#kelvin in the shop what will he sell

[cl0wn-tim3]

Kelvin as a shop npc in deltarune

[ceoandslutler]

a short analysis on the theme of kindness in kuro, in defence of the morally reprehensible protagonists. pt2

focused character analysis: ciel phantomhive (ours)

before getting into this, i highly recommend reading my last post which received a great response from @plague-of-insomnia (very much appreciated additions that i will be referring to), i wanted to do a part two to my analysis and i will likely do a post of sebastian too but for now it's ciel who i want to focus on and how he is 'different' to other humans.

firstly i would like to follow up the points i made about the blue memory arc

our ciel wants to open a toy shop because of his own condition of being stuck at home with limited activities, he wants to make indoor toys. his brother says "nobles don't sell toys" and in this chapter it is alluded multiple times that he, as the second son, should have either become a 'vicar' or 'doctor' as they are respectable jobs, unlike being a toy maker/seller. another point is that o!ciel establishes here that he knows he can't be like the other members of the phantomhive bloodline (see: pt1 talking about undertaker's quote "he is unlike his predecessors"). back to the second son point, we already know how frustrating it is to be a second son:

but o!ciel has not once shown himself to be jealous of his brother, nor was he frustrated that he couldn't be earl. in fact he constantly reassures his brother in the blue memory arc that he is like their father and he'll make a great earl. he also makes it clear he does not desire the popularity that comes with being a vicar. (we see the vicar in their land is a manager of affairs with a lot of power/responsibility/direct access to nobility and when seb takes on the vicar disguise, ciel makes it clear that he is a "popular" person, akin to a "celebrity"). roles of religious importance are shown as vain in kuro.

it's interesting because the chapter we see the real vicar rathbone is the same chapter o!ciel says he wants to make toys and r!ciel says nobles don't do that and the murder arc where sebs is disguised as an alternate vicar rathbone is the same arc we find that o!ciel reads working class magazines because the consumers of his toys/funtom products are "common folk", he even reads punch!

..that's it for vicars, those are the only two instances we see them mentioned. the doctors we see are different. we have madame red who became a killer and used her skills to kill prostitutes out of spite (edit: as well as viscount druitt who does have a medical licence and we saw him doing human trafficking although i forgot about him, thank god plague-of-insomnia reminded me lmao) but we have two other doctors characters that are very important.

this nasty piece of work ^^ in the circus arc, very selfish and inhuman, uses VERY unethical methods to create prosthetics, morally bankrupt doctor similar to madame red

this stoker guy who is also a doctor. selfish, doesn't understand what medicine he's even using on people, just generally a egotistical awful guy.

in both these arcs, we see o!ciel show humanity

he's going to the workhouse baron kelvin supported and is going to recommend it to a philanthropist. although there was no workhouse, those children were likely already the doctor's victims.

in the campania, he not only goes back for lizzy, he is very considerate of a servant who not only tried to kill him with his snakes but also doesn't even call him by a formal title (snake called him 'smile' until the end, ciel never took offence to it despite being a noble)

he not only shows this amount of consideration, he also gives up his seat in the boats which plague-of-insomnia mentioned when they rb-ed pt1 of this analysis. i genuinely think the way o!ciel treats snake is extremely perplexing, he is too considerate... perhaps guilt? perhaps the empathy he feels as he too lived a lonely and alienated life as compared to the rest of his family? he felt like his family did not tell him anything and just died/disappeared, leaving him to have to wait for the killers to come back for him just so he can get his self-righteous revenge.

finally i would like to point out a little tidbit, o!ciel generally does not seem to care at all about society's expectations. his relationship with his tenants and servants is abnormally humane. i would also like to point out his confusion at elizabeth's sobbing about being the scary kind of woman he doesn't like (something r!ciel had implied)

this boy has never shown that kind of expression towards femininity or women... even when it sounds like he's being sexist, it's usually a poorly done translation, i don't know japanese well but before anyone pulls this up, i found the japanese raw to check over it myself:

he did not say "ladies don't come in such monstrous heights", he said something more along the lines of "it's impossible/i can't stand to dance with a tall/big lady in this way"(?)

[please correct me if i'm wrong, i don't know japanese well and my forte is indo european languages]

the point of this analysis is not to say ciel is solely "good" or 'pure cinnamon roll uwu' (i would never), but just to say he is capable of humanity... in a story about horrible humans, he as a one of the morally grey main characters is capable of being a force for good. he's also pointed out to be different to others and shown to not contain the same bad aspects of the other pathways he could've gone in life e.g. vain vicar or diabolical doctor. he is at his core, a character who shows humanity and compassion and that is why he is likeable even when he does heinous things. he is more than an innocent baby and more than an evil aristocrat with zero morals. although the head honcho of this story is sebs but i will get into him in another post, he's also a VERY interesting protagonist.

[oneshot-wme-archival]

Oneshot Friend Profiles: Refuge (Minus George)

All friend profiles are laid out as follows: Name/title at the top, arrows at the upper corners to switch friend profiles, a large block of text in the upper left (with a scroll wheel if the text's length exceeds the box size), sprites underneath the text, and art of the character along the right.

Lamplighter: A tired-looking man who seems to subsist purely on gallons of coffee. It's unclear how long it's been since the last time he slept. Though he's not the brightest fellow, he's an incredibly hard worker and takes his job very seriously. So seriously, in fact, that he gets anxious whenever he can't perform his duties. He's responsible for keeping the lights around the city lit, as well as delivering highly concentrated phosphor for use in machines.

A high-school dropout, he feels nervous whenever he has to be around smart people. Lately the Lamplighter has taken to reading the dictionary in what little free time he has.

Watcher: A strange woman standing in the clocktower, watching the world end.

Seconds, minutes, hours, days; the flow of time inexorably drags us all towards a vast and unknowable sea. Will you let it carry you in darkness, squinting against the sting of its spray? Will you rage against its currents, fighting to make as much headway as you can before you're overtaken? Or will you choose, as some, to stare wide-eyed at this swirling torrent and become enraptured by it?

Ling: The friendly proprietor of the Refuge Cafe. Once a popular spot to relax and bask in the warm aromas and gentle sounds of cafe ambiance, it's mostly deserted since the squares began picking apart the upper reaches of the city. Nowadays, Ling's best customer is the unfaltering (though not especially talkative) Lamplighter.

Always a gracious host, Ling enjoys meeting customers both new and old and chatting with them. If you ask nicely, he might even take the time to whip up a request for something off-menu!

Mason: A chatty guy with a passion for plants. He owns a small plant shop in the Refuge apartment district, however it's mostly just an excuse to do more gardening as Mason tends to gift almost as many plants as he sells. When it comes to horticultural advice, Mason is the guy to see.

A friend of the Watcher. Mason also admires the Lamplighter's hard work, and once sent him one of his plants as a thank-you.

Kelvin: A space heater robot that has claimed one of the corners of the Refuge's back alleys as his own. Kelvin's warm body naturally attracts a lot of cats, and he seems to have developed some kind of bond with them. Kelvin is always willing to offer his warmth and comfort to any creature that wanders by.

Technically the lamplighter's neighbour, but they don't interact much...

Kip: The brilliant and highly respected head engineer of the Refuge, Kip is responsible for many advances in robot technology that make our lives easier every day. She's also the creator of many robots that can be met throughout the world; most notably Silver, the head engineer who was based on Kip's own image.

Silver was intended to be the first of a new type of robot that could think and act like a person. Unfortunately, the difficulty of that task led to her going rogue during development. Though Silver was eventually stabilized, that day left a scar on their relationship that has yet to heal.

Though her creations are well known, the creator herself prefers to keep a low profile and focus on her work. It's likely that few outside of her colleagues have ever seen her.

EXTRA TEXT DUPES:

[nysocboy]

Gemstones Episode 3.4: Wieners, betrayal, a burning a-hole, and Kelvin at his jerkiest. With a nude Steve Zahn bonus

This is the G-rated version of the review, with no nudity or explicit sexual discussions.  

Title: "I Am Come Not to Bring Peace But a Sword." A famous quote from Jesus in Matthew 10:34.  Things are going to get dark. 

Some premium sex dolls:  Keefe and Taryn are leading a Teen and Parents Together "ice cream and wieners" party.  Keefe has apparently never done any ministry without Kelvin, so he is very nervous.  He is not wearing his "wedding ring," maybe worried that it would out him.

The parents point out that they know very little about Keefe, even though he is a youth minister, in charge of nurturing their children.   Before Keefe has a chance to answer any questions, Biker Clarence, the owner of the store that he bought out drops by to praise him for buying "every last butt buzzer I had in stock!"   He invites Keefe to check out the new merchandise coming in: "We got some premium sex dolls!"  Inappropriate, dude! You're in an ice cream shop. Don't you notice the kids around? 

Taryn and Keefe assure the parents that "it's not what you think."  That is, Keefe isn't actually gay, he bought the toys for a project "we did with your kids."  Even worse!  But didn't the parents know about Smut Busters?  You have to get permission slips every time you take the kids off church property.

Loud and Proud:  We see the beginning of the service, a Christian rock number, with May-May disapproving and Cousin Karl loving it.  Then it's time for the family dinner at Jason's Steakhouse, and a practically endless series of queer codes.  Interesting that the guys start being obviously a couple immediately after the Cousin's Night romantic interlude.

May-May disapproves of her sons' silk suits: too shiny, "like a lady's neglige.  A little loud and proud for me."  In other words, they make the boys look gay.  Jesse yells at her for "talking trash." Implying that someone is gay constitutes "talking trash"? That's homophobic, dude.

Judy defends the boys from the "accusation," saying that they are attractive to women. So youturn gay because you can't find a woman?  Laying on the homophobia, aren't we?

As he listens to his family's homophobic banter, Kelvin looks like he's about to cry.   And Keefe -- that's the look your boyfriend gets at Thanksgiving Dinner, when your parents told you to not "cause a scene" by coming out, and then Uncle Bob starts complaining about "fags taking over." Cavalero got it exactly right..

Holding Hands under the Table:  Peter Montgomery (Steve Zahn, top photo) enters, announces that he has a new militia compound "on a farm," and invites his sons to join him.  They refuse, so he circles the table, threatening that retribution is coming.  

As he circles, Keefe moves his right hand under the table.  Then Kelvin moves his left hand under the table. These are not random acts:  Boyfriends who are scared (and closeted) would look for reassurance by holding hands.

Their hands stay under the table until Peter threatens Judy, and Eli steps in, telling him to leave or he'll be shot.  Everyone in the family except Gideon, Kelvin, and Keefe pulls out a gun.  A gun expert on the fan board pointed out that only Amber and BJ are holding them properly.  Then Kelvin,  frightened (of his family's guns?), says something indecipherable to Keefe, who moves his hand back to the table top and makes a finger-gun.  Kelvin looks around for a weapon, and brandishes a fork.  His left hand is still under the table, and stays there, holding Keefe, until Peter circles the table again.  

Now the "wedding rings" are fully visible, matching men's silver wedding bands with black diamond inlay (the real thing sells for over $4000),  on the ring finger of Kelvin's left and Keefe's right hand.   Kelvin can't say that they are lovers, but he can show it.

For a little while, anyway.

Things get worse after the break.

It makes my a-hole burn: The backlash to the ice cream-and-wieners party begins when Kelvin finds a letter in the Teen Time suggestion box: "Keefe is weird. I am not comfortable with him around kids." Is "weird" being used as a euphemism for "gay" again?

He yells at Keefe for messing up: "You had one job! It's your only responsibility."  Dude is missing the point entirely.  He should be concerned with defending Keefe's character.

He wants to know what went wrong.  Keefe explains that the porno shop owner "outed me in front of the parents."  Not outing him as a participant in the Smut Busters: that wasn't a secret.  Bike Clarence made it sound like Keefe bought the sex toys for himself, thus "outing" him as gay. 

Well, did Keefe explain that he bought the toys on church business?  He tried, but he couldn't really articulate how buying sex toys helped the church.  Kelvin gets even more angry; Keefe's inability to handle this incident without outing himself -- and by implication, both of them -- suggests that he is not qualified to be assistant youth pastor.  So, are you going to fire him, or what?

What about the parents' concerns? "This kind of talk makes my a-hole burn."  Keefe responds: "I hate to think that I'm responsible for your a-hole burning."

I have never heard anyone use that expression to mean angry or upset, nor can I find it online.  It's quite likely that Kelvin's real a-hole is burning: remember that he just stopped withholding sex. If your partner is too big or too enthusiastic, as he is bound to be after a drought, he can create tiny tears, resulting in rectal burning and itching.  In Season 1, Kelvin's a-hole burned  after a similar experience, tied into his guilt over being gay  Now it's the possibility of being outed, and its impact on his career, that burns him. Will he be backing away from the erotic again, to maintain the illusion that he and Keefe are just good buddies?

Sip and Paint: A scene of Kelvin/Keefe problems will inevitably be paired with BJ/Judy problems.  They are on another date night, at a sip-and-paint studio. Why do they get so many dates, when Kelvin/Keefe get none?  

Someone sends BJ a dick pic!  He wants to email the guy to explain the mistake, because "some lucky gal's missing out on that glorious cock shot."  Did you forget that gay men exist, Buddy?  I'm sure your brothers-in-law would enjoy looking at a glorious cock.  Uh-oh, Judy realizes that Stephen, the guy she had the affair with, sent it on purpose to big-dick her husband!

The White Slap: Next, Jesse gets is initiated into the Cape and Pistol Society, for the elite of evangelical ministers. He sparrs with rival Vance Simkins, and uses so many cuss words that he's sentenced to a "white slap" -- literally being slapped by someone wearing a scary white mask. 

Then Baby Billy confronts him: "You are so hell-bent on running this church the way your daddy did, but you ain't your daddy." This line in the trailer led to widespread speculation that Eli had died, but it was just a misdirection.  Then Baby Billy suggests that a performance by Aimee-Leigh, Eli's dead wife and a famous gospel singer, would get some butts into the seats.  But how can she perform? 

Probably there are videos of her singing at the Grand Ole Opry or something. Baby Billy may explain, but who's paying attention?  Viewers are pushing the fast-forward button, anxious to see what happens with Kelvin and Keefe.

Rumors Swirling:  At the church food court -- notice the booths for Fancy Nancy's Chicken, Jason's Steakhouse, and "Wok on the Water" --  Kelvin, in virginal white instead of his usual green to emphasize his purity, listens to parental concerns about Keefe.  

"We do not feel safe with the assistant youth pastor. We heard he's a devil worshipper" and "I don't want him influencing our children."  

The most obvious conclusion from the sex toys debacle would be that Keefe bought them for pedophile grooming, but no one accuses Keefe of child molestation.  You don't say that a pedophile is a bad influence, you say that he is a danger. They think that Keefe is gay.  

This is Kelvin's chance to exonerate Keefe by coming clean: "Buying the sex toys was all my idea. I thought it would be a good teen project.  Keefe was just following my orders."  But instead he throws the guy under the bus in order to stay closeted: "I vouch for him.  He is one of my closest personal friends. He is my dude." 

A parent (Nick Arapoglou,  left) responds: "With all the rumors swirling about you, can't you see how strange this all looks?"

"There's rumors swirling about me?" Kelvin asks, shocked.  He thought that he was adequately closeted, and maybe he was -- Evangelicals often have trouble conceiving of a Man of God being "that way," so they may have let his feminine mannerisms and lack of interest in women slide.  But with Keefe outed, the rumors are bound to swirl. If Kelvin is outed as well,  his career as a youth pastor...as a pastor of any sort...as a Gemstone...

"Remove him, or we remove our kids." a parent demands. 

Kelvin literally runs away. 

The full review, with nude photos and explicit sexual discussions, is on RG Beefcake and Boyfriends

[hugleikinn]

Windowsill of Curiosities: Pt. 3  the long awaited update

Disclaimer

I do appreciate your messages and feedback and I am helluva proud that I can inspire you! ♥

However, I am not a certified gardener, nor do I have years of experience tending to whatnots. 

I have a village homestead childhood in my background, but now, 20 years later, I live in a completely different climate, in an urban flat, just with quite fortunately situated windows, and I enjoy trying to grow what I can. Success and failure are a part of the process and they are the reason I am keeping this diary as well as a second written one - because I make mistakes (some of them are a part of this particular update), I also happen upon misfortune, like bringing home soil with fungus gnat eggs. And if at first I don’t succeed, I try again.

That’s the reason I try to grow most of my stuff from seed. It is harder. It takes a lot. But it teaches that much more and you can figure out your mistakes and avoid them that much easier next time. It also teaches me patience, structure, keeps me at a schedule and a cycle.

I encourage you, if you are like me, to be inspired, get into growing something, something that makes you happy, excited - just thinking about having it in your home or around - and be prepared to stand at your window, or at your garden everyday, checking for new growth, or problems and addressing them as you get to them.

I don’t believe in easy*, or plants for “beginners” - like me, you can kill an immortal melissa and can keep alive something that should be impossible, just because the difference between them, for you, is - I want one more, than the other. 

*Easy and “Easy” are two different things, and taking the easy road as a rule will bring you, in the better case nowhere, in the worse one to proverbial hell - and for some of us, the two collide. 

*****

And now:

It is time to tally who survived, who did not and who came newly along:)

Unfortunately I have been struck with lack of sun and friggin gnats, so my beautiful Venusian garden had become a love nest in more ways than one.. Older plants have handled it well, but some of the new ones have fallen or suffered at least to a degree. 

Lack of sunlight has been solved by “grow” lights with a 12 hour timer as of mid-Dec (aka 4000 lms of LED lamps with 4000-4500 kelvins using in total no more than 50W for tops 50 eur, including timer, lamps and bulbs - because I am not growing anything to sell and I am not really looking for “yield”, if you get my meaning). I am absolutely not saying that this is a set-up you should use, but based on my location, research and the education of my partner, it should be sufficient for growing houseplants during winter here. From now on, the feedback on the lighting setup will be a part of the updates, when relevant. 

Gnats have been almost defeated by yellow sticky traps to kill the mature ones + special fertilizer and Steinernema feltiae, who parasite on fungus gnat larvae. How Martial.

So here it goes (Pt.2 in normal, updates to date in italic, ✝ means RIP):

The main troupe:

Belladonna (Atropa belladonna) - in stratification for 10h+24h

I have 4 plants growing to date, allare around 4 cm in height. Unfortunately I did not note the germination date, however she has been growing perhaps since Sept.

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) - I have a whole planter of nearly mature plants, no flowering to date though. 

✝  Monkshood (Aconitum napellus) - in stratification for 6w, to be planted 10th Aug.

Was planted as planned but nothing to date :( Still have not thrown anything away though.

✝  White sage (Salvia apiana) - planted

I actually got one plant to grow to 15 cm tall, but it perished 3 weeks ago. I am not sure if it was overwatering or gnats or a combo. It was weak and leggy the whole time though, so lack of full sun can be a factor. Will try again in spring with grow lights. 

✝  Sandalwood (Santalum album)  - planted, still waiting for a sign of life.

I am giving up. 

  ✝  + Mimosa pudica as host - planted and germinated, the single real leaf already reacts to stimuli

Tortured to death by my touchy partner. Did you know that you can kill carnivorous plants like venus traps, by stimulating their leaves without leaving sustenance on them? Something similar happened here.........

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) - planted, looking good.

First mature leaves are growing (the immature ones seem to be more compact, and not as defined like below). It is leggy, due to former lack of sunlight and also battling the gnats.

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) - planted, also doing quite well.

He has the biggest planter, but again smaller than expected, even though he has has mature leaves for some time.Pic is new growth taken tonight. 

Datura metel  - planted sometime in summer (like???)

Germinated 24.7. Two plants are still going (love the pink stems, but will probably plant again in the spring, to not mess with her cycle)

Datura innoxia - planted Apr2019, already growing seed pods!

I think I updated on her a while ago. Saved seeds, will guerilla plant her in the communal greens across the house in the spring too. 

Tobacco (Nicotiana tobaccum) - planted, looks fluffy. Germinated 24.7.

Still fluffy cca 20 cm in height, though the leaves are also as long + wide. I’d say thhey are as wide as they are tall, but that would seem rude.The leaves are round though, so I think they are still immature. Seeing as it is an annual, I think I may have to start again in spring.

Mastix (Pistacia lentiscus) - I previously posted that it is planted, however, it is in the fridge until 27th August, so that was a mistake.

Planted a “bit later” in November, based on different source. Still waiting. 

✝  Angelica (archangelica) - in stratification for 30d, to be planted 10.8.2019

Nothing :( will use the rest of the seeds for guerilla seeding across the street. I even planted non stratified seeds at the same time to no result. 

The UwU factor:

✝  Catnip (Nepeta faassenii) - planted, growing well:)

Gnats and cats got it. 

✝  Chamomile (Marticaria recutita) - planted, was one of the first ones to germinate, half of it seemed to be dying for a while, but now it’s all good.

R.I.P. roots served as sustenance for more gnats.

✝  Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) - planted, growing like the weed it is.

Grew in the same long balcony planter as catnip. So RIP. 

I do have a second batch growing now though,because I want melissa water to drink.

Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia arborea) + Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia suaveolens)

I stratified both in warm water for 24 hours and planted them on the 19th Dec, so we will see.

Pink Pepper (Schinus molle) - was planted around the 20th Jul, 2 of them are already at the 2 leaf stage.

Both still live at around 20-25 cm height, already growing mature leaves ♥

✝  Ylang (Cananga odorata), still waiting.

And still am, is there any hope left?

NEWCOMERS!!!

Lotus (Nelumbo Nucifera) - When I read, they can be grown in containers, I could not stop myself. 

I filed (yes, like actually filed their tops off) 8 seeds (4 of normal and 4 of red variety) and soaked in water on the 20th Dec and there is germination already. I have a huge special (gold color) bowl ready for them when the first full leaf formes. 

Juniper (Juniperus communis) - I bought a 2 year old juniper in November, because finding wild juniper in my immediate area is a problem. 

Saffron (Crocus sativa) - in autumn I sew bulbs of saffron for a total investment of maybe 20EUR including pots and soil, and saw them leaf and flower and I also harvested enough saffron (the three threads from each bloom) to cover my cost (if I wanted to buy that much in a shop, not for resale, dude). There are still leaves on them and I have prepped them for overwintering yesterday. So I am expecting a bountiful harvest next year. 

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) - I bought it mature from a farmers market (Oct), but I am also now trying to grow it from seed just to see that happens (Dec). 

Aside from these, there is also:

Artemisia abrotanum var. maritima aka Coca cola

Jasminum grandiflorum (I have had her for more than a year now, so I am hoping for flowers in the next couple of months)

Laurus nobilis,  because I cook, dammit (and growing it for magical purposes I use seems... slow)

Paeonia lactiflora, a bulb in a huge planter outside just waiting for spring

Colchicum cilicium and Colchicum autumnale just because (both already bloomed for me and both are overwintering now).

I have seeds prepped for spring to try:

Datura Stramonium, Bambusa arundinacea, Nymphaea caerulea

[newstfionline]

Soon, the most beautiful people in the world may no longer be human

By Peter Holley, Washington Post, August 8, 2018

In the hypercompetitive world of modeling, fateful discovery stories are part of the industry’s lore.

Gisele Bündchen was eating at a McDonald’s in southern Brazil when her life changed forever.

Natalia Vodianova was selling fruit at a market in Russia, and Adriana Lima was spotted at a shopping mall at age 13.

But what if major companies and fashion brands didn’t have to rely on chance--be it a fluke encounter or scrolling through strangers’ Instagram feeds--to find the perfect face for their products?

Cameron-James Wilson maintains that some of them no longer need to.

The 29-year-old London-based photographer is the creator of Shudu, a striking Instagram model from Africa with more than 130,000 followers.

Despite her entrancing beauty, Shudu is a purely digital being, a fact that Wilson revealed after Shudu’s image went viral, ending months of frenzied speculation about her origin this year.

Shudu has been called “the world’s first digital supermodel,” and the obsessive fawning over her lifelike features provoke suggests she won’t be the last.

She arrives at a time in which Instagram, Snapchat filters and photo-editing apps that rely on artificial intelligence have blurred the lines between reality and fantasy, turning ordinary people into paintings or delicately featured digital avatars who preen for “likes.” This summer, Time magazine included a mysterious digital avatar turned style icon named Lil Miquela on its list of the 25 most influential people on the Internet. Miquela--who was being managed by a computer software firm in Los Angeles at one point--has 1.3 million fans. They dissect her online musings and fashion choices and treat Miquela’s implicit artifice like an afterthought.

Virtual models such as Lil Miquela and Shudu are just the beginning of the avatar revolution, some industry observers say. As people grow increasingly comfortable with these manufactured online identities, some brands see an opportunity to capitalize, Wilson said.

“There’s plenty of models out there, but it’s hard to find somebody who is truly unique,” he said. “A 3-D model can’t walk down a runway for you, but they can be digital spokespeople that help you shop or serve as the face of your customer service.”

But brands are picky, Wilson added, and they “want someone that nobody else can have.”

Manipulating digital images of real humans has already been blamed for perpetuating unrealistic beauty standards, which begin to affect children as early as 5 years of age, according to experts. Now some fear an incoming wave of digital models will put even more pressure on people, particularly women, to live up to an extreme, synthetic version of beauty.

Wilson--a fashion photographer by trade and an avid gamer at heart--created models that have dark skin, feminine curves, fine wrinkles and realistic stretch marks, details he added to promote diversity and embrace natural beauty. He recently launched “The Diigitals,” an agency devoted to his growing roster of virtual models, at least one of whom appears to be extraterrestrial.

Wilson said his models appeal to the “luxury market” because of the cost and time it takes to produce a 3-D avatar. A single model can cost thousands of dollars and require hundreds of hours to produce, with Wilson laboring over minute details that bring his models to life, such as stray hairs and eyes that reflect light.

“Do I think 3-D models will impact editorials and put human models out of work--no, not really,” he said. “It’s a completely different space.”

But a British company that launched in April is already marketing itself as an alternative to human models. Irmaz Models calls itself an “Imagined Reality Modeling Agency.” The company’s website says its designers can “make faces to fit” any marketing campaign. Another advantage: Digital models “never argue, need to eat, throw tantrums or get tired,” the company notes.

“Brands can specify the look they’re exactly after, down to the race, gender and hairstyle,” Philip Jay, a former Playboy photographer who founded Irmaz Models with Irma Zucker, told CNN.

Kelvin Boon, the owner of Boon Models, an agency with branches in New York and the District, said he sifts through a daily stream of modeling portfolios in search of “quality models.” Aspiring models don’t always resemble their photos, he said, and those that do often require training before they’re ready for professional work.

If credible-looking digital models emerge, he said, “it’s going to affect the industry a lot.” Why, he asked, would a brand spend thousands of dollars to hire models and photographers for a single photo shoot when you can hire an artist to create images for far less?

“People don’t connect with images that resemble cartoons,” he said. “But if avatars begin to look like real people, it’s going to take a lot of power away from modeling agencies. Brands will only need human models for promotional events and walking the runways, and that’s pretty much it.”

Others, like Wilson, believe we might see a hybrid system in which models and celebrities license out their digital avatar, allowing them to book multiple appearances simultaneously. A model might appear at a New York fashion shoot in person, but their digital avatar would be in China promoting a movie using the local dialect.

Renee Engeln, a Northwestern University professor and psychologist who studies body image, told CNN that there is a troubling downside to normalizing digital models. Critics of the fashion world have long accused the industry of foisting unrealistic expectations upon the public, particularly women. Engeln said digital models could exacerbate that trend.

“There is no world in which this is good for women’s health,” she said. “To know that women are going to be comparing themselves to women who . . . are literally inhuman strikes me as some kind of joke that isn’t very funny.”

[the-firebird69]

The cast of went all night long it was full up to the point where we said or should say down to and it didn't go past it and they're fighting to have a go past it very hard by the way shooting at us shooting this direction and doing it all night all night long they're fired off rounds to try and push yourself try to bring it heavy all night long and they're aggressively trying by the way and all sorts of things they tried tons of maneuvers that are up now and then do it while he's trying to go shopping what a bunch of winners it's already having a tough time I think I forgo everything and just kind of try and force him to go up there and put them on trial they'll get a lot what an amazing bunch of losers you people jerks too and what losers from us on our side to absolute zero I mean you're like Kelvin completely nothing shortly and you're going to be all dead you just like jumping in there like crazy and improve monsters are coming out you know like oh can you help me yeah we'll help you and you're the balls because you're doing that weird s*** no you're stupid just like you said it's awesome too for us awesome you just pushing so hard to just jump into this chasm in order to trend for someone to relocate is ridiculously hilarious it's a joke okay it's a real joke but it's something we needed you guys hear a real pain in the ass and the bugs in here you're freaking pigs start making me pay for it

Let's start shoving you in ourselves we don't have to you already doing that like madness too started talking about it and double the effort and going in and grabbing corky tossing them in just so he can go oh my gosh we might have to move and he'll grab like Ken and go down to fort Myers it's hilarious what happens.

Thor Freya

True too. You soon so much how could you in such a case I mean as if getting into court is going to help you even if you got him there you probably walk out because it's b******* anyways so it's your stuff and foreigners are probably flooded and he probably drive home and one of your cars so it says it says when I get down there will be down here like crazy cuz I have one of their cars that's how he says and the boys go oh my God he stole the car and it be tons of them call guys sell it it get it out of here no evidence. But that's just if it happened which it probably moves at all I mean you guys are going to town on your celvs like it's no tomorrow. It's the ugliest thing I've ever seen and you love doing it so not going to be around you don't like you perverts you don't like you Prix you can have it yourself and jumping and silver so your lives are grotesque it's really likes you people either you can't even talk to you you're so strange just like an idiots staring people going that's not what I want like a dog that's what he said too they're dogs feel bad for dogs you can't get stuff themselves and these people are a joke that's how they act too then they go and get rabbid

Hera Zues

Sad to tell you we're going to fix your wagon and if we can get to you before you do

Olympus

[laceweddingdresseswithsleeves]

they’re investing in with vintage ’ but potentially unsafe ’ appeal princess flower#^))@~ girl dress

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For a truly resort-esque experience, go for Resorts World Sentosa's Beach Villas for the ultimate luxuriant tropical experience as you enjoy the plush accommodation amidst lush green surroundings lalamira address. The Beach Villa Ocean Suite, located along one side of the Open Ocean habitat at the S slutty bridesmaid dresses.E.A Aquarium, offers a one-of-a-kind experience with an in-room underwater view of over 50,000 marina animals of more than 70 species as you enjoy the suite's luxurious amenities and personalised butler service. Kelvin: Our parents left the planning completely to us and they were really happy for us. They were simply enjoying their time at the wedding and making sure that everything is all right. Our friends were really impressed with the decorations, ice cream truck and churros station. At the end of the day, we were really glad that our family and friends enjoyed the wedding. Geraldine: On our first date, I was dressed in formal attire and my makeup had already melted off. I remember complaining that my feet were hurting, and Don actually suggested that I head to the nearest clothing store to change, and helped me change my heels to flip-flops. He's a true gentleman, and of course, he's able to withstand my temper. Jordan, one of the partners of The Wedding Present, believes in being true to yourself when you're shopping for jsweddenladress20107 a gown. 'Although it is great to have the support of friends and family when wedding gown shopping, the bride should listen to herself instead of being influenced by conflicting comments from the accompanying entourage,' he says. You May Also Like: Prom Dresses for 2019 — Their ... - Cheap Prom Dresses Online Vdressy — stunning wedding dress in addition to Bridesmiad... supple and over-the-shoulder cheap long homecoming ... Most elegant bridesmaid dresses and evening dresses for ... ready-to-wear wedding gowns are already available nowadays in ...

[chicagoindiecritics]

New from Every Movie Has a Lesson by Don Shanahan: MOVIE REVIEW: The High Note

(Image: indiewire.com)

THE HIGH NOTE– 2 STARS

Matching what decades of movies and TV shows have characterized about personal assistants, cinematic commandments stipulate that Dakota Johnson’s character Maggie in The High Note must work for demanding and vain people and carry an clear-as-day inner ambition to seek her own fame. Those same narrative tendencies urge us to pooh-pooh the former and root for the latter. We are supposed to love that brand of “started from the bottom” underdog moxie. 

However, each time Maggie’s employers, the fictional world-renowned recording artist Grace Davis played by Blackish’s Tracee Ellis Ross and her manager Jack Robertson played by Ice Cube, summarily dismiss her to stay in her lane or fetch some inconsequential thing, The High Note gets better because the real talent is allowed to emerge. To love underdog moxie, or any moxie for that matter, you have to have it. The flimsy Dakota Johnson doesn’t. She, and the movie opening on VOD May 29th, would be better served by her getting out of the way just like her shunned and devalued Maggie.

You’ve seen this type working a gateway to a dream job. Maggie Sherwood is a fantasizer surrounded by those with more in superior clout. Daughter of a radio DJ (an extended cameo from Bill Pullman) she, with her beater classic car, fringe jacket, and old soul encyclopedic knowledge of the music industry, works as the tireless personal assistant to an 11-time Grammy-winning legend. Grace Davis is hitting middle age making easy money off of a live “greatest hits” album and its connected national tour. She is entertaining the prospect of a multi-year residency in Las Vegas, a bankable move brokered and pushed by the cranky Jack. 

LESSON #1: “WHEN THERE ARE NO SURPRISES, THEN WHO ARE YOU DOING IT FOR”— That line is ever-present realization Grace seeks to avoid.  Naturally, she is at a creative crossroads and has the itch to do something new. Behind the scenes and after work hours, the ambitious Maggie has been taking a deep remixing dive into Grace’s catalogue of hits. She feels like she has producing ideas better than the usual and forgettable scheduling and shopping advice of her typical job duties. Maggie urges Grace towards a new album with new material, a business surprise Jack and the circling army of marketing suits are against.

LESSON #2: THE ROLE OF A MUSIC PRODUCER— Pause for a second. Raise your hand if you know what a music producer does? According to this movie, you push a few buttons, slide a few levelers, tinker on a computer occasionally, nod to a beat when it suits you, and give some notes on an intercom while songs are being recorded. Instead of going off of The High Note, go look at the full job description instead and then marvel how Maggie could possibly hurdle all of the ladder rungs before her and do all of that. No one is buying the “seen enough to try” line, Miss Sherwood.

Press play. If only “urge” could be more “clamor.” Tracee Ellis Ross and Dakota Johnson are positioned in moments away from the mania and managers to have sincere conversations on music, legacies, arrogances, and aspirations meant to shift and forge each other’s confidences. Ross holds up her end. In those handful of scenes, she exudes the gravity of age and grace befitting her role. And when the lights are on and the crowd is loud, she’s even better. Johnson and her flatness cannot match that whatsoever. You follow her journey as the lead in The High Note and carry no rooting interest.

Where this movie finds its spark is where Maggie finds a coinkydink of a personal and professional one of her own. After a pick-up artist setup, the Sam Cooke-shining pipes of the unsigned David Cliff, played by white-hot emerging actor Kelvin Harrison Jr. of Waves and Luce, blow her synthesizers and her socks off. Maggie passes off her inexperienced chops and convinces the flirtatious David to let her improve and produce his original songs into a portfolio worthy of a new artist.

LESSON #3: THE SPINE OF A SONG— The most passionate this film gets is when the microphones are hot and the lyrics provided by music supervisor Linda Cohen are sung. The warmest the cold bucket of water that is Maggie gets is when she speaks of the internal heart rhythms that create the “spine of a song” more than hooks or beats. Life has to come out in art and that’s the headiest truth this movie can muster.

Go from pause to stop this time. Kelvin Harrison Jr. steals this entire movie. If all you have seen of Kelvin (and you need to) is his outstanding dramatic acting over the last few years, come marvel at his never-before-seen musical ability, honed by a youth spent with the Marsalis jazz family. Goodness gracious, this young man is special! Here he is at a mere 25, slaying choice parts, playing instruments, belting out harmonies, flooring us all, and rivaling both his idols and contemporaries for sheer talent. If Kelvin keeps this up, we’re going to be saying “Will who?,” “Jamie who?,” and “Denzel who?” someday. He’s that damn good already.  

Kelvin Harrison Jr. joins Tracee Ellis Ross as the true flair and excitement you want to watch in The High Note, directed by Late Night’s Nisha Ganatra from a reclaimed 2018 Black List screenplay by debuting writer Flora Greeson. Every time they step forward, the movie shines. Instead, their wattage is filtered through milquetoast tropes of stepping stone laments, sell-out pushback, forced romances, career lies, and small-world bow-tying conveniences you’ve seen too many times and in better places. With that kind of talent, diverse examples at that, present in front of Maggie (yet behind Dakota in billing), there was a stage primed for performing and exploring true individual and industry challenges, not those little bumps delivered through the lead’s uninspiring presence. Once again, Maggie (and Dakota), get out of the way. Give us the real potential power.

LOGO DESIGNED BY MEENTS ILLUSTRATED (#880)

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[torixus]

'Gay Jesus': Some Christians will still enjoy the movie - Catholic Priest, Fr. Kelvin Ugwu

Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Kelvin Ugwu have Reacted to the Recent Movie released by Netflix, that Portrays Jesus As a Gay.

The Catholic Priest reacted to the Development Saying that As ugly as their portrayer of Jesus is, Some Christians will still enjoy the movie.

Fr.Kelvin Ugwu

He Further Explained that Netflix is just a Company that Promotes their Stock on Daily Basis, that the Company's Target is not to Teach Morals.

If we are to tell ourselves the truth, advocating for Netflix boycott should not even be our major concern. It should have been taken for granted that Christians will stay away from whatever does not promote their faith.

Netflix did not open online so as to teach morals or to promote Christian faith. They are there for business. Their goal is to meet demands and make profit. 

This is why it is the same Netflix that promoted Genevieve Nnaji's Lion's Heart that is also promoting the gay Jesus movie, even though this one has hit a rock.

As ugly as their portrayer of Jesus is, there are so many people that will still enjoy the movie. And from experience, when something is banned or boycotted, it is an indirect way of promoting it. People will become curious. Curiosity fuels demand. This also happened to the book "The Da Vinci Code."

Instead, I am making these propositions. . .

We have expressed our concern to Netflix, I am sure they never expected what they are getting. Now, let us as Christians channel the remaining holy anger we have on Netflix into some of the ways we too mocked and wrongly portray Jesus in our daily lives.

Some of us portray Jesus as a thief. Christians use his name to cheat customers. They pray before opening their shops. They put Christian pictures, play Christian songs and give people the impression that the shop is a Christian shop. But does it stop them from selling fake goods for the price of original? No! Does it stop them from lying and using the name of Jesus to cheat people this season? No. This is what we should boycott.

Some of us portray Jesus as a deceiver. Do you know that almost all those praying for you at the bus stop and covering the road with the blood of Jesus when you will be traveling this season are there not necessarily because they like to pray but just to use the name of Jesus to collect offerings? Some don't even believe in Christ. This is what we should boycott.

Some of us portray Jesus as a fornicator and Adulterer. Do you know that people use the excuse of going for night vigils just to sleep with another man or woman? Do you know that even right there in the church, so many unholy things go on? This is what we should boycott.  

Some of us portray Jesus as a manipulator. It is end of the year, prophecies will soon begin to fly around in the name of Jesus. You will soon be manipulated into paying all your January salary in the name of sowing seed. You will soon be told that non paying of tithes will take you to hell. People manipulate others in the name of Jesus such that they remain caged. This is even worst than portraying Jesus as gay. This is what we should boycott.

And for some of us ministers whom in the name of Jesus will rape girls under our care telling them it is an anointing, or we abuse children under our care telling them how lucky they are that a minister is touching them, you are worst than those who portrayed Christ as gay.

Mind you, I still hate that movie from Netflix.

via Blogger https://ift.tt/2Z6ktaF

[vaanibct]

Movement and Motion

Day 42 (10-10-17)

Firstly, I just want to say that I’m very happy. Today we had planned to do a prototype test of our sound and visuals in a closed space with our classmates, and indeed we did. While Kelvin and Simon were setting up the code for the Kinect and the audio, Shades and I talked to Miranda regarding the progress of our Project. She was very helpful, in terms of suggesting that we make a list of everything we need to start / finish for the Project, as well as recommending that we use a Clothing Rack for the screen - (stretching it using velcro).  This is because we are rethinking how we wan the screen to be presented. I thought this was actually a pretty cool idea but we’d need to find the rack in the right size, which may be quite difficult, but we’ll be on a lookout for anything suitable.

Matt was in charge of the conceptual side of this Prototype. I asked (well, basically told) him to think of questions to ask the participants after their interactive experience. Since he had done the research about understanding the emotions evoked in people through the use of colour, and through pleasant / unpleasant music [1]. He also has knowledge (more than most of the group members) about measuring and analysing the emotions.

The questions he decided to ask the participants of our test include:

1. Using our piece, did you think about how you felt, emotionally? 2. Do you think our piece evoked emotion inside you in any way? 3. In 3 or less words, describe your experience…

To be honest, I didn’t really understand why he wanted to ask these particular questions and why only three, when we wanted much more information regarding the overall design and visual / sounds aspects of the experience because these are a part of the Project we can / have to improve. However, I think that I may be missing the point of the Project idea here because the sound and visuals are only a part of our Project, but the main purpose is to evoke emotions in the audience and this can be done in many (or any) ways. But I also do believe that the sound and visuals play an important part in evoking the emotions, and since I’m the member in charge of the visuals, I need to code the design in a way that it is attractive and engaging.

To make the experience personal and similar to what we originally wanted, I suggested that we use the walls and create an enclosed space so the user could focus more on what they were feeling or doing. When the participants were testing, I decided to record them, so that we could verify the emotions / results to their physical facial expressions when undergoing the experience.

After this, Matt interviewed the participant. Before the testing, he first made a prediction of what he thought the results would clarify…

“My prediction is that without the presence of the large screen and the presence of the speakers, they [the participants] will not feel much, if anything, with our Project.”

And in all honesty, that’s how I thought as well. Since we are not completely isolating them and allowing them to experience our Prototype in an extravagant way, I was sure that they would not feel much through their movements. And let’s face it, everyone thinks that big screens and surround sound are cool, and without them, our Project may not be too successful to evoke emotions in the audience, because “the bigger, the better,” right?

Anyway, after interviewing the 9 “guinea pigs,” here are the answers…

Matt will analyse the results (through his Blog because he’s the most educated in this sense) and come to a conclusion regarding which emotions are evoked and how we can change / iterate / prototype so that the audience understands the meaning of our Project and feels the change in emotions before, during and after they undergo the experience. I think that only after then we can improve some aspects of our Project, as well as our ways of iterating. 

As Miranda suggested, Shades made a list of everything we still have yet to do in terms of shopping for materials, construction and coding. I thought it was great to note down the tasks, and I didn’t know what else to add to it yet, but I’m sure that the list will keep growing as we continue (and decreasing as we finish the tasks). But for now, it is a good estimate of the things we need to sort out.

After Studio, Shades and I went to the Warehouse in search for a clothing rack, the idea suggested by Miranda. We didn’t find any useful materials there. However, I went to “K Road” afterwards to look at the op-shops and $2 stores. At the Red Cross, I found the PERFECT dome for the speakers, however, it was a part of their display and they didn’t want to sell it. It was like a fish bowl and quite big as well, exactly the size we wanted. But even after explaining that it was for a Uni Project, they refused. ^ANGERY REACC^

After that, I went to “Thriftway” to ask about the clothing racks, however they had metal rods stuck together to hang the clothes, which seemed quite stable and cool. I wondered if we could use something like that instead to support the screen, however, the metal rods are expensive, and we’d probably have to cut them down ourselves, to the right size, and we don’t have many tools available. But I was quite surprised and very happy to see a clothing rack at “Massave,” and it was adjustable as well - only for $35. I informed the group and we discussed to look at other options at Kmart and then decide.

I also found a couple of bowls, but none were quite suitable. We wanted a transparent one with no designs and probably in a bigger size. I was also suggested to look on “Trademe” (which seemed like a great idea) however, I didn’t find any suitable clothing racks. There were a few options for the domes, however, I will discuss this with the group tomorrow and maybe place a bid on the one we feel will be right.

Overall, I am very happy with our, and my personal, progress today. We finally managed to prototype today and the results will be analysed by (probably) Thursday by Matt. We have decided to do another prototype tomorrow with different sounds and visuals, and we’ll also probably use the enclosed space with a TV screen to display the visuals. My job for tonight is to code, and I’ll try to iterate on the “planets” code, or may even try another type so that we can have feedback on what sort of sounds and visuals people expect or prefer.

References: [1] https://matts4.tumblr.com/post/165749525153/understanding-emotions [2] https://youtu.be/dLSoEYhDxVk

————————————————————————————————————————

[junker-town]

A couple of franchise faces could be on the move

Sunday morning’s Say Hey, Baseball includes trade rumors involving franchise faces, theoretical baseball video games, and a record for the A’s.

One of the effects of this shrinking middle class in baseball is that teams know much earlier than ever whether or not they will be buying or selling at the trade deadline. For many teams, that decision is made in the offseason and what happens after the games start doesn’t really matter. Take the Rays, for example, as they were only three games below .500 when they sent Alex Colomé and Denard Span to Seattle in a clear sell move. That doesn’t seem like something that would have happened even a few years ago. Since then, Kelvin Herrera has also been dealt from Kansas City. The point is, teams know earlier what path they’ll take, and that leads to more trades earlier in the year. It also means that we have more trade rumors earlier in the season. We’re starting to hear whispers about possible trade targets now, and among them are two of the most prominent franchise faces in the game.

We’ll start with the Orioles, who actually came into the season hoping to contend. Many of us saw that as a long shot, but they’ve been even worse than most imagined and are perhaps the clearest seller on the entire market. Manny Machado is the number one trade piece of the summer, but he’s not the only position player being shopped by Baltimore. They also have Adam Jones, who has been the face of the Orioles for over a decade. The outfielder can decide his own fate thanks to his 10/5 rights, but it seems as if Baltimore would like to deal him. Putting aside where his game is at at this point in his career, Jones is one of those players that will be weird to see in a different uniform.

Adrian Beltre, meanwhile, is not quite on the same level of Jones in terms of his connection with the franchise. Jones has essentially spent every notable year of his career in Baltimore, while Beltre has moved all along the league. However, he’s settled in with the Rangers in the latter part of his career and it is likely the franchise with whom he’ll be most associated when he eventually makes the Hall of Fame. It seemed from the outside that he’d never be a trade piece regardless of how bad things got on Texas. Instead, he’s on the trade block as well. The Rangers and Orioles are not necessarily doing things wrong or poorly and trading these types of players is likely for the best in the long-term. The takeaway, however, is that nothing you love is forever. Eat at Arbys.

Grant apparently had some time on his hands so he made up 50 video games that he would play. I’d play at least 75 percent of these, to be honest.

Cameron Maybin stole a hit from Charlie Blackmon. Baseball is unfair sometimes.

The Yankees were shut out by the Rays on Saturday, which is a story enough on its own even when you don’t consider that it’s their first series loss since a series that started on May 21.

Madison Bumgarner is another franchise face who has been thrown around in trade speculation. That one isn’t going to happen.

One of the few rough spots for the Astros this season has been Dallas Keuchel. Even he is showing signs that better things are coming at some point soon.

The Athletics tied a record on Saturday with home runs in 24 consecutive road games.

The Dodgers are trying to get back to the top spot in the National League West after a rough start to their season, and the good news is that their pitching staff is getting healthy again.

Also involved in that NL West race are the Arizona Diamondbacks, and they would be silly to not go after Manny Machado.

In 2017, Domingo Santana was one of the better power hitters in the game. In 2018, Domingo Santana has been demoted in favor of Brad Miller. Baseball is weird.

Oliver Perez is not only still in the league, but he is still playing key roles in major-league bullpens.

[acaihealthcraze]

Essay

Arjun Ganesh

AMST Final Project

Kelvin Parnell

9 December, 2019

Health Craze: Smoothie Bowls

Since the beginning of the 2000s, the exponential rise of the fruit acai has taken over the health world by storm. How is it that a fruit smashed up by a blender and then poured into a bowl could flood Instagram timelines and major food magazines and cause over 7.6 million searches on their recipe? The fruit is found near the Amazon, and it has always been popular in Brazil, where the family that founded Brazillian jiu-jitsu incorporated into their disciples diet. Known as the “Gracie diet”, they liked the fruit because it was low in sugar, full of vitamins and antioxidants, and was thought to boost energy. A smoothie bowl would turn into an alternative for athletes to consume for rehydration and revitalization, while slowly passing on the trend to regular people. With all this marketing, I thought I should take it upon myself and search for legitimate scientific studies about acai bowls. To my disbelief, there was very little information available. I thought to myself, how is that everyone knows about its benefits then? The Woman’s Health Research Institute wrote a blog about the same issue and asserted that “Most of the information available is from the popular press and on websites and blogs promoting and selling acai products (and, of course,  raving about its health properties).” 

There’s one term for it and it is called a health fad. Dr. Beddoe, who was a dentist and now specializes biological ionization soil principles, writes a blog on how we can be better humans. One of his first blogs was attacking health fads. After reading, I started to reflect where was it that I truly heard about acai bowls and the “immense” impact it has on my body and health. It turns out I simply was susceptible to the ever known health fad. It is similar to how people think apple cider vinegar cures foot cramps, bloating, and high blood pressure. For the rest of this essay, I am asserting that, contrary to belief, acai bowls and its other siblings (cold press juices, and plant based snacks) are a fad that will NOT disappear in the next 10 years and continue to change the lives of American people. Some of the concepts from class that are reflected in this project are consumerism and modernity. In many of the primary resources that we have read this semester, the rise of the skyscraper and new food trends are very similar. From the idea of crowded space in a city, the only solution was to build up! This was such a spark in creating the very new and modern versions of cities we are used to visiting these days. Discovering one diet to another or  new fruits to propel a new business idea for millions of people in the United States, it starts a modernity within the food culture.  

In this foodways project, I am going to analyze two cafes, one in northern VA and another here on the Corner, and understand why they chose this type of food to sell as well as to see if they are believers of their product. There have been a couple of articles on the CavDaily and UVA news website about Corner Juice’s recent success, and Julie responded to my questions with some similar answers to these articles. Regardless, I think there is good faith in her and the direction she wants to lead Corner Juice. 

Transitioning from the interview, I was still determined to find some sort of scientific study, maybe not regarding acai bowls, but just the fruit in general. Three Californian medicine researchers conducted a study to evaluate the effect of açai fruit pulp on risk factors for metabolic disorders in overweight subjects. There were 10 overweight adults that consumed about 100 grams of acai fruit pulp twice a day for 1 whole month. Summarizing the analysis and conclusion, their main areas of concern were spikes in exhaled (breath) nitric oxide metabolites, cholesterol, and glucose. Following the end of the treatment, there were reductions in fasting glucose, insulin levels, and total cholesterol. A person that reads this study and has no scientific background would immediately assume that acai fruit is in fact healthy and he/she should try it themselves. But, upon closer evaluation there are many flaws on the replicability of this experiment. First of all, this is targeting obese people. In my opinion, acai bowls are catered to people in the age range of 16-25 years old. Again this is my opinion, and I have friends that disagree with me. They believe since it is a health trend it applies to all ages. In some later analysis with the two shops I chose to interview, I will point out some marketing sketches these places use to target the age range I stated. Not to say this is a strict interval because I have seen middle and elderly people try these new foods but it does not have the same effect as it does with my age group. The National Institute of Health has a whole page dedicated to food consumption, safety, and effects. To summarize that page, it basically states that there is still not enough studies or research to support the use of acai for any health-related purpose. It only quotes the study I discussed about acai fruit pulp and this is the most important thing… there is no correlation between acai and weight loss! 

The second place I researched was a juice company in northern Virginia called Roots to Rise. It is a family run company, and I have tasted the food and juices from here before and I must say it is my favorite place. I was unable to get an interview the owner because she was busy during Thanksgiving break, so I contacted on their ambassadors. Before delving into the ambassador interview, I went online to their website. Then I noticed something… it was very similar to Corner Juice’s website but the only difference was that Roots to Rise places an emphasis that all their ingredients are locally sourced. Also, they are a very small company still and they only go to farmer’s markets to sell their products and also available to purchase online. However, the “about” sections for each website were about living a healthy lifestyle. There were no further claims after that. For example, Corner Juice’s mission is “To increase the accessibility of healthy and delicious food in a memorable and sustainable way” and Roots to Rise is very long and to summarize I am using the last part of their motto, “we provide you with what we call enlightened eating.” These seem to be fancy words without having any evidence of whether these products are actually backed up by science. Roots to Rise biggest product is definitely their juices. The interview I had with the ambassador was very interesting because she is a childhood friend of mine. On this blog, you can find a snippet of the interview I had with her on the company, her health lifestyle, and if she thinks these types of products are a part of a “fad”. She gave answers that I somewhat expected because if she is an ambassador then she clearly displays living a healthy lifestyle before being associated with Roots to Rise. One question I forgot to ask was about price points. I wish I asked her whether she thought the price points, not just R.T.R., but other healthy cafes have reasonable prices for their foods and smoothie bowls. 

From my blog, there are many pictures of the products and I know we discussed the similarities but the impact that technology has on a business propels the products they are selling. Here on grounds, I know so many students that are into following restaurants on the Corner to keep up with holiday drink deals at bars to the fourth year Trinity Irish Pub “black card”. It allows fourth year students to get special discounts on certain meals. There is a specific deal that Corner Juice does with the Greek life here. The fraternities or sororities deposit a certain amount of money in their fund to use as payment for their food. For example, I was standing behind a person a couple of weeks ago and when the cashier asked for a card he said, “I am in DKE.” The status that these fraternities and sororities have with the amount of money they have allow Corner Juice to continue and gain popularity. Everyone thinks Corner Juice is good and it incentives first year students as well to join fraternities and sororities of this “status” so they can get, in their words, “free food”.   

An interesting idea to think about from Corner Juice’s tactic using funds is investigating not a relationship between price and healthy foods, but the belief of unhealthier food tasting better is actually true. The Washington Post researched this effect by cross referencing 5 case studies where, “we showed that even in food categories where there is no relation between price and health, the healthy = expensive intuition affects how consumers make decisions about food.”Through these discoverings, they concluded that people had a very permeating tendency to casually associate healthier foods with expensive prices. Even when healthier options were price pointed at cheaper prices than competitors some volunteers in the study took longer to read the other reviews of other brands. It is interesting that there is such judgment behind healthy foods and this is where you can see that some restaurants, wherever located, can possibly have their products too expensive for the average U.S. citizen and marketing to the upper middle/upper class. Unfortunately, I was unable to find any legitimate research to back this up but I am using my observation skills and general knowledge to try and understand this health craze. There have been many times when I tell my friends that I am going to Corner Juice and they roll their eyes at me. From this judgment, the think that I can go and stop by Corner Juice because I have a lot of money to spend “$10 on a sandwich that I could just make at home”. That quote comes directly from my roommate Justin. The point I am trying to make here is that the expensive prices that healthier foods come with distract consumers from whether or not the food is actually “healthy” to eat in the first place. I am not saying that eating smoothie bowls and going on juice cleanses could potentially harm you, but throughout this essay I have shown many studies that do not prove they are beneficial either. 

On the Mayo Clinic website, they dedicated a page about the juicing diet. They said, “Juicing is no healthier than eating whole fruits and vegetables.” Scrolling on my blog, there will be pictures of the juices and the bottle size specifically compared to Corner Juice’s bottles. They are both generic glass bottles and very colorful. That speaks to how well they are marketing with their products. In the 2018 Food & Health survey, administered by the The International Food Information Council (IFIC), they concluded that despite the importance of familiarity, 7 in 10 consumers would be willing to give up a familiar favorite product for one that did not contain artificial ingredients. Of those who would, 4 in 10 would be willing to pay 50% more and 1 in 5 would pay 100% more. Those are the quick facts and even though I mentioned that there were some negatives mentioned about these juice places and the products they sell, the trends speak differently. Looking at some of these graphs, I made my decision of why this specific “fad” will turn into a very normalized diet and be associated with other big diets like the Keto or Atkins diet. 

The media being used for this project is Tumblr. Over the course of the semester, I would like to think Kelvin was able to observe my personality as well as my mannerisms. I am very laid back and loved having open discussions with my group. I realized that I could not convey this in a 8-10 page paper because how professional it would have to sound. As a math major, my writing skills are not the best, but using Tumblr has helped me balance the personal and professional aspect of delivering this information to you Kelvin as well as Professor Higginbotham and Von Eschen. As Professor Higginbotham said on the first day that has stuck with me, “I study pictures.” From receiving the project guidelines I wanted to do the same thing. With Tumblr, I can insert photos, videos, recordings, to support my writing. I wanted to give the same effect that this class was which was pictures during lecture and reading the primary and secondary documents to go over in discussion. With this project, it allows to properly organize my thoughts and really show off my creativity as well. In this Tumblr blog, I have laid out my essay using primary sources and other website articles to research health fads and dig deep to see if there is a bigger reason why people are transitioning to healthy food. Then there are photos of the two healthy cafes I have found to include in this project. I plan on posting this link on my social media to see if I can get some responses from people and who knows it could blow up and become trending. Not to say I am the first person writing about this topic, but one will never know why certain things became more trending than others (as we have seen in lectures about celebrities and fame). The creation of blogs have been sources of many trends in pop culture and so why not further contribute to that with using Tumblr. The technology that was used to create this before Instagram and Twitter is sometimes better because nowadays most of these social media applications are being flooded with advertisements and fake users with fake photos or posts. On Tumblr, in my experience, everyone is just posting their opinions and whether or not you want to explore it is up to you. That is why I chose this media form.

[gibsonsflowofthoughts]

The winners and losers of the 2018 MLB trade deadline

It’s that time of year, where we all ignore the fact that the Major League Baseball postseason is nonsense. Baseball starts drinking on Oct. 1, and when it wakes up in the first week of November, the smoke alarm is going off and there’s a horse in the bathtub. There’s no rhyme or reason to it, but we’re supposed to pretend like we can predict winners and losers at the trade deadline.

Heck yeah, we’re supposed to pretend like we can predict winners and losers at the trade deadline. It’s fun. So even though you might be from the future and laughing at my simplistic analysis, just know that I’m more interested in being fun than right. Which is good, considering this won’t be right.

Thought the Astros should have traded for Yu Darvish instead of Justin Verlander last year, for example.

Hey, it could have worked, you don’t know.

But you clicked, so I’ll write. Here are the winners and losers from the 2018 MLB trade deadline:

Rays

Acquired: Tommy Pham, Austin Meadows, Tyler Glasnow, Jalen Beeks, bonus pool money, players to be named later

Traded: Chris Archer, Jonny Venters, Nathan Eovaldi, Matt Andriese, Justin Wilson, Genesis Cabrera, Roel Ramirez, Michael Perez, Brian Shaffer

They have the payroll of a medium-sized Quiznos now, which I guess is part of the point. I’m not a fan of baseball’s current economic structure, and I’m hesitant to heap too much praise on a team trying to cut costs.

Still, as long as this is the framework, the Rays are within their rights to exploit it. And, baby, they’re exploiting it with aplomb. They’ll have an outfield of Meadows/Pham/Kiermaier, which is built to win now and for the distant future. They won’t have their ace, but they’ll have pitchers who are majors-ready or close to it coming back.

These deals aren’t for toolsy A-ballers who are five years away. This is the Rays trying to buy their cake at a yard sale and eat it, too. It’s just crazy enough to work, and I’m very impressed by the their ability to walk this weird, thrifty tightrope.

Mmmmmm, yard-sale cake.

Dodgers

Acquired: Manny Machado, Brian Dozier, John Axford, Dylan Floro, Zach Neal

Traded: Yusniel Diaz, Dean Kremer, Zach Pop, Rylan Bannon, Breyvic Valera, Luke Raley, Logan Forsythe, Devin Smeltzer, Corey Copping, James Marinan, Aneurys Zabala

The Dodgers don’t like trading prospects if they don’t have to, and they certainly gave up a lot of interesting players, Kremer has the gaudy strikeout totals, and Bannon hasn’t stopped hitting as a professional. That’s before you get to Diaz, who is supposed to be the centerpiece of the deal. It’s a lot for two months of production and the postseason.

At the same time, this is a franchise that was a single lousy game away from a World Series win last year, which is something they haven’t had since 1988. They were extremely cautious when it came to trading their prospects just a couple years ago, but now they’re trying to add to a team that’s somehow powered by minor-league free agents and lesser trades and signings.

Oh, and Clayton Kershaw. Minor-league free agents, lesser trades and signings, and Clayton Kershaw. They might have the best team in the NL, still, so it makes sense to add a hitter with Hall of Fame talent in the middle of his best season, even if he’s just a rental. If Dozier has a Dozierific second half, this could be the best lineup in baseball. The Dodgers gave up a lot of prospects, but they had a lot to offer.

When it comes to the Machado trade, it doesn’t hurt that this is a preview of what it would be like to play for the Dodgers long term, either. The weather’s pretty nice, Manny.

Yankees

Acquired: Lance Lynn, J.A. Happ, Zach Britton, Luke Volt, $2.75 million in international bonus money

Traded: Tyler Austin, Luis Rijo, Brandon Drury, Billy McKinney, Cody Carroll, Josh Rogers, Dillon Tate, Chasen Shreve, Giovanny Gallegos, Adam Warren

I’m not a huge fan of Lance Lynn, even as he’s been solid for the last two months, but he’s overqualified for what the Yankees are asking him to do, which is sit in a glass case and be ready. The Yankees have a starter with a wonky elbow in Masahiro Tanaka, one with a case of the mystery sucks in Sonny Gray, and a 38-year-old in CC Sabathia. They aren’t crossing their fingers; they’re preparing for the apocalypse. Good for them.

Happ seems like the kind of starter who can give five solid innings in the postseason before giving way to a four-headed monster of bullpen doom, and look at that, Zach Britton is here to be another head. I don’t know what happened to Tommy Kahnle either, and there are no guarantees that Britton will be back to 2014-2016 levels, or anything close to it, but the Yankees have the kind of depth that wins championships.

It’s about time. They’ve had to wait nine years and endure two 84-win seasons, but now they’ve built their best shot at another title run.

Royals

Acquired: Brett Phillips, Jorge Lopez, Blake Perkins, Kelvin Gutierrez, Yohanse Morel

Traded: Mike Moustakas, Kelvin Herrera

A fair return for two beloved players, with deft timing executed on both. The Royals swooped back into the market to sign Moustakas, which might have cost them a compensatory draft pick. Unless it just meant that he wasn’t going to have to sit out until June, which would have been incredibly annoying and sad.

Phillips is the main snag, and there’s a strong chance that he’ll whiff his way out of starting consideration soon. Still, the tools are real, and they got him for a rental. Even if that rental will have pictures of him hanging around the ballpark for the next half-century.

Orioles

Acquired: Yusniel Diaz, Dean Kremer, Zach Pop, Rylan Bannon, Breyvic Valera, Cody Carroll, Josh Rogers, Dillon Tate, international bonus space, Evan Phillips, Jean Carlos Encarnación, Brett Cumberland, Bruce Zimmerman, Jonathan Villar, Luis Ortiz, Jean Carlos Carmona

Traded: Manny Machado, Brad Brach, Zach Britton, Darren O’Day, Jonathan Schoop

It would have been more if they opened up shop in the offseason, or even better if they did this two years ago. Ah, the benefit of hindsight.

All told, though, it’s almost like having a full draft to yourself, right down to the first-round promise of Diaz. That’s a pretty sweet haul for players who weren’t going to be around for the next good Orioles team, even if it’s ultra-depressing that Machado won’t be on that team.

The part where the Orioles acquired international bonus money for Brach and Schoop made me laugh, though. They usually hold an International Bonus Money Day at the park, where they give international cap space to the first 20,000 fans, and now they’re acquiring it on purpose? I know there’s a good reason for it, but still. It’s ... almost like the organizational direction isn’t clearly defined.

Still, think of it like a free draft. Hey, free draft! If you’re going to trade away your middle infield, your bullpen, and the most reliable starter in a sea of unreliable misery, at least get 15 players so you can pretend you’re getting a free draft out of it.

Twins

Acquired: Luke Raley, Devin Smeltzer, Tyler Austin, Luis Rijo, Chase De Jong, Ryan Costello, Gilberto Celestino, Jorge Alcala, Jhoan Durán, Gabriel Maciel, Ernie De La Trinidad

Traded: Brian Dozier, Lance Lynn, Zach Duke, Ryan Pressly, Eduardo Escobar

Give me a list of the prospects the Twins were offered for Dozier two seasons ago, and I’ll tell you if they were winners or losers. As is, that’s a list of names that’s 11 players long, and there’s a fine chance that at least one or two of them will make a dumb “winners-losers” binary choice look silly in four years.

Dozier was traded too late, and the return wasn’t impressive. That’s how it goes.

Duke was traded at the perfect time, and any value he adds through trade is impressive.

Pressly is solid, even if his K-rate suggests he should be more than that. Dealing him as he’s getting deeper in his arbitration years is a good move, and while I’m not qualified to analyze the return too deeply, it sure looks like they got highly regarded prospects back, which is excellent value.

Escobar was an extreme sell-high player, and to the Twins’ credit, they sold high.

I’m leaning toward “WINNERS, ABSOLUTE WINNERS,” but as of now, I’ll turn the caps lock off. Looks good from here, and give them credit for deciding to sell so quickly after a surprise postseason run.

I just want to know what they could have got for Dozier two seasons ago.

Indians

Acquired: Leonys Martin, Brad Hand, Adam Cimber, James Hoyt

Traded: Francisco Mejia, Willi Castro, Kyle Dowdy, Tommy DeJuneas

They’re not on the loser’s list because these trades won’t help them. These trades might send them to the World danged Series. The Indians’ bullpen was a mess, and they got two low-cost relievers with loads of team control. That’s a net positive.

It cost them one of their best prospects, though, and it came after an offseason where the Indians let several relievers go and replaced them with wishes and hopes and dreams. That’s not to say that Bryan Shaw and Boone Logan have been good, because they haven’t. But their plan was something like, “Neil Ramirez and Matt Belisle and uh we’ll get back to you,” and it cost them Mejia.

If it helps them even reach the World Series, it’s a successful trade. But it sure seems like one that could have been at least partially avoided with just a modicum of urgency this offseason.

It was a reasonable trade deadline strategy, sure, but it was also a strange offseason for a team that’s so close.

Diamondbacks

Acquired: Eduardo Escobar, Matt Andriese, Brad Ziegler, Jake Diekman

Traded: RHP Jhoan Duran, OF Gabriel Maciel, OF Ernie De La Trinidad, Brian Shaffer, Michael Perez, Tommy Eveld, Wei-Chieh Huang

It’s a lot of talent for underwhelming players. Eduardo Escobar might have figured out how to be more than a super-sub at the age of 29, but the seven years of an 89 OPS+ that came before it leave me skeptical. Andriese is the best example of Just A Guy in baseball right now, right down to the 4.36 ERA, and Ziegler is an old friend suffering through an erratic season.

Most of these players are trending in the right direction, but as a deadline strategy? I want something bolder if I’m a Diamondbacks fan. These are the kinds of moves I would expect from a team like the Red Sox or Astros, teams with recent success that are running away with their respective divisions.

A team like the Diamondbacks, scrapping with three teams and without a championship since Juan Soto was an infant, should seek out trades with just a teensy bit more oomph. These players should help, so I’m probably being overly nitpicky, but with a team like this, I want EXPLOSIONS.

Rockies

Acquired: Seunghwan Oh

Traded: Forest Wall, Chad Spanberger, player to be named later

The team that spent the offseason building the Super Bullpen of Great Fortune had to go get a reliever because their plan failed. Not only did they have to get a reliever, but they got one they could have had for a pittance throughout the entire offseason.

If this isn’t a textbook lesson in bullpen construction, I don’t know what is. There are lot of ways to build a bullpen, but I’m pretty sure that throwing money at it is the absolute worst one.

Pirates

Acquired: Not Gerrit Cole

Traded: Gerrit Cole

But, yeah, go get that late-inning reliever for this year and the next. That’ll shore things up.

NEVER MIND.

Acquired: Chris Archer, Keone Kela

Traded: Tyler Glasnow, Austin Meadows, Taylor Hearn, players to be named later

This is the year they’re taking risks. This is the year they trade huge pieces of a potential future. This is the deadline where they vault ahead of their competition. The one where they’re seven freaking games back in the NL Central. The one after they traded Gerrit Cole for magic beans.

Let’s check in with the deadline action in 2014, when they actually made the postseason.

July 31, 2014

Selected Angel Sanchez off waivers from the Chicago White Sox.

What about 2013, when they won 94 games?

July 31, 2013

Traded player to be named to the Seattle Mariners. Received Robert Andino.

They did get J.A. Happ in 2015, and that was more inspired than anyone gave them credit for at the time. But this is the year to go bananas?

To be fair, though, if you’re going to go after a pitcher, one who has an owner-friendly contract is the way to go. Archer will be around for the next three years if the Pirates want him, so I don’t begrudge the Pirates for thinking he fits some sort of window for them. And if you’re making me bet on the cumulative WAR for Archer over the next three years and the cumulative WAR for Austin Meadows and Tyler Glasnow, I will probably choose Archer. If Meadows had boffo power or plate discipline, I’d be giddy about him, but he’s just shy on both fronts, and Glasnow has been erratic.

Still, it’s the timing that gets me, even if the trade might work out.

YOU’RE TAKING RISKS NOW?

NOW?

Astros

Acquired: Ryan Pressly, Roberto Osuna, Tommy DeJuneas, Martin Maldonado

Traded: Ken Giles, David Paulino, Gilberto Celestino, Jorge Alcala, Hector Perez, Patrick Sandoval, James Hoyt, their self-respect

Their bullpen is more talented now. Congratulations, Astros. Osuna can really wing it.

When I talked to people who worked for the Astros last year, I asked what about the team is it that they would want to read about. My answer was that the clubhouse was a diverse wonderland of ebullient personalities, one of the most cohesive teams ever assembled. So I wrote about it. They won the World Series. I was raised not to go overboard on the clubhouse stuff, but last year’s team sure got me wondering ...

Then they acquired a pitcher serving the second-longest suspension for domestic violence under the new rules. The ace pitcher clearly isn’t enthused, even as he tries to be a good employee. The Yankees acquired a reliever in the middle of a domestic violence suspension, and then they traded him for one of the best prospects in the game before giving themselves a better chance to win the World Series. So if you want to be cynical, you can look at this purely in baseball terms.

There were other relievers, but the Astros settled on Osuna because he was a buy-low guy. That’s extremely cynical.

Gross. And very much against the spirit of what got them their first championship. We’ll see how receptive the clubhouse is to a player who still has a court case pending because he allegedly did some repugnant shit.

Brewers

Acquired: Jonathan Schoop, Mike Moustakas, Joakim Soria

Traded: Jonathan Villar, Luis Ortiz, Jean Carlos Carmona, Brett Phillips, Jorge Lopez, Kodi Medeiros, Wilber Perez

I don’t hate these trades in isolation. I hate them only because the Brewers now have an overstuffed infield, but they’re still counting on Wade Miley to shore up the rotation. Maybe he’ll have a 2.01 ERA forever.

RON HOWARD: Get the fuck out of here.

Yeah, I’m not a believer in Miley, and neither is the narrator. The Brewers adding to their already formidable bullpen depth was smart. Getting one more infielder was necessary. Getting two, but not a starting pitcher?

Dunno. Not what I would have done. We’ll see if the post-deadline waiver madness helps them in this regard, but I would have loved to see them with Archer instead of the Pirates.

A’s

Acquired: Jeurys Familia

Traded: Will Toffey, Bobby Wahl

The A’s are good, dang it. I wanted more. I wanted a sign to the clubhouse that the A’s are capital-G, capital-F, and Capital-I Going For It. I wanted a starting pitcher kicking down the door and screaming, “COME WITH ME IF YOU WANT TO LIVE ... IN A WORLD WHERE I PITCH SIX OR SEVEN STRONG INNINGS REGULARLY.”

Instead the A’s got a reliever. A good one! At a reasonable price! But I was looking for something more when it comes to the rotation, not to mention some help for poor, lost Jonathan Lucroy behind the plate.

The A’s probably aren’t in a spot to go all-in on this year’s surprising (TO SOME) contender, and I get that. But something a little bit more than a setup man would have been nice. This fun, scrappy team deserved it.

Giants

Acquired: Nope

Traded: Nah

Will Smith is absolutely dominant right now. Of all the relievers who were traded, Smith would have been the best one. Teams are clamoring for someone just like him — a lefty who can dominate hitters from either side of the plate and is under team control for next year, too. He would have brought back a hefty return.

The Giants are holding on to him, and they’ll use him to finish .500 this year, with some crossed fingers for next year.

That’s what the Giants had to trade, though. They had relievers, with Smith, Tony Watson, and Sam Dyson all having strong years. This isn’t like their mess from the offseason, where they couldn’t even hold a fire sale if they wanted to. All they had to do is trade relievers.

It’s been extremely nice to watch a team with a competent bullpen, so I get it. But the Giants are climbing out of the bottom of the organizational rankings, and one of the golden rules of building a farm system is that when you have a chance to flip relievers for prospects, you do it.

The Giants declined. They’re five games out of the second wild card, so maybe I’m the dummy. I have a feeling, though, that it would have been an exciting return for Will Smith.

Red Sox

Acquired: Ian Kinsler, Nathan Eovaldi

Traded: Williams Jerez, Ty Buttrey, Jalen Beeks

OK. Sure. Whatever. That seems nice. Kinsler has a glove, and the bat won’t kill you. Eovaldi is still working his way back from Tommy John, and he’s always had great stuff. The Red Sox are a million games over .500 are are making the postseason regardless.

OK. Sure. These are reasonable, if boring, moves.

Not everybody is a winner or loser, dammit.

Braves

Acquired: Adam Duvall, Kevin Gausman, Jonny Venters

Traded: Lucas Sims, Matt Wisler, Preston Tucker, international bonus money

Duvall still has some believers, especially if you believe in the batted-ball stats. Gausman has a solid arm that’s always been behind his results. Maybe he’ll be better served with a different coaching staff and a ballpark that isn’t unfair to fly balls.

OK. Sure. These are reasonable, if boring, moves.

Not everybody is a winner or loser, dammit.

White Sox

Acquired: Kodi Medeiros, Wilber Perez

Traded: Joakim Soria

Always take fliers on relievers when you’re a rebuilding team. Always, always, always. Pay the extra millions. Insert yourself into the offseason deals. Then turn around and wish for a happy trade-deadline raffle ticket to pay off.

Still, these are reasonable, if boring, moves.

Not everybody is a winner or loser, dammit.

Phillies

Acquired: Asdrubal Cabrera, Wilson Ramos, Aaron Loup

Traded: Franklyn Kilome, Jacob Waguespack, PsTBNL

No Machado. No Archer. No flashy win-now pieces, no flashy win-later pieces. Just a couple of guys who could have been solid deadline moves nearly a decade ago, too.

OK. Sure. These are reasonable, if boring, moves.

Not everybody is a winner or loser, dammit.

It’s hard to judge the Ramos trade without knowing the prospects going back to the Rays, but it seems like a light price. I have no idea how the A’s, Red Sox, or even Nationals couldn’t meet it.

Cubs

Acquired: Cole Hamels, Brandon Kintzler, Jesse Chavez

Traded: Jhon Romero, Ricky Tyler Thomas, Eddie Butler, Rollie Lacy, PTBNL

Hamels got his swing-and-miss back, and there are reasons to believe that he’s still a more valuable contributor than his Texas stats suggest. They added depth in the bullpen, and you wouldn’t be wrong to think that Yu Darvish coming back is like the real deadline addition.

They’re rich. They’re young. They’re good. Sure, add the pricey veteran. Take him for a spin.

These are reasonable, if boring, moves.

Not everybody is a winner or loser, dammit.

Reds

Acquired: Lucas Sims, Matt Wisler, Preston Tucker

Traded: Adam Duvall

I’m stuck in 2014, so this seems like a fantastic package of prospects to me. Mostly, though, I like how they took a chance by trading on a cheap, under-control player who was not hitting, which limited the return. The Reds have outfielders coming out of their ears; it was a risk they could afford to take, even if it was a little bit of a buy-low trade.

The Reds have made an interesting roster out of hardly noticed trades (just look up who they got in return for Alfredo freaking Simon), and this could be a fine addition to the legacy.

This is a reasonable, if boring, move.

Not everybody is a winner or loser, dammit. Except for the Reds, who definitely aren’t winners these days, ha ha, just a little joke as I near the end of this hellpost.

Nationals

Acquired: Jhon Romero

Traded: Brandon Kintzler

There were whispers about Bryce Harper getting traded, but in the end, the Nationals traded nothing but a complementary bullpen piece, and they acquired several future moments of autocorrect-inspired confusion.

Good. They probably should have dealt Gio Gonzalez and possibly a couple of other short-timers, but at least they made a rational move, while keeping intact their desire to build a young outfield of the gods.

This is a reasonable, if boring, move.

Not everybody is a winner or loser, dammit.

Dope article from sbnation.com

[itsworn]

Racing—and Hot Rodding—was Hot at the 2018 NHRA Hot Rod Reunion

Sweet 16 is a special year, generally accompanied by a special party. This year was the 16th Annual Holley National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance, and the weekend proved to be one wild Sweet 16 party. For the first time in several years the entire weekend remained dry; nary a drop of rain would fall. That’s the good news; however, temperatures soared into the mid-’90s with humidity to match, providing track temps approaching 150 degrees. The track was hot and so was the drag racing, ranging from AA/FD (aka Nostalgia Top Fuel) and AA/FC Funny Cars to super stocks, gassers, 409s, and jet dragsters. This Father’s Day weekend is truly a celebration of speed and innovation.

Fry-N-High: High Speed Motorsports and Mendy Fry began the weekend as number-one qualifier and never looked back. Fry posted low e.t. in every round of Top Fuel while systematically knocking off the competition, but that makes it sound easy. The HRR win involved flawless car prep, including going to a back-up motor. In the final round Fry staged next to Jim Young in the Young Guns rail. In an amazing drag race, Fry edged past Young with a 5.720/252.05 to his 5.841/256.26. High Speed Motorsports rolled out of town toting the weekend gold and the 2018 points lead.

The “nostalgia drag racing” term is difficult to define, particularly in the fuel classes. Nostalgia may be the emotion that initially sparked the movement more than 30 years ago, but the cars, teams, and drivers are doing much more than stirring memories. While the cars resemble the cars of the 1960s, they are in fact faster and safer than true vintage dragsters. Perhaps AA/FD continuation cars would better describe these incredible racecars. But call them what you like, for 2018 the racers put on one heck of a show, with intense competition right to the final rounds.

It was Great in ’68: Joe & Bob Walden built this super-sano ’48 Fiat and campaigned it in 1967-1968. The car was parked after blowing the motor in 1968 and remained in the Walden Brothers welding shop until 1997. The new owner updated the car with a 427 Chevy and raced it several times before selling the car. The car is remarkable because the paint, lettering, and decals were all applied in 1967-1968, making this one pristine survivor. Today Bill Lininger of St. Marys, Ohio, owns the car.

Likewise the gassers, super stockers, and altereds provided monster wheel stands and blinding burnouts, much to the joy of fans seated in the vintage covered stands of Beech Bend Raceway. The fact that drag races have been held here, uninterrupted, for more than 60 years only adds to the ambience.

Righteous Rambler: AMC introduced the new two-door 770 hardtop in 1964, and while most of us have long forgotten these cars (they only sold 20,868 of them), seeing one today is a reminder of the clean and simple styling that defined all cars in 1964. Under the hood a 287ci V8 that cranks out 198 hp, but there was an optional 327-4bbl/270hp motor. This 18,000-original-mile, Frost White example looks great with a set of Cragars and a simple silver stripe, making this AMC Classic 770 cooler than a Kelvinator.

But there is so much more going on at the Reunion, as this truly is a gathering of the faithful, the hardcore racers and longtime hot rodders. The Reunion brings us back to a time when drag racers and hot rodders were closer neighbors in the hot rod community. The Reunion is a place to meet legends, old friends, and make new ones.

Bad Bird: Two Pontiac guys, Eric Larson (driver) and Mike Garblik (engine builder), campaign this re-creation of Farmer Arnie Beswick’s 1971 Pontiac Trans Am Funny Car. The body was cast from the original molds, while under the hood the blown alcohol/nitro-drinking Pontiac motor is good for time slips in the low 6s.

It helps that Bowling Green, Kentucky, is a serious car town. The Corvette factory is based there, and alongside the assembly line you’ll find the National Corvette Museum. This year the Honoree Reception was held there. A collection of hot rods and Cackle cars was on hand to spice things up, and attendees could also tour the Museum, a tour worth taking. Famed drag racer Larry Lombardo served as the Grand Marshall for 2018 and attended the banquet to help usher in the 2018 Honorees, Jay Howell, Bo Laws, Ed Miller, Joe Williamson, and Greg Xakellis.

Simply Cool: While it is fun to pretend that back in the day everyone was driving a radical hot rod, the truth of the matter is there were a whole lot more mild customs with warmed-over motors parked at the local service station. This timeless ’50 Ford sports a bull-nosed and louvered hood while rolling on red steelies and wide whites. Add a picture-perfect stance and this proves you don’t have to work hard to be really cool.

As the sun dropped in the sky, the racing came to an end, and the final two Hot Rod Reunion traditions would bring the event to a close. First, long time NHRA drag race announcer Bob Frey stood at the starting line for the annual and somewhat sobering reading of hot rodders and racers who have left us in the past year. Unfortunately, that list seems to get longer with each passing year. But the spirit of the Hot Rod Reunion is to remember the past and the present, and after the reading the track was once again filled with nitromethane fire and fumes with the Cacklefest bringing another Reunion to a close.

Blue Suede Pickup: Now this is our kind of hot rod hauler. A bed full of tires, a windshield full of “kill stickers” from drag races past, and great door art. It appears the Model A pickup is a support vehicle for the large contingency of Geezer Gassers on hand for the weekend, but the tech stickers in the windshield tell us this hauler sees some track action, too.

For West Coast hot rodders Father’s Day weekend has long been about a gathering of the roadsters. For many back-east hot rodders, Father’s Day weekend means a special gathering at Beech Bend Raceway Park for the NHRA Hot Rod Reunion. We’ll see you there next year.

Austin Action: Clyde Moore’s Insta-Gator ’48 Austin is always a crowd pleaser, launching hard with wheels in the air. The Mobile, Alabama-based gasser relies on 422 ci of small-block Chevy to provide sub-6-second eighth-mile passes.

Bucket Blender: Hot rods by definition are a combination of parts old and new. Jeff Crouch did a great job mixing parts on his ’23 T-bucket. The paint scheme is somewhat contemporary, but that flathead is definitely a mix of old and new. Edelbrock heads are traditional, while the EFI induction is totally modern, and that Chevrolet water pump is a mix of old and older. The end result is an outrageously cool T-bucket.

Super Sled: Nick White’s timeless ’50 Mercury stopped us in our tracks. Don’t let that perfect profile distract your eye. Sure, the top chop is obvious, but how about the frenched headlights, rounded hood corners, rounded door corners, shaved door handles, Appleton spots, and the shortened trim? They all combine for a timeless lead-sled look, and then, just when we thought we had found all the custom touches, we noticed the reworked front-wheel openings.

The Jet Set: This Florida Institute of Technology-sponsored jet dragster is piloted by Elaine Larsen and is just one of several jet dragsters in the Larsen Motorsports stable. Weighing in at just 1,145 pounds (the car, not Elaine) helps explain why jet cars often exceed 300 mph in the quarter-mile. This dragster has FIT students working as interns, and as promised, the program will really “get them into racing.”

Young Guns: Jim Young and the Young Guns dragster qualified second and found their way into the final round to take on number-one qualifier Mendy Fry in the High Speed Motorsports car. It would prove to be one fantastic race. Young left first, but near mid-track the car began to skate toward the wall. Young kept the car in his lane, never lifting and managed an event top speed of 256.26 mph on the way to runner-up for the event. This is exactly the kind of drag race that keeps us coming back to the Hot Rod Reunion every year.

Brilliant Bird: By the mid-1960s color was king. After a simple de-chroming you could create a great custom with masking tape, multiple colors, and custom effects. This thought was not lost on Eddie and Sara Rochelle. Their Portland, Tennessee-based ’62 T-bird is beautifully painted in Watson style using metalflake, candy, pearl, scallops, and flawless design. A pearl white interior and proper stance complete this time warp.

Rat Infested: Mike Kalinowski drives the Unfinished Business Austin, and he drives it hard. “One Angry Austin” is part of the Scots Hot Rods gasser group, so you know each pass begins with a monster burnout provided by a monster big-block Chevy under the hood.

Ramblin’ Rebel Reaper: OK, back in the day there weren’t a whole lot of American Motors-powered gassers. That said, it would appear a 401ci AMC mill can provide more than enough power to plant Don Moyers ’40 Willys coupe on the back bumper. The Mentor, Ohio-based gasser is famed for hangin’ them high.

Grand Marshall: Larry Lombardo was the 2018 HRR Grand Marshall, and this ’61 Corvette is the car that started it all. Lombardo was drag racing this car before he had a legal driver license. In 1968, at just 19 years old, he went to the Nationals and became F/S National Champ, and went on to win National Stock Eliminator, beating out Dave Duell and the famed Drag-N-Wagon in the final round. The car was built in his dad’s Amoco Service Station, Joe’s Amoco, with the engine by Roger Sinistri and tuning by Joe Lombardo. Larry’s colorful racing career includes driving for Bill Jenkins and opening his own race engine shop, to mention a just a few.

A Finer Starliner: The early 1960s brought the most beautiful hardtops ever produced. All of the Big Three automakers featured thin C-pillar cars, and this 1961 Ford Starliner is a fine example of the breed. The car is period-perfect due in large part to the elevated stance that was so popular in the 1960s. A big 390 provides the power.

Group W: The 348-409 class was back for 2018. Comprised mostly of 1958-1964 Chevrolets, the class is actually open to any car powered by a W-motor. This good-looking ’62 Chevy wagon launches hard on the way to a low 12-second pass.

Phenomenal: Street or Strip: Ed Kasicki’s Phenomenon ’33 Willys is powered by a 400-inch Chevy small-block fed by dual 750 Holley carbs atop a 6-71 blower. The car runs high 8s in the quarter-mile and is a beautifully prepared racecar. Not wanting to limit his hot rodding to just racing, Kasicki keeps the coupe registered and insured, and has been known to drive into an occasional cruise night around his home town of Aurora, Ohio. That must turn a few heads.

Pusher Man: Bob Lathery has had a string of traditional hot rods over the years and rolled into Bowling Green this year behind the wheel of this traditional ’62 Chevrolet stepside hauler. Moons and wide whites set the mood; the truck was later used to push one of the vintage Cackle cars.

Custard Stand: The original Mr. Custard A/G Anglia was destroyed in 1965 at Ohio Valley Raceway, another victim of the gasser wars of the 1960s. Butch’s Rod Shop recreated the car as seen here in 2003 with a 413ci Chevy hooked to a Powerglide transmission. Irvin and Gina Johns are the current owners.

Never Throw in the Towel: Did we mention it was hot all weekend long? But the good news is we had no rain. However, when temps soared into the mid and upper 90s, drivers found shade any way possible.

Straight-Axle Altitude: Gassers vary in many ways, including ride height, as illustrated by this trio of street-going gassers. Bruce Bursten’s Hilborn injected ’57 Corvette rides at 1960s gasser height, while Kevin Doolittle raised his 427/Hilborn injected ’55 T-bird a little more. Finally, Ray Thenot topped them all in his big-block-powered, nose-high ’55 210. All three cars have chrome tube axles and wheelwell headers.

Straight A: If you’ve been studying hot rods for a long time you recognize “the right stuff” as it passes by. Gary Brock’s Model A coupe combines proper parts with righteous proportions. From the bias-ply tires to the Deuce frame and Y-block power plant the car is mechanically dialed-in. The appearance package involves a Deuce grille, a subtle single row of louvers on the one-piece hood, a hammered lid, and mile-deep paint. We’d give this hot rod coupe straight As.

Recycling Facilities: The swap meet at Beech Bend is always worth the walk. It’s consistently filled with real hot rod goodies, racer stuff, and even the occasional complete vintage race car. A good part of the swap meet is in the shade, making this a very cool place to look for cool parts.

Gas Glasser: Steve Norton’s ’56 Corvette is the latest gasser to roll out of Randy Riall’s shop, Rods by Rowdy in Floyd Knobs, Indiana. The dual Edelbrock carbs feed a hungry rat motor with spent gasses exiting in the wheelwells. While this copper smoothie is a street-going gasser, rumor has it there will be some dragstrip action in the near future.

This One’s for Dad: The drag racing community lost a long time T/F driver and builder Dan “Digger Dan” Horan Sr. in 2016. However Dan Horan Jr. had been piloting the family T/F rail for years, along with some great Nostalgia Funny Cars. This year Dan Jr. rolled into Bowling Green with a brand new fuel Funny and took it to the winner’s circle on its first outing. Lettering on the car includes, “A Tribute to Digger Dan Horan.” Dan Jr. later commented, “This is a pretty emotional win on Father’s Day weekend.”

Simply Sanitary: The 1941 Willys coupe is arguably the best looking Willys ever built (although the ’40 split-grille car sure is pretty, too). They were basic econo-cars when built in 1941, and today simply giving the car a clean shave and a proper stance results in one wicked hot rod. We offer Jake Richey’s O.D. coupe as graphic proof.

Cackle Pusher: The Cacklefest, which is simply a festival of nitromethane, is big at Bowling Green. What makes it extra cool is that one side of the track is lined with crank-start cars, while the other lane is filled with push-start dragsters. Often the push vehicles are as interesting as the dragster it aims to start. Here the Hundley & Boggs dragster is pushed by a very cool hot rod truck.

Ceremony: As the sun dropped, the Cackle cars were rolled into place. After a very hot weekend of great racing, it was time for the annual closing ceremony under cooling evening skies.

Big Daddy: The Holley NHRA Hot Rod Reunion has developed traditions within the salute to traditional drag racing. One of the best traditions is having Big Daddy Don Garlits push started from the big end and stop at the tree to provide the final cackle of the weekend. It is a fitting end to a great event and one we look forward to every year. Big Daddy is still the King of AA/FD.

Closer: As the weekend draws to a close Saturday, hot rods of every description head toward the gates. This ’55 Chevrolet is a fine representation of the real hot rods that come to watch real drag racing. If you have never experienced the Hot Rod Reunion, mark your calendar now, Father’s Day Weekend 2019. As they used to scream out on the local AM radio stations, “Beeee Theeerrrreeee!”

The post Racing—and Hot Rodding—was Hot at the 2018 NHRA Hot Rod Reunion appeared first on Hot Rod Network.

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Ted Baker reports online sales up by a third – but overall sales growth is more muted

Ted Baker said customers responded well to its new collections

Ted Baker today posted a 33.6% rise in online sales in the first part of its financial year – but sales in its stores were more muted. The fashion and lifestyle brand, a Top250 retailer in IRUK Top500 research, said total retail sales, which include in-store as well as online sales, rose by 0.7% in the 19 weeks to June 9.

  The figures come after a period in which UK visitor numbers to stores have fallen, compared to the previous year. Unseasonal weather as well as a longer-term shift in the way that shoppers are choosing to buy are thought to be behind that fall. But Ted Baker said its distribution model was well-placed to flex around changing customer behaviour. “Our flexible business model, including a relatively low number of own stores, enables us to respond to structural changes in the retail sector,” said Ted Baker in today’s trading statement. Ted Baker increased its retail space by 5.7% over the period, compared to last year. Wholesale sales grew by 14.2% over the period, with good performances in both its UK and North American businesses.

  Ray Kelvin, founder and chief executive, said the company was pleased with customer response to its latest collections and with the brand’s expansion across each of its distribution channels, and was on track to meet expectations for the full year.

  “We have made significant investment in our flexible business model to ensure that the Ted customer has multiple channels to engage with the brand,” he said. “Our global ecommerce business continues to grow very strongly and is complemented by our unique stores and digital and social selling strategy, which showcase the brand to our customers.”

  He concluded: “The group’s continued progress and growth is a reflection of the design and quality of our collections as well as the sustained appeal of the Ted Baker brand. These strengths, along with our business model and the passion, skill and commitment of our team mean that, despite an uncertain consumer outlook, we are well positioned to continue Ted Baker’s long-term development.”

  Commenting on the figures, Adrian West, director of commercial sector at Fujitsu UK, said: “Ted Baker has managed to make ecommerce a fundamental part of its success. The key here has been ensuring that wherever a consumer is shopping from, they get the same seamless experience. The business has made digital a fundamental part of the Ted Baker brand experience, rather than an add-on.

  “In today’s retail landscape, retailers need to stop thinking of digital and the high-street as separate entities. Instead they must view them as one unified experience that links their customer journey seamlessly from one to the other, as shoppers don’t differentiate.”

  West added: “Regardless of what kind of brand you are, shoppers increasingly expect convenience at the very least. Joining the dots between the in-store, the mobile, and the online experience is vital. By having the right digital strategy in place, retailers can map out their new, more agile future that will enable them to grow and sustain their business in this new digital era.”

  Image courtesy of Ted Baker

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