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The Brazilian city of Recife has been awarded the Bertelsmann Stiftung's Reinhard Mohn Prize -- the first time the prize has been given. The city's mayor João da Costa Bezerra Filho accepted the €150,000 award today from Liz Mohn, vice-chair of the Bertelsmann Stiftung Executive Board. German Chancellor Angela Merkel gave the presentation speech, addressing an audience of 550 during the award ceremony held at Gütersloh's municipal theater. Home to 1.7 million people, the Brazilian metropolis was chosen to receive the prize for its exemplary Participatory Budget program, which allows the public to play an extensive role in determining how city funds are spent.
"With its citizen participation program, the city of Recife shows how wide-ranging collaboration and partnership can be used to reduce the distance between policymakers and the public," said Dr. Gunter Thielen, CEO and chairman of the Bertelsmann Stiftung. "The program complements the city's representative democracy by allowing citizens to play a direct role in decision-making processes, together with city administrators. It's a very good example of how the public can get involved in government, an idea often advocated by Reinhard Mohn."
Since 2001, its citizens have been extensively involved in shaping Recife's development. More than 100,000 adults and young people participate every year in forums and on the Internet, making suggestions for urban development projects and monitoring them as they are implemented. They also set priorities in a number of policymaking areas. The participatory processes therefore allow the city to be present "on the ground" and to share responsibility with the public. To do so, it has built a comprehensive network of paid workers and volunteers, which ensures people are involved throughout the year in making and implementing decisions.
Located on Brazil's northeastern coast, Recife is the capital of the state of Pernambuco. Expansive beaches with ornate buildings stand opposite the city's slums, which are home to more than 50 percent of the population - a contrast often found in Brazil. The cornerstone for deliberative governance was laid in Brazil in the 1990s when 20 years of military dictatorship came to an end and democracy was introduced, thereby providing Recife with a chance to reorient itself politically. For the public, however, the change was seen as a chance to improve quality of life, something that was difficult to achieve with the limited public funds at the city's disposal. As a result, in 1993 Recife began trying to get the public more involved in decision-making processes - and thereby increase awareness of the problems the city was facing while further developing its democratic processes. The first comprehensive, long-term approach to citizen participation only appeared in 2001, however, when the Orcamento Participativo (Participatory Budget) was introduced.
In order to award the 2011 Reinhard Mohn Prize, which focused on the topic "Vitalizing democracy through participation", the Bertelsmann Stiftung carried out a global search to identify government organizations that have been successful in including the public in political decision-making processes. A total of 123 institutions and communities applied. Of the seven finalists, Recife's Participatory Budget program received the most votes during the online voting.
About the Bertelsmann Stiftung:
The Bertelsmann Stiftung is dedicated to serving the common good. It executes projects in its four core areas of education, business and social affairs, health, and international relations, and strives to promote peaceful coexistence among the world's diverse cultures. Through the example of its civic engagement, it wants to encourage others to support their own communities as well. Founded in 1977 as a registered charity, the Bertelsmann Stiftung is majority shareholder of Bertelsmann AG. Structured as a private operating foundation, it is politically non-partisan and works independently of Bertelsmann AG. The Bertelsmann Stiftung currently employs 316 people and has a budget of approximately €60 million.
- Speech Reinhard Mohn Prize 2011 Jörg Dräger (326 KB)
- Speech Reinhard Mohn Prize 2011 Liz Mohn (203 KB)
- Speech Reinhard Mohn Prize 2011 Gunter Thielen (214 KB)
- Reinhard Mohn Preis 2011: Rede Gunter Thielen (90 KB)
- Reinhard Mohn Preis 2011: Rede Liz Mohn (66 KB)
- Reinhard Mohn Preis 2011: Rede Jörg Dräger (82 KB)


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Poor Jim Hendry. He's been relieved of his general manager duties in Chicago, after he loaded the team up with bad contracts and badder mojo, and now things just get worse. They want to take away his street sign.
The Chicago Sun-Times explains:
When honorary "Jim Hendry Way" signs suddenly appeared on Park Ridge traffic signal poles three years ago, city officials had little say in the matter.
But now that Hendry, a Park Ridge resident, has been fired as general manager of the Cubs, the city's mayor thinks it is time for the signs to meet a similar end.
Mayor David Schmidt sent a letter this week to the Illinois Department of Transportaion, asking for the signs to be taken down.
"We never wanted them up in the first place," Schmidt said. "The state controls that roadway and (former Illinois governor Rod) Blagojevich wanted the signs to go up. But now that Blagojevich is gone and so is Hendry—at least from the Cubs—it seems like this would be a good time to ask for (the signs) to be removed."
Oh does it, Mayor David Schmidt? Really? You wanna stomp on all this guy has left? A road in some Chicago suburb? You will rue the day you bet against Jim Hendry!
Unless, of course, his comeback involves him being put in charge of another baseball team. In which case the city should probably keep the road.
With Hendry out, Park Ridge wants 'Jim Hendry Way' gone too [Chicago Sun-Times]
Thank you for your continued support of Deadspin. This was a fun day, wasn't it?
We know that you love waking up with us. Now let Brian Hickey shepherd you sweetly into sleep.

subset: commoncrawl


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Are you looking for a healthy and inexpensive alternative to your average high-fat sour cream and onion dip? Try hummus! Hummus is a pureed blend of chickpeas or garbanzo beans, tahini (a sesame seed paste), garlic, olive oil and lemon juice. It is believed to have originated in the Middle East and has been consumed there for thousands of years. Recognized even in ancient times for its nutritional value, hummus is an excellent source of protein, iron, vitamin C, folate and vitamin B6. Furthermore, hummus contains a fair amount of fiber from the chickpeas, as well as healthy unsaturated fats from the olive oil and tahini.
Traditionally, hummus is served as a dip for flatbread, such as pita bread, and may be served warm or cold. However, it is a delicious dip that can be eaten with anything from pita chips to raw vegetables. Some people even use it as a spread on their sandwiches as a healthy replacement for mayonnaise.
Hummus is available at most grocery stores. However, it is also easy to make. There are many variations of hummus recipes, so you can decide which you like best. Add roasted peppers, garlic or jalapenos to put your own spin on this nutritious treat.
Basic Hummus Recipe
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 15-oz cans of garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained and rinsed
2/3 cup of tahini (optional)
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon of salt
- In a food processor, combine the garlic, garbanzo beans, tahini, lemon juice, 1/2 cup water and olive oil. Process until smooth. Add salt, starting at a half a teaspoon, to taste.
- Spoon into serving dish and serve with crackers; raw dip vegetables, such as carrots or celery; or pita bread.
Makes about 3 cups (Recipe can be halved.)
Recipe adapted by Rachel Stroud, EHC dietetic intern, from http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/hummus/
Tags: nutrition, organic, recipes, recipes for wellness


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For much of the past three decades, pit bulls have been widely regarded as America's most dangerous dog — the favorite breed of thugs, drug dealers and dog-fighting rings, with a fearsome reputation for unprovoked, sometimes deadly attacks.
Hostility toward "pits" grew so intense that some cities began treating them as the canine equivalent of assault rifles and prohibited residents from owning them.
But attitudes have softened considerably since then as animal activists and even television shows cast the dogs in a more positive light. The image makeover has prompted many states to pass new laws that forbid communities from banning specific breeds. And it illustrates the power and persistence of dog-advocacy groups that have worked to fend off pit bull restrictions with much the same zeal as gun-rights groups have defeated gun-control measures.
"Lawmakers are realizing that targeting dogs based on their breed or what they look like is not a solution to dealing with dangerous dogs," said Lisa Peters, a spokeswoman for the American Kennel Club.
Eighteen states now have laws that prohibit communities from adopting breed-specific bans. Lawmakers in six more states are considering similar measures, and some cities are reviewing local policies that classify pit bulls as dangerous animals.
Pit bull advocates hail the changes as recognition that breed-specific laws discriminate against dogs that are not inherently aggressive or dangerous unless they are made to be that way by irresponsible owners.
For dog owners and pit bull opponents alike, the battle is as deeply personal as any gun-control or religious issue. Each side accuses the other of lying, exploiting emotions and using bullying tactics.
Pit bull owners insist their dogs are harmless, loving family members that shouldn't be blamed for something they didn't do. To opponents, they are a volatile breed whose genetics drive them to kill more than two dozen people in the U.S. each year, many of them young children.
Popular television shows such as "Pit Boss" and "Pit Bulls and Parolees" on Animal Planet glorify the animals and minimize the tragedies that occur when pit bulls turn on humans, pit bull opponents say.
"Everything is telling us these animals are safe if you raise them right," said Jeff Borchardt, a Stevens Point, Wis., man whose 14-month-old son was mauled to death a year ago by two pit bulls that tore the child from the arms of their owner, who was baby-sitting. "My son's dead because of a lie, because of a myth. My life will never be the same."
The two dogs that killed Borchardt's son had lived with their owner since soon after they were born, were well-cared for and had no history of aggressive behavior, he said. Both had been spayed or neutered.
That contradicts the contention that only mistreated, neglected or abused pit bulls attack people.
The Marines, Army and Air Force all have banned dangerous dogs — including pit bulls and rottweilers — from their bases because of the "unreasonable risk" they pose to safety, Lynn said.
On the other side stand the American Bar Association and National Animal Control Association, which oppose breed-specific laws because they are discriminatory against a type of dog that isn't really a single breed.
Three main breeds — Staffordshire bull terrier, American pit bull terrier and American Staffordshire terrier — along with mixes of those breeds are generally considered pit bulls. But many muscular, square-jawed, boxer-type dogs often are misidentified as pit bulls, making breed-specific bans hard to enforce.
And because fatal pit bull attacks are a rarity compared with other causes of death such as auto accidents, dog advocates argue that breed-specific bans amount to legislative overkill.
"All communities deserve comprehensive dog laws that demand responsible dog ownership and that hold reckless owners accountable when their poor decisions wind up getting other dogs or other people hurt," said Ledy Vankavage, a top lobbyist for the Best Friends Animal Society.


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Gorge-Coffee Table by Ramei Keum
Ramei Keum Presents The Gorge Coffee Table
Ramei Keum, the maker of the awarded design Ramei Keum's Gorge Coffee Table demonstrates, 'Gorge' is a coffee table with a shape of a gorge. Designing it, Designer 'Ramei Keum' strived to put it in a form so that elements composing of a table such as a top board and legs may become one element, not individual elements. The shape of a gorge folded in a V shape itself plays a structural role of supporting the top board of the table, and plays a role of holding/ keeping magazines or books as well as completing an aesthetic form of the table..
Gorge-Coffee Table by Ramei Keum Images:
End of the article, click here to go back to previous page, or alternatively go back to A Design News homepage.


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by Rebecca Roanhorse on Aug 8, 2017 in Short Fiction | 32 comments
2017 Hugo Award winner for Best Short Story
2017 Nebula Award winner for Best Short Story
2017 Sturgeon Award nominee for Best Short Story
2017 Locus Recommended Short Story
2017 Apex Magazine Reader's Choice Winner
5,800 Words
In the Great American Indian novel, when it is finally written, all of the white people will be Indians and all of the Indians will be ghosts.
—Sherman Alexie, How to Write the Great American Indian Novel
You maintain a menu of a half dozen Experiences on your digital blackboard, but Vision Quest is the one the Tourists choose the most. That certainly makes your workday easy. All a Vision Quest requires is a dash of mystical shaman, a spirit animal (wolf usually, but birds of prey are on the upswing this year), and the approximation of a peyote experience. Tourists always come out of the Experience feeling spiritually transformed. (You've never actually tried peyote, but you did smoke your share of weed during that one year at Arizona State, and who's going to call you on the difference?) It's all 101 stuff, really, these Quests. But no other Indian working at Sedona Sweats can do it better. Your sales numbers are tops.
Your wife Theresa doesn't approve of the gig. Oh, she likes you working, especially after that dismal stretch of unemployment the year before last when she almost left you, but she thinks the job itself is demeaning.
"Our last name's not Trueblood," she complains when you tell her about your nom de rêve.
"Nobody wants to buy a Vision Quest from a Jesse Turnblatt," you explain. "I need to sound more Indian."
"You are Indian," she says. "Turnblatt's Indian-sounding enough because you're already Indian."
"We're not the right kind of Indian," you counter. "I mean, we're Catholic, for Christ's sake."
What Theresa doesn't understand is that Tourists don't want a real Indian experience. They want what they see in the movies, and who can blame them? Movie Indians are terrific! So you watch the same movies the Tourists do, until John Dunbar becomes your spirit animal and Stands with Fists your best girl. You memorize Johnny Depp's lines from The Lone Ranger and hang a picture of Iron Eyes Cody in your work locker. For a while you are really into Dustin Hoffman's Little Big Man.
It's Little Big Man that does you in.
For a week in June, you convince your boss to offer a Custer's Last Stand special, thinking there might be a Tourist or two who want to live out a Crazy Horse Experience. You even memorize some quotes attributed to the venerable Sioux chief that you find on the internet. You plan to make it real authentic.
But you don't get a single taker. Your numbers nosedive.
Management in Phoenix notices, and Boss drops it from the blackboard by Fourth of July weekend. He yells at you to stop screwing around, accuses you of trying to be an artiste or whatnot.
"Tourists don't come to Sedona Sweats to live out a goddamn battle," Boss says in the break room over lunch one day, "especially if the white guy loses. They come here to find themselves." Boss waves his hand in the air in an approximation of something vaguely prayer-like. "It's a spiritual experience we're offering. Top quality. The fucking best."
DarAnne, your Navajo co-worker with the pretty smile and the perfect teeth, snorts loudly. She takes a bite of her sandwich, mutton by the looks of it. Her jaw works, her sharp teeth flash white. She waits until she's finished chewing to say, "Nothing spiritual about Squaw Fantasy."
Squaw Fantasy is Boss's latest idea, his way to get the numbers up and impress Management. DarAnne and a few others have complained about the use of the ugly slur, the inclusion of a sexual fantasy as an Experience at all. But Boss is unmoved, especially when the first week's numbers roll in. Biggest seller yet.
Boss looks over at you. "What do you think?"
Boss is Pima, with a bushy mustache and a thick head of still-dark hair. You admire that about him. Virility. Boss makes being a man look easy. Makes everything look easy. Real authentic-like.
DarAnne tilts her head, long beaded earrings swinging, and waits. Her painted nails click impatiently against the Formica lunch table. You can smell the onion in her sandwich.
Your mouth is dry like the red rock desert you can see outside your window. If you say Squaw Fantasy is demeaning, Boss will mock you, call you a pussy, or worse. If you say you think it's okay, DarAnne and her crew will put you on the guys-who-are-assholes list and you'll deserve it.
You sip your bottled water, stalling. Decide that in the wake of the Crazy Horse debacle that Boss's approval means more than DarAnne's, and venture, "I mean, if the Tourists like it …"
Boss slaps the table, triumphant. DarAnne's face twists in disgust. "What does Theresa think of that, eh, Jesse?" she spits at you. "You tell her Boss is thinking of adding Savage Braves to the menu next? He's gonna have you in a loincloth and hair down to your ass, see how you like it."
Your face heats up, embarrassed. You push away from the table, too quickly, and the flimsy top teeters. You can hear Boss's shouts of protest as his vending machine lemonade tilts dangerously, and DarAnne's mocking laugh, but it all comes to your ears through a shroud of thick cotton. You mumble something about getting back to work. The sound of arguing trails you down the hall.
You change in the locker room and shuffle down to the pod marked with your name. You unlock the hatch and crawl in. Some people find the pods claustrophobic, but you like the cool metal container, the tight fit. It's comforting. The VR helmet fits snugly on your head, the breathing mask over your nose and mouth.
With a shiver of anticipation, you give the pod your Experience setting. Add the other necessary details to flesh things out. The screen prompts you to pick a Tourist connection from a waiting list, but you ignore it, blinking through the option screens until you get to the final confirmation. You brace for the mild nausea that always comes when you Relocate in and out of an Experience.
The first sensation is always smell. Sweetgrass and wood smoke and the rich loam of the northern plains. Even though it's fake, receptors firing under the coaxing of a machine, you relax into the scents. You grew up in the desert, among people who appreciate cedar and pinon and red earth, but there's still something home-like about this prairie place.
Or maybe you watch too much TV. You really aren't sure anymore.
You find yourself on a wide grassy plain, somewhere in the upper Midwest of a bygone era. Bison roam in the distance. A hawk soars overhead.
You are alone, you know this, but it doesn't stop you from looking around to make sure. This thing you are about to do. Well, you would be humiliated if anyone found out. Because you keep thinking about what DarAnne said. Squaw Fantasy and Savage Braves. Because the thing is, being sexy doesn't disgust you the way it does DarAnne. You've never been one of those guys. The star athlete or the cool kid. It's tempting to think of all those Tourist women wanting you like that, even if it is just in an Experience.
You are now wearing a knee-length loincloth. A wave of black hair flows down your back. Your middle-aged paunch melts into rock-hard abs worthy of a romance novel cover model. You raise your chin and try out your best stoic look on a passing prairie dog. The little rodent chirps something back at you. You've heard prairie dogs can remember human faces, and you wonder what this one would say about you. Then you remember this is an Experience, so the prairie dog is no more real than the caricature of an Indian you have conjured up.
You wonder what Theresa would think if she saw you like this.
The world shivers. The pod screen blinks on. Someone wants your Experience.
A Tourist, asking for you. Completely normal. Expected. No need for that panicky hot breath rattling through your mask.
You scroll through the Tourist's requirements.
Experience Type: Vision Quest.
Tribe: Plains Indian (nation nonspecific).
Favorite animal: Wolf.
These things are all familiar. Things you are good at faking. Things you get paid to pretend.
You drop the Savage Brave fantasy garb for buckskin pants and beaded leather moccasins. You keep your chest bare and muscled but you drape a rough wool blanket across your shoulders for dignity. Your impressive abs are still visible.
The sun is setting and you turn to put the artificial dusk at your back, prepared to meet your Tourist. You run through your list of Indian names to bestow upon your Tourist once the Vision Quest is over. You like to keep the names fresh, never using the same one in case the Tourists ever compare notes. For a while you cheated and used one of those naming things on the internet where you enter your favorite flower and the street you grew up on and it gives you your Indian name, but there were too many Tourists that grew up on Elm or Park and you found yourself getting repetitive. You try to base the names on appearances now. Hair color, eye, some distinguishing feature. Tourists really seem to like it.
This Tourist is younger than you expected. Sedona Sweats caters to New Agers, the kind from Los Angeles or Scottsdale with impressive bank accounts. But the man coming up the hill, squinting into the setting sun, is in his late twenties. Medium height and build with pale spotty skin and brown hair. The guy looks normal enough, but there's something sad about him.
Maybe he's lost.
You imagine a lot of Tourists are lost.
Maybe he's someone who works a day job just like you, saving up money for this once-in-a-lifetime Indian Experience™. Maybe he's desperate, looking for purpose in his own shitty world and thinking Indians have all the answers. Maybe he just wants something that's authentic.
You like that. The idea that Tourists come to you to experience something real. DarAnne has it wrong. The Tourists aren't all bad. They're just needy.
You plant your feet in a wide welcoming stance and raise one hand. "How," you intone, as the man stops a few feet in front of you.
The man flushes, a bright pinkish tone. You can't tell if he's nervous or embarrassed. Maybe both? But he raises his hand, palm forward, and says, "How," right back.
"Have you come seeking wisdom, my son?" you ask in your best broken English accent. "Come. I will show you great wisdom." You sweep your arm across the prairie. "We look to brother wolf—"
The man rolls his eyes.
You stutter to a pause. Are you doing something wrong? Is the accent no good? Too little? Too much?
You visualize the requirements checklist. You are positive he chose wolf. Positive. So you press on. "My brother wolf," you say again, this time sounding much more Indian, you are sure.
"I'm sorry," the man says, interrupting. "This wasn't what I wanted. I've made a mistake."
"But you picked it on the menu!" In the confusion of the moment, you drop your accent. Is it too late to go back and say it right?
The man's lips curl up in a grimace, like you have confirmed his worst suspicions. He shakes his head. "I was looking for something more authentic."
Something in your chest seizes up.
"I can fix it," you say.
"No, it's alright. I'll find someone else." He turns to go.
You can't afford another bad mark on your record. No more screw-ups or you're out. Boss made that clear enough. "At least give me a chance," you plead.
"It's okay," he says over his shoulder.
This is bad. Does this man not know what a good Indian you are? "Please!"
The man turns back to you, his face thoughtful.
You feel a surge of hope. This can be fixed, and you know exactly how. "I can give you a name. Something you can call yourself when you need to feel strong. It's authentic," you add enthusiastically. "From a real Indian." That much is true.
The man looks a little more open, and he doesn't say no. That's good enough.
You study the man's dusky hair, his pinkish skin. His long skinny legs. He reminds you a bit of the flamingos at the Albuquerque zoo, but you are pretty sure no one wants to be named after those strange creatures. It must be something good. Something…spiritual.
"Your name is Pale Crow," you offer. Birds are still on your mind.
At the look on the man's face, you reconsider. "No, no, it is White" —yes, that's better than pale— "Wolf. White Wolf."
"White Wolf?" There's a note of interest in his voice.
You nod sagely. You knew the man had picked wolf. Your eyes meet. Uncomfortably. White Wolf coughs into his hand. "I really should be getting back."
"But you paid for the whole experience. Are you sure?"
White Wolf is already walking away.
"But …"
You feel the exact moment he Relocates out of the Experience. A sensation like part of your soul is being stretched too thin. Then, a sort of whiplash, as you let go.
The Hey U.S.A. bar is the only Indian bar in Sedona. The basement level of a driftwood-paneled strip mall across the street from work. It's packed with the after-shift crowd, most of them pod jockeys like you, but also a few roadside jewelry hawkers and restaurant stiffs still smelling like frybread grease. You're lucky to find a spot at the far end next to the server's station. You slip onto the plastic-covered barstool and raise a hand to get the bartender's attention.
"So what do you really think?" asks a voice to your right. DarAnne is staring at you, her eyes accusing and her posture tense.
This is it. A second chance. Your opportunity to stay off the assholes list. You need to get this right. You try to think of something clever to say, something that would impress her but let you save face, too. But you're never been all that clever, so you stick to the truth.
"I think I really need this job," you admit.
DarAnne's shoulders relax.
"Scooch over," she says to the man on the other side of her, and he obligingly shifts off his stool to let her sit. "I knew it," she says. "Why didn't you stick up for me? Why are you so afraid of Boss?"
"I'm not afraid of Boss. I'm afraid of Theresa leaving me. And unemployment."
"You gotta get a backbone, Jesse, is all."
You realize the bartender is waiting, impatient. You drink the same thing every time you come here, a single Coors Light in a cold bottle. But the bartender never remembers you, or your order. You turn to offer to buy one for DarAnne, but she's already gone, back with her crew.
You drink your beer alone, wait a reasonable amount of time, and leave.
White Wolf is waiting for you under the streetlight at the corner.
The bright neon Indian Chief that squats atop Sedona Sweats hovers behind him in pinks and blues and yellows, his huge hand blinking up and down in greeting. White puffs of smoke signals flicker up, up and away beyond his far shoulder.
You don't recognize White Wolf at first. Most people change themselves a little within the construct of the Experience. Nothing wrong with being thinner, taller, a little better looking. But White Wolf looks exactly the same. Nondescript brown hair, pale skin, long legs.
"How." White Wolf raises his hand, unconsciously mimicking the big neon Chief. At least he has the decency to look embarrassed when he does it.
"You." You are so surprised that the accusation is the first thing out of your mouth. "How did you find me?"
"Trueblood, right? I asked around."
"And people told you?" This is very against the rules.
"I asked who the best Spirit Guide was. If I was going to buy a Vision Quest, who should I go to. Everyone said you."
You flush, feeling vindicated, but also annoyed that your co-workers had given your name out to a Tourist. "I tried to tell you," you say ungraciously.
"I should have listened." White Wolf smiles, a faint shifting of his mouth into something like contrition. An awkward pause ensues.
"We're really not supposed to fraternize," you finally say.
"I know, I just … I just wanted to apologize. For ruining the Experience like that."
"It's no big deal," you say, gracious this time. "You paid, right?"
"It's just …" You know this is your ego talking, but you need to know. "Did I do something wrong?"
"No, it was me. You were great. It's just, I had a great grandmother who was Cherokee, and I think being there, seeing everything. Well, it really stirred something in me. Like, ancestral memory or something."
You've heard of ancestral memories, but you've also heard of people claiming Cherokee blood where there is none. Theresa calls them "pretendians," but you think that's unkind. Maybe White Wolf really is Cherokee. You don't know any Cherokees, so maybe they really do look like this guy. There's a half-Tlingit in payroll and he's pale.
"Well, I've got to get home," you say. "My wife, and all."
White Wolf nods. "Sure, sure. I just. Thank you."
"For what?"
But White Wolf's already walking away. "See you around."
A little déjà vu shudders your bones but you chalk it up to Tourists. Who understands them, anyway?
You go home to Theresa.
As soon as you slide into your pod the next day, your monitor lights up. There's already a Tourist on deck and waiting.
"Shit," you mutter, pulling up the menu and scrolling quickly through the requirements. Everything looks good, good, except … a sliver of panic when you see that a specific tribe has been requested. Cherokee. You don't know anything about Cherokees. What they wore back then, their ceremonies. The only Cherokee you know is …
White Wolf shimmers into your Experience.
In your haste, you have forgotten to put on your buckskin. Your Experience-self still wears Wranglers and Nikes. Boss would be pissed to see you this sloppy.
"Why are you back?" you ask.
"I thought maybe we could just talk."
"About what?"
White Wolf shrugs. "Doesn't matter. Whatever."
"I can't."
"Why not? This is my time. I'm paying."
You feel a little panicked. A Tourist has never broken protocol like this before. Part of why the Experience works is that everyone knows their role. But White Wolf don't seem to care about the rules.
"I can just keep coming back," he says. "I have money, you know."
"You'll get me in trouble."
"I won't. I just …" White Wolf hesitates. Something in him slumps. What you read as arrogance now looks like desperation. "I need a friend."
You know that feeling. The truth is, you could use a friend, too. Someone to talk to. What could the harm be? You'll just be two men, talking.
Not here, though. You still need to work. "How about the bar?"
"The place from last night?"
"I get off at 11p.m."
When you get there around 11:30 p.m., the bar is busy but you recognize White Wolf immediately. A skinny white guy stands out at the Hey U.S.A. It's funny. Under this light, in this crowd, White Wolf could pass for Native of some kind. One of those 1/64th guys, at least. Maybe he really is a little Cherokee from way back when.
White Wolf waves you over to an empty booth. A Coors Light waits for you. You slide into the booth and wrap a hand around the cool damp skin of the bottle, pleasantly surprised.
"A lucky guess, did I get it right?"
You nod and take a sip. That first sip is always magic. Like how you imagine Golden, Colorado must feel like on a winter morning.
"So," White Wolf says, "tell me about yourself."
You look around the bar for familiar faces. Are you really going to do this? Tell a Tourist about your life? Your real life? A little voice in your head whispers that maybe this isn't so smart. Boss could find out and get mad. DarAnne could make fun of you. Besides, White Wolf will want a cool story, something real authentic, and all you have is an aging three-bedroom ranch and a student loan.
But he's looking at you, friendly interest, and nobody looks at you like that much anymore, not even Theresa. So you talk.
Not everything.
But some. Enough.
Enough that when the bartender calls last call you realize you've been talking for two hours.
When you stand up to go, White Wolf stands up, too. You shake hands, Indian-style, which makes you smile. You didn't expect it, but you've got a good, good feeling.
"So, same time tomorrow?" White Wolf asks.
You're tempted, but, "No, Theresa will kill me if I stay out this late two nights in a row." And then, "But how about Friday?"
"Friday it is." White Wolf touches your shoulder. "See you then, Jesse."
You feel a warm flutter of anticipation for Friday. "See you."
Friday you are there by 11:05 p.m. White Wolf laughs when he sees your face, and you grin back, only a little embarrassed. This time you pay for the drinks, and the two of you pick up right where you left off. It's so easy. White Wolf never seems to tire of your stories and it's been so long since you had a new friend to tell them to, that you can't seem to quit. It turns out White Wolf loves Kevin Costner, too, and you take turns quoting lines at each other until White Wolf stumps you with a Wind in His Hair quote.
"Are you sure that's in the movie?"
"It's Lakota!"
You won't admit it, but you're impressed with how good White Wolf's Lakota sounds.
White Wolf smiles. "Looks like I know something you don't."
You wave it away good-naturedly, but vow to watch the movie again.
Time flies and once again, after last call, you both stand outside under the Big Chief. You happily agree to meet again next Tuesday. And the following Friday. Until it becomes your new routine.
The month passes quickly. The next month, too.
"You seem too happy," Theresa says one night, sounding suspicious.
You grin and wrap your arms around your wife, pulling her close until her rose-scented shampoo fills your nose. "Just made a friend, is all. A guy from work." You decide to keep it vague. Hanging with White Wolf, who you've long stopped thinking of as just a Tourist, would be hard to explain.
"You're not stepping out on me, Jesse Turnblatt? Because I will—"
You cut her off with a kiss. "Are you jealous?"
"Should I be?"
She sniffs, but lets you kiss her again, her soft body tight against yours.
"I love you," you murmur as your hands dip under her shirt.
"You better."
Tuesday morning and you can't breathe. Your nose is a deluge of snot and your joints ache. Theresa calls in sick for you and bundles you in bed with a bowl of stew. You're supposed to meet White Wolf for your usual drink, but you're much too sick. You consider sending Theresa with a note, but decided against it. It's only one night. White Wolf will understand.
But by Friday the coughing has become a deep rough bellow that shakes your whole chest. When Theresa calls in sick for you again, you make sure your cough is loud enough for Boss to hear it. Pray he doesn't dock you for the days you're missing. But what you're most worried about is standing up White Wolf again.
"Do you think you could go for me?" you ask Theresa.
"What, down to the bar? I don't drink."
"I'm not asking you to drink. Just to meet him, let him know I'm sick. He's probably thinking I forgot about him."
"Can't you call him?"
"I don't have his number."
"Fine, then. What's his name?"
You hesitate. Realize you don't know. The only name you know is the one you gave him. "White Wolf."
"Okay, then. Get some rest."
Theresa doesn't get back until almost 1 a.m. "Where were you?" you ask, alarmed. Is that a rosy flush in her cheeks, the scent of Cherry Coke on her breath?
"At the bar like you asked me to."
"What took so long?"
She huffs. "Did you want me to go or not?"
"Yes, but … well, did you see him?"
She nods, smiles a little smile that you've never seen on her before.
"What is it?" Something inside you shrinks.
"A nice man. Real nice. You didn't tell me he was Cherokee."
By Monday you're able to drag yourself back to work. There's a note taped to your locker to go see Boss. You find him in his office, looking through the reports that he sends to Management every week.
"I hired a new guy."
You swallow the excuses you've prepared to explain how sick you were, your promises to get your numbers up. They become a hard ball in your throat.
"Sorry, Jesse." Boss actually does look a little sorry. "This guy is good, a real rez guy. Last name's 'Wolf'. I mean, shit, you can't get more Indian than that. The Tourists are going to eat it up."
"The Tourists love me, too." You sound whiny, but you can't help it. There's a sinking feeling in your gut that tells you this is bad, bad, bad.
"You're good, Jesse. But nobody knows anything about Pueblo Indians, so all you've got is that TV shit. This guy, he's …" Boss snaps his fingers, trying to conjure the word.
"Authentic?" A whisper.
Boss points his finger like a gun. "Bingo. Look, if another pod opens up, I'll call you."
"You gave him my pod?"
Boss's head snaps up, wary. You must have yelled that. He reaches over to tap a button on his phone and call security.
"Wait!" you protest.
But the men in uniforms are already there to escort you out.
You can't go home to Teresa. You just can't. So you head to the Hey U.S.A. It's a different crowd than you're used to. An afternoon crowd. Heavy boozers and people without jobs. You laugh because you fit right in.
The guys next to you are doing shots. Tiny glasses of rheumy dark liquor lined up in a row. You haven't done shots since college but when one of the men offers you one, you take it. Choke on the cheap whiskey that burns down your throat. Two more and the edges of your panic start to blur soft and tolerable. You can't remember what time it is when you get up to leave, but the Big Chief is bright in the night sky.
You stumble through the door and run smack into DarAnne. She growls at you, and you try to stutter out an apology but a heavy hand comes down on your shoulder before you get the words out.
"This asshole bothering you?"
You recognize that voice. "White Wolf?" It's him. But he looks different to you. Something you can't quite place. Maybe it's the ribbon shirt he's wearing, or the bone choker around his neck. Is his skin a little tanner than it was last week?
"Do you know this guy?" DarAnne asks, and you think she's talking to you, but her head is turned towards White Wolf.
"Never seen him," White Wolf says as he stares you down, and under that confident glare you almost believe him. Almost forget that you've told this man things about you even Theresa doesn't know.
"It's me," you protest, but your voice comes out in a whiskey-slurred squeak that doesn't even sound like you.
"Fucking glonnies," DarAnne mutters as she pushes past you. "Always making a scene."
"I think you better go, buddy," White Wolf says. Not unkindly, if you were in fact strangers, if you weren't actually buddies. But you are, and you clutch at his shirtsleeve, shouting something about friendship and Theresa and then the world melts into a blur until you feel the hard slap of concrete against your shoulder and the taste of blood on your lip where you bit it and a solid kick to your gut until the whiskey comes up the way it went down and then the Big Chief is blinking at you, How, How, How, until the darkness comes to claim you and the lights all flicker out.
You wake up in the gutter. The fucking gutter. With your head aching and your mouth as dry and rotted as month-old roadkill. The sun is up, Arizona fire beating across your skin. Your clothes are filthy and your shoes are missing and there's a smear of blood down your chin and drying flakes in the creases of your neck. Your hands are chapped raw. And you can't remember why.
But then you do.
And the humiliation sits heavy on your bruised up shoulder, a dark shame that defies the desert sun. Your job. DarAnne ignoring you like that. White Wolf kicking your ass. And you out all night, drunk in a downtown gutter. It all feels like a terrible dream, like the worst kind. The ones you can't wake up from because it's real life.
Your car isn't where you left it, likely towed with the street sweepers, so you trudge your way home on sock feet. Three miles on asphalt streets until you see your highly-mortgaged three-bedroom ranch. And for once the place looks beautiful, like the day you bought it. Tears gather in your eyes as you push open the door.
"Theresa," you call. She's going to be pissed, and you're going to have to talk fast, explain the whole drinking thing (it was one time!) and getting fired (I'll find a new job, I promise), but right now all you want is to wrap her in your arms and let her rose-scent fill your nose like good medicine.
"Theresa," you call again, as you limp through the living room. Veer off to look in the bedroom, check behind the closed bathroom door. But what you see in the bathroom makes you pause. Things are missing. Her toothbrush, the pack of birth control, contact lens solution.
"Theresa!?" and this time you are close to panic as you hobble down the hall to the kitchen.
The smell hits you first. The scent of fresh coffee, bright and familiar.
When you see the person sitting calmly at the kitchen table, their back to you, you relax. But that's not Theresa.
He turns slightly, enough so you can catch his profile, and says, "Come on in, Jesse."
"What the fuck are you doing here?"
White Wolf winces, as if your words hurt him. "You better have a seat."
"What did you do to my wife?!"
"I didn't do anything to your wife." He picks up a small folded piece of paper, holds it out. You snatch it from his fingers and move so you can see his face. The note in your hand feels like wildfire, something with the potential to sear you to the bone. You want to rip it wide open, you want to flee before its revelations scar you. You ache to read it now, now, but you won't give him the satisfaction of your desperation.
"So now you remember me," you huff.
"I apologize for that. But you were making a scene and I couldn't have you upsetting DarAnne."
You want to ask how he knows DarAnne, how he was there with her in the first place. But you already know. Boss said the new guy's name was Wolf.
"You're a real son of a bitch, you know that?"
White Wolf looks away from you, that same pained look on his face. Like you're embarrassing yourself again. "Why don't you help yourself to some coffee," he says, gesturing to the coffee pot. Your coffee pot.
"I don't need your permission to get coffee in my own house," you shout.
"Okay," he says, leaning back. You can't help but notice how handsome he looks, his dark hair a little longer, the choker on his neck setting off the arch of his high cheekbones.
You take your time getting coffee—sugar, creamer which you would never usually take—before you drop into the seat across from him. Only then do you open the note, hands trembling, dread twisting hard in your gut.
"She's gone to her mother's," White Wolf explains as you read the same words on the page. "For her own safety. She wants you out by the time she gets back."
"What did you tell her?"
"Only the truth. That you got yourself fired, that you were on a bender, drunk in some alleyway downtown like a bad stereotype." He leans in. "You've been gone for two days."
You blink. It's true, but it's not true, too.
"Theresa wouldn't …" But she would, wouldn't she? She'd said it a million times, given you a million chances.
"She needs a real man, Jesse. Someone who can take care of her."
"And that's you?" You muster all the scorn you can when you say that, but it comes out more a question than a judgment. You remember how you gave him the benefit of the doubt on that whole Cherokee thing, how you thought "pretendian" was cruel.
He clears his throat. Stands.
"It's time for you to go," he says. "I promised Theresa you'd be gone, and I've got to get to work soon." Something about him seems to expand, to take up the space you once occupied. Until you feel small, superfluous.
"Did you ever think," he says, his voice thoughtful, his head tilted to study you like a strange foreign body, "that maybe this is my experience, and you're the tourist here?"
"This is my house," you protest, but you're not sure you believe it now. Your head hurts. The coffee in your hand is already cold. How long have you been sitting here? Your thoughts blur to histories, your words become nothing more than forgotten facts and half-truths. Your heart, a dusty repository for lost loves and desires, never realized.
"Not anymore," he says.
Nausea rolls over you. That same stretching sensation you get when you Relocate out of an Experience.
Whiplash, and then …
You let go.
Rebecca Roanhorse is an Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo/African-American writer and a VONA workshop alum. She is also a lawyer and Yale grad. She lives in northern New Mexico with her daughter, husband, and pug. Her debut novel, Trail of Lightning, is slated for publication with Saga Press (Simon & Schuster) summer 2018. Her recent nonfiction work can be found in the upcoming Invisible 3, and her article Decolonizing Science Fiction and Imagining Futures: An Indigenous Futurisms Roundtable can be found in Strange Horizons. Find her on Twitter @roanhorseBex.
Great story! I rarely read short stories but this was fascinating
A great alternate title for this would be "Indianception".
It was emotionally brilliant and the commentary on race was so layered. I'm very impressed by all the imagery and the ending leaves one with so many feelings. Pity for a man who is unraveling, who is literally losing himself to the corporate takeover of a culture he feels that he honors when in reality he is just clinging desperately to the idea of honoring it. It's tragic in that sense. I feel the mysteriousness of White Wolf's identity is all in the perception. Is the main character crazy? Is he simply watching reality shift before his eyes? Is this all due to his feeling altogether inadequate? Is White Wolf even real? And yet, the great thing is that in spite of the fact that all these questions hover around the story regarding the specific reality of what is happening, I'm equally fascinated and disgusted by Boss and anyone that wants the most stereotyped possible representation of NA culture only to label it as authentic. Would this realistically happen in the future when social justice is such a vocal hot topic in our media? Who knows? It's a surreal and internalized self-torture of a character whose culture is represented by the polar opposite of what it should. He feels equally proud of making a living via this exploitation and self-hating over the outcome. He has no real pride, as he has sold it to a corporation. There is a lot of commentary here on a corporations ability to demolish one's pride and integrity. I look forward to reading more of your work, Mr. Roanhorse.
Ms. Roanhorse
This was an amazing story — riveting and heartbreaking. I haven't been on edge like this from a short in a long, long time.
Good pull, solid twist, and allegoric ending. Well done! I loved it.
Great work! Truly creepy, in the best possible way, and it gets that appropriation thing in there like a sideways knife. Looking forward to reading your other work.
Brilliant and painful. Like the best fiction, I think the suspension of disbelief enhances the impact here, allowing the reader to be drawn in by the characters, to temporarily shut off the usual defenses in a way that doesn't happen when reading nonfiction, and especially clearly political writing. So when the reveal of all these consequences comes, it drops with serious impact on the vulnerable reader standing in the shoes of the protagonist. I think with this you've accomplished what we so often try but fail to do with nonfiction – reach those who can't see how misappropriation harms real people, on a visceral level.
This is the truth about the pretendian skinstealers and the harms they do. Thank you.
Wow, this was fantastic. I hope that Apex Magazine will publish more of your stories soon.
I'm a French teacher and I'm looking for short novels to study with my pupils ( professional high School ) . I would like to know if you authorize me to use in class your beautiful story . If you're traduced in France ,I can make them buy the book ,if not the internet version ,traduced with my application.
Karine target
Wow! This was so good! I'm a little heartbroken for him right now. Great story👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾
Hello I am a writer from Morocco.Congratulations Rebecca. A real great well thought story!
It is interesting to notice through reading this text that local inhabitants of a country who were violated by invaders have the same side effects regardless of their history, culture or geography.
As I was reading Authentic-Indian-Experience, I felt familiarity with this 'faking who I think you should be' In Morocco, we rely a lot on tourism industry. Most tourists are Westerners and they ARE to be satisfied. Their image of us as 'Orientals' should be 'authentic' to meet their imagination of a dreamy Orient with belly dancers (not a Moroccan dance but an Egyptian one), camels and other 'oriental' clichés. Oriental? Maghreb, the Arabic name for Morocco means Far West. We are separated from Spain by a 14 kilometer strait.
In Rebecca Roanhorse story, Indians are forced back into white people's clichés and representations, not for land this time, but for a second acculturation, perhaps even more humiliating. (« Things you are good at faking ») Even the memory of the original traditions, which normally runs down a family through ancestor tales, could be blurred by prefabricated images on television. "Or maybe you watch too much TV".
In this second acculturation, it is a white man in quest of an 'authentic' Indian Experience who ends up playing the role of the 'Real' Indian. (White Worlf has a Cherokee grand mother (1/64)
And of course he knows what he wants an Indian to look and sound like. ("Maybe he is desperate, looking for purpose in his own shitty world and thinking Indians have all the answers")
A wonderful story, very enjoyable.
I read the story twice and still could not connect and understand what it was about. After reading the comments, I said "Yea that's what the stories about, maybe."
I'm not criticizing the author but I suspect those who understand and like the story are not the typical mainstream fiction readers, and includes myself.
If you mean "typical mainstream fiction readers" as a euphemism for "white men," then yes, I suspect you're right.
Amazing story!
Uh. I think that says more about you than the story.
Read it again. Read more.
Did you just criticize someone for daring to enjoy something? Good Lord.
I think Ann meant to reply to Rod.
okay, i didn't like the story. but i appreciated the excellent writing. i'm a Golden Age Speculative Fiction fan, and i love the short-story format best. but i prefer positive outlooks, well-meaning characters, and the showcasing of interesting ideas aimed at improving humanity and culture, not at punishing fictional characters for imagined hubris. "how dare Jesse appropriate a culture?" is the vibe that the end of the story left me with. it's almost xtian in theological vengeance; Jesse is suffering the punishment he deserves for daring to imagine himself a Trueblood instead of a Turnblatt. it's as though he were a sheep in wolf's clothing, after all.
don't get me wrong. i do love a lot of depressing speculative fiction. some of my favorite writers are Kuttner & Moore, C.M. Kornbluth, Bixby, and Blish. their stories can be as unhappy-ever-after as anything. just read "It's a Good Life," "The Little Black Bag," "The Marching Morons," "Mimsy Were the Borogoves," or "Vintage Season," e.g. C.L. Moore's "The Bright Illusion," where no one survives, is actually a hopeful tale. and so is Kuttner & Moore's "When the Bough Breaks," where the baby is killed.
but there's something different about "Welcome to Your Authentic Indian Experience™" by Rebecca Roanhorse that left me with the bad taste of Jesse's vomit in my mouth. and i didn't like it at all. it's not so much that i felt uncomfortable, which i didn't. it's that i felt uneasy, betrayed, as though i'd put my trust into someone's hands only to have the rug yanked out from under me. he's been abandoned, deserted, fired, rejected … frankly, he's lost his life, in everything but physicality. i thought it was mean.
IMO, it's a tale of bitter vengeance visited upon an unwitting soul who may have been a squatter but did no actual harm. not quite an asylum-seeker, yet not an illegal immigrant, either. that's it — it reminds me of the biblical story of Job, but not of Job himself; rather, of Job's first ten children, who are murdered at Yahweh's command by a reluctant Satan (btw, the only murders Satan commits in the bible). they were brought into existence by Yahweh the omniscient apparently for the purpose of proving a point about the faithfulness of Job. their own individual lives had no further meaning. we are left to assume that they have ascended to Yahweh's eternal afterlife, i suppose, if that idea even existed at the time the story was invented. what happened to Job's first ten offspring? what happens to Jesse Turnblatt? these questions bother me.
yet, despite all this complaining, i still enjoyed reading the story; it is very well-written. the part about "shaking hands like an Indian" particularly stood out, as i have shaken hands with Indians, and it is not your usual handshake at all. i just didn't like the bad taste it left in my mouth.
Given the very end, it's arguable that "Jesse" was just a temporary illusion. Someone asked for an Authentic Indian Experience, and they got one — starting with being a modern poor Indian, shilling his culture for white tourists, and then reliving the Indian experience of whites coming, appropriating his culture, and taking his livelihood.
Alternately, you, the reader, got an Authentic Indian Experience. Yes, the story is depressing and ugly. But it's a not very distant allegory from what actually happened to Indians and other indigenous people. Whites came and stole their land and shot them and denigrated them and took what appealed and stole their land again. This all happened, over and over again.
Yes, it's shocking to get ugly real history when you wanted a positive story. But good news, dear reader! You can Relocate out of the story and walk away. Unlike the Indians through history or living on reservations today. They're stuck in the story.
Fantastic reply. You captured the points of the story.
Jesse IS the authentic Indian. He's not being punished for pretending to be one. Jesse is forced to live a stereotype because that's what is expected from the invading culture that he is forced into. HIS authentic experience is that he is being conquered and erased on an individual level just as his ancestors were on a cultural level. It's about identity, and loss, and the struggle to hold onto self. And aren't those things worth reading, writing, and talking about?
What is the most memorable reading you've done? Who are the characters that live within you long after you've put the page away? Who are the authors who have changed how you look at the world? My answers to these questions rarely involve positive outlooks, well-meaning characters, and the showcasing of interesting ideas aimed at improving humanity and culture. Your answers?
Actually there's very little left to imagine and the characters come across as caricature Indian wannabes within and out of the reverie thing. Depressing story. Little thoughts from a native who likes to read all kinds of work.
My kind of story – I'm a fan of dark twists in short fiction. Reminiscent of something that would have come out in Twilight Zone.
I am Indian-American. For a minute, I thought the story has something to do with India. Some Native Americans and some Indian-Americans might getoffended by the title. I am not one of them, but just saying.
Wow. Terrific. Probably deserved the Hugo. It's definitely better than The Martian Obelisk.
I spent part of the weekend reading the World Fantasy Award nominees for short fiction. I rank them:
1. The Biding
2. Old Souls
3. Welcome to Your Authentic Indian Experience
4. Carnival Nine
5. Clearly Lettered in an Even Hand
This was so good!


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Congratulations to those companies listed in Library House's ranking of Europe's Top 100 Media technology companies.
One does get somewhat justifiably cynical about these awards or rankings but one must respect Library House's credentials as a leading research house for this industry and the advisory board was comprised of people from all the leading investors in the ecosystem.
The roll of honour had Moo at no 2 and Stardoll at No 10. The other TAGsters listed are:
Netlog and Zemanta in Community, Mind Candy in Games, MoveMe and Zoopla in Search and Directories and OpenX in Advertising.
Working with entrepreneurs and world-class venture capital firms to create and build fast growing Internet services, eCommerce and Digital Media businesses.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
TAG has 8 in Library House's Top 100
Posted by Unknown at 10:29 am No comments:
Labels: Library House, Start Up, VC, Venture capital
Friday, November 07, 2008
Now..... gain in market share is a survival imperative!
In times of recession and rapidly slowing consumer expenditure, relying on momentum in the market for maintaining profitability is no longer an option.
Even eCommerce - although it is predicted to take more share of retail sales - will see its rate of growth slow further.
So, gaining market share (a bigger share of shrinking wallets) is a business imperative.
This could be one of the main reasons why TAG backed company, Fizzback, is gaining such traction.
Fizzback provides a service to retailers and other service providers which elicits feedback - at the point of experience. Its a unique service in that it enables consumers to tell the retailer what they think about their products and service while they are in situ.
Its sophisticated artificial intelligence engine (using NLP, Natural Language Processing) interprets customers comments in free form and analyses these comments, presenting them to the company through a web dashboard.
The fiercely contested mobile industry has widely adopted the fizzback service to get really close to their customers eliciting feedback in real time.
Major retailers like Tesco, Marks $ Spencer, HMV and others are testing and rolling out Fizzback across their stores. Read Retail Week's article of last week on the subject.
Tesco are famous for having built one of the great retail business by listening intently to their customers and react.
The companies that emerge best from this recession will be those that get really close to their customers, listen well and react with speed to their requirements.
There are a number of services that provide on-line feedback but few that enable consumers in an offline environment to provide feedback via SMS, voice, email. Fizzback is one.
Awards are not certain indicators of success or even of great products but having a string of them clearly shows Fizzback is on the right track.
I wrote about Fizzback back in July and at that point its brand was just begining to enter the conciousness of the Customer Experience sector.
Posted by Unknown at 9:01 am 2 comments:
Labels: Artificial intelligence, Customer Experience, Natural Language Processing, Retail, Retail Week, Tesco
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Optimor, a business for our times
The last thing consumers are going to give up in these times of frugality is their mobile phone. Their link to the world.
But, they will certainly want to spend less on these phones.
Currently European users spend about £100bn annually.
Could they spend a lot less?
Image via Wikipedia
Ofcom estimates that only 23%% of us are on the right tariff and Optimor estimates that we could save about 32% ie £3.3bn (UK Only!)per year IF we were on exactly the right tariff.
Every year 33% of us switch operator - in an attempt to save money.
That's 22m UK switches per annum (8.6m contract users).
The costs to the operators of this churn has been variously estimated but clearly runs into many billions.
Of course, there are price comparison engines which will encourage you to switch based on some fairly superficial evaluation of the minutes you use, the texts and the Mbytes handled (do you have a clue how many of these are whizzing through the phone?)
TAG has been working with a group of Mathematicians from Oxford University led by Prof. Chris Holmes and the founder, Stelios Koundouros, himself a Phd in Maths from the other place (Cambridge) to develop the world's most powerful algorithm for analysing and forecasting usage (of mobile phones, expenditure of all kinds) and comparing it with the literally 10's of thousands of tariffs out there. The company is called Optimor.
The service, which will monitor your phone bill automatically every month - after you give it access to your on-line bill - will recommend the best tariff, provides tips for future usage and generally ensure that you are spending no more than you need.
The service, code named Karoosh (apparently Japanese for death through overwork!) will be released in private beta in the coming few weeks. If you can't wait and want a play with the Alpha, go to the Karoosh blog
My own bill analysis showed me that I can simply save over £200 per year - the regular comparison sites which simply asked me for my minutes and texts would have sent me to a more expensive tariff than I currently have.
Karoosh independently test 38,279 plans & add-ons across the major UK operators.
The telco industry's reaction to Karoosh (or whatever it will be called in future) is going to be interesting. It seems to me that the operators would do better to help consumers find the right tariff within their own network rather than keep fighting for users to switch from another network to theirs.
Posted by Unknown at 5:21 pm 3 comments:
Labels: Mathematics, Mobile, Mobile phone, Oxford University, Tariff
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Summary of The Global Gender Gap Report 2017
World Economic Forum, 2017
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Even as global economic growth picks up steam, women continue to occupy a distant back seat when it comes to occupational participation and political clout. While gender parity would broaden the labor pool and provide an economic shot in the arm for many countries, progress in closing the gender gap has sputtered, according to the 2017 edition of the World Economic Forum's insightful report. But nations achieving improvements outnumber those that have regressed – offering cause for optimism. getAbstract recommends this study's eye-opening findings to policy experts and business leaders.
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The study protocol of the Norwegian randomized controlled trial of electroconvulsive therapy in treatment resistant depression in bipolar disorder
(BioMed Central, 2010-02-23)
Background The treatment of depressive phases of bipolar disorder is challenging. The effects of the commonly used antidepressants in bipolar depression are questionable. Electroconvulsive therapy is generally considered ...


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As the front man of GRAMMY Award-winning recording artists Maroon 5, Adam Levine has left an indelible mark on popular music and is set to extend his brand with the launch of his self-titled debut fragrance. The scents for men and women, which launch in February 2013 exclusively at Macy's and Macys.com, will reflect Levine's personality and style.
Levine has teamed up with ID Perfumes to develop his signature scent. "Both fragrances were shaped by Adam's discerning nose, while the bottles and packaging reflect his particular aesthetic sensibilities. This debut fragrance collection is everything a signature scent should be: both a portrait and extension of the brand itself. 'Adam Levine' for men and women is confident, deeply seductive, and timeless," said chairman and C.E.O. of ID Perfumes, Ilia Lekach.
The women's Eau de Parfum has an undeniably sexy signature. The floral woody scent boasts an overdose of spice intermingled with Indian jasmine petals, Australian sandalwood, and rose petals, to then unveil a base of creamy vanilla. The men's Eau de Toilette is all parts invigorating and sophisticated with an edge. A vibrant rush of mandarin, grapefruit, and lemongrass is intensified by notes of amber, sandalwood, and cedarwood to reveal a fresh, yet intensely masculine fragrance.
Innovative yet classic, the bottles take the form of a microphone, with a luxurious, weighted cap in silver mesh. The black stem resembles the wire of a microphone, simple and sleek.
"I have been extremely passionate about this fragrance collection from the beginning. I find the things that inspire me in my everyday surroundings and express who I am as a person, which led me to the creative process of developing these scents. My goal was to create a line for men and women that is complex in its notes yet intriguing and invigorating," said Levine.
The fragrances will be sold in 1.0, 1.7, and 3.4 fl. oz. sizes at suggested retail prices of $35, $45, and $65, respectively. Gift sets and ancillary products will be released seasonally. The line will be available at Macy's and Macys.com in the US. It will also be available at Shopper's Drug Mart in Canada, with plans for increased distribution both domestically and internationally throughout the year.
To celebrate the fragrance launch and meet fans, Adam Levine will appear at Macy's Century City in Los Angeles on Thursday, February 7(th) and Macy's Herald Square in New York on Friday, February 15(th).
The primary songwriter for Maroon 5 and a guitar player, Adam's heartfelt ballads and pop anthems have become part of the fabric of today's pop music scene and given Maroon 5 their signature sound. The band captured their first of three Grammy Awards as "Best New Artist" of 2005 and has since gone on to have massive critical and commercial success worldwide with more than 17 million albums sold, as well as gold and platinum certifications in over 35 countries.
Maroon 5 recently released their highly anticipated fourth studio album, Overexposed, a rich, pop-infused collection that quickly reinforced the group's status as a powerhouse in popular music. Overexposed features a series of chart-topping singles including: "Payphone," which immediately shot straight to #1 on both the Top 40 and Hot AC charts, and "One More Night," which held at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for nine straight weeks. The band has received two GRAMMY nominations for the release in the categories of Best Pop Performance for "Payphone" and Best Pop Album for Overexposed. Maroon 5's North America tour will kick off February.
In addition to his work with Maroon 5, Adam Levine will return for the fourth season as a coach on the #1 NBC hit series The Voice this spring.
About ID Perfumes
Adrenalina Inc (AENA.PK) "DBA" ID Perfumes (IDP) is a new business venture whose management team stirred the perfume industry by developing and executing one of the most successful perfume launches of the decade for Katy Perry's debut perfume "Purr by Katy Perry."
Catering to both local and duty free retail, ID Perfumes products will be found in a variety of major retail and specialty chain stores in the United States and International markets.
In the United States, ID Perfumes retailers will include major department stores as well as boutique chains. Internationally, ID Perfumes products will be sold through established distribution networks in Canada, Mexico, South America, United Kingdom, Europe, Middle East, Asia, and Far East.
SOURCE Adrenalina Inc


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Keohane elected fellow of social science academy
Robert Keohane, Princeton professor of public and international affairs, is one of four new fellows named to the American Academy of Political and Social Science.
Each year, the academy designates a group of fellows "to recognize and honor individual social scientists for their distinguished scholarship in the social sciences, sustained efforts to communicate that scholarship to audiences beyond their own discipline, and professional activities that promise to continue to promote the progress of the social sciences."
Each fellow is designated to a position named after a distinguished scholar and public servant who has written over the past century for the academy's bimonthly journal, The Annals of the Academy of Political and Social Science. Keohane has been named this year's Harold Lasswell Fellow.
The academy also designated James Williamson, a member of Princeton's class of 2007, to be one of this year's 135 junior fellows. Williamson is set to graduate with a degree from the Department of Politics, which nominated him for the fellowship. Students are selected for their outstanding grasp of a discipline's theories and methods and for their promise of making substantial contributions to the social sciences in the future.
The academy, founded in 1889, seeks to promote the progress of the social sciences and the use of social science knowledge in the enrichment of public understanding and in the development of public policy.


text: WORK IN PROGRESS My aim is to work on a bigger painting in mixed media, which will allow me time to go through a grieving process and accept a decision to remove a big tree from our property that outgrew a limited space between neighbouring boundaries. Despite the decision and the circumstances surrounding it, I am still fond of the tree. Working on the painting will give me a chance to make gradual changes (to the painting and my way of thinking), to adjust and alter ideas while working with emotions of inevitability, frustration, injustice, loss and hopefully, in the end, acceptance.


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"Hola Mexico" is a Film Festival in Los Angeles, California and this year's theme is "¡Adiós Clichés! ¡Hola Mexico! (Goodbye Cliches! Hello, Mexico!), which seeks to explore and continue dialogue on what it means to be Mexican today. The films reflect the diversity in Mexico, including stories that portray different landscapes, histories, experiences, economic and social classes, politics, and sexual orientation.
If you live in the area, the 2012 Hola Mexico Film Festival will be held at the Ricardo Montalban Theatre in Hollywood, California from May 24th to the 30th. For more information, visit www.holamexicoff.com, follow them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/holamexicoff and find them on Twitter @HolaMexicoFF.
Of course I'm much too far away to attend, but I watched the trailers for all the feature length and documentary films this morning (I couldn't find any of the shortfilms online but there will be several at the festival), and chose a few I'd want to see if I could. (A complete listing of films can be found at www.holamexicoff.com.)
Días De Gracia / Days Of Grace (Film)
Aquí Entre Nos (Just Between Us) (Film)
Adiós Mundo Cruel (Goodbye, Cruel World) (Film)
El Cielo en tu Mirada (Heaven in Your Eyes) (Film)
De Panzazo (Barely Passing) (Documentary)
Félix: Autoficciones de un traficante (Felix: Self-Fictions of a Smuggler) (Documentary)
Agnus Dei – Cordero de Dios (Documentary)
Surprisingly there was one film about Salvadoran Archbishop Romero and the civil war in El Salvador. This is the only film I noticed that wasn't about Mexico or Mexicans. It is emotionally upsetting so I'm going to link it rather than embed – You can decide whether you want to click through.
El Cielo Abierto (The Open Sky) (Documentary)
As you can see, the Hola Mexico Film Festival has a diverse mix of films – some funny, some serious but all of them thought provoking and worth checking out.


text: TOJ At SB Nation – Matchup: Jets Rush Defense vs. Pats Rush Offense http://newyork.sbnation.com/2010/12/3/1853024/matchup-jets-rush-defense-vs-pats-rush-offense Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Related Author: Joe Caporoso Joe Caporoso is the Owner and EIC of Turn On The Jets. His writing has been featured in the New York Times, Huffington Post, MMQB and AdWeek. Caporoso played football his entire life, including four years at Muhlenberg as a wide receiver, where he was arguably the slowest receiver to ever start in school history. He is the VP of Social Media at Whistle Sports View all posts by Joe Caporoso


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Jon Stewart Scolds the 'Bad Occupiers' of Occupy Wall Street
[There was a video here]
Jon Stewart started out on tonight's Daily Show by acknowledging that the Occupy Wall Street movement resonates with many people across the country. Except for "one small caveat." Stewart then replayed footage from a previous episode in which he warned the movement against violence, followed by a clip of protesters in Oakland vandalizing a Whole Foods store.
"I know it's not all of you, but you will always be judged by your worst elements, and it's very tough to wrangle a leaderless movement," he said. His advice for them? "Peer pressure."


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Listen up, Kylie Minogue fans! The Aussie pop diva will return to the U.S. to tour in 2011, she tells Access Hollywood exclusively.
"I'm coming back," Kylie told Access on Wednesday, at a rehearsal for her "America's Got Talent" performance. "Next year, 2011."
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Kylie Minogue
U.S. & World
News from around the country and around the globe
Kylie, who toured the U.S. for the first time ever in her over-20-year career in Fall 2009, said American fans are "unbelievable."
"Touring here was one of the best decisions," she said. "There was so much love in the room – the fans were amazing."
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Crazy! Sexy! Cool! The Planet's Hottest Pop Stars Take The Stage
The pop powerhouse is currently putting finishing touches on the music video for her new single "Get Outta My Way."
You can check out a preview HERE!
"I'm dead excited about it," Kylie said about the new video. "It looks really fresh… great choreography."
VIEW THE PHOTOS: MuchMusic Video Awards 2010: Stars Rock Canada!
"Get Outta My Way," the second single off the star's 11th studio album, "Aphrodite," will be officially released on September 27.
Copyright 2010 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Madonna - Music's Royal Madgesty!
Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
PLAY IT NOW: Dish Of Salt: Casey James - The 'Idol' Tour Will Be 'Amazing'
PLAY IT NOW: On The Download: Kylie Minogue - 'All The Lovers'
More from Access: [ Kylie Minogue Tours Music ]


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Boy Wonda (Feat. Trick) - All On Me (Hater Check)(Shot In Huntsville, Alabama Directed by Jurian Isabelle) [Unsigned Hype]
" Boy Wonda & Trick's new music video "All on Me (Hater Check)" shot in Huntsville, AL. Paying Homage to one of the greatest hood flicks of all time. Booking info: 256 468 4041 & 256 527 1317 Available on iTunes. Twitter.com/BoyWonda27 Twitter.com/BamaGator334 Facebook.com/BoyWonda Directed by: Jurian Isabelle For video info contact: "
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
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These are some Swiss cows. They live near Spiez which is near the Lake of Thun in the Berner Oberland canton of Switzerland. I like the curly furs on the tops of their heads!
(sorry the scans are not so good, but it is the best my mom could do from older photos)


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- Deinkability and recyclable packaging advancements reinforce HP's commitment to environmental responsibility
- HP today announced developments that help reduce the environmental impact of HP Indigo digital prints. Updates include:
- New trials that conclusively demonstrate the deinkability of HP Indigo prints in typical Graphic Arts Paper deinking mill configuration,
- Fully recyclable packaging for ink cartridges,
- Expansion of its take-back programme for recycling consumables, and
- Reduction of the HP Indigo carbon footprint.
With these developments, HP Indigo continues to demonstrate its leadership and commitment to environmental responsibility in the printing industry.
Deinkability of HP Indigo prints conclusively demonstrated by recent deinking trials
HP Indigo prints are fully recyclable and can be placed in normal recycling collection. Deinking, or removing ink from paper fibres, is one of the key steps in the paper recycling process for manufacturing recycled Graphic Arts papers.
Over the last few years, HP collaborated with a range of industry and academic deinking experts to gather lab-scale, pilot-scale and mill-scale deinking data that verify HP Indigo prints can be deinked in a typical graphic art paper deinking mill configuration.
In June 2013, Voith Paper, a leading supplier of deinking equipment, and the Paper Technology Department of PMV Darmstadt, a leading German technical institute, conducted two pilot-scale trials with five per cent and 10 per cent HP Indigo feed. The research found that even with 10 per cent HP Indigo feed, the pulp produced in the trials was suitable for standard and higher quality Graphic Arts recycled paper grades.
The trials were held at the Voith Paper Fiber Systems Technology Center in Ravensburg, Germany for its near-mill-scale equipment, creating a realistic simulation of a standard graphic art deinking mill, including drum pulping, two flotations and one disperger. An important feature of the trial was that disperger energy typical of industry mills was used. A detailed report from the pilot trial will be published in the near future.
"These pilot plant trials have convincingly demonstrated the deinking ability of HP Indigo prints using standard 2-loop deinking processes," said Jürgen Dockal, product development engineer, Voith Paper Ravensburg Fiber Systems Technology Center. "Proven equipment and standard deinking chemistry can be used, and parameters such as brightness development, ash content and yield are unaffected by the presence of up to 10 per cent Liquid ElectroPhotographic prints."
PMV-Darmstadt has made significant progress in developing a lab scale 2-loop test that correlates with the Voith Paper pilot trial.
These results complement two previous full-scale mill deinking trials, which were conducted in collaboration with Arjowiggins Graphic at its 3-loop Greenfield deinking mill in Chateau-Thierry, France in November 2011 and October 2012. In the mill-scale trials, five per cent HP Indigo Liquid ElectroPhotographic prints (LEP) were added to the standard mill furnish. In both cases, high-quality deinked pulp was produced without affecting mill process efficiencies or operating parameters.
"The results of the pilot-scale trials show that printed paper from HP Indigo digital presses is compatible with typical graphic arts deinking mills even at levels higher than what likely would be encountered," said Yogev Barak, director of current business management, Indigo division, HP. "Along with results from the Arjowiggins deinking mill trials, these latest results show that HP Indigo users can continue to feel confident that HP Indigo prints can be recycled back to high-quality graphic arts papers."
New recyclable packaging for ink cartridges
As a part of HP's ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability, HP Indigo introduced improved ink cartridge packaging for the HP Indigo 6000 and 7000 series Digital Presses. The new cushioning tray is made of 100 per cent recycled, moulded pulp and is 100 per cent recyclable. Users can now dispose the cushioning tray with the ink cartridge's cardboard box.
Expanded supplies take-back and recycling program
HP offers free take-back services for HP Indigo supplies for customers in more than 17 countries around the world.(1) The programme is now expanded to include series four binary ink developer (BID) base and BID roller used in the HP Indigo 10000, 20000 and 30000 Digital Presses.
Reducing the carbon footprint of HP Indigo
HP continues its programme to offset carbon emissions associated with the manufacturing and integration of the new generation HP Indigo Digital Presses. Working with the Good Energy Initiative, HP Indigo supports projects in the community that offset the net contribution of carbon emissions from the manufacturing process. As a result, all HP Indigo series three presses are manufactured carbon neutral.(2)


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For many reasons (work-related, health-related, burying-more-pets-related, just-bloody-tiredness-related), I just haven't been able to get going with warrenellis.com so far this year. So I'm switching the site to Pause for a couple of weeks. Normal service will resume with a new episode of SPEKTRMODULE on March 9 or thereabouts.
In the meantime, I want to leave these things here:
Last year, I did a thing for people who make comics called Three Panels Open. Literally, a three-panel comic. The only rules were that it had to be legible at a width of 640 pixels, which is the width of the content bar on this site, and that it had to be three panels long.
Perhaps you'd like to do a three-panel comic to be posted here. If so, email the image to email@example.com, and please include your name and the website and/or twitter account you'd like it to be associated with. Same rules apply: three panels, and it can't turn to mud when I run it at 640px. The ones I like best will be run here from March 10 – 31.
Also, I'm opening up the GUEST INFORMANT skein to submissions, after a fashion. If you're working in the arts and sciences and you'd like to talk at my readership here about your work or something related to it, drop me a note at email@example.com about what you're in the mood to write and we'll sort something out. You can see all the other Guest Informants at this link. They include novelists, journalists, musicians, data griots, researchers, artists, designers, futurists and nuclear physicists. (Some of those posts are huge. I tell people, "I'd be happy with two hundred words!") As you'll see, each Informant post can come with links to whatever you've got going on.
Also also, I really think that the Station Ident should come back, and that the top of each week should have a logotone. By "really think" I actually mean "literally just thought of this and laughed because it sounded like fun."
The Station Ident is a photo or other image and the words "this is warren ellis dot com." Something arty, something filthy, something strange, something funny: don't care, so long as it's original to you. Snapshot or illustration, Photoshop or fansign; don't care, so long as it has the following words in it somewhere:
"this is warren ellis dot com"
Email it as an attachment to email@example.com, my public dump email address, if you feel like playing. Please include your name and a website if you have one, or plug a work of yours if applicable. Ideally, it'd be 640 px across, but I can resize stuff. And I'll use all the ones I like, eventually.
(I might even bring back the Closedown, or amalgamate it with Night Music. I'm old enough to remember closedowns. Also, the last ice age.)
And… that's it. Now I need to get into some development work and serious thinking. See you in a couple of weeks. Be good.


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Oakland attorney Dan Siegel, known for a long history of involvement in Bay Area social justice movements, joined a group of more than 150 supporters in front of Oakland City Hall this morning to announce his candidacy for mayor.
In a speech emphasizing his campaign ideals of social and economic justice, Siegel called for shutting down Oakland's recently approved Domain Awareness Center, raising the city's minimum wage to $15 an hour, making improvements in public education "to level the playing field between children from affluent backgrounds and children from poor backgrounds," and shifting the city's approach to policing by reorganizing the police department to foster deeper community engagement. We caught a few moments from his speech here:
Guardian video by Rebecca Bowe
Siegel's campaign co-chair is Walter Reilly, a prominent attorney affiliated with the National Lawyers Guild who said he has a long history of involvement with civil rights and social justice movements. "This is a continuation of that struggle," he said, adding that Siegel's affiliation with "a progressive and class-conscious movement" is sorely needed in Oakland.
Left Coast Communications was tapped as Siegel's campaign consultant. Siegel's communications director is Cat Brooks, who was previously an organizer and sometimes spokesperson for Occupy Oakland.
In 2011, when the Occupy Oakland encampment sprung up in front of Oakland City Hall, Siegel resigned as a legal advisor to Mayor Jean Quan over a difference in opinion about her handling of the protest movement. Police crackdowns on Occupy, which resulted in violence and the serious injury of veteran Scott Olsen, made national headlines that year.
Olga Miranda, an organizer with San Francisco janitors union, SEIU Local 87, also spoke on Siegel's behalf. "San Francisco has become for the rich, and we understand that," she said. "But at the same time, Oakland isn't even taking care of its own." Referencing gentrification, a term that seemed to be everyone's lips, she added, "Dan understands that if you live in Oakland, you should be able to stay in Oakland."
Asked why he'd decided to run, Siegel told the Bay Guardian, "I feel that not only in Oakland but across the country, things are really ripe for change. When you have a city like Oakland where so many people are in poverty or on the edge of poverty, or don't have jobs or face evictions … it's no wonder that the social contract falls apart. It seems to me that what government should do is elevate the circumstances of all people, and particularly people who are poor and disadvantaged."


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Press Release:
Forbidden Planet is delighted to host one of our trademark multi-author signings. At 1:00pm on Saturday July 23rd, Forbidden Planet Megastore, 179 Shaftesbury Avenue, London will host to: –
Alan Cowsill, Eva Perkins, Grant Perkins, David Leach, G M Jordan, Kev Hopgood, Jessica S Kemp, Si Spencer, Tim Pilcher, Jason Atomic, Jasper Bark, Jon Haward, Martin Eden, Martyn Pick, Peter Hogan, Gary Gilbert, Dan Rachael, Natalie Abadzis and many more.
The British comics community has come together to help raise funds for disaster victims of New Zealand and Japan's earthquakes and tsunami with a stunning new graphic novel anthology, Spirit of Hope.
Comic Book Alliance Chair Tim Pilcher, said, 'When the earthquake hit Japan on the afternoon of 11 March 2011 the CBA, like the rest of the world, was stunned. Overwhelmed by the sheer enormity of the disaster we felt impotent to do anything. But standing idly by was simply not an option. So we did what comics people do best, we put a call out to the artistic community and asked for a strip, pin-up or anything that encapsulated that devastating situation for them.'
Over 85 writers, artists, colourists, letterers and editors from across the globe all donated their time and work free of charge, to produce a powerful statement, all within an incredible two and a half weeks after the Japanese tsunami hit. Consequently, the stories have a raw emotiveness and impact that can only come from such immediacy.
Please note that all pre-orders may not be signed by all attendees.


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My new cousin, Claire, through the John Adams line in Batavia, New York sent me a photo showing a coverlet his daughter Betsey E. Addams made (my blog of April 15). Then Claire sent me a link to the Henry Ford museum with a coverlet exhibit. Claire wrote, "The coverlet of Clarissa Garter is the same as I have in red! Tyler is listed in Genesee County as a weaver. So interesting!!"
What this all means is, there is a lot of information about this weaver. Initially, I thought Betsey made the coverlet herself, but now it appears she didn't. And as to the misspelling of her last name Adams to Addams, I like to think the weaver or his helper who made the mistake!
The 'Coverlet Eagle' design was also on a stamp. There is more information about the designer / weaver, Harry Tyler as well. http://www.usps.com/news/2002/philatelic/sr02_044.htm
Sherry wrote because I had given her an extra brother in her genealogy..., she found my tree online and kindly let me know. Clearly there was an error on my part. After several exchanges of emails, I sent her over 12 pages of information, some of which came to me from her late aunt about 10 years ago! Turns out Sherry and I are 5th cousins.
Jerry wrote after seeing my Davis genealogy posted on the internet. He proved me with a private genealogy manuscript he had commissioned about 20 years ago from a genealogist! I love this part from his email, "By the way, what is a blog and how do I access it? I am 72 years young and not up on all the latest terminology." In many ways, he sounds like me.
Two other connections will be covered in separate blogs.
As you can see, I've been busy, and I've been extremely lucky in receiving wonderful bits of genealogical information. In addition, I helped about six other people. The photo was taken on my last trip to Salt Lake City, a nice reminder of the trip, and I hope all those there now are having a fabulous time.
I intend to do less writing during the summer and try to lower my piles of stuff. All my Tuesday Tombstones and Saturday Surnames are done through August. But, I won't be sitting back and doing just the "piles," I'll continue to read all the blogs and work on getting O R G A N I Z E D.
"'You can't really know who you are and where you're going unless you know where you came from.' Bruce Springsteen, receiving an Ellis Island Family Heritage Award yesterday in New York." From The Boston Globe April 22, 2010.


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PJ Sharon here on this chilly New Year's Eve Day. Since I'm in the process of re-evaluating my first quarter marketing plan for 2014, I thought I'd share the results of my latest promotion. Most of you are familiar with KDP Select, Amazon's 90 day exclusivity contract that requires authors to publish only with them for that time period. The perks of putting all your eggs in the Amazon basket are paid borrows by Prime members (average $1.94 per borrow), entry into their new "Count Down Deals" program, and/or the ability to run FREE promotions for five days of the 90 day period. A year ago, all of this was very attractive. Now, not so much.
Most Indie authors agree that running free promotions has been much less effective than it was a year or two ago. Now that the market is flooded with freebies and bargain books, it's getting harder and harder to sell at any price—even FREE! Sales of my last published novel, WESTERN DESERT, book two in the Chronicles of Lily Carmichael trilogy, which released last July, reflect the drastic change. I'll preface these results with the caveat that YA Dystopian is a hard sell across the board lately since that market is pretty much glutted. I also believe that book two in a trilogy is often tougher because folks won't buy/download book two if they haven't read book one, and readers don't want to get hooked into a trilogy with no guaranteed release date of the third book.
Having said all that, I'm trying not to take it personally or be embarrassed about such a poor sales record. The fact is, I don't think the numbers reflect the quality of the book at all. What reviews I do have, are excellent, and feedback I've had from readers has been awesome. So what's up with the numbers?
I enrolled WESTERN DESERT into the Select program in October, figuring I would promote books one and two through Halloween, running my first two day FREE promo around the time readers might be drawn to Dystopian/Sci-fi-fantasy stories. I was part of a group sale, advertised on the usual 20-30 sites that promote freebies (some charge a nominal fee of $5-15), and did a social media blitz, including some blog appearances. The best I did was had about a thousand free downloads and sold eighty or so copies of WANING MOON, book one in the trilogy.
Now, I realize that those results meant that my book was in the hands of potentially a thousand new readers, and it did wonders for my sales rankings for both books during the sale, but being that WANING MOON was selling for the .99 cent price point, I made about $30. I'll add that there was no after sale bump in numbers (meaning my sales flat-lined again immediately), and I'd spent my budgeted $100 for advertising the sale, netting me -$70 for my trouble. Consider the amount of time it takes to set up ads on 20-30 sites, schedule blog appearances, participate in social media non-stop for two days, and well…you get the picture.
I waited a couple of months, planned my last three day FREE run for right after Christmas, hoping to catch all those new Kindle owners, and promoted both books like crazy. As in, "Two Books for under a buck!" "Buy WANING MOON for .99 cents and download WESTERN DESERT for FREE!" I joined with Awesome Indies for their Holiday Bonanza e-book sale, promoted on 30 FREE e-book sites (I'm hearing now that it takes 50 sites to make a dent), and I scheduled mega tweets, FB, Goodreads, Google+, Pinterest, and tumblr promos. I spent my $100 budget, and had the support of dozens of other authors who tweeted, posted or otherwise shouted it to the world for me. Here were the results:
Worldwide (including a few downloads in Germany, France, India, Canada, and Australia—a new market for me!), I had a whopping 543 downloads of WESTERN DESERT and 39 new sales of WANING MOON. Oy! Hours of preparation, insane amounts of marketing, and yes, I'm down about $85. I did reach the #1,026 mark on the Amazon rankings in the Free kindle store, #2 in the Sci-fi/fantasy/Genetic engineering category, and #10 in the Dystopian category, but numbers bounced right back to oblivion when the sale ended.
Granted, I was unable to procure ads on the really big sites like Book Bub and a few others which require as many as twenty-five reviews these days to even be featured and are very choosy about what they pick to advertise, but really? For the work involved and the investment of time and money, it feels like I've run a marathon and placed next to last. A far cry from last year's FREE promo for SAVAGE CINDERELLA when I boasted 40,000 downloads between my two day and then a three day promotion. The best part was the over 800 direct sales in the weeks after my free run. Yikes! What a difference a year and-a-half makes. Even HEAVEN IS FOR HEROES and ON THIN ICE promos last year at this time did much better than my 2013 efforts for my Dystopian reads.
It would be nice to get a few (hopefully good) reviews out of the promotion and getting my name out to new readers is always a good thing, but all in all, the Select program has little left to offer me with this book series. Perhaps when I publish another Contemporary YA romance, or when I have a boxed set of all three books in the trilogy, I'll give it another go, but for now, KDP Select is a losing proposition for me. Of course, take all this with a grain of salt, because I've heard of a few other authors on my loops who are still pulling in good numbers with Select. Go figure!
What do you think? Have you had better results? How did you do it? Am I missing something?


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Carlos Saura's Flamenco Trilogy on DVD
Saura, Carlos (Director). (2007). Carlo's Saura's Flamenco Trilogy. United States: Criterion
Call Number: DVD-000923
Spanish film director Carlos Saura's first film venture featuring Latin dance was Bodas de sangre [Blood Wedding]. This film also marked his first of three collaborations with famed flamenco dancer/choreographer Antonio Gades. I highly recommend all three films. Each film combines narrative, dance and refined filmmaking in an effort to explore life, love and death from a Spanish perspective.
The duo's second film Carmen is my favorite of the three. It's the story of a choreographer staging a ballet adaptation of Bizet's opera, Carmen. So, it's back stage drama intermingled with on stage drama and lots of dancing. Gradually the lines of filmmaking, theater and ballet begin to blur as the characters real life narratives start to mimic the staged narrative. By the end of the film you are not quite sure if you're watching a rehearsal, or something that was supposed to have really happened. The tobacco factory scene alone is worth the effort. It's an intensely orchestrated all girl knife fight in dance – think Michael Jackson's Beat It, done flamenco style.
Michelle Melancon, Bindery Specialist (Baking with Medusa at Blogspot)