidents] need to be non existent." He said they have yet to have a P1 or P2 severity incident since going live.
"We needed a much more resilient, self-healing and fault tolerant network," Corcoran added.
In terms of the new stack, Gatwick now has thousands of terabytes/second switching capacity, hundreds of VPN instances for multi-tenant solutions and scalability up to tens of 12900E switches, hundreds of HPE 5930 and Aruba 2930M switches, to support thousands of 1G ports and hundreds of 10G/40G ports.
The IT team now has much better monitoring capabilities too. "We can predict where something goes wrong and the idea is to avoid issues in the first place and getting recovery times down to minutes or hours, instead of days," Corcoran said.
Monitoring is provided through Splunk operational KPI dashboards, but Corcoran said the airport is running "two flavours of everything" now, including firewalls from Palo Alto Networks and Fortinet, endpoint security from Crowdstrike and Darktrace for network security

subset: commoncrawl


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I've had my Apple Watch for a week now, and I'm ready to talk about my delivery time, how I feel about it, and how I use it. It's been mostly great, but there are a few things I hope Apple fixes.
Note: this is not a formal review. For that, see Jeff Gamet's "Apple Watch In-Depth Review."
Out of the Box
I wasn't awfully impressed with the packaging when I first opened it. The white plastic tries to look cool, but it just seemed to me like a giant power adapter brick. Or perhaps the old Apple DVI to ADC Display Adapter. Apple could have done better here, especially with the steel/sapphire models.
Under Promise, Over Deliver. Almost.
Like many others and most in our TMO team, I was up just before midnight Pacific time on April 9th to place my order. After some initial connection problems and placing my order at midnight + 3 minutes, the email I got at 1:04 am Denver time on the 10th said the estimated delivery would be May 13 to May 27. My watch arrived on May 14.
And so, while my wait was agonizing, and I lamented that Apple could not ship this new product right after I ordered it, I did agree to the delivery date at the time of purchase. And Apple delivered on the second day of the window it provided. Given the (rumored) production problems, I'll chalk this up to (almost) under promise and over delivery.
First Experiences
Setting up the Apple Watch (42 mm stainless/sapphire, leather loop) was a breeze with the iPhone 6. It was obvious what to do at every step, and the amazing 3D animated pattern used to pair the devices was straight out of a SciFi movie. I had the Apple Watch up and running in about 20 minutes with no difficulties.
As I started experimenting with the settings on the iPhone with the Apple Watch app and then testing the watch, I didn't run into any gotchas or bugs that one might expect from a 1.0 release. There may be bugs, but I wasn't bitten by any.
Another thing I noticed was the burnt orange/fire theme, and realized that I'd see this theme before on the Amazon Fire Phone that I reviewed last year. That color on black is indeed beautiful.
Battery Performance
I was amused by all the reports, I should say guesses, about the presumed battery life of the Apple Watch before it even shipped. My own belief was that Apple was warning us to be careful, yet prepared to over deliver. I think Apple did just that. Here's the remaining battery percentage I recorded each night before I put it on the charger.
- May 14: 70 (short day)
- May 15: 45
- May 16: 55
- May 17: 61
- May 18: 77
- May 19: 76 (short day)
The average was 64 percent. That means, for my own use, I might be able to charge every other day. Not bad.
Next page: Watch OS 1.0.1, My Primary Activities, Things to Improve
Page 2 - Watch OS 1.0.1, My Primary Activities, Things to Improve
Watch OS 1.0.1
I did the Watch OS 1.0.1 upgrade on May 19, and it took much longer than I think it should have. I know the Apple Watch doesn't have a lot of processing power, but 25 minutes to do a minor upgrade was greatly annoying. Plus, the charger sits by my night stand upstairs and the iPhone, when next to it, is rooms away from the AirPort base station downstairs. At first, I thought I was going to have to carry the iPhone, Apple Watch and its inductive charger downstairs to my office. But the Wi-Fi connection was okay. This was a passable but not great user experience.
My Primary Activities
Right now, the things I'm using the most and that please me greatly are:
1. Beautiful time keeping on the go with the Utility face, current outdoor temperature and my next calendar event.
2. Apple Pay.
3. Monitoring my movements (steps) while I'm at work, even as the iPhone remains stationary on my desk. The Apple Watch reports to the iPhone, and I monitor with the fabulous Fitport app.
4. Being able to receive and send text messages and phone calls when my iPhone is in another room. This is spectacular.
Things I Would Like to See Improved
- I'd like a demo mode that keeps the Apple Watch display on for a few minutes. It's really hard to demo the watch to friends with the unchangeable display timeout of about 20 seconds. It could also help the salespeople in the Apple retail stores.
- I'd like a mode that shows six or so of my favorite apps with larger, easier to touch icons. I'd like to be able to assign those six to a rectangular grid for easy positional recognition and tapping.
- A faster OS upgrade of course.
- Programmable haptics for different notifications.
- A more complete set of data items that can be added to every Watch face. Right now, not every item is available for each face.
Watch Words
I am incredibly pleased with this device. Not only is it a beautiful timepiece, but I don't mind admitting that the Apple Watch makes me feel more technical, better informed, more connected and pleasantly geekier. But it doesn't intrude on my life because my initial instincts were to shut everything down at first and slowly open it up to me as the need dictated. See, for example, "Ruthless Gatekeeping is the Key to Apple Watch Bliss," by our Dave Hamilton.
Unfortunately Apple gets too enthusiastic about all the features of the Apple Watch and doesn't want the user to miss a single thing. That can result in overload, as Dave described. Making sure you only use what you need, gradually, helps manage the device better, prolongs the battery, and allows for a more gradual and deeper learning experience.
All in all, how could I have gotten along without an Apple Watch before? Inconceivable. Now that I have it, I can't imagine going back to the nice but low-tech Swiss Army watch of yore.


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There is a special kind of hell reserved for cricket fans and for England Cricket fans especially, because clearly God hates the English and sends rain, New Zealanders and as we saw today, frustration, against them.
The complete dourness of English cricket was kept off of the back pages of the Australian press because thankfully, Steven 'Piggy' Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft, conspired to cheat against South Africa by blatantly rubbing sandpaper on the ball in an effort to make it do something. The story which would have gone to press, would have been England being bowled all out for just 58 in the third test against New Zealand.
The fourth test should have been a chance for England to redeem the series by drawing it 2-2. Instead what we got was a slow and painful death in which despite England finally managing to show a hint of competence, New Zealand responded with enough pluck and courage to last out the fifth and final day; this winning the series 2-1.
The raw numbers for the fourth test were:
England 307 & 352-9d.
New Zealand 278 & 256-8 (match drawn).
Anderson 1-37
Broad 2-72
Wood 2-45
Leach 2-61
Root 1-28
What we got was hour after agonising hour, of England fumbling towards victory but it remaining tantalisingly beyond reach. Exactly as Dante described, this was desire unfulfilled; with each tick of the clock becoming ever louder and slower. Jimmy Anderson, whose interntional career is quickly coming to an end, never found a second wicket. Root tried Broad and Wood and Leach and even brought himself on in frustration but wickets 9 and 10 never arrived.
I think that whoever coined the phrase "only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun" must have been an English Cricket fan. Not enough New Zealanders go out in the midday sun, or after lunch, or in the final session of the final test: although this phrase does kind of imply that there are some dogs who have an ability to play cricket. I suppose that dogs do have a very keen ability to take catches; so that means that they have more demonstrated skill than the English who didn't do enough of that this afternoon either.
Always striving; never satisfied. Always working; never completed. It was as if the players looked at the three lions on their shirts and remembered that they were English and the ghosts of so many seasons past, had all bought ticket in the Outer, just to see England return to the loser's circle.
Football fans who see their team relegated on the last day of the season will know a more intense feeling of this sensation. Anyone who has lost a final in just about any sport imaginable will also know what this sensation is like. For a cricket fan though, it is a very particular kind of disappointment; having taken five days to brew, before becoming the bitterest of spoonfuls to swallow. There is no sugar to help the medicine go down and it is not remotely delightful.
Fear not though, from what I've heard Satan is building another stadium for the football World Cup in case Russia isn't deemed reliable enough to hold it. England will more than likely be knocked out in the Round of 16 but at least it will be warmer than playing in Siberia.
Some say the world will end in fire; some say in ice. From what I've tasted of desire, I side with those who favour fire but ice will suffice... and if England does win the World Cup, I expect that Satan himself will be ice skating to work... to put the finishing touches to his picket fence around the eleventh circle of hell.


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Giving is your gift to yourself
Adding Light to the World on 2020
Giving is your gift to yourself. Being able to give contributes to the needy and gives you satisfaction.
Light to the World management calls you to be an active partner in a secured and recognized contribution for income tax purposes under section 46A of the Ordinance.
Your donation is vital and important and helps to purchase rehabilitative medical equipment lent at branches of light to the world.
With a donation through JGIVE, it is possible to proceed immediately after the donation to a simple procedure for tax credit.
Your contribution will enlighten a special child's life !


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Community Websites
Disability Voices Tasmania
Finding ways for Tasmanians with disability to have a strong and collective voice. The experience of people with disability is valued and the ways people communicate are supported and respected. Focus on capability building of people with disability
Frank Madill – Tasmanian Author
Frank Madill is a Tasmanian doctor, retired politician, community worker and an author. He has just released his fourth book Sanders DFC Out of the Darkness. This is the story of Max Sanders' early life and training; and his experiences, along with those of his crewmates, during their perilous tour of duty with Bomber Command in the skies over Germany in 1944.
memoirs, book, books, lancaster, bomber, command,farming, politics medicine, medical, practice, doctors,Tasmania, tasmania, frankmadill.com
Rotary Club of Launceston Tasmania
The Rotary Club of Launceston in northern Tasmania, Australia was chartered in 1924. The Rotary Club of Launceston was the foundation stone of Rotary in Tasmania. The Rotary Club of Launceston has a long history including sponsoring the formation of a further 12 Rotary Clubs in District 9830. Our members undertake programs both in their local communities and internationally. These programs support humanitarian programs while promoting high ethical standards, international understanding, goodwill and peace throughout the world including Group Study Exchange, Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA), National Science Award and Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA).
Rotary, Club, community, fundraising, programs, Launceston, Tasmania rotarylaunceston.org.au
Rotary Club of South Launceston
The Rotary Club of South Launceston is located in the historic city of Launceston. The Rotary Club of South Launceston raises funds to support the community in many aspects including School Bursaries and Sponsorships including the School of St Jude in Arusha, Tanzania, East Africa, Care for Africa, Street Swags and the Science and Engineering Challenge. Rotary Club of South Launceston fundraising includes: The Silverdome kiosk and Sheep Manure Project
Rotary, Club, community, fundraising, programs, order, sheep, manure, Launceston, Tasmania rotary-sthlaunceston.org.au
Tamar Valley Cycling Challenge featuring Sally's Ride
OVER 600 RIDERS AND GROWING… Attracting locals and visiting riders of all skill levels to appreciate Launceston and the Tamar Valley at a wonderful time of year. Funds raised go to local proactive mental health initiatives.
Community & Family Rides caters for the whole family with a fun-filled exploration of Launceston's nearby parks and bike trails. Perfect for families and first-time riders.
FOR THE SERIOUS RIDER… Who loves a real challenge. The pinnacle challenge being the 160km Sally's Grand Fondo
Tamar Valley Cycle Challenge Feating Sally's Ride charity event Launceston Tasmania
Information Websites
Australasian Furnishing Research & Development Institute – Furntech
The Australasian Furnishing Research and Development Institute (trading as Furntech and as AFRDI) is an independent not-for-profit technical organisation providing standards, testing, product certification and research for buyers and sellers of furniture in Australia and New Zealand
Cornerstone Youth Services
Cornerstone Youth Services Inc. delivers a broad range of services to our community of young people aged between 12-25 including headspace, Yadas, and mental health support. These services are run from Devonport and Launceston offices in Northern Tasmania. We have a strong focus on health promotion, prevention, early intervention and we encourage help seeking behaviours.
youth, services, headspace, mental, heath, Launceston, Devonport, Tasmania cornerstoneyouthservices.com.au
The Division of General Practice, Northern Tasmania also known as GP North
GP North undertook a wide range of activities focused on improving the health of the community including health promotion, early intervention and prevention strategies, health service delivery, medical education and workforce support.
Division, General, Practice, Northern, Tasmania, gpnorth.org.au
North East Recreation Trail Inc – NERT
Once the North East Recreation Trail becomes a reality it will be a world class walking and cycling experience from Lilydale to Scottsdale in north-east Tasmania. Walkers and cyclists will enjoy an unrivalled experience immersed in the rural life and natural beauty of a region considered as Tasmania's best kept secret. For the recreation trail to become a reality, the state government must go through a process in Parliament to make Dorset Council the corridor manager. The recreation trail will preserve the corridor and recognise the heritage values and history of the region for all to enjoy at their own pace.
Recreation, Trail, North, East, Tasmania, northeastrecreationtrail.com.au


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New Toyota Corolla San Marcos TX 78666
Familiarize yourself with the 2018 Toyota Corolla. This 4 door, 5 passenger sedan is waiting for you to take home! It features an automatic transmission, front-wheel drive, and a 1.8 liter 4 cylinder engine. It's equipped with tons of terrific amenities, but it won't break your budget. Such as cruise control, 1-touch window functionality, a tachometer, variably intermittent wipers, front bucket seats, power door mirrors, lane departure warning, and remote keyless entry. Audio features include a CD player with MP3 capability, steering wheel mounted audio controls, and 6 speakers, enhancing the audio experience throughout the interior. Passengers are protected by various safety and security features, including: dual front impact airbags with occupant sensing airbag, front side impact airbags, traction control, brake assist, a panic alarm, and ABS brakes. This car was designed with safety in mind, allowing you to drive with even greater assurance. We pride ourselves in consistently exceeding our customer's expectations. Stop by our dealership or give us a call for more information.


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Crescent Town Listing Alert!
5 Massey Sq #809 $425,000
Beautiful Corner Unit Featuring 3 Large Family Sized Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms With An Ensuite. Very Spacious Layout. Freshly Painted Throughout. Brand New Renovated Kitchen With Stainless Steel Appliances Featuring New Cabinets And Tile Floor. Updated Bathrooms. Laminate Flooring. Just Move In! Views To The East And South. Overlooks Dentonia Golf Course And South Towards The Lake. Incredible Location Close To The Subway, Shops, Parks And Schools.
Call now 416-694-2499 or email us for more information!
For the 'Wright' move call the 'Wright' Group


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A Beautiful Site Design for a Unique Getaway Experience
Exceptional Style for Exceptional Service
[ Objectives ]
Branding & Print Design | Graydient Studios CMS | Web Design & Development | SEM | SEO
Build a Fully Responsive Website
Increased Outreach
Focus on Consumer Usability
[ Discovery Findings ]
Our team developed a blueprint that would primarily target the people of the Chicago area, and even reach out to the Milwaukee and Madison audience. Using Search Engine Optimization (SEO) best practices, the plan was to optimize the website for those searching for spas or weekend getaways in Wisconsin. This would direct search engine users to the Heidel House Resort and Spa and encourage them to take advantage of the many services and amenities.
[ Design & Development ]
In the early stages of the new Heidel House Resort and Spa website, our multitasking crew was working on another project, Evensong Spa. This endeavor had similar goals to the Heidel House website. Including increased outreach and a focus on consumer usability. A major challenge with the original website was managing the many services offered in an effective, easy-to-read arrangement. Our team determined the best design to showcase the relaxation services would be accordion style menus.
Evensong Spa Website On A Laptop Screen
Heidel House Site On A Tablet
Email Template Design On A Mobile Device
Heidel House Site On A Laptop
Heidel House Site On A Mobile Screen
Evensong Spa Website On A Laptop
Measurable Results
0 %
Increase in Local Traffic
0 %
Increase in Organic Search
0 %
Increase in Total Site Sessions
Climb The Mountain With Us
[ We are your personal digital sherpas here to help you ]
Like what you've seen and want to work with us? Interested in seeing more samples of our work in a specific service area? Reach out today and let's become business friends forever!Contact Us


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Hotels near Ciampino Station
Find a place to stay
Find out more about Ciampino Station
Only seven miles southeast of the heart of Rome, Ciampino is a major destination for people trying to get to the city without getting caught up there. Lounge in Rome Ciampino airport hotels to enjoy a quieter pace of life before you zoom into the city to check out the culture. The area around the airport is known for its wealth of modern and classic restaurants, offering the opportunity to do everything from gorge on a traditional Italian meal to sample native wines or craft brews from all over the continent. Take a break from the city's hubbub and seek out Ciampino's own archeological sites and the rich local heritage near your hotel.
From Your Hotel to Any Destination
Your Ciampino hotel may be somewhat removed from Rome, but this works to your advantage because it's very close to the Grande Raccordo Anulare, the ring road that surrounds the city. This road is the most direct way to get around Rome, and Ciampino has a well-established public transportation system. If you don't feel like driving, enjoy a scenic bus ride to the Roma Termini rail station or a Rome Metro stop. Staying at hotels near Ciampino airport makes it easy to access a wide region reliably, so get out there and explore to your heart's content, even if you only have time to visit Ciampino's local markets during your brief layover.
A Low-Stress Airport Experience
Getting your rest at a Rome airport hotel near Ciampino makes it easy to avoid stressful travel. Ciampino's airport is one of the busiest in Italy; it pays to get a good breakfast from one of the neighborhood's many cafes or grab something fresh at the market before settling out early. Although the airport has around 500 Wi-Fi access points as well as numerous restaurants and bars, the commotion at this huge facility can make your hotel's own facilities feel way more welcoming. Schedule your airport hotel accommodations so that you can spend as much time enjoying Ciampino as possible, and limit the time you spend stuck waiting at the terminal.


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Today marks the 85th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court case of Powell v. Alabama[1]. Powell[2] is one of the cases in which the Supreme Court laid out the basic due process requirements of a fair trial in state courts including right to effective appointed counsel in capital offenses, fair time to prepare for trial, and fair hearing. This case proved to be a monumental move for the Supreme Court, which signaled a progressive shift to expanding constitutional rights for defendants in criminal trials.
The Case[3]
The case behind the monumental decision of the Supreme Court required a monumental remedy. On March 25th, 1931, a fight broke out aboard a freight train between a group of poor black and white youth who both had not paid for the ride. All but one of the white youths was thrown from the train just over the Alabama state line, and these boys promptly reported the incident to local law enforcement. The nine-black youths Charlie Weems, Ozie Powell, Clarence Norris, Olen Montgomery, Willie Roberson, Haywood Patterson[4], Andrew (Andy) Wright, Leroy (Roy) Wright and Eugene Williams were detained when they reached the town of Scottsboro Alabama[5].
Ruby Bates and Victoria Price, two women who had also not paid for their tickets on the train told the police officers that the youths had raped them. Thus, the nightmare began. The Scottsboro Boys[6], as they would come to be known were each charged with rape. At the time, rape was a capital offense in Alabama. Trial began within two weeks. On the day of trial, no lawyers had been appointed to the Scottsboro boys. The boys and men ranging in age of 12 to 20 had not been given a chance to speak to an attorney, family, or friends, nor allowed to prepare their case. Their cases were separated into 3 trials of three defendants each which took place over the course of three days. Indignant people demonstrated and protested outside the packed courthouse, and the Scottsboro boys were told that their safety could not be guaranteed from the angry mob outside the courthouse which was calling to lynch them. The mob was so large that the Sheriff had to call the national guard.
The judge announced that the Scottsboro boys had no counsel, but he would continue the trial if no lawyer would take the case. A Chattanooga Tennessee real estate lawyer volunteered to help any appointed Alabama lawyer. No local Alabama attorney would take the case, but finally an elderly Alabama attorney who had not preformed a trial in decades volunteered. The trial proceeded immediately. The lawyers put each of the defendants on the stand without preparation, did not perform any cross-examination, and failed to make any closing statements. The only witnesses called by the defense were the doctors who examined the women who testified that they had found no evidence of rape.
The jury sentenced all of the Scottsboro boys to death except for 12-year old Roy Wright who was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. After the conviction, and the Scottsboro boys received competent legal counsel they moved for a new trial arguing that their 14th amendment due process right to a fair trial had been violated by the circumstances of their conviction and that their 6th amendment right to counsel had been violated by the ineffective counsel that had been appointed for them. The Alabama Supreme Court in a 7 – 2 decision held that the Scottsboro boys had received a fair trial and had been appointed counsel. Alabama Chief Justice John C. Anderson wrote a blistering dissent against the unconstitutional nature of the trial that had been conducted. The Scottsboro boys then sought their first writ of certiorari from the Supreme Court in 1932.
The Arguments
The Supreme Court heard arguments on October 10th, 1932. The Scottsboro boys argued that their 14th amendment right to due process by the State was violated by failing to appoint counsel, failing to allow them to speak with anyone before trial, and failing to secure their safety from the lynch mob outside the courthouse.
The State argued that they had complied with Alabama law by giving the defendants appointed counsel for a capital case, and had given the defendants a fair trial.
The Decision
The Supreme Court rendered its judgment on November 7th, 1932. In a 7 – 2 decision the Majority led by Justice George Sutherland[7] reversed and remanded the Scottsboro boy's conviction. The Court reasoned that the defendants had been denied a fair trial by not being given an opportunity to speak to their family, or an attorney before trial. The Court also lambasted the court for failing to appoint adequate counsel, and that failure was so great that the judge had effectively denied due process to the defendants. The Court went on to place the violation on the 14th amendment due process clause, rather than the 6th amendment right to counsel. The Court then held that due process required that counsel be appointed in capital cases, and counsel be given adequate time to prepare a defense for trial.
Justice Pierce Butler[8], joined by the reviled[9] Justice James C. McReynolds[10] dissented. The minority argued that the defendants had not been denied the right to counsel as they had been appointed two attorneys.
With the convictions reversed, the Scottsboro boys received a new trial. The judge allowed the trial to change venue to Decatur Alabama[11]. During the retrial, one of the women recanted the allegation and said she and the other woman had fabricated the allegation to avoid social ridicule for being a white woman associated with a black man. The Jury again found the defendants guilty and sentenced them to death, but the judge set aside the verdict and ordered a new trial. At the third trial the judge was replaced, and the jury once again found the defendants guilty and sentenced them to death. The case was appealed again to the Supreme Court in the case of Norris v. Alabama[12][13], where they reversed the conviction for excluding African-Americans from the jury. The unanimous Court led by Chief Justice Charles E. Hughes[14] also admonished the state for continuing to pursue the case. Interestingly, Justice McReynolds took no part in the consideration of the case[15].
Charges were then dropped against 5 of the 9-people involved, and the fourth trial resulted in convictions for the remaining 4 with sentences ranging from 75 years to death. One of the men was shot and paralyzed by an accidental discharge from a prison guard. Two of the men escaped prison in 1946 and were later caught on other charges. The oldest member, Clarence Norris, and the only remaining defendant facing death jumped parole and escaped before being recaptured and pardoned by Alabama Governor George Wallace. The last surviving defendant died in 1989. Alabama posthumously pardoned three of the defendants who had not been pardoned or had their convictions overturned on November 21st, 2013.
While this case became symbolic of the systematic racial biases that existed in the southern criminal justice system, it also became a landmark for reforming it. Powell signaled the Supreme Courts willingness to set down and expanded concrete Constitutional criminal procedure rights. With Experienced Legal Representation, you can ensure your rights to a fair trial are protected.
Written by Hunter J. White
[1] Powell v. Alabama, 287 U.S. 45, 53 S. Ct. 55 (1932)
[2] https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/287/45/case.html
[3] http://www.nlada.net/library/article/na_powellvalabama
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haywood_Patterson
[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottsboro,_Alabama
[6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottsboro_Boys#cite_note-Norris_v._Alabama_1935-5
[7] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Sutherland
[8] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierce_Butler_(justice)
[10] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Clark_McReynolds
[11] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decatur,_Alabama
[12] Norris v. Alabama, 294 U.S. 587, 55 S. Ct. 579 (1935)
[13] https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/294/587/case.html
[14] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Evans_Hughes


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Today's guest on Just Food Stories is V.P. of the Hattie Carthan Community Garden, Yonette Fleming. Join urban farmer Yonnette as she shares her journey reconnecting back to her agrarian heritage. Yonette talks about how important Just Food has been to her and to farming in general, and tells us her vision for the future of her community gardens in Bed Stuy, Brooklyn. This program has been sponsored by Whole Foods Market. Today's music provided by The California Honeydrops.
"I saw myself in service to something larger than anything that my ego could permit me to envision." [12:00]
"What I envision is a permanent market space in Bedford Stuyvesant." [24:00]
–Yonette Fleming on Just Food Stories


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Satellite Facilities
South Gym
This gymnasium is home to one multi-purpose court that can be used for indoor soccer, floor hockey, basketball, and badminton. A second court is a wooden floor with a small basketball court (less than high school regulation).
PARC (Phoenix Activities & Recreation Center)
Built in 2012, this newly designed building features a large space outfitted for two side by side basketball courts or two side by side volleyball courts. This facility also houses a 1,300 square foot fitness center that includes cardiovascular and strength equipment.
Harden Clubhouse
Harden Clubhouse is located on South Campus in between the Driving Range and the Intramural/Club Sport fields. This facility includes a common space for meetings or gatherings for approximately 50 people. Features include a high top bar area, back porch overlooking the south campus fields, and covered front porch facing the putting greens. Designed to supplement the field tournaments and events, this facility includes a large parking lot adjacent to the facility.


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Don't we just all love finales? I was watching one of the final scenes of Girlfriends Guide to Divorce and I heard this lovely song. I have had it on repeat for the past week and I thought it would be great to share with all of you! Upside Down is a soul folk song by GoldFord and it is simply about not being able to let go of someone because of the beauty that they add to your life.
Category: Soul
Van Morrison Playlist
To be honest, I have been going through a lot lately and I don't exactly know how I feel about some things. I was watching my favourite show, This Is Us, and this song came on and it was as if I found clarity and peace within myself, even if it was only for one minute. When I later googled it, it was called Into the Mystic by Van Morrison. I listened and listened to this song over and over again on repeat and I felt calmer each time I did and I felt at peace each time I did. Time stopped for a moment and everything was finally okay. Then I went searching for more of his music and actually stumbled upon a few that I was quite familiar with. I made this playlist of my top 6 Van Morrison songs to help me calm down when I am stressed and anxious. You can access them via Spotify below. Happy listening!
Ain't No Love In The Heart of the City
I have a thing for soul songs. Artists like Luther Vandross, Marvin Gaye, Brook Benton and Otis Redding are a few of the artists I enjoy listening to when I'm in the mood to relax. I was watching my new summer favourite show, HBO's Girls, and I heard this song at the end of one of the Season 5 episodes.
Ain't No Love in the Heart of The City is a song by Bobby 'Blue' Bland and it appears to be is most well known song. I'm not sure what city this song is exactly referencing too but this song is mainly about a man mourning his love that has moved away from him, or out of the city. His is describing what his day to day life has been lacking without his love near and it has such a personal tone to it that you cant really help but to fall in love with the lyrics.
In relation to the show GIRLS, this song is used at the end of a scene where Hannah, one of the main characters, hitchhikes a ride from a stranger back into New York when she becomes stranded in the country. During this ride, the driver and Hannah begin to discuss their love lives and then express the way that they see New York. Hannah sees New York as being the perfect place for her creativity while the driver sees New York as a new start to his life. This song was the perfect fit to the end of this episode which is about two people losing/leaving the ones that they loved due to an unhealthy relationship. I quite enjoyed this episode and song and I hope that you enjoy it too.


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Solving the Italian rugby riddle
21 February 2018
Sergio Parisse.
ROME – The beginning to this Six Nations campaign has offered similar results to those of years gone by. Lacklustre defeats to England, Ireland and France have once again sparked a fierce debate over Italy's future in the tournament. However, results elsewhere in the sport have begun to offer some hope to the Italian faithful.
In Italy's first ever Six Nations game during the 2000 campaign, the rugby equivalent of the famous Azzurri came up against the might of the Irish. Fast forward 18 years and many Italian defeats later and the same situation presented itself, this time on weekend two of the Championship. On both occasions, Ireland's victory was little more than a procession.
The long-suffering Northern Hemisphere rugby fans have always been supporters of the underdog, but with Italy, this support now runs deeper. There is an overarching feeling that Italy's future might well be on the line.
It is unquestionable that Italy is on the kind of losing run, which is making their future less rather than more certain. The team has received the wooden spoon without tasting victory in the last two Championships and has suffered 75 defeats from 87 Tests since they first joined the Six Nations. Indeed, the last time that Sergio Parisse's arm was raised in victory was three tournaments ago against Scotland in 2015.
At ground level, there is the prevailing thought that if the Italians continue to compete with this sort of win/loss ratio, public support will inevitably decline and with it, any vestige of an argument that Italy can retain a consistent place in the Six Nations Championship.
Whilst this may be painting a picture of doom and gloom, Italy has undoubtedly ceded more ground in the last two seasons. The country's rugby scene has certainly never enjoyed a robust framework like you might find in any one of the other 'five nations' and this absence of structure has played a pivotal role in the lack of Italian progress.
During the period when Italy first joined the Six Nations, the then Celtic League, which is now known by the more famous PRO14 title, was developing as an important breeding ground for club rugby. The league welcomed several Irish teams which have largely thrived and now act as feeder clubs for the national side.
In a similar manner, Scotland's resurgence over the past couple of years can be directly attributed to the form of Glasgow in the PRO14. The Glaswegians currently sit atop the standings and the spine of a very successful club rugby side has transferred seamlessly onto the international stage.
At the beginning of this campaign, Wales' coach Warren Gatland selected a back line that was largely made up of Scarlets players, who play together week in week out in the PRO14. Gatland's hand was somewhat forced to due to an injury crisis, however the importance of club rugby cannot be underestimated. By contrast, Italy's two PRO14 sides, Zebre and Benetton have never really thrived in such a way that their national side can reap the rewards of their success. That is until now.
Italy's impassioned resilience has previously spurred them on to one-off tournament victories, but the new Italian coach Conor O'Shea has decided to employ an overhaul of all things Italian rugby, in order to transform the country's fortunes in the sport. The former Harlequins head coach O'Shea has previously been praised for being a clever tactician, but his desire to apply the club-into-country winning system to improve the Italians can only be seen as common sense rather than a moment of genius.
This season's markedly improved performances by Italy's two top-tier sides deem both the Italian club rugby scene and indeed the national side, worthy of greater respect and consideration. Both club teams are enjoying their most competitive campaigns to date and a day after Italy's defeat in Dublin, Benetton notched an impressive win against the defending champions Scarlets, to add to earlier season scalps of Edinburgh and back to back wins against rivals Zebre.
Firmly in contrast to the famed Italian style of scoring a famous Six Nations win followed by multiple barren seasons, Benetton have managed to string together a pattern of winning performances that is far removed from previous campaigns where they were at times, far from competitive. Conor O'Shea has repeatedly singled out the important role that the Benetton and Zebre academies must play and this focus on grass roots will undoubtedly yield improved results.
"It might be gradual, but there is a belief that progress is being made. We shouldn't just look at the end result of a match, we should look at the small battles that we are winning," said O'Shea after Italy's defeat to England earlier in the campaign.
"We are becoming a better team, we're getting more depth, there's more competition, the franchises are doing really well -- Zebre's playing well, Benetton's playing well -- and I think that is what the focus is on."
There is undoubtedly growing pressure on O'Shea and the Italian Rugby Federation to translate club rugby into international success and heavy defeats such as those inflicted by England and Ireland will only serve to fuel questions regarding Italy's future.
However, flash back three years to Italy's famous victory over Scotland and the then Scottish side is unrecognisable to the force that it currently represents. International rugby must allow Conor O'Shea space and time to implement his structure. How much time is another question.


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Guys, I'm not going to lie. I struggled to write this article. It felt boring. And in a sea of content where everyone is trying to vie for your attention, I almost didn't write it.
Because seriously, yawn.
But here's why I decided to sit down and just write it out: last year I missed something huge on this list and it cost me.
If this isn't the very first article that you're reading on this site, you probably know that I'm self-employed. Being self-employed means that I get to work while wearing yoga pants and sitting on my couch.
Yes, it's pretty awesome.
But it also means that I don't have an employer-sponsored retirement plan. Because I'm my own employer.
I do have access to self-employed retirement plans, like a SEP-IRA. With this plan, I can put aside 25% of my income. Amazing, right?
My income isn't consistent month-to-month, so it's hard to get a real feel of what 25% will be. Each quarter last year I would put a little into retirement, but I told myself that at the end of the year, once I knew exactly how much I had made, I'd finish making my retirement contribution.
I mean, you have until April 15th of the following year to actually finish making any retirement plan contributions. The year ends on December 31st, so I planned to do a little bookkeeping and throw more in retirement to make sure I had maxed out that 25%.
I had 3.5 months to get it done.
I'm going to let you guess how this story ends. Me — a CPA and writer/marketer in personal finance — forgets to make that final retirement plan contribution.
I know some of you are probably reading this thinking, "big deal. She forgot to put enough money into her retirement account. There are bigger things to worry about in life."
And I totally get that perspective. But the problem is that you let it slip one year, then two, then you're 55 and staring down retirement with nothing set aside. Dramatic, but there's a reason why only 16% of American's save the suggested 15% of their income for retirement each year. And 19% save nothing.
A lot of people may be stuck in the paycheck to paycheck cycle and don't have anything to set aside. But others may miss a deadline to make a retirement account contribution, let it slide, and then continue the downward spiral thinking, "I'll definitely do that next year."
Because you're here reading this, I know it's not going to be you. (And for the record, it's not going to be me, either. I've just made a near end of year retirement contribution to get me to what I think my max contribution will be this year.)
Here are some of the things you definitely want to put on your to-do in December list. Between holiday parties and shopping, squeeze in a little time to finish these things and start January on the right foot.
1. Contribute to your retirement fund
Whether you're saving for retirement in a 401(k), IRA (individual retirement account), HSA (health savings account), or a combination, maxing out your contributions before the end of the year is a smart move. Each year you're able to put away a certain amount into a retirement account and reap the tax benefits. If you don't do it, you lose out on that advantage.
That would be a bummer.
- Contributions to a 401(k) or 403(b) must be made by December 31st, and contribution limits are $18,500 for 2018.
- If you're under 50, contributions limits for your Roth or Traditional IRA are $5,500 and must be made by April 15, 2019.
- If you're saving in an HSA, the contribution limit is $3,450 for an individual and $6,900 for a family. These need to be made by April 15, 2019.
- Any self-employed people can contribute $55,000 per year to their SEP IRA. These can be made up until your tax return due date.
Just a note about these April deadlines: don't wait until April, do it now! I put it off last year thinking, "oh April is miles away." As I mentioned, I didn't get it done and I've spent the entire year kicking myself for that.
2. Use any FSA money
If you have a Flexible Spending Arrangement through your employer, you've been putting away pre-tax dollars to put toward healthcare. Normally this money is use it or lose it: you need to spend it or it's no longer yours (yikes).
Under your plan, you may be able to roll over a certain amount or be eligible for a 2.5 month grace period if you don't get around to spending it by December 31st. But just like the retirement contributions that you can make up until April 15, delaying this spending might mean you drag your feet and forget about it.
3. Make those donations
Have you been meaning to donate, but you just haven't gotten around to it? Now's a good time to make that donation. If you itemize deductions, you can take a tax deduction for any charitable donations you make, which will lower your tax bill.
A quick note: the new tax law doubles the standard deduction amount. If you usually itemize deductions on your tax return, you might not be doing that this year. The standard deduction is the amount of money you subtract from your income before paying taxes. In 2017, the standard deduction for a single filer was $6,350. This year it is $12,000.
4. Use your annual checkups
Do you get a set number of dental or vision checks per calendar year? The clock is ticking to use them up. I'm actually headed to the dentist tonight. These are benefits that you are paying for, so schedule those appointments and get the most out of the dental or vision plan that you have.
5. Double check your insurance
This doesn't actually have a due date, but it's a good idea to check in on this regularly. Why not do it now while you're taking care of these other important items?
If you have life insurance, check in a make sure any life changes haven't left you without enough coverage. Did you have a baby this year? Take on more debt? It might be time to up that coverage.
6. Get organized
My favorite year-end activity is to get organized. Well, truthfully, it's my favorite all-year activity. I love a good closet purge — it's addicting.
If you're a year-end organizer, like me, add 'organizing your money' to your to-do list. Jordan and I do have a pretty basic spreadsheet that we use to keep track of our automatic transfers. But we also use the free tool from Personal Capital to keep all of our accounts organized: it links all of our bank accounts, credit cards, mortgage accounts, and investment accounts so we can get a snapshot of our net worth just by logging into one place.
Aside from keeping you organized, it also does some pretty great things to help you analyze your investments. You can see my full Personal Capital tutorial video here.
7. Hi, goals
At the end of each year, Jordan and I sit down to set goals for the next year. We talk about our personal goals, our health goals, and our money goals. In all honesty, we talk about these goals a lot (accountability!), but sitting down to say what we specifically hope to achieve in the year has become one of my favorite annual traditions.
This doesn't need to be formal. I usually spend a lot of time reflecting during November and December and then Jordan and I will spend some time talking, dreaming, and then create goals we feel really good about.
This year we're taking a different approach to goal setting and it has completely shifted how I'm thinking about things. We've taken more of a life-planning approach and I can't wait to share more about this soon!
Is there anything else you'll do at the end of the year to get ready for 2019?
Everything you need to know about money, delivered straight to your inbox every Friday. Plus, access to our library of free tools to help you organize, optimize, and finally feel good about your money.
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Happy Mother's Day in the U.S.! Hope all the moms are enjoying their special day.
Happy Mother's Day in the U.S.! Hope all the moms are enjoying their special day.
Sunshine through the mailbox today: advance copies of Boyband of the Apocalypse!
Fan art of the gloriously villainous Lucretia Cutter from Beetle Boy by M.G. Leonard.
Here's what has been happening with me for the first part of this year.
When I'm a Mummy Like You!, the picture booked created by me and Francesca Gambatesa was released into the wild in February! We had a launch party at Gosh! Comics in Soho to celebrate (pic by Sarah McIntyre). It's also out now in the US as When I'm a Mommy Like You! You can read a lovely review at Bookblog Book Monsters here. Francesca spotted the book in Foyles window as part of a Mother's Day display.
Meanwhile, I finished the illustrations for Tom Nicoll's Boyband of the Apocalypse that's out in June, and I'm pleased to say there's a sequel on the cards which I'll also be drawing. I'm looking forward to that, as I really enjoyed working on Boyband.
Also in February, Sarah McIntyre kindly invited me to take part with her show at this year's Imagine Festival at the RFH, along with Katherina Manoulessou and Stephen Collins.
We had to talk about our book characters and then lead the audience in a draw-along – the (huge) audience were very enthusiastic and some fantastic drawings were produced.
Read Sarah's report here (from where I pinched these pics).
In March I had another big event at Leicester Author Week, organised by Whatever It Takes, an initiative to encourage reading within the city. I gave a talk to two sets of school children – about 400 children in all – about my work, followed by creative writing workshops. It was a busy day, but a lot of fun! Thanks to WIT for organising it, probably the best organised event I've been invited to. (Pic by WIT)
World Book Day (or at least, the UK version!) is in March and it always pleases me to see how many people dress up as Jampires, year after year. Here are some pics that appeared on Twitter:
Watch out, there's a Jampire about! #WorldBookDay @davidoconnell @jabberworks pic.twitter.com/Ynu51F8s2J
— Louisa Fielding (@WeezyFielding) March 2, 2017
My little Jampire @jabberworks @davidoconnell and not so little Thomas from the Maze Runner @jamesdashner #WorldBookDay pic.twitter.com/4C6M309Afa
— Keeley Darrington (@KeelsD76) March 2, 2017
My little Jampire! @jabberworks #WorldBookDay20 pic.twitter.com/eKHNWio9T6
— Michelle C (@TheTrueMC) March 2, 2017
So cute!
Currently, I'm working on the edits for the first book of my novel series with Bloomsbury books, which comes out next year. An illustrator has been chosen and I'm very excited about the whole thing. Fingers crossed that other people like it too!
2016 is rapidly coming to its end and most people seem to be quite happy about that, as far as I can tell. It's been a bit of a bumpy one, current affairs-wise, but 2017 promises more of the same. Let's hope that cooler, wiser heads will prevail and that it's not too troublesome.
For me, the second half of 2016 (as it's been that long since I updated this blog!) was quiet, book-wise. I was focused almost entirely on writing, something that makes me very happy! I can report that the first draft of the first of my two books for Bloomsbury has been handed in, and I'm awaiting the editorial verdict. I'm expecting lots of red pen as even I could see the flaws of this draft, but I'm looking forward to fixing things up with my editors' help. I love the world I've created in this book and really enjoyed writing it, in spite of a few uneven
sentences paragraphs chapters. I have to finish this book and hand in the first draft of the second book by June next year, so I'm expecting the first six months of 2017 to be spent tapping away on a keyboard…
…apart from January/February, when I'll be working on the illustrations for this book written by Tom Nicoll. It's very funny and I'm looking forward to getting my hands dirty on the drawings. There are some great, quirky characters in it, which are always very satisfying to do. More info on that when I'm allowed to show it.
Speaking of quirky characters, I drew a whole bunch of them for Inktober. This is an internet community thing set up by artist Jake Parker. It encourages artists to create an ink-based picture every day for the whole of October. It's a chance to draw just for fun, without the aid of a computer, and not be too precious about the splats and smudges. I've posted all thirty-one pictures on my Instagram account .
The last Creature Teacher book was published in July. It's now out in six languages (English, Turkish, Danish, Slovak, Hungarian and Vietnamese) which is very pleasing.
Writer Sam Watkins is currently working on a new series from Egmont: The Fintastic Diary of Darcy Dolphin which is out soon, and I'm sure will be… well, fintastic!
Jampires has become something of a Hallowe'en book – not quite what Sarah McIntyre and I intended, but I love hearing about little Jampires turning up at costume parties in October – there are more and more each year!
On the subject of Jampires, here is Mrs Coventry from St Joseph's School in Keighley, Yorkshire, reading the book aloud for us:
Aliquam Tempus – Jampires from Albus Cubus on Vimeo.
A very impressive performance! I went to a workshop for children's writers in October on how to inject a bit of drama into book presentations so I'm hoping my reading skills have buffed up a bit. It was hosted by the Golden Egg Academy who mentor up-and-coming authors through the writing and publication process. It was an excellent day and the Golden Eggers are a lovely bunch of people too. I've a big couple of presentations in March (among other things) where I need to step up my showbiz side a bit more.
Such a brilliant, confidence-building day with @TheGEAcademy & the Enchant Your Audience workshop. Thanks @andrewweale & Kate Montague! pic.twitter.com/Ur4yvp8LuM
— Anthony Ho-Ho-HoBurt (@AnthonyJBurt) October 22, 2016
My most recent public gig was at the brilliant Brentwood Children's Literature Festival back in July, organised by Natasha and Jim at the Chicken & Frog Bookshop. It was very well-organised for a first-time festival and there was a great crowd at the Brentwood theatre to see me do my Monster & Chips comic-making spiel. Some fab comics came out of it too, my favourite being about a prince and princess who meet, fall in love… and are eaten by a giant fly. (Pic below by Natasha.)
.@davidoconnell creating #supersteg with the children @chickenandfrog @bwdlitfest pic.twitter.com/vwqlL7gZeq
— JANE MILES (@MrsJaneMiles) July 29, 2016
Here are some more monster-y drawings that have been sent my way – firstly, this fearsome chap who comes with his own specials board (I love this colour combination!):
Son drew monster for Create Your Own Monster Competition but it's closed, so thought I'd tweet you with it instead 🙂 #fanart @davidoconnell pic.twitter.com/W5N5qsNGTy
— Sophie Anderson (@sophieinspace) October 8, 2016
And also this brilliant comic featuring Fuzzby and pals (a couple of years old but which I only just found out about on the Imagination Project website):
Last, but definitely not least, I'm very excited about the next book from me and the amazing Francesca Gambatesa: When I'm A Mummy Like You! It's out in early February (just in time for Mothering Sunday in the UK) and a bit later in the US – where it's called When I'm A Mommy Like You! (obviously).
I can't get over how super Francesca's art is – there's more at the book page. She's done such a wonderful job with my rhyming nonsense and I hope people love it! There'll be a launch party at some point which I'll post about here when we've firmed up the details.
I'm going to be offline for the rest of the year but have lots of plans for 2017 so will be back refreshed and recharged in January.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a peaceful 2017!
I'm off for a summer break soon, escaping to the seaside from the city and its current political wailing and grinding of teeth. There is a folder filled with creative projects going with me. Past experience says they won't even make it out of the suitcase – it's good to do nothing sometimes. I might post some terrible snaps on Instagram, but aside from that it will be a very welcome social media-free zone.
To counteract that, here is a blog post written around other people's Twitter photos! I may not do social media very well but I can't deny it's very useful.
Shortlisted authors for the inaugural #LaughOutLoudAwards! #Lollies! pic.twitter.com/B5KrMjlIRt
— Hachette Children's (@HachetteKids) June 21, 2016
I was very privileged to be asked along to the first Lollies awards ceremony recently, hosted by TV presenters Sam & Mark, to honour the best in funny children's books. It was a jolly event at the Lyric Theatre in the West End of London with entertainment provided by the performers of the stage show of Horrible Histories. There were even lollies for the audience – very welcome on a hot day.
This year's winners were:
Picture Book: I Need A Wee! by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet
6-8 years: Badly Drawn Beth by Knife & Packer
9-13 years: The Parent Agency by David Baddiel & Jim Field
Among the nominees was my book buddy Jamie Littler, one of the hardest working people around. He wasn't a winner on the day, alas, but it was great to see him recognised, and to see an award for funny books to replace the late lamented Roald Dahl Funny Prize. My friend Alex Milway has done a huge amount of work with his This Book is Funny Campaign to highlight the hunger for funny books amongst children. The more attention they can get, the better!
And we have posters! #thisbookisfunny I'm so pleased with the mix of books. HOORAY! pic.twitter.com/Wr5EU2oHmD
— This Book is Funny! (@ThisBookIsFunny) June 17, 2016
Did spot #monster faces on a lovely display for #FathersDay @Foyles ! SO nice @davidoconnell #FrancescaGambatesa pic.twitter.com/Cx3iGuVuqV
— francesca gam (@francescagam) June 20, 2016
It was great seeing When I'm A Monster Like You, Dad! in various shop windows over the Father's Day weekend. It's going down well in the U.S., apparently, and everyone wants to know what Francesca will do for the illustrations for our second book together (including me). There will be a wait, I'm afraid, as that's not out until early next year. However, you can colour in some of her illustrations with these lovely activity sheets she made, available on my activity page.
Check out @davidoconnell's original illustrations at @chickenandfrog! You can also meet him at @BwdLitFest, 29 July pic.twitter.com/9uOJwxthfz
— Brentwood Art Trail (@BwdArtTrail) June 21, 2016
I will be at the Brentwood Children's Literary Festival next month, and in the run up to that I'm taking part in the Brentwood Art Trail. Some of my illustrations are in the window of the wonderful Chicken and Frog Bookshop, who are organisers of the festival. I'll be running a writing workshop on the 29th July so do come along – tickets are available at the above link.
Meanwhile, I'm super-excited about a new book deal which means I'll be writing a couple of books for an older age group (9-12 years) than my usual 7-10 years. It doesn't sound like a big age gap but there's quite a leap in reading ability in that time. Monster & Chips was about twelve thousand words in all, these will be about thirty thousand words long: loads more to write but loads more to play with, developing characters and exploring new worlds. It's going to be a real challenge but I'm so looking forward to it, especially as I'll have an editor holding my hand along the way. The first book won't be out until 2018 but I can't wait to see what people think.
I'll also be doing lots of drawing to help break up the long writing periods. Expect to see plenty of sketches and pictures posted here, on my Twitter and on Instagram!
Now, off to pack my bucket and spade!
Happy book birthday to us! Francesca Gambatesa and I have a new picture book in the shops today (and if you're on the USA, it's been out for a month already!).
When I'm a Monster Like You, Dad! is about a little monster who wants to be just like his dad: BIG and BAD! But Daddy Monster just wants little monster to have fun. The words are by me and the beautiful artwork is by Francesca. I'm thrilled with how it looks! It's been a long-timing coming (I wrote the text in 2013) but it's great to see it finally in the shops -just in time for Father's Day (June 19th).
We had a launch party at the wonderful Gosh! Comic Shop in London last Friday. Lots of people turned up and I did a dramatic reading of the book! It was a lot of fun – thank you to every one that came along, and thank you to Gosh! for being such good hosts.
Francesca made some goody-bags with little note-cards and badges in. So cool!
Here's me and Francesca, with monster ears, proudly holding our book baby (taken by Sarah McIntyre):
There are a load of other great photos from the night here, taken by Gosh!'s resident photographer, Mauricio Molizane De Souza. Here's one of us signing some books (fascinating fact: it was the first time Francesca and I had actually met!):
All the buying information can be found here. Francesca and I will be at Village Books in Dulwich on Sunday 11th June at 11am for a story-telling session, and we'll be making Father's Day cards too, so do come along if you're around. Toot-a-loo!
Blogging is less of a chore when there are lots of nice things to write about.
Firstly, lovely letters. Here's a drawing from Theo, aged 7, a Monster & Chips reader. He's drawn a brilliant monster with a snot-burger and chips. Great use of colours, too. You can almost smell the fart!
I also had a very nice letter from Charlie, which was beautifully written, so I've taken extra care with my reply. Charlie, from St Bede's School in Weaverham, said the Barry the cat was his favourite character in Monster & Chips so here's a little picture of Barry that I drew at the bottom of the letter.
Recently, I finished the illustrations for the last Creature Teacher book. It's a great series and I was over the moon when the first book won the Heart of Hawick Children's Book Award! Woohoo!
I couldn't be more pleased for writer Sam Watkins as it was her first published book. And I was completely bowled over when Sam tweeted about an animated trailer that the children from the participating schools had made. It's absolutely amazing and I keep replaying it and having a chuckle!
Freshmade NYC are a cooking and craft studio that run cookery sessions for kids in New York City. They have a storybook cooking class, which sounds like a fab idea, and recently ran a Jampires doughnut making session! Here's a pic from their Instagram feed:
Banana doughnuts! Yum.
What am I up to at the moment? I've been doing a lot of writing lately and a few weeks back finished a manuscript for a book idea that I'm really hopeful will prove to be publisher-friendly. It's doing the rounds of publishers right now, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed and praying to the book gods that it works out.
I'm also working on a window artwork display for the nice people at Chicken & Frog bookshop in Brentwood. I visited them a couple of years back and am doing an event for the Brentwood Children's Literary Festival which they are organising (tickets on sale!). It's not something I've done before so it's very exciting.
In the meantime, When I'm A Monster Like You, Dad! is out in the shops very soon! My advance copies arrived from the publisher today. Illustrator Francesca Gambatesa and I are hosting a launch event at Gosh! Comics in London on the evening of May 27th – all are welcome, so do come along if you can and say hello (and buy a book!).
It used to be that I wrote blog posts as a way of procrastinating before work. Now I find that I'm procrastinating before writing blog posts. It does seems a very cumbersome way of communicating news in these days of Twitter and other social media. But it's a useful way of recording what I've been up to so I'm going to keep at it, even if updates get a little few and far between.
I can be found in a couple of social media-type places (above) but here's a more long-winded catch-up with some things that happened in the latter part of 2015. Mega-post alert!
A second book of Sam Watkin's Creature Teacher series came out in August with me on art duties again. Creature Teacher Goes Wild is set at a theme park which meant lots of fun things to draw. Here's a bit when Mr Hyde and the gang are on their way to Wilf's Wild Adventure Theme Park – it gets messy pretty soon afterwards:
There's another Creature Teacher book out very soon – next week in fact! Creature Teacher Science Shocker introduces a new character who's more than a match for Creature – but who is it?
The fourth CT book is due out in July and I'll be drawing the illos for that any day – can't wait to get started!
Writer Sam and I will be doing an event together at the Brentwood Children's Literary Festival in July – come along and say hello if you can. Tickets are available here.
CT is also coming out in Turkish which is very exciting. I love seeing books I'm involved with coming out in different languages! You can find information on all the Creature Teacher books here, or on Creature's very own website where there are a load of activities to do too.
Speaking of foreign editions, JAMPIRES is going to be coming out in Korean which should be really interesting to see as it's such an attractive written language. My fab co-author, Sarah McIntyre, and I donned our Jampire gear for a spooky Hallowe'en window-painting session at the wonderful GOSH! Comics in London back in October.
It's very hard to paint on glass, never mind back-to front. I've borrowed these photos from GOSH's Facebook page – they're both taken by Mauricio Molizane De Souza and there's plenty more of his ace work to be seen there too.
I've blogged previously about my friend Alex Milway's This Book is Funny initiative and was very pleased to be invited to join him and comics chum Gary Northfield at the Discover Children's Story Centre's summer Storyfest that took place at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford in July.
We talked about our books – all of them funny books – having visited the schools involved in the previous weeks to see what kind of funny stories they could come up with themselves.
It had to be one of the hottest days of the year – not a day to be dressed up as a lion fighting a zebra Roman gladiator. Yes, dear reader, that is me in the furry onesie, having taken on gladiator Gary, and in the middle of my (very dramatic) death throes. A career highlight.
Julius Zebra makes an appearance in Stratford at @Discover_Story Storyfest @ThisBookIsFunny @Alexmilway @gnorthfield pic.twitter.com/d8HMp3kt3u
— Walker Books (@WalkerBooksUK) July 3, 2015
Finally, I've recently got to see the artwork for When I'm a Monster Like You, Dad!, the picture book I wrote that is being illustrated by Francesca Gambatesa. It's been ages coming (for publisher scheduling reasons) and I was over the moon to see the final images. Francesca's done such a great job so I couldn't be more happy!
The second book in our collaboration is in production now and will be out next year some time, but WIMLY (as I call it) is out in the beginning of June – just in time for Father's Day. I'll be talking a lot more about this before then, but here is one spread from inside just to whet the appetite:
As usual, I have a page devoted to the book with all the buying information here.
I haven't made any comics recently and actually took a break from even going to conventions in 2015. I've really missed being involved in comics and I don't think it's something you can ever really leave behind, although I know I've benefited creatively (and financially) from the break.
However, when my friend Richy Chandler asked me to take part in his anthology that came out in September there was no way I was going to say "No"! The theme of Richy's book Tempo Lush Tales of the Tanoox was the idea of positive transformation, with the Tanoox being an emblem or totem of this change. I decided to do a short slice-of-life comic, a genre I've become more interested in over the years.
Here's a snippet:
I'd like to do more with these characters, so might be tentatively dipping my toe in the murky waters of comics at some point this year.
TLTotT is a great anthology, with a diverse set of creators who've all taken very different approaches to Richy's challenge. You can get a copy here, at various comic shops, or at any of Richy's many convention appearances (and it's worth meeting him in person as he's such a nice chap!). His webcomic Lucy the Octopus is back next month after a break so make sure you bookmark that for some future funny-aquatic-eight-legged reading.
There was a bit of London-exploring done last year – quite a lot of it underground.
We went on a tour of the disused Jubilee line Tube station at Charing Cross, that's now used mainly for film-making (Skyfall being a recent example). We got to walk through the utility passages that stay hidden from passengers, although we could spy on them through the various ventilation grills that you see at the stations (but never give a thought to). The tunnels lead right underneath Trafalgar Square until you're directly below the now-famous fourth plinth. Mind-boggling stuff.
We also visited the deep level bomb shelter that was built underneath Clapham Common to protect residents from the blitz during WWII.
Such a huge space! And very easy to get lost down there.
I can't imagine what it must have been like to be stuck in the shelter when the bombs were falling. The smell from all the people must have been a bit wearing, at the very least. This shelter was later used as a budget hotel for visitors to the Festival of Britain, and as a temporary home for the first Caribbean migrants to the UK, which is the reason that Brixton and that corner of London became centres of the Afro-Caribbean community. The shelter is one of eight that were built and still exist today – they are mainly used for archive storage, but I think TfL want to try and open more of them to visitors.
Lastly, a trip into the bowels of the iconic Tower Bridge to see the workings of the bascules (as the draw-bridge bits are called). You get to see the massive counterweights that were used in the steam-driven era, and the chamber into which the road disappears whilst its far end goes skyward.
You can't go in there when the bridge is open because you'd get squished! You also get a chance to visit the old Victorian engine room, as well as the walkways over the road with their great views and rather sick-making glass floors.
This publicity video gives a good preview of the tour if you fancy it:
Outside of London we spent our summer holiday in Blakeney, Norfolk. Brilliant beaches, lots of walks through wind and salt-blown scenery and lots of good food.
The dog enjoyed it and so did I!
Now: time to look forward to the challenges of 2016. Onwards!
I've a number of activity sheets available on my website (and there are more on the websites I made for JAMPIRES with Sarah McIntyre and CREATURE TEACHER with Sam Watkins). It's always gratifying to know that people are downloading and using them.
Madame Picque recently emailed me from the Collège Romain Rolland of Waziers in northern France to say that she had been using my 'Create Your Own Monster' sheet as a way of teaching her English class physical descriptions. What a great idea!
Here are some of the results, they're all wonderful but I think Nathan's monster 'Georges' was my favourite (see if you can spot him)!
Thank you to Mme Picque for letting me know – I'm sending a drawing of my own monster to the school in return:
I get lots of emails from readers in the Netherlands who have to do book reports for school – it sounds like it's quite a common thing to do. Students have to find out about the book's authors as well as telling their classmates about the story. I'm quite happy to answer questions as it's always nice to know that people like your book enough to tell others about it.
I don't often get to hear how the book reports go, so was very pleased to hear back from Philippe (aged 8) who was awarded a 9 for his report! I'm not surprised, as he included a monstrous menu of his own making:
Blood Soup with Living Human Eyes
Hamburger with Dead Cricket
Pizza of Darkness (the title of the second Monstersnackbar book)
That is the scariest pizza I've seen in quite a while. I think I'd stick to the hamburger.
Philippe also included a menu made by one of his classmates.
Dung Beetles with chips
Frog Legs with chips
Lion's Eyeballs with (large) chips
Zombie Cupcakes with Icing and chips
Beetles with chips
Very tasty! I love the little illustrations that go with the food, just like the menus in the Monster & Chips (De Monstersnackbar in Dutch) books.
Thanks so much for sending these, Philippe!
Autumn is here already! I've lots of news to catch up on but important things first: fan art.
This picture of Barry from Monster & Chips was sent to me by Tycho from the Netherlands. Barry's looking very jolly here. Thank you, Tycho – he's brilliant!
I'm particularly proud of the Dutch editions (De Monstersnackbar) as they're lovely hardbacks, and it's nice to hear from Dutch readers. Translator Sandra Hessels obviously did a great job.
Argh! Half a year gone and I haven't achieved nearly enough, including blog posts. Here's few things that have been going on:
The first book of this series came out in April. It can sometimes be a bit confusing working on a set of books that are being published at relatively short intervals. Whilst book one was appearing in the shops I was working on the illustrations for book two and simultaneously working on the cover for book three! I keep getting the books mixed up in my head. Here's a rough pencil-version of an illustration from book two, with the CT gang on the hunt for mischievous creature!
Creature Teacher writer Sam Watkins had a very busy launch event at Thomas A Becket School in Worthing in May. She spent the whole day doing short events with children from years 1 and 3 – I think she was losing her voice by the end of it all.
I joined her for the afternoon sessions to do a bit of drawing whilst she read from the book. It was a lot of fun but quite exhausting! It was the first time Sam and I had actually met (she is lovely, thank goodness!). Sam even made some swirly biscuits to match the book cover design. I can personally vouch for how tasty they were.
Here's a pic of us at the end-of-day signing (we didn't play the bongos, alas). Not sure who took this photo – apologies for pinching it.
Our visit even made it into the Worthing Herald. Oh, the heady heights of fame. Here's a clipping from Sam's Twitter feed:
(You can read the online version here.)
We ran a competition at the school to design a cover for a Creature Teacher book – you can see all the entries at the CT website here. I love how much energy there is in all the drawings, but then it is a very energetic book!
More recently, Sam and I visited Brighton Waterstones for a drawing and reading session. Everyone got to design their own Creature Teachers, drawing or doing a bit of collage. Here's some photos from Sam's Twitter:
It's great doing events with someone else – you get to bounce ideas off each other, as well as providing a bit of support. Sam and I will be doing more events together at some point soon.
I was thrilled to see Whitchurch School in Hampshire have been reading Monster and Chips as part of their Year 4 book group. You can read all about it here. The readers have been creating their own monsters and even making up their own 'delicious' menu:
Poo plop croutons! Tasty. I hope you enjoy the rest of the book – I love seeing people's reactions to it. Thanks to librarian and book evangelist Jo for the tip-off!
I was very pleased the group had read Jampires too! The US edition is out at the end of the month and my co-author Sarah McIntyre and I were very happy to have a nice review from Publisher's Weekly.
Sarah has been very busy – and successful – with her Pictures Mean Business Campaign, trying to get more recognition for book illustrators in their contribution to a book's success. You can find out more here, or follow the #PicturesMeanBusiness hashtag on Twitter.
Sarah has a new picture book out in June: Dinosaur Police! I saw the print proofs for it a while back and it's her best book yet – absolutely brilliant!
Red Alert! How will Dinoville's police squad catch Trevor the T-Rex, who's at the pizza factory, gobbling up all the pizzas meant for the town fair? Inspector Sarah Tops and Seargeant Stig O'Saurus are on the case!
I've blogged previously about Alex Milway's initiative to promote funny books for children. He's been sending out thousands of stickers to schools and libraries so they can help their readers find the books they love.
Alex has also produced a couple (so far) of podcasts full of comedy sketches, readings and interviews. I've written a bit material for him for a future recording featuring Fuzzby and Barry from Monster & Chips. Need a laugh? Then follow Alex's Soundcloud for guaranteed chuckles.
I try to get away from my desk when I can. Whilst in Brighton for the Waterstones shindig I popped along to the Brighton Illustration Fair, part of the town's fringe festival.
It was good to catch up with comics chums Joe Decie, Warwick Johnson Cadwell and Amber Hsu, who all had tables, as well as bump into Matt Baxter (who designed the This Book Is Funny logo).
Lots of lovely things to see, but I was very much taken with the drawing activity they had: rotating towers of cardboard boxes that you could draw on in a heads-and-tails fashion. Worth bearing in mind for a future event.
Nunhead Cemetery is an old Victorian graveyard near where I live. It was abandoned for years before the local council took it over and in the intervening years nature completely overran it, turning it into some kind of gothic film set.
Burials still take place there, but the council have wisely left most of the cemetery untouched. I think some bits are 'managed' to encourage some bio-diversity. It must be heaven for foxes, judging from the number I've seen there. You have to be careful in some parts in case you fall into an ivy-covered tomb!
I've been there several times (it's good for dog-walking) but they had an open day in May, providing tours for those interested. I prefer to wander and soak up the peaceful/melancholy atmosphere (depending on your mood!).
I've also made a couple of visits to the recently opened Sky Garden. It'a worth a trip if you're able, as it's free (though you have to book) and has one of the best views in London, in my opinion, plus added tree ferns.


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Be afraid.
Be very afraid.
But keep coming back, too!! :)
Just to keep in the spirit of gun pR0n, here is a picture of the GBR host and instigator, Mr. Completely, shooting a .480 Ruger! This cannon is known round these parts as "hog-leg".
To keep in the spirit of my political agenda, I am also stating my belief that he was probably taking some pot-shots at a group of mountain-hippies, at my behest.
Don't worry, though.
They were only warning shots...
The .480 Ruger courtesy of Kris.
The right to self-defense and Second Amendment rights are courtesy of God.
Here is some linkage about the Rendezvous, shamelessly stolen from Mr. C!
- Gunblogger Status Report (Anarchangel)
- Hours and hours of shooty goodness (Anarchangel)
- Reno 911 (Say Uncle)
- On the gunblogger meetup (Say Uncle)
- Range time (Say Uncle)
- I'm leaving on a jet plane (Og at Neanderpundit)
- Gunblogger Rendezvous - It's Cordite Time! (with pictures by Traction Control)
- Gun Bloggers Rendezvous Update (Spank that Donkey)
- Getting Ready for the Rendezvous (Kevin at The Smallest Minority)
- AAR - Reno gun Blogger's Rendezvous (Og at Neanderpundit)
- Range Report - Gun Blogger Rendezvous (Rivrdog)
- Gun Blogger Rendezvous (The Armorer at Castle ARRGGHHH!!)
- State of Mind - (Joe Huffman's after dinner presentation)
- Rendezvous Wrap-up - (Joe Huffman)
- Gun Blogger's Paradise - (Joe Huffman)
- I Didn't Do It! - (Joe Huffman)
- Returned From The Rendezvous - (Kevin at the Smallest Minority)
- First of All - (Og the Neanderpundit)
- GBR1 Debrief - (Fodder of Ride Fast, Shoot Straight)
- Reno GBR Reports - (Beth at She Who Will Be Obeyed)
- Reno GBR Reports - (Beth at She Who Will Be Obeyed)
And happy 1000th to me!!
Y'all come back now; ya hear?


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Usually, a show is excepted to be look relativity good or decent. Being optimistic a show is supposed to look great. Nevertheless, that is not always the case. In reality I'd say a good amount of time that is not the case. One does not get that glossy "Ufotable quality" that rocks your eyes so often.
We have cases where the production values are low, cases where there aren't enough animators, cases where they hardly manage to make the deadline, and in some cases the studios are just not good. Instead we have shows that look relatively decent, not bad, but decent enough where one can get through it without noticing the animation crew was in a rush or half drunk when they did this.
Naturally you are obviously going to notice
Questionable animation. Mistakes in animation. The cases are many. Who can forget that popular bundle of pictures of popular animation mistakes where that character surpassed humanity by obtained six fingers instead of five. Or that girl's mouth and nose which were too dastardly close to each other or just plainly lacks one. A Makoto who would be surprised she is not cute after all. Or the unforgettable old Yuuichi and his amazingly long chin from the first Kanon that would forever continue to trouble physicians.
Or that scene where that character is missing an arm. That one other where she has no mouth. That person who has two right hands. Likewise, that character who has two right legs. Regardless, how you actually did in your science class or one's knowledge of human anatomy, your eyes tell you that – "that is just not physically possible". Look, the background is gone now. Or that thing that was there before is not there anymore.
Here is where bad animation becomes hard to miss, the short moment in which one momentarily considers a high level of intoxication or blindness to be the cause for poor displays of animation from the studios.
" Maybe there is a level of foreshadowing when it comes to poorly written shows which also have poor animation. Maybe there is a connection between the quality and the writing. Sometimes a show is a bad as it looks. And sometimes - "
Is there? Anime is a visual medium that mainly tells a story through images. When it can't do it decently the viewers often notice the low production values of the project making it seem like just another generic anime show of the season. "Why does this look so bad?" "Why can't it look better?", and everyone now and then someone drops the "eye cancer" line to put into words their visual dismay.
These questions and other questions are what one usually hears about shows with bad animation. Maybe there is something unfair about it but, "if the people behind the project put so little effort why should the viewers?" Maybe there is something quite shallow about it but a project that looks lacking might be a mediocre show after all (not necessarily). It does sound unfair but more than one more could be thinking that from the production values. Remember that while the animation does not entirely symbolizes the project, in large part it still presents an image of quality of the project. Don't give them another reason to lose interest in a show because of poor animation.
Dropping a show because of animation is subpar or below subpar is not something I partake myself often, but I won't deny being a reason for consideration. One can go only so far until bad animation gets in the way of enjoyment.
– Regardless. "Strong" writing
If the writing is strong then the viewers will follow it regardless. At least that is my stance on the topic. We've been talking about visuals mainly, but the final decision also comes to down gripping top quality writing and entertainment a story derives.
It is not as much that I pursue the topic to address bad animation in general – as there are several enjoyable shows with questionable animation – but to mention that bad animation is not desirable essence. The root of the issue lies with the level of lack of animation and the image that it portrays for itself to the audience. To what we refer to as the point where decent animation downgrades to poor animation and poor animation degrades into plain disastrous animation.
Why are the occasional animation blunder not such a big issue? Because one doesn't always personally notice these mishaps in animation. Why could it be an issue in the bigger picture? Because the issue with bad animation rather lies with constant poor animation that is noticeable to anyone watching it eventually creating a less than optimal portrayal of the series.
Maybe there is a level of foreshadowing when it comes to poorly written shows which also have poor animation. Maybe there is a connection between the quality and the writing. Sometimes a show is a bad as it looks. And sometimes they just happen to be handled by poor animation studios and they shouldn't be judged by their cover.
In here, animation is not as much of a reason but it is a plausible (one factor of the many) when a person makes a decision, the final decision, to continue or to drop a show, the final additional factor, to discount following a story with average writing, on top of poor animation.
When a show is not strong from the beginning poor animation adds to the problem, in many cases becoming the final reason. In cases where the writing is compelling enough usually audience won't leave regardless the level of animation and they push through it because as it is in many cases one is watching it for the story or the entertainment that derives from it – subpar, bad, and terrible animation all included.
Animation or lack thereof may far from the final reason to discontinue a show because animation is not everything despite anime being a strongly visual medium, yet as one can see it is best not forget that animation is part of a show such as the characters, visuals, music and the execution are. They are all important.
* Part of the Why We Drop Things Series which explores the multiple reasons behind why viewers stop following a show.


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The Oke Bay Beach House is an award winning modern contemporary home, built to maximise the spectacular views of its coastal surroundings. The layout makes the property versitile, making it the perfect luxury holiday retreat for families and friends, the ideal corporate venue or a truly breathtaking intimate wedding location.
We welcome both visitors to our country and fellow New Zealanders keen on immersing themselves in our incredible natural surrounds. Oke Bay Beach House comes with its own mooring for easy access by boat. There are stunning walks that start right outside the back deck, including the world renowned Cape Brett walkway.
The home is equipped with Sky TV, Netflix, Spotify, wireless broadband, multiple TV's, plus a Bluetooth Sonos music system throughout the house. The kitchen features twin ovens, twin dishwashers, twin large fridges, commercial ice maker, cool store fridge and large amounts of bench space. The bathrooms have full wet-wall walk-in showers, toilets, generous vanities, heated towel rails and eco-friendly amenities.
Do as much or as little as you like while staying at the Oke Bay Beach House. The well stocked library has a diverse range of reading material for all ages. There's Sky TV for sports fans, Netflix is ideal for a movie night, Spotify and Sonos to cover all music genres and Wi-Fi.
Hauai Bay and Oke Bay are within minutes walk of the house. These are sheltered bays, ideal for swimming, fishing and rock hopping. The area is an abundant natural playground that is safe for children with parental guidance.
For those seeking even more adventure there are many ways to do so. Some suggestions:
Check out some amazing place to visit on our Explore page or for something more adventurous perhaps a fishing trip or heli-charter is the way to go…
Within minutes walk of the house are sheltered bays, great for swimming, fishing and rock hopping. The area is an abundant natural playground. Both of these bays are safe for children with parental guidance.
For those seeking more adventure or wanting to explore the local area, there are many ways to do so. The property has its own boat mooring with the boat ramp only 5 minutes from the house so bring your boat, jet skis & kayaks and explore the surrounding areas from the water. We can also arrange local boat trips and water taxis to take you to secluded beaches, islands and to the local town of Russell.
There are stunning walks that leave from Oke Bay, including the world-renowned Cape Brett Walkway. See the Surrounding Areas section on our website for more information.