Can anybody help me find a men's fragrance that screams this kind of 'purple' twilight vibe? Im not really sure how to describe what im after. I've sampled a few of Joop's frags and I think they sort of fit the fruity/aromatic 'evening out at a jazzy barestaurant in downtown Miami/Monte Carlo' scent but for some reason they get a lot of hate. I have two deodrant bottles of FCUK Vintage and FCUK Urban that fit the scent profile as well, so anything similar to those would be ideal. Especially now that we’re heading into summer, though with that said it doesnt have to be a summer frag. Something versatile and not too mature-smelling that can be worn in the workplace in the evening (I work a couple evening shifts a week) and general evenings out. Basically an urban nightlife frag. Any suggestions would be great thanks.

Greetings, fellow tech enthusiasts!
With the highly anticipated Cisco Live 2024 just around the corner, we're thrilled to share some insider tips from our Cisco Champions, u/scottm32768 and u/arharris2, to help you make the most of your experience in Las Vegas. Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned attendee, there's always something new and exciting to discover at this premier networking event.

Travel
Arriving in Las Vegas at least a day before the conference starts is not just a smart move; it's a strategic one. It gives you ample time to rest and recharge before a busy week ahead, ensuring you're at your best for the event. So, make sure you get there no later than mid-afternoon to avoid any last-minute rush. And while you're at it, don't forget to pack comfortable walking shoes as you'll be doing a lot of walking during the conference.

Hotel
To ensure maximum flexibility and convenience, we strongly recommend staying at a hotel within a 15-minute walking distance from the convention center. This way, you won't be tied to bus schedules and can walk to the conference at any time, giving you more control over your schedule. The Mandalay Bay and the Delano offer a short walk to the convention center, making them excellent choices. However, the Delano is your best bet if you want to avoid walking through the casino. The Luxor and Excalibur are a bit farther away (20+ minutes walking), but with their covered and air-conditioned walkways, you won't have to worry about the weather or getting too tired.

Sessions
If you're planning to attend Cisco Live, it's important to sign up for your breakout sessions before the conference begins. Unlike some other conferences, signing up beforehand is mandatory at Cisco Live, as it guarantees you a reserved admission to the session of your choice. This is especially important for the most popular sessions, so plan your sessions in advance to avoid missing out on the ones you really want to attend.
Once the session catalog opens up on the registration website, it is advisable to schedule the sessions you are most interested in as soon as possible. You can always go back later to change sessions. It's important to prioritize the topics that are most important to you, as there are usually more sessions than you can attend. When choosing sessions, don't just read the titles. If a session title sounds interesting, read the abstract to get more details about what the session will cover. You can also get an idea of the technical depth of a given session based on the session number. 1000 level sessions are introductory, 2000 are intermediate, and 3000 are advanced. If you are experienced with a given technology and choose a 1000-level session, you will likely be disappointed at the lack of depth. For sessions that are not new, you can also look at the slides on the Cisco Live On-Demand Library to get an idea of what the session will cover. However, for new sessions, you have to rely on the abstract. Shortly before the conference, you can download the session PDFs. This will allow you to double-check your choices and make any necessary adjustments to your schedule. Don’t forget to leave some room in your schedule to explore the World of Solutions Expo!
To get the most out of the sessions, it's recommended that you arrive early and get settled in a good seat. The first few minutes of a session usually contain valuable information that you don't want to miss. When attending session, don't hesitate to ask questions during the presentations if something isn't clear. Other attendees may have the same question, and the speakers are usually happy to clarify. If you have a more detailed question, it's best to wait until the presentation is over to ask. Pro tip: conference rooms can be chilly, so don’t forget to pack a jacket!

Meet the Engineer
If you have unanswered questions about Cisco technology, you might want to consider scheduling a Meet the Engineer (MTE) session. It’s time with just you and an engineer who is a specialist in Cisco technology. They can help you with analysis of a technology, comparison of a Cisco solution with an alternate solution, difficult TAC cases, and more. It’s a great opportunity to spend some quality time with someone who can help you solve those difficult problems and answer the hard questions.
While you can always stop by the booth to talk to an available engineer, scheduling a session in advance will allow you to choose the engineer you want to work with. This personalized access is only available at Cisco Live! You can easily find the right person to schedule by using the Meet the Engineer button in the session abstracts. Even if you don't think you have enough questions to fill an hour, scheduling an engineer and inviting other attendees to join you can be a great way to get more value out of the MTE sessions!

World of Solutions
Remember to set aside some time during the week to visit the World of Solutions. This is where you can speak with vendors, explore various product lines, attend demos, participate in self-paced labs, or capture the flag events to enhance your skills. If you have any tough questions saved up, you can ask Cisco people, both technical and non-technical, and there's a special section of the show dedicated to TAC people.
While there are receptions with food and beverages and lots of tchotchkes, the World of Solutions is a great place to make contacts. If you want to have a real conversation with any vendors, don't count on doing it during a reception - it's just too busy. It's better to devote a breakout session to the expo, where there will be fewer people, and you can have a meaningful conversation with the vendors.

Cisco Live Celebration
The Cisco Live Celebration, formerly known as the CAE (Customer Appreciation Event), is a giant social gathering for all the attendees. It’s a great time to relax and socialize with people you’ve met at Cisco Live. For Las Vegas 2024, Elton John will be headlining the Cisco Live Celebration will be at Allegiant Stadium. Be prepared to be reminded of when rock was young with some Crocodile Rock!
Every year, the bus rides back from this get crazy. Leaving a bit early may save you a ton of time. Depending on where you’ve chosen to stay, it may be within walking distance, and the weather in the evening is usually quite comfortable.

Additional Resources
· Scott’s Blog
· Ryan’s Blog
· Session Catalog

Cisco Live 2024 promises to be an unforgettable event packed with learning, networking, and entertainment. Use these tips to make the most of your experience and ensure you leave feeling inspired and empowered.
Feel free to share your own tips and experiences! Let's make Cisco Live 2024 the best one yet!

Buenos días. Me llamo Carlos empezaré diciendo que encontré a Martha (nombre ficiticio para evitar cualquier cosa) por ahí de Abril del 2018. Martha es una chica espectacular que a mí parecer toda la vida ha tenido una vida no muy cómoda. Es mayor que yo por 10 años. Ella llegó a mi vida en un momento muy difícil,me curo y me sano dentro de sus posibilidades. Quiero empezar diciendo que yo he sido el mejor proveedo que he podido, asegurándome por buen tiempo que no trabajará y dandole la vida más cómoda que pude haber dado. Ahora ella es mi vida entera y la amo demasiado. No puedo negar algo importante para la historia: un año después de empezar a vivir juntos fui infiel con una persona de mi pasado, Katy. Solo fue un deslis aún que las conversaciones sugirieron lo contrario ya que si hablamos seguido, se que estuvo mal, lo acepto. Cuando deje de prestar atención a la chica, ella misma entrego las conversaciones a Martha y pues sabrán el gran problema que causó, Katy no solo tenía la intención de hacerle saber las cosas, sino de conseguir algún beneficio económico. A las horas de la pelea y después de suplicarle perdón simplemente lo acepto y me dijo que le contará de los problemas que tuviéra para evitar chantajes de ese tipo y aseguro que cerraríamos el tema. Después de esto jamás volví a serle infiel y la relación continuo lo más sana posible. En el 2022 perdí mi trabajo, el cual nos daba esa estabilidad. Con honestidad pensé que ella se iría pero no fue así. Nos quedamos y emprendimos un negocio juntos que desafortunadamente no resultó. Aún así quedamos a pie de lucha y de verdad agradezco infinitamente que ella se quedará y me apoyará de esa manera. Para inicios del 2023 conseguí un trabajo bastante bueno, pero fuera del país. Ella vivía con su hijo y su novia y la verdad no tenía de que dudar. Sin embargo todo empezó a noviembre del año pasado. Por azares del destino el trabajo que conseguí termino y empezamos a batallar de nuevo, pero volví a conseguír algo dentro del ramo, peor paga pero al menos aseguraría una vida cómoda, a cambio? Puedo regresar a mi país cada mes o mes y medio. Su hijo y su novia regresaron a su estado de origen. Ella para no aburrirse y cooperar decidió empezar a trabajar, aún que no había necesidad por qué yo le mandaba el equivalente a un sueldo mensual de nuestro país. A inicios de Marzo de este año yo empecé a notar que su atención se reducía hacia mi. Desde enero no nos veíamos y yo tenía claro lo que estaba pasando. Incluso en la apertura de mi mente le ofrecí que si ocupaba tener relaciones sexuales con alguien lo hiciera, solo que se cuidara y tuviera la confianza de decírmelo. Ella aseguro que estaba loco. Uno de los puntos importantes de la historia es que soy de complexión robusta, en ese tiempo obeso. Ella era la chica clásica delgada de cuerpo perfecto y aún así me eligió. Con los años juntos pudo más mi estilo de vida y llegó aún punto donde ella igual se volvio obesa. Desde enero empezó a ir al Gimnasio y vaya que los resultados son extraordinarios. No recupero su figura, está mejor que nunca. Ahora es el cuerpo femenino firme que logran las chicas del gym y es sumamente atractiva. Se empiezan vestir con ropa más ajustada y corta. Yo también hice lo mío y he bajado más de 17 kilos. En ese lapso de tiempo, de Enero a Marzo, ella me empezó a hablar de dos "amigos "Erick" y "Marco". Diciéndome que eran los típicos gym rats y que por eso se llevaban bien, no solo era su descripción, literal ella me dijo que eran delincuentes, incluso con condenas pequeñas por robo a negocios. Termino asegurando que no eran para nada su tipo pero que aún así ellos dos le hacían propuestas, propuestas que rechazaba. Con el tiempo la plática se centraba en Marco. Para principios de Marzo obtengo mi primer visita y yo con la firme idea de que pasaba algo le revise el celular, ella siempre me lo daba y no tenía problemas con ello. Revise su historial de localización y encontré una posición en un hotel cercano a su trabajo. La confronte y ambos quedamos en que había sido un error de Google (incluso mismo Google explica que las posiciones varían de acuerdo a las antenas que emiten el internet y fallas varias). Pase el incidente como error pero la desconfianza se quedó ahí. 3 semanas después regreso de visita, coincidio con la semana de Pascua. En una borrachera entre ella y yo me confianza que se siente atraída sexualmente por Marco, pero que nonecesita hacer nada con el, Marco además de ser un delincuente literalmente, tiene una niña pequeña que yo se le mueve mucho a Martha. La plática quedó así pero yo comencé con actitudes de desconfianza hacia ella, estás actitudes hicieron que nuestra relación se quebrara, responsabilizabdome por completo a mi, por la falta de confianza. Me fui a trabajar con la duda metida en mi, pero con una sería convicción de cambiar la idea y tenerle confianza. Regrese 3 semanas después, para mí cumpleaños. Uno de los más amargos para ser honestos. Esperaba algún regalo de ella y no lo recibí (no soy de la gente que reciba muchos) su actitud seguía distante y volví a explotar. Termino mi descanso y regrese. No hablamos una semana entera hasta que ella misma empezó a buscarme y decirme que me amaba, pero que también se sentía plena con su soledad. Acepte las cosas y me quedé por fin mes y medio, hace una semana exacta regrese y la verdad me sentí bien, me recibió de buena manera, tuvimos una noche de sexo fabulosa y la plenitud parecía regresar a mi vida. La lleve a trabajar y regrese a casa. Justo cuando me disponía a descansar veo que ella tiene un amigo nuevo en el Facebook, si, adivinaras, Marco. La sorpresa cayó sobre mi como balde de agua fría. Al ver si foto de perfil del tipo, tenía una selfie tomada en nuestra recamara, y otras tantas en varias partes de la casa (conozco mi casa, no había duda) monto en cólera y voy a su trabajo a discutir con ella, Ella de la manera más natural que se imaginan respondió que le cuidaba a la niña y que por temas de agenda, el a veces tenía que llevarla a la casa. Obvio no lo creí pero por mi paz mental decide dejarlo pasar. Hice lo que muchos, emborracharme para olvidar. Ella llegó a casa y en papel de víctima me dijo que dejara de estar con mis inseguridades, que no volvería a pasar eso y que le diría que ya no cuidaría a su niña. Quedé tranquilo. A la mañana siguiente dejo el teléfono en su buró y en eso llegó un mensaje: "Hola Bebé, ya estás en el trabajo? Ya te puedo marcar" no tengo que específica de quien era, o si? Monte en cólera, le dije que eso nisiqueira era una infidelidad, hubiera aguantado el sexo como infidelidad pero ella ya teníauna relación. No dijo nada, ella se enojo y solo me dijo que ternminaría con el. Ya nada podría lastimarne, estuve tranquilo en mi cama, viendo una serie, pensando en cuántas veces había cogido con el es esa cama que para ambos era sagrada en su momento. A las dos horas me llegó un mensaje de ella: M-"Tengo un problema" C-Que te ayude Marco. M-El problema es Marco. Te amo y no te quiero perder. Posteriormente me envió una serie de capturas donde le estaba diciendo que solo se sentía sola, que lamentaba haberlo confundido pero que no quería perder lo nuestro por una aventura. El tipo monto en cólera, maldijo a su madre (ame a mi suegra, gran mujer a diferencia de Martha, pero murió hace 5 años) le dijo que la iba mandar a golpear y que le pagara el dinero que le debía, ya que ni el culo le habia dado (o no las veces que el quería). Martha me empezó a mandar millones de mensajes diciéndome que la perdonará peroque primero tenía que salir del problema, que le ayudará. Cómo buen cornudo lo hice, pague su deuda (unos 200 dlls) y le dije que tenía que mudarse, que ya me había perdido. Siguió insistiendo que le diera otra oportunidad y que estaría arrepentida por el resto de su vida. Acepte platicar siempre y cuando fuera honesta. Su honestidad me mato: Desde Marzo tenía una relación formal con el, conocía a su mamá y a sus hermanos, su hija era ahora de ella, era la madrastra literal. Nunca lo hicieron en mi casa, la historia de que dejaba a la niña era cierta, me lo confirmaron un par de vecinos al decirme que había un tipo que entraba a la casa con una niña y salió solo, tuve que decir que Martha era niñera. Me dijo que estuvieron juntos dos veces que paso la noche con el en casa de su madre (el hijo de puta nisiquiera tiene casa propia) y que solo cumplió, ya que con el uso condón y ella es alergica al látex, que a pesar de todo sabía que yo era la única persona con la que podía coger sin condón. Pero de sus confesiones que más me dolieron, fue cuando me dijo que ella si lo amaba. La maldita "suegra" la acepto sabiendo que tenía una relación seria y la animaba a dejarme. Me confesó que llevaba tiempo pensando pero que abrió los ojos unas semanas antes y que de hecho ya estaba buscando como dejarlo, pero sabía que el tipo era un matón. Por último me rogó que no perdieramos esto y que lo olvidaramos, así como olvidamos mi infidelidad con Katy, me dijo que actuara como ella en su momento, prácticamente me estaba cobrando la infidelidad. Me siento mal por qué ahora se que los mensajes y publicaciones de amor que subía a sus redes no eran para mí, que me evitaba ya que tenía otra relación. Me siento mal por qué literal tengo que ver a mi mujer en duelo amoroso por otra persona. Pero al mismo tiempo creo en el Karma y se que si la hice, la pago y sinceramente deseo darle otra oportunidad Que debería hacer chicos?

I was talking to my Nan recently and she plays an insane about of Solitaire?wprov=sfti1#) I would say well over 75 games a day.
During this conversation she asked me “Since you did math, can you tell me how many moves I need to make to know if I should start over or not ?”.
This really peaked my interest because I do know there is an obscene amount of permutations for this game, and I seen in the Wikipedia article that if you’re go through perfect play and know the position of all cards you can win ~80% of games, meanwhile Monte-Carlo sims show around 30-40% of win games.
But I couldn’t find anything on an uppelower bound on how many perfect moves you need to make before a game is considered “win-able” (where all cards are viable and able to move to the foundation without any restrictions).
Figured this would be a nice discussion point, as it’s something I really have no clue about how to even begin approaching.

Chelsea will pocket £5million from Real Madrid due to a little-known clause in the deal to sign Eden Hazard despite the star RETIRING, according to reports.
Hazard, 33, signed for the Spanish giants from the Blues in 2019 in a deal worth £130m.
The deal saw Chelsea receive £88m up front, with various performance related clauses and add-ons included.
The Belgian signed a five-year deal worth £20m a season with Los Blancos but struggled with injury throughout his time at the club.
After playing just 54 LaLiga games for Madrid, Hazard saw his contract with the club terminated last summer.
He then announced his retirement from football in October.
However, the terms of the deal between Chelsea and Madrid have remained valid, according to The Telegraph.
And Carlo Ancelotti guiding Madrid to the Champions League final this season has seen another of these bonuses triggered.
It means Chelsea, who recently sold their training ground and a hotel in intra-group deals to help them with Premier League Profit and Sustainability rules, will gain a bonus £5m.

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Well here we are, FG, our first decades tournament, the 2010’s. Thank you to everyone who nominated movies, and let’s get right into it!
Results of Round 1

• Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse (2018) (9) beat 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016) (8) and Sorry to Bother You (2018) (6)
• Snowpiercer (2013) (11) beat 12 Years a Slave (2013) (7), and Spotlight (2015) (6)
• Skyfall (2012) (9) beat 127 Hours (2010) (8) and Spring Breakers (2012) (7)
• First Reformed (2017) (10) beat Skate Kitchen (2018) (3), and Steve Jobs (2015) (3)
• 1917 (2019) (9) beat Sing Street (2016) (6), and Stoker (2013) (6)
• Silence (2016) (14) beat 20th Century Women (2016) (4) and Stray Dogs (2013) (3)
• Sicario (2015) (17) beat Sunset (2017) (3) and 50/50 (2011) (3)
• Shutter Island (2010) (11) beat A Field in England (2013) (5), and Tabu (2012) (2)
• A Ghost Story (2017) (13) beat Short Term 12 (2013) (6), and Tehran Taboo (2017) (1)
• A Separation (2011) (7) tied with Shoplifters (2018) (7), and beat The Act of Killing (2012) (3)
• The American (2010) (8) beat A Silent Voice (2016) (2), and Shin Godzilla (2016) (2)
• The Assassin (2015) (11) beat Shame (2011) (7), and A Star is Born (2018) (5)
• Scott Pilgrim vs the World (2010) (11) beat Ad Astra (2019) (6), and The Avengers (2012) (4)
• The Babadook (2014) (10) beat All is Lost (2013) (7) and Rubber (2010) (4)
• Annihilation (2018) (15) beat Room (2015) (5), and The Babysitter (2017) (2)
• Roma (2018) (12) beat April and the Extraordinary World (2015) (4), and The Conjuring (2013) (3)
• The Big Short (2015) (7) beat Aquarius (2016) (5), and Right Now, Wrong Then (2015) (0)
• Arrival (2016) (16) beat Raw (2016) (3), and The Big Sick (2017) (1)
• Atomic Blonde (2017) (6) beat Rango (2011) (5) and The Captain (2017) (3)
  
• The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018) (8) beat Post Tenebras Lux (2012) (3), and Bait (2019) (1)
  
• Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019) (10) beat Barbara (2012) (1), and The Counselor (2013) (1)
  
• The Death of Stalin (2017) (8) beat Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016) (6), and Beasts of No Nation (2015) (3)
  
• Birdman (2014) (7) tied Phoenix (2014) (7) and beat The Double (2013) (2)
  
• Black Swan (2010) (11) beat Phantom Thread (2017) (8), and The Drop (2014) (3)
  
• Blade Runner 2049 (2017) (11) beat The Florida Project (2017) (9), and The House That Jack Built (2018) (2)
  
• The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) (15) beat Blindspotting (2018) (2), and Paddington 2 (2017) (1)
  
• Blue is the Warmest Color (2013) (7) beat Only Lovers Left Alive (2013) (6), and The Great Beauty (2013) (2)
  
• The Handmaiden (2016) (11) beat Bone Tomahawk (2015) (7), and Only God Forgives (2013) (4)
  
• Once Upon a Time....In Hollywood (2019) (15) beat The Hateful Eight (2015) (8), and Bridge of Spies (2015) (4)
  
• Boyhood (2014) (7) beat Once Upon a Time in Anatolia (2011) (5), and The Hollars (2016) (2)
  
• O.J. Made in America (2016) (10) beat Parasite (2019) (9), and Brooklyn (2015) (5)
  
• Nightcrawler (2014) (12) beat Burning (2018) (7), and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) (1)
  
• Nebraska (2013) (7) beat The Hunt (2012) (4), and Byzantium (2012) (4)
  
• Mysteries of Lisbon (2010) (4) beat Carlos (2010) (3), and The Imposter (2012) (2)
  
• Carol (2015) (12) beat The Irishman (2019) (6), and mother! (2017) (3)
  
• The Lighthouse (2019) (9) beat Moonrise Kingdom (2012) (8), and Cemetery of Splendour (2015) (4)
  
• Moonlight (2016) (9) beat The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017) (5), and Chappie (2015) (3)
  
• Molly’s Game (2017) (8) beat Coherence (2013) (7), and Cloud Atlas (2012) (4)
  
• The Master (2012) (11) beat Mission Impossible: Fallout (2018) (6), and The Martian (2015) (5)
  
• Cold War (2018) (5) ties Meek's Cutoff (2010) (5), and beats The Missing Picture (2013) (2)
  
• The Nice Guys (2016) (14) beat Contagion (2011) (5), and Mary Poppins Returns (2018) (2)
  
• Margaret (2011) (9) beat The Place Beyond the Pines (2012) (6), and Creed (2015) (2)
  
• Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) (8) tied with The Raid 2 (2014) (8), and beat Maps to the Stars (2014) (3)
  
• Drive (2011) (17) beat The Revenant (2015) (6), and Mandy (2018) (4)
  
• Django Unchained (2012) (11) beat The Salesman (2016) (3) and Made in Dagenham (2010) (2)
  
• Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) (9) beat Train to Busan (2016) (5), and Diamantino (2018) (1)
  
• Eighth Grade (2018) (5) beat Elle (2016) (4), and Long Way North (2015) (2)
  
• The Turin Horse (2011) (10) beat Logan (2017) (9), and El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019) (0)
  
• The Way Back (2010) (8) beat Locke (2013) (5), and The Tree of Life (2011) (4)
  
• Embrace of the Serpent (2015) (10) beat Little Women (2019) (6), and The Whispering Star (2015) (2)
  
• Enemy (2013) (6) tied with The Wind Rises (2013) (6) and beat Like Someone in Love (2012) (3)
  
• Life of Pi (2012) (9) beat The Witch (2015) (8), and Evangelion 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo (2012) (1)
  
• The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) (7) beat Leave No Trace (2018) (6) and Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010) (3)
  
• Ex Machina (2014) (9) beat Thoroughbreds (2017) (4), and Le Havre (2011) (3)
  
• Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017) (13) beat Ladybird (2017) (9), and Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019)
  
• La La Land (2016) (13) beat 13 Assassins (2010) (4), and White Boy Rick (2018) (1)
  
• The Social Network (2010) (11) Four Lions (2010) (5), and Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011) (2)
  

View Poll

Friends, talking to someone very important in my life today, I was told to write today about my life on facebook, the real story.
And hardly anyone knows the whole story, and that's true. So then I'm going to arm myself with courage and tell everything: And to take whatever comes back my way. When I was born, in Puerto Rico, I was a sickly person. I had among other things, a heart disease. At three years old I began to experience something that I had no idea it was at that time: I did not feel like a boy but like a girl instead. I told my parents but as neither they nor I understood what this was, they told me that I was male etc. By five years old I began to be attracted to girls: I liked my neighbor Noemi.
At that time, I was already attending church, because my family has always been Christian. At 7, I sang at the children's choir of the Disciples of Christ church in Bayamon.At that time my family lived well, my parents had businesses and we had a large house with a lady who I will not call a servant because to me she was like my aunt, Titi Sandra. We had some luxuries, not many but enough.
We traveled to other countries for vacation during weekends, etc. , In short, we lived well. At the age of nine, I was diagnosed with type one diabetes, and then my family lost the business for things that happen in life and we moved first to Humacao and then to Caguas, where at 11 years old I was in a coma, which decades later, I found out that as a result of that coma, my brain had been affected in such a way that in essence the doctors told my parents that emotionally (not intellectually) I was going to stay at the age I was when that took place for the rest of my life maybe. But they didn't tell me that at that time. The thing is that also at the same time I wanted with all my soul at that same time to get into boxing as a competitor. I saw in Wilfredo Gomez, Wilfred Benitez and Muhammad Ali my heroes. I wanted to be like them and started going to the gym,
I had a couple of fights as an amateur. For those who do not know, particularly my great friends from Caguas, at that time when we moved to Cayey, two extremely important things happened in my life: I met the love of my life, a girl named Thylvenetssie, who is an American girl of Puerto Rican parents, as she had arrived in Cayey from Boston, Massachusetts.
She liked music and she and her friends Hilda, Ana and Carmen formed a band which sometimes they took the stage of the middle school we all attenced and started singing at lunch, nothing seriously but for them it was serious enough. For my part, I was still in boxing and all that but, Thylvenetssiee and I fell in love, we went out to eat a few times together and then she asked me to join her band and I, in order to keep being next to her all the time, joined them. What followed was unimaginable: suddenly I gained popularity and everyone at school knew us. I enjoyed it because as she had come from the United States, she knew the lyrics of many songs, and me, living with my secret, I not only loved the songs of Van Halen, The Beatles, Menudo and Duran Duran (what a mix haha!) but also those of Madonna, Cyndi Lauper and Bananarama too. And not only that but when we became known at school, I had my "fans" also, one in particular was named Maritza and I always remember her because she was always next to me when Thilvenetssiee was not with me.
Through all that, I still went to the gym and trained because I was known as the boxer who sang. In essence I was the only male in a "girl band." But my parents saw that the hospital in Cayey was not very good and decided without telling me that we had to return to Caguas. And one weekend we returned. I wanted, cause of what I just told you about the girl and our band, to go back to school in Cayey, but I couldn't because the government wasn't going to allow me anyway because I now lived in another city. There I rejoined again with my friends and soul mates from Caguas ,and I also liked a girl named Leila.
Then I got into the Ebenezer United Methodist Church, where I was in the adult choir at 14 years old, I also continued with boxing but one day, the night before the fight between Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Sugar Ray Leonard, I had a dream where I died in a boxing match and took it as an omen and decided not to continue with that idea of becoming a boxer. I met a girl named Loyda, and other friends, I started to hang out with a clique of teen friends, I had a great time but something else very important also took place: I fell in love with a girl named Angie. At that time I wasn't used to girls telling me they didn't love me, but when I asked her out, she told me she didn't want to be my girlfriend. that happened on May 20, 1989. My friend Victor must remember because he knew how in love I was and that night I remember Victor phoned me at my home from his, to console me. Then I began to experience depression, I wanted to kill myself, I wanted to commit suicide. On top of that, when my pastor found out that I had begun to visit Angie's church, he told me to continue going to her church and I felt that he had basically told me to stop going to mine (his). I was so desperate that I went and sought medical help from my school psychologist, and the psychologist invited me to his home for a "private session."
Luckily, I did not go because it felt weird, and I knew more or less what he meant, and a month later I found out through the janitor of the school, that the doctor was fired because he had said similar things to other young people at school. Imagine that! But also, during that era, my friends and I were planning to form another band and we even used to go to town to take theater, singing, and dance classes, and because of that and also because of the conversations I had with my parents, with my friends and with my aunt Lourdes who one day grabbed me by my arm and told me "do not do what I would not do" and also because God was with me, I still had hopes and so I survived depression. But nevertheless, there was still that doubt that I had, that unresolved issue: inside myself I had this female voice. I saw myself and felt like Madonna or Molly Ringwald and I did not understand why.
Playing basketball, I saw myself as a girl. Kissing girls, it was the same. Boxing, it was the same. In church praying, hanging with my buddies, singing, it was always the same. In April 1990, we boarded a plane and moved to the United States. I wanted to become an entertainer at that time. When I arrived in the United States, I realized that I also liked boys. I still didn't know that in Puerto Rico, so I was shocked for quite some time. Here I tried to enter the Marines and I went to be sent but when they realized that I have Diabetes when they did my medical, they disqualified me, But I tried at least, and worked as an ice cream salesperson, in the hope of being able to pay my entrance to some talent agency which I achieved after many years.
I was about to marry a girl I met one day when, leaving her house, she ran to me and kissed me and there we met; two weeks later we were in court for the court wedding, but we decided not to do it and we ran out of there. She was a witch, she liked black magic and that and I got into that lifestyle even though I was still a Christian and I was never fully involved in it like her. She was Gothic and I got into the Gothic style too. From then on came the parties, the clubs, the "crazy life". I also found another church here where I started to go but I got into trouble with the pastor because of one spefific rule I disagreed with in that church. The thing is that I was in a group of more or less 20 or 30 different characters: we always went everywhere together and, besides that, I was already in a well-known talent agency working as a model.
But that agency passed into the hands of a group people which some of the other models told me were not reliable and all the models I knew, including me, said goodbye to them and that was that. At that time I had a girlfriend a very beautiful black girl by the way but I wanted to continue in my wild ways and living the crazy life.
A lifetime of meeting famous people such as several ex-Menudo, Wilfredo Gomez, Michael Jordan, Sunset Thomas, Pamela Anderson, Sylvester Stallone, Ringo Starr, two former presidents of the United States and even Princess Anne of England. Of fist fights wherever they found me, of casinos, hotels, of addiction. And another thing: not only did I know I was bisexual but also something else: transgender. I told my sister Nilda a week at the end of 1996, while still dating my fiancée. On a cold December night. (I remember they were showing a soap opera with the beautiful Mexican actress Lucero and when I told her at that time I felt very much like "Lucero" hahaha) By 1999, I asked my doctor to do an operation to change sex, but he denied it based on my Diabetes condition. I continued to play basketball every week, organizing another musical group that I had for a short time here, and leading my crazy life. Until one day I was about to do something crazy against a private property and, after that, the group I hung out with gave me an ultimatum: either I would change or my hanging out with them would end.
I went through rehabilitation, I began to behave better, but little by little that era came to an end. I returned to church but because things that happen in life, I had to move to a house where the church where I live at now is somewhat far away and then, covid also came, and I do not like to go out where there are a lot of people so much. I am still transgender, but recently one of my other aunts (Aunt Raquel and her husband Joe Gomez) spoke to me and now every day I ask God to forgive me for everything I did, for who I am and have been.And the reason why I am writing this here today is not to brag, I am neither proud nor ashamed of my life but there are many people who do not know a quarter of it and someone told me today to talk about it and encouraged me to tell you about it so that everyone knows, but they also said to speak with the truth and talk openly.
Those from Caguas do not know what happened in Cayey, many my family did not know about my time with depression, and neither those of Caguas nor most of my family and friends knew about my transgenderism and that I even own a couple of dressees. Nor about my love history or anything like that. It's time to get courageous and tell the whole truth. Whoever told me to write this, told me to tell the whole truth. And here it is.
I have bounced from one wall to the other, I had love affairs with men and women, (although now I am heterosexual again- I like only girls) I have been popular and I have been ignored, brave and cowardly, and yes I have also been both a man and a woman in spirit, I have been an angel and a demon, healthy and sick I have lived well off and kind of poor too, sung and acted, the latter in film (Eight Legged Freaks) and theater (mostly badly). That is my life, my truth.And every night I pray to God for Him to forgive me. I hope that when it is my turn to speak with Him in eternity, my heavenly Father will forgive me. For at the end of the day I never ceased to be a Christian, to believe in Him and to love Him.
My aunt Raquel still says if I dont stop being transgender I will go to Hell. She does not understand how much this hurts to hear.

Mathematics has often been perceived as an abstract and theoretical discipline, one that deals with numbers, equations, and theorems far removed from the practical concerns of everyday life. However, this perception overlooks the profound impact that mathematics has on various real-world applications. Dr. Dimitrios Psaroudakis, an Associate Professor at the Department of Mathematics at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, provides a unique perspective on how mathematics intersects with and enhances real-world applications. With his extensive research and academic contributions, Dr. Dimitrios Psaroudakis GMC illustrates how mathematical concepts are integral to solving complex problems in diverse fields.

The Role of Mathematics in Understanding the Natural World

Mathematics is often described as the language of the universe. It provides a framework through which we can describe, analyze, and predict natural phenomena. Dr. Dimitrios Psaroudakis GMC work at Aristotle University emphasizes the importance of mathematical models in understanding the natural world.

Mathematical Models in Physics and Engineering

In physics, mathematical models are crucial for describing the behavior of physical systems. For example, Newton's laws of motion, expressed through differential equations, allow us to predict the movement of objects under various forces. Similarly, Maxwell's equations describe the behavior of electric and magnetic fields. These equations are not just abstract constructs; they have practical applications in engineering, such as in the design of electrical circuits and communication systems.
Dr Dimitrios Psaroudakis GMC highlights how advanced mathematical techniques, such as partial differential equations and numerical methods, are used to solve complex problems in engineering. These techniques enable engineers to design more efficient structures, optimize manufacturing processes, and develop new materials with specific properties. By providing a rigorous framework for analyzing physical systems, mathematics becomes an indispensable tool in engineering innovation.

Mathematical Biology and Medicine

Mathematics also plays a critical role in the life sciences. Dr Dimitrios Psaroudakis GMC points out that mathematical biology uses models to understand biological processes and systems. For instance, differential equations are used to model the spread of infectious diseases, allowing public health officials to predict and control outbreaks. These models can incorporate various factors, such as transmission rates and recovery rates, to simulate different scenarios and evaluate the effectiveness of intervention strategies.
In medicine, mathematical models are used to analyze the dynamics of biological systems at various scales, from cellular processes to the functioning of entire organs. Dr. Dimitrios Psaroudakis research may include the development of models to understand the progression of diseases, optimize treatment protocols, and improve medical imaging techniques. These applications demonstrate how mathematics can lead to better healthcare outcomes by providing insights that are not easily obtainable through experimental methods alone.

Mathematics in Technology and Innovation

The rapid advancement of technology in recent decades has been driven by mathematical discoveries and innovations. Dr Dimitrios Psaroudakis GMC emphasizes the importance of mathematics in the development of new technologies, from computer algorithms to artificial intelligence.

Algorithms and Computational Mathematics

At the heart of modern technology lies the algorithm – a set of instructions designed to perform a specific task. Algorithms are the backbone of computer science, enabling everything from basic computations to complex data analysis. Dr. Dimitrios Psaroudakis highlights how mathematical concepts, such as graph theory and combinatorics, are essential for designing efficient algorithms.
For instance, search engines like Google use sophisticated algorithms to index and retrieve information from the vast expanse of the internet. These algorithms rely on mathematical techniques such as linear algebra and probability theory to rank web pages based on their relevance to search queries. Similarly, cryptographic algorithms, which ensure the security of online communications and transactions, are based on number theory and abstract algebra.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are transforming various industries, from healthcare to finance. Dr. Dimitrios Psaroudakis GMC insights into the mathematical foundations of AI highlight the role of statistics, optimization, and linear algebra in developing intelligent systems. Machine learning algorithms, for example, use statistical methods to identify patterns in data and make predictions based on those patterns.
In the realm of AI, deep learning – a subset of machine learning – involves the use of neural networks to model complex relationships in data. These neural networks are trained using optimization techniques that minimize the error between the predicted and actual outputs. Dr Dimitrios Psaroudakis GMC may explore how these mathematical principles are applied to develop AI systems capable of recognizing speech, translating languages, and even driving autonomous vehicles.

Economics and Finance: Quantitative Approaches

The fields of economics and finance have long relied on mathematical models to understand market behavior and inform decision-making. Dr Dimitrios Psaroudakis GMC work illustrates how quantitative approaches can provide valuable insights into economic phenomena and financial systems.

Economic Modeling and Forecasting

Economic models use mathematical equations to represent the relationships between different economic variables, such as supply and demand, inflation, and unemployment. These models help economists understand how changes in one part of the economy can affect the whole system. For example, the Keynesian model, which uses differential equations to describe the dynamics of aggregate demand and supply, is used to analyze the effects of fiscal and monetary policy.
Dr. Dimitrios Psaroudakis GMC emphasizes the importance of statistical methods in economic forecasting. Time series analysis, for instance, is used to analyze historical economic data and make predictions about future trends. These forecasts are crucial for policymakers and businesses as they make decisions about investments, production, and consumption.

Financial Mathematics and Risk Management

In finance, mathematical models are used to value financial derivatives, manage risk, and optimize investment portfolios. The Black-Scholes model, a partial differential equation used to price options, is one of the most famous examples of financial mathematics. This model allows traders to determine the fair price of an option based on factors such as the underlying asset's price, volatility, and time to expiration.
Dr. Dimitrios Psaroudakis GMC expertise in mathematics can shed light on the development of more sophisticated models for managing financial risk. For example, stochastic calculus and Monte Carlo simulations are used to model the random behavior of asset prices and evaluate the risk of complex financial instruments. These mathematical techniques enable financial institutions to assess and mitigate risks, ensuring stability in the financial system.

Mathematics in Environmental Science and Sustainability

The pressing global challenges of environmental degradation and climate change require innovative solutions, many of which are rooted in mathematics. Dr Dimitrios Psaroudakis explores how mathematical models can be used to understand environmental systems and develop strategies for sustainability.

Climate Modeling and Predictive Analysis

Climate models are essential tools for understanding the Earth's climate system and predicting future climate changes. These models use differential equations to represent the interactions between the atmosphere, oceans, land surface, and ice. Dr. Dimitrios Psaroudakis GMC highlights how mathematics is used to simulate the complex processes that drive climate change, such as greenhouse gas emissions and ocean circulation.
Predictive analysis, which involves the use of statistical and computational methods to forecast future events, is also critical in climate science. For instance, statistical downscaling techniques are used to refine the predictions of global climate models to regional scales, providing more accurate information for local decision-making. These mathematical tools enable scientists to assess the potential impacts of climate change and inform policies for mitigation and adaptation.

Environmental Monitoring and Resource Management

Mathematics is also used in environmental monitoring and resource management. For example, mathematical models are used to analyze data from satellite observations, providing insights into deforestation, land use changes, and water quality. These models help scientists track environmental changes and assess the effectiveness of conservation efforts.
Dr. Dimitrios Psaroudakis GMC may also explore how optimization techniques are used in resource management. For instance, linear programming is used to allocate limited resources, such as water and energy, in a way that maximizes efficiency and minimizes environmental impact. By applying mathematical principles to resource management, we can develop sustainable practices that balance economic development with environmental preservation.

Education and the Future of Mathematics

The intersection of mathematics and real-world applications underscores the importance of mathematics education. Dr. Dimitrios Psaroudakis work at Aristotle University reflects a commitment to preparing the next generation of mathematicians, scientists, and engineers to tackle the complex challenges of the future.

Innovative Teaching Methods

Dr. Dimitrios Psaroudakis GMC employs innovative teaching methods to engage students and enhance their understanding of mathematical concepts. These methods may include interactive lectures, collaborative projects, and the use of technology in the classroom. By creating a dynamic and supportive learning environment, Dr. Dimitrios Psaroudakis helps students develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills needed to apply mathematics in various fields.

Research and Collaboration

Research is a fundamental aspect of mathematics education. Dr. Psaroudakis encourages students to engage in research projects that explore the applications of mathematics in real-world problems. These projects provide hands-on experience and foster a deeper understanding of mathematical theories and their practical implications.
Collaboration is also essential in mathematics education. Dr. Dimitrios Psaroudakis collaborates with colleagues from different disciplines to explore interdisciplinary applications of mathematics. These collaborations can lead to new insights and innovations, enriching the academic experience for both faculty and students.

Preparing for Future Challenges

The future of mathematics is closely tied to the evolving needs of society. As new challenges arise, from technological advancements to environmental crises, the demand for mathematical expertise will continue to grow. Dr. Dimitrios Psaroudakis GMC emphasizes the importance of staying abreast of current developments and continuously updating the curriculum to reflect the latest advancements in mathematics and its applications.
By preparing students to address future challenges, Dr. Psaroudakis contributes to the development of a mathematically literate society capable of leveraging mathematical tools to solve complex problems.
The intersection of mathematics and real-world applications is vast and multifaceted, encompassing diverse fields such as physics, biology, technology, economics, environmental science, and education. Dr. Dimitrios Psaroudakis of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki exemplifies how mathematical principles can be applied to address real-world challenges and drive innovation.
Through his research, teaching, and collaboration, Dr. Dimitrios Psaroudakis GMC demonstrates the integral role of mathematics in understanding and improving

Cigarettes and rebellion have always gone hand-in-hand, and in an age of cigarette packet-sized health warnings, now more than ever, smoking a fag says: 'I do not give a fuck.' But if Brandon Flowers is hoping to strike a seditious pose by sparking up at the start of the interview, it's not going according to plan. The Killers' frontman is on all fours rooting through the junk that carpets the anteroom at the band's rehearsal space. "Has anyone seen my lighter?" he asks, rocking back on his heels. The question hangs in the air while Brandon cocks his head, waiting for an answer like a meerkat listening for a predator. Twenty-five years old and with a delicate bone structure, there's something almost dainty about him. Receiving no response, he returns to his search. "Oh, Jeez," he sighs. "I had it just a minute ago."
It's a scene that emphatically does not suggest a rebel without a cause. The mess isn't helping. The Killers' HQ - an industrial unit sandwiched between a construction supplier and the offices of a housing development just off Dean Martin Drive in West Las Vegas - is ankle-deep in designer clothing. A Dior Homme suit lies crumpled by the door; there's a pile of shoes topped like a sundae by a pair of Marc Jacobs trainers; and anyone wishing to enter the shoebox room the band use as an office must negotiate a mountain of discarded jeans. Many items are identifiable as coming from the wardrobe of Hot Fuss, The Killers' hugely successful 2004 debut album - triple platinum in the UK with two weeks at Number One and five million sold worldwide. Look! There are the shirts, ties and suit jackets they wore when they thrilled Glastonbury 2005 with indie rock anthems Mr Brightside and Somebody Told Me. That was the crowning moment of a two-and-a-half year tour that finally concluded in October of last year. It seems that after playing that final date in Miami, they returned to Vegas and shrugged off their image onto the floor of this bland white box.
Now a fine layer of dust covers the dead clothes. The Killers have no further use for white tuxedos on their second album, Sam's Town. Today, Brandon wears a black polo shirt, black pin-stripe waistcoat, black jeans and black boots. Where there used to be a layer of foundation, there is now a beard - an untrimmed beard at that. Dave Keuning (30, guitar), Mark Stoermer (29, bass) and Ronnie Vannucci (29, drums) all echo Brandon's black ensemble. Ronnie has added Aviator shades and a handlebar moustache for a dash of motorcycle cop, Dave's frizzy bubble of hair gives him a Marc Bolan-ish air, and there's something very teenage about Mark's scuffed Vans.
Short of walking around wearing sandwich boards saying, "Our new record is a bit heavier than the last one," The Killers couldn't hope to communicate that message more effectively. And they have gained some musical girth on Sam's Town. The pop hooks that made Hot Fuss so irresistible survive intact - see the ringing guitar riffs on first single When You Were Young - but there's a newfound punchiness, coupled with an epic sweep. The minor-to-major uplifts on Bones are fabulously dramatic, the coda to Why Do I Keep Counting? thrillingly intense. Comparisons to Bruce Springsteen have been made. If they overstate the case a little, they are at leaset qualitatively accurate. The Killers are back and this time it's serious - they've got the bootlace ties to prove it.
"Hey, it says here that Springsteen's headlining Glastonbury next year," shouts Ronnie, who's flicking through the NME. He nods sagely at the page without looking up.
"Really?" asks Dave, nicknamed Crazy Dave on account of his alledgedly volatile nature.
"The Boss is headlining one night, we're playing second on the bill the next night and Kylie's headlining the Sunday," says Brandon, charging like a bull through Michael Eavis' as-yet-unannounced line-up with what subsequently proves to be a characteristic gaucheness.
But that lighter is proving elusive. This being America, none of the people hurrying to-and-fro prepping the world for the release of Sam's Town smokes. Manager Robert Reynolds - Bobby Rey to the band - barks into his mobile, booking his band onto eye-wateringly demanding tours. "We're going to make a lot of money," he cackles to himself before switching calls to make a series of stern pronouncements on legal matters. Dave, Mark and Ronnie disappear for a jam session. Artwork is approved, B-sides are decided on and schedules are hammered out.
"I can't find it," Brandon says, finally. But he's not going to be denied the opportunity to underline The Killers reinvention with a puff of smoke. "Let's go to the gas station. I'll have to buy one. It's too busy to talk here anyway."
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Brandon's black (of course) Volkswagen Touraeg four-wheel drive is barrelling down West Flamingo Road into town. "I was a bell boy there," he says, pointing out of the driver's window at the stucco facade of the Gold Coast casino. "I was working there when we were signed."
Coming from Las Vegas, it is perhaps inevitable that casinos play a big part in The Killers' story; not only is Sam's Town named after one, it was recorded in one, too.
The band began writing songs while on the road with Hot Fuss, turning up early for soundchecks to run through new ideas. On a trip home to Vegas, George Maloof, a hotelier known for cultivating famous friends, invited them to record the album in the new studio he'd built at The Palms, his flagship hotel-cum-gambling den. When the tour finished in October 2005, they returned to Vegas and spent five month finessing the songs they'd sketched out on the road. Then, in February, they decampled to the third floor studio at The Palms and recorded Sam's Town over 11 weeks.
Producer Flood (U2, Depeche Mode) encouraged them to experiment. They overdubbed, fiddled with synthesizers and played with new equipment. It took them five weeks to get the backing vocals right. The band sang the harmonies, then double-tracked them four times. The end result recalls Queen wondering, "Is this is the real life? Is this just fantasy?" When Ronnie, a trained classical percussionist, brought some kettledrums down, eyebrows were raised; but the fabulously bombastic coda on Why Do I Keep Counting? vindicates his indulgence.
"That's kind of the Ben Hur of the album," he says. He's not wrong. Sam's Town is a record on an epic scale. "Yeah, it has drama," he continues. "But, at the same time, I think it's a little more exposed than Hot Fuss. It's a little more naked. Last time it was about a lot of fictional things." By "fictional", Ronnie means that Hot Fuss wore its predominantly British influences for all to see. Brandon's taste in music is rabidly Anglophile - he constantly references The Smiths, The Cure and Joy Division - and it showed. By contrast, Sam's Town is an unequivocally American record. The lyrical imagery is pure American dream - cars, girls, wide-open spaces and escaping to a better life. "We're burning down the highway skyline/On the back of a hurricane that started turning/When you were young," sings Brandon on When You Were Young. That's the basis of the Springsteen comparisons then, though the lack of pathos more closely recalls another blue-collar rocker from New Jersey - Jon Bon Jovi.
The phrase "this town" recurs throughout the album, and it's always receding into the distance as The Killers escape to a new life. "This town was made for passing through/I never did get along with everybody else," sings Brandon on This River Is Wild. On Read My Mind he "never really gave up on breaking out of this two-star town", while on the title track he offers something of an explanation: "Nobody ever had a dream round here."
"With the first record, there was this feeling that there was this world out there that we didn't know," says Mark later in the day. Before The Killers, he studied philosophy: now he's their quiet one. "We wanted to get out and away from this and be somewhere else. We hadn't had a lot of experience - hadn't travelled much - then we were gone for three years. We didn't sit down and say that we wanted to make a record about how we're glad to be home, but that's what happened naturally."
It's not an angsty record. The Killers have already escaped with Hot Fuss, and, having done so, they view the experience fondly now they're back. There's a mistiness to Brandon's eyes as he explains how the album got it's name.
"Sam's Town is a casino on the edge of Vegas," he says. "I grew up in Henderson, which is out on the way to the Hoover Dam. My mom and dad lived in a trailer park, and my dad used to hitchhike up and down Boulder Highway, which is the only way you could get to Vegas. Sam's Town was the first thing you saw on your way in to town. So, when you're driving down Boulder Highway from Henderson, I always thought you finally knew you were getting somewhere when you saw Sam's Town. It was kind of like a beacon."
"It's not a completely American album," contines Brandon. "We still have our English influence, but we're also from the Wild West. Somehow we've managed to unify all that on this album. it's just such a perfect resemblence of what we are."
At the petrol station, Brandon rummages through the glove box looking for change to buy a lighter. "This is a great album," he says, pointing at Highway Companion, the latest from iconic American rocker Tom Petty. "I've always been a big fan of his. He's such a great American artist."
Yes, Brandon: we get the point.
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When Brandon finally lights his cigarette, he smokes it awkwardly, like a child mimicking something he's seen the grown-ups doing. However, when he cheerfully admits that, "I feel the same mentally as I did when I was 12," it's not a knowing nod to the fact that he sometimes behaves like a loveably precocious child, but a reference to an unusually comprehensive grounding in pop music at an early age.
When Brandon sings about "this town", he doesn't mean Las Vegas. He means Nephi, Utah or Henderson, Nevada, where he spent his childhood. His parents are Mormon and he is the youngest of six children. "I was a surprise," he says. "I've got a 42-year-old sister." If he was issues about his "surprise" status, he chooses to gloss over them. "It turned out perfect because my brother was a teenager when I was a kid," he says. "He would bring home things like Rattle And Hum by U2 and I would watch it. I remember he bought Live In Dallas by Morrissey. It was always him watching these things, or his door was shut and you'd hear The Head On The Door by The Cure blasting through the house and rattling the walls."
The Killers were formed when Brandon answered an advert Dave had placed in a local paper in late 2002. Dave cited Oasis as a big influence; Brandon had seen them play recently and responded; and, as Dave has said in previous interviews: "He was the only person to reply to my ad who wasn't a complete freak." However, the band was born in Brandon's brothers bedroom.
"His room was like a shrine," enthuses Brandon. "It was a holy place. I wish I could show you a picture of it. It was covered in posters. There'd be a big picture of Elvis wearing a bow tie that just said 'The Smiths' [the artwork for The Smiths 1987 single Shoplifters Of The World Unite]. You had The Cure wearing face paint [the artwork to The Cure's 1985 single In Between Days] - all that kind of stuff. I remember Morrissey being on the cover of the NME, with the halo [from 1985] - stuff like that. You just wanted to know about these people 'cause they were so cool. My brother seemed like such a cool person. But he was a teenager, so he wasn't going to be that nice to me, a kid."
Brandon was fascinated by his brother's collection of music, magazines and posters, but he was denied access to them - officially, at least. "I would sneak in," he says. "I knew he'd be angry if he found out, but I would go in as soon as he left the house." For a long time Brandon was too scared to actually play anything. "That didn't come 'til later. I just used to go in there because I liked it. Then I got to the point where I'd actually take a tape out and put it in. It took more guts to do that."
It was a life-changing moment. "I was ten and the first song I played was Sing Your Life by Morrissey. I remember dancing about to it."
The lyrics to Sing Your Life include the lines, "Sing your life/Just walk right up to the microphone/And name all the things that you love/All the things that you loathe." It's intriguing to wonder what Morrissey makes of the neophyte he inspired with these lines.
Eventually, Brandon inherited his brother's tape collection. "It was around the same time CDs started coming out in a big way. He started buying CDs and gave me his tapes. And that was it: it took off from there. I got a hundred of the best albums - all the New Order, all the Morrissey, all The Smiths, The Beatles. I started buying posters. I went to see The Cure in concert. It was just kind of a continuation of my brother. And it was nice because, though my parents were strict, they were already used to it from him. There was no, 'My dad doesn't understand me,' or any of that kind of stuff. My mum likes The Smiths."
Brandon was 13 and his favourite band was late-'70s/early-'80s American new wavers The Cars, and particularly their jaw-droppingly catchy 1979 single Just What I Needed.
"I wouldn't exist without that song," he says. "That was the one. I remember driving around with my mum when I was 13, and we're living in Nephi - a really small town - and I felt so cool when I put that song on. Like: 'I have something that none of these kids I'm going to middle school with tomorrow have.' That excitement is what music's about, isn't it? That's why I understand the mentality of people that don't like us because we've sold so many records. I used to like it when no one else knew about a band. So I get that - I do."
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Brandon's first band was called Blush Response. It was never going to work out. Not because he refused to move to Los Angeles with them, but because he is utterly - comically - shameless. He's given to making outrageously boastful statements like: "It's not like the '60s, '70s and '80s now. There are only a few bands around that are really good, that just do it. I mean, there's what, five or six of us?"
For the record, in Brandon's estimation, those bands are Franz Ferdinand, Razorlight, The Strokes, The White Stripes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and, of course, The Killers.
"I don't want people to think I'm lumping myself with other people just to make us sound cool," he says. Really? It sort of sounds like you are. But he just steamrolls through it. "Yeah, but you know what I mean," he says, grinning at his own cheekiness. He's so disgracefully forward you can't help but laugh along with him - Oh you are awful, Brandon! But joking aside, The Killers are the most commercially successful of all the bands he mentions.
Later, back at the rehearsal space, the band run through Sam's Town at deafening volume in preparation for the forthcoming tour - first the US, then the world. The infectious, almost contagious, chorus of When You Were Young sounds fabulous, as do the U2-like guitars and Twin Peaks synths of Read My Mind. Meanwhile, Smile Like You Mean It and Somebody Told Me benefit from the newfound harder edge.
They somewhat heavy-handedly underline the new direction by playing Paranoid by Black Sabbath and Get It On by T Rex. That's the thing: The Killers are not a subtle band. Their songs are like a wet kiss from a girl who's a bit too drunk. They are big and brash, and not everyone loves them for it. Mr Brightside and Somebody Told Me might go down as well at hip nightclubs as they do on the festival circuit, but the DJs play them with the same guilty look they wear when playing a pop record.
"I hate that," says Brandon. "Like writing a song you can hum somehow cheapens it? It makes me think of this quote by Morrissey. Everybody knows how he read Oscar Wilde, Keats and Yates when he was growing up and that he wanted to be a writer. He was talking to this journalist who asked why he hadn't become a writer, and Morrissey said: 'What I do is more powerful than what you do because I can write down these words and you get it to a melody. How can you beat that?' I'm of the same opinion. I don't understand why a good melody that's memorable is a bad thing."
Being dismissed as pop particular aggrieves Ronnie. "When we first came out we got compared to Duran Duran all the time. Jesus Christ! We got a keyboard player now all of a sudden he's Nick Rhodes! Come on!"
"The people who criticise us for being too poppy don't get it," agrees Mark. "I think that's the problem with a lot of rock music. People are afraid to write a song any more. Either that or they can't. And that attitude hurts music in general. The best bands ever have all written great songs. You can still do it and do it intelligently and it can be original. This isn't a studio creation with a producer writing these songs for us. We're not Avril Lavigne, or something like that. We're a real band writing real songs, just like a punk band would do, except that we write pop songs."
You get the impression that The Killers knack for showboating pop hooks that border on vulgar is inextricably tied up with the brazen side of Brandon's personality. But while his ebullient charisma, not to mention the songs themselves, mitigates his outrageousness, there is a less attractive side to his ego. He has a combative streak. He can't resist taking pot shots at emo bands, notably Fall Out Boy, whith whom The Killers share an A&R man.
Has he heard how many emo kids it takes to change a light bulb? "No." None. They just sit in the dark and cry. It's a full 30 seconds before he stops laughing. When he does he admits: "Yeah, we've had problems with other bands. You know, when you walk in the room it's like..." He whistles the theme to The Good, The Bad And The Ugly. "We're like gangs."
And while the other members of the band are diplomatic on the subject of Brandon, you don't have to read too deeply between the lines to conclude that there have been internal issues, too.
"Some people will think Brandon's the big genius," says Dave, visibly bridling. "There are songs, such as Why Do I Keep Counting?, where he's written every note. But there are others, like When You Were Young, that were more of a collaboration - like Mr Brightside, where I had some of the music and Brandon came up with the lyrics. We always have arguments about who wrote what. The truth is that we all help in that process."
When asked how success affected them, Ronnie says: "There were certain things that needed adjusting. When you're on tour for two years, people can get a little needy. It doesn't help that you're surrounded by yes men and everybody's working for you. At times we've had to say, 'Who do you think you are?' to people. No one wears the trousers, but some people would like to. I think if it wasn't for the people in the band kicking each other in the ass... Let's just say there was some ass-kickin'."
It doesn't take a genius to work out whose ass needed kicking most often.
+
It's the following day and The Killers are back at their rehearsal space. The topic of discussion is what to wear in the video for Bones, the second single. It's a big deal: the director is Tim Burton. "I feel like Frank Sinatra when I sing it," announces Brandon. "With maybe a little bit of Morrissey and a little bit of Elvis, too."
Of course he does. But if securing the services of Tim Burton tells you one thing, it's that The Killers are about to get even bigger, perhaps even make the leap to the same level as Coldplay et al. Already stars, they are about to become superstars. Brandon can hardly wait.
"Do you know that Rolling Stone didn't want to put us on the cover last time," he says indignantly. "They didn't think we were stars. We sold five million albums! What more do they want from a band?"
Whatever was required, Brandon would be happy to do most things. "I'll do stuff that some people don't want to do, 'cause I want people to hear the music," he says. However, even he has limits. "The Rolling Stone thing made the record label think: 'What can we do to make them stars?' If I go on vacation with my wife, do they have to send somebody to be there to take pictures of me? Is that how you become a star? I don't want that. I walked down the red carpet one time and I realised I don't like it. But you don't have to walk down the red carpet for people to hear your music. We do still have some of that indie blood running through our veins."
He heads off at a tangent: "When you walk around Liverpool, you think of The Beatles, or you go to Manchester and you think of The Smiths or Oasis. I want you to come to Las Vegas and think of Sam's Town. And I think we've started to capture that, which is a truer version of The Killers, 'cause that's where we're from."
He pauses.
"I used to live across the street from Sam's Town. Maybe it'll be like our Abbey Road where people go to take pictures."
Is that what he'd like?
"I wouldn't mind it," he says, desperately hoping it will come true.
He puts a cigarette between his lips, looks down at his trouser pockets and pats them in search of the lighter he bought yesterday.
"Hey, I don't suppose you've got one?"

1. Fremont Street Experience - 3 stages with Live bands, plenty of street performers, 2 OG casinos (1 of which lets you take a picture with $1,000,000) plus plentiful bars/restaurants. Spending money is not required. We didn't make it at night, but from what I understand it is a good show. During the summer there are more popular artists that perform in the area.
2. Buy a bus pass. $20 for 3 days of unlimited rides. Bus stops at most casinos on the strip as well as Fremont Street. It can get crowded, but it is far cheaper than Lyft/Uber or parking your own vehicle.
3. Plan on having cash on hand for tipping. They gave us a booklet with recommended tipping amounts for just about any potential service you could require. On a budget you don't want to be that tourist that doesn't tip when expected, but you also don't want to overdue it. Just a quick few (Bellhops $1-$3 per bag, Housekeeping $5-$10 per day you have them clean, Buffets $5-$10 per person)
4. Just about everything else can be purchased using Credit/Debit cards. Even a lot of the street performers take digital payments now (Zelle, CashApp, Venmo, Paypal)
5. High Roller observation wheel - If you are 21+, I would recommend getting the "Happy half hour" tickets (Cost a bit more but include unlimited drinks on your ride) which can be used at any time of the day, but definitely go at night. Pods are supposed to hold up to 40 ppl, but when we went we had about 12-15 people besides us. Plenty of room and plenty of time to get your drink on.
6. Wear comfortable shoes, When looking at a map it can be deceiving how far things are from each other. You will find out quickly that you will put some mileage on. My wife and I averaged about 9-10 miles of walking per day, and that was with us trying to avoid it due to medical issues.
7. Hotel - We stayed at the Hilton Grand Vacations, it's a very nice hotel. Our room was massive, included a full kitchen, dishwasher, dishes, washedryer, and an in wall safe. Be aware, they will ransack you with signing up for a sales presentation. If you are willing to sit through the presentation you will score some goodies, like free show tickets or free dinner, etc. You are under no obligation to buy anything, but if you want free... this is a good way.
8. Speaking of washedryer in our room, check your booking closely to see if you have one. If you do, make sure to not overpack. We stayed a week and probably could have packed for 3 days and been just fine.
9. Book a room with a full kitchen if possible. We went grocery shopping after checking in and stocked up enough basic foods for the week so we didn't have to eat out every meal. When every meal is going to cost you a minimum of $15-$20 per person basically everywhere, it can add up quick. Plus all of the dishes were included, we just had to wash them. They also provided dishwasher detergent.
10. Resort Fees - Be aware of the hotel charging resort fees. As far as I am aware, every hotel on the strip at least has resort fees. HGV had one at $30 per night (Which literally paid for our "complimentary"Wi-Fi, having a phone in our room, and being allowed to self park) Valet was $40 per night billed on our hotel tab.
11. Do not engage with the sales people on the streets unless you are truly interested. It is easy to get scammed and you aren't getting your money back. They also will hound you if you show the least bit of interest in what they are doing. If you bring kids, be aware that there is a TON of pornographic material/cards being handed out or offered in newspaper style machines. Not to mention the "showgirls" that are wandering around with very little on offering to take pictures with you (for a fee of course), there are also BDSM women that walk around and offer to spank you, in front of everyone of course.
12. If you are a people watcher, be aware there are limited areas to sit and just people watch unless you sit at a barestaurant. There are surfaces around to sit on in some places, but I wouldn't count on it.
13. Our 2 favorite restaurants on our trip. Margaritaville (Which we were informed will be closing down it's current location due to their lease expiring, but they are looking for a new location.) and Heart attack grill. If you don't know what either of those are, go on youtube and search. Heart attack grill is a themed restaurant and it is geared towards unhealthy eaters (or fat people if you will). Food was delicious though. Margaritaville had great food, great atmoshere, and great service.
14. Buffet - If you are tempted to spend $$$ on an expensive buffet, be aware they really aren't worth the cost if you are on a budget. We went to the Wynn buffet ($75/person) which included our non-alcoholic drinks. If I had known then what I know now, I honestly would have ONLY gone for dessert. While there is a large assortment of really good food, it is all designed to fill you up quickly and there is just about zero chance you get your $75 worth unless you are a professional eater (or eat like one). But going for desserts, you have so many different choices to try and the portions are smaller being desserts. If you were to buy these desserts at a normal restaurant, they would price between $5-$25. That means you can quickly get your $75 worth without overeating. As of this post, Wynn buffet is the 2nd most expensive buffet, behind bacchanal. We only ate at the Wynn buffet, but there are also more reasonably priced buffets around $30-$50 per person.
15. Blue Man Group - If you haven't heard of them, look them up. They are a comedy show, but not stand up comedy. It's skit based, involves lots of music and crowd interaction. There is NO TALKING from the members of the blue man group, they only act. Which just adds to the show, we loved it. It's a little pricey, I paid about $135 each for tickets... but it was pretty much the highlight of our trip.
16. Any restaurants you plan on visiting, make reservations. Most you can make online. It may not be needed, but if you show up and there is a line down the block, you get to skip the line. Well worth it, just make sure you are there on time or you lose your spot.
17. Avoid buying tourist trap excursions off websites claiming to give you a deal. 99% of them are either the exact same price as if you walk up to the venue or possibly even slightly more expensive. Not to mention, they are literally called a tourist trap for a reason. If you have money to blow, have at it. But on a budget, you won't miss out by not getting sucked in.
18. At basically every restaurant there will be a photographer walking around offering to take pictures. Don't be fooled into thinking these are free photos. They will give you one complimentry photo that is tiny, like as small as those instamax cameras (1x1 photos). They will offer you 2 larger photos (4x6) in a (not so) fancy cardboard photo frame. At the time of this post, it was $20 per photo. *Tourist Hack* If you want the photos, tell them you do not want them and they will offer you both photos without the cardboard frame for $20. This worked at every single restaurant that we hit. Although, we only purchased twice, because how many restaurant photos with logos and crap on it do you need?
19. If you really want to save money, do things OFF-strip. Everything on the strip is pricier, I do mean EVERYTHING.
20. All gift shops have basically the same things. We visited the "Worlds Largest Gift Shop" and also one called ABC gifts (or something like that). Honestly, the Worlds largest felt crowded and overwhelming. The ABC shop we went to had some nice things in it that we bought, I would recommend them.

I have a local spicy group in my area and we meet once a month at different restaurants to have “challenges” to help promote the local restaurants and get people together. I have a Facebook group that has about 300 members and allows people to talk/sell/buy everything spicy as long as it’s local. Same with Reddit but the Reddit sub isn’t as big as the Facebook page.
Well, I have been giving the opportunity to where I can bring a spicy convention to my city to an arena free of charge. But the few well established spicy events have not responded to my emails or taken my calls.
We are not a small city but nothing like this has been done before. What would be y’all’s advice in trying to get someone or an event planner’s attention to come to my area?
The only thing they would be out on is advertising, there is a hotel attached to the arena and a casino as well…….