For days now, Ive had a song bouncing around in my head.

I blame Joe Scarborough.

Scarborough, the former Republican congressman and current host of MSNBCs Morning Joe, invoked the song in discussing Ken Starrs presentation to the U.S. Senate.

As Judy Collins would sing, Scarborough said, isnt it rich?

He was referring, of course, to the Stephen Sondheim classic Send in the Clowns.

Isnt it rich? the song goes. Are we a pair? Me here at last on the ground, you in mid-air. Where are the clowns?

Moments before, Scarborough had launched into a rant about the man who so ruthlessly pursued one president now defending another.

Where do we begin with Ken Starr? he asked. If irony werent already dead and buried years ago, it was Ken Starr yesterday talking about how abuse of power is not sufficient to impeach a president. He literally dragged the corpse of irony out of the grave. He meticulously tied the corpses neck bone to the back of a tractor, and he ran that tractor throughout the graveyard of stupidity and ran over every headstone before once again kicking dirt on the corpse of irony again!

In his remarks during the trial of President Donald J. Trump, Starr had insisted it was time to bring an end to the age of impeachment.

In this particular juncture in Americas history, the Senate is being called to sit as the high court of impeachment all too frequently, he said. Indeed, we are living in what I think can aptly be described as the age of impeachment. ... How did we get here?

As he referred to the song, Scarborough was talking to Benjamin Wittes, senior fellow in governance studies at the Brookings Institution.

I was sitting with a colleague yesterday watching Ken Starrs presentation, and she turned to me and said, Does Ken Starr know hes Ken Starr? Wittes recalled. I think that kind of, you know, captured the whole thing, that there was so little self-awareness in this sort of pious presentation of the dangers of hyperactive impeachment, and you kind of watched it saying, Do you know who you are in this conversation? Do you know, have any understanding of the role you played?

Starr, after all, was the special counsel who had worked so relentlessly to drive President William Jefferson Clinton from office. It was Starr whose investigation of an Arkansas land deal eventually evolved into an examination of the presidents sexual relationship with a White House intern.

In addressing the Senate this time around, Starr described the impeachment process as a war of words and a war of ideas that divides the country like nothing else.

Those of us who lived through the Clinton impeachment understand that in a deep and personal way, he said.

Watching him speak, you could almost picture Starr breaking into song.

Isnt it rich? hed sing. Isnt it queer? Losing my timing this late in my career. But where are the clowns? There ought to be clowns.

Starr isnt alone. Lots of folks are singing a different tune these days. Take the president himself.

I really think that Ken Starr is a disaster, he said back then in an interview on NBCs Today show.

He called the man now charged with defending him a total wacko who was off his rocker.

This saga is filled with folks who saw things differently all those years back.

Dont you love farce? the song goes. My fault, I fear. I thought that youd want what I want. Sorry, my dear! But where are the clowns? Send in the clowns. Dont bother. Theyre here.

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Singing a song of impeachment | Opinion - The Rushville Republican

Stanley Kubrick's 1968 classic, 2001: A Space Odyssey, remains the best and most influential sci-fi movie of all time. Here's why.

Stanley Kubricks2001: A Space Odysseyis still the best and most important science fiction film of all time, and modern-day science fiction movies have yet to top whatthe director's 1968 release was able to do. Of course, there have been intelligent science fiction films released recently, includingEx Machina,Annihilation,Arrival,andBlade Runner 2049, and the genre has been popularized with multi-billion-dollar franchises likeStar WarsandStar Trek;even the MCU can be considered science fiction. But one would have to go all the way back to Fritz LangsMetropolis(1927), which is credited as the first science fiction film ever, to find a movie as daring, ground-breaking, and influential as2001: A Space Odyssey.

Written by Kubrick and famed science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke, 2001: A Space Odysseys main plot begins with the discovery of a monolith on the moon, and upon investigation, a deafening radio signal is released. The story picks up later when Dave Bowman (Keir Dullea) and Frank Poole (Gary Lockwood) are on a deep space mission to Jupiter, later revealed to be a further investigation ofthe monoliths lunar radio signal. The bulk of the films runtime includes Dave and Franks conflict with HAL 9000 (voiced by Douglas Rain), their ships malfunctioning artificial intelligence, which exhibits signs of self-awareness.

Related: Every Stanley Kubrick Movie Ranked, Worst To Best

A masterpiece of the science fiction genre, 2001: A Space Odyssey was groundbreaking in its exploration of complex themes, its prescience, and its visual language. Not only does it still hold up as a cerebral and visually stunning film, but it has since changed the genre, bifurcating science fiction films into two main categories, and even the best of recentyears has not approached what 2001: A Space Odyssey was able to accomplish.

When Kubrick approached Clarke about collaborating on 2001: A Space Odyssey, he said that he wanted to make a film about mans relationship to the universe. Its about as high-minded a concept as one can get, and its demonstrated in two main sections of the film. The prologue depicts what the film calls The Dawn of Man, which dramatizes a tribe of apes interacting with a monolith millions of years before the films main action. The visuals imply that the monolith bestows the apes with human-like intelligence the ability to reason and use tools which leads to humankinds eventual journey to space. Such an elemental question where do we come from? is answered in 2001: A Space Odyssey.

The second deeply philosophical question explored in the film is what makes humans human? Through HAL 9000s self-awareness, the film wonders where the line of personhood is drawn. HAL demonstrates feelings of self-righteousness when his functionality is questioned, personal agency when conspiring against the crew members, and pain and fear when Dave is shutting him down or is that all just part of his programming? The singularity, or artificial intelligences self-awareness, has been a frequent subject of science fiction films, includingEx Machina, AI: Artificial Intelligence, and even The Terminator series, but it was first explored in 2001: A Space Odyssey.

It is impossible to understate how forward-thinking this is. The first rudimentary AI was developed in 1955, so in 1968 the concept of AI was so new and cutting edge. Though films and television had depicted humanoid robots, including theone in Metropolis, consciousness in a disembodied computer was untrod territory in film. And considering that most Americans are walking around with a type of AI in their pockets - though not self-aware, of course - that 2001: A Space Odyssey predicted the ubiquity of artificial intelligence adds to the films prescient brilliance.

2001: A Space Odyssey was also a visually stunning film, easily winning the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. It captures space realistically with slow, patient movements and the total absence of sound. In the climactic moments of the film, Dave goes through what is probably a wormhole (the film never directly states), which was once again a recent scientific theory, and the kaleidoscopic lights that fill the frame invented the visual language for wormholes that has been repeated in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Contact, and Interstellar, just to name a few.

2001: A Space Odyssey might feel dated now it has a sixties' version of futuristic production design and slowly paced sequences that arent as frenetic as most post-Star Wars space adventures but when it was released, it was truly a never-before-seen event that has influenced much of what came after it.

Related: 2020 Is The Best Year For Sci-Fi Movies In Ages

Since 1968 and 2001: A Space Odysseys release, there has been an explosion of science fiction on film. Broadly speaking, the genre has bifurcated into two general categories: realistic science fiction and fantasy science fiction. One shouldnt assume that there is more prestige in realistic science fiction than in fantasy. After all, at its best, the fantasy science fiction franchise Star Trek, which takes great liberties with the laws of physics, aims for resonant philosophical themes just as high-minded as 2001: A Space Odyssey's, and realistic science fiction like Ad Astra was a slog that failed to connect its ambitious premise with a cohesive plot.

In most cases, realistic science fiction utilizes 2001: A Space Odysseys visual and auditory language: outer space has no sound, and ships move deliberately. Many try to replicate 2001: A Space Odysseys philosophical themes:Ex Machina is about a sentient AI that turns dangerous and manipulative;Contact is about the search for meaning in a vast universe;Arrival takes seriously the interactions between humans and extraterrestrial visitors and plays with the very nature of time, just as the conclusion of 2001: A Space Odyssey does.

But its the subgenre of fantasy science fiction that has seen the largest growth, dominating the film marketplace in some years. The Star Wars franchise, the MCU, and Avatar are each in the top ten box office grossers of the past ten years, and the visual language and plotlines of these films are pastiches of other genres. In many ways, theyre space westerns, just as the original series of Star Trek was first pitched, and the battles between spaceships are airplane dog fights with laser beams instead of ammunition. Deep philosophical themes arent absent from fantasy science fiction: Avatar and Thor: Ragnarok are about the ethics of colonization;Event Horizon is a deeply existential film about humans place in an uncaring universe.

The sum effect of this glut of science fiction is twofold. First, the incredible popularity of fantasy science fiction has educated the masses about theoretical science. Theories in quantum physics like the multiverse and relativity and advancements in technology like artificial intelligence and deep space travel are almost ubiquitous in popular imagination. Second, speculative fiction allows audiences and creators to engage in the kinds of what if scenarios that other forms of drama dont tackle as well. Asking questions about the nature of personhood isnt confined to science fiction, but such questions can be more starkly dramatized when placed in otherworldly settings. As society catapults into a new, technologically dominated age, science fiction exists as both a warning and a goal. Will technology render humanity as helpless as the characters in Wall-E or usher in the utopia of Star Trek?

2001: A Space Odyssey remains the best science fiction film of all time. It is an engrossing, thought-provoking journey with surprises at every turn. Everything from the clever twist of HAL lip-reading Dave and Franks scheme to battle of wits between man and machine to the psychedelic visuals of the wormhole sequence makes watching 2001: A Space Odyssey a hypnotic feast. If it were released today, it would still attract a discerning audience.

But in the context of 1968, its truly extraordinary. Its difficult to name a recent film that has dramatized the effects of a technology only conceived of within the last two decades. Science fiction has always looked to breakthroughs in science for fodder for drama, but most recent films have been playing with questions debated in scientific communities during the early 20th century like AI and quantum relativity subjects that 2001: A Space Odyssey explored over fifty years ago.

Related: The Best Sci-Fi Movies On Disney+

2001: A Space Odyssey managed to be both cutting-edgeand iconic, a trend-setter and timeless. With its profound philosophical reach, its stunning visuals, and its prescience, Stanley Kubricks revolutionary science fiction opus not only inspired the crop of science fiction movies that followed it, 2001: A Space Odyssey remains the genres best.

More:2020 Is A Huge Year For 1960s Franchises

Why Star Wars Fans Have Forgiven Hayden Christensen

Jim is a Weekend Editor at Screen Rant, the film critic for WEHT/WTVW, and co-host of two podcasts on YouTube, Jim and Garret at the Movies and Deadly Analysis, which focuses on philosophy and horror films. He was educated at Miami (OH) University and Virginia Tech where he earned a Masters degree in English, and he has worked as an actor, writer, cook, accountant, paramedic, and English instructor. His tweet reviews can be found at jthunter13.

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Sci-Fi Movies Still Havent Topped 2001: A Space Odyssey - Screen Rant

BRISBANE, Australia (PRWEB) February 04, 2020

Readers are invited to follow one womans journey of self-discovery in Confessions of a Professional Overthinker (published by Balboa Press AU).

After developing a bout of anxiety and depression post the birth of her only child, Kristy Riggall an ex-nurse and behavioral science student decided to go on a search-and-destroy mission to overcome and heal what was internally ailing her. As she delved into her subconscious, she realized the answer laid in the scripts she had downloaded in childhood. Creating havoc in her adult life. By sharing this personal journey of understanding her chronic overthinking addiction, she hopes to assist others who are going through the same challenge.

One of the harmful facet of the mind is overthinking a symptom that Riggall believes causes disconnection and a battle between the subconscious and conscious minds. Often creating a cognitive dissonance. In Confessions of a Professional Overthinker, the author explains the source of overthinking and why people do it. Here, she sheds light on the root of anxiety and depression and encourages readers to isolate and consciously download the source of the internal stories through self-awareness.

Your subconscious mind is built in early childhood, the author explains. Events and situations leave marks or scars, leading to anxiety, depression and incessant mind chatter in adulthood. Overthinking is a source of control. Control leads to anxiety, perfectionism and fear of the future. She believes if you are willing to change the way you think and download new internal stories, your life could become amazing and everything you ever dreamed of.

Confessions of a Professional Overthinker shares simple, active steps on how to find peace and self-acceptance. It will assist readers in learning the art of balance, surrender, compassion and self-love. To get a copy, visit https://www.balboapress.com/en-au/bookstore/bookdetails/771717-confessions-of-a-professional-overthinker.

Confessions of a Professional Overthinker By Kristy Riggall Softcover | 6 x 9in | 180 pages | ISBN 9781504320313 E-Book | 180 pages | ISBN 9781504320320 Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author Kristy Riggall is a former nurse and a final year commerce and behavioral sciences student at a university. Her work as a nurse spawned her desire to learn more about the human mind and body connection and to further learn about the reasons why people make the decisions they do and why.

Balboa Press Australia is a division of Hay House, Inc., a leading provider in publishing products that specialise in self-help and the mind, body and spirit genre. Through an alliance with the worldwide self-publishing leader Author Solutions, LLC, authors benefit from the leadership of Hay House Publishing and the speed-to-market advantages of the Author Solutions self-publishing model. For more information or to start publishing today, visit balboapress.com.au/ or call 1800 050 315.

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Do you want to transform your chronic overthinking to inner peace? - PR Web

By Puja Gupta

New Delhi, Feb 4 (IANSlife): What defines a brilliant child? Is it academic scores or inherited family traits? Surely, test scores can't be the only way to determine a childs ability. At one point in time, IQ was viewed as the primary determinant of growth and while it remains an important aspect of a childs development, parents today are increasingly realizing that teaching kids ways to manage their emotions and social behaviour is equally important in ensuring a childs overall well-being.

Young children are exposed to and struggle with many emotionally turbulent stimuli both inside and outside their homes; right from packed academic and extra-curricular schedules to class bullies. Yet, burdened by expectations, a child is expected to react to these stimuli within the boundaries of socially acceptable behaviour.

Kids get scolded by parents, teachers and relatives for throwing tantrums and being difficult, not realizing that these are often innocent acts which don't require judgements but a considerate, sustained intervention by caregivers to boost kids' Emotional Intelligence(EQ), helping them deal with their daily lives in a more healthy way, underlines Simon Jacob, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Toiing.

The good news is that this is very doable through coaching and even a fraction of the effort we put into developing academic excellence in children can help them grow into well-rounded individuals with a healthy attitude towards life, Jacob says.

Here are some tips shared by Jacob to nurture and develop EI (Emotional Intelligence) or EQ (Emotional Quotient) in kids:

Help them identify emotions:

No one notices and understands kids' unexpressed emotions and unstated needs better than parents. The way your child understands and manages their emotions can determine their outlook and personality. So your role here lies in helping them identify various emotions and navigate this complex world by having conversations around healthy ways to react to different situations. Let them comprehend and react to different feelings running in ways that suit their personality and help them find the best way to channelize & express their emotions.

Two-way communication:

Kids learn faster and develop holistically in an open, connected and trusted environment. They are able to identify, understand and exhibit their feelings freely. A two-way conversation opens doors to a healthier parent-child relationship, where the parents inspires confidence in their children. Parents need to talk to them with an open mind, and let them have a share of voice along with helping them distinguish between right and wrong.

Power of Play:

Play is incredibly important and allows kids to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity and emotional skills. Role play, storytelling, collaborative games and simple DIY activities such as labelling emotions can inculcate resilience, team spirit, improved communication skills and compassion for others.

Motivate and engage:

As a parent, it is important that we acknowledge our child's feelings and perspectives. This allows a child to express their feelings without the fear of judgement or admonishment, which in turn helps them familiarise themselves with different kinds of emotions. Encouraging them through active listening and by engaging with them actively in conversations around their behaviour can really help them increase their self-awareness and over a period of time, children learn to introspect and arrive at thought out decisions independently.

Emotionally intelligent kids are known to foster more meaningful relationships, have better mental health and are more likely to succeed as adults. It is about time we started treating emotional intelligence as a mainstream skill.

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Teaching emotional intelligence to kids - Daijiworld.com

Joaquin Phoenix targeted the British Academy Film Awards' embarrassing lack of diversity while accepting the Leading Actor award for his role in Joker a film that has been criticised for its depiction of white terrorism.

Acknowledging that the BAFTAs had been supportive of his career, this being his fourth nomination, Phoenix said he felt "conflicted" because non-white actors weren't afforded the same privilege.

"I think that we send a very clear message to people of colour that you're not welcome here," said Phoenix, who beat out fellow all-white nominees Leonardo DiCaprio, Adam Driver, Taron Egerton, and Jonathan Pryce.

Phoenix also acknowledged that he was "part of the problem", having failed to push for inclusivity in his own projects. Though he fell short of committing to visible, measurable steps to rectifying this, it at least indicated some self-awareness.

"I think that we really have to do the hard work to truly understand systemic racism. I think that it is the obligation of the people that have created and perpetuate and benefit from a system of oppression to be the ones that dismantle it. So that's on us," finished Phoenix as the room full of rich white people looked sad and applauded.

It's a good sentiment, but also one that's been repeated for years. It'd be nice if people actually started doing something.

Jojo Rabbit director Taika Waititi also gave a nod to Britain's historic racial issues in his acceptance speech for Adapted Screenplay. "Coming from the colonies, we know it's been a hard week for you guys. It's been very nice to take a little bit of your gold back home. Where it belongs."

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Joaquin Phoenix and Taika Waititi reminded everyone about racism at the BAFTAs - Mashable SE Asia

Illustration by Rachel Wada

First Person is a daily personal piece submitted by readers. Have a story to tell? See our guidelines at tgam.ca/essayguide.

Dads been calling.

Usually he calls my brother, but, sometimes, the calls come in the night and even my brother gets to turn his phone off once in a while. Im awake, in my distant time zone, and I answer, honestly grateful for a chance to save my brother just one drop of this waterfall of misery.

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"Where's your mom?! I've looked all over the house, I can't find her anywhere."

Dad's pretty much deaf. Only yelling will be enough to move my answer across the ocean between us.

"MOM DIED, DAD."

How do stage actors project their voices with sombre and serious tones? I cannot. At high volumes, I can only sound angry or impossibly cheerful, like I'm running a morbid puppet show for children. And I only want to say it once, otherwise we will slip into a very dark Abbott and Costello routine.

"Oh."

Strangely, he doesnt usually crumble at the news. It's possible, at some cellular level, he already knows.

The news does awaken a tortured moment of self-awareness and, with it, some understandable panic. What the hell is wrong with me? This is hard. Theres no explanation he will understand and even if he could, nothing would help.

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You just need some sleep, Dad.

Did you come? This one, at least, is easy. Yes. I came, on a flight from Zurich, through Reykjavik, to Calgary. My brother, who still lives in Canada, has shouldered almost all of the burden of caring for our ailing parents. When I arrived, I was at least able to help a little draft an obituary, get the hospital bed out of the living room, sign some legal documents but mostly I sat with Dad.

Did we have a decent funeral for her at least? This one is trickier. We did not. Mom was quietly cremated; her ashes are in a pretty urn just down the hall from Dad. He probably saw her in his search of the house. This is the only time I nearly lie. I mean, whats the harm in letting him think we had a grand ceremony?

His initial request for a big funeral had surprised and terrified my brother and me. Funeral plans had never been discussed, and it had never occurred to us that Mom would have wanted something elaborate. After her own parents died, Mom had instructed my brother and I to bury their ashes in the backyard. We planted a tree on top, but it died. I dont suppose that counts as a decent funeral?

Mom and Dad were a vibrant couple. They had lots of wonderful friends. But hardly anything has survived their last couple decades of self-destruction. The idea that my brother and I would have to engage in a protracted pantomime, of pretending that any of this was normal, while also having to repeatedly explain the unexplainable to lots of concerned strangers, made me want to bolt.

No, Dad, we didnt.

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"Oh. I feel awful."

I know, Dad, its really sad, Im sorry.

"How did she die?"

This is the worst one. A dark and bitter part of me wants to say, she drank herself to death, but thats just pointless cruelty. And its not entirely true. Over decades, Mom catastrophically eroded her physical and mental health with a steady routine of smoking, drinking and barely eating. A particularly insidious feature of alcoholism is that with enough drinking, you can damage your brain to the point that even if you wanted to quit drinking, even if you had an utter and complete moment of clarity and saw God and fully and completely committed to treatment, you can forget all of this a few moments later while sipping your next whiskey.

Not that Mom, as far as I know, ever had doubts. She was righteous to the end.

She was, undeniably, a remarkable woman. She built and ran a successful accounting practice. As one of the very few women in her field when she started out, she must have experienced no end of sexism. She was so matter of fact and quietly talented about it, though, that when I was first introduced to the concept of unequal opportunities for women in school, I was genuinely confused.

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She was tiny and tough as nails. After breaking her thumb skiing, she wore the cast for a few weeks, but then decided enough was enough and convinced Dad to saw the cast off in our basement. (If youre wondering, I was an anxious and sensible child who found this incident flatly terrifying. The sight of a Dremel saw still makes me shiver.) Of course, she woke up in agony and had to go to the doctor and ask her to, pretty please, put the cast back on. I like to think she was sheepish, but, honestly, this is my mom Im talking about.

The last time I saw her, before she died, she was mad at me. I have no idea why, although her anger was quick and common. She glared at me from her hospital bed with alarming ferocity, as if nothing would have pleased her more than to see me incinerated on the spot. How could a five foot tall, bedridden woman, who weighed less than my 9-year-old still command such terror? I managed a cheerful goodbye and a hug before giving my legs permission to bolt.

None of this can be shouted into a phone in short phrases. She had been sick for long time, Dad! How does my brother get through these calls in his open-plan office?

Silence.

So, are you still coming to visit us for Christmas?

Dad Im so sorry, Mom isnt there anymore

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I know. I know shes gone. But it will always be us in my heart, I think.

Were still coming for Christmas, Dad. Were looking forward to it.

Great.

Silence.

Can we have ham for Christmas dinner? Your mom hated ham.

Paula Ramsay lives in Lucerne, Switzerland.

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Dad forgets Mom died, but sometimes thats a blessing - The Globe and Mail

Despite my best efforts which may have included a few edibles I was unprepared for what Dallas-based experimental collective Starfruit delivered during their 40-minute set last Friday at Oak Cliffs Texas Theater (231 W Jefferson Blvd, Dallas, 214-948-1546). The band dropped Wild West Combat last week on the esteemed Fort Worth label Dreamy Life Records, and the show was ostensibly a celebration of the album release it was also a night that wrung the serotonin out of my brain like a damp towel.

As the show began, a diverse crowd of more than 100 people of all ages and genders filed behind a movie screen into a closely packed but not too crowded area. A psychedelic spectrum of colors bathed the dark space in hues of yellow, blue, and red, while the sound of Boy by Book of Love echoed from wall to wall.

Once the music fell silent, Dallas experimental pop artist Mattie slinked onstage alongside a dancer. Both performers were hidden from view, covered head-to-toe by a pliable, opaque orange fabric beneath which they undulated as the words of Buddhist writer Alan Watts pumped over the sound system. As Matties powerful alto burst from deep inside her chest, she moved through the set, slowly peeling off the cocoon of fabric and emerging with her dancer onto the stage in a moving metaphor of personal growth and self-actualization. The performance was reminiscent of Laurie Anderson blended with the essence of Grace Jones plus a dash of Bjork.

Dallas Llora followed with a set of retro synth-pop that compelled the audience to dance. After two songs, I leaned back and bellowed a revelatory shout of first-album Ministry to a couple of my fellow concertgoers, who nodded approvingly in amusement. This was not a criticism, just that Lloras musical influences seem fairly obvious. Its synth-wave for those who missed it the first time around, and thats not a bad thing. The set provided a lively diversion between the visual explosion of Mattie and the art-punk aesthetic of Starfruit.

When I spoke with Starfruit lead singer and songwriter Ava Boehme a few days prior to the show, they were hopeful that the audience would walk away feeling empowered and affirmed by the experience. Boehme thoughtfully curated everything, from the stage props and color scheme to video montages and the bumper soundtrack. The singer spoke of a desire to create an inclusive, heart-opening, familial atmosphere something that was lacking in their own early experience as some clubs.

The desire to address that void speaks to why Wild West Combat is a critically important release: There are countless trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming young people who desperately need role models. They need to see that their outcomes can be positive. As a member of a marginalized community in the public sphere, Ava represents the promise of acceptance of ones authentic self. It is a heavy burden for anyone, much less an artist, yet Starfruits performance traversed those themes with ease, beginning with a video presentation of typically masculine cowboys being gunned down right before the opening notes of Still a Baby, an anthemic punk-rock battle cry that rails against labeling children as one gender or the other at birth.

The nine members of this iteration of Starfruit included a tightly wound saxophone section, which burst with dissonance before converging into controlled chaos. The audience mirrored the show onstage, emboldened by Boehmes calls to interact with and protect one another, as the throng broke out into several mosh pits that ended with Boehme taking a crowd surfing ride in a moment of pure joy. The highlight of the show was Boehmes acoustic guitar performance of the poignant ballad Big Armed Truck Driver. Boehme sounded more confident and self-assured than on the recorded track. Their voice was confident and sanguine. Afterward, as Boehme was rejoined by the saxophone section and bassist for album-closer (minus hidden track) Song of my Birth, the full ensemble returned to the stage for a rousing finale.

It can be difficult for some cis people to empathize with the identity struggle experienced by members of the trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming population. Simply presenting as their authentic selves can place that population in physical danger, a theme that Boehme touched upon several times with a sense of urgency. At one point after encouraging the audience to mosh, Boehme reminded the crowd that Starfruit shows were a place where everyone was protected, contrasting their own experiences at punk shows.

It wasnt a very safe place for people like me, the singer told the audience.

In a text exchange a few days after the event, Boehme told me they were still processing their thoughts, but they also expressed a sense of achievement.

I thought the show was incredible and absolutely accomplished my goal, they said.

Dreamy Life Records and Starfruit should be proud. Theyve given the world a salient, timely piece of art.

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Live Concert Review: Starfruit at the Texas Theater - Fort Worth Weekly

Photo: Fotodelux | Getty Images

3 Strategies to Better Motivate Your Team

Regardless of your industry or team size, being a leader is no easy task. You have to be a counselor, a disciplinarian and a source of encouragement all at once. Finding a balance between those roles some of which at first seem to conflict requires a crystal-clear strategic vision, passion for your people and a commitment to developing your own emotional intelligence.

Its possible to replace employees, but you can never precisely replicate an individuals specific skill set. In todays knowledge economy, the old adage that employees are your biggest asset rings true. One of the most important things you can do as a leader is show your employees you understand this, as well as thevalue they bring to the table that you have confidence in their skill sets and expect great things.

Setting high expectations not only inspires employees, but it also helps you get the best work from them. At the end of the day, your teams success equals your success. Below are a few key ways to keep your team motivated and, ultimately, help your entire organization succeed.

Related: Grin and Bear It Is Wrong. Heres What Great Leaders Understand About Emotional Intelligence

Rarely are employees satisfied with clocking in, clocking out and collecting a paycheck. They want to know that theyre learning and growing on the job,that theyre actually working toward something. In fact, according to Work Institute research, career development (or, rather, the lack thereof) is the leading cause of employee turnover in the U.S.

Show employees you care about their development by having conversations about their career objectives,and not just during your annual reviews. AQuantum Workplace study has found that when employees have these types of discussions more than once a year, there's a marked increase in levels of engagement. Be intentional about this process to ensure you regularly discuss professional goals with each of your direct reports,whether that be via an official quarterly meeting, a casual lunch conversation or something in between.

What should happen during these discussions? First, dial up your emotional intelligence and pay attention to how employees are feeling and responding to you. Make sure your employees know that their career success matters. Share your goals with them, and ask about their own. By discussing your own goals with your employees, youll show that you trust them and help them feel more comfortable opening up. Secondly, offer ways that you or the company at large can help them work toward their objectives. Dont leave the meeting until you both have some concrete action steps.

Encourage your employees to learn from work experiences both the good and the bad. This may require helping those you coach to recognize the learning opportunities in their workday. Employees are often pushed for time and dont prioritize their own learning,notes Michael Butler, principal at Pariveda Solutions, in a company blog post.As a leader, you can start by helping your team glean key lessons from their work experiences.

Butler recommends reminding your employees to reflect on what went well, what didnt go so well and how they can improve in the future. You can call out these daily learning opportunities in the moment or ask your direct reports to think through what could have gone better on a weekly 15Five or quarterly survey.

Identifying and responding to these learning experiences is incredibly powerful; ithelps create aculture of learning within your team. In addition, provide resources for continued learning throughout the year. These could take the form of an in-house training platform or financial support for an off-site workshop, among other options. Reward those who make an effort to improve and grow, whether thats with a gift card, a one-time bonus, access to further educational opportunities or even just bragging rights, such as Learner of the Month.

Employees want to have personal relationships with their colleagues, and Gallup research shows that work friendships lead to better performance. When employees truly feel a sense of camaraderie with their colleagues, they feel more compelled to take positive actions to benefit the business.

To help cultivate relationships, allow time and space for your team to interact while they accomplish tasks. That could mean adding 15 minutes of social time with snacks and drinks before an all-hands meeting or setting up huddle rooms as more casual conference rooms when teams just need an informal setting to collaborate. Support these tactics by encouraging teams to work cross-functionally. This breaks down silos, contributes to productivity and leads to more opportunities for personal connection.

Related: Five Key Qualities of Effective Multiteaming

Luckily, the possibilities for social engagement are virtually endless. You could organize a formal team-building event, a family picnic, an employee heritage celebration or a post-work happy hour. Keep your company culture in mind, and promote the types of activities you think would appeal most to those on your team.

Being a successful leader requires a delicate mix of attributes. You have to be able to set high expectations, motivate employees, provide support and also course-correct when needed. By focusing on employeess goals, development and relationships, youll set up your team and company for success.

Related: Tame Your Turnover With These 4 Team-Building Ideas Marcus Allen Explains Why Greatness Is Not Given - It's Earned 3 Strategies to Better Motivate Your Team

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3 Strategies to Better Motivate Your Team - Thehour.com

After Blue Monday a couple of weeks ago, the first Monday in February continues the theme of dreariness and depression of post-Christmas winter. With freezing temperatures, the days shrouded in darkness, andspring still seeming a long way off,it is hardly surprising that a lot of people are feeling under the weather.

With sick days and reduced productivity because of illness costing UK firms more than 77 billion, there is a clear incentive for employers to put measures in place to ensure a healthy and happy workforce.

The number of days employees take off sick has actually been reducing over recent years, with the ONS reporting that, while staff were absent for an average of 7.2 days per year in 1993, by 2017 this had fallen to just 4.1 days.

Emma Long, Commercial Director, BizSpace explains that there could be a number of factors might be behind this, including improved general health amongst the UK population, but also a growing trend of presenteeism (a feeling of job insecurity amongst staff that leads to a fear of being away from the office or leaving on time) and improved technology, meaning that people are more likely to work from home if they feel unwell than take a day off sick.

Yet, while the statistics appear to be moving in the right direction, they could actually be masking a more serious problem. Our always-on culture means that switching off has become a sign of weakness. Whereas previously people could use the excuse of not wanting to infect others to take the day off and forget about work for 24 hours, the ability to work remotely has led to people staying away from the office but still doing a full days work.

On the surface, this looks like a win for employers, but it could actually be having a negative impact on long-term health. Sick days serve a useful function of giving people a break when they need it most. With no excuse to stop work when dealing with minor illnesses, people might not take the time they need to recover from illnesses, leading to further complications and a negative impact on mental health over the long term.

By focusing on reducing the number of sick days their employees take, companies are failing to take into account the issues of reduced staff productivity and longer term health problems, including mental health issues. In short, to try and reduce sick days is to focus on the wrong thing; employers should instead be aiming to improve the long-term health of their employees.

This could be done in a number of ways.

Flexibility and duvet days

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Despite the fact that losing weight and getting healthy is one of the most popular resolutions to make for the new year, you might be the only one in your friend group thats actually committed to dieting. Its important to surround yourself with healthy foods so that youre not tempted to cheat too often, but unfortunately thats just not always a reality that we live in.

Thats where Noom comes in. This innovative app can help you stay on your dieting and health game even if youre the only person in your life thats focused on a wellness or weight loss journey. The best part? You can test it out with a two-week trial to see if it can work for you!

Keep up with your New Years resolutions and stay motivated by starting a two-week trial of Noom today!

So, how can a virtual app on your phone help you feel motivated enough to stay on track? After you complete a super-quick five minute questionnaire that asks you about the goals that you want to achieve, Noom will give you a tangible date of when you can expect those goals to be met.

Noom will then assign you to a group that has a dedicated coach to help everyone involved. Though this is a virtual support system, knowing that it exists can help keep yourself accountable and motivated to power through. You have access to your dedicated health coach 24/7, and you can ask them questions about pretty much anything regarding your health journey.

Keep up with your New Years resolutions and stay motivated by starting a two-week trial of Noom today!

In addition to asking you about your goals, your initial questionnaire will also inquire about your current lifestyle, environmental circumstances and your personal and family health history to create a completely customized plan that fits you. Noom also helps you log the food you eat and your activity levels and youre welcome to adjust how you diet as you go along.

Noom is proven to help its users lose the weight that they want and keep it off in the long term. Fast and hard dieting can definitely have temporary results, but oftentimes that weight can creep back up on you just as fast (if not faster) than it came off. But the goal of Noom is to help you commit to a healthy lifestyle that can lead to longer-lasting results. Its arguably the most flexible and easy-to-manage dieting plan especially if you are the only person you know thats trying to shed some extra pounds in 2020!

See it: Keep up with your New Years resolutions and stay motivated by starting a two-week trial of Noom today!

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