Como cada año, la ciudad de Vic se convierte por 4 días  en una ciudad medieval (del 5 al 8 de diciembre).  Hay una infinidad de paraditas increíbles (370 paradas, nada más y nada menos), de artesanías, perfumes, jabones, hierbas para infusiones, manualidades, muchísima comida como quesos, embutidos, pastas, cocas, panes hechos en horno de los buenos, juguetes de época para los niños, réplicas de armas, etc.

(click para agrandar)

A parte de que la ciudad está totalmente decorada como si estuviésemos en la Edad Media, también lo están los vendedores y sus respectivas paraditas, algunos con cotas de malla, mantos y capas, otros de juglares,…

Yo sólo estuve el año pasado, y la verdad es que me lo muy bien. Y este año, a menos que me llamen para ir a trabajar, iré también a pasar el día. Ya haré algún post con fotos y demás .

Para todos aquellos que tengan la oportunidad de ir, que se animen a pasar el día por la ciudad medieval de Vic.

Por cierto, aviso que Vic es una ciudad muy muy fría (estudio allí, como para no saberlo!), así que si venís, venir preparados con ropa de invierno, que no os sobrará !

Ya me diréis si venís o no!

Aquí os dejo la página del Mercado medieval de Vic para cualquier duda. Podréis encontrar la programación de actividades, una galería de fotos y el acceso.

Had To Find this video

Saint Kilda, early morning. I stand at the Lagoon Pier and stare out across the bay. I cannot see the horizon: the summer morning haze is perfect and it blurs the distinction between water and air. The bay is millpond-still and it feels as if I have the world to myself.

The water’s surface barely ripples, in colours of silver, grey and the palest blue. I peer downwards as shoals of tiny fish dart and swarm. An eleven-legged sea star rests on the pier leg. Mussels crowd on underwater rocks.

Behind me, a man and a woman stroll along the deserted strand with their dogs, and a cyclist joins me in my morning reverie at the end of the pier. In time the boardwalk will be thronged with rollerbladers, joggers, mums with strollers, wheelchair users, cyclists.

The sun begins to fight its way through the hazy clouds. The horizon becomes just a little more defined. Is it my imagination, or have the barely perceptible waves also become more pronounced?

For now, I stare out to sea and take in the silence.

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Ever been in a situation where you’re watching something that you feel uncomfortable watching? You feel awkward and slightly embarrassed. Kind of like the “nerd” trying blatantly hard to be the “cool” kid doing or saying things that just do not fit that persons characteristics. Or the older man, trying so hard to live like he was in college, trying to rekindle his glory years of the partying and the drinking. Well that’s how I felt. An unequivocal, all-consuming, uncomfortably watching this movie.

I can understand the appeal of course. Eye candy galore for guys and girls (although I reallllllly don’t know what people see in Robert Pattinson), vampires and werewolves (which will forever be cool no matter what the story is about), love stories and action. Yet all these things that I’m sure appeal to the masses, were the same things more or less that turned me off.

I could do without seeing Robert Pattinson. He’s like a second-rate Christian Slater, back when he was a teenage heart-throb. And that’s not a good thing. There must have been somebody else they could have got to play the lead role of Edward Cullen. ANYBODY. I can’t think of somebody but I will I promise you.

The lore of vampire and werewolf was the main thing that kept me going through this movie, but I feel the Twilight story is straying too far away from what makes the allure and mythos of vampires and werewolves really work. For one thing, I need my vampires to burn in sunlight. In ANY kind of sunlight. Day and night it doesn’t matter. They’re not supposed to shine like they’re angels. But I understand the premise of the movie wouldn’t work because of this, but that must makes it worse, the fact they built this story under a false crutch that vampires can live in sunlight. You’re not supposed to WANT to become a vampire yet in this movie you can’t help but envy their lifestyle. (Spoiler Alert, at least for those who haven’t read the book) Especially one vampire loving individual in the movie who has this ever lasting vampire fixation. One of the vampires tries to convince her that it’s not worth becoming like her, but again, when you can live in sunlight AND survive without drinking human blood…ummm where’s the downside? This was driven home when one of the vampires flew a plane across the world…nuff said…I don’t have a lot of negative things to say about the werewolves as they were nicely done except, again I didn’t like the fact they could change to their wolf forms whenever they wanted to. But again, the story would not work if this wasn’t the case.

The love story behind this was too much. There’s really not much more to say than that. It was way too much. I couldn’t really get past he fact that Bella Swan, played by Kristen Stewart, was a teenager and was just feeling what every teenager wanted to feel: a sense of belonging somewhere. This made the whole love story aspect inadequate and irrelevant for me. I also couldn’t help but feel this movie was sending a wrong message of encouraging confused teens to always seek out the “bad boy/girl” and ignore the fact that there are the down-to-earth nice people out there that would be much better. I could have done without at least half of the love story they put out in this movie.

The acting really was what it was for a movie like this and you can’t ask for much more. Kristen Stewart was okay and did a good job of carrying the movie, for what it was worth. Unfortunately, most of her scenes involved the love story aspect which I really did not like so as such I did not like watching her. As I said before I really could have done without Robert Pattinson (I’m still trying to figure out who could have fit his role better than him in this series). Taylor Lautner, who played Jacob Black, really has a long way to go from his days as a karate black belt young prodigy, but he did show promise. Although that wig was NOT working for me and was relieved when they “cut” it off later in the movie. Really the only person who got my full attention, when she was in the movie all of 5 minutes, was Anna Kendrick who was playing Jessica, Bella’s good friend. Her quick-witted dry sense of humour did a great job of lightning the movie and actually, whether it was intentional or not, made a mockery of Bella’s “oh I’m so alone and no one understands me” attitude. I loved it.

The action sequences, while they were few and far between, were great and I can only hope when the third installment come out on DVD (yes I’m already saying I will not be spending the money to watch Eclipse in theatres), It’s far more action packed than the previous two.

I don’t know. Maybe it’s because I was a huge Buffy/Angel fan back in the days and I feel those series were the prototypes for a successful teen-aged vampire story, but this Twilight just doesn’t cut it for me.

-Vic De Zen

… Matt Lanter?…maybe…

Ja el divendres ens trobem amb l’Informe de la premsa comarcal sobre la pobresa a Vic. Reaccions ciutadanes múltiples. No ha agradat el tractament que de manera gràfica es dona a la portada. Es considera exagerat i en part demagog. Es de lamentar que la raó de fons del reportatge es vegi tant condicionada per aquests fet. Si a l’intent d’alguns polítics de fer avançar només la política espectacle i afegim la informació espectacle, que queda doncs de seriós per a la ciutadania? Trobada a Manresa al vespre de quadres d’ERC per escalfar motors de cara a la convocatòria electoral al Parlament de Catalunya. Veig un Puigcercós molt realista en quan a les possibilitats del sufragi per ERC. També en relació als pactes post-electorals. Cada vegada es més servidor públic. Va esdevenint un autèntic home d’Estat. Vic no necessita cap motiu especial per ser una ciutat de primera els dissabtes, tot i aixì aquest ùltim ha acollit el concurs nacional de monòlegs en LLengua Catalana de Signes. Quin espectacle !!!!Actuacions de primera línia amb tot l’esforç lingüistic, artistic i integrador que representa per a milers de persones sordes aquesta activitat. Un 10 de puntuació per a totes elles!! Al vespre un reesponsoritzat Ferrer CB Vic, guanya al seu immediat perseguidor, la ben organitzada gent de la Seu d’Urgell. Un partit que es pateix, però que a l’hora es guanya, no te preu. Liderat més consolidat!! . I la nit no podia anar millor, Festa de Gala dels Sagals d’Osona. En una temporada que han recuperat la confiança en si mateixos, calia acompanyar-los fins que el cos aguantés. El Diumenge al matí, visita especial a Santa Coloma de Farnés, acompanyat de una nombrosa representació de la comunitat Sigh de Vic. El motiu no era un altre que visitar el Temple que en aquesta població te la comunitat de Santa Coloma. Debat molt interessant sobre temes religiosos i polítics. Recordem la seva procedència majoritària de l’Estat indi del Penjab, que alhora es un autèntic viver d’independentistes. La hospitalitat i el tarannà propi d’aquesta gent, va estar present tota la matinal. A la tarda hom no podia deixar de pensar sobre l’enorme distància que moltes vegades hi ha entre l’espiritualitat humana, canalitzada en ocasions per les religions i els conflictes que aquestes també poden ser capaces de crear a partir de les posicions doctrinàries i dictatorials d’algunes de les seves esglésies, estats i/o dirigents. Déu, com la veritat, no son propietats de ningú. Cadascú te en si mateix la part que es complementa amb l’altre.

Vic celebra el seu mercat medieval a primers de desembre, sovint coincidint amb el pont de la Constitució. I direu… un mercat medieval més. Doncs, us equivocaríeu si penseu que estem davant d’una fira com tantes. El Mercat Medieval de Vic mereix les majúscules dels seu nom perquè és enorme. Penseu que hi ha més de 300 parades repartides per tot el casc antic de Vic. I aquesta és una ciutat gran. Places, carrers, carrerons, parcs i passejos estan plens de tota mena de paradetes de tot tipus de productes. Parades gastronòmiques, a Vic hi ha el millor embotit de Catalunya,de formatges, de menjars cuinats allà mateix. També parades artesanes i d’oficis, moltes, moltíssimes, molt interessants. També mostra d’animals, com ara cavalls, ovelles, vaques, rucs… mostra d’aus de presa, tot l’imaginable. Els nens inenes podran muntar a cavall, assistir a espectacles de carrer, escoltar música o veure exposicions. El casc antic de Vic acompanya un mercat d’aquestes característiques. Ancorada en el temps del barroc, la vila dels sants i dels capellans, dormí fins no fa gaire temps el son feixuc dels pobles oblidats del progrés. Així ha pogut preservar palaus, temples, ambient en general, que res no te a veure amb el segle XXI. Per sort, però, els vells carrers no s’han degradat. La universitat ha ocupat espais i ha revitalitzat el centre. Per això us agradarà resseguir el mercat medieval i anar visitant monuments i obres d’art de primer nivell. Com ara la catedral, neoclàssica, però amb una magnífica torre romànica. A l’interior les pintures maravelloses de Sert. Al costat, el museu episcopal guarda el més granat de l’art romànic i gòtic català. Un museu exemplar. Uns carrers enllà topareu amb un veritable temple romà, com tret directament i sense escales de l’època dels cèsars. Seria impossible ressenyar les esglèsies, convents i monestirs, els palaus, cases fortes i cases burgeses que us sortiran al pas. Nomes fer menció de l’esplèndida plaça del mercadal, la plaça major, la plaça gran, única a tot Catalunya, on s’hi celebren mercats tan nomenats com el del ram, o més senzills, com el de cada dissabte. Pugeu a Vic. Si no arribeu tard troabreu aparcament amb facilitat, i ben senyalitzat, en els parkings habilitats, o pels carrers moderns abans d’arribar al centre històric. Podeu dinar a la fira, en les parades de menjar, nombroses i ben acondicionades. Si us agrada més gaudir de una bon taula ho teniu fàcil. L’ambient estudiantil i glamuròs de Vic fa que hi hagi molta oferta, sobretot al casc antic. Si voleu un que ens han recomanat, aneu al restaurant Basset, al Carrer Sant Sadurní, 4. Tel. 938 890 212. També hem anat a un que es troba en els baixos d’un casalot, a la placeta que es forma el carrer Dues Soles, en ajuntar-se amb el carrer de Cardona. Tot un restaurant amb encant. Però no recordem el nom. Per dormir teniu un hotel NH, que també te un bon menú al migdia. El dia del mercat, però, caldrà reservar qualsevol lloc on aneu.

Vic celebra su mercado medieval a primeros de diciembre, a menudo coincidiendo con el puente de la Constitución. Y diréis … un mercado medieval más. Pues os equivocaríais si pensáis que estamos ante una feria como tantas. El Mercado Medieval de Vic merece las mayúsculas de su nombre porque es enorme. Pensad que hay más de 300 paradas repartidas por todo el casco antiguo de Vic. Y esta es una ciudad grande. Plazas, calles, callejones, parques y paseos están llenos de toda clase de tenderetes de todo tipo de productos. Paradas gastronómicas, en Vic está el mejor embutido de Cataluña, y los mejores quesos, y comidas cocinadas allí mismo. También hay paradas artesanas y de oficios, muchas, muchísimas, muy interesantes. También muestras de animales, como caballos, ovejas, vacas, burros … muestras de aves de presa, todo lo imaginable. Los niños podrán montar a caballo, asistir a espectáculos de calle, escuchar música o ver exposiciones. El casco antiguo de Vic acompaña mucho un mercado de estas características. Anclada en el tiempo del barroco, la villa de los santos y de los sacerdotes, dormida hasta no hace mucho tiempo en el sueño pesado de los pueblos olvidados del progreso. Así ha podido preservar palacios, templos, su ambiente en general, que nada tiene que ver con el siglo XXI. Por suerte las viejas calles no se han degradado. La universidad ha ocupado espacios y ha revitalizado el centro. Por eso gusta recorrer el mercado medieval y ir visitando monumentos y obras de arte de primer nivel. Como la catedral, de estilo neoclásico, pero con una magnífica torre románica. En el interior las pinturas maravillosas de Sert. Al lado, el museo episcopal guarda lo más granado del arte románico y gótico catalán. Un museo ejemplar. Unas calles allá toparéis con un verdadero templo romano, como sacado directamente y sin escalas de la época de los césares. Sería imposible reseñar las iglesias, conventos y monasterios, palacios, casas fuertes y casas burguesas que les saldrán al paso. Sólo hacer mención de la espléndida plaza del mercadal, la plaza mayor, la plaza grande, única en toda Cataluña, donde se celebran mercados tan nombrados como el del ram, o más sencillos, como el de cada sábado. Subid hasta Vic. Si no llegáis tarde encontrareis fácil aparcamiento y bien señalizado, en los parkings habilitados, o por las calles del barrio más moderno, antes de llegar al centro histórico. Pueden comer en la própia feria, en las paradas de comida, numerosas y bien acondicionadas. Si os gusta más disfrutar de una buena mesa lo teneis. El ambiente estudiantil y glamuroso de Vic hace que haya mucha oferta, sobre todo en el casco antiguo. Si desean una dirección que nos han recomendado, vayan al restaurante Basset, en la Calle Sant Sadurní, 4. Tel. 938 890 212. También hemos ido a uno que se encuentra en los bajos de un caserón, en la plazoleta que se forma la calle Dos Soles, en juntarse con la calle de Cardona. Un restaurante con encanto. Pero no recordamos el nombre. Para dormir tiene un hotel NH, que también tiene un buen menú al mediodía. El día del mercado, sin embargo, habrá que reservar cualquier lugar donde vaya.

…are carnet.

Chiar are carnet. A luat examenul vineri. Şi a făcut cinste cât eu eram acasă, evident.

Are carnet.

De necrezut, dar după multiple încercări, Victoraş al nostru Vic chiar o să conducă ceva. Iar noi îi vom da stop stai stop mut la volan.

Recte habemus machina. Asta dacă nu se trage pe poponeaţă.

Felicitări, cretinule.

Disaster movies have outlived their usefulness.  Not because they aren’t interesting.  Don’t get me wrong, I was the first in line to see Will Smiths coming out movie Independence day. After that I was knee-deep in disaster movie appeal as Bruce Willis and Michael Bay took the reins and developed the “All-American” Armageddon.  But then it all started going downhill with movies like Deep Impact and The Day After Tomorrow. Why?  Well I gotta say I was a sucker for the special effects so that wasn’t the reason for me.  No I would simply attribute it to the formula.  The formula of imminent disaster, the world ending and the American’s coming to save the day just didn’t work for me. Nothing against Americans of course, but in a world of several billion people, I find it hard to believe it’s always going to be an American, or a group of American’s coming to their rescue. The odds just aren’t’ there for me.  And also the plots just getting weaker and weaker. I needed a reason to care about the world coming to an end…as cold and clinical as that sounds. Otherwise it’s just little dots of people falling from bridges and skyscrapers and that’s just pointless loss of life to me.  Enter 2012.

(Spoiler Alert moving forward for those who haven’t seen the film) This movie surprised the hell out of me.  If I had to sum it up in one word I would go with: intense. Intense action, violence and emotion for close to three hours.  First off kudos to the casting job for this film.  You couldn’t have asked for a better cast for a disaster film than this.  John Cusack and Chiwetal Ejiofor anchored this movie from the get go, both doing excellent jobs throughout convincing you of the severity and hopelessness of the situation throughout. They also tackled one of my new criteria for a successful disaster movie nicely: Meaning. What little interaction they had in the movie turned out to be the anchor for the whole plot when Ejiofor’s character Adrian Helmsley discussed a book Cusack’s character, Jackson Curtis,  wrote in the film.  The book touched upon what he believed human kind would/should do in its most dire situation. a short scene that turned out to be the most important, relevant scene in the movie, referenced ever so subtly throughout.

What ensues throughout the movie will both disgust you and surprise you as you see human nature at its highest of highs and of course its lowest of lows.  You would be surprised on how this movie touches on the inherent problem of money and social status and truly makes you wonder at the end of the day how much we would actually mirror this movie if the “End of the World” presented itself.  But there is a “happy ending” of sorts for this movie. As much of a happy ending as one could have with a movie like this which brings me to my next criteria:  The Americans don’t save the day! …Well not fully at least.  But that’s what my problem was with past movies.  It was all about the Americans when it came to a world disaster and how the American’s reacted.  Was 2012 any different? Well yes.  Not to the degree to what I would have liked, but enough to make the movie work for me.

It was an Indian played by actor Jimi Mistry that actually discovered the impending catastrophe and the Chinese that actually developed the “Arc” that was to save the remaining members of human civilization.  If anything, with the exception of the president, played by Danny Glover, and a select few others the Americans actually proved to be a detriment in the movie.  By the end, you got the sense that it truly took a world effort to preserve what little was left of humanity and not just a one-sided ordeal. This helped give a genuine feel to the movie. 

This is a film that put disaster movies back on the map for me, similar to the way the X-Men and Blade reintroduced the world to comic book movies. Future movies of this nature should be using 2012 as a formula for a successful, beautiful disaster movie moving forward.

-Vic De Zen

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This blog post goes for 60’s! Earlier I showed you some trailers from Mustang movies. I have also posted a lot of Mustang music videos. But now you can see the first steps of a Mustang in advertisement industry. There are more commercials of course and my blog is unlimited, but I really appreciate your time and trying to select the best ones:

First Mustang Commercial (1964) Ford Motor Company introduced the Mustang on April 16, 1964 with a commercial, shot at the New York World’s Fair.

This is my favorite from the 60’s, 1965 Ford Mustang Commercial

Stereo-sonic tape system in Mustang 1966

This commercial shows Ford Mustang full-line for 1967, featuring the new cabriolet and hardtop models.

Mustang makes it happen in 1968 commercial

According to this 1969 commercial Ford is the way you swing!

And I couldn’t hold this to the next entry, I love it, so funny! It’s from 2005, sorry

Jesse Le Doux custom Busy Beaver Button-O-matic with 35 designs

Wondering how to follow up the magic of Devo playing the Vic last night?

Start off Friday the 13th with an exhibition of video, painting, and sculpture by Aline Cautis, Josh Mannis, and Andy Roche at the former Busy Beaver Palmer Square location.  Join curators and button-maker team Old Gold to transform the former button shop into a newly inaugurated gallery space.

Hop on the Blue Line to the designer toy store Rotofugi on Division where you can check out the Jesse Le Doux “Exit Strategy” art show and custom Busy Beaver Button-O-matic.  It’s filled with 35 different buttons, including original, hand-drawn button art.  You might recognize Jesse’s work from the Shins “Chutes Too Narrow” album art,  rock posters, and even a slime-filled Target gift card.  Click here for more info.

Click here to hangout with Busy Beaver.

]]> http://desertgirl2.wordpress.com/2009/11/13/australias-a-great-place-to-live/ Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:05:35 +0000 Desertgirl http://desertgirl2.wordpress.com/2009/11/13/australias-a-great-place-to-live/

Just typing off the cuff here. Had planned to do a photo shoot today but not feeling so good today. Instead I’ll chat about retirement. Where to live in retirement, specifically.

My partner’s almost ready to retire.  About 3 or 4 years to go we reckon (global financial crises & their impact on superannuation allowing).  So the question has arisen – where?

We’ve both travelled extensively in Australia and lived in multiple states and territories.  We’ve both done urban, rural and remote areas.  He’s been financially savvy enough in his younger years to have bought & nearly paid off a few houses in Adelaide and Brisbane.  So, worst comes to worst, we could opt for either the South Australian or Queensland capitals, basing our retired lives in the inner urban areas.

Pushed to choose between those two cities, I’d opt for Adelaide. It’s smaller, quieter and has a gorgeous Meditteranean like climate.  With occasional heatwaves. 

More importantly, for me, Adelaide is an arts city. Lots of festivals, great theatre, wondrous music. 2010 sees the biennial Festival of Arts, the Fringe Festival and Womadelaide. That’s just in February-March!

Brisbane is a nice enough city. I particularly like where we own a house. It’s close to the city, close to the river, close to riverside suburbs such as New Farm. But I don’t like the traffic, the growing crowds on the trains and buses, or the noise. As more land is cleared for housing, the more noise from the Gateway Motorway penetrates the older suburbs.

I prefer Adelaide’s shopping. It’s cheaper and where we would live has very easy access to street shopping with a distinctly multicultural flavour. It’s hard to pass by the Italian bakery or the German bakery. Brisbane’s shops are more expensive and there’s no way to avoid the big shopping centres if you want cheap produce. Adelaide’s cost of living is much lower than Brisbane.

Brisbane’s humid. In winter it’s lovely but in summer? Ugh!

No beaches in Brissy. One has to head up or down the coast to the Gold or Sunshine Coasts. With their crowds and traffic chaos. It used to be lovely. Not so anymore.

Adelaide has quaint beaches, reminiscent of English beaches but a lot warmer. And there’s this terrific bike/walking path stretching all along the suburban coastline of the city. That’s a winner.

I wouldn’t be unhappy living in Brisbane if my partner decided that’s where he would love to live. But personally I’m hoping he’ll opt for the city of serial killers and other strange crimes.

But …

I’m not really an urban girl. I prefer the peace and quiet of rural Australia. I don’t want to retire to a remote locality. I’ve spent way too many years living in deserts and other remote areas.

I don’t miss the beach (too much) when away from it so I don’t need a sea change. After all, that would be costly real estate indeed.

I like mountains. There are so many towns in or near the mountains to choose from: Jindabyne, Tumut, Khancoban, Corryong, Richmond (Tasmania), Bright, Mount Beauty, Beechworth.

I’m incredibly taken with Deniliquin, sitting on a small river, with its beautiful, historical buildings. Then there’s Portland (Victoria) on a busy seaport. Or Albany in WA. Esperance. And Strahan, sitting quietly on magnificent Macquarie Harbour in the World Heritage Area.

Tenterfield (NSW) still grabs me with its beauty and friendliness.  Robe, on South Australia’s Limestone Coast is simply gorgeous. Laura (SA), Jamestown (SA) or Melrose (SA). The list of towns goes on.

How does one choose?

Ideally, wherever we choose to live, we would have the income in retirement to constantly travel to all those towns and cities mentioned above.

I suppose, in the end, I shall have to be practical. My (I hesitate to write the word ‘failing’) health will more than likely determine our choice. I will need to have easy access to a hospital and a GP. So be it.

And whilst my partner will be retired and drawing a nice, fat allocated pension (or whatever it’s called nowadays), I will need to work.  Well into my 70s.  As per the government’s dictates.  So I need a reasonable sized town where job prospects are also reasonable.  Or I need to carve myself a new career in the arts.

It does amaze me, the incredibly long list of towns and areas of Australia I can come up with as possible retirement contenders. Shows me just what a truly wonderful country I live in. I am so glad I did return to live here.

Nei og nei… Det er litt krise nå. Trine og jeg dro opp i Granåsen for å trene hundene i dag. Det kjentes litt ut sånn som Karius og Baktus må ha følt det etter at tannbørsten hadde vært der, for der stod snøkanonene på fullt utover hele gressmatta. De hadde ikke tenkt å vente til snøen kom av seg selv der oppe nei… Jeg hører at de står på enda, så de blir vel stående hele natta gjennom  – til stor glede for skientusiaster. For oss med litt unge og “ville” unghunder derimot, er det ikke fullt så bra. Vic nærmer seg 7 måneder med stormskritt, og har et stort behov for å trene masse og da gjerne under gode forhold – så klart! Vi får krysse fingrene om litt mildvær framover, men med -6 grader (som det er her i Granåsen nå), så er det vel små sjanser for at vi kan trene noe særlig der før til våren igjen. Sørgelig ja.

Treningsbanen en saga blott fram til våren???

 Uansett, Trine og jeg fikk jo til ei trening på skytebanen da (for der var det ingen snøkanoner).

Prøvde å trene fremadsending og kryp med Robin, men tro det eller ei… hunden er for høy i intensitet til å jobbe med de øvelsene…hahaha… Det positive er at treninga den siste tiden har fått opp intensiteten, men nå får vi trøbbel i lavintensitetsøvelsene. Jaja, det bør vel bare være en justeringssak forhåpentligvis. Må planlegge treninga hans litt bedre. Kjøre ei økt først med høy intensitet, så ei økt med øvelser som krever lav intensitet, og så avslutte med ei høyintensiv økt igjen – til han får litt mer riktig “trøkk” der det skal være .

Vic gikk stort sett bra i dag også. Flink til å sitte på plass, gå et skritt eller to, og så finne plassen igjen. Prøvde å rygge med han, for så å kommandere sitt og dekk. Her har jeg nok kjørt på litt for mye “trøkk” for tidlig, for han ble så altfor ivrig. Han kommer for nærme, og det er rett og slett ikke plass til å dekke foran meg. Jaja, tilbake til godbitene igjen i denne øvelsen. Kråka blir for mye påvirkning, tydeligvis.

Trine og jeg hadde Vilja og Vic ute samtidig, og en gang la han på sprang bort til Vilja. Snakk om å belønne seg selv. Det var en glipp ja, og skal IKKE skje igjen. De hadde det gøy ja, men det hadde ingenting med trening å gjøre. Huff, veldig uheldig både for Trine og meg. Vilja ble jo med på leken hun, og de koste seg en stakket stund der… Ser at Vic er i gang med kjønnsmodning, og kan ramle litt ut. Jeg må være mer på vakt, og kanskje bruke bånd når vi trener med andre, slik at han ikke får løsning på å løpe ut til andre. Han har bare gjort det en gang før, og det var i forrige uke. Nå er det derimot slutt på sånt tull. Skjerpings!!!

Trente med apportbukk i tre i dag. Han sitter på plass, og holder fint. Påvirker med kråka. Det er tryggest, for å unngå tygging. Han plukker også veldig fint. Løper ut, bremser ved siden av apportbukken, og plukker den på vei inn. Flott! Kommer til meg med den i stor fart. Da får han “kråka”, siden innkomsten ikke er ferdig. Synes vi har kommet langt på apporteringstreninga, og han synes det er veldig gøy.

Trente også noen innkallinger med innkomst. Trine holder han – kommer fint inn nå – trenger lite støtte. Tror dette kommer til å sitte i løpet av kort tid.

Trente også noen innkallinger hvor jeg bare går fra han (og Trine holder han), og kaller han inn imens jeg går. Vic`en kommer som et skudd . Han er så herlig å trene med.

Fikk et treningstips fra Trine i forhold til dette med å trene momenter. Hvis man lærer hunden å løpe rundt f.eks. en stol, så kommer han jo mot meg, og jeg kan kommandere “dekk, stå eller sitt” på samme måte som når jeg rygger. Måtte selvsagt prøve det når jeg kom hjem på stua. Etter 3 repetisjoner kunne han løpe rundt stolen, og det var en glimrende måte å trene momentene på. Kan også trene innkomstene på innkalling på samme måte. Smart. Det fungerte veldig fint, og jeg slapp den problematikken med at han kommer for nærme. Gøy syntes han det var også, så dette skal vi trene mer på.

Nå er det natta her i Granåsen. Snøkanonene durer og går. Vi får håpe på en mild førjulstid, slik at vi har den flotte treningsbanen bare ei lita stund til…

Submitted: October 5, 2009

Accepted: November 1, 2009

OVERVIEW

I have encountered a great shorting opportunity within the nanocap universe with La Jolla Pharmaceutical (LJPC). LJPC is a biopharmaceutical company that engages in the discovery and development of orally-active small molecules for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, and acute and chronic inflammatory disorders. Because the company is currently trading at 5X net cash value ($0.22/share) and it is in the process of liquidating, this is a great shorting opportunity.

TIMELINE

In February 2009, the company was informed by an Independent Monitoring Board for the monitoring board that continuing the study of the Riquent drug was futile. LJPC had previously devoted substantially all of its research, development and clinical efforts and financial resources toward the development of Riquent.

In July 2009, LJPC announced that, in light of other alternatives, a wind down of the business would be in the best interests of stockholders.

VALUATION ESTIMATES

The Company has no other drugs in the pipeline, and has scheduled a stockholders meeting for october 31, 2009. The board expects the shareholders will approve the liquidation of the business at the stated date. Below is an estimate of the liquidation value of the company, not including the expenses to be incurred in the process of liquidation.

Cash and cash equivalents                              $8,509 (as of June 2009)
Total Liabilities                                                    $3,836
Off-Balance Sheet Obligations                        $0
———————————————————————-
Net Cash Value                                                     $4,673

Est. Additional Operational Expenses       $2,096 (through October 2009)
Adj. Net Cash Value                                           $2577

Adj. Net Cash Value per Share                      $0.04

I estimate the company’s liquidating value to be at $0.04/share at best, compared to the company’s market value of $0.20/share. Because expenses will have to be incurred to liquidate the business, we expect the actual cash distribution to shareholders to be below the estimated $0.04/share.

In a DEF14 form filed with the SEC on October 1, 2009 the company provided its estimates of stockholder distributions. The company’s management estimated that distributions will range from $0.028/share to $0.045/share, significantly below the current market value of $0.20/share.

LIKELIHOOD OF LIQUIDATION

Several reasons why I believe the company’s liquidation is certain:

- For over 6 months, LJPC explored strategic alternatives, including undertaking efforts to identify a merger, reverse merger, stock or asset sale, strategic partnership or other business combination transaction that would have a reasonable likelihood of providing greater value to our stockholders than they would receive in a liquidation, which did not result in the identification of any likely transaction.

- The board believes that there is a low probability that LJPC would be presented with, or otherwise identify, within a reasonable period of time under current circumstances, any viable opportunities to engage in an attractive alternative business combination or other strategic transaction that would provide enhanced value to stockholders.

- LJPC has only three full-time employees remaining, two of which make up the management team consisting of a President and Chief Executive Officer and a Vice President of Finance and Secretary.

RISKS

The biggest risk is the possibility of a merger or buyout above the current market value. This is unlikely, as the company has no patents nor other intellectual property that would encourage potential buyers to pay a value above LJPC’s net cash. The 5X premium to net cash value in unwarranted, as the likelihood of liquidation is high. This presents a great shorting opportunity for investors.

In July 2009, LJPC announced that, in light of other alternatives, a wind down of the business would be in the best interests of stockholders.

 PERFORMANCE AFTER SUBMISSION

Queensland Rugby has for a while claimed that it has been the nursery for the Super 14 talent in the Australian Super Rugby franchise, and to be honest a few years ago that was the case.

One of the problems facing Australian Rugby is that the numbers of Super Rugby players coming out of Queensland is on the wane. This is worrying as it means that the national squad will ultimately suffer. Australia needs the traditional powerbases of Queensland and New South Wales to be strong for the Wallabies to be strong.

The Western Force academy is making headway but it is unlikely to produce a large amount of talent ready for international duty so early in its development. The ACT has done its bit but again not enough to lay strong foundations for the Wallabies.

In the Force’s second year there were more Super Rugby players from Queensland playing for Australian sides than any other franchise. Is it a coincidence that this decline in numbers has seen the Wallabies decline?

Last season there were only 22 players playing for Australian Super Rugby sides from Queensland, as opposed to 52 from New South Wales, 8 from the ACT, 3 from WA and 2 from VIC*.

Every Rugby fan has watched the QRU self destruct in recent years. They have also watched the revolving door policy on the Reds coaching position. For the sake of Australian Rugby they need to intervene and assist in getting Queensland rugby back on track, for the good of the Australian game. Another bad season this year could spell huge problems in the coming years.

*based on player birthplaces

So apparently Australia was really upset when they discovered something I’m thinking they never heard before: Britney Spears lip syncs her concerts.  “GASP!” The world as we know it…or as  Australians know it has come to an end! Not so much on this end of the world because Britney lip syncing is one in many mediocre issues plaguing our society today.

I mean really?  Upset that Britney Spears lip synced a concert? Are you aware that this is Britney Spears we are talking about?  Like John Mayer said on his Twitter, “If you’re shocked that Britney was lip-syncing at her concert and want your money back, life may continue to be hard for you.” However if your upset that she lip-synced AND put on a horrible show as some reports indeed indicate is the case, I can’t be mad at that.

I for one love a good show. I love when a performer goes all out to make a nice spectacle that becomes delicious eye candy. Have you seen This Is It?  London would have been in for a treat if that concert actually had a chance to be seen live.  To see your favorite singer perform  your favorite songs is what you live for at that moment.  The fact that some singers can actually perform their songs live AND WELL on top of intricate performances, admittedly is icing on the cake for me. Let’s face it, this wasn’t a U2 concert where you’re essentially watching a live band.  This wasn’t a Hip Hop, walk to various spots on the stage, and rap while your hype man fills in missing words that you can’t say because you’re too out of breath, kind of concert. Britney Spears, and pop stars like her perform elaborate acts of dance moves for up to 2 hours making it extremely difficult to speak much less sing at the same time.  I applaud those that can do it night in and night out.  But if it can’t be done every night…well so be it. I would rather see a brilliant symphony of dance and art than hear a lackluster out of breath song that quite frankly would ruin it for me.

Remember TLC? A great group back in their day.  Some of the best written songs I have ever heard. and their dance sequences in videos were second to none, I remember everybody reenacting their dance steps from their song “I Ain’t to Proud to Beg!” But their live performances were a struggle to watch because it was a struggle to get past their strained vocals.  Listening to T-Boz try to Sing Waterfalls while dancing the very simple yet cool dance that came with it was embarrassing. A TRUE indication of when keeping it real goes wrong! On the other end of the spectrum, remember Pink’s performance at this year’s MTV awards?  That was the best performance I have seen at an award show that I can remember and you know she had to lip-sync that.  And  I wouldn’t have it any other way. People have to remember when you’re watching your favourite artist at a live concert, you’re getting the same thing you get when you watch their video. a total package.  a finished product.  The vocals unfortunately are only a part of the deal.  Besides do you really want to hear them live? I don’t think you do.  There’s no auto tunes or sound booth to filter the actual horrid sounds that can come from these artists voice boxes (i.e. Kanye West and his 808’s and Heartbreaks album. That whole album was done in Auto Tunes…do you really want to hear that live?…I didn’t think so…).  Not to compare Kanye West to Britney Spears when it comes to singing skills, but she’s really not as good as most people think.

I guess what I’m getting at is suck it up Australia!  Let’s be honest you fell in love with the total package that is Britney Spears and not her (snicker) “musical talent”. However if her performance as a whole was a total mess, if it was impersonal, and legitimately just plain boring to watch, than kudos to you for recognizing a bad concert when you see one.  Keep waiting for your no-prize.

-Vic De Zen

• The Victorian Government is supporting plans to build a gas-fired power station in the Latrobe Valley.

The new gas-fired plant will be built next to the coal-fired Yallourn Power plant. (ABC TV)

Power company, Tru Energy wants to build a 1,000 megawatt gas plant next to its existing coal plant, at Yallourn by 2013.

The Victorian Energy Minister, Peter Batchelor, says Tru Energy’s plans are welcome.

“The transformation of Victoria’s energy network to a low emissions system is going to be a long and hard and expensive task,” he said.

“This news by Tru that they’re considering a substantial investment in gas fired generation in Victoria is really good news.”

The gas plant would provide around 13 per cent of the state’s electricity, making significant cuts to carbon emissions.

The Managing Director of Tru Energy, Richard McIndoe says the project will not go ahead unless the Federal Government increases compensation to generators under the emissions trading scheme (ETS).

“We’re looking for the Government to make it economically viable for us to continue generating from the existing Yallourn power station until we’re able to replace it with new cleaner gas-fired generation,” he said.

“Under the current proposal, that will be impractical and difficult for us to do.”

Greenpeace has accused Tru Energy of holding the Government to ransom by linking the development of new technologies to increased compensation.

Julian Vincent from Greenpeace says it is in the best interest of Victoria’s power generators to invest in cleaner energy.

“It’s a common pattern with the fossil fuel industry and it really is not helpful that whenever we want to see a shift away from dirty greenhouse polluting coal, they fold their arms and say well we need more money to do it,” he said.

“Clearly if they’ve got plans to build a power station that can replace coal, they need to get on with the job.”

www.abc.net.au

We have just been accepted into the Value Investors Club (VIC),  an exclusive community of about 200 value-oriented investors.

Anyone can get guest access with a 45-day read-only delay, but only members get to exchange views in real-time, both in the form of idea write-ups and message board discussion. 

The outperformance of stocks recommended by members have made memberships a coveted commodity, and acceptance rate is extremely low. We are proud of the recognition and we look forward to contribute to both VIC and Valuehuntr Blog in the future.

El Pacte dels Vigatans és un document signat el 17 de maig de 1705 per diverses personalitats de la petita noblesa vigatana, coneguts popularment com a “Els Vigatans” i més oficialment com a Companyia d’Osona, que s’aplegaren a l’ermita de Sant Sebastià, a la parròquia de Santa Eulàlia de Riuprimer (Osona).

Segons aquesta proposta de pacte secret amb el Regne d’Anglaterra, aquests facilitarien ajuda militar enfront Felip V de Castella, així com es comprometien a respectar Carles III i les lleis catalanes. A canvi, els catalans austriacistes es conjuraven a facilitar el desembarcament de tropes de la Gran Aliança a la costa catalana.

Un mes més tard, el 20 de juny del 1705, els comissionats Domènec Perera i Antoni de Peguera i d’Aimeric es reunirien a la capital de la República de Gènova, per tal de signar el pacte amb Mitford Crowe, l’enviat de la reina Anna d’Anglaterra, també conegut com a Tractat de Gènova.

If you are in Melbourne tonight get down to the Northcote Social Club to see Otouto supporting folk/hip hop/synth pop hybrid master Casiotone for the Painfully Alone alongside Concern. Tickets still available at the door opening at 8:30pm.

And if you are in New South Wales in the following three days you can catch the tour at the following venues:

6th – (8pm) Wombarra Bowls Club, Wombarra, NSW – Otouto supports Casiotone For The Painfully Alone w/ Concern

7th – (8pm) North St Cafe, Batemans Bay, NSW – Otouto supports Casiotone For The Painfully Alone w/ Concern -

8th – (5pm) CAD Factory, Marrickville, NSW – Otouto supports Casiotone For The Painfully Alone w/ Concern – ALL AGES GIG